Monday, April 30, 2018

The Explorers' Club, № DCVIII

Operation AXIOM: The World War—The Finnish Civil War, Part II
15 March-16 April 1918: The Battles of Tampere (15 March-6 April) & Helsinki (12-13 April)—The Whites took the offensive for the first time, leading to vicious house-to-house fighting against the Reds in Tampere; after the battle, hundreds of Finnish Red & Soviet prisoners were massacred; the German Baltic Sea Division landed (3 April) & swiftly conquered the Red stronghold of Helsinki.





Lest we forget.

Saints + Scripture: Eastertide

The Popish Plot
Make-it Monday: "Sacrifice Beads"

Little Flower Quote o' the Day
"Only love can enlarge my heart."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)
'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint Pius V, Pope, O.P. (1504-1572; A.K.A. Antonio Ghislieri, Michele Ghislieri), two hundred twenty-fifth (CCXXV) Bishop of Rome; who implemented the reforms of the Council of Trent; organized the Holy League that won the Battle of Lepanto, which he celebrated by instituting the Feast of Our Lady of Victory; & excommunicated the English queen Elizabeth I through the papal bull Regnans in Excelsis: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, Saint-link trēs, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Pontiff; Wikipedia-link Council; Wikipedia-link League, Wikipedia-link Lepanto, & Wikipedia-link Madonna of Victory; & Wikipedia-link Regnans in Excelsis.


Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
Pope Saint Pius V, born Antonio Ghislieri, was head of the Catholic Church & ruler of the Papal States. He is chiefly notable for his role in the Council of Trent, the Counter-Reformation, & the standardization of the Roman Rite within the Latin Church.
'Tis also the festival of Blessed William Southerne, Priest & Martyr (circa 1569-1618), martyred in the reign of the Anglo-Scottish king James VI & I, one of the Eighty-five Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link LXXXV & Wikipedia-link LXXXV.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Marie of the Incarnation, Religious, O.S.U. (1599-1672, A.K.A. Marie Guyart): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Not to be confused with Bl. Marie of the Incarnation, O.C.D. [18 April].

'Tis also the festival of Saint Giuseppe Benedetto Cottolengo, Priest, T.O.S.F. (1786-1842, Anglicized as Joseph Benedict), founder of the Little House of Divine Providence, nicknamed the "University of Charity:" Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Easter Weekday
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter fourteen, verses five thru eighteen;
Psalm One Hundred Fifteen, verses one & two, three & four, & fifteen & sixteen;
The Gospel according to John, chapter fourteen, verses twenty-one thru twenty-six.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus promises to send the Holy Spirit to inspire, strengthen, and defend his followers. Speaking to his disciples the night before he dies, Jesus tells them that he and his Father will send another Parakletos. The word, from kaleo (to call) and para (for, or on behalf of) designates something like an advocate or a lawyer, someone who would plead on behalf of another, offering support and encouragement.

Jesus will depart physically from the scene, but he and his Father will send the Spirit as a friend. This is the supporter, the Advocate who will inspire Christians up and down the ages.

When the martyrs went to their deaths, it was with the help of the Holy Spirit; when the missionaries went to proclaim the faith in hostile lands, it was the Holy Spirit who pleaded on their behalf; when Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel ceiling, it was the Holy Spirit who lifted him up; and when Thomas Aquinas wrote his theological masterpieces, it was at the prompting of the Advocate.

What is the Advocate prompting you to do today?
Video reflection by Msgr. Jams Vlaun (Telecare T.V.): United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.


Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. Pius V
The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter four, verses one thru five;
Psalm One Hundred Ten, verse four(b);
The Gospel according to John, chapter twenty-one, verses fifteen, sixteen, & seventeen.

Papal Quote o' the Day
"[The Virgin Mary] by her seed has crushed the head of the twisted serpent, & has alone destroyed all heresies, & by the blessed fruit of her womb has saved a world condemned by the fall of our first parent. From her, without human hand, was that stone cut, which, struck by wood, poured forth the abundantly flowing waters of graces."
—Pope St. Pius V (1504-1572, feast day: 30 April)
Saint Quote o' the Day
"Christians, instead of arming themselves with swords, extend their hands in prayer."
—St. Athanasius of Alexandria, Doctor of the Church (296-373, feast day: 2 May)

Saints + Scripture: V Sunday of Easter — Long Road…

Sunday, 29 April was the Fifth Sunday of Easter: Wikipedia-link Eastertide.


Scripture of the Week
Mass Readings—Fifth Sunday of Easter
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter nine, verses twenty-six thru thirty-one;
Psalm Twenty-two, verses twenty-six & twenty-seven, twenty-eight, thirty, & thirty-one & thirty-two;
The First Letter of John, chapter three, verses eighteen thru twenty-four;
The Gospel according to John, chapter fifteen, verses one thru eight.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, our passage today is from the beautiful, evocative, and challenging fifteenth chapter of John’s Gospel. Jesus declares that he is the vine and we are the branches. He is the power and energy source in which we live. This vine and branches image is closely related, therefore, to Paul’s metaphor of the Body of Christ.

The point is that we live in him and he in us. Jesus is the source of supernatural life in us, and without him we would have none of it. If you are separated from the vine, you will die spiritually; if you are connected to it, you will live a supernatural life.

What does this mean concretely? It means a steady immersion in the prayer of the Church and steady communion with God, and speaking to him on a regular basis. It means an immersion in the Scriptures and soaking in the truth of the Bible. It means engaging in the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.

And you must participate in the sacraments—especially confession and the Eucharist. By the sacraments, we stay close to the Christ who forgives our sins and enlivens our spirits.
Video reflection by Father Greg Friedman, O.F.M.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Video reflection by Jeff Cavins: Encountering the Word.

Audio reflection by Scott Hahn, Ph.D.: Breaking the Bread.


Mass Journal: Week Eighteen
Reflection by Matthew Kelly, founder of the Dynamic Catholic Institute:
G. K. Chesterton wrote, "Christianity has not been tried & found wanting; it has been found difficult & not tried." This is particularly true of Catholicism. Of all the many people I know who have rejected Catholicism, or who are critical of it, I do not know a single person who has truly explored & embraced the Catholic lifestyle. If you humbly open your heart, mind, & soul to the genius of Catholicism, you will not find it wanting.


Otherwise, 29 April would have been the festival of Saint Díchu of Sabhall, Confessor (floruit fifth century; A.K.A. Díchu mac Trichim, Dictinus): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twould also have been the festival of Saint Hugh of Cluny, Priest & Abbot, O.S.B. (1024-1109; A.K.A. the Great, of Semur), fifth abbot of the Abbey of Cluny: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Abbey & Wikipedia-link Abbots.

