2 September, The Chesterton Calendar

SEPTEMBER 2nd
BATTLE OF SEDAN

The Germans have not conquered very much in history as a whole. About fifty years ago they beat the French and fifty years before that the French very soundly beat them. If we see history as a whole there is no more doubt that the French people is the more military than there is that the German people is the more musical. Germany is a great and splendid nation; and there are millions of sensible German patriots grappling with the sins and follies which are part of her problem.

'Illustrated London News.'

2 September, The Holy Rule of St Benedict, Patriarch of Western Monasticism

PROLOGUE OF OUR MOST HOLY FATHER SAINT BENEDICT TO HIS RULE

2 Jan. 3 May. 2 Sept.

Let us then at length arise, since the Scripture stirreth us up, saying: It is time now for us to rise from sleep.” And our eyes being open to the deifying light, let us hear with wondering ears what the Divine Voice admonisheth us, daily crying out: “To-day if ye shall hear His voice, harden not your hearts.” And again, “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the Churches.” And what saith He? “Come, my children, hearken to Me, I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Run while ye have the light of life, lest the darkness of death seize hold of you.”

3 September, The Roman Martyrology

Tértio Nonas Septémbris Luna vicésima nona Anno Dómini 2024

On the morrow is commemorated at Rome the holy Virgin Serapia. Under the Emperor Hadrian she was given over to two young rakes, but they could not deflower her. Neither could she afterwards be burnt with torches, wherefore, by the command of the judge Berillus, she was cudgelled and then beheaded with the sword. She suffered upon the 29th day of July, and was buried by blessed Sabina in her own sepulchre hard by the threshing-floor of Vindician. But the memory of her martyrdom is kept the most chiefly upon the 3rd day of September, when the stone coffin of Sabina and of herself was there set in order and adorned, and the place of prayer was meetly dedicated.
September 3rd 2024, the 29th day of the Moon, were born into the better life:

At Corinth, holy Phoebe, of whom the blessed Apostle Paul doth make mention in writing unto the Romans.
At Aquileia, the holy Virgins, Euphemia, Dorothy, Thecla, and Erasma, all martyrs, who, after many torments, were slain with the sword under Nero, and were buried by holy Hermagoras.
At Capua, (in the persecution under the Emperor Diocletian,) the holy martyrs Aristaeus, Bishop (of that see,) and the little lad Antonine.
At Nicomedia, the holy Virgin and martyr Basilissa, who, at nine years of age, in the persecution under the Emperor Diocletian, by the power of God triumphed over stripes, fire, and wild beasts, under the President Alexander, and gave up her soul in prayer to God.
Likewise the holy martyrs Zeno and Chariton, whereof the one was cast into a vessel of molten lead and the other into a fiery furnace.
At Cordova, the holy martyr Sandalus, (who suffered in the persecution under the same Emperor Diocletian.) Upon the same day, (in the seventh century,) the holy martyrs Aigulph, Abbot of Lerins, and the monks his Companions, who had their tongues cut out and their eyes put out, and were beheaded with the sword.
At Toul, in Lorraine, (in the fourth century,) the holy Confessor Mansuetus, Bishop (of that see.) At Milan, (in the sixth century,) deceased holy Auxanus, Bishop (of that see.) Upon the same day, (at the end of the sixth century,) the holy Stylite Simeon the Younger.
At Rome is commemorated the Ordination as Supreme Pontiff of that excellent man holy Gregory the Great; the compulsion which forced that burden upon him caused the rays of his holiness to shine through all the world, all the clearer in that they shone from an higher spot.
℣. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
℟. Thanks be to God.

Meme of the Moment

Advice for rulers. Today is his Feast Day.

Be humble in this life, that God may raise you up in the next. Be truly moderate and do not punish or condemn anyone immoderately. Be gentle so that you may never oppose justice. Be honourable so that you may never voluntarily bring disgrace upon anyone. Be chaste so that you may avoid all the foulness of lust like the pangs of death.

The Real Crusades Aren't What You Think w/ J. Stephen Roberts

Real Crusades History is one of my favourite YT channels!

