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Prayers of Reparation to the Holy Face

Prayers of Reparation to the Holy Face
Whoever gazes upon me consoles me

Monday, August 4, 2025


Hans Christian Anderson Died 1875

Christopher’s Corner

·         Eat waffles and Pray for the assistance of the Angels

·         Bucket List trip[5]USA 70-degree year trip:

o    Long Beach, WA

·          Foodie-National Catfish Month

o   Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding

·         Spirit Hour: Shackleton Scotch

o    Black Friar

·         MondayLitany of Humility

·         Drops of Christ’s Blood     

 ·         Let Freedom Ring Day 29 Freedom from Racism

o   It is our society that likes dividing the population into separate corporate bodies in order to pit them against each other. Certainly, more nefarious political systems need and thrive upon such divisions. Within the Body of Christ, this is wholly evil. One of the marks of the Church is 'One', that is, that we are one in Christ. That oneness is not subservient to worldly divisions and political jostling. Consider that the Catholic Church has over 1.4 billion members. 1.4 billion come from every conceivable culture, language, and skin color. Yet we are called to be one. That oneness starts here and stretches to eternity.

§  Diversity Helped Win World War II

·         Religion in the Home for Preschool: August


·         Monday Night at the Movies

o   Come Fill the Cup

§  From a Catholic perspective, Come Fill the Cup (1951) offers a compelling meditation on redemption, grace, and the spiritual battle against addiction. Here's a summary with theological reflections woven in:

§  🕊️ Plot Overview

·         Lew Marsh, a gifted newspaper reporter, spirals into alcoholism, losing his job and the woman he loves.

·         He’s rescued by Charley Dolan, a former alcoholic who offers him shelter and guidance—echoing the role of a spiritual sponsor or confessor.

·         Lew rebuilds his life, remaining sober and helping others, including Boyd Copeland, a younger man caught in similar vices.

·         The story culminates in Lew confronting both internal temptation and external evil, including a gangster who threatens Boyd’s life.

§  ✝️ Catholic Themes & Reflections

·         1. The Fall and the Hope of Redemption

o   Lew’s descent into addiction mirrors the Catholic understanding of concupiscence—the human tendency toward sin.

o   His recovery begins not with willpower alone, but through grace mediated by community, much like the sacrament of Reconciliation.

·         2. Charley Dolan as a Christlike Figure

o   Charley’s self-sacrifice and unwavering support evoke the image of Christ the Redeemer.

o   His death, caused by others’ sin, becomes a turning point for Boyd—suggesting that suffering can be redemptive.

·         3. Temptation and Vigilance

o   Lew’s struggle with sobriety is portrayed as a lifelong spiritual battle. The line “The one drink you don’t take is that first one. Forever.” echoes Christ’s call to radical discipleship and vigilance against sin.

·         4. Mercy and Justice

o   Lew’s refusal to abandon Boyd, despite betrayal and danger, reflects the Catholic call to corporal works of mercy—especially caring for the spiritually sick.

o   The final confrontation with the gangster symbolizes the triumph of good over evil, not through vengeance, but through courage and truth.

·         5. Healing Through Vocation

o   Lew’s return to journalism and his mentorship of others suggest that healing is not just personal but communal. In Catholic thought, vocation is a path to holiness.



AUGUST 4 Monday-Saint John Vianney

Saint Obama-Hans Christian Anderson

 

Luke, Chapter 8, Verse 50

On hearing this, Jesus answered him, “Do not be AFRAID; just have faith and she will be saved.”

 

When we ask something of our Lord, make it big, and believe He can do it. For the measure of faith that you have determines the measure of the healing from the Lord. I remember over 40 years ago I was a young man stationed in Barbados and became involved with a Christian cult of sorts, where a small group practiced faith as a measure of power. The leader taught that as men we are created in the image of God and we have the power to create miracles if we have the faith to do it. It was explained that even evil men can tap this power provided they believe which explains why some non-Christian’s can-do feats or miracles. As I evolved in Christ I drifted away from this group but still today I believe all is possible via faith. This group I was in was called, “The Way.” I did an internet search for it but could not find it but I did find an interesting Catholic resource written by Saint Jose Maria Escriva called “The Way.” “You feel a gigantic faith. He who gives you that faith, will give you the means.”

