Promise Me No Promise Ring

It all started a few weeks ago, with a text to the boyfriend.

I haven’t talked about dating in a while because the topic gets old and stale to me. But I do want to talk about promise rings since I’ve been meaning to for a long time. For a backdrop I myself have never found them to be romantic, cute, or even slightly desirable. They just scream of middle and high school kids who aimlessly date while having absolutely no business dating, when they don’t know what the purpose of dating is. If anyone tried giving me a promise ring I’d be seriously insulted and perturbed. I know a few others who also share the same sentiment, and rightly so.

Why the offense? Because it’s a cop out, a substitute, an ersatz offering. Of course there’s the trailing argument which goes something like, “Well, we’re not ready for marriage yet but we’re pledging to stay together and stay faithful until we are.” I call foul to that. Ready or not if that’s the person God wills you with then you should be working towards seriously getting ready anyhow; without cutesy little rings signifying nothing more than ambiguity. 

When a guy gives a girl a promise ring he’s basically saying, “Sweetheart, I like you a lot but I don’t actually love you enough to make a hard, real commitment through an engagement ring, so take this little substitute instead and it’ll be a real commitment later. You know, eventually, I don’t know when, but sometime in the ambiguous future.” 

So basically, “I’m committing to commit to you in the future, but until then I want you to commit to committing to me until I’m ready to commit to commit to you for real.” 

Come on now, what kind of mess is that? 

It’s lazily going halves, that’s what. When it comes to love and marriage, you cannot go halves or be lazy. It’s not 50/50, it’s 100/100. Men do what is hard and giving a promise ring isn’t very hard to do since it’s not a real commitment and there’s no hard work involved in that. I’m going to go as far to say that it’s an act of sloth because it’s avoiding what’s hard by choosing the easy way out. Promise rings require no real commitment and are some cheap, weak way to try to show off, which in retrospect isn’t and shouldn’t be very impressive. However, sincerely promising a marriage in the near future is what truly takes courageous virtue. 

A promise ring is also based on feelings, not action. That alone is problematic since love requires movement and can’t be based on stagnant hunks of jewelry to show off pseudo action. There we have a guy patting himself on the back for keeping his girlfriend appeased while he’s not actually doing anything, whilst thinking he’s made in the shade and has her in the bag. On the other hand the girl is starry-eyed and in awe that he’s promising to promise  to commit to her one day, eventually... who knows when. It just reeks of laziness and slowing down the thrill of the chase, which leads to boredom on both ends. Let me tell you something men; just because she’s your girlfriend right now, doesn’t mean she’ll always be there unless you actively keep her there by pursuing her like in the exciting early days of your relationship. For men I know it’s difficult to surrdener independence and whatnot, but if you have to promise to promise to eventually commit, that’s some shady business right there. A man should love a woman enough to have a strong desire to seriously commit in the near future, not later rather than sooner. But if not, then girl you’ve got yourself a selfish and immature man-child on your hands and you need to get out, fast. 

To me the act of a promise ring, or any kind of rings (that aren’t engagement or wedding) is simply not admirable or virtuous whatsoever. As a woman naturally in need of love, protection, and commitment, an empty future promise through an ersatz piece of chintzy jewelry simply doesn’t cut it. You can REEEEEE and turn on the keyboard warrior and say that all of the above isn’t your intention, but honestly you can’t really spin it any other way since promise rings are not a real or full commitment... that’s what engagement rings are for after all. 

Fall, Fundraisers, and Festivities

Hello, hi, hallo, and hola. Most importantly, happy All Saints Day! It’s basically all of our saints feast day, so I highly suggest you celebrate like I do, by feasting. I forget who but one saint said that enjoying things like good food can give praise to God, so go for it. Also, get to mass since it’s a holy day of obligation. 

After my last post about the Society I was invited to appear on the internet-based radio station, Magnificat Media. I shared the interview on my other social media outlets such as The Salty Catholic Facebook page and Instagram, but you can also take a listen here. If you’re not following those pages, you probably should since I post on those more often. Memes and the occasional controversy are included per usual. In the interview we discussed my infamous post, why I wrote it, and everything else in between. The interview was a great experience, Mike and Lisa Austin are wonderful and both truly such a delight to speak with. Magnificat Media itself is a treasure, they only share the truth and it’s an amazing resource for Catholics new and familiar to tradition. 

With that, I wholeheartedly invite all of my readers to participate in their Fall Fundraiser. You can read the full description here. The apostolate is so great and bringing souls closer to Christ, so I urge you to make whatever donation you can. It’s so important for traditional Catholics to have a multimedia resource such as this, so aside from donating I also urge you all to take a listen and give your support. 

I hope you all have a blessed All Saints Day, All Souls Day, and rest of the week. I have some ideas for new posts, so I’ll see you all soon. Pax! 

