Daily readings.

O Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger...

My 'lectio' is usually based upon the daily readings at Mass.  Sometimes it amazes me how 'living and active' the Word really is - since we read the same passages Year A, B, C after year,  and yet it is always new.  These past weeks we've been hearing Paul's letter from 1 Corinthians.  Almost daily it is as if the Holy Spirit is writing to me personally, or addressing issues in the contemporary Church. 
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This month I'd been disappointed because I never received my September Magnificat, the monthly which always includes wonderful meditations on the daily readings, so I had to rely on my old  Daily Roman Missal.  (I called Magnificat and they sent me a replacement, which I just received this morning.)  My Roman Missal can be rather disconcerting since the translations of the readings do not match what we use today.  It takes some getting used to, especially since most modern translations are generally so unsatisfactory anyway.  Why can't there be just one, accurate, un-PC liturgical text?*  But I digress.
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Today's reading concerning lawsuits in civil courts reminded me of the priest I wrote about the other day, the one suing his bishop and abbot.  One must remember the political situation wherein Paul wrote was quite different from our own.  Our judicial system is based upon Judeo-Christian principles, so Christians having recourse to the civil courts is not a bad thing - though it can be abused.  Canonical court cases can be abused as well.  Nevertheless, Paul asks, "Why not put up with injustice?  Why not let yourself be cheated?  Instead, you inflict injustice and cheat, and this to brothers." - 1 Cor 6
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I think that is often true - Christians do inflict injustice upon Christians, and even cheat one another.  Ironically one of my favorite bloggers, Br. Stephen of Sub Tuum printed an interesting passage from a novel he had been reading that fits in well with something I experienced recently and which influenced my meditation upon the Pauline text this morning:

"These are strange times. There are now two kinds of people.
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This has never happened before.
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One are decent, tenderhearted, unbelieving, philanthropic people. The other are some preachers who tell the truth about the Lord but are themselves often rascals if not thieves.
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What a generation! Believing thieves and decent unbelievers!
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The Great Depriver's finest hour!" - Fr. Smith, Walker Percy’s 1987 novel, The Thanatos Syndrome 

The Holy Spirit, through St. Paul in today's first reading seems to me to be convincing us of sin here - or as charismatics like to say, convicting:  "Instead, you inflict injustice and cheat, and this to brothers."  Well maybe not you, but I have been convicted. 

Whenever you sin, be careful not to despair but to run to the spiritual doctor to confess and seek a cure: the mercy of God. The Lord came into the world to save not the righteous, those who are healthy in soul, but the sinners, those who are ill. He will receive these with great love and mercy as He received the prodigal son, the prostitute, the thief, the publican, and millions of sinners who were saved by repentance and confession. I leave you this paternal counsel: never, never despair whenever you sin, but have confidence and hope in the immeasurable mercy of God. Repent and confess, and you will be saved. - Elder Philotheos Zervakos

* Br. Stephen also has an excellent post on the subject of scriptural translations - specifically the New American Bible - Isn't It Time To Retire the "New" American Bible?

What?

Not after Labor Day...  not ever...  please.
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Photo: Sartorialist: Summer suited, Milan.

Larry's Family Vacation

Larry and the family at their cabin in the backyard.
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Labor Day marks the end of summer fun.

'Islamization' and Sharia.

Another inconvenient truth...
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Why aren't feminists - especially radical feminists and radical gay activists - all over the 'Islamization' of Western culture, not to mention actively and consistently protesting Sharia capital punishment for adultery, indecency, and homosexuality?  Why do they attack the Roman Catholic Church as the great oppressor of human rights, focusing upon perennial teaching which charitably explains why women can't be ordained and that homosexual acts are sinful?   The Vatican has condemned the atrocities which take place under Sharia, yet the enemies of the Church condemn and demonize the Holy Father and call him a criminal for teaching the Gospel and guarding faith and morals.  It makes no sense.
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VATICAN CITY — The Vatican on Sunday raised the possibility of using behind-the-scenes diplomacy to try to spare the life of an Iranian widow sentenced to be stoned for adultery.  (Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani was convicted in 2006 of adultery; mother of two could still face execution by hanging for adultery and other offenses.) - Jerusalem Post
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VATICAN CITY — An Iranian widow sentenced to death by stoning for alleged adultery has reportedly been lashed 99 times after what was said to be a picture of her without a headscarf appeared in a newspaper. - Read more.
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This is Paris - will it be NYC or Dearborn.  Read more.
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Photo: Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, a widow facing the death penalty for alleged adultery, is said to have been lashed for indecency..

