The Inspired Traditionalist: February 2006

Saturday, February 25, 2006

The latest on the SSPX-Rome

The latest from Catholic Family News on SSPX and Rome Negotiations
http://www.cfnews.org/sspx-mm-jv.htm

Friday, February 24, 2006

Words of Wisdom

I would like to take some quotes from a book written by the beloved Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen (Requiescat in Pace). I find these word both enlightening and encouraging. I hope you will find this message advantageous as well.

The quotes come from "THE LIFE OF ALL LIVING, The Philosopy of Life" copyrighted in 1929 by Fulton J. Sheen, Ph.D.,S.T.D. on the Feast of the Epiphany.
This excerpt comes from Chapter Three

The First Law of Life: Expansion

"Our civilization is suffering from a degeneration of the mind. We pride ourselves on being intellectually advanced, and yet if real culture is a knowledge of the truth, then we are less advanced than we were several centuries ago". (mind you, this was written in 1929) He goes on to say, "There is such a thing as ever learning and never coming to the knowledge of the truth." (powerful, words here, I must say)
"Thousands of our educated minds are dedicated to the materialist philosophy which denies that man can rise above a knowledge of earthly things. Sacred Scripture informs us that when the earth passes away there will be no more time, and yet prophets of our day teach us that the only abiding reality is space and time. Realities which cannot be touched are denied. There is said to be no spiritual soul because a scalpel never revealed it; no mysteries in life because never handled in a laboratory; no world beyond this world because never seen through a telescope. And faith, if there be any, means only a hypothesis or a sum of probabilities."
"Besides the degeneration of the mind, there is the degeneration of the body. Our body is no longer hardened to the tasks of life; we fear sacrifices and efforts. We shrink from fasting, pamper our body as if it were a lasting city. Our pushbuttoned, limousined, upholstered age craves for new excitements, new thrills, new shocks. We are jaded before we have come to a man's estate, and the simple things of life no longer please us. There is an overemphasis of sex in modern life." (if he could see things now) "There is a craving for new thought, new psychology, new everything in an attempt to shock and amuse. Now it is degenerated into a study of the subconscious mind-that unthinking cellar part of our mental lives-in an attempt to make us believe that we are better men when we glorify the irrational and have not our wits about us. A more satisfying, richer, fuller life-such is the plea of the modern age.
" And the remedy for this twofold degeneration-degeneration of the mind and degeneration of the body-is the Eucharist. The Eucharist is the remedy for the first because it demands faith; it is the remedy for the second, because it answers the plea for real life and youthfulness. The faith in the Eucharist is the remedy for degeneration.
"Materialism is the foundation for a philosophy, but it is not the final philosopy of life. Faith is an intellectual assent to a truth on the authority of God revealing-and is a gift of God."
He goes on to say so much more of course, but my point is that this I found to be a great reflection for Lent for Many of us. The Eucharist, Christ Himself was given for us. The suffering He endured for us, should require us to make a great effort in our personal lives to come to a better knowledge of our minds,bodies and souls. This is so true as we prepare ourselves spiritually for Lent by fasting, prayer and penance.
I hope you enjoyed the excerpts from the book written by one of the greatest spiritual advisors of our time, Ven. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

Thursday, February 23, 2006

Lent One week away

With the beginning of Lent, most Catholics start to prepare themselves spiritually. In pondering about what I intend to do, I have decided to decrease my blogging and increase my prayer life especially during the time of Lent. I need to give Jesus more of myself during this time. It is important to always increase our relationship with Him. I won't be able to give Him more of myself if I am on this computer frequently. I am working on Temperence in many areas of my life and so this is important to "blog" and "surf" less often. I enjoy reading other peoples sites and I have learned a great deal about things I had never known. I have considered the internet "my friend" in my usuage. I have basically learned so much from the "tool" of this generation, and intend to use it to benefit myself and others spiritually. We must be very careful in the amount of time we spend in our blogging and make our lives a source of "simpleness". This can be learned from some of our greatest saints, St Therese and St Francis of Assisi just to name a few. Prayer should be our main focus not just during Lent, but always and utmost above all other interests. We should not keep our focus on ourselves, but on Our Savior. Doing otherwise is just vanity and we must be careful not to put our needs first. I will be praying for all my readers and all my "fellow bloggers" out there especially during this season of Lent. I want to remember His sacrifice for me and all sinners. I hope all that you do during this time is successful. Each individual should obtain a closer union with God. God Bless and rejoice in what God has given to us.

