"Thy servants and handmaids..."

"All Souls" - R. León at CIEA

Today, we the Ecclesia Militans, the Church Militant, fulfill a role like no other. Today, we especially remember and celebrate the Ecclesia Penitens, The Church Suffering - the expectant. Today we, through our prayers, help plead the case of those joyful souls who have made it to Purgatory and await only the merciful release of their souls to heaven.

If you are lucky enough to ever attend a Mass according to the usus antiquior on All Souls day, you will be treated to a Mass that is full of death, suffering and above all else JOY. Death is not an end for those who walk in the way of the Lord. It is a beginning. 

Our role...

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I awoke this morning, much earlier than I normally do, and as I looked out at the cold, snow covered earth, I saw the sky starting to glow. It was clear, and so the mountains in the distance began to take shape as the sun rose. It honestly looked like the image above, but with mountains and not tombs. I thought instantly that it was my duty to do what I can today to remember the dead, and to help them finally reach Heaven. 

Secret (Second Mass, Missal of St. Andrew, © 1953):

Be favorable, O Lord, to our humble prayers on behalf of the souls of Thy servants and handmaids, for whom we offer up to Thee the sacrifice of praise: that Thou mayest vouchsafe to grant them fellowship with Thy saints. Though our Lord.

Isn't this what our faith is all about? Isn't it about the joy that comes from knowing we have a Savior? Isn't it the merciful promise to the many that if we follow Him, we will not die but have everlasting life? Isn't the hopeful expectation that we will be lead by angels into paradise?

Let us fulfill our role, let us pray for the dead. Let us live in expectation, hope, and joy that we will one day join the ranks of the Church Triumphant and be met by the holy martyrs at the holy city. 

Not the fearing death... but death without a Cross

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There is a lot of discussion about things like the Dies Irae. As more Catholics embrace a seemingly more orthodox and traditional Catholic faith, things such as the Extraordinary Form of the Funeral becomes a topic of discussion. It isn't strange to hear terms such as: "Life Celebration," "Resurrection Mass," or "Memorial Mass" used in place of "Funeral Mass" or "Burial Mass" as the Catholic funeral was previously referred to. 

 The theological problems with the names themselves completely distorts our understanding and view of death. Not to mention the fact that the implication that rests on these concepts, that we die and are instantly assumed into heaven, completely fly in the face of what the Church teaches us about The Four Last Things: 

Death.

Judgment.

Heaven.

Hell.

In Msgr. Pope's article, he makes a very scary but honest point: How do we explain Hell to a generation (culture, society, person, etc...) with a very limited and simplified notion of God? I don't know. Just because we don't believe something to be true, doesn't mean it isn't there. Hell exists, the Devil is real, and death is final. Being "good", is a rather ambiguous manner in which to live. Do we really want to roll the dice on what we think is good, hoping it gets us to heaven? 

Now I am not saying we should live in fear, in a way where that fear becomes our motivation. Instead, we should fear the loss of heaven through our actions and sin. Many people in the Catholic faith want to make God completely forgiving. Meaning, they make him out to be a God that forgives all, no matter what.  But then what does the devil do? Does the devil only collect those souls that are "pure evil?" What is pure evil? See how this becomes a problem? 

In the end, I am going to place my hope in God, a God that judges with justice and imposes mercy. If I believe God to be the merciful God of truth, he must be just. To be just he must judge. Judgment makes right the acceptance into heaven those that followed God's law, and loved faithfully. We will all fault, O happy fault. But again, if we live according to God's commandments, we will be forgiven. Being "good" isn't enough, because "good" is a rather ambiguous term. Justice is truth. Truth is love. Let us accept a God that loves. Let us receive mercy, only once justice has been imparted.

Finally, let us not forget to pray for those that have no one to pray for them. There are many departed souls that have no one entrusted with their petitions. There are many reasons for this, but the reasons matter not. Let us simply bring forward in our mind the intention to pray for them, even if we dont know their names... God does.

From the Dies Irae:

Lo! the book exactly worded,

Wherein all hath been recorded;

Thence shall judgment be awarded.

When the Judge His seat attaineth, 

And each hidden deed arraigneth,

Nothing unavenged remaineth.

What shall I, frail man be pleading

Who for me be interceding,

When the just are mercy needing?

King of majesty tremendous, 

Who dost free salvation send us,

Fount of pity, then befriend us!

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A Very Special Announcement: The Society of Saint Scholastica

We are very excited to announce the creation of the Society of Saint Scholastica. It is a blog project that is being started to support Women's Religious groups within the Catholic Church. Each month we will feature a different Women's Religious group that members of the society will dedicate their efforts of praying, fasting, and almsgiving to. It is a society that will wage spiritual warfare on behalf of those that give their lives for the spiritual needs of the Church.

This is a small 'seed' of an idea that will hopefully blossom into an amazing community of the faithful. If you would like to help out with some of the administrative aspects of the group, please feel free to email me and let me know of your interest. More info will be forthcoming in the next few days.

The first group that we will feature will be announced on: 

October 1, 2011

Feast of St. Therese, The 'Little Flower.' 

More information will be forthcoming on October 1st, but we wanted to make the announcement of this group on the 2nd Anniversary of the Blog. Since the inception of this blog, we have been committed to both personal spiritual growth, as well as making the online blogging community a more holy place through our participation. Hopefully this group will make strides in that effort.

