This blog is based on references in the Bible to fear. God wills that we “BE NOT AFRAID”. Vincit qui se vincit" is a Latin phrase meaning "He conquers who conquers himself." Many theologians state that the eighth deadly sin is fear. It is fear and its natural animal reaction to fight or flight that is the root cause of our failings to create a Kingdom of God on earth. This blog is dedicated to Mary the Mother of God. "
First Hollywood film to use actual Holocaust documentary footage
Genre
Film‑Noir, Crime, Mystery, Post‑War Suspense
2. Plot Summary
A war‑crimes investigator named Mr. Wilson (Edward G. Robinson) is hunting the elusive Nazi mastermind Franz Kindler, architect of the camps. Kindler has erased every trace of his identity—except for one obsession: clocks.
Wilson releases Kindler’s former associate, hoping he’ll lead him to the fugitive. The trail ends in a quiet Connecticut town where Kindler now lives as Charles Rankin, a respected schoolteacher engaged to Mary Longstreet, daughter of a Supreme Court justice.
As Rankin repairs the ancient church clock and prepares for marriage, Wilson closes in. Kindler murders his former comrade to protect his secret, manipulates Mary psychologically, and tries to maintain his façade of moral respectability. The final confrontation takes place in the belfry—where the clock he restored becomes the stage for justice.
3. Thematic & Moral Reflection (Your Catholic‑Formation Lens)
A. Evil Hides in Ordinary Clothes
Welles shows how evil rarely appears monstrous. It blends in, teaches schoolboys, attends dinner parties, and marries into good families. This is the same insight the Church gives about sin: it disguises itself as normalcy, competence, or charm.
B. The Danger of Naïve Goodness
Mary is not foolish—she is good. But goodness without vigilance becomes vulnerable. Her journey mirrors the spiritual life: the need to discern spirits, to test what appears virtuous, and to trust the truth even when it wounds.
C. The Investigator as a Moral Archetype
Mr. Wilson is a cinematic St. Michael figure—calm, relentless, truth‑seeking. He represents the Church’s role in naming evil clearly, refusing to be gaslit, and pursuing justice even when society wants to move on.
D. The Clock as Conscience
The ancient clock tower—broken, restored, and ultimately the site of judgment—functions as a symbol of conscience.
When the clock is broken, the town is complacent.
When it is repaired, truth begins to surface.
When it tolls in the final act, justice arrives.
This is a perfect metaphor for your devotional work: restoring the inner mechanisms of conscience so that time, truth, and judgment align.
4. Hospitality Pairing
Cocktail: “The Clockmaker”
A 1940s‑appropriate drink with symbolic resonance.
Ingredients
Rye whiskey (American post‑war confidence)
A dash of Benedictine (monastic clarity)
Orange bitters (the sharpness of truth)
Lemon twist (illumination)
Why it fits:
Rye was the American spirit of the era; Benedictine adds an old‑world moral weight; bitters evoke the sting of revelation.
Meal Pairing: Connecticut Supper Table
A simple New England plate that mirrors the film’s small‑town façade:
Roast chicken
Buttered peas
Mashed potatoes
Apple pie
The comfort of the meal contrasts with the darkness beneath the town’s surface—just as the film intends.
Church of the Primacy of Peter Search: Primacy of Peter Tabgha (bing.com in Bing)
Magdala Center (Duc in Altum Chapel) Search: Magdala Center Galilee (bing.com in Bing)
🗓️ Daily Itinerary & Symbolic Acts
Feb 21 – Arrival at the Sea of Galilee
🌊 Symbolic Act: “Stepping Onto the Shore of Calling”
Travel from Nazareth to Tabgha
Walk the shoreline where Christ called Peter, Andrew, James, and John
Offer the week for clarity of mission
Mass: Church of the Multiplication Stay: Pilgerhaus Tabgha
Feb 22 – Mount of Beatitudes
⛰️ Symbolic Act: “Receiving the Constitution of the Kingdom”
Visit the Mount of Beatitudes
Read Matthew 5–7 slowly
Ask Christ to form your interior law
Mass: Mount of Beatitudes Chapel or Tabgha Stay: Pilgerhaus
Feb 23 – Capernaum (Town of Jesus)
🏠 Symbolic Act: “Letting Christ Teach in Your House”
Visit Capernaum:
House of Peter
Synagogue where Jesus taught
Reflect on authority, healing, and spiritual leadership
Mass: St. Peter’s Memorial (Capernaum) Stay: Pilgerhaus
Feb 24 – Sea of Galilee Boat Day
⛵ Symbolic Act: “Learning to Walk on Water”
Take a simple boat ride on the Sea of Galilee
Read Matthew 14:22–33
Offer your fears, storms, and uncertainties to Christ
Mass: Magdala (Duc in Altum) Stay: Pilgerhaus
Feb 25 – Magdala & Mary Magdalene
🌹 Symbolic Act: “Letting Christ Call You by Name”
Visit Magdala
Pray in the Encounter Chapel
Reflect on healing, identity, and restored dignity
Mass: Magdala Stay: Pilgerhaus
Feb 26 – Primacy of Peter
🗝️ Symbolic Act: “Do You Love Me?”
