Certainly, Richard. Here's a rich summary of The Devil at 4 O'Clock (1961) and the Catholic lessons woven throughout its dramatic arc:
Set on the fictional Pacific island of Talua, the story follows Father Matthew Doonan (Spencer Tracy), a disillusioned, alcoholic priest who has built a hospital for children suffering from leprosy near a smoldering volcano. When three convicts—Harry (Frank Sinatra), Charlie, and Marcel—arrive on the island, they are recruited to help at the hospital.
As the volcano erupts, the island faces imminent destruction. The townspeople refuse to help rescue the children, so Father Doonan and the convicts parachute into danger to save them. Their journey down the mountain is perilous: they face collapsing buildings, lava flows, and tragic losses. Ultimately, the convicts—initially selfish and cynical—choose self-sacrifice over survival. The film ends with Doonan and Harry choosing to remain behind, facing death together as the volcano explodes.
✝️ Catholic Lessons and Themes
1. Redemption Through Sacrifice
- The convicts, especially Harry, begin as morally compromised men. Yet through their actions—risking their lives to save leprous children—they embody the Catholic teaching that redemption is possible for all, even the most broken.
- Their transformation echoes the parable of the Prodigal Son and Christ’s call to conversion through love and service.
- Father Doonan is not a saintly figure—he drinks, doubts, and is rejected by the townspeople. Yet his unwavering commitment to the children and his courage in the face of death reflect the Catholic understanding that grace works through human weakness.
- His character evokes St. Peter, who denied Christ but became the rock of the Church.
- The children with leprosy are hidden away, feared, and abandoned. Doonan’s care for them reflects Catholic social teaching on the dignity of every human life, especially the sick and outcast.
- The film critiques societal prejudice and affirms the Church’s mission to serve “the least of these” (Matthew 25:40).
- The looming eruption and the 4:00 p.m. deadline evoke a sense of judgment and final reckoning. The title itself suggests a confrontation with mortality and moral consequence.
- This aligns with Catholic eschatology: the urgency to repent, act justly, and prepare for the end.
- Doonan administers last rites to Charlie, affirming the Church’s role in preparing souls for death.
- The burial of the dead child and the prayers in the cave reflect the Catholic rituals of mourning and hope in resurrection.
Christopher’s Corner
· Eat waffles and Pray for the assistance of the Angels
· Religion in the Home for Preschool: August
· Foodie-National Catfish Month
· Spirit Hour: Santa Clara Wines
· Monday: Litany of Humility
· Bucket List trip[4]: USA 70-degree year trip:
§ Ecola State Park: Hug Point, sea stacks, misty coastlines—it’s like walking through a psalm.
§ Tillamook: Sample cheeses, sure, but also visit the Trappist abbey nearby for an hour of silent adoration.
§ Spiritual Reflection: Meditate on the Apostle Peter—rocky shorelines and inner firmness.
· Get out and climb a mountain-today is mountain day
Seven Summits of America
· MAUNA KEA, 13,803 FEET Hawaii
o As a little boy my dad was stationed in Hawaii and took us there to a Military Recreation Center
§ Mauna Kea, located on the island of Hawaii, is actually the tallest mountain in the world. It stands 4,207 meters or 13,802 feet above sea level. Its peak is the highest point in the state of Hawaii. However, most of the mountain is under water. When measured from its oceanic base, Mauna Kea is over 10,000 meters or 33,000 feet tall. This makes it the world’s tallest mountain from base to summit.
