A prayer for priests

O Jesus, I pray for Your faithful and fervent priests; for Your unfaithful and tepid priests; for Your priests labouring at home or abroad in distant mission fields; for Your tempted priests; for Your lonely and desolate priests; for Your young priests; for Your dying priests; for the souls of Your priests in purgatory. But above all I recommend to You the priests dearest to me; the priest who baptized me; the priests who absolved me from my sins; the priests at whose Masses I assisted and who gave me Your Body and Blood in Holy communion; the priests who taught and instructed me; all the priests to whom I am indebted in any other way. O Jesus, keep them all close to Your heart, and bless them abundantly in time and in eternity.

Amen.

Random thoughts on a Friday night

1. If this rogue nun had kept her habit on and stayed in the convent this mess never would've happened. Call me old fashioned but I just don't trust nuns with pearls and salon hair cuts.
   
   
2. I don't blame the Papal Nuncio for this. It's possible that he doesn't even know who John Kerry is (although Archbishop Wuerl surely does) AND it is possible that the senator went to Confession that morning but dang it this makes me very sad. Bishop Todd Brown is grabbing old women who dare kneel for Communion and the Papal Nuncio is giving Communion to John Kerry. We live in bizarro land.
   
3. A View From the Pew writes about a vision of Ven. Anna Catherine Emmerich that left me stunned for a minute. Sr. Emmerich was never my favorite mystic but I'm going to have to read more of her revelations now.
   
4. I did a stupid thing this morning. I went to Mark Shea's blog. Ugh! May I never do that again.
   
   
5. Hooray! The new issue of Les Femmes is online.
   
   
6. The charming and single Carolina Cannonball just put up a post about her love for Harry Potter. Last year I would've been right there with her but after the last book I have to say that I've soured on the series. I'm not saying that HP is evil but I now think that the series really isn't all that great. Remember how we all loved Dynasty and Dallas when we were kids? Bet you wouldn't be caught dead watching either show on the TV Land station now. I think Harry Potter may turn out to be the literary equivavlent of Dynasty.
   
   

The feast of the Sacred Heart

Last night my husband and I went to a sung Latin Mass at our back up parish in the suburbs. Fr. Aragorn (that's what we call him) really knows his Latin. He didn't mutter or slur his words. I appreciated that. The schola from (I think) St. Mary's in DC came to sing and they had the A team of altar boys and even the cantor sang better than usual.

I saw several young ladies with mantillas on. Mine was accidentally left in the car so I threw on the scarf that I had in my bag. Rocky looked at me and asked if I wanted him to run back to the car to get it because he knows I don't feel right being uncovered in church anymore. It looked like it was about to storm so I told him not to bother. Mass itself was beautiful and was marred only by the inconsiderate EWTN wannabe commentator sitting behind me.

This man gave a running explanation of what was going on through most of the Mass to the person sitting with him. He let his son kick the back of our pew and the tyke's little fingers got into my hair twice. I guess the little guy was standing on the kneeler trying to get a better look but the first time I felt those fingers in my hair I just about jumped out of the pew from shock. I did not offer the man the sign of peace (why be a hypocrite?) and I did not go to Communion.

Fr. Aragorn preached a homily that moved me to tears and after Mass the Blessed Sacrament was exposed. Fr. Theoden gave an impressive benediction homily and there was Confession (yeah, I went) until 10:45.

Our Lady of Akita, Pray for Us

Remember, O most loving Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, we turn to you, O Virgins of virgins, our Mother.To you we come, before you we stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, do not despise our petitions, but in your mercy hear us and answer us. Amen.

Random thoughts for a Thursday night

1. Yesterday was interesting. We went to St. Matthew's Cathedral for 5:30 PM Mass and the Miraculous Medal novena. We saw two priests and at first I assumed they were visiting and then I thought that they must belong to Archbishop Wuerl's staff. The tall, gray one walked past us looking carefully at everything and then I realized that it was the archbishop. A reporter stopped my husband on the sidewalk in front of the cathedral and asked him what he thought of the new archbishop. Rocky reacted like a pro. His response was cautious but hopeful. Thank God the reporter didn't ask me anything because I probably would've blurted out what I really think. So far from what I've read and been told I'm afraid that Wuerl is going to be another McCarrick and I don't mean that in a good way. And speaking of Cardinal McCarrick this cartoon pretty much sums it all up.

