10 October Saints

St. Bruno

October 6, 2022 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: 10 October Saints, Fr. Francis Xavier Weninger, St. Bruno Leave a Comment

Yes, we have a skull on display in our home all year round. No, it’s not a Halloween decoration.

It is to remind us of the reality of our death and to prompt us to meditate on the Four Last Things, often.

It is our desire to prepare well for our true home. This requires that we keep it ever before our eyes!

“Remember thy last end, and thou shalt never sin.”

Many saints such as Mary Magdalene, Jerome, Francis of Assisi, and Ignatius of Loyola are pictured with a skull.

Todays saint (10.6) is also one pictured with the skull. Below is practical consideration given by #frweninger

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Practical Considerations

A great and celebrated Doctor, who, to all appearance, had lived piously, died after receiving the holy Sacraments; but was condemned. Truly a terrible event! He had either received the holy Sacraments unworthily, or had afterwards committed a mortal sin and died in it.

Those who have received the sacraments do not always die happy. Not all who confess and partake of the blessed Eucharist before their end, save their souls. Many confess and receive holy Communion on their death-bed and yet are condemned. Among them are, first, those who, when in health have often received the holy Sacraments unworthily, either by willfully concealing a mortal sin in confession, or by not repenting of their misdeeds, or by not having the firm purpose, not only of avoiding all sin but also all occasion of sin; and who, in this state, dare to partake of holy Communion.

The shame which keeps them from rightly confessing their sins in health, is with many, much greater at the hour of death than it was before. The Evil One makes them believe that their sickness is not dangerous, and that they will be better able to confess this sin when they are well again; or that it is impossible to repeat all their former unworthy confessions. Hence it happens, that as, in health, they made bad confessions and unworthy communions, so in sickness, they do the same.

Secondly, those who have lived a long time in great hatred, not forgiving their enemies. Thirdly, those who were addicted to the vice of unchastity, and did not endeavor to reform while they had health.

These have every reason to fear that, although they receive the holy Sacraments worthily on their death-bed, they may afterwards fall again into the old sin, die in it, and thus go to eternal perdition; because the Evil One returns to the attack after they have received the Sacraments, and most vividly represents to them the wrong done them, and renews their hatred or the sensual delight in which they formerly indulged, and makes them sin by complacency and desire. As they have been accustomed to yield to the temptations of the devil, they will then very easily be again overcome; and should they die without another, confession, or if this is impossible, without perfect contrition, they will most surely be condemned.

Oh! that the three classes of men above mentioned would rightly consider the terrible danger of their situation. If you would avoid it, confess and receive holy Communion as you ought.

Do not harbor any hatred in your heart, and be not a slave to the sin of impurity, or, if unhappily it has taken hold of you, tear yourself away from it.

Accustom yourself always to fight bravely against the temptations of Satan.

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Saint Bruno was filled with a wholesome terror by the miserable end of the celebrated Doctor (who lived piously and went to hell despite receiving the Holy sacraments on his death bed), and resolved to live in great austerity, in order to be able to justify himself before the judgment-seat of the Almighty and to escape hell.

You hear and read so many awful examples of persons dying without time for repentance. Why then do you not determine to do penance and reform?

I fear you do not consider as earnestly as Saint Bruno did, what it is to appear before the judgment-seat of a just and omniscient Judge, or what it is to be eternally lost.

For your own salvation, I exhort and beseech you to think in future frequently on the judgment of God. Think often of hell.

“Think of the divine judgment,” says Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, “and neither impurity nor any other vice will gain power over you. As soon as you forget God and His judgment, you will think of sin and you will commit it.”

“I beseech you,” says Saint Chrysostom, “think of hell. The Evil One leaves nothing undone to make you forget hell. By thinking earnestly of hell, we prevent our falling into it.”

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“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

Halloween for Catholics?

October 4, 2022 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: 10 October Saints, 11 November Saints, All Hallow's Eve, All Saints Day Leave a Comment

If you’ve been following us for a while, you know where we stand. But it wasn’t always this way. In the past, we allowed our eldest child to dress up in cute, secular costumes and collect treats from friends and family for the first few years of her life. However, as we grew in the Faith, our priorities began to shift. We Enthroned our home to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and felt called to live more radically for Christ.

A turning point came when we were invited to an All Saints’ Party at a traditional Latin Mass parish, nearly 20 years ago. That experience opened our eyes and helped us respond to God’s promptings, leading us to set aside secular Halloween celebrations.

Below are a few resources I’ve previously shared on Instagram, now gathered here to make them easier to find. Every year, I get questions about this topic, and I hope these tools will inspire others to embrace the richness of Catholic traditions.

