Peace

Blessed Charles of Austria saw war as “appalling” and strove for peace

Published on 10/21/26|

|3 min read

Credit: Public Domain

Bl. Charles of Austria was confronted with the First World War and did all in his power to try to end the horrors of war.

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When it comes to war, some political leaders thirst after it, while others do all they can to put an end to it. Blessed Charles of Austria was a leader who did everything in his power to advocate for peace, not desiring revenge or power, but to end the war that broke out before he succeeded to the throne.

His uncle, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, was assassinated in 1914 in what became the catalyst for World War I. Then his grand-uncle, Emperor Franz Joseph, died in 1916, and Blessed Charles was next in line to become emperor.

Europe was in the midst of World War I and Blessed Charles was now given great responsibility and could dictate how the war would progress. His first thought was to work for peace.

Bl. Charles the Peacemaker

In his accession speech, Bl. Charles said, “I will do all within my power to banish the horrors and sacrifices of war at the earliest possible date and to win back for my peoples the sorely missed blessings of peace.”

Initially he tried to secretly negotiate peace with France, but the peace talks failed and the war continued to progress.

Then he fully supported a peace initiative that was put forth by Pope Benedict XV. He wanted the war to end, but unfortunately, the other European leaders did not accept it and pushed forward.

St. John Paul II praised the example of Blessed Charles and his search for peace during his beatification homily:

To his eyes, war appeared as “something appalling.” Amid the tumult of the First World War, he strove to promote the peace initiative of my Predecessor, Benedict XV. From the beginning, the Emperor Charles conceived of his office as a holy service to his people. His chief concern was to follow the Christian vocation to holiness also in his political actions. For this reason, his thoughts turned to social assistance. May he be an example for all of us, especially for those who have political responsibilities in Europe today!

In the end Emperor Charles was exiled after the conclusion of World War I, as other political leaders saw him and his empire as a threat, instead of recognizing his honest search for peace.

Bl. Charles is a great example of a truly Christian leader who did not seek war for his own glory, but who did all he could to negotiate peace, even when everyone else was not listening.

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FIGHTING DISTRACTIONS DURING PRAYER Distractions and lack of concentration are common struggles that most people experience during prayer. The mind keeps wandering making it difficult for one to remain focused on God during prayer. This can be very discouraging but then, the good news is that there are strategies to cultivate deeper focus and attention during prayer. The first thing you have to note is that you are not alone in this struggle. As such, when distractions arise during prayer, avoid feeling frustrated. Instead, gently acknowledge the wandering thought without judgment. Imagine it like a passing cloud in the sky of your mind. Gently redirect your focus back to your prayer. Here, patience is key. Also, having a short Bible verse or a meaningful passage can act as an anchor during prayer. When your mind strays and your thoughts roam, return to this verse — it can refocus your thoughts and remind you of the purpose of your prayer. Allow Scripture to guide your contemplation. Incorporate sensory elements into your prayer space. Light a candle, focus on its flicker, and let it symbolize the presence of Christ. Engaging your senses can ground you and create a sacred atmosphere conducive to focused and attentive prayer. It is important to set a specific intention for your prayer before you begin your prayer. This objective can serve as a guide, helping you return to your purpose whenever distractions arise. It could be gratitude, seeking guidance, or offering intercession. Remember that consistency is key to overcoming distractions. Set aside dedicated times for prayer each day. Over time, your mind will learn to settle into the sacred rhythm, making it easier to focus amidst life’s clamor. Lastly, remember that prayer is about connecting with God and not about achieving perfection. It is natural for thoughts to wander. When they do, gently refocus and continue your conversation with the Divine. If you cannot refocus, maybe the contents of those wandering thoughts are part of the things that God wants you to pray for at that point in time. Do not feel frustrated; God meets us where we are. Fr. Ugochukwu Ugwoke, ISch

“Raise your voice until the priests of God heed my messages and advise me that the time is near and if they do not convert and return to God through prayers and sacrifices the world will be involved in a new war. The dictators of the world, infernal creatures will destroy the churches, profane the Holy Eucharist and destroy the most cherished and Holy things. In that pitiless war much that men have constructed will be destroyed…” Our Lord to Venerable Sister Elena Aiello, (1895–1961)

Sankt Johannes av Capestrano, präst: jurist, munk och predikant i Europa (23 oktober)

23 okt 2026

Sankt Johannes av Capestrano, präst: jurist, munk och predikant i Europa (23 oktober)

Observant franciskaner, lärjunge till Bernardino, påvlig legat och guide i Belgrad (1456). Minnesstund den 23 oktober.

