We reach Week Three of the Fifteen Week Rosary Crusade introduced some years ago by His Excellency Bishop Robert McKenna, O.P. as we focus on the Third Joyful Mystery and the joyous, wondrous Nativity of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with the intention of Poverty which entails detachment from the things of this world, contempt of riches, and love of poverty. This is a powerful way we can all add to the bouquet of Aves to Heaven and show our commitment by striving to make Mass and Holy Communion on these Fifteen Saturdays from June 30 through October 6 as we observe the Third Saturday
John Gregory provides an insightful inspiration on the great Mystery of Christ's incarnation - the Nativity of the promised Messiah. John provides insight from various reliable sources to enhance the meditation on the Third Joyful Mystery and why that Holy Night is so special while giving all a greater appreciation of Mary's role in salvation and how, through the Nativity of her Divine Son, and in cooperation with the chosen Joseph, She cooperated with God's call to bear all things in love, silence and obedience to God in all things for His greater honor and glory. John shares the meditation of
The Third Joyful Mystery: The Nativity of our Lord
As we see in the Haydock Commentary for the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost provided by John Gregory, we see that quite possibly the most powerful of affirmations is given by our Lord and Savior that it isn't that difficult to tell who are the false prophets and heretics for by their fruits we shall know them. There is nothing ambiguous about Christ's words that a bad tree will be chopped down and rooted out, then cast into the fire. What other kind of fire would the Son of Man be talking about in His parable but eternal hellfire? It dovetails with St. Paul's words in the epistle that the wages of sin is death, as in mortal sin equals death to eternal life; and that eternal life is available only through the grace of God, our salvation merited by Christ's offering Himself on the Cross, shedding every last drop of His Most Precious Blood for us. A most fitting commentary to the Epistle and Gospel for the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost in these tumultuous times.
Those who do not yield good fruit and remain unrepentant will be cast into the eternal fire
Down through the ages Mount Carmel has been a rock of inspiration and sanctification from the time of Elias to present day. The story of Carmel is prose, poetry and prayer and basically the benchmark of the Blessed Virgin Mary's integral role as Advocate, Co-Redemptrix, Mediatrix of all graces. Carmel has been favored by Our Lady as foretold in the Old Testament and as manifested to St. Simon Stock in 1251 when she bestowed on him the Brown Scapular and the amazing promise of ultimate salvation to all who abide by the rules of the Scapular. In addition, at Lourdes the Blessed Mother appeared to Bernadette as Our Lady of Mt. Carmel on this day 147 years ago and in the same heavenly garb on her final apparition at Fatima on October 13, 1917. We provide a thorough backgrounder on the meaning and magnificence of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and its history, masterfully conveyed by Abbe Dom Prosper Gueranger in his masterpiece The Liturgical Year as well as the Act of Consecration to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in honor of today's Double Major Commemoration in a feature we have chosen to call The Lasting Magnificence, Grace, and Power of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
We've all heard St. Francis of Assisi's words, "there but for the grace of God go I", but how many of us really understand this? We bring you a retro article from last year where guest contributor, Ava Bell, now a committed Traditional Catholic, related how this hit home for her in her earlier days before her awakening, if you will, in the same manner that Saint Augustine wrote about when confiding his past sins in his landmark book "Confessions." Her experience is pertinent for our times, especially in this day and age when so many worship at the altar of the world, the flesh and the devil, not really thinking about each's own visitation when each one of us will stand before God at his or her Particular Judgment. She presented a sobering story that should shake the timbers of our souls and wake the echoes of those who assume security when, in truth, there is only one way to secure eternal salvation and no amount of superstitions will stay the inevitable truth that for any sacramental to be effective, the one receiving it must be of good will and open to the grace of God, specifically Sanctifying Grace. Without this protection, all else is futile, fateful. She candidly explained in her article
The Brown Scapular is Not a Good Luck Charm
July 17 through July 20 are dedicated to four holy confessors who cared for the poor and infirm in performing the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy.
