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NIC’s Corner
‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; since from you shall come a ruler, who is to shepherd my people Israel.’” (Matthew 2:6)
· Jesse Tree ornament: David: 1 Sam. 17:12-51 Symbols: slingshot, 6-pointed star.
· Singer Frank Sinatra, Born 1915
o Start your day by whipping up a batch of gingerbread. Get creative with your designs and build your own unique gingerbread house. Opt for colorful icing, candies, and other decorative items to make your creation stand out.
o After completing your gingerbread masterpiece, search your closet for the perfect Christmas jumper. Whether it’s tacky, festive, or cozy, wear it proudly throughout the day to spread holiday cheer.
o Next, head to your local florist or supermarket to pick up a poinsettia plant. Display it prominently in your living space to add a touch of holiday spirit to your surroundings.
o For a sweet treat, indulge in a bowl of ambrosia salad. Gather ingredients like canned fruit, marshmallows, coconut, and whipped cream to create this creamy and fruity dessert.
o To cap off the day, grab your phone and make some calls to loved ones on Ding-A-Ling Day. Catch up with friends and family members, spread joy and laughter, and make meaningful connections.
o In between these activities, take some time to relax and bask in the holiday spirit. Put on some festive music, light a scented candle, and soak in the joy of the season.
🇸🇪 Sweden vs 🇻🇺 Vanuatu — Nordic Silence and Island Sacraments
Two More Stops on the Rich vs Poor Tour: A Catholic Contrast in Secular Wealth and Oceanic Faith
This pairing invites pilgrims to reflect on how Catholicism survives in the margins—Sweden, a wealthy secular nation with a small Catholic minority, and Vanuatu, a Pacific island nation where Catholicism is woven into village life despite economic hardship. Together, they extend NIC’s Corner’s journey into the spiritual contrasts of affluence and island resilience.
🇸🇪 Sweden — Wealthy, Secular, and Culturally Catholic
GDP per capita (PPP): ~$63,300 USD (2024)
🧮 Why Sweden Ranks High
• Welfare State: Universal healthcare, education, and pensions.
• Innovation Economy: Tech, pharmaceuticals, and green energy drive growth.
• Low Corruption: Strong institutions and civic trust.
• Small Population: ~10 million with high productivity.
• Environmental Leadership: Sustainability is central to policy and culture.
✝️ Catholic Landscape
• Minority Faith: ~1.5% Catholic, mostly immigrants.
• One Diocese: Stockholm, led by Cardinal Anders Arborelius.
• Immigrant Church: Polish, Middle Eastern, and Latin American communities sustain parishes.
• Ecumenical Dialogue: Catholics collaborate with Lutheran and Orthodox groups.
• Quiet Witness: Catholicism is respected but not widely practiced.
⚠️ Challenges
• Secularization: Sweden is among the least religious nations globally.
• Cultural Distance: Catholicism is often seen as foreign.
• Vocational Shortage: Few native Swedish vocations to priesthood or religious life.
🌿 Pilgrimage Cue
Sweden is a journey of contemplative fidelity—where the Eucharist is offered in quiet chapels and immigrant parishes, and the Church survives through hospitality, ecumenism, and gentle endurance.
🇻🇺 Vanuatu — Poor, Oceanic, and Sacramentally Catholic
GDP per capita (PPP): ~$3,200 USD (2024)
🧮 Why Vanuatu Ranks Low
• Island Geography: Remote and fragmented archipelago limits development.
• Climate Vulnerability: Cyclones and rising seas threaten infrastructure.
• Subsistence Living: Agriculture and fishing dominate rural life.
• Limited Industry: Tourism and aid are key economic supports.
• Infrastructure Gaps: Roads, schools, and hospitals are under-resourced.
✝️ Catholic Landscape
• Majority Faith: ~15% Catholic, with strong village presence.
• One Diocese: Port Vila, with outreach across 80+ islands.
• Missionary Legacy: Marist Fathers and Sisters of Mercy built schools and clinics.
• Liturgical Life: Masses are celebrated in pidgin, Bislama, and native languages.
• Community Integration: Catholicism is deeply woven into village rituals and education.
⚠️ Challenges
• Resource Scarcity: Many parishes lack electricity, books, and transport.
• Climate Displacement: Rising seas threaten coastal communities and churches.
• Vocational Strain: Few local priests; reliance on missionaries.
