The Pope and The Anchoress

photo source

I know!

It's almost as if Pope Francis is promoting Elizabeth Scalia's book: Strange Gods, Unmasking the Idols in Everyday Life.  Talk about providential and fortuitous and, and, and...

"Idolatry is subtle…we all have our hidden idols"

"We can now ask Jesus: 'Lord, you who are so good, teach me to be this path so that every day I may be less distant from the kingdom of God, this path to drive out all of my idols'. It is difficult, but we must begin ... The idols hidden in the many saddles, which we have in our personalities, in the way we live: drive out the idol of worldliness, which leads us to become enemies of God. We ask this grace of Jesus, today. " - Pope Francis homily, Vatican Radio

Scalia:

I intend this slim book to be the start of an adventure - a look at the myriad ways we who call ourselves 'believers' and 'people of faith' and who believe idolatry to be something ancient, outmoded, and outside ourselves, are in fact everyday idolaters.  We are so comfortable with our idols and so convinced that they are built on entirely correct ideas that we have stopped wondering at anything and, therefore, are comprehending almost nothing. - Strange Gods

 

Matt Talbot 'Eve'

"Somewhere along the path of life of every human being there comes a dread moment when he suddenly sees himself for what he is." - Fr. Ralph Pfau

Ven. Matt Talbot. (Bio) Matt Talbot exemplified the heroic virtue of temperance. He practiced the Christian life more or less as a solitary, although he was a member of the Third Order of St. Francis. The spiritual combat Talbot engaged in was associated with alcoholism, which in his case demanded the renunciation of a behavior, as well as an adjustment in lifestyle. 

Talbot overcame his attachment to the disorder through the practice of the virtues, prayer and fidelity to the duties of his state in life, and mortification.  He found support in the sacraments, spiritual direction and spiritual reading.  Although he 'took the pledge' to abstain from alcohol, he did not have a support group such as AA to aid in his recovery.  I especially admire Talbot's fortitude and perseverance, demonstrating that with God all things can be overcome... "In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall." 

Tomorrow, June 7 is the anniversary of his death.  Matt died in 1925.

I mention Matt Talbot today because I just started a new icon of him yesterday.  It is smaller than the one shown above, the new figure is a bust, cut off just below the hands.  My intention is to redo the head and face somewhat.  The image shown here is in a private collection.

The struggle.

I also want to share something I was able to cut and paste from Ros, aka Shadowlands, before she took one of her blogs down, and before she died of course.  It's a treasure.

Shadowlands posted something about a priest Fr Ralph Pfau, known as the "Prodigal Shepherd" from the title of his book by the same name.  Fr. Pfau declared of himself,  "All my life, I will carry three indelible marks. I am a Roman Catholic priest. I am an alcoholic. And I am a neurotic."  Shadowlands says of him,  "He suffered much, but he kept trying."   I think that is key to conversion and the way to sanctity - 'saints are sinners who kept trying'.  I'm reprinting her post here:
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Excerpt from the chapter, The Dawn of Truth ( from his book Sobriety and Beyond) by Father Ralph Pfau. (Imprimatur Paul C Shulte D.D Archbishop of Indianapolis March 1955).
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"Somewhere along the path of life of every human being there comes a dread moment when he suddenly sees himself for what he is. Minus all the sham, the surface and the show, he then stands face to face with truth. Minus the deception of his own self seeking and selfishness, he sees himself clearly outlined in the aura of God's grace as it tears away all the foolish self deceptions and shows a man for what he really is- selfish, deceitful, full of excuses, dishonest, even to himself and full of faults and failings............conts: To most of us, this moment comes at a time when many of life's battles and years have passed, but at a time when there still remains sufficient years, vigor and initiative to "seek truth and pursue it,".in order to make it the motive of our living, the motive of our struggles and the security of our declining years.
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This moment may be brought about by the death of a loved one, the loss of worldly goods, or it may be directly occasioned within by the grace of God speaking to the depth of our soul. To most alcoholics it comes at that instant when they face the inevitable choice: death, insanity or absolute sobriety. It often comes with a blinding flash that seems to tear away the very foundations of life and whether alcoholic or non-alcoholic, layman or professional, young or old, there arises from the very innermost sanctuary of the soul and heart the cry "My God, what a mess I have made of things! How pitiful is the good done, how sparing my help to others, how innumerable my mistakes, the wrongs-how all pervading my self seeking, how dishonest my every motive! How seamy the finished, but now battered product!"
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This "moment" may last for an hour, a day, a month, a year or for years. But whenever, however it comes- it is a dread and fearful moment, because UPON THAT MOMENT AND THE DECISIONS OF THAT MOMENT MAY DEPEND OUR VERY LIFE AND OUR ETERNITY. And from that time on, one can never be the same again.....................conts: It is then that life's greatest decision must be made and then it seems that an angel has him by the hands and a devil by the foot...............he can do one of three things:
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First, rush in confusion back to the old surface view of self and try by a thousand and one half remedies to dress up the haunting vision, to explain away the stubborn reality. TO EXCUSE and to attempt forgetfulness by courting the sham fancies of the night and by rushing headlong through the chores of the day. THIS IS THE CHOICE OF THE VAIN MAN.
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Second, the shock may be so great, the failure so undeniably real, the disillusionment so crushing that he despairs and in one way or another he seeks to destroy himself- either factually or by the bottle. THIS IS THE PROUD MAN.
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Third, this is the way of the Prodigal Son, who dropped on his knees in the swine pen and cried: "Father, I have sinned" or with it's echo "I am powerless... my life is unmanageable"- and perhaps for the first time in his life that man REALLY prays and begins to MEDITATE, THIS IS THE HUMBLE MAN. And day by day he prays and he MEDITATES on TRUTH lest again he fall back into his former life-long HABIT OF EXCUSES. For the LIFE OF ALL IS LOADED WITH EXCUSES-AND SYSTEMATIC, PERSISTENT AND CONSISTENT MEDITATION ALONE WILL DISSIPATE THEM. "With desolation is the land made desolate because there are none who thinketh in their hearts."