Let’s Talk About Why I go to SSPX

Secret’s out; I’ve been attending SSPX. It’s honestly not that big of deal to me, but it is to others so it needs to be addressed for various reasons. I totally realize that the decision to attend seems somewhat “out there” or even extreme, but I promise you that it’s nothing of the sort. The change was gradual and very well thought out. Despite those facts I’ve still faced some criticisms. For going to the Society I’ve been called not Catholic anymore, along with sedevacantist. To both I just laughed. See, I don’t get easily triggered and I’m not afraid of genuine discussions or debates, so I’m always open to talking about it. I’ve been called crazy ever since I started embracing tradition as a teenager, so it does’t faze me whatsoever. I don’t consider hiding behind the barbs of ad hominems and unprecedented accusations to be conducive to the veritable pursuit of truth, so let’s place our biases aside and simply talk about it. 

Prior to really getting into it, let’s first clarify what the Society is and is not. Before I go forward I need you, my readers, to understand what the Society is for what it is; not for what you’ve heard, have been told, or what you think it is. Information easily becomes false, misled, or erroneous, among both laypeople and even religious. It has become like a game of telephone; you won’t know exactly what it is until you find out firsthand, and I always make it of personal importance not to share anything that isn’t true. I won’t and don’t pretend to know everything about it, but I do know enough to continue to attend in good conscience.

Getting down to the basics, the Society of St. Pius X was founded by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, in 1970, in a diocese in Switzerland. Straight from the Society, here’s the mission: 

“The main goal of the Priestly Society of St. Pius X is to preserve the Catholic faith in its fullness and purity, to teach its truths, and to diffuse its virtues, especially through the Roman Catholic priesthood. Authentic spiritual life, the sacraments, and traditional liturgy are its primary means of bringing this life of grace to souls.” 

 
That’s it. There’s nothing crazy, wild, or not Catholic, or Protestant about it. My awesome priest put it this way, we are part of the Society especially because we want authentic Catholicism. I’m not sorry for attending, and I do not want some watered down version of our faith. I know I’m about to offend some people, but that’s what the Novus Ordo missae is; a watered down version of the Roman Missae, sometimes barely even Catholic. This isn’t a post bashing the novus ordo, yet it has to be said. It’s not well-known that several very important prayers, designed to garner us the graces our souls so desperately need, are totally and completely missing from the Novus Ordo missae, as compared to the traditional liturgy, (I believe only 2 or maybe 3 prayers are present out of the 12 in the TLM, correct me if I’m wrong). In less words, graces are choked out and it’s a fact. It’s not a fact just because I’m saying it is, or because a saint or pope has said it is, but because simply comparing the two liturgies will tell you it is. 

As sinners we need all of the graces we can get to overcome sin and to elevate our souls closer and closer to union with God. To me, there’s no point in attending a mass that has very little graces as compared to one abounding in grace. I dare you to ask yourself this, why are you letting yourself miss out on that? Notice that I’ve never once said that the Novus Ordo mass is invalid, so don’t even try to twist my words on that.  

Now I’ve heard the objection of remaining at Novus Ordo parishes to set the example of maintaining reverence, but I don’t buy that anymore in the slightest. I’ve tried it, and frankly it doesn’t work. It’s only working within the realms of your imagination. Hard to swallow but it’s true. When the altar is turned around with the priest facing the people, God isn’t the focus of mass anymore, it’s the people. Since it’s all about the people, no one is looking at the reverent ones; they’re too busy looking at themselves because that’s what taught and encouraged. My advice is to just stop going, get to a mass that’ll aid in saving your and your families souls, that’s what it comes down to. It doesn’t come down to “solidarity”, “unity”, or “fellowship”, with the parish community, that’s of no importance whatsoever. To me it is dangerous and foolish to be so presumptive that you don’t need the additional graces to save your soul. As they say, pride goes before the fall. I say this with love because I have been there, and because I care.

There’s also the controversy that SSPX is against the sitting pope or worse, sedevacantists. Before I started doing my own research or attending myself, I also thought it was sedevacantist. I couldn’t make the distinction between sedevacantism and SSPX because I was never correctly taught. Once about two years ago I stumbled upon an SSPX chapel where they were preparing for mass, and I falsely thought it was sede, since I didn’t know the difference, so I left in a hurry. The Society still remains under the pope, accepts him as Pontiff sitting in the Chair of Peter, and prays for him during mass. If anything I think the Society respects and honors the papacy more than others, but that’s just my opinion. At my parish we even have a picture of him in the hall, that doesn’t look like being anti-Pope to me. 

I understand that people think the Society is sedevacantist or outside of the Church because of the ordination of the bishop’s by Archbishop Lefebvre. Or, because the canonical status is irregular. (However that is changing) I’m here to tell you that the “excommunication” was never formal, and more about the case of Supplied Jurisdiction, which is in Canon Law. Since Archbishop Lefebvre acted and the Society acts under supplied jurisdiction, the Society is not acting outside of the Church, since again supplied jurisdiction is permissible in Canon Law. The thing about VII (whoop there it is) is that as only a pastoral council, it was never meant to be a binding council doctrinally, except within the case of faith and morals. Yet not everyone understands or cares to understand Canon Law, or what is binding and what is not binding, so as a result we have this misunderstanding. 

