The Second Ever Down Syndrome Carnival is Up

Come and visit the carnival, meet some amazing moms, and learn some more about what Down syndrome really is, versus the popular misconceptions.

HT Esther at A Catholic Mom in Hawaii for the button.

A Frightening Glimpse of the Future of Disabled Persons

Lifesite has a frightening look into the future for disabled people if this culture continues sinking into the mire of the Culture of Death.

Fotos Cofrades

Roberto Villarrica, the photographer who writes this blog from Seville, Spain, has given permission for anyone to use his gorgeous photographs of traditional Spanish statuary, as long as he is credited.
They are a reminder of our rich artistic heritage as Catholics, as well as the beautiful devotionals processions which still take place in Spain. Enjoy.

The other side is sounding frightened

It's a dead giveaway, when you're afraid you're losing the debate, and you resort to desperation tactics. This takes many ugly forms; lies, defamation of character, shouting, and scare tactics. The Culture of Death is beginning to realize that Roe v Wade is on life support (excuse the irony!) and is getting shrill. You see, with the blogosphere and new radio and cable new outlets outpacing the old propaganda machine, they hardly get away with whoppers like this, this and this anymore.

When all else fails in the pro-death camp, pull out the hangers!

Go pro-life bloggers GO!

HT Life Site

Creative Minority Report: How do you put the genie back in the bottle? - A Catholic Blog: Religion, Politics, Current Events, Humor, and more.

Creative Minority Report: How do you put the genie back in the bottle? - A Catholic Blog: Religion, Politics, Current Events, Humor, and more.

Midnight Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral in NYC

There is a petition out there for Cardinal Egan to celebrate Midnight Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral with the Extraordinary Form (Tridentine). Their goal is 1000 signatures.

If they get the Latin Mass for Christmas, I'll make the effort to attend with my family.

What a beautiful way to celebrate the birth of the New Evangelization!

The Victory of "Emily Rose"

When The Exorcism of Emily Rose came out in 2005 most people were not aware that the movie was based on a true story of a young German woman named Anneliese Michel who was possessed for many years and died in 1976 at the age of 23 probably of the possession itself. Her heart-wrenching story is instructive, not so much about the nature of evil, but about how good can be brought out of so much evil, especially when offered for the spiritual benefit of others. I believe that Anneliese Michel's faithful endurance of such demonic sufferings would qualify as truly heroic.
The pious young woman came from a Catholic family in the southern region of Germany and would have been the last person that anyone would have expected to be the victim of a full-fledged possession. Anneliese was the innocent target of a witch's curse when she was a child, and that was what caused her demonic problems. She lived a so-called "normal" life until her sixteenth birthday when, without warning, she began to experience the oppression of her senses through hearing voices and seeing grotesque faces. From that point on she suffered a series of deepening internal problems which grew worse as the years went on. By her twentieth birthday she was almost fully taken over by the demonic spirits which threw her into catatonic states and caused extremely violent aversions to religious objects as well as other occult phenomena such as speaking in esoteric languages. During the series of exorcisms performed on her over the period of nearly a year, it was discovered that she was possessed by six very powerful demons, one of whom was named Hitler and the strongest of which was named Judas.

Anneliese's heroism throughout this whole ordeal is truly hard to believe. She not only attempted to complete all her school assignments until she was utterly unable to do so, but she was completely accepting of her trials because she knew that there was a deeper meaning in them. In the midst of her sufferings she had visions of Jesus and Mary and learned that the Lord wanted her to offer her intense agony at the hands of demons for two primary intentions: the Catholic Church in Germany and, in particular, the German clergy. In the post-Vatican II era, Germany was rife with clerical dissent and loss of faith: this suffering child of God was praying in a most profound way that no soul would be lost to the true Faith.

