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The Last Sunday After Pentecost

by Filed Under: 11 November, Fr. Leonard Goffine, The Church’s Year, The Last Sunday After Pentecost, Time after Pentecost Leave a Comment

The Liturgy for the Last Sunday of Pentecost features the warning, “He Who came in Mercy shall return in Justice.”

Visit to the cemetery for indulgences for the Poor Souls in Purgatory —11.2020

Here is an explanation of the Gospel (Matt. 24:15-35) from Fr. Leonard Goffine.

“When you shall see the abomination of desolation. The abomination of desolation of which Daniel (9:27) and Christ here speak, is the desecration of the temple and the city of Jerusalem by the rebellious Jews by perpetrating the most abominable vices, injustices and robberies, …, but principally by the pagan Romans by putting up their idols.

This destruction which was accomplished in the most fearful manner about forty years after the death of Christ, was foretold by Him according to the testimony of St. Luke (21:20).

At the same time He speaks of the end of the world and of His coming to judgment, of which the desolation of Jerusalem was a figure.

Pray that your flight be not in the winter or on the Sabbath. Because, as St. Jerome says, the severe cold which reigns in the deserts and mountains would pre­vent the people from going thither to seek security, and because it was forbidden by the law for the Jews to travel on the Sabbath.

There shall rise false Christs and false prophets. According to the testimony of the Jewish historian Josephus, who was an eyewitness of the destruction of Jerusalem, Eleazar, John, Simon, …, were such false prophets who under the pretence of helping the Jews, brought them into still greater misfortunes; before the end of the world it will be Antichrist with his followers, whom St. Paul calls the man of sin and the son of perdition, (2 Thess. 2:3) on account of his diabolical malice and cruelty.

He will rise up, sit in the temple, proclaim himself God, and kill all who will not recognize him as such. His splendor, his promises and his false miracles will be such that even the holy and just will be in danger of being seduced, but for their sake God will shorten these days of persecution.

Wheresoever the body shall be, there shall the eagles also be gathered together. That is, where the wicked are, who have aimed at spiritual corruption, there punishment will overtake and destroy them.

This generation shall not pass till all these things be done. By these words Christ defines the time of the destruction of Jerusalem, and says that many of His hearers would live to see it, which also happened.

But when the end of the world will come, He says, not even the angels in heaven know. (Matt. 24:36).

Let us endeavor to be always ready by leading a holy life, for the coming of the divine Judge, and meditate often on the words of our di­vine Lord:

Heaven and earth shall pass, but my words shall not pass.”

PRAYER Remove from us, O Lord, all that is calculated to rob us of Thy love. Break the bonds with which we are tied to the world, that we may not be lost with it. Give us the wings of eagles that we may soar above all worldly things by the contemplation of Thy sufferings, life and death, that we may hasten towards Thee now, and gather about Thee, that we may not become a prey to the rapacious enemy on the day of judgment. Amen.

Christkindl Cards & More

by Filed Under: Advent, Christkindl, Prints Leave a Comment

Below is a link for Christkindl Cards that my children use to track their prayers & acts of service for their “Christ Child” throughout Advent to Epiphany (or your preferred end-date).

This creates a wonderful atmosphere of joyful suspense, kindness, and thoughtfulness. Perhaps you will find that somebody has made your bed or shined your shoes or has informed you, in a disguised handwriting on a holy card, that “a rosary has been said for you today” or a number of sacrifices have been offered up. This new relationship is called “Christkindl” (Christ Child) in the old country, where children believe that the Christmas tree and the gifts under it are brought down by the Christ Child himself.

Maria Von Trapp

The card can be used in the home for your own version of the Christkindl. It’s merely a tool to help us keep on track – offering a daily gift for Christ among those who are before us.

The boxes represent a day in Advent to Christmas or Epiphany Day. This year, Advent starts on Nov. 29, 2020.  I made it blank so it can be reused each year, assigning the dates as needed.

Download Christkindl Cards

Here is an easy overview of the Advent Season. You can post it in your home or just use it for your planning.

Click here for the 2020 Advent PDF
Download Advent 2020

“O come O come Emmanuel” was taken from the Liturgy, from the antiphons. It includes the seven names that are given to Our Lord. We the Divine Office with our older children. For my littles, singing or just reading O Come Emmanuel each night after our family rosary connects them with the Divine Office.

