This blog is based on references in the Bible to fear. God wills that we “BE NOT AFRAID”. 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. By “the power of the Holy Spirit” we can be witnesses and “communicators” of a new and redeemed humanity “even to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:7 8). This blog is dedicated to Mary the Mother of God.
oStart your day with a calming activity to celebrate Stress Awareness Day. Try yoga or meditation to relax your mind and body.
oIncorporate healthy eating by preparing a nutritious breakfast.
§Open an advent calendar and enjoy a plate of nachos on National Nachos Day.
oHost a movie night with your dog in honor of the Dog Film Festival.
oEducate yourself about healthcare fraud prevention for Report Home Health Care Fraud Day.
oListen 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.
Best Place to visit in November: Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale is another favorite of "snowbirds" (Northerners who head south in winter), and we can see why! It's one of the best places to visit in November in the USA to escape the chill. It's always sunny and warm in Scottsdale, but in November the desert heat is somewhat subdued, making it a perfect time to get outdoors in the area. Experience the Old West charm of Scottsdale by exploring historic Old Town, filled with art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants housed in charming adobe buildings. Don't miss the weekly ArtWalk, where you can peruse local artwork and mingle with artists.
Golf enthusiasts can tee off on some of the finest golf courses in the area, enjoying the pleasant weather and desert views. If you're seeking relaxation and rejuvenation, indulge in the city's renowned spas, offering luxurious treatments inspired by desert botanicals. November also brings the excitement of horse racing to Scottsdale with the opening of the Turf Paradise Racecourse. We also love the idea of getting out and enjoying the Sonoran Desert. You can even take a hot air balloon ride for a better view of the jaw dropping landscapes and giant Saguaro cactuses.
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
Before I was born, my family took a Space-A military hop from Sigonella, Sicily to Rota, Spain—a spontaneous adventure made possible by the Military Airlift Command. My older brother and sister were along for the ride, and after a long journey, the family settled into a modest hotel room for $16 a night. My sister, exhausted and inconsolable, refused to stop crying. She clung to her comfort pillow—a handmade treasure from Aunt Linda known as “the Baba.” In a moment of frustration, my father tied the Baba’s loose string around his finger and threatened to throw it off the third-floor balcony if she didn’t quiet down. This, of course, made things worse. She screamed louder. And then, true to his word, my father launched the Baba into the air. The string snapped mid-flight, and the Baba sailed off the balcony, landing on the one below.
My mother, now furious, demanded its retrieval. The family descended to the second-floor room, knocked twice, and when no one answered, my father cautiously opened the door. Inside, the Baba lay peacefully on the balcony—but just as he stepped in, a head rose from the bed. In comic retreat, he backed out, nearly knocking my mother over, and the whole family fled upstairs. My sister’s cries intensified. My mother’s fury deepened. And my father, desperate for redemption, noticed a trellis climbing from the ground floor to the second-floor balcony—right next to a tapas bar. Channeling rogue saint energy, he marched outside, climbed the trellis, retrieved the Baba, and saved the day. My sister still cried all night. My father went down to the bar and ate tapas as if nothing had happened.
To this day, I wonder if there’s a tapa named “Baba.” If not, there should be.
This is probably a reference to the
manna in the desert, which elsewhere is seen as a type of the Eucharist. In the
Gospel of John Christ states, “I have food to eat of which you do not know.” So
the disciples said to one another, “Could someone have brought him something to
eat?” Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and
to finish his work. (John 4: 32-34).
We like our Lord should have the
same desire to build the Kingdom of God; to create a New Jerusalem in our home,
at our work and in our communities. Our Lord asks that we prepare ourselves for
the work by eating the food he gives us which is the new covenant.
We need this food
to create a change in us from the old man to become sons of God in and through
Christ which is the new covenant of His blood. Those who love him frequent Mass
and take the food He gives us through His Priests. For this is real food indeed.
It is not food to give pleasure to the body but it is intended by God to
give joy to the soul. According to the late Bishop Fulton Sheen, "You can
quickly become tired of pleasures, but you can never tire of joys."
