A Lament for Ireland – And us All

Posted on by charliej373

By Charlie Johnston

(I wrote this little poem after I heard the decision in Ireland. It is not polished – I completed it in an hour. But it is how I felt and what I hope)

A Lament for Ireland

‘Twas the last wall to fall,

As the earth’s axis shifted,

To the Lord of us all,

And our Mother we call,

That our grief soon be lifted,

With new light we be gifted.

 

Alas, it is fallen, great Eire,

Death opens its floodgate,

A tsunami of fire,

The dark hour of the liar,

Love overtaken by hate,

Life consumed by the state.

 

How much longer, Oh Lord,

Must we labor in vain,

Till you send out your sword,

And exhaust this discord,

Babes dying in pain,

Our world gone insane.

 

The satan, he chortles,

With malevolent glee,

Watching from his dark portal,

As we spurn what’s immortal,

Yielding to such wicked surgery,

Become, from our souls, amputees.

 

Let a new story begin!

Call your children to rise,

To be people of God once again.

From your divine art devise,

A great triumph, all things made anew,

All your children, living their part,

Ushering in the great Triumph,

Of the Immaculate Heart.

 

 

243 thoughts on “A Lament for Ireland – And us All”

  3. Charlie, Beckita & all here,
    My heart is breaking and my eyes are tearful, but there is always, always hope.
    Praying and praying for us all.
    Sacred Heart 💜Immaculate Heart 💙 Intercede for us!
    God bless us and hear our prayers,
    Katey in OR
    💕🙏🏼✝️🌹💙

    Liked by 15 people

  4. http://miracle-witness.blogspot.com/2012/06/ireland-earthquakes-and-prophecy.html

    I have just written a long and reasoned piece on the above link that has gone. In short, I am very sad and afraid to say that Ireland may have brought these prophesied disasters on herself. In Webers rare German edition on Garabandal, “Chastisement” can be translated as “day of judgement”. I know this because I paid for a professional translation. So the prophesies in the above link may not refer to the last judgement or the last day. Only God knows that time. Webers book suggests that Chastisement has gone from conditional to certain and also that Conchita will not be alive at the time of Chastisement.

    Liked by 16 people

    1. Thanks for this link, Joe, so sobering and true, haunting and heartbreaking. We shall reap what we have sown, in Ireland and all over the world. We *must* continue with reparation, reparation reparation. As you say, “Only God knows the time.” And I can’t help but acknowledge, as well, “Only God knows the intensity of chastisement needed to bring us back, that is, as many of us as will heed His call in what He is about to do.”

      In prayer, I continue to hear an urgent call to pray for the souls of those who will not make it to the Warning.

      Liked by 13 people

      2. That is why we must implore the Holy Spirit to come quickly. We all need the Holy Spirit to show us the Truth as it has been drowned out and lost!!

        Liked by 7 people

      3. Thank you for your insight for us to pray for those who will not make it until the Warning.This is a very powerful insight.May God Bless you and everyone here at TNRS/SOH.

        Liked by 6 people

    2. Joe, thank you for sharing this link. I must say that I was unaware of these prophesies and feel very sad that this recent pro abortion vote might be the catalyst to bring about the fulfillment of this catastrophe.

      Liked by 12 people

    3. Joe, I thought of that prophesy when I heard the sad news for Ireland. May God have mercy on us ! and bring about the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary! I love that Charlie’s thoughts came in poetry. The Lord has been giving me poetry in my prayer time with Him, just lately.

      Liked by 11 people

      1. Yes I agree, it is very heavy Patrick but Conchita us very clear that, terrible though the Chastisement will be, it will ultimately serve to draw people to God. God’s way is always the best despite how it may feel or appear. Conchita clearly states that our punishment is in proportion to sin and is well deserved. The good and the bad will go through it but the good are still assured of heaven. So Ireland may suffer early but it will indicate that Chastisement is 7 years away if these prophesies are true. Trbulation will come much sooner to all. I still stick to Garabandal where Mary links the overflowing of the cup of God’s anger with the sin of abortion. Ireland may prove to be an early warning system to the rest of the world but who will make the connection in these days of over cautious commentary and pc perspective.

        Liked by 5 people

        1. I always assumed Conchita would be alive for these events (but I’ve made other assumptions about Garabandal that aren’t accurate). I love this apparition a lot and am glad you are a part of this community to continue to give us well-researched insights. It complements Charlie’s message and the other major apparitions’ messages so very well and helps keep me on fire! I see nothing but congruity among them, each a piece of a greater puzzle.

          I fully believe that the Storm/Chastisement/Chaos/Warning and Miracle is intended to bring the whole world back to God. And since we humans are thick-headed and can be slow studies, as stated above, it will likely be a protracted event.

          I’ve recently started to suspect that the Storm to the Rescue in its entirety will be a very lengthy affair, possibly decades. So far, the Storm is already 9 years along. Clearly, it’s just getting started as it hasn’t reached the ferocity of the Chaos yet. There is much that yet needs to be accomplished by the Finger of a God through the work of us, his Sign-of-Hope servants.

          I’m buckling down and preparing myself to remain committed to this mission for the long haul to the best of my abilities.

          And when I say “I”, I mean “we”!

          Liked by 8 people

          1. “APPARITIONS OF GARABANDAL, Francisco Sanchez-Venture y Pascual includes the following note written by Conchita about the Chastisement :

            “The Chastisement is conditional and depends on whether or not mankind heeds the messages of the Blessed Virgin and the Miracle. If it should take place, I know what it will consist of because the Blessed Virgin told me about it, but I am not permitted to say what it is. Moreover, I have seen the Chastisement. I can assure you that if it comes, it will be worse than being enveloped in fire, worse than having fire above and beneath you. I do not know how much time will elapse between the Miracle and the Chastisement.“
            Hi Patrick
            Conchita will be around for the Tribulation, Warning and Great Miracle. She will give us 8 days notice of The Great Miracle. Only in Albrecht Webers book – and only in one edition – are we told that Chastisement is now on. It is still not about the end of the world but only the end of an age. And only in Weber’s book are we told that Conchita will not be alive at the time of Chastisement. As you are doing we can all still prepare ourselves spiritually for whatever lies ahead. This is best done by complying with Mary’s instructions in the messages of Garabandal.

            Liked by 5 people

  5. That is profoundly haunting and hopeful. Charlie, It is so heartening to hear from you on the tails of this horrific turn of events in Ireland/world. With each blow or blessing we/I encounter in society or personally, I feel emboldened and more calm. As wonderful as that may seem, I surely wish it was a tangible gift that I could give away, as in hand over to others.

    I sense these gifts/graces are forming a solid foundation in which I may spring off of when the uprising is in full force. Lord lead us, guide us along the way, I pray. ❤

    Liked by 13 people

    1. “As wonderful as that may seem, I surely wish it was a tangible gift that I could give away, as in hand over to others.”

      It is, jlynnbyrd.

      Liked by 7 people

      1. the phoenix, thank you for that affirmation! Perhaps I lack the creativity Our Holy Father is requesting of us in his intentions for this month. 😉

        Lord give us this day… May I have the courage to take one day, one right step at a time and be creative and charitable as things continue to unfold, as per my confessor, today. ❤

        Liked by 13 people

        1. Well, Jen, I think there is *no* creativity lacking in you. Already, we are blessed in the ways conveyed in the very prayer you offer here. Thank you! 😉

          Liked by 9 people

        2. jlynnbyrd,

          Maybe it’s because you’re so close to your own creativity that you don’t easily see it. Or maybe it means sometimes venturing forth to somewhere besides ASOH, where here we’re essentially preaching to the choir, even when we disagree. Love your prayer!

          Liked by 10 people

        3. JAYLYNNBYRD, thank you for sharing your gifts with the rest of us…you have many gifts and all of us benefit from them. You are doing God’s Holy Will.God Bless you and your family.

          Liked by 5 people

    1. It’s probably better in this rough state than it would be polished. Sometimes poems can be too polished. I like it, and I’m fussy about poems that rhyme. Thus writes an English major who enjoys free verse.

