The Third Temple, the Antichrist and the End Times!

How to Stop Fighting with Your Wife

Thursday, July 31, 2025

 

Rachel’s Corner

For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel: By waiting and by calm you shall be saved, in quiet and in trust shall be your strength. Isaiah 30:15

Places to Visit in July[2]

Finger Lakes, NY

·         I took a break to this peaceful and scenic region this month and found the weather warm and sunny – perfect for all the outdoor activities on offer, from swimming in the lakes to hiking through lush greenery, with pretty summer flowers blooming everywhere and a laid-back vacation vibe all around!

·         I also loved that the region was buzzing with events – the toe-tapping Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival, the family-friendly Corn Hill Arts Festival, the craft-focused Finger Lakes Wine Festival, and the creative Canandaigua Art & Music Festival all took place this month!

·         I drove five hours from New York and stayed at the charming 4-star Mirbeau Inn & Spa for a week. I spent my vacation swimming and kayaked on Seneca Lake, hiking the gorge trails at Watkins Glen State Park, sampling wine along the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, dining in farm-to-table restaurants, and discovering the historic brownstone buildings in the quaint town of Ithaca.

·         Visitor’s Centre Address: 35 Lake Front Dr, Geneva, NY 14456

·         Location: Upstate New York, northeastern United States

·         Vibe: Laid-back, scenic, and artsy with a rustic wine country feel

·         Location Map

·         Average daytime temperatures – 64.4 to 84.2

My favorite highlights…

• Sampling the peppery Cabernet Franc and zesty Semi-Dry Riesling at the rustic-chic Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard – the surroundings were also stunning! 
• Dining at the award-winning F.L.X. Table – I adored the cozy vibe, the open kitchen, their unique air purification system and the heavenly Apple Dessert, a creative dish made form apples, tahini, eggplant, caramel, and almonds!

·         Bucket List: Military Hop

o   Aviano, Italy

§  What to do

·         Foodie: Italian Stuffed Calamari (Stuffed Squid Recipe)

o   National Chili Dog Day

§  National Avocado Day

·         do a personal eucharistic stations of the cross.

·         Spirit Hour: Original Hurricane Recipe

o   Black Tot day

A PRAYER BEFORE MASS (THURSDAY)

(By Saint Ambrose)

For Thou hast mercy upon all, O Lord, and hatest nothing that Thou hast made. Remember how frail our nature is, and that Thou art our Father and our God. Be not angry with us forever and shut not up Thy tender mercies in displeasure. For it is not for our just works that we present our prayers before Thy face, but for the multitude of Thy tender mercies. Take away from us, O Lord, our iniquities, and mercifully kindle in us the fire of Thy Holy Spirit. Take away from us the heart of stone, and give us a heart of flesh, a heart to love and adore Thee, a heart to delight in, to follow, and to enjoy Thee. And we entreat Thy mercy, O Lord, that Thou wouldst look down graciously upon Thy family, as it pays its vows to Thy most holy name; and that the desire of none may be in vain, and the petitions of none unfulfilled, do Thou inspire our prayers, that they may be such as Thou delightest to hear and answer.

·         Let Freedom Ring Day 25 Freedom from Wrath

Be assertive

Anger signals that something is wrong and can motivate us to take constructive action or address the source of our frustration. In contrast, wrath goes beyond ordinary anger. It is a more intense and prolonged form of anger fueled by a strong desire for revenge or harm toward others.

Do you think some of our media personalities are wrathful

and fuel hate? Pray for your enemies.

The Wisdom of Aristotle on Anger Management

o   Anger can be a destructive power, and it can be a positive force of change.

o   For anger to be valuable and effective, it must be balanced.

o   By cultivating mindfulness, compassion and wisdom, we can use anger constructively.

JULY 31 Thursday-Saint Ignatius of Loyola, priest

 

Luke, Chapter 5, verse 9-10:

For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him and all those with him, and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners of Simon. Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be AFRAID; from now on you will be catching men.”

