Sts. Jude and Simon

Feast (1969 Calendar): October 28
Double of the II Class (1955 Calendar): October 28

Today is the Feastday of Sts. Simon and Jude Thaddaeus, Apostles, who both preached the Gospel in Mesopotamia and Persia. St. Jude is the author of a short Epistle in the New Testament.

St. Jude Thaddaeus was the son of Cleophas and the woman named Mary who stood with the Blessed Virgin Mary at the foot of the Cross as Our Lord was redeeming the world. St. Jude is the brother of St. James the Lesser. St. Jude is reported to also be a relative to Jesus. He was a preacher in Syria, Mesopotamia, and Persia with St. Simon the Apostle. He also is remembered as a Healer and Exorcist, who could exorcise pagan idols, causing the demons to flee and the statues to crumble.

Like all of the other 11 faithful Apostles except St. John the Evangelist, St. Jude was martyred. He was beaten with a club and beheaded. His relics are in the Vatican. However there is kept a relic of the arm of St. Jude in Chicago, Illinois.

For more on the lives of all the Apostles, pick up a copy of "The Twelve: Lives and Legends of the Apostles" on paperback or as part of the online course on the Apostles, which includes a Certificate of Completion.

Patronage: desperate situations; forgotten causes; hospital workers; hospitals; impossible causes; lost causes, diocese of Saint Petersburg, Florida

St. Simon called Simon the Cananaean or Simon the Zealot was also an apostle of Jesus Christ. Not much is known about him outside of the account in the New Testament. He did evangelize with St. Jude in Egypt and Mesopotamia, and several places claim to have been the site of his martyrdom.

Patronage: curriers; sawmen; sawyers; tanners

Prayer:

O God, Who, through Thy blessed Apostles Simon and Jude, hast brought us to the knowledge of Thy name, grant that we may celebrate their everlasting glory by advancing in good works, and that we may advance in good works by celebrating their glory. Through our Lord.

Prayer Source: 1962 Roman Catholic Daily Missal

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Updates on my life

I really enjoy blogging about the Catholic Church, but at times I feel it is necessary to post something more about myself to make this blog more personal. So, I wanted to update my readers. So far my application to enter the seminary is going extremely well. In just a few weeks I will be going on a vacation and visiting another seminary in a different state. I will certainly be posting on this when I return. I would appreciate your prayers.

But, most importantly, I ask for all of your prayers for a family member of mine. In the past I have turned to my blog readers for prayers, and I was astonished each time by the great amount of support. And, my prayers have always been answered when I posted them on this website. I thank you so much for offering up your prayers for my own intentions. If you ever need prayers, please feel free to ask me.

Right now, though, I ask you to pray for a family member of mine. This person will be going to a simple surgery next month and will undergo some examinations. Please pray that my family member doesn't have any serious conditions like cancer. Please pray the the Lord heals and blesses this person.

I thank you so very much for your prayers!

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A Prayer for November

This wonderful prayer was emailed to me by a faithful reader of this blog. Remember, November is dedicated to the Holy Souls, and please realize there are many indulgences available in November:

A PRAYER FOR NOVEMBER

Grant, O Lord, that my own heart may be
touched, as yours is, at the passing of
all souls into eternal life.

In great confidence, I pray for all my
friends and loved ones who are no
longer here on this journey of faith.

When I am sad at the death of those
who were close to me, may my sadness
be firmly supported by my faith that life
is merely changed not ended, that those
I love are still with me though unseen.

May You, Lord Jesus Christ, welcome
me and all those for whom I pray, into
eternal life at the moment pleasing
to You.

Saint Therese, intercede for me.

Saint Therese, strengthen my faith.

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Light a Virtual Candle

I highly suggest visiting Gratefulness.org and lighting a virtual prayer candle. As a webmaster, I can create my custom entrance page so that all of my readers will be able to see the same message. So, please visit the website by clicking on the image above.

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Indulgences for the Rosary Explained

An indulgence is the remission of the temporal punishment due to sin, of which the guilt has already been forgiven (through Confession). It is not permission to sin nor a pardon of any future sins. Indulgences don’t forgive sins because it only removes the temporal punishment of forgiven sins. It does not remove the possibility of lapses into sin.

