LOOKING AFTER A EUCHARISTIC MIRACLE

Franciscan Recounts His Special Mission in Siena

SIENA, Italy, (original story from Zenit.org).- Since 1997, Franciscan Father Paolo Spring has had a mission fully related to his vocation: he is in charge of a Eucharistic miracle that is in the Basilica of St. Francis in the city of Siena.

Every week he has to receive hundreds of of pilgrims, from children preparing for first Communion, to foreigners who want to see one of the most impressive Eucharistic miracles: that of 223 hosts consecrated 280 years ago, still intact in one of the basilica's side chapels.

"They come from all over the world where there are Catholics. They come to see the miracle. When they arrive, they sing, are moved and weep with joy," said the priest in conversation with ZENIT.

To read the rest of this fascinating story, click below.

http://www.zenit.org/article-29332?l=english

The Different Kinds of False Piety

Written by Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira

Our spiritual life is the life of grace within us; through it we become children of God.

For our spiritual life to be preserved and to develop, a series of actions are required that constitute the life of piety. How must that life of piety be? What deviations must be avoided? These are the problems we must understand to progress in sanctity.

Concessions to the World

In a speech to university students of Rome in June 1952, the Holy Father Pius XII made an observation that shows well the importance of the subject, and above all, the need to address it in a practical manner. Analyzing the moral crisis that youth usually goes through, His Holiness stated: "Let us leave aside the question of how this crisis was provoked, to which intellectual difficulties and other circumstances have contributed, [reasons] that can be sought... in the wild jungle of unbridled passions and moral deviations, or perhaps in the murky field of concessions people think must be made to the demands of a coveted career.”

Indeed, how many concessions is a fervent Catholic solicited to make in our days! How to avoid compromising with the spirit of the world, except through solid piety? Therefore, what must the characteristics of true piety be?

Before we describe true piety, we will analyze some types of false piety very common in the modern world and will show the moral deviations to which they lead.

Minimalist Piety

In all his acts of piety, a minimalist devotee is contented with what seems to him absolutely indispensable. His prayers are short, quick, almost mechanical. He believes a monthly or weekly Communion suffices and does not even think about receiving it more often. If someone encourages him to receive Communion more often, he will perhaps reply with a kind word but believing he already does enough. St. Ignatius appears a bit exaggerated to him when he recommends daily meditation. In the morning and before going to bed, he says some hasty Hail-Marys and thinks his duty is fully done. To him, weekly confession made out of devotion even without grave sin appears perfectly dispensable. He practices other acts of piety such as spiritual reading, visits to the Blessed Sacrament, prayers before and after meals, and frequent ejaculations without the least warmth.

This slackness in the practice of pious acts is reflected in the whole life of the minimalist. In his conversations he seldom deals with spiritual matters or topics related to the apostolate. His general attitude in society, before his friends and colleagues, or even family, is never as markedly Catholic as should be expected. His way of avoiding near occasions of sin and reacting to temptations is always lukewarm and dubious. The apostolate gives him no pleasure at all; he devotes to it the least, indispensable amount of time so he won’t look bad.

As a consequence, his apostolate produces only rare and weak fruits. If a zealous friend points out the reason for the inefficacy of his work, he defends himself blaming secondary factors. He thus seeks to deceive himself about the real cause. In short, his life is lukewarm, slothful and without enthusiasm.

In order to understand clearly this type of false piety, we must note that minimalism has several degrees. One can be a minimalist even though one receives Communion every day, makes a daily meditation and follows all the rules of the religious association to which one belongs, and even though our apostolate may produce some fruit. Indeed, all that is possible without the desire for perfection that characterizes non-minimalist piety. Even a fervent person can have traits of minimalism: a small defect he does not want to correct because he is “convinced” he has done enough and needs nothing else to be entirely happy with himself.

Since in spiritual life there is no stagnation, in fact the minimalist is always losing ground. That fall can be slow and go unperceived but it is inevitable. A typical example of a minimalist devotee is the rich man of the Gospel. Although he practiced the Commandments since his youth, he did not want to follow Our Lord. Some theologians believe he has even been condemned.

Piety Without Formation

Is the piety of a devotee with a deficient and superficial religious formation and who does not seek to deepen it. He has never studied the truths of our faith and does not even know the catechism. In the life of piety, he is a child.

He does not know why the Church recommends meditation, how to do it or what fruits to draw from it. He does not know why we must pray, frequent the sacraments, have a profound devotion to saints. Everything in him is directed by impressions, impulses and routine; he either becomes enthusiastic with devotions or dislikes them for no reason. In him there is no upright ordination of everything according to the good norms taught by the Church.

The devotee deprived of formation does not even know that the principles of supernatural life exist. He does not know the marvels that divine grace can operate in the human soul.

How can he have a life of profound and serious piety if he does not know the value of a well-made Communion? If his meditation is poor and without horizons? If he does not know how to pray? If he does not know the mysteries of our faith? If he does not know about the communion of saints, the final resurrection, the Immaculate Conception and so on?

Let us take only one example. Saint Paul wrote: “I can do everything in Him who strengthens me.” What source of energy and courage does this message convey! It preserves us from all discouragement. It incites us to the most daring and heroic spiritual enterprises. A devotee without formation does not know all that.

Inconstant Piety

In defining inconstancy in piety toward Our Lady, St. Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort writes: "Inconstant devotees are those whose devotion to Our Lady is practiced in fits and starts.

Sometimes they are fervent and sometimes they are lukewarm. Sometimes they appear ready to do anything to please Our Lady, and then shortly afterwards they have completely changed.

They start by embracing every devotion to Our Lady. They join her confraternities, but they do not faithfully observe the rules. They are as changeable as the moon, and like the moon, Mary puts them under her feet. Because of their fickleness they are unworthy to be included among the servants of the Virgin most faithful, because faithfulness and constancy are the hallmarks of Mary's servants. It is better not to burden ourselves with a multitude of prayers and pious practices but rather adopt only a few and perform them with love and perseverance in spite of opposition from the devil the world and the flesh."

This inconstancy can be manifested in all practices of piety and in every life of apostolate.

How will an inconstant devotee behave, for example, when he is in charge of directing a Marian Congregation? As soon as they give him that post, his soul is filled with enthusiasm. He makes perfect plans and resolutions worthy of all praise. But when the time for concrete achievement comes, the phase of the moon changes. His hollow enthusiasm vanishes before the slightest difficulty and he abandons all plans without hesitation. At a certain point he hears about a new work of apostolate and warmly decides to put it into practice in his Congregation. He organizes meetings to deal with the matter; makes insistent invitations to those who appear reluctant; and only talks about that new work. In a little while, his enthusiasm disappears because a new idea has appeared or simply because he forgot.

Thus our inconstant devotee, from enthusiasm to enthusiasm, carries on with life.

