The Catholicpunk Manifesto (Be a militant, misfit, crazy, rebel Catholic and change the culture!)

This is a follow up to Daily Marching Orders from Mary: (Be a militant, crazy Catholic and apply your Marian Consecration!)

It basically says the same thing, but provides a different background and different examples and also doesn’t reference Marian Consecration. If you’re a Catholic who read the previous post but the Marian Consecration for some reason didn’t appeal to you (huh? How can that be?, then this might. But, still consider the tactics and points given in the other.  These two posts should be taken together. Perhaps some day I will edit and combine them into one piece.

Who? 

Whereas: 

Catholics have essentially built Western Civilization through the work of the Church; from preserving the Greek and Roman classics after the Fall of the Roman Empire, to developing political forms via the establishment of the Holy Roman Empire and the principles of feudalism and medieval guild systems; to developing the ideas that later inspired, for better or worse, the various ‘rights’ movements, to establishing the university system, the basics of the Western concepts of law and judicial procedures, the hospital system and schools: 

Whereas:

Even the so-called sins of the Church in the medieval period which begat the modern era’s foundational historical events such as:

  •  the Protestant Reformation and its bastard offsprings:  
  •   Capitalism (through the adoption of usury) 
  •   the Industrial Revolution (excesses of unrestrained Capitalism.)
  •   Socialism (bad response to the excesses of Capitalism)
  • the Enlightenment (with its removal of God from the public life and real power from thrones)  
  • The French Revolution which begat Socialism and Communism in response to the Industrial Revolution
  • the Sexual Revolution
  •  …have brought about a Catholic response to these evils by the creation of Catholic Social Thought, thus showing that God can bring Good out of Evil;

    Whereas:

     Modern civilization, if you can call it that, is rapidly decaying and collapsing due to the spread of moral relativism, modernism, acceptance and normalization of sexual depravity and the Culture of Death; the gradual decay of national sovereignty and the spread of globalism, militarism and the concentration of wealth into fewer and fewer people; 

    Resolved:

     It is high time that Catholics follow the call of St. Maximilian Maria Kolbe (the “Prophet and Sign of the Civilization of Love” and “Apostle of a New Marian Era.”) and employ mass media, forms of popular cultural expression such as literature, film, music and art to EVANGELIZE the world and show the people that there is a better way of living that is opposed to the dehumanizing, soul-crushing culture that we are experiencing today.

    What? 

    Catholicpunk is a literary and artistic movement that I am proposing that envisions a society ordered according to Catholic Social Teachings (CST), especially incorporating the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy, as well as Christian Democracy, Catholic Monarchism, and any other political forms that might be derived from CST.

    The ‘-punk’ suffix as typically used in literary and artistic forms seems to suggest a countercultural, anti-establishment and anti-authoritarian ethic. ‘Cyberpunk,’ for example, would mean a future dominated by computers, AI, and technology; given that such a future is seen as dystopian, then a -punk suffix may not always advocate that future, or it may seek to find ‘ways around’ and adapt to the dystopian reality. ‘Steampunk’ is a type of retro tech future rooted in mechanical or steam tech. An obvious romantic countercultural fantasy! Other types of -punk suffixed forms follow along similarly with their specific advocacy or cautionary tales. Therefore, ‘Catholicpunk’ utilizes countercultural ethics in opposition to secularist and modernist mores and values. It is anti-establishment inasmuch as it defies the increasingly centralized authority of modern governments and corporations and is anti-authoritarian based on Catholicism’s traditional opposition to dictatorships. (Monarchies are rarely ‘dictatorships’ in the manner that republics often are.) 

