PathToHoliness

I thank God that here in Florida the horrible Amendment 4 did not pass. South Dakota was the only other state that did not pass their abortion amendment. Out of ten states with measures that would allow the murder of innocent children it was only these two who said “yes to life.” The others include Arizona, Missouri, Colorado, Maryland, Montana, Nevada, New York and Nebraska (which had two different ones, but both allow abortions).

The Precious Feet lapel pin in the picture is one I wear on my jacket. I get asked what it means and I tell them. Some people like it and others just turn away. But it is a powerful image and something that so many people don’t know about or just don’t care.

I hope that with a change in our nation’s leadership there will be much more value for life in all it’s stages from conception to natural death.

I haven’t posted for a while because of being very busy and also just overwhelmed about the rhetoric in our presidential voting time. There is so much hatred on the side of the Democrat candidate, especially against the opponent, but also the extreme she will go to make sure more babies are murdered (that’s what abortion is). Every day I hear so many people say “you just can’t make this stuff up.” I think that it is at the urging of the devil.

As far as on the Republican side of things we have a candidate who isn’t playing games. He may not be completely pro-life but it’s a far cry from the other side. Additionally, there are so many like his VP, who are very pro-life. It’s not even an option for Christian men and women regardless of being Catholic or any other denomination.

We hear talk about TDS (Trump Derangement Syndrome) but it’s not a laughing matter. I’ve never seen people spout out the most hateful comments. I’ve been surprised and sad at friends, including Catholic ones, who are apparently having a terrible bout of TDS.

So, I ask you to vote regardless of who you are and regardless of race, gender or religion. Why? Here’s a good reason according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition, 2240, “Submission to authority and co-responsibility for the common good make it morally obligatory to pay taxes, to exercise the right to vote, and to defend one’s country.” I voted early but there is still plenty of time.

It was on a Sunday, October 6, 2002 that Pope St. John Paul II canonized St. Josemaría Escrivá. I was blessed to attend the ceremony and will never forget it. The crowd was so big it was difficult to get any photos (over 500,000 people). This one is while I was waiting in front of the Basilica of St. Peter for St. Pope John Paul II to arrive. It is hard to believe that it has been 22 years ago.

If you are not familiar with St. Josemaría Escrivá, here is a biography which includes the founding of Opus Dei. This is a great a quote of his: “How I wish your bearing and conversation were such that, on seeing or hearing you, people would say: This man reads the life of Jesus Christ.” – The Way #2

Yesterday we held the Knights of Columbus Silver Rose program at the Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel. The program is held around the Mass and after a rosary was said during our weekday Holy Hour. Besides many attendees from our parish and others we also had 37 Knights of Columbus from different councils attend. After the program was completed we got to take photos while holding the silver rose. It is one of eight that travel throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The rose in our ceremony was delivered by members of the Knights on Bikes brothers who then traveled on to the next stop.

This was for many a very emotional program since each Friday we celebrate life that is so precious. To have this symbol and prayers for the life of all and very especially for the unborn was something to always remember even if we don’t get to participate again.

Coming up later this month the Knights of Columbus, Silver Rose program, will visit the Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel in Pensacola, FL. Scheduled for September 13 my Council #8589 will be hosting the program. We did two years ago and I posted about it here where you can find more information. The photo is one I took when I visited the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe some years ago.

Here’s an overview.

Each year, from early March through mid-December, Silver Roses are stewarded by Knights of Columbus councils along routes from Canada to Mexico. Every stop the Silver Rose makes throughout the pilgrimage is a rosary-centered occasion for Knights, parishioners and community members to pray for respect for life, for the spiritual renewal of each nation, and for the advancement of the message of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

If you are interested you can find a number of resources about this program.

On Friday, August 16, Dr. Tom Neal, Chief of Evangelization & Mission Engagement, Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee, gave a reflection on Marian Living – On Earth as it is in Heaven. This was during the daily Holy Hour prior to Mass. This was the second speaker the Honoring Life Team has sponsored for Fridays for Life.

