The scribes and pharisees online and at 1P5 are claiming that B. Paul VI should not and will not be a saint tomorrow.

Unbelievable.

Not necessary for belief... not infallible ... calling into question the legitimacy of the Papacy of Pope Francis again?  Outright rejection of Vatican II?  All of it underlies the reasoning behind 1P5's latest article, "Why we need not (and should not) call Paul VI saint."  Even Janet Smith linked to the article by Kwazniewski.

This has been going on for years, outright rejection of recent canonizations - unheard of in the Church when I was growing up.  Now days those of us who do believe and accept - with joy - those whose heroic virtues are recognized and 'canonized' by the Pope are dismissed as ultramontanists and papalotars.

Unbelievable.

Most theologians and faithful Catholics certainly believe canonizations are legitimate.  Those very people who condemn Vatican II are doing in their own way what some of the post-conciliar 'reformers' did when updating the liturgical calendars, removing saints and their feast days and so on.  They are acting in the same protestant spirit of those who removed saints statues and altars from renovated churches, and downplayed devotion and prayers to the saints.

Believable.

Tomorrow a great company of witnesses will be declared saints - canonized.  By the reigning Pontiff, Pope Francis. 

Believe it or not.

The exercise of infallibility comes only when the pope himself proclaims a person a saint. The proclamation is made in a Latin formula of which we offer an approximate translation:

"In honor of the Holy Trinity, for the exaltation of the Catholic faith and the increase of the Christian life, with the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul and of Our Own, after long reflection, having invoked divine assistance many times and listened to the opinion of many of our Brothers in the Episcopate, We declare and define as Saint Blessed N. and inscribe his/her name in the list of the saints and establish that throughout the Church they be devoutly honored among the saints."

 [...]

The 1967 New Catholic Encyclopedia discusses the theological foundation for the infallibility of canonization: "The dogma that saints are to be venerated and invoked as set forth in the profession of faith of Trent (cf. Denz. 1867) has as its correlative the power to canonize. ... St. Thomas Aquinas says, 'Honor we show the saints is a certain profession of faith by which we believe in their glory, and it is to be piously believed that even in this the judgment of the Church is not able to err' (Quodl. 9:8:16).

"The pope cannot by solemn definition induce errors concerning faith and morals into the teaching of the universal Church. Should the Church hold up for universal veneration a man's life and habits that in reality led to [his] damnation, it would lead the faithful into error. It is now theologically certain that the solemn canonization of a saint is an infallible and irrevocable decision of the supreme pontiff. God speaks infallibly through his Church as it demonstrates and exemplifies its universal teaching in a particular person or judges that person's acts to be in accord with its teaching."

At the same time, it is important to note that while the decree of heroic virtues and the miracle form a necessary part of the process of canonization, they are not the specific object of the declaration of infallibility. - Source

Front row: Archbishop Óscar Romero, Sister Nazaria Ignacia de Santa Teresa de Jesús March Mesa and Father Vincenzo Romano; second row: Father Francesco Spinelli, Nunzio Sulprizio and Sister Maria Katharina Kasper (Photo illustration by Melissa Hartog/National Catholic Register; public domain)

This was so exciting and glorious.

I remember it well.

I followed it avidly.

Dance.

Today is the Tenth of October!

Which falls on a Wednesday this year!

That's amazing!

So here's the deal about McCarrick.

It's being handled now.

They are talking, addressing, explaining, cautioning on how to interpret it, and so on.  The powers that be are in control and that's it.  I'm kind of over it, myself.  I actually feel sorry for McCarrick now.

I came across an article on how the Vatican is starting to address the case and was struck by the following commentary:

Obviously, many Catholics are outraged that church leaders who seem to have ready answers for how laypeople should live and behave have been so slow to figure out a way to stop sexual abuse by clergy and to hold bishops and cardinals accountable for their personal behavior and for the cover-up. - C. Wooden

I was outraged.

I've settled down now, but that point, how Church leaders are so quick to point out how laypeople are to live, who they can live with - or not - and what language they are to use when identifying themselves, while living a corrupt life themselves, is painful.

Now it will be handled officially and explained away - not without apologies of course, acknowledging "there were failures in the selection procedures implemented in his case", but we won't do that again, and so on.  They can argue among themselves as to who is the greatest all they want.  That's what they do.

He and I.

When I first returned to the sacraments, now decades ago, I sought God alone.  I used to search for places where I could be alone with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.  Few churches had adoration, except for one or two on Fridays, otherwise adoration chapels didn't exist.  So I prayed before the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle - all alone in the church, sometimes in a closet where the tabernacle was reserved.  Always undisturbed.  At Mass I sat alone and remained alone afterwards in thanksgiving.  I had no interest in bishops or Church 'politics'.  I had no interest in parish activities.  I had no interest in clubs or socials - none.

