The Wignacourt Museum in Rabat, Malta

http://www.unescomalta.org/wignacourt.asp

Small Extraordinary Events

As I was taking my evening constitutional along the famous Sliema promenade, I happened upon the Legion of Mary saying the rosary in public. Of course, I joined them. We were praying for Malta, for several good reasons.

Then, as I continued my walk, I met a couple who live in Sliema saying their nightly rosary and I joined them. Again, these two were praying for Malta. Malta needs prayers. But, how wonderful that people feel free to pray in public. Several people joined us for a decade or so and moved on. I had the feeling that Mary was very pleased with this display of loyalty and devotion.

One man about my dad's age told me he had stopped to say the rosary, as he remembered when the Legion of Mary was popular in parishes.

God bless these good people and may all our prayers for Malta be answered.

1917 Postcard of Sliema

Arguments on Nomenclature

For years, I have had an on-going argument on the terms child, youth, young adult and adult.

Part of the problem is the over-protection of teens, from the point of view from parents in Gen X. Overprotecting children does not help them grow. I know children who are in their teens who have never walked anywhere, being carried in cars their entire lives from here to there.

I know parents who check up on their children almost constantly on the cell phone, creating hot-house plants instead of allowing youth people experiences that help them grow up.

But, one must start with language. A teen is not a child. A teen is a young adult, who should be learning skills for being independent at college or university. To keep calling teens children is to demean the process of maturation.

In addition to not giving young adults some freedom in movement and making decisions under parental guidance, another huge problem is that parents do not demand obedience from adults who are in the house and being supported.

I tell parents constantly that if they are still paying rent, food, travel, clothes, etc for their offspring, those children owe their parents obedience and honor. I have friends who absolutely disagree with their young adults' lifestyles, but still give them money and meet their needs.

This is not good parenting. One should not become friends with their offspring until these people earn such respect as adults.

One moves towards maturity in slow steps, but these steps have to be orchestrated by the parents. Parents need to plan how to make their children become young adults and finally adults.

Being financially responsible is one of those steps. Becoming mannerly and respectful is part of growing up.
Making good decisions about things is also a step to maturity, under the guidance of parents and under the authority of parents.

To be continued...

Romans in Malta

I spent the day with a friend in Rabat. This is the place where both Blessed John Paul II and Benedict XVI visited the Grotto of St. Paul. Fantastic Roman catacombs and a Roman villa allow one to see the influence of a long Roman occupation of Malta.

http://www.maltasicily.com/malta/en/1/to-see-and-do/cultural-site/cult_31/29-Roman+Villa.html

Here are a few photos.

There is also an art gallery and museum there which I shall need to visit again. I shall write about that tomorrow.

Too hot to write....

http://www.themaltaexperience.net/?p=398

http://www.maltabulb.com/tourist-attractions-in-malta.html

Please note this....

PIUS XII

APOSTOLIC LETTER

SACRED convergent YEAR

CONSECRATION OF RUSSIA
TO THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY

7 July 1952 ( 1 )

As the year drew holy happily toward its end, after that by divine disposition was given to us to solemnly define the dogma of the Assumption body and soul into heaven of the great Mother of God, Virgin Mary, many from all over the world There expressed their vivid exultation, among them were those who did not, in sending thank you letters, begged so earnestly We consacrassimo the entire people of Russia, in distress of the present moment, to the Immaculate Heart of the same Virgin Mary.

This petition came to us extremely welcome, because if Our paternal affection embraces all peoples, especially caters to those that, although for the most part separate historical events from this Apostolic See, yet still retain the Christian name and are in a state that not only are they difficult to hear our voice and know the teachings of the Catholic doctrine, but are pushed with deceptive and pernicious arts to reject even the faith and the name of God

1. constant remembrance in prayer

As soon as we were elevated to the supreme pontificate, our thoughts turned to you, the people who make up a huge, famous in history for glorious deeds, for love of country, for hard work and thrift, for piety towards God and the Virgin Mary.

We never ceased to raise our prayers to God that always help you with His light and His divine help, and grant you all to be able to reach, along with the optimal material prosperity, even that freedom for which each you will be able to protect their human dignity, knowing the teachings of the true religion, and pay the debt to worship God not only in the depths of his own conscience, but also openly, in the exercise of public and private life.

After all you know that our predecessors, whenever he showed them a chance, nothing else had more at heart than to express to their goodwill and to offer you their help. Do you know that the Apostles of the Western Slavs, Saints Cyril and Methodius, who together with the Christian religion brought to the ancestors of those also civilization, they headed quest'alma city, because their apostolic activity was supported by the Romans popes. And while they make their entrance in Rome, our predecessor of happy memory Adriano III 'meets them in great witness of honor, accompanied by the clergy and people " ( 2 ) and, after approved and praised their work, not only elevates them to the episcopate, but he wants to consecrate himself with the solemn majesty of the sacred rites.

