Confessions of a Catholic Cybertronian.

A Year Later,..

noreply@blogger.com (Optimusmastro) — Fri, 01 Mar 2019 13:17:00 +0000

Where to begin? Where have I been? What's going on?

I guess I cannot truly answer any of those questions. As this readership knows, I struggle with depression and thus have 'ups' and 'downs.' My mental state is somewhat stabilizing by the Grace of God and the support of incredibly wonderful people. My personality has always been both a strength and a curse. My mother, since I was a child warned me,.. 'Ignorance is bliss..' ... I guess I didn't listen.

I find myself counter cultural,..

I find myself staunchly Catholic,..

I find myself more self critical,..

I find myself questioning the Clergy,..

I find myself more pro 'Trump.'

I find myself trying to constantly challenge myself...

I find myself isolated,..

I find myself 'redpilled.'

I find myself loved.

The one constant remains Jiu Jitsu,.. Jesus let me keep that and with every passing day, I realize why.

So much has changed since my seminary days. I started 'Confessions' over ten years ago as an outlet, a way to express myself which was therapeutic. At that time I was dating an awesome woman. She has since moved on. While working at my uncles's gym, I lost control of myself, (did I truly ever have any?), ..the single life, women, while being intellectually Catholic on Sundays. (Kind of like a 'straight' Milo Yiannopoulos) I then found another amazing woman, right before my decision to enter seminary,.. I left her to serve God,.. She moved on and though we both work in the funeral industry, I find myself happy yet asking many 'What if's?,..'

God has since sent me a third amazing woman. She supports and is aware of my weaknesses. I pray that I don't break her heart.

St Augustine,...... ora pro nobis.

Only One Superman,.. my Dad!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Optimusmastro) — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 20:08:00 +0000

You know when you’re a kid, and everybody says ‘my dad can beat up your dad?’… Well, I’m here to say that my dad can still beat up your dad, and I learn so much from him everyday! This game we call ‘life’ is a testament to those who went before us, who introduced us to Jesus and who continuously bust their ass making sure we do right by our baptismal promises! A man is supposed to be noble, respectable, honorable and finally holy!,.. My father is truly the embodiment of all those realities!

My father recently went through knee replacement surgery. He is also 77. Nonetheless, he remains a warrior anchored in Christian virtue and as far as I can tell,. devoid of fear. These men grew up in another generation. A generation of no complainers,. ‘You kids cry at the least little f^&k up!, You should know true persecution!’… These men grew up with manners,.. ‘Sir take your hat off in Church,.. – F-you,..it’s my hat!’.. Ans; - Well its gonna be your hat shoved up you’re a$$ if you don’t show any respect!’… These men also showed chivalry,.. ‘Hey idiot, give your chair to that woman!’ – But dad, I am tired and we’re the same age!’…- ‘You’ll be in the f’n street if you don’t listen to me!’ ,. True pastoral theology!!!,.. Those in charge of pastoral theology should take note!

You guessed it, I was raised a little ‘old school’ and you know what?,.. I would never trade that education for anything in the world! My dad was there for me when I had ‘legal trouble,’ he was there for me when I had girl trouble(s), and he was there for me when seminary decided I wasn’t soft enoug,.. err,.. pastoral enough! (What,.. do they want a creampuff?).. Point being, is my dad remains in my opinion, the epidemy of paternal role models,.. He will push you, encourage you, pray with you, and always uplift you! He will also kick your ass! My dad knelt in prayer before the Blassed Sacrament and prayed in the chapel of our home Parish. Just this afternoon, he went for a walk, cane in hand!,.. He walked the whole distance!

Why am I saying this?,.. Well, tomorrow my dad becomes a 1^st degree Knight of Columbus. I already being one, cannot wait! As much as I am a Jiu Jitsu guy, with experience in boxing, kung fu, etc,.. My dad will always kick my ass and yes he may raze and bug me! However, as a Christian man, I know he will always have my back!

God bless!

Trump, Guns, and free thought.

noreply@blogger.com (Optimusmastro) — Sat, 24 Feb 2018 18:18:00 +0000

You know?’ The amount of ‘hate mail’ that I receive is almost too funny. Whose side are you on? You are nothing but a liberal loving loony tune, jacked up to look conservative. On the other side of the coin,.. As a Trump lover, you are nothing but a rascist, homophobic gun living maniac! Where o where can I hang my hat? I believe that the answer is in Truth anchored in Love. Point final, I’m a Christian, a sinner who seeks to follow Jesus Christ and His One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.

These days we get labeled all too easily. For myself, I must admit that I do enjoy playing devil’s advocate. Ideology which in and of itself has become a disease more deadly than cancer has crept into every facet of politics and religion. In my opinion, this has become way more dangerous than Trump, Trudeau, gun laws, freedom, religion or any other hot button issue. In short, we have lost the capacity to think for ourselves.

Case in point, years ago the priest at my Church was somewhat of a local celebrity. A man, whom I believe was a sincere individual seeking to do the ‘good.’ While I may have disagreed vehemently with all he stood for, I never doubted where his heart was! This man was a ‘social justice’ warrior. A product of his time, whereby he sought to perhaps use Faith to right any perceived or actual wrongs that he saw. To many, myself included he was true to his mission. He helped out tons of people made an impact. As far as his adherence was concerned, that was another story. Nonetheless, I am mature enough to respect his opinions, although truthfully, I wish he would join a mainstream protestant denomination for the good of his own soul and others he may lead. Then again, I will let God judge.

Recently, the mainstream media is doing intellectual backflips trying to find a smoking gun between Trump and Russia. My opinion is simple. Of course Russian intelligence interfered, just like every other country’s intelligence interfered. Under Obama, the US interfered in Israel’s electoral process as well. Don’t we remember the George HW Bush years? How many South American governments were taken down backed by the US? Why is this such an issue right now? My opinion,?.. because it’s Trump. So far nothing significant found to link anything. (There is an awful lot of monkey business surrounding the democrats and Hillary Clinton rigging the primaries, yet the MSM seems strangely silent.) Up next, they dug up photos of Trump with a porn actress and subsequent ‘hush’ money. Well, honestly is anyone surprised really? Yet, how much coverage did the uncovered photo and hush money regarding Barrack Obama and Louis Farrakhan get?.. http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/hidden-photo-of-obama-and-nation-of-islam-leader-louis-farrakhan-surfaces-after-13-years/article/2647117 . Hmmm… Years ago, Julian Assange was a hero to the ‘left’ as he exposed George W. Bush’s illegal war with Iraq,.. Now, he’s the scourge of the earth, because he is going after the ‘left?’ All valid questions…

To the right and to the left,.. Have we forgotten how to think?

To the right-wing;

Do you really need an AR-15 to hunt? All that will be left is enough meat to make a keychain. Why isn’t a ssberg Patriot enough? Defense?... Fine! A 9milimetre glock. A semi automatic for defense? Why not a bazooka or a tank? I need a license to drive a car, so why are so many of you against registering your firearms?

To the left-wing;

Is gun control or banning weapons the answer? There is a reason, we call ‘bad guys, well ‘bad guys.’ Simply put, they won’t obey the law, and a black market will explode out of it. The innocent will be deprived of the right to defend themselves. Remember that Church shooting in Texas was stopped by a man with a gun.

These are two examples of complex issues plaguing today. The reason I put these two opinions out there is simply to show that we need to listen to each other, get to know each other and finally as Christians, love each other. We all desire the good, however sometimes our intellect may be darkened by modernist thinking, or still ego. To those of us (I point the finger at myself) more ‘theologically’ oriented, we need to carefully listen to people with other ideas. To see, that their heart may be in the right place, even if their intelligence isn’t. To my friends on the left of the spectrum, learn to argue ideas, instead of knee jerk demonizing people.

To conclude, I’m working on a response to Joe Rogan’s opinion of Catholicism. No I’m not triggered, but pray that time constraits may allow me to offer a rebuttal of certain pre conceived notions and stereotypes. By the way, I welcome authentic discourse and rebuttals,.. I have many friends who disagree, but we do so in a climate of respect.

God bless!

Introspective Thought Porn

noreply@blogger.com (Optimusmastro) — Sat, 17 Feb 2018 19:20:00 +0000

Did that title grab your attention? I hope so!,.. :)

Who am I? My identity whether it be in the Church or in the world seems confusing, even to myself. I am a few ‘ex’s’,. Ex trainer, ex seminarian, you get my point,. So who am I and what is my mission? I don’t seem to fit in the Ecclesial world and I don’t seem to fit with my old world. A few weeks back was the memorial of St John of the Cross, a master in Spirituality, and today?,. Well it seems that prayer is difficult, working out isn’t working and I’m searching for a dopamine rush,.. somewhere. Is this a blog?,. or the diary entry of a fourteen year old girl?

My mission for 2018 is to find an identity. You see I’m told that I ‘look’ like the world, but am striving to follow Christ. This poses problems (along with loneliness) as I try to navigate these new ‘waters.’ Gone are the days where I would date the secular ‘good’ woman, and instead I find myself seeking a Catholic one. The timing is realizing that I’m a ‘work in progress’ striving to follow our Lord, and like any sinner, always falling short. It appears that I’m a twisted combination of Joe Rogan, Mark Walberg, Thomas Aquinas and well,.. Ultra Magnus. (Perhaps because he can’t ‘deal’ with now! A reference to the iconic 1986 Transformers Animated movie!)

Work 1. Cemetery

I work in a pastoral context, one of accompanying families at the cemetery. The burial can be a moment of trauma for many, as the reality of the moment truly sets in. My job, to listen, to be a voice of reason, even to calmness and to accompany those who wish final prayers before the burial. My appearance is often the 1^st thing people notice, and while funny at first, it could become an impediment to people encountering God. My mission is simple, leave every family and every person I encounter with a true sense that God loves them!,.. Perhaps being built like a wrestler is a blockage, but perhaps it also acts as an ‘attention’ getter? Either way, God uses this to humble me, constantly. I can’t undo my body, because I’ve never taken steroids and thus my body is natural. Even if I didn’t train for a month, I would maintain my ‘size.’

