Can Priests Go Hunting? The Council of Trent provides an answer...

It's hunting season, and with all the clamor about "guns and Christian men" in the previous post about "manly Christmas gifts," I did a quick search and found an interesting article about "hunting" in the Catholic Encyclopedia over at NewAdvent.org.

There has never been a prohibition against hunting for laymen. However, there is quite a controversial history concerning clerical hunting. The Council of Trent, for example, made the formal distinction between clamorous (clamorosa) hunting and quiet (quieta) hunting. (Session XXIV, 12). "Clamorous hunting" is forbidden to priests. However, "quiet hunting" is allowed.

Clamorous hunting likely refers to the large hunting parties that are sometimes associated with dogs, drinking, and lasciviousness. It is clear that this type of gathering would not be proper for a priest. "Quiet hunting" would be more like laying traps in the woods or going out alone with a deer rifle.

In the "Corpus Juris Canonici" (C. ii, X, De cleric. venat.) we read: "We forbid to all servants of God hunting and expeditions through the woods with hounds; and we also forbid them to keep hawks or falcons." The Fourth Council of the Lateran, held under Pope Innocent III, decrees (can. xv): "We interdict hunting or hawking to all clerics." It seems here that there is a worry that hunting and hawking takes too much time for recreation. We imagine modern canons to read "golfing."

I don't know where canon law stands today, but I thought you might find the history of the questoin to be rather interesting.

Happy Hunting,

Taylor

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Planned Parenthood's 1969 Jaffe Memo - You Won't Believe Your Eyes

In 1969, the US government asked Planned Parenthood to produce some suggestions for overpopulation. The Jaffe Memo was the document recording the "solutions." The details are outlined over at the blog of Abby Johnson, the former Planned Parenthood employee.

The recommendations are horrific - it recommends eliminating tax deductions for children, forced sterilization through water treatment, promoting homosexuality, federal payments to those who do not have children, forced abortions and sterilizations...the list goes on. As Our Lady of Fatima said, the errors of Russia will spread to the world. These things are still happening in Communist China, as everyone knows. God forbid that they happen in the United States.

Please click on this link to the original Jaffe Memo and read what else it recommends to the US government. And remember this was back in 1969.

Keep vigilant. Our enemy goes about like roaring lion seeking someone to destroy.

Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us.

HT: Fr. Phil Wolfe

2011's Top 10 Manly Gifts for your Husband, Father, Son, or Grandfather...

Last year, we featured the top ten gifts that men want but don't ask for. This year I have an improved list with more information on knives and how women can choose the right knife for the man in their life.

Like last year, we reminded all the ladies that Christmas ties are just okay. Polo shirts, sweaters, and dress shirts are also very nice, but they are nothing to brag about. The problem is that we men don't often tell you what we want - either because we're too proud or we're just too busy to make a list.

So when your man gets back to work after Christmas and someone asks, "So what did you get for Christmas?" let him say something more than "Oh you know, a couple of new shirts and a tie."

Below is a guide for "manly Christmas presents." Seriously, you can't wrong with the following ten gifts. They're all winners. So here we go:

10) Old School Shaving Razor
If you want your man to feel like a total stud, get him this gift. It's old school shaving just like your grandfather used to do. Real Badger hair brush. Soap bowl. Cool stainless thing to hang your razor up to dry. I have one of these and I love it.

By the way, the badger hair brush will smell like a wet animal the first several times he uses it. It's okay, the smell goes away after a few uses. It's all part of the manly appeal. He feels cool, you get to pet his clean, smooth face. Everybody wins.

9) Pipe and Tobacco

Pipe smoking is cool. Just ask Sherlock Holmes. Albert Einstein, Mark Twain, C.S. Lewis, Vincent Van Gogh, and Santa Claus also concur. Plus, everyone loves the wafting of a little pipe tobacco on a cool winter day. The pipe model featured on the left can hold a filter, which will keep your man healthy if he so chooses.

I once made a rash vow to God not to smoke tobacco and I'm bound to it - so I can't smoke a pipe anymore. But I hope the best for all your men. Perhaps I will enjoy their second hand smoke.

8) Boots
Nothing says, "Heh, I'm an effeminate pansy," than all these metro-looking "trim" loafers that young men wear today. (I'm not talking about dress loafers or penny loafers, I'm talking about these kind of loafers.) It gives all new meaning to "light in the loafers." I pity these young pups as they prance around in "outdoor slippers." The only things these shoes are good for is walking around the mall.

Moreover, wearing tennis shoes and basketball shoes with your jeans isn't nearly as cool as wearing leather boots. Boots communicate strength and longevity. Everyone knows that women swoon for a man in boots, be they soldiers or cowboys. Just trust me on this. Brown boots and Levis - that's a winning combination.

I recommend cowboy boots that look like cowboy boots but have hard rubber souls (like the Justin's in the box to the right).

I wear some like these just about every day. If he insists on wearing laces, these boots are also pretty B.A. - also made by Red Wing.

7) Kindle from amazon.com
I love the Kindle and it's basic model is now only $79 bucks. The great thing is that you can get almost any classic book for free or $0.99. Any of the great English classics. You can also get the great spiritual classics. I got tons of St Alphonsus Liguori texts for free. Imitation of Christ? Free. Huckleberry Fin? Free. If he likes to read (and especially if he likes techy stuff), get the Kindle.

