Did Christ Suffer in Hell When He Descended into Hell?

Christ' Victory of Hell

on Holy Saturday

There's a dangerous doctrine gaining popularity in Catholic circles. It holds that Christ's "descended into Hell," not as a Victor announcing his victory over Satan, sin, and death (the orthodox Catholic doctrine), but rather that Christ descended as a sentenced man like the damned with His own sense of "despair" (the new false teaching).

The new theology holds that Christ continued to suffer after death and experienced solidarity with the damned.

Where are well-meaning Catholics getting this incorrect idea? 

John Calvin. Huh? Yep, Catholics are getting stuff from Calvin, but in a round about way. Let's take a look at the paper trail:

Years ago while listening to Hank Hanegraaff’s Bible Answer Man radio program, a caller called in about “Christ suffering in Hell.” Hank rightly explained that “Christ suffering in Hell” is not a biblical doctrine, but noted that the doctrine was held by John Calvin. Hank respectfully disagreed with Calvin.

I won't bore you with the details of Calvin's noodled theology, but I'll leave you with the academic citation: see Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion Book II, Chapter 16, 10. I'll just give you one quote so you can get the feel of Calvin's distorted thinking: "Christ endured before God, to teach us that not only was the body of Christ given up as the price of redemption, but that there was a greater and more excellent price – that he bore in his soul the tortures of condemned and ruined man." 

So much for Calvin...

Catholics always rejected this theory of "Christ suffering in Hell." We believe that Christ descended into Hell not as a victim of suffering under the penal wrath of God in Hell. Catholic believe that Christ descended to proclaim His victory over Hell and to ransom the Old Testament saints from the Limbo of the Fathers. That is the teaching of ALL THE SAINTED CHURCH FATHERS, EAST AND WEST.

Regrettably, Hans Urs von Balthasar re-popularized the false position once held by John Calvin - that Christ entered Sheol/Hell . Again, I won't bore you with the details. Just take a look at Alyssa Lyra Pitstick's book Light in Darkness: Hans Urs von Balthasar and the Catholic Doctrine of Christ's Descent into Hell. She has written the definitive book on the subject:

Balthasar wrongly taught that Our Lord Jesus was "crushed" in Hell, and that He suffered as an object of the Father's wrath. Balthasar goes so far as to say that "God cursed (and so banished) in Him everything hostile to the Divinity." 

Where is Balthasar getting all this? 

Father Hans Urs von Balthasar, SJ

Re-Popularizing of Christ Suffering in Hell

Balthasar based his theological speculations on the visions (private revelations) of his intimate friend Adrienne von Speyr. Adrienne Von Speyr was, drum roll please, a convert from Swiss Calvinism. Her theological formation was not Catholic, but Calvinist. 

Moreover, Balthasar spent much of his theological career studying and celebrating the theology of Swiss Protestant theologian Karl Barth. Barth was, drum roll please, a minister and theologian of the Swiss Reformed Church - the descendant of Calvin's theological denomination.

Adrienne von Speyr

The Visionary of Balthasar's Theology

It's no coincidence that the Balthasar's "innovative" theology on Christ suffering in Hell comes form the cantons of Calvinist Switzerland.

Balthasar's "innovative theology" is merely a rehashing of Swiss Calvinism. It is not Patristic. It is not Catholic. It's Calvinism repackaged for Catholics.

What then is the historic and magisterial teaching of Christ' descent into Hell?

This descent into Hell as Christ’s victory corresponds to the teaching of our first Pope Saint Peter: Christ “proclaimed the Gospel even to the dead” (εἰς τοῦτο γὰρ καὶ νεκροῖς εὐηγγελίσθη, 1 Pet 4:6). Jesus wasn’t burning in the flames! Jesus wasn't in solitary sadness in the shadow of Sheol. Christ was dashing the gates of Hell, proclaiming His victory, and delivering the righteous of the Old Testament! That’s the holy Catholic and Apostolic Faith in all its beauty.

Calvin's (and Balthasar's rarefied) “penal substitution” theory of the atonement is patently false. Christ died for us, but it wasn’t a simple swap. Christ uses the language of participation. We are to be “in Him” and we are to also carry the cross. Christ doesn’t take up the cross so that we don’t have to take up the cross. He repeatedly calls us to carry the cross. Our lives are to become “cruciform.” The New Testament constantly calls us to suffer in the likeness of Christ. Again, it’s not a clean exchange. It’s not: “Jesus suffers so that we don’t have to.” Rather we participate in His redemption. This is also the language of Saint Paul:

"For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake" (Phil 1:29).

"Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the Church" (Col 1:24).

According to Catholic Christianity, Christian salvation involves the vindication of Christ’s unjust death on the cross. God does not “hate” or "crush" His Son. This is impossible. God does not “turn away” from His Son. Luther introduced this false tension and it has led to Calvin’s grievous heresy. Saint Paul speaks of “overcoming death” as the true victory of Christ – not His becoming the whipping-boy of the Father.

I truly hope that this post causing people to pause and take one step back from Balthasar. My opinion is that Balthasar is the Origen of our era: Brilliant. Interesting. Poetic. But Dangerously Wrong on so many important Catholic doctrines. 

