Thought for the day:

"Give me grace to amend my life, and to have an eye to mine end, without grudge of death, which to them that die in thee,
good Lord, is the gate of a wealthy life."
St. Thomas More

THREE THINGS

"Three things are necessary for the salvation of man; to know what he ought to believe; to know what he ought to desire; and to know what he ought to do."
St. Thomas Aquinas

Rights of Man?

"The people have heard quite enough about what are called the 'rights of man'. Let them hear about the rights of God for once". Pope Leo XIII Tamesti future, Encyclical

Eternity

All souls owe their eternity to Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, many have turned their back to him.


Saturday, May 31, 2014

Saturday after Ascension


Following is from the Gothic Church of Spain; it was read on the Ascension and prompts us to lead a more ordered life so that we may one day reach our destination, Heaven.
Gothic Church in Barcelona, Spain

We beseech you, dearly beloved brethren, that, laying aside the weight of worldly thoughts, you would raise up your minds, and soar to heavenly things, and see, with the attentive eye of the heart, how Christ placed your own human nature, which He had assumed, in the highest heavens. The incomparable brightness on which we are invited to fix our astonished gaze, is Jesus our Lord. He exchanges the lowliness of this earthly dwelling for the glory of heaven. How quick must our sigh be, that it may see the land, whither we are to follow Him! Today our Saviour, after assuming our human nature, returned to the throne of the Godhead. Today, He offered to His Father that same human nature, which He had previously offered to the endurance of His Passion. He exalted in heaven the Humanity that He had humbled in limbo. He well deserved to see glory, Who had seen the tomb. He Who conferred on us His own death, that He might put ours to death, gave us the example of His Resurrection, that He might gladden us with the hope of life. Today, He returned to the Father, though He had not been here on earth without possessing all the power of the Father, Who is co-equal with Him. Today, He ascended into heaven, though He had not lost the adoration of the angels when He descended upon our earth. One with the Father in unity of substance, He so entered into heaven as the new Man, that He was not new to God. Let us, therefore, ask the Almighty Father, through the name of His Son, our Saviour, that He grant us admission into a spiritual life of grace, the gift of eternal happiness, an ascension into the mansion of bliss, an increase of Catholic faith, and the destruction of heretical disbelief. He, surely, will hear us, now that we praise Him Who went in search of us when we were lost. He will assist us that are now His people, Who abandoned us not when we were aliens. He will be with us now that we know Him, for He was not absent from us even when we knew Him not. He will not suffer us to be orphans now that we are devoted to Him, for He vouchsafed to make us His children when we were His enemies. He will grant us what we ask, for He has promised to send us the Holy Ghost. Amen.


AND, since this the end of the month of May, the month of Mary, I deem it fitting that we should end it with thoughts of this wonderful Mother of ours.

Saturday, May 31, 2014
THE QUEENSHIP of MARY
From the earliest centuries of the Catholic Church, Christians have addressed suppliant prayers and hymns of praise to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the hope they have placed in the Mother of the Saviour has never been disappointed. They have looked upon Her as Queen of Angels, Queen of Patriarchs, Queen of Prophets, Queen of Apostles, Queen of Martyrs, Queen of Virgins. Because of Her eminence, She is indeed entitled to the highest honors that can be bestowed upon any creature. Saint Gregory Nazianzen called Her Mother of the King of the entire universe, and the Virgin Mother who brought forth the King of the entire world.

His Holiness Pope Pius XII, in his Encyclical Letter of October 11, 1954, "On the Royal Dignity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Institution of Her Feast", ordaining its celebration throughout the world every year on May 31st, reminds us of what Pope Pius IX had said of Mary: "Constituted by the Lord as Queen of Heaven and earth, and exalted above all the choirs of Angels and the ranks of the Saints in heaven, standing at the right hand of Her only-begotten Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, She petitions most powerfully with Her maternal prayers, and obtains what She seeks."

Pope Pius XII adds another ordinance: "We ask that on the feast day be renewed the consecration of the human race to the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Upon this is founded a great hope that there may arise an era of happiness which will rejoice in the triumph of religion and Christian peace. Therefore let all approach, with greater confidence than ever before, to the throne of mercy and grace of our Queen and Mother, to beg help in difficulty, light in darkness and solace in trouble and sorrow." In asking this, the Holy Father was responding to the request of the Virgin Herself at Fatima in 1917, that the world and each soul individually be consecrated to Her Immaculate Heart. She promised that it will be then that "a time of peace will be given to the world." Do not Mary's rights as Queen require respect? And will we deny to Her maternal Heart the love it merits, for twenty centuries of uninterrupted intercession on behalf of Her children?

Holy Queen of Heaven and earth, please pray for us.

Thursday, May 29, 2014

THE ASCENSION OF OUR LORD!


Today is Ascension Thursday. Notice I said Thursday, NOT Sunday! I just wanted to make myself clear. It is always 40 days after Easter, and always on a Thursday. Those who hold the belief that it is not a Holy day are sadly mistaken, and are supposed to be leading us to salvation, and will be held accountable one day because of all the people they have led astray. Or, maybe, we should have Pentecost on, let's say, a Wednesday. 40 means a lot in the history of the world. The Flood and Noah, the Jews in wandering; Jesus in the desert, etc. 43 doesn't mean jack. 40 days after Easter. He fulfills His promises. These leaders need a refresher course in the Faith, or get a spine, or grow some, or, whatever it takes. Of course, we wouldn't want people to actually go to Church more than one day week, would we? We'll leave that nonsense to the Protestants, I guess.

Can you imagine being there when this happened? Seeing Jesus, leading the way with all those blessed souls who have been waiting for this day. Probably, St. Joseph is one of the first, then the Patriarchs, followed by millions (I'm guessing) going to the Heavenly Jerusalem. And, all of the angels that are probably present. The Apostles see this, as well as all of the disciples, and of course, Mary, His and our Blessed Mother. What a truly awesome sight! Then, to bring them back to reality, the two angels ask them what they're doing staring up at the sky. "He has risen, as He said." Maybe they are used to seeing sights such as these, but NOT us humans! In a way, this always gives me a chuckle when I think of it.

He ascends to Heaven from the top of Mount Olivet, where His sufferings began, by which we learn, that where our crosses and afflictions begin which we endure with patience and resignation, there begins our reward. Christ ascended into heaven by His own power, because He is God, and now in His glorified humanity He sits at the right hand of His Father, as our continual Mediator.

May Jesus, Mary, and St. Joseph help us in our hours of need! And, deliver many souls this day, a THURSDAY!


Following is a hymn written by St. Ambrose, a Doctor of the Church, especially for this day:

O Jesus Redeemer of mankind, joy of our hearts, Creator of the world redeemed, and chaste light of them that love thee.

What mercy was it that led thee to take upon thee our sins? and suffer death, O innocent victim, that thou mightest free us from death?

Thou brokest the gates of hell, and the chains of them that were bound. A conqueror, with noblest triumph, thoiu now sittest at the right hand of the Father.

May the clemency lead thee to repair our losses. Oh! give us to see thy Face, and enrich us with the blessed light.

Be thou our guide and path to heaven; be thou the object of our heart's desire; be thou the joy of our tears, and the sweet recompense of a life spent for thee! Amen.

V. The Lord, in heaven, alleluia.
R. Hath prepared his throne, alleluia.

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

ABOMINATION!!!!!!!



The news of these days is extremely disgusting. With our beloved Supreme Court, and our own state of Michigan, homo marriage is still the top topic. This is an abomination to our Lord. It is a disoriented way of 'life'. God said NO to men laying with men and women laying with women. This topic, along with abortion and euthanasia, rank on top of bad things which are going on today. And, St. Paul warned us that when the time comes that good is bad and bad is good, look out, the end time is near! Well, that time is now. Voting will be this week determining what marriage should be. The appointees of B.O. to the Supreme Court are for this type of travesty, so it will probably pass. FOR SHAME! And now, Medicare will cover those who wish to have a sex-change, even though they deny real illnesses, like heart disease with its tests. Man, are we messed up or what?

No person, state, or country has the right to legislate anything which opposes the will of God. However, this is happening everywhere. Well, what do you expect when God has been taken out of our schools, and even out of our countries. Our money has God on it, but what god are the baddies praying to? This is what we deserve! Prayers are needed desperately. For our country, and for those appointed to run it. Nuff said.

Matthew’s account reveals more about what to look for concerning the end times: “When you therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whosoever reads let him understand:)…” (24:15).
Are we there yet? Time is running out.

Monday, May 26, 2014

MEMORIAL DAY



The following was written by General John Logan, who fought for the freedom of all during the Civil War. He was from Illinois, and also served in Congress. Here in Lansing we had a street named after him. It has now been replaced by the name M.L. King. What a shame! This General fought for the freedom of the slaves. He SHOULD be remembered. I do, however, have the street sign that says "LOGAN STREET" in my basement, as I knew it would just get thrown away. I probably should mention this in Confession. Anyway, here is what was written by Gen. Logan:


HEADQUARTERS GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC
General Orders No.11, WASHINGTON, D.C., May 5, 1868



The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet church-yard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.