Visit the Church of the Primacy of Peter
Pray John 21 on the shoreline
Renew your love for Christ and your willingness to serve
Mass: Primacy of Peter Stay: Pilgerhaus
Feb 27 – Golan Heights / Hermon Region (Optional Adventure Day)
⛰️ Symbolic Act: “Strength for the High Places”
Optional hike or scenic overlook
Reflect on the Transfiguration (Mount Hermon region)
Offer your desire for spiritual clarity and courage
Mass: Tabgha Stay: Pilgerhaus
Feb 28 – Departure & Sending Forth
🌅 Symbolic Act: “Launching Into the Deep”
Final sunrise on the Sea of Galilee
Whisper the prayer: “Lord, command me to come to You on the waters.”
Depart strengthened for the next stage: Jerusalem
Mass: Church of the Multiplication Stay: Pilgerhaus (checkout)
💶 Cost Snapshot (Per Person)
Lodging (7 nights): $350–$525
Meals: $175–$245
Transport: $90–$160
Entrance Fees: $20–$50
Total: $635–$980
FEBRUARY 21 Saturday after Ash Wednesday
Deuteronomy, Chapter 1, Verse 21
See, the LORD, your God, has given
this land over to you. Go up and take possession of it, as the LORD, the God of
your ancestors, has promised you. Do not FEAR
or be dismayed.”
God gave the land of Israel to the Israelites as an eternal
possession; land could be leased to pay debts, but it always reverted back to
the family who owned it. In a similar way Christ has given the possession of
your eternal soul back over to you after you leased it out to the evil one. Do
not fear or be dismayed to take
possession of it.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring
glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives and
recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, and to proclaim a
year acceptable to the Lord. (Luke 4:18-19)
As children of God we must take possession our soul just as
the Israelites took possession of the land. A man in possession of his soul
seeks to live in such a way that he does not lose possession of his soul. He
strives to place first things first
and he endeavors to follow God’s holy Will in his life. Conversion means
turning to God and keeping the four last things in our mind when we are
tempted: Death, Judgment, Heaven and hell. Immediately after death we will be
judged and our private judgment will be repeated on the Day of Judgment; when
all men will know us for what we are. If we have done our best and followed
Christ’s commandments (if you love me you
will keep my commandments) we will join Him in Heaven but if we have
ignored His commandments and refused to make use of His help (via the church
sacraments) we shall be condemned to hell.[1].
Therefore; strive to love God in your daily life and make use of His grace.
When you fall, immediately make a prayer in honor of the Wound of His Holy
Shoulder making use of His grace in the sacrament of confession at the earliest
opportunity and receive Holy Communion.
O Loving Jesus, meek
Lamb of God, I miserable sinner, salute and worship the most Sacred Wound of
Thy Shoulder on which Thou didst bear Thy heavy Cross, which so tore Thy flesh
and laid bare Thy Bones as to inflict on Thee an anguish greater than any other
wound of Thy Most Blessed Body. I adore Thee, O Jesus most sorrowful; I praise
and glorify Thee, and give Thee thanks for this most sacred and painful Wound,
beseeching Thee by that exceeding pain, and by the crushing burden of Thy heavy
Cross to be merciful to me, a sinner, to forgive me all my mortal and venial
sins, and to lead me on towards Heaven along the Way of Thy Cross. Amen.
Imprimatur: Thomas D. Beven, Bishop of Springfield
It is related in the annals of Clairvaux that St. Bernard
asked our Lord which was His greatest unrecorded suffering, and Our Lord
answered: "I had on My Shoulder, while I bore My Cross on the Way of
Sorrows, a grievous Wound, which was more painful than the others, and which is
not recorded by men. Honor this wound with thy devotion, and I will grant thee
whatsoever thou dost ask through its virtue and merit. And in regard to all
those who shall venerate this Wound, I will remit to them all their venial sins,
and will no longer remember their mortal sins."[2]
Daily Devotions/Prayers
Drops of Christ’s Blood[3]St. Elizabeth, Queen of Hungary,
with St. Matilda and St. Bridget, wishing to know something of the Passion of
Jesus Christ, offered fervent and special prayers. Upon which Our Lord revealed
to them:
To all the faithful who shall
recite for 3 years, each day, 2 Our Fathers, 2 Hail Mary’s and
2 Glory Be’s in honor of the drops of Blood I lost, I will concede the
following 5 graces:
The
plenary indulgence and remittance of your sins.
You
will be free from the pains of Purgatory.
If
you should die before completing the said 3 years, for you it will be the same
as if you had completed them.
It
will be upon your death the same as if you had shed all your blood for the Holy
Faith.
I
will descend from Heaven to take your soul and that of your relatives, until
the fourth generation.
Blessed by His
Holiness Pope Leo XIII in Rome, April 5, 1890
The
thought of saving souls should always be on our mind. St. John Bosco stated it
well. "There is nothing more holy in this world than to work for the good
of souls, for whose salvation Jesus Christ poured out the last drops of His
blood." St. Vincent de Paul tells us that: "The salvation of men and
our own are so great a good that they merit to be obtained at any
price."
Sad to say, the
great majority of catholics put forth little or no effort in promoting the
greater honor and glory of god and the salvation of souls. Let us keep in mind
that if we manage to save one soul, we also ensure the salvation of our own.
The holy ghost reveals this to us in the holy bible. [st. James 5: 19-20] this
little practice gives us a very easy way to save.
