Wednesday, June 3, 2026 First Wednesday
Day 1 - Sacred Heart Novena - "America Unites to the
|
|
1. Summary of the Video
Core message: Satan’s attacks are strategic, psychological, and aimed at weakening the believer’s resolve, identity, and mission. Overcoming him requires clarity, discipline, and spiritual vigilance.
Key points from the video youtube.com
- Satan exploits weakness, confusion, and emotional instability. He looks for cracks—moments of exhaustion, discouragement, or moral compromise.
- The devil’s primary weapon is deception. He distorts truth, manipulates perception, and tries to redefine good and evil.
- Christians must cultivate mental and spiritual discipline. A disordered life—chaotic habits, lack of prayer, lack of purpose—creates openings for the enemy.
- Identity is a battlefield. Satan attacks who you believe you are, because identity determines action.
- Courage and clarity defeat confusion. A Christian who knows what is true, who they are, and what God commands becomes difficult for the enemy to manipulate.
- The Christian life is warfare, not comfort. Victory requires vigilance, intentionality, and a willingness to confront evil rather than ignore it.
2. CCC Integration — What the Church Teaches About This Battle
A. The Devil’s Strategy
- CCC 391–395 — Satan is a fallen angel who seeks to draw man into his rebellion through lies and seduction.
- CCC 1707 — Because of original sin, the human intellect is darkened and the will weakened, making deception easier.
- CCC 407 — Ignoring the reality of Satan leads to grave error; the devil’s influence is real and active.
B. The Nature of Temptation
- CCC 2846 — Temptation tests the heart; God permits it so virtue can grow.
- CCC 1808 — Fortitude is the virtue that resists fear and deception.
- CCC 2725–2728 — Prayer is a battle against distraction, discouragement, and the enemy’s subtle voice.
C. The Christian Response
- CCC 1435 — Daily conversion—small acts of self-denial, prayer, and charity—weakens the enemy’s influence.
- CCC 2015 — The spiritual life is combat; holiness is forged through struggle.
- CCC 215–217 — God is truth; every lie is a participation in the demonic.
3. Confronting Evil
Title: “Stand Where the Enemy Breaks”
Evil advances first through confusion.
If a man cannot see clearly, he cannot fight clearly.
This is why the devil’s first weapon is always the lie.
The Catechism teaches that our intellect is wounded (CCC 1707), and the enemy exploits that wound. He whispers distortions—about God, about the world, about ourselves—until the man who once walked straight begins to drift. Confusion becomes compromise; compromise becomes captivity.
But Christ calls the Christian to clarity, courage, and confrontation.
Clarity: naming evil for what it is.
Courage: refusing to yield ground.
Confrontation: standing firm where the enemy presses hardest.
The believer does not overcome Satan by emotion but by truth, spoken with conviction. The devil cannot withstand a man who knows who he is in Christ and refuses to negotiate with darkness.
This is the battlefield of our age:
Not merely politics, not merely culture,
but the interior fortress of the Christian mind.
Hold your ground.
Stand where the enemy breaks.
Christ fights beside you.
Smoke in this Life Not the Next
Wed, June 3 — First Wednesday (St. Joseph)
Virtue: Work & Steadiness
Cigar: Earthy, disciplined (Corojo)
Bourbon: Four Roses Small Batch – clean, structuredA
Reflection: What labor purifies my heart.
The Vision:
A woman appears in white with a matching veil, holding a rosary — a soul in purification, not yet in glory.
The Request:
She asks a living friend for charity: to fulfill a vow she made but could not complete.
The Debt:
Three Masses at the altar of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Unkept in life.
A burden in death.
A mercy the living can finish.
Introduction to 1 Kings[1]
Populated with majestic kings, beautiful princesses,
scheming nobles, powerful wizards, and the quintessential evil queen, 1 Kings could almost be set in a
fairy-tale world full of griffins and unicorns and magical swords. In fact, if
you ever get bored with it, just use your imagination to throw in some fantasy
elements, and it'll be better than Lord of the Rings. 1 Kings contains two very
different central characters: King Solomon and Elijah. These two could hardly
be more different: Solomon is rich (3:13), Elijah is not (as far as we can
tell); Solomon lives in a spectacular palace (7:1-12), Elijah is often homeless
(17:3-5; 19:4-5); Solomon has servants at his beck and call (4:1-21), Elijah
gets his food by begging (17:10-13) or heavenly delivery service (17:6;
19:5-7); Solomon is dignified and eloquent (4:32-34), Elijah is snarky (18:27);
Solomon uses his brain (3:23-28), while Elijah uses brute, elemental force
(18:37-40); Solomon is cool and calculated (2:22-34), Elijah is a hot-headed
spitfire (18:21); in the end Solomon succumbs to temptation (11:4), whereas
Elijah (in 2nd Kings) is so pure he's taken directly to heaven before he even
has a chance to die (2 Kings 2:11). By presenting these guys side-by-side in
the same book, 1 Kings allows us to see both of them more clearly. They're like
Captain Kirk
and Spock. Woody and Buzz. Carlton and Will. They're convenient, cooperative opposites,
and each helps us to better understand the other. And they're not the only
foils you'll find in 1 Kings. You'll find a lot of opposites if you keep your
eyes open, including within the same character/object/place. Amid all of these
dissimilarities scattered across the pages, you'll start to see themes and
patterns emerging that can help you understand the mythical enchanted kingdom
epic that is 1 Kings.
Why Should I Care?
