“In one way, as a simple movement of the will that inflicts punishment not through passion, but by virtue of a judgment of the reason: and in this case, without a doubt, lack of ire is a sin. This is how Chrysostom understands ire when he says: ‘Ire, when it has a cause, is not ire but judgment. For properly speaking, ire is a movement of passion. And when a man is irate with just cause, his ire does not derive from passion. Rather, it is an act of judgment, not of ire.”
“In another way, ire can be understood as a movement of the sensitive appetite agitated by passion with bodily excitation. This movement is a necessary sequel in man to the previous movement of his will, since the lower appetite naturally follows the movement of the higher appetite unless some obstacle prevents it. Hence the movement of ire in the sensitive appetite cannot be lacking altogether, unless the movement of the will is altogether lacking or weak. Consequently, the lack of the passion of ire is also a vice, as it is the lack of movement in the will to punish according to the judgment of reason.”
(Blessed First Friday. Best to kick start your Lent now, if you’re off to a slow start. -nvp)
Former CDC Director under Trump has been dropping bombshells in interviews since November 2024, and most recently in a very revealing interview by Del Bigtree. Here are just a few of the bombshells from Redfield:
COVID-19 “was engineered” in a lab
Fauci was central to the development of the human-engineered virus, and 20 million deaths.
Patients with long Covid really have mRNA vaccine injury
Covid mRNA “vaccines” contain cancer-causing ingredients, e.g. SV40 and contaminating nucleic acids
The FDA also knows these jabs contain DNA contaminants because they confirmed it in their OWN lab studies at the White Oak Campus in Maryland. The “captured regulatory agency” never tested before, but after scientists around the world found DNA contaminants, FDA was forced to do their own study. What they found was shocking levels of DNA contamination exceeding the regulatory safety limits by 6 to 470 times.
But don’t worry, there’s a “safe and effective vaccine” for this.
The MMR vaccine is neither safe nor effective. Plenty of anecdotal reports have poured in from gaslit parents who say their child’s neurological deficits or regression began in conjunction with the administration of the MMR vaccine. What’s more, the vaccine is ineffective in some people. I am one of them. Before I knew of the use of aborted fetal cell line in the creation of the MMR shot, I readily received a booster dose at age 18 when entering undergrad nursing school. As part of the admission process, I had blood drawn to check for immunity, and I was told I had none. A booster was given. Later, for an employment physical, I had the same issue. Another booster. Another upon entry to grad school. And another after my first pregnancy when I was told I again had no immunity. I’ve had more MMR boosters than I can count until in 2016 I said no more. Knowing what I know now, I recognize this shot is a failure on multiple levels. Not only does it contain dangerous adjuvants with toxic neurologic effects, it does not provide lifelong immunity (natural infection does), and as I said, in some people it fails to provide any immunity.
Yet, there is a now a national narrative attempting to create measles hysteria and drive an anti antivax agenda.
Don’t be fooled. Boost your immunity naturally and keep vitamin A on hand for any infection that does occur.
The real epidemic here is autism and chronic illnesses, especially autoimmune ones. I have a sneaking hunch that ALL the shots are manipulating our immune and endocrine systems in ways we do not understand while Big Pharma laughs all the way to the bank.
Does this seem right to you?
The picture above notes the absurdity of the childhood vaccination schedule and actually isn’t completely accurate since prenatal exposure to maternal flu, COVID, and RSV vaccines is not shown.
If you are worried about measles infection in yourself or your family, consider this paper from the Cochrane Review, which seems to demonstrate that found that vitamin A can reduce mortality from the sequelae of measles infection.
I am by no means suggesting anyone mega-dose on vitamin A in perpetuity. I am suggesting that if you, or a family member become ill, consider having some vitamin A on hand to take a few (two 200,000 IU) doses.
And as always I highly suggest making friends with a farmer near you who raises livestock that are pastured and free from hormones/mRNA/ antibiotics. Maintaining a clean diet will do wonders for the immune system. Pasture-raised pork from hogs who forage in the sunshine is very high in both vitamin D as well as vitamin A. Source your meat carefully and avoid the grocery stuff as much as you can.
May God bless you all on this Feast of the Holy Face. And may you have a spiritually fruitful Lent.
