Recta Ratio

O Mary, Mother of Mercy and Refuge of sinners, we beseech thee, be pleased to look with pitiful eyes upon poor heretics and schismatics. Thou who art the Seat of Wisdom, enlighten the minds that are miserably enfolded in the darkness of ignorance and sin, that they may clearly know that the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Roman Church is the one true Church of Jesus Christ, outside of which neither holiness nor salvation can be found. Finish the work of their conversion by obtaining for them the grace to accept all the truths of our Holy Faith, and to submit themselves to the Supreme Roman Pontiff, the Vicar of Jesus Christ on earth; that so, being united with us in the sweet chains of Divine charity, there may soon be one only fold under the same one Shepherd; and may we all, O Glorious Virgin, sing forever with exultation: Rejoice, O Virgin Mary, thou only hast destroyed all heresies in the whole world. Amen.

Pope Pius IX, the Raccolta, No. 626, p. 499, 1957 Edition

Labels: Our Blessed Lady

Meditation by Saint Claudse de la Colombiere
The Master: Meek and Humble of Heart

"Learn from Me, for I am meek and humble of Heart," [St. Matthew 11:29] said Jesus in the Gospel. It is therefore by contemplating Him that we can learn true humility.

It is a great illusion to want all you hear about and all you see in books, as well as to burden yourself with so many devotional practices. Read very few books and make a great study of Jesus Christ crucified. [L. 100]

The humble soul is never satisfied with itself; it always seeks to do more for God.

I do not think there are any souls in the world with whom God is less happy than those who think they have reasons to be content with themselves. As soon as someone has begun to know how lovable God is, he must be very insensitive to prevent himself from loving Him very much. And when we love Him well, we never think we have done enough for Him. [L. 102]

The person who is humble of heart does not dwell on his neighbor's faults.

O my God, what a sad occupation it is to amuse ourselves examining the life of others! It would be better to be blind and simple-minded than to use your mind to consider and judge the actions of your neighbor. One whose heart is full of the love of God has many other occupations: he no longer thinks of anything but suffering for that which he loves, and he loves all those who give him an occasion to suffer for his Beloved. [L. 104]

Labels: Friday At the Foot Of the Cross

This is what baseball is all about. Tonight, the Yankees come into town for a three-game series, in wonderful spring weather (finally!). The Sox and Yanks have identical records, though they seem to be on opposite trajectories, with the Sox coming off sweeps of the Orioles and Twins, and the Yankees still smarting from the spanking the Indians gave them in the new Yankee Stadium last weekend.

Bring 'em on!

Labels: Boston Red Sox

Saint George is a particular patron of mine, being the patron of England, soldiers, and of men named George. I have an excellent array of name-saint patrons: George, Thomas the Apostle, and John the Evangelist.







The Fifth Regiment of Foot was entitled to wear an image of St. George and the Dragon on its Colours and other accoutrements.


The Cross of St. George is standard for Episcopalian churches in the US

I particularly like the armed saints, like St. Juan de Capistrano, Saint James the Moor-Slayer, St. Michael the Archangel, St. George, and St. Martin of Tours.

Labels: Our Saintly Brethern