Death by Life Sentence Without Parole

Somehow tonight's discussion on Doctor-Prescribed Suicide turned into a discussion on Capital Punishment.  Massachusetts will have a referendum this November on Assisted Suicide; that's what the topic was.

My "cloistered brothers" weren't that interested in legalization of assisted suicide and euthanasia.  The discussion segued into capital punishment.  Most of them felt that capital punishment was the easy way out.  If they were facing a life sentence with no chance of parole, and all appeals had been exhausted, then they would prefer to commit suicide.  The electric chair, the guillotine, lethal injection, whatever, as long as it were quick, would be better than living in prison.

The loss of hope would be death.  Living a long life in prison would be tortuous.  IOW, sentenced to life without parole was a worse death than the electric chair.

Feast of the Patronage of Our Lady over the Order of Preachers

We fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God. Despise not our petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer us. Amen.

The Sub Tuum is one of the most ancient prayers to Our Lady. We would be most grateful to all our friends if you would say this prayer to Our Lady every day for your special intentions.

St. Dominic had a very tender love for Our Lady and taught his sons and daughters to turn to her in all their needs. It was he who taught us to always say an Ave Maria, asking for her blessing and guidance before any action, such as preaching, studying, writing, visiting, working, etc. In fact, for many years an Ave was said before each of the Hours of the Divine Office. From the very beginning Dominicans were called by the people - the Brothers of Mary. In the Lives of the Brethren are several incidents told of how Our Lady showed to persons outside the Order that it was she herself who obtained from her Divine Son the Order itself.

THE ORDER WAS THE FRUIT OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN'S PRAYERS
This vision was told by an aged and holy Cistercian monk of the Abbey of Bonnevaux, in the diocese of Vienne, to Brother Humbert, who was afterwards Master of the Order.
He saw in his dreams, for several nights, Our Lady at the feet of Her Son in Heaven begging mercy for sinful mankind, which at that time had sunk deep into heresy and all kinds of vices. At length, on the third day, raising her up with great tenderness, the Son replied: 'I know, sweet Mother, that sinners are being lost for want of preachers, having none to break to them the bread of the holy Scriptures, or teach the truth, or open the books now sealed to them. Wherefore, yielding to thy entreaties, I will send them new messengers, an Order of Preachers, who shall call the people and lead them to everlasting joys; only then shall we bar the gate to all slothful, accursed, and empty-handed souls.'

h/t  Nuns from St. Jude's Monastery 

Spiritual Direction Catholic Style

Blessing

There was an article in today's Boston Globe about spiritual direction becoming more common.  It seems that since the culture today is not church-going, that need that all humans have for God, is not fulfilled.  That need for love.  That need to be loved.  That need to make sense of life.  That draw towards something.  That something that is ingrained in our genes.  That ineffable feeling that searches for meaning, love, wisdom, God.  St. Catherine of Siena, in her Dialogue would remind us:
"The human heart is always drawn by love." Dialogue 26

People today don't think the answer is in church, I guess.  Why would 20 centuries of traditional answers be smarter than they are?

Another reason, I am glad I'm Catholic.  All you have to do is make an appointment with a priest, to get spiritual direction.  And priest do it for free.  We Catholics get some spiritual direction in Confession.  In confession it would be narrow focused, but all you would have to do is ask the Confessor for an appointment for more time,  to discuss your concerns.  It's that easy.  Call the rectory.  Make an appointment.

Tabernacle Thomas Aquinas Priory

As a Catholic I am surrounded by spiritual fulfillment.  That's what our sacraments are for.  The Eucharist feeds us spiritually.  The outward appearance of the sacraments: water, wine, bread, salt, oil, blessings, hit me in the eyes.  The prayers, chants, songs, liturgical music, hit my ears.  The readings, scripture, early church fathers, papal writings, hit my mind with beautiful language.  The smell of incense, oil, candles, hit my nose.  The taste of the Eucharist: bread and wine, hits my soul through my mouth.  The feel of my brothers and sisters' kiss of peace hits my heart, with this early sign of Christianity.  I even love the debates and arguments of our theologians.  The governance of my pastor, bishops, and popes.  I love the struggles of our saints and martyrs.  I love the poetry of our poets.  I love the architecture of the different expressions   of worship in our church buildings. I love everything about the Catholic Church.

The Catholic Church embodies the presence of Christ.  Yes, God is everywhere.  But He's tangible in the Catholic Church.  His true presence lives there.  

Superficial Discourse

In reading Paul Tighe's The Challenge for the Church in a digital culture, I realized how the vast amount of available information can actually confirm opinions.  You would think that the new social networks would make people closer.  It can, but there is a trend to gravitate towards people and sites that will agree with you.

In religious and political opinion sites (two areas where passion resides) people read sites that support their ideas.  They refuse to read alternate views.  Eventually, people become polarized.  If you try to express a moderate opinion, then both sides attack you.

And when arguments get heated, attacking the person who disagrees with you will result.  Of course religion and politics are passionate subjects.  There is good in every argument.  The best way to approach these topics is to be wary.

Archbishop Caput also cautions that sound bites, the viral capability, and questionable images, have the ability to be generated with such speed that by the time a response is formulated, the damage has been done.  Thinking isn't fostered.  Reacting is.

What do you think?  There is enough truth about the criticism of cyberspace to make everyone wary, but I think it's too new to get a handle on it.  Doesn't everything have some good and bad?  At least it is interesting to see what the future changes will be.  Approach cyberspace intelligently.  Think before you read and write.  And pray before you think.

2012 National Day of Prayer

The National Day of Prayer is an annual day of observance held on the first Thursday of May, designated by the United States Congress, when people are asked "to turn to God in prayer and meditation". Each year, the president signs a proclamation, encouraging all Americans to pray on this day.                                                                  

Having a day designated for prayer is disputed by the Freedom from Religion people.  Just that fact alone, makes me want to promote National Day of Prayer.

So, where is everybody?

Why aren't all religious people out there promoting and praying?  Where are our preachers, church leaders, and prayer warriors.
Where is everybody?  What could possibly be their excuse?
   

Victim Souls

When I'm attending the beatification of Pere Marie Jean Joseph Lataste, OP,  I'll be staying at one of the retreat houses, Foyer de Charite, founded by the Victim Soul, Marthe Robin.  

     Victim Souls are rare but are definite examples of God's presence.  My friend Rose Ferron is one.  I never met Little Rose, personally, but I was introduced to her in a retreat.  Victim Souls suffer much more than most of us.  They agree to undertake their sufferings as expiation for the sins of mankind--just like Christ. 

I've changed my Mind

I did try the new template.  I couldn't work with it.  When I tried to embed the code for You Tube, the template didn't follow my instructions.  

Besides, I missed my sidebar.

So, it's back to this template.  

I missed you.