Blessed Miguel Pro

Today, November 23 is his feast day.  It seems to me he needs to be better known - he should have a larger cult in the United States - especially now when the Catholic Church and the priesthood is held in such contempt by secular/popular culture.  Blessed Miguel Pro has an entire website devoted to him here.
.
Prayer for the Intercession of Blessed Miguel Agustin Pro, S.J., Priest and Martyr


Loving Father, You have revealed your greatness through your saints.

The Christian faith which You have planted in your Church has been

made abundant and fruitful by the blood of Your martyrs.

May we imitate the life and example of your servant,

Blessed Miguel Agustin Pro. May we courageously proclaim

the Gospel in every aspect of our lives. May we serve You,

just as he did, in the poor and the oppressed. And like him, may

we stand for Justice and Equality towards building Your Kingdom

here on earth.

Grant, through his intercession, the grace I ask of you if it will be for my good.

(recite your intention).

And, in Your chosen time, may he be raised to the honors of Your altar

as one of our exemplary Saints.

Amen.

O Virgin of Guadalupe, our Mother and Queen,

Pray for us!

By Engr. Christian Allain P. Cerda
.
Art:  Image by T. Nelson

John Kennedy

President John F. Kennedy was assassinated on this date in 1963.
.
May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
.

Let the holidays begin!

Today is the anniversary of my dad's burial - he died in 1991.  The anniversary more or less confirms the holidays are here - despite the fact we have no snow.  (No - I don't know what that means either.)
.
On my planet, the holiday's really begin on Halloween - why?  Because I worked in retail and we began merchandising Christmas right after Halloween.  So I always get nostalgic - you see, my mother also died in the month of October - then of course my brother died in December - so their deaths spark memories and inspire drama, while tempering the Bacchanal party-spirit just enough to stay out of the hospital.  Although the holiday season can be like one big emotional tilt-a-whirl ride - it's fun.  Yeah, so I'm just saying - warning actually - that posts may be stranger than normal.
.
But I love the season in all of it's aspects.  No - I do not do anything for Thanksgiving - I hate Thanksgiving - gosh! 
.
I'm okay!  I'm okay!
.
So anyway, readers can look forward to my grim fairy tales in the coming month before Christmas.  With my gift and craft ideas.  I will have suggestions for parties and how to start family fights wherein you still come off as 'charitable' and 'deeply concerned'.  And I will regale you with crazy but funny family stories - much in the spirit of that wonderful Christmas film, "It's A Horrible Life!"...  "Every time a siren rings, dad goes to jail again!"
.
I'm all verklempft now.
.
Don't get me wrong - I love the holidays - whatever that means.  Oh - I know, little squirrels and birds and rabbits and deer decorating that teeny-weeny fir tree in the empty lot where the K-mart was just torn down.  Now that's an Xmas card.
.
Happy Holidays!  Gotta love 'em!  (Do NOT drive drunk.)
.
Art: Death in the Rohan Hours

Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, November 21

I guarantee you that very few modern Catholics in the U.S. even know what this feast day means, much less that it exists.  Click here to learn the traditional significance of the feast.
.
Art: Source

Yay! Cathy of Alexandria got her job!

She's all busy getting her clothes ready - to look professional and fashionable... you know.

Out of Africa

The Christian resistance to Western Cultural Imperialism.
.
"Africa must protect itself from the contamination of intellectual cynicism in the West.  It is our pastoral responsibility to enlighten African consciences about the threats of this lethal ideology."  - Archbishop Sarah, Secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. 
.
The Archbishop issued this warning during the African Synod in Rome last month.  Thankfully the African Bishops are keenly aware  of the new Western cultural imperialism which demands conversion to insidious ideological conditions.  Recall how contemporary historians condemn earlier eras of Christian missionary activity in similar terms, yet today liberal Western influence and Government agencies demand acceptance of new ideologies in exchange for humanitarian aid and support.  It is the new liberal dogmatism, the "dictatorship of relativism", as Pope Benedict has said.
.
"Gender theory", said Archbishop Sarah, "puts pressure on the legislator to write laws favorable to universal access to ... contraceptive and abortion services ... as well as homosexuality" as part of the concept of "reproductive health.  It places the "right to choose" as the "supreme value of this new ethic" in which "homosexuality becomes a culturally acceptable choice and access to this choice must be promoted." - Source 
.
Archbishop Sarah was speaking explicitly to the anti-Christian ideology of gender theory and sexual fluidity which is currently being propagated - imposed - by Western culture.  He wasn't a lone voice at the Synod by any means:  "One of the major themes of the Synod has been the denunciation of Western anti-life and anti-family programs as a new form of colonialism and "cultural imperialism" from the West, which is trying to impose a set of alien values onto African society." - Source
.
Another Archbishop, in an interview with NCR, explained that "the problem is very real, suggesting that Western organizations are purposely undermining traditional African values. Asked, "Is there really a Western campaign to corrupt African values?" Archbishop Palmer-Buckle replied, "We don't only suspect that there is a campaign, we think it's deliberate."
.
Foreign groups, said the archbishop, are not only trying to influence governments, "but they're out there corrupting the young.  I know of NGOs that are not only supplying condoms, they're also supplying lubricants for boys who want to engage in homosexual relations.  I know of NGOs that are not only supplying condoms, they're also supplying lubricants for boys who want to engage in homosexual relations."
.
Archbishop Palmer-Buckle said that "serious advocacy" was needed to oust these agendas. "We need to target those NGOs and those particular individuals, and tell whoever brought them in there that they're persona non grata." - Source
.
Is it any wonder that African nations would be on the defensive against such incursions upon the very moral foundation of society and the common good?
.
Art:  Icon of Ugandan Martyrs.

Questions...

Please.
.
Does anyone know where I can find better photos of this chapel online?   What is the name of the chapel?  And who did the fresco?  I am very grateful for any information from anyone. 
.
Thanks.