      Liked by 7 people

  8. This quote from Father James Bradley of the UK concerning yesterday’s tragic vote in Ireland legalizing abortion sums up what I’ve long been saying about the powerlessness of “Cultural Catholicism”:

    “Let May 25, 2018 be acknowledged as the final and unequivocal date of the death of “cultural Catholicism.” It doesn’t work, it isn’t faithful, and it won’t sustain. Let’s wake up and take seriously the New Evangelization, not just pay lip service to it as a gimmick.”

    This insight is absolutely, 100% correct. The Church must unabashedly preach Christ crucified and emphasize the overarching importance of having an intimate, personal relationship with Jesus. This necessity of a “personal relationship” with God is not a Protestant concept. Rather, it is consistent with the exhortations of John Paul II, Benedict XVI and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. As the great Cardinal Sarah says, our posture in life must be — “God or nothing”.

    Liked by 24 people

  9. I actually thought pro-life had a chance in Ireland. I was surprised to read the headlines this morning. Then I was surprised that I was surprised. The world has truly been duped. Now what? The faithful will get stronger. The Liar will get angrier. The battle is on. We know that. Acknowledge God, take the Next Right Step and be a Sign Of Hope to others. And read inspiring poetry along the way.

    Liked by 17 people

    2. We all thought so, Kris R, as a result of the intensive door-to-door canvassing that was done by the pro-Life side, something not done by the others, in their arrogance, and the reports that were coming in on the main pro-Life websites of a swing towards “no” in the “undecided” camp (why there should actually be an “undecided camp on such an issue speaks volumes in itself, but we’re not alone in that).

      And then came the actual result.

      Fiat voluntas Tua, Domine. Many, many prayers were offered for success, and we know that no prayer sincerely offered is ever wasted. So in Your own good time, O Lord. Whatever You decree shall happen, I’m good with it.

      And to be getting on with, didn’t someone around here say something or other about taking the next right step? 🙂

      Liked by 4 people

  10. Such evocative poetry, Charlie, encompassing many of the emotions which have churned in my soul with the outcome of this vote. In our own country, we have elected people whose legislation and subsequent appointments to the Supreme Court have brought anti-God laws which actually reflect the minds, hearts and souls of the very people who voted them in. Too many had/have lost a relationship with the Way, the Truth and the Life. So, too, the vote of the majority of the Irish reflects a people who had/have forsaken God and His life-giving commands. It has been corroding greatly in recent years I have learned via discussions with my Irish expatriate friends.

    This referendum, a vote placed in the hands of the ordinary people, reminds me of the chilling moments when the Democrats in the USA, at their convention – I think it was 2012 – voted the word “God” out of their platform. And, now, the majority of the Irish have voted God out.

    The good news to me lies in the opening line of your poem, Charlie: “‘Twas the last wall to fall,” for it seems that everywhere in the world we have hit the bottom. This, to me, further means there is a great mission field for us all, wherever we may be. Praying that each of us grows in humility and fearlessness to ever proclaim Truth, in prayer, words and deeds, step by step, day by day.

    Dear Rachel and All you Saints of Heaven, known and unknown, pray for us. You Holy Innocents throughout time help us, pray for us, to end this madness known as the culture of death, for still:
    “A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”

    I’ve enjoyed posts on FB by Scottish Bishop John Keenan from the Diocese of Paisley who tirelessly works for all manner of life issues. I share just a three comments, posted today, which give interesting perspective in this time of sorrow.

    *Writing from the USA I can say the Irish have been the world champion missionaries of the 19th and 20th centuries. Now you have clarity that your own country is a mission field. I have no doubt that with humble love, prayer, determination, and God’s grace, the Church in Ireland is up to the task, however long it may take!

    *Having had to sit as an editor of an online Irish Catholic news source earlier this year, I witnessed at first hand the power of the media and how it abused its position, distorted or manipulated stories and features, and in the case of RTE, even tried to dictate what guests could take part in debates.

    *I may be sad but I’m not surprised by the results of the referendum. Ireland, like many countries, lost its faith because of the sins of the Church. We all played a part in the disenfranchisements of Ireland from the roots of their faith. We played a part by remaining quiet in the face of abusive clergy (male and female alike.) We played a part when we turned a blind eye. Now we are reaping what WE sowed. Prayer filled, loving actions are the answer. Pointing the finger of blame at the Irish, when we in Scotland and the rest of the UK have granted mote rights to abortion here is hypocrisy.
    We need to get our own house in order. Our house should be filled with love. Love can and will still encourage the pregnant woman to enter the loving fold and make a decision based on love rather than fear of judgment. The referendum result makes no difference to what women were already doing with their bodies. Now they will be able to do it in Ireland rather than scurry over to the UK or elsewhere. As I intimated previously, we are hypocritical in our approach and through hypocrisy we have given Satan room to manoeuvre.

    Liked by 20 people

    2. “‘Twas the last wall to fall,”

      “And I sought for a man among them who should BUILD UP the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found none. Therefore I have poured out my indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath; their way have I requited upon their heads, says the Lord God.” (Ez. 22:30-31, emphasis added)

      Here God is asking for one man to plead for a nation. Imagine what many could do if they would make reparation on behalf this nation, pleading in intercession and, in effect, standing in the breach before God. Intercessory reparation is our joining to the prayer of Jesus, the Intercessor and Mediator with God, who is standing in the breach.

      Liked by 9 people

    3. If Chastisement comes to Ireland for the killing that has gained support then the death of those brave souls who fought for life, will be the death of martyrdom. “How sweet would be our children’s fate if they like them could die for thee.” Our Lady of Mount Carmel in her message at Garabandal gave absolute priority to living a good life before all devout show of faith. Rather than rough, I found your poem real, Charlie. It reached me in a way that prose could not. It is a tribute to the Irish and her dead, a banner and a rallying call, leading the charge into The Triumph of The Love of Mary and Jesus. When we see the whites of their eyes let us look beyond that trap with hearts burning and fix our gaze on the flame of love, stradfast in our resolve and steady on our feet to the end. I am not very brave in the face of danger or threat of pain if I have time to think about it. I hope and pray that I won’t fold but follow Christ to the end.

      Liked by 10 people

  11. Charlie and all TNRS…all day Friday, I was so overcome with such a sad sad soul. I cried at communion, and just felt like crying all day long… it was horrible! I bet all of you felt it too.

    I think all heaven is shedding tears for our sad sad world gone upside down. I saw a post on fb that was pretty appra po… St. Patrick kicked the snakes out of Ireland, but they came back once again! ;-(

    Liked by 13 people

    1. I was hopeful Linda. I do not have fb anymore and advocate online via Twitter. Yesterday, I was suspended from the platform for tweeting about saving the 8th. I had a sinking feeling then that this repeal must come as the *firecracker under the seat of our pants* as my dear mother used to say, to spark the action(s) we have been long lacking.

      ❤

      Liked by 9 people

      1. I think Patricia Heaton was one of the few celebrities to publicly tweet her pro life position about Ireland.
        A soul piercing poem, Charlie. Looking through the media photos of the Irish ‘rejoicing’ over the repeal, it provoked a sorrowful gut punch feeling that they exhibited such a gleeful countenance.
        Lord, forgive them, (and us), but how can they not know what…

        Liked by 7 people

        1. I was so saddened to see the rejoicing in the land where my ancestors came from…was always so proud of her strong Catholic Faith. I cannot believe what happened to Ireland!

          Liked by 5 people

        2. Beckita, I sent an email to the contact listed in the menu b/c my image didn’t appear with my comment; when you have time, could you see if you have better luck? thanks in advance. If not, no worries.

          If Dr. Bernard Nathanson, who performed/oversaw some 60,000 abortions can have a conversion, we should not give up hope for Ireland. One article opined it was partially due to the persistence of a Opus Dei priest.

          Liked by 4 people

          1. I have inserted your poignant image in your precious comment and I’m clearing this comment too, Marie, so that your closing paragraph is shown, for it is another truth, a beacon of hope in the current darkness.

            Liked by 3 people

    2. That happened to me also, Linda. I didn’t understand why I felt tears at Mass; then Monday morning I saw the news. (We were out of town and out of touch with most news; nice in a way.) I hope St. Patrick will once again help this poor misled country. When I was a child, we had Irish priests all over the U.S. I fondly remember Monsignor Nolan from my grade school. Mother Mary, may we have your Triumph now!!