Now I'm old, and no one is interested in what I do or say, I'm free to return to that early love.  And let the dead bury their dead.

Remembering my friends who are dead.

They are so many now.

Cardinal Gerhard Müller on why abusive priests should be secularized.

"If abuse is so great...the only solution, and the only justice for the victim, is that the perpetrator must be dismissed from the clerical state,” he said. “If you are a priest, a good shepherd, you cannot ruin the sheep." - Cardinal Gerhard Müller

I was impressed by what Cardinal Müller said recently in an interview on EWTN.  I mention it today after a story broke revealing the late Fr. John Harvey, Founder of Courage, encouraged bishops to resist the zero tolerance policy on abuse and reinstate abusive priests after rehab.  

Amid this summer’s wave of sexual abuse scandals, the Catholic apostolate Courage lauded its founder, Father John Harvey, who died in 2010, for his work with priests who “experienced same sex attractions and were striving to live chaste celibate lives.”

Yet while Courage proclaimed Harvey a “prudent spiritual director” and “a keen student of moral theology and psychology,” a review of his writings and public speeches raises new questions about how his approach to homosexuality - his belief that one could, in fact, change his or her sexual orientation - seems to have influenced his approach to treating abusive priests, advocating, at times, for their rehabilitation and return to ministry. - Crux

I'm sure we will be hearing a lot more on this. 

There's no accounting for grace, to be sure, and a man can change - and this is what Fr. Harvey seemed to base his conclusions upon. It is what vocation directors in dioceses, seminaries, and religious orders believe as well. 

Oh Canada!

If they have Thanksgiving in October, I wonder when they celebrate Christmas?

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my Canadian friends!

Holy crap! Barnhardt has finally lost it.

Mad Meg

Accusing Cardinal Tobin of having an affair with an Italian actor.

George Neumayr has discovered who Tobin’s “baby” is. It is the Italian actor Francesco Castiglione, who – get this – is LIVING IN TOBIN’S RECTORY...

Neumayr is the guy Bishop Morlino said to beware of.   No need to wonder why, with this salacious gossip.  Barnhardt's writing is vulgar and contemptuous, and indecen, she begins the article: 'The filthy faggot Cardinal of Newark, New Jersey.'

The very idea of Tobin having an affair with the Italian actor is laughable.  This is exactly the same level of calumny passing as investigative journalism on which Vigano probably based many of his own conclusions.

Aside from the disturbing scandal-ridden, so-called journalism, what I find troubling is that many people follow Neumayr online, and to my surprise, some very solid people link to him, friend him on FB, and share his stories.  I don't really know who he is and never read him unless someone sends me a link.  Barnhardt shows up on one news aggregate and so I'll sometimes click to read her outlandish commentary.  Again, I'm surprised she has people - even priests - who read and actually support her.  Former online 'friends' continue to do so as well and actually believe what she writes.

I won't link to these people of course, I'm just noting that much of the scandal is fed by this type of crack-pottery online.  As Ouellet wrote to Vigano, "I cannot understand how could you have allowed yourself to be convinced of this monstrous and unsubstantiated accusation."

Beware Neumayr and Barnhardt.

Ed. Note: I neglected to note Castiglione is reportedly a house guest at Tobin's residence while he studies at Seton Hall. Interpreting that to mean he is having an affair/sex with Tobin is a monstrous, unsubstantiated accusation.  It's wicked and slanderous gossip.  This is why bishop's and diocesan spokesmen refuse to talk to so-called journalists like Neumayr or Voris.

Our Lady of the Rosary

Queen of the most Holy Rosary, I love you and thank you!  

Hilarious ... I can't stop watching!

And now they are saying it was staged.  No, no, no.  That was not staged.

PSA for Superstitious Catholics... That ain't no 'Stang'

Nope - not a 'Stang'!

So the Pope carried a 'Stang'? Crazy, superstitious Catholics seem to think so.

Forked crosses have been with us and used in the Roman Catholic Church for centuries - as early as the 13th century. The forked cross represents the Tree of Knowledge and follows pious-mystical tradition Christ was crucified on the same wood as the Tree in the Garden of Eden.

Many fork crosses are found in places run by 

the Dominican and Franciscan orders, especially in Italy. 

Dominican example.

Robber's cross of Schächerkreuz - later the

Latin cross was used or a straight bar was added

to differentiate Christ's cross from the

robber's cross.

(I've since discovered Deacon Kandra posted on the subject in much greater detail here.) 

Confidence and poverty.