Let’s Restore Catholic Customs

May we work together to reinstitute the beautiful customs & traditions of thr Church and joyfully celebrate holy feasts of All Saints and All Souls.

When it comes to Halloween, you’ll find traditional Catholics on both sides of the debate. Since there’s no definitive Church teaching on the matter, families are free to discern what’s best for them.

For our family, we’ve come to see that modern Halloween celebrations are far removed from anything of the Faith. They don’t help us grow closer to God, and the holiday itself is now steeped in occult practices. For us, the decision was simple: Does this celebration aid our journey toward Christ? The answer was no.

We’ve asked, how does this serve us in growing closer to Christ?

Our goal is to raise children who are both holy and happy, but not in the way the world defines happiness. Instead of participating in Halloween, we focus on preparing for the great feasts of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. On All Hallows’ Eve, we gather with like-minded families to celebrate with faith-centered festivities. We also observe the traditional fast and partial abstinence on the Vigil of All Saints, as the Church prescribed.

Above all, we honor the holy days by attending Mass on All Saints’ Day, as required by the Church. This approach helps keep our hearts and minds focused on what matters most: growing in holiness and seeking the will of God.

Just to clarify my recent stories/posts: the Church does not have an official teaching regarding the celebration of Halloween. For the past 25 years or so, my family has chosen not to participate in Halloween. As my husband and I deepened our understanding of the Faith, we felt called to change certain practices and align our lives more closely with our beliefs. While I don’t pass judgment on the decisions other families make, I share what has guided and challenged us on our journey to grow in holiness and glorify God.

More on Hallowtide

Rev. Fr. Leonard Goffine’s
The Church’s Year
Instruction On The Feast Of All Saints
[November 1]

Why has the Church instituted this festival?

To give praise to God in His saints, (Ps. cl.) and to pay to the saints themselves the honor which they merit for having made it the work of their earthly life to promote the honor of God. 2. To impress vividly upon our minds that we are members of that holy Catholic Church which believes in the communion of saints, that is, in the communion of all true Christians, who belong to the Church triumphant in heaven, to the Church suffering in purgatory, or to the Church militant upon earth; but, more particularly, to cause us earnestly to consider the communion of the saints in heaven with us, who are yet battling on earth.

3. To exhort us to raise our eyes and hearts, especially on this day, to heaven, where before the throne of God is gathered the innumerable multitude of saints of all countries, times, nationalities and ranks of life, who have faithfully followed Christ and left us glorious examples of virtues, which we ought to imitate. This we can do, for the saints, too, were weak men, who fought and conquered only by the grace of God, which will not be denied to us.

4. To honor those saints, for whom during the year there is no special festival appointed by the Church. Finally, that in consideration of so many intercessors God may grant us perfect reconciliation, may permit us to share in their merits, and may grant us the grace to enjoy with them, one day, the bliss of heaven.

Who first instituted this festival?

Pope Boniface IV. first suggested the celebration of this festival, when in 610 he ordered that the Pantheon, a pagan temple at Rome, dedicated to all the gods, should be converted into a Christian church, and the relics of the saints, dispersed through the different Roman cemeteries, taken up and placed therein. He then dedicated the Church to the honor of the Blessed Virgin and all the martyrs, and thus for the first time celebrated the Festival of All Saints, directing that it should be observed in Rome every year. Pope Gregory IV. extended this feast to the whole Catholic Church, and appointed the 1st of November as the day of its celebration.

At the Introit the Church sings: Let us all rejoice in the Lord, celebrating a festival day in honor of all the saints; at whose solemnity the angels rejoice, and give praise to the Son of God. Rejoice in the Lord, ye just: praise becometh the upright. Glory &c.

COLLECT Almighty everlasting God, who givest us to venerate in one solemnity the merits of all Thy saints: we beseech Thee to bestow upon us, through our multiplied intercessors, the fulness of Thy propitiation. Thro’. &c.

LESSON (Apoc. vii. 2-12.) IN THOSE DAYS, behold, I, John, saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, having the sign of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, saying: Hurt not the earth, nor the sea, nor the trees, till we sign the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them that were signed, an hundred and forty-four thousand were signed, of every tribe of the children of Israel. Of the tribe of Juda were twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Ruben twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Aser twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Nephtali twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Manasses twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe1 of Issachar twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Zabulon twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand signed. Of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand signed. After this I saw a great multitude which no man could number, of all nations, and tribes, and peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and in sight of the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands: and they cried with a loud voice, saying: Salvation to our God who sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and the ancients, and the four living creatures; and they fell down before the throne upon their faces, and adored God, saying: Amen. Benediction, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, honor, and power, and strength to our God for ever and ever. Amen.