      Liked by 4 people

  12. I am disgusted by the overwhelming vote in favor of abortion. But what can we expect given that we have priests and Bishops who give Holy Communion to pro-abortion politicians. Couple that with a Pope who is all about accompanying homosexuals and adulterors but never a peep about go and sin no more.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Manny, I understand the anger and frustration. I know there are many who wish Pope Francis would clearly reaffirm Magisterial teaching in regards to marriage problems today. Still, I think it is unjust to criticize Pope Francis in this way. In my own observations, just as the Lord ate with sinners, Pope Francis accompanies sinners as an example to all that we are to reach out to them – really, sinner to sinner – whenever possible, that those far from the Lord may know His Love and Truth and, then, make a return to Him in repentance. As I continue to read Pope Francis’ homilies and exhortations, I hear many Church teachings expressed in inspirational ways. And this picture reveals he lives a life of publicly acknowledging that he is not without sin.

      Liked by 12 people

      1. I see Pope Francis, even more involved than the father in the prodigal son story..he is not just waiting and praying, he is going out to meet the lost and trying to bring them in, through God’s Mercy, so that they too will be rescued from evil. I am reminded when I look at the Divine Mercy Image that Jesus is stepping out, like Pope Francis , with a blessing. I believe the Pope knows a great Storm is coming, so like a good father he is out calling all his children into the house/church, where they may hear the Word of God proclaimed and be converted. They may even feel love from those who feel converted. If they stay outside they will surely perish, in the storm ! It is a time of MERCY, which is kindness to those who do not deserve it.- and none of us deserve God’s mercy.

        Liked by 12 people

        1. I had a photo of Pope John Paul II making a confession as a screen saver at one time. I think any good role model/leader would allow themself to show the world the mercy of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, that they need too, in humility.
          When I taught CCD, I was always delighted when we would take our classes to church for Confession and the students would whisper, “look, the teacher is going to confession too!”, when I got up to stand in line with them.

          ❤

          Liked by 11 people

          2. Excellent response JB. I would not have bothered if I had seen your reply first. I remember as a child being surprised to hear that priests go to confession too – just like us.

            Liked by 2 people

            1. Your comment reminds me of a story, Joe. My children grew up calling Fr. Wang, Grandpa. When my daughter was preparing for her first confession she one day suddenly gazed at him in wonder before asking: “How DO you go to confession? Do you just stand in front of a mirror?” 😎

              Liked by 9 people

            3. Over the last few months, in the city centre Church in Dublin near where I work where there is almost 4 hours of daily Confession available, I have twice seen priests (young) join the line, one a Dominican in full habit.

              Liked by 8 people

              1. Many priest in this day and age, go to confession every day, as Pope John Paul ll did during his life time…. They need the graces to enable them to Persevere. We also need the graces from this Sacrament. We are the Church Militant..

                Liked by 3 people

        2. Hi ChristopherJ
          Perhaps the answer to your question is;
          One who really is primus inter pares and who is a good example for his children – a Holy Father indeed but one of us and demonstrably like us in need of God’s mercy.

          Liked by 4 people

  13. It does feel like the last wall has finally fallen, crashing down with a thud upon our hearts.

    Alas, “…see that you are not troubled, for all these things must come to pass…” (Mt 24:6, KJV)

    St. Patrick, pray for us.

    Liked by 15 people

      1. Yes Bob, That was Pope Paul Vl, Prophesy. We went down the path of contraception, and it has brought about promiscuity, abortion, same sex attraction, transgenderism. and the break up of the family unit as we once knew it..

        Liked by 4 people

    4. Maybe St. Patrick has withdrawn his intercession for us so long as tens of millions of Americans celebrate his feast day by drinking to excess while wearing cheap made-in-China shamrock sunglasses and green plastic beads.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. I had a thought recently, Christopher…tell me what you think:

        According to Our Blessed Lord, every soul in heaven is united with God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Likewise, everyone in heaven is united with each other. Billions of souls — which include the thousands of declared Saints as well as the unknown people who are also perfect saints — are united together as one. (Suggested by John 17:21-22 and the phrase “communion of saints”)

        So, when we ask for the intercession of, say, Saint Joseph — a popular saint, or Venerable Mother Mary Potter — a lesser known saint, we are actually receiving the intercession of both of the them since they are together in heaven.

        Where did I get this idea? Well, I figured a disproportionate number of requests go to the “Big Saints” like St. Francis of Assisi, St Therese, Padre Pio, Saint Jude, and poor Saint Anthony who is spending most of his time in paradise finding lost car keys (“Tony, Tony, look around…”). Then I felt bad for the obscure and forgotten saints who don’t get asked for our help. Far fewer requests are made of Saint Polycarp, Saint Hilarius, or Saint Olaf the Fat.

        So, my theory is: Though we may pray to only one saint, we are praying and receiving help from them all.

        But going further: I also believe that all of the saints CONTINUOUSLY pray for us. Why?

        Because Our Blessed Mother, Glorious Queen of Angels and Saints, never stops praying and interceding for us. She is perpetually offering the Passion of Her Son to the Father on our behalf. When I look on her image on the Tilma, I no longer see a snapshot of her at a point in time in 1531 but rather a living, breathing image of her at every moment of her life in heaven. She is always praying!

        So the saints in heaven would be doing the same, along with the Angels.

        CCC 956. “The intercession of the saints. “Being more closely united to Christ, those who dwell in heaven fix the whole Church more firmly in holiness. . . . They do not cease to intercede with the Father for us, as they proffer the merits which they acquired on earth through the one mediator between God and men, Christ Jesus . . . . So by their fraternal concern is our weakness greatly helped.”

        Do not weep, for I shall be more useful to you after my death and I shall help you then more effectively than during my life.

        I want to spend my heaven in doing good on earth.”

        Liked by 7 people

  15. Sadly I am not surprised a bit. I would have been more surprised if the people of Ireland had stood their ground as the monks of old and the converts of good St. Patrick once did against the evil of the Druids. With the propaganda of this “evil age” it is so hard for many to resist the mass confusion. As others have said, may God help us and soon. Sadly, one form of chastisement is for God to give both individuals and societies over to the evils they themselves choose, and to allow us to experience the inevitable consequences of choosing evil.

    Liked by 12 people

  18. I live in Ireland in Co. Donegal, the only county to vote pro-life. I am beyond horrified by this. To watch Irish women cheering and partying outside Dublin Castle was surreal. One woman was weeping with joy saying that her little girl , who was with her, would now have a freedom that she hadn’t had …..the freedom to abort this woman’s grandchildren! It’s as if a collective madness has gripped this country. So much prayer went into this, and yet it feels like a tsunami from hell has engulfed this once Catholic nation. I have been upset all day and now can’t sleep. They think they are so “compassionate “. The Irish have turned on their own children and celebrate it as a triumph and as a final kick in the head to the Catholic Church. Jesus have pity on those of us who still love you. I know the battle ahead will take deacades. But tonight I will weep and make another cup of tea.

    Liked by 17 people

    1. Marie, I love your heartfelt note, but not the reason you wrote.. It is such a sad day for Ireland..they have caught up to the pagan Canadian politics where there is no protection in the law for any unborn child…and none in sight with our present Prime Minister Trudeau, who has made it that any summer jobs for youth have to agree that they are pro abortion and pro homosexuality !! Maranatha! https://handsfreemama-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Words-That-Cant-Wait-3.pdf

      Liked by 6 people

      1. “And no one could buy or sell anything without that mark, which was either the name of the beast or the number representing his name.”
        (Rev. 13:17).
        In Canada it seems this includes working as well.
        One interpretation of the “Mark” being on the forehead or the hand represents how one thinks (head) and how they act or what they do,(hand). Being politically correct seems to sum up both of these at this time and the forced measures of it have produced the “mark” of the anti- Christian. The below post by Patrick showing a picture of Irish women after the passing of the support of abortion rule there shows one woman with a “yes” sticker boldly planted on her forehead signifying outwardly this inner mindset.
        And now that the nations have unified in their desire to kill the unborn through the detestable act of feticide, the Mark of the Beast on a world wide scale has arrived.

