PiusBlog

The Priest Under False Accusations

2011-06-21T11:27:00.005+02:00

Given some of the recent news in the Catholic world, it seems appropriate to re-post the following. Taken from Cardinal Manning's The Eternal Priesthood:

CHAPTER XII
THE PRIEST UNDER FALSE ACCUSATIONS

GOD might have redeemed the world by a manifestation of His glory; but He chose to do it by shame. Jesus was rejected of men, and they hid their faces from Him as if ashamed to own Him. This lot He has bequeathed to us. Jesus was falsely accused. No man ever more so. He was called a Samaritan, and told that He had a devil. He was “a gluttonous man and a wine-bibber, a friend of publicans and sinners.” He was a deceiver, and a seducer, and seditious; stirring up the people, feigning to be a king and a prophet, being a pretender and a blasphemer. He suffered all the penalties of sin, its guilt only excepted.

1. False accusation was hateful to Him, because of His perfect holiness. To be baptised as if He were a sinner was an act of divine humility. The eyes of all were fixed upon Him. He was counted as one of the sinners of Jerusalem. It was bitter to be even suspected. But to be accused as a sinner was an infinite humiliation. The bitterness of sin entered into His sinless soul. He tasted the horror and the shame even of those who are justly accused. Innocent men arraigned at the bar, and though falsely yet skillfully accused of atrocious crimes, have afterwards told us that, for a time, they had the horrible sense of guilt upon them. And, in the measure of their innocence, their hatred of the evil laid to their charge will be more acute. To the sinful it brings little pain; for sin deadens the perception of the baseness, the grossness, the deadliness of sin. The agony of our Divine Lord in the Garden came from the vision and the contact of the sin of the world. The sins of mankind before the Flood; the sins of the tribes of Israel, the sins of the Christian world, and, above all, the sins of His own priests these wrung from Him a sweat of blood. The sanctity of God in contact with the sin of the world caused a sorrow “unto death.” For though God cannot sorrow as God, God Incarnate sorrowed by the suffering of His sinless humanity in this world of sin.

In the measure, then, of the innocence and purity of a priest's life and heart will be his suffering when falsely accused. They who accuse him little know the pain they inflict. They have not his delicacy of conscience, or the purity of his heart, or his jealousy for the priesthood and for the Name of our Divine Master. So far “they know not what they do.” The coarse, and the rude, and the vindictive, and the malevolent, and even the foolish and the reckless in speech, with no ill-will, perhaps, but with great want of caution; often inflict wounds upon a good priest which are never healed. They would care little if it were said of themselves; and that is, perhaps, their only excuse, and a very mean one.

2. And the false accusations against our Divine Saviour came from those to whom He was always doing good. For three long years in meekness and gentleness He spoke with them of the kingdom of God. He healed their sick, and cleansed their lepers, and opened the eyes of their blind, and fed the hungry, and raised their dead. And the people heard Him gladly, and the little children came to Him without fear. Virtue went out of Him to illuminate, to sanctify, and to console. And yet He was hated; and at one time they sought to kill Him, at another to cast Him down from the hill on which they dwelt. And they spoke against Him, and accused Him falsely. They returned hatred for His love, and reviling for His patience. This added a special pain.

Every priest must be ready to bear the same. Those for whom we have done most are often the most thankless; and at the first reproof or the first refusal, however small, break out into bitter ill-will. It is a proverb that men forget the score of times that we have said yes, and remember only the once that we say no. Of the ten lepers only one returned to give thanks, and he was a Samaritan. Priests, Levites, and Jews passed the wounded man by the wayside. Only one was found to help him, and he, too, was a Samaritan. The Jews were blinded with the excess of light, and surfeited with the abundance of their mercies. They took all as a right, and crucified the Lord of glory. But the Samaritans, in their austere scarcity of light and grace, were quicker to perceive the goodness and the law of God. So it is often in our flock. The favoured become pampered, and they who have had least care have most gratitude.

3. And the false accusations came especially from those who knew Him. We read that at one time even His brethren did not believe in Him. And at last one of His twelve disciples betrayed Him. It often happens that a priest is falsely accused by someone for whom he has had a special intimacy, and on whom he has bestowed a special care. It may be some soul ready to perish whom he has plucked as a brand from the burning. It often happens that they for whom we do most are least grateful and most malicious. Because so much has been done for them, they exact more; and because more cannot be done, they break out in jealousy and vindictiveness. It would be but a little thing if enemies who do not know us speak against us; but when familiar friends, who have been freely admitted to our confidence and within our guard, who have lived under our roof and broken bread with us—when they turn and accuse us, it is far more bitter. Inimici hominis domestici ejus. The care and kindness and forbearance we have shown to them is all lost. Some passion of jealousy or self-interest has mastered them. They first turn from us, and then turn upon us. If they had been strangers and unknown, we could have better borne it; but from them it has a manifold ingratitude. They know us better than other men. Their accusations are not from ignorance or mistake. They know the falseness, because they know the truth: and that galls them. They can find nothing against us truly; therefore they are irritated, and go to Satan's forge for lies. Sister Emmerich says that Satan in Gethsemane asked our Lord what He had done with all the money that came from the lands that Mary sold at Magdala.

4. And the false accusation against our Divine Master was believed by, not a few, but by the majority of men. The bad believed it readily, and rejoiced that He was one of themselves. He had rebuked them, and warned them, and irritated them by His example; and crossed their trade of wickedness, and defeated their plans, and, it may be, had saved the innocent out of their hands. It was joy to them that He could be blackened by accusation, which, however false, would still leave its stain, and never be forgotten. This was sharp enough. But it was worse when He saw that the good believed Him to be guilty: that they forsook Him, and shunned Him, and passed Him by. The animosity of immoral minds was easier to bear than the condemnation of the good; who, being deceived, believed what was said against Him. Then the rulers and guides of the people—the scribes and the priests, the men of strict observance and large knowledge of the law—they disapproved and discountenanced His exaggerated teaching and His unusual way of life: sometimes all night in prayer, sometimes eating and drinking with sinners. This Man, if He were a prophet, would know; but He does not know, therefore He is no prophet; and if not a prophet He is pretentious in His ways, and presumptuous in His condemnations even of the scribes who sit in the seat of Moses. Have any of the rulers of the people believed in Him? If not, no one should believe in Him. Many a good priest is criticised, censured, accused, condemned, loudly or in silence, and all that is said against him is believed and repeated. In the homes where he used to be welcome there is constraint. In the friends who used to greet him there is a distance. The falsehood has done its work, and no contradiction can ever overtake it. It follows him like a shadow; and it darkens his path wherever he goes. It has become a part of his public reputation; the majority believe it to be true. His brother priests believe it. His Bishop believes it, and does not clear him. The holy angels know it to be false. But the priest was predestined to be conformed to the image of the Son; and He was accused falsely, and men believed it to be true.

5. Lastly, our Divine Master died under the cloud of false accusation. He was never cleared of the reproach, though the witnesses could not agree together. What matter? The high priest and the scribes condemned Him, and the majority cried, “Crucify Him. What more need have we of witnesses?” His name was blackened, and He died upon the Cross deserted by friends, abandoned by men, and forsaken by God. He died as a malefactor between malefactors, in the sight of the multitude who once believed Him to be a prophet, and now believed Him to be a blasphemer. Even after His death this ill name survived Him. “This deceiver said, while He was yet alive.” This same lot He left behind Him to them that are His. “God hath set forth us Apostles, the last, as it were, appointed to death. We are made a spectacle to the world, and to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake; but you are wise in Christ. We are weak; but you are strong. You are honourable; but we are without honour. Even unto this hour we both hunger and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no fixed abode. And we labour, working with our own hands; we are reviled, and we bless; we are persecuted, and we suffer it. We are blasphemed, and we entreat. We are made the refuse of this world, the off-scouring of all even until now (1 Cor 4:9-13).” “The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. If they have called the Master of the house Beelzebub, how much more them of the household (Mt 10:24-25).” Why should we complain if we be blackened with accusation, and die under it? Innocence falsely accused is a close conformity to the Son of God.

Three thoughts, arising from all this, may give us both peace and strength when we are falsely accused. The first is, that innocence, suffering under sin, suffers for sinners. It is what S. Paul describes as “filling up those things that are wanting of the sufferings of Christ (Col 1:24).” The sufferings of the Head redeemed the world. The infinite merits of the Cross have purchased all things for us. But the suffering of the mystical Body, and of every member of it, is united to the Passion of Jesus, and through Him it ascends, as an act of obedience, and patience, and self-oblation, to the Father.

The second thought is, that sinners are never so near their Divine Master as when they suffer innocently. S. Peter says: “Dearly beloved, think not strange the burning heat, which is to try you, as if some new thing happened to you; but if you partake of the suffering of Christ, rejoice that when His glory shall be revealed you may also be glad with exceeding joy. For if you be reproached for the name of Christ you shall be blessed; for that which is of the honour, glory, and power of God, and that which is His Spirit, resteth upon you 1 Pt 4:12-14).” If we are on our Lord's side we shall suffer both for Him and with Him. Wherever His Cross is, there He is also. Never so near as when we need Him most. Our shame, and pain, and burning of heart are the pledges of His nearness, and that He is opening our understanding to know what books cannot teach us. How often have we read the words, “A faithful saying: for if we be dead with Him, we shall live also with Him; if we suffer, we shall also reign with Him (2 Tim 2:11-12).” To be falsely accused is the last conformity of the servant to his Lord.

The third thought is, that our Divine Master has some greater work for us to do. He is fitting us for it by suffering, by taking away the sweetness, without which hirelings will not serve Him, by purifying our love from resentment against those who despitefully use us, and from all weak pity for ourselves. Till we have accepted our Master's lot, whose three companions, B. Angela of Foligno says, were Poverty, Sorrow, and Contempt, we shall not be worthy to be priests or soldiers of the Heart that was pierced. He gives to all His servants a measure of work according to their power. To the many He gives an easier task, to some a harder, to a few the hardest of all. All priests stand on Calvary; hut some are nearer than others to His Cross. He measures out the share of His Cross as each can hear it. Some it touches only for a moment ; on some it falls often ; some have the prolonged lot of Simon of Cyrene ; others have the mocking, others the vinegar and gall; some the desolation, and a few the false accusation under which He died. S. Romuald, S. Peter Martyr, S. Francis of Sales, S. Joseph Calasanctius, S. Vincent of Paul tasted this bitterness, and many more. It made them Saints, and fitted them for their work; for they were called to do the works of Saints. If, then, we have some share in this lot, it is a sure sign of His love and of His will to use us in some way as instruments of His power. Let us, then, never faint under it nor fear, nor go about for human defenders, nor use human arts for our justification. Leave it to Him. “Commit thy way unto the Lord, and trust in Him, and He will do it; and He will bring forth thy justice as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday (Ps 36:5-6).” When this token of His special service comes to you, give thanks. Say, Benedicam Dominum in omni tempore. I will bless the Lord in all times : in the time of peace, and in the time of trouble ; in the time of gladness, and in the time of affliction; in the time when men trust me, and in the time when they mistrust me; in the time when they speak me fair, and in the time when they lay to my charge evil that I know not, and falsehoods that are believed as true.