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Sankt Johannes av Capestrano, präst: jurist, munk och predikant i Europa (23 oktober)

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Sankt Johannes av Capestrano, präst: jurist, munk och predikant i Europa (23 oktober)

Annons

Född i Capestrano 1386, utbildade sig Giovanni till jurist i Perugia, där han kallades till civila uppdrag. Den politiska krisen och fängelsevistelsen ledde honom till en djup omvändelse; år 1416 tog han på sig de observanta minderåriga dräkterna och prästvigdes därefter. Från början kombinerade han studier, personlig noggrannhet och pastoral välgörenhet.

Som lärjunge och medarbetare till St. Bernardine av Siena ägnade han sig åt den religiösa reformen av orden, främjade fattigt liv och lydnad samt spred hängivenhet till Jesu namn (IHS-monogram). Han var en outtröttlig predikant: han reste genom Italien och Centraleuropa — Tyskland, Böhmen, Polen — och tog upp doktrinära och moraliska frågor, även kallad inkvisitor och påvlig legat för att stödja trons enhet och reformera prästerskapet.

År 1456, sänd av Calixtus III, predikade han ett korståg för att stoppa den osmanska framryckningen. I Belgrad engagerade han försvararna tillsammans med John Hunyadi: belägringen avslutades med en avgörande seger (22 juli 1456) som präglade det kristna Europa. Utmattad av trötthet och sjukdom dog John i Ilok den 23 oktober 1456 och gav sitt sista vittnesbörd om apostolisk iver.

Hans kult spreds snabbt i Abruzzo och Donauområdet, stödd av brödraskap och helgedomar. Efter att ha insett sitt livs helighet och effektiviteten i sin predikan blev han helgonförklarad 1690 av Alexander VIII; kyrkan firar den den 23 oktober. I ikonografin framträder han som franciskan med korsfararfana och Jesu namn. Hans minne lever vidare även utanför Europa: San Juan Capistranos mission i Kalifornien påminner om hans namn och karisma. Hans arv är som en predikant i Europa, kapabel att förena lära, reform och pastoral mod.

23 oktober — S:t Giovanni da Capistrano, präst

Föddes i Capestrano, Abruzzo, i Italien 1386. Utbildad jurist verkade han en tid som domare. Efter en djupgående omvändelse blev han franciskan och prästvigdes och verkade i fyrtio år som kringvandrande predikant i stora delar av Europa. Outtröttligt sökte han stärka det kristna livet och bekämpa villoläror. Dog i Ilok, Kroatien, 1456.

Läsningar

Den innevarande dagens eller (förslag): 2 Kor 5:14–20; Ps 16:1–2a, 5, 7–8, 11; Luk 9:57–62

Tidskrift

Sankt Johannes av Capestrano, präst: jurist, munk och predikant i Europa (23 oktober)

Hem

Tidskrift

Sankt Johannes av Capestrano, präst: jurist, munk och predikant i Europa (23 oktober)

23 okt 2026

Sankt Johannes av Capestrano, präst: jurist, munk och predikant i Europa (23 oktober)

Observant franciskaner, lärjunge till Bernardino, påvlig legat och guide i Belgrad (1456). Minnesstund den 23 oktober.