July 17 is traditionally the feast of the holy, humble confessor Saint Alexius. According to the most recent researches he was an Eastern saint whose veneration was transplanted from the Byzantine empire to Rome, whence it spread rapidly throughout western Christendom. Together with the name and veneration of the Saint, his legend was made known to Rome and the West by means of Latin versions and recensions based on the form current in the Byzantine Orient. This process was facilitated by the fact that according to the earlier Syriac legend of the Saint, the "Man of God," of Edessa (identical with St. Alexius) was a native of Rome. The Greek legend, which antedates the ninth century and is the basis of all later versions, makes Alexius the son of a distinguished Roman named... More on St. Alexius
July 18 is the feast of St. Camillus de Lellis who was the son of an officer who had served both in the Neapolitan and French armies. His mother died when he was a child, and he grew up absolutely neglected. When still a youth he became a soldier in the service of Venice and afterwards of Naples, until 1574, when his regiment was disbanded. While in the service he became a confirmed gambler, and in consequence of his losses at play was at times reduced to a condition of destitution.
The kindness of a Franciscan friar induced him to apply for admission to that order, but he was refused. He then betook himself to Rome, where he obtained employment in the Hospital for Incurables. He was prompted to... More on St. Camillus de Lellis
St. Vincent de Paul was born of a peasant family at Pouy in Gascony, France, in 1580. Though some authorities have said it was 1576. He made his humanities studies at Dax with the Cordeliers, and his theological studies, interrupted by a short stay at Saragossa, were made at Toulouse where he graduated in theology. Ordained in 1600 he remained at Toulouse or in its vicinity acting as tutor while continuing his own studies. Brought to Marseilles for an inheritance, he was returning by sea in 1605 when Turkish pirates captured him and took him to Tunis. He was sold as a slave, but escaped in 1607 with his master, a renegade whom he converted. On returning to France he went to Avignon to the papal vice-legate, whom he followed to Rome to continue his studies. He was sent back to France in 1609, on a secret mission to... More on St. Vincent de Paul
In the Sixteenth Century God raised up a number of saints who by prayer, teaching and good works combated the influence of the pagan Renaissance. Among these was St. Jerome Emiliani, who spent himself in the care of orphans and the poor. He instituted homes for orphan children, and founded the Congregation whose object was to educate orphans. They are called the Somaschl, from Somascha, the little Italian town in which they were first established. He died on February 8, 1531, from the plague which he contracted while burying the dead. It was related that St. Charles Borromeo when going several years afterwards to make a pastoral visit at Somascha, became aware of the presence of the relics of a saint through the sweet perfume which emanated from his tomb. Asking for a thurible, St. Charles offered incense on the sepulchre, being thus the first to...More on St. Jerome Emiliani
We arrive at Week Four of the Fifteen Week Rosary Crusade introduced some years ago by His Excellency Bishop Robert McKenna, O.P. as we focus on the Fourth Joyful Mystery and the joyous, wondrous Presentation in the Temple with the intention of Purity of body and soul. In these days when the world, the flesh and the devil harass and lure so many, we must strive to be pure to fend off the temptations, especially with the summer in full swing and so many obstacles that confront us day in and day out. The Rosary is the most powerful weapon we have as we observe the Fourth Saturday
John Gregory provides a comprehensive reflection/meditation and study on the Presentation of the Child Jesus and the Purification of His Blessed Mother in the Temple and a renewed perspective of Mary's role in salvation in how her life parallels her holy obedience to all God has asked. Though her divine Child would be submissive to her as an obedient, loving Son for the next 30 years, it was here, Forty days after His birth that Mary followed the letter of the Jewish Law not only to present Him to the Jews as the Messiah, so recognized by Simeon, but also for Mary to obediently go through the rite of purification in the eyes of man - though she already was the purest vessel ever created by the Almighty, free of original sin. In a sense, for the rest of us born with Original Sin, her submission was the precursor for the Sacrament of Penance. The Fourth Joyful Mystery
To enhance each Sunday's Epistle and Gospel we present this special feature provided by John Gregory with the Haydock Commentary found at the bottom of each page of the Douay-Rheims Bible. We publish it here in conjunction with the Epistle and Gospel for the Sunday Mass, with the cogent comprehensive Catholic Commentary penned by Father George Leo Haydock. For the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost and the Feria days this week, the theme is giving an account of one's responsibilities, one's stewardship over those things God has entrusted each with. This means abiding by His laws and not being slaves to the world, the flesh and the devil for to give in to that triumverate of trouble will punch one's almost sure ticket to accommodations with Mammon who is so cunning, especially in the midst of those children of the light who are not on their guard, not tending to their duties and not vigilant to the Holy Ghost's promptings. That is the theme for the
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
While this year there is only a commemoration of Saint Mary Magdalen, it's important not to forget her for she personified how bad can turn good through grace. Her name is derived from either where she came from - Magdala near Tiberias, on the west shore of Galilee, or possibly from a Talmudic expression meaning "curling women's hair," which the Talmud explains as of an adulteress. In the New Testament she is mentioned among the women who accompanied Christ and ministered to Him (Luke 8:2-3), where it is also said that seven devils had been cast out of her (Mark 16:9). She is next named as standing at the foot of the cross (Mark 15:40; Matthew 27:56; John 19:25; Luke 23:49). She saw Christ laid in the tomb, and she was the first recorded witness of the Resurrection...
