http://www.incendiaryimage.com/sketchbook/churches-mobbed-in-upper-egypt/#jp-carousel-4206
Weep and pray for our brothers and sisters.
Friday, 23 August 2013
Gibraltar Problems with Spain Continue
- 1/2 The Convent says "unlawful incursion" by Guardia Civil divers into British waters is a "serious violation" of British sovereignty.
- Officials confirm presence of Guardia Civil divers in BGTW earlier today, but questions asked as to whether video shows #Gibraltar reef.
Gibraltar Chronicle Catholics, Wake Up!
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A photo of the rebuilt cathedral from across the bridge over the Moscow River leading to the former public pool. Thanks to Wikimedia Commons for photos |
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| Photo taken in 1931 during the demolition of Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow. It had served as the seat of the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church since its completion in 1860 as a monument by Alexander I to commemorate the withdrawal of Napoleon's troops from Russia in 1812.* http://www.collectingsoviethistory.com/2011/04/soviets-and-russian-orthodox-church.html |
A twelve post day...do not miss all the good stuff...
Persecution Watch; Chilling Attack on Conscience Rights
http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/nm-supreme-court-justice-compromising-religion-on-gay-marriage-is-the-price
Justice Richard C. Bosson said Christians must “compromise” their religious beliefs as “the price of citizenship.
...
The Huguenins' lawyer, ADF Senior Counself Jordan Lorence, called the ruling and its concurrence a “chilling and unprecedented attack on freedom.”
So, now a Catholic in New Mexico cannot be a good citizen if she follows her Catholic conscience.
Shades of Soviet Russia!
For my readers wanting children
1:11 O Lord, of hosts, if thou wilt look down on the affliction of thy servant, and wilt be mindful of me, and not forget thy handmaid, and wilt give to thy servant a man child: I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.
2:1 My heart hath rejoiced in the Lord, and my horn is exalted in my God: my mouth is enlarged over my enemies: because I have joyed in thy salvation.
2 There is none holy as the Lord is: for there is no other beside thee, and there is none strong like our God.
3 Do not multiply to speak lofty things, boasting: let old matters depart from your mouth: for the Lord is a God of all knowledge, and to him are thoughts prepared.
4 The bow of the mighty is overcome, and the weak are girt with strength.
5 They that were full before have hired out themselves for bread: and the hungry are filled, so that the barren hath borne many: and she that had many children is weakened.
6 The Lord killeth and maketh alive, he bringeth down to hell and bringeth back again.
7 The Lord maketh poor and maketh rich, he humbleth and he exalteth.
8 He raiseth up the needy from the dust, and lifteth up the poor from the dunghill: that he may sit with princes, and hold the throne of glory. For the poles of the earth are the Lord's, and upon them he hath set the world.
9 He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness, because no man shall prevail by his own strength.
10 The adversaries of the Lord shall fear him: and upon them shall he thunder in the heavens. The Lord shall judge the ends of the earth, and he shall give empire to his king, and shall exalt the horn of his Christ.
America in rapid decline
http://www.kxly.com/news/spokane-news/elderly-man-dies-after-being-attacked-outside-ice-arena/-/101214/21574858/-/9flm7iz/-/index.html
http://buchanan.org/blog/dead-souls-of-a-cultural-revolution-5770
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_AUSTRALIAN_PLAYER_RANDOM_SLAYING?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2013-08-22-18-45-49
http://frontpagemag.com/2013/arnold-ahlert/the-thug-culture-that-killed-chris-lane/
http://buchanan.org/blog/dead-souls-of-a-cultural-revolution-5770
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_AUSTRALIAN_PLAYER_RANDOM_SLAYING?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2013-08-22-18-45-49
http://frontpagemag.com/2013/arnold-ahlert/the-thug-culture-that-killed-chris-lane/
For my seamstress readers
Later on today, someone promised to send me photos not only of the cope, but a chasuble embroidered by Sr. Celine, St. Therese's sister, the latter which I saw as well today.
