Beneath the Cross one learns Love

One Week Until Candlemas

And still perfectly suitable to strike up a Christmas Carol!



Martyrdom of St. Paul



"Know you not that they that run in the race, all run indeed, but one receiveth the prize? So run that you may obtain."

St. Paul (1 Cor. 9:24)

"For as often as you shall eat this bread, and drink the chalice, you shall shew the death of the Lord, until he come. Therefore whosoever shall eat this bread, or drink the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and of the blood of the Lord. But let a man prove himself: and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of the chalice. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgment to himself, not discerning the body of the Lord."

St. Paul (1 Cor. 11:26-29)

The Ecstasy of St. Paul

"If I must glory (it is not expedient indeed), but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.  I know a man in Christ above fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I know not, or out of the body, I know not; God knoweth), such a one caught up to the third heaven.  And I know such a man (whether in the body, or out of the body, I know not: God knoweth), That he was caught up into paradise, and heard secret words, which it is not granted to man to utter. For such an one I will glory; but for myself I will glory nothing, but in my infirmities."

St. Paul (2 Cor. 12: 1-5)

"...we pray and beseech you in the Lord Jesus, that as you have received from us, how you ought to walk, and to please God, so also you would walk, that you may abound the more. For you know what precepts I have given to you by the Lord Jesus.  For this is the will of God, your sanctification ..."

St. Paul (1 Thess. 4:1-3)

"They are Hebrews: so am I. They are Israelites: so am I. They are the seed of Abraham: so am I. They are the ministers of Christ (I speak as one less wise). I am more; in many more labours, in prisons more frequently, in stripes above measure, in deaths often. Of the Jews five times did I receive forty stripes, save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once I was stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I was in the depth of the sea.

In journeying often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils from my own nation, in perils from the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils from false brethren. In labour and painfulness, in much watchings, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Besides those things which are without: my daily instance, the solicitude for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is scandalized, and I am not on fire?  If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things that concern my infirmity."

St. Paul (2 Cor. 22-30)

The Conversion of St. Paul: Feast of my Confirmation Patron

"But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews indeed a stumblingblock,

and unto the Gentiles foolishness"

St. Paul - (1 Cor. 2:2)

 

Tomb of St. Paul.  Under the main altar of St. Paul's Outside the Walls, Rome

The Secular Media Advanced the Abortion Lie

Saint Timothy

Today is the Memorial of St. Timothy, Bishop of Ephesus and Martyr (97 A.D.)

Saint Timothy was a convert of Saint Paul, born at Lystra in Asia Minor. His mother was a daughter of Israel, but his father was a pagan, and though Timothy had read the Scriptures from his childhood, he had never been circumcised. On the arrival of Saint Paul at Lystra the youthful Timothy, with his mother and grandmother, eagerly embraced the faith. Seven years later, when the Apostle again visited the country, the boy had grown into manhood. His good heart, his austerities and zeal had won the esteem of all around him, and holy men were prophesying great things of the fervent youth. Saint Paul at once saw his fitness for the work of an evangelist, and Timothy was ordained a priest. From that time on he was the constant and much-beloved fellow-worker of the Apostle.

Not many years after the death of Saint Paul, Timothy, who had surely profited from these counsels, won a martyr’s crown at Ephesus, when on a feast day of the goddess Diana, whose temple stood in that city, he entered into the ungovernable crowd to calm it, exhorting these souls, deprived of the light of truth, to renounce vain worship and embrace Christianity. Wild with idolatrous passion, a pagan struck down the bishop of the Christians, thus freeing him to join his beloved spiritual father in the realm of the Blessed.

(source for above: magnificat.ca)


Today's Memorial is also a good reminder for us to make a special thanksgiving for The Holy Catholic Church, given to us by Christ to be the pillar and foundation of Truth...

"But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth."   (1 Timothy 3:15)

St. Raymond Penafort

Inspired by the preaching and example of Holy Father Dominic and Bl. Reginald of Orleans, St. Raymond of Peñafort (1175-1275, feast day – Jan. 7), entered the Order of Preachers at the age of 47.  Furthermore, he spent the next 53 years as a Dominican. Thus, he lived as a Dominican longer than St. Dominic (51 years), St. Thomas Aquinas (49 years), St. Peter Martyr (46 years), St. Catherine of Siena (33 years), or St. Rose of Lima (31 years) lived, with regard to their ages at their deaths.