Prayers for Ros. 

My kid is not disordered.

My kid is not evil.

Many people, parents and loved ones of same sex attracted persons mistake Catholic Church teaching to be saying that the homosexual person is disordered, that homosexuals or gay people are evil.  That isn't true of course, although it can seem at times that religious persons within the Church hate the person as well as the sin.  That really just demonstrates that even faithful Catholics can be misled as well.  Which is why one must always return to the sources of Catholic teaching, clearly defined by the Magisterium.

Lately I have been reading of growing support for gay marriage, even from morally conservative voters.  The main reason being put forward is that more and more parents, brothers and sisters, and others are realizing that one of their loved ones is gay - or same sex attracted.  Hence the responses: "My son is not disordered."  "My Daughter is not evil."  "I want them to be happy and to be able to love whomever they choose." 


The problem for Catholics, as I see it, is the lack of clear, consistent teaching on the issue of homosexuality.  To be sure, the teaching is there and it is spelled out in no uncertain terms.  There are documents to prove it.  Nevertheless, in practical terms there is a lot of leeway given when it comes to 'pastoral care'.

For instance, homosexual acts are sinful, but the orientation itself - though disordered (disorders are normal for fallen man) is not sinful.  "Although the particular inclination of the homosexual person is not a sin, it is a more or less strong tendency toward an intrinsic moral evil; and thus the inclination itself must be seen as an objective disorder." CDF Letter, no.3

Yet ambiguities continue to abound.  Most recently the Cardinals Of Belgium claiming Church teaching has evolved.  Even Cardinal George has made strange statements.

George said although church teaching does not judge same-sex relationships as morally acceptable, it does encourage the faithful to "respect everyone." 

"The question is, 'Does respect mean that we have to change our teaching?' That's an ongoing discussion, of course. … I still go back to the fact that these are people we know and love and are part of our families. That's the most important point right now." - Cardinal George apology.

With all due respect to Cardinal George, Catholic teaching cannot change - and it is clearly a very important point right now. 

Courage and Cardinal Burke.

Recently I came across an introduction Cardinal Burke wrote to a book by Fr. Harvey, which addressed the difficulty Catholic parents face in accepting and supporting their children who happen to have SSA.  The Cardinal is so humble and charitable in his approach, I will let his introduction speak for itself. 

Some time ago, at the conclusion of a reception following the conferral of the sacrament of Confirmation, a mother approached me and asked whether she could speak with me. She began by saying that, while she did not want to offend me, she disagreed with a column I had written in the archdiocesan newspaper. The column was written at the time that the citizens of Missouri were preparing to vote on a referendum to amend the state constitution to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman – that is, to ban what has become popularly known as "same-sex marriage" or "gay marriage".

This well-spoken mother told me that she was offended because my article implied that her daughter was evil. She went on to explain that her daughter, who is in her early twenties, had graduated from a private Catholic high school with highest honors and with many awards. She has been active in a same-sex relationship for some time. With great emotion, the mother declared her love for her daughter, which, according to her way of thinking, requires acceptance and support of her daughter's same-sex relationship, including welcoming her daughter and her same-sex partner into the family home.

I explained to the mother that I have never thought nor written that persons suffering from same-sex attraction are evil. I went on to summarize what I had written in the column to which she referred, namely, that same-sex attraction itself is disordered – that is, contrary to God's plan for us as male and female; that homosexual acts are intrinsically evil; and that persons with same-sex attraction are our brothers and sisters, whom we are to respect and love. The mother continued to insist that she loves her daughter and, therefore, will support her in her same-sex relationship. 

The conversation in question reminded me of several pastoral situations in which I have found a parent struggling painfully with the homosexual activity of a child. The emotion of the situation can understandably cloud one's judgment. Whereas in the past, such emotion may have led parents to reject a child suffering with the homosexual condition or to pretend that the condition did not exist, today there is a tendency for parents to believe that tolerance requires them to accept the homosexual activity of their child and even permit it in the family home.

 Given the strong public rhetoric favoring the acceptance of same-sex attraction and homosexual activity as an alternative form of human sexuality, the very presentation of the Catholic Church's perennial teaching on the matter is considered, at best, failing in pastoral sensitivity; at worst, hateful toward persons who struggle with same-sex attraction. The theological truth is seen to be somehow antithetical to the pastoral or loving response required. For that reason, Catholic faithful, including the clergy, can become hesitant to present and clearly uphold the Church's teaching on homosexual inclinations and activity. At the same time, the persistent public message about homosexuality – in the absence of a consistent presentation of the Church's teaching – can easily lead the Catholic faithful into confused and even erroneous thinking on the matter. - Finish reading here. 

Ed. Note: It is 'Gay Pride Month' so I may be posting on authentic Catholic teaching on homosexuality a bit more than usual.  What? 

 

 

Cardinal Godfried Danneels said the Church had evolved in its understanding of homosexuals. How's that?

So how has the Church evolved in its thinking?  Its understanding of homosexuals?  What exactly is the new thinking on this subject?  How will the Church do better in the way it treats gay people?

Ask Eve Tushnet maybe? 

Cardinal Dolan?