Then Job answered the LORD and said:

Behold, I am of little account; what can I answer you?
I put my hand over my mouth.
Though I have spoken once, I will not do so again;
though twice, I will do so no more. - JB 40: 3-5

"Confidence is theological hope wholly impregnated with love; abandonment is confidence which no longer expresses itself solely through distinct acts but has created an attitude of soul: 'We can never have too much confidence in the Good God, He is so mighty, so merciful. As we hope in Him so shall we receive.'" - P. Eugene-Marie, OCD

Perfect Joy

St. Francis' Devotion to the Blessed Sacrament

St. Francis' love for Christ expressed itself in a special way in the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist. In the Fonti Francescane (Writings of St Francis) one reads such moving expressions as: "Let everyone be struck with fear, let the whole world tremble, and let the heavens exult, when Christ, the Son of the living God, is present on the altar in the hands of a priest. Oh stupendous dignity! O humble sublimity, that the Lord of the universe, God and the Son of God, so humbles himself that for our salvation he hides himself under an ordinary piece of bread" (Francis of Assisi, Scritti, Editrici Francescane, Padova 2002, 401). - Pope Benedict XVI

This Evening Is the Transitus of Our Holy Father St. Francis

Giotto

This evening some of us devoutly recall what is called the Transitus of St. Francis of Assisi.  St. Francis died just after sunset on October 3, 1226, at St. Mary of the Angels in the valley below Assisi.

Call me by your name ... do you know your angel's name?

The Holy Father asked if we know our angel's name.

I always thought we were discouraged to ask his name, although some saints named their angel, or believed they knew his name.  I like calling him, my angel.  I suppose he could tell me his name, or ask me to call him by whatever name I was inspired to do so - my name for him.  But I wouldn't be sure my name would suit him.  Although I'm not inclined to worry about it.

St. Mary of Jesus Crucified called her angel George.  I think she saw him, and she was once nursed to health by a woman one might think was Our Lady.  I'm not sure she ever confirmed the woman's identity.

I think I experienced similar things, and I'm sure it was my angel.  The mysterious nun I encountered in St. Peter's so many years ago, and the mysterious young man who accompanied me from Avila to Bayonne on my way back to Lourdes.  Then of course I've had little miracles saving me from minor and serious accidents. I always thank my angel for that.

Incidentally, the angels I encountered were never expected and neither were they the type of person I would imagine or be attracted to.  Many people like their angels to look like an ideal person, an attractive romantic type.  That's not what I experienced.

Anyway, whether we see him or not, we have at least one Guardian Angel who is always with us and who always sees God - face to face.  (I did that last evening when I was able to kneel really close to Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.)  We don't really know what that means because I think we would die of love if we could see our angel as he is - or see God face to face in this life.

About the name thing.  When Jacob wrestled with the Angel, he asked his name - after the Angel gave him the name Israel: Jacob then asked him, “Please tell me your name.” He answered, “Why do you ask for my name?” With that, he blessed him.  Jacob named the place Peniel, “because I have seen God face to face,” he said, “yet my life has been spared." - Genesis 32

Peniel literally means, "face of God".  What wonderful mystery is revealed in that.  Why do we need to ask our angel his name?

Thank you my Angel.

The Feast of St. Therese of Lisieux

What would Therese say?

I was wondering what Little Therese would say to her novices if she was alive today, especially as it concerns the crisis in the Church and the more or less open rebellion against the Holy Father.  To be sure she would reprimand those under her charge if they lost their peace and recollection - abandoning prayer - over the controversies swirling in media.  Of course, the novices wouldn't be permitted to be online or any of that.  However, I was thinking of Therese and how she would act, and even wondered if the Holy Father, who is very devoted to her, may be following her direction in these difficult times.

Everyone knows that St. Therese and the Carmel of Lisieux had been deceived by the conversion story of Diana Vaughan, an impostor whose true persona was the anti-Catholic con-artist Leo Taxil... The realization of which led to Therese writing in her memoirs, "I was unable to believe there were really impious people who had no faith... [but] Jesus made me feel that there were really souls who have no faith, and who, through the abuse of grace, lost this precious treasure, the source of the only real and pure joy.".

Leo Taxil of course was a contemporary of St. Therese of Lisieux, who for a time had been taken in by his scam. Taxil had stunned European society with his conversion from Free-Masonry to Catholicism, and subsequent pamphlets detailing the evil Satanic sect within Masonry. (Read more.) Later he invented a persona named Dianah Vaughan, whom he claimed also converted, with startling details of the diabolic cult. Taxil, an anti-clerical free-thinker from the start, delighted in deceiving and mocking the Catholic Church; the Lisieux Carmel and as I mentioned, St. Therese just happened to be amongst those initially duped. Yet it did not disturb her peace, rather it lead her to an even deeper understanding of her vocation.  

As the stories continued, Therese discerned that the whole thing was a hoax.  Her only reason for rejecting the stories was the fact that Diana Vaughan once spoke against episcopal authority. 'That kind of thing cannot come from God, ' she said."  One can be certain she would reject every attack against the Pope, recognizing that kind of thing cannot come from God.

