Parties

Political parties come and go. If one has not studied American or English history in school, one does not realize that the English speaking nations have seen the demise of several political parties, while others have risen.

IMHO, I think it is time for the demise of the GOP. There is no real difference between the Dems and GOP and has not been for many elections.

In 2000, I was an Iowa Caucus rep for Alan Keyes. Then, we needed new blood in the GOP. Fifteen years later, the blood has become more and more anemic.

Face it, the best chance for any change in America would be for conservatives to admit the death of the GOP.

Washington Dems rule, and no one cares on the other side of the aisle. Catholics have been lying to themselves for ages that the GOP is the part for life. Remember, Jeb Bush let Terry Schiavo die.

Just as there is a leadership crisis in the Church, so there is a leadership crisis in America and in Europe. Years ago, a famous Englishman was complaining to me about the then new editor of a prominent Catholic publication. The man leaned over and whispered. "One cannot expect much from a mediocre man."

So it is with the long list of men who want to be president. Some are "nice guys" and some are not nice guys.

Some speak of values and some say the same-old, same-old.

This country absolutely does not need another Bush or Clinton. We need new ideas and new ideals.

Donald Trump is popular right now because he is flamboyant. We had one president like this, but that president was also a war hero, as well as a populist president--Andrew Jackson.

We do not need another Andrew Jackson.

We need new ideas and new ideals.

We need new parties. Let the old ones die. Why not?

Spiritual Warfare

...gets physical. I am still suffering from the allergic reaction, so keep me in your prayers. I shall try and post something meaningful later today.

Pax vobiscum.

Feast Day of A Patron

Go to this great blog for more information and on my past posts, including the one in the Carmelite prayer series just past. http://guildofblessedtitus.blogspot.com/2015/07/blessed-titus-brandsma-pray-for-us.html Blessed Titus Brandsma (1881 - 1942)

He was born in Bolsward in the Netherlands. He was baptized Anno Sjoerd Brandsma. He joined the Carmelites in 1898 and took the religious name Titus. He was a professor of philosophy and active in journalism. He was vehemently opposed to Nazi ideology and spoke out against it many times before the Second World War. He was arrested in January 1942, when he tried to persuade Dutch Catholic newspapers not to print Nazi propaganda (as was required by the law of the Nazi German occupiers). He had also drawn up the Pastoral Letter, read in all Catholic parishes, by which the Dutch Roman Catholic bishops officially condemned the German anti-Semitic measures and the deportation of the first Jews. After this Pastoral Letter, the first few thousand Jews to be deported from the Netherlands were all Jewish converts to Roman Catholicism, including St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein). Titus Brandsma was killed by lethal injection in Dachau on July 26, 1942.

from Universalis

And an additional martyr:

Blessed Robert Sutton (1545-1588)

Robert Sutton was born at Burton-on-Trent in 1545, the son of a carpenter. He studied at Christ Church, Oxford, and was ordained in the Established Church, becoming Rector of Lutterworth in Leicestershire. He was converted to Catholicism in 1577 through the influence of his younger brother; they were both ordained at the English College at Douai in France, together with a third brother. In 1578 Robert returned to England and worked for ten years, saying Mass secretly in the houses of Catholic families in various places. He was arrested in Stafford in 1588 and was hanged, drawn and quartered there on 27 July of that year. Before execution, he made a speech about the candle which is given at baptism and in the hour of death, and he held up his handkerchief in remembrance of it, saying that he lived and died in the light of the Catholic faith. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1987.

