Volume II/Issue 34/February 2019

Ite Missa Est

At the end of Mass the celebrant or deacon at a High Mass turns to the people and says Ite Missa Est. This is usually translated as “Go the Mass is ended.” However, a better translation is “Go you are sent.” When we leave Mass we are sent by God into the world to bring the Gospel (good news) of salvation to the world. Rather than considering that the Mass is over with and we can be done with spiritual things, we should rather consider we have been fed with the Word of God and then with the Flesh of Jesus Christ Himself, and are now strengthened to go out into the vineyard and bring the good news of salvation to the world.

Jesus said: “You are the light of the world. A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all that are in the house. So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16)

We come to Mass to be fed spiritually and prepared to put our candle on a candlestick. However, many leave Mass unchanged. They go home and put their candle under a bushel basket, which is a spiritual fire hazard.

Jesus tells us that we are the salt of the earth. (Matthew 5:13) Let us remember that and go from Mass out to be that salt. Let us remember that we preach more by how we live, than by what we say. And we preach in the little services we do to help others. Jesus also tells us: “Well done, good and faithful servant, because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” (Matthew 25:21) And so let us be faithful in the little things.

The Funny Pharmacy

A joyful mind maketh age flourishing: a sorrowful spirit drieth up the bones. - Proverbs 17:22 

 

 

The Pope Speaks: February 2019

Basic Catholic Reading List

On Facebook, someone posted a picture with the following message: “"Ideally, keep fewer than 30 books." Marie Kondo 1 And an anonymous man replies: "No one needs that kind of negativity." We shared the picture and someone asked me to draw up a basic Catholic reading list. We asked for some suggestions, and got a lot of replies.

As we were preparing our list and watching the discussion, We realized that what we read shows what we truly hold to be important. Several replied with a list of authors, including Saint Thomas Aquinas. We replied back that we believe it should be a list of specific books. Not many should be reading the Summa Theologica, although some quotes from there are useful for many. Also the sheer volume of his works among others, require us to narrow things down.

Sacred Scripture

Reading the Bible should be at the top of our list of books to read. Saint John Eudes recommends reading a chapter from the Gospels every day. We believe this may be too much at one sitting. Take and read slowly, taking to heart what you read. The idea here is quality, not quantity. Some of the Fathers of the Church recommend reading the Sapiential books, Wisdom, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Ecclesiasticus. A friend has the habit of reading a chapter of Proverbs a day, first chapter on the first of the month, second on the second, etc. We mentioned a quote from Proverbs (12:21): “Whatsoever shall befall the just man. it shall not make him sad:” He did not recognize the quote. That specific verse had never struck him, until we qouted it. This shows how reading a whole chapter may be too much. Also something may not strike us, until it comes from a different direction than we normally get it.

Sacred Scripture. https://amzn.to/2AJ1Uyo

Sanctification And Spiritual Life

Examination of Conscience for Adults: A Comprehensive Examination Of Conscience Based On Twelve Virtues For The Twelve Months Of The Year Rev. Donald Miller CSSR. https://amzn.to/2DkgnCw

At the entry into the spiritual life, we must get real about how great sinners we truly are, and an examination of conscience it an excellent place to start, but it is only a start.

Charity by Saint Alphonsus Ligouri https://amzn.to/2D9K2y3

When we compiled this from The Holy Eucharist of Saint Alphonsus Ligouri, we realized that it touches on the basic of the spiritual life.

The Art of Prayer by Martial Lekeux https://amzn.to/2CtA1dB

Although there are many works touching on prayer, we were looking for a single work that might speak to us, and we believe this comes closest.

Uniformity with God's Will Saint Alphonsus https://amzn.to/2WaciIk

Uniformity with the will of God is our way of life, so this should be the main focus of our spiritual life, especially our prayer and meditation.

Our Own Will And How to Detect It in Our Actions Rev. J Allen DD https://amzn.to/2U3p2il

Heliotropium

https://amzn.to/2DrAVZH

Saint Bernard said that if there was no self-will on earth, there would be no hell.

Spiritual Combat by Scupoli https://amzn.to/2W5DTdC

Introduction to the Devout Life by Saint Francis de Sales. https://amzn.to/2RTFS6H

Soul of the Apostolate John Baptist Chautard https://amzn.to/2S78kkQ

Saint Pius X recommended Soul of the Apostolate as well.

The Road to Heaven https://amzn.to/2DjgFcC

The Art of Dying Well Saint Robert Bellarmine https://amzn.to/2CMgjtA

Spiritual Maxims by Father Nicholas Grou https://amzn.to/2S0iCTJ

The Lausiac History of Palladius https://amzn.to/2CykEki

More Advanced Spiritual Works

Love of Eternal Wisdom.

