Summorum Pontificum

The Vatican will soon be releasing the Holy Father's long-awaited "Motu Propio" document, now known to be entitled Summorum Pontificum, concerning the Holy Mass. It is set to be officially released at 12 noon in Rome on 7 July, which is 5 am CST.

Get excited!


"The greatness of the liturgy depends on its unspontaneity."
~Pope Benedict XVI

Stars and the Land Down Under

Post-Dated:
10 JUN 2007. Off the Coast of Australia.

What a whirlwind the past few days has been! One night earlier this week, I spent twilight and evening out on one of the weatherdecks watching the stars. The darkness was overwhelming. But, once my eyes got adjusted, I looked up and saw the beauty of literally thousands of stars. Each seemed to have its own aura around it, as if they were candles burning in the sky. And I saw a shooting star! Over the horizon, I watched the moon rise with its orange glow. It was very windy that night. I just sat back against the bulkhead, tilted my head up, gazing towards the Heavens, feeling the nighttime breeze against my face, just taking it all in. That evening reminded me of these lyrics from Christian musicians David Crowder Band:

“Stars” by David Crowder Band

You should see the stars tonight, how they shimmer and shine so bright
Against the black, they look so white, coming down from such a height
To reach me now, reach me now

You should see the moon in flight, cut across a misty night
Softly dancing in sunshine, reflections of its light
Reach me now, they reach me now

You should hear the angels sing, all gathered round our King
More beautiful than you could dream, I’ve been quietly listening
I can hear them now, I hear them now

How could such a King shine His light on me? And make everything beautiful?
Cause I’ve got nothing of my own to give to You
But this light that shines on me, shines on you
And makes everything beautiful again

We pulled into port in Brisbane, Australia in the middle of the week and spent four days in port. It was an incredible adventure! I spent the first two days surfing the beaches of the Gold Coast, about an hour from Brisbane. Several of us Midshipmen stayed at a hostel in the city and met other travelers and backpackers from all over the world. I have experienced over the port visit such incredible facets of the human experience: meeting and interacting with other travelers and sailors and Marines from our ship, experiencing a new country and a new culture, being adventurous and unafraid to try something new, etc. I absolutely love the Australian people, such a positive, warm and welcoming country. I cannot wait to return here for World Youth Day next year!

I’ll now spend the next ten days or so at sea off the coast participating in an amphibious training operation called Talisman Saber with other allied militaries. I’m not exactly sure when I’ll be returning to the States since we are in the middle of this training environment, but it shouldn’t be longer than two more weeks. Today I’ve felt a little homesick, but I received some holy encouragement and am feeling much better. I think of you all everyday and look forward to seeing you all again. Praised be Jesus Christ for keeping us all united in the Mystical Body of Christ!

“How very easy it is to become holy; all that is needed is a bit of good will. If Jesus sees this little bit of good will in the soul, He hurries to give Himself to the soul, and nothing can stop Him, neither shortcomings nor falls—absolutely nothing. Jesus is anxious to help that soul, and if it is faithful to this grace from God, it can very soon attain the highest holiness possible.”
~St. Maria Faustina

Guam, Mass, and Crossing the Equator

Post-Dated:
31 MAY 2007. One hour after crossing the equator.

What an exciting past couple of days I’ve had. The week started with a very brief port call in Guam on Monday. We spent about five hours at the pier, refueling and getting supplies. I spent that day as a Food Service Assistant, working in the galley, serving “chow” to over 500 sailors and Marines onboard. It was a long day that began at 0445, and I was on my feet all day. It was fun, though, as it game me a good mission and kept me very busy! Guam looked beautiful, a lot like Hawaii. I wish we could have stayed longer!

Tuesday, we did the first flight operations of the cruise. A ship traveling with us is basically a small aircraft carrier, so one of its helicopters was practicing touch-and-go landings on our flight deck. I got to suit up with some of the crewmen and stand about 20 feet away as a CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter (what you might know as a “Chinook”) landed and took off. The wind produced by the rotors just about blew me over!

Wednesday morning we had some heavier seas than we’d seen. During “Quarters” when we all gather in the morning to report in for the day, our Division Senior Chief mentioned that they might be flying over a Catholic chaplain from another ship we are traveling with. Needless to say, I was thrilled! That afternoon, we had a “General Quarters” drill, which basically simulated a missile attack or other casualties on the ship. There are so many steps involved in trying to save the ship is there was ever a fire or flooding!

