@thoughtfulcatholic.bsky.social
Scottish and Catholic, vegetarian and not young, theologically orthodox. Blogger @ https://thoughtfullycatholic.wordpress.com/
Curious thing. When the likes of the BBC or Sky report frequently on Farage it is decried as giving him publicity he does not deserve, when the leader of the Liberal Democrats mentions him 30 times in a single speech, but the Prime Minister not once, it is a brilliant strategy.
September 24, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Curious thing. When the likes of the BBC or Sky report frequently on Farage it is decried as giving him publicity he does not deserve, when the leader of the Liberal Democrats mentions him 30 times in a single speech, but the Prime Minister not once, it is a brilliant strategy.
She supposes that the values of 'true Christianity' align perfectly with those of British Humanism. But stops short of the idea that the values of British Humanism are so close to Christianity because it first came into existence in a Christian country at a time when most people went to church.
September 23, 2025 at 8:36 AM
She supposes that the values of 'true Christianity' align perfectly with those of British Humanism. But stops short of the idea that the values of British Humanism are so close to Christianity because it first came into existence in a Christian country at a time when most people went to church.
And finally-
'Mary Magdalene & the Dead Christ'
This piece has had fewer clicks than pretty much anything else I have ever written, possibly because it includes the word 'dead' in the title. Anyway, I'll provide a link here in case you want to buck the trend.
'Mary Magdalene & the Dead Christ'
This piece has had fewer clicks than pretty much anything else I have ever written, possibly because it includes the word 'dead' in the title. Anyway, I'll provide a link here in case you want to buck the trend.
Mary Magdalene & the Dead Christ
Now there stood by the Cross of Jesus, His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalen. (John 19:25) There were two who sat on there opposite the tomb, Mary Magdalen and th…
thoughtfullycatholic.wordpress.com
September 13, 2025 at 7:56 AM
And finally-
'Mary Magdalene & the Dead Christ'
This piece has had fewer clicks than pretty much anything else I have ever written, possibly because it includes the word 'dead' in the title. Anyway, I'll provide a link here in case you want to buck the trend.
'Mary Magdalene & the Dead Christ'
This piece has had fewer clicks than pretty much anything else I have ever written, possibly because it includes the word 'dead' in the title. Anyway, I'll provide a link here in case you want to buck the trend.
'Addictive Internet Images and the Sorrows of Mary'
"..Don’t subjugate your mind to those whose only desire for you is that you give them money, immerse your mind in the things that mean most not just to you but to this suffering-yet-beautiful world..."
"..Don’t subjugate your mind to those whose only desire for you is that you give them money, immerse your mind in the things that mean most not just to you but to this suffering-yet-beautiful world..."
Addictive Internet Images and the Sorrows of Mary
We live in a very visual age. Children and young people in particular can spend hours each day watching thousands of different images flicker across their screens. The image providers are rarely mo…
thoughtfullycatholic.wordpress.com
September 12, 2025 at 11:47 AM
'Addictive Internet Images and the Sorrows of Mary'
"..Don’t subjugate your mind to those whose only desire for you is that you give them money, immerse your mind in the things that mean most not just to you but to this suffering-yet-beautiful world..."
"..Don’t subjugate your mind to those whose only desire for you is that you give them money, immerse your mind in the things that mean most not just to you but to this suffering-yet-beautiful world..."
From early morning, freeing oneself from everything, it is necessary to keep remembrance of God, by prayer and silence of the heart.
(St Gregory of Sinai)
Would you like to combine the Orthodox practice of prayerful stillness (hesychia) with Catholic meditation on Jesus?
Then try this 👇
(St Gregory of Sinai)
Would you like to combine the Orthodox practice of prayerful stillness (hesychia) with Catholic meditation on Jesus?
Then try this 👇
Hesychasm and the Seven Sorrows of Mary
From early morning, freeing oneself from everything, it is necessary to keep remembrance of God, by prayer and silence of the heart.(St Gregory of Sinai: Texts on Commandments and Dogmas, 99) The E…
thoughtfullycatholic.wordpress.com
September 11, 2025 at 11:48 AM
From early morning, freeing oneself from everything, it is necessary to keep remembrance of God, by prayer and silence of the heart.
(St Gregory of Sinai)
Would you like to combine the Orthodox practice of prayerful stillness (hesychia) with Catholic meditation on Jesus?
