Sunday, 30 December
Labels: Digest of Posts
posted by Pro Ecclesia 11:59 PM
1 comments
Not content with being apologists for the Party of Death, our old "friends" over at Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good are now acting as apologists for the secularist war against Christmas:
Group calls for end to Christmas Culture warsMy Comments:
The outrage by some people over department stores using the phrase “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas” is a distraction from real moral and social issues, according to a group of concerned Catholics and evangelical Christians.
The group has called for a “cease-fire in the Christmas culture wars,” and challenged conservative talk-show host Bill O’Reilly and others who have lashed out against a so-called secular “War on Christmas.”
In an “Open Letter to Christmas Culture Warriors” published as an advertisement in the New York Post, Washington Times and the National Catholic Reporter, the group says the debate about words used in greetings detracts from the Christmas message of love and good will.
“Christmas marks a season of hope, peace and the light of justice illuminating the dark corners of our world," said Alexia Kelley, Executive Director of Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good. "At a time of a real war in Iraq, and 37 million of our American neighbors living in poverty, we should be focusing on promoting peace and human dignity in our world."
For more information visit www.catholicsinalliance.org.
(emphasis added)
Labels: "Religious Left", Christmas, Democrats, War Against Christmas
posted by Pro Ecclesia 12:33 AM
3 comments
Weary of Messiah? In "Tydings Trew: Feasts of Christmas in Medieval England," the six-man vocal ensemble Lionheart presents carols, chants and motets for the Christmas season as it was celebrated in the cloisters, palaces and streets of England in the 15th and 16th centuries.(emphasis added)
The medieval carol was originally a dance form with worldly and often lewd associations. Franciscan monks converted the carol into Christian usage as part of their long struggle with native English paganism. Some of the carols included in the program retain the rollicking rhythms of their profane ancestors. "Noel . . .Tydings Trew" recounts the angel's message to Mary with a boisterous chorus. Other carols are gentle and meditative, such as the well-known "Coventry Carol," a lament for the children of Bethlehem who were slaughtered by the raging King Herod.
Chants from a medieval English monastic book, and an authentic medieval English pronunciation bring to life the music and poetry of a distant age. The program follows the cycles of monastic observance through the twelve days of Christmas, which includes feasts of martyrs such as Saint Thomas of Canterbury. The carol "Saint Thomas honor we" glorifies the murdered Archbishop, who died defending the rights of the Church from the encroaching power of King Henry II.
Also included are mystical motets from the Old Hall Manuscript, and "Gaude virgo mater christi," by King Henry VIII's court composer William Cornysh.
posted by Pro Ecclesia 12:55 PM
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St. Thomas Beckett
Also known as Thomas a Beckett; Thomas of Canterbury
Murdered in 1170 in the Cathedral at Canterbury, England
Canonized: 1173 by Pope Alexander III
Commemorated: December 29
Patronage: clergy, Exeter College Oxford, Portsmouth England, secular clergy
In art, he is shown as an archbishop with a wounded head; archbishop holding an inverted sword; archbishop kneeling before his murderers; archbishop being murdered in church; crosier with a battle-axe head at the topSt. Thomas of Canterbury (1118-1170)
"The Murder of Becket" by Alfred Duggan
"St. Thomas Becket" by Todd Drain
http://www.cin.org/saints/becket.html
He was born in the city of London in 1118. His family name of Becket was rarely used by his contemporaries, to whom he was Thomas of London or Archbishop Thomas. His father was a Norman knight, Gilbert, who had become a prosperous merchant in London; his mother was also Norman, and he had at least two sisters, one of whom later became abbess of Barking. To his mother he owed his early piety, a devotion to our Lady, and generosity to the poor. From boyhood upwards he was richly endowed by nature. He was tall, handsome and vigorous, with dark hair, pale complexion and a prominent nose; his sight and hearing were unusually keen, he had a remarkably retentive memory, and he was a master of extemporary speech and debate. As a boy he was devoted to field sports and as a young man his energy, his practical ability and his initiative were more evident than his wisdom or his judgment. After a schooling at Merton priory and Paris he became, at twenty-one, financial clerk to a relative in the city, but after three years he was taken into the household of Theobald, the Norman monk-archbishop of Canterbury. The young Thomas gradually made his way upwards by his charm, his generosity and his adaptability. He was ambitious, and refused no opportunity of advancement or preferment, he enjoyed display and activity, but all are agreed that his life both then and at all times was absolutely pure. The archbishop gave him the post of archdeacon, and he seemed to be following the normal career of an able ecclesiastic when, at the age of thirty-six, he was recommended by Theabald to the young King Henry as chancellor.
