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The Fall and Rise of the Roman Catholic Church

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Arab forces, overrunning Europe, force the Pope to have to flee Rome. The
Church falls into an utter state of confusion and Rome is apparently
sacked. The Pope dies in exile and there is no Pope in place for a number
of years. Just as things seem lost, however, the Great French Monarch
begins to turn the tide against the Arab invaders and eventually liberates
Rome and restores the Papacy. The details on the prophecies regarding the
fall and last rise of the Catholic Church follow:

(( St. Hildegard (12th Century) )): "The time is coming when
princes and peoples will reject the authority of the Pope. Some
countries will prefer their own Church rulers to the Pope. The
German Empire will be divided. Church property will be
secularized. Priests will be persecuted. Toward the end of the
world mankind will be purified through sufferings. This will be
true especially of the clergy who will be robbed of all
property."

(( Comment )): Much of this prophecy has already come true. Many
countries became protestant in the 16th century, and the German
Empire was divided as a result. What we have yet to see is the
sufferings that this prophecy talks about and the demise of the
clergy. Note that the word clergy would not necessarily mean
Catholic clergy. This could of all denominations.

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(( Monk Adso (10th Century) )): "Some of our teachers say that a
King of the Franks will possess the entire Roman Empire. He will
be the greatest and last of all Monarchs. After having wisely
governed his kingdom, he will go into Jerusalem and will lay his
sceptre and his crown upon the Mount of Olives. Immediately
afterwards, Antichrist will come."

(( Comment )): Another prophecy regarding the French King.
According to this prophecy, he will travel to Jerusalem and
apparently defeated at the hand of the Antichrist. Other
prophecies refer to the fact that he will travel to Jerusalem
twice, once at the beginning of his reign and once at the end.
His death will mark the end of the age of peace since the end of
the great disaster and signals the beginning of the reign of
Antichrist.

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(( St. Malachy (12th Century) )): The following is an excerpt of
the list of Popes as prepared by St. Malachy in the 12th century.
The list gives a fitting description of every Pope since the 16th
Century, when it was discovered The following lists the last 12
mottoes, with my own commentary on each:

(( Crux de Cruce (Cross from a Cross) )): Pius IX. His
reign saw the Italian Revolution, which was backed by
the House of Savoy. Its Coat-Of-Arms bears a Cross.

(( Lumen in Coelo (Light in the Heaven) )): Leo XIII.
His Coat-Of-Arms featured a comet. Some say that it is
also symbolism for being a brilliant writer
(light=brilliant writer, Heaven=Church).

(( Ignis Ardens (Burning Fire) )): St. Pius X. He was
"on fire" with his zeal for the Catholic Church and was
canonized 40 years after his death. Also World War I
erupted on the 11th anniversary of his election.

(( Religio Depopulata (Religion depopulated) )):
Benedict XV, the Pope during World War I.

(( Fides Intrepida (Fearless Faith) )): Pius XI. He was
the Pope of the Propagation of Faith.

(( Pastor Angelicus (Angelic Sheperd) )): Pius XII. His
holiness was unquestionable.

(( Pastor et Nauta (Sheperd and Sailor) )): John XXIII.
This Pope came from Venice, the city of sailors. He was
mostly concerned with pastoral interests and the way
that the Gospel should be taught. He also set the
Church on a new course with his "Aggiornamento".

(( Flos Florum (Flower of Flowers) )): Paul VI. His
Coat-of-Arms is said to feature the lily (the flower of
flowers).

(( De Meditate Luna (From the midst (or middle) of the
Moon) )): John Paul I. The Biblical meaning of the moon
is "worldy kingdom", but some have drawn symbolism to
the fact that his Papacy lasted less than the cycle of
a moon. The very meaning of the moon and the fact that
there are many rumors that he was indeed assassinated
due to the conservative views that he had may lead one
to believe that the moon represents also the fact that
his Papacy was influenced by events around him and that
may have led to his demise.

