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Mel
Gibson, Biblical Accuracy
&
The
Other Passion Source:
The
15 Prayers of St. Bridget
March
5, 2004
Anti-
Semitism
1
John 4:20-21
20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
[KJV]
There has been
much controversy over the possible anti-semitism that could
erupt from the viewing of Mel Gibson's 'The Passion of The
Christ.' Obviously, statements that have been made by Mr.
Gibson's father, Hutton Gibson, brought much into question,
Feb 19, 2004.
In
an interview with Steve
Feuerstein,
on WSNR radio's Speak Your Piece, broadcast on Monday,
February 23, 2004, Hutton Gibson argued that many European
Jews counted as death camp victims of the Nazi regime had in
fact fled to countries like Australia and the United States.
"In the first place the Holocaust is a
terrible misnomer. First of all a Holocaust is a burnt
offering to G-d. Now these people were not offering
themselves up to G-d. If these people were being killed they
were being taken there screaming howling and yelling for
they were being persecuted and murdered. That is not a
Holocaust."
"Secondly there were not that many Jews under
Hitler’s power under his sway. They claimed that there
were 6.2 million in Poland before the war and after the war
there were 200,000 therefore he (Hitler) must have killed
six million of them. They simply got up and left! They were
all over the Bronx and Brooklyn and Sydney and Los Angeles."
"It's
all -maybe not all fiction- but most of it is," he
said, adding that the gas chambers and crematoria at camps
like Auschwitz would not have been capable of exterminating
so many people.
"Do
you know what it takes to get rid of a dead body? To cremate
it?" he said. "It takes a litre of petrol and 20
minutes. Now, six million of them? They (the Germans) did
not have the gas to do it. That's why they lost the
war."...." 1
During
his radio interview, Hutton Gibson, 85, said Jews
were out to create "one world religion and one world
government" and outlined a conspiracy theory involving
Jewish bankers, the US Federal Reserve and the Vatican,
among others. He also caused a commotion last year when he made similar remarks
in a New York Times article.
The
Simon Wiesenthal Center, in a press release, February 19,
2004, discussing the WSNR radio interview, stated:
"In
June 2003, Wiesenthal Center researchers noted that Hutton
Gibson was a featured speaker at the Barnes Review
Conference sponsored by America's leading racist of the last
half century and Holocaust denier Willis Carto. Among the
other attendees were Australian Holocaust denier Frederick
Tobin from the Adelaide Institute, and Ingrid Rimland, wife
of Canadian/German holocaust denier Ernst Zundel." 2
In
a television interview with Diane Sawyer on ABC, Mel Gibson
accused the New York Times of taking advantage of his father, and he
warned Sawyer against broaching the subject again.
"He's
my father. Gotta leave it alone Diane. Gotta leave it
alone,"
Mr.
Gibson then stated,
"Do
I believe that there were concentration camps where defenseless
and innocent Jews died cruelly under the Nazi regime? Of
course I do; absolutely," he said. "It was an
atrocity of monumental proportion."
In an exclusive
interview with Peggy Noonan, for Reader's Digest, and via an
online press release, the following was stated by Mel Gibson:
ON THE
HOLOCAUST: * When asked by Noonan to go on the record
confirming that the Holocaust did indeed happen, Gibson
responded: "I have friends and parents of friends who
have numbers on their arms. The guy who taught me Spanish
was a Holocaust survivor. He worked in a concentration camp
in France. Yes, of course. Atrocities happened. War is
horrible. The Second World War killed tens of millions of
people. Some of them were Jews in concentration camps. Many
people lost their lives. In the Ukraine, several million
starved to death between 1932 and 1933. During the last
century 20 million people died in the Soviet Union."
...ON PUBLIC
REACTION TO THE FILM: * "I expected some level of
turbulence because when one delves into religion and
politics -- people's deeply held beliefs -- you're going to
stir things up. But it was a surprise to have shots being
fired over the bow while I was still filming, and then to
have various loud voices in the press -- people who hadn't
seen the work -- really slinging mud." "My
detractors would say that it (the movie) is going to promote
hatred. I disagree. I think that's utter nonsense. The
absurdity of that staggers me," Gibson said." 3
In a February 18, 2004,
article entitled "Mel Gibson's
dangerous Passion," from the NYDailey, it was stated, "Gibson, a Traditionalist Catholic,
says the Holy Ghost guided him in directing "The
Passion" and he accepts the Gospels as factual. He
responded to criticism by saying he had deleted the movie's
most offensive line, a quotation from the Gospel of Matthew in
which the Jewish mob says, "His blood be on us and on our
children!"
But in an interview with
Diane Sawyer on ABC, he said that he
had only removed the subtitles that showed the words, not the
words themselves spoken in Aramaic.
Diane Sawyer narrates: Gibson says the words will not appear onscreen in the movie but I asked if they're still in there in Aramaic:
SAWYER: "The scene in, is that they're in Aramaic even?
GIBSON: "You can hear it, but under the crowd... you
know... but ...it doesn't appear." 4
From my perspective as a
Christian over thirty years. I have never once taken those
words as an attack or condemnation of Jews. From my beliefs,
the Jewish people involved who wanted Jesus crucified, just as
the Romans, did not believe who Christ was. For many zealous
in their beliefs, He was blaspheming God, and some were
willing to say anything to deal with that concept. Yes, some
wanted Him dealt with because He usurped their teaching and
authority. But in the end. He was sacrificed to fulfill
Scriptural prophecy. For all our sins. It has never
been a blame issue to myself or our family or any of the many
Christians that I know. These type of concepts really floor
me, because to even look at other people with hate, defies who
we are in Christ. To condemn un believing Jews or anyone else
is so contrary to what we believe, as to be unfathomable to
think people claiming to be of Christ not only blame the
Jew's, but have referred to them as 'Christ killers.'
In looking
further at the issue of anti-semitism, and whether The Passion
movie can and will affect that issue, I asked a Jewish
Christian, who lives in Britain, about European anti-semitism.
