Monday, January 6, 2020
How Much Merit Does the Church Have to Give Away in Indulgences?

What Are Indulgences?

Pope Paul VI said: "An indulgence is a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven, which the faithful Christian who is duly disposed gains under certain defined conditions through the Church’s help when, as a minister of redemption, she dispenses and applies with authority the treasury of the satisfactions won by Christ and the saints" (Indulgentiarum Doctrina 1).

An indulgence is a removal of the punishment from sin. Although you are forgiven in Confession for sins the punishment stills remains, which would have to be achieved through purification like in purgatory. If an indulgence is performed and earned, then part or all of the punishment is removed. Catechists often use the story of a boy hitting a baseball through his neighbor’s window to explain indulgences. The neighbor forgives the boy for the offense – which corresponds to our forgiveness in the confessional – yet the boy must still make restitution and pay for a new window – which relates to our need for penance to remove the temporal effects of sin.

Remember, indulgences are only possible because of God's love displayed on the Cross. Without Jesus Christ, we would have no chance to be forgiven and obtain salvation.


How Much Merit Does the Church Have to Give Away in Indulgences? 

The Church possesses an infinite treasury of merits that can be applied to souls. This treasury is composed of the acts of those who in Heaven or who are still on Earth that they did not need (i.e. their souls were already clean from the temporal punishment from sin). This excess is not lost and if the person performing the indulged act does not ask God to apply the merits to someone in particular, they remain in the Church’s treasury.

However, these merits are small, in fact infinitely small, in comparison to the merits won by our Lord on the Cross. By His Sacrifice, our Lord won for us an infinite treasure of merits which He entrusts to the Church. This treasury as such will never run out. There is no concern that the Church will run out of merits to apply to us for our indulged acts.

What Are The Kinds of Indulgences?

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.

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 purgatory time. An indulgence is only reduced as God sees fit. The dates corresponded only to early Church practices. The 300 days indulgence would correspond to 300 days of earthly fasting and penance. Since it was so misunderstood, most prayer cards no longer print these dates, referring to indulgences instead as either partial or plenary.
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Sunday, January 5, 2020
Act of Reparation for Blasphemies Uttered Against the Holy Name of Jesus

IHS Monogram–the Name of Jesus by Waiting For The Word (2006) via Flickr, CC.

O Jesus, my Savior and Redeemer, Son of the living God, behold, we kneel before Thee and offer Thee our reparation; we would make amends for all the blasphemies uttered against Thy holy name, for all the injuries done to Thee in the Blessed Sacrament, for all the irreverence shown toward Thine immaculate Virgin Mother, for all the calumnies and slanders spoken against Thy spouse, the holy Catholic and Roman Church. O Jesus, who hast said: "If you ask the Father anything in My name, He will give it to you," we pray and beseech Thee for all our brethren who are in danger of sin; shield them from every temptation to fall away from the true faith; save those who are even now standing on the brink of the abyss; to all of them give light and knowledge of the truth, courage and strength for the conflict with evil, perseverance in faith and active charity! For this do we pray, most merciful Jesus, in Thy name, unto God the Father, with whom Thou livest and reignest in the unity of the Holy Ghost world without end. Amen.

Prayer Source: Prayer Book, The by Reverend John P. O'Connell, M.A., S.T.D. and Jex Martin, M.A., The Catholic Press, Inc., Chicago, Illinois, 1954

Learn more about devotion to the Most Holy Name of Jesus.
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Friday, January 3, 2020
The 17 Approved Catholic Scapulars

Types of Scapulars

Scapulars were originally part of the garment of monks. It began as something similar to an apron but evolved to be a mark of commitment to the religious Order. As lay people became dedicated to following some of the ways of the priests and monks, a smaller version of the scapular was used to signify this connection. The earliest religious Orders with lay “Confraternities” were the Servites, Carmelites, Trinitarians and Mercederians. The Franciscans, Benedictines, and Dominicans also developed Third Order lay groups. The scapulars are blessed, and wearers are “invested” in the wearing of the scapular with an expectation of prayers, charity, and devotion as a part of the investiture and relationship to a religious Order. They are not good luck charms or magical artifacts.

