My Mom and my Dad.

I haven’t been around,.. Ha!  The obvious!  The workload, the prayer life and the general rhythm of the priest /seminarian life is something that I will never be used to.  Taking on so many emotions from preparing a child for baptism all the way to accompanying a family in the death of a loved one.   One thing is for sure, the priest is not is own and must love the way Jesus loves.

My last post was waaaaaay back in 2014, my birthday.  Now I want to just call to attention, my amazing mom.  A woman who. Like Mary at the Cross,.. prayed for me.  I brought home every girl under the sun, and jumped from job to job,..yet my mother always stood by me.  My mom is my rock.  I love both my parents, but for a future priest, She stands with Jesus at the foot of the Cross.   I read somewhere that a piece of the stole is buried with his mom,..

For my dad, well, he is my hero.  A practical approach to real issues.  BOOM!  He doesn’t want to hear about nonsensical pseudo intellectual gobbledeegook.  Thank God I listened to him.  The world changed, and get prepared to face it!

Holy Mary Mother of God,………………………………………ora pro nobis.

Year 2!

A short blog today,..not as Optimusmastro, but as Marco.  This coming Monday begins the 2nd year of formation at the Grand Seminary and to speak bluntly,..I can't wait!  The summer allowed me to recharge my batteries, focus more on my prayer life and showed me a weakness with regards to kids ministry!  (Put me in a jail, a men's conference,.etc.. But the Day Camp?  Yeeeesh.... Still came out of it with a little more experience.  Carlos Gracie, once remarked that with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, you never lose, you either win or gain experience.  Essentially that was the attitude that I took by week 3, and well I've since had time to 'land.'

The summer though showed me a lot about myself.  Maintaining the daily meditation was awesome, and so was the Office of Readings/Breviery.  Daily Mass especially on the days I was working was a little difficult, and to speak frankly,..I looonged for the Eucharist those days when I couldn't get to Mass.  Summer is the battleground for one's vocation.  As we return (in a certain sense) to the world whereby old friends, family and yes even old girlfriends can become a temptation.  These 'storms,' however,.do pass.  They are quite normal, especially when it comes to thinking that a few years back, you were working, had money, girls,..seemingly everything,.. with the exception of Jesus (and by extension, your smile!)

My life has four corners, and it seems that these four corners are becoming a foundation for my Faith and vocation.  Prayer, Training, Nutrition and Silence.

-Prayer.  Specifically the Holy Mass.  Also the Breviery, the Rosary and Eucharistic Adoration.

-Training.  Regular exercise, weights, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, CrossFit, swimming,..

-Nutrition.  Right habits in eating will prevent disease and increase energy...

-Silence.  While it can be considered private prayer, there is nothing better than morning silence to just focus yourself and let Jesus speak to you.

As year 2 begins, I ask you all to sustain me in prayer.

God bless!

St Jean Viannay,..............................ora pro nobis!

It's Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood,....

A few years back, if somebody had randomly walked up to me and said ‘Marco (Optimus),..’X’ number of years from now, you will be inside the seminary discerning priesthood and your summer will be spent co-ordinating a children’s day camp, ‘  - I would most likely have laughed myself so nutty, that I would have probably busted my spleen…

Yup, myself and my brother seminarian have been sent to a local Parish in the Montreal Italian community and have been given the responsibility of co-ordinating a day camp!  Well to be fair, it is actually training us to be better Pastors, by providing not only a secure and safe active environment but assuring that we are able to speak to kids, something that I am deathly afraid of,…as they are probably afraid of me!  Being a seminarian offers so many cool chances to present the Risen Christ to any and all, but we often forget that children can be molded a little more easily than adults.  As Optimusmastro, yes, I do have a charism (I’ve been told) for young men.  But kids???  Yeeeesh!  So Optimusmastro turned into Mr Rogers and began sugaring up the four year olds!  (By ‘sugar’ I mean speak about love bunnies and squirrels and whatever else,…)

Sooo, here goes, I broke my Catechical blockage and spoke with the younger kids.  My brother seminarian looked at me, said I did okay,….For my first time.  Well, I was shy, (actually terrified,..) but I guess with time, I will learn to settle it in.  Speaking to kids can be the most challenging thing ever.  I can’t speak about the Hypostatic Union, or any high Theology, Christology or metaphysics.  I need to learn to speak in simple basic language, which for a seminarian can be brutal.  My own learning experience saw me experience humility (as I was and am a highly competitive person.)  Once again Jesus held up a mirror and showed me a weakness, a huge one with regard to an impending priesthood.  I can say I got through it, but still, with some psychological bruises.  I can now only hope that the 5 year olds don’t go home and speak about the Arian heresy that had gripped the early Church forcing the Council of Nicea to define the Trinity.  The parents will think that I got choked for too long in Jiu Jitsu cutting off too much air to my brain!

To reiterate, a few years back, this event would have been so far removed from my radar that I would have thought travelling to the planet Cybertron a much higher probability.  Well, clearly Jesus sees things differently!

Our Lady of Consolatta,……………………………………………..ora pro nobis!

Thought Chaos...

'God come to my assistance, O Lord make haste to help me.'  The opening line from morning Prayer, whether you are a machine and pray 'Matins' or just begin with 'Laudes.'  It seems that I repeat this line often throughout the day without recourse to any Psalm.  The reason?  More often than not I meditate upon my potential impending priesthood and society's current 'metaphysical crisis.'

I have blogged before about 'Truth.'  What is Truth?  To paraphrase Pontius Pilate's words to Christ.  Yet, today nobody seems to want to search for Truth anymore.  Well a ray of light happened this morning, that before training, myself and two of my teammates had a conversation regarding Philosophy, from the pre Socratics, to the Greeks (Plato and Aristotle) to Aquinas (Woohoo!)  all the way to the so-called modern era, as in Descartes, Spinoza right up to contemporary, Heidegger and Schelling.   As I've mentioned before, (you can search the archives..) I have always divided thinkers into those seeking objective Truth and those who look at things through their own particular lenses, subjectivists and phenomenologists.  Whether or not we agree is a different story, but the fact is that the conversation took place outside of a traditional intellectual arena, but three guys about ready to train chokes, armlocks, and other takedowns.

Leaving Gracie Barra, and assisting at Mass, saw me especially meditate upon today's First Reading. (2 Corinthians 11: 1-11)  St Paul speaks and warns again of how easy it is for people to preach another 'Jesus.'   The Holy Spirit has a habit of sometimes winking at me, (in my case smacking me upside the head..)  This new 'Jesus' is the result of subjectivist thought.  How many of our generation grew up in the 1980s?  Our experience in the Parish was at times painful, Fr 'Nice' talked about how 'nice' Jesus is and that He is our friend, and we love crayons and bunnies and blah blah blah,.. The other type of priest was the so-called 'social justice' (closet marxist) preaching a false liberation theology turning Jesus into a revolutionary.  Their formation reflected the times, so they were taught Karl Marx, Fuerbach,..etc,.but Maritain?  Nooo, that's too rigid!  Today's heresy is more along the lines of rehashed gnosticism, and voila!  Oprah's Jesus, (who I believe is a creation of satan.)  The problem through all of this was that there was no anchor.  Meaning that these false 'Jesus's' and false Gospels are due to lack of proper intellectual training.  So us, the younger guys are called 'rigid' and 'Traditionalist' and all sorts of buzz words because in the end, we believe that objective Truth does exist and that reason can lead you there!  (Aristotle, Aquinas, Maritain, Gilson...)  Philosophy properly ordered will always be the handmaid of Theology.

Our generation drank the kool aid, and we have been in recovery since.  It is by Grace that I can make it through the day.  I am a sinner, a sex addict, a drunkard and tempermental, yet through it all it is Jesus who Redeems me.  If I fall, I get back up and frequent the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  I will not however let my experience override Truth!  Truth just is!  We don't make it up.  We can't decide that gravity doesn't exist because we (our ego) possess a desire to fly on our own.

My ADD kicked in, so I'll stop writing for now.


