The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

Today is the day of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald in Lake Superior. If you are ever in Michigan, and are at Whitefish lighthouse, the museum is worth going to. This song plays, and there is kind of an eerie feeling, knowing that it happened just a few miles away. these brave sailors knew they weren't going to make it, and went down valiantly in the storm on this Great Lake.

It might have looked like this to these sailors.

Listen to this eerie song. It's both beautiful and haunting:





Crew of the Edmund Fitzgerald

Twenty-nine brave men lost their lives on November 10, 1975. This website is dedicated to those brave men. Their names, ages, occupations, and hometowns are listed below. Click a name to see that man's profile.
Name Age Occupation On Board Hometown

Michael E. Armagost 37 Third Mate Iron River, Wisconsin
Frederick J. Beetcher 56 Porter Superior, Wisconsin
Thomas D. Bentsen 23 Oiler St. Joseph, Michigan
Edward F. Bindon 47 First Assistant Engineer Fairport Harbor, Ohio
Thomas D. Borgeson 41 Maintenance Man Duluth, Minnesota
Oliver J. Champeau 41 Third Assistant Engineer Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
Nolan S. Church 55 Porter Silver Bay, Minnesota
Ransom E. Cundy 53 Watchman Superior, Wisconsin
Thomas E. Edwards 50 Second Assistant Engineer Oregon, Ohio
Russell G. Haskell 40 Second Assistant Engineer Millbury, Ohio
George J. Holl 60 Chief Engineer Cabot, Pennsylvania
Bruce L. Hudson 22 Deck Hand North Olmsted Ohio
Allen G. Kalmon 43 Second Cook Washburn, Wisconsin
Gordon F. MacLellan 30 Wiper Clearwater, Florida
Joseph W. Mazes 59 Special Maintenance Man Ashland, Wisconsin
John H. McCarthy 62 First Mate Bay Village, Ohio
Ernest M. McSorley 63 Captain Toledo, Ohio
Eugene W. O'Brien 50 Wheelsman Toledo, Ohio
Karl A. Peckol 20 Watchman Ashtabula, Ohio
John J. Poviach 59 Wheelsman Bradenton, Florida
James A. Pratt 44 Second Mate Lakewood, Ohio
Robert C. Rafferty 62 Steward Toledo, Ohio
Paul M. Riippa 22 Deck Hand Ashtabula, Ohio
John D. Simmons 63 Wheelsman Ashland, Wisconsin
William J. Spengler 59 Watchman Toledo, Ohio
Mark A. Thomas 21 Deck Hand Richmond Heights, Ohio
Ralph G. Walton 58 Oiler Fremont, Ohio
David E. Weiss 22 Cadet Agoura, California
Blaine H. Wilhelm 52 Oiler Moquah, Wisconsin

Keep these men in your 'prayers for the dead'. They might be alright, but we never know, so we pray.

DEDICATION OF THE BASILICA SAINT SAVIOUR-and 22rd Sunday after Pentecost

'Glory to the Almighty! Glory to the Redeemer of our souls!' Eusebius wrote this at the opening of the tenth and last book of his History. Himself a witness of the triumph, he describes the admirable spectacle everywhere displayed by the dedication of the new sanctuaries. In city after city the bishops assembled, and crowds flocked together. From nation to nation the goodwill of mutual charity, of common Faith, and of recollected joy, so harmonized all hearts that the unity of Christ's Body (the Church) was clearly manifested in these multitudes animated by the same inspiration of the Holy Ghost. It was the fulfillment of the ancient prophecies: the living city of the Living God, where all, whatever their age or sex, praise together the Author of all good things. How solemn were then the rites of the Church! The complete perfection therein displayed by the pontiffs, the enthusiasm of the psalmody, the inspired readings, the celebration of the ineffable mysteries, formed a divine pageantry. In a series of dedications, to the glory of the holy Apostles and Martyrs, Pope Sylvester, the pontiff of peace, took possession of the eternal city in the Name of the True God. Persecution had pretty much ended, and the Church claimed its true position in the world.

The emperor Constantine had received health of body and soul by the Sacrament of Baptism. Thus, in his Lateran palace he dedicated a church to our Saviour; and founded the adjoining baptistery in honor of St. John the Baptist, on the very same spot where he himself had been baptized by St. Sylvester and cleansed from the leprosy of infidelity. St. John Lateran is the Holy Father's Church, where all pronoucements are made. Today we celebrate this great Basilica, which is in honor of our Saviour Jesus Christ, the first to be dedicated as such. Such as the pope is our pope and leader, his church is our Church, to be revered forever by us. Following is the Roman pontifical dedication:

The house of the Lord is founded upon the summit of mountains, and raised up above all hills, and all nations shall come to her. And they shall say: Glory be to thee, O Lord.