O Emmanuel Lyrics in Latin & English – JOYfilledfamily

O Emmanuel with coordinating O Antiphons – Family in Feast and Feria

Maran Athan–Veni Domine—Come O Lord Jesus!

An Advent Proposal

by Filed Under: Advent Leave a Comment

Below is an Advent proposal from a faithful Shepherd.

“…Advent, that wonderful season of preparation of the feast of Christmas marking that event that changed history forever in the birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world who is God and man.

The season…is marked by darkness as we approach the shortest day of the year…The birth of the Christ Child is the beginning of the conquering of the darkness of sin and death, the essence of hope that Light will conquer darkness. 

It has become a popular custom in the Christmas season for candles to be placed in the window of homes as a symbol of the Light of the world who was born into this world over two thousand years ago.

I have always been a stickler about not anticipating Christmas too far in advance. I have always insisted on keeping Advent almost in opposition to the secular and commercial push to begin Christmas on Thanksgiving Day and ending it on Christmas Eve.

So I have always frowned on Christmas decor being displayed before at least the O Antiphons. I…refrain from listening to Christmas music before late Advent.  No candles in the windows until after the feast of St. Lucy.

But this year is deeply different…the past year has been one of social & political turmoil that has caused great pain to all…

But just as significant is the rupture of familial and social bonds. Loneliness is the norm. The lack of touch, of embrace,…, for Catholics the deprivation of participation in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass,…this is a cause of deep sadness that cannot be quantified by charts and admonitions.

…I offer a modest proposal.  Let every Catholic home put candles in the windows of their homes beginning on the First Sunday of Advent. 

This year is not a time to wait until Christmas is imminent.

Those lights in our windows have to shineforth in this time of physical & spiritual darkness to proclaim to those around us that Christ is the Light of the world especially in times of terrible darkness.

And let those lights shine forth every night in Advent and through Christmastide to the glorious feast of the Epiphany commemorating the whole world brought to Christ by the light of a Star.

…in our own and small way amidst this real pain we must remind the world of the Good News of Jesus Christ who alone can pierce the darkness of this world.

Put those candles in your windows and witness to the Light in the darkness!”

You can read Fr. Cipolla’s complete address at Rorate Caeli.

A Patron Saint Assigned by God

by Filed Under: 11 November Saints, Nameday, Patron Saint, St. Elizabeth of Hungary Leave a Comment

Happy nameday to our beautiful #1, Rose.

My husband and I believe that the Good Lord ordained this beloved patron saint for our daughter.

We had her when were very young and not fully practicing the faith. We chose her name, never considering the saints or our Faith.

As we returned to the Faith, we held a great sadness that she didn’t have a patron saint from birth. She did adopt many patron saints over her young life. But it wasn’t the same to her.

She began to prepare for her Confirmation around the age of 10. She continued to study the lives of the saints and prayed for her decision to select a special patron saint as an intercessor.

One day we heard a squeal from upstairs. It was followed by feet quickly running towards us. In a tear-filled voice we heard, “I do have one, mama! I do have a name saint!”

In sheer joy, she continued to inform us that this specific saint was hers!

One of the saint’s nicknames was my daughter’s name — an uncommon name for the saint’s time and an unusual spelling of the name in general.

We all cheered and gave thanks to God for His tender care of our beloved girl from the very start. It was, indeed, a consolation for us all!!

It brings me to tears every time I retell the story. Not only did he provide her with a name saint, He also infused the saint’s great virtues in our daughter from her earliest days. GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME!!!

St. Elizabeth of Hungary, ora pro nobis.

…Thou, illuminated by supernatural light and faith immovable, didst show thyself to be a true daughter of the Holy Gospel, by seeing in the person of thy neighbour the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ, sole object of thy affections; and therefore didst thou place all thy delight in holding converse with the poor, in serving them, in drying their tears and comforting their spirits, in assisting them with every pious good office, in the midst of pestilence and the miseries to which our human nature is subject.

Thou didst make thyself poor in order to succour thy neighbour in his poverty–poor in the good things of earth, to enrich thyself with the goods of heaven.

