About paulcoholic

I am a writer and blogger whose currently avocation focuseson addiction. I am the author of two Catholic devotional booklets for people in recovery. My primary creative desire, apart from continuing the devotionals, is to write Catholic-themed spiritual fiction. I hope to explore those areas at the intersections of Faith and Reason; contemporary drama with side trips though the preternatural with rest stops in the boundaries of the afterlife. I am one of those who think there is another reality just out of the corner of your eye; you turn to look, it disappears. I try and focus on my characters as I have found that by creating interesting people I can actually sustain the writing effort. My characters need a life, and the novels they will be in help them to discover such a one as they work out their situations and each other. So, I suppose that Catholicism, addiction recovery, reading, writing, death and the fuzzy gray areas along the borders of life are interests. Oh, I also like cats and Mac computers. Or just go here: https://www.sobercatholic.com/paulcoholic/

Triduum of Marian Consecrations reminder!

I figured that on the verge of the feast day of St. Maximilian Kolbe (August 14th) and the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 15th) that it would be a great time to remind everyone about the Triduum of Marian Consecrations idea I had! Read about it here: Let’s Start a Triduum of Marian Consecrations!

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

Posted in Uncategorized

Introducing Immaculate Heart Saturdays!

In this post I announced that I’ll be starting a new series of posts, these to be called “Immaculate Heart Saturdays.” Just like their related series, Sacred Heart Fridays, these will focus on Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. There will be a lot on the Five First Saturday Devotions (reminder, today is a First Saturday!) and other things related to the theology and devotional life of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

I figured that I’ve managed to successfully not miss a single Friday for the Sacred Heart Friday posts, perhaps I can ‘kick it up a notch’ and begin this.

Given that this is a blog primarily dedicated to addiction recovery, the devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary can play a crucial role in helping keep yourself clean and sober. Particularly for those addicted to lust and porn. I found this older post on that: Immaculate Heart of Mary and Purity.

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

Novena to St. Maximilan Maria Kolbe begins August 5th!

An annual post:

August 5th begins a novena to St. Maximilian Maria Kolbe, one of my favorite saints for a myriad of reasons. One of them, and not the primary one, even, is his patronage of addicts. He was not an addict himself, but the Church in Her thinking has anointed him for that role by virtue of his death, for he was executed by a lethal injection.

His Feast Day is August 14th.

The following are links to a novena to him I wrote near the time when I began this blog:

The Novena to St. Maximilian Kolbe for Alcoholics and Addicts:

Novena Day 1 Novena Day 2 Novena Day 3 Novena Day 4 Novena Day 5 Novena Day 6 Novena Day 7 Novena Day 8 Novena Day 9

Here is another novena, published by the Militia of the Immaculata: the Solemn Novena in Honor of St. Maximilian Kolbe.

There are numerous posts on Sober Catholic about him, the archive of them is here: St. Maximilian Kolbe Post Archive

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

The Alliance of the Two Hearts of Jesus and Mary! Part 7

This Sacred Heart Friday post is a brief review of the history of the Alliance of the Two Hearts of Jesus and Mary.

The joint devotion to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary was formally started in the 17th century by St. John Eudes who established the Society of the Heart of the Mother Most Admirable. There is, incidentally, a feast day dedicated to this title of Our Lady. Celebrated on October 20th, it is particularly special to those devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. 

St. John Eudes’s always began his devotional teachings with the Heart of Mary, and then extended it to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This reflected the influence of the writings of St. Francis de Sales who wrote about the Heart of Mary and her own devotion to Jesus (and her ‘pondering things in her heart’) as the model for our love for God.

St. Catherine Labouré’s Miraculous Medal depicts the Heart of Jesus crowned with thorns and the Heart of Mary pierced with a sword.

Miraculous medal

The devotions, and the associated prayers, continued into the 20th century, e.g. in prayers by Maximillian Kolbe which built on the Montfortean theme of “to Jesus through Mary” and the reported messages of Our Lady of Fátima which stated that the Heart of Jesus wishes to be honored together with the Heart of Mary. Like I said previously: 

Contemporary devotion to the Immaculate Heart has it source in the Fatima visions, especially in the few received by Sister Lucia in her convent in Tuy, Spain, in 1925 and 1926. In the visions Our Lady asked for the practice of the Five First Saturdays to help make amends for the offenses committed against her heart by the blasphemies and ingratitude of men. The practice parallels the devotion of the Nine First Fridays in honor of the Sacred Heart. 

