Military Archbishop Broglio: Do not repeal "Don't ask, don't tell".

I believe the Archbishop's appeal ought to be taken very seriously, but I'm afraid our representatives in Congress and the Senate will turn a deaf ear.  Especially if one takes into consideration Nancy Peolosi's latest mystical claims of following the Word, it is obvious she and most of the U.S. Government listen to a different god.  Obama has pretty much sold the farm (on the gay issues) already anyway.
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Despite all of that, in my opinion, Archbishop Broglio offers the best reasons to date why the policy should not be changed...
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The “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy barring open homosexuals from serving in the military should not be changed, the Archbishop of the Archdiocese for the Military Services said on Tuesday. Noting the need for strong rules against immoral activity, he said moral beliefs should not be sacrificed for “merely political considerations.”

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Archbishop Timothy Broglio, writing in a June 1 statement, reported that “a number” of chaplains and commanding officers have expressed concerns about the effects of a policy change. He said he also responded to a request from the Chiefs of Chaplains of the Armed Forces, voicing his “considerations and concerns” about proposed changes to legislation regarding servicemen and women with a homosexual orientation.
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“Catholic chaplains must show compassion for persons with a homosexual orientation, but can never condone—even silently—homosexual behavior,” he wrote, voicing concern that a change in policy might negatively affect the role of the chaplain in the pulpit, the classroom, the barracks and the office.

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He noted that Catholic chaplains cannot accept or bless same-sex unions and no restrictions on the teaching of Catholic morality can be accepted.
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The archbishop questioned whether the change would mean that homosexuals are authorized to engage in activities considered immoral by the Catholic Church and many other religious groups. He pointed out that morality has an effect on unit cohesion and overall morale. - CNA

Makes sense to me.

First Friday

Promises of Jesus for those who Practice Devotion to the Sacred Heart

1.I will give them all the graces necessary for their state of life.

2.I will give peace in their families.

3.I will console them in all their troubles.

4.They shall find in My Heart an assured refuge during life and especially at the hour of death.

5.I will pour abundant blessings on their undertakings.

6.Sinners shall find in My Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.

7.Tepid souls shall become fervent.

8.Fervent souls shall speedily rise to great perfection.

9.I will bless the homes in which the image of My Sacred Heart shall be exposed and honoured.

10.I will give to priests the power to touch the most hardened hearts.

11.Those who propagate this devotion shall have their name written in My Heart, and it shall never be effaced.

12.The all-powerful love of My Heart will grant to all those who shall receive Communion on the First Friday of nine consecutive months the grace of final repentance; they shall not die under my displeasure, nor without receiving their Sacraments; My Heart shall be their assured refuge at that last hour.

 “Oh, how sweet is death when one has had a tender devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ!” - St. Margaret Mary

"If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful..." - 2 Timothy 2

"Remind people of these things and charge them before God to stop disputing about words.  This serves no useful purpose since it harms those who listen.  Be eager to present yourself as acceptable to God, a workman who causes no disgrace, imparting the word of truth without deviation." - 2 Tim 2: 8-15 - Today's first reading at Mass.

Atta boy!

Carmelite Martyrs of Compiegne

A good friend asked me, "Why were they killed?"
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Some friends stopped by the other day and we sat in the garden and talked.  I had gone to their house for dinner a week ago last Sunday night.  I consider these men very good friends, despite the fact we have had disagreements in the past.  One of the fellows, currently enjoying an early retirement, was a big shot executive for a large national department store chain.  He is also an accomplished artist.  Very well educated and well read.  Both he and his partner, who is a social worker/counsellor have been 'long-time companions' for about 30 years.  Both are from the East Coast... "very nice, very sophisticated..." as Mrs. Dubcek would say. 
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I suppose the main source of our disagreements have come down to my faith and their rights.  Naturally, since the men are not religious, albeit they are kind of, sort of spiritual - they do not agree with Catholic teaching regarding homosexual behavior.  Perhaps it was my fault that they weren't aware of how deeply I do agree, and how seriously I take my faith.  Hence some of the conflict over the years.  Nevertheless we have many things in common and have remained friends, and gradually they came to respect my convictions and accepted me for who I am.  I have tried to do likewise.
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One by one.
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Interestingly enough , while I was over there with another friend, one of the fellows wanted to share with us an art book he acquired - his partner wouldn't let him - he said, "No, you are not showing that - we don't want to offend Terry."  I was deeply touched.
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Anyway, while they were here, the artist said he would like to paint Jacques Fesch, whose story intrigued him.  My friend is Jewish and will be moving to Paris for a year to perfect his French.  He wanted to know what makes a man like Fesch a saint.  Then he wanted to know why the Carmelite nuns were put to death in the Revolution.  I mentioned he is very well educated and well read, and of course he believes the Revolution was a good thing.  Anyway - I tried to explain as best I could without making it too pious.
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My point in telling all of this is threefold:  First, it is an introduction to the story of the Carmelite martyrs, in case my friend reads this.  Second, it is to remark on how the saints lovingly attract souls to Christ and  Christian perfection.  Third, it is to demonstrate how we can love those who disagree with our faith; 'one by one' - we have to love one another, one by one - not 'brick by brick'.  We cannot win souls by attacking, denouncing and condemning persons.
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The Carmelites.
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The French Revolution reveals the titanic struggle between good and evil. During the terror, over 40,000 Frenchmen were executed just for holding fast to the Catholic Faith and objecting to the worst excesses of the Committee of Public Safety. The blood lost in the years of 1792-1794 staggers the imagination even in the retelling and the campaign against the Church was as diabolical as it was cruel.
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Contemplative religious communities had been among the first targets of the fury of the French Revolution against the Catholic Church. Less than a year from May 1789 when the Revolution began with the meeting of the Estates-General, these communities had been required by law to disband. But many of them continued in being, in hiding. Among these were the community of the Carmelite nuns of Compiegne, in northeastern France not far from Paris - the fifty-third convent in France of the Carmelite sisters who followed the reform of St. Teresa of Avila, founded in 1641, noted throughout its history for fidelity and fervor. Their convent was raided in August 1790, all the property of the sisters was seized by the government, and they were forced to discard their habits and leave their house. They divided into four groups which found lodging in four different houses all near the same church in Compiegne, and for several years they were to a large extent able to continue their religious life in secret. But the intensified surveillance and searches of the “Great Terror” revealed their secret, and in June 1794 most of them were arrested and imprisoned.  - Read the rest here.

