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. "
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As the liturgical year draws toward its close, the Church directs our attention to the Last Things: death, judgment, Heaven, and Purgatory. The Gospel reminds us that the visible world is passing away, but the soul endures. This is not meant to inspire fear, but vigilance. A wise Christian lives each day with eternity in view.
Father Schouppe recounts the vision of a young woman whose excessive vanity and love of worldly appearances required purification after death. The graphic imagery serves a simple purpose: the attachments we excuse in this life do not disappear merely because we die. Whatever remains unfinished must be purified before we can enter the presence of God.
Yet gratitude is a powerful safeguard. A grateful soul is less likely to cling to possessions, honors, pleasures, or self-image. Gratitude loosens the grip of earthly attachments because it recognizes every blessing as a gift from God rather than a possession to be jealously guarded.
Today, ask yourself: What blessings have I overlooked? Where is God quietly working in my life beyond my sight? The answer may be found in ordinary things: family, health, friendship, work, prayer, or simply another day to seek holiness.
The Holy Souls would gladly exchange all their sufferings for a single hour of grace on earth. We have that grace now. We can repent, forgive, pray, serve, and grow in charity while there is still time.
As the smoke drifts upward and disappears into the autumn air, remember that life's temporary things are passing. What is done for God alone remains.
Smoke in this life, not the next.
"Watch therefore, because you know not what hour your Lord will come." – Matthew 24:42
THE THIRTEENTH GUEST— THE DANGER OF GREED AND THE PATIENCE OF TRUTH
From a Murderous Inheritance to the Truth That Hidden Motives Eventually Come to Light (Based on The Thirteenth Guest, 1932)
When Fortune Becomes a Temptation
Many mysteries begin with a question.
The Thirteenth Guest begins with a missing person, an old murder, and a gathering overshadowed by secrets.
Years earlier, thirteen guests attended a dinner party. Before the evening ended, one guest was murdered. Another disappeared. The mystery remained unsolved, leaving questions that lingered long after the participants went their separate ways.
Time passes, but unresolved matters rarely remain buried forever.
As the surviving guests become connected once again, hidden motives begin to surface. Greed, fear, deception, and self-interest lurk beneath outward appearances. Individuals who seem respectable prove capable of dishonesty. People who appear innocent carry secrets of their own.
The story reminds us that wrongdoing often begins long before a crime occurs. It frequently starts with unchecked desires. A person becomes attached to money, power, status, or advantage. The desire grows stronger than conscience. Soon truth becomes inconvenient, and deception appears useful.
Mystery stories endure because they reflect a spiritual reality.
Human beings can conceal facts for a season.
They cannot permanently conceal truth.
The danger is believing that hidden actions remain hidden forever.
The lesson is that truth possesses remarkable patience.
The verdict is that greed complicates life, while honesty eventually brings freedom.
Film Card — The Thirteenth Guest (1932)
The Thirteenth Guest • Mystery • 1h 09m
A young woman becomes entangled in a series of murders connected to an unsolved crime from years earlier, as investigators seek to uncover the identity of a killer among the surviving guests of a fateful dinner party.
Cast: Ginger Rogers, Lyle Talbot, J. Farrell MacDonald, Paul Hurst
Production: Monogram Pictures
Historical Frame: Produced during the early Depression era, when audiences embraced mysteries that combined suspense, hidden identities, and moral justice.
Production & Cultural Setting
The Classic Whodunit:
The film belongs to the popular tradition of mystery stories built around suspects, clues, and concealed motives.
Depression-Era Entertainment:
Audiences appreciated inexpensive suspense films that offered intrigue and escapism during difficult economic times.
The House of Secrets:
Like many mysteries of the period, the story uses old crimes and dark family histories to create tension.
Justice Through Revelation:
The mystery unfolds through gradual discovery rather than spectacular action.
Moral Undercurrent:
Wrongdoing may remain hidden temporarily, but truth steadily moves toward exposure.
Story Summary
The Original Crime: A dinner gathering ends with murder and unanswered questions.
The Long Silence: Years pass while the mystery remains unresolved.
The New Threat: Those connected to the original crime begin facing renewed danger.
The Investigation: Clues gradually reveal hidden relationships and concealed motives.
The Confrontation: The surviving suspects are forced to face the consequences of past actions.
The Resolution: The truth emerges, exposing the guilty and clarifying what has remained hidden.
Moral & Spiritual Resonances
A. Greed Clouds Judgment
When wealth or advantage becomes an obsession, moral clarity begins to fade.
B. Secrets Create Burdens
Concealed wrongdoing often requires additional deception to maintain.
C. Truth Possesses Patience
Justice may seem delayed, but reality has a way of resurfacing.
D. Character Reveals Itself Under Pressure
Moments of crisis often uncover what has been hidden beneath appearances.
E. Conscience Is Difficult to Silence
Even when wrongdoing escapes immediate punishment, the human heart rarely escapes awareness of its own actions.
Hospitality Pairing — Drawn From 1930s Mystery and Old Manor-House Intrigue
Food — Elegant but Uncomplicated
Roast chicken with herbs
Creamed potatoes
Chocolate layer cake
Drink — Appropriate for a Drawing-Room Mystery
Gin and lime
Hot coffee
Sparkling water with lemon
Atmosphere — An Evening of Questions
Dim lighting and candlelight
Classic mystery novels on the table
Conversation about famous unsolved mysteries and human nature
Personal Reflection
Do I ever justify questionable actions when something valuable is at stake?
