Cardinal Addresses Youth Synod

We are now in the third week of the Youth Synod being held in Rome. Much discussion has taken place over a variety of issues, but Cardinal Robert Sarah spoke yesterday and he makes an awful lot of sense. "Do not water down Church teaching..." My thoughts, instead of attracting young people to the perennial beauty of Church teaching, we might do exact the opposite, drive them further away.

http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2018/10/16/cardinal-sarah-watering-down-church-teaching-wont-attract-young-people/

Pope Francis: The Taking of Human Life Is

At yesterday's papal audience, Pope Francis spoke on the evil of taking human life at all stages.
The world needs to heed his voice in this matter.

http://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2018/contempt-for-life-is-the-source-of-all-evil-pope-says.cfm

Cardinal Muller is bang on: Corruption of Doctrine Always Brings with it Corrpution of Morals

At a recent ordination to the priesthood, the former perfect of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith gave a stunning homily about some things facing our Church. Many claim that the root problem of the present crisis is "clericalism." I say hog-wash. We need to call out the real problem - people have turned their backs on the Truth, and the Truth is not a thing but a person, Jesus Christ, who says, "I am the way, the truth, and the truth." Following Him is demanding. Remember the Cross! Too many of us desire, not the Way of the Cross, but the easy way of the world.

I hope you enjoy Cardinal Muller's homily. Lots of food for thought in it.

https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2018/09/19/cardinal-muller-corruption-of-doctrine-always-brings-with-it-the-corruption-of-morals/

In the light of what is happening in the Church

These have been difficult days for our brothers and sisters in the faith south of the border, and elsewhere as a matter of fact. Much as been spoken and written about what should have been, could have been, and would have been. My advice, the leadership needs to speak up and speak out. This filth and rot needs to end NOW. Let us call what is happen exactly what it is SIN!

http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/commentandblogs/2018/08/20/american-bishops-should-ditch-the-lawyers/

US Bishops Halts Communion Services

Finally, a bishop has come out with a statement halting "these so-called lay-presider" services with Holy Communion. I have been saying for years that in a lot of cases, there have been too may abuses.
I even heard once people telling a priest: "no need to travel bad roads, Father, sister's Mass will do just fine." The Holy Eucharist must be treated with the utmost respect and reverence. It its not meant to be trodded around town by every "Tom, Dick, and Jane."

Read more. I do hope this is the start of something very good.

http://catholicherald.co.uk/news/2018/08/08/us-bishop-orders-halt-to-communion-services-without-a-priest/

I'm sure this will raise eyebrows

I found this article interesting. You might also.

https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2018/07/31/is-it-a-church-or-a-country-club-with-a-cross-on-top/

50 years on: Affirming and Celebrating Humane Vitae

July 25 marks the 50th anniversary of Pope Paul VI's encyclical letter, Humane Vitae.
1968 was the beginning of a troubling time for both Church and society. Of course, one cannot really appreciate the beauty for something so controversial as this letter. Unfortunately, many disagreed with the encyclical, many dissented from it, many threw up their hands thinking that the Church was going to the "dogs", and some decided to give it time to really reflect on its beauty. George Weigel, a distinguished scholar, offers his take on this significant anniversary. We might wish to heed some of what he proposes.

https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2018/07/25/affirming-and-celebrating-humanae-vitae/

Daily Prayer For Priests

In your prayers each day, please remember to pray for priests.

Daily Prayer for Priests

O Almighty, Eternal God, look upon the Face of Your Son and for love of Him, who is the Eternal High Priest, have pity on Your priests. Remember, O most compassionate God, that they are but weak and frail human beings. Stir up in them the grace of their vocation which is in them by the imposition of the bishop’s hands. Keep them close to You, lest the enemy prevail against them, so that they may never do anything in the slightest degree unworthy of their sublime vocation. O Jesus, I pray for Your faithful and fervent priests; for Your unfaithful and tepid priests; for Your priests labouring at home or abroad in distant mission fields; for Your tempted priests; for the lonely and desolate priests; for Your young priests; for Your dying priests; for the souls of Your priests in purgatory. But above all, I commend to you N. and all the priests dearest to me, the priest who baptized me,  the priests who have absolved me from my sins, the priests at whose Masses I have assisted and who have offered me Your Body and Blood in Holy Communion,  the priests who have taught and instructed me or helped and encouraged me,  and the priests to whom I am indebted in any other way. O Jesus, keep them all close to Your Heart, and bless them abundantly in time and in eternity. Amen.