Work 2. Jiu Jitsu Instructor

This year saw me get my brown belt under Bruno Fernandes. (Not exactly Joe Shmoe) Doing so was a call to reality for several reasons. The first is that I’m no longer in my prime. Years of sports/combat sports, training and Martial Arts have taken a toll on me. The reality is that a concussion, cracked rib, and two knee surgeries later, I’m not exactly the apex predator (Sorry Randy Orton) that I once sought to be. At 40yrs, I need to accept that the athletic blue belt who came over from another style is capable of ‘hangin’ with me, if not outright holding me off or still ‘tappin’ me. Nonetheless being a BJJ brown belt is an accomplishment, especially considering there was no real ‘Jits’ available when I was 20yrs old!,. (You hear that you young whippersnappers you!)

Let’s put this in a ‘Magic Bullet.’

Now that my work has been addressed, my character development and disposition must be. If there is one thing that the seminary can be accredited for, it is for revealing and holding up an mirror to one’s own strengths and weaknesses. Strengths,.. hmmm,.. I guess to some, I remain fearless. One older Sulpician priest called me a ‘warrior.’ I do fear things though,. Sin for one, my inability to own up to self criticism, and perhaps my ego. While these at one time served as a strength, they are HUGE weaknesses in the spiritual world. Being a twisted combination has helped me build authentic bridges with God’s people. While at the same time, it has alienated me from many in the Clergy. The quote, ‘Marco, they are just not ready for someone like you’ has constantly been thrown in my direction. ‘You’re too American’ is still another. I had mentioned moving forward, but I guess my time in the seminary heading to Priesthood was a true love affair, and what I’m experiencing is akin to a ‘divorce?’.. Not so sure anymore.

In the end, I remain loyal to Jesus and to my Faith. My personality intact, albeit bruised (perhaps in need of psychological healing.) I enjoy Theology, and yes,.. to those detractors, you are right,.. Pope John Paul II’s ‘Veritatis Splendor’ was his ‘halting’ of all the ‘Nouvelle theologie’ synonymous with the ‘spirit of Vatican II’ complete with its moral subjectivism. As a man who grew up in it, then discovered Thomas Aquinas, I will always affirm the timeless Truths of our Faith, popular or not. That doesn’t mean it will be done in a malicious/narcissistic manner, yet in a firm and paternal way by the Grace of God.

My apologies to those readers of this blog who come here hoping to find a frothing at the mouth ‘traditionalist,’ as you won’t. My opinions on what the Pope may or may not be thinking is simply too far down the list from my own sinful self. Before I remove the speck in my brother’s eye, I need to address the log in my own. As Dr Jordan Peterson says,.. I need to clean up my own house. With God’s help, I hope I can put aside my ego, and let Jesus take the wheel.

May God continue to bless and keep you!

Our Lady of Good Success,…………………….. ora pro nobis.

Trump'ed' Up or Out?

noreply@blogger.com (Optimusmastro) — Fri, 19 Jan 2018 18:20:00 +0000

Thinking, clear thinking,.. Is it making a comeback? Indeed it would seem that this new technological generation which has given way to 'alternative media' is effectively silencing the status quo with regards to global perspectives. Who's right or wrong, or still which bio-ethical hot button topic of the day will become interwoven inside an editorial narrative put forth by ideologically engineered funding that suits their goal. The 'right' and the 'left' has become so polarizing that any person channel surfing from FOX to CNN could find themselves battling schizophrenia.

Where do I stand? I consider myself 'right of center' on socio economic issues, and perhaps the best definition is that I'm 'A classical english liberal.' (to paraphrase Dr Jordan Peterson.) I tend to 'think' with the mind of the Church, while keeping an open perspective to the plights of those not quite in agreement. I try to see it from their angle, before offering a debate. The classic example of people advocating homosexual unions inside the Church based upon a false sense of 'mercy' comes to mind. The Theological argument shows Jesus as open to all, however there is a forgetting of His command to go and 'sin no more.' (John 8;11) From the secular perspective, the argument of what happens between two consenting adults falls short, when using their logic, incest between consenting adults would have to be accepted as well! Otherwise we could invent a new term, calling them 'incestophobic!' (credit to Mark Dice for that one.)

As a Canadian, I eagerly watched the American elections, and I will admit despite being 'right of center' politically, once Trump won the Republican nomination, I was scared. Despite being 'pro life,' I worried about the media perception of a madman with his button on the nukes. Nonetheless, once he won, I found it curious that the media CNN, NBC and ABC were almost in overdrive trying to dump him. Celebrities, (Meryl Streep) issuing pleas to 'stop the hate,' (All the while she applauded Roman Polansky) Madonna threatening to blow up the White House, and Rosie O'Donnell were a continuity. To be clear, I was no fan of Hilary,.. However this anti-Trump stuff was well,.. demonic! Why was there a double standard? I started listening to Joe Rogan's podcast,.. More people speaking about 'pizza gate,' and a deep state. Russia, etc...

We are a year into Trump's inauguration, and while yes he still remains a blowhard, I found it interesting that the media never reported other things. The US economy is stronger than ever. Granted the 'left' says its not because of Trump, however it is still happening under his presidency. The illegal immigration issue. Well my Grandfather was in a POW camp in Petawawa during war times,.So you ain't gonna get sympathy from me. I remember arguing that Trump was being 'unChristian,' and the rebuttal the individual gave me was the media never uses the word 'illegal.' I countered with, but we are a country (Canada) built on the backs of immigrants along with the french and english,.. 'Dude, do you lock the doors to your house at night? was his reply... Eeesh...Then I found out that Obama pretty much did the same moratorium a few years back.

A few questions,...

The whole Russia collusion. Did Russia interfere? Probably. Doesn't every country's intelligence community attempt to meddle? Didn't the Obama administration meddle in Israel's? Then wasn't it Clinton who sold uranium to the Russians? Comey and Mueller,..Are they not in collusion? Is their a fake Russian dossier ordered by John McCain? Eeeesh,...The plot thickens,..

Up next is the METOO movement. It seems that Hollywood is ripe with sexual abuse of women and minors. Yet the media hasn't spent much time questioning why Bill Clinton was on Jeffrey Epstein plane to his island. All these women coming forward,.. The left takes advantage, but even this seems to fizzle out.

Trump's sh%^hole comments,.. or alleged comments. Apparently its hearsay. If he did say it, he does expose himself as an ass, no question. However name one person who hasn't spoken like this in private? Does this comment rank in the same league as Slick Willy's bl%&job from Monica Lewinsky along with him lying under oath? The media at the time stated that it had nothing to do with his capacity to run the country. Fine. Then comments that were allegedly said don't either, right? Even Oprah, (who recently gave an election style speech) what about her comments regarding a generation 'needing to die.' Ouffff...

My point in all of this is that I enjoy playing 'devil's advocate' especially in the face of a force-fed global narrative. Trying to read, reread and balance everything from all sources. A year ago, the news of the Christian bakery refusing to bake a wedding cake for a gay couple made headlines,.. So Steven Crowder decided to go into muslim bakeries asking for a wedding cake for a gay couple,.. Well he also got refused. Its the Christians however who are the new targets!

For my fellow Catholics,.. I leave you with this video of Trump,.. watch for yourself, then decide.

Credit to FOX news

**To the liberals who think I'm now a conservative,. just remember that I too was against the Iraq invasion and thought Julian Assange did right by exposing a false war,.. The difference is that I still think he is doing right by exposing another false narrative.**

God bless!

Douchebag Invitation

noreply@blogger.com (Optimusmastro) — Tue, 09 Jan 2018 18:11:00 +0000

So its 2018, and your new year’s resolution is to get into shape. So you walk into a gym for the first time in a while. You got all your gear at Walmart, ‘tap-out’ t-shirt, wide brimmed fitted hat, ridiculous attitude, tattoos up to the nostrils, the time you did train you gassed yourself up to the gills but forgot to take your anti-estrogen, thereby assuring that your pecs are probably man boobs by now but you don’t care, and to complement your illusion, the ‘bling.’ and oh yeah,. You’ve never fought. The fights you had were gang up style beatdowns on lesser more timid people. The coup de gras?,. You are probably a drug dealer, a wannabe slimeball with no ambition or work ethic, but you dream to live the so-called ‘gangzta’ lifestyle! I get it, you’re in your twenties or thirties (the latter pathetic) and are searching for an identity! Two problems though,.. You live your life financed by my tax money and,.. You’ve never come face to face with an ‘Alpha male’ so to speak.

Allow me to introduce my program of ‘unf@#king.’ It’s usually a 10 week course, whereby you’ll train, (yes, legs too! 😉) learn and develop humility and hopefully leave as a better person offering a contribution to society. Weights, Jiu Jitsu (any Martial Art for that matter) or perhaps the military could’ve helped you, but don’t worry,.. Its not too late,.. I’m here. You see I detest your character, not you, (that would be unchristian of me.). You live a lavish lifestyle based upon our socialist Canadian principals, ie,. You collect ‘pogey’ while you deal your dope for cash. (BTW,. I am not against drugs, in fact, I would probably legalize them all, and slap a tax on them thereby cutting into the black market. Obviously there would be an ‘age moratorium,’ but if you’ve made a free choice to snort powder, inject needles or whatever,.. Who am I to stop your free will? BTW,. The reason I don’t take drugs, is the same reason I don’t drink Javel or Antifreeze either,. There is a warning sign with a skull and crossbones informing me of the consequences.) From a Faith standpoint, you will also learn how to pray that Rosary you hang around your neck as an added bonus!

So I invite you to enter a gym, maybe an MMA or Jiu Jitsu gym? See that little 145lbs red headed accountant kid?,.. Spar with him and experience him kill you, several times. Then will come the real test,.. Will you come back? Now with a sore neck and joints, and an even more injured ego comes the reality of whether or not you will come back? In my experience, the wannabe douchebag schmucks have a 1/3^rd ratio. 1/3^rd will stay, and slowly they will begin not using four letter words to describe a newborn kitten,.. They will begin saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you,’ and they will begin respecting women. By respect, it means being authentic and honest, gallant and chivalrous.

To conclude, I hope that 2018 truly brings about a positive change in all of our lives!

God bless!

2 Years and Time to Close a Chapter.

noreply@blogger.com (Optimusmastro) — Fri, 05 Jan 2018 00:03:00 +0000

It was two years ago,. I remember looking at the clock, my breath short, my heart racing, what the hell is going on? (My first thought..),. Is this a heart attack?,.. (My second..)..Why can’t I think or breathe? Why am I feeling like this,.. Why are my older parents helping me off the floor? At that moment, I knew I needed some time, I needed to think and to re-assess. I asked for some time, and they granted me all the time I needed. (Take that for what it’s worth.) January 4^th, 2016, .. The day that God reminded me that I’m human.

