30 September 2009

Hollywood Elite Wants Pervert Released

The moral vaccuum that is Hollywood sees a number of its stars calling for the release of the pervert/child rapist Roman Polanski who was arrested in Switzerland. While they spare no quarter in calling for heads of child abusing priests they find it an outrage that the U.S. government has continued to pursue the rapist Polanski who fled the country after pleading guilty to sex with a 13 year old girl because he was afraid the judge was going to throw the book at him. Here is what Whoopi Goldberg had to say,
Whoopi Goldberg used her spot on ABC's "The View" to try to clear up the record regarding the crime to which Polanski pleaded guilty in 1978.

"I know it wasn't 'rape' rape. I think it was something else, but I don't believe it was 'rape' rape," said Goldberg, dismissing the possibility that Polanski had forced himself on anyone.

"He pled guilty to having sex with a minor and he went to jail, and when they let him out (on bail, pending sentencing), he said, 'You know what, this guy's going to give me 100 years in jail. I'm not staying.' And that's why he left.

Hollywood Elite Wants Pervert Released

The moral vaccuum that is Hollywood sees a number of its stars calling for the release of the pervert/child rapist Roman Polanski who was arrested in Switzerland. While they spare no quarter in calling for heads of child abusing priests they find it an outrage that the U.S. government has continued to pursue the rapist Polanski who fled the country after pleading guilty to sex with a 13 year old girl because he was afraid the judge was going to throw the book at him. Here is what Whoopi Goldberg had to say,
Whoopi Goldberg used her spot on ABC's "The View" to try to clear up the record regarding the crime to which Polanski pleaded guilty in 1978.

"I know it wasn't 'rape' rape. I think it was something else, but I don't believe it was 'rape' rape," said Goldberg, dismissing the possibility that Polanski had forced himself on anyone.

"He pled guilty to having sex with a minor and he went to jail, and when they let him out (on bail, pending sentencing), he said, 'You know what, this guy's going to give me 100 years in jail. I'm not staying.' And that's why he left.

24 September 2009

Feast of Our Lady of Walsingham



Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Walsingham.

Tip o' the hat to Fr.'s Ray Blake and Fr. Z.






The Wrecks of Walsingham
[attributed to Sir Philip Howard]

In the wrecks of Walsingham
Whom should I choose
But the Queen of Walsingham
to be my guide and muse!

Then, the Prince of Walsingham,
Grant me to frame
Bitter plaints to rue thy wrong,
Bitter woe for thy name.

Bitter was it, O to see
The silly sheep
Murdered by the ravenous wolves
While the shepherd did sleep.

Bitter was it, O to view
The sacred vine,
Whilst the gardeners played all close,
Rooted up by the swine.

Bitter, bitter, O to behold
The grass to grow
Where the walls of Walsingham
So stately did show.

Such were the worth of Walsingham
While she did stand,
Such are the wrecks as now do show
Of that Holy Land.

Level, level, with the ground
The towers do lie,
Which, with their golden glittering tops,
Pierced out to the sky.

Where were gates are no gates now,
The ways unknown
Where the press of friars did pass
While her fame was blown.

Owls do screech where the sweetest hymns
Lately were sung,
Toads and serpents hold their dens
Where thepalmers did throng.

Weep, weep O Walsingham,
Whose days are nights,B
lessings turned to blasphemies,
Holy deeds to despites.

Sin is where Our Lady sat,
Heaven is turned to hell,
Satan sits where Our Lady did sway—
Walsingham, O farewell!.

Feast of Our Lady of Walsingham



Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Walsingham.

Tip o' the hat to Fr.'s Ray Blake and Fr. Z.






The Wrecks of Walsingham
[attributed to Sir Philip Howard]

In the wrecks of Walsingham
Whom should I choose
But the Queen of Walsingham
to be my guide and muse!

Then, the Prince of Walsingham,
Grant me to frame
Bitter plaints to rue thy wrong,
Bitter woe for thy name.

Bitter was it, O to see
The silly sheep
Murdered by the ravenous wolves
While the shepherd did sleep.

Bitter was it, O to view
The sacred vine,
Whilst the gardeners played all close,
Rooted up by the swine.

Bitter, bitter, O to behold
The grass to grow
Where the walls of Walsingham
So stately did show.

Such were the worth of Walsingham
While she did stand,
Such are the wrecks as now do show
Of that Holy Land.

Level, level, with the ground
The towers do lie,
Which, with their golden glittering tops,
Pierced out to the sky.

Where were gates are no gates now,
The ways unknown
Where the press of friars did pass
While her fame was blown.

Owls do screech where the sweetest hymns
Lately were sung,
Toads and serpents hold their dens
Where thepalmers did throng.

Weep, weep O Walsingham,
Whose days are nights,B
lessings turned to blasphemies,
Holy deeds to despites.

Sin is where Our Lady sat,
Heaven is turned to hell,
Satan sits where Our Lady did sway—
Walsingham, O farewell!.

22 September 2009

Canonization Cause of Bishop Sheen on EWTN Live

On Wednesday evening at 8 p.m. Eastern time, Msgr. Stanley Deptula the Executive Director for the Archbishop Sheen Foundation will be a guest on EWTN Live to discuss the Cause for Canonization of Bishop Sheen. Tune in Wednesday or check listings for encores of the show, Thursday and Sunday.

Canonization Cause of Bishop Sheen on EWTN Live

On Wednesday evening at 8 p.m. Eastern time, Msgr. Stanley Deptula the Executive Director for the Archbishop Sheen Foundation will be a guest on EWTN Live to discuss the Cause for Canonization of Bishop Sheen. Tune in Wednesday or check listings for encores of the show, Thursday and Sunday.

21 September 2009

To Visit the Imprisoned - September Work of Mercy

The Work of Mercy for September is, To Visit the Imprisoned.