More on Associations of the Laity

Associations of the Faithful: A Working Definition An aggregate of persons, with a common purpose congruent with the mission of the Church, who freely associate in such a manner that rights are exercised and obligations acquired without change to the status of each individual person who form the association. An association of the faithful is an aggregate of persons, not of things. Christ’s faithful possess the natural right and have the liberty “to found and to govern associations for charitable and religious purposes or for the promotion of the Christian vocation in the world; they are free to hold meetings to pursue these purposes in common” (Canon 215). While the association may acquire property and enter into contracts in the pursuit of its purpose and fulfillment of apostolate, the association exists because of the people, not the goods it acquires. By the very nature of an association, the members pursue a common purpose. In secular society, many associations exist which purpose may or may not have Christian orientation. In contrast, associations of the faithful, by nature, maintain a purpose congruent with the mission of the Church. Ecclesiastical Authority and Associations of the Faithful Because associations of the faithful must have a common purpose congruent with the mission of the Church, competent ecclesiastical authority has the obligation of vigilance over all in matters of faith, morals and ecclesiastical discipline. The purpose of this vigilance is to promote the common good, protect against the infringement of rights and duties and provide a venue of vindication when necessary (cf. Canon 223). This vigilance allows competent authority to visit the associations in accord with the norms of law and the statutes of the association (Canon 305§1). Regarding public associations, the authority that erected it has direct supervision over the association. Regarding private associations, ecclesiastical authority must respect their autonomy but has the obligation to “take care that their energies are not dissipated and that the exercise of their apostolate is ordered toward the common good (Canon 323§2).” He also has the right “to be watchful that the goods are used for the purposes of the association (Canon 325§1).” Types of Associations Two broad categories of associations exist within the Church: public and private. Further distinctions made in law are beyond the parameters of this article [cf. Clerical associations (Canons 302) and third orders (Canon 303)]. “Associations of the faithful which are erected by competent ecclesiastical authority are called public associations (Canon 301§3).” In the decree of erection, the competent authority must bestow public juridic personality on the association and grant it a mission by which it formally acts in the name of the Church (Canon 313). Only the Holy See, a conference of bishops or a diocesan bishop has the authority to erect a public association of the faithful (Canon 312). Before issuing a decree of erection, the competent authority must approve its statutes (Canon 314). Only a public association can receive a mission to teach Christian doctrine in the name of the Church, promote public worship or pursue a purpose which by nature is reserved to ecclesiastical authority (Canon 301§1). As a public association, the members act in the name of the Church when fulfilling the purpose of the association. Because of its public nature, the authority who erected it has direct supervision over the association and specifically has the right to confirm the election of the moderator, install a moderator presented or name a moderator in accord with the approved statutes; name the chaplain or ecclesiastical assistant (Canon 317§1); designate a trustee to temporarily direct the association (Canon 318§1); remove the moderator for a just cause (Canon 318§2); direct and audit the 3 administration of goods and reception of offerings and alms (Canon 319); suppress the association or otherwise declare it extinct in accord with law (Canons 320, 120§1). In contrast, private associations exist by private agreement, freely made among members of the Christian faithful, with the intent to attain the aims mentioned in canon 298§1 (Canon 299§1). By far, private associations of the faithful are the most flexible and less restrictive means for the Christian faithful to pursue a common purpose as a group. While ecclesiastical authority maintains a certain degree of vigilance over private associations as noted above, the guidance and direction of the association comes from the members in accord with its statutes (Canon 321). Any further influence and involvement by ecclesiastical authority depends on the level of recognition the association seeks. From least to most structured, private associations are categorized as de facto, recognized, praised or recommended and private with juridic personality. Unless a private association receives juridic personality from competent ecclesiastical authority, the association itself has no rights or obligations in law. However, its members may collectively assert their rights and obligations, even by proxy (Canon 310). This will be further discussed in the example below. A de facto association of the faithful exists by common agreement among its members but has no recognition from Church authority. Because this type of association seeks no recognition from the Church, its statutes do not require review by ecclesiastical authority. 

This first appeared in the September 8, 1997 issue of Christifidelis, the newsletter of the St. Joseph Foundation

http://www.catholiccanonlaw.com/associations.pdf

Sub-Cultures vs. Lay Associations

More and more, I am meeting people who have created sub-cultures which are not healthy. Communities can create sub-cultures, but the demand of communal life and the discipline of a community does not allow spin-offs into cliques or unhealthy, navel-gazing sub-groupings.

The great danger of any community is the inward looking tendencies to make the community the goal of all activities, instead of God. Unless people are growing and changing in a community, the community is missing the mark for its existence.

There are several marks of a healthy community, which would not be merely a sub-culture. And, I refer to Catholic ones, or at least, Christian ones.

1. The reason for the community is service to God in prayer and good works. 
2. The foundation is orthodox.
3. Those who are members are not running away from life, but embrace life in suffering and in worship.
4. A common method of prayer marks a community.
5. An outreach must be part of community life, otherwise it becomes to self-centered.

