In Search of
The Authentic Life
“Pater Meus Servat Vineam”
“[Man] is free to make the wrong choice, but not free to succeed with it. He is free to evade reality, he is free to unfocus his mind and stumble blindly down any road he pleases, but not free to avoid the abyss he refuses to see. Knowledge, for any conscious organism, is the means of survival. To a living consciousness, every is implies an ought. Man is free to choose not to be conscious, but not free to escape the penalty of unconsciousness: destruction.”
Ayn Rand
SAINT PATRICK, PRAY FOR US!
From today’s trad Mass:
O God, Who didst deign to send blessed Patrick, Thy confessor and bishop, to preach Thy glory to the nations, grant, through his merits and intercession, that those commands which Thou dost set before us we may by Thy mercy be able to fulfill.
Grant, we beseech Thee, O Almighty God, that, giving thanks for the favors we have received, we may, by the intercession of blessed Patrick, Thy confessor and bishop, obtain blessings still greater. Amen.
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I belong here because I am here.
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When you look beyond the horizon, the obstructions collapse.
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Envy is the inability to receive another person’s gifts, which were meant for you.
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The mystic surrenders his life to the Mystery.
The thoughts shared here which are not in quotes, are recent meditations of mine which I have crystallized into simple ideas. All writing on this site is by CF Mathews, unless otherwise noted.
You’ll never get at truth unless you extend a bit beyond it.
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Create the flow and stop the friction.
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Too much of one thing produces the opposite effect.
Sorry a bit late on this, I’ve been researching the world situation much of my time…mysterious drones, looming world war and an incoming new US administration, it all interrelates in a deeply concerning way.
+ Third Week of Advent +
Fr. Alfred Delp, German Martyr
Let us view these writings through the lens of our own times. All quotes below pertain to Gaudete Sunday, when we are called to be glad…
Opening of the Tridentine Mass (the Mass Fr. Delp would have celebrated):
“Gaudete in Domino Semper!”
“Rejoice in the lord always: again I say, rejoice. Let your modesty be known to all men: for the Lord is nigh. Be nothing solicitous: but in every thing by prayer let your petitions be made known to God. Lord, Thou hast blessed Thy land: Thou hast turned away the captivity of Jacob.”
Fr. Delp’s homily, Munich, 1941:
“Someone facing the Ultimate will not be apathetic, not just accept everything simply because it is, and because it does not change, and because it goes on and on, and because it is happening everywhere…every overstepping of boundaries, every boundary violation and every usurping of power leads the whole thing to disaster. Look at how these great leaders were shattered and how their work was shattered: Alexander, Caesar Augustus, Napoleon…It came when they were not content with the laurel wreath of greatness, but wanted to take the diadem of the Messiah.”
Fr. Delp’s homily, Munich, 1942:
“…we read this wonderful Epistle:
Brethren, rejoice in the Lord…and the peace of God that passes all understanding preserve your hearts and thoughts in Christ Jesus, our Lord.
Are these not images of the promise, and longing, and great questions of Advent? Are they not images of what should be fulfilled when the veils fall, when the Lord reigns over the land? Do we not seek a life in which joy would have a place once again?”
From Tegel Prison, Berlin, 1944:
“The great deception begins, the time of noise and crowds, organized feeding-frenzies, and massive festivities. Until suddenly the earth quakes and the subterranean thunder, which one wanted to drown out with screaming, because one failed to understand it, breaks forth fully and mightily and fills the day with its call to judgment…Only one thing will help, and that is to hear the call of John the Baptist…The view for connections and content will be reopened to life, and the earth will be fruitfully flooded again by the streams of mission, confirmation, and mastery. These are the streams that still carry the ship of life and lead it onward. This is the first meaning of Gaudete in Domino. Separated from the Lord, the whole thing atrophies! We must keep telling people this. It is the most important announcement of these days. And we must know it and visibly live it as examples.”
Here are some quotes by Saint Hildegard which illustrate her theology of nature, called “Veriditas”…
“O most honored Greening Force, you who roots in the Sun, you who lights up, in shining serenity, within a wheel that earthly excellence fails to comprehend. You are enfolded in the weaving of divine mysteries. You redden like the dawn and you burn, flame of the Sun.”
"The Word is living, being, spirit, all verdant greening, all creativity. This Word manifests Itself in every creature."
"Glance at the sun. See the moon and the stars. Gaze at the beauty of earth’s greenings. Now, think. What delight God gives to mankind with all these things…
All nature is at the disposal of mankind. We are to work with it. For without it, we cannot survive."
"The fire has its flame and praises God. The wind blows the flame and praises God. In the voice we hear the word which praises God. And the word, when heard, praises God. So all of creation is a song of praise to God."
