Bishop Challoner's Meditations - Saturday After Low Sunday

ON THE GROUNDS OF FAITH

Consider first, that divine faith is grounded always upon God’s infallible truth, inasmuch as every assent of divine faith is given by the soul upon the motive of divine revelation: she believes all these truths because God has taught them, who is the truth itself and who cannot deceive, nor be deceived. Whosoever believes upon any other motive, and not upon the testimony of God, may have an opinion indeed of heavenly truths, or human faith concerning them, but falls short of divine faith, which wholly builds itself upon God’s truth. And therefore, divine faith carries with it a greater and higher degree of certainty than any human sciences whatsoever; because nothing can be so certain, as that truth itself cannot lie, and that what God has taught must needs be true. See then, my soul, what kind of assent God expects thou shouldst yield to all the truths he has revealed; he expects thou shouldst bow thyself down to them, earnestly embrace them, and firmly adhere to them as most certain and divine.

Consider 2ndly, that though the only proper motive upon which a Christian believes with divine faith the truths of religion be divine revelation, or the word and testimony of God, either contained in the Scriptures, or conveyed down by tradition; yet, as this testimony or revelation first delivered to the saints, must come to us recommended by such evidences as may be sufficient to convince us that God has spoken indeed, and has revealed these truths, and does require our assent to them as divine, therefore this sovereign Truth has been pleased to set such marks upon all the truths that come from him, and has stamped them in such a manner with his broad seal, as may fully satisfy all sincere seekers and lovers of truth of their coming indeed from his divine majesty so that it would be highly unreasonable for them not to yield to them that assent of faith which is due to divine truths. Of this nature are all the prophecies and miracles, and other arguments of credibility upon which the Christian religion is grounded, together with the innumerable tokens of divine favour, which recommend to us that illustrious society of the catholic church of Christ, which bears testimony to the divinity of all these truths.

Consider 3rdly, by descending to particulars, some of the many strong and weighty arguments and motives that give force to the testimony and authority of this church of Christ, considered as an illustrious society, bearing witness to those truths which she delivers as having received them from God himself. This great and most ancient society is, and has been for 1700 years, spread far and near through all the world; she was foreshown and foretold long before by many plain and glorious prophecies; she was established by Christ and his Apostles, by signs and wonders and innumerable miracles, the gift of tongues, and other gifts of the Spirit of God; she was miraculously propagated in a short time throughout the world, in spite of all the opposition of the whole earth and hell; she has been maintained ever since by the blood of millions of martyrs, and by the saintly and miraculous lives of millions of other servants of God in all ages and in all nations; she has been embraced and followed by all the best and wisest of men, and defended by the most goodly and learned; she has in fine, all this time held forth the light of God to the whole world, by her constantly and fervently preaching all holiness, by the purity and sanctity of her doctrine, and by the efficacy of it in the conversion of innumerable sinners, in the withdrawing thousands of all conditions from the broad way of the world to a recluse and penitential life, and inspiring thousands of her children with a desire of wholly dedicating themselves to divine love; so that she has at all times, and in all places, produced many eminent saints, whose whole lives have been standing miracles of divine grace, and standing testimonies of the truth of that faith and church which they all professed. These and many other arguments and motives of credibility loudly proclaim to all mankind, that the hand of God and his truth is, and always has been, with this illustrious society of the church of Christ; and that she is entirely to be credited in the testimonies she bears to the divine revelations of all that she proposes as matters of faith.

Conclude with giving thanks to the goodness and all-wise providence of the Almighty, who has not only revealed to his church his heavenly truths, for the healing our souls from all their maladies and bringing them to the very fountain of health and life, which is with him; but also has given that illustrious authority to her whom he has made the guardian and depository of his truths that if we are sincere in seeking we can not well fail of finding both her and them. But then remember that the faith of divine truths, how infallible soever, will never bring thee to God, except it be a living faith that works by charity in Jesus Christ, Gal. v. 6.

30 April, Antonio, Cardinal Bacci: Meditations For Each Day

The Divided Heart

1. To whom does your heart belong? To the devil, perhaps? It may be that you have allowed him to insinuate himself into your soul, so that you have fallen under his tyranny and are trying to find happiness in the satisfaction of your lower impulses. Remember the warning of St. Paul: “If anyone destroys the temple of God, him will God destroy; for holy is the temple of God and this temple you are.” (1 Cor. 3:17) If you have fallen this low, you will suffer the penalty decreed by the Holy Spirit: “There is no peace to the wicked.” (Is. 48:22) You expected to find satisfaction, and you have found disillusionment. You hoped for peace and found remorse. Instead of the happiness you expected you will know only despair unless you turn back to God immediately. There is only one way out of your predicament, the way chosen by the prodigal son: “I will get up and go to my father.” (Luke 15:18) Rise up, then, and cast yourself into the merciful arms of your heavenly Father Who is waiting for you. There you will find that peace of soul which will remain with you until you die. If you never allow your heart to be separated from God again, this peace will flower into eternal happiness in the next life.