2. In a millennium from the first meetings

As for your ancestors, the Roman pontiffs, whenever circumstances permit it, tried to tighten or strengthen the bonds of friendship with them. Thus in the year 977 Our predecessor of happy memory Benedict VII sent his legates to the prince Jaropolk, brother of the famous Vladimir, and at the same Grand Prince Vladimir, under whose auspices shone for the first time among your people the name and civilization Christians, delegations were sent by our predecessors John XV in 991 and Sylvester II in 999, which was reciprocated by the same kindly Vladimir, who in turn sent messengers to the same Roman pontiffs. And it is noteworthy that at the time when this prince brought these people to the religion of Jesus Christ, the Christian East and West were united under the authority of the Roman Pontiff, as the supreme head of the whole church.

Indeed, not a few years later, in 1075, your prince Isjaslav Iaropolk sent his son to the supreme pontiff Gregory VII, and that Our predecessor of immortal memory, so he wrote to this prince and his august consort: "Your son, while visited the sacred thresholds of the Apostles, came to us, and because he wanted to get that kingdom for Our hand as a gift of Peter, having made ​​profession of allegiance to the same prince of the apostles, requested him with devout supplications, ensuring no doubt that the his request would have been ratified and confirmed by you, if he had the favor and protection of apostolic authority. Since these votes and these requests seemed legitimate, both for your consent and for the devotion of the applicant, we finally have accepted, and we delivered by the Government of St. Peter of your kingdom, and with this intention with this burning desire, that blessed Peter with his intercession with God will guard you, your kingdom, and all your stuff, and you do have that same kingdom in peace and with all honor and glory to the end of your life. .... " ( 3 )

Also, it is to be noted and taken into consideration that the sum Isidore, Metropolitan of Kiev, in the ecumenical council is Florence, signed the decree which was solemnly sanctioned the union of the Eastern and Western church under the authority of the Roman pontiff, and this throughout his ecclesiastical province, that is, for the entire kingdom of Russia, and that penalty units he, as far as he looked, he remained faithful until the end of his earthly life.

3. Pages admirable generosity and love

And if in the meantime, and as a result, because of an accumulation of adverse circumstances, on the one hand and on the other communications became more difficult, and consequently more difficult union of souls - although until 1448 did not have any documents public declaring your church separated from the Apostolic See - this, however, in general, not be attributed to the Slavic people, and certainly not our predecessors, who always surrounded it with a fatherly love these people, and when it was possible for them took care to support them and to help them in every way.

Let's leave out quite a few other historical documents from which it appears the benevolence of our predecessors towards your nation, but we can not fail to mention briefly what did the Popes Benedict XV and Pius XI, when, after the first European conflict, especially in the southern regions of your home, huge multitudes of men, women, innocent boys and girls were hit by a terrible famine and extreme poverty. They in fact, driven by paternal affection towards your fellow countrymen, sent to these people food, clothing, and money collected by the entire family of Catholics, to meet all those hungry and unhappy, and be able to ease some of their calamity. And they provided our predecessors, according to their ability, not only the physical needs, but also to the spiritual, in fact, you do not pay to raise supplications to God, the Father of mercies and the source of all consolation (cf. 2 Cor 1.3 ), wished they were also held public prayers for your religious condition so upset and disturbed by the deniers and enemies of God, I decided to uproot from souls the faith and the very notion of Divinity. So the Supreme Pontiff Pius XI in 1930 established that on the day of the feast of St. Joseph, patron of the universal Church, "were erected common prayers to God. . . in the Vatican Basilica for the miserable conditions of religion in Russia ', ( 4 ) and he himself wished to be present, surrounded by a thick and pious multitude of people. Also in the solemn speech consistory exhorted all with these words: "We must pray to Christ. . . Redeemer of the human race, so be restored to peace and freedom to profess one's faith to the unhappy children of Russia. . . and we want according to this intention, that is, for Russia, those prayers are recited which Our Predecessor Leo XIII of happy memory has forced the priests to say with the people after the Holy Mass, the bishops and the regular and secular clergy with care seek to inculcate the above for their loyal or anyone attending the Mass, and this often recall to their memory. " ( 5 )

4. Impartiality of the Supreme Pontiff

We gladly confirm and renew this exhortation and this command, since the religious situation in this with you is certainly not better, and because we feel towards these people animated by the same genuine love and the same concerns.

At the outbreak of the last long and terrible conflict, we did everything that was in our power, with the word, with the exhortations and action, so that the disagreements were healed through fair and just peace, and so that the people everyone, without distinction of race, would join a friendly and brotherly, and collaborate together to achieve greater prosperity.

