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Prayers of Reparation to the Holy Face

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

Tuesday, August 5, 2025

 

 

Candace’s Corner

·         10 coolest summer getaways in Arizona: Mountains, lakes and a chilly cave trek

·         Bucket List: Vineyard World Tour: Get your Woo-hoo on

o    Vineyard

·         St. Anthony Novena 8-on thirteen consecutive Tuesdays.

·         Pray Day 1 of the Novena for our Pope and Bishops

·         Foodie: Grilled Salmon

o   At Home

·         Spirit Hour: Roman Punch

·         Let Freedom Ring Day 30 Freedom from Secularism

o   The left bludgeons anyone who brings Faith into the public square, even priests, with the Big Lie of "separation of Church and State." But prior to Lyndon Johnson's amendment and threat of taxation, faithful shepherds spoke up and spoke out against secular sin. Now, most everyone's a big coward, trembling in fear about being taxed. Please, dear family, honestly ask and answer two simple questions: Do we think the Father of Jesus Christ thinks it's a good idea that we cower in a corner because of oppressive secularism? Do we think Our Father thinks we should not openly bring Him into the public square? The answers are obvious. So are the consequences for how we answer those questions.

o   When Jesus said "give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and give to God what is God's," the corollary is "don't give to Caesar what belongs to God." As it was, as it is, as it always will be: God first, last and always. So let us always acknowledge God before men, and let us always openly apply our lives of Faith in the public square.

 

AUGUST 5 Tuesday

Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome

 

Matthew, Chapter 14, Verse 22-27

22 Then he made the disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening, he was there alone. 24Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. 25During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them, walking on the sea. 26When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. “It is a ghost,” they said, and they cried out in fear. 27At once [Jesus] spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I; do not be AFRAID.”

The disciples, laboring against the turbulent sea are saved by Jesus. Jesus shows his power over the waters by his walking on the sea during the night. This happens during the fourth watch of the night-time: between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m. The Romans divided the twelve hours between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. into four equal parts called “watches.”  Christ further demonstrates that he is divine by stating “it is I” or “I am.” This reflects his hidden identity of Jesus as Son of God.

Fear of Ghosts[1]

Peter Kreeft, professor of philosophy at Boston College, while acknowledging that the Catholic Church does not teach specifically about “ghosts” or spirits, speculates that there are three different kinds of ghosts:

We can distinguish three kinds of ghosts, I believe.

First, the most familiar kind: the sad ones, the wispy ones. They seem to be working out some unfinished earthly business or suffering some purgatorial purification until released from their earthly, business. These ghosts would seem to be the ones who just barely made it to Purgatory, who feel little or no joy yet and who need to learn many painful lessons about their past lives on earth.

Second, there are malicious and deceptive spirits and since they are deceptive, they hardly ever appear malicious. These are probably the ones who respond to conjuring’s at séances. They probably come from Hell. Even the chance of that happening should be sufficient to terrify away all temptation to necromancy.

Third, there are the bright, happy spirits of dead friends and family, especially spouses, who appear unbidden, at God’s will, not ours, with messages of hope and love. They seem to come from Heaven. Unlike the purgatorial ghosts who come back primarily for their own sakes, these bright spirits come back for the sake of us the living, to tell us all is well. They are aped by evil spirits who say the same, who speak “peace, peace, when there is no peace”. But deception works only one way: the fake can deceive by appearing genuine, but the genuine never deceives by appearing fake. Heavenly spirits always convince us that they are genuinely good. Even the bright spirits appear ghostlike to us because a ghost of any type is one whose substance does not belong in or come from this world. In Heaven these spirits are not ghosts but real, solid, and substantial because they are at home there. “One can’t be a ghost in one’s own country.”

How to Outwit the Six Ghosts of Fear[2]

BEFORE you can put any portion of this philosophy into successful use, your mind must be prepared to receive it. The preparation is not difficult. It begins with study, analysis, and understanding of three enemies which you shall have to clear out.