2. Even if your heart has not become the property of the devil and retains a horror of mortal sin, it is still possible that you have not given it completely to God. Your heart is divided. Part of it belongs to God and part of it to the world. You are distracted by your own self-love and earthly desires. A heart which is divided in its affections between God and the world is dazzled by everything around it and tends to forget God more and more. We protest that we belong entirely to God, but in practice we are so absorbed by work, ambition, and pleasure, that we neglect God. A man who is torn between love of God and love of the world is like Cain who, unlike Abel, did not offer God the best part of his flock but kept this for himself and offered God whatever he had rejected. God was pleased with Abel's sacrifice but had no regard for that of Cain, who finally became a murderer and was cursed by his Creator. Do we offer God the leavings of life while we keep the best part of it for ourselves? Do we think of ourselves nearly all the time and give very little thought to God? This is not the way in which God has dealt with us. Not only has He created us, but He loves us with an everlasting love. He came down on earth and lived as our fellow-man. He redeemed us by His Precious Blood and gave Himself to us as our spiritual food. Why are we not willing to give ourselves to Him forever in return? Gratitude demands that we should do so. God, moreover, is our supreme and only good.

3. Remember Our Lord's warning that it is impossible to serve two masters. We cannot serve God and at the same time be preoccupied with self-love, worldly pleasure, and sin. Look at the Saints. Their hearts were never divided but belonged wholly to God. They did everything in their power to keep their hearts pure and burning with love for Him. They suffered because of their slightest imperfections and longed to remain always close to God. We should imitate them. We have to look after our daily duties, it is true, but everything should be done for the love and glory of God. All our actions should constitute a spiritual ladder which brings us closer and closer to God.

Eastern Rite - Feasts of 30 April AM 7530

Today is the Feast of the Holy Apostle James, Brother of Saint John the Theologian.

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The Holy Apostle James, the son of Zebedee, was the brother of Saint John the Theologian, and one of the Twelve Apostles. He and his brother, Saint John, were called to be Apostles by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who called them the “Sons of Thunder” (Mark 3:17). It was this James, with John and Peter, who witnessed the Raising of the Daughter of Jairus, the Lord’s Transfiguration on Mount Tabor, and His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Saint James, after the Descent of the Holy Spirit, preached in Spain and in other lands, and then he returned to Jerusalem. He openly and boldly preached Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world, and he denounced the Pharisees and the Scribes with the words of Holy Scripture, reproaching them for their malice of heart and unbelief.

The Jews could not prevail against Saint James, and so they hired the sorcerer Hermogenes to dispute with the apostle and refute his arguments that Christ was the promised Messiah Who had come into the world. The sorcerer sent to the apostle his pupil Philip, who was converted to belief in Christ. Then Hermogenes himself became persuaded of the power of God, he burned his books of magic, accepted holy Baptism and became a true follower of Christ.

The Jews persuaded Herod Agrippa (40-44) to arrest the Apostle James and sentence him to death (Acts 12:1-2). Eusebius provides some of the details of the saint’s execution (CHURCH HISTORY II, 9). Saint James calmly heard the death sentence and continued to bear witness to Christ. One of the false witnesses, whose name was Josiah, was struck by the courage of Saint James. He came to believe in Jesus Christ as the Messiah. When they led the apostle forth to execution, Josiah fell at his feet, repenting of his sin and asking forgiveness. The apostle embraced him, gave him a kiss and said, “Peace and forgiveness to you.” Then Josiah confessed his faith in Christ before everyone, and he was beheaded with Saint James in the year 44 at Jerusalem.

Saint James was the first of the Apostles to die as a martyr.

Troparion — Tone 8

As a soldier of the Lord you were ranked among the choir of apostles. / Together with your brother, O James, you clung wholeheartedly to the Savior. / Armed with the power of the Spirit you preached him to all and were slain by the sword. / Therefore we sing your praises!

Troparion — Tone 3

You were a chosen apostle of Christ / and the only brother of the beloved Theologian. / Most praised James, ask remission of sins and great mercy / for those who sing hymns to you.

Kontakion — Tone 2

You heard the voice of God calling you / and turned away from the love of your father. / With your brother you hastened after Christ, O glorious James. / With him, you were counted worthy to behold the Lord’s divine Transfiguration!

IN LUMINE FIDEI: 30 APRIL – SAINT CATHERINE OF SIENA (Virgin and Do...

IN LUMINE FIDEI: 30 APRIL – SAINT CATHERINE OF SIENA (Virgin and Do...: Catherine, a virgin of Siena, was born of pious parents. She asked for and obtained the Dominican habit, such as it is worn by the Sist...

IN LUMINE FIDEI: 30 APRIL – SATURDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF EASTER

IN LUMINE FIDEI: 30 APRIL – SATURDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF EASTER: Dom Prosper Gueranger: This being Saturday, let us once more think of Mary and of the joy she feels at the Resurrection of her Son. Sh...

30 May, The Chesterton Calendar

APRIL 30th
ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA'S DAY

Historic Christianity rose into a high and strange coup de théâtre of morality—things that are to virtue what the crimes of Nero are to vice. The spirits of indignation and of charity took terrible and attractive forms, ranging from that monkish fierceness that scourged like a dog the first and greatest of the Plantagenets, to the sublime pity of St. Catherine, who, in the official shambles, kissed the bloody head of the criminal. Our ethical teachers write reasonably for prison reform; but we are not likely to see Mr. Cadbury, or any eminent philanthropist, go into Reading Jail to embrace the strangled corpse before it is cast into the quicklime. Our ethical teachers write wildly against the power of millionaires, but we are not likely to see Mr. Rockefeller, or any modern tyrant, publicly whipped in Westminster Abbey.

'Orthodoxy.'