 

When the boat came to shore these men these fishermen; forsook everything. They gave up their careers, businesses, families and were committed 100 percent to the mission of Christ and they followed Him.

 

Is there anything or anyone in this world that you would give up everything to follow?

 

These men were not perfect specimens as disciples; yet; our Lord chose them: and through them as imperfect as they were, He created His bride the Holy Roman Catholic church; which is still ran by far from perfect men. If today, you hear his voice saying do not be afraid; follow Him!

 

Copilot

 

Luke 5:9–10 is such a powerful moment: the awe of the miraculous catch, the trembling humility of Simon Peter, and then that divine reassurance—“Do not be afraid.” It’s the kind of call that doesn’t just invite—it pierces.

What’s remarkable is how Jesus doesn’t wait for perfection. He chooses men in the middle of their ordinary lives, flaws and all, and transforms them into apostles. As one commentary puts it, Peter’s astonishment wasn’t just at the fish—it was at the realization of who Jesus was, and who he himself was in light of that. And yet, Jesus doesn’t reject him. He commissions him.

The Church was built on these imperfect men. And it continues to be led by imperfect men. But the Bride of Christ is sustained not by human perfection, but by divine grace. That tension—between holiness and humanity—is part of the Church’s mystery. As one bishop said, “To love the Church with its warts means you have accepted Christ’s risk—to hand that Church over to human beings”.

Luke 5:9–10 offers a rich tapestry of spiritual lessons—each thread woven with awe, surrender, and divine calling. Here are some key takeaways:

🐟 Lessons from Luke 5:9–10

·         Astonishment Leads to Awakening
Peter’s shock at the miraculous catch wasn’t just about fish—it was a revelation of Jesus’ divine authority. Sometimes, it’s in the unexpected abundance that we recognize the presence of God.

·         Humility Precedes Calling
Peter’s response—“Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man”—shows that true discipleship begins with recognizing our own unworthiness. Yet Jesus doesn’t reject him; He commissions him.

·         Fear Is Not a Barrier
Jesus says, “Do not be afraid.” This echoes throughout scripture as a divine refrain. Fear may be natural, but it’s not meant to paralyze—it’s meant to be transformed into trust.

·         Calling Transforms Identity
“From now on you will be catching men.” Jesus doesn’t just invite Peter to follow; He redefines his purpose. The fisherman becomes an apostle. The nets become the Gospel.

·         Radical Surrender Is the Response
The disciples “left everything and followed Him.” Their boats, their catch, their livelihoods—all forsaken for a greater mission. It’s a reminder that the call of Christ often asks for everything, but offers more than we can imagine.

·         Imperfect Vessels, Divine Mission
Jesus chose flawed men to build His Church. That’s not a concession—it’s a declaration that grace works through imperfection. The Church is holy not because its leaders are perfect, but because its foundation is Christ.

 

Feast of St. Ignatius^[1]

Ignatius, by nation a Spaniard, was born of a noble family at Loyola, in Cantabria. At first, he attended the court of the Catholic king, and later on embraced a military career. Having been wounded at the siege of Pampeluna, he chanced in his illness to read some pious books, which kindled in his soul a wonderful eagerness to follow in the footsteps of Christ and the saints. He went to Montserrat and hung up his arms before the altar of the Blessed Virgin; he then watched the whole night in prayer, and thus entered upon his knighthood in the army of Christ. St. Ignatius strongly recommends making a daily examination of conscience.

