July is the Month of the Precious Blood

(Scroll down for the Litany to be prayed daily in July)

From Pope Pius XII's encyclical Haurietis Aqua
May 15, 1956

Unlimited is the effectiveness of the God-Man's Blood - just as unlimited as the love that impelled him to pour it out for us, first at his circumcision eight days after birth, and more profusely later on in his agony in the garden, in his scourging and crowning with thorns, in his climb to Calvary and crucifixion, and finally from out of that great wide wound in his side which symbolizes the divine Blood cascading down into all the Church's sacraments. Such surpassing love suggests, nay demands, that everyone reborn in the torrents of that Blood adore it with grateful love.

The Blood of the new and eternal covenant especially deserves this worship of latria when it is elevated during the sacrifice of the Mass. But such worship achieves its normal fulfillment in sacramental communion with the same Blood, indissolubly united with Christ's Eucharistic Body. In intimate association with the celebrant, the faithful can then truly make his sentiments at communion their own: "I will take the chalice of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord. . .
The Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve my soul for everlasting life. Amen." Thus as often as they come worthily to this holy table they will receive more abundant fruits of the redemption and resurrection and eternal life won for all men by the Blood Christ shed "through the Holy Spirit." Nourished by his Body and Blood, sharing the divine strength that has sustained countless martyrs, they will stand up to the slings and arrows of each day's fortunes - even if need be to martyrdom itself for the sake of Christian virtue and the kingdom of God.

Theirs will be the experience of that burning love which made St. John Chrysostom cry out, "Let us, then, come back from that table like lions breathing out fire, thus becoming terrifying to the Devil, and remaining mindful of our Head and of the love he has shown for us. . . This Blood, when worthily received, drives away demons and puts them at a distance from us, and even summons to us angels and the Lord of angels. . . This Blood, poured out in abundance, has washed the whole world clean. . . This is the price of the world; by it Christ purchased the Church… This thought will check in us unruly passions. How long, in truth, shall we be attached to present things? How long shall we remain asleep? How long shall we not take thought for our own salvation? Let us remember what privileges God has bestowed on us, let us give thanks, let us glorify him, not only by faith, but also by our very works."

You know well enough that your ransom was not paid in earthly currency, silver or gold; it was paid in the Precious Blood of Christ; no lamb was ever so pure, so spotless a victim. If only they would lend a more eager ear to the apostle of the Gentiles: "A great price was paid to ransom you; glorify God by making your bodies the shrines of his presence."

Their upright lives would then be the shining example they ought to be; Christ's Church would far more effectively fulfill its mission to men. God wants all men to be saved, for he has willed that they should all be ransomed by the Blood of his only-begotten Son; he calls them all to be members of the one Mystical Body whose head is Christ. If only men would be more responsive to these promptings of his grace, how much the bonds of brotherly love among individuals and peoples and nations would be strengthened.



Here is a litany that can be prayed during the month of July, and for those of you who like to pray in Latin, there is a Latin version right below the English version of the prayer.

Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ

This Litany in honor of Jesus in His Most Precious Blood was drawn up by the Sacred Congregation of Rites and promulgated by Pope John XXIII on February 24, 1960. The devotion to Jesus in His most Precious Blood was first popularized by St. Gaspar del Bufalo (1786-1837, feast December 28), who founded the Missioners of the Most Precious Blood. A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who recite this litany.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Christ, hear us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.

God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.

Blood of Christ, only-begotten Son of the eternal Father, save us.
Blood of Christ, Incarnate Word of God, save us.
Blood of Christ, of the New and Eternal Testament, save us.

Blood of Christ, falling upon the earth in Agony, save us.
Blood of Christ, shed profusely in the Scourging, save us.
Blood of Christ, flowing forth in the Crowning with Thorns, save us.

Blood of Christ, poured out on the Cross, save us.
Blood of Christ, price of our salvation, save us.
Blood of Christ, without which there is no forgiveness, save us.

Blood of Christ, Eucharistic drink and refreshment of souls, save us.
Blood of Christ, stream of mercy, save us.
Blood of Christ, victor over demons, save us.

Blood of Christ, courage of Martyrs, save us.
Blood of Christ, strength of Confessors, save us.
Blood of Christ, bringing forth Virgins, save us.

Blood of Christ, help of those in peril, save us.
Blood of Christ, relief of the burdened, save us.
Blood of Christ, solace in sorrow, save us.

Blood of Christ, hope of the penitent, save us.
Blood of Christ, consolation of the dying, save us.
Blood of Christ, peace and tenderness of hearts, save us.