This actually consists of two books.

The Writings of Saint Louis de Montfort https://amzn.to/2FGwlIO

And True Devotion to Mary https://amzn.to/2RPYweP

Saint Louis de Montfort intended True Devotion to Mary to be a part of a larger project, called Love of Eternal Wisdom. This work needs to be taken in context. Also most editions of True Devotion to Mary omit parts of the original book. We have found only the Faber edition to be faithful, while every other edition we have in our library is incomplete. We recommend the exercises of Total Consecration to Mary, which are briefly outlined. (Saint Louis did not provide any readings or meditations, only a brief outline.)

Directorium Asceticum

Volume 1 https://amzn.to/2T7OAe7

Volume 2 https://amzn.to/2CFYRHs

Volume 3 https://amzn.to/2S0YBfE

Volume 4 https://amzn.to/2W7FgIR

This is not light reading, but for someone who wants a deeper understanding of the spiritual life.

The True Spouse of Jesus Christ by Saint Alphonsus Ligouri https://amzn.to/2MDswpc

One might comment, "but I am not called to be a nun!". You do not have to be called to be a nun to get something out of this book. When we acquired Preparation for Death by Saint Alphonsus in 1995, we found that many of his works had been translated into English and were available. We acquired those we could, including this one, but did not read this one. Two different lay people read this one and found it quite useful for their own spiritual life. And so we can learn even from works that are not necessarily aimed at us. Let us not set aside a piece of advice as: "that is only meant for monks or nuns....". We should apply it to our own self, if it applies, and often it does.

Knowing Our Faith

Saint John Vianney tells us that the majority of those who lose their souls, do so because they don't know their own faith.

Catechism of the Catholic Church: Trent Edition https://amzn.to/2Ma5G8f

Biblical Treasury of the Catechism by Thomas Cox https://amzn.to/2W0GvJY

This work links the Catechism with the Bible, which will help us gain a deeper insight into Sacred Scripture.

I Believe in the Catholic Church https://amzn.to/2W2cBF2

This work was adapted by me from a four volume catechism published in the late 1800's. Basically I brought it up to speed adding quotes from Encyclicals and other Church teaching that bear on the subject. Today there is much confusion about just what the Catholic Church is and where the Catholic Church is. And the best way to dispel confusion is with the truth.

Catechism: Lessons on the Sacraments and the Ten Commandments by Saint Alphonsus Ligourihttps://amzn.to/2FUSuDn

This is an excellent work on this subject drawn from Saint Alphonsus' works.

Liturgy

Sermons for All the Sundays in the Year Saint Alphonsus Ligouri https://amzn.to/2AY9i9f

Saint Alphonsus tells us to hear all of the sermons we can. With that in mind, we should also read all of the sermons we can in addition to those we hear.

Sermons of the Cure of Ars https://amzn.to/2Mt8de8

There are actually two different books by the same name. Although I like both, I recommend this one.

Sunday Sermons from Father Leonard Goffine https://amzn.to/2AWJPwK

Lives of the Saints From the Roman Breviary https://amzn.to/2VVeXpc

Breviary Lessons from the Roman Breviary https://amzn.to/2RTUfqx

Lives of the Saints

Butler's Lives of the Saints

Volume 1: https://amzn.to/2U3p2il

Volume 2: https://amzn.to/2RTJNzl

Volume 3: https://amzn.to/2TZnE08

Volume 4: https://amzn.to/2RWDyLd

We should have a collection of favorite saints and get to know about them. We should study those, who deal with the same temptation we do.

Understanding Current Events

Much time is wasted on sorting out current events, and debating the various issues. Many subjects are simply a waste of our time and energy, which should be spent in the one thing important, becoming a saint. However, We believe that some may wish to consider a few points, so we will list some resources here. Before coming here, be sure you are well grounded in the spiritual life and have completed the Catechism of the Catholic Church: Trent Edition. Let us be sure to keep our priorities straight.

The Sources of Catholic Dogma https://amzn.to/2RVCY0j

This is a good resource for looking up the actual decrees of the Church on various subjects.

I Want the World Plus 5%

https://www.scribd.com/document/205819533/I-Want-the-Earth-Plus-5-Percent-English

This is a book is on the current economy, and mirrors our own research. If we wrote on the subject, we would be able to add to the information here, but consider this project as not worth the time, because there is something already available.

Missing Books

There are some areas, which we believe are underserved, but which should be on the basic list.

