Today is the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary and commorates the victory of the Holy League over the Turkish Navy specifically and Christianity over Islam in general, at the historic Battle of Lepanto. The poem Lepanto by G.K. Chesterton should be required reading of all men and boys. We must ask ourselves though was this battle all for naught in the end? Pope Pius V recognized that by this defeat, Europe was saved from Muslim invasion and the destruction of Christianity. However today we invite this spread of Islam into our midst.We must again heed the words of St. Pope Pius V and pick up our weapon, the Rosary, and pray for the conversion of our enemies to the true faith.07 October 2007
Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary
The Battle of Lepanto by Paolo Veronese. Oil on canvas
Today is the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary and commorates the victory of the Holy League over the Turkish Navy specifically and Christianity over Islam in general, at the historic Battle of Lepanto. The poem Lepanto by G.K. Chesterton should be required reading of all men and boys. We must ask ourselves though was this battle all for naught in the end? Pope Pius V recognized that by this defeat, Europe was saved from Muslim invasion and the destruction of Christianity. However today we invite this spread of Islam into our midst.We must again heed the words of St. Pope Pius V and pick up our weapon, the Rosary, and pray for the conversion of our enemies to the true faith.
Today is the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary and commorates the victory of the Holy League over the Turkish Navy specifically and Christianity over Islam in general, at the historic Battle of Lepanto. The poem Lepanto by G.K. Chesterton should be required reading of all men and boys. We must ask ourselves though was this battle all for naught in the end? Pope Pius V recognized that by this defeat, Europe was saved from Muslim invasion and the destruction of Christianity. However today we invite this spread of Islam into our midst.We must again heed the words of St. Pope Pius V and pick up our weapon, the Rosary, and pray for the conversion of our enemies to the true faith.
06 October 2007
Changing Idea of Fatherhood
Time magazine has an article on fatherhood and whether it makes you less of a man. http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1668449-1,00.html
To a group of men interviewed, their response is "sort of." Well the answer should be "definitely not." In fact being a father is all about being a man, truly masculine, truly chivalrous. One can simply look at the history of Christian art and see in it the love of a father towards his children. No doubt somewhere along the line men began to repress those nurturing feelings and became more distant and stoic but that is not in the true nature of man. Now men are beginning to re-discover their true nature but it is not to be attributed to the feminist influence as some would have us believe. In fact the effect of feminism on men and especially on young men and boys is very destructive. One man in the interview feels "a little whipped" because he stays home to take care of his children.
Aaron Rochler who is an associate professor at the University of Texas studying fatherhood and masculinity concludes that being masculine is bad for you. Perhaps in the modern concept of it but not masculine in the classical ideal. Take a look at the Order of the Knights of St. John which began as a hospitaller order taking care of sick pilgrims to the Holy Land. Later they took on a military role in keeping pilgrims and Christian places safe but they never stopped ministering to the sick. Everywhere they went they built hospitals. These noble warriors who earned the respect of their enemies for their strength and valour were equally attentive in their compassionate care and love for the sick and the poor. These men began their day with Mass, prayed their 150 Our Fathers on their Paternoster beads, and spent Holy Hours before the Blessed Sacrament. Is it mere coincidence that as men began to view their faith as "something women do" that their whole concept of manhood and masulinity changed?
To a group of men interviewed, their response is "sort of." Well the answer should be "definitely not." In fact being a father is all about being a man, truly masculine, truly chivalrous. One can simply look at the history of Christian art and see in it the love of a father towards his children. No doubt somewhere along the line men began to repress those nurturing feelings and became more distant and stoic but that is not in the true nature of man. Now men are beginning to re-discover their true nature but it is not to be attributed to the feminist influence as some would have us believe. In fact the effect of feminism on men and especially on young men and boys is very destructive. One man in the interview feels "a little whipped" because he stays home to take care of his children.
Aaron Rochler who is an associate professor at the University of Texas studying fatherhood and masculinity concludes that being masculine is bad for you. Perhaps in the modern concept of it but not masculine in the classical ideal. Take a look at the Order of the Knights of St. John which began as a hospitaller order taking care of sick pilgrims to the Holy Land. Later they took on a military role in keeping pilgrims and Christian places safe but they never stopped ministering to the sick. Everywhere they went they built hospitals. These noble warriors who earned the respect of their enemies for their strength and valour were equally attentive in their compassionate care and love for the sick and the poor. These men began their day with Mass, prayed their 150 Our Fathers on their Paternoster beads, and spent Holy Hours before the Blessed Sacrament. Is it mere coincidence that as men began to view their faith as "something women do" that their whole concept of manhood and masulinity changed?
05 October 2007
The Deacon's Bench: "My life is a gift given to me by God, and He has a plan for it"
H/T to the Deacon's Bench.