(( De Labore Solis (Of the Labor of the Sun) )): John
Paul II, our current Pope. This very same sybolism can
be found in Apocalypse 12:1-5, of a woman clothed in
the sun in labor about to give birth to a son, who
subsequently rules the earth with a "rod of iron". This
son may be the Great Monarch to come. In some of her
apparitions, Mary has stated that she is the woman in
labor in Apocalypse, and John Paul II's devotion to
Mary cannot be questioned. Perhaps it is symbolism that
the Great King to come is ready to be born during or
shortly after John Paul II's Papacy. There are many
others who think that the symbolism refers to the
eclipse that ocurred during John Paul II's birth and
perhaps one that ocurrs in his death.

(( De Gloria Olivae (Of the Glory of the Olive Tree)
)): This has taken on a chilling new meaning as the
Italian Olive Tree party has gained control of the
government. Perhaps we will see this Pope during the
time that the Olive Tree Party is in power in Italy.
Another meaning is that it could refer to the rising
power or victory of Israel (The Olive).

(( Petrus Romanus (Peter the Roman) )): The last Pope,
whose name will probably be Peter II. His motto is
accompanied by a description of a great tribulation on
the Church and on the Final Judgement. It states:

"In persecutione extrema S.R.E. sedebit
Petrus Romanus, qui pascet oues in multis
tribulationibus: quibus transactis ciuitas
septicollis diruetur, & Iudex tremκdus
iudicabit populum suum. Finis."

(In extreme persecution, the seat of the Holy
Roman Church will be occupied by Peter the
Roman, who will feed the sheep through many
tribulations, at the term of which the city
of seven hills will be destroyed, and the
formidable Judge will judge his people. The
End.)

I should go ahead and note that as we will see later, there is no reason to
believe that Peter II's rule will come immediately after his predecessor.
In fact, there appears that there will be a time when there is no Pope in
Rome, at least not a true and holy Pope. More on this later.

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St. Pius X (20th Century): "I saw one of my successors taking to flight
over the bodies of his brethren. He will take refuge in disguise somewhere;
and after a short retirement he will die a cruel death. The present
wickedness of the world is only the beginning of the sorrows which must
take place before the end of the world."

Comment: There are other prophecies that back up this one: a future Pope
will be forced into fleeing Rome and will die in exile. This will probably
be the Pope after John Paul II. There are a couple of prophecies that say
that the exiled Pope will die in Avignon, while others say Cologne. They
all agree that it will in France, though.

Old Saxon Prophecy: "The seven-headed city, now more admirable than
Jerusalem, shall be a place more desolate than Jerusalem. The Dog shall
enter Germany but shall afterwards forsake his master and choose for
himself a new man, whereby Scripture shall be fulfilled. This Dog shall
signify the Turk which shall forsake his Mohammed and choose unto him the
name Christian, which is a sign that the day of Doom is at hand, when all
the Earth is subject unto God, or that all people acknowledge one only God.
The Fleur-de-Lys (Lily) and France shall live long at variance, but at last
agree. Then shall the clear Word spring forth and flourish throughout the
World."

"But after all these things the end of the world shall approach and there
shall be heavy and pitiful days."

Comment: The seven-headed city is probably Rome (septicolis- seven hills).
This is not the only prophecy that talks about the demise of Rome; others
talk that it will be so utterly destroyed that it will be threatened by
encroachment of the sea. The Dog here are often interpreted as being the
Turks. I believe this could also point to an Arab confederation of Islamic
countries. They will overrun the Middle East and, perhaps with Russian
backing, reach all the way to Germany, destroying Rome in the process. The
Dog forsaking his master refers to the conversion of the Islamic countries
to the Christian faith. The conversion will come after theyare driven out
of Europe by the Great Monarch, the French Prince that is oft referred to
in the prophecies.

