The Ordinary Saint

Let’s Be Ordinary Together

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In The Beginning…

Welcome Brothers and Sisters. Thank you for stopping by my website. I pray you find value in this site and perhaps find a couple tidbits to hang on to. I would like to start by welcoming you and sharing with you my own story.  

I was not raised in the Catholic Church. I grew up in the Texas desert as an ELCA Lutheran. I have 2 brothers and my wonderful parents. As the youngest and only girl, I always fancied myself not spoiled but appropriately adored. Haha! I already knew my future as well. I would graduate High School, meet a Lutheran boy, get married at 23 and start popping out those babies. I always knew I wanted a large family. Being Lutheran was more important to me than everything else. I considered myself Lutheran before I even considered myself a Christian. My identity prioritized as such: 1. Family Name 2. A loyal ELCA Lutheran 3. Of German Ancestry 4. Christian. Very much in that order! I was taught that we were to be grateful to Martin Luther for saving us from the “Big Bad Catholic Church” and all the evils that came with.

Do You Have to be Irish Mob to be Catholic?

I believed Catholics were a borderline-cult of once Christians who fell away from the teachings of Jesus and now use their “faith” as an excuse to do immoral and illegal activities [Do whatever you want and just make sure to go to confession afterward]. They were by no means faithful or obedient Christians. I thought to be Catholic you had to be Hispanic or part of the Irish Mob and that there were no Catholics in the state of Texas, much less in my simple town. All the while, I lived less than a mile from a tiny Catholic church that I drove by every single week, at least once. I was taught Catholics worship Mary as equal to God Himself, worship their priest as a sort of demigod, purchase their way into Heaven and practice creepy 3-hour services every Sunday, called Mass. Oh, and we mustn’t forget Catholics believe they are the ONLY ones who will obtain Heaven. So, not only did I have a lengthy list of misconceptions handed down to me but I also lived in such a bubble of Lutheranism that I was completely unaware of the overwhelming Catholic presence in my own town. We had a Cathedral, more than 3 major Catholic parishes and many small outlying parishes. How could I be so oblivious to them? I knew about the local Methodists, Presbyterians, Church of Christ, and Baptists, but not Catholics. Once I began mentioning to those around me my lack of knowing any Catholics, I was shocked to find that many of those I knew were either Catholic or no longer practicing Catholics. When I asked them questions like, “Why do Catholics pray the rosary?” Or “What’s the deal with Mary?” No one had any real answer for me, only “Because we are Catholic and that’s what we are told to do.”

Falling Away From What I Knew…

By the time I graduated High School (Boy! I never thought I would see life after HS.) The Lutheran church is going through a paradigm shift, my personal parish had been severely wounded by the actions of some of its members and I felt completely lost and out of place. Our Bishops and the ELCA as a whole were making changes to doctrinal teaching. This deeply disturbed my spirit and I didn’t fully understand why. All I did know what that doctrine was God’s teachings to us, so how could we as human beings change it! I found myself angry every week at church now because I felt what was being preached from the pulpit was in error. I raised my concerns about this, to several trusted family and friends, and the best answer I was given was: “Well, you know, every church has a bit of the truth and every church has some that’s wrong. You just have to listen to what they say and then decide what sounds right and what doesn’t.” I was very confused by this. I asked “Well, if I feel the pastor is wrong and he has had years of schooling in theology, while I am only a teenager, with no theological schooling, how am I supposed to be smarter than him!?” 

Searching For God…

We were young and searching

I asked my friend Molly if she would go church hoping with me. I had not been to church now in about a year and I felt a gaping void. She was not raised in the church. She thought she believed in God but didn’t know anything about Him. Thankfully, she agreed and off we hopped. I explained to her that, in light of changes being made to church teachings, I no longer felt the Lutheran church was where God wanted me to be. We were lousy little rabbits as we burrowed into the first church we hopped. It was a lovely, warm, and welcoming little Methodist church. We made a home there. Molly married her husband there. Her second and third children were born while we were there. She and her second and third children were all baptized there. We loved the parish and our fellow church friends. We helped with Bible study, cleaned the church each week, and it seemed perfect…almost. Still, I felt an emptiness that I couldn’t explain. It just wasn’t quite HOME. At one point, I went to my pastor to explain that I missed the Lutheran church (warts and all) and would begin attending a VERY small congregation outside of town. It seemed disconnected from all of the drama in the diocese. I did not get the response I had hoped for from her. Even with my assurances to the contrary our Pastor had taken my decision as a personal rejection and we parted with much hurt on her end. Just a few weeks before our conversation, Molly had gone to our pastor and asked her for guidance. Having not grown up in the Christian faith, or any faith for that matter, she didn’t know about faith throughout the world. She wanted to study other religions because how can you truly believe what you believe if you don’t know anything else. The pastor was excited about this and told us, of course! ‘I can give you some book suggestions and you are free to study and learn about any religion you want EXCEPT Catholicism! Catholicism is not Christian and, if you spend too much time studying it, you will become Catholic.” Well, THAT seemed a bit odd. “So, it’s fine to study Hinduism and Bhuddism?” “Yes. But stay away from the Catholic Church!” 

On to the new church: Again, this parish was lovely and warm, but still, something didn’t seem to fit. After a while, I followed my family in moving away to the Dallas area.  

I had not been in Dallas for more than a month when Molly called me to tell me that she needed to speak with me. I knew it was serious and everything in me raised to high alert. She hesitantly began to tell me how she and her husband Bob had been praying for some time now and been going to classes and had made the decision to become Catholic. She also explained how she had already lost a couple friends because of their decision. Then she tells me “And, I have been talking to God about you too. I want you to know that I totally understand if you never become Catholic and it really IS fine with me, but I feel like God has told me that one day you will be Catholic too.” After a solid 30 seconds of hysterical laughter I responded, “Oh Honey! I will NEVER be Catholic, but you go right ahead. 

Hospitality…

A few short months later…. “Bob and Molly” have been welcomed into The Church, baby number 4 is the first Cradle Catholic in the family and the eldest needs major surgery. They are driving hours to come visit to have the surgery in Dallas. Molly asked me to look into the local Catholic churches to find one that she and “Bob” might be able to attend while there. Put on dutiful, loyal, loving friend hat and here I go… I visited 3 local parishes and, do you know, not ONE SINGLE PERSON walked up to me before or after Mass to visit with me, introduce themself or try to get my entire life story with the hopes of gaining my membership. Every Protestant church I had ever been to before was an hour of being stared at with great curiosity, followed by a stampede after service to meet the strangers. They were always friendly, warm and welcoming but I always despised being the center of attention. Going to service and being all but ignored, I had never felt so comfortable at church in all my life. I didn’t feel like an oddity or stranger but rather part of the family. Everyone smiled and said ‘good morning’ as they passed you outside as though they all knew you already. This was an absolute miracle for an introvert such as myself! (Don’t laugh too hard, those of you who know me. I have trained my whole life, learning how to cover up and compensate for my discomfort in crowds.) Oh sure, I wasn’t able to keep up with the flow of Mass but I listened to everything, analyzing, nit-picking, and painstakingly looking for flaw in the teachings. I was going to find proof, for Molly, that Catholics aren’t Christians! Then I could save her from this terrible choice. Well, that was a bit of a disappointment…not to worry; I was certain to find heathenry at the next parish… I reported by to my friend and said: I really liked this church for you and no one even suspected I am not one of them.

A New Home, A New Hunt…

A couple years passed, another baby came along, and my feisty, pistol of a granny had been sick for a few months, and we didn’t know what was going on. I had recently finished schooling to be a Certified Surgical Technologist and not one single hospital would even grant me an interview. I would realize later that this was all God’s doing as well. While cleaning out and organizing the pantry, Mama got a call. “Your Mama isn’t well, and you should come.” Mama and I packed up our bags, left the entire pantry sitting in the middle of the kitchen and left within an hour. We stayed a month with Granny and Granddad. I had never seen her so thin and weak, but it was such a blessing to be able to give back to the woman who had been there and given so much to us over the years. So, after a month Granny had mentioned that she overheard the hospital was hiring in the surgical dept. I didn’t say too much about it but said “Oh, well what if I apply?” And “What if they hire me?” Granny said “Well, what if they do? I guess you will just have to stay with us a little longer.” After about a week of praying about it and completely surrendering to God’s will in the matter (for the first time in my life), I got an application, filled it out in HR, interviewed the next day, and was hired within a week. Now if that isn’t divine intervention, I don’t know what is. I told Granny they offered me the job and assured her I would start looking for an apt. She quickly told me, in no uncertain terms, that I would just be staying right there with them. I agreed with the stipulation that I would stay, as long as she needed me or until she couldn’t stand me anymore. I honestly didn’t think it would take too long. Ha!

Now I needed to find a local church home. I had a couple places in mind but, in anticipation of “Molly” coming to see me, I thought I would hop around and scope out the local Catholic churches again. Besides that, I had never seen “Molly” so happy. When you love someone, you care what they care about. So, I had decided anything that makes my best friend this happy I need to educate myself in the matter. This would allow me to better understand my friend and the woman she was becoming. It would also give me the chance to learn if this truly is a cult and how to break her free from it. My second or third Sunday at the first one I visited, the one making announcements said “Are you interested in becoming Catholic? Have you ever wanted to learn about the Catholic faith? We will begin offering RCIA classes and we would love for you to join us. Please contact Kathy Lou Mills for inquiries. You will find her number in the church bulletin. Wow! That seemed a bit coincidental. MAN! I am really bad at this church hopping business. I never made a second hop. Haha. 

I Will Expose the Heathenry…or Will I Be Education

So, I called Kathy Lou and we set a day to meet. I walked into Kathy Lou’s office and sat down. She gave me a book about the church and asked me how she could help me. I said “I heard you have a class that teaches about the church. My best friend recently converted, and I want to learn more about this faith that makes her so happy. But, I want to make it clear that I AM NOT converting! I only want to learn about what you believe.” She was so kind. “That fine. We call that the inquiry phase. We will begin classes in September. Here is the schedule. You just come on to the meetings. There is no pressure and no expectations. Next time I visited Molly, we went out to eat and she told me, “Listen, I am NOT trying to convert you! But, you have a lot of misconceptions about the Catholic church and I understand because I had all the same ones, and I just want people to disapprove of the church for what we actually believe and not what they THINK we believe. I just want others to know what The Church ACTUALLY teaches. Is that OK?” I said “Of course. I know you respect me and my beliefs, but I always want to know the truth and, if I have something wrong, I want to know.” So, we talked…and talked…and talked. We discussed Mary and her role in the Church, we discussed the role of priests and the fact that neither is worshiped or equal to God. We discussed the reasoning behind not being free to partake in Holy Communion if you aren’t a practicing Catholic currently in a state of grace and the need and beauty of the sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession). Some things I understood, some things I still vehemently disagreed with. We had a great conversation and, though we didn’t always agree on everything, we always left with a better understanding of one another and better friends than before. To be completely honest, I still battle with regular Reconciliation. Not because I disagree with it, mind you, but because it is hard for me.  