Jacques Fesch - what is so saintly about him?
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Jacques Fesch, a young French man, was a convicted murderer who was guillotined for his crime in 1957 at the age of twenty-seven. He killed a police officer while fleeing from the scene of an attempted armed robbery. He has left us a testimony in his letters, written while in prison, that can bring hope to even the most hardened of sinners. His letters show that he was successfully able to resist the terrible temptation of despair, and present a clear witness to the unconquerable strength of a God who is Love, and whose love no crime can overpower. The letters display a glowing testimony to the fact that Love is stronger than even the most horrible of deaths. On  the last night of his life, Jacques Fesch, wrote, "I wait in the night and in peace... I wait for Love." - Read more at: Murderer, Convert, Contemplative, Mystic

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So you see - we have to love one another, one by one.

"Have a carnal love for Christ."

The Sacred Heart of Jesus.

A novice master* once recommended that I have a carnal love for Christ - he said he was quoting St. Bernard of Clairvaux  I believe he was referencing Bernard's Treatise On the Love of God or his Commentary on the Song of Songs.  I think Father took the quote out of context, since Bernard discusses carnal love in a much different manner than what the monk was communicating to me.  I think I realized then, as I understand better today, that his idea of a carnal love would fit rather well with some of Chris West's confusing views on Theology of the Body.  One needs to be cautious when it comes to spiritual lust and spiritual directors who interpret mystical doctrines in a far too sensual manner.  In making use of the imagery contained within the Songs, Bernard always stressed the experiences were totally spiritual and produced by grace.  Referring to mystical union, the Saint writes: "Be careful to think of nothing corporal or sensible in this union of the Word with the soul. Let us call to mind here what the Apostle says: `He who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him' (I Cor. 6:17).
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One can witness the sensualization or sexualization, if you will, of the mystical experiences of St. Bernard in the manner by which they are sometimes depicted in art.  The images themselves are edifying and evocative of deep spirituality, ideally moving the soul to devotion, yet to the more sensual person, infected by contemporary culture's obsession with sexuality, or his own passions, the sacred images can be misinterpreted or misreprepresented.  I dare say, often appealing - consciously or unconsciously - to a 'gay spirituality' of sorts.  This may sound prudish, but I think I speak from experience.  Sadly, that is one reason why Bernard is sometimes referred to as a 'gay saint'.  (Aelred and John of the Cross have been likewise misunderstood, and misrepresented.)
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However, devotion to the sacred Humanity of Christ is indispensable for the Christian, as all of the saints attest - perhaps none more than Teresa of Avila, who certainly understood the mysticism of St. Bernard.  The Sacred Humanity was Teresa's 'constant companion'.  Indeed, devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is the perfect devotion which encompasses a chaste 'carnal love' leading to the highest mystical love.  I mention this because not a few men with homosexual attraction long for an intimacy with Christ that can be corrupted by modern 'homsexualist' spiritual directors, who tend to emphasize sensuality in direct opposition to authentic spirituality.
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To avoid these errors, I believe devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is the proper antidote, as well as the source of healing for disordered passions, affections and especially movements to lust.  The Heart of Jesus attracts all the affections of our soul and purifies them in the burning furnace of charity that is His Heart.
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Divine Love, A Gift of the Heart of Jesus.
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The infusion of this divine charity also has its origin in the Heart of the Savior, 'in which are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.'  For this charity is the gift of Jesus Christ and of His spirit; for he is indeed the spirit of the Father and the Son from whom the origin of the Church and its marvelous extension is revealed to all the pagan races which have been defiled by idolatry, family hatred, corrupt morals, and violence.
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Divine Love, the Source of All Graces.
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This divine charity is the most precious gift of the Heart of Christ and of His Spirit:  It is this which imparted to the Apostles and martyrs that fortitude, by the strength of which they fought their battles like heroes till death in order to preach the truth of the Gospel and bear witness to it by the shedding of their blood.  [...]  This finally, moved the virgins to a free and joyful withdrawal from the pleasures of the senses and to the complete dedication of themselves to the love of their heavenly Spouse." - Pius XII: Haurietis Aquas 

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(And I'll share with you a secret to insure your personal, intimate devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus is pure and chaste and true.  Go to him through the Immaculate Heart of Mary...  He will perhaps lead you there anyway.  "I will lead you, bring you in to the home of my mother." Songs 8  There he will teach you true and pure and chaste love... and heal you.)
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*Note:  Strangely enough, that particular novice master discouraged devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Paul VI on Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

I've been considering the Apostolic Letter Investigabiles Divitas Christi of Paul VI on devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, as we begin the month of June.  The following is an excerpt:
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"This, therefore, seems to us to be the most suitable ideal: that devotion to the Sacred Heart - which, we are grieved to say, has suffered somewhat in the estimation of some persons, - now reflourish daily more and more.  Let it be esteemed by all as an excellent and acceptable form of true piety, which in our times, especially because of the norms laid down in the Second Vatican Council, must be rendered to Christ Jesus, 'the king and center of all hearts, who is the head of the body the Church... the beginning, the first born from the dead, that in all things he may have first place.'" - Paul VI, 1965
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Sometimes I think there is a strong undercurrent present amongst some Catholics to discredit anything coming out of Vatican II or promulgated by Pope Paul VI.  That is too bad.

Liturgical Prayer of the Church.

