Thanks so much for pulling all this together! I just found your blog for the first time - I'm new at this! This is all very helpful.
Thanks again, Christopher - always first-rate.
Be careful again, Phil and Christopher (millstones around necks etc.) your link to the fake-benedictine from the Phillipines isn't good catechesis, its heresy!
http://www.lawphil.net/judjuris/
...01566_1993.html
"Unfortunately, the Caryana Movement was denied canonical recognition and its spiritual director was himself expelled from the Benedictine order and stripped of his priestly functions by the Archbishop of Manila, Jaime Cardinal Sin."
God Bless
Clare Krishan
Philadelphia
Clare,
Thanks for the tip -- just a reminder, Phil is my father and is not associated with this blog. You may read him at The Pertinacious Papist. It's too bad to hear aobut Fr. Odon de Castro, let's pray for him that he will be reconciled with our Church.
Saw your links to the various commentaries on God is Love.
Would love to hear what you think of my commentary on Pope Benedict's God is Love. (You can comment on my site or email me directly.)
Thanks!
Tom Reagan
PS--If you like the first piece, the other two can be found at http://godislovefull.tomreagan.com. It won't be released on my site for a week or two.
Charity. This is the topic of our Holy Father's first Encyclical. It is a very sad thing to see how we so easily fail to observe this virtue, in regard to passing judgement on Fr.Odon de Castro of Gloria Olivae. Though I am not well versed in canonical matters, I believe no one can brand any person as 'schismatic' except the Pope alone. Therefore it is a great sadness to see how people can easily believe anything against anyone just because somebody says so. It is an utter failure in Charity. I am a filipina living in the Philippines and with much interest, have followed the activities of Father Odon for years since I have had opportunity to have him as Retreat Master in high school decades ago. I know how he has become a victim of the late Cardinal Sin's ire over matters of principle that caused him his troubles. The Lord's ways. Presently he is in great demand as Retreat Master.
"By their fruits you shall know them," the Lord has said. I never tire to read and re-read his blogs,inspite of the simplicity with which he writes them. Everytime I do so, I always recall what the two disciples felt when they talked to our Lord unknowingly, "were not our hearts burning when He was talking to us"? This, too is how I feel whenever I open to my computer to read his blogs. In them, I learn so many things I have not known before of our Catholic faith, and since then I have deeply appreciated and am thankful to God that I am a Catholic. Is this a bad fruit? I have heard of many conversions occurring due to his simple way of explaining the teachings of the Catholic faith, and he is called schismatic!
I'm sad if my attempt encourage high standards of truthfulness causes some to doubt their faith, since that is not my intention. I pray that faith of all in the Phillipines and indeed throughout Easter-land (Asia) be strengthened, as we all become channels of Our Lord's peace!
Fr. Odon's version of spirituality is not Catholicism - it is millenarianism (ideas promoted in the "Left Behind" works of fiction)
I quote from a wikipedia article
"Millenarian ideologies or religious sects often appear in oppressed peoples.
* Examples of the millenarian groups, movements and writings:
o Fifth Monarchy Men
o Plymouth Brethren
o Branch Davidians
o Shakers
o Yellow Turbans
o Taiping Rebellion
o Aum Supreme Truth
o The Native American Ghost Dance
o The Heaven's Gate cult
o Dispensationalism
o End times prophecy
o Old Believers
o Joachimites
o Dulcinian
o Nostradamus
o The Turner Diaries
o The Lord's Resistance Army
o Hojjatieh
In politics, millenarianism is often, but by no means always, linked to radical ideologies that share a similar belief in a transformation of society. These can be based in secular or religious ideas. In this way millenarianism is closely linked to Apocalypticism."
[en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millenarianism]
Fr. Odon doesn't try to hide his offense - he's brazen, calling his Blog "Gloriae Olivae" the latin title Nostradamus' (St Malacy) prophecy gave to the penultimate papacy. Be careful in promoting this poison under the guise of faithful witness to the Santa Sede.
As a theologian, our Pope was profoundly humble in surrendering all his own personal views to the authority of the Magesterium,
"The Holy Spirit as Communnio" at
www.communio-icr.com/articles/PDF/ratzinger25-
2.pdf
Cardinal Sin had to censor the Caryana movement because they refused to witness even a fraction of that same obedience. It's sad and we do indeed need to pray for them and all oppressed people who fall prey to false teachers (thnk liberation theology etc.).
