The Love of a Martyr

Valentine, along with Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny and Jack O'Lantern, has been designated in popular, secular culture, as another excuse for the vulgar and common habit of self-indulgence. Indeed, the rather messy reality of the Saint(s) Valentine is all but lost these days where romantic love has been reduced to 'hooking up' and the love of a martyr who has given his life for his faith in Jesus Christ, regarded as 'extreme' at best and at worst 'irrelevant' in a hyper-narcissistic culture.

Read more at Piddingworth >>

Of The Father's Love Begotten (Corde Natus Ex Parentis)

Another beautiful video from the Piddflicks Channel.

Of the Fathers love begotten, ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega, He the source, the ending He,
Of the things that are, that have been,
And that future years shall see, evermore and evermore!

At His Word the worlds were framèd; He commanded; it was done:
Heaven and earth and depths of ocean in their threefold order one;
All that grows beneath the shining
Of the moon and burning sun, evermore and evermore!

O that birth forever blessèd, when the virgin, full of grace,
By the Holy Ghost conceiving, bare the Saviour of our race;
And the Babe, the worlds Redeemer,
First revealed His sacred face, evermore and evermore!

This is He Whom seers in old time chanted of with one accord;
Whom the voices of the prophets promised in their faithful word;
Now He shines, the long expected,
Let creation praise its Lord, evermore and evermore!

O ye heights of heaven adore Him; angel hosts, His praises sing;
Powers, dominions, bow before Him, and extol our God and King!
Let no tongue on earth be silent,
Every voice in concert sing, evermore and evermore!

Christ, to Thee with God the Father, and, O Holy Ghost, to Thee,
Hymn and chant with high thanksgiving, and unwearied praises be:
Honour, glory, and dominion,
And eternal victory, evermore and evermore!

From the original Latin of Aurelius Prudentius (5thc.) translated by John M. Neale & Henry W. Baker (19thc.)

Libera - "Be Still My Soul"

This beautiful, poignant video was made by our good friend at Piddingworth.  For some reason, so many of those we have loved and lost have departed this life in the month of March.  This video is a reminder that each loss was an experience of God's grace, a deeper appreciation of the communion of saints and recognition of how those around us have been reflections of His love.  Where the cross is, there also is the resurrection, and with God's grace, even painful loss brings hope of that meeting yet to come when "love's purest joys" will all be restored.

Restoring the Royal Title to Canada's Armed Forces

As we reported last month, the Government of Canada has restored the prefix "Royal" to her Navy and Air Force.  The designation, originally granted by King George V in 1911, was removed by the socialist government of Pierre Trudeau forty-three years ago.  The restoration has met with overwhelming support throughout Canadian society.  Most recognize the "Royal Honours" as an important link with Canada's glorious military heritage, and a link between serving military personnel today and the heroic forces who fought at  Vimy, Juno, the Battle of the Atlantic and the Battle of Britain. 

We are especially proud that our good friend, Padre Gregory Benton, author of the beautiful and inspirational Canadian blog, Piddingworth, played a key role in the campaign to return the Royal titles.  The following, written by Mr. Benton and fellow campaign organizer Mr. Michael Smith, tells the story of their four-year fight to restore this important part of Canada's military heritage.

From Defence Management Journal

By Gregory Benton and Michael Smith

To reinstate the long-established names of our armed services supports the Canadians serving in harm's way around the world, is respectful of our veterans, and is good for our nation.

-- Colonel Chris Hadfield, Canadian Astronaut

With the suppression in 1968 of the RCN and RCAF a significant part of Canada's military heritage was lost. Now, forty-three years later, the historic identities of the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Army and the Royal Canadian Air Force have been restored to the Canadian Forces.

Our campaign to restore the "Royal Honours" began in 2007 by making optimal use of the tools available to us. There was an online petition, a website, a blog and the use of promotional and patriotic videos. We eventually gained access to thousands of comments and email addresses from signatories of the petition that were especially used to maximum effect during key moments of the campaign.

A reconnaissance of the matter revealed the certain minefields that lay before us: the emotional hot-button issue of 'unification', the symbolism of the prefix 'Royal', the invariable canard over 'cost' and 'effort', political and cultural biases, and even the monarchy itself. It was important for us to avoid these distractions and remain focused on the task before us: to convince the government of the virtue of restoring the Royal titles within the existing unified command of the Canadian Forces.