Of course, Christ must be the center, but also serving other people. If any community, even a TLM one, is not reaching out to others for some reason, in some way, the community, it will become selfish and spiritually dead.

One of the marks of an unhealthy community is the lack of real leadership, a flowing in and out of people, instead of commitment, a lack of orthodoxy, either people accepting liberal heresies, or people accepting far-right heretical positions.

One of the problems of some communities is the refusal to deal with sin within the communities. Silence will not solve problems. Prayer and maturity go together. One cannot grow in maturity without prayer, and leadership.

Years ago, I belonged to a healthy community. I know some healthy communities of lay people. They all have mature Catholics leading them and priests giving solid, regular advice. 

To be isolated as a community from the larger world is not a call recognized by the Church. For example, Pious Associations of the Faithful have something to do, as well as prayer.

Here is the Vatican on this point is a selection from a larger document:

The group apostolate is very important also because the apostolate must often be performed by way of common activity both the Church communities and the various spheres. For the associations established for carrying on the apostolate in common sustain their members, form them for the apostolate, and rightly organize and regulate their apostolic work so that much better results can be expected than if each member were to act on his own.

In the present circumstances, it is quite necessary that, in the area of lay activity, the united and organized form of the apostolate be strengthened. In fact, only the pooling of resources is capable of fully achieving all the aims of the modern apostolate and firmly protecting its interests.(3) Here it is important that the apostolate encompass even the common attitudes and social conditions of those for whom it is designed. Otherwise those engaged in the apostolate are often unable to bear up under the pressure of public opinion or of social institutions.

19. There is a great variety of associations in the apostolate.(4) Some set before themselves the broad apostolic purpose of the Church; others aim to evangelize and sanctify in a special way. Some purpose to infuse a Christian spirit into the temporal order; others bear witness to Christ in a special way through works of mercy and charity.

Among these associations, those which promote and encourage closer unity between the concrete life of the members and their faith must be given primary consideration. Associations are not ends unto themselves; rather they should serve the mission of the Church to the world. Their apostolic dynamism depends on their conformity with the goals of the Church as well as on the Christian witness and evangelical spirit of every member and of the whole association.

Now, in view of the progress of social institutions and the the fast- moving pace of modern society, the global nature of the Church's mission requires that apostolic enterprises of Catholics should more and more develop organized forms in the international sphere. Catholic international organizations will more effectively achieve their purpose if the groups comprising them, as well as their members, are more closely united to these international organizations.

Maintaining the proper relationship to Church authorities,(5) the laity have the right to found and control such associations(6) and to join those already existing. Yet the dispersion of efforts must be avoided. This happens when new associations and projects are promoted without a sufficient reason, or if antiquated associations or methods are retained beyond their period of usefulness. Nor is it always fitting to transfer indiscriminately forms of the apostolates that have been used in one nation to other nations.(7)

more found here.... and more later

http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decree_19651118_apostolicam-actuositatem_en.html

Ashamed to be an Iowan

http://www.infowars.com/at-anti-bullying-conference-middle-schoolers-learn-about-lesbian-strap-on-anal-sex-fake-testicles/

And, if you have children in public schools, you better be aware of what is going on.

Home school.

The opt-outs for sex education may be in place this year, but nothing is guaranteed for next year. I would form groups of parents to find out the details in your particular state.

All students in Illinois and Iowa are affected. This is similar to the decision made to teach contraception in the public schools a few years ago. But as the new amendment to the Constitution is law, the opt-outs will most likely not be available and if so, may end completely in 2016-2017 academic year.

Home school.

I almost missed this....

http://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2015/07/church-labor-law-in-germany-and-same.html

Prayers, Please

I have an allergy to all the members of the cucurbitaceae family. Today I had a mild allergic reaction to something which was not supposed to be in a pasta salad.

This allergy is not that uncommon, and I have had only one serious reaction in my life, real anaphylaxis, in France, from gravy made with marrow or other squash, only labelled as matière végétale on the package. The chef apologized but I ended up in bed for two days.