This is my interview about the Crusades with J. Stephen Roberts from Real Crusades History. We talk about: - J's Catholic faith - An introduction to the Crusades - Were the Crusades one event or many? - Were they justified? - Are they compatible with Christ's teachings and example? - What about the infamous 4th Crusade? - Why is history so selective in portraying the crimes of the West but not the East? - What's the difference between Jihad and Crusade? ... and more.

Compline

From St Thomas Aquinas Seminary. You may follow the Office at Divinum Officium.

Holy Hour

Holy Hour with Benediction. From St Thomas Aquinas Seminary.

Vespers of the Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost

From the Canons Regular of the New Jerusalem. You may follow the Office at Divinum Officium.

Filipino Knights of Columbus Called To Oppose Freemasonry

The "faithful who enrol in Masonic associations are in a state of grave sin and may not receive Holy Communion. ... the Church's negative judgment in regard to Masonic association(s) remains unchanged since their principles have always been considered irreconcilable with the doctrine of the Church and therefore membership in them remains forbidden." Declaration on Masonic Associations, CDF, 26 November 1983.

From Aleteia

By J-P Mauro

Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly called on Filipino members of the KofC to take an active role against Freemasonry.

When a Catholic man seeks to join the Knights of Columbus, there is a screening process in which they are asked – among many questions – whether or not they are now or have ever been Freemasons. This is because Freemasonry is incompatible with the Catholic faith, as Pope Francis reiterated in 2023, and thus with the Knights of Columbus as well. The Knights in the Philippines are being called on to oppose Freemasonry.

The call went out from the leader of the Knights of Columbus, Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly, who addressed the Filipino Knights at an August meeting in Manila. There, according to CBCP News, he emphasized that Freemasonry “is fundamentally opposed to our Catholic faith.” 

At the event he recalled how the KofC was initially founded by Blessed Fr. Michael McGivney in part as a way to help young Catholics of the 19th century avoid Freemasonry. He said: 

“Now, in the 21st century, we can lead again,” Kelly said. “If we give young Filipino men a place to grow in faith and fraternity, they’ll avoid the Freemasons. We need to show them that they can find what they’re looking for in the Knights of Columbus.” 

Kelly went on to explain that the Order’s “Cor” (heart) initiative aims to strengthen Catholic men as missionary disciples through prayer, formation, and fraternity. He noted that “In the Philippines, Cor can help address a growing challenge.”

The Church has long warned the faithful that Freemasonry is incompatible with the Catholic faith, and reiterated this point as recently as 2023. The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, in a document signed by the Prefect, Cardinal Victor Fernandéz, and approved by Pope Francis, wrote of Freemasonry: 

“Active membership in Freemasonry by a member of the faithful is prohibited, because of the irreconcilability between Catholic doctrine and Freemasonry (cf. the 1983 Declaration of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on Masonic Associations), and the Guidelines published by the Bishops’ Conference in 2003.”

Trafficking

Before concluding the meeting, Kelly also called on the Knights to take an active role in the opposition of human trafficking. To this end, Knights in Cebu have launched a program to help spot the signs of human trafficking and sound the alarm.

“No human being should ever be bought or sold,” Kelly said. “As Knights, we fulfill Father McGivney’s founding vision of protecting the most vulnerable, especially women and children.”

Pictured: Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly 

Exit Polls: Germany’s AfD Wins First State Election

Despite the best efforts of the elites to marginalise the AfD and Leftist thugs to violently suppress the AfD it wins a State election!

From The European Conservative

By TEC News

Exit polls predict that AfD has won the regional election in Thuringia and is neck-and-neck with the Christian Democrats in Saxony.

Right-wing anti-globalist Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) has won its first regional election in Germany, taking between 30.5% and 33.5% of the vote in the former East German state of Thuringia, exit polls showed on Sunday.

The party is also neck-and-neck with the conservative CDU for first place in the state of Saxony, which also held a regional election on Sunday, the polls showed.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats (SPD) meanwhile looked to have scored a disappointing result in both states of between 6.5% and 8.5%.