Various popes have supported devotions to the Two Hearts through the centuries. In the 1956 encyclical Haurietis aquas, Pope Pius XII encouraged the joint devotion to the hearts. In the 1979 encyclical Redemptor hominis Pope John Paul II explained the theme of unity of Mary’s Immaculate Heart with the Sacred Heart.

And this something I should have known! (Perhaps I did, and just forgot.) Pope John Paul II coined the term “The Alliance of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary!”  and in 1986 he addressed the international conference on that topic held at Fátima, Portugal.

…more next week…but before I forget, today is First Friday.

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

Ponder these things in your heart

The month of August is dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. 

Mary, who was referred to having ‘pondered these things in her heart’ a few times in Scripture, serves as a symbol or model of the contemplative life. Her heart is the source of her love for us and her Son, Jesus Christ, as well as her virtues and purity. 

It may be well to consider your own contemplative life, especially in these days of rapid over-saturation of information and demands for our attention and all the coercion to ‘think certain ways or else.’

Contemporary devotion to the Immaculate Heart has it source in the Fatima visions, especially in the few received by Sister Lucia in her convent in Tuy, Spain, in 1925 and 1926. In the visions Our Lady asked for the practice of the Five First Saturdays to help make amends for the offenses committed against her heart by the blasphemies and ingratitude of men. The practice parallels the devotion of the Nine First Fridays in honor of the Sacred Heart. 

In addition to Immaculate Heart Saturdays I will be posting throughout the month stuff on Mama Mary.

Please take look at this article from Catholic Culture on the month of August and the Immaculate Heart.

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

August: The Immaculate Heart of Mary month!

And so ends July, the Month dedicated to the Precious Blood of Jesus. Next up: August which is dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. 

I am thinking of starting a new series; related to the Sacred Heart Friday posts I began in January, these will be “Immaculate Heart Saturday.” Each Saturday for as long as I am able I will post something related to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. 

Many of them will be about the First Saturday Devotions as well as posts related to Fatima. I will probably include a few more in the unfinished series on the Alliance of the Two Hearts. Oh, there’s lots I can do!

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

More info on the Precious Blood Blood of Jesus

I can’t end the month dedicated to the Precious Blood without mentioning a few resources. Check out these links!

3 Ways to Cultivate Devotion to the Precious Blood of Jesus – SpiritualDirection.com:

Association of the Precious Blood

Prayers to the Precious Blood of Jesus 

More Prayers to the Precious Blood of Jesus

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

Prayer of St. Gertrude for Souls

One last Precious Blood Prayer for this Sacred Heart Friday to close out July. I say this prayer often while going up to receive Holy Communion; it is reputed to release thousands of souls from Purgatory every time it’s recited. The Church doesn’t endorse or approve this prayer, nor does it disapprove or discourage it and she makes no guarantees as to its efficacy in releasing Holy Souls. But it’s a nice prayer, very old and traditional. And there’s nothing wrong with saying it.

The Prayer of St. Gertrude

Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Holy Masses said throughout the world today, for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my own home and within my family.

Amen.

Read more at: Pray More Novenas

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

Seven Days Of Prayer For The Souls In Purgatory

For this Sacred Heart Friday I introduce you to a devotion I say every day. It is the Seven Days of Prayer for the Holy Souls in Purgatory. It is from the Raccolta, which is a handbook of indulgenced prayers. 

You start with the “Preparatory Prayer for every day,” followed by the particular prayer for the day, finishing with the Our Father, Hail Mary and the. Eternal Rest prayer and a concluding prayer.

It invokes the Precious Blood of Jesus, and so is an apt way to close out the month of July, which is dedicated to that.

 

SEVEN DAYS OF PRAYER FOR THE SOULS IN PURGATORY

Preparatory Prayer for every day:
My Jesus, by the sorrows You suffered in Your agony in the Garden, in Your scourging and crowning with thorns, in Your journey to Calvary, and in Your crucifixion and death, have mercy on the souls in Purgatory, and especially on those that are most forsaken; deliver them from the torments they endure; call them and admit them to Your most sweet embrace in Paradise, where You live with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

(Here say the prayer for today, concluding with these:)

0ur Father

Our Father, Who art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name, Your Kingdom come; Your will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Hail Mary

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women; and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us, sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Eternal Rest

Eternal rest, grant unto them, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.

Concluding Prayer

Merciful Father, hear our prayers and console us. As we renew our faith in Your Son, Whom You raised from the dead, strengthen our hope that all our departed brothers and sisters will share in His resurrection, who lives and reigns with Thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Prayers for Each Day

Sunday

O Lord God Almighty, I beseech You, by the Precious Blood which Your Divine Son Jesus shed in the Garden, deliver the souls in Purgatory, and especially that one which is the most forsaken of all, and bring him into Your glory, where he may praise and bless You forever. Amen.
Our Father. Hail Mary. Eternal rest, etc.

