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Consolation in Sickness

by Filed Under: Fr. Leonard Goffine, The Church’s Year, Time After Pentecost Leave a Comment

CONSOLATION IN SICKNESS

There was a certain ruler whose son was sick. (John IV. 16.)

As a consolation in sickness, you should consider that God sends you this affliction for the welfare of’ your soul, that you may know your sins; or if you be innocent, to practice patience, humility, charity, etc., and increase your merits.

Therefore a holy father said to one of his companions, who complained, because he was sick: “My son! if you are gold, then you will be proved by sickness, but if you are mixed with dross, then you will be purified.”

“Many are vicious in health,” says St. Augustine, “who would be virtuous in sickness;” and St. Bernard says: “It is better to arrive at salvation through sickness, than to have health and be damned.”

It is also a powerful means of consolation in sickness, to represent to ourselves the suffering Redeemer, who had no soundness from the top of His head to the sole of His foot, and contemplating whom St. Bonaventure used to cry out: “O Lord, I do not wish to live without sickness, since I see Thee wounded so much.”

When sick, we should carefully examine, whether we possess any ill-gotten goods, or have any other secret sin on our conscience; and if we are conscious of any, we should quickly free ourselves from it by a contrite, sincere confession, and by restoring the things belonging to others.

Sins are very often the cause of disease, and God does not bless the medicine unless the sickness effects its object, that is, the sinner’s amendment. Still less can we expect help, but rather temporal and eternal misfortune, if we have recourse to superstition, and spells, as the King Ochozias experienced, who was punished with death, because in sickness he had recourse to the idol Beelzebub. (IV Kings I.)

PRAYER O Jesus, Thou true physician of souls, who dost wound and heal us, yea, dost even permit sorrows and adversities to visit us that our souls may have health, grant us the grace to use every bodily pain according to Thy merciful designs for the promotion of our salvation.

#frleonardgoffine#twentiethsundayafterpentecost

Feast of the Most Holy Rosary

by Filed Under: 10 October Saints, Fr. Leonard Goffine, Our Lady of the Rosary, Rosary Leave a Comment

We did not grow up praying the daily rosary. We didn’t even adopt the devotion of the daily rosary as a family until we became right-ordered and I handed over the reins so my husband could take his proper place as the head of our family. It was a fruit of our Total Consecration (led by my husband). Since then, we have not turned back.

➕Is the Rosary a profitable method of prayer?

Yes; for by bringing before the eyes of the spirit the fundamental mysteries of Christianity it supplies us with the strongest motives to love God, to hate sin, to subdue the passions, to contemn the world and its vanity, and to strive after Christian perfection, in order that we may gain those happy mansions which Jesus prepares for us.

The Rosary, besides, brings before us living examples – Jesus and Mary – whom we must follow; and encourages us to good works by pointing to the all-powerful grace procured for us by Jesus, and the all-prevailing intercession of the gracious Mother of God.

Let us not be ashamed to carry the beads with us, for otherwise we might be ashamed of being Catholics; let us say the Rosary often – every evening – as was the custom with Catholics in former times, and we shall find that, as in St. Dominic’s day it was a wholesome check to error, so too In our times it will be, if said aright, a powerful weapon against heresy and unbelief, and will increase faith, piety, and virtue.

➕How should we say the Rosary?

1. Properly; as has been above described, and slowly, with a distinct pronunciation of the prayers and mysteries.

2. Devoutly, not only with the lips, but also with the heart.

More particularly we ought to meditate upon the mysteries that come before us;

at the joyful mysteries we should think of the infinite love of God to men and on His humiliation for us, thanking Him, and promising our love to Him in return;

at the sorrowful mysteries we should have compassion on the Saviour suffering for us, should from the heart detest the sins which were the cause of His sufferings, and make the most earnest resolutions for the future;

at the glorious mysteries we should remember the glory which awaits us also if we follow Jesus and Mary.➕

#frleonardgoffine

St. Bruno

by Filed Under: Uncategorized Leave a Comment

“For what should we ask St. Bruno on his feast day?

* The love of recollection and humility, to be without pretensions, to love to live unknown and ignored by others.

* Even if we are obliged to live among others, to not be concerned about what they are thinking about us.

* To love spiritual solitude, turned exclusively to Our Lord Jesus Christ, Our Lady, and the Holy Catholic Church.