Pictured: Björn Höcke, leader of the AfD’s Thuringian parliamentary group and list leader.

The Holy Rosary

Sunday, the Glorious Mysteries, in Latin with Cardinal Burke.

The Death of Prince Albert | Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

The worst day of Queen Victoria’s life came on 14 December 1861 with the death of Prince Albert, her adored husband of twenty-one years and father of their nine children. The death of the Prince Consort was all the more shocking as he was only 42 years old and it sent Victoria into an emotional spiral from which she never fully recovered, leading her to withdraw from public life and wear black for the rest of her days until her own death in 1901.

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were first cousins and one of the great love matches in royal history, with no reports of adultery on either side. In this royal history documentary from History Calling we look at what killed Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha and at his wife’s response to his loss. I’ll take you through the Prince’s final illness, the reason his wife would always blame their oldest son, the future Edward VII, for Albert’s untimely death and Prince Albert’s funeral and final resting place. We’ll examine the theory that Prince Albert died of typhoid, plus some of the other theories as to what killed this royal Prince whose passing has become one of the most famous royal deaths in British history thanks to the impact it had on his wife.

Can I Actually Be Fulfilled? Ancient Insights Into Human Good

With Candace Vogler, PhD, David B. and Clara E. Stern Professor of Philosophy, University of Chicago.

Let This Saint Guide Your Family This September

More than just the Hammer of the Modernists, he was also a friend of children and the family. Here are three bits of advice from the Saintly Pope.

From Aleteia

By Annabelle Moseley

The Eucharist, the Gospels, the Rosary ... take a look at these recommendations from a saintly pope who we celebrate on Tuesday.

August is the month the Catholic Church devotes to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. We are called to entrust our children to the care of Mary’s Immaculate Heart with each rosary we pray. This month, let’s invoke one of the great saints of August: St. Pius X, as our intercessor and guide, leading us closer to the heart of Our Blessed Mother with the way we gather with our families to pray and the way we instruct our children in the faith. September 3 is his feast day.

St. Pius X was born in 1835, was elected pope in 1903 and died in 1914. He was a brilliant and devout pope who had humble beginnings. He was the child of a seamstress and a cobbler.

Not only was he an astute teacher who fought against the errors of modernism, but he was also the gentle catechist who carried candy to distribute to children on the street, while giving them instructions on the sweetness of the faith. In keeping with his care and respect for young souls, Pope Pius X lowered the age of First Communion from 12 to the age of reason, or about 7 years of age, in his decree Quam Singulari. This is one of the many reasons Pope St. Pius X is often called “The Pope of the Eucharist.”  

3 steps to peace and paradise

Here are three reflections from St. Pius X that serve as wisdom to enrich our own families and children.

1) “Once for all, beloved children ... the surest, easiest, shortest way (to heaven) is by the Eucharist … there we taste the joys of Paradise.”

In this year of Eucharistic Revival, this is a beautiful reminder from Pope Saint Pius X of the importance of the source and summit of our faith. We must teach our children from an early age that nothing is of more value and importance, and that our Eucharistic Lord gives the peace of mind the world cannot give. We teach this by demonstrating the importance of frequent Confession, that we might receive the treasure of the Eucharist in a state of grace. We teach this by never missing church on Sundays, even if sports or other worldly concerns make it challenging. On the days we can take them even to daily Mass, let us do so. Let us leave no doubt for them as they grow up, that what mom and dad value the most is the treasure in the tabernacle. 

2) “Nothing would please us more than to see our beloved children form the habit of reading the Gospels ... not merely from time to time, but every day.”

One way to do this is to read the scheduled daily Mass readings of the day aloud to our children. Another way is to make reading the Children’s Bible a nightly tradition, as part of bedtime stories. Older children can join parents for nightly Scripture readings and part of this can be discussions about what is read.

3) “The Rosary is the most beautiful and the most rich in graces of all prayers; it is the prayer that touches most the Heart of the Mother of God ... and if you wish peace to reign in your homes, recite the family Rosary.”