· DENALI, 20,310 FEET Alaska
· MOUNT WHITNEY, 14,505 FEET California
· MOUNT ELBERT, 14,440 FEET Colorado
· MOUNT HOOD, 11,249 FEET Oregon
· MOUNT RAINIER, 14,410 FEET Washington
· MOUNT WASHINGTON, 6,288 FEET New Hampshire
The highest peaks on each continent are known as the Seven Summits. The Seven Summits are:
- Mount Everest in Asia
- Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa
- Aconcagua in South America
- Mount McKinley (Denali) in North America
- Mount Elbrus in Europe
- Vinson Massif in Antarctica
- Puncak Jaya (Carstensz Pyramid) in Australia
- Puncak Jaya is actually located in the Papua province of Indonesia. However, technically Puncak Jaya lies on the Australian continental shelf. The highest peak on the mainland of Australia is Mt Kosciuszko.
· Let Freedom Ring Day 36 Freedom from Avarice
o Avarice is a synonym of Greed. It is one of the Seven Deadly Sins. Some distinguish between Avarice and greed, essentially implying that Avarice is like Greed-on-Steroids. No matter which word we care to use, both regard an excessive or inordinate desire of gain or wealth; a selfish or excessive desire for more than is needed or deserved, especially of money, wealth, food, or other possessions.
o Avarice has a long if uncomplicated history in English. Chaucer in his 14th-century The Parson's Tale compared avarice with covetise, a now obsolete word that means "covetousness" ("Covetise is to covet such things as thou hast not; and avarice is to withhold and keep such things as thou hast, without rightful need"-743), and Shakespeare uses it in Macbeth ("With this there grows / In my most ill-composed affection such / A stanchless avarice that, were I king, / I should cut off the nobles for their lands, / Desire his jewels and this other's house: / And my more-having would be as a sauce / To make me hunger more"-IV.iii.76-82).
o Abundance of possessions or abundant life? Which will we choose? `
§ Greed: desires more and more
§ Covetousness: greed with jealousy (desiring what another has)
§ Avarice: an excessive desire to obtain and keep money or possessions. Hoarding.
· Hoarding: News story of woman whose house is filled with stuff. Her bed is stacked with stuff. In the summertime she sleeps outside on a glider, because there is no room in her house. Her teenage son moved out to live with an older sister because he couldn’t stand it. She knows she has a problem. Her family knows she knows she has a problem.
AUGUST 11 Monday
St. Clare
Deuteronomy, Chapter 10, Verse 12-13
Now, therefore, Israel, what does
the LORD, your God, ask of you but to FEAR
the LORD, your God, to follow in all his ways, to love and serve the LORD, your
God, with your whole heart and with your whole being, to keep
the commandments and statutes of the LORD that I am commanding you today for
your own well-being?
What is meant by serving God?
Doing the will of God in all things which He requires of
us, in whatever state of life we may be placed, and doing this with fidelity,
with unwearied zeal, and out of love for Him. (Goffine’s
Devout Instructions, 1896)
When we are bored and familiar with routine work, let
us generously offer ourselves to the Lord for He indeed knows our needs and
will take care of our well-being.
Copilot
This is a reflection on Deuteronomy’s call to
“fear the Lord” and serve with one’s whole being. The passage gathers together
the rhythms of covenant, awe, love, and obedience in a way that feels at once
ancient and deeply personal. The pairing with Goffine’s 1896 instruction adds a
layer of contemplative wisdom—reminding us that service isn’t grand
performance, but quiet faithfulness to God’s will in our specific vocation.
The idea that even boredom and routine can be
spiritually significant—when offered to the Lord—is one of the most gently
radical truths of the faith. It recalls the sanctification of the ordinary,
much like Brother Lawrence’s meditations while scrubbing pots in the monastery
kitchen. In that light, the “fear of the Lord” becomes less trembling and more
reverent attentiveness. To serve God is not only to act, but to be present to
Him in all things.
Deuteronomy 10:12–13 offers a profound
meditation on holy fear—not as dread, but as reverent awe that leads to
love, obedience, and flourishing. Here are some key lessons drawn from this
passage:
🌟 Lessons on Fear from Deuteronomy 10:12–13
·
Fear as
Reverence, Not Terror
The phrase “fear the LORD your God” invites Israel into a posture of
humility and awe. This fear acknowledges God's holiness, justice, and mercy—not
a fear that drives us away, but one that draws us into deeper obedience.