My
dear brothers and sisters, not only is prayer very powerful; even more, it’s of
the utmost necessity for overcoming the enemies of our salvation. Look at all
the saints: They weren’t content with watching and fighting to overcome the
enemies of their salvation and with keepingwell away from all
that could offer them temptation. They passed their whole lives in prayer, not
only the day, but very often the whole night as well. Yes, my dear children, we
watch over ourselves and all the motions of our hearts in vain, and in vain we
avoid temptation, if we don’t pray. If we don’t continually resort to prayer,
all our other ways will be of no use at all to us, and we’ll be overcome. We
won’t find any sinner converted without turning to prayer. We won’t find one
persevering without depending heavily on prayer. Nor will we ever find a
Christian who ends up damned whose downfall didn’t begin with a lack of prayer.
We can see, too, how much the Devil fears those who pray, since there’s not a
moment of the day when he tempts us more than when we’re at prayer. He does
everything he possibly can to prevent us from praying. When the Devil wants to
make someone lose his soul, he starts out by inspiring in him a profound
distaste for prayer. However good a Christian he may be, if the Devil succeeds
in making him either say his prayers badly or neglect them altogether, he’s
certain to have that person for himself. Yes, my dear brothers and sisters,
from the moment that we neglect to pray, we move with big steps towards hell.
We’llnever return to God if we don’t resort to prayer.
Despite
West Point Military Academy’s rigorous selection process, one in five students
drop out by graduation day. A sizeable number leave the summer before freshman
year, when cadets go through a rigorous program called “Beast.” Beast consists
of extreme physical, mental, and social challenges that are designed to test
candidates’ perseverance. University of Pennsylvania psychologist Angela
Duckworth conducted a study in which she sought to determine which cadets would
make it through the Beast program. The rigorous interviews and testing that
cadets went through to get into West Point in the first place told Angela that
IQ and talent weren’t the deciding factors. So, Angela developed her own test
to determine which cadets had the mental strength to conquer the Beast. She
called it the “Grit Scale,” and it was a highly accurate predictor of cadet
success. The Grit Scale measures mental strength, which is that unique
combination of passion, tenacity, and stamina that enables you to stick with
your goals until they become a reality. To increase your mental strength, you
simply need to change your outlook. When hard times hit, people with mental
strength suffer just as much as everyone else. The difference is that they
understand that life’s challenging moments offer valuable lessons. In the end,
it’s these tough lessons that build the strength you need to succeed. Developing
mental strength is all about habitually doing the things that no one else is
willing to do. If you aren’t doing the following things on a regular basis, you
should be, for these are the habits that mentally strong people rely on.
You must fight when you already feel
defeated. A reporter once asked Muhammad Ali how many sit-ups he
does every day. He responded, “I don’t count my sit-ups, I only start
counting when it starts hurting, when I feel pain, cause that’s when it
really matters.” The same applies to success in the workplace. You always
have two choices when things begin to get tough: you can either overcome
an obstacle and grow in the process or let it beat you. Humans are
creatures of habit. If you quit when things get tough, it gets that much
easier to quit the next time. On the other hand, if you force yourself to
push through a challenge, the strength begins to grow in you.
You must delay gratification. There was a famous Stanford
experiment in which an administrator left a child in a room with a
marshmallow for 15 minutes. Before leaving, the experimenter told the
child that she was welcome to eat it, but if she waited until he returned
without eating it, she would get a second marshmallow. The children that
were able to wait until the experimenter returned experienced better
outcomes in life, including higher SAT scores, greater career success, and
even lower body mass indexes. The point is that delay of gratification and
patience are essential to success. People with mental strength know that
results only materialize when you put in the time and forego instant
gratification.
You must make mistakes, look like an
idiot, and try again — without even flinching. In a recent study at the College of William and Mary,
researchers interviewed over 800 entrepreneurs and found that the most
successful among them tend to have two critical things in common: they’re
terrible at imagining failure and they tend not to care what other people
think of them. In other words, the most successful entrepreneurs put no
time or energy into stressing about their failures as they see failure as
a small and necessary step in the process of reaching their goals.
You must keep your emotions in check.
Negative emotions challenge your mental strength every step of the way.
While it’s impossible not to feel your emotions, it’s completely under
your power to manage them effectively and to keep yourself in control of
them. When you let your emotions overtake your ability to think clearly,
it’s easy to lose your resolve. A bad mood can make you lash out or stray
from your chosen direction just as easily as a good mood can make you
overconfident and impulsive.
You must make the calls you’re afraid
to make. Sometimes we have to do things we don’t want to do
because we know they’re for the best in the long-run: fire someone,
cold-call a stranger, pull an all-nighter to get the company server
backup, or scrap a project and start over. It’s easy to let the looming
challenge paralyze you, but the most successful people know that in these
moments, the best thing they can do is to get started right away. Every
moment spent dreading the task subtracts time and energy from actually
getting it done. People that learn to habitually make the tough calls
stand out like flamingos in a flock of seagulls.
You must trust your gut.
There’s a fine line between trusting your gut and being impulsive.
Trusting your gut is a matter of looking at decisions from every possible
angle, and when the facts don’t present a clear alternative, you believe
in your ability to make the right decision; you go with what looks and
feels right.
You must lead when no one else follows. It’s easy to set a direction and
to believe in yourself when you have support, but the true test of
strength is how well you maintain your resolve when nobody else believes
in what you’re doing. People with mental strength believe in themselves no
matter what, and they stay the course until they win people over to their
ways of thinking.
You must focus on the details even when
it makes your mind numb.
Nothing tests your mental strength like mind-numbing details, especially
when you’re tired. The more people with mental strength are challenged,
the more they dig in and welcome that challenge, and numbers and details
are no exception to this.