Coming they shall come with joyfulness, carrying their sheaves. And they shall say: Thou, O Lord of all things, Who hast no need, hast willed that this Thy temple should be in the midst of us. Preserve this house spotless forever, O Lord.

Thou, O Lord, hast chosen this house, that Thy Name may invoked in it: that it may be a house of prayer and supplication for Thy people. Preserve...

Peace eternal from the Eternal be to this house! May the unending Peace, the Word of the Father, be peace to this house! Peace may the loving Consoler grant unto this house.

Oh, how awful is this place! truly it is naught else but the house of God, and the gate of heaven.

This is the house of the Lord, strongly built: it is firmly founded on the solid rock.

Jacob beheld a ladder, the top whereof touched the heavens; and angels coming down; and he said: "Truly this place is holy."

This is Jerusalem, the great and heavenly city, adorned as the bride of the Lamb. For she has become the true tabernacle, alleluia!

Her gates shall not be closed by day, and there shall be no night in her. For she has become...

Thy streets, O Jerusalem, shall be paved with pure gold, alleluia, and there shall be sung in thee the canticle of joy, alleluia, And all along thy streets every one shall say: Alleluia, Alleluia!

Thou shalt shine with a glorious light; and all the ends of the earth shall worship thee. And all along...

Surround Sion and encompass her, tell ye her wonders in her towers.

Great is the Lord and exceedingly to be praised, in the city of our God, in His holy mountain.

The Lord hath clad thee with a garment of joy, and hath set a crown on thy head. And He hath adorned thee with holy ornaments.

Thou shalt shine with a glorious light, and all the ends of the earth shall worship before Thee. And He hath adorned...

Nations from afar shall come to thee, and bringing gifts shall adore the Lord; and they shall esteem Thy land as holy, and shall call upon the great Name in Thee. And He hath adorned...

Blessed shall they be that built Thee up; but Thou shalt rejoice in Thy children, because they shall be all blessed, and shall be gathered together to the Lord. And He hath adorned thee with holy ornaments.

O Almighty, Eternal God, Who through Thy Son, the Cornerstone, hast joined the two walls coming from opposite directions, to wit, from the circumcision and the uncircumcision, and hast united the two flocks of sheep under the one same pastor; give to Thy servants, through these functions of our devotion, the indissoluble bond of charity, so that no division of opinions, no sort of perverse disagreement, may separate those, who are all one flock under the guidance of one shepherd, and are enclosed in one fold under Thy protection. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit forevermore. Amen.



This Sunday is also the 22nd Sunday after Pentecost, if you are to get that Mass. According to Honorius of Autun, a Theologian, Philosopher, and encyclopedia writer of the 12th century, today has reference to the days of Antichrist. The Church, foreseeing the reign of the man of sin, and as though she were actually undergoing the persecution which is to surpass all others, takes her Introit of this Sunday from Psalm De profundis, from the 129th psalm.

Introit: If thou shalt observe iniquities O Lord: Lord, who shall endure? for with thee is propitiation, O God of Israel. From the depths I have cried to thee, O Lord: Lord, hear my voice. (Ps. CXXIX.)

Does anyone else think that we are in the end times as I do? Evil is everywhere; anti-Catholic thinking is everywhere; the Bilderbergers control all of the world's money (especially with useful idiots such as our POTUS helping lead the charge); the US is tanking (middle-class disappearing); and, moreover, everything seems to be in shambles. We are just ripe for the entire takeover of everything. Especially with idiots in charge. Even leaders in the Church want the one-world religion, which is NOT Roman Catholicism, but more resembling the way of the masons!

These things only makes sense, since towards the end of the liturgical year, we are to focus on the end of the world as we know it to be. We have witnessed His Birth, Life, and Death. We have heard numerous times how we are to live before the Judgement, to look now toward the 'end things'. We are to suppose to be the light of the world, not hiding under the proverbial basket. St. John Chrysostom says that the "stars shine in the night; they glitter in the dark; so far from growing dim amidst the gloom that surrounds them, they seem all the more brilliant. So will it be with thee, if thou art virtuous amidst the wicked; thy light will shine so much the more clearly." St. Augustine says: "As the stars keep on their course in the track marked out for them by God, and grow not tired of sending forth their light in the midst of darkness, neither heed they the calamities which may be happening of earth; so should do those holy ones whose conversation is truly in heaven; they should pay no more attention to what is said or done against them, than the stars do."

