Thought for the Day / Yeats' Famous Poem

“The Democratic Party — like the EU’s warmonger parties — has nothing left but violence against anything that looks like nationalism and traditional values.”

James Howard Kunstler

From recent article “The Widening Gyre”

Literate and consummate writer James Howard Kunstler evokes William Butler Yeats great poem “The Second Coming” in his most recent article about the emerging chaos of geopolitics. Here’s the poem…

Turning and turning in the widening gyre

The falcon cannot hear the falconer

Things fall apart, the centre cannot hold

Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world

The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere

The ceremony of innocence is drowned

The best lack all conviction, while the worst

Are full of passionate intensity

Surely some revelation is at hand

Surely the Second Coming is at hand

The Second Coming! Hardly are those words out

When a vast image out of Spiritus Mundi

Troubles my sight, somewhere in sands of the desert

A shape with lion body and the head of a man

A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun

Is moving its slow thighs, while all about it

Reel shadows of the indignant desert birds

The darkness drops again, but now I know

That twenty centuries of stony sleep

Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle

And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,

Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?

William Butler Yeats

The Second Coming

Another Take on Trad Persecution (you've probably never heard)

When considering negative occurrences in the Church, and there have been many, needless to say…we must ask ourselves, “Why is God allowing this? He said the gates of Hell would not prevail against His Church. He said He would not leave us orphans.” So we must believe Him. He must have a plan. We may never know the plan, but it can’t hurt to ask for understanding. And we know Satan always defeats himself in the end. His “greatest” moment, the Crucifixion of Our Lord, was also his greatest undoing.

Could it be that the persecution of the Tridentine Mass will actually become a protection? We might envision a world in which the Church is attacked by the state. Churches locked down (sound familiar?), property confiscated, maybe worse…as Don McLean prophesied, “The church bells all were broken.” If the traditionalists are already sent away and quarantined in our own little ghettos (as Taylor Marshall likes to say), this may serve as a protection. The government won’t be looking for the crappy once-Protestant chapel, in the middle of nowhere. They will go after what is most visible. They will attack our most prominent symbols of power and influence. They will wrench the Holy Eucharist from the hands of the unworthy (this is not to say all who attend the Novus Ordo are unworthy, many are very holy and I attend it myself at times, but it ought to be common knowledge that there is a great crisis of faith and knowledge among many Catholics, who receive Our Lord less than properly disposed). The wheat and grape crops will probably die from famine or direct intervention in this world of chastisement. The state doesn’t always know the true purpose of what it’s doing, but the Devil does. He never forgets his true enemy.

Those self-sufficient rural Catholic communities may wind up being preserved and untouched. God needs His Church to continue…a smaller, but holier Church. Would He do any less than protect His own most faithful?

So yes, let’s fight for what is right and just. But if it doesn’t go our way, we must trust in God, His Providence, Omniscience and Omnipotence. Trust and humbly accept our sufferings, if we must, until that day of triumph!

“In the end, My Immaculate Heart will triumph.”

Our Lady of Fatima

Update

For the first time in the 16 years I have been doing this work, someone has finally asked me to give a talk. I have my first presentation tonight at Saint Matthew’s in Dix Hills, NY. This thought just entered my mind and I wanted to share it…

Show up for life and life will show up for you

I am now available to speak, for now only on Long Island, since I’m very busy this year with a lot of travel.

Easter Friday, Major Rogation Day / Dom Prosper Gueranger

Tomorrow, Easter Friday is a solemnity, as is every day in the Octave of Easter. Therefore, there is no Friday penance required.

However, the Major Rogation Day (or Greater Litanies) of April 25th still stands in the trad calendar, which typically IS a day of penance. Saint Mark’s feast is not celebrated.  So, how do we deal with the conundrum of a joyful Easter Week solemnity, in addition to a day of penance? 

