tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22781269658051742672024-03-14T07:26:20.925-04:00Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of HolinessAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04804796410000796440noreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2278126965805174267.post-89792682901562883342012-10-05T00:00:00.000-04:002012-10-05T00:00:13.107-04:007 Quick Takes...Random Chesterton Quotes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.conversiondiary.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/7_quick_takes_sm1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1387" height="195" src="http://www.conversiondiary.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/7_quick_takes_sm1.jpg" title="7_quick_takes_sm" width="290" /></a></div>
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<div style="font-size: 130%; text-align: center;">
<a href="" name="qt1"></a><strong>--- 1 ---</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1VripVqT8nO_K_Uf1HKWdEbVJGxwkj0p4Nxn_F4oLnSgwbH8hRkIi2VdHS2ChfaZZNPe95OVz-GBEafrM4BA61tuGyAfS84sCh48kOZ179pBiNgYgtQ8GTok9309Hm9EjWOpdCLUB1ALq/s1600/286933_439863739382133_635613494_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1VripVqT8nO_K_Uf1HKWdEbVJGxwkj0p4Nxn_F4oLnSgwbH8hRkIi2VdHS2ChfaZZNPe95OVz-GBEafrM4BA61tuGyAfS84sCh48kOZ179pBiNgYgtQ8GTok9309Hm9EjWOpdCLUB1ALq/s320/286933_439863739382133_635613494_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="font-size: 130%; text-align: center;">
<a href="" name="qt2"></a><strong>--- 2 ---</strong></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">“We have had no good comic operas of late, because the real world has been more comic than any possible opera.” – </span><em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://www.chesterton.org/store/#ecwid:mode=product&product=7808286" style="color: #990000; outline: none 0px; text-decoration: none;">The Quotable Chesterton</a></em><br />
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<a href="" name="qt3"></a><strong>--- 3 ---</strong></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">“Do not enjoy yourself. Enjoy dances and theaters and joy-rides and champagne and oysters; enjoy jazz and cocktails and night-clubs if you can enjoy nothing better; enjoy bigamy and burglary and any crime in the calendar, in preference to the other alternative; but never learn to enjoy yourself.” – </span><em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">The Common Man</em><br />
<div style="font-size: 130%; text-align: center;">
<a href="" name="qt4"></a><strong>--- 4 ---</strong></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">“Tradition means giving votes to the most obscure of all classes, our ancestors. It is the democracy of the dead. Tradition refuses to submit to that arrogant oligarchy who merely happen to be walking around.” – </span><em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://www.chesterton.org/store/#ecwid:mode=product&product=1556807" style="color: #990000; outline: none 0px; text-decoration: none;">Orthodoxy</a></em><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">, 1908</span><br />
<div style="font-size: 130%; text-align: center;">
<a href="" name="qt5"></a><strong>--- 5 ---</strong></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">“It is terrible to contemplete how few politicians are hanged.” – </span><em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">The Cleveland Press</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">, 3/1/21</span><br />
<div style="font-size: 130%; text-align: center;">
<a href="" name="qt6"></a><strong>--- 6 ---</strong></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">“The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion, but, on the contrary, of its liberality and humanity. It is shorter to state the things forbidden than the things permitted: precisely because most things are permitted, and only a few things are forbidden.” –</span><em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">Illustrated London News </em><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"> 1-3-20</span><br />
<div style="font-size: 130%; text-align: center;">
<a href="" name="qt7"></a><strong>--- 7 ---</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">“Our materialistic masters could, and probably will, put Birth Control into an immediate practical programme while we are all discussing the dreadful danger of somebody else putting it into a distant Utopia.” – </span><em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">GK’s Weekly</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">, 1/17/31</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For more Quick Takes, visit <a href="http://www.conversiondiary.com/">Conversion Diary!</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04804796410000796440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2278126965805174267.post-22708052696517001062012-10-02T20:30:00.001-04:002012-10-02T20:30:26.748-04:00With 35 Days to Go...A Chestertonian Perspective<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwOjHLFSCytzyx4FSuXYs50WX8OQeLKxWkPCgzp1-2Z2IEjZqDFg9gQe0iD54Dwxr8euK4qN5h2wV1s9Ww7aj17ZdA9aKevyRc-oF4bcH6wP1KOI3YKhRlNAHlYZJXqiRss75bSoZl3J2/s1600/occupy-venn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTwOjHLFSCytzyx4FSuXYs50WX8OQeLKxWkPCgzp1-2Z2IEjZqDFg9gQe0iD54Dwxr8euK4qN5h2wV1s9Ww7aj17ZdA9aKevyRc-oF4bcH6wP1KOI3YKhRlNAHlYZJXqiRss75bSoZl3J2/s320/occupy-venn.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<br />
Over at The American Chesterton Society website is a reprint of an editorial from the January/February 2012 <i>Gilbert Magazine. </i>With the outcome of the election still uncertain, it behooves all of us to think about the issues from a perspective that is neither Left nor Right, but Catholic. And how better than to look at issues the way Chesterton (one of the patrons of this blog) would.<br />
<br />
The editorial's author, Sean P. Dailey, makes the following very cogent point in comparing the Occupy Wall Street and the Tea Party movements:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">They remain enemies because they are stuck in outmoded and counterproductive partisan divisions. Occupy Wall Street attacks Big Business, but remains blind to the fact that the Obama administration is stuffed with Wall Street fatcats who not only helped engineer the current recession, but made enormous profits doing so. The Tea Party attacks Big Government, yet ignores the fact that when a Republican administration once again occupies the White House, it too will be stuffed with those same Wall Street fatcats, as was the Bush administration.</span></i></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">And this </span>willful<span style="font-family: inherit;"> ignorance will be aided and abetted by the great corporate ally of Big Business and Big Government, the Mainstream Media.</span></i></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">We deplore the negative elements in both the Tea Party and Occupy Wall Street, especially OWS’s alliances with abortionists and the Tea Party’s silence about abortion. But until both movements recognize they are fighting the same fight, neither will be an effective agent for real reform.</span></i></blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">It is time for the good guys and the bad guys to stop shooting at each other and recognize their common enemy.</span></i></blockquote><br />
You can read the entire editorial here: <a href="http://www.chesterton.org/2012/10/good-guys-bad-guys-and-hudge-gudge/">Good Guys, Bad Guys, and Hudge & Gudge</a>.<br />
<br />
For any pro-Obama readers who think that they are electing an Occupy Wall Street sympathizer, read the great <a href="http://washingtonexaminer.com/carney-economic-patriotism-corporatism-dressed-as-populism/article/2509346#.UGuGAk3onp8" target="_blank">article by Timothy Carney at the <i>Washington Examiner</i></a> exposing the President as a corporatist.<br />
<br />
And ultimately, as Catholics we should be primarily concerned with the Holy Father's non-negotiables over economic issues--Life, Marriage, and Freedom. Our Lord assures us that if we seek the Kingdom, all of our temporal needs will be taken care of.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04804796410000796440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2278126965805174267.post-75324819610899836622012-10-01T06:37:00.003-04:002012-10-01T06:37:58.944-04:00"My Calling is Love": The Little Flower's Feast Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQ6I97KLiqTYCOqI0hPlD3n1nECJd9EU0c6WDKKYhP6J_F4VyK34SFNBhiCF9YWfqK72nwtThh3OOZMqeQu6khoQkbNYCLfOMPv47PZ1GDWJlSsSgHcel1f8f9wjGjSuc9yFEBV1ATCcv/s1600/therese.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQ6I97KLiqTYCOqI0hPlD3n1nECJd9EU0c6WDKKYhP6J_F4VyK34SFNBhiCF9YWfqK72nwtThh3OOZMqeQu6khoQkbNYCLfOMPv47PZ1GDWJlSsSgHcel1f8f9wjGjSuc9yFEBV1ATCcv/s320/therese.jpg" width="227" /></a></div>
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<br />
Today is the feast of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, the little French Carmelite girl (she was only 24 when she died) whose Little Way has inspired both laity and Popes. Because of her teaching that the way to holiness was through all things done out of love for Christ, Blessed John Paul II named her a Doctor of the Church--only the third woman so honored up to that time.<br />
<br />
Here is a portion of her autobiography, <i>The Story of a Soul</i>, from today's Office of Readings; if you have not read it, I encourage you to do so. You will also be captivated by the story of the little French girl who became a great saint.<br />
<br />
<strong>From the autobiography of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, virgin</strong><br /><span class="rubrica">(Manuscrit autobiographiques, Lisieux 1957, 227-229)</span><br /><br /><em><span class="rubrica">In the heart of the Church I will be love</span></em><br /><br />Since
my longing for martyrdom was powerful and unsettling, I turned to the
epistles of Saint Paul in the hope of finally finding an answer. By
chance the twelfth and thirteenth chapters of the first epistle to the
Corinthians caught my attention, and in the first section I read that
not everyone can be an apostle, prophet or teacher, that the Church is
composed of a variety of members, and that the eye cannot be the hand.
Even with such an answer revealed before me, I was not satisfied and did
not find peace.<br /><br />I persevered in the reading and did not let my mind wander until I found this encouraging theme: <em>Set your desires on the greater gifts. And I will show you the way which surpasses all others.</em>
For the Apostle insists that the greater gifts are nothing at all
without love and that this same love is surely the best path leading
directly to God. At length I had found peace of mind.<br /><br />When I had
looked upon the mystical body of the Church, I recognized myself in none
of the members which Saint Paul described, and what is more, I desired
to distinguish myself more favorably within the whole body. Love
appeared to me to be the hinge for my vocation. Indeed I knew that the
Church had a body composed of various members, but in this body the
necessary and more noble member was not lacking; I knew that the Church
had a heart and that such a heart appeared to be aflame with love. I
knew that one love drove the members of the Church to action, that if
this love were extinguished, the apostles would have proclaimed the
Gospel no longer, the martyrs would have shed their blood no more. I saw
and realized that love sets off the bounds of all vocations, that love
is everything, that this same love embraces every time and every place.
