lifesitenews--2020-07-28--The long list of President Trump’s pro-life accomplishments

July 28 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – There are some pro-lifers in America who are steadfastly opposed to President Trump .
They suggest that his words and raunchy behavior in the past are too disgusting to get over .
They believe even as President his trash-talking to his opponents is unpresidential .
Some even suggest his immigration policies show him to be racist .
Today on my podcast I talked about these and plenty of other topics surrounding President Trump with Fr .
Frank Pavone , National Director of Priests for Life .
Fr .
Pavone has come under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for President Trump .
He told me today that his message of preaching the Gospel has always been the same and that Trump has simply been doing things that coincide with the Church ’ s moral teachings .
He also pointed out to me that the Democratic Party is againt the freedom of the Church and her right to religious liberty .
It is also uncompromisingly in favor of abortion without restriction .
How can the Church be neutral in the face of such opposition to her mission ?
he asked .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party identifying itself with evil , then maybe we could be more neutral.
” Fr .
Pavone has published a long list of Trump ’ s pro-life accomplishments on his website .
Read them by clicking here .
I agree with Fr .
Pavone .
I also think he ’ s right to highlight the president ’ s accomplishents for the pro-life cause .
The list of things President Trump has done for the unborn is so long that I can ’ t cover all of it without simply reading a list of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the major milestones President Trump has delivered for pro-lifers are enormous .
He is , for example , the first sitting president in the history of the United States to personally attend the March for Life .
His speech , which can be viewed here , highlighted just some of the many measures he ’ s taken to defend the life of unborn children .
But President Trump wasn ’ t exaggerating about his accomplishemnts in his remarks at the March .
He was actually just giving a small glimpse of what he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he didn ’ t only come to the March for Life in 2020 .
He has addressed the March every single year of his presidency in one way or another .
Right off the bat in 2017 he attacked the mainstream media for not covering the March for Life .
When NBC asked him about the Women ’ s March , he responded by calling them out for ignoring the much larger March for Life .
Trump also sent Vice President Mike Pence and adviser Kellyanne Conway to speak to the March in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sent such senior representatives to speak at the March .
Because of President Trump ’ s actions , the major television networks covered the March for Life 37 times more in 2017 than in 2016 .
In 2018 , Trump was the first president ever to make a live satellite video address to the March for Life .
In 2019 , there was another video address from the President to the March .
In his 2020 live appearance at the March , President Trump concluded his speech by invoking God and clearly identifying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also expressed great pride in and gratitude for pro-life activists in America .
Here is a list of pro-life accomplishments the Susan B. Anthony List has compiled for Trump ’ s pro-life accomplishments .
Fr .
Pavone and I spoke about several of these in our chat today so be sure to watch it .
• President Trump has as he said appointed pro-life judges – likely over 200 of them at this point .
• President Trump defunded the Pro-Abortion UNFPA which has been complicit in China ’ s oppressive population control @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
• President Trump ended the Obama-enforced contraceptive mandate , which had forced corporations with religious objections from covering abortifacients in their health plans • President Trump has made strong pro-life appointments starting with Vice President Pence , Kellyanne Conway , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , Dr. Ben Carson , and pro-life Kansas Governor Sam Brownback , whoc was appointed to a religious persecution watchdog post called `` Ambassador for Religious Freedom . ''
• President Trump has allowed states to defund Planned Parenthood of Medicaid funds • President Trump cut Planned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to $ 60 Million • President Trump allowed Texas to a fund a health program that does not send funds to abortion businesses • President Trump took action against California for violating conscience protections • President Trump clarified that Abortion is not a civil right And if you think that ’ s a long list , check out the LifeSite list co-founder Steve Jalsevac complied in late 2017 .
It ’ s amazing .
If that isn ’ t enough , read these words of Cecile Richards , the former head of Planned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in America and around the world .
She said in 2017 that the Trump administration had at that time already done more to set her organization back than any other in the last half-century .
She said that during an interview with People Magazine .
“ This White House has been worse for women than any administration in my lifetime.
” It has to be admitted that Donald Trump was , during his life before becoming president , a very foul-mouthed man whose actions seemed to go along with his words .
Of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much of what he ’ s said , but let me tell you – especially for converts and reverts to the faith like me – to judge someone on their past as if people can ’ t change is truly unjust .
My past is full sin and as I ’ ve said before and will say again , I was deservedly going to hell before my coming back to Christ .
Fr .
Pavone has likewise said that it ’ s better to think about what President Trump has done and what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for us in 20 and 30 years instead of focusing on things the president did 20 or 30 years in the past .
This election is about the rule of law and the future of America versus mob rule and chaos , he added .
I do for second want to address soem of the criticisms of President Trump during his time in office .
He does indeed use pejorative language , ad hominem attacks , and it can sometimes be said that he seems rather “ unpresidential.
” But my question is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can he be anything else ?
The culture of America and indeed most of the world today is so toxic , so laden with all things uncivilized , that it seems almost impossible to survive and thrive without resorting to “ unpresidential ” tactics .
To me , he is the first conservative to respond to the left with the same ugly language they use to disparage him and all of their opponents .
As a former liberal himself , he knows the lingo and gives back what he gets with a flair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While it may be impolite and definitely improper in civilized society , we are no longer civilized !
He also does not take insults and attacks lying down ; he punches back with a quick wit that has baffled his opponents .
You could say that he ’ s not fit for office , but the presidency has been so demoralized with the likes of Bill Clinton and Barack Obama that such a statement has little relevance to America and the Western world anymore .
Indeed , most world leaders today support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mothers ’ wombs .
How is it possible to even speak about someone being “ unpresidential ” when these morally bankrupt people support such a terrible crime ?
Finally , with regard to those who would accuse the president of racism due his immigration policies , I find that accusation unfair .
The president has said clearly and demonstrated that he is in favor of legal immigration .
What he doesn ’ t like is the cue jumping that occurs with illegal immigration , which harms legal immigration .
Why should those who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for legal immigration have a harder time than those who shirk the process ?
Yes , Trump built a wall , and insists on a vetting process for those wishing to immigrate to the US .
However , a reality check is needed .
He has welcomed and encouraged legal immigrants and his policies for immigrating to the USA are a lot less stringent than those for immigrants to Mexico .
Moreover , one of Trump ’ s biggest critics on building the wall – Pope Francis – should remember that the Pope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surrounded by a wall much higher than the one the President built along the southern border .
The John-Henry Westen Show is available by video on the show ’ s YouTube channel and right here on my LifeSite blog .
It is also available in audio format on platforms such as Spotify , Soundcloud , and ACast .
We are awaiting approval for iTunes and Google Play as well .
To subscribe to the audio version on various channels , visit the ACast webpage here .
We ’ ve created a special email @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can notify you every week when we post a new episode .
Please sign up now by clicking here .
You can also subscribe to the YouTube channel , and you ’ ll be notified by YouTube when there is new content .
You can send me feedback , or ideas for show topics by emailing [ email protected ] .