Having said that, even St. Pope John Paul II and others were deceived by Fr. Maciel, just as St. Therese was for a time deceived by Leo Taxil.  Nevertheless, she prayed, prayed for Taxil's conversion.  She prayed for sinners, seated at the table of sinners, as she described her trial of faith.  She prayed for fallen away priests.  She prayed for criminals condemned to death.  I suspect she would pray very much for former Cardinal McCarrick as well.  

That realization is what helped me in all the questions and concerns which have contributed to this crisis in the Church, fueled by speculation and gossip and demands that we know all of the details as to how and why this happened.   

So what would Therese do, or say?

I'm not sure, but the following story works for me.

"The thought that there were some religious communities who were submitting to unjust laws against the Church promulgated by the anti-Catholic secular power, filled me (Celine) with indignation. One day in Therese's presence I exclaimed, 'My entire being rises up in in rebellion when I witness such a spirit of cowardice. I would be cut into a thousand pieces rather than belong to any of these communities or to assist them in any way.'

The Saint answered: 'We should not be concerned about such matters at all. It is true that I would be of your opinion and act perhaps in the same way had I any responsibility in the matter. But I have no obligation whatsoever. Moreover, our only duty is to become united to God. Even if we were members of those communities which are being publicly criticized for their defections, we would be greatly at fault in becoming disquieted on that account.'" - "My Sister, St. Therese" - Sr. Genevieve of the Holy Face

The Holy Father recommends penance and prayer, not to become disquieted, and especially now, in Our Lady's month, to pray the rosary every day, for the protection of the Church from the evil one.  This strikes me as very Theresian. This strikes me as coming from God - God's will on how to conduct ourselves in this dark night.   I think Therese would direct her novices in the same way.

I'm hearing of people leaving the Church because of the scandals, so we need to pray very much.  Some leave because they disagree with Catholic teaching, others because of the scandals and the failure of clergy.  What is necessary is patience, even with ourselves, and confidence and love - and perseverance.  Perseverance in prayer, real prayer. 

Happy feast day to all my friends.  Let's be like Therese and surrender ourselves to merciful love.

"Little Therese never failed to help the most simple souls, the little ones, the poor and the suffering who prayed to her, but she also illuminated all the Church with her profound spiritual doctrine."
.
Speaking to her witness of heroic faith amidst suffering, the Holy Father said: 'The faith she showed through this great suffering was "faith at its most heroic, as the light in the shadows that invade the soul," observed the Pope. "In this context of suffering, living the greatest love in the littlest things of daily life, the saint realized her vocation of becoming the love at the heart of the Church."' - Pope Benedict XVI

Therese

Shortly after 7 PM, little Therese died on the evening of September 30 in 1897. 

She died much like Our Lord, suffocating in great agony; the weeks and days leading up to her death, St. Therese suffered an ineffable darkness, "the trial of Faith". Neither her own words, nor those of any other living person, can describe what it was like to share so intimately her Beloved's death. Not even her sisters could comprehend it.

Therese is little, and yet great. Nevertheless she is always little...very, very little. I sometimes lament she has been declared a Doctor of the Church, resulting in many academics, intellectuals, and masters of theology and spirituality making a science of her "little way." Many times they miss. They miss her "littleness" - her insignificance ...

The only great theologian or mystic that I know of who best writes of what comprised her spirituality is St. John of the Cross, the writer whose works Therese's spiritual doctrine most perfectly embodies. John of the Cross was a little soul as well. One person living today whom I believe understands the spiritual doctrine of St. Therese - and seems to actually live it - is our Holy Father Pope Francis.

Of course, the person who most closely exemplified Little Therese's "little way" was even more little and insignificant than Therese herself - Saint Teresa of Calcutta. 

+

O Lord, Who has said: Unless you become as little children you shall not enter the Kingdom of Heaven; grant us, we beseech Thee, so to follow in humility and simplicity of heart the footsteps of St. Therese, the virgin, that we may obtain everlasting rewards. Who lives and reigns forever. Amen.

Out of my control ... The Crisis.

What is Truth?

Who is telling it?  I'm not sure these days.  That's the crisis - who to believe?

Kavanaugh or Ford?  Haha.  It's not up to me.

McCarrick or Viganò or the Vatican?  Again.  It's not up to me.  (Don't get me wrong - I believe the Holy Father and support him.  When I reference 'the Vatican' I'm nor specifically referring to the Holy See but rather the so-called Vatican 'spokesmen' and/or those speaking for the Pope, albeit unofficially and off-the-cuff.)