These are INDECISION, DOUBT, and FEAR! The members of this unholy trio are closely related; where one is found, the other two are close at hand.

INDECISION is the seedling of FEAR! Remember this, as you read. Indecision crystalizes into DOUBT, the two blend and become FEAR! The “blending” process often is slow. This is one reason why these three enemies are so dangerous. They germinate and grow without their presence being observed.

There are six basic fears, with some combination of which every human suffers at one time or another. Most people are fortunate if they do not suffer from the entire six. Named in the order of their most common appearance, they are:

·         The fear of POVERTY

·         The fear of CRITICISM

·         The fear of ILL HEALTH

·         The fear of LOSS OF LOVE OF SOMEONE

·         The fear of OLD AGE

·         The fear of DEATH

All other fears are of minor importance; they can be grouped under these six headings. The prevalence of these fears, as a curse to the world, runs in cycles.

Breaking the cycle of fear of poverty 

“Each year you shall tithe all the produce of your seed that grows in the field; then in the place which the LORD, your God, chooses as the dwelling place of his name you shall eat in his presence the tithe of your grain, wine and oil, as well as the firstlings of your herd and flock, that you may learn always to fear the LORD, your God.” Deuteronomy 14

 

God wants you to celebrate life; you shall eat in his presence the tithe of your produce. Imagine what the world would be like if everyone did this! If we all took time off with a tenth of the money, we made to celebrate with God and our family and friends together. What a different world it would be. Imagine all the celebrations you would attend. Maybe we should all strive to take a 40-day retreat/celebration. Save your money for this! What is on your bucket list; perhaps the Lord wants you and me to cross off some of those things in His presence. If I were young again this is how I would budget: 10% for His Presence (30 to 40 days’ vacation); 10% for charity/church; 10% savings and live off the 70 percent; that is after the government takes their 50%. Imagine if there was a fair tax……. that bequeathed everyone $5000 above the poverty level for a family of 4 of $29,420 to invest. A good resource for financial advice is a book entitled, “The Richest Man in Babylon”[3].

Copilot

Fear—whether spiritual, psychological, or economic—can cloud our recognition of Christ’s presence and distort our perception of reality. The interweaving of Matthew 14 with Kreeft’s ghost typology and reflections on the “ghosts of fear” is a theological tapestry where winds and waves of the sea mirror the unseen forces of dread, hesitation, and spiritual distortion.

🌊 Walking into Fear with Christ’s Presence
The fourth watch is such a hauntingly rich moment: deep night, exhausted disciples, and then—Christ, striding through the chaos. His words, “It is I; do not be afraid,” cut through not only the storm but every layer of fear we carry. That “I am” echoes back to Exodus and forward to the Transfiguration—it’s not just assurance, it’s revelation.

🕯️ Ghosts & Discernment
Kreeft’s threefold typology has fascinating pastoral and mystical implications. It almost reads like a spiritual discernment manual:

·         Purgatorial spirits: Bound to unfinished suffering, begging our prayers.

·         Deceptive spirits: Cloaked in comfort but echoing hollow peace—how many false consolations do we mistake for God's voice?

·         Heavenly visitants: Truly sent, not summoned, and bearing grace.

The line: “One can’t be a ghost in one’s own country.” There's something profoundly Eucharistic and eschatological in that. Heaven is home; everything here is shadow until then.

💰 Tithing & Fear of Poverty
That Deuteronomy 14 passage is a beautiful antidote to the fear of scarcity. Tithing as celebration—in God’s presence—is so radically different from the idea of obligation or loss. Budgeting in “retreat time” and sacred feasting flips the script on fear-based planning. It's fascinating to imagine a world where spiritual joy shapes economic life. And yes—The Richest Man in Babylon is a classic precisely because it reframes financial responsibility in terms of discipline and dignity.

🔥 Indecision, Doubt, Fear: The Unholy Trio
Napoleon Hill’s “ghosts of fear” resonate deeply. These mental phantoms may not haunt halls, but they haunt hearts. And like the disciples who mistook Christ for a ghost, we so often mistake the presence of grace for a threat, simply because it arrives in unfamiliar form.