Needless to say, a real possession is a destructive and desolate experience for the possessed individual, and in the end, Anneliese succumbed to the power of the demons and died just after her 23rd birthday. Some speculate that a combination of misdiagnosed medications and her inability to eat anything during most of her ordeal led to her demise, but ultimately she died, according to her spiritual director, as a victim soul out of love for her people. He called her experience an "expiatory possession," that is, a suffering for the sins of others. It is evident that God permitted her death in this dramatic way, just as He permitted the death of His only-begotten Son, for the eternal benefit of others and as a witness to the reality of evil in a faithless age.
If we look only at her death at a young age or the tragic circumstances of her possession we will not see the meaning of her life or the heroism of her suffering. We have to look beyond the particulars to the fruit of her agony which needs the eyes of faith to see: that is, less than two years after Anneliese died as a victim for the German Church and clergy, a young priest by the name of Fr. Joseph Ratzinger was named Archbishop of Munich, the very region where Anneliese lived, suffered and died.
And well, you know the rest of the story.
Did Emily Rose see the Virgin Mary?
St Michael Prayer Card
Q & A Archive
Sincerely Yours in Christ,
Rev. Thomas J. Euteneuer,President, Human Life International
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Copyright 2007 - Human Life InternationalPermission granted for unlimited use. Credit required.

Great News for Mother Angelica: Bishop Baker moves to Birmingham!

The diocese of Birmingham has been without a bishop for some time, as the Bishop Foley has retired. Now it has wonderfully orthodox Bishop Baker and I know that Mother Angelica is happy. The bishop of Birmingham determines a lot on EWTN. In particular, he determines how the Mass is televised to the millions of EWTN viewers around the world. Bishop Baker has always been friendly to EWTN.
Baker, a native of Ohio, has close ties to EWTN. He recently was co-author of the book, "When Did We See You, Lord?" with EWTN personality the Rev. Benedict J. Groeschel.

The Catholic Carnival is Up

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

There is a very special grace attached to Mary’s House at Ephesus, the place of the Assumption. Her Assumption gives us a glimpse of the Heaven we long for. The Assumption is about hope.

Read the entire meditation on the Feast of the Assumption at Sr Marie de Mandat-Grancey.


Learn a traditional Marian hymn with the MIDI index: Who is She Who Ascends So High?

Feast of St. Maximilian Kolbe

Jean over at Catholic Fire has a great post on St. Maximilian Kolbe and the pro-life movement. She ends her post with these quotes from a man who was ahead of his time in his use of the media to spread the Gospel, making him the patron saint of journalists. I think he should also be the patron saint of bloggers.

Here are some of his pro-life quotes which have spoken to my heart:

"No one in the world can change Truth. What we can do and should do is to seek truth and to serve it when we have found it. The real conflict is the inner conflict. Beyond armies of occupation and the hecatombs of extermination camps, there are two irreconcilable enemies in the depth of every soul: good and evil, sin and love. And what use are the victories on the battlefield if we ourselves are defeated in our innermost personal selves?"

"The most deadly poison of our times is indifference. And this happens, although the praise of God should know no limits. Let us strive, therefore, to praise Him to the greatest extent of our powers."

Why am I Catholic?

This video was just shown on Life on the Rock this week, so I thought I'd post it again.

How to keep the Culture of Death from taking over

Just as the parents of children with Down syndrome are coming together to protest the 90% abortion rate of such children, and advocate for pre-natal education, they find themselves in company with people they might never have imagined; Evangelical, Mormon, and Catholic pro-lifers. This alliance is gaining momentum and gaining notice from the forces of death. The New York Times had an online video about this phenomenon.

Whenever divergent groups of people support the same cause, their coalition grows stronger, sometimes with amazing results. Disability advocates have joined with pro-life Catholics in California to defeat assisted suicide legislation. Their opponents are taking notice.

