Ever wonder if you made the wrong choice?

Two roads diverged in the seminary woods and I... I got out of Dodge. Will that make all the difference?
The original was more eloquent, but my adaptation gets the point across. I wonder often if it would have been better to stay. The die is cast however, and the next few years are largely predetermined.
So I guess the larger question of what I am going to do with my life is somewhat academic for the next four years at least. Still, being a curious sort I can't help but wonder. Should I date and eventually marry and just put this whole seminary/priest thing behind me? Should I hold fast for a few more years, pick myself up and try again? Religious? Which order? Diocesan? Which diocese?
On the other hand, 4 years of active duty will give me ample time to sort through all this and hopefully figure it out. I wish choosing vocations were as easy as Mary's Fiat: An angel shows up and tells you what God wants and you say yes. Of course living it out was another matter altogether. I'm sure that the Seven Sorrows were not easy at all.
I know that living my vocation will not be easy, but I wish sometimes that the Big Guy Upstairs would just spell it out for me in neon lights or something. But I know that won't happen.

Jesus, my General, tell me where you want me on the battlefield.

Ok, so I couldn't help but put another post.

So many things I do not know
What should I do, where should I go
To whom do I turn for aid
When all that I have done and made
Have fallen to the ground
With a loud, horrible sound
I turn to the Lord, Our Succor
From His love I can never be torn
May He hear my prayers and forgive my sins
I shall return to Him with renewed zeal again

I haven't blogged in what seems like forever and it will probably be a good while longer after this post.
I have orders and I am set to begin training 4 June. So in less than a week I'm off to Oklahoma and then Georgia until November. After all that sun and warm weather its off to central Alaska by December. Brrr.
I'm sure that the Lord will bless me in this. I don't think I will make a career out of the Army, but I think the next 4 years will be a great adventure.

I know that I haven't posted in a while. Posts will be a little touch and go over the summer as I get settled.

Moving Day

Well, I don't post too much personal stuff here, but here's one of the exceptions.
Tomorrow is the big day. That's right I am leaving the seminary tomorrow and instead of finishing the packing I am writing this post.
I have some rather mixed emotions about the whole thing. I am leaving of my own accord and I am not saying which seminary. A combination of things led me to make this decision. I made the decision back in February to leave at the end of the semester.
Ironically, I thought I had it figured out, but the closer I got this point the more I doubted whether it was the right decision. I had some conversations and soul searching that made me wonder. I still daydream now and then about giving a homily.
Sometimes I wonder if I should have trying entering a religious order instead of entering as a diocesan seminarian. Now I am even more confused then ever, but the die is cast.
I am not sure what God has called me to do, but in the meanwhile I owe four years to the Army.
Its been real. Its been fun...

No successful book is complete without a parody

Thanks to Curt Jester for pointing this out.
In response to the Da Vinci code someone wrote the Baloney Code.
An excerpt from the book:

'You must be Trophie Adieu, the most educated person on the Dubuque police force whom I've heard so much about' Longwind said. 'I understand that in addition to your work in cryptography, you are a paleontologist, linguist, opthalmologist, toxicologist, dentist, excorcist, ventriloquist and immunologist.'
'Yes' Trophie said. 'Which makes me the second most educated person on the force.'

Spiritual post for the day

Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you do not have life within you."
John 6:53

Check out my informal poll.

Da Vinci Code protests

Its safe to say that a lot of Catholics and Christians in general are very upset about the movie and want to do something about it. I have read in different places calls for a boycott, calls to see any other movie (I don't see how it will do anything), and people calling others to go adoration or do a protest rosary outside.
This, I hadn't seen. A supposedly Catholic group in India is calling on people to have hunger strikes to the point of death, according to the AFP on Yahoo News. My first reaction is : what the...?
Of course this group, "The Catholic Secular Forum", is calling on people pretty much to commit suicide (a mortal sin). It would not only thin their ranks, but they would be encouraging and cooperating with a sinful act.
I am sure that the movie has soon outrageous statements, just like the book, against Christianity and its certainly a shame that so many people have believed the lies. However, the movie is NOT that bad that you should die over it for crying out loud!
Someone should notify the Darwin Awards. If anyone actually listens to these goombas and actually starves themself to death, then they definitely deserve a Darwin Award for their efforts.

So I had never thought of this til I read an article on the BBC news site. Who makes gallows? I had always firgured it was a simple matter to be done locally.
Apparently, there's a man in Britain though that exports gallows. After all, he can't make them for domestic use since Britain has no death penalty.
Even worse, he is exporting the gallows to countries with bad human rights records like Zimbabwe. This summer his business will come to a halt as a new trade regulation will come into effect banning the export of gallows. How big of an industry is that the EU has taken notice to ban it? You wouldn't think too many people would be doing something like that.

