Monday, July 31, 2017

Sanctuary of St. Ignatius of Loyola at His Birthplace in Azpeitia (Spain)









A magnificent sanctuary located in the Spanish countryside!  Well worth a visit.  OC-Travel led a terrific pilgrimage here; we toured the "castle" where the saint was born and celebrated Holy Mass in room where he experienced his conversion.

The Jesuit baroque sanctuary is tremendous.  The brown brick structure, attached to the sanctuary, is his birthplace.  The bottom photo is of the guesthouse (oddly named Hotel Arrupe).  It was a great privilege to lead a pilgrimage here and to pray with the group at this holy place.

Pastors, contact me to organize a fabulous Fatima-Lourdes-Santiago pilgrimage for you and your parishioners which can include a stop here.  

St. Ignatius, pray for us!   

Introduction to the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Travel Transformation


Pope Elevated on Platform


Summorum Pontificum 10th Anniversary Conference and Celebration in Rome

Rome Quotes

"Time is short, death is certain, and eternity is long."

-John Henry Newman

St. Christopher: Patron of Travelers

Patron of Orbis Catholicus Travel.  

May he, the "Christ-Bearer," pray for us!

  Un ricordo per tutti e specialmente per la nostra bella parrocchia!

Monday, July 24, 2017

Tridentine Mass Promo

Feature video: the REQUIEM -The Fraternity (Priestly Fraternity of St. P...

Update on New FSSP Mission Parish in Nigeria (Please Give to Support This Worthy Cause!)

Sacred Liturgy on the Emerald Isle: Catholic Ireland Fota X in Cork

Summorum Pontificum Pilgrimage 2017 - 10 Years Motu Proprio Summorum Pon...

Roger Scruton - The Tyranny of Pop Music

Annual Holy Family Camping Pilgrimage in British Columbia (Canada)







A big thank you to all the organizers and participants.

This year's camp was another great success for the kids, parents and adults alike.

A very Canadian experience in the north woods that is affordable, close to home and sanctified.

Many thanks to the wonderful chaplain, Fr. Geddes as well as to the team of volunteers, Carl, Mark and the K of C.

Thank the Lord for these wonderful initiatives that bring traditional Catholics together.   

Bring Back Latin Documents


Receiving Holy Communion


10th Anniversary Celebration Not to Miss: September 14-17 in Rome!


Don't miss out on this rare opportunity to experience 4 days of Pontifical Liturgies of epic proportions in the Eternal City. 

Wooden Playground of a Church

My daughter enjoyed playing here.  Excellent for any church yard.  Buy your parish one for the kids!

https://www.backyarddiscovery.com/collections/wooden-playhouses

Brown Scapular Devotion


1060s Liturgical Art = Epic Fail

I saw this in a Catholic church with orange carpet and could not resist.  Reparation had to be made.  A litany was prayed.

This species of bad taste (going back DECADES) is unacceptable.  Some of us have strong feelings about these things because young people are being turned away from church by oddities like this.  

1970s Liturgical Orange Carpet

Yours truly took this photo in a Catholic church.  Sad to see this is STILL a problem.  

A Terrific Pro-Life Campaign

This resonates with young woman.

A spot-on campaign, by LifeCanada, designed by my wife! 

Billboard seen in British Columbia, Canada.  The model is a wonderful Catholic lady I saw at Mass yesterday. Hope abounds!   

Hippie Liturgy Meme

 "The change in liturgical advice to promote popular culture is perhaps the biggest mistake in modern Church history."

 -J.P. Sonnen

My Latest Travel Article on Catholic China



http://www.bccatholic.ca/content/chinese-island-home-to-shrine-of-st-francis-xavier

My Favorite Communion Verse of the Roman Rite: Hear the Surprise of the Chief Steward at Christ's First Public Miracle at the Wedding Feast of Cana!

The Apostle to the Apostles

On our OC-Travel tour to the Holy Land, we see the excavations of the town of Magdala, on the Sea of Galilee, the hometown of Mary Magdalen.  Maria Magdalena is a fine name for a new baby girl. 

Saturday, July 15, 2017

Life is a Pilgrmage


Rome Quotes

"Those who tell the Truth love you. Those who tell you what you want to hear love themselves."

-Mother Angelica

Friday, July 14, 2017

FSSP PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND (August 10 Deadline for Registration)

Do Not Miss Out on the Best Pilgrimage of Your Life


Above is an image of the Holy Family.  See where they lived and labored and walk where they walked.  Visit their home in Nazareth, a short walk up the hill from the Basilica of the Annunciation.  
 

A TLM pilgrimage is not to be missed.  The next Traditional Catholic pilgrimage to the Holy Land is an Advent Pilgrimage to the Holy Land, November 26 - December 9, 2017.
 
