Greetings friends,
As the American Navigator officially launches this Jubilee Year 2025, I wanted to take some time to address the main mission of this publication, as well as the mission of the CACTUS organization as a whole. CACTUS is an acronym, standing for “Citizens for the Advancement of Catholic Teachings in the United States,” and more than that, is also a symbol for the mission of the organization. The Cactus being a desert plant, I believe holds some special symbolism for the condition and place of Catholics in America and around the world. While the desert is barren and wild, there stands in some places a cactus, which for the wandering traveler is something to take solace in. The cactus is life in a place where little life is found, and it is also life giving, bearing nutritious fruits that the traveler may take and eat, and water for drink. And while the cactus offers grace (and even salvation) to those who encounter it, it is not a being which can be easily trampled or overturned, for it also has long thorns which it uses to defend itself from those who wish to destroy it.
Thus, the names of CACTUS and of the American Navigator are so designated because they describe a place, a condition, and a people. The place is that of a spiritual desert, a barren wilderness where men are tempted, and where forces of evil prey upon the innocent. Many places in America and around the world are similar to this, as a result of secularization and liberalization, and the drying up of the fountains of the Church in these places. The condition here is of men wandering through this desert seeking a place to rest their heads. In western society, liberal anti-philosophy and secularization dominate the landscape, and men are wearily navigating through these ideological landscapes in an attempt to satisfy their deepest longings. Lastly, there are the people. The people here vary widely in both their spiritual conditions, as well as the time they have spent navigating the desert. For Catholics and Christians and men of good will as a whole, it is our purpose to act as the cactus in the desert, bearing good fruit and drink for those we encounter, or encounter us. We also aid our fellow navigators and help to lead them towards the oasis which is the Church. But even then, we must also defend our faith, our family, and ourselves from those who seek the ruin and destruction of nations, peoples, and souls.
In summary, it is the mission of CACTUS and the American Navigator to:
Reach American Catholics, by proclaiming the gospel and by continuing education in the areas of theology, philosophy, and history, to aid in faith formation.
To combat misconceptions, misunderstandings, and sheer falsehoods about the Catholic Church, through apologetics and discourse, and meeting those in discernment about their faith where they are, through love and through prayer.
To stand boldly by the Church’s divine teachings, addressing internal issues such as radical traditionalism, and extinguishing the spirits of schism and pride in our parish communities.
To work diligently to combat the evils of abortion and contraception, as well as LGBT issues, and delivering the truth of the Theology of the Body to all who have ears to hear.
To advocate for the Church’s social teachings, by introducing concepts such as the
Common Good and Integralism (Gelasian Dyarchy) to the political discussion table.
To work towards the conversion of those outside the Church, and to guide those who have been brought up in heresy towards the Kingdom of God.
To pray for and to aid those discerning vocations, encouraging the married to embrace the gift of life, and the consecrated to fulfill their callings to the Church and to the people.
To encourage activism in all these areas, and to make it known that God has not
abandoned his children, and that there is hope for a brighter future.
If you support this mission, or would like to contribute to this cause, then please consider subscribing for free (button below), and telling your family and friends about the American Navigator and CACTUS.
If you have a talent for writing, and would like to contribute to the publication, then please contact us at americannavigator@substack.com
Thank you, and have a blessed day!
- Daniel D. Jackson
President, CACTUS
Editor in Chief, American Navigator
This is a brilliant mission statement for the American Navigator. I look forward to entertaining the works of this publication.