For an alternative to the "retreat master", Communion and Liberation is an orthodox and vibrant movement
Here's the Holy Father's 3-point rule of thumb (from the article I cited above):
"There is a certain difficulty in speaking about the Holy Spirit, even
a certain danger. He withdraws from us into mystery even more than Christ. It is quite possible that this topic has sparked only idle speculation and that human life is being based upon self-made fantasies rather than
reality. This is why I hesitated to offer just my own reflections. It seems to me that three conditions must be fulfilled to speak meaningfully,
reliably, and defensibly about the Holy Spirit. "
"First it cannot be talk based
upon pure theory but must touch an experienced reality that has been
interpreted and communicated in thought. "
"But experience alone does not
suffice. It must be tested and tried experience so that “one’s own spirit”
does not take the place of the Holy Spirit. "
"Third: in consequence, suspicion
will always arise when someone speaks on his own account, “from within.”
Such speech contradicts the Holy Spirit’s mode of being, for he is
characterized precisely “by not speaking on his own” (Jn 16:13). In thisrespect, originality and truth can easily lead to a paradox. "
"But that means that trust is only appropriate when one does not speak on a purely private account, but from an experience of the Spirit tested in front of and standing in the context of the whole, i.e. when one submits the experience of “spirit” to the entirety of the Church. This presupposes as an axiom of Christian faith that the Church herself — when she truly exists as Church — is a creation of the Spirit."
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, 1998
And sorry but C&L doesn't seem to be strong in Asia yet - they do have a website also in Spanish language
http://www.clonline.org/
Christos Anesti!
I have never met with Fr Odon de castro but the blogs of Gloria Olivae (The Glory of Olive )and contact with him really showed that his priesthood is the essence of his being. He thought about others before himself, only prayers can resolve any differnces with the Mother church not attcking him as a schicism, The irony of the whole is one who is been regarded as a causing division is at the same time promoting God s words spiritually and conscientioulsy. And even promoting and encouraging priestly vocation beyond his home country and as far as Africa. I think a decisive step is needed to address the issue with the church, i am nobody in church issue or doctrine, but the impact and gesture Fr Odon de castro has made and still persist in my life is worthy of addressing, i pray and believe that his priesthood will be one day accepted by all,even though i don t know the situation now, because our Roman Catholic church is one holy and apostolic i pray the church authority will reconsinder Fr odon "s age Mary Mother of God pray for us. Thanks Peace
PART ONE
(OFTEN TIMES TRUTH IS HARD TO FIND)
TRUTH IS NOT JUST A FIVE LETTERED, ONE WORD. IN JOHN 14:6
HE IS OUR LORD GOD JESUS CHRIST,
THE SECOND PERSON OF THE MOST HOLY TRINITY.
IN LUKE 6:36- 38 HE OUR LORD JESUS IS SPEAKING TO US THROUGH HIS DISCIPLES,
TEACHING AND REMINDING US TO JUDGE NOT
OUR NEIGHBORS, ENEMY AND NOT.
FOR ON THE LAST DAY WE ARE TO BE JUDGED SPIRITUALLY, IN CHRIST.
RE: REV. FR. ODON DE CASTRO
LAY MONASTIC COMMUNITY OF CARYANA
www.caryana.org
www.odondecastro.blogspot.com
DEAR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST!
GOOD AND HOLY DAY TO YOU!
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING CATHOLICS.
PART TWO
JUST SHARING THE UNSOLICITED INFO BELOW.
TO KNOW MORE ABOUT
REV. FR. ODON DE CASTRO
PLEASE CALL THE MANILA ARCHBISHOP'S RESIDENCE OF HIS EMINENCE
1. GAUDENCIO CARDINAL B. ROSALES, D.D
@ 63 2 521- 6501
OR CALL OUR PHILIPPINES' BISHOPS
OUE EXCELLENCIES:
2. BISHOP CARLITO J. CENZON, D.D
APOSTOLIC VICARIATE OF METROPOLITAN BAGUIO
63 74 442- 3756 OR 63 74 443 8004
3. BISHOP BENJAMIN J. ALMONEDA, D.D
DIOCESE OF DAET
63 54 721- 1625 OR 63 54 721- 1431
4. BISHOP ANTONIO R. TOBIAS, D.D
DIOCESE OF NOVALICHES
63 2 938- 9681
AND MANY MORE,
( AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST)
SOURS SINCERELY,
PART THREE
take note:
all cases filed against the monastery have been unsuccessful, otherwise,
the monastery would have been closed.
