"Could you not, then, watch one hour with me? Watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation."

The kingdom of the Prince of this world, Satan, prepares to celebrate with demonic delight the indescribable blasphemy and horrendous abominations of a night of mockery and contempt for all things holy, known as Samhain, or Halloween. For we Catholics who adhere to the Divine Laws of Our King, the Sovereign Lord Jesus Christ, it is our duty to combat this worldwide witchery in every way possible. Do not be overcome by the amount or the immensity of the evils, but rather let us follow the words of the Holy Scriptures, and "overcome evil with good." It would be most fitting for His children to sacrifice at least one hour of their rest to offer some reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which will be purposely outraged by the audacious actions of demons- fallen angels operating physically by means of the human bodies that they control either directly by possession, or almost totally by obsession or demonic oppression. Let this tiny thread of string serve as a call to spiritual arms in this tapestry of chaos known as the world, which clearly has not known Christ, nor the Father, as evidenced by the generally accepted practices of this "holiday".

Catholics! Hear the voice of reason and truth! Let your guardian angel inspire you to good works of prayer and piety on the solemn Vigil of All Saints, All Hallows Eve. While innocents are murdered in cold blood and demons dance with hellacious boasting at such an apparent victory; let us snatch souls away from the jaws of hell! We can and we must pray on this night, and invoke those holy saints whom we prepare to honor for their intercession in the conversion of demonicly disoriented souls, and the graces necessary for the Mystical Body of Jesus Christ to persevere in efficacious prayer to send these devils reeling back into hell, from whence they have come, by the Almighty Power of Our Lord Jesus Christ Crucified. Let us here recount some of the weapons we may use in our combat:

• Invoke all nine choirs of the good angels for protection for yourself and the entire Church, as well as all mankind.
• Meditate with grief and compunction upon the Passion of Our Lord, which is our hope for victory.
• Say the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary in honor of the Mother of Sorrows.
• Pray fervently for the deliverance of the Poor Souls from the fires of Purgatory. Implore also their prayers in this conquest.
• Resolve to bless our homes daily with holy water, something the devils despise with ferocity.
• Say private exorcism prayers, which any baptized Catholic is allowed to do. The Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel is particularly effective.
• Sing hymns to honor the Blessed Sacrament, Holy Trinity, and the Blessed Virgin Mary in any way that the Spirit shall move you.
• Fast in imitation of Christ, for some devils can be cast out no other way.

It is imperative that soldiers of Christ take up arms to do battle. The invisible enemy guides the visible: you may fight them both with great success to the Honor and Glory of Most Holy Trinity! To arms! 

"Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam" ; "All for the Greater Glory of God"

+ Motto of St. Ignatius and the Jesuits

Dear Catholics,

Here is a video segment from the Sunday Sermon for the Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King, delivered 10-25-09 by Deacon Bonaventure, OFM. May you return prayerful thanks to this true King of Eternal Glory for His infinite blessings; may we all learn the hidden power of true supernatural humility.

Long Live Christ the King!

Audio Sermon for the Feast of Christ the King

Words of Instruction Regarding the Tongue

The faculty of speech is such a magnificent gift of God, and one that is so easy to employ usefully. Since, however, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue" (Prov. 18,21), it is of the utmost importance to remind ourselves constantly to bridle this tiny instrument that can easily manifest itself as St. James describes, "full of deadly poison."  He goes on to say that "By it we bless God and the Father; and by it we curse men, who are made after the likeness of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so." (James 3, 9-10)

We seldom digest the words of the Scriptures well enough to put them into practical daily use unto spiritual profit, and thus more forceful and frightening words become necessary to divert us from this grave spiritual pitfall. Listen to the Seraphic Doctor thunder against detraction: "O tongue of the detractor! Wicked tongue! O infernal cruelty! O hate and envy! O deadly disease! Thou it is who dost sow discords, crush the good, discredit the just, beget scandals, perjuries, false witnesses,; and ever dost thou multiply malicious charges! Thou dost not cease to arouse rancors, strifes, envies, angers, fights, insults, and divisions; and thou dost foster and nourish partialities and dissensions." It not only an evil, dear Catholic souls; there is yet more to abhor: "Therefore, do not be afraid to call the tongue of the detractor more cruel than the spear stabbing the side of Christ; for it digs the Mystical Body of Christ while He still lives. The thorns stinging His head and the nails piercing his hands and feet were no more harmfully agonizing than the tongue of the detractor which pierces His very heart."
May these words serve to humble our proud and boastful speech, and make us more Christ-like in all meekness.

Dear Friends in Christ,

Here is the link for another YouTube video sermon segment. The full version is available from the Franciscan Press for any of those who are interested. May you continue your daily prayer life with vigor, as we can assure you that both great spiritual blessings are being wrought, and tremendous battles won through your continued prayers and sacrifices.

Pax Tecum,
Brother Bonaventure, OFM

Feast of St. Luke the Evangelist

Dear Catholics,

Here is something new whereby we hope to reach the world . Your suggestions are welcome. May God bless you all.

Brother Bonaventure, OFM

Sermon excerpt for the Feast of the Motherhood of the Blessed Virgin Mary

It is most profitable for our souls to reflect often that our lives as followers of Jesus Christ cannot be separated from the Holy Cross. The Blessed Mother freely chose to be a sacrificial victim herself, offering her Divine Son to the Heavenly Father without considering her own desires or affections. On Calvary was the perfect act of propitiation and expiation for the sins of mankind, in the brutal suffering of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The aspect of Mary's perfect act of most painful resignation to the will of God is something that seems almost forgotten in this age of self-divination and doctrinal dilution. Souls that are gravely ill with sins need this Queen of Martyrs to rescue them from the pit of their anticipated Hell, lest the words of the Seraphic Doctor come true to their horror: "Those who neglect a devotion to the Blessed Mother will die in their sins." True devotedness includes the honoring of Our Lady will all of the titles of grandeur that are her due. The title that we ought to emphasize very often is that of "Mother of Sorrows". It seems prudent to include some nourishing words from Saint Bonaventure's Praise of the Holy Cross.

Be you tempted or afflicted,

Be you faint and almost vanquished,

Be you overwhelmed in loss;

Linger not in sloth or slowness,

But with instant resolution

Mark your forehead with the Cross.

In your laughter and your weeping,

In your song and in your sadness,

When you work and when you rest;

Be you coming, be you going,

Be you healed or yet in sorrow,

Press the Cross upon your breast.

In the midst of burdens crushing,

Trials heavy, hardships bruising,

Hold the Cross that all consoles;

In the midst of pain and anguish,

Sweetest refuge is accorded

Unto Cross abiding souls.

BB, OFM

Audio sermon for the Feast of St. Luke (given by Brother Bonaventure OFM)