In one word, that love is everlasting.<br /><br />Then, nearly ecstatic with
the supreme joy in my soul, I proclaimed: O Jesus, my love, at last I
have found my calling: my call is love. Certainly I have found my place
in the Church, and you gave me that very place, my God. In the heart of
the Church, my mother, I will be love, and thus I will be all things, as
my desire finds its direction.<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04804796410000796440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2278126965805174267.post-1563613323573810442012-09-30T14:20:00.001-04:002012-09-30T14:20:10.191-04:00Preparing for the Month of the Holy Rosary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyq1A1hsjuF1KvnGQ7rMWGacWmz_fLrBw7iQLEuwIW8vLXkXScjL26nP0iOlzWs91BpeKkyCjUixjPv6iXjGDXb_Wfr0769mtZ4gHxK7qC_fwJPCF6mKcpUDmzq6MX0ZaP_pWY-iRcmKdH/s1600/OLrosary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyq1A1hsjuF1KvnGQ7rMWGacWmz_fLrBw7iQLEuwIW8vLXkXScjL26nP0iOlzWs91BpeKkyCjUixjPv6iXjGDXb_Wfr0769mtZ4gHxK7qC_fwJPCF6mKcpUDmzq6MX0ZaP_pWY-iRcmKdH/s1600/OLrosary.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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October is a special month for Our Lady. With the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary on October 7 and the commemoration of the Miracle of the Sun by Our Lady of Fatima on October 13, there are many reasons in particular to increase our devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. One particular thing we can do is to say a Rosary every day; if that is already part of our devotional life, we can add another Rosary. With the upcoming election, think about dedicating that extra Rosary for the needs of our country. For more information about October, click on the following link.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/overviews/months/10_1.cfm">Liturgical Year : October, Month of the Holy Rosary - Catholic Culture</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04804796410000796440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2278126965805174267.post-64810258986390698942012-09-29T08:33:00.001-04:002012-09-29T08:33:49.117-04:00Fabulous post from Simcha FisherHello all, sorry I haven't been on for the last week, but my computer died and it's been with the Geek Squad. But I'm back. Simcha Fisher has another great post over at National Catholic Register. She demolishes the radical turn the pro-choice movement has made, going from saying that abortion is necessary though undesirable to advancing it as a normal and positive event in most women's lives.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ncregister.com/blog/simcha-fisher/who-are-the-one-in-three">Who are the "one in three?" |Blogs | NCRegister.com</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04804796410000796440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2278126965805174267.post-88118280823986662232012-09-21T00:00:00.000-04:002012-09-21T00:00:03.261-04:007 Quick Takes Friday--1 to 4 from Susan, 5-7 from James<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.conversiondiary.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/7_quick_takes_sm1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1387" height="195" src="http://www.conversiondiary.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/7_quick_takes_sm1.jpg" title="7_quick_takes_sm" width="290" /></a></div>
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<div style="font-size: 130%; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2278126965805174267" name="qt1"></a><strong>--- 1 ---</strong></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span>Maggie
and I watched a movie a few weeks ago called <i>The Perfect Family</i>. While
the movie itself was far from perfect, I thought it did do a nice job of
portraying what real families are up against when they try to live out their
faith in a seriously fallen world. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="font-size: 130%; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2278126965805174267" name="qt2"></a><strong>--- 2 ---</strong></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Apparently there is a new sort of Internet scam
going around. The other night, while
Josh was watching a movie on a website, a page popped up telling him that the
site he was watching had violated some copyright law and that the FBI was going
to prosecute him. He could, however,
simply go ahead and pay a fine of $200 to a website they had set up for that
very purpose. Not surprisingly, he panicked, as did I when
I saw it. (James is always warning us to
make sure that any site we use is a legal one).
Fortunately, we checked it out and found that it was just a scam. So,
beware.</div>
<div style="font-size: 130%; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2278126965805174267" name="qt3"></a><strong>--- 3 ---</strong></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->This has been the first week in many that I
haven’t had any writing to do and I have to admit that I don’t like it. I find that I get much more done and am even
happier when I have a lot to do. Rest
assured, there are still plenty of things I ought to be doing, its just that I
find I miss an intellectual outlet.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="font-size: 130%; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2278126965805174267" name="qt4"></a><strong>--- 4 ---</strong></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Maggie and Josh are now both baby-sitting every
afternoon, which I find to be delightful.
They are both so good with kids and I find it very encouraging to hope
that they will make excellent parents someday.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="font-size: 130%; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2278126965805174267" name="qt5"></a><strong>--- 5 ---</strong></div>
I think I posted a while back about a new organization, <a href="http://www.cc2w.org/" target="_blank">Catholics Called to Witness</a>. The husband and wife founders, Dr. Manuel and Adriana Gonzalez, were on EWTN Live with Fr. Mitch Pacwa on Wednesday. During the program they played the great video they have featured on the CC2W website, "Test of Fire." If you haven't seen it, here it is.<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/D9vQt6IXXaM" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<div style="font-size: 130%; text-align: center;">
<strong><br /></strong>
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2278126965805174267" name="qt6"></a><strong>--- 6 ---</strong></div>
One of my favorite forms of music growing up was Broadway show tunes. I may be the only heterosexual in America who can say that. My favorite singer was Judy Garland. Again, see previous sentence. Simply because I like the song, here she is singing "The Trolley Song" from <i>Meet Me In Saint Louis.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/0odXnKhKBxQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
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<div style="font-size: 130%;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2278126965805174267" name="qt7"></a><strong>--- 7 ---</strong></div>
<div style="font-size: 130%;">
<strong><br /></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Everyone have a good weekend.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 130%; text-align: left;">
<strong><br /></strong></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For more Quick Takes, visit <a href="http://www.conversiondiary.com/">Conversion Diary!</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04804796410000796440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2278126965805174267.post-30706639241312038372012-09-19T20:27:00.000-04:002012-09-19T20:27:21.643-04:00We are the 53%!By now, everyone in the United States, Canada, Europe, and parts of Antarctica have heard about Mitt Romney's statements, secretly recorded and leaked to a left-wing magazine, concerning the dependency of 47% of the American people on some form of government assistance. This dependence, Romney stated, made this 47% unlikely to vote for him. Since this statement, the mainstream in-the-tank-for-Obama media have been heralding this as a major candidacy killing gaffe--one so bad that the campaign might as well be over. We might as well not have an election. We should just declare Obama the winner and go back to watching <i>Here Comes Honey Boo-Boo</i>.<br />
<br />
So while the media is eulogizing the "late" Romney campaign, no one is asking the obvious question.<br />
<br />
What <i>exactly</i> is wrong with what Romney said?<br />
<br />
It certainly is not the truth of what he said. While a broad brush statement, in general Romney hit the nail on the head, as <a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2012/09/18/the-data-behind-romneys-47-comments/" target="_blank">this Wall Street Journal article pointed out</a>.<br />
<br />
So if the furor is not because what Romney said was wrong, could it be because what Romney said was right? I think the answer is yes. Romney incurred the wrath of the media and the left because he took the class warfare argument Obama has been using for years and turned it on its head.<br />
<br />
What do I mean? Let me explain. For the last couple of years, since the Occupy movement popularized the notion of the 99% against the 1%--the latter being the rich members of our society. The vision is that the 99% of average Americans are exploited by a small wealthy elite. Obama has taken this and incorporated it into his campaign against Romney. With Romney's comments, however, people have another vision to consider--a growing group of people who do not pay taxes, who rely on some form of government assistance, supported by a steadily shrinking percentage of Americans. Romney's description is much more supportable by the evidence than the Obama/Occupy perspective.<br />
<br />
Obama is the candidate of the 47%. He is the candidate of dependency. He is the candidate of victimhood. He is the candidate of irresponsibility. He is the candidate of the handout.<br />
<br />
Romney is the candidate of the 53%. He is the candidate of independence. He is the candidate of possibilities. He is the candidate of personal responsibility. He is the candidate of the hand-up.<br />
<br />
Let us stand up and say proudly--WE ARE THE 53%!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04804796410000796440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2278126965805174267.post-40343891607523640462012-09-18T20:53:00.001-04:002012-09-18T20:53:25.648-04:00Wifey Wednesday--The Secret Life of the Woman in the Mantilla, Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoAujNgzv9DGip88i3LZxv41ft1qqh9LqrAJ0TYzRZzZnpFs9mHo8bnPQE11O9SBxb6B6kqkYEI3-DlRc8nz0lJglKAa6EDl1W-W4r4yJk6JV2r-HHznj6zlrWrL7GaxdrYuiVM_QsPDks/s1600/mantilla6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoAujNgzv9DGip88i3LZxv41ft1qqh9LqrAJ0TYzRZzZnpFs9mHo8bnPQE11O9SBxb6B6kqkYEI3-DlRc8nz0lJglKAa6EDl1W-W4r4yJk6JV2r-HHznj6zlrWrL7GaxdrYuiVM_QsPDks/s320/mantilla6.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>Now, what you've all been waiting for...part 2 from Susan:</i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">First, please allow me to
apologize for not getting this finished in a more timely manner. I
trust that the few women who are so gracious as to read this will
understand what I mean when I say, “It been crazy around here.”