What would you do if you had superpowers? Would you use them only for good? Would you finally achieve world peace? End all hunger? Or just make your own life easier? Of course you wouldn't use it for evil… right? Maybe just a little bit? Some revenge? A pinch of pleasure here and there? What's the point of all that power if you can't use it to make yourself happy, right? Would your powers worry you at all? They say absolute power corrupts absolutely. Are you sure you could handle it? Okay. We're done grilling you now.
1 Kings is the story of what happens to Israel after its greatest king, David (of David and Goliath fame), dies. Though his son, Solomon, looks for a while like he'll follow in ol' dad's footsteps, in the end he sets Israel up for disaster. As civil war breaks out and the people's rulers get worse and worse with each generation, we see that the stories in 1st Kings (some of which spill over into the next book, 2 Kings) are dominated by people with a lot of power—sometimes almost god-like power: Solomon possesses supernatural wisdom and unfathomable riches; Elijah has the very elements at his disposal; Ahab and Jezebel command legions of soldiers and priests; and the list goes on. How they each behave under these circumstances can be instructive for all of us, because although it might not seem like it now, you possess a lot of power and will probably gain a whole lot more of it as you grow up. Money, education, influence, position, physical strength, emotional awareness, and so on can all give you power over other people. What are you going to do with it?
The difference between Superman and General Zod
lies in how each uses his powers. Although you probably can't leap tall
buildings in a single bound, you do have the power to change the world in a
million ways, whether subtly or in more visible ways. As you read about the
extreme powers at play in 1 Kings, try to see past the sheer razzle-dazzle of
it all and think about stuff like this. Someday, when you're a powerful
politician, teacher, surgeon, mentor, writer, scientist, or mom, the world will
be glad you did.
JUNE
3 First Wednesday-St. Charles Lwanga & companions
Celibacy Awareness Month
1 Kings, Chapter 1, Verse 49-50
All the guests of
Adonijah got up trembling, and went each their way, but Adonijah, in FEAR of Solomon, got up and went to
grasp the horns of the altar.
In
King David’s old age, he developed circulatory problems, and a beautiful young
woman named Abishag was brought to the king to attend him and “keep him warm.”
Abishag slept in the king’s bed to provide body heat, though she and David were
never sexually intimate (1 Kings 1:1–4). After David’s death, his son Solomon
became king. Shortly afterward, another of David’s sons, Adonijah, who had at
one time tried to take over the kingdom, hatched another plot to wrest control
from King Solomon. Adonijah’s first step was to ask Solomon’s mother,
Bathsheba, to secure Solomon’s permission to give him Abishag as a wife.
Adonijah’s request seems innocuous enough, but it was full of subterfuge.
Solomon’s initial response was one of indignation. He said to his mother,
“Why do you request Abishag the Shunammite for Adonijah?
You might as well request the kingdom for him—after
all, he is my older brother” (1 Kings 2:22). Solomon rightly saw Adonijah’s
desire to marry Abishag as part of his brother’s ongoing attempt to take over
the kingdom of Israel. In those days of royal harems, taking possession of a
king’s concubines was a declaration of one’s right to the throne. This had been
one of Absalom’s methods when he led a coup against David (2 Samuel 16:22).
Since Abishag was considered part of David’s harem, her marriage to Adonijah
would have strengthened the usurper’s claim to the throne. In judgment for
Adonijah’s request, Solomon said, “God do so to me and more also if this word
does not cost Adonijah his life!” (1 Kings 2:23). He quickly sent Benaiah, one
of their father’s mighty men, to execute Adonijah. The tension between Adonijah
and Solomon had been longstanding. Adonijah was older than Solomon and
therefore, under normal circumstances, in line before Solomon for the throne.
But God promised that Solomon would be king. Adonijah had already attempted to
set himself up as king while David was still alive; when David was notified of
the plot, he quickly made Solomon’s kingship official (1 Kings 1:38–40).
Adonijah’s followers had fled, leaving him in a situation where he could have
been killed for his rebellion. King Solomon mercifully granted Adonijah his
life on the condition that he pay homage to the king and give up his claim to
the throne (1 Kings 1:52–53).[2]
What does it mean to
grasp the horns of the altar? [3]
The
innocent blood of the bull represents life over death rubbed on the horn of
salvation. The horns represent salvation, forgiveness of sins, and power over
death, strength, and mercy for mankind which put together describes God.
Rubbing the blood on the horn with a finger illustrates reconciliation of man
with God and no death when the horn is touched because the sacrificial blood
stands in the gap between man and God on his finger. So, this is access to God
through the blood of no sin which Adam housed before he disobeyed God. Adam had
this power to cover Eve but chose disobedience instead of utilizing his power.
Jesus is the blood between the finger and horn. That's the intercession for
man.
Copilot’s
Take
Adonijah’s
desperate grasping of the altar reveals a man undone by his own disordered
desires. His request for Abishag was not affection but ambition — a sexualized
power play meant to claim the throne. Solomon’s outrage exposes the deeper
truth: when a man’s passions rule him, he becomes a danger to the kingdom.
Disorder in the body becomes disorder in the world. Adonijah’s trembling hands
on the horns of the altar show a man seeking protection without repentance,
mercy without conversion, sanctuary without surrender.
The horns of
the altar were meant to be a place where the blood of sacrifice stood between
the sinner and death. But the altar cannot be manipulated. It demands truth.
