Merry Christmas And A Happy New Year!

With all that's happened in the news the past couple of months with Obama being re-elected, the realization that Obamacare and Roe v Wade are to be with us for years to come, and the school shooting in CT, it's a time to count our blessings by shedding the darkness of the world and looking to the Light.  This Christmas, hold tight to the arms of Christ and thank Him for all the good He has provided in your lives.  And then follow His example to spread His Light to all you meet, because living your faith and SHOWING the presence God's Grace in your life wins more converts than quoting the Bible or blathering about "judgement" ever will.  The example set by others is why I joined the Catholic Church.

May you all have a joyous and Christ-filled holiday season!

Sometimes The Ads That Say Nothing Speak Volumes

Freedom Is On The Line This Election Day (Video)

This election is about many issues, but chief among them are some basic freedoms spelled out in The Bill Of Rights, not the least of which is freedom of religion.  But beyond that are other freedoms for which americans have fought and died, among which is the freedom to succeed economically through a capitalist economy.  Although it has its ebbs and flows, it is still the most reliable way to achieve prosperity and a better living standard for even the poorest of our citizens.

Romney Wins First Presidential Debate Hands Down (ENTIRE VIDEO)

"Enemy Of The American People" Pat Caddell on MSM

Pat Caddell, a life-long Democrat and political consultant for several Democrat presidential candidates, starting with George McGovern in 1972, joins a very short list of Democrats (Bernie Goldberg is the only other one on the list) who have called out the Main Stream Media for their liberal bias. Mr. Caddell's accusations are a bit stronger, however, in that he acknowledges the media have gone beyond simply slanting the news to the left. They have been refusing to hold him accountable, refusing to investigate anything that might make him look bad, and hiding negative stories about him. They are, in effect, campaigning for the President, much to the detriment of our national security. Anyone who still doubts media complicity needs to watch the video shown above. Show it to your friends!

The Romney You May Not Know.

I am becoming convinced that Romney is much more than the lesser of two evils, but is instead a potentially great President in the making.

DNC Chair Pulls A Boehner And Adds God To Platform Anyway

It is amazing how quickly a well run campaign like Congressman West's can seize upon current events and weave them into a really effective ad for their candidate when you're working with really good people.  It was only a couple of nights ago that the Democrats were railroaded at their convention by a reluctant Los Angeles mayor into re-attaching "God" and "Jerusalem as capital of Israel" to their Party Platform.  The "NO's" actually had it... THREE TIMES!!!  But the Godly or goodly mayor pulled a "Boehner" and pretended he heard more "yea's" than "no's," and the measure passed.  From what I'm told, Debbie Wasserman-Schultz was directly responsible for the missing items in the first place, causing this embarrassing and REVEALING moment for the world to see, opening the eyes of many believers in Christ who still (for whatever reason) vote Democrat that their Party has left God by the curb.

On a personal note regarding the lack of blog posts...  I've ignored many opportunities to post some really great videos of the RNC and other great items as I've been engrossed by Facebook.  Without endorsing FB, I can say it's more comforting to see that over 200 "friends" will see FB posts of mine and "like" or "share" the items rather than wait for and untold number of strangers to stumble upon my blog posts.  I will still blog from time to time, but not on a high priority.  And any absence of blogging does NOT mean I'm not active out there...

New Romney Ad Shows Full Obama Quote IN CONTEXT And Is Devastating

This ad answers the other ad that answered the first ad about what President Obama actually said,... or rather meant when he said "you didn't build that, someone else did." After so many accusations from the White House that Mitt Romney lied and misquoted the president, after President Obama's ad that showed himself saying the same things Romney accused him of saying, here is the ultimate political ad from the Romney camp that plays the entire quote from the president in context in which Obama belittles American small businesses. Obama can argue to his Columbia educated heart's content what he meant to say, or what he said was meant to mean, or what he shouldn't have said at all,...BUT HE SAID IT AND HAS TO EAT IT NOW.