 

The Way[1]

 

The strength, the attraction of The Way is largely due to the fact that it is based on real, living experience, being the fruit of the author's work as a priest which began in 1925. The book appeared first in 1934 under the title Consideraciones espirituales and later (in 1939) received its definitive title, after being greatly expanded. Over the years, more than four and a half million copies have been sold, in 43 different languages. This is one of the main attractions of the book-its direct, conversational style, its personal and deeply human character. As a reviewer in Osservatore Romano (March 24, 1950) put it: "Msgr. Escriva de Balaguer has written something more than a masterpiece; he has written straight from the heart, and straight to the heart go the short paragraphs which make up The Way

 

Copilot

 

Luke 8:50 is powerful—Do not be afraid; just have faith and she will be saved,” is such a tender yet commanding invitation to trust in divine power beyond our own limitations.

The Catholic book The Way by Saint Josemaría Escrivá offers a very different lens on faith. Rather than treating it as a tool for miracles, Escriva presents faith as a path of daily sanctification. His 999 short meditations are drawn from real pastoral encounters and personal prayer, making the book feel intimate and deeply human. One of his most quoted lines is: “You feel a gigantic faith. He who gives you that faith, will give you the means.”: when we ask something of the Lord, we must ask boldly and trust that He will provide.

Here’s a reflection series that pairs The Way’s lessons on fear with scripture passages—each one designed to deepen your spiritual rhythm and enrich your pilgrimage planning:

🔥 Holy Fear: Reverence, Not Terror

·         Escrivá’s Insight: “Holy fear is not fear of punishment—it is fear of offending Love.”

·         Scripture Pairing:

·         Proverbs 9:10 — “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”

·         Psalm 103:17 — “From everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him.”

🕯️ Reflection: Holy fear draws us into intimacy with God. It’s the trembling awe that recognizes His majesty and our smallness—and yet, His love.

🧭 Fear as a Compass

·         Escrivá’s Insight: “Don’t be afraid of the truth, even if it costs you.”

·         Scripture Pairing:

·         Psalm 56:3 — “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”

·         Isaiah 41:10 — “Do not fear, for I am with you… I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

🕯️ Reflection: Fear often reveals where trust is lacking. Let it guide you—not to retreat, but to surrender.

🕊️ Prayer Transforms Fear

·         Escrivá’s Insight: “You say you’re afraid? Go to Him. Tell Him everything.”

·         Scripture Pairing:

·         Philippians 4:6–7 — “Do not be anxious… and the peace of God… will guard your hearts.”

·         1 Peter 5:7 — “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”

🕯️ Reflection: Prayer is the furnace where fear is melted into peace. Speak your fears aloud to the One who listens.

🛡️ Love Casts Out Fear

·         Escrivá’s Insight: “Love is stronger than fear. When you love, you forget yourself.”

·         Scripture Pairing:

·         1 John 4:18 — “Perfect love drives out fear.”

·         Romans 8:38–39 — “Nothing… will be able to separate us from the love of God.”

🕯️ Reflection: Love makes us daring. When we love deeply, fear loses its grip.


