Probably the most beautiful Ave Maria I've ever heard.
Wednesday, April 11, 2018
Tuesday, April 10, 2018
"He saith to them: Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and you shall find. They cast therefore; and now they were not able to draw it, for the multitude of fishes. That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved, said to Peter: It is the Lord. Simon Peter, when he heard that it was the Lord, girt his coat about him, (for he was naked,) and cast himself into the sea. But the other disciples came in the ship, (for they were not far from the land, but as it were two hundred cubits,) dragging the net with fishes. As soon then as they came to land, they saw hot coals lying, and a fish laid thereon, and bread. Jesus saith to them: Bring hither of the fishes which you have now caught. Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land, full of great fishes, one hundred and fifty-three. And although there were so many, the net was not broken" (John 21:6-11).
This passage, which is read in the Traditional Mass on Easter Wednesday is unique for many reasons. One of which is the rather strange precision – 153 fish. Typically, when we read the Scriptures, we read 12, 40, 144, or other large and symbolic numbers. The number 153 is strangely precise among all Scripture passages in the entire Bible.
And yet, it is not without a deep meaning as explained by the Church Fathers.
Read more >>
This passage, which is read in the Traditional Mass on Easter Wednesday is unique for many reasons. One of which is the rather strange precision – 153 fish. Typically, when we read the Scriptures, we read 12, 40, 144, or other large and symbolic numbers. The number 153 is strangely precise among all Scripture passages in the entire Bible.
And yet, it is not without a deep meaning as explained by the Church Fathers.
St. Augustine says: The catch of fish tells us of the salvation of men, but man cannot be saved without keeping the 10 commandments. But, on account of the fall, man cannot even keep the commandments without the help of grace and the 7 gifts of the Holy Spirit. Moreover, the number 7 signifies holiness, since God blessed the 7th day and made it holy (Gen 2:3). But 10 plus 7 equals 17, and if all the numbers from 1 to 17 are added together (1+2+3…+17), they equal 153. Hence, the 153 fish signify that all the elect are to be saved by the gift of grace (7) and the following of the commandments (10).
St. Cyril breaks 153 into 100 (the great number of gentiles to be saved), plus 50 (the smaller number of Jews to be saved), plus 3 (the Trinity who saves all). Others follow St. Cyril, but modify this as follows: 100 (the multitude of married lay faithful in the Church), plus 50 (the many faithful who commit themselves later in life to continence either living as widows or living with their spouse in a brother-sister relationship), plus 3 (the precious few who commit their whole lives to celibacy as virgins) equals 153 (the whole Church taken together as a single body).
Perhaps most convincing of all is the theory of St. Jerome: It was thought at that time that there were only 153 species of fish in all the world. Hence, the disciples caught 153 fish, signifying that men of every class and time would be saved through the Gospel.
Source: New Theological Movement.I personally also find the most likely explanation to be the one offered by St. Jerome. And rather than merely admiring the hidden meaning here, we should realize it impresses on us – lay Catholics and consecrated religious alike – the need to use our resources and time to bring the Faith to other souls. Through our efforts of planting seeds, admonishing sinners, correcting the doubtful, and explaining Traditional Catholic teaching to the erring we bring us closer to the time when all nations and peoples will be united in the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church – the Barque of Peter – the Catholic Church.
Monday, April 9, 2018
This is the latest Catholic League press release on a serious issue as more and more Catholics continue to violate the 4th Commandment:
Catholic Church Attendance Drops
April 9, 2018
Catholic League president Bill Donohue comments on a new Gallup poll of Catholics:
We knew that younger Catholics were going to church in fewer numbers than in the past, but what is new about this Gallup poll is the decline among older Catholics. Overall, only 39 percent of Catholics say they attend church weekly, and among those aged 60 and over the figure is 49 percent. This means that "for the first time, a majority of Catholics in no generational group attend weekly."
In 1955, 73 percent of those aged 21-29 attended church weekly, but now the figure is 25 percent. Among those 60 and over, 73 percent attended church weekly in 1955, but now the figure is 49 percent.
The number of young people professing no religion, nationwide, was only 1 percent in 1955. Today it is 33 percent. That is an increase of 3200 percent!
The Gallup poll reports the data, but offers no explanation.
There are many reasons for the decline in church attendance. Here are seven core reasons.
1) The declining role of religion in elementary and secondary education has been dramatic.
2) Higher education has become increasingly hostile to religion, especially Christianity.
3) The pop culture, as manifested on TV, the movies, and music, is marked by a libertinism that is at odds with Christianity.
4) The ascendancy of moral relativism—the denial of moral absolutes— has engulfed society. The nation's cultural elites are responsible for this outcome, including, sadly, some religious leaders.
5) Declining marriage rates, and birthrates among married couples, has made it easier for parents to neglect their religious duties, including obligations to their own children.
6) Those over the age of 60 are the baby boomers, a generation that in their youth experienced the decadence of the 1960s and 1970s. Many of them entered their senior years without a strong religious background.