Ask me and I will tell you that the teaching cannot change.  Homosexual acts are sinful.  Same sex marriage is not possible.  I've posted this stuff over and over ever since I began blogging.  Likewise, common sense and experience should prove without a doubt civil unions will lead to recognition of gay marriage - because civil unions are not good enough - they are not equal.

That said, why do some people reject the term gay and/or gay identity?

Once again, I will repeat myself.  When a person uses that term, he reduces his identity to a sexual preference/orientation.  An orientation which is objectively disordered - not a sin - but objectively disordered.  Hence, the implication being the condition is unchangeable and a natural variant of human sexuality. 

I want to share something from the foreword to Fr. Harvey's study, The Truth About Homosexuality - a book the Belgian Cardinals should have read.  I'm not a member of Courage but I agree very much with the aims of the apostolate.  I also very much admire the work, spiritual direction and the writings of the late Fr. John Harvey.  His writings almost always have resonated with my own interior convictions and experience.  His references to those experts he has collaborated with in his own writings, also have been useful to me in my personal journey and understanding the condition of homosexuality.

From Fr. Harvey:

It is noteworthy that the Society of Catholic Social Scientists sent a letter to the American bishops on November 28 1994, in which they expressed their concern 'with a trend in U.S. ministries which flatly contradicts Catholic doctrine on homosexuality'.  They outline ambiguities and contradictions, using scientific research in order to show the erroneous assumptions upon which these statements and activities are founded.  They list five fallacies:

1. False statements are being made about homosexuality being biologically determined.
2. Catholic homosexuals are being told that change in sexual orientation is never possible.
3. The term gay is being used to describe people of a homosexual orientation who do not identify with the gay socio-political position.
4. A separate 'gay spirituality' is being encouraged, and gay ministries tell us that a person who suffers from homosexual disorder has special 'gay gifts' for the Church
5. Catholics are being informed that the homosexual condition is not disordered." - The Truth About Homosexuality: The Cry of the Faithful Seeking the Truth

Read Tushnet, Selmys, Gonnerman and others to see how commonplace this thinking has become, even endorsed by a growing number of bishops.

On the pastoral care of homosexual persons.

Almost always overlooked, deliberately ignored, or in some cases, considered to be irrelevant, I would direct the reader to study the CDF's Letter to Bishops on the Pastoral Care of Homosexual Persons which clearly affirms Catholic teaching: "The human person, made in the image and likeness of God, can hardly be adequately described by a reductionist reference to his or her sexual orientation."

There is an effort in some countries to manipulate the Church by gaining the often well-intentioned support of her pastors with a view to changing civil-statutes and laws. This is done in order to conform to these pressure groups' concept that homosexuality is at least a completely harmless, if not an entirely good, thing. Even when the practice of homosexuality may seriously threaten the lives and well-being of a large number of people, its advocates remain undeterred and refuse to consider the magnitude of the risks involved. 

The Church can never be so callous. It is true that her clear position cannot be revised by pressure from civil legislation or the trend of the moment. But she is really concerned about the many who are not represented by the pro-homosexual movement and about those who may have been tempted to believe its deceitful propaganda. She is also aware that the view that homosexual activity is equivalent to, or as acceptable as, the sexual expression of conjugal love has a direct impact on society's understanding of the nature and rights of the family and puts them in jeopardy. - CDF Letter to Bishops

 

Belgian Cardinals United! Just don't call it marriage.

Cardinal Godfried Danneels said the Church had evolved

in its understanding of homosexuals. Story here.

This is really what I wanted to say today: All men are not to be believed.

"Grant me help O Lord, from trouble, for vain is the salvation of man.

How often have I failed to find faith there where I thought I might depend upon it - and how often have I found it where I did not expect it?

Vain, therefore, is all hope in men; but the safety of the just is in you, O Lord.

Whom shall I believe O Lord but you?  You are the truth who cannot deceive nor be deceived.

On the other hand, every man is a liar - infirm, unstable, and subject to fail - especially in words; so we shouldn't be so quick in believing even that which in appearance seems to sound right.

How wisely did you forewarn us to beware of men, and that a man's enemies are they of his own household, and that we are not to believe, if anyone should say, 'Behold here! or Behold there!'" - Imitation, Bk. III, Ch. 45

"It is better to leave everyone to his own way of thinking, than to give way to contentious discourses." Ibid, Ch. 44

Intercessors of the Lamb-Bellwether Foundress, M. Nadine Brown, RIP

Former Contemplatives of the Good Shepherd nun, Nadine Brown, founder of the canonically suppressed Catholic lay ecclesial movement,  Intercessors of the Lamb, has died.  (Intercessors of the Lamb, Inc, is now disassociated from the Catholic Church.)

On Monday, the Intercessors posted a picture of Brown and wrote on their website: “In loving gratitude for the life of Mother Nadine, our beloved Foundress, who the Heavenly Father called Home today.” 

Funeral services were pending at John A. Gentleman Mortuaries' 72nd Street Chapel. - Story here and here.

May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace.

Our Lady, the Holy Shepherdess

Divina Pastora

Cause of our joy!

I think it was Bl. Mary of Jesus Crucified who liked to call Our Lady Shepherdess.  I like that title as well.  It gives me joy.

I also love the image of Divina Pastora - Our Lady the Holy Shepherdess. 

Devotion to Our Lady, who is called, 'Cause of our joy' - for obvious reasons, fills us with joy, even amidst the greatest sadness.  Try it.  Recite her Office, or go aside and pray a quiet Rosary while meditating the best you can on the mysteries - even if it just entails looking at the pictures of the mysteries.  If you are really little - just recite her litany.  If you do not feel anything, or do not notice that you feel different afterwards, you will at least notice an inner peace... a joy unfelt, if you will.  Although I am quite sure, Our Lady will not disappoint you and she will fill your soul with a joy the world cannot give.  She always does. 