It can be a temptation to skip the Rosary when the family is tired or busy, but in many ways, that is when we most need to pray. Why not make the Family Rosary a regular part of the routine, as essential to our children’s development as a healthy breakfast or the nightly brushing of teeth? This is a way to ensure that the Rosary is prayed daily. As Fr. Patrick Peyton said, “The family that prays together stays together.” One way to do this is to join Relevant Radio’s Family Rosary Across America with your family!

This month, let us follow the example of Pope St. Pius X as he leads us closer to Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart … and to one another, one family at a time!

Your Responsibility Is To Keep The Faith | Msgr Ronald Knox

Priests Canceled For Defending Catholic Morality Announce A Victory

New History of the Trad Movement

'The fight is for Tradition, not for traditionalism.' A new history of the Trad movement from a fellow who denies being a Traditionalist because he is simply a Catholic. 

From One Peter Five

By Aurelio Porfiri

Some have asked me why I wanted to write a book on Catholic traditionalism and what they can find inside my book, The Right Hand of the Lord Is Exalted: A History of Catholic Traditionalism from Vatican II to Traditionis Custodes.

First of all, the subtitle says “a history”, not “the history.” I did not pretend to cover every topic or event because that would make the book into an encyclopedia. Mine was a reasonable reconstruction of many decades of struggles, battles and defeats in defense of Tradition. To do this I had to consider what had occurred long before Vatican II among the Catholic Left. This is because in my view, it is not possible to understand Catholic traditionalism except against the backdrop of Catholic progressivism. Catholic traditionalism is a reaction to a crisis in the Church following these movements of the Left which threw many faithful into chaos.

Another thesis of my book is that we should not speak of “Catholic traditionalism” but of “Catholic traditionalisms.” There are many versions of Catholic traditionalism and from a research point of view it is good to know them all. Of course it is not necessary to agree with each one, even if I have tried to show respect for all because I understand that all are trying to find meaning in a situation of enormous crisis for the Church.

I have also pointed out that traditionalism should not be a new home, because at most it can be an emergency shelter. Professor Roberto de Mattei, who kindly wrote the preface to my book, says that I do not identify as a traditionalist. That is true, but what does that mean? It means that it is enough for me to be called a Catholic and I am fine with Paciano’s phrase, Christianus mihi nomen est, catholicus cognomen. This is because of my experience studying the traditionalist movement for almost 30 years, as a result of which I have become quite suspicious of “professional traditionalists.” Cardinal Robert Sarah, who has a certain popularity in the field of traditionalist Catholicism, has said in the past:

Some people call themselves traditionalist Catholics, and they put a hyphen between the two terms: please, don’t do that anymore. You are not traditionalists, you are Roman Rite Catholics like me or the Holy Father. You are not second-class, or special members of the Church because of your spiritual practices. You are called by God, like all saints, to take your place in the Church and in the world today. If you have not yet left the chains of the traditionalist ghetto, do it today.

I agree with the words of the Cardinal.

But some might ask: what is your problem with the word “traditionalism”? Obviously it is not a problem with Tradition, which I love with great passion and which I have placed at the center not only of my troubled life of faith, but also of my daily actions. My problem is with an “-ism.” I can love the idea of community but not communism, the idea of sociality but not socialism, and I can love females but not feminism. My positions arise precisely from a deep love for Tradition that requires me to deal with my conscience and not to keep quiet about what I have learned in recent years. The fight is for Tradition, not for traditionalism.

Of course, in the book you will find many stories, starting with that of Monsignor Marcel Lefebvre, who is certainly one of the protagonists of the book. But so many names will be found, and it would be too long to list them all here. I tried to be honest and respectful, precisely because I think and believe that this respect can make the book less biased and ultimately make it more helpful.

Those who love Tradition, I believe, should read my book to understand the many battles that have marked the last decades. Those who do not love tradition or who feel comfortable in the camp of Catholic progressivism should not only read it, but also study it, with the hope that they will be able to change their tone and look at the faithful who try to live their faith fully while Peter’s boat is on a stormy sea and Jesus seems to be sleeping.