Yes, there’s controversy over the Society, but much of it is misinformation or straight out slander. You can give me a hundred reasons not to attend the Society, but I won’t stop. I’ve already heard them, with the rebuttals close behind. To add to it, I won’t even go to diocesan Latin masses if I can help it, and I’m not sorry or ashamed to admit it. 

The main reason I love the Society is because of the way it approaches the priesthood. Far too many men are effeminate, and I’m sick of it, especially in priests. Every single SSPX priest or seminarian I have come across has been masculine, and it’s so refreshing. I have much to say about watered down and effeminate novus ordo seminaries, but for that topic I will digress. I’m already trying to be feminine, and I don’t need a priest to be effeminate right next to me. For my own parish priest I have such respect and admiration that I’ve never had for another priest. He’s truly a father to me, and he’s showed me what a priest is to be. Not distant or discontented from his parishioners, but masculine and down in the trenches with them, actually taking the time to be there for them, and know us outside of just a quick handshake, and “God bless you,” after mass. I don’t want a priest who is only pastoral and not available to the people. SSPX gives the priesthood and priests back to the people as they are sacerdotal and I wish it were something we could all have, since it’s such a blessing and treasure. I think it’s something everyone, Catholic or not, should experience. 

The Society of St. Pius X is for everyone, and it’s not something to be afraid of or intimidated by. There your soul will be fed, challenged, and healed in a truly Catholic way. It’s been such a huge blessing for my family, and even boyfriend. The experience isn’t something I can fully put into words because it’s something you have to experience for yourself. I’ve shared much of my faith journey here, and after searching for so long, my soul is at home there, and home is where it will stay. 

                                   

Thursday Thrills

This is going to be a new segment on the blog wherein I post about things that are currently thrilling, on Thursdays. It most likely will not be every single Thursday, but let’s aim for once a month at the very least. I’m trying to get into the habit of blogging much more systematically, and this should help. 

First off, let’s start with something Catholic before I go off topic. Though I don’t have an Android anymore (sometimes I miss the little green dude) through Twitter I found an amazing app that is a 1962 Missal and Breviary! I’m all about that pre-VII life yo. If I didn’t have a basic iPhone 6s I’d totally have it. I know using your phone during mass is a little weird and not recommended, but the app is still pretty cool. The thought of whipping out a phone during a Latin mass is pretty funny to me. I’ll have to show the discovery to my parish priest, since we’re cool like that. Having religious as friends is really cool and amazing and edifying btw. Highly recommended. 

 Next, I want to take a long minute or two to rave about the new brand I discovered, Colourpop Cosmetics. This brand is nothing short of AMAZING. The colors are rich, super pigmented, and the staying power is ridiculously good. For example, I was wearing a satin lippie stix (Frida) while eating heavy duty carne asada fries with my beloved boyfriend, and the color barely budged. I’m talking extra carne, a ton of melty cheese, fresh guac, and sour cream, and I still looked on point for just stuffing my face. The brand is affordable, high quality, and without yucky ingredients, so I’ll definitely be back to pick up some ultra satin and matte lippies. (I’ve got my eye on Echo Park, Dopey, and Lumiere 2)

Lastly, since we’re on the topic of beauty I also discovered some fabulous falsies at Wal-Mart. I didn’t take pictures, but they are the demi wispies from Salon Perfect. They’re an exact dupe for my other favorite brand, Ardell, and they’re a little cheaper. I am currently obsessed with them; my regimen isn’t complete until they’re on and I can flutter away into a glittery oblivion with my lashes. I doubted the power of falsies before I tried them for myself, and there’s no going back. 

So there you go, missals and makeup. That’s all me, friends.

Why Teen Masses Should Cease to Exist

I’m totally serious, by the way. Wherever there is a youth group, chances are there’s going to be a youth/teen centered mass somewhere nearby. At first it sounds like a good idea; I’ve been to many a teen mass in my youth group days. Why not bring youth closer to Christ in a setting designed specifically for them? What could possibly be wrong with that? Like I said, on a surfacey level it sounds alright, but after digging deeper it’s not something to be admired.

The problem with the idea of focusing mass around a specific bracket is that it sets the stage to start believing and thinking that mass is about you, and about us. (It’s not.)

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is already universal; you literally cannot get any more universal than what it already is. We don’t need to set up masses specifically for a certain group of people, in this case for the youth. Of course we should always encourage our young people to go to mass, I’m not saying we shouldn’t. The problem with teen masses is that they tend to lose the sense of the sacred for the sake of appealing to the youth. For one example, the music will change. What ends up being played is cheesy (and heretical) Protestant songs, because they’re nice and they feel good to listen to. 
Nice, warm, and fuzzy for the teens. Not too intimidating and not too Catholic. 

Riddle me this; if we are Catholics at a Catholic mass, preparing to receive Christ in His True Presence as He instructed us to do as Catholics, then why oh why are Protestant worships jams being played to honor and recognize the sacrament? Especially when their teachings deny and reject His Church and His True Presence? 
It doesn’t and won’t make sense, because there is absolutely no reason for it, with or without youth. 