There are a number of ways that we can fulfill this corporal work of mercy if it is not convenient or practical to physically visit a jail or prison. Some of the things we can do include:

To recruit and train volunteers to visit prisoners and/or help in other ways; i.e., corresponding as a pen pal. (If you choose to become a pen pal with a prisoner it is important never to give out any personal information. A program like this might be best co-ordinated through your local Parish using their address to send and receive letters.)

To provide the prisoners with religious materials, such as Order of Malta Bibles and Prayer Books, rosaries, other books, magazines, and materials.

To inform the public and legislators of needed reforms in laws and practices.

To improve the public perception of people who are imprisoned.

To support halfway houses and foster employment opportunities for prisoners after they are released.

To work with families of prisoners to offer them hope and support at a difficult time in their lives.


To Visit the Imprisoned - September Work of Mercy

The Work of Mercy for September is, To Visit the Imprisoned.

There are a number of ways that we can fulfill this corporal work of mercy if it is not convenient or practical to physically visit a jail or prison. Some of the things we can do include:

To recruit and train volunteers to visit prisoners and/or help in other ways; i.e., corresponding as a pen pal. (If you choose to become a pen pal with a prisoner it is important never to give out any personal information. A program like this might be best co-ordinated through your local Parish using their address to send and receive letters.)

To provide the prisoners with religious materials, such as Order of Malta Bibles and Prayer Books, rosaries, other books, magazines, and materials.

To inform the public and legislators of needed reforms in laws and practices.

To improve the public perception of people who are imprisoned.

To support halfway houses and foster employment opportunities for prisoners after they are released.

To work with families of prisoners to offer them hope and support at a difficult time in their lives.


Prayer of the Order of Malta in Latin

Domine Jesu, qui me Militiae Equitum Sancti Ioannis Hierosolymitani participem fieri dignatus es, Te humiliter deprecor, ut, Beata Maria Virgine a Filermo, Sancto Ioanne Baptista, Beato Gerardo cunctisque Sanctis intercedentibus, ad sacra Ordinis nostri instituta servanda benigne me adiuves:

Religionem Catholicam, Apostolicam, Romanam firmiter colam ac adversus impietatem strenue defendam.

Caritatem erga proximum, praesertim erga pauperes atque infirmos, diligenter exerceam.

Concede mihi virtutes, quibus indigeo, ut, ad Evangelii normam, haec pia vota ad maiorem Dei gloriam, totius mundi pacem nostrique Ordinis profectum, mei immemor animoque penitus Christiano, valeam implere.

AMEN

Prayer of the Order of Malta in Latin

Domine Jesu, qui me Militiae Equitum Sancti Ioannis Hierosolymitani participem fieri dignatus es, Te humiliter deprecor, ut, Beata Maria Virgine a Filermo, Sancto Ioanne Baptista, Beato Gerardo cunctisque Sanctis intercedentibus, ad sacra Ordinis nostri instituta servanda benigne me adiuves:

Religionem Catholicam, Apostolicam, Romanam firmiter colam ac adversus impietatem strenue defendam.

Caritatem erga proximum, praesertim erga pauperes atque infirmos, diligenter exerceam.

Concede mihi virtutes, quibus indigeo, ut, ad Evangelii normam, haec pia vota ad maiorem Dei gloriam, totius mundi pacem nostrique Ordinis profectum, mei immemor animoque penitus Christiano, valeam implere.

AMEN

Holy Family Hospital Christmas Cards

I know it is only officially the end of Summer and I detest the secular marketing worlds attempt to start the Christmas shopping season earlier each year but I want to tell how you can support a great cause by buying these exclusively designed Christmas cards. Proceeds from the sale will go to benefit Holy Family Hospital, a major international work of the Order of Malta and the only Catholic hospital in Bethlehem, just steps away from the birthplace of Jesus.

You can download an order form at http://www.birthplaceofhope.org/ or call Colleen Marotta at 202-331-2494.

The photo on the cards is of the Rosary Basilica in Lourdes, France - The Third Joyful Mystery

Holy Family Hospital Christmas Cards

I know it is only officially the end of Summer and I detest the secular marketing worlds attempt to start the Christmas shopping season earlier each year but I want to tell how you can support a great cause by buying these exclusively designed Christmas cards. Proceeds from the sale will go to benefit Holy Family Hospital, a major international work of the Order of Malta and the only Catholic hospital in Bethlehem, just steps away from the birthplace of Jesus.

You can download an order form at http://www.birthplaceofhope.org/ or call Colleen Marotta at 202-331-2494.

The photo on the cards is of the Rosary Basilica in Lourdes, France - The Third Joyful Mystery

17 September 2009

The Priest Is Not His Own

"If there is any key to the renovation of the Church and the salvation of the world at this time, it lies in the renewal of the priesthood." FJS

The Archbishop Sheen Foundation has as one of it's goals, besides the promotion of the Cause for the Canonization of the Archbishop, to spread his teachings and make his books and audio/video materials available to a wide audience. One of these is his inspiring book, "The Priest Is Not His Own,"

Through your donation of $15 the Foundation will send a copy of this book to a seminarian and help the work of the Sheen Cause. What a great gift to help in the formation of our new priests especially during this Year of the Priest dedicated by Pope Benedict.

Please visit the Archbishop Sheen Foundation for more information.

The Priest Is Not His Own

"If there is any key to the renovation of the Church and the salvation of the world at this time, it lies in the renewal of the priesthood." FJS

The Archbishop Sheen Foundation has as one of it's goals, besides the promotion of the Cause for the Canonization of the Archbishop, to spread his teachings and make his books and audio/video materials available to a wide audience. One of these is his inspiring book, "The Priest Is Not His Own,"

Through your donation of $15 the Foundation will send a copy of this book to a seminarian and help the work of the Sheen Cause. What a great gift to help in the formation of our new priests especially during this Year of the Priest dedicated by Pope Benedict.

Please visit the Archbishop Sheen Foundation for more information.