Homosexualist lies and deception

"Through them, the true way will be made subject to contempt." - 2 Peter 2:2
.
Homosexual activists love to accuse the Catholic Church of lies and deception when it comes to Catholic  teaching on homosexuality and so-called same sex marriage.  I just read a gay activist's blog post wherein he accuses the hierarchy of the Catholic Church as being a bunch of liars on this subject.  Unfortunately, such activist's deceive themselves and propagate all sorts of lies regarding the history of same sex relationships in the early Church.  Principal heroes to their cause are two soldier saints, Sergius and Bacchus, martyrs whose history is at best obscure and may be confused with other famous companion martyrs.  The cult of St. Sergius developed around his burial place in Syria, which became a source of pilgrimage.  St. Sergius' companion, St. Bacchus came to be associated with his cult, as early icons attest.
.
The two martyrs were high ranking officers in the Roman Army under Maximian.  They were martyred for refusing to partake in a temple ceremony for the military.  Their Acts relate how the saints were humiliated by being dressed as women and paraded through the streets to their torture and death.  Traditional legend contends they were close friends and companions.
.
"In the last days there will be imposters living by their godless passions."  - Jude 18
.
Sadly, modern revisionist scholarship, has attempted to prove their friendship was homosexual and romantic.  That is untrue.  Their friendship was Christocentric, their humiliation in martyrdom was an attempt to shame and discredit their manliness, courage and integrity.  Unfortunately, homosexualists twist these stories to suit their agenda, and through repetition, deceive people into accepting their unverifiable interpretation of ancient hagiography.  A similar situation exists with the gay cult surrounding St. Sebastian, which is based entirely upon iconography which depicts the saint as a nearly nude, handsome young man, often in a rather provocative pose suggesting bondage to modern, eroticized eyes.
.
While researching this subject I came across this comment regarding the platonic same sex friendship of St.s Sergius and Bacchus - I would have written the same thing here had I not read this first:
.
The use, or may I say abuse, of the example of Saints Sergius and Bacchus has been a propaganda tool of the Gay Movement in many churches that acknowledge or know about the early saints. The fact is, as we know, what we call “gay” in the current sense, never had currency in ancient times, not even in Greco-Roman culture.
.
There are many examples from early Christian times until today of two same sex individuals who had given up thought of marriage and decided to live and work together, either as monastics in seclusion or as missionary partners. Most of these, I believe, were male, but only because their stories have come down to us due to their exploits. Females living this way often lived lives of quiet charity unseen by the world, even by the church. To assert that any of these pairs (remember, Christ sent them out two by two, and such has been the way in Christian missionary work ever since) were living in anything even remotely like the modern “gay” lifestyle, is not only wishful thinking and gross anachronism, but disrespectful of the ancients concerned.
.
In the Desert Fathers, there is a story of a perverted monk who came to complain to one of the abbas, that a couple of monastics, living together, were “of evil life,” that is a euphemism for living in a homosexual lifestyle. The old man had the two men come and stay with him awhile, watching them, seeing how after the customary prayers they lay down side by side on their mats, and he did this for many days. He determined that there was no substance to the accusation, and it turned out that the accuser was himself guilty of the offense. It goes without saying that those who attempt to smear the paired saints of antiquity are like this perverted monk accuser. - Romanos
.
"These people, however, not only revile what they have no knowledge of but are corrupted through the very things they know by instinct, like brute animals." - Jude 10
.
 Art:  St.s Sergius and Bacchus, 13th century Crusader icon, St. Catherine's, Sinai  

Quote of the Day

"Questions that are moral before they become political, remain moral questions after they become political." - Cardinal George

Santa Isabel de Hungria

Co-patroness of the Third Order of St. Francis with St. Louis, King of France. St. Elizabeth's feast day is November 17.  Her story here. 
.
(Happy feast day Betty.)
.
Art:  Artist unknown.

Sarah Palin on Oprah

Alaskan whine.
.
The woman makes no sense - Sarah Palin I mean - we already know Oprah's deal... 
.
Palin's memoir, Going Rogue promises to be about as riveting as Vana Speaks.

S. Giuseppe Moscati

Third Order Franciscan, Physician.
.
St. Joseph Moscati was from Benevento in Southern Italy, where most of my friends ancestors came from.  He is noted as the first canonized saint doctor of modern times.  He has been on my list of personal patrons due to the fact he was a single man, living a holy life in the world, faithful to prayer, a daily communicant, and an excellent professional, devoted to the duties of his state in life.  The Franciscan charism acted as a glorious frame surrounding the beauty of his soul; it not only framed his spirituality but became its support.
.
"Working in Naples, St. Joseph understood the need to bring Christ into his daily work. Christ was intimately linked to his calling as a doctor. To quote him:
.
"Remember that you have to deal not only with the bodies but also with the moaning souls coming to you. How many suffering people you will more easily soothe by advising and going straight to their souls, instead of giving good prescriptions to be given to the chemist! Be joyful because great will be your reward; but you will have to set a good example of your elevation to God."
.
There are a number of stories of Dr. Moscati paying close attention to the state of his patient's soul as well as his body, sometimes even bringing the patient back to the sacraments. The Catholic understanding of body and soul clearly informed his understanding of illness and medicine. He saw Confession and Communion as the "first medicine". To help the poor, St. Moscati often donated his medical services or paid for his patients' prescriptions." - CNN
.
St. Joseph's example brings to mind our courageous contemporary physicians, who out of concern for souls, stand against the culture of death, and in particular the politically correct popular-culture which condones and/or ecncourages contraception, abortion, abuses in biotechnology, as well as gender identity and homosexual disorders.  May St. Joseph Moscati pray for those doctors who face such hostile opposition from their contemporaries.
.
Prayer to St.Joseph Moscati

.
"Dear St Joseph Moscati, true model of Christian doctors, in the exercise of your medical profession, you always took care of both the body and soul of every patient.
.
Look on us, who have recourse to your heavenly intercession, and obtain for us both physical and spiritual health, and a share in the dispensation of heavenly favours.
.
Soothe the pains of our suffering people; give comfort to the sick, consolation to the afflicted and hope to the despondent.
.
May our young people find in you an ideal, our workers an example, the aging a comfort, the dying the hope of eternal salvation.
.
To all of us be a pattern of industriousness, honesty and charity; so we may comply with our Christian duties and glorify God our Father."