We are organized, comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the purpose among other things, "of preserving and strengthening those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers, sailors, and marines who united to suppress the late rebellion." What can aid more to assure this result than cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead, who made their breasts a barricade between our country and its foes? Their soldier lives were the reveille of freedom to a race in chains, and their deaths the tattoo of rebellious tyranny in arms. We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the nation can add to their adornment and security is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let no wanton foot tread rudely on such hallowed grounds. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.

If other eyes grow dull, other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain to us.

Let us, then, at the time appointed gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choicest flowers of spring-time; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from his honor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon a nation's gratitude, the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan.

It is the purpose of the Commander-in-Chief to inaugurate this observance with the hope that it will be kept up from year to year, while a survivor of the war remains to honor the memory of his departed comrades. He earnestly desires the public press to lend its friendly aid in bringing to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.

Department commanders will use efforts to make this order effective.

By order of

JOHN A. LOGAN,
Commander-in-Chief

N.P. CHIPMAN,
Adjutant General

Official:
WM. T. COLLINS, A.A.G.

Let us never forget what our armed forces have done for us, even though our current commander-in-chief doesn't have a clue about America really stands for. We can never forget our fallen heroes.


“As we honor their memory today, let us pledge that their lives, their sacrifices, their valor shall be justified and remembered for as long as God gives life to this nation.” Ronald Reagan

Saturday, May 24, 2014

5th Sunday after Easter



This Sunday we hear from St. James. He is the Apostle who tells us that "Faith without good works is dead." Today he tells us: "For is a man be a hearer of the word and not a doer; he shall be compared to a man beholding his own countenance in a glass. For he beheld himself and went his way, and presently forgot what manner of man he was."

We don't want to become like that guy. Pay attention!

Then, in the Gospel of St. John, we hear Jesus telling us to ask the Father in His Name anything and it will be granted. This, of course, depends if that request is going to help our soul, and its' deliverance to eternal life. Just think, ask. And, remember, sometimes God says NO. Hard to imagine, isn't it?

A--ask
S--seek
K--knock

ASK. Get it?


Here is a prayer to the Holy Ghost that we should learn by heart. It's short, so even us old people, with our limited memory, can learn it.

HOLY GHOST, GOD OF LIGHT, REALLY AND TRULY IN MY SOUL, GIVE ME THY BLESSED LIGHT, THAT I MAY SEE ALL THINGS CLEARLY.

Monday, May 19, 2014

Adrienne's Corner: 'Look Up' - A spoken word film for an online gener...

This video says it all, considering today's technology.

Adrienne's Corner: 'Look Up' - A spoken word film for an online generation...: it carries a strong message. 'Look Up' is a lesson taught to us through a love story, in a world where we continue to find ways...

Saturday, May 17, 2014

4th Sunday after Easter


Christ has been with the Apostles since the Resurrection, teaching them what He wants them to know. He tells them that in a few days, they won't see Him anymore, but that He would be sending them another teacher, the Holy Spirit. This 'Teacher' will help them in everything, and remind them all that Jesus taught. This will be passed down through the ages, being the oral 'Tradition' that Scripture tells us about. They will set up the Church, make the rules that will be our guide to salvation. The Church will NOT going into hiding for 1500+ years, but will be the bulwark which will steer the world right. The Sacraments will be set up. They will be the visible signs of the unity of the Church. Our beloved Abbot Gueranger, who always seems to have the right words, speaks: "...the Sacraments, being visible signs, are an additional bond of union between these members of the Church: we say additional, because these members have the two other strong links of union--submission to Peter and to the pastors sent by him and profession of the same Faith. The Holy Ghost tells us, in the sacred Volume, that a threefold cord is not easily broken.(Eccles. iv: 12). Now we have such a one; and it keeps us in the glorious unity of the Church: hierarchy, dogma, and sacraments, all contribute to make us one Body. The risen Jesus has set the number of these Sacraments at seven, the seven Pillars of the Faith(Prov. ix: i)...Turning our eyes to the kingdom of satan, we see him mimicking God's work, and setting up a 'seven' of his own. Seven capital and deadly sins are the instruments whereby he makes man his slave." (They are as follows: wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy, and gluttony). Who hasn't been a slave to at least one of these?

When our Lord in this week's reading from St. John's Gospel tells the Apostles about the Holy Ghost, Who is to come and 'convince the world of sin', He also shows them how awful and terrible this Coming will be to them who have rejected the Messias. St. Augustine, the Doctor of doctors, explains" When the Holy Ghost is come, He will convince the world of sin, because they have not believed in Me. How great must, indeed, be the responsibility of them that have been witnesses of Jesus' wonderful works, and yet will not receive His teaching! Jerusalem will be told that the Holy Ghost has come down upon the disciples: and she will receive the news with the same indifference as she did the miracles which proved Jesus to be her Messias. The coming of the Holy Ghost will serve as a sort of signal of the destruction of the deicide city. Jesus adds: The Paraclete will convince the world of justice, because I go to the Father, and ye shall see me no longer. The Apostles, and they that believe their word, shall be just and holy by Faith: they will believe in Him that is gone to the Father--in Him Whom they are to see no longer in this world.
Jerusalem, on the contrary, will remember Him only to blaspheme Him: the holiness, the Faith, the justice of them that shall believe, will be her condemnation, and the Holy Ghost will leave her to her fate. Jesus continues: The Paraclete will convince the world of judgment, because the prince of this world is already judged.
They that follow not Christ Jesus, follow Satan: he is their prince, but his judgement is already pronounced. The Holy Ghost warns the followers of the world that their leader is already in eternal torments. Let them reflect well upon this; for, as St. Augustine continues, 'the pride of man has no right to reckon upon indulgence; let it but think of the hell into which even the angels were cast because they were proud.'


I will end with the Antiphon of the Magnificat for this day:

I go to Him that sent me: but because I have spoken these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.

O God, Who makes the faithful to be of one mind, grant that thy people may love what Thou commands, and desire what thou promises: that, amidst the uncertainties of this world, we may place our affections where there are true joys.

JUST FISHIN'


This last Thursday at our Bible study class, we studied Noah and the great flood. All that water sloshing and whirling somehow made me think about fishing, which brought me here. I don't know why, since I don't fish. It just happened. Go figure! Anyway, those simple fishermen who were chosen to be Apostles, and thus, becoming fishers of men, brought me to this thought. We are the fish. Some of us are easy catches, while others take much time to reel in. Some of us almost make it into the boat just to bite off the line which was bringing us in, thus, we eluded the catch. I was one of these. I said NO once to the Catholic Church, because I thought there was too much to learn. HA!HA! I think Our Blessed Mother just kept reeling the rod in, wearing me down, and then successfully getting me into the boat, the ark of Salvation, the Holy Roman Catholic Church. Now, I don't seem to have enough time to learn. I hope there's still time for me, though. Go figure. I guess I was just stubborn enough that she thought I might be of some use in her Son's Church. My last name is Miles, which, in Latin, means 'soldier'. I am trying to live up to my name, being part of the Church Militant. The Church isn't for wimps, you know.

Anyway, enough about me; let's move on to our lesson of the fishers. Personally, I like what St. Augustine says about this topic: '...the fishers of men have cast forth their nets; they have taken the multitude of Christians which we see in wonderment; they have filled the two ships with them, the two peoples, Jew and Gentile. But what is this we are told? the multitude weighs down the ships, even to the risk of sinking them; it is what we witness now: the pressing and mingled crowd of the baptized is a burden to the Church. Many Christians there are who live badly; they are a trouble to, and keep back, the good. Worse than these, there are those who tear the nets by their schisms or their heresies; they are impatient of the yoke of unity, and will not come to the banquet of Christ; they are pleased with themselves. Under pretext that they cannot live with the bad, they break the net which kept them in the Apostolic track, and they die far off the shore. In how many countries have they not thus broken the great net of salvation?...and since their times, how many others have excelled in the work of rupture! Let us not imitate their folly. If grace have made us holy, let us be patient with the bad while living in this world's waters. Let the sight of them drive us neither to live as they do, not to leave the Church. The shore is not far off, where those on the right, or the good, will alone be permitted to land, and from which the wicked will be repulsed, and cast into the abyss.'

How many do we know who fall into these categories; not caring about the Eternal Truth, but rather quite contented to do what please themselves. They decide what's right; they decide the meaning of Scripture; they decide who goes to heaven, which is most everybody since hell isn't around anymore. The joke will be on you if you believe this. Much prayer is needed, my friends, even for those who are supposed to be herding us into the right Boat. The net, which is cast by the Church, is the net of salvation. If we are in the net which was cast by the Apostles, and particularly Peter, we shall be well off. But, just as in the Gospel, it has broken, allowing many fish (people and their souls), to fall through the gaping hole, and because it wasn't mended, many of the fish have been lost. The Church, lead by 'Peter', must repair the net and bring us back into it. No more of this limp-wristed faith which we get today.

It's time to put on our waders and the helmet of salvation and get busy!!!!! It appears that we have to help mend the net.