The Columbus Dispatch (Ohio) has written the first installment of a series on people considering a vocation to the priesthood or religious life and the difficulties they face. As I wrote earlier it is important that we give our support to son's and daughther's as they make this decision as much of the opposition comes from their families. If God is truly calling them to this vocation it would not be wise to have to stand before him one day and answer why we opposed Him. The Deacon's Bench: "My life is a gift given to me by God, and He has a plan for it"
The Columbus Dispatch (Ohio) has written the first installment of a series on people considering a vocation to the priesthood or religious life and the difficulties they face. As I wrote earlier it is important that we give our support to son's and daughther's as they make this decision as much of the opposition comes from their families. If God is truly calling them to this vocation it would not be wise to have to stand before him one day and answer why we opposed Him. The Deacon's Bench: "My life is a gift given to me by God, and He has a plan for it"
Feast Day of Blessed Peter Pattarini of Imola
**Blessed Peter Pattarini of Imola, Prior O.N.
He was born about 1250 at Imola (Italy) into the family of the lords of Linasio. An able lawyer, he mediated between the Guelphs and Ghibellines at Romagna in 1297. He became a Knight of the Order of St John of Jerusalem and was elected Grand Prior at Rome. He devoted great energy to caring for the sick at Florence where he died on 5 October 1320. He was buried in the Church of St James in the Campo Corbolini.
Common of a Religious Prayer:
O God, who gave to blessed Peter, Prior of our Order,
the gift of healing discord and division,
Grant to us through his prayers
the grace of striving for peace
and so being called the children of God.
Through the same Christ your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God for ever and ever.
He was born about 1250 at Imola (Italy) into the family of the lords of Linasio. An able lawyer, he mediated between the Guelphs and Ghibellines at Romagna in 1297. He became a Knight of the Order of St John of Jerusalem and was elected Grand Prior at Rome. He devoted great energy to caring for the sick at Florence where he died on 5 October 1320. He was buried in the Church of St James in the Campo Corbolini.
Common of a Religious Prayer:
O God, who gave to blessed Peter, Prior of our Order,
the gift of healing discord and division,
Grant to us through his prayers
the grace of striving for peace
and so being called the children of God.
Through the same Christ your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God for ever and ever.
Veto of Children's Healthcare
The National Catholic Register has a good article on Pres. Bush's veto of the SCHIP program. If one looks at the reason for the veto rather than the hysteria created by the usual suspects it might make sense. http://www.catholic.org/views/views_news.php?id=25508
04 October 2007
Political Correctness Gone Wild
Four firefighters in England were demoted and/or fined for shining their spotlight on illegal homosexual activity. Nothing happened to those breaking the law. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=485404&in_page_id=1770
03 October 2007
2004 Beatification of Blessed Charles of Austria
On Oct. 3, 2004 the former emperor, Charles of Austria, was beatified by Pope John Paul II. The following is taken from the homily at the beatification. His memorial day is Oct. 21st and I will post more on him then. Please pray for his eventual canonization.
"The decisive task of Christians consists in seeking, recognizing and following God's will in all things. The Christian statesman, Charles of Austria, confronted this challenge every day. To his eyes, war appeared as "something appalling". Amid the tumult of the First World War, he strove to promote the peace initiative of my Predecessor, Benedict XV.
From the beginning, the Emperor Charles conceived of his office as a holy service to his people. His chief concern was to follow the Christian vocation to holiness also in his political actions. For this reason, his thoughts turned to social assistance. May he be an example for all of us, especially for those who have political responsibilities in Europe today!
Let us praise and thank the Lord with the entire Church for the marvels he has worked through these good and faithful servants of the Gospel. May Mary Most Holy, who in this month of October we invoke in a special way with the prayer of the Rosary, help us to become in turn generous and courageous apostles of the Gospel. Amen!"
"The decisive task of Christians consists in seeking, recognizing and following God's will in all things. The Christian statesman, Charles of Austria, confronted this challenge every day. To his eyes, war appeared as "something appalling". Amid the tumult of the First World War, he strove to promote the peace initiative of my Predecessor, Benedict XV.
From the beginning, the Emperor Charles conceived of his office as a holy service to his people. His chief concern was to follow the Christian vocation to holiness also in his political actions. For this reason, his thoughts turned to social assistance. May he be an example for all of us, especially for those who have political responsibilities in Europe today!
Let us praise and thank the Lord with the entire Church for the marvels he has worked through these good and faithful servants of the Gospel. May Mary Most Holy, who in this month of October we invoke in a special way with the prayer of the Rosary, help us to become in turn generous and courageous apostles of the Gospel. Amen!"
01 October 2007
It Takes a Family (not a village)
Sen. Rick Santorum gave a talk this summer at Christendom College on the importance of the family in keeping America's founding values and vision strong. Listen to the podcast.
Vocations
In an earlier post I quoted from St. Pius X and his thoughts on the necessity of "shock troops" among the laity to bring about the reform of society. One of the results would be vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Vocations begin in the home yet how many of us are truly nurturing vocations in our families? I urge everyone to consider becoming a member or at least acquainted with your local Serra Club as their purpose is to foster vocations and support seminarians. Visit their site to find a local club and for more info. http://www.serraus.org/ This is not something we should leave to to "someone else's son or daughter." A religous vocation is truly a blessing for parents and the whole family.
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