Via CatholicVote.org
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Benedict XVI on Vatican II
“The
Council Fathers neither could nor wished to create a new or different Church. They had neither the
authority nor the mandate to do so. It was only in their capacity as bishops
that they were now Council Fathers with a vote and decision-making power, that
is to say, on the basis of the Sacrament and in the Church of the Sacrament.
For this reason they neither could nor wished to create a different faith or a
new Church, but rather to understand these more deeply and hence truly to
‘renew them.’ This is why a hermeneutic of rupture is absurd and is contrary to
the spirit and the will of the Council Fathers.”
— Pope
Benedict XVI,
Reflections at 50th Anniversary of Opening of Vatican II, October
11, 2012.
Monday, October 15, 2012
Beginning your Philosophy Studies
Recently, a blog posted Fr. Barron's recommendations for "some introductory philosophy books for someone like me who has
no formal training in philosophy but wants to dive deeper into it".
As a service, I am providing a link to all of them
As well as a link to Fr. Copleston's 9 volume History of Philosophy
Two more areas which may interest the philosophically curious:
As a service, I am providing a link to all of them
As well as a link to Fr. Copleston's 9 volume History of Philosophy
Two more areas which may interest the philosophically curious:
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
On Jesus fleeing after the Miracle
From
Meditations on the Life of Our Lord
by J. Nouet, S.J.
Nineteenth Week after Pentecost - Tuesday
1st Point. "Now those men, when they had seen what a miracle Jesus had done, said: This is of a truth the prophet that is to come into the world." (John, vi. 14.) The soul tastes the delights of heaven, is endued with spiritual strength, and filled with consolation and joy. Jesus Christ vouchsafes to nourish it with the adorable "Bread which cometh down from heaven." (John, vi. 50.) Choose him as king, that he may govern you with absolute sway as Creator and Redeemer. All your powers and affections should exclaim: We desire that Jesus reign over us. The divine Saviour, who fled from the temporal royalty with which the people wanted to invest him, will never refuse to reign in souls that desire to live under his empire. Make him, therefore, king of your heart: beseech him to reign there, sovereignly, universally, and eternally.
2nd Point. "And forthwith Jesus obliged his disciples to go up into the boat, and to go before him over the water till he dismissed the people." (Matt., xiv. 22.) It is with regret the disciples separate from their beloved Master, but he obliges them to depart, because he knew their weakness, and the ideas they entertained of the temporal glory of the Messiah. He takes their minds away from vain, terrestrial honours. St. Jerome observes, that in this our Lord displayed his wisdom and foresight though, to the apostles, the separation was a sort of violence. If obedience require you to forgo his conversation of prayer, you may embark with the apostles without danger: your submission will be your safeguard; but you should never leave his internal presence without fear and sorrow.
3rd Point. "And having dismissed the multitude, he went into a mountain alone to pray. And when it was evening he was there alone." (Matt., xiv. 23.) The Son of God employs his all-pervasive words to change the minds of the people who would make him king; but when the cross is presented later, he embraces it with generous devotedness. You fly the contempt you merit, and seek honour of which you are undeserving. Imitate this adorable model; renounce human praise, seek retreat and silence, and when you have succeeded in what might occasion vain glory, have recourse to prayer, and sink into the depth of your own nothingness.
Meditations on the Life of Our Lord
by J. Nouet, S.J.
Nineteenth Week after Pentecost - Tuesday
1st Point. "Now those men, when they had seen what a miracle Jesus had done, said: This is of a truth the prophet that is to come into the world." (John, vi. 14.) The soul tastes the delights of heaven, is endued with spiritual strength, and filled with consolation and joy. Jesus Christ vouchsafes to nourish it with the adorable "Bread which cometh down from heaven." (John, vi. 50.) Choose him as king, that he may govern you with absolute sway as Creator and Redeemer. All your powers and affections should exclaim: We desire that Jesus reign over us. The divine Saviour, who fled from the temporal royalty with which the people wanted to invest him, will never refuse to reign in souls that desire to live under his empire. Make him, therefore, king of your heart: beseech him to reign there, sovereignly, universally, and eternally.
