Consecration to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus

Pope Pius XI instituted the feast of the Kingship of Christ because he desired to make a solemn proclamation of the social dominion of Our Blessed Lord, Jesus Christ over the entire world. He is the King of souls and consciences, of intellects and wills, of families and cities, peoples and nations, indeed over the entire universe. Pius XI, in his Encyclical Quas Primas of 1925, denounced secularism as the direct denial of the Kingship of Christ. Secularism organizes social life without any reference to the existence of God whatsoever, and this attitude leads to widespread apostasy and the ruination of society. The feast was instituted in the Old Rite on the last Sunday of October, near the close of the Liturgical year. With the new Liturgical Calander in 1969, it was placed as the last Sunday before Advent, thus at the very end. It comes at the end to signify that the feast is the crowing glory of all the mysteries of the life of Christ and as an anticipation of the eternal reign He will have over the New Jerusalem.

At my own parish, every year on this feast we reconsecrate ourselves as a Parish, as famlies, and as individuals to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Pope Leo XIII consecrated the world to the Sacred Heart in 1900, and at that time all parishes recited this prayer together. Pope Pius XI prescribed that it should be recited in a modified form annually in all churches on the feast of Christ the King. When recited as a parish, this prayer is extremely powerful. There is no reason why we should not consecrate ourselves to the Sacred Heart, for what can we give him that he would want more? If your own parish does not do this together, you can do it as a family or on your own at your house.

Dearest Jesus, redeemer of mankind, look upon us as in all humility we bow down before they altar (or in the presence). Thine we are, and thine we desire to be; but in order to be more firmly united to thee, each one of us this day freely dedicates himself to they most Sacred Heart.

Many there are who have never known thee; many, too, have made light of thy commandments and forsworn thee.

Have mercy on them all, most gracious Jesus, and draw them to they Sacred Heart. Reign, Lord, as king not only of the faithful who have never left thee, but of the prodigal sons who have forsaken thee; bring them back with all speed to their Father's house, before they perish of misery and hunger.

Reign as king over those who are beguiled by heresy or kept aloof by schism: call them back to the harbor of truth and the unity of faith, so that before long there may be on fold only and one shepherd.

Grant, Lord, to thy Church freedom from fear and immunity from harm; grant to all nations ordered peace; perfect thy work, until the earth rings from pole to pole with a single cry: Praise be to the divine Heart that wrought our salvation; to that Heart be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen

By the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen of Peace, set up Thy kingdom in our parish. Enter closely into the midst of our families and make them Thine own. May the triumphant Heart of Jesus be everywhere loved, blessed and glorified forever! To the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary be honor and glory forever and ever! Amen.

Immaculate Heart of Mary, intercede for us.

Out of the Mouths of Babes

On Bill Cosby's "Himself" he remarks how many people who don't have children and say that they love children because "they are so truthful. They tell the truth and are so genuine." This is partially true, but every child instinctively adjusts to certain times when it seems better for him to tell the truth. No matter whether the kid is a well meaning liar or an honest angel, children have a way of telling truth at the most inopportune moments.

One friend of ours had a very mischievous 3 year old, and realized that she was not in the back playing with the other children. She walked into the house calling "Mackenzie, where are you?" The reply came back: "Not in the kitchen!" "What are you doing in the kitchen?" "Not eating cookies!" came the child's response, and upon walking into the kitchen she espied the imp sitting on the counter surrounded by crumbs and with both hands in the cookie jar, her cherubic face streamed with chocolate.

As we were leaving church one day, a lady arriving for the next Mass passed us on the way in. She was a little Filipino lady, back bowed with age, hair dyed bright orange, and colorful scarves wrapped around her. My little sister grabbed my hand, her eyes wide and face all smiles, and quite loudly said, "Doesn't that lady look like an Oompa Loompa?" I dissolved in embarrassment.

As the years have gone by, even though I'm still quite young, I've developed a bit of paunch. One morning I was lamenting the roundness of my person as I was getting dressed, and bewailing my chubby state when my little sister decided to inform me that I was dead wrong. "You are not fat," said the young one, "and even if you are, you shouldn't worry. Lots of fat girls get married." What could I say? "Thank you dear...that's so...reassuring."