There is nothing available on conversion, whether it be from outside to inside the Church or the Second Conversion of the spiritual life, when those baptized as infants get real about becoming saints.

You Left a Lot of Books Out

And this is intentional. In fact, listing thirty may be too many for a basic reading list. We have given priority to some things over others, although We would recommend many other things, if asked. We hope these books will help you get your feet on the ground and walking towards heaven. And this is where Divine Providence helps.

We recommend going to used book stores, book sales and even yard sales. You never know what you might find. God sometimes leads you to what He wants you to read. It has happened in our own case. One recommendation above came from a yard sale. The Art of Prayer by Martial Lekeux https://amzn.to/2CtA1dB In 1995 we found Preparation For Death by Saint Alphonsus Ligouri, https://amzn.to/2CvPTwg which introduced Us to many of his other books, which We have acquired and read over the years.

My Books

In compiling this list, we included works, which we have worked on. We have not included our works on the current crisis. We will list some of those below with some considerations.

Sanctification And Spiritual Life

The Road to Heaven https://amzn.to/2DjgFcC

This began with a compilation of the most ignored section of the Vatican in Exile website way back. And so it is Our work with the work of others on the spiritual life mixed in.

Knowing Our Faith

I Believe in the Catholic Church https://amzn.to/2W2cBF2

This begins with an excerpt from a four volume catechism from a century and a half ago. This set is no longer available in reprint. We scanned this section, and they expanded it to address those issues that cloud people's minds and continues the confusion Jesus foretold in the Gospels. “For there shall arise false Christs and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders, insomuch as to deceive (if possible) even the elect.” (Matthew 24:24)

Miscellaneous

Lives of the Saints From the Roman Breviary https://amzn.to/2VVeXpc

Breviary Lessons from the Roman Breviary https://amzn.to/2RTUfqx

When we had put up our question on which books to include, someone replied with the first one above. We compiled these from the Breviary, because there are some excellent instructions as well as stories of the Saints. Why shouldn't all Catholics have access to these wonderful resources?

Our Own Books

Truth Is One, 2005. https://amzn.to/2B9Ace2

Our views on prophecy have changed over the years, although the basic factual material remains the same. This book was downloaded over a thousand times. It asked for corrections and two minor corrections were made. One a missing phrase in a prayer; the other an error in a foot note. No other corrections were ever offered.

Upon This Rock, 2011 https://amzn.to/2WpDTFC

One main problem, which is addressed in great depth in I Believe in the Catholic Church, is a misunderstanding of the doctrine of the Papacy. In fact, there are several major errors circulating, that tend to add to the confusion. These are addressed here and in I Believe in the Catholic Church

54 Years That Changed the Catholic Church, 2012. https://amzn.to/2RTzKeu

Our opinion on prophecy has changed from the one presented here. This contains more information discovered between 2005 and 2012.

Passion of the Mystical Body of Christ, 2016 https://amzn.to/2MIBxNO

This is our most recent work, although an update is in the works, which will exclude prophecy. Although the prophetic ideas are substantially different from previous works in this one, We have come to believe that much of prophecy is simply wrong. People rely too much on faulty private prophecy. We are now restricting our self to Sacred Scripture and praying on matters. The factual information is updated from the previous work in 2012.

In determining where the Catholic Church is, we need to reduce things to the basic questions and then seek the answers in the teachings of the Church. We provide Our own works as an aid to this process. Above all, we must be working on becoming saints, because only spiritual people will understand. (II Corinthians 2:11-16) Read the Douay footnote: “[14] "The sensual man": The sensual man is either he who is taken up with sensual pleasures, with carnal and worldly affections; or he who measureth divine mysteries by natural reason, sense, and human wisdom only. Now such a man has little or no notion of the things of God. Whereas the spiritual man is he who, in the mysteries of religion, takes not human sense for his guide: but submits his judgment to the decisions of the Church, which he is commanded to hear and obey. For Christ hath promised to remain to the end of the world with his Church, and to direct her in all things by the Spirit of truth.”

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This month we return to some sobering and important counsels from Evagrius. These counsels, dear soul, I will largely let speak for themselves. More than some of the previous decades of counsels, you should return to these counsels often, even daily over the next month. They will stand you on solid ground and will help you in the genuine struggle of the life of prayer. They are a needed remedy for the spiritual delusion which can take hold of even those of good will who attempt to undertake the spiritual life. So let us hear Evagrius...

91. If you cultivate prayer, be ready for the attacks of demons and endure them resolutely; for they will come at you like wild beasts and maltreat your whole body.