Not unexpectedly, we encountered some stiff resistance. When MP Laurie Hawn agreed to sponsor our petition in 2007, researchers in the Library of Parliament wrote that it would take mountains of paperwork, require royal proclamations and up to 67 statutory amendments to enact. While we were prepared to move Heaven and Earth, this torrent of misinformation was a setback that did somewhat delay our progress.

Fortunately, in due course, we received the opinion of Dr. Christopher McCreery, an authority in the matter of 'Titles and Honours', who confirmed that the RCN and RCAF were never actually abolished, that they indeed still subsisted as merged entities within the CF, and that the Minister of National Defence could simply resume usage of the titles by virtue of the executive authority already available to him.

We had thought that the then-upcoming Canadian Naval Centennial would be the catalyst to 'Give the Navy its name back!' as Senator Joseph Day so passionately argued in the media, but head of the navy Vice-Admiral Dean McFadden's 'don't rock the boat' message sent a negative chill throughout the navy that spilled over into the Naval Officers Association whose support we thought critical. Although we were perplexed by Adm. McFadden's lack of enthusiasm for our project, he may have foreseen that the restoration of our military and naval heritage and the symbolism of monarchy were mutually reinforcing in a potentially powerful way, and that the navy may not be immune to possible divisions emanating from certain quarters of the country. The admiral had 'bigger fish to fry'.

Things were moving rather slowly until, incredibly, in October 2010, a motion by Senator Bill Rompkey to change the universally unloved 'Maritime Command' to (not the Royal) 'Canadian Navy' made it onto the floor of the Senate. When the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence chose to hold hearings on the matter, we knew that things had finally come to a head. It was then that we were called by the Prime Minister's Office.

We learned that PM Harper was sympathetic to the restoration (initially this only concerned the Navy though it only made sense that the Air Force would be included as well), but that the government would remain neutral while the matter was being deliberated in the Senate. We were advised that although the petition was informative, it was imperative to demonstrate the support of most, if not all, veteran groups and ex-service associations, as a necessary precondition to government action. We were also encouraged to keep the MND and the PMO abreast of our progress.

The Senate hearings proceeded, albeit with an apparent bias in favour of 'Canadian Navy', even though most senators on the committee, led by Senators Day, Plett and Manning, argued in support of the navy's traditional designation. When we blitzed the Senate Committee with what the Chair, Sen. Pamela Wallin termed our 'orchestrated email campaign', it was to ensure that the senators were aware of the names of the thousands who had signed the petition; especially after one retired admiral testified that he had not met a single person who wanted a return to the RCN!

Over the next eight months, a collaborative relationship with the PMO developed which, while not a guarantee of success, gave us a growing confidence that culminated on December 14th, 2010, when the Senate unanimously passed a revised motion encouraging the government to adopt a title with the word 'Navy' in it. We sensed victory. The prospect of the "Royal Canadian Navy" would live to fight another day.

The imperative to win further support from stakeholder groups did, however, seem to present a rather daunting challenge. Although we undoubtedly had the overwhelming favour of veterans at the grassroots level, we were disappointed that the national executives of the Naval Officers Association, the Air Force Association and even the Royal Canadian Legion were all initially opposed, arguing that the government would not be able to defend either the effort or the cost.

Not confident that they were speaking on behalf of their membership, we communicated directly with individual branches and organisations across the country, with very positive results. This included literally dozens of associations, most especially the National Council of Veteran Associations, an umbrella organization representing 58 distinct veteran groups all led by Canada's beloved 'Mr. Veteran', Cliff Chadderton. These results would make the government sufficiently comfortable, but the effort to maximize stakeholder support would continue until the eve of the Minister's historic announcement made from HMC Dockyard Halifax on 16 August 2011.

We are enormously gratified that our campaign was successful, for our deserving veterans and those retired and serving members of the forces who have long dreamed of this day. That a solid majority of Canadians, across all spectra, support the restoration is tremendously satisfying.

May the RCN and RCAF remain impregnable fortresses from this day forward, and may the pride of our military men and women be well served because of it.