Here is the info page, that will now be permanently placed on the top menu bar on the blog. As the group grows, information will be added to the page:

The Society of Saint Scholastica 

The Society of Saint Scholastica (SSS) is a group of lay and Religious Catholics committed to the spiritual protection and support of Women Religious around the world. The unending and humble service by Women's Religious groups for the Church is often done so with little to no recognition or support by others. Therefore, the Society of Saint Scholastica was started to ensure that our sisters in Christ are supported in the spiritual warfare in which we all participate, by those of us who are so eternally grateful for all that they do. As they have given their lives to Christ as brides of the Church, we the Ecclesia Militans (Church Militant) pledge our prayer, fasting, and almsgiving to them. 

"As they do for the Church, we shall do for them."

About the Society of Saint Scholastica

The SSS is a group of lay and religious Catholics who have committed themselves to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving to various Women's Religious communities. Each month the SSS will "feature" a community, whereby all those pledging membership in the society will then commit to Spiritual Warfare  e.g. prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, for that group in assistance to their mission.

How to Join

Each month this page will feature the group which the society is praying for. There will also be a place on the bottom of that post to enter your name (and website/blog) stating your intention to pray, fast, and give alms. We ask that all members place on their website a link back to this page, or the 'post page' featuring that months group. From there, each member is asked to do what they can, based on their station in life, in the areas of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. You can also email Joseph if you don't have a blog, or want to be informed of updates via email.

What Women's Religious 'Groups' Will Be Featured

The SSS will only be featuring those groups of Women's Religious that are loyal and faithful to the Church and the Pope. We do not consider ourselves final arbiters of the faith, but it is generally pretty clear who does and doesn't strive to maintain fidelity and loyalty, and therefore only those groups which strive towards that faithfulness will be featured. 

What are society members to 'DO'

Pray, Fast, and Give Alms. What does that mean? Well, that is up to you. Women's Religious groups do these things in their own ways, and likewise we should do it in our own ways. Some of us are very spiritual and find ourselves in prayer more than others. If this is the case, you should devote your time in prayer to the group the SSS is praying for that month. It might mean devoting a Holy Hour, Rosaries, 

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Novena in Honor of St. Michael and All the Holy Angels - Day 9

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Novena In Honor of St. Michael and All the Holy Angels

Ninth Day:

Most holy Angels, you whose zeal for the interests of God, wherever they need to be defended, carries you through the universe more rapidly than lightning, protect His cause in our souls, and in virtue of the Divine Blood, obtain for us the signal grace of final perseverance.

(Optional prayer): 

O all ye Holy Angels, who contemplate unceasingly the uncreated beauty of the Divinty, in company with our ever glorious Queen, we present and offer to you this novena not only as a means of obtaining favors (here specify your request), but also as a reparation for our past ingratitude, and that of all men. Deign to accept it, O amiable Spirits, in union with the love and devotion of such saints as were especially devout to you, and obtain for us the grace to spend this life fervently that it may be be commencement of that blessed life which we hope to live forever with you in heaven.

O God, who with wonderful order has regulated the functions of angels and men, grant that those who always assist before Thy throne in heaven may defend out lives here on earth, through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

N.B.:
A novena may be made at any time of the year, with any form of approved prayers, of which these are. By this exercise, the faithful may gain an indulgence of five years on each day, and a plenary indulgence at the end of their novena under the usual conditions. - "Preces et Pia Opera," 409. 


This Novena is from: St. Michael and The Angels, TAN Books, 1977.
You can purchase the Book at Aquinas and More.

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Novena in Honor of St. Michael and All the Holy Angels - Day 3

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Novena In Honor of St. Michael and All the Holy Angels

Third Day:

Sublime Thrones, dazzling in your beauty, upon whom rests the Almighty and who convey His commands to the inferior Angels, obtain for us in virtue of the Divine Blood, peace with God, with our neighbor and with ourselves.

(Optional prayer): 

O all ye Holy Angels, who contemplate unceasingly the uncreated beauty of the Divinty, in company with our ever glorious Queen, we present and offer to you this novena not only as a means of obtaining favors (here specify your request), but also as a reparation for our past ingratitude, and that of all men. Deign to accept it, O amiable Spirits, in union with the love and devotion of such saints as were especially devout to you, and obtain for us the grace to spend this life fervently that it may be be commencement of that blessed life which we hope to live forever with you in heaven.

O God, who with wonderful order has regulated the functions of angels and men, grant that those who always assist before Thy throne in heaven may defend out lives here on earth, through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

N.B.:
A novena may be made at any time of the year, with any form of approved prayers, of which these are. By this exercise, the faithful may gain an indulgence of five years on each day, and a plenary indulgence at the end of their novena under the usual conditions. - "Preces et Pia Opera," 409. 


This Novena is from: St. Michael and The Angels, TAN Books, 1977.
You can purchase the Book at Aquinas and More.

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Novena in Honor of St. Michael and All the Holy Angels - Day 2

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Novena In Honor of St. Michael and All the Holy Angels

Second Day:

Bright Cherubim, you who are allowed a deeper insight into God's secrets, dispel the darkness of our souls, and in virtue of the Divine Blood, give that supernatural light to our eyes that will enable us to understand the truths of salvation.

Saint Michael, the Archangel Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host - by the Divine Power of God - cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits, who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

(Optional prayer): 

O all ye Holy Angels, who contemplate unceasingly the uncreated beauty of the Divinty, in company with our ever glorious Queen, we present and offer to you this novena not only as a means of obtaining favors (here specify your request), but also as a reparation for our past ingratitude, and that of all men. Deign to accept it, O amiable Spirits, in union with the love and devotion of such saints as were especially devout to you, and obtain for us the grace to spend this life fervently that it may be be commencement of that blessed life which we hope to live forever with you in heaven.