I met Mr. Pat Sweeney, the owner of the exhibit and part of the team for the canonization of Blessed Louis and Blessed Zelie Martin. He actually has gathered by himself most the museum pieces and the relics.
There has been another miracle for the holy couple, and the team is awaiting the signature of Pope Francis.
Photos later today or tomorrow....here is Mr. Sweeney's website: http://www.sttherese.com/ which will not be up until October 1st. Anyone interested in giving a donation to the exhibition or to the cause of canonization, may use the e-mail on that site, or contact me for another e-mail.
I also attended a special Mass in honour of St. Therese this afternoon, so my dear patron got bumped, as it were, but as St. Rose was so humble, she would rejoice in this celebration of a Doctor of the Church.
UPDATE SATURDAY: Apologies, the person sending the photos told me today he will not get a round to it until Tuesday. I do excuse him as he is in charge of the whole exhibit all by himself, except for three volunteers.
~The Aungier Street Report Hot Off The Press
| http://www.designweek.ie/2012/pivot-dublin-aungier-street-historical-exhibition/ |
Later today and tomorrow, I shall highlight some of the historical references and interesting tidbits from the tour yesterday. I am so glad I went on Thursday as the sun was shining and the temperature about 67 F. Today, it is colder and raining. I shall go back further in history than this second post, the first was written yesterday. http://supertradmum-etheldredasplace.blogspot.ie/2013/08/small-tour-of-dublin-dutch-billys.html
The area of interest is called Aungier Street, one, if not, the first modern street built in Dublin, built over an ancient medieval way. The building up of this area in the 17th century involves a long story, but the Dublin City Council tour guide provided me with a file of information, some of which I shall share here. This history is fascinating. I have a busy day, but will try and provide readers with a few snippets.
I love local history and one of the reasons I love London so much is that thirty years ago, I started studying local history of areas there. One becomes part of what one knows, and knowledge brings love.
The Irish Times has this article today http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/heritage/strategy-to-regenerate-one-of-dublin-s-first-post-medieval-streets-1.1502879
Wiki has a short history on the namesake.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Aungier,_1st_Baron_Aungier_of_Longford
My information is directly from the report of the Dublin City Council, published today. Exciting. And, to make it all more exciting, the Aungier family had a branch in Wonersh, where someone's very special son is studying to be a priest. Small world. http://www.wonershchurch.org.uk/oldlocalfamilies.htm
This little section is from the Aungier Street Report.
Nuala Burke’s article ‘An Early
Modern Dublin Suburb: The
Estate of Francis Aungier, Earl of
Longford’, published in Irish Geography,
VI (1972), is the definitive work to date on
the Aungier Estate. Primary research
undertaken for this project has been limited
to the examination of leases in the
Registry of Deeds. Research on the
Aungier family has not been pursued but
this is an objective when resources permit.
Sir Francis Aungier,
1st Baron Longford
It is reported that the Aungier family first
came to prominence as a result of their
successful campaigning for Oliver
Cromwell during his conquest in Ireland
in the 1650s.
The estate of Whitefriars (Carmelite)
monastery, dissolved in 1539, was subsequently bought by Sir Francis Aungier,
1st Baron of Longford (1558–1632). Sir
Francis, or Lord Aungier of Longford,
came to Ireland as a man of means
through marriage to the sister of the Earl
of Kildare, one of Ireland premier peers.
He had inherited his wealth from his
father, a bencher of Gray’s Inn in London
and a prominent Cambridgeshire
landowner, who is most remarkable for
having been murdered by one of his own
sons.
First legal baby murder in Ireland: IMPORTANT UPDATE
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/aug/23/ireland-first-legal-abortion and contrary to the article, the woman's death which started off this campaign and brought it to this state, has been argued here in Ireland. Some, unlike The Guardian, say it was not the baby which killed her and that an abortion was not necessary. The people who wanted abortion used that death to push through legislation. Now, we have another post-Christian nation in Europe. I was here when all this happened and read all the reports, including the now disreputed article by the journalist who pushed this story.