Protecting Children When They Go Online

Needless to say, the internet is basically a good thing. However, like a lot of good things, the internet can be abused and used by too many individuals to lure young people into a dark world.
Parents especially may find this article helpful.

http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/commentandblogs/2018/07/23/the-only-way-to-protect-children-online-is-parental-responsibility/

Pope Will Canonize Teenager in October

It has been announced that Pope Francis will canonize a teenager in October. Nunzio Sulprizio will be raised to the altars during the Youth Synod in Rome. Another role model for our youth.

http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2018/07/22/teenager-to-be-canonised-during-youth-synod/

The Importance of Liturgical Colours

I am sure you will find this most interesting.

http://frbederowe.blogspot.com/2018/07/colours.html

What To Do With Churches That Close

I found this interesting in light of what is occurring in many dioceses in Canada today.

https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2018/07/10/what-happens-when-a-church-is-no-longer-a-church/

Canadian Bishops Statement on Supreme Court's Decision

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishop's has issued a statement in regards to the decision of the Supreme Court of Canada in the Trinity Western University case.

Wake up people! Your rights are in jeopardy.

http://www.cccb.ca/site/eng/media-room/statements-a-letters/4943-cccb-comment-on-the-decision-of-the-supreme-court-of-canada-in-the-appeal-cases-involving-trinity-western-university-law-school

Eight New Priests Ordained for the Ordinariate

While talk continues about the lack of vocations, things seem to be different in many dioceses and in the Ordinariate. I thought this would be encouraging for those among us who are members of Our Lady of the Sign.

http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2018/07/02/pictures-eight-new-priests-ordained-for-ordinariate/

Another Blow to Religious Freedom in Canada

The Supreme Court of Canada has done it again - launched a severe blow to religious freedom in Canada and beyond. Sad, really sad!

http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/canadian-top-court-renders-severe-blow-to-religious-freedom-in-trinity-west

Bishop Speaks Out on Recreational Use of Marijuna

Last week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, announced the date for the legalization of recreational marijuana use. The Archbishop of Ottawa has raise some important issues in terms of temperance.
Personally, I do not think Canada should be going down this road. People need to back to God not to things that cloud reality. We cannot no longer live in a "pretend world." The archbishop states, and rightly so, that the recreational use of marijuana, although legal in Canada, still remains a sin.

https://www.catholicregister.org/item/27616-marijuana-use-will-still-be-a-sin-after-becoming-legal-bishops-say

June 24: Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist

Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist

When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child
she gave birth to a son.
Her neighbors and relatives heard
that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her,
and they rejoiced with her.
When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child,
they were going to call him Zechariah after his father,
but his mother said in reply,
"No. He will be called John."
But they answered her,
"There is no one among your relatives who has this name."
So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called.
He asked for a tablet and wrote, "John is his name,"
and all were amazed.
Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed,
and he spoke blessing God.
Then fear came upon all their neighbors,
and all these matters were discussed
throughout the hill country of Judea.
All who heard these things took them to heart, saying,
"What, then, will this child be?"
For surely the hand of the Lord was with him.
The child grew and became strong in spirit,
and he was in the desert until the day
of his manifestation to Israel.

- Luke 1:57-66, 80

Sts. John Fisher and Thomas More

The Church and the world need more people who follow the example of these two great saints.

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/saints-john-fisher-and-thomas-more-following-gods-law-above-all-else-17185

Troubling News From The Supreme Court of Canada

I am saddened over this judgement by the Supreme Court of Canada. Christians must be more vigilant than ever before. Our rights are constantly being eroded.

https://catholicregister.org/item/27575-supreme-court-decision-on-trinity-western-delivers-severe-blow-to-religious-freedom-say-advocates

A Belated Father's Day Gift

Father's need to read this article on raising their children properly. Enjoy.

http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/faith-of-our-fathers-why-a-masculine-example-of-holiness-is-vital-for-child

Priests in Australia Willing to Go to Jail rather than break Seal of Confession

Down-under comes a clash between Church and State over whether the Seal of Confession can be broken by priests if they hear about abuse situations in the confessional. Someone must tell the government the correct answer to this - NO! The Seal of Confession can NEVER be broken under any condition. I pray that the Australian bishops speak forcefully on this. Who knows, the state might try to do this here.


 http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2018/06/18/australian-priests-willing-to-go-to-jail-rather-than-break-seal-of-confessional/

Children and Mass Attendance

I hope this article will help some parents who do battle with their children every Sunday.

http://catholicherald.co.uk/news/2018/06/15/allowing-children-to-skip-mass-is-like-letting-them-not-brush-their-teeth-theologian-tells-parents/

Now Here's a Minor Miracle!