In the course of time other Orders received the faculty of blessing small scapulars and investing the lay faithful, although such scapulars were not always connected with a confraternity. Pope Leo XIII approved several new scapulars in the early 1900s, including one to St. Michael the Archangel. The additions of these scapulars brought the total number to 17.

There are five early scapulars which are often grouped together on one string. This is referred to as the Five-Fold Scapular.
The five are: the Scapular of the Most Blessed Trinity, that of the Carmelites, of the Servites, of the Immaculate Conception, and the Red Scapular of the Passion. When the scapulars are joined together, the bands must be of red wool, as required by the Red Scapular; it is customary to wear the Red Scapular uppermost and that of the Most Blessed Trinity undermost, so that the images specially prescribed in the case of the Red, and the small red and blue cross on the Scapular of the Blessed Trinity, may be visible. 
(New Advent, Catholic Encyclopedia)
Scapulars are blessed and invested only once. They are expected to be worn constantly.

The White Scapular of the Blessed Trinity began when Pope Innocent III authorized the Trinitarian Order in 1198 and had a vision of an angel in white with a cross of blue and red on the chest. This became the habit of the order and the design of the scapular.

The Brown Scapular of the Carmelites is the most widely known scapular and was given to St. Simon Stock while he was in England in 1251. The Blessed Virgin promised to grant special aid at the hour of death to those wearing this scapular.

The Black Scapular comes from the Servite Order which began in 1255 and was sanctioned by Pope Alexander IV. This scapular honors the Seven Sorrows of Mary.

The Blue Scapular came as a part of a vision of Venerable Ursula Benicasa, who founded the Order of Theatine Nuns. She saw Jesus and asked Him to grant favors to all who wore the Blue Scapular in honor of the Immaculate Conception. Pope Clement X in 1671 and Clement XI granted indulgences for wearing this scapular.

The Red Scapular of the Passion began after a vision by a Sister of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul in 1846. Jesus promised to all who wear this on Fridays, an increase in faith, hope and charity. The vision was reported to Pope Pius IX and he granted the Lazarists Order the faculty of blessing and investing this scapular.

The 17 Approved Scapulars:

1. Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
2. Green Scapular
3. Black Scapular of the Passion
4. Black Scapular of the Seven Dolours of Mary
5. Blue Scapular of the Immaculate Conception
6. Red Scapular of the Passion
7. Scapular of the Blessed Virgin Mary
8. Scapular of the Most Precious Blood
9. Scapular of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary
10. Scapular of St. Benedict
11. Scapular of St. Dominic
12. Scapular of St. Joseph
13. Scapular of St. Michael the Archangel
14. White Scapular of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
15. White Scapular of the Most Blessed Trinity
16. White Scapular of the Mother of Good Counsel
17. White Scapular of Our Lady of Ransom

May more Catholics have recourse to these and all Sacramentals. Those unfamiliar with the purpose of Sacramentals or their benefits should consult the Baltimore Catechism.
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Friday, December 20, 2019
2020 Patron Saint of the Year Devotion

December 29th at 2:40 PM: The drawing is complete and the results are below. Merry Christmas! May all of the saints intercede for us! For anyone looking for a prayer to your saint, you may always use the Prayer to Venerate Any Saint. I have been selected by St. Bede the Venerable. May he intercede for me this year in a special way.

January 2nd at 1:00 PM: For any additional requests, I will be performing another drawing on the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6th. So please feel free to continue to add names in the comments box below.

January 6th at 12:30 PM: Thank you for all who have wished to participate in this devotion. The final drawing has taken place and the results are below. Please use this year to get to know your saint. Pray to him/her. Make some true Catholic resolutions for yourself for this year. Ask your saint to intercede for you so you can conquer any of your sinful inclinations and grow in grace. Have the strength to do what you need to do the most in your spiritual life. Avoid bad company. Keep the Commandments. Pray the Rosary daily. Observe the First Fridays and First Saturdays. Ask your saint to help you.  