July 28, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — There are some pro-lifers in America who are steadfastly opposed to President Trump. They suggest that his words and raunchy behavior in the past are too disgusting to get over. They believe that even as president, his trash-talking to his opponents is unpresidential. Some suggest that his immigration policies show him to be racist.
Today on my podcast, I talked about these and plenty of other topics surrounding President Trump with Fr. Frank Pavone, national director of Priests for Life.
Fr. Pavone has come under criticism lately because of his outspoken support for President Trump. He told me today that his message of preaching the Gospel has always been the same and that Trump has simply been doing things that coincide with the Church’s moral teachings.
He also pointed out to me that the Democratic Party is againt the freedom of the Church and her right to religious liberty. It is also uncompromisingly in favor of abortion without restriction. How can the Church be neutral in the face of such opposition to her mission? he asked. “If we didn’t see a party identifying itself with evil, then maybe we could be more neutral.”
Fr. Pavone has published a long list of Trump’s pro-life accomplishments on his website. Read them by clicking here.
I agree with Fr. Pavone. I also think he’s right to highlight the president’s accomplishments for the pro-life cause. The list of things President Trump has done for the unborn is so long that I can’t cover all of it without simply reading a list of one thing after another.
Some of the major milestones President Trump has delivered for pro-lifers are enormous. He is, for example, the first sitting president in the history of the United States to personally attend the March for Life. His speech, which can be viewed here, highlighted just some of the many measures he’s taken to defend the life of unborn children.
President Trump wasn’t exaggerating about his accomplishments in his remarks at the March. He was actually just giving a small glimpse of what he’s done.
For instance, he didn’t only come to the March for Life in 2020. He has addressed the March every single year of his presidency in one way or another. Right off the bat in 2017, he attacked the mainstream media for not covering the March for Life. When NBC asked him about the Women’s March, he responded by calling the network out for ignoring the much larger March for Life.
Trump also sent Vice President Mike Pence and adviser Kellyanne Conway to speak to the March in 2017. No previous president had ever sent such senior representatives to speak at the March. Because of President Trump’s actions, the major television networks covered the March for Life 37 times more in 2017 than in 2016.
In 2018, Trump was the first president ever to make a live satellite video address to the March for Life. In 2019, there was another video address from the president to the March.
In his 2020 live appearance at the March, President Trump concluded his speech by invoking God and clearly identifying himself with the pro-life cause. He also expressed great pride in and gratitude for pro-life activists in America.
Here is a list the Susan B. Anthony List has compiled of Trump’s pro-life accomplishments. Fr. Pavone and I spoke about several of these in our chat today, so be sure to watch it.
President Trump has as he said appointed pro-life judges — likely over 200 of them at this point.
President Trump permitted states to Defund Planned Parenthood of Title X Funds
President Trump stopped tax dollars funding abortion overseas
President Trump defunded the Pro-Abortion UNFPA which has been complicit in China’s oppressive population control activities including coerced birth control and abortion.
President Trump required health insurance companies to disclose if plans cover abortion
President Trump ended the Obama-enforced contraceptive mandate, which had forced corporations with religious objections from covering abortifacients in their health plans
President Trump has made strong pro-life appointments starting with Vice President Pence, Kellyanne Conway, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Dr. Ben Carson, and pro-life Kansas Governor Sam Brownback, who was appointed to a religious persecution watchdog post called “Ambassador for Religious Freedom.”
President Trump has allowed states to defund Planned Parenthood of Medicaid funds
President Trump cut Planned Parenthood’s tax funding by up to $60 Million
President Trump allowed Texas to a fund a health program that does not send funds to abortion businesses
President Trump took action against California for violating conscience protections
President Trump clarified that Abortion is not a civil right
And if you think that’s a long list, check out the LifeSite list co-founder Steve Jalsevac compiled in late 2017. It’s amazing.
If that isn’t enough, read these words of Cecile Richards, the former head of Planned Parenthood, the foremost abortion-promoting organization in America and around the world. She said in 2017 that the Trump administration had at that time already done more to set her organization back than any other in the last half-century. She said that during an interview with People Magazine. “This White House has been worse for women than any administration in my lifetime.”
It has to be admitted that Donald Trump was, during his life before becoming president, a very foul-mouthed man whose actions seemed to go along with his words. Of course, he’s apologized for much of what he’s said, but let me tell you — especially for converts and reverts to the faith like me — to judge someone on their past as if people can’t change is truly unjust.
My past is full of sin, and as I’ve said before and will say again, I was deservedly going to hell before my coming back to Christ. Fr. Pavone has likewise said it’s better to think about what President Trump has done and what his judicial nominees are going to do for us in 20 and 30 years instead of focusing on things the president did 20 or 30 years in the past. This election is about the rule of law and the future of America versus mob rule and chaos, he added.
I do for a second want to address some of the criticisms of President Trump during his time in office. He does indeed use pejorative language and ad hominem attacks, and it can sometimes be said that he seems rather “unpresidential.”
But my question is, in this day and age, can he be anything else? The culture of America and indeed most of the world today is so toxic, so laden with all things uncivilized, that it seems almost impossible to survive and thrive without resorting to “unpresidential” tactics.
To me, he is the first conservative to respond to the left with the same ugly language they use to disparage him and all of their opponents. As a former liberal himself, he knows the lingo and gives back what he gets with a flair and gusto that are at least amusing. While it may be impolite and definitely improper in civilized society, we are no longer civilized!
He also does not take insults and attacks lying down; he punches back with a quick wit that has baffled his opponents.
You could say he’s not fit for office, but the presidency has been so demoralized with the likes of Bill Clinton and Barack Obama that such a statement has little relevance to America and the Western world anymore. Indeed, most world leaders today support the killing of innocent children in their mothers’ wombs. How is it possible to even speak about someone being “unpresidential” when these morally bankrupt people support such a terrible crime?
Finally, with regard to those who would accuse the president of racism due to his immigration policies, I find that accusation unfair. The president has said clearly and demonstrated that he is in favor of legal immigration. What he doesn’t like is the queue-jumping that occurs with illegal immigration, which harms legal immigration. Why should those who go through the difficult work of applying for legal immigration have a harder time than those who shirk the process?
Yes, Trump built a wall, and he insists on a vetting process for those wishing to immigrate to the U.S. However, a reality check is needed. He has welcomed and encouraged legal immigrants, and his policies for immigrating to the USA are a lot less stringent than those for immigrants to Mexico. Moreover, one of Trump’s biggest critics on building the wall — Pope Francis — should remember that the pope’s own Vatican City State is surrounded by a wall much higher than the one the president built along the southern border.
The John-Henry Westen Show is available by video on the show’s YouTube channel and right here on my LifeSite blog.
It is also available in audio format on platforms such as Spotify, Soundcloud, and ACast. We are awaiting approval for iTunes and Google Play as well. To subscribe to the audio version on various channels, visit the ACast webpage here.
We’ve created a special email list for the show so that we can notify you every week when we post a new episode. Please sign up now by clicking here. You can also subscribe to the YouTube channel, and you’ll be notified by YouTube when there is new content.
You can send me feedback, or ideas for show topics by emailing [email protected].
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lifesitenews--2020-07-28--Women regularly simulate Catholic Mass in Swiss diocese

Urgent appeal to the bishops of the world : Feed your flock !
Sign the petition here .
BASEL , Switzerland , July 28 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Women in the Swiss Diocese of Basel are putting on vestments , standing at the altar , and essentially simulating a Catholic Mass , without the local bishop stepping in .
A video published by La Nuova Bussola Quotidiana shows a woman performing what in a real Mass would be the offertory , moving on to the preface , and then proceeding with a longer prayer , where in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the words of consecration , would be said .
The event took place in a chapel in beautiful Rigi-Kaltbad , overlooking Lake Lucerne .
While the woman omitted the words of consecration , the other parts of the liturgy – which has no precedents before the Second Vatican Council – seemed to follow the structure of a real Mass .
The pro-homosexual Diocese of Basel , headed by Bishop Felix Gmür , is arguably the most liberal in the German-speaking parts of Europe , certainly eclipsing other places led , for instance , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Schönborn .
A look at the parish newsletter , which was published during the COVID-19 pandemic and has since been replaced by the offline parish bulletin , never shows a “ Holy Mass ” being listed .
All liturgical events are simply called “ worship services ” ( Gottesdienst ) .
Gottesdienst can be used to describe any liturgy , for instance , Mass or Vespers .
In this case , however , it seems to be deliberately vague in order to not distinguish between “ liturgies of the word ” and “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them , whereas other times , men are in charge .
Anita Wagner , a woman , was responsible for two events , on Pentecost and Trinity Sunday .
There were two other services each Sunday led by laymen .
The only Holy Mass each Sunday was celebrated by Father Emilio Näf , who is shown on the website wearing ordinary clothes rather than the Roman collar of a priest .
However , even when Fr .
Näf was actually celebrating Mass , the newsletter merely noted , “ Worship service with Emilio @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a priest .
Dr. Peter Kwasniewski , theologian and LifeSiteNews columnist , explained that “ the faithful rightly expect , and the Church rightly demands , that the public worship offered in a Catholic church should correspond to what is given in the liturgical books , and should not cause confusion or scandal.
” He referred to Redemptionis Sacramentum , a Vatican instruction approved by Pope John Paul II in 2004 , which points out that anyone making up liturgies “ injures the substantial unity of the Roman Rite , which ought to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for actions that are in no way consistent with the hunger and thirst for the living God that is experienced by the people today.
” Arbitrary actions , the document states , “ are not conducive to true renewal , but are detrimental to the right of Christ ’ s faithful to a liturgical celebration that is an expression of the Church ’ s life in accordance with her tradition and discipline.
” Kwasniewski said , “ There is no provision for doing a ‘ dry Mass ’ in the manner described .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Missa sicca ’ or Mass without a consecration but with all the other parts was the medieval Palm Sunday liturgy , which was modified in 1954 under Pius XII , who effectively abolished it.
” “ Nevertheless , this Missa sicca would only have been done by a priest ; it was , and remains , inconceivable that a woman would simulate or seem to simulate a Mass , ” he added .
“ Catholics in Basel would not be allowed to attend such a service , and the personnel who are pushing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local authorities or at least by the Vatican.
” In German-speaking countries , so-called “ liturgies of the word ” – lay-led worship services with distribution of Holy Communion , but without the words of consecration – are an official and common part of parish life .
The “ liturgies of the word ” go back to the Second Vatican Council .
In the document on the liturgy , Sacrosanctum Concilium , the council fathers wrote , “ Bible services should be encouraged , especially on the vigils of the more solemn feasts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lent , and on Sundays and feast days .
They are particularly to be commended in places where no priest is available ; when this is so , a deacon or some other person authorized by the bishop should preside over the celebration.
” In some churches , including the one in Rigi-Kaltbad , this has turned into its own organized “ worship ” service every Sunday .
The 1964 instruction Inter Oecumenici , the official Vatican interpretation of Sacrosanctum Concilium , explicitly states , “ The plan of such a celebration shall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the liturgy of the word at Mass .
Normally the epistle and gospel from the Mass of the day shall be read in the vernacular , with chants , especially from the psalms , before and between the readings .
If the one presiding is a deacon , he shall give a homily ; a nondeacon shall read a homily chosen by the bishop or the pastor .
The whole celebration is to end with the universal prayer or prayer of the faithful and the Lord ’ s Prayer.
” The German-speaking bishops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liturgies of the word , ” including the distribution of Holy Communion from the tabernacle .

