Some stuff is really beginning to bother me ...

All of them witches?

So I will try to ignore it.

Little Therese always cautioned her novices never to lose their peace over things that they have no control of or are not their responsibility.  So that's what I try to do as well.  I don't want to be censorious, finding fault with everything.

A few things caught my attention this past week.

Statements made by Jesuit Superior Fr. Arturo Sosa Ascobal suggesting that there were no tape recorders to record every word Christ taught - that was some time ago and I just blew it off.  More recently he suggest the devil is a 'symbolic construct'...

From my point of view, evil forms part of the mystery of freedom. If the human being is free, he can choose between good and evil. Christians believe that we are made in the image and likeness of God, therefore God is free, but God always chooses to do good because he is all goodness. We have made symbolic figures, like the devil, to express evil. Social conditionings also represents that figure, since there are people who act this way because it is in an environment where it is very difficult to do the opposite. - Source

That's troubling.

I'm not in to all the devil stuff many other Catholics seem to be enthusiastic about, exorcists and their stories and preoccupation with possession and obsession and so on, but what the Jesuit Father says is contrary to Scripture, the Catechism, and even the frequent sayings of Pope Francis concerning the devil.  It is a good reminder for me to go back to the sources, especially the Gospel, the Catechism, and mystical theologians such as Garrigou-Lagrange.

MY DEAR WORMWOOD,

I wonder you should ask me whether it is essential to keep the patient in ignorance of your own existence. That question, at least for the present phase of the struggle, has been answered for us by the High Command. Our policy, for the moment, is to conceal ourselves. Of course this has not always been so. We are really faced with a cruel dilemma. When the humans disbelieve in our existence we lose all he pleasing results of direct terrorism and we make no magicians. On the other hand, when they believe in us, we cannot make them materialists and sceptics. At least, not yet. I have great hopes that we shall learn in due time how to emotionalise and mythologise their science to such an extent that what is, in effect, belief in us, (though not under that name) will creep in while the human mind remains closed to belief in the Enemy. The "Life Force", the worship of sex, and some aspects of Psychoanalysis, may here prove useful. If once we can produce our perfect work—the Materialist Magician, the man, not using, but veritably worshipping, what he vaguely calls "Forces" while denying the existence of "spirits"—then the end of the war will be in sight. But in the meantime we must obey our orders. I do not think you will have much difficulty in keeping the patient in the dark. The fact that "devils" are predominantly comic figures in the modern imagination will help you. If any faint suspicion of your existence begins to arise in his mind, suggest to him a picture of something in red tights, and persuade him that since he cannot believe in that (it is an old textbook method of confusing them) he therefore cannot believe in you. - Screwtape

Spiritual Communion

My 'formula' for spiritual communion is pretty much based upon today's Gospel ...

Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying:
"I pray not only for these,
but also for those who will believe in me through their word,
so that they may all be one,
as you, Father, are in me and I in you,that they also may be in us,
that the world may believe that you sent me.
And I have given them the glory you gave me,
so that they may be one, as we are one,
I in them and you in me,that they may be brought to perfection as one,
that the world may know that you sent me,
and that you loved them even as you loved me.
Father, they are your gift to me.
I wish that where I am they also may be with me,that they may see my glory that you gave me,
because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
Righteous Father, the world also does not know you,
but I know you, and they know that you sent me.
I made known to them your name and I will make it known,
that the love with which you loved memay be in them and I in them." - JN 17:20-26

I pray something similar throughout the day and night, beginning like this:

I unite myself to your silent loving action in the Holy Eucharist,
to the offering of yourself in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass celebrated throughout the world,
for all the intentions of your most Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Since I am not worthy that you should come under my roof,
and since I cannot receive you now in Holy Communion,
I pray that you will come spiritually into my soul, as if I just received you...
live in me O Jesus, you in me and I in you,
in time and in eternity,
in Mary,
in the very bosom of the Holy Trinity.

Though it seems like a lot to say, I also shorten it throughout the day praying:

I pray that you will come spiritually into my soul, as if I just received you...
live in me O Jesus, you in me and I in you,
in time and in eternity,
in Mary,
in the very bosom of the Holy Trinity.

I really do pray this frequently throughout the day and night, and when I do yard work or some other manual occupation, I use the prayers of the Divine Mercy Chaplet to remain united to the silent, loving action of Christ in the Eucharist.  It is helpful to recollection and helps me to remain in the presence of God, to sanctify every thought, word, action and desire.  

I credit this habit/practice with freeing me from many occasions of sin and habits of sin.  I also think it is a good preparation for sacred reading, prayer and most especially Mass.

The Gospel readings between the Ascension and Pentecost beautifully express the intimacy and union God desires for us - wills for us - "that the world may know that you sent me, and that you loved them even as you loved me."  Jesus claims each of us as the Father's gift - to him.  That is awe-inspiring.