A friend sent me the story on the most recent letter from Viganò.  I started to read it, but stopped.  It's against Pope Francis and unverifiable, so I can't read it.  I have a hard time believing any attack upon the Pope's credibility - especially from anyone as arrogant and as contemptuous as Viganò seems to be.

Crux has a couple of articles on what editors think is going on or not going on.  It's more or less an opinion by journalists, I haven't noticed any bombshell evidence that has been unearthed.  Nor have I come across any documentation as to how McCarrick rose to the top.  We may never know.

An expert on Church law in Rome says there's no precedent for bishops' investigation other bishops, and that only the authority of the pope can release the documents likely needed to get to the bottom of the case of ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick. - Crux

This is pretty much what I have concluded as well. Only the Pope can authorize a visitation and he has so far decided against this. So the McCarrick case is pretty much decided, the Cardinal title has been removed, he's in a Capuchin friary doing penance. The rest is private - obviously. That is because ...

"Puig also noted that most of McCarrick’s misconduct happened with adult priests and seminarians, and while there was certainly an abuse of power at play, there were only two cases of minors who alleged having been abused, meaning the congregation, which deals only with delicta graviora crimes, or “serious offenses,” would not oversee the bulk of McCarrick’s misbehavior, perhaps making the case less urgent than others that could also be waiting for trial." - Crux

It seems to me Cardinal Maradiaga actually revealed how the McCarrick thing is being handled and will be treated: As private matter of a homosexual nature, the rest - his progress through the ranks - is an internal administration concern. McCarrick will die soon and even if the USCCB was able to get into the archives, they would not be able to reveal what they found out.
It's out of my control, and there is nothing I can do about it. If I read the gossip and debates, I risk losing my faith.  I risk seeing the Church as a purely human institution, a social justice organization.

I'm happy the Pope asked for the daily rosary and prayers to St. Michael during October "to protect the Church from the devil, who always seeks to separate us from God and from each other."  What is happening is truly diabolical. 

The Holy Father has decided to invite all the faithful, of all the world, to pray the Holy Rosary every day, during the entire Marian month of October.

We fly to Thy protection, O Holy Mother of God. 

Do not despise our petitions in our necessities, 

but deliver us always from all dangers, 

O Glorious and Blessed Virgin.

Pope Francis' invitation

"The Holy Father has decided to invite all the faithful, of all the world, to pray the Holy Rosary every day, during the entire Marian month of October, and thus to join in communion and in penitence, as the people of God, in asking the Holy Mother of God and Saint Michael Archangel to protect the Church from the devil, who always seeks to separate us from God and from each other."

The Holy Father asks us "to conclude the recitation of the Rosary with the ancient invocation “Sub Tuum Praesidium”, and with the prayer to Saint Michael Archangel that he protect us and help us in the struggle against evil (cf. Revelation 12, 7-12)." - VN

Saint Michael Archangel, defend us in battle, 

be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil;

 may God rebuke him, we humbly pray; 

and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly host, 

by the power of God, 

cast into hell Satan and all the evil spirits 

who prowl through the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

It's all good!

Priest Interrupted.

Fr. Kalchik in hiding.

To avoid being sent for an evaluation.  All my readers know that, but now other priests are coming forward, talking about St. Luke's Institute - where they send priests for evaluation and therapy and to get better.  It sounds creepy.  They seem to want chaste priests to become sexually mature, and Catholic moral teaching has no place in achieving this?  It is creepy.

This is not accompanying priests.  This is not pastoral.  This is not mercy.  This too is abuse.

How do they get away with that?  Consider how many Catholic priests rant against parents or individuals seeking therapy for unwanted homosexual attraction?  Yet they will send one of their own into an institution just because they are a bit too traditional. 

None of my business I guess.

(Fr. Z has been posting on this, as well as Church Militant.  You can go there for details if you want.  I apologize, I'm just sharing my reflections. And ... I'm depressed and sad.)

Song for this post here.

Nothing to say.

The Feast of the Great St. Sergius of Radonezhsky

St. Sergius of Radonezh

Sergius died on September 25, 1392, and was glorified (canonized) in 1452. His incorrupt relics were found in 1422 and placed in the new Trinity Cathedral of the Lavra which he founded. The church commemorates him on September 25, the day of his death, and on July 5, the day his relics were uncovered. Among the many affectionate titles given him, he has been referred to as the "Abbot of Russia" and "valiant voevod" of the Russian land. The Roman Catholic Church officially recognizes Sergius as a saint, listing him in the MartyrThe Feast of the Great St. Sergius Radoologium Romanum. - Wiki

"The Appearance of the Most Holy Theotokos to Saint Sergius of Radonezh: Once, late at night, Saint Sergius (1314-1392) was reading an Akathist to the Mother of God. Having finished his habitual rule, he sat down to rest a bit, but suddenly he said to his disciple, Saint Micah (May 6): “Be alert, my child, for we shall have a wondrous visitation.” Scarcely had he uttered these words than a voice was heard: “The All-Pure One approaches!”