·
Fear
Leads to Transformation
Fear is the beginning of wisdom (cf. Proverbs 1:7), and here it’s paired with
walking in God’s ways, loving Him, and serving with one’s whole heart. It’s a
fear that reshapes the soul, aligning it with divine purpose.
·
Fear
Anchors Obedience
The commandments are not burdensome—they’re “for your own good”. Fear of
the Lord becomes the foundation for moral clarity and spiritual maturity,
guiding choices that lead to life and blessing.
·
Fear Is
Relational
This isn’t fear of a distant deity—it’s the reverence of a people chosen and
loved by God. The passage reminds Israel of their covenant identity, and fear
becomes a response to divine intimacy and grace.
·
Fear Is
Active, Not Passive
The verbs in the passage—fear, walk, love, serve, keep—form a rhythm of
devotion. Fear is not static; it’s expressed through daily choices, habits, and
attitudes that reflect God’s character.
·
Fear
Protects Against Pride
In the broader context of Deuteronomy, Moses warns Israel not to assume they’ve
earned God’s favor. Fear keeps the heart humble, aware that all blessings flow
from grace, not merit.
St. Clare[1]
The
Lady Clare, "shining in name, more shining in life," was born in the
town of Assisi about the year 1193. She was eighteen years old when St.
Francis, preaching the Lenten sermons at the church of St. George in Assisi,
influenced her to change the whole course of her life. Talking with him
strengthened her desire to leave all worldly things behind and live for Christ.
The following evening, she slipped away from her home and hurried through the
woods to the chapel of the Portiuncula, where Francis was then living with his
small community. He and his brethren had been at prayers before the altar and
met her at the door with lighted tapers in their hands. Before the Blessed
Virgin's altar Clare laid off her fine cloak, Francis sheared her hair, and
gave her his own penitential habit, a tunic of coarse cloth tied with a cord.
When
it was known at home what Clare had done, relatives and friends came to rescue
her. She resisted valiantly when they tried to drag her away, clinging to the
convent altar so firmly as to pull the cloths half off. Baring her shorn head,
she declared that Christ had called her to His service, she would have no other
spouse, and the more they continued their persecutions the more steadfast she
would become.
Francis
had her removed to the nunnery of Sant' Angelo di Panzo, where her sister
Agnes, a child of fourteen, joined her. This meant more difficulty for them
both, but Agnes' constancy too was victorious, and in spite of her youth
Francis gave her the habit. Later he placed them in a small and humble house,
adjacent to his beloved church of St. Damian, on the outskirts of Assisi, and
in 1215, when Clare was about twenty-two, he appointed her superior and gave
her his rule to live by. She was soon joined by her mother and several other
women, to the number of sixteen. They had all felt the strong appeal of poverty
and sackcloth, and without regret gave up their titles and estates to become
Clare's humble disciples.
Within
a few years similar convents were founded in the Italian cities of Perugia,
Padua, Rome, Venice, Mantua, Bologna, Milan, Siena, and Pisa, and also in
various parts of France and Germany. Agnes, daughter of the King of Bohemia,
established a nunnery of this order in Prague, and took the habit herself. The
"Poor Clare’s," as they came to be known, practiced austerities which
until then were unusual among women. They went barefoot, slept on the ground,
observed a perpetual abstinence from meat, and spoke only when obliged to do so
by necessity or charity. Clare herself considered this silence desirable as a
means of avoiding the innumerable sins of the tongue, and for keeping the mind
steadily fixed on God. Francis or the bishop of Assisi sometimes had to command
her to lie on a mattress and to take a little nourishment every day.
