Discerning the True Church in a Time of Apostasy

“Try the spirits if they be of God” — 1 John 4:1

Preamble:

“How about an article on the gift of Holy Spirit discernment?” was the heartfelt request of a concerned soul. Quite an edifying request. This is a lowly attempt to provide a response. 

I imagine that this request presupposes a soul standing at a fork in the road.

To his left rises a grand modern building. Its walls are smooth, its signs clean. Above its doors are bold letters: “CATHOLIC.” But below them, strange symbols crowd: a Buddhist wheel, a crescent moon, a rainbow banner, a globe of clasped hands. All religions, it seems, are welcome here. “priests” speak of synodality, dialogue, and the evolving needs of man.

To his right lies a narrow path, leading to a humble, aged chapel. It is quiet there. The sign also reads “CATHOLIC,” but in faded paint. Inside, he hears Latin chants, sees veiled women, smells incense rising like prayer. The Priest says nothing of “updating,” but much of sacrifice, penance, the Real Presence, the Holy Mass, and the reign of Christ.

The scene I have described is not a fantasy or artistic exaggeration—it is the spiritual landscape in which millions of Catholics now find themselves. Yes . This is not just art. It is reality.

We live in a time of ecclesiastical eclipse. The buildings and structures once occupied by the True Church are now in the hands of a false religion wearing Catholic vestments—an impostor church, born from the errors of Vatican II, animated by the spirit of Modernism, and spreading confusion under the guise of charity, inclusion, and aggiornamento (updating).

As in the days of Arianism, when churches were packed but truth was exiled, so too today do we see externals maintained, while the essence is betrayed.

In this hour, the Holy Ghost’s Gift of Discernment of Spirits is not optional—it is vital.

I. What Is the Gift of Discernment of Spirits?

St. Ignatius of Loyola, in his Spiritual Exercises, carefully details how souls may discern movements from God, the devil, or nature.

Discernment of Spirits is not merely the ability to spot heresy, nor a mystical vision or special revelation. It is a supernatural gift, infused by the Holy Ghost into souls of good will, especially those seeking truth amidst spiritual deception. It perfects the virtue of prudence and illuminates the intellect, allowing the soul to see the true origin of spiritual influences—whether they come from God, from man, or from the devil.

St. Thomas Aquinas explains:

 To discern rightly what is from the Holy Ghost and what is not pertains to the gift of knowledge or of counsel, and especially to the gift called discerning of spirits.

(Summa Theologica, II-II, q. 45, a. 1)

It is:

•  the spiritual sight that sees through deception, 
• the heavenly light that exposes Satan transformed as an angel of light (2 Cor. 11:14).

In a word, it is the divinely given instinct of the faithful (sensus fidelium), enlightened not by novelty, but by Sacred Tradition.

It is this gift that guided St. Athanasius, who stood alone against the Arian heretics. It was this light that led the English Martyrs to resist Henry VIII and Elizabeth, even when the priests and bishops around them submitted.

II. Scripture and the Saints on Discernment

The Scriptures are replete with commands to discern:

“Let no man deceive you by any means.” (2 Thess. 2:3)

“Try all things: hold fast that which is good.” (1 Thess. 5:21)

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in the clothing of sheep, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” (Matt. 7:15)

Saint Anthony of the Desert, when asked how he knew whether a spirit was divine or diabolical, replied:

 “The visions of the saints leave the soul tranquil and humble, whereas those from the devil leave agitation and pride.”

St. John of the Cross echoes:

 “The devil rejoices greatly when a soul seeks revelations, for then he gains easy entrance and can mislead it.”

Thus, discernment is not some extraordinary mystical experience, but rather the solid and sober judgment rooted in the faith, trained to recognize any voice or apparition contrary to the deposit of Revelation.

III. The Rarity of True Discernment and the Love of the Church

St. Robert Bellarmine is said to have remarked:

It is granted to few, to recognise the true Church amidst the darkness of so many schisms and heresies, and to fewer still, so to love the Truth which they have seen as to fly to its embrace!

In this sober reflection is captured the hidden majesty and mystery of the Church in times of crisis. 

Discernment is not merely an intellectual exercise, but a grace. In an age clouded by error and seduction, when the false often masquerades as the true, even identifying the visible marks of the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church becomes a gift from God, not a given. And yet more rare is the heart that, having found her in suffering and eclipse, chooses to love her with fidelity, cost what it may.

Let it be known, then, that discernment demands purity, humility, and above all, love — love not of appearances, but of the Church as Christ formed her, crowned her with His Blood, and left her visible upon the earth, even amidst thorns.

 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. (Matt. 11:15)

IV. Vatican II and the Rise of the False Spirit

What happened in the 1960s, was not a “renewal.” It was a revolution in the name of obedience. Indeed one of its Chief Architects is quoted to have said with an air of pride that Vatican II was ecclesiastical “French revolution”

Vatican II is the French Revolution in the Church.” — Cardinal Suenens 

By comparing the Council to the French Revolution, he acknowledged that what occurred was not merely a reform but a radical rupture with previous ecclesiastical structures and theology.  

Archbishop Lefebvre, who participated in the council, also echoed this judgment, describing the events as a comprehensive “revolution” that abandoned traditional doctrine and embraced liberal ideas.  

“This Council represents, both in the eyes of the Roman authorities and of the progressives, a new Church which they themselves call the ‘conciliar Church.’” — Archbp. Lefebvre, Open Letter to Confused Catholics, ch. 16

These statements—coming from insiders to the Council process—provide clear evidence that key figures saw Vatican II not as simple renewal, but as a profound makeover of Church identity and hierarchy.