It's easy to use - even Grandpa can use it since you can make the text bigger and it will robotically read all your books through its built-in speakers.

And don't forget, both of my books are also available through Kindle.

6) A Nice Leatherbound Pocket Bible
About 30 years ago, people starting making lame paperback Bibles. If it's the inspired, inerrant Word of God, at least wrap it in real leather and gild the page edges...

Here is the one you need to get him. It's Douay Rheims (Catholic, yet old school language), but it's only Psalms and New Testament published by Baronius. It fits perfectly into the side pocket of a suit or blazer. I carry it every day in my sports coat, and holds up to use. It's absolutely beautiful and has a ribbon to mark your place.

Oh, and please buy him the black leather version. If you buy him a white Bible, you might as well throw in some ballet lessons.

Baronius also makes an impressive real leather Family Bible. I've done a lot of research and this is the one that every Catholic home should have. Baronius makes wonderful Bibles. Stock up.

5) A Nice Durable Rosary
Rosaries aren't merely for old ladies. Real men pray the Rosary because real men love the greatest woman who ever lived: the Blessed, Glorious, and Immaculate Mother of God, Mary Most Holy. A man needs a real Rosary. Wood. Heavy. Unbreakable. I'm sorry to report that these are unavailable in stores. You have to make it for him with your own two hands. Get wood beads and tough cord that won't break. Get a nice heavy crucifix and put it together. My daughters made one like this for me. I could lift a child with it - it's that strong. Also, if you use real paracord, it won't ever knot or tangle.

4) A Gun
Every man should own at least one gun. A Colt 45 for a revolver. A semi-automatic handgun (I prefer any 1911 model for .45 ACP and Glock in .40 cal). A trusty deer rifle (I like 270 Wby and 30-06). A shot gun for ducks and doves (12 gauge side by side or pump-action). Owning a firearm is a rite of passage. Ever male needs a sidearm.

You'll eventually need a gun safe - especially if you have kids. If you just have a handgun that you want keep away from children, I recommend the mini vault featured to the right.

3) Beer Homebrewing Kit
My wife got me a homebrew kit for Christmas four years ago. My life has never been the same since. I now make almost all the beer that we consume. I make Irish Stout, Pale Ales, IPAs, Oktoberfest, Porters, Amber Ales, Christmas Ale, etc. My brother and I just finished an "Iron Mash" competition in public (like Iron Chef America) using surprise ingredients. It's great fun and very rewarding. For parties, I have kegs out, which contain my own beer. A real conversation starter. I have friends come over and we brew together. It's all about making alcoholic beverages...and it's legal.

2) Meat Smoker
Fire. Smoke. Meat. Cheese. Enough said. Get him a meat smoker from Masterbuilt.

I got into meat smoking in March of 2011. I'm making brisket, pulled pork, ribs, smoked chickens. Shoot, we even smoked a turkey. It's great fun and it tastes great. Best of all, when daddy smokes, mommy doesn't have to cook dinner. So it's fun for me and it gives mom a night off.

Smoking meats is one of those things that sounds complicated but it isn't that difficult. It just requires time and care. It's also a skill that can be passed down from father to son.

1) Pocket Knife (Four Types of Knives to Consider)
A man without pocket knife...woe is he. You can use a pocket knife to cut string, pull out splinters, slice apples on a picnic, etc. Growing up, my dad always carried a knife in his pocket. And if a thug jumps you, you've got something rather than nothing.

You can slip a knife into his Christmas stocking and he'll be thrilled when he discovers it. It will be the first time in a long time that he had a toy to play with on Christmas morning. If you have a son who's coming of age, you should slip a Swiss Army knife into his stocking. If you get your husband a knife for Christmas, he can use it all morning to open up Christmas gifts, toys, cards, and packages. He'll be happy to use his new gift all morning.

To help you out, I've classed pocket knives into four types, so you'll need to think about the man in your life and then choose which would be best suited for him.

The Gentleman's Knife
I call it the "gentleman's knife." It's the very nice wooden or bone handled knife. Often it has the wavy stainless Damascus blade. This is gift knife.

This is a knife that he only carries for special occasions. Think of it like this, this isn't a knife that you wear in your jeans, you wear it in the pocket of your slacks or suit. It's the kind of knife that is passed from Grandfather to Father to Grandson. An artifact. Usually, a manly-man won't buy himself this knife (he buys useful knives for himself as tools - see knives below), but he loves to receive a fine knife like this as a gift.

It's the perfect Christmas gift and I really recommend this for your dad or husband. Ladies, think of it as the closet thing to masculine jewelry. In the box to the left, I've featured a really nice Hen and Rooster with Burl wood and Damascus blade. It's a beautiful tool.

The Everyday Carry Knife
This is the knife that a man carries in his pocket every single day. With this knife he opens mail, cuts string, cuts tags off clothing, removes splinters, and all the other odd jobs suited for a knife.

My one criteria for an "every day carry" or "EDC" is that it have a pocket clip that keeps it from falling out of your trousers at the movies. The other important thing about an every day carry knife is that it be lightweight. You don't want to carry a heavy lump in your pocket. The pocket clip also keeps the knife high in your pocket so it's comfortable whenever you sit down or drive. My every day carry is the Sog Trident - it is a bit big (3.5 inch blade), but I love it. It's light and has the pocket clip. If you want to go smaller, I recommend the Sog Flash (click here to see it).