Blood of Christ, pledge of eternal life, save us.
Blood of Christ, freeing souls from Purgatory, save us.
Blood of Christ, most worthy of all glory and honour, save us.

Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, O Lord.

V. Thou hast redeemed us, O Lord, in Thy Blood.
R. And made us, for our God, a kingdom.

Let us pray;

Almighty and eternal God, Thou hast appointed Thine only-begotten Son the Redeemer of the world and willed to be appeased by his blood. Grant, we beg of Thee, that we may worthily adore this price of our salvation and through its power be safeguarded from the evils of the present life so that we may rejoice in its fruits forever in heaven.
Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.


Kyrie, eleison. Kyrie, eleison.
Christe, eleison. Christe, eleison.
Kyrie, eleison. Kyrie, eleison.

Christe, audi nos. Christe, audi nos.
Christe, exaudi nos. Christe, exaudi nos.

Pater de caelis, Deus, miserere nobis.
Fili, Redemptor mundi, Deus, miserere nobis.
Spiritus Sancte, Deus, miserere nobis.
Sancta Trinitas, unus Deus, miserere nobis.

Sanguis Christi, Unigeniti Patris aeterni, salva nos.
Sanguis Christi, Verbi Dei incarnati, salva nos.
Sanguis Christi, Novi et Aeterni Testamenti, salva nos.

Sanguis Christi, in agonia decurrens in terram, salva nos.
Sanguis Christi, in flagellatione profluens, salva nos.
Sanguis Christi, in coronatione spinarum emanans, salva nos.

Sanguis Christi, in Cruce effusus, salva nos.
Sanguis Christi, pretium nostrae salutis, salva nos.
Sanguis Christi, sine quo non fit remissio, salva nos.

Sanguis Christi, in Eucharistia potus et lavacrum animarum, salva nos.
Sanguis Christi, flumen misericordiae, salva nos.
Sanguis Christi, victor daemonum, salva nos.

Sanguis Christi, fortitudo martyrum, salva nos.
Sanguis Christi, virtus confessorum, salva nos.
Sanguis Christi, germinans virgines, salva nos.

Sanguis Christi, robur periclitantium, salva nos.
Sanguis Christi, levamen laborantium, salva nos.
Sanguis Christi, in fletu solatium, salva nos.

Sanguis Christi, spes poenitentium, salva nos.
Sanguis Christi, solamen morientium, salva nos.
Sanguis Christi, pax et dulcedo cordium, salva nos.

Sanguis Christi, pignus vitae aeternae, salva nos.
Sanguis Christi, animas liberans de lacu Purgatorii, salva nos.
Sanguis Christi, omni gloria et honore dignissimus, salva nos.

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, parce nobis, Domine.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, exaudi nos, Domine.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis, Domine.

V. redimisti nos, Domine, in sanguine tuo.
R. Et fecisti nos Deo nostro regnum.

Oremus;

Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, qui unigenitum Filium tuum mundi Redemptorem
constituisti, ac eius sanguine placari voluisti: concede, quaesumus, salutis nostrae
pretium ita venerari, atque a praesentis vitae malis eius virtute defendi in terris, ut
fructu perpetuo laetemur in caelis. Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

'Lamentations of the Father'

This is for all the parents with small children!

'Lamentations of the Father'
by Ian Frazier

Laws of Forbidden Places
Of the beasts of the field, and of the fishes of the sea, and of all foods that are acceptable in my sight you may eat, but not in the living room. Of the hoofed animals, broiled or ground into burgers, you may eat, but not in the living room. Of the cloven-hoofed animal, plain or with cheese, you may eat, but not in the living room. Of the cereal grains, of the corn and of the wheat and of the oats, and of all the cereals that are of bright color and unknown provenance you may eat, but not in the living room. Of quiescently frozen dessert and of all frozen after-meal treats you may eat, but absolutely not in the living room.

Of the juices and other beverages, yea, even of those in sippy-cups, you may drink, but not in the living room, neither may you carry such therein. Indeed, when you reach the place where the living room carpet begins, of any food or beverage there you may not eat, neither may you drink. But if you are sick, and are lying down and watching something, then may you eat in the living room.

Laws When at Table
And if you are seated in your high chair, or in a chair such as a greater person might use, keep your legs and feet below you as it were. Neither raise up your knees, nor place your feet upon the table, for that is an abomination unto me. Yea, even when you have an interesting bandage to show, your feet upon the table are an abomination, and worthy of rebuke.

Drink your milk as it is given you, neither use on it any utensils, nor fork, nor knife, nor spoon, for that is not what they are for; if you will dip your blocks in the milk, and lick it off, you shall be sent away.

