To all you totalitarians. Consider yourselves warned…
“The more you tighten your grip Tarkin, the more star systems will slip through your fingers.”
Princess Leia
In Search of
The Authentic Life
“Pater Meus Servat Vineam”
in search of the authentic life
To all you totalitarians. Consider yourselves warned…
Princess Leia
“The 3rd Annual Catholic Land Movement Mid-Atlantic Conference will once again be held at the beautiful Our Lady of Martyrs Shrine in Auriesville, NY. Once a 17th century Mohawk village, it is now a Roman Catholic shrine dedicated to the first North American martyrs and to St. Kateri Tekakwitha…The conference will begin early on Friday 6/28 [to Sunday 6/30] for anyone interested in hog and sheep butchering [I’m going to pass on this, I saw a rabbit get the treatment at Peak Prosperity’s conference last year, that was enough for me]…We have a packed weekend with events including Mass, confessions, Divine Office, Rosary, workshops and discussions. Camping is available free of charge at the Shrine. Nearby hotel accommodations can be found in Amsterdam, NY. In order to keep costs low, food will not be included with your conference ticket, but will be made available for purchase…If you're interested in volunteering or hosting a workshop or a discussion group, please get in touch.”
The price for the 3 days is $50 per person, free for those 14 and under. Some of the topics to be covered: Various aspects of homesteading, gardening/farming, canning, traditional Catholicism, dairy, carpentry, wild edibles, masonry, water supply. Definitely all the things supported by Nomen Christi Apostolate-reserve soon!
“Transitioning from the beloved Honey Badger Gathering to the Peak Prosperity Summit, [Friday 9/13 to Sunday 9/15] we not only change our venue but also deepen our commitment to resilience, sustainability, and community…Nestled in the breathtaking surroundings of Lake Winnipesaukee [New Hampshire]…The Lodge at Camp Robindel…Economic Resilience: Cultivating a robust financial foundation to withstand and adapt to the unpredictabilities of the global economy, ensuring stability and self-sufficiency when traditional systems falter. True Sustainability: Embracing a lifestyle and practices that enable us to not only survive but thrive independently when external supply chains and conventional resources are compromised, ensuring our ability to live off the grid if necessary. Personal and Community Empowerment: Fostering a culture of health, wellness, and mutual support that prepares us to face adversities together, strengthening our individual and collective capacity to navigate through tough times…Foundations of Preparedness…Advanced Resilience Techniques…sessions will cover everything from homesteading to advanced medical training, alongside hands-on demonstrations and keynotes focused on practical, life-enhancing skills.”
Included in the reasonable ticket price: Workshops and Educational Tracks, Accommodations, Food, Interactive Exhibits and Vendors, Recreational Activities, Networking and Socializing, All Necessary Amenities. Reserve soon for early-bird price! Please note, on-site accommodations may not be private, preferences may be indicated when ordering, verify details to make sure you will be comfortable, as this is a camp site with both men and women.
Stay tuned for posts about our family’s Pilgrimage in San Antonio, Texas, including pics! We prayed the Rosary at all 5 Franciscan Missions along the San Antonio River, including the Alamo (which no longer has a church, so we prayed in the outside garden). We will have one post per Mission, plus one all about Eclipse Day. It was such an extraordinary experience full of blessings!
God bless all who participated all over the country in Nomen Christi Apostolate’s Eclipse Pilgrimage of Mercy…
Please be patient as we work on all the pictures we took. We have to enhance color and light and fix framing. Also, email from the phone, re-size and place in files. It’s time-consuming, but we want to bring the very best pics that do these amazing Missions some justice!
Yes, that is really 30 pieces of silver. There is something greatly emotional about holding them in your hand. It gives a new perspective on the Gospel account of Judas’ betrayal. It brings tears to your eyes. It is the price of what is priceless. It seems to cut into the collective heart, to the deepest part of what it means to be human…and not just human, but redeemed human. This small heap of silver taps into an inner knowing beyond the conscious mind. Somehow, part of us knows what it is looking at. The glittering in the light. The weight which feels as if it lies upon your very heart. The small amount of value, but the greatest spiritual significance.
Matthew 26:14
Note: This is about all the silver I own, so don’t come to my house thinking I have a ton of it:) BTW, the weight of this silver coin was 1 lb, 9.6 oz. It really is an experience to hold it in your hands. Think about silver.
I keep saying that we will go crazy if we don’t have something to balance the darkness all around us, a vision to inspire us and get us through. And of course, faith in God. Let us never lose our humanity. Let us always hold our heads up high. And ultimately, we live for the next life.