Highly emotional music doesn’t set up the proper foundation for firm faith. I know this because I experienced it as a teen. When the emotions faded and I longed for something more tangible and concrete, I was plunged into an existential meltdown, which was followed by a major crisis of faith. The emotional foundation I had set up came crumbling down, and I was ready to not be Catholic anymore. My skewed way of thinking was this, “I don’t feel good anymore, and if faith is about feeling good and high on the Spirit, then why I should keep being Catholic? What’s the point?” I did come out of it, but it was first by saying goodbye to youth masses. 

It usually doesn’t end there. More often than not teens will be encouraged to take up unnecessary roles in the mass. “Inclusion” and “community” are important, you know. This could be in the form of being Eucharistic ministers, or even taking part in skits during mass, I’ve seen it all. I personally think we’re having a vocation crisis to the diocesan priesthood because priests are not being allowed to do their jobs with all of these liturgical ministries and whatnot intercepting and trying to act like they’re the consecrated religious souls. My theory is that because boys and young men are not witnessing their parish priests be the priests these unnecessary ministries and committee’s are allowing them to be, the said boys and young men are not inspired to the priesthood. Why should they be when it’s usually a bunch of older women and their peers running the show? Sure it sounds harsh, but it makes sense. Leave it to the priests and (male) altar servers to prepare for mass, not anyone else who isn’t absolutely necessary. And be masculine while you’re at it, examples of masculinity inspires masculinity.

You could read this and think I’m a crazy traditionalist who hates teens. The former might be slightly true, but I don’t hate teens, or bringing them closer to Christ. I’ve been a youth leader for years; I jumped at being a youth leader the first chance I got. Save your ad hominems for later, friends. 

The point is to encourage teens to attend mass, but let them inspired by the sacred, not the silly. I can guarantee you that a sacred mass will inspire teens to follow and live their lives for Christ in ways superior to any youth mass. There’s something just so inherently beautiful and inspirational about sacred masses, it touches your soul, not just the heart. If you haven’t figured it out, I’ve been referring to the Latin mass. Go ahead and try it if you haven’t yet, you’ve literally got nothing to lose. 
  

Source: Giphy

Wherein College Sucks

Somehow, just somehow, I’m managing to get through college without losing my mind. Or my sense of morality, for that matter. During the last semester I took numerous interesting courses. Intro to sociology was my favorite, and I also took political science. Before I continue, let’s establish that this nearly 20 year old little lady spends a good amount of time thinking about, reading about, musing on, and discussing politics. It’s what I enjoy and I wouldn’t change that about myself. I’m not one to shy away from a political conversation, whether it be conservative minded or liberal leaning. I’ve been exposed to pretty much every political ideology under the sun, and I’ve seen their pros and cons. While I’ve been in college I’ve seriously weighed ideas against each other, and have my chosen my winners. While I do lean more towards conservative and even independent sides, I am not blindly opposed to liberal ideas either, because liberalism does have some valid ideas worth perusing. I agree with classical liberalism on nearly every tenant, but interestingly enough libertarianism isn’t my cup of tea. Or coffee, in my case. Aside from my political leanings and ideas, no matter how much I like politics, I’m always Catholic first. 

So, back to taking political science. Granted, I knew what I was getting myself into so nothing came as a shock. Most colleges of today are cesspools of corrupt ways of thinking, so I took a deep breath before I dove in to this one. While I did brace myself, I was still disgusted with what I heard and was supposed to be taught, since it was supposed to be taken as truth. 

I had a professor who was incredibly biased, progressive, and also vulgar. My other classmates were amused, but I was repulsed. Not because I’m some hoity-toity person, but because I believe college professors should be held to a higher standard of decorum and class, since we’re tackling higher education here. This instructor used their platform as a professor to push and rant about their personal ideas about moral, social, and political issues, as if they were facts or absolute truths. He was extremely critical of the Church, especially priests. I fully realize and recognize that many have anti-Catholic sentiments, so it wasn’t a surprise, but rather a sorrowful reawakening to see it with my own eyes and hear it for myself. Honestly readers, at one point I started tearing up because it cut me so deep that people truly believe ugly lies and misconceptions about Christ’s Church and have the audacity to continue spreading them. 

But guess what, guys?! The Church, especially priests in their dastardly black dresses, hate women and want to take us back to the dark ages!

That’s seriously all these people got, aside from declaring that the Church has an “immoral” and “irresponsible” view on contraception. 
Really, that’s what they’ve got.

source: Tumblr

Like I said earlier, I was expecting the class to be very biased, so the things I heard didn’t come as surprises. I heard that unborn babies aren’t made up of flesh, blood or bone; they’re just “material” and “matter”. But aren’t all of us outside of the womb, also made up of matter?

