The Catholic Bug-Out Bag?

We’re Catholic preppers here, so why not a Catholic bug-out bag? This is something you should keep in your car or have handy to go at all times, a bag with many of your essentials in the event of an emergency when you are traveling or must leave your home quickly. Basic survival items and first aid should be included. For your Catholic bug-out bag, we will focus on an online store, which is a good resource…

We will look at many items which would do well in your Faith-centered bug-out bag. We know the spiritual life is more important than the physical, so if you’re going to have fire-starters and first aid kits, you should also have those things which support your soul. This is not to necessarily get you to buy from this store, or to buy these specific products. My goal is to get you thinking and give you some ideas. I will choose items I feel are well-priced and that are conducive to travel. These also make great gifts items, stocking stuffers or goody bag gifts for First Holy Communions, etc.

Discount Catholic Store

From their “About” page:

Discount Catholic Store first opened in the year 2000 out of a love for Catholic spirituality. We strive to offer Catholic items that facilitate spiritual growth, healing, comfort, inspiration, wisdom and guidance, and which will ultimately draw each soul closer to God. We hope our products will be “avenues of grace” for everyone who receives them…

One of the main categories of devotional objects one would want in a bug-out bag, would be sacramentals. According to Traditional Catholic Dictionary Online, a sacramental is: “Certain pious practices or objects blessed by the Church. The blessing is attached, that these may serve to increase the devotion of the faithful. Scapulars, holy water, etc., are widely used sacramentals.”

Why would you need sacramentals when “bugging out?” Some can protect from demons, remit venial sin and purgatory time, and grant temporal favors. Our Lady said of the Brown Scapular, to Saint Simon Stock, “WHOSOEVER DIES IN THIS GARMENT SHALL NOT SUFFER ETERNAL FIRE.” (Of course, there are stipulations with such an amazing promise). You should consider having your sacramentals blessed by a priest or deacon, if they have not been blessed. My guess is that they do not have to be blessed to be considered sacramentals, but the blessing increases the spiritual power. Please see Catholic Encyclopedia for more info.

Below are some great Catholic “bug-out” items, many of which are sacramentals:

Saint Joseph Holy Oil & Prayer Card, with medal

Lourdes Water Medal

Holy Land Keepsake Set (water, oil, Crucifix, incense, earth)

Holy Water (water not included) Key Chain

Divine Mercy Relic Medal

Saint Michael Relic Medal

Saint Clare Relic Medal (this is my patron saint-probably good for warding off attackers, if you know her story)

Our Lady of Fatima Relic Medal

Divine Mercy Relic Prayer Card

Saint Clare Relic Prayer Card

Fatima Relic Prayer Card

Saint Gerard Relic Prayer Card (for pregnant women or those seeking pregnancy)

Saint Michael Relic Prayer Card

Fatima Prayer Card with Medal

Saint Christopher Prayer Card with Medal

Jesus Relic Necklace (Crucifix)

Laminated Brown Scapular

Scapular (Sacred Heart & Our Lady of Mt. Carmel)

Mount Carmel Scapular (Brown Scapular)

Green Scapular, Spanish

Brown Leather Scapular (Sacred Heart & Our Lady of Mt. Carmel)

Brown Wool Scapular with Holy Water Bottle

Divine Mercy Scapular with Cross & Medal

Children’s (small) Rosaries

Miraculous Medal-Aluminum

Miraculous Medal-Gold Look

Dog Tag with Saint Michael Prayer

Crucifix Pendant, 1”

Crucifix Pendant, 3/4”

Act of Contrition Pocket Coin

Urgent Prayer to Our Lady Pocket Coin

Cross with Prayer Pocket Coin

Divine Mercy Pocket Coin

Footprints Pocket Coin

Guardian Angel Pocket Coin

Holy Family Pocket Coin

Memorare Pocket Coin

Salve Regina Pocket Coin (Hail Holy Queen)

Serenity Prayer Pocket Coin

Saint Florian (fire protection) Pocket Coin

Saint Michael Pocket Coin

Glow-in-the-Dark Rosary Ring

Silver Tone Rosary Ring

Travel Mass Kit (comes with “Instant Priest” hologram)

Don’t forget your pocket Bible!