I found this little prayer on the Canadian Catholic Perspective, and I hope they don't mind if I copy the following:

Fisherman’s Prayer:

I pray that I may live to fish
Until my dying day,
And when it comes to my last cast,
Then I most humbly pray;
When in the Lord’s great landing net
And peacefully asleep,
That in His mercy I be judged
Big enough to keep.


Let us pray that we may, one day, be the big catch and worthy of keeping.

Monday, May 12, 2014

'Brave German Woman' Rebukes Islam's Lie

This little woman is a Lutheran.  However, she is 'right on' when standing up for Christ.  We should have the stones to do it if we have the opportunity some day.

'Brave German Woman' Rebukes Islam's Lie - World - CBN News - Christian News 24-7 - CBN.com

JUST A NOTE!


I have many people asking me if they may use anything posted here for their help. YES! Copy and paste to your heart's content. Also, if you're looking for a PC site, this ain't it. I don't deliberately intend to hurt anyone, however, I sincerely intend to state the Faith as it comes to us from the Apostles. Many these days don't. I'm just trying to make you think for yourself, accepting NOT very much which we hear anymore. I will interject my viewpoints often, and I use the word 'pantload' to show something that is totally NOT true, whether it's from a person or anyone who should be leading us to eternal salvation and is not doing just that. I use the Douay-Rheims Bible when quoting any Scripture, because any bibles printed after 1964 have different words, hence different meanings. This only makes sense! Also, I use the 'Liturgical Year' set of books a lot when posting. It was from the 1920's, and it is invaluable, at least to me. I am a convert of 32 years now, and I like 'old' stuff, because it has more of the True Faith in it. You know, that old dog 'satan' will use anything and anyone to pervert the Truth, thus leading people astray to their eternal un-salvation. This has happened in the 50+ years. People have left the Faith, and the ones still around have drank the koolaid of the new evangelization, especially telling us that all go to heaven. Like I said before: "Pantload".

Study the Faith of the ages, not this dribble which we get now. No matter how much you like koolaid, don't drink the stuff coming to us in these last days. Don't be lukewarm. It ain't so hot.


SWEETEST HEART OF JESUS, BE NOT MY JUDGE, BUT MY SAVIOUR!

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Thought for the day


A quote from Dietrich Bonheoffer, a Lutheran pastor, theologian, and anti-Nazi dissident: "Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act."

3rd Sunday after Easter



Tomorrow is the third Sunday after Easter. However, it is also a day in which we honor St. Joseph, true spouse of Mary and foster-father of Jesus, as 'Protector of the Church'. It couldn't take place on his day in March, since it can't take place during lent, especially if it should fall on a Sunday. So, the 3rd Sunday after Easter is when it is celebrated. We probably won't hear about this because it's been taken out of the 1962 missal. This solemnity of St. Joseph was promulgated in the 15th century for the western Church, and is still in force today.

St. Joseph was guardian of the Holy Family, His Mother and Himself, and Jesus has granted him to us also, as our guardian during our lives, and especially, at the hour of our death. Just as He gave His Mother to us as our mother on the Cross, He would like us to have Joseph as our father. The priests who do our Mass are Italian, and are the 'Servants of Charity', are devoted to St. Joseph. One prayer they follow is as follows:
St. Joseph, Foster-father of Jesus and true spouse of the Virgin Mary, pray for us, now and at the hour of our death. Amen'

He is the patron saint of dying people, for a happy and holy death. We need his intercession during this life, and especially during our last moments.

I would like to end with a hymn from a Monastic Rite:

May the heavenly host praise thee, O Joseph! May the choirs of Christendom resound with thy name, for great are thy merits, who wast united by a chaste alliance to the holy Virgin.
Seeing that thy Spouse was soon to be a Mother, a cruel doubt afflicts thy heart; but an Angel visits thee, telling thee that she had conceived of the Holy Ghost the Child she bore in her womb.
Where Jesus was born, thou hadst to take Him in thine arms, and go with the little fugitive to Egypt's distant land. When he was lost in Jerusalem, thou didst seek after him; and having found him, thy tears were mingled with joy.
Other saints receive their beatitude after death, when a holy death has crowned their life; they receive their glory when they have won the palm: but thou, by a strangely happy lot, hadst, even during life, what the blessed have in heaven--thou hadst the sweet society of thy God.
O Sovereign Trinity! have mercy on us thy suppliants, and may the intercession of Joseph aid us to reach heaven; that there we may sing to thee our eternal hymn of grateful love. Amen.

St. Joseph, Foster-father of Jesus and Protector of the Church, pray for us.



The reading of the GOSPEL (John XVI. 16‑22.) At that time, Jesus said to his disciples: A little while, and now you shall not see me: and again a little while, and you shall see me: because I go to the Father. Then some of his disciples said one to another: What is this that he saith to us: A little while, and you shall not see me: and again a little while, and you shall see me, and, because I go to the Father? They said therefore: What is this that he saith, A little while? We know not what he speaketh. And Jesus knew that they had a mind to ask him, and he said to them: Of this do you inquire among yourselves, because I said: A little while, and you shall not see me: and again a little while and you shall see me. Amen, amen I say to you, that you shall lament and weep, but the world shall rejoice: and you shall be made sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy. A woman, when she is in labor, hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but when she hath brought forth the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world. So also you now indeed have sorrow, but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice: and your joy no man shall take from you.

What is the meaning of Christ's words: A little while and you shall not see me; and again a little while and you shall see me?

St. John Chrysostom applies these words, which Christ spoke to His apostles a few hours before His passion, to the time between the death of Jesus and His Resurrection; but St. Augustine, to the time between the Resurrection and the Ascension, and then to the Last judgment at the end of the world, and he adds: "This little while seems long to us living, but ended, we feel how short it is." In affliction we should console ourselves by reflecting, how soon it will terminate, and that it cannot be compared with the future glory, that is awaiting eternally in heaven him who patiently endures.

Why did our Saviour tell His disciples of their future joys and sufferings?

That they might the more easily bear the sufferings that were to come, because we can be prepared for suf­ferings which we know are pending; because He knew that their sufferings would be only slight and momentary in comparison with the everlasting joy which awaited them, like the pains of a woman in giving birth to a child which are great indeed, but short, and soon forgotten by the mother in joy at the birth of the child. "Tell me" says St. John Chrysostom, "if you were elected king but were obliged to spend the night preceding your entrance into your capital city where you were to be crowned, if you were compelled to pass that night in much discomfort in a stable, would you not joyfully endure it in the expectation of your kingdom? And why should not we, in this valley of tears, willingly live through adversities, in expectation of one day obtaining the kingdom of heaven?"

Enlighten us, O Holy Spirit! that we may realize that this present life and all its hardships are but slight and momentary, and strengthen me that we may endure patiently the adversities of life in the hope of future heavenly joys.


CONSOLATION IN TRIALS AND ADVERSITIES
You shall lament and weep. (John XVI. 20.)

That Christian is, most foolish who fancies that the happiness of this world consists in honors, wealth, and pleasures, while Christ, the eternal Truth, teaches the contrary, promising eternal happiness to the poor and oppressed, and announcing eternal affliction and lamentation to those rich ones who have their comfort in this world. How much, then, are those to be pitied who as Christians believe, and yet live as if these truths were not for them, and who think only how they can spend their days in luxury, hoping at the same time to go to heaven where all the saints, even Christ the Son of God Himself and His Mother, have entered only by crosses and sufferings.

And, we know, that God Almighty will not send us anything which He knows that we cannot bear. He is testing us and strengthening us all the while.


AND, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!!!! When applicable, of course.

Friday, May 9, 2014

IF I WERE THE DEVIL


This speech was broadcast by legendary ABC Radio commentator Paul Harvey on April 3, 1965. Talk about being 'right on'! Interestingly enough, is was broadcast the same year that Vat.II closed.

If I were the Devil . . . I mean, if I were the Prince of Darkness, I would of course, want to engulf the whole earth in darkness. I would have a third of its real estate and four-fifths of its population, but I would not be happy until I had seized the ripest apple on the tree, so I should set about however necessary to take over the United States. I would begin with a campaign of whispers. With the wisdom of a serpent, I would whisper to you as I whispered to Eve: “Do as you please.” “Do as you please.” To the young, I would whisper, “The Bible is a myth.” I would convince them that man created God instead of the other way around. I would confide that what is bad is good, and what is good is “square”. In the ears of the young marrieds, I would whisper that work is debasing, that cocktail parties are good for you. I would caution them not to be extreme in religion, in patriotism, in moral conduct. And the old, I would teach to pray. I would teach them to say after me: “Our Father, which art in Washington” . . .

If I were the devil, I’d educate authors in how to make lurid literature exciting so that anything else would appear dull an uninteresting. I’d threaten T.V. with dirtier movies and vice versa. And then, if I were the devil, I’d get organized. I’d infiltrate unions and urge more loafing and less work, because idle hands usually work for me. I’d peddle narcotics to whom I could. I’d sell alcohol to ladies and gentlemen of distinction. And I’d tranquilize the rest with pills.