30 April, The Holy Rule of St Benedict, Patriarch of Western Monasticism

CHAPTER LXXII. Of the good zeal which Monks ought to have

30 Apr. 30 Aug. 30 Dec.

As there is an evil zeal of bitterness, which separateth from God, and leads to hell, so there is a good zeal, which keepeth us from vice, and leadeth to God and to life everlasting. Let monks, therefore, exert this zeal with most fervent love; that is, “in honour preferring one another.” Let them most patiently endure one another’s infirmities, whether of body or of mind. Let them vie with one another in obedience. Let no one follow what he thinketh good for himself, but rather what seemeth good for another. Let them cherish fraternal charity with chaste love, fear God, love their Abbot with sincere and humble affection, and prefer nothing whatever to Christ. And may He bring us all alike to life everlasting.

1 May, The Roman Martyrology

Kaléndis Maii Luna vicésima nona Anno Dómini 2022

Solemnity of St Joseph the Workman, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Confessor, Patron of Workmen.

In Egypt, the holy prophet Jeremiah, who was stoned by the people at Taphnis, and so there died, [590 B.C.,] and was buried. Holy Epiphanius saith that the faithful have been in use to pray at his grave and to take dust therefrom, whereby the bites of serpents are healed.
In the territory of Viviers, in Gaul, the blessed subdeacon Andeolus, whom holy Polycarp sent from the East along with others into Gaul to preach the Word of God. Under the Emperor Severus he was beaten with thorny clubs, and at length his head was broken into four parts with a wooden sword, and so he attained to martyrdom, [in the year 208.]
At Huesca, in Spain, the holy martyrs Orentius and Patience.
At Sedune, in Gaul, holy Sigismund, King of the Burgundians, who was drowned in a well, and so died, [in the year 524,] and was afterwards famous for miracles.
At Auxerre, [in the year 524,] the holy Confessor Amator, Bishop of that see.
At Auch, [in the fifth century,] holy Orientius, Bishop of that see.
In England, [in the year 778,] holy Asaph, Bishop of the see which is called by his name, and the holy Virgin Walburga, whose feast we keep upon the 14th day of May.
At Bergamo, the holy widow Grata.
At Forli, holy Peregrinus, of the Order of Servants of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
V. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.

Memes of the Day

Habit, Art, and Virtue

Lesson Two of Aquinas 101: The Virtues, with Fr. James Brent, OP, PhD, STL, Asst Professor of Philosophy, Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception, Washington DC.

Everyone naturally admires excellence in human beings. So, one must ask: what is excellence? How do human beings come to be that way?

Why Do Some Catholics Wear Little Chains Around Their Wrists?

Because they have made the de Montfort Consecration to Jesus through Mary. I made mine on the Feast of the Presentation of the BVM.

From Aleteia

By Philip Kosloski

St. Louis de Montfort recommends wearing little chains to symbolize a person's consecration to Jesus through the Mary.

At the end of St. Louis de Montfort’s True Devotion to Mary, he suggests the wearing of little chains to remind a person of their consecration to Jesus through Mary.

It is not a requirement of the devotion, as he notes, “It is perfectly true, these external tokens are not essential and may very well be dispensed with by those who have made this consecration. Nevertheless, I cannot help but give the warmest approval to those who wear them.”

He then proceeds to list several reasons why the wearing of little chains can benefit a person’s soul consecrated to Jesus through Mary.

1REMINDER OF BAPTISM

These little chains are a wonderful aid in recalling the bonds of sin and the slavery of the devil from which baptism has freed him. At the same time, they remind him of the dependence on Jesus promised at baptism and ratified when by consecration he renewed these promises. Why is it that so many Christians do not think of their baptismal vows and behave with as much licence as unbelievers who have promised nothing to God? One explanation is that they do not wear external sign to remind them of these vows.

2OUTWARD SIGN OF BEING A SERVANT OF JESUS

These chains prove they are not ashamed of being the servants of Jesus and that they reject the deadly bondage of the world, of sin and of the devil.

3PROTECTION AGAINST THE DEVIL

They are a guarantee and protection against enslavement by sin and the devil. For we must of necessity choose to wear either the chains of sin and damnation or the chains of love and salvation.

While many wear these little chains on their wrists, some wear them underneath their socks around their ankles, or others may wear a more stylized chain as a necklace.

Simply put, the chain is an outward reminder of a person’s commitment to live a life of holiness, ensuring that they do not forget the promises they made to God.

Ask Father: Solid, Orthodox Religious Orders and Instititutes

Sound advice for any young man (or woman) discerning a call to the Religious Life. I thought I might be destined to be a monk, but God had other plans! 

From Fr Z's Blog

From a reader…

QUAERITUR:

I am currently in the process of discerning a vocation to the priesthood and I am investigating different groups/orders. I am relatively familiar with the strictly “traditional” groups (ICKSP and FSSP especially) but it can be more difficult to test the waters of other groups, institutes, or religious orders in the U.S. which are not strictly traditional but might still be very solid and orthodox. Are there any in particular that you might recommend for consideration?

You would do well to discuss this with your confessor/priest spiritual director.  Remember, too, that a vocation to the priesthood and a vocation to religious life are not the same.  They can overlap, but they are not the same.

Different groups have different apostolates and charisms.  That should help you to identify which groups you may be more suited to.  They are usually founded upon a particular spiritual “school”, the spirituality of a saint and/or their founder.  That is also a tool for discernment.

It seems to me also good to consider what is close at hand and what you might already know.  Perhaps the answer is in your back yard.

That said, I understand that the Norbertines in California are pretty healthy, as are the Dominicans of the US Eastern province.  The Benedictines in Oklahoma are great.  The Transapline Redemptorists, very serious dudes, have now a place in Montana. Oratories are springing up, too.