Ever, even at that time, came out of our mouth a word that might seem unfair or harsh to a part of the belligerents. We have certainly tried, as you had, any iniquity, and any violation of law, but what we did in order to avoid with all diligence what he could become, though unjustly, due to higher afflictions for oppressed peoples. And when somewhere you did not pressure us because in some way, either verbally or in writing, we approve the war waged against Russia in 1941, we agreed never to do so, as we expressed it openly February 25, 1946, in his speech before the sacred college and all the diplomatic missions accredited to the Holy See. ( 6 )

5. For the freedom of souls and for justice

When it comes to defending the cause of religion, of truth, of justice and of Christian civilization, certainly not we be silent, to this however have always turned our thoughts and our intentions, namely, that not by force of arms, but with the majesty of the law all people are governed, and each of them, in due possession of civil and religious liberty within the borders of their own country, should be conducted towards harmony, peace and the life of work, for which individual citizens can obtain the necessary things to food, to housing, livelihood and the government of their own family. Our words and our exhortations riguardarono and concern of all nations, and then you, too, that you are always present at our heart, and with which we wish to disasters and alleviate According to our forces.Those who love not the lie but the truth knows that throughout the course of the recent conflict hard We demonstrated impartial toward all belligerents, and what we have often proved with their words and actions, and we understand in Our ardent love all nations, even those whose leaders professed enemies of the Apostolic See, and also those in which the deniers of God fiercely oppose anything that smacks of Christian and divine, and try to erase it from the minds of the citizens. In fact, by the command of Jesus Christ, who gave the whole of the Christian people flock to St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles (cf. Jn 21, 15-17) - of which we are unworthy successor - We love with intense love for all peoples and we wish to procure the earthly prosperity and eternal salvation of everyone. All, therefore, is at war with weapons, both in contention for serious disagreements, we are considered by many as beloved children, and want nothing else, nothing else we ask God in prayer for them, if not their mutual concord , the just and true peace and prosperity increasing. Indeed, if some, because deceived by the lies and slanders, profess openly hostile towards us, We are driven towards them by a greater sympathy and a more ardent affection.

6. Condemnation of error and charity for the erring

No doubt we have condemned and rejected - as required by the duty of our office - the mistakes that proponents of atheistic communism teach and strive to propagate with high damage and ruin of the citizens, but the erring ones, far from rejecting them, we want them to come back to truth and be brought back to the right path. We have indeed brought to light and try these lies, which often presented under a false appearance of truth, precisely because we feed paternal affection towards you and seek your good. For we have the firm belief that you can not derive from these mistakes that enormous damage, since not only take away from your souls that supernatural light and supreme comfort those who come by piety and devotion to God, but also strip you of human dignity and the rightful freedom due to the citizens.

7. The powerful defense of the Mother of God

We know that many of you will retain their Christian faith in that inner sanctuary of conscience, that in no way leave you induce to encourage the enemies of religion, but rather crave profess the Christian teachings, unique and sure foundations of civilized life, not only privately, but if it were possible, as befits a free people, even openly. And we still, with the utmost Our hope and great comfort, that you loved and honored with ardent affection the Virgin Mary Mother of God, and who worshiped his sacred images. It is known that in the same Clemlino a temple was built - now sadly removed from the divine worship - dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary assumed into heaven, and this is a clear testimony of the love that you bring your ancestors and to the great Mother of God

However, we know that can not be less than the hope of salvation where the spirits turn with sincerity and ardent devotion to the Most Holy Mother of God since, while men strive, as wicked and powerful, to uproot from the hearts of citizens of the holy religion and Christian virtue, though satan himself trying to promote by all means fight this sacrilegious according to the judgment of the Apostle: ". . . we have to fight against flesh and blood, but against the princes and powers, against the ruling ofthis dark world and against the spiritual evil. . . "( Eph 6: 12), but if Mary interposes his powerful patronage, the gates of hell will not prevail. In fact, it is the most gracious and powerful Mother of God and of us all, and never has been heard in the world, that anyone has made ​​use of appealing to her, and has not experienced his powerful intercession. Go on, then, as you are used to, to worship with fervent piety, to love passionately and to invoke her with these words, which are familiar to you: "To thee only have been granted, most holy and most pure Mother of God, to see you ever heard ' . (7 )

8. Fervent appeal for peace

We, too, together with you we raise our prayer to it, so that the Christian truth, dignity and support of human coexistence will be strengthened and vigoreggi between the peoples of Russia, and all the tricks of the enemies of religion, and all their errors and their perfidious arts are rejected far from you, so that the public and private morals again conform to the rules of the Gospel, especially to those among you who profess to be Catholic, though deprived of their pastors, resist with fortitude fearless against the assaults of wickedness up to death, so that just freedom which belongs to the human person, to the citizens and to Christians, all returned, as is their right, and first be restored to the church, which has the divine mandate to make disciples of all men in the truth religious and virtues, and finally, so that true peace may shine to your beloved nation and all of humanity, and this peace based on justice and charity direct happily fed by all nations for the common prosperity of the citizens and peoples that comes from mutual harmony of thought.