If I were the devil, I would encourage schools to refine young intellects but neglect to discipline emotions . . . let those run wild. I would designate an atheist to front for me before the highest courts in the land and I would get preachers to say, “she’s right.” With flattery and promises of power, I could get the courts to rule what I construe as against God and in favor of pornography, and thus, I would evict God from the courthouse, and then from the schoolhouse, and then from the houses of Congress and then, in His own churches I would substitute psychology for religion, and I would deify science because that way men would become smart enough to create super weapons but not wise enough to control them.

If I were Satan, I’d make the symbol of Easter an egg, and the symbol of Christmas, a bottle. If I were the devil, I would take from those who have and I would give to those who wanted, until I had killed the incentive of the ambitious. And then, my police state would force everybody back to work. Then, I could separate families, putting children in uniform, women in coal mines, and objectors in slave camps. In other words, if I were Satan, I’d just keep on doing what he’s doing.


Paul Harvey, Good Day.



FAST FORWARD
It has been nearly fifty years since this speech was delivered and the council closed. Over four decades have passed since Pope Paul called out the devil by his name, claiming that 'the smoke of satan' has entered the temple of God.' Despite this, nothing has changed. The Prince of Darkness continues to walk among us, unidentified, ignored, and unfettered, preaching his unholy gospel to those who are hell-bent on constructing the 'City of man.'

Meanwhile the murder of innocents goes on; the aberration of homosexual marriage has become a civil right; drugs that were once considered to be dangerous are legalized and used for 'recreational' purposes; unjust, unending wars are waged for political and financial gain; the government of 'the people' is increasingly more intrusive and dictatorial in controlling our lives; and lawyers are paid to spin and obscure the truth rather than to seek justice.

How do we stop this fast track journey, leading us to impending doom? What is the solution? The restoration of the CHURCH MILITANT is the answer. Only these members of the Church which Christ Himself founded, the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, has the only spiritual weapons to expel satan from the bodies and souls of mindless sheeple who are leading us to destruction. It is our Catholic Churchmen who need to be mobilized, step up and take the lead in this crusade. However, given the current mindset of today's Catholics and non-Catholics alike, this would be met with a hailstorm of criticism, just like if the Pope were to consecrate Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary as she wished. But where else do we turn in a society which has become so spiritually and morally dulled and bankrupt, that common sense is no longer common? Let's start with this: "Saint Michael the Archangel..."

Nuf said!

Monday, May 5, 2014

PIUS V


SAINT PIUS V
Pope
(1504-1572)

A DOMINICAN friar from his fifteenth year, Michael Ghislieri, as a simple religious, as inquisitor, as bishop, and as cardinal, was famous for his intrepid defence of the Church's faith and discipline, and for the spotless purity of his own life. His first care as Pope was to reform the Roman court and capital by the strict example of his household and the severe punishment of all offenders. He next endeavored to obtain from the Catholic powers the recognition of the Tridentine decrees, two of which he urgently enforced—the residence of bishops, and the establishment of diocesan seminaries. He revised the Missal and Breviary, and reformed the ecclesiastical music. Nor was he less active in protecting the Church without. We see him at the same time supporting the Catholic King of France against the Huguenot rebels, encouraging Mary Queen of Scots, in the bitterness of her captivity, and excommunicating her rival the usurper Elizabeth, when the best blood of England had flowed upon the scaffold, and the measure of her crimes was full. But it was at Lepanto that the Saint's power was most manifest; there, in October, 1571, by the holy league which he had formed, but still more by his prayers to the great Mother of God, the aged Pontiff crushed the Ottoman forces, and saved Christendom from the Turk and the Moslem religion. Six months later, St. Pius died, having reigned but six years. St. Pius was accustomed to kiss the feet of his crucifix on leaving or entering his room. One day the feet moved away from his lips. Sorrow filled his heart, and he made acts of contrition, fearing that he must have committed some secret offense, but still he could not kiss the feet. It was afterwards found that they had been poisoned by an enemy.

Reflection.—"Thy cross, O Lord, is the source of all blessings, the cause of all graces: by it the faithful find strength in weakness, glory in shame, life in death."—St. Leo.

We need to ask the prayers of this truly 'great' pope, who fought against what was wrong in the world at that time in history, that he help the Church in our time.


Prayer:

O God, Who didst choose Blessed Pius as supreme Pontiff in order to shatter the enemies of Thy Church and to restore the purity of the Sacred Liturgy; grant us his protection so that cleaving to Thy service we may overcome the snares of all our enemies and enjoy perpetual peace. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.



In 1570 a new version of the Roman Missal, ordered by the Council of Trent, was published in Rome by command of Pope Pius V. This edition of the Missal had been carefully amended to purify it of all errors that had crept into the Mass books during the course of centuries. This Missal of the roman Rite was made obligatory for use throughout the Latin Church (only such rites as had been in use in certain churches for more than two hundred years were permitted to remain unchanged). Pope St. Pius, in his Bull “Quo Primum” declared that this Missal should remain valid in perpetuity; that nothing should be ever added, omitted, or changed in it; that no priest at any future time could ever be forced to use any other way of saying Mass. “We decree and determine that this Our present Order and Decree is to last in perpetuity and can never be legally revoked or amended. It has merely been disregarded. It cannot be denied that by changing the Roman rite and the language of the Mass, great disorders, doubts, and sorrows have now come upon the Roman Church. The Bull “Quo Primum” ends with the customary words that “if anyone should attempt any action contrary to this Order of Ours, let him know that he has incurred the wrath of Almighty God and of the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul.”


In the 60's, those in charge did an end run around this Bull. They created a new rite, complete with new beliefs, new words, new teachings, and, an entirely new mass, which is just like a protestant service in everything except Christ in the Eucharist. Hopefully, their heads can be extracted before that fateful day when they meet their Maker.

Saturday, May 3, 2014

2ND SUNDAY AFTER EASTER--GOOD SHEPHERD


Today is Good Shepherd Sunday, the 2nd Sunday after Easter. Jesus is our good Shepherd. He says: "I know my sheep and my sheep know me." However, he is invisible to us unless we have been given a special grace. But, He left us the road we need to follow to reach our goal, and that is to be with Him and His Mother and all the saints in heaven. That road is the One, Holy, CATHOLIC, and Apostolic Church. He has left Peter, the first Pope, in charge of it, along with his successors until the end of time. Jesus told Peter: "Feed my lambs, fed my lambs, and feed my sheep."

The lambs are us. The sheep are the older and wiser ones, the leaders of His Church. They are suppose to teach the Truth which comes through Jesus to Peter, all of the Popes, the Cardinals, the Bishops, and then to the rest of us. If they fail and do NOT teach us what the Apostles taught, they are wrong, PERIOD! These last 50+ years we have seen a departure from the original intent of Jesus. Our 'sheep' seem to be making a new church which strongly resembles the protestant churches; thus, not teaching what they ought. We are told: "All churches have a little of the truth, and when we put them altogether, we have the total truth." As I have said before, this is a huge 'PANTLOAD!'

Jesus did NOT found 100,000+ churches, He founded ONE Church. We need to really and sincerely study what the Apostles taught to get to our goal. However, we have the Church to tell us the Truth lest we stray from it. We need to read the 'Syllabus of errors' which was written by, I believe, Pope Pius IX, about 150 years ago. He anathamatizes a lot of what has been going on in the Church the past 50+ years. Well worth the read. Get busy!

You know, St. Paul withstood Peter to his face on an error he was promoting (about having to be circumcised to be saved); Peter saw his error and corrected it. Sometimes we need to confront our leaders when they are wrong to help them. Because, as in my bio, if we don't say something, we are guilty of promoting the same. We don't want that.

Jesus, Shepherd of our souls, have mercy on us.

FINDING OF THE TRUE CROSS



The above picture is the Reliquary made to encase the True Cross.
Today is the day that we honor the finding by St. Helena of the True Cross of Jesus's Crucifixion. The crosses from that day, three in all, were hidden by the Jews, but were found 300+ years later by St. Helena, the mother of Constantine. After they were found, they were put to the test. Each was applied to a woman who had a dangerous malady. The first two did nothing, while the Third, when applied to this woman, was restored to perfect health, thus proving which one had been the True One. Pieces have been shipped all the world to help us with our faith. A very holy priest I knew(God rest his soul) had such a piece, which he put into a monstrance which he had found in a dumpster when Detroit was shutting down churches. I wonder, what else was thrown away, never to be seen again? I will now borrow from our beloved Abbot Gueranger about this day:

'How dear, then, to us should this day be, which blends together the recollection of the holy Cross and the joys of the Resurrection of that Jesus who by the Cross has won the throne to which we shall soon see his having restored to mankind a treasure so immensely precious as is the Cross. Until the day comes for it to appear with Himself in the clouds of heaven, Jesus has entrusted it to his spouse(the Church), as a pledge of his second coming. On that day, he will collect together all the fragments by his divine power; and the Tree of Life will then gladden the elect with its dazzling beauty, and invite them to eternal rest beneath its refreshing shade.'