SOURCE:http://greggtheobscure.blogspot.com/
2006_01_01_greggtheobscure_archive.html
maricel genzola said...
I am Maricel Genzola, a member of the Lay Monastic Community of CARYANA from the time it began.
I could not help myself but comment on what you have posted on "Vita Breus" last Jan. 12 re Fr. Odon de Castro.
In the light of Christian Charity, may I ask if you have taken an extra step to check on the side of Fr. Odon for your peace of mind?
To set the records straight, the Lay Monastic Community of CARYANA has been in existence for the past thirty - four (34) years. It sekks to "relive the way of life of the first Christian communities, hopefully with the same zeal and fervor. The way of life of CARYANA and the Christian principles on which it is based are the very same principles that governed the way of life of the early Christian communities." To ensure the consistency of its community life with the early Christians, it adheres to the discipline prescribed by St. Benedict in his rule on monastic life and the poverty of St. Francis.
The community came about after the retreat of the graduating high school class of an exclusive Catholic school for girls wherein Fr. Odon de Castro was the retreat master together with the then Fr. Carlito Cenzon who is now Bishop of Baguio and Benguet.
Fr. Odon has been the Spiritual Director of this monastic community since then, and for opting to "shepherd" a group of young girls determined to work on their salvation instead of managing a Catholic school on the plushy side of town. This has put him in "hot waters" since then. What is of greater importance - to do the will of God, lead the life of a real monk and save the souls of these youth or to bask in the glory of a school that has built its name over time?
You referred to our community as "schismatic". However, our monastic community does not have any formal recognition from the local Church hierarchy. We have had visits from bishops and priests who come for their own "silence and solitude" but that is it.
Fr, Odon's homilies revolve around the sermons according to the great fathers of the Church and to the writings of the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI. How many of our priests can do that authoritatively!
If reliving the lives of the early Christian communities these days is not appreciated by ordinary Catholics and even by the local Church leaders, then the Holy Father's message in his writings and pronouncements to all of us may be falling on deaf ears, and we are seeing right before our very eyes the "waxing cold of charity" among us.
Before making any further move, take a look at our community first, you may come for Mass or just visit the place like a pilgrim offering a prayer to our Lady of Guadalupe. Then like to Samaritan woman, you can say with authority you have seen first - hand the fruits of thirty - four years of Christian community life completely dependent on God's Providence.
6:00 PM
Ive known the caryana community in person,have lived in it for 23 years,and grown up in it,now that i live outside its walls and for the past 5 years have seen and compared what life is like outside it,how difficult it was for me to adjust to what the outside reality really was,not so much in physicall or financial difficulties as the spiritual insufficiency i was experiencing i can truly say there teachings which are not theres but that of the true church is indeed authentic and true,they have a depth that truly fills the hungry soul searching for god and true happiness and the secrets of salvation.Their way of life is the right way indeed,and this i can prove from my own experience.Their leaders are holy though not perfect,as no one is,the problem is in ourselves and our minds,not in anyone else,for if we were truly in the right frame of mind then not even the poisonous venom of heresies of anykind will affect us.for who if he he was thinking rightly would choose to believe,(especially with regards to ones eternal destiny and salvation,) in something that has no solid foundation? whose sources are unknown,whose founders are unrecognized?truly there are so many beliefes,so many teachings,so many opinions, the poor lost soul would not know were to turn or from what fountain to draw the living waters of truth and faith,but there is one thing that we can rely on,"by there fruits you will know them"...
