For the Feast of St. Clare

Cena mistica di San Francesco e Santa Chiara.

-source-

Blessed Friars Michał Tomaszek and Zbigniew Strzałkowski, Martyrs

Fathers Michał Tomaszek and Zbigniew Strzałkowski 

were murdered by Shining Path guerillas 

in Pariacoto, Peru, on August 9, 1991.

"... [I]t was not a good time for Peru: the seeds of terrorism had been sown and produced much hatred, and with the participation of foreign elements, the soil was stained with the blood of martyrs – Fathers Michał and Zbigniew, and two weeks later Alessandro Dordi, a priest in Valle del Santa in the Diocese of Chimbote – and with the deaths of many other Peruvians and foreigners."  Finish reading here.

Today we remember the martyr, St. Edith Stein as well as the holocaust of Nagasaki...

This photo from Auschwitz doesn't show Sr. Benedicta of the Cross, 

but it does show nuns in habits entering the camp with the others ...

It' helps us understand that Edith Stein truly was 

called on behalf of her people ... how many people ...

And then three days later.

The Splendor of Truth

So what is truth?

I was reminded by a friend online that yesterday was the anniversary of St. John Paul's Encyclical, Veritatis Splendor, given on August 6, 1993, the feast of the Transfiguration. Last night I read passages I opened to at random, I did the same early this morning. This document has such an effect upon me, much like the disciples on the way to Emmaus when they remarked later, 'weren't our hearts burning within us?' In a time of extreme moral confusion there is nothing like drinking from an unpolluted fountain.


I read the section on Conscience and Truth, and this morning, Chapter 3, Lest the Cross of Christ be Emptied of Its Power. The section on martyrdom thrilled and encouraged me.  I was once again impressed by the following section intrinsically evil acts.

81. In teaching the existence of intrinsically evil acts, the Church accepts the teaching of Sacred Scripture. The Apostle Paul emphatically states: "Do not be deceived: neither the immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor sexual perverts, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor robbers will inherit the Kingdom of God" (1 Cor 6:9-10).

If acts are intrinsically evil, a good intention or particular circumstances can diminish their evil, but they cannot remove it. They remain "irremediably" evil acts; per se and in themselves they are not capable of being ordered to God and to the good of the person. "As for acts which are themselves sins (cum iam opera ipsa peccata sunt), Saint Augustine writes, like theft, fornication, blasphemy, who would dare affirm that, by doing them for good motives (causis bonis), they would no longer be sins, or, what is even more absurd, that they would be sins that are justified?".¹³⁴

Consequently, circumstances or intentions can never transform an act intrinsically evil by virtue of its object into an act "subjectively" good or defensible as a choice. - Veritatis Splendor

I first returned to the encyclical after having been so confused about former Cardinal McCarrick and the recent news story detailing how he groomed his victims - which for me meant that his sin was 'premeditated' and all the more evil on account of that.  (Story here.) The psalmist describes what goes on in the mind of the perpetrator when he says, "sin speaks to the sinner in the depths of his heart, as he plots the defeat of goodness while he lays upon his couch.  He so flatters himself that he knows not his guilt." 

It seems to me, that like the Judges in Susanna, McCarrick could only go on the way he did because he suppressed his conscience, wouldn't allow his mind and heart to be guided by prayer, and therefore forfeited right judgement.

We need to love the truth ... live the truth.  Otherwise we live a lie - which is why St. Paul says we need to stop lying to one another.  We can't be 'confessors' or 'witness' to the truth if we are liars.  We need to be attentive to the truth, as a lamp shining in the darkness, "until the day dawns and the morning star rises in our hearts."

89. Faith also possesses a moral content. It gives rise to and calls for a consistent life commitment; it entails and brings to perfection the acceptance and observance of God's commandments. As Saint John writes, "God is light and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not live according to the truth... And by this we may be sure that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He who says ' I know him' but disobeys his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps his word, in him truly love for God is perfected. By this we may be sure that we are in him: he who says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked" (1 Jn 1:5-6; 2:3-6). - Veritatis Splendor

My hermitage garden ...