Is pleased with the benign Mother of our look with benign even to those who organize the ranks of militant atheists and give any boost to their initiatives. Want it illuminated with the light that comes from their minds, and direct with divine grace their hearts to salvation.

9. Consecration of the peoples of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

We, therefore, that more easily Our and your prayers are answered, and to give you a unique certificate of Our special benevolence, as a few years ago we consecrated the world to the Immaculate Heart of the Virgin Mother of God, so now, so very special, consecrate all the peoples of Russia to the Immaculate Heart same, in the sure confidence that with the powerful patronage of the Virgin Mary happily come true as soon as the votes that we, that you, that all good form for a true peace, a fraternal harmony, and the due freedom for all and first of all to the church, so that, through prayer that we lift up together with you and with all Christians, saving the kingdom of Christ, who is "a kingdom of truth and life, a kingdom of holiness and grace, a kingdom of justice, love and peace ", ( 8) in every part of the earth triumphs and consolidate stable.

And with humble prayer pray the same merciful mother Mary, why assist each of you in these disasters and get to her divine Son to your minds the light that comes from heaven, and implore for your souls that virtue and the fortress, so that, sustained by divine grace, can successfully overcome all ungodliness and error.

Rome, at Saint Peter's, 7 July 1952, the feast of Saints Cyril and Methodius, the fourteenth year of Our Pontificate.

PIO PP. XII

---

( 1 ) PIUS PP. XII, Epist. Exhortation. Sacred convergent year universae Russorum gentis Immaculato Mariae de Cordi consecratione, [Ad Universos Russiae Populos], 7 Iulii 1952: AAS 44 (1952), p. 505-511.

( 2 ) LEO XIII, Epist. enc. Grande munus , 30 sept.1880: Acta Leonis XIII , II, p. 129; EE 3.

( 3 ) gregorii Registrum VII, 1, 2, n. 74: MGH Epist. select. II, I, p. 236.

( 4 ) AAS 22 (1930), p. 300.

( 5 ) AAS 22 (1930), p. 301.

( 6 ) cf. AAS 38 (1946), p. 154.

( 7 ) Acathistus Festi Patrocinii SS. Of Genitricis: Kondak 3.

( 8 ) Praef. festo in Iesu Christi Regis.

A Brief Thought

God grants miracles. We should ask for them. Father Z......

I need a few. Please pray for me.

Simplicity, Two

One of the inlaid tombs in the floor of St. John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta, Malta

To finish this description of simplicity, I shall add two more points.

Six, to become simple, allow God to show you the smallest imperfections of your being, as humility leads to simplicity.

Seven, to become simple, think now and then about death, your own death. Thinking of one's eternal destiny instantly simplifies life. In the long run, those trinkets on the mantle piece, or going to a special store for one's favorite chocolate, or spending too much time with cell phone apps, or computer games, or browsing the Net, are all activities and goals which will complicate one's life, rather than bringing simplicity. These things are really not that important. They distract us from prayer and from reflection.

I have now lived several weeks without a cell phone. I do not miss it. I can use skype if I need to, or a friend's land line for really, really important calls.

I do not miss it. The Net was down for over 20 hours this past week, and I did not miss it.

Simplify now, as this is part of the purification of the senses and the spirit. Where one spends eternity may be determined by how much one simplifies one's busy life.

Also, teach your children to become reflective. When they come home from school, after snack time, make them spend 20-30 minutes in their rooms in silence, thinking about their day.

This creates the beginnings of simplicity and purification of the mind, heart and soul. After a while, the children will be able to listen to the still, small voice of God, which is the goal of simplicity.

Reflection and examination of conscience daily lead to greater simplicity.

Simplicity

Someone asked me what simplicity actually was...

Can I list a few things to at least describe simplicity?

Here is a description, rather than a definition...

One, eat less and spend less than you actually are able to do. This is the meaning of temperance.
If one chooses less, one is denying one's appetites and inordinate desires.



Two, dress so as to not draw attention to yourself. Simplicity leads to modesty. Drawing attention to one's self, obviously, is not a sign of humility.

Three, simplicity may be revealed in one's house. Again, one rarely needs all the things one gathers. Too many people buy for the sake of buying, almost as if shopping is for entertainment rather for getting needs.