I also hope that the extra time I’ve had to ponder all things head
covering will make this post worth the wait.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Before I go on, I want you
to understand that I am not trying to encourage or discourage any
type of head covering. There is plenty of information on that
already available. What I do hope to do is share something of the
story of how my journey through various head covering experiences
mirrors my journey into the Catholic Church.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I think it all began with
the old movies I sometimes saw as a child. In these movies, usually
set in the days before Vatican II, the women wearing mantillas was as
much a symbol of being in a Catholic Church as priests, nuns or
stained glass windows. But to my little Baptist eyes, the lace
scarves that those ladies and even little girls wore symbolized
something much greater. It symbolized holiness and a sort of hushed
devotion to God that I just didn’t see around me in Protestant
circles.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Later, around the time I
graduated from high school, hats came back into fashion and I was
content. However, while the fashion passed, my interest in mantillas
did not. In fact, it grew to that point that, when our family moved
to Maryland, I made the comment to James that I would love to find a
church where the women wore some sort of head covering during the
(Presbyterian) worship service. When we visited the first church of
our list, I was delighted to see doilies springing up around the
auditorium like mushrooms. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Over the next few years I
often spoke with the pastor, and even more often with his wife, about
how central wearing something on one’s head was to a woman’s
proper worship. In fact, the hand full of women who wore doilies on
Sunday were part of a sort of inner circle that also home-schooled,
hosted people for Sunday dinners and even lived together in a certain
neighborhood. They had large, but not too large families, never
traveled on Sundays and would not think of making any decision
without consulting the pastor, who was seen as the ultimate authority
on all things spiritual and temporal.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">When we eventually found
ourselves on the wrong side of the pastor’s opinion, we had to
leave. In doing so, we lost all our friends and most of our
acquaintances. I also lost, briefly, my desired to wear a head
covering, as I had come closely associate it with feeling superior
and showing the church which clique I belonged to.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Fortunately, God in his
mercy led us to an Anglican Catholic parish where the priest loved us
back into feeling safe in God’s house. I soon discovered that,
while some women did wear doilies and others didn’t, it wasn’t a
big deal. No one cared, except of course the woman who made it her
mission in life to care about every little detail in the church from
the style of cassocks to the height of the candles. I soon figured
out that she was the authority in this church and began to work very
hard to keep in her good graces.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">By this time I was also
thoroughly immersed in the Internet and began to come across more and
more information on women covering their heads during worship. In
fact, it became almost an obsession for me as </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I read first one
author, then another, then another. But the problem was that the
more I read, the more confused I became, and the more it seemed that
it was ultimately anyone’s guess. Eventually, I realized that the
same was true for most of what I had learned in my life as a
Protestant.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Well, the priest that we
loved left and with him much most of the life of that little church.
We knew we needed to make a change, and began to consider going to
Rome. However, I still had reservations on certain practices and
doctrines—you know, Mary, the Eucharist, all the usual suspects for
a cradle Protestant. Then one day I was watching EWTN and I heard
something that would change my life. When Christ left the earth and
gave the Great Commission to the 11 Apostles, it wasn’t just about
evangelism, though obviously that was a big part of it. It was also
about <i>authority</i>. He had actually left someone in charge and
laid out how they would continue to perpetuate his teachings on
earth. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I was thrilled and
astounded! Did this really mean that I could stop changing my mind
every time I read something new on the Internet? Could I really
stop trying to figure everything out on my own and rely on the
collective wisdom of 2000 years? I mean, that would really leave me
a lot more time for crocheting and maybe even praying. And if this
applied to head covering (which, by the way, the Church teaches is
optional), what else might it apply to? Capital punishment?
Contraception? Ministering to the poor? Yes, yes and yes.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="" name="_GoBack"></a><span style="font-size: small;">So
that is my story of how a little Baptist girl who was enchanted by
lace scarves became a grown woman finally resting in the bosom of
knowing that she doesn’t have to figure it all out herself.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04804796410000796440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2278126965805174267.post-52778551708719330042012-09-17T19:55:00.001-04:002012-09-17T19:56:15.945-04:00The Nine Ways of Prayer by St. Dominic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNWxUMGeSr6YljQuDA_54YINCYApjsbVBMtK1ofEABbuDM1X9h8Hs395ZT2QobBrcE5YKsMVLN-16HsavXP-aHguuEtduDafkRJG6PkQaRHMe3161bU7tMS-3s6uHJARh2zy6FOd0Puvx/s1600/ninepics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNWxUMGeSr6YljQuDA_54YINCYApjsbVBMtK1ofEABbuDM1X9h8Hs395ZT2QobBrcE5YKsMVLN-16HsavXP-aHguuEtduDafkRJG6PkQaRHMe3161bU7tMS-3s6uHJARh2zy6FOd0Puvx/s400/ninepics.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://domcentral.org/the-nine-ways-of-prayer/">The Nine Ways of Prayer</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04804796410000796440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2278126965805174267.post-20629182704561720562012-09-14T00:00:00.000-04:002012-09-14T00:00:01.707-04:007 Quick Takes--Study Helps from St. Thomas Aquinas<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.conversiondiary.com/"><img alt="7 quick takes sm1 Your 7 Quick Takes Toolkit!" height="195" src="http://www.conversiondiary.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/7_quick_takes_sm1.jpg" style="text-align: center;" title="7 Quick Takes" width="290" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The thing I love, love, LOVE to do most in the world (after prayer) is reading and studying. I usually have one or two--or five--books in various stages of completion. Usually, it's a theological or spiritual work, but occasionally I let loose as read something a little lighter (like Chesterton). One of the great things about reverting to the Catholic Church is the almost limitless amount of reading to do.<br />
<br />
Studying the faith is absolutely essential. We cannot be dumb Catholics. We must know our faith in order to be able to share it with others when they ask and defend ourselves when attacked. Every Catholic should at least study Scripture and the Catechism on a regular basis. With the Year of Faith fast approaching, and the Holy Father calling on us to re-familiarize ourselves with our Catholic faith through prayerful study, I thought it might be nice to review some advice on how to study from one of the great Doctors of the Church, St. Thomas Aquinas.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWHxwUEoPJKRuLSs1K5MmSTwUso7OJeFKXpkZACmjLDcWzBC3UnQClc_ysEbNeH5hDOXztFgUaZPaimHsO3D7QQSCoz1ZgXRcRx86ajJXURep18HF7yZ5c5Z189hmyDLlWH93Yjcji3M1u/s1600/Aquinas-Portrait-Small.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWHxwUEoPJKRuLSs1K5MmSTwUso7OJeFKXpkZACmjLDcWzBC3UnQClc_ysEbNeH5hDOXztFgUaZPaimHsO3D7QQSCoz1ZgXRcRx86ajJXURep18HF7yZ5c5Z189hmyDLlWH93Yjcji3M1u/s320/Aquinas-Portrait-Small.jpeg" width="244" /></a></div>
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
<strong><center style="background-color: white;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<strong style="background-color: transparent; text-align: justify;"></strong><br />
<center style="background-color: white; display: inline !important;">
<strong style="background-color: transparent; text-align: justify;">
<div style="display: inline !important; text-align: left;">
<strong style="background-color: transparent; text-align: justify;"></strong><br />
<center style="background-color: white; display: inline !important;">
<strong style="background-color: transparent; text-align: justify;">
<div style="display: inline !important; text-align: left;">
<center style="display: inline !important;">
<strong style="background-color: transparent; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">LETTER OF THOMAS AQUINAS TO BROTHER JOHN</span></strong></center>
</div>
</strong></center>
<strong style="background-color: transparent; text-align: justify;">
</strong></div>
</strong></center>
<strong style="background-color: transparent; text-align: justify;">
</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<strong style="background-color: transparent; text-align: justify;"></strong><br />
<center style="display: inline !important;">
<strong style="background-color: transparent; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">ON HOW TO STUDY</span></strong></center>
<strong style="background-color: transparent; text-align: justify;">
</strong></div>
</span></center>
</strong></h2>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white;">Since you asked me, my dearest in Christ Brother John, how you should study in order to acquire the treasure of knowledge, I offer you this advice on the matter: Do not wish to jump immediately from the streams to the sea, because one has to go through easier things to the more difficult. Therefore the following points are my warning and your instruction:</span></div>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li><span style="background-color: white;">I command you to be slow to speak, and slow to go to the conversation room.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Embrace purity of conscience.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Do not give up spending time in prayer.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Love spending much time in your cell, if you want to be led into the wine cellar.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Show yourself amiable to all.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Do not query at all what others are doing.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Do not be very familiar with anyone, because familiarity breeds contempt, and provides matter for distracting you from study.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Do not get involved at all in the discussions and affairs of lay people.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Avoid conversations about all any and every matter.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Do not fail to imitate the example of good and holy men.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Do not consider who the person is you are listening to, but whatever good he says commit to memory.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Whatever you are doing and hearing try to understand. Resolve doubts, and put whatever you can in the storeroom of your mind, like someone wanting to fill a container.</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Do not spend time on things beyond your grasp.</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white;">Following such a path, you will bring forth flowers and produce useful fruit for the vinyard of the Lord of Power and Might, as long as you live. If you follow this, you can reach what you desire.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04804796410000796440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2278126965805174267.post-22370153503739251682012-09-12T08:19:00.000-04:002012-09-12T08:19:11.446-04:00The Optional Memorial of the Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitHRiZ2oeGP7BkfjVQJ1GXJ1ax9ZpnLL4xCyZf7VwqDcT0T_ekcThyN_pD_MWCWcIs4VUt2G23-4JNwi8VyuMtNyBkslCVZ8TyF6u0-TYIW2dtCDl5hK7t1WekXKbW0Bu5qBjCpV1f0jEg/s1600/Anne-Joachim-with-Mary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitHRiZ2oeGP7BkfjVQJ1GXJ1ax9ZpnLL4xCyZf7VwqDcT0T_ekcThyN_pD_MWCWcIs4VUt2G23-4JNwi8VyuMtNyBkslCVZ8TyF6u0-TYIW2dtCDl5hK7t1WekXKbW0Bu5qBjCpV1f0jEg/s1600/Anne-Joachim-with-Mary.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Lady with her parents, Sts. Joachim and Anna</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i style="font-family: inherit;">From CatholicCulture.Org (<a href="http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2012-09-12">http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2012-09-12</a>)</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">In accordance with Jewish custom our Lady's parents named her eight
days after her birth, and were inspired to call her Mary. The feast of
the Holy Name of Mary therefore follows that of her Birthday, as the
Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus follows Christmas. The feast originated
in Spain and was approved by the Holy See in 1513; Innocent XI extended
its observance to the whole Church in 1683 in thanksgiving to our Lady
for the victory on September 12, 1683 by John Sobieski, king of Poland,
over the Turks, who were besieging Vienna and threatening the West. This
day was commemorated in Vienna by creating a new kind of pastry and
shaping it in the form of the Turkish half-moon. It was eaten along with
coffee which was part of the booty from the Turks.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The ancient <i>Onomastica Sacra</i>
have preserved the meanings ascribed to Mary's name by the early
Christian writers and perpetuated by the Greek Fathers. "Bitter Sea,"
"Myrrh of the Sea," "The Light Giver," "The Enlightened One," "Lady,"
"Seal of the Lord," and "Mother of the Lord" are the principal
interpretations. These etymologies suppose that the Hebrew form of the
name is Maryãm, not Miryãm. From the time of St. Jerome until the 16th
century, preferred interpretations of Mary's name in the West were
"Lady," "Bitter Sea," "The Light Giver," and especially "Star of the
Sea." <i>Stella Maris</i> was by far the favored interpretation. The
revival of Hebraic studies, which accompanied the Renaissance, led to a
more critical appraisal of the meanings assigned to Our Lady's name.