Ave Maria Room

Madonna 

View out.

View into Ave Maria 

The enclosure overgrown lilac woods.

Enclosure with lilac woods 

or as I call it,

 St. Joseph's Wood.

I mentioned on FB that I've let part of my garden go natural-wild, although I do conserve it and need to get in there and clean the stone paths.  I decided to leave it a bit wild to recover from rabbit damage - and yet to allow a sanctuary space for critters and the birds  and the bees to thrive.  It works!  Either St. Francis or St. Martin de Porres wanted such spaces in their gardens.  I also let the hedge grow tall to remain hidden from the neighbors - and now I no longer see their buildings or vast array of lawn ornaments and fairy villages.  They don't have to be distracted by mine, either - so it's a good thing.  Next season I hope to tame the hedge just a bit to create a green wall - that is, if the rabbits don't kill it.  In the meantime, it is a wonderful retreat for me.

I originally posted about it after reading an article on 'ungardening' or 'rewilding' yards by people who want to avoid chemical use and be more eco-friendly, while creating space for wildlife, e.g. birds, bees and butterflies, etc..  Story here.

My outer yard remains more cultivated and manicured - although I have some sculpting and trimming to do.

I should write something.

It's just so easy to post on Facebook.

I kind of neglect this blog.  FB is more interactive, but I'm less inclined to post serious stuff because so many of my relatives and friends of the family are linked to me there. 

I don't know them.

I left home as a senior in high school, and was never very close to anyone since then.  I stayed with my older brother and his wife during a transition period of my life, but I didn't stay close afterwards.  I tried to be close to my sister and her family after her husband died, but I wasn't successful, so it was more or less on again, off again.  (My brother-in-law said I wasn't welcome in their home after my parents outed me.  Dear old mums and dadums.)

Today is my brother Tim's birthday, I haven't been in contact with him for years.  When I left home, I said goodbye to him, and he cried.  He was under the control of my parents and so it was difficult to be close.  My older brother was a sort of mentor for Tim, as well as my sister's kids, and I couldn't compete.  Not that it was a competition, but I always felt as if I couldn't measure up.

Hence my distancing myself.

It doesn't mean I don't love them. 

They just don't know me.

Happy Birthday Timmy!

St. Francis and Our Lady of the Angels

Pray for us O Holy Father St. Francis!

Pray for me to obtain pardon.

Pray for me for the grace of repentance,

conversion,

compunction.

Pray for me to obtain pardon.

Pray for me to do penance.

Pray for us O Holy Father St. Francis,

that we may be worthy of the

promises of Christ,

and through the intercession of 

the Blessed Virgin Mary

obtain the Great Pardon of Assisi

for us.

In thanksgiving for favors granted:

Glory be to the Father

and to the Son 

and to the Holy Spirit

as it was in the beginning,

is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.  Amen. 

Prayer of St. Francis.

Hail, O Lady, Holy Queen,Mary, holy Mother of God:you are the Virgin made Church chosen by the most Holy Father in heaven whom He consecrated with His most holy beloved Son and with the Holy Spirit the Paraclete,in whom there was and is all fullness of grace and every good.

Hail His Tabernacle!
Hail His Dwelling!
Hail His Robe!
Hail His Servant!
Hail His Mother!

And hail all you holy virtues
Which are poured into the hearts of the faithful
through the grace and enlightenment of the Holy Spirit,
that from being unbelievers,
you may make them faithful to God. Amen. 

Hail His Palace!

Jesus grants Our Lady's request for St. Francis, 

granting the Great Pardon

indulgence of the Portiuncula

- Antoni Viladomat i Manalt

Today is the anniversary of the death of St. Leopold Mandic

Feast: 12 May (30 July in Roman martyrology)

 Pope Francis on Pope JPI and Leopold Manic.