I started RCIA (which btw stands for Right of Christian Initiation for Adults). I went to each class and each week concepts that had always troubled me, concepts that no one had a good answer for or had given me answers that didn’t sit well with my soul, all of a sudden were falling into place. I remember, halfway through one of our meetings, being washed over with peace, conviction, and a bit of irritation: “S***! I think I am Catholic, and no one ever told me. AND not even the pope himself has the authority or ability to change doctrine. I couldn’t believe it. Finally I found the answers I was looking for my whole life. Finally I found the church that taught God’s law is unchangeable even when you don’t like it. The irritation was my own pride, of course. I had suddenly realized that as I was telling God “NEVER” He was saying “Oh yes you will, My daughter. Because I love you and I know you love me. You just wait, your love for me will compel you.” The pride goeth before the fall.  

As Paul Harvey always said, “Now you know the REST of the story.” 

The Rest of the Story…

Finding Purpose
Journeying Together

I came into full communion with the Catholic Church Easter of 2011. Unfortunately, Granny did not live to see it but she is always a part of my story and I am so grateful to have been able to share the last year of her life showing her a bit of the love she showed me. I have never looked back. There were a couple teachings I just couldn’t wrap my mind around. I remember having the conversation with God, telling Him. I don’t understand this concept, but I know in my soul it is true. Although I don’t like it and I don’t get it, I accept it because You say it is so. About a week after Easter the Holy Spirit gave me the gift of understanding. I finally got it! No one explained it differently, I didn’t do any extra research or study. He gifted me the grace to understand why. There are many times in our lives that God asks us to have faith and accept, even when we don’t agree or understand. Once we move our pride and our will out of the way, we are able to see the gift He wishes to give us. There is still much I don’t fully understand but none of it disturbs my soul. I am ok with that. Who was it that said: “My soul is restless Lord until it rests in you.”? A god who is fully understandable would not be much of a god worth following as we would have to be as great as he to fully understand. I don’t want a god as puny as I am. I love my God because He is infinitely greater than I yet lowers Himself to my level that I may know Him and His Love for me. 

For several decades now, there has been a decrease in individuals becoming priests and religious brothers/sisters. This has left a shortage of educated faithful teaching the faith as well as many parents who passed on WHAT we believe but not always WHY we believe. This left those my age feeling like they were just following empty rules. Recently I heard that for every one person who comes in to the church, we are losing six more. Why is this happening? Because Catholics don’t know what they believe, why they believe it and have no idea what they are leaving. I have such a passion for The Catholic Church because I know what it is like to be without it. I am passionate about not just passing on the faith but passing on a love of the faith. 

Now I live out my life the best I know how. Loving Jesus and discovering how to fight for Gods’ kingdom. I never got married, I never had kids and I have accepted my life as a fun-loving spinster. I spend my days living vicariously through my friends with many children, (Molly and I have been the closest of friends now for more than 20 years and our life and faith are forever intertwined) chilling with my animals, and finding new ways to befriend the saints who have so much wisdom to share about faithfully following Jesus. I also have the freedom to go on pilgrimage. I look forward to sharing my travels with you. Maybe one day I can be the scary old cat lady on the hill who everyone believes eats little children who trespass on her property. Haha.  I hope to die a saint, not because I am perfect or without flaw but because I have so fully emptied myself of me that only Jesus exists within me. I call this Blog “The Ordinary Saint” because that is just what I am…Ordinary. Some may hear that as a negative but it is NOT. Look at Mother Theresa, Saint Therese of Liseaux, St Gemma Galgani, and so many other of our greatest saints who were ordinary. It was precisely because of their being ordinary that God created Extraordinary! Most of us are ordinary and it is through the ordinary that God creates the extraordinary!

Peace and blessings to you, my friends. I am excited to find new friends through this new adventure. 

The aim of this blog is to share with you the truth and beauty of our faith while dispelling that which is false so that you can make an educated decision about the Catholic Church as well as to share in our daily attempts to live our faith. There is much that is practiced amongst Catholics that is NOT church teaching, nor has it ever been. “Please do not judge the Catholic Faith on those who fail to practice it.” -author unknown

“Assuredly I neither desire, nor ought to write in this book anything but what has been already said by others before me. I offer you the same flowers, dear reader, but the bouquet will be somewhat different from theirs, because it is differently made up.” -Introduction to the Devout Life by Saint Francis de Sales.

Observing Lent

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Alright, this is a big one, so grab your cup of tea and settle in for a lengthy read that is packed full of helpful info. Here we go again. We are coming up to the Lenten Season. This is my favorite season of the church year. I know, I know, that sounds crazy town… hear me out… Lent is the time of year when our sole focus is purging of self and union with God. The whole church is purging and in the desert with us, supporting us. This is the time of year when, I feel like, drawing closer to our Lord is the most attainable. Don’t get me wrong, it’s NOT easy, just optimal conditions. 

I like to think of Lent as the autobahn of spiritual growth. We are traveling all year long toward Christ driving on interstates, through towns and sometimes on backroads, but Lent is the super highway when the wind is at my back, the sky is clear, there are no towns along the way to slow me down, just The Holy Spirit and me driving toward Jesus. Keep in mind however that there are exits every 30 seconds and signs advertising your favorite restaurants, bars, clubs, sporting events, anything and everything to tempt you off the speedway. If you stay on the autobahn you will make crazy good progress but if you allow distractions, they can sometimes take you right back to the beginning of the highway, right where you started. We have such opportunity, such grace, and tremendous spiritual assistance during this season. Then it all ends in the biggest party of the year. 

What are your plans to observe Lent this year? What are you choosing to sacrifice? Are you “taking up” anything? Do you plan to “take off Sundays”? 

I feel like Lent sneaks up on me every year. I start thinking about it right after Christmas but then forget all about it and next thing I know, its Ash Wednesday and I am totally unprepared for my Lenten sacrifice. I know you struggle too with what to give up or take up and like me, sometimes, get so absorbed in observing the season that you forget why we observe Lent to begin with. Then there are all the debates “Do you still sacrifice on Sundays or do Sundays not count?” “We have 40 days of Lent but there are 46 days from Ash Wednesday to Easter. So why the discrepancy?” 

There are 46 days in the lenten season of the church but not all of the lenten season is Lent. “Lent”specifically refers to the 40 days Jesus spent in the dessert and this is the time which we imitate him by making our own fast. The remaining 6 days are those of Holy Week which is after His calling of the disciples, 3 year ministry, and triumphant entry into Jerusalem. This is the time of his suffering and crucifixion. This is a separate time of fasting and abstinence all its own. Though Holy Week is part of the Season of Lent it is not part of Lent.

Now the question remains “I thought we don’t fast on Sundays” That is correct but not quite so simple. Because Sunday is a mini Easter and a High Feast the church has always forbidden fasting from food and drink on Sunday. However…this is limited to food and drink needed for sustenance. So lets say you give up caffeine for Lent, caffeine is not necessary for your health and wellness. You should still abstain from caffeine on Sundays of Lent. This still allows you water, herbal tea, juice, etc. Perhaps you gave up, sleeping past 6am. You should still get up by 6 on Sundays too. If you are only eating 1 meal a day during all of Lent, then you should disregard this on Sunday while remembering not to overindulge. Keep in mind the purpose for lenten sacrifice (to eliminate that which keeps us from greater relationship with our Blessed Trinity while unifying ourselves and our suffering with Jesus.     

What is Lent?

Lent is the time of penance preceding Easter which remembers and joins in the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert and being tempted by Satan. Lent is marked by fasting, penance, and almsgiving.

“And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit for forty days in the wilderness tempted by the devil. And he ate noting in those days; and when they were ended, he was hungry.”

Luke 4:1-2

Shrove Tuesday AKA Fat Tuesday?

Shrove is derived from the germanic word, “shrive” meaning to offer absolution after hearing confession. It is a good and traditional practice to make a good confession and be reconciled with Christ to begin the season of Lent.

“This day is commonly called Fat Tuesday because it’s tradition to eat foods made with butter, eggs, and fat such as meat and desserts. It’s a day of celebration before many Catholics give up these delicacies for the duration of Lent.” 

-The Dynamic Catholic

In more recent years this has become a day for many to indulge in all the food and drink that they are giving up for Lent, thus the name Fat Tuesday. The danger in this is it often leads to gluttony which is the opposite of what we are trying to accomplish during the season of Lent. We want to root out sin and vice. Rather this is a great day to meditate on your upcoming sacrifice, make final tweaks, go to reconciliation and prepare your heart for a good Lent. 

Ash Wednesday

Jesus has just been baptized by his cousin John and the spirit leads him into the desert to fast and be tempted. He spends 40 days there before starting his public ministry.

“And when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them “Go into the village opposite you , and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If any one says anything to you, you shall say, The Lord has need of them, and he will send them immediately. This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, “Tell the daughter of Zion, Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and a colt, the foal of a donkey.” The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the donkey and the colt, and put their garments on them, and he sat on them. Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” And when he entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, “Who is this?” And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth of Galilee.”

Matthew 21:1-11

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. This is marked by Fasting and Abstinence as well as going to the church to receive ashes on our forehead.

“This day opens the Lenten Season. Catholics go to church to receive the ashes which the priest marks on their foreheads with the words: “Remember, man, that thou are dust, and unto dust thou shalt return” The ashes are from the palms blessed the previous year. They symbolize penance.” 

My Catholic Faith

You may notice the church much more packed on Ash Wednesday than any other day of the year. This is because many have come to view the reception of Ashes as a Sacrament. We should remember that the reception of ashes is meant for our remembrance, it is not a sacrament but rather a symbol of our creation, mortality, eternal destiny, and a reminder, for us, that we are created not for this world but for our life after this. (If you would like to know more about what a sacrament is, stay tuned, article coming soon)

Palm Sunday

3 years after Jesus has been baptized, fasted, and tempted, Jesus, with his apostles, enters Jerusalem to an overwhelming and triumphant reception from the people of the city. This marks the beginning of Holy Week which is 6 days of increased penance and sacrifice commemorating the last suffering of Jesus.

It wasn’t until I started writing this article that I looked at the timeline and realized that Lent and Holy Week are separated by Jesus’ 3 year ministry. I always just assumed these events spanned the month and a half of the Lenten Season because that is how they are celebrated. Tell me if you knew this or not. Perhaps I am alone and just a nitwit for never really thinking about this before now.

Holy Week consists of

  • Holy Monday
  • Holy Tuesday
  • Spy Wednesday
  • Maundy Thursday
  • Good Friday
  • Holy Saturday AKA Black Saturday

all culminating in Easter Sunday

*For a beautiful more in depth look at Holy Week from another blogger I came across, click here

*Note* This is why Christians observe our Holy Day on Sunday rather than the original Saturday. Saturday comes from the word Sabbath and is the 7th day of the week when God rested; however, because Jesus is the greatest sacrificial lamb, the long awaited Messiah, and His crucifixion marks the restoration of Mankind after the fall; Because his resurrection marked victory over Satan and death, as well as the end of the Jewish faith, the Sabbath day was moved from Saturday to Sunday (The day of Resurrection). A few centuries later the Jewish faith was revived claiming to still be awaiting the Messiah.