I should stop there and open up the comments: Have I depicted Balthasar rightly? If so, why do Catholics gush over his version of "Calvinism 2.0"?

If you want to learn more about how Catholic theology stresses the Pauline doctrine of “participation,” please check out this book, and consider listening to some of my FREE Catholic Paul Podcasts: click here.

Push Your Wounds into the Wounded Side of Jesus

One of the things that I love about being Catholic is that conversion is not supposed to be an instantaneous "getting saved" event. It's not that we instantly become perfect in God's eyes. We do, in fact, instantly become a son or daughter in Father's eyes, but He still sees us as we are - and He love us. 

The process of becoming holy is a life-long battle. It's the saga of sanctification. It's a journey in which each one of us must carry a cross for years while being energized by the Holy Spirit.

One thing that we all struggle with in this life is walking around with an injured soul. I cannot speak for every single one of you. However, everyone that I've come to know intimately shares with that he or she bears a few wounds that have not healed up perfectly.

Think about the person who has hurt you the most. Think of the most painful wound that you have ever received in your entire life. Don't we all bear wounds like this?

I know it is not easy, but as we meditate on our Lord Jesus Christ dying on the cross for our sins, maybe we can "locate" our wounds in His wounds. Truth be told, we wounded Him much more than anyone will ever wound us. Yet, He says, "Father forgive them." More than that, He gives us a place within His own family: "Behold your mother." Even more than this, He suffers His own wounds and our wounds with us.

Consider those wounds and pains that you bear and place them in the pierced side of Jesus Christ. Insert them into His pierced side and manually push them up there until they are snug with His Sacred Heart. Know that your hurts are felt by His Sacred Heart. 

You may not be ready to utter the words, "Father forgive him/her" concerning the person who hurt you. However, if you place your pain inside His pain, His voice speaks for you. Eventually His voice will become your voice. You will say, "I forgive you."

Good Friday is a wonderful day to do some heavy lifting in the spiritual life. Shoulder up the cross and give it a go. It's your last chance before Easter to do something truly heroic in union with Christ. The most heroic thing you can do is offer Him what is broken, hurt, or ugly and ask Him to heal you.

My own experience teaches me that the more serious I am about Friday (crucifixion) the more happy I am in Christ on Sunday (resurrection).

Have a holy Good Friday. Enter into the pierced side of Jesus.

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Golgatha: The Word Symbolizes A Beautiful Reality!

David & the Head of Goliath of Gath

In the Gospels we read that our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified for our sins at a place called "Golgotha."

“And they came to the place that is called Golgotha, which is the place of skull.” (Matthew 27:33)

So Golgotha is the "place of the skull." But if you've ever studied Hebrew, you may have realized a difficulty with the Bible's claim. Golgotha doesn't mean anything close to "skull" in Hebrew, Aramaic, or any other language. It's a big problem.

So we have to solve this puzzle. When we do solve it, you're going to be amazed.

Let's lay out the facts:

1. Golgotha, a seemingly unintelligible word, has something to do with a "skull."
2. Golgotha is located outside the city walls of Jerusalem.
3. Golgotha was a widely known Jewish location with a proper name. Presumably the location symbolized something.

Here's a possible solution that you may not have expected:

The "place of the skull" is where King David buried the head of the decapitated giant Goliath of Gath. The Bible teaches that after David slew Goliath, he cut off his head and brought it the skull to Jerusalem:

“He ran, and stood over the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath, and slew him, and cut off his head. And the Philistines seeing that their champion was dead, fled away. And the children of Israel returning, after they had pursued the Philistines, fell upon their camp. And David taking the head of the Philistine, brought it to Jerusalem: but his armour he put in his tent.” (1 Samuel 17:51–54, D-R)

This would explain why the "place of the skull" is oddly named "Golgotha." The term is a corruption of Hebrew for "Goliath Gath":

Goliath Gath > GoliGath > GolGath > GolGatha

So King David killed the enemy of Israel (Goliath of Gath) and then brought the giant's head to Jerusalem. Jews would not have permitted the Gentile giant's head to be buried in the city walls. It would have been buried outside the city walls. This matches with what we know about the location of Golgatha. It was outside the city walls.

The slaying of Goliath by David was one of the most important events in "Israelite history." The location of the giant's head would have been known by all. Hence, "Golgatha" is likely the the place of not just any old skull, but the place of the skull of Goliath of Gath.

This is a beautiful connection since Christ is the Messianic Son of David. Our Lord Jesus Christ is constantly reaffirming that He Himself is the definitive "Son of David":

“And the chief priests and scribes, seeing the wonderful things that he did and the children crying in the temple and saying: Hosanna to the son of David, were moved with indignation,” (Matthew 21:15, D-R)

“And Jesus answering, said, teaching in the temple: How do the scribes say that Christ is the son of David?” (Mark 12:35, D-R)

Our Lord Jesus Christ crushed the head of Satan while he was on the cross (see Gen 3:15). 

Just as the shepherd David crushed the head of Goliath of Gath with a little stone, so Jesus Christ crushed the head of Satan. The foundation of God's Kingdom on earth (the Catholic Church) was embedded into the forehead of the Roman Empire while Jesus hung on a Roman cross. The "little rock" that Christ threw was his appointed apostle and vicar - a man whom he named "little rock" or "Peter." Peter was embedded into Rome by also being crucified on a Roman cross, albeit upside down. And there Peter was buried: "On this rock I will build my Church."