Therefore, in light of what is happening in the world today, no matter how difficult it is to speak the Truth, no matter the persecutions we endure in this life, we are still seeking the Kingdom of God with all of the great promises attached to it!

Our Gospel for this week:

(Matt. XXII. 15-21.) At that time, The Pharisees went and consulted among themselves how to ensnare Jesus in his speech. And they send to him their disciples, with the Herodians, saying: Master, we know that thou art a true speaker, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man, for thou dost not regard the person of men: tell us, therefore, what dost thou think? Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not? But Jesus knowing their wickedness, said: Why do you tempt me, ye hypocrites? Show me the coin of the tribute. And they offered him a penny. And Jesus saith to them: Whose image and inscription is this? They say to him: Caesar's. Then he saith to them: "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."

In this Christians ought especially to follow the Saviour, and not permit themselves to be deterred from piety, and the practice of virtue by fear or human respect. What matters it, what people think and say of us, if we only please God? He alone can truly benefit or injure us; therefore he alone is to be feared, as Christ says: Fear ye not them that kill the body, and are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him that can destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matt. X. 28.)

How foolishly, therefore, do we act; through fear of displeasing certain people, are afraid to serve God and practice piety (even saying grace in restaurants); who even go so far as to commit sin; who in order to be pleasing to others, oppress innocent, poor and forsaken people; who adopt the latest and most scandalous fashions and customs (we even see these in Church during the summer); those who eat meat on days of abstinence (even Vat. II didn't change these), or give it to others; those who sing sinful songs, or what is still worse, do not hesitate to ridicule sacred things to give others occasion to laugh, or in order to be considered strong-minded. Implore God daily and sincerely, that He may take from you this vain fear of men and give you instead the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom. This phrase is ALL through Scripture.

One of the sayings that I have on my desk is this from St. Augustine:

"The True God will let not sheep be deceived that does not want to be deceived. Nor will He abandon any soul that has not first abandoned Him."

Another saying I have is this: "It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds." Samuel Adams

The million dollar question is this: Will we be with Christ when He triumphs, or will we bulldozed over by the world, and thus lost forever?

Lord, grant us perserverence! Please?!

Bill Whittle: Give Back the Senate...

This is really worth looking at.  This guy, Bill Whittle, nails it every time.  Enjoy!

Adrienne's Corner: Bill Whittle: Give Back the Senate...: powerful.

COMMENTS ON THE SYNOD

Following is an article from Rorati-Caeli, which is an interview with a Bishop from Kazakhstan. He is rock solid in his Faith, even if he quotes certain 'saints' and 'blesseds' that I don't particularly agree with. We need more like him. Enjoy.

Bp. Athanasius Schneider on the Synod, "manipulation", and the "neo-pagan" and heterodox midterm relatio
- Midterm relatio a stain on the honor of the Apostolic See.
by Polonia Christiana
November 4/5, 2014

St. Ahtnasius, Bishop of Alexandria

The Church and the world do urgently need intrepid and candid witnesses of the whole truth of the commandment and of the will of God, of the whole truth of Christ’s words on marriage. Modern clerical Pharisees and Scribes, those bishops and cardinals who throw grains of incense to the neo-pagan idols of gender ideology and concubinage, will not convince anyone to either believe in Christ or to be ready to offer their lives for Christ - said + Athanasius Schneider, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Saint Mary in Astana, Kazakhstan in interview with Izabella Parowicz.


Your Excellency, what is Your Excellency’s opinion about the Synod? What is its message to families?

During the Synod there had been moments of obvious manipulation on the part of some clerics who held key positions in the editorial and governing structure of the Synod. The interim report (Relatio post disceptationem) was clearly a prefabricated text with no reference to the actual statements of the Synod fathers. In the sections on homosexuality, sexuality and “divorced and remarried” with their admittance to the sacraments the text represents a radical neo-pagan ideology. This is the first time in Church history that such a heterodox text was actually published as a document of an official meeting of Catholic bishops under the guidance of a pope, even though the text only had a preliminary character.

