Friday, December 20, 2024
Tridentine Brewing Now Available Commerically

After years of dedication and persistence, Tridentine Brewing has achieved an incredible milestone: they are no longer just a homebrewing operation. Their beers are now available commercially! This marks a significant step forward for the Alcorn family—Trevor, his father Jeff, and his brother Cameron—who are the driving force behind this remarkable endeavor. I last mentioned the launch of their merch shop in a July 2023 post.

Tridentine Brewing’s journey began humbly, as part of the more than one million homebrewers in the United States, according to the American Homebrewers Association. However, the Alcorn family quickly distinguished themselves with their passion, creativity, and unique approach. Naming their brewery after the Tridentine Mass, they crafted not only exceptional beers but also detailed backstories and intricate labels for each brew. In fact, Forbes recently took notice and published a piece on them!

Their early beers, like the Vienna lager named for Blessed Karl of Austria, resonated deeply with their audience. Fans across social media platforms eagerly followed Tridentine Brewing’s posts, drawn not only to the quality of the beers but also to the thoughtfulness and artistry behind them. The buzz grew, with many asking where they could purchase these unique brews. For years, the answer remained the same: the beers were given away to family and friends. But the demand never waned.

Now, after three years of pleading from fans and dozens upon dozens of social media likes, Tridentine Brewing has made the leap. Their first commercially available beer, Cristeros, is a re-release of a beloved homebrew inspired by the heroic Cristeros of Mexico. This beer is a testament to the Alcorn family’s commitment to creating brews with meaning and depth. As Trevor recounts, the idea for the beer originated from a family friend who encouraged them to explore this poignant piece of Catholic history. The result is a brew that not only delights the palate but also tells a story.

Currently, Tridentine Brewing’s beers are available for purchase in Wisconsin, where they contract brew with Karben4 Brewing in Madison. For their fans in Illinois, the wait shouldn’t be much longer, as availability in their home state is on the horizon. Meanwhile, the Alcorns continue to celebrate their roots and support their mission through their online merchandise shop. From tin tackers to coasters, the shop offers beautifully designed items that reflect the same care and dedication as their beers.

For those who’ve followed Tridentine Brewing’s journey, this is an exciting time. I'm happy to have supported them along the way and still do so. Their commercial success is a testament to their perseverance, creativity, and faith. By supporting Tridentine Brewing, whether through purchasing their beers or their merchandise, you’re not just enjoying exceptional craftsmanship—you’re contributing to a cause that celebrates Catholic Tradition and a true family business.

Check out Tridentine Brewing’s offerings today and raise a glass to their success!

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Sunday, December 15, 2024
A Catholic Life Podcast: Episode 98

In today’s episode, on the Gaudete Sunday, I address the following: 

  1. Gaudete Sunday
  2. The O Antiphons
  3. Upcoming Ember Days of Advent
  4. The Vigil and Feast of St. Thomas
  5. The 2nd Edition of Restoring Lost Customs of Christendom

This episode is sponsored by PrayLatin.comPrayLatin.com offers Latin prayer cards to learn and share prayers in the sacred language. Learn your basic prayers in Latin conveniently on the go. Practice your pronunciation with easy-to-follow English phonetic renderings of Latin words. PrayLatin.com offers prayer cards in various formats, including Latin-English rosary pamphlets with the traditional 15 mysteries. Shop for additional Latin resources like missal booklets, server response cards, and more. Visit PrayLatin.com today.

Subscribe to the podcast on Buzzsprout, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, I-tunes, and many other platforms!

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Monday, December 9, 2024
2025 Patron Saint of the Year Devotion

SPONSOR: This Devotion is being sponsored again this year by CatechismClass.com.  Whether you are looking for godparent preparation courses, sacramental preparation for your children, or just to learn the faith better as an adult, CatechismClass.com has classes for all ages and walks of life. Check out CatechismClass.com's affordable programs and make it a New Year's resolution to learn and live the Faith better than ever.

You can read about the past devotions in the following posts:
Again, I would like to take a few minutes to explain the devotion.