Daily Manning Quote

2011-06-21T11:20:00.001+02:00

The Blessed Sacrament to sense is bread and wine; to intellect, a symbol; to faith, the Body and Blood of Christ.

17 June - Feast of St. Botolph

2011-06-17T07:30:00.002+02:00

Today is the feast of Saint Botolph, a seventh century English abbot.

Abbot, date of birth unknown; died c. 680. St. Botulph, the saint whose name is perpetuated in that of the American city of Boston, Massachusetts, was certainly an historical personage, though the story of his life is very confused and unsatisfactory. What information we possess about him is mainly derived from a http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifshort biography by Folcard, monk of St. Bertin and Abbot of Thorney, who wrote in the eleventh century (Hardy, Catalogue of Brit. Hist., I, 373). According to him Botulph was born of noble Saxon parents who were Christians, and was sent with his brother Adulph to the Continent for the purpose of study. Adulph remained abroad, where he is stated to have become Bishop of Utrecht, though his name does not occur in any of the ancient lists. Botulph, returning to England, found favour with a certain Ethelmund, "King of the southern Angles", whose sisters he had known in Germany, and was by him permitted to choose a tract of desolate land upon which to build a monastery. This place, surrounded by water and called Icanhoe (Ox-island), is commonly identified with the town of Boston in Lincolnshire, mainly on account of its name (Boston=Botulph's town).

Read more at Catholic Encyclopedia.

Enjoy a little tribute to St. Botulph's most famous parishioner:

And finally, congratulations to the Boston Bruins on their first Stanley Cup championship in 39 years...

Daily Manning Quote

2011-06-17T07:24:00.003+02:00

Unite your whole heart, with all its love and all its affections, to our Blessed Lord, to His kingdom, to His interests upon earth, to His poverty, to His sufferings, to His contempt, and to His Cross.

Daily Manning Quote - June 16

2011-06-17T07:24:00.001+02:00

You who have the whole revelation of God, ought to have the whole charity of God in you. Let your neighbours who are round about, even those who are not of the faith, feel that there is something in you — a warmth, a kindness, a sympathy, and generosity which they find in no other men.

Daily Manning Quote

2011-06-15T08:50:00.001+02:00

Our Blessed Lord numbers all the graces you have had, and all the sins you have committed; take care not to overreach the number allotted to you.

Daily Manning Quote

2011-06-14T07:59:00.002+02:00

As we know among ourselves, it is love that awakens love, it is friendship that kindles friendship, it is the sensible manifestation of kindness and of tenderness of heart, of disinterested and self-denying love,—it is this that awakens us to love again; so is it toward our Lord: He endured all things first, to persuade us to trust in His love.

Saint Anthony of Padua

2011-06-13T11:13:00.003+02:00

Read about Saint Anthony in the New Catholic Encyclopdia.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

Litany of Saint Anthony, on his Feast Day

2011-06-13T11:06:00.005+02:00

Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.

O Christ, hear us.
O Christ, graciously hear us.

O God the Father, of Heaven:
have mercy upon us.
O God the Son, Redeemer of the world:
O God, the Holy Ghost:
O Holy Trinity, one God:
have mercy upon us.

Holy Mary: Pray for us.
Immaculate Virgin:
Mother and Mistress of the Franciscan order:

St. Anthony of Padua: Pray for us.
St. Anthony, glory of the Friars Minor:
St. Anthony, greatest son of St. Francis:
St. Anthony, playmate of the Holy Child Jesus:
St. Anthony, devout client of Our Lady:
St. Anthony, messenger of the Sacred Heart:
St. Anthony, holy prophet of God:
St. Anthony, doctor of divine truth:
St. Anthony, preacher of grace:
St. Anthony, keeper of the Scriptures:
St. Anthony, ark of the covenant:
St. Anthony, hammer of heretics:
St. Anthony, terror of infidels:
St. Anthony, horror of evil spirits:
St. Anthony, searcher of consciences:
St. Anthony, consoler of the sorrowful:
St. Anthony, gentlest of saints:
St. Anthony, example of obedience:
St. Anthony, gem of poverty:
St. Anthony, lily of chastity:
St. Anthony, rose of patience:
St. Anthony, violet of humility:
St. Anthony, apostle of the Savior:
St. Anthony, martyr in desire:
St. Anthony, confessor of the Faith:
St. Anthony, virgin in soul:
St. Anthony, finder of lost things:
St. Anthony, helper of all who invoke thee:
Pray for us.

O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world:
spare us, O Lord.
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world:
graciously hear us, O Lord.
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world:
have mercy on us.

V. Pray for us, O blessed Anthony. Alleluia.
R. That we may be worthy of the promises of Christ. Alleluia.

Let us pray.

O God, let the votive commemoration of Blessed Anthony, Thy Confessor, be a source of joy to Thy Church, that she may always be fortified with spiritual assistance, and may deserve to possess eternal joy, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Daily Manning Quote

2011-06-13T09:57:00.001+02:00

We speak with our Blessed Lord as a friend to friend, face to face, opening our hearts to His Sacred Heart, and conversing with God as with One Who knows all we are by personal experience and human sympathy, and is infinitely pitiful and divinely tender in His love.

Daily Manning Quotes - Pentecost

2011-06-12T07:04:00.006+02:00

Make up your mind now that not a day shall pass, from this day to your last, without some act of adoration to the Person of the Holy Ghost, without some act of reparation made to Him for your own sins and for the sins of other men. Say day by day the majestic Hymn of the Church, the Veni Creator Spiritus; or that other equally beautiful, and even more full of tenderness, Veni Sancte Spiritus; or say every day, seven times, the Gloria Patri in honour of the Holy Ghost, to obtain His seven gifts; raise up your hearts to God, make each of you some short act of reparation and adoration out of the fulness of your soul.

Novena to the Holy Ghost - Day 9

2011-06-11T08:39:00.002+02:00

NINTH DAY (Saturday, Vigil of Pentecost)

Thou, on those who evermore Thee confess and Thee Adore, in Thy sevenfold gift, Descend; Give Them Comfort when they die; Give them Life with Thee on high; Give them joys which never end. Amen

The Fruits of the Holy Spirit

The gifts of the Holy Spirit perfect the supernatural virtues by enabling us to practice them with greater docility to divine inspiration. As we grow in the knowledge and love of God under the direction of the Holy Spirit, our service becomes more sincere and generous, the practice of virtue more perfect. Such acts of virtue leave the heart filled with joy and consolation and are known as Fruits of the Holy Spirit. These Fruits in turn render the practice of virtue more attractive and become a powerful incentive for still greater efforts in the service of God, to serve Whom is to reign.

Prayer

Come, O Divine Spirit, fill my heart with Thy heavenly fruits, Thy charity, joy, peace, patience, benignity, goodness, faith, mildness, and temperance, that I may never weary in the service of God, but by continued faithful submission to Thy inspiration may merit to be united eternally with Thee in the love of the Father and the Son. Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE.
Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts

Daily Manning Quote

2011-06-11T08:37:00.002+02:00

What the dove was at Jordan, and the tongues of fire at Pentecost, that the one visible Church is now : the witness of the mission, advent, and perpetual presence of the Spirit of the Father and of the Son.

Novena to the Holy Ghost - Day 8

2011-06-10T07:23:00.002+02:00

EIGHTH DAY (Friday after the Octave of Pentecost)

Bend the stubborn heart and will; melt the frozen, warm the chill. Guide the steps that go astray!

The Gift of Wisdom

Embodying all the other gifts, as charity embraces all the other virtues, Wisdom is the most perfect of the gifts. Of wisdom it is written "all good things came to me with her, and innumerable riches through her hands." It is the gift of Wisdom that strengthens our faith, fortifies hope, perfects charity, and promotes the practice of virtue in the highest degree. Wisdom enlightens the mind to discern and relish things divine, in the appreciation of which earthly joys lose their savor, whilst the Cross of Christ yields a divine sweetness according to the words of the Saviour: "Take up thy cross and follow me, for my yoke is sweet and my burden light.

Prayer

Come, O Spirit of Wisdom, and reveal to my soul the mysteries of heavenly things, their exceeding greatness, power and beauty. Teach me to love them above and beyond all the passing joys and satisfactions of earth. Help me to attain them and possess them for ever. Amen.

Pater noster and Ave Maria ONCE.
Gloria Patri SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts

Daily Manning Quote

2011-06-10T07:11:00.002+02:00

The Holy Ghost reads the heart. Demas "loved this world;" therefore, and for no other reason, he forsook the servants of Jesus Christ.

Novena to the Holy Ghost - Day 7

2011-06-09T08:47:00.002+02:00

SEVENTH DAY (Octave of the Ascension)

Heal our wounds--our strength renew; On our dryness pour Thy dew, Wash the stains of guilt away.

The Gift of Counsel

The gift of Counsel endows the soul with supernatural prudence, enabling it to judge promptly and rightly what must done, especially in difficult circumstances. Counsel applies the principles furnished by Knowledge and Understanding to the innumerable concrete cases that confront us in the course of our daily duty as parents, teachers, public servants, and Christian citizens. Counsel is supernatural common sense, a priceless treasure in the quest of salvation. "Above all these things, pray to the Most High, that He may direct thy way in truth."

Prayer

Come, O Spirit of Counsel, help and guide me in all my ways, that I may always do Thy holy will. Incline my heart to that which is good; turn it away from all that is evil, and direct me by the straight path of Thy commandments to that goal of eternal life for which I long.

Pater noster and Ave Maria ONCE.
Gloria Patri SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts

Read more at EWTN.

Daily Manning Quote

2011-06-09T08:44:00.002+02:00

The throne of God's sovereignty is the Blessed Sacrament upon the Altar. The Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ, our Lord and King, is there, always reigning, by the power of His love attracting the human will in all its freedom to Himself.

Novena to the Holy Ghost - Day 6

2011-06-08T09:05:00.003+02:00

SIXTH DAY (Wednesday in the Octave of the Ascension)

If Thou take Thy grace away, nothing pure in man will stay, All his good is turn'd to ill.

The Gift of Understanding

Understanding, as a gift of the Holy Spirit, helps us to grasp the meaning of the truths of our holy religion. By faith we know them, but by Understanding we learn to appreciate and relish them. It enables us to penetrate the inner meaning of revealed truths and through them to be quickened to newness of life. Our faith ceases to be sterile and inactive, but inspires a mode of life that bears eloquent testimony to the faith that is in us; we begin to "walk worthy of God in all things pleasing, and increasing in the knowledge of God."

Prayer

Come, O Spirit of Understanding, and enlighten our minds, that we may know and believe all the mysteries of salvation; and may merit at last to see the eternal light in Thy Light; and in the light of glory to have a clear vision of Thee and the Father and the Son. Amen.

Pater noster and Ave Maria ONCE.
Gloria Patri SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts

Read more at EWTN.

Daily Manning Quote

2011-06-08T09:02:00.003+02:00

Through your whole life everything that you do according to the Will of God, being in a state of grace, has in the Book of Remembrance a record, and in the Sacred Heart of our Divine Master a promise of reward, which shall be satisfied at His coming.