“I once read a homily by then cardinal Albino Luciani, later Pope John Paul I, about Father Leopold Mandic´, who had just been beatified by Pope Paul VI,” Bergoglio says. “He described something that was very similar to what I just told you. “You know, we are all sinners,” Luciani said on that occasion. “Father Leopold knew that very well. We must take this sad reality of ours into account: no one can avoid sin, small or great, for very long. But,’ as Saint Francis de Sales said, ‘if you have a little donkey and along the road it falls onto the cobblestones, what should you do?’ You certainly don’t go there with a stick to beat it, poor little thing; it’s already unfortunate enough. You must take it by the halter and say: ‘Up, let’s take to the road again . . . Now we will get back on the road, and we will pay more attention next time.’ This is the system, and Father Leopold applied this system in full. A priest, a friend of mine, who went to confess to him, said: ‘Father, you are too generous. I am glad to have gone to confession to you, but it seems to me that you are too generous.’ And Father Leopold said: ‘But who has been generous, my son? It was the Lord who was generous; I wasn’t the one who died for our sins, it was the Lord who died for our sins. How could he have been more generous with the thief, with others, than this!’” This was the homily of then Cardinal Luciani on Leopold Mandic´, who was later proclaimed a saint by John Paul II.”

[...]No human sin —however serious—can prevail over or limit mercy. After serving for several years as the Bishop of Vittorio Veneto, Albino Luciani held some training exercises for parish priests, and when commenting on the parable of the Prodigal Son once said this about the Father: “He waits. Always. And it is never too late. That’s what he’s like, that’s how he is . . . he’s a father. A father waiting at the doorway, who sees us when we are still far off, who is moved, and who comes running toward us, embraces us, and kisses us tenderly . . . Our sin is like a jewel that we present to him to obtain the consolation of forgiveness . . . Giving a gift of jewels is a noble thing to do, and it is not a defeat but a joyous victory to let God win!”” - John Paul I and Francis

Pope John Paul I was, for me, an anticipation of Pope Francis - a sort of preview.  Both had/have devotion to St. Leopold, the confessor.  May St. Leopold obtain for those who are great and powerful in the Church to understand the lowliness and humility which characterized the little Capuchin priest, St. Leopold Mandic.  May St. Leopold pray for me and obtain for me humility, contrition and compunction.

St. Leopold, pray for us!

The human person ...

Dali - Temptation of St. Anthony

Persona Humana.

St. Paul VI approved this document in 1975.  It's been more or less ignored since then, yet Catholic teaching does not change.

Someone who struggles with masturbation can, by the grace of God, overcome it.  Recently a friend of mine revealed to me a personal struggle, and mentioned how Catholic teaching has evolved on sexuality.  When I was an adolescent, a confessor distinguished between complete self abuse and incomplete.  It seems ludicrous to me today, but perhaps it was an important, albeit immature, for an adolescent back then.  I would be surprised if anyone would ask that today, much less teach it, especially since masturbation is often considered by some, to be no longer sinful.

I've always wonder how and why they can say that when from the earliest times it was considered a sin against chastity.  St. Peter Damian considered it sodomy, along with the sin of contraception.  (Hence my saying we are all Sodomites today.)  St. Benedict and St. Francis of Assisi tossed themselves in thorn bushes to avoid the sin.  Even the desert fathers and Cassian considered nocturnal emissions as unchaste. (They are involuntary and therefore not sinful of course.)  Yet masturbation itself remains a sin to avoid and struggle to overcome.  Peacefully and perseveringly.  

(Again, I'm only writing about this because of some things confided to me recently.  Without going into detail, I believe the change in thinking regarding masturbation had a negative effect in the formation of priests and religious, leading a sexual permissiveness, as seen in the secret lives of priests such as former Cardinal McCarrick, who saw nothing immoral in sleeping naked with seminarians and priests.)

"In the present period, the corruption of morals has increased ..."

Almost 45 years ago, back when society was just emerging from horrible, institutionalized, sexual repression - kidding - the Vatican - during the reign of Pope Paul VI, had the audacity to issue an official document entitled Persona Humana - Declaration on Certain Questions Concerning Sexual Ethics.

Given in Rome, at the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, on December 29th, 1975.

