Extraordinary Form at World Meeting of Families 2015 in Philadelphia

There were many beautiful Masses held during the conference at nearby churches located near to the convention center.

This lovely Mass was celebrated at Holy Redeemer and was attended by conference participants and others.  Thank you to all the organizers.  

Philadelphia is in need of its own "Latin Mass" parish.  With all the churches closed and slated for closing in this Archdiocese, hopefully these blessed faithful will get what is their right, and be given a chance to have a permanent home.  Stability brings growth.  They must be given a chance.  Internal politics in the chancery aside, hopefully the diocesan curia will kick into gear and give them a church in a decent location, with a fine pastor.     

    http://latinmassphila.blogspot.com/2015/05/2015-world-meeting-of-families.html

Legio Mariae

St. Nicholas at World Meeting of Families

Body of St. Maria Goretti in America!

At the World Council of Families in Philadelphia. 

I was just at her tomb in Italy on her feast day this past July 6.  A dozen times I have had the privilege to pray before her venerable remains.  May she pray for us!

St. John Neumann's Mitre

Church of St. Joseph, downtown Philadelphia, the location where the Saint was consecrated bishop.

Legio Mariae: Legion of Mary

President of the Pontifical Council for the Family: Mons. Vincenzo Paglia

World Meeting of Families 2015

A tremendous success.  Like a big family reunion.  Thank You, Lord, for this blessed grace.  The next one will be in Dublin.   

Pope in America

Papal Bunting

Monsignor

Philadelphia, U.S.A.

A beautiful entrance to a lovely church. 

New Place of Pilgrimage in the USA: The Shrine of Christ's Passion

A must visit. 

Spread the word.

http://shrineofchristspassion.org/

Catholic T-Shirts: Missio Ad Gentes!

Site of the First Republican National Convention

In Philadelphia, near Independence Hall.

Yours truly has been a proud lifelong Republican.  It was a joy to visit this place today as a pilgrim. 

The Democrats have proven to be Liberal sewage.  First they promoted slavery and then human abortion and now unnatural marriage and next euthanasia.

No Christian in good conscience can vote Democrat.

Btw, "The Donald" is a Democrat.     

Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart

Yours truly first saw these fine sister at WYD 1993 in Denver.

God bless them always for doing the Lord's work.

http://www.carmelitesistersocd.com/

Sisters of Life!

God bless Cardinal J.J. O'Connor, a son of Philadelphia.  He founded this order in 1991.

 http://www.sistersoflife.org/

Traditional Habit

Sisters awaiting the arrival of the Holy Father in Philadelphia today.  What joy, oblation and grace.  There is hope! 

Save Assumption in Philly!

This is one of Philadelphia's most historic churches.

Founded by St. John Neumann, this heritage church is where St. Katharine Drexel was baptized.

It was sold by the Archdiocese and is now reportedly owned by a drug-rehab organization.

It has been slated for demolition - the date was set in 2012.

The preservationists are crying out for this historic landmark to be saved.   No one seems to care. 

Sigh.  What nutty times we live in.  This house of worship has been here since 1848. 

I would offer it to a dynamic, fresh new religious order full of life, talent and prayer.  

The ICK or FSSP would do well to make an offer and restore this temple to glory.

On the same property is a lovely convent and rectory.

Grants from the city and downtown businesses can restore this treasure of inestimable value.  Someone contact the mayor and put in an offer.     

 http://www.abandonedamerica.us/assumption-of-the-blessed-virgin

Papal Visit to U.S.

U.S.A.

McGillin's Old Ale House in Philly

Oldest tavern in Philly.  Great fare!

Pope at Birthplace of America

Glorious World Meeting of Families 2015

Many graces are being felt.  It has been an excellent conference.  10 out of 10.  God bless Philly!

Peter in America

Catholic Lay Forces: Order of Gregory the Great

World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia

God is good.  This is the best international Catholic event I have ever attended.  The organization and planning that went into this is phenomenal.  These international church gatherings have come a long ways in recent years.  The speakers have been excellent.  The liturgies Catholic.  It is a lot like a family reunion.  Such a small Catholic world we live in!  Every minute I bump into people I know.  Thank you, Lord, for this!

Tombs of the Cardinals of the See of Philadelphia

To pray amid the mortal remains of such eminent churchmen.  Legends of our time.  Models of leadership and holiness. 

Interior of Philadelphia Cathedral: Modeled After the Vatican Basilica

Remarkable who much the interior resembles that of St. Peter's Basilica.  In many ways like the Cathedral of Montreal, in Canada. 

Papal Visit to Philadelphia: Birthplace of the USA

Philadelphia Vestments

Philadelphia

World Meeting of Families Mass in Philadelphia

For conference participants and others, held each morning at Holy Redeemer, near the Convention Center, at 9:00 a.m. (9th and Vine).  A fine way to start the day!   

Catholic Philadelphia

Dominican Bishop

Australia's favorite bishop!

Nuns Inspire Us!

Beautiful Vestment with a Sainted Cardinal of the Holy Roman Church

San Carlo di Milano, Charles Borromeo. 

Cardinal Burke Mass at FSSP Parish in Rome

A real treat to have His Eminence drop by for Sunday evening Mass.

Cardinal Burke is a very fine prelate and a tribute to the American church.

Thank You for Your presence, Eminence, and God bless and keep You always!

Roman Basilica of St. Cecilia in Trastevere

Rucellai Chapel in Florence

A favorite place for yours truly to visit while in Florence.

The nephew of Dietrich von Hildebrand originally told me about it.  

Constructed in the 1400s.

A tomb modeled after the Holy Sepulchre of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, located in Jerusalem. 

Made according to drawings and descriptions of pilgrims.

This is a smaller version than the original.   

Exquisite.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Pancrazio,_Florence

Florentiae Civitas!

Home at last.  Firenze!  The land of beauty.  When the legions of Octavian, some 40 years B.C., gave the name of "Florentia" to their colony north of Rome, they could never have imagined that many centuries later it would become such a famous and important world capital of art. 

Raymond Cardinal Burke

The new Cardinal Ratzinger. 

Hero, from the ancient Greek: ἥρως.

A person or who, in the face of danger and adversity or from a position of weakness, displays courage, bravery or self-sacrifice—that is, heroism—for some greater good.

Cardinal Burke: a man of distinguished courage and ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities.

In short, my hero.  I was his altar boy almost twenty years ago at the church of St. Agnes when he sang Pontifical Mass in 1996 at the invitation of the pastor, a renowned church musician, Msgr. Richard J. Schuler, PhD.  The splendor of the Roman rite is a perfect tool for the new evangelization.

May the Lord bless and reward His Eminence.  Keep doing the Lord's work.  GOD IS WITH YOU. 

Mass with Cardinal Burke in Rome at FSSP Parish

Traditional Habit

So beautiful to see the traditional habit.

An American nun in Assisi.  

Many times I heard my grandfathers speak in hushed reverence of the fine teaching sisters they knew and loved from their youth - and the traditional habit always meant so much to them.  They both lamented its absence in their later years. 

A witness to the nations.  Oblation, grace, mercy, salvation.  

Lancia Artena in the Holy City

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

Gammarelli Mozzetta and Biretta of a Prince of the Church