His life of piety is made of unfulfilled resolutions and his life of apostolate is made of unachieved plans. What will he have to present to God at the Last Judgment?

Interested Piety

“And it came to pass, as he was going to Jerusalem, he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered into a certain town, there ten men met him that were lepers who stood far away. They lifted up their voice, saying: Jesus, master, have mercy on us. Whom when he saw, he said: Go, show yourselves to the priests. And it came to pass, as they went, they were made clean. And one of them, when he saw that he was made clean, went back, with a loud voice glorifying God. And he fell on his face before his feet, giving thanks: and this was a Samaritan.

And Jesus answering said, were not ten made clean? And where are the nine? There is no one found to return and give glory to God, but this stranger. And he said to him: Arise, go thy way; for thy faith hath made thee whole.”

The nine lepers who did not return to thank Our Lord did have some piety. Seeing that Our Lord was passing near their town, they went to meet him, which shows they had faith that He could cure them. They were not like those who remained indifferent as Our Lord passed by. They asked Jesus to have pity on them and even called Him master. However, what was the ultimate reason for their devotion? Self-interest. They wanted to be cured. Not one among them returned to give glory to God, for in fact they did not care about the glory of God.

Does self-interested piety exist nowadays? Certainly. Giving glory to God and doing good to souls may not be the primary intention of a Catholic who is zealous in his works of apostolate, but rather to obtain a personal advantage such as, for example, becoming a congressman. Apostolate for him is a way to make a career. Self-interested piety can exist out of convenience, economic, social or other advantages.

In most cases the self-interested side of piety appears in a disguised fashion. People avidly look for personal advantages they can gather along the way. If an interested devotee must give a public speech, he is much more concerned about showing off and displaying his natural qualities than in doing good to souls. Note that self-interested piety is often subconscious, but no less culpable on that account.

A self-interested devotee is opportunistic and dislikes sacrifices that procure him no personal gain; he does not understand the spirit of penance and has no gratitude at all for the graces he receives.

Sentimental Piety

Sentimental piety consists of a hypertrophy of sentiments that makes the whole spiritual life of a person be based on emotions and sensations. In true piety the will must be governed by intelligence; in the final analysis, the whole spiritual life must be oriented by rational motives.

That does not mean that feelings do not play a role in true piety; they must accompany reason by favoring and encouraging the practice of virtue. But they are not essential to the spiritual life and can be absent, particularly in moments of trial. In general, a prayer made without consolation is more meritorious than when accompanied with emotions and bouts of enthusiasm in the soul.

But a sentimental devotee does not think so. As far as he is concerned, spiritual vibrations are the thermometer of the spiritual life. If when praying before a statue he feels that all the fibers of his heart are vibrating, he goes away certain that his prayer was well done. If he feels no emotion whatsoever he thinks his prayer was useless and generally abbreviates it as much as he can.

On finishing a retreat, he spends a few days with great “fervor” and fulfilling all his duties. But when sensible emotions go away – something that is inevitable – all his fervor disappears and he goes back to being the same person as before.

He combats his defects only when he feels an impulse to do so. He only does apostolate with people who are pleasant to be with, or when he feels like doing it.

Romantic Piety

Like sentimental piety, romantic piety overvalues feelings. But what makes a romantic devotee vibrate is different than what makes a sentimental one tick. The latter vibrates with pious practices. The romantic vibrates with liturgical, social or aesthetic exteriorities of religious practices. He does not look for sensations in prayer but in the ceremonial that surrounds prayer.

A romantic devotee goes to Sunday Mass. If the organist was not brilliant; if inexperienced altar boys messed up the harmony of the liturgy; if the sermon, though excellent, contained a grammatical error; or if the audience was not very select, our romantic believes the Mass had no value.

As it were, he despises simple, though pious, prayer. His meditation – if he makes it – is populated with dreams, fantasies and interior declamations. If his works of apostolate do not allow him to imagine himself a knight of the Round Table, he soon becomes discouraged and apathetic. He almost only appreciates “great gestures,” original sayings and romantic attitudes in general.

In short, spiritual life for him is an ensemble of apparatuses without supernatural content.

“Enlightened” Piety

We call “enlightened” the piety of a proud and naturalist devotee who thinks he is sufficiently cultured and educated to deny the value of simple pious practices.

An “enlightened” Catholic is always up-to-date about the latest scientific developments; he knows the cultural movements of our times; he holds his own intellectual capabilities in the highest esteem. He believes he has an open and superior mind. So he does not think much of simple devotions such as the recitation of the Rosary, visits to the Blessed Sacrament, novenas to Our Lady and the saints, frequent ejaculations. He believes it is childish to wear medals or scapulars, something useful perhaps for the common people but ridiculous for him. For – the “enlightened” devotee thinks – an intellectual is superior to those superstitions.

Catholic doctrine teaches that since man is made of soul and body, interior practices of piety are not sufficient so that exterior devotions are also indispensable. If interior piety is not exteriorized through concrete practices and sensible signs, it tends to wither.

In the sixth rule of Sentire cum Ecclesia “to have the mind of the Church”, St. Ignatius says: “Have a great esteem for relics, venerating them and praying to the saints they belong to; appreciate the solemnities of the “Stations,” pilgrimages, indulgences, jubilees, crusade bulls, the custom to light candles at church and other similar things that aid our piety and devotion.”

Naturalist Piety

Let us imagine a naturalist devotee who has to organize the apostolate of a religious association. What will his orientation be like? In his accomplishments, he will leave to a second place, or even forget, pious practices and everything else related with supernatural life.

As for the rest, a naturalist devotee has a bulletproof dedication. He is capable, active, untiring, a real shaker and mover. As soon as he takes over his post he will make a magnificent plan to organize lectures about burning issues of the day. He will create a sports department, which he holds in the highest esteem, and greatly encourage it. He will prepare courses and invite professors who shine for their natural qualities though their doctrine is dubious. Our naturalist devotee will organize databases, plans for apostolate, advertising for the association and a thousand other activities.

The only thing he will not think about is what Jesus Christ in the Gospel called the only thing necessary: “Now it came to pass as they went, that he entered into a certain town: and a certain woman named Martha, received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sitting also at the Lord's feet, heard his word. But Martha was busy about much serving. Who stood and said: Lord, hast thou no care that my sister hath left me alone to serve? speak to her therefore, that she help me. And the Lord answering, said to her: Martha, Martha, thou art careful, and art troubled about many things: But one thing is necessary. Mary hath chosen the best part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

A naturalist devotee has the same conception of virtue as Martha’s. He organizes lectures and mailing lists but almost does not think about incrementing the life of piety in the association. The consequences of that will be most disastrous. Without frequent Communion, a life of prayer and recourse to grace, all of his plans for apostolate will be fruitless, as Our Lord said: “Sine me, nihil potestis facere” – “Without Me you can do nothing.”

