Sunday, February 15, 2026

Claire’s Corner

· Today in honor of the Holy Trinity do the Divine Office giving your day to God. To honor God REST: no shopping after 6 pm Saturday till Monday. Don’t forget the internet.

· Carnival Time begins in Catholic Countries.

Money

· Try: Paella for Two

How to celebrate Feb 15

Plan winter fun:

Soak in hot springs
Hit the snow slopes
Ride a snowmobile
Go for a dog sled ride
Ride a hot air balloon

Claire’s Perfect Weather World Tour

🌞 Week 7 — Tenerife, Canary Islands (Spain)

“Desert Light & Island Pilgrimage”
February 15–21, 2026
Base: Puerto de la Cruz — Northern Coast Oasis

🌦️ Overview
Tenerife in mid‑February is warm, dry, and luminous — 68–72°F, low humidity, and endless blue skies. The island blends volcanic landscapes, desert paths, laurel forests, black‑sand beaches, and a deep Catholic heritage.
Theme: pilgrimage, desert stillness, mountain ascent, and walking with God in the light.

📅 Daily Outline with Embedded Links

📌 Feb 15 — Arrival (First Sunday of Lent)

Flight: Madrid → Tenerife North via Binter Canarias

Mass: Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Peña de Francia — spain.info (spain.info in Bing) (bing.com in Bing)

Lodging: Hotel Botanico & The Oriental Spa Garden (~$180/night)

Meals: ~$55/day

Symbolic Act: “Beginning the Desert Walk” — write one thing to fast from this week

Fun: Try papas arrugadas with mojo sauce

📌 Feb 16 — Teide National Park (Monday)

Visit: Mount Teide

— UNESCO site — hellotenerife (hellotenerife.com in Bing) (bing.com in Bing)

Cable Car: Teide Cableway — volcanoteide.com

Mass: Evening Mass in Puerto de la Cruz

Symbolic Act: “Ascent with Christ” — pray at the summit overlook

Fun: Take a photo with the alien‑looking Roques de García formations

📌 Feb 17 — Anaga Forest & Coastal Villages (Tuesday)

Visit: Anaga Rural Park — ancient laurel forest — hellotenerife (hellotenerife.com in Bing) (bing.com in Bing)

Walk: Cruz del Carmen → Mirador Pico del Inglés

Mass: La Laguna Cathedral — spain.info (spain.info in Bing) (bing.com in Bing)

Symbolic Act: “Roots of Faith” — reflect among the ancient trees

Fun: Eat a barraquito — Tenerife’s layered coffee dessert

📌 Feb 18 — Los Gigantes Cliffs (Wednesday)

Visit: Los Gigantes — 2,000‑ft ocean cliffs — hellotenerife (hellotenerife.com in Bing) (bing.com in Bing)

Boat Tour: Dolphin & whale watching

Mass: Parish in Santiago del Teide

Symbolic Act: “God of the Heights & Depths” — pray by the cliff edge

Fun: Count how many dolphins race the boat

📌 Feb 19 — Candelaria Basilica (Thursday)

Visit: Basilica of Our Lady of Candelaria — spain.info (spain.info in Bing) (bing.com in Bing)

Mass: Midday Mass at the basilica

Symbolic Act: “Light in the Desert” — light a candle for someone who needs hope

Fun: See the Guanche king statues along the waterfront

📌 Feb 20 — Black‑Sand Beaches & Lava Pools (Friday)

Visit: Playa Jardín — black volcanic sand — hellotenerife (hellotenerife.com in Bing) (bing.com in Bing)

Swim: Lago Martiánez saltwater pools — martianez.es

Mass: Evening Mass in Puerto de la Cruz

Symbolic Act: “Beauty from Ashes” — reflect on God’s ability to transform

Fun: Build a black‑sand cross on the beach

📌 Feb 21 — Masca Valley & Farewell (Saturday)

Visit: Masca Village — dramatic mountain gorge — hellotenerife (hellotenerife.com in Bing) (bing.com in Bing)

Walk: Masca viewpoints + village paths

Mass: Saturday Vigil in Puerto de la Cruz

Symbolic Act: Leave a written prayer of gratitude overlooking the valley

Fun: Try gofio mousse, a Canarian dessert

💰 Cost Snapshot (Per Person)

Lodging (6 nights): ~$1,080

Meals (7 days): ~$385–$420

Tickets/Activities: ~$80–$140

Local Transport: ~$120–$180

Flight (Madrid → Tenerife): ~$90–$160
➡️ Total: $1,675–$1,900

February 15 Quinquagesima Sunday

Singles Awareness Day

o Devotion of the Seven Sundays: St Joseph-3^rd Sunday

Sirach, Chapter 15, Verse 13

Abominable wickedness the LORD hates and he does not let it happen to those who FEAR him.

Have you ever been so angry; livid at someone or something and then discovered the reason for your anger was directly correlated to a defect in yourself that you had buried and chose to ignore?

We all have and then realized that we are not as perfect as we pretend to be. Let us reflect on Paul’s advice to the Ephesians, “Brothers and sisters: I declare and testify in the Lord that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds; that is not how you learned Christ, assuming that you have heard of him and were taught in him, as truth is in Jesus, that you should put away the old self of your former way of life, corrupted through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created in God’s way in righteousness and holiness of truth. (Eph 4:17-20) By the renewal of our minds we through Christ’s grace check our feelings, moods and prejudices or preferences and strive to maintain the right intensions.

Lord, Grant that I may follow Your words in my daily life. Let Your truth teach me, guide me, and protect me and may it deliver me from all evil desires and foolish love. Let me esteem nothing as great, or valuable, or wonderful, except insofar as it makes me better and more pleasing in your eyes. In this way I shall never be a slave of this earth, but shall walk daily towards Heaven in Holy Fear.[1]

Copilot’s Take

When we finally face our anger with honesty, we often discover that the evil we thought we were condemning “out there” is actually rooted in something unresolved within us. Sirach reminds us that the Lord hates wickedness, yet protects those who fear Him—not by removing conflict, but by illuminating the hidden motives that distort our reactions. Paul’s call to “put away the old self” is not a moral slogan; it is an invitation to let Christ dismantle the interior patterns that make us defensive, reactive, or self‑deceived. The old self interprets everything through pride and woundedness, while the renewed mind sees with clarity, humility, and truth.

Confronting evil, then, begins with allowing Christ to confront us. Not to shame, but to reorder. Not to expose us to humiliation, but to free us from the inner hooks that temptation grabs onto. When grace interrupts our instinctive anger, we begin to see how often our outrage was simply the echo of our own unhealed places. And in that moment, the person we resented becomes the instrument God used to reveal what still needs redemption. This is the holy fear that guards us, the path that keeps us from slavery to the earth, and the quiet courage that turns our steps toward Heaven.