Labor Day: The Last Day...

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Has fashion really changed for trads?  I think not.

The attraction of the saints...

Faces of holiness.
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While I worked in retail, one of the qualifications I looked for in sales associates was friendliness, intelligence and good looks.  Upper management sometimes thought I was kidding - but I was convinced that the attractiveness and friendliness of the person attending the customers was very important.  I worked for a religious goods company and therefore I was convinced good looking, pleasant, friendly guys, who also knew the faith and their merchandise was vitally important to grow the business and attract priests from around the State.  I often said, "men are attracted to men".  And it is not a gay thing at all.  I experienced it myself growing up.  As a young man I could get in to to see just about any priest or bishop (or prioress too) I wanted, and I was frequently invited to dinner or a show - which I usually declined BTW. 
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I'm only saying this by way of introduction to my post here.  Attractive people attract people - now that I'm old and ugly, I'm invisible.  But I digress.  Nevertheless, attractive saints attract devotees and clients - clients are persons who attach themselves to a particular saint, regularly asking for favors, following their example, and so on.  The saint in turn leads them to a more devout life and aids them in becoming holy.  Sometimes divine providence attracts us to a particular saint by natural means - just as we are attracted to friends on earth.  For instance, St. Gemma and Bl. Pier Giorgio are two very attractive saints.
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Saints for outsiders.
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You will notice in my sidebar I usually have posted a couple young, attractive saints.  These guys not only appeal to young and old lay people alike, but guys - and some of these guys may be same-sex attracted for reasons deeper than friendship.  In fact, a friend of mine, Jamie Becker, a fellow artist, formerly a marketing VP at Marshall Field's/Macy's, was interested enough in the saints in my sidebar to inquire and read about them.  My friend is Jewish.
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Jamie chose Pier Girorgio to paint, although he included Jacques Fesch and Alberto Marvelli in the composition (shown above), along with images of men and boys either murdered for being gay, or imprisoned, ostracized, and executed for being so.  I asked him what he wanted to say by the painting.  He just told me he did not understand why the Church canonizes some single men, or declares some to be martyrs, yet refuses to honor gay men like those hanged to death in Muslim countries, or victims of gay bashing elsewhere.  More deeply, he may have been wondering about a lot more... like, 'how can a young man remain sinless?' - Psalm 119: 11
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The attraction of Catholicism.
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Now any knowledgeable Catholic might react to such a misunderstanding and jump to their feet to explain in no uncertain terms that these saints, Pier Giorgio, Alberto, Jacques, and others are not gay, while proceeding to instruct my friend exactly why a saint is made a saint, or a martyr is a martyr.  Nevertheless, Jamie was very sincere in asking the question and I sensed a very deep respect on his part, the very question revealed a great deal about his sensitivity to the subject.  He once told me he would like to pray but he didn't know how.  Another time he said he didn't believe in God.  On his way to Paris recently, I told him if the plane crashes to "tell God you are sorry for all your sins and ask him to take you to heaven" - he responded, "but I don't have any sins".   I laughed and told him - "just say it anyway".  So you see, there is something quite sincere and loving in this man, and he is made for God's love.  He promised to visit Rue de Bac and light a candle for me while he is living in Paris.
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Anyway - aside from the politics and controversies which surround Catholic teaching, and often embroil our relationships with one another, many of the individuals involved are not necessarily out to get us.  As Jamie's painting demonstrates - sometimes they are just trying to figure us out, while sorting through an awful lot of stuff themselves.  Sometimes non-religious people just want to know why we believe and live according to Church teaching when it is often so inconvenient to do so... frequently remaining the outsider, stranger and pilgrim - even amongst Catholics.
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Truth is...
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Of course I respectfully tried to explain, though the murder of homosexual men is unjust, they cannot be considered martyrs, or canonized by the Church.  Saints are made saints because of their heroic virtue and because they example the Christian life and teaching.  Martyrs are martyrs because they suffered for the faith, their death is their witness to Christ and the Gospel.  The Martyrs of Uganda are saints because they refused to submit to homosexual sin.  Though St. Sebastian has been adopted by gay people as a patron (his physique plays a big part here), he was martyred out of hatred for the faith.  Martyrs of chastity were killed because they resisted sexual sin, and so on.  Of course, he already knew that. 
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The truth is hard to accept sometimes, and it is only obtained by long labor and study and prayer... to paraphrase Dostoevsky.  But 'love is the teacher... and we must love not occasionally, for a moment, but forever.' 
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Art:  Blessed Pier Girorgio Frassati - Jamie Becker, 2010
Acrylic and collage on canvas.  Approx. 36"x30"