'Twould also have been the festival of Saint Catherine of Siena, Virgin & Doctor of the Church, T.O.S.D. (1347-1380, a.k.a. Caterina di Giacomo di Benincasa), stigmatic: Doctor-link ūna, Doctor-link duæ, Wikipedia-link, & YouTube-link The True Enlightenment, "Saint of the Week"; Wikipedia-link Doctor & Wikipedia-link Stigmata.


'Twould also have been the festival of Blessed Hanna Helena Chrzanowska, Confessor, Obl.S.B. (1902-1973): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Papal Quote o' the Day
"With Catherine of Siena & so many other 'Saints of the Cross' let us hold on tightly to our most sweet & merciful Redeemer, Whom Catherine called Christ-Love. In His pierced Heart is our hope."
—Pope St. John Paul II (the Great, 1920-2005; feast day: 22 October)
Little Flower Quote o' the Day
"Where do these desires to make known the secrets of Your Love come from? You alone can have taught them to me. You alone can reveal them to others."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)
Saint Quote o' the Day
"The power of obedience! The lake of Gennesareth had denied its fishes to Peter's nets. A whole night in vain. Then, obedient, he lowered his net again to the water & they caught 'a huge number of fish.' Believe me: the miracle is repeated each day."
—St. Josemaría Escrivá (1902-1975, feast day: 26 June)

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: SKApril!


Less Than Jake, "Scott Farcas Takes It on the Chin" from Hello Rockview (The Last Angry Rude Boy)

Skammentary: The obligatory corrections, because I am a captious devil: The album title should be Hello, Rockview; the comma is not optional. Also, though perhaps this could be defended on copyright grounds, but the character from A Christmas Story referenced in the title is actually named Scut Farkus, not "Scott Farcas."
"When I think of how I'm feeling right now,
Somehow I still remember how I felt four years ago,
And when I think of how things are right now,
The same old stuff from years ago…"
I hope & trust one & all enjoyed this eighth edition of SKApril. Remember, ska is dead; so, don't stop skanking! "Ska, ska ska!"

Sunday, April 29, 2018

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: SKApril!


The Loose Ties, "The Leek Song" from Champ of the Week (The Last Angry Super Fan)

Skammentary: The Loose Ties remain a wonder: A local ska band, of kids, not old fogeys, in Flint, founded a full decade after the Summer of Ska. What are the odds?

Also, every now & again, amidst all the embittered heartbreak, romance works out, even for rude boys & rude girls.
"She's cute, she's cool, she's totally rad,
Her swing and her smile, it's driving me mad,
She's coming to the show tonight,
But if she won't dance with me that's alright.

"She's cute, she's cool, she's totally rad,
Her swing and her smile, it's driving me mad,
She came out to the show tonight,
And then we danced all through the whole night."

Saturday, April 28, 2018

Saints + Scripture: Eastertide — Better Late than Never

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint Peter Chanel, Priest & Martyr, S.M. (1803-1841), martyred in the reign of the Futunan king Niuliki: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.


Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
St. Peter was a Catholic priest, missionary, & martyr. His zeal was widely respected, & his care, particularly of those in the parish [who] were sick.
'Tis also the Optional Memorial of Saint Louis Grignion de Montfort, Priest, T.O.S.D. (1673-1716), founder of the Company of Mary, the Daughters of Wisdom, & the Gabrielite Brothers, formally the Brothers of Christian Instruction of Saint Gabriel; also author of the spiritual classics Secret of Mary, Secret of the Rosary, & True Devotion to Mary: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Company, Wikipedia-link Daughters, & Wikipedia-link Brothers; & Wikipedia-link Secret of Mary, Wikipedia-link Secret of the Rosary, & Wikipedia-link True Devotion to Mary.


Commentary: Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
St. Louis was a French Roman Catholic priest & confessor. He was known in his time as a preacher & was made a missionary apostolic by Pope Clement XI. Montfort is known for his particular devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary & the practice of praying the Rosary.
'Tis also the festival of Blessed Marie-Louise of Jesus, Religious (1684-1759, A.K.A. Marie-Louise Trichet), co-foundress of the Daughters of Wisdom: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Daughters.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Józef Cebula, Priest & Martyr, O.M.I. (1902-1941), martyred in the reign of the Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler, one of the One Hundred Eight Blessed Polish Martyrs: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link CVIII & Wikipedia-link CVIII.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Gianna Beretta Molla, Confessor (1922-1962): Saint-link ūna, Saint-link duæ, & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Easter Weekday
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter thirteen, verses forty-four thru fifty-two;
Psalm Ninety-eight, verses one, two & three(a/b), & three(c/d) & four;
The Gospel according to John, chapter fourteen, verses seven thru fourteen.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus declares his mutual indwelling with God: “Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?”

Charles Williams, a friend of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, stated that the master idea of Christianity is “coinherence,” what he described as mutual indwelling.

But we sometimes forget that we are all interconnected. How do we often identify ourselves? Almost exclusively through the naming of relationships: we are sons, brothers, daughters, mothers, fathers, members of organizations, or members of the Church.

Yet read the Gospel today and see how Jesus identifies himself. Jesus reveals the coinherence that obtains within the very existence of God. “Lord,” Philip said to him, “show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” Jesus replied, “Philip, after I have been with you all this time, you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.”

How can this be true, unless the Father and the Son coinhere in each other? Though Father and Son are really distinct, they are utterly implicated in each other by a mutual act of love. As Jesus says, “It is the Father who lives in me accomplishing his works.”
Video reflection by Deacon Bernard Nojadera: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.


Mass Readings (Ordinary Form)—Optional Memorial of St. Peter Chanel
The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter one, verses eighteen thru twenty-five;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter sixteen, verse fifteen;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter one, verses fourteen thru twenty.

Mass Readings (Ordinary Form)—Optional Memorial of St. Louis Grignion de Montfort
The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter one, verses eighteen thru twenty-five;
Psalm Forty, verses eight(a) & nine(a);
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-eight, verses sixteen thru twenty.

Mass Readings (Extraordinary Form)—III Class Feast of St. Paul of the Cross
The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter one, verses seventeen thru twenty-five;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter ten, verses one thru nine.

Commentary: I attended a workshop this morning titled "T.L.M. 101"—Traditional Latin Mass. It was dreadfully uninformative, full of haughtiness & bereft of charity. I will not again subject myself to the snobs of Flint's Traditional Latin Mass Community nor the Extraordinary Form of the Mass (Tridentine Mass) unless ordered to do so by a competent ecclesiastical authority. Good riddance!