ON KEEPING THE LORD'S DAY HOLY[2]

CHAPTER II

DIES CHRISTI

The Day of the Risen Lord
and of the Gift
of the Holy Spirit

The day of the new creation

25. In effect, Sunday is the day above all other days which summons Christians to remember the salvation which was given to them in baptism and which has made them new in Christ. "You were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead" (Col 2:12; cf. Rom 6:4-6). The liturgy underscores this baptismal dimension of Sunday, both in calling for the celebration of baptisms — as well as at the Easter Vigil — on the day of the week "when the Church commemorates the Lord's Resurrection", and in suggesting as an appropriate penitential rite at the start of Mass the sprinkling of holy water, which recalls the moment of Baptism in which all Christian life is born.

Quinquagesima Sunday[3]

"We are going up to Jerusalem" -- a setting of the stage for the pilgrimage of Lent, and the one thing we must bring with us: charity. [Also, traditional time for going to confession]

In the Roman Catholic Church, the terms for this Sunday (and the two immediately before it — Sexagesima and Septuagesima Sundays) were eliminated in the reforms following the Second Vatican Council, and these Sundays are part of Ordinary Time. According to the reformed Roman Rite Roman Catholic calendar, this Sunday is now known by its number within Ordinary Time — fourth through ninth, depending upon the date of Easter. The earlier form of the Roman Rite, with its references to Quinquagesima Sunday, and to the Sexagesima and Septuagesima Sundays, continues to be observed in some communities. In traditional lectionaries, the Sunday concentrates on Luke 18:31–43, "Jesus took the twelve aside and said, 'Lo, we go to Jerusalem, and everything written by the prophets about the Son of Man shall be fulfilled' ... The disciples, however, understood none of this," which from verse 35 is followed by Luke's version of Healing the blind near Jericho. The passage presages the themes of Lent and Holy Week.

ON[4] this Sunday the Church, in the Introit, calls upon God for help, with a sorrowful but confident heart. Be Thou unto me a protector and place of refuge; save me, for Thou art my strength and refuge, and for Thy name’s sake Thou wilt be my leader, and wilt nourish me. In Thee, O Lord, have I hoped; let me never be confounded; deliver me in Thy justice, and set me free; (Ps. xxx. 3, 4, 2).

Mercifully hear our prayers, O Lord, we beseech Thee, and, absolving us from the bonds of sin, preserve us from all adversity. Amen.

EPISTLE, i. COT. xiii. 1-13.

Brethren: If I speak with the tongues of men, and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal; and if I should have prophecy, and should know all mysteries, and all knowledge, and if I should have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And if I should distribute all my goods to feed the poor, and if I should deliver my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity is patient, is kind: charity envieth not, dealeth not perversely, is not puffed up, is not ambitious, seeketh not her own, is not provoked to anger, thinketh no evil, rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth with the truth: beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never falleth away: whether prophecies shall be made void, or tongues shall cease, or knowledge shall be destroyed. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child. But when I became a man, I put away the things of a child. We see now through a glass in a dark manner: but then face to face. Now I know in part: but then I shall know even as I am known. And now there remain, faith, hope, charity: these three, but the greatest of these is charity.

Explanation. St. Paul here teaches the Romans, and us in them, the necessity, the qualities, and the advantages of charity: The necessity because all natural and supernatural gifts all good works, virtues, and sacrifices even martyrdom itself cannot save us if we have no charity. By charity only are we and our works pleasing to God. The qualities of charity which are good-will without envy, suspicion, perversity, or malice; pure intention without selflove, ambition, immodesty, or injustice; untiring patience without hastiness; and, finally, humble submission to God, Who is all to him that possesses charity. The advantages of charity in that it gives to good works their value, and that it never fails; for while all things else cease while faith passes into seeing, hope into possession, knowledge in part into knowledge of the whole charity is ever lasting, and therefore the greatest of the three. Faith, “says St. Augustine,”; lays the foundation of the house of God; hope builds up the walls; charity covers and completes it.”

Aspiration. O God of love pour into my heart the spirit of charity, that, according to the spirit of St. Paul, I may always endeavor to be in the state of grace, that so all my works may be pleasing to Thee, and of merit to me. Amen.

GOSPEL. Luke xviii. 31-43.

At that time: Jesus took unto Him the twelve, and said to them: Behold we go up to Jerusalem, and all things shall be accomplished which were written by the prophets concerning the Son of man; for He shall be delivered to the gentiles, and shall be mocked, and scourged, and spit upon: and after they have scourged Him they will put Him to death, and the third day He shall rise again. And they understood none of these things, and this word was hid from them, and they understood not the things that were said. Now it came to pass when He drew nigh to Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the wayside, begging. And when he heard the multitude passing by, he asked what this meant. And they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. And he cried out, saying Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me. And they that went before, rebuked him, that he should hold his peace. But he cried out much more: Son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus standing commanded him to be brought unto Him. And when he was come near, He asked him, saying: What wilt thou that I do to thee? But he said: Lord, that I may see. And Jesus said to him: Receive thy sight: thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he saw, and followed Him, glorifying God. And all the people when they saw it gave praise to God.

Why did Our Savior so often predict His sufferings to His apostles?

1. To show that He already knew of them, thereby indicating His omniscience; and that,

2. He desired to suffer.

3. In order that His disciples should not be scandalized at His humiliation, nor think evil of Him as if He had deceived them, but by remembering His words, be rather confirmed in their belief in Him as the Son of God and Redeemer of the world.

Did not the apostles understand anything of what He thus predicted in regard to His sufferings?

They may have known that He was to suffer, for St. Peter undertook to dissuade Him from it (Matt. xvi. 22), but they could not reconcile these predictions with their expectation of a future glorious kingdom. Nor would we be able to cast off our prejudices, and understand the truths of the faith, however plainly taught, were we not enlightened by the Holy Ghost.

What should we learn from this history of the blind man?

1. The inexpressible misfortune of blindness of the heart a state in which we know not our God, our Redeemer and Sanctifier, and see neither the way of divine life, nor the hindrances to our salvation, but grope about in the darkness of ignorance and sin.

2. Where to find One Who will save us from this awful condition, in Jesus Christ healing and enlightening us through and in His Church.

3. The holy zeal and perseverance with which we should seek and call upon Him for deliverance, disregarding alike the bad examples, persecutions, and mockery of the world.

4. How fervently we should thank God, and how faithfully we should follow Him, after He has opened the eyes of our soul and freed us, by His grace, from the spiritual blindness of sin.

Pork Sunday[5]

It is for this reason that Quinquagesima has been known as “Pork Sunday” since the Middle Ages because this was a day when Christians tried to use up their remaining pork, one of the most heavily consumed meats within Christian culture at the time. Likewise, the Monday after Quinquagesima was called Pork Monday, although it later came to be known as Shrove Monday or Collop Monday in countries like England.