"What more do you want, o soul! And what else do you search for outside, when within yourself you possess your riches, delights, satisfaction and kingdom -- your beloved whom you desire and seek? Desire him there, adore him there. Do not go in pursuit of him outside yourself. You will only become distracted and you won't find him, or enjoy him more than by seeking him within you." - Saint John of the Cross

For a long time I wandered through many places ...

-source-

" The Christian is bound to perform many good works, but before all else what he ought to do is to pray, for without prayer no other good work whatever can be accomplished. Without prayer he cannot find the way to the Lord, he cannot understand the truth, he cannot crucify the flesh with its passions and lusts, his heart cannot be enlightened with the light of Christ, he cannot be savingly united to God. None of those things can be effected unless they are preceded by constant prayer. I say 'constant,' for the perfection of prayer does not lie within our power; as the Apostle Paul says, 'For we know not what we should pray for as we ought' (Rom. 8:26). Consequently it is just to pray often, to pray always, which falls within our power as the means of attaining purity of prayer, which is the mother of all spiritual blessings. 'Capture the mother, and she will bring you the children,' said St. Isaac the Syrian. Learn first to acquire the power of prayer and you will easily practice all the other virtues. But those who know little of this from practical experience and the profoundest teaching of the holy Fathers have no clear knowledge of it and speak of it but little." - Way of the Pilgrim

I am but a pilgrim on the earth ...

The stories of the martyrs thrills me.

The Coptic martyrs from May 26 were on pilgrimage - what a wonderful sign that is.  We always look for signs - what better sign can we have?  Look at the crosses in the photo at top.  That is our sign.

Today's Gospel, read in consideration of the martyrs and their going out to meet our Lord, is deeply moving for me.

"I revealed your name to those whom you gave me out of the world.
They belonged to you, and you gave them to me,
and they have kept your word.
Now they know that everything you gave me is from you,
because the words you gave to me I have given to them,
and they accepted them and truly understood that I came from you,
and they have believed that you sent me." - Jn 17: 1-11

Blessed day by day be the Lord,
who bears our burdens; God, who is our salvation.
God is a saving God for us;

the LORD, my Lord, controls the passageways of death. - Ps 68

Prayers for the families and survivors.

Prayers for those who will be called next.

God is a saving God for us.

Remembering Martyrs too ...

Relatives of Coptic Christians carry coffins of their relatives who were killed following their funeral service, at Abu Garnous Cathedral in Minya. - Source

I noticed an 'ask father' post on Fr. Z's blog wherein a reader asked, "What if we are alive when Christ returns?" It seemed like a strange question to me, especially in view of the recent martyrs. They were alive when Christ returned for them - they are alive. Christ is alive.   We just celebrated the Resurrection - we celebrate it every Sunday.

Fr. Z plugged ad orientem worship in his reply - to face East to greet the Lord. Inserting a plug like that seems so banal compared to the blood of the martyrs and their going to meet the Lord.  The martyrs were alive when they met Him, no matter which way they were facing.

Read your catechism...

677 The Church will enter the glory of the kingdom only through this final Passover, when she will follow her Lord in his death and Resurrection. The kingdom will be fulfilled, then, not by a historic triumph of the Church through a progressive ascendancy, but only by God's victory over the final unleashing of evil, which will cause his Bride to come down from heaven. God's triumph over the revolt of evil will take the form of the Last Judgment after the final cosmic upheaval of this passing world. - CCC

For some, every day is Memorial day.

When someone you haven’t seen in ten years appears at the door...

I was looking through some photographs of my old neighborhood, friends and their families, which I've always said 'are just like Moonstruck'.  Not so much.  Not so glamorous.  Not so close.  Yes, the kitchen was the center of the home, and everyone just popped in and out, unannounced.  They just stopped by.  But that was pretty much only at my friend Linda's house - and that was very much like Moonstruck.  There were people in the neighborhood just like the characters in the film, but maybe not always as amiable as portrayed on screen.

Anyway.  Paging through the photo albums, combined with being in touch with a few old friends on Facebook, along with the prospect of a high school reunion in a few months brought me back to reality.  The 'Moonstruck' thing was all my fantasy, a romantic recall of what I had wanted that period of my life to be.  I wanted it to be my life, my home, my family.  Except I haven't seen many of these people in over 20 years - or longer.  I 'left' immediately after graduation - moved away as soon as I could.

If they say We should get together say why?

A few years later some of my old friends came looking for me, but once again - I left them.  My brother had married into one of the families, I enjoyed some time with them, but once again I left them.  Why did I keep leaving?