Today, I have swelling of the eyes, mouth, throat, and some tightening of the chest, as well as chills. Also, my face is swollen and I have asthmatic symptoms.

I shall be ok.

The problem is when companies either do not label well, or make things or cut up things on the same machines which involve any of the cucurbitaceae family members.

The list of fruits, I cannot eat, is quite long: you can click on these categories from Wiki and look at the lists.

• Cucurbita – squash, pumpkin, zucchini, some gourds
• Lagenaria – mostly inedible gourds
• Citrullus – watermelon (C. lanatus, C. colocynthis) and others
• Cucumis – cucumber (C. sativus), various melons
• Luffa – common name also luffa

Needless to say, I feel peaky and am in bed, as such reactions exhaust one, partly from the breathing problems and partly from minor shocks to the system.

One of my brothers and I would not tell my mom, who put chocolate ice cream in a half of a muskmelon, that we were having troubles breathing, with itching mouths and swollen lips. Finally, the allergy became bad enough for complete abstinence of some favorite foods.

Why some people have allergies and some not is a real mystery. My son cannot eat peanuts, or even smell them without becoming ill. and so on...

So, I am resting for the day, which is what God allowed,even wanted,  me, not being able to see very well. I took a benadryl for the itching and hives. Lucky, this time....although I am still having a reaction four hours later, especially chills and swelling. Say a prayer for me. Thanks.

Interesting...

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/uk-destination-choice-most-worlds-super-rich-millionaires-1512632

St. Anne

Today, St. Anne got bumped off the calendar by the Sunday Liturgy. However, as she is one of my personal patrons, having a middle name, like millions of Catholic girls in my generation, of Ann, I take time to wish you all Happy St. Anne's Day. In some liturgies, it is the feast of both Anne and Joachim.

It is hard to imagine St. Ann's part in the life of Jesus. She was not there at the birth, apparently, and may have already died. We have no indication in Scripture as to where she lived, (although, most likely in Nazareth), or how long she lived.

God gave St. Joseph to Mary for protection and status, so most likely, the parents of Mary were already dead, awaiting the Harrowing of Hell, awaiting their Grand Son's majestic Resurrection and destruction of Lucifer's reign.

In my school days, some of the girls prayed, "St. Ann, find me a man" when searching for a husband. I have to admit, I never did this. I had too many boys interested in me, and I was happy just being me. But, then, I had three brothers, and knew what boys were really like!

But, today, let us remember the woman who bore the Immaculate Conception, taught her when she was growing up, and, perhaps, presented her to Joseph on Mary and Joseph's wedding day.

I am not nor ever shall be a grandmother, but St. Ann is your patron, grandmothers, as well as the patron of carpenters; childless people;equestrians; grandparents; homemakers/housewives; lacemakers; lost articles; Fasnia (Tenerife); Mainar; Detroit; miners; mothers; moving house; old-clothes dealers; poverty; pregnancy; seamstresses; stablemen; sterility,.

She must be very busy answering prayers in heaven. and as I am moving in four weeks, please pray to her for me, please. It would be nice if I could move into a real house, instead of one room.

Must reads

http://buchanan.org/blog/a-new-dark-age-16287

http://www.wnd.com/2015/07/christian-homosexuals-plot-churchs-transformation/

Mum Guilt

Well. a few times I have apologized to STS for being too strict on some things and not strict enough on others. Of course, he contradicted me and told me my child-raising techniques were OK.

So, why do mums fall into "Mum Guilt"? I thought of this today, as STS recently assured me that he was glad I found a certain balance, but I am still not too happy with myself as a mum.

"Mum Guilt" arises from several areas of the soul. I have a little bullet list of reasons why mums feel guilty. However, I also answer with the truth.