Four, simplicity in speech means not speaking of other people's business, not complaining.

Five, simplicity in mind means not living either in the past, nor in the future, but only in the present.

Luke 12:27-40

Douay-Rheims 

27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they labour not, neither do they spin. But I say to you, not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of these.

28 Now if God clothe in this manner the grass that is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more you, O ye of little faith?

29 And seek not you what you shall eat, or what you shall drink: and be not lifted up on high.

30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek. But your Father knoweth that you have need of these things.

31 But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his justice, and all these things shall be added unto you.

32 Fear not, little flock, for it hath pleased your Father to give you a kingdom.

33 Sell what you possess and give alms. Make to yourselves bags which grow not old, a treasure in heaven which faileth not: where no thief approacheth, nor moth corrupteth.

34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

To be continued....

An award for Snowden

http://wikileaks.org/Video-Edward-Snowden-wins-Sam.html

Tout Est Grace

A reader made the connection between all is gift and all is grace, the famous phrase from the writings of St. Therese the Little Flower.

Tout est grace in Therese's writings point to three elements of her spirituality.

First, the entire dependence of a person on God. This is the relationship of the child to the Father, the trusting servant to Providence. Therese herself, as an anxious and nervous child, had to learn this, but because of her close relationship with her father, this became a reality in her relationship with God. Trusting brings an openness to God and gives a person great freedom.

Second, the idea of complete dependence on God led to an understanding of giving all to Jesus as His follower. Her response to her vocation to Carmel was an acceptance of the call of Christ to be a bride. One can see the movement of a person recognizing the Indwelling of the Trinity, having a relationship with God the Father, and then, Christ, His Son. The all is grace here is the complete trust of following Christ into the unknown.

Third, the unity of this saint with the Holy Spirit would bring a near completion of this conception of  "all is grace".  Through intense suffering and death of the ego, Therese went through the purification of the senses and spirit into the state of Illumination, moving very quickly into the state of Contemplation and Union.  All is grace would describe one's entire life at that point.

Now, realize that one must work hard to get to these stages. Hard work which most people do not want to do....

Tout est grace.

The Wounds of Love

Many Catholics forget that Christ in glory bears the wounds of His Passion.

His Glorified Body is Perfect, but with the holes in His Hands, Feet, His open Side...

Why?

Are these merely a proof of His Passion and Resurrection?

Are these the physical medals of spiritual warfare?

Are these the signs of Christ's victory over Death?

Yes, but more....

I think these are the wounds of love.

What do I mean?

When one loves another person, one allows oneself to become open and vulnerable. The only way to truly love is through sacrifice and dying to self. Most of these wounds of love are invisible.

Married couples go through times of unrequited love, even in their covenant state. The ebb and flow of emotions and the moving of romantic love into love of the will require heroic decisions in times of dryness.

These times cause wounds, like the wounds one may feel when one loves someone who does not return that love.

The saints who had the stigmata loved Christ so much they shared in His Passion.

The stigmata for some was invisible. Some people today bear invisible wounds of love.

Christ has loved all humans, each person ever created. Not all return His Love. Yet, He loves.

His Passion is the absorption of rejection.

Perfect Love is daily rejected. But, like the patient and long-suffering lover who continues to love despite hurt and rejection, Christ loves each one of us forever.

Perfect Love wears the wounds of love.

All Is Gift

From my children's Bible

Everything is his gift. If we can realise that everything is God’s gift, how happy will our hearts be! Everything is his gift. He is our strength! Saying “thank you” is such an easy thing, and yet so hard! How often do we say “thank you” to one another in our families? These are essential words for our life in common. “Excuse me”, “sorry”, “thank you”. If families can say these three things, they will be fine. “Excuse me”, “sorry”, “thank you”. 

from the Pope's Sermon today


Text from page http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/10/13/pope_consacrates_world_to_immaculate_heart_of_mary_/en1-736956
of the Vatican Radio website 

from None Today And from The Pope's Sermon

Love is strong as death,

jealousy as relentless as Sheol.

The flash of it is a flash of fire,

a flame of the Lord himself.

Love no floods can quench,

no torrents drown.

---

I will love you, Lord, my strength:

– my protector, my sign of salvation.