Novena to the Holy Ghost - Day 5

2011-06-07T07:28:00.002+02:00

FIFTH DAY (Tuesday in the Octave of the Ascension)

Light immortal! Light Divine! Visit Thou these hearts of Thine, And our inmost being fill!

The Gift of Knowledge

The gift of Knowledge enables the soul to evaluate created things at their true worth--in their relation to God. Knowledge unmasks the pretense of creatures, reveals their emptiness, and points out their only true purpose as instruments in the service of God. It shows us the loving care of God even in adversity, and directs us to glorify Him in every circumstance of life. Guided by its light, we put first things first, and prize the friendship of God beyond all else. "Knowledge is a fountain of life to him that possesseth it."

Prayer

Come, O Blessed Spirit of Knowledge, and grant that I may perceive the will of the Father; show me the nothingness of earthly things, that I may realize their vanity and use them only for Thy glory and my own salvation, looking ever beyond them to Thee, and Thy eternal rewards. Amen.

Pater noster and Ave Maria ONCE.
Gloria SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts

Read more at EWTN.

Daily Manning Quote

2011-06-07T07:26:00.001+02:00

Keep as closely as you can to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Be faithful to His law. Cherish every particle of His truth, every commandment, every counsel of His will, every inspiration of His grace.

Novena to the Holy Ghost - Day 4

2011-06-07T07:22:00.004+02:00

FOURTH DAY (Monday in the Octave of the Ascension)

Thou in toil art comfort sweet, Pleasant coolness in the heat, solace in the midst of woe.

The Gift of Fortitude

By the gift of Fortitude the soul is strengthened against natural fear, and supported to the end in the performance of duty. Fortitude imparts to the will an impulse and energy which move it to under take without hesitancy the most arduous tasks, to face dangers, to trample under foot human respect, and to endure without complaint the slow martyrdom of even lifelong tribulation. "He that shall persevere unto the end, he shall be saved."

Prayer

Come, O Blessed Spirit of Fortitude, uphold my soul in time of trouble and adversity, sustain my efforts after holiness, strengthen my weakness, give me courage against all the assaults of my enemies, that I may never be overcome and separated from Thee, my God and greatest Good. Amen.

Pater noster and Ave Maria ONCE.
Gloria Patri SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts

Read more at EWTN.

Daily Manning Quote

2011-06-06T07:33:00.002+02:00

A spirit of reparation draws great graces from the Sacred Heart, and engages all its generosity in our salvation.

Novena to the Holy Ghost - Day 3

2011-06-05T16:28:00.002+02:00

THIRD DAY (Sunday in the Octave of the Ascenion)

Thou, of all consolers best, Visiting the troubled breast, Dost refreshing peace bestow.

The Gift of Piety

The gift of Piety begets in our hearts a filial affection for God as our most loving Father. It inspires us to love and respect for His sake persons and things consecrated to Him, as well as those who are vested with His authority, His Blessed Mother and the Saints, the Church and its visible Head, our parents and superiors, our country and its rulers. He who is filled with the gift of Piety finds the practice of his religion, not a burdensome duty, but a delightful service. Where there is love, there is no labor.

Prayer

Come, O Blessed Spirit of Piety, possess my heart. Enkindle therein such a love for God, that I may find satisfaction only in His service, and for His sake lovingly submit to all legitimate authority. Amen.

Pater noster and Ave Maria ONCE.
Gloria Patri SEVEN TIMES.

Daily Manning Quote

2011-06-05T16:20:00.003+02:00

We who murmur, and repine, and chafe, and fret all the day long if anything goes against us, call ourselves disciples of the Sacred Heart; and yet we have not so much as the will to bear the Cross, much less to love it.

Stanley Cup Finals

2011-06-04T20:16:00.001+02:00

Game 2 tonight.

Go Canucks!

Daily Manning Quote

2011-06-04T15:33:00.001+02:00

Take nothing lower than the Heart of our Divine Lord as the measure and the rule of your own. Do not take any lower standard. Do not take the examples of men. Do not take maxims or motives of your own. Set before you the Sacred Heart in its full and divine perfection.

Novena to the Holy Ghost - Day 2

2011-06-04T15:26:00.004+02:00

SECOND DAY (Saturday in the Octave of the Ascension)

Come, Father of the poor; Come, treasures which endure; Come, Light of all that live!

The Gift of Fear

The gift of Fear fills us with a sovereign respect for God, and makes us dread nothing so much as to offend Him by sin. It is a fear that arises, not from the thought of hell, but from sentiments of reverence and filial submission to our heavenly Father. It is the fear that is the beginning of wisdom, detaching us from worldly pleasures that could in any way separate us from God. "They that fear the Lord will prepare their hearts, and in His sight will sanctify their souls."

Prayer

Come, O blessed Spirit of Holy Fear, penetrate my inmost heart, that I may set you, my Lord and God, before my face forever. Help me to shun all things that can offend You, and make me worthy to appear before the pure eyes of Your Divine Majesty in heaven, where You live and reign in the unity of the ever Blessed Trinity, God world without end. Amen.

Pater noster and Ave Maria ONCE.
Gloria Patri SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts

Read more at EWTN.

Novena to the Holy Ghost - Day 1

2011-06-03T19:53:00.003+02:00

FIRST DAY (Friday, in the Octave of the Ascension)

Holy Spirit! Lord of Light! From Your clear celestial height, Your pure beaming radiance give!

The Holy Spirit

Only one thing is important — eternal salvation. Only one thing, therefore, is to be feared — sin. Sin is the result of ignorance, weakness, and indifference The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Light, of Strength, and of Love. With His sevenfold gifts He enlightens the mind, strengthens the will, and inflames the heart with love of God. To ensure our salvation we ought to invoke the Divine Spirit daily, for "The Spirit helpeth our infirmity. We know not what we should pray for as we ought. But the Spirit Himself asketh for us."

Prayer

Almighty and eternal God, Who hast vouchsafed to regenerate us by water and the Holy Spirit, and hast given us forgiveness all sins, vouchsafe to send forth from heaven upon us your sevenfold Spirit, the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and fortitude, the Spirit of Knowledge and Piety, and fill us with the Spirit of Holy Fear. Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary ONCE.
Glory be to the Father SEVEN TIMES.
Act of Consecration, Prayer for the Seven Gifts

Read more at EWTN.

Novena to the Holy Ghost

2011-06-03T19:44:00.002+02:00

In preparation for Pentecost (from EWTN):

FOREWORD

The novena in honor of the Holy Spirit is the oldest of all novenas since it was first made at the direction of Our Lord Himself when He sent His apostles back to Jerusalem to await the coming of the Holy Spirit on the first Pentecost. It is still the only novena officially prescribed by the Church. Addressed to the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity, it is a powerful plea for the light and strength and love so sorely needed by every Christian.

Daily Manning Quote

2011-06-03T07:43:00.000+02:00

There is always one Friend in Whom we may find perfect and changeless rest. Other friends often grieve and disappoint us. Our only Divine Friend never fails. We may go to Him at any hour. If He be silent, we know His meaning and His mind. He always welcomes us when we come to Him. He listens to all we say, and He consoles us by listening to our voice ; for it is a relief to unburden our soul to a friend, though he answers not a word. We know that we have His sympathy; that He feels with us and for us; that all we say is noted and remembered; and that, if He be silent now, the day is not far off when we shall hear Him say, "Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."

Daily Manning Quote

2011-06-02T08:19:00.002+02:00

If you would find the Fountain of the Water of Life and the glories of the Eternal Throne, on which the Lord of the Sacred Heart sits and reigns for ever, go into any sanctuary where the light burns silently before the tabernacle. Kneel there and cover your face. Jesus is there, and the Ever-blessed Trinity, and the vision of peace, and the heavenly court, and the kingdom of His glory.

Happy Ascension Thursday!

2011-06-02T08:17:00.001+02:00

Daily Manning Quote

2011-06-01T07:15:00.001+02:00

Learn to know the love of God in the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It is the Book of Life, open to all, easily to be read. Take that Book of Life and read it, every page. It is written within and without with the pledges and the promises of God's personal love for you.

Daily Manning Quote

2011-05-29T15:30:00.002+02:00

Educate your children, and promote by all the power you have the Christian education of the children of the poor. The root of society is in the child. The education of the child is the first obligation of the law of God on men.

Daily Manning Quote

2011-05-28T08:20:00.002+02:00

We think that Saints are like the great mountains, or like the cedars of Lebanon, in the kingdom of God—seldom to be seen, and afar off. There are Saints standing amongst us, and we know them not. They do not know it themselves, for sanctity sees only its own imperfections.

Daily Manning Quote

2011-05-27T11:25:00.000+02:00

As the only reality in the world is man, so the only reality in man is his spiritual life. We must strive to be more alone. Solitude and silence are full of reality.

De Ecclesia Militante, Chapter 1 (Latin)

2011-05-26T11:33:00.003+02:00

CAPUT PRIMUM
DE NOMINE ECCLESIÆ

Controversia de Ecclesia militante, multas habet partes. Primum enim de ipsa secundum se agendum erit; tum de membris ejus, hoc est, de clericis, de monachis, de laicis. Rursum autem de Ecclesia militante secundum se considerata, de qua nunc disputare aggredimur, tres sunt præcipue controversiæ. Prima est, de nomine et definitione Ecclesiæ. Secunda, de qualitate, seu de visibilitate ejusdem. Tertia, de notis, quibus ea certo cognosci potest.

A prima nunc exordiemur; si tamen antea propter studiosos nomina eorum auctorum notaverimus, qui de Ecclesia scripserunt, seu potius eorum quorum nos libros legimus; nec enim omnes legimus. Igitur scripserunt de hoc argumento b. Augustin. lib. de unitate Ecclesiæ; b. Cyprianus librum ejusdem tituli, necnon Optatus lib. 6. contra Parmenianum. Ex recentioribus scripsit Thomas Waldensis tom. 1. lib. 2. doctrinæ fidei cap. 8. 9. 10. etc. Joan. de Turrecremata summam de Ecclesia; Joannes Driedo in lib. 4. de dogmatibus ecclesiasticis, cap. 2. Albertus Pighius controversia 3. cardinalis Hosius in confessione, in explicatione symboli, et lib. 5. contra prolegomena Brentii; Petrus a Soto 1. part. defensionis suæ contra Brentium. Joannes a Daventria in confut. 7. artic. Confessionis Augustanæ; Joannes Cochlæus Philippica 4. et in lib. de Scripturæ et Ecclesiæ auctoritate: Joannes Eckius initio sui Enchiridii, Alphonsus a Castro lib. 6. cont. hæres. Melchior Canus lib. 4. de locis. Joannes Antonius Delphinus in libris trib. de Ecclesia, Joannes a Lovanio in explicat. symboli, et omnes alii, qui symbolum exposuerunt. Franciscus Turrianus in libris duobus de Ecclesia, et ordinat. ministr. Post quos, anno 1577. ineunte, nos hæc ipsa, quæ nunc emittimus in lucem in scholis disputavimus. A quo tempore scripsit etiam de eodem argumento Gregorius de Valentia in sua Analysi fidei catholicæ part. 6. et scripserunt etiam alii, sed non vacavit per alias occupationes eorum libros evolvere.

