Omni die dic Mariae

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St. Casimir died at the age of 23 in 1484 from lung disease. He was buried with his favorite song, a Latin hymn to Mary called “Omni die dic Mariae” which we know as “Daily, Daily Sing to Mary.” Because of his love for the song, it is known as the Hymn of St. Casimir though he didn’t write it.

 

A copy of this hymn by Bernard of Cluny was found beneath the right temple of St. Casimir’s incorrupt body when his grave was opened.

Prayer:

Daily, daily sing to Mary, Sing, my soul, her praises due: All her feasts, her actions honor With the heart’s devotion true.
Lost in wond’ring contemplation, Be her majesty confessed: Call her Mother, call her Virgin, Happy Mother, Virgin blest.
2 She is mighty in her pleading, Tender in her loving care; Ever watchful, understanding, All our sorrows she will share.
Advocate and loving mother, Mediatrix of all grace: Heaven’s blessings she dispenses On our sinful human race.
3 All our graces flow through Mary; All then join her praise to sing: Fairest work of all creation, Mother of creation’s King.
Sing in songs of peace unending, Call upon her lovingly: Seat of wisdom, Gate of heaven, Morning star upon the sea.

St. Casimir, March 4

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From Catholic.org:

Casimir (1461 – 1484) grew up in a world where his life was not his own. As a prince of Poland, the second son of King Casimir IV and Elizabeth of Austria, his life was scheduled to cement his father’s authority and increase Poland’s power. Casimir realized from an early age that his life belonged to someone else, but to a much higher King than his father. Despite pressure, humiliation, and rejection, he stood by that loyalty through his whole life.

…Though his father must have wondered about him, he must have seen and admired Casimir’s strength. He showed that he misunderstood this strength when he sent Casimir as head of an army to take over the throne of Hungary at the request of some nobles there. Casimir felt the whole expedition was wrong but was convinced to go out of obedience to his father. He could not help but feel at every step that it was disobedient to his other Father. So when soldiers started deserting, he was only too glad to listen to the advice of his officers and turn back home. His feelings were confirmed when he discovered that Pope Sixtus IV had opposed the move.

His father, however, was furious at being deterred from his plans and banished Casimir to a castle in Dobzki, hoping that imprisonment would change Casimir’s mind. Casimir’s commitment to what he believed was right only grew stronger in his exile and he refused to cooperate with his father’s plans any more despite the pressure to give in. He even rejected a marriage alliance his father tried to form. He participated in his true King’s plans wholeheartedly by praying, studying, and helping the poor.

He died at the age of 23 in 1484 from lung disease. He was buried with his favorite song, a Latin hymn to Mary called “Omni die dic Mariae” which we know as “Daily, Daily Sing to Mary.” Because of his love for the song, it is known as the Hymn of St. Casimir though he didn’t write it.

St. Marinus, March 3

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In the first three centuries, there was an almost constant persecution of Christians. It did happen, however, that some emperors, more benevolent than others, revoked the severe decrees against Christians, but this did not prevent local governors from bringing them to trial – if not directly for their faith, then for insubordination. For example, when a soldier entered the army or received a promotion, he had to take an oath, invoking the names of pagan gods, and sometimes he had to take part in pagan rituals. Christians could not agree to this, and they were given over to punishment for disobedience. There were many such cases under Emperor Gallienus (ruled 260-268), who forbade persecuting Christians for their faith.

St. Marinus and St. Asterius, Feast Day March 3

St. Marinus and St. Asterius, Feast Day March 3

St. Marinus belonged to a noble family of Caesarea, in Palestine and had been an excellent soldier in the army. He was about to be honoured with the new title and position of Centurion. Suddenly another soldier who was eager for the same position, rushed forward, crying out, “Marinus is a Christian, and he would not sacrifice to the Emperor!”

Marinus lost his new position and was immediately questioned by Achaeus, the Governor. Marinus spoke up “Yes, I am a Christian and it is true, I did not sacrifice to the Emperor.”

Achaeus was very bold, “Then I give you three hours in which to change your mind and give up your beliefs.”

As Marinus left the judgment hall, he met Bishop Theotecnus of Caesarea. The Bishop led him to the Church and made him stand close to the altar saying, “Choose between the sword that you carry by your side, and the book of the Gospels.” Marinus immediately stretched out his hand and took the book of the Gospels, holding it firmly. “Hold fast then to God, commanded the Bishop, that strengthened by Him you may obtain what you have chosen! Go in peace.”

Marinus returned to the judge stating firmly, “I am a Christian and I wish to remain so!” He was immediately led away, to be killed.

St. Astyrius (Asterius), a Roman Senator, was present at the martyrdom. Taking off his cloak, he wrapped up the body of Marinus. Astyrius carried the body away on his shoulders and buried it with great honour. Later, in the year 260 A. D., Astyrius also became a martyr.