The Weaknesses of My Bug-Out Bag

Yes, that is my bug-out bag and my doggie sniffing it! A bug-out bag is simply a bag with supplies, in case of emergency, when you are out or traveling. It should always be kept in your car. If you don’t have one, make one-or you can order them pre-made online. Probably a good way to start is to order one, and then tweak it to your own needs. At least you will have something right away, with minimal time and effort. Mine is bright red, which is good if you want to be seen (lost in the wilderness), but not so good if you don’t want to be seen (running from Governor Cuomo). Probably a camo one is better, and you can always carry a bright-colored poncho or something.

This past week, my father-in-law was ill (prayers?) and we had to go deal with the situation. We unexpectedly had to stay overnight and there were a few difficulties, which reminded me that I need to be better prepared. We had no change of clothes (after a hot, sweaty day), no toiletries, no dog food and I did not have my two medications. We had to get a few things from the store and I just took the meds when we got home. We all make mistakes. But we must learn from them because next time, it might not work out so well. Someone recently said to me that I should have a change of clothes in my car-funny how life gives you these little warnings-but do we heed them? I will be making it a priority to re-vamp my bug-out bag. In addition to the above items, I could also use a pocket Bible, more food and water, painkillers and some cash.

We can expand our ideas about the “bug-out” bag. You can think of your purse as an everyday mini bug-out bag (for guys, what? a fanny pac? LOL). In my purse, I carry a few first-aid items, a pocket knife (which has come in handy so many times), hand sanitizer, tissues, extra keys, paper and pen, rosary beads, “call a priest if I’m dying” card…and my purse isn’t even very large! Then there is the standard emergency bag I spoke of above. In addition to these, you should have an overnight bag that you can grab quickly whenever you need it (or whenever you travel more than an hour away). You may or may not want to keep it in the car, since toiletries and medications can be sensitive to hot and freezing temperatures. But if you can keep medication with you at all times, that is a good thing.

I am not discussing right now, everything that should be in a bug-out bag or generally kept in your car, but there are many resources online for that. Of course, you need to tailor it to your own needs as well. All items should be contained in sealable plastic bags, in case of rain. Keep track of expiration dates on food, water, etc. Understand water may freeze and burst a container. Have a list of all items in the bag, so you can glance at it and see what is there (believe me, you won’t remember, and fishing through everything is a hassle). Have it all well-organized. As for ID, or having your info in it, that is at your discretion. Trackable electronics-also at your discretion. Weight of your bag is also a consideration, if you wind up on foot.

We have all learned a lot in the past few months. We see how access to all the things we have taken for granted can be blocked overnight. We see how we can potentially be quarantined against our will or locked into a certain area at a moment’s notice. We see society breaking down on every level….all the more reason to be prepared, including when you travel anywhere. It is also a good idea to keep your gas tank full. Consider the possibility of other modes of transportation (boat, small plane) or different routes.

Making bug-out bags can be a fun project for the whole family. Mini backpacks are great for kids and they love them. Pick a weekend one of these days and just do it. Then you can have a wonderful little hike and picnic to celebrate your accomplishment! And its all important togetherness time and a prepper learning experience.

Corpus Christi Thursday / Fatima Holy Hour Saturday

The wonderful trad feast of Corpus Christi is tomorrow and the new similar feast of The Most Holy Body & Blood of Christ, is this Sunday. This is joyful time for those who will now be able to receive the Holy Eucharist, but sorrowful for those who cannot. We officially cannot on Long Island. But I have been receiving from a very holy priest. I believe on faith, that I will not get ill or make anyone else ill due to my desire to receive (Jesus said, "If you shall ask me any thing in my name, that I will do”). I wear my Brown Scapular (as Our Lady of Fatima requested) and also use bottled holy water. Anyway, I don’t care if I get sick. I would most likely not die and even if I do, so what? I’ve been to confession. I will not live in fear! Our Lord said, “Ask and you shall receive.” You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Please see our post tomorrow on Corpus Christi.

The June “Fatima Family Holy Hour for the Church” is this Saturday. If you recall, we are doing this every 13th of the month, through October. There will be a printable PDF for you and your family. It is a simple program to do at home. Please come back Saturday for your print-out! Quite frankly, I have put a lot of work into this-I did the same thing on the Fatima 100th Anniversary-and have gotten a disappointing response. If you could just email one other person about this, that would be great-you can be part of the team! If you do participate, please contact us (above) and let us know. Your comments may be shared.