Honorable mention for "every day carry" knives - Kershaw's Ken Onion Tactical and Spyderco's Tenacious:


The Hunting Knife
The hunting knife is 100% practical. I think that a good hunting knife needs strength, rubber grip (because animal blood and fat make a knife slippery), and a gut hook. There is no better knife than the Buck 278 Folding Alpha Hunter with rubber grips and a gut hook (used for skinning animals). I've done my research and this is the best basic hunting knife. It is made so well. I own it and it opens and closes so smoothly. It also comes with a carrying case for your belt. I've featured this knife in the box to the left.

The Multi-Tool or Swiss Army
If your man is a gadget guy then he's probably a fan of the multi-tool or Swiss Army. These are knifes that also have many, many other tools attached: bottle opener, saw, tweezers, toothpick, pliers, etc. The Swiss Army knife if perfect for a boy's first knife (age seven). For a more mechanical guy, the Leatherman is the classic. The Leatherman comes with a leather case the he can wear on his belt. I wore one of these during college.

If your man doesn't have any good quality knives, I'd get him two. I'd him the nice gentleman's knife and the Sog Trident.

So there you go. I hope these are helpful. If you have any other ideas, or if you think I'm a complete Neandrethal, leave a comment below.

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Thanksgiving's Squanto was Catholic - and other Catholic Thanksgiving Trivia

I try to bring this up every year at Thanksgiving because it's such an interesting bit of information.

Do you remember Squanto, the Native American who assisted the Puritan Pilgrims at the "first Thanksgiving"?

Well, Squanto, our beloved hero of Thanksgiving, was Catholic!

His true name was Tisquantum, yet he is affectionately known to us as "Squanto."

In 1614, Squanto was captured by a lieutenant of John Smith (remember? from Pocahontas). This shameful lieutenant attempted to sell Squanto and other Native Americans into slavery via Spain. However, some Franciscan friars discovered the plot and acquired the captured Native Americans, Squanto included. During this time, Squanto received instruction in the Catholic Faith and received holy baptism.

As a freeman, Squanto traveled to London where became a laborer in the shipyards. Here he became fluent in English. Eventually, Squanto was able to return to his Native Land, New England, in 1619 - five years after he had been kidnapped. He returned only to discover that his people were being decimated by the recently imported European diseases.

Since he was fluent in English, Squanto became well-known and valuable to the new English Pilgrims settled at Plymouth. As an English speaker, Squanto taught the Pilgrims how to fertilize the ground, grow corn, and the best places to catch fish.

Squanto eventually contracted one of the European diseases. Governor William Bradford described Squanto's death like this:

Squanto fell ill of Indian fever, bleeding much at the nose, which the Indians take as a symptom of death, and within a few days he died. He begged the Governor to pray for him, that he might go to the Englishman's God in heaven, and bequeathed several of his things to his English friends, as remembrances. His death was a great loss.

So remember Squanto today and perhaps share this bit of history during your Thanksgiving feast. Let us pray for Squanto, and may he pray for us.

More Catholic Thanksgiving Trivia

Another interesting bit of trivia is that the first American Thanksgiving was actually celebrated on September 8, 1565 in St. Augustine, Florida. The Native Americans and Spanish settlers held a feast and the Holy Mass was offered. Another “Catholic Thanksgiving” celebration occurred on American soil on April 30, 1598 in Texas when Don Juan de Oñate declared a day of Thanksgiving to be commemorated by the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

All that being said, Thanksgiving is traditionally Protestant and marks the tradition of religious toleration (something in which the Puritan pilgrims did not actually believe - they set up a "theocracy").

My wife once taught at a high-church Episcopalian/Anglican classical school in Philadelphia. The school consciously played down the significance of Thanksgiving. Why? The reason is simple. At root, Thanksgiving commemorates the good fortune of political and ecclesiastical rebels against the Church of England and the Anglican tradition as a whole.

It all started with Richard Clyfton who was a Church of England parson in Nottinghamshire in the early 1600s. Clifton sympathized with the Separatists of that era. Separatists were Calvinistic non-conformists to the doctrine and liturgy of the Church of England. The Hampton Court Conference held by King James I (1604) condemned those who would not conform to the more outwardly Catholic usages in the Church of England (e.g. robes, candles, bowing the head at the name of Christ, processions). The result was that Richard Clyfton was “defrocked” and stripped of his clerical status in the Church of England. Shortly thereafter Richard Clyfton went to Amsterdam and was followed by his disciples: the Pilgrims.

These Pilgrims moved around a bit until finally coming to America in 1620. An interesting bit of trivia is that one child was born on board the Mayflower while at sea. The child was given the rather lame name: “Oceanus”. Poor child.

In 1621, the Pilgrims allegedly celebrated a happy meal with the Native Americans and the rest is history. So why would an Anglican school be against Thanksgiving? It celebrates those who defied the Church of England and the Crown of England.

Now that I’m no longer an Anglican and now a Catholic, things are a bit different. The penal laws of England regarding non-conformists affected not only the rigorous Calvinistic Puritans in England, but also the English Catholic recusants. The Pilgrims shared the same lot as the Catholic faithful of England. Interestingly enough, the Catholics who lived in Nottinghamshire where the Pilgrims originated were persecuted mercilessly.

So while Thanksgiving may celebrate the Calvinist Separatists who fled England, Catholics might remember the same unjust laws that granted the crown of martyrdom to Thomas More, John Fisher, Edmund Campion, et al. are the same injustices that led the Pilgrims to Plymouth.