You will have to be willing to go to visit places.

Ten Ways to Celebrate May, the Month of Mary

We never give more honour to Jesus than when we honour his Mother, and we honour her simply and solely to honour him all the more perfectly. We go to her only as a way leading to the goal we seek - Jesus, her Son. - St Louis Marie de Montfort

From Catholic Exchange

By Fr Ed Bloom, OMV

October is the month of the Most Holy Rosary; November, the month to pray for the faithful departed; June we immerse ourselves in the ocean of mercy of the Sacred Heart of Jesus; July we praise and worship the Precious Blood of Jesus, the price of our salvation. May is the month of Mary.

Mary is the Daughter of God the Father, the Mother of God the Son and the Mystical Spouse of the Holy Spirit, the Queen of the angels, saints, of heaven and earth. And St. Louis de Montfort acclaims her as the Queen of all hearts and God’s masterpiece of creation.

The saints acclaim in powerful, inspired and often poetic terms the glories of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

What might be some ways that we can manifest our love and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary in her month; the month of Mary? We offer ten ways.

1. Consecration

The first gesture we should do every morning is prayer — a prayer of consecration to Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of Mary.  Start off the day right through Mary! St. Mother Teresa moved by great love for Mary said:

“Mary, give me your heart: so beautiful, so pure so immaculate; your Heart so full of love and humility that I May be able to receive Jesus in the Bread of Life and love Him as you love Him and serve Him in the distressing guise of the poor.”

2.  Angelus/Regina Caeli 

These Marian prayers call to mind Mary’s key presence in the Mysteries of our salvation — The Incarnation, Passion, death and Resurrection of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! The Cure of Ars, St. John Vianney reminds us of the constant presence and action of Mary in our lives:

“Only after the Last Judgment will Mary get any rest; from now until then, she is too busy with her children.  To serve the Queen of Heaven is to reign there, and to live under her commands is more than to govern.”

3. Consecrate the Home and Family to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Prepare for the consecration by a nine-day novena of Rosaries and prayers and culminate with the priest blessing the image as well as the home and family members. From this blessing and consecration God the Father will shower a deluge of blessings upon you and every member in your family.

4. Consecration of the Self 

Go through the formal process of consecration of your whole being to Jesus through Mary.  You can choose various forms: Kolbe, or St. Louis de Montfort, or the modern one done by Father Michael Gaitely — 33 Days to Morning Glory.  This consecration could change dramatically your whole life.

If you have already done it then you can renew the consecration every year and go deeper into the infinite reservoir of the love of God brought to us through the intercession of Mary! Mary has power over us in ways that go way beyond our wildest imagination. St. Louis de Montfort reminds us:

“For God, having given power over his only-begotten and natural Son, also gave power over his adopted children—not only what concerns the body which would be of little account—but also in what concerns the soul.”

5. Imitate Mary

If we truly love somebody, then we want to get to know them better, follow them more closely and finally to imitate their good qualities that we call virtues. St. Louis de Montfort in his classic True Devotion to Mary gives us a list of the ten principal virtues of Mary. Imitate them and you will be on the Highway to holiness. Here they are: 

• Her deep humility,
• lively faith,
• blind obedience,
• unceasing prayer,
• constant self-denial,
• surpassing purity,
• ardent love,
• heroic patience,
• angelic kindness,
• and heavenly wisdom!

St. Louis teaches us: “The greatest saints, those richest in grace and virtue will be the most assiduous in praying to the most Blessed Virgin, looking up to her as the perfect model to imitate and as a powerful helper to assist them.”

6. Temptations? Call on Mary

Our life is a constant combat zone, until death!  We should not fight alone against the devil, the flesh and the world. Rather, in the heat of temptation, when all seems to be lost call upon the Holy Name of Mary; pray the Hail Mary!  If done, all the powers of hell will be vanquished.

Mary is the “General in the army”. At her command the enemies—the evil spirits—take to flight, vanish, and are defeated!  St. Francis de Sales was tempted to despair and through the prayer to Mary, “Memorare” (attributed to St. Bernard) the temptation was conquered.

St. Anthony Mary Claret was tempted fiercely to give in to a temptation against purity. It was through his fervent prayers to Mary that the devil of impurity was expelled and young Anthony was given special graces to live chastity, to found a Religious Order, preach constantly and write many books that did immense good. As St. Bonaventure asserts: “Men do not fear a powerful hostile army as the powers of hell fear the name and protection of Mary.”

7. Mary and the Liturgical Year.  

Get to know the powerful presence of Mary in the Mystical Body of Christ which is the Church. Especially get to know Mary’s presence in the Liturgical Year—the Masses. The end purpose of Holy Mass is to praise and worship God the Father, through the offering of God the Son and through the power of the Holy Spirit. However Mary has a special place in the Liturgical Year.

Mary is the Mother of God, the Mother of the Church and she is our Mother in the order of grace! Read and meditate attentively the Apostolic Letter of Pope Paul VI Marialis Cultus, which clearly explains the presence of Mary in the Liturgical calendar. This is a spiritual masterpiece. It is a must for your reading!

8. Reading on Mary

For a well-formed and integral Mariology we should cultivate both doctrine and devotion.   Doctrine without devotion can be arid and dry. Whereas, devotion without doctrine can easily degenerate into mere sentimentalism!