Why do we veil crucifixes and statues during Lent?

“While it may appear counterintuitive to veil statues and images during the final weeks of Lent, the Catholic Church recommends this practice to heighten our senses and build within us a longing for Easter Sunday.” 

–www.holyspiritchurch.org

Think of when you have been blindfolded, your sense of hearing becomes more acute. When your ears are clogged and you can’t hear, your sense of physical awareness becomes stronger. This is the same with veiling. When we cannot see holy images, our longing increases as well as our attention to our other senses.

Why do we fast?

“Unless you do penance, you shall likewise perish”

Luke 13:5

“I chastise my body and bring it into subjection, lest perhaps after preaching to others I myself should be rejected”

1 Corinthians 9:27

“Because we are sinners, justice requires each of us to make recompense to God for the honor we have denied Him by our sins. Because we have misused our goods, our souls and bodies – as well as those of others – the natural law requires us to strive to restore the order we have disturbed by our sins. The natural law and the Divine law bind us in a general way to perform acts of penance. In order to help us fulfill this requirement, Holy Mother Church, knowing our weakness and laziness binds us under ecclesiastical laws to perform works of penance at certain times.”

-Roman Catholic Daily Missal

“The Church commands us to fast and to abstain in order that we may control the desires of the flesh, raise our minds more freely to God, and make satisfaction for sin.” 

My Catholic Faith A Manual of Religion. 

When we fast and deny ourselves, we deny that which binds us to this world thus enabling us to open more of ourselves for God. Fasting is spoken of at length in scripture. Here are a few times when our need for fasting is mentioned in scripture.

“Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.”

Matthew 9:14-15

When speaking of exorcizing demons… “And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer and fasting”” Mark 9:29

“Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Thus, when you give alms, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by men. Truly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the gentiles do  for they think that they will be heard for their many words.

-Matthew 6:1-7

What is fasting vs abstinence? 

Fasting is the limiting of food and drink. As Catholic Christians we are required, at the very least, to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. This means we limit our food intake to 1 full meal and 2 smaller meals that, together, do not constitute a full meal.

Abstinance

“A day of abstinence is a day on which we are not allowed the use of meat. On such days we are forbidden all flesh meat, including meat soup and gravy. Flesh meat is the flesh of warm-blooded land animals including birds and fowls.” 

-My Catholic Faith

This means that any animal which lives in the water is allowed. Abstinance is required on Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and every Friday of the year (excluding Solemnities ie: First Class Feasts). With the implementation of Vatican II many Catholics strayed away from this and kept abstinence only during Fridays of Lent as it was less commonly taught and encouraged by the religious. Fasting during Fridays outside of Lent was never abolished, however, and many Catholics are coming back to the practice.

It is also becoming more common amongst the faithful, for those abstaining, to abstain from all meat, whether land or sea, as eating seafood rather than beef is not much of a sacrifice for many of us; so we choose to eat completely vegetarian on days of Abstinence. This is a personal preference and not part of official church teaching. It is important to note, though, that if you are going to the local Long John Silver or other fish place, and eating your weight in fish, this is missing the point.

“ The Church does not command abstinence and fasting because she considers meat and other foods evil in themselves. We merely deny ourselves for the glory of God and the good of our souls.” “Abstinence is that moral virtue, related to the cardinal virtue of temperance, which keeps within bounds use of and pleasure in foods or drink…A temperate man eats only what he needs, does not fully satisfy his appetite, and is not dainty about the kind of food he eats. The virtue of abstinence is opposes to the sin of gluttony.” 

-My Catholic Faith

I don’t know about you but this came as a big kick in the bum for me. Coming from the age old tradition of “You better finish your plate! There are hungry kids in Africa who would love to have as much food as you”, I had never been taught to eat only as needed but not to fully satisfy my hunger. This is a very different school of thought than what we are taught here in America!

Who is bound to Lenten sacrifice?

“The law of Abstinence bound all Catholics, beginning on the day after their seventh birthday. The law of Fasting bound all Catholics, beginning on the day after their twenty-first birthday and ending at the midnight which completed their fifty-ninth birthday. (Note: The current law requires those who have turned eighteen to fast in most countries)” including the US.

“Those of weak health, the sick, the convalescent, nursing women, the very poor, and those engaged in hard work are excused from fasting. One in doubt as to his duties should consult pastor or confessor.”

-Roman Catholic Daily Missal

How do I decide what to ‘Give up’ and why do I need to?

We ‘give up’ during Lent as a means of penance. Though it is not required it is strongly recommended and highly beneficial for spiritual growth. Again this is part of the autobahn. 

Since the purpose of giving up is penance and closer relationship with God, we should look at our daily life and ask, what is distracting me from time with Jesus? What is preventing me from greater relationship with God? Chocolate is all well and good for a seven year old to start grasping the concept of sacrifice and penance but it does nothing for us as adults in rooting out sin. Let’s be a bit more creative and thoughtful in our penance. Below are some ideas to get you started.

Since I am such an over-achiever…ha!, I tend to be overzealous in my penance. I take on 2 or 3 sacrifices, then when I falter, I feel like a huge failure and give up my penance all together. 

Don’t take on too much. Choose ONE thing. No sacrifice is too small and it is better to accomplish small penances than to take on too much and give up due to discouragement. The more little things you accomplish the more confidence you will find in doing greater things. Just make sure it is a challenge but reasonable.

Ideas for sacrifice

Give up (possible sin/vice vs virtue)

  • Negative Speech (anger, pride, despair vs humility, temperance, charity)
  • Swearing (anger and pride vs humility and temperance)
  • Excessive sleep (Sloth vs temperance)
  • Television (this can be an occasion for every sin)
  • Technology (this can be an occasion for every sin)
  • Flesh meat (for all of lent) (this is a great penance to increase temperance and fortitude)
  • Caffeine (caffeine can be a distraction as well as addictive) Giving up an addiction of any kind is a sacrifice worthy of Lent (gluttony/addiction vs temperance)
  • Hot Showers (this is a great penance to increase temperance, fortitude and self denial)
  • Eating Out (Make all your meals at home) (sloth or gluttony vs temperance)
  • Making purchases that are not necessity (gluttony vs prudence and temperance)
  • Yelling when angry (Anger vs charity and meekness)
  • Playing video games (gluttony, sloth, anger vs temperance)
  • Listening to inappropriate music (lust, anger, despair vs chastity, fortitude, temperance)
  • Listening to music in the car (this could be replaced by prayer time)
  • Gossiping (see my post on Gossiping by clicking here) (anger, pride vs charity, humility)
  • Wearing make up (this is a effort to root out the sin of vanity) (vanity, wastefulness vs humility and temperance)
  • Online shopping (wastefulness vs temperance)
  • Seclusion (this would be a great opportunity to grow in charity and service)

*Note* It is a common practice to replace what you are giving up with a holy endeavor such as service, spiritual reading, prayer (something that brings you in better relationship with God).

Other ideas to bring observe Lent in my home.

  • Choose a Patron saint to pray with during lent and place a statue, image, or prayer card of them in a prominent area of your home.
  • Make the Stations of the Cross every Friday or everyday at 3pm
  • Go through your closets and home and donate things you no longer need.
  • Cover your own holy images with purple cloth. 
  • Volunteer at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen
  • Make sandwiches to hand out to the homeless
  • Cook or bake for someone in need (sick, just had a baby, recently returned from the hospital.
  • Cook for your priest. They are super busy during this season and a home-cooked meal they don’t have to spend time preparing is a welcome gift. (Consider food restrictions and if they are abstaining from meat for Lent)
  • Gather non-perishables to donate to the local food pantry
  • Make it to your parishes Penitential Service (See if you can offer someone a ride that cannot drive themselves
  • Interrupting people when speaking (pride vs humility)

Recommended Devotional for Lent

click image to follow link to purchase

Comment below and tell me some of your ideas for penance?

***This post is not sponsored and I am receiving no money or compensation of any kind for the information or links included in this article.

Meatless Friday: Molly’s Tomato Soup

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What is more comforting on a cold windy day than a nice warm bowl of soup? This tomato soup will certainly warm your tummy and satisfy your comfort food craving. It will serve a family of 10, or for the single person or smaller family, you can divide into individual servings to freeze for when you are under the weather or just don’t have as much time to cook. This not only saves you money but also keeps you from eating out when you are in a pinch. If you don’t wish to do this then you can certainly cut the recipe to your desired serving wishes.

1 large chopped onion

1 bunch chopped celery

1lb bag frozen carrots

4 cups chicken stock

Place above ingredients in crock pot for 3 hours. Blend till smooth

Add:

2 28oz cans tomato sauce

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

1 tsp garlic

1 tsp Italian seasoning

1 c heavy cream (I use non-dairy)

Optional: Garnish with fresh basil, parsley, or croutons

This can be served with grilled

cheese sandwiches

quesadillas

tomato/basil/mozz sandwich (again you can use a non diary mozzarella)

Serves 10 Freeze left overs for future meals.

*Note* You can add almost anything you like to this to personalize it to you and your family. Some favorites are, pasta, sour cream, rice, croutons, drizzled EVOO on top etc.

A Little History

The first recorded tomato soup recipe was printed by Eliza Leslie in 1857. This was her last publication in New Cookery Book. It can be served hot or cold. Cold tomato soup is called Gazpacho, which came from Southern Spain.

Comment Below and tell me what you like to add to your tomato soup. Do you prefer it hot or cold?

***This Post is not sponsored and I am receiving no money or other compensation for anything shown here.

Who Doesn’t Like Good Gossip?

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Did you ever play the game “Gossip”? You know, the amusing children’s game in which a person starts with a “secret” such as “The grey cat and the orange dog slept in the greenhouse last night.” They whisper their secret to Amanda then Amanda whispers it to Tommy, Tommy whispers it to Blake, so on and so forth until after 10 or so kids the secret has morphed into Alice telling the whole class “A Day at door slipped creamed class aside”. Its ridiculous and yet so much fun.

The point of the game is of course firstly to have fun and secondly to teach children that gossiping takes on a life of its own and after traveling through several people the original story is nothing like it began and is often no longer even coherant. This is harmless fun that teaches a valuable lesson but of course this is just a game. It isn’t so innocent in our grown up lives though. Gossip is often far more dangerous and malicious than just what animals slept where last night.