7) The Catholic clergy, which in the 1950s expected the faithful to attend church—and they did—lowered their expectations in subsequent decades, yielding predictable results.
There is no iron law of history, except on the blackboard of ignorant professors, so a reversal of events is possible. But a culture doesn't change by happenstance: it takes a determined effort on the part of the nation's elites to reverse course. Regrettably, that day has yet to come.
Read more >>
Catholic Church Attendance Drops
April 9, 2018
Catholic League president Bill Donohue comments on a new Gallup poll of Catholics:
We knew that younger Catholics were going to church in fewer numbers than in the past, but what is new about this Gallup poll is the decline among older Catholics. Overall, only 39 percent of Catholics say they attend church weekly, and among those aged 60 and over the figure is 49 percent. This means that "for the first time, a majority of Catholics in no generational group attend weekly."
In 1955, 73 percent of those aged 21-29 attended church weekly, but now the figure is 25 percent. Among those 60 and over, 73 percent attended church weekly in 1955, but now the figure is 49 percent.
The number of young people professing no religion, nationwide, was only 1 percent in 1955. Today it is 33 percent. That is an increase of 3200 percent!
The Gallup poll reports the data, but offers no explanation.
There are many reasons for the decline in church attendance. Here are seven core reasons.
1) The declining role of religion in elementary and secondary education has been dramatic.
2) Higher education has become increasingly hostile to religion, especially Christianity.
3) The pop culture, as manifested on TV, the movies, and music, is marked by a libertinism that is at odds with Christianity.
4) The ascendancy of moral relativism—the denial of moral absolutes— has engulfed society. The nation's cultural elites are responsible for this outcome, including, sadly, some religious leaders.
5) Declining marriage rates, and birthrates among married couples, has made it easier for parents to neglect their religious duties, including obligations to their own children.
6) Those over the age of 60 are the baby boomers, a generation that in their youth experienced the decadence of the 1960s and 1970s. Many of them entered their senior years without a strong religious background.
7) The Catholic clergy, which in the 1950s expected the faithful to attend church—and they did—lowered their expectations in subsequent decades, yielding predictable results.
There is no iron law of history, except on the blackboard of ignorant professors, so a reversal of events is possible. But a culture doesn't change by happenstance: it takes a determined effort on the part of the nation's elites to reverse course. Regrettably, that day has yet to come.
In the back of your 1962 Daily Missal is likely a section for feasts in certain places and for certain congregations. These feastdays are not on the Universal Church but are unique to certain dioceses or religious orders. Yesterday on April 8th was one such feast - the Feast of Blessed Julie Billart. Despite being called Blessed in the 1962 Missal, she was subsequently canonized in 1969.
St. Julie Billiart was confined for 22 years to her bed due to paralysis. Miraculously cured, she founded the Institute of the Sisters of Notre-Dame for the care and Christian education of poor girls.
St. Julie Billiart was born in 1751 and died in 1816. At a young age she released her love was for teaching and she carried on that mission throughout her life, and the Congregation she founded continues her work.
Catholic Online summarizes her life:
Collect:
O God, Who didst will that in her unconquered love of Thy cross blessed Julie should raise up in Thy Church a religious family for teaching the daughters of the poor: grant through her intercession that by steadfast endurance of suffering we may obtain eternal joys. Who livest and reignest...
Read more >>
St. Julie Billiart was confined for 22 years to her bed due to paralysis. Miraculously cured, she founded the Institute of the Sisters of Notre-Dame for the care and Christian education of poor girls.
St. Julie Billiart was born in 1751 and died in 1816. At a young age she released her love was for teaching and she carried on that mission throughout her life, and the Congregation she founded continues her work.
Catholic Online summarizes her life:
Julie was the fifth of seven children. She attended a little one room school in Cuvilly. She enjoyed all of her studies, but she was particularly attracted to the religion lessons taught by the parish priest. Recognizing something "special" in Julie, the priest secretly allowed her to make her First Communion at the age of nine, when the normal age at that time, was thirteen. She learned to make short mental prayers and to develop a great love for Jesus in the Eucharist.
A murder attempt on her father shocked her nervous system badly. A period of extremely poor heath for Julie began, and was to last for thirty years. For twenty-two of these years she was completely paralyzed. All of her sufferings and pain she offered up to God.
When the French Revolution broke out, Julie offered her home as a hiding place for loyal priests. Because of this, Julie became a hunted prey. Five times in three years she was forced to flee in secret to avoid compromising her friends who were hiding her.
At this time she was privileged to receive a vision. She saw her crucified Lord surrounded by a large group of religious women dressed in a habit she had never seen before. An inner voice told her that these would be her daughters and that she would begin an institute for the Christian education of young girls. She and a rich young woman founded the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.
At Amiens, the two women and a few companions began living a religious life in 1803. In 1804, Julie was miraculously cured of her illness and walked for the first time in twenty-two years. In 1805, Julie and three companions made their profession and took their final vows. She was elected as Mother General of the young Congregation.