Examination of Conscience

Prayer before Examination:

I am perfectly sensible, O my God, that I have in many ways offended Thy divine majesty and provoked Thy wrath by my sins; and that if I obtain not pardon, I shall be cast out of thy sight forever. I desire, therefore, at present to call myself to an account, and look into all the sins whereby I have displeased Thee; but O my God, how miserably shall I deceive myself if Thou assist me not in this work by Thy heavenly light. Grant me, therefore, at present, thy grace, whereby I may discover all my imperfections, see all my failings, and duly call to mind all my sins: for I know that nothing is hidden from Thy sight. But I confess myself in the dark as to my own failings: my passions blind me, self-love flatters me, presumption deludes me, and though I have many sins which stare me in the face, and cannot be hidden, yet how many, too, are there quite concealed from me! But discover even those to me, O Lord! enlighten my darkness, cure my blindness, and remove every veil that hides my sins from me, that I may be no longer a secret to myself, nor a stranger to my own failings, not ever flatter myself with the thoughts of having repented, an at the same time nourish folly and vice within my breast. Come, Holy Ghost, and by a beam of Thy divine light illumine my understanding, that I may have a perfect view of all my sins and iniquities, and that, sincerely repenting of them, I may know Thee, and be again received into Thy favor.

A Method of Examination of Conscience, according to the threefold Duty we owe: (I) To God (II) To our Neighbor (III) To ourselves.

I-In Relation to God:

·         Have you omitted morning or evening prayer, or neglected to make your daily examination of conscience?

·         Have you prayed negligently, and with willful distraction?

·         Have you spent your time, especially on Sundays and holidays, not in sluggishly lying abed, or in any sort of idle entertainment, but in reading, praying, or other pious exercises; and taken care that those under your charge have done the like, and not wanted the instructions necessary for their condition, nor time for prayer, or to prepare for the sacraments?

·         Have you spoken irreverently of God and holy things?

·         Have you taken his name in vain, or told untruths?

·         Have you omitted your duty through human respect, interest, compliance, etc.?

·         Have you been zealous for God's honor, for justice, virtue and truth, and reproved such as act otherwise?

·         Have you resigned your will to God in troubles necessities, sickness, etc.?

·         Have you faithfully resisted thoughts of infidelity, distrust, presumption, impurity, etc.?

II-In Relation to Your Neighbor

·         Have you disobeyed your superiors, murmured against their commands, or spoken of them contemptuously?

·         Have you been troubled, peevish, or impatient, when told of your faults, and not corrected them?

·         Have you scorned the good advice of others, or censured their proceedings?

·         Have you offended any one by injurious threatening words or actions? Or lessened their reputation by any sort of detractions, or in any matter of importance?

·         Or spread any report, true or false, that exposed your neighbor to contempt, or made him undervalued?

·         Have you been carrying stories backward and forward, created discord and misunderstanding between neighbors?

·         Have you been forward or peevish towards any one in your carriage, speech, or conversation?

·         Or taken pleasure to vex, mortify, or provoke them to swear, curse, or any ways offend God?.

·         Have you mocked or reproached them for their corporal or spiritual imperfections?

·         Have you been excessive in reprehending those under your care, or been wanting in giving them just reproof?

·         Have you borne with their oversights and imperfections, and given them good counsel?

·         Have you been solicitous for such as are under your charge, and provided for their souls and bodies?

III-In Relation to Yourself

·         Have you been obstinate in following your own will, or in defending your own opinion, in things either indifferent, dangerous or scandalous?

·         Have you taken pleasure in hearing yourself praised, or yielded to thoughts of vanity?

·         Have you indulged yourself in overmuch ease, or any ways yielded to sensuality?

·         Has your conversation been edifying and moderate; or have you been forward, proud, or troublesome to others?

·         Have you spent too much time in play, or useless employments, and thereby omitted, or put off your devotions to unseasonable times? If such as confess often fall into any of the more grievous sins not here mentioned, their own memory will easily suggest them, since it is impossible for a tender soul to forget any mortal offense, which must of necessity afflict her; and therefore, it may not be necessary for them to turn over the following table of sins, which is chiefly intended for general confessions.

An Examination for Confession

The First Commandment is Broken

First, by Sins against Faith

·         To be ignorant of the principal mysteries of Christianity; of the Creed, of the Commandments of God and his Church, or of the Sacraments.

·         To give God's honor to any created being or thing whatsoever; to pay divine worship, or to ascribe God's exclusive powers or attributes, to any being except God himself.

·         Willfully to doubt, or obstinately to err, in any point of faith, or of human respect, interest, fear etc.