St Thomas Aquinas,...........................ora pro nobis!

Historic day,..

There are 8 Popes in history who have resigned,..Whatever the reasons, Pope Benedict we will miss you and our prayers are with you.  God bless!

Our Lady of Lourdes,........................ora pro nobis!

Prayer!!!!!!!! The Weapon of Choice!!!!

** Padre Pio once said 'Bring me my weapon!' ** (He was referring to the Rosary.)

     Sometimes we just need to shut up and listen, and guess what?  Jesus will speak to you.  His voice often a tug on your heart whereby our prayers are answered.  That’s right,.God answers prayer!  The fact is, we, fallen mankind, sometimes we don’t like the answer He gives us.  Every morning, I spend an hour before Jesus presence in the Tabernacle,.. A spiritual protein shake in order to start my day!

     Prayer, the ‘life’ blood in any relationship with God.  Yet how many people truly pray?  Can we (myself included) honestly say that we pray enough?  St Paul exhorts us to pray incessantly, and as Catholics, especially in light of the Second Vatican Council’s Universal Call to Holiness, that the Liturgy of the Hours are heavily favored for Clergy, (A promise) and for laity.  We can sanctify our day, by offering it, Laudes, and Vespers especially, but as you relationship with God deepens, throwing in even None, Sext and Complines.  (Night prayer).  Prayer, properly defined is an elevation of the Intellect and will to God.  We can praise God, thank Him for our lives, we can petition God for the things we need and we can just meditate, sometimes sitting of front of The Blessed Sacrament, Jesus truly present in the Eucharist.  Still another form of prayer?  Lectio Divina!  A continuous reading of Scripture, especially the Gospels and using the ‘Olier method.’  We enter and see Jesus,..we place ourselves among His disciples, we hear Him when He speaks, and can sometimes even smell the environment.  The next contemplation, Jesus in our hearts…Surely Scripture is alive and tell us something different every time we read it.  Finally Jesus in our bodies,..a preparation for the Eucharist! 

     Why a post about prayer?  Well, the answer may surprise you, then again, it might not.   Recently social network has been awash with any and every criticism leveled at different aspects of Holy Mother Church.  Now obviously everyone knows where I stand on abuses, but I think a serious reflection needs to take place and not just constantly upload pictures of various Masses everywhere.  Not just disgruntled Catholics, but other groups (Orthodox?) showing the difference between the Eastern and Western Liturgies while using as an example for the west,..a Liturgy from the L.A. Religious conference that looks more like a Robert Schuller event, preceded by a Liturgical parade.  Then you have the angry SSPXers uploading every ‘Novus’ Ordo Mass, carefully selected that doesn’t do the Mass justice.  (Obviously they won’t show a reverent Ordinary Form Mass, EWTN style, or still something from St John Cantius,…noooo,..its an agenda, plain and simple.)   Then you have the reactive groups, showing EF Form Masses without the prayers at the foot of the altar.  Never have Mother Angelica’s words rung so clear!  Stop preaching and start praying! 

     My friends, there is no such thing as a Traditional Catholic, Novus Ordo Catholic, Neo-Conservative Catholic, Progressive Catholic or otherwise.  Our Faith is dogmatic and not a cafeteria, where you can pick a little of this and a little of that, you are either Catholic or you are not.  Period.  Statements such as ‘I’m pro social justice and pro-choice, but personally against abortion while attached to the Ambrosian Rite of Liturgy because all others are invalid’ reveals that the person uttering the statement is both intellectually as well morally schizophrenic.  Perhaps I’m being harsh?  My point is that Catholics need to band together and start praying, fasting and then we will bring about the full reception of Vatican II and not the silliness that we were fed growing up.  So, that being said, this is a shout out to Michael Voris, Fr Larry Richards, EWTN, Fr Z, and all the SSPXers who have an open heart, (and mind).  Our enemy the devil can easily sow pride in our hearts whereby we mistakenly believe that we will bring about change and that we will convert the world.  Not so!  The Holy Spirit will convert the hearts of people when the Holy Spirit is good and ready.   We can look to Lent and perhaps offer in prayer those who persecute us, those who are our enemies and even those who in good faith, do things because they were formed in that fashion.  That doesn’t mean we remain idle and do nothing, but we can reference 1^st Peter and can give an account for the joy that is in us! (Paraphrase).    We are a people of the Resurrection and Allelujia is our song!  (Pope John Paul II) 

     This Lent, let us purify our prayer life and like the Christian martyrs be ready to be fed to the lions while singing hymns.  We can eagerly await the next Vortex, or Fr Barron commentary, but we are followers of Jesus, not fans of a certain personality type.   In the face of an abuse, recite 3 Hail Marys!  In the face of heresy, pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet!  In the face of all who persecute you, echo the words of Jesus from the Cross,..’Father forgive them for they know not what they do.’

God bless and I wish all a very holy and contemplative Lenten Season

St Pio de Pietrelcino,…………………………………………………………..ora pro nobis!

Time to Think,...

     This reflection was written a while back as an article for a newspaper,..please excuse the spelling and grammatical errors,..For those asking, I will be publishing several posts this week, one of them being a continuation of the SSPX issues,..I wish all of my readers a very happy, Holy and healthy 2013!  Please continue to sustain me in prayer,..

God bless!

-Marco/Optimusmastro

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     The context of social philosophy can provide an individual with a canvas whereby people can’t paint with different lenses.  These ‘lenses’ are the visuals with which to look out past the obvious, the sensual and the real and straight into the subjective.  Truth, the statement or idea that Pilate questioned Jesus upon relates in so far as much as to theology as it does to every other facet that life can give us.  To define it, in a very Aristotelico Thomist mindset would be ‘that which is in accord with the nature of the thing.  For this particular reflection, we will attempt a look at population control under the radar/microscope as well as post context of Pope Paul VI’s Humanae Vitae, its reception after the Council and finally break down its rejection and thus its consequences from both a moral position as well as an economic one.  The essay will attempt to be as objective as possible while at the same time showing certain evidences and trends that are now marking the decline of western (Occidental) Civilization while awaiting two new potential ideologies looming and poised to replace the post Christian ‘West.’  One being of rampant secularism, while the other being Islam.  This essay will also attempt to connect the ‘dots’ and show a ‘cause and effect’ chain linking the sexual revolution, contraception, abortion and population demographics, a roadmap to show and articulate how western civilization got from ‘there’ to ‘here,’ being our current political mindset and so-called ‘common good’ approach.

1.1     End of the Era

    

     The Legalization of Christianity, (Edict of Milan), and fall of the Roman Empire paved the way for a new and bold way of life.  Christianity was trumpeted as a backdrop to institute political structures, education (confessional schools) and ethical norms, and through its canon law built up civilization for most of Europe and the Americas.  By the time Martin Luther nailed his ninety-five theses to the Cathedral door at Wittenberg Germany, a subsequent downward spiral was put in motion and is culminating with what we see today.  The subjectivist mindset replacing the objective, births a selfish culture, but one that is ultimately headed for self-destruction with regards to having no exterior concern or consequence.  From the Social Philosophy perspective, the common good gives way for the individual ‘good’ thus in this light, we can begin to see society go backwards.  Can it be safe to assume a connect the ‘dots’ approach and thus attempt to reason our way through the false selfish man centered ideology all the way through to where we now find ourselves?  Feminism, the sexual revolution and a post Vatican II euphoria (ironically having nothing to do with Vatican II itself) usurping man’s means to an end and making it the end itself.  In between Civilizations, a sociological no man’s land whereby the post Christian European identity, (Yes even in the Americas) has now positioned itself for a new civilization to take over and assert itself.  Gone is canon law, while our society cannot maintain a culture of secularism, all the while Islam is on the rise.  