Abbot Joachin Merlin (13th Century): "After man y long sufferings endured
by Christians, and after too great an effusion of innocent blood, the Lord
shall give peace and happiness to the desolate nations. A remarkable Pope
shall be seated on the Pontifical Throne under the special protection of
the Angels. Holy and full of gentleness, he shall undo all wrong; he shall
recover the Estate of the Church, and reunite the exiled temporal powers.
He shall be revered by everybody, the Eastern and Western Churches. The
sanctity of this beneficient Pontiff shall be so great that the highest
pontetates shall bow down in his presence. All men will return to the
primitive Church, and there shall be only one Pastor, one Law, one Master
-- humble, modest, and fearing God."

"Before being firmly and solidly established in the Holy See, however,
there will be countless wars and violent conflicts during which the sacred
Throne will be shaken. But through the favor of divine mercy, moved by
prayers of the faithful, everything will succeed so well that they shall be
able to sing hymns of thanksgiving to the glory of the Lord. In order to
obtain these happy results, having need of a powerful temporal assistance,
the Holy Pontiff will ask for the collaboration of the generous Monarch of
France."

Comment: Here we have a prophecy which tells us of the sanctity of the
Pope, more than likely Peter II, the last Pope. He will revered by all
world leaders and will rebuild the Church from its ashes, with the help of
the French Monarch. It will be under his See that all men will come to one
Church and one religion. Quite a feat, considering the myriads of religions
and the zeal with which some people adhere to their religion, but we must
bear in mind that these changes appear to occur after the great natural
upheavals and when the world population is much smaller than it is today.

Nicholas of Fluh (15th Century): "The Church will be punished because a
majority of her members , high and low, will become so perverted. The
Church will sink deeper and deeper until she will at last seem to be
extinguished, and the succession of Peter and the other Apostles to have
expired. But, after all this, she will be victoriously exalted in the sight
of all doubters."

Comment: A lot of prophecies foretell the collapse of the Church and it
tells that there will be no Pope for a time. The Church will destroyed,
Rome leveled (some prophecies hint that the destruction of Rome will be so
severe that the Seven Hills will be gone and Rome will be threatened by
encroachment of the sea). The French Monarch will aid in the rebuilding of
the Church during his reign though, and the last Pope will restore it to
its former glory.

Capuchin Friar (18th Century): "All priests, both secular and regular,
shall be stripped of their possessions and of every kind of property. They
will have to beg from lay people their food and everything necessary for
their support and for the worship of God."

"The Pope shall die during these calamities, and the Church will be reduced
to the most painful anarchy as a result. Much human blood will be shed in
Italy; many cities, towns, and castles shall be brought to ruins, causing
the death of many thousands of people. By the Catholic clergy and people
the true and lawful Pope will be elected who shall be a man of great
holiness and goodness in life."

"A scion of the Carolingian race, by all considered exctinct, will come to
Rome and behold and admire the piety and clemency of this Pontiff, who will
crown him, and declare him the Legitimate Emperor of the Romans. He shall
destroy the Ottoman Empire and all heresies. With the assistance of God and
of the Pope, he will cooperate with the reformation of abuses; he will
assume the direction of temporal government and he will assign a decent
pension to the Pope and also bishops and clergy. And they all will live in
peace which will last till the End of Time."

Comment: This prophecy talks about the death of the Pope, which will be in
exile, and the election of an anti-pope. The reference to the "true and
lawful Pope" may justify this interpretation. There are other prophecies
that are more explicit about the election of an anti-pope after the Pope
dies in exile."

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No commentary on the future of the Roman Catholic Church would be complete
with a mention of the vision of Anna-Katarina Emmerick, however.

Blessed Sister Emmerick was an Augustinian nun. She was born in Germany in
1774, spent a life of sufferings, and died in 1824 in her native country.
She bore the stigmata of Our Lord.)