Now that I'm older, I think I know.  I think I always knew it wasn't my life, I wasn't a good fit, and I'm not Italian.   On some level, it helped to find out their fantasies didn't line up so well either.

 It's not that you don't love them.

In high school one of my friends whom I had always admired told me his mom felt sorry for me.  I think I must have told him that I didn't think she liked me - and that's when he explained she knew I came from a messed up family.  I guess everyone knew that, so I was really fortunate to be welcomed into their homes.  Although it could never remove the shame I felt.

As a newcomer to the neighborhood, we moved into a duplex while my dad was in the workhouse.  He had been chronically unemployed, in and out of trouble, we moved every year or so, left behind unpaid rents, my parents fought and caused trouble, and out of shame, I pretended to have a wonderful home life.  For a very long time I had no idea everyone knew how bad it was.  I was so busy trying to invent a normal life.

When they invite you to the party remember what parties are like ...

It still clings to me - that shame.  So over time I tried to flee, I disappeared.  My parents both shamed and defamed me, as it were.  They complained endlessly about how ungrateful I was, how they had 'reached out' to me, and how I disowned them and so on.  My dad beat my little brother warning 'don't turn out like Terry!'  My brother was sexually abused by a neighbor, and my parents blamed my brother and 'forgave' the perpetrator.  I felt guilty, that I had abandoned my brother and was no longer able to protect him because I had moved away.  Perhaps literally to save my life.  My dad once chased me out of the house with a meat cleaver.  Shortly after, I left with my things in a grocery bag, my brother pleading with me not to go.  "I have to leave."  I can see him standing there crying.  That still breaks my heart.

When I tried to get closer, to 'heal things' - Christians have to do that, the pain was so intense, that it took several days to 'get over it' - which is why I avoided 'reunions', holidays, and even weddings and funerals.

When they say Don’t I know you?  say no.

Recently, a younger cousin who is pretty much a stranger to me, actually said in an email, "I'm reaching out to you ..."  I do not even know him.  It was a thoughtful gesture, but I don't think he knows me at all.  When I was still living at home, we had very little contact with relatives.  My parents alienated them, and at times, one of my uncles forbade my aunt from even speaking to my mother on the phone.  Frequently the relatives were denigrated and slandered, more or less out of jealousy and envy by both my parents.  If the relatives were the victims of detraction and calumniated by my parents, one can easily believe mums and dadums did the exact same thing telling tales about their own children.  They were completely untrustworthy.

This weekend, I was looking for a photo of one of my uncle's paintings of his experience in WWII.  He died a couple of years ago.  He was one of the few who continued to keep in touch with me.  I discovered his obituary and noted he had a Catholic funeral and burial.  Years ago my mother told me he had quit the Church after divorcing his first wife and returned to the Lutheran church.  Long story short, I was deeply consoled to know he died a Catholic.  I only find out by chance when someone dies.  I suppose it's because I've been gone so long.  They think I don't care, or wouldn't show up for the funeral.  They try to think for me.  Sometimes they try to speak for me.  Other times they try to spare my feelings, maybe.

Tell them you have a new project.  It will never be finished.

This little essay helps explain why I avoid holidays.  It's not a complaint or a desire for sympathy - nothing like that at all.  It's just that the memories flood back on days like this.  For some of us, every day is Memorial Day, and so when the actual holiday arrives, it gets compounded.  It's difficult to explain.

It doesn't need to be fixed ... ah!

That is meaningful on so many levels:  It doesn't need to be fixed.

It doesn't need to be fixed.


Headings from Naomi Shihab Nye

Memorial Day 2017

Rue du Bac, Paris

The apparitions of Our Lady to St. Catherine, 1830.

It is said these initiated the Marian Era we have experienced since then.  It would be good to consider Our Lady's purpose and mission which began with this important revelation, not to forget, the gift of the Miraculous Medal.  On the reverse of the medal are the  two hearts - the Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart.  At Fatima Our Lady revealed her Immaculate Heart and stated Our Lord wishes her heart to be honored along side his own.  At Fatima Our Lady came to establish devotion to her Immaculate Heart.  See the thread of this outpouring of grace, which began at Rue du Bac, Paris?

The first apparition.