Feast of Saint John Vianney[2]

 

During the French Revolution a small band of Ursuline nuns was imprisoned in the Bastille. To cheer her disconsolate companions, one of the groups passed wheaten discs of bread, cut from the loaf of the daily rations, to memorialize the happy days when they were free and could receive Our Lord in Holy Communion. At that time all religious schools and churches were closed, and those who harbored priests were imprisoned. At the Vianney farmhouse near Dardilly, France, fugitive priests were offered a refuge. Here their son was prepared in his tenth year for the reception of Holy Communion by a hunted priest. While tending to his father's sheep, John Vianney fashioned a small statue of Our Lady out of clay. He hid it in the hollow of an old tree with this petition: "Dear Lady Mary, I love you very much; you must bring Jesus back to His tabernacles very soon!" On a visit to his aunt at Ecully, John listened to her praises of Father Balley, the parish priest, and he sought the Father's advice regarding his vocation to the priesthood. The pastor appraised the overgrown, awkward youth of faltering speech and devoid of general education. Though John was unable to answer the questions pertaining to earthly science which Father asked him, yet, when the priest put to him the questions of the catechism, his face became luminous with lively interest. He answered every question correctly, and in a manner beyond his years. The amazed pastor took this evidence as a sign from heaven, prophesying, "You will become a priest!" The ensuing years brought many trials to John. He was conscripted; his mother died; he failed often in his studies. Ordained as a Mass priest, August 12, 1815, he remarked to Our Lady, Queen of the Clergy: "Here is your priest, O Blessed Mother! Stay close to me. Help me to be a good priest!" As a curate and as a pastor, St. John Vianney's daily instruction on the catechism found an inspired audience, among whom were noted orators such as Père Lacordaire, O.P., the famed preacher of Notre Dame. The saintly pastor performed many miracles, but the greatest was his own manner of Eucharistic living. It was his Lord, living in Father Vianney, who made him "spend and be spent" in ceaseless service for both sinner and saint in the sacred tribunal of penance.

Things to Do[3]

·The Collect praises St. John Vianney's zeal for souls and his spirit of prayer and penance. Say a special prayer today that by his example and intercession we too may win the souls of our brothers for Christ.

·Say a prayer for priests that they may persevere in their vocation. If you haven't been to confession for a while resolve to do so right away and be sure that you remember to say an extra prayer for your confessor.

·From the Catholic Culture library: Pope John XXIII holds St. John Vianney as a model for the priesthood in this Encyclical.

·June 19, 2009--June 19, 2010 was The Year for Priests declared by Pope Benedict XVI, which held St. John Vianney in particular prominence and example, and he was proclaimed as patron saint of all the priests of the world. Although some links are no longer present, see Catholic Culture's special section for the Year for Priests.

·Read this longer life of the Curé of Ars and also these excerpts from his sermons.

 

Saint Barak Obama-Today has also been recognized as “Obama Day” and it seems the left has already begun his canonization.

 

Obama’s frequent appeals to history’s judgment reflect his confidence that history will be kind to him. In the short run, it will: liberals will canonize Obama. Like the faithful Catholics chanting “santo subito” after the death of Pope John Paul II, Obama’s liberal boosters will turn him into Saint Barack, savior of health care and slayer of bin Laden. You might see hints of this already in your liberal friends’ wistful Facebook posts: “I’m really going to miss this guy.” If liberals are calling the shots, Obama’s name will shortly be inscribed on statues and state buildings, and his face will someday appear on coins and currency, while the divisions he sowed and exploited in pursuit of personal glory will be papered over. Generations of schoolchildren will learn about the beloved, barrier-shattering college professor with the megawatt smile who could tell a joke and make a jump shot—not the ambitious, polarizing ideologue whose disdain for half the country was palpable. No mention will be made of his habit of insulting supposedly lazy, ignorant Americans who cling bitterly to their religion, guns, and “antipathy toward people who aren’t like them,” and who fall prey to “anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations.”[4]

 

In celebration of Barry’s day, I think we should have a beer summit.

 

Bible in a Year-Day 47 The Golden Calf

In today's reading from Exodus 32, Fr. Mike shows us how when we become uncertain, we immediate try to take control of the situation, and build up idols in our hearts. We also read Leviticus 23 and Psalm 79.

Daily Devotions

·         Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them in fasting: An increase of the faithful

·         Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus

·         Offering to the sacred heart of Jesus

·         Drops of Christ’s Blood

·         Universal Man Plan

Rosary

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