Here is how Dr. Neal started, “So it’s kind of easy, as Mary provides us so much to reflect on when I entitle my talk Marian living, which essentially means living according to the pattern of life that Our Lady laid out for us. Of course, Mary is the perfect disciple of her son, and she’s the perfection of everything that it means to be human, made in God’s image and likeness. She reveals to us ourselves like a mirror, a polished mirror that shows us not just who we are, but shows us who we are to become.”

He also talks about True Devotion to Mary, the book authored by Saint Louis De Montfort. I think it is a must read book and also to practice each year the Total Consecration To Jesus Through Mary.

Forgiveness is a word that many people don’t fully understand. I’d like to make some comments on this after reading “Forgiveness A Catholic Approach” by R. Scott Hurd. It has changed my perceptions of what forgiveness is and what it isn’t.

To start with, it isn’t just saying I’m sorry to someone. Jesus died on the cross for us and to forgive our sins. It is something you do when someone has harmed you in some way. And if you follow Jesus on this, you are doing it out of love and not retaliation to whoever caused you to be angry, hurt, jealous as just some examples.

In today’s world it seems like people are “hurt” just because someone doesn’t agree with them. Or perhaps they posted something on social media and commenters write the most hateful things. I think many of them are very angry people who often have no idea what they’re talking about. I guess it makes them feel better but that never lasts.

I would put some excerpts here but there are so many things to meditate on. I took it chapter a day. It may also change your perception of forgiveness.

There are so many prayer books, books of spiritual direction and of course, the Bible, that it can be overwhelming. It can be difficult to decide what is best for you or for your current situation. I have experienced this over the years. So, I have several that are every day prayers and reading. These I believe are the most efficacious – the Rosary, Liturgy of the Hours (morning/evening), some spiritual reading and New Testament reading. But I add to this other prayers in the morning and before bed. These vary depending on who I’m praying for or for problems I’m having.

Just recently I started a daily spiritual direction book, “Padre Pio’s Spiritual Direction for Every Day.” These are from letters that he wrote to his own spiritual directors or followers. There is a different one for each day of the year. So, whenever you start you just go to that day and move on from there. I definitely recommend it.

So, to end this, I have to include two other very important things to do in The Way to being with our Lord when we die. Daily Mass if possible and some quiet time to just clear your mind and let God talk to your soul. You may not “hear” Him but He is there and is listening.

Today is the Feast of St. Josemaria Escriva, founder of Opus Dei. You can find a lot of good information from the St. Josemaria Institute here.

One of the ways this to celebrate this feast day is with a Mass locator on the Institute website. If you can’t attend a feast day Mass then just saying a prayer for the intercession of St. Josemaria Escriva is another good option.

An important part of the mission of the St. Josemaria Institute is to support and encourage the celebration of his feast day around the world, especially through the Mass, which is the “principal sacramental celebration of the Church.” The Feast Day and Mass are a great opportunity to invite friends, family, and parish communities to get to know the spirit and life of St. Josemaria Escriva.

Cindy and I had Lunch with the Bishop yesterday. That is with our Bishop, Most Reverend William A. Wack, CSC. This annual event provides a great opportunity to raise funds for Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida. We can make a donation while also having a very good lunch catered locally by Classic City Catering.

You can provide your support easily and online. CCNF provides a variety of services which includes pregnancy and adoption services.

Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida serves, empowers, and advocates for impoverished and vulnerable families and individuals of any race, religion or national origin across the Florida Panhandle.

We proudly carry out the social mission of the Catholic Church throughout 18 counties in the Florida Panhandle.

I’ve lost track over the years about what used to be “the media” picking out a phrase from what the Pope says in interviews, audiences and writings. So many people just assume that what the read or hear is true and they don’t check the source.

Our church pastor has told us over and over to always go to the source – Vatican News. Every time I do so I see that the Pope is being taken out of context. That doesn’t mean that I necessarily like what he says about things that are not of church dogma. But at least I understand better what he is trying to say. I’ve lived through several popes and I know this is true of all of them.