I grew up listening to this song, we need a few anthems right now…
To dream the impossible dream
To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear with unbearable sorrow
To run where the brave dare not go
To right the unrightable wrong
To love pure and chased from afar
To try when your arms are too weary
To reach the unreachable star
This is my quest to follow that star
No matter how hopeless, no matter how far
To fight for the right without question or pause
To be willing to march into Hell for that Heavenly cause
And I know if I only be true to this glorious quest
That my heart will lie peaceful and calm when I lay to my rest
And the world will be better for this
That one man, scorned and covered with scars
Still strove with his last ounce of courage
(Mitch Leigh, Joe Darion)
The Ember Days of Lent (or Spring) are celebrated the week after Ash Wednesday this year. That is, Wednesday the 21st, Friday the 23rd and Saturday the 24th. Traditionally, meat is eaten at only one meal (obviously, you will not be eating meat on Friday). These are days of prayer and penance for the coming season. The Ember Days are particularly fun to celebrate with children because you can take the opportunity to come up with crafts having to do with the seasons and working in a spiritual message. If you have a trad-minded parish or group of friends, why not get the children together to learn about the Ember Days…or…
Seedlings my son and I planted a few years ago with a seed starting kit.
In Nomen Christi Apostolate style, let’s see how we might combine the Ember Days, the season of Spring, Lent and preparedness! On Long Island, where I am, indoor seedlings are started in February, for transplanting outdoors when temperature permits and when the plants are strong enough to handle rain and other stresses. Some common foods one might start indoors, would be Bell Peppers, Tomatoes, Broccoli and Kale. A number of herbs can also be started at this time. The Ember Days this year would be perfect days for planting these seeds indoors. Again, I’m talking about my area. If you can sow directly in the ground, think about that (or plant in pots if you’re not quite set up to garden yet) or if it’s too cold in your area, you can still do an indoor plant, perhaps even winter bulbs or cooking herbs.
What about the prayerful quality of the Ember Days and Lent? You could bless the seeds with holy water and pray for a good harvest, you could thank God for your abundance and pray for the poor…or pray to the saints invoked for gardening and nature, such as Saint Francis of Assisi, Saint Rose of Lima, Saint Hildegard of Bingen, Saint Isidore the Farmer, Saint Kateri and Saint Fiacre. To see the planting calendar for your own area: Old Farmers Almanac
In addition, the readings for the Ember Days are quite beautiful. This can be incorporated into your daily prayertime. Blessings to all on these wonderful traditional feasts!
In this month of the Holy Name of Jesus (in case you haven’t noticed, this ministry is dedicated to the Holy Name), TAN Books has a great sale on the booklet mentioned above. It normally sells for $4.95 each, but if you act by January 31st, you get 5 for $10.00! It is not a prayer book, but it contains many historical anecdotes, such as Pope Gregory X’s devotion, a plague in Lisbon, glorious martyrdoms and the faith of many saints in the Holy Name.
TAN also has a monthly $10.00 “leatherette” book. They have quite a selection now of these beautiful, well-made spiritual classics and Bibles. The prices range widely, so taking advantage of the monthly offering is a good idea. As a Catholic prepper, having good quality classic books is a must. If you still need to develop your spiritual library, TAN provides a great way to move forward. They also have sets of books you might want to look at.
One warning: unless you like lots of spam, don’t sign up for their email list. Just make a point to visit the site once a month and take advantage of the leatherette, for sure.
Holy Church in her wisdom, begins the secular New Year honoring Mary, Mother of God, imploring her much-needed intercession along with the Circumcision of Our Lord in the traditional calendar. The significance of the Circumcision is twofold: Our Blessed Infant Lord, though the Son of God, was still subject to the Law and this is the ritual in which He received the Name “Jesus,” meaning “God saves.” This Name invokes both the identity and mission of Christ.
Following the Circumcision, we celebrate the Holy Name of Jesus, which is also the theme of the Month of January. We begin a new year contemplating the Name of Christ Jesus. We honor His identity as the Second Person of the Holy Trinity and His mission as our Redeemer, the shedding of His innocent Blood at the Circumcision, a reminder of His Sacrifice upon the Cross. What better way to start a new year than to flee to Our Lord and His Mother!
Matthew 6:33
Epiphany of Our Lord is held on January 6th, in both the trad and new calendars. The feast of the Holy Family is Sunday, the 7th, which is also the new feast of the Baptism of Our Lord. The trad feast of the Baptism is on the 13th. Our Lady of Prompt Succor is honored on the 15th.
Septuagesima Sunday is the 28th, beginning the short season of Septuagesima, a preparation for Lent.