    Catholicpunk views the future as one that employs a non-Capitalist and non-Socialist (Distributism, anyone?) or any other non-coercive, non-confiscatory, voluntaryist or cooperative economic model as well as Subsidiarist and Solidarist political models. Catholicpunk ignores the specific type of State a society lives under; the creative can explore a monarchist model as well as that of a republic or anything else. (See the ‘Catholic Political Thought’ section under “How?” below.) Catholicpunk’s view of the future is reflected in rejecting the modernist societal values that essentially dehumanize people. Its ‘countercultural’ expressions are rooted in solid traditional, orthodox Catholicism, it is ‘post-capitalist’ but also anti-socialist. Its ‘decolonial’ expression is found in the Subsidiarism and Solidarism. Racially, Catholicpunk views all people as intrinsically valuable individuals, each with their own uniqueness as children of God and made in His own Image. We are all brothers and sisters and any racial or ethnic differences are secondary to our individual personhood and identity and sons and daughters of God. Racial conflict is as anathema as class conflict is.

    Catholicpunk addresses how the future might look if humanity survives the contemporary social and moral collapse plaguing the Western world and the poverty and oppression prevalent in the Global South and the East. Catholicpunk illustrates how applying CST solves major contemporary challenges made by globalism, militarism, and the anti-life and sexual libertine agendas. When Catholicpunk emphasizes sustainability, it will be with an eye towards responsible management of resources so that there will be plenty for future generations, and not through restrictions on population such as aggressive birth control and abortion. People from womb-to-tomb will be viewed as resources to be cherished and valued, not as parasites or polluters. 

    Fiction, poetry, music and other art forms can be used to express its principles.

    Where?

     Given the inhospitability to Catholicism is the contemporary cultural milieu, Catholic creatives can do two things:

     • Support established publishing venues when possible.

     • Create new ones favorable to Catholicpunk.

     • Take advantage of technology and self-publish.

    When? 

    NOW!!! We’re running out of time!!!!

    Why? 

    The Church was established by Jesus Christ to save humanity by means of safeguarding and developing His teachings, as well as through the sacramental life. If what the Church says about itself is true, that Her teachings are applicable to all people in all places in all times, then there should exist a means of cultural and artistic expression that demonstrate this. The Church has theories and teachings not just on faith and morals, but how those teachings can be expressed in the political and economic sphere. 

    How? 

    The literary and artistic forms by which a work can be considered ‘Catholicpunk’ are largely based upon the degree to which the work makes use of:

     • traditional Catholic Social Teachings (the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy; the Ten Commandments). Personalism, Agrarianism. Low-tech or if technological, then tech advances are tightly controlled by ethics and morality.

     • Catholic Economic Thought (particularly Distributism, but possibly also economics based on various collective or cooperative economics. If socialist, then stripped of atheism and state monopolies and command/planned economies.)

     • Catholic Political Thought (Christian Democracy, Monarchism, and any other political forms based upon Solidarism and Subsidiarity. This could include Voluntaryist and even Anarchist expressions apart from the probably more common Monarchist and Christian Democratic systems. For example, a Catholic State-less society would still have the hierarchical Church spread throughout the realms and inculcating and indoctrinating (not a bad word in this context) people in the moral code of the Ten Commandments, Beatitudes and the Works of Mercy. The Church, in guiding and instructing people about the Natural Law of Good and Evil would help establish a framework wherein which an anarchist society could develop. Anarchism is essentially a system where people practice self-governance. “I govern myself so that the government doesn’t have to.” Society would essentially govern itself by a system of social taboos and mores that would respect individual personal autonomy and self-governance. Any ‘State’ organization would be minimal and run along voluntaryist lines. NOTE: I am not personally advocating Anarchism or even Voluntarism, I’m just providing examples.

     • Catholicpunk may be expressed in any genre; but given its Catholic-centric view, may be more aligned with miscellaneous speculative fiction, fantasy and soft science-fiction genres and subgenres. Magic Realism, Catholic Triumphalism, and whatever else can all be used. The universality of Catholic doctrine proves that any literary genre can be employed. 

     • Catholicpunk is also anti-dystopian. It must be. Catholicism is a faith of Hope. Although I think it is possible that works can be about recovering from a dystopian culture. So, post-dystopian?

     • Inspired by Peter Maurin’s belief that CST can ‘build a new society within the shell of the old,’ Catholicpunk literature and music can be a blueprint for how that can be done via a natural development of society or by a resistance movement; or it can depict a mature, established Catholic civilization. 