And let everyone remember that “Thanksgiving” in Greek is Eucharistia. Thus, the Body and Blood of Christ is the true “Thanksgiving Meal”.

The True Presentation of the Virgin Mary (Foretold in the Book of Sirach)

Presentation of Mary at Age Three

November 21 is the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This feast has always been celebrated as a commemoration of Mary being presented in the Temple at the age of three years by her parents St Joachim and St Anne. Mary lived in the Temple precincts until the age of 14* when she was betrothed to Saint Joseph.

Modern "sophisticated scholars" cast doubt on this tradition as pious legend. However, by the 400s it was universally believed that Mary lived at the Temple from the age of 3 till 14.** Moreover, the Church Fathers and the Doctors of the Church confirm that the Blessed Virgin was in fact consecrated at the Temple to serve therein. Since the Temple is a symbol of the Garden of Eden, Mary's entry reveals that the New Eve has finally arrived and come into the presence of God.

This Patristic tradition reveals how the earthly Temple in Jerusalem would mystically give way to the true New Temple and Ark of the Covenant which is the body of Mary in which the Son of God would be incarnate. In ancient cultures, the age of three was a time of transferal from infancy to childhood since at this time infants were fully weened from their mother's breast and potty trained.

So at that this time, St Joachim and St Anne dedicated the Blessed Virgin at the Temple where she lived till the age of 14. At this age, girls came into their womanhood and were no longer allowed to dwell in the holy place. So Mary was then betrothed to St Joseph. Returning to Nazareth, the angel of the Lord announced unto her the glad tidings of her Messianic Son.

Is there any biblical basis for this tradition? Of course.

Traditionally the Catholic Church reads the Old Testament passage from Sirach 24:14-16 at the Holy Sacrifice for the feast of the Presentation on November 21st. This passage prophesies how the Blessed Mother would dwell in Jerusalem and within the Temple precincts:

In the holy dwelling place I have ministered before him. And so was I established in Sion, and in the holy city likewise I rested, and my power was in Jerusalem. And I took root in an honourable people, and in the portion of my God his inheritance, and my abode is in the full assembly of saints.

The fact that the Church has placed these words into the mouth of Mary in the Sacred Liturgy further reveals that the Church believed that Mary "ministered" before God "in Sion/Holy City/Jerusalem."

This is a good reminder that the liturgy is catechetical - it is fact that great catechetical instrument of Holy Mother Church.

Our Lady Seat of Wisdom, pray for us.

* The Jewish historian Josephus mentions that there were quarters for consecrated women to live in at the Temple.

** St Gregory of Nyssa, in the fourth century, also mentions this feast of the Virgin's Presentation. Saint Helen built a chapel in Jerusalem to commemorate the event.

Christ the King: The Feast's Transfer from October to the Sunday before Advent

Today's feast, that of Christ the King, is one of the most recent solemnities of the Catholic Church.

Pope Pius XI instituted the Feast of Christ the King in 1925 as the last Sunday in October. In Pope John XXIII's 1960 revision of the liturgical calendar, the date and title remained the same and, in the new simpler ranking of feasts, it was classified as a feast of the first class.

In his 1969 motu proprio Mysterii Paschalis, Pope Paul VI made three changes. First, he moved the feast to its current place - the Sunday before Advent. Second, he expanded the name to "Dominus Noster Jesus Christus Universorum Rex" {Our Lord Jesus Christ King of the Universes}. Third, he raised the feast to that of a Solemnity.

In the celebration of the Extraordinary Form (the traditional Latin Mass), the feast of Christ the King is still celebrated on the last Sunday in October, however the older propers for the Last Sunday after Pentecost posses eschatological themes.

Christ the King and High Priest, have mercy on us.

Our Lady of Fatima and the Holy Icon of Kazan

Our Lady of Kazan, Patroness of Russia

In the 1200s, a holy icon of the Virgin and Child were brought from Constantinople to Kazan. When the Tartars seized Kazan in 1438, the miraculous icon was was hidden, but no one remember where it had been hidden.

In July of 1579, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to a little girl named Matrona and revealed to her a location in which she would find an ancient icon. The local bishop would not believe her. On July 8 1579 in the town of Kazan, little Matrona and her mother dug up the miraculous icon of Jesus and Mary. The bishop recognized it as the true icons and miracles began to occur in conjunction with it. Subsequently, a Russian Orthodox monastery was built to commemorate the location of Matrona's discovery of the icon. The icon was enshrined inside until 1904. Copies of the famous icon were venerated in both Moscow and St Petersberg making it the most beloved image of Christ and Mary in Russia.

Russians sought the intercession of Mary under this title "Our Lady of Kazan" during Napolean's Russian invasion of 1812 and they credited her for their deliverance.

But on June 29 (Feast of St Peter and St Paul) of 1904, the icon was stolen from the church for its precious golden frame. Russian authorities reclaimed the golden frame, but the icon was lost.

The desecration and disappearance of Our Lady of Kazan was seen by some Russians as an ominous sign that Our Lady's protection had been removed from Russia. The desecration of the icon were perceived as being related to the Russian revolution of 1905 and to their defeat in the Russo-Japenese War.

After the Communist Revolution of 1917, there was an increased interest in finding the lost icon of Our Lady of Kazan.