Adonijah touches the place of mercy while clinging to the sin that brought him
there. His gesture exposes the perennial temptation of fallen masculinity: to
seek God’s covering while refusing God’s correction. The altar is not a hiding
place for ambition; it is the place where ambition must die.
Into this tension steps St. Charles Lwanga, whose feast anchors this day. Where Adonijah weaponized sexuality for domination, Charles sanctified sexuality for protection.
When King Mwanga demanded sexual access to the young pages of his court, Charles stood between predator and victim with a courage born of chastity. His purity was not fragility but fire. He taught the boys to guard their bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit, and he accepted martyrdom rather than betray the innocence entrusted to him. His witness reveals that sexual integrity is not a private virtue but a public act of spiritual warfare.
Celibacy
Awareness Month amplifies this truth. Celibacy is not the absence of desire but
the consecration of desire. It is the Church’s living contradiction to
Adonijah’s worldview — a proclamation that the body is not a tool, intimacy is
not leverage, and desire is not destiny. Celibacy reveals that sexuality finds
its highest meaning not in possession but in self‑gift, not in domination but
in freedom. It is the altar where the passions are not suppressed but offered,
where the heart learns to love without grasping.
And standing
above this month as its quiet, immovable patron is St. Joseph — the master of
integrated masculinity. Joseph lived the celibate marriage with Mary not as
deprivation but as mission. His chastity was not passive restraint but active
guardianship. He protected the Virgin, the Child, and the divine plan with a
purity that made him spiritually unassailable. Joseph is the anti‑Adonijah: a
man whose desires are so ordered that God entrusts him with the two holiest
bodies ever placed on earth. His silence is strength. His purity is authority.
His obedience is power.
St. Joseph
and St. Charles Lwanga together form a single icon of redeemed masculinity:
Joseph the guardian, Charles the martyr; Joseph protecting the Holy Family,
Charles protecting the vulnerable; Joseph confronting evil through purity of
heart, Charles confronting evil through purity unto death. They show that
chastity is not weakness but the foundation of true authority. They reveal that
sexual integrity stabilizes families, communities, and kingdoms.
Today’s
Scriptures and saints confront us with a choice. We can live like Adonijah,
grasping at the altar while refusing to surrender the disorder within, or we
can live like Joseph and Charles, offering our desires to God until they become
instruments of courage, clarity, and protection. On this day, we pray for the
grace to confront the Adonijah within us — the part that seeks sanctuary
without surrender — and to embrace the purity that frees, the chastity that
strengthens, and the courage that burns but does not bow.
First
Wednesday
Meditate
on the humility of Saint Joseph this day; ask for his assistance and special
protection.
Saint
Joseph[4]
ST. JOSEPH was descended from the kingly line of David and was a kinsman of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Matt. i. 1-16). The Gospel gives him the praise of being just (Matt. i. 19), that is, a man distinguished for all virtues. And surely, as he was chosen from all other men by God to be the foster-father of His Son, he undoubtedly excelled, in virtues and sanctity, all saints then living. Of his youth nothing certain is known to us, and of his later life we know only what the Gospel relates. He was a carpenter (Matt. xiii. 55), and lived at Nazareth, in Galilee (Luke ii. 4).
Being espoused to Mary, he was inclined, upon learning that she was with child, to put her away privately, not wishing to expose her to public reproach but being instructed by an angel, he took her to himself, in obedience to the command of God, went with her to Bethlehem, and afterwards, with Mary and the new-born child, fled, without timidity, to Egypt (Matt. ii. 13). At the command of the angel, he returned thence, and again dwelt in Nazareth (Matt. ii. 23). From this place they went every year to the feast at Jerusalem, where it happened that Jesus, then twelve years old, remained behind them in the temple, and was anxiously sought for by them. More than this is not told us. At the time of the marriage at Cana it would seem that he was no longer living, since there is no mention made of him. Though little is said of him, that little is rich in profitable instruction. How worthy to be admired and imitated is his example his chastity, his tenderness towards Mary, his forbearing to pronounce a judgment in regard to her condition when he could not explain it, his quick and unreserved obedience towards God and the commands of authority, his love for Jesus, and his care for both the mother and the child. On account of his sanctity God has specially distinguished him by miracles, and the Church honors him in a particular manner. In the Litany of the Saints, he is named among the patriarchs, and the feast of his patronage is celebrated on the third Sunday after Easter. Venerate, therefore, St. Joseph choose him for your protector in life and in death, and make yourself worthy of his protection by following his example.
Instruction
To
encourage us to veneration for St. Joseph St. Teresa wrote “I do not remember
to have asked St. Joseph for anything which he did not grant me. The great
favors which God has granted me through him, and the many dangers of soul and
body from which he has freed me, truly deserve admiration. It seems that God
has granted to other saints the grace of assisting, in particular needs, those
who invoke their intercession, but this glorious saint assists in all needs.
The Lord seems thereby to indicate that, as He was subject to Joseph on earth,
so now He grants him whatever he asks for. The same thing has been experienced
by persons whom I have advised to recommend themselves to him.” “I would gladly
advise everyone,” says St. Alphonsus, to have a great devotion towards this
saint, since I have experienced what graces, he can obtain from God. For
several years I have asked him, on his feast, for some particular grace, and
every time my petition has been granted. As we all have to die, we should have
a particular devotion towards St. Joseph, that he may obtain for us a happy
death for all Catholic Christians consider him to be an intercessor for the
dying, and that he assists, at the hour of death, those who venerate him; and
this for three reasons
1.