You must be kind to people who are rude
to you. When people treat you poorly, it’s tempting to stoop to
their level and return the favor. People with mental strength don’t allow
others to walk all over them, but that doesn’t mean they’re rude to them,
either. Instead, they treat rude and cruel people with the same kindness
they extend to everyone else, because they don’t allow another person’s
negativity to bring them down.
You must be accountable for your
actions, no matter what.People are far more likely to remember
how you dealt with a problem than they are to recall how you created it in
the first place. By holding yourself accountable, even when making excuses
is an option, you show that you care about results more than your image or
ego.
Copilot’s
Take
Confronting
evil begins with reclaiming what God has already restored. Just as Israel was
commanded to take possession of the land that was theirs by promise, Christ
commands us to take possession of our souls—souls He has already redeemed at
the price of His wounds. Evil’s first tactic is always fear: fear of prayer,
fear of repentance, fear of responsibility, fear of holiness. But Scripture
cuts through that fog with a single command: Do not fear or be dismayed.
The man who keeps prayer alive, who remembers the Four Last Things, who returns
again and again to the mercy flowing from Christ’s wounds, becomes interiorly
unassailable. He may fall, but he rises. He may be tempted, but he refuses to
surrender. He may be weak, but he clings to the One who is strong.
This
is the quiet heroism the saints understood: holiness is not brilliance or
talent but perseverance—grit in the service of grace. The devil fears the soul
that prays because prayer anchors a man in reality, restores clarity, and keeps
him from drifting into the slow erosion that leads to ruin. And when a man
begins to live for the salvation of souls—his own and others—he steps into the
very mission for which Christ shed His blood. In that mission, every act of
fidelity becomes a blow against darkness, every confession a reclaiming of
territory, every prayer a declaration that the land has already been given and
the victory already won.
Saturday
after Ash Wednesday
EPISTLE. Isaias Iviii. 9-14.
THUS,
saith the Lord God: If thou wilt take away the chain out of the midst of thee,
and cease to stretch out the finger, and to speak that which is good for
nothing. When thou shalt pour out thy soul to the hungry, and shalt satisfy the
afflicted soul, then shall thy light rise up in darkness, and thy darkness
shall be as the noonday. And the Lord will give thee rest continually, and will
fill thy soul with brightness, and deliver thy bones, and thou shalt be like a
watered garden, and like a fountain of water whose waters shall not fail. And
the places that have been desolate for ages shall be built in thee: thou shalt
raise up the foundations of generation and generation: and thou shalt be called
the repairer of the fences, turning the paths into rest. If thou turn away thy
foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy own will in My holy day, and call the
Sabbath delightful, and the holy of the Lord glorious, and glorify Him, while
thou dost not thy own ways, and thy own will is not found, to speak a word : then
shalt thou be delighted in the Lord, and I will lift thee up above the high
places of the earth, and will feed thee with the inheritance of Jacob thy
father. For the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.
GOSPEL. Mark vi. 47-56.
At
that time: When it was late, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and Jesus
alone on the land. And seeing them laboring in rowing (for the wind was against
them), and about the fourth watch of the night He cometh to them walking upon
the sea, and He would have passed by them. But they seeing Him walking upon the
sea, thought it was an apparition, and they cried out. For they all saw Him,
and were troubled. And immediately He spoke with them, and said to them: Have a
good heart, it is I, fear ye not. And He went up to them into the ship, and the
wind ceased: and they were far more astonished within themselves: for they
understood not concerning the loaves; for their heart was blinded. And when
they had passed over, they came into the land of Genesareth, and set to the
shore. And when they were gone out of the ship, immediately they knew Him: and
running through that whole country, they began to carry about in beds those
that were sick, where they heard He was. And whithersoever He entered, into
towns or into villages or cities, they laid the sick in the streets, and
besought Him that they might touch but the hem of His garment: and as many as
touched Him were made whole.
Prayer.
May
Thy faithful, O Lord, be confirmed by Thy gifts, that, receiving them, they may
seek them, and seeking may receive them forever. Through Christ,
First,
while it is true that fasting is not the most important thing in the world,
this does not make fasting irrelevant or unimportant. There are, certainly,
more urgent things to abstain from than food or drink, such as maliciousness,
backbiting, grumbling, etc. But a person is mistaken to conclude that he
therefore does not need to fast. He should not believe that he can ignore
fasting and instead abstain in more important matters. Rather, fasting and
avoiding those other vices go hand in hand. Fasting must accompany efforts to
abstain in greater matters. For one thing, fasting teaches a person how to
abstain in the first place.
Moreover,
it is presumptuous for a person to try to practice the greater virtues without
first paying attention to the smaller ones. As Our Lord says, "He who is
faithful in a very little is faithful also in much"1 and so can be trusted with greater
things. Therefore, if a person wants to be able to abstain in greater matters
he must not neglect to abstain in smaller matters, such as through fasting.
Finally,
there is a subtle form of pride present in the person who says that because
something is not very important, he does not need to do it. Whoever makes such
a claim implies that he does only important things. But the average person is
rarely called to do very important things. Accordingly, each person is more
likely to be judged on how he did the little, everyday things. Even when,
rarely, a person is called to do a great work, how often does he fall short?
All the more reason, then, for a person to make sure that he at least does the
small things well. Furthermore, if he truly loves the Lord, he will gladly do
anything—big or small—for him. So, in the end, saying that fasting is not the
most important thing is not a good excuse for avoiding it.
What,
then, is the reason for fasting?