In the Ordinary Form of the Mass (the Mass of Paul VI or
Novus Ordo Mass), the Optional Memorial of St. Paul of the Cross is observed in October, near the date of his death (& in no position to clash with 28 April's Optional Memorials of Ss. Peter Chanel & Louis de Montfort).

Papal Quote o' the Day
"Wherever there is a heart that overcomes selfishness, violence, & hatred—wherever there is a heart that reaches out to someone in need—Christ is risen from the dead, risen today… May the whole world rise in Him. Alleluia."
—Pope St. John Paul II (the Great, 1920-2005; feast day: 22 October)
Little Flower Quote o' the Day
"Nothing is sweeter than to think well of others."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)
Saint Quote o' the Day

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: SKApril!


Tip the Van, "The Chase" from Something Wicked (The Last Angry Rude Boy)

Skammentary: Tip the Van bears a superficial aural resemblance to Dance Hall Crashers, dual distaff harmonizing & singing with great celerity. I was introduced to them by Sergeant Ska, saxophonist of SKApril All-Stars The Loose Ties.
"Sometimes I think how about just how crazy you must be
To be driven by the streams of popularity,
You try to suck me in, but, no, I won't go!

"Why do you chase me? I'll just never know,
I'm tired of this game, it's all just for show
You're dyin' by tryin', so please let me go…"

Friday, April 27, 2018

Bonus! Song o' the Day: SKApril

The Hippos, "Paulina (Reprise)" from Heads Are Gonna Roll (The Last Angry Rude Boy)

Skammentary:
"Paulina (Paulina), you know this isn't me (Paulina),
I've been dishonest, now it's time to come clean,
I said, Paulina (Paulina), I'm the one for you, you'll see (Paulina),
Just as soon as you see me,
Just as soon as you see me,
Just as soon as you see me,
Just as soon as you see me!"

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: SKApril!


The Hippos, "Paulina" from Heads Are Gonna Roll (The Last Angry Rude Boy)

Skammentary: At first, I could scarcely believe that "Paulina" had never before featured in SKApril, but a quick check of the records both revealed that, no, it hadn't, & reminded me of the curious fact, previously noted, that The Hippos's first album, Forget the World, dominates their annual SKApril contribution, to the detriment of their otherwise worthy sophomore effort, Heads Are Gonna Roll. Thus, the gem that is "Paulina"—not to be confused with No Doubt's "Paulina," an entirely different song & SKApril 2015 selection—is available for us as part of SKApril '18. Hoorah!
"You think I'm square,
Don't like the clothes I wear,
The way I comb my hair,
The way I sit and stare at you,
It's just a game to take the spotlight off of me,
I'm just afraid of what you might think.

"Sing another stupid song
About everything's wrong,
Girls and other surface things
Do mean a lot to me, but I,
I cannot let you in, let you in too deep,
I'm just afraid of what you might think.

"Paulina, you know this isn't me,
I've been dishonest, now it's time to come clean,
I said, Paulina, I'm the one for you, you'll see,
Just as soon as you see me!

"Don't walk away from me,
Listen to what I say,
Alright, I'm sorry,
I never wanted it this way,
I took it, I took it too far with my insecurities,
I'm just afraid of what you might think,
I'm just afraid of what you might think.

"Paulina, you know this isn't me,
I've been dishonest, now it's time to come clean,
I said, Paulina, I'm the one for you, you'll see,
Just as soon as you see me!…"

Saints + Scripture: Eastertide

The Popish Plot
Fermentation Friday: "The Daniel Episode"

'Tis the festival of Saint Asicus of Elphin, Bishop (died circa 490, also spelt Assic): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Zita of Lucca, Virgin (circa 1212-1272; A.K.A. Sitha, Citha): Saint-link ūna, Saint-link duæ, & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Nicolas Roland, Priest (1642-1678), founder of the Sisters of the Holy Child Jesus: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Sisters.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Easter Weekday
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter thirteen, verses twenty-six thru thirty-three;
Psalm Two, verses six & seven, eight & nine, & ten & eleven(a/b);
The Gospel according to John, chapter fourteen, verses one thru six.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, in today’s familiar and majestic passage, Jesus exhorts us to trust him: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me.”

So much depends on the spiritual meaning of the little word “trust.” Jeremiah the prophet laid it out as starkly and simply as possible: “Cursed be the one who trusts in human beings, who seeks his strength in flesh, whose heart turns away from the Lord.” And conversely, “Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose hope is in the Lord.”

What does it mean to trust, to have hope, to turn one’s heart to God? It means to root the whole of one’s life in God, and not to ground our concerns in the things of this world: wealth, power, pleasure, and honor.

Ask yourself: “What is the center of gravity in my life?” The Bible consistently proposes this question. For example, read the book of Joshua, when Joshua lays it on the line for the people of Israel: “Do you serve the Lord or some other gods?” That’s the question being asked of you today.
Video reflection by Father Praveen Lakkisetti: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.


Papal Quote o' the Day
"Every believer ought to be an active member of the Church. Every Catholic lay person is invested with the right & has a duty to work in order to testify to & spread the Kingdom of God."
—Pope Bl. Paul VI (1897-1978, feast day: 26 September)
Little Flower Quote o' the Day
"Love will consume us only in the measure of our self-surrender."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)
Saint Quote o' the Day
"There is no doubt that God will never be wanting to us, provided that He finds in us that humility which makes us worthy of His gifts, the desire of possessing them, & the promptitude to cooperate industriously with the graces He gives us."
—St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556, feast day: 31 July)

Thursday, April 26, 2018

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: SKApril!


Mad Caddies, "Macho Nachos" from Duck and Cover (The Last Angry Rude Boy)

Skammentary: Wait a second, I don't think there are any nachos in this song. I don't think there are any nachos in this song at all!
"Let's go!

"Lost sight of all you ever dreamed of,
The force that swept you away,
The leaves were changing and the tree was rearranging,
The season had swallowed the day.

"You want everything,
Unfair it may seem,
Your eyes have been closed for so long.
We tried to make the break,
What about give and take?
Some times will come when you are wrong.

"I sense the new day has fallen,
I see the trouble in your eyes,
The tree will fall, I'm not crying at all,
It's no surprise, your jaded eyes!

I hope you found the road you wanted,
I could not find the words to say,
The lies were spoken and the promises broken
A wave of illusion, dismay.