— from Reu.org

“With Empire, You Get Lady Gaga”

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Two Catholic guys, Tom Woods and Bill Kauffman, discuss the “soul-corroding effect of military empire.” It’s time for Catholics to realize that defense of family values means we must oppose not only Planned Parenthood, but also the U.S. warfare state and its imperial armed forces.

If you’re pressed for time, I suggest you start the show at the 18 minute mark.

Note: Tom laments that Bill’s famous 2008 Ron Paul speech is no longer available on the internet. But ask and you shall receive. Someone has put it up again on C-SPAN.

Bill Kauffman at the Rally for Ron Paul

Catholics or Americanists?

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teddy

“There can be no fifty-fifty Americanism in this country. There is room here for only 100% Americanism, only for those who are Americans and nothing else.” Teddy Roosevelt

Here’s a thought-provoking article by Boston University Professor Andrew Bacevich:

Andrew Bacevich on Washington’s Tacit Consensus

I have heard the professor speak a couple times. I have read one of his books and always read his articles when I find them. He’s a retired Army officer, a Vietnam vet. He doesn’t fit into any preconceived political category and he always challenges his readers. He’s also a Catholic who’s suffered a terrible personal tragedy as a result of war.

In his article, Bacevich writes about the elite consensus that dominates Washington in spite of apparent Democratic vs. Republican sparring and then he makes this observation:

“Are the troops in Afghanistan fighting for our freedom? If so, the package of things they fight for includes the prerogative of dispatching US forces to wherever it pleases Washington to send them, along with no-fault divorce, abortion on demand, gay marriage, and an economic system that manifestly privileges the interests of the affluent at the expense of those hard-pressed to make ends meet.”

There you have it — a succinct description of the three pillars of the decaying edifice that I think we ought to call “Americanism.” Militarism and perpetual war, sexual license promoted as freedom, and the “greed is good”/consumerist mentality. All available for export.

Pretty grim situation, isn’t it? But there is hope in the world. It’s called the Catholic Church, the only force on earth which stands in opposition to all aspects of this gathering darkness. More precisely I’m talking about the teachings and traditional morality of the Church which are timeless and have survived unchanged in spite of the failure of most Catholics (myself included) to live up to those standards.

It’s time for a restoration of the Catholic Faith in America.  We must reject Washington’s “tacit consensus” and oppose it with Catholic solidarity. But we can’t pick and choose what aspects of the Faith we adhere to, based on media-defined categories of liberal and conservative, Republican and Democrat. Teddy Roosevelt will turn over in his grave, but we have to be 100% Catholic. All Catholic all the time.

We have to defeat Americanism in order to save America. Let’s make that one of our jobs as Catholics. Let’s start a conversation about how to go about it.

 

 

No ROTC and JROTC at Catholic schools!

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***The following was written by Rev. Emmanuel Charles McCarthy***

Pope Francis could not be more correct: “the spirit of war comes from our own hearts* Indeed, “the wars, the hatred, the hostility aren’t products we buy at the market: they’re right here, in our hearts.” But, how does such a spirit get into our hearts? Does it come from being exposed to Christlike love as the most important, honorable, noble, heroic and valuable act that a person—young or old, male or female—can desire, imitate, choose and participate in with others?

 

and

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, as the old saw goes. With his Petrine faculty of universal jurisdiction, Pope Francis  could end tomorrow the terrible child abuse, mind manipulation and anti-mind of Christ practice in Catholic universities and high schools of recruiting and training Christian young men and women for war, that is, he could terminate all ROTC and JROTC programs at all Catholic educational institutions—starting, for the sake of good example, with his own Jesuit community’s educational facilities which are mired in these anti-Gospel change of heart, change of mind, pedagogical operations. It is not God or Jesus or the Holy Spirit that puts the spirit of war into the hearts of Christians. Si vis pacem, para bellum, “If you want peace, prepare for war,” is not the teaching of Jesus. This is contrary to the teaching of Jesus. For a Catholic high school or university to entice young men and women into that spirit or to foster that spirit under the auspices of Christian symbols, liturgy, sacramentals, authorities figures, etc. is blasphemous. Such a school, or Church drives the spirit war like a stake deep into the Sacred Heart of Jesus which the person received at his or her Baptism into Christ.

-Emmanuel Charles McCarthy

*Psychic activity is usually associated in the Bible with various organs. The chief of these is the heart. The Biblical idiom differs from the modern idiom in considering the heart as the seat of intelligence and decision, whereas today we would use mind and will. In the Biblical idiom the heart is the source of thoughts, desires and deeds. Thus a man is what his heart is. “The spirit of war which comes from our own hearts” is not only a personal spiritual problem for the individual Christian, it is equally, perhaps primarily, an institutional Church problem.

Dictionary of the Bible, ‘Heart’, Rev. John L. McKenzie