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Cheap Smoke Night — Intermediate Purgatory
Cigar: bundled Maduro
Whiskey: Evan Williams Black
Virtue: Endurance
Question: What still needs burning off in me
The Three Compartments
Ice: for souls who lived cold, indifferent, withholding warmth.
Boiling Oil: for souls stuck to comforts and habits that clung like pitch.
Molten Metal: for souls who chased shine, reputation, and appearances.
Why the Cheap Smoke Fits
No polish. No pretense. Just the raw burn that tells the truth.
Sit with the flame and ask where you’re still cold, clinging, or polishing your image instead of your soul.
APRIL 23 Thursday of the Third Week of Easter
Saint George-Doudou Day
Psalm 66, verse 16
Come and hear, all
you who FEAR God, while I recount what has been done for me.
It is just that we recount how God has removed our faults and how he imputes no guilt on us when we sincerely repent and turn away from our sins and ask for forgiveness. Once He has freed us, it is then that we can gratefully receive the counsels of the Holy Spirit which show us our path.
The Shema Yisrael which is the same prayer the Christ prayed every morning tells us that God is to be loved.
Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your Heart, and with all your soul, and with your entire mind, and with all your strength.
Christ is the living example of God’s love for us. His heart could not rest until He repaid our debt. His soul was so tormented for love of us that He sweated blood in the garden for us. His mind was ever on us when He multiplied the loaves or healed the sick and with all His strength He offered his life as an eternal sacrifice before the Father. He for love of us took the cup and drank it to the dregs during His passion.
To help us understand this love of His for us is the mission of the Confraternity of the Passion International[1] who document the full suffering of our Lord to show us how we are loved knowing that Christ and His mother weep over lost souls and delight over converted ones.
Copilot’s Take
The psalmist’s cry—“Come and hear, all you who fear God”—is a
summons to courage in an age of confusion. Testimony is not merely remembering
what God has done; it is standing against the powers that deny His action in
the world. The Catechism teaches that evil is not an abstraction but a “real,
terrible presence” that wounds human history (CCC 2850). Yet it also insists
that God’s providence is not suspended in times of turmoil. To speak of God’s
mercy in a violent world is to declare that evil does not have the final word,
and that grace remains the deeper, more enduring reality.
When God removes our guilt, He does not simply absolve; He equips. The
Catechism teaches that the purified heart becomes capable of discernment, able
to recognize truth from deception (CCC 2518). In a world where propaganda,
fear, and ideological conflict cloud judgment, the Holy Spirit’s counsels
become a form of interior armor. Repentance is not retreat—it is preparation.
Obedience is not passivity—it is alignment with the only power that can
withstand the storms of the age.
Christ Himself shows what divine love looks like when it confronts evil directly. His agony in Gethsemane reveals that evil is not defeated by denial but by endurance. His Passion reveals that evil is not overcome by retaliation but by sacrificial fidelity. The Catechism teaches that Christ’s victory is already definitive (CCC 671), yet its unfolding in history requires the cooperation of His disciples. This means that every Christian is drawn into the ongoing battle—not to add to His victory, but to manifest it in the midst of conflict, injustice, and human suffering.
Saint George’s witness becomes especially relevant in a world marked by
war, persecution, and moral fracture. His legend is not about slaying mythical
beasts but about refusing to bow to the powers that demand compromise with
evil. The Church teaches that resisting evil is a work of justice (CCC 1807)
and that courage—fortitude—is the virtue that enables us to stand firm even
when the cost is high (CCC 1808). The Christian confronts evil not with hatred
but with steadfast truth, not with vengeance but with the strength that comes
from belonging to Christ.
The Confraternity of the Passion International reminds us that the Cross
is the interpretive key for every age of conflict. By preserving the full
record of Christ’s suffering, they proclaim that God enters human violence not
as an observer but as a victim who transforms it from within. The Catechism
teaches that contemplating the Passion “unmasks the lie of sin” (CCC 385) and
reveals the depth of divine love. In a world where nations rage and the
innocent suffer, the Cross stands as the one place where evil is both exposed
and defeated.
Thus the Christian response to global turmoil is neither fear nor
fatalism. It is fidelity. Evil is real, but Christ reigns. Conflict is
widespread, but grace is at work in every corner of the world. The struggle is
fierce, but the victory is secure. Our task is to stand in that victory—to
speak truth in a world of distortion, to practice mercy in a world of cruelty,
and to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength even when the
world burns around us.