Urgent appeal to the bishops of the world: Feed your flock! Sign the petition here.
BASEL, Switzerland, July 28, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Women in the Swiss Diocese of Basel are putting on vestments, standing at the altar, and essentially simulating a Catholic Mass, without the local bishop stepping in.
A video published by La Nuova Bussola Quotidiana shows a woman performing what in a real Mass would be the offertory, moving on to the preface, and then proceeding with a longer prayer, where in an actual Mass the Eucharistic prayer, including the words of consecration, would be said.
The event took place in a chapel in beautiful Rigi-Kaltbad, overlooking Lake Lucerne. While the woman omitted the words of consecration, the other parts of the liturgy – which has no precedents before the Second Vatican Council – seemed to follow the structure of a real Mass.
The pro-homosexual Diocese of Basel, headed by Bishop Felix Gmür, is arguably the most liberal in the German-speaking parts of Europe, certainly eclipsing other places led, for instance, by Cardinal Reinhard Marx or Cardinal Christoph Schönborn.
A look at the parish newsletter, which was published during the COVID-19 pandemic and has since been replaced by the offline parish bulletin, never shows a “Holy Mass” being listed. All liturgical events are simply called “worship services” (Gottesdienst). Gottesdienst can be used to describe any liturgy, for instance, Mass or Vespers. In this case, however, it seems to be deliberately vague in order to not distinguish between “liturgies of the word” and “Holy Mass.”
Sometimes, women lead them, whereas other times, men are in charge. Anita Wagner, a woman, was responsible for two events, on Pentecost and Trinity Sunday.
There were two other services each Sunday led by laymen. The only Holy Mass each Sunday was celebrated by Father Emilio Näf, who is shown on the website wearing ordinary clothes rather than the Roman collar of a priest.
However, even when Fr. Näf was actually celebrating Mass, the newsletter merely noted, “Worship service with Emilio Näf,” not indicating he was a priest.
Dr. Peter Kwasniewski, theologian and LifeSiteNews columnist, explained that “the faithful rightly expect, and the Church rightly demands, that the public worship offered in a Catholic church should correspond to what is given in the liturgical books, and should not cause confusion or scandal.”
He referred to Redemptionis Sacramentum, a Vatican instruction approved by Pope John Paul II in 2004, which points out that anyone making up liturgies “injures the substantial unity of the Roman Rite, which ought to be vigorously preserved, and becomes responsible for actions that are in no way consistent with the hunger and thirst for the living God that is experienced by the people today.”
Arbitrary actions, the document states, “are not conducive to true renewal, but are detrimental to the right of Christ’s faithful to a liturgical celebration that is an expression of the Church’s life in accordance with her tradition and discipline.”
Kwasniewski said, “There is no provision for doing a ‘dry Mass’ in the manner described. In fact, the last so-called ‘Missa sicca’ or Mass without a consecration but with all the other parts was the medieval Palm Sunday liturgy, which was modified in 1954 under Pius XII, who effectively abolished it.”
“Nevertheless, this Missa sicca would only have been done by a priest; it was, and remains, inconceivable that a woman would simulate or seem to simulate a Mass,” he added. “Catholics in Basel would not be allowed to attend such a service, and the personnel who are pushing it ought to be disciplined by the local authorities or at least by the Vatican.”
In German-speaking countries, so-called “liturgies of the word” – lay-led worship services with distribution of Holy Communion, but without the words of consecration – are an official and common part of parish life.
The “liturgies of the word” go back to the Second Vatican Council. In the document on the liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, the council fathers wrote, “Bible services should be encouraged, especially on the vigils of the more solemn feasts, on some weekdays in Advent and Lent, and on Sundays and feast days. They are particularly to be commended in places where no priest is available; when this is so, a deacon or some other person authorized by the bishop should preside over the celebration.”
In some churches, including the one in Rigi-Kaltbad, this has turned into its own organized “worship” service every Sunday.
The 1964 instruction Inter Oecumenici, the official Vatican interpretation of Sacrosanctum Concilium, explicitly states, “The plan of such a celebration shall be almost the same as that of the liturgy of the word at Mass. Normally the epistle and gospel from the Mass of the day shall be read in the vernacular, with chants, especially from the psalms, before and between the readings. If the one presiding is a deacon, he shall give a homily; a nondeacon shall read a homily chosen by the bishop or the pastor. The whole celebration is to end with the universal prayer or prayer of the faithful and the Lord’s Prayer.”
The German-speaking bishops have approved liturgical books to perform “liturgies of the word,” including the distribution of Holy Communion from the tabernacle.
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lifesitenews--2020-07-28--Join our daily worldwide rosary HERE

Join our daily worldwide rosary HERE

July 28 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – In response to the crisis unfolding in our world and in the Church , LifeSite is offering Catholics throughout the world a chance to be united daily in prayer , in the Our Lady of Fatima Rosary Crusade .
Catholics from all over the world—from Israel , Uganda , Italy , France , Germany , Ireland , Pakistan , Singapore , the Philippines , India , Indonesia , Australia , New Zealand , Thailand , the United Kingdom , the U.S. , Canada , Brazil , and other countries—are gathering daily to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anthony Pillari , J.C.L.
, an American priest currently studying in Italy .
Our goal is , by means of this daily rosary and by embracing and living out the message given by the Virgin Mary at Fatima , the triumph of Our Lady ’ s Immaculate Heart .
To help obtain that goal , Bishop Athanasius Schneider graciously composed the following prayer for this worldwide rosary crusade : O Immaculate Heart of Mary , you are the holy Mother of God and our tender Mother .
Look upon the distress in which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are living because of the spread of materialism and the persecution of the Church .
In Fatima you warned against these errors , as you spoke about the errors of Russia .
You are the Mediatrix of all graces .
Implore your Divine Son to grant this special grace for the Pope : that he might consecrate Russia to your Immaculate Heart , so that Russia will be converted , a period of peace will be granted to the world , and your Immaculate Heart will triumph , through an authentic renewal of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purity of the Catholic Faith , of the sacredness of Divine worship and of the holiness of the Christian life .
O Queen of the holy Rosary and our sweet Mother , turn your merciful eyes to us and graciously hear this our trusting prayer .
Amen .
+ Athanasius Schneider , Auxiliary Bishop of the archdiocese of Saint Mary in Astana To learn more about the urgency of responding to Our Lady ’ s message at Fatima , and about what you can do , please read Cardinal Burke ’ s 2017 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ https : //voiceofthefamily.com/full-text-cardinal-burkes-historic-call-for-consecration-of-russia/ ) .
As St. Padre Pio once said , “ The rosary is the weapon for these times.
” Through prayer , God can shape history , change the world , and bring about a great time of renewal and peace for the Church and for the world , through the triumph of Our Lady ’ s Immaculate Heart .
Join us today !
If you would like to follow along with the prayers said during this rosary , you can access them via this PDF .
This document also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the daily rosary on LifeSite led by Fr .
Pillari .
Send photos or videos of you and your family praying the rosary with Father Pillari to [ email protected ]

(LifeSiteNews) — In response to the crisis unfolding in our world and in the Church, LifeSite is happy to promote Regina Angelorum Press’s Daily Rosary, which is offering Catholics throughout the world the chance to be united daily in prayer, in the Our Lady of Fatima Rosary Crusade.
Catholics from all over the world — from Israel, Uganda, Italy, France, Germany, Ireland, Pakistan, Singapore, the Philippines, India, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the U.S., Canada, Brazil, and other countries — are gathering daily to pray the Rosary, led by Father Pillari, JCL, MCL, STL, an American priest currently studying in Italy.
The Daily Rosary is being offered each day at 12noon EST through Regina Angelorum Press’ YouTube Channel to which you can subscribe HERE.
The goal is, by means of this Daily Rosary and by embracing and living out the message given by the Virgin Mary at Fatima, the triumph of Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart.
To help obtain that goal, Bishop Athanasius Schneider graciously composed the following prayer for this worldwide Rosary crusade:
O Immaculate Heart of Mary, you are the holy Mother of God and our tender Mother. Look upon the distress in which the Church and the whole of humanity are living because of the spread of materialism and the persecution of the Church. In Fatima you warned against these errors, as you spoke about the errors of Russia. You are the Mediatrix of all graces. Implore your Divine Son to grant this special grace for the Pope: that he might consecrate Russia to your Immaculate Heart, so that Russia will be converted, a period of peace will be granted to the world, and your Immaculate Heart will triumph, through an authentic renewal of the Church in the splendor of the purity of the Catholic Faith, of the sacredness of Divine worship and of the holiness of the Christian life. O Queen of the holy Rosary and our sweet Mother, turn your merciful eyes to us and graciously hear this our trusting prayer. Amen. + Athanasius Schneider, Auxiliary Bishop of the archdiocese of Saint Mary in Astana
To learn more about the urgency of responding to Our Lady’s message at Fatima, and about what you can do, please read Cardinal Burke’s 2017 address at the Rome Life Forum.
As St. Padre Pio once said, “The Rosary is the weapon for these times.” Through prayer, God can shape history, change the world, and bring about a great time of renewal and peace for the Church and for the world, through the triumph of Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart. Join us today!
If you would like to follow along with the prayers said during this Rosary, you can access them HERE. The document also includes a brief F.A.Q. pertaining to the daily Rosary.
You can send your prayer requests to https://reginangelorumpress.com/prayer-intentions/
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lifesitenews--2020-07-28--‘Medical scandal’: JK Rowling again criticizes transgender contagion in new tweetstorm