I am very pleased to again be a facilitator for the Patron Saint of the Year Devotion.  I have been part of this annual tradition since 2006 and have helped coordinate devotions for hundreds of families.  It is my pleasure to now be part of the 2020 Patron Saint of the Year Devotion.

If you find this devotion helpful and would like to support A Catholic Life in the next year, please submit a donation.  Your donation is especially important since I am not currently working professionally aside from my writing/speaking/catechesis work so the donation is quite helpful to me and to this blog. This devotion takes a significant amount of time to facilitate as I cut hundreds of saints' names on paper to draw them, and I pull them out after a prayer for each and every name submitted in the comments box.

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 better learn the Faith as an adult, CatechismClass.com has courses 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 before.

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

When will the saints be drawn?  This year I will start the drawing of saints on December 27th. Drawings will occur as the Litany of Saints are again recited.  That means results will likely be posted in the late afternoon (US Central Time) on Sunday, December 29, 2019.

How do I enter?  Just add the names of everyone (you and your family) that you want to be included in the drawing in the comment box below.  DO NOT also email them to me. Emailed entries will not be accepted. Please leave all entries in the comment box to this post.

This year, saints will be posted here after the drawing is complete.

What is the Saint for the Year Devotion? Here is my post on this from years past to clarify the matter. This is from the person that draws all of the saints. I don't draw the saints. I will merely pass on your name or screen name to her so that she will draw a saint for you. Also, I will pass on the name of any of your family or friends that would like to participate. This isn't superstition. St. Faustina did the same thing!

Last year hundreds of people received saints to be their special patron, and there were miraculous connections. It was truly amazing. 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:
Saint for the Year
I want to tell you about the practice of picking a saint at random to be your “holy protector” for the year. Actually, the saint is the one who chooses us though. The tradition of letting a saint “pick you,” is not a new one. 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"

I have a container full of names ... I will be glad to pick out the name for you and send you the name if you prefer. I am so excited by my saint(s) ... I already picked mine. Well, I should say that they picked me ... 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.
Please pass this message on through your blogs and/or email distribution lists, letting all of the Catholic Blogsphere have the chance to participate.

So, please leave it below in the comment box when you ask to participate. If you wish to remain anonymous, please leave your initials instead of your name.  Anonymous requests without names or initials will NOT be part of the drawing.  Do not add the same request more than once.  If your comment is posted below, it will count.

NoteDO NOT email me your entries. Emailed entries will not be accepted.  Leave all submissions here in the comments box to this blog post.

So, comment below and pass this message on throughout the entire Catholic Blogsphere!

