It's Revolting!

Revolution, in its deepest essence, is pure evil. It's diabolical. All "true" Revolutions share one common source. That is, they can all trace their origins to the original Revolution: the Revolt of Lucifer against God the Father Almighty.

All Revolutions ruthlessly destroy truth, beauty, holiness, history, and legitimate authority.

We live in Revolutionary times.



There are four specific Revolutions that have lavishly set the stage for our current modern crisis:

• 1517-1648 The Protestant Revolution, which shouted: We accept Christ, but we revolt against His Church!

• 1789-1799 The French Revolution, which shouted: We accept God, (a deist idea of god)  but we revolt against Christ the King!

• 1917-1922 The Bolshevik Revolution, which shouted: We accept morality, but we revolt against the idea of any God!

• 1960's- The Hippie Revolution, which is still shouting: We accept moral relativism, but we revolt against any objective morality!

Do you see the natural progression? Each new movement violently rejects exactly what its revolting ancestor solemnly embraced!

This Revolutionary degeneration is the suicide of rational thought and it MUST be stopped.

¡Viva Cristo Rey!

It must be stopped firstly- in our own hearts.

You see we all, each and everyone of us, participate in the Revolution by our own habitual sins. We all personally revolt against God.  The first step to changing the world, is changing ourselves and our households.We must repent and bear supernatural fruit-we must become Saints!

We must make Christ the King of our lives if we wish Him to be King of our society.

We must pray for a restoration! We must fight back!

Truth is the new hate speech. Purity is the new taboo. Beauty is the new vulgar. Orthodoxy is the new rebellion. Tradition is the Counter- Revolution. 

We must form a Catholic Resistance:

Scandalous Retreat to be Held at Holy Family Retreat Center

We would like to express our concerns about an upcoming retreat, to be led by United Methodist minister, Tom Bain, at the Holy Family Retreat Center.  It will apparently focus on Christian meditation and "Centering Prayer".  This retreat is scheduled for September 19-22 - I've included a link  to the St. Jude's bulletin where you can find the advertisement on page 4. 

I think it is scandalous and confusing for a Catholic retreat center to provide a venue for a Protestant minister in this way.  Furthermore, it appears that this retreat is being promoted to Catholics in at least two prominent parishes of the Diocese, if not more.

Here is an add for this retreat in St. Anne's Bulletin

From what I have read about Centering Prayer, it originated after a group of Trappist monks invited Buddhists and Hindus to come and give them a Zen/ Transcendental meditation retreat. Fr. Keating, one of the Trappist monks, wanted to develop a technique for the type of contemplative prayer Saints such as Teresa of Avila experienced, and so he harnessed the type of meditation techniques found on the Zen retreat and tried applying them to the Catholic Faith.

That being said, it goes completely against what St. Teresa of Avila wrote about in her book, Interior Castle. In it, she describes how the state of prayer she spoke of was a gift from God, and not something we can nor should grasp for ourselves.

Centering Prayer focuses too much on us, and not on Our Lord. Even the ad for the retreat in the St. Jude Thaddeus bulletin speaks of focusing on ourselves to find "our center" and speaks nothing of focusing on God or Jesus' Passion. Centering Prayer puts you in the center, which necessarily, puts Christ out. 

When I first learned about Centering Prayer, it was immediately after reading Interior Castle, and I noticed the stark difference between what Fr. Keating was explaining, and what the Catholic Saint he wanted to emulate taught. I was concerned, and so I looked up what the Church taught about it. Then Pope Benendict XVI was strongly against it, saying that the practices of emptying ourself of the world and God's creation around us goes against our Catholic Faith because we are both body and soul and should therefore not block out all of God's creation. He also warned that this state of opening ourselves up to only the spiritual could open us to spiritual attack. Centering Prayer has also been denounced by the Pontifical Council for Culture, and Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue as a "New Age" movement and contradictory to the Catholic Faith.

"At our deepest level, we are more God than ourselves."
- Fr. Thomas Keating frounder of the Centering Prayer Movement

This retreat is scandalous to Catholics, and more confusion is happening by having a Catholic retreat center be the location for a Methodist minister to host this kind of retreat, which is being promoted to Catholics on a parish level. 

Please get the news out about this retreat to help prevent any harm that could be done and keep safe anyone who would be led astray by the dissenting practice of Centering Prayer. Please contact our wonderful, pastoral Bishop and let him know about this matter. You can reach him at: 

Bishop: Most Rev. Curtis J. Guillory, S.V.D., D.D., bishop@dioceseofbmt.org (409) 924-4300 Ext. 4310

Here is a good article about why a Catholic cannot participate in Centering Prayer: CLICK HERE

The Giving Field

Yesterday several members of the Militia Immaculata Beaumont met at the Giving Field on Liberty to do some charity  work.

The Giving Field on Liberty Street is a donation garden with a mission of feeding the hungry fresh, organic fruits and vegetables, as well as, provide education on living a healthier and more sustainable life through the garden. Click Here to find out more about the Giving Field

All of the harvested food goes to the area soup kitchens to feed the hungry. 