Because Jesus loves him, not only as a friend, but as a father, on which
account his intercession is more powerful than that of any other saint.
2.
Because St. Joseph obtained special power against the evil spirits who tempt us
at the hour of death.
3. The assistance which Jesus and Mary gave to Joseph at the hour of his own death procured for him the right to obtain a holy and easy death for his dependents. If in their dying hour they invoke his aid, not only will he assist them, but he will obtain for them the assistance of Jesus and Mary. “Ought not these words of a great saint encourage you to venerate St. Joseph every day? Should not the hope of dying one day under the protection of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, move you to devotion to the foster-father of Jesus?”
Prayer
to St. Joseph.
O
most chaste Joseph, who, by thy purity and other exalted virtues, wast worthy
to be chosen for the spouse of Mary and the foster-father of Jesus, I beseech
thee, by the great graces of which thou wast made partaker, that thou wouldst,
by thy intercession, obtain for all parents grace to rear their children
piously; for all married persons who are distressed and afflicted through
poverty and tribulations consolation and encouragement; for all unmarried
persons who have devoted their chastity to God the grace of perseverance; and,
finally, for all the dying the grace to come, after a happy death, to thy
fosterchild, Jesus Christ, Who, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, liveth and
reigneth one God, world without end. Amen.
St.
Joseph Devotion[5]
In 1994,
while a student in Manaus, Brazil, 22-year-old Edson Glauber received an
apparition of the Blessed Mother with Jesus and St. Joseph. The apparitions continued when he returned to his hometown of Itapiranga
which is about 650 miles southwest of Sao Paulo and about 880 miles from Rio de
Janeiro. Another 770-plus miles southwest happens to be the site of other
approved apparitions in San
Nicolas, Argentina. Edson’s mother Maria
do Carmo would also receive some apparitions. Bishop Gritti, who died this past
June, met with them several times. He celebrated Mass publicly at the site of the apparitions and helped
to build the
sanctuary there. Mary
appeared under the title of “Queen of the Rosary and of Peace.” Much like
Fatima, her messages stressed the need for conversion, praying the Rosary,
Mass, Confession and Holy Communion and penance to save the world mired in
unbelief and sin. She and Jesus urged devotion to St. Joseph’s Most Chaste
Heart.
Revelations
and Promises
St. Joseph’s major revelations began Mar. 1, 1998. He spoke about devotion to his chaste heart and
made the first of several promises. He began, “My dear son, Our Lord God has
sent me to tell you about all the graces the faithful will receive from my Most
Chaste Heart which Jesus and my blessed spouse wish to be honored…Through
devotion to my Chaste Heart many souls will be saved from the hands of the
Devil. God our Lord has allowed for me to reveal to you the promises of my
Heart.
“Just as
I am fair and righteous in the sight of God, all who have devotion to my Heart
will also be chaste, righteous and holy in His sight. I will fill you with
these graces and virtues, making you grow every day on the road of holiness.”
Next day, St. Joseph came with the Child Jesus who reclined on his heart. Joseph revealed that God wanted to give countless graces through devotion to his heart. “My son and Lord Jesus, that I brought up here on earth, with a father's love, desires that all men practice devotion to my Heart, for all those in need of graces from heaven.”
In prior
apparitions, the Virgin Mary and Jesus affirmed to Edson that Joseph has been
given great power and glory and, in these times, God wants people and the world
consecrated to the Heart of St. Joseph.
Then came
a second promise.
“I
promise to all that honor this Most Chaste Heart of mine and who do here on
earth good deeds in favor of the most needy, especially of the sick and dying
for whom I am a consoler and protector, to receive in their last moment of
their lives the grace of a good death. I myself will be to these souls their
petitioner to my Son Jesus and, together with my spouse, Most Holy Mary, we
will console them in their last hours here on earth, with our holy presence and
they will rest in the peace of our hearts.
“Just as
you saw my Son Jesus repose His head on my heart, this way myself and my spouse
Holy Mary will take these souls to the glory of paradise, in the presence of
their Savior, my Son Jesus Christ, so that they may repose, and incline
themselves to His Sacred Heart…”
Dire
Warnings
St.
Joseph did not shy away from the state of humanity’s hearts. He explained “how
sin spreads in a such a strong way! Men let themselves be led by the most
insidious wiles of the Devil. The enemy of salvation wants to destroy all men
so that, this way, all will be lost. He is envious and hates the entire human
race. So many go through trials and temptations that the enemy of God throws at
every moment, this way trying to destroy men’s mortal souls that were created
by God.”
St.
Joseph revealed a prime attack against us, something which has increased since
1998.
“The
means that he most utilizes are the sins against holy purity, because purity is
one of the virtues most beloved by God, and in this way, Satan desires to
destroy the image of God present in each creature through this virtue. And it
is because of this, that God asks all humanity to have devotion to my Chaste
Heart. He wants to give men the grace to overcome the temptations and attacks
of the Devil in their day-to-day lives.”
St. Joseph can protect us in these attacks. His litany calls him ‘most chaste” and “terror of demons.” St. Joseph made this promise. “The invocation of my name is enough to make demons flee! I promise to all the faithful that honor my most Chaste Heart with faith and love, the grace to live with holy purity of soul and body and the strength to resist all attacks and temptations by the Devil. I myself will preciously protect you.”
He said
the grace would also be for their family members in need of divine help.
Hope
for Sinners
St.