·         To favor heretics or wicked men, in supporting or approving their opinions or actions.

·         To endanger our faith by reading their books with pleasure.

·         To examine divine mysteries with curiosity, and secrets of Providence by pure human reason.

·         To disrespect or deride holy things.

·         To abuse the words of the Holy Scripture, by perverting them to a wicked or profane sense, making them subservient to jests, or other ill purposes.

·         To desire to know things to come, which belong to God alone, or things past or present, which are hid from us, and for this end to employ unlawful means, as fortune tellers, or other superstitious inventions.

·         To give credit to dreams, or make superstitious observations; to employ prayers or sacred names to ill uses; to use charms etc.

Secondly, by Sins against Hope

·         By distrusting the mercies of God and despairing of the pardon of our sins.

·         By presuming on God's goodness, without the least concern of amendment.

·         By deferring our conversion or repentance till the end of life.

·         By exposing ourselves to the danger of offending God either by company, reading, or otherwise, which is called tempting God.

·         By exposing ourselves, without necessity, to some corporal danger; as sickness, wounds or death.

·         By neglecting the remedies which God has appointed in these dangers, as physic for the body, or prayer and the sacraments for the soul.

Thirdly, by Sins against Charity

·         By not loving God above all things, but rather choosing willfully to offend him, than suffer any loss of honor, riches, etc.

·         By preferring the love of man before the love of God; or offending him through fear of being jeered or slighted.

·         By omitting our duty through shame, or human respect.

·         By thinking seldom of God or being ashamed to speak of him; or by not hearkening to his inspirations, by forgetting his benefits, or neglecting to give him thanks.

Fourthly, by Sin against Religion

·         By not adoring God or praying to him but seldom.

·         By praying without attention, and with willful distractions.

·         By a want of respect to God in time of prayer; or by talking or being present in holy places without a becoming modesty and gravity in our looks, words and actions.

Fifthly, by Sins against the Care we ought to have of our Salvation.

·         By a love of idleness.

·         By being too solicitous in temporal concerns and neglecting the means of salvation.

·         By deferring amendment of life, or immediately desisting, after having begun it.

·         By neglecting the means of salvation; as the sacraments, prayer, good works, or performing them without devotion.

The Second Commandment is Broken

·         By taking the name of God in vain.

·         By swearing to what one knows or doubts to be false.

·         By swearing to what is unjust, or prejudicial to others.

·         By swearing without necessity, though the thing itself be true and just.

·         By blaspheming God or holy things.

·         By cursing one's self or others or taking pleasure in hearing others swear or curse; or by provoking them to it.

·         By not reprehending them when one could and ought.

·         By making a vow to do what is impossible to fulfill; or to do what is evil and displeasing to God; or to do what one never intends to perform.

·         By breaking lawful vows or deferring to fulfill them without just cause.

The Third Commandment is Broken.

·         By doing servile works on Sunday or causing others to do the like without necessity.

·         By employing a considerable part of Sundays or holidays in temporal affairs, as is often the case with merchants, advocates, solicitors, etc.

·         By omitting to hear Mass, or not hearing it with due attention and reverence.

·         By spending Sundays and holidays in idleness, gaming, dancing, feasting, and other recreations.

·         By not dedicating a considerable part of those days to reading and praying, and by not taking care that those under your charge to the like.

The Fourth Commandment is Broken

I. By children:

·         Not paying due respect to their parents, or by despising them either in their hearts or actions.

·         By not loving them, but wishing their death, or some misfortune; or by forsaking them in their necessities.

·         By not cheerfully obeying them; or by obeying them in things unlawful.

·         By slighting their representations and resisting their corrections.

·         By putting them into a passion, and not taking care to pacify them.

·         By not executing their last will and testament, or by delaying doing so.

II. By parents not discharging their duty towards their children.

·         In not loving them and supplying their corporal necessities.

·         In not being careful of their salvation.

·         In not correcting them when it is necessary; in flattering their passions or indulging their evil inclinations.