Amen.
.
November 16 is St. Joseph's feast day.
.
Links:
More on The Life of St. Joseph Moscati
First Modern Medical Doctor Canonized.

I love this guy!

Missing Mass on Sunday - it isn't that bad, is it?

"Emphasis should be placed upon grace, not obligation."
.
"Say something nice" and don't be so intolerant and make people think they have to do anything they don't want to do... that's kinda, sorta the impression I got from the article, Mass on Sunday:  Obligation or opportunity? by Fr. Richard Benson, C.M..  "For us to use the language of "obligation" and "duty" is to minimize the Eucharist, to miss its very centrality."  Then the author goes on to write a small pamphlet explaining why that is so, even though the Catechism states very clearly and succinctly:
.
2180  The precept of the Church specifies the law of the Lord more precisely: "On Sundays and other holy days of obligation the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass." 117  "The precept of participating in the Mass is satisfied by assistance at a Mass which is celebrated anywhere in a Catholic rite either on the holy day or the evening of the preceding day." 118  - CCC
.
Don't tell anyone, but the real reason missing Mass on Sunday is a grave sin is explained in the following paragraphs of the CCC:
.
2181  The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice.  For this reason the faithful are obliged...
.
2182   Participation in the communal celebration of the Sunday Eucharist is a testimony of belonging and of being faithful to Christ and his Church.  The faithful give witness by this to their communion in faith and charity.  Together they testify to God's holiness and their hope of salvation.  They strengthen (edify) one another under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  CCC
.
"...stuck at the immature level of a morality of obligation."

.
Fr. Benson's article addresses the concern of a woman in RCIA - a neophyte - someone coming into the Church.  He takes what the CCC says and lays on another requirement:
.
Nevertheless, it would seem that the Catechism answers Janice's question very clearly: to deliberately miss Mass is to commit a grave sin. When a sin entails grave matter and is done deliberately and with knowledge, then it is indeed a mortal sin.  This however, should not be the end of Janice's inquiry but the beginning. - Source
.
Although the priest cites pertinent passages from the CCC, rather than teach clearly and simply what the Church teaches, Benson goes on and on about feeings stuff and exceptions to the rules and idealized dispositions and attitudes and understandings - feelings.  Hugs.  Niceties.  All nicely woven together with theological references and early Church praxis.  I contend he confuses the neophyte and the reader on an otherwise simple subject - as I'm sure many RCIA classes do as well.  He invites Janice (the RCIA student) to somehow act as an arbitrer of conscience in determining if her husband and inlaws are sinning when they neglect Mass.  When in fact, all Janice was seeking was a clarification as to whether or not it is still a mortal sin to miss Mass on Sudays and days of obligation.
.
"Nevertheless, it would seem that the Catechism answers Janice's question very clearly... "
.
Seem?  Yeah - it did father.  Additionally, Fr. Benson never really states the necessity of confession before approaching Holy Communion (in the case of those who miss Mass deliberately or conscious of grave sin), while giving the impression that the point of the Mass or communal Celebration of the Eucharist is sacramental Communion by all in attendence.  Father refers to a mature Catholic attitude despite the notion he is speaking to a neophyte, whose Catholic inlaws clearly lack a sense of devotion, or sensum fidei, and most likey need a great deal of spiritual help as well - something a good confession could jump start.  Ironically, he suggests Janice evangelize her family even though she is having trouble assimilating clear teaching and doctrine.
.
Fr. Richard Benson's article misses. 
.
But it is nice... and I'm sure he is too.
.
Say something nice Gracie.
.
H/T PewsittersNews
.
Photo:  Excuse #1) "Missing Mass on Sunday because Father is gay?"
                              "No, not good enough.  Next!"
Photo source.

Obama 'boweled' over... again

Begging for a caption call!
.
"Obama gives new meaning to the phrase, 'Ass to the moon'."
.
"Pantywaist"
.
"How do you do Mr. Obsequious."
.
Seriously - is this proper protocol?  Should a sitting President of a sovereign nation bow to another country's royalty?  I would think shoulders straight at attention, a professional handshake and a slight nod would be the right way of doing things.  Does anyone know the protocol on this?  Or was this just a private visit and goodwill photo op - unlike his meeting with the Saudi King, wherein he half genuflected as well?

Say something nice about a priest meme.

Cathy tagged me for this meme.  This strikes me as a woman's thing - memes.  Especially in this case, the person tagged is supposed to say something nice about a priest.  To deliberately sit down and write something nice just strikes me as something too sentimental - I originally said schmaltzy.  I can't really do that. 
.
I know a lot of priests - really good priests - not always faithful - but always good.  What can I say? 
.
I am friends with some priests - although I've probably managed to offend most of them.  To pick just one priest to say something nice about him is next to impossible for me - and entirely inappropriate - they are just guys.  Although pressed, what do I love most about these guys?  That they are indeed other Christs - they have acted in persona Christi for me, time and time again.  Even in the middle of the night some have heard my confession and absolved me of sin.  At times, they gave me the Eucharist when I was even less than unworthy to receive Him.  I love priests and have the deepest respect for them, but to single one guy out and say something nice?  Not my thing.  Now if the meme asked that we write about a priest we most admire, that might be different.  "Nice" isn't my thing.
.
That said, there is one guy I could say a lot about, but he's dead.  Fr. Darin Didier.  A most holy priest... read about him here.
.
I'm not going to tag anyone for this.
.
Photo:  Fr. Didier

Locution, locution, locution.