These are
some of his thoughts.
"....As
to the anti semitism here in Europe, it has never really gone away. I
served in Germany in the Army for two years in the early 80's and anti semitism
was there, it was low profile, but it was there. I served here in London for a
summer about two years ago and was able to get a feel for Europe and the
anti semitism. I saw it but it was not so open. I then returned to serve
here full time about ten months ago. Since my return you can see anti semitism
is more out in the open. ... I can follow the trends and see what's
going one from a first hand perspective.
I don't know if anti semitism has been affected by the movie at all over
here...As this is a post Christian country and Christianity is as ridiculed as
much if not more than Israel, no one is really taking this movie as anti
semitic but as a crazy religion that promotes the torture of it's God. The
anti semitism here is fueled by the Israeli/Arab crisis and the millions of
Muslims living here in London. The anti Israel rhetoric has crossed into
almost open anti semitism. BBC TV is openly biased against Israel to the point
where BBC reporters sometimes refers to Israel as the JEWS! It is
just another reason to blame Jews for the state of the world as history has done
for thousands of years. Europe has been struggling for 50 years with the guilt
of the Holocaust and now Israel/Jews look bad and they have jumped on it...
I am only trying to give my idea of it because it is so confusing here.
Most critics here look at the movie as something created by a crazy American
Catholic, and as you read the movie reviews they are mixed with a revulsion for
the Christian faith, Mel Gibson being an american and the comparing of the
Arabs to Jesus on the cross.
Some speak about the movie causing anti semitism but here the Jewish
community is almost silent on the issue. Most of everything we hear is
from US news and periodicals. You can feel that the Jewish community
is trying to keep a low profile because they are afraid of the direction
Europe is going.
I am Jewish & have Israeli citizenship but I have never been
paranoid of anti semitism, but it is something that is actually here
and open and real. ... now I am getting more anti Jewish comments from non
Jewish people than anti Christian... in New York City we saw a visible
change after 9-11. We started to hear how 9-11 was caused by the
Jews and America's relationship with Israel. Here in London it is Israel
that has started this war in Iraq, and 9-11, and Afghanistan, etc, etc.
Everything bad here is Israeli or American. It's strange, the anti
semitism almost seems to go hand in hand with anti americanism. I will tell you,
Jesus, Jews and Americans are not liked here, and here I sit, an American Jew
for Jesus with Israeli citizenship living in London with a Palestinian wife. I'm
loving it! ..." 5
Now, back to the quote, said
by Mr. Gibson to have been removed, yet in fact, was still
within the movie. If there is no intent to have any agenda
other than to present the most violent and graphic, un
Biblically sound presentation of an embellished and
historically inaccurate rendition, which is therefore, not a
true presentation of what happened to Christ....that has been
accomplished. I am still looking for the Scripture on artistic license,
that allows one to change the Word of God and call it truth.
And the Scripture that has 'believers' saying they should
embrace that concept.
According to the Apostle
Paul, people who teach or embrace another gospel or another
Jesus...are to be accursed or identified and separated from. 2
Corinthians 11:4, Galatians 1:8,9....9 "As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
[KJV]
From Strong's Concordance:
"let him be accursed."
*** accursed <anathema>.
331. anayema anathema,
an-ath'-em-ah
from 394; a (religious) ban or (concretely) excommunicated (thing or person):--accused, anathema, curse, X great.
That is all beside these
concepts:
Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them.
20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
... 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
[KJV]
It does need to be addressed
if there were in fact beliefs that suggest there was another
understanding other than what has been specifically stated by
Mel Gibson, that, "To be anti-Semitic is a
sin," the actor-director told Diane Sawyer. "It's
been condemned by one papal council after another. To be
anti-Semitic is to be un-Christian, and I'm not."
It is really unclear to this
writer, what Mel Gibson fully believes. Various interviews
which this writer has reviewed from over the past ten years
suggest that he is in agreement with at least much of his
father's views regarding the changes to the Catholic church
and also his views on political and world control theories.
Gibson is a traditionalist Catholic and believes pre-Vatican 2
was the correct Catholic theology.
The Original
Prayers of St. Bridget
Deuteronomy
4:23 -24
23.Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of the LORD your God, which he made with you, and make you a graven image, or the likeness of any thing, which the LORD thy God hath forbidden thee.
24 For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.
[KJV]
Many are
worshipping the film, the actor particularly, that presented
another Jesus, and even Mel Gibson, believing him to have been
anointed and called by God for what many deem to be a holy
work. Those that reject the film, are even being called
'enemies of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Exodus 20:3-5
3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
[KJV]
Throughout the
movie, Mary was conveyed
by Gibson as having special divine powers and knowledge,
referenced as Mother, by the apostles, and in Catholic
theology she is co-redemptrix-- meaning salvation comes from
her. In Catholic imagery, she is conveyed as having
crucifixion holes in her hands and so on, which teaches she
suffered on the cross with Christ, which was conveyed in
various ways throughout the movie. Pope John Paul II stated:
"She (Mary) completes in her flesh as already in her
heart what is lacking in the suffering of Christ."
In images and teachings she
is viewed as sinless, and that she remained a virgin, which is
contrary to:
Galatians
1:19 "James the Lord's brother."
Matthew 13:55
"Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? 56 And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?
Mark 6:3
" Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him."
Mark 15:40
[at the crucifixion] There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome;
[KJV]
Mary is viewed
as co-redeemer, the advocate, and is to be prayed to for
forgiveness of sins. That is why actor Jim Caviezel, who
played Jesus, asked "Mary and Jesus" into his heart.
Roman Catholics call Mary the "Queen of Heaven" and
images and statues have her crowned as such, in many
ceremonies. Some also believe that Mary ascended to heaven, and never
faced physical death, with no Scripture to support any of
these beliefs.
According to
Zenit, the official Catholic view is that Mary did die bodily,
but was taken body and soul to heaven, she was sinless, is
co-redeemer and stands at the right hand of Christ.
