@thoughtfulcatholic.bsky.social
Scottish and Catholic, vegetarian and not young, theologically orthodox. Blogger @ https://thoughtfullycatholic.wordpress.com/
October 6, the Feast of St Bruno founder of the Carthusians, is nearly upon us. I expect most of you have already planned for the big day but if not my top tips are-
-stay off social media
-pray a lot
-read a lot
-go for a walk
-be still and silent.
-stay off social media
-pray a lot
-read a lot
-go for a walk
-be still and silent.
September 16, 2025 at 11:48 AM
October 6, the Feast of St Bruno founder of the Carthusians, is nearly upon us. I expect most of you have already planned for the big day but if not my top tips are-
-stay off social media
-pray a lot
-read a lot
-go for a walk
-be still and silent.
-stay off social media
-pray a lot
-read a lot
-go for a walk
-be still and silent.
The Seven Joys of Mary are-
-The Annunciation
-The Visitation
-The Nativity of Jesus
-Epiphany, the Adoration of the Magi
-The Finding in the Temple
-Meeting the Risen Christ
- Her Assumption and Coronation as Queen of Heaven
-The Annunciation
-The Visitation
-The Nativity of Jesus
-Epiphany, the Adoration of the Magi
-The Finding in the Temple
-Meeting the Risen Christ
- Her Assumption and Coronation as Queen of Heaven
September 8, 2025 at 11:06 AM
The Seven Joys of Mary are-
-The Annunciation
-The Visitation
-The Nativity of Jesus
-Epiphany, the Adoration of the Magi
-The Finding in the Temple
-Meeting the Risen Christ
- Her Assumption and Coronation as Queen of Heaven
-The Annunciation
-The Visitation
-The Nativity of Jesus
-Epiphany, the Adoration of the Magi
-The Finding in the Temple
-Meeting the Risen Christ
- Her Assumption and Coronation as Queen of Heaven
Since so many of you have nearly thought that you wish me to post these links, or at least not violently rejected the idea, I will proceed. These are all the posts tagged Seven Sorrows of Mary from my old blog Catholic Scot in 2017.
catholicscot.blogspot.com/search/label...
catholicscot.blogspot.com/search/label...
August 31, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Since so many of you have nearly thought that you wish me to post these links, or at least not violently rejected the idea, I will proceed. These are all the posts tagged Seven Sorrows of Mary from my old blog Catholic Scot in 2017.
catholicscot.blogspot.com/search/label...
catholicscot.blogspot.com/search/label...
September 15, following the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, will be the Feast of the Seven Sorrows of Mary. As a build-up to it perhaps I should link to all my blogposts about this devotion. If I imagine hard enough that you want me to do so then, God willing, I shall.
August 31, 2025 at 7:21 AM
September 15, following the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, will be the Feast of the Seven Sorrows of Mary. As a build-up to it perhaps I should link to all my blogposts about this devotion. If I imagine hard enough that you want me to do so then, God willing, I shall.
"We have heard them speak in our own tongues the wonderful works of God."
(Acts 2:11)
The Church is universal because it speaks to each in their own language, not just the languages of the Nations but the languages of the uneducated and the intellectuals within each Nation.
(Acts 2:11)
The Church is universal because it speaks to each in their own language, not just the languages of the Nations but the languages of the uneducated and the intellectuals within each Nation.
June 8, 2025 at 6:54 AM
"We have heard them speak in our own tongues the wonderful works of God."
(Acts 2:11)
The Church is universal because it speaks to each in their own language, not just the languages of the Nations but the languages of the uneducated and the intellectuals within each Nation.
(Acts 2:11)
The Church is universal because it speaks to each in their own language, not just the languages of the Nations but the languages of the uneducated and the intellectuals within each Nation.
Præsta, quǽsumus, omnípotens Deus: ut claritatis tuæ super nos splendor effúlgeat; et lux tuæ lucis corda eórum, qui per grátiam tuam renáti sunt, Sancti Spíritus illustratióne confírmet.