2.  Humane Vitae;

     

     In the nineteen sixties, specifically July of 1968, in the wake of both the sexual revolution (secular) and the aftermath of the second Vatican Council, Pope Paul VI issued an encyclical to clear up any misunderstanding or questions with regards to Catholic moral teaching as it pertains to artificial means of contraception.  Catholic moral teaching reserves the sexual act as an act between a man and a woman inside marriage for the propagation of children and of unity.  The Pope, despite internal pressure and amidst a growing secular whirlwind, stood up to re affirm the Church’s clear teaching and thus, Her adhesion to the Natural Law, not to mention conventional cultural growth and progress.  At the time, many Catholics saw this reaffirmation by  Paul VI as a sociological step backwards as theAnglican Communion had already decided that contraception was acceptable as a practice, not being able to distinguish the reality that a marriage breakdown was also at stake, and an acceptance of contraception would only exacerbate the issue at large.  While to be fair, the first real signs of dissent occurred way before Vatican II, the aftermath (aftershock) of post counciliar foolhardiness was used as the Launchpad, and sadly most Canadian Catholics, especially in following the Winnipeg Statement followed their ‘consciences’ to the current crisis that we now face.   The Winnepeg Statement being the all too familiar intervention by Canadian Bishops publically disobeying Rome.  A catastrophic earthquake in light of the sexual revolution was now inevitable yet no one foresaw it, because everyone was too caught up in the idea of ‘free’ love.  ‘Free?’  Nothing is free, and sex divorced from authentic love is but legalized lust. 

     

     Pope Paul VI, no doubt seeing that society was (and elements inside the Church) was akin to a wild horse sought to reign in the dissidents and heterodox thinkers advancing this modernist approach whereby ‘if it feels good and doesn’t harm anybody, then why not?’ 

2.1 Contraception.

    

     Properly speaking the act of contraception means to willfully interfere and disrupt through natural means, a normal course of action.  In this case it happens to be pregnancy.  The most common and popular form has been the ‘Pill’a medication brought forth in order to de stabilize a woman’s hormonal cycle thus not allowing her to conceive through normal means.  She would become master of her own particular nature and leave the natural law out of the question.  We were told that we were made in God’s image, yet with the inception of the pill, we now dictate the terms to God.  Along with the pill, the condom industry grew and gave birth to a generational gap of open sex whereby it was considered normal for anyone to fulfill their own instinct without regard for consequence.  Unfortunately for the contraception industry, it didn’t always work, and thus another ‘solution’ had to be found.

2.3 Abortion

    

     Following suit upon a breakdown of thought, and morals comes the ultimate act of selfishness rooted in senseless killing, all in the name of a ‘common’ good.  Planned Parenthood in the 1960s financed a marketing campaign designed at pushing the contraceptive agenda because it would lessen the number of abortions which in their mindset was killing.  Fast forward 35 years later, and the ‘baby’ name in their pamphlet has been changed to ‘fetus’ thereby attempting an abstract vision of something concretely alive, which can be demonstrated not only by Faith, but also within a common sense/ Natural Law framework.  Gone was the argument of whether or not a person is a person when they are in ‘being’ essentially in potential and subject to change.  The only thing which changed was our vocabulary which in following the Roe V Wade abortion ruling in the United States, the fetus became a clump of cells and property of the woman’s body, thus enshrining it as a jewel within feminist causes.  So the marketing strategy as a result, in order to keep the industry (contraception) rolling, because after all it is lucrative, will trumpet the women’s ‘rights’ card advancing a so-called ‘common good’ all the while masking an intrinsic moral evil.

3.  Economics

    

     According to the law of supply and demand, along with cultural statistics, it has been demonstratively shown that in order for a culture to prosper, or at the very least sustain itself, a birthrate of 2.1 per family is essential.  One child to replace the mother, the other child to replace the father, while the ‘.1’ falls within the statistical anomaly of the case of accidental deaths or handicaps with the children.  The western model has not been following this model and to use Germany as an example (figures stem from 2006) we can show that Germany’s birthrate is staggering, eye-opening 1.3!. The mathematics which follow are only a logical projection all the while showing the inter-relational dimension between the breakdown contraception, abortion and the breakdown of the family culminating with an economic disaster.  Essentially when the current generation wants to retire and benefit from pensions, they will not have enough money subsidized by the next generation of workers because essentially there are so few of them.  This then effects the supply and demand chain.  Essentially contraception is a deception, a perversion of an act attempting to capitalize on man’s carnal desires.  Sex is a natural impulse, however it is also a disordered natural impulse.  This is not a theological affirmation, but a realistic one, whereby our society needs to recognize.  The parameters of marriage provide the necessary natural society whereby a free total giving of oneself can take place between one man and one woman.  The result being the openness to new life, shows that the couple is not closed off while celebrating their complimentarity.  Should children, the natural fruit of this union come into being, they can be educated inside the marriage parameter which has by now transformed itself into a family.  Any deconstructionist vision of this ultimately leads to chaos.

It needs to be noted that along with contraception being the norm, an entirely familiar set of words have now been hijacked and are subject to reinterpretation along the lines of what the majority ‘feel’ is true, and not what necessarily is true.

4 Conclusion

     

     Within the Christian, specifically Catholic mindset, the sexual act represents man’s co-operation with the Divine in the very act of creation.  We, as human beings and out of love are invited to participate within this notion.   God, the personification of Love Himself, exists as an eternal exchange of relationships.  God who is at once the Lover, the Beloved and the act of Loving always is in a constant free giving of oneself.  The same is true for human beings.  The sexual act is one of constant giving.  When we separate ourselves from this mindset, we enter into a constant taking and thus turn the act inward on itself.  An addiction can thus be formed through chemical cocktails in the brain secreting epinephrine and dopamine secreting from our pituitary gland in the brain.  An example can be shown of an individual addicted to food, how they eat to stimulate the taste buds, instead of as a primary reason for sustaining oneself in ‘being.’  The result is heart disease, fat and high blood pressure/cholesterol.  Within the sexual context, the end result of the addiction is the population decrease, along with sexually transmitted diseases, however because of the chemicals in the brain, a link can also be shown to equate rape cases whereby people cannot control themselves and are past the ‘point’ of no return.  The passion thus rules the 'Will' thereby rendering it no longer free.

     

     This reflection at best tried to show a ‘connect the dots’ approach to an issue all too familiar to 21^st ears and sensibilities.  Every election especially in the United States sees a resurgence of people attempting a full out return to an authentic common good and the establishment of a potential authentic  global ethic.  As has been demonstrated, our contraceptive generation did not give way to ‘free’ sex as was its original intent.  Instead it birthed an entirely different mindset and has set into motion the impending collapse (irreversible) of western civilization.  The results have seen an increase in abortions, a complete breakdown of the family along with a redefinition of traditional marriage, an emasculated masculinity devoid of any semblance regarding traditional roles.  Finally an economic tsunami and market crash brought on by a lack of population ready and able to work so that older people can retire and sustain what our society has always sought to maintain, a culture of growth and prosperity, instead, we are saddled with trauma and potential extinction.   In order for a society to function, it needs people to work, this is what feeds the economy, the age old adage of supply and demand.  The contraception deception at its core is the cause of our current economic breakdown and as has been already stated will usher in a new reality of civilization, especially considering to keep our heads above water we need immigrants and only one religion is populating itself. 

Our Lady of Fatima,.....................................................................Ora pro nobis.

MASS Breakdown Simplified

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the Divine Liturgy, the representation of Christ’s Sacrifice on the Cross in unbloody manner.  A gesture first posed by Jesus at the Last Supper, an act that transcends time and space, in which the setting was a seder meal.  What is my point throughout all of this, well an attempt (ATTEMPT) to briefly underline the nature of the Mass, and to a certain extent, its evolution.  Vatican II reformed the Rite, much to the chagrin of many Faithful, however an authentic conversation must be undertaken between the intent as opposed to what actually is transpiring.  There is a reason that Pope John Paul II and now Pope Benedict XVI initiated a ‘Reform of the Reform.’  This blog post will concentrate on the Roman rite, which has not just two but nine rites inside of it.  Many so-called ‘Traditionalists’ seem to think that the older form of Mass was perfectly celebrated all the time, and that Vatican II’s Reform came out of left field, when in actuality, Liturgical Reform was underway before VII came into anyone’s radar screen.  Well,.the reality of this assertion is not the case.  Examples?  Communion-rite drive by ‘liturgies’ with no Mass while the other priest is at the foot of the Alter beginning his Mass (picture almost a baton race, whereby the baton is passed to the next racer.  Parish announcents during the ‘Offertory,’ (instead of after the Communion concluding prayer…) and a Liturgical spin cycle which repeated the same Gospel sequence, inaudible most of the time, and a faithful assisting at Mass praying the Rosary,.(Sorry Michael Voris, this is wrong, despite the fact that the intent is good, and yes good and holy people recite the Rosary.) 

