Friday, 6 July 2012
More Ladies in Mantillas
Norms Regarding the Manner of Proceeding in the Discernment of Presumed Apparitions or Revelations
NOTE: update at bottom of page and more on this tomorrow in a long post....
By the way, for my friends who have not seen this, here is the text of the guidelines regarding private revelations, the late publication of a much earlier document. And, this is the link to Cardinal Levada's preface. Some people do not know this exists. There are five links on this page worth researching.
- I urgently ask all my friends and readers who are into private revelations to check out the CDF guidelines regarding your favorites, as much has ben said on various seers and visionaries.
And here is a great list from the Mary Page of the Marian Research Institute. The list has been updated through 2011 and shows three categories. Very few apparitions have been approved and some have been positively not approved. The third category is one of "no decision" as of yet. A negative decision is important, and must be taken seriously by the faithful. Some others relating to Jesus are not listed, as this is a Marian apparition graph. Contrary to what many people believe, this is not the greatest age for Marian apparitions. Here is a graph of the timeline of such. Those which have a negative status must NOT be followed by the faithful, and if so, those persons are in disobedience to Holy Mother Church.
The condemned are listed as "negative decision". Three which have been condemned and are still followed by unfaithful Catholics are Bayside, Christina Gallagher, and Garabandal-- there is a special link to Garabandal Letters.
In addition, please read these links to the CDF on Vassula Ryden. Three links of CDF documents are here, there and again. Thank you.
In addition, please read these links to the CDF on Vassula Ryden. Three links of CDF documents are here, there and again. Thank you.
On Factions in the Church
Christ's Humility and His rejection of human power must be remembered by all in the Church.
I have just finished reading two histories of the Anglican Church, which has a synod coming up. Two things have struck me on this history, the history of Protestantism and the factions within the Catholic Church.
Firstly, the Revolt of the Protestants, like the defection of the Arians, hurt the Church with a wound which is still bleeding. The effects of the revolt are not conservative sects, but anarchy. Without authority, humans split into many groups, like the languages splitting humanity at the Tower of Babel. Split follows split, division follows division. The life of the founder of Unitarianism gives us a mini-history of Protestantism. Francis David had originally trained as a Catholic priest. Then, he became a Lutheran, and then a Calvinist. He then founded the Unitarian church. The impetus of Protestantism is separation, division, pain...
Secondly, factions which remain in the Church do as much, if not more damage than those without. Schisms are never to be desired, as souls are at stake. However, factions within the Church weaken the mission of the Church. I shall give an example.
Recently, I have been trying to facilitate some meetings. The meetings are of a missionary nature. The problems caused by different viewpoints of Catholics at these groupings has come to a point where the missionary activity may not take place. Seven Catholics around a table seem to have seven different points of view. How did this happen?
The "smoke of Satan" entering the Church is the demon of factions, of divisions. That there are so many means several things-bad catechesis being the first and foremost problem. Hatred of another's viewpoint on liturgy, or the nature of the laity causes other factions. Heresy, such as the view of marriage and cohabitation or even political parties cause factions.
I do not know how the Church spread across Europe and Asia so quickly when I look at the number of factions in a small room. Only the Holy Spirit can prevail over egos, prejudices, a stubborn lack of knowledge, sin. Where there is pride and arrogance, self-righteousness and bias, there are factions. How grieved I am....
Thursday, 5 July 2012
Synod watchers...
Here is the website for the General Anglican Synod broadcast for listening to the proceedings. As you know, the subject of women bishops will most likely be put to a vote. I listened to the synod which decided on women priests in 1992 (it had been voted on in 1987 as well) on the radio on the BBC. The first woman ordained was on March 12th, 1994 in Bristol. The debate and vote on women bishop's will be on Monday, July 9th.