When you have drunk, let the empty cup then remain upon the table, and do not bite it upon its edge and by your teeth hold it to your face in order to make noises in it sounding like a duck: for you shall be sent away.

When you chew your food, keep your mouth closed until you have swallowed, and do not open it to show your brother or your sister what is within; I say to you, do not so, even if your brother or your sister hath done the same to you.

Eat your food only; do not eat that which is not food; neither seize the table between your jaws, nor use the raiment of the table to wipe your lips. I say again to you, do not touch it, but leave it as it is.

And though your stick of carrot does indeed resemble a marker, draw not with it upon the table, even in pretend, for we do not do that, that is why. And though the pieces of broccoli are very like small trees, do not stand them upright to make a forest, because we do not do that,that is why.

Sit just as I have told you, and do not lean to one side or the other, nor slide down until you are nearly slid away. Heed me; for if you sit like that, your hair will go into the syrup. And now behold, even as I have said, it has come to pass.

Laws Pertaining to Dessert
For we judge between the plate that is unclean and the plate that is clean, saying first, if the plate is clean, then you shall have dessert.

But of the unclean plate, the laws are these: If you have eaten most of your meat, and two bites of your peas with each bite consisting of not less than three peas each, or in total six peas, eaten where I can see, and you have also eaten enough of your potatoes to fill two forks, both forkfuls eaten where I can see, then you shall have dessert.

But if you eat a lesser number of peas, and yet you eat the potatoes, still you shall not have dessert; and if you eat the peas, yet leave the potatoes uneaten, you shall not have dessert, no, not even a small portion thereof.

And if you try to deceive by moving the potatoes or peas around with a fork, that it may appear you have eaten what you have not, you will fall into iniquity. And I will know, and you shall have no dessert.

On Screaming
Do not scream; for it is as if you scream all the time. If you are given a plate on which two foods you do not wish to touch each other are touching each other, your voice rises up even to the ceiling, while you point to the offense with the finger of your right hand; but I say to you, scream not, only remonstrate gently with the server, that the server may correct the fault.

Likewise if you receive a portion of fish from which every piece of herbal seasoning has not been scraped off, and the herbal seasoning is loathsome to you and steeped in vileness, again I say, refrain from screaming. Though the vileness overwhelm you, and cause you a faint unto death, make not that sound from within your throat, neither cover your face, nor press your fingers to your nose. For even I have made the fish as it should be; behold, I eat it myself, yet shall not surely die.

Concerning Face and Hands
Cast your countenance upward to the light, and lift your eyes to the hills, that I may more easily wash you off. For the stains are upon you; even to the very back of your head, there is rice thereon.

And in the breast pocket of your garment, and upon the tie of your shoe, rice and other fragments are distributed in a manner wonderful to see.

Only hold yourself still; hold still, I say. Give each finger in its turn for my examination thereof, and also each thumb. Lo, how iniquitous they appear. What I do is as it must be; and you shall not go hence until I have done.

Various Other Laws, Statutes, and Ordinances
Bite not, lest you be also bitten again. Neither drink of your own bath water, nor of the bath water of any kind; nor rub your feet on bread, even if it be in the package; nor rub yourself against cars, not against any building; nor eat sand.

Leave the cat alone, for what has the cat done, that you should so afflict it with tape? And hum not the humming in your nose as I read, nor stand between the light and the book. Indeed, you shall drive me to madness. Nor forget what I said about the tape

Not just another Bambi

Uh, this is the town we are moving to - and I was worried about gang violence! Apparently the dog survived and is recovering. That is one curious cat!

They don't make them like they used to!

Drop-front secretaire MOLITOR, Bernard, 1789, veneered oak



cabinet, MEKEREN, Jan van 1690-1710. Oak, veneered with various woods



chest of drawers, unknown cabinet maker, French, 1770



Cast Bronze Baptismal Font,from 1107-18, REINER DE HU



Layetter Cupboard, unknown Dutch Cabinet Maker, circa 1650




French Table, circa 1700, unknown

Consider this

Have you ever wondered why God doesn't always answer your prayers? According to St. Augustine, that which God refuses to you in His mercy, he grants to others through wrath. So maybe it is a good thing you didn't win the lottery last night! When we ask God for temporal blessings, we should always add ,"If it be for the greater glory of God and the good of my soul." It is a good practice to ask for temporal blessings on the condition they will profit your soul.
James 4:3 You ask, and receive not; because you ask amiss: that you may consume it on your concupiscences.

