Splendor of Papal Vestments

Pope Paul VI Wearing Gloves

FSSP Camp in Canada

This is very great thing - an annual camp trip for an inner-city parish.

Organized by the Knights of Columbus.

Four nights.  Clergy and parishioners in attendance.  Mass offered each morning.  Swimming in a nearby lake.  Talent show was offered one evening and was a big hit.     

It would be nice to see more parishes offer a similar summer activity.  Affordable, all ages included, easy to organize and something that grows each year.    

For five years Holy Family parish in Vancouver has hosted this wonderful summertime event and truth be told it is the highlight of the year for the kids (and many of the adults!).    

Canadians are expert campers and some of the best camping in the world is in British Columbia.  It was a joy to participate in this event and to be welcomed by the parishioners.  There were about 150 in attendance.  Many thanks to the K of C for this very worthy initiative.  And to the clergy for their support.  Keep up the very fine work!

Rome Quotes

“When you approach the tabernacle remember that he has been waiting for you for twenty centuries.”

– St. Josemaria Escriva

Catholic Baroness: Maria Augusta Trapp

New FSSP Chapel in Mexico City

Best Catholic Architects

FYI: Pastors and parish building committees...

For the best in church design - renovation and new construction:

http://bootsmadesign.com/.

New FSSP Chapel in Mexico City: Capilla de la Inmaculada Concepcion del Salto del Agua

A beautiful little chapel in the heart of downtown Mexico City. 

A bit like Rome, one can hear the cars roaring by outside.

Constructed in the 1700s, this historic chapel is an oasis in busy traffic.   

Where to Purchase Church Items in Mexico at Bargain Prices

Las Fabricas de Lyon is located in Mexico City across the street from the Cathedral.

A long history of high quality items at lower prices.

Many high quality items.  A great stop for tourists and pilgrims alike.

Prices are in Mexican Pesos.   

http://www.lasfabricasdelyon.com/lyon/index2007.asp

THE Annual Catholic Pilgrimage Event in North America: Pilgrimage to Notre-Dame-du-Cap

Tell your parishioners and youth groups.

Everybody should participate at least once.  

100 KM pilgrimage on foot to the miraculous shrine of Notre-Dame-du-Cap in Canada. Three days of prayer, penance, fraternal charity, and many graces. Daily Rosary, Mass, singing, and fellowship.  Do not miss out.  Register now.  

 http://www.marie-reine.ca/

Enemy of the Church: Planned Parenthood

Planned Parenthood's President Doesn't Look Happy

What a Portable Altar Looks Like

On wheels.  Hollow.  Seen in Mexico City. 

Would be nice to see more parishes with one or two.

The altar could be made by volunteer dads, stained/painted, kept in the rectory garage for storage and rolled our for the annual Corpus Christi procession.  

Fountains of Mexico City

A city of splashing fountains and bronze statues. 

How Religious Objects Are Made

Seen in Catholic Mexico. 

Catholic Origin of Piñatas

A missionary tool.

Fashioned by the Augustinians in Mexico to teach children.

It represents the 7 deadly sins.

Blind, you try to destroy it as it comes near to you.

You have to be alert and watchful.  When it touches you, you swing to destroy it.

When you wound it, graces fall from the sky. 

Columbus Statue in Mexico City

St. Iganatius Statue in Mexico City

Rome Quotes

"Today is the 500th anniversary of the birth of St Philip Neri. Votive Mass, devotions and veneration of the relic at 6pm this evening."

-Fr. Julian 

The Face of Satan

Holy Mass at Jesuit Church in Mexico City

Tombs of the Bishops of Mexico City in the Crypt of the Cathedral

This is a funerary carving in memory of the first bishop of Mexico City, the saintly Juan de Zumárraga, friend of Juan Diego.

Read of his life here.

Catholic Culture: Canons Palace

The palace of the canons is attached to the Metropolitan Cathedral in Mexico City.

There are twelve canons who staff the Cathedral. 

Tomb of Blessed Miguel Pro, S.J.