Don't Repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell -- Act Now!

We are facing a critical week and our military is in peril. In only a few days, members of Congress will decide whether or not to repeal the 1993 law regarding homosexuals in the military, which is usually mislabeled “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” (DADT).

Activists who are determined to impose their agenda on the military believe that victory is imminent, but they still don’t have the votes. That could change in a matter of days — right before the Memorial Day recess.

Now is the time for all supporters of our military to email your members of Congress. You can do this by using the email protest form of the American Family Association in the link below.

All you have to do is click below and it will take you to their site and allow you to send personalized emails to your congressman and two senators.

Email your members of Congress now!

It is very important that you forward this alert to your friends and family members.

It is very important that you forward this alert to your friends and family members.

Please ask the members to: Support the 1993 law regarding homosexuals in the military and oppose all legislative efforts to repeal or weaken it, including a “moratorium” on enforcement, or repeal with “delayed implementation.”

You can also call your own members of Congress and the Senate and let them know that you expect them to oppose this radical social experiment on our military, which will make military life more difficult and more dangerous. To call ANY legislator, call the U.S. Capitol switchboard: 202-224-3121

Pomp and Cerenmony

So many of these elements come from England's Catholic past...

Cardinal Lashes Out Against Homosexuality

Cardinal Janis Pujats, Archbishop of Riga

Cardinal Pujats, the Archbishop of Riga, capital of Latvia, sheds light on the question of homosexuality, indicates the best means to fight against this sinful practice, and expounds the reasons why he combats it.

In 1984, when still a simple priest, Cardinal Janis Pujats was declared persona non grata by the KGB and transferred to a parish in the countryside of his motherland, Latvia, then dominated by a communist regime. This alone is enough to show how he is today a person dearly beloved by Catholics.

Born at Navireni in 1930, he was ordained a priest in 1951. He taught history of the arts and liturgy at the seminary of Latvia’s capital. From 1979 to 1984 he was vicar-general of the Archdiocese of Riga. In 1988 he received the title of Honorary Prelate to the Pope and in 1991 he was designated archbishop. Seven years later, Pope John Paul II appointed him Cardinal of Riga – “in pectore” at first, and three years later his nomination was made public.

His Eminence Cardinal Pujats has been a leading figure in the struggle against the spread of homosexuality. He carries out a public action against the so-called “homosexual parades” and calls on the Latvian government to forbid such demonstrations. The Cardinal has granted an interview to reporter, Mr. Valdis Grinsteins, also of Latvian descent, during his recent trip to Latvia. This interview was published in the Brazilian magazine Catolicismo.

* * *

Catolicismo — What favors the expansion of homosexuality?

Cardinal Pujats — On the one hand, homosexuality is favored by the rampant idolatry of sex propagated through the modern media and also by the fact that this vice has been promoted in some countries in the name of ill-understood “human rights.” On the other hand, the lack of faith and the hardening moral decay in much of society paves the way for homosexuality.

Catolicismo — Why are so many people indifferent to the expansion of homosexuality?

Cardinal Pujats — Those who do not believe in God, and Christians who do not consider their faith important, are the ones most indifferent to this problem.

Why do they act in this way? Let me give an example with the situation in my country. A whole group of persons in the government depend financially or administratively on only one individual. Feeling pressured, they either take the side of their superior or – in the best of cases – they just keep quiet and show indifference, though deep in their souls they do not agree with that individual. In the State apparatus, even a small group of homosexual functionaries can easily attain the desired effect. This question gets worse in the judicial sphere. The repressive regime of the Soviet Union was maintained by a mutual dependence of its functionaries.

However, all that remains to those who believe in God with all their hearts but do exert real influence in society, is to organize and courageously bear witness to Christ with the example of their lives, based on the fulfillment of the Commandments. The various systems change and fall, but “divine truth remains through the ages,” as the Book of Psalms says (Ps 116:2).

Catolicismo — In their writings on homosexuality, many prestigious authors, supported by Holy Scriptures and the Church’s Magisterium, categorically condemn this sinful practice. They are seldom quoted and, as a consequence, many Catholics assume a position of tolerance toward this problem. How can one protect the faithful from this danger?

In order to dispel darkness, one needs light. We must live according to the dictates of the faith: "Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God" (Matt. 5:8).

Cardinal Pujats — The clergy has the obligation, quoting the Bible, to remind the faithful that Holy Scriptures condemns all kinds of impurity. Based on the Bible, they can draw preliminary conclusions to better orient the faithful on what can and what cannot be tolerated. We must preach that divine law and natural law are stable and immutable. What changes is the position of peoples and parliaments and the laws they create.

For this reason, no legislative body can eliminate the Decalogue, for it is supported on natural law, guaranteeing the existence of society. We must say that one is not allowed to erase the limit, clearly established by divine law, between good and evil, between that which is permitted and that which is forbidden.

Finally, we must assert that homosexuality is an acquired vice that can be likened to addiction to drugs, alcoholism, tobacco smoking, etc., so that those who practice it cannot be treated as a “minority.” We must say that sexual perversion cannot be tolerated in the public sphere so that this disorder is not turned into a bad example for all society. If someone has inclinations to vice, vice must be reined in and treated. It cannot be legalized or protected, erroneously invoking the notion of human rights. Homosexuality is not a sexual orientation; it is a sexual perversion.

Catolicismo — Every time the Church protests against laws that favor homosexuality, the objection is raised that she is getting involved in politics. What would Your Eminence say about this accusation?

Cardinal Pujats — The Church has a right to protest if the State imposes homosexuality. Religion and morals constitute a sphere specifically within Her competence. By condemning homosexuality, the Church does not go beyond the limits of Her competence. On the contrary, governments and parliaments are the ones who extrapolate from their competence by trying to alter the divine commandments and the concept of virtue and vice.

Furthermore, accords signed by the Holy See with governments in many countries guarantee freedom of expression for the Church. They also grant the faithful “the possibility to freely create and disseminate social, cultural and educational initiatives originating from principles of the Christian faith” (Concordat of the Holy See with Latvia, item 9).

The principle of separation between Church and State only indicates the competence of both parties. In some countries, members of the Catholic Church constitute a majority of the citizenry. Can the State exist if those citizens are separated from it in an artificial way? Both the faithful in general as well as the bishops are citizens of their respective countries, with all the rights derived thereof. And they also have the right to protest against immoral laws.

Catolicismo — As a reaction against pressures by the homosexual lobby abroad, a law was s approved in Latvia establishing marriage as the exclusive union between a man and a woman. How do Latvians protest against pressure from the European Union favoring the propagation of homosexuality?

Cardinal Pujats — Facing the growing pressure of homosexual propaganda, in 2005 the Latvian Parliament approved an amendment to the law, which establishes that the State “protects marriage – the union between one man and one woman” – thus excluding legal recognition of homosexual cohabitation. The common voice of everyone in these moral issues is an important factor in the struggle against this sexual perversion in Latvia. Precisely because of that, on February 13, 2007 the Prime Minister abrogated the projected bill introduced in Parliament by homosexuals.