Monday

O Lord God Almighty, I beseech You, by the Precious Blood which Your Divine Son Jesus shed in His cruel scourging, deliver the souls in Purgatory, and, among them all, especially that soul who is nearest to his entrance into Your glory, that he may soon begin to praise You and bless You forever. Amen. Our Father. Hail Mary. Eternal rest, etc.

Tuesday

O Lord God Almighty, I beseech You, by the Precious Blood of Your Divine Son Jesus that was shed in His bitter crowning with thorns, deliver the souls in Purgatory, and, among them all, particularly that soul who is in greatest need of our prayers, in order that he may no longer be delayed in praising You in Your glory and blessing You forever. Amen. Our Father. Hail Mary. Eternal rest, etc.

Wednesday

O Lord God Almighty, I beseech You, by the Precious Blood of Your Divine Son Jesus that was shed on the streets of Jerusalem, while He carried on His sacred shoulders the heavy burden of the Cross, deliver the souls in Purgatory, and especially the one who is richest in merits in Your sight, so that, having soon attained the high place in glory to which he is destined, he may praise You triumphantly and bless You forever. Amen. Our Father. Hail Mary. Eternal rest, etc.

Thursday

O Lord God Almighty, I beseech You, by the Precious Body and Blood of Your Divine Son Jesus, which He Himself, on the night before His Passion, gave as meat and drink to His Beloved Apostles and bequeathed to His Holy Church to be the Perpetual Sacrifice and life-giving nourishment of His faithful people, deliver the souls in Purgatory, and, most of all, that soul who was most devoted to this Mystery of infinite love, in order that he may praise You therefore, together with Your Divine Son and the Holy Spirit in Your glory forever. Amen. Our Father. Hail Mary. Eternal rest, etc.

Friday

O Lord God Almighty, I beseech You, by the Precious Blood which Jesus Your Divine Son did shed this day upon the tree of the Cross, especially from His sacred hands and feet, deliver the souls in Purgatory, and particularly that soul for whom I am most bound to pray, in order that I may not be the cause which hinders You from admitting him quickly to the possession of Your glory, where he may praise You and bless You forevermore. Amen. Our Father. Hail Mary. Eternal rest, etc.

Saturday

O Lord God Almighty, I beseech You, by the Precious Blood which gushed forth from the sacred side of Your Divine Son Jesus in the presence and to the great sorrow of His Most Holy Mother, deliver the souls in Purgatory, and, among them all, especially that soul who has been the most devout to this noble Lady, that he may come quickly into Your glory, there to praise You in her, and her in You, through all the ages. Amen. Our Father. Hail Mary. Eternal rest, etc.

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

Saint James the Greater

I’m writing this as a way to distinguish between St. James the Greater and St. James the Less. One has a feast day which is today, July 25th. One wrote the Book of James in the New Testament. I know one of them is one of the sons of Zebedee and the brother of St. John the Evangelist and the one whose relics pilgrims who travel the Way of St. James in northwestern Spain visit. And the other isn’t. 

Okay, so I hit the Internet. I hear it’s a decent source for information on things.

St. James the Greater is the first of the Apostles to be martyred. Prior to that he evangelized Spain. Legend holds he wasn’t very good at it but he still loved the Spanish and after his martyrdom his disciples took his remains to Spain to be entombed there. There are numerous legends surrounding his relationship with Spain. Many modernist claim they’re all false. But that’s what modernists do. One of the legends is that the first Marian Apparition ever was to him. (Modernists really go on about denying that one!)

Tradition says that in the early day of the Church, Saint James the Greater was spreading the Gospel in Spain, but making very little progress. He was dejected and questioning his mission. About 44, the Virgin Mary, who was still living in Jerusalem at the time, bi-located and appeared to him in a vision to boost his morale. In it, she was atop a column or pillar, which was being carried by angels. That pillar is believed to be the same one venerated in Zaragoza, Spain today. Miraculous healings reported at the scene. 

From: CatholicSaints.Info » Blog Archive » Our Lady of the Pillar.

You can read a lot about St. James the Greater here: CatholicSaints.Info » Blog Archive » Saint James the Greater

There. I think I’ve finally gotten it down as to which one is which. (It helps me to remember things when I can attach the thing to another thing. So, the GREATER is attached to the blogpost.) St. James the Greater is the July 25th and Camino one. Watch me, I’ll still mix ‘em up. 

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)