Then try this 👇
(St Gregory of Sinai)
Would you like to combine the Orthodox practice of prayerful stillness (hesychia) with Catholic meditation on Jesus?
Then try this 👇
Have you used the search function on Bluesky to see what is being said about Charlie Kirk?
September 11, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Have you used the search function on Bluesky to see what is being said about Charlie Kirk?
The most usual way of praying the Seven Sorrows of Mary in a structured form is through the chaplet with seven groups of seven beads. I have blogged anent this-
'The Rosary of the 7 Sorrows as a Contemplative Prayer'
thoughtfullycatholic.wordpress.com/2018/10/09/t...
'The Rosary of the 7 Sorrows as a Contemplative Prayer'
thoughtfullycatholic.wordpress.com/2018/10/09/t...
The Rosary of the 7 Sorrows as a Contemplative Prayer.
The Technique. + In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Our Father Hail Mary I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His o…
thoughtfullycatholic.wordpress.com
September 10, 2025 at 7:28 AM
The most usual way of praying the Seven Sorrows of Mary in a structured form is through the chaplet with seven groups of seven beads. I have blogged anent this-
'The Rosary of the 7 Sorrows as a Contemplative Prayer'
thoughtfullycatholic.wordpress.com/2018/10/09/t...
'The Rosary of the 7 Sorrows as a Contemplative Prayer'
thoughtfullycatholic.wordpress.com/2018/10/09/t...
Praying the seven Sorrows of Mary.
I've blogged about three methods, which could be considered from the PoV of duration. Let's begin with-
'Saying a Shorter Seven Sorrows'
(This is far and away the most visited post on my blog)
thoughtfullycatholic.wordpress.com/2019/07/18/s...
I've blogged about three methods, which could be considered from the PoV of duration. Let's begin with-
'Saying a Shorter Seven Sorrows'
(This is far and away the most visited post on my blog)
thoughtfullycatholic.wordpress.com/2019/07/18/s...
Saying a Shorter Seven Sorrows
Elsewhere I have written about the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows of Mary as a contemplative prayer. There will be occasions, however, when due to shortness of time, mental fatigue or lack of spiritua…
thoughtfullycatholic.wordpress.com
September 9, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Praying the seven Sorrows of Mary.
I've blogged about three methods, which could be considered from the PoV of duration. Let's begin with-
'Saying a Shorter Seven Sorrows'
(This is far and away the most visited post on my blog)
thoughtfullycatholic.wordpress.com/2019/07/18/s...
I've blogged about three methods, which could be considered from the PoV of duration. Let's begin with-
'Saying a Shorter Seven Sorrows'
(This is far and away the most visited post on my blog)
thoughtfullycatholic.wordpress.com/2019/07/18/s...
The Seven Joys of Mary are-
-The Annunciation
-The Visitation
-The Nativity of Jesus
-Epiphany, the Adoration of the Magi
-The Finding in the Temple
-Meeting the Risen Christ
- Her Assumption and Coronation as Queen of Heaven
-The Annunciation
-The Visitation
-The Nativity of Jesus
-Epiphany, the Adoration of the Magi
-The Finding in the Temple
-Meeting the Risen Christ
- Her Assumption and Coronation as Queen of Heaven
September 8, 2025 at 11:06 AM
The Seven Joys of Mary are-
-The Annunciation
-The Visitation
-The Nativity of Jesus
-Epiphany, the Adoration of the Magi
-The Finding in the Temple
-Meeting the Risen Christ
- Her Assumption and Coronation as Queen of Heaven
-The Annunciation
-The Visitation
-The Nativity of Jesus
-Epiphany, the Adoration of the Magi
-The Finding in the Temple
-Meeting the Risen Christ
- Her Assumption and Coronation as Queen of Heaven
Because today, September 8, is the birthday of Our Lady we interrupt our regular scheduled programming with a reminder that I also blogged anent-
'Seraphic! Celebrating the 7 Joys of Mary'
thoughtfullycatholic.wordpress.com/2020/01/10/s...
'Seraphic! Celebrating the 7 Joys of Mary'
thoughtfullycatholic.wordpress.com/2020/01/10/s...