Every true prayer is a prayer of the Church; by means of that prayer the Church prays, since it is the Holy Spirit living in the Church, Who in every single soul 'prays in us with unspeakable groanings'.  - Edith Stein
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There is an interesting debate going on in the com box at Fr. Z's discussing the Liturgy of the Hours (liturgical prayer) as liturgical act, which raises the question whether or not laity can perform a liturgical act on their own, or is it necessary for a cleric to officiate?  (Did you know that The Liturgy of the Hours is an extension of the Liturgy of the Eucharist.)  A couple of the commenter's may have forgotten that many men and women religious, as well as members of secular institutes and secular third orders in the Church are also obliged to pray at least part of the Divine Office each day, or substitute it with another approved office or rule of prayer.  (Monastics are strictly obliged.)  Apart from the vowed religious, these are essentially lay people actively participating in the official prayer of the Church   Lay people do indeed participate in the liturgy of the Church.  It is the Prayer of the Church.  The prayer of the Church  is the prayer of Christ. 
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It amazes me how people have to make everything so complicated and exclusive.
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How many Catholics have even read the Catechism?
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Speaking of which, this is what the Catechism says regarding the Liturgy of the Hours:  "The Liturgy of the Hours is intended to become the prayer of the whole People of God.  In it Christ Himself 'continues his priestly work through His Church'  His members participate according to their own place in the Church..." - CCC 1175
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Roman Catholic people:  Read your Catechism.  Learn your Catechism.  And if you pray the Liturgy of the Hours, read the Introduction... the Decree (Apostolic Constitution Promulgation: The Divine Office Revised Ny Decree of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council).  Don't just make this stuff up on your own.
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If you do not own a Catechism, buy one.
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Photo credit.

Pier Vittorio Tondelli

 President Obama Designates June as GLBT Pride Month

Always the patriot, and out of respect for President Obama I hope to honor his designation of June as Gay Pride month by posting about good Catholics who left behind the homosexual lifestyle for the sake of the Gospel, heeding Christ's call to "reform your lives, the kingdom of God is at hand!"  Motivated by divine love, these men obeyed the call to "'Come out from among them and separate yourselves from them'... 'I will welcome you and be a father to you and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty". - 2 Cor 6: 17-18. Of course that is not an easy thing to do and requires great grace - but there are holy men and women who have come through the struggle and who are intercessors and models, thus, "since we have these promises, beloved, let us purify ourselves from every defilement of flesh and spirit, and in fear of God strive to fulfill our consecration perfectly." - 2 Cor 7:1



Pier Vittorio redux....
The controversial Italian homosexual writer, who died in 1991 due to complications of AIDS, had been reconciled with the Church before he finally succumbed to the disease. He died a Catholic. I mention Tondelli today, as a sort of patron saint for those who struggle with the issues of homosexuality and Catholic teaching.

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“Tondelli was fascinated with the works of Jewish mysticism, the Imitation of Christ, and the mystics like St. Teresa of Avila. “I love to look through them, to find and read stories, and the idea of holiness,” he wrote.

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In 1989, the Italian writer said, “Everyone that has been raised in the bosom of a religion has his own religiosity. I have always tried to seek out not so much a discussion about the Catholic faith, but rather to express my own religiosity—without a doubt in the bosom of Christianity—which seeks out or questions its own positions, especially in confrontation with other authors.”
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Speaking about chastity after his conversion, Tondelli called it “a mystic virtue for those who have chosen it and perhaps the most superhuman use of sexuality.”” - Catholic News Agency

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My reflections…

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I love Tondelli's statement regarding chastity…”a mystic virtue…the most superhuman use of sexuality.”

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This scripture come to mind: “When he found one really valuable pearl, he went back and put up for sale all that he had and bought it.” - Matthew 13:46

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And this: “I assure you that tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you.” - Matthew 21:31

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I also find it interesting Pier Vittorio enjoyed reading the mystics before his conversion. Many saints read the lives and writings of the saints before their own conversions, - two that come to mind immediately, Ignatius of Loyola and Edith Stein - what they read led them to the truth.

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(Originally published on Abbey-Roads 2.)

The Month of June Is Dedicated To...

The Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
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How do we serve God faithfully? We serve Him only as faithfully as we serve Him lovingly, by giving ourselves to the needs of everyone whom God puts into our lives. No one reaches heaven automatically. Heaven must be dearly paid for. The price of reaching heaven is the practice of selfless love here on earth.
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That is why God puts into our lives so many occasions for loving people who obviously do not love us, or giving ourselves to people who have never given themselves to us. How desperately we need, especially in today’s world, to learn that God became man in order to suffer and die out of love for us on the Cross.
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That is what devotion to the Sacred Heart is all about. It is the practice of selfless love toward selfish people. It is giving ourselves to persons that do not give themselves to us. In all of our lives, God has placed selfish persons who may be physically close to us, but spiritually are strangers and even enemies. That is why God places unkind, unjust, even cruel people into our lives. By loving them, we show something of the kind of love that God expects of His followers.
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Devotion of the Sacred Heart is the solution to the gravest problem in the modern world today. How can we give ourselves to those who do not love us, who even positively hate us? We can love them, with the help of divine grace, by following the example of Jesus Christ, who died on the Cross out of love for a sin-laden human race. - Fr. Hardon

Photo:  Altar of the Sacred Heart in Notre Dame, Montreal, Quebec to which I felt irresistibly drawn when I first visited the church.  It was before this image of Christ appearing to St. Margaret Mary that my conversion 'began' in the summer of 1971.  Not sure what I was doing, I lit a candle and asked the Sacred Heart of Jesus to "be patient with me because I can't give it (sin) up just yet."  The following spring I returned to the Church after another call from the Sacred Heart.
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A very efficacious prayer is this one: "Sacred Heart of Jesus I place all my trust in you."  Your salvation may depend upon it.
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My loving Jesus, out of the grateful love I bear you, and to make reparation for my unfaithfulness to grace, I give You my heart, and I consecrate myself wholly to You; and with Your help I purpose to sin no more. Amen. (Raccolta, n. 260)

Cutie finds his niche.