16 September 2009

Abortion Funding By Federal Government is Part of the Healthcare Bill

Cong. Bart Stupak a pro-life Democrat was just interviewed regarding his proposed amendment to prevent the federal funding of abortion in President Obama's healthcare plan. We all know that in his speech last week the President declared emphatically that no federal dollars would be used to fund abortion and now it seems the USCCB is ready to take the President at his word. If the President was telling the truth why is Cong. Stupak proposing an amendment that would ensure federal dollars are not used to pay for abortions?

According to Cong. Stupak the way H.R. 3200, the healthcare bill, was originally written there was no mention of abortion funding. However in August the Capps Amendment added to the Bill would allow federal dollars to go to pay for abortion although using typical Washington smoke and mirrors and creative accounting maneuvers designed to create the impression that it doesn't.

To prevent this from happening Cong. Stupak is proposing an amendment to clearly and explicitly prevent federal funding of abortion. In effect closing the loophole that currently exists. We shall see now if our 'Catholic' Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi allows a hearing of the amendment or blocks it as has been the case of all previous pro-life amendments.

Abortion Funding By Federal Government is Part of the Healthcare Bill

Cong. Bart Stupak a pro-life Democrat was just interviewed regarding his proposed amendment to prevent the federal funding of abortion in President Obama's healthcare plan. We all know that in his speech last week the President declared emphatically that no federal dollars would be used to fund abortion and now it seems the USCCB is ready to take the President at his word. If the President was telling the truth why is Cong. Stupak proposing an amendment that would ensure federal dollars are not used to pay for abortions?

According to Cong. Stupak the way H.R. 3200, the healthcare bill, was originally written there was no mention of abortion funding. However in August the Capps Amendment added to the Bill would allow federal dollars to go to pay for abortion although using typical Washington smoke and mirrors and creative accounting maneuvers designed to create the impression that it doesn't.

To prevent this from happening Cong. Stupak is proposing an amendment to clearly and explicitly prevent federal funding of abortion. In effect closing the loophole that currently exists. We shall see now if our 'Catholic' Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi allows a hearing of the amendment or blocks it as has been the case of all previous pro-life amendments.

08 September 2009

Fr. McBrien feels Eucharistic Adoration is a Waste of Time

In a recent column for the National Catholic Dissenter, one of its leading dissidents, Fr. Richard McBrien, opines that "Eucharistic Adoration is a doctrinal, spiritual, and theological step backward, not forward." The fact that he is still on the faculty at Notre Dame is yet another reason to call into question their commitment to being a Catholic university.

Here is an except of the article from NCR,

The practice of eucharistic adoration began in the 12th century, when the Real Presence of Christ was widely rejected by heretics or misunderstood by poorly educated Catholics. The church saw eucharistic adoration as a way of reaffirming its faith in the Real Presence and of promoting renewed devotion to it. [It is Fr. McBrien who seems poorly educated. In his book In The Presence Of Our Lord, Fr. Benedict Groeschel explains how this devotional practice is rooted in the teachings of the Church Fathers and may have arisen in practice around the 6th Century. He also addresses critics of this devotion, "This dark side of the human response to the presence of Christ is in itself intriguing and provides a horrifying echo of the cries of the evil spirits often reported in the Gospels, 'What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?"

However, as time went on, eucharistic devotions, including adoration, drifted further and further away from their liturgical grounding in the Mass itself. Notwithstanding Pope Benedict XVI's personal endorsement of eucharistic adoration and the sporadic restoration of the practice in the archdiocese of Boston and elsewhere, it is difficult to speak favorably about the devotion today.

Now that most Catholics are literate and even well-educated, the Mass is in the language of the people (i.e, the vernacular), and its rituals are relatively easy to understand and follow, there is little or no need for extraneous eucharistic devotions. The Mass itself provides all that a Catholic needs sacramentally and spiritually. [Perhaps Fr. McBrien could explain why belief in the Real Presence is at a low point probably on par with the 12th century despite our being so much more highly developed than the Neanderthals of the Middle Ages. ]

Eucharistic adoration, perpetual or not, is a doctrinal, theological, and spiritual step backward, not forward.

Fr. McBrien finds difficulty in speaking favorably of the devotion, here are some people who would disagree with him.

"The Blessed Sacrament is indeed the stimulus for us all, for me as it should be for you, to forsake all worldly ambitions. Without the constant presence of our Divine Master upon the altar in my poor chapels, I never could have persevered casting my lot with the lepers of Molokai; the foreseen consequence of which begins now to appear on my skin, and is felt throughout the body. Holy Communion being the daily bread of a priest, I feel myself happy, well pleased, and resigned in the rather exceptional circumstances in which it has pleased Divine Providence to put me."
- Saint Damien of Molokai, Apostle of the Lepers

"We must visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament a hundred thousand times a day."
- St. Francis de Sales

"I hope that this form of Adoration, with permanent exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, will continue into the future. Specifically, I hope that the fruit of this Congress results in the establishment of Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in all parishes and Christian communities throughout the world,"
- Pope John Paul II, at the 45th International Eucharistic Congress, Seville, Spain, June 1993

When you look at the Crucifix, you understand how much Jesus loved you then. When you look at the Sacred Host you understand how much Jesus loves you now,"
- Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

"The Rosary, especially prayed in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, is a powerful means of spiritual grace. In all of our efforts to promote the sanctity of human life, prayer is our first and strongest resource. May we rely upon the power of our Lord's presence in the Blessed Sacrament and the intercession of His Blessed Mother to guide and help us in fostering a greater respect for human life and an end to abortion in our society..."
- Most Reverend Thomas Daily, Bishop of Brooklyn

"When St. John Mary Vianney arrived at the obscure little village of Ars, someone said to him with bitterness, 'Here there is nothing to do.' 'Therefore there is everything to do,' replied the Saint.

