catholic faith | Revolution of Love

I read this article at LifeSiteNews.com and thought it was perfect on the anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic.

LifeSiteNews.com: The Untold Story of the Titanic’s Catholic Priest Who Went Down Hearing Confessions
Amidst all the tales of chivalry from the Titanic disaster there is one that’s not often told.
Fr. Thomas Byles
It is that of Fr. Thomas Byles, the Catholic priest who gave up two spots on a lifeboat in favour of offering spiritual aid to the other victims as they all went down with the “unsinkable” vessel.
A 42-year-old English convert, Fr. Byles was on his way to New York to offer the wedding Mass for his brother William. Reports suggest that he was reciting his breviary on the upper deck when the Titanic struck the iceberg in the twilight hours of Sunday, April 14th, 1912.
According to witnesses, as the ship went down the priest helped women and children get into the lifeboats, then heard confessions, gave absolution, and led passengers in reciting the Rosary.
Agnes McCoy, one of the survivors, says that as the great ship sank, Fr. Byles “stood on the deck with Catholics, Protestants and Jews kneeling around him.”
“Father Byles was saying the rosary and praying for the repose of the souls of those about to perish,” she told the New York Telegram on April 22, 1912, according to the website devoted to his memory, FatherByles.com.
In the words of the priest’s friend Fr. Patrick McKenna, “He twice refused the offer of a place in a boat, saying his duty was to stay on the ship while one soul wanted his ministrations.”
Nearly two weeks after the disaster, The Church Progress in St. Louis, Missouri wrote this moving tribute to the heroic priest:

In almost every line that has been written, and in every sentence that has been spoken, there stands boldly out above every other expression a picture of sublime heroism that will be copied into the pages of history. And well it may, for it is deserving of that honor.
But when it is, mention should be made of one whom pens and tongues have almost forgotten in their accounts of this awful sea tragedy. Among those who safely reached the land again no one seems to have been aware of his presence on the ship, but we may hope that many who meet him in a blissful eternity will praise God that Father Thomas Byles was there to administer absolution unto them.

http://www.lifesitenews.com/blog/the-untold-story-of-the-titanics-catholic-priest-who-went-down-hearing-conf

When I first heard about Hallie Lord’s new book Style, Sex, and Substance: 10 Catholic Women Consider the Things that Really Matter I was ecstatic to find that many of my favorite Catholic writers/ bloggers/ moms were contributors. I preordered my book and when it finally arrived I planned to devour it immediately. Unfortunately, family circumstances prevented me from having much free time and when I did have a moment the book was never within reach. Finally I downloaded the book onto my Kindle & iPhone so I could read it anytime I had a spare moment. I’m so glad I did!
When I told a fellow mom the title of the book she was a bit skeptical – “Style and Sex?” Those were not high on her radar at this time of her life. Another single friend didn’t consider buying the book since she figured it was only for married moms. In reality, there is something here for every Catholic woman (and as this reviewer shows, Catholic men too!) The authors and topics covered are…

Jennifer Fulwiler – How I Fell Out of My Minivan and Found Myself (Catholic Womanhood)
Hallie Lord – Style: Balance, Beauty, and You
Karen Edmisten – God & Godiva
Elizabeth Duffy – Sex, Passion, and Purity
Anna Mitchell – Single and Seeking God’s Plan
Rebecca Ryskind Teti – What Works for You?
Rachel Balducci – Fruitful Friendship
Danielle Bean – We Said Yes (Marriage)
Simcha Fisher – Receiving, Creating, and Letting Go: Motherhood in Body and Soul
Barbara Nicolosi – Plugging In and Embracing Discipleship in the 21st Century
I breezed through the pages loving the sense of humor and honesty displayed but I found myself time and time again stopping and re-reading a sentence because it was as if the Holy Spirit was tapping me on the shoulder and telling me to pay attention to the lesson He was trying to teach me.
Although, I read quickly through the book, it is not sufficient to stop there. I really need to go back and think about the points that stood out to me. There are also excellent discussion questions after each chapter that can be answered alone or within a book club. Because of this I’ve decided to read the book over and dig a little deeper. For the next few Wednesdays (starting April 18) I’ll share with you my thoughts about each chapter. Feel free to read along and share your own thoughts as well.
If you don’t already have a copy you can order it at Amazon (paperback or kindle) or enter the RoL Birthday Contest to try and win a copy – along with some other goodies! 🙂
As a side note: This book is also a great gift! At the last baby shower I attended I gave the new mama a care package of tea, chocolate and this book. A perfect treat when she finally gets five minutes to herself! 😉
Have a great day and we’ll start our discussion next Wednesday (4/18) with Chapter 1. 🙂

“And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him.” (Luke 22:43)