A few years ago, I gave a talk at a conference in Napa Valley for a men’s group. It was a fine event with great guys. Two other priests spoke, Fr. David Jenuwine and Fr. Edward Looney. I was so grateful that I was the last speaker and not the first so that the poster did not read “Zuhlsdorf Jenuwine Looney”. It was the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. The next day a fire swept through Napa. That night, in the hotel near the airport for my next day flight, it hit me. A severe, nearly paralyzing, burning stabbing pain seized my left shoulder and stabs up the side of my skull. It was so bad that all I could do was sit in a chair. Moving was agony. I had some pain killer with me and loaded it up in the morning in order to get home. I don’t know how I did it. That pain stuck with me for a long, except, it moved around. Sometimes lower in my back, sometimes sliding over to the right side. Sometimes worse, sometimes less bad, sometimes so bad I couldn’t raise the chalice at Mass and all I could do was sit in a chair. The pain left, entirely, on the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary exactly one year after it started. I talked to an exorcist friend about it and we compared notes.
Yesterday, Ash Wednesday, my tech started to fight me. I had desktop problems, laptop problems, TV box problems. I was making a podcast and the software I’ve used so many times fought me. The microphone wouldn’t record above a whisper though I adjusted it way up. I worked through these things and got the recording posted. I said Mass in the afternoon, with only a minor audio glitch in the stream at the start. Supper. Then it hit me. The same massive pain over my left scapula and up the side of my skull. During the night it drifted over to the right. I reflected on Paul and the thorn in his side as I asked Mary to put her mantle over me, the angels to defend me and Christ to pour His Precious Blood upon me.
This morning I find that my refrigerator ice maker is not working and that it is not cooling below 40°F.
A connection with the podcasts, maybe? Some other resolve I made? I note that the podcasts for Lent began on Shrove Tuesday, which this year 4 March is the Feast of the Holy Face. Also, recently, with the TMSM society I’m still involved with I obtain new reliquaries and relics for the chapel where the TLM is celebrated. No good deed goes unpunished?
I don’t often get very personal in my posts. Whatever this is, I ask for your prayers. I’d really like this to stop but I’ve offered the pain for my mother’s healing.
And I still don’t understand what’s happening with my amazon affiliate accounts (US and UK). The links seem to work but I am not showing any sales in my stats. This is a deep concern.
(excerpts from Matthew Plese via 1P5, link at the end)
“Lent, founded upon the three pillars of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving is the primary season of penance in the year and must be observed with the greatest strictness for the love of God who instituted this season for our healing. Due to the primordial importance of Lent, over time, the history and customs of observed prayers, fasting and abstinence, and almsgiving have formed a definitive part of annual Catholic life. This Lent, adopt some of these – especially the fasting principles – which our forefathers in the Faith gladly observed.
“Lenten fasting is a cornerstone of Lent and rediscovering true Catholic fasting for Lent is necessary to resurrect Christendom. The Lenten fast began under the Apostles themselves and was practiced in various forms. St. Augustine in the fourth century remarked, “Our fast at any other time is voluntary; but during Lent, we sin if we do not fast.” At the time of St. Gregory the Great at the beginning of the 7th century, the fast was universally established to begin on what we know as Ash Wednesday. While the name “Ash Wednesday” was not given to the day until Pope Urban II in 1099, the day was known as the “Beginning of the Fast.”
“Lent also has a focus on prayer and this thankfully is still seen by the many Catholics who gladly continue to pray the Stations of the Cross each Friday of Lent, which has indulgences attached to them for those who meet the conditions. In addition to this practice, praying the indulged prayer to the Cross each Friday in Lent should be something more Catholics rediscover. Additionally, each day of Lent has a special stational church in Rome. These churches often have a connection to the Traditional Mass readings and prayers of that day – especially for catechumens – and reading about the daily stational churches is a worthwhile practice this Lent. Similarly, we would be remiss if we did not try to attend Holy Mass more often during this sacred season and, even for those days we cannot attend, read the prayers of the Missal since everyday of Lent has a proper Mass…
…
“Almsgiving refers to giving to the poor. By giving to the poor, we make reparation for sins as we see in the poor the person of Christ Himself. Though, while not strictly almsgiving, the giving of our time to visit the sick, the elderly, or those in prison also makes reparation for sin. Our Lord at the End of Times will judge everyone, and He will judge us against the works of mercy. Everyone will be judged against them.
“May the restoration in our own lives this Lent of increased prayer, fasting, and almsgiving be for the glory of God and the glory of Christendom.”