 We are called to boldly proclaim the true faith, but as Catholics we are also called to live out what we preach. 

We are all called to perform corporal works of mercy. We are called to perform acts of charity. 

Acts of charity combat the world, the flesh and the diabolical  because they are opposite  mentalities. They are mirror opposites. The worldly mentality  is about selfishly using others as objects but acts of charity are about giving yourself selflessly and treating others as yourself.

Charity is the truest form of love. In the Greek it’s known as: agape or the love of God or Christ for mankind. Charity is to do something for someone and not expect anything in return- to love other people just because they are creatures of God. 

Jesus said that we should love our neighbors as if they were ourselves. Acts of charity involve giving of our time, talent, and treasure. 

Acts of charity are not about BIG acts. It could be simple things in our lives, or as Mother Teresa said, “To show great love for God and our neighbor we need not do great things. It is how much we put in the doing, that makes our offering something and beautiful to God.”

Those who are consecrated to Jesus through Mary have agreed to be tools of grace. For them, even the smallest acts of kindness transform simple worldly kindness into supernatural merit. 

Omnes cum Petro ad Jesum per Mariam!

Maximilian Monday: Litany of St. Maximilian Kolbe

I wanted to do something a little bit different this week. Instead of providing an excerpt of St. Maximilian Kolbe's writings, I would like to present a Litany in his honor. For those who might not understand what a litany is, "A litany is a well-known and much appreciated form of responsive petition, used in public liturgical services, and in private devotions, for common necessities of the Church, or in calamities — to implore God's aid or to appease His just wrath."(From NewAdvent.org, which has even more information on litanies). I found this particular litany at Marytown, the website for the National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe. 

P: Lord, have mercy on us    ALL: Lord, have mercy on us
P: Christ, have mercy on us    ALL: Christ, have mercy on us
P: Lord, have mercy on us    ALL: Lord, have mercy on us

God, our Father in heaven,    Have mercy on us
God the Son, Redeemer of the World,    Have mercy on us
God the Holy Spirit,    Have mercy on us
Holy Trinity, one God,    Have mercy on us
Immaculate Mary, Mother of the Savior,    Pray for us
St. Maximilian Maria Kolbe,    Pray for us...

Brave Knight of the Immaculata Pray for us...
Heroic Son of Poland ...
Man of living Faith ...
Obedient Son of St. Francis...
Poor and Humble Friar...
Example of Angelic Purity...
Great Lover of our Eucharistic Lord...
Consecrant of Our Lady...
Faithful Priest...
Model of Religious Life...
Servant of the Church...
Marian Mystic...
Zealous Missionary...
Modern Evangelist...
True Ecumenist...
Brilliant Apologist...
Christian Journalist...
Educator of Youth...
Promoter of the Mass Media...
Spokesman of Christian Values...
Defender of Human Dignity...
Promoter of the Miraculous Medal...
Minister of Refugees...
Friend of the Homeless...
Hero of Auschwitz...
Victim of Violence and Hatred...
Provider for the Hungry...
Preacher to the Hopeless...
Companion of the Imprisoned...
Comforter of the Sick...
Consoler of the Dying...
Instrument of Peace and Reconciliation...
Man for Others...
Victim of Planned Extermination...
Martyr of Charity...
Intercessor of the Addicted...
Friend to those with Eating Disorders...
Protector of Family Life...
Inspiration to Volunteers...
Patron of Pro-life...
Patron of our Difficult Age...
Prophet and Sign of the Civilization of Love...

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the World, Have mercy on us
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the World, Have mercy on us
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the World, Grant us peace

LET US PRAY: Merciful God, you raised up St. Maximilian Kolbe to the glory of your saints. Grant that we, through his heroic example and the powerful intercession of this Martyr of Charity, may always serve you in charity shown to our brothers and sisters. Grant the grace we need always to seek to accomplish the greatest glory of God in all that we do.

P: We ask this through Christ our Lord.       ALL: Amen.

You may or may not know that St. Maximilian Kolbe is the Patron Saint of the pro-life movement. He is a shining example of what it means to lay down one's life for a friend, and his selfless act of charity at Auschwitz counters the selfish culture of our day which seeks to prevent or destroy life so that people can continue living in the sins of the flesh. In the coming days let us pray this litany for an end to abortion and the contraceptive mentality that festers in the heart of society, because in the end it is that mentality which paves the way for the human sacrifice of our time. 

Maximilian Monday: On Suffering.

There are times in life where we feel sorrow and pain, suffering and loss. It has been a part of us ever since sin entered into the world. Though times may get bad, and trials come our way, it is always important to remember that we are called to pick up our own cross and follow the path set before us by Our Blessed Lord. We have an opportunity to take the crosses presented to us in life, and unite them to that ultimate sacrifice at Calvary, where a fountain was opened to purify us from sin and uncleanness. This is a topic many shy away from, but not St. Maximilian Kolbe. This is what he says about suffering, in union with Our Lady:

"Notwithstanding its being paved at times with crosses and sufferings, the way of the Immaculata is not so difficult, so dark, so unclear that we can always feel her motherly warmth.

