These brave men and women died to protect the faith in Spain. May their martyrdom serve as a challenge to all of us to defend the faith, even to the point of death.
Sad Spain, without fortune!
Monday, September 5, 2011
Friday, September 2, 2011
Holiness is the nectar of lost souls.
This is a great example of sometimes failing to see the forest from the trees. I have often heard it said that we must make the Gospels attractive to the young so to make the Word more relevant in their lives.
But I think somehow this it does not begin with fancy logos or flashy music or entertaining hosts. It begins with holiness.
Our duty as Christians is to get others into heaven and we do not need to be "hip," clever, handsome, or funny to accomplish this mission. We need to be holy! Holiness is the nectar of lost souls.
From Vultus Christi, reflections of Blessed Ildefonso Cardinal Schuster, O.S.B, a Benedictine monk and Archbishop of Milan, to his seminarians. This quote is indeed fascinating and illuminating:
"It would seem that people are no longer convinced by our preaching; but faced with holiness, they still believe, they still fall to their knees and pray. People seem to live ignorant of supernatural realities, indifferent to the problems of salvation. But when an authentic saint, living or dead passes by, all run to be there. . Do not forget that the devil is not afraid of our [parish] sports fields and of our movie halls: he is afraid, on the other hand, of our holiness."
This applies not just to seminarians but to all of us.
But I think somehow this it does not begin with fancy logos or flashy music or entertaining hosts. It begins with holiness.
Our duty as Christians is to get others into heaven and we do not need to be "hip," clever, handsome, or funny to accomplish this mission. We need to be holy! Holiness is the nectar of lost souls.
From Vultus Christi, reflections of Blessed Ildefonso Cardinal Schuster, O.S.B, a Benedictine monk and Archbishop of Milan, to his seminarians. This quote is indeed fascinating and illuminating:
"It would seem that people are no longer convinced by our preaching; but faced with holiness, they still believe, they still fall to their knees and pray. People seem to live ignorant of supernatural realities, indifferent to the problems of salvation. But when an authentic saint, living or dead passes by, all run to be there. . Do not forget that the devil is not afraid of our [parish] sports fields and of our movie halls: he is afraid, on the other hand, of our holiness."
This applies not just to seminarians but to all of us.
First Friday of The Month
From the writings of St. Margaret Mary:
"On Friday during Holy Communion, He said these words to His unworthy slave, if I mistake not: I promise you in the excessive mercy of my Heart that its all-powerful love will grant to all those who receive Holy Communion on nine first Fridays of consecutive months the grace of final repentance; they will not die under my displeasure or without receiving their sacraments, my divine Heart making itself their assured refuge at the last moment."
With regard to this promise it may be remarked:
(1) that our Lord required Communion to be received on a particular day chosen by Him;
(2) that the nine Fridays must be consecutive;
(3) that they must be made in honor of His Sacred Heart, which means that those who make the nine Fridays must practice the devotion and must have a great love for our Lord;
(4) that our Lord does not say that those who make the nine Fridays will be dispensed from any of their obligations or from exercising the vigilance necessary to lead a good life and overcome temptation; rather He implicitly promises abundant graces to those who make the nine Fridays to help them to carry out these obligations and persevere to the end;
(5) that perseverance in receiving Holy Communion for nine consecutive First Firdays helps the faithful to acquire the habit of frequent Communion, which our Lord eagerly desires; and
(6) that the practice of the nine Fridays is very pleasing to our Lord since He promises such great reward, and that all Catholics should endeavor to make the nine Fridays.
Prayer Source: Enthronment of the Sacred Heart by Rev. Francis Larkin, SS.CC., St. Paul Editions, 1978
Let's begin this road together!
"On Friday during Holy Communion, He said these words to His unworthy slave, if I mistake not: I promise you in the excessive mercy of my Heart that its all-powerful love will grant to all those who receive Holy Communion on nine first Fridays of consecutive months the grace of final repentance; they will not die under my displeasure or without receiving their sacraments, my divine Heart making itself their assured refuge at the last moment."
With regard to this promise it may be remarked:
(1) that our Lord required Communion to be received on a particular day chosen by Him;
(2) that the nine Fridays must be consecutive;
(3) that they must be made in honor of His Sacred Heart, which means that those who make the nine Fridays must practice the devotion and must have a great love for our Lord;
(4) that our Lord does not say that those who make the nine Fridays will be dispensed from any of their obligations or from exercising the vigilance necessary to lead a good life and overcome temptation; rather He implicitly promises abundant graces to those who make the nine Fridays to help them to carry out these obligations and persevere to the end;
(5) that perseverance in receiving Holy Communion for nine consecutive First Firdays helps the faithful to acquire the habit of frequent Communion, which our Lord eagerly desires; and
(6) that the practice of the nine Fridays is very pleasing to our Lord since He promises such great reward, and that all Catholics should endeavor to make the nine Fridays.
Prayer Source: Enthronment of the Sacred Heart by Rev. Francis Larkin, SS.CC., St. Paul Editions, 1978
Let's begin this road together!