Joy comes by finding God. You cannot satisfy a soul with husks![1]
Copilot’s Take
John
10:17 reveals the divine rhythm of surrender and resurrection—Christ lays down
His life not in defeat, but in love, knowing He will take it up again. This act
echoes the manna in the desert, a precursor to the Eucharist, and deepens in
John 4:32–34, where Jesus speaks of a hidden food: the will of the Father. This
food is not for bodily pleasure but for soul transformation, inviting us to
build the Kingdom of God in our homes, workplaces, and communities. Through the
Eucharist, we receive the covenant of joy—a joy that, as Bishop Fulton Sheen
reminds us, never tires. Unlike fleeting pleasures, this joy satisfies the
soul, reshaping us from old selves into sons and daughters of God. To eat this
food is to enter the mystery of mercy, to become what we receive, and to find
joy in the laying down of our lives for love.
Bible in a Year Day 124 King David Rules
Today we
read about the moment David is made king over all Israel. Fr. Mike reveals that
as David begins his rule, he has both strengths and weaknesses. Today we read 2
Samuel 5, 1 Chronicles 7-8, and Psalm 27.
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.
oAccording to the almanac today is a Full Beaver
Moon; plan to spend some time watching the Narnia series or reading “The Witch
the Lion and the Wardrobe” with your children or grandchildren.
Dara’s Corner-
Don't forget to pray for the y from November 1 to the 8th.
oAs the day transitions into evening, join in the festivities of Bonfire Night and Guy Fawkes Night by organizing a cozy bonfire with friends. Delight in the crackling flames and dazzling firework displays while reminiscing over the historical significance of the night.
·Cap off the day with the adrenaline of American Football Day. Gather your friends for a friendly game or watch a match together while munching on some snacks. Whether you’re a sports enthusiast or a casual viewer, football day is all about bonding over a shared love for the game.
🌍 Dara’s Corner: Aboard The World
·Incense & Ascent | November 5–11, 2025 Theme:Altars of Fragrance & the Ascent of the Heart Coordinates: Sailing from Masirah Island toward Sur, Qurayyat, and Muscat
·🕊️ Day 1 — November 5 | Sailing toward Sur
oFragrance Before Ascent Pilgrims begin the week with a sunrise anointing—frankincense and myrrh blended with sea salt. Each receives a small clay vessel to carry a personal intention. 📖Song of Songs 3:6 — “Who is this coming up from the desert, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense?” Meal: Papaya salad with coconut, lime, and chili Reflection: “Fragrance is memory made visible.” Hospitality Arc: Offer a scent—incense, oil, or herb—to someone as a blessing.
·🪨 Day 2 — November 6 | Docked in Sur
oPilgrimage of the Hands Pilgrims visit a dhow workshop, tracing the wood and salt of ancient maritime craft. Each writes a prayer for those who build, mend, and carry. 📖Isaiah 58:12 — “You shall be called the repairer of the breach…” Meal: Grilled kingfish with lemon rice and pickled limes Reflection: “To build is to bless what others will carry.” Hospitality Arc: Offer your hands in service—help someone complete a task.
·🕯️ Day 3 — November 7 | Sailing toward Qurayyat
oLanterns of the Mountain At dusk, pilgrims light clay lanterns and place them along the ship’s rail—each flame a prayer for clarity. 📖Psalm 119:105 — “Your word is a lamp for my feet…” Meal: Harees (wheat and lamb porridge) with cardamom ghee Reflection: “Clarity is not brightness—it is direction.” Hospitality Arc: Share a verse or phrase that has guided you.
·🌄 Day 4 — November 8 | Docked in Qurayyat
oMountain of Mercy Pilgrims hike a coastal ridge at sunrise, each carrying their clay vessel. At the summit, intentions are poured into the wind. 📖Micah 4:2 — “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord…” Meal: Ruqaq bread with labneh and date syrup Reflection: “To ascend is to release.” Hospitality Arc: Offer a word of encouragement to someone who hesitates.
·🌬️ Day 5 — November 9 | Sailing toward Muscat
oWind of the Spirit A midday ritual invites pilgrims to write a letter to their future self—sealed and stored in the ship’s chapel. 📖John 3:8 — “The wind blows where it wills…” Meal: Spiced chickpea stew with citrus salad and hibiscus tea Reflection: “The Spirit moves gently—but never aimlessly.” Hospitality Arc: Offer a blessing for someone’s unseen journey.