Saint George[2]
The traditional legends have offered a historicized narration of George's encounter with a dragon. The modern legend that follows below is synthesized from early and late hagiographical sources, omitting the more fantastical episodes. Saint George likely was born to a Christian noble family in Syria Palaestina, during the late third century between about 275 AD and 285 AD. He died in Nicomedia in Asia Minor. His father, Gerontios, was from Cappadocia, an officer in the Roman army; his mother, Polychronia, was a native of Lydda. They were both Christians from noble families, so their child was raised with Christian beliefs. They decided to call him Georgios, meaning "worker of the land" (i.e., farmer). At the age of 14, George lost his father; a few years later, George's mother, Polychronia, died.
Eastern accounts give the names of his parents as Anastasius and Theobaste. George then decided to go to Nicomedia and present himself to Emperor Diocletian to apply for a career as a soldier. Diocletian welcomed him with open arms, as he had known his father, Gerontius — one of his finest soldiers. By his late 20s, George was promoted to the rank of Military Tribune and stationed as an imperial guard of the Emperor at Nicomedia. On 24 February AD 303, Diocletian (influenced by Galerius) issued an edict that every Christian soldier in the army should be arrested and every other soldier should offer a sacrifice to the Roman gods of the time. However, George objected, and with the courage of his faith, approached the emperor and ruler. Diocletian was upset, not wanting to lose his best tribune and the son of his best official, Gerontius. But George loudly renounced the emperor’s edict, and in front of his fellow soldiers and tribunes he claimed himself to be a Christian and declared his worship of Jesus Christ. Diocletian attempted to convert George, even offering gifts of land, money, and slaves if he made a sacrifice to the Roman gods; he made many offers, but George never accepted. Recognizing the futility of his efforts and insisting on upholding his edict, Diocletian ordered that George be executed for his refusal. Before the execution, George gave his wealth to the poor and prepared himself. After various torture sessions, including laceration on a wheel of swords during which he was resuscitated three times, George was executed by decapitation before Nicomedia's city wall, on 23 April 303. A witness of his suffering convinced Empress Alexandra and Athanasius, a pagan priest, to become Christians, as well, so they joined George in martyrdom.
St.
George, soldier-martyr.[3]
Invoked for protection for domestic animals and against herpetic diseases.
Also, patron of soldiers, England, Portugal, Germany, Aragon, Genoa and Venice.
He is pictured striking down a dragon.
St.
George is venerated by the Eastern Church among her "great martyrs"
and "standard-bearers." He belonged to the Roman army; he was
arrested and, probably, beheaded under Diocletian, c. 304. The Latin Church as
well as the Greek honors him as patron of armies. He is the patron of England,
since 800. Many legends are attached to Saint George. The most famous is the
one in The Golden Legend. There was a dragon that lived in a lake near
Silena, Libya. Not even armies could defeat this creature, and he terrorized
flocks and the people. St. George was passing through and upon hearing about a
princess was about to be eaten, he went to battle against the serpent, and
killed it with one blow with his lance. Then with his great preaching, George
converted the people. He distributed his reward to the poor, then left the
area.
Troops of Saint George[4]
The Troops of Saint George
(TSG) is a fraternal Catholic nonprofit apostolate for priests, men, and young
men looking for a life of adventure coupled with virtue. Initially founded in
2013 by Catholic author and professor Dr. Taylor Marshall,
we have become a collection of troops that do the following:
·
experience
reverent and beautiful Masses on mountaintop vistas.
·
pray
the Rosary with other men around fire pits in the freezing cold.
·
catch
a Fish Friday meal by fly fishing for trout.
·
go
to confession with our priests while kneeling on moss in the woods.
·
teach
our sons archery, rock climbing, marksmanship, fishing, survival skills…and
Catholic virtues.
·
foster
a love for the priesthood and a reverence for the sacrament of Matrimony.
·
support
our local parish, our priests, our bishops, and community by being available
for works of mercy and service.
Mission Statement
“The Troops of Saint
George apostolate aims to use the outdoors as our canvas and the sacraments as
our path to light the way for the formation of Holy Catholic men and boys.
Whether called to the vocation of the priesthood, the religious life, or that of
Holy fatherhood, our fathers and sons will take a prayerful pilgrimage together
to fulfill Christ’s desire for them to grow in virtue and in their Holy
Catholic faith as they journey toward heaven.”
Saint George Trinitarian Salute
The Troops of Saint George
salute their officers, the flag, banners of the saints and Our Lady, and
crucifixes with the “Trinitarian Salute” – three fingers of the right hand
(index, middle, ring) out, and with the pinky and thumb joined signifying that the
divine nature of Christ is joined to His human nature: fully God and fully man
as taught at the Catholic Council of Chalcedon in AD 431.
Prayer Customs: ad orientem
The cadets usually carry a
compass with them. Even when they do not, they should be able to find East.
Like the early Christians, the Troops of Saint George pray facing the East in
response to Gospel according to Saint Matthew 24:27:
“For as lightning cometh
out of the east, and appears even into the west: so, shall the coming of the
Son of man be.”