     • But it should be considered an integral mission of Catholicpunk to be a blueprint or manual for how a Civilization of Love can be achieved.

    This is edited and adapted from the post I referenced in the first paragraph: Catholicpunkers emulate St. Maximilian Kolbe, who is acknowledged as the “Patron of Mass Media.” So, in this contemporary age we use such means as are available to us: blogs, social media and creative works like novels, short stories, poetry and visual arts to spread the aims and means of Catholicpunk. Kolbe had observed long ago that the visual arts, such as cinema and theatre, were being used to spread immoral ideas amongst the populace. Rather than shun such media as evil, he embraced the technology and the concept and worked to use it to spread moral values. His publishing empire included newspapers and magazines and books, and eventually a radio station. His friary of Niepokalanow never produced literary or cinematic works, but I believe they were eventually planned.

    Taking St. Maximilian’s suggestions of using cultural expressions to evangelize, we can visualize a future social order rooted in the Social Kingship of Christ and its various forms. We can use creative works: fiction, such as novels and shorter works; and for those inclined, videos to illustrate how the Social Kingship would look like. Do you think that Distributism is the ideal economic system? Great! Create stories in which Distributism is that model. Do you believe that Monarchism is the ideal political system? Fine! Create stories featuring a Catholic Monarchy and how it would wield power. Same for any of you anarchists and voluntarists. C’mon, quite talking about it, create worlds that typify it!

    Given St. Max’s interest in science, we should eventually endeavor to show that Religion and Science are two sides of the same coin. Divine Revelation occurs in two forms: God’s self-revelation through Sacred Scripture and the revelation of Himself through His works (the Universe and the means He used to create and sustain it.) Truth does not contradict Truth. Scientific research and investigation should be guided by moral principles. No more doing things just because we can; we should only proceed if the research can be seen to benefit the human condition in moral and ethical ways. In short, our humanity is enhanced, not sacrificed. This may include, when possible, space exploration and perhaps eventually colonization (remember that St. Max invented a plausible spaceship! [See Complete Writings!] So, perhaps stories involving space exploration of our Solar System and the Cosmos at large are in order! This fits wonderfully for those of us who have a predilection for science-fiction!

    I close with the final (edited for this piece) paragraphs of that Daily Marching Orders from Mary: (Be a militant, crazy Catholic and apply your Marian Consecration!) post: So, if you’re a Catholic with a talent for creativity, get started! Start writing or filming!! Is it crazy? Sure is! Read what Steve Jobs said about this (and yes, I know the Founder of Apple Computers was controversial in some regards and angered many by his behavior at times. Please recall the next to last petition in the Lord’s Prayer: “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” You can’t forgive Steve? He ‘trespassed’ against you? Be careful…)

    “Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.”

    So be a crazy Catholicpunker misfit and rebel soldier of the Lord and change the world by showing how things can be. Cause trouble! Mother Angelica did! There are enough blogs and essay sites where people write non-fiction about Catholic culture, economics and politics. But what will it look like? Theory is one thing, the practical aspects will convince people. Show them how things can be! Disrespect the secular status quo. See things differently. Don’t listen to those who say “You can’t write that! No one will publish it!” So try self-publishing! Be a rebel! Be a Catholicpunker! Pray before writing, research as much as necessary so you at least appear to know what you’re talking about and then get to it!

    I will probably write another follow up piece to this and the “Daily Marching Orders…” post focusing on self-publishing. There are not a lot of Catholic markets for fiction. What few there are has limited space for a plethora of artists. This is why I bring up self-publishing. Perhaps that can be adapted for the “Create new ones favorable to Catholicpunk” bullet point I made above. If existing Catholic markets for fiction are not receptive to ‘Catholicpunk,’ then new online venues should be created to complement those who bypass markets and go directly to self—publishing.

    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!!)

    Daily Marching Orders from Mary (Be a militant, crazy Catholic and apply your Marian Consecration!)

