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beachmoss
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| Joined: | Mon Nov 13th, 2006 |
| Location: | Simpsonville, South Carolina USA |
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| First Name: | Beth | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Catholic (raised Baptist) |
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Posted: Mon Mar 31st, 2008 09:02 pm |
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A couple of days ago I was introduced to the topic of the "Three Days of Darkness." I had never heard of this before. According to what I've found on the web quite a few saints spoke of this darkness to come.
To me it reads like a lot of the rapture stuff that's so popular in Protestant circles. Most sites said to be prepared by storing food, water, and beeswax candles in order to make it through the three days. I try not to get hysterical about things like this. Unlike many family members and friends, I did not shore up supplies for the millineum--either Jan. 1, 2000 or Jan. 1, 2001, whichever date the loons decided was doomsday.
But I must admit, most of what I've read seems credible. Can anyone shed some light on this for me?
Beth
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rbo4u2
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| Joined: | Tue Jan 16th, 2007 |
| Location: | Sunnyvale, California USA |
| Posts: | 324 |
| First Name: | Rich | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Formerly Christian & Missionary Alliance then became Presbyterian |
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Posted: Mon Mar 31st, 2008 09:34 pm |
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beachmoss wrote: A couple of days ago I was introduced to the topic of the "Three Days of Darkness." I had never heard of this before. According to what I've found on the web quite a few saints spoke of this darkness to come.
To me it reads like a lot of the rapture stuff that's so popular in Protestant circles. Most sites said to be prepared by storing food, water, and beeswax candles in order to make it through the three days. I try not to get hysterical about things like this. Unlike many family members and friends, I did not shore up supplies for the millineum--either Jan. 1, 2000 or Jan. 1, 2001, whichever date the loons decided was doomsday.
But I must admit, most of what I've read seems credible. Can anyone shed some light on this for me?
Beth
Hi Beth. At first glance, and I only had about 5 minutes to do any research, this is a view held by some schismatics. I've seen the Padre Pio sites and have never seen any of the articles attributed to him on those sites. There are extremeist in all circles and this appears to me to be a belief held by a fringe group of people not in harmony with the magisterium, the pope, the catechism or any official of the holy church. I may be wrong...it wouldn't be the first time. I'll just say, master the truth and you can spot error any day.
Rich
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CajunRick
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| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
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| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Tue Apr 1st, 2008 12:11 am |
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beachmoss wrote: A couple of days ago I was introduced to the topic of the "Three Days of Darkness." I had never heard of this before. According to what I've found on the web quite a few saints spoke of this darkness to come.
I don't have time for a lot of research right now (besides, Dave and David are much better at that than I am) but two quick points:
1. I've never heard of it. That doesn't necessarily mean anything, but I've been studying the Church for a long time, formally and informally, and it's rather rare that there is any official teaching of the Church that I have never encountered at all. The only reference to "three dark days" I've ever encountered is the Triduum of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday.
2. You can't believe everything you read on the Internet, because you can read anything on the Internet, including "proof" that the earth is flat and God doesn't exist.
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Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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beachmoss
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| Joined: | Mon Nov 13th, 2006 |
| Location: | Simpsonville, South Carolina USA |
| Posts: | 270 |
| First Name: | Beth | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Catholic (raised Baptist) |
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Posted: Tue Apr 1st, 2008 02:06 am |
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Rich and Rick, thanks for the replies!
Rich, as I've dug more on the internet it does seem that this is something supported by schismatic groups, which is probably why I had never heard of it before.
Rick, if you haven't heard of it, then I doubt it's worth any merit!
I do hope Dave and/or David will weigh in on this. I'd like to see their responses.
Beth
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David W. Emery
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| Location: | Brownsville, Texas USA |
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| First Name: | David | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic |
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Posted: Tue Apr 1st, 2008 02:34 am |
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Beth, I’m aware that there is a book whose title matches your topic. I’ve seen it advertised but never had an urge to read it. Like the others who have replied, I see little to attract me to what appears to be a conglomeration of private revelations. And frankly, I have enough darkness and difficulty in my life without seeking it out.