Flight ops were going on in the middle of the madness of the drill, and among all the calls over the 1MC of casualties, there was a call of ringing the ships bells, then “Commander, United States Navy, arriving.” This is a time-honored tradition in the Navy that when a high-ranking officer boards or departs a ship, the ships bell is rung a certain number of times, and his arrival or departure is announced. I knew it had to be the chaplain landing onboard! Sure enough, just as they were securing the drill, they announced that a Catholic Mass was going to be held in one of the crew lounges. I practically ran there! The chaplain was great, but sadly I cannot remember his name. Under his vestments, he wore a flight suit and combat boots! Mass was very simple and beautiful. After everything was over, the chaplain and his assistants packed up and headed out to the flight deck and the helicopter to move to the next ship. What an incredible call, to be a military chaplain! I don’t think I’ve felt more at home this entire trip than I did in the Mass. The chaplain had good advice in his homily, which I would summarize in this quote from St. Maria Faustina, “I must not let myself become absorbed in the whirl of work, but take a break to look up to Heaven.”

Wednesday night brought the beginning of another time-honored navy tradition, the “Crossing the Line” ceremony, as we would cross the Equator the next day. It started Wednesday evening, then continued early Thursday morning. Feel free to Google it to read more about the tradition. So, after surviving the ceremony and crossing the line, I’m not a proud and honorable “Shellback!” We ended up actually crossing the Equator that afternoon. Kind of a cool thing, my first time in the southern hemisphere!

Thursday, I spent the early evening outside on one of the upper decks, watching the sunset over the Pacific, writing, and thinking of all my family and friends back home. Such wonderful blessings has the Lord bestowed upon me to give me an opportunity and passion to serve in the military, as well as friends and family who support me. Just as the men and women aboard this ship train daily for any and every emergency situation that could present itself, I know I must prepare myself each day to be ready for God to call me to do anything. In the words of St. Maria Faustina, “Do with me as You please. I subject myself to Your will. As of today, Your holy will shall be my nourishment, and I will be faithful to Your commands with the help of Your grace.”

Much love to you all! Ave Maris Stella!

"What is it going to be like in heaven, if already here in exile God so fills my soul."
~St. Maria Faustina

My First Thoughts at Sea

Post-dated:
25 MAY 2007. Somewhere in the Pacific.

Asleep in my rack: the only place I have to call my own on the ship. It is my 7ft x 2ft x 1.5ft space where I sleep. Above and below me, other Midshipmen sleep. The next set of racks is only 2 ft away. Fifteen of us share this berthing space, where we sleep, composed only of racks, lockers, and a mirror. My only privacy is a small blue curtain. On the wall by my head, there is a small pin board, where I have holy cards pinned up of Jesus, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Saint Dominic, and Saint Cecilia. In the small book space by my pillow lies my Breviary, my journal, my Bible, St. Maria Faustina’s Divine Mercy in My Soul, St. Josemaria Escriva’s The Way, and of course, my Rosary. I sleep on a thin mattress with a sheet, blanket, and pillow. I’ve got everything I need, and nothing I don’t.

In the middle of the night, it is quiet and cold. Most are asleep, but people are always awake through the night continuing to run the ship and stand watches. I wake up to the sound of the Boatswain’s Pipe whistling over the 1MC (the ship-wide intercom) and the call for reveille at 0600. He pipes several extended times; time to start the day. We all slowly and silently get out of our racks and get into uniform. While underway, we wear a simple uniform of coveralls (kind of like a jumpsuit), a belt, steel-toed boots, and a ballcap. We spend at least an hour a day cleaning our part of the ship. We live in community the whole day; naps or personal time during the day is rare—there is a lot of work to be done. The ship’s bell tolls over the 1MC at noon. The beginning and end of every meal period is announced by the Boatswain’s Pipe over the 1MC, too. The day ends quietly. The ship “goes dark” after sunset, where all white light is turned off and replaced by dim red light in the passageways. Taps occurs at 2200, and the silence begins. This is my day onboard an underway U.S. Navy warship.