Results of the Drawing

Name Saint
Matthew Blessed Margaret Ebner
Anna St. Jerome
Maksim St. Anne
Eric Peters St. Francis de Sales
Fran T. St. Martha
Dorothy C Blessed James of Voragine
Cathleen W St. Clare
Harry T St. Richard of Vaucelles
Isabella T St. Salvius of Amiens
Diane St. John Bosco
K.J. Blessed Jane of Orvieto
Shannon  St. Berno of Cluny
Tina M. St. Austrebertha of Pavilly
Joe M. St. Anne
Rina M. Blessed Alponsus and Companions
John M. St. Kevoca of Kyle
Julie T. Pope St. Hyginus
Blake T. St. Gotteschalk
Bella T. St. Sebastian
Christine Mac Blessed James of Voragine
Robert Mac St. William of Aebelholt
Casey Mac St. Noel Chabanel
Colin Mac St. Emilie de Villeneuve
Grace M. St. Basil the Great
Ron Forrester St. Germana
Joan Forrester Pope St. Pius I
Ben Blessed Simon
Jeannie St. Mary Euphrasia Pelletier
Felicity St. Sebastian of Aparicio
Sarah Blessed Basil Hopko
Veronica St. Charles Garnier
Joseph St. Berno of Cluny
Augustine St. William of Breteuil
Mark Angelo St. Vaast of Arras
LPA St. Rigobert of Rheims
TKH St. Padre Pio
CG St. Cecilia
Joey V St. Marie of the Incarnation
Laura L St. Peter Damien
LD St. Augustin Schoeffler
BN St. Rafael Guizar Valencia
AD Blessed Aimo
TD St. Bede the Venerable
GS St. Pretextatus
MS St. Anselm of Canterbury
IS St. Leudwinus
MC St. Apollinaris of Ravenna
Kathy Rossi St. John Chrysostom
IreneK St. Goswin
Olindo V St. Leudadd of Bardsey
Valerie V St. Helladius
Katie V St. Paulinus of Trier
Tim W St. Justin Martyr
Max D St. Andrew
Jimmy D Blessed Albert of Bergamo
Jeffrey D St. Gordian
Michael D Blessed James Salomonio
Francis D Pope St. Hyginus
Nicholas D St. Stanislaus Kostka
Dominic D Pope St. Martin I
Xavier D St. Benildus Romancon
Johnny D St. Henry II
Peter D Blessed Maria
Andrew D Blessed Basil Hopko
Jacob D St. Peter Faber
Griffin C Blessed Sibyllina
Elijah C St. Filippo Smaldone
Isaac C St. Bruno
Douglas T St. Sindeulphus
Mallory H The Martyrs of Constantinope (Feast 7/8)
Landyn H St. Agathangelus
Savanna H St. Julio Alvarez Mendoza
Susan M St. Leontius
Rich M Blessed John of Salerno
Greg M St. Martin of Tours
Fred M St. Jeanne-Marie de Maille
Chad M Blessed Stephen Bellesini
Douglas Blessed Villana
Michelle St. Polycarp
Shaun Blessed Raymond of Capua
Cristina St. Jane Frances de Chantal
Stephanie St. Norbert
Gianna St. Catherine Laboure
Leilani G. St. Chrysanthus
Dominic St. Paul of the Cross
Bryan St. George
Zachary St. Philip Benizi
Steven St. Peter Fourier
Linda St. Joachim
Michael St. Faustinus
jmr1979 St. Ennodius
Nathan B  St. Aventinus of Tours
Dominic B St. John of Parma
Josemaria St. John of God
Tony St. Tironensian Order
Haydee St. Romana of Capua
Mike Blessed John Dominic
Cherie St. Gracilian
Rolly Blessed Bezela of Goda
Boy St. Gaugericus
Mary Ann St. Anthony Zaccaria
Kristine St. Marcellus I
Andy St. Mary Magdalen dei Pazzi
Jenna S Blessed Jose Vega Riano
Anna BG Blessed Pier Giorgio
JL G St. Andeolus of Smyrna
Jaime L St. Noel Chabanel
Auliya G St. Ambrose
Julio L St. Aloysius Gonzaga
Roman L St. Marcellus I
Janine D St. Floribert of Liege
Kyle D St. Francis Borgia
Nicole H Pope St. Pius I
James Hargett Blessed Josefa Navval Girbes
Joanna Hargett St. Hilary of Poiters
Arwen Hargett St. Louise de Marillac
Christian Hargett Blessed Anthony della Chiesa
Cindy St. Anastasius
Dustin St. Judoc
Hailey St. William of Breteuil
Lila Blessed Crescencio Graacia Pobo
Elizabeth B. St. Edward the Confessor
Mckenna R. St. Chrysanthus
Baby R. St. Joseph of Leonissa
Sonny R. Pope St. Sixtus I
Levi R. St. Lawrence
Jeanne R. Saint Honoratus of Arles
Richard R. St. Bernardine of Siena
Katie M. Blessed Julia Rodzinska
Jana M. St. Vaast of Arras
Kenneth M. St. Julian the Hospitaller
Ramona R. St. Stephen of Mar Saba
Arnold R. St. Cosmas
Earlene R. St. Florentius of Carracedo
Francesca R. Blessed Bartholomew of Vincenza
Ehvalina R. Blessed Henry
Hollie S. St. Joan Antidea Thouret
Andres S. Blessed Giles
Lorenzo S. Blessed Dominic Spadafora
Andrew C. St. Romana of Capua
Helen Margaret Blessed Basil Hopko
Kevin B St. Wistremundus of Cordoba
IJ Blessed Ann of the Angles
Ryan St. Edward the Confessor
Jeremy St. Isidore of Alexandria
Debbie Blessed Gonsalvo
Elaine St. Francis de Sales
Fred St. Florian of Lorch
Sandy St. Mary Magdalene
Brandon St. Matthew the Apostle
Sydnie St. Edwin of Northumbria
Rachel St. John of Capistrano
Kalab St. Sebastian
Dick St. Cosmas
Trey St. Stephen
Kierra St. Peter Canisius
Dave St. Francis de Sales
Austin St. Isaac Jogues
Autumn Our Lady of Guadalupe
Abbie St. Albert of Sicily
Caelin St. Margaret of Hungary
Taiyler St. Dymphna
Robert St. John Bosco
Robin St. Nicholas of Tolentino
Brandon St. Damien of Molokai
Ally St. Ivo of Kermartin
Jocelyn St. Vladimir I of Kiev
Kasen St. Tillo
Hadley St. John of Parma
Eric St. Helena
Tim St. Lutgardis
Sue Blessed Miguel Agustin Pro
Liam St. Mary Clopas
Lincoln St. Hedwig
Lilly St. Basil the Great
Leah St. Leonidas of Alexandria
Debbie St. Pius V
Joe St. Teresa Margaret Redi
Thomas St. Sebastian
David St. Dorothy of Montau
Stephanie  St. Barnabas
Matt W St. Braulio of Saragossa
Jennie W St. Joachim
Diego PL. St. Peter the Apostle
Kelly St. Angela Merici
Emily St. Damian
Kyla St. Ferdinand III of Castille
Jay St. Mary Clopas
Sue St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Suzanne St. Leonard of Port Maurice
Josh St. Andre Bessette
Joe St. Raymond Nonnatus
Jen St. Teresa of Avila
John St. Paul Miki
Missy St. Clotilde
Joan St. Thomas the Apostle
Matt Bl. Anne Marie Taigi
Mason C St. Catherine of Siena
Alex M. Bl. Marie Rose Durocher
Melody R. St. Damien of Molokai
Elizabeth Lisa B. St. Benedict
Marian E. St. Gabriel the Archangel
James A. B. Bl. Margaret of Castello