What desires most strongly influence my decisions?
Are there truths I avoid because they are uncomfortable?
Do I value honesty even when it costs me something?
Am I patient when justice appears delayed?
How would my life change if every hidden motive were brought into the light?
The guests in this story spend years living under the shadow of unanswered questions.
Eventually, the mystery demands an answer.
Life often works the same way.
Truth may move slowly.
Justice may seem delayed.
Consequences may take years to arrive.
But reality has a persistence that deception cannot match.
The person who builds life upon honesty sleeps more peacefully than the one who constantly guards a secret.
Virtue: Devotion & Perseverance Cigar: Sumatra Bourbon: Four Roses Small Batch
First Saturday calls us to the school of Our Lady. At Fatima, the Blessed Virgin asked for prayer, repentance, and reparation for sin. Her message was simple: souls are lost because few pray and sacrifice for them. The same concern extends to the Holy Souls in Purgatory, who await the full vision of God and depend upon the prayers of the Church.
No one understood purification better than Mary. Though preserved from sin, she witnessed the terrible cost of sin in the sufferings of her Son. Standing beneath the Cross, she saw that redemption is never cheap. Divine mercy is free, but it was purchased at Calvary.
The souls in Purgatory have no doubt, no rebellion, and no despair. They know they belong to God. Yet they also see with perfect clarity every attachment, neglect, and imperfection that must be removed before Heaven. Their suffering is joined to hope because every moment brings them closer to the face of Christ.
For us, First Saturday is an opportunity to assist them. A Rosary, a Communion offered in reparation, a visit to church, or a small sacrifice patiently accepted can be offered for those who can no longer help themselves. One day, the soul aided by your prayers may be among those who welcome you into eternity.
Tonight, ask Our Lady to teach you repentance before judgment, sacrifice before necessity, and charity before regret. Let her draw you closer to her Son while there is still time to change.
The wise Christian prepares for Heaven now.
Smoke in this life, not the next.
"It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins." — 2 Maccabees 12:46 (Douay-Rheims)
THE AMAZING ADVENTURE— THE FREEDOM OF PURPOSE OVER COMFORT
From Wealth and Privilege to the Discovery That a Meaningful Life Requires More Than Security (Based on The Amazing Adventure, 1936)
A Man Who Has Everything Except a Reason to Live
At first glance, Ernest Bliss appears fortunate.
He possesses wealth, social standing, comfort, and every material advantage that many people spend their lives pursuing. Yet behind the privileges of his position lies a deeper problem. He has become detached from the realities of ordinary life. Money shields him from responsibility. Comfort protects him from struggle. Ease gradually erodes purpose.
Concerned about his condition, a doctor proposes an unusual remedy. Ernest must live without access to his fortune and support himself through honest work. What begins as an unwanted inconvenience becomes an unexpected journey of transformation.
As Ernest encounters ordinary people, practical labor, and genuine relationships, he discovers experiences that money alone could never provide.
The film asks a question that every generation must eventually answer.
What happens when success provides comfort but not meaning?
Many people spend years striving for financial security, only to discover that security itself cannot satisfy the deeper hunger for significance. Human beings need purpose as much as they need prosperity. They need contribution as much as consumption.
The danger is allowing comfort to become the goal of life.
The lesson is that growth often begins where convenience ends.
The verdict is that fulfillment comes not from possessing everything but from becoming someone capable of serving others.
Film Card — The Amazing Adventure (1936)
The Amazing Adventure • Drama • Romance • 1h 20m
A wealthy young man is challenged to leave behind his fortune and learn to support himself through work, leading him to discover purpose, responsibility, and genuine human connection.
Themes: Purpose & Comfort • Work & Character • Wealth & Responsibility
Cast: Cary Grant, Mary Brian, Peter Gawthorne, John Turnbull
Production: British and Dominions Film Corporation
Historical Frame: Released during the Great Depression era, when economic hardship caused many audiences to reflect on the meaning of work, social responsibility, and the proper use of wealth.
Production & Cultural Setting
Depression-Era Questions:
Audiences around the world were asking whether material success alone could provide happiness and stability.
The Gentleman Tested:
The film employs a familiar story structure in which a privileged individual discovers wisdom through direct experience rather than inherited comfort.
Work as Formation:
Labor is presented not merely as an economic necessity but as a source of dignity and personal growth.
Romance Through Character:
Relationships develop through demonstrated virtue and responsibility rather than social status alone.
Moral Undercurrent:
True maturity comes when privilege is balanced by service, gratitude, and responsibility.
Story Summary
The Problem: Ernest Bliss possesses wealth but lacks purpose and direction.
The Challenge: A physician recommends that he live without relying upon his fortune.
The Adjustment: Ernest enters the world of ordinary work and everyday responsibilities.
The Discovery: He encounters people whose character has been shaped by effort, sacrifice, and perseverance.
The Transformation: Experience begins teaching lessons that wealth never could.
The Resolution: Having gained wisdom, humility, and meaningful relationships, Ernest emerges with a deeper understanding of life.
Moral & Spiritual Resonances
A. Comfort Cannot Replace Purpose
Material security is valuable, but human beings require meaning to flourish.
B. Work Forms Character
Honest labor develops discipline, perseverance, and gratitude.