Henry II was a man of very great ability and energy with a genius both for leadership and for organisation; at the same time he was self-willed, imperious, and passionate, wholly unspiritual and bent on gaining control of every power in his kingdom. Thomas the chancellor, who then and always had a personal affection for Henry, devoted all his efforts to serve and please the young king. Accepting all the wealth that came his way, he spent it lavishly on entertainments, on rich clothes and plate and on hunting, hawking, and even on martial exploits but he never failed to work hard and prudently in the king's interest, and there is evidence that he felt a secret dissatisfaction with himself and his worldly life.
For the next six years the archbishop was in exile in France, while he and the king and Pope Alexander III wrangled and discussed in an endeavor to settle the controversy and restore peace to the church in England. The issue was clouded for contemporaries by the mistakes and even the faults of the archbishop, by the ability and plausibility of the king, who had in some respects a strong case, and by the unwillingness of the pope to go to extremities with a powerful monarch. Meanwhile Thomas, at the abbey of Pontigny and elsewhere, gave himself to penance and devotion in what may be called a 'second conversion' from piety to sanctity. Finally, after a war of denunciations and excommunications, and a series of abortive conferences, an uneasy peace was patched up in the last months of 1169 and Thomas returned in triumph to Canterbury. Almost at once, the king in France, exasperated by the archbishop's refusal to withdraw some censures, let slip words which were taken to be a command, or a permission, to kill the archbishop as a traitor. Four knights crossed the Channel, and on the afternoon of December 29th appeared in the archbishop's hall intent on picking a quarrel. Thomas met them with dignified argument, but refused to budge from what he declared was justice and obedience to the pope. The knights retired in fury and donned their armor, while the archbishop entered the cathedral, refusing to allow the doors to be locked. The four knights rushed upon him in the north aisle and tried to drag him from the church. He resisted, and they cut him down with their swords. His last words were: 'I accept death for the name of Jesus and for the Church.'
The murder shocked the conscience of all Europe; miracles were announced immediately at the tomb; the archbishop was canonized as a martyr by Alexander III in 1173; the king did public penance at his tomb, and much of what St Thomas had striven for was secured by his death. Canterbury became a place of pilgrimage second only to Rome and perhaps Compostella, and churches were dedicated to St Thomas in all countries, even in the remote Iceland. That Thomas gave his life for the freedom of the church is certain; more than four centuries later, another Henry, another St Thomas, and another archbishop of Canterbury drew the moral in their different ways. That he was a man to whom all would apply the word 'great' is also clear. He was no doubt a son of his age--the age of crusades and of the Norman conquerers--alike in his magnificence, his carriage and his austerities, but those who have seen in him only an ambitious, violent and headstrong prelate have failed to allow for the gentleness and devotion that were always part of his character, and for the real and profound conversion of his later years. Had he died a natural death in 1170 he would not perhaps have been acclaimed as a saint, but in his last years and months he prepared himself by his fortitude and zeal for truth and justice, for the heroic assertion of the rights of the spiritual power which led to his martyrdom.
Courtesy of Catholic Information Network (CIN)
------------------
More on St. Thomas Beckett at:
http://www.traditioninaction.org/SOD/j108sdThomasBecket12-29.htm
Labels: Bishops, Christmas, England, History, Saints and Martyrs, Traditional Feast Days
posted by Pro Ecclesia 7:46 AM
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Labels: Christmas, Our Lord Jesus Christ, Traditional Feast Days
posted by Pro Ecclesia 1:45 AM
1 comments
A Christmas Story House, now restored to its movie splendor, is open year round to the public for tours. Directly across the street from the house is the official A Christmas Story House Museum, which features original props, costumes and memorabilia from the film, as well as rare behind-the-scenes photos and a gift shop.
The house on "Cleveland Street"
"Fra-Gee-Lay. It must be Italian."
"It's a major award!"
"It was ... soap ... poisoning."
"'Be sure to drink your Ovaltine?' A crummy commercial?"
Ralphie's and Randy's Bedroom
"Daddy's gonna kill Ralphie."
The return of "Black Bart" and his gang.
"Drop your gun, Ralphie, or the kid gets it!"
"You'll shoot your eye out, kid."Labels: Christmas, Faith and Family, Families, Humor, Movies, Ohio
posted by Pro Ecclesia 8:26 PM
12 comments
As we approach the Advent and Christmas seasons, we begin to ask ourselves the question as to what role the mother of our Lord should play in our worship and festival observances. How important a place? The answer in a nutshell is: a very important place.