St. Raymond is also well known for his miracle of sailing across the sea on his cappa. When King James of Aragon traveled on an expedition to Majorca, Raymond accompanied him, as he was the king’s confessor at the time. Raymond remonstrated James for a public scandal and sought to leave the island. The king tried to keep him by force. Yet, Raymond boldly threw his cappa on the sea, tied his walking stick to it as a mast, and sailed back to Spain. After traveling about a hundred miles in around six hours, Raymond stepped foot on the land, took up his cappa, and found it completely dry. This incredible miracle led to the king’s swift repentance.

Excerpt. Authored by Br. Peter Martyr Joseph Yungwirth, O.P.

Sunday sermon posted in the links.

Great to See

A Down syndrome child used as a model in a recent Nordstrom ad.  I knew there was a reason why I have always liked Nordstrom.

The War of the Vendee and Children's Cinema

Navis Pictures is soon to release their latest film The War of the Vendee, almost entirely acted by children.  Trailer follows, along with commentary supplied by Navis.  The film tells the story of the the counter-revolution of the people of the Vendee in France during the Reign of Terror unleashed by the French Revolution.  Navis is not producing art for art's sake.  Rather, they endeavor to restore the true purpose of art; and, what better way to do it than through the purity of children.  May it flourish!



The story of the Vendee:
In 1793, after enduring three and a half years of mounting persecution of the Church by the architects of the French Revolution, a small band of faithful peasants and nobles began a Catholic "counter-revolution". This is the largely unknown story of the valiant, six year struggle of the people of a small section of western France, to restore their Holy Religion and their King. Steeped in the influence of St. Louis de Montfort, and wearing their rosaries and emblems of the Sacred Heart, their sacrifices resulted in countless martyrdoms, and ultimately won the restoration of religious freedom for all of France. This film is a love-letter to the Vendean people, and was produced to honor the memory of these brave men and women who willingly sacrificed their lives, "for God and King". This film features stunning performances by an exuberant cast of over 250 young people, and will inspire audiences of all ages with its timeless themes of courage, faith, and love.

About Navis Pictures (from President Jim Morlino):
The impulses to create, to perform, to tell stories, to entertain, to "play make-believe", I think, run deep in the human soul. When those impulses are channeled and gently directed, wonderful, magical things can happen - things like, St. Bernadette of Lourdes. In this film, and the others we are producing, one can clearly see that most innocent and pure expression of a child's creative spirit: channeled, directed, and offered back to the Creator Himself, Almighty God.

And so, we are exploring a new genre - Children's Cinema. My idea is that with a little careful thought and planning, some attention to detail, just a smidgin of simple guidance, and most importantly, an overriding emphasis on the true purpose of art, namely to glorify God, we can make movies that are truly greater than the sum of their parts. None of these kids are professional actors, and most of them have never even had any formal acting instruction, but I believe a child doesn't need to be taught how to put on a costume and pretend - it just comes naturally.

The kids love watching the finished movies, and they'll be able to share them with their children some day. But the benefits don't stop there - I think the idea of Navis Pictures, and especially the films themselves will appeal to just about anyone who appreciates truth, beauty, innocence and joy...

The Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ

John is baptizing when Jesus draws near. Perhaps he comes to sanctify his baptiser; certainly he comes to bury sinful humanity in the waters. He comes to sanctify the Jordan for our sake and in readiness for us; he who is spirit and flesh comes to begin a new creation through the Spirit and water.

The Baptist protests; Jesus insists. Then John says: I ought to be baptised by you. He is the lamp in the presence of the sun, the voice in the presence of the Word, the friend in the presence of the Bridegroom, the greatest of all born of woman in the presence of the firstborn of all creation, the one who leapt in his mother’s womb in the presence of him who was adored in the womb, the forerunner and future forerunner in the presence of him who has already come and is to come again. I ought to be baptized by you: we should also add, “and for you”, for John is to be baptized in blood, washed clean like Peter, not only by the washing of his feet.

Jesus rises from the waters; the world rises with him. The heavens like Paradise with its flaming sword, closed by Adam for himself and his descendants, are rent open. The Spirit comes to him as to an equal, bearing witness to his Godhead. A voice bears witness to him from heaven, his place of origin. The Spirit descends in bodily form like the dove that so long ago announced the ending of the flood and so gives honor to the body that is one with God.

Today let us do honor to Christ’s baptism and celebrate this feast in holiness. Be cleansed entirely and continue to be cleansed. Nothing gives such pleasure to God as the conversion and salvation of men, for whom his every word and every revelation exist. He wants you to become a living force for all mankind, lights shining in the world. You are to be radiant lights as you stand beside Christ, the great light, bathed in the glory of him who is the light of heaven. You are to enjoy more and more the pure and dazzling light of the Trinity, as now you have received - though not in its fullness - a ray of its splendor, proceeding from the one God, in Christ Jesus our Lord, to whom be glory and power for ever and ever. Amen.