GET OUT!!!

A Good Movie For Those With Waning Faith

For those who have lapsed...  For those who are backsliding or are in danger of doing so....  For those who are questioning their faith and drifting away from the Church and from God, there is a movie you need to see.  It's not a huge production like Avatar or action packed like 300.  It's merely a simple encounter with a man who has it all, except God, and feels miserable.

The movie is Vito Bonafacci in Search of the Truth, and is about a lapsed Catholic (25 years away from the Church) who, after having a dream in which he dies and then is scolded by his mother on why he's going to hell, seeks advice from family, friends, and employees for answers, before turning directly to God (with help from his priest).

Without delving into too much (or any if you don't mind) personal baggage of my own, I'd like to say that I identified with this character very much in his faith struggle, and found the discussions he has with his wife, barber, and employees not only plausible, but nearly identical to several I've had with those who either accept God on His terms, or replace Him with some new-age politically correct, feel-goodism, or even write Him off altogether as some tool used by organized religion to advance careers in a bogus faith.

This movie would be a great gift for someone struggling with faith.  It would also make a useful RCIA tool for adults starting their Catholic journey.  And although I found the dream scene at the beginning to be somewhat dragging and a bit ponderous (I would have shown him acting out other examples of bad behavior while his mother narrated a voice-over rather than show her during her whole speech), the rest I found engagingly honest and well filmed.  There's very good camera work, especially when breakfast is prepared, and the acting is not bad at all.

Thumbs up!  Three Hail Marys.  Two and a half Glory Be's.

What You Didn't Know About Obamacare. Excellent Video From ADF!

This is just the tip of the iceberg!  The entire written law is so HUGE, politicians are still uncovering new, horrific discoveries as we speak....

Video: Test of Fire

Looks like CatholicVote.org has some competition when it comes to high quality campaign ads!  This one of course reminds us of the heavy weight and eternal consequences of our vote.

Reach them or donate online to Catholics Called To Witness (www.cc2w.org).

Congressman Gowdy Teaches Sebelius Some Basic Logic...

 It is truly a pleasure to watch Secretary Sebelius squirm.  She just doesn't have a clue... and she knows it. God bless Congressman Gowdy for his logic, and for taking Sebelius to the woodshed.

Can Latin Mass Make A Comeback?

Can the Latin Mass overtake and replace the modern English language Mass?  Those who have boldly ventured into churches who practice both and have done a comparison may notice that the Latin Mass is much less participatory than the English Mass, and...  is hard to understand if you don't know Latin.

Could help if Latin is taught widespread in schools again...  Some still do...

But the priest is correct in that the pendulum has swung in the other direction for those who still go to church.  Tradition will win the day.  But if the Catholic Church reverted back to primarily Latin Masses, would this result in a shrinkage in the laity?  And if so, would it be such a bad thing?

I would suggest that all Latin Masses would result in fewer converts from Protestantism simply because most of them would attempt to sit in on Masses with no knowledge of Latin whatsoever.  And without an English-Latin Missal with which to refer, they would be even more confused than they are when attending the modern English Mass for the first time, jumping around in the Missal and getting lost.... as I did when I started.  Honestly, they don't make things easy for the curious stranger to follow along.

However,...  Those already in the Church who accept the Latin Mass will have a deeper and more accurate understanding of their faith as well as adherence to the Magisterium so lacking in many of today's so-called Catholic college campuses.  It would be a smaller, yet stronger church.  For how strong can a huge church be if it cannot control what is taught in its churches and universities?  If the inmates are running the asylum, perhaps a smaller asylum is the remedy to regain control of the inmates... so to speak.