Wednesday, February 22, 2006

Billboard Signs

I was having a conversation with my aunt about a trip she took. She told me of the billboard signs she would see along the road. She said that some of the ones she noticed pertained to messages about God. This prompted her to look into a web site that showed the messages of God printed on billboard signs. She found a site called God Speaks. She wanted to share this with me.
http://www.godspeaks.com/
One of my "pet peeves" is when someone uses our Lord's name in vain.
There is a billboard sign that I thought was perfect and a good way to get your point across to someone who continually uses His Name profainly.

"If you have to curse, use your own name!"

There are some other cute sayings on this site worth checking out.

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

Awesome post on SSPX-Rome

Check out this awesome post by Stephen at Instaurare Ominia In Christo

http://www.truerestoration.blogspot.com/

SSPX-Rome Parts I and II

A definate MUST read!!

Sister Lucia's remains moved

According to Zenit news, Sr. Lucia's bodily remains have been moved to Fatima yesterday.

Date: 2006-02-20
Sister Lucia's Remains Are Moved to Shrine
FATIMA, Portugal, FEB. 20, 2006 (Zenit.org).- The mortal remains of Sister Lucia, witness of the 1917 apparitions of the Blessed Virgin, have left the Carmelite Convent of Coimbra, to rest in the Shrine of Fatima. The body of the nun, who died a year ago at age 97, was taken Sunday to the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary. According to the Portuguese Catholic news agency Ecclesia, some 250,000 people accompanying the arrival waved white scarves, a custom in the farewell procession in large pilgrimages to the shrine. The history of the apparitions was recounted during the brief ceremony, beginning with the first, on May 13, 1917. Sister Lucia is buried next to Blessed Jacinta, another of the Fatima visionaries. Blessed Francisco, the other witness of the apparitions, is buried in the same basilica. A stone to be placed on Sister Lucia's tomb reads: "Sister Maria Lucia of Jesus and of the Immaculate Heart, to whom Our Lady appeared. March 22, 1907 -- February 13, 2005. Translated to this basilica on February 19, 2006." On the stones of the other two little shepherds there is, in addition, an inscription that states: "Beatified on May 13, 2000."

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

A Divine Love Story

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

I wanted to share a "love story", a Divine Love Story, that I thought would be appropriate on a day that most consider the ones we love. This is a true story of the Divine Love and how Jesus works through the Holy Ghost to perform lifes little miracles.

ANNA AND ISABEL

I was speaking with a friend
of mine just recently, when she told me about a phone call she received and wanted to share this story with me.

Lynn's story:

About 1 year ago Lynn was demonstrating outside an Abortion Clinic . All of the demonstrators had left except a friend of hers and herself. Lynn noticed a couple trying to find the way to get into the clinic. She saw them go by the main entrance and they were unable to get in. She watched for them and saw they were heading in her direction towards the rear entrance. The couple walked by them and Lynn handed them some flyers about The St. Gerard's Center, a pro-life foundation in Hartford, Ct. Lynn and the young girl had exchanged a look, and it was for both women a look they will never forget. The couple went past them and Lynn nor her friend would say where the entrance was. Lynn noticed that something was different about this girl. In her past experiences demonstrating, she knew that she just might be able to reach her. As the couple was heading back in their direction Lynn approached her. She said, "You really don't want to do this, do you"? Just then the girl started to cry. Lynn comforted her and reassured her that people cared and that she would do anything to help, even if it was adoption. Lynn also showed them pictures of what the baby would look like at this stage of her pregnancy and what the actual abortion would look like as well. She also told them that this would end their relationship. Lynn asked the young man if he loved this girl. He said "Yes, very much". Lynn asked the girl why she was considering doing this. She said she thought she would loose her boyfriend. The whole time the young man was listening and soaking in their conversation.She asked the couple if they were Catholic and they were. She explained to them that this would be a mortal sin. Lynn's friend interrupted and asked if they would please say a "Hail Mary" with them. All the time Lynn's friend had been silent. He was praying in the background for a good outcome. After this something very special happened. Lynn tried to explain to me over and over again of what it reminded her of. All she could say was this reminded me of a "love story". He grabbed her and held her tight and he said "Let's go home, we don't have to do this". Lynn had given her her phone number in case she needed her. The couple left.

Well Lynn heard back from her alright, to tell her she had a beautiful baby girl now 3 months old. She wanted to share this with Lynn and send her pictures of Isabel (the beautiful little miracle).