EXPLANATION The words of this lesson relate immediately to the divine punishment on Jerusalem and the Jewish people, as they were revealed in spirit to John; in a higher and particular sense they refer to the general judgment. At this judgment there will be chosen ones, from each of the twelve tribes of Israel. But that it might not be thought that the elect are principally Christian converts from Judaism, St. John was shown a countless multitude of Christians from heathen lands, by which it is seen, that it is the pagans who will principally fill the Church of Christ and heaven. This multitude clothed in white and carrying palms in their hands, stand before the throne of God and before the Lamb, that is, Christ. The white robes are tokens of their innocence; the palm is the emblem of their glory and of their victory over the temptations of the world, the flesh and the devil. They shall adore God, and forever sing to Him, in communion with all the heavenly spirits, a canticle of praise for the power and glory which He has bestowed upon them.

Let us strive so to live, that we may one day be among these chosen ones.

GOSPEL (Matt. v. 1 -12.) AT THAT TIME, Jesus seeing the multitudes, went up into a mountain. And when he was sat down, his disciples came unto him. And opening his mouth, he taught them, saying: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the land. Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice, for they shall have their fill. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you untruly, for my sake: be glad and rejoice, for your reward is very great in heaven.

Why is the Gospel of the Eight Beatitudes read on this day?

Because they form, so to speak, the steps on which the saints courageously ascended to heaven.

If you desire to be with the saints in heaven, you must also mount patiently and perseveringly these steps, then God’s hand will assuredly aid you.

EXPLANATION OF THE EIGHT BEATITUDES.

I. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

THEY are poor in spirit who, like the apostles, leave all temporal things for Christ’s sake and become poor; they who have lost their property by misfortune or injustice, and bear this loss with patience and resignation to the will of God; they who are contented with their poor and lowly station in life, do not strive for greater fortune or a higher position, and would rather suffer want than make themselves rich by unlawful means; they who though rich do not love wealth, nor set their hearts upon it, but use their riches to aid the poor; and especially they who are humble, that is, who have no exalted opinion of themselves, but are convinced of their weakness and inward poverty, have a low estimate of themselves, therefore, feel always their need, and like poor mendicants, continually implore God’s grace and assistance.

II. Blessed are the meek, for they shall possess the land.

He is meek who represses every rising impulse of anger, impatience and desire of revenge, and willingly puts up with every thing that God, to prove him, decrees or permits to happen to him, or men inflict upon him. He who thus controls himself, is like a calm and tranquil sea, in which the image of the divine Sun is ever reflected, clear and unruffled. He who thus conquers himself is mightier than if he besieged and conquered strongly fortified cities, (Prov. xvi. 32.) and will without doubt receive this earth, as well as heaven, as an inheritance, enjoying eternally there the peace (Ps. xxxvi. n.) which is already his on earth.

III. Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.

The mourners here mentioned are not those who weep and lament over the death of relatives and friends, or over misfortune or loss of temporal riches, but those who mourn that God is so often offended, so little loved and honored by men, that so many souls, redeemed by the precious blood of Christ, are lost. Among these mourners are also those who lead a strict and penitential life, and patiently endure distress; for sin is the only evil, the only thing to be lamented, and those tears only, which are shed on account of sin, are useful tears, and are recompensed by everlasting joy and eternal consolation.

IV. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice, for they shall have their fill.

Hunger and thirst denote the ardent longing for those virtues which constitute Christian perfection. He who seeks such perfection with ardent desire and earnest striving, will be filled, that is, will be adorned by God with the most beautiful virtues, and will be abundantly rewarded in heaven.

V. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

They are merciful who assist the poor according to their means, who practice every possible spiritual and corporal work of mercy, who as far as they can, patiently endure the faults of others, strive always to excuse them, and willingly forgive the injuries they have received. They especially are truly merciful, who are merciful to their enemies, and do good to them, as written: Love your enemies, and do good to them that hate you. (Matt. v. 44.) Well is it for him who is merciful, the greatest rewards are promised him, but a judgment without mercy shall be passed on the unmerciful.

VI. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they shall see God.