We ought never to be surprised that the enemy will attempt to cause difficulties for us when we resolve to live the life of grace. Be always ready for attacks from within and without, dear soul. God allows this that our resolve may be strengthened.

92. Prepare yourself like an experienced fighter, and even if you see a sudden apparition do not be shaken; and should you see a sword drawn against you, or a torch thrust into your face, do not be alarmed. Should you see even some loathsome and bloody figure, do not panic; but stand fast, boldly affirming your faith, and you will be more resolute in confronting your enemies.

Conerning this counsel, it is best simply to let it be a word to the wise. An entire excursus could – and should – be taken to warn the soul in the modern world against the dangers of apparitions and the like. Be on guard, dear soul, and pay no heed to such appearances, messages, and the like. Hear rather the voice of the Church, which is the pillar and ground of the truth. In this, you will stand firm.

At some time soon, dear soul, we will take up the topic of the danger of visions, et cetera, at length. For now, let us pray! And let us bear any distress, for Evagrius says...

93. He who bears distress patiently will attain joy, and he who endures the repulsive will know delight.

94. Take care that the crafty demons do not deceive you with some vision; be on your guard, turn to prayer and ask God to show you if the intellection comes from Him and, if it does not, to dispel the illusion at once. Do not be afraid, for if you pray fervently to God, the demons will retreat, lashed by His unseen power.

95. You should be aware of this trick: at times the demons split into two groups; and when you call for help against one group, the other will come in the guise of angels and drive away the first, so that you are deceived into believing that they are truly angels.

Again, keep these words in your mind and return to them often this month, dear soul. Be wary of the craftiness of the enemy. Pay no heed to such manifestations. Hear the Church, and pray in and with the Church, most especially at the sacred Liturgy. In doing so, we cultivate genuine humility...

96. Cultivate great humility and courage, and you will escape the power of the demons; 'no plague shall come near your dwelling, for He shall give His angels charge over you' (Ps. 91:10-1 1). And they will invisibly repel all the energy of the enemy.

97. He who practices pure prayer will hear the demons crashing and banging, shouting and cursing; yet he will not be overwhelmed or go out of his mind. But he will say to God: 'I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me' (Ps. 23 :4), and other words of this kind.

98. At the time of such trials, use a brief but intense prayer.

It is good, dear soul, to get in the habit of offering such prayer. The exact form of words which may be employed can be varied, as Evagrius says. Your own spiritual father will be able to instruct you in this. If any case of necessity, the words of the prayer of the heart can be profitably employed: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner. Thus we are armed in the time of trials.

99. If the demons suddenly threaten to appear out of the air, to make you panic and to take possession of your intellect, do not be frightened and pay no attention to their threats. For they are trying to terrify you, to see if you take notice of them or scorn them utterly.

Here you given a rather tall order, dear soul: not to be afraid in the face of the demons. For some – for many, in fact – this takes time to learn well. Remember that it is far less a matter of simply feeling a sense of boldness within you than it is holding fast to the divine gift of the virtue of fortitude.

100. When you stand in prayer before God the Almighty, who created all things and takes thought for all, why are you so foolish as to forget the fear of God and to be scared of mosquitoes and cockroaches? Have you not heard it said, 'You shall fear the Lord your God' (Deut. 6:13); or again 'Fear and dread shall fall upon them' (Exod. 15:16)?

And here we have our final counsel, which is none other than Evagrius reminding us of the necessity to receive and cultivate the divine gift of the Fear of the Lord, a gift of the Holy Ghost. These gifts are received through sanctifying grace. The gifts are utilized and cultivated each and every time we pray, each time that we correspond with the will of God, each time that we do good works in His Name.

And there, dear soul, we have this month's counsels. As I had said, they are simple and sobering. Let us take them with us on our journey. Let us return to them often this month, so that we might be reminded of these fundamental considerations as we grow in the life of prayer. And let us pray for each other.

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Saints from East and West

Saints whose feasts are celebrated this month

February 14 (Byzantine) - St. Michael of Chernigov and St. Theodore, Martyrs

The Church in Russia had no martyrs, properly speaking, before the Tartar invasions of the thirteenth century. The number who then gave their lives for Christ was very large, and the first to receive both popular and liturgical veneration were those among them who were also nobles and military leaders against the barbarian invaders. Thus was reinforced the regard already felt for these men, not as aggressive "crusaders against the infidels," but as selfless warriors who were ready to give their lives in defense of their people: the palm of martyrdom for Christ was added to the halo of self-sacrifice for others. Outstanding in popularity among these was Michael, Duke of Chernigov.