I hope this brings everything together for you. If you're digging this mystical approach to theology, check out my first book The Crucified Rabbi on the Jewish symbolism of Christ's life, death, and resurrection. 

If you're interested in the connections between Christ and the Roman Empire (and Christ's universal victory in the Roman Catholic Church), check out my book The Eternal City: Rome and the Origins of Catholicism.

     

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7 Reasons Why Christ Died on a Wooden Cross (from Saint Thomas Aquinas)

When I was kid, I loved to read mysteries. My favorite was a series called Encyclopedia Brown about a childhood version of Sherlock Holmes who would solve mysteries in his neighborhood. Why do I still like mysteries? Mysteries give you many little facts that add up to one big impressive fact. Mysteries are mental puzzles. It requires a keen mind to put it together. When somebody solves the mystery, there is a great sense of delight in all who have followed the details.

The Bible is like a dramatic mystery story. The entire Old Testament is full of clues. All of these clues lead the birth, life, death, resurrection, and ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ. However, most Jews at the time of Christ (those who were trying to solve the mystery of the Old Testament) failed to solve the mystery. At the moment of the final solution, what others have called "the climax of the covenant," they rejected the obvious fulfillment of every single clue: Jesus Christ.

{I catalogued over 300 Old Testament prophecies about Christ in my book The Crucified Rabbi, if you're interested in learning more about this.}

But here's what makes this mystery of redemption so amazing. The rejection of the mystery was the ultimate fulfillment of the mystery! The ultimate failure to organize all the "clues" (prophecy) led the rejection and murder of the one who was the Solution, our Lord Jesus Christ.

One of the most interesting "clues" or "mysteries" was the Messiah and Son of God should die on a Roman wooden cross outside the city of Jerusalem. If you're like me, we are accustomed to the idea of the cross. But think about how scandalous it was for the Jewish Messiah to die on a Gentile instrument of torture. Consider how amazing it is that God chose to use a Roman instrument of capital punishment to bring about human redemption. Hail the wood of the cross!

To allow to better appreciate this, here are Saint Thomas Aquinas' SEVEN reason for why Christ died on a wooden cross. I like to read these over every year during Holy Week:

First, Augustine observed that crucifixion is not only painful, it is painful and public. The public nature of Christ's death inspires us to face death heroically.

Second, Augustine observed that since Adam brought death through a tree, it was fitting that the New Adam destroy death by hanging on a tree.

Third, John Chrysostom and Theophylact observed that by being lifted up on the cross, Christ sanctified the air.

Fourth, Athanasius observed that by being lifted up on the cross, Christ shows that He has prepared the ascent into Heaven.

Fifth, Gregory of Nyssa observed that the shape of the cross was fitting for because it extends in the four directions and is therefore universal. Also, Athanasius wrote that the one outstretched arm sanctified the those in the past and the other arm as outstretched to the future. So we have both a spacial and temporal universality signified in the crucifixion.

Sixth, Augustine says the parts of the cross signifies the following:

• Breadth – This pertains to Christ’s hands and thus "good works"
• Length – This pertains to the upright nature of a tree and thus "longanimity".
• Height – This pertains to the top and Christ’s head and “the good hope” of the faithful.
• Base – The base is the root and it is hidden, thus it signifies “grace”.

Seventh, Augustine observes that wood is salutary in the Old Covenant. Wood saved Noah in the Flood. Moses divided the sea with a wooden rod; purified water with wood, and brought forth water with his wooden rod. Also, the Ark of the Covenant was made of wood.

from Saint Thomas Aquinas Summa theologiae III q. 46, a. 4.

As you can see, the crucifixion of Christ our Lord is layered with meaning and symbolism. It is a conclusion to the mystery that we could have never guessed!

If you like this type of writing and theological mystery, please take a look at my latest book The Eternal City. There is a whole chapter in the book on the mystery of Christ dying on a wooden, Roman cross and how it relates to the Roman Catholic Church. It's not accidents that Catholics make the sign of the (Roman) cross before and after prayers.

I am convinced that you'll love the book and benefit from it. In fact, I offer a 100% money back guarantee on all my books. If you read one of my books and didn't like it, I'll send you a personal check to cover the cost. No questions asked. I'm that convinced that you'll like my books. Moreover, the reviews on amazon confirm that people love the book.

You can get the book here at amazon.com:

Have a great Holy Week!

Islam & Being Ecumenically Correct: How It's Driven One Ex-Muslim to Leave the Catholic Church

Mr. Magdi Cristiano Allam
Receiving Communion after Baptism
He has now left the Catholic Church...

I was really impressed a few years back when Pope Benedict baptized a Muslim man. His name is Magdi Cristiano Allam. I thought it was great that the Pope himself would baptize such a convert. It symbolized that Christ is truly the King of Kings and Lord of the whole earth. 

Well, Mr. Allam just announced that he is leaving the Catholic Church! That's it. He's done. He's out.

Why?

Magdi Cristiano Allam is leaving the Catholic Church because he thinks the Catholic Church has become soft on Islam. And to be honest, I agree with his assessment of the Vatican's "soft-theology" of Islam. 