To answer this let us first clarify what fasting entails. It
involves more than the occasional fast, such as on Good Friday. To be
effective, fasting requires disciplined eating habits all the time. There are
certainly days when a person should make a greater effort at abstaining from
food and drink. These are what we usually consider days of fasting and they
must be practiced regularly. But, still, there are never days when a person is
allowed to abandon all restraint. A person must always practice some restraint
over his appetites, or those periodic days of fasting are valueless. Always
keeping a check on his desires, a person develops good habits, which foster
constancy in his interior life. So, in addition to practicing days of fasting
on a regular basis, a person should continuously restrain his desires, such as
those that incline him to eat too much, to be too concerned with what he eats,
or to eat too often.
We
might, then speak of the discipline of fasting in order to avoid the impression
that fasting is sporadic. The operative principle behind the discipline of
fasting is simple: to limit yourself to only what is necessary for your
physical and psychological health—no more, no less. St. Augustine puts it
concisely when he teaches: "As far as your health allows, keep your bodily
appetites in check by fasting and abstinence from food and drink." So,
fasting is meant only to keep a person's unnecessary wants in check. A person
is not— nor is he permitted—to deny himself what is necessary for his health.
The discipline of fasting instead asks a person to check his desires for what
is superfluous and not necessary.
Bible in a Year Day 234 Jeremiah Complains
Fr. Mike teaches us about
recognizing our limitations especially when trying to compete with God. We also
see how the Lord listens to Jeremiah’s complaints and responds to him in a
peculiar but hopeful way. Today’s readings are Jeremiah 12-13, Ezekiel 41-42,
and Proverbs 15:9-12.
Starring: Gregory Peck, Susan Hayward, Ava Gardner, Hildegard Knef Studio: 20th Century Fox Genre: Adventure / Romance / Moral Drama
⭐ Plot Summary
Wounded and stranded on safari at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, writer Harry Street (Gregory Peck) drifts between fevered dreams and painful clarity as he confronts the truth of his life. Surrounded by the African wilderness and believing death is near, Harry revisits the loves, ambitions, and failures that shaped him—especially his passionate, haunting relationship with Cynthia (Ava Gardner), the woman whose loss he never recovered from.
Beside him is Helen (Susan Hayward), steadfast and self‑sacrificing, whose devotion forces Harry to face the difference between the life he lived and the life he could have lived. Through sweeping flashbacks—Paris, Spain, Africa—the film becomes a meditation on wasted talent, the ache of regret, and the possibility of redemption before the final hour.
It’s a lush, emotionally searching mid‑century drama—romantic, reflective, and morally resonant.
🎭 Cast Highlights
Actor
Role
Notes
Gregory Peck
Harry Street
Brooding, introspective, and quietly tormented; a man wrestling with his own legacy.
Susan Hayward
Helen
Loyal, grounded, and courageous; the film’s moral center.
Ava Gardner
Cynthia
Magnetic, impulsive, and unforgettable; the embodiment of lost love.
Hildegard Knef
Countess Liz
Elegant and enigmatic; adds texture to Harry’s emotional journey.
🕊️ Catholic & Moral Themes
1. The examination of conscience at the edge of death
Harry’s fevered reflections mirror the soul’s reckoning before judgment—what was loved, what was wasted, what was left undone.
2. Talent is a stewardship, not a possession
Harry’s greatest sin is not immorality but squandered gift. The film quietly affirms that vocation carries responsibility.
3. Love that sacrifices redeems what regret cannot
Helen’s fidelity becomes the unexpected grace in Harry’s final trial, revealing that mercy often arrives through the steadfast love of another.
🍸 Hospitality Pairing
A story of memory, regret, and unexpected grace calls for something warm, contemplative, and quietly restorative.
“The Kilimanjaro Ember”
Bourbon or aged whiskey
A touch of honey
A dash of bitters
Served over a single large ice cube
Strong, reflective, and warming—like a fire lit against the cold snows of a life reconsidered.
Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. (Luke 2:8-9)
·Start February 20 (or 21st in a leap year) to end on March 25, the feast of the Annunciation
NIC’s Rich/Poor tour-This one has a beautiful contrast: the smallest, wealthiest Catholic-rooted nation in the world versus one of the largest, poorest, and most spiritually dynamic.
💎 Luxembourg vs India
Cathedrals of Abundance / Chapels of Awakening
Luxembourg stands as the wealthiest nation on earth — a polished, compact Catholic inheritance shaped by finance, stability, and quiet prosperity. India, just above Papua New Guinea on the GDP ladder, is a vast, restless, spiritually volcanic land where Catholicism survives as a minority but burns with missionary fire. Together, they reveal the extremes of the Church’s global presence: abundance without urgency, and awakening without comfort.
🇱🇺 Luxembourg — Wealthy, Stable, and Culturally Catholic
GDP per capita (PPP): ~$140,000 USD (2024)
🧮 Why Luxembourg Ranks Highest
Financial Powerhouse: Global banking, investment funds, and EU institutions.
Political Stability: Low corruption, high trust, and strong governance.
Small but Efficient: A microstate with world-class infrastructure.
Multilingual Workforce: French, German, Luxembourgish, and English.
High Living Standards: Universal healthcare, generous social protections.
✝️ Catholic Landscape
Membership: ~70% nominally Catholic (though practice is low).
Structure: One archdiocese covering the entire country.
Heritage: Ancient abbeys, Marian shrines, and Benedictine influence.
Modern Reality: Cultural Catholicism dominates; active practice is modest.
Immigrant Presence: Portuguese Catholics form a vibrant portion of parish life.
Cultural Catholicism: Identity without discipleship.