In 1815, Mother taxed her ever poor health by nursing the wounded and feeding the starving left from the battle of Waterloo. For the last three months of her life, she again suffered much. She died peacefully on April 8, 1816 at 64 years of age. Julie was beatified on May 13, 1906, and was canonized by Pope Paul VI in 1969. Her feast day is April 8th.
Collect:
O God, Who didst will that in her unconquered love of Thy cross blessed Julie should raise up in Thy Church a religious family for teaching the daughters of the poor: grant through her intercession that by steadfast endurance of suffering we may obtain eternal joys. Who livest and reignest...
Tuesday, April 3, 2018
Continuing the account of my travels last month, after finishing five days in Netherlands and Belgium, I arrived via train in Paris at night on March 7th. Paris is the home to a sadly forgotten Catholic Faith but one that is still seen in some remnants.
On the morning of March 8th I started my pilgrimage to Paris. I started at the most quintessential Catholic Church in France: Notre Dame. Completed in 1345 - nearly 200 years after the groundbreaking - Notre Dame is a beacon of hope to those who pray and work for a restoration of Catholicism in France. The Cathedral suffered serious damage in the 1790s when - like many French churches - it was desecrated by the French Revolutionaries. Thankfully, an extensive restoration began in 1845 and today the Cathedral holds beautiful art and many treasures including the relic of the Crown of Thorns, a fragment of the True Cross, and one of the Holy Nails that pierced our Lord Jesus Christ.
The altar on which is displayed the Relic of the Crown of Thorns purchased by St. Louis IX for veneration at certain times
The relics of St. Genevieve, patron of France.
After visiting Notre Dame and exploring the city despite the persistent rain, I made my way north and concluded the day with Eucharistic Adoration in Sacré-Cœur, a truly breathtaking Basilica. Unlike many of the Cathedrals and Basilicas in France, this one is relatively new as it was completed in 1914 and dedicated after WWI.
Sacré-Cœur is a monument which serves as a national penance for the defeat of France in the 1870 Franco-Prussian War and the socialist Paris Commune of 1871. Sacré-Cœur serves as an embodiment of conservative moral order, publicly dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Those familiar with French history will know of the desecration of many French churches including the destruction of relics, icons, paintings, and whole buildings in the French Revolution. In fact, thousands of Catholics were killed for the Faith. Next to the Pantheon - a church which has been desecrated and to this day still serves as a monument and burial chamber for leading atheistic revolutionaries - is the Church of Saint-Étienne-du-Mont.
Inside Saint-Étienne-du-Mont are some of the relics of St. Genevieve which were not destroyed. I was able to venerate those sacred relics.
Taking advantage of the favorable weather, I traveled across town to Saint Chapelle - the personal chapel which St. Louis IX built to contain the Relic of the Crown of Thorns. The holy saint spent 100,000 livres to purchase the relics and return it to the hands of a Christian nation. By contrast, the beautiful chapel cost 40,000 livres to build and glaze. This served for me a good reflection point - do I do all that I can to bring glory to God? Do I sacrifice enough?
As I neared the end of my trip to France, I made time for a few additional sites. One of which was the beautiful Shrine of the Miraculous Medal. As the Shrine's website relates:
The chapel was built in 1815 and was dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In 1830 it was privileged with the extraordinary events of the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin to Sister Catherine Labouré that marked it forever.
Heaven came down to earth… Between July and December 1830 Sister Catherine, a young Seminary Sister (novice) of the Daughters of Charity, received the extraordinary favour of conversing with the Virgin Mary on three occasions. In the preceding months Catherine had the privilege of other apparitions. Saint Vincent de Paul showed her his heart. While at prayer in the chapel, Catherine saw, on three successive days, the heart of Saint Vincent in three different colours. The heart first appeared white, the colour of peace; then red, the colour of fire; and then black, an indication of the misfortunes that would come upon France and Paris in particular. Soon afterwards, Catherine saw Christ present in the Eucharistic host. “I saw Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament all the time of my seminary except the times when I doubted.” On June 6, 1830, feast of the Holy Trinity, Christ appeared as a crucified King, stripped of all his adornments.
July 18, 1830, the eve of the feast of Saint Vincent whom she loved so much and whose heart she had seen overflowing with love, Catherine prayed that, through his intercession, her desire to see the Blessed Virgin would finally be fulfilled. At eleven-thirty at night, she was called by name. A mysterious child was at the foot of her bed and asked her to get up. “The Blessed Virgin is waiting for you.” Catherine dressed and followed the child who was “bringing rays of brightness wherever he passed.” Having arrived in the chapel, St. Catherine stopped near the chair used by the priest in the sanctuary (current location of the statue of Saint Joseph). She then heard a sound “like the rustle of a silk dress.” Her little guide said, “Here is the Blessed Virgin.” She hesitated. But the child repeated in a stronger tone of voice, “Here is the Blessed Virgin.” In a single bound, Catherine was at the feet of the Blessed Virgin, seated on a chair and rested her hands on the knees of the Mother of God. “There, a period of time passed, the sweetest of my life. It would be impossible for me to say what I experienced. The Blessed Virgin told me how I should behave towards my spiritual director and also several other things.” The Blessed Virgin pointed to the altar where the tabernacle was and said, “Come to the foot of this altar. Here, graces will be spread over all who ask for them with confidence and fervour.” A difficult mission was announced as well as a request for the establishment of a Confraternity of the Children of Mary. Father Aladel would accomplish this request on February 2, 1840.