So What’s Wrong With a Little Gossip…

I sit here at my favorite little cafe, having just left prayer group and I am enjoying my delicious breakfast of eggs, ham and cheese on bread and dripping with sauce. I finish eating and begin researching and reading, for my next article. The air is clean and cool, the sun is shining, the aroma of food from the cafe kitchen in the air. It’s a beautiful day and I can feel The Holy Spirit. I can hear the ladies at the table next to me. Let’s call them Tiffany, Martha, and Carol. They clearly are old friends and intimately familiar with each others lives. Based on their conversation they are all Christians. It appears they have all come together for brunch to catch up with one another and enjoy some fellowship. I try to mind my own business and not listen but they are only 3-4 feet from me.

Tiffany, a young woman, is angry because a friend or family member (Mary) planted in her garden without asking. Discussion ensues, Tiffany is saying how inconsiderate this was because Mary did it all wrong; and Martha and Carol chime in, how one should NEVER do someone else’s dishes or laundry without asking first, much less planting their garden for them. “Its all about HER?” Tiffany says. Carol, an older woman, is laughing and, in a condescending tone, discussing someone she knows not wanting Western medicine to treat her medical condition. “God created doctors to treat these problems! And you’re just trusting in God to heal you?!” She says. Carol has made her position quite clear and how little she respects the choices that her “friend” has made for herself. The conversation continues about one person and then the next.

“Thank God I Am Not a Sinner Like Them”

How many times have I been on the other side of this situation? Discussing how selfish someone is because they don’t do things my way? I LOVE when someone does my dishes! Please feel free to come plant a garden for me! Laundry?… The bane of my existence… By all means! Talk about ungrateful! Do I often sound so petty and ungrateful? Do I fail to have gratitude for the help of others when it doesn’t look like how I would do things? St. Padre Pio once said something to the effect of: I like to pick on my friends but to gossip or speak ill of another is reprehensible.

“When you gossip about a person it means that you have removed the person from your heart. But be aware, when you remove a man from your heart, Jesus also goes away from your heart with that man.” -St. Padre Pio

I find myself thinking what petty, rude, gossips these women are, yet there is so much I am not privy to about what they are speaking about and there are those in my life I feel this way about. Where is my charity?! Where is my compassion? Am I not sitting here judging their hearts? How often do I sadden my Jesus by my lack of love for others? I am grateful that Jesus does not treat me with such contempt. How thankful I am that Jesus doesn’t say about me… “This is why I set such hard boundaries with Marisa. It’s all about HER!” Have I been in public, setting such a horrible example of Christianity, scandalizing others against Jesus by my words.

Do I Have All the Facts?

There is so much I didn’t hear and so much backstory I don’t know, so many interactions I didn’t see. I have no right to judge the hearts of these 3 women, neither the women they are gossiping about. In fact, I cannot judge the heart or intentions of any person. I CAN however judge a persons actions. In fact we all are called to this. Jesus tells us to judge when action is good or bad. Gossip has no upside, no benefit. As I think on this situation, I ask myself, would I want to be friends with any of these women after this? If I didn’t know about Christianity and Jesus, would I ever want to be a Christian as these women seem to be? Have I deterred anyone from relationship with Jesus because of something I have said?

“I like your Christ, but not your Christianity.”

Mahatma Gandhi

Here’s the Problem

This is why gossip is so vile and so dangerous. It also backfires. One gossips for several reasons but one of the main reasons is they are attempting to make themselves look superior by pointing out the flaws of others. Just as Padre Pio described, not knowing any of the parties involved, I feel compassion for the women being gossiped about. No doubt these women sought to gain sympathy for themselves but instead mine lies with their victims. The woman who planted, the woman who wants to find health without synthetic intervention. Regardless of whether I agree with their choices, I find myself angry that these women are so condescending and disrespectful of their “friend’s” personal choices. I find myself struggling not to think poorly of the gossipers.

When we speak of others we are also speaking about ourselves. We tell others how much, or how little compassion we have, how good or bad of a friend we are, how prideful we are, and how much we regard the personal opinions and views of our loved ones (especially when we disagree with them). As my ears hear their words, my spirit hears different… “My family member came over to help in the garden and surprise me but I am so ungrateful to her and angry because she never sought my council and leadership for her surprise generosity.” “My friend who battles a horrific and debilitating disease is trusting God to guide her where clearly He can only do this through His far less knowledgable and less capable creatures. God is not capable of healing you without human intervention.”

Consider This…

I don’t tell you this story to shame or criticize these women but rather to place myself and perhaps ask you to place yourself in their shoes. Have we been here? Have we done this? Think of the person in your life who irks you the most. Do you speak about them in a manner that lowers another’s opinion of them? We are called to be generous and charitable. We are called to love others as God loves us. Yes I know we are doomed to fail, as we do not have the heart of God.

Consider this: If you only aim for and try to gain what you think you can accomplish, once you are there, you have nowhere left to go. However, if you aim higher than you can ever hope to reach, yes you will fall short, but you will naturally attain more than you ever thought possible. We are called to sainthood and gossiping will not get us there.

Ditch and Switch

It’s hard to not jump right in when we find ourselves here, or worse when we find we have started it all. So what do we do in these situations? I have been thinking, praying and reading about this. Here is what I have to offer you…

  • Always Excuse: I believe it was Fr. Santan Pinto S.O.L.T who said we should always seek first to excuse our brothers and sisters when they fall (Perhaps they are going through a difficult time…I am sure they are doing the best they know how…Perhaps someone hurt them in the same way and they don’t realize they are dong the same thing.) Whatever someone is doing, that you or someone else doesn’t like, excuse them in charity. Turn the conversation to one of charity and understanding. Imagine everyone gossiping about young Mary, unwed, pregnant, and all she has done to poor Joseph. Without all the facts and knowing she had done nothing wrong someone would surly get the wrong idea.
  • Point out the good: turn the conversation around by pointing out kind and good qualities about them. This will naturally make others aware of their negativity and often change their mood.
  • Excuse yourself: Sometimes the best thing to do when around a crowd of Negative Nellies and gossips is to simply and politely excuse yourself from the conversation. After 2-3 times of doing this in the same group or around the same person, they will start to wonder why you always walk away and they will begin to put 2 and 2 together.
  • Pray for others: We are called to love and pray for others. Negativity and gossiping is an evil spirit. The person speaking needs our prayers to fight the demons they battle. “Mary” also needs our prayers that they may be protected from evil and calumny.
  • Pray for help: Avoid not only sin but also the near occasion of sin. So send up a prayer for self protection to your Guardian Angel, patron saint, Jesus, and Mary. If every time someone gossips around you, you say 3 Hail Mary’s, The Evil One will start avoiding you so as not to encourage prayer from you.
  • Make a friend: If someone you know is being gossiped about consider inviting them over for tea or coffee. It is likely they could use a good friend. Show them some love! Folks seldom gossip to someone about their own friends.
  • Make new friends: “Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.” Proverbs 22:24-25 Gossips are often angry people. We tend to become like those we spend the most time with. Protect yourself from this type of angry spirit. If this is your group of friends, make new friends. Befriend those who show the qualities you wish to possess. They will eventually rub off on you.
  • Remain silent: If you find yourself tempted by gossip, remember that we seldom if ever, have all the facts of a situation and when the truth later comes out the only one left looking a fool is the one who was uncharitable in words and action.

Better to be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.

I forget who said that but have never forgotten the words.

What is your story of gossip? Or have you felt the damage of your own gossip? Please tell me your story.

Disclaimer: This post in not sponsored and is in no way producing income for me, from any sponsor or third party.

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What are Blessed Items and what do they do for me?

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Hi! I am starting with “What We Believe Wednesday”. So here we are with the first of many. I remember going to the wedding of a cousin of mine not long ago. At one point in the ceremony the priest said “Now we will have the blessing of the objects.” I was already Catholic by this point but I had not heard of this and it sounded very strange to me. I had never seen or heard of “blessing of the objects” in any wedding ceremony…ever! I even giggled a little to myself. This was a very modern parish. In fact, if not for the Stations of the Cross on the wall, I wouldn’t even recognize it as being Catholic. “What on earth is this modern voodoo we are doing? Are we creating idols?” I find myself, when I am at a modern Catholic Church, questioning a lot of things. Why is there no tabernacle on the altar? Why is there a set of drums at the back of the church? Why is there no crucifix up front? What are these bizarre banners hanging from the walls? I thought that was a Protestant thing. Let me be clear, the church speaks very clearly against modernism. So unless there is clear and good reason to make a change, tradition is tradition for a reason and should be observed. I am skeptical of anything that feels or appears modern to me. I don’t think this is a bad thing though as it caused me to research, read and pray about it. I learn a lot through this. I won’t get into all of these questions today but I will address blessed items. In celebrating with the saints, I often suggest displaying a blessed holy card or lighting a blessed holy candle of a particular saint while asking for his/her intercession. Unbeknownst to me, this is not modern at all! This is an ancient practice of The Church that I am sad to see is not practiced more and is often abused.

So what are blessed items/blessed objects. Why are we blessing objects? Shouldn’t we bless people instead? These are great questions. Let’s start with: What is a Sacramental?

Sacramentals are holy things or actions of which the Church makes use to obtain for us from God, through its intercession, spiritual and temporal favors.

Whatever visible signs are used by the Church in the worship of God or the promotion of devotion are sacramentals. By these visible signs the benediction of Almighty God is invoked on persons, places, or things, through the intercessory prayer of Holy Mother Church. The prayers of the Church have great efficacy, for they are united to the prayers of Our Lord Jesus Christ and of all the saints.

My Catholic Faith A Catechism in Pictures

A “Blessed object” or “Blessed item” is a sacramental. Sacramental refers both to the blessing given as well as the object which carries the blessing for the benefit of the individual. We believe that these sacramentals help us in our faith and our walk with Jesus. I know what you are thinking… “Wait! This is superstitious. I thought that was against church teaching.” You are half right. Being superstitious is prohibited as a Catholic.

If we use sacramentals, as they should be used, in acknowledgment of our faith in the efficacy of the blessing of the Church which God Himself founded, our act will be most pleasing to God, and the sacramentals will profit us greatly. If we wear a crucifix or medal on our persons, hoping that by God’s grace it will preserve us from evil, we are not superstitious.

We must remember, however, that of themselves sacramentals have no power. They only have power through the prayer of the Church which uses the authority given by Christ.

My Catholic Faith A Catechism in Pictures

Some common sacramentals are holy water, candles, rosaries, scapulars, holy oil, salt, crucifixes, holy images of Jesus, Mary, and the Saints, bibles, medals of saints, ashes, and palms. The benefits of using sacramentals is receiving grace, forgiveness of venial sins, remission of temporal punishment, health, and protection from evil spirits, amongst others.

The blessing given by the Church makes holy water of special efficacy. We should always make the sign of the cross, whenever possible with holy water; by it we would gain one hundred days’ indulgence.

My Catholic Faith A Catechism in Pictures

Where are Sacramentals spoken of in Scripture?

Acts 19:11-12 We read about how garments which touched Jesus were used to heal and exorcize others because they carried the blessing he bestowed upon it.