        Liked by 9 people

        1. Amen, Phillip. When I make a different kind of mark, the Sign of the Cross, I pray it becomes an antidote to the “mark of the beast” as you describe it here, affecting minds and deeds.

          I realize it’s difficult to get accurate worldwide statistics but, with the efforts which have been made to do so, I have to say, I’m amazed that the high rate which still exists in Russia, even with the renaissance of the Eastern Orthodox Faith.

          The choice of the Irish majority on Friday was a crusher, yet, Lord have Mercy, the majority voted for what has already been in their hearts and minds and there’s an abundance of culpability all over the world. Oh how we need to be purified.

          http://abort73.com/abortion_facts/worldwide_abortion_statistics/

          Liked by 6 people

          1. True Becks, but the kicker is the “forced” play which is growing more and more to the forefront.
            We reap what we sow. We abandon and kill our most vulnerable and now target those who do not think this is OK and seek to snuff out the very thought of it. Through the “death by a thousand cuts” the bleeding has reached critical mass and the flow is covering the entire globe. The great torrent of water from the mouth of the dragon (Rev 12:15) is at its greatest point. But now the “earth” through its own might will “swallow it up” and help the “woman” triumph over the deluge. It would be a bitter irony if a deluge of water from the earth swallows up the deluge of paganism from the land like in Joecro’s posted prophecy. I hope it is a spiritual metaphor and not a physical reality.
            Mea culpa dominus eleison.

            Liked by 6 people

            1. I see what you’re saying, Phil. All points well taken and poignantly expressed. I see what you mean by critical mass… a mass that’s been building since abortion was legalized. Still, where sin abounds grace abounds all the more. And while Ireland is late in paving the way to and sealing the deal for abortion on demand, our own country is making headway on turning back the tide of this horror with the extinguishing of PP in sight. So I also take pause to wonder if evil is really growing or is it not that Irish hearts are being revealed? And are not the countries who have, for years, legislated the spilling of blood from our modern day holy innocents just as culpable as the Irish? Surely we ALL need to be cleansed in the fires of purification.

              Liked by 6 people

        2. Phillip, this Prime Minister and his liberal government have been so daring in their anti Christian laws, yet Justine Trudeau our PM, was raised RC. We are in a mess !

          Liked by 7 people

          1. Indeed, We are now openly persecuted for being Christian. At first when a couple of media outlets questioned whether the summer job law was constitutional and not right, I actually thought finally we’re going to have some open debate on this. But it has passed , summer is here, and if your Christian in Canada, watch out. (However it’s still OK to be of any other religious belief)

            http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/summer-job-program-religious-1.4654706

            And while he implements laws against Chrisitanity, Justin our leader can’t stop apologizing for things on behalf of the government for injustices that have occured in the past, even though the people actually responsible for these injustices are long dead and gone. He has even tried to bully the pope to get him to apologize on behalf of the Catholic Church for injustices done in residential schools.

            https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/pope-apologising-canada-indigenous-people-180428094205686.html

            It seems to me, Trudeau is trying to move the current mindset “it’s ok to penalize Christians for their beliefs” towards one more like “it is good to persecute Christians”

            (There… that’s my attempt at a CrewDog)
            ♫ You could be better than you are, or would you rather be a fish…

            Liked by 8 people

      1. Dear Beckita, please, if you can, put in the following scene clip from LOTR:

        (I have such poor computer skills.)

        NO! I don’t believe the last beacon has been smashed! They have just been lit! NOW IS THE TIME!!
        We, with the help of a New Pentecost, the Holy Spirit will come to their aid. Come Holy Spirit, NOW!
        We surrender to you Holy Spirit. We open our lives to all you have to give us. Shower us with the gifts and graces we need to be your instrument in this battle for the whole world. Give us strength based on the glorious power of God. May we never give in; never give up. Battle with joy and thank the Father that he chose us at this time in history.

        Liked by 3 people

    4. Marie, many of us in Dublin are ready to move to Donegal!! We are so grateful you stood firm. My daughter and I were in Letterkenny some weeks ago leafletting with the LoveBoth bus. We loved it there. We met so many amazing, faithful Catholics on our tour around the country, including Bernadette Goulding of Rachel’s Vineyard Ireland with whom I had the most Holy Spirit driven conversation this past Wednesday.

      I am American with a dual citizen husband. God called us to Dublin last year. We are a part of the most wonderful, devout Catholic homeschooling group here, so all is not lost though sadness permeates. A small fraction of the group, 6 families, gathered for mass and benediction last night to be comforted together. That normally quiet Saturday evening mass was ringing with the sounds of life. I particularly loved the little girl, 3, “reading” from her prayer book, “O, Lord. O, Lord.” and saying, “Hi, Jesus!” as he was lifted high during the consecration. As Pope Benedict predicted, the Church may become smaller and more devout.

      Many are already talking about more ways to support life and crisis pregnancy. As someone said, nothing has really changed, now we just know the reality of it. The battle continues. Jesus is still seated at the right hand of the Father.

      Liked by 14 people

    5. Our prayers go out to you and Ireland, Marie.

      Surreal indeed. It’s deeply disturbing to see the smiles and rejoicing by women over something so purely evil, dark, damaging, and depraved. Tears and weeping should be the natural response. This dichotomy is chilling to witness and makes these images of genuine joy actually terrifying. Just look what “team satan” has accomplished:

      We storm heaven with our prayers.
      Lord, have mercy on us.
      Our Lady of Knock, pray for us.

      “Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)

      Liked by 10 people

      1. Chilling. I fear for them.
        The last stronghold. I fear that this choice in a country so formerly Catholic is the match to light the fuse… Praying!
        So many souls need prayer.

        Liked by 5 people

      3. Remember these heroic young men literally defending The Church with non violent resistance against satanic pro abortionists. Sadly there will be more of this. God give us the courage of these young men steadfast in the solidarity of prayer despite their fear.

        Liked by 6 people

    6. My aunt is from Donegal (a McHugh)We are weeping on this side of the world!!!
      You are not alone. We know who triumphs. It is so hard to see souls won over by the evil one. God does not want to lose any of these precious people who voted for abortion. I pray that the Holy Spirit inspired their conscience to repent.
      Siping tea and oraying for Ireland!

      Liked by 7 people

    7. They are gripped by the demonic! Cheering to have the right to kill babies is demonic. We must pray for them. We must pray for conversion. Never give up!

      Liked by 5 people

    8. From what I have been reading, George Soros pumped Millions maybe Billions Into Ireland to bring about this Horrific outcome….

      Liked by 1 person

  19. So sad about the Ireland vote – the land of my ancestors has finally sunk. There is a prophecy regarding Ireland going under the sea(?) and we believe it has now happened via this vote. Great heartfelt poem Charlie.

    Liked by 8 people

  20. Ireland and the rest of Old Christendom has, sadly, fallen into the abyss! ;-(
    Perhaps it’s past time for the USA to Pull-Out….. Really!! … what has the USA received lately in the way of benefit from Europe … Eh!!?? The sad truth is … next to NOTHING!! We, all, should be forever grateful to France for our successful Revolution and Our Independence but let’s be frank! … France has not done **** for US since they gave us the Statue of Liberty. Europe, in fact, has not done **** for us since … I can’t remember … and I’m a History Major. We “carried Europe’s water” in WWI & WWII with our blood/treasure and received little more than a Thank-You Card. Since 1945, Europe has gone their Merry godless Socialist Way thanks to the BLOOD, TREASURE & NUCLEAR UMBRELLA of THE USA. We simply can’t afford these Free-Loaders anymore. Our future and danger lies to the East. Ol’ Christendom is embracing Abortion, Socialism, Perversion and … almost beyond belief … Islamic Alien Invasion!
    Let US celebrate our … Please God ….. retreat from the Abyss with the unexpected …. dare I say unbelievable … victory of Mogul/Play Boy and outsider Prez Trump and the “Winning” that appears to be happenin’ here!!:
    https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/louisiana/articles/2018-03-21/louisiana-governor-says-he-would-sign-15-week-abortion-ban

    GOD SAVE ALL HERE …. & KEEP CLOSE MY COMRADES in ARMS, Family & Friends, WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE!!