·🕊️ Day 6 — November 10 | Docked in Muscat
oCity of Altars Pilgrims walk Muscat’s incense markets and prayer halls. At sunset, each lights a candle at the Grand Mosque’s outer wall. 📖Revelation 8:4 — “The smoke of the incense rose with the prayers of the saints…” Meal: Omani mezze, grilled halloumi, saffron rice Reflection: “Every altar is a threshold.” Hospitality Arc: Share aloud one place that became sacred to you.
·🌅 Day 7 — November 11 | Offshore Muscat
oEucharist of Ascent The week closes with a sunrise Eucharist on the upper deck. Each pilgrim receives a woven pouch of frankincense and myrrh—symbol of memory and movement. 📖Psalm 24:3 — “Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord?” Meal: Omani halwa with rosewater, pistachios, and mint tea Reflection: “Ascent is not escape—it is return.” Hospitality Arc: Offer one grace received this week aloud at sunrise.
·🥘 7-Course Pilgrimage Meal: Incense & Ascent
·Theme: Altars of Fragrance & the Ascent of the Heart
oShredded green papaya, coconut, and chili-lime dressing—a nod to Salalah’s tropical bounty. Symbolic Arc: Threshold sweetness—fruit born of monsoon and mercy.
oCrisp Omani flatbread torn and drizzled with date syrup, served with herbed yogurt. Symbolic Arc: Simplicity and sweetness—desert hospitality in every fold.
oGoat cheese infused with mishkak spices, served with warm bread and pickled limes. Symbolic Arc: Fire and fragrance—discernment forged in the wilderness.
oA rich, gelatinous sweet made with saffron, ghee, rosewater, and nuts.
Symbolic Arc: Radiance and return—the sweetness of the soul’s homecoming.
NOVEMBER 5 First Wednesday
Election Day / Guy
Fawkes Night
John, Chapter 11,Verse 36
So, the Jews said, “See how he LOVED
him.”
Jesus’ love is this
that death is no more; the last enemy has been defeated. The Jews were the
witness of this in their exclamation at the raising of Lazarus, “See how he loved
him.” One, who has faith, even after
death, shall live; one who has faith and is alive will never really die. Of
this the restoration of Lazarus is the sign.[1]
After the resurrection
of Lazarus those in power plotted to kill Jesus because he destroyed the fear
of death which was a major tool used by Satan their father to control mankind.
One day, when the angels of God came to
present themselves before the LORD, Satan also came among them. And the LORD
said to Satan, "Whence do you come?" Then Satan answered the LORD and
said, "From roaming the earth and patrolling it." And the LORD said
to Satan, "Have you noticed my servant Job, and that there is no one on
earth like him, blameless and upright, fearing God and avoiding evil?"
God does not require
anyone to pass an exam to merit birth. Life is a gift from our creator via our
parents. A child is not a trophy but a gift. Families are a communion of
persons essential to understanding love. At the same time, the family home can
often be the scene of pain as well. We experience death through the self-taking
of the world through greed, manipulation, indulgence, and infatuation, which
masquerade as love. Wounded, we begin to shy away from the gift, to be coerced
into choosing to fear rather than love. Attacks on marriage and the family,
such as same-sex unions, no fault-divorce, free love, cohabitation,
pornography, and adultery are attacks on love itself and the very identity of
the human person. Healing means returning to the original form of love we were
meant to learn as children. The gift of self makes love visible. As long as
conflicts/anger is buried, they do not heal. Yet our hearts long for lovewhich is our first memory. Love is the
authentic surrender of self for the good of the other. A fundamental truth of
Christ and the Catholic Church is this “Culture of Life” which stems from love.
Copilot’s Take
On November 5, as
Election Day and Guy Fawkes Night converge, we reflect on the power of love to
dismantle fear. In John 11:36, the Jews exclaim, “See how he loved him,”
bearing witness to a love so profound it reversed death itself. Jesus’ raising
of Lazarus was not merely a miracle—it was a declaration that death no longer
reigns. This act threatened the powers of the day, for it exposed their
reliance on fear as a tool of control. In contrast, God’s gift of life requires
no merit—children are not trophies but sacred gifts, and families are meant to
be schools of love. Yet the world’s distortions—greed, indulgence,
betrayal—wound our capacity to receive love freely. Healing begins when we
return to the original form of love: the gift of self for the good of the
other. This is the heart of the Catholic Church’s “Culture of Life,” a truth
that affirms love as stronger than death and family as the sanctuary where love
is first learned.
