Traditional Roman Catholic Thoughts

Traditional Roman Catholic Thoughts

Reintroducing Logic and Reason to the Age of Sentimentalism

Fasting

All of the posts under the "Fasting" category.

The Only Good Thing About the Synod

With all the chaos, destruction, and confusion to come out of the Synod of the Family, there is still one thing which came out of it we can all be grateful for. Even maybe joyful.

It drew a line in the sand. Those who are faithful to Christ and His teachings on one side, and those who detest those teachings on the other.

line in the sand

There was no waffling back and forth. There was no middle ground. It was one or the other.

We know who is on the side of Christ, the Church and tradition. We know who are our enemies.

The time has come for you to gear up for battle.

  • Frequent confession, no longer than once every two weeks.
  • Daily rosary(ies).
  • Adoration
  • Frequent Mass
  • Recite the Liturgy of the Hours
  • Scripture
  • Study
  • Fast
  • Do Penance

No more excuse making. The time to act is now. Never in the history of the Church has it been made more clear than now. The Church needs you to stand tall and defend her. Will you do that?

Jeff October 22, 2014 2 Comments Permalink

Friday Abstinence and the Fourth of July

For all of you who are in the United States, this Friday, July 4th is the day that we celebrate our independence.

Many of us will be grilling, drinking, and lighting off those oh so much fun fireworks. Nothing says freedom more than blowing something up.

Fireworks

But, this year, the Fourth of July falls on a Friday. And seeing as Fridays are days of abstinence, the question arises: Am I allowed to eat meat this Friday, seeing as its a national holiday, and an important one at that.

Father Z wrote up a fairly lengthy post on the subject here. To summarize though, it appears that:

1. It is up to the bishop of your diocese to decide whether there will be a dispensation from the obligatory penance in his diocese.

2. The USCCB has determined that the faithful can decide what sort of penance they would like to substitute on Fridays. You are permitted to give up any other food or item you feel would work, or can add an extra rosary or some form of additional prayer.

You will want to check with your diocesan bishop to see if he has relaxed the need for penance. If not, I would abstain from meat if you can. Just think how much tougher it will be. Penance is not supposed to be easy. The harder your penance is, the more grace you obtain.

e26d4-nomeat

If you feel the desire to give up something else, that is up to you, but, try to keep with Catholic tradition and identity by giving up meat.

Have a blessed Fourth of July.

Jeff July 1, 2014 3 Comments Permalink

Friday Penance and Catholic Identity

About a year ago, the USCCB issued a statement that would help American Catholics to rediscover their Catholic identity in the public square.

It has been a year since this has been issued and I have heard that it has been renewed for 2014. Regardless, this is something that even if it isn’t renewed, we should be practicing.

Our Catholic identity is an important aspect of our faith. If we proclaim to believe something, we should practice that. Here are 5 items that the USCCB would like for us as Catholics to rekindle.

A Friday in Lent
  1. Starting with the Sunday after Christmas (Feast of the Holy Family) and continuing on or near the last Sunday of every month through Christ the King Sunday, November 2013, cathedrals and parishes are encouraged to hold a Eucharistic Holy Hour for Life, Marriage, and Religious Liberty.
  2. Families and individuals are encouraged to pray a daily Rosary, especially for the preservation of Life, Marriage, and Religious Liberty in the nation.
  3. At Sunday and daily Masses, it is encouraged that the Prayers of the Faithful include specific intentions for respect for all human life from conception to natural death, the strengthening of marriage and family life, and the preservation of religious liberty at all levels of government, both at home and abroad.
  4. Abstinence from meat and fasting on Fridays are encouraged for the intention of the protection of Life, Marriage, and Religious Liberty, recognizing the importance of spiritual and bodily sacrifice in the life of the Church.
  5. The celebration of a second Fortnight for Freedom at the end of June and the beginning of July 2013 is being planned. This Fortnight would emphasize faith and marriage in a particular way in the face of the potential Supreme Court rulings during this time. The Fortnight would also emphasize the need for conscience protection in light of the August 1, 2013 deadline for religious organizations to comply with the HHS mandate, as well as religious freedom concerns in other areas, such as immigration, adoption, and humanitarian services.

As Catholics, we truly believe in the physical presence of Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. We should spend time in Adoration with Him. The Rosary is a powerful prayer against evil. It also comes with 15 Graces as promised by Our Mother. And most importantly, we should abstain from meat and fast on Fridays. This was never outdone by Vatican 2. We were just given the option of what we wanted to abstain from.

It would be nice if the USCCB would make this mandatory as opposed to encouraged, but, I digress…

If you’ve already had meat today, give up something else, and start again next Friday.

Jeff December 13, 2013 1 Comment Permalink

Pope Francis Calls For Fasting, Prayer For Syria

I just thought I’d bring this to everyone’s attention, in case you haven’t seen it already.

Fast For Syria

This isn’t an obligatory day of fast like we would have on Ash Wednesday or Good Friday. We are not bound by Church law to do so. However, regardless, as the Holy Father has asked, I would encourage you to fast and pray for the situation in Syria. Prayer and fasting can help.

Let’s unite ourselves as the Church, along with people of other faiths who are interested in joining in, for this cause.

Jeff September 5, 2013 Leave A Comment Permalink

Fortnight For Freedom 2013

The USCCB has asked all American Catholics to celebrate the Fortnight for Freedom beginning today, June 21 and going through July 4.

The Fortnight for Freedom asks us all to pray and fast for religious freedom. This was started last year in response to that awful HHS Mandate forcing all religious employers to violate their consciences in regards to contraception. Ironically, those in favor of on-demand contraception will tell you to stay out of their lives in the bedroom, but will then immediately demand that you give them free contraception…
Regardless, there are many things on the USCCB’s website for what you can do. They even have a page that lists off various activities going on within your diocese.
God can do much for us in prayer, we just have to ask for it. My suggestions would be to make a daily sacrifice (fast) from something you enjoy. Whether it be a food, beverage, activity or anything that you enjoy. Sacrifices are good. I’d also encourage prayer for conversions, Adoration Hours, Daily Mass intentions, Rosaries, Divine Mercy Chaplets, really, the list goes on and on, but do something.
As families gather around the dinner table and talk about what’s going on. Inform your children about the dangers this would lead to. If you can as a family go to activities that your diocese or parish is doing, go. The Catholic Church is in trouble in America, as evidenced by everything our President has done, said or implied.
Catholic martyrdom is coming in America, and really, is already here in some forms. Pray that we don’t have to undergo this test, pray for conversions of those threatening us, and most importantly, pray that you have the strength and grace needed if you are to be martyred.
Remember, those who are martyred are granted straight entrance into Heaven.

Jeff June 21, 2013 Leave A Comment Permalink

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