Joseph desires all sinners to be converted and saved. “Many are those who are
distant from God because of their grave sins. Many of those, my children, are
in that state because they let themselves fall to the wiles of the Devil. The
enemy of salvation makes them think there is no solution, nor return, because
they have despaired and have not trusted in divine mercy. These will be easy
targets for the Devil.”
But he
says to “all sinners, even those who have committed the most terrible sins, to
trust in the love and in the forgiveness of God and to trust in me also, in my
intercession. All those who trustingly have recourse to me will have the
certainty of my help to recover the divine grace and mercy of God.”
Not
wanting sinners to despair, he promised those who trust in his most pure Heart
and devotedly honor it, “the grace to be consoled by me in their greatest
afflictions of the soul and in the danger of judgment, when by misfortune lose
divine grace because of their grave sins. To these sinners, who have recourse
to me, I promise the graces of my Heart for the purpose of amendment, of
repentance and of sincere contrition of their sins. Now, I say to all sinners:
Do not be afraid of the Devil and do not despair because of your crimes, but
come throw yourselves in my arms and take refuge in my Heart so that you may
receive all the graces for your eternal salvation.”
Help
with Today’s Problems
St.
Joseph focused on life’s difficulties and offered consolation. “My Son Jesus,
through my Heart, wishes to impart to all men his divine blessings. I know many
of you suffer many great difficulties because, in these last times, men no
longer love or help one another but live with their hearts full of pride,
falsehood, lies, intrigue, ambition, backbiting, pettiness, and many wrong
things that are the consequences of living far from God.”
St.
Joseph said to all who honor his Heart and trust in him and his intercession,
“I promise they will not be abandoned in their difficulties and in the trials
of life. I will ask Our Lord to help them with his Divine Providence in their
material and spiritual problems.”
To mothers and fathers consecrating themselves and their families to his Heart, St. Joseph assured help in afflictions and problems, and assistance with raising up their children.
Sin: Consequences & His
Protection
The
spouse of Mary did not ignore the current world situation which in 1998 was
still 18 years from the multitude of today’s multiplying spiritual chaos.
He
emphasized, “[M]y Son Jesus is very indignant with the sins of humanity.
“He
desires to pour his divine justice upon all men that do not want to repent and
continue obstinately in their sins. Look, my son, I hold his right hand,
preventing Him from pouring out his justice upon all humanity. I ask Him,
through the graces of my Heart and for being worthy to live by his side, taking
care of him with the love of a father in this world, and for Him having loved
me with the love of a son, to not chastise the world for its crimes, but for
all my little ones who honor and will honor this Chaste Heart of mine, should
pour out his mercy upon the world.”
The
world’s many sins call humanity to repent and do penance, he said, “because God
receives continued offenses from ungrateful men. Today there are so many
outrages, the sacrilege and indifference by all men. It is because of this that
so many calamities like war, hunger and disease occur and so many other sad
things man has suffered because of man’s rebellion against God.”
St.
Joseph made clear rebellion’s consequences. “God lets men follow their own
paths to show them all, without him, they will never be happy. He lets men go
through so much suffering, to also show them the consequences sin brings to
their lives and so then the divine justice punishes humanity because of their
obstinance in not being obedient to God's Will.
He
pointed out humanity is “increasingly obstinate in their crimes” because of
concern for worldly pleasures “rather than the love of God and his
Commandments. But God's justice is close at hand in a way never seen before and
will come about suddenly upon the whole world.”
That
should shake us, yet this most powerful saint extends a hope-filled solution.
All those who honor his Chaste Heart “will receive the grace of my protection
from all evils and dangers. For those who surrender to me will not be
slaughtered by misfortunes, by wars, hunger, by diseases and other calamities,
they will have my Heart as a refuge for their protection. Here, in my Heart,
all will be protected against the divine justice in the days that will come.
All who consecrate themselves to my Heart, honoring it, they will be looked
upon by my Son Jesus with eyes of mercy, Jesus will pour out his love and will
take to the glory of his Kingdom all those I put in my Heart.”
First Wednesdays — Request & Promise
When St.
Joseph appeared on the first Wednesday of March 1998, he had a special request.
With the First Friday and First Saturday devotions, he was giving us a
companion devotion. He said,
“On every
first Wednesday of the month, my Chaste Heart pours numerous graces on all who
rely on my intercession. On these Wednesdays, men will not receive a shower of
simple graces, but very strong torrents of extraordinary graces! I will share
them with those who honor me and rely on me, all the blessings, all the
virtues, and all the love I received from my Divine Son Jesus and my spouse the
Blessed Virgin Mary while still living in this world and all the graces that I
continue to receive in the glory of paradise.”
The
request came with his great “promise to intercede before him for those who come
to me, honoring this Heart of mine. I will give them the graces to be able to
resolve the most difficult problems and urgent necessities, that to the eyes of
man seem impossible, but that, through my intercession to God, will be
possible. I grant the graces of my Heart to all sinners so they may convert.”
(St.
Joseph had made this same request during Our Lady of America’s apparitions in
March 1958, asking us to recite the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary in memory of
his life with Jesus and Mary and the love he bore them and sorrow he suffered
with them, plus receive Holy Communion with the love which he received the
Savior and each time he held Jesus in his arms.)
Confirmed by Wife Mary
At the
end of her husband’s appearances, the Blessed Virgin Mary made a promise
herself. “All who honor the Most Chaste Heart of St. Joseph will benefit with
my maternal presence in their lives in a special way.”