The Mass that my generation grew up on is what is properly known as the ‘ordinary’ Form of Mass.  Once again to be fair, did we really implement Sacrosanctum Consilium?,..The answer is obvious.  The ordinary form of Mass is in actually the more ancient rite of celebrating the Eucharist, despite what the so-called Traditionalists claim.  (here)  Okay so now that you’ve seen words from Justin Martyr,..we can move forward.  We will now attempt to break down the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite.

Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite (Sunday style!)

What we need:

1.        A Bishop or priest and an Assembly

2.       Missel and a Lectionary

3.       A Place suitable for worship, with the Alter at the Centre

4.       Proper Matter, (ie bread, wine, Chalice, ciborium, paten, corporal, purificator)

Just like in boxing/MMA let’s break down the Liturgy!

First off we have the opening Rites.  Usually an announcement is made or a bell rung to signal the Assemble to rise (Standing is the proper position for prayer).  ‘Let us stand to begin our praise and worship of God.’

**Abuse Alert number 1.** The master of ceremonies says ‘Let us stand to welcome our celebrant.’ Uhh noooo,..

Next up we have the penitential Rite,..Where the community collectively anticipates to prayerfully prepare themselves by acknowledging their (our) sinfulness.  After this we have the Gloria, and the opening rites are concluded with an opening prayer.

**Abuse Alert number 2** Priests saying ‘Good Morning,..’ There is nothing wrong with that except, if the congregation has already made the sign of the Cross,..its goofy and hokey,.. Before it?  Fine.  Once we ‘dial the telephone’ we should be giving our attention to God the Father!

Liturgy of the Word

First Reading, usually from the Old Testament, then a Responsorial Psalm, then the Second Reading.  After suitable meditation time between them.  The Alleluia starts and the priest or deacon, should there be one, makes his way to the Ambo, carrying the Book of the Gospels.  The Gospel is read to the Assembly and next up, the Word is broken open with the homily.

Abuse alert number 3.  The Responsorial Psalm is replaced by some crappy syrupy protestant song, or campy Catholic song from the 1970s.. Or still the Gospel read by a layperson or nun (woman religious…) or my favorite the homily given by a layperson or nun having NOTHING to do with the Gospel of the day,.. Some nutty ‘so-called social justice leftist nonsense regarding fair trade coffee with funds going to pro choice movements...

Next up we have the profession of Faith, the Nicene Creed, and the Universal prayers, (Church Universal, local, world and regional.)  We finally conclude the Liturgy of the Word.

Liturgy of the Eucharist

Priest goes to the Alter as bread and wine are brought forth.  The priest will prepare the gifts, and position them on the Alter, then will begin to spiritually prepare himself.   This is done quietly or in a low voice, and usually at this time the collection is taken up.  The priest while offering the bread and wine elevates a little,.why?  Because its bread and wine!  Jesus isn’t sacramentaly there yet! 

**Abuse number 4.**  This one drives me batty, because sometimes I feel the priest is acting in a theatre and just really being silly.  During the offertory prayers, he says them loudly,.(people should be praying, those that aren’t can respond with the ‘Blessed be God forever..’ again though quietly) and his arms are extended to the ceiling.

Next up the Eucharistic Prayer, inside of which is the Consecration.  After the words of Institution are pronounced, the Eucharistic presence is venerated so that the kneeling assembly realizes the Real Presence.  It is a veneration with elevation, because the prayer continues.  A bell is rung to call the people’s attention.  The Eucharistic prayer concludes with the Doxology, ‘Through Him With Him,…’ At this point is when the Sacrifice of the Son is offered to the Father.  This is the part where the priest should be completely elevating!  This is followed by the great Amen.  Then the Our Father, the kiss of peace and the Agnus Dei, (when the fraction of the Eucharist occurs.)

**Abuse Alert 5**  Where to begin?, ‘standing’ at the consecration is a start.  The priest not following the words as they are written.  Ad libbing, and my another one that ‘grinds’ my gears, the priest breaking the Host, when he is consecrating,..once again, not theatre time.. The Our Father where everybody holds hands turns the Eucharist into a celebration of the people,..and the kiss of peace looks like a backyard chat with the neighbour over the fence.  The priest rushing off the sanctuary to shake hands with everyone!

The Communion Rite begins, where communion is given hierchically beginning with the Presider all the way to the Assembly.. (Do we need 325 ‘Extra ordinary ministers usually all women?) …

Prayer after Communion concludes the Liturgy of the Eucharist.  Then we can read the parish announcements.  There are some parishes which do the announcements before the concluding prayer, and it just doesn’t make sense,..it breaks up the Liturgy of the Eucharist.  Finally the final Blessing and dismissal.

Tired,..God Bless!  

St Jean Vianney,…………….Ora pro nobis!

Vatican Dark Forces and Conspiracies...

The impending reconciliation between Rome and the SSPX has hit a standstill.  It would appear that according to Bishop Fellay, Rome is suffering from a leadership problem.  Who is really behind all of this,..I'll give you a hint,.Pope Paul VI acccused this entity's stench of infiltrating the Sanctuary.  The stage has been set, and sadly this is nothing new.  Bishop Fellay did issue a comment that Archbishop Gus Di Noia's appointement to the CDF is a 'good thing.'  See here .  In the give and take political world, it would seem that Holy Father's wishes are being blocked by something so artificial, to not see this one is insane.  Di Noia is in,.but the Pope's friend, Bishop Mueller, a bishop with ties to liberation theology is heading it....Smart move?  You be the judge, perhaps the Holy Father is taking a page out of the Sopranos playbook, as Tony elevated his 'Uncle Junior to 'Boss' right?  Wink, wink,..hint hint.. At least that's what I think,. (and for that matter, that's what I would have done...)

Let's face it, where the Catholic Church goes, so goes the entire world.  If the Bishops are not teaching the True Faith boldly, and playing politics,. there goes the moral fabric of our entire civilization.  There is another religion all too ready to replace it!  (Allahu Akbar!)  Vatican II hasn't even really begun as we are still in a mode of reception, yet forces are trying to steer the bark of St Peter into an all too unfamiliar course.  Consider, the weirdness that has been going on,..  The Vatican lifts the excommunications of the Four Bishops from the SSPX, and restores the Extraordinary Form as not needing the Bishop's permission.  The imaginary 'vocation' crisis, man made by the Spirit of VII feminazi crowd,..has been somewhat neutralized and vocations are seeing an upswing thanks in part to Blessed John Paul the Great and his generation.  Under Pope Benedict, the reform of the reform has been put in place, and the last desire on his heart has been the reconciliation with the SSPX.

Sooo, last Septembre, the 'talks' began, to 'regularize' the 'irregular' condition that they were in, and BOY DID THAT CAUSE A S#&T STORM of epic proportions!!!  It seems that our ecumenism friendly crowd, let's call them the ecumentalists,.want to dialogue with everybody, except of course the schismatic catholics.  WOW, liberal priests acting like mini 'popes' declaring they will never follow a request for anything remotely orthodox, and we were entering the 'sin' of 'restorationism.  According to liberal priests, that one will send you to hell, (Even though they don't believe in hell,..a sin  like that makes God will hell into being instantly..)...So the doctrinal preamble needed clarification, and thus Bishop Fellay did that and according to sources there satisfyed the Pope.  So an offer was made for the SSPX to have the status of a personal prelature, as is the case of Opus Dei.  Next up,..Hans the Heretic, comes on the scene declaring that the Benedict would invalidate himself should he reconcile!!!!  WOW!!!  Hans Kung, the interfaith 'specialist' seeking his own religion,..Kungistianity..