2nd Point. "And forthwith Jesus obliged his disciples to go up into the boat, and to go before him over the water till he dismissed the people." (Matt., xiv. 22.) It is with regret the disciples separate from their beloved Master, but he obliges them to depart, because he knew their weakness, and the ideas they entertained of the temporal glory of the Messiah. He takes their minds away from vain, terrestrial honours. St. Jerome observes, that in this our Lord displayed his wisdom and foresight though, to the apostles, the separation was a sort of violence. If obedience require you to forgo his conversation of prayer, you may embark with the apostles without danger: your submission will be your safeguard; but you should never leave his internal presence without fear and sorrow.
3rd Point. "And having dismissed the multitude, he went into a mountain alone to pray. And when it was evening he was there alone." (Matt., xiv. 23.) The Son of God employs his all-pervasive words to change the minds of the people who would make him king; but when the cross is presented later, he embraces it with generous devotedness. You fly the contempt you merit, and seek honour of which you are undeserving. Imitate this adorable model; renounce human praise, seek retreat and silence, and when you have succeeded in what might occasion vain glory, have recourse to prayer, and sink into the depth of your own nothingness.
A Glimpse of St. Louis Bertrand
Louis
has been described as “a fretful child and nothing seemed to comfort him except
the sight of the holy images in the churches”. (Wilberforce 15) However, at an early age, he dedicated
himself to the service of God and his studies. He learned to read and recite
the Office of Our Lady before he was eight years old. As he grew older, he seldom
spoke “unless the conversation turned upon spiritual matters”. (Wilberforce 17)
His
entry into the Dominican Order – Louis was certain he would save his soul
as a Dominican, but his father objected to his joining the Order, believing he
was better suited for the Carthusians. His father acquiesced only after Louis
told him he would rather die than leave the Order. He made his Dominican profession on August
27, 1545.
Prayer
and fasting for Louis, as it must be for all Dominicans, was an essential part
of his life. He devoted two hours every
morning and two hours every evening to mental prayer. After dinner he spent a half hour with the
Blessed Mother. He especially loved the
Eucharist and often remained prostrate before the Blessed Sacrament for extended
periods of time. He “languished with
weakness whenever he was prevented from celebrating the holy sacrifice.” (Wilberforce
91)
When
not actually praying in these ways, Louis was always conscious of the Divine
Presence. He frequently meditated on our
Lord’s Passion. The crucifix was his constant companion. In
it our Saint insisted “you will find whatever you need”. (Wilberforce 73)He also loved the Rosary, constantly reciting its mysteries. He taught it to his converts and depended on the intercession of Our Lady of the Rosary for the success of his preaching. “Many miraculous favors,” we are told, “were granted to those who devoutly used rosaries that had been blessed” by Louis. (Wilberforce 173)
Novice Master – At the age of twenty-six and after having only been a priest
for four years, Louis was appointed Master of Novices, serving with distinction
in that capacity at six different times in his life and for a total of thirty
years. He frequently referred to St. Vincent ’s
Treatise on the Spiritual Life, challenging
his novices to see “which one of us shall be the imitator of this great man,
whose equal is not to be found in this world”. (Pradel 184)
Monday, October 8, 2012
On the Miracle of the Loaves
From
Meditations on the Life of Our Lord
by J. Nouet, S.J.
Nineteenth Week after Pentecost - Monday
1st Point. "One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, saith to him: There is a boy here that hath five loaves, and two fishes, but what are these among so many?" (John, vi. 8, 9.) The Son of God had chosen the disciples as the minister of his Providence, and would have them supply the matter on which he intended to exercise his sovereign power. He needs not your services, yet he designs that you give something on your own part, to receive his benefits. By co-operating with him in daily life, render yourself worthy of extraordinary graces of almighty power.