Ze’ev Raban [1890-1970] was a leading exponent of the Bezalel school style in painting, sculpture and the decorative arts. He was born Wolf Rawicki in Poland. Under the influence of Boris Schatz, the founder of the Bezalel Academy, Raban moved to the land of Israel in 1912, and joined the facility of the academy. Raban designed the decorative elements of such important Jerusalem buildings as the King David Hotel, the Jerusalem YMCA, and Bikkur-Cholim Hospital. He also designed a wide range of day-to-day objects, including playing cards, commercial packaging, bank notes, tourism posters, jewelry, and insignia for Zionist institutions. Raban also designed a wide range of Jewish objects including menorahs, temple windows and Torah arks.

from here

This was the experience of the Virgin Mary. At the message of the angel, she does not hide her surprise. It is the astonishment of realizing that God, to become man, had chosen her, a simple maid of Nazareth. Not someone who lived in a palace amid power and riches, or one who had done extraordinary things, but simply someone who was open to God and put her trust in him, even without understanding everything: “Here I am, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word” (Lk 1:38). That was her answer. God constantly surprises us, he bursts our categories, he wreaks havoc with our plans. And he tells us: trust me, do not be afraid, let yourself be surprised, leave yourself behind and follow me!

Today let us all ask ourselves whether we are afraid of what God might ask, or of what he does ask. Do I let myself be surprised by God, as Mary was, or do I remain caught up in my own safety zone: in forms of material, intellectual or ideological security, taking refuge in my own projects and plans? Do I truly let God into my life? How do I answer him?

....

Mary said her “yes” to God: a “yes” which threw her simple life in Nazareth into turmoil, and not only once. Any number of times she had to utter a heartfelt “yes” at moments of joy and sorrow, culminating in the “yes” she spoke at the foot of the Cross. Here today there are many mothers present; think of the full extent of Mary’s faithfulness to God: seeing her only Son hanging on the Cross. The faithful woman, still standing, utterly heartbroken, yet faithful and strong.

And I ask myself: am I a Christian by fits and starts, or am I a Christian full-time? Our culture of the ephemeral, the relative, also takes its toll on the way we live our faith. God asks us to be faithful to him, daily, in our everyday life. He goes on to say that, even if we are sometimes unfaithful to him, he remains faithful. In his mercy, he never tires of stretching out his hand to lift us up, to encourage us to continue our journey, to come back and tell him of our weakness, so that he can grant us his strength. This is the real journey: to walk with the Lord always, even at moments of weakness, even in our sins. Never to prefer a makeshift path of our own. That kills us. Faith is ultimate fidelity, like that of Mary.

Text from page http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/10/13/pope_consacrates_world_to_immaculate_heart_of_mary_/en1-736956
of the Vatican Radio website 

Christ, Bringing Division and Reconciliation

Having discussions with a friend who does not believe in institutional religion provides an interesting background for the discussion of tolerance. St. Paul brought Christianity to Malta through a miracle, and right now, I think I need a miracle to help me. The spiritual person of the day may not be able to make the distinction between true and false religions. He may not be able to accept a group of people who claim to have The Truth. But, that is what the Catholic Church claims. We have the Fullness of Truth. To compromise or pretend this is not the case would be lying. The love affair with tolerance stops some people from taking that step into the Catholic Church.

I would like to quote Venerable Fulton J. Sheen twice from one of his talks.

First he notes this: There is no other subject on which the average mind is so much confused as the subject of tolerance and intolerance. Tolerance is always supposed to be desirable because it is taken to be synonymous with broadmindedness. Intolerance is always supposed to be undesirable, because it is taken to be synonymous with narrow-mindedness. This is not true, for tolerance and intolerance apply to two totally different things. Tolerance applies only to persons, but never to principles. Intolerance applies only to principles, but never to persons. We must be tolerant to persons because they are human; we must be intolerant about principles because they are divine. We must be tolerant to the erring, because ignorance may have led them astray; but we must be intolerant to the error, because Truth is not our making, but God's. And hence the Church in her history, due reparation made, has always welcomed the heretic back into the treasury of her souls, but never his heresy into the treasury of her wisdom. 

and then, this....

Now this is precisely the attitude of the Church on the subject of the world conferences on religion. She holds that just as the truth is one in geography, in chemistry, and mathematics, so too there is one truth in religion, and if we are intolerant about the truth that two times two equals four, then we should also be intolerant about those principles on which is hinged the only really important thing in the world, namely, the salvation of our immortal soul. If the assumption is that there is no Divinity, no oneness about truth, but only opinion, probability, and compromise, then the Church must refrain from participation. Any conference on religion, therefore, which starts with the assumption that there is no such thing as truth, and that contrary and contradictory sects may be united in a federation of broad¬mindedness, must never expect the Church to join or cooperate. 

As we grew from childhood to adolescence, the one thing that probably did most to wreck our faith in Santa Claus-I know it did mine -was to find a Santa Claus in every department-store window. If there were only one Santa Claus, and he was at the North Pole, how could there be one in every shop window and at every street corner? That same mentality which led us to seek truth in unity should lead us in religious matters to identically the same conclusion. 

