Tuesday, March 31, 2015

The Response to Synod 2014 & 2015: Remaining in the Truth of Christ

My pastor purchased several copies of this fine book and gave them out.

A timely and excellent read.  I encourage all faithful Catholics to order their own copy from Ignatius Press.


Catholic Custom of Veiling Statues at the End of Lent

Vancouver, Canada. 

Cord of a Pectoral Cross


Art of Catholic Stained Glass Windows in Vancouver


Seen in the Cathedral of the Most Holy Rosary. 

Pastors: Where to Purchase Your Way of the Cross Booklets

The best version of the Via Crucis is by far that written by a saint.

The St. Alphonsus version, pictured above, is stellar.   

It can be purchased here: http://www.libers.com/.

Sunday, March 29, 2015

What the Little Box That Holds the Pallium Looks Like


A little portable "house" box with embossed images of Peter and Paul on each side. 

Traditional Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine in Mexico City

This summer.

See and pray before this hallowed relic of Christian art and mysticism.  

Don't miss out.

For details click here.

Deadline for registration is April 1st.  

"An Image Painted in Heaven: Empress of the Americas" Tour. 

Friday, March 27, 2015

Sing-a-Long Songs for Catholic Children DVD

Fr. Z with Fans in Italy

Fr. Z is a veritable walking encyclopedia.  A wealth of general knowledge.  Hearing his tidbits of information in the Eternal City is a bit like being in the presence of an ancient Roman statesman.  I call him the oracle of Western civilization.  His Internet work is the pivotal blog which provides the foundation for understanding what is going on in the Church and world today.  His precognition of the future is based upon an intense knowledge of the past.  Do join us in Rome this autumn for a very unique learning opportunity and travel experience.  Do not miss out.  As a bonus we have a scheduled Mass in the basilica atop the birthplace of St. Benedict in the mountains of Umbria (and time to explore Norcia and taste the local dishes).  Contact me for detailed information.  Click here for the itinerary

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Rome Quotes

"The survival of a civilization depends on the continuity of its educational tradition.  A common educational system creates a common world of thought with common intellectual values and a common inheritance of knowledge, which makes a society conscious of its identity and gives it a common memory of its past.  Consequently any beach in the continuity of the educational tradition involves a corresponding breach in the continuity of the civilization; so that if the breach were a complete one, it would be far more revolutionary than any political or economic change, since it would mean the birth of a new civilization, or at any rate the death of the old one." 

-Christopher Dawson

Via Crucis in Rome on the Palatine Hill



Amid the rubble of ancient Rome with a relic of the true cross. 

Hermann Goering Attacks Catholics (at 12:24 In the Video)

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Vatican Phone

Thanks,  Summer!

IV International "Populus Summorum Pontificum" Pilgrimage to Rome and the Vatican

Thank you, Guillaume!

http://populussummorumpontificum.com/

FYI: We are offering a tour from North America to participate in this noteworthy annual event.  Limited seating.  The great Fr. Z will be our chaplain.  For more details, see here.  

Spiritual Reality of the Mass


Latin Summer Program with Fr. Reginald Foster: UNIVERSUM LATINITATIS CURRICULUM (AESTIVA MMXIV ERUDITIO ALTIOR)

Latin Summer with Fr. Reginald Foster
40 Years a Papal Latinist

Study under the best!

June 8 - August 1, 2015

Milwaukee, Wisconsin (USA)

http://thelatinlanguage.org/
 

Monday, March 23, 2015

Legatus

Courage and Conversion

LifeSite News

American Saint: Fr. Walter Ciszek, S.J.


Read his two books and they will change you forever.

Photo credit: Fr. Walter J. Ciszek, S.J. on Facebook.  

"Frankly, I often marveled at the way these people had clung to the faith in this professedly atheistic country.  Atheism was taught and preached everywhere, in the newspapers, on radio and television, in the schools, and in books and periodicals of all sorts.  The Soviet Constitution, of course, guarantees every citizen the right to practice religion, but it forbids any formal preaching or teaching about religion.  In fact, the law has been interpreted to mean that children under eighteen years of age are not allowed to attend church, even in the company of their parents, and priests are forbidden to give religious instructions to youth.  The same article of the constitution that guarantees freedom to practice religion but not to preach it also guarantees the freedom of atheistic propaganda.  And that guarantee was exercised to the full by the state in every conceivable way.  Everyone, from the youngest child to the oldest grandparent, was constantly exposed and subjected to the influence of such propaganda.  Teh effect of all this upon once Holy Russia has been to change the entire social life of the country, the manner of thinking and behavior of the average citizen.  And yet, for all that, it has not affected the faith of millions of believers."

-He Leadeth Me by Fr. Walter Ciszek, S.J 

Sunday, March 22, 2015

2016 Holy Land Pilgrimage

Do join us.  

Theme: walking in the footsteps of Christ.  

Do not miss this rare opportunity to see it all in one action packed tour. 

More info here:  http://oc-travel.com/upcoming-tours/.

Image: a pic I took on the roof of the church at Mt. Carmel (Lebanon seen on the horizon). 

Rome Quotes

"With a just and rational horror does a good Catholic regard Liberalism."