“To those
who ask of his Heart with trust, I promise to intercede before the Eternal
Father, my Divine Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit. I will obtain for them, from
God, the grace to reach perfect sanctity in the virtues of St. Joseph, this way
reaching the perfect love in which he lived. Men will learn to love my Son
Jesus and myself with the same love as my Most Chaste Spouse Joseph, receiving
the most pure love from our Hearts.
“My Son
Jesus, my Chaste Spouse Joseph and I are at your side. Fear nothing, because
our hearts will protect you always.”
Reward
for Spreading Devotion to St. Joseph
There is
yet something else St. Joseph said that’s we shouldn’t disregard.
“[A]ll those who propagate the devotion to my Heart, and practice it with love, have the certainty of having their names engraved on it just as my Son Jesus' cross and the "M" of Mary are engraved on it…”
After
all, “That all may spread devotion to my Heart, it is God Himself who asks it.”
St. Charles Lwanga and Companions[6]
Charles was one of twenty-two Ugandan martyrs who converted from paganism. He was baptized November 1885, a year before his death, and became a moral leader. He was the chief of the royal pages and was considered the strongest athlete of the court. He was also known as "the most handsome man of the Kingdom of the Uganda." He instructed his friends in the Catholic Faith and he personally baptized boy pages. He inspired and encouraged his companions to remain chaste and faithful. He protected his companions, ages 13-30, from the immoral acts and homosexual demands of the Babandan ruler, Mwanga.
Mwanga
was a superstitious pagan king who originally was tolerant of Catholicism.
However, his chief assistant, Katikiro, slowly convinced him that Christians
were a threat to his rule. The premise was if these Christians would not bow to
him, nor make sacrifices to their pagan god, nor pillage, massacre, nor make
war, what would happen if his whole kingdom converted to Catholicism?
When
Charles was sentenced to death, he seemed very peaceful, one might even say,
cheerful. He was to be executed by being burned to death. While the pyre was
being prepared, he asked to be untied so that he could arrange the sticks. He
then lay down upon them. When the executioner said that Charles would be burned
slowly to death, Charles replied by saying that he was very glad to be dying
for the True Faith. He made no cry of pain but just twisted and moaned,
"Katonda! (O my God!)." He was burned to death by Mwanga's order on
June 3, 1886. Pope Paul VI canonized Charles Lwanga and his companions on June
22,1964. We celebrate his memorial on June 3rd on the Roman Calendar. Charles
is the Patron of the African Youth of Catholic Action.
Celibacy
Awareness Month[7]
Celibacy
Awareness Month, celebrated each June, invites people to reflect on the
practice of celibacy. This observance offers a chance to understand and
appreciate the benefits of abstaining from sexual activity, whether for
personal, spiritual, or health reasons.
It
highlights the importance of making informed decisions about sexual health and
respecting individual choices in this intimate aspect of life.
People choose celibacy for diverse and profound reasons. For some, it’s a way to focus on personal growth, work, and other pursuits without the distractions of sexual relationships.
Others
find that abstaining from sexual activity helps them recover from past traumas
or deepen their spiritual connections. This month serves as a reminder that
celibacy can foster increased self-awareness, self-control, and peace of mind.
Celibacy
Awareness Month supports those who are celibate by providing a platform for
discussions and education on the topic.
It’s
a time to dispel misconceptions about celibacy and promote understanding of its
various dimensions.
By
recognizing celibacy, the month encourages a broader conversation about the
diverse ways people choose to live their lives and respect the decisions of
others regarding their bodies and relationships.
History of Celibacy Awareness Month
Celibacy
Awareness Month, observed each June, provides a focused period for reflecting
on the choice of living without sexual activity, whether for personal,
spiritual, or other reasons.
This
observance isn’t just a modern phenomenon but has historical roots that go deep
into various cultural and religious practices across the globe.
The
concept of celibacy has been valued in many religions for centuries. It has
been especially significant in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Christianity, where
monks, nuns, and other religious figures often take lifelong vows of celibacy
as a commitment to spiritual and personal growth.
This
practice supports the idea that by abstaining from sexual activity, one can
achieve a higher degree of spiritual focus and self-discipline.
The
establishment of Celibacy Awareness Month as a formal observance is more
recent. It is designed to promote the benefits of celibacy and encourage a
broader public conversation about it.
It
aims to educate on the personal empowerment that can come from celibacy and to
support those who choose it in a world where such choices might be
misunderstood or overlooked.
The month serves as an opportunity to discuss the varied reasons individuals might choose to abstain from sexual activity, from personal choice and health reasons to spiritual beliefs.
This
month not only raises awareness but also supports individuals in their personal
journeys. It offers them community and understanding in a choice that is deeply
personal and often private.
How to Celebrate Celibacy Awareness Month
Grab
the popcorn and queue up films that ponder the perks of being solo. Think of
character-driven stories where the protagonists discover themselves sans
romantic entanglements.
It’s
a really fun way to spark dialogue about the joys of journeying alone!
Dive Into Books
Foster
a book club this month focusing on titles that explore themes of personal
growth and self-discovery without romantic involvement.
Choose
narratives where characters thrive on their terms. These are page-turning
inspirations for those curious about a celibate path!
Share Your Story
Why
not start a blog or vlog series this June? Share your thoughts or experiences
regarding celibacy. Your journey could light the way for others to contemplate
this lifestyle.
Remember,
every story shared is a beacon for someone in the dark!