A Tale of Two Realities

New York City. Lots of traffic. Even now. One would think there might be at least one decent rest-stop on your way around the city, or at least, by the time you get to New Jersey, somewhere on Route 80. Nope. Tons of land where it would be very easy to place a rest-stop. With all the minutiae the states concern themselves with, has no one thought of building at least one rest-stop around the city? I gave birth some twenty-something years ago to an almost 10-pound baby. Quite frankly, my body has never been the same. Do you see where this is going? (Don’t drink Snapple when you’re pregnant and don’t eat the 12 slices of whole wheat bread per day that they tell you to.)

Earlier this week, my husband and I were on our way to visit that same baby, traveling from Long Island to New Jersey. We finally got to The Home Depot shopping center off Route 80. I have gone to the Dunkin there, but I assumed the restroom would not be open, since the Dunkins around us have kept them closed. The only other place was The Home Depot. I came upon my first encounter with the “long line to get in” situation that I have seen pictures of….a grotesque zombie apocalypse of masks, blocked-off entrances and security guards. I thought, “I’m a middle-aged lady who’s been sitting in traffic forever-surely they would have no problem with me using their facilities.” So I walked up to the guard and explained my situation. He said, “Let me ask.” He came back. “No.” I was stunned and expressed my displeasure. I checked over at Dunkin and their restroom was open. My son is going to be getting doughnuts every time we visit. He would rather have doughnuts than duct tape or siliconized acrylic sealant.

Do I really have to state the obvious? We are losing our humanity. This should concern all of us. Reminds me of Our Lord’s words:

"For if in the green wood they do these things, what shall be done in the dry?"

Luke 23:31

Almost as soon as we got through the door with the box of doughnuts, my son said, “Want to go hiking now?” He has been making good use of his time off by hiking and gardening, much to prepper-Mommy’s pleasure. He found a large wooded area nearby while geocaching, and has been exploring all the trails. He was very excited about showing us a breathtaking ravine he found. I have not hiked in years and was already a bit tired from a poor night’s sleep, but I did not want to disappoint him. It was a long-shot, but I was going to give it my best effort.

As we approached the trail, I felt like Prepper Wonder Woman, with my hiking boots, olive-green pants with tons of pockets, wad of tissues, bug spray and mini first-aid kit. It was pure adrenaline from that point on. The world disappeared behind us as the sounds of birds and running water surrounded us. I felt free, able to breath without a mask, able to walk the path of a true human being, without feeling like a criminal. It was not a quick or easy hike. First, down a rocky hill, then we had a choice between crossing a muddy creek or walking on top of a huge mysterious pipeline. I chose the muddy creek that looked like quicksand. It proved to be a cinch. I felt over-confidence and arrogance wafting through me (not very subtle foreshadowing) as I watched my poor husband and child perilously walking atop the big pipe. Then it was quite a ways down another trail to the ravine. Suddenly, a magnificent vista of hills, trees, rocks, water and frogs appeared. It was a truly magical moment with my husband and son.

I eagerly ran down to the water and splashed my hands around in it. I felt pricks go through my thin pants and suddenly my arms and legs were all itchy. So much for Prepper Wonder Woman. My first thought was, “I’m in the middle of nowhere-what if I have a severe reaction?” I calmed down and hoped for the best. I told my son to take a picture of the plant so we could identify it when we got back (actually, we should have done it right there, with the phone). It was time to go back anyway, so we headed back and within a few minutes, the itching subsided. (I still haven’t gotten around to identifying the plant-but I should-this is how you learn as a prepper!} I barely made it back-the downwards hill at the start was now an upwards hill. At the least, the experience gave me a sense of empowerment and accomplishment. At best, a pivotal moment in my life at a pivotal moment for humanity. The choice between two realities.

I see the rest of my life as a journey back to those woods.

Update

[Edited since posting.]

Please stay tuned for Pentecost post and highlights of the month of June. Let us pray the whole Church, especially our leaders, will receive a great illumination this Pentecost by the Holy Ghost, to exercise proper discernment during this time! This thought came to me the other day as I was contemplating our current situation and what has caused it:

“If we are not bridled by the Laws of God, we will be bound by the chains of man.”

2020 Rome Life Forum: "Coronavirus in Light of Fatima"

The Rome Life Forum Online Conference is this Wednesday, May 20th through Friday, May 22nd. The theme is “Coronavirus in the Light of Fatima: A Tragedy and a Source of Hope.” The hours are roughly 12:00-2:00. The event is free. Please see link above for registration. Guest speakers include Cardinal Burke, Bishop Athanasius Schneider, John-Henry Westen and John Smeaton, among others. Some topics are: “Fatima: Heaven’s Answer to a World in Crisis,” “Divine Judgement in Human History,” and “The Eucharist, the Greatest Treasure of the Church, in Times of Tribulation.”