PETITION : Tell Trump Christians can ’ t accept SCOTUS ruling imposing LGBT ideology !
Sign the petition here .
EDINBURGH , United Kingdom , July 28 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) ― J.K. Rowling has once again turned to Twitter to warn about the dangers of pushing transgenderism on children , writing , “ it feels as though we ’ re on the brink of a medical scandal.
” On Saturday the liberal Harry Potter author , who has successfully shaken off attempts at “ cancellation ” for her pro-child , pro-woman stance , returned to Twitter to bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of allowing children to proceed immediately to so-called gender transition .
“ ‘ NHS identity clinics have been functioning as if acting outside the ordinary requirement of good medical and psychiatric practice , ’ ” she tweeted , quoting a former associate director of the Tavistock Clinic in London , Marcus Evans .
“ Some may dismiss this paper by experienced psychoanalyst @ marcusevanspsych , but they do so at their own peril.
” Rowling linked to Evans ’ paper , “ Freedom to think : the need for thorough assessment and treatment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paper , the psychoanalyst cautions against the “ affirmative approach ” in treating children with gender confusion .
The author then linked to a second scholarly article , this one by a number of psychiatrists and medical doctors and titled “ Sex , gender and gender identity : a re-evaluation of the evidence.
” This article likens the swift encouragement for children to “ transition ” to the opposite sex to so-called conversion therapy for homosexuality .
Both papers were published by “ Cambridge Core , ” an online journal sponsored by England @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It feels as though we ’ re on the brink of a medical scandal , ” Rowing tweeted and quoted the second paper , posting : “ ‘ Psychiatry sits on this knife-edge : running the risk of being accused of transphobia or , alternatively , remaining silent throughout this uncontrolled experiment.
’ ” Rowling revealed that since she ’ s taken a stand on “ gender identity theory , ” she ’ s received thousands of emails on the topic , many from medical and education professionals and social workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the effects on vulnerable young people , ” she tweeted .
Rowling then linked to an article by former Tavistock employees very worried about the experimental transgender treatments carried out on children .
In the article , the former Gender Identity Development Service ( GIDS ) clinicians disclose that they had sent their testimony to the U.K. ’ s left-wing Guardian newspaper in 2017 and been completely ignored .
In their letter the authors reveal the inner thoughts of a child “ gender ” ( their scare quotes ) specialist when meeting with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ transition ” : What I am really thinking is that mostly you are caught in a terrible moment of social contagion .
You and your children are swirling in a toxic storm of psychological and emotional distress meeting homophobia , sexism , misogyny against the backdrop of the most appalling ‘ bad science ’ .
There is no such thing as a male or female brain and you can not be ‘ born into the wrong body ’ .
The sloppiness of the language of both the internet and the politicians does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sex and gender .
This chimes so well in the era of post Truth anti expert hatred .
Rowling revealed that the authors of the letter represented “ just two of a growing number of whistleblowers.
” “ The bleak truth is that if and when the scandal does erupt , nobody currently cheering this movement on will be able to credibly claim ‘ we couldn ’ t have known , ’ ” she wrote .
Mermaids , a U.K , charity that advocates for sex hormones and surgery for children in Britain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter remarks to invite the world-famous author to “ talk about this extremely sensitive issue away from social media.
” The founder of Mermaids , Susie Green , took her 12-year-old son to the United States for puberty blockers and female hormones against the recommendations of the U.K. ’ s National Health Service .
When the boy was 15 , Green took him to Thailand for genital surgery on his 16th birthday .
This is only the most recent skirmish in J.K. Rowling ’ s social media battle on behalf of vulnerable people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the politically correct forces of transgender ideology .
In December 2019 , the author took up the cudgels on behalf of Maya Forstater , a tax expert who lost her job because she declared on Twitter that men can not become women .
To the dismay of transgender activists , Rowling tweeted : Despite frenzied demands that she do so , Rowling refused to apologize for supporting Forstater .
In June 2020 she entered the social media fray once again when she mocked an online magazine for using the phrase “ people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used to be a word for those people , ” Rowling wrote in what became a viral tweet .
“ Someone help me out .
Wumben ?
Wimpund ?
Woomud ?
” The self-declared pro-LGBT author underscored that biological sex is a reality .
“ If sex isn ’ t real , the lived reality of women globally is erased .
I know and love trans people , but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives .
It isn ’ t hate to speak the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she respects “ every trans person ’ s right to live any way that feels authentic to them ” but also that her own life had “ been shaped by being female.
” “ I do not believe it is hateful to say so , ” Rowling stated .
After a backlash , which included denunciations of the author ’ s opinions by actors made rich and famous from the film versions of her children ’ s books , Rowling wrote a full-length essay explaining why she so strongly opposes transgender ideology : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and women and children in domestic abuse shelters ; her charitable work for MS patients , whose treatment is determined by sexual difference ; her interest in safeguarding children ; her concern for freedom of speech ; the “ huge explosion ” in young women wishing to become men ; and her own experience of domestic abuse and sexual assault .

"The bleak truth is that if and when the scandal does erupt, nobody currently cheering this movement on will be able to credibly claim ‘we couldn’t have known,'" Rowling wrote.
PETITION: Tell Trump Christians can’t accept SCOTUS ruling imposing LGBT ideology! Sign the petition here.
EDINBURGH, United Kingdom, July 28, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) ― J.K. Rowling has once again turned to Twitter to warn about the dangers of pushing transgenderism on children, writing, “it feels as though we’re on the brink of a medical scandal.”
On Saturday the liberal Harry Potter author, who has successfully shaken off attempts at “cancellation” for her pro-child, pro-woman stance, returned to Twitter to bring attention to scholarly articles questioning the wisdom of allowing children to proceed immediately to so-called gender transition.
It feels as though we’re on the brink of a medical scandal. A second paper concludes: ‘Psychiatry sits on this knife-edge: running the risk of being accused of transphobia or, alternatively, remaining silent throughout this uncontrolled experiment.’ 2/4https://t.co/G3dPP2aCGq — J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) July 25, 2020
“‘NHS identity clinics have been functioning as if acting outside the ordinary requirement of good medical and psychiatric practice,’” she tweeted, quoting a former associate director of the Tavistock Clinic in London, Marcus Evans.
“Some may dismiss this paper by experienced psychoanalyst @marcusevanspsych, but they do so at their own peril.”
Rowling linked to Evans’ paper, “Freedom to think: the need for thorough assessment and treatment of gender dysphoric children.” In the paper, the psychoanalyst cautions against the “affirmative approach” in treating children with gender confusion.
The writers of this letter are just two of a growing number of whistleblowers. The bleak truth is that if and when the scandal does erupt, nobody currently cheering this movement on will be able to credibly claim ‘we couldn’t have known’. https://t.co/8ughoMKCun 4/4 — J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) July 25, 2020
The author then linked to a second scholarly article, this one by a number of psychiatrists and medical doctors and titled “Sex, gender and gender identity: a re-evaluation of the evidence.” This article likens the swift encouragement for children to “transition” to the opposite sex to so-called conversion therapy for homosexuality.
Both papers were published by “Cambridge Core,” an online journal sponsored by England’s highly respected Cambridge University Press.
“It feels as though we’re on the brink of a medical scandal,” Rowing tweeted and quoted the second paper, posting: “‘Psychiatry sits on this knife-edge: running the risk of being accused of transphobia or, alternatively, remaining silent throughout this uncontrolled experiment.’”
Rowling revealed that since she’s taken a stand on “gender identity theory,” she’s received thousands of emails on the topic, many from medical and education professionals and social workers.
“They are all concerned about the effects on vulnerable young people,” she tweeted.
Rowling then linked to an article by former Tavistock employees very worried about the experimental transgender treatments carried out on children. In the article, the former Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) clinicians disclose that they had sent their testimony to the U.K.’s left-wing Guardian newspaper in 2017 and been completely ignored. In their letter the authors reveal the inner thoughts of a child “gender” (their scare quotes) specialist when meeting with parents and their child who wants to “transition”:
What I am really thinking is that mostly you are caught in a terrible moment of social contagion. You and your children are swirling in a toxic storm of psychological and emotional distress meeting homophobia, sexism, misogyny against the backdrop of the most appalling ‘bad science’. There is no such thing as a male or female brain and you cannot be ‘born into the wrong body’. The sloppiness of the language of both the internet and the politicians does you no favours with their conflation of sex and gender. This chimes so well in the era of post Truth anti expert hatred.
Rowling revealed that the authors of the letter represented “just two of a growing number of whistleblowers.”
“The bleak truth is that if and when the scandal does erupt, nobody currently cheering this movement on will be able to credibly claim ‘we couldn’t have known,’” she wrote.
Mermaids, a U.K, charity that advocates for sex hormones and surgery for children in Britain, soon responded to Rowling’s Twitter remarks to invite the world-famous author to “talk about this extremely sensitive issue away from social media.” The founder of Mermaids, Susie Green, took her 12-year-old son to the United States for puberty blockers and female hormones against the recommendations of the U.K.’s National Health Service. When the boy was 15, Green took him to Thailand for genital surgery on his 16th birthday.
This is only the most recent skirmish in J.K. Rowling’s social media battle on behalf of vulnerable people, predominantly women and girls, against the politically correct forces of transgender ideology. In December 2019, the author took up the cudgels on behalf of Maya Forstater, a tax expert who lost her job because she declared on Twitter that men cannot become women. To the dismay of transgender activists, Rowling tweeted:
“Dress however you please. Call yourself whatever you like. Sleep with any consenting adult who’ll have you. Live your best life in peace and security. But force women out of their jobs for stating that sex is real? #IStandWithMaya #ThisIsNotADrill
Despite frenzied demands that she do so, Rowling refused to apologize for supporting Forstater. In June 2020 she entered the social media fray once again when she mocked an online magazine for using the phrase “people who menstruate.”
“I'm sure there used to be a word for those people,” Rowling wrote in what became a viral tweet. “Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?”
The self-declared pro-LGBT author underscored that biological sex is a reality.
“If sex isn’t real, there’s no same-sex attraction,” she tweeted.
“If sex isn’t real, the lived reality of women globally is erased. I know and love trans people, but erasing the concept of sex removes the ability of many to meaningfully discuss their lives. It isn’t hate to speak the truth.”
The left-wing author asserted that she respects “every trans person’s right to live any way that feels authentic to them” but also that her own life had “been shaped by being female.”
“I do not believe it is hateful to say so,” Rowling stated.
After a backlash, which included denunciations of the author’s opinions by actors made rich and famous from the film versions of her children’s books, Rowling wrote a full-length essay explaining why she so strongly opposes transgender ideology: her charitable work for women in prison and women and children in domestic abuse shelters; her charitable work for MS patients, whose treatment is determined by sexual difference; her interest in safeguarding children; her concern for freedom of speech; the “huge explosion” in young women wishing to become men; and her own experience of domestic abuse and sexual assault.
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lifesitenews--2020-07-28--Legal challenge will jeopardize Mexican state’s prohibition of some abortions

