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The First Day of Advent

by Filed Under: 12 December, Advent, Uncategorized Leave a Comment

Happy New Year! May you have a holy and fruitful Advent, preparing your heart and home for the coming of the Christ Child.

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Our Lord, in the Gospel of this day, directs our attention to the end of the world and the Last Judgment. He speaks of the terrible signs which shall then appear in the heavens, when the light of the sun shall grow dim, the moon shall no longer give her light, the stars shall fall from the firmament, and the world shall be covered with more than Egyptian darkness; and of those other signs which shall then appear upon the earth—of the violent disturbance of the sea, of the distress of nations, and the withering away of men through fear.

All these things warn us to enter upon the new Ecclesiastical Year with serious thoughts, and to profit by this season of grace for the advancement of our eternal interests…

In the natural year, spring, summer, autumn, and winter follow each other in visible and endless succession; so, also, the ecclesiastical year revolves in a mysterious orbit, elevating and consecrating the various seasons by its graces and blessings.We are thus doubly warned and invited to sanctify ourselves and to travel onward to our heavenly goal. Yet, for vast numbers, these merciful dispensations of Providence are profitless. Time passes, the years, months, and days rush swiftly by, and there is no growth in virtue, no progress in holiness, to be discerned in their souls.

How many years have you, my brethren, already spent without gaining any thing for eternal life!

Far from increasing in merit, your sins and vices, perhaps, have rendered you utterly bankrupt in divine grace. Most justly, then, does the Apostle exhort us, today, “to cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light;” and, to the end that you profit by his warnings, and those of the present Gospel, I will explain to you that the care for your salvation is:

I. The most necessary;
II. The most sublime; and
III. The sweetest duty of our life.

BishopEhrler 1891

📸 Out youngest placing an earned straw in the manger for baby Jesus

Feast of St. Nicholas

by Filed Under: 12 December Saints, St. Nicholas Leave a Comment

I thought I was ahead of the game this year, but I put off the final touches, which led to an even earlier start than my usual 4 a.m. wake-up. However, JOYfilled Dad stepped in, as he always does—this is his feast day to spearhead, and he makes it happen with love and dedication.

He even surprised me with my own St. Nicholas treat: a personal space heater, knowing how I’m always cold, even in our California winters. 🥰

We kept it simple (though I know the pictures may not look that way—welcome to large family life!). Each of the kids received a new pair of slippers and something cozy like a coat, blanket, or pajamas, along with a few sweets. We decided against gifting new spiritual reads this year, as we’re deeply immersed in our renewal of the Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary.

Our day was filled with unexpected blessings, too! We received thoughtful St. Nicholas treats from our #1 and her family, and the greatest gift of all—a surprise visit from the grandbabies/niece and nephew. 💙 💗

Our youngest received a package with St. Nicholas coins from his godparents.

Our beloved Sisters also showered the children and me with St. Nicholas goodies.

The boys and I were able to assist at Holy Mass and offer an hour of adoration for the reparation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus given it was also a First Friday this year.

There was one particularly unexpected treat (last slides!) that truly felt like an answered prayer for one or more of my sons. I’m convinced it was a gift from Our Lord through the intercession of St. Nicholas and our other spiritual benefactor — hence the name, Nicola Mary Anthony Peter.

Our hearts are full of gratitude as we journey deeper into Advent, preparing our home and hearts for the coming of the Christ Child. May St. Nicholas inspire us all to grow in generosity and love during this season of joyful anticipation!

🎁✨ What was one your favorite St. Nicholas treats/memories from this year’s feastday?

Prayers for St. Michael’s Lent

by Filed Under: 08 August, 09 September Saints, Prints, St. Michael Leave a Comment

While St. Michael’s Lent is not an official tradition of the Church, it was one of the many periods of fasting and prayer observed by St. Francis throughout the year. This second ‘Lent’ begins on the Feast of the Assumption and concludes on the Feast of St. Michael.

During this time, St. Francis would fast, abstain, and practice penances and mortifications to discipline himself, grow in virtue, and honor God. Notably, it was during this ‘St. Michael’s Lent’ that he received the stigmata.

To emulate St. Francis and observe the 40-day St. Michael’s Lent in his honor, in honor of Our Lady and St. Michael the Archangel, and to consecrate yourself to St. Michael on his feast day, one could follow these suggested steps:

  • Obey the precepts of the Church, including attending Mass and going to Confession as needed.
  • Fast and abstain, as you would during Lent, from the Feast of the Assumption on August 15 to Michaelmas (the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel) on September 29 or otherwise make some daily sacrifice to God on those days. 
  • Pray the Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel, all of the supplications and accompanying prayers (the Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be), and the Litany to St. Michael every day from the Assumption to Michaelmas. 
  • On Michaelmas, make the Act of Consecration to St. Michael the Archangel.

Note that the period between the Assumption and Michaelmas consists of 46 calendar days, but, as in the pre-Easter Lent, Sundays and holy days don’t count and aren’t penitential, so this devotion consists of 40 days’ worth of partial abstinence and fasting. – Fish Eaters

Below are fasting suggestions provided by A Catholic Life. Since St. Michael’s Lent is a purely devotional fast without a historical basis like Lent or the Assumption Fast, these guidelines are offered to help you observe this period with intention.

Fasting for St. Michael’s Lent:

Visit A Catholic Life for more on traditional fasting and abstinence observances.

Here is a St. Michael’s Lent printable for download. This is reformatted daily prayer guide for St. Michael’s Lent, originally shared by an SSPX Chapel, here. My printable includes all the suggested prayers for the devotion, along with a Consecration to St. Michael and a convenient planning page to help you stay organized throughout the season.

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Fourth of July Homage

by Filed Under: 07 July, July 4th, Patriotic Leave a Comment

As the international horizon grows darker with the spectrum of a World War III drawing closer, coupled with a chaotic civil war; when our temporal institutions are sinking in an ocean of corruption, incompetence and tyranny, we can place little hope in natural means to resolve such problems.

This is why we turn to Thee, O Star of the Sea, asking that Thou dost come to our help! Save us, our families and our country so that the excellent vocation God gave to this great nation may be fulfilled and not be lost.

Do not permit, O Queen of the Angels, that our nation be annihilated as one of the many nations that will have this fate. Give us the grace to pass through the coming Chastisement and be living stones for the construction of Thy Reign. — TIA

#olbpilgrimage going through the city streets with young carrying flags which represent our beliefs — God & Country. The one in the middle carries our banner of Our Lady, to whom we entrust it all to.

Get prayers for America HERE

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