Vocations: Very few native priests.
Demographic Shifts: Immigration reshapes parish life.
🌿 Pilgrimage Cue
Luxembourg is a journey into cathedrals of abundance — where the faith is preserved in stone and statute, yet waits quietly for hearts to awaken beyond comfort.
🇮🇳 India — Vast, Poor, and Spiritually Explosive
GDP per capita (PPP): ~$9,000 USD (2024)
🧮 Why India Ranks Low
Massive Population: Wealth spread thin across 1.4 billion people.
Rural Poverty: Agriculture-dependent livelihoods.
Infrastructure Gaps: Uneven healthcare, education, and sanitation.
Economic Inequality: Urban tech hubs vs rural deprivation.
Social Complexity: Caste, religion, and regional disparities.
✝️ Catholic Landscape
Membership: ~20 million Catholics (~1.5% of population).
Structure: 174 dioceses across Latin, Syro-Malabar, and Syro-Malankara rites.
Missionary Fire: Schools, hospitals, and social outreach everywhere.
Liturgy: Rich inculturation — Indian music, dance, and vestments.
Witness: Catholics often lead in education, charity, and healthcare.
⚠️ Challenges
Persecution: Rising hostility in some regions.
Poverty: Limits parish resources and formation.
Migration: Youth leaving rural areas for cities or abroad.
Caste Tensions: Converts often face social backlash.
🌿 Pilgrimage Cue
India is a journey into chapels of awakening — where the Gospel is proclaimed in crowded streets, village huts, and ancient Eastern rites, carried by a Church that grows through suffering and service.
🕊️ Editorial Reflection
Luxembourg and India reveal the Gospel’s paradox in its sharpest form. Luxembourg is wealthy beyond measure, yet spiritually quiet — a cathedral of abundance where faith rests in memory and heritage. India is materially poor but spiritually alive — a chapel of awakening where the Church grows through sacrifice, courage, and relentless service.
One has everything except urgency. The other has nothing except fire. Both are part of the same Body.
The Rich vs Poor Tour reminds us that the Church is not measured by GDP but by grace — and grace often burns brightest where comfort is scarce.
February 20 Friday
after Ash Wednesday
Francisco & Jacinta Marto
Deuteronomy, Chapter
1, Verse 19
Then we set out from Horeb and
journeyed through that whole vast and FEARFUL
wilderness that you have seen, in the direction of the hill country of the
Amorites, as the LORD, our God, had commanded; and we came to Kadesh-barnea.
Chapel of Holy Cross
Kadesh-barnea means “The holy place of the desert of wandering”[1]
Sometimes the Lord asks us to go out into the desert for it is in the desert
that we can; like Abraham and Moses, have an encounter with the living God.
Deserts are fearful places and are full of rocks, pointy things, snakes,
spiders and the indescribable beauty of God’s creation. By encountering God in
the desert, we learn that the very same stones that somehow get in our shoes
and make progress impossible are the very same stones that lay foundations,
bridges, and roads.
In the desert we can search for God; avoid of our
distractions and find Him. In the desert we can write out our sins and confess
them to God. In the desert we can shed our old lives like the snake sheds its
skin and find a new perspective for life. It is during this time alone with; He
that IS; we make a spiritual change of clothes. In the desert we can make an
all-night vigil and with the coming of the new day we can proclaim as in the
Negro spiritual: When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun, O
Lord, have mercy on me. For it is in the desert that we can quit deluding
ourselves and be doers of the word and not hearers only. For it is in the
desert with can find the strength to keep ourselves unstained by the world and
find that pure and undefiled religion is to care for others in their
afflictions.
The chapel was inspired and commissioned by local rancher
and sculptor Marguerite Brunswig Staude, who had been inspired in 1932 by the
newly constructed Empire State Building to build such a church. After an
attempt to do so in Budapest, Hungary (with the help of Lloyd Wright, son of
noted architect Frank Lloyd Wright) was aborted due to the
outbreak of World War II, she decided to build the church in her native region.
The chapel is built on Coconino National Forest land; the late Senator Barry
Goldwater assisted Staude in obtaining a special-use permit. The
construction supervisor was Fred Courkos, who built the chapel in 18 months at
a cost of US$300,000. The chapel was completed in 1956. The American Institute
of Architects gave the Chapel its Award of Honor in 1957. In the sculptor's
words, “Though Catholic in faith, as a work of art the Chapel has a universal
appeal. Its doors will ever be open to one and all, regardless of creed, that
God may come to life in the souls of all men (and women) and be a living
reality.” In 2007, Arizonans voted the Chapel to be one of the Seven Man-Made
Wonders of Arizona, and it is also the site of one of the so-called Sedona
vortices (New Age Pagan stuff).
Today go on a hike
pray for those afflicted with the Spirit of the world and for our Priests and
religious. Below is the link for my hiking meditation: feel free to use it to
go out to a deserted place to pray for those you care about.
What
the desert ultimately exposes is the quiet truth we spend most of our lives
avoiding: evil is not first “out there,” but crouched at the thresholds of our
own habits, compromises, and unexamined desires. Wandering becomes holy when we
stop pretending and start confronting. The wilderness teaches that God does not
remove the serpents, the sharp stones, or the long distances; instead, He
trains us to walk with a steadier step, to discern the hiss of the tempter from
the whisper of the Spirit, and to recognize that every hardship becomes
material for the road He is building beneath our feet. The desert is where we
stop negotiating with the world’s illusions and begin consenting to God’s
reality.