MAGASINETS LEDARE

Sankt Johannes av Capestrano, präst: jurist, munk och predikant i Europa (23 oktober)

Lyssna på den här artikeln nu…

Sankt Johannes av Capestrano, präst: jurist, munk och predikant i Europa (23 oktober)

Annons

Novena to Our Guardian Angel for the Holy Souls in Purgatory: Oct 24 — Nov 1 . O Holy Angel, whom God, by the effect of His goodness and His tender regard for my welfare, has charged with the care of my conduct, and who assists me in all my wants and comforts me in all my afflictions, who supports me when I am discouraged and continually obtains for me new favors, I return thee profound thanks, and I earnestly beseech thee, O most amiable protector, to continue thy charitable care and defense of me against the malignant attacks of all my enemies. Keep me away from all occasions of sin. Obtain for me the grace of listening attentively to thy holy inspirations and of faithfully putting them into practice, In particular, I implore thee to obtain for me the relief and deliverance of all the Souls in Purgatory, the ones who prayed for the Souls themselves while still on earth; the forgotten and abandoned Souls; the souls of my relatives and friends; the souls of priests and religious; the souls of all those to whom I am obligated by charity to pray for and may have neglected by laxity in memory; and most especially for the Soul I here name in this novena. . Mention the person . Protect me in all the temptations and trials of this life. but most especially at the hour of my death, and do not leave me until thou hast conducted me into the presence of my creator in the mansions of everlasting happiness. Amen.

What if I told you that one of the most powerful moments of your entire week happens at Mass… and you might be missing it without even realizing it?

Think about this. You just walked up to the altar. The priest said, “The Body of Christ.” You answered, “Amen.” And in that moment, something extraordinary happened. You received Jesus Himself. Not a symbol. Not just a reminder of something Jesus did 2,000 years ago. You received His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. And here’s what so many Catholics forget. You don’t have to feel anything for God’s grace to be working in your soul. You might not cry. You might not feel overwhelming peace. You might even be distracted. But that doesn’t change Who you just received. Jesus said in John 6:51, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven.” He wasn’t offering us an ordinary meal. He was offering us Himself. But there’s something else every Catholic needs to remember. Holy Communion is sacred, and receiving it requires spiritual preparation. If you’re conscious of having committed a mortal sin, you must first receive absolution through Confession before approaching Holy Communion. Why? Because receiving Jesus is not something we should ever treat casually. St. Paul warned Christians about receiving the Body and Blood of Christ unworthily. That’s how serious this is. But here’s the beautiful part. When you receive Holy Communion worthily, Jesus strengthens you in ways you may not immediately recognize. He gives you grace to resist temptation, to forgive someone you thought you could never forgive, to love when loving is difficult, to remain faithful when life becomes painful, and to grow closer to Him, even when you feel spiritually weak. So the next time you receive Holy Communion, please don’t rush back to your seat and immediately start thinking about lunch, errands, or what you’re doing after Mass. Take a moment. Because you’ve just received the One who gave His life for you. Tell Jesus what you’re struggling with. Tell Him about the temptation you keep falling into, the relationship that’s falling apart, the fear you’ve been hiding, and the person you haven’t been able to forgive. Ask Him for the grace to become the person He created you to be. Because the same Jesus who healed the sick, who welcomed sinners, who carried the Cross, who died for your salvation, and who rose from the dead is the same Jesus you receive in the Holy Eucharist. And maybe that’s what we need to remember. Holy Communion isn’t simply another part of the Mass that we go through every Sunday. It’s an encounter with the living Christ, and that encounter should transform the way we live. Because Jesus doesn’t just want a few moments of your Sunday. He wants your heart, your struggles, your decisions, and your entire life. So here’s a question every Catholic should seriously think about. Have we become so familiar with receiving Holy Communion that we’ve forgotten just how extraordinary it really is?

PRAYER TO ST. CHARBEL FOR HEALING Are you suffering from sickness, pain, or emotional struggles? Let us turn to Jesus, our Divine Healer, and ask for His healing grace through the intercession of St. Charbel Makhlouf. May the Lord strengthen the sick, comfort those who are suffering, guide the hands of doctors, and give hope to every family facing difficult times. May we always trust in God’s mercy, even when the answers to our prayers are not what we expect. St. Charbel, pray for the sick and intercede for all those who seek healing. If you or someone you love needs healing, write “St. Charbel, pray for us!” in the comments. Let us pray for one another. May Jesus grant us healing according to His holy will. Amen.