Sue the cappa magnas off 'em...

Fr. Gruber and Abbot Nowicki

Bishop Brandt

Priest sues Bishop and Archabbot for libel.
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A priest at St. Vincent College filed a libel suit Friday in Westmoreland County against officials of the Greensburg Catholic Diocese and St. Vincent College, alleging they falsely accused him of being a pedophile even though he was exonerated by state police.

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The Rev. Mark Gruber, who is a tenured professor, sued Bishop Lawrence Brandt of the diocese; Benedictine Archabbot Douglas Nowicki of St. Vincent Archabbey; former college president H. James Towey; Dr. John Smetanka, dean of academic affairs; and Dr. Gary Quinlivan, dean of the business school.
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In his lawsuit, Gruber alleges that Towey and Nowicki triggered a criminal investigation of him after pornographic images were discovered on a computer that Gruber used, which was in a common room where he taught anthropology. 
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Brandt and Nowicki suspended Gruber from celebrating Mass or administering the sacraments as well as teaching, despite a state police finding that Gruber had not committed any crime. - Full story.
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As the pendulum swings:  Over-reaction.

PSA

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Good night Poodle!

Donations and earning a living.

You better work.
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St. Paul boasted that he earned his living by the work of his hands, telling the Corinthians in today's first reading at Mass, "We work hard at manual labor."  Indeed, this is what monastics do, and why contemplative monasteries generally have a specialized work from which they earn their living and sustain themselves.  Some farm or raise cattle, some roast coffee, some make candy, some make vestments and sacred art, some make coffins, and so on.  On the other hand, some online ministers have a wish list and a paypal app... while poor monks go hungry.  With St. Paul the poor monks might say, "We are fools on Christ's account.  Ah, but in Christ you are wise!  We are the weak ones, you the strong!  They honor you while they sneer at us!"  - 1 Cor 4: 9-14   Well, maybe it is not that bad.
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Just this last month I was hit with large auto repair bills ($1500-), hospital bills for my cat - I won't tell you how much, and the house insurance went up 31%.  So I am thinking of selling off some art and antiques just to live.  Believe me, I know what it is to go without in the 'great recession'.  But this isn't about me.
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Work it.
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So - aside from donations, how can a group of hermits earn their living?
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Writing icons and teaching iconography is a good start - but unless an artist makes prints and reproductions - affordably - and has a market for his or her work, art isn't always that lucrative.  At best it is mostly supplemental.