Collect, Vigil of #Pentecost (EF)
Collect, Vigil of #Pentecost (EF)
June 7, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Præsta, quǽsumus, omnípotens Deus: ut claritatis tuæ super nos splendor effúlgeat; et lux tuæ lucis corda eórum, qui per grátiam tuam renáti sunt, Sancti Spíritus illustratióne confírmet.
Collect, Vigil of #Pentecost (EF)
Collect, Vigil of #Pentecost (EF)
Grant, we beseech Thee, O Almighty God, that the splendour of Thy brightness may shine upon us and that the light of Thy light may confirm by the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit the hearts of those who have been born again by Thy grace.
Collect for the Vigil of Pentecost (Extraordinary Form)
Collect for the Vigil of Pentecost (Extraordinary Form)
June 7, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Grant, we beseech Thee, O Almighty God, that the splendour of Thy brightness may shine upon us and that the light of Thy light may confirm by the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit the hearts of those who have been born again by Thy grace.
Collect for the Vigil of Pentecost (Extraordinary Form)
Collect for the Vigil of Pentecost (Extraordinary Form)
May the inpouring of the Holy Spirit, O Lord, purify our hearts, and by penetrating them with His dew render them fruitful.
Sancti Spíritus, Dómine, corda nostra mundet infúsio: et sui roris íntima aspersióne fecúndet.
Vigil of #Pentecost, Postcommunion (EF)
Sancti Spíritus, Dómine, corda nostra mundet infúsio: et sui roris íntima aspersióne fecúndet.
Vigil of #Pentecost, Postcommunion (EF)
June 7, 2025 at 8:02 AM
May the inpouring of the Holy Spirit, O Lord, purify our hearts, and by penetrating them with His dew render them fruitful.
Sancti Spíritus, Dómine, corda nostra mundet infúsio: et sui roris íntima aspersióne fecúndet.
Vigil of #Pentecost, Postcommunion (EF)
Sancti Spíritus, Dómine, corda nostra mundet infúsio: et sui roris íntima aspersióne fecúndet.
Vigil of #Pentecost, Postcommunion (EF)
Concede quaesumus, omnipotens Deus; ut, qui solemnitatem doni sancti Spiritus colimus, coelestibus desideriis accensi, fontem vitae sitiamus
Vigil of Pentecost
Vigil of Pentecost
June 7, 2025 at 7:15 AM
Concede quaesumus, omnipotens Deus; ut, qui solemnitatem doni sancti Spiritus colimus, coelestibus desideriis accensi, fontem vitae sitiamus
Vigil of Pentecost
Vigil of Pentecost
Grant, we beseech Thee, O Almighty God, that we who celebrate the coming down of the Holy Spirit, being inflamed by heavenly desires may thirst for the waters of the fountain of life.
#VigilofPentecost
#VigilofPentecost
June 7, 2025 at 7:15 AM
Grant, we beseech Thee, O Almighty God, that we who celebrate the coming down of the Holy Spirit, being inflamed by heavenly desires may thirst for the waters of the fountain of life.
#VigilofPentecost
#VigilofPentecost
On some days I recall that St Jerome wrote that-
"The friendship that can cease has never been real".
And that the recipient of this letter was his friend Rufinus with whom he then had a spectacular and bitter falling-out.
"The friendship that can cease has never been real".
And that the recipient of this letter was his friend Rufinus with whom he then had a spectacular and bitter falling-out.
June 6, 2025 at 10:41 AM
On some days I recall that St Jerome wrote that-
"The friendship that can cease has never been real".
And that the recipient of this letter was his friend Rufinus with whom he then had a spectacular and bitter falling-out.
"The friendship that can cease has never been real".
And that the recipient of this letter was his friend Rufinus with whom he then had a spectacular and bitter falling-out.
As we begin the month of June in this Year of the Lord 2025 remember that it is better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness.
June 1, 2025 at 7:11 AM
As we begin the month of June in this Year of the Lord 2025 remember that it is better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness.
“God asks us to mortify ourselves in small things rather than in big ones, because the big occasions are rare, whereas the small ones are continuous.”