…vouchsafe to be the heavenly friend of our souls,… AMEN

The life of Saint Elizabeth may serve as a model to persons of every age and station. Children may learn to fear God from their earliest years, and to increase their devotion with their age; single persons, how to live chastely in their state; married people, how husband and wife ought to live together; and the widowed how to sanctify their solitude. Masters and mistresses may learn how to take care of their domestics, and pay their wages regularly. Those of a higher station may learn to set a good example to others, and not to be ashamed to appear at public worship. All Christians can find instruction in it, for employing their time well, helping the needy, and bearing crosses and trials sent by heaven. God permitted a Landgravine, a royal princess, to be banished unjustly from court, to beg her bread, and, besides other ignominies, to be refused a shelter among her own subjects. Still she complained not; but, submissive to the decrees ot Providence, gave humble thanks to the Almighty for all that He, in His wisdom, had sent her. Even at the death of her husband, what fortitude, what submission to the divine will she manifested! Oh! that all would endeavor, in trials of much less severity, to unite their will with that of God, and patiently bear the cross that He has laid upon them.

Father Francis Xavier Weninger, DD, SJ. “Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, Landgravine of Hesse and Thuringia” Lives of the Saints, 1876.

A Wife’s Prayers

by Filed Under: Birthday, Dad, Marriage Leave a Comment

My husband is 43, today!!! This is a picture of him at our eldest daughter’s nuptials — July 2020.

I pray in thanksgiving for him, ask that God may grant him many more years, and offer the following prayer for him, our marriage, and our children. 🙏🏼

Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, Thou didst institute marriage in the in the earthly Paradise and in the New Law Thou didst elevate it to the dignity of a sacrament, attaching to it many graces.

Grant to my husband and me the grace to live holy in so sacred a state and, by the practice of Catholic virtues, to act always as is becoming a Catholic couple.

As Thy minister joined our hands at the holy altar, so may we journey through life with one heart and soul, tasting its pleasures with moderation, enduring its sorrows with resignation and, at all times, mutually assisting and consoling each other.

May Thy true and holy fear strengthen us to restrain the low desires of the flesh, and to serve Thee uprightly with pure heart and eyes and lips, in mutual esteem and forbearance!

Grant that the children born of our union may be pure of heart and well-disposed in mind, and that they may gladly walk in the way of Thy Commandments.

Teach us to be faithful images of the Holy Family of Nazareth, of the blessed foster-father Joseph, of the most devout Mother Mary, the most blessed Mother of the Child Jesus, that we may be made worthy to live under their protection, to die in their favor, and to be forever blessed in their society.

Amen.

Sts. Lawrence, Joseph, Christopher, Peter, Vincent Ferrrer, Helena, Elizabeth of Hungary, Michael, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Marcella, Clare, Alexandria, Alexandra, Matthew, Gabriel, Raphael, Agnes, George, Maria, Januarius, Cajetan, Gavinus, and Peter — ORATE PRO NOBIS.

Advent Q & A

by Filed Under: Advent Leave a Comment

Below are a few questions that I have received regarding Advent.

What I share here (and on my blog in general) is an accumulation of what I’ve gathered in my 25 years of motherhood, 15 years following the Traditional Calendar within a wonderful Traditional Latin Mass parish. I have not arrived. But I continue to learn and grow as we journey home.

I believe that it’s not necessary to drop extra money in order to live the Liturgical Life well. At the bare minimum, invest in a good Missal, Bible, Traditional Catechism, and a few spiritual reading books that you can cycle through. Purchase other things as you’re able or your gifts warrant. Do not get caught up with materialism of the present day Liturgical Living trends. And do not feel compelled to adopt gifts which do not come natural do you. Trust that you have the grace to give your children everything they need without copying someone else’s family plan.

Please take what you can to be encouraged as you discern what God is asking of you this Advent. 💜

When does Advent begin?

Advent begins on the Sunday closest to St. Andre’s Day (Nov. 30), before or after.

Christmas begins with the Midnight Mass. Liturgically, the Christmas season ends on the feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple and Our Lady’s Purification, on February 2nd.

What is the length of the Christmas Season?

Simeon and the prophetess, Anna (Luke 2). The days from the Feast of the Nativity to the Epiphany are known as “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” with Christmas itself being the first day, and Twelfthnight — 5 January — being the last of the twelve days. Christmastide liturgically ends on 13 January, the Octave of the Epiphany and the Baptism of Christ (at which time the season of Time After Epiphany begins). But Christmas doesn’t end spiritually — i.e., the celebration of the events of Christ’s life as a child don’t end, and the great Christmas Cycle doesn’t end — until Candlemas on 2 February and the beginning of the Season of Septuagesima. -Fisheaters

Do you fast during Advent like Lent?