Miryãm has all the appearance of a genuine Hebrew name, and no solid
reason has been discovered to warrant rejecting the Semitic origin of
the word. The Hebrew name of Mary, Miryãm, (in Latin <i>Domina</i>)
means lady or sovereign; this Mary is in virtue of her Son's sovereign
authority as Lord of the World. We call Mary our Lady as we call Jesus
our Lord, and when we pronounce her name we affirm her power, implore
her aid and place ourselves under her protection. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">(Excerpted from <i>Mariology</i> by Juniper B. Carol, O.F.M.)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><i> </i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span><i> From Mary Vitamin:</i></span><b><span> </span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span> </span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span>Mary Vitamin for<span> </span>September 11<sup>th</sup></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span> </span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span>Topic</span></b><span>: Holy Name of Mary (September 12)</span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span>Quote:</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>St.</span><span> Alphonsus di Liguori</span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>"After
the most sacred name of Jesus, the
name of Mary is so rich in every good thing, that on earth and in
heaven there is no other from which devout souls receive so much grace,
hope, and sweetness."</span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span>The Glories of Mary </span></i><span>, (Tan Books: 1978), 240.</span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span>Meditation:</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>St. Alphonsus di
Liguori</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>"[T]he
wonder of this great name is, that if heard by the lovers of Mary a
thousand times, it is always heard again with renewed pleasure, for they
always experience the same sweetness each time it is pronounced."</span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span>The Glories of Mary </span></i><span>, (Tan Books: 1978), 240.</span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>One way to honor the Holy Name of Mary is with the traditional Catholic devotion of praying the “Three Hail Marys.â€</span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>In <i>Devotion to Our Lady, </i>Father Manelli writes about the practice of the Three Hail Marys:</span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span> "The
Saints have valued the Hail Mary as a prayer which puts devils to
flight, which brings joy to the Angels, which
gives glory to the Holy Trinity, and which gladdens Mary's Heart:
'Rejoice, O Lady full of grace!' St. Louis de Montfort said that the
unfailing sign of true devotion to Mary is a love for the Hail Mary.
Mary's true clients regard the Hail Mary as something very dear, and
most expressive of their love for Our Lady. Is it not something
beautiful to consider that with each Hail Mary one gives a kiss to our
heavenly Mother?"</span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span>Devotion to Our Lady</span></i><span>, (Academy of the Immaculate: 2001), 149.</span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span>Resolution:</span></b><span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span>To
prepare for the feast of the Holy Name of Mary, I will begin my day
with three Hail Marys and end the day with the Three Hail Marys.</span><span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span>Marian Vow:</span></b><span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Father Manelli, FI</span><span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span>"A
long, complicated practice of piety might seem troublesome. But what is
simpler than reciting three Hail Marys? It scarcely takes even a minute
of time. What a beautiful thing it would be to begin and end our day by
reciting the Three Hail Marys! It would mean offering Our Lady our day
and our night, our work and our rest, our sacrifice and our relaxation.
Should we not want to do this?"</span><span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i><span>Devotion to Our Lady</span></i><span>, (Academy of the Immaculate: 2001), 149.</span><span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span><span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span>I give this resolution to the Blessed Virgin Mary.</span></b><span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span> </span></b><span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span>Thanks be to God for graces received.</span></b><span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Related sites: <a href="http://www.mariancastle.blogspot.com/" style="color: #247cd4; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #247cd4;">Castle of the Immaculate</span></a>, <a href="http://twitter.com/maryvitamin" style="color: #247cd4; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">MaryVitamin Twitter</a> & <a href="http://www.airmaria.com/" style="color: #247cd4; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #247cd4;">AirMaria</span></a></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04804796410000796440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2278126965805174267.post-83001650199692820522012-09-08T10:37:00.000-04:002012-09-08T10:37:48.468-04:00Obama's Last Desperate Gamble<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The past two weeks have presented to America the every four
year spectacle of the Democratic and Republican National Conventions. Once an important part of the presidential
election process, they are now huge pep rallies for both major parties where
the candidate who’s been known for month formally accepts their respective
party’s nominations. This year, Mitt
Romney and President Obama went through the well-established ritual of the
acceptance speech. These usually set the
themes for the respective campaigns. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This year, the speeches were almost anticlimactic. The themes for this election have been set
for months, if not years.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Republicans are running on growing the economy, controlling
government spending, and shrinking the size of government (specifically,
repealing Obamacare). This is not
surprising, considering the anemic growth rate since 2009 (an average of 2.2 percent),
unemployment above 8 percent (closer to 15 percent if you include those who
have simply stopped working), and a national debt that just passed 16 <i>trillion</i> dollars. But one thing that’s been missing in their
campaign have been the so-called “social issues”—abortion, same-sex marriage,
etc. It’s not that Governor Romney nor
his strongly pro-life Catholic running mate Paul Ryan have ignored the issues
or have altered Republican positions that have gone back decades; they’re just not high on their agenda. Even Ryan, who as a 100 percent pro-life
rating from National Right to Life as a congressman, was chosen because of his
expertise in budget matters, specifically entitlement reform, and only
secondarily to burnish Romney’s social conservative credentials. There is a certain amount of domestic <i>realpolitick </i>in the campaign
strategy; because social issues tend to
be hot-button, Romney and Ryan have
opted to put those off to the side in order to attract more “middle of the road”
independents and others who may be more socially liberal but are fed up with an
economy growing anemically after 5 years of “recovery” and are concerned about
the growing debt and size of government.
In doing so, Romney and Ryan are counting on the continued support of
social conservatives as a group who have nowhere else to go. In all, not a bad (if
rather cynical) approach.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here’s the irony.
Paying little direct attention to social issues has been the <i>Democrats’</i> electoral strategy for years. “It’s the economy, stupid,” in the 1992
election encapsulated their political approach for the last several election
cycles. But Obama can’t run on the
economy; the economy is awful and it’s his
fault. Sure, he gave the order to kill
Osama Bin-Laden and has carried out a campaign of drone strikes that have
killed scores of wanted terrorists (as well as innocent civilians); but what leftist
Democrat really feels comfortable touting military success?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So what are the Democrats left with? Social issues. In a desperate attempt to win the election by
rallying the support of their base (and firing up their most virulent
supporters on the left,) they have launched a full-bore counterattack in the
culture wars against social conservatives in general and the Catholic Church in
particular. Their first shot was the HHS
contraception mandate; the battle was
joined in the hysterical accusations of a Republican “war on women”; it
advanced through the President’s proclamation of support for same-sex marriage;
and it fortified it’s front line in a platform that came out in support of
funding for Planned Parenthood, taxpayer funded abortions, and same-sex
marriage.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To put it bluntly, President Obama has staked his entire
re-election campaign on sex. His slogan
should be, “It’s the sex, stupid!” It’s almost
like he’s using <i>50 Shades of Gray </i>as
a political handbook. Contraception is
about sex without consequences; abortion
is about sex without responsibility; same-sex marriage is about the social acceptance
of sexual behavior that just 40 years ago was considered a mental illness by
the American Psychiatric Association. I
expect any day for him to come out in support of legalizing polygamy in order
to peel the fundamentalist Mormon vote away from Romney (Alert: I’m not saying Romney as a Mormon supports
polygamy, so keep your combox criticisms to yourself; <b>this
is a joke</b>). Certainly taxpayer
funded pornography for sex addicts is just around the corner. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now it is a sad fact that our culture has become so
sex-saturated that such things as abortion, contraception, fornication, and
homosexuality have become normalized.
Orgasms--how to have one and how to have more and better ones--are the
topic of women’s magazines for sale in the grocery store checkout line. Men’s magazines, the one’s not sold behind
the counter or with the fronts covered in black, show young women in various
states of undress and give recommendations on how best to talk them into having
meaningless sex. So it’s little wonder
that the Democrats think they have hit on a winning formula for defying history
and winning Obama a second term in the face of a horrendous economy. After all, guilt-free orgasms are as American
as baseball, hotdogs, and apple pie, right?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But do things like this really matter when you can’t find a
job? Or when you’re concerned about
losing your house?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In adopting their strategy, Obama and his minions are
fighting the Battle of the Bulge. I’m
not referring to Michelle’s war on obesity.
I’m talking about the World War II military operation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The famous battle, which resulted in a great allied victory,
began as a last desperate gamble by Adolf Hitler to turn the tide of the
war. In December 1944, using poor
weather that grounded allied aircraft, the Germans breached the Allied lines in
the thinly-protected Ardennes forest.
Hitler’s plan was to break through the allied lines and drive to
Antwerp, splitting the Allied forces in two.
In putting his plan into operation, Hitler stripped other German units
of armor, ammunition, men, and fuel. In
put all remaining reserves into this last desperate gamble. In the end, however, it proved to be a disastrous
overreach for the Germans; the
counterattack was stopped by the heroic efforts of American forces and clearing
weather that allowed Allied fighter bombers to enter the conflict. Thousands of irreplaceable German soldiers
were captured, along with hundreds of valuable trucks, tanks, and guns. Germany would never recover.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In a similar way, Obama and the Democrats have drastically
overreached. This was on full display at
their convention this week and in some of their activities last week at the
Republican convention. For example:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.lifenews.com/2012/08/30/code-pinks-pro-abortion-dancing-vaginas-disgust-republicans/">Protesters
from Code Pink dressed as vaginas at the Republican Convention last week.</a></li>
<li><a href="http://washingtonexaminer.com/sluts-and-condoms-for-obama/article/2507187#.UElSVdZlSEk">Planned
Parenthood representatives passing out 'Protect yourself from Romney and Ryan’
condoms.</a></li>
<li><a href="http://washingtonexaminer.com/planned-parenthoods-obama-rally-reveals-a-lot/article/2506909#.UElTLdZlSEk">A
rally by Planned Parenthood highlighted the Democrats’ radical pro-abortion platform.</a> </li>
<li>Sandra Fluke, who went from obscure pseudo-Catholic law
student to Democratic poster person for free contraception (thank you, Rush
Limbaugh), <a href="http://washingtonexaminer.com/sandra-fluke-vice-president-ryan-would-allow-pregnant-women-to-die-in-the-emergency-room/article/2507125#.UElUItZlSEk">spoke
to the convention and claimed that women would die in emergency rooms under a
Vice President Ryan</a>.</li>
<li>Pseudo-catholic HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius <a href="http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/09/04/1127813/-Transcript-of-Kathleen-Sebelius-remarks-as-prepared-for-delivery-Democratic-National-Convention">described
contraception as a basic need of women</a>.</li>
<li>And, of course, <a href="http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/democratic-party-platform-includes-abortion-same-sex-marriage-while-excludi/">they
excluded God from their platform, included taxpayer funding for abortion and
same sex marriage</a>—and then <a href="http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2012/09/05/Democrats-change-platform-God-Israel">booed
when God was put back in</a> through a
questionable vote.</li>
</ul>
<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What these actions reveal is a modern Democratic party that
has completely overreached themselves.