Our
Heavenly Father desires all three hearts of Jesus, Mary and Joseph to be
honored. And so along with devotion to Jesus on First Fridays, and to Mary on
First Saturdays, Our Father longs for us to add devotion to St. Joseph on each
First Wednesday of the month.
"The
Sacred Hearts of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph have been chosen by the Most Holy
Trinity to bring peace to the world." It is at God's request that
"special love and honor be given to them" to help us
"imitate" their love and their lives, as well as "offer
reparation" for the sins committed against them and their love.
The St. Joseph First Wednesday devotion is:
1. Pray the
Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary - remembering St. Joseph's love, his life, his
role and his sufferings
2. Receive
Holy Communion - in union with the love St. Joseph had for Jesus the first time
and each time he held him - his son, his God and Savior - in his arms.
In the
approved apparitions of Our Lady of America, St. Joseph revealed:
·"I am the protector of
the Church and the home, as I was the protector of Christ and his Mother while
I lived upon earth. Jesus and Mary desire that my pure heart, so long hidden
and unknown, be now honored in a special way.
·Let my children honor my most
pure heart in a special manner on the First Wednesday of the month by reciting
the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary in memory of my life with Jesus and Mary and
the love I bore them, the sorrow I suffered with them.
·Let them receive Holy
Communion in union with the love with which I received the Savior for the first
time and each time I held Him in my arms.
·Those who honor me in this way
will be consoled by my presence at their death, and I myself will conduct them
safely into the presence of Jesus and Mary."
St. Louis de
Montfort (1673-1716) popularized a consecration to Jesus through Mary,
recognizing that placing one’s life into the hands of Mary as mother and queen
would provide a surer way of coming close to her Son. De Montfort developed a
33-day preparation period and act of consecration, renewing one’s baptismal
vows, on a major feast day of Our Lady. Drawing upon this important devotional
practice, Father Donald Calloway proposes a similar consecration to her spouse,
St. Joseph, in his new book, Consecration
to St. Joseph: The Wonders of Our Spiritual Father (Marian Press,
2020). The book leads through a 30-day preparation period through its three
sections, the first of which examines Joseph’s titles in his litany, the second
of which looks at the wonders related to his life and role in the Church, and
the final of which offers prayers to him. Although his arrangement may be new,
the book contains acts of consecration to St. Joseph written by St. Alphonsus
Liguori, St. Bernadine of Siena, and St. Peter Julian Eymard.
Father Calloway
explains the importance of this devotion to St. Joseph and why one should make
a consecration to him: It “means that you acknowledge that he is your spiritual
father, and that you want to be like him. To show it, you entrust yourself entirely
to his paternal care so that he can lovingly 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 wellbeing 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 loving attention, protection, and guidance”. For those
who have already done the consecration to Jesus through Mary, Father Calloway
recommends this consecration as well: “God desires that all his children be
committed to the love and care of a mother and a father” (ibid.).
Father Calloway
rightly points out that now is the time of St. Joseph. We need Joseph right now
as a protector of the Church so that she may experience renewal. We also need
him as a protector of purity and the sanctity of family. We need him as a guide
for working and living in the world in faith and obedience. In order to
strengthen our daily devotion to him, I would also propose the following prayer
based on the Bible’s references to his role (including the prefigurement of the
Old Testament):
Joseph, Son of David, you are the just man
the Lord placed over His house. You did what the angel commanded and so we go
to you in time of need. O adopted father of Jesus, pray to your Son
for us. Amen.
Every Wednesday is Dedicated to St. Joseph
The
Italian culture has always had a close association with St. Joseph perhaps you
could make Wednesdays centered around Jesus’s Papa. Plan an Italian dinner of
pizza or spaghetti after attending Mass as most parishes have a Wednesday
evening Mass. You could even do carry out to help restaurants. If you are
adventurous, you could do the Universal Man Plan: St. Joseph style. Make the
evening a family night perhaps it could be a game night. Whatever you do make
the day special.
Fr.
Mike highlights the importance of David's reaction to the death of Ish-bosheth,
Saul's son. Today we read 2 Samuel 4, 1 Chronicles 5-6, and Psalm 26.
Election
Day refers to the day on which general elections in the United States are held.
Presidential elections are held every 4 years and the elected president
will then be sworn in and take office the following January 20th, a day known
as Inauguration
Day. Election Day is always held on the first Tuesday in November in
the US.