Continue Reading...
The Body of St. Luisa of Marillac. She was the co-founder, with Saint Vincent de Paul, of the Daughters of Charity.
And at last, my final stop was the Shrine of St. Vincent de Paul which is located just blocks from the Miraculous Medal Chapel. There I was able to venerate and pray before his body. It was an experience that will remain with me for the rest of my life!
St. Vincent's body was exhumed in 1712, 53 years after his death. The written account of an eyewitness states that "the eyes and nose alone showed some decay". However, when it was exhumed again during the canonization in 1737, it was found to have decomposed due to an underground flood. His bones have been encased in a waxen figure which is displayed in a glass reliquary in the chapel of the headquarters of the Vincentian fathers in Paris. His heart is still incorrupt and is displayed in a reliquary in the chapel of the motherhouse of the Daughters of Charity in Paris
Thank you for all of your prayers as I made this pilgrimage in Europe. I prayed for the intention of all of my readers and benefactors. And I continue to hold them in my prayers.
Whenever I read the accounts of St. Patrick’s work amongst the Irish I am reminded of the actions of Holy Moses in the Old Testament. As Moses went in the darkness of Egypt and faced a pagan pharaoh and his demonic magicians, so Patrick went to Ireland and faced pagan kings and Druid sorcerers. A mortal combat between life and death…between the light and darkness …between truth and falsehood…between a worker of true miracles and the performers of lying wonders…between Christ and the devil.
Moses would be the good Lord’s instrument in bringing all the tribes of Israel out of Egypt. And Ireland would become the only country in the world that entirely owes its conversion to the work of one single man, namely, St. Patrick. As Moses went up Mt. Sinai and received the revelation of the law after much fasting, so St. Patrick had his own Lent of forty days spent on top of a mountain known as Croagh Patrick…the Mt. Sinai of Ireland…where the saint could look over the Island on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. And from these heights, St. Patrick stood in the breach like Moses and obtained from the good Lord heavenly promises, including a remnant in Ireland that would always maintain the Faith and even the promise of St. Patrick being given the privilege of judging the Irish people and those of Irish descent at their deaths.
On that Mountain of Croagh Patrick, the saintly bishop blessed the land on Holy Saturday and, having descended, Patrick offered Holy Mass for the people on Easter Sunday. But it is interesting that the great work of conversion in Ireland began on the night of the Resurrection…on Easter Vigil with the Easter Fire.
Tuesday, March 27, 2018
Monday, March 19, 2018
Image Source: Copyright (C) A Catholic Life Blog, 2018. Image of St. Nicholas Church in Brussels, Belgium.
As I recently shared in regards to my travels in Belgium, the country has fallen far from its days as a truly Catholic practicing nation. Please join me in praying this Litany of Belgian Saints:
For Private Devotion Only.
St. Abel of Reims
St. Acarius
St. Aibert
St. Saint Alena
St. Alice of Schaerbeek
St. Amalberga of Maubeuge
St. Amalberga of Temse
St. Amandus
St. Amandina of Schakkebroek
St. Arnoul of Cysoing
St. Bavo of Ghent
St. Begga
St. John Berchmans
St. Berlinda of Meerbeke
St. Julie Billiart
St. Boniface of Brussels
St. Celsa and Nona
St. Chrodegang
St. Colette of Corbie
St. Father Damien
St. Domitian of Huy
St. Saint Drogo
St. Ermin of Lobbes
St. Gérard of Brogne
St. Gertrude of Nivelles
St. Gerulfus
St. Saint Ghislain
St. Godelieve
St. Godwin of Stavelot
St. Gondulphus of Berry
St. Gudula
St. Gummarus
St. Guy of Anderlecht
St. Saint Hadelin
St. Himelin
St. Idesbald
St. Itta of Metz
St. Juliana of Liège
St. Lambert of Maastricht
St. Landelin
St. Landrada
St. Albert of Louvain
St. Lutgardis
St. Marie of Oignies
St. Martin of Tongres
St. Saint Oda
St. Pharaildis
St. Poppo of Stavelot
St. Reineldis
St. Relindis of Maaseik
St. Rimbert
St. Rumbold of Mechelen
St. Saint Ava
St. Libert of Saint-Trond
St. Victor Scheppers
St. Trudo
St. Vincent Madelgarius
St. Mutien-Marie Wiaux
St. Wivina (abbess)
St. Yvette of Huy
Sunday, March 18, 2018
Over the past few years I have been privileged to travel to several great Catholic nations and cities. The Vatican, Rome, Florence, Munich, Madrid, and Vienna are just a few of the European cities I’ve explored in the past two years. My travels have taken me to forgotten shrines, mountain monasteries, precious relics of incorruptible saints, and some of the most sacred places on earth.