·         In treating them with too much severity.

·         In not setting them good example.

·         In forcing them in the choice of their state in life.

The Fifth Commandment is Broken

·         By anger, quarreling, or threatening, or by injurious or reproachful words, or actions against our neighbors.

·         By revenge, or deliberate thoughts or desires of revenge.

·         By provoking, striking, challenging, wounding, or being the cause of another's death.

·         By bearing malice, refusing to salute or speak to any neighbor out of hatred or aversion, or refusing to be reconciled to him.

The Sixth Commandment is Broken

I. By the hearing.

·         In willingly giving ear to immodest words, discourses, songs, etc.

II. By the sight.

·         In looking on immodest objects,

·         In reading or keeping immodest books; lending them to others; or neglecting to suppress them when we may.

III. By the tongue.

·         In speaking immodest words.

·         In relating improper stories or wicked actions of ourselves or others.

IV. By the touch.

·         In using indecent actions.

V. By thoughts.

·         By entertaining impure thoughts willfully and with delight.

VI. By immodest actions.

·         In committing the sin of impurity, and whether effected by soliciting, seducing with promises, or forcing, whether it be fornication, adultery, or incest.

·         In sins against nature.

The Seventh Commandment is Broken.

·         By taking another's goods, and to what value.

·         By retaining what we know belongs to another.

·         By denying our debts, or willfully delaying payment, to the prejudice of our neighbors.

·         By making unjust bargains or contracts, into which every trade or profession ought to make a strict inquiry.

·         By causing any damage to our neighbors.

·         By putting off false and counterfeit money.

·         By desiring another's property.

·         By not giving alms when necessity requires.

·         By not paying dues to our pastors, or by not contributing to the decent support of religious worship.

·         By simony.

The Eighth Commandment is Broken

·         By witnessing what is false, or defending a false accusation, as in lawyers and solicitors; or condemning the innocent, or discharging the guilty, as judges and arbitrators.

·         By detraction, either in laying something false to another's charge, or reporting for truth what is merely doubtful; or in revealing something as yet secret and unknown, though true, to the prejudice of some third person; with a declaration, whether it be done out of levity and indiscretion, or out of malice or ill-will; whether in the presence of many, or in a matter of importance.

·         By lying or speaking what we judge to be otherwise than we say, whether out of custom, or to the considerable prejudice of others.

·         By hypocrisy, which is a lie in action.

The Ninth and Tenth are Broken

·         By all unlawful and willful desires of impurity and theft, which have been already mentioned in the sixth and seventh commandment.

The Precepts of the Church

I. To keep certain appointed days holy, with the obligation of hearing Mass, and resting from servile works.

II. To observe the days of abstinence and fasting.

III. To confess our sins to our pastors, at least once a year.

IV. To receive the Blessed Sacrament at Easter, or thereabouts.

V. To contribute to the support of our pastors.

VI. To obey the laws of the Church concerning Matrimony.

VII. To participate in the Church's mission of Evangelization of Souls.

The Seven Deadly Sins

(The sins of covetousness, luxury, and sloth have been already examined in the first, sixth, and seventh commandments.)

The Sin of Pride consists:

·         In entertaining too great and opinion of ourselves, or in valuing others less than ourselves and maintaining a just and noble self-love.

·         In publishing what we think good in ourselves, that we may be esteemed by others.

·         In arrogance, by attributing to ourselves the good we have not.

·         In presumption and ambition, by confiding too much in our own strength, conceiving ourselves capable of accomplishing things above our abilities, and in rashly attempting them.

·         In contempt of others, on account of the good opinions we have of ourselves, and when this contempt is manifested by words or actions or by being severe and exacting on inferiors.

·         In want of submission to our superiors, by disobeying them, blaming their conduct, or murmuring against them.

·         In not acknowledging our faults, or when, in confessing the facts, we maintain we have done well, or at least allege false excuses.

·         In contempt of admonitions and corrections.

·         In discord.

·         In hypocrisy.

