Watch the video: https://youtu.be/JwlqJA0MXTU


Read the article: https://www.tfp.org/how-gregor...

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Watch the video: https://youtu.be/3ZXrR4V57EA


  There are a minority of Catholics today who hold that depression is a fault, or the fruit of a fault – perhaps nothing more than vanity and pride. They speak as if depression is an invention of modern (and therefore, we are to assume, false) thought, and that perhaps doesn’t even really exist. They speak as if one could free oneself from a state of depression by acts of the will.


  What should we make of this? Let’s dig into this topic and see.


  It’s not a sin to have a sense of humour and be cheerful...
  https://www.wmreview.org/p/fun-aquinas-neri


  It’s not a sin to be depressed...
  https://www.wmreview.org/p/depression-aquinas-neri


00:00 Intro
00:10 Article's Sources
01:05 Is Depression a Fault?
02:50 St. Thomas Aquinas 
05:05 Effects on the Body
06:26 Remedies
07:53 St. Philip Neri


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Yeah... Just rambling.

https://youtu.be/lKNt2cAFGMw

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Watch the video: https://youtu.be/b55Kw9wSZzo

 Here is the quote from "The Biographical Memoirs of Saint John Bosco," by Giovanni Battista Lemoyne, Volume 7, Chapter 8, Page 43:
...Don Bosco commented on the versicle "The hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth" [John 4:23]. He commented that Protestants misinterpret these words as an argument against exterior worship, and he spoke about a tough debate he had five or six days before with Protestants in a private home: 
"To begin with, do you know what 'in spirit' means?" I asked.
"It means that God should be adored selflessly and fervently in one's own heart, not superstitiously as Catholics do," they replied, considering our exterior worship a mere masquerade. 
"Were this really so," I rejoined, "I'd agree with you. But it is decidedly not. Anyway, let's continue. What does 'in truth' mean?" 
"It means that God should be adored in a 'real,' not in an empty way."
"Did you say 'real'?"
"Yes!"
"Very well. 'Real' means something concrete. How can a concrete thing be only 'in one's own heart'?" 
Rather put out, my opponents had to admit that I was right.
"Well then," I went on, " 'in spirit and in truth' must also be taken to read that exterior means may and should be used in worshiping God. Furthermore they also reveal serious doctrinal and liturgical differences between Hebrew and Christian ritual and ceremony. 'In spirit and in truth' means that all Old Testament rites and sacrifices—mere figures of those of the New Testament—would one day be superseded by a 'real' sacrifice truly pleasing to God. Read the first chapter of St. Luke's Gospel, and you will see a magnificent sacrifice being celebrated with all the splendor of exterior rite and ceremony—with altar, thurible, and incense. All this foreshadowed the solemn Mass—the real, true sacrifice. The first chapter of the Acts of the Apostles tells us that they met with the disciples in the cenacle to pray. The next chapter shows them offering the Eucharistic sacrifice and partaking of Communion at that gathering. The authentic history of Christianity's first three centuries proves that Christians, following the Apostles' tradition, celebrated Holy Mass with altars, solemn rites, psalm singing, flowers, incense, and lights. Read the fourth and subsequent chapters of the Apocalypse. They describe a sacred rite so minutely that you will think you are watching the sacrifice offered in our own [Catholic] churches. You will see the altar, the censer, the incense, the candlesticks, the lamps, the scented golden vessels, the elders' golden crowns or miters, the ritual bows, the harps, the canticles, and the procession of white-clad virgins—in a word, everything the Church uses for ritual splendor."
When I finished speaking, one of the Protestants looked for a copy of the New Testament. All they had was the adulterated translation into Italian by Giovanni Diodati. I let them use it anyway, because I was certain that it would contain enough to convince them. After they had checked the passages I had quoted, I pointed out and explained a few others then and there. 
They concluded, "We really had never paid much attention to these passages." 
So I went on, "Now, tell me, how do your churches resemble Jerusalem's holy temple? Do you have altars, censers, incense, candles? Does your manner of honoring God resemble what the Apostles did and what the angels themselves do in heaven? Don't you think we are reasonable in imitating the saints and the angels as we adore God?" 
"Of course! Truthfully, we must admit we have nothing of all you mentioned." In conclusion, one of them—an evangelical minister—remarked, "This is something we shall have to think about." 
This debate and the Waldensian minister's misgivings dealt a serious blow to their position. As a result, these days many Protestants are turning to the Catholic Church. Infuriated at losing these souls, Satan vented his rage on Don Bosco by depriving him of his sleep.