Allen West Defends His Comments About Communists In The Congressional Progressive Caucus

Yes, Chad, Allen West believes in his heart of hearts that there are many Communists in the Congressional Progressive Caucas (Democrat party in Congress).  And so do I.  Maxine Waters, anyone?  Listen to what they say and do.  Don't expect the Main Stream Media to point it out.  They're campaign managers for the Left.  Think for yourself.  See it for yourself.   Also, click HERE.

HE IS RISEN!!! Gloria In Excelsis Deo!

Happy Easter!

Litany Of The Saints ---Ora Pro Nobis!

I love it when our Cathedral thunders with the sounds of the faithful (choir included) singing the Litany of the Saints as we did at Easter Vigil a few hours ago...

To hear the Latin version (so beautiful), see below!

Happy Easter Vigil!

I've timed this post so that it appears while I'm in Philadelphia at the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul watching Archbishop Chaput celebrate the Easter Vigil Mass.  Enjoy!

THIS...WILL...NOT...STAND!!!

This video needs to go viral.  All the bishops in the US are standing firm on this issue, even the liberal progressive ones, many of whom likely voted for Obama.

Fr. Leo "Miniflips"-Off President Obama (Video)

...And in the process throws President Obama's own words back at him.  One by one Fr. Leo goes through several broken promises President Obama made regarding conscience clauses, birth control, and First Amendment rights.  Enjoy!

"Number One Killer" VIDEO

Today in church we had a Mass in Celebration of African American and African Catholic Faith and Culture in honor of Black History Month as well as Saint Josephine Bakhita, whose Feast Day was Wednesday.  It was a celebration of black culture as we listened to the Choir (visiting) from Saint Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church in Baltimore, MD, the oldest black church in the US, established in 1864.  And they were wonderful and inspiring.  The Sanctus was performed with  abundant reverence, IMHO.

So it seems fitting to shed light on the video above that was released in July of last year, but which has not gotten enough viewing...  Consider it my additional celebration of a black organization that refuses to remain silent about abortion and about Planned Parenthood's seeming attempt to decrease the black population.  I've mentioned them before:  The National Black Pro-life Coalition.

When Wishful Thinking Becomes Dangerous Demagoguery

This is frightening.  I heard some grumbling about it earlier last year, but paid it no heed, figuring it had no real basis.  But a blogger has put it all together, and you can read about it by clicking HERE.

When a president shows a long pattern of thinking out loud about ruling as a dictator, the once forbidden notion becomes "cutting edge" and argued among elites as though it were a reasonable notion.  See also HERE.

Hat tip:  MommyLife.

The Rebellion!

Just when we've convinced ourselves that the minds of our nation's children were sliding downward into oblivion, these kids have given us HOPE for the future.  This video of the March, made by a young fellow named Marc Barnes is terrific and lifts my spirits.  And I think I saw the Whoville girls in there!

Hat tips to The Thin Veil via OSV.

"Open Wide The Doors..."

2012 March For Life in Washington DC....Cold and Wet, But Determined!

In spite of the rain, in spite of the cold, the turnout for the 39th Annual March For Life looked as strong as last year.  People came from all over the country to celebrate life and to protest once again the unfortunate decision by the Supreme Court in the case of Roe Vs. Wade, legalizing abortion-on-demand.

I expected a lower turnout this year because of the rain, and also because most major cities are doing their own marching or walking (out west).  The fact that the crowd is every bit as large as before in DC tells me the pro-life movement is GROWING.

But because of the rain there were fewer banners and signs, and therefore fewer pictures for me to take.  Also, my camera is not waterproof!  But I met some fantastic people, including a barefoot Franciscan and four girls pictured below with interesting, Whoville hairdo's.

The marchers holding the banner this year are from Front Royal, VA, more specifically Christendom College  (See their video below).  They marched boldly, chanted loudly and did a wonderful job.  It's unfortunate, though,  that the police, in their effort to clear the streets of people so the marchers could pass through, waved a large portion of the crowd forward rather than sideways causing them to march ahead of the banner again this year.  Next year this will have to be stopped.

