Monday Night at the Movies
Roberto Rossellini, The Flowers of St. Francis, 1950.
Saints, Feast, Family
- Traditions passed down with Cooking, Crafting, & Caring -
April 29
Saint of the day:
Patron Saint of Fire Prevention
Monday of The Fifth Week of Easter
ST.
CATHERINE OF SIENA-Chemical Warfare
Job, Chapter 21, Verse 28
And to mortals he said: See: the FEAR of the Lord is wisdom; and avoiding
evil is understanding.
This is from my friend artificial intelligence:
And to mortals,
the divine voice proclaimed: “Behold! The fear of the Lord is
wisdom, and shunning evil is true understanding.” 🙏
In this sacred utterance, we find profound
guidance. Let us delve into its depths:
- Fear of the Lord:
It is not a trembling dread but a reverential awe—a recognition of the
divine majesty. To fear the Lord is to acknowledge His sovereignty, His
holiness, and our dependence upon Him. It is the beginning of wisdom, for
it opens our hearts to seek His ways.
- Wisdom: Beyond
mere knowledge, wisdom is the art of living rightly. It is the skill to
navigate life’s complexities with discernment. When we fear the Lord, we
gain insight into His purposes, aligning our choices with His eternal
truths.
- Avoiding Evil:
True understanding lies in recognizing the destructive nature of evil. It
is not enough to know what is good; we must actively turn away from
wickedness. By avoiding evil, we safeguard our souls and honor the Lord.
Let us
walk in wisdom, guided by reverence and discernment. May our hearts echo the
divine proclamation: “Fear the Lord, and depart from evil.” 🌟
Saturdays
are traditionally dedicated to Mary ask her and she will lead you in fear of
the Lord, Wisdom and how to avoid evil.
The Most Ancient Shrines to Our Lady[1]
Our Lady Of The Catacombs, Rome
The Virgen Del Pilar, Saragossa,
Spain
The Cathedral Of Chartres, France
The Holy House Of Nazareth, Loreto,
Italy
Our Lady Of Rocamadour, France
The Shrine That Charlemagne Built
(Aix La Chapelle), Aachen
The Holy Mountain Of Montserrat,
Spain
The Shrine That Has Never Been
Destroyed, Altotting Germany
The Hermitage Of Einsiedeln,
Switzerland
The Black Madonna Of Czestochowa,
Poland
From
Our Lady’s Dowry, Walsingham, England
St. Catherine of Siena[2]
Catherine,
the youngest of twenty-five children, was born in Siena on March 25, 1347.
During her youth she had to contend with great difficulties on the part of her
parents. They were planning marriage for their favorite daughter; but
Catherine, who at the age of seven had already taken a vow of virginity,
refused. To break her resistance, her beautiful golden-brown tresses were shorn
to the very skin and she was forced to do the most menial tasks. Undone by her
patience, mother and father finally relented and their child entered the Third
Order of St. Dominic.
Unbelievable
were her austerities, her miracles, her ecstasies. The reputation of her
sanctity soon spread abroad; thousands came to see her, to be converted by her.
The priests associated with her, having received extraordinary faculties of
absolution, were unable to accommodate the crowds of penitents. She was a
helper and a consoler in every need. As time went on, her influence reached out
to secular and ecclesiastical matters. She made peace between worldly princes.
The heads of Church and State bowed to her words. She weaned Italy away from an
anti-pope, and made cardinals and princes promise allegiance to the rightful
pontiff. She journeyed to Avignon and persuaded Pope Gregory XI to return to
Rome. Even though she barely reached the age of thirty-three her
accomplishments place her among the great women of the Middle Ages. The virgin
Catherine was espoused to Christ by a precious nuptial ring which, although
visible only to her, always remained on her finger.
Excerpted from The Church's Year of Grace, Pius
Parsch
Patron: Against fire; bodily ills; Europe;
fire prevention; firefighters; illness; Italy; miscarriages; nurses; nursing
services; people ridiculed for their piety; sexual temptation; sick people;
sickness; Siena, Italy; temptations.
Symbols: Cross; heart; lily; ring;
stigmata.
Things to
Do:
- If
you have never done so today would be a good time to read some of St.
Catherine's Dialogue.
- Learn
more about the Order of Preachers founded by St. Dominic.
Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare[3]
Day of Remembrance for all the Victims of Chemical Warfare
commemorates the victims of chemical warfare and serves to reaffirm the world's
commitment to eliminate chemical weapons. Thus, the day also serves to promote
peace, security and multilateralism. Although chemical weapons have been banned
for some time by the Geneva Convention, they are still infrequently used. The
United Nations proclaimed the Day of Remembrance for all the Victims of
Chemical Warfare in November of 2005. It has since been celebrated on April
29th, the same date on which the Chemical Weapons Convention entered into force
in 1997. The day aims to destroy chemical weapons and further gain adherence to
the Convention's articles in order to achieve a safer and more peaceful world.