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 Venerable József Cardinal Mindszenty resisted communism in Hungary after World War II and was persecuted, tortured and imprisoned for his brave stand. He penned one of the most beautiful reflections on motherhood I’ve ever heard. Since it’s Mother’s Day, let me recite it for you before we get to the main story for today: how the great St. Padre Pio appeared to comfort the poor cardinal while he was in a communist dungeon.

 Venerable József Mindszenty wrote: 
“The Most Important Person on earth is a mother. She cannot claim the honor of having built Notre Dame Cathedral. She need not. She has built something more magnificent than any cathedral -a dwelling for an immortal soul, the tiny perfection of her baby’s body… The angels have not been blessed with such a grace. They cannot share in God’s creative miracle to bring new saints to Heaven. Only a human mother can. Mothers are closer to God the Creator than any other creature; God joins forces with mothers in performing this act of creation… What on God’s good earth is more glorious than this: to be a mother?”

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The year is 1467. Imagine you’re looking out at the stormy waters of the Adriatic Sea from an Italian coastal town and to your astonishment, you see two men walking on water, following an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary and her Son, Jesus. That image is now known as Our Lady of Good Counsel of Genazzano and can be seen to this day suspended in mid-air without any supports. I want to relate the history of this miraculous image, which involves a great warrior, two faithful soldiers, and a widow of inspiring faith. Having just lost a loved one, I can’t tell you how much of a consolation this story was to me. Those who love Our Lady will find solace in hearing it, and unbelievers will have evidence of her intercession. I’ll tell it as it was set forth in Monsignor George Dillon’s book, “The Virgin Mother of Good Counsel.”

Watch the video: https://youtu.be/vXph5UK6CUk

00:00 Intro
00:52 Random Fisherman
01:08 Origin of the Image
01:26 Scanderbeg
04:37 Giorgio and De Sclavis
07:29 Petruccia de Nocera
08:58 Our Lady Comes to Genazzano
09:50 Proofs of the Miraculous Image

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See pictures of Doug Dickey by watching the video: https://youtu.be/Qia6M8uZiZA

 During World War II, Venerable Fulton Sheen compiled a prayer book for soldiers titled “The Armor of God.” In it he wrote that the vocation of a soldier is next in dignity to the priesthood, not only because it commissioned him to defend justice on the field of battle and order on the field of peace, but also because it called him to the spirit and intention of sacrifice. And in the Gospel of Saint John we read, “Greater love than this no man hath, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).
When I read that verse the other day I immediately thought of a Medal of Honor recipient who laid down his life to save his brothers in arms on Easter Sunday in 1967 during the Vietnam War. His name was Douglas Dickey, a United States Marine who had the rare quality of being pure of heart. His story is especially compelling since he seemed to have premonitions of the violent way he would die, even when he was a child. He didn’t show the slightest hesitation when called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice, which is why I think it’s fitting to reflect on his act of valor during Holy Week when Our Lord sacrificed His life so that we could have eternal life. I’m using an article written by a friend of mine, Mr. Norman Fulkerson, that’s based on the book, “A Final Valiant Act,” by Lt. Col. John Lang.

 Sources:

 Lt. Col. John B. Lang, “A Final Valiant Act: The Story of Doug Dickey” (Havertown, Penn: Casemate Publishers, 2020).
https://www.amazon.com/Final-Valiant-Act-Story-Dickey/dp/1612007570

 Norman Fulkerson, “Doug Dickey: A Pure and Combative Warrior” (TFP.org).
https://www.tfp.org/doug-dickey-a-pure-and-combative-warrior/

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The audio probably won't make sense until you wach the video: https://youtu.be/bWsgzqsXaa4