The resistance to the March was futile as usual, with only 25-30 so-called "pro-choice" people waiting for us at the Supreme Court building, taunting us with chants and occasional obscene gestures (typical liberal petulance).  Our numbers were in the low hundreds of thousands, perhaps 250,000 by my estimates.  The vast throng of humanity seemed to go on forever....

St. Blogustine welcomes readers from New Advent, Shameless Popery, Danielle Bean, OSV Daily Take, Fr. Longenecker from Standing On My Head, Faith On The High Wire, Little Catholic Bubble, Catholic Exchange, Adrienne's Corner. Jill Stanek, Stepping Out of The Boat (ArchDofNY), Filipino Families of Skokie, Unshakeable Hope, Get Religion, Dymphna's Road, The Oogedy Boogedy Blog, and The Anchoress.  St. Blogustine also wishes to welcome the foreign press, Forum Libertas (using Google Translator.).  Thanks so much for the links!  And if I've missed any links, please email me at StBlogustine@aol.com. 

Also, check out these posts from The Crescat, Mommy Life, Catholic Beat on Facebook, and Nice Deb who were also there.

Just in:  excellent Picasa photo collections (some of the best I've seen yet) from Niall O'Donnell and Tom McFadden.   You did great work on your video, too.  See bottom.

ALSO... Sister Lisa Marie at Nunspeak has a nice photo collection of the Walk For Life that occurred in San Francisco on Saturday.

Kids from Academy of the Holy Cross in Kensington, MD.  What great smiles!

"A person is a person, no matter how small!"

Baby feet hats.

Tough looking brothers

All for the Immaculate!

Fox News was there covering

Cold and wet, but spirits high

Not easy climbing Capital Hill while holding a banner in the rain

He's an annual fixture and great motivator

Kids from St. John Cantius in Chicago, always enthusiastic!

Takes guts to admit this.  These ladies got lots of hugs along the way.

Vulgar, obscene, loud-mouthed, pro-abortion occupiers.

40 degree weather and he's in bare feet!  One of Bishop Rhoades's radical Franciscans

VIDEO: "Why I Love Religion, And Love Jesus"

This one, although only just arriving on the scene (better late than never), seems to be the best response so far to Jefferson Bethke's video, Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus, which seems to have sold out to commerical advertising!

But this video above, filmed at Queen Of All Saints Basilica in Chicago, IL, (my own pics, HERE), features Fr. Pontifex and made by Spirit Juice Studios.  Looking forward to seeing more from these talented people.

Hat tip to CatholicVote.org

The Hate-Religion Video Everyone's Talking About...And The Video Response That Wins.

The top video is one that has been going viral on the internet, attacking religion for its hypocrisy while claiming to love Jesus without a church.  Both atheists and non-denominational protestants have latched onto it, while Catholics and most church-going Protestants have responded unfavorably for the most part.

The bottom video is a clever response from a priest whom I've never seen before, but hope to again, soon.  His rap is clever, relevant, and best of all....TRUE.  

Personally, I can identify with the young man in the top video.  It's where I was many years ago when I went to Catholic Mass out of curiosity, and found Catholics to be dead people who practiced a dead religion.  I'd look around at the expensive looking chalices, statues, paintings, and marbled alters, and wonder why the money wasn't spent on food for the poor.  I was young, foolish, and didn't understand.  I did not feel the need to dig deeper and see clearly.  The young man in the top video claims to have been among the double-minded who cleansed the outside of himself but was impure inside.  Does he not have himself to blame for his myopic vision?  Not all in the Church are as blind as he was.

Churches were built huge and beautiful to inspire man to aspire God.  Feed a hungry, uninspired man and you feed him for a day.  But tomorrow he is hungry again and every bit as uninspired as yesterday.  Those inspired by God will aspire to help those who cannot help themselves to become productive and fulfilled.  Such good works feed upon themselves and spread.

Here's another one just found...