"...The Council itself clarifies this: The divine Redemptor´s mother was "above all others and in a singular way the generous associate. ... She ... was united with him by compassion as he died on the Cross. In this singular way she cooperated by her obedience, faith, hope and burning charity in the work of the Savior in giving back supernatural life to souls. Wherefore she is our mother in the order of grace" (No. 61). "Taken up to heaven she did not lay aside this salvific duty, but by her constant intercession continued to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation." For this reason "the Virgin is invoked by the Church under the titles of Advocate, Auxiliatrix, Adjutrix and Mediatrix" (No. 62).
...Can we add to the title Mediatrix that of co-redemptrix? In the light of the above, the answer is affirmative. In fact the Council itself, so as to avoid any false interpretation, adds that the use of these titles is legitimate. But it must be understood "that it neither takes away from nor adds anything to the dignity and efficaciousness of Christ the one Mediator" (ibid).
..."
[Zenit News
Agency; Code: ZE02060101; Date: 2002-06-01, VATICAN CITY,
JUNE 1, 2002, Papal Theologian Views Mary in Salvific
History; The Sense in Which She Is Co-redeemer ; http://zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=21475]
Another
respected Catholic source states this about the Liturgy, and
Marian feasts:
"...True devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary can be summed up in the phrase:
"To Jesus through Mary." It is therefore fitting that Marian feasts are
celebrated by the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. In this way Marian Devotion
leads directly and clearly to Christ, the second person of the Blessed
Trinity as should always be the case with true Marian devotion....Also, several Marian feasts are joint feasts of Mary and her Son, Jesus
Christ; for example, the Annunciation. This is so because immediately after
Mary consented to become the Mother of God the Incarnation took place, that
is, God the Son the second person of the Blessed Trinity became man - a
small unborn child in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
...The Fourth Glorious Mystery of the Rosary. This celebration originated
in the 5th or 6th Century. St. Juvenal of Jerusalem stated as early as
the Council of Chalcedon in 451 that Our Lady, after her death, was
assumed body and soul into heaven.
Pope Pius XII, on 1 November 1950, in Munificentissimus Deus
officially defined the doctrine of the Assumption as an article of the
Catholic Faith. He stated:
". . . By the authority of Our Lord Jesus Christ, of the Blessed
Apostles Peter and Paul, and by Our Own authority, We pronounce,
declare, and define as divinely revealed dogma: The Immaculate Mother
of God, Mary ever Virgin, after her life on earth, was assumed, body
and soul to the glory of heaven." [III, 44]
...."Since death is the punishment for sin, it might have seemed proper
that the Divine Mother should have been exempt from it. But it pleased
God to have Mary resemble Jesus in all things, and so He willed that
even she should die, but a sweet and happy death. Three things tend to
render death bitter: attachment to the world, remorse for one's sin,
and the uncertainty of one's salvation. But Marys' death was entirely
free from these causes of bitterness; for what soul was ever more
detached from earthly goods and more united to God? Nor was it
thinkable that any remorse of conscience could trouble her. who had
been free from the least taint of actual or original sin; and she also
had the fullest certainty of possessing divine grace. Death to her was
very sweet, for it would unite her more closely to God by an eternal
bond. The Doctors and Holy Fathers of the Church generally assert that
she died from no infirmity, but form pure love"...
...Pope Pius XII in the Papal Encyclical Ad Coeli Reginam proposed the
traditional doctrine on the Queenship of Mary and established this
feast for the Universal Church.
...Pope Pius IX said of Mary: "Turning her maternal Heart toward us and
dealing with the affair of our salvation, she is concerned with the
whole human race. Constituted by the Lord Queen of Heaven and earth,
and exalted above all choirs of Angels and the ranks of Saints in
Heaven, standing at the right hand of Her only-begotten Son, Our Lord
Jesus Christ, she petitions most powerfully with Her maternal prayers,
and she obtains what she seeks."
...Pope XII added: "We commend that on the festival there be renewed the
consecration of the human race to the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed
Virgin Mary. Upon this there is founded a great hope that there will
rejoice in the triumph of religion and in Christian peace.
Therefore, let all approach with greater confidence now than before,
to the throne of mercy and grace of our Queen and Mother to beg help
in difficultly, light in darkness and solace in trouble and sorrow . .
. . Whoever, therefore, honours the lady ruler of the Angels and of
men - and let no one think themselves exempt from the payment of that
tribute of a grateful and loving soul - let them call upon her as most
truly Queen and as the Queen who brings the blessings of peace, that
She may show us all, after this exile, Jesus, who will be our enduring
peace and joy."
http://www.ewtn.com/library/LITURGY/FEAST.TXT
In Mary of
Agreda's book 8, chapter VIII. in the Mystical City of God, is
a description of "THE CORONATION OF THE MOTHER OF GOD".
Mel Gibson used this resource also for his understandings. It
states:
"....She assists
forever at the right hand of her Son as Queen (Ps. 44, 10),
Lady and Mistress of all creation, her dominion extending as
far as that of her divine Son, although in a different
manner.
After placing the most
blessed Mary on this exalted and supereminent throne, the
Lord declared to the courtiers of heaven all the privileges
She should enjoy in virtue of this participation in his
majesty.
...The incarnate Word
said: "To my true and natural Mother belong all the
creatures which were created and redeemed by Me; and of all
things over which I am King, She too shall be the legitimate
and supreme Queen." The Holy Ghost said: "Since
She is called my beloved and chosen Spouse, She deserves to
be crowned as Queen for all eternity."...the three
divine Persons placed upon the head of the most blessed Mary
a crown....
