Did You Know? The Greek archaeologist Valerios Stais discovered the Antikythera Mechanism, an ancient mechanical analog computer, on May 17, 1902. Originally made in the 1st century B.C., mechanisms of this complexity would not be made again until the 1300s. LEARN MORE.

I just finished working on the special “interview” with Pope Benedict on homosexual “marriage.” It’s a briefing for Secret Information Club members in response to President Obama’s endorsement of homosexual marriage.

If you would like to read it, you should sign up for the Secret Info Club by Thursday, and you’ll get it in your email inbox on Friday.

You should sign up using this form right here:

Or you can use the form in the top right margin or go to www.SecretInfoClub.com.

Today is Wednesday of the 6th week of Easter. The liturgical color is white.

Note: Tomorrow is a holyday of obligation (Ascension) in some parts of the world–including some parts of the United States. If it is a holyday of obligation in your area, be sure to go to Mass either this evening or tomorrow.

In the Extraordinary Form, it is a rogation day and the Vigil of the Ascension.

Saints & Celebrations:

On May 16, there is no special fixed liturgical day in the Ordinary Form.

In the Extraordinary Form, we celebrate St. Ubald, bishop of Gubbio, confessor, who died in A.D. 1160. It is a Class III day.

If you’d like to learn more about St. Ubald, you can click here.

For information about other saints, blesseds, and feasts celebrated today, you can click here.

Readings:

To see today’s readings in the Ordinary Form, you can click here.

Or you can click play to listen to them:

Devotional Information:

We continue our series on the Blessed Virgin Mary. According to the Holy See’s Directory on Popular Piety:

199. With due regard for the nature of the rosary, some suggestions can now be made which could make it more proficuous.

On certain occasions, the recitation of the Rosary could be made more solemn in tone “by introducing those Scriptural passages corresponding with the various mysteries, some parts could be sung, roles could be distributed, and by solemnly opening and closing of prayer.”

Did You Know? The Sedition Act of 1918 was passed by the U.S. Congress on May 16, 1918, making criticism of the government an imprisonable offense. LEARN MORE.

Today is Tuesday of the 6th week of Easter. The liturgical color is white.

In the Extraordinary Form, it is a rogation day.

Saints & Celebrations:

On May 15, in the Ordinary Form in the United States, we celebrate St. Isidore of Seville. It is an optional memorial.

In the Extraordinary Form, we celebrate St. John Baptist de la Salle, founder of the Brothers of Christian Schools, confessor, who died in A.D. 1719. It is a Class III day.

If you’d like to learn more about St. Isidore, you can click here.

If you’d like to learn more about St. John Baptist de la Salle, you can click here.

For information about other saints, blesseds, and feasts celebrated today, you can click here.

Readings:

To see today’s readings in the Ordinary Form, you can click here.

Or you can click play to listen to them:

Devotional Information:

We continue our series on the Blessed Virgin Mary. According to the Holy See’s Directory on Popular Piety:

198. The Blessing for Rosary Beads indicates the Church’s esteem for the Rosary. This rite emphasises the community nature of the Rosary. In the rite, the blessing of rosary beads is followed by the blessing of those who meditate on the mysteries of the life, death and resurrection of Our Lord so as to “establish a perfect harmony between prayer and life.”

As indicated in the Benedictionale, Rosary beads can be blessed publicly, on occasions such as a pilgrimage to a Marian shrine, a feast of Our Lady, especially that of the Holy Rosary, and at the end of the month of October.

Did You Know? McDonald’s opened its first restaurant in San Bernardino, California on May 15, 1940. LEARN MORE.

Just wanted to let folks know that the transcript of show 032 is now available.

It deals with whether God hates sinners and how to use the Internet without violating canon law (specifically: in terms of imprimaturs).

To read the transcript, just click the big, friendly red button.

Or, if you’d like to you listen to the show, JUST CLICK HERE.

Enjoy!

As I mentioned previously, in light of President Obama’s recent endorsement of homosexual “marriage,” I’m preparing a special “interview” with Pope Benedict.

Drawing from his writings, the interview covers the Church’s teaching regarding homosexuality and how we should react to proposals to enact homosexual marriage and other forms of legal union between homosexuals.

In particular, it’s going to cover what Catholic politicians‘ duties are.

It also includes links so that you can read even more of his wisdom.

These are truly perilous times we are living in, and we urgently need to heed Pope Benedict’s call to have an informed and engaged laity to deal with this problem, which threatens to overturn foundational elements of our society, as well as strip us of free speech and conscience rights.

To get your copy of the special Pope Benedict “interview,” you should sign up for the Secret Information Club by Thursday, and you’ll get the interview in your email inbox on Friday.

You should sign up using this form right here:

Or you can use the form in the top right margin or go to www.SecretInfoClub.com.

Today is Monday of the 6th week of Easter. The liturgical color is red.

In the Extraordinary Form, the liturgical color for today is white.

In the Extraordinary Form, it is a rogation day.

Saints & Celebrations:

On May 14, in the Ordinary Form, we celebrate St. Matthias, apostle. It is a feast.

In the Extraordinary Form, we celebrate St. Boniface, martyred at Tarsus, who died in A.D. 307. It is a commemoration.

If you’d like to learn more about St. Matthias, you can click here.

If you’d like to learn more about St. Boniface, you can click here.

For information about other saints, blesseds, and feasts celebrated today, you can click here.

Readings:

To see today’s readings in the Ordinary Form, you can click here.

Or you can click play to listen to them:

Devotional Information:

We continue our series on the Blessed Virgin Mary. According to the Holy See’s Directory on Popular Piety:

197. The Rosary, or Psalter of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is one of the most excellent prayers to the Mother of God. Thus, “the Roman Pontiffs have repeatedly exhorted the faithful to the frequent recitation of this biblically inspired prayer which is centred on contemplation of the salvific events of Christ’s life, and their close association with the his Virgin Mother. The value and efficacy of this prayer have often been attested by saintly Bishops and those advanced in holiness of life.”

The Rosary is essentially a contemplative prayer, which requires “tranquillity of rhythm or even a mental lingering which encourages the faithful to meditate on the mysteries of the Lord’s life.” Its use is expressly recommended in the formation and spiritual life of clerics and religious.

Did You Know? Israel was declared to be an independent state on May 14, 1948, and a provisional government was established. Immediately after the declaration, Israel was attacked by the neighboring Arab states, triggering the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. LEARN MORE.