So Bishop Fellay fights his own internal battle with the schismatics, and their pride, all the while neutralizing Bishop Williamson and his revisionist history, while Pope Benedict deals with crackpot 'theologians' putting their two cents in.  The day arrives and after a two hour meeting with Cardinal Levada,..Bishop Fellay informs him that he could not sign,..it seems that Fellay's preamble, the one which satisfyed the Pope, was re written by the CDF to conform to the original Septembre version!   WOW!!  Cardinal Levada retires,. (then again he turned 75...)  If this does not have the making of an awesome HBO movie,..well I don't know what does!

In all seriousness, this potential reconciliation scares people.  Why wouldn't it?  With the SSPX onboard, the so-called 'Traditionalists' (FSSP, ICK),  will pack one heck of a punch and end up sending the modernist crowd into oblivion.  Where do I stand?  I think that's pretty obvious,..I 'think with the mind of the Church.'  Regardless of what you, I or anyone else may want, we are ultimately on the Holy Spirit's time and God will be done! 

Our Mother of Perpetual Help,.................ora pro nobis.

 

Backward Medievalist!!!

Well that's what I got told I should be from one of my 'anonymous' emails!   It seems I'm some kind of 'Young Fogey!'  No offence to a fellow blogger,..(See here ).  Well,..let me say thank you for your compliment!  However this does beg the question,.whatcha so angry bout' lil fella?  The fact that you and your ilk hijacked the Catholic Church for the last forty years attempting to turn Her into the eco friendly gender neutral marxist freemason lodge specializing in population control?  Weeeell, there is kinda a little problem with that!  You see the dude who founded Catholicism is also well, God Incarnate!  So let's open our politically correct Bible to Matthew 16: 18.  Gosh, guess that sucks to be you...

For years, I was called bitter, rigid, medieval, chauvinistic and every other funny little name you gave me.  Why?  Because (I know your not supposed to begin a sentence with 'because' but if I copy/paste your email to to this site, there are so many grammatical errors that my readership might get a migraine..) as a thirty something man, I called myself a sinner, needed Jesus and desired to live as best I could as a Catholic? Because my generation were the only ones participating in regular confession/Reconciliation that you couldn't use the confessional as a storage unit for the parish?  Now I get it!  It is because of my support for unity between the SSPX and Rome!  You guys are supposed to be sooooo ecumenical!  Is this not ecumenism?  (scratches head...)

Reality Check for the 'stoner' generation,..

Fact:  Extraordianary Form communities are flourishing
Fact:  The New Translation of the Ordinary Form of Mass exists and is better.
Fact:  Anyone under 45yrs of age wants to be faithful to Christ, His Church and His Magisterium.
Fact:  EWTN exists
Fact:  Pope Benedict for all intents and purposes is in relatively good health.
Fact:  Your generation took full advantage of the contraceptive mindset. ...Extinction!!  (Cajunman, Adam Sandler voice from SNL)
Fact:  Your vocation crisis was ma,.err sorry 'peoplemade' and still the Holy Spirit raised up priests.

Isn't God good?  Cookoo Bishops are on the way out and being replaced by Bishops who believe in Catholcism,...I pray for you, some of you were sincere and really did think you were doing good, I pray you have a St Paul Damascus experience.  To those of you with the agenda,..I say,.. Nananana, ..Nananana,... Hey hey Hey,..Goodbye!!!!!!  Your generation, the 'seamless garment' crap waving bye!!!!!!!!

St Jean Vianney,............Ora pro nobis.

The Holy Spirit's Smack Upside the Head!

Last night I was with my good buddy Greg, as in Fr Greg Cizcek, a staple of the Italian community in Montreal being the Polish guy able to speak impeccabe Italian.  This of course in dears him to little old 'Nonnas' seeking to gain favour with younger priests by feeding them.  So we went for supper, and then we decided to pray Vespers as the time had come for prayer.  Fr Greg, suggests we go to my home parish and see if my Pastor, Father Gerry wanted to join us.  Long story short, he was at the rectory, but the Church was open.  Monday nights, the Charismatic prayer group meets, and they were only too happy to see us.  First off we prayed Vespers before the Blessed Sacrament, and then, well,..then he suggested that we ask for prayers with the Charismatic group.  Myself, I was too shy, (actually I was too proud) to want to join in,...

The Charismatic Catholic Renewal started in 1967 when a group of priests and laity in Pittsburgh asked for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit.  The fruits of the Spirit, would descend upon them and they (like the Pentecostals ) would find themselves in a very emotional Christianity which admittedly I was none too comfortable with.  So,..reluctanlty I joined in, and well, let just say 'uncomfortable' was the initial feeling.  The fruits sometimes manifest themselves as speaking 'in tongues' or 'discerning of spirits' or whatever.  For myself at that moment, I just couldn't let go....They would pray and be insprired to look up Scripture verses abd read aloud.  The thought that was crossing my mind, was 'I gave up Adoration of the most Blessed Sacrament for this?!?'  So here is Fr Greg, a whole bunch of ladies singing away, while I'm trying as best not to stare because I'm seriously freaked out!  (I felt like that scene from Forrest Gump when he's singing in the choir, while Fr Greg, who can at times make Pope Pius X look like a modernist is SINGIN' away, with a big smile, while the others are praying spontaneously, tongues,..you name it!)   We left and asked these women to pray for us.

So, Greg asks me what I thought, and well I answered.  'Dude, (Yes, he's a priest but I knew him before ordination sooo blah! ;)) I'm not sure I'm too comfortable with this type of Spirituality.'  At that point, he asked me to open my heart and check my ego and the door!  WOW!  Did I need that!  He answered that Charismatic practise wasn't his type either, but nevertheless the Holy Spirit would give him a sense of peace, joy, and freedom.  The Holy Spirit has many gifts for many people, St Paul never had the gift of tongues, so I guess I won't either.  Later that night, I was reflecting upon my experience with these sincere women of Faith.  Lying in bed, it came to me!  Written on my heart was St Matthew's Gospel, 18; 3...Unless you become like little children, you will not see the Kingdom of God.

The point through all of this is simple!  The Holy Spirit was reminding me that despite all my theological acumen, degrees, metaphysical knowledge, it all means jack sh%t especially when compared to the sincere trust in the Lord found in these women.  They won't be commenting on Aquinas's undertanding of Act and Potential because that is not their charism!  (Aha moment!)  Different strokes for different folks, all within the beautiful mosaic of Christ's Bride the Church!  So while I didn't experience the fruit of the Spirit while in the prayer group, it was simply because I was too proud to let the Holy Spirit in,..I didn't want to!  I thought it was weird..creepy,..not my culture etc....  Then the Holy Spirit later that night smacked me upside the head and reminded me of the real reason,..PRIDE!  So now today as I write this, I am thanking God for these charismatic women.  Their faith is pure.  Does that mean they don't need to deepen their theology?  Of course not!  Yet in their own way, their hearts from what I could tell and from what was revealed to me were more in line with God's than mine ever was! 

Thank you Holy Spirit for allowing me to see through different lenses, the beauty and majesty of all your gifts.  I may not be speaking in tongues anytime soon, but last night, when I received that peace, joy and freedom, I wouldn't trade it for anything! (Slept like a baby too!)

Come Holy Spirit!,.....................Fill our hearts!

Holy Thursday and Feet...