In the execution of this
decree and privilege conceded to the Mistress of the world,
the Almighty commanded all the courtiers of heaven, angels
and men, to show Her obedience and recognize Her as their
Queen and Lady. There was another mystery concealed in this
wonder, namely, it was a recompense for the worship and
veneration, which, as is clear from this history, the most
blessed Mary, notwithstanding that She was the Mother of
God, full of grace and holiness above the angels and saints,
had bestowed upon the saints during her mortal
pilgrimage....
yet now, when She was in
possession of the kingdom, it was just, that She should be
venerated, worshipped and extolled by them as her inferiors
and vassals. This they also did in that most blessed state,
in which all things are reduced to their proper proportion
and order. Both the angelic spirits and the blessed souls,
while rendering their adoration to the Lord with fear and
worshipful reverence, rendered a like homage in its
proportion to His most blessed Mother; and the saints who
were there in their bodies prostrated themselves and gave
bodily signs of their worship. All these demonstrations at
the coronation of the Empress of heaven redounded
wonderfully to her glory...."
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Ithaca/7194/book8c8.html
The queen of
heaven is mentioned in the Bible, in Jeremiah.
Jeremiah 7:18
The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me to anger.
19 Do they provoke me to anger? saith the LORD: do they not provoke themselves to the confusion of their own faces?
[KJV]
Jeremiah 44:17-25.
We have one
advocate before the Father, and that is Jesus Christ.
1 John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
Romans 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
[KJV]
Mary herself recognized her
need of salvation, and that salvation came from the Lord. That
does not change that she was specially chosen by God for the
purpose of bearing Christ, but she was affected by sin, like
everyone else. She did not understand the things that He
spoke, even when He was a twelve year old child.
Luke 1:46 And Mary said,
My soul doth magnify the Lord, 47 And my spirit hath
rejoiced in God my Saviour. 48 For he hath regarded the low
estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all
generations shall call me blessed.
Luke 2: 47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother
said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us?
behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 49 And
he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not
that I must be about my Father's business? 50 And they
understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
On being asked
by Peter Boyer, interviewing him for a New Yorker
article, whether being a Protestant disqualified him [Boyer]
from salvation, Gibson responded simply: “there is no
salvation outside the Church.” He then went on to talk about
his non-Catholic wife. “My wife is a saint. She’s a much
better person than I am. She’s Episcopalian, Church of
England. She prays, she believes in God, she knows Jesus, she
believes in that stuff. And it’s just not fair if she
doesn’t make it, she’s better than I am. But that [outside
the Church there is no salvation] is a pronouncement from the
Chair. I go with it." 6
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
1 Corinthians
3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
[KJV]
In the original
article, A Different View of Mel Gibson's
"The Passion of The Christ",
the Prayers of St. Bridget were mentioned, as were Gibson's beliefs
about salvation, and the sources for his movie.
In the
Catholic Encyclopedia, speaking of the "Devotion to the
Passion of Christ", the referencing of mystics as a
source of truth, took hold around the thirteenth century and
forward. Noting the three main mystic sources that we know Mel
Gibson used for his Passion movie, which include, St. Bridget,
Maria Agreda, and Anne Catherine
Emmerich, we read:
"....the comparative
frequency of the phenomenon seems to point to a new attitude
of Catholic mysticism in regard to the Passion of Christ,
which has only established itself since the beginning of the
thirteenth century. The testimony of art points to a similar
conclusion. It was only at about this same period that
realistic and sometimes extravagantly contorted crucifixes
met with any general favour...The people,... lagged far
behind the mystics and the religious orders, but they
followed in their wake....an inspection of the
prayer-books...for the use of the laity,...shows the
existence of an immense number of prayers either connected
with incidents in the Passion or addressed to Jesus Christ
upon the Cross. The best known... were the fifteen prayers
attributed to St. Bridget, and described most
commonly in English as "the Fifteen O's", from the
exclamation with which each began...writers ...at the end of
the sixteenth century, and... in the eighteenth, did much to
illustrate the history of the Passion from historical
sources, the general tendency of all devotional literature
was to ignore such means of information as were provided by
archæology and science, and to turn rather to the
revelations of the mystics to supplement the Gospel
records.... Amongst these, the Revelations of St. Bridget
of Sweden, of Maria Agreda, of Marina de Escobar
and, in comparatively recent times, of Anne Catherine
Emmerich are the most famous. Within the last fifty
years, however, there has been a reaction against this
procedure, a reaction due probably to the fact that so many
of these revelations plainly contradict each other...."
7
Mr.
Gibson told the National Catholic Register, March 16-22,
2003, in an article titled, Three Nails, a Camera
and a Cross: On the Set of Mel Gibson's The Passion,
by Raymond Cleaveland, Register Correspondent, that:
"...I have meditated a lot on the passion of Our Lord," he told the Register. "When I was 35, I started praying the Prayers of St. Bridget and they really helped me understand what the passion was all about. Now I want to share it with
others"... [the reporter then stated] ....And this movie will be quite different from anything Gibson - or any director - has ever done before: It is a Catholic film, starring a Catholic actor, about the quintessential Catholic subject...."
8
Catholics who follow St. Bridget's fifteen prayers, are expected to pray them daily, with a total of 5480 prayers in the year, to honor the visions of Bridget concerning the
Passion, and to equal the number of wounds He received.
She wrote that Jesus had received that large number of wounds during His trial, scourging, and crucifixion, and that she was given this information directly by Jesus.
These visions and prayers may account for the fact that in the movie, there is not even one small portion on the actors body that has not been traumatized as he is hanging on the cross.
In
order for Mel Gibson to have prayed those prayers according to
the requirements, since he was
35, he would have had to have prayed them about 71, 240 times
by the time he was 47, and releasing the movie, The Passion. Give or take
a few misses.
In St. Bridget's third prayer, believed by many
Catholics to have been given directly from Christ in a
vision to her, she stated:
"...remember
the very bitter pain Thou didst suffer when the Jews
nailed Thy Sacred Hands and Feet to the Cross by blow
after blow with big blunt nails, and not finding Thee
in a pitiable enough state to satisfy their rage, they
enlarged Thy Wounds, and added pain to pain, and with
indescribable cruelty stretched Thy Body on the Cross,
pulled Thee from all sides, thus dislocating Thy
Limbs."