Saint Sergius rushed from the cell to the entrance, and suddenly it was illumined by a bright light, brighter than the sun. He beheld nearby in imperishable glory the Mother of God, accompanied by the Apostles Peter and John. Unable to bear such a vision, Saint Sergius reverently prostrated himself before the Mother of God. She said to him, “Fear not, My chosen one! I have come to visit you. Your prayer for your disciples and your monastery has been heard. Do not be troubled, for your habitation shall prosper, not only in your lifetime, but also after your departure to God. I will be with your monastery, supplying its needs abundantly, and protecting it.” Having said this, the Mother of God became invisible." - OCA

S, Sergius had a special relationship

with bears ... so he's kind of

a poodle saint.

What?

Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Mercy, of Ransom.

B. Mariæ V. de Mercede

 

Merciful Father and God of all consolation,
you have shown yourself
to be wonderful in the glorious Virgin Mary,
Mother of Christ, and have given her to us
as the Mother of Mercy.

May all of us who venerate her with devotion,
always experience her powerful intercession,
and enjoy Your immense mercy.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

How urgently we need you now, Mother of Mercy ...

This is the best comment ever. (In regard to Fr. Kalchik and the Cardinal.)

From Fr. Z's post on the story:

Fr Sean Coyle says:22 September 2018 at 1:24 PM

“Thirdly, the cardinal thinks you should get a psychological evaluation.” 

Edition 2, 2018 of Maria Legionis, the magazine of the Legion of Mary, gives the text of a talk given by the Servant of God Frank Duff, founder of the Legion of Mary, on “Legion Humour”. It includes this story: 

“Another example would be St. John Bosco in whom humour was as a running river. Like many another saint, he was accused of eccentricity. And on one occasion this caused him to be put into the custody of two Canons to convey him to a mental home. Arriving there, he got out of the vehicle first and formally handed over to the custodians of the institution the two high dignitaries who were with him. He explained that they would probably be a little violent at being held, which certainly proved to be the case. All the excited expostulation of the two Canons and their efforts to explain things were not heeded. John Bosco, who was calm itself during the incident, finally took his leave and departed in the vehicle leaving his former escort struggling in the hands of their captors.” - Fr. Z's Blog

Thank you Fr. Coyle!  Thank you Fr. Z!  Thank you Fr. Bosco!

Sounds like a scene from "Harvey".

Elwood's sister, Veta Louise Simmons, 

tries to have him committed to a sanatorium. 

In exasperation, she admits to the attending psychiatrist 

Dr. Lyman Sanderson that, 

after so many years of putting up with the invisible rabbit, 

she sees Harvey every once in a while herself. 

This causes Dr. Sanderson to let Elwood out and lock Veta up. 

Wiki

I want to live here ...

Yesterday I did a silly post on FB on having to run an errand, adding how I never go anyplace, and so on.  It was meant as a joke.  Later, when I thought about it, I was a little embarrassed, since it was kind of true.  I really do live a rather quiet, withdrawn life.

Since I couldn't be a proper pilgrim-recluse like Benedict Joseph Labre, and since I wasn't able to be a Carthusian, I still always wanted to live that sort of life as closely as possible.  So I live an ordinary life, as if my house and yard is a little hermitage.  I pray as much as I can - especially now since I am retired, and in imitation of the desert fathers, I paint.  They made baskets of course, but it's similar - work with my hands joined to prayer.  Likewise, I garden.  Now I take care of a friend as well - which is a great gift.  So in a way, I'm living my dream, as odd and imperfect as it is.  It is a surprising grace.

I love the Immaculate Conception, and want to live here ... in her ... forever.  She is my paradise upon earth.  I have no need to go elsewhere.

Frank Walker writes the most hysterical copy ever.

Treacherous Butterball, Abp. Scicluna, plugs upcoming Bishops' Synod to Protect Children from Synodsful of Bishops

That's gold!  I am laughing so hard!

San Giuseppe da Copertino

St. Joseph would never be ordained today.  Too bad.

Feast of the Sacred Stigmata of St. Francis of Assisi

St. Francis began to contemplate most devoutly the Passion of Jesus Christ and His infinite charity; and so greatly did the fervor of devotion increase within him, that he was all transformed into Jesus by love and compassion. And being thus inflamed in that contemplation, on that same morning he beheld a seraph descending from heaven with six fiery and resplendent wings; and this seraph with rapid flight drew nigh unto St. Francis, so that he could plainly discern Him, and perceive that He bore the image of one crucified; and the wings were so disposed, that two were spread over the head, two were outstretched in flight, and the other two covered the whole body.