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Pregnancy is not a disease
No doubt, this is one of the best lines ever said: "The church does not consider birth control a right of health care, much less a good for human flourishing, because pregnancy is not a disease."
The article is attached.
Implications of Health Care Reform
Yet, some of our lost brothers and sister go out of their way to treat child bearing as a burden, a punishment, so much so that they kill an innocent life.
As we recall the humiility and unselfishness of St. Rose of Lima, let us pray for our brothers and sisters to be enlightened and converted to Christ.
The article is attached.
Implications of Health Care Reform
Yet, some of our lost brothers and sister go out of their way to treat child bearing as a burden, a punishment, so much so that they kill an innocent life.
As we recall the humiility and unselfishness of St. Rose of Lima, let us pray for our brothers and sisters to be enlightened and converted to Christ.
Monday, August 29, 2011
New England’s European-Style Birth Dearth
How deep must be the hopelessness these people have that they accumulate treasures on this earth and reject the joy of love that comes from procreation?
Pray for these lost souls!
Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us
St. Anthony of Padua, pray for us
Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
St. Anthony of Padua, pray for us
Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
http://catholicexchange.com/2011/08/29/158012/
Bishop allows SSPX Mass in France
Ultimately, the goal of ecumenism is to unite all Christians with Peter, in His One Holy Catholic Church. This should not be achieved at the cost of diluting Catholic teaching or ignoring any council of Holy Mother Church, including Vatican II.
http://eponymousflower.blogspot.com/2011/08/bishop-allows-sspx-mass-in-france.html
http://eponymousflower.blogspot.com/2011/08/bishop-allows-sspx-mass-in-france.html
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Accept my merciful love
http://vultus.stblogs.org/2011/08/accept-my-merciful-love.html
One cannot speak convincingly of my Divine Mercy without having first experienced it.
From In Sinu Iesu, The Journal of a Priest
One cannot speak convincingly of my Divine Mercy without having first experienced it.
From In Sinu Iesu, The Journal of a Priest
The 11th Sunday after Pentecost
In today's Holy Mass, we hear in the epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians, a statement that demands attention: "But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not found vain." (I Corinthians 15:10)
St. Paul, by his own admission, believes he does not deserve the title of apostle because of his zealous persecution of the followers of Christ before his conversion. But yet, by God's grace, he is who he is.
Often times, I wonder since I am such a great sinner, how is it that I can be called a Christian a follower of Christ. Yet nothing is impossible to God.
Our Lord calls us all to conversion, regardless of what we have done in the past. Our Lord washes us clean in the sacrament of Penance and nourishes us with His own Flesh, all the while sanctifying us with the Holy Spirit in the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation. He wants us to surrender our lives to Him so that we may live in true freedom and joy. Our sins, cleansed by His Most Precious Blood, are no more an impediment to establishing intimacy with our Heavenly Father.
The grace of God, which fills our souls, can change our lives so profoundly that the words of today's gospel come th life: "He hath done all things well..." (St. Mark 7:37)
Let us all seek that conversion to God so that we, like the deaf man in today's gospel, be filled with His grace to live a life on this earth that astonishes and prompts many to seek a true conversion to Christ.
St. Paul, by his own admission, believes he does not deserve the title of apostle because of his zealous persecution of the followers of Christ before his conversion. But yet, by God's grace, he is who he is.
Often times, I wonder since I am such a great sinner, how is it that I can be called a Christian a follower of Christ. Yet nothing is impossible to God.
Our Lord calls us all to conversion, regardless of what we have done in the past. Our Lord washes us clean in the sacrament of Penance and nourishes us with His own Flesh, all the while sanctifying us with the Holy Spirit in the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation. He wants us to surrender our lives to Him so that we may live in true freedom and joy. Our sins, cleansed by His Most Precious Blood, are no more an impediment to establishing intimacy with our Heavenly Father.
The grace of God, which fills our souls, can change our lives so profoundly that the words of today's gospel come th life: "He hath done all things well..." (St. Mark 7:37)
Let us all seek that conversion to God so that we, like the deaf man in today's gospel, be filled with His grace to live a life on this earth that astonishes and prompts many to seek a true conversion to Christ.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Not Reported in Hell's Bible - The New York Times
Not one mention! Guess its not news.
http://www.jillstanek.com/2011/02/dr-bernard-nathanson-dead-at-84/
http://www.jillstanek.com/2011/02/dr-bernard-nathanson-dead-at-84/
Great Men's Conference
How did they get Cardinal Burke? Awesome!
http://www.gowestcatholicmen.com/images/Flyer_2011_Mens_Conference.jpg
http://www.gowestcatholicmen.com/images/Flyer_2011_Mens_Conference.jpg
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Civil marriages and Catholics
An all too common issue impacting many cradle Catholics.
http://wdtprs.com/blog/2011/02/quaeritur-parish-usher-wants-to-be-a-jp-to-officiate-at-wedding-of-catholics/
http://wdtprs.com/blog/2011/02/quaeritur-parish-usher-wants-to-be-a-jp-to-officiate-at-wedding-of-catholics/
The AntiChrist in "isms"
As all these 'isms' have no value in bringing us closer to Christ, they take us away from Christ. They are anti-Christs.
http://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/articles.cfm?id=177
http://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/articles.cfm?id=177
Monday, February 14, 2011
A brilliant and faithful decision
From Father Z's blog this bit of good news.
http://wdtprs.com/blog/2011/02/pastor-of-two-parishes-ends-use-of-extraordinary-ministers-of-communion/
Pray for this parish priest, Father Heilman.
http://wdtprs.com/blog/2011/02/pastor-of-two-parishes-ends-use-of-extraordinary-ministers-of-communion/
Pray for this parish priest, Father Heilman.