    This Immaculate Heart Saturday post is intended to suggest ways to practically apply one’s Marian Consecration; this is the fruit of my closer studies of the writings of St. Maximilian Kolbe and Militia of the Immaculata literature and lots of woolgathering. It will hopefully help make manifest my Consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary in my daily life and society as a whole and to encourage you to join the Militia of the Immaculata (M.I.). This can be a roadmap for others in and out of the M.I. inasmuch as we ‘become the change we wish to see’ in the people around us and in the world at large. The ultimate change we seek is to win the world for Jesus. This the ultimate goal of Marian Consecration, especially for an M.I.

    I used the formula of Marian Consecration developed by St. Maximilian Maria Kolbe when I consecrated myself to Mary on October 7, 2002. In doing so I became a member of the Militia of the Immaculata movement he founded in 1917. His formula differs slightly, but significantly, from the more popular method by St. Louis deMontfort. Whereas the latter is also a total dedication of yourself to Mary, that’s where it remains. You are her property, slave, subject, whatever. Kolbe’s method adds an additional evangelical level to the Consecration. You become Mary’s, but with the proviso that you are also allowing her to use you ‘like a pen (or paintbrush) in her hands’ to bring about the conversion of many to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. (Incidentally, if you wish to join the Militia of the Immaculata, and already consecrated yourself to Our Lady by deMontfort’s method, that’s good enough. You needn’t use the consecration formula of Kolbe. Registering with your country’s national M.I. Office and letting them know when you consecrated yourself adds the evangelical dimension to it.)

    That is the essence of belonging to Mary: you become a soldier in her Militia. While you do not take up actual weapons of war, you do allow her to supply you with the graces needed to go on missions for her.
    In essence, you take up spiritual weapons to establish the Reign of the Sacred Heart. The Kingdom of the Sacred Heart includes the Social Reign of Christ: the institution of a just and moral social order based upon Traditional Catholic Social Justice Teachings; rooted in Scripture, Tradition (Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy) and exemplified by the governance of St. Maximilian in Niepokalanow (including during the Nazi Occupation), the life and teachings of St. Teresa of Calcutta and Therese of Lisieux, Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin, and Popes Leo XIII, Pius XI and St. John Paul II. Servant of God Dorothy Day emphasized the preference for such weapons by Christians in the 1930s and 1940s, when the world was ravaged by the World War II and its precursors, the Spanish Civil War and Japanese invasions of China. In winning the world for Jesus, we use our Marian Consecration by being “Christ-bearers;” since we belong to Mary we become like her in bearing Christ to others. True Marian Devotion always ends with Jesus, not Mary, and thus we help fulfill Mary’s desire to lead others to her Son. 

    To expand on this, an M.I. emulates St. Maximilian Kolbe in his role as the Prophet and Sign of the Civilization of Love and Apostle of a New Marian Era. (The ‘Civilization of Love’ and ‘New Marian Era’ are two phrases describing the same future culture.) This implies that we incorporate the Fatima Message of prayer, penance and reparation, since Fatima is a prophetic message that parallels Kolbe’s. The Fatima Apparitions prophesied the future establishment of the New Marian Era. We also seek to make use of the Message of Lourdes (daily recitation of the Rosary and a focus on Mary as the Immaculate Conception as the source of healing of the world’s ills, and not just medical and physical, but the political divisions that result in war and cultural clashes.) We can also call to mind the lessons of the Apparition of Our Lady at Guadalupe. There, an entire society was converted from barbaric paganism (human sacrifice was rampant) that was influence by the demonic over to Catholicism. Their new Catholic faith helped heal their society from its past and Guadalupe can serve as a lesson for the wholesale conversion of modern Western society.   

    As soldiers of Mary, we assist her in crushing the head of Satan and in destroying heresies. By heresies, I don’t think this only refers to traditional things such as doctrinal and dogmatic errors, but also combatting the influence of Satan in society by the pervasiveness of immorality, the normalization of sexual deviancy and political extremism of the Left and Right.

    We use our talents, such as they are, in accordance with our state in life.