O God, who with wonderful order has regulated the functions of angels and men, grant that those who always assist before Thy throne in heaven may defend out lives here on earth, through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

N.B.:
A novena may be made at any time of the year, with any form of approved prayers, of which these are. By this exercise, the faithful may gain an indulgence of five years on each day, and a plenary indulgence at the end of their novena under the usual conditions. - "Preces et Pia Opera," 409. 


This Novena is from: St. Michael and The Angels, TAN Books, 1977.
You can purchase the Book at Aquinas and More.

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Novena in Honor of St. Michael and All the Holy Angels - Day 1

The following Novena is in honor of St. Michael and All the Holy Angels. Angels are perfectly loyal servants of God who have been given to us as guides, protectors, and intercessors. Please consider praying the following Novena each day, with whatever private intention you seek, as well as the intentions of the Church, the Holy Father, and those intentions mentioned within the prayers.

The way to pray the novena is to pray the day's prayer, with the above intentions in mind, followed (if you desire) by the second prayer. This can be done at home, work, or in a church or chapel. You may also add to this devotion a Rosary, St. Michael Chaplet, private prayer, or other approved prayers.

Please feel free to link to this novena on your blog.

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Novena In Honor of St. Michael and All the Holy Angels

First Day:

Ardent Seraphim, you who dwell in the eternal home of love, unceasingly absorbed in the rays of the Sun of Justice, we beg you in virtue of the Divine Blood, to enkindle in our hearts the holy fire with which you are consumed.

St. Michael, the Archangel, and all ye Holy Angels, protect us in our combats, that we may not perish in the tremendous judgment of God.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen

(Optional prayer): 

O all ye Holy Angels, who contemplate unceasingly the uncreated beauty of the Divinty, in company with our ever glorious Queen, we present and offer to you this novena not only as a means of obtaining favors (here specify your request), but also as a reparation for our past ingratitude, and that of all men. Deign to accept it, O amiable Spirits, in union with the love and devotion of such saints as were especially devout to you, and obtain for us the grace to spend this life fervently that it may be be commencement of that blessed life which we hope to live forever with you in heaven.

O God, who with wonderful order has regulated the functions of angels and men, grant that those who always assist before Thy throne in heaven may defend out lives here on earth, through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

N.B.:
A novena may be made at any time of the year, with any form of approved prayers, of which these are. By this exercise, the faithful may gain an indulgence of five years on each day, and a plenary indulgence at the end of their novena under the usual conditions. - "Preces et Pia Opera," 409. 


This Novena is from: St. Michael and The Angels, TAN Books, 1977.
You can purchase the Book at Aquinas and More.

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I have an idea... and I need your help!

Dear Readers,

I have an idea for a Blog-Project-Thing. I have the conceptual idea in my head, but I need a few people to help out with logistics, brainstorming, and implementation.

The main idea of the project is something I want to keep under-wraps a bit, but at the same time it will be hard to get people interested to help if I don't reveal at least some small hint of what this project is all about. What I can reveal is that is has to do with Women Religious.

I will eventually be looking for many bloggers to join in, but to start things up I need just a handful of help. This is what I am looking for:

• Someone to do Graphic Design Art - I am thinking Header, Logo, Word Art. I am not an artist, so I will definitely need this type of help.
• I need someone willing to be a "Co-" on this project who will help me out to get things going. This will involve emailing, brainstorming, collaborating, etc... I am looking for a good chunk to be done over the next few days and then once it is off and running, the commitment will be every month a few days here or there and involve some logistics and emailing.
• I will also need 1-2 "researchers" "Googlers" & "compilers" for different smaller tasks. Mainly looking things up, compiling them, and writing brief "synopsis" of them.

I know that a lot of this is vague, but I am trying to keep this somewhat under wraps until I work out some of the logistics. If any of this seems at all interesting to you, please shoot me an email and we can chat more about it.

Or if you know someone that might fit the description - let me know!

Just shoot me an email: angelsdefendus [at] gmail [dot] com.

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The Mystery of Prayer

A warning, the post from Bonnie Engstrom about the 61 minutes after the birth of her stillborn son James are a powerful read. I recommend that all read it, but be ready to whip out the tissues:

While cpr was continued and we waited for the ambulance my husband took water and baptized him using the name we had agreed upon, James Fulton. I remember sitting on the floor saying, “Fulton Sheen, Fulton Sheen, Fulton Sheen” over and over again in my head. I suppose it was as close as I could come to a prayer; I suppose it was my way of asking Archbishop Sheen to interceded for my son.

Everyone should read it, it will tug at your heart but it will also teach you something about the amazing care and grace of God.

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Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell follows Gov. Rick Perry's lead: Proclaims Aug. 6 a Day of Prayer for the Nation

Alaska Governor Sean Parnell

Just saw this, and think it is a pretty stand-up move on Governor Sean Parnell's behalf. From KTUU.com:

JUNEAU, Alaska— Alaska's governor has proclaimed Saturday a day of prayer for the nation, heeding a call from Texas Gov. Rick Perry.

Gov. Sean Parnell cites Perry in the proclamation. Perry, who's considering seeking the Republican nomination for president, invited fellow governors to join him at a prayer event in Houston, Texas, Saturday. He also urged them to proclaim Aug. 6 a time to pray for "unity and righteousness."

Parnell's spokeswoman said Parnell won't attend but issued a proclamation recognizing "we are a nation under trial of war, impacts of natural disaster, threat of more severe economic hardships, and that our families are under attack on many fronts."

The proclamation urges Alaskans to seek "God's face," and pray for the people of this nation and for the strength and wisdom of leaders.