On these two days, most of the remaining meat found in Christian homes and businesses was to be consumed, as they needed to get rid of it before they began fasting on Wednesday. If any meat was unable to be eaten on these two days, it was typically dried and salted in an attempt to preserve it for after Easter. Although meat was also consumed on Fat Tuesday, that day was more dedicated to the final consumption of dairy, fats, and sugars.

The recipe that we chose to share with you today is for pork chops, made with a sweet and smoky rub. Not only does this recipe nod to Quinquagesima’s alternative name, but is also uses a sugary topping, something that is forgone during the Lenten season.

NOVENA TO THE HOLY FACE

DAILY PREPARATORY PRAYER

O Most Holy and Blessed Trinity, through the intercession of Holy Mary, whose soul was pierced through by a sword of sorrow at the sight of the passion of her Divine Son, we ask your help in making a perfect Novena of reparation with Jesus, united with all His sorrows, love and total abandonment.

We now implore all the Angels and Saints to intercede for us as we pray this Holy Novena to the Most Holy Face of Jesus and for the glory of the most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

(Start novena)

Eighth Day

Psalm 51, 16-17.
O rescue me, God my helper, and my tongue shall ring out your goodness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise.

Most merciful Face of Jesus, who in this vale of tears was so moved by our misfortunes to call yourself the healer of the sick, and the good Shepherd of the souls gone astray, allow not Satan to draw us away from you, but keep us always under your loving protection, together with all souls who endeavor to console you. Mary, our Mother, intercede for us, Saint Joseph, pray for us.

Through the merits of your precious blood and your Holy Face, O Jesus, grant us our petition, Pardon and Mercy.

Prayer to Saint Peter

O glorious Saint Peter, who in return for thy lively and generous faith, thy profound and sincere humility and thy burning love, was honored by Jesus Christ with singular privileges, and in particular, with the leadership of the other apostles and the primacy of the whole church, of which thou was made the foundation stone, do thou obtain for us the grace of a lively faith, that shall not fear to profess itself openly in its entirety and in all of its manifestations, even to the shedding of blood, if occasion should demand it, and to the sacrifice of life itself in preference to surrender. Obtain for us likewise a sincere loyalty to our Holy Mother the Church. Grant that we may ever remain most closely and sincerely united to the Holy Father, who is the heir of thy faith and of thy authority, the one true visible head of the Catholic Church. Grant, moreover, that we may follow, in all humility and meekness, the Church’s teaching and counsels and may be obedient to all her precepts, in order to be able here on earth to enjoy a peace that is sure and undisturbed, and to attain one day in heaven to everlasting happiness. Amen.

Pray one (1) Our Father, (3) Hail Mary’s, (1) Glory Be.
O Bleeding Face, O Face Divine, be every adoration Thine. (Three times)

Manhood of the Master[6]

In 1913 the renowned Harry Emerich Fosdick wrote a 12-week study on the Manhood of Jesus Christ. Fosdick writes, “This work is not a portrait of the life of the Master or a study of his teaching. It is an endeavor to understand and appreciate the quality of his character. Neither this this work an attempted to contribution to the theology; it is an endeavor, rather, to get back behind the thoughts of the centuries about him, and to see the Man Christ Jesus himself as he lives in the pages of the gospels.

During the Lenten period we will utilize the work to come closer to Christ’s manhood using this source as fruit for a study of Christ. Hopefully our study will help us rise with Christ and become true sons of Mary and the Church.

· Manhood of the Master-week 2 day 1

Bible in a Year Day 228 The Watchman's Duty

Fr. Mike expands on Ezekiel 33 and emphasizes that the role of a prophet, is to be God's watchman and speak whatever it is God wants to be spoken. He stresses the reality that those who are teachers and leaders, who shape and form the consciences of others, have the responsibility to speak the truth even when it's hard. Today's readings are Jeremiah 5, Ezekiel 33, and Proverbs 14:21-24.

Single? So Sad, too bad[7]. Singles Awareness Day

After a Christmas spent with elderly family members asking when they’re finally going to get married or at least find a boyfriend or girlfriend to bring home, life does not get any easier for singles after Christmas, either. No sooner have the Santa Claus and snowman decorations vanished from the shops than the shelves begin to burst with cuddly teddy bears, heart-shaped balloons and boxes of cheap chocolates, all in shades of nauseating neon pinks and reds. Yes, Valentine’s Day has become one of the world’s most profitable occasions, yet another marketing scheme that has hit pay dirt more than the original creators of the idea could have ever dreamed. If you’re not in a relationship Valentine’s Day is bad enough, what with all the additional pressure to be ‘romantic’, if such rampant and blatant consumerism and commercialism can be considered romantic at all. The restaurants are all overpacked with couples trying too hard to impress each other, and it seems every flower in the whole city has been bought out, just so someone can say it’s pretty once and then thrown away. Hallmark holidays are called that for a reason. For singles, on the other hand, Valentine’s Day can be a simple and cruel reminder that they are alone. No pink stuffed animals for them, and no tacky heart-shaped boxes of poor-quality chocolate, either though one does tend to wonder whether that really makes them worse off in the first place. Singles Awareness Day used to be an alternate name used for Valentine’s Day among those who found themselves unattached during the day, but it all became too depressing. So, by single’s hive-mind consensus, it fell to the day after as a perfect antidote to all of the neon nonsense.

How to Celebrate Singles Awareness/Appreciation Day

· It’s a humorous holiday to celebrate being single, to share with single friends, to send each other presents or even order yourself some flowers. On this day many people wear green, as it is the complementary opposite of red.

· Another popular option is an absence of color (black), to symbolize an absence of celebration.

· One increasingly popular activity is to travel to Brazil and witness the Brazilian Carnival. The trip, coupled with the fact that Brazil doesn’t celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 14, but in June, provides a temporary getaway from the neon pink of the Valentine’s holiday in the Western culture, by simply substituting it with another celebration.

· Some who celebrate Singles Awareness Day just want to remind romantic couples that they don’t need to be in a relationship to celebrate life, and that the key to being happy is being able to be happy with yourself.

· Contrary to popular misconceptions, Singles Awareness Day is not about self-pity but rather a chance to announce to the world that you are single and happy to be so. Originally, most singles referred to February 14 as Single’s Awareness Day (acronym: SAD) until it they realized that that was just depressing. Choosing the next day allowed single people a chance to turn this into a celebration rather than a festival of self-pity. There is no reason to be miserable that you are independent and unattached; on the contrary, there are many more people in relationships than you might think who rather wish they were in your shoes, with nobody to answer to but themselves. This is the day that all of the single people can proudly stand up and show that it is okay to be single. Take that, cupid!

While cleaning out my files the other day I came across this note. I don’t know the source but thought I would share it.