May 13, 1820: "I saw the relationship between the two Popes. I saw how
baleful would be the consequences of this false church. I saw it increase
in size; heretics of every kind came into the city (of Rome). The local
clergy grew lukewarm, and I saw a great darkness. Then, the vision seemed
to extend on every side. Whole Catholic communities were being oppressed,
harassed, confined, and deprived of their freedom. I saw many churches
close down, great miseries everywhere, wars and bloodshed. A wild and
ignorant mob took to violent action. But it did not last long."

"Once more I saw the Church of Peter was undermined by a plan evolved by
the secret sect, while storms were damaging it. But I saw also that help
was coming when distress had reached its peak. I saw again the Blessed
Virgin ascend on the Church and spread Her mantle [over it]. I saw a Pope
who was at once gentle, and very firm . . . I saw a great renewal, and the
Church rose high in the sky."

Comment: The prophecies of Emmerick seem to be very symbolic, much like the
Book of Revelations in the Bible. Here, Emmerick talks about the
relationship between two Popes, one the real Pope and one an anti-pope.
There are numerous prophecies that talk about two popes and a schism within
the Roman Catholic Church. She also talks about how the Church is
undermined by plans from within, from the clergy that are "lukewarm" about
their faith. Storms on the outside of the Church symbolize outside forces
working against the Church. She sees that in the end, the Church will be
led by a firm and strong Pope. This would probably be the Pope installed by
the Great Monarch as we saw earlier, Petrus Romanus.

September 12, 1820: "I saw a strange church being built against every rule
. . . No angels were supervising the building operations. In that church,
nothing came from high above . . . There was only division and chaos. It is
probably a church of human creation, following the latest fashion, as well
as the new heterodox church of Rome, which seems of the same kind."

"I saw again the strange big church that was being built there [in Rome].
There was nothing holy in it. I saw this just as I saw a movement led by
Ecclesiastics to which contributed angels, saints, and other Christians.
But there (in the strange big church) all the work was being done
mechanically (i.e., according to set rules and formulae.) Everything was
being done according to human reason."

"I saw all sorts of people, things, doctrines, and opinions. There was
something proud, presumptuous, and violent about it, and they seemed to be
very successful. I did not see a single Angel nor a single saint helping in
the work. But far away in the background, I saw the seat of the cruel
people armed with spears, and I saw a laughing figure which said: "Do build
it as solid as you can: we will pull it down to the ground.""

Comment: Here we see symbolism of another church being built in Rome. This
church is referenced in other prophecies and it is a symbol of a new
religion that takes shape in the future, one which accomodates nearly all
beliefs and does not follow the customs of the Roman Catholic Church. The
new religion becomes strong enough to have its presence felt in Rome.
Everything of the new religion is according to human logic and reason and
has nothing to do with heavenly design. There is also evidence of work
being done by devout Roman Catholics which is an effort to try and preserve
the ways of the Roman Catholic Church. Far away, presumably in the Middle
East or perhaps Russia, we see the 'seat of the cruel people', where a
laughing figure promises to tear down the Church of Rome.

July 12, 1820: "I had a vision of the holy Emperor Henry. I saw him at
night kneeling alone at the foot of the main altar in a great and beautiful
church . . . and I saw the Blessed Virgin coming down all alone. She laid
on the altar a red cloth covered with white linen. She placed a book inlaid
with precious stones. She lit the candles and the perpetual lamp . . . Then
came down the Saviour Himself clad in priestly vestiments. He was carrying
the chalice and the veil. Two Angels were serving Him and two more were
following . . . His chasuble was a full and heavy mantle in which red and
white could be seen in transparency, and gleaming with jewels . . .
Although there was no altar bell, the cruets were there. The wine was red
as blood, and thgere was also some water. The Mass was short. The Gospel of
St. John was not read at the end. When the Mass has ended, Mary came up to
Henry (the Emperor), and she extended her right hand towards him, saying
that it was in recognition of his purity. Then, she urged him not to
falter. Thereupon I saw an angel, and he touched the sinew of his hip, like
Jacob. He (Henry) was in great pain, and from that day on, he walked with a
limp . . . "

