Airbournemillennial

Contrition: from the Catechism of the Council of Trent: . . The Meaning of Contrition . As the faithful require instruction on the nature and efficacy of the parts of Penance, we shall begin with contrition. This subject demands careful explanation; for as often as we call to mind our past transgressions, or offend God anew, so often should our hearts be pierced with contrition. By the Fathers of the Council of Trent, contrition is defined: "A sorrow and detestation of past sin, with a purpose of sinning no more."(1) And a little further on the Council, speaking of the motion of the will to contrition, adds: "If Joined with a confidence in the mercy of God and an earnest desire of performing whatever is necessary to the proper reception of the Sacrament, it thus prepares us for the remission of sin." . From this definition, therefore, the faithful will perceive that the efficacy of contrition does not simply consist in ceasing to sin, or in resolving to begin, ...

Our Lady of Fatima: "Here you see Hell..." As Our Lady spoke, she opened her lovely hands, disclosing beneath a sea of fire; and plunged in this fire were the demons and the souls, as if they were red-hot coals, transparent and black or bronze colored; with human forms, which floated about in the conflagration, borne by the flames which issued from it with great clouds of smoke, falling on all sides as sparks fall in great conflagrations -- without weight or equilibrium, among shrieks and groans of sorrow and despair which horrify and cause to shudder with fear. The devils were distinguished by horrible and loathsome forms of animals frightful and unknown, but transparent like black coals that have turned red-hot. "Here you see Hell, where the souls of poor sinners go," she said at length. "To save them God wishes to establish in the world the devotion to my Immaculate Heart. If they do what I will tell you, many souls will be saved, and there will be...

Our Lady's Words to Jacinta Those of us who profess to be followers and promoters of the message of Our Lady of Fatima must ourselves live that message in its every aspect before we can expect others to accept our efforts to promote it among them. If we are to be faithful apostles of Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima, then we must be "other Jacintas and Franciscos." We must take Her words to heart without exception, just as did the little shepherds to whom She entrusted Her Peace Plan from Heaven. It is not for us to choose and select that part of Her message which appeals to us, and to reject that part which discomfits us or does not suit our way of living. Thus could we not call ourselves  true  apostles of Our Lady of Fatima were we to faithfully pray the Rosary daily, while at the same time refusing to accept Our Lady's pleas for penance, simply because it might disturb our comfortable, materialistic way of life. As also would it be an obvious mock...

CERTAIN FASHIONS THREATEN TO RETARD MARY'S TRIUMPH AND WORLD PEACE By the former Crusade Director, Rev. Father Bernard Kunkel Is it a sin to wear shorts, strapless dresses, short skirts, pants, modern swimwear, etc.? These questions continue to disturb even so-called conservative Catholics almost a century after the disrobing trend began in feminine attire at the close of the First World War.  True  traditional Catholics, mindful of the virtues of Christian modesty and purity, refuse to be stampeded by "the crowd" into accepting the hedonistic fashions. They know that the Blessed Virgin Mary will  never approve of these pagan styles which are so contrary to Christian tradition on modesty. Our Blessed Mother knew in advance the moral havoc that would follow the introduction of these unholy fashions. This is why she came personally at Fatima in 1917 to forewarn us. At the same time she gave the answer in advance to the question, "Is it a sin to follow these ...

Warning of St. Anthony Mary Claret Concerning Immodest and Worldly Fashions "...Now, observe, my daughter, the contrast between the luxurious dress of many women, and the raiment and adornments of Jesus... Tell me: what relation do their fine shoes bear to the spikes in Jesus' Feet? The rings on their hands to the nails which perforated His? The fashionable coiffure to the Crown of Thorns? The painted face to That covered with bruises? Shoulders exposed by the low-cut gow n to His, all striped with Blood? Ah, but there is a marked likeness between these worldly women and the Jews who, incited by the Devil, scourged Our Lord! At the hour of such a women's death, I think Jesus will be heard saying: 'Cujus est imago haec... of whom is she the image?' And the reply will be: 'Demonii... of the Devil!' Then He will say: 'Let her who has followed the Devil's fashions be handed over to him; and to God, those who have imitated the modesty of Jesus and Mary...

