chiara interrante

Let Us Remember D-Day (and little-known WWII stories)

I realized when I saw “D-Day” on my calendar today, that I never learned much about this historical day which turned the tide of World War II.  So I embarked on some research which spiraled in several directions…

I personally have a deep connection to WWII and have done lots of research on Nazi Germany over the years, which led me to discovering the Catholic martyr, Fr. Alfred Delp.  My father, named Joseph, was almost killed by a shrapnel bomb, as a recruit of the “Seabees”.   I think he was performing an operation, disengaging these land mines, when this happened. I remember the horrifying scars on his back.  I remember the dramatic blue and red tattoo on his arm.  I remember his Navy hat in the hallway closet.

The Seabees (cleverly taken from “CB,” Construction Battalion) were Navy soldier engineers/builders/craftsmen, formed specifically for WWII and its unique challenges (they would also conduct clean-up in destroyed areas).  The USA needed to establish infrastructure around the world and these were the highly qualified men to do it.  Not only did they have to build, but build as covertly as possible.  Many of these guys were both tough and intellectual, knowing how to wield a gun while doing calculus in their heads!  Those who knew my father would laugh, as this is exactly who he was, perfect for the job, a macho Sicilian from Brooklyn who went on to design machines for factories.  Apparently, he was recruited as an electrical engineering student of the Illinois Institute of Technology (this is what I have gleaned, as he passed when I was very young).

My father told the story of a little-known suicide mission in the Philippines, undertaken by his courageous fellow Seabees.  If he had volunteered himself, you would not be reading these words.  This was one war story which seemed to imprint itself indelibly upon his heart.  And this may be the first time it has ever publicly been told.  I won’t be able to get the technicalities right, so I won’t try.  It was an effort to disrupt Japanese communication systems, which were electrically dependent.  The engineer had to go into an electrical box and blow it up, dying in the process. 

Here is a recent article honoring the Seabees, which are still in existence and also played a role in the D-Day invasion.  Today, they do all the same work, only it’s more high-tech and they also are called to help after natural disasters…

“From erecting entire bases in the jungles of Vietnam to constructing floating causeways for D-Day landings, the Seabees have pulled off some of the most audacious engineering feats in military history. Their work has enabled some of the most crucial missions in modern warfare…Beyond the battlefield, former Seabees have gone on to revolutionize the civilian construction industry, carrying their skills and discipline into the world of infrastructure development. Despite their vital role, the Seabees often remain in the shadows of military history. Their contributions deserve more recognition, as they are the foundation—literally—of countless military victories. The Seabee ethos is one of resilience, innovation, and determination.”

Blood, Sweat, and Concrete: Inside the World of the Seabees

USN for Life ~ you can get cool gear here too!

Moving on to another story, my father’s brother, Uncle Sal, was one of the survivors of the sinking of the “Sammy B” ship off the coast of the Philippines. Most of the crew survived, but had to swim in shark waters for 3 days. I should not have to tell you what my uncle and the other men witnessed and suffered in those 3 days. He was so traumatized, he lost his voice for a time.  Salvatore went on to become Chief Architect of Walt Disney World in Florida, influencing a generation of architects.  After seeing the absolute worst life could offer up, he dedicated himself to the creation of a fantasy paradise…also, a little-known story of American 20th-century history.

Back to D-Day, the largest sea invasion in history, here’s an article from yesterday, which includes video footage and a pep-talk by Eisenhower…

“By being able to get forces into Normandy, the Allies were able to begin their advance into northwest Europe. Though World War II lasted nearly another year in Europe, the success of Operation Overlord led to the liberation of France and allowed the Allies to fight the Germans in Nazi-occupied Europe. The US’ National World War II Museum says that a good way to appreciate the significance of D-Day is to imagine what would have happened if the operation had failed. According to the museum, another landing would have not been possible for at least a year. In this time, Hitler could have strengthened Nazi-occupied Europe’s coastal defenses, developed aircraft and weapons, bombed the UK even more heavily and continued his killing campaign.”

What is D-Day? How the Normandy landings led to Germany’s defeat in World War II

CNN World

Let us pray for those who lost their lives on D-Day, on both the Allied and Axis sides, and for their families who suffered with so much grief…and for all the souls touched by that terrible war.  Let us pray for mercy for the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.  Let us seek to console Our Lord’s Heart for these crimes.  Though this is said to have ended the war, we know as Catholics, civilians may never be targeted.  I would also like to remember my husband’s Uncle Harry, a young man killed in Germany in WWII.

As we approach Pentecost…

“Come Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful and kindle in them the fire of Thy love.  Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created.  And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.”

May peace reign in Holy Church and throughout the world!

September is the Month of Our Lady of Sorrows

Concluding prayers from the 3 litanies of Our Lady of Sorrows:

We beseech Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, let Thy Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, whose holy soul was pierced by a sword of sorrow at the hour of Thy Passion, implore Thy mercy for us, both now and at the hour of our death, Who livest and reignest, world without end.

Imprint, O Lady, thy wounds upon my heart, that I may read therein sorrow and love, sorrow to endure every sorrow for thee, love to despise every love for thee.

O Lord Jesus Christ, God and Man, grant, we beseech Thee, that Thy dear Mother Mary, whose soul the sword pierced in the hour of Thy Passion, may intercede for us, now, and in the hour of our death, through Thine own merits, O Saviour of the world, Who with the Father and the Holy Spirit livest and reignest, God, world without end.

Amen.

This is the second month of Nomen Christi Apostolate’s “Marian Triad of the Months,” when we are contemplating the Mariology of her Immaculate Heart, her 7 Sorrows and the Holy Rosary.  How can we honor her sorrows this month?  We can pray the litanies mentioned above, the 7 Sorrows Chaplet and also celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows on the 15th.  This feast is in both the trad and new calendars.  In terms of meditation, we may ask ourselves the following questions:  “How do our Heavenly Mother’s sorrows relate to our own times?”  “How can we appeal to her during these times?”  “Why did God allow her to suffer?”  “How can we derive consolation from her own Passion, inextricably linked to Our Lord’s?” 

We also honor the Mother of God’s nativity on the 8th, her holy name on the 12th  and Our Lady of Ransom the 24th.  The feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross is on the 14th.  The Ember Days of Autumn always proceed the following week on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday (Wed and Sat meat at one meal and of course, the usual Friday penance).  See “Ember Days” topic to the right>>>  Other notable feasts this month:

Saint Gregory the Great/Saint Pius X-3rd

Saint Teresa of Calcutta-5th

Saint Matthew, Apostle-21st

Saint Pio-23rd

Saint Vincent de Paul-27th

The Three Archangels, Michael, Gabriel & Raphael-29th

Our Lady of Sorrows Prayers from the Tridentine Mass with PDF

Saint Joseph the Workman / Update

May 1st we celebrate the feast of Saint Joseph the Workman, honoring him as a laborer and humble participant in Jewish society. The prayer below is not specific to this feast, but it is so beautiful. It is from The Raccolta, a short prayer, easily committed to memory…

“O Joseph, virgin father of Jesus, most pure spouse of the Virgin Mary, pray for us daily to the Son of God, that, armed with the weapons of His grace, we may fight as we ought in life, and be crowned by Him in death.”

Unfortunately, I am suffering numerous health issues, including continued eye problems which reduces my ability to work on electronics. I would ask for your patience and prayer for myself and my family. You have my deepest thanks and all my readers are always in my prayers as well. Chiara:)

August is the Month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

[Edited since posting.]

“Treasure of Kindness, Which Forever Lives and Never Dies”

When looking for images, I look for one that grabs me and is somewhat unique.  The vintage French prayer card above was perfect.  I realized I had to translate the French and this was my best attempt. The sentiment is beautiful and calls to mind the eternal bliss possessed by Our Lady and all those in Heaven.  This illustration of the Immaculate Heart contains many of the elements we normally see:  the lily emerging from the flame, the sword with the drops of blood, the wreath of roses and the emanating rays of light.  We also sometimes see the Crown of Thorns surrounding her heart in a circular fashion.  This month, we might meditate more deeply on the symbolism of Our Lady’s heart, passed down to us over the centuries.  We might also seek to conform our own hearts to hers, that we may be that “Treasure of Kindness” to those around us.

How else may we honor this most loving of hearts, inextricably united to the Sacred Heart?  It would certainly be an appropriate time to begin the Communion of Reparation to the Immaculate Heart 5 First Saturdays, given to Sister Lucia by Our Lady of Fatima.  If your parish does not offer this, consider meeting with your pastor to discuss it.  What an exciting privilege to establish and lead this devotion in your own Catholic community!  The traditional feast of the Immaculate Heart is celebrated August 22nd, alongside the new feast of the Queenship of Mary.

Other Marian feasts this month are:  Our Lady of the Snows on the 5th, THE ASSUMPTION on the 15th and Our Lady of Knock, celebrated on the 17th or the 21st.  Saint Dominic, seer of the Holy Rosary, is honored on the 4th and Saint Joachim, father of the Blessed Virgin, on the 16th.  What an amazing month to become closer to the Mother of God, to offer reparation to her Immaculate Heart and to console her in her sorrows, looking upon this world of corruption.

Let us remember the TRANSFIGURATION OF OUR LORD on the 6th. August also celebrates 3 Doctors of the Church:  Saint Alphonsus de Ligouri, Saint Bernard of Clairvaux and Saint AugustineWe also have dear Saint Clare (otherwise known as Clara or Chiara-my name) on the 12th and Saint Rose of Lima, patroness of gardeners (we are especially devoted to her here), on the 30th.

As you may know, the Tridentine Latin Mass is being persecuted more aggressively in recent days in the United States.  Let us commend this sorrow to Our Lady and be at peace that God is provident and always holds His children in His Hands.  (I was going to give you some links, but it upset me so much, I could not continue reading-some dioceses most recently cracking down are Chicago, Washington DC and Arlington VA.)

Here is the traditional calendar for the month of August:  calefactory.org

Note:  Both old and new feasts are given.  The old is given preference when there are 2 dates.

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Image from Ethelyn at Pinterest.