Comment: This is a remarkable vision about the Great Monarch, whom Emmerick
calls Henry. Here we see that he has a mandate from heaven and we also see
a description that he will walk with a limp, which many other prophets,
including Nostradamus, have pointed out. It is also remarkable to see that
Emmerick foresaw the changes of the Mass in that the Gospel of St. John was
not read. This was not changed until the Vatican II Council. The white and
red clothing symbolizes the purity of Christ and fire and blood of those
times. Henry is urged by Mary not to falter, for the enemies of the Church
are still to be defeated.

August to October 1820: "I see more martyrs, not now but in the future . .
. I saw the secret sect relentlessly undermining the great Church. Near
them I saw a horrible beast coming up from the sea. All over the world,
good and devout people, especially the clergy, were harassed, oppressed,
and put into prison. I had the feeling that they would become martyrs one
day."

"When the Church had been for the most part destroyed (by the secret sect),
and when only the sanctuary and the altar were standing, I saw the wreckers
(of the secret sect) enter the Church with the Beast. There, they met a
Woman of noble carriage who seemed to be with child because she walked
slowly. At this sight, the enemies were terrorized, and the Beast could not
take but another step forward. It projected its neck towards the Woman as
if to devour her, but the Woman turned about and bowed down (towards the
Altar), her head touching the ground. Thereupon, I saw the Beast taking to
flight towards the Sea again, and the enemies were fleeing in the greatest
of confusion. Then, I saw in the distance great legions approaching. In the
foreground I saw a man on a white horse. Prisoners were set free and joined
them. All the enemies were pursued. Then, I saw that the Church was being
promptly rebuilt, and she was more magnificent than ever before."

Comment: This is a very remarkable vision, considering that the description
of the Beast of the sea and Woman with Child are similar to the visions
given in the book of Revelation. According to Sister Emmerick's confidant,
she had never read the passage in Revelations. We see more of the secret
sect that undermines the Church from inside. The Woman here symbolizes the
Church. The Child she is carrying is a Pope who will set things right
again. The legions that we see coming are the armies of the Great Monarch,
who chases away the enemies of the Church and eventually sets the Church
back on course and helps the new Pope restore the Church.

August 10, 1820: "I see the Holy Father in great anguish. He lives in a
palace other than before and he admits only a limited number of friends
near him. I fear that the Holy Father will suffer many more trials before
he dies. I see that the false church of darkness is making progress, and I
see the dreadful influence that it has on people. The Holy Father and the
Church are verily in so great a distress that one must implore God day and
night."

"Last night I was taken to Rome where the Holy Father, immersed in his
sorrows, is still hiding to elude dangerous demands (made upon him). He is
very weak, and exhausted by sorrows, cares, and prayers. He can now trust
but few people. This is mainly why he is hiding. But he still has with him
an aged priest who has much simplicity and godliness. He is his friend, and
because of his simplicity they did not think it would be worth removing
him. But this man receives many graces from God. He sees and notices a
great many things which he faithfully reports to the Holy Father. It was
required of me to inform him, while he was praying, of the traitors, and
evil-doers who were to be found among the high-ranking servants living
close to him, so that he might be made aware of it."

Comment: This is about the Pope that precedes the one that we have just
read about. This penultimate Pope has much to suffer. Many prophecies speak
of a Pope having to leave Rome in exile. The new sect that is taking hold
in the world apparently makes a demand of the Roman Catholic Church which
many clergy, including the Pope, having much trouble in fulfilling. Here,
we already see the Pope living in a Palace other than St. Peter's.