The explanation below is taken from The Liturgical Year by Dom Gueranger.

We must look upon Advent in two different lights: first, as a time of preparation, properly so called, for the birth of our Saviour, by works of penance; and secondly, as a series of ecclesiastical Offices drawn up for the same purpose. We find, as far back as the fifth century, the custom of giving exhortations to the people in order to prepare them for the feast of Christmas. We have two sermons of Saint Maximus of Turin on this subject, not to speak of several others which were formerly attributed to St. Ambrose and St. Augustine, but which were probably written by St. Cesarius of Aries. If these documents do not tell us what was the duration and what the exercises of this holy season, they at least show us how ancient was the practice of distinguishing the time of Advent by special sermons. Saint Ivo of Chartres, St. Bernard, and several other doctors of the eleventh and twelfth centuries, have left us set sermons de Adventu Domini, quite distinct from their Sunday homilies on the Gospels of that season. In the capitularia of Charles the Bald, in 846, the bishops admonish that prince not to call them away from their Churches during Lent or Advent, under pretext of affairs of the State or the necessities of war, seeing that they have special duties to fulfil, and particularly that of preaching during those sacred times.

The oldest document in which we find the length and exercises of Advent mentioned with anything like clearness, is a passage in the second book of the History of the Franks by St. Gregory of Tours, where he says that St. Perpetuus, one of his predecessors, who held that see about the year 480, had decreed a fast three times a week, from the feast of St. Martin until Christmas. It would be impossible to decide whether St. Perpetuus, by his regulations, established a new custom, or merely enforced an already existing law. Let us, however, note this interval of forty, or rather of forty-three days, so expressly mentioned, and consecrated to penance, as though it were a second Lent, though less strict and severe than that which precedes Easter.

Later on, we find the ninth canon of the first Council of Mâcon, held in 582, ordaining that during the same interval between St. Martin’s day and Christmas, the Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, should be fasting days, and that the Sacrifice should be celebrated according to the lenten rite. Not many years before that, namely in 567, the second Council of Tours had enjoined the monks to fast from the beginning of December till Christmas. This practice of penance soon extended to the whole forty days, even for the laity: and it was commonly called St. Martin’s Lent. The capitularia of Charlemagne, in the sixth book, leave us no doubt on the matter; and Rabanus Maurus, in the second book of his Institution of clerics, bears testimony to this observance. There were even special rejoicings made on St. Martin’s feast, just as we see them practised now at the approach of Lent and Easter.

The obligation of observing this Lent, which, though introduced so imperceptibly, had by degrees acquired the force of a sacred law, began to be relaxed, and the forty days from St. Martin’s day to Christmas were reduced to four weeks. We have seen that this fast began to be observed first in France; but thence it spread into England. as we find from Venerable Bede’s history; into Italy, as appears from a diploma of Astolphus, king of the Lombards, dated 753; into Germany, Spain, &c., of which the proofs may be seen in the learned work of Dom Martène, On the ancient rites of the Church. The first allusion to Advent’s being reduced to four weeks is to be found in the ninth century, in a letter of Pope St. Nicholas I to the Bulgarians. The testimony of Ratherius of Verona, and of Abbo of Fleury, both writers of the tenth century, goes also to prove that, even then, the question of reducing the duration of the Advent fast by one-third was seriously entertained. It is true that St. Peter Damian, in the eleventh century, speaks of the Advent fast as still being for forty days; and that St. Louis, two centuries later, kept it for that length of time; but as far as this holy king is concerned, it is probable that it was only his own devotion which prompted him to this practice.

The discipline of the Churches of the west, after having reduced the time of the Advent fast, so far relented, in a few years, as to change the fast into a simple abstinence; and we even find Councils of the twelfth century, for instance Selingstadt in 1122, and Avranches in 1172, which seem to require only the clergy to observe this abstinence. The Council of Salisbury, held in 1281, would seem to expect none but monks to keep it. On the other hand (for the whole subject is very confused, owing, no doubt, to there never having been any uniformity of discipline regarding it in the western Church), we find Pope Innocent III, in his letter to the bishop of Braga, mentioning the custom of fasting during the whole of Advent, as being at that time observed in Rome; and Durandus, in the same thirteenth century, in his Rational on the Divine Offices, tells us that, in France, fasting was uninterruptedly observed during the whole of that holy time.