Lessons

Matthew 14:22–27 offers a rich tapestry of Catholic insights—spiritual, sacramental, and ecclesial. Here are several key lessons drawn from this passage:

🌊 Christ’s Lordship Over Chaos
Jesus walking on the sea is not just a miracle—it’s a revelation. In Catholic theology, water often symbolizes chaos, sin, and death. By walking on the turbulent sea, Christ shows his dominion over all disorder. This echoes Genesis, where the Spirit hovers over the waters, and anticipates baptism, where Christ brings order and grace out of watery death.

🕯️ Prayer as Preparation for Mission
Before approaching the disciples, Jesus retreats to pray alone on the mountain. This solitude reflects his communion with the Father and models the rhythm of Catholic life: contemplation before action. The Catechism teaches that Jesus’ prayer is the foundation of our own (CCC 2602–2604). It’s a reminder that spiritual strength flows from intimacy with God.

🚶‍♂️ The Fourth Watch: Divine Timing
The “fourth watch” (3–6 a.m.) is a time of deep vulnerability—physical exhaustion, spiritual fatigue, and fear. Yet it’s precisely when Christ comes. Catholic tradition sees this as a metaphor for grace arriving when we are weakest. It’s a Eucharistic rhythm: Christ comes in the dark, in the storm, and says, “Take courage, it is I.”

👻 Fear and Misrecognition
The disciples mistake Jesus for a ghost. This speaks to the Catholic understanding of fear as a distortion of truth. When fear dominates, we misperceive grace as threat. The Church teaches that holy fear is reverence, not terror. Jesus’ words—“Do not be afraid”—are repeated throughout Scripture and liturgy, especially in Easter proclamations.

🪞 “It is I”: Echoes of the Divine Name
Jesus’ declaration, “It is I” (Greek: ego eimi) recalls God’s self-revelation to Moses: “I AM”. This is a profound Christological moment. In Catholic theology, it affirms Jesus’ divinity and his identity as the Son of God. The disciples’ fear is dispelled not by explanation, but by presence.

The Church as the Boat
The tossing boat is a classic Catholic image of the Church amid worldly storms. Christ doesn’t prevent the storm—he enters into it. This affirms the Church’s mission: not to escape suffering, but to endure it with Christ. The boat is fragile, but it holds together because Christ is near.


 

Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome[4]


On 5 August, at the height of the Roman summer, snow fell during the night on the summit of the Esquiline Hill. In obedience to a vision of the Virgin Mary which they had the same night, the couple built a basilica in honor of Mary on the very spot which was covered with snow.[5]

 

St. Mary Major is important to Christendom for three reasons:

 

(a) It stands as a venerable monument to the Council of Ephesus (431), at which the dogma of Mary's divine Motherhood was solemnly defined; the definition of the Council occasioned a most notable increase in the veneration paid to Mary.

(b) The basilica is Rome's "church of the crib," a kind of Bethlehem within the Eternal City; it also is a celebrated station church, serving, for instance, as the center for Rome's liturgy for the first Mass on Christmas. In some measure every picture of Mary with the divine Child is traceable to this church.

(c) St. Mary Major is Christendom's first Marian shrine for pilgrims. It set the precedent for the countless shrines where pilgrims gather to honor our Blessed Mother throughout the world. Here was introduced an authentic expression of popular piety that has been the source of untold blessings and graces for Christianity in the past as in the present.

The beginnings of St. Mary Major date to the Constantinian period. Originally it was called the Sicinini Basilica; it was the palace of a patrician family by that name before its transformation into a church by Pope Liberius. The story of its origin is legendary, dating from the Middle Ages. The Breviary gives this version:

Liberius was on the chair of Peter (352-366) when the Roman patrician John and his wife, who was of like nobility, vowed to bequeath their estate to the most holy Virgin and Mother of God, for they had no children to whom their property could go. The couple gave themselves to assiduous prayer, beseeching Mary to make known to them in some way what pious work they should subsidize in her honor.