The Church believed that
Christ’s Second Coming would be revealed “from the east to the west.” The
rising sun was an image of the Resurrected Christ.
So, at times of prayer
(for example, at the Angelus at noon), the Captain or one of the boys should
shout “ad orientem” and the men and boys should turn to face East, unless there
is already a suitable image or crucifix erected nearby.
The Role of Proverbs for the Troops
of Saint George
Each man or young man
among the Troops of Saint George must study the biblical book of Proverbs,
since it is the Book of the Bible that instructs men how to become wise and
virtuous. There the man will learn why he should resist sexual impurity,
alcoholism, quarreling, and financial debt – the chief ways by which men lapse.
He will also learn from the Proverbs the riches of knowing God and the blessing
of a godly wife and family.
While
stationed in Mons we were chased by the Doudou
The Doudou of Mons[5]
Thousands of bystanders stand with necks craned, cheering on Saint George as he goes into battle with the ferocious dragon in a small circle in the middle of Mons’ Grand-Place. The curious scene is a highlight of the Belgian city’s Doudou festival, an ancient feast of lush parades, fights with wicker monsters, and buckets of crowd participation.
Up in the forested Belgian Ardennes, slightly bizarre folkloric celebrations
have long been a part of the annual diet – just think of Binche’s
carnival with its
white-masked, orange-pelting figures, or Andenne with its bear-filled streets.
Local identity and pride in one’s cultural heritage play a major part in these
festivities, and they are, in fact, the reason they still exist today, and this
is no less true in Mons’ case. The 800-year-old Ducasse de Mons on Trinity
Sunday, lovingly dubbed ‘le Doudou’ by locals, is perhaps the most raucous of
them all. As Saint George on horseback and a giant wicker dragon make their way
to the middle of the main square for their epic brawl, members of the crowd
jump forward to try and grab a handful of straw from the mythical beast’s tail.
A handful of its hairs, legend has it, will bring brave audience member’s luck.
Before the meticulously choreographed
“Battle of the Lumeçon” begins, however, visitors are reminded that the dragon
isn’t the only adversity Mons has had to reckon with in its history. Indeed,
true fans have started the day’s celebrations off much earlier in the
Sainte-Waudru Collegiate Church. Here, the shrine of Sainte Waudru, foundress of
the city and miracle worker, is taken out in the morning to meet a temple
overflowing with worshippers. Believed to have saved Mons from a sweeping
plague in the 14th century, the holy woman’s relics are loaded onto an
elaborately decorated wagon called the Car d’Or (“the Golden Cart”).
A whole parade of local
organizations dressed up in medieval garb join the procession, and when the
draft horses pulling the ornate wagon invariably struggle on one particularly
steep alley, the watchful masses never fail to reunite forces and help them up
the slope. Locals especially have a stake in this: superstition has it that if
the cart doesn’t get up in one try, bad things await the city. Meanwhile, the
daredevils who plan on doing some tail-grabbing later have had the opportunity
to gain a little liquid courage at the food and drink stalls lining the
parade’s route. With each victory – getting the cart up the hill, the slaughter
of the wicker dragon – the audience yells out joyously: “Et les Montois ne
périront pas!” (“And the people of Mons will not perish!”). Folklore fans
who are longing to join in know where and when to plan their next trip.
The
next Ducasse de Mons takes place
Bible in a year Day 293 Discipline Grounded in Love
Fr. Mike focuses on the theme of disciplining children, reflected
in our readings from Sirach and Proverbs today. He clarifies that there is a
crucial difference between discipline and destruction, and emphasizes that
disciplining children should always be grounded in love and oriented towards
their success in the future. Today's readings 1 Maccabees 12, Sirach 30-31, and
Proverbs 23:13-16..
PRAYERS AND TEACHINGS OF THE CATHOLIC
CHURCH
Prayer after Meals[6]
We give Thee thanks for all Thy benefits, O Almighty God, who livest and reignest forever; and may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Around the Corner Try English Muffins
·
do
a personal eucharistic stations of the cross.
·
Shirley Temple
was born on April 23, 1928.
·
Easter: Fifty Days of Rejoicing
·
Bucket List Trip:
Belgium
·
Spirit hour: German Beer
Thursday Feast
Thursday is the day of the week
that our Lord gave himself up for consumption. Thursday commemorates the last
supper. Some theologians believe after Sunday Thursday is the holiest day of
the week. We should then try to make this day special by making a visit to the
blessed sacrament chapel, Mass or even stopping by the grave of a loved one.
