Catholic magic, priestly ordination

[brenainn]

I’d like to use this Sunday post to mention a system of Catholic magic that I’ve been learning more about. It is the system taught by Bishop Agostino Taumaturgo. I’ve read his book, “The Magic of Catholicism,” and will now be reading another book of his, “Christian Candle Magic.” He’s got a number of other books, too, and they’re also on my reading list. I’ve also begun listening to some of his videos on YouTube. He’s got a lot of great material, and if you haven’t read or watched any of it, I highly recommend it.

As of right now, I have not begun practicing this form of magic (not in a dedicated, serious manner, that is). I have focused more on natural magic and working with Santa Muerte. I have used some of Taumaturgo’s system, though. I’ve used the Doxological Cross (based on the Qabalistic Cross) and a version of the LBRP found in his book on Catholic magic. Specifically, I’ve used these to expel a malevolent spiritual force that seems to be feeding off my etheric energy. They’ve been very helpful in dealing with that issue.

Much of the rest of his system is essentially creating sacramentals to achieve magical ends. And overall, after studying his material, I can say that Catholicism (especially traditional Catholicism) is a magical system at its core. I’m grateful to Bishop Taumaturgo for helping me to see this, and to apply it in my life. I’m also grateful for his well researched argument establishing that the laity, by virtue of the baptismal priesthood, can confect Catholic sacramentals.

With this in mind, I think it is time for me to dive into his system and take up a dedicated practice. That means I’ll be going to confession this week, and spending a month developing my spiritual life and engaging in as many works of charity as possible. That’s what the good bishop recommends as the prep work before beginning the practice of his system. The more devout and pious the person, the more effective their practice of Catholic magic will be.

On another note, after much prayer and discernment, I’ve decided to pursue priestly ordination. I’m not seeking to be a diocesan priest or anything like that. In fact, something like the Hermitage of the Heart in the Gnostic Celtic Church is what I plan to do. A key part of this discernment has been my total frustration with the modernist Novus Ordo that is now the dominant practice in the Church. I don’t find it spiritually (or magically) very effective.

I think that Pope Francis’s recent motu proprio, “Traditionis Custodes,” is the death knell of the Novus Ordo. The future of the Catholic Church, essentially, its reconstitution, will now occur through groups like the SSPX and independent bishops and priests, and the laity who work with them. I really see no future for the Novus Ordo, with its “pie in the sky” attitude and total capitulation to the Cult of Progress.

My hope is to find a bishop in the Independent Sacramental Movement and receive ordination from them. I then plan to say the Traditional Latin Mass as a sort of hermit-priest. There’s no traditional chapel or parish near me, so this is the most pragmatic solution to my situation. That said, I don’t plan to start a chapel or anything, though if anyone living near me wishes to attend any of these Masses, I would not be opposed. It’ll be a while before I’ve completed this process. But onward I march.

Comments

[prayergardens]

Wow. What a big and important decision! Best wishes on your journey. I look forward to following your progress.

Can we pray for you?

[brenainn]

Thank you, and yes, prayers are always welcome!

[boccaderlupo]

Best of luck. I am unfamiliar with the bishop's work (I assume the surname equates to "thaumaturgy"? Funny.), but I wonder how these methods track with the Renaissance magic that pervaded certain orders (that of Ficino, Pico della Mirandola, Campanella, Bruno). It Italy, particularly in the south, there are heavily syncretic practices that transcend any simple distinction between "paganism" and Christianity (needless to say, syncretists don't get invited to many parties, either in the Neopagan or Christian scene). As Giuseppe Barbera noted: "Tutta la cultura cattolica italiana è impregnata di paganesimo. In realtà, l'Italia è stata per secoli cristianamente pagane e paganamente cristiana." (That is, the culture was for a long time Christianly pagan and paganly Christian, which is plainly visible in the artwork.)

Many blessings on your path.
Fra' Lupo

[brenainn]

Thank you. I don't know enough about Renaissance magic to make any comparisons, though hopefully I'll have that knowledge at some point. One thing I learned doing my undergrad degree in theology is that the differences between Catholicism and Paganism aren't all that notable. Some importance differences, to be sure, but I think those differences have been the focus of discussion for too long. I can remember reading an essay by St. John Henry Newman that discussed this, and as I can recall, he avoided denialism and Puritanism. So, that quote from Barbera certainly accords with my own experience and study. I think that one of the flaws of the post-Vatican II spirit has been the tendency to blur this reality as the Church has attempted to make herself more palatable to Protestant brethren.

[boccaderlupo]

I am not familiar enough with Catholicism to judge that one, but sounds plausible.

One of the through lines, conceptually, could be The One, the transcendent Neoplatonic principle of primal unity that one may find in both late pagan antiquity but also influencing early Christian theology, particularly by way of pseudo-Dionysius (and later, John Scotus Eriugena). Not necessarily explicit in a folk magic context, but certainly looms in the background of Western esotericism in general.

Axé!