Remembrance for Victims of Chemical Warfare Facts &
Quotes
·
Chemical
weapons were used for the first time on a large scale in battle during World
War I at the battle of Ypres in 1915. The chemical that was used as a weapon
was chlorine gas.
·
90%
of the world’s declared chemical weapons stockpile of 72,525 metric tons has
been verifiably destroyed.
·
There
are three different schedules of chemicals:
1) Schedule One: these are typically used in weapons such as sarin and mustard
gas
2) Schedule Two: these are used in weapons such as amiton and BZ
3) Schedule Three: these are typically the least toxic chemicals and are used
for research and the production of medicines.
·
For
the risks that the leaders of a rogue state will use nuclear, chemical or
biological weapons against us, or our allies is the greatest security threat we
face. – Madeleine Albright, American politician and diplomat, first woman to be
secretary of state.
Remembrance Victims Top Events and Things to Do
·
Watch
a documentary or movie on the perils of chemical warfare. Some popular options
are: Science at War: Laboratory of War, Chemical Warfare Watch, Avoiding
Armageddon: Chemical Weapons, and Total Recall.
·
Read
a book on the widespread dangers of chemical warfare. Some good suggestions are
War of Nerves, Chemical and Biological Warfare: America’s Hidden Arsenal, and a
Higher Form of Killing.
·
Spread
awareness on social media by using the hashtags #peacenotwar and
#remembranceforallchemicalwarfarevictims
·
Visit
the site of some of the chemical weapon use. Some ideas, the Battlefields of
Ypres, the Battlefields of Passchendaele and the Tokyo Subway.
Catechism
of the Catholic Church
PART FOUR: CHRISTIAN PRAYER
SECTION ONE-PRAYER IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE
CHAPTER TWO-THE TRADITION OF PRAYER
Article 3-GUIDES FOR PRAYER
A cloud of witnesses
2683 The witnesses who have
preceded us into the kingdom, especially those whom the Church recognizes
as saints, share in the living tradition of prayer by the example of their
lives, the transmission of their writings, and their prayer today. They contemplate
God, praise him and constantly care for those whom they have left on earth.
When they entered into the joy of their Master, they were "put in charge
of many things." Their intercession is their most exalted service to
God's plan. We can and should ask them to intercede for us and for the whole
world.
2684 In the communion of
saints, many and varied spiritualities have been developed throughout the
history of the churches. the personal charism of some witnesses to God's love
for men has been handed on, like "the spirit" of Elijah to Elisha and
John the Baptist, so that their followers may have a share in this
spirit. A distinct spirituality can also arise at the point of convergence
of liturgical and theological currents, bearing witness to the integration of
the faith into a particular human environment and its history. the different
schools of Christian spirituality share in the living tradition of prayer and
are essential guides for the faithful. In their rich diversity they are
refractions of the one pure light of the Holy Spirit.
The Spirit
is truly the dwelling of the saints, and the saints are for the Spirit a place
where he dwells as in his own home since they offer themselves as a dwelling
place for God and are called his temple.
Servants of prayer
2685 The Christian family is
the first place of education in prayer. Based on the sacrament of marriage, the
family is the "domestic church" where God's children learn to pray
"as the Church" and to persevere in prayer. For young children in
particular, daily family prayer is the first witness of the Church's living
memory as awakened patiently by the Holy Spirit.
2686 Ordained ministers are
also responsible for the formation in prayer of their brothers and sisters in
Christ. Servants of the Good Shepherd, they are ordained to lead the People of
God to the living waters of prayer: the Word of God, the liturgy, the
theological life (the life of faith, hope, and charity), and the Today of God
in concrete situations.
2687 Many religious have
consecrated their whole lives to prayer. Hermits, monks, and nuns since the
time of the desert fathers have devoted their time to praising God and
interceding for his people. The consecrated life cannot be sustained or spread
without prayer; it is one of the living sources of contemplation and the
spiritual life of the Church.
2688 The catechesis of
children, young people, and adults aims at teaching them to meditate on the
Word of God in personal prayer, practicing it in liturgical prayer, and
internalizing it at all times in order to bear fruit in a new life. Catechesis
is also a time for the discernment and education of popular piety. The
memorization of basic prayers offers an essential support to the life of
prayer, but it is important to help learners savor their meaning.
2689 Prayer groups, indeed
"schools of prayer," are today one of the signs and one of the
driving forces of renewal of prayer in the Church, provided they drink from
authentic wellsprings of Christian prayer. Concern for ecclesial communion is a
sign of true prayer in the Church.