This much is certain, that, by degrees, the custom of fasting so far fell into disuse, that when, in 1362, Pope Urban V endeavoured to prevent the total decay of the Advent penance, all he insisted upon was that all the clerics of his court should keep abstinence during Advent, without in an way including others, either clergy or laity, in this law. St. Charles Borromeo also strove to bring back his people of Milan to the spirit, if not to the letter, of ancient times. In his fourth Council, he enjoins the parish priests to exhort the faithful to go to Communion on the Sundays, at least, of Lent and Advent; and afterwards addressed to the faithful themselves a pastoral letter, in which, after having reminded them of the dispositions wherewith they ought to spend this holy time, he strongly urges them to fast on the Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, at least, of each week in Advent. Finally, Pope Benedict XIV, when archbishop of Bologna, following these illustrious examples, wrote his eleventh Ecclesiastical Institution for the purpose of exciting in the minds of his diocesans the exalted idea which the Christians of former times had of the holy season of Advent, and of removing an erroneous opinion which prevailed in those parts, namely, that Advent concerned religious only and not the laity. He shows them that such an opinion, unless it be limited to the two practices of fasting and abstinence, is, strictly speaking, rash and scandalous, since it cannot be denied that, in the laws and usages of the universal Church, there exist special practices, having for their end to prepare the faithful for the great feast of the birth of Jesus Christ.

What are some tips for fasting & abstinence during Advent with small children?

We can consider Advent as a long vigil of a big feast. We should desire to really dispose our souls, have the best dispositions possible, for the grace of the feast and for the coming of Our Lord.

This is different than Lent by way of the level of penance since Lent is a time for us to draw closer to His sufferings. Yet, Advent was once referred to as a “Mini-Lent.”

Here some suggestions to implement for children or those who unable to follow stricter fasting & abstinence:

  • Limit or refrain from treats outside of Feastdays
  • Acts of service (straw in the manger for Baby Jesus’ arrival)
  • Spiritual reads or prayer plan
  • No meat on Mon., Wed., Fri.
  • No media
  • No snacking
  • Only water for drinks
  • Start with Fasting & Abstaining this Advent on the Ember Days (Wed., Fri., and Sat. That follow the Feast of the Holy Cross)

Favorite Advent Activity

Advent Chant – Dad

Reading the Old Testament as a family. – Mom

Light Tour on Christmas Lane (neighborhood lit up with Christmas Lights) on the Feastday of St. Lucy. Her name means light; bringer of light and she is the patron saint of all things dealing with eye sight. – 13yo son xx

Cleaning the home (purging) in preparation for the Christ child. – 10yo son

Jesse Tree & Collecting Hay for Baby Jesus’s Manager. -15yo daughter

Displaying the complete Fontni Nativity Set sans baby Jesus thatcher godparents gifted her over the years. – 17yo daughter

Jesse Tree & Journey To Bethlehem. -25yo married daughter

Praying the Christmas Novena everyday of Advent. -7yo son

Our Journey To Bethlehem. -5yo son (who has a birthday on 12.20).

Journey To Bethlehem is an interactive walking tour from the town of Nazareth to Bethlehem. The journey recreates the events that happened on the evening of Christ’s birth. The journey begins as we become a part of a family making a trip to Bethlehem to pay our taxes and be counted under the law of the land.

The trip, which takes about 45 minutes, and is one mile in length, provides us with a glimpse of the events of the times.

Advent Wreath. (The youngest child get the privilege of lighting and blowing out the candles). -3yo son

What resources do you share online?

Advent Plan (blank) Printable

Advent Wreath Booklet

St. Andrew Christmas Novena Printables & Chaplet Crafts

Advent 2020

Christkindl Printable (working on a new one for this year)

Instructions on Advent

First Sunday In Advent

Second Sunday In Advent

Gaudete Sunday

Fourth Sunday In Advent

O Antiphons Links & Reflections

Advent Ember Day

Rorate Mass

Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

St. Nicholas

St. Lucia

Our Lady of Guadalupe

What music do you listen to?

We only listen to Advent music during Advent and reserve Christmas music for the entire Christmas season, all 40 days.

Advent at Ephesus

Family Advent Playlists (creates for free online)

Advent Gregorian Chant

Advent Carols & Hymns recorded by our parish’s choristers & choir when our eldest daughter was a member.

Barefootabbey Advent Playlists

Where to begin, it’s my first year year observing Advent?