    Liked by 9 people

  21. What a beautiful poem, Charlie. Such sad news… I’m trying hard to stay hopeful and strong in such a twisted and confused world these days… Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners…

    Liked by 7 people

  22. Padre Pio responded: “The day that people lose their horror for abortion will be the most terrible day for humanity. Abortion is not only a homicide but also a suicide. Shouldn’t we have the courage to manifest our faith before those who commit two crimes within one act?”

    “Suicide?” asked Father Pellegrino.

    “The suicide of the human race will be understood by those who will see the earth populated by the elderly and depopulated of children: burnt as a desert,” Padre Pio replied.

    https://spiritdaily.org/blog/news/mailbag-padre-pios-love-for-ireland

    Liked by 9 people

  23. Absolutely gutted with this new blow and have been defending pro lif2 against my liberal non christians and catholic friends. I try to use someone as good as my favourite Trent Horn or Scott Hahn

    Then in a dream the Lord shows me an aborted fetus and how bad I feel and then he makes me realize how the Catholic teaching on this subject is the most pure and the only truth on the subject.

    don’t know what to say with this conscious choice other than I’m totally depressed😣

    Liked by 8 people

  25. that is pretty darned good Charlie… the heart speaks well…
    my consolation is that no prayer ever goes unheard or unanswered
    eventually and millions around the world joined in the vigil for Ireland
    so we must expect that in God’s time our collective prayer will be
    fruitful… following is an extract from the nde of Gloria Polo re abortion which
    i have little doubt is accurate:
    Every time that the blood of a baby is scattered, it is a holocaust to Satan, who acquires in this way still more power. And this soul cries out. I repeat, we are dealing with a mature adult soul, even though it does not yet have eyes, nor flesh, nor a formed body… It is already completely adult. And this his cry so great, while they kill him, devastates all of Heaven. On the contrary, it is a cry of jubilation and of triumph in hell. The only comparison that comes to my mind is the finals of a world soccer championship: imagine all that euphoria, but in an enormous stadium, so immense so as to loose sight of the boundaries, full of devils who cry out like crazy beings their triumph.

    They, the devils, threw on me the blood of those babies that I aborted or that I contributed in killing, and my soul became black, completely black.

    Liked by 6 people

    1. The entire Gloria Polo witness is incredible… in what the Lord has revealed to her so that she would witness to His people and in the impact her constant witnessing to these things has had on converting people. There’s SO much work to do in rebuilding this world’s culture. Maranatha!

      Liked by 5 people

  27. Dear Ones all, Charlie’s poem, the Kyrie/communion of saints, St. Patrick’s Prayer, Padre Pio’s words,…I perceive the Holy Spirit’s power sent forth even now, encouraging us to abide, abide, abide.

    Liked by 7 people

  30. “Four Messages of
    Our Lady Carmel of Garabandal

    Our Lady Of Carmel Appeared To Four Girls
    In Garabandal, Spain from 1961-65. Loli, Conchita, Jacinta and Mari-Cruz.

    Her First Message to the world
    was on October 18, 1961:

    Many SACRIFICES must be made… Much PENANCE must be done… We must pay many visits to the Blessed Sacrament… But first of all we must be VERY GOOD… Already the Cup is Filling, and if we do not change we shall be punished.
    Conchita, Loli, Jacinta and Mari-Cruz

    Second Message June 19, 1962

    Tuesday, (June 19, 1962) “Loli and I were in the calleja (place near the first apparition) and She (The Virgin) told us a MESSAGE FOR THE WHOLE WORLD AND IT IS THIS: The Virgin has said to us that we are not awaiting the CHASTISEMENT (because we are disregarding Her First Message by the way we live)…BUT without awaiting it, IT WILL COME BECAUSE THE WORLD HAS NOT CHANGED… and now with this (Message) She has said it twice and we do not heed Her BECAUSE THE WORLD IS WORSE AND MUST CHANGE MUCH but has not changed at all. PREPARE YOURSELVES CONFESS for the CHASTISEMENT will come soon. The world continues the same and I think that the world has not changed at all.
    What a pity that it does not change. SOON THE GREAT CHASTISEMENT WILL COME IF IT (the world) DOES NOT CHANGE. This MESSAGE was given to Loli and me.”
    Jacinta Gonzalcs

    Third Message June 23, 1962

    “The Virgin has told us:
    The world continues the same…That it has not changed at all. FEW WILL SEE GOD. They are so few that it causes The Virgin much Sorrow. What a pity that it does not change. The Virgin told us that the Chastisement is coming seeing that the world is not changing. The cup is filling up. How sad the Virgin was although She didn’t let us see it because She loves us so much and She suffers alone. She is so good! BE GOOD EVERYONE SO THAT THE VIRGIN WILL BE HAPPY. She told us that We who are good should pray for those who are bad. Let us pray to God for the world for those who do not know Him. Be good…be very good everyone”
    Maria Dolores Mazon, Jacinta Gonzalez 13 years old

    Our Lady’s Message of June 18, 1965

    Since my Message of October 18, 1961 has not been complied with and has not been made much known to the world, I will tell you that this is the last one. Before the chalice was filling now it is overflowing. MANY CARDINALS, MANY BISHOPS, AND MANY PRIESTS ARE ON THE PATH OF PERDITION AND THEY TAKE MANY SOULS WITH THEM. TO THE EUCHARIST, THERE IS GIVEN LESS AND LESS IMPORTANCE. We should avoid the Wrath of God on us by our good efforts. If you ask pardon with your sincere soul God will pardon you. It is I, Your Mother, who through the intercession of St. Michael, wish to say that you amend, that you are already in the last warnings and that I love you much and do not want your condemnation. Ask us sincerely and we will give to you. You should sacrifice more. Think of the Passion of Jesus.
    Conchita Gonzales”

    The above is taken from the website “Garabandal.org” and posted as a recap for those who are not familiar with the messages of Garabandal. “The Chalice” is the cup of God’s anger. Later Mary linked this directly to the sin of abortion. I know the whole world is guilty but I fear Ireland being the last to capitulate will be the first to be held to account. “The last will be first” may have another application here. Pray for Ireland and the Irish people. The Pope has already promised them a plenary indulgence (see previous post).

    Liked by 6 people

  31. Beautiful, but it’s so sad. I have never understood how man denies a woman is growing another human that is not worthy of a chance at life, but our courts rules sea turtles are endangered, so their eggs are protected because there’s a turtle inside. Will never forget a bumper sticker; Be a hero, save a whale, Save a baby, go to jail. I do not know how Our Loving Father has not corrected the conscious of His children and they spiral further & further into the clutches of evil.

    Liked by 7 people

    1. I see a black robot like image with army tank treads, above the fourth from the right, man’s head..there appears to be a man’s head, showing he has dark glasses and a military type cap, as if his head is peering out of an army tank. There are other dark images above the man. I used my magnifying glass ..but can see it clearly now without it.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Only the chalice stands out for me, Canada, but thanks for trying. Becks has posted another image with it in a white border/box. Please forget it if its still not clear. You are not alone, others have told me they see nothing.

        Liked by 3 people

  34. Thank you Becks
    When I first saw this photo on the blog Whatisgarabandal I immediately saw the cup of God’s anger, somewhat mishapen by sin and overflowing. I was amazed. It sits just above the head of the fourth man from the right. Can you see it? Some have dismissed it as my imagination but I have learned to trust such gifts. Not everyone sees it. No matter – just sharing my experience.

    Liked by 3 people

      1. Thanks for the affirmation Becks – the overflow is seen in two places – a longer dark marking on the extreme right of the bowl of the chalice and a smaller dark mass towards the lower half of the left of the bowl.

        Liked by 2 people

        1. Right. I see the oozing darkness as well. Actually, as is usual in images such as this, once you see it – in this case the chalice – you cannot not see it

          Liked by 2 people

          1. Oops here I go again – your description of oozing darkness, Becks, reminded me of two influential people in my life. The first is my dad who talked about “getting his pot scraped” when he meant going to confession – getting rid of the dark sticky residue of sin on the base and sides of his soul and making it all shiny and clean again. Without knowing this background Myles Dempsey prayed for exactly such a cleansing of my soul when he laid hands on me as part of his Charismatic mission. He could see I was fairly clean apart from the stuff stuck to the bottom of my soul. A living scouring pad if ever there was one!