• Child or children did not turn out as one expected. (Answer: Well, who do you think you are, the BVM? And, were your expectations realistic and fair?)
• Child or children have faults or a lack of virtue training one missed because of cooking, baking, cleaning, being chauffer, working, being nurse....and so on. (Answer: Hmm, so the child or children are like apples which did not fall far from the tree. Johnny or Janey's faults seem to be like....Mum's. Do you think you are supermum? Are you perfect, yet?)
• Child or children seem unhappy, or too happy, too serious, or too laid-back. (And, what were you like at 25?)
• Child or children are not quite as brilliant at .....as one expected. (When was the last time you balanced your chequebook? Hey, think of me, realizing that STS is so much more highly intelligent than I am that I have to have science, philosophy, math, history, architecture, art, gourmet cooking, antiques, linguistic, Japanese, Chinese, Greek, German, Anglo-Saxon, Ancient Norse, computer tech, theology, medicine, history, music, and etc. dictionaries and encyclopedias at hand, or all the tabs open on my computer, just to have a twenty minute conversation. Fun, but challenging.)
• Child or children are so messy, while I trained him or them to be so neat. (So, you have never heard of kids being totally different than parents? And, who is the pack-rat in the family?)
• Child or children forget Mother's Day, which means he, she, they don't love me because I was such a horrible mum. (OMGoodness, STS manages to forget TWO Mother's Days-American and English, as he thinks he sent a card to one or the other...so quit complaining. "Oh, sorry Mum, didn't I send one for the English Mother's Day [or American Mother's Day]?)
• If I had only done this, or lived here, or, or, or...(Waste of time-we cannot change the past. Go forward in grace.)
• I could have done better. I was too self-absorbed, too selfish...(OK, now we are getting down to the truth....)
  

Mum Guilt arises from mums either comparing themselves with their perfect mums (especially the 1950s variety), or by rebelling against their mums (usually the 1960s variety) and reading every single mothering book in the English language. Most of us have high expectations of our own selves.

But, Mum Guilt seems to be real. Maybe we mums think back to Eve wishing she really had not eaten the apple, and then offered it to Adam, thus messing up mothering until the end of time. We must want to be perfect NOW and we want perfect kids. Well, maybe...but it is not so bad to realize one's faults in child-rearing. The key virtue for mums must be humility. If we are virtuous, the kids will grow up in virtue. However, remember, everyone has free will.

Then again, as one grows older, one has many regrets, looking back at the past and realizing how immature and selfish one was, and if only.......STOP.

I think Mum Guilt comes from a lack of trust in God. Children belong to Him, not us. We are just given sons and daughters for a time, for our own salvation as well as theirs. If mums trust in Divine Providence, maybe, just maybe, Mum Guilt would disappear. We need to constantly give our children to God and to His Mother, Mary.

God forgives us mums and reminds us that there is only ONE PERFECT MUM, St. Mary, His Mother.

We daughters just have to accept that we need her help daily to be good mums. 

St. Mary, Mother, pray for all of us mums, please.

The Mystery of Love

As we have learned from the philosophers, and from the Pope Emeritus, there are different kinds of love. You may want to go back and look at my comments on Deus Caritas Est and Caritas in Veritate.

Recently, I have been observing middle-aged and even older friends experiencing a renewal of love in their good marriages. This has been a revelation to me, as I have not seen such rediscoveries of bridal love among couples for a long time. Sometimes, one sees this renewal in very old couples, like my parents, who at 92 and 87, love and respect each other openly more than ever before in their long marriage of 67 years.

Perhaps, just perhaps, it takes a long time for couples to rediscover that first love, after years of trials, tribulations, sufferings, illness, financial difficulties, problems with children and so on. These episodes, and, indeed, crises, either bring a couple closer together, or separate them forever. A couple must face suffering together, no longer looking merely at each other, but at the day that life has brought them, the struggle they must face together to overcome successfully.

I have witnessed women truly becoming helpmates, as God created a wife to be--a servant who is cherished and respected above all other women on earth. I have seen men become real protectors and spiritual leaders.

But, the real key to this rediscovery of bridal love must be the central love of God, the finding of the God Within, the awareness of the Indwelling of the Trinity in ones' self and in one's mate.

When a person finally gets in touch with the Trinity Who dwells within, life and love bubble up in a new fountain of grace. When both the man and wife discover God within, the chemistry becomes almost magical. This spiritual awareness in the couple is the great mystery of love--finally, the man and the woman have become truly one as God intended.

When God becomes the heart of the marriage, the heart of both hearts, bridal love is renewed.

For those who keep faithful to their marriage contract, this bridal love will happen if they keep God's commandments, especially the first one.