Fast forward to now. I recently met with the rector of the seminary, although not officially,.. He mentioned that I looked more ‘at peace.’ Perhaps?,. I work in the funeral industry, and I work as a Jiu Jitsu instructor,.. My question remains,.. What the hell happened? The answer I guess is simple. God wanted to get my attention, and His subtle attempts were being ignored, so He got a little more intense shall we say?,.

While two years removed from official formation, and having finished the intellectual component, I have no ill will toward my time discerning priesthood. I still practice my Faith and perhaps have a more developed prayer life because of that time spent. Priesthood is not a ‘dead issue’ but it is an issue of discernment, one that an individual with a bit of ‘traction’ needs to undertake with a similar formation team. My sin remains my EGO.,. IT IS HUGE! Perhaps this is why God took such drastic measures? I will admit that most people will attain Heaven through the mercy of God ahead of me. Why?,.. PRIDE!!!! The Mother of all sins.

While I may criticize the formation team, I can never criticize their zeal for what they believe to be ‘bare minimum’ with regards to Spirituality. Jesus invites us to follow Him as in the Gospels, but sometimes we forget that the ‘follower’ and the followee’ are flawed and sinful human beings. The seminary is not perfect, but as it stands and after much prayer, it is not an environment for men like me. The excuse of ‘you don’t understand the Quebecois’ must eventually give way to common sense. As was explained to me, I did well in Parish and my secret?,. An active prayer life! Mass, Marian devotion and of course ‘morning prayer!’

As I have said, and believe,.. I am not a ‘Traditionalist.’ In fact, I detest the term, as it denotes an ideological bent so to speak. I am, however, ‘Traditional,’ if that is how you would like to describe me. I remain a man convinced that God is calling,.. to what? Not so sure anymore. I guess that is normal? I can never apologize for being ‘Alpha’ as you described me,.. I was raised by awesome parents in a traditional home, I can’t change that. I’m heterosexual, and women will always remain a temptation for me, whether I discern Marriage or even a Consecrated lay state. I speak as a man, and thus am able to draw parallels with those young fathers in the community, because I viewed Priesthood as just that, spiritual fatherhood. I’m sanguine in my temperament, and can’t change that but can attempt to control it.

As I bookend this post, I reflect upon going forward. I remain a sinner, and in desperate need of Jesus’s redemptive Sacrifice. At the same time, perhaps my writing can help others who are ‘like me’ and don’t feel welcome in the ranks. I will say this,.. My name is Marco and I was never a bully, and I also was never bullied,.. until I entered formation.

To conclude 2018 is all about smiling. I will use my God given talents to continue to empower people in Jiu Jitsu, to smile and always accompany by the Grace of God, families searching for a sense of coherence at the death of a loved one! Here is to positive vibes!!!!!

God bless!

Fr Optimus Prime.

noreply@blogger.com (Optimusmastro) — Tue, 12 Dec 2017 19:17:00 +0000

Like all boys growing up, I had heroes. These were men of virtue, characters who embodied true courage and nobility. Honor perhaps is a better word. Optimus Prime for instance, the courageous leader of the autoboots who gave his life for his cause. He was calm, serene and composed. Another hero, was the character of Hulk Hogan. He would yell and scream, encouraging all of us to ‘Train, Say our Prayers, Take our vitamins! He always beat the ‘bad guys’ in wrestling. (This of course distinct from the actual man who was jacked to the gills on **ahem** pharmaceutical aides!) Needless to say, that our heroes are people/characters we can try to emulate. Well why not a priest? I know some awesome holy dudes, trying to shepherd amidst this crazy world and they need our prayers!

Today is the Feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patroness of the Americas. The Church in 2017 seems at a crossroads, but where there is much distress, there is even more grace to be acquired for our sanctification and the sanctification of others. Heroes especially among the younger clergy are coming forward (along with some very faithful older priests), being bold and facing the world. These men are heroes standing up for God’s faithful and encouraging us to grow, to think and to get Holy.

Too often today we see a disconnect between being ‘pastoral’ vis a vis being ‘doctrinal.’ This false notion must come to an end, and I believe it will through prayer and the JPII generation of priests getting ready to ‘take the reigns’ so to speak. To be ‘pastoral’ doesn’t mean speaking in soft feminine overtones with no punch, it means administering the proper dosage of Spiritual Direction at the moment the Faithful need it. It means forming the heart, so that the heart may mirror the heart of Christ Himself. Most ‘doctors’ administering euthanasia come off as ‘nice,’ but it does not change the poison that they will give to the patient.

Instead of criticizing, we need to pray for our pastors, that they be men of prayer, holiness, courage, boldness and honor. That they may preach with firmness and vigor, sometimes even rocking our worlds and causing us to think. To paraphrase late Archbishop Fulton Sheen, in order to be a lamb in the confessional, you must be a lion in the pulpit!

Our Lady of Guadalupe,…………………………………………..ora pro nobis!

Venting and Reflecting

noreply@blogger.com (Optimusmastro) — Mon, 04 Dec 2017 20:01:00 +0000

Dude, what happened?,.. This phrase all too common. My life altered on Jan 4^th, 2016. I suffered a nervous breakdown and requested some time. Well, all the time in the world was accorded me and I in turn returned to a world, a scary world that I didn’t recognize. The year precedent, I was in an awesome parish, vibrant, and fully convinced of my ‘call’ to priesthood.(in certain respects, I remain as such),. Fate perhaps, decided another path. You see, I remain a sinner. Arrogant, narcissistic, emotionally impulsive and perhaps unstable. Perhaps I’m too self-centered, another vice that I need to work on. One thing that is my strength however,.. I am no pu$$,.. err,. Let’s say ‘pushover.’ I was raised a certain way, in a traditional home where my father was my father, not my buddy. He kicked my ass when I deserved it, and mentored and taught me in all things... You get my point? 😉

The Church, Holy Mother Church, Her arms symbolic in St Peter’s square, seem to symbolize accompanying everyone. Both on the ‘right’ and ‘left’ of the spectrum. I considered myself neither, and strangely was convinced that even Jesus would find political terminology in His Church a little absurd. I made and owned my decision, to the point where I still remember that the woman I was dating picked me up from ‘signing up’ and we went to eat Chinese food at a local place. I made a tough choice. I trusted God, it hurt. Well,. It seems that even though I had a good report from Parish, my grades were good, I collapsed. I’m 40, not married, no kids and with elderly parents. I’m in ‘panic’ mode. Perhaps it was the forced fed ‘Pastoral’ theology Quebecois nonsense? (notice how I didn’t capitalize it?),. I tend to think so.

I am an integrated man, and my call to chastity remained rooted in a prayer life no doubt, but also a proper physical regimen. In other words, I would ‘beat’ my body into submission through rigorous training along with avoiding any sugar ‘estrogen building’ foods. There are tons of beautiful women in Parishes, and the man discerning celibacy must be aware of these dangers.,.. Now I’m gonna address the elephant in the room. Has the priesthood become the bastion or safe haven for all the men seeking to escape the world? The ones who were harassed in high school, couldn’t get a girl and couldn’t hold down a job? Or I dare say were homosexual men? I went there! (Let’s put our cards on the table,. When the so-called pedo scandals reveal that 90 % of the abuse was committed by men seeking post pubescent boys,.it’s a homo issue at its core!) I wonder,..

Now forced to recommence dating, to negotiate a world that I had left, to do so with priesthood on my heart,.. to not have clear answers… Its all tough. I continue to work in a pastoral dimension, perhaps this is what God is asking of me?,. I teach and train people in Jiu Jitsu, (They in turn become my children,..).. Where am I going? On God knows and time will tell… In the meantime, this message is to all the men who thought they were bullied by men who ‘look’ like me… I’m sorry high school was rough, and although I was never bullied, I was never a bully either. Perhaps to you, I was an ‘invader’ in your world. All I wanted to do was follow God’s Will for my life. As for the ‘pastoral’ theology, the reason men like me don’t excel at this, is simply because we don’t ‘think’ like women. Men, whether they be priests or fathers, are called to a Spiritual fatherhood of heroic virtue, not of candy cane or Hallmark card emotionalism. I’m sorry I’m being rough with you, but for men who were bullied, know that it was you who became the ‘bullies’ for men like me. My crimes, not being into ‘singing’ and ‘painting’ and whatever else. I wanted to lay down my life completely for Christ, but I clearly was not part of your clique. Please do not say that I’m a clericalist, or Have you cleaned feces from a homeless person? Have you hugged a former or current prison inmate struggling with depression? You don’t know me, and perhaps because I don’t give off the ‘Pink Unicorn Social Justice ‘Jesus’ you want, you decided to squash me. I wish you no ill will or harm, but I pray and hope that you will leave us alone, not undertake marketing endeavours or otherwise spend diocesan money without addressing again, the giant elephant in the room… The FSSP and other Traditional communities are growing, the mainstream Church is aging,.. Is it not time to face reality?

I feel better having gotten this off my chest!

God bless.

Marco, **former** seminarian.

Fait Accomplit or Just the Beginning! :)

noreply@blogger.com (Optimusmastro) — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 17:42:00 +0000

So today is Wednesday, October 18^th, 2017. I am stuck at home, sick with a cold, haven’t trained in four days, frustrated, trying to pull myself together to teach Jiu Jitsu tonight,.. and oh yeah I am officially a ‘Theologian.’ That sounds kinda nice,.. I think…

In 2011, beginning the process of discernement, I couldn’t have imagined myself struck with a nervous breakdown, and instead was intent to continue along. Perhaps God has other plans? Nonetheless,. I stuck and completed the academic formation and thus last night was rewarded. So now with a little academic weight I can answer some ill founded rumours!