Spiritual sloth - the vice which begets rancor, contempt and sadness.

Although perfect love should be disinterested love, no human being is capable of sustaining such love - our human nature needs the consolation of spiritual joy - which is the 'fruit of generosity in the love of God.'  Disgust for spiritual things - authentic piety and devotion - when willed, may indicate the spiritual ill of acedia, or the grave sin of spiritual sloth.  Not to be confused with the trial of spiritual aridity of course.

To conquer spiritual sloth, a good, frank sacramental confession is the first step.  Spiritual sloth is overcome by genuine love of God exercised in true devotion of the will - authentic piety - which includes mortification and the practice of the virtues.  Even when sensible devotion be lacking - that too can be offered as a sacrifice in reparation.  So can migraines and other debilitating illnesses.

I'm not trying to use the Pope's words against anybody...

Nor am I taking his name in vain...

Today the Pope expresses things I have been thinking about - especially when it comes to blogging, blogs, bloggers, and issues or movements within the Church that I frequently write about.  Oh.  And he makes an indirect reference to Elizabeth Scalia's recent book, Strange Gods again too:

"There is a love, of sorts: it is love of self, love for oneself. That narcissist idolatry that leads them to betray others, that leads them to abuse of trust. "

I know!  It's too much of a coincidence that the Holy Father keeps bringing it up.  (JK)

Seriously, the Holy Father speaks directly to problems we as Christians face.  What do I always say?  "He who flatters you, deceives you.  He who praises you, deceives you."  We bloggers do that.. All. The. Time.   We praise one another, and then like spinning on a dime, can turn on one another when the other says something we dislike or disagree with.  The 'corrupt' as the Holy Father calls them, know this about us.  Call them dissidents, liberals, what have you - they speak softly and pleasantly, and even say things like; "I know what you are saying... but..."  Or, "Terry, I wish you were able to accept ..."  Or, "I appreciate that you are faithful to Church teaching but ..."

How treacherous the human heart, how easily deceived...

We must have love... charity.

"Hypocrisy is the very language of corruption. And when Jesus speaks to his disciples, he says: 'let your language be,' Yes, yes! No, no '. Hypocrisy is not a language of truth, because the truth is never given alone. Never! It is always given with love! There is no truth without love. Love is the first truth. If there is no love, there is no truth. They want a true enslaved to their interests. There is a love, of sorts: it is love of self, love for oneself. That narcissist idolatry that leads them to betray others, that leads them to abuse of trust. "

The Holy Father is a little soul, like Therese of Lisieux, he teaches so simply, with such charity:

"And the meekness that Jesus wants us to have, has nothing, has nothing of this adulation, this sickly sweet way of going on. Nothing! Meekness is simple, it is like that of a child. And a child is not hypocritical, because it is not corrupt. When Jesus says to us: 'Let your speech be' Yes is yes! No, is no! 'with the soul of a child', he means the exact opposite to the speech of these [hypocrites –ed]".The Pope’s final consideration regarded "certain inner weakness", stimulated by "vanity", that means "we like people to say good things about us." The "corrupt know this well" and " are trying to weaken us with this language".


"Let us think closely today: What is our language? Do we speak in truth, with love, or do we speak with that social language to be polite, even say nice things, which we do not feel? Let our language be evangelical brothers and sisters! Then these hypocrites that start out with flattery, adulation and all of that, end up, through false witnesses, with accusing the very ones they had flattered. Let us ask the Lord today that our language be the language of the simple, the language of a child, the language of the children of God, the language of truth in love. " - VR

When we speak of 'idolatry' I wonder if we shouldn't return to the Carmelite understanding of it, in the sense of Elijah perhaps, yet more distinctly, in the writings of John of the Cross and his exposition on vain rejoicing in created goods, the senses, as well as spiritual goods.  I think St. John zeros in on the particular 'idols' of everyday life Elizabeth Scalia and Pope Francis have been 'unmasking' for us. 

Ed. note:  The Scalia tie-in is just for fun. 
 

Oh Lord, please do not let them muzzle the Pope.

"Vatican-watchers scour the homilies for clues of impending policy moves." John Allen

Reminds me of:  "The scribes and the Pharisees were watching Jesus closely."

The observers ask:  What did the Pope really say?

Why does he need an interpreter?  Why does he need someone to write an essay explaining what he meant?  Why are the wise and the learned - the clever - so confused?  How is it the simple understand what the Holy Father says in his daily homilies?  Homilies that are obviously the fruit of prayer - not off the cuff improvisation? 

More and more, Vatican spin doctors probably have to be added to the list of aides at risk of heart attacks over the perils of an improvisational pope.

The homilies are pastoral in nature, often using homespun language to make his points. - John Allen, NCR 

And that is so difficult to grasp?

A priest friend told me of a Carmelite monastery of nuns who receive transcripts of the Pope's daily homilies.  They eagerly look forward to his commentary.  I think most ordinary people do.

 Praise  to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.

 

Now, a very special moment...

Don't go changin'
to try and please me
I love you just the way you are.
 

Refusing Communion to Boy Scouts?

Our Lady of Hermits

Evidently a priest wrote a post saying such a thing...

I would not administer Holy Communion to any Boy Scout coming up in uniform. They are now just as bad as the Rainbow Sash crowd and all other militant homosexualists. They would have to renounce their membership first and not wear their uniforms. - Source

The post is down now.

Kind of nuts? 

Oh yeah!

People say the darndest things online.  Frequently our emotions get the best of us and we post.  Sometimes we've been alone with our thoughts way too long and we think we have something to say.  I know!  That's a description of me and my blog.  God have mercy.