Notably, Our Lady of Fatima in 1917 asked that the Pope and all the world's bishops with him would consecrate the nation of Russia to her Immaculate Heart. There is something mystical occurring during this time regarding the vocation of the Russian people. Our Lady warned that if her message were ignored, then Russia would spread her errors throughout the world: socialism, atheism, feminism, humanism, secularism, abortion, etc.

In the 1970s, the Blue Army of Our Lady of Fatima acquired an icon reputed to be the original icon of Our Lady of Kazan. They enshrined it at Fatima. The icon was later given to Pope John Paul II in 1983. The Holy Father privately venerated the sacred image in his personal study. On August 26, 2004 Pope John Paul II had the icon delivered to the Russian Orthodox Church as a sign of good will. This icon is now venerated in Kazan near the site of the original church that housed it. By the way, that original church was destroyed by the communists.

Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us.

How Long Was Christ in the Tomb? (St Augustine's Answer)

How long was Christ buried in the tomb? Let's ask Saint Augustine:

"There were thirty six hours from the evening of His burial to the dawn of the resurrection, that is, a whole night with a whole day, and a whole night."

- Saint Augustine De Trinitate, 4

Augustine says that Christ rose with the dawn while part of the darkness of the night remained. So then, the Gospels read that the women came to the tomb when it was still dark - that is before daylight. By then, Christ's body was already absent from the sepulchre. 

Augustine explains that the duration still qualifies as "three days" in the same passage from De Trinitate: "For as the primitive days were computed from light to night on account of man's future fall, so these days are computed from the darkness to the daylight on account of man's restoration."

HT: Thomas Aquinas

The Difference between Spirtual and Sacramental Communion (Thomas Aquinas and Trent)

The Catholic Church distinguishes two ways in which the Body of Christ is received by the faithful. Saint Thomas Aquinas dedicated an article to this topic (Summa theologiae III, q. 80, a. 1). Moreover, the Council of Trent also treated this subject (Session 13, Chapter 8).

Thomas Aquinas taught that there are two way to receive the Eucharist: spiritually and sacramentally. However, the Council Fathers of Trent teach three ways: spiritually alone, sacramentally alone, or spiritually and sacramentally. As you can see, there is no difference here between Saint Thomas and the Council, but only a further distinction. Here are the words of the Council of Trent:

Now as to the use of this holy sacrament, our Fathers have rightly and wisely distinguished three ways of receiving it. For they have taught that some receive it 1) sacramentally only, to wit sinners: 2) others spiritually only, those to wit who eating in desire that heavenly bread which is set before them, are, by a lively faith which worketh by charity, made sensible of the fruit and usefulness thereof: whereas 3) the third (class) receive it both sacramentally and spiritually, and these are they who so prove and prepare themselves beforehand, as to approach to this divine table clothed with the wedding garment.

So then, if a person is in mortal sin and receives the Eucharist, he receives it only sacramentally but receives no grace, but rather condemnation. Now a person in a state of grace who eagerly seeks union with Christ and makes an act of the will (i.e. an Act of Spiritual Communion), this person does receive the grace and presence of Christ. No then, the best way is to combine both the sacramental reception with the earnest desire of a spiritual communion. This is what spiritual authors call "making a good communion," which requires preparation (sacramental confession or at least an act of contrition) and an openness to receiving the Divine Savior into a the palace of one's heart.

 The Council of Trent also gives further advice on how we ought to receive this holy mystery:

Now as to the reception of the sacrament, it was always the custom in the Church of God, that laymen should receive the communion from priests; but that priests when celebrating should communicate themselves; which custom, as coming down from an apostolical tradition, ought with justice and reason to be retained. And finally this holy Synod with true fatherly affection admonishes, exhorts, begs, and beseeches, through the bowels of the mercy of our God, that all and each of those who bear the Christian name would now at length agree and be of one mind in this sign of unity, in this bond of charity, in this symbol of concord; and that mindful of the so great majesty, and the so exceeding love of our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave His own beloved soul as the price of our salvation, and gave us His own flesh to eat, they would believe and venerate these sacred mysteries of His body and blood with such constancy and firmness of faith, with such devotion of soul, with such piety and worship as to be able frequently to receive that supersubstantial bread, and that it may be to them truly the life of the soul, and the perpetual health of their mind; that being invigorated by the strength thereof, they may, after the journeying of this miserable pilgrimage, be able to arrive at their heavenly country, there to eat, without any veil, that same bread of angels which they now eat under the sacred veils.

 Truly beautiful. When I read such things, I realize how truly unworthy I am to be made a partaker of this great mystery. If the world only knew that God who is Love is present on our altars, would not every last person prepare himself and come kneeling before the throne of grace?

Sacred Heart of Jesus, wounded by our sins, have mercy on us.

Prince Nikolaus at University of Dallas Today!

University of Dallas 9-11am on Wednesday November 16.

Prince Nikolaus and Princess Margaretha of Liechtenstein will visit the University of Dallas on Wednesday, Nov. 16, as part of a three-day stay in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The royal couple will be in Dallas to receive the 2011 Spirit of Thanks-Giving Award from the Thanks-Giving Foundation at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 15, during a brief ceremony at Thanks-Giving Square in downtown Dallas.