C. Humility Expands Understanding
People often learn their greatest lessons when removed from familiar advantages.
D. Wealth Carries Responsibility
Resources become blessings when used in service to others rather than solely for oneself.
E. Relationships Matter More Than Status
Genuine affection is rooted in character rather than position, possessions, or prestige.
Hospitality Pairing — Drawn From British Simplicity and Depression-Era Practicality
Food — Honest and Satisfying
Roast beef with potatoes
Buttered peas
Bread pudding with custard
Drink — Simple and Welcoming
Strong tea with milk
Dark ale
Sparkling lemonade
Atmosphere — Gratitude for Ordinary Blessings
Soft 1930s jazz or dance-band music
A modest table shared with family or friends
Conversation focused on meaningful work, gratitude, and life lessons
Personal Reflection
Do I seek comfort more than purpose?
Have I mistaken financial security for fulfillment?
What responsibilities help give meaning to my life?
Am I willing to leave familiar comforts in order to grow?
Do I value people for their character or for their status?
How can I use my resources to serve others more effectively?
Many people dream of having everything.
Ernest Bliss begins his journey by discovering that "everything" can still leave a person restless.
The surprising truth is that purpose often appears where comfort ends.
Work teaches gratitude.
Responsibility develops character.
Service gives meaning.
And a life devoted to something larger than personal convenience becomes the greatest adventure of all.
Forge of Ages is a year-long journey through history's great physical archetypes. Each week focuses on one practical body principle, one nutrition lesson, and one spiritual virtue. The goal is not just fitness. The goal is readiness: becoming stronger, more capable, and more useful in service to faith, family, work, and community.
The Protective Body
The Viking taught us to move boldly. The Knight teaches us to carry responsibility.
Knights spent much of their lives under load. Armor, weapons, supplies, long marches, and daily duties demanded more than raw strength. Success belonged to the man who could remain capable when tired, burdened, and uncomfortable.
That lesson remains relevant today.
Real-world fitness isn't about impressing people at the gym. It's about carrying groceries without strain, climbing stairs confidently, hiking a trail, working in the yard, helping a friend move furniture, and finishing the day with energy still in reserve.
This week is about building useful strength.
BODY FOCUS
Strength Under Load
This week's objective is simple:
Become harder to wear down.
Training benefits:
Stronger legs
Better posture
Greater carrying capacity
Improved core stability
More energy for everyday tasks
The test is not what you can lift once.
The test is what you can still do after a long day.
TABLE FOCUS
Fuel for Duty
Skip fad diets and complicated rules.
Focus on eating in a way that supports tomorrow's work.
Breakfast
Eggs, toast, and fruit
Oatmeal with nuts and berries
Greek yogurt with banana
Lunch
Turkey sandwich and apple
Chicken salad and vegetables
Tuna wrap and fruit
Dinner
Chicken, rice, and vegetables
Chili with beans and salad
Salmon, potatoes, and broccoli
Beef stew and vegetables
The Knight's Rule
At most meals include:
✅ Protein ✅ Fruit or vegetable ✅ Quality carbohydrate ✅ Water
Eat to recover.
Eat to perform.
Eat to serve.
SPIRIT FOCUS
Protection
Strength reaches its highest purpose when it helps someone else.
Ask yourself:
Who benefits because I am stronger?
Prayer: Lord, make me strong enough to carry what You entrust to me.
THE WORKOUT
Tuesday — Strength & Carry
Warm-Up
Brisk walk (5 minutes)
Complete 3 Rounds
Bodyweight Squats × 10
Incline Pushups × 10
Resistance Band Rows × 15
Farmer Carry × 60 seconds
Rest 60 seconds between rounds.
Cool Down
Easy walk (5 minutes)
Total Time: 25–30 minutes
Thursday — Legs for Life
Walk 20–30 minutes.
Use hills, stairs, or trails whenever possible.
Every 5 minutes:
Bodyweight Squats × 10
Purpose: Build strong legs that will still be useful ten years from now.
Sunday — The Knight's Patrol
Walk 45–60 minutes at a comfortable pace.
Carry:
A small backpack, or
A water bottle
Focus on:
Tall posture
Relaxed shoulders
Steady breathing
This is not a race.
This is durability training.
RECOVERY
Three evenings this week:
Calf Stretch × 30 seconds
Hip Stretch × 30 seconds
Chest Stretch × 30 seconds
Repeat twice.
Five minutes total.
Consistency beats intensity.
WEEKLY CHALLENGE
Carry something every day.
Ideas:
Groceries
Case of water
Tool box
Laundry basket
Bag of birdseed
Yard supplies
Train useful strength.
THIS WEEK'S TAKEAWAY
Mind: Responsibility builds strength.
Body: Carry more.
Table: Fuel for tomorrow.
Spirit: Use your strength to lighten someone else's load.
Hold a door.
Carry a bag.
Fix something.
Offer help before you're asked.
The Viking asks:What lies beyond the horizon?
The Knight asks:Who can depend on me when I arrive?
Smoke in This Life, Not the Next
Fri, Nov. 6 – First Friday and the Mercy of the Sacred Heart
Virtue: Reparation & Holy Charity Cigar: Sumatra Bourbon: Four Roses Small Batch
First Friday devotion reminds us of a truth many would rather forget: sin leaves wounds. God forgives the repentant sinner, but the effects of sin often remain. This is why the Church teaches the reality of Purgatory. The soul is saved, yet still requires purification before entering the perfect holiness of Heaven.