Michael Smith is a graduate of the Royal Military College of Canada and a former naval officer.

Gregory Benton is a past Regimental Chaplain of the Royal Regiment of Canada.

Do Animals Go To Heaven?

The following was written by our friend, Gregory Benton, and is reprinted  from his spiritually rich and beautiful Piddingworth blog. His essay offers great comfort and hope for all those who have ever loved a pet.

 The relationship between humans & their pets.

Saint Francis of Assisi

'I'm sick and tired of people treating their pets like chldren', the talk-show host huffed, in response to a caller who spoke of taking their dog with them 'everywhere they go'; including dinners at friends. 'Dogs are not children. Leave them at home. The dog wasn't invited!

Of course, one could equally argue that people oughtn't to take their children with them to dinner parties unless they too are invited.

The confusion really is more of the nature of the relationship between the pet owner and the pet rather than of proper manners when replying to a social invitation. Of course, it would be discourteous to one's hosts and any other guests if one arrived with Fido or Pussy unannounced. Nevertheless, it's not Fido or Pussy's fault that their keepers have bad manners. And that leads to an important reality about animals that many either forget or simply do not understand: animals are innocent creatures!

It is perhaps ironic that, in a materialistic age, that in most respects does not recognise the metaphysical nature of creation, allows for things like 'animal rights' or 'pet cemeteries' with an allusion to 'pet heaven'. It is fairly common to find people who deny the nature and reality of their own souls but who 'feel' that their pets will go to 'heaven'. Indeed, it's quite possible in the Creator's scheme of things, that Fido might well be included in the beatititude of joy in heaven whilst his owner is left in the 'doghouse'.

Soul Creation

'Anima' in Latin means 'soul'. All animals are creatures with souls...including humans. This is where the animals 'rights' people find their authority toward advocating that all animals be accorded something akin to the United Nations declaration on Human Rights. Bunnies would, therefore, have a legal right to food, shelter and, one supposes, universal health care run by some union.

"Jerusalem" - William Blake and Sir Charles Hubert Parry

The lyrics of this hymn are from a poem by William Blake. The poet was inspired by the legend that young Jesus, accompanied by his uncle Joseph of Arimathea, who was a maritime trader, traveled to what is now England and visited Glastonbury.

The video was made by Mr. Greg Benton, author of the beautiful Canadian blog, Piddingworth.

On this day of his beatification, we dedicate this great hymn to Blessed John Henry Newman.

And did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon England's mountains green:
And was the holy Lamb of God,
On England's pleasant pastures seen!

And did the Countenance Divine,

Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here,
Among those dark Satanic Mills?

Bring me my Bow of burning gold;
Bring me my Arrows of desire:
Bring me my Spear: O clouds unfold!
Bring me my Chariot of fire!

I will not cease from Mental Fight,
Nor shall my Sword sleep in my hand:
Till we have built Jerusalem,
In England's green and pleasant Land

"O God Our Help In Ages Past"

From Our Friends at Piddingworth

From Our Canadian Friends at Piddingworth

THE SENSE OF A WOMAN

According to the 'official' feminists and their media mouthpieces, Sarah Palin, the Governor of Alaska and running-mate of John McCain in the American presidential election, is not an authentic' 'woman'. To quote the former campaign manager for the philandering John Edwards (no kidding), 'Governor Palin doesn't understand the needs of women'. Gloria Steinem has said that the only thing that Sarah Palin has in common with Hillary Clinton are her hormones. Thank goodness for that!

The left-wing are practitioners of 'GroupThink'. Instead of regarding individuals as persons in their own right, they lump every person into an ideological category that is based upon a selected human trait or condition. Each category is defined according to a prescribed collective history, characteristics, and status. Thus, there is for them a 'black community' to which all 'black people' belong because of the colour of their skin. There are, however, some exceptions to such membership. So, if you are Barack Obama, a thoroughgoing liberal, even if he is but half-black, he is a fully-fledged member and now a spokes'person' for the 'black community'. Robert Mugabe is black. Is he a member of that community? Clarence Thomas, the Justice of the US Supreme Court, is a black man, and unlike Mr. Obama, he is the descendant of slaves. Is he a member of the skin-selected community? No. As a conservative, his views counter those of GroupThink, and even with his pedigree, he is excluded from being an 'authentic' member. Like Condoleeza Rice, the brilliant US Secretary of State, also a descendant of slaves, Thomas has been referred to by some of the 'authentic' liberal members as an 'Oreo', i.e., like the famouse biscuit, he may have black skin but inside he's just like a white man. The left frequently resorts to dismissing people by calling them names. Engaging in ideas seems to be anathema to them.