"You want everything,
Unfair it may seem,
Your will has been gone for so long.
We tried to make a break,
What about give & take?
The rights not outweighing the wrong?

"I sense the new day has fallen…"

Saints + Scripture: Eastertide / Don't Call It a Comeback

Saint Quote o' the Day
"The future starts today, not tomorrow."
—Pope St. John Paul II (the Great, 1920-2005; feast day: 22 October)

'Tis the festival of Our Lady of Good Counsel: Madonna-link & Wikipedia-link.


Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Cletus, Pope & Martyr (circa 25-89, A.K.A. Anacletus), third (III) Bishop of Rome, martyred in the reign of the Roman emperor Domitian: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Pontiff.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Marcellinus, Pope & Martyr (died circa 304), twenty-ninth (XXIX) Bishop of Rome, martyred in the reign of the Roman emperors Diocletian & Maximian, a victim of the Great Persecution: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Pontiff & Wikipedia-link Persecution.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Paschasius Radbertus, Abbot, O.S.B. (circa 785-865), founding abbot of Corbie Abbey: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Abbey.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Stephen of Perm, Bishop (1340-1396): Wikipedia-link, Saint-link ūnus, & Saint-link duo.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Easter Weekday
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter thirteen, verses thirteen thru twenty-five;
Psalm Eighty-nine, verses two & three, twenty-one & twenty-two, & twenty-five & twenty-seven;
The Gospel according to John, chapter thirteen, verses sixteen thru twenty.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, in today’s Gospel passage, Jesus pointedly calls us to humble behavior. “Amen, amen, I say to you, no slave is greater than his master nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you understand this, blessed are you if you do it.”

St. Catherine of Siena once heard the Lord say to her, “Remember that I am and you are not.” And St. Paul said, “What do you have that you have not received? So why do you boast?”

To believe in God is to know these truths. To live them out is to live in the attitude of humility. Thomas Aquinas said that humility is truth. It is living out the deepest truth of things: God is God, and we are not.

Now all of this sounds very clear when it’s stated in this abstract manner, but we know how hard it is to live out! In our fallen world, we forget so readily that we are creatures, that we have been made from nothing. Then our egos begin to inflate: “I am. I want. I expect. I demand.” The ego becomes a massive monkey on our backs, and it has to be fed and pampered constantly.

That’s why today’s Gospel is so important. We are only messengers, not greater than the Master.
Video reflection by Fr. Roger Lopez, O.F.M. (Franciscan Media): U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.


Papal Quote o' the Day
"Whenever we do something together, something good, something beautiful, everyone changes. All of us change in some way & this does us good."
—Pope Francis (born 1936, incumbent since 2013)
Little Flower Quote o' the Day
"You are wrong to find fault with this thing & with that, or to try & make everyone see things as you see them. We desire to be as little children & little children do not know what is best: to them all seems right."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

The Explorers' Club, № DCVII

Operation AXIOM: The World War
23-24 April 1918: The Zeebrugge & First Ostend Raids—The British Royal Navy raided Zeebrugge & Ostend, Belgium, to cut off the inland port of Bruges, a major German U-boat base, from the sea; the plan was to sink "blockships" to obstruct the channels, but the sunken blockships still allowed U-boats to pass & the German defenders inflicted heavy casualties on the landing party of Royal Marines.





Lest we forget.

Saints + Scripture: Eastertide — Better Late than Never

The Popish Plot
Wordy Wednesday: "Gaudete et Exsultate."

'Tis the Feast of Saint Mark, Evangelist (died circa 68, A.K.A. John Mark), inspired author of the Gospel according to Mark: Evangelist-link ūnus, Evangelist-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Gospel.


Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
St. Mark is the traditionally ascribed author of the Gospel of Mark. Mark is said to have founded the Church of Alexandria, one of the most important episcopal sees of early Christianity.
Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:
The feast of St. Mark the Evangelist is April 25. he was probably the first bishop of Alexandria, Egypt & the founder of the Church of Alexandria.

There is an interesting story about the relics of St. Mark, which are enshrined in the beautiful cathedral (St. Mark's) in Venice. According to legend, priests feared Saint Mark's relics might be damaged or destroyed by the Muslims during the persecution of the Catholic community in Alexandria. Merchants convinced the priests to allow them to return to Venice with the relics of Saint Mark. The relics were then placed in a chest covered by a layer of pork & cabbage. When the Muslim officials asked to inspect the chest, they cried out, "O horror!" at the sight & smell of the pork (according to their custom they are not allowed to touch/eat pork). Thus the evangelist was safely conveyed to Venice, but not before a number of miracles eased his passage across the Mediterranean.
Wikipedia-link Basilica di San Marco.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings—Feast of St. Mark
The First Letter of Peter, chapter five, verses five(b) thru fourteen;
Psalm Eighty-nine, verses two & three, six & seven, & sixteen & seventeen;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter sixteen, verses fifteen thru twenty.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, in today’s reading Jesus commissions his disciples (and us) to proclaim the Gospel to the whole world. Then he is taken up to heaven, where he takes his place at God’s right hand, and the disciples go forth and preach everywhere.

The Ascension of Jesus signals the beginning of the era of the Church. As Jesus leaves the scene (at least in the most obvious sense), he opens the stage for us. What if Caesar, Lincoln, Roosevelt, and Churchill were still striding the world stage? No one would have the courage to enter the game. So, Jesus leaves, that we might act in his name and in accord with his spirit.

And it is precisely those who are most focused on the things of heaven that do the most good here below—Gandhi, King, Dorothy Day, John Paul II. Those who pray most intently are most effective in the practical realm. This too is opened up by the Ascension.
Video reflection by Jem Sullivan, Ph.D.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.




'Tis also the festival of Blesseds Robert Anderton & William Marsden, Priests & Martyrs (died 1586), martyred in the reign of the English queen Elizabeth I, two of the Martyrs of Douai: Martyr-link Romeo Alpha, Martyr-link Whiskey Mike, & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link Douai & Wikipedia-link Douai.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Pedro de San José Betancur, Religious, O.F.B. (1626-1667, also spelt Betancourt), founder of the Order of Bethlehemite Brothers: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, Wikipedia-link & YouTube-link The True Enlightenment, "Saint of the Week"; Wikipedia-link O.F.B.

'Tis also the festival of Blesseds Mario Borzaga, Priest (O.M.I.), & Paul Thoj Xyooj, Martyrs (died 1960), martyred by the Communist Pathet Lao, two of the seventeen Martyrs of Laos: Martyr-link Mike Bravo, Martyr-link Papa Tango X-ray, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Laos.