A Note From Heaven

Dear Beloved, One,

I see your loneliness and fears, your guilt and frustrations. I see your endless search for love and fulfillment. All this must be, in order for you to come the end of your own understanding—then you can hear My voice. Listen carefully amid the noise of the world and you will hear…I love you, I shed My blood for you to make you clean. Give yourself completely to Me. I created you to be just as you are, and you are lovely in My eyes. Do not criticize yourself or become depressed for not being perfect in your own eyes. This leads only to frustrations. I want you to trust Me one step, one second at a time. Dwell in My power and My love and be free, be yourself. Don’t allow other people to control you. I will guide you, if you let Me, but be aware of My presence in everything. I will give you patience, love, joy, and peace. Look to Me for answers for I am your shepherd and will lead you. Follow Me only!! Do not ever forget this. Listen and I will tell you My will.

Let My love flow from you and spill over to all you touch. Be not concerned with yourself—you are My responsibility. I will change you without your ever knowing it. You are to love yourself and love others, simply because I love you. Take your eyes off yourself, look only to Me, I lead, I change, I create, but not when you are striving. You are mine…let Me have the joy of making you like Christ.

Your only command is to look to Me and Me, only—never to yourself and never to others. Do not struggle but relax in My love. I know what is best and will do it in you. Stop trying to become and let me make you what I want.

My will is perfect;

My love is sufficient. I will

Supply all your needs…

Only look to Me.

I love you,

Your Heavenly Father

Attend a Horse Show

February 15-25

Visit the annual Arabian Horse Show in Scottsdale, Arizona to watch over 2,400 horses compete for a chance at winning the coveted gold title. In between the competitions, there are plenty of kids’ activities like an ice cream social, pony painting (ceramic ponies, not real ones), and art contests. And the best part, kids 17 and under are free.

Daily Devotions/Activities

· Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them in fasting: Today's Fast: The Families of St. Joseph Porters

· Offering to the sacred heart of Jesus

· Drops of Christ’s Blood

· Universal Man Plan

· Rosary.

[1] Paone, Anthony J., Our Daily Bread, 1954.

[2]https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?id=419

[3]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quinquagesima

[4]Goffine’s Devout Instructions, 1896.

[5]https://allthehousehold.com/quinquagesima-pork/

[6]http://www.icemanforchrist.org/p/manhood-of-master_27.html

[7]https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/singles-awareness-day/

The Return of Sophie Lang (1936)

1. What the Film Is

A 1936 Paramount crime‑romance caper, directed by George Archainbaud, running a brisk 65 minutes. Though firmly under the Production Code, it carries the afterglow of pre‑Code sophistication: jewel thieves with charm, moral ambiguity softened but not erased, and a heroine whose wit outshines the men chasing her.

Cast:

Gertrude Michael — Sophie Lang / Ethel Thomas
Guy Standing — Max Bernard
Ray Milland — Jimmy Dawson
Elizabeth Patterson, Colin Tapley, Leon Errol

2. Plot in a Tight Frame

Five years after faking her own death to escape her jewel‑thief past, Sophie Lang lives quietly in London under the alias Ethel Thomas, serving as companion to wealthy collector Araminta Sedley.

When they sail for New York with a priceless diamond locked in the ship’s safe, the past converges:

Max Bernard, her old criminal partner, resurfaces
A charming reporter (Ray Milland) recognizes her from her own “funeral”
The diamond becomes a magnet for temptation, suspicion, and pursuit

The film dances between flirtation, deception, and near‑exposure until a final showdown forces Sophie to choose between the thrill of her old life and the possibility of redemption.

3. Why It Carries Pre‑Code DNA

Though released well after the Code crackdown, the film retains unmistakable pre‑Code fingerprints:

A glamorous female criminal as protagonist
Flirtation as a strategic weapon
Moral ambiguity treated with charm rather than punishment
A heroine who outsmarts both lawmen and thieves
A tone that treats crime as cleverness rather than depravity

The Code forces a gentler landing, but the spirit of 1931–1933 lingers in Sophie’s eyes.

4. Catholic & Moral‑Thematic Reading

A. The Double Life

Sophie’s alias is not merely a disguise — it’s a longing for a self she has not yet become.
Moral lens: the tension between identity and repentance; the ache of wanting virtue while still drawn to vice.

B. The Diamond as Symbol

The jewel represents:

temptation,
the glitter of old habits,
the illusion that beauty can justify wrongdoing.

Catholic counterpoint: true treasure is interior — virtue, integrity, and the courage to renounce false glitter.

C. The Pursuit of Sophie

Both the criminal world and the law chase her, but so does a man who sees her capacity for goodness.
Moral lens:

grace pursuing the sinner
the possibility of redemption through truth
the dignity of being seen not only for one’s past but for one’s potential

D. The Ship as Moral Stage

A confined space where masks slip, loyalties shift, and choices must be made.
Spiritual insight: isolation often reveals the heart — and forces a reckoning with who we are becoming.

5. Hospitality Pairing (Era‑Accurate & Thematically On‑Point)

Cocktail: The “Sophie’s Alias”

A sleek 1930s‑style cocktail with a hint of danger:

London dry gin
A whisper of dry vermouth
A single dash of orange bitters
Stirred, served up, no garnish

Symbolism:

Gin = clarity and sharpness
Vermouth = the shadow of the past
Bitters = the sting of temptation
A drink that looks innocent but carries an edge — just like Sophie.

Snack: Buttered Almonds

A staple of 1930s steamship lounges.
Symbolism: the tension between refinement and risk — smooth on the outside, hard at the core.

Saturday, February 14, 2026

Vinny’s Corner

Be strong and steadfast; have no fear or dread of them, for it is the LORD, your God, who marches with you; he will never fail you or forsake you.

(Deuteronomy 31:6)

· Spirit Hour: Trifon’s Day, is a lively celebration deeply rooted in Bulgarian culture, honoring the patron saint of winegrowers and vineyards.

· Saturday Litany of the Hours Invoking the Aid of Mother Mary

· Carnival Time begins in Catholic Countries.

· Carnival: Part Two, the Final Countdown

· Bucket List trip: Bloco da Lama

· Try Real Bread

· How to celebrate Feb 14

o International Snowmobile Ride Day

o National Call in Single Day

o World Sound Healing Day

o Statehood Day in Arizona

o Global Movie Day

o Lamproba

The Conquerors Pilgrimage🌿 February 14-21, 2026

🌿 February 14–21, 2026

Nazareth — The School of Hidden Strength

Theme: Learning Obedience, Work, and Interior Mastery in the Home of the Holy Family

After dwelling with Mary in Ephesus, the Conqueror now enters the quiet world that shaped Christ Himself.
Nazareth is the school of hiddenness, craftsmanship, obedience, and interior strength — the virtues that forged the Savior long before His public ministry.