August 25, 1820: "I do not know in what manner I was taken to Rome last
night, but I found myself near the Church of St. Mary Major, and I saw many
poor people who were greatly distressed and worried because the Pope was to
be seen nowhere, and also on account of the restlessness and the alarming
rumors in the city. These people did not seem to expect the church doors to
open; they only wanted to pray outside. An inner urging had led them there
individually. But I was in the Church and I opened the doors. They came in,
surprised and frightened because the doors had opened. It seems to me that
I was behind the door, and they could not see me. There was no office on in
the Church, but the Sanctuary lamps were lit. The people prayed quite
peacefully."

"Then I saw an apparition of the Mother of God, and she said that the
tribulation would be very great. She added that these people must pray
fervently with outstretched arms, be it only long enough to say three Our
Fathers. This was the way her Son prayed for them on the Cross. They must
rise at twelve at night and pray in this manner; and they must keep coming
to the Church. They must pray above all for the Church of Darkness to leave
Rome."

"She (the Holy Mother) said a great many other things that it pains me to
relate: she said that if only one priest could offer the bloodless
sacrifice as worthily and with the same dispositions as the Apostles, he
could avert all the disasters (that are to come). To my knowledge the
people in the church did not see the apparition, but they must have been
stirred by something supernatural, because as soon as the Holy Virgin had
said that they must pray to God with outstretched arms, they all raised
their arms. These were all good and devout people, and they did not know
where help and guidance should be sought. There were no traitors and no
enemies among them, yet they were afraid of one another. One can judge
thereby what the situation was like."

Comment: Here, we have more on the Church of Darkness that takes hold in
Rome. We also see that people will be worried because the Pope will no
longer be seen in public. Christians appear to distrust each other, perhaps
due to persecutions and people turning each other in.

September 10, 1820: "I saw the Church of St. Peter: it had been destroyed
but for the Sanctuary and the main Altar. St. Michael came down into the
Church, clad in his suit of armor, and he paused, threatening with his
sword, a number of unworthy pastors who wanted to enter. That part of the
Church which had been destroyed was promptly fenced in with light timber so
that the Divine Office might be celebrated as it should. Then, from all
over the world came priests and laymen, and they rebuilt the stone walls,
since the wreckers had been unable to move the heavy foundation stones."

Comment: This may not necessarily mean a physical destruction of the Church
of St. Peter, but perhaps it means a spiritual destruction of it, but it is
possible that it stands for both. The Church is reborn more powerful than
ever due to the work of the devout and faithful.

September 27, 1820: "I saw deplorable things: they were gambling, drinking,
and talking in church; they were courting women. All sorts of abominations
were perpetrated there. Priests allowed everything and said Mass with much
irreverence. I saw that few of them were still godly, and only a few of
them had sound views on things. I also saw Jews standing under the porch of
the Church. All these things caused me much distress."

Comment: I went to Mass recently and I noticed a lot of this is already
happening. People wearing shorts to church, speaking vulgarities, and the
priest didn't seem exactly into the whole idea of giving mass. Kids running
around and women wearing mini-skirts and tights and guys watching them
shaking their asses. I'm not a prude by any means, but I personally have
never felt that that was appropriate in church. I am not sure what
significance the Jews standing under the porch of the Church has, though.

October 1, 1820: "The church is in great danger. We must pray so that the
Pope may not leave Rome; countless evils would result if he did. They are
now demanding something from him. The Protestant doctrine and that of the
schismatic Greeks are to spread everywhere. I now see that in this place
(Rome) the (Catholic) Church is being so cleverly undermined, that there
hardly remain a hundred or so priests who have not been deceived. They all
work for destruction, even the clergy. A great devastation is now near at
hand."

Comment: Again, we see that the Pope may have to leave Rome in exile due to
the problems in Rome. Elsewhere, I have said that this may be due to civil
wars in Italy, but it may also have to do with the rise of the dark sect in
Rome. Apparently Protestant religions and the Greek orthodox churches
spread their faiths against that of the Roman Catholic Church during these
times. The undermining that goes on inside the Church, however, is
ultimately what does it in.