All I could think about as I progressed through my first full day at sea was how much life onboard ship is like being at a convent or monastery (minus the religious aspect, of course). My rack is like my cell, containing simple things and only what you need; a place to lay your head. My uniform is like my habit, simple clothes to get our work done. I am awoken, put to sleep, and reminded of important times by the Boatswain’s Pipe or the ships bell, just like the bells that toll at the convent or monastery throughout the day. (Our noon ship’s bell ringing reminds me to pray the Regina Caeli, and now the Angelus!) We live entirely in community throughout the day, both eating and working. With taps comes our nighttime “Grand Silence” as sailors try to get their rest before rising for another day of work; yet many remain on watch to run the ship, just as those who remain on watch in the convent or monastery with our Lord. We even, to an extent, live the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. We embrace a kind of poverty onboard ship: under-elaborate sleeping arrangements, simple meals, plain uniforms, very minimal if any luxuries besides a good book and an iPod, very short “Navy showers” to conserve potable water, being confined to the ship, etc. The chastity aspect is a given. And of course, we live a life of obedience. We follow commands and do our jobs as our superior officers ask of us with no question.

Everyday I’m understanding more and more the path God is laying out for me. What could prepare me better for the convent than to live this life? I will joyously embrace these years of service I have ahead of me in the Navy as incredibly valuable preparation and experience to whatever God asks of me. And if I do end up in the arms of Christ as His bride, all this “training,” this spiritual formation through my naval service, will instill things into me that God wants me to have as a religious.

So for now, I’m following the advice of Saint Francis de Sales, “Bloom where you are planted!”

Embrace your life TODAY for the greater glory of God!!

Ave Maris Stella!

"Bloom where you are planted."
~St. Franics de Sales

Back From Sea

I've returned from over four weeks at sea and am very happy to be home. I made some journal entries during my time away and will post them soon, then continue with my usual postings. Hope your month has been a blessed one!


"See God's will in everything, and do His will with joy, out of love of Him."
~Blessed Caritas

Ave Maris Stella

As I prepare to depart for some time at sea, I wanted to leave you with a beautiful hymn to our Blessed Mother, "Ave Maris Stella" or "Hail, Star of the Sea." Please pray for me, and check for updates if I am able to post from sea!

Ave Maris Stella	Hail, Star of the Sea
Dei Mater alma,	Portal of the sky
Atque semper virgo,	Ever virgin Mother
Felix coeli porta.	Of the Lord Most High.

Sumens illud ave	O! by Gabriel's Ave,
Gabrielis ore,	Uttered long ago,
Funda nos in pace,	Eva's name reversing,
Mutans Evae nomen	Established peace below

Solve vincia reis	Break the captives' fetters,
Profer lumen caecis	Light on blindness pour,
Mala nostra pelle,	All our ills expelling,
Bona cuncta posce.	Every bliss implore

Monstra te esse Matrem	Show thyself a Mother,
Sumat per te preces	Offer Him our sighs,
Qui pro nobis natus	Who for us incarnate
Tulit esse tuus	Did not thee despise

Virgo singularis	Virgin of all virgins
Inter omnes mitis	To thy shelter take us,
Nos culpis solutos	Gentlest of the gentle
Mites fac et castos	Chaste and gentle make us

Vitam presta puram	Still, as on we journey,
Iter para tutum,	Help our weak endeavor,
Ut, videntes Jesum	Till with thee and Jesus
Semper collaetemur	We rejoice forever

Sit laus Deo Patri,	through the highest heaven,
Summo Cristo decus	To the almighty Three
Spiritui sancto:	Father, Son, and Spirit,
Tribus honor unus.	One same glory be.
Amen.	Amen.

Saint Brendan the Navigator, pray for us!


"If I fly with the wings of dawn, and alight beyond the sea,
even there your hand will guide me, your right hand hold me fast."
~Psalm 139:9-10

Heaven's Before Me

Soul of Christ, sanctify me
Body of Christ, save me please
Blood of Christ, inebriate me
And with the water of Your side, Lord, wash me clean
Passion of Christ, strengthen me
And O dear Jesus, hear my plea

Cause Heaven's before me
Heaven's before me

Within Thy wounds will You hide me
And suffer me not separation from Thee
From the enemy, O Father, please defend me
And at the hour of my death, God, call me home
And bid me come unto Thee
So with Your saints I may praise Thee
With Your saints I may praise Thee

Cause Heaven's before me
Heaven's before me

Incline my heart to do You will
My heart is Thine


This is a stunning version of the "Anima Christi" prayer, written by the brilliant musician Colleen McCarron. If you'd like to hear it, my friend Jimmy has a streaming link on his blog, Mirth in the Merciful. If you go to Colleen's page, check out another one of her songs called "I Can't Wait." It is a beautiful prayer/song to her future husband.