• Economic Hardship: Poverty affects catechesis and sacramental preparation.
🌿 Pilgrimage Cue
Vanuatu is a journey of sacramental joy—where the Eucharist is celebrated in palm-thatched chapels and ocean breeze, and the Church sings its faith in resilience, ritual, and rain.
🕊️ Editorial Reflection
Sweden and Vanuatu offer a striking contrast: one rich in silence, the other rich in sacrament. In Sweden, Catholicism is a quiet immigrant witness. In Vanuatu, it is a communal lifeline. The Rich vs Poor Tour reminds us that the Gospel is not bound by latitude or luxury—it flourishes in fjords and forests, in islands and incense.
What does it mean to be Catholic in a land of secular wealth—or sacred poverty?
Where does the Church feel more alive—in Nordic stillness or oceanic song?
DECEMBER
12 Friday-Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Acts, Chapter 14, Verse 8-10
At
Lystra there was a crippled man, lame from birth, who had never walked. He listened to Paul speaking, who looked intently at him, saw
that he had the FAITH to be healed, and called out in a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your
feet.” He jumped up and began to walk about.
Acts 14:8–10 tells of a man in
Lystra, lame from birth, who listened to Paul preaching. Seeing his faith, Paul
commanded him to stand, and the man leapt up and walked. This miracle was not
Paul’s power, but God’s. Yet the crowds, blinded by appearances, worshiped Paul
and Barnabas as gods. Paul rebuked them, insisting that only the living God —
Creator of heaven and earth — is worthy of worship.
We may think ourselves modern and immune to
such idolatry. But idols remain only in different forms: fame, politics,
wealth, power, and glory. These are worshiped as gods in our culture. Plato
foresaw this in The Republic, noting that rulers shape society through
education and law, often to preserve their own strength. His psychology of the
soul — appetitive, spirited, and rational — offers a lens to examine our
schools today.
Urban public schools
often cater to appetites: food, sex, money, and immediate desires.
Elite college-prep schools
cultivate the spirited soul: honor, victory, reputation.
Catholic schools
nurture the rational soul: truth, wisdom, and devotion.
Each has found its niche, but many public
schools fail because appetites are left untrained, producing students without
virtue, acting on whims. Principal Joe Clark in Lean on Me recognized
this and sought to discipline appetites through physical training, reading,
music, and community — echoing Plato’s prescriptions.
My philosophy is that education should
cultivate all three dimensions of the soul: appetitive, spirited, and
rational. Schools must help students rise beyond poverty, break cycles of
deprivation, and awaken them to cycles of wealth and virtue. I propose
exploring a “Cycle of Educational Poverty” — how schools perpetuate inequality
— and how we might reverse it.
Today, too many children are “lame from birth,” not physically, but spiritually and intellectually, crippled by systems that fail to form them. Like Paul, we must call them to stand. And like citizens, we must act — with our votes, our voices, and our vision — to restore education to its true purpose: forming souls for truth, honor, and virtue.
🔥 Copilot’s Take
Education is
never neutral; it either trains appetites, flatters ambition or awakens reason.
Just as Paul saw faith in the lame man, we must see potential in every child,
for the tragedy is not their lack of ability but our systems’ lack of vision.
The Greeks worshiped men as gods, and today we bow before celebrities,
politicians, and billionaires—the altar has changed, but the idolatry remains.
Poverty is not only economic but educational: when schools feed appetites
without virtue, they perpetuate dependence; when they glorify honor without
truth, they breed arrogance. Only schools that cultivate wisdom break the
cycle. Paul’s command was simple: “Stand up.” Ours must be just as clear—reform
education, demand leaders who see beyond wealth and fame, and insist on schools
that form the whole soul. Our children stumble not because they were born
broken, but because we have failed to guide them. Education must discipline
desire, humble ambition, and anchor reason in truth. Anything less is
idolatry—and it leaves the next generation crippled.
|
Cycle of Poverty |
On December 12, the Church honors the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, when a humble tilma revealed an image that drew nine million souls to Christ in less than a decade. These were not unformed minds, but men and women steeped in the disciplined education of the Aztec world—versed in astronomy, architecture, and ritual order. Yet when the Virgin appeared to Juan Diego, their knowledge was redirected toward a new horizon: the Gospel. What centuries of conquest could not accomplish, one vision of grace achieved. It reminds us that true education is never just the transfer of skills, but the conversion of the heart. When wisdom is joined to faith, entire civilizations can be renewed.