Some of you have written with questions.  Feel free to forward this to others who you think may benefit from a Traditional Catholic Pilgrimage to the Holy Land.   

The OC-Travel Experience

A well designed itinerary: This itinerary has been tested, iterated, and perfected so that you can see as much as possible, without feeling too exhausted or overwhelmed.  Adequate time is given for exploring, rest, leisure and shopping.  We will also have daily Mass at the holy sites.  All entrance fees are covered.     

Small groups: Most Holy Land tours pack a big bus with over 50 participants.  We aim to keep this group between 20 – 30 people.

Amazing hotels: We are staying in some of the best four star hotels in Israel.  The hotel in Nazareth is within walking distance of the childhood home of Jesus (Golden Crown Old City in Nazareth, 4 nights).  The hotel in Jerusalem boasts a lovely chapel as well as a stunning rooftop restaurant and garden terrace (Notre Dame Center in Jerusalem, 6 nights).     

Excellent meals: In addition to daily buffet breakfast, we are including all meals for this tour.  The meals are fresh and organic.  The luxury of all-inclusive meals frees you up and allows you to have the best possible dining experience while not having to worry about where to eat.  Sit back and relax, all is taken care of. 

Drinks included: Drinks on the table are included with group meals at no extra charge.  

Tips included: To make things simple, we have included all tips.  Don't worry, it's all taken care of!  Most tour companies expect you to tip as you go, which can be an annoyance.  
Our guide: What makes this the best possible tour at the end of the day is the guide.  Our guide, we believe, is the best in the business.  He is a truly gifted teacher and scholar from a prominent Christian family from Nazareth, Israel.

Our flight: We are flying BA from Vancouver to Tel Aviv via London, UK.  However, you may purchase your own airfare and meet the group in Vancouver, London or Tel Aviv.  

Guaranteed Price: No hidden costs.  We have done everything possible to keep the price down to a minimum.  In addition you must purchase travel insurance at additional cost.

Is this trip for you? You must be in adequate physical shape.  There is a lot of walking on uneven surfaces and stairs.  We recommend luggage on wheels.  

Sign up: To sign up, print the registration form HERE and e-mail, fax or mail to us.  If you have any questions, e-mail us (susankotnik@gmail.com) or call us toll-free: 1-800-675-9088.

Deposit info: At the time of registration, submit your completed and signed registration form along with your deposit of $750.  This holds your spot.  Final payment is due August 10.

Travel insurance: Purchase this at the time of your registration.  It must include medical.   

Safety: Safety is a number one concern.  Israel is a military state.  Everyone speaks English.  Each year 3.5 million pilgrims visit the Holy Land without a problem.  


We sincerely hope you can join us on the best pilgrimage of your life!  Do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have. 

FEAST OF SAINT KATERI TEKAKWITHA

Baptized Catherine, aka the "Lily of the Mohawks." At age 19 she converted to Catholicism after her family died of smallpox. Because of the epidemic, she was left with permanent scars on her face. For five years Kateri lived in a Jesuit mission. Refusing to marry, she took a private vow of virginity. She died at age 24 in 1680. In 2012 Kateri was canonized a saint by Pope Benedict XVI, making her the first Native American raised to the altars of the Church.

Conversational Latin: It Can Be Done!

Dialoghi latini from Legolize on FB. 

#PilgrimageHappiness


Rome Quotes

One of my favorite quotes from the scriptures, "...he was moved with compassion for them..."

"And Jesus was going about ALL the towns and villages, TEACHING in their synagogues, and PREACHING the GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM, and CURING every kind of disease and infirmity.  But seeing the crowds, he was MOVED WITH COMPASSION for them, because they were BEWILDERED and DEJECTED, like sheep without a shepherd.  Then he said to his disciples, 'THE HARVEST INDEED IS ABUNDANT, BUT THE LABORERS ARE FEW.  PRAY THEREFORE THE LORD OF THE HARVEST TO SEND FORTH LABORERS INTO HIS HARVEST.'  Then having summoned his twelve disciples, he gave them POWER OVER UNCLEAN SPIRITS, TO CAST THEM OUT, AND TO CURE EVERY KIND OF DISEASE AND INFIRMITY."

-St. Matthew

Thursday, July 13, 2017

Summorum Pontificum


How to Receive Holy Communion Properly

Stick your tongue out and bend your head back.  Fold your hands and keep them under the communion rail veil.

Also, note for priests: you simply lay the host on the tongue in this manner, as seen in the lower photo - this way you can actually see the host lay gently on the tongue. Do not flip your hand over and try to place the host on the tongue, as many do. 

Source: KNOW YOUR MASS which is my favorite book on the Mass for kids and adults, buy HERE.