-Fr. Felix Sarda y Salvany

What Would Dietrich von Hildebrand Say to Contemporary Atheist?

The Marriage of Truth and Love in Dietrich von Hildebrand

Beauty and Desecration - Roger Scruton - Power of Beauty Conference

The Personalist Vision of Love and Marriage — Hildebrand Summer Seminar ...

Reaction to the Synod from the Pontifical Institute John Paul II at the Lateran

The good guys strike back.

If you are in Rome on April 22, be sure to be there at the Lateran University.  Show your support.  Simultaneous translation into English will be provided.   

It is a conference on sacramental theology entitled The Eucharist and Matrimony: Two Sacraments, One Covenant.

Help spread the word:  http://www.istitutogp2.it/dblog/

For the laity, the whole question is one of education.  We must educate.  That is the solution. 

Must Read Latest Novel by Roger Scruton: The Disappeared

He nails it.

As usual.

The state of the world today.

A must read.

Brilliant.  

Friday, March 20, 2015

Cloistered Nuns Share Inspired Vocations in "Cloistered: God's Women of ...

Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist- Mater Eucharistiae

Easter at Ephesus by Benedictines of Mary

Holy League Announcement 2015 (Hat Tip to Fr Z)

Loyola (Montreal, Quebec) Victory

Vestment Material


Begin to Pray and Do Penance for the Synod in October

From what has been reported, it was a complete set-up from the start. 

Begin to pray and fast for a positive outcome this fall.  It is never okay for those guilty of adultery to receive Holy Communion.  That would be a sacrilege. 

We are leading a pilgrimage to Rome and the Vatican this October which will coincide with the Synod.  Do join us.  More info here.

Rome Quotes

"Don't judge the Catholic Faith by those who fail to practice it."

-Anonymous

Cross Monument

Canada. 

Thursday, March 19, 2015

Rome Quotes

"Above all, have a horror of heresy, and Liberalism today is the most malignant of heresies.  Its face is absolutely set against religious faith."

-Fr. Felix Sarda y Salvany

Liturgical Music

Catholic Culture: Good Friday Bread

Hot cross buns.

Catholic Culture: Abbey Beer

The Abbey of Affligem was founded in 1094.

Belgian Abbey beer has always been popular.

Pray for vocations.  There are very few monks left to fill many of these Belgian beer-making monasteries.  The brew monks survived the violence of the French Revolution, two world wars, and the sexual and cultural revolution. 

The beer label seen here is now owned by Heineken (the brand name is used under license agreement from the last monks left at Affligem Abbey).

On another note, there are 10 Trappist Abbeys still making beer inside their Abbeys.  Now usually just under the supervision of the older monks - the dozen or so that are left in each monastery.  The Church is in need of more vocations.  It would be a great vocation to be a beer-making monk in Europe.  Patersbier (fathers' beer) is the beer the monks make for themselves and serve on Sundays and feasts, a weaker version, a bit like an enkel, meaning "single," used to describe the basic recipe of their beers. 

SANCTE IOANNES PAULE SECUNDE, Ora Pro Nobis!


Catholic Scouting

http://fneexplorers.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacques_Sevin

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

New Banner Project for Canadian Pilgrims

Yours truly got this material today and is off to a fine start creating a banner for Canadian pilgrims at the 33rd annual Pentecost Pilgrimage from Paris to Chartres.  Banners are easy and fun to make.  I have made many over the years.  Kindly offer a prayer this one will turn out well.  Thanks! 

Laetare Sunday 2015 Taylors, South Carolina (USA)

Sunday, March 15, 2015

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

15% Discount on Tour Package for Summer in Rome Pilgrimage

I have just a few more openings I would like to fill on our Summer in Rome pilgrimage.

Don't miss out on this significant opportunity.

I am offering a 15% discount for any traveler who would like to register.  Our extended deadline for registration is just one more week.

Bring a friend or spouse.  I am looking for couples.  

Daily Mass in St. Peter's Basilica.  Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul in the Vatican.  Excursions outside the city and more.    

Contact me directly for details: john@oc-travel.com.

Catholic Culture: Pontifical Seminary


Understanding the Crusades in Context of a Time Line


Tuesday, March 10, 2015

A Nice New Chapel Being Constructed in Vancouver


Worthy New Icon by Canadian Artist Frank Turner

Mr. Frank Turner, a Canadian actor, is also the finest icon artist yours truly has ever come across in Canada.  I hope he will have a website and spread this great talent to churches, chapels and oratories everywhere.  The story of the creation of the icon can be seen here

Catholic Culture: Heradlry


From the Chief Herald of Canada.

The arms of the Archdiocese of Vancouver. 

Lunch in Rome

A personal favorite: fettuccine alfredo with pancetta ham, cream sauce, peas, mushrooms.  Easy to make at home, too. 

From the Vatican: The Best Breviary in Latin and English for the Laity

This is the breviary that yours truly prays from each day. 

It is exceptional and I highly recommend it for beginners.

http://angeluspress.org/Books/Mass-Liturgy/Divine-Office

Catholic Philippines

Thank God for the Filipino people.  They are so devoted and fill our churches.  From the Holy Land to Rome to the New World.  God bless them all!

40 Days for Life

The most successful pro-life campaign ever. 

https://40daysforlife.com/