This year I wanted to take a different route. I wanted to travel to those formerly Catholic cities in the Netherlands and Belgium – cities where the Faith was attacked by the Protestants and where the Church’s martyrs grew in vast numbers. These cities have as of late largely been attacked with the assault of liberalism, modernism, and secularism. Nowadays, few souls remain attached to any religion and in the Netherlands over half of the population is irreligious. Catholics make up the next largest share but the total number of citizens who belong to any religion is shocking low at 32%. Belgium – while on paper seems much larger in number of Catholics – has been infected with liberalism since their constitution in 1831. The nation is a proponent of euthanasia, abortion, and same-sex “marriage.” Alas, these two nations have fallen far from their more glorious and faithful past.
So this March I endeavored to travel to these nations and pray for the souls there. I wanted to see the relics that remained, venerate the Catholic shrines there, and pray along the way for the souls who need prayers.
Amsterdam
My journey started on March 3, 2018, as I arrived in Amsterdam. The city is home to a few Catholic destinations – the main one being St. Nicholas Basilica which is located just a few minutes’ walk from the Amsterdam Central Train station. The Basilica has a collection of religious murals and above the high altar is the crown of Maximilian I, the Holy Roman Emperor from 1486 - 1519. In a country of few Catholic places of worship compared with Protestant ones, the Basilica of St. Nicholas is actually the city’s main Catholic Church. Built in 1887, it was only declared a Minor Basilica recently on its 125th anniversary.
The Basilica is beautiful and well worth a visit. They even offer Latin Vespers each Sunday at 17:00, and while there I had the chance to sit and pray along as they chanted Traditional Gregorian Vespers – a true rarity to find!
The next day in Amsterdam started with a morning Mass at St. Agnes Church, which is run by the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter. Located just 20 or so minutes via tram from St. Nicholas, the church is staffed by several priests and Confessions can be heard in either Dutch or English, since English is known and spoken by virtually all of Amsterdam’s residents. The FSSP parish is a true gem of Faith in a country that needs our prayers.
Utrecht
After a few days in Amsterdam, I ventured down to the true religious heart of the Netherlands in the city of Utrecht. There I visited the beautiful Church of St. Willibrord which offers the Traditional Latin Mass and also paid a visit to the city’s Cathedral, which was taken over by the Protestants after the Protestant Reformation.
The highlight of Utrecht is the city’s towering Dom Tower, a true testimony of the great dedication of the past people for Utrecht and the Kingdom of the Netherlands for the Faith. The Gothic style Tower is the largest church tower in all of the Netherlands at 112.5 meters high. Join me in praying for the conversion of these people through the intercession of The Martyrs of Gorkum, St. Willibrord, St. Oda, St. Bernold, and the other saints of the Netherlands.
Antwerp
After spending a few days in the Netherlands, I took a train from Amsterdam to Antwerp, Belgium, a city on the border of Belgium and the Netherlands. And this part of the journey did not disappoint.
I arrived in Antwerp’s central train station and it is one of the most unique central stations of Europe, as it is adorned with over twenty different kinds of stone and features soaring, arched windows. The station allows in a significant amount of sunlight, which is a welcome sight in a country that has a disproportionate amount of rainfall.
My primary destination in Antwerp was the Cathedral of Our Lady, built in 1521. The belfry of the cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the place contained more triptychs than I have ever seen combined – several famous paintings by Rubens including his legendary works: Elevation of the Cross and his Descent from the Cross are there in triptychs. I was delighted to also see his impressive painting of the Lord’s Resurrection here in a small side chapel as well. While most of the Cathedrals I have visited in Europe are free to enter, this one charged a nominal admission fee but it was well worth the price.
The Cathedral itself is a metaphor of the eventual return of the Faith to this part of the world. Back in 1794, the French revolutionaries - the same ones who murdered nuns and destroyed cathedrals, plundered Our Lady's Cathedral in Antwerp and left it in serious damage. In fact, the French government sought to completely demolish the building in 1798 but the Cathedral persisted. At last, in 1816, many priceless works of art were finally restored from Paris as the French liberal government disbanded and the Bourbon Kings were restored to the Throne of France. During this time, the three Rubens masterpieces were returned and restored to their rightful place in the Cathedral.
The Cathedral itself has undergone significant renovations and completed a major renovation back in 1993. The Cathedral cannot be overemphasized. No visit to Northern Europe would be complete with this awe-inspiring and art-rich destination. In fact, of all the museums and Cathedrals I have visited, only the Louve, religious art museum in Florence and the Vatican Museum had, in my opinion, a more impressive art collection.
Antwerp is a fascinating town and well worth a shortstop. After roughly 4 hours in the city, I headed back to the central station and passed through Ghent before arriving in my next Belgian stop: Bruges.
Bruges
Hidden in this small, medieval town which features cobblestone streets and the sense of stepping back in time is the wonderful Basilica of the Holy Blood. The Basilica was built in the 12th century to house a precious relic of the Holy Blood. The relic is a cloth with the blood of Jesus Christ, housed in a vial, brought to the city by Thierry of Alsace after the 12th century Second Crusade. The cloth itself was collected by St. Joseph of Arimathea himself.
