A Must See

If you have not seen this video, A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing, you really MUST see it!  They broadcast it periodically on EWTN, and you can purchase a copy (see link below) which I have also done and I loan my copy out to friends and family. If you appreciate what you see in this video, please consider purchasing your own copy too in support of more information like this...

A Wolf In Sheeps Clothing, Saul Alinsky And The Church, EWTN from Jack Martin on Vimeo.

To purchase your own copy of this production, click here or the Amazon link below:

Most Chaste Heart

Most Chaste Heart of St. Joseph

Oh, Most Chaste Heart of St. Joseph, wounded by the ingratitude of men, wounded by those who do not understand, and by those who do not accept the Lord as their God and Savior, those who offend you by offending the Heavenly Mother, we pray and consecrate ourselves to your Most Chaste Heart asking for peace and blessing to be given to the world And as reparation for the sins committed against your Heart, we consecrate this day of prayer to you. Oh, Most Chaste Heart of St. Joseph, pray for us and have mercy on us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death, Amen.

Consecration Prayer to the Three Sacred Hearts

Sacred Heart of Jesus,
Immaculate Heart of Mary
and Chaste Heart of St. Joseph,
I consecrate to you this day
my mind +, my words +,
my body +, my heart + and soul +,
so that your will be done
through me this day.
Amen.

+Make the Sign of the Cross

Litany to the Most Chaste Heart of St. Joseph

Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Christ, hear us.

Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven

have mercy on us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the World

have mercy on us.

God the Holy Spirit, Illuminator of Souls

have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, One God

have mercy on us.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, 

have mercy on us.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.

Most Chaste Heart of St. Joseph, pray for us.

Chaste Heart of Joseph, sanctified in the womb,

Chaste Heart of Joseph, graced with holy reasoning,

Chaste Heart of Joseph, graced with charity,

Chaste Heart of Joseph, son of David,

Chaste Heart of Joseph, who knew much anxiety and sorrow,

Chaste Heart of Joseph, who communed with angels in dreams,

Chaste Heart of Joseph, protector of the Blessed Virgin Mary,

Chaste Heart of Joseph, guardian of Christ,

Chaste Heart of Joseph, companion of joyful hearts,

Chaste Heart of Joseph, help of husbands and fathers,

Chaste Heart of Joseph, health of the sick,

Chaste Heart of Joseph, father to orphans,

Chaste Heart of Joseph, united to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary,

Chaste Heart of Joseph, beloved servant of God,

Chaste Heart of Joseph, heart of workers,

Chaste Heart of Joseph, most obedient to God’s Will,

Chaste Heart of Joseph, filled with holy love,

Chaste Heart of Joseph, most innocent,

Chaste Heart of Joseph, most faithful,

Chaste Heart of Joseph, most hopeful,

Chaste Heart of Joseph, most joyful,

Chaste Heart of Joseph, most humble,

Chaste Heart of Joseph, help of Christians,

Chaste Heart of Joseph, refuge of sinners,

Chaste Heart of Joseph, terror of demons,

Chaste Heart of Joseph, defender against lies and heresies,

Chaste Heart of Joseph, friend of the angels,

Chaste Heart of Joseph, consoler of the dying,

Heart of St. Joseph, Prince of Patriarchs,

Heart of St. Joseph, Prince of Confessors,

Heart of St. Joseph, Prince of All Saints,

Heart of St. Joseph, Prince of the Church,

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, spare us O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Pray for us, O Most Chaste Heart of Joseph, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

O God, who by Your power and love did fashion and form the Heart of St. Joseph to be in likeness to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, grant, we beg You, that what of ourselves we cannot possibly obtain may, through the Most Chaste Heart of Joseph, be granted to us by Thee who livest and reignest, God forever and ever. + Amen.

Second Sunday of Lent

Lent is our season of Exodus. The Hebrews spent 40 years in the desert with Moses before they could enter into the Promised Land. Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the desert before He entered into Holy Week - His Passion and death - and our redemption. We spend 40 days in penance in remembrance of our Lord and His 40 days of preparation for the jubilation of Palm Sunday, the trials of Holy Week and the glory of His Resurrection on Easter Sunday. 

The readings for the Second Sunday in Lent include the Transfiguration of our Lord. Jesus went up on the mountain with Peter, James and John and while there they were joined by Moses and Elijah, each of whom had their own Exodus as well. Of course we know of the Exodus of Moses from the Book of Exodus, which he wrote. When Moses went up on the mountain and saw God, the glory of God was reflected in his face that his face shown bright (Exodus 34:29-35) so bright that Aaron and the others could not look upon it. This radiance was just the reflection of God - but when Jesus went upon the mount and the Transfiguration took place, His face radiated and so did His clothes - not in reflection, but as the source of the Light (Luke 9:29). They saw Jesus speaking with Moses and Elijah and then a voice from Heaven stated, "This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased" (Luke 9:35). The Apostles with Him fell to the ground and when they looked up, Moses and Elijah were gone.  Elijah's Exodus was a bit different, as he did not experience death, but was just taken into Heaven (2 Kings 2:11). Moses was at the mount to represent the Law, Elijah was there to represent the Prophets. They were there with Jesus to show the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets in Jesus, the Christ. 