Seraphic! Celebrating the 7 Joys of Mary
Introductory There is a medieval devotion, known variously as the Seraphic Rosary or the Franciscan Crown, which celebrates the Seven Joys of Mary. While this blog is a great advocate for prayerful…
thoughtfullycatholic.wordpress.com
September 8, 2025 at 7:15 AM
Because today, September 8, is the birthday of Our Lady we interrupt our regular scheduled programming with a reminder that I also blogged anent-
'Seraphic! Celebrating the 7 Joys of Mary'
thoughtfullycatholic.wordpress.com/2020/01/10/s...
'Seraphic! Celebrating the 7 Joys of Mary'
thoughtfullycatholic.wordpress.com/2020/01/10/s...
The 7th and final Sorrow of Mary is the Burial of Jesus
Hail Mary, whose Son was hidden from you by the darkness and silence of the tomb.
"..Love makes us all vulnerable and the more deeply we love the more vulnerable we become..."
thoughtfullycatholic.wordpress.com/2019/04/20/7...
Hail Mary, whose Son was hidden from you by the darkness and silence of the tomb.
"..Love makes us all vulnerable and the more deeply we love the more vulnerable we become..."
thoughtfullycatholic.wordpress.com/2019/04/20/7...
7th Sorrow: The Entombment of Christ
Joseph of Arimathea (because he was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews) besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus. And Pilate gave leave. He came therefore, and …
thoughtfullycatholic.wordpress.com
September 7, 2025 at 12:36 PM
The 7th and final Sorrow of Mary is the Burial of Jesus
Hail Mary, whose Son was hidden from you by the darkness and silence of the tomb.
"..Love makes us all vulnerable and the more deeply we love the more vulnerable we become..."
thoughtfullycatholic.wordpress.com/2019/04/20/7...
Hail Mary, whose Son was hidden from you by the darkness and silence of the tomb.
"..Love makes us all vulnerable and the more deeply we love the more vulnerable we become..."
thoughtfullycatholic.wordpress.com/2019/04/20/7...
Doesn't that just prove that ruling elites are highly adaptable? They didn't give rise to Christianity, they found ways to accommodate it to them and them to it. Similarly Vladimir Putin didn't bring about the end of the USSR but he managed to profit from it. The impetus for change was elsewhere.
September 6, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Doesn't that just prove that ruling elites are highly adaptable? They didn't give rise to Christianity, they found ways to accommodate it to them and them to it. Similarly Vladimir Putin didn't bring about the end of the USSR but he managed to profit from it. The impetus for change was elsewhere.
"Just" is doing a lot of heavy lifting here.
September 6, 2025 at 11:15 AM
"Just" is doing a lot of heavy lifting here.
I think the martyrs and the persecution underpinned its success even more. And I also think that the politics and economic aspects of the Church don't explain its survival in the Soviet Union and Stalinist Eastern Europe and its growth in the Peoples Republic of China (and also in Iran).
September 6, 2025 at 10:41 AM
I think the martyrs and the persecution underpinned its success even more. And I also think that the politics and economic aspects of the Church don't explain its survival in the Soviet Union and Stalinist Eastern Europe and its growth in the Peoples Republic of China (and also in Iran).
On a related note I also wrote 'Pietà: A Poem'-
Dark! Dark! All is now dark, concealed by gloom,
The flesh-torturing crown upon sweat-matted hair,
Five gaping, blood-clotted gashes in that
Perfect baby skin that once you kissed..
thoughtfullycatholic.wordpress.com/2020/05/22/p...
Dark! Dark! All is now dark, concealed by gloom,
The flesh-torturing crown upon sweat-matted hair,
Five gaping, blood-clotted gashes in that
Perfect baby skin that once you kissed..
thoughtfullycatholic.wordpress.com/2020/05/22/p...
Pietà: A Poem
His body. Pierced and lifeless, Held close, hugged, loved, In your arms. Never has he been closer, Never further away. Since that moment. Since the voice of Gabriel, The descent of the Shekinah, In…
thoughtfullycatholic.wordpress.com
September 6, 2025 at 10:38 AM
On a related note I also wrote 'Pietà: A Poem'-
Dark! Dark! All is now dark, concealed by gloom,
The flesh-torturing crown upon sweat-matted hair,
Five gaping, blood-clotted gashes in that
Perfect baby skin that once you kissed..
thoughtfullycatholic.wordpress.com/2020/05/22/p...