Spiritual graces should always be asked for, and asked in confidence of receiving them. Final perseverance, (the preservation of the state of grace till the end of life), is, according to St. Alphonsus Liguori, a grace which is only obtained through continual prayer. On our own, we cannot merit the grace of final perseverance, says St. Augustine, who adds this grace is only obtained through supplication. The Council of Trent confirms this: "The gift of perseverance can come only from Him who has the power to confirm the standing and to raise the fallen".

St Bernard teaches to ask for this grace through Mary, for what Mary asks, she obtains, and her prayers are never fruitless. Make it a daily habit to ask the Blessed Mother to obtain for you the grace of final peseverance; that when you die, God will infuse you with His grace that you may withstand the temptations of the devil, who will surely be trying to snatch your soul.
Luke 21:36 Watch ye, therefore, praying at all times, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that are to come, and to stand before the Son of man.

Gaga gag!

I doubt that when these poor souls donated their bodies to science, they ever dreamed their dead bodies would be on display at the feet of Lady Gaga as she romps around the stage in her underwear. That woman disgusts me just about as much as "Madonna" does. 'Nuff said.

Thought for the Day

Ecclesiasticus 26 7:40 In all thy works remember thy last end, and thou shalt never sin.

When will it end?

With thanks to Paul from Catholic Cartoon Blog

The Life of St John the Baptist in Art

Thursday, June 24 is the feast of St. John the Baptist. Our Lord tells us that "amongst those that are born of women, there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist." (Luke 7:28) God ordained that this great saint be born under extraordinary circumstances, having been cleansed of Original Sin, while still in the womb. For this reason, the Church celebrates not only the day of his birth into eternal life, but the day of his birth into this world as well.


Zachary's wife Elizabeth was beyong childbearing age, and John's birth was foretold by the angel Gabriel to the priest Zachary, John's father, who was temporarily struck dumb for his disbelief, receiving the power of speech again only at John's circumcision.


When Mary visited and greeted Elizabeth, who was in her sixth month, Our Lord, in Mary's womb, implemented Sanctifying grace to John, whose mission in God's plan was to be the forerunner of Christ. And he whose joy it was to prepare the way for the Lamb of God and who rejoiced "because of the Bridegroom's voice" (John 3:29)did recognize the presence of Jesus and Mary before he was even born, and this moved him to leap for joy in his mother's womb.


St John the Baptist lived in the desert for some thirty years before he began his public ministry.


He went into the country around Jordan preaching to "do penance for the kingdom of heaven was at hand," (Matthew 3:2)


His clothes were made of camel's hair, and a leather girdle about his loins, and he came neither eating or drinking. (Matthew 11:18)


John baptized his listeners in the Jordan, challenging their pride by calling them all a "brood of vipers," (Luke 3:7-9) and earning himself his name, "The Baptist."


After some time of John's preaching, Jesus came to be baptized by him, and John gave testimony that Jesus was the Son of God, but at first John refused to baptize Jesus, saying "I ought to be baptized by thee, and comest thou to me?" (Matthew 3:14).


When Herod fell in love with his niece Herodias, the wife of his half-brother Philip, and brought her to Galilee, John publicly rebuked Herod, and at Herodias' bidding, was bound and thrown in prison. "She laid snares for him: and was desirous to put him to death" (Mark 6:19).


John the baptist was the undaunted champion of truth and virtue, and Herodias was furious with him, swaying Herod to put John to death. The daughter of Herodias, named Salome, danced before Herod, and pleased him such that he said he would grant her anything she wished for.


Under the influence of her mother, Salome was swayed. "Who when she had gone out, said to her mother, What shall I ask? But her mother said: The head of John the Baptist. 25 And when she had come in immediately with haste to the king, she asked, saying: I will that forthwith you give me in a dish, the head of John the Baptist. 26 And the king was struck sad. Yet because of his oath, and because of them that were with him at table, he would not displease her: 27 But sending an executioner, he commanded that his head should be brought in a dish." (Mark 6:24-28)


The Church celebrates the feast day of the beheading of John the Baptist on August 29.

Holy, holy, holy

Pope Benedict XVI, ordination Mass at St Peter's Basilica, June 20, 2010

Good news!

This morning my doorbell rang, and when I answered it, I saw a well dressed man holding a pamphlet. Right away, I knew he was a JW. They seldom come to my door, but I am always pleased when they do. I welcome the opportunity to defend the Catholic faith to someone who is trapped in a false religion.

Paramedicgirl: Hello. What do you have there?