Even though most Americans would express liberal attitudes about sexual
behavior, most would still be uncomfortable with the rhetoric and histrionics on
display this week. Certainly, the
anti-religious views of many Democrats as displayed by the God platform
controversy do not sit well with most Americans; we are still the most
religious country in the world as measured by church attendance, and the <a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/DC-Decoder/2012/0906/Why-Democratic-platform-uproar-points-to-deeper-challenge-for-party">Democrats’
attitude shows once again how different they are from the mainstream</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Obama cannot win on the economy. It remains to be seen if he can win on free
contraception, abortion, and same-sex marriage.
But in adopting this strategy, Obama and the Democrats—and their supporters—may
have awakened a sleeping giant and sealed their ultimate fate.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When faced with the German onslaught, surrounded in the
French town of Bastogne, the Americans of the 101<sup>st</sup> Airborne
Division put up a spirited defense that was key in halting the enemy advance. In the face of a full-scale counterattack,
Catholics and other Christians have dug in. We’ll know November 6 if we were successful in
stopping the radical secularists’ counterattack.<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04804796410000796440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2278126965805174267.post-66331062115512531952012-09-07T05:41:00.002-04:002012-09-07T05:41:39.276-04:00Cardinal Dolan's Benediction to the DNC.Overall, I think a much more muted response from the Democrats than he got from the Republicans. But listen to his remarks; his mention of protecting life and the traditional moral order (i.e. marriage) was much more pointed than last week.<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
You can look at his RNC benediction <a href="http://catholicliberty.blogspot.com/2012/08/cardinal-timothy-dolan-at-rnc.html" target="_blank">here</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04804796410000796440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2278126965805174267.post-36209107565342308652012-09-07T00:00:00.000-04:002012-09-07T05:46:01.040-04:00Just 7 Quick Takes Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.conversiondiary.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/7_quick_takes_sm1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1387" height="195" src="http://www.conversiondiary.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/7_quick_takes_sm1.jpg" title="7_quick_takes_sm" width="290" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="font-size: 130%; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2278126965805174267" name="qt1"></a><strong>--- 1 ---</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxGWa3Xkyu_KNoKB3UMTB5UtecJ5g7widTQx_a8bEFTye5Xsbv8Wgrq0-xUlrOq7JfLwOpCv8cjbp4VF4F1-oFiU_R8zZ64257StCwPhbXN-FY97FQKj6uFEs1iyv2LgbewMCxld6BUVf/s1600/dolan250x250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxGWa3Xkyu_KNoKB3UMTB5UtecJ5g7widTQx_a8bEFTye5Xsbv8Wgrq0-xUlrOq7JfLwOpCv8cjbp4VF4F1-oFiU_R8zZ64257StCwPhbXN-FY97FQKj6uFEs1iyv2LgbewMCxld6BUVf/s1600/dolan250x250.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="font-size: 130%; text-align: center;">
<strong><br /></strong></div>
By this time next week, Susan and I will have scratched one thing off of our collective bucket list.<br />
<br />
We will have met Cardinal Timothy Dolan!<br />
<br />
Or at least have been in the same room with him.<br />
<br />
Sometimes when I'm stuck in traffic or see snow on the ground (it doesn't have to be much, just a dusting) I rue the day I decided to relocate from sunny Florida to just outside Washington, DC 13 years ago. But then I'm reminded why it's so cool to be living up here instead.<br />
<br />
For those of you in the DC area, His Eminence will be giving a free lecture, sponsored by the J<a href="http://www.johncarrollsociety.org/" target="_blank">ohn Carroll Society of the Archdiocese of Washington,</a> at the <a href="http://www.newseum.org/?gclid=CNCa2In6obICFYKK4Aod7hMAwA" target="_blank">Newseum</a> downtown on Monday September 10 at 6:30. The title of the lecture is "Let Religious Freedom Ring." Doors open at 6:00.<br />
<br />
If you cannot be there, I hopefully will be able to video the talk on my smartphone and post it on my blog next week. Check back Tuesday!<br />
<div style="font-size: 130%; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2278126965805174267" name="qt2"></a><strong>--- 2 ---</strong></div>
I've posted Cardinal Dolan's benediction to the Democratic National Convention <a href="http://catholicliberty.blogspot.com/2012/09/cardinal-dolans-benediction-to-dnc.html" target="_blank">here</a>. Go check it out.<br />
<div style="font-size: 130%; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2278126965805174267" name="qt3"></a><strong>--- 3 ---</strong></div>
I'm treading on thin ice here, but am I the only conservative EWTN-loving Catholic in the country glad to see<a href="http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/father-groeschel-steps-down-from-ewtn-show/" target="_blank"> Fr. Benedict Groeschel being retired from </a><i><a href="http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/father-groeschel-steps-down-from-ewtn-show/" target="_blank">Sunday Night Prime</a>? </i>And what was the <i>National Catholic Register</i> thinking? Anyone who has seen the show knows that Fr. Groeschel should have retired a long time ago. There was a time, I'm sure, that he made an important contribution; I will say I have enjoyed his books. But his physical and mental state have clearly not been up to the task of interviewing people on a weekly basis. Too often, the show would consist of Fr. Groeschel introducing a guest on a specific topic, then spending most of the next hour with him talking (I know each week he told the same story about the Jewish man he knew who watched the program because it was the only thing good on TV). He has worked long and hard for the Church; he now needs to take a good long rest.<br />
<div style="font-size: 130%; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2278126965805174267" name="qt4"></a><strong>--- 4 ---</strong></div>
Because Susan has several freelance writing jobs for clients right now, I've taken over the cooking. Cooking is something I love to do; I've been in a kitchen since I was 9 years old. I'm not bad for a completely self-taught chef, but sometimes my meals look like something out of <i>Chopped</i> on Food Network. I have come up with a great recipe for left over rice (you can use this with the rice from Chinese food deliveries, or from your own kitchen). I call it Fried Rice Cakes.<br />
<br />
2 cups white rice<br />
Seasoning (at least salt and pepper; I tried Chinese 5 Spice and overdid it a little)<br />
3-5 Eggs (depending on how much rice)<br />
Breadcrumbs<br />
<br />
Combine the rice, seasoning, and eggs. Add breadcrumbs to the mixture until you can form a rather firm patty. Then coat the patty in more breadcrumbs and fry until golden brown.<br />
<br />
I've made a sauce of sour cream, half-and-half, salt and chives.<br />
<div style="font-size: 130%; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2278126965805174267" name="qt5"></a><strong>--- 5 ---</strong></div>
Are there any other husband cooks out there? If so, share your favorite recipies.<br />
<div style="font-size: 130%; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2278126965805174267" name="qt6"></a><strong>--- 6 ---</strong></div>
If you are ever in Washington DC, when you've finished with the Capital, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and the Smithsonian Museums, you need to go the the <a href="http://www.myfranciscan.org/" target="_blank">Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land</a>. Susan and I went on Saturday, and it was way mega cool. <a href="http://catholicliberty.blogspot.com/2012/09/scientific-proof-our-ladys-triumph-over.html" target="_blank">I posted already about the fossilized serpent in the marble of the Blessed Mother's chapel.</a> That's just one of the great things there.<br />
<br />
<div style="font-size: 130%; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2278126965805174267" name="qt7"></a><strong>--- 7 ---</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Everyone have a blessed Sunday and a good week. And check back here for video of Cardinal Dolan!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For more Quick Takes, visit <a href="http://www.conversiondiary.com/">Conversion Diary!</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04804796410000796440noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2278126965805174267.post-50703270685943512302012-09-06T05:58:00.001-04:002012-09-06T05:58:28.664-04:00Be Countercultural--Obey the Church!Emily Stimpson over at CatholicVote.org has this terrific post that provides Catholics who are faithful to the Magisterium with a response to those who accuse us of being unthinking idiots for not being enlightened enough to question church teachings:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>The easy thing to do for anyone in any age is to drift with the culture. The hard thing to do is to swim against the tide. As this is not 1950, the easy thing for most of us to do would be to pop a pill, sleep around, and marry and divorce as often as we like. Those of us who aren’t doing that are making hard choices, choices that fly in the face of what the media, our neighbors, and, oftentimes, our families tell us to do. And you don’t make those kinds of choices without first having a long, hard think about them.</i></span></span> </blockquote>Here's the full post.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.catholicvote.org/discuss/index.php?p=35567">The Eminent Reasonability of “Because the Church Says So” | CatholicVote.org</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04804796410000796440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2278126965805174267.post-90699093631295514052012-09-05T04:54:00.001-04:002012-09-05T04:54:29.876-04:00What does the Holy Name of Mary Mean?A good companion piece to the one I linked to on Mary as the Ark...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://cantuar.blogspot.com/2012/07/what-does-holy-name-of-mary-mean-saints.html?spref=bl">Canterbury Tales by Dr. Taylor Marshall: What does the Holy Name of Mary Mean? Saints Jerom...</a>: According to tradition, God Himself named the infant girl who would become the Mother of God. The Archangel Gabriel appeared to Saint Joach...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04804796410000796440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2278126965805174267.post-90904664732153287342012-09-04T18:36:00.001-04:002012-09-04T18:36:07.260-04:00Mary as Queen Mother, Ark of the New Covenant, and New EveHere's a special treat for all my protestant friends. David L. Gray does a fantastic job laying out the Scriptural evidence for the special place of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the order of grace. This should also help my fellow Catholics bone up on their Mariology for that next lunchtime confrontation with the fundamentalist who is always trying to save your soul.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.davidlgray.info/blog/2012/08/virgin-mary-ark-of-covenant/#">Mary as Queen Mother, Ark of the New Covenant, and New Eve </a><br />
<br />
You can also look in my bookstore for many other titles, including Scott Hahn's incomparable <i>Hail, Holy Queen.</i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04804796410000796440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2278126965805174267.post-66670261481001825932012-09-03T21:07:00.000-04:002012-09-03T21:07:22.047-04:00Family of God or Body of Christ?<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Back when I was a Baptist and attended a church in a small
town in North Florida, every Sunday morning after the opening hymn and prayer
the pastor would stand in the pulpit and welcome visitors. He’d ask that they stay seated while we all
stood and sang the hymn, “The Family of God.”