“And God did extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so that handkerchiefs or aprons were carried away from his body to the sick, and diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them.”

“You shall serve the LORD your God, and I will bless your bread and your water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of you.” Exodus 23:25

There are also many passages about blessing yourself and others with the sign of the cross as a means of devotion and protection. Here are a couple of examples:

“Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads.” Revelation 14:1

“Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” Revelation 7:3

So how does one use a Blessed object?

Many people bless their rosaries which they then pray the rosary with. Blessed Candles remind us of our prayers rising to Heaven just as the smoke rises. It also symbolizes that we are the light of the world. I like to light a holy candle as I read sacred scripture or have prayer time. Wearing a blessed medal of one of your favorite saints is a great way to keep him/her in mind and ask for their intercession throughout your day. When I bought my home I walked the perimeter of my home sprinkling blessed salt as I prayed for the protection of my home and all those who would enter within its walls. I like to do this once a year. I was fascinated to learn that women would often bless their dresses and wear them in honor of Mother Mary under the devotions of Our Lady of Lourdes, our Lady of Sorrows, our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, our Lady of Mt. Carmel and Mary Help of Christians. They were also worn in honor of St. Joseph, and of St. Anthony. Blessed dresses were a reminder for girls to dress modestly always. They were also worn as a promise, perhaps to remain modest and chaste, or to be a faithful wife; or to obtain a special favor. If a woman wore a blessed dress to obtain a special favor and did not fulfill her promise, this was not punishable under the penalty of sin. She would simply fail to receive the grace or favor she was asking for but would not incur sin on her part.

So now the blessing of rosary boxes and bibles at a wedding makes a lot more sense. Please be aware, however, there are important do’s and don’t for sacramentals or blessed objects.

  1. Once an object has been blessed it may never be sold or traded for money or personal gain. Doing so would not only remove the blessing but also be an instance of grave sin for both the buyer and the seller as blessings can never be sold or purchased. Exceptions to this are homes and cars which are not religious items but are blessed while you own them. Once sold the blessing is considered to be removed (without sin) and may be released by the new owners. However Sacramentals which are religious in nature, ie: rosaries, medals, oils, scapulars, holy images, etc., do fall under this rule.
  2. Sacramentals and blessed objects are not to be used as objects of superstition. Superstition is strictly forbidden in the Christian faith as it takes the recognition of power away from God and assumes it on an object or set of circumstances. All power comes from God and God alone! The Catechism clearly tells us that we do not always obtain the favor we ask for by the use of sacramentals (it is sometimes not to the benefit of our soul or salvation to obtain what we ask for) but no earnest prayer is ever offered in vain. If God does not will us to have what we ask for, He will grant us something even greater.
  3. Once an object has been blessed it may never be thrown away but should always be treated in a respectful manner. If a sacramental has been broken beyond repair, it is considered to no longer be blessed but should ideally be respectfully buried in a safe place.

“Blessed sacramentals” are religious objects that are blessed, such as rosaries, medals, crucifixes, etc. These are not technically “sacred objects” in the sense of being set apart for “divine worship” (liturgy) but are meant for prayer, piety, or private devotions. In the July 12, 1847, Decree of the then-Sacred Congregation of Indulgences & Sacred Relics, the Congregation explicitly prohibited the selling of rosaries and crucifixes. It added that, if sold, these lose the blessings and indulgences attached to them. Similarly, the Raccolta (1910) repeats this prohibition stating “they cannot be sold or exchanged” (Raccolta, #38). 

Inevitably, the sale of blessed sacramentals easily causes scandal. In all prudence, the sale should be of a non-blessed religious object and should be blessed only after the sale.

Adoremus.org

There is a common practice amongst homeowners when selling a home that they will purchase a small statue of St. Joseph, bury it upside down in the backyard as they pray for the fortunate sell of their home. This should be discouraged. This is NOT a respectful manner of burial and is also leaning toward superstitious. I hardly think St. Joseph would much appreciate upside down burial.

I could not find where this tradition started but I do personally believe there is a respectful manner to carry out this tradition.

What can you do instead?

Purchase a St. Joseph statue or use one you already have. You might even ask a friend if they might loan you one of theirs. Take it to be blessed by a priest then bring it home and respectfully and prayerfully bury the statue in the backyard (upright) while asking St Joseph to intercede for you for the blessed sell of your home. The morning of closing, dig up your statue, dust him off and take him to your new home and place him in a place of honor such as the mantle or home altar or return him if he was borrowed. It would be nice to also take a thank you gift to whomever loaned him to you. Remember to thank St. Joseph often in prayer.

You may also chose to pray a novena to St. Joseph without the presence of a statue.

Conclusion

Sacramentals are a wonderful blessing to us and direct our thoughts, prayers, and actions to God while always respecting the object because of the blessing it carries. Comment below and share with me a couple of your favorite Sacramentals.

Links for More Reading

https://adoremus.org/2022/01/q-is-selling-or-buying-a-blessed-object-permitted/

https://bismarckdiocese.com/news/what-happens-to-an-object-when-it-is-blessed

https://www.philipkosloski.com/where-in-the-bible-are-sacramentals/

DISCLOSURE: This post is not sponsored or affiliated with any business, entity, or product. I am receiving no money or other compensation for this content.

Q&A: To Halloween or not to Halloween?

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Question:

“Hi Marisa. Thank you for your blog. My question concerns Halloween. I recently heard a short clip from a former Satanist Priest, now Catholic, that no Christian should ever celebrate or take part in Halloween. As Catholics, can we celebrate Halloween or are we doing something wrong or sinful by celebrating the holiday. Can my kids go trick-or-treating or should I not allow them to?” -Matthew

Answer:

First of all, thank you Matthew for your question. This is one I have wrestled with, for quite some time, myself and I would like to start with Church teachings. I will be referencing Sacred Scripture (the Bible) and Sacred Tradition (within the Catechism of the Catholic Church). It is very important when discerning or studying matters such as this to look at both Scripture and Tradition and compare the two. If they seem to contradict one another then we are misunderstanding one or both. The two must support each other for us to be confident we are understanding God’s Word.

Secondly, I am aware of the video you are referring to. I am not linking it on my page as I personally find it very creepy with the music they have overlayed in the video and if I had young children I would not want them watching it. You can easily search for it on your own and pull it up if you so wish to see it.

Where Does Halloween Come From?

First of all, Let’s look at the name and the definition of a few words.

Halloween- is a shortened form of “All Hallows Eve

Holiday- is a conjunction of “Holy Day”.

Vigil- derives from the Latin vigilia which means, “a night to watch” a celebration held the night before a feast day to usher in the greater celebration to be had the next day.

Triduum- 3 days of holy celebration.

So what is All Hallows Eve? All Hallows Eve is the Vigil celebration of All Saints Day (Hallowmas aka Holy Mass). Click here to read a lovely article about vigil mass and how it began. All Saints Day (November 1) is an Obligatory celebration in the church to remember all those who lived faithful lives on Earth and have passed on to their eternal life in Heaven. All Souls’ Day (November 2) is then the day we celebrate all those who have passed from this life and are in the cleansing state of Purgatory, awaiting their entry into Heaven. These 3 days together make up the Triduum of “Allhallowtide” (Days of the Dead).

From this, we can see that All Hallows Eve is the Vigil celebration of All Saints Day. While All Hallows Eve Vigil Mass has become less common in recent decades, most certainly due to the desire for parties and collecting sugary treats, the night was created to usher in The Feast of All Saints Day.

Halloween is a Catholic holiday. It does not have origins in paganism, Samhain, Druidic festivals, the occult, or Satanism. This common misconception is relatively new anti-Catholic propaganda, with roots going back to the Protestant Reformation. It has no basis in historical fact.

Many people see the coincidence of dates between Samhain and All Saints Day and presume a connection. However, it turns out the date is just that: a coincidence. 

The Catholic Company www.thecatholiccompany.com

Where Did Halloween Traditions Originate?

Well; as America is the Great Melting Pot, so too is Halloween. As immigrants from other countries settled here they brought along with them their traditions of celebrating.

The French were the originators of dressing up for All Hallows Eve. Our Irish brothers and sisters traditionally carved turnips which morphed into carving pumpkins and those traveling from England traditionally went door to door in their towns promising to pray for the departed loved ones of those that would give them “soul cakes”. This metamorphosed into today’s “trick or treat”

What is the Purpose or Intent of Halloween Today?

Most commonly, in secular society, Halloween is a time to decorate ones home and themselves with scary, goulish, haunting images, and take their kids around to strangers houses to beg for candy. One can argue that they only allow their children to dress as friendly characters or angels or even Christian Saints and only trick-or-treat at homes of those they know or at church. So, shouldn’t that be OK? Well, let’s look a little deeper.

To reference the video you spoke about, this man speaks very clearly about his 25 years as a Satanist and ultimately a “General” in the church. He also tells the dangers of Halloween. Here are his top 5 reasons that no Christian should take part in Halloween.

  1. You give legal rights to Satan. When you dress up, putting on a mask and costume (even if you are dressing as an angel or figure of Scripture), you are concealing your identity and giving Lucifer permission to change your identity. You are creating “soul ties” by partaking in these practices. He states a Christian who celebrates Halloween is “Cheating on God on Halloween.” He even states that dressing up as angels or cute characters is no safer.
  2. Eternal Mistake. By celebrating Halloween, Lucifer then not only owns you but also your family, marriage, home, and finances because you have opened the door to him.
  3. Satanists Celebrate. Lucifer is thankful to every Christian who celebrates him on his one holiday a year.
  4. We Bring it into Our Churches. Many folks don their costumes and go to church. People also dress their homes and churches with Jack-o-Lanterns filled with candles. This practice is telling Lucifer I have prepared my home for you and you are welcome here.
  5. Demonic Candies. It is common practice for Satanists to pray over candy and costumes being sold at stores thereby consecrating them to Lucifer. Often Halloween Stores and Costume Stores are being rented out for $30,000 a month by practicing Satanists in order to pray over and consecrate all of the inventory to Lucifer. If you are a Christian who celebrated Halloween and your children are now wavering in the faith or leaving the faith, you need to cut those soul ties and sever the cord with Lucifer so that you all may begin to heal.

I will add that I have seen countless news reports of Ner’do’wells tampering with candy before passing it out to children: hypodermic needles in Twizzlers, powdered drugs in pixie sticks, etc. I personally would not risk it with my own children unless I personally knew each and every person they were visiting. It seems as though each year someone comes up with new and grotesque ways to do harm to our precious children.

What is the Occult?

The word “occult” comes from Latin, and the root meaning is to conceal or to cover over (occultare). Occult practices are intended to gain supernatural knowledge over our lives, future, health, etc. and use this to our advantage.

Here is occult defined by Wikipedia. The following is a clear and concise description of the Occult…

The word “occult” is generally associated with secret knowledge and practices dealing with the supernatural or “psychic” phenomena, often for the purpose of obtaining personal power. Some occult practices rely on demons or “spirits” to achieve their goals.