In 2005, the Latvian Parliament approved a Constitutional amendment establishing that the State “protects marriage – the union between one man and one woman”.

Attempts to organize “homosexual parades” in Riga have practically disappeared. In their places, Christians have organized the Family Feast in summer, with a solemn march through the streets of the capital. There is also a concert and the granting of rewards to families that have stood out. Christians also use television, radio and the lay press, which is friendly with the Church.

When homosexuals prepared and introduced a bill into Parliament, teachers from 200 schools sent the Prime Minister a letter of protest. For a whole month, the faithful in various parishes gathered over 17,000 signatures asking for Parliament to reject the projected bill favoring homosexuals.

Catolicismo — Articles favoring homosexuals have been appearing in the media, but nothing has been written about the part of society that decisively opposes homosexuality. Can Your Eminence explain that?

Cardinal Pujats — There is nothing new about the statement that an absolute majority of society favors the normal family. Hence the position of the majority does not attract the interest of the press. Since homosexuality is linked to [the notion of] scandal, it is a pretext, from time to time, for the media to place it at the center of attention.

In this matter, there is a curious fact: analyzing this question, they do not look for its essence but announce, a priori, that homosexuals are a discriminated-against “minority”. In that case, the condition of “minority” would automatically justify receiving in all ambiences persons who practice some vice such as drug addiction and alcoholism.

Catolicismo — A few months ago the liberal Polish press criticized the way Your Eminence combats homosexuality. Opinions also appeared in the sense that it is better to keep silent, since silence avoids making it popular. What does Your Eminence think of that?

Cardinal Pujats — The situation is different in each country. The fact is that remaining silent was an error in countries where homosexuality had already obtained rights. The silence tactic was also inappropriate in Latvia. Homosexuality was not successful here because it met with resistance, as I mentioned earlier. Obviously, the Church condemns violence, but she is not responsible for what happens in the streets when parade organizers meet with opponents. Ensuring order in the streets is up to the police.

Catolicismo — In the United States a movement has appeared which promotes chastity, above all among youths, as a response to the expansion of diseases such as AIDS. Active groups in universities promote abstention from pre-marital relations. Unfortunately, due to EU guidelines, Europe is “forced” to promote immorality. How can we fight against this?

Coat of Arms of Cardinal Pujats

Cardinal Pujats — In order to dispel darkness, one needs light. Above all, one needs to follow this ideal: “Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God” (Matt. 5:8). We must live according to the dictates of the faith, practicing it if only for a day. Then the light turns on. After a second day… a third day, and so on…. The greatest good one can offer spouses is the custody of chastity. It is also very important for the conviction to be dominant in society that pre-marital relations are an evil, just as no one needs to be convinced today that stealing is an action that should be repudiated.

God reserved sexual pleasure for the spouses to beget children and strengthen their family. People who cohabitate before marrying are mere thieves of sexual pleasure. They take advantage of that which God destined exclusively to spouses. In so doing, they hurt themselves and their family, for no sin remains without negative consequences. This sin also damages society. If someone commits it before marriage, he is revealing that he can later break the law of matrimony. One needs to fight for purity before marriage in every country, for this is in the interest of the entire society.

Washington Times Book Review of An American Knight

This first biography on Col. John W. Ripley contains the full House Armed Services Committee testimony he gave against allowing homosexuals in the military.

Not in the Pentagon's Closet

by: Brett Decker

Listening to the liberal media, it’s easy to think that all America’s generals and admirals want to torpedo the ban on open homosexuals serving in the military. At times, there is a revolving door on the Pentagon’s closet, with some of the brass putting fingers in the air to test which way the winds are blowing.

While politicized officers might try to curry favor with the Obama administration and congressional Democrats by assuming the liberal position in favor of ending the so-called “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, 1,164 flag and general officers have signed a petition informing President Obama that, “Our past experience as military leaders leads us to be greatly concerned about the impact of repeal [of the law] on morale, discipline, unit cohesion and overall military readiness.”

The extraordinary open letter by so many respected military leaders, which has been shepherded by the Center for Military Readiness, isn’t surprising to most Americans, who know those serving in uniform are among the most forthright in America, a few media darlings aside. However, in our morally confused age, officers who defend traditional values tend to be the ones kept in the Pentagon closet rather than those with less normal views. Despite this political pressure, most warriors espouse a very conservative ideology. One of them speaks to us from the grave.

The late Col. John W. Ripley is a Marine Corps legend for his many heroic stands in combat, in congressional hearings and in life. In “An American Knight,” first-time author Norman J. Fulkerson does a masterful job recounting not only what this great man did, but why he did it and how he became who he was. In short, with a few exceptions aside, great men aren’t born – they are formed. John Ripley benefited from the example of a strict family upbringing and the influence of an ascendant American culture that was unabashed in its encouragement of the eternal verities of God, family and country. In the Ripley household, religion wasn’t only for women and wimps, and the whole family knelt to pray the Rosary together every day.

Painting by Col. Charles Waterhouse of John Ripley dangling above Cua Viet River as Angry North Vietnamese soldiers fire upon him.

It was this faith that would fortify the tough Marine during his toughest trials. His most celebrated feat was on Easter Sunday 1972 in Vietnam, where he singlehandedly blew up the Dong Ha bridge to halt a communist advance along the main transportation artery into South Vietnam. For more than three hours, he climbed the superstructure of the bridge, swinging from steel girders like monkey bars to place explosives and detonators under the main supports. He scaled the bridge over a dozen times, taking heavy fire the whole time, to accomplish the mission and thwart the enemy.

In the years after combat duty, Col. Ripley served in many roles, including stints working for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as an instructor at the Naval Academy in Annapolis and even as president of the Southern Seminary, an all-woman’s college. As the years passed, the Marine’s Marine feared that America was endangered by another leftist threat: political correctness. During the 1990s and the first decade of the 21st century, he again answered the call, publicly arguing against admission of girls into the Virginia Military Institute and against women in combat. It was his belief that these positions were in defense of ladies and femininity, especially by trying to protect them from abuse. “If we see women as equals on the battlefield, you can be absolutely certain that the enemy does not see them as equals,” Col. Ripley said. “The minute a woman is captured, she is no longer a POW, she is a victim and an easy prey … someone upon whom they can satisfy themselves and their desires.”

1993 photo of Col. John Ripley. The same year of his heroic testimony against allowing homosexuals in the Military.

Mr. Fulkerson explains that, “While Americans appreciate the warrior spirit of someone like him, we admire much more a person who is not afraid to tell the truth.” That’s why “An American Knight” is not only an interesting book for military buffs but offers inspiring reading for anyone looking for noble examples amidst modern amorality. On the night of Oct. 28, 2008, this Marine met his maker. But while Col. Ripley is dead, his legend lives on. If you listen closely to the din of contemporary political-military debates, the voice of Ripley echoes.