Discretion,
came with years, and much later Clare wrote this sound advice to Agnes of
Bohemia: "Since our bodies are not of brass and our strength is not the
strength of stone, but instead we are weak and subject to corporal infirmities,
I implore you vehemently in the Lord to refrain from the exceeding rigor of
abstinence which I know you practice, so that living and hoping in the Lord you
may offer Him a reasonable service and a sacrifice seasoned with the salt of
prudence."
Saint Clare, Virgin,
Foundress of the Poor Clare’s.
"When
the Saracens were besieging Assisi and were preparing to attack the convent,
St. Clare asked to be assisted as far as the entrance, for she was ill. In her
hand she carried a vessel containing the blessed Eucharist as she prayed: O
Lord, do not deliver over to beasts the souls that praise You! (Ps. 73).
Protect Your servants, for You have redeemed them by Your precious Blood. And
in the midst of that prayer a voice was heard, saying: Always will I protect
you!
The
Saracens took to flight."[2]
Highlights
and Things to Do:
- Learn
more about St. Clare:
- Catholic Encyclopedia
- The Golden Legend
- CatholicSaints.info
- Catholic Ireland
- Saints Stories for All Ages
- St.
Clare's relics rest in The Basilica of Santa Chiara in Assisi, Italy. More
information in English available here and here.
- This
Franciscan
Archive page dedicated to St. Clare has links to her writings,
biographies, religious congregations, papal documents, and more.
- See
images and information about the Founder Statue of St. Clare on St. Peter's Colonnade.
- Visit
Catholic Cuisine for some food feast inspiration.
- Read
Pope Benedict XVI's General Audience on St. Clare
- Although
not comprehensive, this site maintains the list of different Poor Clare Orders around the world.
- One
of the divisions of the cloistered and contemplative Poor Clares is the "Poor
Clare Federation of Mary Immaculate," which has 12 monasteries in
the United States. One of the more known monasteries is the one in
Roswell, New Mexico, where Mother
Mary Francis, P.C.C. (1921-2006) was Mother Superior. Some of her
books have been published by Ignatius Press. All her writings are highly
recommended. She wrote a book on St. Clare, which is self-published and
available through the sisters in NM.
- Read
a short
biography of St. Clare by Mother M. Angela, P.C.C..
- Mother
Angelica of EWTN was a Poor Clare. Her monastery is Poor Clares of Perpetual
Adoration at Our Lady of the Angels Monastery in Hanceville, Alabama.
Bible
in a Year Day 53 The Twelve
Tribes of Israel
Fr. Mike
talks about the twelve tribes of Israel and explains why the book of Numbers
introduces them based on the number of decedents they each had. Today we read
Numbers 2, Deuteronomy 2, and Psalm 85.
Afternoon Tea Week[3]
My mother loved
everything about tea, so I posted this.
Sometimes the wait for
dinner is just way too long, and lunch has passed far too many hours ago. It’s
obvious that the length of the day is starting to wear on everyone!
When this happens, it’s
time to heat the kettle and then get started with a warm cup of tea and some
light sandwiches–and perhaps something sweet to finish it off. This is the
opportunity to take some time to appreciate the day, and bolster up for the rest
of the evening!
Afternoon Tea Week taps
into the British Tradition of having afternoon tea. It is meant to help bring a
bit of elegance and pomp to an otherwise unremarkable time of day in the later
part of the afternoon.
History of Afternoon Tea
Week
Afternoon Tea Week was
established to help secure a tradition that has graced British afternoons since
the 1840’s. In those days, dinner often wasn’t served until 8pm. Since a full
lunch wasn’t actually a thing, what was a hungry person to do in the hours of
the afternoon? Create a new mini-meal in the middle of the day of course!
Even though it is called
“tea”, there is far more than just a beverage being served in the afternoon!
Traditionally this light meal contains tiny finger sandwiches, as well as
scones with jam and clotted cream. Plus, this time is also likely to reveal sweet
dainties such as cakes and pastries to help lift the spirits, bolster energy,
and see people through the rest of the day.