Dark! Dark! All is now dark, concealed by gloom,
The flesh-torturing crown upon sweat-matted hair,
Five gaping, blood-clotted gashes in that
Perfect baby skin that once you kissed..
thoughtfullycatholic.wordpress.com/2020/05/22/p...
The 6th Sorrow of Mary Pieta
Hail Mary who held the pierced and lifeless body of your Son next to your Immaculate Heart
"...she examines the lacerated flesh, and those exposed bones; she takes off the crown, and sees the cruel injury made by those thorns..."
Hail Mary who held the pierced and lifeless body of your Son next to your Immaculate Heart
"...she examines the lacerated flesh, and those exposed bones; she takes off the crown, and sees the cruel injury made by those thorns..."
6th Sorrow: Pietà
Bernardine de Bustis describes the afflicted mother as raising herself, and extending her arms to meet her dear Son; she embraces him, and then sits down at the foot of the cross. She sees his mout…
thoughtfullycatholic.wordpress.com
September 6, 2025 at 6:47 AM
The 6th Sorrow of Mary Pieta
Hail Mary who held the pierced and lifeless body of your Son next to your Immaculate Heart
"...she examines the lacerated flesh, and those exposed bones; she takes off the crown, and sees the cruel injury made by those thorns..."
Hail Mary who held the pierced and lifeless body of your Son next to your Immaculate Heart
"...she examines the lacerated flesh, and those exposed bones; she takes off the crown, and sees the cruel injury made by those thorns..."
The 5th Sorrow of Mary is Standing at the Foot of the Cross
Hail Mary, who fully entered into the agony and death of your crucified Son.
"..Those who belong by faith and love to Jesus are gifted to Mary as the children born of the Cross..."
thoughtfullycatholic.wordpress.com/2019/04/18/5...
Hail Mary, who fully entered into the agony and death of your crucified Son.
"..Those who belong by faith and love to Jesus are gifted to Mary as the children born of the Cross..."
thoughtfullycatholic.wordpress.com/2019/04/18/5...
5th Sorrow: At the Foot of the Cross
Meanwhile his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalen, had taken their stand beside the cross of Jesus. And Jesus, seeing his mother there, and the disciple, t…
thoughtfullycatholic.wordpress.com
September 5, 2025 at 4:01 PM
The 5th Sorrow of Mary is Standing at the Foot of the Cross
Hail Mary, who fully entered into the agony and death of your crucified Son.
"..Those who belong by faith and love to Jesus are gifted to Mary as the children born of the Cross..."
thoughtfullycatholic.wordpress.com/2019/04/18/5...
Hail Mary, who fully entered into the agony and death of your crucified Son.
"..Those who belong by faith and love to Jesus are gifted to Mary as the children born of the Cross..."
thoughtfullycatholic.wordpress.com/2019/04/18/5...
Next 'Our Lady of Sorrows'
"..who can be more anguished than a mother watching her child going towards agony and death? And such a child! Such a mother! There would be love too, the motherlove that sees not only the big picture but the tiny details.."
"..who can be more anguished than a mother watching her child going towards agony and death? And such a child! Such a mother! There would be love too, the motherlove that sees not only the big picture but the tiny details.."
Our Lady of Sorrows
There is an ancient Catholic devotion known as The Seven Joys of the Virgin, often associated with a prayer called The Franciscan Crown or Seraphic Rosary. As Our Lady of Light and the mother of th…
thoughtfullycatholic.wordpress.com
September 4, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Next 'Our Lady of Sorrows'
"..who can be more anguished than a mother watching her child going towards agony and death? And such a child! Such a mother! There would be love too, the motherlove that sees not only the big picture but the tiny details.."
"..who can be more anguished than a mother watching her child going towards agony and death? And such a child! Such a mother! There would be love too, the motherlove that sees not only the big picture but the tiny details.."