Thought for the day

My son, saith the Lord, hear My words and follow them, for they be most sweet, far passing the wisdom and cunning of all philosophers and wise men of the world.
The Imitation of Christ, Book 2, Chapter 3

Che T-shirts

I don't know about you, but I always feel sad for those fools who wear Che t-shirts. Either they've bought in to that craptastic ideology and believe the lies or they don't know who he is, just that he has some cool t-shirts.
I found some cool Che t-shirts. My two favorites are "Dead Che: Your tax dollars at work" and "I don't know who this guy is but he sure sells a lot of T-shirts!"
Considering what this guy was trying to do, its probably best that's he's dead. I don't believe in just simply having someone executed when they are an inconvenience, but criminals must often be killed to be stopped. To honor and protect life it is sometimes necessary to do away with those who bring violence to society.
The only bad thing about that is that they found his remains, brought them back to Cuba and put them in a fancy mausoleum. So now the commies have a shrine to one of their atheist gods, because let's face it they worship their leaders like gods in a twisted anti-religion.

Circus nuns

So I was reading through Live Jesus! a blog that I happened upon and read her post about circus nuns staying with them.
Apparently, there's are dedicated groups of nuns, priests, and brothers who travel around with circuses and minister to them. There's even an article from St Cloud about a bishop celebrating mass with them and its also about the apostolate in general.
I'd just like to see a nun in full habit swinging on the trapeze.

new blog discovery

I have discovered a new blog:
The Ironic Catholic: Its a funny blog with lots of satire.
(The picture is from a post on the Ironic Catholic's blog).

Who is your favorite saint?
	St Therese de Lisieux
	St Francis of Assissi
	St Peter
	St John of the Cross
	St Benedict
	Other: please post a comment naming your favorite
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You're Idaho!

You're a real meat-n-potatoes kind of person, or more accurately, a
potatoes-n-potatoes type.


Take the State Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.

Today's Thought

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel. He has come to His people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty savior.
Luke 1:68-69

Mass

A friend of mine recently told me that the reason she doesn't go to mass (except on Christmas, Easter, and when we were dating and I would take her) was that she feels that she doesn't get anything out of it.
I just don't get it.... Well, actually I do. She doesn't understand the enormity of what happens at mass.
Christ becomes physically present. Even if you don't like the priest's homily or it went too long, there's still the huge implications of the Divine Person Jesus Christ taking the form of bread and wine.
Our almighty and all-powerful God humbles himself to be held in your hand and be present in the chalice. You hold GOD IN YOUR HAND!
You receive Him and your flesh becomes His flesh. His flesh becomes your flesh. You receive His blood and His blood flows in your blood. You become a living, breathing, walking, talking tabernacle!
I hope someday she will understand just how exciting it really is.

Shakespeare: a Catholic?

I read an article about the possibility that Shakespeare might have been a Catholic. There is some compelling evidence, but of course that far back in history its next to impossible to prove anything.

It's old school, but its a whole lot better than "Army of One".
For God and Country...

Christ died for you. You... what should you do for Christ?

The Way, by Josemaria Escriva
#299

Church signs

I found a site that allows you to make your own Church signs.

more to follow...

What the...?

Is this about a mass or some priestly cage match advertised like a monster truck rally?

I was going to pick an article to rag on from my favorite pinko paper, Commonweal, but I read one article and it made me too mad to say anything that I wouldn't regret later. I read another one and had the same reaction and again and again.
If they're a "Catholic" paper like they claim, why are they always backbiting the Pope and the teachings of the Magisterium?

Another thought for the day

Live by love and you will conquer always- even when you are defeated- in the Navas and Lepantos of your interior life.

The Way, by St. Josemaria Escriva, #433

In case you didn't know: Nava was the site of a Christian victory of a Muslim army in Spain and Lepanto was a naval battle that gave Christians supremacy over the Mediterrenean Sea.

though for the day

Don't fear God's justice. It is no less admirable and no less lovable than His mercy. Both are proofs of His love.

The Way, #431

I (and I imagine a lot of other people also) find it very easy to love God for His mercy. Its easy to love Him when he forgives and all is well with Him. The hard part is loving Him for the correction He gives. He is just and will punish me in order to correct. I have a hard time loving God because He is fair and forgives not just me, but also the other guy, since He is a just God.

My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord or loathe His reproof, for whom the Lord loves He reproves even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.

Proverbs 3:11, 12

Today's Thought

He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then He called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed Him.

Mark 1:19, 20 NAB

Why do I find it so hard to be like James and John? Why does it have to be so hard to hear His voice and follow? Why do I have to worry about having a family or being around my siblings and parents? Why do I find it so hard to imitate James and John?

Here are a couple more of my blog discoveries:

Catholic Catechism Dialog Blog: A group blog that is going through the Catechism and expanding on the often terse explanations.

Pontifications: A great apologetics blog.