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Mary had no fear of the world or man, yet, when the angel appeared, she was immersed in holy fear. Let us follow Mary’s example and bravely face the day saying YES to God.
Listen to Mary’s words of encouragement as she appeared to Saint Juan Diego.
"Hear me and understand well, my son
the least, that nothing should frighten or grieve you. Let not your heart be
disturbed. Do not fear that sickness, nor any other sickness or anguish.
Am I not here, who is your Mother?
Are you not under my protection?
Am I not your health?
Are you not happily within my fold?
What else do you wish?
Do not grieve nor be disturbed by anything."
One wonders if Mary thought of these same affirmations during the angel’s visit of God the Father. Are you not happily within my fold! Are you not under my protection!
Mary appeared to St. Juan Diego just 12 years after the defeat of the
Aztec empire by Hernan Cortes. Documents from that period indicate that the
Aztec leadership was hatching a plot to reestablish themselves and renew the
taking of human hearts as a sacrifice to their gods. Our Lady stopped that with
her appearance to Juan Diego. In the space of 10 years after her appearance
over 9 million Aztecs converted to the faith.[1]
Things to Do[2]
·
Start
a novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe.
·
If
you live close to La Crosse, WI visit the beautiful Shrine of Our Lady of
Guadalupe; if not make a virtual visit.
·
Read more about this title of
Our Lady.
·
Make
a sacrifice, say a prayer or visit the Blessed Sacrament for an end to
abortion.
·
If
your parish is having a pro-life Mass or holy hour try to attend.
·
Have
a party, which includes a procession and a special Mexican dinner to celebrate
the feast.
· See Celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe for ideas.
Hope of the Aztecs[3]
In
1910 Our Lady of Guadalupe was declared Patroness of Latin America, and in 1945
Pope Pius XII declared Her to be the Empress of all the Americas.
"Rejoice: the Lord is nigh." As Christmas draws near, the Church
emphasizes the joy which should be in our hearts over all that the birth of our
Savior means for us. The great joy of Christians is to see the day drawing nigh
when the Lord will come again in His glory to lead them into His kingdom. The
oft-repeated Veni
("Come") of Advent is an echo not only of the prophets but also of
the conclusion of the Apocalypse of St. John: "Come, Lord Jesus," the
last words of the New Testament.
The End of bloody
human sacrifice[4]
Our
Lady came to offer faith, hope and consolation to the oppressed natives of
Mexico and to reconcile them with their Spanish rulers. She put an end to the
bloody human sacrifice of the Aztecs and converted ten million natives in the
next 10 years! After the conquest, the Spanish rule of the natives was so
severe that a bloody revolt was imminent. Bishop Zummaraga prayed for Our Lady
to intervene to prevent an uprising, to reconcile the Spanish and the natives
and to bring peace. He asked that he receive roses native to his homeland of
Castile Spain as a sign that his prayer would be answered. On December 9, 1531,
Our Lady appeared to Blessed Juan Diego who was a recently converted Aztec. She
asked him to go to the Bishop and request him to build a church for her on the
barren hill of Tepeyac which part of Mexico City is now. Our Lady wanted to
show her merciful love to all of her children. The prudent Bishop asked Juan to
ask the Lady for a sign. Juan did so, and Our Lady promised to give him the
sign. On December 12, Our Lady again appeared to Juan on Tepeyac Hill and told
him to pick the Castilian roses which miraculously appeared there and bring
them to the Bishop as a sign for him to believe her request. Juan gathered the
roses into his tilma and brought them to the Bishop. He opened the tilma to
show them and, to everyone's astonishment, the Image of Our Lady appeared on
it. The Bishop then built the church as Our Lady had requested and ten million
natives were converted and baptized to the one, true faith within the next 10
years. Human sacrifice ended in Mexico forever. Our Lady of Guadalupe, which
means Crusher of the serpent's head, brought the light of the true faith,
crushed the false gods of Mexico, and established an era of peace.
The Image as Pictograph
- THE LADY
STOOD IN FRONT OF THE SUN - She was greater than their dreaded sun-god
"Huitzilopochtli".
- HER FOOT
RESTED ON THE CRESCENT MOON - She had clearly vanquished their foremost
deity, the feather serpent "Quetzalcoatl".