Alpha: I am not for or against ‘Alpha.’ I participated once in an encounter from a protestant perspective and was told to just concentrate on basic ideas of Jesus we all share,.. This perplexed me, because well, ‘basic’ Christianity is the Catholic Church. The root word in Protestantism, remains ‘protest,’ and what they protest, is the Church. The issue that I bring up and am more convinced of more than ever is a crisis in thinking. Proper philosophy has been removed from the schools, and in its place ‘modernism’ has become the norm. Thus its red headed step child ‘relativism’ is given carte blanche in today’s secular world. Thus the Catechetical component of Alpha,. (Is there one? ) is replaced with an emotional approach stressing ‘feelings’… I feel that for me, Jesus is a good man. (Just as legitimate as saying ‘For me, its discriminatory that human beings can’t fly by natural means.’) In the end, the new Evangelization, I believe must address a crisis in anthropology and until that gets resolved, we will attempt to ‘protestantize’ our language not taking into account that the terminology is different in Catholic circles. Thus this can and has led to a ‘universalism’ of sorts. (The belief that whatever denomination you are, just be a ‘good’ person and you’ll be okay, because everyone goes to Heaven.)

Traditionalist: I will never identify myself as such. I prefer Catholic. To paraphrase a priest friend of mine, the ‘ist’ represents ideology, something that I firmly believe is poisoning many in our Church. While I have my preferences, I will not take away the right to prayer for a community that prays as such. I will however exercise common sense with regard to sensibilities. An African choir helping an African community complete with their own rites and customs,.. Amen. Liturgical Nazis imposing an African choir to a community of Native Americans because its entertaining, that is the problem. Doctrinally speaking, the Church follows the Council of Trent for Her doctrines. Vatican II is a pastoral council, not a doctrinal one, and while there is doctrine in Vatican II, it is simply a reiteration of a doctrine already established. Issues such as Ecumenism, Interfaith dialogue and Religious freedom are not doctrines. They are pastoral applications for today’s world. (Religious Freedom was drafted during the Cuban missile crisis.)

Modernist: To the ‘Traditionalist’ crowd, I get leveled ‘modernist.’ Well, I do enjoy speaking with people, I try to smile and enjoy ‘praise and worship’ (albeit outside of Mass) from time to time. I take time to listen to the other side and will vigorously defend their right to free speech in order to foster authentic debate. This is how we learn. The Fr James Martin stuff?.. He has a right to his opinion, however when he functions as a priest, his opinions must surrender to the Church’s. Too often the ‘Left’ throws around words such as ‘tolerant’ and ‘openness’ yet they are the first to squelch any debate defending the authentic teaching of the Magisterium. Again, true Thomistic thought must be the standard for any Catholic education. As far as the pastoral practise, that requires common sense.

Pastoral ‘Theology:’ Ahhh yes, the ‘Megatron’ to my Optimus Prime! Modernism, giving way to subjectivism and relativism brings with it an entire truck’s worth of new ‘subjects.’ While I am not against ‘pastoral’ theology, I’m against it being considered an academic endeavour worthy of 3 credits. Pastoral means forming the heart, and yes learning new techniques, but unlike something clear, like logic or math, the Quebecois pastoral ideal in my opinion means castrating oneself! Speaking in soft feminine overtones, and fluttering about using child like Jesus is my buddy approach. The Church’s idea of pastoral is different, forming the heart and accompanying like a Spiritual Father, not an androgynous creampuff. Alas, sorry for the sarcasm, but as a child coming home with a report card, my dad checked out math, science and language. Art, music and gym didn’t quite make the ‘cut.’ (Despite my fondness for gym class!) The approach that I used in Parish was simple,. Prayer, followed by common sense (that term again). A month before my nervous breakdown, I did the blasphemous,.. I questioned the ‘pastoral theology’ being shown, and by doing so questioned the Quebecois model thereby causing French canadiens nightmares and seizures! (Btw, as an aside, my tutor in the parish I was assigned was French Canadien and pretty much agreed with my assessment) Oh well,.. Have I mentioned that I signed up for Sasquatology? Just as legit as Quebecois pastoral theology, because well, neither of the two are quantifiable. What would I replace it with? Anything with Don Bosco's name attached to it! I would hold seminar style workshops, but never an academic class for the pastoral approach. People and needs are different, and if you ask anyone who is being honest, they find it very demeaning and childlike. As always I invite anyone to disagree with anything I say! Together we may be able to agree on something! :)

To conclude, I enjoy debate and will continue to furnish posts that invite people the think. Am I right, wrong or somewhere in the middle, a society is never more alive and healthy than when we can honestly debate and truly search for Truth. I pray everyday for the grace of humility, as now more than ever, I’m gonna need it!

St Ignatius of Antioch…………………………………………………… Ora pro nobis!

To Progress, Sometimes we Need to Regress

noreply@blogger.com (Optimusmastro) — Tue, 20 Jun 2017 15:06:00 +0000

There are times when you need to go to that place. The place, where only God can judge you and you remain free,. Free to be who God created you to be,.. You, Yourself, The ‘I’ that God intended for your identity. At death, it will be you before God in judgement, no one else and despite certain sinfulness, failings and perhaps unachieved goals, you will always remain,.. well,. YOU.

Clearly the ‘You’ I speak of is ‘Me.’ It is 2017, and I remain still on the ‘outside’ looking in with regards to a potential vocation. As I have previously mentioned, God reminds me constantly, that I remain a ‘work in progress’ so to speak. (I guess we are all a ‘work’ in progress?) The cemetery, Notre Dame de la Rue, and Jiu Jitsu, all keeping me somewhat sane. I do, however have some strengths, in that I believe it is easier for me to relate to regular folks in general. These strengths can also become weaknesses, perhaps leading me to be too narcissistic, arrogant and ‘worldly,’ and not grafted unto Our Lord. I’ve been told I come off as ‘paternal’ as to some that is a good thing, while for others, it can expose their own lack of discipline /drive. I have said this before, I remain a heterosexual man battling temptation on a daily basis. I tend to ‘think’ deductively, and am not known for my appreciation of museums or the theatre. While I remain open to these cultural expressions, I must admit that I can feel loneliness as the ‘oddball’ among others. The cure is to increase my dopamine levels through working out(physical training) which presents an excellent compliment to my prayer life. I remain a man, and yes,.. an Alpha Male. I was raised that way, I can’t change my personality, all I can do is continuously ask Our Lord to purify it instead.

What do I mean? Well,.. Here goes. Too often, the people of God notice that some of the clergy are a little effeminate. To elaborate, that an unusually high number of priests seem to be ‘out there’ when it comes to decorating, flowers, and vestments. The Pope alluded to it as well. I not singling out men who celebrate the Extraordinary Form, (In fact I would argue that they come off as more masculine) but I am singling out priests who seem preoccupied by certain Liturgical ‘fashions’ while forgetting that this stuff is an extension of an interior Faith and must not be simply for show.

Firstly, I do believe that a Roman collar or a soutane(cassock) should be worn by a priest when he is in public exercising a ministry. Whether its on a hospital visit or teaching a class, depending the situation. I don’t believe he needs the collar when at the gym weight lifting. I do believe that it is a beautiful ‘visible’ sign. Clothing and signs should not be used to acquire respect, and while yes, in Quebec, there was a time when the soutane elicited a negative reaction, there is now a certain courage for those priests who wear the collar or soutane in public. Some are scorned, but most are respected. As long as the outward sign reflects an interior reality, there is nothing wrong with it.

Secondly,. (This one is a humdinger!) I will speak plainly and pastorally. While yes, there are a disproportionate number of homosexual priests, we shouldn’t categorize all to be like that. Myself, I grew up with a gay friend. I have never persecuted gay people. While I fully support the teachings of the Church, I have never once been a bully or mean to anyone different. In fact those who know me, know this about me. I have always been able to separate the person from whatever he or she is going through. The Church’s teaching is clear along with it being anchored in Natural Law. The worst kept secret, is that the priesthood in some circles became a ‘haven’ for gay men ashamed to come out to their families and friends. Well, society has changed. The clergy however should not persecute or isolate those men discerning priesthood who are ‘alpha’ males, especially if we are to be open to everybody!

To conclude, I don’t pretend to know any answers to these issues,. However I will work with people authentically trying to search for some. Life is complex,.. To further my point, the John Paul II video ‘Fishers of Men’ was what my idea of the priesthood was before going to seminary,.. Now that I’ve graduated, let’s just say that I understand why most men who practise ultimately end up with FSSP run parishes,.. It isn’t the lace, it’s the challenge and the attitude. Until next time,.. I remain a sinner, a work in progress.

Sacred Heart of Jesus,.. Have Mercy on us!

Not Optimusmastro, musings of Marco Ep5

noreply@blogger.com (Optimusmastro) — Sun, 09 Apr 2017 14:12:00 +0000

A lenten pep talk,.. I'm preachin' to myself as well! Too often all of us 'social media' Catholics forget that the essential remains Jesus!

My Own Man.

noreply@blogger.com (Optimusmastro) — Tue, 04 Apr 2017 22:23:00 +0000

Perhaps a controversial post regarding the last US election. We have all and are all getting a little tired of it. It seems that so many armchair political analysts are coming out of the woodwork to give an opinion. To be clear, I am not a political ‘expert’ nor do I aspire to be one.

Let’s be clear. I don’t know Donald Trump. I have never met him, I really don’t wish to meet him, nor do I wish to have a beer with him. I don’t nor do I enjoy his twitter feed or his persistent outburst which are crude, and classless. That being said, I do not subscribe to the constant media bashing, Hollywood ‘holier than though’ approach of left of centre millionaire social justice warriors crying at full blown crazy level. My question for all out there remains this. Like most people, I thought Trumps’ candidature was a reflection of the state of politics in the US, but then came the Wikileaks dumps. My opinion on who was worse changed. Who is worse, Donald Trump, the sociopath and most probable ‘character’ that he plays on TV, or George Soros, the billionaire communist funding the Hillary Clinton/Obama machine?

All this talk about Russia, takes our eyes off the ball. Whether or not Russia interfered in US elections does not change the fact that the content was clear. As a Catholic, there was overwhelming evidence with regard to an infiltration orchestrated by the Clinton camp to subvert the Catholic Church at Her highest levels, initiate a Catholic ‘spring’ and finally topple Her, leaving a socialist/communist machine in its wake. That is not to say that I’m a conspiracy theorist/’truther’ who denies 911, I am though a person who like any other human being is naturally curious and hard wired for Truth.