While at the University of Dallas, Prince Nikolaus will attend a seminar presented by the University’s Philosophy Department from 9-11 a.m. in the Gorman Faculty Lounge. During the seminar, students, faculty and staff will be invited to listen to and participate in a panel discussion of Pope Benedict XVI’s recent address to the German Parliament in which he contemplated whether it is possible to have a legal institution that has no religious grounding.

Following the panel discussion, the Prince, who is president of the International Academy of Philosophy and whose home country is predominantly Catholic, is expected to speak more generally about the situation of Christianity in contemporary Europe. The panel will consist of University of Dallas professors William Frank, Richard Dougherty and Brainard Cowan, as well as doctoral student Taylor Marshall.

In addition, the University will host an invitation-only luncheon attended by the Prince and Princess, as well as past and present members of the University of Dallas Board of Trustees, faculty, administrators, students and other constituents.

St Albert the Great and the Philosopher's Stone

Albert the Great is arguably the best thinker of Germanic history. He became a master of his time in physics, biology, botany, astronomy, chemistry, history, music, philosophy, and theology. For this reason was called by his contemporaries the "Doctor Universalis." He was called Albert "the Great" even in his own lifetime. According to tradition he received an apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary who inspired him to pursue Holy Orders. His decision to become a Dominican brought prestige to the new Order of Preachers.

What is interesting is that this great saint was also accused of being an alchemist and a magician. The reason for this is that certain esoteric alchemist texts were written pseudonymous with his name appended ts as to gain a wider readership. This are the Pseudo-Albertine manuscripts. The authors of these texts realized that they would be more widely received if they bore the name of the most intelligent man of that era. According to one tradition, Saint Albert discovered the "Philosopher's Stone" which could be used to turn base metals into gold or alternatively create the elixir of eternal life. We know the story is fake because it explains how Saint Albert the Great passed the Philosopher's Stone to Thomas Aquinas just before his death. The problem is that Thomas Aquinas died before Albert the Great!

Also of interest is the fable that Albert the Great made a robotic automaton in the form of a brass head that would answer questions (i.e. something like the iPhone 4S but in the form of a brass bust).

Of course, Saint Albert is best-known for his greatest disciple: Saint Thomas Aquinas.

Saint Albert the Great, pray for us!

Our Lady of the Seven Veils (St Alphonsus and St Pio)

Madonna of the Seven Veils, Foggia

In the Cathedral of Foggia one can find an ancient and mysterious image of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This icon, called "Our Lady of the Seven Veils," once caused Saint Alphonsus to go into ecstasy, which I will describe below. As a young priest, St Pio of Pietreclina would make a visit to this image every day. I've read about the image, but knew nothing about it. I did some research and here is what I found.

In the eleventh century Foggia, Italy was a tiny town perched around the Tavern of the Owl. One day some local farmers saw three flames over a small pond or bog. Intrigued, they dug where the miraculous fire had been and discovered a large "table" buried in the mud. They realized that this "table" was actually a Byzantine icon that had remained somewhat preserved despite being soaked in water and mud. The image was cleaned and then cloaked with new veils. I assume there were seven veils and hence the name, but I cannot verify this. The icon was then placed in the local Tavern of the Owl for veneration. Soon the tavern became a place of pilgrimage.

In 1080 Robert Guiscard built a church to honor the sacred image. In 1172 the church was expanded by William II "the Good" of Sicily.

The "face hole" is all that one can now see of the original wooden icon. It is black and the face is now indiscernible. However, on Maundy Thursday of 1731, the Virgin Mary's white face appeared in this portal, which was usually black and dark. 

Saint Alphonsus Liguori heard about apparition and went to Foggia to venerate the Immaculate Mother of the Savior. He also received an apparition of the Virgin's face in the small black portal. He described the Blessed Virgin's face on that occasion as a girl of 13-14 with a white veil. The apparitions of the Virgin's face on the icon continued until about 1745.

As the city grew larger, the church was decorated and enriched. The Normans, Swabians, Angevins, Aragonese, Spaniards, and Bourbons considered the church to be one of the most important in Italy. It has served as the site for several royal weddings. Today, the image is said to be covered in seven layers of precious metal and embroidered material - hence the name Madonna of the Seven Veils.

Sweet Mother Mary, pray for us

The Origin of Veteran's Day with St Martin of Tours

Veterans Day is an annual United States holiday honoring military veterans. In other countries, the day is celebrated as Armistice Day. It recalls the ending of World War I at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice.

However, there is a deeper, Catholic meaning to November 11. This day is the feast of Saint Martin (c. 316 – 397) - that godly hermit and bishop who had once been a soldier. Martin laid down the sword in order to live a life of peace and penance under the gentle yoke of Jesus Christ. St Martin is Europe's chief example of the transition from soldier to saint; from war to peace.

Traditionally, November 11 had previously served as a day of signing peace treaties in honor of Saint Martin. Thus, it was fitting to end Europe's Great War on this same day - the festival of Saint Martin of Tours.

So there's a little Catholic history for you to share at the water-cooler or at your next cocktail party. Saint Martin is the ultimate veteran - a veteran from Christ.

Saint Martin, patron of peace, pray for us.

Communion on the Tongue and Pope St Leo the Great

Today is the feast of Pope Saint Leo the Great (r. 440-461) who is one of the greatest Popes that the Catholic Church has ever enjoyed. He preserved stability during the collapse of the Roman Empire. He is perhaps most famous for his meeting with Attila the Hun.