The lyrics go like this:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">I'm so glad I'm a part of the Family of God,</span></i><i><br />
<span style="background: white;">I've been washed in<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i><span class="ilad"><i><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span id="IL_AD3" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-position: 0% 50%; background-repeat: repeat repeat !important; cursor: pointer !important; float: none;">the fountain</span></span></i></span><i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">, cleansed by His blood!</span></i><i><br />
<span style="background: white;">Joint heirs with
Jesus as we<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i><span class="ilad"><i><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span id="IL_AD4" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-position: 0% 50%; background-repeat: repeat repeat !important; cursor: pointer !important; float: none;">travel</span></span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> </span></i></span><i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">this sod,</span></i><i><br />
<span style="background: white;">For I'm part of the
family,</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">The Family of God.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: white;">You will notice we
say "brother and sister" 'round here,</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">It's because we're
a family and these are so near;</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">When one has a
heartache, we all share the tears,</span><br />
<span style="background: white;">And rejoice in each
victory in this family so dear.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--></i><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A nice hymn with a great
sentiment. If only it were accurate…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It’s common, especially among
Protestants, to describe the church as a family. Familial language is particularly common
among evangelicals, especially of an older generation; they really do call each other “brother” and “sister.” The family theme is attractive and a great
selling point for churches. After all,
who does not want to be a part of a family.
The problem, however, is that the church is not a family; it is a <i>body</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What is a family? It is a group made up of individuals linked
by ties of blood or affinity. When we
say family, we usually think of the “nuclear family”—mother, father, and
children. The children may be linked
genetically to the parents, or if adopted by a legal recognition of the
familial tie. It can also include
extended members such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. The primary purpose of the family is to
provide for a stable social order, for reproduction, and for the transmittal of
cultural norms from one generation to another.
Ultimately, families are meant to reproduce themselves—one family can
become two, three, four, or more.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As we all know from experience,
family life can be far from idyllic. Even in the best of families, there is going
to be conflict, strife, and stresses at times, particularly between
generations. Some families are what
might be charitably called dysfunctional;
there is abuse, adultery, and alcoholism. Families can break down through death and
divorce. Families are not stable and
fixed, but are constantly subject to change.
This is because families are made up of autonomous individuals who, in
spite of common ties, will eventually follow their own interests and
preferences. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Considering all this, what is wrong
with viewing the church as a family?
From a practical standpoint, the church cannot be considered primarily a
family. The family construct views the
church made up of autonomous individuals joined together by ties of a common
faith experience—but nothing else. Particularly
in larger evangelical churches, the family comes together for worship on
Sundays and perhaps small groups. But
beyond the fact that they all are followers of Christ, there is really nothing
else to tie them together. So when
conflict arises in an evangelical church, the family easily breaks down. That is why there are so many denominations
and why churches are often created by splitting off from each other; they were created because of a dispute over
points theological or practical. Even
apart from conflict, evangelicals can
leave one church and go to another for whatever reasons they choose—better
sermons, more programs for children, closer to home, etc. In all, either view is hardly the one we find
in Sacred Scripture.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Instead, we find the Church described
as a body. St. Paul said:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">For as the body is
one, and hath many members; and all the members of the body, whereas they are
many, yet are one body, so also is Christ.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>For
in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Gentiles,
whether bond or free; and in one Spirit we have all been made to drink.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span> For the body also is not one member,
but many.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span> If the foot should
say, because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of
the body?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">And
if the ear should say, because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it
therefore not of the body?<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>If the
whole body were the eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing,
where would be the smelling?<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>But
now God hath set the members every one of them in the body as it hath pleased
him.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span> And if they all were one
member, where would be the body?<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>But
now there are many members indeed, yet one body.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">And
the eye cannot say to the hand: I need not thy help; nor again the head to the
feet: I have no need of you.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Yea,
much more those that seem to be the more feeble members of the body, are more
necessary.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>And such as we think
to be the less honourable members of the body, about these we put more abundant
honour; and those that are our uncomely parts, have more abundant comeliness.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>But our comely parts have no
need: but God hath tempered the body together, giving to that which wanted the
more abundant honour,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.drbo.org/x/d?b=drb&bk=53&ch=12&l=25#x"><span style="color: #bb0000;">]</span></a>That there might be no schism in the body;
but the members might be mutually careful one for another.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">And
if one member suffer any thing, all the members suffer with it; or if one
member glory, all the members rejoice with it.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Now you are the body of Christ,
and members of member.<span class="apple-converted-space"> (1 Cor. 12:12-27,
D-R)<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A
body cannot divide itself. It cannot
survive very long without one of its organs; and the individual organs cannot
survive apart from the body. The body
cannot live without its head, because it is the head that provides the
direction and the impulse for other parts.
And the Church has only one head—Christ.
And likewise, Christ only has one body—the Church. His body is made up of those baptized. They are formed into his Body by partaking of
his Body in the Eucharist. With the Eucharist
nourishing the Body, the Church grows and thrives. As we partake of the other sacraments, the
body is renewed and regenerated.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But
this can only happen if we take care of the Body. As with a human body, if we don’t take care
of the body of Christ, the body can break down and stop working properly. For example, if we don’t regularly attend to
the Eucharist; if we fail to baptize our children; if we don’t go to
confession; if we treat marriage as the
rest of our society does instead of the sacrament; if we disrespect our priests and
bishops; all of these can lead to decay
and disease in the body. The body will
not die, not with Christ as our head;
but instead of a continually young, continually growing, always vigorous
Church, we will become a smaller, old, and ineffective institution. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04804796410000796440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2278126965805174267.post-68876258886644940542012-09-02T22:05:00.000-04:002012-09-02T22:05:14.706-04:00Scientific Proof--Our Lady's Triumph over Satan!This past Saturday, Susan and I took a "day date"; essentially, a day date is a date that lasts the entire day (duh!). We ditched the kids (who at 17 and 19 have learned to dress and feed themselves, though they might tell you otherwise) and did what all good Catholic couples do: go to morning mass, followed by lunch, then a trip to a monastery for a tour, and winding up the day saying the rosary together before the Blessed Sacrament. And it was a fun day.<br />
<br />
Seriously, though, it was fun. Since we live outside Washington, DC, we often take a Saturday afternoon and go to the <a href="http://www.nationalshrine.com/site/c.osJRKVPBJnH/b.4719297/k.BF65/Home.htm" target="_blank">Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception</a>; there, we pick one of the Mary chapels and pray, then stop by the bookstore. But this Saturday, after mass and lunch, we decided to go to the <a href="http://www.myfranciscan.org/" target="_blank">Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land</a>; we were last there eight years ago, long before we had any notion of becoming Catholic. If you live anywhere near DC, you have to go; it is truly spectacular.<br />
<br />
Now about the title of my post. One of the unusual features of the Monastery is in the side chapel dedicated to the Blessed Virgin. The docent pointed it out, otherwise we would have missed it. In one of the marble slabs at the base of the altar is the very distinct image of two fossilized snakes (actually, Susan and I both agree it looks like two parts of the same snake). Now the docent claims it was a coincidence, and the Francisicans insist that the slab was put in place before the fossils were discovered. I believe the Franciscans, but a coincidence? I don't think so. I think the Blessed Mother wanted a visible reminder of <a href="http://cantuar.blogspot.com/2010/12/who-crushes-satans-head-in-genesis-315.html" target="_blank">her triumph over the serpent, as promised in Genesis 3:15</a>, through her son, our Lord Jesus. <br />
<br />
Here is a close up of he statue of Our Lady:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf90cDTO7xY-lA-kUZGmtIBkPQTQ0QpAv3QQ6XEgo3hkjtfpgaFfGz5VnYTzaNsjYECQw_fKklTkD91pUvklaTmPqz5k3HN6m3w48VUMxUDlkNBQ4f0QEQe2W17L-Zr8n5OO7YmgIR-j4R/s1600/WP_000032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf90cDTO7xY-lA-kUZGmtIBkPQTQ0QpAv3QQ6XEgo3hkjtfpgaFfGz5VnYTzaNsjYECQw_fKklTkD91pUvklaTmPqz5k3HN6m3w48VUMxUDlkNBQ4f0QEQe2W17L-Zr8n5OO7YmgIR-j4R/s320/WP_000032.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Here is a close-up of the slab, which is in the floor to the left of the altar:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRGLsx3VgGCUimM_WqAkp5r2RUd1oX_oxeaDyeKL5F4trU000ut_VmrAxnfc-s9ecOL_FS9ytKst7X_jX_2jv1uukiIyhrfinCOg0vDVVogiBBt3krBm90EpWQaLTKAw7fWW0fLlmcYdZ2/s1600/WP_000026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRGLsx3VgGCUimM_WqAkp5r2RUd1oX_oxeaDyeKL5F4trU000ut_VmrAxnfc-s9ecOL_FS9ytKst7X_jX_2jv1uukiIyhrfinCOg0vDVVogiBBt3krBm90EpWQaLTKAw7fWW0fLlmcYdZ2/s320/WP_000026.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