Just so happens, I found the perfect answer to this question at Catholic Culture.  They gave an excerpt from Dom Prosper Gueranger’s The Liturgical Year, a 15-volume work written in the 19th century.  Here’s an excerpt of the excerpt…

“We gather from an expression of St. Gregory the Great that it was an ancient custom in the Roman Church to celebrate, once each year, a Greater Litany, at which all the clergy and people assisted. This holy Pontiff chose April 25 as the fixed day for this procession…The question naturally presents itself—why did St. Gregory choose April 25 for a procession and Station in which everything reminds us of compunction and penance, and which would seem so out of keeping with the joyous season of Easter?  [He explains the history of all this, see Catholic Culture link above for full piece]…

But there was a striking contrast resulting from this institution, of which the holy Pontiff was fully aware, but which he could not avoid: it was the contrast between the joys of Paschal Time and the penitential sentiments wherewith the faithful should assist at the procession and Station of the Great Litany. Laden as we are with the manifold graces of this holy season, and elated with our Paschal joys, we must sober our gladness by reflecting on the motives which led the Church to cast this hour of shadow over our Easter sunshine…”

It seems that Holy Church in her wisdom gives us the occasional reminder, when this date is within the Octave of Easter, that we are not to get too caught up in festivities.  Even after the long, penitential Lent, we must remain vigilant in this brief life, when our actions will determine our eternal fate.  This is what I glean from Gueranger’s analysis.  Read his words and see what you think.

Gueranger goes on to say that on this day, in Italy and France, there was abstinence from meat.  In France, it was also deemed a day of rest.  The Litany of the Saints would be prayed as well, through the centuries.  There was however, no fasting. 

So the answer seems to be:  Yes, be joyful, but give yourself a reminder of the Lent you just experienced.  Do not run to the opposite extreme and forget Our Blessed Lord on the Cross.  Do not abandon him, as did so many others.

So who was this intriguing Dom Gueranger, who wrote so eloquently?  Adoremus has an article written by Joseph O’Brien, a Catholic homesteader in Wisconsin (he’s quite the writer himself) on the book by Dom Guy Marie Oury:  Dom Gueranger: A Monk at the Heart of the Church.  Here’s a portion…

“Dom Guy Marie Oury’s [book]…is an important book, if only because it offers our dying culture a road map to recovery…It should come as a surprise to no one that our culture—and Western Civilization as a whole—is dying. I say this not as a matter of pessimism. Nor am I discounting divine intervention. But there are symptoms enough to show that our culture is very much like the ‘patient etherized upon a table’ in T.S. Eliot’s ‘The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock’…

The answer is right before our eyes—and present to our other senses as well—in the sacred liturgy [he follows with facts about the life and times of Gueranger]…

Dom Gueranger: A Monk at the Heart of the Church provides a fully drawn…portrait of the man who had almost singlehandedly renewed the liturgy as the cultural heart of the Church. It also provides a living example of how Catholics can save civilization, one celebration of the Holy Mass at a time.”

Isn’t it wonderful to revive these traditions that connect us, like a golden thread, with the Body of Christ, the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth, through the ages?

  “I have no doubt that one day Catholicism will return to its place in this world, to which it alone holds the secret.”

Dom Prosper Gueranger

Divine Mercy Sunday ~ Plenary Indulgence

From the FSSP Liturgical Ordo:

“April 27, 2025, Divine Mercy Sunday: A plenary indulgence is granted to those who take part in the prayers and devotions held in honor of Divine Mercy, or who, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament exposed or in the tabernacle, recite one Our Father and the Creed, adding a devout prayer to the merciful Lord Jesus. Those who for a just cause cannot get to church can gain the same indulgence by reciting one Our Father, the Creed, and a devout prayer to the merciful Lord Jesus before an image of the Divine Mercy.”

Note: The usual conditions for plenary indulgence (see link above) also apply. See if your parish is celebrating Divine Mercy Sunday with special devotions and use that opportunity to obtain the indulgence. Let your pastor know you appreciate this.

saint faustina, pray for us!

jesus, i trust in thee!