Papal Quote o' the Day
"Christians are born for combat."
—Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903)
Little Flower Quote o' the Day
"Do all in your power to detach your heart from earthly cares… then be assured Our Lord will do the rest."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)
Saint Quote o' the Day
"Give something, however small, to the one in need. For it is not small to one who has nothing. Neither is it small to God, if we have given what we could."
—St. Gregory Nazianzen, Doctor of the Church (329-390, feast day: 2 January)

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: SKApril!


Rude City Riot, "Don't Go Away" from the Rude City Riot E.P. (The Last Angry Rude Boy)

Skammentary: Mayhap she left you, dude, because you never talked about her as an individual, only as the fulfillment—ever the perfect fulfillment—of a checklist of attributes. I've often remarked that heartbreaks & breakups are par for the course in third-wave ska, but let it never be said that I claimed the rude boys were blameless for these romantic misadventures.
"I never knew why
You started to cry,
(Started to cry!)
Never ever knew that old sadness inside ya
Was just a lie.

"You left me today
To find your own way
(Find your own way!)…

"Don't go away,
Don'tcha go away,
Don'tcha go away from me!
You're everything,
You're everything,
Everything a girl should be!…"

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Saints + Scripture: Eastertide — Tuesday, 17 April

The Long Road Back, Part VIII of VIII

Tuesday, 17 April was the festival of Saint Arnoald of Metz, Bishop (circa 540-611, also spelt Arnual): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Father of St. Arnulf [18 July], also bishop of Metz.

'Twas also the festival of Blessed Paul of Saint Magdalene, Priest & Martyr, O.F.M. Rec. (circa 1599-1643, A.K.A. Henry Heath), martyred in the reign of the English king Charles I, one of the Eighty-five Martyrs of England & Wales: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Martyrs-link LXXXV & Wikipedia-link LXXXV.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

Scripture of That Day
Mass Readings—Easter Weekday
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter seven, verse fifty-one thru chapter eight, verse one(a);
Psalm Thirty-one, verses three(c/d) & four; six, seven(b), & eight(a); & seventeen & twenty-one(a/b);
The Gospel according to John, chapter six, verses thirty thru thirty-five.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, today’s Gospel is from the bread of life discourse: “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” What God has wanted from the beginning is to sit down with his creatures in a fellowship banquet, sharing life and laughter, giving, receiving, and giving back again.

This is the loop of grace. The more we receive the divine life, the more we should give it away and thereby get more of it.

Throughout the Old Testament, we find images of the holy banquet. On God’s holy mountain, Isaiah says there will be good meats and pure choice wines. And throughout his ministry, Jesus hosts meals to which all are invited. God wants to share his life with us.

This comes to fullest expression at the Eucharist, where Jesus identifies himself so radically with the bread and the wine that they change into his Body and Blood, and then invites all of us around this table to feast and share life, to give and to receive and to give again.
Video reflection by Father Conrad Stachowiak: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.


Papal Quote o' That Day
"As Christians we should offer our memories to the Lord. Thinking about the past will not alter the reality of your sufferings or disappointments, but it can change the way you look at them."
—Pope St. John Paul II (the Great, 1920-2005; feast day: 22 October)
Little Flower Quote o' That Day
"Be not afraid… He is here at hand. He is watching."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)
Saint Quote o' That Day
"There is no doubt about it: a person who loves pleasure, who seeks comfort, who flies from anything that might spell suffering, who is over-anxious, who complains, who blames, & who becomes impatient at the least little thing who does not go his way—a person like that is a Christian only in name; he is only a dishonor to his religion, for Jesus Christ has said so: 'Anyone who wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself & take up his cross every day of his life, & follow Me.'"
—St. John Vianney (1786-1859, feast day: 4 August)

Saints + Scripture: Eastertide — Tuesday, 10 April

The Long Road Back, Part VII of VIII

Tuesday, 10 April was the festival of Saint Bademus, Abbot & Martyr (died 376; also spelt Bademe, Vadim), martyred in the reign of the Sassanid emperor Shapur II: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twas also the festival of Saint Fulbert of Chartes, Bishop (circa 952-1029): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twas also the festival of Blessed Antonio Neyrot, Priest & Martyr, O.P. (1425-1460), martyred in the reign of the Hafsid caliph Uthman: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twas also the festival of Saint Magdalene of Canossa, Virgin (1774-1835, also spelt Maddalena), foundress of the Canossians, a family of two religious institutes & three affiliated organizations: Saint-link ūna, Saint-link duæ, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Canossians.

Scripture of That Day
Mass Readings—Easter Weekday
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter four, verses thirty-two thru thirty-seven;
Psalm Ninety-three, verses one(a/b), one(c/d) & two, & five;
The Gospel according to John, chapter three, verses seven(b) thru fifteen.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus tells us that we must be “born from above.” He says: “The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

The Holy Spirit is the love shared by the Father and the Son; he is, in the lovely image proposed by Fulton Sheen, the sign of affection that goes up when the Father looks at the Son and the Son looks back at the Father.

We have access to this holy heart of God because the Father sent the Son into the world, into our dysfunction, even to the limits of godforsakenness—and thereby gathered all of the world into the dynamism of the divine life. Those who live in Christ are not outside of God as petitioners or supplicants; rather they are in God as friends, sharers in the Spirit.
Video reflection by Deacon Miguel Santos: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.


Papal Quote o' That Day
"Pray also for your brothers & sisters & for all the children of the world, especially those whoa re poor & hungry. Pray for those who do not know Jesus, for those who are alone & sad."
—Pope John Paul II (the Great, 1920-2005; feast day: 22 October)
Little Flower Quote o' That Day
"You alone are true joy, my hope & my crown, my gladness & my honor, my Lord!"
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)
Saint Quote o' That Day
"I can't stop praying for poor sinners who are on the road to hell. If they come to die in that state, they will be lost for all eternity. What a pity! We have to pray for sinners! Praying for sinners is the most beautiful & useful of prayers because the just are on the way to heaven, the souls of purgatory are sure to enter there, but the poor sinners will be lost forever. All devotions are good, but there is no better one than such prayer for sinners."
—St. John Vianney (1786-1859, feast day: 4 August)

Saints + Scripture: Eastertide

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen, Priest & Martyr, O.F.M. Cap. (1577-1622; A.K.A. Mark Roy, Mark Rey), martyred by Swiss proponents of the Calvinist heresy: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Heresy.


Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
A Capuchin friar who was a major figure in the Counter-Reformation, & was murdered by his opponents at Seewis im Prättigau, now part of Switzerland.
'Tis also the festival of Saint Mary Salome (floruit 33): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Kinswoman of the Virgin Mary [many, many feast days] & mother of the Apostles Ss. James the Greater [25 July] & John [27 December], the sons of Zebedee.

'Tis also the festival of Saint Diarmid of Armagh, Bishop (died circa 852; also spelt Dermot, Diarmait ua Tigernáin): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Saint William Firmatus, Priest & Hermit (1026-1103, of Tours): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of This Day
Mass Readings—Easter Weekday
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter eleven, verses nineteen thru twenty-six;
Psalm Eighty-seven, verses one(b), two, & three; four & five; & six & seven;
The Gospel according to John, chapter ten, verses twenty-two thru thirty.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus explains why his sheep listen to him and follow him. They do so because he is leading them to eternal life.

He says, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.” The life of heaven, where we “shall never perish,” is that place where death and sickness have no power over us, where we see God face to face.

Heaven and earth are always connected in the biblical imagination; that’s true. But heaven should never be reduced to earth, as though religion is just about this-worldly ethics, social justice, or psychological well-being. No; the Christian faith is about a journey beyond this world to the heavenly Jerusalem.

Everything in the Christian life—from our ethical behavior, to prayer, to the liturgy, to works of justice—all of it is meant to conduce to that end. So listen to the voice of the shepherd and follow him wherever he goes.
Video reflection by Father Jack Ledwon: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.


Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen
The Letter to the Colossians, chapter one, verses twenty-four thru twenty-nine;
Psalm Thirty-four, verse five;
The Gospel according to John, chapter seventeen, verses twenty thru twenty-six.

Papal Quote o' This Day
"The only ones who win when Christians stay quiet are the enemies of truth. The silence of Catholics is particularly disturbing because frequently a few bold words would have vanquished the false ideas."
—Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903)
Little Flower Quote o' This Day
"You came into this land of exile, willing to suffer & to die, in order to carry away every single soul & plunge it into the very heart of the Trinity—love's eternal home."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)
Saint Quote o' This Day
"Woe to me if I should prove myself but a half-hearted soldier in the service of my thorn-crowned Captain!"
—St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen (1577-1622, feast day: 24 April)

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: SKApril!


The English Beat, "Mirror in the Bathroom" from I Just Can't Stop It (The Last Angry Rude Boy)

Skammentary: In devising this skammentary on "Mirror in the Bathroom," aiming to draw a connection twixt the myth of Narcissus & our all-too-modern obsession with "selfies," I discovered that the earliest known photographic portrait, a daguerreotype from 1839, is of & by a man named Robert Cornelius (1809-1893, above). Of course, the cameras aren't to blame; there's no photography in the self-obsession of "Mirror in the Bathroom," for instance. Cameras don't decide to take selfies, persons do. I simply lament that we've become a culture of Narcissuses. Whether using a photographic lens of the Mark I eyeball, we've becoming a culture of self-destructive madmen.
"Mirror in the bathroom, recompense
For all my crimes of self-defense,
Cures, you whisper, make no sense,
Drift gently into mental illness…"

Monday, April 23, 2018

Saints + Scripture: Eastertide — Monday, 16 April

The Long Road Back, Part VI of VIII

The Popish Plot
Vlog Post: "Scaring the Hell out of Millennials"

Monday, 16 April was the festival of Saint Turibius of Astorga, Bishop (circa 402-460), who opposed the Priscillian heresy: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Heresy.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twas also the festival of Saint Magnus of Orkney, Martyr (circa 1075-1115, A.K.A. Magnus Erlendsson), Earl of Orkney, martyred by the order of his cousin, the rival Norwegian earl Haakon Paulsson: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Kinsman of St. Olaf of Norway [29 July].

'Twas also the festival of Saint Drogo, Hermit (1105-1186, of Sebourg; A.K.A. Dreux): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twas also the festival of Saint Benedict Joseph Labre, Pilgrim, T.O.S.F. (1748-1783, "the Beggar of Perpetual Adoration"): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, Wikipedia-link, & YouTube-link The True Enlightenment, "Saint of the Week".

'Twas also the festival of Saint Bernadette of Lourdes, Virgin (1844-1879, A.K.A. Bernadette Soubirous), to whom was revealed the apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes (1858): Saint-link ūna, Saint-link duæ, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Madonna.

Scripture of That Day
Mass Readings—Easter Weekday
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter six, verses eight thru fifteen;
Psalm One Hundred Nineteen, verses twenty-three & twenty-four, twenty-six & twenty-seven, & twenty-nine & thirty;
The Gospel according to John, chapter six, verses twenty-two thru twenty-nine.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, in today’s Gospel, Jesus tells the crowd, which he just fed, to believe in him and relate to him personally. Why is this so hard? Well, it is intellectually counter-intuitive. Why would this one figure, this Jesus, be the one and only? Why should I choose to relate to him and not the numerous other religious leaders and philosophers? Are all other religious people just lost or misguided? Wouldn’t it just be easier to relate to Jesus’ ideas and principles, to imitate his style of life? Yes, indeed it would, but that’s not what he says.

Perhaps we could look at it from Jesus’ side. Jesus wants to be friends: “‘I no longer call you servants, but friends,’ says the Lord.” What if there were someone who wanted to be friends with you, and you were to say, “Oh sure! I admire you and would like to imitate your form of life, but I don’t want to spend a lot of time with you.” How would that strike your prospective friend?

What is unique to Christianity is that God is offering us friendship. You don’t mess around with friendship; you don’t turn it into something abstract; you don’t compromise with it. You enter into it fully.
Video reflection by Msgr. James Vlaun (Telecare T.V.): United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.


Papal Quote o' That Day
"The Church reaffirms the religious & supernatural values of penitence. She invites everyone to accompany the inner conversion of the spirit with the voluntary exercise of external acts of penitence."
—Pope Bl. Paul VI (1897-1978, feast day: 26 September)
Little Flower Quote o' That Day
"Yes, all is well when we seek only the will of Jesus."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)
Saint Quote o' That Day
"Do not just be a channel for grace, but a reservoir, an overflowing reservoir. No sooner has a channel received grace than it pours it out. A reservoir waits to be filled up & then offers grace to those who come to draw from its superabundance."
—St. Bernadette of Lourdes (1844-1879, feast day: 16 April)

The Rebel Black Dot Song o' the Day: SKApril!