Alberto Cutie who left the Catholic Church to marry his girlfriend was ordained a priest Saturday for the Episcopal church.  That seems odd - don't they recognize Roman Catholic orders?  Wouldn't Cutie know the difference?
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Photo:  Cutie and the Mrs..

Ecclesialwear...

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I love this scene.

Blessed Pierina di Micheli

Mother Maria Pierina di Micheli was beatified this past weekend at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome.  I had heard of Mother Pierina when I was younger, and became interested in her because of her devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus.  My devotion to the Holy Face was first inspired by the Carmelites who introduced me to the revelations of Sr. Marie of St. Pierre, the French Carmelite who promoted the devotion to Veronica's Veil.  It seems to me this devotion remains very much necessary in our day.
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 *CNA 

Mother Maria Pierina De Micheli was beatified in Rome on Sunday. Although the Pope was not present at the rite, after the Angelus he commended her for her "extraordinary devotion" to the Holy Face of Christ.

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The beatification ceremony, presided over by the prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, Archbishop Angelo Amato, took place on Trinity Sunday at the Basilica of St. Mary Major.*

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"I firmly wish that my face reflecting the intimate pains

of my soul, the suffering and love of my heart, be more

honoured! Whoever gazes upon me already consoles me."

(Our Lord Jesus Christ to Sister Pierina)

Another reason some young people may decide to avoid a church wedding.

Aside from a lack of faith.
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I was reading Fr. Z's post regarding wedding stipends or stole fees to the priest witnessing a marriage ceremony in a Catholic church.  Fr. Z suggested that $100 dollars is not an excessive 'stole fee' given to the priest in appreciation for his services.  Father indicated it could be more.  Ordinarily this offering would be on top of that given for the use of the church, the music director's fees, and if servers are used - tips for the altar boys.  It dawned on me that young people, who can be somewhat apathetic about religious services in general, not to mention conventional etiquette, may not want to bother with such formalities.  I'm not just talking about the unchurched kids of fallen away Catholics either.  College kids and young urban professionals, although they or their families could afford it, may not want to bother with the added expense of a church wedding.  What I'm trying to say is that a lot of unmarried couples use the money angle as an excuse either not to marry at all, or to opt for a simple civil ceremony.  (I have no idea what civil fees amount to.) 
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Anyway - when I first read the post, a fee of $100 or more seemed a bit steep to me.  (I've never been married and so the practice of paying the celebrant never even occurred to me.)  I checked around however and it does appear a stipend reflecting the level of grandiosity for the wedding extravaganza is expected, and $100 may indeed be on the cheap side. 
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Normally, diocesan priests are salaried and housing is offered/provided by the parish or institution to which they are assigned, hence the priest does not necessarily live off the stipends received - unless he lives in the third world.  So naturally I just assumed... 
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I believe it is the responsibility of the bishop of the diocese to regulate matters concerning monetary offerings involving Mass stipends and the like.  (Of course a Catholic is not expected to make an offering for the sacrament of penance, or the anointing of the sick, the blessing of sacramentals or other such things.)  As to be expected, parishes are supported from regular offerings by the faithful through collections, donations, endowments and fundraising events.  Each parish may be budgeted differently, but I'm quite certain a portion of the income received supports the priest and his residential requirements in addition to his salary.  I might be wrong about that however. 
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Regardless, the most important thing for non-practising Catholics and non-believers to understand is that the Mass and the sacraments are not for sale - Catholics do not pay for the sacraments - but we do provide support for our priests.  Discussions about fees, stipends, offerings, and 'price-fixing' is one of the most misunderstood aspects of the Catholic Church for 'outsiders' and critics of the Church to pick up on.  Very often lapsed Catholics and non-believers hear this stuff and convince themselves the Church is just after their money - we've all heard it.  Unfortunately trying to defend the practice can sometimes make the priesthood sound like an ordinary career with a pay scale for different levels of service.
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Generally I think weddings are overdone anyway - they are usually much too extravagant and ostentatious. 
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"All you who are thirsty, come to the water; You who have no money come, receive grain and eat;  Come, without paying and without cost, drink wine and milk." - Isaiah 55:1 
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Links:
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Pittsburgh - St. Paul's Cathedral Wedding Costs
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Edmond, OK - St. John the Baptist Wedding Costs.

"And he opened the bottomless pit..." - Book of Revelation 9:1-3

The Catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico.
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The wall paintings from Mt. Athos depicting scenes of the Apocalypse keep coming to mind each time I see footage of the oil leak in the gulf.  And as I read the text from the Book of Revelation the frescoes illustrate, I can't help but think of the volcanic activity taking place around the world as well.  Yet volcanic activity is natural... the oil leak is not. 
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All the efforts to stop the leak have thus far failed. 
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Art: Athos - Agion Oros: A Weblog about the Holy Mountain

Fr. Louis

And Terry.
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"My idea of what I am is falsified by my admiration for what I do. And my illusions about myself are bred by contagion from the illusions of other men. We all seek to imitate one anothers imagined greatness....If I do not know who I am, it is because I think I am the sort of person everyone around me wants me to be. Perhaps I have never asked myself whether I wanted to become what everybody else seems to want to become. Perhaps if I only realized that I do not admire what everyone seem to admire, I would really begin to live after all."  - Merton: No Man Is An Island
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Not so much.  I'd have to rephrase it a bit to fit me...
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... My idea of what I am is falsified by my preoccupation about what I do.  And my illusions about myself are bred by contagion from the illusions of other men. We all seek to emulate one anothers imagined greatness....If I do not know who I am, it is because I think I am the sort of person everyone around me wants me to be. I have asked myself whether I wanted to become what everybody else seems to want to become... only to realize that I do not admire what everyone else seems to admire.  I have only thus begun to live after all...  But it is very late.
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That's a better fit.
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I haven't bought all of what Merton had to say - I just thought I'd mention that.

