Eucharistic Miracles

Last week I was had a spiritually delightful experience listening to "Our Hidden God" from Holy Family Press, with two of my friends.  It was great to share and learn with others about these miracles that God has provided to us so that we may believe more fully in the Eucharist.  Later the friend who brought the CD, lent it to me to share with my family.  Well I first listened to it twice alone, and it was better each time.  In fact alone, it seemed to bit me like a "ton of bricks".  I think many times we grow complacent to the Eucharist and it is great to have a reminder that it is the "Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Our Lord Jesus Christ".  I have since shared it with spouse and my eight year old daughter (who will soon receive her first communion), and they loved it too!

Well, as what so often happens, good messages get repeated, I received the "Catholic Family News" last Friday and there on page three was a story about the Eucharistic miracle at Seefeld.  In that miracle a proud knight learned the hard way of the Real Presence. His hand impressions can be seen in the alter, as well as the impression his feet left in the floor of the church.   Here is a link to that and other Eucharistic miracles at angelfire.com.

Forgive Them Anyway

              People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.  Forgive them anyway.

            If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.  Be kind anyway.

            If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.  Succeed anyway.

           If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.  Be honest and sincere anyway.

            What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.  Create anyway.

            If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.  Be happy anyway.

            The good you do today, will often be forgotten.  Do good anyway.

         Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.  Give your best anyway.

         In the final analysis, it is between you and God.  It was never between you and them anyway.

-Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

Great Conversion - Venerable Charles De Foucauld

Regarding his conversion, Charles De Fouchauld said, "The moment I realized that God existed, I could not do otherwise than live for Him alone."

From "Modern Saints Their Lives and Faces - Book One", by Ann Ball

People Impressions of Latin Mass

Good comments from bloggers at Father John Zuhlsdorf's site, giving their impression of their first Latin Mass.

Rorate Caeli Purgatorial Society

See Information and link below to enroll souls for masses.  J-S

 

Below, please find the fifty-third posting of enrolled souls of the Rorate Caeli Purgatorial Society, which has 16 holy priests saying regular Traditional Latin Masses for the souls.

How to enroll souls: please email me at athanasiuscatholic@yahoo.com and submit as follows: "Name, State, Country." If you want to enroll entire families, simply write in the email: "The Jones family, Ohio, USA". Individual names are preferred. Be greedy -- send in as many as you wish and forward this posting to friends as well.

Please consider forwarding this Society to your family and friends, announcing from the pulpit during Holy Mass or listing in your church bulletin. We need to spread the word and relieve more suffering souls.

Please pray for the enrolled souls and the 15 holy priests saying Traditional Masses for the Society:

"For all the souls enrolled in the Rorate Caeli Purgatorial Society: Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the Faithful departed rest in peace. Amen."

Then ...

Almighty and ever living God,

we ask Thy blessing upon the priests

who offer Masses for the Purgatorial Society.

Give them a greater awareness of the grace

that Thou dost pour out through the Sacraments,

and by their devout celebration of the Sacred Mysteries,

increase in them a love for Thee.

Give strength to Thy priests, O Shepherd of the flock;

when they are in doubt, give them the assurance of faith,

and in Thy goodness confirm them as heralds of Thy Truth

to all who seek to follow in Thy path.

We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Eternal Priest,

Who lives and reigns with Thee in the unity with the Holy Ghost,

God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Is Hell Endothermic or Exothermic

I got this off of a blog a couple years ago:

This is forwarded from a Oklahoma graduate, citing one of Dr. Schlambaugh's final test questions for his final exam of 1997. Dr. Schlambaugh of the Oklahoma Chemical Engineering Dept. is known for asking questions on his finals like: "Why do airplanes fly?" In May 1997, the "Momentum, Heat, and Mass Transfer II" final exam question was: "Is Hell exothermic or endothermic? Support your answer with proof." Most of the students wrote proofs of their beliefs using Boyle's Law or some variant. One student, however, wrote the following:

"First, we postulate that if souls exist, they must have some mass. If they do, then a mole of souls also must have a mass. So, at what rate are souls moving into hell and at what rate are souls leaving? I think we can safely assume that once a soul gets to hell, it does not leave. Therefore, no souls are leaving.

As for souls entering Hell, let's look at the different religions that exist in the world today. Some religions say that if you are not a member of their religion, you will go to Hell. Since there are more than one of these religions, and people generally do not belong to more than one religion, we can project that most people and most souls go to Hell.

