Father Joseph Illo, pastor of Star of the Sea parish in San Francisco, gave a 13-minute homily on Sunday, August 23.
Heaven is a place where the sun never goes down. God speaks to us through His Son. His will is that no one will be lost. Let’s picture Heaven. It is a person, Jesus Christ. Not a place – Maui, Disneyland, Lake Tahoe. All places are made happy by people. That’s why Heaven is a person, Jesus Christ.
Jesus asks, who do you say that I am? Peter answers, You are the Son of God, the King. Jesus then gives Peter a new name – the rock. Mere flesh and blood have not revealed this to you, but my Father.
The Church’s continued existence proves its divine origin. Recently there have been a lot of crises. But none of these will destroy the Church.
I answered the question from Christ, who am I? when I was 17 years old. I was on a retreat with 11 other young men.
Do you believe that God protects His church? That Jesus directs every moment of your life? You owe him unhesitating and complete obedience if you do.
You are He Who is, says Peter.
I just got back from Ireland putting finishing touches on my book on apparitions of Mary, the three greatest of which are Guadalupe, 1531, Lourdes, 1858, and Fatima, 1917. In each of those she said I am the mother of God.
Juan Diego asks her who she is, and she says, “I am the mother of the one, true God.”
Bernadette asked three times, Who are you?. She answered, I am the Immaculate Conception. In Fatima, she answered, I am Our Lady of the Rosary, the Immaculate Heart.
Even though the Church is weak – its flesh and blood is scandalous – because God built it, we can trust it to bring us to Heaven.
Here is one of my favorite ways to think of and understand Heaven. Heaven, according to the Bible and the Saints, is found in a pure marriage of the Bride and Bridegroom, the blessed union of the soul with God. Some Saints have been blessed to exist in this magnificent state of holiness while yet on earth. It is a pure, spiritual, unseen, hidden state. Just like Christ, Who is hidden in the Blessed Sacrament. Love the stories of the Saints!
Wish the Pope would dump his silly Synod on Synodality, and help us all, with traditional Catholic teaching, to get to Heaven. It is a big laugh, the Pope made the Vanity Fair “10 Best Dressed Men” list– again!– in the “Original” category. Very funny! But what a Pope truly needs to do, is to make the list of “Outstanding Catholic Pope” who leads and governs the Church faithfully and accurately, and cleans up all the evils, filth and heresy.
This has a lot to do with Fr. Illo’s book and apparitions. Thanks for sharing.
Okay Jessica/Sara, thanks for giving us your unsolicited opinion.
I don’t know who Jessica is, but thanks “Good Pope” and “Based Chad” for giving us your unsolicited opinions on an unrelated topic.
“Jessica” is the new nickname (used by younger people) for what was previously referred to as a “Karen” (used by older people). It’s not a compliment.
I just submitted a comment about the pope making “Vanity Fair’s” “10 Best Dressed” list. The list includes both men and women. And the pope has also made the “Best Dressed List” for “Vogue” magazine. “Vanity Fair” had a photo in the news, with Pope Leo clad in a beautiful, cream-colored chasuble — ready for Mass? — along with very visible Nike trainers. Made me laugh!
I’m submitting a comment about there being no need to make redundant comments.
I have to agree with “Vanity Fair” on this. I have loved the way Pope Leo has dressed since he walked out onto the balcony. He so reminded me of Pope St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict VI. And if you think that is stupid and silly of some of us, remember St. Gianna Molla was a “fashionista” too. Not that I am a fashion expert nor a saint.
I loved when Pope Benedict wore the ermine stole, whether it was real or not, as it reminded me of Good King Wencelaus. Often those things are given to them or used over and over again, and/or later donated to others.
No, R.E. The second comment had an additional interesting news item about the pope. Learn to appreciate what others contribute — and try your hand at contributing something interesting and meaningful, yourself.
Love Pope Leo’s traditional vestments, too– from that first day when he was announced as Pope, on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica! I thought maybe he had a talent for papal liturgical dress and vestments. I so enjoyed the “Vanity Fair” photo of Pope Leo in a beautiful cream-colored chasuble– and brand-new-looking, white Nike trainers. Such light-hearted things are enjoyable, in a Pope. Also hoping that he has a regular workout or sports regime, for good health.
Pope Francis’ repudiation of good, holy, traditional Papal dress– from the moment he was announced as Pope– made me sick. Even worse, was his terrible cruelty in ridiculing young seminarians for wearing traditional clerical attire. They are special, and deserved praise and support from the Pope. Their clerical dress is blessed and holy. They are.in the service of Christ. And they should proudly wear their best, for the Pope.
Pope Benedict had a great talent fir Papal dress, too. He was very holy. And a wonderful pope.