"And he began immediately to act. What did he do? He arose at 2:00am in the morning and went to pray near the altar in the dark church. He recited the Divine Office and prepared himself for Holy Mass. After the Holy Sacrifice, he made his thanksgiving; then he remained at prayer until noon. He would be always kneeling on the floor without any support, with a Rosary in his hand and his eyes fixed on the tabernacle."
- from Jesus, Our Eucharistic Love, by Fr. Stefano Manelli, O.F.M. Conv., S.T.D

"Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is the solution to our problems of declining vocations."
- Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal, Archbishop of Cebu
(This quote might explain a lot in understanding Fr. McBrien's attitude. After all he supports married priests and women priestesses as a solution to the vocations crisis.)

"Do you want many graces? Go and visit the Blessed Sacrament often. Do you want few graces? Visit the Blessed Sacrament rarely. Do you want none at all? Then never pay a visit to the Blessed Sacrament,"
- St. John Bosco

Neither theological knowledge nor social action alone is enough to keep us in love with Christ unless both are proceeded by a personal encounter with Him. Theological insights are gained not only from between two covers of a book, but from two bent knees before an altar. The Holy Hour becomes like an oxygen tank to revive the breath of the Holy Spirit in the midst of the foul and fetid atmosphere of the world," - -Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

Given the foul and fetid garbage that Fr. McBrien continues to spew forth perhaps it would be better if he spent some time on two bent knees.
For an abundant source of quotes on the beauty of Eucharistic Adoration you can read them at the Real Presence website.

Fr. McBrien feels Eucharistic Adoration is a Waste of Time

In a recent column for the National Catholic Dissenter, one of its leading dissidents, Fr. Richard McBrien, opines that "Eucharistic Adoration is a doctrinal, spiritual, and theological step backward, not forward." The fact that he is still on the faculty at Notre Dame is yet another reason to call into question their commitment to being a Catholic university.

Here is an except of the article from NCR,

The practice of eucharistic adoration began in the 12th century, when the Real Presence of Christ was widely rejected by heretics or misunderstood by poorly educated Catholics. The church saw eucharistic adoration as a way of reaffirming its faith in the Real Presence and of promoting renewed devotion to it. [It is Fr. McBrien who seems poorly educated. In his book In The Presence Of Our Lord, Fr. Benedict Groeschel explains how this devotional practice is rooted in the teachings of the Church Fathers and may have arisen in practice around the 6th Century. He also addresses critics of this devotion, "This dark side of the human response to the presence of Christ is in itself intriguing and provides a horrifying echo of the cries of the evil spirits often reported in the Gospels, 'What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?"

However, as time went on, eucharistic devotions, including adoration, drifted further and further away from their liturgical grounding in the Mass itself. Notwithstanding Pope Benedict XVI's personal endorsement of eucharistic adoration and the sporadic restoration of the practice in the archdiocese of Boston and elsewhere, it is difficult to speak favorably about the devotion today.

Now that most Catholics are literate and even well-educated, the Mass is in the language of the people (i.e, the vernacular), and its rituals are relatively easy to understand and follow, there is little or no need for extraneous eucharistic devotions. The Mass itself provides all that a Catholic needs sacramentally and spiritually. [Perhaps Fr. McBrien could explain why belief in the Real Presence is at a low point probably on par with the 12th century despite our being so much more highly developed than the Neanderthals of the Middle Ages. ]

Eucharistic adoration, perpetual or not, is a doctrinal, theological, and spiritual step backward, not forward.

Fr. McBrien finds difficulty in speaking favorably of the devotion, here are some people who would disagree with him.

"The Blessed Sacrament is indeed the stimulus for us all, for me as it should be for you, to forsake all worldly ambitions. Without the constant presence of our Divine Master upon the altar in my poor chapels, I never could have persevered casting my lot with the lepers of Molokai; the foreseen consequence of which begins now to appear on my skin, and is felt throughout the body. Holy Communion being the daily bread of a priest, I feel myself happy, well pleased, and resigned in the rather exceptional circumstances in which it has pleased Divine Providence to put me."
- Saint Damien of Molokai, Apostle of the Lepers

"We must visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament a hundred thousand times a day."
- St. Francis de Sales

"I hope that this form of Adoration, with permanent exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, will continue into the future. Specifically, I hope that the fruit of this Congress results in the establishment of Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in all parishes and Christian communities throughout the world,"
- Pope John Paul II, at the 45th International Eucharistic Congress, Seville, Spain, June 1993

When you look at the Crucifix, you understand how much Jesus loved you then. When you look at the Sacred Host you understand how much Jesus loves you now,"
- Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

"The Rosary, especially prayed in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, is a powerful means of spiritual grace. In all of our efforts to promote the sanctity of human life, prayer is our first and strongest resource. May we rely upon the power of our Lord's presence in the Blessed Sacrament and the intercession of His Blessed Mother to guide and help us in fostering a greater respect for human life and an end to abortion in our society..."
- Most Reverend Thomas Daily, Bishop of Brooklyn

"When St. John Mary Vianney arrived at the obscure little village of Ars, someone said to him with bitterness, 'Here there is nothing to do.' 'Therefore there is everything to do,' replied the Saint.

"And he began immediately to act. What did he do? He arose at 2:00am in the morning and went to pray near the altar in the dark church. He recited the Divine Office and prepared himself for Holy Mass. After the Holy Sacrifice, he made his thanksgiving; then he remained at prayer until noon. He would be always kneeling on the floor without any support, with a Rosary in his hand and his eyes fixed on the tabernacle."
- from Jesus, Our Eucharistic Love, by Fr. Stefano Manelli, O.F.M. Conv., S.T.D

"Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is the solution to our problems of declining vocations."
- Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal, Archbishop of Cebu
(This quote might explain a lot in understanding Fr. McBrien's attitude. After all he supports married priests and women priestesses as a solution to the vocations crisis.)