Today Rocky went to the installation Mass for the archbishop at the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. He said it was a gorgeous Mass. He saw the Knights of St. Peter Claver, the Equestrian Knights, about 200 priests, a bunch of bishops, the monsignor and parochial vicar from our parish and Lt. Governor Michael Steele.


2. St. Thomas Moore, St. John Fisher pray for us. May we have more laymen and bishops like you.

3. The Episcopalians elected a woman to be a bishop. All the big time Catholic blogs have gone into vapors over this it but I can't figure out why. This is a heretical sect started by a man who wanted to marry his mistress. A good tree doesn't grow out of poisoned soil.

4. How come Catherine of Aragon was never beatified at least? She was definitely a martyr for the sanctity of marriage, and church teaching.

Eternal rest grant until them oh Lord.....

"The Mansions of the Lord"

Words by Randall Wallace

To fallen soldiers let us sing where no rockets fly nor bullets wing

Our broken brothers let us bring to the mansions of the Lord

No more bleeding no more fight

No prayers pleading through the night just Divine embrace, eternal lightin the mansions of the Lord

Where no mothers cry and no children weep

We will stand and guard tho the angels sleep

All through the ages safely keep the mansions of the Lord

_________________________________________________________

If you have tears, prepare to shed them now

St. Margaret Ward,

St. Charles Lwanga,

St. Blandina,

St. John Rigby,

St. Joan of Arc, all patrons of the tortured and

St. Martin of Tours and St. Michael patrons of soldiers

pray for the departed and for those left behind.

Our Lady of Akita

Over on Lair of the Catholic Cavemen there is a post on Our Lady of Akita. Our dear Mother had a stern message for the world and instead of heeding it, millions are just shutting their ears and doing the happy clappy dance.


Third and the Last message on October 13, 1973:
". . . 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 have 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 the 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 other bishops. The priests who venerate me will be scorned and opposed by their confreres (other priests). Churches and altars will be 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 the 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."
". . . Pray very much the prayers of the Rosary. I alone am able still to save you from the calamities which approach. Those who place their confidence in me will be saved."

A Question

The time has come to ask the question: Other than the lectionary has ANYTHING good come out of Vatican II? I realize that the actual Vatican II documents NEVER told priests to start ballet dancing before the altar and not one Vat II document told the nuns to put on lipstick and to remove their habits but in the name of Vat II that's what happened. The average Catholic never read the official documents and has never read the GIRM and those who did got shouted down when they complained about the ocean of liturgical abuse.

In the name of the "Spirit of Vat II" we have Catholic schools that refuse to hang a crucifix on the wall. We have kids who can't say a Hail Mary and who have never seen a statue of the Infant of Prague. We have DREs who don't know what a novena is. We have gay groups meeting in the church basement and Catholics in name only running the liturgical committee, we have Eucharistic ministers defying (and winning in one case in my diocese) the priest when he tries to stop them from pouring the Precious Blood down the sink after Mass. We have churches that look Lutheran and where you have to hunt like a Blue Tic hound on the trail of a chain gang escapee to find the Blessed Sacrament. We also have cases where people are going to the tribunals and shamelessly demanding second or even third annulments.

I'm not being nostalgic. VatII happened before I was even born but I can see that something aint right. Can a reform of the reform work? I don't know but first we need to admit that the experiment didn't turn out the way it was advertised.

Thanks for nothing

US bishops want to give citizenship to all illegal immigrants. They have nothing to say about the rampant homosexuality in the ranks, nothing to say about the stunning lack of reverence in our churches, nothing to say about the average Catholic's remarkable ignorance about the Faith but they can call for the wholesale cheapening of American citizenship and for completely screwing working class and poor Americans. As Obi Wan sarcastically said to Anakin after they were both captured by the termite people, " Good Job!"

Men and women are different ---example #568,127

When I saw this picture of a the Mexican World Cup soccer uniform on a statue of Baby Jesus I was annoyed. First, because putting a profane outfit on Baby Jesus is a cheesy thing. Second, because I hate soccer. I'd rather watch ants fight or the grass wither. A little football or baseball uniform would've been just as cheesy but at least it's not soccer...