I have always enjoyed the paintings of Carl Bloch and Gethsemane is one of my favorites. Since I was a child I was intrigued with the thought of an angel consoling Jesus during his agony in the garden. Years later, I heard a priest give a talk explaining that part of Jesus’ agony was carrying the weight and the guilt of all the sins of the world. However, he received strength when he saw all the future souls that would love Jesus and would do their best be faithful to God. That thought always stuck with me.
Another time, I was at confession and the priest talked to me about being a comfort to Jesus. He told me to let my heart be a dwelling place that brings comfort to Christ. I immediately thought of the painting of the angel. It is easy for me to call on Jesus and seek his help but something struck a nerve when the priest told me that I could console the heart of Christ. Since then I have often prayed, “Lord, may I never bring you grief, instead may I be a comfort to your heart.”
I know I have failed miserably numerous times, but today is an especially good reminder that we are all called to be that solace. Whether we are giving our little ones a hug or helping a troubled coworker or sitting before Our Lord in the tabernacle, our love for God and his children brings comfort to Christ.
In these final days of Lent, let us make a special effort to act as that angel in everything we do. Let us be a source of strength and comfort to Jesus in the garden and on his road to Calvary.
Have a blessed Triduum and Easter Sunday! (I won’t be posting again until next week.)
With love,

– I wrote this earlier this morning and then I started cleaning the house. As I was straightening Brian’s desk I saw this book: Consoling the Heart of Jesus. A Do It Yourself Retreat Inspired by the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius by Fr. Michael Gaitley.

I started thumbing through it and it looks really good and talks about the very things that have been on my mind in regards to consoling the heart of Christ. I think this will be the perfect book for me to read next. (There is also a condensed companion book.)

**Sharing the triumphs and missteps in my journey towards a healthier physical, emotional and spiritual life.**

It’s late so this will be a short post!

Physical – I haven’t been walking as usual because the family was hit by a flu bug. It started with JP then made it’s way down the line, including me. Thankfully I got sick on the weekend so Brian was here to help me. We timed it well because after I got better, he became sick. He and Andrew were the last two. Hopefully we’ll be back to normal soon.
Spiritual – Being a nursemaid to sick children (and a hubby) is a perfect way to teach you patience and humility (nothing like cleaning up vomit to humble you.) I had to keep telling myself that this is where God wants me right now at this moment…this is a gift of love I can offer God….this is a great Lenten sacrifice, etc. It was invigorating at first but after the novelty wore off, about five minutes later, then I was begging for God’s grace. As usual, he gave it and I survived. It was a good way to jump start the final two weeks of Lent, so for that I’m thankful.
Okay, it’s after 11PM so I better get to bed. Have a restful night!

(Since today is the feast of St. Joseph I thought I would post a past article Brian wrote for RoL.)

St. Joseph: Ready to Do God’s Will
by Brian

The ideal saint for any husband and father is St. Joseph. Why? Because St. Joseph did what every husband and father is capable of doing – God’s Will.
Since God never placed a money tree in the back yard of the Holy Family’s home, St. Joseph had to provide for his family by earning his living as a carpenter. I’m sure he experienced good days and bad days and months when work was slow. Yet I can picture him, no matter what kind of day or month he had, as working hard and offering his labors to God.
St. Joseph not only provided for his family by keeping a roof over their heads and food on the table, but also by loving them, respecting them and being part of their everyday lives. Just as he was faithful to his temporal duties within the home, St. Joseph was also faithful to his spiritual duties. In Scripture we are told that he listened to and obeyed God. He followed the Law of Moses, this is evident when he and Mary took the infant Jesus to the temple to be circumcised. I am also quite certain that St. Joseph said his daily prayers, faithfully went to the Synagogue, and celebrated the Jewish feasts. He was a man who practiced and lived his faith.
Since becoming a husband and father my relationship with St. Joseph has grown. I not only find myself learning more about him, but also seeking his help and guidance. I have heard many say and write that the saints are worthy of imitation. I totally agree. However after reading the lives of many saints I have often felt discouraged because they lived such extraordinary lives and did so many amazing and holy things. Yet, when I turn to St. Joseph I see someone who humbly followed the law of Moses, faithfully fulfilled his temporal and spiritual duties, obeyed God and loved his family. In my opinion St. Joseph was ordinary, but the ordinariness that surrounded his life as head of the Holy Family is precisely what makes him so great and so holy.
I encourage all of you, especially husbands and fathers, to turn to St. Joseph and seek his intercession and help. He knows exactly what you are going through in providing for the temporal welfare of your families while at the same time being its spiritual head.
St. Joseph, protector of the Holy Family, pray for us!

Revolution of Love

Do small things with great love.

Category Archives: catholic faith

LifeSiteNews.com: The Untold Story of the Titanic’s Catholic Priest Who Went Down Hearing Confessions

Book Review & Discussion of “Style, Sex and Substance”

Called to Be A Comfort to the Heart of Christ

Weigh-In Wednesday: Vol 2

St. Joseph: Ready to Do God’s Will