Musings of an Old Curmudgeon

23 February 2026

The American Solidarity Party

From Tumblar House, with Charles Coulombe, STM, KCSS

What is the American Solidarity Party and what do they stand for?

The Holy Rosary

Monday, the Joyful Mysteries, in Latin with Cardinal Burke.

The Life of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn ~ (1767–1820)

Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn (Edward Augustus; 2 November 1767 – 23 January 1820) was the fourth son and fifth child of King George III and Queen Charlotte. His only child, Victoria, became Queen of the United Kingdom 17 years after his death. Prince Edward was created Duke of Kent and Strathearn and Earl of Dublin on 23 April 1799 and, a few weeks later, appointed a General and commander-in-chief of British forces in the Maritime Provinces of North America. On 23 March 1802, he was appointed Governor of Gibraltar and nominally retained that post until his death. The Duke was appointed Field-Marshal of the Forces on 3 September 1805. Edward lived in Lower Canada and Nova Scotia from 1791 to 1800. He is credited with the first use of the term Canadian to mean both French and English settlers in the Canadas, using the term to quell a riot between the two groups at a polling station in Charlesbourg on 27 June 1792. In the 21st century, he has been styled the "Father of the Canadian Crown" for his contribution to the development of Canada. Edward was also the first British prince to enter the United States since the recognition of American independence in 1783, travelling to Boston on foot from Lower Canada in 1794.

Metaphysics: 5. Substance and Essence

With Ralph McInerny (R+I+P), PhD, late Professor of Philosophy, Director of the Jacques Maritain Centre, & Michael P. Grace Professor of Medieval Studies, Notre Dame.

St Peter Damian's Weapon Against the Devil

During St Peter's time, the Church was riddled with the vice of homosexuality. St Peter, who is honoured today, wrote the Book of Gomorrah, denouncing the vile sin.

From Aleteia

By Philip Kosloski

When the devil sees this, he always slinks back to where he came from.

During the 11th century, there lived a holy monk known as Peter Damian, who left the world to become a hermit. However, he couldn’t stand to see the world crumble around him, and so he left his hermitage to help reform the Church.

Peter Damian recognized the presence of evil and did what he could to expel its hold on certain members of the clergy.

When writing to a nephew, Peter Damian revealed to him what he saw as a powerful weapon against the devil.

If I may speak figuratively, drive out the roaring beasts from your domain; do not cease from protecting yourself daily by receiving the Flesh and Blood of the Lord. Let your secret foe see your lips reddened with the Blood of Christ. He will shudder, cower back, and flee to his dark, dank retreat.

He is referring to the worthy reception of Holy Communion at Mass, a potent weapon that crushes the head of the serpent every time.

Exorcists agree that the frequent reception of Holy Communion is a vital way to prevent the demon from working in your heart.

If you need to root out sin and the presence of the devil in your life, go to confession and receive the Eucharist on a regular basis. The devil will have no choice but to go back to his “dark, dank retreat.”

Pope Leo Snubs America For Its 250th Anniversary

Francis 2.0!

He sent a pretty clear message in response with where he'll be on the 4th of July instead of in his home country.

The Vatican Is Officially Coming For The Eastern Catholic Churches

First, they came for the TLM and labelled the SSPX schismatic. Now they're coming for the Eastern Catholics, all in the name of Synodality.

Surviving Life as a Medieval Beggar...

From MedievalMadness

During the Middle Ages, there were thousands of beggars trying to survive across Europe. Among their numbers were hundreds of ‘professional paupers’ who would use elaborate methods to garner sympathy and deceive the unsuspecting Medievals into donating their hard-earned coins. Let’s travel back in time to the Middle Ages, where we meet Mendicants, Klenkners and Clapper Dudgeons. 0:00 Introduction 2:02 Sweet Charity 05:41Too Much of a Good Thing 10:39 The Wanderer

Traditional Catholic Morning Prayers in English | February

Traditional Catholic morning prayers -- an excellent way to start your day off strong! The month of February is devoted to the Holy Family -- Jesus, Mary, and St. Joseph. It is my hope that these prayers increase your devotion to Our Lord and His Holy Family. Begin each day with morning prayer! This video is a compilation of many traditional morning prayers Catholics say, and should not be considered a replacement for those who have an obligation to pray the Divine Office morning prayers.