Anna's story:

Anna and Rich were juniors in college when the unexpected happened to change their lives forever. Anna found out she was pregnant. Rich and Anna had not planned on this and both of them felt they needed an escape. They were young and were not ready for a baby. They wanted to finish college. They thought that the only alternative was to have an abortion. Although this was against what Anna's conscience and upbringing was telling her. She made several appointments with abortion clinics in her hometown area of New Jersey. Everytime she would show up at a clinic the protesters would be there, and Anna could not face them. She said she felt afraid of being put in the position of dealing with the protesters.
Finally they made an appointment in Hartford. When they arrived at the clinic the protesters were outside this clinic as well, and again Anna could not get out of the car. Rich and Anna argued over what to do in the car for about an hour. Finally, they drove around and came back. There was no one out front of the clinic at this time. The decided to park the car and get out. At first they went to the front door and knocked and no one answered. They figured they went to the wrong door, and went around to the back. As they came around the corner they spotted Lynn with another protester. Anna looked right into Lynn's eyes and knew instantaneously that Lynn was here for a reason and felt a strong presence of what, she didn't know. She said things were so emotional at the time it was hard to remember very much but knew that Lynn was there and she didn't want to look at her. All she wanted was to brush by them, and go in and "get this over with", and "never think about it again".
But Lynn interceded. She asked her if, they was looking for the clinic. Anna said "yes". Lynn said "you really don't want to do this, do you?" Anna broke down and cried. "no she didn't want to". She told me that, "she just wanted deep down inside, for someone to tell her "she didn't have to do this", and for Rich to tell her that "she didn't have to do this". Lynn asked if she was Catholic and would she like a rosary. She replied that she was Catholic. They asked if they could all take a minute and say a"Hail Mary" together and they agreed. After this the decision had been made by Anna that this was not going to happen. Rich turned to Anna and told her "let's go home".
After they left Hartford they went home immediately told both sets of their parents that she was going to have a baby.

My Story:

After talking to Anna myself, she just can't believe how total strangers wanted to be of such help." I told her that this is the work of The Holy Ghost working in others to try to help them, and that God sent Angels to her that day to protect her from grave sin". Lynn and her friends got through to Anna and Rich. Not all outcomes turn out this way. God has a plan for all, and all for a reason. God gave all of us who were involved in this story something very special. All of us (readers included) see the fruits of prayer and perseverence in our mission to reach out to those in need. This story is proof of just that.
I also told Anna that if she ever needed to talk that we were there for her and she could call us at anytime. Anna is currently working part-time and is still continuing her college education. She is living at home with her parents. Rich is very much involved in Isabel's life . Only God knows what the plan is for Rich and Anna. I am sure that they will continue to love Isabel and take care of her together regardless of their outcome. We would do what we could to help her. So this story will hopefully not end here, and that we all keep in touch and watch what God has planned for this beautiful baby girl, Isabel.
When Lynn told me of this story I wanted so much to share it. These are the little miracles that we don't hear about every day but, need to be shared for so many reasons. For the continued fight for our beliefs as Catholics. To support and encourage each other. To see the awesome effects of a simple "Hail Mary" and her intervention. But most of all to see the Divine Love of the Almighty God and Savior.
Lynn kept repeating over and over to me (trying to find the words to explain what she felt, the moment after, when she looked at the couple in front of her) "It was just like a "love story". I told Lynn that it was a "love story". A story of "Divine Love".

Please keep Anna, Rich and Isabel in your prayers for the long journey in life together. That they may find comfort in Jesus Christ and The Blessed Mother.

"Jesus, Mary, I Love You, Save Souls"