Protestant observances of the events surrounding the Incarnation all but deny the importance of Mary. A few references to her in sermons, a character in the Christmas play, and a statue in the Nativity scene are about as far as it goes in terms of recognizing the role of Our Lady in the divine transcendent event. However, Catholic observers are quick to point out that their own Church hasn't always properly emphasized her importance.
The life and ministry of Jesus on earth begins with the Annunciation and the Incarnation. The vehicle or means by which the Incarnation took place is the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Incarnation of the Son of God requires that we discover God's purposes in the Word made flesh. Through the Annunciation, Mary learned that her motherhood would extend to all who stand in need of God's mercy and forgiveness. As Father Romanus Cessario writes: ''If we reflect on the truth that God chose to come among us as a little Child, we will begin to comprehend what Mary's spiritual motherhood means for the Church.''
Not to emphasize the central role of Mary in history is to dilute the importance of the Incarnation. And when the Incarnation is no longer crucial, the basic tenets of the Christian faith begin to crumble.
In one of his talks on Our Lady, Pope John Paul II clarifies the basis for emphasizing the role of Mary in the Christmas message: ''The fiat of the Annunciation inaugurates the New Covenant between God and the creature. While it incorporates Jesus into our race according to nature, it incorporates Mary with Him according to grace. The bond between God and humankind that was broken by sin is now happily restored.'' As Christians we realize that this change occurs only because of what God has accomplished in Jesus through Mary.
[More]
Labels: Advent, Christmas, Our Blessed Lady
posted by Pro Ecclesia 2:38 PM
15 comments
Labels: Digest of Posts
posted by Pro Ecclesia 11:59 PM
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Blogging here has been, and will continue to be, light over the latter half of December. I'm enjoying some time off with the family.
Labels: Blogging
posted by Pro Ecclesia 2:39 PM
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From Cybercast News Service:
(CNSNews.com) - In a victory for the Bush administration, Democrats have ended their fight to reverse the president's ban on aid to family planning groups overseas that provide abortions.
The Mexico City policy was kept intact in the 2008 foreign aid budget that is now part of the $500 billion-plus omnibus spending bill. While conservatives praised the development, they expressed disapproval with the fact that the budget bill provides an increase in funding to Planned Parenthood.
The Family Research Council applauded Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) and Reps. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) and Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) "for successfully blocking attempts by pro-abortion forces within Congress to overturn the President's Mexico City policy and pour U.S. taxpayer dollars into the coffers of abortion groups."
[More]
posted by Pro Ecclesia 2:28 PM
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In this past Sunday's edition of The Toledo Blade, retired Episcopal Bishop John Shelby Spong "explains his radical views":
For a genteel, erudite, and personable cleric, Episcopal Bishop John Shelby Spong sure has a way of getting under people's skin.My Comments:
The 76-year-old retired bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Newark is a theologian who believes the Bible is "time-bound and time-warped" by the first-century Jewish culture in which it was written. He is on a mission to change the way people look at the Bible and at Jesus, stating that he wants to "break Jesus out of the boundaries of antiquity and explain it in the 21st century."
***
Among his iconoclastic teachings, Bishop Spong believes that Jesus was not born of a virgin, never performed any miracles, and was not bodily resurrected from the grave. Yet he states that Jesus is "the defining God presence in a human being" and that Jesus "stands not only at the center of my faith, but also at the center of all that I am."
***
Earlier this month, Bishop Spong was in Toledo for a weekend of lectures and preaching at First Unitarian (Universalist) Church in the Old West End.
Although he realizes his beliefs are controversial, the theologian expressed confidence that he is teaching the truth and that he wants to encourage others to engage in critical discussion of biblical and theological issues.
***
During his Toledo visit, accompanied by his wife, Christine, Bishop Spong took time for an hour-long interview with The Blade to discuss his views on a wide range of theological subjects including the origins of the Bible and the future of the Episcopal Church.
[More]
Labels: Pseudo-religion, Theology
posted by Pro Ecclesia 2:16 PM
1 comments
National Catholic Register reports that "Catholic Teaching on marriage good for environment":
EAST LANSING, Mich. — Want to save the planet from global warming? Then try saving your marriage.
That’s the message of Jianguo Liu, a distinguished professor of ecology and the Rachel Carson Chair in Sustainability at Michigan State University.