Why not read the Apostolic Letter of Saint John Paul II Blessed Virgin Mary and the Rosary. This spiritual gem combines both solid catholic doctrine (Mariology) with a tender love and devotion to Mary.  The saintly Pope exhorts the entire world to contemplate the face of Jesus through the eyes and heart of Mary.  Mary is the quickest, shortest, easiest and most efficacious path to Jesus.

9. Marian Apostle

Become an ardent and fervent and passionate Apostle of Mary. One of the most famous modern Marian saints is Saint Maximilian Kolbe. His love for Mary could not be contained. One of the apostolic methods that Kolbe used was to spread devotion to the Immaculata by means of the Miraculous Medal (Medal of the Immaculate Conception).

Any opportunity that would arise, St Maximilian would give, free of charge, the medal to the person. He called these “spiritual bullets”. Then he would explain the Marian, catechetical meaning of this explosive medal. The medal is called “Miraculous” for the simple reason that many miracles have been attributed to those who use it with great faith and love and trust in the intercession of Mary.

Why not become a modern Marian apostle today, following in the footsteps of Kolbe? This great Marian saint asserted with conviction:

“The Immaculate alone has from God the promise of victory over Satan. She seeks souls that will consecrate themselves entirely to her, that will become in her hands forceful instruments for the defeat of Satan and the spread of God’s kingdom.”

10. The Most Holy Rosary

In Fatima Our Lady appeared six times to the Shepherd children—Lucia, Jacinta and Francisco.  In each and every apparition Our Lady insisted upon the praying of the most Holy Rosary.

St. John Paul II in his document on the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Rosary insisted, pleaded, that the whole world pray the Holy Rosary for the salvation of the family and for world peace.

The famous Rosary priest, Father Patrick Peyton put it concisely:  “The family that prays together stays together”… and “A world at prayer is a world at peace.”  ... Why not obey the Mother of God, Our Lady of Fatima’s requests? If done the family will be saved and there will be peace that the human heart so longs for.

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Bishop Athanasius: Francis' Synod Is A Danger To The Faith

Of course, it is, but does he care? I think not.

Pontius Pilate: Worldwide Published Writer, Famous Celebrity

Only two people are recorded as writing in the NT, Christ and Pilate. 

From Catholic Stand

By Guy McClung, PhD, JD

The Bible is the best-selling book in all of human history. By some estimates, more than 5,000,000,000 copies – that’s billions – have been printed.

The New Testament recounts two famous authors and their writing. One is Jesus Himself when he writes in the dirt after the Pharisees bring Him a woman caught in adultery. Holy Scripture does not tell us what Jesus wrote.

The other famous gospel writer is Pontius Pilate. He wrote a short essay, somewhat shorter than a seventeen syllable Japanese haiku poem, a short, very short, some would say “snapshot in time,” biography of Jesus Christ. Some speech-as-hate-crime purveyors of the time, worried about their curial earthly power, realizing that this was not their officially sanctioned 2+2=5 version of doctrine, said they were offended and demanded that Pontius Pilate delete the misinformation or, at least, amend it so it would be less offensive to them.

If the story was true, their cash flow from their church-as-business ecclesial operation could evaporate overnight. Estimated in today’s dollars, the temple tax alone would be at least $1,500,000.00 annually, collected from Jews worldwide.

Pilate refused.

We do not know why he refused, if it was out of an author’s pride in what he had written or if he did not respect literary critiques from non-Romans.  We do know that Pilate ruled in Judaea as the representative of the Roman Emperor and what power the High Priests and the other priests enjoyed was at his, and the empire’s, pleasure. Also, he probably wanted to make the point that the ruling aristocracy, i.e., the High Priest, his father, and the lesser priests, received and maintained some apparent power not from Jehovah, but from the Emperor. In denying the priestly aristocrats’ request to change his words, Pilate’s “What I have written, I have written” was an in-your-face you-are-our-subservient-subjects response.

If the number of occurrences of the acronym for Pilate’s words   – INRI  (based on the Latin version of what Pilate wrote: “Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum”)  – are counted with the published full-story version in the bible, this is far and away from the most published written work of all time. Couple this with the explicit reference to Pilate in the Apostle’s Creed, along with Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and a few saints, Pilate’s name is one of the most verbalized names for almost two millennia. Anyone who says the daily rosary says his name.

But why?

From a purely historical perspective, tying the story of Jesus to the existence of this actual person, Pilate, shows that Jesus was an actual person who lived and died. In addition to the gospel accounts, other historians of the time reported about this Jesus and his relation to Pilate.

But on other levels, the question about Pilate’s celebrity is a question for God the Holy Spirit who inspired the writers of the books of the bible. So, of course, there is no answer.

Some seat-of-the-pants, best-guestimate, and Monday-morning-quarterbacking conjectures follow.

Perhaps part of the message about Pilate, writer, and celebrity, is that he is now dead. He had some power, but his power was of this earth and his official position did not give him everlasting life. We do not know if he is presently enjoying eternal happiness in heaven with the God-man he condemned to death or if he is suffering in the eternal fires of the hell that Jesus assured us does exist. The message about the individual, Pilate, is also a message to all those since, and all those today, who are the “world rulers of this present darkness.” Pilate has died and has been judged by the Jesus he condemned to death, and the present world rulers will all die and will be judged by this same Jesus.

The historical record contains almost nothing about Pontius Pilate, and nothing about what happened to him after he left Judaea around 37 A.D. Holy Scripture tells us the fate of Judas, but it is silent about Pilate. There are many stories and legends that have come down through history about him. One of these stories is that Pilate became a Christian, a martyr, and a saint. For anyone who repents, this can be his or her story.