So as Lent proceeds we are reminded of this glorious event of Transfiguration - with God revealing Himself through His Son as a reminder that He is the Light of the World. As our struggles through this life proceed and as we travel through Lent offering up our little sacrifice(s) as a constant reminder through this season of what Jesus went through for us - we are assured of the Resurrection and the Promise.

This year the Feast of St. Patrick also falls on this Sunday, but his feast day is superseded by the Second Sunday of Lent. I will conclude this entry with an Irish prayer:

May God give you...
For every storm, a rainbow,
For every tear, a smile,
For every care, a promise,
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share,
For every sigh, a sweet song,
And an answer for each prayer.

First Sunday of Lent

Lent began last Wednesday, which of course was Ash Wednesday. It is traditional to do penance during Lent, or "give up something" for Lent. While this practice is not a requirement, it is very pious and can be very healthy, both spiritually and physically - depending on what you "gave up." So, how are you doing so far? I know, it has been less than a week, but sometimes those first few days are the hardest. Be of good cheer! Even if you "messed up" already, don't give up! Remember, it is not a requirement - and remember WHY you are doing it!

Why Do We Do Penance for Lent?

Simply stated, Jesus did a forty (40) day penance (fasting) prior to Palm Sunday. He knew what the next week (Holy Week, as we now call it) would hold in store for Him. We all know what He went through - FOR US - so remembering not only the forty days Jesus "offered up" - but also His Passion and death on the Cross, THIS is why we have "offered up" a small sacrifice, or penance, for the forty days of Lent. Each time we would have had that cup of coffee or drank that soda or ate that chocolate or ate that red meat, etc. we should bring our thoughts, even if just for a moment, upon the penance and suffering Christ went through on our behalf. When you would have had that donut at breakfast time just say "Thank you, Jesus!" and do or have something else. 

No Meat on Fridays!

Yes, no meat at all on Fridays during Lent (Ash Wednesday too but that has passed now). This penance (something offered up) is a practice that ALL Catholics MUST do during Lent. Keeping in mind, ALL Fridays throughout the year we are still required to do penance (or an act of charity), and prior to 1966 that Friday penance HAD to be abstinence from meat. Now it doesn't HAVE to be meat, but it has to be SOMETHING and while it doesn't HAVE to be meat, it CAN be! So, if you HAVE to do something on EVERY FRIDAY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, why not hold to the traditional penance of abstaining from meat? As mentioned earlier, it CAN be an act of charity, but one should exercise caution in selecting this because it is not something you do every-so-often, but EVERY Friday. Say your act of charity is to visit a nursing home and talk with the residents, fine, but be sure you do it EVERY FRIDAY! "For every Friday is like a "little Good Friday." If you're not being consistent with what you choose - then are you really picking something which you will offer up ALL Fridays throughout the year?

Is There an Exception to the Every Friday Rule?

Yes! IF a solemnity falls on a Friday then there is no fasting or abstinence requirement for a solemnity is like a Sunday, which is a celebratory day in remembrance of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Every Sunday is like a "little Easter," Likewise, whatever it is you have offered up for Lent you do not need to offer it up on Sundays (and shouldn't) because in celebrating your "little Easter" every week you should not be suffering.

Have a Great Lent!

Our Eastern brethren begin Lent this Sunday (they don't celebrate Ash Wednesday) and their Lenten penance is far more strict than typically observed in the Latin Church, more on that in a later posting. For all Christians, please have a great Lent and remember WHY we "offer up" what we do during this season.

AMDG

Ash Wednesday

Remember, you are dust!

Genesis 3:19

Quinquagesima Sunday

Today marks 50 days until Easter Sunday.  Lent begins this Wednesday. Have you given thought as to what you will be offering up for your Lenten penance?  While it is not an absolute requirement, beyond the mandated days of fasting and abstinence (Ash Wednesday and all Fridays during Lent) it is a wholesome practice to offer something up during Lent - and when you would have partaken in that which you have given up, let your thoughts focus even more intently on what Jesus offered up for you.

Forty days of Lent, beginning on Ash Wednesday (and not counting Sundays, for all Sundays, even during Lent, are not days of fasting - but feast days) until Easter Sunday. On these days we are reminded of the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness before He entered into His Passion. Remember Him as you do penance this Lent.


Epistle: 1 Cor. 13:1-13 The greatest of these is love.
Gospel: Luke 18:31-43 Receive thy sight!
[Extraordinary Rite]