I am going to follow this and post...http://www.premier.org.uk/streaming/synod.asx
On the art of the School of Beuron and the Sacred Heart
Prayer to the Sacred Heart
O most holy heart of Jesus, fountain of every blessing, I adore you, I love you, and with lively sorrow for my sins I offer you this poor heart of mine. Make me humble, patient, pure and wholly obedient to your will. Grant, Good Jesus, that I may live in you and for you. Protect me in the midst of danger. Comfort me in my afflictions. Give me health of body, assistance in my temporal needs, your blessing on all that I do, and the grace of a holy death. Amen.
And I love the art of the Beuronese School, which even Pope Pius X praised in Archicoenobium Casinense. Here is one of the Sacred Hearts from that group. I find the art peaceful and conducive to prayer.
If you have never seen the murals, I highly suggest a visit to Conception Abbey Church in Conception, Missouri.
Do not go on a hot summer's day like today there...but the art is stunning.
Here is the link to the Beuron Abbey site http://www.erzabtei-beuron.de/ How I would love to visit there. I have never been to Germany and would love to go...
and the link to the art page
On the Higgs boson
The reporting of the discovery of the Higgs boson this past week has been overlooked by some media and misrepresented by others. The best little video I have seen is from the Beeb and I share it here. How interesting nature is and how wonderful is Our Creator. A graph is also on this link, worth looking at...cool graphics make things much more clear for us lay persons.
Scroll down to the reddish explanation video and then further to the graph. Have fun.
Scroll down to the reddish explanation video and then further to the graph. Have fun.
Holy Days and Holidays....
Someone in the Parliament has suggested that the term "bank holiday" be changed back to St Lubbock Days in reference to Sir John Lubbock.
Ah, but the Catholics of old knew how to fast and how to feast. We have lost the art of feasting, or at least the English have. Celebrations were public, like the recent celebrations for the Queen, but these happened 30 times a years, at least.
Under the Puritains, feasting ended. Fun was "out" and "seriousness" was in. England never recovered the mirth of the old days.
At least now there are more holidays than under Oliver Cromwell. However, it seems to me that whether these are called bank holidays or Lubbock holidays, the country would be better off going back to the old ways of holy days, doncha think?
Prior to 1834, the Bank of England observed about 30 saints' days and religious festivals as holidays but in 1834 this was reduced to just four.The 1871 Act specified the four days to be regarded as bank holidays - in addition to separate public holidays such as Christmas Day and Good Friday.
There are currently six permanent bank holidays, with an extra one in 2012 for the Diamond Jubilee.
Christmas, Childermass Day, Epiphany (including the twelve days between-Twelfth Night and Christmas), St. Thomas Day, Candlemas, Shrove Tuesday, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Ascension, Corpus Christi, St. Mark's Day, Whitsunday, Michaelmas, Hocktide, Mayday, Midsummer called St. John's Day, Lammas or St. Peter's Day, All Hallows, St, Matthias Day, St. Martin's Day and more.
Sixth Day of the Novena for the SSPX
We invite the faithful, religious and clergy to join the members of the SSPX in a novena to the Holy Ghost from June 30 to July 8. The novena will consist of praying the Veni Creator Spiritus with the addition of 2 invocations:
- Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us. (3 times)
St. Pius X, pray for us
Wednesday, 4 July 2012
Pray for our brothers, sisters, priests in Cairo
Sometimes, we hear about persecuted Catholics in the Middle East, and now in Egypt more and more, and because these dear people do not have a "face", we do not think to pray or help them monetarily. Look, think, pray, help.
Notice in this Church of the Sacred Heart, in Sakakini, near Cairo, a copy of the famous Batoni painting is there which is in the Gesu in Rome, in the Church of the Circumcision in Valletta, in the Maryvale Chapel in England, and on my blog. We are all in the Heart of Jesus. We are connected. We are One is Christ, through Mary, Our Mother.
There are no coincidences in God.
I met one such young priest, Father Alberto Sanchez recently. He is from Mexico, but works in a parish in Cairo. The parishes in that city run by the Comboni Missionaries are St. Joseph Zamalek Catholic Church, (originally founded when the Mahdi took over the Sudan and Christians had to leave--remember the movie "Khartoum"--St. Daniel Comboni was there) and Sacred Heart in Sakakini-photo above and below. The bottom photo is the Comboni Church in Aswan.