Protestants Set a Showbread Trap… The Temple Backfired

Fom Totus Catholica

For over a thousand years, 12 loaves sat before God in the temple - and according to ancient Jewish sources, they never went stale. If you understand why, the Catholic doctrine of the Real Presence becomes undeniable. 📌 The Point: Why would God spend a millennium training Israel to associate His covenant presence with holy bread eaten in sacred space, if the New Covenant fulfilment in Christ would be less real, more symbolic, purely mental? 📖 Core Sources Leviticus 24:5-9 - The Showbread: Hebrew term: Lechem Panim - "bread of the face" - bread standing before the face of God. Called "most holy," described as "a covenant forever," restricted to priestly consumption in sacred space. Talmud (Tractate Chagigah): Priests placed bread warm on the golden table; 7 days later it was still warm and fresh. During pilgrimage festivals they proclaimed: "Behold God's love for you." The Biblical Trajectory: Genesis 14:18 - Melchizedek brings out bread and wine to bless Abraham Deuteronomy 8:3 - Manna: "man does not live by bread alone" Matthew 12:3,4 - Jesus references David eating the showbread CCC 1335 - Multiplication of loaves prefigures the Eucharist Luke 22 - "This is my body which is given for you" John of Damascus (8th century) - Explicitly treats showbread as a type of the Eucharist - ancient Christian interpretation, not modern invention. ⛪ Catholic Teaching Council of Trent (Session 13): Christ is truly, really, and substantially present in the Eucharist - body, blood, soul, and divinity. CCC 1376: Through consecration, the entire substance of bread becomes the substance of Christ's body, even though the appearances remain. The Parallel: The showbread's appearance stayed the same, yet something supernatural transcended natural decay. Similarly, after consecration, the Eucharist retains the appearance of bread and wine, but the substance has become Christ. 🛡️ Objections Answered "The Talmudic miracle isn't Scripture"? True - it's historical colour showing how Second Temple Judaism remembered the showbread as a site of divine wonder, not a doctrinal foundation. "Transubstantiation is medieval philosophy"? Even Orthodox Christians affirm true change of the elements. The Synod of Jerusalem (1672) used the Greek term metousiosis, rejecting any purely symbolic view. This teaching is apostolic, not medieval. "This contradicts faith alone"? The showbread shows that covenant life requires both gift and reception. Grace is a gift, but sacraments are how God chose to give that gift. Faith receives what God offers - no contradiction, only mystery. 📺 Chapters 0:00 - The Showbread: Most Holy, Covenant Forever, Never Went Stale 2:41 - Biblical Trajectory: Melchizedek → Manna → Showbread → Eucharist 4:32 - Catholic Teaching: Transubstantiation (CCC 1376, Council of Trent) 5:13 - The Showbread Parallel: Appearances Stay, Substance Changes 6:28 - Objections: Talmud, Medieval Philosophy, Faith Alone 7:44 - God Spent a Millennium Training Israel With Presence Bread 🌐 Connect 📿 https://totuscatholica.org/rosary 🌍 https://totuscatholica.org/ ✉️ https://totuscatholica.org/contact 🔍 https://catholicexaminationofconscien... 💬 Question If God commanded miraculous covenant presence bread in the temple for over a thousand years, does the "symbolic only" view account for why He spent a millennium training Israel to think of covenant communion in terms of presence bread?

10 February Saints and Feasts To Honor and Celebrate

One of them is St Peter Damian, whose Feast is today. He wrote the Book of Gomorrah, denouncing homosexuality in the Church in the 11th century.

From Aleteia

By Philip Kosloski

February is the month not only of St Valentine, but also of many other saints and feasts to celebrate.

The month of February is notable for its connection to the secular celebration of St. Valentine, but it also features an array of many remarkable men and women who can inspire us in our daily lives.

Here is a list of 10 of the most notable saints to imitate and feasts to celebrate in February.

1St. Brigid of Ireland - February 1

St. Brigid of Ireland is a patron saint of Ireland and one of St. Patrick's disciples.

2Presentation of Jesus in the Temple - February 2

The Church celebrates the Presentation of the Lord on February 2, marking the final "Christmas" related feast.

3St. Blaise - February 3

St. Blaise is known for the special blessing of throats that occurs on his feast.

4St. Josephine Bakhita - February 8

Sold into slavery, St. Josephine Bakhita was eventually baptized, gained her freedom and joined a religious order in Italy.

5St. Scholastica - February 10

Sister of St. Benedict, St. Scholastica became the founder of the female branch of the Benedictine Order.

6Our Lady of Lourdes - February 11

Our Lady of Lourdes appeared to St. Bernadette on February 11, 1858, and millions continue to travel to Lourdes in hopes of healing.

7St. Valentine - February 14

Known for his association with lovers, St. Valentine was a 3rd-century saint who was martyred for his Christian faith.

8St. Claude de la Colombiere - February 15

St. Claude de la Colombiere was the spiritual director for St. Margaret Mary Alacoque and helped her spread devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

9St. Peter Damian - February 21

St. Peter Damian is highly regarded for his role in reforming religious and clergy life in the 11th century.

10Chair of St. Peter - February 22

This feast celebrates the office of St. Peter as pope by honoring his sede ("chair"), a symbol of his teaching authority.

Pictured (top): St Peter Damian