Long ago, I enjoyed reading about the life of Pope Pius XII (Eugenio Pacelli). He was weak in health when young, and lived at home, and rode his horse to seminary classes each day. The water in Italy was bad, as my grandpa explained to me, so water was mixed with a little wine, for everyone to drink– even children, and horses, too. When Pope Pius XII was in class, his horse had good horse food to enjoy — plus water mixed with wine. So he lay down and took a nap, while the pope was in class. Pope Pius XII had a beloved goldfinch, Gretel, whom he found injured in the Vatican Gardens, and nurses her back to health The two were dear friends, inseparable. He also had a flock of canaries. Pope Pius XII believed in the 19th century holistic health system of Fr. Sebastian Kneipp, and took cold water baths daily, for his health. He also had a daily exercise regime, early each morning. All of this is fun to read about.
Fr. Sebastian Kneipp, a German priest, was a noted forefather of Naturopathic medicine. He developed a system based on five main principles: hydrotherapy (water therapy), phytotherapy (use of botanical medicines), exercise (promoting movement for health), nutrition (wholesome, plain, natural foods), and balance (a healthy mind in a healthy body). Pope Leo XIII sought Fr. Kneipp’s famous naturopathic treatments, especially his famous hydrotherapy. After being successfully treated, Pope Leo XIII was happy, and made Fr. Kneipp a Monsignor.
Love the stories of Pope Benedict and his brother, Msgr. Georg Ratzinger, and their love for kitties. Love the photos of Pope Benedict with kitties, and stories of how he used to feed feral kitties at the Vatican. Loved the children’s book, “Joseph and Chico, ” the life of Pope Benedict as told by one of his favorite kitties, named “Chico.” Pope Pius XII famously said that “feeding the birds was a form of prayer.”
Msgr. Sebastian Kneipp, the Bavarian German natural holistic healer, founded the Kneipp brand of natural holistic healing, wellness and body care products in 1891, and these products are still widely available, everywhere, today. A complete Kneipp therapy training program, at their Community School of Natural Therapeutics, in Germany, is available for holistic health practitioners. They also offer trainings and certifications for holistic health practitioners, worldwide. The whole concept focuses on not just healing, but on a naturally healthy way of life. Msgr. Kneipp noted that his natural holistic healing methods are not based on the Catholic Faith, but on God’s natural healing gifts found in Nature.
A correction to my post. I meant Pope Benedict XVI, not Pope Benedict VI.
By the way, it WAS Fr. Illo’s sermon that triggered thoughts about the popes and saints for me. After all, the sermon was not just about his book but ended with “stick with Peter”, referring of course to the popes. Also, I wager (just an expression) the Lord Jesus Christ had the best temple garment around — the seamless robe probably made by his own Mother, so it made him the best dressed on a Sabbath morning.
Although I am a Greek Catholic, with more of an emphasis on the ancient, early Church (rather than happenings of the Renaissance or Modern periods); I do find the messages attributed to the Mother of God at Guadalupe and Fatima true, compelling and prophetic. I believe she clearly warned us of Satan’s attack on marriage and the family. As Sister Lucia stated, “The final battle between the Lord and the reign of Satan will be about marriage and the family. … Don’t be afraid, because anyone who works for the sanctity of marriage and the family will always be fought and opposed in every way, because this is the decisive issue.” Contrary to popular opinion, neither two men nor two women can marry one another. Sexual relations are appropriate only in marriage, which is one man and one woman. Stating the truth is not hateful. It is the loving thing to do. As the Scriptures teach, truth and love go together. Pray for those struggling with sexual sin, gay or straight.
😵💫 How old are you???
Where is your heart? Good people have a big heart for little children and for the animals. Good people are normal and carring of others, not vicious, cowardly trolls. They do not criticize such stupid things as puncctuation, in others’ writing styles. And He said, “Truly I say to you, unless you turn and become like little children, you cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” (Matt. 18:3) “Amen I say to you, whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God as a little child, shall not enter it.” (Markv10:25)
God calls us to be “child-like” – not “childish”. Big difference
Pope Benedict was NOT “childish” for having a heart for poor animals, and for loving and feeding the stray kitties at the Vatican. He was an immensely kind, loving. Christ-like Pope. Former Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone recalled s time when about ten beloved stray kitties followed Pope Benedict into the Vatican, and a Swiss Guard joked thst the kitties were “invading the Holy See.”
Willam Wilberforce led the effort (which succeeded) to abolish the British slave trade. He is most well know for that. Yet, he was a key founding member of the world’s first Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). He knew right priorities. But, having higher priorities doesn’t mean one doesn’t have lesser, and still legitimate, ones. Capable people don’t focus only on one thing.
On June 16, 1824, William Wilberforce, Rev. Arthur Broome, and MP Richard Martin founded the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in London, England. In 1840, Queen Victoria added the prefix “Royal” to the wonderful charity to help end the plight of suffering of poor animals.