"Do you want many graces? Go and visit the Blessed Sacrament often. Do you want few graces? Visit the Blessed Sacrament rarely. Do you want none at all? Then never pay a visit to the Blessed Sacrament,"
- St. John Bosco

Neither theological knowledge nor social action alone is enough to keep us in love with Christ unless both are proceeded by a personal encounter with Him. Theological insights are gained not only from between two covers of a book, but from two bent knees before an altar. The Holy Hour becomes like an oxygen tank to revive the breath of the Holy Spirit in the midst of the foul and fetid atmosphere of the world," - -Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

Given the foul and fetid garbage that Fr. McBrien continues to spew forth perhaps it would be better if he spent some time on two bent knees.
For an abundant source of quotes on the beauty of Eucharistic Adoration you can read them at the Real Presence website.

Ignatian Retreat by Priests of Miles Christi

I have received an email that there are still openings for a men's Spiritual Exercises retreat conducted by Miles Christi priests on Sept. 18-20 at Christ the King retreat center in Buffalo, MN.

To reserve your place for this retreat, please contact 651-451-1132 or minnesota@spiritualexercises.net. For more dates, please visit our website, http://www.spiritualexercises.net/.

Ignatian Retreat by Priests of Miles Christi

I have received an email that there are still openings for a men's Spiritual Exercises retreat conducted by Miles Christi priests on Sept. 18-20 at Christ the King retreat center in Buffalo, MN.

To reserve your place for this retreat, please contact 651-451-1132 or minnesota@spiritualexercises.net. For more dates, please visit our website, http://www.spiritualexercises.net/.

Solemnity of the Birth of Our Lady

Solemnity in the Ordo of the Order of Malta

In 1306 the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem bought and occupied the Island of Rhodes. On Mount Philermos in southwestern Rhodes, there were the remains of a Byzantine church. It had housed a “miraculous” pilgrimage icon of the Blessed Mother, which pious tradition accredited to having been painted by Saint Luke the Evangelist and having been brought from Jerusalem.

The Knights of Saint John built a basilica on the spot and reinstated the icon, which was venerated as “Our Lady of All Mercies” and became known near and far as Our Lady of Philermos”. Since then the Order has been devoted to Our Lady under that title as its protector and patroness.

In 1530 the Order moved to Malta and the icon was placed in the church of Saint Lawrence, which soon was badly damaged by fire, but the icon was not damaged. On 19 May 1565 Suleiman began the Ottoman siege of Malta. Although greatly outnumbered, the Order withstood the attacks. On 8 September, Feast of Our Patroness, a relief army landed on Malta and the Turks fled.

After Bonaparte captured Malta in 1798, the Order took away the icon of Our Lady of Philermos which came under the protection of the Russian Tsars. It was saved from the 1917 revolution, and in 1919 was taken to Copenhagen. In 1931 it was taken to Yugoslavia and placed under the protection of the king. When the country was invaded in 1941, the icon was hidden in a monastery in Montenegro. It later was found by Tito and placed in a museum in Cetinje but was never displayed. Considered lost for some time, a few years ago the icon was ‘discovered’and now can be seen at the National Museum in Cetinje, Montenegro.

Our Lady of Philermos, for over seven hundred years you have protected our Order, often against great odds and in the bleakest of conditions. Beloved Patroness, we pray you continue to guard and guide our Order in the fulfillment of its work for the poor and the sick, and for peace, still often carried out against opposition and in dangerous conditions.

Solemnity of the Birth of Our Lady

Solemnity in the Ordo of the Order of Malta

In 1306 the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem bought and occupied the Island of Rhodes. On Mount Philermos in southwestern Rhodes, there were the remains of a Byzantine church. It had housed a “miraculous” pilgrimage icon of the Blessed Mother, which pious tradition accredited to having been painted by Saint Luke the Evangelist and having been brought from Jerusalem.

The Knights of Saint John built a basilica on the spot and reinstated the icon, which was venerated as “Our Lady of All Mercies” and became known near and far as Our Lady of Philermos”. Since then the Order has been devoted to Our Lady under that title as its protector and patroness.

In 1530 the Order moved to Malta and the icon was placed in the church of Saint Lawrence, which soon was badly damaged by fire, but the icon was not damaged. On 19 May 1565 Suleiman began the Ottoman siege of Malta. Although greatly outnumbered, the Order withstood the attacks. On 8 September, Feast of Our Patroness, a relief army landed on Malta and the Turks fled.

After Bonaparte captured Malta in 1798, the Order took away the icon of Our Lady of Philermos which came under the protection of the Russian Tsars. It was saved from the 1917 revolution, and in 1919 was taken to Copenhagen. In 1931 it was taken to Yugoslavia and placed under the protection of the king. When the country was invaded in 1941, the icon was hidden in a monastery in Montenegro. It later was found by Tito and placed in a museum in Cetinje but was never displayed. Considered lost for some time, a few years ago the icon was ‘discovered’and now can be seen at the National Museum in Cetinje, Montenegro.

Our Lady of Philermos, for over seven hundred years you have protected our Order, often against great odds and in the bleakest of conditions. Beloved Patroness, we pray you continue to guard and guide our Order in the fulfillment of its work for the poor and the sick, and for peace, still often carried out against opposition and in dangerous conditions.

Feast Day of Our Lady of Philermo

Today is the feast day of Mary as Our Lady of Philermo who is the patroness of the Knights of Malta and of this blog site. Throughout the history of the Order, the birthday of Our Lady is kept with great solemnity in thanksgiving for the raising of the Turkish siege of Malta on 8 September 1565.

At Valletta, in the Order's church of St. John the Baptist, there was venerated an ancient icon of Our Lady which had originally been brought from Jerusalem to the shrine on Mount Phileremos on Rhodes (hence the title). An exact copy is now one of the treasures of the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels at Assisi. This feast, which traces the privileges of Our Lady to Christ her son, was introduced by Pope Sergius I (687-701), following Eastern tradition. Our Lady's Birthday is closely linked with the coming of the Messiah: it is the promise, the preparation and the fruit of salvation. Mary was the dawn before the Sun of Justice and the herald to all the world of the joy brought by our Saviour.