That said, I doubt I will ever understand how hermits can claim to be living an eremetical life while watching and commenting and actively participating in religious and secular life online?  Those who claim to be hermits in our day, and I don't care how many theological degrees they have,  must more than ever be careful of self-deception - and/or - what the Orthodox call spiritual deception [prelest].  Every Christian must be vigilant - but it is especially dangerous for ascetics and idiorrhythmic religious, or self-styled contemplatives. 

No communion for you!

(Click here for sound.)

 

Pope Francis endorses Elizabeth Scalia's book - again...

I know!

American Blog-idol, Elizabeth Scalia recently published a book, Strange Gods, Unmasking the idols in Everyday Life, a book which has undoubtedly influenced Pope Francis to a great degree since he often refers to the idolatry of modern times.

So many times, the Pope noted, we’ve seen “the great ones of the earth want to solve” local problems, economic problems, economic crises “with a war.”

“Why? Because, for them, money is more important than people! And war is just that: it is an act of faith in money, in idols, in idols of hatred, in the idol that leads to killing one’s brother, which leads to killing love. It reminds me of the words of God our Father to Cain, who, out of envy, had killed his brother: ‘Cain, where is your brother?’ Today we can hear this voice: it is God our Father who weeps, crying for this madness of ours, who asks all of us, ‘Where is your brother?’ Who says to the powerful of the earth, ‘Where is your brother? What have you done!’” - Pope Francis, homily for Saturday, June 1, 2013

I've read Strange Gods and recommend it highly, simply because most of us no longer think in those terms.  Idols?  Really?  We do not take idolatry seriously - we in fact approve of it as fans of this or that entertainment figure or political leader.  We live in a totally materialistic culture which rejects - removes God - even to the mention of His Name - except for cursing, of course.

Ed. Note:  Elizabeth Scalia is not the same person as U.S. Supreme Court Justice Scalia.

Ms. Isabel (Elizabeth) has been on her book signing tour

and therefore unavailable for comment.  For this Pope, it appears she's the new Ganswein.

 

The Martyrs of Uganda, St. Charles Lwanga and Companions

Photo source

Why were they put to death?

Hatred for the faith, of course... but there was another reason people sometimes neglect to mention, or at times discount:

The ire of the Ugandan king was particularly inflamed against the Christians because they refused to accede to demands to participate in homosexual acts with him.  Charles Lwanga, in particular, had protected the pages from King Mwanga's sexual advances.

Canonization Mass during Vatican II (source).

St. Charles Lwanga,

pray for us.

 

Mass Chat: Corpus Christi

Faith in the Real Presence, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament.

When I returned to the Church in 1972 pretty much only a few old ladies attended Eucharistic adoration - if a parish still had it.  A couple of downtown churches still had exposition on either the First Friday of the month or in one case, every Friday, all day.  I tried to spend most of the day there when I wasn't working.  For most of the afternoon I would be one of maybe 3 other people. 

I also tried to spend as much time near the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle in other churches and chapels.  To my delight, I'd be completely alone.  I favored the Newman Chapel at the University of Minnesota, because the tabernacle was in a closet with only space for one kneeler, and I could be alone.  I couldn't understand why more people didn't spend more time with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament - since he was really truly present.

Speaking about the arid waste of devotion - a full ten years later - Fr. Z explains the thinking in his time:

In the 1980’s we seminarians were informed with a superior sneer that, “Jesus said ‘Take and eat, not sit and look!’”  Somehow, “looking” was opposed to “receiving”, “doing”.  This same error is at the root of false propositions about “active participation”: if people aren’t constantly singing or carrying stuff they are “passive”.

After the Second Vatican Council, many liturgists (all but a few?) asserted that, because modern man is all grown up now, Eucharistic devotions are actually harmful rather than helpful.  We mustn’t crawl in submission before God anymore.  We won’t grovel in archaic triumphal processions or kneel as if before some king.  We are urbane adults, not child-like peasants below a father or feudal master.  We stand and take rather than kneel and receive. 

How this lie has damaged our Catholic identity!  Some details of society have changed like shifting sandbars, but man doesn’t change.  God remains transcendent. We poor, fallen human beings need concrete things through which we can perceive invisible realities. 

The bad old days of post-Conciliar denigration of wholesome devotional practices may linger, but the aging-hippie priests and liberal liturgists have lost most of their ground under the two-fold pincer of common sense and the genuine Catholic love people have for Jesus in the Eucharist. The customs of Corpus Christi processions, Forty Hours Devotion, and Eucharistic Adoration are returning in force. - WDTPRS 

By the grace of my conversion, like Fr. Z, I knew that was totally wrong of course, and all the Popes, from Paul VI to Francis have affirmed and encouraged devotion to the Blessed Sacrament outside of Mass.  Fr. Z and those priests like him, held to this faith as well.  Younger people today have no idea what a complete desert the Church had become in those days - and how completely alone one could feel in the faith - combine that with trying to live a faithful, chaste and celibate life, and you will come to understand that it is grace alone, the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist - who sustains and perfects our faith.

The Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ

Today the Holy Father conducted an hour of world-wide adoration - offering Jesus in the Blessed sacrament to the world, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity.  In my parish bulletin I came across this explanation of today's Solemnity - an echo of the errors from the not too distant past wherein liturgists desired to undo Catholic tradition which developed and enjoyed papal approval through the centuries:

What are the origins for the feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ,

often referred to as Corpus Christi Sunday?

By the year 1000, the active participation of the laity at Mass was minimal. Most of the people did not receive Communion for a variety of reasons, especially the notion of unworthiness. A form of eucharistic spirituality that attempted to involve them developed, known as "ocular communion." It put forth the notion that eucharistic graces were received by merely looking at the host. Instead of physically partaking, one fervently looked at and adored the host.