The new "soft theology" of contemporary Catholic dialogue is not historic, biblical, traditional, Thomistic, etc. We all see it for what it is. The Holy See's increasingly tolerant stance toward Islam is an attempt to appease the future rulers of Europe: Muslims. This approach is not the way of Saint Pius V, to be sure. Google "Battle of Lepanto" for details.

Here is Mr. Allam in his own words:

"The thing that drove me away from the Church more than any other factor was religious relativism, in particular the legitimisation of Islam as a true religion," he said. Mr Allam said Islam was "an intrinsically violent ideology" that had to be courageously opposed as "incompatible with our civilisation and fundamental human rights". "I am more convinced than ever that Europe will end up being subjugated to Islam just like what happened beginning in the seventh century on the other side of the Mediterranean," he warned. {Quote from the Tablet}

I don't agree with Mr. Allam for leaving the one true Church of Jesus Christ. I don't celebrate it or condone it. The apostasy of Mr Allam serves the dead canary in the mine. 

We will not convert Muslims to our Lord Jesus Christ if we keep preaching our "ecumenically correct" (EC) public service announcements. Islam is NOT a religion of Abraham. It's not. It's an aberration.  Saint John Damascene (Doctor of the Catholic Church) said that Islam is a heresy at best. If Abraham were alive today, he would stand up and curse Islam. It's a religion of the sword. Always has been. Always will be. Any religion that promises sex with virgins as its highest reward is clearly a religion created by man. Mohammedanism does not have a divine origin. Mohammedanism leads people away from Jesus Christ. 

"But Dr. Marshall. You don't really understand. I mean have you ever really read the Quran?" Yes, I have the full audible version of the Quran on my iPhone and I listen to it. I read it. I study it. It's bad news. 

Think about it this way. The Catholic Church, once upon a time, converted the nations of Europe. These converts had previously practiced forms of paganism and animism. 

What if the Pope and bishops back then began glad-handing with the ecumenical heads of the religions they were supposed to be baptizing? What if Pope Gregory the Great were celebrating diversity with the priests of Thor and priestesses of the Frigga? Do you know how discouraging that would be for these new converts among the freshly baptized German tribes?!

I'm going to be transparent with you. It absolutely destroys me whenever I see photos of the Pope and the Archbishop of Canterbury posing for pictures. Many former Anglican priests made enormous sacrifices to enter into communion with the Pope. I gave up my life and vocation as an Anglican priest to be in communion with the Pope. To see the Pope smiling and celebrating with our "old boss" is very discouraging.

My opinion is that the ecumenism of the last 40 years does more harm than good - when it comes to people who are actually becoming Catholic. Magdi Cristiano Allam is Exhibit A. Here is a man who was baptized by the Pope himself. Now he is gone. How sad.

Now it's your turn. We can agree that there is no excuse to leave the Church, but is the Catholic Church hurting her children who are former Muslim children by being ecumenically correct and overly tolerant? Is this about Christ or COEXIST? Please leave a comment.

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FREE Book: A Birthday Gift for My Readers

This year my birthday falls on Good Friday - March 29.

That's okay. My family and I will just have cake on Easter, instead!

Still, since my birthday is actually on Good Friday this year I wanted to do something different. Instead of receiving gifts, I want to give a gift. I want to give something to the readers of this blog. Totally free. Just a "Thank You" from me to you. A want to give you all a free book.

Here's why:

Over the past three months, I've come to connect with many readers of this blog. Daily, I receive dozens of heartfelt messages from you, the readers, via email and Facebook. I don't want to sound too gushy, but a community has formed. I receive so much encouragement from you.

When I started back 2005, this was not the case. However, I know get tons of feedback. I hear from a lot of non-Catholics who are now becoming Catholics. I hear from atheists, Jews, and even Buddhists who are interested in Christ or have a question or concern. Sometimes they just want to "thanks" for a post. Other times I get tearful messages from a mother whose son has lost the faith. She's looking for that apologetic "silver bullet" to bring him back. Or sometimes I hear from elderly people in the final days of cancer. I NEVER thought a simple little blog could be like this...

What I've learned is that it's not just an academic experience...it's a human experience.

So I'm going to write a FREE book for the readers of Canterbury Tales. I'll make it available free as an ebook so as to not burden anyone with the costs of shipping.

Since it's meant as a gift, I want it to have value for you. I don't want to give you the book that I want to write (and I want to write a lot of them - I have a whole list). I want to write the book that you want to read!

What would you like your book to be about? I'm placing the decision in your hands...

I came up with a few options. I'll let the readers vote and then whichever book idea has the most votes, I'll write that book for you and give it out for free. Deal?

Here are the options. Which do you like:

1. Mother of Fair Love: A 30 Day Devotional with the Mother of Jesus
2. The Liturgy of Your Life: A Practical Workbook for Making a Spiritual Life Plan
3. Thomas Aquinas in 50 Simple Pages: A Layman's Guide to Thomism
4. Jesus, I Need You: How to Find Christ's Peace during the Storms of Life

Please vote by using this poll:

online surveys

Okay, so you vote, and then I'll write the book. I'll close down the voting on midnight of Divine Mercy Sunday (Sunday after Easter). Whichever, book title above gets the most votes, that will be your free book.