After a while, what
started out as a simple afternoon meal grew into a social event, especially for
those who spent their lives in the upper echelons of the day’s society. This
became even more prominent once Queen Victoria herself took part in this tradition.
At that point the concept of the ‘tea reception’ was born. This type of event
included lavish and fancy afternoon repasts that could host anywhere from a
close collection of friends to a couple hundred of society’s most important
faces.
As the name suggests,
drinking hot tea was a very important part of this meal, which was a tradition
started by Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford. She often found herself feeling
weary or worn down in the middle of the day, and a pot of tea with a snack just
seemed to be the best way to take care of it. She soon invited friends to join
her for walks in the field, and thus began the tradition that would eventually
turn into Afternoon Tea.
The tradition continues
and it is time, once again, to celebrate Afternoon Tea Week!
How to Celebrate Afternoon
Tea Week
Celebrating Afternoon Tea
Week is simple. For the length of a week, simply commit to taking a pause for
Afternoon Tea as a part of each day. Enjoy warm tea, a few sweets, and a small
repast that will help lift those spirits and drive the momentum for the rest of
the day. Or try these other ideas for celebrating:
Host an Afternoon Tea Week Event
Those who really want to
go all out can organize and host a special tea reception where friends and
family can be invited. Gather those tea pots filled with loose leaf English
Breakfast or Earl Grey tea, and get started! It might be fun to even go so far
as to wear a Victorian Costume to honor the delightful history of this day.
Enjoy a Restaurant for Afternoon Tea
Those who don’t have time
to prepare a formal (or simply don’t feel like it!) may be able to find a local
restaurant that provides a formal or semi-formal afternoon tea experience.
Traditional Afternoon Tea
is usually served based on the number of people joining. A reservation might be
made as a tea for two or tea for four. The meal will be served with a pot of
tea as well as three different courses of food that are usually displayed on a
tall, three-tiered stand.
Typically, the stand will
contain tea sandwiches, which are meant to be eaten first. After this,
traditional scones will be eaten and usually served with clotted cream as well
as fresh jam. Finally, after this, a plate full of sweets and pastries will be
available.
Visit England for Afternoon Tea
No one can challenge the
fact that the best place to have afternoon tea is in England. Sure, it might be
a bit overpriced, but why not pop over to London to enjoy some of the best
afternoon tea that can be found at one of these places:
- The
Tea Rooms at Harrods Department Store. Served in style,
sandwiches here will often include smoked salmon or salt beef. Since
Harrods began as a shop with a special interest in tea, the pot is the
star of the show here.
- Diamond
Jubilee Tea Salon at Fortnum & Mason. Since this company has
been selling tea for more than 300 years, it is safe to say this is a
trustworthy experience. The tearoom is decorated in the style of a
Georgian Drawing Room and boasted a visit from Queen Elizabeth herself on
its opening in 2012.
- BB
Bakery Afternoon Tea Bus Tour. An alternative to the traditional,
this tearoom offers a slightly more casual feel as it takes place on a
vintage London Bus as it moves about the city!
But even for people who only have time for a simple cup of tea each day, remember Afternoon Tea Week. And, of course, it’s the perfect occasion to take a few breaths in the very British tradition that lets people “Keep Calm and Carry On.”
Daily
Devotions
·
Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them
in fasting: End
Sex Trafficking, Slavery
·
Religion
in the Home for Preschool: August
·
Litany of the Most Precious
Blood of Jesus
·
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
·
Rosary
Today is
my Grandson Frank Isak’s (Free Laughter) Fourth birthday I ask your prayers.
This was the blessing and prophecy I wrote for his naming.
This child will
be a free man who laughs and is able to get enthusiastic about the endless
beauty of this world. He will be a person that is dependable, responsible and
teaches others gratitude.
[4] Schultz, Patricia. 1,000 Places to See Before You
Die: A Traveler's Life List Workman Publishing Company. Kindle Edition.
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