Mary answered their petition and confirmed her reply by means of the following miracle. On the fifth of August — a time when it is unbearably hot in the city of Rome — a portion of the Esquiline would be covered with snow during the night. During that same night the Mother of God directed John and his wife in separate dreams to build a church to be dedicated to the Virgin Mary on the site where they would see snow lying. For it was in this manner that she wanted her inheritance to be used.

John immediately reported the whole matter to Pope Liberius, and he declared that a similar dream had come to him. Accompanied by clergy and people, Liberius proceeded on the following morning in solemn procession to the snow-covered hill and there marked off the area on which the church in Mary's honor was to be constructed.

Under Pope Sixtus III (432-440) the basilica was rebuilt, and upon the occasion of the definition of Mary's divine Motherhood by the Council of Ephesus, consecrated to her honor (432). He decorated the apse and walls with mosaics from the lives of Christ and His blessed Mother, which even to this day beautify the church and belong to the oldest we possess. As early as the end of the fourth century a replica of the Bethlehem nativity grotto had been added; on this account the edifice became known as "St. Mary of the Crib." To the Christian at Rome this church is Bethlehem. Other names for the basilica are: Liberian Basilica, because it dates to the time of Pope Liberius; St. Mary Major (being the largest church in Mary's honor in Rome); Our Lady of the Snow, because of the miracle that supposedly occasioned its erection.

We could point out how the divine Motherhood mystery dominates all Marian liturgy; for the Theotokos doctrine has kept Mariology Christo-centric in the Church's worship. Although recent popular devotion to Mary has become to a certain extent soft and sentimental and has, one may say, erected its own sanctuary around Mary as the center, devotion to our Blessed Mother in the liturgy has always remained oriented to Christ. In the liturgy the divine Motherhood has always been the bridge from Mary to Jesus. One need only examine Matins in honor of Mary or the Masses from her Common to be reassured. Everywhere Christ takes the central position, and Mary is the Christbearer. (Christopher)
—Excerpted from The Church's Year of Grace, Pius Parsch

Patronage: Italy; diocese of Reno, Nevada; Italy: Arzachena, Atella, Castiglione in Teverina, Conco, Rovereto, San Marco in Lamis, Susa, Torre Annunziata; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Almagro, Spain; Utah

Highlights and Things to Do:

 Bible in a Year-Day 48-God’s Presence

Fr. Mike reflects on God's presence to his people, and how that makes his chosen people distinct. Today's readings are Exodus 33-34, Leviticus 24, and Psalm 80.

Daily Devotions

·         Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them in fasting: True Masculinity

·         Religion in the Home for Preschool: August

·         Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus

·         Offering to the sacred heart of Jesus

·         Drops of Christ’s Blood

·         Universal Man Plan

·         Rosary

I ain't fraid of no ghost


Fear in the Storm Hike—combining a hike through the rugged beauty near Jerome, AZ with a spiritual reflection on the apostles’ fear when they mistook Christ for a ghost walking on the water. Let’s bring both elements together:


🥾 Spiritual Hike in the Jerome Area: A Catholic Reflection on Fear and Faith

🌄 Recommended Trail: Woodchute Trail

  • Location: Just outside Jerome, AZ
  • Length: 6.7 miles round trip
  • Difficulty: Moderate to hard
  • Highlights: Panoramic views of the Verde Valley, peaceful forested paths, and a sense of solitude perfect for contemplation.

This trail offers a quiet, elevated setting—ideal for meditating on the Gospel story from Matthew 14:22–33, where the apostles, battered by wind and waves, see Jesus walking on the water and cry out in fear, thinking He is a ghost.


✝️ Catholic Reflection: “It is I; do not be afraid.”