Again, I just want to thank everyone for reading this blog and making it such a meaningful experience. May God richly bless you and reward you.

Godspeed,

Taylor

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Did Christ Ride 2 Animals or 1 Animal on Palm Sunday (You may be surprised by the symbolism!)

For years I was confused about Palm Sunday. In Matthew's Gospel, we read that Christ rode a female donkey and her baby colt. However, in Mark, Luke, and John, we read that Christ rode a donkey without any mention of the her colt. For some reason, I had imagined that Christ rode the she-donkey and the little colt at the same time - wide straddling both. This seems ridiculous, but I didn't know how else to visualize what Matthew was describing.

I finally found clarity while reading Cornelius a Lapide's commentary on the passage. According to Lapide, Christ first rode the ass up and down the mount and then rode the colt into the city.

There is a practical reason for this. The she-ass would be stronger and more able to go up and down the terrain. Next, the colt would be able to bring him into the city easily.

Yet there is a mystical signification is this as well. The she-ass and her colt signify "the two sorts of people of which the world is made up—the Jews, accustomed to the yoke of the Mosaic law, who were represented by the ass; and the Gentiles, living up to this time without the Law of God, and who were denoted by the colt."

The she-ass represents Mother Israel who has been burdened with the Law of Moses. Saint Peter our first Pope described the Mosaic Law as "a yoke...which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear” (Acts 15:10, D-R).

The young colt represents the new and untrained Gentiles - the wild olive branch that the Apostle describes as the Gentiles.

Christ our Lord rode both to signify that both the Jews and the Gentiles were called to be Christophoroi - Christ-bearers.

Now it's your turn: How did we carry "Christ to the world" in our age. What is the humble donkey or colt in our lives that communicates Christ's Gospel to others? Please leave a comment.

Do you enjoy reading Canterbury Tales by Taylor Marshall? Make it easier to receive daily posts. It's free. Please click here to sign up by Feed or here to sign up by Email. Please also explore Taylor's books about Catholicism at amazon.com.

Do you enjoy reading these posts by Dr. Taylor Marshall? Make it easier to receive new daily posts. It's FREE. Please click here to receive new daily posts instantly through e-mail. Privacy Guarantee: Your e-mail will never be shared with anyone. 

Please also explore Taylor's books about Catholicism at amazon.com.

Pope Francis said: "300 People Could Live Here!"

Bird's Eye View of Saint Peter's

& the Apostolic Palace

Our Holy Father Pope Francis has yet to take residence in the papal apartments known as the "Apostolic Palace" in the Vatican. If you've been to Rome, and you're facing the facade of Saint Peter's basilica, it would be to your right (to the north). Please see the photo above.

When escorted through the Apostolic Palace, Pope Francis is rumored to have exclaimed, "Three hundred people could live in here!"

In the mean time, Pope Francis has remained in the Vatican's guest house Domus Sanctae Marthae - House of Saint Martha, appropriately named after the saint of hospitality:

"Now it came to pass as they went, that he entered into a certain town: and a certain woman named Martha, received him into her house." (Lk 10:38)

This guest house has a common dining hall where Pope Francis has chosen to take his meals.

One of the important features of the papal apartment is the window from which the Pope appears every Wednesday for the Angelus, a message, and the blessing of items. There is also some speculation that Pope Francis may be moving his residence to the traditional cathedral of Rome - Saint John Lateran. This would conform to the Holy Father's identity as the Bishop of Rome since Saint John Lateran, not Saint Peter's Basilica is the true cathedral of the city.

(For more on the relationship between Saint John Lateran to the Vatican, please see my new book: The Eternal City: Rome & the Origins of Catholicism).

If the Holy Father moved to Saint John Lateran across the city, it would be a clear message that he wishes to be away from the Curia and ecclesiastical machinery.

Like other outward elements (black shoes, or whatever) these things don't ultimately matter. However, it does help us to understand the man who is Pope Francis. How he thinks. How he perceives his ministry as the Vicar of Christ. I find it all very fascinating.

Now it's your turn: What do you think? Would it be good for the Pope to insulate himself from the Apostolic Palace? Does the presence of the Pope at the Vatican provide checks and balances against a Curia that may need a little reining in? Please share a comment below.

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Saint Joseph Old Man or Young Man?

 Young Saint Joseph

or Old Saint Joseph

I've posted previously on the "old St Joseph vs. the young St Joseph theories," but after the feast of Saint Joseph I wanted to revisit the topic since there are many more readers. It has to do with the theology of Saint Joseph and how he is depicted in Catholic artwork. I also want to poll you and get a feeling for how most people picture Saint Joseph in their minds. So after reading this blog post, please leave a comment.

You may have noticed that there are two competing versions of Saint Joseph in Catholic art and devotion. One is the "gray-haired grandpa Joseph" and the other is the "young handsome Joseph."

Why is this?

Pope Francis Visits Downton Abbey: The Papal Wardrobe Controversy

When Pope Francis was elected, we didn't know much about him. When Pope Benedict was elected Pope, we knew exactly who he was. Pope Benedict had scores of published books and he had a been a visible and known prelate at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Benedict was in many ways the right hand man of John Paul II and we knew what to expect.