July 18, 1830, the eve of the feast of Saint Vincent whom she loved so much and whose heart she had seen overflowing with love, Catherine prayed that, through his intercession, her desire to see the Blessed Virgin would finally be fulfilled. At eleven-thirty at night, she was called by name. A mysterious child was at the foot of her bed and asked her to get up. “The Blessed Virgin is waiting for you.” Catherine dressed and followed the child who was “bringing rays of brightness wherever he passed.” Having arrived in the chapel, St. Catherine stopped near the chair used by the priest in the sanctuary (current location of the statue of Saint Joseph). She then heard a sound “like the rustle of a silk dress.” Her little guide said, “Here is the Blessed Virgin.” She hesitated. But the child repeated in a stronger tone of voice, “Here is the Blessed Virgin.” In a single bound, Catherine was at the feet of the Blessed Virgin, seated on a chair and rested her hands on the knees of the Mother of God. “There, a period of time passed, the sweetest of my life. It would be impossible for me to say what I experienced. The Blessed Virgin told me how I should behave towards my spiritual director and also several other things.” The Blessed Virgin pointed to the altar where the tabernacle was and said, “Come to the foot of this altar. Here, graces will be spread over all who ask for them with confidence and fervour.” - Apparitions et Médaille

Dark Habits

Nuns on the periphery ...

I just happened upon this, a film by Pedro Almodóvar - I don't know a great deal about him nor have I ever seen this film, but I enjoy this sort of thing.  I love Luis Buñuel and Fellini, and their sometimes satirical treatment of Catholicism, so I wonder how well Almodóvar handles it?

His 1983 "pelicula" is about a cabaret singer Yolonda (Cristina Sánchez Pascual) who is hiding out in a convent of wacky nuns. But let's not confuse the movie with Sister Act because it would eat that 1992 comedy and then apologize sheepishly over a cake and acid dessert...

The nuns are of a renegade order known as The Humiliated Redeemers where the Mother Superior (Julieta Serrano) is a lesbian heroin addict. Her nuns have taken self-deprecating names like Sister Rat (Chus Lampreave), Sister Damned (Carmen Maura), and Sister Manure (Marisa Paredes) and that's just the Almodóvar regulars!

The order is obsessed with the fallen nature of man and Christ's love for sinners. They feel intense nostalgia for the days when their convent was a haven for prostitutes, murderers, and addicts. - More here.

I think the film sounds interesting since it kind of reminded me of Pope Francis' call to go out to the peripheries, so in a strange way, the 1983 film just might be rather 'prophetic' in a weird way.  It could be.

I love films many people quickly assume are anti-Catholic, since they sometimes offer a valuable insight or critique of what is wrong with religious people, or at least it mirrors the impression irreligious people have of strict Catholics.  I think that is why I liked Wolf Hall so much, especially its treatment of St's. John Fisher and  Thomas More.  If traditional Catholics of our day are any indication, I can well imagine these two saints may have made a similar impression upon 'progressives' of their time.  (Of course Thomas Cromwell is treated well, but I'm sure he had some lovable qualities - at any rate, he was more interesting to me than he had been in the past.)  I've read elsewhere that many saints were sometimes difficult to live with.  I like seeing that.

It does nothing to their sanctity, doesn't tarnish it a bit for me.  Saints were sinners and sanctified by the Blood of Christ.  

Divine intimacy ...

Altar of the Sacred Heart, Notre Dame, Montreal.

‘Don’t let me forget the moment when You chose me, 

don’t let me forget the moment we met.’ - Pope Francis

And now, Trump's George Costanza moment with NATO leaders ...

Or is it Rodney Dangerfield?

I had to correct Mrs. Rabitowitz.

Mrs. Rabitowitz

Pregnant again.

Formal correction of a rabbit.

I spoke to her face to face, very gently explaining why I did not want her to eat the Hostas, and telling her the lawn is un-mowed and long enough for her to graze.  She seemed fine with that.  I bend over backwards for these critters.

Now, a question for Adrienne...

Why are my climbing roses getting yellow leaves?

They are Canadian grown, winter hardy,

and maybe ten years old.

(Adrienne is a Master Gardener - Just found out it's probably chlorosis.)

Ma and Pa Trump Go To the Vatican

The Trumps met the Pope today.

Dour and sour formal photos are swirling around online, but if you look more closely - or Google a larger selection, the meeting and greeting with the Holy Father was cordial and warm.  Melania even joked with the Pope.  She looked beautiful as ever.

After greeting the president of Bambino Gesu hospital, 

who accompanied Melania Trump on her visit, 

she laid flowers at the feet of a statue of Our Lady, 

made the sign of the Cross, and paused silently before Mary.

- Aleteia

I love her.

It seems to me some Catholics can't be convinced of this ...

When the Holy Spirit comes, he will convince the world concerning sin... righteousness... judgment.

The thing about the Roman Catholic Church, with the primacy of Peter - the Papacy and the Magisterium in place - is that the Christian can have confidence that the Holy Spirit leads and guides the Church.

The convincing of sin is a gift of the Holy Spirit.