Remember that how Egypt goes, goes Africa....
The order was started by St. Daniel Comboni, and his biography is here.
I think if we see people and places, we connect. Please pray for Father Alberto Sanchez, his parish, his family. He is very young, dynamic, peaceful.
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Remember that how Egypt goes, goes Africa....
Happy 4th, You All Back Home!
All the firework photos here on this post are from my hometown, Davenport, Iowa.
Thomas Sowell wrote this piece in italics below last year for July 4th. I reprint part of it here-short, smart, simple..
I am putting in a plug for Clear Lake, Iowa, which has a great July 4th festival, if you are feeling very patriotic. I am a bit homesick today for bands, paddle wheel boats, fireworks, bbq, baseball, and especially bratwurst and beer. And, there is nothing like fireworks shot off a barge, as they do in my hometown on the Mississippi River. But, boy, this year it is HOT! The high tomorrow for Clear Lake will be 100 Fahrenheit, with a low of 70. Davenport will see 96 and 68 correspondingly.
If you want to see more photos of my hometown fireworks, which are spectacular, go here
Happy Independence Day for all my fellow Americans.
The Fourth of July may be just a holiday for fireworks to some people. But it was a momentous day for the history of this country and the history of the world.
Not only did July 4, 1776 mark American independence from England, it marked a radically different kind of government from the governments that prevailed around the world at the time -- and the kinds of governments that had prevailed for thousands of years before.
The American Revolution was not simply a rebellion against the King of England, it was a rebellion against being ruled by kings in general. That is why the opening salvo of the American Revolution was called "the shot heard round the world."
Autocratic rulers and their subjects heard that shot -- and things that had not been questioned for millennia were now open to challenge. As the generations went by, more and more autocratic governments around the world proved unable to meet that challenge.
Some clever people today ask whether the United States has really been "exceptional." You couldn't be more exceptional in the 18th century than to create your fundamental document -- the Constitution of the United States -- by opening with the momentous words, "We the people..."
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Those three words were a slap in the face to those who thought themselves entitled to rule, and who regarded the people as if they were simply human livestock, destined to be herded and shepherded by their betters. Indeed, to this very day, elites who think that way -- and that includes many among the intelligentsia, as well as political messiahs -- find the Constitution of the United States a real pain because it stands in the way of their imposing their will and their presumptions on the rest of us.
(Places where I used to work and live are on the photo, barely, as well as the steeple of the Cathedral and the art gallery as well as the baseball park are obvious.)
Fifth Day of SSPX Novena
We invite the faithful, religious and clergy to join the members of the SSPX in a novena to the Holy Ghost from June 30 to July 8. The novena will consist of praying the Veni Creator Spiritus with the addition of 2 invocations:
- Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us. (3 times)
- St. Pius X, pray for us.
Tuesday, 3 July 2012
All Creatures of Our God and King...This Blog Likes Dogs and Cats and Birds and Squirrels and....
See my Westie rescue site below, where there is a link. And, know that there are fatwas out there against "decorative dogs". All God created is good and all Creation is from God. The great St. Philip Neri had a little dog, St. Thomas More had a monkey and St. Benedict had a pet crow. There is a breed named after my favorite saint, Bernard. I am sure readers can add to the list of saints with pets. And, did not St. Raphael accompany Tobias with a dog? My religion, the Catholic Faith, likes dogs and we know that God likes dogs--really!
St. Roch, or Rock is the patron saint of dogs. He is also the patron saint of bachelors. Is there a connection? I cannot see it myself...
On the other side of the question, at least one religion hates dogs...