Next month marks the 50th anniversary of Pope Paul's encyclical letter Humanae Vitae. I remember the outcry against this prophetic letter.  I believe Paul's prophecy has come true. My, how times are a changin'!

http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2018/06/15/hundreds-of-british-priests-sign-statement-backing-humanae-vitae/

Argentina Falls Victim to Liberalizing Abortion

Argentina's Congress voted (129 -125) to radically liberalize abortions laws in that country.
Imagine, the pope's own country! The bishops have vowed to continue to fight for life and human dignity.

http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2018/06/15/argentinas-bishops-pledge-to-fight-on-after-abortion-vote/

Vocations Are Declining

I have said this before, we have a "crisis of vocations." Now the Vatican admits that this is indeed occurring. Continue praying for vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2018/06/15/vatican-reports-crisis-of-vocations-as-seminarian-numbers-fall-worldwide/

After the Irish Debacle

George Weigel, a leading Catholic layman, author of the biography of Pope St. John Paul II, has written the attached after the Irish vote on the amendment of their Constitution. You may be interested in reading his take on the aftermath for Catholicism in the Emerald Isle.

https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2018/06/13/after-the-irish-debacle/

World Family Congress in Ireland

I think Father Z. makes some very valid points in his article that I read this morning. I just wonder why the TRUTH cannot be brought out by those who represent the Church in some high places.

I found this quote by the bishop of Phoenix, Ariz. I share it with you.

"Our life in Christ is not one of 'do's and don'ts,' but an adventure in authentic freedom. Embrace that freedom in order to place your life at the service of Christ, beginning in your home and radiating into the world."

http://wdtprs.com/blog/2018/06/concerning-jamesmartinsj-talking-at-vatican-laityfamilylife-sponsored-wmof2018/

Gestures at Mass Really Do Matter

I was sent the attached article earlier this morning and thought it contains much food for thought.

https://www.crisismagazine.com/2018/gestures-mass-really-matter

St John Paul II’s chilling prophecy has been fulfilled in Ireland

I found this earlier from the Catholic Herald concerning what has happened recently in Ireland.

http://catholicherald.co.uk/issues/june-8th-2018/st-john-paul-iis-chilling-prophecy/

Ninth annual Rosary Relay to cover globe in prayer for priests

Friday, June 8 is the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It is also the World Day of Prayer for Priests. Catholics worldwide are urged to pray for priests on this day. The day was begun by Saint John Paul II is 2002 with the objective of having all Catholic faithful join in prayer for the sanctification of priests.

A good idea: Pray the Rosary for Priests

https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2018/06/06/ninth-annual-rosary-relay-to-cover-globe-in-prayer-for-priests/

Just When You Think You've Heard and Seen It All

I found this earlier today regarding the use of a dispenser for Holy Communion.  I for one think this is utterly disgraceful and disrespect to say the least.

http://wdtprs.com/blog/2018/06/priest-uses-a-communion-dispenser/

Sunday Mass is not Optional

Edinburgh, Scotland, Jun 5, 2018 / 12:41 pm (CNA/EWTN News).

In a pastoral letter for the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, Archbishop Leo Cushley of St. Andrews & Edinburgh stressed the importance of the Sunday Mass obligation for Catholics. “It is true that many people think of Sunday as just part of the weekend, a welcome break from the usual routine, and perhaps a day for family, or sporting activities,” the UK archbishop said in the letter. 

“Naturally, it’s good to relax and make time for these things, but our culture has largely forgotten that Sunday is a weekly holiday because of its meaning as the Christian holy day,” he continued.
Cushley went on to emphasize the importance of attending Sunday Mass. He noted that missing Mass due to extraordinary circumstance, such as an illness, is acceptable, but under normal circumstances, “attending Mass on Sunday is a solemn and binding obligation.” “If we deliberately fail in this matter, it is a grave sin and we must go to confession before receiving communion again,” he said.
Sunday, our weekly day of rest, shows God’s people that true fulfilment is only found in the Creator, said Cushley. It is an “earthly reflection of God’s own eternal restfulness,” when people are reminded that “life has a higher goal than physical survival or financial gain.”