Venio nunc ad propositam disputationem: Ac ut primum de nomine, deinde de re ipsa dicamus, Ecclesiæ nomen est græcum, deduciturque a verbo εκκαλεω, quod est evoco. Itaque Ecclesia est evocatio, sive coetus vocatorum. Dicitur autem populus Dei coetus vocatorum, quia nemo ad hunc populum se adjungit per se, et suo proprio instinctu, sed omnes quotquot veniunt, a Dei vocatione præveniuntur. Est enim vocatio primum beneficium, quod sancti a Deo recipiunt: Quos vocavit, inquit apostolus Rom. 8. hos justificavit: quos justificavit, hos et magnificavit. Et Actor. 2. Quoscumque advocaverit Dominus Deus noster. Hinc toties apostolus Christianos appelat vocatos, in omnibus fere epistolis.

Sunt autem tria circa hoc nomen notanda. Primo, nomen Ecclesiæ cum aliquo adjuncto, posse et in bonam et in malam partem accipi; dicitur enim: Ecclesia malignantium psalm. 25. Et Ecclesia sanctorum psalm. 88. Absolute autem positum hoc nomen, non intelligi nisi de Ecclesia Christi; excepto uno loco Act. 19. ubi de populo ethnicorum dicitur: Erat enim Ecclesia Confusa.

Secundo, nota cum Augustino in psal. 81. in illud: Deus stetit in synagoga Deorum: tametsi eadem sit Ecclesia veteris Testamenti et novi, quoad essentiam; tamen quia status Ecclesiæ novi Testamenti est longe excellentior, ideo etiam nomina esse distincta. Nam populus veteris Testamenti proprie dicitur synagoga, idest, congregatio, populus novi Testamenti nusquam dicitur synagoga, sed semper Ecclesia, idest, evocatio. Congregari enim commune est hominibus cum bestiis: at evocari proprium est hominum. Neque refert, quod populus Judæorum in Testamento veteri passim vocatur etiam Ecclesia: nam tam synagoga, quam Ecclesia apud Hebræos dicitur a congregando עדה quod vertimus synagoga, dicitur a יען congregare. Similiter, קהל, idest, Ecclesia, dicitur a קהל congregari. Itaque sunt nomina duo, sed idem prorsus significant.

Tertio nota, quemadmodum civitas nunc significat coetum hominum, nunc locum, in quo coetus ille habitat, ita etiam Ecclesiam in Scripturis nunc significare coetum fidelium, ut Rom. 16. Salutant vos omnes Ecclesiæ Asiæ, nunc locum ipsum, in quo fideles congregantur, ut Judith 6. Omnis populus per totam noctem intra Ecclesiam oraverunt, quamquam nos nunc solum de Ecclesia,ut coetum fidelium significat, disputamus.

Daily Manning Quote

2011-05-26T11:20:00.002+02:00

The great sin of us all is creature-worship — putting creatures in the place of God; and this brings us into bondage. But there is one creature in the world which is the most subtle of all ; there is one creature which is the most fascinating, the most deceitful, which brings men into bondage more than anything else, and that creature is self — the love of self.

Papal Tiara

2011-05-25T23:41:00.002+02:00

Check out the new papal tiara at Orbis Catholicus, the blogging home of the inimitable John Paul Sonnen:

In London

2011-05-24T10:18:00.002+02:00

Will be in London for the next few days. Will post pictures when I return to Rome.

Daily Manning Quote

2011-05-23T07:20:00.002+02:00

Obedience of domestic life is a great discipline of humility, piety, and self-content. A good son will make a good priest, and a good daughter will make a good nun. A disobedient son will hardly make an obedient priest, and an unloving daughter will hardly make a sister of charity. A good home is a great novitiate.

Daily Manning Quote

2011-05-22T21:57:00.001+02:00

It is more generous, it is more in conformity with the example set us by our Divine Lord and Master, to deny ourselves in many things that are lawful. Apply this to dress, to pleasures, to amusements, to the expenditure you make on yourself, to your domestic and private life, and you will find a wide field for its application.

Daily Manning Quote

2011-05-21T13:44:00.003+02:00

I have been often asked whether it is lawful to go to a theatre. My answer has been always, "I cannot forbid you. If you ask what I advise, I say without hesitation, 'Do not go.' I would to God that those who can refrain from such things, as an offering to our Divine Redeemer, would refrain for ever."

De Ecclesia Militante - Chapter 1

2011-05-19T16:00:00.004+02:00

Chapter One
About the Name of the Church

(1) The controversy about the Church militant has many parts. For she is first considered as she is in herself; then about her members, that is, about clerics, about monks, about laity. But returning to the Church considered according to herself, about which we now start to dispute, there are especially three controversies. The first is about the name and definition of ‘Church.’ The second, about the quality or about the visibility of the same. The third, about the notes, by which she is able to be known certainly.

(2) Now we begin from the first; and yet before that, on account of the zealous, we would note the name of the authors who have written about the Church, or rather, of those whose books we have read; for we have not read everything. And so, Bd. Augustine, in the lib. de unitate Ecclesiae; Bd. Cyprian, in a book of the same title; but also Optatus in book six contra Parmenianum, have written about this argument. Of the more recent, Thomas Waldensis, in volume 1, book 2 doctrinae fidei, has written; [as have] Joannes de Turrecremata, in summam de Ecclesia; John Driedo, in book 4 of de dogmatibus ecclesiasticis, chapter 2; Albert Pinghius, controversia 3; Cardinal Hosius [Stansislaw Hozjusz] in confessione, in explicatione symboli, and in book 5 contra prolegomena Brentii; Peter a Soto in the first part of his defense against Brentius; John Daventria, in confut. 7. art. Confessionis Augustanae; John Cochlaeus, in Philippica 4, and in the book de Scripturae et Ecclesiae auctoritate; John Eck, in the beginning of his Enchiridii; Alphonsus de Castro, in book 6 contra haeres.; Melchior Cano in book 4 de locis symboli; John Antonius Delphinus, in three books de Ecclesia, John of Louvain in explicat. symboli, and all others who have explained the Creed; and Francis Turrianus in two books, de Ecclesia, and ordinat. minstr. After which, beginning in 1577 we disputed in the schools these very things which we now bring to light. From which time Gregory de Valencia has written about the same thing in his Analysi fidei catholicae part 6, and others also have written, but he is not free to evaluate their books on account of other occupations.

(3) I come now to the proposed disputation: and as we speak first about the name and then about the thing itself, [we say] that the name ‘Church’ is Greek, and is derived from ’εκκαλέο, that is, ‘I call out/forth.’ And so, ‘Church’ is a calling out, or an assembly of the called. But the Church is designated a assembly of the called, because no one joins himself to this people through himself, and his own proper instinct; but all whosoever come, are prevented by the call of God. For the call is the first benefit which the saints receive from God: “Whom he calls,” says the apostle in Romans 8, “Those he justifies; whom he justifies, those also he shall magnify.” And Acts 2, “Whomsoever the Lord our God shall call.” Then too the apostle calls all Christians ‘called’, in almost all of his letters.

(4) But there are three things about this name that should be noted. First, the name ‘Church’ with some adjective can be taken both in a good sense and in a bad sense; for Psalm 25 says, “the Church of the Wicked,” and Psalm 88, “the Church of the Saints.” But this name put absolutely should not be understood except of the Church of Christ; except in one place in Acts 19 where it speaks about the people of the gentiles: “For the assembly was confused.”

(5) In the second place, note with Augustine on Psalm 81 on the passage “God stood in the assembly of the gods,” even though the Church of the Old Testament and that of the New are the same as far as the essence, nevertheless, because the status of the Church of the New Testament is by far more excellent, therefore, the names are also different. For the people of the Old Testament is properly called the synagogue, that is, the gathering, or congregation. The people of the New Testament is nowhere called synagogue, but always the Church, that is, the calling out. For being gathered, congregated, is common to men and beasts; but being called out is proper to men. Nor does it make any difference that the people of the Jews in the Old Testament are sometimes also called the Church. For both synagogue and Church, among the Hebrews, come from gathering ‘ādāh [עדה (ayin-dalet-he)]; what we translate ‘synagogue’ comes from yā’an [יען (yod-ayin-nun)] ‘to gather.’ Likewise qāhāl [קהל (qoph-he-lamed)], that is, “Church,” comes from qāhal [קהל (qoph-he-lamed)] ‘to be gathered.’ Therefore there are two names, but they mean exactly the same thing.

(6) Third note, in the same way that ‘city’ signifies at times a assembly of men, and at other times, the place in which that assembly dwells; so also ‘Church’ sometimes signifies the assembly of the faithful, as in Romans 16: “All of the Churches of Asia greet you,” and elsewhere that place in which the faithful are gathered, as in Judith 6: “The whole people prayed in the Church throughout the night”; although, now we are disputing only about the Church as it signifies the assembly of the faithful.

Saint Robert Bellarmine - De Ecclesia Militante

2011-05-19T15:51:00.002+02:00

Today I'm beginning to post St. Robert Bellarmine's classic work, De Ecclesia Militante. Despite its importance to the study of ecclesiology, to the best of my knowledge there is no English version available. I will be posting a (very rough) English translation, with the Latin text following in a later post. I hope that by making this text available on the internet, it will prompt other students to rediscover Bellarmine's theology.

Daily Manning Quote

2011-05-19T15:48:00.002+02:00

Read the rules of life which S. Paul gave to Bishops, Priests, people, parents, children, servants, and homes. Read also what S. Peter counselled as to dress and ornaments. See what the Saints thought, said, and practised even in their childhood, before they had ripened beyond our reach,as to amusements, self-indulgence, and the dangers of the world. These are, or ought to be, the standard of our life.

Daily Manning Quote

2011-05-16T16:04:00.002+02:00

To put man and woman upon an equality is not to elevate woman, but to degrade her. I trust that the womanhood of England, to say nothing of the Christian conscience which yet remains, will resist by a stern moral refusal the immodesty which would thrust women from their private life of duty and supremacy into the public conflicts of men.

2011-05-15T07:49:00.000+02:00

Bear in mind these three things: (1) First, that the Author and Founder of the devotion to the Mother of God is Jesus Himself. (2) Secondly, that the chief promoters of it were the apostles and disciples of our Lord. (3) Thirdly, that in nothing do we go beyond them.

Daily Manning Quote

2011-05-12T16:25:00.000+02:00

The dogma of the Immaculate Conception is no more than the final analysis, both in conception and in expression, of the pre-eminent and singular sanctification of the Mother of God.

Daily Manning Quote

2011-05-09T10:33:00.001+02:00

The answers to prayer, through the intercession of Mary, in every age of the Church, and in every state of life, and in all manner of trials, public and private, have taught the faithful that she bears an office of power and patronage over us.

Daily Manning Quote

2011-05-05T07:17:00.002+02:00

If it were true of the poor woman who anointed the head of Jesus, "Wheresoever the Gospel shall be preached that which this woman hath done shall be told for a memorial of her," how much more of her who ministered to Him the substance of His humanity! If the name Mary Magdalene was to be embalmed in the Gospel, how much more the name of His Blessed Mother!