Support

I handle the planning, marketing, and drawing for this devotion each year without any cost. Please take a minute and if you are a supporter of this devotion, please consider leaving us a free will donation. Your support is greatly appreciated and helps me continue working on this devotion and spreading it further and it helps keep A Catholic Life online.

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Tuesday, December 17, 2019
Advent Ember Day Fast

Ember Days this Advent: December 18, 20, and 21

If you are in good health, please at least fast during these three days and pray additional prayers. Remember the words from the Gospel: "Unless you do penance, you shall likewise perish" (Luke 13:5).  Ember Days are days of fasting and partial abstinence. Please click here for a special PDF Ember Day Manual, including reflections for the Advent Ember Days.

From Angelus Press Daily Missal:

At the beginning of the four seasons of the Ecclesiastical Year, the Ember Days have been instituted by the Church to thank God for blessings obtained during the past year and to implore further graces for the new season. Their importance in the Church was formerly very great. They are fixed on the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday: after the First Sunday of Lent for spring, after Pentecost Sunday for summer, after the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross (14th September) for autumn, and after the Third Sunday of Advent for winter. They are intended, too, to consecrate to God the various seasons in nature, and to prepare by penance those who are about to be ordained. Ordinations generally take place on the Ember Days. The faithful ought to pray on these days for good priests. The Ember Days were until c. 1960 fastdays of obligation.