Thanks be to God and to the prayers of the faithful all over the world that a consistent number of Synod fathers resolutely rejected such an agenda; this agenda reflects the corrupt and pagan main stream morality of our time, which is being imposed globally by means of political pressure and through the almost all-powerful official mass media, which are loyal to the principles of the world gender ideology party. Such a synod document, even if only preliminary, is a real shame and an indication to the extent the spirit of the anti-Christian world has already penetrated such important levels of the life of the Church. This document will remain for the future generations and for the historians a black mark which has stained the honour of the Apostolic See. Fortunately the Message of the Synod Fathers is a real Catholic document which outlines the Divine truth on family without being silent about the deeper roots of the problems, i.e. about the reality of sin. It gives real courage and consolation to Catholic families. Some quotations: “We think of the burden imposed by life in the suffering that can arise with a child with special needs, with grave illness, in deterioration of old age, or in the death of a loved one. We admire the fidelity of so many families who endure these trials with courage, faith, and love. They see them not as a burden inflicted on them, but as something in which they themselves give, seeing the suffering Christ in the weakness of the flesh. … Conjugal love, which is unique and indissoluble, endures despite many difficulties. It is one of the most beautiful of all miracles and the most common. This love spreads through fertility and generativity, which involves not only the procreation of children but also the gift of divine life in baptism, their catechesis, and their education. … The presence of the family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in their modest home hovers over you”.


Those groups of people who had been expecting a change in the Church’s teaching with regard to the moral issues (e.g. allowing divorced and remarried people to receive Holy Communion or granting any form of approval for homosexual unions) were probably disappointed by the content of the final Relatio. Isn’t there, however, a danger that questioning and discussing issues that are fundamental for the Church’s teaching may itself open doors for serious abuses and for similar attempts to revise this teaching in the future?

In fact a Divine commandment, in our case the sixth commandment, the absolute indissolubility of the sacramental marriage, a Divinely established rule, means those in a state of grave sin cannot be admitted to Holy Communion. This is taught by Saint Paul in his letter inspired by the Holy Spirit in 1 Corinthians 11, 27-30, this cannot be put to the vote, just as the Divinity of Christ would never be put to a vote. A person who still has the indissoluble sacramental marriage bond and who in spite of this lives in a stable marital cohabitation with another person, by Divine law cannot be admitted to Holy Communion. To do so would be a public statement by the Church nefariously legitimizing a denial of the indissolubility of the Christian marriage and at the same time repealing the sixth commandment of God: “Thou shalt not commit adultery”. No human institution not even the Pope or an Ecumenical Council has the authority and the competency to invalidate even in the slightest or indirect manner one of the ten Divine commandments or the Divine words of Christ: “What therefore God has joined together, let man not separate (Math 19:6)”. Regardless of this lucid truth which was taught constantly and unchangingly - because unchangeable - through all the ages by the Magisterium of the Church up to our days as for instance in “Familiaris consortio” of 'Saint' John Paul II, in the Catechism of the Catholic Church and by Pope Benedict XVI, the issue of the admissibility to Holy Communion of the so called “divorced and remarried” has been put to the vote in the Synod. This fact is in itself grievous and represents an attitude of clerical arrogance towards the Divine truth of the Word of God. The attempt to put the Divine truth and the Divine Word to a vote is unworthy of those who as representatives of the Magisterium have to hand over zealously as good and faithful rules (cf. Math 24, 45) the Divine deposit. By admitting the “divorced and remarried” to Holy Communion those bishops establish a new tradition on their own volition and transgressing thereby the commandment of God, as Christ once rebuked the Pharisees and Scribes (cf. Math 15: 3). And what is still aggravating, is the fact that such bishops try to legitimize their infidelity to Christ’s word by means of arguments such as “pastoral need”, “mercy”, “openness to the Holy Spirit”. (PANTLOAD!) Moreover, they have no fear and no scruples to pervert in a Gnostic manner the real meaning of these words labeling at the same time those who oppose them and defend the immutable Divine commandment and the true non-human tradition as rigid, scrupulous or traditionalist. During the great Arian crisis in the IV century the defenders of the Divinity of the Son of God were labeled “intransigent” and “traditionalist” as well. Saint Athanasius was even excommunicated by Pope Liberius and the Pope justified this with the argument that Athanasius was not in communion with the Oriental bishops who were mostly heretics or semi-heretics. Saint Basil the Great stated in that situation the following: “Only one sin is nowadays severely punished: the attentive observance of the traditions of our Fathers. For that reason the good ones are thrown out of their places and brought to the desert” (Ep. 243).