Here is the Full Proclomation, from the Governor's website:

A Day of Prayer for Our Nation
Effective Date: Saturday, August 6th, 2011

WHEREAS, throughout America’s history, our leaders have called upon us to look beyond ourselves for protection, wisdom, and strength by praying for our people and our country; and

WHEREAS, in 1779 during a time of battle and conflict, the Continental Congress issued a proclamation calling on the Almighty God…“That he will be our Shield in the Day of Battle, and our kind Parent and merciful Judge through Time and through Eternity;” and

WHEREAS, in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a Day of Thanksgiving, Praise, and Prayer to recognize and pay tribute to “the presence of the Almighty Father and the power of His hand” in the nation’s ongoing civil war. Americans were invited to assemble “in their customary places of worship and in the forms approved by their own consciences render the homage due to the Divine Majesty for the wonderful things He has done in the nation’s behalf;” and

WHEREAS, in a time of war and suffering, President Franklin D. Roosevelt called upon Americans in a historic radio address on June 6, 1944, to join with him in prayer to the Almighty God as we “struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion, and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity;” and

WHEREAS, in 1981, President Ronald Reagan recognized prayer as a “source of strength” and in a time of reflection called on the nation to “join together before God, fully aware of the trials that lie ahead and the need, yes, the necessity, for divine guidance;” and

WHEREAS, we recognize that today we are a nation under trial of war, impacts of natural disaster, threat of more severe economic hardships, and that our families are under attack on many fronts;” and

WHEREAS, like Governor Rick Perry of Texas calling the citizens of his state to pray and fast for our nation beginning August 6, 2011, we join the people of Texas and beyond in following the example of past leaders and call our citizens to prayer, that we might acknowledge the challenges facing our nation, express our inability to meet them alone, and petition our Creator and Sustainer to help our nation in this time of great need.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Sean Parnell, Governor of the State of Alaska, do hereby proclaim August 6, 2011 as:

A Day of Prayer for Our Nation

in Alaska, and encourage all Alaskans to join me and citizens across the country in humbling ourselves, seeking God’s face, and praying for the protection and provision of our nation’s people, and for the wisdom and strength of our leaders.

Dated: August 2, 2011

Now I know that moves like this aren't necessarily sledge-hammers of policy, but they do make a difference. It says something when a Governor is willing to stand before the people of his state and make a statement like this. Hopefully this gets a little media attention.

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Handmaids of the Precious Blood

Handmaids of the Precious Blood - Link

Nuns are such amazing and giving souls. There is a reason why habits are important and why orders that wear full habits have such a unique place in the Church. These nuns, Handmaids of the Precious Blood, devote themselves to praying for priests. Seriously, not only do they give their lives to the Church but then they focus on others the entire time they are doing it.

They also support priests by signing up lay people to pray for priests. They are trying to assign a person for each priest in America. Check it out!

Also, I found out about them at one of my favorite "gem" blogs: Dymphna's Road, go tell her "thanks", from me!

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"Welcome Home! Home, sweet Rome."

As we celebrate Holy Saturday as a Church, we will also celebrate the Easter Vigil tonight which means the entry into full communion with the one Holy Catholic and apostolic Church, for many people. It is also the 5th anniversary of my Confirmation & First Communion. I remember back to my days of naivety, excitement and fear.

So in Christian Charity I ask you to specifically keep one of 'our own' in your prayers this day. A fellow Catholic Blogger: Kassie, the Secret Vatican Spy, is entering the Church and has quite a conversion story to tell. CMR posted on this the other day, and sort of stole my thunder, but I want to make sure as many folks as possible keep her in your prayers this day. Please go give her blog a visit, send your prayers, and let her know I sent you!

It really is a courageous thing to enter the Church, especially when you are "walking away" from a faith life that the rest of your family adheres to. The blogging community, if nothing else, has the awesome ability to rally and create a system of prayer and support for one another. Please stop, and take a moment to pray for Kassie and all those entering the Church. We must support each other in love, because He asked us to do so...

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New Post @ CatholicDadsOnline: "What is 'Enough'"?

Please go check out my latest Battle Ready piece at CatholicDadsOnline.org:

What is 'Enough'?

What do you do with your family? What is – “Enough”? Every family is in a different “situation” in terms of time availability and logistics but what are the “little things” that you do to keep your families on a path to Heaven and helping each other “become saints”? Our role as dads places us in the unique role of directing and leading our family in The Faith. It is our responsibility to guide our families down a path of holiness, even when we ourselves know not the way.


««Click here to read the entire: "What is 'Enough'"? Post»»

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A Dream of Comfort

This past weekend, I came down with a sinus infection and had a hard time sleeping. While laying awake in my bed, unable to sleep, I felt overcome with anxiety over the spiritual troubles that my parish and local area face. I prayed for clarity, patience, fortitude, and understanding.

FSSP

As I contemplated the situation and possible solutions a thought came to mind – reach out to some religious communities/orders and see if they want to create a mission, apostolate, or retreat here in Alaksa. I mean what better place? Of course the first place that came to mind was The Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter. I know there are several families that are so desirous of a place to worship and grow in God that is absent of liturgical abuse and modernist innovation. I know that location, support, and possibly even money would be easy to come by. But alas, this is unlikely to happen. However it was comforting to sense that there is always a solution regardless how far fetched or impossible it may seem. God will always provide that which we need, although it isn't always what we want.

•••†•••

It is difficult to face the realities of the desert during lent. The bleakness, the emptiness, the solitude. This dream of orthodoxy gave me hope though. It might be the closest it ever gets to realization – a dream in my head, but for me and for that night it was enough. God is very kind and generous, and I am sure he aches at our frustrations and yearnings to be closer to him. Often the solution is as simple as a hope in a dream, or the recognition that He will always care for us and give us our daily needs.