The Matisse Chapel

Chapelle du Rosaire
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I came across this video at Idle Speculations (one of the most beautiful blogs online BTW) - and I had to post this for Sunday morning.  Terry at Idle felt the commentary was a bit over the top, but I found it rather moving.  The young commentator seems to be deeply moved within the wonderful light of the chapel, though he seems not to understand religion - just yet. 
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I have seen the chapel before, but I'm not sure my readers have.
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Thanks to Terry of Idle Speculations.

An Amazing Story About Rockford Priests Defending Life!

This is truly an edifying story of the very best type of social activism by priests. 
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In September of 2008 a group of Catholic Priests began praying every week at Rockford’s abortion mill special prayers of the Church that the abortion mill be cleansed from evil. Immediately, the pro-life women who sidewalk counsel at this abortion facility noticed a dramatic decline in the numbers of mothers coming for abortions and a tangible rise in the numbers of mothers who choose life at the abortion mill driveway.
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An unofficial count of mothers entering the mill within a month of these devout Priests praying showed the abortion totals to be cut at least in half. This is also when signs started appearing in the mill windows attacking Catholic Priests.
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On Friday May 29th, the abortion mill sank to a new low even for them. As a Priest was quietly praying the prayers of the Church accompanied by a seminarian, [And here it comes…] someone inside the building that houses the Northern Illinois Women’s Center put a sign that clearly stated, "F…. Your Perverted Priests." - Finish reading here.

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Sounds like  Planned Parenthood needs an exorcist.  This is some of the best evidence I've read yet which demonstrates Satan is in charge of the abortion industry.  Hopefully many priests will note this and have more courage to publicly and prayerfully oppose anti-Catholic social activism in all of its forms.
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Let's continue to pray very much for priests.  The power of the priesthood is beyond our comprehension.
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Dear priests, "tend the flock of God in your midst, (overseeing) not by constraint but willingly, [...] be examples to the flock" (1 Peter 5:2). Hence, do not be afraid to lead to Christ each of the brothers that he has entrusted to you, certain that every word and every attitude, if stemming from obedience to the will of God, will bear fruit; know how to live appreciating the merits and acknowledging the limits of the culture in which we find ourselves, with the firm certainty that the proclamation of the Gospel is the greatest service that can be done to man. In fact, there is no greater good in this earthly life, than to lead men to God, reawaken faith, raise man from inertia and despair, to give the hope that God is near and guides personal history and that of the world. - Pope Benedict XVI

Thanks to Fr. Z for posting the Rockford story.

Another reason not to trust anyone: The BP Beach Cleaners Show.

No one is really in charge of things.
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Yahoo News' Brett Michael Dykes reports that BP paid busloads of temporary cleanup workers to show up as stage props for President Obama's visit to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill cleanup operations on Grand Isle yesterday.
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Dykes quoted Jefferson Parish councilman Chris Roberts who said "the overnight contingent of workers was there mainly to furnish a Potemkin-style backdrop for the event — while also making it appear that BP was firmly in command of spill cleanup efforts. New Orleans NBC affiliate WDSU reports that the workers were paid $12 an hour. - Washington Examiner
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Obama claims he's in charge.  All politicians are in bed with big business and the oil companies - everyone knows that, right?
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Perhaps the Obamas should have vacationed on the gulf coast instead of Chicago.
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Photo source.

Homosexuals in the military.

The Fleet's In!
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A new study/analysis released by the Family Research Council finds that homosexuals in the military are three times more likely to commit sexual assault than heterosexuals.  I really can't imagine that being true.  An adult male sexually assaulting another adult male - two rough and tumble military men, trained to kill - one raping another?  Really?  Even if the gay guy is super-butch and the other guy is not, it seems rather far fetched.   Maybe in prison that stuff goes on, but not in the military.  Or does it?
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"The Family Research Council today released an analysis of publicly available documents which shows that homosexuals in the military are three times more likely to commit sexual assaults than heterosexuals are, relative to their numbers.
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(F)igures suggest that homosexuals in the military are about three times more likely to commit sexual assaults than heterosexuals are," noted Sprigg. "Concerns about privacy when homosexuals share facilities like showers and sleeping quarters with heterosexuals are well grounded," he added.
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"The report found that the most common type of homosexual assault is one in which the offender fondles or performs oral sex upon a sleeping victim." - FRC

Years ago if a guy tried something like that he'd be beaten to a pulp, and if he survived, dishonorably discharged.  It is difficult to believe things have changed that much.  Not that I'm approving of gay-bashing vigilante justice - but I have to believe a normal guy would wake up and defend himself in a situation like that - and a punch in the mouth would be warranted.
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That said, I once worked with older gay men (I was in retail) who had been in the service and who seemed to have gotten along just fine in the military - especially the Navy - they loved it.  According to these guys, the sleeping or drunk straight guy could be had - and if their stories were true, there may be an exceptionally predatory type of gay man who enlists in the military just for that reason.  Again, according to the old-timers, the service could be sort of a voyeur's dream.  This is all anecdotal however - I can't prove what they told me was true.  Although I've heard of similar situations in seminaries and boys schools - night time attacks and shower antics.  I'm quite sure some men's health clubs continue to harbor similar voyeuristic types.
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Anyway, the news reminded me of Paul Cadmus, whose painting I illustrated the post with simply because at some point in his career, Cadmus developed an interest in the sex lives of military men.  Most notably in a group of drawings and paintings depicting what sailors did on Shore Leave, the title of one of his more famous works.  (Another, The Fleet's In! was pretty much condemned by the Navy.  The work, although funded by the WPA was banned from exhibition.) The image above depicts a soldier cruising late at night in Bologna.  In the complete scene of the painting, the man at the table is not quite as obvious as he is in this detail.  What's my point?  What does this prove?  That gay men have always had a presence in the military?  Perhaps - the paintings certainly corroborate what my old bosses told me.  Does it prove gay military men are more predatory than their heterosexual counterparts?  I wouldn't know. 
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Nevertheless, I have to imagine predatory behavior, at least in the sense of taking advantage of a vulnerable person (drunk, stoned, asleep) - given such an opportunity, is always a possibility - just as it is for military women to be victimized in similar circumstances.  Does it happen a lot?  Again, I don't know.  Can we trust military statistics?  I wonder.  The military has been accused of lies in the past.  They've at least dissimulated about rape claims made by women soldiers, how some soldiers died, harassment charges, and I don't know what else.
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On the other hand, gay activists have told their share of lies as well, while continually misrepresenting the true nature of homosexual behavior.
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The FRC analysis may no longer matter anyway.  Friday Congress gave in to gay political pressure, and voted to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" ban on gays and lesbians serving openly in the military.  Looks as if gay people serving openly in the military is pretty much a done deal now.  I suppose Paul Cadmus would be happy - but then again, he knew they were always there anyway.  
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Art: Detail: Notturno: Bologna - Paul Cadmus, 1957