The whole fake news issue has been around since the beginning of time. We as human beings, through technology have gotten better at it. Mafia leaders, politicians to philanthropists and special interest groups have constantly tipped the ‘media’ and balance of power in order to ensure that their preferred candidate or option comes out looking good. Sooo,.. As much as Trump and the mainstream media are screaming Trump’s links to Russia, what about alternative right media’s discovery of an elite pedophile ring with ties to heavy duty politicians advancing a globalist agenda? We can’t deny this, and the fact that social media is discovery this, the people who run the social media sites are also trying to curtail these stories. Think about it this way,.. Milo Yiannopoulis had to resign from Breitbart because of controversial comments regarding pedophilia. I agree 100% with firing him or forcing him to resign. What he said was utterly disgusting and should be punished. My question is why did not the same mainstream media come down on George Takai, who basically advanced the same opinion? Couldn’t be that Milo who is nationalist must be punished while Takai, who is globalist gets a free pass? This should make us all think…

The world is changing and gone is the traditional ‘right’ vs ‘left’ dichotomy, leaving in its wake, Nationalism vs Globalism. The example of Britain’s exit from the European Union comes to mind (Brexit.) Perhaps all is not what it seems to be and perhaps we have been granted a time of Grace? Who knows?

What am I saying? To paraphrase the song from the California Raisins,. ‘Heard it through the grapevine,.. ‘believe none of what you hear and only half of what you see!’ – I’ve always been an independent thinker, neither ‘right’ nor ‘left’ but instead celebrating my independent ‘thinking’ self. I don’t know all the answers, but I will never be a sheep to ideology one way or another! I watch CNN, ABC, CBS, FOX, CBC, CTV, and Global. Still I will supplement my information by watching online sources such as Rebel Media, Lifesite News, Mark Dice, Alex Jones Infowars, Church Militant TV, Next News Network Joe Rogan podcast, and Steven Crowder. After gathering all my ‘sources’ I will form an intelligent ‘opinion’ taking into account the sourced material being referenced. I still will never call it Truth, simply because I will never know all the facts essentially because I am still receiving them 3^rd party. In this light,.. Pontius Pilate’s quote to Jesus comes to mind,.. ‘Quid est veritas?’

I won’t post links, but instead invite all those who can critically ‘think’ to do just that. If you find yourself on the ‘left,’ you find out that although the Christian refusing to bake a cake for a gay couple is a contrived media plot, considering that Steven Crowder proved that it is much harder to get a Muslim baker to bake such a cake! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgWIhYAtan4) If your on the right, you may find out that Iraq had no weapons of ‘mass destruction.’ (I believe history has already proved this point,..). What is the desired result is that you develop an independent thinking brain. Devoid of all influence and instead is to be informed(So that you may form) by all these news stories, sites and opinions! (Yes I posted one link, because well,.. its funny! :P )

God bless!

Introducing 'Not Optimusmastro,.. musings of Marco'

noreply@blogger.com (Optimusmastro) — Sun, 26 Mar 2017 15:50:00 +0000

A little Youtube 'show' that I started for fun, but also as an outlet and chance for 'Confessions' readers to get to know a little about me! :)

Enjoy!

St Joseph,....................... pray for us!

Ocram, from Bizzaroland speaks!,.. (He is mad at Marco,.. in a non judgemental way though!)

noreply@blogger.com (Optimusmastro) — Fri, 24 Mar 2017 19:04:00 +0000

My name is Ocram, and well, I don’t believe in freedom. Soooo many times I hear Marco, (who is nothing more than a chauvinistic alpha male/mysogenist) speak about Faith, weight training, fighting and,.. I can’t believe I’m gonna say this but gun ownership! In Canada! When hearing stuff like this, I need to run to my safe space where I pet kittens and baby seals for an hour. Why? Because this ‘triggers me!’

What is Marco’s deal with Catholicism? I mean I like Jesus and think He was a special teacher! He is equal to Guru Namako Muhammed Al-jafar, or still no religion, just spirituality,.. Unless its Gaia, the goddess of ecology and feminism! The Church is archaic and backward! I mean how dare Jesus rise from dead any more than any other wise ‘spirit teacher?’ That is male dominated and closed minded!!!Women too should rise from the dead!!! Sheeeesh!!! Back to the safe space to blow bubbles!

Why does Marco always speak about ninjitsu or judorate or whatever promoting violence to young kids? I mean if no one knew these things, or how to fight, the world would be so much better,.. I mean imagine dialoging with that guy who wants to mug you? You know that he is most likely a white man (and Trump supporter!) We could sit and have tea, then he would most certainly know the error of his ways! Gaia bless him!

Why does Marco support ‘freedom’ which naturally leads to ownership of firearms!,.. As in GUNS! (Wait I need to get to my safe space in order to handle some play doh, and blow some soap bubbles while petting some kittens,.. Phew!,.. K,.. Better). Imagina a gun free zone? We could put up a sign indicating that this zone is gun free and well,.. criminals are not welcome! (Marco thinks this that criminals would call this zone a ‘target range’ but what does he know?!)

I have said my piece, and now, I’m gonna sip my Mocha Late Frappacappaccinespresso,. While listening to Moby and preparing some vegan food,..

Gaia be blessed,.

Ocram.

Elephants and Discernment

noreply@blogger.com (Optimusmastro) — Thu, 16 Mar 2017 14:17:00 +0000

Ohhhh the elephant in the room. First off, I’d like to begin by saying that we are sinners. We all need redemption and must trust in the Sacraments established by Christ through His saving Passion, Death and Resurrection to enable us to get to Heaven. Through this journey and that journey, no doubt we have all met many great humble and holy priests, religious and lay people. For myself?,. Well, I am and remain a work in progress with probably more issues that they could help me with, then I could ever help them. Why am I writing this post? Well because like most of my posts, it falls into a category of reality and honesty. People, God’s people ask questions,.. So perhaps we together can shed a little light on the matter? Here goes!

Human formation, the most important part of Pastores Dabo Vobis by Pope John Paul II. Sadly, it is my opinion that this part has either been neglected or not taken seriously. Recently, the community in Montreal was faced with an issue of pedophilia. Once again, the media will leap to attack the diocese, yet this time the media has gone silent in this regard, because the Diocese under a faithful Archbishop has done everything in its power to co-operate with this investigation. The underlying issue remains, why so many ‘cases’ in the priesthood? Perhaps, this prayerful opinion (that is all it is) can shed some light. Guys like ‘me’ constantly would face this question; ‘You don’t look like a … ‘ or still my favorite when you tell them that you are considering the priesthood,.. ‘You serious? Are you gay?’ Well,.. These are the questions of God’s people.

Priestly celibacy and chastity are always tricky issues. I can only speak for myself. I have had relationships, a few. When I used to work out of a gym, I was much closer to Charlie Sheen than I could ever have been to Jesus. Still, prayer (along with corporal mortification such as fasting) enabled Grace to abide in me enough to resist. Let me be perfectly clear,.. Left to my own devices, I am sinful and there are lots of beautiful women. My character is seductive, charming and I have never had a problem ‘articulating.’ All this adds up to a dangerous combination. Still, perhaps Jesus can use these charisms for ‘good’ for His glory and not my own? That being said, Prayer, along with a good exercise routine enables me to ‘expel’ energy. Energy that a healthy man of my age would possess and need to expel. Does this mean I don’t miss women? To paraphrase Stone Cold Steve Austin,.. ‘Ohhh hell no!’ There are days when mother nature tag teams with concupiscence and will stretch me to my limit! Those days,. I can either pray (the Rosary especially) or I can fall. Our Lord chooses the Cross for us, we don’t choose it for ourselves. My issue would be no different to that of a married man being faithful to one woman, when our fallen nature clearly has our compass pointing elsewhere, despite it having nothing to do with Love! (To my married buddies, this is not license to have an adventure, read and reread what I said!,.. You are pretty much no different than a celibate if your living it properly!) That means ‘prudence’ must be exercised! The woman at work, that her beautiful eyes are the second thing you notice? The one that looks like she converved herself in butter to fit into that dress? Maybe its not such a good idea to meet up with her alone at her place,.. If you smell what the Rock is cookin,.. ?

This ‘interior’ life means a constant focus on the Cross. Christ and Christ crucified, which one is seeking to emulate. The notion of discerning a reality FAR greater than yourself is consistently present. Quiet time contemplating Jesus and knowing that He may choose you to work through. In plain speak, you will be a victim like Jesus, and you will also in a certain sense be co-responsible for the salvation of those under your care. To be a little more clear, you will go to hell before your people will because you will have to account for why they may be lost. ‘Remember that with great power, comes great responsibility!’ (Uncle Ben to Peter Parker). This prayer life is your gasoline and sustenance. (BTW,.. If you don’t know who Uncle Ben or Peter Parker is, and you need to google it, then YOU need a serious course in pastoral reality reflecting people under the age of 50!) Holy Mass and the Divine Office become vital.

The next step of the interior life of prayer, is a relationship with Mary. Should God call you to Holy Orders, you have no woman in your life, as in no wife. You most likely will have no children. You need a feminine to relate to. Mary becomes a recourse to celibacy and chastity. From this prayer life, we grow our virtues, and let God to transform us. The minute we think we got ‘under control’ He will let us slip up and fall!

The second issue, again, in my opinion is that the seminary could be construed as the ‘safe space’ for all the awkward dudes trying to hide from the world. Either they were/are completely introspective, homosexual, perhaps they couldn’t hold either a job or a girl?,. Who knows but they may have seen the seminary as a great hiding place,.. Well your issues will come back up to bite you in the ass if you don’t deal with them. Its that simple! The ‘asterix’ with regards to this issue, is that often times the clergy can be made up of such people, people who don’t function and thus they will weed out the regular guys discerning or simply seeking to live out God’s Call to Holiness. On the other hand though, is that Jesus’s disciples were all made up of regular ‘f#@k ups!’ Read or pray the Gospels!,.. Peter, (Our first Pope) remains a very **ahem** regular dude shall we say?

The stakes have changed. Gone are the days when seminaries accepted the kid right out of high school, formed and taught him. The guys arriving these days are guys with experience. Men who have been with women and have held jobs. Some of them are even fathers. Perhaps this needs to be taken into account? The awkward guys, if your vocation is real, trust in God but don’t play a game. To the gay guys, pray about what you are doing, this isn’t your personal club med. (Although sadly in many areas of the Church it has become one). Most people, have a hard time calling ‘pedophilia’ the majority of the crimes, simply because the OVERWHELMING majority of the victims are post pubescent boys. Please pray and think about what you guys are doing. Myself? I could never become a chaplain at strip club with women dancing. Human nature is weak, and I would fall. Use and apply the same principles. To the gay dudes,.. You guys,.. I love you but you are called to the same celibacy and chastity as the rest of us! Please respect that.