July 28 , 2020 ( Live Action News ) — Mexico ’ s Supreme Court will publicly deliberate over a legal challenge to Veracruz ’ s criminal code that deems abortion illegal and , instead , protects the right to life .
If the Court declares the statute unconstitutional , it would open the door to legalized abortion in Veracruz and in other states across Mexico .
On July 29 , 2020 , five justices will consider the challenge , which was brought to the Supreme Court by way of a procedure called “ amparo.
” This allows both individuals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal court .
Currently , abortion is generally illegal in Veracruz .
However , the state does not impose a penalty when an abortion is procured within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and only when the abortion is because the unborn baby has a malformation , the mother was raped , or when the health of the mother is at risk .
According to Mexican attorney Pilar Vazquez Calva , it was pro-abortion members of the Veracruz legislature that brought this challenge to the local federal district court .
Vazquez Calva said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ uphold the statute in order for abortion to remain illegal in Veracruz .
If three judges declare the statute unconstitutional , the court would order the legislature of Veracruz to amend its criminal code and fully legalize abortion .
The pro-abortion Justice Juan Luis González Alcántara Carrancá is the one presenting this case .
He argues that criminalizing abortion is an act of discrimination against women in two ways .
First , he claims that women are treated as if they don ’ t have the ability to make decisions about their own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the statute only affects women and is an obstacle to their physical , mental , emotional , and social well-being .
Justice González Alcántara Carrancá also argues that Veracruz ’ s decision not to impose penalties for abortions under its limited circumstances is equivalent to an act of violence .
This argument opens the door not only to legalizing abortion but also allows for late-term abortions .
Of course , none of these reasons are valid .
Abortion itself is an act of violence that kills an innocent human being .
There @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just the woman ’ s .
Allowing women to kill their preborn children is a discriminatory act against those children and against their fathers , who may not want their children to be aborted .
Additionally , many women have been harmed physically , mentally , emotionally , and socially .
Abortion often has life-long repercussions including increased risks of depression , drug use , suicidal thoughts , lack of fertility , and problems bonding with future children .
If the law is ruled unconstitutional , it will establish a precedent that jeopardizes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state constitutions that protect life from conception until natural death .
This risks allowing legalized abortion to spread across the nation .
Live Action News editor ’ s note : Special thanks to Pilar Vazquez Calva for her assistance with this article .

The pro-abortion justice who brought the case argues that criminalizing abortion is an act of discrimination against women.
July 28, 2020 (Live Action News) — Mexico’s Supreme Court will publicly deliberate over a legal challenge to Veracruz’s criminal code that deems abortion illegal and, instead, protects the right to life. If the Court declares the statute unconstitutional, it would open the door to legalized abortion in Veracruz and in other states across Mexico.
On July 29, 2020, five justices will consider the challenge, which was brought to the Supreme Court by way of a procedure called “amparo.” This allows both individuals and government institutions to challenge laws in federal court. Currently, abortion is generally illegal in Veracruz. However, the state does not impose a penalty when an abortion is procured within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and only when the abortion is because the unborn baby has a malformation, the mother was raped, or when the health of the mother is at risk.
According to Mexican attorney Pilar Vazquez Calva, it was pro-abortion members of the Veracruz legislature that brought this challenge to the local federal district court. Vazquez Calva said three Supreme Court justices must vote to uphold the statute in order for abortion to remain illegal in Veracruz. If three judges declare the statute unconstitutional, the court would order the legislature of Veracruz to amend its criminal code and fully legalize abortion.
The pro-abortion Justice Juan Luis González Alcántara Carrancá is the one presenting this case. He argues that criminalizing abortion is an act of discrimination against women in two ways. First, he claims that women are treated as if they don’t have the ability to make decisions about their own bodies, and second, he claims that the statute only affects women and is an obstacle to their physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being.
Justice González Alcántara Carrancá also argues that Veracruz’s decision not to impose penalties for abortions under its limited circumstances is equivalent to an act of violence. This argument opens the door not only to legalizing abortion but also allows for late-term abortions.
Of course, none of these reasons are valid. Abortion itself is an act of violence that kills an innocent human being. There is a second body involved, not just the woman’s.
Allowing women to kill their preborn children is a discriminatory act against those children and against their fathers, who may not want their children to be aborted. Additionally, many women have been harmed physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. Abortion often has life-long repercussions including increased risks of depression, drug use, suicidal thoughts, lack of fertility, and problems bonding with future children.
If the law is ruled unconstitutional, it will establish a precedent that jeopardizes the constitutionality of the other 20 Mexican state constitutions that protect life from conception until natural death. This risks allowing legalized abortion to spread across the nation.
Live Action News editor’s note: Special thanks to Pilar Vazquez Calva for her assistance with this article.
Published with permission from Live Action News.
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lifesitenews--2020-07-28--After LGBT mob attacks, world-leading bank to close Christian counseling orgs’ accounts

NORTHERN IRELAND , July 27 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — Two Christian organizations that help people deal with unwanted same-sex attraction and gender identity issues have been notified by their bank that their accounts will be closed .
The move by Barclays Bank follows a social media attack demanding that the bank end its professional relationship with Core Issues Trust ( CIT ) and The International Federation for Therapeutic and Counselling Choice ( IFTCC ) , incorrectly accusing both groups of promoting “ conversion therapy.
” Earlier this month , Facebook and Instagram likewise caved to pressure from activists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to and accessibility for people seeking help .
Mailchimp and PayPal have also reportedly cut off CIT accounts , crippling the organization ’ s ability to communicate with supporters or receive donations .
The tweet that launched the attack appeared on July 3 : Barclays and the social media giants have knuckled under to gay activists as if they occupied higher moral ground than CIT or IFTCC , identifying their content as “ hate speech , ” yet CIT ’ s Facebook page has been barraged with pornographic images — some suggesting pederasty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s account .
WARNING : The following linked images contain explicit and offensive content ( 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ) .
A phone text received by Mike Davidson , who leads both groups , told him , “ Kill yourself .
You old boomer c -- - .
You ’ re the biggest piece of s -- - and I hope you drop dead .
I hope you and your family are raped and killed .
Do it .
Kill yourself .
Just do it.
” CIT ’ s and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worlds of banking and social media ?
CIT supports men and women with homosexual issues “ who voluntarily seek change in sexual preference and expression , ” offering “ one-to-one support for individuals voluntarily seeking to leave homosexual behaviours and feelings.
” The IFTCC exists to help anyone “ experiencing unwanted relational and sexual behaviours , attractions and patterns ” and declares , “ [ P ] eople have the right to choose how they live their life.
” Davidson shared with LifeSiteNews example after example of Facebook deleting CIT postings , citing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ goes against our community standards.
” Here are just a few : “ A coordinated campaign has resulted in our ministry coming under immense pressure and key service providers cancelling their services , ” CIT head Davidson told Christian Concern .
“ The term ‘ conversion therapy ’ is being used as a catch-all phrase designed to discredit any help that people may provide to those with mixed sexual attractions who prefer their heterosexual side .
This could include a listening ear , formal counselling or spiritual support , ” explained Davidson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If a social media mob can cause a bank to close the account of a Christian ministry , then there is nowhere for Biblically faithful Christian ministries to go , ” said Davidson .
“ The UK is now becoming an intensely intolerant country .
Key service providers have cancelled their services to a Christian charity because of a social media mob.
” “ If it is CIT first , it will be churches next , ” noted Andrea Williams , chief executive of Christian Legal Centre , which is aiding both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ service providers start to placate social media campaigns by unilaterally terminating their accounts then the UK will be a very difficult place for Biblically faithful Christian ministries , ” added Williams .
In twin letters addressed to CIT and IFTCC dated July 13 — just 10 days after the social media attack began — Barclays Bank offered no explanation for its decision to terminate the accounts , saying only that “ we are closing yours in accordance with our Terms & Conditions.
” “ You will need to make other banking arrangements with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” continued the Barclays letters , “ and we will not offer any future banking services.
” The fruit of the Cultural Marxist extremism Dividson told LifeSiteNews that CIT has submitted a report to the U.K. Parliament ’ s Petitions Committee , which is currently asking for submissions evidencing online abuse , which CIT has been receiving since June 28 .
“ We have also submitted the relevant Serious Incident Reports to the Charity Commission of Northern Ireland , ” continued Davidson .
“ We are concerned that the UK Government is about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the X-LGBT minority in the UK , without ever having consulted or invited representation form this group .
We have therefore requested a meeting with the Secretary of State for Women and Equality , Liz Truss in the hope of explaining our right to access professional and pastoral help.
” “ On the Matter of Barclays Bank , the issue has now been referred to lawyers , ” said the CIT CEO .
“ We are concerned that Barclays ranks in the top 30 of Stonewall ’ s best employers list , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inordinately close relationship between Stonewall and influential groups in the UK privileges an ideology inspired by the left that has no regard for faith or truth.
” “ We are seeing in the UK the fruit of the Cultural Marxist extremism which has been invited into the public square , ” he added .
“ May God have mercy on us all .
”