I CONGRATULATE THIS COMMUNITY FOR ALL THE SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGE THEY SHARE WITH BOTH THE MEMMBERS AND NON MEMMBERS OF THIS COMMUNITY,TRULY I NEVER TIRE OF SINGING THEIR PRAISES AND HONORING THERIR LEGASIES,FOR EVEN THOUGH I AM NO LONGER WITH THEM,MY SOUL LONGS TO RETURN TO THEM,TO BE ONE WITH THEM,TO LEAVE BEHIND THE BLINDNESS AND MISERABLE WORLDLINESS AND EVILNESS OF THIS WORLD,HOW I WISH THE WHOLE WORLD OF SATAN BANISHES BEFORE THE LIGHT OF GOD TO SEE THE TRUTH AND BE CONVERTED,THAT ALL MEN MAY BE UNITED IN TRUE LOVE OF GOD AND NEIGHBOR,I THANK GOD FOR THEM AND BELIEVE THAT THIS COMMUNITY STILL PRAYS FOR US ALL AND EVEN FOR ME THE LOST SHEEP,WHO IS SO ASHAMED OF THE PAST AND THE PRESENT,YET LOOKS AT THEM IN ADMIRATION,MY WHOLEHEARTED WISH IS THAT ONE DAY I MAY BE DEEMED WORTHY EVEN TO TAKE MY LAST BREATH ON THEIR PORTALS AND ATTRIBUTE TO THEM THE MERCY BESTOWED UPON ME.
PS. DEAREST FATHER ODON DE CASTRO,YOU KNOW ME IN PERSON,I HAVE CHANGED MY NAME,BUT YOU KNOW ME AS WHO I REALLY AM,I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT EVEN IN THE DEPTHS THAT I AM IN I STILL CRY AT THE THOUGHT THAT GOD HAS BEEN SO GOOD,IN SHOWING ME HIS LIGHT THROUGH YOU,I HOPE TO OBTAIN MERCY SOME WAY OR OTHER,MISERABLE SOUL THAT I AM,I AM TOO WEAK AND SINFULL TO TAKE ANYSTEP,BUT ALL I CAN DO NOW IS BE HUMBLE AND ADMITT THAT WHAT I AM NOW,I AM....UNWORTHY. jocelyn.
I have here posted a photo of me and my husband,as im not sure if i will be recognizable to you.
Caryana is heaven on Earth.
Someday soon...I will be there again to commune with my Superfriend.The people who serve at Caryana are God's special gifts.
Pax Christi!
I am amazed by the messages posted in this blog for Fr. Odon de Castro. Obviously, Fr. Odon's spirituality is not an issue. The issue it seems is whether, at least during the time he was supposedly expelled from priesthood by the late Cardinal Jaime Sin, is his being purportedly non-compliant with the Magisterium of the Holy Mother Church. Please correct me if i am wrong.
I noticed that Fr. Odon uses familiar phrases like "Work of God" or "Opus Dei" in latin, in referring to the supposed principles and rule of spirituality of St. Benedictine of "Ora et Labora". While the phrases and application as one's plan of life are not inconsistent, but rather reconcilable; it results to a mixture of formulaes that is actually already owing and distinct to another religious order, or personal prelature, in the case of Opus Dei.
I admire you Fr. Odon for your consistency. I hope and will pray that you will be reconciled to our Mother Church.
Laus Deo!
To all TRUTH Lovers/ Seekers
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Joyful day! It's so easy to judge a book by it's cover ( by it's wine skin )rather than by it's content ( it's wine ) but it's more easier to call the Judge ( to call our Philippines' Catholic Bishops 0 to know and understand the TRUTH about Rev. Fr. Odon de Castro and the Lay Monastic ( Benedictine ) Community of Caryana at the ff. phone numbers below Q; Is Rev. Fr. Odon de Castro expelled from the Catholic Church?( note: if the word expelled meant excommunicated ) A: The answer is No.( note: because only our Pope can do the expulsion that means
excommunication ) Q; Is He Rev. Fr. Odon teaching and or practicing Schism, Heresy and Apostasy? A: The answer in No. for Schism, He/ they are not separating themselves from our Catholic Church. for Heresy, He/ they are not contradicting to our Catholic
Dogma. for Apostasy, He/ they are denouncing our Catholic Faith please visit the ff. sites and please check their teachings and...1. www.caryana.org 2. www.gloriaolivae.blip.tv/#658366 3. www.odondecastro.blogspot.com 4. THE CBCP 2001 APPROVED PROGRAM( catholic bishops conference of the philippines ) of SPIRITUAL FORMATION for candidates to the priesthood is authored by DOM Basilio Magno and Dom Basilio Magno is none other than Rev. Fr. Odon de Castro, Benedictine Priest/ Monk PLEASE CHECK IT OUT AND CALL OUR HIS EMINENCE
1. GAUDENCIO CARDINAL B. ROSALES, D.D
@ 63 2 521- 6501 (look for Rev. Fr. Reginald Malicdem) and also, please CALL OUR HIS EXCELLENCIES;
2. BISHOP CARLITO J. CENZON, D.D
APOSTOLIC VICARIATE OF METROPOLITAN BAGUIO 63 74 442- 3756 OR 63 74 443 8004 3. BISHOP BENJAMIN J. ALMONEDA, D.D DIOCESE OF DAET 63 54 721- 1625 OR 63 54 721- 1431 4. BISHOP ANTONIO R. TOBIAS, D.D DIOCESE OF NOVALICHES
63 2 938- 9681 AND MANY MORE,( AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST)thank you so much for being Catholics and for being TRUTH Lovers/ Seekers GOD Bless...