To conclude, as I reflect prayerfully upon these issues, the key to the vocation of any Christian is to love. To love all of God’s children, as if they were are own. The priest, like a good spiritual dad must be ready to wipe away tears, to admonish, to protect, to counsel, to discern all the while offering the Sacrifice of the Son to the Father. For myself, constantly discerning,.. I remain a ‘work in progress…’

Our Lady of Fatima, ………………………………..ora pro nobis!

Lent is co,.. HERE!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Optimusmastro) — Sat, 04 Mar 2017 17:39:00 +0000

Lent is coming, (Actually is here!)and well the time for true Spiritual bootcamp is now upon us. How to prepare? Perhaps this Lent, we can kick it a little ‘old school’ and meditate the reality of death, judgement, Heaven and hell. Yup. That is a pretty clear directive. Jesus comes as merciful Saviour but He will return as Just Judge. Have we as a society and a Church forgotten that reality? I would tend to think so. The truth is that ‘Lent’ can be and should be our Spiritual ‘spring cleaning.’

Perhaps we (I include myself) don’t meditate upon the Four Last things enough. The reasons can range to ‘its ‘pre-conciliar’ all the way to ‘it will scare people.’ Again though this is time when we need to actualize and realize our own Spiritual pilgrimage, we sometimes can waste this season and reduce it to the temporal order. ‘For Lent, I will try to recycle…’ Well, okay, but are we really entering into a vertical relationship with God? The issue for Lent remains death, judgement, Heaven and hell period. All the rest is temporal window dressing. The Church has consistently given Lenten missions, however in the last 70yrs or so, these missions have turned into a temporal social justice (actually Marxist because actual social justice is a Christian virtue) propaganda affair. Our Church indeed does have a responsibility toward the poor, and that responsibility remains getting them to Heaven!

The Church too often is seen as just another humanitarian organization. The reality is otherwise! The Church is established so that the Holy Mass make take place in Her gatherings to offer worship, praise along with reparation for sin to God the Father through Jesus, the Son. The Mass remains the unbloody Sacrifice of the Son to the Father. All the community activities, social programs and whatnot must flow from that reality.

Let’s make Lent 2017 count! Let’s do and sacrifice stuff we could never imagine. Let’s pray and enter Spiritual bootcamp, in preparation for Easter! May God bless us all as we enter this most precious time of Grace!

Our Lady of Fatima,……………………………………Ora pro nobis!

'Know thyself,..'

noreply@blogger.com (Optimusmastro) — Tue, 22 Nov 2016 15:02:00 +0000

This title, I am reminded of a scene from an ‘Incredible Hulk’ comic book, where Hulk stares into a statue of Socrates before being reverted to Bruce Banner. Who am I? Where did I come from? Where am I going? How can I be happy? These were the questions of the pre-Socratics, trying to figure out Truth. Voila, these are million dollar questions that I now find myself asking. Its truly been both a grace and a burden, that during this time away from seminary, I get to continuously dig deeper into myself.

First off, I am a sinner. A fallen human being with a disordered will trying to follow a proper intellect. That said, I guess I belong to the human race. Still there are soo many questions that I have. The world has undergone a change in the last few months since I last wrote, and I will address certain issues. Where to begin? The blocking of the pit-bull ban? The election of Trump? My own relationship to the world?

About nine months ago, I was granted a ‘time of reflection’ to figure out where do I fit in this crazy world. The Church, a microcosm of society if you will seemed to me as confusing as the world. ‘Go and make a mess!’ ,.. Said our Holy Father,… Well, the mess begins with trying to figure out where in the blue hell I fit. Daily I feel our Lord’s presence. In silence He speaks to the heart, and His message is to trust… My fallen nature though, sometimes is deaf to the message.

Being thrust into the world, the first time in 5yrs or so, I found myself Christian, practicing, seeking holiness, wanting to fight, and completely bamboozeled. Through contacts in social media, I have had the pleasure of connecting with old friends from university and high school, and especially with women. Women who are hurt, confused and angry,.. The reason, in my opinion? That men forgot to be men, and have turned into some quasi narcissistic creature complete with an overdeveloped sensitivity. I too have turned that way.

My admiration for superheroes, Optimus Prime, and WWE, aside,.. I must find a way back to reality. Sure, there is some ‘good’ is seeking to emulate what or who is noble, but my focus during seminary was not necessarily Jesus. Oh sure, He was an ideal,.. But to create the ultimate ‘Marco’ strong, courageous and willing to fight the ‘good fight’ was the priority. The solution, is to make a resolution and let Jesus be in charge, totally. A tall task, and damn near impossible, but with proper guidance, perhaps an attainable goal from a ‘human perspective?’

Our Lord has shown me that my ‘strengths’ can also be my ‘weaknesses’ and the enemy is constantly on the prowl trying to destroy me. As a man, I was described as a twisted combination of Conan the Barbarian meeting Thomas Aquinas? Hmmm,.. Sounds about right, I guess. While the strength and courage and pseudo-intelligence on the surface may seem noble,.. On the inside, like Conan, I’m emotively unstable, irrational and prone to at times ‘Not thinking before I act.’ My brain has always been hardwired for Truth, but it can become a weakness and cause for scandal, when I wish to dominate and crush another, whom I don’t see as intellectually respectable. Still like Thomas, in silence and alone, I sometimes wish to burn everything, unsure of my own capacities.

As a man, I don’t really fear anyone, my aggression rejoices in confrontation and trying to be a savior. Still, Our Lord will crush my ego at times, reminding me that it is He who Saves, and I am but a speck in the cosmos. To discern God’s Will for your life, is to allow Jesus to hold up a giant mirror in front of you. One that you cannot escape from. God willing, this purification will not be too painful,.. because He is revealing every fault, hypocrisy and failure in me. God has inserted Himself into all facets of my life, drawing me a picture.

-In the gym, I’m not as strong,.. I’m pushing 39, and feeling it.

-At Jiu Jitsu, despite being a so-called ‘high level’ purple, I’m tapping to guys younger, faster, stronger and who started after me.

-In academics, I find myself butting heads with teachers, who I judge not sufficiently ‘orthodox’ enough, forgetting that I may learn something.

-At work, being a ‘rockstar’ pastoral minister while burying old people who have lived a full life,.. God will give me the test to bury a child, as I stumble upon words treading carefully…

-In the Church, I am considered a ‘modernist’ by the ‘Trad’ crowd, and a ‘Trad’ by the ‘modernist’ crowd. I just want to follow Jesus period.

-In the world, I feel like an alien, a regular guy, who is now the fringe. I don’t wear ‘skinny’ jeans or drink coffees with names I can’t pronounce…

Discernment is tough... Just sayin'...

St Ignatius, ora pro nobis

Don't Be a Hater'

noreply@blogger.com (Optimusmastro) — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 13:20:00 +0000

My fascination with Traditionalist Catholics seems at a paramount along with Transformers, Bigfoot, and Jiu Jitsu. They seem to fall into three categories. Most are well-meaning in their devotions, pious and loyal to the Magisterium. They may have certain questions or concerns, but never outside of a respectful tone, looking to the Holy Father as just that, a father. While we owe our respect and obedience to the Pope, we must never forget that he is not infallible in all his pronouncements, but only when exercising a ministry regarding Faith and morals from the chair, ie Ex Cathedra. The Pope cannot change a doctrine, he could deepen it, but never change it, and for that to happen(deepen), he would write an ‘Encyclical’ not an Apostolic Exhortation. I consider myself in this line. The other types are the extreme ‘I know better than the Pope crowd,’ and finally the complete whackadoodle crowd, either sedevacantists (waiting for a spaceship) or the ‘conclavists’(My favorite is Pope Michael).

The latest controversy has once again the extremists frothing at the mouth. That in certain cases, some divorced and re-married may be admitted to Holy Communion. First off, although issues are black and white, people are not. Again, most recently, a leaked letter to the Bishops of South America was discovered, whereby the Pope ‘congratulated’ these Bishops for allowing the divorced and remarried access to the Sacraments. What is not mentioned is the cultural circumstances surrounding this issue. Namely, the rate of poverty, and pregnancy, steeped in a traditional setting, whereby ‘shotgun’ weddings are performed. Whether this is an issue or not, is for the canonists to debate, us as the faithful need to remember that Jesus heads our Church, and the Holy Spirit will never leave us. This brings us to our current debate, one between Justice and Mercy. Essentially the two are not exclusive, despite certain ideological camps claiming so.

Our culture ceased to be a Christian one some time ago, and again, in my opinion, I believe this is essentially what the Holy Father is trying to get at. Our starting point is once again ‘Ground Zero.’ I believe, that to paraphrase Aquinas, the ‘act’ remains in the intentionality of the Pope. It must be addressed however that for certain people clinging to ideological bents, there arises a danger.

Certain members of the Faithful are troubled and confused, and instead of using this as a means to Grace, they lash out. As traditional Catholics, we need to be careful, so as not to cause scandal but instead to draw ourselves more deeply into Christ’s mystery. We cannot hide behind the ‘law’ and use every opportunity to embarrass people who do not share our views. I too, wish that the Pope could be a little clearer, but I refuse to engage in a senseless and downright nasty political campaign trying to humiliate him. We know the Catechism, Scripture and Canon Law,.. We don’t need to freak out over everything that comes out. Instead we need to take this time to grow in Holiness. Sadly there are people, describing themselves as Traditional, and engaging in Spiritual pornography, scouring the internet and criticizing the way the Pope ties his shoelaces. Even when some good news comes out, they try to spin it into a critique. Again, not just any kind of critique, but a violent hate driven propaganda spiel. The devil is shrewd, and can easily play a game of not only spiritual narcissism, but can also sow seeds of hatred for our fellow Catholics. The ‘left’ does not have a monopoly on God’s mercy, and I dare to say that both extremes are dangerous. To be pastoral can mean clarity, in charity, respecting God’s justice recognizing that we are sinners while at the same time trusting in God’s mercy.

