Evils of our Day

Suppression of the Jesuits

svfonline2019-09-01T06:06:23-04:00

By his decree, Dominus ac Redemptor, Clement XIV suppressed the Jesuits in 1773. The sons of St. Ignatius's had done much to stem the protestant revolt, evangelize new lands, and defend the Church. This was one of the Church's lowest moments. It opened the door to great evils ushered by the French Revolution and Communism. Why does God allow such things? So that greater good may come of it. This is an important lesson for us to learn today when we face a very dark time in the Church's life. Good orders and authentic Catholic life is being suppressed, but this [...]

Suppression of the Jesuitssvfonline2019-09-01T06:06:23-04:00

Music Can Establish or Destroy Morality

svfonline2019-08-31T08:54:24-04:00

Music has a profound effect on man as it is a 'language' which speaks directly to the soul. It can be used to bring order to man, refresh the human soul, and glorify God. Yet the devils can also pervert it to bring disorder, arouse the passions, and lead man into much sin and immorality. Studies have shown that music even affects plants and animals! Ancient traditions recount how bad music led the sons of Seth into sin, and we know it played a role in the quintessential idolatry of the golden calf. St. Peter Claver, not unlike Our Lord cleansing [...]

Music Can Establish or Destroy Moralitysvfonline2019-08-31T08:54:24-04:00

Turn to Marys Heart

svfonline2019-08-11T09:04:54-04:00

In the wake of the mass murders in El Paso (and Dayton), many of us ask "Why does God allow such terrible evil to occur?" In response, I encourage you to always keep before you the perspective of eternity and the salvation of souls. Many bewail this great tragedy (rightfully so), but far more should we bewail the loss of so many souls falling into hell. What man should really dread is eternal damnation. Yet God has given us a tremendous grace to help us in any and every danger: the Immaculate Heart of His Mother! He wills that we turn [...]

Turn to Marys Heartsvfonline2019-08-11T09:04:54-04:00

FaceBook OpenBook OpenDoor

svfonline2019-08-11T08:37:16-04:00

We are meant to 'redeem the time' and 'work out our salvation.' St. Alphonsus made a vow never to waste time. Yet wasting time with worldly endeavors and vain entertainment may be the great weakness [sin] of our age. Social Media, epitomized by Facebook, is one of the most popular ways to 'kill the time.' Does it not open doors that lead to much trouble, to the world, the flesh, and the devil? Does it not steal time that ought to be spent on one's duties and lead to the loss of grace and virtue? It easily becomes an openbook that [...]

FaceBook OpenBook OpenDoorsvfonline2019-08-11T08:37:16-04:00

Heaven Intervenes Only As Last Resort

svfonline2019-08-05T08:39:03-04:00

Angels and saints are standing by as a vast army ready to help the Catholic Church assure the victory; why do they delay? Everyone seems to be looking only to this extraordinary Divine intervention. Yet, miraculous aid will only follow after the ordinary has been accomplished and proven insufficient. Using other words, historically, God only works miracles when the normal means have failed. Heaven intervenes when man has done his part! Have we really done our part in making the normal means work? How well do we fulfill the duties of our state in life (consider reviewing them here for Christians, [...]

Heaven Intervenes Only As Last Resortsvfonline2019-08-05T08:39:03-04:00

One True Religion from Adam to Christ

svfonline2019-08-05T06:44:29-04:00

There has only been and always will be only one True Religion that has been proclaimed and practiced by believers throughout history. True Religion, revealed by God, began with Adam and continued through Abraham, Moses, David, and various prophets. This True Religion received its perfection and completion in Jesus Christ. The Roman Canon, which in essence originated with St. Peter and comes from the oldest of the Church's liturgical rites, sublimely proclaims this reality. All other religions, including Judaism as it is practiced today, are false religions. Yet we pray that God will lift the veil from disbelieving Jews, as he [...]

One True Religion from Adam to Christsvfonline2019-08-05T06:44:29-04:00

Catholic or Worldling

svfonline2019-07-30T07:30:07-04:00

The world is opposed to the Church. The world holds that each man should be able to judge what is good and evil for himself, and that government should preserve man's (false) freedom to choose to do evil things (to believe lies, to worship falsely, to poison himself). The worldling does not like conflict, fears appearing judgmental, and only holds his beliefs as a 'personal preference.' He claim to be Christ's disciple but loves the world (and the world loves him). The reality that Catholicism is the only true religion (no other religion is good, true, or saving) is abhorrent to [...]

Catholic or Worldlingsvfonline2019-07-30T07:30:07-04:00

Maturity Full Stature in Christ

svfonline2019-07-22T08:37:32-04:00

Maturity is an essential trait for a servant of God. In a way, that is the purpose for our time on this earth - to mature into the full stature of Christ. Guided by the wisdom St. Paul, who coined this term, let us strive after this maturity (cf. Eph. 4:13-15; 2 Cor 4:7-9). The saints also guide us in this path. We ought to look to St. Anne as we approach her great feast. Why did God make Saints Joachim and Anne wait to receive a child? Apart from the significance of their age and sterility being linked to the [...]

Maturity Full Stature in Christsvfonline2019-07-22T08:37:32-04:00

Feminie Modesty

svfonline2019-07-09T06:36:26-04:00

We live in a time of great immodesty; yet it has not always been this way. Society reveals itself by the fashions it promotes. Modesty is connected to self-control and acts as a guardian for purity. There are objective standards for modesty provided by the Church, and to set our secular time of utter immodesty as any kind of standard is insanity. Women in the past lived far harder lives, raised larger families, on less income, without modern conveniences, and still managed to engage in all their activities in modest attire appropriate to their gender. Women have a duty to dress [...]

Feminie Modestysvfonline2019-07-09T06:36:26-04:00

Humble Procession vs Pride Parade

svfonline2019-07-05T07:27:47-04:00

You can tell a lot about a society by its commemorations, awards and parades. Our society has opted to 'celebrate' perverse pride in the month of June. Our society's public sin, which calls down divine wrath, is far greater than that which existed in Sodom and Gomorrah or at the time of Noah. On the other hand, Holy Mother Church has for centuries dedicated June to the Sacred Heart and the Holy Eucharist. Her parades humbly process Our Eucharistic Lord through public spaces so that every knee may bend before Him. These liturgical processions not only pay Our King due honor, [...]

Humble Procession vs Pride Paradesvfonline2019-07-05T07:27:47-04:00