The first we hear of him is unpromising. He showed cowardice in face of the enemy and fled from Kiev, abandoning the city to the Tartars. But then, hoping to attract their violence to himself and distract it from the people, he returned of his own will and made his way into the camp of the Horde. Their leader, Bati, tried to persuade Michael to treachery, making great promises if he would only make an act of idolatrous worship. But Michael refused: he was not willing to be a Christian only in name. His friends then formed a plan for his escape from the camp, but this also he refused, lest they should suffer Bati's reprisals. So the Tartars tortured and then beheaded him, and there suffered with him one of his nobles, the boyar Saint Theodore.

The Russians looked on such martyrs as their special representatives before the throne of God at a time when all the people were crushed by the most hideous sufferings. St Michael and St Theodore of Chernigov and others responded by anticipation to the challenge of another martyred prince, St Michael of Tver, seventy-five years later: "It is not a matter of giving one's life for one friend or for two, but for a whole enslaved people. Many of them are murdered, their wives and daughters are outraged by the foul heathen-and nobody offers his life for them."

Saints Michael and Theodore are named in the proskomedia (preparatory liturgy) of the Russian Rite.

 

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February 12 - The Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order

It was between the years 1225 and 1227 that seven young Florentines joined the Confraternity of the Blessed Virgin-popularly known as the "Laudesi" or "Praisers." It was at a period when the prosperous city of Florence was being rent by political factions and distracted by the heresy of the Cathari: it was also a time of general relaxation of morals even where devotional practices were retained. These young men, members of the most prominent families of the city, had from their childhood been occupied more with spiritual than with temporal affairs and had taken no part in local feuds. Whether they were all friends before they joined the Laudesi is not clear, but in that confraternity they became closely allied, and all seven grew daily more detached from the world and more devoted to the service of the Blessed Virgin. The eldest of them was Buonfiglio Monaldo, who became their leader, and the others were Alexis Falconieri, Benedict dell'Antella, Bartholomew Amidei, Ricovero Uguccione, Gerardino Sostegni, and John Buonagiunta. They had as their spiritual director James of Poggibonsi, who was chaplain of the Laudesi, a man of great holiness and spiritual insight. All of them came to realize the call to a life of renunciation, and they determined to have recourse to our Lady in their perplexity.

On the feast of the Assumption, as they were absorbed in prayer, they saw her in a vision, and were inspired by her to withdraw from the world into a solitary place and to live for God alone. There were difficulties, because, though three of them were celibates, four had been married and had ties, although two had become widowers. It was necessary to make suitable provision for their dependents; but that was arranged, and with the approval of the bishop they withdrew from the world and betook themselves to a house called La Carmarzia, outside the gates of Florence, twenty-three days after they had received their call. Their aim was to lead a life of penance and prayer, but before long they found themselves so much disturbed by constant visitors from Florence that they decided to withdraw to the wild and deserted slopes of Monte Senario, where they built a simple church and hermitage and lived a life of almost incredible austerity.

In spite of difficulties, visitors sometimes found their way to the hermits and many wished to join them, but they refused to accept recruits. So they continued to live for several years, until they were visited by their bishop, Ardingo, and Cardinal Castiglione, who had heard much about their sanctity. He was greatly edified, but he made one adverse criticism. "Your mode of life," he said, "is too much like that of the wild creatures of the woods, so far as the care of the body is concerned. You treat yourselves in a manner bordering on barbarity: and you seem more desirous of dying to time than of living for eternity. Take heed: the enemy of souls often hides himself under the appearance of an angel of light... Hearken to the counsels of your superiors." The seven were deeply impressed by these words and hastened to ask their bishop for a rule of life. He replied that the matter was one that called for prayer, and he entreated them not to continue to refuse admittance to those who sought to join them. Again the solitaries gave themselves up to prayer for light, and again they had a vision of our Lady, who bore in her hand a black habit while an angel held a scroll inscribed with the title of Servants of Mary. She addressed them and said she had chosen them to be her servants, that she wished them to wear the black habit, and to follow the Rule of St Augustine. From that date, April 13, 1240, they were known as the Servants of Mary, or Servites. In accepting this rule, the Seven Founders found themselves called upon to adopt a different kind of life - much to the satisfaction of their old friend the Bishop of Florence. James of Poggibonsi, who had followed them, resolved to join them, and they were clothed by the bishop himself, Buonfiglio being elected their superior. According to custom they selected names by which they should thenceforth be known, and became Brothers Bonfilius, Alexis, Amadeus, Hugh, Sostenes, Manettus and Buonagiunta. By the wish of the bishop, all except St Alexis, who in his humility begged to be excused, prepared to receive holy orders, and in due time they were fully professed and ordained priests. The new order, which took a form more like that of the mendicant friars than that of the monastic orders, increased amazingly, and it soon became necessary to form fresh houses.