Brett M. Decker is editorial page editor of The Washington Times.

Are Digital Votive Candles Just as Good as Wax?

On April 26, David Doña and Marcos RodrÍguez unveiled a digital votive candle stand in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela – the famous pilgrimage site in Northern Spain where St. James is venerated. The device consists of a computer screen mounted on a metal stand decorated with the Cross of Saint James. It allows the faithful to light a virtual candle to St. James through a website. By simply clicking on the church and icon, anyone can remotely ignite a “candle” by putting in credit card or Paypal information. Candles can also be lit via text message.

RodrÍguez, an engineer and Doña, an information technologist, designed the votive candle stands and are talking to parish priests to install them in their sanctuaries. "It wasn't that hard actually," says DoÑa. "About 99% of the priests we spoke to were enthusiastic about it."

The virtual candles come at a time when most churches in Spain have switched from wax candles to electric ones. Now the digital change is meeting some resistance. Church officials are saying the new “candles” are much more economical…and of course safer…

The two inventors are already talking with authorities at Lourdes and Guadalupe

To see the whole article click below

In Spain, Church Candles Go Digital - Yahoo! News

What do you think? Are digital candles just as good as wax?

There is Nothing Fabulous About Blasphemy, Protest Now!

It is called “The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told” and it is a play that will show at the City Theatre in Austin, Texas from June 10-July 4. The title, however, is deceitful since there is nothing fabulous about this story which portrays the Mother of God as a lesbian.

In face of this outrage, the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property and its America Needs Fatima campaign are sending email protests to the theater asking for the show’s cancellation.


Send your e-protest message to the Austin City Theatre.


Press reports say “The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told” refers to Our Lady as a lesbian. It presents a homosexual version of the Old Testament, with scenes of “Adam and Steve” in full frontal nudity. According to The New York Times, the playwright himself is a homosexual, and this is how he describes his play:

“I wanted the Garden of Eden in Central Park, and Mary as a lesbian mother, which would certainly help me comprehend immaculate conception.” (The New York Times, 12/6/98)

Such a distortion of the Immaculate Conception and other Catholic belief cannot go unopposed. In its call for protest, the American TFP notes that protests can be very effective. Similar protests have led to the cancelations of the play “Corpus Christi” play at two theaters. Also, Planned Parenthood was deleted from the websites of two Catholic universities due to TFP Student Action protests.

These protests only work however, if thousands join in and send the message to cancel this insult to Our Lady now!


Please send your e-protest message now.

If Architecture Could Speak at Yale!

By John Ritchie and James Bascom

Data Without Wisdom

Most of the architecture at Yale University is strikingly similar to the hallowed halls of ancient European universities such as Oxford or Cambridge. Much of its Gothic Revival or Georgian style buildings are simply awe-inspiring, providing an uplifting ambience for serious, scholarly study.

However, the architectural harmony on campus is shattered by the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library. Upon entering, one immediately perceives the absence of almost all natural light. The windowless main part of the library denies visitors that most basic natural element: sunlight. It gives the impression of being a lifeless mausoleum, a computerized warehouse for robots rather than an Ivy League library for humans.

Its giant honeycomb shaped walls of faintly-translucent granite placed within gray stone frames, together with the square waffle-pattern ceiling, make the library resemble the inside of a computer chip. The minimalist, square, metallic structure containing books offer the only clue that it is indeed a library. There are few chairs and no tables in sight. Where does one study here?

Just as the modern world tends to transform men into anonymous egalitarian “masses,” stripped of individual personality, so does this library seem to detach knowledge from the proper ambit of the human intellect. The building and the bookcases could just as easily be used to store computer servers, not precious tomes. It is, in effect, a display of relativistic egalitarian architecture, where each book is no greater or lesser than any other.

A library should reflect the wisdom and truth contained in its books. The Beinecke Library, however, reflects neither. The spirit of dehumanized egalitarianism in its architecture relegates the books to the level of mere “data” without beauty or wisdom. As a recent author put it, it is as “ugly as sin.”

Now let us turn to another library at Yale.

Where Noble Thoughts Soar

This is the Medical Historical Library at Yale University. Look at its robust ship-like timbers, high open ceilings, and brass chandeliers. They form an ideal setting for calm reflection or serious study, where the most noble aspirations of the mind soar freely.

The vivid clash of two cultures at Yale University.

Notice the pleasant interplay of light and shadow that seem to pay homage to the distinguished intellects whose works are displayed here. The predominant woodwork creates a warm yet dignified atmosphere for study. Every minute detail, the fireplace, oil paintings, coat of arms, thick beams, leaded windows, tables and lamps please the eye and speak of tradition, unpretentious erudition and manly distinction. One could easily picture Sir Winston Churchill seated at one of those polished wood tables preparing his next parliamentary speech.

Would the harmony of this beautiful library survive if flashy computers were installed? Would a college student hooked on our cyber pop-culture, wearing ripped jeans, flip-flops and body piercing feel comfortable in this dignified atmosphere? Probably not.

Yet libraries like these formed Churchills, not hippies. Yes, this library, unlike the cold, box-like architecture of the Beinecke Library, allows students to embark on new intellectual and spiritual discoveries. This library, steeped in tradition, fosters true progress – progress within the marvelous framework of order created by God.

What noble tradition.

Should the Church Change Her Position on Homosexuality and Divorce?