A universal indulgence is granted anywhere in the world while a local indulgence applies to only a specific place or area. A perpetual indulgence is one that may be gained at any time while a temporary indulgence only is available for certain times, for example, like certain indulgences for the Holy Souls in November.

A plenary indulgence is the complete remission of the temporal punishment of sin. Temporal punishments only “cancel out” a certain amount, of which only God knows. If more temporal punishment remains, more indulgences or time in purgatory (which is also biblical) is required in order to reach the perfection of Heaven. I highly suggest that you read The Raccolta: A Listing of Indulgences if you are looking for specific prayers.

Please also realize that many older documents like holy cards and prayer books would have a certain length of time printed on them. For example, a prayer could say it is a 300 day partial indulgence. However, realize that time does not exist in purgatory or Heaven or hell. The Church has never taught that if such a prayer was said, the person would get 300 days off of purgatory time. An indulgence is only reduced as God sees fit. In order to clarify this very complicated matter, the Church just stopped putting a length of time on partial indulgences following Vatican II in 1969. The dates corresponded only to early Church practices. Since it was so misunderstood, it was changed to allow people to understand it better.

For an indulgence to be granted, a person must be in the state of grace by the completion of the indulgence. The person must also want to gain the indulgence. Conditions for plenary indulgences are more difficult; the individual also must go through Sacramental Confession and Eucharist within seven days as well as saying prayers for the Pope (Apostles Creed, 1 Our Father, and any other prayers). The person must also relinquish all attaches to all sins – even venial sins. If a person does not meet the plenary criteria but meets the criteria for a partial indulgence, the individual will obtain the partial indulgence. A plenary indulgence can be gained only once a day unless the person is in danger of death.

Indulgences for the Rosary:

Plenary: Prayed privately or in common before the Blessed Sacrament (exposed or in the Tabernacle)

Partial: Praying using a blessed Rosary

Plenary: Prayed in Church, family group, or religious community. Prayed vocally and all five decades continuously. One must meditate on the mysteries of the Rosary. If it is publicly recited, the mysteries must be recited.

Remember to pray for the deceased. We can gain indulgences not for a living person but rather for a deceased person!

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Vatican: EM's Should not Purify the Sacred Vessels

I just saw an extraordinary minister purify the sacred vessels after Communion at Mass a few weeks ago. I didn't approve of it, so I'm really glad to hear this news from the Vatican.  Let's hope and work for an end in the Novus Ordo of these abominations. 

The Vatican has instructed the Catholic bishops of the US to discontinue the practice of allowing extraordinary Eucharistic ministers to assist with the purification of chalices after Communion

Bishop Trautman reminded his fellow bishops that the use of extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist is intended "exclusively for those instances where there are not enough ordinary ministers to distribute Holy Communion."

Source: CWNews

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"The Monastery"

I'm sure most of my readers remember "God or the Girl" - the A&E reality documentary about four men deciding whether to enter the priesthood. After reading updates following the documentary, all of them have decided not to enter as of the moment.

Well, if you liked it, you'll like this (probably)...

TLC has come out with "The Monastery", which is about five men spending 40 days at the desert Monastery Our Lady of the Desert in New Mexico. However, I honestly don't think they could have picked a set of people more likely never to enter a monastery. I'm doubtful, but hopeful, these people will truly find Christ in this monastery. It premeries on October 22nd at 10 PM ET/PT.

Updates:

I didn't watch the first episode because I forgot about it. But, it appears other blogs agree with me. In the comments at Lamland, Willa writes: "I nearly threw a pillow at the screen when the Marine amputee (Alex?) refused to make a show of respect at Mass and then said he wouldn't even go through the motions until he knew exactly what it was all about."

Blog Reviews of the First Episode:

1. LAMland: "Unlike God or the Girl, it's very artificial in every possible way...right now I'm tempted to give this one two big thumbs down."
2. Thresing Grain: "My favorite moment: Brother Rodrigo's conversation about the Virgin Mother--the question-'was the Virgin-really a virgin?' (I paraphrase here) He so lovingly spoke of his mother-stating she was 'his mother' and you don't speak or blaspheme her at all. You could see the love on his face and hear the tone of love in his voice. He got the point across to the men. You could hear a pin drop when he was speaking with them. And there were other moments. I recommend viewing this program and ask that prayers be offered for the success of the Holy Spirit."
3. Against all Heresies: "It seems that a majority of the participants are atheists, agnostics or malcontents who engage the monks in debate about "women rights and gay rights". How tiresome and completely predictable."