Guys, I too am Traditional, but we need to take this time to pray and get ourselves right with God. Screaming about stuff will turn people away, instead we can ask questions in a respectful sense, articulate and intellectual way. I am not making excuses, I am trying to provide a way for us to sanctify ourselves, ultimately realizing that Jesus remains in control.

I will speak as a ‘coach.’ It is a slippery slope to criticize the Pope. We can question, voice concerns and even write a letter, but screaming does no good. (Imagine screaming at your father?) God is ultimately in control, He willed the Pope, and He lets the Pope govern. Whether or not it is for our sanctification is ultimately God’s call, not ours. Many priests and seminarians years ago criticized Popes John Paul II, and later Benedict XVI, and in not so respectful ways,.. let us not mirror this reality. Every saint was sanctified through the virtue of ‘obediance.’ This Papacy is not a political election and we need to realize that. When something disturbs your soul, pray about it. Speak to your priest, go hit the gym,.. but we need to reign in the dirty laundry because this is not from God. I know in saying these things I will alienate (again) many people who are Traditional, but as one of you, I felt the need to speak from my heart.

God bless.

Mastro Manifesto 2016

noreply@blogger.com (Optimusmastro) — Thu, 01 Sep 2016 14:36:00 +0000

Well, I'm six months into my reflection year, and thus far one thing is certain. I am a sinner yet I desire to follow Truth, anchored in Love. In doing so, and with God's Grace, I seek to follow the Universal Call to Holiness put forth by the Second Vatican Council. I had tweeted and facebooked this week that this blog would be touchy. Well, it is also going to be personal. While my vocational discernment remains to follow God's Call in my life, Priesthood, I remain at His Mercy and being purified daily.

Formation is hard. Obedience to authorities who at times seem like they don't grasp the weight of the world, or the seriousness of what is happening around us can be a huge challenge. Still, through obedience we are forged as Saints, while authority divested from Truth ultimately becomes Tyranny. For ourselves, (in this case myself) its important to be honest.

Here goes;

1. I am a practicing Roman Catholic male. I believe Her(The Church) to be the One True Church established by Jesus Christ for the Salvation of souls. All other earthly endeavors (biotethical, social justice or otherwise) must flow from that reality. The Church exists to make present the one Sacrifice of Christ in atonement for our sins. I believe in the fullness of the Truth as revealed in the Creed. I believe in all the precepts of the Church, and should I not fully understand something, I will attempt to submit my intelligence and will to Holy Mother Church.

2. Stemming from the above point, I believe objective Truth exists and before entering into any 'Theological' training, a proper anthropology and proper metaphysics (Thomism) must be learned. We need to relearn how the human mind 'thinks' and essentially why things are the way they are. False philosophy contributes to false anthropology ultimately leading to false Theology. Today's Theological landscape ranges from modernistic inspired pseudo liberalism, all the way to false emotionally driven fundamentalism.

3. I believe in the authority of the Magisterium. While certain documents contain differing degrees of interpretation, I believe in is paramount to read everything within the context of the fullness of Tradition(or 'tradition.) I promise never to break union with the Pope and Bishops in union with him. I have read 'Laudato Si' and found it good. I have also read 'Summorum Pontificum' and found it good. I accept Vatican II, not the 'spirit of,' 'Commentary about, school of Bologna this,.. Vatican II is a pastoral Council, while Trent remains a doctrinal one. Both these Councils contain or reaffirm doctrine and pastoral applications. We must remember that doctrines are black and white issues, but people are not. It is us who are ultimate shades of grey. (This is made manifest in both degrees and hierarchy of Truth as well as degrees of sins. (Gospel where Jesus encounters the Samaritain women comes to mind.)

4. I refuse to be labeled any kind of 'ist.' 'Traditionalist' or 'progressivist,' ultimately lumps us into an ideological camp. If I were to define myself, then I would say 'Traditional.' I do not identify with 'hate mongers' or the extreme right, nor hippie whackadoos on the extreme left. I love the Extraordinary Form of Mass and the Ordinary Form. When both are celebrated properly, they can both elevate our senses to Heaven. When both are celebrated mediocre, (An EF low Mass can seem like a 'drive-by' Eucharist, while an OF can seem like an attempt at cheesy religious entertainment) they both detract us from God and true worship. We need to put Jesus first, and ideological banners in a secondary role.

5. I am a man. I was raised to be a man. I am 'straight' (heterosexual). I have never discriminated or been mean to a person with same sex attraction. Sadly it is I who experienced a bullying from that crowd. I do follow the teachings of the Church on morals and if or when I fail with regards to chastity, I will make recourse to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I believe the same should be true for those individuals. I can draw a distinction between 'meekness' as opposed to weakness. My Spirituality stems from and is expressed in this reality. (Which is ultimately why, for the time being, I am drawn to the EF Mass.) I played sports growing up and continue to avidly train in the Martial Arts and weights. I have no interest in opera, theatre, frappacinos or ballet. I enjoy hunting, fishing and pick-up trucks. I fellowship with other men who desire to follow Christ and have also sought refuge in the Extraordinary Form of the Mass.

To conclude this five point manifesto, is that to a certain extent, Our Lord desires to transform our hearts, but not replace our personalities. I continue along this journey, and will ultimately, hopefully let Jesus work through me.

Ad Maeoriam Dei Gloriam!

Discernment, Bigfoots, Aquariums and Sausage making!

noreply@blogger.com (Optimusmastro) — Tue, 09 Aug 2016 17:48:00 +0000

The beauty of this post is that essentially the title should read in the same light as John Steinbeck's 'Of Mice and Men.' Perhaps a little levity and an update to where I'm at in life. My formation continues but solely on an intellectual level for the moment. I'm still on my year of 'reflection' with every intention of becoming a priest becoming more apparent. My stress level is diminishing and all because my prayerlife and my human formation are becoming one and integrated!

For those of you that have followed or read me, you will know that for certain people, I would not be considered a seminarian type o'guy! I've lived, worked and had girlfriends, even discerning marriage, but at the same time I've always had a child's curiosity and imagination. The original name of this blog, 'Confessions of a Thirty-Something Cybertronian' was a wink to my interest in Transformers. My ability to interact with Parishioners came from two things. The first was a Holy Hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament, which culminated in this prayer,. 'Lord love these people through me!' The second, was to be real and authentic, and young men, especially the teenagers,.. Well they can smell bullsh%$ a mile away. In my case I believe they knew I was a father figure to them and wouldn't judge. My love of wrestling and Transformers, Sasquatches and whatever nonsense assured that! Our Lord has a sense of humor, and all those things were put to good use by Him! At the same time, what I learned from the community was triple fold! Discerning a call to priesthood means you are there for every important moment of a person's life and what you say may impact them potentially spiritually, meaning Heaven or Hell at the point of death, theirs as well as yours! My point is that God has given me a clear vision with regards to a capacity for coaching and forming. It makes sense since I'm an ex-personal trainer.

Its tough when you are not understood. Maybe you are, but are are among those who can't get you? My weakness is definitely pride, ego, emotional instability and narcissism. Jiu-Jitsu is helping especially in the pride humility department! (IT SHOULD BE MANDATORY FOR ANYONE DISCERNING A VOCATION!) You learn to tap and tap fast, especially to the 10yrs younger than you dude, who you used to 'dominate' 10 months ago! Working at the cemetery has always been and continues to be an incredible source of Grace. Crawling into people's lives with one mission,.. To remind them that God loves them!

For now, I continue my studies. I continue with a Spiritual Director, and I continue being me. I've signed up for a Sasquatch expedition, and am now learning how to make sausages! I haven't begun, but rest assured that I will post them on my youtube channel and make some fun crazy recipes! Think of Kramer and Newman from Seinfeld! At times though, it has been tough, but I am confident that Jesus is purifying me while not robbing me of my identity. Be serious when it is time and laugh always like a big kid! As I write this, I will be shopping for an aquarium for my Godson,.. I will also choose his fish!!!! Managueses, Flowerhorns and Cichlids Oh my! Piranhas and arowanas,.. All kinds of 'fun' fish!!!!!

St Giovanni Bosco (Don Bosco),.. ora pro nobis!

Questions to be Asked?,..

noreply@blogger.com (Optimusmastro) — Tue, 02 Aug 2016 19:34:00 +0000

A recent homily given by a young priest hit a nerve among many of the Faithful and perhaps caused us to pause and to think. Father Jacques Hemel, the martyred 86yr old french priest who went willingly to his death caused by two young ideologically bent followers of radical Islam. The content of the homily was simple,.. 'Where were the men in the Parish to rush and protect this priest?' We heard about the women and the nuns who assisted at the Mass,.. So where were the 'dudes' so to speak?

It goes without saying that the Church as well as society in the last 45-50 yrs has suffered a crisis in what it means to be a man. The Church has often attempted to present a 'user-friendly' childish or feminine Liturgy whereby the work of God is put to the side in favor of a 'feelgood' community celebration. As with any shift, whether cultural or social, we as human beings tend to go from one extreme to the other. Gone is the Fulton Sheen, or Bing Crosby model of priesthood, and in its place, a recycled Mr Rogers has taken over along the buzzwords 'pastoral' and 'culturally sensitive.' The results have been disastrous.

The Church has little to no men involved in Parish activity. Most parishes have become so feminized that the homily feels like a tickle fest of cotton candy goodness! This is a sad reality but one that must be addressed. Yet the Church is a microcosm of what is going on throughout the Western hemisphere. A total crisis in manhood, and those who suffer are the women. Countless times I have been emailed by female friends asking why dating has become a near impossibility. It seems that with the emasculating of the Church, came an emasculating of society and thus men have forgotten virtue, sacrifice, hard work and nobility. In its place we have men who carry satchels (purses?) are encouraged to 'cry' and have a complete lack of any sense of responsibility.

Growing up this was not my reality, and perhaps one of the reasons why I'm considered 'archaic,' 'medieval,' and downright 'misogynistic.' My father is an Alpha male and is gifted with street smarts. He grew up in a verrrrrry working class neighborhood in Montreal, mixed Italian and French, learned to fight, to have respect, to be respected and to walk upright. He raised me the same way. I have always stood up for myself and been able to call out nonsense. I was taught to value and protect women and those weaker than me, to stand when a woman walks into a room, and to give her my seat should she have none. To help old ladies cross the street, and to always hold a door open. If I were to come home and complain that I got bullied, my dad would reassure me and tell me to defend myself. I was taught to be a 'man' and/or man up! Better to scrap it out, maybe take a beating but gain the bigger kid's respect than to hide. These lessons never left me and still continue to be part of me. Thus since the age of eight, I have always trained in Martial Arts. Jesus it seems, according to Scripture is no different! In the second chapter of St John's Gospel, He makes a whip out of His belt and kicks some ass!!! Yet why in society and in the Church do we get this fluffball Jesus??? Soooo my question is; what the hell is happening?