• Coffee has been done - but competition never hurts either.  I drink Louisiana coffee and chicory - I know of only two brands available - so...  That angle might be a good one.  Chicory gives the coffee a full bodied taste, sometimes reminiscent of a slight bittersweet cocoa.  I love it and drink two pots a day.
• Another venue could be tea - tea is huge.  Imagine monastery tea?  I like it.  Tea has a contemplative image too.
• I thought of marijuana but realized that wouldn't be legal to produce... unless medical marijuana gets legalized.  What?
• Candy and cookies and breads of course - but that stuff is so perishable.  Although no one makes marzipan - imagine marzipan pigs and St. Nick's at Christmas - some with chocolate covering too.
• My big idea however is micro brews - featuring monks or nuns drinking - pictured on a cool European style label.  Home made brews are big - and maybe not so hard to make.  Same with home distilleries - they are popping up around the country.  I think a cool monkberry vodka could be a big seller.
• Clothing - how about making monk-style work shirts?  European chefs and kitchen workers once wore a sort of linen blouson big shirt, with a button-down hood attached - it could be belted as well.  I wore one when I travelled across southern Europe as a pilgrim.  (Think of cutting off a cowl to make a shirt.)  Also monk neck rings and scarves and hats - made out of fleece - with an embroidered crest.  Cheap and easy to produce and warm.  I prefer a neck ring to a scarf anyway.

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So there you have it - some of my ideas for monks and nuns to be self-sufficient.  Any other suggestions?
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St. Hildegard of Bingen

Speaking of the medieval German mystic and her gifts, Pope Benedict noted:
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This is, dear friends, the seal of an authentic experience of the Holy Spirit, source of every charism: The receiver of supernatural gifts never boasts, does not exhibit them and, above all, shows total obedience to ecclesial authority. Every gift distributed by the Holy Spirit, in fact, is destined for the edification of the Church, and the Church, through her pastors, recognises their authenticity. - Idle Speculations has the full text.
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Trivia:
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At one time, St. Hildegard was especially loved by New Age spiritual types.  I've always thought she could be a special patroness of binge drinkers - due to her title, von Bingen.  Did you know many medieval ascetics fasted on beer and bread?  And some think that a specific mold growing on the stale bread could have induced LSD type hallucinations, which might have been mistaken for mystical experiences.  (Or was it the beer?) 
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Oh!  To have lived back then.

Trappist simplicity.

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Architect John Pawson designed the abbey church shown in this video.   

The main difference between a mendicant friar and a monk.

Stability.
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Friars or mendicants professed poverty and did not possess property.  Later on the orders did own property communally.  Nevertheless, the friars were free to move about outside cloister and evangelize or teach or work in an apostolate.  Though they were assigned to different friaries or convents, they did not promise stability to a particular place.  Originally mendicants lived on alms and the generosity of the faithful. 
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Monks and hermits on the other hand are characterized by their stability in one monastery, abbey, priory, or hermitage.  The particular congregation or community usually maintains ownership of their property and are generally self-governing and self-sufficient.
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I think that's about it - if I missed anything, feel free to add to it.
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Oh!  Oh!  BTW - If you are a young man and thinking about monastic life, try entering a monastery in Europe where they make beer...  It may be more comforting than coffee during dark nights.  ;)

Of the world’s 171 Trappist monasteries seven produce beer (six in Belgium and one in The Netherlands).

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What's a Carmelite?