  • Foster a Joyful anticipation & preparation for the coming of Our Lord
  • Remove all secular ties to Christmas in your home.
  • Save all CHRISTmas decor, music, and the like for Christmas Day and the entire Christmas Season (Candlemas)
  • Pray the Divine Office daily if possible or sing O come O come Emmanuel each night after the a rosary (or rotate the seven verses).
  • Read Advent Reflections for yourself and guide your children in a daily meditation.
  • Select at least one visual activity to help foster the anticipation in your children, especially the littles.

What are your tips to start a Jesse Tree this year?

You can find a trillion options out there, all ranging in price. Below are great resources that I have used for my family (infant to young adults) over the years, all are FREE.

In the future, you can always opt to participate in a Jesse Tree Ornament Swap to get a collection of ornaments.

Jesse Tree Devotional with Traditional Catholic Reflections & Scripture from the Douay Rheims Bible & Cut/Color Jesse Tree Ornaments

Jesse Tree Scripture Readings – FishEaters

Jesse Tree Readings from the New Catholic Picture Bible – Shower of Roses

Printable Jesse Tree Ornaments — Click here for the file and to see how we used this printable. You can also print on card stock, home lunch, place an ornament hook in the hole, and be done!

#joyffjessetree

Have you heard of the Rorate Mass?

Yes, we are blessed to have this Holy Mass offered at our parish every Advent and have been attending for years.

The Rorate Mass is a votive Mass offered within the season of Advent in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Celebrated by candlelight, and traditionally held before dawn.

You can read more about it and get a glimpse of the Rorate Mass, here.

How do you balance gift giving to your children and materialism?

We do not do Santa Claus. It is our conviction that Our Lord does not need to have competition. There are enough holy traditions to adopt.

We do not do Christmas gift lists.

We do not put gifts under the tree during Advent.

We do not partake in any celebrations or open any gifts before Christmas Mass.

We do…

Immerse ourselves in scripture

List ways to offer acts of service for the Christ Child. Every time it’s done, a piece of hay/straw/paper is added to an empty manger. The goal is to make it as “comfy” for the Christ Child come Christmas.

The children select a Christkindl. They offer their prayers and random acts of kindness for them throughout Advent. They make or buy a small gift for their Christkindl and exchange it on Epiphany.

We adopt a family in need. We pray for them in a special way throughout Advent and select gifts or items of need for them as we’re able.

We’ve shifted from offering gifts on Christmas Day to giving them on Epiphany.

We hold the Christmas Vigil with holy cheerfulness, fasting, and penance as we prepare for the glorious feast.

After Holy Mass, we return home or wake up (if we attended Midnight Mass) with a party for Jesus — cake and all. Then we open a few gifts from Papa & Nana.

*I will add to this post as more questions come in.

A Nation Under God

by Filed Under: Archbishop Vigano, Libertas Leave a Comment

“…The people have spoken out in favor of traditional values, in defense of life, in defense of the family, and in defense of national sovereignty. Values that have made America great and which form the basis of your country’s freedom and peace, harmony and prosperity.

When the people do not obey media indoctrination, democracy no longer matters to the so-called Democrats: they have to resort to fraud, deception, and the manipulation of votes and consensus.

But something has gone wrong: “The snare has been broken, and we have escaped” (Ps 123:7).

As Christians and honest citizens of this great and beloved Nation — which is proud to proclaim to be under God — we have a duty to trust that justice and truth will triumph, also on this occasion.

And they will triumph not only through the honesty and fairness of so many people, but also and above all through our prayer.

As lawyers and magistrates investigate the abuses and crimes committed, let us turn to the Lord, the Supreme Judge, through the intercession of Mary Most Holy, our powerful Advocate. This is the “Supreme Court” to which we can and must appeal, that the Will of God may be fulfilled, and Truth may triumph over falsehood.

🙏🏼

O Lord Almighty God, Most Holy and Undivided Trinity, who in Thy love hast deigned to redeem sinful man through the Incarnation and Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ: prostrate before Thee we invoke Thy powerful protection in this hour of great turmoil, when darkness seems to be spreading over our beloved Nation.

O Lord God of Hosts, drive back into hell the Enemy of mankind, who by Thy eternal decree is crushed by the foot of Our Mother and Queen, Mary Most Holy. Make vain the assaults of those who, blinded by vice and hatred of Thee, wish to subject our Nation and the whole world to the tyranny of sin and rebellion against Thy Most Holy Law. Grant wisdom and courage to those who are called to direct the fortunes of the United States of America, and to those who serve their country with fidelity and honor.