And
places like the Chapel of the Holy Cross remind us that confrontation is not
always loud. Sometimes it is a Cross anchored into the spine of the earth, a
quiet defiance carved into stone. When you hike today, let the landscape teach
you how to stand: not as a man bracing for battle, but as one who has already
surrendered to the only One who conquers. Pray for those who have forgotten who
they are, for priests who carry the weight of spiritual combat, and for the
courage to let God strip away whatever keeps you from being fully His. The
desert does not merely reveal evil — it reveals the strength God gives to face
it.
Between
May 13 and October 13, 1917, three children, Portuguese shepherds from
Aljustrel, received apparitions of Our Lady at Cova da Iria, near Fatima, a
city 110 miles north of Lisbon. At that time, Europe was involved in an
extremely bloody war. Portugal itself was in political turmoil, having
overthrown its monarchy in 1910; the government disbanded religious
organizations soon after. At the first appearance, Mary asked the children to
return to that spot on the thirteenth of each month for the next six months.
She also asked them to learn to read and write and to pray the rosary “to
obtain peace for the world and the end of the war.” They were to pray for
sinners and for the conversion of Russia, which had recently overthrown Czar
Nicholas II and was soon to fall under communism. Up to 90,000 people gathered
for Mary’s final apparition on October 13, 1917. Less than two years later, Francisco
died of influenza in his family home. He was buried in the parish cemetery
and then re-buried in the Fatima Basilica in 1952. Jacinta died of influenza
in Lisbon, offering her suffering for the conversion of sinners, peace in the
world and the Holy Father. She was re-buried in the Fatima Basilica in 1951.
Their cousin, Lucia dos Santos, became a Carmelite nun and was still living
when Jacinta and Francisco were beatified in 2000. Sister Lucia died five years
later. The shrine of Our Lady of Fatima is visited by up to 20 million people a
year.
Pardon
Prayer taught by the Angel of Peace to Jacinta, Francisco, and Lucia in Fatima
during his first apparition in 1916.
Prayer:
My
God,
I believe, I adore, I hope and I love Thee!
I beg pardon for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope, and do
not love Thee.
Amen.
This
prayer was given by the Angel of Fatima to Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta.
Prayer:
Oh Most Holy Trinity,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
I adore Thee profoundly.
I offer Thee the most precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity
of Jesus Christ, present in all the tabernacles of the world,
in reparation for the outrages, sacrileges and
indifferences by which He is offended.
By the infinite merits of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
and the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
I beg the conversion of poor sinners.
Amen.
February 20th Bls. Francisco Marto & Jacinta Marto[4]
Fr. Mike reflects on Jeremiah’s sorrow for the people of
Israel while reminding us that the one thing we ought to find glory in, is in
understanding and knowing God. In our reading of Ezekiel, we hear about God's
ongoing promise to restore Israel. Today’s readings are Jeremiah 9, Ezekiel 39,
and Proverbs 15:1-4.
Top 10 Health and Fitness Tips from George
Washington
George
Washington was a man fit to be king. In fact, he was offered the crown by the
victorious Americans after the cessation of the American War of
Independence. He was one of the richest men in colonial America and a
successful general who commanded a great deal of respect and followed the
teachings of the Age of Enlightenment. While George refused to rule as a king,
he was less hesitant to share his insights on matters relating to health,
wealth, and politics. “I hope I
shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most
enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man.” George Washington
·Health Should Be a Top Priority
President
George Washington believed that our health should be one of the most important
priorities in life. President Washington really knew the value of health in our
lives. Because without our health, it’s almost impossible to live life to the
fullest. In order to enjoy and carry out day-to-day tasks, we need to be able
to walk, breathe on our own, lift objects, have fun and so much more. Shortly
before his passing, the former President wrote that “Health was amongst (if not
the most) precious gift of Heaven, and without it we are but little capable of
business, or enjoyment.”
·Be An Active & Healthy Leader
Not many know that George
Washington was actively involved in the military, serving for a span of over 40
years. It was his heroic and strategic service in the United States
military where he became known as the Father of our Country. While in the
military, George Washington was constantly on his feet, leading his people
through battles, and persevering under pressure. Leadership is known to be
associated with improved relationships, increased mood, positive outlook,
increased self-confidence, and many more positive attributes. If you want to
impact the health of other people, as well as yourself, then it’s best to lead
by example. The types of social, emotional, and mental health benefits that
being a leader can bring are endless!
Get Fit for Life’s Battles
According to the record
books, George Washington was a strong, well-built man. He grew up with an
athletic frame and with a 6’2 stature, he was described by his military
partner as “175 pounds paddles with well-developed muscles, indicating great strength.”
Another description of him by historian David McCullough explains how he stood
out as a soldier and general for his strapping appearance. This type of build
really helped him out when he had to fight his opposers or climb the Natural
Bridge. Whether Washington was riding a horse for hours on end, or getting
pierced by 4 musket balls, his great strength aided him through it all. You
never know what daily battles you might have to face, but lifting weights is always a huge
advantage to face what lies ahead!
Eat A Variety of Healthy
Foods
America’s
first President was able to enjoy many different cuisines because he
was so wealthy. He ate fish such as sturgeon, along with many
different fruits like cherries, and protein packed nuts. George Washington was
fortunate to own many farms and facilities that enabled him to consume plenty
of nutrient rich foods. Though you don’t have to be rich to be healthy! Fruits,
vegetables, and different sources of protein can be bought at reasonable
prices. These foods are jam-packed with nutrients that protect the heart
against certain diseases, cancers and even strokes. They also aid in muscle growth
and repair while strengthening the immune system.
