“If the work of our sanctification presents, apparently, the most insurmountable difficulties, it is because we do not know how to form a just idea of it. In reality sanctity can be reduced to one single practice, fidelity to the duties appointed by God. Now this fidelity is equally within each one’s power whether in its active practice, or passive exercise. The active practice of fidelity consists in accomplishing the duties which devolve upon us whether imposed by the general laws of God and of the Church, or by the particular state that we may have embraced. Its passive exercise consists in the loving acceptance of all that God sends us at each moment.”  ― Jean-Pierre de Caussade, Abandonment to Divine Providence

“With every day that passes, I grow more and more convinced how ugly the world is, of how much suffering there is, and, unfortunately, of how it is the good who suffer the most. Meanwhile, we who have been given so many of God’s blessings have repaid Him poorly. This is an awful reality that racks my brain; while I’m studying, every so often I ask myself: will I continue on the right path? Will I have the strength to persevere all the way? In the face of this pang of doubt, the faith given to me in Baptism reassures me of this: by yourself, you will accomplish nothing, but if you place God at the center of all your actions, then you will reach the goal.” ~Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati

There is a general rule concerning all special graces granted to any human being. Whenever the divine favor chooses someone to receive a special grace, or to accept a lofty vocation, God adorns the person chosen with all the gifts of the Spirit needed to fulfill the task at hand.

This general rule is especially verified in the case of Saint Joseph, the foster-father of our Lord and the husband of the Queen of our world, enthroned above the angels.

Obviously, Christ does not now deny to Joseph that intimacy, reverence and very high honor which he gave him on earth, as a son to his father. Rather we must say that in heaven Christ completes and perfects all that he gave at Nazareth.  – St. Bernadine of Siena

 

“But now the necessity of habit is sweet to me, and against this sweetness must I fight, lest I be enthralled by it. Thus I carry on a daily war by fasting, constantly bringing my body into subjection…And while health is the reason for our eating and drinking, yet a perilous delight joins itself to them as a handmaid; and indeed, she tries to take precedence in order that I may want to do for her sake what I say I want to do for health’s sake….These temptations I daily endeavor to resist and I summon Thy right hand to my help and cast my perplexities onto Thee.”  -St. Augustine

“Are you capable of risking your life for someone? Do it for Christ.”  ~Saint Pope John Paul II

“Are you capable of risking your life for someone? Do it for Christ.”  ~Saint Pope John Paul II

For those wishing to join us this week, we are heading to St. Michael on the East End.  First, at 6:00, there will be a Holy Hour in the church for the seminarians who will be ordained deacons this Saturday.  Following the Holy Hour, from 7:00-8:00, we will head over to the fish fry in the Community Center.

Note that St. Michael is quite a large parish, one of the fastest growing in the archdiocese.  I couldn’t find a map of the premises, but the Community Center is on the northeast side of the parking lot, the church close by.  Directions to the church can be found here.

A little late in posting, I do apologize to the readers out there.

Our most recent trip took us to St. Athanasius on the Outer Loop.  In the past, this part of town was an independent city called Highview, now a neighborhood after the city of Louisville and much of Jefferson County merged into one government.

As mentioned in my review of St. Stephen Martyr, this fish fry is located in a school gym and was very popular that night.  As with most of these fish fries, there were often other events happening that night.  For the youth, there was a Stations of the Cross and a Night For Mercy, where the participants could pray and receive Confession.  There was also on the large projector the Alabama-Kentucky basketball game, quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament.  In this state, basketball is more than big time.  Can’t miss a game, no matter where you go!  As such, the gym was a little louder, but more vibrant.

I was back to my regular meal:  fried fish sandwich with coleslaw, mac n’ cheese, a slice of butterscotch cake, and a Miller Lite.

One of the Dominican friars, Fr. Hertzog, joined us this week and had the baked fish and fried shrimp.  As you can see from both of our plates, it was a lot, but good for the price ($11).

“Doing penance for one’s sins is a first step towards obtaining forgiveness and winning eternal salvation. That is the clear and explicit teaching of Christ, and no one can fail to see how justified and how right the Catholic Church has always been in constantly insisting on this. She is the spokesman for her divine Redeemer. No individual Christian can grow in perfection, nor can Christianity gain in vigor, except it be on the basis of penance.”  – Pope John XXIII