What is the Saint for the Year Devotion?  We pray that this year the Holy Ghost will again work so that all participants receive a saint that they will be able to pray to for aid throughout the entire year: St. Faustina wrote about it in her diary, Divine Mercy in My Soul. The excerpt is below.
“There is a custom among us of drawing by lot, on New Year's Day, special Patrons for ourselves for the whole year. In the morning during meditation, there arose within me a secret desire that the Eucharistic Jesus be my special Patron for this year also, as in the past. But, hiding this desire from my Beloved, I spoke to Him about everything else but that. When we came to refectory for breakfast, we blessed ourselves and began drawing our patrons. When I approached the holy cards on which the names of the patrons were written, without hesitation I took one, but I didn't read the name immediately as I wanted to mortify myself for a few minutes. Suddenly, I heard a voice in my soul: ‘I am your patron. Read.’ I looked at once at the inscription and read, ‘Patron for the Year 1935 - the  Most Blessed Eucharist.’ My heart leapt with joy, and I slipped quietly away from the sisters and went for a short visit before the Blessed Sacrament, where I poured out my heart. But Jesus sweetly admonished me that I should be at that moment together with the sisters. I went immediately in obedience to the rule.”Excerpt from Divine Mercy in My Soul, the Diary of St. Faustina"

Over the years, I've heard from many people about the great connection they have with their special patrons. Here is one of those stories from the past: 

I have Saints Marcus and Marcellianus ... they are twin brothers who were sent to prison before their death. St. Sebastian visited them continually in prison and helped keep their faith alive. They are buried near St. Felix and are specifically honored in Spain. OK now ... here are a couple of immediate ironies in regard to these saints ... I have a SPECIAL place in my heart for twins! As a child, I LOVED reading the story about St. Sebastian. I had a children's book of saints and I think I wore out the pages on St. Sebastian! Felix is my grandfather's name! Silvia, our exchange student, is from Spain! I am so excited to have these two saints to walk through 2006 with me! I'm looking forward as to where and how they will intercede for me.
How do I enter?  I will pull names for everyone who is a Patreon supporter of this blog. You may submit up to 10 names for each Patreon, allowing you to have names drawn for your family and friends. Unfortunately, due to the significant time investment I put into this devotion and many other responsibilities, I will only be able to do so for my Patreon supporters.

Sign up on Patreon for any paid level to support this blog, comment on the post on Patreon about this devotion, and you will be included

When will the saints be drawn?  This year, I will start the drawing of saints on the morning of the Feast of the Circumcision and the Octave Day of Christmas (i.e., January 1st). Drawings will occur as the Litany of Saints is recited.  That means results will likely be commented and/or messaged to Patreons by the late afternoon (US Central Time) on January 1st. This will be the only drawing this year. 

Please pass this message on through your blogs and/or email distribution lists, letting all of the Catholic Blogsphere have the chance to participate.

Results:

Pending Drawing

If you are not familiar with your saint, I encourage you to research online and even pick up a copy of Father Hugo Hoever's "Live of the Saints," which I read daily.  While the book does not include saints canonized in recent years, it is something that I highly recommend.

Here is a prayer to honor any saint: http://acatholiclife.blogspot.com/2006/01/prayer-to-venerate-any-saint.html
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Sunday, December 8, 2024
A Catholic Life Podcast: Episode 97

In today’s episode, on the Immaculate Conception of our Lady, I address the following: 

  1. The 2nd Sunday of Advent
  2. The History of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady
  3. Customs for Immaculate Conception Day

I would like to thank CatechismClass.com for sponsoring this episode.  CatechismClass.com, the leader in online Catholic catechism classes, has everything from online K-12 programs, RCIA classes, adult continuing education, marriage preparation, baptism preparation, confirmation prep, quince prep classes, catechist training courses, and more. It is never too late to study the fullness of the Catholic Faith, and CatechismClass.com is the gold standard in authentic Catholic formation online. Check out their special Advent Study Course now available for 25% off with discount code ADVENT25.

Subscribe to the podcast on Buzzsprout, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, I-tunes, and many other platforms!

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Sunday, December 1, 2024
A Catholic Life Podcast: Episode 96

In today’s episode, on the 1st Sunday of Advent, I address the following:

  1. What is Advent?
  2. Advent: The Beginning of the Liturgical Year & Source of Rich Meditations
  3. Advent and Christmas Traditions
  4. The Rorate Mass: A Dawn Mass Said Only By Candlelight

This episode is sponsored by PrayLatin.comPrayLatin.com offers Latin prayer cards to learn and share prayers in the sacred language. Learn your basic prayers in Latin conveniently on the go. Practice your pronunciation with easy-to-follow English phonetic renderings of Latin words. PrayLatin.com offers prayer cards in various formats, including Latin-English rosary pamphlets with the traditional 15 mysteries. Shop for additional Latin resources like missal booklets, server response cards, and more. Visit PrayLatin.com today.