* To be faithful to grace and the orthodoxy of true Catholic doctrine, and to strive for the salvation of our souls so that we might go to Heaven and see God face to face.

We also should ask St. Bruno to watch over the desolate situation of the Catholic Church, and help to restore her, and in her, the order that he founded, the Carthusians.” #profpliniocorreadeoliveira

A Special Nameday

by Filed Under: 10 October Saints, Nameday, Priests of Tradition, St. Evaristus Leave a Comment

We offer thanksgiving and pray for our priests, daily. And we gladly celebrate their nameday.

2021 Our Lady of Bethlehem Pilgrimage #olbpilgrimage#catholicpilgrimage

In your charity, please offer a prayer for Fr. Evaristus Eshiowu on this feast of his patron.

He is a fierce priest of tradition who instructs the faithful with great charity. He is a lover of souls and does all he can to admonish us sinners, help us prepare for what is to come, and raise us up so we can vigorously pursue our true home.

Pope Saint Evaristus, ora pro nobis.

“Thou art the first Pontiff to whom the Church was entrusted after the departure of all those who had seen the Lord. The world could then say in all strictness: ‘If we have known Christ according to the flesh, now we know Him so no longer.’

The Church was now more truly an exile; at that period, which was not without perils and anxieties, her Spouse gave to thee the charge of teaching her to pursue alone her path of faith and hope and love. And thou didst not betray the confidence of our Lord.

Earth owes thee, on this account, a special gratitude, O Evaristus; and a special reward is doubtless thine.

Watch still over Rome and the Church.

Teach us that we must be ready not only to fast here on earth, but to be resigned to the absence of the Bridegroom when He hides Himself; and not the less to serve Him and love Him with our whole heart and mind and soul and strength, as long as the world endures, and He is pleased to leave us therein.”

#domprospergueranger#theliturgicalyear

Come Ye to the Wedding Feast

by Filed Under: Dom Gaspar Lefebvre, Time After Pentecost Leave a Comment

“The man spoken of in the Gospel (Matt. XXII. 1-14) came to the wedding feast and was cast by the king’s command into exterior darkness because he had not on a wedding garment.

That is because he had not “put on the new man who according to God is created in justice and holiness of truth”, and for not having put away lying and those feelings of anger against his neighbor which he cherished in his heart (Epistle – Ephes. IV. 23-28).

Thus will almighty God treat all those who, while belonging to the body of the Church by their faith, are found within the wedding-chamber without being clothed with the robe of charity. Since they are not animated by sanctifying grace, they have no share in the soul of the mystical body of Christ.

“Wherefore,” says St. Paul, “putting away lying, speak the truth every one with his neighbor, for we are members one of another… Let not the sun go down upon your anger” (Epistle).

Those who do not fulfill this command will be cast by the supreme judge into the torments of hell, like those who refused the invitation to the wedding feast of the king’s son, that is of Jesus Christ with His bride the Church, and who slew the prophets and apostles who were sent to bear the invitation.

The wedding guests were replaced by those whom the king’s servants found in the highways; the Jews by the Gentiles. To these last, at Pentecost, the apostles turned, filled with the Holy Ghost. And at the last Judgment, foretold on these last Sundays of the cycle, these rewards and punishments will be final. The elect will take part in the eternal marriage feast, while the damned will be cast into exterior darkness, into the avenging flames, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.””

– Dom Gaspar Lefebvre, OSB, 1945 — Nineteenth Sunday After Pentecost

📸 the children’s festivities at their big sis’ wedding 7.18.20

History & Morality of Current Issues

by Filed Under: Libertas, Priests of Tradition Leave a Comment


A priest of tradition addresses the history of what we’re facing in these current times.

He speaks to the ultimate goal at hand. And he covers the morality of what is being imposed upon us.

Four Conditions of Moral Theology That Must Be Met:

1. No moral objections in development

2. Certain of effectiveness

3. Safe beyond all doubt — not life threatening

4. No other options

The solution is clear — simple refusal, come what may!

*Part 1/2 can be found in my IGTV, Libertas.