It should be noted
that while the majority of prayer versions are as above, which is as it was written originally,
this writer did find a few renditions of the third prayer that
have been changed to say executioners instead of Jews.
Further excerpts of the fifteen prayers which are represented visually in the movie include:
Prayer
Two "...thousands
of insults, spits, blows, lacerations and other
unheard-of-cruelties, tormented..."
Prayer
Four "...remember
the bruises which Thou didst suffer and the weakness
of all Thy Members which were distended to such a
degree that never was there pain like unto Thine. From
the crown of Thy Head to the Soles of Thy Feet there
was not one spot of Thy Body that was not in torment..."
Sixth
Prayer "...Thou
was fastened and raised on the Cross, when all Thy
relatives and friends abandoned Thee, except Thy
Beloved Mother, who remained close to Thee during Thy
agony..."
Ninth
Prayer "...recall
the pain Thou didst endure when, plunged in an ocean
of bitterness at the approach of death, insulted,
outraged by the Jews..."
Tenth
Prayer
"...plunged in an abyss of suffering from the
soles of Thy Feet to the crown of Thy Head. In
consideration of the enormity of Thy Wounds..."
Twelfth
Prayer"...Mirror
of Truth, symbol of unity, link of Charity, remember
the multitude of wounds with which Thou was covered
from head to foot, torn and reddened by the spilling
of Thy adorable Blood. O Great and Universal Pain..."
Fifteenth
Prayer "...Remember
the abundant outpouring of Blood which though didst so
generously shed from Thy Sacred Body as juice from
grapes in a wine press....blood and water issued forth
until there was not left in Thy Body a single drop,
and finally, like a bundle of myrrh lifted to the top
of the Cross Thy delicate Flesh was destroyed, the
very Substance of Thy Body withered, and the Marrow of
Thy Bones dried up..."
The original
Prayers of St. Bridget, viewed as serving as "The Way of the
Cross," are described in many and various Catholic sites, and
most often include 21 promises. The fifteen prayers are declared to
have been given to Bridget of Sweden by Jesus. The promises
are also declared to have been given her by Jesus, for all
those that say the prayers faithfully for one year. The
Prayers of St. Bridget appear popular and the saint herself,
is considered to be one of the favorite of saints among
Catholics, both Traditional and other. The Catholic
encyclopedia states that Bridget is, "The
most celebrated saint of the Northern kingdoms, born about
1303; died 23 July, 1373." 9
According to Catholic
sources, visitors to the Church of St. Paul at Rome can,
"see the crucifix, above the Tabernacle in the Blessed
Sacrament Chapel, sculptured by Pierre Cavallini, before which
St. Bridget knelt when she received these 15 prayers from Our
Lord. The following inscription is placed in the church to
commemorate the event: "Pendentis, Pendente Dei verba
accepit aure accipit et verbum corde Brigitta Deum. Anno
Jubilei MCCCL."
According to the legend,
Bridget had wanted to know the number of blows Christ received
during His Passion and He one day appeared to her and said,
"I received 5,480 blows on My body. If you wish to honour
them in some way, say 15 Our Fathers and 15 Hail Marys with
the following prayers (which He taught her) for a whole year.
When the year is up, you will have honoured each one of My
wounds."
For those
unfamiliar, one Catholic site stated: [caps
in the original]
"REMEMBER THE SONG
"AVE MARIS STELLA" given to SAINT BRIDGET by the
Blessed Virgin Mary? This is the same SAINT BRIDGET of
Sweden that JESUS gave a SET OF 15 PRAYERS especially
important in the Last Days, FOR THE SALVATION OF SOULS of
your Family and Relatives. With so few places having a valid
Mass available for the FAITHFUL, these 15 PRAYERS, after the
ROSARY and BROWN SCAPULAR are another very important part of
our SECOND LINE OF DEFENSE. "
...TIPS ON PRAYER >
Your prayers are strongest at the Consecration in the Holy
Mass (raising of HOST and Chalice). Each time we look at The
Most Blessed Sacrament our place in Heaven is raised
forever. (revealed by Our Lord to Saint Gertrude the Great).
...PRAYER TO OBTAIN THE
GRACE OF ALL THE WORLD'S MASSES ...May the Most Precious
Blood of Christ, ALL His Blood and Wounds and Agony save us,
through the sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary. Amen!
Dear Saint Philomena pray for us for the purity of
mind and heart which lead to the Perfect Love of God! God
Must be pursued and the more you chase Him the more you
catch Him. (Maimonedes) (this prayer should be prayed daily,
and MADE KNOWN.)" 10
The site also goes on to say
that while reciting the prayers, that the person should
offer, "'THE BODY AND BLOOD, SOUL AND DIVINITY"
of Christ.
...THE CHAPLET OF DIVINE
MERCY to be prayed on the Rosary Beads First of all you will
pray, ONE OUR FATHER, then ONE HAIL MARY, and ONE APOSTLES'
CREED. Then on the OUR FATHER BEADS say these words:
"ETERNAL FATHER, I OFFER THEE THE BODY AND BLOOD, SOUL
AND DIVINITY, OF YOUR DEARLY BELOVED SON, OUR LORD JESUS
CHRIST, IN ATONEMENT FOR OUR SINS, AND THOSE OF THE WHOLE
WORLD." [caps in the original]
11
Note: from one Catholic
writing, posted with "Ecclesiastical approval" and
regarding The
Brown Scapular, mentioned above:
The Brown Scapular by Rt.
Rev. Charles A. Klauder.
Copyright 1991 Marians of the Immaculate Conception. "Almost
everyone knows of our Blessed Mother's apparition at Fatima
in 1917, and almost every Catholic knows some of the
requests she made for all of us to put into practice in our
daily lives... "...2.
