Episode 2521: The Fall Ember Days and the Crisis in the Church

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Heavenly Father, we come before You, seeking Your divine wisdom and grace. Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and all the great saints of our Church, may we find the strength to defend the truth and remain steadfast in the face of confusion and darkness. Guide our thoughts, words, and actions as we explore the current trials within the Church and reflect on the significance of the Fall Ember Days. Grant us the light of discernment to follow Your will above all else. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
As we observe the Fall Ember Days, a time of prayer, fasting, and penance, we find ourselves reflecting on the troubling state of the Church in our times. The Ember Days are an ancient tradition within the Catholic Church, offering us moments to pray for the harvest, vocations, and the spiritual health of the Church. But today, these Ember Days take on a deeper significance as the Church faces an unprecedented internal crisis. The Ember days are Oct 18,20, and 21st and I have done previous episodes on what they mean and what you should do. Fast, absetence and prayer.
Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò and other faithful Catholics have sounded the alarm, warning us of the spiritual dangers within. They, like the great saints and mystics before them, call us to stand firm in faith and truth, especially as confusion and apostasy seem to grow.
In this episode, we will examine the prophetic insights of saints like Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich, who foresaw a "dark church," and draw wisdom from the popes and doctors of the Church who have guided the faithful through crises of faith before. Let us begin by considering the recent messages from Archbishop Viganò and Fr. Joachim Heimerl, both of whom call us to resist the errors that have infiltrated the Church.
The Importance of the Ember Days
Archbishop Viganò has reminded us of the profound importance of the Ember Days in our times. More than ever, the Church is in need of prayer, fasting, and penance as we offer these spiritual sacrifices not just for the fruits of the earth, but as acts of reparation for the errors and infidelity of the Church's hierarchy. The Ember Days give us a sacred rhythm of reflection and renewal, a time to draw nearer to God and purify our souls.
Saint Leo the Great emphasized that the Ember Days were not merely about fasting but were a time of purification of the heart. He taught that fasting should be a spiritual weapon that brings us closer to God. In a time when the Church faces internal confusion, we are called to focus on prayer and sacrifice.
Saint Gregory the Great reminds us that true reform in the Church begins with our own hearts. Before we demand change in the structures of the Church, we must seek our own interior conversion. The Ember Days offer the perfect opportunity for this spiritual renewal.
Fr. Joachim Heimerl and the "Dark Church"
Fr. Joachim Heimerl, an Austrian priest, has been outspoken in warning about the crisis in the Church today. He speaks of a "dark pope" and a "dark church," mirroring the prophetic visions of Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich. Fr. Heimerl does not deny the legitimacy of Pope Francis, but he emphasizes that the promotion of heretical ideas by a legitimate pope is a great chastisement upon the faithful.

Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich, a German mystic and visionary, foresaw a Church that would appear Catholic on the surface but would be hollow at its core, an “ape of the Church.” Her visions described a counterfeit Church that sought to please the world rather than to follow Christ. Fr. Heimerl’s warnings resonate with Emmerich’s vision, as we see a Church embracing synodality, relativism, and a dilution of the faith.
Like St. Athanasius, who defended the true faith during the Arian heresy, we too must remain steadfast, even if it means standing against the errors promoted by those in authority. In times of crisis, it is not external persecution but internal confusion that becomes the greatest spiritual threat.
The Limits of Papal Authority and the Protection of Sacred Tradition
Fr. Heimerl's reflections remind us of an essential truth about the papacy. The Pope, as the Vicar of Christ, cannot change the doctrines of the Church or alter Sacred Tradition. St. Pius X, in his fight against Modernism, warned that any attempt to modernize the Church at the expense of its timeless teachings is dangerous and harmful to the soul of the Church.
Similarly, St. Robert Bellarmine emphasized that while the Pope has supreme authority, he is bound by the teachings of Christ. If a pope were to deviate from the true faith or promote heresy, it is the duty of the faithful to resist such errors. This resistance is not a rejection of the papacy itself but a defense of the integrity of the Catholic faith.
In these trying times, it is clear that faithfulness to Sacred Tradition must remain our guiding light. The Church cannot be redefined by human ideas or worldly influences; it must always remain faithful to the truths handed down through Christ and the apostles.
Conclusion and Call to Action
As we reflect on these troubling developments within the Church, we are reminded of St. Paul’s exhortation to "stand firm and hold fast to the traditions" handed down to us (2 Thessalonians 2:15). In an era marked by confusion and apostasy, we must remain unwavering in our commitment to the truths of our faith.

The saints and popes of the past have shown us that fidelity to Christ sometimes means standing against popular opinion, even against those who hold positions of power within the Church. In these Ember Days, let us offer our prayers and sacrifices for the purification of the Church and for the grace to remain steadfast in the face of adversity.
Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich’s visions remind us that while the Church may face dark times, Christ’s promise remains: "The gates of Hell shall not prevail" (Matthew 16:18). With this in mind, let us place our trust in God’s divine providence, confident that He will guide His Church through these trials.
Conclusion Prayer
Almighty God, we thank You for the wisdom and guidance You have given us through the saints and prophets of the Church. We ask for the intercession of Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich, St. Gregory the Great, St. Pius X, and all Your holy servants, that we may remain steadfast in the true faith amidst confusion and darkness. Protect Your Church, O Lord, from falsehood and deception. Strengthen us to be faithful witnesses to Your truth, and defend the teachings of Christ with courage and conviction.
We entrust ourselves, our families, and the entire Church to Your divine will, confident in Your eternal plan of salvation.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.