·         In curiosity, which inclines us to know things prejudicial to our salvation.

·         By ingratitude for God's benefits.

The Sin of Gluttony

 

·         In eating or drinking to excess, as far as they are prejudicial, either to our health or our reason, or any ways scandalous, or of ill example to others.

The Sin of Envy

 

·         Trouble at the good success of our neighbor, or when we endeavor to do him an unkindness, or speak often against him, or create an ill opinion of him in the mind of another.

·         When we rejoice at our neighbor's harm.

 

The Sin of Anger

 

·         Not to endure anything contrary to our inclinations.

·         To suffer ourselves to be hurried away by the emotions of wrath against those that give us any trouble.

·         To proceed to quarrels, injurious language, oaths, curses, threats; to take revenge, or to desire and wish to be in a capacity of exercising it.

·         To refuse to pardon injuries, or to be reconciled to our enemies, or to such of our neighbors with whom we have had some misunderstanding or falling out.

A Prayer for Obtaining Contrition

 

I have now here before me, O Lord, a sad prospect of the manifold offenses whereby I have displeased thy divine Majesty, and which I am assured will appear in judgment against me if, by repentance and a hearty sorrow, my soul be not prepared to receive thy pardon. But this sorrow and this repentance, O Lord, must be the free gift of thy mercy, without which all my endeavors will be in vain, and I shall be forever miserable. Have pity, therefore, on me, O merciful Father, and pour forth into my heart thy grace, whereby I may sincerely repent of all my sins; grant me true contrition, that I may bewail my base ingratitude, and grieve from my heart for having offended so good a God. Permit me not to be deluded by a false sorrow, as I fear I have been too often, through my own weakness and neglect; but let it now be thy gift, descending from thee, the Father of Lights, that so my repentance may be accompanied by an amendment and a change of life, that being thus acquitted from the guilt of my sins, I may once more be received into the number of thy servants. Amen.

Novena in Honor of Saint John Marie Vianney

Confessor of Souls

O Holy Priest of Ars, you knew how important was a good confession for the Christian life. It was to procure the happy fruits of millions of souls that you agreed to be in an uncomfortable confessional, which was like a prison, up to 15 to 16 hours on certain days. I will try to develop the habit of frequent confession, to prepare properly each time and to have always regret for my sins, so that the grace of final perseverance but also the sanctification of my soul will be assured. Ask this grace for me. Holy Priest of Ars, I have confidence in your intercession. Pray for me during this novena especially for ... (mention silently your special intentions).

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be

Bible in a Year-Day 43 Ark of the Covenant

Fr. Mike provides us with a mental picture of the ark of the covenant and reminds that the small details of worship matter as we read Exodus 25-26, Leviticus 19, and Psalm 119:1-56

Daily Devotions

·         Unite in the work of the Porters of St. Joseph by joining them in fasting:

·         Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus

·         Religion in the Home for Preschool: July

·         Offering to the sacred heart of Jesus

·         Drops of Christ’s Blood

·         Universal Man Plan

·         Rosary 

AUGUST 

August--We may come to appreciate more deeply the various landforms (mountains, deserts, rock formations, valleys, and plains) during vacation time. They give us bearing, direction, and the geological history of our lives. This is the beginning of awareness of the "here" in our lives. The Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord shows us the "hereness" of the risen Lord, and the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary speaks of God's power to the blessed. While we can choose to extend the Savior's redeeming power to our wounded earth, we also can choose to withdraw from this awesome challenge. 

Overview of August[3] 

August is often considered the transitional month in our seasonal calendar. It is the time of the year we begin to wind-down from our summer travels and vacations and prepare for Autumn — back to school, fall festivals, harvest time, etc. The Church in her holy wisdom has provided a cycle of events in its liturgical year which allow the faithful to celebrate the major feasts in the life of Christ and Mary. Most notably, during August, we celebrate the feast of the Transfiguration (August 6) and the feast of the Assumption (August 15). 