The Basilica features both an upper and a lower chapel. My visit was only of the upper chapel which feature a Gothic style interior and murals on the wall depicting Thierry of Alsace bringing the relic of the Holy Blood back from the Holy Land. In 1310, Pope Clement V issued a papal bull granting an indulgence to pilgrims who visited the chapel to venerate the relic.
The relic itself is kept behind a silver tabernacle on a side altar. What an awe-inspiring moment to pray before a relic of the Blood of Jesus Christ! Yet, how many of us fail to recall that we truly consume (not just venerate but even truly consume) His Precious Blood – the same Blood! – in Holy Communion.
Also in Bruges is St. Salvator's Cathedral. Though it has been under major construction in recent years, it is also worth a stop as it is on the way between the basilica and the main train station. Inside – like the other churches on my pilgrimage – were several beautiful paintings.
After a few hours exploring the city, I ventured via train from Bruges’ central train station on to Brussels, the capital of the European Union and of Belgium.
Brussels
My first stop after leaving the station and arriving in the heart of Brussels near their famous central square – which is considered by some as the top square in the world in terms of beauty – is the Church of St. Nicholas.
Inside this quaint church rests the holy relics of 19 Martyrs of Gorcum. These martyrs were killed by a Protestant gang on September 7, 1572. Among their number are 10 Franciscans, 2 Norbertines, 1 Dominican, 1 Augustinian, 4 members of the clergy, and 1 layman. Truly they represent the Universal Church.
Previously in the 18th century across the street from the Church of St. Nicholas was a Franciscan convent that has since been destroyed. The relics of the Gorcum martyrs were carried from that convent to the Church of St. Nicholas and kept in a gilded, copper shrine created by Franz-Xaver Hellner. The shrine is a true work of art and a beautiful expression of Faith.
The shrine rests on four lions. On the front panel is Fr. Francois van Rooy, one of the martyrs. On the opposite panel is the Virgin Mary with St. Boniface and the Franciscans van Outers. Along the sides are the 9 martyrs in robes. And on the roof are six scenes which illustrate scenes from their life including their imprisonment and martyrdom, carrying them by boat towards Brielle, the last questioning of Guillaume de la Marck, their hanging, the carrying of their relics to Brussels, and their canonization.
Also in Brussels is the Cathedral of St. Michael. Built in a similar but more modest style to Notre Dame in Paris, the Cathedral is home to some beautiful art. Inside is a truly unique Baroque pulpit by Hendrick Frans Verbruggen and a large organ which contains 4300 pipes, 63 stops, four manuals and one pedal. Spend some time there praying for the people of Belgium to return in greater fervor to the Catholic Faith.
And finally, worth mentioning is that Brussels too is home to the Traditional Mass of All Time. While I visited only for one day during the week and did not have the opportunity to attend one of the Tridentine Masses in the city, they do exist in several locations.
Conclusion
Most Catholics do not think of the Netherlands and Belgium as immediate travel destinations. Home to many protestant and irreligious ideas, the Faith has been under assault for years in these countries. But as my travels illustrated, the Faith lives on. Inside the cities in Belgium and the Netherlands are testaments of a Catholic past and a promise of a future which we can help attain through our work of catechesis and prayer. Join me in praying a Pater and an Ave for the souls in these nations. Lord have mercy!
I also spent the next 5 days in Paris and I will share in a separate article the highlights of that adventure. Also, photos will be posted on my Instagram channel as well.
Note, all images are copyrighted by me and all rights are reserved.
Read more >>
This year I wanted to take a different route. I wanted to travel to those formerly Catholic cities in the Netherlands and Belgium – cities where the Faith was attacked by the Protestants and where the Church’s martyrs grew in vast numbers. These cities have as of late largely been attacked with the assault of liberalism, modernism, and secularism. Nowadays, few souls remain attached to any religion and in the Netherlands over half of the population is irreligious. Catholics make up the next largest share but the total number of citizens who belong to any religion is shocking low at 32%. Belgium – while on paper seems much larger in number of Catholics – has been infected with liberalism since their constitution in 1831. The nation is a proponent of euthanasia, abortion, and same-sex “marriage.” Alas, these two nations have fallen far from their more glorious and faithful past.
So this March I endeavored to travel to these nations and pray for the souls there. I wanted to see the relics that remained, venerate the Catholic shrines there, and pray along the way for the souls who need prayers.
Amsterdam
My journey started on March 3, 2018, as I arrived in Amsterdam. The city is home to a few Catholic destinations – the main one being St. Nicholas Basilica which is located just a few minutes’ walk from the Amsterdam Central Train station. The Basilica has a collection of religious murals and above the high altar is the crown of Maximilian I, the Holy Roman Emperor from 1486 - 1519. In a country of few Catholic places of worship compared with Protestant ones, the Basilica of St. Nicholas is actually the city’s main Catholic Church. Built in 1887, it was only declared a Minor Basilica recently on its 125th anniversary.