Similarly, the most prominent and liberal brand of feminists reserve the true definition of a 'woman' as a female who believes in what that 'group' believes, i.e., permitting the killing of unborn and partially born children (euphamised as 'Choice'), government oversight of child-rearing (for those children who had the good fortune not to be aborted), e.g., Hillary Clinton's 'It Takes A Village'; the 'equality' of homosexuality with heterosexuality and the promotion of the same in school textbooks for young children; and any government programme that finances and advances their philosophy anywhere, including Africa. They love 'centralised' authority if it is liberal and even crypto-socialist. Governing, to the Left, is managing the lives of citizens according to GroupThink.

Women like the impressive Sarah Palin, are not true members of the 'Woman Community'. As the recent disgusting liberal rants against her and her family have shown, she is villified for having an orthodox Christian belief in the sacredness of human life, as well as a view of the world and of culture that reflects the importance of the 'individual' in their choices, their personal character, and manner of living. For Governor Palin, that includes fighting corruption, cutting waste of people's money, encouraging economic prosperity, being a 'hockey mum', hunting and even participating in a beauty contest.

She has been criticised for having been the Mayor of a small town and Governor of a state with a small population; even though Barack Obama, their hyped-up left-liberal hero, has been mayor and governor of nowhere. Indeed, the only thing he has run, with all his eloquence, is his campaign.

The left, especially the media, are even attacking her for having a yet-to-be-married 17 year old daughter who is five months pregnant.

If there was any doubt of the amorality of the media jackals' who are disgustingly feasting on Sarah Palin's family life, surely it is blatantly obvious now as they demonstrate the profound betrayal and vulgarity that has, in the past two decades, so overtaken their once-noble purpose. The paucity of fairness, integrity and balance has become predictably the norm. If there is any doubt of the left liberal loathing for women who embrace and live lives based upon the ancient foundation of faith and culture it has been made obvious.

There is no doubt that Sarah Palin was chosen by the legendary John McCain (who, unlike Obama, lacks the extensive experience of a 'community organiser') in part, because she is a woman; with the hope of attracting voters who would vote for her because she is a woman. But after Sarah Palin's remarks to the Republican Party on Wednesday evening, it is overwhelmingly obvious that the greatest reason he picked her is because of her personality, character, public record and personal beliefs; all of which came through brilliantly, with a mixture of wit, courage, determination, conviction and a common sense that reflects a knowledge of the common good and the legacy from which her country has been so blessed. Margaret Thatcher, also a woman, achieved her place in government and history because of who she was and what she believe in at the core. It is doubtful that many voted for her or her government because she was a female.

Joe Biden, her Democratic Party Vice-Presidential opponent has reportedly said that he thinks that Sarah Palin is 'a good looking woman'. Yes, indeed, she is. But the shallowness of the left, with it's dishonest obsession with race, gender, and sexual license does not apply to Sarah Palin...and they will increasingly discover as the election campaign continues that the ordinary citizen, by common sense, is drawn to a person more for who and what they are and stand for than what they look or sound like...or what 'group' they represent.

Sarah Palin is an inspiration and one can see it's magic as the enthusiasm for her and her heroic running-mate rapidly grows. Her femininity will add to the quality of her words and deeds and bring a fresh perspective to the issues of the day, but the simple fact of being 'female' in itself, is or ought to be, irrelevant.

One can easily respect and enjoy the sense of this wonderful and extraordinary woman!

If I was an American I would gladly support her and the old maverick John McCain.

Written and originally published by Piddingworth

A Recommendation for My Readers

'Piddingworth...where St. George's Cross is not yet banned.'

--Mark Steyn

Piddingworth, the Internet's gold standard for beautiful websites, has posted a photographic essay, "Compare & Contrast", that I know my readers will appreciate. I highly recommend it and all the many excellent features on that site.