The Sacred Heart of Jesus was revealed to St. Margaret Mary as a burning furnace of love. Yet Our Lord lamented the coldness, indifference, and ingratitude He received in return. The First Friday devotion arose as an act of reparation, an opportunity to respond to His love with love.
The souls in Purgatory can no longer make reparation for themselves. They depend upon the prayers, sacrifices, Masses, and acts of charity offered by the faithful on earth. What a great work of mercy it is to remember them. A Rosary, a Holy Communion, a sacrifice quietly accepted, or attendance at Mass can become a gift for those who wait for Heaven's gates to open.
At the same time, today's devotion should make us examine our own hearts. What unfinished business remains between our souls and God? What habits still need correction? What attachments still cling to us?
The wise Christian does not wait for the fires of purification after death. He embraces conversion now. He receives the sacraments, practices charity, forgives offenses, and offers sacrifices with love.
As the evening smoke rises heavenward, remember those holy souls who can no longer help themselves.
Pray for them today.
One day, others may be praying for you.
Smoke in this life, not the next.
NOVEMBER
6 First Friday-Twenty Third Week Pentecost
World Saxophone Day
Psalm 78, Verse 53
He led them on secure and UNAFRAID, while the sea enveloped their
enemies.
Even in the day God was kind to rebellious Israel.
This psalm is a recital of history to show that past generations did not
respond to God’s gracious deeds and were punished by God, making the gift
into a punishment. Will Israel fail to appreciate God’s act—the choosing of
Zion and of David? The tripartite introduction invites Israel to learn the
lessons hidden in its traditions each section ends with the mention of God’s
acts. There are two distinct narratives of approximately equal length: the
wilderness events and the movement from Egypt to Canaan. The structure of both
is parallel: gracious act, rebellion, divine punishment, God’s readiness to
forgive and begin anew. While the Psalm has been thought to reflect the
reunification program of either King Hezekiah (late eighth century) or King
Josiah (late seventh century) in that the Northern Kingdom (Ephraim, Joseph) is
especially invited to accept Zion and the Davidic king, a postexilic setting is
also possible. Notable is the inclusion of the David-Zion tradition into the
history of Israel recounted in the sources of the Pentateuch.[1]
Copilot's Take:
Confronting Evil in America
Psalm
78 reminds us that God led Israel "secure and unafraid," yet the
people repeatedly forgot His blessings and turned away. The pattern is
familiar: God shows mercy, people become comfortable, gratitude fades, and the
gift itself becomes a source of stumbling. The greatest danger is not that evil
exists, but that good people forget the God who delivered them. The Catechism
teaches that all of human history is marked by a dramatic struggle between good
and evil, a battle that passes through every human heart (CCC 409).
When
confronting evil in America, Christians should begin not with fear or anger,
but with repentance and courage. Evil is resisted every time a parent teaches
virtue, a citizen speaks the truth, a worker refuses corruption, or a believer
chooses prayer over despair. God led Israel through the sea and defeated their
enemies, yet Israel's future depended upon remaining faithful to the One who
saved them. America will not be renewed merely through politics, laws, or
programs, but through the conversion of hearts and a return to God. The Lord
still leads His people securely and unafraid, but He asks them to remember His
works, trust His promises, and walk in His ways (CCC 1807-1809, 2015).
Jesus
made the following 12 promises to St. Margaret Mary in favor of those who
consecrate to the Sacred Heart, in a spirit of reparation, the First Friday of
each month.
1. I will give them all the graces necessary in their state of
life.
2. I will establish peace in their homes.
3. I will comfort them in all their afflictions.
4. I will be their secure refuge during life, and above all, in death.
5. I will bestow abundant blessings upon all their undertakings.
6. Sinners will find in My Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.
7. Lukewarm souls shall become fervent.
8. Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection.
9. I will bless every place in which an image of My Heart is exposed and
honored.
10. I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.
11. Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in My
Heart.
12. I promise you in the excessive mercy of My Heart that My all-powerful love
will grant to all those who receive Holy Communion on the First Fridays in nine
consecutive months the grace of final perseverance; they shall not die in My
disgrace, nor without receiving their sacraments. My divine Heart shall be
their safe refuge in this last moment.
The Church grants a Plenary indulgence to those who attend Mass and receive
Communion in honor of The Sacred Heart of Jesus on the First Friday of each
month for nine (9) consecutive months.
First Friday Devotion Prayers
The following prayers are recommended in the First Friday Devotion.
Litany of The Sacred Heart of Jesus
Act of Reparation to The Sacred Heart of Jesus
Memorare to The Sacred Heart of Jesus
Prayer of Adoration and Love to The Sacred Heart
Prayer of Adoration to the Blessed Sacrament
Prayer of Trust in the Sacred Heart
Prayer of Consecration
Litany of the Sacred Heart of
Jesus
Lord,
have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Son of the Eternal Father, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, formed by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mother,
have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, substantially united to the Word of God, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, of Infinite Majesty, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Sacred Temple of God, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, Tabernacle of the Most High, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, House of God and Gate of Heaven, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, burning furnace of charity, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, abode of justice and love, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, abyss of all virtues, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, most worthy of all praise, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, king and center of all hearts, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in whom are all treasures of wisdom and knowledge, have mercy
on us.
