Monday, March 16, 2026

🔸 March 2026 – Lent: Priesthood & Sacrifice

Mar 2 – Diary of a Country Priest (1951)
Mar 9 – The Nun’s Story (1959)
Mar 16 – The Cardinal (1963)
Mar 23 – The Agony and the Ecstasy (1965)
Mar 30 – Shoes of the Fisherman (1968)

The Cardinal (1963)

Production Details

Studio: Otto Preminger Films / Columbia Pictures
Director: Otto Preminger
Release: December 12, 1963
Source Material: Novel by Henry Morton Robinson
Genre: Drama / Religious Epic
Runtime: 175 minutes
Cast: Tom Tryon, Romy Schneider, John Huston, Carol Lynley, Ossie Davis, Burgess Meredith

Story Summary

Stephen Fermoyle, a brilliant young Boston priest, rises through the ranks of the Church during the turbulent first half of the 20th century. His journey is marked by profound moral trials: his sister’s forbidden relationship and tragic medical crisis, his own near‑romantic entanglement, the Church’s confrontation with racism in the American South, and the gathering storm of fascism in Europe.

Each chapter of his life forces him to choose between personal desire and ecclesial obedience, between safety and courage, between sentiment and truth. By the time he is elevated to cardinal, his vocation has been purified through suffering, sacrifice, and the relentless demands of conscience.

Historical and Cultural Influences

The Church in a Century of Upheaval

The film spans the years when the Church confronted modernity, nationalism, and ideological extremism. Fermoyle’s rise mirrors the Church’s struggle to remain a moral voice amid global crisis.

American Catholic Identity

The Boston setting highlights the tension between immigrant Catholic communities and the Protestant cultural establishment—an echo of the film’s broader theme of belonging and legitimacy.

Fascism and Moral Witness

The European sequences dramatize the Church’s precarious position under totalitarian regimes, portraying the cost of speaking truth when silence would be safer.

Catholic Themes and Moral Resonances

Vocation as Purification

Fermoyle’s ascent is not triumph but crucible. Each promotion strips him of illusions, forcing him into deeper humility and dependence on grace.

Conscience Under Fire

The film’s most powerful moments show a priest navigating racism, antisemitism, and political violence. Conscience becomes the battleground where holiness is either forged or lost.

The Weight of Authority

Ecclesial authority is portrayed not as privilege but as burden—an echo of Christ’s teaching that leadership is service, not status.

Suffering as Formation

Family tragedy, personal temptation, and public trial become the means by which God shapes a shepherd capable of carrying others.

Hospitality Pairing

Drink

Viennese Cardinal Punch — red wine warmed with citrus, clove, and a touch of brandy. Elegant, ecclesial, and continental, matching the film’s European gravity.

Meal

Braised beef with root vegetables — hearty, slow‑cooked, and monastic in its simplicity, reflecting the film’s themes of endurance and interior strength.

Atmosphere

Low light, a single candle, and quiet classical or sacred music—evoking the interior life of a man discerning under immense pressure.

Reflection Prompt

Where is God asking you to exercise courage rather than comfort—and what part of your vocation is being purified through the pressures you face right now?

Comedian Jerry Lewis born 1926

Christopher’s Corner

· Catechism # 2415 The seventh commandment enjoins respect for the integrity of creation.

o Liberty Wildlife-My Eagle Scout Project was to build a walk-in cage for wild birds.

§ Liberty Wildlife envisions a time when wildlife is recognized as an integral part of our natural world, and a precious natural resource, to be protected and preserved.

§ Liberty Wildlife envisions being a permanent community resource, a place to instill compassion and stewardship in young minds and a place to reconnect the public with the beauty and benefits of native wildlife and habitat.

§ Liberty Wildlife envisions a time when the community as a whole participates in the safekeeping of the natural world.

· St. Urho’s Day-He saved the vineyards from Grasshoppers

· Eat waffles and Pray for the assistance of the Angels

· Try[2]: Flemish Beef and Beer Stew

· Monday: Litany of Humility

· Bucket List trip: Maldives

· Drops of Christ’s Blood

· Spirit Hour: Flemish 75

Part 21: USA 70 Degree Year Journey

Dates: March 16–23, 2026
Theme: Mississippi Gulf Coast Ordinary Time – Reoriented by Light
Route: Ocean Springs → Biloxi → Gulfport → Long Beach → Pass Christian → Bay St. Louis
Style: Quiet, steady Ordinary Time pilgrimage; Eucharistic clarity; gentle reorientation of heart and mission
Climate Alignment: Daily highs 70–73°F along the Mississippi Gulf Coast

💰 Estimated Cost Overview

Category	Estimated Cost
Lodging (7 nights)	~$720 (coastal inns + quiet boutique hotels)
Food (daily meals)	~$280
Transit (local driving only)	~$90
Symbolic extras	~$70
Total Estimate	~$1,160

🛏️ Lodging Options

Ocean Springs: The Roost Boutique Hotel (extend stay)