The emphasis on 'the convincing power of the Holy Spirit' is a favorite source of meditation for me, it is part of my deepest prayer. It is the Holy Spirit who convinces us and the world concerning sin, righteousness and judgment. How essential this action is, not just once, in a sort of baptism of the Spirit, or confirmation, but ongoing: deep calling unto deep, drawing us deeper into the mystery of the Trinity; the abyss of mercy and love, calling to the abyss of sin and misery, convicting the soul in an embrace of the merciful love of Christ crucified.

The Church in the sacraments, especially the sacrament of penance, assures us - guarantees that the sins we confessed have been forgiven, our guilt removed, and so on.  This exemplifies what I say about the assurance we have that the Holy Spirit leads, guides, and vivifies the Church.  As the Catechism explains:

The Church, a communion living in the faith of the apostles which she transmits, is the place where we know the Holy Spirit:

- in the Scriptures he inspired;
- in the Tradition, to which the Church Fathers are always timely witnesses;
- in the Church's Magisterium, which he assists;
- in the sacramental liturgy, through its words and symbols, in which the Holy Spirit puts us into communion with Christ;
- in prayer, wherein he intercedes for us;
- in the charisms and ministries by which the Church is built up;
- in the signs of apostolic and missionary life;
- in the witness of saints through whom he manifests his holiness and continues the work of salvation. - CCC

Reading Catholic blogs, and most especially the comments on particular posts, such as those at 1P5 and The Remnant has become a bad habit with me, one I need to temper.  Reading such posts and comment, or simply reviewing news aggregated sites such as Canon 212, give me the impression that many Catholics are no longer convinced of the promises of Christ and that the Church "is the Reign of Christ already present in mystery."

The mission of Christ and the Holy Spirit is brought to completion in the Church, which is the Body of Christ and the Temple of the Holy Spirit. This joint mission henceforth brings Christ's faithful to share in his communion with the Father in the Holy Spirit. The Spirit prepares men and goes out to them with his grace, in order to draw them to Christ. The Spirit manifests the risen Lord to them, recalls his word to them and opens their minds to the understanding of his Death and Resurrection. He makes present the mystery of Christ, supremely in the Eucharist, in order to reconcile them, to bring them into communion with God, that they may "bear much fruit." - CCC

‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.’ - Luke 16:31

I wrote that passage in another post, taking into consideration how a 'Protestant', or 'cafeteria Catholic' mentality has taken hold among those people who write and subscribe to those extreme conservative sites - which secular groups have gone so far as to identify with hate groups due to some of their extremist claims.

Thus, wondering to myself, I concluded that even if the Blessed Virgin appeared again at Fatima to support the Holy Father and affirm the canonization of Jacinta and Francisco, many would probably reject her.  Critics already have suggested the recent canonizations have been politically motivated, or accomplished to bolster Vatican II and the 'new' Mass.  Therefore, it perhaps may be said about them, "If they will not listen to the Pope and the Magisterium, if they reject the Councils and the Liturgical books, if they even reject the emerging recognition of the SSPX and Bishop Fellay, if they reject the authenticity of the election of Pope Francis, then they will not be persuaded if the holy Virgin appears here or there, or if the SSPX is united with the Pope, or the consecration of Russia is repeated every day - word for word - until the end of the world."

These people, with their groups, blame the Church for not promoting Fatima, for not 'responding to Our Lady's call'.  They claim educated, liberal Catholics are embarrassed by apparitions - and never more so, than about Fatima.  They just don't get it it however - those who feel persecuted for their devotion and promotion of the Fatima message.  My first impulse is to say they are stupid people - but they are really not... and of course, who am I to judge?  Therefore I apologize for having done so, or called them out as 'stupid people' - only some of their theories are stupid - I think I covered that already.

However, if these groups and their followers really want to understand why many normal Catholics - well educated or not - reject private revelations and the fringe Fatima cults, it is because of the nuttiness they have layered on top of the authentic message.  So many adherents to Fatima, and other approved/unapproved apparitions and private revelations involving a garden variety mystics, come out with parallel messages, crazy interpretations of secrets, infighting about this or that detail, absurd claims, and just very strange superstitious analysis of every sort of unusual phenomenon - be it weather related or political.  What reasonable person would be interested in that stuff?  So don't blame reasonable people for having doubts or not paying attention to you.

So anyway.  As Doris Upson said about Gloria's ping-pong story, "Well, it was amusing."  And that's why I will read and comment on such nuttiness from time to time.  It's amusing.  If it annoys you, please don't read me, I have no interest in promoting my blog.  I like to write because it helps me think and come to terms with issues which trouble me.  In real life, as online, I find religious people nearly impossible to carry on a conversation with.