As we discussed a “Marian Triad of the Months” from August to October, we now celebrate a “Christological Triad of the Months” from December to February: The Divine Infancy, the Holy Name and the Passion of Our Lord. Please note, these “triads” are not official Church ideas, but something unique to this Apostolate. We strive to see how these months tie together theological themes and present an opportunity for prayer and meditation. This ministry also has a special dedication to the Holy Name and Our Lady of Fatima.
Traditional Catholic Calendar for January
New Year’s Blessings to all! Let us pray for a holy, happy and healthy 2024 and think positively about the coming year.
By the way, how did you do with the December Prepper Challenge? It’s totally understandable if Christmastime got in your way. The good news is…there’s a new month…and a new year…to continue to work on our “15 Points Preparedness Worksheet.” Scroll down to the December post or find it on the Home page. Choose the 5 things you think are most important right now and make a plan. Your future self will thank you! And feel free to email us and share your progress-comments may be posted.
“Put you on the armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the deceits of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood; but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places. Therefore take unto you the armour of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and to stand in all things perfect. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of justice, And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace: In all things taking the shield of faith, wherewith you may be able to extinguish all the fiery darts of the most wicked one. And take unto you the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit (which is the word of God). By all prayer and supplication praying at all times in the spirit; and in the same watching with all instance and supplication for all the saints…”
Ephesians 6:11-18
Light a candle and pray with your family, sometime this week…
O Most Holy Trinity, we light this candle for all the victims of that terrible day, 22 years ago. We pray for those at the World Trade Center, including the 2 planes, those at the Pentagon, including the plane, and those on the plane in Pennsylvania. We pray for the first responders who gave their lives. We give to Thee all those who died or suffered in any way, along with their loved ones. We remember also, those who continue to live with physical and mental disability. May they all be healed and brought close to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. May we never forget them. We also lift up to Thee, those responsible for these horrific crimes against God and humanity. May they be brought to repentance and mercy.
God bless the United States of America, and may we become once again, a nation respecting the laws of God, the sanctity of life and all human rights. Lord have mercy upon us.
Amen.
and with fear and trembling stand;
ponder nothing earthly minded,
for, with blessing in His hand,
Christ our God to earth descendeth,
our full homage to demand.
King of Kings, yet born of Mary,
as of old on earth He stood,
Lord of Lords, in human vesture,
in the Body and the Blood.
He will give to all the faithful
His own Self for heav'nly food.
Rank on rank the host of Heaven
spreads its vanguard on the way,
as the Light of Light descendeth
from the realms of endless day,
that the pow'rs of Hell may vanish
as the darkness clears away.
At His feet the six-winged seraph,
cherubim with sleepless eye,
veil their faces to the Presence,
as with ceaseless voice they cry,
(Picardy/Moultrie)
And Jesus being come out of the temple, went away. And his disciples came to shew him the buildings of the temple. And he answering, said to them: Do you see all these things? Amen I say to you there shall not be left here a stone upon a stone that shall not be destroyed…Now all these are the beginnings of sorrows…And this gospel of the kingdom, shall be preached in the whole world, for a testimony to all nations, and then shall the consummation come…For there shall be then great tribulation, such as hath not been from the beginning of the world until now, neither shall be…And from the fig tree learn a parable: When the branch thereof is now tender, and the leaves come forth, you know that summer is nigh. So you also, when you shall see all these things, know ye that it is nigh, even at the doors…Watch ye therefore, because ye know not what hour your Lord will come…Who, thinkest thou, is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath appointed over his family, to give them meat in season…Blessed is that servant, whom when his lord shall come he shall find so doing.
Matthew 24
On that day 22 years ago, 2,996 people died and many more suffered, as Our Lady of Sorrows looked on from Heaven. She continues to watch over her children with the love and compassion of her Immaculate Heart. She understands the Foot of the Cross. And she leads us to the joy of the Resurrection. Death is never the end of the story.
The “candle” Saint Francis refers to is the soul illumined by the Light of Christ. As the hymn states: “…the Light of Light descendeth from the realms of endless day, that the pow'rs of Hell may vanish as the darkness clears away.”
Our Lord’s prophecy in this Gospel chapter refers to the End of Time. We do not know where we are in that timeline, but it is clear that the world is changing. Even if we are not at “The End,” the words above are still relevant to our times. We are seeing unprecedented sorrows, the global reach of the Gospel and unnatural endeavors which have never been attempted before. We are told to be watchful. We are told to prepare and provide for those in our care. If we heed these commands, we will be deemed “blessed” and win our heavenly reward!
Saints of September 11th, Protus, Hyacinth, Paphnutius and Adelphus…pray for us!
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