Wearing of the Brown Scapular, the Sign of Consecration to
Mary's Immaculate Heart" "...the
wearing of the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel -
such a simple request made by the Holy Mother of God for us
to wear a tiny piece of brown cloth as an act and proof of
devotion to her....at Fatima in 1917, our Blessed Lady
appeared to Lucy and the other two children, Francesco and
Jacinta. She was clothed in the Brown Garb of Carmel.
Holding in her hand the Brown Scapular, she reminded us all
to wear it and enjoy her extraordinary Promise:
"Whosoever dies wearing this Scapular shall not suffer
eternal fire." "....The
Scapular is Mary's Mantle, thrown over our shoulders with a
promise of eternal salvation and an indulgence for all who
kiss it with devotion. After the Rosary, the Scapular is the
most highly indulgenced sacramental in the Church....Such a
simple thing to do - such a wonderful reward - the wearing
of a tiny piece of cloth. The Blessed Mother's Promise of
Eternal Salvation"
The twenty-one promises are
declared to be rewarded to those who faithfully pray the
fifteen prayers of St. Bridget, " ....as long as one recites the 5,480 prayers
during the year. One must say them with devotion and
concentrate on the words one pronounces."
One website, called the
Miracle of the Rosary Mission, stated this concerning Bridget and the
fifteen prayers: 12
A woman who changed the world
A saint for our time
BRIDE OF CHRIST
"Bridget, I am
speaking not only to you but to all Christians. You will be
My bride...and it shall be through you that I will speak to
the world. My spirit will dwell in you until your
death."
The Fifteen Prayers revealed by Our
Lord to Saint Bridget of Sweden in the Church of St. Paul at
Rome
Are
published under sanction of the Decree of November 18, 1966,
published in the Acta Apostolicae Sedis, Vol. 58, No.16 of
December 29, 1966.
Prayers
approved by Pope Pius IX
Confirmed with various
sources, the following information appears to be common knowledge
concerning the Prayers of St. Bridget.
The Fifteen Prayers
revealed by Our Lord to St. Bridget of Sweden in the church
of St. Paul at Rome are published under sanction of the
Decree of November 18, 1966, published in the Acta
Apostolicae Sedis, Vol. 58, No. 16 of December 29, 1966.
Approved
by Pope Pius IX
Pope Benedict XV expressed
himself as follows on the Revelations of St. Bridget:
"The approbations of
such revelations implies nothing more than, after mature
examination, it is permissible to publish them for the unit
of the faithful. Though they don't merit the same credence
as the truths of religion, one can, however, believe them
out of human faith, conforming to the rules of prudence by
which they are probably, and supported by sufficient motives
that one might believe in them piously." (Les Petits
Bollandistes, tome XII)
....These prayers and these
promises have been copied from a book printed in Toulouse in
1740 and published by the P. Adrien Parvilliers of the
Company of Jesus, Apostolic Missionary of the Holy Land,
with approbation, permission, and recommendation to
distribute them.
...Pope Pius IX took
cognizance of these prayers with the prologue; he approved
them May 31, 1862, recognizing them as true and for the good
of souls.
....This sentence of Pope
Pius IX has been confirmed by the realization of the
promises by all persons who have recited the prayers and by
numerous supernatural facts by which God wanted to make
known their exact truth. A collection of small books, these
prayers among them, was approved by the Great Congress of
Malines on August 22, 1863." 13
A Roman Catholic webring,
contained this information:
How to avoid Purgatory,
Saint Bridget of Sweden >http://x.webring.com/hub?ring=catholic&id=836&go
How to avoid Purgatory (The Fifteen Prayers revealed by Our
Lord to Saint Bridget of Sweden in the Church of St. Paul at
Rome) Are published under sanction of the Decree of November
18, 1966, published in the Acta
Apostolicae Sedis, Vol. 58, No. 16 of December 29, 1966.
"
14
That link was to another
clearly Roman Catholic site, a requirement of being part of the ring, and
holding the same information about the 1966 publishing of the
Fifteen Prayers of St. Bridget.
In other words. St. Bridget
is as well known to Vatican 2 Roman Catholics as she is to
Traditional Catholics like Mel Gibson. And The Fifteen Prayers of St. Bridget appear
to be very common amongst all Catholics.
According to
Catholic sources, many of that mystic's revelations were given
directly by Christ or 'the Virgin Mary.' Bridget or St
Birgitta of Sweden is said to have heard Christ and the Virgin
reveal the will of God to her. Bridget is also said to have compiled her
revelations into a book, which was later translated into Latin
and into "vernacular languages", and studied by
Catholics.
According to
various writers, the 'Virgin Mary' was Bridget's ideal and
viewed as "the untouched", pure person. One writer
stated, that in the fourteenth century the Virgin Mary was very popular at
large and a cult was forming around her in Europe. Bridget's
writings and visions focused on Mater misercordiae, or
the Mary's painful motherly love, and the wrath of God.
The ideas of the crucifixion, which Mel Gibson would likely
have been aware of, aside from praying the fifteen prayers
over 70,000 times,
which words make the Jews culpable, include the
following.
"The Vision Lady Birgitta
saw in Jerusalem in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, in the chapel of Mount
Calvary, on the Friday after the octave of the Ascension of the Lord, when,
caught up in spirit, she saw the whole passion of the Lord in painstaking
detail.
"... He ascended gladly
like a meek lamb led to the slaughter (and) extended his arms and opened his
right hand and placed it on the cross. Those savage torturers monstrously
crucified it, piercing it with a nail through that part where the bone was more
solid. And then with a rope, they pulled violently on his left hand and fastened
it to the cross in the same manner. Finally they extended his body on the cross
beyond all measure; and placing one of his shins on top of the other the
fastened to the cross his feet, thus joined, with two nails... Then the crown of
thorns, which they had removed from his head when he was being crucified they
now put back, fitting it onto his most holy head. It pierced his awesome head
with such force that then and there his eyes were filled with flowing blood and
his ears were obstructed..." 15
The statement, "piercing
it with a nail through that part where the bone was more
solid." suggests that the bone would have shattered in
the hand. That would go against the Scriptures that not one
bone in His body was broken.