New video of Zarqawi

American troops found a video of Zarqawi wearing American tennis shoes and fumbling with a machine gun. Its not being released in its entirety, but apparently it also has some top al-Qaida personnel doing such goofy things as grabbing a hot barrel of a rifle.
Its a shame that they won't release the whole thing; I would pay money to see it.

thought for the day

Charity seeketh not himself in that he doth, but he desireth to do only that which shall be honour and praising to God.

The Imitation of Christ, Book 1, Chapter 15

Test your Catholic IQ

Here is a webpage that has the entire text of The Spiritual Combat. Its a great devotional book about fighting temptation and struggling to do the hard right over the easy wrong.
I like the opening line on the page: "Spiritual Combat-Fight or Die". And even better is the picture of St Michael about to stab Satan, who's already beneath his feet.

Seven Sorrows

So I haven't done it yet, so I figured that now is as good a time as any to post about my favorite Catholic band, Seven Sorrows. The name comes from the Seven Sorrows of Mary of course, since they are dedicated to her and her Seven Sorrows.
Its a hard rock band and you can listen to or download full songs like Regret or Agape.

Happy Feast Day of Sts. James and Phillip.
Today is Wednesday and I'm over the hump. That's right its all downhill from here. And after this week there is only finals week.
When finals week is finished I will finally be finished with school (at least for the time being). Its hard for me to believe sometimes, but I am 24 (on May 5) and I have been in school for 17 years.
But its coming to an end and I will have to work for a living. It actually sound like fun. I know everyone says that its better to be in school, but I think that's a load of crap. I'd much rather be working than listening to a professor (a man) go on about the various forms of feminism (oh and cliterodectomy too).
Its not that I have anything against women, its just that Thomism would be more appropriate for a Catholic seminary class. I know what the world thinks, I came here to find out what the Church teaches.

China-Vatican Relations

Cardinal Zen is calling for the Vatican to stop talks with Communist China after they ordained a bishop without Vatican approval.
I for one don't see the problem in continuing to recognize Taiwan. Even if the Church establishes relations with China they will remain dedicated to undermining and destroying the Church. That's not possible of course, but what would be the point in establishing diplomatic relations?
History and faith tell us that all Marxist governments WILL FALL. The Church should just wait it out it.

Thought for the day

My son, what is it that thou speakest? Why complainest thou thus? Cease, cease, complain no more, consider My Passion, and the passions of My Saints, and thou shalt well see that it is right little that thou sufferest for me.

The Imitation of Christ, Book 2, Chapter 19

I wish that I had found this back in January (I found it this morning by opening to random pages in my old school copy of The Imitation). But it still is relevant to my life and yours today. What torture it has been to go to school here, but it is nothing of the suffering of Christ and His Saints. I am leaving anyways, but I might have held on longer if I had had this perspective staring me in the face. Alas, the die is cast.

Here are three new blog discoveries that I never got around to posting about, until now that is:

Transitus Tiber (From Luther to Our Lady): Great blog about a recent convert, a protestant before obviously.

Mormon2Catholic: Another great blog by a convert. A good deal of information about Mormonism, which I find useful. I am from Idaho and Mormons are everywhere.

Convert Man: Yet another great blog. This time the blogger was a Free Methodist turned Roman Catholic.

thought for the day

My son saith the Saviour Christ, I must be the end of all thy works, if thou desire to be happy and blessed...

The Imitation of Christ, Book 2, Chapter 9

What?

FOCUS

So as I was cruising through Catholic News Agency's website this morning (www.catholicnewsagency.com) I came across this article about a group called Fellowship of Catholic University Students. From what I have read today, it sounds like its just what the Catholic Church in America could use to counteract Campus Crusade for Christ.
Don't get me wrong, they are great people, but its sad to see young Catholic students become protestant because the Church does a poor job ministering to them. Its more the fault of the diocese than Campus Crusade.
With that said it would be great to have this group on every campus so that not can we retain but we have our own tool for evangelizing on college campuses in similar ways.

I felt like throwing in a website about a Marian apparition in some random place:
Vailankanni

Happy Feast Day of St Joseph the Worker

It's May 1st. Put away the may pole and put away your stinking red banners. Today is a day to remember that St Joseph was a carpenter and he taught Christ, Our Lord carpentry.
That's right! Jesus Christ, the Lord and Savior of all mankind was a working stiff. He redeemed our labor by His labor.
And THAT'S what's great about the Christian faith!
A short history of the feast from americatholic.org's saint of the day page: Started in 1955 by Pope Pius XII as a counter feast to the Communist celebration of labor on the same day. The Church has always pointed that Christ worked as a carpenter in order to show His human nature.

Btw, happy feast day to Wilsey, Kalange and everyone else named Joseph.

Thought for the day

Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me!
I am drowning in a sea of my own sins. I need you to pull me from the waves to the safety of Peter's boat. For there, I know You are.