No other gods can replace God in a marriage, neither money, or status, or success, or possessions, or even children. The couple become one when God is first in each of their hearts, minds, imaginations, memories and wills.

This type of love is only possible when the couple share sanctifying grace. This type of love is only possible when the couple is traveling together towards God, attempting to bring each other to heaven, to the fullness of life in God.

And, this is only possible when love transcends all else, becoming, truly, agape love.

Only a man and a woman can become one in Christ.

Only a man and a woman can experience the renewal of bridal love.

Only in and with God can this bridal love occur, that first love, which renews itself in Christ until death parts the couple.

But, this love lasts as that of brother and sister in Christ in heaven, the real love of heaven, agape love.

Sacrificial love is another name for bridal love. And, yes, it is passionate, not only in the body, but in the soul. Zeal for each other's salvation marks this good love.

Those who experience this mystery of love renewed bring life into the Church in a way others cannot. This is the gift of true marriage to the Church-marriage in Christ, marriage according to God's plan.

I have never experienced living with a husband for years and years and coming to this renewal of mutual bridal love. But, I do understand and experience the bridal love for Christ, as His bride, as a single person, who has been blessed with such graces to know that Christ loves me eternally in a special way. He loves me as a woman in a unique contract of commitment and service where He leads me.

Singles can experience bridal love in one way-through their total giving of themselves to God directly, and not through another person. This is our call. It is another way to the discovery of the God within, the Indwelling of the Trinity.

God never denies love. He shapes all holy loves to His will. That is the mystery of love.

Misunderstandings about Purgatory, Still

A quick posting...

While most Catholics simply do not believe in Purgatory, it seems that there are some who simply do not understand the two-fold reasoning behind this teaching of the Church.

And, yes, it still is a teaching.

First of all, in the CCC, we read this and let me comment in blue:

III. THE FINAL PURIFICATION, OR PURGATORY

1030 All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.

So, the first reason given in the Catechism is that purgation of sin and imperfections is necessary before one goes to heaven. "Only the perfect see God." If we allow God, or if it is God's will that we experience purgation on earth, so much the better, as then, we gain more merit for heaven.

1031 The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned.⁶⁰⁶ The Church formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent. The tradition of the Church, by reference to certain texts of Scripture, speaks of a cleansing fire:⁶⁰⁷

As for certain lesser faults, we must believe that, before the Final Judgment, there is a purifying fire. He who is truth says that whoever utters blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will be pardoned neither in this age nor in the age to come. From this sentence we understand that certain offenses can be forgiven in this age, but certain others in the age to come.⁶⁰⁸

Note that some things can be forgiven now, most things, in fact. But, one must also make reparation, in other words, be punished, for sins committed. This is the second reason for Purgatory.  Punishment is a consequence, and purification is the taking away not only of the consequences, but the reasons for the sins one's commits, things like the predominant fault. (See series). Under the selections from the CCC, is one from the Catholic Encyclopedia, which explains the need to undergo temporal punishment due to sin.

1032 This teaching is also based on the practice of prayer for the dead, already mentioned in Sacred Scripture: "Therefore [Judas Maccabeus] made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin."⁶⁰⁹ From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God.⁶¹⁰ The Church also commends almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead:

Let us help and commemorate them. If Job's sons were purified by their father's sacrifice, why would we doubt that our offerings for the dead bring them some consolation? Let us not hesitate to help those who have died and to offer our prayers for them.⁶¹¹

That temporal punishment is due to sin, even after the sin itself has been pardoned by God, is clearly the teaching of Scripture. God indeed brought man out of his first disobedience and gave him power to govern all things (Wisdom 10:2), but still condemned him "to eat his bread in the sweat of his brow" until he returned unto dust. God forgave the incredulity of Moses and Aaron, but in punishment kept them from the "land of promise" (Numbers 20:12). The Lord took away the sin of David, but the life of the child was forfeited because David had made God's enemies blaspheme His Holy Name (2 Samuel 12:13-14). In the New Testament as well as in the Old, almsgiving and fasting, and in general penitential acts are the real fruits of repentance (Matthew 3:8; Luke 17:3; 3:3). The whole penitential system of the Church testifies that the voluntary assumption of penitential works has always been part of true repentance and the Council of Trent (Sess. XIV, can. xi) reminds the faithfulthat God does not always remit the whole punishment due to sin together with the guilt. God requires satisfaction, and will punish sin, and this doctrine involves as its necessary consequence a belief that the sinner failing to do penance in this life may be punished in another world, and so not be cast off eternally from God. from the CE

Would it not easier, and would we not gain more merit in heaven for accepting purgatory on earth, both as punishment and purification? This would mean doing penance now.