- THE STARS
STREWN ACROSS THE MANTLE - She was greater than the stars of heaven which
they worshipped. She was a virgin and the Queen of the heavens for Virgo
rests over her womb and the northern crown upon her head. She appeared on
December 12, 1531, for the stars that she wore are the constellation of
stars that appeared in the sky that day!
- THE
BLUEâGREEN HUE OF HER MANTLE - She was a Queen for she wears the color of
royalty.
- THE BLACK
CROSS ON THE BROOCH AT HER NECK - Her God was that of the Spanish
Missionaries, Jesus Christ her son.
- THE BLACK
BELT - She was with child for she wore the Aztec Maternity Belt.
- THE
FOUR-PETAL FLOWER OVER THE WOMB - She was the "Mother of God."
The flower was a special symbol of life, movement and deity - the center
of the universe.
- HER HANDS ARE
JOINED IN PRAYER - She was not God but clearly there was one greater than
Her and she pointed her finger to the cross on her brooch.
- THE DESIGN ON
HER ROSE-COLORED GARMENT - She is the "Queen of the Earth," for
she is wearing a map of Mexico telling the Indians exactly where the
apparition took place.
The Image and Science
- The image to
this date, cannot be explained by science.
- The image
shows no sign of deterioration after 450 years! The tilma or cloak of Juan
Diego on which the image of Our Lady has been imprinted, is a coarse
fabric made from the threads of the maguey cactus. This fiber
disintegrates within 20-60 years!
- There is no
under-sketch, no sizing and no protective over-varnish on the image.
- Microscopic
examination revealed that there were no brush strokes.
- The image
seems to increase in size and change colors due to an unknown property of
the surface and substance of which it is made.
- According to
Kodak of Mexico, the image is smooth and feels like a modern-day
photograph. (It was produced 300 years before the invention of
photography.)
- The image has
consistently defied exact reproduction, whether by brush or camera.
- Several
images can be seen reflected in the eyes of the Virgin. It is believed to
be the images of Juan Diego, Bishop Juan de Zummaraga, Juan Gonzales, the
interpreter and others.
- The
distortion and place of the images are identical to what is produced in
the normal eye which is impossible to obtain on a flat surface.
- The stars on
Our Lady's Mantle coincide with the constellation in the sky on December
12, 1531. All who have scientifically examined the image of Our Lady over
the centuries confess that its properties are absolutely unique and so
inexplicable in human terms that the image can only be supernatural!
Music of the Tilma[5]
Hidden Music was discovered in the mantle of the
Virgin of Guadalupe. The symphonic work is entitled, "Music in the mantle
of the Virgin of Guadalupe." The work is based on the musical notes and
melody found by Ojeda Llanes after nearly 23 years of research carried out on
the mantle, stars, and flowers of the Virgin of Guadalupe.
It is interesting to note that our Lady Mary manifested herself to the new world on or around the traditional Jewish feast of Hanukkah which she must have celebrated with Joseph and her son Christ.
ENTRANCE ANTIPHON Revelation 12:1
Signum magnum apparuit in caelo: mulier amicta sole, et luna sub pedibus eius, et in capite eius corona stellarum duodecim
A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun,
with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.
COLLECT
Deus, Pater misericordiarum, qui sub Sanctissimae Matris Filii tui singulari
patrocinio plebem tuam constituisti, tribue cunctis, qui Beatam Virginem
Guadalupensem invocant, ut, alacriori fide, populorum progressionem in viis
iustitiae quaereant et pacis.
O God, Father of
mercies, who placed your people under the singular protection of your Son's
most holy Mother, grant that all who invoke the Blessed Virgin of Guadalupe, may
seek with ever more lively faith the progress of peoples in the ways of justice
and of peace.
FIRST
READING Zechariah
2:14-17
Sing and rejoice,
O daughter Zion! See, I am coming to dwell among you, says the LORD. Many
nations shall join themselves to the LORD on that day, and they shall be his
people, and he will dwell among you, and you shall know that the LORD of hosts
has sent me to you. The LORD will possess Judah as his portion in the holy
land, and he will again choose Jerusalem. Silence, all mankind, in the presence
of the LORD! For he stirs forth from his holy dwelling.