A cross consists of two pieces of wood, crossed at one point. In every day life our cross consists in our will crossing the will of God. In order to remove it, it is necessary to conform ourselves to the will of God. In practice it is necessary that we put off our own will.

The saints did not understand life without suffering.

Suffering for love nourishes love.

Let us not always wish to feel the sweetness of devotion to the Immaculata, for this would be spiritual greed. Let us permit her to direct us as it pleases her. It is not always time for sweet caresses, be they ever so holy. We also need the trials of dryness, abandonment and the like. Let her fit the means to our sanctification according to her will. We must have one quality, continually deepening it: allowing ourselves to be led by her, reconciling ourselves to her will ever more perfectly, giving obedience to her will.

Whoever in life strives to avoid crosses as much as possible and does not mortify himself in anything does not know what happiness is.

Whoever is capable of suffering much for love can be happy that his love is deep.

As the harvest is a period of the farmer's greatest efforts in gathering crops into barns and storerooms, so also the soul's harvest is the time in which it can gather for itself as many priceless merits as possible; these are the moments pregnant with suffering and the cross.

If God visits us with a painful suffering and our soul walks the thorny path, it behooves us to rejoice that God destines us for high perfection.

God exhibits a special love for those whom He chastises in this life, because the punishment of purgatory is both long and severe. In this life the voluntary acceptance of crosses merits us an even greater glory in Heaven. Hence the saying, "Whom God loves He chastises."

The more powerful and courageous a soul becomes with the help of God's grace, the greater the cross God places on its shoulders, so that it might mirror as closely as possible the image of the crucified in its own life.

We will lay up so many more graces if, while in external and internal darkness, full of sadness, overworked, suffering, without consolation, persecuted at every step, amidst continual failures, abandoned by everyone, ridiculed, alone- just as Jesus was on the Cross- we shall pray for everyone and strive in all ways to draw everyone to God through the Immaculata and unite them to him as intimately as possible.

If a sailor wants to sail against a current, he must continually row, otherwise the current will push him back. When we become tired, when it is hard for us, let us go to the Mother of God with greater confidence so that she will help us. And always, always forward, so as to fulfill the will of the Immaculata better and better.


Suffering and sacrifice are the proofs of love, although suffering itself is not the essence of love.

Without sacrifice there is no love.

In case of difficulties, confide them to the Immaculata, that she do with them what she pleases: remove them, lessen them, increase them, or leave them without change.

Difficulties, no matter how great, ought never disturb us, but they should on the contrary strengthen and steel our will in the direction to overcome these same difficulties.

When the most varied temptations, trials befall the soul; when it is abandoned and plunged into spiritual darkness; when it as it were hangs upon the cross without respite and consolation, after the pattern of Jesus crucified, and in spite of this, with the help of God's grace peacefully and joyously received and bears this cross even for a long time: this is true perfection. A soul cannot imagine to what great heights it rises and what a great glory God is preparing for it in heaven.

When love encompasses and penetrates us, sacrifices become necessary for the soul.

Spiritual joy is born of sacrifice.

Let us remember that love lives and nourishes itself on sacrifices. Let us thank the Immaculata for interior peace and for the exaltation of love, but let us not forget that all this, however good and beautiful, is not as it were the essence of love. Without all of this love can exist, and even a perfect love. Love's summit is the state in which Jesus on the cross said, "My God, My God, why has thou forsaken me?"

Although storms rage around us often and thunder resounds, if we are unreservedly dedicated to the Immaculata we can be sure that nothing will happen to us as long as our best and dearest mother will not allow it. We shall rest sweetly as we labor and suffer for the salvation of souls.

Crosses may overwhelm us, but the grace of God, having warmed our hearts, will inflame them with such love that we will burn with the desire of suffering, of suffering without bounds, of humiliations, mockery, abandonment. Thus we will show how we love the Father and our best friend Jesus and His dearest Immaculate Mother. For suffering is the school of love.


What peace and happiness will penetrate us on our deathbed to know that we have much, very much toiled and suffered for the Immaculata."

As St. Maximilian Kolbe once said, "For Jesus Christ I am prepared to suffer still more."

Maximilian Monday: The love of the Immaculata

On this Maximilian Monday we would like to take a look at the love of the Immaculata. In this, we examine both Our Lady's love for God and also the duty we have to love the Immaculata as Our Mother, which she most definitely is. In the words of St. Maximilian Kolbe:

"The love of the Immaculata is the most perfect love which a creature can love God. With her heart then let us strive to love the Heart of Jesus more and more. Let this be our greatest stimulus.

Let us try to win not only many, but all souls for the Immaculata, and unite them as closely as possible to the most sweet Heart of Jesus through her. But first subdue your own heart and then the hearts of others.

