June 1986 Print


Ask Me...


answers given by Father Carl Pulvermacher


Q. Is it permitted to put holy water on pet animals (dogs and cats)? M. K., Raleigh, NC

A. St. Francis preached to the birds and made the wolf obey him. Animals are God's creatures too, but they have only an earthly purpose. Holy water can protect them from evils, even earthly ones. The Pope blesses lambs that grow the wool for the Palliums which Archbishops wear. Many priests have the annual blessing of pets on St. Francis Day. If they can do it, you can too. However, the Blessed of Heaven will not need pets there to complete their happiness, as St. Thomas Aquinas teaches.


Q. Do the Saints cry for us? B. G., Edmonds, WA

A. Scripture says that every tear shall be wiped away. Wickedness and loss of souls, even of relatives, will not cause sorrow. The Saints are united in will with God and "We" shall rejoice forever in His Will being done "on earth as it is in Heaven."


Q. Does the Church teach that people (or souls) in Purgatory can or cannot hear our prayers? B. G., Edmonds, WA

A. They hear our prayers and can obtain favors for us even from Purgatory. They are saints who belong to the "Church Suffering." It is good to seek blessings from them. I have known many people who had wonderful devotions to the Holy Suffering Souls.


Q. Are the Charismatics a modern-day manifestation of what the Apostles experienced when the Holy Ghost came upon them and they began to speak in tongues? Anon., Houston, TX

A. No. I've never seen solid evidence of any lasting good coming from such as Cursillo or Charismatic prayer groups. I tend to suspect the intentions of people who act as though the Holy Ghost has finally appeared in the Church. Surely they lie. Already before Vatican II there appeared on earth a kind of spiritual sickness called illuminism. "Apparitionitis" is what one traditional theologian has called it. Miracles, healings, speaking in tongues are now frequent and people of weak faith came running from all directions. I believe the devil does these things to distract the faithful from seeing the reality of the darkness and miseries in our modern day Church. Medjugorje is another case to prove this point. The Charismatics promote this "false" apparition and this "vision" encourages the Charismatics. The Cursillo, the Charismatic renewal, the Renew—so much now promoted is not Catholic, not the true work of the Holy Ghost. Many innocent souls are being misled by these things. The Holy Ghost works marvels of grace in His true followers. But He works through Faith. Running after weeping statues of Christ or His Mother is a fun thing. Oh, I do not deny that God can work such wonders. But His normal way is through Faith. Only Faith, Hope and Charity will count at the Judgment Day — not speaking in tongues or weeping statues.

 

Dear Readers:

Some of your questions are too sensitive, too difficult, or would be too long for this page. I am only a Franciscan Friar happily associated with the Society of St. Pius X since 1976. I believe that Archbishop Lefebvre is right in his fight to serve the true Faith of Jesus Christ—the Holy Catholic Faith. God bless him and his Society. Credit for my answers goes to God, and to my Catholic upbringing at home, at school and at the seminary. Signatures, trips to Rome, audiences, etc., I believe, are futile. The enemy is within the walls. Many Church leaders are wolves in sheeps' clothing. These are days to live in the Grace of God, with true devotion to the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Be informed, pray, and live your Catholic Faith. Fight temptation to give up. The Devil does not strive to secure control of what he already possesses.