Liu’s damning analysis of the heavy negative effects divorces have on the environment was published in early December in the online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
***
That’s because a divorce usually results in one household becoming two, Liu explained. Liu said he began the research after learning that the number of households has been increasing globally in recent decades at a far greater rate than population growth.
“If you have two parents and five children in a room, they’re all getting the same benefit from one light bulb, one TV, the heating system in the house,” Liu said. “When a divorce occurs, at least two of all those things are needed for the same people.”
Additionally, Liu said, a divorce often results in parents driving children great distances back and forth in order that they can visit both households. He said divorced families are likely to have more cars than when they lived as one.
***
At least one leading Catholic advocate of traditional marriage, however, isn’t impressed by Liu’s findings. Maggie Gallagher, president of the Washington-based Institute for Marriage and Public Policy, agreed that divorce causes disorder and wreaks havoc in society.
But she’s not “a big fan of that study,” she said.
“The logic of the study suggests that divorced fathers would help the environment by abandoning their children, rather than driving across town to see them,” she said. “It would suggest that unmarried couples are better to live together rather than to date and maintain separate households. To endorse this study I’d have to endorse the underlying assumption that we should define the problem of global warming as anything that increases the number of people or houses on the planet.”
Gallagher said an ideological belief that more human activity warms the planet is the reason China wants environmental energy credits as a reward for its one-child-only policy.
[More]
Labels: Catholic Social Teaching, Families, Marriage, Pseudo-science
posted by Pro Ecclesia 1:10 PM
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(Hat tip: Custos Fidei)
Labels: "Religious Left", "Religious Right", Elections, God and Country, Religious Persecution, Secularism, Voting Your Values
posted by Pro Ecclesia 12:58 PM
0 comments
The following insert was included in the Norwalk Catholic School newsletter The Mustardseed:
There have been many e-mails sent recently about a new children’s film called "The Golden Compass" and a series of books by British author Philip Pullman. There was a note in the Friday Flyer recently concerning this and an article in our student newspaper, The Norwalk Catholic Weekly News. Many parents are asking questions. The following communication received from the Diocese of Toledo, Office of Communications provides excellent information and further resources to consult.
DIOCESE OF TOLEDO
Office of Communications
TO: Priests, Deacons, Pastoral Leaders, Principals, Catechetical Leaders, Youth Ministers and Major Superiors
FROM: Sally Oberski
RE: Golden Compass Film
DATE: November 29, 2007
A new children’s film called The Golden Compass featuring Nicole Kidman and Dakota Blue Richards is scheduled to open December 7 and has created a storm of protest and turned new attention to the book on which it is based. There is so much information being faxed and e-mailed around the country about the movie, the books, and the author of the books that it may get confusing.
The USSCB has not yet reviewed this film [ED: This memo obviously predates Mr. Forbes' notorious positive review of The Golden Compass, and the USCCB's subsequent decision to pull the review]. I spoke to Harry Forbes of the USSCB film office and he planned to see the movie this week. He anticipated his review to be embargoed until the December 7 film release date, however he would try to send information to Communication Directors prior to the film open. Here are some basic facts.
The Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, which began a campaign against the movie two months before its opening, says its concern is not so much the movie itself as the fact that it may cause parents to buy and children to read the three books of the “His Dark Materials” trilogy.
These books – The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass – are dark fantasy novels by British author Philip Pullman, set in an alternative universe. According to Catholic News Service (CNS), an angel informs one of the major characters that in this universe “God, the Creator, the Lord, Yahweh, El, Adonai, the King, the Almighty” are all just names that the first angel gave himself to assert divine authority.
The Church, referred to as the Magisterium, is depicted in the books as “an oppressive institution,” according to CNS. The news service quotes one of the characters as saying that the Church “tried to suppress and control every natural impulse” and that all churches share the same fundamental goals: to “control, destroy, obliterate every good feeling.”
Perry Glanzer, a Baylor University professor, points out that Pullman told the Washington Post that through his work, “I’m trying to undermine the basis of Christian belief.”
On his own official website (www.philip-pullman.com), Pullman specifically declines to elaborate on the meaning of the “His Dark Materials” trilogy. But he does make this clichéd observation about what he calls organized religion (which he differentiates from “the religious impulse”):
“The trouble is that all too often in human history, churches and priesthoods have set themselves up to rule people’s lives in the name of some invisible god (and they’re all invisible, because they don’t exist) – and done terrible damage. In the name of their god, they have burned, hanged, tortured, maimed, robbed, violated, and enslaved millions of their fellow creatures, and done so with the happy conviction that they were doing the will of God, and they would go to Heaven for it. “This is the religion I hate, and I’m happy to be known as its enemy.”