The days of summer have provided a welcome change of pace. However, while vacations afford us the time to relax and refresh, the change of habits and routines can also have a negative impact on our spiritual lives. As if to re-ignite us, the Church offers us in the plethora of August feasts vivid examples of the virtue of perseverance: six martyrs — two who are named in Canon I of the Mass and two who were martyred during World War II; seven founders of religious congregations, as well as three popes and two kings; the apostle, St. Bartholomew; the great Doctor of the Church, St. Augustine and St. Monica, his mother; the humble patron saint of parish priests, St. John Vianney, and the patron of deacons, St. Lawrence, who joked with his executioners while being roasted alive. 

It is never too late to begin — as the life of the reformed sinner, St. Augustine teaches us — nor too difficult to begin again, as demonstrated by the conversion of the martyr, St. Teresa Benedicta (Edith Stein). We present-day members of the Mystical Body are certain of the reward to which we are called, for Christ's Transfigured body (August 6) is a preview of that glory. Moreover, in the Assumption of his Mother (August 15), Our Lord has demonstrated his fidelity to his promise. Her privilege is "the highest fruit of the Redemption" and "our consoling assurance of the coming of our final hope — the glorification which is Christ's" (Enchiridion on Indulgences). 

The Blessed Virgin Mary is the most perfect example of Christian perseverance, but she is also our advocate in heaven where she is crowned Queen of Heaven and Earth (August 22). Mary is the "Mother of Perpetual Help", the patroness of the Congregation founded by St. Alphonsus Liguori (August 1). "No one who has fled to her protection is left unaided" is the claim of the Memorare of St. Bernard (August 20). Heretics have returned to the faith by the prayers of her Rosary, first preached by St. Dominic (August 8) in the twelfth Century, and hearts have been converted by the graces received while wearing her Miraculous Medal, promoted by St. Maximillian Kolbe (August 14) and adopted as the "badge" for the Pious Union he founded. Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope! 

August Travel[4]

 

·         State Fair Season   

State fair season kicks off in August; see the stars of the season like the Orange County Fair, which draws more than 1.5 million fairgoers, or the Minnesota State Fair, which Andrew Zimmern calls his own slice of heavenly obsession. With state fair staples like ice-cold lemonade and fried treats, we can see why.

·         127 Corridor

Technically the world's largest yard sale, the flea market known as the 127 Corridor is certainly the LONGEST outdoor market. Beginning on a highway in Jamestown, TN, this flea stretches hundreds of miles through North Covington, Kentucky, and continues all the way to Gadsden, Alabama. There are more than 2,000 vendors along this tour who clear their schedules for 3 weeks every August. One can imagine the caravan of Winnabagos that make this annual pilgrimage. Countless treasures and billions of collectibles hide among bric-a-brac and junk, but the people-watching and Southern hospitality alone are worth the trip.

Alaska Cruise Season[5]

Escape the heat, and take in awe-inspiring glacial views, with a cruise to Alaska. Cruise ships dock alongside towns from Seward, along Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula, to Ketchikan, in the Alexander Archipelago. Cruise ships also dock near Katmai National Park, where July is prime time to see bears gulp up Atlantic salmon on their run. And if cruise prices prove too high in July, fret not: Alaska’s prime cruise season stretches through September.

·         July 30-Aug 3^rd -Maine Lobster Festival (Rockland, ME)

The annual Maine Lobster Festival kicks off this month, and you won't want to miss a moment of it! Over the course of the 5-day festival, more than 20,000 lbs. of lobster will be served -- lobster rolls, lobster wraps, lobster Caesar salad. Did we say lobster? Plus, see the annual Lobster Crate Race, cooking contest and the Maine Sea Goddess coronation!

·         August 8-16-Elvis Week (Memphis, TN)

Shake, rattle and roll! Memphis, TN, marks its annual Elvis Week celebration each August. There's always something for Elvis fans, including the big draw each year, the annual Elvis Tribute Artists contest. Who will be crowned the King?