In fact the bishops who support Holy Communion for “divorced remarried” are the new Pharisees and Scribes because they neglect the commandment of God, contributing to the fact that out of the body and of the heart of the “divorced remarried” continue to “proceed adulteries” (Math 15: 19), because they want an exterior “clean” solution and to appear “clean” as well in the eyes of those who have power (the social media, public opinion). However, when they eventually appear at the tribunal of Christ, they will surely hear to their dismay these words of Christ: “Why are you declaring my statutes and taking my covenant in your mouth? Seeing you hate instruction, and cast my words behind you, … when you have been partaker with adulterers” (Ps 50 (49): 16-18).

The final Relatio of the Synod also unfortunately contains the paragraph with the vote on the issue of Holy Communion for “divorced remarried”. Even though it has not achieved the required two third of the votes, there remains nevertheless the worrying and astonishing fact that the absolute majority of the present bishops voted in favor of Holy Communion for the “divorced and remarried”, a sad reflection on the spiritual quality of the catholic episcopacy in our days. It is moreover sad, that this paragraph which hasn’t got the required approval of the qualitative majority, remains nevertheless in the final text of the Relatio and will be sent to all dioceses for further discussion. It will surely only increase the doctrinal confusion among the priests and the faithful, being in the air, that Divine commandments and Divine words of Christ and those of the apostle Paul are put at the disposal of human decision making groups. One Cardinal who openly and strongly supported the issue of Holy Communion for “divorced and remarried” and even the shameful statements on homosexual “couples” in the preliminary Relatio, was dissatisfied with the final Relatio, and declared impudently: “The glass is half-full”, and analogously he said that one has to work that next year at the Synod it will be full. We must believe firmly that God will dissipate the plans of dishonesty, infidelity and betrayal. Christ holds infallibly the rudder of the boat of His Church in midst of such a big storm. We believe and trust in the very ruler of the Church, in Our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Truth.


We are currently experiencing a culmination of aggression against the family; this aggression is accompanied by a tremendous confusion in the area of science about human and human identity. Unfortunately, there are certain members of Church hierarchy who, while discussing these matters, express opinions that contradict the teaching of Our Lord. How should we talk with those people who become victims of this confusion in order to strengthen their faith and to help them towards salvation?

In this extraordinarily difficult time Christ is purifying our Catholic faith so that through this trial the Church will shine brighter and be really light and salt for the insipid neo-pagan world thanks to the fidelity and the pure and simple faith firstly of the faithful, of the little ones in the Church, of the “ecclesia docta” (the learning church), which in our days will strengthen the “ecclesia docens” (the teaching Church, i.e. the Magisterium), in a similar way as it was in the great crisis of the faith in the IV century as Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman stated: “This is a very remarkable fact: but there is a moral in it. Perhaps it was permitted, in order to impress upon the Church at that very time passing out of her state of persecution the great evangelical lesson, that, not the wise and powerful, but the obscure, the unlearned, and the weak constitute her real strength. It was mainly by the faithful people that Paganism was overthrown; it was by the faithful people, under the lead of Athanasius and the Egyptian bishops, and in some places supported by their Bishops or priests, that the worst of heresies was withstood and stamped out of the sacred territory. … In that time of immense confusion the divine dogma of our Lord's divinity was proclaimed, enforced, maintained, and (humanly speaking) preserved, far more by the "Ecclesia docta" than by the "Ecclesia docens;" that the body of the Episcopate was unfaithful to its commission, while the body of the laity was faithful to its baptism; that at one time the pope, at other times a patriarchal, metropolitan, or other great see, at other times general councils, said what they should not have said, or did what obscured and compromised revealed truth; while, on the other hand, it was the Christian people, who, under Providence, were the ecclesiastical strength of Athanasius, Hilary, Eusebius of Vercellæ, and other great solitary confessors, who would have failed without them” (Arians of the Fourth Century, pp. 446, 466).

We have to encourage ordinary Catholics to be faithful to the Catechism they have learned, to be faithful to the clear words of Christ in the Gospel, to be faithful to the faith their fathers and forefathers handed over to them. We have to organize circles of studies and conferences about the perennial teaching of the Church on the issue of marriage and chastity, inviting especially young people and married couples. We have to show the very beauty of a life in chastity, the very beauty of the Christian marriage and family, the great value of the Cross and of the sacrifice in our lives. We have to present ever more the examples of the Saints and of exemplary persons who demonstrated that in spite of the fact that they suffered the same temptations of the flesh, the same hostility and derision of the pagan world, they nevertheless with the grace of Christ led a happy life in chastity, in a Christian marriage and in family. The faith, the pure and integral Catholic and Apostolic faith will overcome the world (cf. 1 John 5: 4).