Cushley also highlighted the importance of the Eucharist, saying the Sacrifice of the Mass is a “foretaste of heaven” that empowers “us to do real and lasting good in the world.” Without the power of the Mass, we are not only cut off from the mystery of grace, but also from Christ and community, he said.

The archbishop went on to encourage parents to bring their children to Mass every Sunday as a good example of living out the Catholic faith. “There’s no better thing you can do for them [children] than to bring them to meet the living Lord Jesus at Mass every week,” Cushley said, adding “if you teach them like this to seek the Kingdom of God first, you can be sure He will bless them in all the other ways that you hope for.”

Cushley also encouraged members of his archdiocese to make their Sunday obligation a priority over other commitments, saying Catholics should place Christ in the Eucharist ahead of everything else.
“Coming to Mass only every other week, or occasionally, is not the same as being faithful to his New Covenant. Surely, we cannot treat Christ our Saviour as one option among others for us to shuffle at our convenience,” he said.

“I therefore urge you, brothers and sisters, to make the choice to attend Sunday Mass, to make it a priority, and to bring others with you.”

Solemnity of the Body and Blood of the Lord

Today is the Solemnity of Corpus Christi

Cardinal Designate Speaks on Ordination of Women

I do not understand why people just can't get the message: Women can never be ordained to the priesthood, plain and simple. Women hold a valued place in the Church, but one of them is not priesthood.

http://www.catholicnews.com/services/englishnews/2018/teaching-on-all-male-priesthood-is-definitive-cardinal-designate-says.cfm

Pope Francis: The Church is For Life

It is clear - the Church is for Life. These are words of Pope Francis at a recent meeting of Catholic doctors.

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/the-church-is-for-life-francis-tells-catholic-physicians-48123

Ireland and the End of Cultural Catholicism

Yesterday I had the opportunity to visit the graves of my great, great grandparents. They were Irish Catholic to the core. I found this article interesting and thought you might also.

https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2018/05/28/ireland-and-the-end-of-cultural-catholicism/

Words of Wisdom

Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

Today is the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

A Sad Day For Ireland

Ireland votes Yes in abortion referendum

Yes side secures landslide win with 66.4% voting to repeal the Eighth Amendment

A Sad Day Indeed. However, I am not all that surprised with the result. When people turn their backs on God, then what else can we expect.

Another Cardinal Weighs In

Cardinal Francis Azrine, former Perfect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments, weighs in on the idea of inter-communion with non-Catholics.

http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2018/05/25/cardinal-arinze-we-cannot-share-communion-with-non-catholics-like-beer-or-cake/

Christ the Eternal High Priest and the Meaning of Priestly Celibacy

Father Peter Stravinskas has written another brilliant article worth reading and reflecting upon.

https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2018/05/24/christ-the-eternal-high-priest-and-the-meaning-of-priestly-celibacy/

Be Missionary Disciples

Although this event took place in Washington, DC (The National Prayer Breakfast), there is much food for thought for our own situation in Canada.

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/be-missionary-disciples-archbishop-naumann-encourages-catholic-prayer-breakfast-82949

Archbishop Chaput on the Irish Situation

Today is the day. The Irish people vote in regard to Amendment 8 of their Constitution.

Archbishop Charles Chaput offers some thoughts on what is happening.

https://zenit.org/articles/forum-archbishop-chaput-on-the-importance-of-amendment-8/

May 25: Feast Day of St. Bede the Venerable

St. Bede the Venerable

Source: www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-bede-the-venerable