The world may charge the Church with intolerance, and the world is right. The Church is intolerant-intolerant about Truth, intolerant about principles, intolerant about Divinity, just as Our Blessed Lord was intolerant about His Divinity. The other religions may change their principles, and they do change them, because their principles are man-made. The Church cannot change, because her principles are God-made. Religion is not a sure of beliefs that we would like, but the sum of beliefs God has given. The world may disagree with the Church, but the world knows very definitely with what it is disagreeing. In the future as in the past, the Church will be intolerant about the sanctity of marriage, for what God has joined together no man shall put asunder; she will be intolerant about her creed, and be ready to die for it, for she fears not those who kill the body, but rather those who have the power to cast body and soul into hell. She will be intolerant about her infallibility, for "Lo," says Christ, "I am with you all the days even unto the end of the world." And while she is intolerant even to blood, in adhering to the truths given her by her Divine Founder, she will be tolerant to those who say she is intolerant, for the same Divine Founder has taught her to say: "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do." 

My friend is a wonderful, loving person, but she cannot understand or accept a religion which claims to have the Fullness of Truth. I can only agree with her great spiritual quest to find the Truth and listen to her profound understanding of human nature and the need for the purification of the soul.

But, in the end, faith is a gift. So, pray for her. We Catholics take so much for granted. Those who have grown up with no philosophical framework or metaphysical perspective may be searching and may have may opportunities for grace. But, a time comes for decision.

In the end, the dividing line is Christ Himself. Either one accepts Him as God and Man and Saviour, or one does not. One then must be open to accepting His Church as the place which He established on earth to help us with our salvation.

Pray for a miracle, please.

St. Paul's Bay

Today, I went to St. Paul's Bay where St. Paul traditionally was shipwrecked and came onto the island of Malta as reported in Acts. Here is a snippet from this website below. I went to the small church seen in the photo, which is supposedly the site of the bonfire where the snake bit St. Paul, but it was locked up. The same was true for the larger church. Sadly, that church was locked at well.

I said a prayer on the porch.

http://www.visitmalta.com/en/st-paul-in-malta

The welcome given to the survivors is described in the Acts of the Apostles (XXVIII) by St. Luke:

"And later we learned that the island was called Malta.
And the people who lived there showed us great kindness,
and they made a fire and called us all to warm ourselves... "

As the fire was lit, Paul was bitten by a poisonous snake but he suffered no ill effects. The islanders took this as a sign that he was a special man. This scene is depicted in many religious works of art on the Islands.

According to tradition, the Apostle took refuge in a cave, now known as St. Paul's Grotto in Rabat, Malta.

During his winter stay, he was invited to the house of Publius, the Romans' chief man on the Islands. It was here, according to tradition, that Paul cured Publius' father of a serious fever. Publius is then said to have converted to Christianity and was made the first Bishop of Malta. The Cathedral of Mdina is said to stand on the site of Publius' house.

Simple Questions for Readers

Do you know what it means to sacrifice, and are you ready to sacrifice your comfort zones for the sake of the one, holy, Catholic and apostolic Church?

Dedication to The Immaculate Heart of Mary

According to the Portuguese shrine’s website, the statue of Our Lady of Fatima will leave for Rome on the morning of Oct. 12 and return on the afternoon of Oct. 13. The statue normally resides in the shrine’s Little Chapel of Apparitions.

The cardinal said that “all ecclesial entities of Marian spirituality” are invited to take part in the celebration. Hundreds of movements and institutions that emphasize Marian devotion are expected to attend, the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima says.

The two-day observance includes an Oct. 12 pilgrimage to the tomb of St. Peter and moments of prayer and meditation. On Oct. 13, Pope Francis will celebrate Mass in St. Peter’s Square.

Read more: http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/pope-francis-to-consecrate-the-world-to-marys-immaculate-heart/#ixzz2hXX9e1Jj

European television is full of this coverage, but I have not been home watching television.

Our Lady of Fatima is greatly loved in most Catholic countries.

If you have a chance, watch the dedication. I am not sure I shall able to see it. I am also having trouble with the Internet and the television is not working all the time as well. This is Malta.

Saint for October 12th

Felix de Nicola was born in 1540 at Montegranaro in the Central Italian region know as the Marches of Ancona, around 1540, the second of Jerome de Nicola and his wife Theodora's four children. His father was a builder by trade, but found it hard to eke out a living. At a young age Felix was sent to work on a neighbouring farm, so as to earn some extra income for the family. In the countryside, with only sheep for company, he developed a love for silence, solitude, prayer and meditation. But when his parents died, and his brother Silenzio took over the family business, Felix was called back home to help with the building work. He was, however, a clumsy young man, totally incapable of learning any of the building skills, his brother tried to teach him. Even as a mere hod carrier, his innate clumsiness got the better of him and he was regularly scolded and badly beaten by his bad-tempered older brother. He bore this cruel treatment with great patience.