It didn’t end there, folks. Planned Parenthood is a wonderful organization that “wasn’t” breaking the law, because the videos were highly edited and proven to be fake. Can you spot the lie? In reality the videos were shown to have very little editing, for the sake of compiling footage, and the scandal was never refuted by anyone, especially not by the culprits themselves. I vocally challenged him once on abortion, and someone ended up backtracking their statements; it wasn’t me. 

Moving along, I was also informed that homosexual acts are totally okay because animals have been known to do it, too. To that incredibly poor (and lame) use of logic, I thought; so you’re reducing actual people to animals? Animals who only go by blind instinct, versus people who have intellects and souls? Or according to you do people no longer possess souls either, professor? 

Aside from the near constant eye-rolling and wanting my bang my head on my desk until the pain stopped, I did get a few laughs. For example; Bernie Sanders is a lovely and relatable guy, has great ideas, and should be our next president! 

Source: Giphy

But sadly, they were serious. 

Source: Tumblr

However, that was the silver lining to the mushroom cloud because I derived great amusement from the thought that an elderly man who doesn’t understand how economics work, who is also unkempt, completely out of touch, socialistic, morally bankrupt, member of the 5%, and a demagogue, should be leading our nation. I’m still laughing to myself even as I write, seriously. It’s just rich that after all we studied about political systems and politics in general, that anyone would seriously stand by him as if his tried-and-failed ideas will actually get us somewhere positive. Maybe you could buy it if you’re entitled, lazy, uncreative, and terrible at political history, I don’t know. 

But enough about the frizzy demagogue. In the end I learned very little from that class. Sure I learned a bit more about politics, but in reality my professor taught me nothing. It was disconcerting because professors like that offer nothing to the political sphere and do true political science a greatly serious injustice. 

I (gleefully) walked away from that class thinking about how education can mean nothing when it comes to sincerely seeking the truth. 

St. Thomas Aquinas, pray for us. 

New Year, No Promises

It’s January. Every single year I always claim that I promise to blog more, but I’m done promising that. I’m not about the business of making promises or deals that I don’t intend to keep. I do intend to blog more, but my train of thought will dictate that, nothing else. 
I’m not really one to make New Years resolutions, because as I said, I don’t like the temporary. If it’s temporary then I don’t want it. That’s what I walked away from 2015 with. 

As I reflected on the past year, I came to the conclusion that it was a mix of good and bad. The good was amazing; I did a lot, saw a lot, accomplished much, and I’m simply going to continue the unfinished business while the good Lord continues to place the stepping stones before me. When He doesn’t, I’ll call out to Him to carry me like the afraid child I can be. 

In contrast, the bad was staggeringly painful. Every year, for myself at least, brings some kind of new or revisited pain. But these sorrows were different, they were the type that you’ll never forget because they were so deeply ingrained in the heart of your soul. You know what I mean. If you don’t, then you’re a lucky one. 

I’m looking forward to the coming year. Next month I’ll forever drop the teen from my age, unless I live to 113, though that’s highly unlikely. I’m looking forward to turning 20, continuing to cultivate good relationships, the last season of Downton Abbey, visiting San Francisco again, seeing Adele, spending time in adoration... I’m even looking forward to Lent. I’m looking forward to the unknown, basically. Throughout the last year God really cemented to me that He is truly good and loving, no matter what happens. It’s one thing to know it, but another to truly believe it. 

So I’m not going into the new year with a resolution. I don’t need one because my life is a constant turning of tides, and resolves come out of that versus just once every year. Right now God is setting the stage for something and I don’t know exactly what it is, but I know it’s coming in His time. My prayer is that I can be as prepared as He desires, not just with this new year, but until the last breath leaves my body in adoration of Him. 

Men, Put the Cameras Down

This has been weighing on my mind for some time, so here it goes. If you get easily offended or can’t take scary, differing opinions, look away.

Alright dudes and bros, enough is enough. Stop taking constant selfies. Seriously. It’s one thing to take a picture with someone else to mark an event or things of that nature, another if someone takes a picture of you, or the occasional snap for your snapchat story, but stop taking pictures of yourself constantly on your own. 

Men shouldn’t be overly and overtly concerned with posing, or with what they look like. As my friend once said, it’s weird for a guy to be staring at his own face like that. Now I believe in vast differences between men and women, and it simply is not in a man’s nature to be vain or to care about their appearance to that extent. For women it’s different, because we are more naturally disposed to be vain and attentive to what we look like. It’s a vice, but it’s a feminine vice. There’s a reason women are mainly associated with taking selfies, and getting teased for it. 

But for guys? 

That’s just effeminate. Let’s take a look at the definition of effeminate...

ef·fem·i·nate

əˈfemənət/

adjective

(of a man) having or showing characteristics regarded as typical of a woman; unmanly.

synonyms:

womanish, effete, foppish, unmanly, feminine;

Thanks, Google. A lot of things can be effeminate, and I think selfies count as well. 