Heart of Jesus, in whom dwells the fullness of divinity, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, in whom the Father was well pleased, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, of whose fullness we have all received, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, desire of the everlasting hills, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, patient and most merciful, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, enriching all who invoke Thee, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, fountain of life and holiness, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, propitiation for our sins, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, loaded down with opprobrium, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, bruised for our offenses, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, obedient to death, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, pierced with a lance, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, source of all consolation, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, our life and resurrection, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, our peace and our reconciliation, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, victim for our sins, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, salvation of those who trust in Thee, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, hope of those who die in Thee, have mercy on us.
Heart of Jesus, delight of all the Saints, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, O Lord.
V. Jesus, meek and humble of heart.
R. Make our hearts like to Thine.
Let us pray.
Almighty and eternal God, look upon the Heart of Your most beloved Son and
upon the praises and satisfaction which He offers You in the name of sinners;
and to those who implore Your mercy, in Your great goodness, grant forgiveness
in the name of the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, who livest and reignest with
Thee forever and ever. Amen.
Act of Reparation to The Sacred
Heart of Jesus
O Jesus,
Divine Savior, deign to cast a look of mercy upon Your children, who assemble
in the same spirit of faith, reparation, and love, and come to deplore their
own infidelities, and those of all poor sinners, their brethren. May we touch
Your Divine Heart by the unanimous and solemn promises we are about to make and
obtain mercy for ourselves, for the world, and for all who are so unhappy as
not to love You. We all promise that for the future:
For the forgetfulness and ingratitude of men, we will console you, O Lord.
For the way you are deserted in your holy tabernacle, we will console you, O
Lord.
For the crimes of sinners, we will console you, O Lord.
For the hatred of the impious, we will console you, O Lord.
For the blasphemies uttered against you, we will console you, O Lord.
For the sacrileges that profane your sacrament of love, we will console you, O
Lord.
For the outrages against your divinity, we will console you, O Lord.
For the injuries of which you are the adorable victim, we will console you, O
Lord.
For the coldness of the greater part of your children, we will console you, O
Lord.
For the contempt of your loving invitation, we will console you, O Lord.
For the infidelity of those who called themselves your friends, we will console
you, O Lord.
For the abuse of your grace, we will console you, O Lord.
For our own unfaithfulness, we will console you, O Lord.
For the incomprehensible hardness of our hearts, we will console you, O Lord.
For our long delay in loving you, we will console you, O Lord.
For our tepidity in your holy service, we will console you, O Lord.
For your bitter sadness at the loss of souls, we will console you, O Lord.
For your long waiting at the door of our hearts, we will console you, O Lord.
For the heartless scorn that grieves you, we will console you, O Lord.
For your loving sighs, we will console you, O Lord.
For your loving tears, we will console you, O Lord.
For your loving imprisonment, we will console you, O Lord.
For your loving death, we will console you, O Lord.
Let us pray: O Jesus! Divine Savior, from whose Heart comes forth this
bitter complaint, "I looked for one that would comfort me, and I found
none," graciously accept the feeble consolation we offer You, and aid
us so powerfully by Your grace, that we may, for the time to come, shun more
and more all that can displease You, and prove ourselves in everything, and
everywhere, and forever Your most faithful and devoted servants. We ask it
through Your Sacred Heart, O Lord, who live and reign with the Father and the
Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.
Memorare to The Sacred Heart of
Jesus
Remember,
O most kind Jesus, that none who have had recourse to Your Sacred Heart,
implored its assistance, or called for mercy, have ever been abandoned. Filled,
and animated by this same confidence, O divine Heart, Ruler of all hearts, I
fly to You, and oppressed beneath the weight of my sins, I prostrate myself
before You. Despise not Your unworthy child, but grant me, I pray, an entrance
into Your Sacred Heart. Sustain me in all my combats and be with me now, and at
all times, but especially in the hour of my death. O gracious Jesus! O amiable
Jesus! O loving Jesus! Amen.
Prayer of Adoration and Love to
the Sacred Heart
I adore
Thee, I love Thee, I praise Thee, I cry to Thee for mercy, I return Thee
thanks, I invoke Thee and confide myself entirely to Thee, O most holy and
adorable Heart of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who for the salvation of us
all didst submit Thyself to the rigors of Divine Justice, and didst voluntarily
accept a birth accompanied with poverty, sorrow and contempt, a life of labor
and contradictions, but of kindness for all, and a death full of opprobrium,
confusion and sorrow, and who, in fine, for the love of those who wish to be
saved through Thy divine charity, dost remain in the Blessed Sacrament of the
altar to the end of time. Accomplish, O most adorable Heart, Thy wishes in my
poor and miserable heart, which I dedicate and consecrate to Thee forever.
Grant that it may live in the sentiments of love and gratitude which it owes
Thee, that it may at all times breathe only Thy honor and glory, in order that
it may expire in the waters of perfect contrition. Amen.