Wanting to consecrate himself to the service of God, he entered the Capuchin novitiate at Jesi at the age of eighteen. He was given the name Seraphin. "I have nothing but a crucifix and a rosary. With these I hope to benefit the Brothers and become a saint." His humility, penance and self-sacrifice impressed his brothers. Punctual in performing his own duties, he still found time to be of service to others. He used to say, "I'm fit for nothing but ready for anything."

He often spent nights in prayer. In the evening he would visit the Blessed Sacrament and remain there for hours absorbed in contemplation. Then he would take a short rest, after which he would get up again to attend the midnight Office.

During a famine he ate only a quarter of his usual food in order to have more to give to the poor. As doorkeeper, charged with providing for the poor, he once went beyond obedience. One day, there were some poor people waiting for food, and, since he had nothing left to give them, he went into the garden and pulled up the vegetables which were growing there and distributed them. When the guardian criticized him for doing this, Seraphin assured him that the community would not suffer in any way and indeed, they did not go hungry, the shortage being made up in other ways.

God blessed the kindness of his servant: it was said that sick people were restored to health when he made the Sign of the Cross over them. But Seraphin, for the most part, was a quiet man, withdrawn from the public eye. When working in the friary he meditated on the passion of Our Lord, and his great wish was to be sent abroad as a missionary, though this was not granted. He used to compose simple prayers of his own, such as the following: - One of my readers states this is, of course, from the Stabat Mater. I shall look up the dates...
Holy Mother, pierce me through.
In my heart each wound renew
Of my Saviour crucified.

Seraphin died on 12 October 1604 at the age of sixty-four. Pope Clement XIII canonized him in 1767.

taken from.....

http://www.capuchinfranciscans.ie/Who%20We%20Are/Capuchin%20Saints%20/

and update on Stabat Mater Normally attributed to Jacopone da Todi, but, according to Wikipedia, possibly to Innocent III. 

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stabat_Mater

Love This............

Octopus Stew (in Maltese: Stuffat tal-Qarnit)

Ingredients

1 kilo (or 2 lb and 3.27 oz)) octopus

6 medium sized onions (chopped)

6 tomatoes (peeled and chopped)

6 large potatoes (cut in thick slices)

8 cloves of garlic (crushed)

8 olives (stoned and chopped)

1 tablespoon capers

A few leaves of marjoram and mint

A pinch of tyme

Olive oil

¼ bottle red wine

Method

Clean the octopus very well by turning head inside out and removing the insides. Cut away the beak and eyes. The rest is all edible. To tenderize the flesh, put the octopus in a plastic bag and beat it with a meat hammer against the kitchen table.

Cut the octopus into pieces some 5 cm in length. Rinse in salted water and allow to drain.

Place the octopus in a pot over a very low fire and stew for about an hour. If you see that it is getting too dry, add a little hot water or white wine.

Fry the onions in olive oil. When they soften, add the tomatoes and garlic. As soon as the tomatoes start to soften, mix in all herbs, olives and capers.

The octopus pieces should now be ready to be added to the pan. Increase the temperature to boiling and add the potatoes also. Pour the red wine, lower the heat and stew slowly until the liquid reduces considerably.

We hope that you found these two octopus recipes interesting and that you will try them out when you feel like cooking octopus.

L-Ikla t-tajba! ... Maltese for "Enjoy your meal" :)

Blogging While Entertaining

Writing is a private labor intensive work. One cannot be entertaining much when thinking, reflecting, writing.

However, in the lay life, we have ebbs and flows of activity and passive work, such as thinking, praying, and reflecting.

I love to entertain, in spurts. What is hard, of course, is doing this daily. I had a great friend whose husband was a top CEO. Her life was dedicated to entertaining. She had the grace and selflessness to meet the needs of her husband's many dinners and cocktail parties without being noticed. A quiet, efficient, and lovely hostess.

The key to being a good entertainer is to make all the people as comfortable and to allow them space to enjoy the dinner or day trip or coffee and talk, which means that one cannot be a narcissist, but "one who serves".

As an introvert, I find time to be by myself in Mass and late night Lectio Divina. When staying with friends, contemplation is almost impossible, but God wants times for us to reach out to others and share the jewels He gives us quietly in private. However, like a jealous Lover, He calls one to Himself.

A balance must be maintained and time for God remains the priority. I got a chance to go to Adoration today, which is hard to find in Malta, by the way. How nice to sit in the small chapel, with two or three other women and adore Christ in the Eucharist.

Keep your priorities as simple and as clear as possible.