Save the Cardinal Petition

2011-05-04T16:24:00.001+02:00

"The Cardinal" is an historic London Pub, named for Cardinal Manning. Join the petition to keep its name!

http://www.rcdow.org.uk/diocese/default.asp?library_ref=4&content_ref=3310

Daily Manning Quote

2011-05-04T15:48:00.002+02:00

In no point do we go beyond the devotion of the disciples to Mary; in no point did the devotion of the disciples fall short of ours. No one, not even the Saints of the Church, not even S. Bernard, S. Bonaventure, S. Alphonsus, loved or venerated the Blessed Virgin with a love so tender, a veneration so profound, as S. Peter, S. James and S. John.

Daily Manning Quote

2011-05-03T10:52:00.002+02:00

The disciples, from the moment of their call to follow Jesus, learned to know, reverence, and love His Mother. She was the Mother of their Master—of Him Who had spoken to them as never had any man spoken before. His words penetrated and fascinated their hearts with a thrill of awe and love such as no human voice had ever caused till then. He had manifested in their presence alone an honour to His Mother such as He showed to no other.

Daily Manning Quote

2011-04-30T13:37:00.002+02:00

In proportion as we possess sufficient evidence to know the truth, God will require of us to give an account of that truth at the last day. We must give an account both of what we have known and what we have not known, the reason why we have not known that which we might have known.

Daily Manning Quote

2011-04-29T14:16:00.002+02:00

There is a sanctity pervading the whole Church, and yet how much of sin attaches outwardly to it; how many sinners are within its unity! Our Lord has told us to expect both good fish and bad in the one net, and both tares and wheat in the one field. Such is the mixture of good and evil in the visible Church.

Daily Manning Quote

2011-04-28T11:21:00.003+02:00

When the Church suffers anywhere, it is felt everywhere. Every persecution wounds the whole body; every benediction is a common joy. Because we are members of one another, there is a perfect sympathy binding the whole Church together.

Daily Manning Quote

2011-04-27T07:53:00.002+02:00

Larger measures of knowledge are a grave stewardship. It is an awful mercy to be greatly exalted--to be highly favoured above other men.

Daily Manning Quote

2011-04-26T11:32:00.002+02:00

O let us make up our minds to something; let us be resolved one way or the other; let us be either cold or hot; choose life or death. Choose now and choose wisely, for one false choice may become eternal.

Daily Manning Quote

2011-04-25T10:08:00.003+02:00

We may have some years still of temptation, and buffeting, and sorrow, and warfare, and of the Cross on earth. These things may be. Storms upon the lake, clouds upon the mountain,—they are our earthly lot. What matter? If we be children of the Resurrection, heaven is ours. And heaven is near; we know not how long or how soon our day may be.

Daily Manning Quote

2011-04-20T09:47:00.003+02:00

The Catholic Church rests not on the judgment of any individual, however holy or wise; but on the witness of an universal and perpetual body, to which teacher and taught alike are subject; and because all are in subjection to the Church, all are redeemed from bondage to individual teachers and the authority of men.

Daily Manning Quote

2011-04-19T07:24:00.002+02:00

In the joy of the Resurrection we shall see the countenance of the Friend Who has loved us, sorrowed for us, died for us; the countenance of the Son of God fixed upon us personally one by one; His voice speaking to us as He spoke to Mary at the sepulchre, calling us each one by name. This is the beginning of the joy.

Daily Manning Quote

2011-04-18T14:25:00.002+02:00

After the fret and fever of a few short years will come the river of the water of life - "the times of refreshment," and the rest of God. Let us remember that He Who is the Resurrection is always with us; and if we be in Him, all things are ours, all shall be restored to us, all made new, all sinless and deathless, all our own again and for ever.

Daily Manning Quote

2011-04-17T07:39:00.001+02:00

The mind and voice of the Church has never changed, never varied, by an accent or an iota. As every age has had its heresy, so every heresy has been cast out, some sooner, some later, some with ease, some with difficulty, but all alike are cast out by the vigour of health and life.

Ad multos annos

2011-04-16T09:08:00.003+02:00

Let us pray for our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, on his 84th birthday.

Almighty and everlasting God, have mercy upon Thy servant Benedict, our Supreme Pontiff, and direct him, according to Thy loving-kindness, in the way of eternal salvation; that, of Thy gift, he may ever desire that which is pleasing to Thee and may accomplish it with all his might. Through Christ our Lord.

℣. Let us pray for our Pontiff Benedict.

℟. The Lord preserve him, and give him life, and make him to be blessed upon the earth, and deliver him not up to the will of his enemies.

Daily Manning Quote

2011-04-16T09:02:00.002+02:00

There are three great depths which no human line can sound—the depth of our own sinfulness, the depth of our unworthiness, and the depth of our nothingness.

Daily Manning Quote

2011-04-15T07:13:00.002+02:00

Around the throne of the kingdom of the Resurrection we may see by faith those whom we shall hereafter see in vision—the Blessed Mother of God, sinless always; the beloved disciple, who was without spot; Mary Magdalene, once stained through and through, now white as snow. There they stand, the type of saints and penitents, in the kingdom of God, redeemed by the same Lord and Saviour, washed in the same precious blood, arrayed in light; the penitent white as the sinless, because sinless for ever, for all sins are done away.

Daily Manning Quote

2011-04-14T12:58:00.005+02:00

It is but a little time, and we shall all keep Easter in heaven; yet a little while—and what matters a little while of sorrow, of care, toil, or weariness, hardness and solitude, repentance and striving, temptation and patience?

Saint of the Day

2011-04-13T09:29:00.006+02:00

St. Hermenegild

St. Hermenegild, the son of the Leovigild, the king of Spain, was martyred when he refused to receive Holy Communion from an heretical (Arian) bishop. Father Alban Butler's account of the saint's life can be found at the EWTN site:

http://www.ewtn.com/library/mary/hermeneg.htm

Daily Manning Quote

2011-04-13T08:47:00.003+02:00

A lot is meted out to every one of us, and God has chosen it. We do not choose our own lot. Some few of its details we may control; but we no more choose our entire lot than we determine the country or the century in which we are born. It is the providence of God; and He ordains what we shall have, and shall not have; and that lot is given to us, to be content with it, to be satisfied with it, to rejoice in it.

Daily Manning Quote

2011-04-12T07:18:00.003+02:00

By prayer is meant not vocal prayer only, but the prayer of the mind, and of the heart sustained habitually by recollection of the presence of God, and articulated often in silence by desires, aspirations, momentary petitions in the actions and trials of the day.

Daily Manning Quote

2011-04-11T07:35:00.004+02:00

Have a holy fear of consciously doing anything that may grieve the Holy Spirit; a holy fear of going anywhere, entering into any engagements, amusements, societies, friendships, intimacies, which can come between God and your soul.

Daily Manning Quote

2011-04-10T09:50:00.004+02:00

We are always unconsciously affecting other men with a power which, could we fully know it, would make us tremble. Our thoughtless actions, random words, unguarded hints, our very tones, even our gestures, in our most relaxed hours, leave impressions on other men such as we neither design nor imagine.

Daily Manning Quote

2011-04-09T07:19:00.003+02:00

"Do you interpret what befalls you in your life as the overruling, watchful, and loving care of your Divine Friend? If so, you will never murmur, nor repine, nor rebel; you will never chafe against God's providence; you will be content with your lot; you will be ready to thank him for everything."

Daily Manning Quote

2011-04-08T16:28:00.005+02:00

Listen to God, and answer promptly; lay hold of that grace which is offered to you; keep fast the links of that golden chain; never let it go, and take heed lest you break a link.

The Priest under False Accusation

2011-04-05T11:46:00.009+02:00

From Cardinal Manning's The Eternal Priesthood:

CHAPTER XII
THE PRIEST UNDER FALSE ACCUSATIONS

GOD might have redeemed the world by a manifestation of His glory; but He chose to do it by shame. Jesus was rejected of men, and they hid their faces from Him as if ashamed to own Him. This lot He has bequeathed to us. Jesus was falsely accused. No man ever more so. He was called a Samaritan, and told that He had a devil. He was “a gluttonous man and a wine-bibber, a friend of publicans and sinners.” He was a deceiver, and a seducer, and seditious; stirring up the people, feigning to be a king and a prophet, being a pretender and a blasphemer. He suffered all the penalties of sin, its guilt only excepted.

1. False accusation was hateful to Him, because of His perfect holiness. To be baptised as if He were a sinner was an act of divine humility. The eyes of all were fixed upon Him. He was counted as one of the sinners of Jerusalem. It was bitter to be even suspected. But to be accused as a sinner was an infinite humiliation. The bitterness of sin entered into His sinless soul. He tasted the horror and the shame even of those who are justly accused. Innocent men arraigned at the bar, and though falsely yet skillfully accused of atrocious crimes, have afterwards told us that, for a time, they had the horrible sense of guilt upon them. And, in the measure of their innocence, their hatred of the evil laid to their charge will be more acute. To the sinful it brings little pain; for sin deadens the perception of the baseness, the grossness, the deadliness of sin. The agony of our Divine Lord in the Garden came from the vision and the contact of the sin of the world. The sins of mankind before the Flood; the sins of the tribes of Israel, the sins of the Christian world, and, above all, the sins of His own priests these wrung from Him a sweat of blood. The sanctity of God in contact with the sin of the world caused a sorrow “unto death.” For though God cannot sorrow as God, God Incarnate sorrowed by the suffering of His sinless humanity in this world of sin.

In the measure, then, of the innocence and purity of a priest's life and heart will be his suffering when falsely accused. They who accuse him little know the pain they inflict. They have not his delicacy of conscience, or the purity of his heart, or his jealousy for the priesthood and for the Name of our Divine Master. So far “they know not what they do.” The coarse, and the rude, and the vindictive, and the malevolent, and even the foolish and the reckless in speech, with no ill-will, perhaps, but with great want of caution; often inflict wounds upon a good priest which are never healed. They would care little if it were said of themselves; and that is, perhaps, their only excuse, and a very mean one.

2. And the false accusations against our Divine Saviour came from those to whom He was always doing good. For three long years in meekness and gentleness He spoke with them of the kingdom of God. He healed their sick, and cleansed their lepers, and opened the eyes of their blind, and fed the hungry, and raised their dead. And the people heard Him gladly, and the little children came to Him without fear. Virtue went out of Him to illuminate, to sanctify, and to console. And yet He was hated; and at one time they sought to kill Him, at another to cast Him down from the hill on which they dwelt. And they spoke against Him, and accused Him falsely. They returned hatred for His love, and reviling for His patience. This added a special pain.

Every priest must be ready to bear the same. Those for whom we have done most are often the most thankless; and at the first reproof or the first refusal, however small, break out into bitter ill-will. It is a proverb that men forget the score of times that we have said yes, and remember only the once that we say no. Of the ten lepers only one returned to give thanks, and he was a Samaritan. Priests, Levites, and Jews passed the wounded man by the wayside. Only one was found to help him, and he, too, was a Samaritan. The Jews were blinded with the excess of light, and surfeited with the abundance of their mercies. They took all as a right, and crucified the Lord of glory. But the Samaritans, in their austere scarcity of light and grace, were quicker to perceive the goodness and the law of God. So it is often in our flock. The favoured become pampered, and they who have had least care have most gratitude.