The two Christian organizations help people deal with unwanted same-sex attraction and gender identity issues. They face an overwhelming block from multiple avenues on their ability to do business.
NORTHERN IRELAND, July 27, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — Two Christian organizations that help people deal with unwanted same-sex attraction and gender identity issues have been notified by their bank that their accounts will be closed.
The move by Barclays Bank follows a social media attack demanding that the bank end its professional relationship with Core Issues Trust (CIT) and The International Federation for Therapeutic and Counselling Choice (IFTCC), incorrectly accusing both groups of promoting “conversion therapy.”
Earlier this month, Facebook and Instagram likewise caved to pressure from activists to cancel CIT, limiting its outreach to and accessibility for people seeking help. Mailchimp and PayPal have also reportedly cut off CIT accounts, crippling the organization’s ability to communicate with supporters or receive donations.
The tweet that launched the attack appeared on July 3:
EXCLUSIVE: Pride In London headline sponsor, Barclays, are currently enabling UK Gay Conversion Therapy organisation; Core Trust, with a bank account for donations here: https://core-issues.org/giving-to-core-issues-trust This vile org is still a tax deductible charity in the UK. The government must act.
��EXCLUSIVE: @PrideInLondon headline sponsor; @Barclays, are currently enabling UK Gay #ConversionTherapy organisation; @CoreTrust, with a bank account for donations here: https://t.co/1wnDeEwtR6 This vile org is still a tax deductible charity in the UK. The government must act. pic.twitter.com/4bhTZziu3w — Mike Buonaiuto (@Mike_Shapes) July 3, 2020
Barclays and the social media giants have knuckled under to gay activists as if they occupied higher moral ground than CIT or IFTCC, identifying their content as “hate speech,” yet CIT’s Facebook page has been barraged with pornographic images — some suggesting pederasty — from activists posting to CIT’s account.
WARNING: The following linked images contain explicit and offensive content (1, 2, 3, 4).
A phone text received by Mike Davidson, who leads both groups, told him, “Kill yourself. You old boomer c—. You’re the biggest piece of s— and I hope you drop dead. I hope you and your family are raped and killed. Do it. Kill yourself. Just do it.”
CIT’s and IFTCC’s great offense to the worlds of banking and social media? CIT supports men and women with homosexual issues “who voluntarily seek change in sexual preference and expression,” offering “one-to-one support for individuals voluntarily seeking to leave homosexual behaviours and feelings.”
The IFTCC exists to help anyone “experiencing unwanted relational and sexual behaviours, attractions and patterns” and declares, “[P]eople have the right to choose how they live their life.”
Davidson shared with LifeSiteNews example after example of Facebook deleting CIT postings, citing “hate speech” or content that “goes against our community standards.” Here are just a few:
Mob rule, churches are next
“A coordinated campaign has resulted in our ministry coming under immense pressure and key service providers cancelling their services,” CIT head Davidson told Christian Concern.
“The term ‘conversion therapy’ is being used as a catch-all phrase designed to discredit any help that people may provide to those with mixed sexual attractions who prefer their heterosexual side. This could include a listening ear, formal counselling or spiritual support,” explained Davidson.
“This amounts to mob rule. If a social media mob can cause a bank to close the account of a Christian ministry, then there is nowhere for Biblically faithful Christian ministries to go,” said Davidson. “The UK is now becoming an intensely intolerant country. Key service providers have cancelled their services to a Christian charity because of a social media mob.”
“If it is CIT first, it will be churches next,” noted Andrea Williams, chief executive of Christian Legal Centre, which is aiding both organizations.
“If banks and other service providers start to placate social media campaigns by unilaterally terminating their accounts then the UK will be a very difficult place for Biblically faithful Christian ministries,” added Williams.
In twin letters addressed to CIT and IFTCC dated July 13 — just 10 days after the social media attack began — Barclays Bank offered no explanation for its decision to terminate the accounts, saying only that “we are closing yours in accordance with our Terms & Conditions.”
“You will need to make other banking arrangements with an alternative bank or financial institution,” continued the Barclays letters, “and we will not offer any future banking services.”
The fruit of the Cultural Marxist extremism
Dividson told LifeSiteNews that CIT has submitted a report to the U.K. Parliament’s Petitions Committee, which is currently asking for submissions evidencing online abuse, which CIT has been receiving since June 28.
“We have also submitted the relevant Serious Incident Reports to the Charity Commission of Northern Ireland,” continued Davidson. “We are concerned that the UK Government is about to make legislation ruling against counselling choice for the X-LGBT minority in the UK, without ever having consulted or invited representation form this group. We have therefore requested a meeting with the Secretary of State for Women and Equality, Liz Truss in the hope of explaining our right to access professional and pastoral help.”
“On the Matter of Barclays Bank, the issue has now been referred to lawyers,” said the CIT CEO. “We are concerned that Barclays ranks in the top 30 of Stonewall’s best employers list, and that once again evidence of an inordinately close relationship between Stonewall and influential groups in the UK privileges an ideology inspired by the left that has no regard for faith or truth.”
“We are seeing in the UK the fruit of the Cultural Marxist extremism which has been invited into the public square,” he added. “May God have mercy on us all.”
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lifesitenews--2020-07-28--Catholic shrine vandalized twice, parish vows to rebuild ‘a thousand times’

ROCKFORD , Illinois , July 28 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) — A roadside shrine in the Catholic parish of Saint Bernadette in Rockford , Illinois has been vandalized and destroyed twice within three weeks — but the community is determined to rebuild it “ a thousand times , ” if necessary .
The little shrine with the message “ Jesus loves you ” houses a crucifix and is located close to a bus stop in front of the church .
On July 5 or 6 , the first act of vandalism took place , as reported by The Observer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Parish staff member Kevin Rilott had recently restained the wood of the shrine , which has been in place on the parish campus for about five years .
He says he could tell from marks on the wood that the corpus statue was destroyed by a hammer.
” Rilott speculated that the shrine was vandalized “ in imitation of the destruction perpetrated the past several weeks against statues , including religious statues , around the country.
” On July 24 , “ someone took a sledgehammer to our rebuilt shrine and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced via Flocknote , a popular tool parishes use to communicate with the faithful .
“ We will rebuild it again.
” Instead of destroying the crucifix , the pole on which the shrine rested was broken in half .
“ This shrine is an image of the love of God in giving His life on the Cross for each one of us — it is a sign of faith , hope , and love for our community , ” wrote the parish .
“ So how could it possibly be good news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Because the people of St. Bernadette Church are a people of love and life , ” the message pointed out .
“ Whoever is destroying this shrine has some kind of false idea of who Jesus is .
We like our shrine at St. Bernadette but the soul of the person or persons doing this is infinitely more important than our roadside shrine.
” “ God has placed the person or persons destroying this shrine in our lives for a few reasons , ” the parish is convinced .
“ So we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us .
So we can love them as Jesus loves us .
So we can pray for their change of heart as Mary and the Saints pray for us.
” The parish encouraged its faithful to pray and make sacrifices “ to seek the graces and blessing of God for those in need — and the person or persons who have been destroying our shrine are certainly poor in faith and it is our responsibility and blessing love and pray for those who are poor and in need.
” A short video showing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Kevin Rilott , explaining that the parish had experienced vandalism in the past .
“ Last summer , we had some banners out front on church property [ that ] simply said ‘ Jesus loves you ’ and ‘ God loves you.
’ Those were vandalized .
Someone ran over them with a car.
” Additionally , the parish “ had a pro-life display at this church with crosses to represent the lives of the beautiful unborn children who died by abortion .
Somebody vandalized that.
” “ We will rebuild the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video .
“ It will be back up very soon , and if they destroy it a thousand times , we will rebuild it a thousand times.
” Responding to increasing numbers of acts of vandalism , a White House official stated that the “ criminals ” who have carried out the violent attacks will be prosecuted “ to the fullest extent of the law.
” The unnamed official told The Daily Caller that President Trump has joined “ the Catholic community in solidarity ” during the wave of attacks on Catholic religious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump will always demand law and order in American communities , and ensure the criminals causing these sacrilegious acts will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law , ” he explained .
A new interactive map is keeping track of attacks “ on Catholic statues , parishes and persons in North America in 2020.
” Launched by Complicit Clergy , an organization of laypeople attempting to hold Catholic clergy accountable for sexual perversion and corruption , the new project already lists more than 50 incidents in the United States and Canada @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a 24-year-old set fire to Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Ocala , Florida .
He drove his car into the church and proceeded to light two gallons of gasoline on fire .
Parishioners were inside the church preparing for Mass but were able to flee without injury .
“ In an interview with sheriff ’ s Detective John Lightle , suspect Steven Anthony Shields said he has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and is not taking his medication , ” reported a local newspaper .
“ Shields said that what he did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ smiled and laughed while he was questioned at the Sheriff ’ s Office , ” the newspaper added .
“ Referring to himself as the ‘ king ’ and saying he was on a ‘ mission , ’ Shields told the detective he has problems with the Catholic Church and made reference to several Bible passages , including the Book of Revelation.
” After his arrest , he told police he “ knew what he was doing .
Shields added even though he knew it was wrong , he planned to do it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to set the church on fire ) Saturday morning.
” Meanwhile , Catholics responded to the attacks with love and generosity .
In Boston , Massachusetts , dozens of Catholics , including many members of religious orders , attended a prayer vigil in front of a statue of Our Lady that was set on fire .
Fr .
John Currie , the pastor of the local parish , said during the event , “ We ’ re prayerfully saying to this person or persons : We love you .
We forgive you .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ help you in any way you may need .
This is why we ’ re here primarily .
”