Election
Day Facts & Quotes
·Elections
held for federal offices only occur on even-numbered years.
·There
is no law in the Constitution or
Federal mandate which requires electorates to vote in accordance with the
popular vote of their state.
·There
are 538 Electoral College members. In order to win the vote for President of
the United States, a candidate must
obtain at least 270 of these votes.
·Nobody
will ever deprive the American people of the right to vote except the American
people themselves and the only way they could do this is by not voting. -
Franklin D. Roosevelt
·Let
each citizen remember at the moment he is offering his vote that he is not
making a present or a compliment to please an individual--or at least that he
ought not so to do; but that he is executing one of the most solemn trusts in
human society for which he is accountable to God and his country. - Samuel
Adams, The Writings of Samuel Adams, Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York:
G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1907), Vol. IV, p. 256.
Election
Day Top Events and Things to Do
·Register
to vote prior to Election Day.
·Attend
a local polling place and cast your vote.
·If
voting by absentee ballot or mail-in ballot, make sure it arrives on or before
Election Day.
·Be
informed about the candidates and new amendments on the ballot before going to
the polling place.
·Attend
an Election Day party.
2240 Submission to
authority and co-responsibility for the common good make it morally obligatory
to pay taxes, to exercise the right to vote, and to defend one's country:
Pay to all of them their dues, taxes to whom taxes are
due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to
whom honor is due.
[Christians] reside in their own nations, but as
resident aliens. They participate in all things as citizens and endure all
things as foreigners. . .. They obey the established laws and their way of life
surpasses the laws. . .. So noble is the position to which God has assigned
them that they are not allowed to desert it.
The
Apostle exhorts us to offer prayers and thanksgiving for kings and all who
exercise authority, "that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly
and respectful in every way."
Remember
the souls in purgatory, especially politicians who are nearly there or
someplace worse Joe Biden Abortion King and Nancy Pelosi Abortion Queen
Lord,
have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Holy
Souls, Pray for us.
For the souls of our families We pray Thee, O God.
For the souls of our friends, We pray Thee, O God.
For the souls of our enemies, We pray Thee, O God.
For the souls of all pagans, We pray Thee, O God.
For the souls of all priests, We pray Thee, O God.
For the souls of all religious, We pray Thee, O God.
For the souls of the just, We pray Thee, O God.
For the souls of all sinners, We pray Thee, O God.
For the Holy Souls in Purgatory, We pray Thee, O God.
For those who have none to pray for them, We pray Thee, O God.
O almighty and eternal God, we beg Thee to have mercy on the Holy Souls in
Purgatory, especially those for whom we are bound to pray; and we ask Thee also
to listen to the prayers of the Blessed Souls in our behalf. Amen.
Known
as Guy Fawkes Night or Fireworks Night, Gunpowder
Day focuses on the plot by Guy Fawkes and other conspirators to blow up
Britain’s parliament in 1605. Rebelling against the persecution of Catholics by
King James I, they planned to kill the monarch during his visit to parliament.
But the scheme was foiled, and the traitors executed. Families construct an
effigy of Guy Fawkes to be burned on a bonfire that evening. Fireworks are also
set off to add to the celebrations. Public displays are also held, and the
biggest celebration of Gunpowder Day is in Lewes in East Sussex, England. Six
bonfire societies host their own fireworks displays and gargantuan bonfires.
After sunset, a large procession of all of the societies moves through Lewes.
Many members carry flame torches and a river of fire can be seen flowing
through the town during the evening.
·Smell
the smoke? Don't
forget to pray for the Poor Souls in
Purgatory from November 1 to the 8th.
The
Gunpowder Plot is debated to this day. Some see it as a widespread Catholic
plot instigated and led by the Jesuit priests living underground in
England—much like it was painted in the 1606 trials of the conspirators. Others
argue that there was no conspiracy at all; it was a government-inspired
fabrication created by double-agents to use in the propaganda war against
Catholics. Conspiracy theories aside, here’s what we know of the Gunpowder
Plot. It began in an atmosphere of harsh anti-Catholic persecution. After the
excommunication of Queen Elizabeth in 1570 and the threatened invasion of the
Spanish Armada in 1588, Catholics were viewed with suspicion in England. They
were an alien force that could rise up at any moment on papal orders, overthrow
the Crown and eradicate English Protestantism. Or at least that was the excuse.