Written by Luiz S. Solimeo

Scandalous Statements by the Cardinal-Archbishop of Vienna Recent statements on homosexuality and divorce attributed to the Archbishop of Vienna, Christoph Cardinal Schönborn are making waves all over the United States, particularly among the liberal media, progressive Church circles and homosexual activists.1 Statue of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception defeating the serpent in a public square of Vienna, Austria. Speaking to a group of Austrian journalists on April 28, the prelate is quoted making confusing and compromising statements on homosexuality and divorce. On that occasion he is said to have also criticized by name Cardinal Angelo Sodano, former Secretary of State to Pope John Paul II and now dean of the College of Cardinals, accusing him “of complicity in the cover-up of sexual abuse allegations against his predecessor as the most important figure in the Austrian church.”2 Despite the reverberation in the media, and although more than two weeks have elapsed since the press conference, I am not aware that Cardinal Schönborn has yet denied having made these statements.3 Marriage and Homosexual Partnership have Nothing in Common The statements by the Cardinal Archbishop of Vienna were first published by the Austrian Catholic news agency Kathpress and spread by the media.4 According to London’s The Tablet, “Questioned on the Church’s attitude to homosexuals, the cardinal said: ‘We should give more consideration to the quality of homosexual relationships,’ adding: ‘A stable relationship is certainly better than if someone chooses to be promiscuous.’”5 “Quality” is this statement’s operative word. It suggests there is a difference in “quality” between homosexual relations inside and outside a stable relationship, deserving therefore, a different moral evaluation, just as occurs in heterosexual relations inside and outside the bonds of matrimony. Indeed, sexual intercourse between a man and a woman has a different quality or moral nature when engaged inside and outside marriage. When engaged in a natural way inside marriage, it is apt to attain its end, that is, procreation and raising children, and is therefore legitimate; when engaged in outside of marriage (or inside but in an unnatural way), it goes against its end and is therefore illegitimate and sinful. Since the homosexual act is of itself incapable of procreation and a homosexual relationship is morally inadequate for the bringing up of children, its “quality” or nature never changes: it is always an illegitimate and sinful act, contrary to nature.6 In the context of the present drive to equate stable homosexual relations with marriage – already supported by laws in many jurisdictions – a defense of such relationships is tantamount to supporting that drive. Archbishop of Vienna, Christoph Cardinal Schönborn, who according to The Tablet, declared himself in favor of "a morality based on happiness," instead of a morality based on obedience to the laws of God and nature. The Church Cannot Change Her Position on Divorce In his conversation with journalists, “[t]he cardinal also said the Church needed to reconsider its view of re-married divorcees ‘as many people don’t even marry at all any longer’. The primary thing to consider should not be the sin, but people’s striving to live according to the commandments, he said. Instead of a morality based on duty, we should work towards a morality based on happiness, he continued.”7 What does it mean for the Church to “reconsider its view of re-married divorcees”? The following sentence attributed to Cardinal Schönborn (“the primary thing to consider should not be sin but people striving to live according to the commandments”) appears to indicate that it is a change regarding the prohibition for divorced and “remarried” Catholics to receive Communion. Indeed, since according to traditional morals marriage is indissoluble, a person who weds again after breaking his or her marriage is not really married but living in concubinage. It is an objectively sinful situation, and it bars the person from receiving Holy Communion.8 To allow persons in such circumstances to receive Communion implies that they are not in the state of sin. Now then, such an attitude, at least implicitly, appears to deny the principle of the indissolubility of matrimony; for the only way they would not be in a state of sin is if their earlier marriage no longer existed. But the indissolubility of marriage, even natural marriage, is a principle that derives from the natural Law9 and therefore the Church could not ignore that indissolubility even indirectly, by treating persons in concubinage as if they were legitimately married. For, as Pope Paul VI recalled in the Encyclical Humanae Vitae, the Church is the custodian and interpreter of natural law, not its creator. For this reason, She cannot modify it.10 Destruction of Objective Morals The Vienna prelate’s assertion that “[t]he primary thing to consider should not be the sin, but people’s striving to live according to the commandments” would imply switching the focus from an objective moral norm – the obedience due to divine and natural law – to a subjective one: the effort a person makes, even if he does not succeed. Moral law would thus cease being the objective standard to judge the legitimacy or illegitimacy of human actions, giving way to a merely subjective criterion impossible to gauge. In fact, how does one objectively gauge someone’s inner effort to do something or avoid it? One thus switches from an objective and universal morality based on clear and rational principles, to a subjectivist relativism that destroys the whole ethical order. Furthermore, this whole concept is naturalistic and denies the principle that God does not fail to help, with His grace, those who truly strive to attain an upright end.11 Finally, to propose a morality where happiness clashes with duty is to propose a contradiction. True happiness, as even pagan philosophers understood, results from the practice of virtue.12 On a superior plane, happiness is related with man’s ultimate end – eternal bliss – which cannot be attained without obedience to divine Law. Of course we will not delve into the Cardinal-Archbishop of Vienna’s subjective intentions, which God alone can judge. But we cannot but lament the effect of the statements attributed to him, and which it seems he has not yet denied. Footnotes 1. Cf. Cathy Lynn Grossman, “Cardinal's surprising new tune: ‘Don't worry, be happy,’” USA Today (Faith & Reason) May 8, 2010, http://content.usatoday.com/communities/Religion/post/2010/05/gay-marriage-divorce-catholic-church/1; Tim Rutten, “Changing the church – Recent statements and writings show that there is support within the church for reform,”Los Angeles Times, May 12, 2010, http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-0512-rutten-20100512,0,7587200.column ; James Martin, S.J., “Schonborn Attacks Sodano; Calls for New Look at Gays and Remarried Catholics,” America (In All Things), May 7, 2010, http://www.americamagazine.org/blog/entry.cfm?blog_id=2&entry_id=2858; Andrew Sullivan, “The Quote for the Day – II, Tips-Q, May 10, 2010,http://www.tips-q.com/news/msm/2100301-quote-day-ii ; Michael A. Jones, “A Catholic Bishop in Favor of Gay Relationships?” Gay Rights, May 7, 2010, http://gayrights.change.org/blog/view/a_catholic_bishop_in_favor_of_gay_relationships; Edge Boston, “Cardinal Schönborn: Church Should Respect Long-Term Gay Relationships,” GLAA Forum, May 11, 2010, http://www.glaaforum.org/glaa_forum/2010/05/cardinal-sch%C3%B6nborn-church-should-respect-longterm-gay-relationships.html; terence@queerchurch, “Cardinal Schonborn on Church Reform: No Refutation (Yet),” Queering the Church – Toward a Reality Based Theology, May 10, 2010, http://queering-the-church.com/blog/?p=7822#more-7822; gaycatholic, “Is the Catholic Church Rethinking Homosexuality, Divorce?” Street Prophets – A Daily Kos Community, May 11, 2010, http://www.streetprophets.com/storyonly/2010/5/11/12544/8763 . [back] 2. John L. Allen Jr., “‘The days of cover-up are over,’ Schönborn,”National Catholic Reporter, May 10, 2010,http://ncronline.org/news/accountability/days-cover-are-over-sch%C3%B6nborn; Cf. Philip Pullella, “Cardinal accuses Vatican official of abuse cover-up,” Reuters, May 9, 2010, http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6481D420100509. [back] 3. The interpretation of the words of the cardinal made by Fr. Joseph Fessio, S.J. expresses only the thought of the illustrious Jesuit and not that of the Archbishop of Vienna himself, who has not clarified before the public his thoughts on this very delicate matter. (Father Joseph Fessio, S. J., “Guestview: No Good Deed Goes Unpunished,” May 11, 2010, http://blogs.reuters.com/faithworld/2010/05/11/guestview-no-good-deed-goes-unpunished/). [back] 4. For Vaticanologist Andrea Tornielli, the fact that the cardinal’s words were published by the Austrian Catholic news agency Kathpress guarantees their fidelity (Cf. “Schoenborn attacca Sodano: ‘Non volle indagare su Groer,’”, Il Giornale, May 10, 2010, http://blog.ilgiornale.it/tornielli. [back] 5. ChristaPongratz-Lippitt, “Schönborn attacks Sodano and urges reform,” The Tablet (Church in the World), May 8, 2010, http://www.thetablet.co.uk/article/14678 (Our emphasis.) [back] 6. Cf. Saint Thomas Aquinas, “The Reason Why Simple Fornication Is A Sin According To Divine Law, And That Matrimony Is Natural,” Summa Contra Gentiles, Bk. 3, q. 122, at http://dhspriory.org/thomas/ContraGentiles3b.htm#122 ; Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2357. [back] 7. Pongratz-Lippitt, “Schönborn attacks Sodano and urges reform,” The Tablet, May 8, 2010, http://www.thetablet.co.uk/article/14678 (Our emphasis.) [back] 8. “Can. 915: Those who have been excommunicated or interdicted after the imposition or declaration of the penalty and others obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to holy communion.” [back] 9. Cf. Victor Cathrein, S.J., Philosophia Moralis, (Barcelona, Editorial Herder, 1945), p. 365, n. 527; St. Thomas Aquinas, “That Matrimony Should Be Indivisible,” Summa Contra Gentiles, Bk. 3, q. 123, at http://dhspriory.org/thomas/ContraGentiles3b.htm#123. [back] 10. Paul VI, Enc. Humanae Vitae, nn. 4 and 18, at http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_25071968_humanae-vitae_en.html [back] 11. “Facienti quod in se est, Deus non denegat gratiam.” [‘God does not deny grace when one makes the due effort.”] J. Van der Meersch, s.v. “Grace,” Dictionnaire de Théologie Catholique, (Paris: Letouzey et Ané, 1947), Vol. VI, Part II, col. 1603. [back] 12. Cf. Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics,at http://classics.mit.edu/Aristotle/nicomachaen.8.viii.html [back]

