... have you ever had that feeling, at the end of particularly trying day, where you felt you just needed to be near the Lord? Today was one such day. I arrived at church this evening with the intent to head to the chapel. I look forward to that quiet time. When I got there the chapel was locked. I proceeded to walk around to the front to try the other door. Once there, I looked in and saw that a bunch of women were having some sort of meeting. There appeared to be a lot clapping and award … [Read more...]

... tried by the man with a mouth full of gold teeth and carved head to toe in pricey tattoos yet makes excuses each month why he can't pay his rent.... tried by the resident who asked me to lie about the amount of her rent so she can get more money from a charity.... tried by the woman who speaks perfect English when she has a complaint and suddenly no hablo englais when we ask her to remove the junk car from her yard for the third time this month. ... tried by the man that almost ran me off … [Read more...]

BellegambeMany converts have problems with various Marian dogmas. It is a common obstacle, one that I myself have to hurdle from time to time. One such teaching was that of the Immaculate Conception. To be honest, I still struggle with it. I often find myself wondering what the implications are for Her to be free from the stain of original sin at the moment of her conception... to be separate from humanity. So I sometimes struggle to reconcile a certain deification of Mary, if you will, with … [Read more...]

Piero di Cosimo … [Read more...]

"The most Blessed Virgin Mary was, from the first moment of her conception, by a singular grace and privilege of almighty God and by virtue of the merits of Jesus Christ, Saviour of the human race, preserved immune from all stain of original sin."-Pope Pius IX Zurbaran … [Read more...]

Juan Antonia de Fras y Escalante … [Read more...]

Collect: Father, You prepared the Virgin Mary to be the worthy mother of your Son. You let her share beforehand in the salvation Christ would bring by His death, and kept her sinless from the first moment of her conception. Help us by her prayers to live in your presence without sin. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.Murillo … [Read more...]

Luini's Madonna & Child with The Baptist … [Read more...]

Luini's Mystical Marriage … [Read more...]

Luini … [Read more...]

...the kind of liberalism being displayed by both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton can only be understood as a psychological disorder."A social scientist who understands human nature will not dismiss the vital roles of free choice, voluntary cooperation and moral integrity – as liberals do," [Rossiter] says. "A political leader who understands human nature will not ignore individual differences in talent, drive, personal appeal and work ethic, and then try to impose economic and social … [Read more...]

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The Birth and Charity of St. Nicholas, Fra AngelicoCalming the storm, Fra AngelicoDeath of St. Nicholas, Fra Angelico … [Read more...]

St. Nicholas in Glory, Lorenzzo Lotto … [Read more...]

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According to local Irish legend, Saint Nicholas is buried in County Kilkenny. The grave is said to be in the ruined Church of St Nicholas. The church is all that remains of the medieval village, Newtown Jerpoint, that fell to ruin by the 17th century. The village surrounded the Cistercian Jerpoint Abbey, founded in 1183. Located on 1,880 acres, the abbey had its own gardens, watermills, cemetery, granary, and kitchens. It served as a launching point for Irish-Norman Crusaders from Kilkenny. The … [Read more...]

... bouncing between the two calendars of the Roman and Eastern Rite can leave one feeling dizzy. Maybe I should just make up my mind once and for all! … [Read more...]

...To thee my body I confide As well in life as at life's end. Come, aid me when I breathe my last, That I may, ere here all is past, Receive the Blessed Sacrament!Cranach, Martyrdom of St. Barbaraexcerpt, Ballad of St. Barbara by GK Chesterton: Barbara the beautifulHad praise of tongue and pen:Her hair was like a summer nightDark and desired of men. … [Read more...]

St. Barbara flees her fatherSt. Barbara (from Nicomedia) was the daughter of a pagan noble who worshipped false gods. Because of her striking beauty, her father enclosed her in a tower to hide her from the snares of men. Barbara vowed virginity, and during an absence of her father had a third window added to her quarters in honor of the Blessed Trinity; at the same time, she also adorned her bath with the sign of the holy Cross. Upon his return her father was so angered over these changes that a … [Read more...]

... today is the Memorial of St. John Damascene. St. John was such a great orator that he was known as Chrysorrhoas ("golden-stream"). He was the last of the Greek Fathers of the Church, and the first of the Christian Aristotleans. He also adapted choral music for use in the liturgy. His eloquent defense of Christian images has given him the title of "Doctor of Christian Art." For some light reading, An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox FaithTone 8 (For John of Damascus) What shall we call thee, … [Read more...]

... but I bet you laugh. … [Read more...]

...winner Paulinus. … [Read more...]

Jose de Alzbarca, c.18th centurcyPatron: African missions; diocese of Alexandria, Louisiana; Apostleship of Prayer; Australia; black missions; Borneo; China; East Indies; foreign missions; Goa, India; diocese of Green Bay, Wisconsin; India; archdiocese of Indianapolis, Indiana; Japan; diocese of Joiliet, Illinois; missionaries; Missioners of the Precious Blood; Navarre, Spain; navigators; New Zealand; parish missions; plague epidemics; Propagation of the Faith.Symbols: bell; crucifix; vessel; … [Read more...]

Collect: God our Father, by the preaching of Francis Xavier you brought many nations to yourself. Give his zeal for the faith to all who believe in you, that your Church may rejoice in continued growth throughout the world. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.Nicolas Poussin … [Read more...]

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