🏨 Where We Stay

Casa Nova Franciscan Guest House (Cheap, clean, and steps from the Basilica)

Website: https://www.custodia.org/en/casa-nova

Best location in Nazareth for pilgrims

Simple, quiet, and spiritually grounded

Ideal for daily Mass at the Basilica of the Annunciation

✝️ Where We Attend Mass

Basilica of the Annunciation

Website: https://www.basilicanazareth.org

Secondary options if needed:

St. Joseph’s Church
Search: Church of St. Joseph Nazareth (bing.com in Bing) (bing.com in Bing)

Greek Catholic Church of the Annunciation
Search: Greek Catholic Annunciation Nazareth (bing.com in Bing) (bing.com in Bing)

🗓️ Daily Itinerary & Symbolic Acts

Feb 14 – Arrival in Nazareth

🕊️ Symbolic Act: “Entering the Workshop of the Heart”

Arrive in Nazareth and settle into Casa Nova.

Walk the Old City near Mary’s Well.

Offer the day for purity of heart and clarity of purpose.
Mass: Basilica of the Annunciation
Stay: Casa Nova

Feb 15 – Basilica of the Annunciation

🕍 Symbolic Act: “Let It Be Done Unto Me”

Attend Mass at the Basilica of the Annunciation.

Pray at the Grotto where the Word became flesh.

Ask for Mary’s courage to say yes to God.
Mass: Basilica of the Annunciation
Stay: Casa Nova

Feb 16 – St. Joseph’s Workshop

🛠️ Symbolic Act: “Learning the Strength of Quiet Men”

Visit the Church of St. Joseph
Search: Church of St. Joseph Nazareth (bing.com in Bing) (bing.com in Bing)

Reflect on the dignity of labor and the masculine virtue of steady responsibility.

Offer your work, your craft, and your legacy to God.
Mass: Basilica or St. Joseph’s
Stay: Casa Nova

Feb 17 – Nazareth Village

🌿 Symbolic Act: “Walking in the Hidden Years”

Explore Nazareth Village, a reconstructed first‑century town.

Watch the rhythms of daily life that shaped Jesus.

Meditate on the holiness of ordinary days.
Mass: Basilica of the Annunciation
Stay: Casa Nova

Feb 18 – Mount Precipice

⛰️ Symbolic Act: “Standing Firm When Rejected”

Hike to Mount Precipice
Search: Mount Precipice Nazareth (bing.com in Bing) (bing.com in Bing)

Pray for the strength to endure misunderstanding, rejection, and spiritual resistance.

Offer forgiveness for those who have wounded you.
Mass: Basilica of the Annunciation
Stay: Casa Nova

Feb 19 – Mary’s Well & Old Nazareth

💧 Symbolic Act: “Drawing Water With the Mother”

Visit Mary’s Well.

Walk the old streets surrounding the Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation
Search: Greek Orthodox Annunciation Nazareth (bing.com in Bing) (bing.com in Bing)

Pray the Joyful Mysteries as you walk.
Mass: Basilica of the Annunciation
Stay: Casa Nova

Feb 20 – Day of Silence & Hiddenness

🕊️ Symbolic Act: “Becoming Small Before God”

Keep a half‑day of silence.

Journal on the virtues of Nazareth: humility, obedience, patience, purity, steady work.

Offer your hidden sacrifices for your family and for the salvation of souls.
Mass: Basilica of the Annunciation
Stay: Casa Nova

Feb 21 – Departure & Sending Forth

🕍 Symbolic Act: “Go Home by Another Way”

Return to the Basilica of the Annunciation.

Whisper a final prayer:
“Jesus of Nazareth, make my home like Yours.”

Depart strengthened for the next stage of the pilgrimage.
Mass: Basilica of the Annunciation
Stay: Casa Nova (checkout)

💶 Cost Snapshot (Per Person)

Lodging (7 nights): $280–$420

Meals: $175–$245

Transport: $70–$130

Entrance Fees: $20–$40

Total: $545–$835

Introduction to Numbers[1]

The Book of Numbers isn't just some super ancient story with weird laws and tips for which offerings make the most pleasing odor for the Lord. Well, it is all those things. But Numbers is also about one of the most epic road trips ever taken. The story starts out where Exodus left the Israelites—in the middle of the desert after having escaped from slavery in Egypt. Once they set out on the road, the Israelites' story pretty quickly turns to shambles when they start breaking the law. God's law. And then God forces them to wander around in the desert for forty years until all the old sinners have died off.

Why Should I Care?

When the Israelites commit the ultimate sin—doubting God—the Almighty Father breaks out his worst punishment yet. Remember that time you got grounded for the weekend and missed that awesome party? Well, the Israelites got grounded for forty years and weren't allowed to set foot in the Promised Land until half the community had died off. But even though God can dole out consequences with the best of them, it's also clear that he loves his little rugrats to pieces. He sets limits for them because they're his chosen people and he wants them to be the best they can be. Aww. Sniff. Honestly, Israelites, God only sends poisonous snakes to bite you because he loves you. So next time your parents aren't acting as cool as you know they could be, just remember, it could be way worse. At least when you get a little sassy, they don't send you to your room without dinner for the next forty years.

[1]https://www.shmoop.com/book-of-numbers/

February 14 Saturday-Saints Cyril & Methodius

Total Consecration to St. Joseph-Valentine’s Day

Numbers, Chapter 12, Verse 5-8

Then the LORD came down in a column of cloud, and standing at the entrance of the tent, called, “Aaron and Miriam.” When both came forward,the LORD said: Now listen to my words: If there are prophets among you, in visions I reveal myself to them, in dreams I speak to them; Not so with my servant Moses! Throughout my house he is worthy of trust: face to face I speak to him,plainly and not in riddles. The likeness of the LORD he beholds. Why, then, do you not FEAR to speak against my servant Moses?

Moses was 100 percent for God and God had Moses back; protecting him from the spin (media/backbiters) of his time. Moses was humbled before God, while at the same time confident. Moses lived the Shema Yisrael which is the same prayer the Christ most likely prayed every morning Himself and is still prayed by pious Jews today.

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your Heart, and with all your soul, and with your entire mind, and with all your strength.

Rabbi Yisrael Kaniel says of Moses:

God by referring to Moses in terms of “In all My House he is trusted,” we understand that G-d has no reservations at all about Moses’ trustworthiness. G-d has absolutely no qualms about providing Moses with all the information about His business, as it were. Moses was deemed worthy of such immense trust because “The man Moses was the most humble person who ever walked the face of the earth” (Bamidbar 12:3). Relative to G-d, Moses totally nullified himself. He had no ego when it came to the Master of the world. His interests were 100% the interests of the Al-Mighty; consequently, G-d had no reason to withhold any secrets from him. As a result, as R. Moshe Chaim Luzzato writes, every secret of creation was open to him. May we even remotely approach the level of Moses in reducing our egos to the minimum in order to reap the benefits of enjoying G-d’s secrets, and may we, thereby, enjoy the maximum happiness and satisfaction for the rest of our lives – in this world and in the world to come.[1]

Remember to always reverence and respect those who have dedicated their lives to the service of God; for when you do, you do it, for God.