Jobless Wishlist.

I've been out of a job for about 5 months now, and there are a great many things that one cannot acquire if he finds himself lacking funds. I mean, if you don't have a source of income, you can't even go out to dinner or drive to the beach cause you can't fill your gas tank. Therefore, I have been thinking of all the things I want to do/get once I have a job. They would include:

1. Pay off my credit card balance.
2. Buy sun glasses (I get some every summer and then promptly loose them)
3. Tithe (haven't been able to for a while) and light thanksgiving candles. :-)
4. Pay Deborah back the money I owe her. (I was compelled to borrow money in order to pay my rent last year)
5. Buy a car (in order to get to the job)
6. Take my parents out to dinner
7. Buy some formal shoes for church and some nurse shoes
8. Go to Busch Gardens (YAY!!!)
9. Buy some movies and books I've wanted for a while.
10. Get an apartment.
11. Pay my parents back for all my cellphone, rent, and other expenses.
12. Get some celtic cross earrings =)
13. Acquire a white veil to wear to church so I don't always look like I'm taken and/or in mourning.
14. Get a laptop (eventually...not a priority)
15. Buy Irish cream
16. Drink the Irish cream with lovely people.
17. Take my less fortunate friends out to lunch.
18. Pay people back for their gasoline.
19. Getting riding/horsemanship lessons...and eventually a horse. =)
20. Learn to shoot and buy a gun.
21. Get a canoe or a kayak and hit the inter-coastal waterway. (not really...but lots of cool places!)
22. Wedding presents for everyone who decided to get married this year, which seems to be the majority of my friends.
23. Baby presents for everyone having babies, which is the rest of my friends who are already married.

Cardinal Arinze Speaks

A number of Cardinal Arinze's Q&A session answers from an interview in 2008 at Catholic Familyland in Bloomingdale, Ohio are available on Youtube. I have picked a few to post here which I think are pivotal. From the Apostolate for Family Consecration.

Kneeling during Mass, kneelers, and Alter rails



On the Tridentine Latin Mass (Extraordinary Form) and on "creativity" in the Novus Ordo Mass. Priests must follow Holy Mother Church's directions in relation to rubrics and the mode in which the Holy Mass is celebrated.

Prayer of St. Augustine

An excellent meditation for before/during/after Holy Mass...especially if you've trouble with focusing on Our Lord after Holy Communion. I've often puzzled over my inclination to go right back to sinning no matter how many times I have confessed and asked for forgiveness. It is encouraging to see that such a great Saint struggled with similar things but eventually ended in eternal glory.

Before Your eyes, O Lord, we bring our offenses, and we compare them with the stripes we have received.
If we consider the evil we have wrought, what we suffer is little and what we deserve is great.
What we have committed is very grave, wheat we have suffered is very slight.
We feel the punishment of sin, yet withdraw not from the obstinacy of sinning.
Under Your lash our inconstancy is visited, but our sinfulness is not changed.
Our suffering soul is tormented, but our neck is not bent.
Our life groans under sorrow, yet mends not in deed.
If You spare us we correct not our ways: if You punish we cannot endure it.
In time of correction we confess our wrong-doing: after Your visitation we forget that we have wept.
If you stretch forth Your hand we promise amendment; if You withhold the sword we keep not our promise.
If You strike we cry out for mercy: if You spare we again provoke you to strike.
Here we are before You, O Lord, shameless criminals: we know that unless You pardon we shall deservedly perish.
Grant then, almighty Father, without our deserving it, the pardon we ask for; You who made out of nothing those who ask You. Through Christ our Lord. Amen
V. Deal not with us, O Lord, according to our sins.
R. Neither requite us according to our iniquities.
Let us pray.
O God, You are offended by sin and pacified by penance; mercifully regard the prayers of Your suppliant people, and turn away the scourges of Your wrath, which we deserve for our sins. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.