[From: The Missal with readings of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem of Rhodes, & of Malta, London 1997]

Feast Day of Our Lady of Philermo

Today is the feast day of Mary as Our Lady of Philermo who is the patroness of the Knights of Malta and of this blog site. Throughout the history of the Order, the birthday of Our Lady is kept with great solemnity in thanksgiving for the raising of the Turkish siege of Malta on 8 September 1565.

At Valletta, in the Order's church of St. John the Baptist, there was venerated an ancient icon of Our Lady which had originally been brought from Jerusalem to the shrine on Mount Phileremos on Rhodes (hence the title). An exact copy is now one of the treasures of the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels at Assisi. This feast, which traces the privileges of Our Lady to Christ her son, was introduced by Pope Sergius I (687-701), following Eastern tradition. Our Lady's Birthday is closely linked with the coming of the Messiah: it is the promise, the preparation and the fruit of salvation. Mary was the dawn before the Sun of Justice and the herald to all the world of the joy brought by our Saviour.

[From: The Missal with readings of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem of Rhodes, & of Malta, London 1997]

05 September 2009

AP Decides to Release Pictures of Aborted Babies - NOT

The Associated Press decided to release a picture of a dying Marine in Afghanistan, against the wishes of the family who asked specifically that it not be released, because they wanted to show just how gruesome war is. I wonder now if the AP will take and release pictures of an abortion or the bodies of aborted babies lying in a dumpster to show the world how gruesome the murder of the unborn is?

AP Decides to Release Pictures of Aborted Babies - NOT

The Associated Press decided to release a picture of a dying Marine in Afghanistan, against the wishes of the family who asked specifically that it not be released, because they wanted to show just how gruesome war is. I wonder now if the AP will take and release pictures of an abortion or the bodies of aborted babies lying in a dumpster to show the world how gruesome the murder of the unborn is?

Pope John XXIII And The Study of Latin

Liberals love to claim Pope John XXIII as one of their own and have distorted his message of "opening the Church to the modern world" as an excuse to throw away everything that identified the Church with its past. One of the most identifiable characteristics that had to go was the Latin language and even though the great desire of the Council Fathers was the retention and primacy of Latin in the liturgy, while allowing some use of the vernacular, it was nevertheless completely suppressed by liturgical wreckovators for nearly forty years. And now as efforts are being made to restore Latin and rediscover this language these same liberals display great angst over its reappearance. But "good Pope John" taught, in one of his last formal acts, the singular importance of the Latin language in the Roman Catholic Church." A few excerpts fromVeterum Sapientia An Apostolic Constitution of His Holiness John XXIII - On the Promotion of the Study of Latin are given below. The full text can be read at the blog Roman Christendom.

The wisdom of the ancient world, enshrined in Greek and Roman literature, and the truly memorable teaching of ancient peoples, served, surely, to herald the dawn of the Gospel which God's Son, "the judge and teacher of grace and truth, the light and guide of the human race,"1 proclaimed on earth.

Such was the view of the Church Fathers and Doctors. In these outstanding literary monuments of antiquity, they recognized man's spiritual preparation for the supernatural riches which Jesus Christ communicated to mankind "to give history its fulfillment." 2 Thus the inauguration of Christianity did not mean the obliteration of man's past achievements. Nothing was lost that was in any way true, just, noble and beautiful.

Venerable languages

The Church has ever held the literary evidences of this wisdom in the highest esteem. She values especially the Greek and Latin languages in which wisdom itself is cloaked, as it were, in a vesture of gold. She has likewise welcomed the use of other venerable languages, which flourished in the East. For these too have had no little influence on the progress of humanity and civilization. By their use in sacred liturgies and in versions of Holy Scripture, they have remained in force in certain regions even to the present day, bearing constant witness to the living voice of antiquity.

A primary place

But amid this variety of languages a primary place must surely be given to that language which had its origins in Latium, and later proved so admirable a means for the spreading of Christianity throughout the West.And since in God's special Providence this language united so many nations together under the authority of the Roman Empire -- and that for so many centuries -- it also became the rightful language of the Apostolic See.3 Preserved for posterity, it proved to be a bond of unity for the Christian peoples of Europe.

The nature of Latin

Of its very nature Latin is most suitable for promoting every form of culture among peoples. It gives rise to no jealousies. It does not favor any one nation, but presents itself with equal impartiality to all and is equally acceptable to all. Nor must we overlook the characteristic nobility of Latin for mal structure. Its "concise, varied and harmonious style, full of majesty and dignity"4 makes for singular clarity and impressiveness of expression.

Preservation of Latin by the Holy See

For these reasons the Apostolic See has always been at pains to preserve Latin, deeming it worthy of being used in the exercise of her teaching authority "as the splendid vesture of her heavenly doctrine and sacred laws."5 She further requires her sacred ministers to use it, for by so doing they are the better able, wherever they may be, to acquaint themselves with the mind of the Holy See on any matter, and communicate the more easily with Rome and with one another.Thus the "knowledge and use of this language," so intimately bound up with the Church's life, "is important not so much on cultural or literary grounds, as for religious reasons."6 These are the words of Our Predecessor Pius XI, who conducted a scientific inquiry into this whole subject, and indicated three qualities of the Latin language which harmonize to a remarkable degree with the Church's nature. "For the Church, precisely because it embraces all nations and is destined to endure to the end of time ... of its very nature requires a language which is universal, immutable, and non-vernacular."7

Universal

Since "every Church must assemble round the Roman Church,"8 and since the Supreme Pontiffs have "true episcopal power, ordinary and immediate, over each and every Church and each and every Pastor, as well as over the faithful"9 of every rite and language, it seems particularly desirable that the instrument of mutual communication be uniform and universal, especially between the Apostolic See and the Churches which use the same Latin rite.When, therefore, the Roman Pontiffs wish to instruct the Catholic world, or when the Congregations of the Roman Curia handle matters or draw up decrees which concern the whole body of the faithful, they invariably make use of Latin, for this is a maternal voice acceptable to countless nations.