 And when St. Francis beheld it, he was much afraid, and filled at once with joy and grief and wonder. He felt great joy at the gracious presence of Christ, who appeared to him thus familiarly, and looked upon him thus lovingly, but, on the other hand, beholding Him thus crucified, he felt exceeding grief and compassion. He marveled much at so stupendous and unwonted a vision, knowing well that the infirmity of the Passion accorded ill with the immortality of the seraphic spirit. And in that perplexity of mind it was revealed to him by Him who thus appeared, that by divine providence this vision had been thus shown to him that he might understand that, not by martyrdom of the body, but by a consuming fire of the soul, he was to be transformed into the express image of Christ crucified in that wonderful apparition.

Then did all of Mount Alvernia appear wrapped in intense fire, which illumined all the mountains and valleys around, as it were the sun shining in his strength upon the earth, for which cause the shepherds who were watching their flocks in that country were filled with fear, as they themselves afterwards told the brethren, affirming that this light had been visible on Mount Alvernia for upwards of an hour. And because of the brightness of that light, which shone through the windows of the inn where they were tarrying, some muleteers who were travelling in Romagna arose in haste, supposing that the sun had risen, and saddled and loaded their beasts; but as they journeyed on, they saw that light disappear, and the visible sun arise. - Fioretti, taken from NLM

Prayers for our Holy Father Pope Francis.

O Lord Jesus Christ, who when the world was growing cold, in order that our hearts might burn anew with the fire of Thy love, didst in the flesh of the most blessed Francis renew the sacred marks of Thy passion; mercifully grant, that by his merits and prayers, we may ever carry our cross, and bring forth fruits worthy of penance. (Collect from Mass)

Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Since 'they' insist that icons are 'written', I do not need to write anything today.  Read your icons, class.

Standing with the Pope.

I am not ashamed to stand with the Pope and remain faithful to the Holy Catholic Church.

O my God, I firmly believe that you are one God in three divine Persons,Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I believe that your divine Son became man and died for our sins and that he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe these and all the truths which the Holy Catholic Church teaches because you have revealed them who are eternal truth and wisdom, who can neither deceive nor be deceived. In this faith I intend to live and die. Amen.

That said, with the help of grace, I will embrace the confusion, the temptation to discouragement and doubt, and every fear, confident in the promises of Christ and the protection of the Mother of God.

I read an essay from Emmett O'Reagan who writes Unveiling the Apocalypse.  It's very long but quite helpful - to me at least - in putting things in perspective.  A huge, immense perspective, if you will.  I copied a section to share here:

Emmett begins this particular selection, writing:  As I have already explained in the post Pope Benedict XVI on the Chronology of Apocalyptic Events ...

In the vision of Saint Hildegard, the face of the Church is stained with dust, and this is how we have seen it. Her garment is torn – by the sins of priests. The way she saw and expressed it is the way we have experienced it this year. We must accept this humiliation as an exhortation to truth and a call to renewal.

Now notice the similarities here between the words of the Holy Father and those of Sr. Lucia during her interview with Fr. Fuentes:

Sister Lucy also told me: "Father, the devil is in the mood for engaging in a decisive battle against the Blessed Virgin. And the devil knows what it is that offends God the most, and which in a short space of time will gain for him the greatest number of souls. Thus the devil does everything to overcome souls consecrated to God, because in this way the devil will succeed in leaving the souls of the faithful abandoned by their leaders, thereby the more easily will he seize them." 

"That which afflicts the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Heart of Jesus is the fall of religious and priestly souls. The devil knows that religious and priests who fall away from their beautiful vocation drag numerous souls to hell. The devil wishes to take possession of consecrated souls. He tries to corrupt them in order to lull to sleep the souls of laypeople and thereby lead them to final impenitence. He employs all tricks, even going so far as to suggest the delay of entrance into religious life. Resulting from this is the sterility of the interior life, and among the laypeople, coldness (lack of enthusiasm) regarding the subject of renouncing pleasures and the total dedication of themselves to God."

A connection between these words of Sr. Lucia and St. Hildegard's vision of "filth" within the Church clearly seems to have been on Pope Benedict's mind here, since he uses basically the same themes and symbolism during his visit to Fatima in 2010:

"As for the new things which we can find in this message today, there is also the fact that attacks on the Pope and the Church come not only from without, but the sufferings of the Church come precisely from within the Church, from the sin existing within the Church. This too is something that we have always known, but today we are seeing it in a really terrifying way: that the greatest persecution of the Church comes not from her enemies without, but arises from sin within the Church, and that the Church thus has a deep need to relearn penance, to accept purification, to learn forgiveness on the one hand, but also the need for justice."

