DE THEOLOGIA
The life of man upon earth is a warfare. This ancient understanding shaped Catholic spirituality for centuries. We preserve the theology that formed it.
"Militia est vita hominis super terram."
JOB 7:1 (VULGATA)
Prayer is not self-care.
It is preparation for battle.
The Desert Fathers understood this. So did Ignatius. So did the Church, until recently.
FVNDAMENTA
DE SACRIFICIO
Pre-Vatican II theology understood the Mass primarily as the unbloody renewal of Calvary's sacrifice. The priest offers; the faithful participate in an oblation. Post-conciliar language shifted toward "celebration" and "meal." We preserve the sacrificial vocabulary.
DE INTERCESSIONE
The communion of saints is not merely exemplary but efficacious. Saints actively intercede; their merits are applied to the living. The Litany of Saints invokes each by name because each has power to aid. This is not symbolic.
DE PVRGATORIO
Purgatory is not an embarrassment to be softened. "Animabus e purgatorii poenis" — the souls in the pains of purgatory — require our prayers. The Dies Irae speaks of judgment because judgment is real. We do not redact.
DE MERITO
Good works performed in grace merit increase of grace and eternal life. Indulgences remit temporal punishment. These doctrines, downplayed in modern catechesis, remain in the prayers we preserve.
QVAE MVTATA SVNT
The reformed calendar and liturgy altered not only texts but theological emphasis. These are not matters of preference but of content.
These are not aesthetic preferences. Each removal carried theological weight.
MILITIA SPIRITALIS
Ignatius of Loyola's Spiritual Exercises present reality as a battle between two armies: Christ's and Satan's. Every soul must choose a standard. This is not metaphor but the actual structure of spiritual reality.
The Desert Fathers named eight principal vices. Acedia — spiritual sloth, the demon of noontide — attacks those who pray. It is not depression. It is targeted assault on the soul's perseverance. The tradition names it; we preserve the name.
St. Patrick's Breastplate belongs to the "lorica" tradition — prayers of encirclement and protection. The Christian arms himself with prayer before entering the world. This is not piety but tactic.
Eyes, ears, tongue, imagination — each is a gate requiring guard. Pre-Vatican II moral theology spoke plainly: concupiscence is real, occasions of sin must be fled, not engaged. The prayers reflect this realism.
TRADITIO
The eight principal thoughts (logismoi) that became the seven deadly sins. Desert psychology of spiritual combat.
4th-5th century
The Divine Office as the opus Dei — the work of God that structures monastic life and sanctifies time.
6th century
Rules for discernment of spirits. The Particular Examen. Spiritual combat as methodical discipline.
16th century
Codification of the Roman Rite. The Missal and Breviary in the form received until 1962.
16th century
"Induite vos armaturam Dei, ut possitis stare adversus insidias diaboli."
EPHESIANS 6:11
We do not innovate. We transmit. The prayers of the Church as received before the reform, without softening, without adaptation, without apology.
In praeparatione