40 Days for Life.

It is lovely to be in Catholic country where abortion is illegal and there is an active prolife movement trying to stop referrals to have abortions performed overseas. Being lent, they do the 40 Days for Life here as well, and have people outside the 'Reproductive Choices' clinic to counsel people who enter and to pray. Today was a bit of an adventure. I just missed the first part where masked 'bandits' on bicycle swung by and lobed water bombs at the prolifers standing outside, that is two women, a man and a baby. Yes, these idiots threw a water bomb at a baby in her pram. The little girl was an absolute heroine who did not even cry during the entire ordeal. If you're reading this, would you please stop and say a prayer for these young, probably uninformed, hoodlums.

The second it was a bit more fun. Usually you would only have a few volunteers outside the clinic so as not to appear intimidating, but a busload of people from out of town heard about this and wanted to do it. Well you can't really say no. When they alighted the bus like soldiers, moving speedily into formation. A group immediately started praying the rosary. The other half went to the Church nearby to seek the mercy of God upon the clinic. A man, like a wizened Sergeant Major, came out and start throwing blessed salt on the pavement outside the clinic and another, holy water. Ya, you know you're when you're with the Church Militant when they bring such powerful spiritual weapons with them. Spiritual weapons of mass protection. HOOORAH! :P

Today I played with broken hearts.

Now, I have formalin fingers ):

The Lorica of St Patrick.

Lorica of Saint Patrick

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a belief in the Threeness,
Through confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of creation.

I arise today
Through the strength of Christ's birth and His baptism,
Through the strength of His crucifixion and His burial,
Through the strength of His resurrection and His ascension,
Through the strength of His descent for the judgment of doom.

I arise today
Through the strength of the love of cherubim,
In obedience of angels,
In service of archangels,
In the hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In the prayers of patriarchs,
In preachings of the apostles,
In faiths of confessors,
In innocence of virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.

I arise today
Through the strength of heaven;
Light of the sun,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of the wind,
Depth of the sea,
Stability of the earth,
Firmness of the rock.

I arise today
Through God's strength to pilot me;
God's might to uphold me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to guard me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's hosts to save me
From snares of the devil,
From temptations of vices,
From every one who desires me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone or in a mulitude.

I summon today all these powers between me and evil,
Against every cruel merciless power that opposes my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom,
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of women and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man's body and soul.
Christ shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that reward may come to me in abundance.

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of every man who speaks of me,
Christ in the eye that sees me,
Christ in the ear that hears me.

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through a belief in the Threeness,
Through a confession of the Oneness
Of the Creator of creation

St. Patrick (ca. 377)

from www.ewtn.com

The Future?

I have just been having a very depressing conversation with C about the sordid state that traditional minded Catholics in Singapore are facing. The truth is that our little community is held by a thin glue that barely justifies the community.Where we should be coming together and forming our own community and actually make an impact in the diocese, we are spread far too thin in our own parish commitments and against great opposition to basic teachings of the church, never mind what language they are thought in. I do not underestimate the effort that is put into these commitments, they are some of the most noble and commendable efforts, and I know, because I too am part of this effort to provide authentic instruction for the youth. Though, that comes at our peril, often we stand alone in these communities, are see as the far too conservative lone voice against the popular uninstructed crowd. We make our own spiritual lives, keeping the office, adoration and Mass at the centre of our lives, but we do not have the community, and any efforts to create one are sidestepped by commitments. I wonder if our efforts are misplaced. I honestly believe that it would just take a small group of people who are willing to meet once a week to sing vespers, do some spiritual contemplation and have supper, and that will build, but it will require some sacrifices. Perhaps, it is that sacrifice that many are unable to handle, to remove oneself from the much needed community of our neighbourhood parish. Maybe, I am asking for too much.

However, that is the truth. No one is willing to make a move. Today, was the monthly prolife Mass. C, who organised it, told me no one turned up. Not even anyone who was/is on the original core team. We can't even put together something that is not far from the things most mainstream Catholics believe in, how do we maintain our community? I wonder what will happen when Fr and Fr, who are both greatly advanced in age, will no longer be able to say Latin Mass for us? How long more will they be around for? They are both over eighty. When they go, what will happen to our community? Most of the servers with vocations would ideally like to enter the FSSP, who do not have a community here. All the traditional Singaporean priests are ministering abroad. I wonder if our traditional Catholics will also seek jobs overseas where they can at least foster their spiritual life. This is a great frustration for many of us who are seeking more, who need more. Even I am tempted to remain in Europe, possibly even in Dublin, so that I will have access to things spiritually edifying.

Perhaps, I am too selfish in my desire to see actual practising Catholics in Singapore. We are definitely nowhere near the dire state that much of Ireland is in. There are many baptisms every year at the Easter Vigil, even if they never completely understand the basic tenets of the faith. I wonder whether I should just learn to compromise and suffer in silence. However, one does not simple compromise the truth. I felt the prangs already, when I was back over the last two holidays. It is probably to the point where one seeks edifying homilies and instructions through other means, where one questions whether one can seek a local priest for spiritual advice knowing the shady theology with which they lead their lives. Whatever it is, someone needs to make a move soon. The biological solution, unfortunately, does not only work on errant priests. The clock is ticking.

Our Lady, Help of Christians and Queen of Priests, pray for us!

Youth Defence Celebrates 20 years of keeping Ireland Abortion Free

It is very exciting to be in a country with an active prolife movement, and also, a country that where abortion is illegal. Ireland is the safest place for a mother and child to be in the world. Living proof that abortion is never medically necessary. It just goes to show that if doctors spend their improving their techniques to save people instead of kill them, they end up...saving more people. It seems like common sense, but according to moderns, it would be rather counter-intuitive.

Yet, we must still pray because idiots are trying to ruin this glorious safe haven for babies and mothers by trying to get abortion legalised here in Ireland.

With new friends that I made while praying outside the abortion referral clinic.

Today, I witnessed a most profound thing. After the Mass today, the visiting celebrant after de-vesting, went out of the sacristy, out of the sanctuary, to a corner of the altar rails, knelt down and prayed before the Sacratissimum in the tabernacle. I'd never seen that before. The immediacy and humility of it all. God first, then pastoral duties.

That visiting priest was the Superior General of the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter.

That reminds me of another story I was told, of another priest, or a bishop rather, who gave to God first. That man was Fulton Sheen. At the conference of all the Bishops of the USA, he was asked to give the opening address, and in classic Sheen style, he told them, 'I am more influential than every single one of you. When I talk, people listen to me. Do you want to know why? Because, every morning, I spend one hour kneeling in front of the Blessed Sacrament.'

Truly inspiring!