Leading astray even the elect - if that were possible.
.
The Bishop of Cleveland, Richard Lennon issued an official Decree ruling the alleged apparitions to Maureen Sweeny Kyle are not supernatural in origin, while forbidding clergy to celebrate the sacraments on the site of Holy Love Ministries, as well as declaring the associated confraternity not an approved association of the faithful and may not legitimately use the name Catholic or represent itself as a Catholic group. - Document
.
These events have gone on since the 1980's.  I tend to think the apparitions at Medjugorje sparked a flood of spurious visions, locutions, signs and wonders elsewhere in the world, and especially in the U.S..  Medj attracted charismatics who up until then lacked a solid Marian dimension to their piety.  In other words, the charismatic movement was marked and influenced by a great deal of Protestant characteristics. 
.
I've heard many a liturgist say some of the liturgical innovations (abuses) we see today developed with children and youth Masses.  I disagree, I think the Charismatic Renewal was the source of most of the novelties introduced into the liturgy - and they were accepted because of the obvious fervor and devotion of the charismatics.  The popularity of communal Masses with the people literally gathered around the altar gained favor within the Charismatic movement, along with a more casual approach to Communion and the sacraments; holding hands, the inclusion of Protestant hymns and contemporary-light-rock-folk songs, and of course the unintelligible gift of tongues.  In the early to mid 1970's prophetic utterances of persecution and dark times emerged, which dove-tailed nicely with the ecumenical Madonna of Medjugorje messages.
.
This grass roots 'new Pentecost' influenced the Church in the United States profoundly - it is what you see.  Obviously, the inclusion of a proper Mariology gave the movement a sure sign of orthodoxy in a post-Fatima, post-Traditionalist Church.  Not only were sons and daughters prophesying in tongues no one could understand, they were having visions and hearing locutions from God the Father, Jesus, and most popularly, Our Lady.  Even in my Archdiocese, we have a locutionist,  'Little Mary'  - although I believe she has been formally dis-approved as well.  Curiously, she is a humble housewife much like the Cleveland lady.
.
The worst thing about these parallel spiritualities, novel faith communities and cults, is that they give rise to doubt and confusion, especially regarding the competence of the ecclesial authorities: namely the local Bishop's authority to teach and rule on the authenticity of the supernatural character of the phenomena and messages.  This leads to a lack of confidence in the hierarchical structure of the Church as well as outright disobedience, a failure to think with the Church  - or disunity, and ultimately a lessening of authentic faith.  So much evil can result, leading believers and followers into vain presumption, self opinion and exaggerated self esteem.  Delusions can increase to the point one mistakes the natural for the supernatural, and the devil is able to deceive these subjects much more easily. 
.
"Some spiritual persons convince themselves that their curiosity to know of certain things through supernatural means is good because God sometimes answers these petitions.  They think this conduct is good and pleasing to God because he responds to their urgent request.  Yet the truth is that, regardless of God's reply, such behavior is neither good nor pleasing to God.  Rather he is displeased; not only displeased but frequently angered and deeply offended." - Ascent Bk II, Chp 21: God's displeasure at the quest for revelations and locutions...
.
Photo:  From the website Holy Love Ministry - the page with various ecclesial endorsements.  I know!

Best Holiday Ad 2009 - so far.

Gap is back!
.
The Gap Christmas TV ad.  So far, the best Holiday ad for target market I've seen so far this season.

Giving credit where credit is due.

Courtesy

.

Once I used a Spanish artist's work without permission, although I posted proper attribution and linked to the site of origin, which in turn provided information on the artist, including contact info.  The artist was not at all pleased, simply because I never asked permission.  I was a little offended, but I understood that his art is his intellectual property.  I took the artwork down from my post and guaranteed him I would never link to him or reference his art again.  Ever.

.

I am not so protective of my own work, although I once noted that the Institute of Carmelite Studies used an icon I did of OL of Mt. Carmel with St.s Teresa and John for a booklet or catalog they printed a few years ago.  I never said anything, although I was a bit offended credit for the art work had not been attributed to me.  I figure if someone is going to appropriate another person's work for their own purposes, they at least should have the courtesy to acknowledge the source, if not the creator of the work.  Especially if they are solicitors and using the work for profit or financial support.

.

The art you use is part of your post just as much as any quote or material from another source that you link to.

.

Many people depend good photography as well as fine art to illustrate their blog posts, albeit without any attribution whatsoever - often times failing to provide even a simple title of the work.  I have learned to at least identify the art I use and try to link to the source whenever I can.  The only exception may be photos I sometimes re-work in paint, those in public domain, or those whose source I want to keep private for future use.  I do not always identify works of art that are self-explanatory, easily recognizable and part of public domain - which includes well known master works, photos of entertainment personalities, generic images of popular culture, marketing, and so on.

.

Anyway - the above painting - now used with permission - Mosh 1 is by Dan Witz, an artist whose work I admire, but whose name I never knew until today.

.

Link:

Dan Witz - Street Art

Obama's new opaque era of transparent government...

CDC ignoring FOIA mandate to  “restore the public’s ability to access information in a timely manner.”
.
Sharyl Attkisson wrote an interesting report concerning her inability to retrieve timely information regarding why the CDC issued instructions to stop testing for the Novel H1N1 flu virus.  On behalf of CBS News, Attkisson "made a simple request of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for public documents, e-mails and other materials CDC used to communicate to states the decision to stop testing individual cases of Novel H1N1, or “swine flu.” When the public affairs folks at CDC refused to produce the documents and quit responding to my queries altogether, I filed a formal Freedom of Information (FOI) request for the materials. Members of the news media are entitled to expedited access, which I requested, since this was for a pending news report and on an issue of public health and interest." - Source


I find it odd this story is not more prominent on network news, but rather on a CBS blog.  Perhaps it is covered in the newspapers, I don't know.  But it seems to tie in well with other reports found on more conservative websites - that something is veddy, veddy wrong with the entire pandemic diagnosis, as well as the novel vaccine to protect the public against it.
.
Links:
.
Baxter admits contamination
Million now infected in Ukraine
.
Photo:  (No - it's not Sr. Regina!)  Sr. Teresa Forcades - (No - it's not really Sr. Forcades either!) - Anyway - remember the Spanish physician-nun who blew the whistle on WHO and Baxter pharmaceutical in Europe?  Sister is currently discredited because of alleged pro-choice sympathies.  I know!  Story here.
.