Happy Saint Patrick's Day / Thoughts for the Day

SAINT PATRICK, PRAY FOR US!

From today’s trad Mass:

O God, Who didst deign to send blessed Patrick, Thy confessor and bishop, to preach Thy glory to the nations, grant, through his merits and intercession, that those commands which Thou dost set before us we may by Thy mercy be able to fulfill.

Grant, we beseech Thee, O Almighty God, that, giving thanks for the favors we have received, we may, by the intercession of blessed Patrick, Thy confessor and bishop, obtain blessings still greater. Amen.

~ ~ ~

I belong here because I am here.

~ ~ ~

When you look beyond the horizon, the obstructions collapse.

~ ~ ~

Envy is the inability to receive another person’s gifts, which were meant for you.

~ ~ ~

The mystic surrenders his life to the Mystery.

The thoughts shared here which are not in quotes, are recent meditations of mine which I have crystallized into simple ideas. All writing on this site is by CF Mathews, unless otherwise noted.

California Fires: Don't Forget

“Sara and I talked late into the night about the hard truths revealed by the Palisades fires. We now know none of the things we once trusted exist in reality. We are not protected from fire, crime, none of it. Civilization no longer exists under Democrat rule. We are on our own.”

James Woods

James Woods tearfully recalls evacuating in Pacific Palisades fire: 'Like an inferno'

Actor James Woods was interviewed by USA Today in the above article from January 8th, which also includes video. This was the day after he fled from his burning neighborhood in Palisades and his emotions are still intense. The quote above was posted by Woods on X yesterday.

In the interview, Woods recalls his ordeal from a hotel room. He doubted his house was still standing, but it did survive, which he later said was “a miracle.” Woods was responsible for saving the life of an elderly neighbor with dementia.

There is much to learn here, from a preparedness perspective, whether you are facing fire or some other disaster. Woods had enough presence of mind, even while still reeling from this experience, to well articulate the priorities one should have in this situation. He said that your home doesn’t matter as much as the lives of your neighbors. He mentioned the need to keep yourself safe, be smart about evacuating and let the responders do their job unimpeded. He also illustrates a lesson that we can all take to heart: one day you have everything and then it can be all gone.

Often, when faced with extraordinary circumstances, who we really are is revealed. CS Lewis talked about this in Mere Christianity, that there are times, before the mask can be thrown back on, when our true selves are revealed. James Woods showed his compassion in this situation, went through great lengths to find out if his neighbor was in the house, and saved a life (911 was notified, but Woods took it into his own hands, knowing they might not get to him in time).

Woods mentions God a few times in this interview. Perhaps these fires were in some way a blessing in disguise. If conversions occur, that is a great and joyful thing. And we all know Hollywood could use some conversion. Let us continue to pray for those in the aftermath of these fires and also those who are still suffering from the ravages of Hurricane Helene.

Consider what could occur in your own neck of the woods and make a plan to be better prepared. Check out our “Preparedness” topic to the right>>> and also see some useful links on our Home page!

Thoughts for the Day / Anniversary of Roe vs Wade, Day of Penance

[Edited since posting.]

Life is the gift that keeps on giving.

You must know the words to sing the song.

~ ~ ~

2 days after the Presidential Inauguration in the United States, let us remind ourselves of the Scripture below. Do not put your trust in man. There will be peace and justice only insofar as we live the life of sacramental grace, which we receive through our Holy Mother Church, instituted by Christ. We pray for this new Administration and for all of its members to grow toward holiness and the Kingdom of Heaven.

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No man cometh to the Father, but by me.”

John 14:6

We have but one Savior!

(Beware Trump Messianic Syndrome, the opposite of Trump Derangement Syndrome.)

We pray for Los Angeles, for those who have perished in these fires and for those who remain in difficult situations. May the fires soon be extinguished. O Lord, have mercy. Blessed Virgin, pray for us. Saint Joseph, pray for us. All ye heavenly host, pray for us all at this hour.