The Specials, "Too Much Too Young" from The Specials (The Last Angry Rude Boy)

Skammentary: The choice of today's R.B.D.S.O.T.D. was almost certainly influenced by last night's Catechism class, during which we taught the youth about the Sacrament of Matrimony. Ska & SKApril don't stand apart from my church family, it's all connected. Also, let me be clear: Just because I enjoy a song & select it as the R.B.D.S.O.T.D. doesn't mean I endorse one hundred per cent (100%) of its lyrical content—"Too Much Too Young's" breezy contraceptive politics, as a pertinent instance.

Saints + Scripture: The Annunciation of the Lord

Eastertide — Monday, 9 April | The Long Road Back, Part V of VIII

The Popish Plot
Prayer Time Out: "More Prayer Clips"

Monday, 9 April was Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord: Annunciation-link ūnus, Annunciation-link duo, Wikipedia-link Annunciation, & Wikipedia-link Solemnity.


Commentary: Wayback Machine. The Solemnity of the Annunciation is celebrated on 25 March, nine months before Christmas, except in the not-infrequent case that 25 March falls within either Holy Week or the Octave of Easter, in which case it is celebrated on the Monday after the Octave.

Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
The feast of the Annunciation of the Lord celebrates the angel Gabriel's appearance to the Virgin Mary (Luke, 1:26-38), his announcement that the Blessed Virgin had been chosen to be the mother of Our Lord, & Mary's fiat—her willing acceptance of God's holy plan.
Scripture of That Day
Mass Readings—Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord
The Book of Isaiah, chapter seven, verses ten thru fourteen;
Psalm Forty, verses seven & eight(a), eight(b) & nine, ten, & eleven;
The Letter to the Hebrews, chapter ten, verses four thru ten;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter one, verses twenty-six thru thirty-eight.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, in today’s Gospel of Luke, we find the Annunciation to Mary. Here is what Gabriel said to the Virgin: “Thou shalt conceive in thy womb and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus….The Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”

No first-century Israelite would have missed the meaning here: this child shall be the fulfillment of the promise made to King David.

And this means that the child is, in fact, the king of the world, the one who would bring unity and peace to the nations. The conviction grew upon Israel that this mysterious descendant of David would be king, not just for a time and not just in an earthly sense, but would rule forever and for all nations. This definitive king of the Jews would be king of the world. He would be our king, as well.
Video reflection by Msgr. James Vlaun (Telecare T.V.): United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.




Otherwise, 9 April would have been the festival of Saint Materiana, Confessor (born circa 440; also spelt Madrun, Madryn), Queen of Gwent: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twould also have been the festival of Saint Waltrude, Religious (died circa 687, of Mons; also spelt Waudru, etc.): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Daughter of Ss. Walbert of Hainault [11 May] & Bertille of Thuringia [3 January]; sister of St. Aldegundis [30 January]; wife of St. Vincent Madelgarius [20 September]; & mother of Ss. Landericus of Soignies [17 April], Dentelin [?], Aldetrude [25 February], & Madelberte [7 September].

'Twould also have been the festival of Saint Hugh of Rouen, Bishop & Abbot, O.S.B. (died 730, A.K.A. of Champagne): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also have been the festival of Saint Casilda of Toledo, Anchoress (died circa 1050, A.K.A. of Briviesca): Saint-link ūna, Saint-link duæ, & Wikipedia-link.

Papal Quote o' That Day
"The Divine is united to the human. The invisible has become visible."
—Pope St. John Paul II (the Great, 1920-2005; feast day: 22 October)
Little Flower Quote o' That Day
"We who run in the way of love shouldn't be thinking of sufferings that can take place in the future: it's a lack of confidence, it's like meddling in the work of creation."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)
Saint Quote o' That Day
"Prayer is, beyond doubt, the most powerful weapon the Lord gives us to conquer evil… but we must really put ourselves into the prayer, it is not enough just to say the words, it must come from the heart. And also prayer needs to be continuous, we must pray no matter what kind of situation we find ourselves in: the warfare we are engaged in is ongoing, so our prayer must be on-going also."
—St. Alphonsus Ligouri, Doctor of the Church (1696-1787, feast day: 1 August)

Saints + Scripture: Eastertide

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint George, Martyr (circa 280-303), martyred in the reign of the Roman emperors Diocletian & Maximian, a victim of the Great Persecution; one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Saint George's Day; Wikipedia-link Persecution; Helpers-link XIV & Wikipedia-link XIV.


Commentary: Wayback Machine. A Golden Legend: Wikipedia-link Saint George & the Dragon.

Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
St. George was a Roman soldier of Greek & Palestinian origin & officer in the [Praetorian] Guard of Roman emperor Diocletian, who was sentenced to death for refusing to recant his Christian faith. As a Christian martyr, he became one of the most venerated saints in Christianity, especially venerated by the Crusaders.
'Tis also the Optional Memorial of Saint Adalbert, Bishop & Martyr, O.S.B. (circa 956-997, of Prague; A.K.A. Vojtěch), martyred by pagan priests of the Old Prussians: Martyr-link ūnus, Martyr-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.


Commentary: Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:
St. Adalbert was the Bishop of Prague & a missionary to the Hungarians, Poles, & Prussians whow as martyred in his efforts to convert the Baltic Prussians to Christianity.
'Tis also the festival of Blessed Adalbert III of Salzburg, Bishop (1145-1200, A.K.A. Vojtěch, of Bohemia): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Giles of Assisi, Religious, O.F.M. (circa 1190-1262, also spelt Aegidius): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the festival of Blessed Teresa Maria of the Cross, Religious, O.C.D. (1846-1910, A.K.A. Teresa Adelaide Cesina Manetti), foundress of the Carmelite Sisters of Saint Teresa of Florence: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of This Day
Mass Readings—Easter Weekday
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter eleven, verses one thru eighteen;
Psalm Forty-two, verses two & three & Psalm Forty-three, verses three & four;
The Gospel according to John, chapter ten, verses one thru ten.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, today’s Gospel builds on the enduring and endearing image of Jesus as the good shepherd. Jesus says: "The sheep hear his voice, as he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out."

How wonderful and strange that Christianity is not a set of ideas. It’s not a philosophy or an ideology. It’s a relationship with someone who has a voice. The first disciples were privileged to hear the voice of the historical Jesus. They heard its very particular tone and texture.

But we hear his voice too, in our own way, especially when we hear the Scriptures proclaimed at Mass. Mind you, we don’t just read the Bible; we hear the Bible. We also hear the voice of Jesus when the bishops and the popes speak; we hear it in our conscience, which Newman called "the aboriginal vicar of Christ in the soul"; and we hear it in good spiritual friends, those people who comfort us and challenge us and keep calling us to higher ideals and encourage us when we fall.