UPDATE:
http://www.thelifeinstitute.net/latest-news/false-irish- times-headline-misleads- public-with-first-abortion- claim/
FALSE: IRISH TIMES HEADLINE MISLEADS PUBLIC WITH 'FIRST ABORTION' CLAIM
blog/2013/07/17/post-birth- abortion-the-next-logical- step-in-the-right-to-choose- mentality/#sthash.VtamiFdi. dpuf Have you ever heard of post-birth abortion? I hadn’t up until recently. Two Dutch academics have published a paper on its supposed ethical legitimacy. It’s an attempted justification for being allowed to kill your baby after it has been born. As if partial-birth abortion wasn’t bad enough, or abortion in general for that matter, these guys have taken it to a level comparatively few other abortion advocates ever have (Peter Singer and Richard Dawkins being notable supporters). - See more at: http://www.youthdefence.ie/blog/2013/07/17/post-birth- abortion-the-next-logical- step-in-the-right-to-choose- mentality/#sthash.VtamiFdi. dpuf
Dark Night Part 43
St. Paul describes the Dark Night in a short passage from Galatians, and in other places. He obviously attained the Illuminative State, as he became our first theologian, explaining Christ's message of the Gospel through so many examples, descriptions, definitions experiences. His teaching of the mysteries of faith has been passed down to our times, and we hear his words daily. Paul's words below, from Lauds this morning, reveal the process of purgation, being crucified with and in Christ, and coming into the light of faith, living the life of faith, knowing the love of God.
Those who allow God to purify the body and soul come to live in the grace of God daily, living in the knowledge of illumination. We also know of Paul's union with Christ through other passages.
Galatians 2:19-21
Douay-Rheims
19 For I, through the law, am dead to the law, that I may live to God: with Christ I am nailed to the cross.
20 And I live, now not I; but Christ liveth in me. And that I live now in the flesh: I live in the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered himself for me.
21 I cast not away the grace of God. For if justice be by the law, then Christ died in vain.
Rose of Lima, Young Saints and The Way of Perfection
For most of us, especially in these times of chaos in the Church regarding liturgy and catechesis, the road to perfection, to the Unitive State, which is the mark of the saint, will be long and arduous. Many of us are climbing out of lives of sin and disobedience. However, in the long history of the Church, excluding martyrs for the purpose of this post, there have been saints, who have reached that Unitive State while still young, some even as children.
One thinks of Blessed Gemma Galgani, who died at 25, Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati who died at 24, St. Rose of Lima, whose feast day it is today, who died at 32, St. Therese the Little Flower, who died at 24, St. Bernadette, who died at 35, and St. Catherine of Siena, who died at 33.
One must ask the question, how is it that these holy people achieved the Unitive State, at such young ages?
I think there are many reasons.
Firstly, grace determines the growth of holiness and grace is a free gift from God. God decides to whom He gives graces to early in life. Like the workers in the famous parable, who received wages for one hour of work, these young saints received the same reward of heaven as did those saints who lived to venerable old ages, working in God's field and sometimes not entering that union with God on earth until shortly before death.
One thinks of the great suffering of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, or St. Augustine, who obviously took awhile to get through the Dark Night, Illuminative State, and into the Unitive State.
Secondly, formation can occur in childhood, and if parents recognized this, they would take a much more active role in helping their children to holiness. This is so obvious in the Martin household, where Blessed Louis and Blessed Zelie Martin raised their children in an atmosphere of holiness, which demands discipline, love, and orthodoxy.
Interestingly, so many times parents tried to hinder the journey of holiness in their children, and some, like Blessed Giorgio, came out of a godless household. Still, formation of character can occur in a family where rules of behaviour and discipline create a child who desires something more.