            Liked by 6 people

            1. God is so good, ever scraping and scouring as needed… when we’re open to His Love in this way. He is the Gentle Shepherd when we repent and enter the Tribunal of His Mercy. It’s this iron self-will expressed in deeds of disobedience and death which pushes Him away as we lock Him out, allowing us to experience the brutal consequences of serious sin. In Justice and Love, He steps in with chastisement(s) to correct and call us back.

              Liked by 8 people

            2. I’m not sure if this information has been posted in here… or even if we’re talking about the same person.. but Myles Dempsey who started and organised New Dawn Conference In Walsingham, England, is in hospice care now with his family around his bedside. He did such wonderful work for the Charismatic community. I’m sure he would appreciate a prayer or two.

              Liked by 7 people

              1. It IS the same Myles Dempsey, Janet. I had written to Joe last week about Myles having been admitted to ICU. A few days later, he was transferred to a ward but as you note, he and his family need our prayers. May Myles have a peaceful passing and may he intercede for us all when Our Lord welcomes him into His Kingdom. And may God bring strength and comfort to Myles’ family and all who love him.

                Liked by 7 people

                1. Update on Myles Dempsey from the administrator of the New Dawn website:
                  “Myles is very weak, and we think he will soon be with the Lord.
                  Please keep up the prayers.”

                  Repeating the wishing prayer from my original comment.

                  Liked by 2 people

              3. Hi Janet
                I have just heard from the New Dawn Community this morning thanking me for my prayers for Myles but no further news.
                God bless you
                Joe

                Liked by 5 people

      2. https://www.ewtn.com/library/mary/akita.htm

        Yes indeed it is overflowing and has been since the 60s. Our Lady made quite clear in both Garabandal and Akita the conditions under which the Father’s anger could be softened. Good souls have done their part but sin has indeed muliplied and increased in gravity as never before. Mankind in general has changed but sadly only for the worse. Why oh why has our Church for the most part failed to broadcast as requested and emphatically insist on the instructions, directions and messages of Our Blessed Mother as given in Amsterdam, Garabandal and Akita. They did not even have to give formal and full or futher approval – the messages are plainly part of the eternal teaching that sin begets death and what a begetting it will be.

        Liked by 5 people

        1. Thank you for your faith Canada. Perhaps this link will help – if not Becks may be able to format it. I usually can’t see such things.

          Liked by 2 people

              1. I can see the chalice now ! Joe can you see what I described ON the man’s head…makes me think of an invading army… I don’t usually see things easily , except for Heavenly cloud formations which appear in a certain area, close to my home city, where several have gather for a retreat, from three Canadian provinces, with holy priests leading the retreat. The Heavenly cloud formations occur frequently this past year. It is very encouraging, since I live in a very liberal diocese. All those present at that retreat are prayer warriors 🙂 Keep sharing Joe !

                Liked by 2 people

                1. Glad you can see it now, Canada. My sole purpose in sharing what I saw was to bring attention to the overflowing Chalice (of God’s anger) because of its central role in Garabandal and especially in relation to the sin of abortion. That is all I see.

                  Liked by 3 people

  35. As soon as I posted the above photo I lost all internet connection and my phone stopped working. We are at war!

    Thank you Becks for your help. The appearance of the chalice is not added or manipulated into being – its form simply comes from parts of the crowd. As far as I know nonone else apart from myself and a few friends with whom I shared it have seen it and not all of them could see the chalice.

    The photograph is taken looking up to The Pines (Los Pinos) at Garabandal where many of the visions took place. St Michael heralded her appearance near the spot where the Sacred Heart appeared by the stony path that leads to The Pines. There is a rock that can be touched and even sat on above which St Michael appeared. How times have changed- in his day St Francis of Assisi felt unworthy to even enter a cave where St Michael appeared near San Giovanni Rotundo.

    It was was “the crowd” who cast their vote for Barabus. It was “the crowd” who voted for abortion. Death was chosen, death shall be their lot – unless they too are rescued in The Warning.

    Liked by 7 people

  36. One last post and then I will really try to stop – just to say that while fear can claim a place at the table 0f faith, terror only destroys and as a means of growing in love it has no place- my comments are definitely not meant to terrorise. Neither does my good family here on ASOH need to be galvanised by fear into action – it is clear you are already wide awake and grounded, more than myself. While I hope my comments serve to inform they are also a much needed release of the pressure in me to share. So thank you for this great escape of hot air – hopefully hot enough to sustain and encourage growth in myself and others but not so hot as to scald or harm anyone else. Often I fail to first ask myself just why I am commenting. Often I fail to ask myself if and how my comment will help or edify. By then it is too late -ha – it is there. Mea culpa.

    Liked by 12 people

  37. I’m thinking that if we vote for pro-abortion representatives in the house and senate over the next five plus months ,then we will be Voteing for abortion. We have a chance to change that,but where do all these millions of dollars come from on the other side?? The no names- we can’t call them republican/democrat anymore. What can we do more. Maybe to get others involved we could have a short prayer to hand out….a patron intracessor ….something???

    Liked by 4 people

  38. Oh, this is all so, so very sad, sad, as you all well know. Ireland…..
    Anyway, first off, I want to thank all of you good people for your prayers a few blogs ago. Your prayers were heard and answered! I was at my wits end and, happily, all of your prayers came through! God is good and God is great! He is with us through and through. Thank you all, thank you all and thank you all! Thank you God !I can’t type it enough here….! Nor thank God enough!
    My heart goes onto Ireland, ….I have been a participant against abortion for years and years…My own kids thought I must have had an abortion at some point in my own life because of my vehemence about abortion! (explained to kids that I have a natural negativity about it) I just have this inborn thing against it. I can’t help it! And that is good!I have had 7 children and I cannot sit by and say “it’s okay” or “if that’s what is best for you” “”do what you must”, not in my blood, folks, not at all. It’s a BABY, it’s a baby, it’s a baby! I gotta stop myself here because i could go into a long tantrum……………
    Anyway, Beckita, Joecrow and and all of you here, just know that I am UPBEAT to all of this! Let’s go in it with heart and mind with prayer as our weapon! Prayer is our weapon!
    By golly, the force is upon us and who be us to let it take us!!! Bow our heads and pray to God, pray and pray. And yet, that ‘voice’ tells me all will be alright, not to say that some of us will not suffer more but I am also saying Bring it on God, We Are Here, your followers..
    for He knows who we are….
    And I am not sinless, yet He still knows me for what I am…………..
    I truly hope to meet you in ASOH and former TNRS people along with my Charlie–Our Charlie. at some point, God willing.
    Go forth people! Go forth and pray……..
    Mother Mary assist us please

    Liked by 12 people

    1. With you, Mary, in great HOPE and the knowledge that this is not the end of the fight, in prayer, sacrifice and deeds. Our Irish friend, Jaykay, has been a great sign of hope in his expressions of resolve and fortitude in the ongoing strife as we work and pray for the culture of life. (If you haven’t seen it, read his comment written right after the announcement of the “victory” for death. It’s in the comment section of Charlie’s previous piece.) Missy’s comment above also expresses a mighty and beautiful spirit of fervor for the ongoing fight. The repeal of the 8th may well have awakened the faith-filled but sleepy-in-action ones in Ireland itself and in the vast numbers of Irish who have immigrated around the world. I pray so!

      Liked by 9 people

  39. so many women with young girls deliriously celebrating what exactly?
    the power to choose to legally kill human life in their womb….
    through their tears and screams of joy i sensed, ‘ crucify, crucify, crucify’…..
    the crowd gets the sacrifice it demands …. we’ve been here before……
    Jesus Forgive Us, Come Holy Spirit Creator Come ….. we need help

    Liked by 12 people

    2. So true, BJ. I was also reminded of another frantic scream: “Non serviam!!”.

      Thank God for the other great, countervailing, CRY: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do”.