Immutable

Furthermore, the Church's language must be not only universal but also immutable. Modern languages are liable to change, and no single one of them is superior to the others in authority. Thus if the truths of the Catholic Church were entrusted to an unspecified number of them, the meaning of these truths, varied as they are, would not be manifested to everyone with sufficient clarity and precision. There would, moreover, be no language which could serve as a common and constant norm by which to gauge the exact meaning of other renderings.

But Latin is indeed such a language. It is set and unchanging. it has long since ceased to be affected by those alterations in the meaning of words which are the normal result of daily, popular use. Certain Latin words, it is true, acquired new meanings as Christian teaching developed and needed to be explained and defended, but these new meanings have long since become accepted and firmly established.

Non-vernacular

Finally, the Catholic Church has a dignity far surpassing that of every merely human society, for it was founded by Christ the Lord. It is altogether fitting, therefore, that the language it uses should be noble, majestic, and non-vernacular.

In addition, the Latin language "can be called truly catholic."10 It has been consecrated through constant use by the Apostolic See, the mother and teacher of all Churches, and must be esteemed "a treasure ... of incomparable worth."11. It is a general passport to the proper understanding of the Christian writers of antiquity and the documents of the Church's teaching.12 It is also a most effective bond, binding the Church of today with that of the past and of the future in wonderful continuity.

Pope John XXIII And The Study of Latin

Liberals love to claim Pope John XXIII as one of their own and have distorted his message of "opening the Church to the modern world" as an excuse to throw away everything that identified the Church with its past. One of the most identifiable characteristics that had to go was the Latin language and even though the great desire of the Council Fathers was the retention and primacy of Latin in the liturgy, while allowing some use of the vernacular, it was nevertheless completely suppressed by liturgical wreckovators for nearly forty years. And now as efforts are being made to restore Latin and rediscover this language these same liberals display great angst over its reappearance. But "good Pope John" taught, in one of his last formal acts, the singular importance of the Latin language in the Roman Catholic Church." A few excerpts fromVeterum Sapientia An Apostolic Constitution of His Holiness John XXIII - On the Promotion of the Study of Latin are given below. The full text can be read at the blog Roman Christendom.

The wisdom of the ancient world, enshrined in Greek and Roman literature, and the truly memorable teaching of ancient peoples, served, surely, to herald the dawn of the Gospel which God's Son, "the judge and teacher of grace and truth, the light and guide of the human race,"1 proclaimed on earth.

Such was the view of the Church Fathers and Doctors. In these outstanding literary monuments of antiquity, they recognized man's spiritual preparation for the supernatural riches which Jesus Christ communicated to mankind "to give history its fulfillment." 2 Thus the inauguration of Christianity did not mean the obliteration of man's past achievements. Nothing was lost that was in any way true, just, noble and beautiful.

Venerable languages

The Church has ever held the literary evidences of this wisdom in the highest esteem. She values especially the Greek and Latin languages in which wisdom itself is cloaked, as it were, in a vesture of gold. She has likewise welcomed the use of other venerable languages, which flourished in the East. For these too have had no little influence on the progress of humanity and civilization. By their use in sacred liturgies and in versions of Holy Scripture, they have remained in force in certain regions even to the present day, bearing constant witness to the living voice of antiquity.

A primary place

But amid this variety of languages a primary place must surely be given to that language which had its origins in Latium, and later proved so admirable a means for the spreading of Christianity throughout the West.And since in God's special Providence this language united so many nations together under the authority of the Roman Empire -- and that for so many centuries -- it also became the rightful language of the Apostolic See.3 Preserved for posterity, it proved to be a bond of unity for the Christian peoples of Europe.

The nature of Latin

Of its very nature Latin is most suitable for promoting every form of culture among peoples. It gives rise to no jealousies. It does not favor any one nation, but presents itself with equal impartiality to all and is equally acceptable to all. Nor must we overlook the characteristic nobility of Latin for mal structure. Its "concise, varied and harmonious style, full of majesty and dignity"4 makes for singular clarity and impressiveness of expression.

Preservation of Latin by the Holy See

For these reasons the Apostolic See has always been at pains to preserve Latin, deeming it worthy of being used in the exercise of her teaching authority "as the splendid vesture of her heavenly doctrine and sacred laws."5 She further requires her sacred ministers to use it, for by so doing they are the better able, wherever they may be, to acquaint themselves with the mind of the Holy See on any matter, and communicate the more easily with Rome and with one another.Thus the "knowledge and use of this language," so intimately bound up with the Church's life, "is important not so much on cultural or literary grounds, as for religious reasons."6 These are the words of Our Predecessor Pius XI, who conducted a scientific inquiry into this whole subject, and indicated three qualities of the Latin language which harmonize to a remarkable degree with the Church's nature. "For the Church, precisely because it embraces all nations and is destined to endure to the end of time ... of its very nature requires a language which is universal, immutable, and non-vernacular."7

Universal

Since "every Church must assemble round the Roman Church,"8 and since the Supreme Pontiffs have "true episcopal power, ordinary and immediate, over each and every Church and each and every Pastor, as well as over the faithful"9 of every rite and language, it seems particularly desirable that the instrument of mutual communication be uniform and universal, especially between the Apostolic See and the Churches which use the same Latin rite.When, therefore, the Roman Pontiffs wish to instruct the Catholic world, or when the Congregations of the Roman Curia handle matters or draw up decrees which concern the whole body of the faithful, they invariably make use of Latin, for this is a maternal voice acceptable to countless nations.