Cardinal Ratzinger again alluded to St. Hildegard's writings describing the current state of the Church as a woman whose garments are soiled in his famous Way of the Cross sermon in 2005, just before he ascended the papacy:

"Should we not also think of how much Christ suffers in his own Church? How often is the holy sacrament of His Presence abused, how often must he enter empty and evil hearts! How often do we celebrate only ourselves, without even realizing that he is there! How often is his Word twisted and misused! What little faith is present behind so many theories, so many empty words!

How much filth there is in the Church, and even among those who, in the Priesthood, ought to belong entirely to him! How much pride, how much self-complacency!" 

"Lord, your Church often seems like a boat about to sink, a boat taking in water on every side. In your field we see more weeds than wheat. The soiled garments and face of your Church throw us into confusion. Yet it is we ourselves who have soiled them! It is we who betray you time and time again, after all our lofty words and grand gestures. Have mercy on your Church... You stood up, you arose and you can also raise us up. Save and sanctify your Church. Save and sanctify us all." - OL of Knock, Jacob's Ladder, and the Short Time of Satan

The very worst is upon us right now - people within the Church are violently attacking the Holy Father - especially online.  Many people are calling for his resignation and so on.  He needs our prayers and sacrifices even more now than ever.  If he has made mistakes, Our Lord will correct him.  How worldly interpretations of the crisis distract us from a supernatural perspective is frightening to me.  The section quoted from Sr. Lucia helped me understand a bit better, that the proper response for me is deeper prayer and penance - renouncing pleasures - and to accept purification-chastisements in a spirit of sacrifice - at least to try.

"That which afflicts the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Heart of Jesus is the fall of religious and priestly souls. The devil knows that religious and priests who fall away from their beautiful vocation drag numerous souls to hell. The devil wishes to take possession of consecrated souls. He tries to corrupt them in order to lull to sleep the souls of laypeople and thereby lead them to final impenitence. He employs all tricks, even going so far as to suggest the delay of entrance into religious life. Resulting from this is the sterility of the interior life, and among the laypeople, coldness (lack of enthusiasm) regarding the subject of renouncing pleasures and the total dedication of themselves to God." - O'Reagan

The Vatican is preparing a response to Vigano ...

Grand silence.

The Cardinals, that is.

I can't wait.  (Trying not to be cynical.)

The C-9.

The six present for the September meeting were: Cardinals Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state; Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga of Tegucigalpa, Honduras; Sean P. O’Malley of Boston; Oswald Gracias of Mumbai, India; Reinhard Marx of Munich and Freising, Germany; and Giuseppe Bertello, president of the commission governing Vatican City State.

The three who were absent were: 85-year-old Cardinal Francisco Javier Errazuriz Ossa, retired archbishop of Santiago, Chile, who is facing questioning over his handling of abuse allegations; Cardinal Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya of Kinshasa, Congo, who turns 79 in early October; and 77-year-old Australian Cardinal George Pell, who currently is on trial in Australia on sex abuse charges. - Catholic Herald

I wonder if Maradiaga will have anything to say about his seminarian scandal?  What a group.

Like I said, I'm trying hard not to be cynical.

In an interview, Cardinal O’Malley, speaking about sexual abuse survivors stated: “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!”  He was talking about listening to abuse survivors and how the Church wants to insure it doesn't happen again, and so on.  Hopefully they will begin with the proper formation of priests and who is admitted to seminary.  With Maradiaga on the Council of Cardinals, I wonder how that will go?  The focus on issues of abuse and survivors is one thing, hopefully they won't use it to deflect attention away from the corruption, which has been exposed by the McCarrick revelations, not to ignore the seminary scandals in Honduras and elsewhere over the years.

The Holy Father wants us to be silent and pray. I will try.

As John of the Cross said, "Controlling the tongue is better than fasting on bread and water."

Remember how dumb I was?

Paglia 

Duomo di Terni 

I'm better now.

Not sure if I shared this with you here...Goin' up yonder!

Giving up.

Until the Holy Father speaks and addresses the issue of sexual abuse and cover-up I have no interest in what any Catholic has to say on the subject, be they cardinal, archbishop, bishop, priest, religious or laity.

I'm going to confession now.

Song for this post here.

Our Lady's Birthday

You, O little Mary, Maria Bambina, are the Cause of our Joy! Your appearance in the arms of your mother announces that the Word of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, True God from True God, will soon appear in your arms. And you have but one desire, one joy: to give us your Son, to draw us to Him, that your joy might be ours and that our joy might be fulfilled. Amen

I am all thine, and all that I have is thine, O most loving Jesus,

through Mary Thy most holy and Immaculate Mother.

Just a thought ...

I'm sincerely and honestly sad about the crisis in the Church. I don't think I have ever felt such sorrow. I no longer feel anger or betrayal, but genuine sadness. I thank God for this grace.