    We surrender ourselves in love without reserving anything from her, enabling her to use us to bring others to her and thus onward to Jesus. This is how the Kingdom of the Sacred Heart is established; first in the hearts of humans and then by means of their will and actions, society. Everyone ‘becomes the change they wish to see’ and therefore society is renewed and transformed. We see this in the Act of Consecration to the Blessed Virgin as written by St. Maximilian Kolbe (and the boldface type is the part I emphasize that shows this ‘be the change you wish to see’ tactic):

    O Immaculata, Queen of Heaven and earth, refuge of sinners and our most loving Mother, God has willed to entrust the entire order of mercy to you.  I, (your name), a repentant sinner, cast myself at your feet humbly imploring you to take me with all that I am and have, wholly to yourself as your possession and property.  Please make of me, of all my powers of soul and body, of my whole life, death and eternity, whatever most pleases you.

    If it pleases you, use all that I am and have without reserve, wholly to accomplish what was said of you: “She will crush your head,” and, “You alone have destroyed all heresies in the world.”  Let me be a fit instrument in your immaculate and merciful hands for introducing and increasing your glory to the maximum in all the many strayed and indifferent souls, and thus help extend as far as possible the blessed kingdom of the most Sacred Heart of Jesus.  For wherever you enter, you obtain the grace of conversion and growth in holiness, since it is through your hands that all graces come to us from the most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

    V. Allow me to praise you, O sacred Virgin.

    R. Give me strength against your enemies.

    Satan knows this, and is vigilant and always ready to attack Mary’s Knights and Ladies. We defend ourselves through our consecration, prayer (especially the Rosary), Mass, and the Sacraments, and reading Sacred Scripture and the Catechisms.

    Continuing with the concept of emulating St. Maximilian Kolbe, we acknowledge him being also the “Patron of Mass Media.” So, in this contemporary age we use such means as are available to us: blogs, social media and creative works like novels, short stories, poetry and visual arts to spread the aims and means of the Immaculata. Kolbe had observed long ago that the visual arts, such as cinema and theatre, were being used to spread immoral ideas amongst the populace. Rather than shun such media as evil, he embraced the technology and the concept and worked to use it to spread moral values. His publishing empire included newspapers and magazines and books, and eventually a radio station. His friary of Niepokalanow never produced literary or cinematic works, but I believe they were eventually planned.

    Taking St. Maximilian’s suggestions of using cultural expressions to advance the cause of the Immaculata, we can visualize a future social order rooted in the Social Kingship of Christ and its various forms. This recalls the main ‘title’ for St. Maximilian: “the Prophet and Sign of the Civilization of Love and Apostle of a New Marian Era.” He was the ‘Sign’ of this Civilization in his governance of the Niepokalanow friary, especially during the Nazi Occupation in his handling of refugees and making use of friary resources to assist the local population survive. He implemented his ideas of a just social order in hospitality and service to others. But, focusing on cultural tools, we can use creative works: fiction, such as novels and shorter works; and for those inclined, videos to illustrate how the Social Kingship would look like. Do you think that Distributism is the ideal economic system? Great! Create stories in which Distributism is that model. Do you believe that Monarchism is the ideal political system? Fine! Create stories featuring a Catholic Monarchy and how it would wield power. This latter example is interesting and intriguing given numerous Catholic prophecies (from approved apparitions and private revelations) involving a future “Great Catholic Monarch” and his realm existing during this ‘New Marian Era.’ 

    Given St. Max’s interest in science, we should eventually endeavor to show that Religion and Science are two sides of the same coin. Divine Revelation occurs in two forms: God’s self-revelation through Sacred Scripture and the revelation of Himself through His works (the Universe and the means He used to create and sustain it.) Truth does not contradict Truth. Scientific research and investigation should be guided by moral principles. No more doing things just because we can; we should only proceed if the research can be seen to benefit the human condition in moral and ethical ways. In short, our humanity is enhanced, not sacrificed. This may include, when possible, space exploration and perhaps eventually colonization (remember that St. Max invented a plausible spaceship! [See Complete Writings!] So, perhaps stories involving space exploration of our Solar System and the Cosmos at large are in order! This fits wonderfully for those of us who have a predilection for science-fiction!