(INSTRUCTION CONCERNING RIDICULE AND DERISION.) Twenty-third Sunday After Pentecost by Leonard Goffine, 1871 . . The Introit of the Mass consoles and incites us to confidence in God who is so benevolent towards us and will not let us pine away in tribulation. The Lord saith: I entertain thoughts of peace, not of affliction: you shall call on me, and I will hear you: and bring back your captive people from all places. Jer. xxix. 11.) Thou, O Lord, hast blessed Thy land: Thou hast brought back the captive children of Jacob. (Ps. lxxxiv.) Glory, &c. . PRAYER OF THE CHURCH. . Pardon, O Lord, we beseech Thee, the sins of Thy people: that we may be delivered by Thy goodness from the guilt we have contracted by our own weakness. Through our Lord &c. . EPISTLE, (Philipp. iii. 17 - 21.; iv. l - 3.) . Brethren: Be followers of me, and observe them who walk so as you have our model. For many walk, of whom I have told you often (and now tell you weeping) that they are enemies of the c...

We are Empowered by God: The Theological Virtues: by Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J. They are the good habits of mind and will, supernaturally infused into the soul. Their immediate object is God. They are faith, hope, and charity. At baptism, we receive the uncreated grace of the indwelling Holy Trinity. This indwelling produces the created gift of our supernatural life, which is sanctifying grace, also called the soul of the soul. No less than the soul gives natural life to the body, so sanctifying grace is the principle of the supernatural life of the soul. Our soul has faculties through which it is enabled to act, namely the intellect and will. So sanctifying grace has faculties through which it performs supernatural actions. These faculties are faith, which empowers us to believe with our minds whatever God has revealed; hope, which enables us to trust in God’s promises; and charity, to love Him with our wills. The modern world of secularism desperately needs to believe in a God, with...

The Symbolism of the Pelican by Father William Saunders. The symbolism of the mother pelican feeding her little baby pelicans is rooted in an ancient legend which preceded Christianity. The legend was that in time of famine, the mother pelican wounded herself, striking her breast with the beak to feed her young with her blood to prevent starvation. Another version of the legend was that the mother fed her dying young with her blood to revive them from death, but in turn lost her own life. Given this tradition, one can easily see why the early Christians adapted it to symbolize our Lord, Jesus Christ. The pelican symbolizes Jesus our Redeemer who gave His life for our redemption and the atonement He made through His passion and death. We were dead to sin and have found new life through the Blood of Christ. Moreover, Jesus continues to feed us with His body and blood in the holy Eucharist. This tradition and others is found in the Physiologus, an early Christian work which appeared ...

The Twelve Monthly Virtues of St Alphonsus Maria de Liguori :  For St. Alphonsus Liguori , growth in the spiritual life was a primary pastoral concern. Typical of his simple approach to prayer, he recommended the practice of a particular virtue each month, beginning with the three theological virtues. St. Alphonsus believed that personal reflection, prayer, and the daily living of the monthly virtue could be a powerful means of “putting on Christ.” The daily effort for pers onal transformation into Christ became the basis of his spirituality. An outline plan appeared in St. Alphonsus ’ own private notebook. Monthly Virtues and Patrons: January : Faith: I am the Light of the World. – John 8:12 February : Hope: Because he has hoped in Me, I will deliver and protect him, because he has known my name. Psalm 91:14 March : Love of God: Love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart. soul and mind, and with thy whole strength. – Mark 12:30. April : Love of Neighbor: This is my commandmen...

On the Virtues and Vices: The Main Virtues: Theological Virtues:Catechism of Pope Saint Pius X. 1 Q. What is a supernatural virtue? A. A supernatural virtue is a quality infused by God into the soul by which the latter acquires inclination, facility, and promptness to know good and do it towards eternal life.  2 Q. How many principal supernatural virtues are there? A. The principal supernatural virtues are seven: three theological, and four cardinal virtues. 3 Q. What are the theological virtues? A. The theological virtues are: Faith, Hope and Charity. 4 Q. Why are Faith, Hope and Charity called theological virtues? A. Faith, Hope and Charity are called theological virtues, because they have God as their immediate and principal object, and are infused by Him. 5 Q. How can the theological virtues have God for their immediate object? A. The theological virtues have God for their immediate object, in this way that by Faith we believe in God, and believe all He has revealed; by Hope...