2nd Point. "And he commanded them that they should make them all sit down by companies upon the green greass. And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds and by fifties." (Mark, vi. 39., 40.) The spirit of Jesus is a spirit of order. Preserve in all your duties the order prescribed by those through whom he governs you. When the charity of Christ shall reign in your heart, that virtue will establish perfect order, there ranging the senses under the guidance of the spirit, the passions under reason, and nature under grace.
3rd Point. "And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes: looking up to heaven he blessed, and broke the loaves, and gave to his disciples to set before them: and the two fishes he divided among them all. And they all did eat, and had their fill." (Mark, vi. 41, 42.) How stupendous the miracle wrought each day at the table of the Lord for the nourishment of souls, in the multiplication of his Precious Body and Blood! "And when they were filled, he said to his disciples: Gather up the fragments that remain, lest they be lost." (John, vi. 12.) With what vigilant zeal should you gather up in your heart, every grace, so that the faithful remembrance, and frequent consideration of his goodness, may increase his love in your heart!
Meditations on the Life of Our Lord
by J. Nouet, S.J.
Nineteenth Week after Pentecost - Monday
1st Point. "One of his disciples, Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, saith to him: There is a boy here that hath five loaves, and two fishes, but what are these among so many?" (John, vi. 8, 9.) The Son of God had chosen the disciples as the minister of his Providence, and would have them supply the matter on which he intended to exercise his sovereign power. He needs not your services, yet he designs that you give something on your own part, to receive his benefits. By co-operating with him in daily life, render yourself worthy of extraordinary graces of almighty power.
2nd Point. "And he commanded them that they should make them all sit down by companies upon the green greass. And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds and by fifties." (Mark, vi. 39., 40.) The spirit of Jesus is a spirit of order. Preserve in all your duties the order prescribed by those through whom he governs you. When the charity of Christ shall reign in your heart, that virtue will establish perfect order, there ranging the senses under the guidance of the spirit, the passions under reason, and nature under grace.
3rd Point. "And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes: looking up to heaven he blessed, and broke the loaves, and gave to his disciples to set before them: and the two fishes he divided among them all. And they all did eat, and had their fill." (Mark, vi. 41, 42.) How stupendous the miracle wrought each day at the table of the Lord for the nourishment of souls, in the multiplication of his Precious Body and Blood! "And when they were filled, he said to his disciples: Gather up the fragments that remain, lest they be lost." (John, vi. 12.) With what vigilant zeal should you gather up in your heart, every grace, so that the faithful remembrance, and frequent consideration of his goodness, may increase his love in your heart!
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Monday, October 1, 2012
On Jesus animating his disciples to suffer (continued)
From
Meditations on the Life of Our Lord
by J. Nouet, S.J.
Eighteenth Week after Pentecost - Monday
1st Point. "Therefore, fear them not. For nothing is covered that shall not be revealed: nor hid that shall not be known." (Matt., x. 26.) Fear not those who oppose the preaching of the gospel. I will add to your words light and power. Proclaim confidently my doctrine. "That which I tell you in the dark, speak ye in the light; and that which you hear in the eart, preach ye upon the house-tops." (Matt., x. 27.) Imprint in all minds the knowledge of God, with invincible constancy.
2nd Point. "And fear ye not them that kill the body, and are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him that can destroy both soul and body in hell." (Matt., x. 28.) A servant of Jesus Christ should fear nothing but sin. You dread a slight injury, a passing inconvenience, yet you fear not to incur the anger of God, and the penalty of eternal damnation. Implore a right understanding of eternal evils, and meditate upon them; thus you will banish the fear of temporal suffering.
3rd Point. "Do not think that I came to send peace upon earth: I came not to send peace, but the sword . . . HE that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me. . . And he that taketh not up his cross and followeth me, is not worthy of me." (Matt., x. 34, 37, 38.) Your Divine Master will have you wage an unrelenting war with the flesh, the world, and inordinate affections. He presents you a two-edged sword, his law and his love, to destroy his enemies. Moreover, you must hate yourself if you would love Jesus Christ. Therefore, bear the cross, which is an instrument of death ——— bear it daily and bear it courageously.
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