 This letter is addressed to His Reverence, the parish priest of Contrexéville (Vosges).
Contrexéville, December 23, 1917, auxiliary hospital no 9, bed no 69.
Considering I have had faith in the Servant of God Thérèse of the Child Jesus since March, 1916, I want to relate the following fact, begging you to kindly forward it to the Carmelite monastery of Lisieux.
On October 3, 1917, my regiment, the 2nd March Regiment of the Tlemcen Fusiliers (Algeria), was appointed to take possession of the sector of the woods of Caurières and Bezonvaux in Eastern France.
On October 4, my group arrived in the valley, and I was appointed by my officer to defend the front of the communication trench which led to our lines and was situated 60 meters ahead toward the enemy lines, in case of an attack.
From that date to October 13, 1917, we were exposed on a daily basis to heavy bombardments and gas emissions, from which I was always spared.
There were frequent attacks from the enemy in the other groups of my regiment.
Seeing how things were going, I told my lieutenant: "I expect us in all probability to be attacked this way before we are relieved.”
And here’s what happened:
On October 14, at about half past three in the morning, I was standing in my usual place, when I was suddenly dazzled by a great silver brightness, and much to my astonishment, before my eyes, I saw Sister Thérèse like an angel. She was walking left and right, holding in her hand a very short saber. I was compelled to follow her, and I found myself in front of a swamp that made a natural defense and was located behind our lines. I rubbed my eyes, pinched myself and said to myself: "You are not asleep, though. What does that all mean?" In brief, I went back to my previous place, and saw once more with surprise this vision moving about in like manner.
I then understood it was a warning from Heaven. I didn't lose a single minute; I quickly inspected my post and had the pins pulled out of my grenades, in case of an unforeseen attack.
When it was all over, I picked up my watch, which said that it was four o'clock, and I thought: it's just the time when the Boches usually launch an attack.
I said nothing to my men, except that they had to watch well and be careful. I had been surveilling the side of the swamp for no more than two minutes when I saw a crawling shadow sneak away, then two, then three, in single file. I first believed the relief patrol was arriving and immediately challenged them in Arabic with the word Chkoune, which means: "Who goes there?" But the sole response I received was to hear a grenade burst, which, fortunately enough, landed beyond the small parapet of the communication trench.
"Here are the Boches,'' I exclaimed. "Grenadiers, bombard!"'
I immediately threw three grenades; I then saw a German advancing toward me. No hesitation. I killed him right away with a shot of my automatic Pistol, and he fell down at my feet.
From that moment on, it turned into a huge exchange of grenades and almost hand-to-hand fighting. I didn't lose my courage, I stirred up my men, and, soon wounded myself, I only commanded the louder: "Bombard!" But there was no more reaction from the enemy. Down to my last ounce of strength, I sat on the parapet. Everything was quiet again; I was relieved by my section officer arriving with reinforcements, and then evacuated to the dressing post with all my men, including four wounded.
I didn't forget to immediately thank my Protector, who has always preserved me since December 1916, and whose celestial warning was our safety.
This declaration is certified by the author himself, whose signature below can be published; he recommends to all his comrades the utmost confidence in the Servant of God, Thérèse of the Child Jesus.
A. DIEZ
Sergeant, 2nd Fusilier March Regiment



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 After World War II, the Communist Soviets occupied Hungary, causing thousands of Catholics to flee their tyranny. Today’s story is about a Hungarian man who assumes another person’s identity to escape to Austria, a free country. Little did he know that his knowledge of chess would play such an important role in attaining freedom.

 “Your Move Hungarian”
 by Ferenc Laszlo

 "I was trying hard to suppress my anxiety that September morning in 1946, as I stood in the dismal   Keleti railway station in Budapest, Hungary.

 Panic, I knew, could wreck my hopes.

 I was waiting prayerfully for the name of Oscar Zinner to be called – even though I knew that it might mean my doom..."


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Video of this podcast: https://youtu.be/zR8TDIK0QOE

  I walked 30 miles on pilgrimage to the beautiful Basilica of Our Lady of Victory in Lackawanna, New York built by the great Venerable Father Baker. 

 Having spent some time in the Buffalo area, everyone has been telling me some incredible stories about Father Baker and his cause for canonization so I decided to research him for myself and bought a couple books about him. However, the most beautiful summary of his life can be found on his website, fatherbaker.org.

 Here’s the full article: https://www.fatherbaker.org/the-father-baker-story-the-early-years

 Here’s the website for Our Lady of Victory Basilica: https://www.olvbasilica.org/

 Some books about Father Baker:

 1. "Walk Humbly With Your God: Father Nelson Baker and the Brothers of the Holy Infancy and Youth of Jesus" by Donald Monnin
 2. "Father Baker" by Floyd Anderson
 3. "Father of the Fatherless: The Authorized Biography of Father Nelson Baker" by Richard Gribble CSC

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