David
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Dave Armstrong
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| Joined: | Fri Nov 2nd, 2007 |
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Posted: Tue Apr 1st, 2008 09:36 pm |
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I'd never heard of this, either, but as part of my job here I need to come up with some sort of reply, so I looked around the Net. Here's what I found:
1) This site is sponsored by a "traditionalist" sect that thinks Vatican II was apostate and thinks Opus Dei is an "anti-Catholic Talmudic sect" or "cult." But even these nuts admit that the prophecy is not required belief:
The Church does not oblige us to believe in any particular prophecy as a matter of faith [de fide] . . .
2) The second site I found appears to be run by someone who is deep into conspiratorial scenarios and prophecy (in, I think, an unhealthy and excessive way). I don't find such people particularly credible (to put it mildly).
3) The third was put out by a "traditionalist" site that attacks the Novus Ordo Mass. Red flag! Ignore these sites!!
4) A fourth web page is part of a site that espouses the goofball Bayside "apparitions" that have been condemned by the Church as inauthentic.
5) The fifth one I found is part of a healing site that includes "messages from Jesus" from some anonymous "locutionist." Avoid stuff like this!!!
6) A sixth site is from a conspiratorial, prophecy-obsessed anti-Opus Dei site.
7) A 7th is from another nutburger site that is fanatical about endtimes prophecies.
8) An 8th appears to not even be Catholic at all. It's from some weird New Age or occultic site that espouses unChristian paradigms.
9) A 9th seems relatively more legitimate because the webmaster (Ronald L. Conte, Jr.) details 170 "false claims of private revelation" (including some mentioned above) and has a page on "Tricks Used by False Private Revelations". That's great and most helpful, but in the end he gets extreme and goofy too, with stuff like "Jesus will return in 2437 AD" and "nuclear attacks on New York in 2010 and Vatican City in 2013". This guy is a veritable modern-day Nostradamus. In one remarkable article he predicts that the Holy Father will die in 2009 or 2010. World War III will begin in 2010 with the nuking of New York City. Two popes from now, there will also be an anti-pope. Both "popes" will be killed in the nuking of Rome in 2013. Oh, here's a precious tidbit: Hillary Clinton will be elected President and will become pro-life in 2009 (that'll be a bigger miracle than the Second Coming itself!). Muslims will dominate the world from the 2020s to 2040s. In the 22nd century Russia dominates. Africa, India and China are the Big Cheeses in the 23rd. This guy is a modern marvel! We oughtta hire him to predict the NBA playoffs. It's gonna be a great year in the western conference!
10) The last web page on this topic I found is part of a madman site ("Vatican in Exile") run by a sad case who claims to be "Pope Michael." Nothing further need be said about that!
As you can see, then, I am thoroughly unimpressed by the folks who are pushing this purported prophecy. In all ten cases there was something seriously awry: either "traditionalist" schism or quasi-schism (one even by an anti-pope), conspiratorialism, extreme interest in prophecy, anti-Semitism, fanaticism against Opus Dei: a completely legitimate group that, for example, Scott Hahn is a member of, ridiculous date-setting, espousal of "apparitions" (Bayside) that the Church has not approved, erroneous opposition to the New Mass and Vatican II, anonymous oracles, and so forth. Even the New Agers have picked up on it (in one case).
While there is always a chance that a particular prophecy (especially if given by a saint) could be genuine and will actually come to pass (and I would be the last person to completely deny the possibility), we are not to be guided (especially not to excess and hyper-emphasis) by these sorts of private revelations, or to arrange our entire life around them, in the fanatic sense. This one has attracted every kind of goofball and nut. That is the warning flag.
I would urge anyone, in the strongest terms, to ignore this stuff like the plague. Read official documents of the Church and the Bible. Stick with the pope and ecumenical councils and writers who can be trusted as faithful and obedient to that magisterium, who have credentials, and who are not lone rangers trying to lead people astray for the sake of their egoes, or trying to make money by doing same.
