PathToHoliness

I was planning to do a post about Easter but this happened just this morning. Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, passed away. It is a time for prayer for his soul and for those who will be having to go through the process for a new pope. Here is some info from the Vatican News.

At 9:45 AM on Easter Monday, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, spoke these words at the Casa Santa Marta:
“Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God.”

Vatican News also has an overview of the highlights of Pope Francis’ pontificate, his journeys, reforms, writings, work for peace and human fraternity, and outreach to the poor and migrants.

On another note, the Canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis will be postponed. I’m sure we’ll find out more about this very soon.

The first in a series of four talks during the year focuses on the topic of “Christ Alive in Us” by Dr. Dave Snyder, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church of Pensacola. His talk was after our Holy Hour and midday Mass. These talks are organized by the Veronica Guild Honoring Life in the Basilic of St. Michael the Archangel. Our mission is Promoting the dignity of all human life, especially through our “Fridays for Life.”

Dr. Snyder prefaced his talk on a passage from Galatians, 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ and yet I am alive; yet it is no longer I, but Christ living in me. The life that I am now living, subject to the limitation of human nature, I am living in faith, faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.” One of his questions was “What does it mean to have new life in Christ?” Another was “What am I doing with the life God has given me?” These are great to meditate on, perhaps in a daily time you take to pray and spend time with Jesus. He will always listen.

We will have three more talks throughout the year and you can find the schedule on the Basilica website.

Some years ago I posted about my morning prayer buddy. We’ve never stopped.

Now as you can see, there are two Maltese boys sitting in my chair with me as I do spiritual reading and morning prayer. It’s one of my favorite times a day when we’re not traveling.

Just recently Cindy and I adopted two Maltese dogs, a boy and a girl. Whereas our two dogs are 2 and 6 years old, these are more than 15 years old. To shorten the story, we have a couple just a couple homes from us who are having to move to an assisted living home and they could not take these dogs. And, as you might guess, it’s hard to find someone to take dogs this old. So, we offered and they live with us now. They are great dogs that I think are pretty used to the new home. They get along well with ours too. I had no idea what this was going to be like but it is extra work.

So, back to my prayer buddy. He’s Croix and just turned 6. Next to me is Caesar. He has started following us early in the morning and I help him up and he’s very comfortable and happy. I thank God for this and am glad that Cindy found out about this and we made this decision.

Each day I read from “Padre Pio’s Spiritual Direction for Everyday.” It is a treasure of excerpts from letters he wrote and it’s amazing how often something applies to me and my circumstances. Yesterday his meditation started with “Consider Jesus’ fiat in the garden [“Not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42)]. Why does this have so much meaning to me? Well, I can create a list with things like the changes in the industry I work in, considering retirement and when/how, physical changes as I get older (more spinal deterioration (pain), two months with a persistent sinus infection, significant travel using a camera and other gear, the hassles of travel that I’m so tired of. In all cases I have had it hard to make good decisions, along with my wife and business partner. We have prayed about this for quite a while and now it’s time to make decisions and move on to this next part of our lives.

This is where the quote from Luke’s Gospel comes in. I just put pain, worry, fear, indecision, anxiety in the hands of Jesus. As my wife, Cindy, puts it, “God will tell us.” We do trust in Jesus and I find myself saying frequently now “Not my will, but yours be done.” Simple, eh?

The Serenity Prayer is one I need to say more too.

“God, grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change
the courage to change the things I can
and the wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time,
enjoying one moment at a time.
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace.
Taking, as he did, the sinful world as it is,
not as I would have it.
Trusting that he will make all things right
if I surrender to His will;
that I may be reasonably happy in this life,
and supremely happy with Him forever.

—Reinhold Niebuhr, 1892-1971

Last night my first spiritual director of many, many years passed away – Rev. William L. Korte. I call him Fr. Bill Korte. I can’t even explain how much he has meant to me and my spiritual life. He introduced me to Opus Dei and that’s when I started annual retreats led by the work.

Living in the Jefferson City, MO area I got to become friends with other men who also saw him for spiritual direction. We would travel to retreats by the Wespine Center in St. Louis. In this photo Fr. Korte is on the left and I’m on the right. We were in Rome for the Canonization of St. Josemaria Escriva in 2002.

After moving from Missouri to Florida I mainly kept in touch with him by phone. We would get to talk quite a bit when he had time. I sure wish I could have seen him in-person.

Update: Here is Fr. Korte’s Obituary with schedule for visitation and funeral Mass.

I should have remembered names for the photo above which includes Ed Galbraith, his some James and Fr. Bruce Fogle.

I don’t have much information yet but will add to this post when I can. Fr. Korte was pastor of St. Theresa Catholic Church in Dixon, MO. There is a FB group for it with a post with information too.

I ended my annual Total Consecration to Jesus Christ Through Mary on the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. As you might guess from the condition of my book, it has seen many years. I see it as a great addition to my annual retreat, which I do earlier in the year.

When I used to deer hunt in Missouri during November I would sit in my stand and do the daily meditation and prayers. I kept it in my fanny pack which probably wasn’t the best place to put it. But sitting in the woods was a very quiet and great place for it. I never saw a deer until either before or after I did my daily prayers.

I’ve recommended this prayer and here is an excerpt of the description of the book which you can find on Amazon.

O Virgin most faithful!
Make me in all things so perfect
a disciple, imitator and slave of
incarnate Wisdom, Jesus Christ, your Son,
that I may come, through your intercession and your example,
to the fullness of his age on earth
and of his glory in heaven.
Amen.

These words from St. Louis de Montfort’s Act of Total Consecration give beautiful expression to the fundamental thrust of his spirituality: Christianity that is fully alive is nothing less than a radical act of total self-surrender and self-gift to the Lord Jesus Christ who, in his redemptive Incarnation, has first given himself totally over to us, and for us.

This past Friday during our Holy Hour at the Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel, retired Bishop Martin Holley offered a reflection on “Caring for Family. This is one of the quarterly speakers we have been blessed to have speak out on the value of life. This is organized by the parish Veronica Guild Honoring Life.

Bishop Holley spoke about his family as an example for caring about the life of others. His parents had 14 children and his younger brother has suffered from a fall that paralyzed him. He needs help in a caring facility and Bishop Holley sees to his care every day. It was a very emotional talk.

He also said that “as the Catholic church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society, and this belief is the foundation of all principles of our social teaching.” He talked about how human life is under attack in the form or abortion, euthanasia and other issues and we should do everything we can as Roman Catholics to uphold the teaching of Jesus Christ. The scriptures are filled with these teachings.

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.