3. And the false accusations came especially from those who knew Him. We read that at one time even His brethren did not believe in Him. And at last one of His twelve disciples betrayed Him. It often happens that a priest is falsely accused by someone for whom he has had a special intimacy, and on whom he has bestowed a special care. It may be some soul ready to perish whom he has plucked as a brand from the burning. It often happens that they for whom we do most are least grateful and most malicious. Because so much has been done for them, they exact more; and because more cannot be done, they break out in jealousy and vindictiveness. It would be but a little thing if enemies who do not know us speak against us; but when familiar friends, who have been freely admitted to our confidence and within our guard, who have lived under our roof and broken bread with us—when they turn and accuse us, it is far more bitter. Inimici hominis domestici ejus. The care and kindness and forbearance we have shown to them is all lost. Some passion of jealousy or self-interest has mastered them. They first turn from us, and then turn upon us. If they had been strangers and unknown, we could have better borne it; but from them it has a manifold ingratitude. They know us better than other men. Their accusations are not from ignorance or mistake. They know the falseness, because they know the truth: and that galls them. They can find nothing against us truly; therefore they are irritated, and go to Satan's forge for lies. Sister Emmerich says that Satan in Gethsemane asked our Lord what He had done with all the money that came from the lands that Mary sold at Magdala.

4. And the false accusation against our Divine Master was believed by, not a few, but by the majority of men. The bad believed it readily, and rejoiced that He was one of themselves. He had rebuked them, and warned them, and irritated them by His example; and crossed their trade of wickedness, and defeated their plans, and, it may be, had saved the innocent out of their hands. It was joy to them that He could be blackened by accusation, which, however false, would still leave its stain, and never be forgotten. This was sharp enough. But it was worse when He saw that the good believed Him to be guilty: that they forsook Him, and shunned Him, and passed Him by. The animosity of immoral minds was easier to bear than the condemnation of the good; who, being deceived, believed what was said against Him. Then the rulers and guides of the people—the scribes and the priests, the men of strict observance and large knowledge of the law—they disapproved and discountenanced His exaggerated teaching and His unusual way of life: sometimes all night in prayer, sometimes eating and drinking with sinners. This Man, if He were a prophet, would know; but He does not know, therefore He is no prophet; and if not a prophet He is pretentious in His ways, and presumptuous in His condemnations even of the scribes who sit in the seat of Moses. Have any of the rulers of the people believed in Him? If not, no one should believe in Him. Many a good priest is criticised, censured, accused, condemned, loudly or in silence, and all that is said against him is believed and repeated. In the homes where he used to be welcome there is constraint. In the friends who used to greet him there is a distance. The falsehood has done its work, and no contradiction can ever overtake it. It follows him like a shadow; and it darkens his path wherever he goes. It has become a part of his public reputation; the majority believe it to be true. His brother priests believe it. His Bishop believes it, and does not clear him. The holy angels know it to be false. But the priest was predestined to be conformed to the image of the Son; and He was accused falsely, and men believed it to be true.

5. Lastly, our Divine Master died under the cloud of false accusation. He was never cleared of the reproach, though the witnesses could not agree together. What matter? The high priest and the scribes condemned Him, and the majority cried, “Crucify Him. What more need have we of witnesses?” His name was blackened, and He died upon the Cross deserted by friends, abandoned by men, and forsaken by God. He died as a malefactor between malefactors, in the sight of the multitude who once believed Him to be a prophet, and now believed Him to be a blasphemer. Even after His death this ill name survived Him. “This deceiver said, while He was yet alive.” This same lot He left behind Him to them that are His. “God hath set forth us Apostles, the last, as it were, appointed to death. We are made a spectacle to the world, and to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ's sake; but you are wise in Christ. We are weak; but you are strong. You are honourable; but we are without honour. Even unto this hour we both hunger and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no fixed abode. And we labour, working with our own hands; we are reviled, and we bless; we are persecuted, and we suffer it. We are blasphemed, and we entreat. We are made the refuse of this world, the off-scouring of all even until now (1 Cor 4:9-13).” “The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. If they have called the Master of the house Beelzebub, how much more them of the household (Mt 10:24-25).” Why should we complain if we be blackened with accusation, and die under it? Innocence falsely accused is a close conformity to the Son of God.

Three thoughts, arising from all this, may give us both peace and strength when we are falsely accused. The first is, that innocence, suffering under sin, suffers for sinners. It is what S. Paul describes as “filling up those things that are wanting of the sufferings of Christ (Col 1:24).” The sufferings of the Head redeemed the world. The infinite merits of the Cross have purchased all things for us. But the suffering of the mystical Body, and of every member of it, is united to the Passion of Jesus, and through Him it ascends, as an act of obedience, and patience, and self-oblation, to the Father.

The second thought is, that sinners are never so near their Divine Master as when they suffer innocently. S. Peter says: “Dearly beloved, think not strange the burning heat, which is to try you, as if some new thing happened to you; but if you partake of the suffering of Christ, rejoice that when His glory shall be revealed you may also be glad with exceeding joy. For if you be reproached for the name of Christ you shall be blessed; for that which is of the honour, glory, and power of God, and that which is His Spirit, resteth upon you 1 Pt 4:12-14).” If we are on our Lord's side we shall suffer both for Him and with Him. Wherever His Cross is, there He is also. Never so near as when we need Him most. Our shame, and pain, and burning of heart are the pledges of His nearness, and that He is opening our understanding to know what books cannot teach us. How often have we read the words, “A faithful saying: for if we be dead with Him, we shall live also with Him; if we suffer, we shall also reign with Him (2 Tim 2:11-12).” To be falsely accused is the last conformity of the servant to his Lord.

The third thought is, that our Divine Master has some greater work for us to do. He is fitting us for it by suffering, by taking away the sweetness, without which hirelings will not serve Him, by purifying our love from resentment against those who despitefully use us, and from all weak pity for ourselves. Till we have accepted our Master's lot, whose three companions, B. Angela of Foligno says, were Poverty, Sorrow, and Contempt, we shall not be worthy to be priests or soldiers of the Heart that was pierced. He gives to all His servants a measure of work according to their power. To the many He gives an easier task, to some a harder, to a few the hardest of all. All priests stand on Calvary; hut some are nearer than others to His Cross. He measures out the share of His Cross as each can hear it. Some it touches only for a moment ; on some it falls often ; some have the prolonged lot of Simon of Cyrene ; others have the mocking, others the vinegar and gall; some the desolation, and a few the false accusation under which He died. S. Romuald, S. Peter Martyr, S. Francis of Sales, S. Joseph Calasanctius, S. Vincent of Paul tasted this bitterness, and many more. It made them Saints, and fitted them for their work; for they were called to do the works of Saints. If, then, we have some share in this lot, it is a sure sign of His love and of His will to use us in some way as instruments of His power. Let us, then, never faint under it nor fear, nor go about for human defenders, nor use human arts for our justification. Leave it to Him. “Commit thy way unto the Lord, and trust in Him, and He will do it; and He will bring forth thy justice as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday (Ps 36:5-6).” When this token of His special service comes to you, give thanks. Say, Benedicam Dominum in omni tempore. I will bless the Lord in all times : in the time of peace, and in the time of trouble ; in the time of gladness, and in the time of affliction; in the time when men trust me, and in the time when they mistrust me; in the time when they speak me fair, and in the time when they lay to my charge evil that I know not, and falsehoods that are believed as true.

St. Januarius

2010-09-19T14:30:00.002+02:00

Today the Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of St. Januarius (San Gennaro), bishop and martyr. San Gennaro is the patron of Naples, which possesses several major relics. Of these, the most famous is a vial of the saint's blood, which on several days throughout the year (his feast, the feast of the translation of his relics, etc.) miraculously liquefies.

I have SEEN this miracle.

The glass vessel is carried through the streets of Naples in procession, preceded by the parishes, guilds and confraternities of the city. When it arrives at its destination, it is exhibited to the people. After a period of prayer, the dried, clotted blood begins to liquefy. When I saw it, the blood actually increased in volume, so that the sealed vessel, which was less than half full when the blood was dry, was almost completely filled after the liquefaction occurred.

The miracle of liquefaction is attested to since at least 1389 - over 600 years. In that time, no one has been able to give a satisfactory explanation for the liquefaction.

St. Alphonsus Liguori wrote regarding Saint Januarius:

"The Neapolitans honor this saint as the principal patron of their city and nation, and the Lord himself has continued to honor him, by allowing many miracles to be wrought through his intercession, particularly when the frightful eruptions of Mount Vesuvius have threatened the city of Naples with utter destruction. While the relics of St. Januarius were being brought in procession towards this terrific volcano, the torrents of lava and liquid fire which it emitted have ceased, or turned their course from the city. But the most stupendous miracle, and that which is greatly celebrated in the church, is the liquefying and boiling up of this blessed martyr's blood whenever the vials are brought in sight of his head. This miracle is renewed many times in the year, in presence of all who desire to witness it; yet some heretics have endeavored to throw a doubt upon its genuineness, by frivolous and incoherent explanations; but no one can deny the effect to be miraculous, unless he be prepared to question the evidence of his senses."

John Henry Cardinal Newman (now Blessed) also attested to the veracity of the miracle of liquefaction:

"I think it impossible to withstand the evidence which is brought for the liquefaction of the blood of St. Januarius at Naples and for the motion of the eyes in the pictures of the Madonna in the Papal States."^[18]

Saint Robert Bellarmine's Definition of the Church

2010-09-18T02:18:00.004+02:00

"Now, our opinion is that the Church is only one, and not two; and that one and true [Church] is the assembly of men gathered in the profession of the same Christian faith, and in the communion of the same sacraments, under the reign of legitimate pastors, and especially of the one vicar of Christ on earth, the Roman Pontiff. From which definition, one can easily gather which men pertain to the Church, and indeed those who do not pertain to her. For there are three parts of this definition: the profession of the true faith, the communion of the sacraments, and subjection to the legitimate shepherd, the Roman Pontiff. By reason of the first part all infidels are excluded, both those who were never in the Church, such as Jews, Turks, and pagans; and those who were, and went back, such as heretics and apostates. By reason of the second part catechumens and excommunicates are excluded, the former because they are not admitted to the communion of the sacraments, and the latter because they are cast out. By reason of the third part are excluded schismatics, who have faith and sacraments, but are not subject to the legitimate pastors, and therefore they profess the faith and receive the sacraments outside [of the Church]. But all others are included, even the reprobate, the wicked, and the impious.

"And so there is this difference between our opinion and all others, that all others require internal virtues to constitute someone in the Church, and on that account they make the true Church invisible; but we, although we believe that all virtues, such as faith, hope, charity, etc., are found in the Church, yet that anyone can in some way be called a part of the true Church, about which Scripture speaks, we do not believe any internal virtues are required, but only external profession of the faith, and communion of the sacraments, which are perceived by the senses. For the Church is a assembly of men as visible and palpable as is the assembly of the people of Rome, or the kingdom of France, or the republic of Venice."