As long as a religious or priest is faithful to the teachings of the Magisterium and the Holy Father, I know he is on the side of Truth, no matter how unappealing it is to the world - and that I think is what Fr. Odon does - proclaiming the "truth" no matter what.
1. i would like to know if caryana lay monastic community,Pampanga, Philippines, is open to interested perons, gentlemen ..who are seeking the kingdom, in search of conversion, in search of a simple, hidden ora et labora life and interested to join your community? Is there any age limit?
2. is it open to persons - gentlemen who would like to experience the community say for a period of one month ?
3. how could I directly contact the superior of the community?
TRUTH must be thanked, praised and worshipped for in John 14:6
TRUTH has spoken, is speaking and will speak....
It's not just a one 5-letter word
HE is one of the Most Blessed Person
of the Holy Trinity,
Divinely revealed TRUTH to us in the Holy Scripture and Tradition.
Don't believe in hearsay it's a sin
but rather in TRUTH!
( our SPIRITual duty )
TRUTH is everywhere accessible
To all who want to contact
Rev. Fr. Odon de Castro
( of the Lay Monastic Community of Caryana )
Please write to:
S of G Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 1759 MCPO,
Makati City 1257
or call the ( CBCP )
Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines ( as stated above ):
His Eminence Cardinal Gaudencio B. Rosales, D.D. Archbishop of Manila
Most Rev. Carlito Cenzon, D.D.
Bishop of Baguio City
Most Rev. Antonio Tobias, D.D.
Bishop of Novaliches
Most Rev. Benjamin Almoneda, D.D. Bishop of Daet
Most Rev. Ramon Arguelles, D.D.
Bishop of Lipa
and many more...
or visit their website @
www.cbcponline.net
Thank you and GOD Bless...
It's time to serve Chinese food. Do you need me there? Or is the cafeteria still closed.
Sorry for my previous statement. Meant for somebody else. About Fr. Odon de Castro, do not judge him. You do not know what's in his heart. God alone will be his judge. For those who believe in him, you know. "From the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." "You will know a tree by its fruit" "If they persecuted me, they will persecute you." "Be brave little ones for your redemption is at hand."
we don't think it is reasonable to spend hundreds thousands dollars to buy a decorating watch. you can use those money to invest in other industry which will return you good profit.
here you just need to spend 100-200 dollars to buy a replica rolex watches.
Longines replica watches are made by the rating 1:1 according to the original watches, and you can't distinguish the original and the fake watches when you look at the surface of the watches.
hi there. am going to see the caryana monastery this week to do some soul searching. this is long overdue. let's see what becomes of me when i get back.
On 19th February 2009 Fr. Odon de Castro posted: All unbaptized children go to Heaven when they die, Pope Benedict had finally declared.
As far as I am aware this is incorrect. I endeavoured to find a contact email to ask Fr de Castro to source his comment but couldn’t find one on his blog. I then entered his name in Google and came here.
Father Odon de Castro is very much a servant of God!
His teachings has made my spiritual life deeper and my love for the Lord blossomed. I am so grateful for his generosity in allowing God to use him. When my father was dying, I would weekly stick my ears to the radio just to hear him talked and that would both strengthened us.
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