Boy will be reared by two women, no father. How will that turn out?
I ask you this. How will the boy ever grow up to be a man if he has no father figure?
Strong fathers are the basis of a strong society. God in his divine plan, has given His teachings which are transmitted to the bishops, who, in turn, pass that those teachings on to the priests, who pass those teaching to fathers of families who those teachings to their wives and offspring.
This will likely not happen here. This boy will be deprived of his manhood because of the selfishness of these 2 women who cannot provide the child a strong male role model so necessary in his development. I dread the confusion this boy will have growing up.
Pray for Max as he begins his life with such a heavy cross.
http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2011/02/14/2011-02-14_cynthia_nixon_christine_marinoni_and_max_ellington_nixonmarinoni_pose_in_first_f.html
Strong fathers are the basis of a strong society. God in his divine plan, has given His teachings which are transmitted to the bishops, who, in turn, pass that those teachings on to the priests, who pass those teaching to fathers of families who those teachings to their wives and offspring.
This will likely not happen here. This boy will be deprived of his manhood because of the selfishness of these 2 women who cannot provide the child a strong male role model so necessary in his development. I dread the confusion this boy will have growing up.
Pray for Max as he begins his life with such a heavy cross.
http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2011/02/14/2011-02-14_cynthia_nixon_christine_marinoni_and_max_ellington_nixonmarinoni_pose_in_first_f.html
False allegations against Archbishop Dolan
The attorney representing the 'victims' of the those molested by sinful priests is looking to pry money from the already bankrupt Archdiocese of Milwaukee. So he is alleging that Archbishop Dolan, formerly the head of the Milwaukee Archdiocese from 2002 to 2009, hid over $100 million dollars to shield them from payouts.
Have to love Archbishop Dolan's reply: "To think . . . like Dolan's got some off-shore account in the Cayman Islands or something, this is just ludicrous,"
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2011/02/13/2011-02-13_archbishop_timothy_dolan_slams_charges_that_his_old_diocese_hid_millions_to_avoi.html#ixzz1Dwx7afAN
This nonsense of these money-hungry lawyers seeking payments from the diocese has gotten too far. This no longer a satisfaction of justice but an all-out act of revenge.
From the Catholic Catechism regarding revenge: 2302 By recalling the commandment, "You shall not kill,"our Lord asked for peace of heart and denounced murderous anger and hatred as immoral.
Anger is a desire for revenge. "To desire vengeance in order to do evil to someone who should be punished is illicit," but it is praiseworthy to impose restitution "to correct vices and maintain justice." If anger reaches the point of a deliberate desire to kill or seriously wound a neighbor, it is gravely against charity; it is a mortal sin. The Lord says, "Everyone who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment."
Have to love Archbishop Dolan's reply: "To think . . . like Dolan's got some off-shore account in the Cayman Islands or something, this is just ludicrous,"
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2011/02/13/2011-02-13_archbishop_timothy_dolan_slams_charges_that_his_old_diocese_hid_millions_to_avoi.html#ixzz1Dwx7afAN
This nonsense of these money-hungry lawyers seeking payments from the diocese has gotten too far. This no longer a satisfaction of justice but an all-out act of revenge.
From the Catholic Catechism regarding revenge: 2302 By recalling the commandment, "You shall not kill,"our Lord asked for peace of heart and denounced murderous anger and hatred as immoral.
Anger is a desire for revenge. "To desire vengeance in order to do evil to someone who should be punished is illicit," but it is praiseworthy to impose restitution "to correct vices and maintain justice." If anger reaches the point of a deliberate desire to kill or seriously wound a neighbor, it is gravely against charity; it is a mortal sin. The Lord says, "Everyone who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment."
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Vatican reports number of priests growing.
It certainly bodes well that the Church is providing her flock with new priests. At first glance, it looks good. But dwell deeper in the stats and you will notice that the traditional orders are doing better in Europe and the Americas than the more established "Novus Ordo" orders. I wonder if the 'John Paul' generation of young men is rejecting the social justice tilt of the establishment orders versus the traditional orders where social justice and ecumenism are driven more by a love of the Eucharist or the celestial rather than a love for ecumenism and social justice itself, or the terrestial.
I wonder!
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/number-of-priests-growing-worldwide-vatican-reports/
I wonder!
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/number-of-priests-growing-worldwide-vatican-reports/
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