The biggest admission of the role the disabled community played came from Assemblyman Lloyd Levine, a Democrat who was one of the main co-sponsors of the bill.
He told the newspaper "we really had two main groups working against us: the Catholic Church and the disability rights folks."
That combination of more liberal disabled activists and more conservative pro-life advocates is a powerful team that has stopped assisted suicide not only in California but in Hawaii, Vermont, Michigan, and Maine as well.
"What has happened in each of these states," Golden said, "is that a cross-constituency has come together that spans left, right and center."
To keep euthanasia at bay, that coalition needs to continue.
LifeNews

Something was different about this man

Allright, I'm incriminating myself. My focus, while on the communion line this morning, should not have been the beauty of seeing a little girl in a lovely, modest dress, holding her dad's hand as he carried the baby up the aisle. And the way her father walked, as if he were about to meet Almighty God Himself. I couldn't help but marvel at the sight. It inspired my own piety.

Perhaps I can switch the blame to our fellow parishoners whose behavior made this man stand out by his reverent demeanor. Or maybe that uncanny knack we underground Catholics (you know, the type who looked forward to the Motu Proprio, know a few Latin hymns, and actually bow during the Credo) have of finding one another. Seeing a truly reverent person is like drawing the icythus sign in the sand for the Early Christians under Roman Persecution. We wouldn't want the liberal organist or the DRE to find us together; they'd fear a conservative takeover, and our careers volunteering in the Church would be finished.

Like last fall, in the training class for DRE's, when I was foolish enough to express affection for the Baltimore Catechism. I wasn't thrown out of class, exactly, just asked NEVER to speak again. So much for 'dialogue' and 'sharing'. No, we Summorum Pontificum types must remain incognito until the Extraordinary Rite has worked it's transforming power over the average Catholic parish. It's been forty years in the desert, and now the tide is turning, so what's another, say ten years?
So, naturally, I didn't dare associate with this man until he approached me after Mass, and extended his hand saying, "are you Leticia, I'm Patrick Archbold, nice to finally meet you!"

I wasn't a bit surprised, in fact I suspected as much since Communion.

These nuns are the hope of the Church in America!

I have been emailing convents today, asking for intercessory prayers for the success of our application for the Mater Angelica Catholic Radio Station application to be submitted October 13, 2007. I found this link and was emailing all the convents on the list with my prayer intention, and was tremendously encouraged by the hundreds of young, smiling faces peeking out from behind their traditional habits.
The Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious is the umbrella organization for 10% of all professed nuns. These are the traditional nuns. They have 90% of all the vocations in the USA, according to a lecture I attended from Dr. Brian Clowes of Human Life International.
Is anyone surprised here?

Collage from the Domincan Sisters of St. Cecelia, also known as the Nashville Dominicans

Will the GOP get the hint?

Results of Iowa Straw Polland are they Pro-life?

Romney 32% Depends on where he's running, and who's asking.

Huckabee 18% All the way

Brownback 15% Ditto

Tancredo 14% Ditto

Paul 9% Ditto

Question; where did all these guys under Romney come from?
Didn't they listen to Hannity et al who asked them to step out of Rudy's way?
Where WAS Rudy? Or McCain? Or Fred Thompson? Shh. . .you can hear crickets. . .
Why didn't they participate?

Are the good people of Iowa trying to tell the GOP something?
Please listen before we have to sing "Hail to the Chief" to the Wicked Witch of the White House!
At least Life Site has an intelligent take on the results of this poll.

Announcing the First Ever Down Syndrome Blog Carnival

This carnival at my other blog, Cause of Our Joy, is why I haven't been posting lately. I have emailed dozens of blogging parents of children with Down syndrome to invite them to participate in the carnival, and, as a result, seen so many beautiful examples of life with our lovely children. So many adorable photos, so many inspiring stories of bravery in the midst of medical problems, and heartbreaking setbacks. So many thrillling accomplishments, and happy family moments.

So many noble parents giving completely of themselves, far and above what they felt capable of BEFORE Down syndrome changed their lives forever. I can say now, with greater assurance than ever; thank God for children with Down syndrome.

Why take my word for it? Go and visit, then link to us!

My Review of Becoming Jane was picked up by Reuters

Did you know I write for Reuters News Service?