Pope Francis is entirely unknown to most of us. As a result, most folks have had to rely on only one source of information for the past week or so: photographs. Hence, most of the controversy over Pope Francis has boiled over "what is the Pope wearing or not wearing?"

As I was thinking about this, I realized that Pope Francis's wardrobe and customs have created as much excitement as a Downton Abbey episode! Black shoes on a Pope? What would the Dowager Countess say? My goodness!

Pope Francis: Reviving the Gospel Reading in Greek?

A Greek Deacon

It has been reported that the Pope's Mass today will have the Gospel chanted in Greek. What is the significance.

This is a throwback to a very old tradition. It used to be that in Papal Solemn Masses, the Gospel would be chanted in Latin by a cardinal deacon, and then chanted in Greek by a Greek Catholic deacon.

After the chanting of the Gospel in both languages, the Latin Book of the Gospels and the Greek Book of the Gospels would be processed to the Pope who would kiss both books.

This tradition acknowledged that the Gospels were written and preserved in Greek. It also signified that the Catholic Church is more than the Latin Rite. The Eastern Churches are also acknowledged and reverenced by the Holy Father. This was certainly a "two lungs" (Catholic East and Catholic West) ecclesiastical practice of the Pope. (By the way, Pope Francis only has one lung - oh the irony.)

How will it work out in today's Papal Mass? I don't know. However, I do like the throwback to a Greek Gospel (ideally, it would all be the old Papal Mass with a Latin and Greek Gospel!).

Question: Should the Catholic Church revisit these ancient traditions? It's too bad that so much has been lost in the liturgical experiments of the last 50 years. What over changes might we see?

PS: My new book The Eternal City: Rome & the Origins of Catholicism dedicates a chapter to the division between Rome and the Eastern Churches from a biblical and theological point of view. I argue for not only Roman primacy, but Roman supremacy.

You can read some samples over at amazon. The book is getting great 5-star reviews. Available in paperback and Kindle.

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Have a Question for This Blog? Here's How We Can Correspond...

Wow. Three days ago I posted about how I'd like to be in touch with readers of this blog.

The response has been great! Almost 2,000 people have connected by "Liking" my Facebook page. It has come with a flood of personal messages. I stayed up last night and caught up on them all. I don't hire anyone to do this for me. If you interact with me, it's really me.

So far I've answered all your messages and questions. It took some time, but I found it very rewarding. So much encouragement, good news, and good questions. I hope to include some of your questions in the days and weeks to come. So please keep them coming!!!

For those who missed it, here's how we can get connected. 

First, please visit my Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/DrTaylorMarshall and then please click "Like." 

Next, you can leave me a direct message or even a voicemail. When you "Like" the page, then I know that you're someone who reads this blog, and I have a vested interest in answering your questions and keeping in touch with you. Even more, you'll be in touch with other like minded folks who post on that page, as well.

Again, please "Like" this page: https://www.facebook.com/DrTaylorMarshall and then leave me a message. I'll get back to you soon. At this rate, it takes about a day for me to respond.

Perhaps some of you who have contacted me via this Facebook page can testify that I really do respond and keep in touch. Thank you everyone. I look forward to hearing from you!

Godspeed,

Taylor Marshall

PS: I keep a personal Facebook page (Taylor Marshall) but that's just for close family and friends. If we're not personal friends, I won't likely "Friend" you. However, my public Facebook page (Dr. Taylor Marshall) is just as good and I check it frequently. Talk to you soon!

Do you enjoy reading these posts by Dr. Taylor Marshall? Make it easier to receive new daily posts. It's FREE. Please click here to receive new daily posts instantly through e-mail. Privacy Guarantee: Your e-mail will never be shared with anyone. 

Please also explore Taylor's books about Catholicism at amazon.com.

Mary Untier of Knots - Pope Francis' Favorite Marian Image

Our Lady Untier of Knots,
Marian Image Beloved by Pope Francis

Our new Pope Francis has a very special devotion to Our Lady Untier of Knots. Many have never heard of this devotion, but it's a great one...going all the way back to the second century. 

Before describing "Our Lady Untier of Knots," I'd like to share a recent experience from my own life as it relates to this special Marian devotion:

Recently at Fisher More College, during the offertory of our High Mass for the feast of Saint Thomas Aquinas, a student tapped me on the shoulder, "Dr. Marshall, you're needed in the courtyard." I was a bit puzzled, but I followed the student outside. 

Outside in the courtyard, I saw one of the altar servers handing a hot thurible and the chains were tangled and knotted. The priest was about to incense the altar, and in its current condition, the thurible would not close. It was a jangled up mess. Apparently, the base of the thurible had flipped over a few times and the chains were wound up around each other. If you have handled a thurible, you may have experienced this before.

We literally had 45 seconds until the priest needed the thurible at the altar. I prayed, "Our Lady, Untier of Knots, pray for us." And like magic I tumbled around the base of the thurible about three times. Aha! It was straight again. The altar server used his bare hands to put the coals in the thurible (he was in a hurry, after all) and he darted inside to the altar...just in time.

So what is meant by the title Our Lady Untier of Knots?