“When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified. ‘It is a ghost!’ they said, and they cried out in fear. At once Jesus spoke to them, ‘Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.’”
— Matthew 14:26–27

🌬️ Fear in the Storm

  • The apostles, many of them seasoned fishermen, were overwhelmed by the storm. But their greater fear came not from the sea—but from the unknown.
  • In Catholic tradition, this moment reveals how fear distorts our perception of Christ. They saw Him, but didn’t recognize Him.

👣 Faith That Steps Out

  • Peter’s response—“Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you”—is a bold act of faith. But when he takes his eyes off Jesus and focuses on the wind, he begins to sink.
  • This is a metaphor for our spiritual lives: when we focus on the chaos around us, we falter. But when we fix our gaze on Christ, we walk above the storm.

💡 Catholic Insight

  • According to Catholic reflections, this story teaches that mature faith is not the absence of fear, but the courage to trust in Christ amid fear.
  • Jesus doesn’t rebuke Peter for stepping out—He rebukes him for doubting. Even “little faith” is enough to begin the journey, but it must grow through trials.

🧘‍♂️ Suggested Meditative Practice on the Trail

  1. Start your hike in silence, offering the walk as a prayer.
  2. Pause at a scenic overlook—perhaps halfway up Woodchute Trail—and read Matthew 14:22–33 aloud.
  3. Reflect on these questions:
    • What “storms” in my life cause me to lose sight of Christ?
    • When have I mistaken His presence for something frightening or unfamiliar?
    • What would it mean to “step out of the boat” in faith today?
  4. Pray the Litany of Trust or simply repeat: “Jesus, I trust in You.”
  5. End your hike with gratitude, recalling how Christ walks toward you in every storm.

🥾 Spiritual Hike in the Jerome Area: A Catholic Reflection on Fear and Faith

🌄 Recommended Trail: Woodchute Trail

  • Location: Just outside Jerome, AZ
  • Length: 6.7 miles round trip
  • Difficulty: Moderate to hard
  • Highlights: Panoramic views of the Verde Valley, peaceful forested paths, and a sense of solitude perfect for contemplation.

This trail offers a quiet, elevated setting—ideal for meditating on the Gospel story from Matthew 14:22–33, where the apostles, battered by wind and waves, see Jesus walking on the water and cry out in fear, thinking He is a ghost.


✝️ Catholic Reflection: “It is I; do not be afraid.”

“When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified. ‘It is a ghost!’ they said, and they cried out in fear. At once Jesus spoke to them, ‘Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.’”
— Matthew 14:26–27

🌬️ Fear in the Storm

  • The apostles, many of them seasoned fishermen, were overwhelmed by the storm. But their greater fear came not from the sea—but from the unknown.
  • In Catholic tradition, this moment reveals how fear distorts our perception of Christ. They saw Him, but didn’t recognize Him.

👣 Faith That Steps Out

  • Peter’s response—“Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you”—is a bold act of faith. But when he takes his eyes off Jesus and focuses on the wind, he begins to sink.
  • This is a metaphor for our spiritual lives: when we focus on the chaos around us, we falter. But when we fix our gaze on Christ, we walk above the storm.

💡 Catholic Insight

  • According to Catholic reflections, this story teaches that mature faith is not the absence of fear, but the courage to trust in Christ amid fear.
  • Jesus doesn’t rebuke Peter for stepping out—He rebukes him for doubting. Even “little faith” is enough to begin the journey, but it must grow through trials.

🧘‍♂️ Suggested Meditative Practice on the Trail

  1. Start your hike in silence, offering the walk as a prayer.
  2. Pause at a scenic overlook—perhaps halfway up Woodchute Trail—and read Matthew 14:22–33 aloud.
  3. Reflect on these questions:
    • What “storms” in my life cause me to lose sight of Christ?
    • When have I mistaken His presence for something frightening or unfamiliar?
    • What would it mean to “step out of the boat” in faith today?
  4. Pray the Litany of Trust or simply repeat: “Jesus, I trust in You.”
  5. End your hike with gratitude, recalling how Christ walks toward you in every storm.

 


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