The Cure for Cynicism--The Blame Game Part Four

One of the psalms tells us all how to avoid cynicism and repent of it.  The keys to breaking a habit of cynicism are humility and gratitude towards God.

Those who have grateful hearts and those who do not dwell on the faults of others, only concentrating on repenting of their own faults, will not fall into cynicism.

 from Psalm 115Douay-Rheims 

 10 I have believed, therefore have I spoken; but I have been humbled exceedingly.

11 I said in my excess: Every man is a liar.

12 What shall I render to the Lord, for all the things he hath rendered unto me?

13 I will take the chalice of salvation; and I will call upon the name of the Lord.

14 I will pay my vows to the Lord before all his people:

15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.

16 O Lord, for I am thy servant: I am thy servant, and the son of thy handmaid. Thou hast broken my bonds:

17 I will sacrifice to thee the sacrifice of praise, and I will call upon the name of the Lord.

18 I will pay my vows to the Lord in the sight of all his people:

19 In the courts of the house of the Lord, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem.

St. James Compostela and Pilgrimages

By the middle of the 9th century, the relics of St. James made their way to Spain, brought by the Catholics who were already in Spain, but needed the graces of pilgrimages because of the new invasions. This shrine reminds us all of the falsity of so much revisionist history.  St. James, one of the three special apostles closer to Christ than the others, with Peter and John, saw the Transfiguration, but also was one in the Garden of Gethsemane who could not stay awake with Christ in His Agony.

Therefore, he experienced his own martyrdom in 44 A.D.

For Europeans, the road to Compostela is an internationally protected historical site, and includes the shrine. In 2013, my pastor in England walked the walk at the age of 50, and in honor of his 25 years as a priest. He shared the great physical travail of the walk, as well as the spiritual benefits.

I have one friend who was converted on the walk many years ago from a life of youthful sin and negligence of the Faith. I know another man who made the walk and did the long hard way of sleeping in barns, over thirty years ago.

America has no walking pilgrimages, which tells you something about the problem of religion here. Without cars, no one can go to the only two approved apparitions in the Americas, Guadalupe, and Our Lady of Good Hope, which you can read about here.

I would have loved to walk Compostela, but could not find anyone to go with me when I was able to do so. I would like to see the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Hope, but do not have a car, although I do have a license.

The lack of local shrines forms part of America's sad Low Protestant heritage, which has now crumbled into gross paganism. Without the sacramental life of the Church, religion fades into relativism and individualism--see my posts on the solas.

A pilgrimage is not a picnic or a vacation, but a walk, or ride, of penance. One goes on pilgrimage for many reasons. Some go to Lourdes to be healed. Some go to Fatima to be close to Mary and her words for these troubled times. Some go to Akita for prayer and reparation. Some go to Guadeloupe for petitions.

But, the lack of shrines in the States points to exactly the same trouble I am having, even in these obviously anti-religious times, of setting up a house of prayer.

American Catholics just do not believe in penance or sustained quiet. The cult of activity deadens their perception of finding God in the silence of smallness.

St. Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin and Adele Brise were simple people. Sister Agnes Katsuko Sasagawa is a simple, quiet nun in a simple, quiet order.

Pray for the house of prayer. Pray for people to come and to desire to do reparation for our world.

Mary comes in times of stress. Here are some of her words from Akita. 

St. James, pray for us today.

"As I told you, if men do not repent and better themselves, the Father will inflict a terrible punishment on all humanity. It will be a punishment greater than the deluge, such as one will never seen before. Fire will fall from the sky and will wipe out a great part of humanity, the good as well as the bad, sparing neither priests nor faithful. The survivors will find themselves so desolate that they will envy the dead. The only arms which will remain for you will be the Rosary and the Sign left by My Son. Each day recite the prayers of the Rosary. With the Rosary, pray for the Pope, the bishops and priests."