Just yesterday, a high school friend on Facebook, whom I haven't even talked to for over 50 years, and who happens to be a minister/preacher, took offence at some satirical comments I made about VP Pence, President Trump, as well as those traditional Catholics who support Trump as chosen by God -  yet reject the fact that Pope Francis really was/is the Successor of Peter - and for that matter, successor of Benedict XVI.   It strikes me as beyond irony how easily they can compartmentalize these things in their head.  Nevertheless my Evangelical brother took it personally and posted a couple of anti-papist videos on another friend's blog, in response to the comment I made.  I removed my comment and his offensive response left with it.  I don't want to be cluttering up other friends walls.

The upshot?  I'll try to be more sensitive when writing about Protestants and protestant Catholic Traditionalists on Facebook or in the com-boxes of others.

Well, that does it for today I guess.

Lord Paddington: "Now don't get excited, old boy...

Come now Fatty, do try to calm yourself.

One doesn't have to be coarse."

My Renaissance Garden Affair for Mrs. Rabitowitz ... Or ...The 3 Days Darkness Envelopes Dogwood Cottage.

Once upon a time an old gardener took advantage of the Global warming phenomena in Minnesota and decided to plant his pots early in the season. 

One sunny Saturday, when the temperature rose to tropical levels, 70 degrees, and the garden center said the last average freeze is Mother's Day, Mr. Nelson bought Plumbago vines for the trellis and pots in the back garden.  The potted vines were so tall, they became twin towers.  Several days later the ice age returned.  Of course I blame the mothers because it happened a few days after Mother's Day, and everyone knows what they say about a witch's ....

So anyway.  It grew dark and cloudy and blustery cold, with continuous, tempestuous rain.  The poor Pulmbago plants shivered and wilted, branches drooped, as if dead.  Old man Nelson called the garden center - Bachman's On Lyndale - and was told by an expert that although the culture listed on the tags from Monrovia states that the plants can endure temps down to 20-30 degrees, the expert said they do not do well under our conditions - when it's below 50, and windchill is at 40.

Mr. Nelson and his cat set out to fix things, creating tents to cover the susceptible plants, which were well planted, and too tall to remove indoors.  Voila - the back garden was turned into a fairy land of Renaissance tents, lighted from within by candles in lanterns, meant to warm the enclosure for the duration of the attack from the wicked witch of the North.  (Notice I'm letting my hedge grow tall to hide the scrap yard mess next door.)

If you look closely at the photos, you can see the cat looking out the door, watching old man Nelson document the garden in preparation for the lawsuit against the garden center.  What?  It could happen if Mr. Nelson flips out.

Gratefully - the three days darkness is almost over - today the covers come off, and Mrs. Rabitowitz and friends can eat once again and celebrate Yom Yerushalayim this week. 

The South tower.

Gabs said it looked more like a Dementor at first glance.

She was scared.

The North tower.

If you click on the photo you can see 

the damage done to the lawn by the voles and grubs,

which is why I put down repellent for the grubs.  

I will be seeding as soon as I can

rake and add some compost.  

Mrs. Rabitowitz told me 

I should have done that before planting the pots.

She's such a kvetch.

The Madonna trellis.

I actually built a little frame and roof for it.

The top is roofed with a folded winter cover

for the bench.

Since everyone wants to see a recent photo of me,

this is my foot.

My kitty watching me work.

She has nightly news on in the background.

Did you see this?  I have Christmas lights inside

to create warmth.  St. Joseph is still in his 

winter location.

My messy garage with sensitive plants brought in

to escape the cold - my pollarded myrtle in the window.

More Plumbago plants - these little ones 

are intended for the front of the house.

Can you see leg and foot on the snow blower?!

The Impostor Cardinal Burke did it.

BREAKING:   Cardinal Burke has been replaced by an impostor
 - just like Pope Paul VI and Sr. Lucia had been!

          ^The real deal.                                                            The impostor.^

From "Locutions to the Whirled"

"Someone else, disguised as Cardinal Burke is asking for a re-consecration of Russia.  Oh!  Oh!  I see him - wending his way to the front of the College, grabbing the cappa magna and bolero off the body of the aged C. Burke - feigning humility - he carries his own purse.  Oh! Oh! It's a sign!  Judas took care of the purse!  The impostor Cardinal had the real Cardinal removed from his job and exiled him to wander about the world like an imigrant!" - Anonymous Mystic who knew someone who met Padre Pio and that person knew someone who met Mother Teresa and Dody Goodman.

Uncanny.

It's been raining all day here.

As a boy, did Cardinal Burke engage in cow-tipping?

Cardinal Burke grew up on a farm in Wisconsin.

Because he seems to have a knack for upsetting people...