Eighteenth Sunday After Pentecost

by Filed Under: Dom Gaspar Lefebvre, Time After Pentecost, Uncategorized Leave a Comment

“In the Apostles’ Creed we acknowledge our belief in the forgiveness of sins. Today’s Gospel gives us an example of the forgiveness of sins by the direct power of Christ Himself.

The poor man afflicted with paralysis was chiefly concerned with the cure of his bodily ailment. But Our Lord realized that what he needed chiefly was the cure of the ailments of his soul. Consequently the first blessing which Christ conferred on the invalid was the forgiveness of his sins. Then, in order to prove that He did truly possess the divine power to work this deed of mercy, Our Lord cured the sick man of his paralysis and bade him rise and walk.

By granting the sick man health of soul–which he did not ask for–in the first place, Christ emphasised the important truth that spiritual favours are far more desirable than temporal benefits.

However extraordinary may be the blessings of the temporal order we receive from God, such as health and financial success, they must be regarded as far inferior in value to spiritual gifts which perfect our soul.

Many Catholics do not seem to realize this important truth. Frequently they pray for temporal favours.

If they are unwell they make novenas for the recovery of their health.

If they wish to obtain success in business or an increase of salary, they have fervent recourse to prayer.

Often however, such Catholics show little concern for the needs of their souls. Some of them may even be living in mortal sin and yet be very much unconcerned. But they ardently desire God’s help toward the attaining of the things of the present life.

True Christians are spiritually minded. In their prayers they seek in the first place God’s grace.

They pray that they will receive strength in temptation, that they will know clearly what is God’s will in their regard, that they may be inspired to a greater love of the Blessed Sacrament, that they may have the privilege of receiving the last sacraments when life is drawing to a close.

And, if they feel that they may be among those fortunate persons to whom God is offering a vocation to the priesthood or religious life they pray for light & guidance and the grace to fulfill the will of God.”

Dom Gaspar Lefebvre

The Dedication of St. Michael the Archangel

by Filed Under: Uncategorized Leave a Comment

We opted to decorate our school room for this glorious feast day, The Dedication of St. Michael the Archangel.

As I’ve shared before, most of our feastday celebrations no longer revolve around food/treats. Instead, my boys plan special outings fitting for the saint of the day.

Today, we’re off to the lake for physical activity — to prepare to be warriors just as St. Michael.

How are you celebrating today?

➕
Here is practical consideration from Fr. Francis Xavier Weninger, 1876.

Saint Michael remained true to God when thousands of other angels became faithless to Him. He followed not their example.

You also should not follow the bad example of others, but fulfill God’s commandments.

Remain faithful to the Lord though thousands of others leave Him.

Saint Michael was zealous in honoring God and opposed those who would not be obedient to the Creator. You can also do this.

When others speak against the true faith in your presence, against the ceremonies and commandments of the true Church, against purity, against the honor of your neighbor; when you see that they transgress the laws of God and of the Church, you should defend the honor of the Almighty and prevent all the evil you can. If you are so situated that you cannot say or do much, show, by your silence, by your seriousness, that you are displeased by such offences against the Majesty of the Most High.

Saint Michael fought valiantly against Lucifer and his adherents. Therefore God placed him above all the heavenly spirits.

Lucifer, with his adherents, endeavors to induce you to leave God, to become faithless to Him. Fight bravely against him and you, too, will be exalted.

Say to him: “Who is like God? Who is so kind, so mighty, so amiable as God?” And that you may fight vigorously, as well in life as in death, call often and fervently on Saint Michael: “Help us here to fight and to conquer the enemy, O Saint Michael!”

*Banner from @party_like_a_saint

Archbishop Viganò to Cancelled Priests

by Filed Under: Archbishop Vigano, Libertas, Uncategorized Leave a Comment

“As Catholics, we know and believe that the Holy Church is indefectible; that is, that it cannot be overwhelmed by the gates of Hell, through the promise of Our Lord (Mt 16: 18).

But what we see happening shows us the reality of a terrible situation, in which a corrupt part of the Hierarchy – which I call the deep church for the sake of brevity – has totally surrendered itself to the deep state. It is a betrayal that places the Shepherds and the highest levels of the Church before a very grave moral responsibility and necessitates courageous choices by priests and laity that at other times would be difficult to adopt and justify.

We are faced with a war, an epochal clash, in which our generals not only are not leading the army to face the enemy but are actually ordering it to lay down its weapons and surrender unconditionally, driving away the most courageous soldiers and punishing the most loyal officials.

