Seven African bishops, sixteen priests, and many lay faithful attended our week of study on Social Credit followed by our annual congress that was held from September 3rd to the 5th. All were filled with wonder at what they heard.
We are pleased to publish excerpts taken from the homilies and comments of the participants. Here is the translation of the homily given by Most Rev. Basile Tapsoba, in St. Cesaire, on Friday, September 2, 2010. Bishop Tapsoba is head of the Koudougou diocese, in Burkina Faso:
My dear friends, through the grace of God, the week of study is coming to an end. Time passes inexorably, so we may justly say: "Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." Even better: Thanks to the efficient collaboration of those in charge of the Pilgrims of St. Michael and the MICHAEL Journal, and thanks to the consummate mastery of the professors, lecturers and animators, the veil has been lifted. Day after day, more light was shed on Social Credit, which allowed us to discover it more clearly and to finally have it shine in all its splendor, filling us with amazement, joy and satisfaction.
It is with this same fervor that we raise our spirits and hearts in thanksgiving towards Almighty God, Master of history. He led us, safe and sound, to the Louis Even Institute in Rougemont, and this morning to the parish of St. Cesaire. May the Holy Name of the Lord always be blessed.
Before the Lord, we wish to demonstrate our filial piety and gratitude towards Mr. Clifford Hugh Douglas and Mr. Louis Even, these men of genius, these benefactors of mankind, to whom we will always be in debt. These initiators were faithful and docile to the Holy Spirit and totally dedicated to the promotion of Social Credit. May they rest in peace and may their good works accompany them! May the Master of the vine and harvest receive them into Heaven and grant them the reward promised to the good and faithful servant. May the Lord help us to pass on the heritage that they bequeathed to us.
We express our sentiments of profound gratitude to those in charge, to the men and women, members of the community of the Pilgrims of St. Michael and to the MICHAEL Journal. Miss Therese Tardif, Mr. Marcel Lefebvre, you were so kind and generous to invite us to this week of study, followed by the congress. In taking charge of the costs of the trip, you removed a thorn from our foot. We are very grateful and we assure you of our prayers. We leave your reward to God, Who will surely give you a reward over and above your expectations. May God bless you and give you strength for the battle.
As for the treasure that we have discovered here among you, it will never leave us. It will be in each one of us, a flame that will guide us. We will communicate this flame to as many people as possible. With the grace of God, within the next few years, this flame will do wonders.
We who have been invited to this week of study and to the congress, whether we are already familiar with the Louis Even Institute or are discovering it for the first time, we will not deny the importance of the responsibilities and commitment that constitutes our presence here. Without wanting to apply this teaching too quickly because we have been energized and say, "We will show you how things are done!", and then give up because of the immensity of the task; we resolve to turn to the Lord instead.
We turn towards Him in all confidence and we count firmly on Him. It is He, in fact, who works in us, by us, through us and around us. The story of the miraculous draught of fishes (Luke 5:1-11) that is being proclaimed today comes at the right moment to give us courage and to help us to accept God’s timeline. Yes, Peter had passed the entire night casting his nets without catching even one fish. The Lord came and, I could say, monopolized the boat of Peter. He settled down in the boat and took His time to tell the Good News. It is only after doing so that He told Simon Peter: "Go out into the sea and cast your nets." And Peter said to him, "Lord, all night we did not catch even the smallest fish but at Your Word, I will go." And, on casting out their nets, a great wonder occurred, a miracle; they had to call other boats because of the huge amount of fish they had gathered.
The dawn of a new era
May today’s Eucharist give us strength for the new day that is just beginning and tighten the bonds of fraternity, solidarity and affection among us and for every man. We make a fervent vow for the prosperity of the Louis Even Institute. May Social Credit continue to make its way through the world, despite the hardships which it must face. May Social Credit be understood, favorably received and profoundly rooted in the sprits and hearts of the present and future generations of every country of the world, so that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary and the help of St. Michael the Archangel, the dawn of a new era for mankind may arrive, for the greater glory of God who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen."
Most Rev. Basile Tapsoba
Bishop of Koudougou, Burkina Faso
The Miraculous Draught of Fishes, by Jacopo Bassano, 1545 |