    Of course, Distributism, Monarchism and science-fiction are suggestions based on my interests. You may have other ideas to creatively explore.

    The thought occurred to me that if science rejected its militant atheistic bent, then we may make even greater progress in scientific achievements. God desires us to know Him better, therefore if we approach scientific exploration with the idea of knowing God better through His handiwork, well then perhaps He may open our eyes to things. Cures! Cheap Fusion power! Rocket propulsion that opens up the Solar System to humanity! 

    So, if you’re an M.I. with a talent for creativity, get started! Start writing or filming!! Is it crazy? Sure is! Read what Steve Jobs said about this (and yes, I know the Founder of Apple Computers was controversial in some regards and angered many by his behavior at times. Please recall the next to last petition in the Lord’s Prayer: “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” You can’t forgive Steve? He ‘trespassed’ against you? Be careful…)

    “Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.” 

    So be the crazy Catholic misfit and rebel soldier of Mary and change the world by showing how things can be. Cause trouble. Mother Angelica did! There are enough blogs and essay sites where people write non-fiction about Catholic culture, economics and politics. But what will it look like? Theory is one thing, the practical aspects will convince people. Show them how things can be! Disrespect the secular status quo. See things differently. Don’t listen to those who say “You can’t write that! No one will publish it!” So try self-publishing! Be a rebel! Push the cause of the Immaculata forward! Pray before writing, research as much as necessary so you at least appear to know what you’re talking about and then get to it!

    I am not the only one who thinks that Steve Jobs can inspire you to be a better Catholic (as well as achieve mighty deeds as a Knight or Lady of Mary.) Watch this when you can.

    This is a weird way to conclude, but although Steve Jobs was not a Catholic, nor even a Christian, (he was Buddhist of a sort,) I do believe that if things were somehow different during his formative years he would have made an interesting one. I cannot help but think that during this hypothetical Catholic life of Steve Jobs, he would have been drawn to St Maximilian Kolbe by his life and creative vision. St. Maximilian was certainly a crazy misfit, troublemaker and dreamer. Jobs would have looked at St. Max’s M.I. movement, his writings on Marian Consecration and concluded that this would be an effective way to change the world. Whether he would have still invented the Apple computer, the iPod, iPad and iPhone is a whole different area of speculation. He quite possibly would have, but with his Catholic Faith and Marian Consecration through St. Maximilian, sustaining and inspiring him in ways superior to his Buddhist beliefs.

    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!!)

    St. Maximilian Kolbe and: the Alliance of the Two Hearts of Jesus and Mary! Part 8

    On this Sacred Heart Friday, I remind you that the feast of St. Maximilian Kolbe is coming up this Monday. He is an ideal patron for those of us who are growing in their devotion to the Immaculate and Sacred Hearts of Mary and Jesus. His method of consecration is deeply rooted in the Two Hearts, for he wishes us to lead others through the Heart of Mary to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. By purifying ourselves in the love of Mary by adopting her virtues, we can be more effective in being ‘Christ-bearers’ to others. 

    Since becoming a devotee of St. Maximilian over twenty years ago, I, like countless others have felt it most appropriate that he died of the Vigil of the Assumption. That glorious day when the Mother of God was assumed into Heaven and took up her role as Queen of Heaven and Earth is a day which should inspire us to yearn for our true home. We are but transients on the Earth; our destiny lies in Heaven. St. Maximilian’s work was done. He ran the race, kept the Faith and lived it most sincerely. He was ‘another Christ’ to the other inmates at Auschwitz. And not just in his capacity as a Catholic priest, but as one human ministering to others in a place akin to Hell. And then he was called home, welcomed as a good and faithful servant of Our Lord (and Lady.)

    While we may not ever be sentenced to a death camp (but not entirely out of the question,) we should take to heart his response to being subjected to such an evil. 

    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!!)

    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!!)

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    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!!)