Tonight is the night, when the priesthood is born.  For me this year, as an external student at the grand seminary, tonight's Mass becomes almost an act of conception.  God willing, should I be accepted in Septembre, the journey toward this ontological change will continue.  The very thought that I might one day share in Christ's priesthood at once frightens me and excites me.  This Liturgical year, which will climax Saturday Vigil with the 'Gloria in excelsis Deo!' will signal a complete turning away, I'm viewing as 'dying to myself.'  I have been told by friends that I need a good shrink(already had one!  anger issues...hehehe), why don't I just get married? (umm, to settle?,..riiight..and I'm the one needing the shrink...) Well, the point of discernement is to see what exactly God is calling me to.  However, since I've been a student at the seminary, it has refurbished its gym, gotten a dojo/studio, punching bag, focus mitts, and instituted Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament!!!!!!!  As well, my Spiritual Director is a kyokushin guy, who has also trained in other styles..(I have spoken about this before...)  My home parish, has slowly recovered its Catholic identity, with an amazingly solid orthodox Pastor.  What more bitchslaps from the Holy Spirit do I need???  (Some Optimusmastro 'isms')

Lately I've received some emails concerning my temperament, and how through my writing, it is undergoing a change.  I guess old age is kickin' in...Though the Optimusmastro character was in essence a reaction to an ongoing conversion experience which in many ways I ran away from... So, I grew bitter, disenchanted and almost to a point phariseeical (is that a word?) .  My excuses were typical, the liturgical silliness, the feminization of the Church, dissidence, disobediance,..yet through it all,.my conscience was never at peace.  At times I lived my life more like Charlie Sheen and less like Fulton Sheen, yet Jesus never gave up on me.  In the Gospels, Jesus is much more tougher on the Pharisees because simply put, they should know better, and were hypocrites...Now time for some questions:  (All paraphrased,..but I inboxed messaged these people that I would be responding on 'Confessions.')

1.  Ques:  You recently put up an article mentioning mandatum abuse on your facebook account, What is so wrong with washing the feet of women?

Ans;  Strictly speaking, this act of Christ which appears only in John's Gospel is understood by the Church as a pre ordination.  The practice is optional, but should it be performed, the message is linked toward priesthood.  It shows Christ, being the lowest of all servants, and the 12 Apostles, being prepared to be sent forth.  There was a case, whereby a parish in the US was allowed to wash women's feet for because of pastoral concern, and I believe were granted permission to do so by the Holy See.  Today, the abuse is rampant, and the theology of it twisted to suit to the so-called social justice agenda, So in the name of women's equality, creative funny priests from the silly sixties washed women's feet too!  Fr Z has an excellent blog post on the subject,.(see here)  Obviously this confuses people.  

2. Ques:   Why can't priests be women?

Ans;  Simply put, because that is not their vocation.  The Church has no authority whatsoever to confer ordination upon a woman.  Think about it, the only other person able to say 'This is my body' and mean it would have been the Blessed Mother, and She was not NOT ordained!  I've explored this topic before form a theological perspective on this blog, (you can search the archives..).  Regardless of what you, I or any other may think, Pope John Paul II closed that debate infalliby.  (see here)

To conclude, I wish everyone a Blessed and Holy Easter Triduum!

Sacred Heart of Jesus,...............Have mercy on us!

Optimusmastro,..Cookbook? Huh?

I've mentioned several times that since the 'decision' has been taken, way too many cool things have been happening, that I really just don't have time to blog or write about them all.  While this blog, is in many ways more theologically oriented, it doesn't mean that I don't have any other interests!  For those of you that have been following me, I have interests as you know, in MMA, Weight training and of course Transformers!  Although the Old Testament describes God, as a jealous God,..Our Lord has nothing to worry about as my interests only reflect diverse aspects of my personality.  In spiritual direction, I was told that Jesus will take all these qualities and mold them into a more Christianized version of their already existing attributes!  Picture it,..perhaps I will have a stole (God willing) with autobot logos on it, while having trained future priests and seminarians into little warriors to prepare for our battle or martyrdom!  (Please understand, that was a joke!) 

Well,.aside from those interests, I have another one,..one that I've kept hidden,..so here goes!  My name is Marco and I love cooking!  A few days ago I watched the Superbowl with my friend Peter and his wife Luisa, and we decided to make a Spaghetti ala Carbonara!  He filmed some of it on youtube and well, (warning:  In one of the parts, Peter breaks a glass and swears audibly!)  let's just say that not a lot of people saw it but those that did sent emails asking me to put up some recipes!  Optimusmastro Carbonara Part 1 .  So waddaya think?  I've definetely got a few tricks up my sleeve especially with regards to cooking.  I will be putting up more videos in the future, especially a roast of beef, of porc, some more pasta dishes and of course Pate Chinois!  (To my American readership, you guys call it Shepherd's Pie!)  Note:  Although I'm a fitness trainer all dishes are high in calories, if I'm gonna cook then I'm gonna cook! 

One thing throughout this discernement that I'm learning is that Jesus doesn't take away your sense of humour, or your quirks,..but He does purify them.  Remember that I'm still a man and thus need to emote at times especially with regard to long days filled with academics, prayer, jiu-jitsu and DA GYM!  If you guys want a recipe send me an email!  To the guy who asked me why I not audition for 'Hell's Kitchen' with Gordon Ramsey?,..Well, I have a teeny little bit of a temper,..and let's just say that that would be the episode where Fox Network garnered the biggest ratings!  The reason is simple.  I have a huge problem with anyone spitting out food especially when there are people who have nothing to eat!  My parents, and I credit them with this taught me to respect and remember those less fortunate, so ethically I'm completely against trivializing an entire meal because 'it isn't seasoned properly!!!' (his voice)  Secondly, anyone who knows me, knows that Ramsey's world would be flipped upside down after he yelled at me , not in a constructive manner but in his condescending manner,..A guillotine front face choke and he'd be sleeping nicely in under two mins,..

We all need hobbies, whether our vocation is to marriage or the consecrated life.  A healthy balance helps us with our own psychological well-being and enables to recharge for the battles that lay ahead.  Whether its the Gym (woohoo!) or video games, (nerd!) or even cooking, as long as it is something that can lead us into a better frame of mind.  Jesus used to retire to the desert,..sometimes those little pleasures can act as our own deserts!  By the way,..Epic Meal Time, those dudes out of Montreal basterdizing food,..1.  Yes, we all laugh, but too many people go to bed hungry,.something to think about,..and 2.   There is only ONE muscles glasses, and he's the dude typing this,..Challenge issued bro, anytime anywhere!  ;)


St Francis of Assisi,........ora pro nobis!

 

 

 

Process of Transformation,..'LET's Get it ON!!!

This is it!  Today is the day that I will meet with the vocations director for the english side of the diocese in Montreal.  The running away is over, the decision has been taken...Its now or never!  This is one of those blog  entries whereby I will need to solicit prayers.  For the last year, I followed the advice of my parish priest (Btw,..an awesome holy priest!  Word up Father Martineau!!!) and began studying as an external student.   During this time,.I began looking into the Spirituality of St John Chysostom and began cleaning up the mess that was my interior life, less Charlie Sheen, more Francis of Assisi...(For this I give props to Father Steven Grunow, the number two man at 'Word on Fire' ministries.)  Next up, through the advice of one of my best friends I began to pray the breviary,..Those psalms can act like spiritual supplements,.lke a faith based protein shake!  (That piece of advice came from Father Greg Cizcek)  Then came the ultimate gift the Holy Spirit gave me,..an awesome Spiritual director (Shout out to Fr Guy Guindon PSS,..) who comes from my world,.the gym!  He has experience in Shotokan Karate, and also is good friends with George St Pierre.  (St Pierre and I train at the same Jiu Jitsu School under the same coach Bruno Fernandes,..Gracie Barra.)  So how much more evidence do I need?

Well,..there is of course my secular friends who still don't quite understand this path but support me nonetheless!  My family, who thought I was called to priesthood as a kid,.(I probably was!  I just ran in the other direction as fast as I could!  'Probably', because ultimately the seminary is the house of discernment)  My facebook friends, awesome people who I met online, and have actually developed friendships with, real ones!  (Generation Benedict!!  This past summer I met Nick, Jason and Christina in Florida).  The women in my life,.my ex girlfriend, who saw me transform, twist and turn, becoming more 'rigid' and disturbed at all liturgical nonsense and at life in general, yet stayed with me, through all of it before I finally fell into a depression.  The bloggers out there, whom I eagerly await their posts,..we shared, vented and laughed at our silliness,..(Especially Button, Footer, Teresa and Heresy Hunter..)

