Emergency Fatima Novena!!!

There seems to be numerous novenas at this time of year. That is possibly just my imagination, but nevertheless today begins another novena. This one is to Our Lady of Fatima for the commemoration of the Miracle of the Sun Apparition on October 13, 1917. I know that the typical Fatima novena  celebrates the first …

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Soberversary! Seventeen years sober, today.

Today I achieved my seventeenth year of sobriety. That’s One Day At A Time repeated 6,209 times. A certain Twelve Step movement helped a lot at first; but I credit my endurance to Our Lord and Saviour’s Church, the Holy Catholic Church and to His Most Holy Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary. I think a …

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The Medal of St. Benedict

Today is the Feast of St. Benedict, and as a part of the celebration I shall introduce to readers a devotional object, known as The Medal of St. Benedict . (Via EWTN.) Please check out the link to the EWTN article in the previous paragraph for much useful info on the wearing and history of …

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Feast of St. Benedict

Today is the Feast Day of St. Benedict, one of the more important and influential saints of the Catholic Church, and also one of the individuals who helped form and shape Western civilization. Who was St. Benedict? The Online Guide to St. Benedict has an excellent biography of him, as well as a lot of …

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Ladder of Humility

Last year at about this time I wrote a series of posts on the Ladder of Humility of St. Benedict. I remind you of this as his Feast Day is coming up on July 11 and if you click on the link in the previous sentence it will take you to all 13 posts in …

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St. Benedict's Ladder of Humility: Step 12

At long last we finally come to the final step in St. Benedict’s Ladder of Humility, the 12th. It says that a person should always manifest humility in their actions as well as in their heart. In all one’s doings the person must be mindful of their sinful nature and imperfections and that at any …

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St. Benedict's Ladder of Humility: Step 11

The 11th Step on St. Benedict’s Ladder of Humility is that one should speak gently and without laughter, seriously and with modesty; briefly and reasonably, without raising one’s voice. I believe this Step is about showing fundamental respect for other people, with particular concern for their dignity as individuals and their state in life. We …

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St. Benedict's Ladder of Humility: Step 10

The 10th Step on St. Benedict’s Ladder of Humility is that one not be given to ready laughter. This may seem rather unimportant unless you consider that a too quick reply to something with laughter may make you sound foolish or disrespectful. We’ve all done that and pretty much felt silly and idiotic afterwords, particularly …

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St. Benedict's Ladder of Humility: Step 9

The Ninth Step on St. Benedict’s Ladder of Humility is that one should control their tongue and remain silent, not speaking unless asked a question. This is one where we can sufficiently modify for our use as sober alcoholics, not living in a monastery and bound by a rule of silence. Or can we? (I …

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St. Benedict's Ladder of Humility: Step 8

The 8th Step of St. Benedict’s Ladder of Humility is that a monk does only what is endorsed by the common rule of the monastery and the example set by the superiors. You join a group, whether it’s a job or a church softball team, no matter, you just joined some existing organization with legitimate …

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