Every thought, action, suffering of the Immaculata were most perfect acts of love of God, love of Jesus.

It is necessary to tell all souls, both collectively and individually, those who are living now and who will live until the end of the world; it is necessary to tell them by example, by the spoken, written and printed word, by radio, painting, sculpture and so on. We must tell them what and how the Immaculata would think, speak and act in the concrete circumstances of daily living in the various states of life, so that the most perfect love, a love reaching even to that of the Immaculata towards the heart of God, would be enkindled all over the earth.

The essence of the love of God consists exclusively in fulfilling the will of God at every moment. The more difficult that fulfillment, the more horror and aversion it entails, the greater will be the manifestation of love. But even these difficulties do not belong to the essence of love. And, in fact, there can be love without them. They serve only to display that love.

Let us emulate one another when it concerns the Immaculata. May every increase of love towards her in one person result in the greater strengthening of love in others. Our hearts are so small, so weak. We will never render her the love that she deserves, the love with which she loves us.

Let us all endeavor to deepen our love more and more towards the Immaculata, and always to have recourse to her as children towards their mother.

One act of perfect love regenerates the soul. Let us make use of this means often. It really is not so difficult, because the essence of this act is sacrificial love: to try to give pleasure to the Immaculata at one's own expense without regard to reward or punishment.

The essence of the love of God does not lie in affections or in sweet words, but solely in the will. If the soul perseveres decisively with its will fixed on holiness and love of God, although it does not experience the least feeling in its heart, let it be wholly convinced that it continually tends with rapid pace forward and ever pushes upward.

Love, which is a "bond of perfection," nourishes and satisfies itself solely by suffering, sacrifice and the cross.

We will show the greatest love towards the Immaculata when we share our love for her with others.

How can we prove the Immaculata loves us? If we love her, then she loves us incomparably more.

What is unrestricted love of the Immaculata?

The Immaculata is so joined with God by love that she rises not only above all the saints, but also above the angels and archangels, the Cherubim and Seraphim. Therefore, unrestricted love of the Immaculata raises us up even to her and unites us in a love above that of all the angels and saints.

She is the nearest to God, and we the nearest to her, and hence through her the nearest to God  Himself. God has given us that white ladder and desires that we climb up upon it to reach Him. Or rather she, holding us close to her maternal breast, brings us up to God.

But these are only pictures, resemblances, analogies. Reality is incomparably more beautiful, more sublime, divine."

Truly wise words, as always. The depths of wisdom that St. Maximilian Kolbe had is inspiring. One part that resonates with me greatly is this, "We will show the greatest love towards the Immaculata when we share our love for her with others." I think it is fair to say many people do not know of Our Blessed Mother, most have misconceptions about our love for her, and some even revile or disrespect her. It is up to us to go out into the world and set the record straight, to present the Truth of the Catholic Church and bring the love of the Immaculata to all people. In doing so we show love for Our Mother, and we also give great glory to God by spreading Marian devotion. Thus, we cooperate with His plan for the salvation of souls as we climb the white ladder to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Let us pray that the Immaculata gives us the strength to continue our mission.

Maximilian Monday: Our Lady - Mediatrix of All Graces

Today we look into the intimate role between the Holy Spirit and the Immaculata. As the spouse of the Holy Spirit, it is the Immaculata who dispenses all graces from God to His people, whether they explicitly know it or not. As I cannot hope to explain it better than St. Maximilian Kolbe, let us turn to his rumination on this topic:

"An absolute and irrefutable sentiment in the Catholic Church, although it is not yet declared a dogma, is that the Mother of God is the Mediatrix of All Graces. During the first centuries of Christianity this truth was already known.

The work of the Militia Immaculatae and of the Knight depends precisely upon the truth that the Immaculata is the Mediatrix of All Graces. If it were not so, our whole activity of the MI would be illogical. The Holy Spirit does not act except through the Immaculata, His spouse. Hence she is the Mediatrix of all the graces of the Holy Spirit.

If we were to look into the interior of our souls, we would see how much activity of the Immaculata there is and has been in our souls from the dawn of our lives to the present moment, and how much assurance of her benefits for the future. These are for the most part mysteries of each individual soul. It is enough to mention that every grace received each day, hour, and moment of our life is her grace, flowing from her motherly heart that loves us.

In her womb the soul must be regenerated according to the form of Jesus Christ. She must nourish the soul with the milk of her grace, caress and rear us in the manner in which she nourished and brought up Jesus. The soul must learn to know and to love Jesus at her knees. Let us draw love for Him from her heart. Yes, love Him with her heart, and through love become like Him.