He less well known for something very important to liturgical studies. He is one of the most ancient witnesses to the practrice of Communoin on the tongue. Notably, Saint Leo the Great read the sixth chapter of Saint John's Gospel as referring to the Eucharist (as all the Church Fathers did). In a preserved sermon on John 6 (Sermon 9), Saint Leo says:

"Hoc enim ore sumitur quod fide creditur" (Serm. 91.3). 

This is translated strictly as: “This indeed is received by means of the mouth which we believe by means of faith. "Ore" is here in the ablative and in the context it denotes instrumentation. So then, the mouth is the means by which the Holy Eucharist is received.

If you are interested in what other Church Fathers taught about Communion on the tongue, please see:

Did the Church Fathers Practice Communion in the Hand (Not Exactly)

...and if you want to learn how to properly receive Communion on the tongue, please see: 

 "Five Tips for Receiving the Communion on the Tongue" 

Purgatory and the Role of Mary as Plenipotentiary

Since November is the month in which we pray for the poor souls in Purgatory, I'd like to offer great hope and consolation to those who are eagerly praying for their departed loved ones. No doubt, our Protestant friends will be taken back a bit since both Purgatory and Mary are controversial for them - and now we are bring them together. Tradition and Scripture state that Mary has a special dominion over the faithful departed. The reason for this is that Our Lady was not required to die since she was preserved from original and actual sin. “The wages of sin is death,” writes the Apostle, and our Lady did not have sin. 

Tradition states that Our Lady begged Christ that she might be allowed to die in order to be more perfectly conformed to Him. This prayer was granted and so Christ gave her a special dominion over the faithful departed. 

Concerning the Blessed Virgin, the Scriptures speak of her rein over the departed. The following passages speaks of the "Mother of Fair Love":

For I make doctrine to shine forth to all as the morning light, and I will declare it afar off. I will penetrate to all the lower parts of the earth, and will behold all that sleep, and will enlighten all that hope in the Lord. (Ecclus 24:44-45) 

Saint Peter Damian, Saint Ildefonse, and Saint Frances of Rome assure us that it is the feast of the Assumption of Mary (Aug 15) on which the most souls are released from Purgatory each year. Moreover, her role is especially confirmed by the Catholic Church’s teaching regarding the Brown Scapular give by Mary to Saint Simon Stock. Enrollment in the Brown Scapular and faithful living, Mary teaches, will lead to the delivery of a soul from Purgatory in less that a week’s time. 

Saint Bernardine of Sienna, a great preacher and reformer, taught that Mary was the “plenipotentiary” for souls in Purgatory. Saint Teresa received a vision in which the souls in Purgatory received a spray of cool water whenever the Holy Rosary is prayed for them. Saint Alphonsus Liguori, also a Doctor of the Church, confirmed that praying the Rosary is a great means to bring relief to souls in Purgatory. Saint Pio, when giving a Rosary to someone said, “Let us empty Purgatory.” 

So then, devotion to Mary and devotion to the poor souls are interlinked. Let us rely on our sweet and stainless Mother as the “plenipotentiary” for our brothers and sisters being refined for the eternal happiness of Heaven. 

Helpful and recommended links on this topic. Please visit:

What is Purgatory and is it in the Bible?

Why is Mary the Mediatrix of All Graces?

How to Free a Soul from Purgatory - It's not too late!

The Church offers a most generous indulgence for dead during the first eight days of November. Today is November 6th so you still have today, tomorrow, and Tuesday. {If you don't believe in indulgences or know what they are, please read: What is an Indulgence?}

According to the current Enchiridion of Indulgences, one can apply a plenary indulgence to a departed soul by the "visitation of a cemetary" {Coemeterii visitatio} from November 1st till the 8th.

Here's the text:

13. Visit to a Cemetery (Coemeterii visitatio)

An indulgence, applicable only to the Souls in Purgatory, is granted to the faithful, who devoutly visit a cemetery and pray, even if only mentally, for the departed.

The indulgence is plenary each day from the 1st to the 8th of November; on other days of the year it is partial.

In order for the indulgence to be plenary, the following conditions must also be met alone with the visit and prayers at the cemetery:

1. Sacramental confession within “about twenty days”[1] of the actual day of the Plenary Indulgence.
2. Eucharistic Communion on the day of the Plenary Indulgence.
3. Prayer for the intentions of the Pope on the day of the Plenary Indulgence.
4. It is further required that all attachment to sin, even venial sin, be absent.[2]

---

[1] Apostolic Penitentiary, Prot. N. 39/05/I (18 February 2005).

[2] If the latter detachment from sin is in any way less than perfect or if the prescribed three conditions are not fulfilled, the indulgence will be partial only. In accordance with the canonical norms 34 and 35 of the Enchiridion of Indulgences (1968), a confessor or bishop can dispense someone of one or two of the norms above.

The Sparks from Purgatory (Little Flowers of Saint Francis)

The Little Flowers of Saint Francis (a collection of Franciscan lore) recounts an episode when a Franciscan priest (John of Alvernia) offered the Holy Sacrifice of Mass for the souls in Purgatory on All Souls day:

As Brother John was saying Mass on the day after All Saints, for the souls of the dead, as the Church has ordered, he offered with such charity and such compassion the holy sacrifice, which the dead desire above all else we can give them, that he seemed to be overwhelmed and consumed by the ardour of the feelings which filled his heart; and when he lifted up the Body of Christ and devoutly offered it to God the Father, entreating him, for the love of his blessed Son Jesus Christ, who had died on the cross for the souls of men, to deliver from the pains of purgatory the souls of the dead which he had created and redeemed, he saw immediately an immense number of souls go out from purgatory, like innumerable sparks of fire coming out of a burning oven; and he saw them go up to heaven, through the merits of the Passion of Christ, who is daily offered for the living and the dead in that most holy sacrifice, which is worthy to be adored for ever and ever.