Please pray for my parish and archdiocese. We face grave situations and are truly on the frontier of Catholicism. That being said, I am encouraged by a mighty and miraculous God. One that can do all things and desires joy and ecstasy for all his beloved. Also pray that if there is an order, society, or some other group that is in search of a location for growth, that God puts our little piece of earth on their hearts.

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Prayer to Saint Michael, Archangel, Prince of the Heavenly Host

O glorious Archangel St. Michael, Prince of the heavenly host, defend us in battle, and in the struggle which is ours against the principalities and Powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, against spirits of evil in high places (Eph 6:12). Come to the aid of men, whom God created immortal, made in his own image and likeness, and redeemed at a great price from the tyranny of the devil (Wis 2:23-24, 1 Cor 6:20).

Fight this day the battle of the Lord, together with the holy angels, as already thou hast fought the leader of the proud angels, Lucifer, and his apostate host, who were powerless to resist thee, nor was there place for them any longer in Heaven. But that cruel, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil or Satan, who seduces the whole world, was cast into the abyss with all his angels (Rev 12:7-9).

Behold, this primeval enemy and slayer of man has taken courage, Transformed into an angel of light, he wanders about with all the multitude of wicked spirits, invading the earth in order to blot out the name of God and of his Christ, to seize upon, slay and cast into eternal perdition souls destined for the crown of eternal glory. This wicked dragon pours out, as a most impure flood, the venom of his malice on men of depraved mind and corrupt heart, the spirit of lying, of impiety, of blasphemy, and the pestilent breath of impurity, and of every vice and iniquity.

These most crafty enemies have filled and inebriated with gall and bitterness the Church, the spouse of the Immaculate Lamb, and have laid impious hands on her most sacred possessions.

In the Holy Place itself, where has been set up the See of the most holy Peter and the Chair of Truth for the light of the world, they have raised the throne of their abominable impiety, with the iniquitous design that when the Pastor has been struck, the sheep may be scattered.

Arise then, O invincible prince, bring help against the attacks of the lost spirits to the people of God, and bring them the victory.

The Church venerates thee as protector and patron; in thee holy Church glories as her defense against the malicious powers of this world and of hell; to thee has God entrusted the souls of men to be established in heavenly beatitude.

Oh, pray to the God of peace that He may put Satan under our feet, so far conquered that he may no longer be able to hold men in captivity and harm the Church. Offer our prayers in the sight of the Most High, so that they may quickly conciliate the mercies of the Lord; and beating down the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, do thou again make him captive in the abyss, that he may no longer seduce the nations.



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History of this prayer:

http://www.stjosephschurch.net/leoxiii.htm

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St. Francis Xavier - Pray for Japan

St. Francis Xavier
Patron Saint of Japan

As most of you know by now as you are waking up, Japan was ravaged by a series of Earthquakes tonight that has left chaos all over the country. The largest was 8.9; being in Alaska, due to the time difference, we have been keeping a watch on the devastation and destruction as it happens.

Saint Francis Xavier is the Patron Saint of Japan, and so we must ask him to intercede for us, and pray for the protection of the island nation and its people. These types of things are so heart-wrenching, but we must trust in our God that is just and merciful.

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Because I live in a coastal area of Alaska, we are technically in a Tsunami Zone, although we aren't as bad off as some of the more southern and western areas of the state. Worse yet is Hawaii, where we have friends traveling on spring break, and friends that live there. These types of things are very unsettling because you just never know what will happen. Hawai'i has been told that they should prepare immedietally and that estimated arrival of wave impact is 3:00am local time; the same is true for the western Aleutian Islands in Alaska ~ Pray for them as well.

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Most of all though let us pray for Japan. Their nation and their people have been through terrible strife tonight, and we most likely won't know the full extent of damage until tomorrow. We must not forget to pray for all our service men and women in the Pacific. Many of them are in close proximity to this, and I am sure that many will be involved with the recovery efforts.

Making this even worse is the fact that aftershocks have been frequent and large, as well as tsunamis that have already hit. Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving - we are in the season of lent and a full test of our merit and virtue will be seen in the coming days.

Saint Francis Xavier

Patron Saint of Japan

Pray for Us

Pray for Japan

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Reminder: Novena to St. Joseph begins today - March 10

Today is the day you start the St. Joseph Novena.

You can see my: St. Joseph Novena Post from last year if you need the prayers, or EWTN (St. Joseph).

St. Joseph, Mirror of Patience ~ Ora Pro Nobis.

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The Worker

I am very needy today.

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St. Joseph the worker ~ Ora Pro Nobis.


It is funny how hard we pray to get something, and then sometimes we find ourselves praying for God to take away the things he gives us, because they weren't what we wanted.

Maybe I should pray for the understanding to "get" what he is trying to give me.
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I guess that is why I am imploring the help of St. Joseph.

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A call to arms

If you are ever the member of any sort of team, whether it be the military, sports, or otherwise you learn a philosophy  early on to aid in "survival" – leave none behind. This philosophy conditions you to give your all in full knowledge that should you fall, your team will do whatever it takes to "bring you back." There is a beauty in knowing that even if it be your dead and lifeless body that remains, there will be those that will carry you and endure the extra weight for the love they posses for you and the cause you all fight for.

Often times on this blog I post about things that some say seem accusatory or angry. Rarely am I angry, and rarely do I accuse any further than my own hands. I started this blog because of how little we have where I live in the way of spiritual nourishment. It is a way to think-out-loud, so to speak when it comes to spiritual questions. It is also a place where I can help inspire others to help defend the Church in the spiritual battle that exists between good and evil. Often I post about things that we need to live a more Christ centered life. Yet, a dear friend of mine, Mindy from the Devout Life, has recently posted that we have all that we need. I dare say I should listen to her, as she is often much more attune to her spirituality than I am to my own. She says,

Sometimes it seems we just want more, more, more, when there He reposes patiently in the Tabernacle, much of the time completely ignored.