This conference is hosted by LifeSiteNews and Voice of the Family. From LifeSiteNews: “Speakers will focus on whether the COVID-19….could be part of the chastisement, preceding the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, that Our Blessed Mother spoke about in Fatima in 1917.” Please see link above for full article. Let us pray for the Holy Ghost to be present at this event and enlighten the minds of many!

Please note, Nomen Christi Apostolate does not necessarily endorse all ideas which may be expressed in this conference.

Minor Rogation Days 18th to 20th-Never a Better Time!

From the traditional Mass of the first two Rogation Days:

Arise, O Lord, help us and deliver us for Thy Name’s sake. Alleluia.

He heard my voice from His holy temple, alleluia: and my cry before Him came into His ears, alleluia, alleluia.

I will love Thee, O Lord, my strength: the Lord is my firmament, my refuge and my deliverer.

Grant, we beseech Thee, O almighty God, that we, who in our affliction put our trust in Thy mercy, may ever be defended by Thy protection against all adversity.

Thou hast saved us, O Lord, from them that afflict us: and hast put them to shame that hate us. In God shall we glory all the day long: and in Thy name we will give praise for ever.

Alleluia, alleluia. Forgive us our sins, O Lord: lest the Gentiles should ever say: Where is their God? Alleluia.

I will be glad and rejoice in Thy mercy: for Thou hast regarded my humility: Thou hast saved my soul out of distresses. Alleluia.

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock; and it shall be opened to you. For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened, alleluia.

Notes from The Daily Missal and Liturgical Manual, Baronius Press (this is a beautiful gold-trimmed missal to give as a gift):

“Earthquakes and other calamities afflicted the diocese of Vienne in Dauphiny (France) in the fifth century, and St. Mamertus, who was bishop of that diocese, instituted a penitential procession with public supplications on the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday before Ascension Day. In 816, Pope Leo III introduced it into Rome, and soon after it became a general observance throughout the Church.

The Litany of the Saints, the psalms and prayers sung during the Procession on these days are supplications: hence the name of Rogation Days (rogare, to ask) applied to them. The object of these rogation supplications is to appease the anger of God and avert the scourges of His justice, and to pray for the harvest.

A similar function is observed on April 25th , on the feast of St. Mark, but this is of Roman origin.”

Please read carefully the excerpts above from the Mass and see how appropriate these prayers are for our current situation! I believe it is a time in the Church to bridge the old and the new and for the laity in combination with the clergy, to creatively design our own customs. This will help our children love the Faith and want to hold on to it, it the midst of a culture saturated with all kinds of seductive bells and whistles to distract them from the spiritual path. What are some ideas? Read the Mass from the missal as a family, abstain from meat, pray the Litany of the Saints, crafts with children relating to the season, etc.

What are we to learn from the Rogation Day Masses? Never to despair. God is with us. We are people of Faith and can get through even the worst this life can ever throw at us! If Holy Church is persecuted, He will, in the end, deliver us!

There is a separate Mass for the last Rogation Day this week, which is the Vigil of the Ascension….

Declare it with the voice of joy, and make this to be heard, alleluia: speak it out even to the ends of the earth: The Lord hath delivered His people, alleluia, alleluia. Shout with joy to God, all the earth, sing ye a psalm to His Name: give glory to His praise.

WE NEED TO BECOME STRONGER NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*** Spiritually ***

*** Mentally ***

*** Physically ***

+++

“What we do now echoes in eternity.”

Marcus Aurelius

If you think its time to stay home watching “Casablanca” for the 82nd time and scrapbooking….think again! We need to be prepared from this point forward for anything and everything (but not with fear). Demand to receive confession and Holy Communion. Start lifting weights. Go hiking in the wonderful outdoors without a mask, so you are not breathing in your own carbon dioxide and depressing your immune system. Take vitamins C and D. Get plenty of seeds and plant a garden. Stockpile supplies and water (only those in good supply). Buy rural property and precious metals. Learn how to fish. Learn to meditate and increase your mental strength under stress. Throw yourself on God when you get depressed-He never disappoints! Do it now. Teach your children. Pray on it. WE GOT THIS!