Sorry, but I’m not sorry. So please stop. You don’t want to be effeminate because to be effeminate is to not be authentically masculine. Leave the femininity to the ladies, because our femininity compliments masculinity. We can’t both be feminine, it doesn’t work that way. I say this for your own good, because I value men and I value true masculinity. So, put the camera down, and go chop some wood instead. You’ll thank me later.

The Threefold Prayer & You, Yes... YOU

Alright Catholic blogosphere and beyond, I have a treat for you today that comes in three. Within the past year my good friend came up with a clothing line that seeks to glorify God, honor the Blessed Virgin Mary, and aim for the salvation of souls, which makes up the THREEFOLD clothing line. As the website states, this clothing line is more than just regular Catholic tees and merch. By wearing the threefold prayer of glorifying God, honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary, and saving souls, you’re not just making a cool fashion statement about Catholicism, but being reminded to actually live a holy lifestyle. Who knows, you could unknowingly inspire others to be holy, or even to discover Catholicism. 

Source: THREEFOLD

Pretty cool, huh? 

Since the founder is my personal friend, I can assure you that it’s all legit and it totally has my support. It seems like it was just yesterday when the squad finished praying the rosary after mass, and he told us about his idea. Now by the grace of God it’s in full swing; a testament that no pure desire is too crazy or big for God to bless and make flourish. 

So, I highly encourage all of my readers to show some support and take a minute to check it out in the links below. If you like it, buy a shirt, share this post, follow the media, tell your friends, even tell your priest. Follow along on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or all three, there’s something for everyone.

Also, part of every purchase is a contribution to pro-life organizations. So not only will you be looking fresh, be reminded and inspire others to live an authentic Christian life, you’ll also be helping to end the culture of death. 

It just keeps getting better, so don’t take your eyes off of THREEFOLD clothing, because this is only just the beginning. 

Links

Official Website 

Online Store

Facebook Page

Instagram

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Wherein I Have a Message for all Pro-Life People

Yesterday all across America pro-lifers gathered at various Planned Parenthood locations to protest and bring awareness to the scandal that’s been going on. The news even covered it, barely. Read about it here. In case you’ve been living under a rock, or won’t look past the scope of your own little world, Planned Parenthood has been caught selling baby parts, murdering babies outside of the womb, and trying to cover up the atrocities. That’s only the beginning. I can’t wrap my mind around this, with every new video that comes out, I am filled with more and more deep sorrow, as any normal human being should feel. 

I myself attended a protest at the clinic near my hometown. Coincidentally, it was the abortion day. I knew it was going to be emotional and difficult, but I had to go. To me, there’s never a good excuse not to go to anything that will defend the unborn. Especially not when Planned Parenthood is trying, once again, to get away with their corrupt business of duping women (and men), killing the innocent and having the audacity to smile along the way. As soon as I reached the property, I immediately felt an overwhelming sense of death. It’s not something that can be accurately described as it is self-explanatory... Planned Parenthood carries an aura of death with them. I’m not the only who has described it that way. 

We had a strong turn out, at least over 200 people. Maybe even 300. Throughout the protest we prayed the rosary, and the religious were present, with young and old alike. I held a huge sign that pictured baby feet at 11 weeks, right outside of the driveway, for everyone entering and leaving to see, even those just driving by. The sign was almost bigger than me. I propped my elbows on it and calmly stood there, right by the security guard too. 

He seemed uncomfortable, but he smiled at the little kids with us. I smiled at him. He smiled back, somewhat. He wasn’t hostile or adverse with any of us. We simply couldn’t step onto the property. Fair enough. 

Despite the large signs and throngs of people, the folks coming, going, and driving by pretended not to see us. Truth has never been easy to look in the face. Some looked away, some glanced, some threw the bird, some gave us thumbs up. Towards the end, some guys even threw eggs at us. As if that would really stop us from being there or even coming back. I can hear it know, “Well everyone, we had eggs chucked at us so I guess that means we’re done. No coming back next week, thanks to those dastardly and nefarious eggs.”

No. 

I’ll be back. We’ll all be back. We won’t stop until Planned Parenthood is just a past nightmare. 

Standing by the driveway, though some might not think of it as much, both reveals and says a lot. I hardly spoke a word to anyone around me, but I saw the humanity in these people leaving Planned Parenthood, the humanity they fail to see. I saw a sadness in their eyes, tears being wiped away. It broke my heart. 

Although we gathered to make a statement and stare in the face of death, to tell him he will not triumph, we brought along with us a peace. The peace that only life gives, that Christ gives. Life is joyous, and we exemplified that. There were tears, prayer, laughter, hugs... peace. Planned Parenthood doesn’t offer that. 

At the end of the protest, I was glad I went. Like I said, it’s the first of many for me. But a serious question was also posed in my mind. 

Where’s the rest of the pro-life movement? 

