One hundred years ago on May 18, Karol Wojtyla  was born in Wadowice, Poland. Even when he was on “vacation” in the mountains as Pope, “he continued to be a mystic and contemplative,” Bishop Alberto Maria Careggio, who used to organize his summer vacations in Valle d’Aosta, told The Daily Compass. “He suffered greatly because the Christian roots [of Europe] were not recognized and he prophetically foresaw what the consequences would be for Europe if it became atheist.” And one day, during the civil war in the former Yugoslavia, he suffered “his own little Passion,” embracing a large Cross in the rain in order to pray for peace.

May 1, at the height of the Covid-19 epidemic, an Act of Entrustment to the Immaculate Heart of Mary was celebrated in Italy, after the solicitation of the faithful. But the event, transmitted by the Bishop Conference media channels, wasn't live as announced, but recorded five days earlier. Many Catholics expressed disappointment for the "farce". The Bishops could show their regret by granting the original request: a real Act of Consecration.

“The apostasy within the Church is the most serious and shocking element” that emerges from the Marian revelations of the 20th century. “Cardinal Ciappi, who had read the Third Secret of Fatima, specified that the Virgin had said that the apostasy would be initiated from the top of the Church.” “We are governed by Masonry, because many politicians and unfortunately various bishops and cardinals are affiliated with it,” and “Italy was warned” of this by the Blessed Mother in her revelation at Civitavecchia in 1995. The suspension of public Masses can be considered “a practical apostasy.” The Daily Compass interviews Father Flavio Ubodi, a Capuchin theologian, for the 103rd anniversary of the beginning of the apparitions at Fatima.
- WHY THE ITALIAN BISHOPS CAN STILL SAVE ITALY FROM DANGER, by Patricia Gooding-Williams

Ratzinger's responses in Seewald's book, "Benedikt XVI: Ein Leben" tell us much more of the retired pope’s thinking than what has been anticipated. The power of the Antichrist is demonstrated not only by legalized abortion and gay unions, but also by a "world dictatorship of apparently humanistic ideologies" which excludes the Christian faithful from social acceptance. All this is tied to his renunciation of the papacy and his title of "Pope emeritus" with which Benedict XVI intended to strengthen the spiritual power of the Church, which is based on prayer.

The story of government-ordered suspension of public Masses is a clear demonstration of just how seriously the Church has lost her Libertas Ecclesiae. For centuries there has been conflicts over the Church’s religious freedom, but she has fought back hard.  Many heroes and saints came to her defence: the Cluny monks, Boniface VIII, St. Catherine, the French Vendeans, Pius IX, and the Polish Catholic Church. Today, however, the Church seems content with her own lack of freedom and is not eager to increase it. The Church even goes so far as to praise those who take her freedom away.

“The Church is not dependent on the state, it must defend its freedom and independence”. “Suspending Masses is an abdication of the task it has, which includes reading the sufferings of this period in the light of the faith, the mystery of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus”. “Jesus became flesh, we believe in the resurrection of the flesh: therefore bodily presence is indispensable”. “The Eucharist is the only true form of adoration of God, it is the reason for the existence of any other liturgical form. It is scandalous that there are bishops who say the Eucharist is overrated.” Cardinal Gerhard L. Müller, former prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, speaks to the Daily Compass.

At this dramatic and historical moment, it is disconcerting to hear bishops and theologians considering faith as secondary with respect to science and treating God as if he was a “guru” whom we don’t really need at the moment. This is not what the Church has professed for centuries.

In this exclusive interview with the Daily Compass, the Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments intervenes on the subject of “take away”  Communion and on the “negotiations” underway to guarantee its taken with the correct precautions: no compromise, “the Eucharist is a gift we receive from God and we must receive it in a dignified way. We are not at the supermarket.” “No-one has the right to prevent a priest from hearing Confession and giving Communion.” “ There is a rule and this must be respected, the faithful are free to receive Communion in the hand or in the mouth.” “It’s a question of faith, the heart of the problem lies in the crisis of faith in the priesthood.” “Mass in streaming is misleading also for priests: they must look at God not at a camera»

Celebrating Mass is quite possible while safeguarding the health of the faithful. All that is needed is to respect some guidelines which, if followed, would allow for public liturgies to resume. Our contributing writer and epidemiologist, Paolo Gulisano, here offers some protocols based on his current knowledge of COVID-19 and principles which the Daily Compass has always supported since the onset of the health emergency. It is a very clear example just how possible it is to combine freedom of worship with legitimate health and safety precautions.

"Priests say Mass too quickly", "Priests don’t understand that during Mass” Our Lady “is present”. Shocking words if we think that it is Satan who utters them during an exorcism. An Italian exorcist reveals this and more in a popular youtube video.

Entrustment or consecration to Mary? The emergence of the coronavirus and initiatives of bishops to implore the Virgin Mary’s protection raise an age-old question. Many bishops avoid speaking of consecration, although Mary herself has asked for this by way of her many apparitions. Yet, this is opposed by certain theological circles. Regardless, it is Scripture that speaks of a Woman whose descendants God wants to be consecrated to her. So why do bishops resist God’s Will?

“We must preach the eternal life found in Jesus Christ.” All the more so in these hard times when people are in need of “hope and consolation.” The death of two of his priest friends due to coronavirus inspired Bishop Peter Baldacchino’s decision to restore the celebration of public Masses in his diocese of Las Cruces. His reasons should serve as a guideline.