Vatican II Changes Prompt Interior Redecoration

2010-08-29T15:02:00.010+02:00

St. Mary's Church was built at a time when the thrust of the Liturgy was the relationship with God and the Liturgy was a means of promoting this relationship.

One of the thrusts that Vatican II gave the Liturgy was the full participation of God's people.

With this change in focus, the parish council and Father W--- consulted with Frank Kazmarcek, a nationally known liturgical consultant. He presented observations and recommendations...

The lighting fixtures were removed and replaced with Quartz lighting recessed in the ceiling...

Regarding the altar, ambo and chair, the marble of the present altar was cut and used in the new altar. The red marble of the present altar was used in the tabernacle pedestal and present tabernacle was used for the reservation of the blessed sacrament [sic]. Marble from the present side altars was used for the ambo and the presidential chair.

Another recommendation that was adopted was to paint the church one color in its entirety so that prominence was given to the altar and the sanctuary. This included the decorations so they didn't detract from the liturgical action.

Kazmarcek recommended off-white, but a shade of green was used instead.

Kazmarcek said the communion rail should be removed since it was superfluous.

Even though he suggested the stations of the cross be removed, they, too, were painted green.

Kazmarcek also said since the emphasis was the liturgical action, the statues were superfluous and many lacked meaning to the general assembly. Therefore, they were also painted green to blend with the rest of the church. A large crucifix was hung on the back wall of the Sanctuary.

The statue of the Blessed Mother was put on a pedestal rather than on the wall. Any paintings were removed.

The floor of the sanctuary and entry was carpeted.

It was at this time, also, that the choir and organ were placed in front.

My parish church, St. Mary's in Aberdeen, South Dakota, was renovated following the Second Vatican Council. This account of the renovations was taken from the history book published on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the parish, celebrated in 2003.

Poetry

2010-08-20T21:12:00.002+02:00

UPDATED CHURCH

Latin's gone,
Peace is too,
Singin' and shoutin'
From every pew.

Altar's turned round,
Priest is too,
Commentator's shoutin'
Page twenty-two.

Communion rail's gone,
Stand up straight,
Kneeling suddenly
Went out of date.

Processions are forming
In every aisle,
Salvation organized
Single file.

Rosary's out,
Psalms are in,
Hardly ever hear
A word against sin.

Listen to the Lector,
Hear how he reads.
Please stop rattlin'
Those Rosary beads!

Father's looking puzzled,
Doesn't know his part,
Used to know the whole Mass
In Latin by heart.

I hope all the changes
Are just about done,
And that they won't drop Bingo
Before I've won.

I found this poem printed in a book on the history of Sacred Heart Parish in Aberdeen, SD. The editor comments, "This ditty, composed by some anonymous bard, came to our attention recently. While we may not agree with its contents, we feel that it does have a message that is pertinent to our time."

Transfiguration

2008-08-06T15:10:00.003+02:00

Today is the patronal feast of the Cathedral of Rome - the Patriarchal Archbasilica of S. Giovanni in Laterano, "Mother and Mistress of all of the Churches of the City and of the World".

Buona festa!

Requiescat in pace.

2008-08-06T15:05:00.002+02:00

Today is the 30th anniversary of the death of Pope Paul VI.

Requiem aeternam dona eis Domine.
Et lux perpetua luceat eis.
Requiescat in pace. Amen.

Our Lady of the Snows

2008-08-05T14:28:00.004+02:00

5 August 2008

Today is the anniversary of the dedication of the patriarchal Basilica of Saint Mary Major (Santa Maria Maggiore). The legend of its origins is found in the old breviary:

Under the pontificate of Liberius, John, a Roman patrician, and his wife, who was of an equally noble race, having no children to whom they might leave their estates, vowed their whole fortune to the Blessed Virgin Mother of God, begging her most earnestly and continually to make known to them by some means in what pious work she wished them to employ the money. The Blessed Virgin Mary graciously heard their heartfelt prayers and vows, and answered them by a miracle.
On the Nones of August, usually the hottest time of the year in Rome, a part of the Esquiline Hill was covered with snow during the night. that same night the Mother of God appeared in a dream to John and his wife separately, and told them to build a church on the spot they should find covered with snow, and to dedicate it to the Virgin Mary; for it was in this manner that she wished to become their heiress. John related this to Pope Liberius, who said he had dreamt the same thing.
He went, therefore, with a solemn procession of priests and people to the snow-clad hill, and chose the site of a church, which was built with the money of John and his wife. It was afterwards rebuilt by Sixtus III. At first it was called by different names, the Liberian basilica, St. Mary at the Crib. But, since there are many churches in Rome dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and as this one suprasses all other basilicas in dignity and by its miraculous beginning, it is distinguished from them by its title of St. Mary Major. On account of the miraculous fall of snow, the anniversary of the dedication is celbrated by a yearly solemnity.

In commemoration of the miraclulous snowfall, during the pontifical Mass of the Dedication, at the Gloria, an opening is made in the ceiling, and white flower petals are released into the nave of the Church....

February 7

2008-02-07T12:48:00.000+01:00

Today is the Feast of Bd. Pius IX.

Prayers to Saint Peter and Paul

2008-01-18T18:00:00.001+01:00

Prayers to Saints Peter and Paul

Saint Peter the Apostle

Thou art the Shepherd of the sheep, the Prince of the Apostles, unto thee were given the keys of the kingdom of heaven.

℣. Thou art Peter;

℟. And upon this rock I will build my Church.

Let us pray.

Raise us up, we beseech thee, O Lord, by the apostolic assistance of blessed Peter, thine Apostle: so that the weaker we are, the more mightily we may be helped by the power of his intercession: and that being perpetually defended by the same holy Apostle, we may neither yield to any iniquity, nor be overcome by any adversity. Through Christ our Lord.

O glorious Saint Peter, who, in return for thy lively and generous faith, thy profound and sincere humility, and thy burning love, wast honoured by Jesus Christ with singular privileges, and, in particular, with the leadership of the other Apostles and the primacy of the whole Church, of which thou wast made the foundation stone, do thou obtain for us the grace of a lively faith, that shall not fear to profess itself openly, in its entirety and in all of its manifestations, even to the shedding of blood, if occasion should demand it, and to the sacrifice of life itself in preference to surrender. Obtain for us likewise, a sincere loyalty to our holy mother, the Church; grant that we may ever remain most closely and sincerely united to the Roman Pontiff, who is the heir of thy faith and of thy authority, the one, true, visible Head of the Catholic Church, that mystic ark outside which there is no salvation. Grant, moreover, that we may follow, in all humility and meekness, her teaching and her counsels, and may be obedient to all her precepts, in order to be able here on earth to enjoy a peace that is sure and undisturbed, and to attain one day in heaven to everlasting happiness. Amen.

℣. Pray for us, Saint Peter the Apostle,

℟. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray.

O God, who hast given unto thy blessed Apostle Peter the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and the power to bind and loose: grant that we may be delivered, through the help of his intercession, from the bonds of all our sins: Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.

Saint Paul the Apostle

Thou art the Vessel of election, Saint Paul the Apostle, the Preacher of truth in the whole world.

℣. Pray for us, Saint Paul the Apostle,

℟. That we may be worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray.

Almighty and everlasting God, who, of thy divine mercy, didst instruct thy blessed Apostle Paul what he should to that he might be filled with the Holy Ghost; by his admonitions directing us and his merits interceding for us, grant that we may serve thee in fear and trembling, and so be filled with the comfort of thy heavenly gifts. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

O glorious Saint Paul, who, from being a persecutor of the Christian name, didst become its most zealous Apostle, and who, to carry the knowledge of our Jesus, our divine Saviour, to the uttermost parts of the earth, didst joyfully suffer prison, scourgings, stonings, shipwreck and all manner of persecutions, and who didst finish thy course by shedding the last drop of thy blood: obtain for us the grace to accept, as favours bestowed by the mercy of God, the infirmities, sufferings and misfortunes of this life, that we may not grow slack in our service of God by reason of these vicissitudes of our exile, but that we may the rather show ourselves ever more devoted. Amen.

℣. Pray for us, Saint Paul the Apostle,

℟. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray.

O God, who hast taught the multitude of the Gentiles by the preaching of blessed Paul the Apostle: grant unto us, we beseech thee, that we who keep his memory sacred, may feel the might of his intercession before thee. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer to St. Therese of the Child Jesus

2008-01-18T17:59:00.001+01:00

For the Conversion of Russia

O loving and compassionate Saint, deign to comfort our Russian brethren, the victims of a long and cruel persecution of the Christian name; obtain for them perseverance in the faith, progress in the love of God and of their neighbor, and in confidence toward the most holy Mother of God; prepare for them holy priests who shall make reparation for the blasphemies and sacrileges committed against the holy Eucharist; grant that angelic purity, especially in the young, and every Christian virtue may once more flourish among them, to the end that this noble people, being delivered from all slavery and returning freely to the one fold entrusted by the loving Heart of the Risen Christ to Saint Peter and his successors, may at length taste the joy of glorifying the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit in the fellowship of the holy Catholic Church.

Prayer to Obtain the Reunion of the Christians of the East

2008-01-18T17:58:00.000+01:00

O Lord, who hast united the various nations in the confession of thy name, we pray thee for the Christian peoples of the East. Mindful of the high place they held of old in thy Church, we beg of thee to inspire them with an ardent desire to regain that place, in order to form, with us, one only fold under the guidance of one and the same Shepherd. Grant that their hearts may be docile to hear the voice of their holy Doctors, who are likewise our Fathers in the faith. Let a spirit of concord and charity, which is a sign of thy presence among the faithful, hasten the day when our prayers shall be united to theirs, so that every nation and every tongue may acknowledge and glorify our Lord Jesus Christ.

To St. Bridget, Queen of Sweden, Widow

2008-01-18T17:57:00.000+01:00

With trusting hearts we turn to thee, blessed Bridget, in these hostile and unbelieving days, to implore thine intercession in behalf of those who are separated from the Church of Jesus Christ. By that clear knowledge thou didst have of the bitter sufferings of our crucified Redeemer, the price of our salvation, we offer thee our supplications to obtain the grace of faith for those who are outside the one true fold, that so the sheep who are scattered may return to the one true shepherd, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Saint Bridget, fearless in thy service of God, pray for us. Saint Bridget, fearless in thy service of God, pray for us. Saint Bridget, patient in the midst of suffering and humiliation, pray for us. Saint Bridget, wonderful in thy love for Jesus and Mary, pray for us.

Pater, Ave, Gloria.

