Not having the Internet for so long teaches me how much I need it. It must be socstrange living in a monastery without IT. Especially for the young ones. Like part of themselves had fallen off. In my own defense I miss the forum most of all. But I am glad to be moving to a new camp site tomorrow with all the Internet I want It rained all day today and I have been tempted to go home. But I will keep trying. God at least is not far away
I suspect that the greatest saints are unknown and we'll only ever get to meet them in heaven. On the other hand Jesus said that no one sets a light and then hides it.
They used to be in cloisters, monasteries, completely hidden from the world. The "Mary's", if you will. That part of the Church will not survive synodality, unless it totally disappears from the sight of this world. "This is why those who are advanced in prayer do not cease to pray for the world. To them belongs even the continuation of life, however audacious and strange this may seem. And you should know that, if such people disappear, then the end of this world will come." - Elder Joseph the Hesychast
Padraig, when you're out and about on long hikes with the dogs, do you ever come across old derelict cottages in remote places? The reason I ask is that, although you would pay twice or three times as much to buy a derelict here, getting it habitable might not cost as much in the long run. For starters, the red tape would be less daunting and there are grants available for fixing up very old houses that have been vacant for a few years. There wouldn't be as much land with the houses here but wouldn't about quarter of an acre be enough space for the dogs? Property prices are probably lower in the midlands if they're a distance from larger towns. Maybe you have ticked that box already, but I thought it worth mentioning in case you hadn't.
Someone told me years ago that they stopped allowing people doing that. It is strange in the country seeing really lovely houses going to ruin, especially in the villages. I see from September President Putin is letting Westerners into Russia who say they are refugees from WOKE. Land and houses are often very cheap in Russia. Strange times. https://www.imidaily.com/europe/rus...citizens-of-destructive-neoliberal-countries/
They're still giving grants for restoring derelict properties provided the perdon intends to live in it or rent it out. I think you can get up to about 70k euro but there may be conditions about getting qualified people to do the work. I don't know. Have a look at this property website: https://www.property.ie/ . You can search by county. I entered 50k for the maximum price and got plenty of results although I don't recall seeing anything you could move into. The description for lots of the derelict properties mentions that they may be eligible for grants. Don't mind Putin trolling the West. Russia's birth rate is nothing to be proud of.
Well five weeks camping! My thoughts are turning homewards. The nights draw in and the weather is changing. Have I learnt anything Spiritually these last few weeks. Well I hoped to get inner confirmation about moving to Spain and really like more and more the little house I was looking at. But I am glad I took this time to be sure as I am very impulsive. The rosary has been my dearest companion and such a wonderful teacher. Also the Stations of the Cross have been a best friend. But everything I did each day centred around daily Mass. Everything gathered round it and everything sprung from it. Wonderful to have the company of my angel guardians especially at night time.Such, wonderful,wonderful friends. We are never alone. Never ever alone. Perhaps the biggest lesson was reading about the huge, huge Crosses other people on the forum carry. Such a huge eye opener. I had just no idea. It certainly taught me to count my blessings and a great teacher of humility. My own crosses are mere pin pricks. Moving from place to place teaches me how uncertain and passing is life. In the mysteries of the rosary I see that Jesus and the Holy Family were very much travellers too. Always moving.
I think maybe one or two more weeks and I will head back home for Autumn. Quite proud of myself for sticking it so long.
The campsite is empty and the sun is shining. Meditating on the rosary teaches me that life itself is a journey and so uncertain. Rge only certain thing is the sun of God's love and how beautiful it is to always feel it shining
This is very amazing. It is funny how these people living in the sides of hills were considered stupid peasants, meanwhile they lived beautifully. BTW there are longer videos on the Sicilian who moved to California. It's such an amazing story for me. He bought the land not knowing it wasn't good for citrus. At the time he had spent his entire savings. During the day I believe he worked road construction in the heat and so he desperately wanted a place to cool off at night. So he dug down and never stopped. I also love how he spoke about being so inspired as he was working on it that he never stopped. He absolutely loved it. As well, his citrus orchard eventually became profitable, especially since there were none in the area. No titles, no accolades, just he and God living, breathing and moving together. His life was a living prayer. Matthew 13:44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field."
It reminds me of the Roman catacombs to which the Christians fled to from the Roman Authorities. There are supposed to be thousands and thousands of miles of them down there yet to be discoved. The ground beneath Rome must be like some Giant Swiss cheese. The biggest and best discovery of course been the fairly recent discovery of the tomb of St Peter beneath the Vatican. I happened yesterday to be listening to a tube video yesterday of the prophecies of St Paisios, a recent Orthox saint. I have to say everything he said chimes in totally with Catholic Prophecy. Every single thing. Amazing. Two things he said sprang out at me. Firstly for the need for prudence. He said that believers , knowing the Great Persecution and Tribulation is coming should be prudent and make proper steps to preserve their own lives and that of their families. I think this is simple common sense. The second thing he talked about is the Truth and this has given me a lot to think about. He says that the fact that we know the truth about some things does not necessarily mean we have to go round arguing and fighting about them. We can choose like Mary simply to store them up in our hearts. I never heard anyone advise this before. But it reminds me of a few years back I used to get angry and rant a lot about the Vatican. Finally I realised it wasn't doing me or anyone else any good so I gave up on it.
These words of St Paisios really touch me. Storing things up in my heart is what I am trying to do. I no longer need or want to argue over he issues in the Church or in our country. I live among secularists of the most committed kind. Fruitless argument does no one any good. It probably would drive them away further. But my heart aches for family members. Literally aches. Keeping silent is so hard. St Paul says to " avoid fruitless arguments". Good advice. Things are in such a state now. Cdl. Cupich giving the invocation to the DNC!!! A prince of the Church representing Christ in a godless arena where abortion vans waited outside to provide free abortions. Ten babies were killed.thats human sacrifice! Under the invocation of the Cdl. Of Chicago. What would Our Blessed Mother do? Go to the foot of the Cross where Jesus is being crucified yet again? I have no words.
St Paisios said before we speak we should ask ourselves two simple questions Why am I saying this? and .. What do I hope to accomplish by saying it? So simple. So true