In society as a whole, extreme feminism, the so-called sexual revolution along the plague of pornography have turned men into selfish little monsters. In the Church, perhaps too many 'delicate' men joined the priesthood to hide from the world? The men who weren't in the Church during the murder of Father Hemel are the men who weren't in the real world and instead not really knowing what it means to sacrifice. When we clean up our own selves and start acting according to our own nature, perhaps we will reclaim our position as leader, provider and protector. Until then, I wish to apologize to all women who seem to be at a loss in finding a suitable husband.

St Joseph, ora pro nobis

A Traditional 'Rant.'

noreply@blogger.com (Optimusmastro) — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 14:15:00 +0000

Okay so here goes, another one of my rants long overdue. This is a post where I pour my heart out and appeal to all people, especially bloggers, Catholic bloggers. Much has been written over the last few years with regards to the current pontificate under Francis that we are living through. While I may not understand all the 'ins' and 'outs,' I refuse to bash personally the Pope. Why am I writing this now? Well,.. Let's just say that although there have been calls to prayer and recollection regarding Fr Jacques Hemel's recent martyrdom at the hands of ISIS, there has been more coverage and so-called humor from 'Traditionalists' with regard to Pope Francis falling. The following is the fruit and reflection of some conversations with my buddy Richard over at Agora X . (A french blog, and a brilliant theologian btw!)

Let me say that I love the EF Mass, and bathe in the Theology of St Thomas Aquinas. The Church exists for the Salvation of souls and any social endeavor must flow from that and not be the starting point. I believe the Church's doctrines should be clear, and then a pastoral approach developed from that starting point. I can't help it, I used to work as a trainer. (A bench press will grow your chest period. Still if I find out that the person who started training has a torn pectoral muscle, then I will need to amend the exercise before bringing him full circle.) That example is a pastoral application of a doctrine. That being said, I have never 'hid' my colors.

First off I believe in questioning things, ultimately it is how one finds an answer. I do not believe that every word that the Pope issues is infallible. I am in line with Holy Mother Church. The most recent document 'Amoris Laeticia' has recently sparked a controversy whereby some 45 theologians respectfully asked for some clarifications. I would probably find myself in that line. Where I do not find myself is inside the line of total disrespect and downright maliciousness toward the Holy Father! Some memes on facebook recently surfaced laughing at the Holy Father for falling during Mass. My question for the Traditionalist crowd is What prompts such anger that at a human level, that you would laugh at an old man falling? Surely the Pope is the Pope, and perhaps you would question things, as would I! Let me rephrase the question,.. If you love Holy Mother Church as you would your mother, would you scream from the rooftops if your mother was an alcoholic? God will judge, not me. I think we need to focus on the intentions of the Pope, and in that light, I believe they are good.

My friends, please understand that this agenda of hatred does no one any good. I don't claim to know what is inside the Holy Father's mind, but as a son of the Church, knowing that it is Christ ultimately who guides the Church, I will always be respectful. Again, that does not mean that I won't question. God has given us a brain and we are to make use of it. I remember writing a similar critique of the leftist 'crew' who railed against Pope Benedict after he had issued Summorum Pontificum. Please let us use our intelligence to ask questions and not come off as a bunch of hate mongers! As a Catholic, I trust the Holy Spirit and continue to pray for the Pope, as he is our papa on earth!

We have recently been given a martyr. Let us pray through the intercession of this priest, Fr Jacques Hemel, for unity among Catholics. For an end to anger. We need to be united, and the only way is through prayer and fasting! You don't like something coming out of Rome? Well,.. Pray and fast about it! Time for all of us Catholics to get Holy or die tryin!'

St Thomas Aquinas, ora pro nobis!

Seeking the Good through the Intelligence.

noreply@blogger.com (Optimusmastro) — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 12:40:00 +0000

**Blog title was changed, based on some emails**

According to an Aristotelico-Thomist format, the 'good' is designated as 'that which is in accord with the nature of the thing.' We use words, phrases and expressions on a daily basis, but at times we forget essentially what they mean. Vocabulary in the west has been hijacked and thus we are left with using words all the while not really knowing what they truly mean. Our current crisis, is one of intelligence, not properly knowing how to think. Our experience and emotions become the navigational tool instead of right reason and judgement.

Our current climate is seeing a clash of civilizations, to paraphrase Samuel Huntington. It seems ideological standard bearers on either the so-called right or so-called left have hijacked the political and religious landscape essentially leaving no room for common sense. The religious right, backed by fierce evangelical Christians particularly in the United States adhere to a fideistic, fundamentalist notion of what they understand as their Faith. (Ie, Homosexual marriage is wrong because the Bible tells me so, and refuse any serious discussion as to the 'whys' of the Biblical commandment.) Those on the left, adhere to a false social justice, and claim a subjectivist man-centered equality in marriage. (Ie Homosexual marriage is my right, because we are all equal. They refuse any discussion of either authentic metaphysics or anthropology.) The solution is the why's of certain proposals which never seem to make it to light.

The crisis if one of anthropology. What is a human being? According to the Aristotelico-Thomist model which built Europe, we are a body/soul composite. There are certain faculties proper to the soul and are immaterial. Intelligence, and will for example. Now, we don't need the Bible or Catechism to show us that there is an inherent gap between the two. My intelligence freely knows that 'broccoli' is 'good' for me, but my will is predisposed toward donuts. For a human being to make a free decision, he must adhere to his intelligence, training his willpower to follow it, and thus create a habitus. (habit.) On the other hand, when he adheres exclusively to his emotive and experiential side, negating the knowledge he may possess because he deems it to hard, he will create an addiction or a vice. To adhere to the higher faculties of intellect and reason over sense and emotion is indeed the complex situation that we find ourselves in. Still it remains the path to true freedom, or doing what you ought. (As distinct from 'license,' doing what you want.)

Today's relativism will soon give way to an individual choosing to put orange juice in their car because it is cheaper than gas, thereby becoming a pedestrian. An individual getting hurt, because he jumped out a ten story window claiming it was his right to 'fly.' A quadriplegic will be suing the Olympic commitee for discrimination because he cannot compete in a downhill slolem. Finally people attempting to marry their 'pets' as they are the only ones they 'feel' truly 'loving them' and it will be their 'right' to do so.

Into this vaccuum of false anthropology, comes ideology whereby the 'good' is ultimately what the deity decides in their particular holy book. There is no room for questioning, or intellectual discourse, only blind obedience. As thinking people, we need to stop labeling, and separate the person from the ideology. A member of Isis has intelligence and can love, while radical islam cannot. There is no such thing as an 'alcoholic,' instead there is a person who is suffering an addiction to alcohol. We are men and women, equal but different. We can be 'conditioned' but retain an actual capacity to discover Truth.

In closing, our current crisis is one of intelligence. I pray that I don't come off as a right-wing nutjob(some of you accuse me of being) or a bleeding heart liberal. (Others accuse me of being.) All I am asking for is an authentic search for what the Truth is in all the bio-ethical, moral, civil, and social issues affecting us today. Millions of lives lost through abortion, yet we will willingly dive in front of a bulldozer to save a tree. We are in the middle of bathroom issues with regards to so-called transgendered. We blame pitbulls and guns, but what about trucks? (That last attack was with a truck.) We need to reclaim responsibility for ourselves and stop passing the buck. I don't blame the dogs, instead I question the intellectual and moral acumen of a person with a young family buying such a dog.

Until we rediscover authentic anthropology, true metaphysics, and seek the proper 'good?' We will remain at the mercy of Isis, and the new 'evangelization' will remain futile.

My ADD came out full force on this one.

Our Lady of Fatima, ora pro nobis!

Jiu Jitsu and Life

noreply@blogger.com (Optimusmastro) — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 15:21:00 +0000

The last time I posted, I gave a quick 'heads up' that my next post would be about BJJ. Well here it is. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, a martial art I've been practicing exclusively for the last 7years. Before that I had experience in Traditional Kung Fu, some wrestling and when I was young, some Judo. Still BJJ is different, waaaaaaay different. So much so, that most of us who train would spell it 'H' 'U' 'M' 'I' 'L' 'I' 'T' 'Y.'

Learning to tap is definitely an acquired taste. For most of us, our pride gets in the way and thus our fragile ego gets bruised when as a white belt, (and sometimes being experienced in another style) we get washed clean on the mat and end up in a choke or armbar. (This happens at every belt, but at white, its especially discouraging) A 'tap' is essentially a surrender to your opponent or training partner signifying that you are done. To paraphrase Joe Rogan, a tap is essentially telling the other guy that you are dead, or your arm is in a position to break, and then they'll kill you. At first, the power game becomes a way of survival at best, but then, you go up against a blue belt 50lbs lighter than you and you quickly realize that throwing your weight around is futile, when he'll want to throw your weight around first and with technique, it becomes a reality check.

Jiu Jitsu is also an investment in one's self and personal development. Along with 'learning' to 'tap,' and getting your ego in check, you realize that the road to black belt is long and arduous. Today, people will say that it took them 2yrs to earn a black belt in Karate, but you've been training for 7yrs and your only a purple! You invite them to do their homework, and then they realize that up until a few years back, it was easier to find a sasquatch than to find a black belt in BJJ. This art shows leverge and common sense. It doesn't complicate things and then only way to progress is to train and to roll (spar). There are no katas, forms or other ways to get promoted, you need to work, accept defeat and keep on truckin!'

God gives us many talents and many gifts. The Martial Arts are a way to sharpen those talents and gifts putting them at the service of your community. I've trained BJJ in other academies and the same respect and friendliness is everywhere. Show me one BJJ/MMA/Kickboxer with a 'punk' attitude and you'll find no so great a fighter, and an even worse human being.

I'll continue to say it, train BJJ! You will never regret it, only if you give up. Your confidence will improve and your humility will be realized. See you on the mats!

Blessed Pier Georgio Frassati,........................ Ora pro nobis!