Venerable Teresa Valsé Pantellini
Venerable Teresa Valsé Pantellini
May 30, 2025 at 11:22 AM
“God asks us to mortify ourselves in small things rather than in big ones, because the big occasions are rare, whereas the small ones are continuous.”
Venerable Teresa Valsé Pantellini
Venerable Teresa Valsé Pantellini
The Ascension of Christ is exaltation for us, and whither the glory of the Head of the Church is passed in, thither is the hope of the body of the Church called on to follow. Let us rejoice with exceeding great joy, and give God glad thanks.
Pope St Leo the Great
Pope St Leo the Great
May 29, 2025 at 7:03 AM
The Ascension of Christ is exaltation for us, and whither the glory of the Head of the Church is passed in, thither is the hope of the body of the Church called on to follow. Let us rejoice with exceeding great joy, and give God glad thanks.
Pope St Leo the Great
Pope St Leo the Great
And now I am not in the world,
And these are in the world,
And I come to Thee.
Holy Father, keep them in thy name whom Thou hast given me;
That they may be one, as we also are.
(John 17:11)
Vigil of the Ascension of Our Lord
And these are in the world,
And I come to Thee.
Holy Father, keep them in thy name whom Thou hast given me;
That they may be one, as we also are.
(John 17:11)
Vigil of the Ascension of Our Lord
May 28, 2025 at 6:48 AM
And now I am not in the world,
And these are in the world,
And I come to Thee.
Holy Father, keep them in thy name whom Thou hast given me;
That they may be one, as we also are.
(John 17:11)
Vigil of the Ascension of Our Lord
And these are in the world,
And I come to Thee.
Holy Father, keep them in thy name whom Thou hast given me;
That they may be one, as we also are.
(John 17:11)
Vigil of the Ascension of Our Lord
St Monica is a patron for those with alcohol misuse problems.
Bear in mind that pre-emptive prayer is a thing. Get into the habit of invoking her aid before you feel the desire for a drink not afterwards. It is easier to stop a temptation before it starts than it is to play catch-up.
Bear in mind that pre-emptive prayer is a thing. Get into the habit of invoking her aid before you feel the desire for a drink not afterwards. It is easier to stop a temptation before it starts than it is to play catch-up.
May 25, 2025 at 7:35 AM
St Monica is a patron for those with alcohol misuse problems.
Bear in mind that pre-emptive prayer is a thing. Get into the habit of invoking her aid before you feel the desire for a drink not afterwards. It is easier to stop a temptation before it starts than it is to play catch-up.
Bear in mind that pre-emptive prayer is a thing. Get into the habit of invoking her aid before you feel the desire for a drink not afterwards. It is easier to stop a temptation before it starts than it is to play catch-up.
Since ancient times it has been characteristic of Catholic monasteries, convents and priories to possess a library. Often they will have two, one specifically for novices and postulants.
Reading books may not be essential to the spiritual life. But it really can help. A lot.
Reading books may not be essential to the spiritual life. But it really can help. A lot.
May 24, 2025 at 6:41 AM
Since ancient times it has been characteristic of Catholic monasteries, convents and priories to possess a library. Often they will have two, one specifically for novices and postulants.
Reading books may not be essential to the spiritual life. But it really can help. A lot.
Reading books may not be essential to the spiritual life. But it really can help. A lot.
Modernism being a deviation from Christian Truth, it may be fully understood only by reference to that Truth through the denial of which it owes its whole existence. The standard of measuring modernism is, and can only be, Christian Truth.
Seraphim Rose
Seraphim Rose
May 22, 2025 at 6:58 AM
Modernism being a deviation from Christian Truth, it may be fully understood only by reference to that Truth through the denial of which it owes its whole existence. The standard of measuring modernism is, and can only be, Christian Truth.
Seraphim Rose
Seraphim Rose
So, I'm working my way through a Jewish commentary on the Psalms, Tehillim from the ArtScroll Tanach series, and I learn somewhat to my surprise that Doeg the Edomite is a super-villain in the whole David story, and a symbolic figure for evil more generally.