Thirdly, these young saints endured suffering. The suffering of Gemma Galgani, Therese, the Little Flower, and Rose of Lima provide us with great examples of purgation moving towards union with Christ in love.
In fact, without suffering, perfection is almost impossible, as all people have to struggle with sin and concupiscence, except for our dear Blessed Mother.
Fourthly, what is clear in all the lives of young saints is their tremendous love of God, and love of the life of virtue. Love impelled them to become holy, to cooperate with grace.
Fifthly, they all share a great love of prayer and penance, taking on penances outside of the suffering sent by God.
Lastly, and this is not an exhaustive list, these young saints preserved their virginity. This state of purity enabled them to advance quickly up the ladder to perfection.
St. Rose of Lima is my Confirmation patron saint. I chose her at the age of twelve for several reasons. The first was that she was the first American born saint, from the New World. I could identify with that. Secondly, she was misunderstood by her family, and I could and still do experience that same problem. Thirdly, she was extreme in her love for Christ, and in her penances. I wanted to emulate her in those qualities. Fourthly, she was a third order Dominican, but a lay person. This also made her interesting to me, as I was intrigued with religious life. Another thing which attracted me to her at my young age was her exotic place of birth. I had a holy card of her praying next to a cactus, the exact one as shown below. I was fascinated with a saint coming from such a non-European setting. And, lastly, she was a recluse, which I am. I pray that she may intercede for me, as I chose her to help me on my way.
At the time I chose her, I did not know she had mystical experiences of Christ. The nuns and the biographies available to me at the time did not note this. But, like Catherine of Siena, Rose had intense graces of union with Christ, as I learned later.
May God raise up more young saints, and encourage us older Catholics to persevere in our love of Him.
Rose of Lima is a patron saint of many, many different peoples. May she bless all.
Well, a bit of homesickness....
and
and
http://www.goldstarfuturity.com/
and
and
and
Supertradson does not like corn dogs..can you imagine?
Musings on treachery
I have been, in the past few weeks, pursuing a personal study on the Civil War in England, as well as the times immediately leading up to the killing of a rightful king.
Now, what has always intrigued and concerned me were the families divided by religion and politics. I have written about this briefly here, http://guildofblessedtitus.blogspot.ie/2013/08/by-press-divided.html, but want to share some thoughts which will apply to us Catholics today, August 23, 2013.
That religion, Catholic, Anglican, and Calvinist loyalties led to warfare, demonstrates the deeply held beliefs of those involved.
That families were ripped apart by religion is also a fact. To this day, there are Catholic and Protestant branches of the same family existing in England, Scotland, Ireland and America. I have met people of Catholic branches in England, who have long-lost cousins of the same name in certain states in America, and these American families came over as Protestants.
The hatred and persecution by the Anglicans and Calvinists of the Catholics form the stuff of history, the stories of the Tyburn Martyrs, the heroic tales of St. Thomas More, St. John Fisher, St. Oliver Plunkett, and so on. The age of the martyrs turned into the age of civil war.
The fact that some people changed sides reveals the sad stories of betrayal and treachery.
But, there was and still is, a third category of people, who were the new men and women of the 16th and 17th centuries. These were the people who left religion entirely, became cynics, and merely worked for their own status, careers, comfort. These men and women were the moderns, those self-centred ones whose only principle was me, me, me.
These opportunists spawned further generations of non-believers, who outwardly conformed, but whose souls were impervious to the interior spiritual life.
In the days to come of persecution and testing, we shall see Catholics betraying Catholics, Catholics becoming cynics, and seizing opportunities for advancement, building their little kingdoms on the backs of those whom they betray.
Do not kid yourselves, dear Catholic readers, Christ has prepared us for this.
And a man’s enemies shall be they of his own household. Matthew 10:36 DR
In the coming days, which side will you be on--the real Catholics, the schismatic Catholics, or the cynics? Will you be Cavaliers, Roundheads, or opportunists?