As the primary religious educators of their children, parents may find this information helpful. The Golden Compass and its sequels feature a 12-year girl as protagonist and are aimed at children in that age range. Unsuspecting parents may take their children to see the film and then buy the trilogy of books for their children as Christmas presents.
The Catholic League has published a booklet entitled “The Golden Compass: Agenda Unmasked” self described as “the most authoritative guide to Pullman’s scheme” that is available from their website. Additionally, here are some links that may be helpful.
ZENIT News Service
http://www.zenit.org/article-21008?l=english
Catholic News Service Film Review
http://www.catholicnh.com/media-1/golden-compass-criticized-as-anti-christian/
Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights – access to their booklet “The Golden Compass: Agenda Unmasked.”
http://www.catholicleague.org/
Labels: Anti-Catholicism, Bishops, Catholic Education, Diocese of Toledo, Movies
posted by Pro Ecclesia 10:25 AM
4 comments
Labels: Digest of Posts
posted by Pro Ecclesia 11:59 PM
0 comments
(Hat tip: PewSitter.com)
Planned Parenthood's state chapter is sending an e-mail to supporters praising recent votes by Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) who defeated pro-life incumbent Rick Santorum (R) last year.
Planned Parenthood Pennsylvania Advocates, a pro-abortion organization, began sending the message in response to a newspaper advertisement composed by the traditionalist groups Focus on the Family and the Pennsylvania Family Institute (PFI) headlined "Prodigal Senator? Bob Casey Please Come Home."
***
Planned Parenthood's e-mail praised a politician about which the group had felt much initial discomfort.
"Sen. Casey is our first junior U.S. senator in 12 years to support family planning programs," the message read. "Don't let this attack go unanswered! Please take a moment now to call one of Sen. Casey's offices just to say THANK YOU for supporting family planning funding and programs."
[More]
Labels: Culture of Death, Democrats, Pro-Life
posted by Pro Ecclesia 2:29 PM
1 comments
From LifeNews.com:
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Two pro-life candidates cruised to lopsided victories on Tuesday in their bid for seats in special Congressional elections. Bob Latta will be the next congressman from Ohio and State Delegate Rob Wittman easily won in his race for a Virginia congressional seat.My Comments:
Republican state Representative Bob Latta, who enjoyed the endorsement of both National Right to Life and Ohio Right to Life's political action committees, faced Robin Weirauch.
Latta, who, as the chairman of the Ohio Senate Judiciary Committee, Bob helped pass Ohio’s ban on partial birth abortion, defeated Weirauch, the 2004 and 2006 Democratic nominee who had the endorsement of pro-abortion Emily's List, by a vote of 57% to 43%.
***
Latta, will replace the late Congressman Paul Gillmor (R), who died September 5 from injuries sustained during a fall down the stairs in his home.
Meanwhile, as expected, State Delegate Rob Wittman cruised to a landslide victory over Philip Forgit in Tuesday's special election. Wittman had the backing of 63 percent while Forgit had 35 percent.
***
Wittman will replace the late Congresswoman JoAnn Davis (R), who died of cancer on October 6 and was one of the leading pro-life women in Congress.
[More]
Labels: Elections, Ohio, Pro-Life, Republicans, The Old Dominion
posted by Pro Ecclesia 11:34 AM
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The multi-talented Alex Fries writes at the St. Mary parish blog that our new parish website ...
... is running well now. It is growing by the day. Go ahead, check it out, spread the word if you haven't already!
posted by Pro Ecclesia 11:21 AM
2 comments
The December 16-22, 2007 issue of the National Catholic Register has a couple of articles on St. Thérèse and her Christmas Conversion.
... One of the convincing stories about Thérèse’s life was her childhood “conversion” (as she calls it) at the age of 14. As an evangelical, I was brought up with the idea of the importance of personal conversion, and I myself first “accepted Jesus into my heart” at the age of 5. Thérèse’s childhood conversion was therefore fascinating, and I wanted to know more.The second piece appears in the Travel section of the publication - "Keeper of the ‘Christmas Conversion’" by Kimberly Jansen:
It happened at Christmastime in 1886...
The Church celebrates the feast of St. Thérèse of Lisieux in October, but two months later many hold her memory close again because of a life-changing conversion experience she underwent interiorly on Christmas Day of 1886. An Advent visit to St. Teresa’s Church in Lincoln, Neb.Fr. Longenecker recently sent me a copy of his book, St. Benedict and St. Thérèse - The Little Rule and The Little Way, for me to review. After today, I am off from work for the rest of the year (and probably won't be blogging much, either). I promise to use that time to finally get around to reading Fr. Longenecker's book and writing a review.