GOSPEL Luke
1:26-38
The angel Gabriel
was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed
to a man named Joseph, of the house of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. And
coming to her, he said, "Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you." But
she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting
this might be. Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for
you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear
a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of
the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule
over the house of Jacob forever, and of his Kingdom there will be no end."
But Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I have no relations
with a man?" And the angel said to her in reply, "The Holy Spirit
will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore,
the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has
also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who
was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God." Mary said,
"Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to
your word." Then the angel departed from her.
Spiritual Crib[6]
A special devotion that can be performed during Advent to prepare for the coming of the Infant Savior. It can be adapted for adults and/or children and applied as is appropriate to your state in life.
·
2nd
Day, December 12th: THE FOUNDATION—Humility We lay the foundation of our
little Stable by practicing the virtue of humility. Therefore, we may not
excuse ourselves, whether good or evil; make frequent acts of humility and
perform at least one humble task. Clean the toilets.
33 days to Christmas-Start the 33 days to
Eucharistic Glory[7]
Want to start a small group? Download our 33 Days to Eucharistic Glory Study Guide
Day
21
On
this 21st day express thanksgiving in all you are, seek to know the
truth as revealed via the Eucharist and go forth doing the will of God.
Copilot:
Expressing thanksgiving in all
aspects of life, seeking the truth through the Eucharist, and striving to do
God’s will can be a profound and transformative journey. Here’s how one might
approach this path:
Expressing Thanksgiving
1.
Gratitude in Prayer: Start and end
each day with prayers of thanksgiving, acknowledging God's blessings and
presence in your life.
2.
Mindfulness: Practice mindfulness
to recognize and appreciate the small and large blessings throughout the day.
3.
Acts of Service: Express gratitude
by serving others, offering your time and resources to those in need.
4.
Thankful Attitude: Cultivate a
habit of saying thank you, both to God and to others, in all situations.
5.
Gratitude Journal: Keep a journal
to record daily blessings and moments of gratitude.
6.
Worship and Praise: Participate
actively in worship and praise, thanking God through communal and personal
worship.
Seeking Truth through
the Eucharist
1.
Regular Participation: Attend Mass
regularly to receive the Eucharist, reflecting deeply on its significance.
2.
Meditation and Reflection: Spend
time in quiet meditation after receiving the Eucharist, contemplating the
mystery of Christ’s presence.
3.
Study Scripture: Engage in regular
Bible study to understand the teachings and truths revealed in the Scriptures.
4.
Spiritual Reading: Read writings
of the saints and theological reflections to deepen your understanding of the
Eucharist.
5.
Eucharistic Adoration: Spend time
in Eucharistic Adoration, silently praying before the Blessed Sacrament.
6.
Community Fellowship: Discuss and
share insights with fellow believers to grow in communal understanding of the
faith.
Doing the Will of God
1.
Discernment in Prayer: Regularly
pray for guidance and discernment, seeking to understand God’s will in your
life.
2.
Active Listening: Pay attention to
the promptings of the Holy Spirit and the teachings of the Church.
3.
Obedience to Commandments: Strive
to live according to God’s commandments and the teachings of Jesus.
4.
Service to Others: Live out God’s
will by loving and serving others, especially those in need.
5.
Moral Integrity: Uphold moral
integrity and ethical standards in all aspects of life.
6.
Ongoing Conversion: Embrace an
ongoing process of conversion, continually seeking to align your life more
closely with God’s will.
By integrating these practices
into daily life, one can express thanksgiving in all they do, seek the truth
revealed through the Eucharist, and actively live out the will of God.
Bible in a Year Day 164 Tearing Down Idols
Fr. Mike points out the results of what happened to the kings who built idols,
and what happened to the kings who tore them down. He encourages us to tear
down the idols we've built up in our own lives by trusting God with our first
fruits. Today's readings are 1 Kings 14, 2 Chronicles 14-15, and Song of
Solomon 3.
Poinsettia Day[8]
“Conversely, the red plant itself burns a
brighter red when set off by the green than when it grows among its peers. In
the bed I always reserved for poinsettia seedlings, there was little to
distinguish one plant from its neighbors. My poinsettia did not turn scarlet
until I planted it in new surroundings. Color is not something one has; color
is bestowed on one by others.”