October 4, 1820: "When I saw the Church of St. Peter in ruins, and the
manner in which so many of the clergy were themselves busy at this work of
destruction -- none of them wishing to do it openly in front of the others
-- I was in such distress that I cried out to Jesus with all my might,
imploring His mercy. Then, I saw before me the Heavenly Spouse, and He
spoke to me for a long time . . . He said, among other things, that this
translation of the Church from one place to another meant that she would
seem to be in complete decline. But she would rise again; even if there
remained but one Catholic, the Church would conquer again because she does
not rest on human counsels and intelligence. It was also shown to me that
there were almost no Christians left in the old acceptation of the word."

Comment: It will seem to the world that the Roman Catholic Church will be
utterly destroyed. But she will rise again, more powerful than ever."

October 7, 1820: "As I was going through Rome with St. Francoise and the
other Saint, we saw a great palace engulfed in flames from top to bottom. I
was very much afraid that the occupants would be burned to death because no
one would come forward to put out the fire. As we came nearer, however, the
fire abated and we saw the blackened building. We went through a number of
magnificent rooms (untouched by the fire), and we finally reached the Pope.
He was sitting in the dark and slept in a large arm-chair. He was very ill
and weak; he could no longer walk. The ecclesiastics in the inner circle
looked insincere and lacking in zeal; I did not like them. I told the Pope
of the bishops who are to be appointed soon. I told him also that he must
not leave Rome. If he did so, it would be chaos. He thought that the evil
was inevitable and that he should leave in order to save many things
besides himself. He was very much inclined to leave Rome, and he was
insistently urged to do so. The Pope was still attached to things of this
earth in many ways."

"The Church is completely isolated and as if completely deserted. It means
that everyone is running away. Everywhere I see great misery, hatred,
treason, rancour, confusion, and utter blindness. O city! O city! What is
threatening thee? The storm is coming; do be watchful!"

1820-1821 (No precise date): "I also saw the various regions of the earth.
My guide (Jesus) named Europe, and pointing to a small, and sandy region,
He uttered these remarkable words: 'Here is Prussia, the enemy.' Then he
showed me another place to the north, and He said: 'This is Moskva, the
land of Moscow, bringing many evils.'"

Comment: This is interesting in that at the time of this prophecy, Moscow
posed absolutely no threat to anyone. It was only in the 20th Century that
Russia spread her errors. She may not be through yet. The mention of
Prussia is also interesting. There will be many problems in Germany during
and after the Great Disaster. Already we see a rise in hate-groups again in
Germany, such as Nazis and xenophobia against Turks. What's to stop it from
spreading against the Church during those times?

June 1, 1821: "Among the strangest things that I saw, were long processions
of bishops. Their thoughts and utterances were made known to me through
images issuing from their mouths. Their faults towards religion were shown
by external deformities. A few had only a body, with a dark cloud of fog
instead of a head. Others had only a head, their bodies and hearts were
like thick vapors. Some were lame; others were paralytics; others were
asleep or staggering."

"I saw what I believe to be nearly all the bishops of the world, but only a
small number were perfectly sound. I also saw the Holy Father-- God-fearing
and prayerful. Nothing left to be desired in his appearance, but he was
weakened by old age and by much suffering. His head was lolling from side
to side, and it dropped onto his chest as if he were falling asleep. He
often fainted and seemed to be dying. But when he was praying, he was often
comforted by apparitions from Heaven. Then, his head was erect, but as soon
as it dropped again onto his chest, I saw a number of people looking
quickly right and left, that is, in the direction of the world."

"Then I saw that everything that pertained to Protestantism was gradually
gaining the upper hand, and the Catholic religion fell into complete
decadence. Most priests were lured by the glittering but false knowledge of
young school-teachers, and they all contributed to the work of
destruction."