Elevating the bread and wine at consecration dates to this period. The practice

of viewing the host outside of Mass developed into a devotion called Benediction,

where the exposed host could be viewed and adored for a more extended

period of time. The request for even more time to view the host led to a devotion

known as Forty Hours, the exposition of the host for forty hours straight. By 1250,

With the return to the full, conscious, and active participation at Mass by all,these devotions, while appropriate for their day and time, have lost some of their significance. They are still valid devotions, but only in relationship to the source and summit of our faith, the eucharistic celebration by the whole assembly.

© Liturgical Publications Inc

"With the return to the full, conscious, and active participation at Mass by all,

these devotions, while appropriate for their day and time, have lost some of their significance."

Really?

Perhaps the loss of significance is to be blamed on the way Mass has been celebrated, and the Eucharist has been treated - the emphasis being on the assembly as the body of Christ rather than on worship of God.

 

Just a thought.  I suspect Pope Francis' emphasis today will aid in correcting any further misunderstanding.

Request for prayers.

Please pray for a close friend of mine who is suffering from depression.  Thanks.

We must learn to be very kind and patient with one another.

Simcha Fisher - "trying to find something to wear in a world where there is nothing to wear."

"Just be modest and pretty. 

Just be feminine and beguiling

 and decorous and just wonderful,

wonderful you, like God wants you to be." 

Now what could be more natural than that?

Simcha Fisher has a helpful post on the problems of dressing modestly - and lovely - during hot summer weather.  It's an important post for this time of year, since many people are offended by 'scantily clad' (love that term!) women on the street and sometimes at Mass.

I'm thinking religious people can over-react to summer fashions and should avoid that dreaded Calvinist attitude as regards so called  proper attire at Mass and on the street during hot weather.

As a PSA, I'm posting some photos offering a couple of suggestions for the clothing choices one could make during hot weather.  If it was good enough for Blessed John Paul II, it should be good enough for today's woman.  One must remember, it's all about intention.  If you do not intend to be provocative or sexy, it's all good.

Just for men:

Tattoo pants can be a cool alternative in hot weather.

Man with tattooed swimwear.

What?

Catholic News and Worldly Reports

Fr. Amorth is in the news again.

"He wants the pope to let all priests perform exorcisms

at will, even the screwed up ones?"

 

Negative culture in the blogosphere.

Detail, Hieronymus Bosch

It seems to go in cycles.

Jealousy, Envy, Strife

Jealousy, envy, and strife are the seed ground of hatred, and are also hatred's perverse offspring. There is nothing more unworthy of a child of God than jealousy and envy; these vices are an insult to Divine Providence.

Alas, there are in all walks of life people who love strife. They thrive on discord and like nothing more than contentiousness and argument. Such people are the bane of community life. Their only contentment is discontent, and they are discontented wherever contentment holds sway. Incapable of keeping their misery to themselves, they seek out, from among those around them, the most vulnerable and impressionable types, and enroll them in their bitter causes. A lover of strife has no place in a cloister, and should such a man present himself, he must, as soon as his propensity is discovered, be sent away lest he inflict severe damage on the household of God. - Source

Celebrity priest, Fr. Andrew Greely, RIP.

Fr. Greely died Wednesday, May 29, at the age of 85.

I never read his novels.

I never paid much attention to him.

I remember a nun telling me that he once said Madonna was attracting kids to the Church and devotion to the rosary.  She thought he was right and asked me what I thought and I said, "Could be.  Jesus Christ Superstar started the ball rolling for me."

I think he was said to have had all the dirt on the “Lavender Mafia” in the Church - files and names.  Will all of that come out now after his death? 

I noted he lived in the Hancock building in Chicago - I've always liked that tower.

Greeley's family issued a statement, noting his 59 years in the priesthood:

"Our lives have been tremendously enriched by having the presence of Fr. Andrew Greeley in our family. First and foremost as a loving uncle who was always there for us with unfailing support or with a gentle nudge, who shared with us both the little things and the big moments of family life. But we were specially graced that this man was also an amazing priest who recently celebrated the 59th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. He served the Church all those years with a prophetic voice and with unfailing dedication, and the Church he and our parents taught us to love is a better place because of him. Our hearts are heavy with grief, but we find hope in the promise of Heaven that our uncle spent his life proclaiming to us, his friends, his parishioners and his many fans. He resides now with the Lord of the Dance, and that dance will go on." - Lifted from here.

May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.

Why do some bishops and some cardinals say one thing and do another...

story here

more here

Our Lord told us to do as they say - not as they do.

Why the pope lives in a hotel?

He doesn't want to live in the Apostolic Palace.

That may be partly true.  More importantly, he wants to live as he did in Buenos Aires, and he doesn't want to be isolated.  He likes to be with ordinary people.

He explained his choice in a letter written two weeks ago to an old friend, Father Enrique Martinez, a priest at the Church of the Annunciation in La Rioja.

"I didn't want to go and live in the apostolic palace. I go over there just to work and for audiences.

"I've remained living in the Casa Santa Marta, which is a residence which accommodates bishops, priests and lay people." There he feels "part of a family" he wrote in the letter, which was obtained by Clarin, an Argentinian daily.

"I'm visible to people and I lead a normal life – a public Mass in the morning, I eat in the refectory with everyone else, et cetera. All this is good for me and prevents me from being isolated.

"I'm trying to stay the same and to act as I did in Buenos Aires because if you change at my age you just look ridiculous." The Pope, the first Jesuit pontiff in history and the first to come from the Americas, said his election was "something totally surprising" which he considers "a gift from God".  - Telegraph

I like that.