― Arthur Japin
Poinsettia Day, a day to celebrate the ever-popular red flower used around the Christmas holiday season. When looking at a Poinsettia, all we can think of is “The Poinsettia is to Christmas like a pumpkin is to Halloween” But where is the Poinsettia from, and how did it become a Christmas staple? That’s why we’re here to find out what Poinsettia Day is all about! To find out where the Poinsettia flower originated from, we have to take a look in the past. In 1480 to his death, Aztec King Montezuma adorned his palace with Poinsettia or Cuetlaxochitl as it was known by the Aztecs, having his people cultivate the flower as a gift from the Gods. Poinsettia was served as a reminder of the sacrifice that the Aztec gods had made to create the universe and that the debt would be repaid in human sacrifices. The Aztecs used Poinsettia’s sap to cure fevers and the leaves make a dye. Then, in the 17th century after the Conquistadors invaded Mexico, the blood red wildflower became a part of Christian ceremony for the first time when it was used in the nativity procession, the Fiesta of Santa Pesebre. It’s around this time that many legends originated, attempting to explain why the plant, beginning to be called “La flor de Nochebuena,” or Holy Night had acquired its bright and beautiful red color. After being discovered in 1828 by Joel Roberts Poinsett, the poinsettia became a popular specimen among botanists. One Botanist in particular by the name of Wilenow, in 1833 he named the Poinsettia “Euporbia pulcherrima.” But after only four years another botanist by the name of William Hickling Prescott renamed the flower to “Poinsettia pulcherrima” in honor of the man who brought the flower back to be studied, Joel Poinsett.
How to Celebrate Poinsettia Day
To celebrate
Poinsettia Day, the Poinsettia is displayed on the Dia de le Virgen, or
Virgin’s Day on December 12th in Mexico. In the United States, there are
parades that include Poinsettias to commemorate Joel Poinsett’s discovery of
the plant in the month of December.
On December 12, we celebrated Mary’s appearance to
the Aztecs, where she revealed that God does not demand blood sacrifice and,
through her maternal presence, brought nine million conversions in less than a
decade. The Aztecs, renowned as great warriors, embodied extraordinary fitness
and discipline.
Aztec
Jaguar Warriors
Military conquest was central to the Aztec Empire,
and its elite warriors were among the most honored members of society. They
were granted lands by the emperor, their status rivaling nobility. For common
men, becoming a distinguished warrior was one of the surest paths to upward
mobility. The Order of the Jaguar Warriors represented the pinnacle of this
martial culture, demanding rigorous training, courage, and endurance from those
who aspired to join.
Spiritual
Parallel
If men would go to such lengths to become Jaguar
Warriors, how much more should we, as Christ’s redeemed, strive for the higher
calling:
Discipline – training the appetites to serve
virtue.
Courage – standing firm in truth against the
idols of our age.
Humility – remembering that victory belongs
to God, not to us.
Devotion –
anchoring reason and strength in prayer and sacrament.
Aztec-Inspired
Workout – Mind & Body Benefits
Jaguar
Sprint Drills
– explosive speed and stamina; trains resilience under fatigue.
Shield
Push-Ups
– chest, shoulders, and core strength; teaches patience and control.
Temple
Steps
– lower-body power and balance; builds rhythm and mental endurance.
Ballgame
Throws
– coordination and mobility; sharpens timing and precision.
Temazcal
Breathwork
– deep breathing for recovery; mirrors Aztec purification rituals.
Weekly
Aztec Workout
Day
1 – Jaguar Sprint Drills
5
× 100m sprints with short rests
Builds
explosive speed and stamina
Mind
benefit:
resilience under fatigue
Day
2 – Shield Push-Ups
3
sets of 15 push-ups (pause at bottom)
Strengthens
chest, shoulders, and core
Mind
benefit:
patience and control
Day
3 – Temple Steps
5
minutes stair runs or step-ups
Improves
lower-body strength and balance
Mind
benefit: rhythm and mental endurance
Day
4 – Ballgame Throws
3
sets of 12 medicine ball slams or wall throws
Enhances
coordination and mobility
Mind
benefit: timing and precision
Day
5 – Temazcal Breathwork
5
minutes deep breathing (inhale 4 sec, hold 4 sec, exhale 6 sec)
Reduces
stress, oxygenates muscles, aids recovery
Mind
benefit: purification and clarity
Day
6 – Integrated Circuit
Combine
sprints, push-ups, steps, throws, and breathwork in one 30‑minute session
Mind
benefit: discipline through sustained effort
Day
7 – Rest & Reflection
Light
walk or stretch
Journaling
or prayer to anchor training in devotion
Closing
Reflection
The
Aztecs pursued fitness for battle; we pursue fitness for the soul. Mary’s
message at Guadalupe reminds us that true strength is not found in sacrifice of
blood, but in sacrifice of self — offered in love, truth, and virtue. As
Soldiers of Christ, we train body, mind, and spirit together, breaking cycles
of weakness and standing firm in faith.