Copilot’s Take

Fear is one of Scripture’s most persistent antagonists. It shadows Israel through the desert, whispers at the edges of every miracle, and disguises itself as “realism” whenever God asks for trust. But fear is never passive. It either becomes the doorway to deeper obedience or the excuse that keeps a man wandering in circles for forty years.

In Numbers, fear doesn’t roar. It corrodes. It shows up as doubt, comparison, grumbling, and the quiet suspicion that maybe God won’t come through this time. That’s the real danger: fear that rewrites reality.

But the men God uses most powerfully confront fear differently. They don’t deny it. They don’t muscle through it. They submit it.

Moses stands before God with no ego. Cyril and Methodius walk into foreign lands with no guarantee of success. St. Joseph rises in the night, again and again, obeying before he understands.

Fear loses its grip the moment obedience becomes more important than certainty.

When a man fears God rightly, he becomes unshakeable everywhere else.

Evil today works the same way it did in the desert—not by spectacle, but by distortion. It bends truth just enough to make disobedience feel reasonable, silence feel safe, and compromise feel harmless. It convinces good men to retreat into privacy, to avoid conflict, to let someone else take responsibility. The real confrontation, then, is not with dramatic villains but with the subtle forces that try to shrink a man’s courage and dilute his convictions. To confront evil today is to refuse that shrinking. It is to stand where God places you, speak when truth is required, act when responsibility calls, and obey even when the path is unclear. Evil loses its leverage the moment a man decides he will not be ruled by fear.

Saints — Cyril & Methodius

Cyril and Methodius were missionary brothers who brought the Gospel to the Slavic peoples by honoring their language and culture. They created the first Slavic alphabet, translated Scripture, and proved that true evangelization never crushes a people—it elevates them. Their courage, humility, and cultural respect make them icons of missionary boldness and Christian unity.

Total Consecration to St. Joseph-Day 1[2]

33 days to the Feast of St. Joseph

I did not understand St. Joseph well enough, but that will change.

— St. John of the Cross

In the 16^th century, St. John of the Cross humbly acknowledged that he lacked a proper understanding of the greatness of St. Joseph. Inspired by the tremendous love that his friend, St. Teresa of Avila, had for St. Joseph, St. John of the Cross made a firm resolution to get to know and love St. Joseph better.

What about you?

Do you know St. Joseph?

Do you feel you understand his greatness and love for you?

Saint José Manyanet, a priest in 19^th-century Spain, fervently promoted devotion to St. Joseph and the Holy Family. He prophesied that a “time of St. Joseph” would soon arrive in the life of the Church. He wrote:

I believe that the true time of Saint Joseph has not arrived yet: after two thousand years we started only now to glimpse something of the mystery in which he is immersed.

Well, my friends, I firmly believe that in our day the Lord wants to direct our hearts, families, parishes, dioceses, and Church to St. Joseph in a major way. In 1961, St. Pope John XXIII made a profound statement about St. Joseph. He wrote:

In the Holy Church’s worship, right from the beginning, Jesus, the Word of God made man, has enjoyed the adoration that belongs to him, incommunicable as the splendor of the substance of his Father, a splendor reflected in the glory of his saints. From the earliest times, Mary, his mother, was close behind him, in the pictures in the catacombs and the basilicas, where she was devoutly venerated as “Holy Mother of God.” But Joseph, except for some slight sprinkling of references to him here and there in the writings of the Fathers [of the Church], for long centuries remained in the background, in his characteristic concealment, almost as a decorative figure in the overall picture of the Savior’s life. It took time for devotion to him to go beyond those passing glances and take root in the hearts of the faithful, and then surge forth in the form of special prayers and of a profound sense of trusting abandonment. The fervent joy of pouring forth these deepest feelings of the heart in so many impressive ways has been saved for modern times!

What the Vicar of Christ clearly stated is that now is the time of St. Joseph. We are living in modern times, the time in which the Church is witnessing an unprecedented era of devotion to St. Joseph. According to St. Pope John XXIII, God desires devotion to St. Joseph to surge forth in our day in the form of special prayers of “trusting abandonment.” This means one thing in particular:

It’s time for total consecration to St. Joseph!

Here is a list a list of remarkable events that have taken place over the past 150 years that show St. Joseph’s increasing importance in the life of the Church. They clearly indicate that we are living in an unprecedented time of St. Joseph.

· 1868 — Blessed Jean-Joseph Lataste, OP, writes a letter to Blessed Pope Pius IX asking him to declare St. Joseph the “Patron of the Universal Church.”

· 1870 — Blessed Pope Pius IX declares St. Joseph the “Patron of the Universal Church.”

· 1871 — Founding of the Josephites by Cardinal Herbert A. Vaughan

· 1873 — Founding of the Congregation of St. Joseph by St. Leonardo Murialdo

· 1878 — Founding of the Oblates of St. Joseph by St. Joseph Marello

· 1879 — Apparitions at Knock, Ireland. Saint Joseph appears with the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. John the Apostle, and Jesus (appearing as the Lamb of God).

· 1889 — Pope Leo XIII writes Quamquam Pluries, an encyclical letter on St. Joseph.

· 1895 — Blessed Petra of St. Joseph begins construction on a shrine to St. Joseph in Barcelona, Spain. It is consecrated in 1901. At her beatification in 1994, St. John Paul II calls Blessed Petra the “apostle of St. Joseph of the 19^th century.”

· 1904 — Saint André Bessette constructs an oratory dedicated to St. Joseph in Montreal, Canada. It expands, is declared a minor basilica, and finally is completed in 1967. Today, it is known as St. Joseph’s Oratory and is considered by many to be the preeminent international center of devotion to St. Joseph.

· 1908 — Saint Luigi Guanella begins constructing a church dedicated to St. Joseph in Rome. It is completed and consecrated as a basilica in 1912.

· 1909 — Saint Pope Pius X officially approves the Litany of St. Joseph.

· 1914 — Saint Luigi Guanella founds the Pious Union of St. Joseph for the Salvation of the Dying.

· 1917 — Apparitions at Fatima, Portugal. During the last apparition on October 13, St. Joseph appears holding the Child Jesus and blessing the world.

· 1921 — Pope Benedict XV inserts the phrase “Blessed be St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse” into the Divine Praises.

· 1947 — Spanish Discalced Carmelites found Estudios Josefinos, the first theological journal devoted to St. Joseph.

· 1950s — The alleged apparitions of Our Lady of America given to Sr. Mary Ephrem emphasize a renewed devotion to St. Joseph, and St. Joseph himself speaks to the visionary about this devotion.