She is right, there are plenty of times where we Catholics want more, more, more. We clamor for this that or the other thing. Mindy brings up the fact that folks like myself complain about a lack of beauty in our local parishes. [Something that even our Archbishop has recently addressed.] She goes on to say that this complaining isn't really necessary because we have all we could ever need - Christ in the Eucharist, and searching for more seems to be done in vainglory and distracts us from what we already have. As she puts it:

You might have the ugliest Catholic church in the world, but if the Mass is validly celebrated, you are infinitely blessed with the Most Precious Gift of all. Jesus Himself. His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. What else can you truly need?

I would agree that she is partially right. We as individuals don't need more. But life doesn't always allow us to simply, "Be still and know that He is God." It just isn't the case, life and sin get in the way, and we search for meaning, peace, love, and more often less virtuous things. Sure, I don't need anything more and neither do you ... but I think that often times we can't recognize that fact without more.

For example, what about that guy that comes to church each week, the Catholic Zombie that has been inoculated by years of poor Catechesis and heterodoxy? What about him? He obviously is missing the TRUTH because if Mindy is correct, he already has what he needs - but something tells me he isn't in a good place. What about the mom whose husband never comes to church, and she couldn't get her kids interested in the faith if she bribed them with a million dollars? Is it enough for her, her children, and her husband? If it was... they'd be OK, and they aren't!

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...it cannot be easily elevated...

Now, let me make a distinction here.  I am not saying Jesus alone isn't enough. What I am saying is that we often can't see Jesus through all of the sin and muck we create in our life. In fact, Churches are a perfect example. We need them beautiful, to fully understand how worthy God is of praise and worship. We have seen over time that as we diminish these outward signs, it isn't only that we can't see the beauty of God, but that it is also a reflection of just how little we do think of God. It is in essence a double-whammy. Father Mauro Gagliardi recently wrote an article for Zenit where he discusses Man's need for external beauty in faith-lives:

Throughout its history, the Church has established sensible signs that would help the faithful to elevate their souls to God.

The Council of Trent, referring in particular to the Holy Mass, motivated this habit by recalling that "human nature is such that it cannot be easily elevated to the meditation of divine things without external aids: on account of this the Church, as a loving Mother, has established certain rites…to render more evident the majesty of such a great sacrifice and to introduce the minds of the faithful, with these visible signs of religion and piety, to the contemplation of the sublime realities hidden in this sacrifice"

So, you see, this is where Mindy and I might see past one another a bit. Maybe it is because she is a woman and I am a man. [Yes, there are actually differences you know - glorious ones!] Maybe she is much more in touch with her spirituality in a way that allows herself to elevate her mind and soul to the the divine, simply by being in the presence of the Eucharist. We all should be so blessed - but through our own faults, most of us are not. That is where Holy Mother Church, has stepped in and in her divine wisdom and millennia of tradition, has established ways to help us on our journey to seek the sacred and facility elevation to the divine.

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playing different roles

So you see, when I "complain" about certain things, it isn't because I think that the Faith is about me. In fact, if my faith were solely about me, if this blog was about me, myself and I, it wouldn't be published online. It would instead be a journal. Instead I would be writing to a priest, or a friend, discussing theses things. But instead, I found a medium, and a set of readers that quest for the same things I do, and that which it seems Mindy has found. I don't think either of us are wrong, I just think we are in different places the same way we are called to play different roles.

My role, as I feel I have been called, is to defend the faith. I have been asked to do something that most people don't want to do, and I embrace it. I don't mind "getting my hands dirty," I don't mind being out front dodging bullets for the faith and for my fellow Catholics. I don't mind continuing to battle in a very violent way, in the spiritual warfare that affects my friends and family. You see, I do this because I am called to do so. I try to do it with a happy heart, and I try to be at peace with it. Like anyone else, this isn't always the case, but it is always my goal. You see, I am willing to do such things because I want to follow my call from God - my call to arms.

Likewise, in the blogging world, and in our daily lives, we need to respect that people are different and called to different things. We need those out there willing to engage in the spiritual warfare that exists. We need standard bearers of the truth. We want a faith that is beautiful and sacred because it not only helps us, but because it is a reflection of how we view God. Our expression of the faith, our effort in art and beautification of our Sacred places is our expressive image of God and our outward attempt to worship Him.

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A final word on this matter. I respect Mindy, and those who take her view. I wish I had the luxury of being able to see the world in its beautiful simplicity – I wish that I was called, as those like her are, to elevate ourselves in a very simple way to the divine – but I am not. Instead I am called instead to quite the opposite, I am called to the fire. As I explained to Mindy, if you sat St. Joan and St. Therese down at a table, their commonality ends at Jesus. This isn't a bad thing, it just goes to show that we are all called differently to work as the Body of Christ. It makes me think of the scene from A Few Good Men where Jack Nicholson's character Col. Jessup utters the famous line, "You can't handle the truth."  In the movie, the Colonel made an illegal order so I can't completely identify with him, but it isn't his actions that I relate with. What I have some sympathy for are some of his words. It isn't that I think highly of myself or what I do; I just understand that I am called differently to serve God – and in my difference, there are things I need that are different. In the end though, I must heed my call to arms and worry not about what others think. In the end – I answer my call to God, my hands are His.

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Pray for our enemies... but not the Devil.

Sympathy for the Devil? Nah.

...Should we should pray for the devil?