Why not plan to count the blessing of the week and thank our Lord. Plan a
special meal. Be at Peace. According to Mary Agreda[7] in
her visions it was on a Thursday at six o'clock in the evening and at the
approach of night that the Angel Gabriel approached and announced her as Mother
of God and she gave her fiat.
Dinner Menu
Best
Places to Visit in April
Santa Catalina Island, California[8]
Part of the Channel Islands of
California (22 miles off Southern California), I honestly believe this gorgeous
spot is one of the best islands to visit in spring. For starters, there’s the
stunning island scenery before the summer crowds arrive, and this time of year
has a much more relaxed atmosphere. The weather averages around 67 degrees in
the day, and once there, I would highly recommend just kicking back and waiting
for island life to take hold!
It’s a rocky but very scenic
island with white sand beaches, palm trees, a cute harbor filled with gently
bobbing boats, and jaw-dropping sunsets. There are also plenty of accommodation
options.
·
Visitor’s
Centre Address: 1 Green Pleasure Pier, Avalon, CA 90704, Phone: +1 310-510-1520
My favorite
highlights…
- Experiencing the
exhilarating Catalina Zip Line Eco Tour which reaches speed of nearly 40
mph at 600 feet above sea level!
- Exploring the outback
on an open-air four-wheel tour to discover remote areas others don’t
usually see.
- Taking part in a Happy
Hour Tour where I tasted award-winning appetizers and specialty drinks.
Daily Devotions
·
Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them
in fasting: Today's Fast: Increase
in the Religious and Consecrated Life.
·
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
[5]https://theculturetrip.com/europe/belgium/articles/a-brief-history-of-belgiums-doudou-and-why-you-should-attend/
[7] Venerable Mary of Agreda. The Mystical City of God:
Complete Edition Containing all Four Volumes with Illustrations (p. 770).
Veritatis Splendor Publications. Kindle Edition
A YANK AT OXFORD (1938)
Robert Taylor, Lionel Barrymore, Maureen O’Sullivan, Vivien Leigh
An energetic campus drama where an overconfident American collides with the ancient discipline of Oxford—and discovers that pride must be broken before character can be built.
Sources: imdb.com
1. Production & Historical Setting
Released by MGM in 1938, the film was part of Hollywood’s fascination with British academic life—tradition, ritual, and the shaping of young men. Director Jack Conway blends light comedy with moral formation, while the cast brings surprising depth:
- Robert Taylor as the gifted but arrogant American athlete.
- Lionel Barrymore as the stern but fair father figure.
- Maureen O’Sullivan as the steadying presence of sincerity.
- Vivien Leigh, just before Gone With the Wind, as the charming but complicated catalyst for scandal.
Oxford itself becomes a character: stone halls, rowing shells, gowns, bells—an environment designed to break pride and build discipline.
2. Story Summary
American track star Lee Sheridan arrives at Oxford expecting admiration. Instead he finds:
- Rivalry with the upper‑class students he unintentionally insults.
- Humiliation when his arrogance isolates him.
- Temptation through a flirtation with a married woman (Vivien Leigh).
- Correction when he is falsely accused and must face the consequences.
- Redemption through loyalty, courage, and a willingness to change.
The turning point comes when Lee stops fighting Oxford and begins submitting to its discipline. His final race is not just athletic—it is moral: a man running as someone newly forged.
3. Spiritual & Moral Resonances
A. Pride Meets the Ancient Order
Lee’s swagger collapses when confronted with a world older, wiser, and more demanding than he expected. Pride always breaks when it meets something immovable.
B. Discipline as Freedom
Oxford’s rules, rituals, and expectations are not constraints—they are the scaffolding that allows Lee to grow into a man capable of self‑command.
C. The Wound of False Accusation
Being blamed for what he didn’t do forces Lee to choose between self‑pity and integrity. Innocence still requires endurance.
D. Friendship as Formation
The men who first mocked him become the ones who sharpen him. Brotherhood is often born from conflict, not comfort.
E. Victory After Surrender
Lee wins only after he stops performing and starts submitting to the truth about himself. His athletic triumph mirrors his interior conversion.
4. Hospitality Pairing — The Oxford Table
- Strong black tea with honey — discipline softened by sweetness.
- Toasted English muffin with butter and jam — simple, steadying, collegiate.
- A small brass key on the table — symbol of formation: doors open only after humility is learned.
- A single sprig of rosemary — remembrance of who you were before correction, and who you are becoming after it.
A setting for evenings when you feel the sting of correction and need to remember that discipline is a gift.
5. Reflection Prompts
- Where does my pride still expect applause instead of accountability?
- What structures or disciplines in my life function like Oxford—ancient, demanding, and good for me?
- How do I respond when I am misunderstood or falsely accused?
- Which friendships in my life sharpen me rather than flatter me?
- What “race” am I running right now that requires humility before victory?
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