Mr. JW: It's a pamphlet inviting you to a convention in Abbotsford.

Paramedicgirl: Oh, it must be a Jehovah's Witness convention?

Mr JW: Yes. Would you like to come and hear the good news?

Paramedicgirl: I am a Catholic, and I happen to know quite a bit about your religion. I would love to have a discussion with you on hell, the Holy Ghost, and who Jesus really is. Why is it that you believe Jesus is really St. Michael the Archangel, and how did you come to believe that Jesus died on a torture stake instead of a cross?

Mr JW: I used to be a Catholic you know. Did you know there are 6,000 converts to the Jehovah's Witness faith every week?

Paramedicgirl: That's a lot of prayers I will have to say for their conversion then. Did you know that the JW's prey on Catholics who are weak in their faith? You must have had a weak Catholic upbringing to fall for this false religion.

Mr JW: (angry) I came here to tell you the good news of Jehovah's Kingdom.

Paramedicgirl: Mr JW, you are trapped in a false religion, and I will pray for your conversion, that you will not go to the hell you don't believe in. I will pray for your eternal salvation and for your soul. Oh, I know you don't believe you have a soul, and that you will merely fall asleep when you die, but at the moment of your death, Jesus will judge your soul. Yes, Jesus will judge you, not St. Michael the Archangel.

Mr JW: (clearly angry now, almost shouting, and taking back the pamphlet he offered me) I have good news for you! What good news do you have for me?

Paramedicgirl: My good news is that the Catholic faith is the one true faith and in order to be saved, you must leave the beliefs of your false religion. Would you like to come to Mass with me on Sunday?

And there the conversation ended. It was a good morning!

Water and the Holy Ghost

On Pentecost Sunday, as our priest was delivering his sermon, he gave the most interesting analogy of the Holy Spirit. It's one I have never heard before, but will certainly remember for when I teach catechism again. It would also come in handy for helping others to understand how there are three Persons in one God. Here it is:

Water comes in different forms. There is ice, vapour, and liquid water. They are all the same thing - water - even though they take different forms.

Interesting, isn't it? It just might help someone to grasp that difficult concept.

Lock 'em up and throw away the key!

There is no honour in killing a child to save the family name. How evil! These stories keep popping up in the news, and there is even one or two from the city in which I live. It is impossible to figure out the mindset of those who believe they are keeping the family honour intact by mercilessly killing their female daughters and sisters.

How can they not expect their children to be influenced by Western society when they come to our country and their children attend our public schools? Perhaps one of the screening questions for immigrants should be, "Do you believe honour killings are a good way to keep your family honour when you feel as thought your daughters have disgraced you?"

A lifetime in jail is too short for these murderers . Lock 'em up and throw away the key!

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Mass Intentions for Vocations

If you know someone who is considering a vocation to the priesthood, send me their name and I will have a traditional Latin Mass said for them. You can find my email address on my profile.

Prayer of St Francis de Sales to St. Joseph

I want to share with you a beautiful prayer to St. Joseph that I just came across. I have never seen it before.

Glorious St Joseph, spouse of Mary, grant us thy paternal protection, we beseech thee by the heart of Jesus Christ. O thou, whose power extends to all our necessities and can render possible for us the most impossible things, open thy fatherly eyes to the needs of thy children.

In the trouble and distress which afflicts us, we confidently have recourse to thee. Deign to take under your charitable charge this important and difficult matter, cause of our worries. Make its happy outcome be for God's glory and for the good of His devoted servants. Amen.

Hello again!

I have had numerous requests to start posting to this blog again. Life has been busy this last year, and if I can learn how not to spend too much time blogging, I just may give it a try again. My sister has not one but two blogs - I don't know how she does it!

Things should be settling down soon though. We are moving back out to the country this summer; well to a smaller city, anyway. The bad part of that is there is no Latin Mass there. Just a single priest with a very liberal social justice agenda. I think they hold hands during the Our Father and clap after every Mass for everyone who "participated" in some way. "Let's all clap for the altar servers, now. And can we please clap for the choir, too. Let's give another round of applause for everyone who took the time out of their day to come to Mass! Yes, you! We are clapping for ourselves now - come on everyone, a big round of applause!"

Okay, I know I am exaggerating a bit, but it's going to be really hard to actually like going to Mass there after having the privilege of attending the TLM with two very holy priests for three whole years. There is nothing like the traditional Mass. Going back to a liberal NO Mass will take some getting used to. I sure hope Father doesn't mind when I kneel for Communion and recieve on the tongue. And I sure hope the ladies there will get used to my head coverings. The countdown begins...