Still Humbled But Happy

My Friends, One year ago today I had the thrill of a lifetime, I proclaimed the Gospel at the entrance to the Tomb of Jesus Christ in the Church of the Holy Sepulchure while on Pilgrimage.  It was still empty.....

  

Fun Catholic Facts #21

Sitting Bull had explored becoming a Catholic. He was never fully received into the church because he could not decide between his two wives. One of the most famous pictures of Sitting Bull, if it is not cropped, shows him with a crucifix around his neck.

Fun Catholic Facts Follow up

My fun catholic fact from yesterday sparked a couple of questions…I will do my best to cover some of the topics.  

There are only 110 Swiss guardsmen in total: A Commandant (currently Christoph Graf; Francis fired the previous commandant for being to ‘militaristic’), four officers, six sergeants, a priest, one staff sergeant, ten corporals, and ten vice corporals. The remaining seventy-seven guards are halberdiers: 

They get 30 days off a year, that’s one Sunday every 2 weeks.   

They get paid 1500 Euros (about $1700)tax free per month plus room and board. 

They are trained in multiple small arms not just halberds spears and swords.  They know modern warfare they are real elite soldiers and have real modern weapons to protect the Pope see below.  

Each guardsman can speak several languages even so, they are not permitted to interact with the general public for 7 months after beginning service.  

In the 15^th century, Pope Sixtus IV began using Swiss mercenaries against his ongoing conflict with the local petty monarchs.  His pact with the Swiss Confederacy was renewed by his successors, barracks were built and the guard grew to what it is today.   

Off duty they have a soccer team, a band and retired guards have an alumni association.   

Requirements for becoming a Swiss Guard

Not everyone can aspire to become a Swiss Guard. Each applicant must meet a litany of rigorous requirements. An applicant:

1.      Must be male. Women are not permitted to apply

2.      Must be Roman Catholic

3.      Must be a citizen of Switzerland

4.      Must be at least 1.74 meters tall

5.      Must be between 19 and 30 years of age. However, a retire guard, who is over 30, may be able to return in exceptional cases.

6.      Must be single. However, a guard may be permitted to marry if he is over 25 years of age, has already completed at least 3 years in service, is at least of a Corporal rank, and commits to serve for an additional 3 years

7.      Must have a high school degree or a professional diploma

8.      Must have completed service with the Swiss army, (usually from an elite unit, like the mountaineer or Marine divisions). After getting enlisted, they undergo further training, especially in unarmed combat techniques and in countering terrorist attacks. 

9.      Must commit a minimum of 2 years

10. Must be of great moral and ethical upstanding

The Swiss Guard has  a reputation for self-sacrifice and bravery, as demonstrated during the sack of Rome in 1527, when all but 42 of the 189 guardsmen died defending Pope Clement VII. The Swiss Guards prepared for similar self-sacrifice during World War II, when the vastly outnumbered guardsmen took up defensive positions as German forces rolled into Rome; Adolf Hitler, however, chose not to attack the Vatican.

Fun Catholic facts #20

The Pope is protected by the Swiss Papal Guard. Wearing uniforms designed by Michelangelo and commonly armed with halberds, they are capable of using heavier weapons if needed. 

Each member is Catholic, male, and Swiss, and must complete military training in Switzerland. They must demonstrate good conduct and be at least five-foot-eight in height. Those who are chosen are granted a private audience with the pope along with their families. 

In extreme circumstances, they are expected to guard the Holy Father with their lives. The Swiss Papal Guard is the oldest active military unit in continual existence since 1506.

Hi Saint Gang

Hi Saint Gang!

I will be out of the office from the feast of Saint Odo the Good,  and plan to return on the feast of Saint Veronica Giuliani .    During that time there will fall the feasts of saints: Elizabeth of Portugal and Maria Gorretti,  celebrate accordingly.  

 Tom

Sub tutela vel sanctis… Under the personal protection of Saints:

George

Thomas Becket

Anthony

Jude

Nicholas

Gabriel Possenti

Therese of Lisieux

Genesius

Michael the Archangel

Laurence

Stephen

Francis

Padre Pio

The Whip's Cousin

If I were still alive, I would be
 visiting my cousin
The Whip this summer

Saint Ferdinand III of Castille

memorial

30 May

Profile

Our Saint today was the son of Alfonso IX, King of Leon, and Berengaria, daughter of King Alfonso III of Castile; which makes him the cousin of Saint Louis IX, everyone knows this.    What you might not know is that he is the ancestor of The Whip.*    I am not joking.   

I may have mentioned it in the past but my late brother in law, Beek-bop-o-roo, was into genealogy.  He came up to visit and was bored so he did The Whip’s family tree.    Frankly, most of the trees he has done for the family are boring, all common serfs and weirdoes et al…..when he did the Whip’s he hit a gold mine.      She is also related to King Edward I (Longshanks) of England, and a Revolutionary war officer who fought with General Wooster at the battle of White Plains.    

Anyhoo, our saint for today married to Princess Beatrice, daughter of Philip of Swabia, King of Germany. The couple had seven sons and three daughters, thank God I don’t have to get birthday gifts for them…..what pests nephews and nieces can be!    When his beloved Beatrice died Ferdinand re married, and had an additional two sons and a daughter.

Our Saint was an excellent administrator and just ruler; often showing mercy to those who worked against the crown, his motivation was always to use his power to better his people and his nation.  He reformed Spanish law, and compiled it into a form used for centuries after.    Ferdinand was a stern but fair judge in administering the law of the land, plus he was gentle and forgiving in his personal life.    He founded and funded hospitals, bishoprics, monasteries, churches, universities and cathedrals.  He fought the good fight for 27 years against the Muslims in Spain.    In 1225 he successfully held back Islamic invasions, and re took Cordoba and Seville from them in 1234-36.

Ferdinand, who is my distant Cousin by marriage was a man of great faith with a special devotion to Our Lady; tell that to the Lutheran branch of the family.    He was a member of the Secular Franciscan (Third) Order, and was and is buried in the Cathedral of Seville in their habit.   His bodine  is incorrupt and many miracles are reported at his tomb.    The San Fernando Valley is named for him….he is the Whip’s relative and mine by marriage….

 

Born

1198 near Salamanca, Spain

Died

30 May 1252 at Seville, Spain of natural causes

Canonized

1671 by Pope Clement X

Patronage

authorities

engineers

governors

large families

magistrates

parenthood

paupers

poor people

prisoners

rulers

Spanish monarchy

tertiaries

Representation

greyhound

* So who the heck is the Whip?   See 8th bullet point down at this link.

Today's Feast: I have friends.....

Today's Feast: I have friends.....: Hi Saint Gang, If you have friends who might want to join our little saint community send them the link below.  They will need to enter ...

ALL YEAR!!!

But not today because we are in the Octave of Easter...a Solemnity....start next week....

Saint Note

If you have friends who may want to join our Saint Community share this link with them:

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Tell them, when they fill out and submit their email at that link they will be sent a confirmation email from Google/Feedburner, they need to respond to that email to confirm their subscription.  As always it is free and I don’t share emails with anyone.