Prayer to Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary of Pompeii

2008-01-18T17:56:00.000+01:00

O merciful Queen of the Rosary of Pompeii, thou, the Seat of Wisdom, hast established a throne of fresh mercy in the land that once was pagan, in order to draw all nations to salvation by means of the chaplet of thy mystic roses: remember that thy divine Son hath left us this saying: “Other sheep I have that are not of this fold; them also must I bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one Shepherd.” Remember likewise that on Calvary thou didst become our co-Redemptrix, by virtue of the crucifixion of thy heart cooperating with thy Crucified Son in the salvation of the world; and from that day thou didst become the Restorer of the human race, the Refuge of sinners and the Mother of all mankind. Behold, dear Mother, how many souls are lost every hour! Behold, how countless millions of those who dwell in India, in China, and in barbarous regions do not yet know our Lord Jesus Christ! See, too, how many others are indeed Christians and are nevertheless far from the bosom of Mother Church which is Catholic, Apostolic and Roman!
O Mary, powerful mediator, advocate of the human race, full of love for us who are mortal, the life of our hearts, blessed Virgin of the Rosary of Pompeii, graciously hear our prayers; let not the Precious Blood and the fruits of Redemption be lost for so many souls. From thy chosen shrine in Pompeii where thou dost nothing else save dispense heaven’s favours upon the afflicted, grant that a ray of thy heavenly light may shine forth to enlighten those many blinded understandings and to enkindle so many cold hearts. Intercede with thy divine Son and obtain grace for all the pagans, Jews, heretics and schismatics in the whole world to receive supernatural light and to enter with joy into the bosom of the true Church. Hear the confident prayer of the Supreme Pontiff, that all nations may be joined in the one faith, may know and love Jesus Christ, the blessed fruit of thy womb, who liveth and reigneth with the Father and the Holy Spirit world without end. And then all men shall love thee also, thou who art the salvation of the world, arbiter and dispenser of the treasures of God, and Queen of mercy in the valley of Pompeii. And, glorifying thee, the Queen of Victories, who by means of the Rosary, dost trample upon all heresies, they shall acknowledge that thou givest life to all the nations, since there must be a fulfilment of the prophecy in the Gospel: “All generations shall call me blessed”.

Prayers for Christian Unity

2008-01-18T17:54:00.000+01:00

From the Raccolta.

O God, who guidest that which is gone astray, and gatherest that which is scattered, and keepest that which is gathered together; we beseech thee, mercifully pour forth upon the Christian people the grace of thy unity; that they may reject the spirit of dissension and unite themselves to the true Shepherd of thy Church, and may thus be enabled to serve thee worthily. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is that all men should be saved and that none should perish, look upon the souls that are deceived by the guile of Satan, in order that the hearts of them that have gone astray may put aside all the perverseness of heresy, and, being truly repentant, may return to the unity of thy truth. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Lord Jesus, merciful Saviour of the world, we humbly beseech thee by they most Sacred Heart, that all the straying sheep may turn unto thee, the Shepherd and Bishop of their souls: Who livest and reignest, world without end. Amen.

O Mary, Mother of mercy and Refuge of sinners, we beseech thee, be pleased to look with pitiful eyes upon poor heretics and schismatics. Thou who art the Seat of Wisdom, enlighten the minds that are miserably enfolded in the darkness of ignorance and sin, that they may clearly know that the Holy Catholic Church is the one true Church of Jesus Christ, outside of which neither holiness nor salvation can be found. Call them to the unity of the one fold, granting them the grace to accept all the truths of our holy Faith, and to submit themselves to the Supreme Roman Pontiff, the Vicar of Jesus Christ on earth; that so, being united with us in the sweet chains of divine charity, there may soon be one only fold under the same one Shepherd; and may we all, O glorious Virgin, sing forever with exultation: Rejoice, O Virgin Mary, thou only hast destroyed all heresies in the whole world.

O Virgin immaculate, thou who by a singular privilege of grace wast preserved from original sin, look in pity upon our separated brethren, who are nevertheless thy children, and call them back to the center of unity. Not a few of them, although separated from the Church, have kept a certain veneration for thee; and do thou, generous as thou art, reward them for it, by obtaining for them the grace of conversion.

Thou was conqueror of the infernal serpent from the first instant of thy existence; renew even now, for it is now more necessary than ever before, thine ancient triumphs; glorify thy divine Son, bring back to him the sheep that have strayed from the one fold and place them once more under the guidance of the universal Shepherd who holds the place of thy Son on earth; let it be thy glory, O Virgin who destroyest all heresies, to restore unity and peace once more to all the Christian people.

A Devout Exercise for the Unity of the Church

2008-01-18T17:52:00.000+01:00

From the Raccolta

Ant. That they all may be one, as thou, Father, in me and I in thee, that thy also may be one in us; that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

℣. I say to thee, that thou art Peter,

℟. And upon this rock I will build my Church.

Let us pray.

Lord Jesus Christ, who didst say to thine Apostles: Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, look not upon my sins, but upon the faith of Thy Church; and vouchsafe unto her that peace and unity which is agreeable to thy will: Who livest and reignest, God, forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer Intentions for Each Day of the Octave

2008-01-18T17:50:00.000+01:00

First Day: For the return of the ‘other sheep’ to the One Fold of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Second Day: For the return of the Eastern Orthodox Christians to communion with the Apostolic See.

Third Day: For the return of the Anglicans to the authority of the Vicar of Christ.

Fourth Day: For the return of all Protestants throughout the world to the unity of the Catholic Church.

Fifth Day: That Christians in America [or: throughout the world] may be one, in union with the Chair of Saint Peter.

Sixth Day: That lapsed Catholics will return to the Sacraments of the Church.

Seventh Day: That the Jewish people will be converted to the Catholic Faith.

Eighth Day: That missionary zeal will conquer the world for Christ.

Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity

2008-01-18T17:44:00.000+01:00

Today marks the beginning of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Although taken over by Ecumenists, the Octave is actually very Catholic in its origins - seeking the unity of all men in the one true Church of Jesus Christ.

In fact, even the timing of this event is steeped in Catholic Culture. The Octave begins on the feast of the Chair of St. Peter at Rome - the divinely appointed foundation of Christian Unity - and concludes on the feast of the Conversion of St. Paul - the conversion of a fanatical enemy of Christ and His holy Church to the greatest Evangelist the world has ever known.

Saint Peter and Saint Paul, pray for us!

And there was much rejoicing ...

2007-09-14T14:27:00.000+02:00

EXALTATION OF THE HOLY CROSS

Today, 14 September 2007, the long-waited Motu proprio "Summorum Pontificum" goes into effect. Here in Rome we will be offering a Solemn High Mass at 6:30 p.m. in thanksgiving for the liberalization of the Traditional Roman Mass, and to pray that, through the intercession of the Blessed Mother, the many blessings foreseen and hoped for by the Holy Father will come to pass.

Thank you, Holy Father!

Long live the Pope!

Temporary Break

2007-09-11T17:06:00.000+02:00

Updates will be kind of spotty for the next few weeks, until I am able to get regular internet access. I will resume posting as soon as possible. See you soon!

- Christopher

A bit of humour ...

2007-08-29T19:52:00.000+02:00

... on the feast of the Beheading of John the Baptist.

The new bishop began visiting the churches of his diocese, and on this particular feast day, happened to be in a rather 'progressive' parish. Concelebrating Mass with the pastor and associates, he grew more and more infuriated as the liturgical abuses piled up. Nonetheless, he bit his tongue, not wanting to scandalize the parishioners. But when the liturgical dancers came out to 'interpret' the Gospel description of the Baptist's martyrdom, it proved to much. As Salome sashayed across the sanctuary, he leaned over to the pastor and whispered,

"If she asks for your head on a platter, she'll get it."

St. Augustine and the Culture Wars.

2007-08-28T23:20:00.001+02:00

Pope Leo XIII cites Saint Augustine's prescient description of the 'two cities' in the Encyclical Humanum genus:

1. The race of man, after its miserable fall from God, the Creator and the Giver of heavenly gifts, "through the envy of the devil," separated into two diverse and opposite parts, of which the one steadfastly contends for truth and virtue, the other of those things which are contrary to virtue and to truth. The one is the kingdom of God on earth, namely, the true Church of Jesus Christ; and those who desire from their heart to be united with it, so as to gain salvation, must of necessity serve God and His only-begotten Son with their whole mind and with an entire will. The other is the kingdom of Satan, in whose possession and control are all whosoever follow the fatal example of their leader and of our first parents, those who refuse to obey the divine and eternal law, and who have many aims of their own in contempt of God, and many aims also against God.

2. This twofold kingdom St. Augustine keenly discerned and described after the manner of two cities, contrary in their laws because striving for contrary objects; and with a subtle brevity he expressed the efficient cause of each in these words: "Two loves formed two cities: the love of self, reaching even to contempt of God, an earthly city; and the love of God, reaching to contempt of self, a heavenly one."[De civ. Dei, 14, 28 (PL 41, 436)] At every period of time each has been in conflict with the other, with a variety and multiplicity of weapons and of warfare, although not always with equal ardor and assault. At this period, however, the partisans of evil seems to be combining together, and to be struggling with united vehemence, led on or assisted by that strongly organized and widespread association called the Freemasons. No longer making any secret of their purposes, they are now boldly rising up against God Himself. They are planning the destruction of holy Church publicly and openly, and this with the set purpose of utterly despoiling the nations of Christendom, if it were possible, of the blessings obtained for us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Lamenting these evils, We are constrained by the charity which urges Our heart to cry out often to God: "For lo, Thy enemies have made a noise; and they that hate Thee have lifted up the head. They have taken a malicious counsel against Thy people, and they have consulted against Thy saints. They have said, 'come, and let us destroy them, so that they be not a nation'."[Ps. 82:24]
3. At so urgent a crisis, when so fierce and so pressing an onslaught is made upon the Christian name, it is Our office to point out the danger, to mark who are the adversaries, and to the best of Our power to make head against their plans and devices, that those may not perish whose salvation is committed to Us, and that the kingdom of Jesus Christ entrusted to Our charge may not stand and remain whole, but may be enlarged by an ever-increasing growth throughout the world.

You can read the rest of Humanum genus at Papal Encyclicals Online.

Saint Jerome to Saint Augustine

2007-08-28T20:26:00.000+02:00

"Honour to you! Honour to the man whom the raging winds have not been able to overthrow! ... Continue to be of good courage. The whole world celebrates your praises; the Catholics venerate and admire you as the restorer of the ancient faith. But what is a mark of still greater glory, all the heretics hate you. They honour me, too, with their hatred. Not being able to strike us with the sword, they kill us in desire."

Hieron. epist. cxli, al. lxxx.
cited in Gueranger.

Saint Joseph Calasanctius

2007-08-27T11:49:00.000+02:00

"St. Joseph Calasanctius was born in Aragon in 1556. Having become a priest, it was revealed to him that he should teach the children of the poor. He founded the Order of the Poor Clerks Regular of the Pious Schools of the Mother of God. He was ever a devout pilgrim at the shrines of the martyrs, and daily visited the seven Churches of Rome, where he lived for fifty years. He died August 25, 1648" (NRM). As the founder of a religious order, he is honoured with a statue in St. Peter's Basilica.

His relics are in the Church of Saint Pantaleon.

In the ordinary form, today is the feast of Saint Monica, the mother of Saint Augustine; her feast in the extraordinary calendar is May 4. St. Monica is most remembered for the ceaseless tears she poured out for her son, who for many years languished in an immoral life, and followed after the detestable heresy of Manichaeism. When she approached Saint Ambrose to beg for his prayers, he replied, 'Surely the son of so many tears cannot be lost'. Monica lived to see the conversion of both her son and her husband. Her relics are in the Church of St. Augustine in Rome, where I'll be headed this afternoon to offer extra prayers for my own mother.