Lord, bless our President, our public officials, and our pastors. For those who exercise the power entrusted to them from above, obtain the graces necessary…” #archbishopvigano

Read the complete address, here.

Just wear the….

by Filed Under: Uncategorized Leave a Comment

I was recently sent a private message questioning a stance that I shared in my IG stories.

I presumed the messenger was sincere in asking her question and I desired to offer her a response. Although, I generally do not feel that I owe anyone an explanation, online or in person, regarding my decisions.

But I took it to my husband for further discernment since I’m well aware that such online convos may open my family up to spiritual attacks.

With his approval and the encouragement of a dear friend in a short text chat on Sat., I’ve opted to share my response publicly.

My husband and I fully acknowledge that things will be escalating as the election continues to be drawn out and regardless of who will officially be selected as POTUS.

IT IS NOT A TIME FOR US TO BE SILENT!

Below is my fairly short response that may disappoint some. I will not do the homework for strangers that inquire and I am not compelled to offer them a thorough explanation. I respond with charity and firmness. I’m sure some take offense by my approach but I’m more concerned with offending God than being liked by others.

Here is my response:

You can refer to my other shares from Archbishop Vigano & Bishop Schneider — or go look up their recent writings that sum up the crux of the issue as far as I’m concerned.

It’s not about safety or health. It is NOT a pro-life matter.

Being pro-life doesn’t involve imagining that one can eliminate every risk!

Furthermore, we are not required to follow any of the current suggestions/mandates (or laws even if one existed) that prohibit our God given freedoms or diminish our dignity as a person, made in the image and likeness of God.

This does not mean that I’m not respectful of someone’s needs or health.

I’m a healthy child of God who takes my health very seriously and I do my part to support the health of my family and others — including not going out places if I’m under the weather.

But I will not wear a face covering (when I’m completely healthy) which conceals my identity and impedes my oxygen intake. The UNIMPEDED flow of oxygen is essential to my health and immune system.

Taking a vaccine is also not required to be pro-life. I’m sure that’s going to be the next line that’s thrown out there by some.

If you or anyone else has discerned otherwise for yourself, I respect your decision. I trust that you are a responsible individual who can make up your own mind about how best to keep yourself and your family safe, healthy, and happy.

CHRIST IS KING!

Below is a the dialogue of fellow California Patriots regarding masks for shopping.

11.16.20

Just got Mask Nazied at BofA. .

Me: “Well, I have a condition, I can’t wear a mask, but thank you.” The “security” clerk at the door was sweet and patient but kept repeating, “I’m sorry ma’am, I’m just enforcing policy.”

I asked, “So, BofA discriminates? Because, as you probably know, if the bank still serves the public, they must make accommodations for everyone.” She said,,”Well, we do have accommodations, I can’t let you inside, but you can use the ATM.”

ME: [emphasis only, the words are important] **So, IS EVERYONE LIMITED TO THE ATM OR JUST SOME?” She said, “EVERYONE WITH A MASK IS ALLOWED INSIDE.” I said, “I see…by what authority?” She replied, “…the bank.”

ME: “Well, if you allow some people in, then you must allow all people in or is isn’t equal, it’s discrimination, isn’t it?”

SHE: “Ma’am, I’m just enforcing the rules.

ME, “I know you are…and what is your name, please?” With a very subtle sign of exasperation, she groaned, “Kelleeeeeey,” and I followed up, “…and your last name…”

Kelly “Smith”.”

“Okay, Kelly “Smith,” employed by the bank, my name is Katherine “Doe,” bank customer for 40 years. Please advise management that I am invoking ALL LAWS and statutes that guarantee protection of my rights and supersede discriminatory policies.”

She said, “If you can wait right here for ‘social distancing,’ I can let you in.”

“Okay, Kelly, I’ll wait.” And I did. For about 6 seconds and then she let me in. I went inside to withdraw the cash I could have much easier saved the hassle and gotten at the one ATM they haven’t disabled, but it’s important to assert rights, or why have them, right? As I punched in my pin the teller asked, “Was the ATM down?” I said, “No, not at all, I just wanted to see your happy face, be near people, have some human interaction, y’know.”

Teller: “Uh…hmmm…oh.”