"Once Gabriel promised the Prophet (that he would visit him, but Gabriel did not come) and later on he said, 'We, angels, do not enter a house which contains a picture or a dog.'" -- Sahih Bukhari 4.54.50
"Abdullah (b. Umar) (Allah be pleased with them) reported: Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) ordered the killing of dogs and we would send (men) in Medina and its corners and we did not spare any dog that we did not kill, so much so that we killed the dog that accompanied the wet she-camel belonging to the people of the desert." -- Sahih Muslim 10.3811
"Narrated 'Aisha: The things which annul the prayers were mentioned before me. They said, "Prayer is annulled by a dog, a donkey and a woman (if they pass in front of the praying people)." I said, 'You have made us (i.e. women) dogs.' I saw the Prophet praying while I used to lie in my bed between him and the Qibla. Whenever I was in need of something, I would slip away. for I disliked to face him." -- Sahih Bukhari 1.9.490
St. Raphael, pray for us.....and for all pet lovers.
I life the Corgi in this painting of St. Francis, patron of animals. And, just a note to Father Z, there is a squirrel in this picture....Ah, Catholics also have a sense of humor.
Good article heads-up
I do not have time today to comment on the superb article on Robert Fisk (boo-hiss), but follow this link, please...http://www.raymondibrahim.com/11933/robert-fisk-demonizes-mideast-persecuted
On Msgr. Guido Marini
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If I were a male person, which I am not, I could think of no better job, for honor and for fun, than being the Pope's MC. This past week in The Catholic Herald, there was an interview of Msgr. Guido Marini, who has a famous cat named after him as well. Msgr. Marini is responsible for implementing the more traditional changes in the Liturgy we have seen since his appointment in 2005. The two priests, the Pope and this MC are experts in the Liturgy and aware that a Papal Liturgy should look and feel differently. One of the most succinct statements in the interview reads, "Pope Benedict ensures that the liturgical celebrations are 'always an example and reference point for the universal Church.'" Yes and thank you.
Marini was quoted, again referring to the Pope, regarding the message at the recent Eucharistic Congress, that "much still remains to be done on the path of real liturgical renewal." One could start with the closing Mass of the Congress.
Just taking one point, the Pope requires those who receive Holy Communion from his to kneel. I do this daily, when my right knee does not hurt. Thankfully, the priests from whom I receive Holy Communion do not mind, but know what the Pope is doing as well--setting the tone of more respect.
Calling this and other changes, "exemplary gestures" is enough for me.
On large outdoor Masses, which I am totally against, having been involved in such as a younger person at the level of organization and help, and realizing all the pitfalls, Marini notes that these bring out problems as the journalist writes. Read the entire article in the paper, June 29th Edition.
4th Day of Novena for the SSPX
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We invite the faithful, religious and clergy to join the members of the SSPX in a novena to the Holy Ghost from June 30 to July 8. The novena will consist of praying the Veni Creator Spiritus with the addition of 2 invocations:
- Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us. (3 times)
- St. Pius X, pray for us.
On Political Correctness and the Death of Satire
Many rhetorical forms are passing because of the demise of writing. But, in addition to the lack of interest or love of grammar and prose, for me, the loss of language, especially satirical language has to do with political correctness. Political correctness forbids social criticism. Social criticism is based on standards, on rules, on a hierarchy of values and behaviors. Without a hierarchy of values, there can be no opinions, no objectivity. The entire society, now based on subjectivism, reels from reality and falls into a nicety of feelings which cries out "No one can be hurt. No one can be criticized."
In the days of Hogarth, society could be criticized for many sins, but now, sin is denied and psychology has allowed us all to make excuses for bad behavior.
Hogarth's prints, the three famous series which I have seen, especially the Marriage a-la-mode series, point out graphically the foibles of consumerism and material occupations. Hogarth's keen use of symbolism and literature, as well as myth and the evils of sin create strong parables, as well as a record of life at a certain time in Britain-a record of vice.
Would Hogarth be allowed to publish, sell, become famous for his satires today? Mark Twain is another satirist, whose quick wit shed light as a commentary on American and European society. We have lost this art, because we can no longer be objective. We are not allowed to be objective, but can only wallow in the relativism of feelings, emotions and subjectivity.