I’m dead serious. Where are you? Although our turn out was amazing, many more could have been there. While the rest of the world is living in a state of passivity, we cannot and must not fall into that as well. Especially not as Catholics. If we are to truly and really be pro-life, it cannot stop at prayer. We are both physical and spiritual beings, catechism 101 up in here. With hard pressing issues like this, it’s easy to just hide behind prayer and do nothing. We cannot settle for not doing anything, the stakes are and have been too high for that. What Planned Parenthood is doing is beyond sickening, sad, and disgusting, and we cannot passively allow them to continue. If a baby being born alive, getting their face cut open and having their brain harvested doesn’t bring you to action to end the madness, I don’t know what will. Although I’m a writer, I couldn’t make up such a savage horror if I tried. What’s truly heartbreaking is that I can’t, because it’s real. 

If you are really and truly against what Planned Parenthood is, has been, and continues to do, I heartily invite you to leave your own little bubble, get out of your comfort zone, and stand with us. Too many are pro-life in name alone, and not in action. You never know how your mere presence, aided with prayer, can impact someone else. You’re not doing it for yourself; not to show people you’re pro-life, and not to prove it to yourself, you’re doing it for those who cannot speak, when you have the voice to speak for them. Let me ask you this, when this holocaust of children is over, a sorrowful memory of the past, what will you be able to say you did to help end it?

Therefore, I hope to see you there, soon. 

Check out these pictures (per my personal Snapchat) from the protest in Riverside, California. 

My baby brother is so cute, the end.

Let’s Talk About Feminism

So let’s talk about feminism, shall we? 

Just kidding, I can’t think of a more uninteresting or irrelevant topic to put on my blog, yet here it is. It’s not the 1960s and women aren’t being oppressed, not here in America. Especially not by the patriarchy. If you consider dress codes, the unequal pay myth (which has been refuted several times), sexual promiscuity, the raging debate between blue and pink, and other feminist “issues” to be legitimate issues, then you need help. 

You either buy into the false ideology without thinking, or you’re just delusional. Which in our day and age is a definite possibility. 

So in case you’ve been wondering, I’m not a feminist. There’s no rhyme or reason for it; I can go out and do whatever the hell I want with my armpit hair flowing gracefully in the wind. Just because women can do whatever they want, doesn’t mean they should, because there is a cause and effect to every action. Same goes for men too. It goes for everyone. It’s not that hard of a concept to grasp. 

It always gets me a good laugh when a guy tells me, “What do you mean you’re not a feminist?! Do you want men to make decisions for you your whole life?!’ 

Or when they proudly announce…

“Well I consider myself a feminist.” 

As if that’s going to gain brownie points. 

No bro, that’s going to help me run the other way like the Flash. See? Friend-zoned, just like that. 

Feminism bores me. It makes me yawn. Seeing other girls so into it as if it’s the best thing since sliced bread makes me shake my head. The moral of the story is to use your brain, people. And don’t grow out your armpit hair, that’s just gross. 

People, Places, and Things I Currently Fancy

This isn’t a lifestyle blog, since I hardly speak of my personal life or habits. If I did that would be so incredibly awkward, so I just share surface information. Anyway, I’m starting a new series of posts where every now and then I’ll post about people, places, and things I fancy at the moment. Just because I’m Catholic doesn’t mean I can’t like other stuff. Or people. So this is the first one. As a side note, I’m also going to begin a whole other string of posts on The Interior Castle by St. Teresa of Avila. In those posts I’ll go through the mansions one by one, explain them, muse through my own thoughts, and try to come to the understanding that St. Teresa left for us. I’m looking forward to it because if you know me, you know I love St. Teresa of Avila. 

Also, this blog now has a Facebook page. *Cue the confetti and children saying yaaaay* 

I’ll put a link in the sidebar, but here’s the link: The Salty Catholic 

Share it, tell your friends, like it, be cool.

In no particular order, I present to you the people, places, and things I currently fancy. 

Chris Pratt 

     
                                 

Because what’s not to like about Chris Pratt? Seriously. He’s likable without even trying. I’d watch Jurassic World again. I kept thinking of him as Andy from Parks and Recreation, but fighting dinosaurs are cool too.

St. Raphael 

St. Raphael is the best. He always helps me out with everything. When I’m lost, blind, need healing, or just praying for my intentions, he’s there. He didn’t fail Tobias, so he won’t fail us either. Plus the Book of Tobit is just all around awesome. It’s a love story with pooping birds, demon slaying, fishing, and victory. I don’t think any other story beats that.

School Supplies

Even though I’m in college I really do like shopping for school supplies. It’s almost time to go back to school, so I have to stock up on new notebooks, pens, sticky notes, and folders. Yes, I’m that student. I also changed my major to communications (future speech therapist up in huurrr) so you could say I’m excited to start the next semester. I also have to learn ASL so I’m really looking forward to that. 

AM by the Arctic Monkeys

Look away kids, I listen to secular music. But real talk this album is badass. I’ve always really liked the Arctic Monkeys older stuff, but this album is just something else. The new hip hop influence, sleek lyrics and falsetto tones spoke to me on a personal level. Especially the emotionally-cool lyrics. I’ve shed many a tear to this album. Cheesy, but you don’t get it unless you feel music on that level. I’m calling it now, Alex Turner is going to be one of the greatest lyricists of our time, bet on it. 