Yes, strangely, she was annoyed. On the way out I smiled and said, “Thank you very much, Kelly Smith.”

She said, “I’m sorry, I’m just doing my job.”

ME: “Miss Kelly, my new friend, I’m going to refer you to the website so that you understand what “I’m just doing my job” actually means. I want you to be prepared because it isn’t the bank, the bank president or manager who must be held accountable first under Title 18 United States Code 241 Conspiracy Against Rights, and 18 USC 242 Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law, and CA Civil Rights Code 51b and 52, it’s going to be you, personally, and the bank, bank president and manager will not able to protect you.

I know it’s harsh, Kelly, but I’m defending your rights, too. Just as I am, all Americans are DUTY-BOUND to hold the “enforcers” at the door accountable, because if we don’t *defend* our rights, then we don’t have any, isn’t that right? And I’m going to be very blunt… the Nazis were just doing their jobs, “just following orders,” and that was no defense for them at trial.

There is no law that compels anyone to wear masks or for businesses to impose them on customers, but please do read the laws they’re paying you to violate. The truth is, if “we the people” of America were morally enlightened and had the knowledge to even define a right, there wouldn’t be such a job because no one would ever do it.”

www.constitutionallawgroup.us

The Faith of a Mustard Seed

by Filed Under: The Liturgical Year Leave a Comment

Our faith should be like the minuscule mustard seed that blossoms into a large fruitful tree.

Today’s Mass propers are taken from the 6th Sun. after the Epiphany.

Below is an explanation on the Gospel (Matt. 13:31-35) from Dom Prosper Guéranger.

“Our Lord here teaches us, under the symbolism of two parables, what we are to believe concerning his Church, which is his Kingdom, – a Kingdom that rises indeed here on the earth, but is to be perfected in Heaven.

What is this grain of mustard-seed, which is hid under ground, is unseen by man’s eye, then appears as the least of herbs, but, finally, becomes a tree?

It is the Word of God, at first hidden in Judea, trampled on by man’s malice even so as to be buried in a tomb, but, at length, rising triumphantly and reaching rapidly to every part of the world. Scarcely had a hundred years elapsed since Jesus was put to death, and his Church was vigorous even far beyond the limits of the Roman Empire.

During the past nineteen centuries, every possible effort has been made to up-root the Tree of God; persecution, diplomacy, human wisdom, – all have tried, and all have but wasted their time.

True, – they succeeded, from time to time, in severing a branch; but another grew in its place, for the sap of the Tree is vigorous beyond measure. The birds that come and dwell upon it, are, as the Holy Fathers interpret it, the souls of men aspiring to the eternal goods of the better world.

If we are worthy of our name of “Christians,” we shall love this Tree, and find our rest and safety no where but beneath its shade.

The Woman, of whom the second parable speaks, is the Church, our Mother. It was she that, from the commencement of Christianity, took the teaching of her Divine Master, and hid it in the very heart of men, making it the leaven of their salvation.

The three measures of meal which she leavened into bread, are the three great families of mankind, the three that came from the children of Noah, who are the three fathers of the whole human race.

Let us love this Mother of ours; and let us bless that heavenly leaven, which made us become children of God, by making us children of the Church.”

Wisdom & Encouragement for Our Current Times

by Filed Under: Dr. Alice von Hildebrand Leave a Comment

“We must love the Church more than ever.”

Let’s make it clear and simple: We are living in apocalyptic times. And our duty is pray, pray, pray, make sacrifices. And those of us who have a mission to speak should speak clearly and courageously even though that person can be destroyed. And most of us are called upon to pray. And what is also important is all those that are traditionalists should join together. They should not be isolated; they should join together. God will not abandon us, but we are living in apocalyptic times—this is a reality we must face. “God, do not allow us to betray you! Do not allow us to listen to evil voices that keep coming!

…Yes, that’s it. But this situation is very, very grave. I mean this is what my husband was saying in the last months of his life—he sobbed more times than the whole time I knew him. Because he said to me—and he was right over there in that living room: “The forces of Hell have pervaded the Church. They are in the Church.”

You see, if you attack the Church from the outside and it becomes stronger and stronger, but if you infiltrate it… This is a fact that cannot be denied. But it’s no reason for us to lose faith because the Holy Virgin will triumph again. More and more prayers, more and more acts of faith!

Dr. Alice von Hildebrand, Sept., 3. 2018 Interview

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