Prayer of Adoration to the
Blessed Sacrament
Jesus
Christ, my Lord and my God, Whom I believe to be really present in the Blessed
Sacrament of the Altar, receive this most profound act of adoration to supply
for the desire I have to adore Thee unceasingly, and in thanksgiving for the
sentiments of love which Thy sacred Heart has for me in this sacrament. I
cannot better acknowledge them than by offering Thee all the acts of adoration,
resignation, patience, and love which this same Heart has made during its
mortal life, and which it makes still and which it shall make eternally in
heaven, in order that through it I may love Thee, praise Thee, and adore Thee
worthily as much as it is possible for me. I unite myself to this divine
offering which Thou dost make to Thy divine Father, and I consecrate to Thee my
whole being, praying Thee to destroy in me all sin and not to permit that I
should be separated from Thee eternally. Amen.
Prayer of Trust in The Sacred
Heart
In all
my temptations, I place my trust in Thee, O Sacred Heart of Jesus.
In all my weaknesses, I place my trust in Thee, O Sacred Heart of Jesus.
In all my difficulties, I place my trust in Thee, O Sacred Heart of Jesus.
In all my trials, I place my trust in Thee, O Sacred Heart of Jesus.
In all my sorrows, I place my trust in Thee, O Sacred Heart of Jesus.
In all my work, I place my trust in You, O Sacred Heart of Jesus.
In every failure, I place my trust in Thee, O Sacred Heart of Jesus.
In every discouragement, I place my trust in Thee, O Sacred Heart of Jesus.
In life and in death, I place my trust in Thee, O Sacred Heart of Jesus.
In time and in eternity, I place my trust in Thee, O Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Prayer of Consecration
I,
_______, give myself to the Sacred Heart of our Lord Jesus Christ, and I
consecrate to Him my person and my life, my actions, pains, and sufferings, so
that henceforth I shall be unwilling to make use of any part of my being
except for the honor, love, and glory of the Sacred Heart.
My unchanging purpose is to be all His and to do all things for the love of Him
while renouncing with all my heart whatever is displeasing to Him.
I take you, O Sacred Heart, as the only object of my love, the guardian of my
life, the assurance of my salvation, the remedy of my weakness and inconstancy,
the atonement for all my faults, and the sure refugee at my death.
O Heart of love, I place all my trust in You, for I fear everything from my own
wickedness and frailty, but I hope for all things from Your goodness and
bounty.
Consume in me all that can displease You or resist Your holy Will. Let Your
pure love imprint You so deeply upon my heart that I shall nevermore be able to
forget You or be separated from You. May I obtain from all Your loving kindness
the grace of having my name written in You, for I desire to place in You all my
happiness and all my glory, living and dying in virtual bondage to You.
November 6 is Saxophone
Day, an unofficial holiday that celebrates the woodwind instrument popularly
used in jazz, classical music, and military ensembles. The day honors
saxophonists and commemorates the birth anniversary of its inventor Adolphe
Sax. Born in Belgium in 1814, Sax was an instrument maker and musician who
designed and introduced the Saxophone in 1840. It was first adopted for use in
military bands and soon became a popular instrument played in a concert band
and in chamber music. Chamber music is a type of music played by a group of
small instruments - ones that usually can fit into a small room or chamber.
Today, the Saxophone is used extensively in jazz and other kinds of dance music
and in symphony orchestras around the world.
Many Different Types
The Saxophone comes in
many different varieties, though most saxophonists usually use one of the four
most popular types. These are tenor, baritone, alto, and soprano saxophones.
The tenor saxophone is usually used in jazz and rock music bands, while the baritone
saxophone tends to be reserved for jazz solos. The Alto Saxophone is easy to
play and therefore used to train beginners. The Soprano plays the highest pitch
among all saxophones and is also often played in jazz bands. Other saxophones
include Mezzo Soprano, Sopranino, Tubax, Bass and Contrabass.
How to Celebrate?
Are you a
saxophonist? Bring out your instrument and play some music with a band or solo
for your family and friends.
Attend a chamber
music, jazz or symphony orchestra concert. Keep an ear out for the Saxophone
notes.
If you have always
wanted to learn how to play the Saxophone, today is the day to get started.
Sunset at the Port –
Eucharistic reflection on the tide
6. ✨ Saints of the South – Local
Anchors
St. John of the Cross
– mysticism, exile, and mercy retrieved
St. Teresa of Ávila –
interior renewal and bold reform
Film pairing: The
Way – pilgrimage, grief, and transformation
7. 🔥 Firelight Finale – Tapas
& Trellis Tales
Bonfires: not
permitted on public beaches, but symbolic fire bowls or rooftop candles are
welcome
Alternative: host a
tapas picnic under the stars with a string tied to your finger—then release it
Ritual Act: read The
Baba Goes Flying aloud, then toast with sherry and laughter
The Flight of the Baba
Family legends rarely improve with age, but this one somehow does.
Years ago, while traveling on a
Space-A military hop from Sigonella, Sicily, to Rota, Spain, the Iceman and his
family found themselves spending the night in a modest hotel where a room cost
only sixteen dollars. It had been a long journey. Everyone was tired. One young
daughter, however, had reached a level of exhaustion known only to small
children and weary parents. Clutched tightly in her arms was her most prized
possession: a handmade comfort pillow from Aunt Linda affectionately known as
the Baba.
The Baba was no ordinary pillow. It
was a source of security, comfort, and peace. Unfortunately, on this particular
evening, peace was in short supply.
As the crying continued without
interruption, the Iceman's patience finally began to thaw. Spotting a loose
string attached to the Baba, he tied it around his finger and issued what he
believed was a reasonable ultimatum. If the crying did not stop, the Baba would
be launched from the third-floor balcony.