Blessed waning Carnevale (the correct spelling, as it translates as “Meat, goodbye” carne vale). As such, it is a Catholic celebration when properly observed, and it lasts for weeks, not just one day. Alas, most of us no longer really say goodbye to meat/eggs/butter for all of Lent, as used to be required of all the faithful. Being a Keto/no carbs person for over 20 years, I am thankful for that.
Another thing that used to be required was actual fasting. As in, days with zero food. If you have never done it, you really should. It’s not even hard, especially when there are only two days when it is currently required. Examine your conscience; do you really think fasting means three meals a day, as the current discipline suggests?
Zero. Just do it. Once you’ve done it once, you will actually look forward to it. Come back and call me a liar if I’m wrong.
It would be different if it were multiple days or weeks in a row of course, in which case some sustenance would be needed. But for ONE day, come on. Zero calories, folks. Water, coffee, and no-calorie electrolytes are okay. It really is a fine way to start off towards your Lenten goals. Note well, those latter two things DO violate the Eucharistic Fast, which allows only water to be taken.
Speaking of goals, commit to them in writing. Post them on your fridge or some other prominent place. Here are some things that have been going through my head:
Commit to a limited number of things you will practice DAILY. Needless to say, this starts with the Rosary. If you can commit to daily Mass, it is highly recommended. Daily Mass in the TLM is really special during Lent, because each day has its own proper Mass, every single day of Lent. It is like being on a journey. Rosary and Mass, and we are now committed to one hour per day.
Now stop. Before you go further, do NOT attempt to take on the workload of a cloistered religious. You will fail, probably by the end of the week, get really discouraged, and be off to a rotten Lent. Instead, start small, and add things if you are able. Make your list aspirational, for sure, but start out smaller.
What about other structured prayer? Last year I did Benedictus and Divine Intimacy every day. This year I am moving mental prayer up the priority list, putting Adoration first. If you have never sat in quiet conversation with our Lord, or if it has been a long time, maybe try to get back to it. 15 minutes after Mass is a good place to start, but getting the solid hour once a week is where the heavy lifting gets done. The most effective way to do this is attempt to converse for the first 30 minutes, then shut up and listen for the next 30. He speaks in whispers.
Next on my list are books. How big is that stack of books you ordered, but haven’t read yet? It’s embarrassing. Constantly confessing wasting too much time on the internet, yet that stack hasn’t gotten any smaller. I am doing something about that this Lent.
There are still a few hours left, and I still have a few more things I’m mulling. Leave your best ideas in the combox!
Senate Democrats blocked a bill on Monday that sought to prohibit trans-identifying men from competing in women’s sports. The legislation, which required 60 votes to advance, failed in a 51-45 party-line vote. Democrats overwhelmingly favor the notion that men who say they are women really are actual women.
The bill aimed to define Title IX protections based on “reproductive biology and genetics at birth,” which it had been until changes made under the Biden administration. Republicans say the issue as a matter of fairness in women’s athletics, with President Donald Trump signing an executive order last month directing federal agencies to enforce Title IX as it was originally intended when it was added as an amendment to the Civil Rights Act in 1972.
“Around the country we have seen men — biological men who identify as women — take up spaces and medals in athletics meant for actual women,” said Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D. “This is a matter of fairness and equality.”
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson said on Sunday that he wants to pass a “clean” stopgap funding measure to keep federal agencies operating at current spending levels through September and leave proposed cuts for legislation for the next fiscal year.
During a series of television appearances, Johnson dispelled the notion that cuts identified by billionaire Elon Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency, which Democrats vehemently oppose, could be included in a continuing resolution, known as a CR, intended to avert a partial government shutdown when current funding expires on March 14.
“We’re looking to pass a clean CR to freeze funding at current levels to make sure that the government can stay open,” Johnson told NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
“We are working hard to do our responsibility to keep the government open. Democrats have to help negotiate this,” he said.
…Trump understands one thing very clearly: money. They fund all of this at our expense. That’s the one thing we learned very early in the DOGE efforts. I think none of us realized just how pervasive this really was. Even George Soros dipped into the USAID money rather than his own pocketbook for much of the grief he has dealt us. And USAID is only the tip of the iceberg.