Siena, Pistoia, and Arezzo were the first places chosen, and afterwards the houses at Carfaggio, the convent and church of the Santissima Annunziata in Florence, and the convent at Lucca were established. Meanwhile, although the Servites had the approval of their immediate superiors, they had not been recognized by the Holy See. Again and again efforts were made to obtain recognition for them, but difficulties were raised by those who desired to see the new order abolished or absorbed in another. The Council of the Lateran had declared that no new orders should be founded, and later on the Council of Lyons had added further limitations, and therefore each time the petition of the Servites came before the pope it was set aside or ignored. It was only in 1259 that the order was practically recognized by Alexander IV, and not till 1304 - over sixty years after its foundation - that it received the explicit and formal approbation of Bd Benedict XI. St Bonfilius had remained as prior general until 1256, when he begged to be relieved owing to old age. He died a beautiful death in the midst of a conference of his brethren on new year's night, 1261. St Buonagiunta, the youngest of the seven, was the second prior general, but not long after his election he breathed his last in chapel while the gospel of the Passion was being read. St Amadeus ruled over the important convent of Carfaggio, but returned to Monte Senario to end his days. St Manettus became fourth prior general and sent missionaries to Asia, but he retired to make way for St Philip Benizi, upon whose breast he died. St Hugh and St Sostenes went abroad - Sostenes to Paris and Hugh to found convents in Gernlany. They were recalled in 1276, and, being attacked by illness, they passed away side by side the same night. St Alexis, the humble lay-brother, outlived them all, and he was the only one who survived to see the order fully and finally recognized. He is reported to have died at the age of one hundred and ten.

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Books to feed your faith!

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Mother Harper's Prize Winning Beef Stew
The original favourite!

Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 2 hours
Ready In: 2 hours 20 minutes

Ingredients
2 pounds cubed beef stew meat
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
4 cubes beef bouillon, crumbled
4 cups water
1 teaspoon dried rosemary
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

3 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
4 carrots, cut into 1 inch pieces
4 stalks celery, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 large onion, chopped
2 teaspoons cornstarch
2 teaspoons cold water
Directions

1. In a large pot or dutch oven, cook beef in oil over medium heat until brown. Dissolve bouillon in water and pour into pot. Stir in rosemary, parsley and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer 1 hour.

2. Stir potatoes, carrots, celery, and onion into the pot. Dissolve cornstarch in 2 teaspoons cold water and stir into stew. Cover and simmer 1 hour more.

 

Melba's Peanut Butter Cup Cookies
A satisfying sweet for those who enjoy the juxtaposition of chocolate and peanut butter.

Prep: 25 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Ready In: 1 hour 35 minutes

Ingredients
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons milk
40 miniature chocolate covered peanut butter cups, unwrapped

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Sift together the flour, salt and baking soda; set aside.

2. Cream together the butter, sugar, peanut butter and brown sugar until fluffy. Beat in the egg, vanilla and milk. Add the flour mixture; mix well. Shape into 40 balls and place each into an ungreased mini muffin pan.

3. Bake at 375 degrees for about 8 minutes. Remove from oven and immediately press a mini peanut butter cup into each ball. Cool and carefully remove from pan.

Video sermons and instructions: Timeless timely truths for living the Faith

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Let Us Pray

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Sinners Are Unhappy
 

Conversion
 

VIE CATHOLIC RADIO EVENTS FOR FEBRUARY

Check your program guide to see times and days for each program.

 

Catechism Catch-Up  

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Church Triumphant

There are Three States of the Church.

There is the Militant Church, The Suffering Church, and the Triumphant Church.

In past Catechism classes we have talked about the Militant Church and the Suffering Church.

For more information see:
Catechism Lesson 17: The Suffering Souls in Purgatory
Catechism Lesson 16: The Militant Church and the Armour of God
Catechism 15: Communion of The Saints
Catechism 14: A Description of the Church; The Bride of Christ, Part 2
Catechism 14: A Description of the Church; The Bride of Christ, Part 1
Catechism 13: A Description of the Church; The Sheep of God
Catechism 12: Description of the Church; The House of God
Catechism 11: On the Church Part I

In this lesson we will discuss the Church Triumphant.

And one of the Elders answered, and said to me: These that are clothed in white robes, who are they? and whence came they? And I said to him: My Lord, thou knowest. And he said to me: These are they who are come out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and have made them white in the blood of the Lamb.Therefore they are before the throne of God, and they serve him day and night in his temple: and he, that sitteth on the throne, shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them and shall lead them to the fountains of the waters of life, and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.(Revelation 7:13-17)

What is the Church Triumphant?