Organize a Workshop
Consider
hosting a workshop that delves into the whys and hows of celibacy. Invite
speakers who are well-versed in the psychological, health, and spiritual
benefits of this choice.
It’s
a fantastic way to spread knowledge and shatter myths!
Create Art
Why not express your thoughts on celibacy through art? Whether it’s painting, poetry, or music, creative expressions can convey complex emotions and ideas beautifully.
Plus,
it’s a splendid way to engage the community and perhaps even inspire a gallery
event!
Apostolic
Exhortation[8]
Veneremur Cernui
– Down in Adoration Falling
of
The Most Reverend Thomas J. Olmsted, Bishop of Phoenix,
to Priests, Deacons, Religious and the Lay Faithful of the Diocese of Phoenix
on the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist
My beloved Brothers and
Sisters in Christ,
Part III
Loving and Adoring the Eucharistic Lord
69.
Thus far we have stirred up our amazement at the Eucharistic mystery and have
considered the nature of our total self-gift in response. Now we turn to how we
might practically live out this mystery with greater faith and love for – as we
pray at each Mass – “our good and the good of all His holy Church”? In other
words, how concretely might we “follow the Ark” of the Eucharist into the
future God has planned for us?
I.
Make every Sunday the “Day of the Lord.”
70.
For many of our contemporaries, Sunday feels like the second half of the
two-day weekend. Thus, time becomes an empty succession of days, without
meaning, purpose, or direction. The consequence of this is not neutral but in
fact deeply damaging to us. If each week has no ultimate purpose (that is,
there is no day “for” the Lord, which means a day of divine worship), then soon
we believe that time, history, and our lives are also meaningless. The result
is a kind of slavery to whatever else we think is more important than the
worship of God. Without a shared time for us all to participate in divine
worship, we inevitably fall under bondage to some good but creaturely fixation.
It could be money, success, social advancement, entertainment, education, politics,
or sports, but like the effects of endless hard labor, the result is spiritual
exhaustion and discouragement.
71. Therefore, the Church teaches that Sunday is a “day of protest against the servitude of work and the worship of money” (CCC 2172). It means Sunday is a sign of a liberated people. In the Old Covenant, the Sabbath was a weekly experience which recalled liberation from Egypt for worship in Jerusalem. It announced to both Israel and her neighbors that she was no longer a slave to Egypt. In the New Covenant, Sunday is meant to be an experience which announces and renews the freedom of the New Passover to the world. Sunday is the time to herald to the world that we are no longer slaves to sin and death.
This day is meant to be a weekly gift from God to His people: a day of freedom, joy, charity and peace. It is the primary day in which God renews His covenant with us. We might say that the Risen Jesus chose to celebrate His first Mass on Easter Sunday, the day He rose from the dead (Lk 24:13-35). Since then, Sunday centers around the celebration of the Mass.
72.
How our world thirsts for this sign of freedom! But this freedom is not simply
freedom from but freedom for. God commands us to “keep holy” the Sabbath (Ex.
20:8). To “keep holy” means to set aside for divine worship. It is inadequate
to think Sunday is merely about freedom from work. Yes, it involves freedom
from servile work, but this is so that we are free to participate in the work
of our Redemption. Sharing in the work of the Son of God’s Cross and
Resurrection is the work which gives rest and refreshment. So, Sunday is a day
of work because we share in the liberating work of God in the sacred liturgy.
What a cathedral is to a place, Sunday is to the week: set aside for the “work”
of divine worship. Sunday is not about mere inactivity. In fact, the Mass is
the highest form of activity, for in it we share in the work of our salvation
through our participation in the Eucharist.
To be continued…
Which are the fruits of the Holy Ghost? They are the twelve following:
1. Charity.
2.
Joy.
3. Peace.
4. Patience.
5. Benignity.
6. Goodness.
7. Longsuffering.
8. Mildness.
9. Faith.
10. Modesty.
11.
Continency.
12.
Chastity.
These fruits
should be visible in the Christian, for thereby men shall know that the Holy
Ghost dwells in him, as the tree is known by its fruit.
Notice I have placed
the Fruits of the Holy Spirit in stairstep fashion so we may reflect on
them seeing that by concentrating on each step of our growth in the spirit we
may progress closer and closer to our heavenly Father. Today we will be
focusing on the Ninth step which is Peace.
Bible in a
year Day 333 Peter
Is Rescued from Prison
Today begins with Acts 12 and the miraculous rescue of Peter from
prison by an angel. Reflecting on this story, Fr. Mike helps us grapple with
the mysterious reality that we are each called to say "Yes" to God’s
destination for us, even when we might not know the way. Lastly, Fr. Mike
delves into St. Paul's hard teachings to the Corinthians on sexuality morality
and excommunication. Today's readings are Acts 12, 1 Corinthians 5-6, and
Proverbs 28:1-3.
Around the Corner
Get a house and
make it a home.
National Homeownership Month
lights up every June, celebrating the joys and benefits of owning a home.
It’s a special time when people
across the United States reflect on homeownership’s significant role in
fostering community ties and building personal wealth.
This month reminds us of the dream
of owning a home, an aspiration that connects deeply with the pursuit of
happiness and stability in American life.
The observance is important
because it emphasizes how owning a home is more than just having a place to
live. Homeownership encourages long-term financial growth, community
involvement, and a stable environment for raising families. FHA
loans.
If you can’t buy a home how about
a Castle.
Buying a cheap castle is possible, but it often comes with hidden costs like restoration and maintenance.