Another possible answer to the “Why?” about Pilate’s fame and celebrity, which endure even up to the present day, may be found in the image of Francis Thompson’s Hound of Heaven, who pursues each and every soul, relentlessly, unperturbedly, out of pure, the purest, love. Jesus made Pilate. Jesus created the souls of everyone who was in Jerusalem in 33 A.D.  Jesus made each person who shouted, “Crucify Him!” And Jesus wanted Pilate and all of them with Him forever in heaven. As Pilate is condemning Him, Jesus knows that what He is about to do will redeem Pilate. And so, instead of exercising the divine power about which He was ridiculed and taunted, He let Pilate, and all present there, freely choose to condemn Him, torture Him, crucify Him and Kill him.

The message about Pilate is the message that Jesus has saved each of us, all of us. Pilate, in the world and of the world, is redeemed. This is a message of hope for all of us.

Which Countries Have Popes Been From?

A bit of history on where the Popes from, Peter to Francis, have come from.

History Remembered: Historic Markers

Today, in the US, is National Historic Marker Day. History deserves to be remembered!

Whether you are one of those who stops to read every one, or one of those that just take them for granted, historic markers are the fruit of the efforts of many groups and people who believe in an important maxim: that history deserves to be remembered. Learn more about National Historic Marker Day and how to participate on Friday, April 29 by visiting: https://www.wgpfoundation.org/nationa... Check out the Historical Marker Database at https://www.hmdb.org/ or visit https://wgpfoundation.org/history/map/ to locate a historic marker near you! Be sure to post a picture of cleaning a marker and use #NationalHistoricMarkerDay for a chance to be featured on the Pomeroy Foundation's social media accounts.​

What Does the Church Say About the Shroud of Turin?

Since it has now been accurately dated to the time of Christ, I expect to see renewed interest in this fascinating Relic of the Passion.

From Our Sunday Visitor

By Msgr Charles Pope

Question: Does the holy Church have an official position on the legitimacy of the Shroud of Turin?

— John F., Encino, California

Answer: The Church permits the faithful to come to their own conclusions on the shroud. The faithful are permitted to venerate the shroud, study its details and view it when it is displayed. However, the shroud is not part of the deposit of faith in which Catholics must give full assent of the mind and will. Our faith in the Resurrection does not depend on the authenticity of the shroud but on the testimony of the apostles.

However, the Shroud of Turin remains an amazing and mysterious artifact. How the image was made on the cloth, its 3D effect and photo negative image, long before the invention of photography, it’s faithful depiction of the details of crucifixion, the pollen samples from the holy land and, frankly, how this cloth has survived so long are all tantalizing indicators of something truly amazing and even miraculous. Carbon dating methods have yielded differing opinions as to its age, but there are complicating factors such as a fire that scorched the shroud in 1532. In the end, the shroud is of endless fascination and presents the scientific community with a puzzle as to its origins and features.

In Search of the True — Catholic — England

Mr Pearce has come a long way from his violent, neo-Nazi past!

From the National Catholic Register

By K.V. Turley

A conversation with Joseph Pearce on his latest book

Be careful what you read — it may change you, for better or worse.

In the case of Joseph Pearce, his early reading made him a violent white supremacist. It also landed him in prison. While there, he continued to read; only this time, he read the works of G.K. Chesterton. It was not so much that Chesterton’s words suddenly transformed his politics or his propensity to violence, but they did initiate a change, one much more profound than his earlier transformation into a neo-Nazi. That remarkable conversion has been well documented — not least in his autobiographical Race With the Devil: My Journey From Racial Hatred to Rational Love (St. Benedict Press, 2013).

Today, that former atheist is a devout Catholic. His anger has turned into apostolic zeal. Since 1996, he has set about reexamining England — its history and culture — through a different lens from that previously employed.

Speaking to the Register April 7, he explained how his latest book, Faith of Our Fathers: A History of True England (Ignatius Press), tells the story of “true England, [which] has stayed loyal to the Catholic Church, through thick and thin, from the first to the 21st century.” He hopes that its publication will enable people “to see the rich Catholic heritage that Englishmen can claim as their own, in stark contrast to the ‘official history’ of England rooted in pride and anti-Catholic prejudice.” This “official,” or “Whig version” of history, is one that views England as Protestant and the march of Protestantism and the establishment of Anglicanism as the state religion as not only a good but a popular thing among the English.

Pearce’s True England is part of a revisionist movement that has been pointing out for decades that this “official history” is not only historically inaccurate — the ordinary Catholic English were never in step with the “top down” religious revolution imposed on them by Henry VIII — and that this version of history was always politically motivated. In short, it was not so much history as propaganda.

True England is part of “a noble tradition of ‘revisionist’ history,” observed Pearce, which seeks to correct “the erroneous and prejudiced distortions of the ‘official’ or ‘Whig’ version of history.”

Yet, one wonders: How difficult is it to counter the deeply anti-Catholic bias of the official version of British history? “It’s easier than it used to be,” replied Pearce. “Up to around the time of the Second World War, the ‘Whig’ history was accepted as the official narrative of England’s past. That consensus has evaporated. Since that official history is no longer either believed or trusted, there is a greater openness to seeing the facts of the past in a fresh unprejudiced light.”