Accidental sniper...

"Allow yourself to be taught" - John of the Cross

Lady Elena of Tea at Trianon has posted a much needed reflection regarding online civility.  I for one usually assume even the most casual of readers of my posts understands where I'm coming from in offering my point of view, a personal opinion, something satirical or just plain foolishly ironic.  I forget that readers cannot hear a tone of voice or see a kindly smile.  I also forget that many people just don't get my humor - translated that really means they don't think I'm funny.  (I also tend to forget boundaries.  It's a very strange world online - we think we really know one another, but in most instances, we don't.)
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Anyway, Elena posts her own thoughts on the matter and refers us to another source on cyber bullying:
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Facebook has to be used with prudence and discretion, not to mention wisdom and kindness. Facebook is a place for being especially polite, to make certain that our intentions are not misunderstood. Those who are willing to invite us into their lives do so with a certain degree of trust that should not be abused by making intrusive and presumptuous remarks, just because we have the ability to write on someone's wall. It can become a form of harassment and even of cyberbullying. - Elena: Learning to use social media.

One of the most toxic trends that has been exacerbated by the advancements in technology is the emergence of the highly narcissistic persona behind technology. It is one that carries with it an inflated sense of self, a false but bigger-than-life sense of worth, and the delusion of an expert voice on matters from the weather to nuclear disarmament. We can be whoever and whatever we want – because we matter. And we can do whatever to whomever we want – because we can. We are entitled.

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We can hide behind the computer screen with an alias while randomly posting violations of one another. With the stroke of a key or the press of a button, we have the ability to rob others of their dignity and grace, to redefine their worth and reputation, and relinquish them to foreign places and positions. We can seek out and strike whenever, wherever we want, and then we can run and hide. - Cyberbullying

"With the stroke of a key or the press of a button, we have the ability to rob others of their dignity and grace, to redefine their worth and reputation, and relinquish them to foreign places and positions."
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My sincere apologies and prayers to everyone I've 'done in' this way... be it deliberate or indeliberate.  I will pray and do penance.  And a big thank you to Elena for her good work - using the internet as it ought to be. 

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Art:  Study for the L.A. Cathedral tapestries. - John Nava

Sins of the tongue

Untitled Terry Nelson 2010
8 x 8 acrylic on canvas.

(After Simon Marmion.)

I posted it on UYS too.

School Play

The cats have been busy rehearing for their school play, "The Pussy Monologues".  Last year they did "Rent" but some Catholics complained. 
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They attend homeschool people.

Forever young... forever stupid.

Youth is wasted on the young.
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WHEATLAND, N.Y. - Police say four teenagers trying to hold their breath for the time it takes to drive through an upstate New York hamlet were hurt when the driver fainted.
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Authorities say three 19-year-old men and a 16-year-old boy were traveling together late Monday night when they decided to try to hold their breath while riding through Garbutt, a rural Rochester-area hamlet that's just three-tenths of a mile long.
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Monroe County sheriff's deputies say 19-year-old Bryan Parslow of Caledonia fainted while driving and his car hit a boulder.
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All four teens were treated at a hospital and released.
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Parslow is no stranger to bad luck. He's a paraplegic who was paralyzed in 2008 after falling out of a window in Brockport while attending college. - MyFox

Nothing is scary anymore.

On the way to the apocatastasis...

Yesterday afternoon I used my last small canvas to paint an allegory on sins of the tongue - which turned out to be a somewhat classic mouth of hell painting instead.  (I'll post it another time.)  I added in a couple of little alien-looking demons, and while I painted I realized how funny the images were.  Instead of being scary, medieval representations of hell's monsters have turned into comic figures.  Perhaps it is due to the fact monsters are kind of cuddly and nice these days, catering to kids and adults:  Monsters Inc., friendly aliens, and goofy demons with feelings... the stuff just isn't scary anymore.  You know, once you get to know one, they're really nice.  Which is why I posted the French and Saunders Exorcist parody - today The Exorcist could be remade into a comedy. 
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I don't know, maybe our fascination with the violent and macabre, coupled with a disbelief that people really do go to hell, and that there really are demons who hate us, inhabiting a place of unimaginable and eternal suffering, has desensitized most of us.  Although it could be our denial is more directly a result of a loss of a sense of sin, rather than a loss of faith.  It seems to me most people believe everyone goes to heaven - 'he's in a better place', or, 'no place at all' - because, 'no one could ever be condemned to hell'. 
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Just a thought.
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Art: Mad Meg - Pieter Bruegel the Elder.  From what I understand, in the 16th century madness was considered a vice which included insanity, rage, gluttony, lust, avarice and ambition.  Today we view madness as an illness.  As late as the mid 20th century alcoholism was considered a moral problem, while today it is viewed as an illness.