With the birth and death rates what they are, we can expect the number of souls in hell to increase exponentially. Now, we look at the rate of change in the volume of Hell. Boyle's Law states that in order for the temperature and pressure in hell to stay the same, the ratio of the mass of the souls and volume needs to stay constant.

[A1] So, if Hell is expanding at a slower rate than the rate at which souls enter hell, then the temperature and pressure in Hell will increase until all Hell breaks loose.

[A2] Of course, if Hell is expanding at a rate faster than the increase in souls in Hell, then the temperature and pressure will drop until Hell freezes over

So which is it? If we accept the postulate given to me by Theresa Banyan during freshman year, that, "It'll be a cold day in Hell before I go out with you," and taking into account that I still have not succeeded in persuading her to accompany me on a date, then [A2] cannot be true... thus, Hell is exothermic."

The student got the only A.

Consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Interesting supposition on why the consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary has not been performed.

http://www.fatimacrusader.com/cr96/cr96pg23.pdf

Abstinance from Eating Meat on Fridays

Excellent link regarding abstinence from eating meat on Fridays

http://www.secondexodus.com/html/catholicdefinitions/fridayabstinence.htm

Fatima TV

Now I am scared, pray more rosaries!

http://fatimatvworldwide.twww.tv/video.php?lang=EN#video.php?nav=1&lang=EN

FATIMA TV WORLD WIDE
GOES ONLINE

February 10, 2012

On February 13, the only international apostolate dedicated to proclaiming the full Fatima Message will launch a bold new initiative: Fatima TV will become available on the web, 24 hours a day, anywhere in the world.

Fatima TV now broadcasts on Channel 213 in Rome, and will continue to do so. But there is a need and a growing demand to make its programs accessible to a wider audience in English as well as Italian.

Using the advanced technology and resources of www.twww.tv programs, exploring the rich and controversial history of the Message of Fatima and featuring the world's leading Fatima experts will be accessible in high quality Internet streaming.

Fatima TV also provides much-needed instruction in the traditional Catholic Faith, including the extraordinary form of the Mass and traditional devotions.

Fatima TV World Wide will also allow the Fatima Center to make available online its upcoming Rome conference “Fatima: Your Last Chance!” The conference - May 13 through May 18 - will convene noted authors and experts to examine the urgency of honoring the requests of Our Lady of Fatima.

The Fatima Center has tens of thousands of loyal supporters on every continent. With the advent of Fatima TV World Wide, the number of supporters is expected to grow exponentially.

Attempts to silence those who raise legitimate concerns about the church's handling of the Message of Fatima have not succeeded. Fatima TV World Wide will help to initiate an open, honest dialogue, which is long overdue.

We invite the media to be present at the launch of Fatima TV World Wide, which we believe will have a significance beyond what many people now imagine to be possible. The media are also welcome to attend our Rome conference from May 13 to May 18. Our authors and experts will be available for interviews.

Fatima TV World Wide Launch: Monday, February 13, 2012, 6:30pm

Litany of Humility

The Litany of Humility
Rafael Cardinal Merry del Val (1865-1930)
O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being loved, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being honored, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being praised, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred to others, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being approved, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being despised, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of suffering rebukes, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being calumniated, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being ridiculed, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being wronged, Deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being suspected, Deliver me, Jesus.
That others may be loved more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That, in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I may decrease, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I unnoticed, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be preferred to me in everything, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
Amen.

Growing in Faith

Over the last week, I have been blessed with three noteworthy experiences. 


(A)  First was a listening to a CD from Mathew Kelly on the seven pillars of Catholic spirituality.
       Which are:

1. Confession
2. Contemplation
3. The Mass
4. Scriptures
5. Fasting
6. Spiritual Reading
7. The Rosary

Mathew does an excellent job of presenting why each of these pillars is important for our daily lives.


(B) Secondly was from an online sermon by Father Michael Rodriguez.  The sermon was a litany of problems throughout church history.  It mirrored examples from Akita, and was a good compendium to many of the themes I have read recently.  Please pray for Father Rodriguez .


(C) Finally I was blessed to receive an invitation from a friend to to a retreat in a neighboring parish.  I had an uplifting "out of the box" experience that I do not normally receive at my regular parish and I was grateful to be able to share it with good friends, our families and other neighboring catholics.


Finally, please pray to Saint Monica for her intercession for a special intention.


Sancta Dei Genetrix, ora pro nobis.

Random Thoughts on This First Saturday

Last night I read some of the prophecies of Mary as told to Mother Mariana back in the 17th Century, see below and here.  Contemplating this and the information revealed regarding the third secret of Fatima, one can become quite anxious.