      Liked by 8 people

    3. So succinctly put. Thank you. All prayers to the Holy Trinity for the healing of all such broken and suffering souls.

      Liked by 2 people

  40. I join with everyone here in profound sorrow over the Irish people’s vote to repeal the prohibition on abortion in the Irish Constitution.

    We speak here of choice. Ironic.

    The advocates of abortion defend the sin as a matter of choice. But they don’t seem to understand what it is they are choosing. Abortion is a matter of life and death. And they heartedly and enthusiastically and passionately choose death.

    The choice we speak of is the choice of God or Not God. We choose our eternal destiny. We are not condemned. God is not in the condemnation business. He judges but doesn’t condemn We We choose our own fate. God is life. Not God is death. We condemn ourselves if we choose sin. If we choose that God butt out of our lives. God will sorrowfully butt out and honor our choice.

    Choosing Not God is a horrifying and terrifying proposition. That the Irish people have made that a collective choice for their nation is truly and profoundly a catastrophic action.

    Choices have consequences. The consequences for Ireland and the world and those who are cheering this choice of the people today are too sad to contemplate.

    Pray for Ireland and the Irish people.

    Liked by 13 people

  41. Ireland turning away from God & Christianity is a bad sign for these times…

    It saddens me when people are given a choice by God to walk the high road or the low road, and they choose the low road that will leads to destruction, because it’s easier for the present.

    We have our own mess in Ontario that will play out for better or worse in 10 day’s from now…

    Liked by 7 people

    1. The really chilling thing, Al, is that a number might choose that road in full knowledge of what they’re doing, embracing Evil for its own sake. I think that’s more likely among the Leadership.

      Still, I think many of them are truly ignorant or misled and, while they are aware of “evil” per se, they have a very defective understanding of it. This is due to many decades of bad, or no, catechesis. The Irish school system is still largely under the patronage of the Churches – we don’t have the extensive public school system you have, so religion is taught from the beginning. Well, you can see the results! The Church as an institution really can’t try to wriggle away from this so glaring failure, although I’m sure they’ll try, as per usual. The marriage to the World that so many of them have been trying to make work for so long has ended in tears – and bruises.

      Liked by 4 people

      1. Yes, we live in a world where followers of Christ are bullied & silenced with “-ist” & “-phobe” labels in order to make evil look good & good look evil…

        The political left is really flexing it’s muscles to persecute those who don’t follow them, when people don’t stand up for their Catholic faith, it’s just a matter of time when that faith is lost personally and in the family.

        Liked by 3 people

  42. As soon as we show signs of faltering may our Blessed Mother, like Maria in this clip, hasten to our sides to hearten our endeavour and strengthen our resolve, lend a supporting arm and bestow her look of love. When I was in Japan asking for directions to the Shrine of Akita all I had to do to overcome the language barrier was to show Our Lady’s image on my miraculous medal and the immediate reaction was, “Ahh, Maria.” They knew exactly where I wanted to go, put me on the right bus, told me when to alight and the driver even got out at my stop to give me final directions. And this in a country of very few Catholics. Deo Gratias.

    Liked by 7 people

    1. I sense a connection between Our Lady’s tears and what I intuit represents a sort of “last straw” in the Irish vote, June1. Perhaps Her tears – if authentic, and the investigation process has begun – are for Her children who now must enter an intense time marked by a worldwide effusion of purifying grace. We surely need to be cleansed. I know I do.

      Liked by 9 people

  47. Sorrowful times. Poetry. Much to ponder. Hopeful things…

    I was trekking and looking for one good thing to share from this weekend, but took a different approach and endeavored only to listen. Oh, how difficult that can be!

    I had shared some desert images a couple of seasons ago. You may recall how strikingly lush the desert looked in those pictures. Yep, we had some sustained rains –– in just the right season –– after a long drought. Maybe it was a once in a lifetime bloom for denizens to behold in these parts, with greenery and flowers of many varieties springing up in the most unlikely of places. As is impressive as it was, it sure was a delicate thing. Flowers of many varieties, yes, but so fragile and short lived. It was all gone in the blink of an eye… lasting only a couple of Sundays at most.

    Contrast that with this season. It’s as dry as a bone once again, with no end in sight for the American Southwest. So dry that I wince when I think of some knucklehead carelessly striking a match and starting a blaze. Heck, it wouldn’t just burn. It would explode. That’s how dry it is.

    Crunching along in the dust and listening… nay, almost looking for the Word that just couldn’t seem to break through the internal dynamic tension… and just about the time there’s some quiet, a rivulet of sweat stings the left eyeball. Or some such annoying distraction. Further on, up and over the ridge, to that one spot on the river where silence and simplicity should prevail. And then it hit me. The stench of death wafting downwind. Maybe a calf or foal in the thicket on the opposite bank, but I didn’t have my glasses on, nor did I have the heart to go look. The circling vultures were enough to send me back to the top of the ridge where the dust devils were spinning the grit, high into the air. A long upriver march, and an even longer downriver slog… mostly across dry, open desert.

    FInally, I spied a bald eagle that settled into the high branches of some deadwood. Oh, boy! That would be the picture. Ah, ever try to creep up on a bald eagle with no cover? Finally found the cover, but burned another hour trying to out-maneuvre the eagle. Nothing doing once he’s got his eye on you, so I climbed back onto the top of the ridge and walked away.

    Some span later, head down, watching boots crunch on parched desert, I heard something… or rather saw something (or maybe “heard” really is the very word). It was a brief splash of yellow about 150 yards off. Here it is up close:

    Who could imagine a yellow such as this?! How remarkable… maybe precisely because these barrel cacti are the only thing in bloom (along with the towering Saguaros, but I’d have to be a bird to fly up and get a good shot… or maybe a bat, because they do the pollinating at night), or maybe more precisely because these barrel cacti are so ordinary… so ordinary that I hadn’t bothered to even look at one –– really look at one –– in quite some time.

    No small wonder that the two variety of cacti are the only thing blooming in this dust bowl. What amazing flowers, but just look at those spiny thorns (thorns, PF)… cactus leaves really. Yep, I’ve been stuck on many an occasion, but I’ll tell you what… those thorns not only help protect that cactus from hungry critters, but they actually provide shade, and are highly effective at collecting water. Is it any wonder that they bloom like clockwork every. single. year.

    Barrel cactus blooms! Just have a look at this little instance of God’s making. Or maybe just have a good listen.

    God Bless All and especially the Irish.
    MP

    Liked by 11 people

    2. “If a little flower could speak, it seems to me that it would tell us quite simply all that God has done for it, without hiding any of its gifts. It would not, under the pretext of humility, say that it was not pretty, or that it had not a sweet scent, that the sun had withered its petals,or the storm bruised its stem, if it knew that such were not the case.”

      As suggested – listening and looking – in wonder – thanks Michael Patrick.

      Liked by 5 people

    4. I would like to see a pic of the blooming cacti. I have a cactus bed in my back yard in St. Louis and the prickly pear are putting up some nice yellow flowers. I will post when they come into full bloom if I can figure out how to transfer the pic.

      Liked by 4 people

    5. Thorns, hmm….
      As a Floridian, you’d think a desert plant like a cactus would be as foreign as a snow berm,(wink!) but to those familiar with this States topography, we too enjoy what I call the Florida desert…the central ridge. This ridge is an elevated area of the state made up of pure sand and is considered an ancient shoreline. I happen to live on another, smaller ridge called the Brooksville ridge and not surprisingly, it is home to desert dwelling fauna and flora! We have yucca, acacia, burrowing owls, and…cactus! I have to admit, my first real encounter with cactus thorns was in Mexico when, while chasing a lizard, I squatted down onto a barrel cactus! It hurt my pride more than my tuchus but(t) my worst incident was with a FL native called Opuntia corallicola which is heavily laden with very long, hard and sharp spines. A small plant was tucked neatly out of sight under a slightly taller bush and I kicked it with the top of my boot as I stepped over it, planting a thorn deeply into the top of my middle toe which broke off. Being on the road I was not able to attend to it for 12 hours.
      My whole foot was in agony from this small intruder and because it was stuck in so deep the doctor had to do an incision to get it out.
      Thanks for the memories MP!
      PS…
      I brought home a couple smaller barrel cactus from Mexico with spines ending in hooks (could use them for fishing in a pinch, maybe?)