The traditional Catholic doctrine that masturbation constitutes a grave moral disorder is often called into doubt or expressly denied today. It is said that psychology and sociology show that it is a normal phenomenon of sexual development, especially among the young. It is stated that there is real and serious fault only in the measure that the subject deliberately indulges in solitary pleasure closed in on self ("ipsation"), because in this case the act would indeed be radically opposed to the loving communion between persons of different sex which some hold is what is principally sought in the use of the sexual faculty.

This opinion is contradictory to the teaching and pastoral practice of the Catholic Church. Whatever the force of certain arguments of a biological and philosophical nature, which have sometimes been used by theologians, in fact both the Magisterium of the Church - in the course of a constant tradition - and the moral sense of the faithful have declared without hesitation that masturbation is an intrinsically and seriously disordered act.[19]

The observance of the moral law in the field of sexuality and the practice of chastity have been considerably endangered, especially among less fervent Christians, by the current tendency to minimize as far as possible, when not denying outright, the reality of grave sin, at least in people's actual lives. - Persona Humana

Of course, like Humanae vitae, many Catholics ignore this teaching.  I'm just a simple layman who accepts the teaching of the Church.

Something

Some things I just do not know hoe to respond to.

I got a call the other night from an old friend who wanted to tell me some thing of a very private and personal matter.  It was about something he struggles with.  I was taken aback, since I never even thought he could ever be so troubled.  I didn't know what to say.  Each time he mentioned a specific aspect of his struggle I suggested a book on the issue, or a biography of someone who went through similar things.  Then I suggested this prayer and more frequent confession, but of course he tried that.

It seemed to me he really wanted to unload on me and to express his fondness for me and so on.  I didn't know how to respond.  I knew suggesting this book or that was a slough off, something I've called out others for, but I didn't know how to respond.  I don't know how to respond.

I'm really old fashioned and traditional on sexual morality.  I do not like discussing it any longer.  I believe in what the Church teaches, and if there are any mitigating circumstances regarding culpability when it comes to sexual activity, that is between the penitent and the confessor.  I am not qualified to speak to that.

"Discover not thy heart to every one." - Ecclus, VIII, 22

The only response I can give is to affirm that through prayer and perseverance, chastity is a gift our Lord will give to those who never give up - especially if they have recourse to the Blessed Virgin.  It is sheer grace.  Nothing is impossible with God.  Excuses and justifications do not mitigate guilt - that is a temptation from the world.  If one falls, go to confession - but repent immediately before you get there.  Be sure to continue your spiritual exercises as if nothing happened, so to speak.  Don't give up prayer or repeat the sin, thinking 'I may as well, I'm going to confession anyway.'  That's a temptation from the devil and the flesh.

The remedy is constant prayer and recollection, with humble self-knowledge.  Over and over again, until we realize we can do nothing on our own, that we are absolutely powerless - that Christ has taken on our sins.  That is why we need to look deeply into his wounds, which mirror every sin, yet remain the antidote.  He's our healing and our salvation and our holiness - he is with us, not to guilt us but to free us.  I wish I had the words to express that better - but I would almost say, throw your books and laptops away and get a crucifix, an image of the scourged wounded Christ - as Angela of Foligno said, that is the only book you need.

There are some things I just don't know how to respond to.

Never take a man for your example - however holy he may be - for the devil will show you his faults. -John of the Cross

It's true ...

St. Charbel, Thaumaturgist.

The Wonder Worker of Lebanon

St. Charbel is one of my favorite saints. I especially admire his devotion to the Sacred Liturgy/Mass. He said Mass at mid-day, prayerfully preparing to do so the entire morning, and after Mass, offering his thanksgiving the entire afternoon. He was particularly devoted to the Eucharist and the Rosary of the Blessed Virgin.