My husband Rocky, on the otherhand, saw the picture and began a 20 minute discourse on the Child Jesus and what games He might have played in Nazareth. Rocky, wondered if little Jesus simply let His friends win games or if He always won because after all He was God and knew all the plays anyway. Did angels hover around and block shots for Him or did Mary and Joseph flat out refuse to let Him play any game that might give Him a bruise or scrape? After his discourse he turned to me and asked "What do you think, Dym?" I just stared and marvelled.

Random thoughts for a Friday

1. Cardinal McCarrick can not leave too soon enough for me. This is the final straw. Please Your Eminence, just pack your bags and take the midnight train to Jersey. I'd be happy to see you to the station. Heck, I'm almost willing to drive you home myself just so I can be sure that you're really going.
   
   
2. Anne Coulter is not subtle. Yeah, I know that's the understatement of the year but gosh darn it I love the gal because 9 times out of 10 she's absolutely right. What she said about the so-called Jersey Girls is the truth. Now of course I sympathize with any widow because my own dear father died when I was 13 and life without him was hard. Nothing, not money, not sympathy or hobbies can take the place of a beloved spouse. My mother handled widowhood like a saint and never complained but I could see she was suffering. The Jersey Girls, on the other hand seem to be merrily pimping the legacy of their dead husbands.
   
3. Check out this video from Ward Wide Web.
   
4. According to Life Site news Planned Parenthood made 900 million last year from killing babies. Think about that for a minute. Think of all those snuffed out lives. This country has run up a gigantic debt in the Court of Divine Justice. How will we endure it when it comes time to pay? God have mercy.

random thoughts for a Thursday

1. The McCarrick Mystique Oh please. This tribute to Cardinal McCarrick is so sweet that it should have a warning notice that it's dangerous for diabetics to read.
   
   
2. What's up with all the sudden media interest in the Catholic church?The Philadelphia Enquirer is running a front page series on bitter Catholics and the Washington Post sent someone on safari to Old Saint Mary's in DC to watch the Tridentine Mass.
   
   
3. I was reading the Pope's biography, Milestones 1927-1977. In it he mentions that there were 40 or 50 guys in his ordination class in 1951. This year American Catholics were told to rejoice because a whopping 17 men were ordained in Nebraska and all of 12 were ordained in the DC diocese. How far we have fallen.
   
4. There will be Eucharistic Adoration at St. Matthew's Cathedral in Washington, DC on June 19th. Young Fr. Caulfield will give the homily and offer confession. If you're in the city stop by.
   
5. Matt Abbot has a lovely article about a fine Catholic family who run an extraordinary internet business.
   
6. One of these days I'm going read a book on Paul VI. He sure seems to have done a lot of weeping fits. Devout Life has an odd little tale abut one them.

St. Charles

Today is the feast of St. Charles of Uganda, who chose martyrdom rather than submit to the obscene desires of the king.





Pray for us, St. Charles that we may have the courage to say no to immorality no matter what the cost.

Road Trip!

My husband, Rocky and I went to Pennsylvania's Dutch Country for a few days and as much as I like parts of Pennsylvania I have to say that the states up North have lousy direction signage. We saw not one highway sign saying that the exit to Dutch Country was ____ miles. You just see this vaugely worded sign for York and Harrisonburg and we intuited that we had to take US 30 towards York because Harrisonburg was way in the wrong direction.

Really PA you guys need to get on the ball. Tourists are stupid, give us a break and we and our lovely money will come back to you.

Anyway we stayed in the Fulton Steamboat Inn and we took a great tour of Amish farms and businesses and we met a number of Plain People. The Amish broke away from the Mennonites because they thought the Mennonites were too soft. The Mennonites were founded by a Catholic priest who went rouge. Nothing is new under the sun. When a priest goes bad he always does it in a big way.

On the way home we stopped at the Grotto of Lourdes shrine in Emmittsburg and we visited the Blessed Sacrament at the Immaculate Conception chapel at Mount St. Mary's Seminary.