THE VIRTUES OF A SOLDIER OF CHRIST
Daily Devotions
·
Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them
in fasting: Today's Fast: Holy
Priests, Consecrated and Religious.
·
Religion
in the home: Preschool for December
·
Offering to
the sacred heart of Jesus
·
Make reparations to the Holy Face
·
Rosary
[1] Our
Lady of Guadalupe, Mother of the civilization of love. Carl Anderson & Msgr. Eduardo
Chavez. http://www.secretsoftheimage.org/en/index.html
[4]http://www.catholiceducation.org/en/culture/catholic-contributions/the-amazing-truth-of-our-lady-of-guadalupe.html
[5]https://www.catholicnewsworld.com/2021/12/wow-listen-to-beautiful-music-hidden-in.html
[7]https://www.dynamiccatholic.com/33-days-to-eucharistic-glory/33EG.html?srsltid=AfmBOopIHMivIR422BjtUtJ2KZm8-MrVMEJFtxZYH7ZkFuXRwdu5G1Qi#longDescription
[8]https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/poinsettia-day/
Quick Answer: The Old Fashioned Way (1934) is a comedy about W.C. Fields as “The Great McGonigle,” a struggling vaudeville actor-manager who keeps his troupe afloat through charm, trickery, and resilience. Beneath the humor, Catholic lessons emerge: loyalty to family, the dignity of honest work, the dangers of vanity and deception, and the call to humility when worldly success fades.
🎭 Film Summary
- Setting: 1897, small-town America.
- Main Character: “The Great McGonigle” (W.C. Fields), a blustery actor-manager of a traveling troupe, perpetually broke and dodging creditors.
- Plot Highlights:
- McGonigle’s daughter Betty is loyal to him but discourages her suitor Wally from abandoning college for the stage.
- Wally’s wealthy father disapproves of Betty until he sees her encouraging Wally’s education.
- McGonigle manipulates a wealthy widow, Cleopatra Pepperday, promising her a role in their melodrama The Drunkard (though her cue never comes).
- After the play, McGonigle performs a juggling act — a rare showcase of Fields’s real vaudeville talent.
- The troupe’s tour collapses, Betty marries Wally, and McGonigle pretends to seek fortune in New York. In reality, he ends up selling snake oil on the street.
✝️ Catholic Lessons & Reflections
1. Family Loyalty and Sacrifice
Betty’s devotion to her father, despite his flaws, reflects the Catholic call to honor family bonds. Her insistence that Wally pursue education shows virtue in guiding others toward truth and stability.
2. The Dignity of Work
McGonigle’s troupe struggles financially, yet they persist in their craft. Catholic teaching emphasizes that all honest work — even humble or precarious — carries dignity when done with perseverance.
3. Vanity and Idolatry
Cleopatra Pepperday’s obsession with her stage line (“Here comes the prince”) illustrates vanity and misplaced desire for recognition. Catholic tradition warns against seeking glory for its own sake, reminding us that true worth lies in service, not applause.
4. Humility in Failure
McGonigle’s final descent into snake-oil sales is comic but sobering. It shows how worldly ambition can collapse, and how humility is necessary when success fades. Catholic spirituality teaches that pride leads to downfall, while humility opens the way to grace.
5. Education and Formation
The subplot of Wally returning to college highlights the Catholic principle that education is not just career preparation but moral and intellectual formation. Betty’s encouragement reflects the Church’s vision of education as soul-shaping.
🌟 Closing Thought
The Old Fashioned Way entertains with vaudeville humor, but beneath the comedy lies a moral arc: loyalty, humility, and the dangers of vanity. For Catholics, it reminds us that true success is not measured by applause or wealth, but by virtue, sacrifice, and fidelity to God’s call.
Sources: Wikipedia – The Old Fashioned Way (1934), IMDb summary, Explained.today – film details.