I could give you several examples but if you just look and listen to what Pope Francis is saying and then go check on the documents in Vatican News you will find the truth. That’s my experience and I hope it will be yours.

On the ballot is the Florida’s Abortion Amendment. The bishops in Florida say it best.

“We urge all Floridians of goodwill to stand against the legalization of late-term abortion and oppose the abortion amendment. In doing so, we will not only protect the weakest, most innocent, and defenseless of human life among us but also countless women throughout the state from the harms of abortion,” said the bishops of Florida in their statement on Amendment 4. You can read the full proposed amendment here.

In my parish we have the Veronica Guild with contains 6 different teams. I serve on the one Honoring Life. So, for us this is just what we are all about. We honor life in all its stages. And, of course, abortion is a big part of our efforts. There is more information on it here.

Father and maker of all, you adorn all creation with splendor and beauty, and fashion human lives in your image and likeness. Awaken in every heart reverence for the work of your hands, and renew among your people a readiness to nurture and sustain your precious gift of life. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen (USCCB)

This is great news for young people as well as older. Here is an excerpt of the announcement on Vatican News.

Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, met Thursday with Pope Francis, who approved the promulgation of several decrees related to the causes of canonization of several men and women.

Pope Francis beatified the millenial in 2020 in Assisi, where Blessed Carlo had made multiple pilgrimages and where his mortal remains rest.

I have a grandson and Godson who are well aware of this remarkable young man. My wife and I sent them books about him since they have spent a lot of time on gaming and our hope is that the example of Carlo will help them be very careful about it and grow closer to our Lord Jesus Christ. That is our prayer.

You can find out more about Blessed Carlo Acutis on the Official Website of the Carlo Acutis Association and the Cause of Canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis. On it is a prayer for the Canonization.

The last time I went on retreat at the Roseaire Conference Center was in 2015. Since then the facility has made some massive upgrades and a very accessible wing with rooms for more people. The center is beautiful and sits on property that contains about 20 large banyan trees and a trail through a gardeners dream of variety on flowering plants and coconut palms.

So, this retreat, which is managed by the Tekesta Study Center in Miami, is a silent men’s retreat. We listen to the priest provide talks for meditation as well as the sacraments of confession and the Mass. He is also available for a personal session of spiritual direction if you want. There are other talks from members who live and work in Miami as well.

There is a lot of time for meditation, spiritual reading and leaving all the distractions of phones and computers. I write lots of notes from the retreat that I use as social media posts on @PathToHoliness and at the end I select a couple of personal resolutions to look at daily and spend a little time meditating about them.

Most importantly, and something that takes practice, is to “listen to Jesus” along with the above. Sometimes I just sit and marvel about the beauty of God’s creation while not talking but listening. I may not hear Jesus speaking to me but my soul does and that’s what is important. I thank God for my ability to go on retreat as well as my wife who went on her retreat last month at a center in Missouri.

The Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel in Pensacola, FL has many ministries. Relatively new is the Veronica Guild which contains several active teams, one of which is Honoring Life. “Promoting a reverence and respect for the dignity of human life in all its forms as being created in the Image and Likeness of God.”

I am a member of this team and throughout the year, each Friday of our Holy Hour prior to Mass we celebrate Fridays for Life. And the last Friday of each month a team member leads a rosary for life at 11:30am. In addition to these things we are having several meditations on life during the year. The first one was this past Friday when our own Bishop William Wack not only provided a meditation, “Loving Care for the elders among us and the gift of the Sacrament of Anointing,” but he also celebrated the Mass following it.

In his talk he referred to the recent publication of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith’s Declaration “Dignitas Infinita” on Human Dignity. It is long but he recommends taking the time to read it because it focusing on many issues facing our world today when it comes to respecting life. You can find the recording of the Holy Hour, Talk and Mass on the church YouTube channel here. You can fast forward to Bishop Wack’s talk if you would like.