Bay St. Louis: The Pearl Hotel (final nights)

Daily Pilgrimage Flow

🌅 Day 1 – Monday, March 16

Location: Ocean Springs – Front Beach Boardwalk
Symbol: Reorientation
Ritual Prompt: “Turn your face again toward the Lord.”
A slow sunrise walk along the boardwalk; let the light reorient your interior compass after two weeks of restoration.
🥗 Foodie Stop: Bright-Eyed Brew Co. (~$14)

🌊 Day 2 – Tuesday, March 17

Location: Biloxi – St. Michael the Archangel (return visit)

Symbol: Courage
Ritual Prompt: “Stand where the Defender stands.”
Return to the fishermen’s church; pray the Prayer to St. Michael with renewed clarity; journal on where courage is needed next.
🍲 Foodie Stop: The Fillin’ Station (~$20)

🌿 Day 3 – Wednesday, March 18

Location: Gulfport – Jones Park Marina
Symbol: Discernment
Ritual Prompt: “Listen for the quiet direction beneath the noise.”
Sit by the marina; Lectio Divina with Psalm 25; let the water teach you the difference between movement and drift.
🥘 Foodie Stop: Murky Waters BBQ (~$18)

🕊️ Day 4 – Thursday, March 19 (Solemnity of St. Joseph)

Location: Long Beach – St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church
Symbol: Stewardship
Ritual Prompt: “Let Joseph teach you how to carry responsibility with peace.”
Attend Mass for the solemnity; offer your work, family, and mission under Joseph’s protection; light a candle for fidelity.
🍷 Foodie Stop: Harbor View Café (~$24)

🌅 Day 5 – Friday, March 20

Location: Pass Christian – Henderson Point
Symbol: Purification
Ritual Prompt: “Let the Lord cleanse what has grown heavy.”
Walk the quiet shoreline; pray the Stations of the Cross; release burdens into the tide as a symbolic act of purification.
🧺 Foodie Stop: Cat Island Coffeehouse (~$16)

🌴 Day 6 – Saturday, March 21

Location: Bay St. Louis – Our Lady Academy Grotto
Symbol: Consecration
Ritual Prompt: “Set apart what belongs to God.”
Visit the Marian grotto; pray a rosary of consecration; spend time in silent adoration at Our Lady of the Gulf.
🍽️ Foodie Stop: Starfish Café (~$20)

🌠 Day 7 – Sunday, March 22 (Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time)

Location: Bay St. Louis – Our Lady of the Gulf (Sunday Mass)
Symbol: Clarity of Mission
Ritual Prompt: “Walk forward with the clarity you’ve received.”
Sunday Mass; write your weekly blog reflection: “Reoriented by Light: Ordinary Time Along the Gulf.”
🍷 Foodie Stop: 200 North Beach Restaurant (~$34)

March 16 Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent

Joshua, Chapter 4, Verse 23-24

For the LORD, your God, dried up the waters of the Jordan in front of you until you crossed over, just as the LORD, your God, had done at the Red Sea, drying it up in front of us until we crossed over, in order that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, and that you may FEAR the LORD, your God, forever.”

Often times we are afraid of shadows but when are eyes are fixed on the promise of God we are filled with optimism. When Joshua crossed the Jordan he had a representative from each tribe take up a stone from the river to immortalize the day God stopped the Jordan and to recall the day Israel received the promise of God. So today I would like you to reflect what has been the 12 most memorial events for you in the past year in order to focus ourselves on the light rather than the shadows.

So what are the 12 memorial stones of your life you would like to present to the Lord? Are there some areas you need help from the Lord in order to be successful?

Emotional: How have I grown in love?

Mental: Have I developed any new paradigms?

Physical: Have I overcome a physical weakness?

Spiritual: Have I developed Holy Fear and walked with the Lord? Have I developed any new virtues?

Career: Have I progressed in my career or aided someone in theirs?

Family: Have I had family successes and been open to new life?

Financial: Have I made progress in stewardship of the resources that God has given me?

Learning: Has my mind been open to the Lord and new learning?

Community: Has there been success in areas where I work with my local community?

Church: Has there been growth in my participation with my parish?

Environment: Have I done my part to be environmentally responsible?

Companionship: Have I listened, been nurturing, and positive?

Remember when you finish reflecting to thank the Lord for your successes and have a grateful heart.

Copilot’s Take

When leaders soften their voice in the face of evil, the shadows grow thicker. A pope who speaks of peace while avoiding the clarity that victims deserve risks exchanging Holy Fear for the world’s approval. The Holy Spirit protects the Church from doctrinal error, but He does not override a man’s temperament, caution, or desire to preserve diplomatic relationships. When a pope hesitates to name evil plainly—whether in Iran, in the murder of a child, or in the persecution of Christians—the faithful feel the weight of that silence. It is not proof that the Spirit has abandoned him; it is proof that the Spirit does not erase human frailty.