Image is a promotion of the show “Doomsday Castle,” which aired in 2013. I have not seen the show, but here is some info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doomsday_Castle

Are You Having Trouble Getting Dental Treatment At This Time?

Saint Apollonia was a virgin martyr and is the patron saint of dental disease. She died in the year 250 and her feast is February 12th. Many are having difficulty obtaining dental treatment during this time. If you have a dental problem and your dentist refuses to treat you, consider praying Saint Apollonia’s novena below. The whole world is suffering a very great chastisement. O God, have mercy on us all!

Novena To Saint Apollonia

O Glorious Apollonia, Patron Saint of dentistry and refuge to all those suffering from diseases of the teeth, I consecrate myself to you, beseeching you to number me among your clients.
Assist me by your intercession with God in my daily work and intercede with Him to obtain for me a happy death. Pray that my heart be like yours, inflamed with the love of Jesus and Mary, through Christ our Lord.
O My God, bring me safely through temptation and strengthen me as Thou didst our own Patron Saint Apollonia, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Saint Apollonia, pray for my intention, (mention intention). Saint Apollonia, pray for us!
Say 1: Our Father… Say 1: Hail Mary… Say 1: Glory Be…

(Repeat the above for 9 consecutive days)

From https://catholicsaints.info/ :

We know that she lived in Alexandria, and that on February 9th of the year 250, during the persecution of the Christians ordered by the Emperor Decius [Apollonia was tortured and put to death]…one of the chief authorities for the history of the early Christian Church is the Ecclesiastical History of Eusebius, Bishop of Caesarea in the fourth century. If we turn to book VI, chapter 41, of this work, we shall find there a letter from Dionysius, Bishop of Alexandria, written to Fabius, Bishop of Antioch, which gives an account of the Decian persecution at Alexandria, and also tells us all we really know of Saint Apollonia….

“Then with one accord, all rushed upon the houses of the pious, and whomsoever of their neighbors they knew, they drove thither in all haste, and despoiled and plundered them, setting apart the more valuable of the articles for themselves; but the more common and wooden furniture they threw about and burnt in the roads, presenting a sight like a city taken by the enemy. They also seized that admirable virgin Apollonia, then in advanced age, and beating her jaws, they broke out all her teeth, and kindling a fire before the city, threatened to burn her alive, unless she would repeat their impious expressions. She appeared at first to shrink a little, but when suffered to go, she suddenly sprang into the fire and was consumed.”

Image courtesy flickr.com

Prayer, slightly edited, courtesy: https://novenaprayer.com/

+++ Holy Saturday +++ Father, Father, Why Hast Thou Forsaken Us!

It is the most sorrowful Holy Saturday we have ever seen in our lives. Because the sacraments have been taken from us. Our Blessed Lord is in the tomb truly, hidden from us. I went to pray on Good Friday at my church and the doors were locked. Reminds me of Don McLean’s lyrics:

A long, long time ago
I can still remember how that music
Used to make me smile
…But February made me shiver
With every paper I'd deliver
Bad news on the doorstep
…Something touched me deep inside
The day the music died
…We sang dirges in the dark
...Do you recall what was revealed
The day the music died?
...There we were all in one place
A generation lost in space
With no time left to start again
...No angel born in Hell
Could break that Satan's spell
...I saw Satan laughing with delight
...I went down to the sacred store
Where I'd heard the music years before
But the man there said the music wouldn't play
...Not a word was spoken
The church bells all were broken

+++

And the three men I admire most
The Father, Son and the Holy Ghost
They caught the last train for the coast
The day the music died
And they were singing

“Bye, Bye, Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry”

+++

Indeed, all the holy water fonts are dry. Our Catholic life wrenched from us overnight. As Our Lord said, like a “thief in the night.”

Today, many will be shouting their sins across 6 feet or out their car windows. What brought us to this hour? Even though the forces of darkness are “laughing with delight,” God’s hand is upon us. This is what it HAD to come to. The whole world should be shouting their sins in sackcloth and ashes. And those who, even THIS Easter, still believe it is all about bunnies and pretty eggs, God help them!

I know I said our focus here would be positive, but that doesn’t mean our heads can be in the sand. We must face squarely what is happening and why. Then move forward with a beautiful vision of the future we are creating together as God’s children, the Children of the Promise. So let us remain even more solemn this Holy Saturday. Let us give God our very best at this time and in the coming days, that He may look mercifully upon our world!