2690 The Holy Spirit gives to
certain of the faithful the gifts of wisdom, faith and discernment for the sake
of this common good which is prayer (spiritual direction). Men and women so
endowed are true servants of the living tradition of prayer.
According to
St. John of the Cross, the person wishing to advance toward perfection should
"take care into whose hands he entrusts himself, for as the master is, so
will the disciple be, and as the father is so will be the son." and
further: "In addition to being learned and discreet a director should be
experienced.... If the spiritual director has no experience of the spiritual
life, he will be incapable of leading into it the souls whom God is calling to
it, and he will not even understand them."
Places favorable for prayer
2691 The church, the house of
God, is the proper place for the liturgical prayer of the parish community. It
is also the privileged place for adoration of the real presence of Christ in
the Blessed Sacrament. the choice of a favorable place is not a matter of
indifference for true prayer.
- For personal prayer, this can be a "prayer corner" with the Sacred
Scriptures and icons, in order to be there, in secret, before our
Father. In a Christian family, this kind of little oratory fosters prayer
in common.
- In regions where monasteries exist, the vocation of these communities is to
further the participation of the faithful in the Liturgy of the Hours and to
provide necessary solitude for more intense personal prayer.
- Pilgrimages evoke our earthly journey toward heaven and are traditionally
very special occasions for renewal in prayer. For pilgrims seeking living
water, shrines are special places for living the forms of Christian prayer
"in Church."
PRAYERS AND TEACHINGS OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
Act
of Hope
O my God, relying
on Your infinite goodness and promises, I hope to obtain pardon for my sins,
the help of Your grace and life everlasting, through the merits of Jesus
Christ, my Lord and Redeemer. Amen.
Satancon Canceled for 2024-Protests
Work![4]
When the Satanic Temple announced it would hold “history’s
largest conference of satanists” in Boston on April 28-30, 2023, many thought
it useless to protest. The high-profile event that attracted 800 participants
enjoyed the support of the major media and the liberal establishment.
Many Catholics disagreed with the call for inaction. They felt
the need to protest and manifest their disgust and rejection of this satanic
festival billed as “a weekend of blasphemy.” They disagreed with the agreement
that protests only call attention to these highly publicized events. Indeed,
the lack of protest only calls attention to the absence of fervent souls.
Fortunately, Catholics showed up in force to protest the 2023
conference. The massive protest had its effect. The Satanic Temple announced on
its Instagram page (Dec. 31, 2023) that the group would not be holding a
Satancon in 2024.
Summer
magic is the third
satanic “solemnity” and occurs on the night between April 30 and May 1. During
the year [Satanists] often choose nights when the new moon is inaugurated,
because it is particularly dark.
This from last year
Hell Week[5]
(OSV News) — The Satanic Temple, based in Salem, Massachusetts, will host
SatanCon 2023 April 28-30 at the Marriott Copley Place in downtown Boston. With
a theme of “Hexennacht (Witches’ Night) in Boston,” the TST-organized
conference includes lectures, panel discussions and entertainment.
Prayer, sacramental grace and the
cultivation of virtue are Catholics’ most effective responses to an upcoming
satanist convention in Boston — and the event itself is an opportune moment for
Catholics to give witness to the Good News of Jesus Christ, pastoral experts
told OSV News.
Regular Mass attendance, frequent
reception of the sacraments of Eucharist and reconciliation, prayer and the use
of sacramentals — such as holy water and religious medals — all form an
effective strategy in “keeping the Evil One at bay,” Dominican Father Basil
Cole, professor of moral, spiritual and dogmatic theology at the Dominican
House of Studies in Washington, told OSV News.
“This isn’t rocket science. We’ve
known how to handle this for 2,000 years,” said Father Cole, who also stressed
the need for Catholics “to grow in grace and in virtue” in order to defeat
evil.
Christopher’s
Corner
History of Kuwait[6]
Kuwait is a
sovereign state in Western Asia located at the head of the Persian
Gulf. The geographical region of Kuwait has been occupied by humans since
antiquity, particularly due to its strategic location at the head of the
Persian Gulf. In the pre-oil era, Kuwait was a regional trade port. In the
modern era, Kuwait is best known for the Gulf War
(1990–1991).
Daily
Devotions
·
Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them
in fasting: Today's Fast: The
Sick, afflicted, and infirmed.
·
Eat waffles and Pray for the assistance of the Angels
·
Litany of the Most Precious
Blood of Jesus
·
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
·
Make
reparations to the Holy Face
·
Monday: Litany of
Humility
[2]https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2019-04-29
[5]https://www.catholicnews.com/2023/04/28/boston-satancon-prompts-catholics-to-respond-with-prayer-and-the-gospel/
[6] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Kuwait
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