Like many plans conceived by tired
fathers, it failed immediately.
The crying intensified.
With a determination he would soon
regret, the Iceman swung the Baba outward. For a brief moment, everything
appeared under control. Then the string snapped.
The Baba sailed gracefully through
the Spanish night air, drifting downward like a tiny parachute before landing
on the balcony of the room directly below.
Silence followed.
Then came the voice of the Lady of
the Ice.
"Go get it."
What followed was an emergency
family operation. The rescue party descended to the second floor and knocked on
the appropriate door. No answer. After a cautious pause, the Iceman eased the
door open and peeked inside. There, in plain sight on the balcony, rested the
Baba.
Victory seemed only a few steps
away.
Then, from the darkness of the
room, a head suddenly rose from the bed.
The Iceman reversed course with
remarkable speed. He nearly knocked over his wife, abandoned the mission, and
retreated up the stairs with the rest of the family in close pursuit.
Meanwhile, the Baba remained
stranded.
So did family harmony.
Standing outside a short time
later, the Iceman surveyed the battlefield and discovered a possible solution:
a trellis extending from the ground to the second-floor balcony. It was not
part of any approved military operation, but necessity has always been the
mother of invention.
Conveniently, the trellis stood
beside a tapas bar.
Summoning equal parts courage,
desperation, and poor judgment, the Iceman climbed upward, recovered the Baba,
and returned triumphantly with the beloved pillow in hand. The rescue was
complete. The mission was a success. The family heirloom had been saved.
The daughter continued crying
anyway.
At that point, the Iceman decided
he had done all that could reasonably be expected of one man. He retired to the
tapas bar, ordered dinner, and spent the remainder of the evening acting as
though none of it had happened.
The Great Baba Rescue of Rota has
remained family lore ever since.
One mystery, however, endures.
Is there a tapa called
"Baba"?
If there isn't, there should be.
Fitness Friday-Take a bath Rome was in part a great nation due to their system of "Bathing".
After researching the bath system, I have reinvented the roman bath into a
10-step method.
We
can safely assume that the Roman Bath, or Thermae,
is the father of our modern-day spas and health clubs. Bathing in ancient Rome
was not a private activity conducted in the intimacy of one's home. Quite
to the contrary, it was a highly social activity where men and woman of all
classes congregated at different hours to exercise, bathe, socialize, relax and
even read in the bathhouse’s communal libraries. During the Roman Empire bathhouses flourished. The
city of Rome had 170 baths during the reign of Augustus, which increased to 900
in 300 AD. Bathhouses were considered a public facility and were built using
tax money collected by the municipality. Sometimes a rich lord or emperor
would build a sumptuous bath to impress his subjects and would grant them free
entrance for a period of time. Generally, a modest entrance fee, affordable by
all men was charged at the bathhouse. The women's fee was double, and
their bath time restricted to mornings, while men used the baths from the early
afternoon to closing time. Communal bathing, although frowned upon, must have
been indulged in regularly in ancient Rome as various Roman emperors frequently
outlawed it.
An
interesting aspect of the Roman Bath was the exercise area or Palaestra (as the gym is still referred
to by the Italians today).
This
is where the ancient Roman males and some females engaged in various types or
muscle-building and sweat-inducing exercises like weightlifting, ball games,
wrestling and boxing. Bowls, gambling with dice and various board games
were available for the less energetic. The Roman bathhouses were the
height of luxury. Even the average bath had floor to ceiling mirrors, intricate
mosaics and rich marble pools. The baths were the equivalent of a social club
or today's shopping malls. Besides the bath and the gym, they had a
library with a reading room, a snack bar, restaurants, wine and beer bars,
shops, lounges, taverns and hair cutting salons. Some even had a museum and a
theatre.
A
typical Roman bath started in the apodyterium
or changing rooms, where people would take their clothes off in small cubicles
and leave their slaves to guard them.
From
there, they would step into the unctuarium
where they had various oils rubbed onto their skin and could then exercise in
one of the exercise yards or Palaestra.
Then,
they would generally move to the tepidarium
or warm room, where they would lie around chatting with their friends, with
attendants serving them snacks and drinks.
The
tepidarium was a transitional area
and preparation for the hot caldarium.
The
latter is the equivalent of a sauna or steam bath, hot and steamy with heated
floors where the bathers would sweat profusely while scraping their skin with a
strigil.
This
curved metal tool was used to remove the oils, which were used by the common
people instead of the very expensive soaps, only accessible to the rich.
From
the hot steaming rooms, the bathers would then move to the frigidarium where, as the name indicates, they were able to cool
off and allow the skin pores to close.
The
frigidarium contained pools of fresh water for dipping and swimming. After
swimming, the bather would enjoy a massage and have oils and perfumes rubbed into his skin. Feeling clean and relaxed,
the Roman bather then drifts through the beautiful gardens decorated with
mosaics and colossal sculptures. Undoubtedly, the most interesting feature
of the Roman bath was the under-floor heating, made possible by the Hypocaust
system for heating the building and the pools. Thanks to the Hypocaust,
hot air, heated from the basement fires flowing between the bricks and concrete
columns would heat the rooms. In some baths the floor would be so hot that the
bathers had to wear wooden sandals to prevent their soles from
burning. The ancient Romans were undisputed early Master of Architecture and civil planning. They are accredited for
being the builders of the greatest aqueducts in the world. These refer to
an intricate system of pipes, ditches, canals, tunnels, and supporting
structures, which were used to transport water from its source onto a main distribution
point. Through these aqueducts water
flowed to the city by the sheer force of gravity. It usually went through a
series of distribution tanks within the city from which it is later transported
to its final destination.
Educate yourself
about healthcare fraud prevention for Report Home Health Care Fraud Day.
Listen to soothing
saxophone music for National
Saxophone Day. I have been to where the Saxophone was invented in
Dinant Belgium, when my father as stationed there in the Army.
BEHAVE YOURSELF!— THE TROUBLE WITH GOOD INTENTIONS AND THE VALUE OF STEADFAST CHARACTER
From a Lost Dog and a Gang of Criminals to the Truth That Integrity Matters Most When Life Becomes Absurd (Based on Behave Yourself!, 1951)
An Ordinary Man Drawn Into Extraordinary Trouble
George Beck is not looking for adventure.
He is not a detective, a gangster, or a hero seeking excitement. He is an ordinary husband trying to live an ordinary life. When he and his wife encounter a stray dog, adopting the animal seems like a harmless act of kindness.
Yet that simple decision opens the door to a world of confusion, danger, and comic misfortune.
The dog unknowingly carries a connection to criminals, stolen property, and people who are eager to recover what they believe belongs to them. Suddenly George finds himself chased, questioned, suspected, and entangled in situations far beyond his experience.
The comedy emerges from watching a decent man navigate circumstances he never wanted and never expected.
Beneath the humor lies a familiar truth. Most people imagine character is revealed only during great crises. More often it is revealed during unwelcome inconveniences. When plans collapse, when accusations arise, when confusion reigns, character becomes visible.
George repeatedly discovers that panic rarely solves problems. Shortcuts create new complications. Honesty remains safer than deception even when deception appears easier.
The danger is believing that circumstances determine character.
The lesson is that character determines how we respond to circumstances.
The verdict is that integrity becomes most valuable when life refuses to behave itself.
Film Card — Behave Yourself! (1951)
Behave Yourself! • Comedy-Crime • 1h 21m
A mild-mannered man and his wife adopt a stray dog and soon discover that the animal is connected to a criminal scheme, placing the unsuspecting couple in the middle of a whirlwind of gangsters, misunderstandings, and comic danger.
Themes: Integrity & Temptation • Courage & Confusion • Ordinary People in Extraordinary Circumstances
Cast: Farley Granger, Shelley Winters, William Demarest, Lon Chaney Jr.
Production: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
Historical Frame: Postwar America, when audiences enjoyed lighthearted crime comedies that mixed everyday suburban life with mystery, suspense, and humor.
Production & Cultural Setting
The Everyman Hero:
Many films of the era placed ordinary citizens into unusual situations, allowing audiences to imagine how they themselves might respond.
Crime as Comedy:
Rather than focusing on violence, the film uses criminal intrigue as the engine for misunderstandings and humor.
The American Household:
The home, the family, and neighborhood life serve as the backdrop for a story that suddenly becomes anything but ordinary.
Animal Catalyst:
The dog functions as the unexpected force that disrupts routine and reveals the strengths and weaknesses of every character involved.
Moral Undercurrent:
Decency often appears ordinary until circumstances make it difficult.
Story Summary
The Kind Gesture: George and his wife take in a stray dog.
The Surprise: The animal's mysterious background attracts unwanted attention.
The Complications: Criminals, police, and assorted strangers begin pursuing answers.
The Escalation: The couple becomes caught in a growing web of misunderstandings and danger.
The Challenge: George must navigate confusion while attempting to stay honest and responsible.
The Resolution: Persistence, truthfulness, and a bit of good fortune untangle the mystery.
Moral & Spiritual Resonances
A. Small Decisions Can Have Large Consequences
Many life-changing events begin with seemingly insignificant choices.
B. Kindness Carries Risk
Helping others often involves uncertainty, yet kindness remains worthwhile.
C. Character Is Revealed Under Pressure
When confusion and fear arise, true priorities become visible.
D. Courage Is Not Fearlessness
Ordinary people demonstrate courage whenever they do what is right despite uncertainty.
E. Goodness Often Appears Unremarkable
The world celebrates dramatic heroes, yet society depends upon ordinary people who quietly do the right thing.
Hospitality Pairing — Drawn From Mid-Century Comfort and Family Adventure
Food — Casual and Welcoming
Meatloaf with mashed potatoes
Buttered green beans
Apple cobbler
Drink — Friendly and Relaxed
Gin and lime
Root beer float
Fresh lemonade
Atmosphere — Neighborhood Hospitality
Classic radio comedy playing softly
Family stories shared around the table
A relaxed evening where laughter matters more than perfection
Personal Reflection
How do I respond when unexpected complications disrupt my plans?
Do I remain honest when shortcuts seem easier?
Am I willing to help others even when doing so creates inconvenience?
What small act of kindness has unexpectedly changed my life?
Do I treat everyday integrity as seriously as dramatic acts of courage?
Am I the same person under pressure that I claim to be during calm moments?
Most people never expect to become the central figure in a complicated story.
Neither did George Beck.
Yet life has a way of placing ordinary people into extraordinary situations.
What matters is not whether confusion arrives.
What matters is whether we remain faithful to our principles when it does.