Prayer to Archangel Michael for Protection in the Unseen Battle Archangel Michael, mighty defender of God’s people, I call upon your prayers and protection today. Defend me where I cannot see. Crush every darkness sent against me. Place Heaven’s protection around my life. Stand guard over my home, my family, my mind, and my heart. Protect me from every hidden danger, every spiritual attack, every evil intention, and every force that tries to disturb my peace. Archangel Michael, warrior of God, go before me in the battles I do not understand. Shield me from what I cannot fight alone. Strengthen me when I feel weak, and remind me that no darkness is greater than the power of God. By the authority of Jesus Christ, may every plan formed against me be broken, every fear lose its power, and every evil presence be driven away. Surround me with the protection of Heaven. Cover my life with God’s mercy. Lead me safely under His light. Archangel Michael, defend me in battle and keep me close to God. Amen.

The Eucharistic Miracle of Legnica, Poland (2013) On Christmas Day 2013, at St. Hyacinth’s Shrine in Legnica, a consecrated Host fell to the floor during Communion. It was placed in holy water to dissolve per Church custom. After about two weeks, the Host had not fully dissolved. A red spot appeared on its surface, later identified as human heart muscle tissue showing signs of agony. DNA tests confirmed it was human. In 2016, Bishop Zbigniew Kiernikowski officially recognized it as a Eucharistic miracle with “the hallmarks” of a supernatural event. The relic is now venerated in a golden monstrance at the shrine, drawing pilgrims worldwide. It is seen as a sign affirming the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

♰ Thursdays are dedicated to the Most Blessed Sacrament ♰

Tantum ergo Sacramentum Veneremur cernui: Et antiquum documentum Novo cedat ritui: Praestet fides supplementum Sensuum defectui. Genitori, Genitoque Laus et iubilatio, Salus, honor, virtus quoque Sit et benedictio: Procedenti ab utroque Compar sit laudatio. Amen. Panem de caelo praestitisti eis. Omne delectamentum in se habentem.

Down in adoration falling, Lo! the sacred Host we hail, Lo! oe’r ancient forms departing Newer rites of grace prevail; Faith for all defects supplying, Where the feeble senses fail. To the everlasting Father, And the Son Who reigns on high With the Holy Spirit proceeding Forth from each eternally, Be salvation, honor blessing, Might and endless majesty. Amen. Thou hast given them bread from heaven Having within it all sweetness

Dominus Meus et Deus Meus

My Lord and My God

13 October 2026 Eucharistic Procession, Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, New York City, USA

The Catholic commando who may have inspired James Bond

Major Gus March-Phillipps, an elite British officer and devout Catholic, led some of the most daring covert operations of World War II before dying in combat.

Published on 10/16/26|

Cécile Séveirac

|7 min read

Source: British Army, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Major Gus March-Phillipps

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On the night of September 12–13, 1942, a daring British commando raid known as Operation Aquatint was underway. In the dark of a Normandy night, a small unit of Allied commandos made its way to the German-occupied French coast near Sainte-Honorine-des-Pertes. But nothing went as planned.

The small group landed on the beach but immediately came under heavy German fire. Gustavus Henry March-Phillipps, known as “Gus,” risked everything but was killed during the fighting. He was 34 years old.

An extraordinary officer, novelist, sailor, horseman, and devout Catholic, he left behind an elite commando unit and a track record of successful covert operations. Yet, even today, he remains largely unknown to the general public.

Gus March-Phillpps was an unconventional figure for his time, both an irreverent poet and a swashbuckling soldier. Born in 1908, he entered the abbey school of Ampleforth in Yorkshire in 1917. Run by Benedictines, it is one of England’s great Catholic boarding schools, where faith is taught and lived daily.

He didn’t particularly distinguish himself academically or in sports, but developed a reputation for recklessness, according to his obituary in the Ampleforth Journal (PDF). Nevertheless, the seeds of a solid faith and a chivalric ideal were undeniably planted.

A man who didn’t fit the mold

After leaving Ampleforth in 1926, he entered the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Royal Artillery. He spent his early years in the regular army in England, followed by a three-year stint in India.

His obituary in the Ampleforth Journal describes him as a “rather wild and irresponsible subaltern.” However, this was likely just the impatience of a man too big for ordinary frameworks.