St. Bede is one of the few saints honoured as such even during his lifetime. His writings were filled with such faith and learning that even while he was still alive, a Church council ordered them to be read publicly in the churches.
At an early age, Bede was entrusted to the care of the abbot of the Monastery of St. Paul, Jarrow. The happy combination of genius and the instruction of scholarly, saintly monks, produced a saint and an extraordinary scholar, perhaps the most outstanding one of his day. He was deeply versed in all the sciences of his times: natural philosophy, the philosophical principles of Aristotle, astronomy, arithmetic, grammar, ecclesiastical history, the lives of the saints and especially, holy Scripture.
From the time of his ordination to the priesthood at 30—he had been ordained a deacon at 19—till his death, Bede was ever occupied with learning, writing, and teaching. Besides the many books that he copied, he composed 45 of his own, including 30 commentaries on books of the Bible. His Ecclesiastical History of the English People is commonly regarded as of decisive importance in the art and science of writing history. A unique era was coming to an end at the time of Bede’s death: It had fulfilled its purpose of preparing Western Christianity to assimilate the non-Roman barbarian North. Bede recognized the opening to a new day in the life of the Church even as it was happening.
Although eagerly sought by kings and other notables, even Pope Sergius, Bede managed to remain in his own monastery until his death. Only once did he leave for a few months in order to teach in the school of the archbishop of York. Bede died in 735 praying his favourite prayer: “Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As in the beginning, so now, and forever.”

Sunday Shopping: Some Push-Back in Europe

Churches are emptying out, families are split apart, society is gone mad. What is happening in this so-called "enlightened" age of freedom and equality? We are forgetting God and our need for Him.
Perhaps the time has come to restore the dignity of Sunday to its rightful place and purpose - to worship God and rest/re-create ourselves so as the make the world a much happier, holier, and safer place. Just sayin'

http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/issues/may-25th-2018/how-europeans-are-fighting-back-against-sunday-trading/

Ottawa Archbishop Has Something to Say

The Jesuit Archbishop of Ottawa, Terrence Prendergast, has weighed into the nutty scheme of the German Bishops who are considered allowing inter-communion with Protestants. The good archbishop is a brilliant scholar and zealous pastor. Methinks he has something important to contribute for the good of the Church.

https://catholicregister.org/home/international/item/27418-germany-s-communion-discussion-puzzling-says-canadian-archbishop

Bishop Weighs in on Intercommunion

Over the past month, some of the German bishops have proposed the idea of inter-communion.
Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia has written a brilliant  and reasoned article of this. I was particularly touched by his closing comment: "What happens in Germany does not stay in Germany."
In other words, we've been down that road before. Remember, Martin Luther and company! Let's not travel that road again, thank you very much.

https://www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2018/05/what-happens-in-germany

Humane Vitae at 50

This year marks the 50th Anniversary of Pope Paul VI's encyclical letter, Humane Vitae.
50 years ago is not a very long time, but 1968 did mark a dramatic shift in the way people view themselves and the world. Many good things have occurred these past 50 years. There can be no doubt about that. However, 50 years ago also began the journey down a slippery slope. I am posting this article from a young priest in New York. He captures some of the beauty of what Humane Vitae was saying. I think in another 50 years this papal writing will be considered one of the greatest teaching to come out of the 20th century.

https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2018/05/23/a-voice-crying-in-the-wilderness-on-the-50th-anniversary-of-humanae-vitae/

Justin Trudeau and the Dictatorship of Relativism

I share this article with you that I read earlier this morning. The Dictatorship of Relativism is leading people down a very dangerous path. We will pay a severe price for this.

https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2018/05/23/justin-trudeau-and-the-dictatorship-of-relativism/

World Day of Prayer for the Church in China

In May 2007, Pope Benedict XVI asked that May 24 be observed as a Day of Prayer for the Church in China. He chose this day since it is the traditional Feast of Our Lady of Help of Christians, venerated at the Shrine of Sheshan in Shanghai.

Please pray the rosary on Thursday, May 24 for the Church in China which suffers terribly under atheistic communism. The Church must remain faithful to the suffering Church in China and not enter into a deal with the devil. The intention of Communism is to destroy the Church. They do this first by controlling education. Education in a Communist regime means indoctrination and not simply learning how to read, write, add, subtract, multiply, and divide. As a matter of fact, methinks,this is what education is being reduced to in this country - indoctrination.


In honour of the Feast of Our Lady Help of Christians (May 24), Pope Benedict XVI composed
the following prayer in 2008. He asked that it be recited every year on May 24, and that May 24 be designated a World Day of Prayer for the Church in China, as an act of solidarity and solicitude with
her persecuted Catholics.