And here is the slab with the snake(s) outlined:<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04804796410000796440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2278126965805174267.post-38094826189432915772012-09-01T06:10:00.000-04:002012-09-01T06:10:47.509-04:00Thoughts on Consecration to Mary<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: 17px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><i>From the <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MaryVitamin" target="_blank">Mary Vitamin Yahoo Group</a></i></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 17px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 17px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Mary Vitamin for August 30</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><b></b><u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><b>Topic</b>: Consecration to Our Lady<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><b>Quote:</b><u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 17px;">"[Consecration to Our Lady] means to sink our roots in Mary's Heart with the happy certainty that he who plants his roots in Mary becomes holy" (St. Bonaventure.)<u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 17px;">Father Stefano Manelli, FI, <i>Devotion to Our Lady, </i> (Academy of the Immaculate), 140.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><b>Meditation:</b><u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 17px;">Father Manelli explains:<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 17px;">"There are two kinds of consecration to Our Lady:<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 17px;">1) <i>Simple</i> consecration. This is one that is made privately, or in some pious Marian associations (as the Daughters of Mary, the Legion of Mary, the Militia of the Immaculate), and it entails a generous and fervent individual apostolate.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 17px;">The consecration of families (strongly recommended by St. Gregory), of children (even before birth), of a school, a town, of a nation, etc., belong also to this kind of consecration.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 17px;">2) Consecration of ourselves as "<i>slaves</i>" of Mary, or as her <i>"property"</i>, or as a <i>victim in a total sacrifice of love for her.</i><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 17px;">The consecration of oneself as a slave is taught by St. Louis de Montfort, and it expresses principally the sacrifice of one's liberty in order to live fettered and ruled by the love for Our Lady.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 17px;">Consecration of oneself as her "<i>property</i>" was taught by St. Maximilian M. Kolbe, and this principally expresses an unconditional surrender of oneself into Mary's immaculate hands as her '<i>instrument or property.'"</i><u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 17px;">Father Stefano Manelli, FI, <i>Devotion to Our Lady, </i> (Academy of the Immaculate), 139.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><b>Resolution:</b><u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 17px;">Today I will say, as St. Louis de Montfort recommends:<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 17px;">Living with Mary<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 17px;">For Mary<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 17px;">In Mary<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 17px;">Each time I say these words, I will think of my spiritual roots sinking deeper into the Heart of Mary, and I will become holier. It will not matter if I do not feel holier. I will just trust, as Father Manelli points out, that the experience of the saints shows that one becomes holier with the Blessed Virgin Mary. (Manelli, 140)<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><b>Marian Vow:</b><u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 17px;">Father Manelli says 'The consecrated person ought to succeed in "<i>living with Mary, for Mary, in Mary</i>" and then he asks "But how many are there who truly practice and live their Marian consecration in this way?"<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 17px;">Father Stefano Manelli, FI, <i>Devotion to Our Lady,</i> (Academy of the Immaculate),<i> </i> 139.<u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><b>I give this resolution to the Blessed Virgin Mary.</b><u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><b></b><u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><b>Thanks be to God for graces received.</b><u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><b></b><u></u><u></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 17px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Related sites: <a href="http://mariancastle.blogspot.com/" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Castle of the Immaculate</a> & <a href="http://airmaria.com/" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">AirMaria</a></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04804796410000796440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2278126965805174267.post-56978405939537463682012-08-31T14:49:00.000-04:002012-08-31T14:50:16.834-04:00Cardinal Timothy Dolan at the RNC<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/F6-SaIhpqeM?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Is the man a rock star or what? I wonder what kind of reception he'll get at the Democratic National Convention next week? Stay tuned!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04804796410000796440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2278126965805174267.post-8374897874682428392012-08-30T22:19:00.000-04:002012-08-30T22:26:24.358-04:007 Quick Takes--Just Random Musings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.conversiondiary.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/7_quick_takes_sm1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1387" height="195" src="http://www.conversiondiary.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/7_quick_takes_sm1.jpg" title="7_quick_takes_sm" width="290" /></a></div>
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This week for your reading pleasure, a few bits of randomness.</div>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2278126965805174267" name="qt1"></a><strong>--- 1 ---</strong></div>
In the "Wise as Serpents and Harmless as Doves" department, Cardinal Timothy Dolan has certainly silenced some of his critics by scoring the closing benedictions of both the Republican and the Democratic National Conventions. The invitation from the Democrats came (1) after initially snubbing his offer to appear and (2) recent <a href="http://www.lifenews.com/2012/08/23/poll-obama-losing-more-support-among-catholic-voters/" target="_blank">polling</a> showing that the recent controversies over the HHS Mandate have cut into their support among Catholics. They seem to believe that Americans will be fooled by having the good Cardinal speak at the end of a Convention that is going to be an abortion-fest. In all, Cardinal Dolan once again has shown himself to be surprisingly politically astute for a member of the Church hierarchy. Rather than appearing to favor one candidate or party over another, most Americans will see him as an honest broker who places principle over party. His appearance at the conventions, when combined with <a href="http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/cardinal-dolan-supports-knights-of-columbus-civility-campaign/" target="_blank">his support of the Knights of Columbus' Civility Campaign</a>, seems to indicate that Cardinal Dolan is trying to fill the role of the Nation's Pastor, a role that has been vacant since the end of Billy Graham's public ministry.<br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2278126965805174267" name="qt2"></a><strong>--- 2 ---</strong></div>
If you want an easy way of reading the best in Catholic blogging, go over to <a href="http://bigpulpit.com/" target="_blank">The Big Pulpit.</a> Every day, Tito Edwards lists articles of note (and I'm not just saying that because he's been kind enough to list three of mine) from a variety of blogs. There's enough reading there everyday to give you a good perspective on what's going on in the Catholic blogosphere.<br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2278126965805174267" name="qt3"></a><strong>--- 3 ---</strong></div>
Mark your calendars for September 28 at 10:00 pm. That is the night of the Season 3 premier of Blue Bloods on CBS. As I've said before, it's the most pro-Catholic show on television. Not to mention one of the best shows overall.<br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2278126965805174267" name="qt4"></a><strong>--- 4 ---</strong></div>
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Our daughter, Maggie, has started her Senior year. It's our last year of homeschooling (cheers and sighs all around) and the end of an era. To complete her English credit, she's learning the fine art of blogging. Please check out her blog, <a href="http://bluedenimskirts.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">"Blue Denim Skirts and Red High Heels."</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2278126965805174267" name="qt5"></a><strong>--- 5 ---</strong></div>
Some of you may have noticed that I've started an online Amazon affiliate bookstore. Check it out!<br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2278126965805174267" name="qt6"></a><strong>--- 6 ---</strong></div>
This Saturday Susan and I are going to Emmitsburg. Maryland for the day. We're planning on visiting the Shrine of Elizabeth Ann Seton and the Lourdes Grotto at Mt. St. Mary's University. We're really nerdy Catholics; this is our idea of a great date! Our ultimate vacation idea is visiting EWTN and Mother Angelica's nuns. Anyone else enjoy visiting Catholic sites?<br />
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2278126965805174267" name="qt7"></a><strong>--- 7 ---</strong></div>
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If you're looking for a movie to go to this weekend, go see <i><a href="http://disney.go.com/the-odd-life-of-timothy-green/" target="_blank">The Odd Life of Timothy Green</a></i>. I went last weekend with Maggie, somewhat against my will (it had been a while since we had had a daddy-daughter date). I have to admit I loved it. A fantastic, inspirational, pro-family and pro-life movie. I'm giving you fair warning, however: take tissues. I cried five times in 1 hour and 45 minutes. Next week I hope to have a longer blog post reviewing the movie.</div>
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For more Quick Takes, visit <a href="http://www.conversiondiary.com/">Conversion Diary!</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04804796410000796440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2278126965805174267.post-72669542080053387542012-08-29T09:07:00.002-04:002012-08-29T09:07:43.724-04:00Wifey Wednesday: The Secret Life of the Woman in the Mantilla, Part 1<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijv7woev-zotQMCUR4imUM7leKumJl4Jy743ZZy7avUguVyaF_XnP13k0AqD2chLCmfIAQpK6AdNC6WfuTdVYQf_CXsuz0M0g06IXAoYYqlNRLbld5cFh-ilHzpecDBmBrf1rnZ8lAVVEW/s1600/mantilla5+hector+flores.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijv7woev-zotQMCUR4imUM7leKumJl4Jy743ZZy7avUguVyaF_XnP13k0AqD2chLCmfIAQpK6AdNC6WfuTdVYQf_CXsuz0M0g06IXAoYYqlNRLbld5cFh-ilHzpecDBmBrf1rnZ8lAVVEW/s320/mantilla5+hector+flores.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i> </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>It's Wednesday, so you know what that means. A few words from Susan...</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Next week I hope to write something more about my journey
into head covering, and how it reflects my journey into the Catholic Church,
but for now I just want to give anyone out there a brief look into the kind of
mind that the lace on my head is covering up (warning:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>this may be shocking).</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>I am NOT thinking, “Look at me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am soooooo holy with my head completely
covered during mass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shame on that naked
headed woman in front of me with her eight clean, well behaved children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If only she were as holy as me.”</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>I am thinking (much of the time, “Man, I’m glad
I actually remembered to bring my mantilla today because my hair is a mess.”</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Sometimes I pull the lace forward so it frames
my face and reminds me of the veil that, in this life, separates me from the
face of God.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Sometimes I pull the lace forward so I can
ignore what one of my children is doing that is bugging me.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>For years, I thought the veil was a symbol of my
holiness.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"></span></span></span>Now, I know that it is a symbol for my need.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2278126965805174267" name="_GoBack"></a></li>