To-day the Church begins the fast of Quatuor Tempora, or, as we call it, of Ember days: it includes also the Friday and Saturday of this same week. This observance is not peculiar to the Advent liturgy; it is one which has been fixed for each of the four seasons of the ecclesiastical year. We may consider it as one of those practices which the Church took from the Synagogue; for the prophet Zacharias speaks of the fasts of the fourth, fifth, seventh, and tenth months.[1] Its introduction into the Christian Church would seem to have been made in the apostolic times; such, at least, is the opinion of St. Leo, of St. Isidore of Seville, of Rabanus Maurus, and of several other ancient Christian writers. It is remarkable, on the other hand, that the orientals do not observe this fast.

From the first ages the Quatuor Tempora were kept, in the Roman Church, at the same time of the year as at present. As to the expression, which is not unfrequently used in the early writers, of the three times and not the four, we must remember that in the spring, these days always come in the first week of Lent, a period already consecrated to the most rigorous fasting and abstinence, and that consequently they could add nothing to the penitential exercises of that portion of the year.

The intentions, which the Church has in the fast of the Ember days, are the same as those of the Synagogue; namely, to consecrate to God by penance the four seasons of the year. The Ember days of Advent are known, in ecclesiastical antiquity, as the fast of the tenth month; and St. Leo, in one of his sermons on this fast, of which the Church has inserted a passage in the second nocturn of the third Sunday of Advent, tells us that a special fast was fixed for this time of the year, because the fruits of the earth had then all been gathered in, and that it behoved Christians to testify their gratitude to God by a sacrifice of abstinence, thus rendering themselves more worthy to approach to God, the more they were detached from the love of created things. 'For fasting,’ adds the holy doctor, 'has ever been the nourishment of virtue. Abstinence is the source of chaste thoughts, of wise resolutions, and of salutary counsel. By voluntary mortifications, the flesh dies to its concupiscences, and the spirit is renewed in virtue. But since fasting alone is not sufficient whereby to secure the soul’s salvation, let us add to it works of mercy towards the poor. Let us make that which we retrench from indulgence, serve unto the exercise of virtue. Let the abstinence of him that fasts, become the meal of the poor man.’

Let us, the children of the Church, practise what is in our power of these admonitions; and since the actual discipline of Advent is so very mild, let us be so much the more fervent in fulfilling the precept of the fast of the Ember days. By these few exercises which are now required of us, let us keep up within ourselves the zeal of our forefathers for this holy season of Advent. We must never forget that although the interior preparation is what is absolutely essential for our profiting by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, yet this preparation could scarcely be real unless it manifested itself by the exterior practices of religion and penance.

The fast of the Ember days has another object besides that of consecrating the four seasons of the year to God by an act of penance: it has also in view the ordination of the ministers of the Church, which takes place on the Saturday, and of which notice was formerly given to the people during the Mass of the Wednesday. In the Roman Church, the ordination held in the month of December was, for a long time, the most solemn of all; and it would appear, from the ancient chronicles of the Popes, that, excepting very extraordinary cases, the tenth month was, for several ages, the only time for conferring Holy Orders in Rome. The faithful should unite with the Church in this her intention, and offer to God their fasting and abstinence for the purpose of obtaining worthy ministers of the word and of the Sacraments, and true pastors of the people.

From New Advent:

Ember days (corruption from Lat. Quatuor Tempora, four times) are the days at the beginning of the seasons ordered by the Church as days of fast and abstinence. They were definitely arranged and prescribed for the entire Church by Pope Gregory VII (1073-1085) for the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday after 13 December (S. Lucia), after Ash Wednesday, after Whitsunday, and after 14 September (Exaltation of the Cross). The purpose of their introduction, besides the general one intended by all prayer and fasting, was to thank God for the gifts of nature, to teach men to make use of them in moderation, and to assist the needy. The immediate occasion was the practice of the heathens of Rome. The Romans were originally given to agriculture, and their native gods belonged to the same class.