More on the Carmelite-Cowboy Mountain project.
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Controversy surrounded the Teresian reform all over Spain in the early days.  Whenever St. Teresa set out to establish a new foundation lawsuits were filed right and left, and she was roundly denounced to the local bishop, the governor, and at least once, to the Inquisition.  "When you come to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for trials."  I doubt the obstacles the Carmelite monks in Wyoming are facing are as bad as all of that - and if it is - good for them - it just might be the right sign it is God's will.  (BTW - St. Teresa never referred to her opponents as liberals and anti-Catholics - instead she recognized it was the devil who tried to block the establishment of houses of prayer.  These days Catholics seem to prefer to demonize people, rather than acknowledge the other.)
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Canonically, Carmelite men are not monks - they are friars.
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I was told that when I was in the OCD novitiate.  The Fathers did not want any mix up - they were not nuns and they were suspicious of men who wanted to live like nuns.  John of the Cross, who desired to be a Carthusian, was persuaded by Teresa to join her in the reform.  He reformed the friars.  Friars are mendicants - like the Franciscans, Dominicans, Servites, etc..  They may live in monasteries or convents, and live the contemplative life, but they also have outside ministries - they are not monks.  Canonically established Carmelite men engage in an active apostolate and mission work.  Carmel, California was named by Carmelite missionaries in honor of Our lady of Mt. Carmel before Bl. Fr, Serra arrived.
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Deserts
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In the OCD (Discalced Carmelite) tradition - especially in Spain - strict contemplative monasteries existed and were called deserts - they were established as houses of recollection for the spiritual renewal of the friars.  For the most part, the personnel rotated and did not take up permanent abode in these refuges.  Thus we see, the strictly hermetical tradition was not the regular observance for Carmelite men.  It is believed even the first hermits on Mt. Carmel exercised some sort of an active apostolate.
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The Carmelite Monks in Wyoming are not attached to either canonically established Carmelite Orders - OCD or O.Carm..  They are an innovation in Carmelite spirituality - which is likely why they call themselves Carmelite Monks.  Obviously they have the permission of their bishop to observe the life they do.  That could change of course, at the discretion of the bishop and the need of the local Church. 
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The prior in Wyoming began his religious life in the archdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis, at the Carmel of the Blessed Virgin.  Fr. Daniel studied for the priesthood and was ordained in this place.  At some point, possibly in order to secure their way of life and avoid outside assignments by the local ordinary, the prior of the hermitage here in Minnesota incorporated into the O. Carm. or Carmelites of the Primitive Observance.  (Students of the Teresian reform sometimes harbor a few of the old prejudices against the O.Carm., but in reality, there is not a great deal of difference between the O.Carm. and the OCD of today.)
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That said, it is my understanding this may have sparked Fr. Daniel's move back to Wyoming to establish a  more strictly observant hermitage.  (I could have been misinformed on that point however - so don't hold me to it.)  From what I see on the video, their observance is very much based upon that of strictly enclosed OCD nuns, while their new direction - the proposed monumental monastic project, seems more Carthusian than Carmelite - but I'm only making an educated observation here - I have no direct knowledge of their constitutions.  Regardless of outside opinion, the group is approved by their local ordinary and it is a legitimate community and in good standing in the Church.
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As a new religious group following a Carmelite rule, the innovation of strict enclosure for men may be very appealing to a select set of guys seeking monastic life.  If I was younger, I would certainly be attracted to the Wyoming group.  It is what I was looking for as a young man when I entered the OCD Fathers - which is why they had to explain to me, "We are NOT monks, nor are we like the nuns."  In fact - the authentic Carmelite vocation is essentially communal - both for the men and women.
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Just a comment:  I have to say that some Catholics seem eager to approve and promote anything that looks traditional, and jump to conclusions and condemn anyone who questions ventures such as the proposed mega-complex in Wyoming.  Some of the comments on Fr. Z's post on the Mystic Monks demonstrate what I am saying. 
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That's all on this matter.  Talk amongst yourselves.
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Links:
Discalced Carmelite Fathers
Carmelite Hermit Communities (O. Carm.)
Carmelites Worldwide
Carmelite Website - O. Carm.
Carmelite Monks

Teresa of Avila on Poor Monasteries

Our arms are holy poverty, which was so greatly esteemed and so strictly observed by our holy Fathers at the beginning of the foundation of our Order. - Teresa of Avila

"It seems very wrong, my daughters, that great houses should be built with the money of the poor; may God forbid that this should be done; let our houses be small and poor in every way. Let us to some extent resemble our King, Who had no house save the porch in Bethlehem where He was born and the Cross on which He died. These were houses where little comfort could be found.
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Those who erect large houses will no doubt have good reasons for doing so. I do not utterly condemn them: they are moved by various holy intentions. But any corner is sufficient for thirteen poor women. If grounds should be thought necessary on account of the strictness of the enclosure, and also as an aid to prayer and devotion, and because our miserable nature needs such things, well and good; and let there be a few hermitages in them in which the sisters may go to pray. But as for a large ornate convent, with a lot of buildings -- God preserve us from that! Always remember that these things will all fall down on the Day of Judgment, and who knows how soon that will be?" - Way of Perfection

Our Lady of Hermits

Art credit.