      Liked by 5 people

      1. not a desert in Florida? Have you ever stood on a hot beach on the hot sand but away from the water. Feels like a desert to me and there are several species of cacti which live on dry sandy beaches away from the water.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. That reminds me of a song!
          🎼Bob,Bob,Bob,Bob in the Sand…🎵🎸🎤
          Bob in the saaand, so hot it burned his haaand🎶!
          Bob in the saaand, in Opuntia laaand🎶
          He was walking with a rhythm, walk in a rhythm- Bob in the sand, Bob, bob, bob in the sand🎸🎶.
          Thank you, thank you.
          I’ll be here all week……

          Liked by 1 person

            1. Mick,
              I did Wipeout during a “talent show” for our church a few years back with the music director.
              He on keyboard, me, drums. I was wearing a black leather jacket with my hair slicked back and had a cigarette sticking out of my mouth.
              The kicker was that during the song I was to run out into the audience and play the beat on different things- a table , glasses, etc.
              I yanked one of the cymbals off a stand and ran around a bit banging on it, went back to the kit, played out a few more runs, stood up at the end, bowed and collapsed flat faced to the floor.
              A few parishioners thought I had actually fallen!
              Needless to say, I was the talk of the town around there during my 15 minutes of fame.

              Liked by 2 people

    6. MP, your stories are so descriptive that I can imagine them vividly. The barrel cactus flower is so gorgeous! The beautiful yellow gives me a cheerful and peaceful feeling. Thank you!

      Liked by 4 people

  48. “The satan, he chortles,

    With malevolent glee,

    Watching from his dark portal,

    As we spurn what’s immortal,

    Yielding to such wicked surgery,

    Become, from our souls, amputees.”

    I would say that the Prayer to St Michael the Archangel is prayed with much fervour and more frequently these days – if we are feeling battle-worn and weary, imagine the intensity of the struggle that the Angels of the Lord are entrenched in!

    Wishing St Joan of Arc a Happy Feast Day and praying for her heavenly assistance in lancing the puffed-up chortling dragon.
    Oh, and let’s call on St George too, seeing as it’s his line of business!
    All the Angels, Saints and Holy Souls come to our aid! Our Lady of Tepayec, be our guide, our hope and consolation!

    Here are two of the many battle-ready clerics in our midst, thanks be to God!

    An extract from Cardinal Sarah’s Homily in the land of St Joan on May 21, 2018:
    http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2018/05/cardinal-sarahs-homily-to-chartres.html#.Ww5BB2wUmUk

    (Sorry – and thank you – Beckita if you need to fix the links!)

    “Dear friends, forgive me this portrayal. But one must be clear and realistic.
    If I speak to you in this way, it is because, in my priestly, pastoral heart, I feel compassion for so many wayward souls, lost, sad, worried and lonely! Who will lead them to the light? Who will show them the way to the truth, the only true path of freedom which is that of the Cross? Are we going to leave them to be delivered to error, to hopeless nihilism, or to aggressive Islamism?
    We must proclaim to the world that our hope has a name: Jesus Christ, the only Savior of the world and of humanity! We can no longer be silent!”

    And words from Dom Mark Kirby in Ireland on Trinity Sunday:
    http://vultuschristi.org/index.php/2018/05/with-you-all-days-even-to-the-consummation-of-the-world/

    “There are reports of victory celebrations in Dublin and elsewhere: a satanic crowing, jeers hurled at Our Lord, against His Virgin Mother, and against the Church. The whole climate is eerily reminiscent of France in 1789, of Mexico in 1910, of Russia in 1917, of Germany in 1933, and of Spain in 1936. Even worse than the crowds hell–bent on celebrating the choice of death over life are the complacent lies of those government ministers who, with a smug satisfaction, speak of A New Modern Ireland At Last, an Ireland of compassion, justice, and respect for women. …

    My own dear father, with all the wisdom of his 91 years, said to me yesterday, “God has a plan. God will have the last word”.

    And what says Our Lord in today’s Gospel?
    He says this: “Behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world” (Matthew 28:20).
    In this promise of His, let us rest all our hope.”

    Liked by 6 people

  49. Seeking your intercessory prayers for several special intentions today. Fr. John B. Wang celebrates his 64th anniversary of ordination, so please join us in thanking God for his priestly life of loving service. We begin celebrating this day with his echocardiogram in an hour, so I’m also requesting prayer for his strengthening in body, mind, soul and spirit. Then tomorrow, we two fly to a conference for which we’ve been preparing for several months via reading, pondering, discussion and prayer. Please pray for us to be completely open to the Holy Spirit and pray that we do just what Our Lord and Our Lady ask of us. Carrying you all in our hearts of prayer as we journey. Blessed be God forever! Ave Maria!

    Liked by 13 people

    1. Whoa! I had no idea this image would be so huuuuuge. Then again, perhaps it’s fitting as this priest’s spirit and love are so expansive as to encompass in prayer each and every soul with whom he comes in contact. As you can imagine, he hears of the joys and sorrows of TNRSers each evening when we pray the intercessory prayers of the Divine Office. You’re always with us, Friends!

      Liked by 8 people

        1. That’s right, Sean! Praying, especially, for St. Joan of Arc’s intercession for Charlie and the mission entrusted to him.

          On the day of Fr. Wang’s ordination in 1954, it was the Feast of the Queenship of Mary, at that time. How fitting for a priest who has practiced and promoted Marian devotion for a lifetime.

          Liked by 7 people

      2. God bless him and may my father, who’s 87th birthday is today (if he was still alive) intercede for him and your mission.😇

        Liked by 5 people

        1. Awesomeness, Phil. Thank you very much. Will pray for your dad’s soul at Mass in a little while and recommend all the souls of our families who have passed while invoking their assistance in these days. 🙏🔥❤️

          Liked by 7 people

    2. Beckita, thank you for the beautiful picture of Fr. Wang and loving tribute to his 64 years of service in the priesthood. God bless you and Fr. Wang in your spiritual mission and travels. All my love to you both! ❤

      Liked by 7 people

        1. In the past, I trekked through all his old stomping grounds, Jen… from ascending the ladder to where he slept on the roof -where the corn was drying – of the muddy brick home in his wee village in China to meandering through the seminary in Spain where he continued his studies after escaping on the heels of communism from the land of his birth. The Basilica of Our Lady of Pillar is where the ordination took place. Tradition has it that this was the place of Our Mother’s first apparition while She was still alive. St. James the Greater was so discouraged in his evangelization efforts that She appeared to James, and his disciples atop a jasper stone carried by angels and proclaimed to James that the the people of Spain would one day have faith as strong as the pillar on which She stood. I venerated this pillar which stands as support in the cathedral. A sweet aroma continues to emanate from it. The Servant of God Maria Esperanza has a great devotion to Our Lady under this title.

          Liked by 7 people

    8. You have them, Beckita. Fr Wang has done much good in the world. My very best to him on this occasion. He’s been a priest very close to as long as I have been on this planet! 🙂

      Liked by 5 people

  50. Dear Beckita, I will bring this prayer intention to our Blessed Mother, as I set out today on the l-o-n-g journey to Medjugorje. Will pray there also for all NRSteppers and their families during this week-long pilgrimage retreat.

    Liked by 10 people

    1. Happy, blessed pilgrimage for you, Carmel! That WILL be a looooooong journey from down under. Thank you so much for your prayers. Praying that Our Lady grants you your every dream in God’s Will for you. Travel mercies be yours with blessings galore.

      Liked by 4 people

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Published by charliej373

Charlie Johnston is a former newspaper editor, radio talk show host and political consultant. From Feb. 11, 2011 to Aug. 21, 2012, he walked 3,200 miles across the country, sleeping in the woods, meeting people and praying as he went. He writes on cultural, global and political issues from an orthodox Catholic perspective. He emphasizes that we find God most surely through the ordinary, doing the little things we should with faith and fidelity. His constant refrain is that, to live real joy, we must acknowledge God, take the next right step, and be a sign of hope to those around us. He lives in the Archdiocese of Denver in the United States.