Monday, February 13, 2006

Saint Valentine Feb 14 th

This story is taken from Our Lady of the Rosary Library

Story of St. Valentine

"The story of Valentine's Day begins in the third century with an oppressive Roman emperor and a humble Christian Martyr. The emperor was Claudius II. The Christian was Valentinus.
Claudius had ordered all Romans to worship twelve gods, and had made it a crime punishable by death to associate with Christians. But Valentinus was dedicated to the ideals of Christ; not even the threat of death could keep him from practicing his beliefs. He was arrested and imprisoned.
During the last weeks of Valentinus's life a remarkable thing happened. Seeing that he was a man of learning, the jailer asked whether his daughter, Julia, might be brought to Valentinus for lessons. She had been blind since birth. Julia was a pretty young girl with a quick mind. Valentinus read stories of Rome's history to her. He described the world of nature to her. He taught her arithmetic and told her about God. She saw the world through his eyes, trusted his wisdom, and found comfort in his quiet strength.
"Valentinus, does God really hear our prayers?" Julia asked one day.
"Yes, my child, He hears each one."
"Do you know what I pray for every morning and every night? I pray that I might see. I want so much to see everything you've told me about!"
"God does what is best for us if we will only believe in Him," Valentinus said.
"Oh, Valentinus, I do believe! I do!" She knelt and grasped his hand.
They sat quietly together, each praying. Suddenly there was a brilliant light in the prison cell. Radiant, Julia screamed, "Valentinus, I can see! I can see!"
"Praise be to God!" Valentinus exclaimed, and he knelt in prayer.
On the eve of his death Valentinus wrote a last note to Julia, urging her to stay close to God. He signed it, "From your Valentine." His sentence was carried out the next day, February 14, 270 A.D., near a gate that was later named Porta Valentini in his memory. He was buried at what is now the Church of Praxedes in Rome. It is said that Julia planted a pink-blossomed almond tree near his grave. Today, the almond tree remains a symbol of abiding love and friendship. On each February 14, Saint Valentine's Day, messages of affection, love, and devotion are exchanged around the world."

Saturday, February 11, 2006

Coming Soon

SPECIAL VALENTINES POST

A DIVNE LOVE STORY

PLEASE BE SURE TO CATCH THIS POST ON FEB. 14

Friday, February 10, 2006

Movie about The Blessed Mother

Remnant Newspaper article

Hollywood & The Virgin Mary

Variety reports (Jan. 24, 2006) that New Line Cinema has launched development of a feature film version of the story of the Virgin Mary. The script for the film, Nativity, was written by Mike Rich, who also scripted Finding Forrester, The Rookie, and Radio.
Rich told Daily Variety that his script for Nativity covers a two-year period of Mary and Joseph's life, culminating in their leaving Nazareth and journeying 100 miles to Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus. The story is aimed at fleshing out key characters such as King Herod; John the Baptist's parents, Zachariah and Elizabeth; the shepherds who were witness to Jesus' birth; and the arrival of the three kings from the Orient.
New Line's purchase of Rich's script is described as a "pre-emptive purchase," since the company's interest in the project is influenced by the phenomenal box-office success of Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ. "You can't ignore a film that does $600 million in global box office," said Rich. The author believes that the story told in Nativity "is a natural bookend to The Passion," that it is "challenging," "compelling"and contains "the timeless themes of hope, inspiration, doubt and fear."
New Line Cinema, a unit of Time Warner, is the oldest independent film company in the world. It has been a pioneer in franchise filming and its Lord of the Rings trilogy is the most successful film franchise in history. The Nativity project is currently in the development stage. To date, no producer, director or actors have been attached to it, nor has a final budget been set. As a result, the film is unlikely to be ready for release before late 2007.
Comment: Lest anyone be tempted to welcome the news of a major motion picture treatment of Mary and Joseph, there is a bit of background information worth mentioning. Mike Rich, the author of the Nativity script, says he got the idea for the film back in December 2004, when both Time and Newsweek magazines featured cover stories concerning the "historical truths" surrounding the birth of Jesus. After doing "research," he pitched the film idea to New Line in late 2005 and wrote the script "very quickly" in December.
The same thing happens every December, like clockwork. News magazines, such as Time and Newsweek, as well as both network and cable television stations, release special editions purporting to tell us the "historical truths" about the birth of Jesus. Illustrated with reproductions of beautiful Renaissance paintings in order to make the fare more palatable to the consumer, these historical documentaries parrot the same lies ad nauseam: The Virgin Mary was either an adulteress, or the victim of sexual assault; Or perhaps, St. Joseph was Jesus' dad, after all; Jesus was not Divine; the Gospel accounts of angels, shepherds and magi were just so much pretty fluff. We might even learn that Jesus was born in Nazareth, not Bethlehem. They can't even leave that alone. Backed by the testimonies of apostate priests and feminist nuns, these historical documentaries feature journalists and narrators running in third-gear "sincerity mode." Hey, they're really after the truth, folks!
Granted, the film is still in the development stage. But, if screenwriter Mike Rich has based his research for Nativity on the nonsensical theological/historical tirades of Time and Newsweek magazines, what can his film turn out to be but yet another run-of-the-mill "Sacrilege Special," albeit with a higher budget and better production value? And, again, we witness the pathetic spectacle of Hollywood trying to ride Mel Gibson's coattails, while remaining both oblivious and hostile to the true Spirit which animated The Passion of The Christ

Wednesday, February 08, 2006

Michael Jackson and Papal Poetry????