"In those days, Faith will fall very low, and it will be preserved in some
places only, in a few cottages and in a few families which God has
protected from disasters and wars."

Comment: Emmerick uses a lot of symbolism here. Heads like fog may mean a
wrong way of thinking. Heads with no bodies or hearts may mean people that
are knowledgeable, but cold and uncaring. Paralytics may mean people that
are unable to do anything. Asleep may mean that they simply do not know
what is going on.

1820-1821 (No precise date): "I see many excommunicated ecclesiastics who
do not semm to be concerned about it, not even aware of it. Yet, they are
(ipso facto) excommunicated whenever they cooperate to [sic] enterprises,
enter into associations, and embrace opinions on which an anathema has been
cast. It can be seen thereby that God ratifies the decrees, orders, and
interdictions issued by the Head of the Church, and that He keeps them in
force even though men show no concern for them, reject them, or laugh them
to scorn."

March 22, 1820: "I saw very clearly the errors, the aberrations, and the
countless sins of men. I saw the folly and the wickedness of their actions,
against all truth and all reason. Priests were among them, and I gladly
endured my suffering so that they may return to a better mind."

Comment: Again, we see comment that the clergy of those times are fallen
into worldly matters and do not care anymore about the Church.

April 12, 1820: "I had another vision of the great tribulation. It seems to
me that a concession was demanded from the clergy which could not be
granted. I saw many older priests, especially one, who wept bitterly. A few
younger ones were also weeping. But others, and the lukewarm among them,
readily did what was demanded. It was as if people were splitting into two
camps."

Comment: More on the fact that the Church is asked of a concession by the
dark sect that takes hold in Rome and throughout the world. It shows that
there will be a schism within the Church due to the demands and it will
ultimately split the Church.

January 27, 1822: "I saw a new Pope who will be very strict. He will
estrange from him the cold and lukewarm bishops. He is not Roman, but he is
Italian. He comes from a place which is not very far from Rome, and I think
he comes from a devout family of royal blood. But there must still be for a
while much fighting and unrest."

Comment: This is one of the many prophecies that speaks of a strong Pope,
who will rule "with a rod of iron" and set the Church on a straight and
holy course once again.

October 22, 1822: "Very bad times will come when non-Catholics will lead
many people astray. A great confusion will result. I saw the battle also.
The enemies were far more numerous, but the small army of the faithful cut
down whole rows (of enemy soldiers). During the battle, the Blessed Virgin
stood on a hill, wearing a suit of armor. It was a terrible war. At the
end, only a few fighters for the just cause survived, but the victory was
theirs."

Comment: This may be talking about the famous battle between the Great
Monarch and the invading forces (perhaps the Arabs) and his effort to drive
them out. The Christian forces will be greatly outnumbered, but they will
gain victory.

April 22, 1823: "I saw that many pastors allowed themselves to be taken up
with ideas that were dangerous to the Church. They were building a great,
strange, and extravagant Church. Everyone was to be admitted in it in order
to be united and have equal rights: Envangelicals, Catholics, sects of
every description. Such was to be the new Church . . . But God had other
designs."

Comment: A description of the new religion that takes hold. Nothing about
it is from Heaven and it is designed to accomodate man, not to worship God.

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In conclusion, we see that Sister Emmerick had many visions regarding the
Catholic Church. From them we see the following:

There will be a rise of a new religion that will eventually encroach on
Rome itself, the seat of the Roman Catholic Church.

There will be problems inside the Church, as priests fall to worldly ideas.

The Pope will have much to deal with and will eventually have to flee Rome
due to problems in Rome, perhaps due to a civil disturbance there, the
approaching of armies, the installation of a new religion, or a combination
of it all.

The Church will appear to be destroyed.

Christians will be persecuted and will distrust each other.

The Great Monarch will drive out the dark forces that control Rome and
install a new and firm Pope that will set the Church on a true course.

The Church will be more glorious than ever.

Just another piece in the puzzle.....