They are clean of heart, who carefully preserve the innocence which they received in baptism, and keep their heart and conscience free not only from all sinful words and deeds, but from all sinful thoughts and desires, and in all their omissions and commissions think and desire only good. These while yet on earth see God in all His works and creatures, because their thoughts are directed always to the Highest Good, and in the other world they will see Him face to face, enjoying in this contemplation a peculiar pleasure which is reserved for pure souls only; for as the eye that would see well, must be clear, so must those souls be immaculate who are to see God.

VII. Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be called the children of God.

Those are peace-makers who guard their improper desires, who are careful to have peace in their conscience and regulated tranquility in all their actions, who do not quarrel with their neighbors, and are submissive to the will of God. These are called children of God, because they follow God who is a God of peace, (Rom. xv. 33.) and who even gave His only Son to reconcile the world, and bring upon earth that peace which the world does not know and cannot give. (Luke ii. 14.; John xiv. 27.)

VIII. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Those suffer persecution for justice’ sake who by their words, writings, or by their life defend the truth, the faith and Christian virtues; who cling firmly to God, and permit nothing to turn them from the duties of the Christian profession, from the practice of their holy religion, but on its account suffer hatred, contempt, disgrace, injury and injustice from the world. If they endure all this with patience and perseverance, even, like the saints, with joy, then they will become like the saints and like them receive the heavenly crown. If we wish to be crowned with them, we must suffer with them: And all that will live godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer persecution, (ii. Tim. iii. 12.)

SUPPLICATION. How lovely, O Lord, are Thy tabernacles! My soul longeth for Thy courts. My body and soul rejoice in Thee, most loving God, Thou crown and reward of all the saints, whose temporal pains and sufferings Thou dost reward with eternal joy, filling them with good! How blessed are they who have faithfully served Thee, for they carry Thy name on their forehead, and reign with Thee for all eternity. Grant us, we beseech Thee, O God, by their intercession, Thy grace that we, after their example, may serve Thee in sanctity and justice, in poverty and humility, in meekness and repentance, in the ardent desire for all virtues, by mercy, perfect purity of heart, in peacefulness and patience, following them, and taking part, one day, with them in heavenly joy and happiness. Amen.

Let us prepare our souls for the graces heaven is about to shower upon the earth in return for its homage.

Tomorrow the Church will be so overflowing with joy, that she will seem to be already in possession of eternal happiness; but today she appears in the garb of penance, confessing that she is still an exile.

Let us fast and pray with her; for are not we too pilgrims and strangers in this world, where all things are fleeting and hurry on to death?

Year by year, as the great solemnity comes round, it has gathered from among our former companions new saints, who bless our tears and smile upon our songs of hope.

Year by year the appointed time draws nearer, when we ourselves, seated at the heavenly banquet, shall receive the homage of those who succeed us, and hold out a helping hand to draw them after us to the home of everlasting happiness.

Let us learn, from this very hour, to emancipate our souls; let us keep our hearts free, in the midst of the vain solicitudes and false pleasures of a strange land: the exile has no care but his banishment, no joy but that which gives him a foretaste of his fatherland.

With these thoughts in mind, let us say with the Church the Collect of the vigil.

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Domine Deus noster, multiplica super nos gratiam tuam: et, quorum prævenimus gloriosa solemnia, tribue subsequi in sancta professione lætitiam. Per Dominum.

O Lord our God, multiply thy grace upon us; and grant us in our holy profession to follow the joy of those, whose glorious solemnity we anticipate. Through our Lord.

#domprospergueranger #theliturgicalyear #vigilofallsaints

📸procession and litany of the saints #jffallsaintsday

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Fall Flowers for the feast of St. Therese

October 3, 2022 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: 10 October Saints, St. Therese Leave a Comment

I rejoice for all those who have received their “sweet rose,” consolation on today’s feast of the beloved Little Flower.

We celebrate by buying our own flowers and decorating for Fall as we invoke the intercession of this meek but fierce saint.

May we, like St. Therese of Lisieux not fear in these difficult days to ask Our Lady for everything: that she permit us to serve her in the defense of the Catholic Cause, that we might be saints, that the Church might be restored, that Her Reign might come, that Her Immaculate Heart be victorious.

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Below is a brief mediation from St. Therese.

Jesus set the book of nature before me and I saw that all the flowers he has created are lovely.

The splendor of the rose and the whiteness of the lily do not rob the little violet of its scent nor the daisy of its simple charm.

I realized that if every tiny flower wanted to be a rose, spring would lose its loveliness and there would be no wildflowers to make the meadows gay. It is just the same in the world of souls – which is the garden of Jesus.

He has created the great saints who are like the lilies and the roses, but he has also created much lesser saints and they must be content to be the daisies or the violets which rejoice his eyes whenever he glances down.