To any guy out there being called,..you know the deal.  You'll run, He'll let you experience all there is to experience.  You'll never be fulfilled whatever job you do,.you'll try relationships, new hobbies,..etc.  Ultimately God knows where you will be completely happy.  It sucks,.it really does, especially when all you do is wonder why everyone around you is happy and you are not.  


My path back to the Church,.started with the priest in the Diocesan bookroom, and now I meet with the friggin' vocations director!  God has an awesome sense of humour,..He ordained a new priest last week, Fr Jason Piper, whose last quote to me was 'Like Nike,..Just do it!'   I prefer 'Big' John McCarthy, 'Let's get it on!!!!!'   My favorite though is St Faustina,...Jesus I trust in You!

St Jean Viannay,...........ora pro nobis!

Ontological Change and the JPII Generation,.....

So,.yes, I couldn't come up with an adequate title for today's blog post,..but if you say the title aloud, using a Macho Man Randy Savage voice, and ending it with an 'Ohhh Yeeeaaah!,' it kinda sounds cool!   Today I announce to you a great joy,.a friend who I met through a priest friend of mine will become a priest!  That's right, tonight is the ordination to the priesthood of Jason Piper.  God is good!

Over the last three years that I have been blogging, a constant has always been present, that a new generation of priests is on the horizon.  The Blessed Mother has assembled an army, a blue army if you will, to share in Her Divine Son's priesthood and victimhood.  One word describes these men, orthodox!  In the wake of the Second Vatican Council, their has been an unrelenting attack on the holy priesthood.  The sex scandals, the corruption, and heterodox Bishops flourishing heresy everywhere.  The enemy subverted, and tried his best to take apart the Bride of Christ, think about it,.no valid priest?  Then no valid Eucharist.  Yet through these turbulant waters, Our Lord never went against His promise in St Matthew's Gospel.  'The gates of hell will not prevail against Her!'  The last fifty years saw diocese after diocese, dismantle their infrastructure, spiritually and physically.  Men called to priesthood were rejected as having an 'outdated' vision of the Church and men with psychological problems, homosexual orientations and heterodox views were allowed to be ordained.  Once again, think about when you encounter an unfaithful priest,..ask yourself why he wanted to freely give up a wife and kids, but yet did not believe in the Church's dogmas?  It doesn't make any sense!  Hope, though was on the way.

The Holy Spirit, flashed the batsignal out to Poland, and in 1978, a true warrior was installed as the Pope, and this goofy generation's days were numbered!  Pope John Paul II burst onto the scene, reiterated traditional Catholic beliefs, re-asserted the Faith and sent fruit loop theologians packing!  (So long, Fr Hans!!!)  The thing is, what made these pot head hippies nervous, was that through his charisma, his manhood and his example, he inspired a whole generation!  World Youth Days, a resurgence of Thomism and a vibrant attitude saw vocations spring up all over the world, especially Africa.  In the west, a different story, the hippie residue, saw to it that vocations were near extinction so they (cuckoo bishops..) could ordain woman, and the rest of their 'caca' ideas...Who can forget the scene in South American of John Paul II berating a certain liberation 'theologian' Ernesto Cardenal... Marxism and Catholicism don't mix,..its great to  feed the hungry, but invite them to their true calling in the Kingdom of Heaven!  Not a social revolution hijacking authentic social justice!  So, seminarians began to 'play the game.'  Flying under the radar and maintaining a complete trust in Divine providence, these men told their formators all the syrupy crap they wanted to hear, then after ordination, they put on a cassock!  Soon, solid Bishops were installed, and yes, even in the west, the gurgling death rattle of the 'Sprit of VII' crowd could be heard.  Hippie priests were on the way out and being replaced by younger orthodox men who understood their calling and were ready to implement the REAL Vatican II, not the crap they had been spoon fed by their formators! 

 So here we stand at the threshold of hope.  The tale of the tape reads as follows, you are looking at future priest who stands about 6'4 and has arms like tree trunks.  A guy whose 'been there, done that' and is freely laying down his life for Christ.  Truthfully, our Lord knows the battle within His Holy Church, with secularism breathing down Her neck and Islam positioning itself for another crack at world domination,..(Yes I went there, all you priests and religious, get heads out of the sand and wake the f@#$  up! )   No more gangly little fruitcake who can't catch a football, let alone throw one!  True manhood, a warrior whose is about to be ordained!  Please offer prayers for all of us in the diocese of Montreal and by extension all priests, worldwide, especially those discerning the call,.. Devotion to the Eucharist, devotion to the Blessed Mother, and here we have it,.As of tomorrow, Father Jason Piper! 


St Jean Vianney,................ora pro nobis!

Unity.

That they may all be one. So true in today's context does Jesus's prayer ring aloud. Today in Canada begins the week for Christian Unity. We as Christians, Catholic, and non-catholic (all 745 997 differents brands, sects, denominations and groups..no disrespect just sayin') are encouraged to pray for Christ's will that we may unite. Obviously the root causes of division is sin, plain and simple. There were people in the Church that needed to be called out for their crap and they were, initially Martin Luther did a good thing. Sadly then his ego took over. My friends, every year this week comes around I get the uncomfortable feeling that we as Catholics, at least the establishment(local not the Vatican), are willing to sell their mother (Sometimes the Blessed Mother!!!) to a pet store in order to have 'friendly' relations with the Unitarian Pentecostabaptists down the street!

My friends, when Jesus prays that we may all be one, He does not mean that we compromise Truth in doing so. As Catholics we have the fullness of Faith, plain and simple. This is simply not our 'opinion' as some cute little clergy with no balls and afraid of their own shadow like to put forth, this is FACT! Period! Exclamation mark! Any protestant, can trace their lineage back and see that whatever truth(s) they possess are first and formost Catholic. Unless you get to certain types of 'baptists' who believe in a 'trail of blood.' Apparently 'true' Christians went underground, (so far underground they reached Krang and Shredder's Technodrome...) and only emerged after Luther posted his 95theses...Sorry my baptists friends, but this story is so freakin' ridiculous that it can make a mormon blush with his whole 'God lives on a planet near Kolob..' Stan Lee should obtain the rights, Marvel Comics could make a fortune! I would read it!

All kidding aside, our late Holy Father, John Paul II took incredible pains to apologize, issue an encyclical 'Ut Unun Sanct' and reach out to every Christian. He received baptists, reformed baptists, pentecostals, reformed pentecostals, reformed presbytarians, regular presbytarians, who knows, presbytarian 'al dente' (you catch my drift?) On it went. There was a joint declaration with the Lutherans, agreeing that we are 'saved' by Grace! My question to you Lutherans,..why do you still exist? John Paul II lived his title 'Pontifex' bridge builder. Any unity must come from Truth, and Love,.they can't be seperated. So while we do pray for re unification,..we cannot do it at the expense of dogma.  To my protestant friends, pray, study and check your ego in your back pocket.  To my Catholic friends, we(all of us) need to start living our Faith better,.and for that, we can use some evangelicals as a great example. 

St Jose Maria Escriva,.....ora pro nobis.

Michael Voris and Modern Martyrs...

It seems everyone today tries to appease everyone else.  Ideologies are easily set aside in order to accomodate everybody's belief, right to believe it, right to practice it and right to uphold it.  Every belief that is, except one, (drum roll,.....) CHRISTIANITY!!!!  In particular the Catholic Church.  At almost every turn, there seems to be an attack, only these 'attacks' are not from an external source.  (Yes, Satan if you really look to the absolute real source...) These attacks come from entities operating under the guise of so-called progressive 'catholicism' such as 'Call to Action,'  'Development and Peace,' and 'Voice of the Faithful.'  They also come from ideological movements such as Liberation Theology.  Think critically my friends, and look at the latest stuff happening.  Fr Frank Pavone, accused of financial irreguliarities while directing 'Priests For Life.'  His Bishop, Patrick Zurek has assigned him a convent where he continues his ministry.  He has appealed to the Vatican which is his right to do so.  He has always been a priest in good standing.  Next up, we have the whole Fr Corapi/Blacksheepdog mess.  Yes, since the new year, the website has disappeared, nevertheless, Fr Corapi's talks worldwide have brought Catholics back to their faith with enthusiasm and downright gusto!   Satan definetly saw him as a target. 