The church triumphant describes the Church in heaven. The realm in which the holy Trinity, the angels and saints who have reached the fullness of salvation in Christ, abide. But it will have its fullest being at the end of time, when all of creation and all the Church whether the Church Militant, the Church Suffering, or the Church Triumphant, will be conformed to Christ and all reality will be one of divine praise and glory.

The term "church triumphant" underlines the truth that in the glory of heaven all human sin will have been transformed, death and suffering will be no more, and the glory of God will have triumphed over all the imperfections of human history.
What is the state of the Church Triumphant in Heaven?
They are in a state of UNSPOTTED PURITY.

The Triumphant Church is said to be "arrayed in white robes, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb!" These kind of terms, when used in Scripture, are used to denote purity and the favor of God.

Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed: thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. (Psalms 50:9 DRB Psalms 51:7)
If your sins be as scarlet, they shall be made as white as snow: and if they be red as crimson, they shall be white as wool. (Isaiah 1:18)
White linen is said to be the justification of the saints.

And it is granted to her that she should clothe herself with fine linen, glittering and white. For the fine linen are the justifications of saints. (Revelation 19:8)

This is the Justification in which they stand before the throne. It is a Justification that is done for them and in them, by the merits of a Redeemer's blood, and the power of his Spirit. Their purity is now spotless, being without sin.

"Now to him who is able to preserve you without sin, and to present you spotless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy!" (Jude 1:24)

That he might sanctify it, cleansing it by the laver of water in the word of life: (Ephesians 5:26)

Heaven is a state of TRIUMPHANT JOY.

They appear there with triumphant honor, as those who have overcome, and are now wearing the robes of victory.

There is laid up for me a crown of justice, which the Lord the just judge will render to me in that day: and not only to me, but to them also that love his coming. (2 Timothy 4:8)

White robes were always allotted to conquerors, to which Christ himself refers when addressing the Churches. (see Revelation 3:4,5, 18; 4:4; 7:9,13,14)

They are victorious over sin, Satan, and the world — they have overcome! They have been made more than conquerors through Christ that loves them! (Romans 8:37) They have therefore received the fulfillment of those precious promises. "To him that overcomes," (Revelations 3:21) They "eat of the tree of life," (Revelation 2:7) and of "the hidden manna."(Revelation 2:17) Each has received the "white counter," and the "new name." (Revelation 2:17) They have received the "palm" of victory, and the "crown of life," (Revelation 2:10) and have been made "pillars in the temple of God, and shall no more go out." (Revelation 3:12)

No demon can tempt their holy souls again. They are forever free from . . .

sinful allurements.
worldly fascinations.
Satanic influence.

Heaven is residence in the presence of the exalted Christ.

They "are before the throne," a term expressive of the peculiar favor with which they are received by the King of glory. The glory of this throne is described,

And above the firmament that was over their heads, was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of the sapphire stone, and upon the likeness of the throne, was a likeness as of the appearance of a man above upon it. And I saw as it were the resemblance of amber as the appearance of fire within it round about: from his loins and upward, and from his loins downward, I saw as it were the resemblance of fire shining round about. As the appearance of the rainbow when it is in a cloud on a rainy day: this was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake. (Ezekiel 1:26-28)

I beheld till thrones were placed, and the Ancient of days sat: his garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like clean wool: his throne like flames of fire: the wheels of it like a burning fire. (Daniel 7:9)

Above it stood the seraphims: the one had six wings, and the other had six wings: with two they covered his face, and with two they covered his feet, and with two they did fly. (Isaiah 6:2)

What must be the honor to stand before that majestic throne of the King of kings, and Lord of lords! The ransomed spirits in bliss are not paying a mere passing visit to the royal court — they have entered the king's palace as their abiding place — for what is their posture? "They stand before the throne," full of wonder, delight, and adoration. (Revelation 7:15-17)

"To him that shall overcome, I will give to sit with me in my throne: as I also have overcome, and am set down with my Father in his throne." (Revelation 3:21)

Heaven is a state of delightful, unceasing, and unwearying service.. "And His servants shall serve him" (Revelations 22:3) The Levitical priests were consecrated to their office by being first washed and purified in the sacred laver, (Exodus 40:12, 13) In allusion to this, it is said that his sanctified ones are made priests in his holy temple above, where they serve him without intermission or repose.

"And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth, who hath loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us a kingdom, and priests to God and his Father, to him be glory and empire for ever and ever. Amen." (Revelation 1:5-6)

And there shall be no curse any more; but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and his servants shall serve him (Revelation 22:3)

They serve him by acts of grateful praise, (Revelation 9-11), where saints and angels adore together, making but one congregation,

"many thousands of angels , and the Church of the first-born." (Hebrews 12:22-23)

Heaven is a state of communion with Christ.

Often did he promise that his disciples would be "with him" in Heaven; and so it shall come to pass; for "he who sits on the throne shall dwell among them," verse 15. "Behold the tabernacle of God with men, and he will dwell with them. And they shall be his people; and God himself with them shall be their God." (Revelation 21:3)

They shall behold him in all his transcendent glory!
They shall hear him speak infinite things with infinite heavenly eloquence!
They shall feel him as his love warms and enraptures their expanded hearts!
They shall speak to him in the language of reverend praise, and humble inquiry!
They shall follow him wherever he leads the way to the tree of life, or the pure river of the water of life, or to the remotest parts of his empire!
They shall constantly receive from him new understanding, new proofs of his wisdom, his power, and his love.

Heaven is a state of perfect and eternal exemption from all distress.

It must be so, since they serve him without interruption, and since he dwells among them. Hence,
(Revelation 7:16). "They shall hunger no more or thirst " "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes," (Revelation 7:17) Poverty has often been the lot of the pious on earth; they have hungered and thirsted; they have toiled and been weary; have been destitute, tormented, and afflicted; but this shall be known no more."neither shall the sun fall on them, nor any heat. "(Revelations 7:16)

Like Jacob, who said that while shepherding the flock of Laban, "In the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night;" (Genesis 31:40) so these pilgrims had often been weary and faint in their course, and subject to many hardships. But in Heaven, they will be forever delivered from these calamities — neither the fire of persecution, nor the frost of adversity, shall annoy them any more.

"God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes!" Numerous are the sources of sorrow here on earth — but God will dry them all up in Heaven. They wear no funeral attire, no sackcloth there; for God shall wipe away all tears, and the days of their mourning will be ended.

There will be no prodigal, no penitent, no mourning Christian to drop tears there; "for all sorrow and sighing shall flee away." There is no night there, there is no sin there, there is no ignorance there, there is no affliction there, there is no death there.

All is daylight there, created by God and the Lamb, who are the light of the holy city. There is nothing in that happy residence to distress or annoy.

Jeremiah will utter no plaintive language there. Bartimaeus is the poor blind beggar no more. Lazarus's sores have been replaced by immortal beauty.

The weeping widow is no longer crushed to the dust by the heavy hand of poverty. The orphan child is no longer forsaken and homeless.

There is nothing in that happy residence to distress or annoy. Pinching poverty and wasting disease are unknown.

The distressing complaint will never accost the ear, "I am sick." The sting of death and the terrors of the grave will never present themselves there. There are no graves in the land of eternal life. There is no death of friends there. Martha and Mary go to no beloved brother's grave to weep. No deceitful heart, no secret foe, no fascinating world, no artful Satan, yonder.

The former things have passed away, and the dispensation of immortality has arrived.

The white-robed multitude, the congregated hosts of the Church Triumphant, sing a new song...a song which none can sing but the redeemed from among men!

Such bliss is enough to make the Church Militant and the Church suffering say, "But I am straitened between two: having a desire to depart and to be with Christ, a thing by far the better.!"(Philippians 1:23)
Heaven is a state of participation in all that bliss which God has promised to his redeemed people.

"For the Lamb, which is in the midst of the throne, shall rule them, and shall lead them to the fountains of the waters of life, and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." (Revelation 7:17)

He shall give them everything calculated to secure, continue, and increase their happiness.
"He will lead them to fountains of living water," which shall never be exhausted. A fountain or spring in the Hebrew phraseology, is termed living water, because it is constantly bubbling up, and running on. These "fountains of living water" indicate endless sources of happiness, which Christ will supply to his redeemed people from his own infinite plenitude.

These eternal fountains will make an infinite variety for the enjoyments of the blessed. There will be no sameness, and therefore no weariness to the spirit. Every moment will open a new source of pleasure. They shall make eternal progression into the fullness of God. And as God is infinite, so his attributes are infinite, and throughout infinity more and more of those attributes will be unveiled; and the discovery of each will be a new fountain of enjoyment. These sources must be opening through all eternity — and yet, through all eternity, there will still remain, in the absolute perfections of the Godhead, an infinity of them still to be opened!

[taken from a text by William Nicholson, 1862 and edited for use for a Catholic Catechism lesson]

Living Catholic: 

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