The Catholic Trumpet: The Lay Crusade - Defending Christ the King in a World of Apostasy

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The Lay Crusade: Defending Christ the King in a World of Apostasy

The Catholic Trumpet [adapted] | January 2, 2025


The Call to Public Witness

“Today, this day, is Operation Survival. If I had made this deal with Rome, by continuing with the agreements we had signed, and by putting them into practice, I would have performed ‘Operation Suicide.’”

— Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, Sermon at the Consecrations of Four Bishops, June 30, 1988

The faithful of every era are called to rise against the unique challenges of their time. Today, amidst the ongoing crisis in the Church and society, Catholics must embrace their role as lay crusaders, publicly witnessing to the Kingship of Christ and the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

This public witness is not merely a reaction to modernist errors; it is an act of fidelity to the mission entrusted to us by Our Lord Himself. As Archbishop Lefebvre taught, the defense of the Faith requires total reliance on the grace of God, courage to resist compromise, and the steadfast proclamation of Christ’s Kingship.


Operation Survival: Fidelity Without Compromise

The term Operation Survival is more than a slogan; it encapsulates the mission of Archbishop Lefebvre to preserve the Faith in its entirety. The doctrinal compromises seen in modernist Rome and among certain branches of Tradition necessitate a response that is uncompromising in fidelity yet humble in execution.

Archbishop Lefebvre warned:

“We want to remain united to Jesus Christ, as the Vatican has dethroned the Lord. We want to remain faithful to our Lord King, Prince and Ruler of the world. We cannot change anything in this line of conduct.”

(Flavigny Conference, December 1988)

The Catholic Trumpet follows this same line, emphasizing that public witness is not optional but a divine mandate for all Catholics who seek to preserve and defend the Faith.


The Example of the Vendée Martyrs

The Vendée martyrs of the French Revolution exemplify the spirit of public witness and resistance. When their priests were exiled or executed, the faithful of the Vendée rose in defense of Christ the King, armed with Rosaries and the Sacred Heart emblazoned on their chests. Against the cannons and bayonets of the Revolutionary army, they stood firm, declaring their allegiance to God.

Their battle cry,“We have no King but Christ!” echoes across the centuries to our own time. In an era where modernist Rome seeks to enthrone the cult of man over the Social Kingship of Christ, we too must rise with the same courage and fidelity. As Archbishop Lefebvre declared:

“We want to remain united to Jesus Christ, as the Vatican has dethroned the Lord. We want to remain faithful to our Lord King, Prince and Ruler of the world. We cannot change anything in this line of conduct.”

(Flavigny Conference, December 1988)

Fr. Arminjon on the Signs of the Times

Fr. Charles Arminjon, in his renowned work The End of the Present World and the Mysteries of the Future Life, speaks of the necessity of vigilance and public witness in times of crisis. Reflecting on the rise of the Antichrist and the persecution of the faithful, he warns:

“The Church must pass through her Passion, just as Christ did. The Cross is the way to victory.”

(First Conference, “The End of the World”)

Fr. Arminjon reminds us that, while speculation on the timing of the end is often misguided, the faithful must be ever prepared, rooted in prayer and active in the apostolate. This vigilance demands public witness to Christ’s Kingship, even amidst opposition and persecution.


Public Witness as a Lay Crusade

Public witness is not reserved for clergy or religious; it is a call to all Catholics. The Catholic Trumpet emphasizes the necessity of visible, active participation in the fight for Christ the King. This includes:

1. Rosary Rallies and Processions: Public demonstrations of faith that proclaim the Kingship of Christ and the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart.

2. Catechetical Outreach: Educating others on the errors of modernism, the truths of Tradition, and the importance of Marian devotion.

3. Defending the Faith: Standing firm against heresies and compromises, proclaiming the truth with clarity and charity.

As Fr. Roger Calmel reminds us:

“The Church of all time will endure, and the Lord will preserve her. Let us persevere with confidence in this eternal Church, resisting all modernist distortions.”

Addressing Questions of Focus and Purpose

Some readers may wonder about the recent focus of The Catholic Trumpet on topics such as transhumanism, the Antichrist, and the errors of Rabbinical Judaism. These articles were not written to sensationalize or provoke but to warn the faithful of the dangers that threaten the Church and society in these times. They are a reflection of the mission to expose error and uphold truth, always in service to Christ the King and His Church.

As Fr. Charles Arminjon reminds us in his meditations on the end times:

“Men no less holy and learned than Holzhauser have often indulged in such calculations and have constantly been mistaken.”

(Second Conference, “The Persecution of Antichrist”)

We humbly acknowledge that we do not possess the sanctity or wisdom of such men. Our reflections are offered in a spirit of vigilance and fidelity, grounded in prayer and always seeking the guidance of Our Lady. The duty to inform and prepare the faithful is a grave responsibility, especially in times of widespread confusion and error.


The Triumph of the Immaculate Heart[b][/b]

Our ultimate hope lies in the promise of Our Lady at Fatima:

“In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph.”

This promise is the cornerstone of The Catholic Trumpet’s mission. By calling all souls to the refuge of her Immaculate Heart, we aim to equip the faithful to resist error and embrace truth with confidence. Public witness, rooted in prayer and devotion, is the means by which we can participate in the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart and proclaim the Kingship of Christ in a world yearning for truth and hope.


No Compromise, No Retreat

The Catholic Trumpet calls all Catholics to join this lay crusade, proclaiming Christ the King in a world of apostasy. Let us follow the example of the Vendée martyrs, the teachings of Archbishop Lefebvre, and the warnings of Fr. Arminjon. Together, we can stand firm in the truth, trusting in the victory of Christ and the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart.

In the words of St. Louis de Montfort:

“Mary will raise up apostles of the latter times who will crush the head of Satan and establish the reign of Christ.”

Vive le Christ Roi! Vive Marie, Reine du Ciel!

-The ☩ Trumpet