The 4th Sorrow of Mary- Meeting Jesus on His Way to Calvary, is so important that I blogged about it twice. First up-
'4th Sorrow: Via Dolorosa'
"On the one hand, she desired to see Him; on the other, she could not endure to look upon so pitiable a sight"
'4th Sorrow: Via Dolorosa'
"On the one hand, she desired to see Him; on the other, she could not endure to look upon so pitiable a sight"
4th Sorrow: Via Dolorosa
On the one hand, she desired to see him; on the other, she could not endure to look upon so pitiable a sight. But at length they look at each other. The Son wipes from his eyes the clotted blood, w…
thoughtfullycatholic.wordpress.com
September 4, 2025 at 7:01 AM
The 4th Sorrow of Mary- Meeting Jesus on His Way to Calvary, is so important that I blogged about it twice. First up-
'4th Sorrow: Via Dolorosa'
"On the one hand, she desired to see Him; on the other, she could not endure to look upon so pitiable a sight"
'4th Sorrow: Via Dolorosa'
"On the one hand, she desired to see Him; on the other, she could not endure to look upon so pitiable a sight"
The 3rd Sorrow of Mary is Losing the Child Jesus.
“My Son, why hast thou treated us so? Think, what anguish of mind thy father and I have endured, searching for thee.”
Hail Mary, who filled with anxiety desperately searched for your Son.
thoughtfullycatholic.wordpress.com/2019/04/15/3...
“My Son, why hast thou treated us so? Think, what anguish of mind thy father and I have endured, searching for thee.”
Hail Mary, who filled with anxiety desperately searched for your Son.
thoughtfullycatholic.wordpress.com/2019/04/15/3...
3rd Sorrow: Jesus Lost
When he was twelve years old, after going up to Jerusalem, as the custom was at the time of the feast, and completing the days of its observance, they set about their return home. But the boy Jesus…
thoughtfullycatholic.wordpress.com
September 3, 2025 at 11:41 AM
The 3rd Sorrow of Mary is Losing the Child Jesus.
“My Son, why hast thou treated us so? Think, what anguish of mind thy father and I have endured, searching for thee.”
Hail Mary, who filled with anxiety desperately searched for your Son.
thoughtfullycatholic.wordpress.com/2019/04/15/3...
“My Son, why hast thou treated us so? Think, what anguish of mind thy father and I have endured, searching for thee.”
Hail Mary, who filled with anxiety desperately searched for your Son.
thoughtfullycatholic.wordpress.com/2019/04/15/3...
The second Sorrow of Mary is 'The Flight into Egypt'
Hail Mary, who for love of your Son fled into darkness and exile.
'An angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph, saying:
‘Arise, and take the child and his mother, and fly into Egypt: and be there until I shall tell thee...'
Hail Mary, who for love of your Son fled into darkness and exile.
'An angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph, saying:
‘Arise, and take the child and his mother, and fly into Egypt: and be there until I shall tell thee...'
2nd Sorrow: Flight into Egypt
An angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph, saying: ‘Arise, and take the child and his mother, and fly into Egypt: and be there until I shall tell thee. For it will come to pass that He…
thoughtfullycatholic.wordpress.com
September 2, 2025 at 10:52 AM
The second Sorrow of Mary is 'The Flight into Egypt'
Hail Mary, who for love of your Son fled into darkness and exile.
'An angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph, saying:
‘Arise, and take the child and his mother, and fly into Egypt: and be there until I shall tell thee...'
Hail Mary, who for love of your Son fled into darkness and exile.
'An angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph, saying:
‘Arise, and take the child and his mother, and fly into Egypt: and be there until I shall tell thee...'
So, what are the Seven Sorrows of Mary? The first one is 'The Prophecy of Simeon'
"..thy own soul a sword shall pierce.."
Hail Mary, who accepted that your own soul would be pierced for love of your Son.
thoughtfullycatholic.wordpress.com/2019/04/14/1...
"..thy own soul a sword shall pierce.."
Hail Mary, who accepted that your own soul would be pierced for love of your Son.
thoughtfullycatholic.wordpress.com/2019/04/14/1...
1st Sorrow: The Prophecy of Simeon
Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: “Behold this child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted; And thy own s…
thoughtfullycatholic.wordpress.com
September 1, 2025 at 3:42 PM
So, what are the Seven Sorrows of Mary? The first one is 'The Prophecy of Simeon'
"..thy own soul a sword shall pierce.."
Hail Mary, who accepted that your own soul would be pierced for love of your Son.
thoughtfullycatholic.wordpress.com/2019/04/14/1...
"..thy own soul a sword shall pierce.."
Hail Mary, who accepted that your own soul would be pierced for love of your Son.
thoughtfullycatholic.wordpress.com/2019/04/14/1...