Pope Francis's Devotion to 'Our Lady Untier of Knots'

Our new Pope Francis has been one of the chief promoters of "Our Lady Untier of Knots." When Pope Francis, then Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was studying in Germany, he was stunned by a Bavarian painting of "Holy Mary, Our Lady Untier of Knots." He acquired a copy of the painting and brought it to Argentina and promoted devotion to Mary under this title. Apparently it has caught on with the faithful of Argentina.

It is interesting that this Marian devotion of Pope Francis is rooted in Bavaria - it therefore creates a bridge between the Pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI and that of Pope Francis. In fact, Cardinal Bergoglio had an image of Our Lady Untier of Knots engraved into a chalice and presented it to Pope Benedict XVI.

The Theology of Our Lady Untier of Knots

The theology of Mary untying knots goes back to the second century - less than one hundred years after the death of the Apostles. Saint Irenaeus of Lyons wrote "the knot of Eve's disobedience was loosed by the obedience of Mary. For what the virgin Eve had bound fast through unbelief, this did the virgin Mary set free through faith." (Adversus haereses, 3, 22) This is one of the earliest examples of describing Mary as the "New Eve." Eve, standing next to Adam, is the "co-peccatrix" (co-sinner) Mary, standing next to Christ crucified, is the "co-redemptrix" (co-redemptress). This does not mean that Mary directly saves or redeems us. It means that Mary consents and participates in the redemptive action of Christ. Her role is congruent and relative to the condign and absolute role of Christ.

Our Lady Untier of Knots is Patristic and may be the way forward for establishing and expanding Marian theology. The doctrine of Mary's universal mediation and her subordinate role to Christ in human salvation is beautifully summed up in this saying of Saint Irenaeus of Lyons. The fact that it goes back to the second century reveals that this is not a medieval accretion. It's a doctrine deriving from the Apostles themselves.

Question: Had you heard of this devotion, Our Lady Untier of Knots? If so, in what part of the world do you live? Is it popular there?

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Why Do We Veil Crucifixes and Images on the 5th Sunday of Lent?

The traditional Catholic custom of veiling images on the 5th Sunday of Lent is making a big come back. The practice lost momentum in the 1970s and 80s, but we're seeing it make its way back into parish life.

Why are images veiled beginning on the fifth Sunday in Lent? Traditionally, the two weeks of "Passiontide" begin on the fifth Sunday of Lent. The first week is Passion Week, and the second week is Holy Week. 

The traditional Gospel reading for this Sunday focuses on the increasing hatred against Christ from the Jewish authorities. They accuse Him of being a Samaritan, committing sorcery, blasphemy, and as being possessed by Satan. They don't think that Christ is "a good teacher." They think He is a demonic agent.

The old Gospel reading for Passion Sunday (fifth Sunday of Lent) from the eighth chapter of Saint John's Gospel ends with these words:

How to Contact Taylor Marshall Personally

Hello friends,

Many readers have tried to contact me personally in the last few days. I want to be in touch with you! Let me explain the best way to do this.

Here is the easiest and fastest way to contact me: Facebook. I use Facebook for correspondence because it is the foolproof way to prevent spam, trolls, and other abuses.

Here's how we can get connected ASAP. Please visit my Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/DrTaylorMarshall and click "Like." 

Then you can leave me a direct message or even a voicemail. When you "Like" the page, then I know that you're someone who reads this blog, and I have a vested interest in answering your questions and keeping in touch with you. Even more, you'll be in touch with other like minded folks who post on that page, as well.

Again, please "Like" this page: https://www.facebook.com/DrTaylorMarshall and then leave me a message. I'll get back to you soon.

Perhaps some of you who have contacted me via this Facebook page can testify that I really do respond and keep in touch. Thank you everyone. I look forward to hearing from you!

Godspeed,

Taylor Marshall

PS: I keep a personal Facebook page (Taylor Marshall) but that's just for close family and friends. If we're not personal friends, I won't likely "Friend" you. However, my public Facebook page (Dr. Taylor Marshall) is just as good and I check it frequently. Talk to you soon!

List: 88 Saints Named Francis!

Pope Francis has explicitly indicated that his pontifical name 'Francis' was taken in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi. When we hear the name "Francis" we may think of Francis of Assisi, Francis Xavier, or in America, Frances Cabrini. There is, however, a whole host of saints with the name Francis or with a name based of Francis. Here's a list:

Frances Cabrini

Frances d’Ambrosia

Frances de Posadas

Frances of Rome

Frances Xavier Cabrini

Francesca of Gubbio

Francesca Salesia

Francesca Salesia Aviat

Francesco Antonio Fasani

Francesco Antonio Placidi

Francesco Fogolla

Francesco Forgione

Francesco Pianzola

Francesco Possenti

Francesco Saverio Seelos

Francesco Spoto

Francesco dei Maleficii

Francis Blanco

Francis Borgia

Francis Caracciolo

Francis Chieu Van Do

Francis Coll

Francis Dormore

Francis Fasani

Francis Ferdinand de Capillas

Francis Galvez

Francis Gil de Frederich

Francis Isidore Gagelin

Francis Jaccard

Francis Jerome

Francis Johnson

Francis Man

Francis Mary Paul Libermann

Francis Page

Francis Palau y Quer

Francis Patrizzi

Francis Pontillo

Francis Possenti

Francis Regis Clet

Francis Rogaczewski

Francis Seelos

Francis Solano

Francis Solanus

Francis Trung Von Tran

Francis Webb

Francis Xavier

Francis Xavier Bianchi

Francis Xavier Can Nguyen

Francis Xavier Mau

Francis Xavier Seelos

Francis de Capillas

Francis de Geronimo

Francis de Hieronymo

Francis de Montmorency Laval

Francis de Sales

Francis di Girolamo

Francis of Assisi

Francis of Girolamo

Francis of Nagasaki

Francis of Paola

Francis of Saint Michael

Francis of Sales

Francis, Caius

Francis, Gaius

Francisca Aviat

Francisca de Ambrosia

Francisca Salesia

Francisca Salesia Aviat

Francisco Castells Brenuy

Francisco Ferro, Ambrosio

Francisco José López-Caamaño García-Pérez

Francisco Marto

Francisco of the Child Jesus

Francisco Palau y Quer

Francisco Pascual Sánchez

Francisco Shoyemon

Franciscus de Hieronymo

François Peltier

Françoise Bellanger

Françoise Bonneau

Françoise Michau

Françoise Micheneau Gillot

Françoise Pagis Roulleau

Françoise Suhard Ménard

Franconia, Apostle of

Franczuk, Ignacy

Frans Fogolla

Franz Jägerstätter

May all these holy men and women pray for our Supreme Pontiff Pope Francis.

Question: Do you know of any other saints or blesseds with the name "Francis"?

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HT: saints.sqpn.com

Pope Francis: Devotion to Mary and the "New Evangelization"

What is the New Evangelization? The term is used so commonly, but I don't yet know what it is or how it will be accomplished? Sometimes I worry that it has become a mere cliché or a slogan. It's now printed in almost every Catholic brochure, book review, and website. But what exactly is "The New Evangelization"? Is it a strategy, a cultural renewal, a missionary effort, something to do with the internet, or a renewal of something already present?

Pope Francis may have entirely different understanding of "New Evangelization"? I think that His Holiness may surprise us by recasting the "New Evangelization" as something simply Marian.

In my new book The Eternal City: Rome & the Origins of Catholicism I wrote (in the Conclusion) that the New Evangelization will only be successful to the extent that it models itself on the Old Evangelization of Europe - a process that was deeply Roman, evangelical, missionary, miraculous, and monastic. However, when I wrote the book, I left out one key ingredient. The great missionaries, saints, and doctors of the Church share a total consecration of their life and apostolate to the Blessed Virgin Mary. All great "evangelizations" were profoundly Marian.

For this reason, I was excited when I learned that Pope Francis prays the 15 Mysteries of the Holy Rosary daily. I discovered this interesting detail as I scanned over the "fast facts" about Pope Francis over at NewAdvent.org. The Rosary is the central devotion of my life and of my family. It is the way in which I chiefly come to know and understand my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

After the death of Pope John Paul II in 2005, then-Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio recounted how John Paul II's example inspired him to “recite the fifteen mysteries of the Rosary every day.” 

Video: Pope Francis' First Holy Mass as Supreme Pontiff ("He who does not pray to the Lord prays to the devil.")

Above is a video of Pope Francis' first Holy Mass as Supreme Pontiff of the Holy Catholic Church within the Sistine Chapel. If you want to link directly to the video, click here.

Below is a video of His Holiness' first homily as Pope in which he famously stated: "He who does not pray to the Lord prays to the devil. When we don't proclaim Jesus Christ, we proclaim the worldliness of the devil, the worldliness of the demon." Strong words!

Do you enjoy reading these posts by Dr. Taylor Marshall? Make it easier to receive new daily posts. It's FREE. Please click here to receive new daily posts instantly through e-mail. 

Privacy Guarantee: Your e-mail will never be shared with anyone.

Please also explore Taylor's books about Catholicism at amazon.com.

Traditionalists and Pope Francis: Can We Take a Deep Breath and Please Calm Down?

Pope Francis presenting Flowers to Jesus and Mary

at Saint Mary Major

Traditionalists need to take a deep breath!

Yes, I know. Cardinal Burke wasn't elected Pope. I'll be eating humble pie for the rest of Lent. I'm not worried about that.

Here's what I am deeply worried about:

Pope Francis hadn't been elected for more than two hours and the vitriol began to spew forth in the comment boxes of this blog and others. Many from the traditionalist crowd reacted against Pope Francis with words that were downright offensive. If one of my sons spoke like that about a priest (or any older man, for that matter), my boy would have a sore backside and a long stay in a dark room.

Within minutes of His Holiness' appearance on the loggia, some trads began an online campaign claiming that he was a persecutor of orthodox priests in Argentina. Then they said he forbade the Latin Mass in his diocese. Then they were mocking him for not wearing the scarlet papal mozzetta. They also expressed dismay over how His Holiness prayed in Italian and not in Latin. Next, they expressed their alarm that he took off his stole immediately after the blessing. Then they made much ado over how the tapestry unfurled over the balcony wasn't that of His Holiness' predecesor. And these comments aren't even the worst of it. I don't even want to list some of the other things they have written online.