Indeed, the Modernist Vatican Council, styled Vatican II, introduced doctrinal novelties, foreign to the perennial Magisterium of the Church:

• False religious liberty (Dignitatis Humanae), contradicting the Syllabus of Errors and Pope Leo XIII’s teaching in Libertas.
• Ecumenism (Unitatis Redintegratio), condemned by Pope Pius XI in Mortalium Animos.
• Collegiality and synodality, which undermines the supremacy of the papacy as clarified by Vatican I.
• The infamous phrase “subsistit in” (Lumen Gentium §8), introducing ambiguity about the identity of the Church of Christ.
• Mass, the re-presentation of Calvary, made to become a “meal” for ecumenical reasons.

And yet, all these are presented with sweet words, soft smiles, and promises of “peace and unity.”

Pope St. Pius X, with true prophetic insight, warned of such days when he said that Modernists pervert the eternal concept of truth and make it a slave to the needs of time and place, and no longer teach what has always been taught.

These Modernists would have us believe that the same Church which once converted pagans and kings now joins hands with Protestants, Jews, Buddhists, Muslims, and even atheists in interfaith prayer—while marginalizing her own faithful children who desire nothing more than to worship at the same Mass that nourished the saints.

V. What the Gift of Discernment Reveals Today

The soul seeking truth must begin with what the Church has always taught following the rule of thumb by St. Vincent of Lerins:

 “The true faith is that which has been believed everywhere, always, and by all.”

The gift of discernment helps us compare spirits:

• What is from the Holy Ghost promotes reverence and sacrifice; while that from false spirit promotes novelty and ease.
• What is from the Holy Ghost upholds truth even when hard; the other embraces compromise and ambiguity.
• What is from the Holy Ghost loves Tradition and the Cross; the other scorns “old rites” and speaks of “progress”.
• What is of the Holy Ghost defends dogma in the same sense as has been always held by the Church; the other undermines doctrine with “pastoral approaches”; argues that "truth evolves" and "adapts" so as to be "relevant".
• What is of the Holy Ghost leads to humility and penance; while the false spirit leads to pride, activism, and self-centeredness. 

A soul with this Gift of Discernment is guided not by emotion, but by the light of reason enlightened by Faith. Thus guided, he sees that: 

• The Church cannot both teach truth and error; 
• she cannot be both Bride of Christ and mother of heresy.
• The same Faith cannot contradict itself. 
• What was heresy in 1900 cannot be truth in 1970. 
• What was the Mass of the Saints cannot become “outdated” overnight.
• Luther's "lord's supper", once declared a pernicious worship, cannot now masquerade as the "ordinary form" of the Roman Rite. 
• Where the true Faith and the unchanging Sacraments remain, there is the Church—though hidden, mocked, or exiled.

VI. How to Receive and Grow in the Gift

The Gift of Discernment is for those of good will, who seek to know and love the truth.

Practical steps:

1. Pray daily for the Holy Ghost’s light

– Especially before making decisions in faith.

“Come Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of Thy love.”

2. Read the Catechism of the Council of Trent

– It is the doctrinal anchor for times of storm.

3. Study the great pre-Vatican II encyclicals

– Especially Pascendi, Mortalium Animos, Libertas, and Quas Primas.

4. Attend only the non “una cum” Traditional Catholic Mass.

– The Novus Ordo, even when reverent, is a non-Catholic worship, a pernicious worship to be avoided. And, the “una cum” Traditional Latin Mass must be avoided to preserve the Faith, and honor the integrity of the Sacrifice of the Mass. 

5. Flee from Ecumenical and Interreligious Errors

– As Pope Pius XI said:

“Unity can only arise from one teaching authority, one law of belief, one faith of Christians.” (Mortalium Animos, 1928)

6. Cling to the Saints and the Rosary

– They will guide you through the fog.

7. Be ready to suffer

– The world loves the broad road. But the narrow path leads to life. (Matt. 7:14)

Count it a blessing that you suffer for the faith. Our Blessed Lord said:

Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for my sake: Be glad and rejoice for your reward is very great in heaven. For so they persecuted the prophets that were before you. (Matt. 5:11-12)

VII. The Crossroads of Our Time

The image of the soul at the fork in the road is not fantasy. It is your life and mine.

• One path is broad, institutional, outwardly beautiful—but full of lies, compromises, and spiritual death.
• The other path is narrow, ridiculed, perhaps hidden in catacombs—but faithful, fruitful, and true.

You must choose. The Holy Ghost does not drag anyone. But He gives light.

• Ask Him.
• Beg for the gift of discernment.
• Study, pray, fast, and stay close to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

And remember:

The truth of the Lord remaineth forever.” (Psalm 116:2)

“He who perseveres to the end shall be saved.” (Matt. 24:13)

Summing Up:

The true Church still lives.

Though not be found in every chancery or cathedral; mocked, sidelined, or persecuted; it remains where the true Faith, the true Sacraments, and the unchanging doctrine of Christ are preserved.

At this fork in the road, let your prayer be:

Lord, that I may see.” (Luke 18:41)

And having seen, may you never turn back.  For as St. Robert Bellarmine  remarked:

"It is granted to few to recognize the true Church... and fewer still to love her."

Count it grace to be among those few—and ask for the courage to be among the fewer still who cleave to her in faith, hope, and charity, though she be hidden in the catacombs of this age forsaking comfort or popularity.

God speed you 🙏