Cowboy Carmelites.

The dispute over Carmelite mountain.
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I can't recall where, but St. Teresa of Avila once stated she wanted her monasteries to be poor and not great monuments which would made a big noise as they tumbled down at the end of the world.  That isn't an exact quote of course, and someone can correct it if they wish, but I've made my point.

Though filled with admiration for the Wyoming Carmelite hermits, I myself wondered about their ambitious plans to build a huge, Gothic style monastic complex in the middle of pristine Wyoming ranch country.  Why so monumental?  When the Trappists first went to Snowmass in Colorado, they built a modest little monastery, and it has remained modest.  When John of the Cross established the first foundation for men of the reform in Duruelo, they had ramshackled quarters at best.  Presently, the hermits in Wyoming have a very nice monastery - primitive, but much nicer than what a lot of people with little means might own or live in.  I'm not criticizing - just making an observation.
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As it turns out, neighbors of the monks are making observations as well, and they are concerned...
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The New Mount Carmel of America
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Planners in Park County are reviewing plans for a residence unlike any other in the Rocky Mountains — a 145,000-square-foot French Gothic-style monastery.
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In a series of public meetings and private gatherings, debate about the project has touched on a wide range of hot-button issues, including land planning, taxes, traditional Western ranching and even religious freedom.
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The stone monastery, to be built in a style dating back centuries, would house 40 men who are members of the Monks of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel, a federally recognized religious order operating under the auspices of the Catholic Diocese of Cheyenne.
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Called The New Mount Carmel of America, the monastery would be built on the 2,500-acre Elk Meadow Ranch, traditionally used for raising cattle and sheep. The property, on Meeteetse Creek Road, is about seven miles from the nearest neighbor and 14 miles from Highway 120.
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Some residents and neighbors have asked why the monks, who have resided for years in much smaller buildings in Clark, are seeking to build such an elaborate and sprawling structure near Meeteetse.
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“I’m sorry the architecture is what it is. According to monasticism, we have to stick to our architecture,” said Father Daniel Schneider, prior of the 16-member monastery in Clark, who has taken the name Daniel Mary since becoming a monk.  “It is what it is. It has to be fitting to God because it’s God’s dwelling place, too,” he said during the hearing.  He said the public would be allowed to attend services or make confessions at the monastery daily between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., and that the monks would neither seek to attract visitors nor turn them away. - Billings Gazette
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Monastic institutes and customs...
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If it is God's will, I'm sure everything will go according to plan.  I'm not sure Father's defense is accurate however:  "According to monasticism, we have to stick to our architecture."  I never heard of that rule.  Perhaps he was misquoted.
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As for accepting visitors, that would be in keeping with monastic custom.  I did visit the hermitage where Fr. Daniel resided when he lived in Minnesota.  I stopped by to introduce the Postulator for the cause of Ven. Matt Talbot to the Fr. Prior, only to learn he was away preaching a retreat at the time.  It was a blistering hot summer day, just over 100 degrees.  Fr. Postulator was elderly and frail and yet Fr. Daniel never offered hospitality, not an invitation to get out of the sun and come in to the community house, a visit to the chapel, or even a drink of water.
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It is my understanding the monks in Wyoming live much like the Discalced Carmelite nuns and keep very strict enclosure.
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May God give success to the work of their hands.

The age of consent.