My Reviews of following episodes:

• Episode 2
• Episode 3
• Episode 4

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Wal-Mart and Gay Rights?

Update (November 21, 2006) from AFA.net:

Thank Walmart which has announced it "will no longer make corporate contributions to support or oppose controversial issues unless they directly relate to their ability to serve their customers" .

Update (November 9, 2006) from AFA.net:

In a show of support to help homosexuals legalize same-sex marriage, Wal-Mart has agreed to automatically donate 5% of online sales directly to the Washington DC Community Center for Gay, Lesbian Bisexual and Transgender People. The cash donation will come from online purchases made at Wal-Mart through the homosexual group's Web site. This move follows Wal-Mart's joining the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and agreeing to give generous financial help to that organization also.

Every purchase made online for books, music, videos, clothing and accessories, children's clothing and toys, and electronics at the site will automatically send 5% of the sales to the CCBLBT People. The agreement is an indication that Wal-Mart is totally committed to supporting the homosexual movement.

Wal-Mart also gave a generous cash donation to the Northwest Arkansas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Community Center, helping to provide a place where homosexuals can come together to "socialize."

Many observers feel it would have been a wise business decision for Wal-Mart to remain neutral in the cultural battle over homosexual marriage. But this was an ideological decision by Wal-Mart - not a business decision.

From AFA.net:

When Wal-Mart announced their support for the homosexual agenda a few weeks ago, they meant what they said. You will remember that Wal-Mart asked for, and received, permission to join the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC). The company announced they were giving two large grants to NGLCC. The world's largest retailer was rewarded with a position on the board of NGLCC. Wal-Mart also announced they would give preference to homosexual-owned businesses in purchasing products.

Justin Nelson, president of NGLCC, said he expects Wal-Mart to use its influence to pressure suppliers like P&G, Johnson & Johnson, and Gillette to give homosexual businesses preferential treatment. Wal-Mart is also working on a plan to provide domestic-partnership benefits to homsexual employee "partners." The NGLCC is a leading promoter of homosexual marriage.
...

A quick search of Wal-Mart's website turned up the following number of items for sale:

Gay - 1148
Lesbian - 468
Transgender - 40
Bisexual - 38
Gay Marriage - 26

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Pope Benedict XVI Visits Pontifical Lateran University

On October 23, 2006, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI visited the Pontifical Lateran University for the opening of the Academic Year for the Ecclesiastic Universities. Catholic News Agency reports:

Following a Mass celebrated to mark the beginning of the Roman academic year, Pope Benedict XVI offered a few words of reflection for students and faculty of the Pontifical Universities and Athanea of Rome. The Holy Father encouraged the students gathered to strengthen their spiritual life and to be prepared to receive the truth which, he noted, comes from God and not from a popular consensus.

The Holy Father noted the tremendous diversity of nations from which the Pontifical students originate. “At the start of this new academic year,” Pope Benedict said, “we praise the Lord for this special community of professors and students, which declares so eloquently the universality and the unity of the Catholic Church. A community still even more beautiful because it principally addresses the youth, giving them the opportunity to enter into and engage in institutions of high cultural and theological values, and offering at the same time, the possibility of enriching pastoral and ecclesiastic experiences.”

The Pope insisted that the Pontifical institutions should focus on, “the important priority of spiritual life and the need for concern, along with cultural growth, for a balanced human development and a deep religious and ascetic formation.”

“Those who want to be a friend of Jesus and to become an authentic disciple, whether seminarian, priest, religious, or layman, can cultivate an intimate friendship with Him in meditation and in prayer,” the Pope insisted.
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Pope Benedict XVI said something we can all learn to take to heart: ".... an education in silence and contemplation...is necessary to be able to listen with the heart to God who speaks. Only if they proceed from the silence of contemplation can our words have a certain value and usefulness and not fall into the inflation of the world's speeches which seek the consensus of public opinion. "

Image Source: REUTERS/Dario Pignatelli (Vatican)
2nd Image Source: AP Photo/L'Osservatore Romano, ho

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Words of Inspiration: October 23, 2006

"If we want a love message to be heard, it has got to be sent out. To keep a lamp burning, we have to keep putting oil in it" (Mother Teresa)

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