Christian Answers

The occult includes any practice or activity which transfers the focus and source of power from Almighty God to another entity (ones self or another). Most often it is an attempt to claim personal powers or abilities not bestowed by God. Engaging in or being a part of occult practices creates avenues for Satan to take hold of your life, family, and soul, placing a disconnect between you and God. Many occult practices have been shown to cause grave illness in a person such as cancer, epilepsy, autoimmune disease, etc. (This is not to say all illness is a result of demonic influence but rather is often a symptom of demonic involvement.) A few examples of practicing the occult include…

  • magic
  • witchcraft
  • wizardry
  • satanism
  • calling up the dead (Ouija Boards or seances)
  • channeling
  • enchantments
  • fortune telling
  • horoscopes
  • incantations
  • spell casting
  • tarot cards
  • oracles
  • reading tea leaves
  • Freemasonry
  • hydromancy (water divination)

For a more extensive list of occult practices click here.

When you come into the land which the LORD your God gives you, you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices of those nations. There shall not be found among you any one who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, any one who practices divination, a soothsayer, or an augur, or a sorcerer, or a charmer, or a medium, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD; and because of these abominable practices the LORD your God is driving them out before you.

Deuteronomy 18: 9-12

2117 All practices of magic or sorcery, by which one attempts to tame occult powers, so as to place them at one’s service and have a supernatural power over others — even if this were for the sake of restoring their health — are gravely contrary to the virtue of religion. These practices are even more to be condemned when accompanied by the intention of harming someone, or when they have recourse to the intervention of demons. Wearing charms is also reprehensible. Spiritism often implies divination or magical practices; the Church for her part warns the faithful against it. Recourse to so-called traditional cures does not justify either the invocation of evil powers or the exploitation of another’s credulity.

Catechism of the Catholic Church Second Edition

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

Ephesians 6:11-12

Conclusion

Now you must make the choice for yourself and your family. To Halloween or Not to Halloween?

Based on all this information, Halloween was never created for, intended for, nor should it be celebrated by the use of costumes, trick-or-treating, decorating our homes with evil or creepy images, or any occult practices. Halloween is, however, a beautiful Christian Holiday in its intended practice.

Ideas For Celebrating All Hallows Eve aka Halloween

  • Hand out holy cards of a beloved saint
  • Go to Mass
  • Go to a cemetery and pray for the souls of those departed. (note*: You may want to go during the day to avoid anyone up to mischief.
  • Poland has the most beautiful tradition of lighting up the cemeteries with candles (I would probably use battery operated candles) and praying for the dead. I would love to make this a tradition in my town.
  • Emphasize Christian generosity and the tradition of Catholic social justice by encouraging your children to “trick-or-treat” for UNICEF. For over 50 years, UNICEF has encouraged children to collect pennies on Halloween to enhance the quality of life for the world’s underprivileged children.” If you have another charity you prefer that is fine too. You could organize your friends and family to hand out pennies and prayer cards of their favorite saints. Perhaps we can come up with a name other than “Trick or Treat” for this. “Prayers and Pennies”? I would love to hear your suggestions.
  • Host an All Hallows Eve party where all the children make their own costumes (not bought) dressing as their favorite saint. You could even give away small prizes for the best made costume or have a contest to guess the saint.
  • Decorate your home for Fall; pumpkin, gourds and fall leaves.
  • Have Fall games at your All Hallows Eve Party. Bobbing for apples… Create a pile of leaves for the little ones to jump and play in…
  • Offer prayers renouncing Satan and all his works. Here are a couple for you Here and Here

Peace of Our Lord Jesus

Celebrating with Saint Thérèse of Lisieux

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Traditional Feast Day: 3-October

Modern Feast Day: 1-October

Hometown Feast Day: Last Saturday of September

Basic Stats:

Born: Marie Françoise Thérèse Martin  7-January-1873

AKA: St. Thérèse, The Little Flower, St. Thérèse of the Holy Face, St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus

Country of Origin: France

Died: 30-September-1897 (24 years old)

Patron of: France, Missions, Florists

Symbol: Roses and a crucifix

Have You Heard of St. Thérèse of Lisieux?

What do you know of St. Thérèse of Lisieux? I first remember hearing about her maybe 2015 or so. I never really paid her much mind but, a couple years later, Mama and I were searching for a place to stay in Louisiana for our annual Mother/Daughter trip. I decided to look up B&Bs in the area. I stumbled across this adorable little home and, as I was looking at the pictures, I noticed statues in the yard. My little Catholic antenna immediately went woooop??? I felt just like a cartoon character. “Those are Catholic Statues!” I had no idea at the time that Louisiana was so predominately Catholic. Well turns out the little B&B is La Petite Voix de St. Thérèse, or The Little Way of St. Thérèse. The hostess is the most warm and wonderful woman named Emmaline. She practically giggled when she found out we are Catholic as well. She welcomed us in to this house that she had completely restored with her family and started telling us all about St. Thérèse and how she had helped her purchase and rebuild this home. Miss Emmaline has since become a dear friend of ours and we go there most every summer. We just cannot get enough of that beautiful home and the warmth of the Cajun people. 

I am coming to love St. Thérèse quite a lot. I always imagine our great saints as these larger-than-life humans who change the world because they are so intelligent and pious… and gifted… and other-worldly, almost like super heroes or ancient heroes of mythology. Whereas I admire them all, it often leaves me feeling a bit disconnected and unable to relate to them. I was just speaking with a couple of my friends the other day how, growing up, I would hear people say “Lord, let me not be a saint, for I don’t want to live above others but let me be good, instead, that I may live amongst others.” This gave me such a misunderstanding of who saints are and why we should be friends with them. Even why we ourselves should want to be saints. I think I admire St. Thérèse so much because she was so ordinary.  

“Her greatness showed in the constancy of her love for others in the most simple ways.” “Her “Little Way” teaches us to do the ordinary things of life with extraordinary love. A smile, a note of encouragement, a phone call, suffering in silence, always having a positive word, a simple unnoticed task to brighten the life of another, and so many other simple deeds, done with love – these are the examples of her spirituality. The smallest action, done with love, is more important than great deeds done for personal glory, gratification or simply out of obedience.” 

She was the youngest of 9 children and one of only 5 to survive childhood. I read of how she spent her entire life in her little town in France, only leaving once to have an audience with the Pope. She described herself as a little wildflower growing in the fields, never seen by most of the world but so loved by God. For God to do such wondrous and miraculous works in such an “ordinary” woman gives me great hope that I too may one day be a saint. Like Thérèse, I don’t wish for people to see or remember me, just that I be pleasing to my Creator. My greatest desire, dear friend, is for when others look at me, they see not me but Jesus! I want to be so void of self that only Jesus remains in me. It was quite a while before I discovered this is what being a saint truly is and I desire it for myself.

Headstrong and Determined

Thérèse was a willful and stubborn child who would throw tantrums when things did not go as she saw fit. Her Mother Zelie would speak of this in letters, all the while, marveling in her love and joy of Thérèse and all her daughters. Losing her mother at only 4 years old was a life changing moment for Thérèse. Her always joyful spirit changed and it took some time to find her way back to joy. Thérèse, though having faults, was so determined from a very young age to join the Carmelite Convent. She once even went all the way to Rome (after being rejected several times to joint the convent, on account of her young age) to petition Pope Leo XIII himself stating “If you give permission, everyone will agree.” She was bold, courageous, stubborn, and unrelenting; such admirable qualities when used for God’s Kingdom. We should all be so courageous as her. I also greatly admire her love for the Holy Eucharist. She greatly desired to receive Jesus, daily, in the Holy Eucharist. I am saddened by how, in recent years, so many have forgotten the real and true presence of Jesus in the Sacrament. I am pleased to relay to you that The Holy See (that is to say the Pope and the rest of the Magisterium) are calling for a mission of Eucharistic Renewal within the Catholic Church. May our beloved St. Thérèse intercede and aid us in this mission.

Thérèse was aware of her littleness. “It is impossible for me to grow up, so I must bear with myself such as I am with all my imperfections. But I want to seek out a means of going to heaven by a little way, a way that is very straight, very short and totally new.” Thérèse went on to describe the elevator in the home of a rich person. And she continued: “I wanted to find an elevator which would raise me to Jesus, for I am too small to climb the rough stairway of perfection. I searched then in the Scriptures for some sign of this elevator, the object of my desires and I read these words coming from the mouth of Eternal Wisdom: ‘Whoever is a little one let him come to me.’ The elevator which must raise me to heaven is your arms, O Jesus, and for this I have no need to grow up, but rather I have to remain little and become this more and more,” And so she abandoned herself to Jesus and her life became a continual acceptance of the will of the Lord.

St. Thérèse of Lisieux

Known by her fellow nuns as being little more than a “good nun”, Thérèse was quietly becoming sanctified. She suffered illness off and on from birth and once received a miraculous healing while gazing, on the wall, at a picture of Mother Mary. She recalls asking Mary to heal her when, suddenly, the image of Mary smiled at her and she was instantly healed of her sickness. She discovered early in life that holiness required struggle and suffering. It seems so often that we spend so much time avoiding suffering at all cost when there is grace and beauty in suffering. It is necessary for our spiritual growth. You may not have seen it but there is a small booklet by St. Thérèse on the joy of suffering. It is definitely worth the read if you have not already.

Being only 24 when Thérèse died of tuberculosis, her life was not lengthy but it was magnificent. She was undoubtedly overjoyed to reunite with her mother and father as she met Our Lord Jesus. Now this “good nun” is one of only 2 women to be given the title “Doctor of the Church”. She had such a great love for Jesus and for souls that she dedicated much of her life to prayer in reparation for souls and their salvation. Her “first soul” was a man convicted of murdering 2 women and a child. He had no desire to repent but, just as he was awaiting the guillotine, he reached out grabbing the crucifix hanging from the neck of the priest and kissed it 3 times. This reminds me of St. Dismas, the thief on the cross next to Jesus. It is so heart-warming to know that, as long as we draw breath, it is never too late to grasp the hand of Jesus and beg His pardon.

I look forward to celebrating her feast day as it approaches. I hope you will celebrate with me. Though Thérèse passed from this world on 29-September, her feast day was traditionally celebrated on 3-October. (Many say this is due to an overpacked liturgical schedule.) As the changes of Vatican II took effect, her feast was moved to 1-October. Interestingly though her hometown in France celebrates her feast day on the last Saturday of September, regardless of the date. Perhaps I will celebrate her love and devotion to Jesus for a whole week. Haha. What day do you celebrate her feast?

