She has such a hold on me that even when I try to escape Her, I find myself crawling back to Her on my belly. Even when I find myself doubting whether God could really exist in this ruthless, unjust world (and that s not just my life), I go to Her, light a candle, sit there, and think about it.
Is it unshakeable faith? Or is it brainwashing? Twelve years of Catholic school could certainly do that to a person.
Where does brainwashing end and faith begin? But doesn t everyone receive their religious indoctrination as a child, regardless of religion? I ll never know.
All I know is: I am a Catholic. Not the best one in the world, mind you, but I am one, nonethless. There are worse religions a person could belong to.
But none better. Certainly, if you like art and inspiration with your religion, you can t beat the Catholic Church. Show me the equivalent of the Sistine chapel anywhere else?
We all have our rosaries tucked away somewhere, even after all these years. We may not pray it often, but we know we still have one, somewhere. And we know we couldn t be without it.
In times of doubt, it s like a talisman. In times of faith, we know it recounts the mysteries of the life of Christ.
Some men find themselves surprised by love.
This, in itself, is not surprising, considering how obtuse most men can be when it comes to women. And even, or especially, when it comes to themselves.
The man fancies himself always in control, sure of his mission; that the commando raid he planned, cannot fail: hit and run, and don t look back.
“In our time, more than ever before, the chief strength of the wicked lies in the cowardice and weakness of good men. All the strength of Satan’s reign is due to the easy-going weakness of Catholics. Oh!
If I might ask the Divine Redeemer, as the prophet Zachary did in spirit: What are those wounds in the midst of Thy hands? The answer would not be doubtful: With these was I wounded in the house of them that loved Me. I was wounded by My friends, who did nothing to defend Me, and who, on every occasion, made themselves the accomplices of My adversaries.
And this reproach can be leveled at the weak and timid Catholics of all countries.”
- Pope St. Pius X, December 13, 1908, at the Beatification of Joan of Arc.
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