Get Active Outside
George Washington took an
interest in farming and American agriculture very early on. He was passionate
about making the agriculture industry better for his people. This included a
lot of rehabilitation on his farm on Mount Vernon. Although he wasn’t the one
actually doing the farming, we can still learn from the health benefits that
comes with this activity. Farming and gardening contribute to mental clarity and
stress relief. According to the CDC, physical benefits associated with this
moderate-intensity activity contribute to reductions in obesity, diabetes, high
blood pressure, depression, osteoporosis, and colon cancer.
Adopt A Furry Friend
Did you know that George
Washington loved dogs and bred them? His journals were infused with numerous
breeding accounts that included his own special “Virginia Hound” breed. Using
these dogs, he indulged sometimes two or three times a week in one of his favorite
pleasures: fox-hunting. Having a furry companion by your side greatly
influences your health in many ways from boosting the immune system to
increasing your quality of life. Take a look at all of the health and
fitness benefits of owning a furry friend here!
Go Dancing!
Not only did George
Washington like to move on the battlefield, but he liked to get down on the
ballroom floor too. During the American Revolution, balls were often held where
the General “danced upwards of three hours without once sitting down,” General
Greene stated in 1779. He was seen gracefully dancing with elation spread
across his face. It’s no wonder that he was so content since dancing is known
to boost mood and confidence! Dancing has many physical and mental health
benefits. Those include improved heart and lung function, muscle tone,
strength, endurance, as well as stronger bones, improved balance and social
skills. Learn how busting a move can be incredibly beneficial to your
health here!
Read A New Book
We all know the peaceful
effects that reading can have on us during a rainy day. But surprisingly, reading has a lot of other health benefits
for the average Joe. George Washington was an avid reader in his day. Owning
more than 1,200 books, he turned to them to improve his political,
militant, and agricultural prowess. You could say George Washington was
self-educated from all the time he spent gathering the important information
that made him so successful. According to York University researchers, reading
helps boost brain power and memory, reduce stress, increase longevity, and even
create feelings of empathy. So pick up a good book to expand your
knowledge and increase your imagination!
Be Social
We all know how much
healthy friendships benefit our mental health by keeping us happy and
healthy. Not only was George Washington great at running the country, but
he was an excellent communicator. He loved having company over for parties
as well as connecting with the ladies! Besides dancing, you could find him
engaging in meaningful conversations with his companions throughout
the night. Many studies show that having people to connect
with can keep your brain sharp and enrich your life by adding years to it!
Friends also reduce stress, decrease risk of stroke, and can help beat the
common cold!
Always Persevere
One of the most honorable
things about former President George Washington was the fact that he was a man
of character. His self-control in such a challenging time
period allowed him his courage to shine through on the battlefield.
He persevered under pressures of militant lifestyle, while keeping his
integrity intact. Even though he failed many times, he stayed positive and kept
pushing through. Resilience has a way of impacting our health for the better,
and is especially required when things get tough. By staying positive and
moving forward we improve our emotional, mental, and physical health.
Happy emotions contribute to a healthier immune system! Not to mention the
personal benefits such as increased confidence, motivation, and success.
Do
not be afraid of those who kill the
body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy
[6]Sheraton, Mimi. 1,000 Foods
To Eat Before You Die: A Food Lover's Life List (p. 892). Workman Publishing
Company. Kindle Edition.
🎞️ Secrets of a Secretary (1931)
Starring: Claudette Colbert, Herbert Marshall Studio: Paramount Pictures Genre: Drama / Romance / Society Intrigue
⭐ Plot Summary
When her wealthy father dies unexpectedly, Helen Blake (Claudette Colbert) discovers he was secretly bankrupt. Overnight she falls from high society into the working world, taking a job as secretary to the refined but enigmatic Lord Danforth (Herbert Marshall).
As Helen navigates predatory suitors, shifting loyalties, and the collapse of her former life, she must discern who is trustworthy, who is using her, and what kind of woman she will become now that the illusions of privilege have been stripped away.
It’s a polished, emotionally intelligent Pre‑Code drama—quiet, sharp, and morally observant.
🎭 Cast Highlights
Actor
Role
Notes
Claudette Colbert
Helen Blake
Smart, poised, and emotionally grounded; early-career sophistication.
Herbert Marshall
Lord Danforth
Elegant, ambiguous, and quietly magnetic.
Georges Renavent
Henri
Adds texture to the social intrigue.
Ned Sparks
Harold
Dry humor and world-weary commentary.
🕊️ Catholic & Moral Themes
Three themes rise naturally from the film’s arc:
1. Identity must be built on truth, not status
Helen’s fall from privilege exposes how fragile false identities are. Her dignity emerges only when she embraces reality rather than image.
2. Work is not a punishment — it is a path to integrity
The film treats labor with respect. Helen’s willingness to work becomes the crucible in which her character is refined.
3. Discernment is essential when power and charm intertwine
Lord Danforth’s intentions remain ambiguous for much of the story. Helen’s journey mirrors the spiritual need to test spirits, motives, and appearances.
🍸 Hospitality Pairing
A story about losing illusions and discovering authentic strength deserves a drink with elegance and restraint.
“The Quiet Resolve”
Dry champagne (a nod to Helen’s former world)
A splash of elderflower
A thin ribbon of lemon peel
Light, refined, and quietly strong — just like Helen’s transformation.
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