Celebrating: 

  • Create or decorate an altar, in your home, to Jesus and place statues and holy cards of St. Thérèse.
  • Cut a bouquet of wildflowers and place them on your home altar or table.
  • It is said that eclairs were a favorite of St. Thérèse. Here is a recipe. Eclairs
  • Summer Vegetable and Pesto Rose Tart

Favorite Quotes:

“I know that Jesus could not wish useless suffering for us, and He would not inspire me with the desires I feel, were He not willing to fulfill them.”
– St. Thérèse of Lisieux

“How can I fear a God who is nothing but mercy and love.”
– St. Thérèse of Lisieux

“It is such a folly to pass one’s time fretting, instead of resting quietly on the heart of Jesus.”
– St. Thérèse of Lisieux

“Love proves itself by deeds.”
– St. Thérèse of Lisieux

Great Books About St. Thérèse

Autobiography

Find many other great books about her here.

Sources:

Dictionary of Saints by John J Delaney

Learn more and grow in relationship with Jesus through the help of St. Thérèse here: https://www.littleflower.org/st-therese-daily-devotional/i-know-jesus/ 

https://ca.littleflower.org/therese/life-story/

Note: This post is not sponsored and thus I receive no commissions or compensation for links included herein.

Celebrating With St. Michael the Archangel

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Traditional Feast Day: September 29 (AKA Michaelmas)

Let’s start with a few stats:

Rank: Archangel

Created by God before time existed

Immortal

Etymology: Michael is Hebrew for “Who is Like God”

Symbols: Sword, stepping on the devil

Patron of: The Military/Soldiers, Police Officers, Firemen, Mariners, Paratroopers, Security Guards, Paramedics, EMTs, Grocers, Doctors, Radiologists, and sickness

What is an Angel? 

“Angels are created spirits, without bodies, having understanding and free will.” “Angels are the most excellent beings created by God. They are nobler in nature than men. They know more, and have greater power. Of all God’s creatures, angels resemble Him most.” “The chief creatures of God are angels and men.”-A Manual of Religion. My Catholic Faith. A catechism in Pictures 1949 Louis LaRavoire Morrow

“‘Angel’ is the name of their office, not of their nature. If you seek the name of their nature, it is ‘spirit’; if you seek the name of their office, it is ‘angel’: from what they are ‘spirit,’ from what they do, ‘angel.’” – St. Augustine CCC 329

Archangel – The 8th of the 9 Chiors of Angels. The Archangels have been sent to bring the message of Jesus’ birth to Mary, show Tobias the way to Sarah while protecting him along the way, and as the leader of God’s army. 

Who is Michael? 

He holds the secret of the mighty “word” by the utterance of which God created heaven and earth and was “the angel who spoke [to Moses] at Mount Sinai” (Acts 7:38).

Michael is the General of God’s army in the war of good and evil. He is written to defeat Satan, who fears him. Michael is written of many times in Holy Scripture as well as other historical documents. He is one that I ask to watch over and intercede for me (along with St. Christopher) whenever I get in my car or go on a trip. I ask for his intercession and protection when I am in danger or afraid, when I endure spiritual attacks. As the commander of God’s army, he is a wonderful intercessor. In 1884 Pope Leo XIII had a terrifying vision of a conversation between God and Satan. From this vision, we get our Prayer for Protection.

St. Michael in Scripture

Jude 1:9 contends with the devil. [Michael] “did not presume to pronounce a reviling judgement upon him, but said, ‘The Lord rebuke you.’”

Daniel 12:1 “the great prince who has charge of your people”

Daniel 10:13 “One of the chief princes” sent to help me in my battle.

Daniel 10:20 “inscribed in the book of truth: there is none who contends by my side against these except Michael, your prince.” An angel speaking to Daniel about war with the prince of Persia and upcoming trials.

Revelation 12:7-12 One who, with his angels, fights “The Dragon” (ancient serpent who is called the Devil and Satan.)

What is Michaelmas?

Michaelmas is the feast day of Michael the Archangel. It is a combination of “Michael” and “Mass”, the special mass which celebrates his feast. In recent years, the other 2 archangels who are named in Scripture (Gabriel and Raphael) have been included in this feast as well. If you are someone who likes to keep with traditional feasts and customs, like me, then we let St. Michael have this day all to himself as Gabriel and Raphael have traditional feast days all their own on March 24 and Oct 24, respectively.

Long-standing Traditions: 

There’s a legend of Lucifer falling into a blackberry bush after being expelled from heaven by St. Michael and spitting on the blackberries to make them bitter. Because of this blackberries are always picked before the feast of St. Michael.

On Michaelmas Day the devil puts his foot on the blackberries. 

-Irish Proverb

A cooked Goose is an ancient tradition in Ireland for the feast of St. Michael. See recipe further down.

The Aster flower is also known as the Michaelmas flower. Many families would use this flower to decorate their homes.

Favorite St. Michael Prayers and Devotions:

Novena to St. Michael

Prayer to St. Michael for Protection

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, 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 power of God cast into hell Satan and all the other evil spirits, who prowl throughout the world, seeking the ruin of souls. Amen! See longer version here.

Celebrate Michaelmas:

  • Display a statue, holy card, or other image in a place of prominence within your home or office. 
  • St. Michael is the patron saint of police officers. Stop by your local police station (or if you live in a large city, find 2-3 stations to stop by. Make them lunch or bake them some of your favorite dessert. Be sure to thank any officer you see for their service to you and the community. If you are an over achiever, you can find a statue or St. Michael medal to give them as well. (Have it blessed by a priest before giving it to them.) Remember that blessed items may never be sold, thrown away, or discarded in any manner other than respectful burial or incineration. Selling a blessed item incurs a severe sin upon the seller and the buyer while at the same time removes the blessing.
  • Attend Mass.
  • Starting on September 21 begin the 9 day Novena of St. Michael. Light a candle with an image of St. Michael each day when you pray.
  • Pray the St. Michael prayer of defense each day. 
  • Make blackberry pie or a blackberry smoothie.
  • Decorate your table or home altar with Aster daisies.
  • Recipes: Michaelmas Dumplings Blackberry Pie St. Michael’s Day Goose

Sources:

Note: None of this is sponsored and no affiliates are included in this post. I am paid nothing by any of the links included here.

Celebrating With Saint Padre Pio

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Celebrating with the Saints: Padre Pio

Feast Day: September 23

Have you ever been “stalked” by the saints? A wonderful young friend of mine introduced me to this concept. She told me that she was being stalked by a particular saint. I asked her what she meant. She said have you ever had a saint that just kept popping up everywhere (books, movies, talking with friends)? No matter where you turn, there they seem to be. Sometimes a saint “stalks us” when they are trying to befriend us. They keep popping up until we pay attention. So much insight for a young lady in her early teens. I knew exactly what she meant because Padre Pio was just such a “stalker” in my life. 

I don’t recall when I first heard about him and I don’t know what attracted me to him initially. One day when I was packing up my apartment to move into my new house, I saw a Padre Pio book on my shelf. I thought to myself, “You know, Marisa, you have had this for a few months but have not read it yet. You really need to sit down and read it. Pio was supposedly a great saint.” A couple books over was another book on Padre Pio. I thought, “I don’t remember buying this. Wow! Now I have 2 books to read.” This went on. By the time I had my whole bookcase packed up, I had discovered more than 5 books and prayerbooks on Padre Pio that I did NOT recall buying. This may not seem strange to you but I have a pretty good memory for when and where I acquire things; what someone said to me 5 min ago, or what I had for breakfast, not so much but where I got each and every cross on my wall, yes. In the next couple weeks, I kept hearing his name and seeing his images. He would pop up in a homily, I would go to a friends’ home who would have a picture of him front and center. It was eerie. So I started reading. Turns out he experienced the stigmata which is a common theme among my team of “Warrior Saints”. He also was blessed to call St. Francis of Assisi his Patron Saint. St Francis happens to be my patron saint and once when unexpectantly confessing to a young Irish priest, Padre Pio burst into tears. The young priest began to console him, Padre Pio said, “Listen, my son, you think, like many others, that sin is the breaking of the law, but it’s not that but infidelity to love.” YES! That is exactly why I cry every time I go to reconciliation! He put it into words what I was not able to form or piece together myself. It was as if he reached into my heart, mind and soul and said exactly what I had wanted so much to say but didn’t know how. What I had never been able to put my finger on. At one point I discovered a prayer asking Padre Pio to be my spiritual father. I didn’t hesitate, So if you aren’t familiar with him, let me introduce you. If you do know him but not well, let me help you get to know him better. Below his biography you will find a few ideas and suggestions for celebrating his feast day.

Biography

*Born: 25-May-1887. (Francesco Forgione)

*Died: 23-Sept-1968

*Country of Origin: Italy

*Holy Order: Capuchin Franciscan

*Patron Saint of: Pietrelcina, Italy…civil defense…volunteers…and adolescents.

*Spiritual Abilities/Gifts: 

  • First stigmatized priest in recorded Catholic history. (All 5 wounds of Christ) lasting the majority of his life.
  • Ability to read souls during Reconciliation
  • Bilocation
  • Ability to speak with and see his Guardian Angel and other angels
  • Great obedience
  • Miraculous healings
  • ecstasy
  • levitation
  • Mystic

*Case for Canonization open: 1982 by Archbishop of Manfredonia 

*Blessed: 1990 “Servant of God Padre Pio”

*Venerated: 1997 by St. Pope John Paul II “Venerable Padre Pio”

*Beatified: 2-May-1999 by St. Pope John Paul II “Blessed Padre Pio”

*Canonized: by St. Pope John Paul II

*Body: Partially incorrupt. (Though his body was well preserved at exhumation, his head was predominantly skeletal, thus a life like mask was created for display of his remains.)

Francesco Forgone was born in a small poor farming town in southern Italy. His parents were poor in money but Pio recalls he had everything he needed which, at this time, left a boy considering himself “happy”. Though unwealthy Francescos’ family, as well as his community, were deeply religious. His extraordinary life began at the tender age of 5 years old when he recalls The Lord Jesus touching his hand and telling him that he would be His faithful follower. His mother once stated, he was always different from other children. He was given the gift of seeing and speaking with his guardian angel as well as Jesus and Mary. Padre Pio offered himself to Christ as a victim soul and thus was plagued with great illness and diabolical attacks throughout his life. Though he was still seen joyful and peaceful by others. When Francesco was determined to be responsible enough, he was given charge of a few sheep to look after on the farm. He recalls when food was available, children would be given a chunk of bread and sent out to the fields to complete their work. For most young boys the bread was placed loose in their pocket to be eaten as they walk. Francescos’ mother, however, would wrap his bread in a napkin. Once he got to the field he would sit on the ground ceremonially unwrapping his food and eating it. Any crumbs that fell, he would pick up, kiss and eat. He wasted nothing and took nothing for granted. Once, when someone asked where another child was Francesco spoke somewhat incredulously at them saying “Why do you ask me where he is? Why don’t you just ask your angel he can tell you where they are.” He was completely unaware that others were not able to see and converse with their angel, as he was. One tradition tells of a time when Francesco and his father were in prayer at church. Francesco noticed a young girl with a disability. Her mother had brought her to church to pray for her. He was so moved with a desire to help, he prayed that Jesus would heal her. Jesus told him that if he promised to never ask for healing for himself that he would be allowed to heal any person he wished. Young Francesco approached the young girl and healed her. This would be just one of countless healings that Padre Pio would offer over the course of his life. When young Pio told his parents he wished to attend seminary, Francescos’ father would travel to America to work, earn money and send it back to Italy to pay for Francescos’ private education and seminary. At 15 Pio was allowed to enter the Capuchin order as a novitiate. 