Ray of Stella...

Happy Birthday Ray!
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Prayers and best wishes,
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Terry and the cats.
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To wish Ray a Happy Birthday, visit him here.

Practical spiritual advice regarding 'discernment'.

De-mystified.
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From A Minor Friar:
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Sometimes the concepts of 'discernment' and 'processing' can be a smokescreen or a mystification of what's really going on within us. It's a spiritual pitfall I've noticed in myself and others over the years. It can very tempting to engage in an apparently diligent discernment in such a way as to "discern" red herrings, all the while living in denial about what our hearts and our prayer are really telling us.

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I once lived with a funny friar who gave this response to anyone who asked him for help in making a decision:

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"Brother, do what you want. You know why? Because you will anyway."
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It sounds cynical, but my confrere didn't mean it that way. He was only trying to help us cut through a lot of spiritualizing and take an honest look at what our hearts where trying to say. When we use spiritual language to remain in denial, we risk making decisions that are not discerned at all.

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The other day I heard a funny and pertinent example of just this sort of thing. A young priest was having a vocation crisis. He had met a woman. They had formed a friendship and he was tempted to run away with her. He asked a brother priest for help with his "discernment," explaining that he was going to take some retreat time during the summer to pray over the situation.

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"Where are you going for retreat?" asked the friend.
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"I'm going to her farm; I promised to paint the barn," responded our hapless discerner.
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"Brother, once you agree to paint the barn, the discernment is over."  - Painting the Barn, Br. Charles

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Photo:  Capuchin crypt.
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That's all folks!

Cardinal Mahony making sure everything is ready...

Today LA get's it's new Coadjutor.
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BENEDICT, bishop,
Servant of the Servants of God:

To the Venerable Brother
JOSÉ HORACIO GOMEZ,
until now Archbishop of San Antonio,
appointed Coadjutor to the Metropolitan Church of Los Angeles:

greetings and Apostolic Blessing....
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H/T Whispers
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Photo:  American Red Hat - why not?

A wonderful priest and saint.

St. Philip Neri
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"Practical commonplaceness", says Frederick William Faber in his panegyric of Neri, was the special mark which distinguishes his form of ascetic piety from the types accredited before his day. "He looked like other men.. he was emphatically a modern gentleman, of scrupulous courtesy, sportive gaiety, acquainted with what was going on in the world, taking a real interest in it, giving and getting information, very neatly dressed, with a shrewd common sense always alive about him, in a modern room with modern furniture, plain, it is true, but with no marks of poverty about it -- in a word, with all the ease, the gracefulness, the polish of a modern gentleman of good birth, considerable accomplishments, and a very various information." Accordingly, he was ready to meet the needs of his day to an extent and in a manner which even the versatile Jesuits, who much desired to enlist him in their company, did not rival; and, though an Italian priest and head of a new religious order, his genius was entirely unmonastic and unmedieval; he was the active promoter of vernacular services, frequent and popular preaching, unconventional prayer, and unsystematized, albeit fervent, private devotion.
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Neri was not a reformer, save in the sense that in the active discharge of pastoral work he labored to reform individuals. He had no difficulties in respect of the teaching and practice of his church, being in truth an ardent Ultramontane in doctrine, as was all but inevitable in his time and circumstances, and his great merit was the instinctive tact which showed him that the system of monasticism could never be the leaven of secular life, but that something more homely, simple, and everyday in character was needed for the new time. - Source
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May 26 is the Memorial of St. Philip.
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In memoriam of my dear friend Sr. Mary Philip Schaefer, O.P..

The Exorcist Tells Her Story

Favored quotes...

From Hamlet
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Why, look you now, how unworthy a thing you make of me. You would play upon me; you would seem to know my stops; you would pluck out the heart of my mystery; you would sound me from my lowest note to the top of my compass; and there is much music, excellent voice, in this little organ, yet cannot you make it speak. 'Sblood, do you think I am easier to be played on than a pipe? Call me what instrument you will, though you can fret me, you cannot play upon me. - Hamlet,  Act III, Scene ii  (Thanks Joe!)
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This above all — to thine own self be true;
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man. - Polonius, Act I, Scene iii
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Do not, as some ungracious pastors do,
Show me the steep and thorny way to heaven,
Whiles, like a puff'd and reckless libertine,
Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads.
And recks not his own rede. - Ophelia, Act I, Scene iii
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O most pernicious woman!  O, villain, villain, smiling, damned villain!  My tables, — meet it is I set it down,  that one may smile, and smile, and be a villain. - Hamlet, Act II, Scene V
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Thanks Joe for giving me the place of the first passage quoted.  My friend Joe knows Shakespeare by heart.  Did you know Pier Giorgio Frassati knew Dante's Divine Comedy by heart?  St. Therese knew The Imitation of Christ by heart.
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Art: Mash Pit - Dan Witz

Going through the archives.

You will be judged on every word you say.

I was up too late last night going through my blog archives.  Looking for an entry I felt might be good enough to re-post, thus saving me the time of posting something new for today.  It was an interesting excursion - kind of scary too.  For four years I've written something virtually every day - that often meant I was online reading other stories, other blogs, and commenting, and then writing something of my own!  Forget about being judged on every word I uttered, how will I justify the time spent on the internet?  Non-productive time - just like a non-nutritive drink of Diet-Coke - pure self-indulgence.  But I digress.

The first thing I noted is the vast output of writing I've got 'out there' and I'm not even a writer.  I was embarrassed by quite a few of my posts, while many others that were intended to be humorous were still able to make me laugh out loud.  My old posts were a lot funnier than today.  I think I've become much more serious about things, and much less hostile, if you will.  Although on some of the posts where I recall feeling 'snarky' the writing came off rather civil - only the very sensitive could have taken offense.  Of course, gay people tend to be very sensitive - which is why I rarely ever write on the subject.  (See, now that's funny!)