The reliquary of Jerusalem was committed to the care of Saint Macarius and kept with singular care and respect in the magnificent church which Saint Helen and her son built there. Saint Paulinus relates that, though chips were almost daily cut off from it and given to devout persons, yet the sacred wood suffered thereby no diminution. It is affirmed by Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, twenty-five years after the discovery, that pieces of the cross were spread all over the earth; he compares this wonder to the miraculous feeding of five thousand men, as recorded in the Gospel. The discovery of the cross would have happened in the spring, after navigation began on the Mediterranean Sea, for Saint Helen went the same year to Constantinople and from there to Rome, where she died in the arms of her son (Constantine) on the 18th of August of the same year, 326.

Thought for the day: In all pious undertakings, above all in the sanctification of the soul, the mere beginning does not suffice. "Whoever perseveres to the end, he shall be saved." (Matt. 24:13)

Our beloved Abbot continues: Oh! that we had St. Helena's spirit, dear Jesus, and knew, as she did, the breadth, and length, and height, and depth of the mystery of thy Cross. Her love of the mystery made her so earnest in her search for the Cross. And how sublime is the spectacle offered to us by this holy Empress! She adorns thy glorious Sepulchre; she raises Thy Cross from its grave; who was there, that ever proclaimed with such solemnity as this, the Paschal Mystery? The Sepulchre cries out to us: "He is risen: He is not here!' The Cross exclaims: 'I held Him captive but for a few passing hours: He is not here!'...O Cross! dear object where our Jesus has left thee. Be its shield against Satan. Help us to remember that union of sacrifice and triumph which will support us in all our crosses, for it is by thee, O Cross! that Christ conquers, and reigns, and commands.

CHRISTUS VINCIT, CHRISTUS REGNAT, CHRISTUS IMPERAT!


This has been an awesome week, with St. Catherine of Siena, St. Joseph. St. Pope Pius V (tomorrow), St. Athanasius. Man, the Church sure has had some extraordinary people within her walls. May we be blessed with such in our time, even though we don't deserve it. In fact, we are probably blessed with some of these holy people today; however, they are called 'old-fashioned', 'stuck in the past', intolerant, judgmental, 'better than everyone else', 'Trads', etc. So, apparently, everyone who doesn't teach what should be taught are to be called from this time on, 'saints'.

Let us call to mind what we should focus on today, and for that fact on all days, even though finding the Cross was spectacular, to say the least:

"Let us adore Christ our King, who hung upon the wood, and wood the wood."
St. Ambrose

Friday, May 2, 2014

FORGOTTEN PRIEST


I just recently learned about this priest, Fr. Roger-Thomas Calmel. He was one of the few who, after the Vatican Council II, who had the stones to speak the Truth and fight against the changes. Following are some thoughts concerning him and his belief; then, after that, is his statement about his faith and how he would continue to live it.
"Liturgical counter-revolution: the 'hushed' case of Fr. Calmel"
Cristiana De Magistris, "LITURGICAL COUNTER-REVOLUTION: The “hushed” case of Fr. Calmel" (ConcilioVaticanoSecondo.it, February 17, 2014) offers an intriguing look at what appears today as though it might have been an historical anomoaly: a Domnican resistance fighter against the liturgical reforms under Pope Paul VI. For the research record [Advisory: Rules 7-9]:
Dominican religious and Thomist theologian of great importance, director of souls, esteemed and sought throughout the whole of France, Catholic writer of a convincing logic and unambiguous clarity, Fr. Roger-Thomas Calmel (1914-1975) in the difficult years of the Council and the post-council period, was characterized by his counter-revolutionary action, through his preaching, writings and above all by his example, both on a doctrinal as well as a liturgical level.

But on a particular point the resistance of this son of St. Dominic reached heroism: the Holy Mass. The Catholic Faith is founded upon the Mass because it is in the Mass that our Redemption was wrought by Christ upon Calvary and this is perpetuated in the holy Sacrifice offered day after day.

1969 was the fateful year of the liturgical revolution, prepared for at length and finally imposed with authority upon a people who neither asked for nor desired it.

The birth of the new Mass was not peaceful. Against the hymns of victory of the novatores, there were the voices of those who did not want to trample upon the past––of almost two millennia––of a Mass which dated back to the apostolic tradition. This opposition was sustained by two Cardinals of the Curia (Ottaviani and Bacci), but remained completely unheeded.

The date upon which the new Ordo Missae became effective was fixed for 30th November, the first Sunday of Advent, and the opposition was not going to be placated. Paul VI himself, in two general audiences (19th and 26th November 1969), intervened, presenting the new rite of the Mass as the will of the Council and as a help to Christian piety.

On 26th November he said: “The New rite of the Mass: it is a change in a venerable tradition that has gone on for centuries. This is something that affects our hereditary religious patrimony, which seemed to enjoy the privilege of being untouchable and settled. It seemed to bring the prayer of our forefathers and our Saints to our lips and to give us the comfort of feeling faithful to our spiritual past, which we kept alive to pass it on to the generations ahead. It is at such a moment as this that we get a better understanding of the value of historical tradition and the communion of the Saints. This change will affect the ceremonies of the Mass. We shall become aware, perhaps with some feeling of annoyance, that the ceremonies at the altar are no longer being carried out with the same words and gestures to which we were accustomed—perhaps so much accustomed that we no longer took any notice of them. This change also touches the Faithful. It is intended to interest each one of those present, to draw them out of their customary personal devotions or their usual torpor…”. And he continued by saying that it was necessary to understand the positive meaning of the reforms and to make of the Mass “a school of spiritual depth and a peaceful but demanding school of Christian sociology.”

“We shall do well––he said in the same audience––to take into account the motives for this grave change. The first is obedience to the Council. That obedience now implies obedience to the Bishops, who interpret the Council’s prescriptions and put them into practice…”. In order to repress the opposition to the Pope, there remained nothing but the argument of authority. And it is upon this argument that the whole game of the liturgical revolution was played.

Fr. Calmel, who by his articles was an assiduous collaborator of the magazine Itinéraires, had already faced the subject of obedience, which had become, after the council, the main argument of the novatores. But he affirmed that it is precisely in virtue of obedience that it is necessary to refuse every compromise with the liturgical revolution: “We are not treating here of causing a schism, but of conserving the tradition.” With Aristotelian logic, he noted: “The infallibility of the Pope is limited, therefore our obedience is limited,” indicating the principle of the subordination of obedience to the truth, of authority to the tradition. The history of the Church has cases of Saints who were opposed to the authority of popes who were not saints. We call to mind St. Athanasius who was excommunicated by Pope Liberius and St. Thomas à Becket, suspended by Pope Alexander III. And above all we think of St. Joan of Arc.

On 27th November 1969, three days before the fateful day on which the Novus Ordo Missae came into effect, Fr. Calmel expressed his refusal with a declaration of exceptional importance, made public in the magazine Itinéraires. The first and last, as far as we know, of such clarity and most praiseworthy courage.
I hold to the traditional Mass, that which was codified, but not fabricated, by St. Pius V, in the XVI Century, in conformity to a centuries old usage. I therefore refuse the Ordo missae of Paul VI.

Why? Because, in reality, this Ordo Missae does not exist. What exists is a universal and permanent liturgical revolution, permitted or desired by the reigning Pope, and which, for a quarter of an hour, puts on the mask of the Ordo Missae of 3rd April 1969. It is the right of every priest to refuse to wear the mask of this liturgical revolution. And I consider it my duty as a priest to refuse to celebrate the mass in an ambiguous rite.

If we accept this new rite, which fosters the confusion between the Catholic Mass and the protestant supper––as the two cardinals (Bacci and Ottaviani) sustain and as a solid theological analysis demonstrates––then we will pass over, without delay, to an interchangeable mass (as recognized, moreover, by a protestant pastor) to a mass which is completely heretical and therefore nothing. Initiated by the Pope, then diffused by him to the national Churches, the revolutionary reform of the mass leads to hell. How can we accept to become accomplices of this?

You will ask me: by keeping the Mass of ages at all costs, have you reflected upon what you have exposed yourself to? Certainly. I risk, so to say, persevering in the way of fidelity to my priesthood, thus rendering to the High Priest, Who is our supreme Judge, the humble witness of my office as a priest. I also risk being able to reassure the faithful who have lost their way, those who are tempted to scepticism or desperation. Every priest, in fact, who remains faithful to the rite of the Mass which was codified by St. Pius V, the great Dominican Pope of the counter reform, permits the faithful to participate in the holy Sacrifice without any possible ambiguity, to receive, without risk of being deceived, the incarnate and immolated Word of God, rendered truly present under the sacred Species. On the contrary, the priest who conforms to the new rite, composed of various pieces by Paul VI, collaborates on his part in progressively establishing a false mass where the Presence of Christ will no longer be authentic, but will be transformed into an empty memorial; therefore, the Sacrifice of the Cross will be nothing other than a religious meal where one eats a bit of bread and drinks a little wine, nothing else: just like the protestants. In not consenting to collaborate in the revolutionary establishment of an ambiguous mass, directed to the destruction of the Mass, to what temporal misfortune, to what difficulties in this world will this lead (those who will remain faithful to the Traditional Mass)? The Lord knows: therefore His grace is sufficient. In truth, the grace of the Heart of Jesus, coming to us from the holy Sacrifice and from the sacraments, is always sufficient. That is why the Lord tells us so calmly: “He that hateth his life in this world, keepeth it unto life eternal.”