Britain's leading gay activist calls for lowering of the age of consent.
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How convenient.  The age of consent is there to protect young people from sexual predators, not to restrict young people's freedoms.  However, "Peter Tatchell, founder of the group OutRage!, wrote on the website Big Think, 'Whether we like it or not, many teenagers have their first sexual experience around the ages of 14 or 15.  If we want to protect young people, and I do, the best way to do this is not by threatening them with arrest, but by giving them frank, high quality sex and relationship education from an early age.'"
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Huh?  Have there been mass arrests of teens in the UK for engaging in sex?  Are British jails teeming with horny teenagers?  I don't think so.  What a screwed up argument Tatchell presents here.  Like I said - age of consent laws are there to protect kids from predators and sex-ploitation by adults - it's the adults who get arrested in sex with a minor cases.
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This is one more piece of evidence from a homosexual activist that gay men, homosexual men, sometimes prefer chicken.  And yet they like to claim sexual abuse of children is always a pedophilia problem - and never homosexual...  and that the Catholic Church is an institutional predator unwilling to protect children.
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How freaking queer.
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Tatchell's OutRage! has long lobbied for the lowering of the age of consent in Britain, which was already lowered for homosexual acts from age 21 in 1994 and again in 2000 to 16, after heavy lobbying by homosexualist activists. - LifesiteNews
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H/T Tancred at Eponymous
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Photo: Boys Beware, 1961.  Film released through Sid Davis Productions. It deals with a perceived danger to young boys: that of predatory homosexuals.

Painting.

I gessoed over the canvas I was working on - I hated it - so I painted it out with black gesso.  It is like a Rothko now.  I get him.
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Art: Mark Rothko, No. 6(?), 1964 [Black-Form Paintings]

Larry

More on "Real Monks".

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The angelic life...
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I take it back - 'real' monks are springing up all over the world - the amazing video shown above is about the Carmelite monks who make the coffee in Wyoming.  (Unfortunately there is no sound)  The prior of the Wyoming group started out in our diocese with a group of Carmelite hermits in Lake Elmo, a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota.  Both hermitages have ambitious plans for a monastic complex not unlike what one would see in Europe.  Both began from nothing, by young - inexperienced men, who desired authentic monastic life.  The growth of the Wyoming Carmelites attests to their authenticity.
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Likewise, little groups of hermits and anchorites have formed around the country - Fr. John Mary's little group, The Institute of St. Joseph is another example of the revival of authentic monastic life. 
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Elsewhere traditionalists have formed deeply observant communities, such as the Benedictine's Pablo informed me about yesterday. 
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This renewal has silently taken shape outside the confines of the established abbeys and monasteries of reformed groups of monks such as Trappists, Cistercians, Benedictines, Carmelites, and other groups who had been more creative as regards the recommendations of Vatican II.  While the other groups opened more to the world, often turning away vocations because they were too 'fervent', these new groups more or less formed out of nothing.  Much like the original founders and later reformers of the great orders began - seeking God alone.  It is a wonderful work of Divine Providence that these "inexperienced" though deeply fervent men, rejected the relative safety, security, and comfort of established-religious-institutional life, venturing forth in very real poverty mind you,  into the wilderness, to seek God alone in the monastic life.  I believe this is what Vatican II meant when it invited religious to return to the original charism of their founders and reformers. 
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I'm convinced these little groups are the actual signs of the 'new springtime' JPII always pointed to - they sprouted without most of us even knowing about it, and if we did, the more jaded amongst us may have thought they'd never last.  God is good.

"Expect things that are sudden."

I think I'm like Michael Brown.
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The headline from Spirit Daily, "Expect things that are sudden" attracted me today.  I had the exact same thoughts lately - "Golly Dr. Thorndyke, it's sure been quiet around the asylum lately, huh?"  Nothing big has happened - no big cataclysm - nothing - YET!  Da-ta-DAHHHHHHHHHHH!
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I know I disparage apparition claims and seers who have gardens popping out of their bosoms for no explicable reason, yet I like to read about such things - guilty pleasures, I suppose.  Some of these revelations may be true after all.  Nevertheless, "expect things that are sudden" sounds more like a general horoscope reading than anything more than a hunch.  I expect things that are sudden all of the time, and nothing happens.
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Nevertheless, I'm with Michael - something is going to happen - suddenly.  Just watch.  (You think I'm kidding - but I'm not.  BTW - I have no special knowledge about this.  I just feel it.)