The entire general staff of the Catholic Church has revealed itself to be allied with the enemy and is itself an enemy of those it instead ought to be defending: enemy of Christ and of those who glory in serving under His banner…

Let us take note of it: Our Lord Jesus Christ not only is no longer recognized as Sovereign of nations. He is now no longer even recognized as Sovereign of His Church, in which the goal of the glory of God and the salvation of souls has been replaced by the glory of man and the consequent damnation of souls.

What was a vice yesterday is today a virtue; what was a virtue yesterday is today a vice: all the present action of the modernist sect that infests the Vatican, the Dioceses, and the Religious Orders is characterized by the overturning of what has been taught and handed down to us.

In this context of rebellion and infidelity, those who remain faithful and strive to continue doing what they have always done are made the object of a true and proper persecution. It began with the ridicule of the traditionalists, designating them as Lefebvrian or preconciliar…

Then, according to the practice that we have seen used in totalitarian regimes, good Catholics have been defined as mad or sick…”


#archbishopvigano 9.23.21 Full Transcript

https://player.vimeo.com/video/612962908?h=647cbe43fe
Video source: https://www.canceledpriests.org/archbishop-vigano-addresses-the-aquinas-communications-sept-22-2021-fundraiser

Spiritual Duties

by Filed Under: Morning Offering, Rosary, Rule of Life, Spiritual Duties, St. Padre Pio 1 Comment

Holy shepherds, religious, traditional Catechisms, and the saints will all lead us to form a solid Rule of Life. This includes spiritual duties.

In a sermon on the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, I reheard the maxims of Padre Pio (from the article, Saint Padre Pio, by Rev. Father Jean, OFM., Cap.)

Here are five habits that Padre Pio believed all Catholics should practice, based on advice he gave to his spiritual children.

I. Weekly Confession
“Confession is the soul’s bath. You must go at least once a week. I do not want souls to stay away from confession more than a week. Even a clean and unoccupied room gathers dust; return after a week and you will see that it needs dusting again!”

II. Daily Communion
“It is quite true, we are not worthy of such a gift. However, to approach the Blessed Sacrament in a state of mortal sin is one thing, and to be unworthy is quite another. All of us are unworthy, but it is He who invites us. It is He who desires it. Let us humble ourselves and receive Him with a heart contrite and full of love.”

III. Examination of Conscience Every Evening
“Every experienced merchant in this world not only keeps track throughout the day of whether he has lost or gained on each sale. In the evening, he does the bookkeeping for the day to determine what he should do tomorrow. It follows that it is indispensable to make a rigorous examination of conscience, brief but lucid, every night.”

IV. Daily Spiritual Reading
“The harm that comes to souls from the lack of reading holy books makes me shudder…. What power spiritual reading has to lead to a change of course, and to make even worldly people enter into the way of perfection.”

V. Mental Prayer Twice Daily
“If you do not succeed in meditating well, do not give up doing your duty. If the distractions are numerous, do not be discouraged; do the meditation of patience, and you will still profit. Decide upon the length of your meditation, and do not leave your place before finishing, even if you have to be crucified. Why do you worry so much because you do not know how to meditate as you would like? Meditation is a means to attaining God, but it is not a goal in itself. Meditation aims at the love of God and neighbor. Love God with all your soul without reserve, and love your neighbor as yourself, and you will have accomplished half of your meditation.”

We print and hang in our children’s bedroom or school area.

We have always tended to our family prayers & devotions. The children also begin to take reign of their own spiritual lives from their earliest days.

We have seasons where we work to encourage this by helping them keep an “inventory” of their promises to God & spiritual duties. The start of a new school year is usually one of those seasons foe us.

At the request of many, I’m sharing our printable.

You are invited to download and use the Spiritual Duties printable. It can be adopted for all ages. I’ve also included a printable of some of the prayers that can help one get started with implementing spiritual duties with their children and family devotions.

Download the Spiritual Duties Printable

Files are not to be shared — only share the direct link to the original posting.

May we help our children’s spiritual growth by our personal example, including habits of daily prayer, Holy Mass attendance, rosary devotions, etc…

Oh my Jesus it is for the love of Thee, for the conversion of sinners, and in reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

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