It is in this new atmosphere of enquiry and desire for objectivity that he hopes his book will find receptive readers. How many of those readers, one wonders, will be in England? “It is my hope that the book will be read by English Catholics,” Pearce said, “and that they may better understand their roots, in consequence. I hope that this will then inspire them to talk about this ‘true England’ to non-Catholic Englishmen, enabling them to evangelize through the power of history.”

‘Christ-Haunted’

The history of England revealed in the pages of this book is more complex — and more Catholic — than the previous official version allowed. England gets its name from the Angles, one of the Germanic tribes that settled in what became England following the collapse of the Roman Empire. Yet, as Pearce observes, “There was a Catholic-Christian presence in England, mainly but not exclusively Celtic, prior to the arrival of these Germanic tribes.” He goes on to point out that there had been a Christian presence in England for almost 400 years before the pagan Germanic tribes, usually known collectively as the Anglo-Saxons, arrived on these shores. “This largely Catholic country which precedes the Anglo-Saxons is what I call the England before England,” he added.

Running through the book is the rather surprising theme of England as “Christ-haunted,” a phrase more reminiscent of Flannery O’Connor and the American South than one associated with England. So, what does he mean by this phrase? “It refers to the pious legends,” Pearce explained, “to which William Blake alludes in his poem Jerusalem, that the Christ Child might have visited England with St. Joseph of Arimathea, or that St. Joseph of Arimathea might have led the first mission to England in A.D. 63, bringing the Holy Grail with him.” Irrespective of whether such tales are merely pious legends, Pearce believes that “they have given birth to all the Arthurian legends about the Holy Grail, which are so much part of the very fabric of what it means to be English. This is why I say that England is Christ-haunted, much as Flannery O’Connor believed that the American South was similarly Christ-haunted.”

If all writing is, to some extent, autobiographical, one wonders how much of the author’s own spiritual journey is the prism through which these strands of English history are being viewed. “I was raised on the anti-Catholic ‘Whig’ understanding of history,” he explained. “In consequence, I was very anti-Catholic as a young man. It was, in part, my reading of the ‘revisionist’ understanding of history of both Belloc and Chesterton which opened my eyes to the lies I’d been hoodwinked into believing. I hope that my own book, in its own small way, might open people’s eyes to the truth about England’s past, as my own eyes were opened.”

‘True and Timeless England’

The history he recounts spans 2,000 years, beginning with the arrival of the first Christian missionaries to England, which was possibly as early as the year 63, and concluding, aptly, with the reconsecration of England to the Blessed Virgin during the COVID lockdown in March 2020. Living in 21st-century England, which is as decidedly secular as it is agnostic, there seems little room for optimism about this land’s imminent return to the faith. This is not a view shared by Pearce. “A Christian should always be hopeful,” he said. “In the prologue and epilogue to my book, I speak of the ‘true and timeless England’ that exists in God’s presence. There is no past and future to God. His omnipresence means that all time is present to him. Understood in this sense, true England is that part of England which remains in his presence, whereas those in English history who have fought against Christ and his Church have excommunicated themselves from his presence.”

Many years ago, Joseph Pearce was given the grace to find his way into that Presence. He remains there still. His gift has been words, and his mission has been to find, under the rubble of lies and half-truths, the truth of a nation’s literary and historical past. In Faith of Our Fathers: A History of True England, in the spiritual wilderness of today’s Albion, he continues to be a voice for truth.

Douglas Murray: The Gullible Right Has Fallen for Putin

Murray explains how Putin is not the 'Saviour of the West' he is imagined to be by many Western (especially American) conservatives.

From The Post@UnHerd

By Staff

Freddie Sayers discusses the backlash against Western values with Douglas Murray

When Douglas Murray was writing his new book The War on the West, Putin had not yet launched a war on the edge of Europe. Now, two months after the invasion of Ukraine, has the battle of ideas he writes about been changed by developments, or put into a new perspective?

Douglas Murray tells Freddie Sayers about the factions of the Right who have been fooled by Putin’s ‘woke West’ propaganda and why the war in Ukraine is not the wake-up call we might have expected. The battle over religion, culture, race and history, Murray argues, will continue to rage.

His book, The War on the West, is out now.

MM Sunday Scripture

Another Scripture quote. Once again, I've used a Catholic Bible and replaced MM's text.

From The Mad Monarchist (12 May 2013)

Two things must never leave thee, kindness and loyalty; be these the seals that hang about thy neck, graven be this inscription with thy heart for tablet.

-Proverbs 3:3 (Knox)

Bishop Challoner's Meditations - Friday After Low Sunday

ON FAITH

Consider first, that 'Without faith it is impossible to please God,’ Heb. xi.6. This virtue is the groundwork and first foundation of all our good; here we must begin the work of our salvation. But, what is faith? Not, as some vainly imagine, a presumptuous confidence of the remission of our sins, and of our justification and eternal beatitude, excluding that humble fear, with which the Christian is taught to work out his salvation, Philip. ii. 12, Rom. xi. 20; but a firm belief of all those things that God has any ways revealed or promised; a close adhesion of the soul to all the divine truths, as coming from the eternal Truth; a firm assent, a bowing down of the soul to all that God has taught, how much soever above our comprehension or understanding. ‘Faith,’ says the Apostle, Heb. xi. i, 'is the substance’ (that is, the strong foundation) ‘of things to be hoped for; the evidence of things that are not seen.’ These good things we hope for, these truths unseen, are made as it were visible to the soul by faith; she embraces them, she adheres to them with a strong and undoubted assent, she casts down all proud thoughts and imaginations that raise themselves up against these truths of God, and she directs the whole conduct of her life according to this heavenly rule. This is that divine virtue of faith, to which the Apostle gives those great encomiums, Heb. xi. This it was that brought forth so many wonderful fruits in the ancient Saints, and made them the friends and favourites of God.