The obituary offers a memorable portrait of his personality:

“But Gus March-Phillipps was indeed a remarkable young man, not only for what he did but more especially for his peculiarly attractive and fine qualities. […] But those of his friends who knew nothing of his exploits will remember him for his qualities, his courage, his nobility, his independence, his love of England and particularly the English countryside and English traditions, his impatience for action, his Catholic Faith, his love of the sea and of horses, and most of all for his ability to inspire his followers, his natural genius for leadership.

“What he loved most was to be in a situation where he knew that only by his own skill, determination and leadership could he avert disaster from himself and his companions. Few of his friends and none of his officers and men would have refused to follow him on whatever crazy adventure he might have proposed.”

“A curious mixture of conflicting impulses”

In short, he seemed straight out of an adventure novel, a “curious mixture of conflicting impulses.” He wasn’t an intellectual dreaming of action, nor was he a soldier scribbling verses out of boredom; he was both.

He had resigned from the regular army to devote himself to writing, but the Munich crisis of 1938 pulled him out of his literary retirement. He applied to rejoin the military and was called up the following year.

The Small Scale Raiding Force

March-Phillipps had a precise idea of what he could and wanted to do. Confident in his abilities, he joined the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) as an intelligence officer, serving first at the 2nd Corps headquarters and then at General Headquarters from September 1939 until the evacuation of Dunkirk.

Back in England, he refused to sit idle. He hounded his friends, acquaintances, and superiors until he received permission to implement his own ideas on how to fight the enemy.

Alongside his friend Lt. Geoffrey Appleyard, he formed a secret unit under the aegis of the Special Operations Executive (SOE). This unit officially became №62 Commando, also known as the Small Scale Raiding Force (SSRF). Some of its members later helped establish the 2nd Special Air Service (SAS).

It would take a novel to cover all of his unit’s exploits. In January 1942, he led Operation Postmaster. In the dead of night on the Spanish island of Fernando Po, his men seized three enemy vessels without firing a shot and brought them to Nigeria. This audacious success cemented the SOE’s reputation.

Returning to England as a newly promoted major, he launched a series of nighttime raids along the German-occupied coastline. These included capturing German prisoners at the Casquets lighthouse (Operation Dryad) and fighting German troops during a raid targeting a radar installation and antiaircraft positions in France (Operation Barricade).

His military service earned him several honors, including the Distinguished Service Order and a mention in despatches.

A fateful mission in Normandy

The night of September 12–13, 1942, proved fatal. As his 11-man detachment landed on the beach at Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer — nearly 21 months before the D-Day landings on that same stretch of coastline — the current had carried their vessel several miles west of its intended destination.

Barely ashore, the commandos came under German fire. Unable to return to their landing boat, they found themselves trapped on the beach. Their supporting vessel attempted to recover them but eventually had to withdraw when German patrol boats opened fire.

Major March-Phillipps was killed during the fighting. He died alongside Sgt. Allen Michael Williams, 22, and Pvt. Richard Lehniger, 42.

He was buried with them in the church cemetery at Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer, on the very Normandy coast where he drew his last breath. His tombstone bears a famous quote from Thomas à Kempis’ spiritual classic, The Imitation of Christ: “He that loveth, flyeth, runneth and rejoiceth; he is free.”

Aleteia

Although relatively unknown today, March-Phillipps has been cited as one of the possible inspirations for James Bond. Ian Fleming, who created the famous character, also worked in British intelligence during the war.

In 2024, director Guy Ritchie brought a highly romanticized version of their story to the big screen in The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, starring Henry Cavill as Gus.

“If I must die”

A year before his death, Major March-Phillipps penned a prayer in the form of a poem. Rather than asking God for protection, he prayed for the grace to face death with simplicity, unwavering faith, courage, and joy.

The author of his obituary in the Ampleforth Journal wrote, “He was, I know, granted this.”

IF I MUST DIE

If I must die in this great war
when so much seems in vain,
And man in huge unthinking hordes
is slain as sheep are slain,
But with less thought: then do I seek
One last good grace to gain.

Let me die, Oh Lord, as I learned to live
when the world seemed young and gay,
And “Honor bright” was a phrase they used
that they do not use to-day,
And faith was something alive and warm
When we gathered round to pray.