I don't know.

I'm just not sure - are their habits ripped and torn?
.
I don't really know.
.
Our Lady of Victory Missionary Sisters from Huntington, Ind.

Cat Fight

CATFIGHT!

Veterans Day

The difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day
.
Memorial Day honors servicemembers who died in service to their country or as a result of injuries incurred during battle. Deceased veterans are also remembered on Veterans Day but the day is set aside to thank and honor living veterans who served honorably in the military - in wartime or peacetime.
.
Armistice to Veterans Day
.

In 1954, after having been through both World War II and the Korean War, the 83rd U.S. Congress -- at the urging of the veterans service organizations -- amended the Act of 1938 by striking out the word "Armistice" and inserting the word "Veterans." With the approval of this legislation on June 1, 1954, Nov. 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars. - Source
.
On this day, it seems to me that everyone in the United States ought to stop to honor, to thank, and to pray for our military men and women, the living and the dead, active or retired.  We especially must see to the care of those returning from war, the sound and the wounded.  They fought for us and served our country, therefore our country owes them a living, as it were:  Support and proper medical and psychiatric care - including all forms of rehabilitative and restorative care they may require.
.

St. Martin of Tours, pray for us. 
.
While Martin was still a soldier at Amiens he experienced the vision that became the most-repeated story about his life. He was at the gates of the city of Amiens with his soldiers when he met a scantily dressed beggar. He impulsively cut his own military cloak in half and shared it with the beggar. That night he dreamed of Jesus wearing the half-cloak Martin had given away. He heard Jesus say to the angels: "Here is Martin, the Roman soldier who is not baptised; he has clad me." (Sulpicius, ch 2). - Source
.
Today I like to imagine the beggar to whom Martin gave his cloak may have been a poor, uncared for veteran.  Of course this does not take away from the fact that St. Martin's act of charity was done for Christ himself.  As the Saint's dream points out, and today's Communion antiphon affirms, "I tell you, anything you did for the least of my brothers, you did for me, says the Lord." (Mt 25:40)
.
Art: St. Martin of Tours  Photo: Unknown soldiers near Abu Graib

No respecter of persons...

Dear Congressman Kennedy
.
Bishop Tobin, exercising his pastoral duties, extending a fatherly rebuke to Patrick Kennedy, writes:
.
Your letter also says that your faith “acknowledges the existence of an imperfect humanity.” Absolutely true. But in confronting your rejection of the Church’s teaching, we’re not dealing just with “an imperfect humanity” – as we do when we wrestle with sins such as anger, pride, greed, impurity or dishonesty. We all struggle with those things, and often fail.
.
Your rejection of the Church’s teaching on abortion falls into a different category – it’s a deliberate and obstinate act of the will; a conscious decision that you’ve re-affirmed on many occasions. Sorry, you can’t chalk it up to an “imperfect humanity.” Your position is unacceptable to the Church and scandalous to many of our members. It absolutely diminishes your communion with the Church.
.
Congressman Kennedy, I write these words not to embarrass you or to judge the state of your conscience or soul. That’s ultimately between you and God. But your description of your relationship with the Church is now a matter of public record, and it needs to be challenged. I invite you, as your bishop and brother in Christ, to enter into a sincere process of discernment, conversion and repentance. It’s not too late for you to repair your relationship with the Church, redeem your public image, and emerge as an authentic “profile in courage,” especially by defending the sanctity of human life for all people, including unborn children. And if I can ever be of assistance as you travel the road of faith, I would be honored and happy to do so.

.
Sincerely yours,
.
Thomas J. Tobin
Bishop of Providence - Rhode Island Catholic
.
.
Praise God for our good and courageous bishops.  Pray for our bishops and priests.

The Rosary

The weapon of choice for the contemporary Crusader knight of Our Lady.
.
"Thou art beautiful and comely, O daughter of Jerusalem:  terrible as an army set in battle array." - Antiphon, LOBVM
.
Art: St. Dominic and OL of the Rosary

More on the traitorous Fort Hood Gunman

Major Nidal Malik Hasan, the gunman who killed 13 at America's Fort Hood military base, once gave a lecture to other doctors in which he said non-believers should be beheaded and have boiling oil poured down their throats.
.
The fanatic also told colleagues at America's top military hospital that non-Muslims were infidels condemned to hell who should be set on fire. The outburst came during an hour-long talk Hasan, an Army psychiatrist, gave on the Koran in front of dozens of other doctors at Walter Reed Army Medical Centre in Washington DC, where he worked for six years before arriving at Fort Hood in July.
.
One Army doctor who knew him said a fear of appearing discriminatory against a Muslim soldier had stopped fellow officers from filing formal complaints. - Source
.
Traitors amongst us...
.
US officials were aware months ago that Fort Hood jihadist was trying to contact Al-Qaeda.
.
Muslims in New York celebrate the deaths of Americans in the Fort Hood jihad.
.
I chose the image of St. James (Santiago), who is credited with miraculously driving out the Moors from Spain, to indicate that what we are involved in - like it or not - is indeed a Holy War - similar to every other onslaught of Islam against Western Civilization and Christianity.  Only this time Western Civilization has indiscriminately welcomed them in.
.

In and Out: Howard Dances

San Francisco, Calif., Nov 6 (CNA).- Pennsylvania Catholic priest Fr. Larry Richards, aiming to clear up “gender confusion” and to challenge men to pursue holiness, has released a new book titled Be A Man: Become the Man God Created You to Be.
.
“Read the book. Accomplish the tasks at the end of each chapter, no matter how hard or how “hokey” you may think them to be,” Fr. Richards urged. “I guarantee that if a man commits himself to each task and challenge, in the end his life will be changed forever!”
.
Read the rest here: http://calcatholic.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?id=cdfa5866-58f1-468e-8302-86f654524c08

Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan - the only one?