It is incredible that anyone should approach Jesus without Mary. Why? For, omitting the very fact that she brought forth Jesus and raised Him for us, the approach to Jesus is without doubt a grace in itself. But all graces come to us through her in the way that Jesus himself came. Is it then permitted to converse directly with Jesus, if I do not think of Mary? It is not a question of feeling or thinking, but of the fact itself that it is so, even though the thought of her intercession would never cross your mind. If you really love Jesus, then above all you desire to do His will in all things, and receive graces in the way that He ordained. When you have such a disposition you can and ought freely turn to the Sacred Heart of Jesus being confident that you will obtain everything. If someone however were to tell himself, "I do not need any medication, I do not need the Blessed Mother, I myself am able to praise and honor the most Sacred Heart of God and ask for what I need"- would Jesus not cast him justly aside for such insufferable pride?"

Through the Immaculata we can become great saints, and what is more, in an easy way. The Immaculata as the Mediatrix of All Graces, not only can and desires to give the grace of conversion and sanctity at certain times and places, but she wants to regenerate all souls, and moreover, our [Franciscan] Order.

What does conversion and sanctification through the Immaculata mean? It means that the grace needed for conversion and sanctification comes through the Immaculata. "I am able to do all things in him who strengthens me" through the Immaculata. And why through the Immaculata?

God in His infinite goodness, not wishing to punish us for our failings, pledged Himself by the Blessed Mother. The Holy Fathers say that God divided His Kingdom in two parts: He left justice for Himself, and to His Blessed Mother He gave mercy. Thus we have the right to add "through the Immaculata"

Whatever happens for the cause of conversion and sanctification is a work of the grace of God. But the Mediatrix of that grace is the Mother of God. As Jesus is the sole Mediator with God the Father, so the only Mediatrix with Jesus is the Mother of God. Therefore, conversion and sanctification come through her.

Our gifts become immaculate in the hands of the Immaculata. In Jesus Christ they become divine, infinite, worthy of the majesty of God the Father. What Mary gives to Jesus is unsoiled, and Jesus then renders it to God the Father in an infinite way. The honor, then, which we give to Jesus through Mary is unsoiled and infinite.

Our life on this earth is to be the prolongation of the life of Jesus through Mary. With the help of the Immaculata we are capable of everything.

The nearer we come to the Immaculata, the more we become holy. The Mother of God is the Mediatrix of All Graces, and holiness is the work of the grace of God. The devil knows that the nearer we are to the Immaculata, the more graces we receive from her hands. That is why he tries at all costs to draw the soul away from the Blessed Mother, even under the guise of devotion to Jesus. He knows that God established such a way through the Immaculata, and he likewise knows that when the soul departs from this way, it will not receive as many graces. Therefore whether we feel aversion, whether we are in darkness or in light, let us always advance by way of the Immaculata. It is very important matter that our life be lived through her, with her, and in her.

The Immaculata is the ladder upon which we climb to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Whoever removes this ladder will not reach the top and will crash to the ground. We strongly believe that she leads us to Jesus. Let whoever teaches otherwise be anathema! Let him be anathema!

If we wish to love Jesus with the heart of the Immaculata, receive Him with her heart, praise Him with her acts, make reparation and at the same time give thanks through her. Even if we were not to feel and understand this way, nevertheless it is so. Then with her heart, with her acts we praise Jesus, or actually, it is she who loves and praises Jesus through us. We are then her instruments."

The union between the Holy Spirit and the Immaculata is far greater than our minds can understand, and probably will ever understand until we stand before the throne of Almighty God. In the meantime, let us fly to the Immaculate Heart of Mary with child like trust, pleading with her to teach us how to imitate her virtues, so that we may do all things through her, with her, and in her - to better do them through Christ, with Christ, in Christ for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

Take it to the streets!!

Last Sunday our Holy Father Pope Francis led the Universal Church in worldwide Eucharistic processions and adoration, and it was beautiful. In my corner of the world, we exited the Church and stepped into the heat of Texas. Catholic processions are a great way to honor Our Blessed Lord, and give witness to Him in our cities.

They are important for us too, as they help remind us of our Catholic identity, and strengthen it as well. We should undertake processions more often, and not just limit them to the boundaries of Church grounds, but go into the streets!

The secular world wants us to stay within Church property, secluded away; ‘out of sight, out of mind’. If we give into their mentality, we have already given up on the effort to let the beauty of the One True Faith shine through to them.

Think of what it would be like to step out of your house and see a line of people walking through your neighborhood carrying flags and banners in honor of Christ the King and the Virgin of Guadalupe, reverently chanting prayers with Rosaries in hand. At the very heart of this group a beautiful canopy covers Our Eucharistic Lord Who is carried by a Holy Priest within a monstrance, and an Altar Boy continually swings a thurible as incense rises up to Heaven.

A great number of people participate in a procession from Christendom College

I have had the opportunity to take part in a couple of processions that went out into the streets, and the results were awesome. Men and women came out of their homes and made the Sign of the Cross, kids stopped playing basketball and watched as we passed. People driving by stopped and asked why we were doing such a thing. Also, those participating were edified tremendously. Processions fascinate people, and open their hearts to eternal things.