Get it through your heads. We have ONE CHANCE to fix this, and it won’t be done by pitching fits about justice and retribution, nor by squashing the DEI brigade, correcting America’s views on immigration, or even de-Zionizing the GOP. All that can come later. We need to cut off their oxygen supply at all other costs as our primary goal. Because if they get back in power, the retribution we saw from 2021-2024 was nothing compared to what they will visit upon us in 2029.
Trump saw their Achilles Tendon, and it is that the Left does not know how to earn an honest buck, plain and simple. They have built up a ridiculously complex system of financial legerdemain in order to hide it from us, but most of it comes right out of our pockets, via Uncle Sam. Get rid of that and Clown World’s circus tent collapses. Focus on that goal. Focus on defunding all of the madness. Then, when that is done, we can start on the long-term goals.
Also remember: we don’t need as much money as they need. This is another truth they are terrified of our discovering. We do not need a $7 trillion/year federal budget. We don’t need it because we are about family and community, not institutions and organizations. This is why another master stroke by Trump would be to end the United States income tax and shutter the Internal Revenue Service. We don’t need even a tenth of the things our hard-earned money and unasked-for debt has gone to. Trump is absolutely correct that tariffs and excise taxes would easily support all legitimate responsibilities of the Federal government, actually returning power to the people…
You really have to watch the first 40 minutes of Zelensky being a total bitch, to understand why the fireworks happened. Apparently he had been acting that way all day, and towards the entire WH staff. Like he owned the place, the way it was under Biden. He wasn’t groveling, he was issuing orders. At one point he starts trying to renegotiate the mineral deal, talking about “security guarantees.” Calling Putin a terrorist and many other things. Clearly not ready or wanting for peace.
In his final visit to America, the bad actor had his “I would like to have seen Montana” moment.
2:00 Trump compliments Zelenskyy 4:00 Zelenskyy calls Putin a terrorist 12:00 Trump cracks joke with Zelensky 13:56 Zelenskyy interrupts Trump 17:20 Zelenskyy throws his hands up in seeming frustration 19:00 reporter asks Zelenskyy why he’s not wearing a suit 19:22 Trump commits to sending arms to Ukraine 19:41 Zelensky raises eyebrows and rolls eyes at Trump’s statement 22:55 Trump takes the edge off of the suit question by joking with Zelensky that he likes his outfit 23:49 Zelensky contradicts Trump and keeps painting Putin in a negative light 24:19 Zelensky says Putin will never accept ceasefire and pushes for American security guarantee 25:55 Zelensky says Putin hates Ukrainians 27:00 Zelensky says Putin should pay all reconstruction costs 29:19 Zelensky shakes head as Trump speaks 32:22 Zelensky says Putin wants to annex Poland 32:30 Zelensky says Putin will attack America 33:00 Zelensky interrupts Trump 39:19 This is when Trump went on the offensive by calling out Zelenskyy hatred for Putin and started to escalate 39:14 Vance says Zelensky has been disrespectful, and conversation continues to escalate 42:40 Apparently calls Vance “suka”, meaning bitch, under his breath.
The USCCB, as a client of USAID, must follow the Administrative Procedures Act in a dispute. Instead some bishops filed a lawsuit. Consequently they lost their client status. In other words, they get no more of our tax dollars to aid and abet their treasonous crimes against the people.
Do NOT be fooled. As much as 74% of Catholic Charities revenues went to salaries and benefits for employees, another percentage to illegals, leaving only a smaller percentage to help poor American citizens.
The corrupt and anti-Catholic USCCB just defunded itself!!
Through their pervert abuse and cover up, and through locking faithful Catholics out of God’s churches, they already lost the financial support of the Faithful.
The State Department canceled a contract with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops on Thursday, likely bringing to a halt a nationwide effort organized by the USCCB to provide resettlement services for refugees to the United States.
In a Feb. 26 letter, U.S. State Department comptroller Joseph Kouba told the USCCB that its financial agreement for refugee resettlement “is immediately terminated as of Feb. 27, 2025,” because the grant “no longer effectuates agency priorities.”
“Effective immediately upon receipt of this Notice of Termination, the Recipient must stop all work on the program and not incur any new costs after the effective date cited above. Payment requests for legitimate costs incurred prior to this notification are allowable.”
The government’s decision came after the USCCB filed Feb. 18 a lawsuit which challenged a federal decision to suspend federal funding for refugee assistance programs administered by various Catholic Charities outlets across the country, with the USCCB distributing funds and serving as coordinator of the programs.