"Good People, most royal greening verdancy, rooted in the sun, you shine with radiant light."
"Now in the people that were meant to be green there is no more life of any kind. There is only shriveled barrenness. The winds are burdened by the utterly awful stink of evil, selfish goings-on. Thunderstorms menace. The air belches out the filthy uncleanliness of the peoples. The earth should not be injured! The earth must not be destroyed!"
"Mary, ground of all being, Greetings! Greetings to you, lovely and loving Mother!"
"Mankind, full of all creative possibilities, is God’s work. Mankind alone is called to assist God. Mankind is called to co-create. With nature’s help, mankind can set into creation all that is necessary and life-sustaining."
Saint Hildegard von Bingen, 1098-1179
Saint Hildegard of Bingen, also known as “Sibyl of the Rhine” and “The Teutonic Prophetess,” was born in Germany and became a Benedictine nun. Living within Saint Benedict’s and his twin Saint Scholastica’s model of community and self-reliance, she used her genius to advance her predecessors’ ideas into a full lifestyle and theology. She became a musical composer, herbalist, playwright, artist, theologian, mystic and prophetess. Hildegard is one of Holy Church’s glorious examples of human potential when illumined by the Light of Christ, like stained glass lit by the Sun. She has given insight to the world for 1,000 years. At this historic juncture, we must return to Hildegard’s respect for nature and God’s Law. As we carry her torch forward, may she continue to instruct humanity for another 1,000 years!
When these present days get us weary…and they will, let us flee to Hildegard’s intercession, for she understands. All great gifts come with great crosses. Let us ask our Blessed Lord for renewed strength. Let us speak dearest Hildegard’s words…
Again I am in turmoil.
Should I speak, or must I be silent?
I feel like a gnarled old tree, withered and crooked and flaky.
All the stories of the years are written on my branches.
The sap is gone, the voice is dead.
But I long to make again a sacred sound.
I want to sound out God
I want to be a young juicy, sap-running tree
So that I can sing God as God knows how.
O God, Thou gentle viridity
O Mary, honeycomb of life
O Jesus, hidden in sweetness as flowing honey,
Release my voice again.
I have sweetness to share.
I have stories to tell.
I have God to announce.
I have green life to celebrate.
I have rivers of fire to ignite.
I was unable to find the source of this prayer. If someone could apprise me, that would be much appreciated:)
And here is a lovely prayer honoring Hildegard…
Father, Source of Life, Thou hast bestowed on Saint Hildegard of Bingen many excellent graces. Help us to follow her example of meditating upon Thine Ineffable Majesty and to follow Thee, so that we, amidst the darkness of this world, recognize the light of Thy clarity, to cling to Thee without fail. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who lives and reigns with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Prayer from ChurchPop, slightly edited.
This is Part 1 of our new “Saint Hildegard Series.” Stay tuned for Part 2, where we will discuss her concept of “Veriditas,” which matches Nomen Christi Apostolate’s philosophy remarkably well!
Peter Boghossian
So, no matter how crazy it gets, remember…
And…
To all you totalitarians. Consider yourselves warned…
Princess Leia
I would like to share this song by Chvrches (Scottish band), “Death Stranding,” released in 2019…arguably, the year the world began to change. It gives me hope that young people can still be so clued in and sensitive, even if it’s purely intuitive. The artists are always the prophets…
Let’s make a toast to the damned
Waiting for tomorrow
When we’re played out by the band
Drowning out our sorrows
What will become of us now, at the end of time?
We’ll be fine, you and I
Let’s draw a line in the sand
Keep it straight and narrow
We had it all in our hands
We begged and then we borrowed
What will become of us all at the end of love?
When we’ve stopped looking up?
You can take my heart
And hold it together as we fall apart
Maybe together we can make our mark in the stars, we embark
And keep us together as the lights go dark
Let’s tell the truth, just for once
Asking for an answer
Now that it’s all said and done
Nothing really matters
What will become of us all if we dare to dream?
At the end of the scene?
Let’s open up to the sky
Askin’ it for closure
'Least we can say that we tried
But it’s never really over
What will become of us all, at the end of the line?
Will we live? Will we die?
You can take my heart
And hold it together as we fall apart
Maybe together we can make our mark in the stars, we embark
And keep us together as the lights go dark
(Iain Andrew Cook, Martin Clifford Doherty, Lauren Eve Mayberry)
Simon Alexander Ong
Saint Kateri, on this your feastday, pray for us!
© 2015-2025 Chiara F. Mathews Content may be reproduced or shared on the condition that this source is indicated.