However, I can only only do what what is under my control.  My first responsibility to follow God's plan for myself, and engage in pious practices with my spouse and children.  Our Lady also gave us many  tools including the scapular, first Saturday devotions and the rosary.


So I got up this morning and contemplated on the Rosary mysteries while gazing upon the picture of Our Lady of Sorrows (that picture just cuts right through me).


Then I went to Mass and saw three mothers with their children (seeing them, I got the nudge to bring own daughter next month, and ask my spouse to come with us).


Later, I took my daughter to a party, and we were able to complete the rosary on the way.  I am so joyful regarding her knowledge of the rosary prayers.  Later, I completed a sixth decade for the Holy Souls (a practice I have just started after learning about it from a friend).


I think I will read some Bible, as I was also nudged to do that today.


Our Lady prophesied that at the end of the 19th Century and especially in the 20th Century that Satan would reign almost completely by the means of the Masonic sect. The Queen of Heaven told Mother Mariana that this battle would reach its most acute stage because of various unfaithful religious, who, "under the appearance of virtue and bad-spirited zeal, would turn upon Religion, who nourished them at her breast." "During this time," she continued, "insomuch as this poor country will lack the Christian spirit, the Sacrament of Extreme Unction will be little esteemed. Many people will die without receiving it - either because of the negligence of their families or their false sentimentality that tries to protect the sick from seeing the gravity of their situations, or because they will rebel against the spirit of the Catholic Church, impelled by the malice of the devil. Thus many souls will be deprived of innumerable graces, consolations and the strength they need to make that great leap from time to eternity..." "As for the Sacrament of Matrimony, which symbolizes the union of Christ with His Church, it will be attacked and profaned in the fullest sense of the word. Masonry, which will then be in power, will enact iniquitous laws with the objective of doing away with this Sacrament, making it easy for everyone to live in sin, encouraging the procreation of illegitimate children born without the blessing of the Church. The Christian spirit will rapidly decay, extinguishing the precious light of Faith until if reaches the point that there will be analmost total and general corruption of customs. The effects of secular education will increase, which will be one reason for the lack of priestly and religious vocations..."

"The Sacred Sacrament of Holy Orders will be ridiculed, oppressed and despised. ...The demon will try to persecute the Ministers of the Lord in every possible way and he will labor with cruel and subtle astuteness to deviate them from the spirit of their vocation, corrupting many of them. These corrupted priests, who will scandalize the Christian people, will incite the hatred of the bad Christians and the enemies of the Roman, Catholic and Apostolic Church to fall upon all priests. This apparent triumph of Satan will bring enormous sufferings to the good Pastors of the Church...."

"Moreover, in these unhappy times, there will be unbridled luxury which, acting thus to snare the rest into sin, will conquer innumerable frivolous souls who will be lost. Innocence will almost no longer be found in children, nor modesty in women, and in this supreme moment of need of the Church, those who should speak will fall silent."

"But know, beloved daughter, that when your name is made known in the 20th century, there will be many who will not believe, claiming that this devotion is not pleasing to God...A simple humble faith in the truth of My apparitions to you, My predilect child, will be reserved for humble and fervent souls docile to the inspirations of grace, for Our Heavenly Father communicates His secrets to the simple of heart, and not to those whose hearts are inflated with pride, pretending to know what they do not, or self-satisfied with empty knowledge."

During this time, Our Lady foretold, "the secular Clergy will leave much to be desired because priests will become careless in their sacred duties. Lacking the divine compass, they will stray from the road traced by God for the priestly ministry, and they will become attached to wealth and riches, which they will unduly strive to obtain. How the Church will suffer during this dark night! Lacking a Prelate and Father to guide them with paternal love, gentleness, strength, wisdom and prudence, many priests will lose their spirit, placing their souls in great danger. This will mark the arrival of My hour."

Eternity

The following inspiration/story came from Father Larry Richards on Relevant Radio:


Imagine yourself on a beach in India.  You reach down and pick up one sand grain, and then take that grain and deposit it onto the summit of Mount Everest. 


Now imagine transporting not only that sand grain, but every grain of sand on that beach, then every grain from every beach in India and every sand grain in the world, and placing each grain on the top of to Mount Everest. 


When you have completed that task, eternity will only have just begun.


We are both body and soul, many days we spend hours entertaining or primping ourselves, and little or no time is spent praying to God or performing works of charity. 


Let us remember to spend at least a few minutes each day thanking God, perhaps at least say one decade of the Rosary.


It is good for your soul!


Also, do not forget to pray for the Holy Souls in Purgatory.


Sancta Dei Genetrix, ora pro nobis.