"Paradigm of the Authentic Life" Concepts

I am working on something I call “Paradigm of the Authentic Life,” which is a codification of the holistic way God meant us to live. The theory is that we were meant to live communally and close to nature. This paradigm I’m working on includes the Catholic life. What makes CF Mathews think she has the answers to such large questions? My first response has to be, “Maybe I don’t.” My second response is, “But…” I am continually drawn to these ideas and feel called to do this. My life experience has prepared me for this work in many ways. But if I don’t start with humility, I run the risk of being a would-be cult leader, and nothing more. Such people return to the dust they came from and history looks upon them with contempt.

Today I wish to share 2 concepts which have been on my mind…

~ Wake Up With the Sunrise ~

Remember the big hair of the 80’s? If you’re my age, you do. It took so long every morning to do our hair (and makeup…and figure out what to wear) in high school, all the girls would get up in the dark. This was always difficult and depressing for me. I finally realized, that was probably because it’s unnatural to wake up in the dark! So…later in life, I became a latebird. Then I felt bad I never saw the sunrise. I am now getting up with the sunrise and it feels wonderful. This weekend, we change the clocks back to Standard Time. In order to keep to my sunrise schedule, I will not get that extra hour:( The Authentic Life requires discipline, but the blessings are worth it.

~ Nature Abhors Perfection ~

We’ve all heard the expression, “Nature abhors a vacuum.” Nature also doesn’t like perfection very much. As soon as it is attained, if it ever is, she sees to it that things immediately go awry again. In fact, our obstinate insistence on “perfection” can cause much more harm than good (look around, that’s all I’m going to say). I am not talking about spiritual perfection, which Our Lord instructed us about. I’m talking about the human desire to control that which cannot truly be controlled. When we speak of the Authentic Life, realism needs to be built into the paradigm. A few weeds in your garden? Many are medicinal. Got your day perfectly planned? Many of life’s best moments are spontaneous and unexpected. Our human definition of “perfection” can create imbalance and that’s another thing nature abhors. Actually, all of these ideas about nature are interrelated.

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Tomorrow starts the “Triduum of Death:” All Hallows Eve, All Saints Day and All Souls Day. Let us rejoice in our Heavenly reward and keep this always before our eyes! Stay tuned for “November: Month of the Holy Souls” and our next Autumn Prepper Rosary Lesson:)

Update

I will tell you why the posting has been delayed. It’s all because an Irish-born young man showed up on our doorstep when he noticed our property looked horrible…

He was doing masonry on another home in the neighborhood and was looking for new clients. My initial reaction was, “I have to blow him off. I’m not ready to do this and he has NO IDEA what he’s getting into. This is a job for industrial professionals.” (We are on a hill and the job is very complicated and very large.) When I noticed he was Irish, I said I’m half Irish and he said he thought I was probably Irish or Italian due to the statue of Our Lady up on the hill. I told him I’m actually both (my Sicilian father would spin in his grave if he ever heard me say I’m Italian). The young man with an Apostolic name, using the term “Our Lady” impressed me and I was hooked…I think you know where this is going!

So I am now engulfed in the management of a complicated, expensive project, that will take several weeks. To say my life is in an upheaval would be…literally accurate. Instead of concrete steps outside my kitchen door, there is now a precarious drop. The steps heading to the driveway are now completely filled with debris. Our cars are parked down the road and the neighbors are getting antsy. Anyway, the dog has been very good but a tad nervous about the jackhammering. A number of difficulties have presented themselves already, so it is constant damage-control. But it’s all gonna be okay because we started the project with a prayer to Saint Joseph-the whole team prayed with me.

I do think these 2 Irish brothers (yes, his brother ran up the steps shortly after him) were sent by God to give us the kick-in-the-pants we needed to get this difficult job done. So I deeply appreciate your patience in the weeks ahead and I will try to keep up with the blog and our “Autumn Prepper Rosary Program” as best as I can. I will try to post within the next few days.

PS Turns out my great-grandmother from Tipperary had the same name as these guys. They said they have family in Tipperary and some relatives had moved to New York in the past. Hmmmmmm. God truly works in amazing ways!

PPS By doing this project, we are knocking off THREE of our “15 Preparedness Points!” (See “Autumn Prepper Program Intro” side button for the full list.) Here they are:

#5 Know opportunity when you see it-even though we were not expecting to do this project this year, we were open to the possibility when it literally came upon our doorstep!

#11 Work on home improvement-self-explanatory.

#15 Address security and self-defense issues-we are addressing security issues by building higher, more secure walls and fencing.

Lesson 3-Prepper Rosary Program

Acquire a Sustainable Skill ~ The Nativity

Another basic prepper tenet, is to be able to function without power. If your entire livelihood depends on power, you will want to think about learning a new skill. Woodworking, sewing, food gardening, weaving, pottery, herbal medicine and fishing, are often thought of as old-fashioned and fewer people are knowledgeable in them. There are also skills many people do still have, which can be considered sustainable, such as landscaping, animal care, massage therapy, alternative medicine, counseling, construction, cooking, child care, teaching, martial arts, hair styling and music. Just as the world entered a new era with the Birth of Christ, humanity at this time, must look toward a new era of life closer to the earth.

Aside from giving us a new potential livelihood, these kinds of skills give us a greater connectedness to our ancestors and to each other. Many of them also make us physically stronger, which is another basic prepper tenet. Acquiring such new abilities draws us closer to nature and what may be called the “authentic life,” living the way God intended. How do you go about it, though? There are so many ways to learn these days. If you can think of it, there is probably a video on it. Check out your community festivals and fairs too, for workshops and networking. Getting the whole family involved can make it even more fun and motivating.

We are living in a profoundly nature-detached society.  This was not the case before the 20th century.  In the past, people lived more self-sufficiently and therefore, were more prepared in general.  This is why the whole concept of preparedness has emerged in recent decades. The New Tech World Order has not only made us less self-reliant, it has polluted the earth and our bodies with unhealthy food, drugs and vaccines. It has absorbed us all into electronics and caused a dangerous dependence on fragile technology and power grids. What most people don’t realize is that this whole mistake was always destined to fall and we are now seeing the beginning of that. As Our Blessed Lord came into the world through the blood of the Holy Innocents, this change will not come easily either. But we are God’s children and we will get through it.

A great birthing is now under way. What an incredibly exciting time to be alive. There is no time for despondency or clinging to the old world. Let us begin to work toward a new world, closer to our Creator, closer to nature and closer to each other. A world of love. A world of joy. We will need to focus on this continually in the coming days. We will decisively need to choose a side. Humanity is now in its Advent, its time of waiting and preparing. We know this new world is coming…as Our Lady of Fatima declared, “In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph!”

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Pray 1 decade of the Rosary, meditating on the Mystery of The Nativity, for the intention of enlightenment on the issues discussed today…

Our Father + 10 Hail Marys + Glory Be

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Please fill out #3

“15 Points Preparedness Worksheet”

Thank you for participating ~ spread the word!

Image courtesy awakeningtimes.com

Lesson 2-Prepper Rosary Program

“And behold thy cousin Elizabeth, she also hath conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her that is called barren…And Mary rising up…went into the hill country with haste into a city of Juda. And she entered into the house of Zachary, and saluted Elizabeth…And Mary abode with her about three months…Now Elizabeth's full time of being delivered was come, and she brought forth a son.”

Luke 1:36

Extend Yourself to Others ~ The Visitation

The above scripture shows us the loving Immaculate Heart of Our Lady. Immediately following the Annunciation, she flees to the side of her cousin Elizabeth. We can infer the reason she does this, is because she knows Elizabeth is older and needs help in her final days of pregnancy. We are told Mary stays with her for 3 months, right up until she gives birth. What profound humility, for one carrying the Son of God in her own womb, to place herself at the service of another woman with child. Taking Mary’s example, who are you being called to help?

Holy Church gives us the Corporal Works of Mercy, based on the teachings of Christ. This is a good place to start, if seeking to know where you are being called. Gravitate to what resonates with you. Some of us will not have to seek at all, it will be obvious that there is someone close who needs us. But sometimes, these are the ones we are most blind to. How does this relate to preparedness? When we strengthen others, we strengthen ourselves and we are only as strong as the weakest link. Humanity is a fabric of connectedness (which is presently being torn apart) and as they say, “What goes around, comes around.”

It is also important to cultivate relationships with your neighbors. You lend them your leaf-blower this fall, they lend you their snow-blower this winter. That’s not to say we should give with the thought of getting back, but from a prepper point of view, it is pragmatic (and what helps you, helps those in your care). This is the way a healthy community functions. In a crisis, it is much better to work together than to have an “every man for himself” attitude. Resilient, sustainable communities of love are the way of the future.

When we think of others, it always come back to us with great blessings. It makes us happier, healthier and holier. It is also a fundamental part of the Christian life. “With haste,” Mary met the need of Saint Elizabeth. How much more should we sinners, seek to meet the needs of those around us?

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Pray 1 decade of the Rosary, meditating on the Mystery of The Visitation, for the intention of enlightenment on the issues discussed today…

Our Father + 10 Hail Marys + Glory Be

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Please fill out #2

“15 Points Preparedness Worksheet”

Thank you for participating ~ spread the word!

Image courtesy bluearmy.com

Lesson 1-Prepper Rosary Program

Expect Wonderful Things ~ The Annunciation

Let’s begin with a basic “prepper” tenet: “Expect the best, prepare for the worst.” When the Angel Gabriel told Mary she would give birth to the Son of God, she did not understand, but she still trusted. She knew she was not socially in a proper situation to be pregnant, but she understood that something glorious was happening and kept her focus on that. Even though the world is now falling apart around us, we must remain as positive as possible, while still focusing on the tasks at hand. The popular notion of the “Doomsday Prepper” leads many to think it is all about doom and gloom…and guns. Unfortunately, for some preppers, this is true. But for the Children of God, gloom is not in our vocabulary, neither is violence. There is a peaceful, gentle, “close to the earth” preparedness, which is what we promote here.

Many of us fall into negative thinking patterns at times, often without being aware of it. If we do not practice “mindfulness,” an awareness of our thoughts and emotions throughout the day, this negativity may become corrosive to ourselves and those around us. It is true, the events in the world right now are causing a tremendous amount of grief and stress. We must allow ourselves to process those emotions, pray, and get through to the other side. We cannot get stuck there or give in to fear. Prepping is not about worry-quite the opposite! Being prepared frees you from worry and gives you the peace of mind that you are doing the best for yourself and your family. That doesn’t mean perfection. It doesn’t mean bad things can’t still happen. That’s where trust in God comes in. We also cannot get completely caught up in the cares of this world, because we know, it really is all about our journey to the Kingdom of Heaven. So it is a balance between the temporal and the spiritual.

We all need a positive vision to give us hope and motivation. Yes, Heaven is the ultimate positive vision, but we still have to get up every day and live in this world. We need to visualize a goal for the future, to give us enthusiasm and purpose. Instead of getting myopically bogged down in the present moment, let us create our own vision of a beautiful future. The next step is to make a concrete plan to incorporate changes into your life that will get you there.

We must stay hopeful and place our complete trust in God. Be grateful for all your blessings and have joy in your heart no matter what. We are one with Christ and it is an insult to Him to ever be anything but joyful. Just as Mary could not have imagined the incredible glory of the plan she was a part of, we too, are being called to build a wonderful new world!

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Pray 1 decade of the Rosary, meditating on the Mystery of The Annunciation, for the intention of enlightenment on the issues discussed today…

Our Father + 10 Hail Marys + Glory Be

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Please fill out #1

“15 Points Preparedness Worksheet”

We do not ask for donations at this time, but we do ask for prayers ~ thank you for participating ~ spread the word!

Image courtesy jesuscaritasest.blogspot.com

October Fatima Family Holy Hour for the Church

Thank you for joining our final Fatima Family Holy Hour for the Church, on this 103rd anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun! Following is the Holy Hour Format to print and perform at home.  If you cannot do this on October 13th, please choose another day during the month. God bless you and may Our Lady shower graces upon you and your family during this difficult hour in the Church and in the world. Please contact us above and let us know how this Holy Hour has blessed your family.

PRINTABLE VERSION OF OCTOBER FATIMA FAMILY HOLY HOUR

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Candle-Lighting for Reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

(please light a candle next to a picture or statue of Our Lady)

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O Jesus, we thank Thee for this anniversary of the sixth and final Apparition of Our Lady of Fatima to the three holy children in Portugal and all the miracles and wonders which took place there.  We thank Thee for our togetherness today honoring this anniversary, though it is at a difficult time for Thy Holy Church and the whole world.  We light this candle for the intention of reparation to Thy Mother's Immaculate Heart, which so grieves over the sins of the world at this time.  We especially wish to console her for the terrible injustice to unborn children, during this Respect Life month, for she is Mother to all.  May these little lights of ours ascend to her Queenly throne in Heaven, as she once ascended on the day of her glorious Assumption, and show her that indeed, there is still love for her on earth.  Love for Thy Mother always directs us to Thee, O Jesus, our Savior, Whom she holds up to the world in her loving arms.  Forgive us our sins and let us enter into this Holy Hour in a spirit of contrition and spiritual communion with Thee.  We beg Thee for a return of the normal functioning of the Catholic Church. Forgive us for the disrespect given to the Holy Eucharist for so many years. We offer as well, all the intentions of those participating. Amen.

Saint Joseph, Pray for Us!

All Ye Holy Angels & Saints, Pray for Us!

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"Immaculate Mary"

Immaculate Mary, your praises we sing
You reign now in Heaven with Jesus our King
Ave, Ave, Ave, Maria!  Ave, Ave, Maria!

In Heaven the blessed your glory proclaim
On earth we your children invoke your sweet name
Ave, Ave, Ave, Maria!  Ave, Ave, Maria!

We pray for the Church our true mother on earth
And bless Holy Mary, the land of our birth
Ave, Ave, Ave, Maria!  Ave, Ave, Maria!

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Fatima Reading & Prayer

The Sixth Apparition & Great Miracle ~ October 13th, 1917

The prediction of a public miracle caused intense speculation throughout Portugal, and the journalist, Avelino de Almeida, published a satirical article on the whole business in the anti-religious newspaper O Seculo. People from other parts of the country descended by the tens of thousands on the Cova despite the terrible storm that lashed the mountain country around Fatima on the eve of the 13th. Many pilgrims walked barefoot, reciting the rosary as they went, all crowding into the area around the Cova. By mid-morning, heavy rain began to fall.

The children reached the Oak tree around noon and then saw the flash of light as Mary appeared before them. For the last time, Lucia asked what she wanted: “I want to tell you that a chapel is to be built here in my honor. I am the Lady of the Rosary. Continue always to pray the Rosary every day. The war is going to end, and the soldiers will soon return to their homes.” Again Lucia made requests for cures, conversions and other intentions. Our Lady’s response was: “Some yes, but not others. They must amend their lives and ask forgiveness for their sins.” Sister Lucia tells us that at this point Mary grew very sad and said: “Do not offend the Lord our God anymore, because He is already so much offended.” Then, opening her hands, she caused them to reflect on the sun and, as she ascended, the reflection of her own light continued to be projected upon the sun itself. After she disappeared, as the people witnessed the great miracle which had been predicted, the children saw the visions foretold during the September apparition.

The greatest miracle to occur since the Resurrection is also the only miracle ever precisely predicted as to date, time of day and location.

Although it is popularly known as “The Miracle of the Sun” and October 13, 1917 has come to be known as “The Day the Sun Danced,” a great deal more took place. The solar phenomena included the dancing of the sun, its fluctuations in color, its swirling and its descending toward the earth. There was also the stillness in the leaves of the trees in spite of howling winds, the complete drying of the rain-soaked ground, and the restoration of clothes all wet and covered with mud, so that, as eye-witness Dominic Reis put it, “They looked as though they had just come from the cleaners!” Physical cures of the blind and the lame were reported. The countless unreserved public confessions of sin and commitments to conversion of life attest to the authenticity of what was seen. The miracle is reported to have been seen from as far as 25 miles away, thus ruling out the possibility of any type of collective hallucination or mass hypnotism. Doubters and skeptics had become believers. Even O Seculo’s chief editor, Avelino de Almeida, now reported affirmatively, and stood by his story in spite of harsh criticism.

Text courtesy World Apostolate of Fatima, USA, edited.

The apparitions of Our Lady to the children were not their first encounter with Heaven.  An angel appeared to them previously, three times, and gave them two prayers, as follows:

"My God, I believe, I adore, I hope and I love Thee!  I beg pardon of Thee for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope and do not love Thee!"

"Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, I adore Thee profoundly.  I offer Thee the most precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, present in all the tabernacles of the world, in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges and indifference with which He is offended.  By the infinite merits of the Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg of Thee the conversion of poor sinners."

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Sorrowful Mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary

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Litany of Our Lady of Fatima

Our Lady of Fatima, pray for our dear country.
Our Lady of Fatima, sanctify our clergy.
Our Lady of Fatima, make our Catholics more fervent.
Our Lady of Fatima, guide and inspire those who govern us.
Our Lady of Fatima, cure the sick who confide in you.
Our Lady of Fatima, console the sorrowful who trust in you.
Our Lady of Fatima, help those who invoke your aid.
Our Lady of Fatima, deliver us from all dangers.
Our Lady of Fatima, help us to resist temptation.
Our Lady of Fatima, obtain for us all that we lovingly ask of you.
Our Lady of Fatima, help those who are dear to us.
Our Lady of Fatima, bring back to the right road our erring brothers.
Our Lady of Fatima, give us back our ancient fervor.
Our Lady of Fatima, obtain for us pardon of our manifold sins and offenses.
Our Lady of Fatima, bring all men to the feet of your Divine Child.
Our Lady of Fatima, obtain peace for the world.

O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Let Us Pray: O God of infinite goodness and mercy, fill our hearts with a great confidence in Thy dear Mother, whom we invoke under the title of Our Lady of the Rosary and Our Lady of Fatima, and grant us by her powerful intercession, all the graces, spiritual and temporal, which we need.  Through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

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Final Prayer

O Most Holy Trinity, look upon the work of Thy Hands with mercy and give us the peace we so desperately need.  Shower Thy graces upon us like the rain, like a great flood engulfing us and end these many sorrows.  We live in unprecedented times, uncertain times.  Deliver us from all evil, visible and invisible and from all fear.  Help us to prepare for the days to come and to extricate ourselves from this inauthentic culture.  We pray for the triumphalism of Holy Mother Church and the salvation of all souls.  Give us peace in our hearts and courage to face the future and win our Heavenly reward.  Our Lady of Fatima, we love you!  Pray for us!  In the Holy Name of Christ, Nomen Christi.  Amen.

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"Hail Holy Queen Enthroned Above"

Hail, holy Queen enthroned above, O Maria
Hail, Queen of mercy and of love, O Maria
Triumph, all ye Cherubim
Sing with us, ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve, Salve, Salve, Regina

The cause of joy to all below, O Maria
The spring through which all graces flow, O Maria
Angels, all your praises bring
Earth and heaven, with us sing
All creation echoing
Salve, Salve, Salve, Regina

O gentle, loving, holy one, O Maria
The God of light became your Son, O Maria
Triumph, all ye Cherubim
Sing with us, ye Seraphim
Heav'n and earth resound the hymn
Salve, Salve, Salve, Regina

Image Fatima statue, St. Patrick Church, Glen Cove, NY, October, 2020

Pics:(

I know I said I would post pics of the Fatima procession at St. Patrick’s in Glen Cove, NY, but I missed it because I got terribly lost I my way there…I took a route I was thought would be fast, made a wrong turn and wound up in Timbuktu. I don’t use GPS-that could be a whole post unto itself. I do not buy into the “learned helplessness” of this culture. No real prepper would ever use GPS! It was actually good I got lost, because I learned more about the roads in the process.

…However, I did make it to the following mass and did get a picture of the statue! I will be posting that pic for tomorrow’s final “Fatima Family Holy Hour for the Church,” this year, as we celebrate the 103rd anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun. Tomorrow! Here! Be there or be square! (This is something you print out and do at home-very simple!)

Please see Fatima Holy Hour for our previous ones this year. They all follow the same format. See you tomorrow!

Marian Events This Weekend

Sunday, in the US, is the “Rosary Coast to Coast 2020” event, in which the Rosary will be recited in public places. Actually, this is part of a larger worldwide day of Rosary rallies. Please check your local area for events. If you cannot attend one, it would be great to join in at home with a family rosary. How wonderful it will be for Our Lady to look upon the world this Sunday and see such love for her!

We celebrate the anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun on the 13th-don’t forget our Holy Hour right here! I will be attending a Fatima procession today…stay tuned for pics!

Thought for the Day...

If you’re not in control of seconds, neither are you in control of hours.

Prepper Rosary Program-Introduction

Preparedness Journey with the Mysteries of the Rosary

Please join us for our “Prepper Rosary Program,” starting this month of the Holy Rosary. It is very simple and you can do it at your own leisure, any time. You can jump in whenever and wherever.

We will be using our “15 Points” list already posted, tied to the Mysteries. After reading each post, you will pray one decade of the Rosary. Then you will fill out our PDF worksheet with your own thoughts. So it is simple: 1) Read post. 2) Pray one decade. 3) Fill out worksheet. The worksheet is also kept very simple and may be used as a family activity. The questions are simply suggestions to get you thinking in the right direction. The prayer is also an important part of this process. It is there, that God will speak to your heart and prepare you to embark on a new lifestyle in a changed world. That is what this time is asking of us…for ourselves and our loved ones.

If you participate, we would love to hear from you (see “Contact” button above). Please share your comments and we may decide to post them. Please also share this with others-we are only as strong as our weakest link!

Important Note: Please use prayer and discretion when applying these ideas to your own life. Some may not apply to you. Some may not be good for you. This is really just an intro to preparedness concepts, so you can take these ideas and construct your own program that works for you and your family. 

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The story of how this started: I realized several weeks ago that it was time to do a major re-think of my life, in light of the current world situation. I had to come up with a plan addressing all the important issues and “up” the preparedness ante. As I was writing this list, I realized that my own issues are not unique to me and that this had to become a larger project. I originally had 12 points and kept adding more until I got to 15, and finally felt satisfied. It struck me that traditionally, we had 15 Mysteries of the Rosary. Being deeply influenced by the great Fr. George Rutler when I was young, particularly his “Seven Last Words” meditations (here’s one), which he would tie into various “things of seven,” the idea came to me. I had to find a way to link the Mysteries to my list. It was kinda crazy and when I ran it by my hubby, he was amused. Undaunted, I began jotting down notes and most of it came effortlessly. I took this as a sign that it was meant to be. So here it is…

PS These are not pre-written. I am writing literally as I go. Each lesson is a new adventure!