Niether did I until I noticed this link in my sitemeter to my review of the film Becoming Jane.

I was rushing to the theatre in East Hampton yesterday in traffic, struggling with the strict parking regulations, and ultimately missing half the movie and having to wait until the next show. The air was stifling, the wait exhausting, as my mom and I ducked into one air-conditioned store after another, and I began to wonder if it was worth the effort. I would earn a link from the blog tour at MotherTalk by watching and reviewing this film before it's wide release on Friday. I knew that the link from MotherTalk would be a valuable reward, as bloggers are always looking for exposure, but Reuters! That far surpassed even my expectations!

Wouldn't Jane be pleased!

The Future Depends on Love Tour

From August 3-11, 2007, seven to twelve CFR Friars of The Community of the Franciscans Friars of the Renewal will walk from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C . The friars will walk between six and thirteen miles per day. Our routes would include highly visible areas through cities, suburbs, poor neighborhoods, and rural settings, with stops at some religious and historic sites along the way. On days when the brothers are walking fewer miles, they will stop to pray at abortion clinics, to evangelize, to serve the poor in some capacity, and to help raise awareness or funds for various family-marriage-life organizations with the local associations on the route. Our hope is to arrange a different speaker to speak about a particular family-marriage-life issue each night.

In addition, we plan to work with several youth groups, Pro-Life groups, college students, and young adults. As the pilgrimage proceeds from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C., these groups and individuals, we will evangelize people and engage their peers in the surrounding cities and towns by holding events about family-marriage-life matters, with particular focus upon purity, chastity, Theology of the Body, and community service. These groups and individuals will also inform people about the various speakers and locations of the walking preaching Tour.

Our purpose is to evangelize Americans about the Catholic mission to build a "Civilization of Love" through "The Culture of Life," at the heart of which are the following issues: the sanctity of the family, marriage, human life, corporal and spiritual works of mercy. We believe that spreading the Catholic principles of purity, chastity and Pope John Paul II's Theology of the Body, through corporal and spiritual works of mercy are a critical part of restoring the dignity of the human person in the consciousness of our culture. This task is vital to our ultimate goal which is to lead others to participate in the Church's mission to save as many lives and souls as possible.

Click on these linkd to learn more, and certainly lift up this pilgrimage in prayer and fasting.
General Description
Novena Prayer for Solidarity August 3-11, 2007
Some Ways Young People Can Participate
Talks That Will Be Given On The Tour
Walk Route and Daily Itinerary
Pope John Paul II Quotes from WYD Denver 1993
Evangelium Vitae
Possible Ways to Financially Assist the Tour
Links To Our Friends Websites
Contact Us

Prayer for Renewal of Consecration of The United States to the Blessed Virgin Mary:

Most Holy Trinity: Our Father in Heaven, who chose Mary as the fairest of your daughters; Holy Spirit, who chose Mary as Your spouse; God the Son, who chose Mary as Your Mother; in union with Mary, we adore your majesty and acknowledge Your supreme, eternal dominion and authority.

Most Holy Trinity, we put the United States of America into the hands of Mary Immaculate in order that she may present the country to you. Through her we wish to thank you for the great resources of this land and for the freedom, which has been its heritage. Through the intercession of Mary, have mercy on the Catholic Church in America. Grant us peace. Have mercy on our president and on all the officers of our government. Grant us a fruitful economy born of justice and charity. Have mercy on capital and industry and labor. Protect the family life of the nation. Guard the precious gift of many religious vocations. Through the intercession of our Mother, have mercy on the sick, the poor, the tempted, sinners—on all who are in need.

Mary, Immaculate Virgin, Our Mother, Patroness of our land, we praise you and honor you and give our country and ourselves to your Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart. O’ Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary pierced by the sword of sorrow prophesized by Simeon save us from degeneration, disaster and war. Protect us from all harm. O’ Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, you who bore the sufferings of your Son in the depths of your heart be our Advocate. Pray for us, that acting always according to your will and the Will of your Divine Son, we may live and die pleasing to God.