We also pray for the March for Life, which takes place this Friday in Washington DC. May respect for life from conception to natural death once again reign in our great nation. According to the US bishops, we observe a recommended day of penance today, the anniversary of Roe versus Wade, which joyfully has been overturned….but we never forget the unborn and vulnerable in our midst.

Why the Russia/Ukraine Conflict Matters, What You Haven't Been Told

This is just one of many global issues which are cause for concern right now…not fear, concern…up your preps. The following is courtesy of my forum friend (this guy knows his stuff and he’s technically brilliant) over at Peak Prosperity, “PNW Defector,” slightly edited, with my comments in italics…

• 1 million dead Russians. All I see is grieving mothers.

• 1-1.2 million dead Ukranians. More grieving mothers. A whole generation of boys gone.

• At least 50,000 dead in Ukraine’s invasion of Russia’s Kursk region. Many civilians, including children.

• Daily kamikazee drone attacks against military and civilian infrastructure deep inside of Russian territory. More dead civilians.

  • As far north as St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Oblast (which couldn’t have been launched from Ukraine). Who helped them?

  • Carrying 350 pounds of HE, laden with steel bearings/shrapnel, by Ukraine against targets deep inside of Russia. Brutal.

• The first use of an intermediate range ballistic missile in war. By Russia, and it was a game-changer. See article below.

• Attacks against Russian soil with US, French and UK supplied cruise missiles. It’s already an international war.

• The destruction of 1/3 of Russia’s over-the-horizon early warning radar systems that belong to its core nuclear national defense infrastructure. Russia has been very patient…and no, Russia’s initial attack on Ukraine was not unprovoked. This is all part of the globalists’ attempt to re-create the world so a global government can be installed. Yes, there’s a lot more to this story, I’ve been doing the research for 2 decades. I’m not taking sides, just giving the info.

• United States at DEFCON Alert 3 since July 2022, with several instances that led it to 2 (1 being highest alert). Who’s paying attention?

CNN article from November 22nd, 2024:

Putin says Russia launched a new missile in Ukraine. Here’s what we know…

“In response to the use of American and British long-range weapons, on November 21 of this year the Russian armed forces launched a combined strike on one of the facilities of the Ukrainian defense industry,” Putin said in a televised statement on Thursday…Putin also said that Moscow considers itself entitled to use weapons against military targets belonging to countries that allow their weapons to be used against Russia. He said that Ukrainian Armed Forces attacked targets in Russia’s Bryansk region with six US-made ATACMS missiles on Tuesday and later fired British/French Storm Shadow systems on the Kursk region…The United Nations Secretary General’s spokesperson warned on Thursday that Russia’s use of a new, medium-range ballistic missile is “yet another concerning and worrying development”…This week, both US and British/French-made missiles have been fired into Russia by Ukraine, after US President Joe Biden gave Ukraine permission to use longer-range American missiles across the border….In turn, Putin updated Russia’s nuclear doctrine, with the Kremlin saying the revised military doctrine would in theory lower the bar for first use of nuclear weapons.

Let us continue to pray for peace. Hopefully, we will see a de-escalation of this war in the coming year.

+++ O Mary Conceived Without Sin, Pray for Us Who Have Recourse to Thee! +++

The Ten Warnings Based on the Ten Commandments

I             A people who worship false gods shall be ruled by the godless.

II            A people who take the Holy Name of God in vain shall become nameless.

III           A people who profane the Sabbath Day shall have no rest.

IV           A people who dishonor their elders shall be dishonored by their own children.

V            A people who kill the innocent shall themselves be killed.

VI           A people who dishonor their own bodies shall be subject to all manner of bodily harm.

VII          A people who steal from God and man shall be left with nothing.

VIII        A people who deceive shall be deceived by those more powerful.

IX           A people who covet the things of the flesh shall live in deprivation.

X            A people who covet the things of the world shall become enslaved. 

WANT TO PRINT THIS? HERE’S THE PDF!