The parish asked for prayers for 'the person or persons who have been destroying our shrine,' who 'are certainly poor in faith[.]'
ROCKFORD, Illinois, July 28, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) — A roadside shrine in the Catholic parish of Saint Bernadette in Rockford, Illinois has been vandalized and destroyed twice within three weeks — but the community is determined to rebuild it “a thousand times,” if necessary.
The little shrine with the message “Jesus loves you” houses a crucifix and is located close to a bus stop in front of the church.
On July 5 or 6, the first act of vandalism took place, as reported by The Observer, the newspaper of the local diocese. “Parish staff member Kevin Rilott had recently restained the wood of the shrine, which has been in place on the parish campus for about five years. He says he could tell from marks on the wood that the corpus statue was destroyed by a hammer.”
Rilott speculated that the shrine was vandalized “in imitation of the destruction perpetrated the past several weeks against statues, including religious statues, around the country.”
On July 24, “someone took a sledgehammer to our rebuilt shrine and destroyed it again,” the parish announced via Flocknote, a popular tool parishes use to communicate with the faithful. “We will rebuild it again.”
Instead of destroying the crucifix, the pole on which the shrine rested was broken in half.
“This shrine is an image of the love of God in giving His life on the Cross for each one of us — it is a sign of faith, hope, and love for our community,” wrote the parish. “So how could it possibly be good news that it was destroyed again?”
“Because the people of St. Bernadette Church are a people of love and life,” the message pointed out. “Whoever is destroying this shrine has some kind of false idea of who Jesus is. We like our shrine at St. Bernadette but the soul of the person or persons doing this is infinitely more important than our roadside shrine.”
“God has placed the person or persons destroying this shrine in our lives for a few reasons,” the parish is convinced. “So we can forgive them as Jesus has forgiven us. So we can love them as Jesus loves us. So we can pray for their change of heart as Mary and the Saints pray for us.”
The parish encouraged its faithful to pray and make sacrifices “to seek the graces and blessing of God for those in need — and the person or persons who have been destroying our shrine are certainly poor in faith and it is our responsibility and blessing love and pray for those who are poor and in need.”
A short video showing the destroyed shrine was posted on YouTube by Kevin Rilott, explaining that the parish had experienced vandalism in the past. “Last summer, we had some banners out front on church property [that] simply said ‘Jesus loves you’ and ‘God loves you.’ Those were vandalized. Someone ran over them with a car.”
Additionally, the parish “had a pro-life display at this church with crosses to represent the lives of the beautiful unborn children who died by abortion. Somebody vandalized that.”
“We will rebuild the shrine,” Rilott vowed in the video. “It will be back up very soon, and if they destroy it a thousand times, we will rebuild it a thousand times.”
Responding to increasing numbers of acts of vandalism, a White House official stated that the “criminals” who have carried out the violent attacks will be prosecuted “to the fullest extent of the law.”
The unnamed official told The Daily Caller that President Trump has joined “the Catholic community in solidarity” during the wave of attacks on Catholic religious symbols.
“Rest assured, President Trump will always demand law and order in American communities, and ensure the criminals causing these sacrilegious acts will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” he explained.
A new interactive map is keeping track of attacks “on Catholic statues, parishes and persons in North America in 2020.” Launched by Complicit Clergy, an organization of laypeople attempting to hold Catholic clergy accountable for sexual perversion and corruption, the new project already lists more than 50 incidents in the United States and Canada.
In perhaps the most disturbing attack, a 24-year-old set fire to Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Ocala, Florida. He drove his car into the church and proceeded to light two gallons of gasoline on fire. Parishioners were inside the church preparing for Mass but were able to flee without injury.
“In an interview with sheriff’s Detective John Lightle, suspect Steven Anthony Shields said he has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and is not taking his medication,” reported a local newspaper.
“Shields said that what he did was ‘awesome,’ and he smiled and laughed while he was questioned at the Sheriff’s Office,” the newspaper added. “Referring to himself as the ‘king’ and saying he was on a ‘mission,’ Shields told the detective he has problems with the Catholic Church and made reference to several Bible passages, including the Book of Revelation.”
After his arrest, he told police he “knew what he was doing. Shields added even though he knew it was wrong, he planned to do it anyway. He purchased the gasoline (to set the church on fire) Saturday morning.”
Meanwhile, Catholics responded to the attacks with love and generosity. In Boston, Massachusetts, dozens of Catholics, including many members of religious orders, attended a prayer vigil in front of a statue of Our Lady that was set on fire.
Fr. John Currie, the pastor of the local parish, said during the event, “We’re prayerfully saying to this person or persons: We love you. We forgive you. And we are here to serve and help you in any way you may need. This is why we’re here primarily.”
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lifesitenews--2020-07-28--Learning more about God’s justice and mercy

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Watch Mother Miriam's Live originally aired on 7.28.2020. In today’s episode, Mother Miriam continues reviewing the Baltimore Catechism, focusing on God’s justice and mercy.
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lifesitenews--2020-07-28--Even if you can’t be a monk, you can still benefit from monastic life. Here’s how

July 28 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – A couple of weeks ago , I spoke of how repeated visits to Benedictine monasteries convinced me , finally , to join the Benedictine order as an “ oblate ” of the community of Norcia .
Over the years , many people — some out of simple curiosity , others from an openness to discerning the same call — have asked me what exactly it means to be an oblate .
To put it simply , an oblate is someone who “ offers ” himself ( oblatio = an offering ) more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a particular monastic community and under the guidance of the Rule of St. Benedict , duly adapted to the life of a layman .
Historically , some oblates have lived in or near the monastery in question , but that is not absolutely necessary .
What matters most is that they strive to share in the spiritual goods and discipline of the monks ( or nuns !
— I shall write with men in mind , but all of this applies to monasteries of Benedictine nuns ) by embracing something of their way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and benefiting from their prayers .
Where the Lord has provided the means , an oblate will often also support the community in its material needs .
Oblates have a long history in Benedictine monasticism , much longer than the “ tertiaries ” or “ Third Orders ” that are more familiar from the later Franciscans , Dominicans , Carmelites , and other medieval or post-medieval orders .
The concept is , however , similar : as a Dominican tertiary lives out his baptismal vocation within the context of Dominican spirituality and guided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Benedictine oblate lives out his baptismal vocation in a Benedictine spirit , with occasional retreats at his “ home monastery ” and , often enough , with advice from a monastic spiritual guide or spiritual director .
Since God draws souls with great freedom and delicacy , and for all sorts of reasons , I hesitate to speak of a telltale sign of when one should consider becoming an oblate .
But this much seems obvious : if you relish the writings of monastic authors ( e.g.
, among older authors , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Clairvaux , Guigo the Carthusian , St. Hildegard of Bingen , or St. Anselm of Canterbury ; among more recent , Abbot Prosper Guéranger , Dom Hubert van Zeller , Bd .
Columba Marmion ) ; if you love praying the Psalms in the Divine Office or Liturgy of the Hours ; if the visit you made to a monastery was a highlight in your life and something you look forward to doing again — these would be reliable indications that a closer association is worth looking into and praying about .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ step for me , to formalize what I was already trying to do in my spiritual life as a traditional Catholic .
Here is the essence of it , as understood by nearly all who write about oblate life .
1 .
It is a “ vocation within a vocation.
” Whatever one ’ s calling or state in life is — whether one is a married person , a single person , a widow or widower , a priest or deacon — as an oblate , one strives to live it better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the support of the prayers of one ’ s extended monastic family .
One prays in turn for the monks , who , being on the front lines of spiritual combat , need the support of our prayers .
2 .
Each day , one prays some portion of the Divine Office .
This could be Lauds or Prime , Vespers or Compline — whatever and however much fits into one ’ s schedule .
A layman is not “ bound ” to it in the same way as a monk is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offering .
( A priest , who is already bound to recite the office , still gains from being an oblate , however , since he is now united in a special bond of prayer with the monks who are his spiritual family . )
An oblate today may use either the Monastic Office , the old Roman Breviary , or the Liturgy of the Hours .
Prime and Compline take about 10 minutes each if one recites them .
Lauds or Vespers would be more like 20 minutes for recitation .
Some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members of their families .
3 .
Each day , one reads a small portion of the Rule — available in editions that ( like this portable one ) conveniently divide the text into one or a few paragraphs per day — and one does some lectio divina or prayerful reading of Scripture .
Again , this can be just a few minutes , or it can be longer , depending on one ’ s schedule .
PETITION : Support priest who was suspended for calling out the Black Lives Matter organization !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the daily routine is to ground a person in these rich , objective , traditional practices that have a stabilizing and sanctifying effect , as testified by the thousands of canonized and beatified Benedictine monks and nuns .
The Order of St. Benedict has , in fact , more saints than any other order — and it is not simply because they have been around the longest !
The above is only a sketch .
Most monasteries have something like “ Oblate Statutes ” that spell out what is required and expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ monastery asks that those who wish to be oblates should first visit the monastery and spend some days there .
The next question that arises is , how important is it to be connected to a community that is nearby ( or at least easily accessible by car ) ?
Or to put it negatively , how great a disadvantage is it to be far away from one ’ s home monastery ?
This question inevitably arises because , especially in the period since the Second Vatican Council , religious life in general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has suffered grievous blows : there are just not that many vibrant Rule-abiding monasteries left , particularly if one is looking for traditional Catholic liturgy .
The monasteries that would be worth considering might well be hours away by car or airplane , as in the case of my home community , which is in Umbria , Italy .
One can , nevertheless , be a Benedictine oblate of any monastery , even if it is across the world .
There are obvious benefits to being able to visit a monastery at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why some American traditionalists have chosen to be affiliated with Clear Creek .
For me , Oklahoma was about as hard to get to as Norcia , and I ’ d rather be eating wild boar , truffles , and gelato in the off hours .
Joking aside , I have longstanding friendships in Norcia from the years I lived in Europe that made it the right choice for me .
Plus , there is the subtle but important question of the “ spirit ” of a given community .
Unlike the Dominicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one family , each Benedictine monastery is an “ autonomous ” community , like a family in its own right , and as families differ a lot , so do monasteries .
Some seem to be more heavily invested in divine worship , while others make more of a place for the intellectual and cultural pursuits of the monks ; some offer spiritual direction , while others are “ hands off ” when it comes to oblates .
Also , the manner in which hospitality is exercised can vary quite a bit .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to know is to visit a monastery and see firsthand how it goes , how it works out .
Visit more than one if you can .
There ’ s no rush ; let God speak to you in His good time .
If you are meant to become an oblate , He will tug at your heart about it .
• Canon G.A .
Simon , Commentary for Benedictine Oblates on the Rule of St. Benedict • William Fahey , ed.
, The Foundations of Western Monasticism ( this book contains three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of St. Antony , the Rule of St. Benedict , and St. Bernard ’ s Twelve Degrees of Humility and Pride ) • Dwight Longenecker , Listen My Son : St. Benedict for Fathers and St. Benedict and St. Thérèse : The Little Rule and the Little Way • Dom Pius Mary Noonan , OSB , The Grace to Desire It : Meditations on St Benedict 's Twelve Degrees of Humility