Amen

A Saint by Any Other Name

I grew up in the sixties, when, if you were Catholic, you named your children after a saint. Period. There was plenty of variety, you could go for a popular saint like John or Mary, or go a bit ethnic with Stanislaus, or Brigid. For my parents I was between Angela or Brigid, each catering toward their own particular ethnic tradition. They compromised, and found Leticia in a "What to Name Your Catholic Baby Book", which is actually Spanish, and a name for the Blessed Mother, Causa Nostrae Laetitiae, which means Cause of Our Joy(are you seeing a pattern here?), a title of the Blessed Virgin in the Litany of the Virgin..You could get brownie points and use a family name, like my friend who has chosen her grandmother's name, Concetta, and placed it within her daughter's array of names, in Italian tradition, Maria Teresa Concetta.
In the case of boys, you could get a tradition going, with, say, John Junior, or carry on an established tradition with Peter the third. You could name a boy after the Holy Father, like so many John Pauls I know.You could get fancy, and look up a rarely heard version a tried-and-true name like Elizabeth, choosing instead, Sabeth, Isabella(as I did for my second daughter), or Liza. You could marry a couple of common names and come up with Marybeth, Bethanne, Anna Maria, or Maria Elena. And, despite his downgrade to questionable origin, there are many Catholic versions of Christopher, like my daughter's Christina. We just like to include a reference to Our Lord's name without seeming presumptuous, and using Jesus.
Some parents went uber-traditional with names like Benedict, Aloysius, Xavier, or Dolores. And of course, there are many formerly ignord, but now popular Biblical names like Joshua and Gabriel. Saint's names give the child a good example to follow, a heavenly patron to pray for them, and a feast day to celebrate.
It always hurts when new parents reject this time-honored tradition and name a child after the latest meaningless trend. Doesn't it bother you when Brittany, the name you thought was oh-so-unique ends up splashed across the papers with the words rehab or divorce associated with it? All right, I admit, this has happened with good saint's names like Monica and Justin, so there's no guarantee, however, there IS hope that, with a saint's name, that the former association of the child's name will outlive the bad publicity.Names, according to a book I once read, DO have an effect on a child's future. Take that nurse who poked her head into my mother's maternity ward room and pronounced, "you'd better change that little baby's name from Leticia, or she'll never forgive you!" Mom, it's been rough at times, enduring misspellings and awful pronunciations and unwanted nicknames, but, as an adult, I love the semi-uniqueness of my name, and wouldn't change it. Girls are supposed to do well with unusual names, according to the book, but boys get teased unmercifully if you have the poor judgement to name them after their great-grandfather Leopold, for instance. My girls love the list of baby names in the Berenstain's Baby Book, with appropriate comments: Egbert (he's your kid. lady!) or Romwauld(wonderful, a little brother for Brunehilde!).Today's Generation Y parents, who have largely disconnected from any religious condition find themselves without spiritual roots to help them name their children, yet they are compelled to find meaning where there is none, and are going to ridiculous extremes to name their children.
One couple hired a pair of consultants to draw up a list of suggestions based on "phonetic elements, popularity and ethnic and linguistic origins."One woman paid a "nameologist" $350 for three half-hour phone calls and a personalized manual describing each name's history and personality traits.Another spent $475 on a numerologist to see if her favorite name had positive associations, whatever the heck that means.Why the obsession over child names? One baby-naming expert says that we live in a market-oriented society. That by giving your kid the right name — the right branding, if you will — he or she will have a head start in life.
If my Gen Y cousins would ask me,and you can be cetain they won't, I would tell them to save the consultant fees, and re-investigate their own religious tradition for guidance. With all the new saints and blesseds our late Pope John Paul II named in his tenure, you have many more choices than I did. I love Gianna, Pio, Jose Maria, or today's saint, Teresa Benedicta. Find your child their own heavenly patron and role model, and they'll turn out well in the end, by the grace of God.
HT Catholic Exchange