More on St. Mary Magdalen
With this edition John Gregory embarks on a much briefer seriess than his recent thorough series on the Sermon on the Mount which encompassed the Gospel of St. Matthew Chapters 5 through 7. This time he tackles St. Paul's Epistle to the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 3. We begin with the first eight verses in which the Apostle reminds them that he has gone slowly with them for like children and, because of their fallen human nature, they need milk for their spiritual lives to protect them from their carnal desires that keep them from striving for salvation. Before they can digest the meat of the matter, they must purge themselves of those obstacles that would prevent their entry into Heaven. If not in their lifetime, then in Purgatory for every one will be judged according to their works.
Purgatory - God's Justice and Mercy Part One
Saint James the Greater was the son of Zebedee and Salome (Cf. Matthew 27:56; Mark 15:40; 16:1). Zahn asserts that Salome was the daughter of a priest. James is styled "the Greater" to distinguish him from the Apostle James "the Less", who was probably shorter of stature. We know nothing of St. James's early life. He was the brother of Saint John, the beloved disciple, and probably the elder of the two. His parents seem to have been people of means as appears from the following facts.
Zebedee was a fisherman of the Lake of Galilee, who...
More on St. James the Greater
On July 25 there is always a commemoration of a saint forgotten by many since Vatican II but fondly remembered in the hearts of every Traditional Catholic. That would be Saint Christopher as we present a reflection by the venerable abbot Dom Prosper Gueranger whose inspiration has been so influential in conversions by his writings. The conciliar Modernists who apostasized didn't particularly take a hankering to devout saints like Christopher and the miracles wrought and, thus with the feeble excuse that "there wasn't enough historical proof of his existence", eliminated him from the liturgical calendar just as they...More on St. Christopher
John Gregory presents an inspiring piece on Saint Anne in a similar style to his meditations on the Mysteries of the holy Rosary. There is much to contemplate on the intricate and intimate role good Saint Anne played in bringing forth the Immaculate Conception. He calls on the words of His Holiness Pope Pius XI in his encyclical
Casti Conubii and the insight of the noted liturgian and Benedictine abbot Dom Prosper Gueranger in illustrating that through the cooperation with God and her holy husband Saint Joachim, she nourished the only person ever conceived without sin for a purpose she did not know except for her love of God and the child she carried. Staying true to her mission she dedicated and raised the young child Mary to prepare her for the greatest story ever told: the Redemption of mankind. John provides the contemplation in ...