TFP Call to Chivalry Camps Coming Soon!

Written by John Horvat


From the morning pipe reveille to the nightly rosary procession, the Call to Chivalry camp is truly an incredible sight. Co-sponsored by The American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property (TFP), Tradition, Family, Property – Louisiana and the Saint Louis de Montfort Academy, this year’s camps will be held at the Feliciana Retreat Center in Norwood, Louisiana in July and at the Saint Louis de Monfort Academy in Pennsylvania in August.

Catholic boys, ages 12-18, travel from all over the nation to attend the programs which seeks to provide the right mix of informative talks, action-packed games and manly piety. Judging from the reaction of past experience, they seem to have reached this goal.

Piety is always an essential element in the camp program. Prayer, the rosary and Holy Communion make up the “spiritual arms” of these modern day knights. In addition, participants learn that knights are not just figures from the past. Rather, they are challenged to adopt the same code of chivalry in their modern-day lives.

If you are interested in this year's camp, please contact mail@tfpstudentaction.org

Why Liberals Can Lie

While reading a book about liberal philosophy and history, I came across this short passage where the authors explain John Stuart Mill's justification for "misdirection" or lying.

It seems that such practices are allowed when used to enlighten unenlightened Christians...

Here is the quote:

"Veracity was not either Mill’s main goal in retelling history. Indeed, John Stuart Mill followed his father in believing that, in striving to move mankind forward to a positivist, rationalist approach to life, philosophers must often teach through misdirection. The philosopher, in Mill’s view, has a duty to move mankind out of the shadows of religious ignorance and into the sunlight of pure reason. This goal made it necessary to eradicate religion, if necessary through falsehoods, in order to free individuals from the last vestige of the European old regime." Stephen M. Klugewicz and Lenore T. Ealy, History, on Proper Principles, Essays in Honor of Forrest McDonnald, ISI Books, Wilmington, Del., 2010, p. 254.

2010 Regional Conference In Kansas...And in St. Louis?

More than 90 people gathered to attend the 4th annual TFP-America Needs Fatima, Kansas Regional Conference on Saturday, May 1, 2010, in Topeka, Kans.

Mr. Gustavo Solimeo speaks on The Essence of Socialism

The theme for this year's conference was, "What Is Happening." Our society is currently faced with serious moral dangers, more so now than ever before. The institution of marriage and the family are gravely threatened by divorce, promiscuity and the homosexual agenda, our brave armed forces are under attack by an egalitarian onslaught and our economy is seriously threatened by socialist laws.

It was very easy to relate to Mr. Solimeo's talk on the Essence of Socialism, to the problems we are facing in America today as we see the unfolding of errors of Russia having undeniable consequences on our own soil. The next talk by Mr. Whitcraft on devotion to Our Lady, gave hope for a solution to these problems through Our Lady's intervention. The crown jewel of the day was the rosary prayed together in front of the beautiful statue of Our Lady of Fatima.

The three presentations helped attendees understand the gravity, cause and the solution to these problems.

The first presentation, To Keep Our Honor Clean was given by Mr. Norman Fulkerson, author of An American Knight. Mr. Fulkerson explained the irreparable damage that will be done by allowing homosexuals to serve in the military. He also encouraged all in attendance to distribute the official statement of the American TFP, To Keep Our Honor Clean, as much as possible.

The second presentation was given by veteran TFP member, Mr. Gustavo Solimeo. The title of Mr. Solimeo's talk was, What Is the Essence of Socialism? Many in our society today are rightly concerned about the overwhelming socialistic trends we see today. Unfortunately, many have the impression that socialism is only concerned with economics. Mr. Solimeo demonstrated unequivocally how nothing could be further from the truth. Socialism is, as Mr. Solimeo explained, a synonym to Communism. Socialism desires to tear down all of the moral and social fiber of Christian Civilization. This certainly includes economics, but also religion, the family, education, morality etc.

After an enjoyable lunch, Mr. Bryon Whitcraft offered hope to the audience. Yes, our society is very markedly heading in the wrong direction, however there is hope.

A repast enjoyed by the participants.

The title of Mr. Whitcraft's presentation was, "Devotion to Our Lady, its importance and what it means in our times." His presentation was based upon the life and reflections of the late Professor Plinio Correa de Oliveira, founder of the Brazilian TFP and inspirer of other TFP's around the world.

Mr. Whitcraft commented upon the seven attributes of Our Lady that Dr. Plinio admired most. In addition to the comments that reflect the profound piety and devotion to Our Lady that Dr. Plinio practiced, Mr. Whitcraft explained with Dr. Plinio's own words, how devotion to Our Lady demands action:

"In our times, what does service to Our Lady mean? It means saving souls by all possible legitimate means, among which we want to accentuate one: to take all things, to order them according to this spirit and to build Christian culture and Civilization. Because under a certain aspect, these are nothing but the disposition of things so that they reflect God in this life, and thus guide souls to eternal life. To be consecrated to Our Lady and to serve Her means to sustain, to promote and to defend culture and civilization from its opponents."