Let me be simple and sure once more,
Oh Lord, if I must die,
Let the mad unreason of reasoned doubt,
Unreasoning, pass me by,
And the mass mind, and the mercenary,
And the everlasting “why.”

Let me be brave and gay again,
Oh Lord, when my time is near
Let the good in me rise up and break
The stranglehold of fear;
Say that I die for Thee and the King,
And what I hold most dear.

— G. March-Phillipps

December 1941

Blaženi Alojzije Stepinac i njegov muzej

Objavljeno: 6. rujna 2019.

Pokraj zagrebačke katedrale nalazi se Muzej blaženoga Alojzija Stepinca, hrvatskog kardinala i mučenika komunističkog režima.

Kardinal, blaženi Alojzije Viktor Stepinac, uz neodustajnje od nauka Katoličke crkve koji je suprotan komunističkom režimu, nije pristao ni odcijepiti Katoličku Crkvu u Hrvatskoj od Vatikana, a što je bio jedan od zahtjeva režima.

Osuđen je i zatvoren u zatvor u Lepoglavi, a nakon toga preseljen u kućni zatvor. Trovan je, a u zatočeništvu je i umro 1960. Spomendan mu se slavi 10. veljače.

Slušala sam jedno predavanje s mnoštvom informacija koje, moram priznati, nisam znala jer se nisam bavila njegovim životom.

Ne znam znate li, ali Institut Ruđer Bošković u Hrvatskoj nije htio napraviti pretrage u sklopu istraživanja koje se provodilo 90.-ih godina. Sramotno!

Zbog toga su, male uzorke ostataka, poslali na testiranje u, čini mi se, Kanadu, a rezultati su pokazali visoke razine toksičnih metala u koštanom tkivu — 23 posto olova više od normale, 22 posto više kroma, 19 posto više antimona, 4 posto više arsena… Testirali su i tlo vrta iz koje je bila hrana kojom se hranio u zatočeništvu, pribor i ostalo. Utvrdili su kako tu nije bilo odstupanja, što znači da je trovanje ranije izvršeno.

Crkva je uspjela sačuvati i balzamirati kardinalovo srce odmah po smrti 1960., ali suradnik komunističkog režima tu informaciju javlja UDBI 1962. koja krade srce i spaljuje ga. Isti su ulili 12 litara kiseline u blaženikovo tijelo kako bi se tijelo razgradilo. Tijelo je razgrađeno skoro u potpunosti, ali trovanje se otkrilo.

Ako ste, odnosno kad ćete biti u prilici, posjetite postav Muzeja. Do tada, pođite u 3D virtualnu šetnju Katedralom i Muzejom preko gore stavljene poveznice. Ulaz u muzej besplatan je, a na kraju članka stavljam i nekoliko fotografija.

Više o blaženom Alojziju možete pronaći na službenim stranicama ovdje.

Blaženi Alojzije Stepinče, moli za nas!

Molitva za proglašenje svetim blaženog Alojzija Stepinca

Gospodine Bože, izvore svetosti i milosti,
blaženoga Alojzija, pastira i mučenika,
pozvao si da ti služi
kao navjestitelj i branitelj istine
i kao hrabri svjedok vjernosti Crkvi.

Poslušan tvojoj Riječi
i vođen Duhom tvoje ljubavi,
zauzimao se za siromašne i obespravljene;
ostavio nam je divno svjetlo čiste savjesti,
pouzdanja u tebe i ustrajnosti u trpljenju.

Ponizno te molimo
da nas obdariš svojom radošću
te blaženoga Alojzija ubrojiš
među svece sveopće Crkve,
da bismo ga mogli još predanije slijediti
i uteći se njegovu moćnom zagovoru
u svojim životnim potrebama.

Po njegovim molitvama jačaj proročki glas Crkve,
koji širi nadu u dolazak tvojega kraljevstva,
praćen blizinom i utjehom Blažene Djevice Marije,
Majke i Kraljice vjernoga ti naroda.
Po Kristu Gospodinu našemu. Amen!

Naslovna fotografija: nedjelja.ba