The beach 

Living in California makes this one pretty obvious. For me, the beach is emotionally and spiritually refreshing, like a little retreat. Every single time I go to the beach, I always think of Our Star of the Sea, too. I look out to the beautiful yet frightening mass of water and I’m always amazed by the thought that Our Lady is the Star of the Sea who brings us all home, no matter how lost out we are.

Chipotle

Source: Chipotle

Now, I’m Mexican-American and I know my Mexican food. I didn’t think I would like Chipotle because I pride myself in knowing what real Mexican food is and isn’t, but I was so wrong about this one. Humility is a valuable lesson. Especially when it comes to burrito bowls. I’m hooked. I’m basic. I’m sorry. I’m really not sorry.

____

So that’s it for now. Don’t be too scandalized. In the meantime I’ll be re-reading The Interior Castle and seeing what I come up with. Pax. 

The Case of Not Liking Being Catholic

Read on before you judge based off of the title alone. Or go ahead and judge me, although you’ll just help sanctify me in the process.

Two posts in one week? I must be going crazy. Or I’m just itching to write something before I go crazy. Both are true, more or less. It’s like I get these pounding ideas from keywords, phrases, or inspirations from anywhere, and I’m uncomfortably antsy until I spit it out. Or until I lose interest, it always depends. It’s been fun and interesting figuring out how I work as my personality settles in, because so far not many have been able to handle it. I blame it on being choleric. Well, the blame doesn’t solely lie there, but it is a momentum of prominence since some temperaments mesh better than others. My sister is phlegmatic and we get along fabulously, until someone wants to borrow a blouse or misplaces makeup. That’s sister life, yo. 

Anywho, all of the above has little or nothing to do with the continuation of this post. 

Source: Tumblr

A few days ago I was finalizing the outline for a talk I gave, and I started wondering why I’m still Catholic. I can be pretty terrible about it. Confession isn’t a sacrament for nothing, let me tell you. Having a veil and carrying around a rosary don’t count for much, not all the time. But that doesn’t mean I’m leaving the Church or even questioning the faith, not at all. Quite the contrary.

 So I continued to think about it, with Milky Chance accompanying my thoughts and the click-clack of my bright red nails pushing down letters, tying together biblical typology between Jesus and Jeremiah. Secret’s out, that’s how I (always) work, even writing this. As I continued to (surprisingly) think, I had one whiny thought.

Being Catholic is hard. 

The raw truth is that I don’t always like being Catholic. Romanticism aside, being Catholic is one of the most difficult feats I’ve ever attempted to accomplish. Sometimes my only reasons are just fides et ratio… faith and reason. Still, that doesn’t mean I’m quitting or throwing in the towel. I know damn well that the Catholic Church is the fullness of truth, and to go anywhere else would be to cheat myself not only of salvation, but also of complete truth. I couldn’t comfortably live with that, and the thought of living without truth is a scary one. Because if you don’t possess complete and full truth, what do you have instead? 

Nothing. 

I like to think that even in my choleric state, I pick my battles very wisely and carefully. I somehow know when to stand my ground, and when it simply isn’t worth it. This isn’t one battle I’m going to cave on. By the grace of God alone, I’ll reach the finish line, even if that means crawling on my gravel-filled hands and blood soaked knees. Graphic, but triumphs have never been for the pansy-hearted.

So I don’t always like being Catholic. That’s precisely because of my fallen nature, my own vanity, my own pride, my own blindness, and above all, my own sinfulness. However, because being Catholic is hard and because I don’t always like it, that’s exactly why I have to be Catholic. In continuation of that premise, I need to be Catholic because I don’t always like being Catholic. I keep saying I don’t always like being Catholic, and God could smite me for that, or you’re probably thinking, “Then just leave, you crazy girl.” 

But I won’t leave. I also hope God doesn’t smite me, because my beloved St. Teresa of Avila didn’t pray for years and she came back with superhuman holiness. Checkmate. 

No one is forcing me to be Catholic, I’m a grown girl and it’s my decision to remain where I’m constantly challenged and pushed. I am painfully aware of my faults, shortcomings and imperfections. I won’t pull a Popeye and say, “I am what I am.”, because that’s not what I am. And guess what? The only thing that uproots it all from the inside out, is Catholicism. Through Catholicism, faith, reason and maybe even nights like this, I am most myself. How could I ever leave that? Sure it’s not always pretty and petite, but I don’t believe life is meant for that. Without struggles, there is no celebration, and without pain, there is no comfort. Without Catholicism to challenge me and make my life difficult, I can’t imagine what I’d be. I actually can, but I’d rather not be that. 

So that’s it. I don’t always like being Catholic, but I am precisely because I need to be. It’s a paradox of sorts, but I can safely say that that is a part of me, and I’m fine with it. 

I think I forget that people actually read what I toss out in the open, so thank you for putting up with my choleric schemes and ridiculousness, because half the time I take to the keyboard, my mind is half here and half there, wherever there is. I’ll tell you when I find it.