·         August 13-16 August Doins Rodeo (Payson, AZ)

Slip on a pair of boots, and head to the World’s Oldest Continuous Rodeo. First held in 1884, the August Doins Rodeo takes place each August in Arizona’s cool mountain town of Payson. Hold on to your hats, you’re in for some heart-stopping action!

·         August 21-Happy Birthday, Hawaii!

·         August 28-30-Cowal Highland Gathering (Dunoon, Scotland)

Nice legs! See big, brawny men in flowing Scottish skirts compete in the largest Highland games in the world -- the Cowal Highland Gathering. Also known as the Cowal Games, the annual event is held in the Scottish town of Dunoon, attracting more than 23,000 spectators to celebrate Scottish and Celtic culture.

Iceman’s Calendar

 

·         August 1^st Fri. MASS First Friday

·         August 2^nd Sat. MASS First Saturday

·         August 3^rd Sun. Eight Sunday after Pentecost

·         August 4^th Mon. Feast of St. John Vianney

·         August 6^th Wed. Feast of the Transfiguration

o   MASS First Wednesday

·         August 9^th Sat. Full Sturgeon Moon

·         August 10^th Sun. Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

o   Feast of St. Lawrence

·         August 11^th Mon. Feast of St. Claire

·         August 15^th Fri. Assumption Blessed Virgin Mary

·         August 17^th Sun. Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

·         August 22^nd Fri. Queenship of Mary

·         August 24^th Sun. Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

·         August 25^th Mon. St. Bartholomew, Apostle

·         August 29^th Fri. Passion of John the Baptist

·         August 31^st Sun. Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

 

Here's a Catholic fast-before-feast schedule for August 2025, pairing key feast days with suggested fast days to help you spiritually prepare:

---

✨ Feast Days & Suggested Fast Schedule – August 2025

Feast Day	Date	Suggested Fast Day(s)	Spiritual Focus
St. John Vianney	Aug 4 (Mon)	Aug 2 (Sat)	Pastoral zeal, confession, and humility
Transfiguration of the Lord	Aug 6 (Wed)	Aug 5 (Tue)	Divine glory, transformation, and hope
St. Dominic	Aug 8 (Fri)	Aug 7 (Thu)	Preaching, truth, and Marian devotion
St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross	Aug 9 (Sat)	Aug 8 (Fri)	Martyrdom, intellect, and spiritual courage
St. Clare of Assisi	Aug 11 (Mon)	Aug 10 (Sun)	Simplicity, poverty, and contemplative prayer
St. Maximilian Kolbe	Aug 14 (Thu)	Aug 13 (Wed)	Sacrifice, charity, and Marian consecration
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary	Aug 15 (Fri)	Aug 14 (Thu)	Heavenly hope, purity, and Marian glory
St. Bernard of Clairvaux	Aug 20 (Wed)	Aug 19 (Tue)	Mysticism, love of God, and monastic wisdom
Queenship of Mary	Aug 22 (Fri)	Aug 21 (Thu)	Marian royalty, intercession, and peace
St. Monica	Aug 27 (Wed)	Aug 26 (Tue)	Perseverance, motherhood, and prayer
St. Augustine	Aug 28 (Thu)	Aug 27 (Wed)	Conversion, theology, and divine mercy
Beheading of St. John the Baptist	Aug 29 (Fri)	Aug 28 (Thu)	Prophetic witness, truth, and martyrdom

---

🕊️ Tips for Fasting

• Traditional fast: One full meal, two smaller meals, no snacks.
• Spiritual fast: Abstain from media, comfort foods, or distractions.
• Pair with prayer: Consider the Rosary, Lectio Divina, or a novena leading up to the feast.

---

[1]https://www.ecatholic2000.com/sacraments/exam.shtml

[2]https://globalgrasshopper.com/destinations/north-america/20-of-the-best-places-to-visit-in-july-in-the-usa/

[3]https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=12553

[4]https://www.travelchannel.com/interests/summer/photos/jubilant-july-travel-ideas

[5]https://www.cntraveler.com/story/is-alaskas-summer-cruise-season-still-happening?verso=true