While English leadership would always argue that its concern with Catholicism
was purely political and not based on religious beliefs, in fact it harbored a
deep hatred of all things Catholic.
As
the 17th century began, a host of harsh legal penalties punished Catholics in
England for practicing their faith. Mass could not be legally celebrated
anywhere. Those laity caught attending a clandestine Mass could face heavy
fines or jail. Priests caught saying Mass—or simply exposed as priests—were
jailed, deported, or executed as traitors. Even rosary beads were considered
contraband. Children could not be baptized or married according to Catholic
rites. Every person over the age of 16 was required to attend the local
Protestant Church every Sunday or face heavy fines. Mass, therefore, was said
in secret in private homes by priests who were hidden by the Catholic community
itself. Those Catholics willing—and able—paid the fines for not attending Protestant
services. Others remained Catholic at heart, attending Mass when they could,
but went to Protestant services either because they could not afford the fines
or because they feared public retribution.
Hopes Raised—and Dashed
But by the turn of the 17th century, many within the English Catholic community
had some hope for relief. With childless Queen Elizabeth growing older, they
pinned their hopes on a successor that would lift these onerous restrictions.
While some daydreamed of a Catholic prince or princess from the Continent—a
foreign invasion by an alliance of Catholic sovereigns—others fixed their hopes
on King James VI of Scotland. Son of Mary Queen of Scots, whom many believed to
be a martyr for the faith after her execution in 1587 for allegedly plotting to
overthrow Elizabeth, James was the most likely successor. He was married to a
Catholic convert, Anne of Denmark, and rumors swirled within Catholic circles
(including the Holy See) that James might be open to conversion himself, or at
the very least open to Catholic toleration. James did absolutely nothing to
discourage such rumors and, particularly with the papacy, encouraged them.
After James, while in Scotland, misled Pope Clement VIII about his potential
conversion, the pope certainly looked favorably on him. So, when Elizabeth died
on March 24, 1603, and James was formally declared her successor, Catholic
hopes soared. Such hopes dimmed almost immediately, however, as Catholics
noticed that, in honor of his succession, the new King James granted routine
pardons to everyone but murderers and Catholics. When the first Parliament of
his reign was called for the spring of 1604, King James made his position on
Catholics very clear. In February of 1604 he demanded that all priests be
thrown out of his realm, and in March he complained bitterly of alleged
Catholic growth to Protestant leaders. In April a bill was introduced to class
all Catholics as outlaws.
Clever like a Fawkes
A
younger generation of Catholics in England had grown up with Elizabeth’s
persecution and the hope for relief under her successor. Sick of a world where
advancement could only come through denying the faith, a small number had
become truly militant. They longed for a new Spanish invasion after the
disastrous defeat of the Spanish Armada. Among those who travelled to Spain in
the hopes of securing a promised invasion was a young soldier named Guy Fawkes.
Once James was enthroned and a Protestant succession secured through his heirs,
the desperation among these young Catholics only grew. The Spanish, looking to
end the age of conflict with England, were making it clear through negotiations
with the new monarch that they were willing to sell out their fellow English
Catholics. The pope, who had also made his desire for peace known, disapproved
any acts of violence. The Jesuits in England made very clear that they
supported the papal position. By and large, this reflected the position of
English Catholics. Though their hopes were dashed by the apparent hostility of
King James to Catholic toleration, they knew that any violence would only make
a bad situation intolerable. The Bye Plot of 1603, a scheme to hold the king in
the Tower of London until he granted Catholic toleration, had involved
disgruntled Catholics. But the Plot was nipped primarily because underground
Jesuit priests tipped off the government. King James was so grateful that he
extended some pardons to a few Catholics jailed for their faith. In May 1604, a
group of disaffected young Catholics held a meeting. Abandoned by Spain, the
plotters believed that every peaceable means had been tried and failed. The
decision was made to blow up King James and his Parliament, a plan they
believed would lead to a foreign invasion, a Catholic uprising, or the
restoration of a Catholic monarchy. After making their pledge, they attended a
Mass celebrated by a Jesuit priest who was completely ignorant of what had
taken place. Parliament was suspended out of fear of the plague, so the handful
of plotters spent their time drawing a few more into the conspiracy. Fawkes
began to stockpile gunpowder in the cellar of a house that extended under the
Parliament building. In a world overrun with spies and double-agents, Fawkes
was already known to English authorities as a dangerous man.