Deacon Greg Kandra from Pateheos': The Deacon's Bench seems to think that we should. In fact, he goes a step further and tells us that Jesus prays for the Devil, as well.

To answer the last question: as far as I know, the gospels do not give us an example of Christ ever refusing anyone forgiveness. I’m not aware of any example of Jesus personally withholding his love from anyone, either.

All I can go on is today’s gospel: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Whether or not Jesus would forgive Lucifer — and, frankly, it’s not for us to know how Christ or His Father would ultimately judge anyone — he almost certainly loves him and prays for him, and all those who fall under his influence.

Didn’t he do as much on the cross?

I think he is wrong about Catholic doctrine here.

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Angelic intellect

Should we pray for the Devil, and does Jesus pray for Lucifer? I don't think so. Angelic will is quite different from human free-will, isn't it? The Angel's have knowledge that is finite and complete, hence the reason that Satan was cast down when he and 1/3 of all angels "questioned" God.

What good does it do to pray for the Devil when his "fate" is sealed? Is there any chance at redemption?

Our human mind comes into possession of knowledge by a gradual and laborious process. It requires first of all a number of years of physical development for the proper operation. It rises slowly from single sensible perceptions to general ideas of things and finally to abstract truth. The Angelic intellect, entirely free and independent from matter and senses, needs no such development. It is in the full possession of its power from the very beginning of its existence. There is no need of gathering elements of knowledge bit by bit, of adding ideas to ideas in order to discover truth, as is the case with us. Having been created in the full perfection of its nature, the Angelic mind neither develops by gradual growth nor does it suffer any decay; its knowledge does not pass by consecutive steps from the haze of the morning to the splendor of the noonday brightness. From the beginning of its existence it was able to grasp the objects within its own sphere and advert to them without any fatigue in the process, moving in the dazzling light of the purely spiritual world as in its proper element.

Being by nature higher than man and much closer to God, the Angels receive more of His light, that is, a greater power of understanding, infused ideas, mind-pictures representing external objects, the spiritual and material creatures of this universe.

(Taken from The Angels, by Fr. Pascal P. Parente. TAN Books & Publishers, 1994)

This being the case, then isn't it impossible for the Devil to repent? (Note: this is a very different question from "Can God ever forgive the Devil - is his Mercy limitless?) I don't think he ever could? The Angelic mind is so complete, it knows the full analysis of its decisions at the moment of conception (of thought) that it would never vacillate or hedge on a prior decision. The free will of the Angels, accompanied by their finite knowledge allow no room for learning, therefore there seems to be no way for the Devil to learn from his wicked ways.

The angels, like men, were given free will. They were able to choose to serve God or not. Unlike men, they cannot vacillate back and forth, but rather see everything to its logical conclusion. If they were to turn against God, it would be a permanent state. Therefore when many of the angels decided to follow Lucifer, the highest of the angels, in his rebellion against God ("I will not serve"), they were cast into Hell. They would not ever repent, their wills being set on evil.

In short, there was more malice in their sin, because of the greater clarity of understanding. They are not confused, ignorant, and weak as humans are.

St. Thomas has discussed the angels at length in his famous work, the Summa Theologica. Since the 1300's, his teaching has always been given first place at the seminaries and universities. Countless popes and councils over the centuries have made firm recommendations to make extensive use of the Summa Theologica.

The Angelic Doctor

A summary of St. Thomas Aquinas, the Angelic Doctor, explains the grace and glory of angels:

62. GRACE AND GLORY OF THE ANGELS

1. Although the angels were created in heaven, and with natural happiness or beatitude, they were not created in glory, that is, in the possession of the beatific vision.

2. To possess God in the beatific vision the angels require grace.

3. And, while the angels were created in the state of sanctifying grace, this was not the grace which confirms the angels in glory. Had the angels been created with the confirming grace, none of them could have fallen, and some did fall.

4. Angels were created in grace, and by using this grace in their first act of charity (which is the friendship and love of God) they merited the beatific vision and heavenly beatitude.

5. Instantly upon meriting the beatitude of heaven, the angels possessed it. The angelic nature, being purely spiritual, is not suited for steps and degrees of progress to perfection, as is the case with man.

6. The higher angels, those of more perfect nature and keener intelligence, have greater gifts of grace than other angels; for their more perfect powers turn them more mightily and effectively to God than is the case with angels of lesser capacity.

7. The heavenly beatitude enjoyed by the angels does not destroy their nature or their natural operations; hence the natural knowledge and love of angels remain in them after they are beatified.

8. Beatified angels cannot sin. Their nature finds perfect fulfillment in the vision of God; it is disposed towards God exclusively. There is in beatified angels no possible tendency away from God, and therefore no possible sin.

9. Angels who possess God in beatific vision cannot be increased or advanced in beatitude. A capacity that is perfectly filled up cannot be made more full.

This explains their ability to choose God and to choose Heaven. It also explains how Lucifer could choose to question God, and to reject Heaven by his own will. A further summary Aquinas explains Demons and the Devil are not naturally wicked though, they are not pure evil. He further explains the sin of the fallen angels:

63. SIN OF THE FALLEN ANGELS

1. A rational creature (that is, a creature with intellect and will) can sin. If it be unable to sin, this is a gift of grace, not a condition of nature. While angels were yet unbeatified they could sin. And some of them did sin.

2. The sinning angels (or demons) are guilty of all sins in so far as they lead man to commit every kind of sin. But in the bad angels themselves there could be no tendency to fleshly sins, but only to such sins as can be committed by a purely spiritual being, and these sins are two only: pride and envy.