Why would we make such processions? One reason is to make pilgrimage to a holy site, and another is to offer the procession for a specific intention, as we did this past Sunday. (The first intention was for the obedience of the Church so that she appear before the world as “beautiful, without spot or wrinkle, holy and without blemish.” The second intention was for victims of violence, drugs, human trafficking, economic insecurity and social marginalization.)

When we look at it in this way, the reasons for having Catholic processions are many: for an end to abortion, or an increase in vocations; for all the poor souls in purgatory, conversion of the world, and increasing the belief in the True Presence; even for the end of liturgical abuse. The list goes on and on.

Too often we stand by and let the secular culture influence our actions. The Bride of Christ holds the Truth, but we often do not bring it to society for fear of being hated or persecuted. Take comfort in this: though many will hate us, and we will most assuredly be persecuted - if just one person feels the call of the Holy Ghost to conversion by witnessing the beauty of Catholic culture through a procession, it is all worth it, and it brings great glory to God. In the end, isn't that what it’s all about?

Let us venture out into the neighborhoods and bring Christ to His people as the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter does in this picture from Scranton, Pennsylvania

What Else Is There?!?!?

We, you and I, were created to be saints. It is our destiny. It is the fulfillment of our happiness. It's being the best version of ourselves.

It's not about halos and serious stone faces. It's about being real- the realist version of yourself. Being a saint isn't boring, no - it's actually the definition of "living life"- a JOY filled life. Saints are people FULL of joy because a saint is simply a friend of God.

Meaning they are constantly in God's friendship (in this life and in the next) and would rather die than to hurt and/or end their friendship with God (by sinning or falling into heresy). And God being a perfect friend makes them whole (in this life and in the next). 

Sin hurts our friendships and our true selves. There is only one way to be a failure in this life and that is not to become a saint. 

June has SOO many great saints. Learn about them all. Imitate just ONE! 

As I look at this calendar and see the pictures of June's celebrated saints, I have to ask myself, "What's hurting my friendship with God?" 

And then I must act on the answer. 

Here are some daily tips to help your OUR personal sanctity:

• Get up at a fixed time, as early as possible. Eight hours of sleep should be enough. More than this or less than six hours of sleep is usually not healthy.

• Make your first priority to offer your day to God through the intercession of Our Lady.

• Work with order and intensity during the day as a way of serving God. Set goals and establish priorities in order to develop a practical schedule. Sanctifying ordinary work is the goal of our life. 

• Try to attend daily Mass, receiving Holy Communion, as often as possible. This is the best sacrifice we can offer to God.  Prepare yourself for Mass by spending some time in prayer.

• Spend some time in mental prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. Even it's for only 5 minutes. 

• Foster traditional daily devotions: The Little Office, The Liturgy of the  Hours, the Rosary, the Angelus. 

• Make use of sacramentals- wear scapulars,  Miraculous Medals, Holy Water etc. 

• Do some other spiritual reading. Start with the New Testament or some well-known traditional spiritual book. 10 to 15 minutes is sufficient.  

• Nightly examinations of conscience. And if need be daily confession.

As Patrick Coffin often exclaims, "Be a saint- what else is there?"

Maximilian Monday: It is the will of the Immaculata!

In today's edition of Maximilian Monday, we explore the union between the will of God, and that of Our Lady. Here is how St. Maximilian Kolbe explains it:

"Christian perfection consists in the union of our will with the will of God. The will of the Immaculata is closely united with the will of God, so that it seems as if there were but one will. Since we are speaking of doing the will of God, we can at the same time boldly say that we are doing the will of the Immaculata.

And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done unto me according to thy word

By this we do not detract from the glory of God, but rather we add to it. When we so act, we make manifest the perfection of Mary as the most perfect creature of God and the complete union of her will with the will of God. Do not be afraid, dear children, to say, "It is the will of the Immaculata," because it is the same as the will of God.

There is no doubt that the will of the Immaculata is wholly united to the will of God. The problem is only to unite our will with her will so that through her we might be united with
God.

Whoever would say that he does not wish to serve the Mother of God is obedient to the devil, for it is the will of God that we do not exclude the Mother of God.
We accomplish the most for the happiness of souls when we perfectly perform the will of the Immaculata, our commandress.

Whatever does not depend on our will is surely the will of the Immaculata. Whatever should come even from evil and perverse people is certainly the will of God, certainly permitted by God, and therefore the will of the Immaculata.

If we say, "It is the will of the Immaculata," besides the fact that we acknowledge the will of God by this phrase, we also honor the Blessed Mother, inasmuch as we acknowledge that her will is so fused with the will of God that it constitutes one intimate union. In addition, we give more honor to God by recognizing His perfection in creating such a great, powerful, good and holy being as the Blessed Mother.

I would be altogether happy a the moment of death if all those at the City of the Immaculata would in all things recognize the Immaculata. When this is brought about everything will be done; when it is absent all will fall apart."

May we strive forward as instruments in the hands of the Immaculata, for bringing Our Blessed Lord the greatest glory we possibly can. It is the will of the Immaculata!