The most recent one, deserves its own paragraph.  Michael Voris, the voice of RealCatholicTv has been ordered by the archdiocese of Detroit to conform with canon law and not use the word 'Catholic' in his ministry.  My question is,..What the hell else is he supposed to call it?  The accusers, (remnant/disgruntled hippies and feminazis from the Bishop Gumbleton days,..) are using Canon law to justify their claims.  This issue has yet to be resolved.  Why are people so afraid of Voris?  Is it his forthright style?  His 'tell it like it is attitude?'  Or maybe his magic hair?  Personally Michael Voris is the breath of fresh air that I and countless other Catholic men need!  I highly doubt Bishop Vigneron is the one behind this, but I would suspect that his staffers upset at the New Liturgy Translation, are lashing out and trying to pin down Voris for his 'dangerous' (code word for truthfull) commentary.

The groups I mentioned will get there own spotlight,.and perhaps liberation 'theology' will get a few posts treated to it.  As Catholic men, we are responsible for our children and those under our care,..Let's start by asking the heavy questions??  You ready?  I'll start.  'Why are we so concerned about Michael Voris' ministry and threatening him with the full weight of canon law,.yet,..Fr Richard McBrien is still allowed to teach 'theology' at Notre Dame?'  (crickets chirping,..).  Oh,.you think I forgot?  Development and Peace has been bs'ing their way into the faithful Canadians' pocketbooks and brainwashing people with 'Cardinal Bernadin inspired seamless garment crap.'  Here is great link,..Lifesite News .  Ooops, forgot!  Liberals can't link to this one, considered too dangerous might harm their self esteem, so I'll give you another beauty,. Heresy Hunter!  This fellow Canadian has been exposing Development and Peace's big pile of steaming hot garbage for a while now!  (I put the link to the blog,..liberals seriously, read it the whole blog, you'll laugh and might learn something!)


Pope St Pius X,...........ora pro nobis.

From There to Here to,..The Vatican/SSPX...

New development in the Vatican/ Society of Saint Pius X talks!  Ok,..not really, but I had ya, didn't I?  It seems the doctrinal preamble sent to the society by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith will not be signed and has been sent back to Rome in order to be more clarified,..this according to Archbishop Bernard Fellay of the SSPX.  If you are a new reader kindly search the archives if you want me to develop further upon the schism of the SSPX.  At any rate, these  'talks' of course center around Vatican II's interpretation especially regarding ecumenism and interreligious dialogue.  Rant time:  First off no one knows the contents of what the doctrinal preamble said, all we can do is speculate, BUT,..(yes a big 'but') what's really cute in all of this is still the 1970s 'Catholik fruitloop crew' of heterodoxy and marxism opining on television, print or other wise on this issue!  Hey guys, I thought we were supposed to be all inclusive!!!  C'mon you people are discriminating unfairly against the SSPX!  I mean afterall, since you people don't believe in excommunication, why were you so wrapped up in the Pope's lifting of SSPX excommunications?  Some consistancy please?  I know I'll get into trouble for this, but the heterodox crew along with their crayons and ecologically aware personalities can sometimes cause constipation.  Even when they yell at you for being too 'conservative' (key word for 'orthodox') you can't hit one because their average age is 78!!!  Here's a nifty idea,..let's let the Holy Spirit decide whether or not the SSPX returns to full communion! 

An email came in recently whereby I nearly laughed my ass off(in a good way!) so hard that I began to tear up!  The topic in question was how could I be certain I am called to priesthood.  Well,..the short answer is very simple!  I don't know if I'm called but that's why I have a Spiritual Director who will help me discern the process and thus guide me in such a way to see whether or not God is calling me to serve Him as a priest.  How did this happen?  Slowly but surely, step by step, I ran and ran and ran,..but guess what?  Now matter how much temporal success I was given, I always felt 'something' was missing, a sort of deep thirst that I did not know how to quench.   So I took the plunge...

Our Lady of Fatima,.........ora pro nobis.

Random thoughts of a Tortured Soul,...

Once again, its Wednesday and now its time for an introspective look into my soul, my spirit, my will and finally state of mind. Yes, it took a lot of unecessary words to express the same thing, but you love me anyway for it. As many of you know, I experienced a nervous breakdown several months back, and the road back to sanity has been lined with many roses, yet at the same time I've felt I've stepped on one too many thorns. First off, a Thank-you to all my well wishers who have emailed me asking how I'm doing. I plan on answering all of you personally, but it will take some time. Being Catholic is hard enough, being a man is hard,..but being a Catholic man in the twenty first century is almost akin to ingesting nails dipped in hydrochloric acid!

Take note, that this is the type of stuff that I speak about in Spiritual direction but also I feel the need to share with all of you,..Why? Well,.because most people ask, 'Hey Optimus,..What's wrong?' My answer will confuse them. (unless your a Transformers fan,...hehehe) I'll simply say that there are days when I feel like Rodimus instead of Optimus! (More on that later,..) I've mentioned before that I almost feel that there are two sides to me, 'pre' and 'post' conversion! Sometimes I just get so frustrated at not being able to secularly deal with issues the same way everyone else does,..so the 'why me' syndrome kicks in!



Similarities definetly abound. Our Faith in Christ is a relationship, kinda like the matrix, and like every relationship, there are its 'ups' and 'downs.' This scene happened when Deadend and Wildrider forced then Rodimus off a cliff as he was attempting to save Marissa Fairborne. I kind of feel the same way, not to go into detail, but every action, every reaction becomes a test of Faith. (I am reminded of then Cardinal Ratzinger's homily for JPII at his funeral,..about the Christian road that will hurt your feet.) Anyway, sometimes you just need to get away, and that's exactly what I do,..if not physically,.then mentally!

As human beings we are created free, free to choose what is 'good' from what is 'bad.' That being said, the 'good' is in most cases not the easiest choice, (the same way brocoli is not as tasty an option as Doritos!) Intellectually we grasp this, emotively welllllll,...not right away...





Sometimes however there comes along people in our life journey who at the right time, enable us to rethink our position and declare, 'wow' it ain't that bad! An example of this was last friday. I had the priveledge of having dinner with an individual whose own story is marked, if not downright tatooed by a series of events preventing said person from succeeding! This person's passion and dedication towards singing knows no limit and the enthusiasm and passion brought forth can be downright infectious! This person, has a story which should be published, and at the end, this person asked how I was doing with my own issues!! I couldn't believe it!! My issues, on the grand scale of things paled in comparison to this person's life story(the same way a pimple pales to cancer), and yet, I was feeling sorry for myself! Needless to say this individual taught me an invaluable lesson! At the onset of the evening, this person was asking me advice,.yet at the end, I stood in awe of a person so passionate so driven,..I felt humbled.

So what's the whole point of the Transformers in this? Well, these clips come from season 3's 'Burden Hardest to Bear.' In this episode, Rodimus can't deal with the responsibility of being the autobot leader. It in many ways, it mirrors our relationship to Christ. Sometimes we get caught up in the whole 'sappy,' 'syrupy' Christianity thing, while forgetting there is a responsibility! Would it easier to remain secular,..after all isn't ignorance bliss? Absolutely! By the way, I almost witnessed a mentally handicapped person attempt to cross a busy intersection while wearing a smile....I think you get my point. As Hot Rod/Rodimus said about the matrix, we can say about God,..'I belong to Him!'

Patron Saint of Sanity (is there one?),......Ora pro Nobis.