We have to found and promote youth groups of pure hearts, family groups, groups of Catholic spouses, who will be committed to the fidelity of their marriage vows. We have to organize groups which will help morally and materially broken families, single mothers, groups who will assist with prayer and with good counsel separated couples, groups and persons who will help “divorced and remarried” people to start a process of serious conversion, i.e. recognizing with humility their sinful situation and abandoning with the grace of God the sins which violate the commandment of God and the sanctity of the sacrament of marriage. We have to create groups who will carefully help persons with homosexual tendencies to enter the path of Christian conversion, the happy and beautiful path of a chaste life and to offer them eventually in a discrete manner a psychological cure. We have to show and preach to our contemporaries in the neo-pagan world the liberating Good News of the teaching of Christ: that the commandment of God, and even the sixth commandment is wise, is beauty: “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes” (Ps 19(18): 7-8).


During the Synod, Archbishop Gądecki from Poznań and some other distinguished prelates were publicly expressing their disagreement with the fact that the results of the discussions departed from the perennial teaching of the Church. Is there a hope that, amid this confusion, there will be an awakening of members of clergy and those faithful who were so far unaware of the fact that, in the very Church’s bosom, there are people who undermine the teaching of Our Lord?

It is certainly an honor for Polish Catholicism that the President of the Catholic episcopate, His Excellency Archbishop Gądecki, defended with clarity and courage the truth of Christ about marriage and human sexuality, thus revealing himself to be a true spiritual son of 'Saint' John Paul II. Cardinal George Pell characterized the liberal sexual agenda and the alleged merciful and pastoral support of Holy Communion for 'divorced remarried' during the Synod very aptly, saying that this is only the tip of the iceberg and a kind of a Trojan horse in the Church.

That in the very bosom of the Church, there are people who undermine the teaching of Our Lord became an obvious fact and one for the whole world to see thanks to the internet and the work of some Catholic journalists who were not indifferent to what was happening to the Catholic faith which they consider to be the treasure of Christ. I was pleased to see that some Catholic journalists and internet bloggers behaved as good soldiers of Christ and drew attention to this clerical agenda of undermining the perennial teaching of Our Lord. Cardinals, bishops, priests, Catholic families, Catholic young people have to say to themselves: I refuse to conform to the neo-pagan spirit of this world, even when this spirit is spread by some bishops and cardinals; I will not accept their fallacious and perverse use of holy Divine mercy and of “new Pentecost”; I refuse to throw grains of incense before the statue of the idol of the gender ideology, before the idol of second marriages, of concubinage, even if my bishop would do so, I will not do so; with the grace of God I will choose to suffer rather than betray the whole truth of Christ on human sexuality and on marriage.

The witnesses will convince the world, not the teachers, said 'Blessed' Paul VI in “Evangelii nuntiandi”. The Church and the world do urgently need intrepid and candid witnesses of the whole truth of the commandment and of the will of God, of the whole truth of Christ’s words on marriage. Modern clerical Pharisees and Scribes, those bishops and cardinals who throw grains of incense to the neo-pagan idols of gender ideology and concubinage, will not convince anyone to either believe in Christ or to be ready to offer their lives for Christ. Indeed “veritas Domini manet in aeternum” (Ps 116: the truth of the Lord remains forever) and “Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever” (Hebr 13: 8) and “the truth will set you free” (John 8: 32). This last phrase was one of the favorite biblical phrases of 'Saint' John Paul II, the pope of the family. We can add: the revealed and unchangeably transmitted Divine truth about human sexuality and marriage will bring true freedom to the souls inside and outside the Church. In midst of the crisis of the Church and the bad moral and doctrinal example of some bishops of his time Saint Augustine comforted the simple faithful with these words: “Whatsoever we bishops may be, you are safe, who have God for your Father and His Church for your mother“ (Contra litteras Petiliani III, 9, 10).


[Interview published and translated by Polonia Christiana - here. Tip: Toronto Catholic Witness.]

VOTE THE CATHOLIC WAY!

In voting tomorrow, read my October 28 post to see how to vote the Catholic way. We only get what we deserve. Be responsible!

ALL SOULS DAY

Today we pray for those souls who at least made it to purgatory. Unlike what our pastors (just as protestants) say, all DO NOT go directly to heaven. Good luck to them (the misguided pastors) when they croak! Besides, if everyone goes to heaven as they say, who will be praying for the souls? Nobody in the modern church, that is for sure! Good thing for those souls, WE WILL!