Gregorian Chant: Good for the soul

Gregorian Chant speaks to more than just the ears, it speaks to the soul. When I hear Gregorian Chant, my mind is elevated to contemplation, my soul is flooded with peace. Prayer comes easier, and there is a connection with eternity (as well as our Catholic history). It even helps me sleep! Gregorian Chant was once synonymous with the Mass, and it is extremely important for us to embrace it once again.

Documents from the Second Vatican Council call us to use Gregorian Chant within the Liturgy. From Sacrosanctum Concilium:

112. The musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art.

116. The Church acknowledges Gregorian chant as specially suited to the Roman liturgy: therefore, other things being equal, it should be given pride of place in liturgical services.

The musical tradition of the universal Church  has been Gregorian Chant, and the definition of pride of place is as follows: 'the first or highest or most important place.'   If Gregorian Chant is suppose to hold the most important place, why don't we hear it in every Mass?

One might make the argument: "Well, it does say that other forms of music are equal..." But even using that argument, there should still be at least some Gregorian Chant within the Liturgy, but alas, there is none that I know of. We are discarding music that is truly Catholic for music that is infused with secular society, and it is detrimental to the Faith. For some reason we think that children will be drawn more by drums and electric guitars in Mass and so we don't even try to show them the beauty of Gregorian Chant. This results in kids growing up without a clear understanding of what Catholic music is. In my opinion, this lack of understanding (regarding the music in this case) contributes to the fall away from the Faith.

I don't even particularly need to know what the Latin means when I hear it, because my soul understands the prayer that is happening, and the prayer is efficacious even if my mind does not fully comprehend. That being said, I hope to one day be able to understand and sing Gregorian Chant better. For now, I will resign myself to the Chants in the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary in private.

An increase in the use of Gregorian Chant within our lives (especially in the Liturgy) will bring us closer with Our Lord. That will then supply us with abundant peace, and therefore we will have greater fortitude in this turbulent world.

The Catholic Faith and all of its culture is interesting, it's beautiful, and above all- it's True. Gregorian Chant should be sung in every Diocese, at every Parish, within every Mass. That's what the Second Vatican Council teaches us, and I pray that we would soon live that reality. I hope that one day Gregorian Chant is taught at every Parish, so that each Parishioner is able to join in the prayers of our Catholic brothers and sisters of ages past.

Maximilian Monday: The Essence and Purpose of the MI

Today we look into what the essence and purpose is of the Militia of the Immaculata; this is what St. Maximilian Kolbe says on this matter:

"The essence of the MI consists in its belonging to the Immaculata unconditionally, irrevocably, without restriction, and this under every aspect.

The MI began and developed through holy obedience. And it could not be otherwise, for its essence is to be of the Immaculata, the Immaculata's servant and child and slave and thing and property and so on; in brief, to be hers under every aspect. Make yourself disappear and become as if her. The most essential element in such a transformation is the adjustment, the fusion, the union of ours will with hers.

The ultimate purpose of man is the purpose towards which he tends, and for which he uses the means of attaining it.

The love of God through and in the Immaculata is our purpose, and our life is our means. Consequently we should use up our life for that purpose.

To win as many souls as possible for the Immaculata is our life, our breath, our every heart beat. Thus we dedicate ourselves to the Immaculata more and more, unconditionally and irrevocably, and to engraft this dedication in the heart of everyone in the whole world, so that she might be able to rule at will in our hearts and in the hearts of everyone in the whole world. In other words we must bring about the accomplishment of the purpose of the MI in the whole world, as swift as possible, and then remain watchful so that no one remove the banner of the Immaculata from any heart.

What an enormous work!

And then death, after a life so laborious, long suffering and utterly used up for the Immaculata!

To bend the proud neck of the world to the feet of the Immaculata is the purpose of the MI: to win the whole world and every soul in particular for her as soon as possible, as soon as possible, as soon as possible. Then the kingship of the Sacred Heart of Jesus will reign through her upon the earth.

It is absolutely necessary to gain the whole world for her, so that the reign of sin will cease.

What do we wish to say by the words, "strive for the conversion and sanctification of souls through the Immaculata?" What do we stress by these words?

We wish to emphasize that the shortest, surest way to conversion and sanctification is the Immaculata. We ourselves wish to advance on this road and teach it to others.

Through the Immaculata we will attain the ultimate purpose of the MI, that is, the greatest possible glory of God.

There are two sentences placed at the beginning of the charter of the MI: "She will crush thy head" and "Thou alone hast destroyed all heresies in the whole world." In these two concepts is embodied the purpose of the Militia Immaculatae. And that is why the members of the MI dedicate themselves to the Immaculata unreservedly as tools in her hand, so that through the members she will deign to accomplish what was spoken of her in these sentences.

The Purpose of the Militia Immaculatae is to gain the whole world, all hearts and each one in particular for the Queen of both Heaven and earth. It is our goal to give real happiness to those poor souls who seek happiness in the passing pleasures of this world."

