The Bell Towers of Tradition

By Plinio Correa de Oliveira

“You are the bell that rings in the darkness, in the cacophony; you ring amidst the confusion, spreading the sound of Tradition, the sound of our Catholic past, carrying this sound to the first days of the Reign of Mary.”

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Our Lady waits for the crucial moment when all seems lost to intervene.  This is the moment that is now before us.

Only the supernatural can explain the expansion of the TFP.

We see this expansion happen every day -- amid the chaos, people join us and begin to fight.   The impossible is accomplished. 

Auditoriums like this one with lots of young people, which the Revolution had been preparing for centuries to be its victims.

Here are young men with an appreciation for tradition, family and property, which was so often missing in their ancestors, who were much closer to that past where this sacred triad stilled glowed.

What to explain this, other than by the supernatural?

How can this fact be understood, expect by a special grace from Our Lady?

What to explain this, other than by a mission?

In the revolted world of today -- in your cities, states and countries -- you will be a bell of Tradition that rings.

Around you, the galvanizing impact of this appeal from Our Lady will be felt.

The devil will attack.  You will see opposition from the spirits of darkness in the whisper campaigns that will follow you.  The day will come when this is not enough; they will seek your body, your blood, and even your life.

You are the bell that rings in the darkness, in the cacophony; you ring amidst the confusion, spreading the sound of Tradition, the sound of our Catholic past, carrying this sound to the first days of the Reign of Mary.

This beautiful mission was given to each one of you individually, to the least among you, to the most tested, tried and tempted among you.

This mission now knocks on the door of your soul, to convince you and to set you on fire. 

Grace will never let you down in this mission, even if that means that heaven will open up and angels will come down in visible form to defend your fidelity.

 

Be faithful!  Be valiant!  Be faithful echoes of Tradition and you will return next year, joyfully singing the victories that Our Lady won through you.

The psalm reads:

"Euntes ibant et flebant semen spargendum portantes; venientes autem venient in exsultatione portantes manipulos suos."

“Going they went and wept, casting their seeds. But coming they shall come with joyfulness, carrying their sheaves” (Psalm, 126:6).

You now go home with joy in your heart.  You take home, to the tranquility of the hearth, the tools you will use to fill your day in the accomplishment of your duty.

You leave today with “tears” in your soul.  But you carry with you the seeds that you received in this Weekend of Studies.  You will return by the grace of God, with joy, bringing the instruments of your work, the lessons you have learned, and the friends that you have won to next year’s Weekend of Studies.

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By Plinio Correa de Oliveira

January 15, 1970

Closing talk at the II Week of Specialized Education and Formation in Anti-communism in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

(I translated and slightly adapted this talk.)