"The work of the devil will infiltrate even into the Church in such a way that one will see cardinals opposing cardinals, bishops against bishops. The priests who venerate me will be scorned and opposed by their confreres...churches and altars sacked; the Church will be full of those who accept compromises and the demon will press many priests and consecrated souls to leave the service of the Lord.

"The demon will be especially implacable against souls consecrated to God. The thought of the loss of so many souls is the cause of my sadness. If sins increase in number and gravity, there will be no longer pardon for them"

"With courage, speak to your superior. He will know how to encourage each one of you to pray and to accomplish works of reparation."

"It is Bishop Ito, who directs your community."

(P.S.A friend of mine has never seen The Mission, The Passion of the Christ, or The Way. If any of you want to order these for me so I can show him these movies, please let me know, asap.)

More on the pilgrimage to Compostela may be found at this site.

I predicted three weeks ago--

...that some priests will be in prison by the end of the years....and now, this is the first step below.


The state of Kentucky has begun imposing a religious test on volunteer pastor counselors in its youth division, insisting that they refrain from calling homosexuality “sinful” and dismissing those who cannot bend their religious faith to accommodate the state requirements.Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2015/07/state-forbids-pastors-calling-homosexuality-sinful/#b2SfbrE16vpkmvyx.99

So, the Bible will be considered hate speech....

Paganism is now the official religion of America.

Colleges Refusing Government Dollars List

Meaning  no federal loans, work-study money, or grants will be applied to students’ tuition costs:

Thomas Aquinas--Catholic, classical

Wyoming Catholic--Catholic, classical

Christendom--Catholic, classical

New St. Andrews College--Christian, classical

Hillsdale College, non-denominational

If anyone knows of others, please add to the list through comments.

Also, of course, none of the 78 NAPCIS schools take federal money.
 

Do you know what your school district is doing?

http://hrc-assets.s3-website-us-east-1.amazonaws.com//welcoming-schools/documents/WS-InclusiveBooks-FINAL.pdf

The Blame Game Part Three

I found out today from one of my friends of psychology generation that she had a school psychologist in the 1960s. WOW!

Needless to say, Catholic schools did not have school psychologist. I was amazed when I heard that public schools had these so early.

So, the damaging rot came into the schools exactly in the generation I call that of psychology. Can one imagine these kids growing up in a hot-house atmosphere of being  examined for psychological reasons for acting up, which in days earlier would have resulted in being refused cookies and milk, or staying in for recess, or having a note sent home to dad, and then, oh-oh.

Sin disappeared from the consciousness and conscience to the extent that kids were not allowed to suffer from consequences, which would have taught them natural law philosophy from little on.

One breaks something, one sweeps it up and pays for it. One causes a person to suffer, one apologizes. One steals something, one must not only give it back but do restitution for the sin.

One of the members of the generation of psychology did not know, even though he has been a Catholic all his life, and goes to daily Mass, that purgatory was punishment due to sin. Until our recent discussion, he had no idea that sin had consequences past the confessional box, or that one did not get into heaven unless one was purified.

It never occurred to him that sin had consequences beyond this life, and, as a NO Catholic, in his mid-50s, he claims that he has never heard any teaching from the pulpit on purgatory, except on All Souls' Day--sermons which were vague and confusing.

The priest of his parish is probably a member of the generation of psychology.

Some seminaries in America have psychologists and even psychiatrists on staff to meet with the young men on a regular basis. Some men actually see this counselor more often than they do their spiritual director, who may come from "off campus" only once a month.

We have fallen for this false religion of psychology, using it to explain sin, rather than teaching and forming the conscience through examination and reflection.

After several discussions recently with members of the generation of psychology, I have to admit I am ready to throw up my hands in frustration and walk-away from an entire group of people, who honestly believe they have never chosen sin.

Sigh....I think this cultural shift was a great victory for the evil one and part of the psywars, about which I have written in the past.

Enough, already...if one does not think one is sinning, but merely unhappy because of emotional upheaval owing to those actions of some who sinned against them, one will never take responsibility for one's own salvation-something we all must do, begging God for the grace of conversion, change, and final perseverance.