At the beginning of the time for seeding and harvesting religious ceremonies were performed to implore the help of their deities: in June for a bountiful harvest, in September for a rich vintage, and in December for the seeding; hence their feriae sementivae, feriae messis, and feri vindimiales. The Church, when converting heathen nations, has always tried to sanctify any practices which could be utilized for a good purpose. At first the Church in Rome had fasts in June, September, and December; the exact days were not fixed but were announced by the priests. The "Liber Pontificalis" ascribes to Pope Callistus (217-222) a law ordering: the fast, but probably it is older. Leo the Great (440-461) considers it an Apostolic institution. When the fourth season was added cannot be ascertained, but Gelasius (492-496) speaks of all four. This pope also permitted the conferring of priesthood and deaconship on the Saturdays of ember week--these were formerly given only at Easter.

Before Gelasius the ember days were known only in Rome, but after his time their observance spread. They were brought into England by St. Augustine; into Gaul and Germany by the Carlovingians. Spain adopted them with the Roman Liturgy in the eleventh century. They were introduced by St. Charles Borromeo into Milan. The Eastern Church does not know them. The present Roman Missal, in the formulary for the Ember days, retains in part the old practice of lessons from Scripture in addition to the ordinary two: for the Wednesdays three, for the Saturdays six, and seven for the Saturday in December. Some of these lessons contain promises of a bountiful harvest for those that serve God.

From Catholic Culture:

Since man is both a spiritual and physical being, the Church provides for the needs of man in his everyday life. The Church's liturgy and feasts in many areas reflect the four seasons of the year (spring, summer, fall and winter). The months of August, September, October and November are part of the harvest season, and as Christians we recall God's constant protection over his people and give thanksgiving for the year's harvest.

The September Ember Days were particularly focused on the end of the harvest season and thanksgiving to God for the season. Ember Days were three days (Wednesday, Friday and Saturday) set aside by the Church for prayer, fasting and almsgiving at the beginning of each of the four seasons of the year. The ember days fell after December 13, the feast of St. Lucy (winter), after the First Sunday of Lent (spring), after Pentecost Sunday (summer), and after September 14 , the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (fall). These weeks are known as the quattor tempora, the "four seasons."

Since the late 5th century, the Ember Days were also the preferred dates for ordination of priests. So during these times the Church had a threefold focus: (1) sanctifying each new season by turning to God through prayer, fasting and almsgiving; (2) giving thanks to God for the various harvests of each season; and (3) praying for the newly ordained and for future vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
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Wednesday, December 11, 2019
The Top 3 Catholic Newspapers

For those who still prefer to receive physical newspapers (in addition to or instead of online news articles), there are still a few good Catholic newspapers in circulation. There are plenty of great Catholic news sites online and plenty of false, modernist ones too unfortunately. The same is true for newspapers. Some Catholic newspapers are mainstream and refuse to address the hard issues of today so as not to offend anyone, and others blatantly advocate heresy. I prefer to keep the same Faith as the saints of past generations. That is after all what it means to adhere to the Catholic (i.e. universal) Religion.

Here are my top 3 Catholic newspapers along with information on how to subscribe to them.

1. Catholic Family News


Catholic Family News is a monthly publication to which John Vennari served as its chief editor until his death in 2017. Catholic Family News is a traditional Catholic publication with no affiliation with any particular order. The paper also includes devotional materials and articles on historic Roman Catholic teachings and persons. It has relevant Catholic news from a Tradition perspective. The paper maintains an anti-sedevecantist position and promotes the proper collegial consecration of Russia, as requested by Our Lady of Fatima. The paper's current editor is active at managing the paper's online social media presence. For instance, they regularly post and engage with questions on their Twitter account.

As of this writing, US subscriptions are $42/year with different rates for Canada or overseas delivery. Learn more and sign up.

2. Catholic



Catholic began life in 1982 as a lay publication for traditionalist Catholics, managed by Don Mclean of Melbourne, Australia. The Transalpine Redemptorists inherited the publication from Mr. Mclean when he retired in 2000. The paper is published 4 times a year and contains many devotional articles and stories about Catholic history and saints, as well as current news for those who love the traditional liturgy. The paper features beautiful and vibrant Catholic photos truly meant to inspire. Read the paper and share it with others. Your subscription helps support the monks and their monastery.