</ul>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04804796410000796440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2278126965805174267.post-30824280372418740492012-08-27T22:48:00.001-04:002012-08-28T11:32:52.809-04:00Words for Our Time from Henry David Thoreau<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguSfYzMKpyn7uYlyAgX5HxipRFmOxYrQWc7yoZId-wS9JfldHfZkxtdhmzpplRiLysJSIR_qP11eLMcqH3V7QH1OLnn39HbbSdqsi6c69pviygzQRBufVnNCwLgLGKHcQpS0GAbvB5UNza/s1600/230px-Henry_David_Thoreau.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguSfYzMKpyn7uYlyAgX5HxipRFmOxYrQWc7yoZId-wS9JfldHfZkxtdhmzpplRiLysJSIR_qP11eLMcqH3V7QH1OLnn39HbbSdqsi6c69pviygzQRBufVnNCwLgLGKHcQpS0GAbvB5UNza/s1600/230px-Henry_David_Thoreau.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">With the Republican and Democratic nominating conventions over the next several weeks, the long-running 2012 Election season is entering the home stretch. This year we are faced with clear--some would say--stark choices in our candidates. I have made little secret of my preferences. I believe that Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan are the best choices for this election. Are they perfect? No, of course not--they are men, and men are by definition imperfect. We do not seek a messiah in this election, </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 18.4px;">aside</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> from He who came 2000 years ago--and I seek Him every day. We seek good and decent men who will try to serve the American people with justice, honesty, and humility.</span></span><br />
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">But ultimately, what happens to our county does not depend on what happens this November 6. At best all that will happen is there will be new occupants at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue who will not actively encourage the taking of innocent human life and attempt the wholesale enslavement of our populace to an omnipotent government. Abortion will still be legal, as will pornography and contraception; we will continue to celebrate sexual ethic that would make Caligula blush; we will still have broken homes, single parent families, and </span><span style="line-height: 18.4px;">denigrate</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> marriage. For those to change, we need more than a mere shuffling of the political deck. We need what Henry David Thoreau pointed to 150 years ago:</span></span></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small; line-height: 115%;"><i>Will mankind never learn that policy is not
morality-- that it never secures any moral right, but considers merely what is
expedient? chooses the available candidate-- who is invariably the Devil-- and
what right have his constituents to be surprised, because the Devil does not
behave like an angel of light? <b>What is wanted is men, not of policy, but of
probity-- who recognize a higher law than the Constitution, or the decision of
the majority. </b></i><b style="font-style: italic;">The fate of the country does not depend on how you vote at the polls--
the worst man is as strong as the best at that game; it does not depend on what
kind of paper you drop into the ballot-box once a year, but on what kind of man
you drop from your chamber into the street every morning.</b><i>--July 4, 1854, address Anti-Slavery Celebration, Framingham, Massachusetts.</i></span></blockquote>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<span style="font-size: small;">More pointedly, I would say it depends on what kind of man drops to his knees with a Rosary in his hands every morning...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpFqD_VxxJePhb0ME5s8V1C7TuYeIDzvleJ8qZIpRewoOmnzjAXoUKX5zRsiLnO0KlJ4HLCzb5aL-aKW2oU3jlet-0mJxP_5cQXSR4zF3NN2RcNE-8AqKj1K1efVoKcq9U7lIprMKg6UYD/s1600/man.rosary.pray_.praying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpFqD_VxxJePhb0ME5s8V1C7TuYeIDzvleJ8qZIpRewoOmnzjAXoUKX5zRsiLnO0KlJ4HLCzb5aL-aKW2oU3jlet-0mJxP_5cQXSR4zF3NN2RcNE-8AqKj1K1efVoKcq9U7lIprMKg6UYD/s320/man.rosary.pray_.praying.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04804796410000796440noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2278126965805174267.post-32886269720202531152012-08-26T15:29:00.001-04:002012-08-27T06:45:15.847-04:00St. Louis de Montfort on the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Holy Eucharist<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP3mz4LbE2K_qoPM8d7zrQW5SE9aZWiTolpZ2VfzaX6lXVxNx3scbu6Q49lilC3U8ioYSMXXF17Z0EBBvoPVAmkAaHfqfe-dbxigh23sSZk_ebgbRKt8YdBuMKPLjAENkanOn_iC5r6tNy/s1600/mary-with-eucharist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP3mz4LbE2K_qoPM8d7zrQW5SE9aZWiTolpZ2VfzaX6lXVxNx3scbu6Q49lilC3U8ioYSMXXF17Z0EBBvoPVAmkAaHfqfe-dbxigh23sSZk_ebgbRKt8YdBuMKPLjAENkanOn_iC5r6tNy/s320/mary-with-eucharist.jpg" width="248" /></a></div>
<br />
Last week, <a href="http://catholicliberty.blogspot.com/2012/08/with-mary-at-mass.html" target="_blank">I posted some meditations I had concerning approaching the Mass with the Blessed Virgin Mary</a>. I thought I would post a practical method of doing so, that of St. Louis de Montfort in his <i>True Devotion to Mary</i>.<br />
<br />
If you have not read <i>True Devotion to Mary, </i>you have missed a spiritual treasure by a spiritual giant. If you have not gone through the 33 day preparation for consecration to Jesus through Mary, you are depriving yourself of great spiritual fruit. I made my consecration to Mary on the Solemnity of the Assumption using the formula prescribed by another giant of Marian spirituality, St. Maximilian Kolbe, and can honestly say it has been a spiritual booster shot for me. Already in the 10 days since consecrating myself to the Blessed Virgin, I have been more resolute in my prayer life and more at peace in the face of some pretty bad situations. So, I can recommend it wholeheartedly.<br />
<br />
As an appendix to <i>True Devotion</i>, St. de Montfort produced a method for receiving the Holy Eucharist in communion with Mary. I reproduce it here for your edification. (Note: The numbers correspond to paragraphs in <i>True Devotion).</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Before Holy Communion</strong></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong><br /></strong></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-size: small;">266. <strong>1)</strong> Place yourself humbly in the presence of God.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> <strong>2)</strong> Renounce your corrupt nature and dispositions, no matter how good self-love makes them appear to you.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> <strong>3)</strong> Renew your consecration saying, "I belong entirely to you, dear Mother, and all that I have is yours."</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> <strong>4)</strong> Implore Mary to lend you her heart so that you may receive her Son with her dispositions. Remind her that her Son's glory requires that he should not come into a heart so sullied and fickle as your own, which could not fail to diminish his glory and might cause him to leave. Tell her that if she will take up her abode in you to receive her Son - which she can do because of the sovereignty she has over all hearts - he will be received by her in a perfect manner without danger of being affronted or being forced to depart. "God is in the midst of her. She shall not be moved." </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Tell her with confidence that all you have given her of your possessions is little enough to honour her, but that in Holy Communion you wish to give her the same gifts as the eternal Father gave her. Thus she will feel more honoured than if you gave her all the wealth in the world. Tell her, finally, that Jesus, whose love for her is unique, still wishes to take his delight and his repose in her even in your soul, even though it is poorer and less clean than the stable which he readily entered because she was there. Beg her to lend you her heart, saying, "O Mary, I take you for my all; give me your heart."</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>During Holy Communion</strong></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong><br /></strong></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-size: small;">267. After the Our Father, when you are about to receive our Lord, say to him three times the prayer, "Lord, I am not worthy." Say it the first time as if you were telling the eternal Father that because of your evil thoughts and your ingratitude to such a good Father, you are unworthy to receive his only-begotten Son, but that here is Mary, his handmaid, who acts for you and whose presence gives you a special confidence and hope in him.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-size: small;">268. Say to God the Son, "Lord, I am not worthy", meaning that you are not worthy to receive him because of your useless and evil words and your carelessness in his service, but nevertheless you ask him to have pity on you because you are going to usher him into the house of his Mother and yours, and you will not let him go until he has made it his home. Implore him to rise and come to the place of his repose and the ark of his sanctification. Tell him that you have no faith in your own merits, strength and preparedness, like Esau, but only in Mary, your Mother, just as Jacob had trust in Rebecca his mother. Tell him that although you are a great sinner you still presume to approach him, supported by his holy Mother and adorned with her merits and virtues.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-size: small;">269. Say to the Holy Spirit, "Lord, I am not worthy". Tell him that you are not worthy to receive the masterpiece of his love because of your luke-warmness, wickedness and resistance to his inspirations. But, nonetheless, you put all your confidence in Mary, his faithful Spouse, and say with St. Bernard, "She is my greatest safeguard, the whole foundation of my hope." Beg him to overshadow Mary, his inseparable Spouse, once again. Her womb is as pure and her heart as ardent as ever. Tell him that if he does not enter your soul neither Jesus nor Mary will be formed there nor will it be a worthy dwelling for them.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong>After Holy Communion</strong></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><strong><br /></strong></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-size: small;">270. After Holy Communion, close your eyes and recollect yourself. Then usher Jesus into the heart of Mary: you are giving him to his Mother who will receive him with great love and give him the place of honour, adore him profoundly, show him perfect love, embrace him intimately in spirit and in truth, and perform many offices for him of which we, in our ignorance, would know nothing.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-size: small;">271. Or, maintain a profoundly humble heart in the presence of Jesus dwelling in Mary. Or be in attendance like a slave at the gate of the royal palace, where the King is speaking with the Queen. While they are talking to each other, with no need of you, go in spirit to heaven and to the whole world, and call upon all creatures to thank, adore and love Jesus and Mary for you. "Come, let us adore."</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-size: small;">272. Or, ask Jesus living in Mary that his kingdom may come upon earth through his holy Mother. Ask for divine Wisdom, divine love, the forgiveness of your sins, or any other grace, but always through Mary and in Mary. Cast a look of reproach upon yourself and say, "Lord, do not look at my sins, let your eyes see nothing in me but the virtues and merits of Mary. "Remembering your sins, you may add, "I am my own worst enemy and I am guilty of all these sins." Or, "Deliver me from the unjust and deceitful man." Or again, "Dear Jesus, you must increase in my soul and I must decrease." "Mary, you must increase in me and I must always go on decreasing." "O Jesus and Mary, increase in me and increase in others around me."</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">273. There are innumerable other thoughts with which the Holy Spirit will inspire you, which he will make yours if you are thoroughly recollected and mortified, and constantly faithful to the great and sublime devotion which I have been teaching you. But remember, the more you let Mary act in your Communion the more Jesus will be glorified. The more you humble yourself and listen to Jesus and Mary in peace and silence - with no desire to see, taste or feel - then the more freedom you will give to Mary to act in Jesus' name and the more Jesus will act in Mary. For the just man lives everywhere by faith, but especially in Holy Communion, which is an action of faith.</span></div>
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