Ordained a priest in 1910, despite great health concerns, Pio offered his first Holy Mass a few days later. Pio first received the stigmata as invisible pain with no physical wounds present. When visible wounds did appear, he was deeply and unbearably humiliated by the physical appearance of his wounds and begged The Lord to take away the outward signs and allow him to suffer in private. For a time his request was granted. On 20-September 1918, while hearing confession, his wounds returned and would be visible for the remainder of his life (The next 50years) only disappearing in the last few days of his life. The stigmatic wounds reportedly smelled of perfume. He grew a large and faithful following of devout christians who came to witness his masses and hope to see his bleeding hands. He also attracted much skepticism from the pope as well as other priests. Pio would suffer great scrutiny as a result of his stigmata and even have much of his faculties removed due to the belief that he was faking his condition to garner attention and admiration. He was so doubted that secret recording devices were placed in his private room and even within the confessional to record his confessions. Pope John XXIII was alerted to this and though he, to his credit, was believed to have refused to listen to the tapes himself, he believed that the claims of Pios’ deception were credible and denied Pios’ miraculous signs. Pio, being extremely shy, would often deny others their request to see his wounds he kept them covered with mittens. This was partly from his hatred for the attention that it brought him and partly out of obedience to the popes’ request for him to keep it private. During investigation, none of Padre Pios’ miracles we able to be proven but those who he had healed never retracted their claims. In 1933 Pope Pius XI began the restoration of Padre Pio’s reputation by stating “”I have not been badly disposed toward Padre Pio, but I have been badly informed.” His faculties (the right to offer Mass publicly and hear confessions was reinstated and continued for the rest of his life. Pope Paul VI, dismissed all criticism doubt and accusations of Pio in the mid 1960s.

[Pio held a harsh attitude towards vain women, stating: “Women who satisfy their vanity in their dress can never put on the life of Jesus Christ; moreover they even lose the ornaments of their soul as soon as this idol enters into their heart.”

Pio also held to strict rules concerning modesty, and refused confession to women who did not wear skirts that extended a minimum of 8 inches (20 cm) past the knees.[105] He posted a notice at the entrance of the Church of St. Mary of All Graces in San Giovanni Rotondo, reading: “The Church is the house of God. It is forbidden for men to enter with bare arms or in shorts. It is forbidden for women to enter in trousers, without a veil on their head, in short clothing, low necklines, sleeveless or immodest dresses.”] wikipedia

[As Pio grew older, he became increasingly distrustful of television. After the Second World War, when Pio’s nephew, Ettorne Masone, asked Pio for advice on opening a movie house, Pio warned him to be careful about what movies he would show. Pio stated “You don’t want to contribute to the propagation of evil.”[111] By the 1960s, Pio was displeased that the Capuchins were now permitted to watch television. To Pio, television was responsible for the destruction of the family life and he strongly warned others not to buy one when asked. On one occasion, when asked about motion pictures, Pio replied “The devil is in it!” On another occasion, Pio told a penitent in confession that the reason the penitent’s car had broken down the day before was because the penitent was driving to a movie theater.] wikipedia

Having founded the Casa Sollievo, [Padre Pio considered the Casa Sollievo Della Sofferenza (Casa) his “Work”, inspired and blessed by God, to be a haven of relief from suffering for all of God’s children in pain in body or soul. It is a model community of Catholic Christian health delivery, and has grown into a regional referral center of international renown. Today, with over 1,000 beds and services comparable to most academic research centers of excellence, the Casa is thriving by God’s graces in one of the most remote, desolate and poorest areas of Italy…atop Mount Gargano, four hours from Rome.] -Saint Pio Foundation.org

Padre Pio was greatly troubled by the changes taking place resulting from the second Vatican council. Though he did not like them he was insistent that faithful Catholics must remain obedient to the church’s authority. He immediately wrote the Holy See(The office of the Pope) Requesting special dispensation to continue the Traditional Latin Mass. Dispensation was granted and he continued celebrating the TLM while remaining obedient.

Padre Pio was reported to have levitated during prays of ecstasy, conversing with angels and saints as well as Jesus and healing many. He was also reported, more than once, to have bilocated. When a woman was deeply troubled and requested a visit from Padre Pio, he sat at her home with her and visited her while he was simultaneously offering mass far away. Pio would say that he could not explain how this occurred. He could not say if he was there physically or if his mind traveled there.

Padre Pios’ 5 Rules for Spiritual Growth:

1. Weekly Confession

2. Daily Communion

3. Spiritual Reading

4. Meditation

5. Frequent Examination of Conscience.

Padre Pio is now one of the most beloved and famous saints that we have within the Catholic Church. He was very devoted to daily rosary and said “The person who meditates and turns his mind to God, who is the mirror of his soul, seeks to know his faults, tries to correct them, moderates his impulses, and puts his conscience in order.” Shortly before he died he stated that his real work would begin once he had died. Pio dearly loved his spiritual children and once said he would not enter paradise until the last of his spiritual children entered first and when he takes on a spiritual child he takes on their whole family. Because of this I asked Padre Pio in prayer to be my Spiritual Father. He is dear to me and my life and I pray you will develop a love and relationship with him as well. 

Quotes of Padre Pio: 

Quotes by Padre Pio

“Pray, hope and don’t worry. Worry is useless. Our Merciful Lord will listen to your prayer.”

“The final purpose of meditation is the love of God and one’s neighbor. Love the first with all your soul and without reservation, love the second as another self, and you will have arrived at the final purpose of meditation.”

“Prayer is the best weapon we have; it is the key to God’s heart. You must speak to Jesus not only with your lips, but with your heart. In fact on certain occasions you should only speak to Him with your heart.” 

“Prayer is the best weapon we have; it is the key to God’s heart. You must speak to Jesus not only with your lips, but with your heart. In fact on certain occasions you should only speak to Him with your heart.” 

“The life of a Christian is nothing but a perpetual struggle against self; there is no flowering of the soul to the beauty of its perfection except at the price of pain” 

“The longer the trial to which God subjects you, the greater the goodness in comforting you during the time of the trial and in the exaltation after the combat.” 

“The most beautiful act of faith is the one made in darkness, in sacrifice, and with extreme effort.” 

“Do not be so given to the activity of Martha as to forget the silence of Mary. May the Virgin who so well reconciled the one with the other be your sweet model and inspiration.”

“It would be easier for the world to exist without the sun than without the Holy Mass.”

“A thousand years of enjoying human glory is not worth even an hour spent sweetly communing with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.”

“In the spiritual life he who does not advance goes backward. It happens as with a boat which always must go ahead. If it stands still the wind will blow it back.”

“Kneel down and render the tribute of your presence and devotion to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. Confide all your needs to him, along with those of others. Speak to him with filial abandonment, give free rein to your heart, and give him complete freedom to work in you as he thinks best.”

“Thank and sweetly kiss the hand of God that strikes you, because it is always the hand of a Father who strikes you because he loves you.”

“Where there is no obedience, there is no virtue; there is neither goodness nor love. And where there is no love, there is no God. Without God, we cannot reach Heaven. These virtues form a ladder; if a step is missing, we fall down.”

“Obey promptly! Do not consider the age or merit of a person. And in order to succeed imagine you are obeying the Lord.”

“The demon has only one door by which to enter into our soul: the will; there are no secret doors. No sin is a sin if not committed with the will. When there is no action of the will, there is no sin, but only human weakness.”

Ideas for Celebrating…

As Padre Pio is a relatively recent saint. There are no longstanding traditions for celebrating him but here are some of my thoughts. 

  • Display a statue, holy card, or some other image of Padre Pio in a predominant location of your home and/or office to remind you of him throughout the day.
  • Since Padre Pio had such a profound and deep love for the Traditional Latin Mass(TLM) Look for a TLM near you and go. This is a wonderful way to honor him. 
  • Padre Pio also had the gift of reading souls in the confessional. Take the opportunity to go to Reconciliation. Prepare yourself and make the most sincere confession you are capable of and be urgent in carrying out your act of penance.
  • Included above is the link to a 9 day Novena beginning on 14-September and culminating on 23-September (His feast day) Novena’s in honor of a saint are always a wonderful idea.
  • Bake a loaf of bread the day before or the morning of his feast. Take it outside, sit on the ground, say a prayer of thanks to The Father and eat your bread in silent meditation. Once done (leave no crumbs) get up and faithfully go about your day.
  • After mass go to Our Lady’s candle stand and light 2 candles; one for all those seeking healing, whether physical, spiritual, or physical. The second for the protection of those who suffer the effects of war. Say a pray for each candle you light. 
  • Take a small bunch of flowers to leave at the alter under the statue of Our Mother Mary. Padre Pio loved her very much and died with her name on his lips.
  • Start a week or so before. Find a biographical book on Padre Pio and read a little each night leading up to his feast day. 
  • Find a celebration idea for St Francis of Assisi as he was Padre Pios’ Patron Saint.

Favorite Prayers with Padre Pio

Nine Day Novena leading up to his feast day… https://shrineofpadrepio.com/about-padre-pio

Stay With Me (Prayer after receiving Jesus in The Holy Eucharist) https://padrepiodevotions.org/stay-with-me-lord/

A Prayer for Trust and Confidence in God’s Mercy 

“O Lord, we ask for a boundless confidence and trust in Your divine mercy, and the courage to accept the crosses and sufferings which bring immense goodness to our souls and that of Your Church. Help us to love You with a pure and contrite heart, and to humble ourselves beneath Your cross, as we climb the mountain of holiness, carrying our cross that leads to heavenly glory. May we receive You with great faith and love in Holy Communion, and allow You to act in us as You desire for your greater glory. O Jesus, most adorable Heart and eternal fountain of Divine Love, may our prayer find favor before the Divine Majesty of Your heavenly Father.” Padre Pio

Padre Pio’s Prayer to the Guardian Angel

Angel of God,
my guardian,
to whom the goodness
of the Heavenly Father entrusts me.
Enlighten,
protect and guide me
Now and for ever.
Amen.

Sources:

National Centre for Padre Pio

https://saintpiofoundation.org/saint-pios-biography https://www.padrepio.org/about/

https://www.padrepio.catholicwebservices.com/ENGLISH/Biogr.htm

https://www.padrepiodapietrelcina.com/en/the-life-of-padre-pio-the-years-of-childhood/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padre_Pio

https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/190385.Padre_Pio

https://www.ncregister.com/blog/50-wise-and-wonderful-insights-from-padre-pio

The Joyful Spirit of Padre Pio by Patricia Treece

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