The paper is $10/issue. You may learn more and sign up via the Transalpine Redemptorist's website.

3. The Remnant


Founded in 1968, The Remnant is the oldest Traditionalist Catholic newspaper in the United States. The name The Remnant is a reference to the remnant of Isaiah and the belief that only a remnant of Catholics holding to the traditional teachings and practice of the Church remain after the sweeping changes unleashed by the Second Vatican Council. The paper is currently led by Michael Matt, whose online videos on the Faith are refreshing and inspiring. The Remnant is not affiliated with any particular traditionalist group.

The paper is available currently for $40/year for standard delivery. Other options exist. Click here to learn more and sign up.
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Saturday, December 7, 2019
Consecration to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception 

O IMMACULATA, Queen of Heaven and earth, refuge of sinners and our most loving Mother, God has willed to entrust the entire order of mercy to you. I, (name), a repentant sinner, cast myself at your feet, humbly imploring you to take me with all that I am and have, wholly to yourself as your possession and property. Please make of me, of all my powers of soul and body, of my whole life, death and eternity, what­ever most pleases you.  If it pleases you, use all that I am and have with­out reserve, wholly to accomplish what was said of you: "She will crush your head," and "You alone have destroyed all heresies in the whole world." Let me be a fit instrument in your immaculate and merciful hands for introducing and increasing your glory to the maximum in all the many strayed and indif­ferent souls, and thus help extend as far as possible the blessed kingdom of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus. For wherever you enter you obtain the grace of conversion and growth in holiness, since it is through your hands that all graces come to us from the most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

V. Allow me to praise you, O Sacred Virgin
R. Give me strength against your enemies.

Source: Written by St. Maximilian Kolbe
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Thursday, December 5, 2019
Mission Santa Barbara

After having just celebrated the feastday of St. Barbara, I thought it appropriate to share a series of photos from my time in Santa Barbara, California back in 2014. Please excuse the poor quality of these images by today's standards. Back then I visited the Mission of St. Barbara in the city dedicated to her honor. These are some images of that church.






Prayer in Honor of St. Barbara, Virgin and Martyr, to Obtain a Good Death 

O Lord, Who selected St. Barbara for the consolation of the living and the dying, grant us by her intercession ever to live in thy divine love and to put all our confidence in the merits of the most sorrowful passion of Thy Son. May the death of Him never surprise us, but, comforted by the holy sacraments of Penance, Holy Eucharist and Extreme Unction, may we set forward without fear towards eternal glory. This we beseech thee by the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen 

(Indulgence 100 days)

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Tuesday, December 3, 2019
UPDATED DESIGN: NEW Latin Pronunciation Prayer Cards

PrayLatin.com, the producer of beautiful prayer cards in English and in Latin, has just released an exciting new line of pronunciation prayer cards.


Check out their selection of Latin prayer cards featuring complete English phonetic renderings of the Latin words per the more romano (like the Romans) liturgical pronunciation as endorsed by Popes St. Pius X, Benedict XV, and Pius XI. Phonetic renderings were provided by Louis Tofari of Romanitas Press, whose products I've also reviewed before.

The pronunciation prayer cards are offered in both 10 and 50 packs for very affordable prices. Buy some and pass them out and distribute them. Let's get more Catholics praying in the Church's official language. Click here to browse their offerings.

I would personally suggest their variety pack which features 16 cards - 2 of each of the following prayers:
  • Signum Crucis (Sign of the Cross) & Gloria Patri (Glory Be)
  • Pater Noster (Our Father)
  • Ave Maria (Hail Mary)
  • Sancte Michael (St. Michael)
  • Salve Regina (Hail Holy Queen)
  • Benedictio Mensae (Prayers Before and After Meals)
  • Actus Contritionis (Act of Contrition)
  • Credo (Apostles' Creed)
Check out the variety pack specifically by clicking here.
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Saturday, November 30, 2019
Advent Preparation Guide

Advent begins this Sunday. This is like a mini Lent. Let's start planning how to spend these days leading up to Christmastide.


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