I recognise unhesitatingly the authority of the Holy Father. I affirm, however, that every Pope, in the exercise of his authority, may commit abuses of authority. I retain that Pope Paul VI committed an abuse of authority of an exceptional gravity when he constructed a new rite of the mass upon a definition of the mass which has ceased to be Catholic. “The mass––he wrote in his Ordo Missae––is the gathering of the people of God, presided by a priest, to celebrate the memorial of the Lord.” This insidious definition omits a priori what makes the mass Catholic, which has never been nor ever will be reduced to the protestant supper. And that is because the Catholic Mass does not treat of any memorial whatsoever; the memorial is of such a nature that it truly contains the sacrifice of the cross, because the Body and Blood of Christ are rendered truly present in virtue of the twofold consecration. Now, whilst that appears to be so clear in the rite which was codified by St. Pius V so that one can not be deceived, in that which has been fabricated by Paul V1, it remains inconstant and ambiguous. Likewise, in the Catholic Mass the priest does not exercise any presidency whatsoever: signed by a divine character which introduces him into eternity, he is the minister of Christ who celebrates the mass by means of him; it is a completely different thing to liken the priest to any pastor whatsoever, delegated by the faithful to keep their assemblies in good order. Well, whilst that is certainly evident in the rite of the Mass prescribed by St. Pius V, it is dissimulated, if not completely eliminated, in the new rite.

Simple honesty, therefore, but infinitely more the priestly honour, does not permit me to have the impudence to barter with the Catholic Mass, received on the day of my ordination. Since we are treating here of being loyal, and above all of a matter of divine gravity, there is no authority in the world, even a pontifical authority, which can stop me. On the other hand, the first proof of fidelity and love which the priest must give to God and to men is that of guarding intact the infinitely precious deposit which was entrusted to him when the Bishop imposed his hands upon him. It is above all on this proof of fidelity and love that I will be judged by the supreme Judge. I trust that the Virgin Mary, Mother of the High Priest, will obtain for me the grace to remain faithful to death to the Catholic Mass, true and without ambiguity. Tuus sum ego, salvum me fac (I am all Thine, save me).”


In the face of a text of such importance, and the taking up of a position which is so categorical, all the friends and supporters of Fr. Calmel trembled, awaiting the toughest sanctions from Rome. All, except for him, the son of St. Dominic, who continued to repeat: “Rome will do nothing, it will do nothing…”. And in fact Rome did nothing. The sanctions did not arrive. Rome remained silent before this Dominican friar who did not fear anything but the supreme Judge to Whom he would have to give an account of his priesthood.

Other priests, thanks to the declaration of Fr. Calmel, had the courage to come out into the open and to resist the abuses of power of an unjust and illegal law. Against those who recommended blind obedience to the authorities, he showed the duty of the insurrection; “The whole conduct of St. Joan of Arc showed that she had thought in this way: For certain, it is God Who permits it; but what God wants, at least whilst an army remains to me, is Christian justice and that I fight a good battle. Then she was burned….

To abandon ourselves to the grace of God does not mean to do nothing. Instead it means, remaining in love, to do all that is within our power…. He who has not meditated upon the just insurrections of history, such as the war of the Maccabees, the riding into battle of St. Joan of Arc, the expeditions of John of Austria, the revolt of Budapest, to he who has not entered into sympathy with the noble resistances of history… I refuse the right to speak of Christian abandonment…abandonment does not consist in saying: God does not want the crusade, let the Moors go free. This is the voice of laziness.”

We cannot confuse supernatural abandonment with a servile obedience. “The dilemma which is placed before all––Fr. Calmel points out––is not to choose between obedience and the faith, but between the obedience of the faith and the collaboration in the destruction of the faith.” We are all invited to do “within the limits which the revolution places upon us, the maximum possible to live the tradition with intelligence and fervour. Watch and pray.”

Fr. Calmel had understood perfectly that the form of violence exercised in the “post-conciliar Church” is an abuse of authority, exercised by demanding unconditional obedience, before which the clergy and many laypersons submit themselves, without attempting any form of resistance. “This absence of reaction––said Louis Salleron––seems to me to be tragic, because God will not save Christians without themselves, nor His Church without Her.”

“Modernism makes its victims walk under the banner of obedience––writes Fr. Calmel––, placing under the suspicion of pride any criticism whatsoever of the reforms, in the name of the respect which one owes to the pope, in the name of missionary zeal, of charity and of unity.” “To force one to remain silent out of fear,” wrote Cardinal Wyzynsky on 5th October 1954. It was necessary to paralyze or anesthetize under the pretext of the virtue of obedience, the holy Catholic resistance, to the point of accusing he who obeys the eternal tradition of disobedience. “But there are circumstances––Professor G. Chabot pointed out–– in which disobedience to an abusive use of authority is not only licit, but rather obligatory. In such circumstances it is a virtue to disobey.”

When they said to St. Athanasius: “You have all the bishops against you,” he replied: “This shows that they are all against the Church.” “The Catholics faithful to the Tradition, even if reduced to a handful of people, are the true Church of Jesus Christ.”

With regard to the problem of obedience in liturgical matters, Fr. Calmel stated: “The question of the new rites consists in the fact that they are ambivalent: therefore they do not express in an explicit manner the intention of Christ and of the Church. The proof is in the fact that also the heretics use it with a tranquil conscience, whilst they reject and have always rejected the Missal of St. Pius V.” “It is necessary to be either stupid or fearful (or both of these at the same time) to consider oneself bound in conscience by liturgical laws which change more often than the ladies’ fashions and which are even more uncertain.”

In 1974 at a conference he said: “The Mass belongs to the Church. The new Mass belongs only to modernism. I hold to the Mass which is Catholic, traditional, Gregorian, because it does not belong to Modernism…. Modernism is a virus. It is contagious and one must flee from it. The witness is complete. If I give witness to the Catholic Mass, it is necessary that I abstain from celebrating any other Mass. It is like the burnt incense before the idols: either one grain or nothing. Therefore, nothing.”

Notwithstanding the open resistance of Fr. Calmel against the liturgical innovations, no sanction whatsoever arrived from Rome. The logic of the Dominican father is too forceful, his doctrine too orthodox, his love for the Church and for the perennial tradition too sincere, for him to be attacked. Nobody did anything against him because it was not possible. Then they wrapped the case up in the most conspiratorial silence, to the point that Fr. Calmel––known, in part, to the traditional French world––is almost unknown to the rest of the Catholic world.

In 1975, Fr. Calmel died prematurely, crowning his desire of faithfulness and resistance. In his Declaration of 1969 he asked the Most Holy Virgin that he may “remain faithful to death to the Catholic Mass, true and without ambiguity.” The Mother of God granted the desire of this beloved son who died without ever having celebrated the new Mass, in order to remain faithful to the supreme Judge to Whom he would have to given an account of his priesthood. (Cristiana De Magistris)


His Declaration:


Declaration of Fr. Calmel, O.P. against the Novus Ordo Mass
November 27, 1969
I hold fast to the traditional Mass, the one which was not composed but codified by St. Pius V in the 16th century as a custom many centuries old. I therefore refuse the Ordo Missæ of Paul VI. Why? Because in reality the Ordo Missæ does not exist. What does exist is a universal and permanent liturgical Revolution, adopted or intended by the present pope, and which has momentarily donned the mask of the Ordo Missæ of April 3, 1969. It is within the right of every priest to refuse to wear the mask of that liturgical Revolution; I consider it my duty as a priest to refuse to celebrate Mass in an equivocal rite.
This new rite fosters confusion between the Catholic Mass and the Protestant “Lord’s Supper” — as two cardinals have stated in as many words, and as solid theological analyses have proven; if we accept it, we will quickly fall from an interchangeable Mass (as a Protestant minister has actually attested) to a Mass which is blatantly heretical and therefore null. Launched by the pope and then abandoned to the national churches, the liturgical reform will simply follow its infernal logic. How can we consent to be party to such a process?
You are going to ask me: do you realize what you are opening yourself up to, by taking this stand for the Mass of All Time? Indeed I do. To use your own expression, I am opening myself up to persevering in the path of fidelity to my priesthood, and therefore to rendering the humble witness of my priestly office to the Sovereign High Priest, who is our Supreme Judge. I am also opening myself up to reassuring the faithful, whose world has been turned upside down and who are being tempted to skepticism or despair. Indeed, every priest who holds fast to the rite of Mass codified by St. Pius V, the great Dominican pope of the Counter-Reformation, allows the faithful to participate in the Holy Sacrifice without the least ambiguity; to receive the Word of God incarnate and immolated, made really present under the holy species, without doubt of the sacrament.
On the other hand, the priest who yields to the new rite, pasted together by Paul VI, is collaborating in the gradual establishment of a counterfeit Mass which will have been transformed into an empty memorial with no longer a true presence of Christ. By the very fact, the Sacrifice of the Cross will no longer be really and sacramentally offered to God; communion will no longer be anything but a religious meal where a little bread is eaten and a little wine is drunk. Nothing more. Just what the Protestants have.
By refusing to collaborate in the revolutionary establishment of an equivocal Mass, oriented toward the very destruction of the Mass, what temporal hardships and what difficulties in this world may one expect? The Lord knows, whose grace suffices. Truly, the grace of the Heart of Jesus will always suffice, and it comes to us through the Holy Sacrifice and by the sacraments. That is why the Lord tells us with such tranquility, he who loses his life in this world for My sake will live eternally.
I recognize the authority of the Holy Father, without hesitation. I affirm nonetheless that it is possible for any pope to abuse his authority. I maintain that Pope Paul VI commits an exceptionally grave abuse of authority in building a new rite of Mass on a definition of the Mass which is no longer Catholic. He writes in his Ordo Missæ that, “The Mass is the sacred assembly or congregation of the people of God gathering together, with a priest presiding, to celebrate the memorial of the Lord.” This insidious definition deliberately omits what makes the Catholic Mass Catholic, absolutely irreducible to the Protestant “Lord’s Supper.”
For the Catholic Mass is not just any memorial; it is a memorial which really contains the Sacrifice of the Cross, because the body and the blood of Christ are made really present by virtue of the double consecration. The rite codified by St. Pius V permits of no misunderstanding on this point, but the rite invented by Paul VI leaves the question floating and equivocal.
Likewise, in the Catholic Mass, the priest does not preside in just any manner; he is marked with a divine character which sets him apart for all eternity and thus he acts as the minister of Christ, who performs the Mass through him; he could never be likened to a Protestant minister, who is delegated by the faithful to ensure the good order of the assembly. This role is obvious in the rite of Mass established by St. Pius V; it is obscured if not suppressed entirely in the new rite.
Simple integrity, therefore, and priestly integrity infinitely more, demand that I not have the impudence to tamper with the Catholic Mass, received on the day of my ordination. Since it is a question of honesty, and especially in such a matter of divine gravity, there is no authority in the world which may stop me, be it the authority of a pope.
Moreover, the primary proof of fidelity and love which the priest must give to God and men is to maintain intact the infinitely precious deposit which was confided to him as the bishop imposed his hands upon him. It is first on this proof of fidelity and love that I will be judged by the Supreme Judge. I have entire confidence that the Virgin Mary, Mother of the Sovereign High Priest, will obtain for me the grace to remain faithful until death to the Catholic Mass, true and unequivocal. Tuus sum ego, salvum me fac.
Roger-Thomas Calmel, O.P.


I had wanted to put this post after the one below, in regards to St. Athanasius, but had another 'senior' moment. Please read on about St. Athanasius.


St. Athanasius


What we need today--a St. Athanasius

Today is the day we honor St. Athanasius, defender in the 4th century. He fought against the Arian heresy, and eventually won because Christ promised that His Church, with ALL the teachings, would prevail forever. Today, in these times, we need St. Athanasius and people like him, to defend the Faith as taught by Jesus Christ. These days, we have, spoken by St. Pope Pius X, the synthesis of all heresies, Modernism. Christ has been reduced, as well as His teachings, to not much more just another Christian denomination. We are told that if we put them all together, we can have the entire truth. All are saved regardless. This is a huge and full 'pantload'!!!!! Those who profess this sentiment are bass ackwards! The Catholic Church has the entirety of Truth, and all others are offshoots of it. What we need is teaching the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Faith. This is what St. Athanasius, who fought Bishops who taught that Christ was NOT divine. The pope of that time, Liberius, is the first pope since Peter to not be listed among the saints. Go figure!? Here's what St. Athanasius stated in his Creed:


Athanasian Creed

1. Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the Catholic Faith;

2. Which faith except every one do keep whole and undefiled, without doubt he shall perish everlastingly.

3. And the Catholic Faith is this: That we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity;

4. Neither confounding the persons nor dividing the substance.

5. For there is one person of the Father, another of the Son, and another of the Holy Spirit.

6. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit is all one, the glory equal, the majesty co-eternal.

7. Such as the Father is, such is the Son, and such is the Holy Spirit.

8. The Father uncreated, the Son uncreated, and the Holy Spirit uncreated.

9. The Father incomprehensible, the Son incomprehensible, and the Holy Spirit incomprehensible.

10. The Father eternal, the Son eternal, and the Holy Spirit eternal.

11. And yet they are not three eternals but one eternal.

12. As also there are not three uncreated nor three incomprehensible, but one uncreated and one incomprehensible.

13. So likewise the Father is almighty, the Son almighty, and the Holy Spirit almighty.

14. And yet they are not three almighties, but one almighty.

15. So the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God;

16. And yet they are not three Gods, but one God.

17. So likewise the Father is Lord, the Son Lord, and the Holy Spirit Lord;

18. And yet they are not three Lords but one Lord.

19. For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity to acknowledge every Person by himself to be God and Lord;

20. So are we forbidden by the catholic religion to say; There are three Gods or three Lords.

21. The Father is made of none, neither created nor begotten.

22. The Son is of the Father alone; not made nor created, but begotten.

23. The Holy Spirit is of the Father and of the Son; neither made, nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding.

24. So there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons; one Holy Spirit, not three Holy Spirits.

25. And in this Trinity none is before or after another; none is greater or less than another.

26. But the whole three persons are co-eternal, and coequal.

27. So that in all things, as aforesaid, the Unity in Trinity and the Trinity in Unity is to be worshipped.

28. He therefore that will be saved must thus think of the Trinity.

29. Furthermore it is necessary to everlasting salvation that he also believe rightly the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ.

30. For the right faith is that we believe and confess that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God and man.

31. God of the substance of the Father, begotten before the worlds; and man of substance of His mother, born in the world.

32. Perfect God and perfect man, of a reasonable soul and human flesh subsisting.

33. Equal to the Father as touching His Godhead, and inferior to the Father as touching His manhood.

34. Who, although He is God and man, yet He is not two, but one Christ.

35. One, not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh, but by taking of that manhood into God.

36. One altogether, not by confusion of substance, but by unity of person.

37. For as the reasonable soul and flesh is one man, so God and man is one Christ;

38. Who suffered for our salvation, descended into hell, rose again the third day from the dead;

39. He ascended into heaven, He sits on the right hand of the Father, God, Almighty;

40. From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

41. At whose coming all men shall rise again with their bodies;

42. and shall give account of their own works.

43. And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting and they that have done evil into everlasting fire.

44. This is the Catholic Faith, which except a man believe faithfully he cannot be saved.


I'm just going to end using part of a prayer to this wonderful saint, since it is so appropriate for our times, taken from 'The Liturgical Year', by the Abbot Gueranger. Keep in mind that these were put together in the 1920's:

'...O Athanasius, glorious Doctor of Holy Mother Church! humble these modern Arians; expose their proud ignorance and sophistry; how this false doctrine leads either to the abyss of the abominations of pantheism, or to the chaos of skepticism, where all truth and morality are impossibilities.

Preserve within us, by the influence of thy prayers, the precious gift of faith, wherewith our Lord has mercifully blessed us. Obtain for us that we may ever confess and adore Jesus Christ as our eternal and infinite God; 'God of God, Light of Light; True God of True God; Begotten, not made; who, for us men, and for our salvation, took Flesh, of the Virgin Mary.' May we grow each day in the knowledge of this Jesus, until we join thee in the face-to-face contemplation of His perfections. Meanwhile, by means of holy faith, we will live with Him on this earth that has witnessed the glory of His Resurrection. How fervent, O Athanasius, was thy love of this Son of God, our Creator and Redeemer! This love was the very life of thy soul, and the stimulus that urged thee to heroic devotedness to His cause. It supported thee in the combats thou had to sustain with the world, which seemed leagued together against thy single person. It gave thee strength to endure endless tribulations. Oh! pray that we may obtain this love--a love which is fearless of danger, because faithful to Him for Whom we suffer--a love which is so justly due, seeing that He, through the Brightness of His Father's glory, and Infinite Wisdom, emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, and humbled Himself, becoming obedient unto death, even to the death of the Cross. How else can we make Him a return for His devotedness to us except by giving Him all our love, as thou didst, O Athanasius! and by ever singing His praise in compensation for the humiliations which He endured in order to save us?

St. Athanasius, pray for us to keep and defend the Faith.

Quote from: Athanasius
“As we walk the unerring and life-bringing path, let us pluck out the eye that scandalizes us - not the physical eye, but the spiritual one. For example, if a bishop or presbyter - who are the eyes of the Church - conduct themselves in an evil manner and scandalize the people, they must be plucked out. For it is more profitable to gather without them in a house of prayer, than to be cast together with them into the Gehenna of fire together with Annas and Caiaphas.”

WAKE UP, ALL YOU LEADERS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, AND DO YOUR JOB !!!!!!!!!!!

Thursday, May 1, 2014

ST. JOSEPH THE WORKER


Today is the day we honor St. Joseph the Worker. I'm going to use something I found on the 'American Catholic' site. I hope they don't mind. This feast day does not in any way take away his feast day on March 19.