Immutable

Furthermore, the Church's language must be not only universal but also immutable. Modern languages are liable to change, and no single one of them is superior to the others in authority. Thus if the truths of the Catholic Church were entrusted to an unspecified number of them, the meaning of these truths, varied as they are, would not be manifested to everyone with sufficient clarity and precision. There would, moreover, be no language which could serve as a common and constant norm by which to gauge the exact meaning of other renderings.

But Latin is indeed such a language. It is set and unchanging. it has long since ceased to be affected by those alterations in the meaning of words which are the normal result of daily, popular use. Certain Latin words, it is true, acquired new meanings as Christian teaching developed and needed to be explained and defended, but these new meanings have long since become accepted and firmly established.

Non-vernacular

Finally, the Catholic Church has a dignity far surpassing that of every merely human society, for it was founded by Christ the Lord. It is altogether fitting, therefore, that the language it uses should be noble, majestic, and non-vernacular.

In addition, the Latin language "can be called truly catholic."10 It has been consecrated through constant use by the Apostolic See, the mother and teacher of all Churches, and must be esteemed "a treasure ... of incomparable worth."11. It is a general passport to the proper understanding of the Christian writers of antiquity and the documents of the Church's teaching.12 It is also a most effective bond, binding the Church of today with that of the past and of the future in wonderful continuity.

02 September 2009

The Funeral of Sen. Ted Kennedy

Raymond Arroyo of EWTN has written an excellent article on the scandal created by the funeral of Sen. Kennedy. Here is an excerpt but you should read the full article at EWTN,

First of all, it must be recalled that Cardinal McCarrick has a rather unfortunate history involving the delivery of letters, particularly those from a certain Vatican official by the name of Ratzinger. In 2004, when the Bishops of the US were anguishing over whether to allow communion to Catholic politicians who support abortion laws, Cardinal McCarrick concealed a letter from his brother bishops. The missive was from the head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, then Cardinal (now Pope) Joseph Ratzinger. Had the bishops received the letter intended to help guide their debate, things might have gone very differently. The contents of that letter are still relevant, particularly now when dissenting Catholics have made grandiose pronouncements about what it means to be a Catholic in public life.

Regarding the grave sin of abortion or euthanasia, when a person’s formal cooperation becomes manifest (understood, in the case of a Catholic politician, as his consistently campaigning and voting for permissive abortion and euthanasia laws), his Pastor should meet with him, instructing him about the Church’s teaching, informing him that he is not to present himself for Holy Communion until he brings to an end the objective situation of sin, and warning him that he will otherwise be denied the Eucharist.
 When "these precautionary measures have not had their effect or in which they were not possible," and the person in question, with obstinate persistence, still presents himself to receive the Holy Eucharist, "the minister of Holy Communion must refuse to distribute it" (cf. Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts Declaration "Holy Communion and Divorced, Civilly Remarried Catholics" [2002], nos. 3-4). This decision, properly speaking, is not a sanction or a penalty. Nor is the minister of Holy Communion passing judgment on the person’s subjective guilt, but rather is reacting to the person’s public unworthiness to receive Holy Communion due to an objective situation of sin."

This last line is critical. “An objective situation of sin.” This I think is the reason that I have received hundreds of e-mails over the last few days from bewildered and scandalized Catholics. They take their faith seriously, and far from judging what Senator Kennedy may or may not have confessed in his final days, or whether he repented or not, they SAW an “objective situation of sin” in his voting record and in his public pronouncements. They also saw a fundamental incoherence between his professed Faith and some of the positions he championed

The Funeral of Sen. Ted Kennedy

Raymond Arroyo of EWTN has written an excellent article on the scandal created by the funeral of Sen. Kennedy. Here is an excerpt but you should read the full article at EWTN,

First of all, it must be recalled that Cardinal McCarrick has a rather unfortunate history involving the delivery of letters, particularly those from a certain Vatican official by the name of Ratzinger. In 2004, when the Bishops of the US were anguishing over whether to allow communion to Catholic politicians who support abortion laws, Cardinal McCarrick concealed a letter from his brother bishops. The missive was from the head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, then Cardinal (now Pope) Joseph Ratzinger. Had the bishops received the letter intended to help guide their debate, things might have gone very differently. The contents of that letter are still relevant, particularly now when dissenting Catholics have made grandiose pronouncements about what it means to be a Catholic in public life.

Regarding the grave sin of abortion or euthanasia, when a person’s formal cooperation becomes manifest (understood, in the case of a Catholic politician, as his consistently campaigning and voting for permissive abortion and euthanasia laws), his Pastor should meet with him, instructing him about the Church’s teaching, informing him that he is not to present himself for Holy Communion until he brings to an end the objective situation of sin, and warning him that he will otherwise be denied the Eucharist.
 When "these precautionary measures have not had their effect or in which they were not possible," and the person in question, with obstinate persistence, still presents himself to receive the Holy Eucharist, "the minister of Holy Communion must refuse to distribute it" (cf. Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts Declaration "Holy Communion and Divorced, Civilly Remarried Catholics" [2002], nos. 3-4). This decision, properly speaking, is not a sanction or a penalty. Nor is the minister of Holy Communion passing judgment on the person’s subjective guilt, but rather is reacting to the person’s public unworthiness to receive Holy Communion due to an objective situation of sin."

This last line is critical. “An objective situation of sin.” This I think is the reason that I have received hundreds of e-mails over the last few days from bewildered and scandalized Catholics. They take their faith seriously, and far from judging what Senator Kennedy may or may not have confessed in his final days, or whether he repented or not, they SAW an “objective situation of sin” in his voting record and in his public pronouncements. They also saw a fundamental incoherence between his professed Faith and some of the positions he championed

Disclaimer

This blog and the opinions are all my own and in no way imply the endorsement from any organization. Nor does a recommendation of another blog or web site imply my agreement or endorsement of everything found on their site.