We listen to the voice of Jesus because he is leading us to a renewed and transformed life with God.
Video reflection by Msgr. James Vlaun (Telecare T.V.): United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.


Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. George
The Book of Revelation, chapter twenty-one, verses five, six, & seven;
Psalm One Hundred Twenty-six, verse five;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter nine, verses twenty-three thru twenty-six.

Mass Readings—Optional Memorial of St. Adalbert
The Second Letter to the Corinthians, chapter six, verses four thru ten;
Psalm Thirty-one, verse six;
The Gospel according to John, chapter ten, verses eleven thru sixteen.

Papal Quote o' This Day
"To recoil before an enemy, or to keep silence when from all sides such clamors are raised against truth, is the part of a man either devoid of character or who entertains doubt as to the truth of what he professes to believe."
—Pope Leo XIII (1810-1903)
Little Flower Quote o' This Day
"I would like to love Jesus so much… to love Him more than He has ever been loved! My only desire is to always do the will of Jesus!"
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)
Saint Quote o' This Day
"Obedience is the yardstick of love."
—Bl. Charles de Foucald (1858-1916, feast day: 1 December)

Sunday, April 22, 2018

The Explorers' Club, № DCVI

Operation AXIOM: The World War
Manfred Freiherr von Richthofen (1892-1918), immortalized as "the Red Baron," was the leading ace of the war with eighty kills; shot down while piloting his Fokker Dr. I, credit at the time was assigned to Canadian ace Arthur Roy Brown (1893-1944) of the British Royal Air Force, but latter-day scholarship contends that the fatal shot came from the ground; age twenty-five, Richthofen died on 21 April 1918.






The Wayback Machine Tour of the Red Baron
№ DXV: September 1916, Richthofen scored the first of this eighty aerial victories.
№ DXLVII: April 1917, Richthofen's squadron alone accounted for one-third of Entente aerial losses.
№ DLV: June 1917, Richthofen took command of the innovative, multi-squadron "Flying Circus."
№ DLXIX: October 1917, Richthofen's Flying Circus first took delivery of the Fokker Dr.I triplane.

Lest we forget.

Commentary: The immediately previous episode of "The Explorers' Club" (№ DCV: Rouge Bouquet) was published exactly one month hence, on 22 March 2018. There has never before been so long a gap & for that I cannot sufficiently express my sorrow, regret, & deepest apologies. I hope & pray, dear readers & fellow explorers, that you will forgive me this unforgivable lapse & will stick with both The Secret Base & "The Explorers' Club" as we right the ship.

Saints + Scripture: IV Sunday of Easter — Better Late…

'Tis the Fourth Sunday of Easter (A.K.A. Good Shepherd Sunday or the World Day of Prayer for Vocations): Wikipedia-link Eastertide, Wikipedia-link Good Shepherd, & U.S.C.C.B.-link & Wikipedia-link Vocations.


Scripture of the Week
Mass Readings—Fourth Sunday of Easter
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter four, verses eight thru twelve;
Psalm One Hundred Eighteen, verses one, eight, & nine; twenty-one, twenty-two, & twenty-three; & twenty-six, twenty-eight, & twenty-nine;
The First Letter of John, chapter three, verses one & two;
The Gospel according to John, chapter ten, verses eleven thru eighteen.

Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, the image of God as shepherd is a classic one in the Bible. In the book of the prophet Ezekiel, we hear that God would one day come and shepherd Israel himself. Shepherds guarded, guided, protected, and watched over their flocks—just as God guards, guides, protects, and watches over Israel.

This image comes to a climactic expression in the words of Jesus: "I am the good shepherd." What precisely makes him good? A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The good shepherd is so other-oriented, so devoted to his sheep, that he is willing to surrender his life that they might live.

Sure, a good shepherd should do all that he can to protect and guide his flock, but who among us would really expect him to give his life for them? But this is precisely what Jesus claims to do.

Imagine the difference between humans and sheep; now, multiply that difference infinitely. That would give you some idea of the difference between God and humanity. And yet God is willing to lay down his life for the likes of us.
Video reflection by Father Greg Friedman, O.F.M.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Video reflection by Jeff Cavins: Encountering the Word.

Audio reflection by Scott Hahn, Ph.D.: Breaking the Bread.


Mass Journal: Week Seventeen
Reflection by Matthew Kelly, founder of the Dynamic Catholic Institute:
Catholicism is not merely a religion, or a sect, or a set of rules. When small minds & smaller hearts try to capture the essence of Catholicism, this is often what they tend to conclude. But Catholicism is more than a religion. It is more than just another movement. The essence of Catholicism is not sin, punishment, duty, or obligation, & it is more than a set of lifeless rules & regulations. Catholicism is more. It is more than most people think & more than most Catholics ever experience. The essence of Catholicism is dynamic transformation. You cannot become more like Jesus Christ & at the same time stay as you are. To be Catholic means to be striving to live the Gospel, to be striving to become more like Jesus Christ. It is this dynamic approach to transformation that animates the human person—physically, emotionally, intellectually, & spiritually—&allows us to experience like "to the fullest" (John, 10:10). When are you most fully alive? When you are changing & growing & exploring all you are capable of becoming.


Otherwise, 22 April would be the festival of Saint Soter, Pope (circa 119-174), twelfth (XII) Bishop of Rome: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Pontiff.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Caius, Pope (circa 245-296, also spelt Gaius), twenty-eighth (XXVIII) Bishop of Rome: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Pontiff.

'Twould also be the festival of Saint Theodore of Sykeon, Bishop (died 613, A.K.A. the Sykeote): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the festival of Blessed Maria Gabriella, Religious, O.C.S.O. (1914-1939, A.K.A. Maria Sagheddu): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Papal Quote o' the Day
The pope: "What is the thing we most need, today, to save society?"
A cardinal: "Build Catholic schools."
The pope: "No."
Another cardinal: "More churches."
The pope: "Still no."
A third cardinal: "Speed up the recruitment of priests."
The pope: "No, no, the most necessary things of all, at this time, is for every parish to possess a group of laymen who will be at the same time virtuous, enlightened, resolute, & truly apostolic."
—Pope St. Pius X (1835-1914, feast day: 21 August)
Little Flower Quote o' the Day
"Still God cannot be giving me trials beyond my strength. He gave me the courage to sustain this one."
—St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Doctor of the Church (1873-1897, feast day: 1 October)
Saint Quote o' the Day
"It is not hard to obey when we love the one whom we obey."
—St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556, feast day: 31 July)