Call me crazy, but what if there are others?
.
What if the FBI, Military Intelligence, or Homeland Security know of others - in the military, or driving a cab in Manhattan - and haven't told one another or us.  Or what if some U.S. intelligence agency gave them a free pass so as not to be perceived as politically incorrect or racist - you know, so as not to discriminate against Muslims?  After all, the U.S. knew of Hasan's ties to a radical cleric.
.
There have to be others out there, doncha think?

Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

"Brothers and sisters:  You are God's building." 2nd reading, Romans 3
.
Today the Church celebrates the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica.  I always associate this feast with the memorial (November 8) of Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity.  Not so much due to the fact her celebration precedes today's,  but because - to my mind at any rate - the Carmelite mystic interiorizes an aspect of the meaning and significance of today's feast for the baptized Catholic.  Nevertheless, it is difficult for me to explain how that is or what I mean by that.
.
Blessed Elizabeth possessed marvelous awareness that she was the temple of the Most Holy Trinity - as is every baptized person - her entire doctrine is based upon the consciousness of this reality.  It seems to me in this recollection is contemplation  of the most sublime truth in charity, albeit darkly, as in a mirror.  The physical edifice of the Church reflects this reality, while the saints demonstrate it.
.
"If I want my interior city to have some similarity and likeness to that 'of the King of eternal ages' and to receive this great illumination from God, I must extinguish every other light and, as in the holy city, the Lamb must be 'its only light.' - Bl. Elizabeth of the Trinity
.
"No one can lay a foundation other than the one that is there, namely Jesus Christ." - Romans 3
.
The readings from today's liturgy define these mysteries for me - but I don't know how to express it or talk about it.  It is like knowing without knowing - it is a great joy - which makes me think immediately of the Blessed Virgin, who is a sign of the Church... and where Our Lady is, there is always joy.
.
"[The angel] led me outside by the north gate, and around to the outer gate facing east, where I saw water trickling from the southern side [of the temple]." - 1st reading, Ezekiel 47
.
Shortly after my conversion in 1972, I had a dream of brilliantly colored angels - each a different species - constructing a massive church, lifting great stones as if they were dust, flying upwards to enclose a particularly intricate Gothic window frame.  As they were setting the capstone someone told me I was being built into the temple of God.  Immediately I found myself  in a chapel.  Coming from the altar was a stream of water, alongside which were monks clothed in white, bowing profoundly at the Gloria.  I turned to a figure I perceived to be the priest and asked, "When does Mass (the sacrifice) begin?"  I never knew what the dream meant, but I think of it every year since - on this feast day.
.
I can't tell you what this feast means, all I can tell you is what it does for me, as the responsorial psalm proclaims:
.
"The waters of the river gladden the city of God, the holy dwelling of the Most High!" - Ps. 46

Seinfeld - Kramer (the Merv Griffin set)

Good night Gracie.

Thinking with the Church.

Something so counter cultural...
.
Sometimes - well maybe often times these days - we encounter Catholic people, parish communities, men and women religious, entire religious communities, groups and organizations who disagree with the teachings of the Catholic Church on faith and morals, hierarchical structure, and so on.  We all know this - especially bloggers - why else would we blog?  I suppose a good example of such people would be the LCRW (Leaders Conference of Women Religious) whose congregations are the subject of a Vatican inquiry.  I read in another blogger's comment box a suggestion men's religious groups should also be investigated as well.  Whatever the case, the need to ensure that groups representing the Church think and speak with the Church is vitally important.  Why?  Because it is a matter of the salvation of souls.
.
The Rules
.
The best tradition on the origins of the rules (for thinking with the Church) says they were written either at Paris or in Italy (by St. Ignatius), perhaps fifteen years after the retreat at Manresa where the Exercises were first begun. Scholars have partly traced the Rules to a list of seven questions which Francis I, King of France, ordered in 1535 to serve as the basis for conferences between theologians at the University of Paris and German Protestant divines. The latter were asked, e.g., “Whether they are willing to confess that the Church militant founded by divine right, is unchangeable in faith and morals, and under our Lord Jesus Christ is headed by St. Peter and his successors down the centuries.” [1] However, no single document did any more than suggest the rules as they stand in the book of the Exercises. Their real cause was the Protestant Reformation, from whose errors Ignatius wished to spare the faithful sons of the Church and inspire them with an intelligent zeal for the conversion of those who had lost the true faith. According to their author, the Rules of Orthodoxy “should be observed to foster the true attitude of mind we ought to have in the Church Militant,” which, the earliest commentators explain, refers to all types of retreatants, but especially two classes of persons: those who live and work among non-Catholics, and those engaged in the active apostolate. In modern times, this means practically everyone, priests, religious and the laity in every walk of life.
.
The Church and Private Judgment
.
We must put aside all judgment of our own, and keep the mind ever ready and prompt to obey in all things the true Spouse of Christ our Lord, our holy Mother, the hierarchical Church.
.
In the first rule, St. Ignatius isolates the basic error of non-Catholic Christianity which claims that private judgment in doctrine and morals is according to the will of God. “You have been baptized and endowed with the true faith,” Luther told his followers, “therefore you are spiritual and able to judge of all things by the word of the Gospel, and you are not to be judged by any man. Say, “My faith is here a judge and may declare: This doctrine is true, but that is false and evil.” And the Pope and all his crew, nay, all men on earth must submit to that decision.” [2] It was against this pretension to autonomy that Ignatius strove so zealously, because better than most of his contemporaries he foresaw what a brood of evils this spirit of independence would generate in the western world.
.
Where the original Reformers were satisfied with proclaiming man’s freedom to interpret the Scriptures with no other guide than the Holy Spirit, their infidel disciples have since been emancipated even from a personal God. “If there were a God.” Writes Bertrand Russell, “I think it very unlikely He would have such an uneasy vanity as to be offended by those who doubt His existence.”
.
As a sane alternative to this mad subjectivism, Ignatius offers the objectivity of the Catholic faith which cannot err because it is founded on the word of God. Assuming that his listeners are Catholic, he urges them to cultivate a disposition of soul which makes the will prompt and the mind prepared to obey whatever the Church prescribes. The will must acquire an instinctive desire to submit to the Church’s authority and the mind should ever be ready to nourish the will with necessary motivation. Two motives are proposed: because the Church is the Spouse of Christ and because she is our Holy Mother. - Finish reading:  Fr. Hardon:  Norms of Catholic Orthodoxy
.
.
Never, ever allow yourself to be discouraged or deterred by self-opinionated detractors of the Church, the Holy Father, and the authentic Magisterium.  Thinking with the Church - it's a good thing.  "We must praise all the commandments of the Church, and be on the alert to find reasons for defending but never for criticizing them."
.
What should this mean to me as a Catholic? It assures me that because I have a certain position in the Church’s juridical structure; as layman or religious, priest or prelate, my obedience is not a vague submission to some undefined ecclesiocracy, but acceptance of the human agency placed above me as speaking with the voice of Christ. - Fr. Hardon
.
Art:  Conversion of St. Antony of Egypt