As for other bishops, especially brand-new ones like Bishop Michael Barber of Oakland, maybe follow the rubrics and stick to protocol on your first assignment.

Or not. 

A preview.

The Dream Secret

T. Nelson 2013

Preview of a painting I've been working on for months... a couple of other shots here. 

[The flash back obscures the already obscure image of the Blessed Trinity at the top.]

The Pope talks about more than the Devil - he talks about suffering.

The temptation of a Christianity without the Cross


I have a friend who was sexually abused as a child.  The effects have remained with her for life.  She is unmarried and has had several affairs that have been sexually abusive in nature.  Years ago, when I returned to the Church and began to do 'penance', she made a hostile comment to me on my way to Mass one day - "You think the only way to get to heaven is to suffer!"  I laughed and tried to deny it and point out how delightful it is to follow Christ, to receive him in communion, and so on.  She wasn't buying it.

I never forgot what she said, and I'm sure she would make the same protest to me today.  She dislikes the Catholic Church - she doesn't have devotion for the crucifix, if you will.  She rejects the notion of suffering - yet her entire life, though comfortable and filled with every nicety and luxury, is a life of endless suffering.  She involves herself in unhappy sexual relationships doomed to failure.  But she has no friends - she rejected some, the others do not like to be around her.  She suffers and is interiorly miserable.  I know because another friend of ours, who is her confidant, tells me.

Today the Pope talked about triumphalist Catholics and suffering:

"Triumphalism in the Church, impedes the Church. Triumphalism among Christians, impedes Christians. A triumphalist, half-way Church that is a Church that is content with what it is or has, well sorted – well organized - with all its offices, everything in order, everything perfect no? Efficient. But a Church that denies its martyrs, because it does not know that martyrs are needed for Churches’ the journey towards the Cross. A Church that only thinks about triumphs, successes, does not know that rule of Jesus: the rule of triumph through failure, human failure, the failure of the Cross. And this is a temptation that we all have”.

A similar Christianity is proposed by the 'prosperity Gospel' preachers.  Likewise, the new age spiritual currents in Christianity promise happiness without the cross.  'Recovery' Christians can pretty much preach the same thing on some level - it's a great way to sell books and land speaking gigs as well.  Gay Catholics make a lot of 'happy' promises too - most likely a side effect of anti-depressants.  (JK)  I shudder to think how survivors of abuse might tell my friend about all the happiness she is missing out on.  Or me telling a gay friend, "it gets better Poodle!"  It does of course - but not without the cross.  The cross, suffering, is always there.  The wounds remain and on certain occasions, like a mystic's stigmata, they open and bleed.  Some people may be healed right away, most wait a long, long time - in order to learn how to embrace the cross, to learn how to love - to learn how to let themselves be loved.

Again, the Pope says it better than I can:

"I remember once, I was in a dark moment in my spiritual life and I asked a favor from the Lord. Then I went to preach the annual spiritual retreat to nuns and on the last day the made their confession. One elderly nun, over 80 years of age, but with clear, bright eyes came to confession: she was a woman of God. In the end I saw that she really was a woman of God so I said ‘ Sister, as penance, pray for me, because I need a grace, ok? If you asks the Lord for this grace on my behalf, I am sure to receive it'. She stopped for a moment, as if in prayer, and said, 'Of course the Lord will grant you this grace, but do not be deceived: in His own divine manner’. This did me a lot of good. To hear that the Lord always gives us what we ask for, but in His own divine way. And this is the divine way to the very end. The divine way involves the Cross, not out of masochism: no, no! Out of love. For love to the very end”.

 

"We ask the Lord for the grace that we may not be a half-way Church, a triumphalist Church, of great successes, but a humble Church, that walks with decision, just like Jesus. Forward, forward, forward. With a heart open to the will of the Father, just like Jesus. We ask for this grace. " - VR

 

 

 

 

  

Record Numbers on Disability

At the risk of sounding callous, I wouldn't be surprised if a high number of cases involve mental health issues.*  Not that there is anything wrong with that.  On the other hand, I wonder if disability hasn't become the new welfare, or the alternative to unemployment compensation as benefits cease?

The total number of people in the United States now receiving federal disability benefits hit a record 10,978,040 in May, up from 10,962,532 million in April, according to newly released data from the Social Security Administration. - CNS

This is a very bad indicator for the country.

It is also unsustainable.

*Perhaps the consequences of living without faith in a culture of death.


 

Memorial Day 2013

photo source

The ill effects of contraception: Even Roman Polanski noticed.

Scene from Polanski's film: Rosemary's Baby

Genderlessness...

Oscar-winning director Roman Polanski on Saturday blamed birth control pills for "masculinising" women, as he premiered what he called a satire on sexism.

Asked by a reporter how his views of women had changed over time, the filmmaker said he thought feminism and advances in contraception had blurred the distinctions between the sexes.

"I think to level the genders -- it's purely idiotic. I think it's a result... of progress in medicine. I think that the Pill has changed greatly the woman of our times, 'masculinising' her -- how would you say it?" he said, looking to his cast for a prompt. - Source

Perhaps that is why he was attracted to a 13 year old?

Contraception is the original sin of of the sexual revolution and gender confusion.

Mass chat: The Holy Father heard confessions - on Sunday.

Keep the light on.

Some people have problems with hearing confessions on a Sunday.  I think that's dumb.  I wish every parish had more than one priest, one could be in the confessional, the other saying Mass.  Or the priest could hear confessions before Mass - while people are adoring the Blessed Sacrament before Mass.

Anyway, the Holy Father visited a Roman parish today, and...