- St. Gregory Nazianzen, Early Church Father

In holy Jordan's purest wave
The heavenly Lamb vouchsafed to lave;
That He, to Whom was sin unknown
Might cleanse His people from their own.

(Excerpt from the Vespers Hymn during the season of Epiphany)

As is sometimes my custom during long commutes to work, I will tune the dial to National Public[Pagan]  Radio to hear recent news.  I was quite amused last week by an NPR commentator, unbiased of course, making some remarks about Rick Santorum.  Now I am not necessarily endorsing Rick Santorum, although, despite his baffling support of Arlen Specter a couple of years ago, he seems to operate according to his Catholic faith in the public sphere, a remarkable thing these days by a politician that has the honor of wearing the name Catholic.  I should note that it is wholly unthinkable for a Catholic to partition his faith and public life into separate compartments, like boxes of shoes in his closet that he removes and dons for various occasions.  In the field of Psychology, this type of behavior is best known as schizophrenia.  In the spiritual life, it is no less than treason of the highest degree.


The NPR commentator remarked that there seems to be 'two Rick Santorums', one nice Rick Santorum that would stop and seek aid for a visibly ill audience member in a recent rally, and the other a dogmatic 'insenstive' Rick Santorum that condemns the so-called rights of those engaged in sodomy and women who wish to abort their unborn children.  That is, he rightly upholds the natural and moral law according to his Catholic beliefs. 

If the reader does not yet see the irony here, it shines even more brightly at the end of the commentary.  The commentator later marshaled forth the example of JFK and his speech to the American people describing how his Catholic faith was daily checked into the coat room of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue along with his overcoat and galoshes. JFK, intimated by the commentator, was supposedly 'integral' in his life and world view while Rick Santorum, not confused about who he is as a baptised Catholic and that what one believes should naturally affect what one does is not.   

What a conundrum and paradox is the liberal mind.  It only further supports that it will take divine intervention for civilization to once again return to civility ... and sanity. 

"Above all else he [the Catholic politician] must remember to be and to act in every circumstance as a true Catholic, accepting and fulfulling public offices with the firm and constant resolution of promoting by every means the social and economic welfare of the country and particularly the people, according to the maxims of a truly Christian civilization..."  Piux X, Il Fermo Proposito

The Son of God, Who is the God of all things, is born a Man in body. He permits Himself to be placed in a crib, Who holds the heavens in His Hand. He is confined in a Manger whom the world cannot contain; He is heard in the voice of a wailing Infant, at Whose voice in the hour of His passion the whole earth trembled. The Magi, beholding a Child, profess that this is the Lord of Glory, the Lord of Majesty, Whom Isaias has shown was both Child and God, and King Eternal, saying: for a CHILD is born to us, and a son is given to us, and the government is upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, God the Mighty, the Father of the World to come, the Prince of Peace.[Isa. 9: 6] - St. John Chrysostom

12th Day of Christmas: Vigil of Epiphany

The Feast of Christmas is over; the five Octaves are closed ; and we are on the Eve of the Solemnity of our Lord's Epiphany. We must spend this fifth of January in preparing ourselves for the Manifestation which Jesus, the Angel of the Great Counsel, is about to make to us of His glory. A few more hours, and the Star will stand still in the heavens, and the Magi will be seeking for admission into the stable at Bethlehem.

This Vigil is not like that of Christmas, a day of penance. The Child, whose coming we were then awaiting, in the fervor of our humble desires, is now among us, preparing to bestow fresh favors upon us. This eve of tomorrow's Solemnity is a day of joy, like those that have preceded it; and therefore, we do not fast, nor does the Church put on the vestments of mourning, even in those churches where the Octave Day of St. Thomas of Canterbury is not observed. If the Office of the Vigil be the one of today, the color used is White.

This is the Twelfth day since the Birth of our Emmanuel. If the Vigil of the Epiphany fall on a Sunday, it shares, with Christmas Eve, the privilege of not being anticipated, as all other Vigils are, on the Saturday: it is kept on the Sunday, has all the privileges of a Sunday, and the Mass is that of the Sunday within the Octave of Christmas Day. Let us, therefore, celebrate this Vigil in great joy of heart, and prepare our souls for tomorrow's graces.

Dom Prosper Gueranger

10th Day of Christmas: A Freckled 10-Year-Old

Just try getting twelve children of various sizes and ages to keep their eyes open, look straight and not goofy, all at the same time!

9th Day of Christmas - Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus