We remember the Holy Souls in Purgatory this month. There are many ways to do so. Please find some devotion that resonates with you!
(Sorry this post is very short this month.)
Marian Triad of the Months / Triduum of Death
The last 3 months of the Church’s dedications have been reserved for Our Lady. We can see this as a type of “triad,” a group of 3. From August to October, we honor the Immaculate Heart, Our Lady of Sorrows and Our Lady of the Rosary. This triad is interesting to note and study. I have never heard it mentioned before, and have decided to give it the title of “Marian Triad of the Months.”
How are these associations with the Mother of God linked? First, we contemplate her most pure heart, immaculate because it was conceived without Original Sin. Our Lady’s love, emanating from this heart, has existed since her creation, in perfect love for God and humanity. We are called into this abyss of perfection, a privilege we are unworthy of, yet Christ gave us His Mother from the Holy Cross. Next, we are called to reflect on a particular aspect of this heart, her many sorrows. Like Lent, this can be a difficult undertaking, but many graces and joys result. Finally, the Holy Rosary, a devotion uniting all the Body of Christ, is a meditation upon the many aspects of her Immaculate Heart…her joys, her pride in her Son, her sorrows and glories. We become immersed in the Gospels, the events in the life of Our Lord. Next time your Protestant friend argues with you about the Rosary, say that 90% of it comes directly from the Gospels. It is a Bible study!
The Immaculate Heart is a consolation, a privilege, a joy, in the midst of life’s difficulties. Holy Church in her love and wisdom, guided by the Holy Ghost, gives us this heart towards the end of the Liturgical Year, ushering us into another group of 3, the 3 days of the Triduum of Death….
All Hallows Eve
All Saints Day
All Souls Day
“Triduum of Death” is a term we don’t hear too much anymore, perhaps because people think it sounds negative. However, we must realize that this triple feast is one of great joy! All Hallows Eve anticipates the feast of All Saints, when we honor those who have succeeded in winning the Heavenly reward, just as we hope to. The Holy Souls have also won it, though they remain in Purgatory, in need of our prayers. Surely, on All Souls Day, due to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, in addition to prayers all over the world, many souls pass through that glorious Gate to behold the Triune God! What a truly wonderful day! What a wonderful Triduum we now celebrate!
2 Signs in Babylon
There is a town on Long Island named Babylon. I was there last week and took photographs of these 2 signs…the top one at a grocery store called Aldi and the other at a doctor’s office. The contrast between them struck me. 2 signs in Babylon….or 2 mystical messages in a world defiant of God and nature? One was upon a door, the other invoking many doors. One confines the mind and one frees it. Signs hanging motionless, suspended in silence, preparing for war.
“seeing a problem is half of the problem.”
Laurie Anderson
Prayer Intention
This is my own prayer intention. My sister, who has cancer, recently was hospitalized with a blood clot and several weeks later, had a heart attack. She had a terrible experience in the hospital with a lot of problems. She is recently home and resting. Please pray for her and our family, particularly my elderly mother, who lost my oldest brother to cancer in March. This is a very trying time for my family. I deeply appreciate anything you can do in this month of the Holy Rosary. Thank you-CF
PS Feel free to contact us with your own intentions as well.
Quote of the Day
“If emotion is your first response to hearing some information, you’ve been propagandized.”
Michael Wann
Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary / Month of October
[Edited since posting.]
The Gospel for today’s feast in the old rite, is the Annunciation…
And the angel being come in, said unto her:
“Hail full of grace, the Lord is with Thee. Blessed art thou among women.”
Luke 1:28
This angelic salutation became one of the most repeated quotes in all human history, as the first part of the “Hail Mary” prayer. It is fitting that this should be the Gospel on the feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, since the Annunciation is the first Mystery we contemplate when reciting a complete Rosary…the first in the timeline of the Joyful Mysteries, proceeding to the Luminous, the Sorrowful and finally, the Glorious. Never forget, the story ends with the Glorious.
We celebrate Our Lady’s Divine Maternity on October 11th, further calling to mind in this month dedicated to the Rosary, the Joyful Mysteries. Each Mystery contains some aspect of her Divine Maternity. Mary is also called to mind in the Mysteries of Our Lord’s First Miracle at Cana, the Assumption and the Coronation.
Saint Therese of Lisieux is the lone saint this month to be given the title “Doctor of the Church.” Her feast in the new was on the 1st and in the trad, on the 3rd. Please take a look at her bio from the Catholic Encyclopedia on New Advent.
We did not cover the Doctors of the month of September, except for Saint Gregory. Here they are: Saints John Chrysostom, Robert Bellarmine, Hildegard of Bingen and Jerome.
At the end of this month, let us remember the Feast of Christ the King on the 30th and the beginning of the Triduum of Death, All Hallows Eve, on the 31st. Along with the Easter Triduum, Holy Church in her wisdom gives us these 3 days to consider our mortality. It’s how the story ends that matters.
As this is also Respect Life month, what a great time to pray the Rosary for life!
Last year, I decided to make a decorative design with gourds and interesting squash. It is now a “thing.” This is what I put together today. The “Faith” ornament I bought at a drug store. It’s amazing, the vestiges of Christendom which you can still find in unexpected corners, here and there. Last fall, when my squash deteriorated to the point of being embarrassing, I threw them around the edges of my property, in the hopes they would reappear (they didn’t). That is not as crazy an idea as it sounds. When I was involved in a community garden 10 years ago, old crops would regularly pop up in abandoned gardens. Free food just sitting there. There are forward-minded people thinking along these lines…planting edibles in public places for all to access…let’s just hope there aren’t any food fights!
Actually, there are already plenty of edibles all around, you just need to know what you’re doing. See if there are any “herb walks” in your area, you’ll be amazed at what you learn…there are many other resources and books out there and it’s a really fun thing to do with children:) Disclaimer: Don’t eat anything wild unless you REALLY know what you’re doing-you also have to consider it may have been sprayed. BTW, please don’t come to my house and steal the squash. Thanks.
The Best News!
If you look at the last 2 years and the predictions of what Klaus Schwab & Friends are making from their thrones in Davos, it looks like bad news, right? But in fact, it is wonderful news for humanity and our call to sanctity. We are made in the image and likeness of Almighty God. That is why Satan fears us. That is why he seeks to control us. That is why he wants to see everything we do in this tech-gone-wrong New World Order. Because we are powerful. His extreme constant efforts to make us think we are nothing prove that we are indeed something, in fact purchased by the Blood of Christ. So rejoice that you don’t fit in with this agenda all around us.
Of course, we as Catholics already know this and the Gospel message is often called “The Good News.” So instead of getting down about what is going on, we should see it as one more sign of the truth of our Faith and know that God ultimately has it all in control.
“Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? Yea, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: you are of more value than many sparrows.”
Luke 12:6
Feast of Saint Faustina, Seer of the Divine Mercy
For the sake of His sorrowful passion
Have mercy on us and on the whole world!
Saint Faustina, Pray for Us!
Never has the world needed mercy more than today. But how are we to obtain mercy? Our Lord gives us a clue:
“No man putting his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. “
Luke 9:62
Did you know that some snakes can transmit toxins by merely touching them or inhaling near them? We often find spiritual messages in nature, if we take the time to reflect. These poisonous snakes tell us that we must not even get near evil, lest we be taken down with it. It is time to separate ourselves from this worldly, sinful culture which lies on the precipice of destruction. Set your hand to the plow and emulate Lot, not Lot’s wife! Many contend it is time to disengage physically, not just spiritually. Leave this world and do not look back!
October is the Month of the Holy Rosary
From the Tridentine Mass of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary, October 7th:
LET us all rejoice in the Lord, celebrating a festival-day in honor of the blessed Virgin Mary, for whose solemn festival the angels rejoice and give praise to the Son of God. My heart hath uttered a good word: I speak my works to the King.
O God, whose only-begotten Son, by His life, His death and His resurrection hath purchased for us the reward of eternal salvation; grant, we beseech Thee, that meditating on these mysteries in the most holy Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may both imitate what they contain and obtain what they promise. Through the same our Lord.
Because of truth, and meekness, and justice: and thy right hand shall conduct thee wonderfully. Hearken, O daughter, and see, and incline thine ear, for the King hath greatly desired thy beauty.
Alleluia, alleluia. The solemn festival of the glorious Virgin Mary of the seed of Abraham, sprung from the tribe of Juda, of David’s royal race. Alleluia.
In me is all grace of the way and of the truth; in me is all hope of life and of virtue. Like a rose planted on the rivers I have borne fruit.
Send forth flowers as the lily, and yield a smell, and bring forth leaves in grace, and praise with canticles, and bless the Lord in His works.
We will discuss the month of October further in the coming week. Here is the calendar: calefactory.org
Image from catholicfaithwarriors.blogspot.com
Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary
O Mary, crowned with stars, who hast the moon for thy footstool and who sittest enthroned above all the choirs of angels, incline thine eyes toward this vale of tears, and hear the voice of one who puts all his hope and trust in thee. Amen.
From the Raccolta