I try to imitate him somewhat by preparing for Mass for an hour before, praying Our Lady's Rosary.  I try to stay a long time after Mass in silent thanksgiving.  Elsewhere online I noticed a question as to how long the real presence remains within us after communion.  It's a good question, I guess.  From my understanding, so long as the host/bread remains, Christ is with us, body, blood, soul and divinity.  Yet that strikes me as superficial, since Christ leads us into the bosom of the Holy Trinity who dwells within our souls.  We are his tabernacle. God dwells in our soul and Christ himself unites us to himself.  To remain quietly in thanksgiving after communion, contemplating these things is our sanctification.  There is no more intimate call to follow Jesus than that which he bids us in holy communion.  It is not unlike the invitation Christ made to “Zacchaeus -  come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house.”

The easiest way to practice mental prayer, and to acquire the prayer of recollection, is to spend time after Holy Communion in prolonged thanksgiving.  The best way to prepare for this mystical union is extended prayer with Our Lady in preparation to receive Jesus in the Eucharist.  Frequent spiritual communion unites us to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, reminding us throughout the day we are his tabernacle, God's temple, and the Spirit of God dwells in us.

St. Charbel demonstrates that.

St. Charbel, Wonder Worker of Lebanon, obtain for us conscious and deep reverence for Christ in the Eucharist, and heartfelt devotion to Our Lady.  Instill in us an abiding recollection of the Holy Trinity's indwelling that we may do everything in union with God's will.  Through Christ, our Lord.  Amen.

Before Christ’s second coming the Church must pass through a final trial that will shake the faith of many believers. - CCC

Feast of St. Elijah, Prophet

In the 19th century a Coptic manuscript was found, known as the Apocalypse of Elijah. Elijah is of course associated with the coming of the Messiah - for Jews and Christians - Muslims as well. Christ attested to his coming in the Gospel - in regard to John the Baptist. Jews still set a place at table for Elijah, and the Book of Revelation speaks of his return at the end times.

"No one is able to enter the holy place if he is double minded. The one who is double minded in his prayer is darkness to himself. And even the angels do not trust him." - Apocalypse

1.The word of YHWH came to me saying, "Son of man, say to his people, 'why do you add sin to your sins and anger the Lord God who created you ?' " 2.Don't love the world or the things which are in the world, for the boasting of the world and its destruction belong to the devil. 

13.Hear, O wise men of the land, concerning the deceivers who will multiply in the last times so that they will set down for themselves doctrines which do not belong to God, setting aside the Law of God, those who have made their belly their God, saying, "The fast does not exist, nor did God create it," making themselves strangers to the covenant of God and robbing themselves of the glorious promises. 

14.Now these are not ever correctly established in the firm faith. Therefore don't let those people lead you astray. 

25.Likewise no one is able to enter the holy place if he is double minded. 26.The one who is double minded in his prayer is darkness to himself. And even the angels do not trust him. 27.Therefore be single-minded in the Lord at all times so that you might know every moment. - Apocalypse of Elijah

July 20 is the feast of the Prophet Elijah.

St. Alexis

Story of St. Alexis.

St. Alexius the only son of Euphemianus, a wealthy Christian Roman of the senatorial class, fled his arranged marriage to follow his mysterious holy vocation. Disguised as a beggar, he lived near Edessa in Syria, accepting alms even from his own household slaves, who had been sent to look for him but did not recognize him, until a miraculous vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary singled him out as a "Man of God." Fleeing the resultant notoriety, he returned to Rome, so changed that his parents did not recognize him, but as good Christians took him in and sheltered him for seventeen years, which he spent in a dark cubbyhole beneath the stairs, praying and teaching catechism to children. After his death, his family found writings on his body which told them who he was and how he had lived his life of penance from the day of his wedding, for the love of God. (Source)

"Who would not have judged that poor Lazarus was supremely miserable and the rich man quite happy and content?  Yet such was not the case, for that rich man with all his wealth suffered more than poor Lazarus tormented by his leprosy. For the rich man's selfish will was alive, and this is the source of all suffering.  But in Lazarus this will was dead and his will was so alive in me that he found refreshment and consolation in his pain.  He had been thrown out by others, especially by the rich man, and was neither cleansed nor cared for by them, but I provided that the senseless animals should lick his sores.  And you see how at the end of their lives Lazarus has eternal life and the rich man is in hell." - The Dialogue, Catherine of Siena

Art: The Lotus Eater,  Carl Dobsky - John Pearce Gallery, San Francisco.  

Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Queen, beauty of Carmel!

O most beautiful flower of Carmel, 

fruitful vine, splendor of heaven, 

Blessed Mother of the Son of God, 

Immaculate Virgin, assist us in our necessity. 

O star of the sea, help us and show us the way. 

O Mary conceived without sin, 

pray for us who have recourse to you.

In the Ascent of Mount Carmel, St. John of the Cross wrote: “Oh that someone might show us how to understand, practice and experience what this counsel is which our Saviour here gives us concerning the denial of ourselves, so that spiritual persons might see in how different a way they should conduct themselves upon this road than that which many of them think proper.... Oh that someone would tell us how far Our Lord desires this self-denial to be carried!” This lament is addressed to us “spiritual persons,” who claim to be Christ’s friends. - Sr. Ruth Burrows ocd

In thanksgiving for the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mt. Carmel.

We're all going to die.

Monster storm approaching Taranto, Puglia, Italy yesterday, 

July 10th. Report: Alessandra Drago / studi100.it

What?

At the risk of sounding kind of crazy, some mystics - like Marie-Julie Hahenny, said that mini-chastisements (such as unprecedented weather events) will accompany an interior notion (in individuals) that something bigger, more catastrophic, is on the way. 

The purpose is to warn people to repent. 

The inference being there will be warnings in and through plagues, severe storms, tempests, crop failures, frequent earthquakes and other signs in nature to prepare/warn the faithful. Though I don't follow prophecies or private revelations like these, I was reminded of them after the series of strong storms with ostrich-egg size hail in Italy, Greece, as well as the six-feet of hail in Guadalajara last week, and of course the over 10,000 earthquakes in So. California since July 4th. So who knows? 

Of course there can be no denial that the weather related phenomena is entirely natural and part of climate change - which is more or less a warning in itself. Going to confession is a great way to get ready for the big one - whatever that might be. 

Marie-Julie Jahenny was a Breton mystic and stigmatist.

She was also devoted to O.L. of LaSalette.

Monsieur Vincent, RIP

Vincent Lambert died this morning after having been denied the basic food and water he needed to survive for over a week. All human beings, regardless of ability level, deserve to live free from the violence of intentional starvation. May he rest in peace. -  Rehumanize International

I don't like to simply post quotes ...

But I will today.

So that I can remember them.

“Become simple and live simply, not only within yourself but also in your everyday dealings. Don’t make ripples all around you, don’t try to be interesting, keep your distance, be honest, fight the desire to be thought fascinating by the outside world.” -  Etty Hillesum

With increasing regularity, Etty described her compulsion to drop to her knees in prayer. Toward the end of her journals, God had become the explicit partner of her internal dialogue: “God take me by Your hand, I shall follow You faithfully, and not resist too much, I shall evade none of the tempests life has in store for me, I shall try to face it all as best I can…. I shall try to spread some of my warmth, of my genuine love for others, wherever I go…. I sometimes imagine that I long for the seclusion of a nunnery. But I know that I must seek You amongst people, out in the world. And that is what I shall do…. I vow to live my life out there to the full.” - Etty Hillesum

In a Nazi transit camp, Etty Hillesum wrote in her diary: “Sometimes when I stand in some corner of the camp, my feet planted on earth, my eyes raised towards heaven, tears run down my face, tears of deep emotion and gratitude.”  On September 7, 1943, Etty and her family were placed on a transport train to Poland. From a window of the train she tossed out a card that read, “We have left the camp singing.” - Source

I like this particular thought very much: “I know that a new and kinder day will come. I would so much like to live on, if only to express all the love I carry within me. And there is only one way of preparing the new age, by living it even now in our hearts.”

I have a similar sense.  

My Favorite Martyrs

Blood of Christ,

strength of confessors,

save us.