Pastoral care.

Post Halloween Mass.
.
Last evening Father invited all the little kids to wear their Halloween costumes to Mass because there would be a pizza party afterwards, and because he wanted to celebrate the Christian side of Halloween as well.  (I don't know - that's what he said.)  Last Saturday was Halloween of course, and I expect the little nippers would have been much too distracted and way too busy trick-or-treating to come dressed up or stay for a party.
.
It was very cute really.  All the little animals, super-heroes, princesses and witches processed in with Father and Deacon.  Then at collection time they all ran up front to put their money in the kid's collection box - OH!  And then!  And then - after Mass - but before the final blessing, they all assembled on the altar steps to a round of applause and photo op. 
.
I know!  I didn't get it either.

Normal, good people...

They really do exist.
.
I drove out to Stillwater, Minnesota yesterday to advise a friend on the set up of a gift shop within his bookstore.  He and another fellow own a rather prestigious antiquarian book-selling company, and at their separate facility which happens to be their theological bookstore, they want to begin selling fine Catholic gifts and art.  They are off to a good start - I'll write about the shop another day however.
.
What impressed me about these fellows, my friend in particular, is how solid and steady they are; in faith, in business, in family, in morals, and so on.  My friend is very well educated and learned, a devout Catholic, a husband and father of 3.  He is very well balanced and open, in fact I think he is one of the most humble, easy going guys I have ever met, as is his wife.  I could never begin to say enough good about them.  His business partner, staff and coworkers obviously respect him, as he surely does them, and everyone works together very well.  The business operates in an atmosphere of peace and joy and genuine good will.
.
I comment on this because such ordinary good lives appear to have become truly extraordinary in our day - at least in my experience.  Now that I am older and fortunate enough to capture a glimpse into the lives of people such as these folks, I'm able to appreciate what a normal, good life is:  The living out of God's will and purpose for His beloved, the fecundity and happiness of family life as it is meant to be, the mutual charity, friendship and fraternity between business associates, coworkers and employees, and so on.
.
This post may sound strange, but I didn't come from such a good, much less stable background.  For most of my life I wasn't ever certain what normal was, and believe it or not, I was kind of scared of it when I saw it.  Now that I'm older and less affected by trend and social expectations and fear of not fitting in, I have a deeper appreciation for what I once considered ordinary and uninteresting.  The new normals in contemporary culture has forced me to recognize the greatness of ordinary life - the real normal.  Indeed, I'm deeply edified and consoled such goodness prospers and continues to exist.
.
Now days I hope and pray even more for families, that they remain untainted and undisturbed by the contagion of the world's slow stain:  I pray for an increase of good, moral, faithful - especially Catholic - moms and dads and children.  These are the foundation of civilization, and must be defended, protected and supported.  The family is THE common good. 
.
Art:  Peter Paul Rubens - Holy Family With Saints

Bloggers.

"We're dealing with sick people here, you understand. Dangerously sick people!" - Nurse Diesel

The forgotten war in Afghanistan

The one the Soviets lost...
.
The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979, only to withdraw in defeat 10 years later - the war has often been called the Soviet's Vietnam.  If I remember correctly, the Soviet military suffered as much from low morale as they did from casualties during the conflict.
.
The unwinable 9 Year war.
.
"Between December 25, 1979 and February 15, 1989, a total of 620,000 soldiers served with the forces in Afghanistan.  There were 469,685 sick and wounded, of whom 53,753 or 11.44 percent, were wounded, injured, or sustained concussion and 415,932 (88.56 percent) fell sick. A high proportion of casualties were those who fell ill. This was because of local climatic and sanitary conditions, which were such that acute infections spread rapidly among the troops. There were 115,308 cases of infectious hepatitis, 31,080 of typhoid fever, and 140,665 of other diseases. Of the 11,654 who were discharged from the army after being wounded, maimed, or contracting serious diseases, 92 percent, or 10,751 men, were left disabled.
.
After the war ended, the Soviet Union published figures of dead Soviet soldiers: the total was 13,836 men, an average of 1,512 men a year. According to updated figures, the Soviet army lost 14,427, the KGB lost 576, with 28 people dead and missing. - Source
.
Casualty of war.
.
After watching news coverage of yesterday's tragic massacre at Fort Hood, Texas, I was reminded of the collapse of Soviet military morale during their unsuccessful war in Afghanistan.  As most people know, Major Nidal Malik Hasan shot and killed 12 fellow soldiers and injured at least another 30 on Thursday, November 5.  Although motives of of terrorism are hinted at today, I wonder if this attack could be less an act of aggression against U.S. policy, and more complicated than his personal unhappiness over being deployed to Iraq?  Might it be a sign that American military morale is getting dangerously low,  that our soldiers are being stretched too thin?  
.
Although Hasan was going to Iraq and not Afghanistan, there is the real possibility he could have switched his allegiance from supporting U.S. policy to fighting for the terrorists.  After all, why would he shout "Allahu Akbar!" before opening fire?  We may never find out for sure if he dies.  In the meantime, I will not be surprised if that becomes the official story, while the very serious issue of morale may get pushed to the back burner.  Hopefully we will find out the truth if the shooter survives his injuries.  (He is currently on a ventilator.)
.
Collateral damage.
.
Spontaneous interviews with civillian personnel and wives of soldiers associated with Ft. Hood suggest that domestic violence and smaller skirmishes between soldiers are not uncommon at the base (and other military bases).  I may be mistaken, but could this be an indicator of low morale amongst soldiers, as well as a precursor to greater violence, such as we witnessed yesterday?  BTW - Ft. Hood is surrounded by the town of Kileen, where a man shot and killed 23 people in 1991.
.
Whatever the case, we need to pray for our soldiers and their families, as well as support them - now and when they return as veterans too.  We can never forget the courageous men and women - the living and the dead - who serve our country.
.
Photo:  Soviet War Dead:  Afghanistan War monument in Donetsk.