Catholics Reveal the Plot
In
late June of 1605, Fr. Henry Garnet heard the confession of another Jesuit
priest, who revealed to him the outline of a plot that had been confessed to
him earlier. Horrified, Fr. Garnet—who could not reveal what he knew because of
the seal of the confessional—wrote to Rome asking the new pope, Paul V, for a
blanket papal condemnation of violence. When it was announced that Parliament
would be delayed again, Fr. Garnet believed that the danger had passed. He was
mistaken. The plotters proceeded, even when an anonymous letter was sent to a
Catholic lord, warning him to stay away when Parliament opened in the fall. The
lord passed the letter on to Robert Cecil, Earl of Salisbury, secretary of
state to Elizabeth and King James, and a persecutor of all things Catholic. On
November 1, 1605, Cecil informed the king of the mysterious letter. The cellar
under Westminster was searched, cords of firewood to ignite the blast were
discovered, and Fawkes, found skulking about, was arrested. The rest of the
conspirators fled. The Gunpowder Plot was foiled. The core conspirators were
tracked down and a number were killed in an ambush. The survivors were
arrested. It was at this point that Cecil began his campaign to recast the
Gunpowder Plot as a Jesuit conspiracy, though the Jesuits in England had been
outspoken against violence. Taking advantage of the paranoia after the plot was
revealed, Cecil made certain that the Gunpowder Plot was not viewed as a
conspiracy by a handful of fanatical Catholics. Instead, it became a vast
Catholic intrigue against the throne and English Protestantism caused by
"the perfidious and cursed doctrine of Rome." The Venetian ambassador
described the anti-Catholic talk that was everywhere in London: "Here they
attend to nothing else but great preparation for the annihilation of the
Catholic religion."
Annihilate the Catholics
After
the original plotters were executed, a virtual program against Catholics began,
focusing on the Jesuits. Fr. Garnet was eventually arrested, tortured, and
executed on trumped-up charges of complicity. He refused to renounce the faith
and was venerated as a martyr for generations. Though never formally canonized,
to this day many believe him to be a saint. The impact of the Gunpowder Plot on
English thinking was so great that not until 1828 would Catholics be finally
"emancipated" in England and allowed a full range of common English
rights, including the right to vote. As a point of comparison, in America that
number of years would have denied Catholics the ballot from 1776 to the
incumbent candidacy of the second George Bush.
Fact Check
A
few quick points to remember about the Gunpowder Plot:
·Prior to his accession, King James I deceived Catholics about
what toleration he would allow, even misleading the pope about a possible
conversion. His duplicity had its own role in generating the Gunpowder Plot.
·The Gunpowder Plot, although real, was not a widespread Catholic
conspiracy. Most Catholics were horrified when it was discovered, knowing that
it would lead to heightened persecution. That it most assuredly did—over two
centuries’ worth.
·The actual conspirators were a small handful of young Catholics.
While it cannot be said for certain what involvement double-agents might have
had in an era where men such as Robert Cecil were creating the world’s first
police state in England (aimed specifically at Catholics), there were young
Catholic men willing to engage in the plot, even if they were duped.
·The Jesuits in England did not devise, guide, or lead the
Gunpowder Plot. In fact, they tried to deter any violence based on the limited
knowledge they had of the plot. The Jesuit superior in England thought he had
successfully put the plot to rest.
·Cecil’s attack on the Jesuits was a calculated plot against all
things Catholic. His propaganda campaign was meant to show that the enemy was
not limited to the conspirators in the Gunpowder Plot but comprised the
Catholic Church itself.
·The Gunpowder Plot established the climate for the infusion of
anti-Catholicism into every aspect of English life.
·The number of Catholic urban legends created as a result of the
Gunpowder Plot is legion. Standard stereotypes and canards include the
conniving Jesuit, priests seducing innocent women, the sacrament of penance as
a tool to "forgive" sin before the sin has been committed, Catholic
plots to overthrow states, Catholics owing a secular allegiance to the papacy,
Catholics as unreliable aliens—the list goes on and on.
Shortly
after the Gunpowder Plot was discovered, Parliament declared that November 5
would be celebrated annually as a day of thanksgiving. It became known as
"Guy Fawkes Day" and the common practice was to have bonfires and to
burn the pope in effigy—a practice that continues in parts of England to this
day.
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