· 1955 — Venerable Pope Pius XII establishes the Feast of St. Joseph the Worker, to be celebrated on May 1.

· 1962 — Saint Pope John XXIII inserts St. Joseph’s name into the Canon of the Mass (Eucharistic Prayer I).

· 1989 — Saint Pope John Paul II writes Redemptoris Custos, an apostolic exhortation on St. Joseph.

Whoa! Did you know all that?

Most people are unaware of these remarkable events. Without exaggeration, the Church has done more to promote St. Joseph in the last 150 years than in the previous 1,800 years of Christianity!

But why now?

Why St. Joseph?

There are many reasons, but I believe there are two that are especially important.

First, we need the spiritual fatherhood of St. Joseph to help us protect marriage and the family. Marriage and the family have always been under attack, but in modern times, the threats have reached extraordinary heights. Many people no longer know what it means to be a man or a woman, let alone what constitutes a marriage and a family. Many countries even claim to have redefined marriage and the family. There is great confusion on these matters, greater confusion than in any previous era of human history. The Servant of God Sr. Lucia dos Santos, the longest-lived visionary of the Fatima apparitions, knew the seriousness of the times and made a powerful statement about this issue. She wrote:

The final battle between the Lord and the kingdom of Satan will be about marriage and the family.

To combat and overcome Satan’s deceptions, the Church needs St. Joseph. His example and protection are the only way out of the confusing mess we are in.

Who else can we turn to who can help us understand what marriage and the family are all about if not to the Head of the Holy Family and our spiritual father?

Second, the entire world needs to be re-evangelized, including the vast majority of baptized Christians. Saint Joseph was the first missionary. Today, he desires again to bring Jesus to the nations. Many nations and cultures that were previously Christian have fallen away from their Christian roots and are on a path of self-destruction. Countries once established on Judeo-Christian principles have become overrun by ideologies and organizations that seek to strip society of all that is sacred. Without a major turnaround, civilization itself is going to self-destruct.

In an apostolic exhortation on St. Joseph in 1989, St. John Paul II reminded us of the necessity of invoking St. Joseph in the work of re-evangelizing the world. He wrote:

This patronage [of St. Joseph] must be invoked as ever necessary for the Church, not only as a defense against all dangers, but also, and indeed primarily, as an impetus for her renewed commitment to evangelization in the world and to re-evangelization in those lands and nations where religion and the Christian life were formerly flourishing and are now put to a hard test.

Now is the time to consecrate yourself to St. Joseph!

God is telling his Church that, in order to defend marriage and the family, elevate morals, recover lost ground, and win souls for Jesus Christ, we need to bring St. Joseph onto the battlefield. He is the Terror of Demons! With his powerful spiritual fatherhood, incredible love for his spiritual children, and constant intercession, the Church can be renewed as a light to the nations!

What exactly is consecration to St. Joseph? In other words, what does it mean for a person to be consecrated to St. Joseph? Well, it basically means that you acknowledge that he is your spiritual father, and you want to be like him. To show it, you entrust yourself entirely to his paternal care so that he can help you acquire his virtues and become holy. Total consecration to St. Joseph means you make a formal act of filial entrustment to your spiritual father so that he can take care of your spiritual well-being and lead you to God. The person who consecrates himself to St. Joseph wants to be as close to their spiritual father as possible, to the point of resembling him in virtue and holiness. Saint Joseph, in turn, will give those consecrated to him his loving attention, protection, and guidance.

Perhaps someone reading this has already consecrated themselves entirely to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and is wondering if they can consecrate themselves to St. Joseph and entrust everything to him, as well. The answer is a resounding “Yes!” God desires that all children be committed to the love and care of a mother and a father. You are not a member of a single-parent spiritual family. Mary is your spiritual mother, and St. Joseph is your spiritual father. The spiritual fatherhood of St. Joseph is extremely important for your spiritual growth. Total consecration to Mary is not diminished by total consecration to St. Joseph. Mary wants you to consecrate yourself to St. Joseph! Jesus wants you to consecrate yourself to St. Joseph! Everything you have given to Jesus and Mary can also be given to St. Joseph. The hearts of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph are one.

So, is there a book that offers a method of consecration to St. Joseph? Yes, there is! It’s called Consecration to St. Joseph: The Wonders of our Spiritual Father and it follows a method similar to the tried-and-true 33-day preparation method employed by St. Louis de Montfort in his Marian consecration. The 33-day program can be done by individuals, parishes, and entire diocese. Through this program, I hope to spark the first worldwide movement of consecration to St. Joseph!

Consecration to St. Joseph has endorsements from Cardinal Raymond Burke, Bishop Athanasius Schneider, Jim Caviezel, Scott Hahn, and many others. Get your copy of Consecration to St. Joseph and be part of the movement! Go to www.consecrationtostjoseph.org to find out more!

Veni Sancte Spiritus[3]

Holy Spirit, God of light, fill us with your radiance bright;

Gentle father of the poor, make us, by your help, secure;

Come, your boundless grace impart, bring your love to every heart.

Lord of consolation, come, warm us when our hearts are numb;

Great consoler, come and heal, to our souls your strength reveal;

Cool, refreshing comfort pour, and our peace of mind restore.

Light immortal, fire divine, with your love our hearts refine;

Come, our inmost being fill, make us all to do your will;

Goodness you alone can give, grant that in your grace we live.

Come, our lukewarm hearts inspire, mold our wills to your desire;

In our weakness make us strong, and amend our every wrong;

Guide us when we go astray, wash our stain of guilt away.

Give to every faithful soul, gifts of grace to make us whole;

Help us when we come to die, so that we may live on high;

Ever let your love descend, give us joys that never end.

Litany of St. Joseph
Lord, have mercy on us	Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Jesus, hear us,	Jesus, 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.

Holy Mary,	pray for us.
St. Joseph,	pray for us.
Renowned offspring of David,	pray for us.
Light of Patriarchs,	pray for us.
Spouse of the Mother of God,	pray for us.
Chaste guardian of the Virgin,	pray for us.
Foster father of the Son of God,	pray for us.
Diligent protector of Christ,	pray for us.
Head of the Holy Family,	pray for us.
Joseph most just,	pray for us.
Joseph most chaste,	pray for us.
Joseph most prudent,	pray for us.
Joseph most strong,	pray for us.
Joseph most obedient,	pray for us.
Joseph most faithful,	pray for us.
Mirror of patience,	pray for us.
Lover of poverty,	pray for us.
Model of artisans,	pray for us.
Glory of home life,	pray for us.
Guardian of virgins,	pray for us.
Pillar of families,	pray for us.
Solace of the wretched,	pray for us.
Hope of the sick,	pray for us.
Patron of the dying,	pray for us.
Terror of demons,	pray for us.
Protector of Holy Church,	pray for us.

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

He made him the lord of his household	And prince over all his possessions.