Labels: Christmas, Saints and Martyrs
posted by Pro Ecclesia 10:46 AM
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Labels: Digest of Posts
posted by Pro Ecclesia 11:59 PM
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posted by Pro Ecclesia 11:15 PM
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A convert to the Catholic Church who became Catholic because of a belief in and devotion to the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. * A graduate of Baylor University and the University of Virginia School of Law. * Former Mayor of the Town of Columbia, Virginia. * Married with four children: two boys and two girls. * Primary interests include the Catholic Church, family, Early American History, and law/politics * Primary purpose of this blog is fostering enlightened discussion about the roles played by the institutions of religion, family, and state in our daily lives. * Under the protection of St. Thomas More, martyr, and patron of lawyers, judges, civil servants, politicians, statesmen, and large families (not to mention troubled marriages).
______________________________
______________________________
Our Parish:
St. Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Church in Norwalk, Ohio
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[PH - Phariseeism; R - Republicanism; C - Clericalism; T - Traditionalism; O - Offensive (anti-womyn, anti-GLBTNA, etc)]"
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______________________________
St. Thomas More,
Pray For Us
Patron of Statesmen, Politicians, Judges and Lawyers, your life of prayer and penance and your zeal for justice, integrity and firm principle in public and family life led you to the path of martyrdom and sainthood. Intercede for our Statesmen, Politicians, Judges and Lawyers, that they may be courageous and effective in their defense and promotion of the sanctity of human life - the foundation of all other human rights. We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN.
______________________________
Thomas More, counselor of law and patron of statesmen, merry martyr and most human of saints:
Pray that, for the glory of God and in the pursuit of His justice, I may be able in argument, accurate in analysis, keen in study, correct in conclusion, loyal to clients, honest with all, courteous to adversaries, trustworthy with confidences, courageous in court. Sit with me at my desk and listen with me to my clients' tales. Read with me in my library and stand always beside me so that today I shall not, to win a point, lose my soul.
Pray that my family may find in me what yours found in you: friendship and courage, cheerfulness and charity, diligence in duties, counsel in adversity, patience in pain -- their good servant, and God's first. AMEN.
______________________________
Prayer to St. Thomas More for Lawyers and Judges
Dear Scholar and Martyr, it was not the King of England but you who were the true Defender of the Faith. Like Christ unjustly condemned, neither promises nor threats could make you accept a civil ruler as head of the Christian Church.
Perfect in your honesty and love of truth, grant that lawyers and judges may imitate you and achieve true justice for all people. AMEN.
*****
"Give me the Grace Good Lord, to set the world at naught; to set my mind fast upon Thee and not to hang upon the blast of men's mouths. To be content to be solitary. Not to long for worldly company but utterly to cast off the world and rid my mind of the business thereof."
*****
Litany of St. Thomas More, Martyr and Patron Saint of Statesmen, Politicians and Lawyers
*****
______________________________
"The ordinary acts we practice every day at home are of more importance to the soul than their simplicity might suggest."
*****
"What does it avail to know that there is a God, which you not only believe by Faith, but also know by Reason: what does it avail that you know Him if you think little of Him?"
*****
"The things that we pray for, good Lord, give us grace to labour for."
*****
______________________________
St. Thomas More,
A Man for All Seasons
______________________________
"I die the king's good servant, and God's first."
~ On the scaffold, July 6, 1535 ~
______________________________
Give me, good Lord, a full faith and a fervent charity, a love of you, good Lord, incomparable above the love of myself; and that I love nothing to your displeasure but everything in an order to you.
Take from me, good Lord, this lukewarm fashion, or rather cold manner of meditation and this dullness in praying to you. And give me warmth, delight and life in thinking about you.
And give me your grace to long for your holy sacraments and specially to rejoice in the presence of your blessed body, sweet Saviour Christ, in the holy sacrament of the altar, and duly to thank you for your gracious coming. AMEN.
______________________________
Pro Ecclesia * Pro Familia * Pro Civitate
"The future of the world and the Church passes through the family" (Familiaris Consortio, #79).
"It is necessary to go back to seeing the family as the sanctuary of life... In the face of the so-called culture of death, the family is the heart of the culture of life" (Centesimus Annus, #39).
- Pope John Paul II
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Our Lady of Walsingham
Pray For Us!
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