Saint
Bridget...The Tie That Binds
2
Corinthians 6: 15-17
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive
you. [KJV]
The Pope "Proclaimed
Three New Patrons of Europe," according to a press
release from Vatican City, October 1, 1999. John Paul II made
the announcement during the Mass for the opening of the
special assembly of the Synod of Bishops for Europe. He
stated:
"...Beginning 1
October 1999, Europe not only has male patron saints, but
also three holy women: Edith Stein, Catherine of Sienna, and
Bridget of Sweden. The Pope said he is making this
proclamation "to emphasize the important role that
women have had and have in the ecclesial and civil history
of the continent down to our days." These holy women
are examples and intercessors..."
The Pontiff chose them
because they are "connected in a special way with the
Continent's history". Edith Stein, a Jewish philosopher
who converted to Catholicism and died in Auschwitz, "is
a symbol of the dramas in Europe in our time." Bridget
of Sweden and Catherine of Sienna worked tirelessly for the
Church in the 14th century.
Bridget, founder of a
religious Congregation... "traveled through Europe from
north to south, working tirelessly for the unity of
Christians," the Pope said. She died in Rome....
"European Christians
and ecclesial communities of all confessions, as well as
European citizens and Nations, genuinely committed to the
quest for truth and the common good," will be able to
be inspired in this third millennium that will soon begin,
with the example of these three women who "admirably
express the synthesis between contemplation and action...." 16
Pope John Paul II gave a
Homily, November 13, 1999, including the following about
Bridget, and the role in the ecumenical movement:
"....Today we
remember this extraordinary holy woman, ... beside me in
this celebration there are the highest representatives of
the Lutheran Churches of Sweden and Finland, together with
my venerable Brother Bishops of Stockholm and Copenhagen.
...the King and Queen of Sweden... My greeting goes... to
the political leaders here with us. ....gathered to renew...
the commitment to unity of faith and unity of the Church
which Saint Bridget undertook with such conviction... A
passion for Christian unity sustained her entire
life...Today’s celebration encourages us to meditate upon
the message of Saint Bridget, whom I recently chose to
proclaim a Co-Patroness of Europe ... Saint Bridget’s ...
witness to the Cross are a rallying-point for us...I am very
pleased ... to inaugurate and bless a statue which will make
more vibrant here in the Vatican the memory of this great
witness of faith. Placed on the outside of this Basilica and
just beside the so-called “Door of Prayer”, the marble
image of Saint Bridget will be an enduring invitation to
pray and work always for Christian unity." 17
The
Pope, along with Princess Victoria of Sweden, unveiled the
five metre high statue of St. Birgitta in the Vatican.
The Pope, in his Homily, went on to remind
his listeners of October 5, 1991, when, "a
solemn ecumenical celebration was held in this same basilica
for the sixth centenary of St Bridget's canonization. On that
occasion I said: "For 25 years Lutherans and Catholics
have been working to rediscover their common path...."
He then went on to say:
"....Everyone knows that
the Protestant Reformation began from the doctrine of
justification and that it destroyed the unity of the
Christians of the West. A common understanding of
justification ... will... help us to resolve the other
controversies directly or indirectly linked to
it"....This "common understanding" ... has
become an encouraging reality. On 31 October last, in the
city of Augsburg, a Joint Declaration was solemnly signed in
which Lutherans and Catholics expressed a consensus on basic
truths of the doctrine of justification. This achievement of
the ecumenical dialogue, a milestone on the way to full and
visible unity, is the result of an intense work of research,
meetings and prayer.
"....The Joint
Declaration says ... that the consensus reached by Catholics
and Lutherans "in basic truths of the doctrine of
justification must come to influence the life and teachings
of our Churches" (n. 43).
"...May Saint Bridget
be our example and intercessor. In a special way I ask you,
her dear spiritual daughters of the Order of the Most Holy
Saviour, to continue faithfully your precious apostolate of
service to unity..." 18
In keeping with that
ecumenical influence, historically, Brigitta or Bridget, was said to have
heavily influenced Queen Margareta, the founder of the Kalmar
Union (1397-1532), which was an alliance of the kingdoms of
Denmark, Norway, and Sweden against the power of Germany. 19
In 2003, the
700th anniversary of the birth of St. Birgitta
celebration was primarily held in Vadstena, Stockholm. It was
called 'The Jubilee of
Saint Birgitta 2003'. A
Jubilee Committee was in place with prominent representatives
of the Church of Sweden (Lutheran), the Roman Catholic diocese
of Stockholm, and various local authorities, with ambassador
Lars Bergquist as chairman. The
official end of the Birgitta year occurred October 7, 2003,
which is stated as being Birgitta day.
The website specifically set
up for the celebrations noted that one event included a "solemn
church service and celebration", which took place on
Sunday, June 1, 2003. Their
Majesties the King of Sweden Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia
attended as well as "H.H. the Pope" and other heads
of state. 20
A
large exhibition about St. Birgitta, her Revelations and her
Order was shown in Vadstena during the jubilee year, and
another held in Stockholm. The
most important project was the translation to English of the
Birgittine Revelations, which were to be published during the
Jubilee year. 21
According to
the website, an international ensemble was said to have
presented a play at theatres in the towns along the road taken
in 1374 by the procession carrying Birgitta’s earthly
remains from Rome through Europe, over Gdansk to the Swedish Söderköping
with Vadstena as the final goal.
Their celebration included
plans to "build a museum, which
illuminates Birgitta and her religious and political
contribution to European culture, and at the same time
visualize other medieval monasteries in the Östergötland
province - Dominicans, Benedictines, Franciscans and other
orders. Thus, the visitors will get an idea of the importance
of the monasteries as centres for furthering the cultural
contacts between Europe and Sweden, and vice versa." 22
St. Bridget,
then, is embraced in Europe and we presume worldwide, as an
icon for the ecumenical movement. Her revelations are viewed
as wholesome and worthy to reunite peoples and nations. Catholicism
is strong in Europe and worldwide, and anti-semitism, as
well as anti-Christianity is very much on the rise.