As our beloved Abbot Gueranger says:

'The sins of my youth and my ignorances, remember not, O Lord. Would to God that we now examined our conscience as seriously as we shall be forced to do in the place of expiation, in order to repair our present negligence in that respect! Ignorance, which is now considered so excusable, will be a sad thing for those whose neglect to seek instruction has darkened their faith, lulled their hope to sleep, cooled their love, and falsified on a thousand points their Christian life. Then, too, must be paid, to the last farthing, the debts of penance accumulated by so many sins, which have been forgiven, it is true, as to the guilt, perhaps long ago, and as long ago entirely forgotten. O God, see my abjection and my labor!

Prayer to Mary, Queen of Heaven and Earth:

O Mary, may the souls who suffer cruel torments in Purgatory, purified by the ardour of the flames, be the object of your compassion!

O Mary, open spring which cleanses our faults, reconciler of sinners, reach out to those who pray you and implore your assistance in Purgatory!

O Mary, intercede for our deceased. They await patiently the end of their suffering when they will see you and taste eternal joys!

O Mary, Model of the Just, guide of the faithful, salvation of those who hope in you, help us to pray ardently for the Souls of the deceased and touch the Heart of your Divine Son.

O Mary, by the merits you have gained, give the dead true life, obtain mercy for them, and be the way which leads to your Son Jesus and to eternal rest. Amen.


Following is the sequence of the Mass for the Dead. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

That day of wrath, that dreadful day,
shall heaven and earth in ashes lay,
as David and the Sybil say.

What horror must invade the mine
when the approaching Judge shall find
and sift the deeds of all mankind.

The mighty trumpet's wondrous tone
shall rend each tomb's sepulchral stone
and summon all before the Throne.

Now death and nature with surprise
behold the trembling sinners rise
to meet the Judge's searching eyes.

Then shall with universal dread
The Book of Consciences be read
to judge the lives of all the dead.

For now before the Judge severe
all hidden things must plain appear;
no crime can pass unpunished here.

Oh what shall I, so guilty, plead?
And who for me will intercede?
When even Saints shall comfort need?

O King of dreadful majesty!
Grace and Mercy You grant free;
as fount of Kindness, save me!

Recall, dear Jesus, for my sake
You did our suffering nature take,
then do not now my soul forsake!

In weariness You sought for me,
and suffering upon the tree!
Let not in vain such labor be.

O Judge of justice, hear, I pray,
for pity take my sins away
before the dreadful reckoning day.

Your gracious face, O lord, I seek;
deep shame and grief are on my cheek;
in sighs and tears my sorrows speak.

You Who did Mary's guilt unbind,
and mercy for the robber find,
have filled with hope my anxious mind.

How worthless are my prayers, I know,
yet, Lord, forbid that I should go
into the fires of endless woe.

Divorced from the accursed band,
O make me with Your sheep to stand,
a child of grace, at Your right Hand.

When the doomed no more can flee
from the flames of misery
with the chosen call me.

Before You, humbled, Lord, I lie,
my heart like ashes, crushed and dry,
assist me when I die.

Full of tears and full of dread
is that day that wakes the dead,
calling all, with solemn blast
to be judged for all their past.

Lord, have mercy, Jesus blest,
grant them all Your Light and Rest. Amen.


In the 2nd Book of Maccabees, which the protestants don't have(probably because of this verse)says: 'It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins.'

Eternal rest give to them, O Lord: and let perpetual light shine upon them. And, may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.


Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, give them rest.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, give them rest.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, give them eternal rest.

Following is another prayer for the Holy Souls:

Have mercy, O gentle Jesus, on the souls detained in purgatory. Thou Who for their ransom didst take upon Thyself our human nature and suffer the most cruel death, pity their sighs and the tears shed when they raise their longing eyes toward Thee; and by virtue of Thy Passion, cancel the penalty due to their sins. May Thy Blood, O tender Jesus, Thy Precious Blood, descend into purgatory to solace and refresh those who there languish in captivity. Reach forth Thy hand to them, and lead them into the realms of refreshment, light and peace. Amen.

21st Sunday after Pentecost

This Sunday, although Nov. 2, the regular day to pray for the souls in purgatory, is the 21st after Pentecost. Rubrics state that if 'ALL SOULS DAY' falls on a Sunday, that Sunday's Mass takes precedence, and that 'ALL SOULS DAY' goes to the following Monday.