Our Lady is our hope and we must do our part, however it is She who will triumph in the end with Her Immaculate Heart.

The conference ended with the Glorious Mysteries of the Holy Rosary.

And in St. Louis?

"To find out how St. Louis can host a similar event please contact John Horvat or Mark Serafino, or leave a comment below.

Cardinal: Give More Consideration of 'Quality of Homosexual Relationship

ROME, May 10, 2010 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The Church should "give more consideration" to "the quality" of homosexual relationships, the cardinal archbishop of Vienna said this weekend. Christoph Schönborn told the far-left British Catholic magazine the Tablet that the Church should also consider allowing divorced and remarried Catholics to receive Communion since “many people don’t even marry at all any longer.”

“We should give more consideration to the quality of homosexual relationships. A stable relationship is certainly better than if someone chooses to be promiscuous,” Schönborn said.

He also declined to comment when asked if the discipline of clerical celibacy is one of the causes of clerical sexual abuse, saying only that psychotherapists are divided on the issue.

Cardinal Schönborn was for a time a favorite among American conservative Catholics for his involvement in the publication of the 1992 Catechism of the Catholic Church and his writing defending the Church on Darwinian evolution, but in recent years his statements and actions have taken some of the bloom off the rose. These have included allowing active and unrepentant homosexuals to be “blessed” in his cathedral on St. Valentine’s day.

In addition, in the spring of 2008, Catholics around the world were outraged when the art gallery attached to St. Stephen’s Cathedral held an exhibit of paintings and sculptures featuring the Last Supper of Christ as a homosexual orgy. The artist, Alfred Hrdlicka, a self-described Stalinist-Marxist atheist who died last year, was buried with Catholic rites in St. Stephen’s Cathedral where some of his sculpture continues to be displayed in a side chapel.

To read the entire article, click here.

For more information, visit lifesitenews.com

All Eyes on Hawaii -- Sign Our Petition

Written by John Horvat

The whole nation looks to Gov. Linda Lingle of Hawaii as she decides whether to veto a last-minute bill that would establish same-sex civil unions in the state. In face of this development, the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property (TFP) is asking Gov. Lingle to defend traditional marriage by vetoing the measure.




To send a polite message to Gov. Lingle asking her to veto the bill, please click here.


The Hawaii House of Representatives unexpectedly revived and passed legislation that would make same-sex civil unions the equivalent to marriage. Three months earlier, the bill had been taken off the agenda with the requirement that a two-thirds majority would be needed to revive the issue. Speaker Calvin Say had the House take four votes to suspend those rules and pass the bill with just a majority.

The vote and the suspension of the rules were done on the last day of the state’s legislative session and took everyone by surprise. The bill in the Democrat-controlled House passed 31-20, and now goes to the desk of Republican Gov. Linda Lingle who has 45 days to make a decision.

Hawaii voters were among the first in the nation to vote in favor of traditional marriage by approving a constitutional amendment banning same-sex “marriage” in 1998. Bills creating civil unions were considered several times, but failed to receive committee approval prior to the present effort.

Experience has shown that wherever civil unions have been approved, it has only proved to be a stepping stone to same-sex “marriage.” In addition, wherever civil unions have been passed, it has been used nationwide to build momentum by those who wish to redefine marriage.

That is why all the nation looks toward Gov. Lingle. The whole nation is affected by the passage of this bill. Her veto would send yet another message that America does not want to redefine marriage.

To send a polite message to Gov. Lingle asking her to veto the bill, please click here.

The Month of Mary

Written by Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira

During the month of May—the month of Mary—we feel a special protection of Our Lady that extends to all the faithful; we feel a special joy that shines and illuminates our hearts expressing the universal certainty of Catholics that the indispensable patronage of our heavenly mother becomes even more tender, more loving and more full of visible mercy and exorable condescendence during her month of May.

Even after the month of May passes, a remnant of this remains if we have profited from those thirty-one days especially consecrated to Our Lady. We are left with an increased devotion, a keener confidence and, so to speak, such an increased intimacy with Our Lady that in all the vicissitudes of life we will know how to petition her with respectful insistence, hope in her with invincible confidence and thank her with humble tenderness for all the good she does us.

Our Lady is the Queen of Heaven and Earth and, at the same time, our mother. We enter the month of May with this conviction, and it becomes more deeply rooted in us when we leave it, strengthening our faith and increasing our fortitude. May teaches us to love Mary Most Holy for the glory she rightly possesses and for all that she represents in the plans of Divine Providence. It also teaches us to be more constant in our filial union with Mary.

Children are never more sure of the loving vigilance of their mothers than when they suffer. All of mankind suffers today; all peoples suffer. They suffer in every conceivable way.

Windstorms of impiety and skepticism sweep through minds, and crazy whirlwinds of all types of messianism devastate them. Nebulous, confused and rash ideas filter into every milieu and mislead not only the wretched and the lukewarm, but sometimes even those of whom greater constancy in the Faith is expected.

Those who are tenaciously faithful to the fulfillment of duty suffer from all the adversity they meet by their fidelity to the Law of Christ. Yet those who transgress the Law also suffer, for without Christ every pleasure is nothing but bitterness, and every joy is a lie.

Hearts suffer, torn by the revolutionary psychological war, which is so intense in our days. Bodies suffer, impoverished by work, undermined by malady, overwhelmed by necessities of every kind.

The contemporary world could be likened to the time when Our Lord was born in Bethlehem: Its tortured mouth opens with a loud and agonizing groan, the groan of the evildoers who live far removed from God and the groan of the just who live tormented by the evildoers.

The more somber circumstances become and the more excruciating sundry pains grow, the more we should ask Our Lady to put an end to so much suffering not merely for our own relief, but for the greater benefit of our souls. Sacred theology says that Our Lady's prayers anticipated the moment of the world's redemption by the Messias. At this anguished moment in history then, let us turn our eyes to Our Lady with confidence, asking her to hasten the great moment we all await, when a new Pentecost will kindle beacons of light and hope in this darkness and restore the kingdom of Our Lord Jesus Christ on earth.

We should be like Daniel, whom Holy Scripture describes as the "desideriorum vir," that is, a man full of great desires. Let us desire many great things for the glory of God. Let us always ask Our Lady for everything. And let us, above all, ask her for that which the Sacred Liturgy beseeches of God: "Emitte Spiritum tuum et creabuntur, et renovabis faciem terrae" (Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created; and Thou shalt renew the face of the earth). We should ask, through the mediation of Our Lady, that God once again send us the Holy Ghost with the plenitude of His gifts so that His kingdom may be created anew and be purified by a renewal of the face of the earth. In the Divine Comedy, Dante wrote that praying without the patronage of Our Lady is like wanting to fly without wings. Let us then confide to Our Lady this heartfelt yearning and desire. The hands of Mary will be for our prayer a pair of pure wings that will carry it with certainty to the throne of God.