Apparently in response to the “May Day” celebrations for workers sponsored by Communists, Pius XII instituted the feast of St. Joseph the Worker in 1955. But the relationship between Joseph and the cause of workers has a much longer history.

In a constantly necessary effort to keep Jesus from being removed from ordinary human life, the Church has from the beginning proudly emphasized that Jesus was a carpenter, obviously trained by Joseph in both the satisfactions and the drudgery of that vocation. Humanity is like God not only in thinking and loving, but also in creating. Whether we make a table or a cathedral, we are called to bear fruit with our hands and mind, ultimately for the building up of the Body of Christ.


“The Lord God then took the man and settled him in the garden of Eden, to cultivate and care for it” (Genesis 2:15). The Father created all and asked humanity to continue the work of creation. We find our dignity in our work, in raising a family, in participating in the life of the Father’s creation. Joseph the Worker was able to help participate in the deepest mystery of creation. Pius XII emphasized this when he said, “The spirit flows to you and to all men from the heart of the God-man, Savior of the world, but certainly, no worker was ever more completely and profoundly penetrated by it than the foster father of Jesus, who lived with Him in closest intimacy and community of family life and work. Thus, if you wish to be close to Christ, we again today repeat, ‘Go to Joseph’” (see Genesis 41:44).


Joseph is accredited with making a staircase in New Mexico. I know for a fact he answers prayers quickly. Anyway, here's the story of this amazing feat of carpentry:


The Miraculous Stairs of St. Joseph

In September 1852 the Sisters of Loreto came, by paddle steamer and by covered wagon, to the Southwest. Their trip, which had begun in Kentucky the previous May on a riverboat steamer which took them up the Mississippi to St. Louis, was at the specific request of Bishop Jean Lamy, who had been appointed Vicar-Apostolic of the New Mexico Territory in 1850. From St. Louis to Independence, Missouri, the Sisters took the steamer “Kansas,” but on the way a sorrowful adversity befell the little community. Their beloved Superior, Mother Matilda, came down with cholera and died shortly after arriving in Independence. Two other Sisters also had the disease, but they slowly recovered.

After more months of struggles and fears, broken axles and wheels, and scorching days, what was left of the missionary team finally arrived in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Sisters Magdalen, Catherine, Hilaria, and Roberta made up the community. At the direction of Bishop Lamy, Sister Magdalen was appointed Superior of the Sisters. She was a woman of strong faith and firm resolution, and the situation she and her Sisters faced was a difficult one.

It was only because these Sisters of Loreto were great-hearted women, thoroughly permeated with an all-consuming love of God, that they were able to brave the hardships of those first years. Bishop Lamy was in the midst of a valiant struggle to preserve the Catholic Faith in “New” Mexico. The formerly Spanish Catholic territory was still groaning under its hostile “takeover” from Mexico in 1848, and the Sisters were not particularly welcome, as far as territorial officials were concerned. Thus, they certainly had no comfortable Convent waiting for them upon their arrival. They lived at first in a little, one-room adobe house. At that time the population of the little city of Santa Fe was still made up mostly of Catholic Mexicans and Indians. Today Santa Fe is a large modern city, the State Capitol, though, with its quaintly narrow streets and Spanish architecture, it still keeps alive the ancient climate of the old “Villa Real de la Santa Fe de San Francisco de Assisi” (The Royal City of the Holy Faith of St. Francis of Assisi), which is its proper name, founded by Spanish Catholic conquistadors and missionaries in 1610.

But back in 1852 it soon became quite evident that, if the Sisters were to fulfill the intentions of Bishop Lamy, who had brought them to Santa Fe for the specific purpose of helping him to preserve the Catholic Faith of the people, they would need a Convent and a school to teach their children. Mexican carpenters zealously began to build for the Sisters. The school was swiftly completed and was called “Loreto Academy of Our Lady of Light.” Plans were made next for a beautiful Chapel. According to the Sisters’ annals for the year 1873, the Chapel was begun on July 25th of that year. It was designed by the same architect, Mr. Mouly, who had designed the Bishop's Cathedral in Santa Fe. Because Bishop Lamy was from France, he wished the Sisters to have a Chapel that was similar to his beloved Sainte Chapelle in Paris. That meant that it was to be strictly European Gothic, in fact, the first Gothic structure west of the Mississippi. It was to be, in many ways, a visible symbol of the courageous Bishop's opposition to “Americanism,” which would be condemned by Pope Leo XIII in 1899.

French and Italian masons immediately went to work on the new structure. It would be large—larger in fact—than most of the mission Chapels in that area. It was to be 25 feet by 75 feet with a height of 85 feet.

Mother Magdalen recorded in the annals that the erection of the Chapel was placed under the patronage of St. Joseph “in whose honor we communicated every Wednesday, that he might assist us.” Then she adds, “Of his powerful help we have been witnesses on several occasions.”

The Chapel work progressed with some financial worries and a maximum of faith on the part of the Sisters. It was not until it was nearly finished that they realized that a dreadful mistake had been made. The Chapel itself was beautifully done, and the choir loft was wonderful too, but there was no connecting link between the two. There was no stairway and, because the loft was exceptionally high, there was no room for a stairway as ordinary stairways go. Mother Magdalen called in many carpenters to try to build a stairway; but each, in his turn, measured and thought and then shook his head sadly saying, “It can't be done, Mother.” It looked as if there were only two alternatives: to use a ladder to get to the choir which seemed impractical in any case, or to tear the whole thing down and rebuild it differently. The latter would have been a heartbreaking task. However, anyone who knows true Catholic Sisters and their trust in Divine Providence, knows they will not plunge into such a drastic solution to a problem without first saying something like, “Let's wait awhile and make a novena.” So the Sisters of Loreto made a novena to St. Joseph for a suitable solution to the problem.

On the very last day of the novena, a gray-haired man came up to the Convent with a burro and a tool chest. Approaching Mother Magdalen, he asked if he might try to help the Sisters by building a stairway! Mother gave her consent gladly, and he set to work. According to the story that was later told by some of the Sisters present at the time and passed on to others, the only tools he had were a hammer, a saw and a T-square, and some of the Sisters remembered seeing a few tubs of water for soaking the wood to make it pliable. It is not clear how long he took to complete the work, for when Mother Magdalen went to pay him, he had vanished. She went to the local lumber yard to pay for the wood, at least. They knew nothing of it there. To this day there is no record stating that the job was ever paid for.

Santa Fe Stairway as it Appeared without Bannisters The winding stairway that the kindly man had left for the Sisters is a masterpiece of beauty and wonder. It makes two complete 360 degree turns. There is no supporting pole up the center as most circular stairways have. This means that it hangs there with no support! The entire weight is on the base. Some architects have said that by all laws of gravity, it should have crashed to the floor the minute anyone stepped on it, and yet it was used daily for over 80 years.

The stairway was put together only with wooden pegs – there is not a single nail in it. At the time it was built, the stairway had no banisters. These were added later. Among the girls who attended the Academy at the time the stairway was constructed was a girl of about thirteen years. She later became a Loreto Sister, and she never tired of telling how she and her friend were among the first to climb up the stairway. She said that they were so frightened when they got up to the choir that they came down on their hands and knees!

Visitors have come from all over the world to see the wonderful stairway. Among them have been architects who, without exception, declare that they cannot understand how the stairway was constructed nor how it remains as sturdy as it is after a century of use. Mr. Urban Weidner, a Santa Fe architect and wood expert, says that he has never seen a circular wooden stairway with 360 degree turns that did not have a supporting pole down the center. One of the most baffling things about the stairway, however, is the perfection of the curves of the stringers. According to Mr. Weidner, the wood is spliced along the sides of the stringers with nine splices on the outside and seven on the inside, each fitted with the greatest precision. Each piece is perfectly curved. How this was done in the 1870's by a single man in an out-of-the-way place with only the most primitive tools is inexplicable to modern architects.

Many experts have tried to identify the wood and surmise where it came from. No one has ever been able to give a satisfactory answer to this mystery. The treads were constantly walked on for over 80 years since the stairway was built, but they showed signs of wear only on the edges. Mr. Weidner identifies this wood as “edge-grained fir of some sort.” (Others say it is long-leaf yellow pine.) He knows definitely that this hard-wearing wood did not come from New Mexico. Where the mysterious carpenter got this wood is a secret known to him alone.

Holy Mother Church is always cautious about making statements concerning things of a supernatural nature. Therefore, the good Loreto Sisters whose prayers were so wonderfully answered, as well as Bishop Lamy, in this spirit, refrained from saying anything definitive about the stairway. But Mother Magdalen and her community of Sisters and students knew that the stairway was St. Joseph’s answer to their fervent prayers. Many were convinced that the humble carpenter was St. Joseph himself, as his silent, prayerful labors were precisely the virtues one would expect of the foster-Father of Our Divine Lord.

He is AWESOME!
To you, Blessed Joseph, do we come with our tribulations.

This is also the day we honor the Apostles, James the Less and Philip. Apparently, their bones were transported to Rome, to be installed with the other Apostles' bones. We need to beg for the Apostles' prayers for ourselves and especially for the Church which they help get started on earth.