I came across my 'disgruntled' employee posts as well - the really bad ones I deleted long ago - but a few slipped by.  There is nothing more telling about a person than their disgruntled employee defenses.  I quit my job because I was unhappy in it - I blamed the employer for my own unhappiness.  You see how nuts that is?  When I hear or read similar stories now - and know a little bit about the writer's character - I recognize the same symptoms.  I think people go from job to job, profession to profession, until they 'get it'.  Some of us have to learn the hard way that we are usually our own worst enemy.  It works the same with relationships.  Can't keep a girlfriend - it's you buddy - not her. 

Anyway, one positive discovery, at least I have been consistent - especially in reflecting upon the blogosphere and the 'craft' of writing a blog - it's a craft, not an art - I'm always examining it.  I realized that I - and I think most personal blogs do so as well - write about many of the same issues over and over and over.  (Typical narcissist behavior - oh lighten up - we are all lovers of self.)  Of course, if one usually comments on hot social issues of the day, which keep popping up anyway, naturally one's posts can become rather monotonous restatements of one's bias regarding the issues.  Especially as in the case of ranters - although their posts come off much in the same way as those insane radio sound-bites advertising some talk-show host do - negative, negative, negative.

I think I've softened my tone quite a bit however.  Social networking has been a good learning experience in that it really opened my eyes to the fact that most of us are pretty screwed up - some people just seem to manage better.  As the poet says, no man is an island - especially now days.
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"I cannot discover God in myself and myself in Him unless I have the courage to face myself exactly as I am, with all my limitations, and to accept others as they are, with all their limitations." - Thomas Merton, No Man Is An Island.
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Art:  George Tooker

Prayer to the Infant Jesus

The conclusion of the monthly novena.

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Little Jesus unto Thee I flee,

Through Thy Mother praying Thee

In my need to succour me...

All my heart I give to Thee,

Therefore, of my sins repent me;

From them breaking, I beseech Thee,

Jesus! from their bonds to free me. -prayer of Fr. Cyril, OCD

Br. Alphonsus Mary of the Little Brothers of Carmel

St. Simeon

I've now posted the painting on Up Your Street.

Our Lady Help of Christians

Ava Maris Stella

Hail, thou Star of ocean,
Portal of the sky !
Ever Virgin Mother
Of the Lord most high !

Oh ! by Gabriel's Ave,
Uttered long ago,
Eva's name reversing,
Stablish peace below.

Break the captive's fetters ;
Light on blindness pour ;
All our ills expelling,
Every bliss implore.

Show thyself a Mother ;
Offer Him our sighs,
Who for us Incarnate
Did not thee despise.

Virgin of all virgins !
To thy shelter take us :
Gentlest of the gentle !
Chaste and gentle make us.

Still, as on we journey,
Help our weak endeavor ;
Till with thee and Jesus
We rejoice forever.

Through the highest heaven,
To the Almighty Three,
Father, Son, and Spirit,
One same glory be. Amen.
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May 24 is the feast of Our Lady Help of Christians.  The prayer Ave Maris Stella is a very powerful prayer to Our Lady which obtains her protection promptly and powerfully.
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Image:  Auxilium Christianorum: Virgin of Lepanto - source.

Never defend yourself.

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Photo: Esteban, the naked old man of Barcelona.

Fixing a hole.

More Crazy Saints.

My favorite, St. Simeon Salus.
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First of all - Simeon lived with his mother until he was about 30 - so you stay-at-home-sons, don't be discouraged.  He then went to the desert to live as a monk - when he was old - he left the monastery to live amongst the genuinely poor: the outcasts, amongst whom were the prostitutes and other low life.  He actually lived along side prostitutes and the wicked people they attract - the indigent homeless, mentally ill, crippled, alcoholics, homosexuals - the dregs of any society.  Some say he simply feigned madness, while others think he may have at times been truly out of his mind.  One must remember that Christ was considered mad by his townsmen as well - these people who supposedly knew him, thought Jesus out of his mind at times.  And yet Jesus, free of all sin - notably original sin and its effects - could not have been crazy...  Though he indeed emptied himself and took the very last place, which even Simeon, for all his humiliating madness, nor the wretches amongst whom he lived, were able to snatch that very last place from Jesus, the Son of God.
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The holy fool Simeon brought many people to repentance by his example and his roughened charity amongst the most disenfranchised of the city.  Perhaps his greatest penance was the awareness of his own imperfection, weakness, inconstancy and sin which impelled him to take his place amongst the outcasts, sharing their shame, trusting in the mercy of Christ who suffers with all who are rejected and marginalized. 
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Icon:  St. Alexis - One of the saints who couldn't keep his clothes on.
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Links:
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Patron saint of pupeteers.  LOL you liturgical puppet haters!
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Simeon the Holy Fool

Pentecost Sunday

Come Holy Spirit, Living Flame of Love!
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"The world and religious communities are seeking novelties in devotions, and they are neglecting true devotion to the Paraclete.  That is why there is error and disunion, and why there is no peace or light.  They do not invoke light as it should be invoked, and it is this light that gives knowledge of truth.  It is neglected even in seminaries..."  Bl. Mary of Jesus Crucified, OCD; Letter to Bl. Pope Pius IX, June 1877.
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Art: Source

Pentecost...

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I'm talking about the "new" one.
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I think calling for a new Pentecost is just a figure of speech - right?  Because in a sense wouldn't it be the same as calling for a new Resurrection?  I really don't know the answer to that however.

Although I couldn't help wonder...  What if the internets is the new Pentecost everyone was hoping for?  You know, because as Scripture tells us, language was scrambled at Babel - but then at Pentecost the gift of tongues came and everything went to Latin - until the Council - and then it went back to being mixed up until the Charismatic movement came along.  But now the Church and the world is online - omigosh!  The internets has become like one language everyone can speak and understand.  What if this is the new Pentecost of the digital continent?  I know! 
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So keep on bloggin' brothas and sistas!

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Just being silly!