What's so wrong with American nuns?

What's with the Visitation?
.
In a nutshell:
.
The official that initiated the Vatican's investigation of women religious in the United States admitted this week that the enquiry was fueled by concerns that American nuns had become overly secularized and influenced by feminism.

.
Cardinal Franc Rodé told Vatican Radio on Wednesday that his office decided to launch the investigation -- officially called an apostolic visitation -- after hearing "critical voices from the United States"  The cardinal, who is prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, indicated that "an important representative of the Church in the United States" was among the critics.

.
He said the representative -- whose identity was not revealed -- had "alerted" him "to some irregularities or deficiencies" in the way the religious sisters were living. "Above all, you could speak of a certain secularist mentality that has spread among these religious families, perhaps even a certain 'feminist' spirit," the cardinal said. - Whispers in the Loggia

.
Photo credits:  I don't know - but get this!   Adoro and Cathy are starting a Catholic feminist club modelled after Theology on Tap?  I know!
.
An excerpt from the annoucement:    "If you want hard-core REAL Catholic, AUTHENTIC feminism at its best, this is the club you've been waiting for. And it's going to need YOUR help to get it going...  This is about REAL hard-core theology, REAL issues in the Catholic world today, and REAL argument..."
.
.
Catfight!
.

H1N1 - conspiracy?

The vaccine - bioweapon?
.
This may not get much press except for blogs and a few conservative news sites:  Dr. Teresa Forcades is a Spanish Benedictine nun at the monastery of Sant-Benet, in Monserra-Barcelona. She is a doctor physician specializing in internal medicine, PHD in public health at Barcelona’s university, specializing in the USA at the State University of New York. She gives verifiable scientific data concerning the disturbing irregularities related to this subject of flu pandemic, the restructuring of criteria by WHO to proclaim a pandemic, and what that means to sovereign nations. The information is relevant to all countries, all people.  Click here to watch the video interview with Dr. Forcades.  (It is divided into segments and is quite long, so have patience.)
.
I have no idea what to make of this information... but what if?

.
Links:
Spanish Doctor reveals information about Swine Flu
The outbreak in Ukraine.
205,00 sick in Ukraine

.
Art:  Illumination - The Great Plague

Momento mori

The joy of being forgiven.
.
The Lion and the Cardinal is posting amazing images on death this month, be sure to visit.
.
Yesterday was my day of recollection and I was able to make my confession.  No matter how often I confess, I now try to do so as if it will be my very last confession - for me, it is a great help to making a good confession.  Imagining the prospect of death helps to rend one's garments as it were - to the point one stands totally naked before God, without excuse or defense except His saving grace and mercy - which rends the heart in loving contrition.
.
Art: Requiem Chasuble, Benedictine Abbey of Kremsmünster, made c1630.  Lion and the Cardinal 

Detail

Triptych of the Epiphany - Hieronymus Bosch
.
Some art historians have speculated the half-naked, effeminate figure sporting a crown resembling thorns, stealthily emerging from the stable, represents the Antichrist.  I think so too.
.
Reading some of the hate-filled, anti-Catholic rhetoric militant homosexualists are spewing in the wake of the Maine referendum defeating SS marriage,  a gay Antichrist does not seem too far fetched.  (Maine became the 31st state to vote down gay marriage.)

End of life costs...

DOA
.
I just had my will done by an attorney - the hourly fee for all of her work - which included a bit more than a simple will: $275.  I'm not complaining, believe me.  But providing for end of life expenses can add up.
.
Just like funerals - pre-planning has its advantages I'm sure, but I'm not there yet.  Although I would prefer to be cremated, which is permitted by the Church.  From what I understand, it appears one's body is required for the funeral Mass, and only afterwards may it be cremated, followed by a proper burial in a vault or the ground - and only then in a cemetery.  I have often wondered why however. 
.
Why does an intact body have to be preserved for the funeral Mass when the ashes are the complete remains anyway?  I've also wondered why one would have to go through all the expense to be embalmed and processed and packaged by a mortician to be ready for church.  After all, it's an added expense, not to mention a burden for the poor. 
.
I suppose I could allow my intact body to be buried if it didn't have to be embalmed, reviewed, or placed in a box or a concrete vault.  I'm fairly certain one doesn't have to be embalmed, but most people seem to be if they are to make a reviewable event out of their funeral.  And of course funeral directors have to sell coffins, or at least arrange the sale of a vault in the ground - for the remains or cremains, makes no difference in Minnesota.  It seems like insider trading to me - the funeral director, the mortician, the church, and the cemetery - all in cahoots...  I probably shouldn't suggest that though. 
.
I would prefer to be interred just like the monks of old - a shrouded body lowered into the ground.  Why do secular funerals have to be so elaborate and expensive?  Or do they?
.
Anyway, the Italian Bishops are coming up with new guidelines - although I doubt the funeral homes and morticians will be disappointed.  K'ching!   Church in Italy to issue clarification on cremation.
.
Oh well, something else I have to take care of.
.
Art:  Antoine Joseph Wiertz - The Premature Burial

Still Curious?