Those who died for their fidelity to the Pope...

  - And faith in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

I want to share the story of the Gorkum Martyrs, men who were tortured and mutilated before and after being hanged to death. They died a martyr's death because they would not renounce their faith in the Real Presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, and because of their obedience and fidelity to the Pope.  How fitting to commemorate them once again in our day.

The Gorkum Martyrs.

By 1572, the Netherlands had fallen culturally and politically into Protestant hands, and Catholics of the country became objects of persecution for Lutherans and Calvinists alike. As town after town fell to Protestant control, the Catholic clergy of the area were arrested and often tortured. The goal of this mistreatment was not death, but apostasy.

In June of 1572, the town of Gorcum (modern Gorinchem, 20 miles west of Rotterdam) fell into the hands of Calvinist pirates, and immediately they arrested nine Franciscan priests. Later, two Franciscan lay brothers, three secular priests, and an Augustinian canon were also arrested. Eventually four more priests were added to their number. These included two Norbertines, another secular priest, and John of Cologne, a Dominican friar working outside of Gorcum. After hearing of the arrests of the Franciscans, St. John disguised himself and traveled to Gorcum to console his brother priests with the sacraments. He was eventually caught and imprisoned along with them.

The pirates demanded that these nineteen priests and religious deny the Real Presence and the authority of the Pope. They refused, much to their captors’ distress. Despite a plea for leniency from William of Orange, the Dutch prince and leader of the Protestant Rebellion, the Calvinists of Gorcum transferred their prisoners to nearby Brielle, where they were martyred outside of town in a dilapidated shed. Their bodies were horrifically desecrated both before and after their deaths, out of mockery for their priesthood.

De heilige Andreas Wouters / Arnoldus.

One of the secular priests, Andreas Wouters was notorious for his unchastity. When accused of this by his captors, he offered his famous reply, “Fornicator I always was, but heretic I never was.” - Source

St. Andreas' example is encouraging to all of us 'steeped in sin since birth' demonstrating the love and mercy of God who will choose the most unlikely of sinners to participate in the Passion and Death of His only begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.  The Precious Blood of Christ is the courage of martyrs, the hope of the penitent, even bringing forth virgins from those who were once contaminated by the world's slow stain.

Novena In Preparation For the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel

Monasterio de los Carmelitas Descalzadas de Cristo Rey

San Francisco

O Beautiful Flower of Carmel, 

most fruitful vine, 

splendor of heaven, 

holy and singular, 

who brought forth the Son of God, 

still ever remaining a pure virgin, 

assist us in our necessity! 

O Star of the Sea, 

help and protect us! 

Show us that you are our Mother! 

Devotion

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel is an ancient devotion, and one, it seems to me, necessary in our times when there are signs of persecution and the threat of war. When the dogma of faith is challenged and compromised throughout Christendom. When paganism has once again attracted and made captive mainstream society. When idolatry has replaced true worship of God the Father in spirit and truth.

Mt. Carmel reminds us of the Prophet Elijah of course, he who defeated the false prophets of Baal. The Order of Carmel has always seen the prophets Elijah and Elisha as the 'proto-founders' of the order. In the passage from Kings wherein Elijah sees the "little cloud rising from the sea" from his perch atop the summit of Mt. Carmel many have written that this little cloud prefigures the Virgin who would bear the Savior - hence, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel.

The last apparition of Our Lady at Lourdes took place on the feast of Mt. Carmel, July 16:

The 18th appearance 16 July 1858

This was the final appearance. Because the grotto was barricaded by the local government, Bernadette knelt outside the fence by the riverbank. "I thought I was at the Grotto, at the same distance as I was the other times. All I saw was Our Lady ... She was more beautiful than ever."

Perhaps more significantly, at Fatima Our Lady showed herself as Our Lady of Mt. Carmel during the miracle of the sun. For me, there are intriguing parallels on that account with the Prophet Elijah in his confrontation with the pagan priests on Carmel, and calling down fire from heaven. Because of that, it lends an apocalyptic nuance to the final vision of Fatima.