3. Lucifer who became Satan, leader of the fallen angels, wished to be as God. This prideful desire was not a wish to be equal to God, for Satan knew by his natural knowledge that equality of creature with creator is utterly impossible. Besides, no creature actually desires to destroy itself, even to become something greater. On this point man sometimes deceives himself by a trick of imagination; he imagines himself to be another and greater being, and yet it is himself that is somehow this other being. But an angel has no sense-faculty of imagination to abuse in this fashion. The angelic intellect, with its clear knowledge, makes such self-deception impossible. Lucifer knew that to be equal with God, he would have to be God, and he knew perfectly that this could not be. What he wanted was to be as God; he wished to be like God in a way not suited to his nature, such as to create things by his own power, or to achieve final beatitude without God's help, or to have command over others in a way proper to God alone.

4. Every nature, that is every essence as operating, tends to some good. An intellectual nature tends to good in general, good under its common aspects, good as such. The fallen angels therefore are not naturally evil.

5. The devil did not sin in the very instant of his creation. When a perfect cause makes a nature, the first operation of that nature must be in line with the perfection of its cause. Hence the devil was not created in wickedness. He, like all the angels, was created in the state of sanctifying grace.

6. But the devil, with his companions, sinned immediately after creation. He rejected the grace in which he was created, and which he was meant to use, as the good angels used it, to merit beatitude. If, however, the angels were not created in grace (as some hold) but had grace available as soon as they were created, then it may be that some interval occurred between the creation and the sin of Lucifer and his companions.

7. Lucifer, chief of the sinning angels, was probably the highest of all the angels. But there are some who think that Lucifer was highest only among the rebel angels.

8. The sin of the highest angel was a bad example which attracted the other rebel angels, and, to this extent, was the cause of their sin.

9. The faithful angels are a greater multitude than the fallen angels. For sin is contrary to the natural order. Now, what is opposed to the natural order occurs less frequently, or in fewer instances, than what accords with the natural order.

Where we are left now, is it then possible for the demons to repent and choose good and choose God? I don't think by our understanding, if it is correct, that the demons can ever repent. Again, this is different than the question of would God impart His mercy upon them, if they did? What I am saying is, that they won't ever repent and choose God, therefore it would seem that we need not pray for the Devil or demons.

64. STATE OF THE FALLEN ANGELS

1. The fallen angels did not lose their natural knowledge by their sin; nor did they lose their angelic intellect.

2. The fallen angels are obstinate in evil, unrepentant, inflexibly determined in their sin. This follows from their nature as pure spirits, for the choice of a pure spirit is necessarily final and unchanging.

3. Yet we must say that there is sorrow in the fallen angels, though not the sorrow of repentance. They have sorrow in the affliction of knowing that they cannot attain beatitude; that there are curbs upon their wicked will; that men, despite their efforts, may get to heaven.

4. The fallen angels are engaged in battling against man's salvation and in torturing lost souls in hell. The fallen angels that beset man on earth, carry with them their own dark and punishing atmosphere, and wherever they are they endure the pains of hell.

In other words, demons will never repent, and the only thing they are sorry about is the fact they will never obtain beatitude. Therefore why pray for the Devil or his minions? There really seems to be no point. Aquinas, in the Summa Theologica sums it up in one reply:

Objection 2: Further, since God's mercy is infinite, it is greater than the demons' malice, which is finite. But no one returns from the malice of sin to the goodness of justice save through God's mercy. Therefore the demons can likewise return from their state of malice to the state of justice.

Reply to Objection 2: God's mercy delivers from sin those who repent. But such as are not capable of repenting, cling immovably to sin, and are not delivered by the Divine mercy.

So then, it would seem we should not pray for the Devil, not because it is wrong, but because it wouldn't make any difference? Or would it? I say no. But does it logically follow then that it is wrong to love the Devil? Should we not listen to the commandment and love our enemies? He is after all, are biggest enemy is he not?

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to love...or not to love

But isn't love an act of the will? It is a desire for another to achieve an ultimate love of God, isnt it? It would seem that under the definition of what love is, there is no need to love the Devil. Although there is some intrinsic goodness in the the charity aspect of love, charitable love cannot be mutually excluded from its joinder to the hope of salvation for that person. [Link to reference: New Advent] So therefore, there need not be a reason to love the Devil. This does not mean that we should hate him, but we surely need not waste our time loving him correct? Again, it would simply be a waste of time; it wouldn't give him nor us any benefits.

More simply put, ultimately, we are asked to love others in a hopes that they will ultimately love God right? If the Devil can't love, read: be in the presence of God, it is unnecessary to love Satan. In fact, if we think we are to love Satan, I would argue that we have a misunderstanding of who he is, and what his choice meant.

There is an argument to be made that God loves the Devil to some degree because he created him. But I would argue that although that would normally require us to love the Devil as well, because we understand that there is no way to change the Devil's will, so as to make him love God - there is no need for us to love him.

Therefore, I respectfully disagree with Deacon Kandra. I don't think that Jesus prays for the Devil, there is no purpose for it. I also don't think we are required to do so either, or really to love him, again there being no point. I don't think that it is wrong, to love the Devil, in fact we might learn something tangental from the exercise of doing so, but I don't think we get something directly from it. I would argue that we could better spend our time loving those under the influence of the Devil, and praying for those who are entrapped by his vices and the souls in purgatory.


PS.
I am very open to someone much smarter than I to show me the error of my ways and prove me wrong.

UPDATE:
Msgr. Charles Pope has recently posted something that is germane to this discussion:
Does God loves the souls in Hell? Then why do they suffer?
It isn't exactly about praying for the Devil, or us as humans loving those in Hell, but it does touch on some aspects of this post. He is also much smarter than I, and well worth the read.

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