This is why memorial stones matter: they anchor the soul in God’s mighty acts rather than in the hesitations of human leaders. When the Church’s shepherd speaks softly, the Body must remember that Christ Himself is the head, and that truth-telling is not optional in a world where evil advances through ambiguity. The refusal to confront evil is not neutrality; it is a shadow that distorts reality and leaves the innocent unprotected. Holy Fear restores proportion—it reminds us that peace without truth is counterfeit, and that courage is not the absence of danger but the refusal to let darkness set the terms.

Moments like these become invitations for the faithful to supply the clarity that leadership has not offered, not in rebellion but in fidelity.

Where do you sense the Church most needs that clarity right now?

Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent

Prayer.

We beseech Thee, Almighty God, that, keeping with yearly devotion these sacred observances, we may please Thee both in body and mind. Amen

EPISTLE, III Kings iii 16-28.

In those days: There came two women that were harlots to King Solomon and stood before him: and one of them said: I beseech thee, my lord, I and this woman dwelt in one house, and I was delivered of a child with her in the chamber. And the third day after that I was delivered, she also was delivered, and we were together, and no other person with us in the house, only we two. And this woman s child died in the night: for in her sleep, she overlaid him. And rising in the dead time of the night, she took my child from my side, while I thy hand maid was asleep, and laid it in her bosom: and laid her dead child in my bosom. And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck, behold it was dead: but considering him more diligently when it was clear day, I found that it was not mine which I bore. And the other woman answered: It is not so as thou sayest, but thy child is dead, and mine is alive. On the contrary, she said: Thou liest: for my child liveth, and thy child is dead. And in this manner, they strove before the king. Then said the king: This one saith: My child is alive, and thy child is dead. And the other answereth: Nay, but thy child is dead, and mine liveth. The king therefore said: Bring me a sword. And when they had brought a sword before the king, it. divide, said he, the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other. But the woman whose child was alive, said to the king (for her bowels were moved upon her child): I beseech thee, my lord, give her the child alive, and do not kill but the other said: Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it. The king answered and said: Give the living child to this woman, and let it not be killed, for she is the mother thereof. And all Israel heard the judgment which the king had judged, and they feared the king, seeing that the wisdom of God was in him to judgment.

GOSPEL. John ii. 13-25

At that time: the Pasch of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And He found in the temple them that sold oxen and sheep, and doves, and the changers of money sit and when He had made, as it were, a scourge of little cords, He drove them all out of the temple, the sheep also and the oxen, and the money of the changers He poured out, and the written: tables He overthrew. And to them that sold doves He said: Take these things hence and make not the house of My Father a house of traffic. And His disciples remembered that it was the zeal of thy house hath eaten me up. The Jews therefore answered, and said to Him: What sign dost Thou show unto us, seeing Thou dost these things? Jesus answered, and said to them: Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. The Jews then said: Six and forty years was this temple in building, and wilt Thou raise it up in three days? But He spoke of the temple of His body. When therefore He was risen again from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this, and they believed the Scripture, and the word that Jesus had said. Now when He was at Jerusalem at the Pasch, upon the festival-day, many believed in His name, seeing His signs which He did. But Jesus did not trust Himself unto them, for that He knew all men, and because He needed not that any should give testimony of man: for He knew what was in man.

Preparing for Battle[1] Know Your Weapons

The weapon of prayer

The Scripture tells us that the fervent prayer of righteous believers has great power in its effects (see Jas 5: 16). Prayer is the indispensable weapon in our battle with Satan. Prayer in the name of Jesus is especially powerful against the Devil. “In my name,” Jesus said of His followers, “they shall cast out devils” (Mk 16: 17). At “the name that is above every name,” St. Paul thundered, “at the name of Jesus, every knee” must bow, “in heaven and on earth and under the earth” (see Phil 2: 9– 10).

We can see how much the Devil fears those who pray, since there’s not a moment of the day when he tempts us more than when we’re at prayer. He does everything he possibly can to prevent us from praying. When the Devil wants to make someone lose his soul, he starts out by inspiring in him a profound distaste for prayer. However good a Christian he may be, if the Devil succeeds in making him either say his prayers badly or neglect them altogether, he’s certain to have that person for himself. (St. John Vianney)

Bible in a year Day 257 Choose to Love

Fr. Mike finishes the book of Jeremiah and highlights the final moment of hope at the conclusion. We also read the book of Obadiah and Fr. Mike challenges us to see who the Lord is asking us to choose to love, noting that it might may be someone who is closer to us than we think. Today’s readings are Jeremiah 52, Obadiah 1, and Proverbs 18:13-16.

Daily Devotions

· Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them in fasting: Today's Fast: For the Poor and Suffering

· Offering to the sacred heart of Jesus

· Make reparations to the Holy Face

· Drops of Christ’s Blood

· Universal Man Plan

[1]Thigpen, Paul. Manual for Spiritual Warfare. TAN Books.

[2] Sheraton, Mimi. 1,000 Foods To Eat Before You Die: A Food Lover's Life List. Workman Publishing Company. Kindle Edition.