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Sunday, November 24, 2024
A Catholic Life Podcast: Episode 95

In today’s episode, on the Last and Final Sunday after Pentecost, I address the following: 

  1. The Significance of the Last & Final Sunday after Pentecost
  2. A Catholic Understanding of Death
  3. Christ Instituted the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

I would like to thank CatechismClass.com for sponsoring this episode.  CatechismClass.com, the leader in online Catholic catechism classes, has everything from online K-12 programs, RCIA classes, adult continuing education, marriage preparation, baptism preparation, confirmation prep, quince prep classes, catechist training courses, and more. It is never too late to study the fullness of the Catholic Faith, and CatechismClass.com is the gold standard in authentic Catholic formation online. Check out their special Advent Study Course now available for 25% off with discount code ADVENT25.

Subscribe to the podcast on Buzzsprout, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, I-tunes, and many other platforms!

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Sunday, November 17, 2024
A Catholic Life Podcast: Episode 94

In today’s episode, on the 6th Resumed Sunday after Epiphany, I address the following:

  1. The Dedication of the Basilicas Ss. Peter and Paul
  2. The Presentation of our Lady in the Temple and Day of Cloistered Life
  3. Customs for St. Cecilia’s Feast Day

This episode is sponsored by PrayLatin.comPrayLatin.com offers Latin prayer cards to learn and share prayers in the sacred language. Learn your basic prayers in Latin conveniently on the go. Practice your pronunciation with easy-to-follow English phonetic renderings of Latin words. PrayLatin.com offers prayer cards in various formats, including Latin-English rosary pamphlets with the traditional 15 mysteries. Shop for additional Latin resources like missal booklets, server response cards, and more. Visit PrayLatin.com today.

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Monday, November 11, 2024
Happy Martinmas! (And 106th Anniversary of Armistice Day)

Today is Martinmas, the Feast of St. Martin of Tours, and a great celebration in the Catholic sense.  This is the end of the autumn season and essentially a “Catholic Thanksgiving.”  There are many traditions associated with today.  Tomorrow is the beginning of the Advent Fast known as St. Martin's Lent.

Secondly, today is Veterans Day (originally called Armistice Day).  President Woodrow Wilson, an anti-Catholic at heart, started this day in an attempt to blot out the long-held practice of honoring St. Martin.  While today is a fitting day for us to recall the lives of those who perished, honor their service, and commend the repose of their souls to God in prayer, let us not forget the Catholic sense of praying for the dead and those in the military.

Make an effort today to thank a veteran. And make an effort to pray for all who have died in battle - those in World War I, World War II, more recent conflicts, and those from centuries ago who sadly are forgotten. If the souls of those who died in such battles of long ago are still in Purgatory, no one in likely praying for them. Make an effort to pray for all the dead veterans of all times today.

St. Martin of Tours, pray for us to have true Christian charity!

For the repose of all of the souls of the dead...Pater Noster, Ave Maria, Requiem aeternam...

For all living veterans who struggle with addictions, employment issues, or health issues...Pater Noster, Ave Maria...

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
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Sunday, November 10, 2024
A Catholic Life Podcast: Episode 93

In today’s episode, on the 5th Resumed Sunday after Epiphany, I address the following:

  1. How Did The Saints Fast? What Can They Teach Us?
  2. The Advent Fast Begins on November 12th 

I would like to thank CatechismClass.com for sponsoring this episode.  CatechismClass.com, the leader in online Catholic catechism classes, has everything from online K-12 programs, RCIA classes, adult continuing education, marriage preparation, baptism preparation, confirmation prep, quince prep classes, catechist training courses, and much more. It is never too late to study the fullness of the Catholic Faith and CatechismClass.com is the gold standard in authentic Catholic formation online. Check out their best-selling Adult Faith Formation Course, which even life-long Catholics can learn from.


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Sunday, November 3, 2024
A Catholic Life Podcast: Episode 92

In today’s episode, on the Sunday within the Octave of All Saints, I address the following:

  1. The Forgotten Octave of All Saints
  2. How and Why American Catholics Must Vote in 2024

This episode is sponsored by PrayLatin.comPrayLatin.com offers Latin prayer cards to learn and share prayers in the sacred language. Learn your basic prayers in Latin conveniently on the go. Practice your pronunciation with easy-to-follow English phonetic renderings of Latin words. PrayLatin.com offers prayer cards in various formats, including Latin-English rosary pamphlets with the traditional 15 mysteries. Shop for additional Latin resources like missal booklets, server response cards, and more. Visit PrayLatin.com today.


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