“Virgin Most Holy, Mother of the Incarnate Word and our Mother, venerated in the Shrine of Sheshan under the title "Help of Christians," the entire Church in China looks to you with devout
affection. We come before you today to implore your protection. Look upon the People of God
and, with a mother's care, guide them along the paths of truth and love, so that they may always
be a leaven of harmonious coexistence among all citizens. When you obediently said "yes" in the house of Nazareth, you allowed God's eternal Son to take flesh in your virginal womb and thus to begin in history the work of our redemption. You willingly and generously co-operated in that work,
allowing the sword of pain to pierce your soul, until the supreme hour of the Cross, when you kept watch on Calvary, standing beside your Son, Who died that we might live. From that moment, you became, in a new way, the Mother of all those who receive your Son Jesus in faith and choose to follow in His footsteps by taking up His Cross. Mother of hope, in the darkness of Holy Saturday you journeyed with unfailing trust towards the dawn of Easter. Grant that your children may discern at all times, even those that are darkest, the signs of God's loving presence. Our Lady of Sheshan, sustain all those in China, who, amid their daily trials, continue to believe, to hope, to love. May they never be afraid to speak of Jesus to the world, and of the world to Jesus. In the statue overlooking the Shrine you lift your Son on high, offering him to the world with open arms in a gesture of love. Help Catholics always to be credible witnesses to this love, ever clinging to the rock of Peter on which the Church is built. Mother of China and all Asia, pray for us, now and for ever. Amen!”

More on the Irish Vote

Greetings to all, 

I have previously sought prayer support for Ireland as it votes this Friday, May 25, on whether to legalize abortion. My understanding is that, if they vote to repeal their pro-life constitutional amendment, it would be the first country in the world where the people (rather than the courts or legislature) authorized the killing of God's precious innocents! What a monstrous evil that would be! It would surely embolden the spiritual forces of evil to vigorously attack pro-life laws in Poland, Africa, and Latin America. For me a lot is at stake in the spiritual realm. 

Please pray for Ireland!  The pro-abortion lead in the polls has been diminishing, as the article below reports. Jonathan Van Maren, who has been in Ireland fighting the good fight, thinks it may be even closer. 

May our prayers help to save Ireland. Thank you so much. 

Peter Ryan

As vote approaches, Irish pro-lifers fight to save the Eighth

This coming Friday, May 25, 2018, Irish citizens will decide in a referendum whether to scrap a constitutional amendment that protects unborn babies’ right to life. If they vote “Yes,” the government will change Ireland’s status from that of one of the last bastions of pro-life laws in Europe to one of Europe’s most permissive abortion regimes overnight. Despite the odds stacked against them, Irish pro-lifers have had significant success in convincing many of their countrymen to vote for life. However, polling still shows a lead for those favoring a repeal. Ireland needs our prayers and support.

In 1983, the Eighth Amendment was added to the Constitution of Ireland, after 66.9 percent of Irish voters decided to add the following language to their nation’s basic legal document:

The State acknowledges the right to life of the unborn and, with due regard to the equal right to life of the mother, guarantees in its laws to respect, and, as far as practicable, by its laws to defend and vindicate that right.

However, in recent years there have been increasing calls to repeal the Eighth Amendment. Last June, on his first day as Taoiseach (prime minister of the Republic of Ireland), Leo Varadkar said that a referendum would be held on the matter. Since then, he has made it clear that if the Irish decide to repeal the constitutional protections, he will not only legalize abortion on demand during the first trimester, but also, shockingly, late-term abortions “in very specific circumstances.”

Although they have the bulk of the media, political, and cultural establishment against them, the “Save the 8th” campaign has nonetheless been working hard to defeat Goliath over the past several months, canvassing, communicating through posters and billboards, holding pro-life rallies, and reaching out to Irish voters on social media. “We were out first and reached more people than the ‘Yes’ campaign, and that’s pretty much acknowledged by the media and everyone else here,” says Niamh Uí Bhriain, spokesperson of the “Save the 8^th” campaign. “We have at least three thousand volunteers, with more joining everyday. Just to give you some perspective, the population of Ireland is 4.5 million. The population of the United States is 320 million. If you do the math, that’s about 200,000 volunteers in the United States. That’s a huge number. Political parties would never have as many volunteers.”