Pèlerinage de Chartres Pentecôte (Pentecost Chartres Pilgrimage) 2018

Join the Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary English-speaking "Chapter" in 2018.

-- more info HERE.

TRADITIONAL CATHOLIC HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE

Fr. David Franco, FSSP is leading a magnificent rare pilgrimage to the Holy Land...there are still spots open before the August 10 deadline. It's a terrific "on a tight budget" tour (all meals included) with daily TLM at major religious sites. Winter is the best time to go to avoid the summer heat!
http://oc-travel.com/holy-land_nov/

Summorum Pontificum Pilgrimage 2017 - 10 Years Motu Proprio Summorum Pon...

Catholic Culture: Church Musician

Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Mozart - Missa Brevis in C, K. 259 [complete] (Organ Solo Mass)

Ezra Levant in Iraq: Inside a Christian refugee camp in Erbil

Orbis Catholicus Travel

Our daughter who has grown up at religious and pro-life events across the globe.  She travels well! 

Rome Obituary


RIP our dear friend, Evgenia Michajlovna, who fell asleep in the Lord aged 93. With a warm smile and a twinkle in her eye she never failed to give me a nod as I entered the shadows of the Russicum on dark winter nights for Sunday Vespers. And she never minded me leaving early to catch my train at nearby Termini. I guess she was pleased to have at least one other person seated in the church. May her memory be eternal. And may her chair be reserved in memoriam.

Obituary: 

Russicum friends, in the early hours of July 11, our beloved Evgenia Michajlovna, fell asleep in the Lord, at the age of 93. Since the Russicum is closed, and there is no choir, the funeral will take place on Thursday at the Church of SS. Antonio e Annibale Maria in Piazza Asti at 11 a.m., after which she will be interred with her relatives at the so-called Protestant Cemetery of Rome. Вѣчнаѧ памѧть!

Amici del Russicum, nelle prime ore del 11 luglio, la nostra amata Evgenia Michajlovna si è addormentata nel Signore, all età di 93. Siccome il Russicum è chiuso in questo periodo, e siamo senza coro, i funerali si terranno giovedì alla chiesa dei SS. Antonio e Annibale Maria in Piazza Asti alle 11, dopodichè, sarà sepolta con i suoi parenti nel cimitero acattolico di Roma (al Piramide.) Вѣчнаѧ памѧть!

Source: Dott. Gregory di Pippo

The Latin Parish Cana of Galilee: A Witness to the Words of Christ on Marriage

It could not be any more clear.  Unfaithfulness justifies separation from bed and board, but the bond of marriage remains unbroken. 

Jesus said in the Bible:

"It was said, moreover, 'Whoever puts away his wife, let him give her a written notice of dismissal.'  But I say to you that everyone who puts away his wife, save on account of immorality, causes her to commit adultery; and he who marries a woman who has been put away commits adultery."

-St. Matthew 5:31-32

Cana of Galilee

I took this photo of a church in Cana of Galilee.  It is a rather depressing sight; there are practically no Christian families left in Cana.  It is a painful sight to see the light of Christian presence disappear after generations of survival from the time of the Apostolic Age.

The Christians were always more educated and operated the best schools.  Due to low birth rate and emigration, the few Christians left in the Middle East frequently educate their youth so as to get out and have a chance at life in peace and prosperity.   

The best thing we can do to help and support the Christian populations in the Holy Land is to travel there and to patronize their shops and restaurants.  They depend upon us.  If not us, then who?  If you have never been to the Holy Land, you need to join us!  

Pastors: A Fine and Easy Song to Teach Your Parishioners

Franciscan Excavations at Cana of Galilee

Franciscans believe that recent excavations underneath their present church, built in the early 1900s, confirm the existence of an early place of worship, perhaps an early church.

Beneath the sacristy of the present church were found remains of dwellings dating back to the 1st century as well as an ancient basilica, built with three apses in cross-like form. Visitors descend to an excavated crypt underneath the present church, and see a stone cistern that was found fitted into a flagstone floor.

Skeptics claim Cana was somewhere else.  However, it says in the Bible, a wedding took place at "Cana of Galilee" (John 2:1).  There is also a tradition that Cana was in Lebanon that some Maronites talk about. 

Greek Orthodox Church of the Marriage Feast at Cana of Galilee




This complex is located across the street from the Franciscan church and monastery at Cana.  Many pilgrims visit here as well to pray.  The Greek Orthodox church, built in the 1880s, holds two stone jars that Orthodox followers revere as the jars in which Jesus performed the miracle of the wine.  In any event, they may be early baptismal fonts.   Streetside vendors sell Cana wine, but as the Italian pilgrims will warn you, it tastes more like vinegar.