Statistics from 1997, stated, that there were just over a
billion Catholics in the world.
It will be
most interesting to see what impact those beliefs have when
mixed with Mel Gibson's Catholic centered, and violently
graphic movie, for those many who devoutly and daily pray,
that the "Jews did it" to Christ. This writer
would sincerely hope that they don't really believe
"the Jews" killed Jesus, particularly as described
in the prayers, or even as depicted in the movie. They did
not.
These
concerns are also raised because the Pope of the Roman
Catholic church has said of the movie, "It
is as it was." That alongside the many Protestant
leadership who have proclaimed it as Biblically and
historically accurate and urging their followers to see this
movie and see and feel "what Jesus went through."
See: Comments
About Mel Gibson's "The Passion of The Christ"
And people are saying that the movie is the Truth, it is
really Jesus and shows how much he REALLY suffered. That is
in spite of the fact that the movie is Biblically and
historically false.
We serve a risen Savior.
He sits at the right hand of the Father. He is not on a
movie screen. That is not Him. Nor is it truth. The movie is
a falsified account of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and
presents images that are being remembered by viewers as 'the
real Jesus.' Those that embrace it as truth and embrace it
as "the way it was", embrace a false gospel and
another Jesus.
Jesus
Christ is with every Believer in the person of the Holy
Spirit and He has revealed Himself to each Believer by the
Holy Spirit through the Word of God, contained in the Bible.
We are called to
heed His warnings and refuse to go to see or accept, any
other “christ”.
Matthew 24:23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
25 Behold, I have told you before.
26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
28 For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.
[KJV]
In
the article Comments
About Mel Gibson's "The Passion of The
Christ", movie critic, Austin
O'Connor of the LOWELL SUN had stated, "...there will inevitably be a
divide among people who see it....unbendingly bloody vision will also prove
divisive."
However
correct Austin Connor has proven to be, the film is definitely
causing division, as shown in the article, Pro
& Con Comments About Mel Gibson's "The Passion of
The Christ". At this point,
so far it appears that the division is happening more between
'christians' and those falling under that banner, than with
Jewish people and the anti-semitism factor. The Bridget issue
is, in fact, while seemingly anti-semitic and un Biblical, within the
Fifteen Prayers, 'she' is clearly being propelled forward as one of
the ties that binds within the ecumenical movement. And for
all of that we have serious concerns.
Jesus
said in Matthew 10:
34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. [KJV]
Next
Article:
God
Can Use Anything...But Should We? Q
& A About The Passion of The Christ
Previous
Article:
Pro
& Con Comments About Mel Gibson's "The Passion of
The Christ"
Other
Articles:
A
Different View of Mel Gibson's The Passion of The Christ
>
[also
available split into 2 parts > gibson1,
gibson2]
Comments
About Mel Gibson's "The Passion of The
Christ"
Pro
& Con Comments About Mel Gibson's "The
Passion of The Christ"
Mel
Gibson, Biblical Accuracy & The Other Passion
Source: The 15 Prayers of St. Bridget
God
Can Use Anything...But Should We? Q
& A About The Passion of The Christ
Q
& A: More Scriptural Comparison's of The Passion of the Christ
Q &
A: About the
Cast & Crew of Mel
Gibson's The Passion of the Christ
NewsFlash!
Mystic
Anne Emmerich to be Beatified
Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment & Zondervan To
Distribute
DVD/VHS
of Mel Gibson's The Passion of The Christ
Footnotes
1 Hutton
Gibson Interview Partial Transcript ; I.
The Holocaust, www.speakyourpiece.net
2. WIESENTHAL
CENTER CONDEMNS HUTTON GIBSON'S STATEMENTS DENYING THE
HOLOCAUST; http://www.wiesenthal.com/social/press/pr_item.cfm?ItemID=8950
3. A Reader's
Digest Exclusive Interview With Mel Gibson; March Issue to
Feature Exclusive Print Interview Regarding The
Controversial New Film - 'The Passion of the Christ'
PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y., Feb. 14 /PRNewswire/; Exclusive
outtakes from the original transcript -- not featured in
magazine interview:
4. ABCNEWS' Primetime, on Monday, February
16, 2004, February 18, 2004
5 Email ,
used with permission
6. http://www.unomaha.edu/~wwwjrf/2004Symposium/Lawler.htm
7.
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11527b.htm
8. http://www.ncregister.com/Register_News/030903gibson.htm
9. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02782a.htm
10. http://ourworld-top.cs.com/mrosale/id31.htm
11. http://ourworld-top.cs.com/mrosale/id31.htm
12. http://www.miraclerosarymission.org/bridget.html
13. http://www.holysouls.info/stbridget.php ;
http://www.ewtn.com/library/PRAYER/BRIDPRAY.TXT ;
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Marble/8229/english.htm
http://ourworld-top.cs.com/mrosale/id31.htm
14
http://x.webring.com/hub?ring=catholic
15.
http://www.holycross.edu/departments/visarts/projects/kempe/related/stbridg.htm
16.
http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/day1001.htm
17. http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/pope0264wq.htm
18.
Ibid
19.
http://www.helsinki-hs.net/news.asp?id=20030311IE14
20.
http://www.birgittastiftelsen.se/birgitta2003/english/index2.htm
21
http://www.birgittastiftelsen.se/birgitta2003/english/letter.html
http://www.birgittastiftelsen.se/birgitta2003/english/letter4.html
22
http://www.birgittastiftelsen.se/birgitta2003/english/letter2.html
http://www.birgittastiftelsen.se/english/index3.htm
home page > then on the left there is a link to
here http://www.sanctabirgitta.com/
Copyright . All articles are the
sole property of SeekGod.ca and Vicky Dillen
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