Uí Bhriain notes that once the Taoiseach announced the referendum, it became very clear that his intention was not only to repeal the Eighth Amendment, but to legalize abortion as well. Since then, “Save the 8^th” has worked to inform the Irish of what will happen if they vote in favor of repeal. “The government’s proposal is very radical. It seeks to legalize abortion on demand in the first twelve weeks, and on health grounds up through six months of the baby’s life. In addition to that, it seeks to legalize abortion in the case of fetal disability right up through all nine months of pregnancy,” she explains.

So far, “Save the 8^th” has successfully narrowed the repeal side’s lead. For example, a December 2017 poll for the Irish Times showed that 62 percent of the Irish were in favor of repealing the Eighth Amendment, compared to just 26 percent who did not. A May 14-15, 2018, poll for the same newspaper by the same research firm, however, showed that that lead has melted from 36 to just 12 percent (with 44 percent of the Irish favoring a repeal and 32 percent against).

Seventeen percent of those polled, however, are undecided. In the coming days, the “Save the 8^th” campaign plans to reach as many undecided voters as it can. According to Uí Bhriain, “very often in referendums undecided voters tend to fall towards the status quo. I think most undecided voters are very reluctant to go in and vote for a proposal so extreme.”

Accurately or not, across the West abortion is frequently viewed as a distinctly Catholic issue. Today, however, much of Irish society has a conflicted relationship to the faith of its fathers. In the 1990s, many scandals related to the sexual, physical, and emotional abuse of minors involving the Irish clergy were revealed; for many Irish, the fact that prelates were often aware of these abuses yet did nothing to stop them in particular eroded their trust in the Catholic Church. According to Diarmuid Martin, Archbishop of Dublin, the number of Irish Catholics attending Mass weekly plummeted from an impressive 90 percent in 1984 to just 18 percent in 2011. Other studies estimate weekly Mass attendance at between 30 and 35 percent, higher than 18 percent, but still showing a major decline.

In other words, in order to win the referendum, Irish pro-lifers must strike the right balance regarding Catholicism. Drumming up religious overtones could easily turn away the country’s many disaffected lapsed Catholics, but, on the other hand, in a tight campaign the minority of Irish churchgoers, even if they are just 18 percent of the population, could prove decisive.

“For the groups that are engaged in this campaign, abortion is seen as a human rights issue. The right to life of every person needs to be respected by people of every faith,” Uí Bhriain says, adding that her campaign has focused on the secular, scientific aspects of the abortion debate. “I would think that for a number people in Ireland, perhaps many of those who are most engaged in favor of abortion, whatever the Church is for, they are against,” she acknowledges, nonetheless noting that the number of such voters is “very small.”

The Irish bishops, however, have strongly come out against repealing the Eighth Amendment. In April, three Irish bishops issued pastoral letters, urging their faithful to vote “No.” Archbishop Martin of Dublin likewise came out in defense of the Eighth Amendment. Although the American reader might think that there is nothing newsworthy about bishops urging Catholics to vote for life, in Ireland this was not at all so clear. In 2015, the Irish voted in favor of legalizing same-sex “marriage” in a referendum; Ireland’s Catholic bishops did not publicly oppose it.

If Ireland votes to legalize abortion on Friday, this would be a defeat not only for the Irish pro-life movement, but also for pro-lifers across Europe. Of the twenty-eight members of the European Union, Ireland is currently one of just three countries along with Malta (where abortion is completely banned) and Poland (where abortion is legal only when the pregnancy threatens the mother’s life or health, when it results from rape or incest, and in the case of fetal malformation) where abortion is not legal on demand.

Although the “Save the 8^th” campaign has made impressive headway in recent months, Niamh Uí Bhriain still asks for American pro-lifers’ prayers. The “Yes” side nonetheless retains a lead in the polls, even if it is declining, and the stakes are high. In the next several days, we should all take time to pray, perhaps through the intercession of St. Patrick and Our Lady of Knock, that the Irish choose the right to life.

Please share this with all your friends

I received this notice earlier today. I am posting it here due to its great importance. Please share with others.

Dear Brother Knights and friends of the Unborn,

I am forwarding this message of grave importance for the Unborn Child. Let us pray the Rosary to our Blessed Mother that the good people of Ireland will be ignited by the Holy Spirit to vote no against the resolution to amend their Constitution. It is bad enough that in Canada we have a Prime Minister who advocates pro-choice and believes in abortion even though there is no right to abortion under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

This is very short notice but prayer has no time constraints. We have over 24 hours of prayer. Maybe we can start a prayer chain with the Rosary across our great land, which has been consecrated to our Blessed Mother. The month of May is dedicated to the Rosary. May Saint Patrick also remind the citizens of Ireland of God's love for them. Please share this with your friends.