The CHNI forum is one such place (on the lay level). I was hired precisely as a sort of doctrinal watchdog. I have the credentials. I know what I'm talking about. I made a serious study of the non-trinitarian cults such as Jehovah's Witnesses for nine years as a Protestant (since 1981), before I converted to Catholicism, so I can quickly spot when a group or teaching is "off." One develops good discernment in that way after many years of practice, and with the guidance of Holy Mother Church leading us into all truth.
Whatever my credentials are, however, the serious errors of the people who are pushing this prophecy are rather glaringly obvious, and we observe the same droning themes over and over. People like this give all private revelations and prophecies a bad name.
Last edited on Tue Apr 1st, 2008 09:50 pm by Dave Armstrong
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kimdyuma
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Arizona USA |
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| First Name: | Kim | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | cradle Anglican, Episcopal /Catholic-04/07/07 |
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Posted: Tue Apr 1st, 2008 10:01 pm |
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uuh Dave could you be a little more emphatic for us please!  Sorry I couldn't resist
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rbo4u2
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| First Name: | Rich | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Formerly Christian & Missionary Alliance then became Presbyterian |
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Posted: Tue Apr 1st, 2008 10:08 pm |
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Thanks Dave for saying it as succinctly as I did. Seriously, your research is very appreciated and you deserve the kudos. Thanks for the info Bud....
Rich
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Dave Armstrong
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Posted: Tue Apr 1st, 2008 10:55 pm |
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uuh Dave could you be a little more emphatic for us please
Yep, I'm famous for beating around the bush . . . 
But all humor aside, this kind of thing does anger me,  because we all know that people are led astray by it. 
It has to be denounced in strong terms so that people won't have any temptation  whatsoever to start getting into it.
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I'm happy to offer whatever theological & personal assistance I can. My blog, Biblical Evidence for Catholicism, contains 1900+ papers & web pages (absolutely free) & 16 apologetic books (for sale):
http://www.biblicalcatholic.com/
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kimdyuma
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Posted: Tue Apr 1st, 2008 11:42 pm |
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But all humor aside, this kind of thing does anger me, because we all know that people are led astray by it.
Yeah I know- I just couldn't resist because you are usually so low key and rational but this one definitely pushed your buttons. I did go to all the links you posted briefly- some way out stuff there.  Never mind you aren't the only one here who has pushed my twisted sense of humour- just ask Rick
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Didi
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Posted: Wed Apr 2nd, 2008 12:38 am |
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I have a friend who talks about this sometimes and all the private revelations (which, of course, the Church does not support) that point to it.
The big problem I have with it is that Jesus came for everyone, to save everyone. So why would he have these three days of darkness and persecution and only a few privileged who are "in the know" and do all the "right" things (light the blessed candles, cover your windows and doors, do not answer your door, etc.) will be saved from this? It just doesn't make sense.
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CajunRick
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Posted: Wed Apr 2nd, 2008 01:07 am |
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Didi wrote: only a few privileged who are "in the know"
Sounds like basic Gnosticism to me, at least in its underlying principle.
To quote from the Catholic Encyclopedia:
Whereas Judaism and Christianity, and almost all pagan systems, hold that the soul attains its proper end by obedience of mind and will to the Supreme Power, i.e. by faith and works, it is markedly peculiar to Gnosticism that it places the salvation of the soul merely in the possession of a quasi-intuitive knowledge of the mysteries of the universe and of magic formulae indicative of that knowledge. Gnostics were "people who knew", and their knowledge at once constituted them a superior class of beings, whose present and future status was essentially different from that of those who, for whatever reason, did not know.
Gnosticism was first refuted by Justin Martyr, who died around the year 165. Most of the so-called "Lost Books of the Bible" discovered in 1948 are Gnostic writings. You'll find them mentioned in the Catholic Encyclopedia article (although it states that current versions do not exist as it was written prior to their discovery).
If you read the description of Gnosticism, you'll find a lot of elements of modern Protestantism.
Everything old is new again.
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Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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