"If I love you, I will show you; I will show you with the rest of my life!"
~Colleen McCarron, I Can't Wait

Love and Bear Fruit

Remain in my love.

These words of Christ as recorded in today's Gospel from St. John serve as the single most important words of advice to us that trancend generations. This seemingly simple command proves to be the most challenging aspect of living a Christian life -- to love one another, keeping in mind all the things St. Paul teaches us about what love is. Not only do these words guide us as how to treat one another, but also to remain with God. After all, God is love itself; to remain in love is to remain in Him. And so, with this simple phrase, Jesus summarizes the two greatest commandments: to love God and to love one another for love of God.

I have told this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete.

Only in following Christ's command to remain in His love will we ever find the happiness we are all searching for. No joy or satisfaction of this world will make our hearts complete; only Him.

No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends.

And here, I am drawn to think of this phrase from a vocation viewpoint. What greater love is there than to lay down your life for your vocation? To give yourself totally to your spouse and your children in marriage? To give your entire life to God in service of His people in the priesthood or consecrated life? Ultimately, no matter what our vocation, we are called to live up to this kind of love, to lay our lives down so that others might have life; to live our lives in total service to Christ through our vocation so that others might also come to know Truth itself--Jesus Christ.

It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you, and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain.

To think--Christ calls US! He calls us, poor and sinful, to be consumed in His Mercy and to live out our lives to tell the world of His Truth. And Jesus tells us not just to live the gospel, but also to bear fruit! What a challenge in the society we live in today. But doesn't it make life worth living?

This I command you: love one another.

Just live it!


"We are born to love, we live to love, and we will die to love still more."
~Saint Joseph Cafasso

Message for the Youth

Last night, the Holy Father met with over 40,000 youth in Brazil in during his Apostolic Visit. He has some incredible words for the youth not only of Brazil, but for youth all over the world. I'd like to include some of my favorite words from his speech:

"In 1991, during his visit to Mato Grosso, the Servant of God Pope John Paul II, of venerable memory, said that 'youth are the first protagonists of the third millennium … they are the ones who will be charged with the destiny of this new phase in human history' (16 October 1991). Today, I feel moved to make the same observation regarding all of you."

"We can never say 'enough', because the love of God is infinite, and the Lord asks us—or better—requires us to open our hearts wider so that there will be room for even more love, goodness, and understanding for our brothers and sisters, and for the problems which concern not only the human community, but also the effective preservation and protection of the natural environment of which we are all a part."

"If we came to see all the good that exists in the world—and moreover, experience the good that comes from God himself—we would never cease to approach him, praise him, and thank him. He continually fills us with joy and good things. His joy is our strength."

"These years of your life are the years which will prepare you for your future. Your 'tomorrow' depends much on how you are living the 'today' of your youth. Stretching out in front of you, my dear young friends, is a life that all of us hope will be long; yet it is only one life, it is unique: do not let it pass it vain; do not squander it. Live it with enthusiasm and with joy, but most of all, with a sense of responsibility."

"But as I gaze at you young people here present—you who radiate so much joy and enthusiasm—I see you as Christ sees you: with a gaze of love and trust, in the certainty that you have found the true way. You are the youth of the Church."


I was able to watch the entire telecast of the youth event on EWTN, and it was so incredible to observe the sheer joy of the Holy Father to be with the young people. He never stopped smiling. I am very excited for World Youth Day 2008!


"My dear young people, Christ is calling you to be saints."
~Pope Benedict XVI

Truth from an Unlikely Source

Found this video via Lifeteen about a postulant of the Sisters of Life in Bronx, NY. She talks about the reasons behind her choice to enter the convent and the video points out the recent surge of young women entering religious life. This video, however, comes from an unlikely source -- MTV. Praise God for some truth in the mass of crud they produce.


"We drive around in our beat-up old jalopys, I mean, it's upside down, it's crazy, nobody would say that they wanted that. But there's a tremendous freedom, in not pursuing things."
~Mother Agnes Mary, S.V., on the vow of poverty