 This images parallels one given in the third chapter of the book of Wisdom:

 [1] But the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and the torment of death shall not touch them. [2] In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die: and their departure was taken for misery: [3] And their going away from us, for utter destruction: but they are in peace. [4] And though in the sight of men they suffered torments, their hope is full of immortality. [5] Afflicted in few things, in many they shall be well rewarded: because God hath tried them, and found them worthy of himself.


[6] As gold in the furnace he hath proved them, and as a victim of a holocaust he hath received them, and in time there shall be respect had to them. [7] "The just shall shine, and shall run to and fro like sparks among the reeds." [8] They shall judge nations, and rule over people, and their Lord shall reign for ever.

 So pray for the poor souls. If you assist in delivering them from the pains of purgatory, that soul will be a personal saint and intercessor for you!

How do Saints in Heaven 'Hear' Us?

Many Protestants object to invoking the saints in prayer for the good reason that they feel that this practice obscures the mediation of Christ. However, the Catholic Church teaches that the prayers of Saints in Heaven are still mediated to God the Father through Jesus Christ. Christ is the one mediator between God and man, whether those men are in heaven or on earth.

The Catholic asks a saint in heaven to prayer for him just as he might ask a friend for prayer. There is however a big difference between asking my wife to pray for me and asking St. Paul to pray for me.

For example, my wife is standing in the room and can hear me say, "Sweetie, please pray that I prepare my lecture in time for tomorrow's class." If I were to ask the same "prayer request" from St. Paul, it is obvious that he is not standing in the room with corporal ears ready to receive my vocal request.

How then does this prayer get transmitted to St. Paul? And what if there are 2,000 people all asking for St. Paul's prayers at the same time?

Some Protestants assume that Catholics believe that the Saints are omniscient and/or omnipotent. The Catholic Church does NOT teach that the Saints in heaven are omniscient and/or omnipotent. So if they are not omniscient how do they "hear" these prayer requests coming from earth?

The answer is the Holy Spirit. St. Augustine taught that just as the Church is the body of Christ, so the Holy Spirit is the "soul of the Church."

What the soul is in our body, that is the Holy Ghost in Christ’s body, the Church” (Sermon 267, 4: PL 38, 1231 D).

The soul's presence in the human body is what allows messages to move through the body. The brain can cause the toes to wiggle or the eye to wink. But this can never happen in a dead body. The soul is what allows messages to travel through the body. If you take away the soul, the brain cannot ask the toes to wiggle and stomach cannot ask the hands and mouth to feed it.

So it is in the communion of saints. The Holy Spirit allows the central nervous system of the Body of Christ to send messages back and forth from one another. The Holy Spirit is He who gives the Saints their status as "holy ones."

Let me anticipate two objections:

1) If what you say is true and the Holy Spirit transmits "prayer requests" from us to other Christians in heaven, why can't I send a prayer request by telepathy to a Christian living in China?

2) If what you say is true and the Holy Spirit transmits "prayer requests" from us to Christians in heaven, then why can't they send us personal messages in return?

The first objection is answered on account of "time and space." If we are separated by time and space from another person, we cannot communicate. (This is not entirely true in an age of cell phones and email.) The glorified Saint is not in time or space. This is a mystery. So he or she can somehow hear a million prayers "at one time" through the Holy Spirit who is infinite.

The second objection is answered by recognizing that the Saints sometimes do "send messages" to the faithful on earth. For example St. Gregory of Nyssa explains that St. Gregory the Illuminator received a vision in which:

"he heard the one who had appeared in womanly form exhorting John the Evangelist to explain to the young man the mystery of the true faith. John, in his turn, declared that he was completely willing to please the Mother of the Lord even in this matter and that this was the one thing closest to his heart. And so the discussion coming to a close, and after they had made it quite clear and precise for him, the two disappeared from his sight." (St. Gregory of Nyssa, Life of St. Gregory the Wonderworker)

Here we have a pre-Constantinian example of the Blessed Virgin and St. John the Apostle appearing to someone earth with a message. The history of the Church is full of such examples.

One last objection. But isn't praying to dead people the sin of necromancy?

Technically, necromancy is consulting the dead in order to discern the future. The word necromancy derives from the νεκρός (nekrós), "dead", and μαντεία (manteía), "divination". First, the Saints in heaven are not "dead." They are alive in Christ - more alive than we are! "He is notGod of the dead, but of the living; you are quite wrong" (Mark 12:27). Secondly, Catholics do not ask the Saints for prayer so that they can forecast the future. Maybe somebody's aunt in Mexico conjures up things through burning herbs and invoking saints - but that is not what the Catholic Church teaches or promotes. It's an abuse, not the norm.

Ultimately, glorified Saints in heaven take up their priestly identity as the people of God. This priestly identity involves intercession and so they continue to love us and the only thing they can do is pray for us. "We are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses" (Hebrews 12:1).

All Saints, pray for us!