Just yesterday LifeSite published the following: 

 Cardinal Raymond Burke issued a call this morning for the Catholic faithful to “work for the consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.” LifeSite

At first I thought, along with others who read the story, that Cardinal Burke is calling for the consecration of Russia according to OL's request at Fatima. Yet Sr. Lucia assured everyone the consecration had been done, the consecration/entrustment by St. John Paul II was accepted by Heaven, and so on. Now Cardinal Burke is calling for it to be done because the one by JPII didn't meet the requirements Our Lady asked for?  I thought he's beginning to sound like Fr. Gruner.  I was troubled.  Does this mean Sr. Lucia and the Popes, including Benedict XVI lied to us?  Is 1P5 right?  Is Marian Horvat, PhD right?  Did Sr. Lucia have a double?  Is the Vatican the great facade?  Did all those churchmen lie?  Is Cardinal Maradiagito right?  Burke wrong?  Holy crap!

So, prayer obtains all.

Never lose your peace over this stuff.  Cardinal Burke is not the Pope, nor is he all by himself the magisterium - nor is the Cardinal from Honduras.

Having said that, I looked more closely at what Burke said and discovered he doesn't deny the consecration wasn't accomplished.  He was pretty much saying it would good to renew it, more or less. Asking Catholic to pray for that intention.  (I don't think Our Lady specifically requested we pray for that intention though.)

It would be nice to do another consecration, perhaps for Oct. 13? Designating Russia. Especially now since the political situation has changed in Russia and atheism has given way to greater religious freedom, and so on. We think.  There are still theological problems concerning language, some theologians have problems with the word 'consecration' hence the term 'entrustment' is used. Likewise the Orthodox do not seem to accept the notion of 'heart' as focus for devotion, and since they are already Catholic, albeit separate from Rome, the notion they will be 'converted' is not well received. These are the real difficulties 'theologians' fear - but I trust Our Lady will settle all of that.

It could happen, I suppose, without discrediting the veracity of the consecration Lucia said was accepted.  If it is done, it could be a great finale to the Fatima Centenary.

It's quite obvious from this photo which one is the

real Sr. Lucia - the one on the viewer's left is 

an impostor.

What?

IPity5

If the Cardinal Burke Fatimists are looking for a great reversal of all that is wrong with the world, they may be mistaken, since Our Lord already told Lucia that the consecration would be made (it was) but it would be late (it was). I'm of the opinion that means the errors were spread, ingrained in world politics and religious 'apostasy'.  In other words, the damage has been done. So we are living through the results. The consecration to the Sacred Heart in France was late, and the monarchy lost their heads, and the Revolution triumphed.

Part of the problems with apparition people is they think that if the whole world does this, that, and the other thing, according to the letter, God will have to reverse the consequences - on some level that may be true - as they say, 'if enough people' do it, it can be mitigated. Mitigated means the effects are lessened, but there will still be effects.  The resolution to the problems - especially the loss of souls - has been given and made public since the apparitions at Fatima in 1917.  The message of Fatima has been explicitly promoted by all of the Popes since Pius XII.  It seems to me we need to continue to heed Our Lady's catechesis and peace plan, and accept whatever consequences there happen to be for not having followed Our Lady's requests from the outset.

To repeat the consecration of Russia (and the entire world) would be good to do as an act of reparation perhaps, but 'Fatimists' still won't be satisfied, they'll blame the popes and bishops for not having done so according their exact prescriptions - they will continue to insist it had never been accomplished before - even though Sr. Lucia said it had, but she was an impostor, and so on. 

Yeah.  So.

What?

Catholics Online - or, 7 Quick Takes, as 'they' like to say.

Afraid to leave the house for church.

Thank God the Church is not a democracy ...

Yet U.S. Catholics act as if it were.  Amazing discussions online - not always by stupid people - but more frequently than ever by people with stupid, crackpot ideas and conspiracy theories.

Promoting my blog.  So I posted a response to a Fr. Z-1P5 groupie about 1P5's obsession with the disorientation of the Fatima messages and interpretations of the secrets, heavily influenced by dubious LaSalette secrets, Katherine Emmerich's imagination, and the unapproved OL Good Success of Quito claims for the 20th-21st centuries apostasy.  (Don't forget that Akita is only kind of approved and doesn't have the same type of canonical recognition as Fatima, Lourdes, Rue du Bac, or official LaSalette.)  Because I mentioned photos on my blog, which I could not post at 1P5, demonstrating a consistent facial recognition in a series of photos showing that Sr. Lucia was not replaced by a double, the lady said I was promoting my blog.  LOL!  I have never, would never, ever, promote this blog.   Which is why I refer to it as a dump.  This is a web-log, I document things here, for me - you can read it if you want.

It's my blog.

That's like 7 quick takes right there.  But I am not finished.

Fr. Z - bless his heart - and I'm not turning on him here - posted excerpts from a Crux article on some critical things Cardinal Maradiaga said against Cardinal Burke.  It should never have been published, except for the fact Catholics for whom Maradiaga speaks, also need to know that someone not only speaks for them, but have confidence the Pope is still the head of the Church.