The Basilica is beautiful and well worth a visit. They even offer Latin Vespers each Sunday at 17:00, and while there I had the chance to sit and pray along as they chanted Traditional Gregorian Vespers – a true rarity to find!
The next day in Amsterdam started with a morning Mass at St. Agnes Church, which is run by the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter. Located just 20 or so minutes via tram from St. Nicholas, the church is staffed by several priests and Confessions can be heard in either Dutch or English, since English is known and spoken by virtually all of Amsterdam’s residents. The FSSP parish is a true gem of Faith in a country that needs our prayers.
Utrecht
After a few days in Amsterdam, I ventured down to the true religious heart of the Netherlands in the city of Utrecht. There I visited the beautiful Church of St. Willibrord which offers the Traditional Latin Mass and also paid a visit to the city’s Cathedral, which was taken over by the Protestants after the Protestant Reformation.
The highlight of Utrecht is the city’s towering Dom Tower, a true testimony of the great dedication of the past people for Utrecht and the Kingdom of the Netherlands for the Faith. The Gothic style Tower is the largest church tower in all of the Netherlands at 112.5 meters high. Join me in praying for the conversion of these people through the intercession of The Martyrs of Gorkum, St. Willibrord, St. Oda, St. Bernold, and the other saints of the Netherlands.
Antwerp
After spending a few days in the Netherlands, I took a train from Amsterdam to Antwerp, Belgium, a city on the border of Belgium and the Netherlands. And this part of the journey did not disappoint.
I arrived in Antwerp’s central train station and it is one of the most unique central stations of Europe, as it is adorned with over twenty different kinds of stone and features soaring, arched windows. The station allows in a significant amount of sunlight, which is a welcome sight in a country that has a disproportionate amount of rainfall.
My primary destination in Antwerp was the Cathedral of Our Lady, built in 1521. The belfry of the cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the place contained more triptychs than I have ever seen combined – several famous paintings by Rubens including his legendary works: Elevation of the Cross and his Descent from the Cross are there in triptychs. I was delighted to also see his impressive painting of the Lord’s Resurrection here in a small side chapel as well. While most of the Cathedrals I have visited in Europe are free to enter, this one charged a nominal admission fee but it was well worth the price.
The Cathedral itself is a metaphor of the eventual return of the Faith to this part of the world. Back in 1794, the French revolutionaries - the same ones who murdered nuns and destroyed cathedrals, plundered Our Lady's Cathedral in Antwerp and left it in serious damage. In fact, the French government sought to completely demolish the building in 1798 but the Cathedral persisted. At last, in 1816, many priceless works of art were finally restored from Paris as the French liberal government disbanded and the Bourbon Kings were restored to the Throne of France. During this time, the three Rubens masterpieces were returned and restored to their rightful place in the Cathedral.
Antwerp is a fascinating town and well worth a shortstop. After roughly 4 hours in the city, I headed back to the central station and passed through Ghent before arriving in my next Belgian stop: Bruges.
Bruges
Hidden in this small, medieval town which features cobblestone streets and the sense of stepping back in time is the wonderful Basilica of the Holy Blood. The Basilica was built in the 12th century to house a precious relic of the Holy Blood. The relic is a cloth with the blood of Jesus Christ, housed in a vial, brought to the city by Thierry of Alsace after the 12th century Second Crusade. The cloth itself was collected by St. Joseph of Arimathea himself.
The relic itself is kept behind a silver tabernacle on a side altar. What an awe-inspiring moment to pray before a relic of the Blood of Jesus Christ! Yet, how many of us fail to recall that we truly consume (not just venerate but even truly consume) His Precious Blood – the same Blood! – in Holy Communion.
Also in Bruges is St. Salvator's Cathedral. Though it has been under major construction in recent years, it is also worth a stop as it is on the way between the basilica and the main train station. Inside – like the other churches on my pilgrimage – were several beautiful paintings.
After a few hours exploring the city, I ventured via train from Bruges’ central train station on to Brussels, the capital of the European Union and of Belgium.
Brussels
My first stop after leaving the station and arriving in the heart of Brussels near their famous central square – which is considered by some as the top square in the world in terms of beauty – is the Church of St. Nicholas.
Inside this quaint church rests the holy relics of 19 Martyrs of Gorcum. These martyrs were killed by a Protestant gang on September 7, 1572. Among their number are 10 Franciscans, 2 Norbertines, 1 Dominican, 1 Augustinian, 4 members of the clergy, and 1 layman. Truly they represent the Universal Church.
Previously in the 18th century across the street from the Church of St. Nicholas was a Franciscan convent that has since been destroyed. The relics of the Gorcum martyrs were carried from that convent to the Church of St. Nicholas and kept in a gilded, copper shrine created by Franz-Xaver Hellner. The shrine is a true work of art and a beautiful expression of Faith.