Let us pray:

O God, in your ineffable providence you were pleased to choose Blessed Joseph to be the spouse of your most holy Mother; grant, we beg you, that we may be worthy to have him for our intercessor in heaven whom on earth we venerate as our Protector: You who live and reign forever and ever.

Saint Joseph, pray for us.

Valentine's Day[4]

Valentine's Day is a celebration of love and friendship. The holiday derived its name from two Roman martyrs for love, both named Valentine. The first Valentine was beheaded on February 14th, but not before leaving a note signed from your Valentine for his lady. The second Valentine was supposedly a bishop who secretly married young couples, an act that was forbidden by the Roman Emperor who wanted young men to first serve as soldiers before marrying. Valentine ignored the law and was beheaded on February 14. An ancient Roman festival called Lupercalia, a celebration for which young men randomly chose the name of a young girl to escort to the festivities, has also been linked to the origins of Valentine's Day.

Since then, the custom of selecting a sweetheart on February 14th has spread through Europe and its colonies and transformed itself into the celebration of love and friendship that we know today.

Valentine's Day Facts & Quotes

· Symbols for Valentine’s Day include hearts, chocolate, flowers, and Cupid - the Roman God of Love.

· 52% of US consumers will send out at least 1 Valentine's Day card, 47% will send candy, and 34% will send flowers.

· Love looks not with the eyes but with the mind. And therefore, is winged Cupid painted blind. - William Shakespeare (A Midsummer Night's Dream)

Valentine's Day Top Events and Things to Do

· Send someone you care for a Valentine's Day card. Take the time to write a small note or love poem inside. Sign it, from your Valentine.

· Go to a special romantic dinner with your sweetheart. Tip: Book early as this is one of the busiest days of the year for restaurants.

· Watch the movie Valentine's Day (2010) or the Notebook (2004). Both are romance movies with star casts.

· Send a Secret Valentine to someone several days before, and then reveal your identity on February 14th.

· Remember other important people in your life, such as your parents, grandparents and old friends. Send them a small card or gift to remind them of how much you care.

Catholic Things to Do[5]

· Read the Golden Legend account of St. Valentine's life.

· Pray to St. Valentine for an increase of true, sacrificial love within marriages.

· Make Valentines for those closest to you — your family and friends. If you have children, teach them to make valentines from red construction paper and doilies.

· Begin to read and discuss some of St. John Paul II's works on marriage; for example, Love and Responsibility or his The Theology of the Body Human Love in the Divine Plan (Parish Resources).

We practice these small works of love on St. Valentine’s Day — reading the life of the saint, praying for marriages, teaching our children to give handmade valentines, and returning to St. John Paul II’s vision of self‑giving love — because each of these gestures points beyond itself. They train the heart to recognize what real love looks like.

And real love always leads us back to the Cross.

For if Valentine’s teaches us anything, it is that love is proven not by sentiment but by sacrifice. Which is why, on this day dedicated to love, the Church invites us to contemplate the greatest act of love ever shown: the shedding of Christ’s Precious Blood for the redemption of His beloved.

It is in that spirit that we now turn to the remarkable revelation given to St. Elizabeth of Hungary, St. Matilda, and St. Bridget — a reminder that even the smallest drop of Christ’s Blood carries redemptive power reaching to the fourth generation.

Drops of Christ’s Blood[6] 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:

1. The plenary indulgence and remittance of your sins.

2. You will be free from the pains of Purgatory.

3. If you should die before completing the said 3 years, for you it will be the same as if you had completed them.

4. It will be upon your death the same as if you had shed all your blood for the Holy Faith.

5. 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 our own soul as well as the ones dearest to us------our family.

Bible in a Year Day 227 The Towering Cedar

Fr. Mike highlights the people of Israel's flaw in trusting in the strength and power of Egypt, not realizing that although Egypt is like a towering cedar tree, the nation will eventually collapse. Fr. Mike also points out Jeremiah's vehement message to Israel to brace themselves for God's judgment. Today we read Jeremiah 4, Ezekiel 31-32, and Proverbs 14:17-20.

Daily Devotions

· Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them in fasting: Today's Fast: Catholic Politian’s and Leaders.

· Rosary

[1] http://www.byisrael.net/in-all-my-house-he-is-the-most-trustworthy/

[2]https://catholicexchange.com/now-is-the-time-to-consecrate-yourself-to-saint-joseph

[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veni_Sancte_Spiritus

[4]https://www.wincalendar.com/Valentines-Day

[5]https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2017-02-14

[6]http://www.catholictradition.org/Christ/holy-wounds2.htm

Night Life in Reno (1931)—a compact, fascinating slice of Pre‑Code Hollywood that promises sin in the desert but delivers something more ironic, more domestic, and more revealing about American marriage culture in the early ’30s.

Night Life in Reno (1931) — Pre‑Code Hollywood Spotlight

1. What the Film Is

A 1931 American pre‑Code romantic‑crime drama directed by Raymond Cannon, running just under an hour. It was produced on the Poverty Row circuit (Weiss Bros./Artclass Pictures), yet surprisingly polished in its interiors and costuming.

The film stars:

Virginia Valli as June Wyatt
Jameson Thomas as John Wyatt
Dixie Lee as Dorothy (the “other woman”)
Dorothy Christy, Arthur Housman, Clarence Wilson, Carmelita Geraghty

2. Plot in a Tight Frame

The story begins with an interrupted indiscretion: John Wyatt is caught with a blonde floozy (Dixie Lee). His wife June, wounded and humiliated, heads to Reno, then the divorce capital of America, to begin the six‑week residency required for a quick dissolution of marriage.

John follows her, repentant—but not before the film indulges in:

flirtation,
drunken antics,
a double date where June unknowingly ends up paired with her own husband,
and the kind of breezy sexual freedom that marks the Pre‑Code era.

Then, in classic Poverty Row fashion, a late‑film murder abruptly shifts the tone, giving John a chance to prove his devotion and win June back.

3. Why It’s Pre‑Code (Even If Mildly)

While some reviewers note the film doesn’t fully deliver the “sin city” promise of its title, it does contain unmistakable Pre‑Code elements:

Adultery as the inciting incident
Women seeking autonomy through divorce
A brassy female mentor encouraging reinvention
Casual drinking and flirtation
A comedic, almost celebratory tone around marital misbehavior

It’s not salacious, but it’s unmistakably from that brief window when Hollywood could wink at adult realities without punishment.

**4. Catholic & Moral-Thematic Reading

Even though the film is light and sometimes uneven, it offers rich angles for spiritual reflection—especially in your ongoing project of extracting virtue, vice, and formation themes from early cinema.

A. The Wound of Betrayal

June’s departure is not vindictive—it’s protective. She refuses to live in a lie.
Moral lens: The dignity of the betrayed spouse; the right to truth; the refusal to normalize sin.