The Mother of the Mother of God
As we begin Book Four of The Revelations and Prophesies of St. Bridget of Sweden, she is visited by a man arrayed in the unashamed nude garment as God intended before the fall of Adam. This man is the holy St. John the Evangelist, the beloved son and protector of the Blessed Mother whom was given to him to take care of by Christ on the cross as John himself recorded Jesus saying "Woman, behold thy son" and to John "Behold thy mother." St. John now relates to the bride of how the Scriptures are priceless and then tells her of a certain king whose scrupulous ways make him a traitor and robber. The description can be applied to those who would be king today and we ask you to take that in any way you wish as you read the Apostle's words to the bride that to gain Salvation and love said king should scorn riches and honors for the sake of God. This is explained in
How An Unjust King betrays Christ the King
The Fifth Saturday completes the Joyful Mysteries in the 15-week Rosary Crusade organized by Bishop Robert McKenna, O.P. As we come to the last Saturday in July, we're a third of the way there. If we do our part for the salvation of souls by bringing souls to the true Catholic Faith and Sacraments, God will do the rest in seeing to the welfare of our country, and for our own special intentions and be pleased that His children are striving for holiness in our role as members of the Church Militant. See Fifth Saturday
John Gregory provides a comprehensive reflection/meditation and study on the Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple and
this mystery marks the final public appearance of Jesus from the time He was twelve until He reached thirty. In this mystery in the Temple we see the relationship between Mother and Son. In Mary's few words we see expressed the loving and concerned motherly compassion that so well defines her role for us as her children today, and in her Divine Son's reply is laid out the mission Christ will undertake. John provides meditative food for thought on
The Fifth Joyful Mystery
For the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost John Gregory provides the Haydock Commentary for the Epistle and Gospel where the theme is that one does not know the hour of one's visitation. That is why St. Paul warned not to tempt Christ and why our Lord wept and then, in righteous anger,
chased those out of the house of God who put more weight in worldly things. How we see this today in the once Catholic churches that call themselves 'Catholic' but have been reduced to Masonic lodges. The time will come when they will be chased out by means known only to God and they will be restored to true houses of God where the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the Mass of All Ages will once again summon the angels and His abundant graces for those willing to abandon a civilization currently in slavery to the world, the flesh and the devil.
How Dare Thou Anger God
Though the Sunday feast supersedes the feast of Saint Martha this year, we remember her for she is mentioned by name only in Luke 10:38-42; and John 11, 12, sqq. The Aramaic form occurs in a Nabatæan inscription found at Puteoli, and now in the Naples Museum; it is dated A.D. 5 (Corpus Inscr. Semit., 158); also in a Palmyrene inscription, where the Greek translation has the form Marthein, A.D. 179. The likeness between the pictures of Martha presented by St. Luke and St. John is very remarkable. The familiar intercourse between our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the humble family which St. Luke depicts is dwelt on by St. John when he tells us... More on St. Martha
We continue to emphasize exactly what St. Paul warned about in chapter 2 of 2 Thessalonians by bringing you the retro series first penned by Stephen Grieve on these pages three years ago and, as it did then, so also now it should stir the sensibilities of those who continue to elude the inevitability that a true pope would never and could never do what the conciliar leaders in Rome have done for the past 50 years plus. Stephen continued his treatise on the meaning of St. Paul's words in 2 Thessalonians 2: 6-7, turning to some backgrounder on this by focusing on the fact the Petrine Primacy was known to more than a few from early on as he documents in the scriptures in citing St. Luke and St. Paul's own words in acknowledging Peter as the first among the apostles. This is important in realizing the syllogism of the restrainer/withholder (κατέχων) being the Primacy of Peter, ergo the Vicar of Christ - the Pope. Steve illustrated in his backgrounder on 2 Thessalonians 2: 6-7 that politics is nothing new and even in the early years of Christianity there were many disputes.
St. Paul and the Papacy: The First Generation
Just as Saint Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus, began the Jesuits with the same intentions that another founded the SSPX for the good of the Church and souls, so also the SJ's today are a skeleton of what they once were. Will the same fate await the Society of St. Pius X? St. Ignatius was born at Loyola in Spain, in the year 1491. He served his king as a soldier till his thirtieth year. Convalescing from a severe wound received at the siege of Pampeluna, he was given, in the absence of other books, the Lives of Jesus Christ and of the Saints. It dawned on his chivalric nature that the Church has need of her army to defend under the sovereign Pontiff the interest of God against heresy and all evil. On his recovery he ascended Montserrat and in the Benedictine Abbey there he laid down his sword at the feet of the Blessed Virgin. He learned here to love the Psalms and canticles of the Divine Office which he was later to recommend to the faithful; he desired that those who were to make his Spiritual Exercises should choose a dwelling whence they could... More on St. Ignatius of Loyola