Vivat Jesus and thankyou/merci beaucoup,

Graydon Nicholas

Pray for Ireland

On Friday the people of Ireland go to the polls in a referendum on whether or not to retain Amendment #8.

St. Patrick once drove the snakes out of Ireland. His intercession is needed desperately these days.

Chartres Pilgrimage

Every year thousands of pilgrims walk to the awe-inspiring Cathedral of Chartres in France. I remember visiting this place of prayer 40 years ago. I was struck by its beauty and how it speaks of heavenly things. This year, pilgrims had the opportunity of hearing Cardinal Robert Sarah's homily. I include it here for your edification. Methinks the African-born Cardinal Perfect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments gives lots of food for thought.

http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2018/05/cardinal-sarahs-homily-to-chartres.html#.WwVXvExFzIV

Here is something to be deeply concerned about

I just finished reading an article on the state of marriage in Canada.

Marriage and family are at the roots of human society. Destroy that, and what happens, the collapse of society. I think it is high time we came to our senses in this country. As far as I'm concerned, we are not on the road to progress but the road of destruction. People - wake up!

https://catholicregister.org/item/27411-marriage-faces-uphill-climb-survey-finds

May 22: Feast of St. Rita of Cascia

Today marks the Feast of St. Rita of Cascia, patron saint of impossibilities.
I'm attached a little note about this from Zenith.

https://zenit.org/articles/feast-day-of-st-rita-patron-of-impossibilities/

Promoting Vocations

I found this on the United States Bishop's Conference website. You may find it helpful.

Top Ten Things to Promote Vocations

 

For all Catholics:

1. Pray for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life. Jesus says in Matthew 9:38 “to beg the master of the harvest to send laborers into the vineyard.” If we want more priests, sisters and brothers, we all need to ask.

2. Teach young people how to pray. Pope Benedict XVI said that unless we teach our youth how to pray, they will never hear God calling them into a deeper relationship with Him and into the discipleship of the Church.

3. Invite active young adults and teens to consider a vocation to the priesthood or consecrated life. A simple, sincere comment should not be underestimated. An easy way to do this can be remembered by four letters: ICNU. “John, I see in you (ICNU) the qualities that would make a good priest, and I want to encourage you to pray about it.” It is a non-invasive way to encourage openness to a religious vocation.

4. Make it attractive. Show the priesthood for what it truly is – a call to be a spiritual father to the whole family of faith. Similarly, the consecrated life for a young woman is a call to be united to Christ in a unique way, and to be a spiritual mother to those she encounters in her life and service. The challenge for priests and religious is to be joyful models of their vocations.

5. Preach it, brother! Vocations must be talked about regularly if a “vocation culture” is to take root in parishes and homes. This means, first and foremost, the people need to hear about vocations from priests through homilies, prayers of the faithful, and discussions in the classroom. Vocations kept out of sight are out of mind.

For those considering a vocation:

6. Practice the faith. We all need to be reminded that the whole point of our lives is to grow in a deep, intimate and loving relationship with God. This is the first step for any young person desiring to discern any call in life.

7. Enter into the Silence. Silence is key to sanity and wholeness. We can only “hear” the voice of God if we are quiet. Take out the ear buds of your iPhone, iPod, and iTunes and listen to God, the great I AM. Young people should try to spend 15 minutes of quiet prayer each day – this is where you can begin to receive clear direction in your lives.

8. Be a good disciple. Some bishops say, “We do not have a vocation crisis; we have a discipleship crisis.” Young people can become true followers of Jesus Christ by serving those around them. By discovering your call to discipleship, you also discover your particular call within the Church.

9. Ask God. Ask God what He wants for your life and know He only wants what is good for you. If, in fact, you are called to the priesthood or consecrated life, it will be the path to great joy and contentment.

10. In the immortal words of a famous sneaker manufacturer: “Just do it!” If you feel that God is inviting you to “try it out,” apply to the seminary or religious order. Remember, the seminary or convent is a place of discernment. You will not be ordained or asked to profess vows for many years, providing ample opportunity to explore the possibility of a call to priesthood or religious life.