July 28, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – A couple of weeks ago, I spoke of how repeated visits to Benedictine monasteries convinced me, finally, to join the Benedictine order as an “oblate” of the community of Norcia. Over the years, many people — some out of simple curiosity, others from an openness to discerning the same call — have asked me what exactly it means to be an oblate.
To put it simply, an oblate is someone who “offers” himself (oblatio = an offering) more fully to God in the context of a particular monastic community and under the guidance of the Rule of St. Benedict, duly adapted to the life of a layman. Historically, some oblates have lived in or near the monastery in question, but that is not absolutely necessary. What matters most is that they strive to share in the spiritual goods and discipline of the monks (or nuns! — I shall write with men in mind, but all of this applies to monasteries of Benedictine nuns) by embracing something of their way of life, praying for them, and benefiting from their prayers. Where the Lord has provided the means, an oblate will often also support the community in its material needs.
Oblates have a long history in Benedictine monasticism, much longer than the “tertiaries” or “Third Orders” that are more familiar from the later Franciscans, Dominicans, Carmelites, and other medieval or post-medieval orders. The concept is, however, similar: as a Dominican tertiary lives out his baptismal vocation within the context of Dominican spirituality and guided by Dominicans past and present, so a Benedictine oblate lives out his baptismal vocation in a Benedictine spirit, with occasional retreats at his “home monastery” and, often enough, with advice from a monastic spiritual guide or spiritual director.
Since God draws souls with great freedom and delicacy, and for all sorts of reasons, I hesitate to speak of a telltale sign of when one should consider becoming an oblate. But this much seems obvious: if you relish the writings of monastic authors (e.g., among older authors, St. Gregory the Great, St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Guigo the Carthusian, St. Hildegard of Bingen, or St. Anselm of Canterbury; among more recent, Abbot Prosper Guéranger, Dom Hubert van Zeller, Bd. Columba Marmion); if you love praying the Psalms in the Divine Office or Liturgy of the Hours; if the visit you made to a monastery was a highlight in your life and something you look forward to doing again — these would be reliable indications that a closer association is worth looking into and praying about.
Becoming an oblate was just the right step for me, to formalize what I was already trying to do in my spiritual life as a traditional Catholic. Here is the essence of it, as understood by nearly all who write about oblate life.
1. It is a “vocation within a vocation.” Whatever one’s calling or state in life is — whether one is a married person, a single person, a widow or widower, a priest or deacon — as an oblate, one strives to live it better with the help of monastic spiritual practices and the support of the prayers of one’s extended monastic family. One prays in turn for the monks, who, being on the front lines of spiritual combat, need the support of our prayers.
2. Each day, one prays some portion of the Divine Office. This could be Lauds or Prime, Vespers or Compline — whatever and however much fits into one’s schedule. A layman is not “bound” to it in the same way as a monk is; he offers it as a free-will offering. (A priest, who is already bound to recite the office, still gains from being an oblate, however, since he is now united in a special bond of prayer with the monks who are his spiritual family.) An oblate today may use either the Monastic Office, the old Roman Breviary, or the Liturgy of the Hours. Prime and Compline take about 10 minutes each if one recites them. Lauds or Vespers would be more like 20 minutes for recitation. Some oblates pray these hours aloud with other members of their families.
3. Each day, one reads a small portion of the Rule — available in editions that (like this portable one) conveniently divide the text into one or a few paragraphs per day — and one does some lectio divina or prayerful reading of Scripture. Again, this can be just a few minutes, or it can be longer, depending on one’s schedule.
PETITION: Support priest who was suspended for calling out the Black Lives Matter organization! Sign the petition here.
The point of the daily routine is to ground a person in these rich, objective, traditional practices that have a stabilizing and sanctifying effect, as testified by the thousands of canonized and beatified Benedictine monks and nuns. The Order of St. Benedict has, in fact, more saints than any other order — and it is not simply because they have been around the longest!
The above is only a sketch. Most monasteries have something like “Oblate Statutes” that spell out what is required and expected of an oblate. Typically, a monastery asks that those who wish to be oblates should first visit the monastery and spend some days there.
The next question that arises is, how important is it to be connected to a community that is nearby (or at least easily accessible by car)? Or to put it negatively, how great a disadvantage is it to be far away from one’s home monastery? This question inevitably arises because, especially in the period since the Second Vatican Council, religious life in general — and Benedictine monasticism in particular — has suffered grievous blows: there are just not that many vibrant Rule-abiding monasteries left, particularly if one is looking for traditional Catholic liturgy. The monasteries that would be worth considering might well be hours away by car or airplane, as in the case of my home community, which is in Umbria, Italy.
One can, nevertheless, be a Benedictine oblate of any monastery, even if it is across the world. There are obvious benefits to being able to visit a monastery at least once a year, and this is why some American traditionalists have chosen to be affiliated with Clear Creek. For me, Oklahoma was about as hard to get to as Norcia, and I’d rather be eating wild boar, truffles, and gelato in the off hours. Joking aside, I have longstanding friendships in Norcia from the years I lived in Europe that made it the right choice for me.
Plus, there is the subtle but important question of the “spirit” of a given community. Unlike the Dominicans or Franciscans, who broadly speaking are one family, each Benedictine monastery is an “autonomous” community, like a family in its own right, and as families differ a lot, so do monasteries. Some seem to be more heavily invested in divine worship, while others make more of a place for the intellectual and cultural pursuits of the monks; some offer spiritual direction, while others are “hands off” when it comes to oblates. Also, the manner in which hospitality is exercised can vary quite a bit.
In the end, the only way to know is to visit a monastery and see firsthand how it goes, how it works out. Visit more than one if you can. There’s no rush; let God speak to you in His good time. If you are meant to become an oblate, He will tug at your heart about it.
Recommended further reading
Peter Kwasniewski, Thomistic theologian, liturgical scholar, and choral composer, is a graduate of Thomas Aquinas College in California (B.A. Liberal Arts) and The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC (M.A. and Ph.D. in Philosophy). He taught at the International Theological Institute in Austria and the Franciscan University of Steubenville’s Austria Program, then helped establish Wyoming Catholic College in 2006. There he taught theology, philosophy, music, and art history and directed the choirs until leaving in 2018 to devote himself full-time to writing and lecturing. Today he contributes regularly to many websites and publications, including New Liturgical Movement, OnePeterFive, LifeSiteNews, Rorate Caeli, The Remnant, and Catholic Family News, and has published thirteen books, including four on traditional Catholicism: Resurgent in the Midst of Crisis (Angelico, 2014, also available in Czech, Polish, German, Portuguese, Spanish, and Belarusian), Noble Beauty, Transcendent Holiness (Angelico, 2017), Tradition and Sanity (Angelico, 2018), and Reclaiming Our Roman Catholic Birthright: The Genius and Timeliness of the Traditional Latin Mass (Angelico, 2020). His work has been translated into at least eighteen languages. Kwasniewski is a scholar of The Aquinas Institute in Green Bay, which is publishing the Opera Omnia of the Angelic Doctor, a Fellow of the Albertus Magnus Center for Scholastic Studies, and a Senior Fellow of the St. Paul Center. He has published over a thousand articles on Thomistic thought, sacramental and liturgical theology, the history and aesthetics of music, and the social doctrine of the Church. For news, information, article links, sacred music, and the home of Os Justi Press, visit his personal website, www.peterkwasniewski.com.
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