A powerful intercessor.

A saint for our times -- priest and martyr. 

He was killed in Mexico City.  The capital city of a Catholic country.  By order of the government.  It can happen.   

This is his burial place at the Jesuit church in Mexico City, Sagrada Familia.

Definitely worth a visit.  

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miguel_Pro

Cardinal Archbishops of Mexico City

Throne of the Mexican Emperors

Today seen in the Cathedral of Mexico City, along with their remains.

Both emperors were forcibly deposed and executed.

With the declaration of independence of the Mexican Empire from Spain after 300 years in 1821, Mexico became an independent monarchy.  It should have stayed that way.  The monarchy was soon after replaced. 

You can read of the two emperors here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_of_Mexico.

Mexican Cassock

 Seen in Mexico City. 

Tiara in Mexico City Cathedral

Classic Cars in Mexico

There are a lot of classic cars in Mexico.  This lovely 1940s hearse caught my eye in downtown Mexico City. 

Catholic Culture: Cardinal's Stamp

Depicting Our Lady appearing to St. Juan Diego. 

Stamp of His Eminence Cardinal Rivera.  

Seminarians of Mexico City

Wearing the college cassock of the seminary with blue fascia in honor of our Lady. 

Catholic Culture: Wedding Coins (Arrhae)

Seen in Catholic Mexico.

A noble tradition in Spain and her colonies, including the Philippines.

In addition to the wedding rings, the couple exchanges the arrhae (earnest money), consisting of thirteen coins.

This gesture, rich with meaning, represents the pledge of the groom - symbolic of his dedication to the welfare of his wife and children.  The bridegroom is to protect and provide for his nest.

BLESSING AND GIVING OF ARRHAE

Priest: Lord, bless this token of earthly goods.  May it bring bridegroom and bride to turn to You always, and live in Your loving kindness and peace.  This we ask through Christ Our Lord.

All: Amen.

Groom: ________, I give you this arrhae as a pledge of my dedication to our welfare and that of the children the Lord will bless us with.  It is a symbol of our humble acceptance of the blessings the Lord bestows on us.  In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Bride: And I accept them as a symbol of Gods gift that we will share.  I also promise to dedicate myself to our welfare and that of our children that the Lord will bless us with.  In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. 

Spanish Chasuble

At the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. 

In the background, framed on the wall, can be seen the original tilma of Juan Diego. 

Catholic Culture: Cardinal Primate

My hero.

The Primate of Mexico.

Norberto Cardinal Rivera Carrera.

Ordained priest in the Vatican Basilica.

20 years ago appointed Cardinal Archbishop of the hallowed See of Mexico City. 

It was a tremendous honor to be received by him in the Sistine Chapel of Mexico, the primatial sacristy of the Metropolitan Cathedral.  

At the last conclave I wish he had been elected Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church. 

He celebrates Pontifical Mass in his cathedral every Sunday at 12 noon.  An example to bishops who are absent and never seen. 

Statue of St. Sebastian in Mexico City

A true work of art by the great Mexican artist, Felipe Valero.  The original, carved in marble in 1856, can be seen in the Museo Nacional de San Carlos in Mexico City.  This moving statue can be seen on the boulevard Alvaro Obregon, 38.  Mexico City is full of such lovely statues.    

Mexican Altar Cards

Exquisite works of art, as altar cards in a cathedral ought to be. 

Seen in the sacristy of the Cathedral of Mexico City. 

Blue Vestments in Mexico

Mass for our pilgrim group in Puebla, Mexico.  It was gorgeous.  Mexican Baroque is the closest thing to heaven.  Gold and silver everywhere.  Color, light, motion.  Glory, honor, adoration and salvation.  We have much to look forward to in the heavenly kingdom yet to come.   The liturgy is only a foretaste.  Puebla is one of the most beautiful little towns I have seen anywhere in the world.  It is definitely New Spain.  Exquisite churches everywhere.  A stop here is included in our Guadalupe tour itineraries.  Many thanks to our dear chaplain, Fr. Pablo!