The shrine rests on four lions. On the front panel is Fr. Francois van Rooy, one of the martyrs. On the opposite panel is the Virgin Mary with St. Boniface and the Franciscans van Outers. Along the sides are the 9 martyrs in robes. And on the roof are six scenes which illustrate scenes from their life including their imprisonment and martyrdom, carrying them by boat towards Brielle, the last questioning of Guillaume de la Marck, their hanging, the carrying of their relics to Brussels, and their canonization.
And finally, worth mentioning is that Brussels too is home to the Traditional Mass of All Time. While I visited only for one day during the week and did not have the opportunity to attend one of the Tridentine Masses in the city, they do exist in several locations.
Conclusion
Most Catholics do not think of the Netherlands and Belgium as immediate travel destinations. Home to many protestant and irreligious ideas, the Faith has been under assault for years in these countries. But as my travels illustrated, the Faith lives on. Inside the cities in Belgium and the Netherlands are testaments of a Catholic past and a promise of a future which we can help attain through our work of catechesis and prayer. Join me in praying a Pater and an Ave for the souls in these nations. Lord have mercy!
I also spent the next 5 days in Paris and I will share in a separate article the highlights of that adventure. Also, photos will be posted on my Instagram channel as well.
Note, all images are copyrighted by me and all rights are reserved.
Saturday, March 17, 2018
This Litany is approved for public recitation in the churches of Ireland.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us
Holy Mother of God,
Holy Virgin of virgins,
St. Joseph, pray for us.
St. Killian, pray for us
St. Rumold,
St. Livinus,
St. Oliver,
All ye Holy Martyrs, pray for us.
St. Celestine, pray for us.
St. Patrick,
St. Malachy,
St. Macnise,
St. Finnian,
St. Mel
St. Macartan,
St. Eugene,
St. Colman,
St. Felim,
St. Eunan,
St. Laurence,
St. Conleth,
St. Laserian,
St. Aidan,
St. Kieran,
St. Albert,
St. Ailbe,
St. Colman,
St. Finnbarr,
St. Flannan,
St. Munchin,
St. Fachtna,
St. Otteran,
St. Carthage,
St. Jarlath,
St. Nathy,
St. Asicus,
St. Nicholas,
St. Colman,
St. Muredach,
St. Declan,
St. Virgilius,
St. Senan,
St. Frigidian,
St. Cuthbert,
St. Rupert,
St. Celsus,
St. Cataldus,
St. Donatus,
Blessed Thaddaeus,
All ye Holy Pontiffs and Confessors, pray for us.
St. Columba, pray for us.
St. Kevin,
St. Brendan,
St. Canice,
St. Kieran,
St. Columbanus,
St. Gall,
St. Fursey,
St. Fintan,
St. Comgall,
St. Fiacre,
All ye Holy Monks and Hermits, pray for us.
St. Brigid, pray for us.
St. Ita,
St. Attracta,
St. Dympna,
St. Lelia,
All ye Holy Virgins, pray for us.
All ye Holy Saints of God, Intercede for us.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.
V. Pray for us, all you Saints of Ireland.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray
Grant, O Lord, an increase of Thy Grace to us who celebrate the memory of all the Saints of our Island; that as, on earth, we rejoice to be one with them in race, so, in Heaven, we may deserve to share with them an inheritance of bliss. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity one God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us
Holy Mother of God,
Holy Virgin of virgins,
St. Joseph, pray for us.
St. Killian, pray for us
St. Rumold,
St. Livinus,
St. Oliver,
All ye Holy Martyrs, pray for us.
St. Celestine, pray for us.
St. Patrick,
St. Malachy,
St. Macnise,
St. Finnian,
St. Mel
St. Macartan,
St. Eugene,
St. Colman,
St. Felim,
St. Eunan,
St. Laurence,
St. Conleth,
St. Laserian,
St. Aidan,
St. Kieran,
St. Albert,
St. Ailbe,
St. Colman,
St. Finnbarr,
St. Flannan,
St. Munchin,
St. Fachtna,
St. Otteran,
St. Carthage,
St. Jarlath,
St. Nathy,
St. Asicus,
St. Nicholas,
St. Colman,
St. Muredach,
St. Declan,
St. Virgilius,
St. Senan,
St. Frigidian,
St. Cuthbert,
St. Rupert,
St. Celsus,
St. Cataldus,
St. Donatus,
Blessed Thaddaeus,
All ye Holy Pontiffs and Confessors, pray for us.
St. Columba, pray for us.
St. Kevin,
St. Brendan,
St. Canice,
St. Kieran,
St. Columbanus,
St. Gall,
St. Fursey,
St. Fintan,
St. Comgall,
St. Fiacre,
All ye Holy Monks and Hermits, pray for us.
St. Brigid, pray for us.
St. Ita,
St. Attracta,
St. Dympna,
St. Lelia,
All ye Holy Virgins, pray for us.
All ye Holy Saints of God, Intercede for us.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us.
V. Pray for us, all you Saints of Ireland.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray
Grant, O Lord, an increase of Thy Grace to us who celebrate the memory of all the Saints of our Island; that as, on earth, we rejoice to be one with them in race, so, in Heaven, we may deserve to share with them an inheritance of bliss. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
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