Early on Sunday the feast of the Holy Trinity Pope Francis made his first Pastoral visit to a Diocese in Rome. The Parish of Saint Elisabeth and Zechariah gave the Pope a rapturous welcome as he arrived by helicopter to celebrate Mass and administer the Sacrament of Holy Communion to 16 children. Also in a first for a Pope on a visit to a parish, the Holy Father heard the confessions of a least 7 people. - Vatican Radio

I wish I could go to confession to him.

When I was very young I wanted to be a priest just so I could hear confessions and give people last rites... in other words, save souls.

More chat:  I've only had two really bad confession experiences that I can recall.  Once when I was convinced I knew more than the confessor and was miffed he wasn't impressed by my self-knowledge and humility.  LOL!  The other, when a priest told me he wasn't my mother (?) and that homosexual acts were not a mortal sin.  I had to beg him for absolution.  I think he had mental problems and may have been in treatment at the time. 

Naughty!

The Boy Scouts...

Pewsitter had the headline: "I have no problem with the Boy Scouts' decision."

I assumed it would be a link to Fr. James Martin, S.J., last Thursday, he posted:

As a former Cub Scout and Webelo I support the Boy Scouts' welcoming everyone into the Scouts. As a Catholic I support the recognition of the fundamental human dignity of every person. - Fr. Martin, S.J.

When I clicked on the Pewsitter link I discovered it was a different author, with a very different take on the matter.  It was Eric Erickson, editor of RedState.  (Never heard of him BTW.)

The Boy Scouts of America now begin the winding down of their ability to serve as a moral beacon teaching clear Judeo-Christian morality and while I don’t have a problem with them doing it, I do choose now to opt out of considering supporting the Boy Scouts of America. - Eric Erickson 

Mr. Erickson's take impressed me as more Catholic than Fr. Martin's. 

Long time readers know that I like and respect Fr. Martin, although I often disagree with him on issues related to homosexuality. 

A day or two ago I expressed my opinion on the Boy Scout decision in the com box of one of my other posts.  For what it is worth, I'll restate it here:

My greatest disappointment is that a boy, Boy Scout age, can be convinced he is gay or SSA. It bothers me that kids have been so sexualized in childhood.

That said, male friendship - good male friendship would be the best thing for young men who believe they are SSA. Thus, the fact any boy is accepted into Boy Scouts might be fine - unfortunately, in this particular case it means affirming a boy for his sexual preference.  It is a short step to the gay Boy Scout becoming the gay Scout Master.
 

I think some one needs to found a Catholic Boy Scout organization as a substitute - the way Fr. McGivney did with the Knights of Columbus, as an alternative to the Masonic Lodge - TN

I think my comment segues well with the rest of Erickson's post:

My son will not be in the scouts. While I have no problem with the scouts allowing in self-identified gay youths, and I believe churches should welcome in gays, I do not believe an organization that works to foster morality and strong character in young men can continue to do so while allowing in young men who identify as gay if the homosexual act is to still be considered a sin.

To be sure, being gay is not a sin. All of us have temptations. But to act on that temptation and engage in sin, is sinful. We live in a day and age where many expect the government to subsidize birth control because sexual behavior in and out of marriage is the norm. Society no longer recognizes homosexual behavior as a sin, nor does it recognize sex outside of marriage generally as sin. Government now subsidizes the behavior.

While churches should not turn away gays and should preach the full Gospel to us and them and require us all to repent, an organization like the Scouts will no longer do so in the context of teaching healthy morality and character to young men. The moral component to the Scouts will collapse in favor of knot tying, tent pitching, and badge collection.

While being gay in and of itself is not a sin, we fool ourselves to think that secular society does not rapidly then move to the act itself as another form of normal. The truth is, for Christians the homosexual act is a clear sin and an organization such as the scouts that lets in gay scouts will not long maintain its compass in declaring the scout fine, but his conduct not. The scouts will lose that distinction just as society has and will, over time, allow gay scout masters. The wall is breached and cannot be repaired. - Eric Erickson

I'm not convinced same-sex attraction in adolescence is necessarily fixed for life - promoters of sexual fluidity would happily agree with me - but that isn't my point.  I have problems with the way children and young people are sexualized at such early ages, encouraged to make sexual preference choices even before adolescence.  Today kids are sexualized far too early, and it is generally considered healthy.  I was sexualized as a child - not just through sexual abuse, but through bad example - particularly the sexually irresponsible behaviour of my parents.  I knew too much too early.  Many people who have been abused and or sexualized at an early age know the experience can lead to promiscuity and depression later on.  No degree of social acceptance and approval can repair the damage.  I expect time will demonstrate that for those who think otherwise.

"Recognition of the fundamental human dignity of every person" and acceptance of SSA youth is one thing.  Approval of homosexual acts - sin - is quite another... "we fool ourselves to think that secular society does not rapidly then move to the act itself as another form of normal" sexual behaviour.

Little by little.

UPDATE: 

Good News, Dr. Taylor Marshall intends to start a Catholic Boy's Scout group!  He should consider Charles Untz as one of the patrons.

UPDATE II: 

From Bishop Jarrell:  "National media have reported that the Boy Scouts have changed their policy and will admit 'openly gay' young men," Jarrell wrote in his letter. "I note that the policy adopted does not use those words. It states: 'No youth may be denied membership in the Boys Scouts of America on the basis of sexual orientation or preference alone.'"*

Jarrell goes on to explain that his position, and that of the church, is to promote tolerance rather than exclusion.

"The new standard adopted by the Boy Scout of America does not provide an obstacle to continued sponsoring of scouting," Jarrell said, "as long as Catholic principles of morality are consistently applied." - Source

 *I did not know that.