Here are some ways to find one:
Check specialized websites
– Sites like Castleist
list affordable castles worldwide, including options in Italy, Ireland, and
France.
Look for renovation projects
– Some castles, like Scotland’s Kinloch Castle, are available for as little as $1,
but they require significant investment to restore.
Consider location – Castles
in Eastern Europe or rural areas tend to be more affordable than those in
Western Europe.
Network with local agents –
Some historic properties aren’t widely advertised, so working with a local real
estate agent can help uncover hidden gems.
Be prepared for upkeep costs
– Even a cheap castle can have high maintenance costs, including heating,
repairs, and legal fees.
Spirit Hour: World
Cider Day
John Adam drank a
Cider every morning and lived to 90 in a time when the average age of men was
34
Fairness
is giving animals their due too this is “Responsible
Animal Guardian Month”.
Bucket List Trip: Caribbean
American Heritage Month: Barbados
Spirit Hour 2: Cognac of course or
Mount Gay Rum
Foodie-something with cheese please
June is National
Steakhouse Month
Daily
Devotions
Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them
in fasting: Protection
of Life from Conception until natural death.
Litany of the Most Precious
Blood of Jesus
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
Rosary
[3]http://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/3961/what-is-the-significance-of-taking-hold-of-the-horns-of-the-altar
[4] Goffine’s Divine Instructions, 1896
THE FARMER’S DAUGHTER (1947)
Loretta Young • Joseph Cotten • Ethel Barrymore
Directed by H.C. Potter
Featuring the film debut of James Arness (credited as James Aurness)
A political comedy wrapped in prairie sincerity,
The Farmer’s Daughter is not merely a light romance.
It is a meditation on integrity,
on the courage of ordinary virtue,
and the quiet dignity of a woman who refuses
to let power distort her sense of right and wrong.
It is the story of a farm girl who walks into Washington
with nothing but honesty in her suitcase,
a congressman who rediscovers his conscience through her clarity,
and a political machine that discovers
that truth — spoken plainly — is its most dangerous opponent.
And then the judgment comes —
not in the halls of Congress,
but in the hearts of the people
who recognize goodness when they see it.
1. Production & Historical Setting
A Postwar America Hungry for Decency
Released in 1947, the film arrived at a moment when the nation was weary of propaganda and power plays.
Audiences longed for stories where virtue was not naïve —
but necessary.
Loretta Young: The Radiant Reformer
Young’s Katrin Holstrom is not a caricature of rural innocence.
She is intelligent, principled, and unembarrassed by her convictions.
Her performance won the Academy Award for Best Actress,
a testament to how deeply her moral clarity resonated.
Joseph Cotten: The Gentleman Politician
Cotten’s Glenn Morley is a man raised inside the system —
comfortable, capable,
but slowly numbed by compromise.
Katrin becomes his conscience,
and he recognizes in her the courage he has misplaced.
Ethel Barrymore: The Matriarch of Moral Gravity
Barrymore’s Mrs. Morley is the film’s spine —
a woman who sees through flattery,
recognizes character instantly,
and knows that public service is a vocation, not a career.
James Arness: A Quiet Beginning
Arness appears in his first film role,
a small but notable presence —
the seed of the towering screen persona he would later become.
2. Story Summary
A Farm Girl with a Straight Spine
Katrin Holstrom leaves her family farm to study nursing,
but a detour lands her in the Morley household as a maid.
Her honesty is disarming.
Her work ethic is unshakable.
Her political instincts are sharper than anyone expects.
A Congressman Who Rediscovers His Courage
Glenn Morley admires her clarity,
then depends on it,
then falls in love with it.
Katrin becomes the mirror in which he sees
the gap between what he believes
and what he has settled for.
A Political Machine Meets Its Match
When a corrupt candidate is poised to win a congressional seat,
Katrin refuses to stay silent.
Her impromptu speech —
plain, moral, unvarnished —
captures the public imagination.
The Triumph of Ordinary Virtue
Katrin is elected not because she is polished,
but because she is true.
The film insists that democracy is healthiest
when the honest are not afraid to speak.
3. Spiritual & Moral Resonances
A. Integrity Is a Form of Courage
Katrin’s power is not ambition.
It is the refusal to bend the truth
to fit the expectations of the powerful.
B. The Poor in Spirit Often See Most Clearly
Her farm upbringing becomes her moral compass.
She knows the value of work,
the dignity of every person,
and the danger of flattery.
C. Politics Needs Conscience More Than Strategy
Glenn’s transformation is not ideological.
It is moral.
He remembers that public service is a stewardship,
not a performance.
D. Truth Spoken Simply Can Break the Spell of Corruption
Katrin’s speeches are not rhetorical flourishes.
They are testimony.
And testimony has a sacramental force.
E. Grace Often Arrives Through the Least Expected Messenger
A maid becomes a congresswoman.
A farm girl becomes a reformer.
The lowly confound the powerful —
a biblical pattern retold in Technicolor.
4. Hospitality Pairing — A Table of Honest Work
Drink: Hot coffee in a sturdy mug — the taste of early mornings and earned strength.
Plate: Rye bread, cold ham, mustard — simple, nourishing, unpretentious.
Atmosphere: A wooden table, a checked cloth, the sense of a home where truth is spoken plainly and work is honored.
Symbol: A small sheaf of wheat — the reminder that virtue grows in fields long before it enters the halls of power.
Comments
Post a Comment