The fact that satire is extinct is a damning fact owing to the loss of a moral framework-- that our Western society can no longer hold a mirror up to reality and that people spurn self-knowledge
I shall give a modern day example. I have been observing the manners or lack of manners among men of many nations and backgrounds in London. Now, when I write some of my observations, I shall expect an outcry of "That's not fair", or "You can't judge", or "What about their background, psychological state, feelings. etc., etc., etc."
Recently, I have been comparing national differences, which some people claim do not exist, but do. Being in London, I am surrounded by people from all over the world. I have been observing men, women, and children when I am out and about.
I have noticed that the manners of men have almost completely disappeared except among certain groupings. Why this has occurred, I do not know, but there is a huge difference in gentlemanly behavior among men. A few days ago, I posted Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman's definition of a gentlemen. Now, some nationalities do not, apparently, believe in gentlemanly behavior. Rudeness is considered masculine, I guess. Too bad. "Gangsta" is in among some groupings. Wow, what would Twain do with "gangsta" talk?
Hogarth would have an entirely new set of subjects for his art and Mark Twain would have material for his witty essays. Would that we had such satirists now.
My criteria for satire involves the following criteria, which is not political correct: does the man move out of my way on the sidewalk, or charge towards me wanting me to move over? Do I have to walk into the street to let a man pass, who refuses to move over? If I am bumped into, does he say sorry? Does he open a door for me or offer me a seat on the bus or train? Does he crash through a line to get in front of me instead of queuing? Does he help me with packages or luggage? Does he say thank you and you are welcome? Does he ask how am I today if we speak to each other? If there are no empty seats in Church, does he get up for me to sit down? If I accidentally drop my umbrella, does he pick it up? If I accidentally bump into a man, does he say sorry or swear, or sound like he is swearing at me? All these things have happened at least once and, indeed more than once. I cannot draw like Hogarth. My wit is not as sharp as Twain's.
Now, my sampling is not scientific, but merely watching and living in London for over three weeks. But, one does not need time if one has the eye of a satirist.
Here are my results. Those who are politically correct may stop reading at this point.
Men from England, Germany, and India of a certain age are the most polite. They also dress better than younger men.
By a certain age, I mean 60-ish or over.
Very young men from the Orient are polite, such as men from Singapore or Japan. They get gold stars for politeness. Some British young men on the tube are very polite. Hogarth could do some prints of nice young men offering older ladies seats during rush hour on the Central Line.
Middle-aged men who are the most polite are the Germans and the Americans. I do not know why the differences. Maybe they are just happier people in general and therefore can be polite. Notice that the British and Germans are on two lists. Mark Twain would be using dialect for these commentaries.
I shall not list the very rudest. It would be too impolite. As to the rudest European men, which I shall mention, I must say, sadly, are the French, especially the young men, whom I have met in groups, mostly. I have met and observed people from almost every European nation, African nations, and the Middle Eastern countries, as well as men from the Far East. What would Hogarth and Twain do with those French young men, standing in groups on the pavement, not moving unless one asks them to do so, smoking in front of college and international schools, and throwing lit cigarettes on the sidewalk as one walks by. Great prints....
But, no. We are not allowed to be critical, to hurt feelings, to point out bad behavior, even sin....sigh.
We have lost the art of satire. Society is going to hell in a hand-basket because we must be so nice, so sincere, so superficial.
Patrick was a gentleman, and to him I would apply the lines:
"So may I be courteous to men, faithful to friends,
True to my God, a fragrance in the path I trod."
- Mark Twain's Autobiography
By the way, Christ was not politically correct.
In the days of Hogarth, society could be criticized for many sins, but now, sin is denied and psychology has allowed us all to make excuses for bad behavior.
Hogarth's prints, the three famous series which I have seen, especially the Marriage a-la-mode series, point out graphically the foibles of consumerism and material occupations. Hogarth's keen use of symbolism and literature, as well as myth and the evils of sin create strong parables, as well as a record of life at a certain time in Britain-a record of vice.