I may not agree with what Maradiaga says about Burke personally, yet it is definitely my experience that what he says definitely can apply to those who have created a sort of cult following, or political party around Cardinal Burke.  Again - I'm not criticizing Burke, but some of his following fit the descriptions Maradiaga attribute to the Cardinal.  (Those who insist the Vatican, CDF, and the Popes have been lying about the Secret of Fatima are included in this sect.)

A few quick takes from Maradiagito.

“He’s not the magisterium,” Maradiaga said, referring to the authority to issue official teaching. “The Holy Father is the magisterium, and he’s the one who teaches the whole Church. This other [person] speaks only his own thoughts, which don’t merit further comment.

That's true - except Cardinal Burke is not speaking his own thoughts, but rather seeks clarity on Catholic teaching.  On the other hand, the criticism easily can be applied for the Burke defense team.  Some of his followers, as well as Fatimists and several others 'speak only their own thoughts' or the thoughts generated by private revelation and other unreliable sources - accusing the magisterium of being infiltrated by enemies of the Church, and therefore no longer to be trusted.  That's crazy.

Maradiagito says it better than I can.

He also has just as much authority to do so as any other Cardinal...

Maradiaga also criticized conservative schools of thought in Catholicism, of which Burke is often seen as a symbol.

“These currents of the Catholic right are persons who seek power and not the truth, and the truth is one,” he said. “If they claim to find some ‘heresy’ in the words of Francis, they’re making a big mistake, because they’re thinking only like men and not as the Lord wants.

“What sense does it have to publish writings against the pope, which don’t damage him but ordinary people? What does a right-wing closed on certain points accomplish? Nothing!

“Ordinary people are with the pope, this is completely clear,” Maradiaga said. “I see that everywhere.

Pewsitters with their big pulpits and huge vocis (you know who you are) might think they are launching the tenth crusade but it is the Church, the Pope and the bishops in communion with him - the Magisterium - which is solely responsible  for Catholic teaching, defining doctrine and dogma and Canon Law and Scripture, approving or rejecting private revelation, calling a crusade, approving any para-militant movement, and so on.  The Catholic blogosterium has no authority, no matter how many degrees from Steubenville or Catholic U or any other distance degree program you got those authoritative and impressive initials after your name from.

Song for this post here.

Blogosteriously unauthorized.

Catholic blogs credit themselves with a great deal of authority, convinced they have influenced a sort of reform of the reform of the reform.  No doubt they have influence, which pretty much contributes to the very disorientation they fearfully warn about in spreading their misinterpretations of private revelations.

Read their com-boxes and see the confusion and hostile culture their conspiracy theories and schism inducing gossip generates among ordinary people.  Thanks be to God, only a minority of ordinary, faithful Catholics waste their time on Catholic social media gossiping.  'They' need to be careful when they mock and condemn popes, cardinals, and bishops.  Just saying.

“The greatest problem, however, is the disorientation that’s created among people when they read affirmations of bishops and cardinals against the Holy Father.” - Cardinal Maradiaga

Catholic Militants

I was called before the Inquisition today.

Detail - R. Kenton Nelson

The artist said:

“One of my first "watch" paintings. 

I use a watch on a man, so he can avoid reality."

What?

I met with my pastor, finally after 27 years, several pastors, over at least ten years of saying I'd like to sign up, and at least one cancellation of an appointment to do so.  I was hoping I could just fill out paperwork rather than make an appointment to 'talk'.

So today I actually showed up for a scheduled appointment.  Fr. wasn't there yet - he arrived 20 minutes late.  I almost left and was going to tell the secretary I'd be back another time.  But he came in before I could do so.  I felt trapped.  I was sweating - it's only in the 50's in Minneapolis today and I'm sweating.  I told him I felt like I was being called in to the office to be reprimanded.

"So tell me about yourself ..."

I told him everything.  I was surprised how many periods of my life I forgot about - "Oh!  I lived in Boston too."  "Oh!  I suppose I should tell you ..."

So anyway.  I will now get envelopes and I can be buried from there, my neighborhood parish.  I also learned that the icon will be installed in  the Marian-Adoration chapel, which is exactly where I hoped it would be place.

He's a great priest BTW.

I stayed for adoration.

Letting go ...

"When an activity or a person fills our lives, inspires us or gives us a zest for life, their absence can plunge us into this feeling of total emptiness. We live a kind of inner death. Life no longer flows forth in us. We are filled with a sense of loss and of grief; a heaviness, which resembles depression, permeates our whole being. This pain and this heaviness are not a sickness but a normal, natural reaction to a loss that touches the very meaning of our lives." - Jean Vanier, Seeing Beyond Depression