Consider 2ndly, that the merit of faith, which makes it so acceptable to God, consists in this, that it pulls down the pride of man, by captivating his understanding, and obliging it to believe what it cannot see, to adore what it cannot conceive, and to submit to truths that it can no ways reach to. Man fell originally from God by proud affectation of superior and more excellent knowledge than God was pleased to allow him, and which might make him like to God, Gen. iii. 5. And therefore it has pleased his divine majesty, that the first and most essential step for man to arise from sin, and to return to him, should be the humble assent of divine faith, which makes a sacrifice of what is most dear to our pride, that is, of the liberty we are so fond of; of thinking as we please in all matters, without restraint or control; and casts down all the powers of the soul to worship in the dark, truths, generally speaking, most incomprehensible to the understanding, most shocking to the will, and most humbling to the whole man.

Consider 3rdly, that the faith which God requires of us, and without which we can neither please him here, nor be happy with him hereafter, must be catholic, that is, it must be universal; it must extend itself to all revealed truths without exception. For as they all equally come from God by divine revelation, and are all built upon the same foundation, are all recommended to our belief by the same authority of the church of God, and all supported by those strong testimonies and evidences, by which the Scripture and Christianity itself are supported; it would be calling in question the divine veracity to dispute the truth of any one article duly proposed by the church; it would be in effect, the utter loss of all divine faith; because it would be believing by humour, and not by divine authority. Here we may say with St. James, ii. 10, 'He that offends in one point, becomes guilty of all;’ because he is a rebel against that truth by which they are all delivered. O! never suffer us, dear Lord, to be rebels to thy divine truth, or proudly to oppose our petty reasoning against any part of thy word, or the authority established by thee!

Conclude to lay this strong foundation of faith, if thou hopest to raise a spiritual building within thee in which God may choose to dwell, and which may entitle thee to an everlasting dwelling with God. To build upon any other foundation is to build upon sand.

29 April, Antonio, Cardinal Bacci: Meditations For Each Day

The Dignity and Responsibility of Being a Christian

1. It is a great dignity to be a Christian. By Baptism we become sons of God, heirs to Heaven, temples of the Holy Spirit, and members of the Mystical Body of Jesus, which is the Church. God's grace raises us to the supernatural order and makes us, as St. Paul expresses it, sharers in the divine nature. By the sacrament of Confirmation the Holy Spirit fortifies our faith and gives us the strength to resist the temptations of the devil and to fight like loyal soldiers for the triumph in ourselves and in others of the kingdom of Jesus Christ. The sacrament of Penance is our plank of salvation in the shipwreck of sin. Although we are all wretched sinners, by this gift of the divine mercy we can recover our lost innocence and return to the grace and friendship of God. Moreover, in order to prevent us from falling back into sin, Jesus gives us Himself in the Blessed Eucharist, which is called by St. Thomas the greatest miracle of His infinite love. (Opusc. 57) But this is not all. If it is our vocation to form a family, God consecrates our union at the altar and gives us the graces necessary to sanctify it so that it may produce a good Christian family. If God has called us, on the other hand, to become spiritual fathers of the souls redeemed by His Precious Blood, He raises us to this high dignity by the sacrament of Holy Orders. Finally, when we shall have come to the end of our mortal lives, the priest will be still by our side to wash away by the sacrament of Extreme Unction the last traces of sin and to comfort us in our passage to eternity. The whole life of a Christian is a chain of favours which accompany him from the cradle to the grave. We should be grateful to God for the goodness with which He has treated us and continues to treat us. We should co-operate generously with His gifts by recognising the lofty honour it is to be a Christian and by living in accordance with this dignity.

2. This exalted dignity carries with it grave obligations. The most important is to avoid sin. Who would dare to take the Crucifix and fling it in the mud? “You are the body of Christ,” St. Paul tells us, “member for member.” (Cf. 1 Cor. 12:27) A man who surrenders himself to sin, therefore, throws the body of Christ into the mud and profanes the temple of the Holy Spirit. If we sincerely appreciate our dignity as Christians we cannot possibly give way to sin and destroy in ourselves the great work of the Redemption of Christ. We should, moreover, practise virtue. We should live in and for Jesus, like St. Paul, who said “For to me to live is Christ...” (Phil. 1:21) Every day we must travel further along the difficult road of self-denial and love. We must keep going forward, higher and higher towards the summit of perfection. “You are to be perfect,” Jesus tells us, “even as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Mt. 5:48) Even this is not enough, however. A genuine Christian is not satisfied with avoiding sin and sanctifying himself, but he tries by every means at his disposal, by word, action, good example and sacrifice, to spread the kingdom of Christ among his fellow-men.

3. Let us examine ourselves particularly on the duties of our state and see if we are fulfilling them generously. Not only are we obliged to obey the commandments of God and the precepts of the Church, but each of us must carry out also the obligations attached to his position in life. We are well aware of what these obligations are. Naturally, they vary from person to person. Let us remember that God gives each of us the graces necessary for his state and that we shall have to account for the way we have used these before the Eternal Judge. The man who has received a lot will have to account for a lot. Perhaps we have received a very large share of graces. If so, besides the general duties attached to the dignity of being Christians, we have other important obligations which, as Christians, we must carry out generously.