Perfection consists in doing his will, in being that which he wants us to be.

Jesus, help me to simplify my life by learning what you want me to be – and becoming that person.

– Saint Therese of Lisieux, from Story of a Soul

We have never received sweet roses or flowers from the beloved St. Therese and that’s ok. We trust that she has been a faithful intercessor to us.

We continue to pray to become “little birdies,” live a life of simplicity, and follow her footsteps to Our Lord.

We will continue to buy our Fall flowers on this glorious feast of the LITTLE FLOWER and give thanks for all of our blessings & the consolations that we have received.

I’d love to hear about your sweet flowers — gifts from St. Therese or purchased. 😉

Happy feastday of St. Therese. May you have a blessed month of The Holy Rosary & Holy Angels.

Instruction on the Feast of All Souls

November 2, 2021 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: 10 October Saints, All Souls Day, Fr. Leonard Goffine, The Church’s Year Leave a Comment

Today, and throughout the octave of the feast of All Souls (11.2), we will visit the cemetery and pray for souls in purgatory. Then we will go to Holy Mass.

The following is instruction on this feast from #frleonardgoffine

The Introit of this day’s Mass as of all Masses for the Dead reads:

“Eternal rest give to them, O Lord: and let perpetual light shine upon them. A hymn, O God, becometh Thee in Sion; and a vow shall be paid to Thee in Jerusalem: hear my prayer; all flesh shall come to Thee. Eternal rest give to them, O Lord: and let perpetual light shine upon them.”

The Epistle and Gospel of this day speak of the resurrection of all men and of the judgment, when every one according as he has lived, sinful and impenitent, or pure and innocent, will receive an eternally miserable or an eternally happy life. Purgatory will then end and there will be only Heaven and Hell. It remains with us to choose which of these two we shall possess.

At the Offertory of the Mass the priest prays:
O Lord Jesus Christ, King of Glory, deliver the souls of all the faithful departed from the pains of hell and from the deep pit: deliver them from the mouth of the lion, that hell may not swallow them up, and they may not fall into darkness: but may the holy standard-bearer, Michael, introduce them to the holy light: which Thou didst promise of old to Abraham and to his seed.

We offer to Thee, O Lord, sacrifices and prayers: do Thou receive them in behalf of those souls whom we commemorate this day.

Grant them, O Lord, to pass from death to that life which Thou didst promise of old to Abraham and to his seed.

We may profitably and devoutly repeat the following as often as we pass a graveyard.

V. From the gates of Hell,
R. Deliver their souls, O Lord.
V. Eternal rest give to them, O Lord,
R. And let perpetual light shine upon them.
V. May they rest in peace,
R. Amen.
V. May the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace,
R. Amen.

St. Hedwig

October 16, 2021 by Lena {JOYfilledfamily} Filed Under: 10 October Saints, Fr. Francis Xavier Weninger, St, Hedwig Leave a Comment

We have always sought to take advantage of all opportunities to grow in Faith, grace, and simply foster camaraderie among others desiring to live radically as the Gospel proclaims.

There is no denying that there is a newfound urgency during these times.

Reading the lives of the saints is also a necessary daily practice of ours. We cling to their wisdom and seek ways to practically apply their maxims to our lives.

Today is the feast of St. Hedwig (10.16). The following is practical consideration offered by Fr. Weninger (1876).

“We must adore the decrees of the Almighty not only in happy days, but also in those of sorrow and bereavement,” said Saint Hedwig, when God deprived her of her beloved spouse, by an early death.

Equally heroic was she, when by the will of Divine Providence, she lost her first-born son.

How do you act in similar painful circumstances?

You will never possess peace of mind, if you do not submit to the will of the Most High. And why should you not do this?

The decrees of God are all just, although they are incomprehensible. Nothing that happens to you is unknown to the Almighty, or has not been permitted by His wisdom.

All that God permits or ordains, is intended for your welfare. The true faith teaches you this.

It also teaches you that you should not, under any circumstances, oppose the will of God. Hence, there remains nothing to do, but to make a virtue of necessity, to adore humbly the decrees of Providence, to submit to them willingly, and to unite your will with that of your God.

In this manner you will be calm and contented in all adverse circumstances of life, and, at the same time, you will gather a treasure of merits for heaven.

“Make of necessity a virtue,” writes Saint James of Nisibis,” and as you cannot escape the hand of the Almighty, but must submit to so great a Lord, humble yourself voluntarily under His overwhelming power.”

📸 my girls on a day hike with Sisters from a beloved order and Father

Let’s Restore Catholic Customs

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