Readings during this time of year are telling us to beware of tripping over our sins. The books of Maccabees are to be used at this time to inspirit us for the final combats. Protestants don't have these books, probably because they mention about praying for the dead. Since everyone goes to heaven these days, why do we need to pray for the dead? In the book of Job, he tells us 'The life of man upon earth is a warfare.' Today I'm going to focus on the Epistle from St. Paul to the Ephesians, because I like these verses. He tells us how to fight these battles.

EPISTLE (Ephes. vi. 10-17.) 'Brethren, Be strengthened in the Lord, and in the might of his power. Put you on the armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the deceits of the devil: for our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in high places. Therefore take unto you the armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and to stand in all things perfect. Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breast-plate of justice, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace: in all things taking the shield of faith, wherewith you may be able to extinguish all the fiery darts of, the most wicked one: and take unto you the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God.'

Our beloved Abbot Gueranger will help us understand, with my paraphrasing, of course:

'The Most High is pleased at seeing a battle well fought by His Christian soldiers. There is no Name so frequently applied to Him by the prophets as that of the God of Hosts. His divine Son, who is the Spouse, shows Himself here on earth as the Lord who is mighty in battle...United to her divine Lord, warriors the most valiant stand about her; they merit that privilege by their well-proved sword and their skill in war; each one of them has his sword ready, because of the night surprises which the enemy may use against this most dear Church. For until the dawn of the eternal day, when the shadows of this present life are put to flight by the light of the Lamb, who will then have vanquished all His enemies, power is in the hands of the rulers of the world of this darkness; and it is against them that we must take to ourselves the armor of God; we must wear it all, if we would be able to resist in the evil day.

The evil days are frequent in the life of every individual, as likewise in the world's history. But for every man, and for the world at large, there is one evil day, evil beyond all the others: it is the last day, the day of judgment, the day of exceeding bitterness, on account of the woe and misery which are to fill it...Happy those who, on that day, shall fight the good fight, and win victory! Who shall stand, while all around them is ruin? Those who stand in all things perfect! They shall not be hurt by the second death. They are wreathed with the crown of justice, they shall reign with God, on His throne, together with His Son.'

The war is an easy one, when we have this God-Man for our Leader. All He asks of us is: "Be strengthened in the Lord, and in the might of His power!"...The faithful soul remembers that the armor she wears is the armor of God. It is thrilling to hear the prophets describing Jesus, our Leader, armed for battle, with all the pieces we to are to wear: He girds Himself with the girdle of faith(Isa.xi.5); then, the shield of invincible equity(Wisdom v.19); and finally a magnificently tempered sword, the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God(Apoc. ii. 16). St. John says that the victory which overcomes the world is our FAITH.(1 John v. 4). St. Paul, at the end of his career as an Apostle, says: "I have kept the Faith". (2 Tim. iv. 7) It is Faith in spite of fearful odds that ensures the victory to men of good will. And, as Paul tells, 'it is not flesh and blood that we fight, it is against the powers of darkness, who are in the air around us, and are, therefore, invisible, and most skilled, and powerful, and wonderfully up in all the sad secrets of our poor fallen nature, and turning the whole weight of their advantages to trick man, and ruin him, out of hatred for God.'

How are we to wrestle with these spiritual principalities and powers who devote all their wisdom and rage to produce darkness, so to turn the whole world into a world of darkness? St. John Chrysostom says the way to do it is by 'becoming light'...our Faith gives as though we saw it with our own eyes...Better than a breastplate or helmet, the shield of Faith protects us from every sort of injury; it blunts the fiery darts of the world, it repels the fury of our own passions, it makes us far-seeing enough to escape the most artful snares of the most wicked ones. Satan has a horror of the Christian who, though he may be weak in other respects, is strong in this divine word. He has a greater fear of that man than he has of all the schools and professors of philosophy; he knows well that at every encounter he will be crushed beneath his feet...the triumphant Archangel Michael hurled the devil into hell, and he himself, by that word of God: "Michael", and by that victory for God, was made our model and our defender.

The Lord has ever been the refuge of His people: His goodness, like His power, was before all ages, because He is God from all eternity. May He, therefore, now protect His faithful servants, who, reduced to a scanty number as Israel was of old, are preparing the last exodus of the Church, which is leaving this infidel world, and is hastening to the true land of promise.

To end, the prayer of the Magnificat at Vespers:

Preserve thy family, O Lord, we beseech thee, by thy constant mercy: that, under thy protection, it may be freed from all adversities, and be devoted to thy Name in the practice of good works.


Of course, you know, we can still pray for the souls in purgatory today and every day.