That is the essence and purpose of the MI as explained by the founder. What an enormous work indeed, but by the Grace of God we will succeed, we must succeed!

Pray: 'O Mary conceived without sin pray for us who have recourse to Thee! And those who do not have recourse to Thee, especially the enemies of the Church and those recommended to you.'

How we Salute in the Militia

We do it before we eat. We do it as we walk into the sanctuary. We do it when we genuflect. We start Mass with it. We end Mass with it. We do it three consecutive times before we read the Gospel. We do it when we drive past a Catholic church. We do it before the game, before we go to sleep, and before we travel. In the west we do it with our right hand; in the East they do it with their left. Some do it with three fingers; some kiss it upon its completion. Martyrs did it as they were taken to their death. We are marked with it when we are baptized. You don’t have to be literate to do it because it requires no special education  or skill. It is our salute:

In nómine Patris et Fílii et Spíritus Sancti. Amen. The sign of the cross. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

It is our most simplistic prayer but it conveys and sums up the entire mystery of our faith. It’s a simple prayer but it is SO crucial to beat our battle with the flesh, the world and the diabolical. 

Paul speaks of the cross in almost all his New Testament letters: “But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Gal 6:14). 

The earliest accounts suggest that Christians traced the cross with their thumb upon their forehead. My patron saint, Saint Francis de Sales explains it this way:

“We raise the hand to the forehead, saying ‘In the name of the Father’ to signify that the Father is the first person of the Most Holy Trinity, of whom the Son is begotten and from whom the Holy Spirit proceeds. Then saying, ‘And the Son,’ the hand is lowered to the breast, to express that the Son proceeds from the Father, who sent him down to the womb of the Virgin. The hand is moved from the left shoulder to the right, while saying, ‘and of the Holy Spirit’, as the third person of the Holy Trinity, proceeds from the Father and the Son, that he is the love that unites both, and that, through his grace, partake of the fruits of the passion. Accordingly the Sign of the Cross is brief declaration of our faith in the Blessed Trinity, in the passion of Christ, and in the forgiveness of sin, by which we pass from the left side of curse to the right side of blessing.”

There is no way of talking about the sign of the cross without talking about the Most Holy Trinity. Most catechists dread talking about this subject, and most priests only preach about it on Trinity Sunday. Why? Because as Saint Augustine says, “If you understand it, it’s not God.” 

No matter which way I go about this topic I’m sure to be... well-- a heretic. Just kidding.... maybe.  

Once I went to a conference where it's theme was, “God is Love.” I believe that statement is what makes us Christians. A Jew or a Muslim would say God loves. But the radical Christian difference is we say God IS Love. And I think that is the best way to explain the Trinity. 

If you say God is Love, then you have to mean that within the very being of God there is a play between a Lover, the Beloved, and the Love that they share. If God is not a Trinity, God is not love. For love requires three things: a lover, a beloved, and a relationship between them.

One Being- three Persons. 

In the creed we say “We believe in one God.” That is our Catholic way of saying what the Jews have said for years “Hear, O Israel: the Lord is our God alone.” 

God is one but we know through the revelation of Jesus Christ that God has to shown himself to be One being three persons. The sender the sent and the love in which the sent was sent. Still think the sign of the cross is simple?

So how does this apply to us today? 

We are called to be men and women who invoke the Trinity. You say “sure I make the sign of the cross all the time”. But I tell you today that we have to be MEN and WOMEN of the Triune God. Jesus gave us the perfect example. He held nothing back from the Father. That’s how we should love each other. 

^^^ That’s the principle for the Sacrament of Marriage. In marriage the two become one. So much so, that nine months later you have to name that love that was shared between the two. That is one reason why that Catholic Church condemns contraception (I didn’t say doesn’t like. I said condemn).

It’s an anti-trinity mentality. The contraceptive mentality says “I’m going to give most but not all” but the mentality of the Trinity says “Have this mind among yourselves which was in Christ Jesus, who though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but EMPTIED himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross (Philippians 2:4-7).

 Imagine for a moment if Jesus on the cross had a contraceptive mentality. What if he held back- just a little back up there on the cross? What if he just appeared to have died? (You know that’s an ancient heresy BTW) 

If Jesus had a contraceptive mentality there would be no salvation for you and me.

At the beginning of this post I named a lot of places that we invoked the Trinity. Some places I didn’t name were the bed room, computer room, office, and over a smart phone--and it’s a sad fact. Can you imagine what power would be released if we invoked God in the places where we fell often to lust, anger and pride ? 

Can you imagine what power would be released into our marriages if we invoked God in the bedroom? You’re talking about a country that spends billions on pornographic material and millions on Viagra and other related medications. It’s food for thought-what if we prayed and called down the Trinity while we partook in the martial embrace – the very action that replicates the life of the Trinity?

It’s no small thing we do when we make the Sign of the cross. It should take our breath away- but only so that we can be filled up with another breath: the spirit of God.

PRAY:

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