Would Hogarth be allowed to publish, sell, become famous for his satires today? Mark Twain is another satirist, whose quick wit shed light as a commentary on American and European society. We have lost this art, because we can no longer be objective. We are not allowed to be objective, but can only wallow in the relativism of feelings, emotions and subjectivity.
The fact that satire is extinct is a damning fact owing to the loss of a moral framework-- that our Western society can no longer hold a mirror up to reality and that people spurn self-knowledge
I shall give a modern day example. I have been observing the manners or lack of manners among men of many nations and backgrounds in London. Now, when I write some of my observations, I shall expect an outcry of "That's not fair", or "You can't judge", or "What about their background, psychological state, feelings. etc., etc., etc."
Recently, I have been comparing national differences, which some people claim do not exist, but do. Being in London, I am surrounded by people from all over the world. I have been observing men, women, and children when I am out and about.
I have noticed that the manners of men have almost completely disappeared except among certain groupings. Why this has occurred, I do not know, but there is a huge difference in gentlemanly behavior among men. A few days ago, I posted Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman's definition of a gentlemen. Now, some nationalities do not, apparently, believe in gentlemanly behavior. Rudeness is considered masculine, I guess. Too bad. "Gangsta" is in among some groupings. Wow, what would Twain do with "gangsta" talk?
Hogarth would have an entirely new set of subjects for his art and Mark Twain would have material for his witty essays. Would that we had such satirists now.
My criteria for satire involves the following criteria, which is not political correct: does the man move out of my way on the sidewalk, or charge towards me wanting me to move over? Do I have to walk into the street to let a man pass, who refuses to move over? If I am bumped into, does he say sorry? Does he open a door for me or offer me a seat on the bus or train? Does he crash through a line to get in front of me instead of queuing? Does he help me with packages or luggage? Does he say thank you and you are welcome? Does he ask how am I today if we speak to each other? If there are no empty seats in Church, does he get up for me to sit down? If I accidentally drop my umbrella, does he pick it up? If I accidentally bump into a man, does he say sorry or swear, or sound like he is swearing at me? All these things have happened at least once and, indeed more than once. I cannot draw like Hogarth. My wit is not as sharp as Twain's.
Now, my sampling is not scientific, but merely watching and living in London for over three weeks. But, one does not need time if one has the eye of a satirist.
Here are my results. Those who are politically correct may stop reading at this point.
Men from England, Germany, and India of a certain age are the most polite. They also dress better than younger men.
By a certain age, I mean 60-ish or over.
Very young men from the Orient are polite, such as men from Singapore or Japan. They get gold stars for politeness. Some British young men on the tube are very polite. Hogarth could do some prints of nice young men offering older ladies seats during rush hour on the Central Line.
Middle-aged men who are the most polite are the Germans and the Americans. I do not know why the differences. Maybe they are just happier people in general and therefore can be polite. Notice that the British and Germans are on two lists. Mark Twain would be using dialect for these commentaries.
I shall not list the very rudest. It would be too impolite. As to the rudest European men, which I shall mention, I must say, sadly, are the French, especially the young men, whom I have met in groups, mostly. I have met and observed people from almost every European nation, African nations, and the Middle Eastern countries, as well as men from the Far East. What would Hogarth and Twain do with those French young men, standing in groups on the pavement, not moving unless one asks them to do so, smoking in front of college and international schools, and throwing lit cigarettes on the sidewalk as one walks by. Great prints....
But, no. We are not allowed to be critical, to hurt feelings, to point out bad behavior, even sin....sigh.
We have lost the art of satire. Society is going to hell in a hand-basket because we must be so nice, so sincere, so superficial.
Patrick was a gentleman, and to him I would apply the lines:
"So may I be courteous to men, faithful to friends,
True to my God, a fragrance in the path I trod."
- Mark Twain's Autobiography
By the way, Christ was not politically correct.
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