A recent article posted by Remnant Newspaper editor Michael J Matt sheds a light that a lot of us ignore. Hollywood and Rock and Roll. We have to be selective on what we watch and listen to. Mr . Matt sure puts things in perspective here in this article:

Michael Jackson to sing Pope John Paul's Poems????

http://www.remnantnewspaper.com/

Also another great article from Catholic Family News Editor John Vennari

Communion in the Hand

http://www.cfnews.org/cfn.htm#current

Monday, February 06, 2006

TAGGED...Thanks Tom!!

I have been Tagged.
Thanks to my "buddy" over at Recta Ratio

And this is how this one goes:

Remove the top person from the following list and then place yourself at the bottom of the list. Pushing everyone up a notch.

Then select the next 5 you want to Tag (hmm), see below

1. Jonathan AFCM
2.Irish and Dangerous (Danny)
3.Dymphna's Well
4. Recta Ratio (ole buddy,ole pal!!! lol)
5. Inspired Traditionalist

Next Five to be Tagged:
Love ya, Guys!!!

1.Dappled Things (Fr.Jim Tucker)
2.Catholic Life (Moneybags)
3.Traditio in Radice (GF vonB)
4. Sacred Web Log of the Universal Inquisition (Inquisitor Generalis)
5.Vive Christus Rex (Frere Ignatius)

1. What were you doing 10 yrs ago?

Wow, my daughter was 7 and my son was 13. I guess I was pretty busy doing Mom stuff and working.

2. What were you doing a yr ago?

Well I can remember 10 years ago...... but last year??? Only kidding!
Looking forward to Holy Week. I usually take that week as a vaction week from work, almost as a retreat. To spend time with the Lord and comtemplate.

3. Five favorite snacks do you enjoy?

1. Ice Cream
2. Tootsie Roll Lollipops
3. Ice Pops (grape or orange)
4. Popcorn
5. Watermelon

4. Five songs do you know all the words to?

1. Who are You? -The Who
2. Roxanne -The Police
3. Riding with the King -Eric Clapton
4. Third Degree -Eric Clapton
5. I Can't stand It- Eric Clapton

6 Five things would you do if you were a millionaire?

1. Have a Church built for Traditional Latin Mass
2. Take care of my family and friends (SURE now you all want to be
my friends but you won't put yourself on my frappr map!! (LOL)
3. Give to those in need
4. I think a maid would really be nice
5. I would buy a small cottage on a lake

7. Five Bad Habits?

1. I eat to much
2. Probably talk to much ( I don't now ask my Dad, Mom is way to nice
to comment)
3. That's it, I'm perfect... no I have a lot more than 5 bad habits
Don't spend enough time in prayer
4. Spend too much time on the computer
5. Don't do enough or look for enough to do for others
I could go on......but they said only 5.....see I got out of this one!

8. Five things I enjoy doing?

1. I love to spend time in front of the Blessed Sacrament
2. I love to read
3. I love to write
4. Spending time with family and friends
5. Eating!

9. Five things I would never wear again:

1. A bikini
2. Hip hugger jeans ( I don't know if thats what they are called now)
3. Very high heels
4. Mini skirts and Halter tops (I hope my Dad doesn't see this, yes I
had a secret wardrobe, he would have killed me, I got caught a couple
of times though, teenagers Ughhh)
5. A Dorothy Hamill Haircut

Five favorite Toys?

1. Barbie Dolls
2. My brothers trucks
3. Matchbox cars (ok I liked the toys boys had they were fun to play
in the dirt outside with)
4. I loved to dress up in Mom's dresses and jewelry and make-up
5. Board Games

Whew that was not an easy one!!!

Saturday, February 04, 2006

Pray for a Good Outcome, Please

Just recently my Aunt Cathy submitted another book to the publishing company.

My daughter Ashley informed me that she has been writing a book as well. I have read the first three chapters she has started and I am very proud of her. She would like to finish this book one day and try to get it published.

God has given these two creative authors a special gift.
Please pray for continued success in their endeavors to bring the fruits of their accomplishments to a summit of their potential

The Inspired Traditionalist