May 20, 2025 at 7:39 AM
So, I'm working my way through a Jewish commentary on the Psalms, Tehillim from the ArtScroll Tanach series, and I learn somewhat to my surprise that Doeg the Edomite is a super-villain in the whole David story, and a symbolic figure for evil more generally.
At once the man recovered his sight,
And followed Him, glorifying God;
All the people, too,
Gave praise to God at seeing it.
(Luke 18:43)
There is a little manifesto of right action in this. What Bartimaeus did and what the witnesses did is what we also should do.
And followed Him, glorifying God;
All the people, too,
Gave praise to God at seeing it.
(Luke 18:43)
There is a little manifesto of right action in this. What Bartimaeus did and what the witnesses did is what we also should do.
May 19, 2025 at 6:11 AM
At once the man recovered his sight,
And followed Him, glorifying God;
All the people, too,
Gave praise to God at seeing it.
(Luke 18:43)
There is a little manifesto of right action in this. What Bartimaeus did and what the witnesses did is what we also should do.
And followed Him, glorifying God;
All the people, too,
Gave praise to God at seeing it.
(Luke 18:43)
There is a little manifesto of right action in this. What Bartimaeus did and what the witnesses did is what we also should do.
"The drug increases sensitivity not consciousness (or only very secondarily)..[It] causes a change in perception, in the subjective state- *not* a change in *being*, which is what religion wishes"
Seraphim Rose about psychedelic drugs.
Seraphim Rose about psychedelic drugs.
May 17, 2025 at 7:24 AM
"The drug increases sensitivity not consciousness (or only very secondarily)..[It] causes a change in perception, in the subjective state- *not* a change in *being*, which is what religion wishes"
Seraphim Rose about psychedelic drugs.
Seraphim Rose about psychedelic drugs.
Every day set aside some time to read from the Sacred Scriptures.
Aim for quality not quantity, depth not width, slowness not speed.
It is better to read the same sentence or phrase twice than to read twice as many sentences or phrases.
Aim for quality not quantity, depth not width, slowness not speed.
It is better to read the same sentence or phrase twice than to read twice as many sentences or phrases.
May 16, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Every day set aside some time to read from the Sacred Scriptures.
Aim for quality not quantity, depth not width, slowness not speed.
It is better to read the same sentence or phrase twice than to read twice as many sentences or phrases.
Aim for quality not quantity, depth not width, slowness not speed.
It is better to read the same sentence or phrase twice than to read twice as many sentences or phrases.
Am reading 'Father Seraphim Rose: His Life and Works' and I notice his American college years were only slightly later than those of Sayyid Qutb. Both those young men rejected the empty materialism of that epoch, but only one of them went on to live a saintly life.
May 11, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Am reading 'Father Seraphim Rose: His Life and Works' and I notice his American college years were only slightly later than those of Sayyid Qutb. Both those young men rejected the empty materialism of that epoch, but only one of them went on to live a saintly life.
Peter said unto them,
Repent, and be baptised every one of you
In the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins,
And ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
For the promise is unto you,
And to your children,
And to all that are afar off
(Acts 2:38-39)
Repent, and be baptised every one of you
In the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins,
And ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
For the promise is unto you,
And to your children,
And to all that are afar off
(Acts 2:38-39)
May 6, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Peter said unto them,
Repent, and be baptised every one of you
In the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins,
And ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
For the promise is unto you,
And to your children,
And to all that are afar off
(Acts 2:38-39)
Repent, and be baptised every one of you
In the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins,
And ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
For the promise is unto you,
And to your children,
And to all that are afar off
(Acts 2:38-39)
The freest soul, I think, is the one most forgetful of self. If anyone were to ask me the secret of happiness, I would say it is to no longer think of self, to deny oneself always. That is a good way to kill pride: let it starve to death!
St Elizabeth of the Trinity.
St Elizabeth of the Trinity.
May 5, 2025 at 7:21 AM
The freest soul, I think, is the one most forgetful of self. If anyone were to ask me the secret of happiness, I would say it is to no longer think of self, to deny oneself always. That is a good way to kill pride: let it starve to death!
St Elizabeth of the Trinity.
St Elizabeth of the Trinity.