International Liens on Land and Sea

By Anna Von Reitz

I am always sorry to have to do such things, but sometimes, it can't be helped. TROH,  aka the Reign of the Heavens Society, has always been two bricks short of a load, so I tend to ignore them, but like a nasty, bad-tempered child, they just keep at it and at it, until you finally have to deal with them.

They have tried (unsuccessfully and incorrectly) to establish what they are calling a  "Federal" Common Law Lien and Writ of Attachment against my Pen Name, and on top of that, presuming the existence of a Municipal PERSON that was long ago lawfully converted to an American "vessel" --- ANNA VON REITZ.

So, it's bad enough that these numbnutz are trying to claim and pretend that their offshore theocracy run by "U.S. Citizens" is the lawful government of this country and masquerading "as" The United States of America, just like the Scottish Interloper of over a century ago, but now they are attacking American "shipping" and seeking to seize upon our cargo.

Therefore, as of this day, I have issued both an American Common Law Lien and an International Salvage Lien and Impoundment Order against The Reign of the Heavens Society in general and against the specific members who are engaging in constructive fraud against the lawful government of The United States of America and international financial terrorism against our people. 

I don't like doing this.  It's not my style. But. Enough is enough.

American Common Law Lien

International Jurisdiction

Published June 10, 2020

International Salvage Lien

Impoundment Order

This American Common Law Lien and the accompanying International Salvage Lien and Impoundment Order is established upon the listed bankrupt Territorial Persons and bankrupt Municipal PERSONS operated as Special Purpose Vehicles. These individuals are known to have departed from these shores and to have spurned their birthright(s) as Americans and to have granted their full allegiance to a foreign theocracy calling itself the Reign of the Heavens Society.

The Reign of the Heavens Society is recognized for its plagiarism of the work of Frank O’Collins and its continued infringement upon the Good Name and Trademarks and Copyrights of The United States of America, so as to confuse itself and its activities with the actual International Government of this country.

The claims of this organization and its members to represent the lawful government of this country are based upon false claims of abandonment, issued while our lawful government was not in session. Their additional claims are based on purchasing memorabilia left over from a defunct Scottish Commercial Corporation that similarly usurped upon our lawful Trade Name and did business in our name “as” The United States of America, Incorporated.

This Scottish corporation operated between 1868 and 1907, when it went bankrupt and ceased to exist. This was a pirate operation and deliberate usurpation without lawful recognition or sanction from The United States of America [Unincorporated] and the actual International Law that pertains to the activities of this Scottish Interloper, like any similar attempts by the Reign of the Heavens Society to repeat those activities, are one in the same Maxim of Law: Possession by Pirates Does Not Change Ownership.

All claims on abandonment, all claims based on possession of our property by the Scottish pirates, like all similar claims by the Reign of the Heavens Society, are hereby rebutted in the Public and for the International Record.  Our property interests and assets remain ours regardless of any claim or possession by pirates, foreign or domestic. 

As the members of the Reign of the Heavens Society have created a theocracy and moved offshore to evade prosecution for their attempts to steal the identity of our lawful government and have sought to obtain access to its assets and credit in imitation of their Scottish antecedents via impersonation, they must be considered dangerous and engaged in criminal fraud against The United States of America and against the States and People of this country.

Our lawful government has been called into Session and is now manifest in fifty (50) correctly populated State Assemblies. We fully recognize the right of individual Americans to take against the Will and Amendments established by earlier generations, but maintain that such actions must be lawful and lacking any element of deceit or purposeful fraud against the States and People.

The actions of the Reign of the Heavens theocracy and its continued deliberate misrepresentation of itself as “The United States of America” when it is in fact a foreign, offshore, and privately-owned entity, fall far short of any such standard of tolerance.   

Their continued mistaken attacks against the recorded and copyrighted Pen Name of a presumed-to-be Municipal franchise: ANNA VON REITZ, are typical of their activities.  All variations, permutations, styles, orderings, and punctuations of this name represent lawfully converted American “vessels” as published and standing upon the Public Records of the State of Alaska, all belonging to a declared American State National, a Wisconsinite, owed due diligence, good faith service, and protection by all Territorial and Municipal citizens including but not limited to the Debtors/DEBTORS listed herein, who must all be considered in Breach of Trust and operating as pirates:

Reign of the Heavens Society / REIGN OF THE HEAVENS SOCIETY

Keith Edward Livingway / KEITH EDWARD LIVINGWAY

Barbara Riley-Cole / BARBARA RILEY-COLE

Christopher Michael Doherty / CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL DOHERTY

Donald Kanoelani Souza / DONALD KANOELANI SOUZA

Derrick William Hoffman Brickert / DERRICK WILLIAM HOFFMAN BRICKERT

Eric William Jamieson / ERIC WILLIAM JAMIESON

George Bendt Somson / GEORGE BENDT SOMSON

John Edward Rowe/ JOHN EDWARD ROWE

James Francis Sullivan / JAMES FRANCIS SULLIVAN

John Mark Adams / JOHN MARK ADAMS

Jason Westley Hall / JASON WESTLEY HALL

Matthew Joseph Emerson / MATTHEW JOSEPH EMERSON

Susan Rebecca Cammack / SUSAN REBECCA CAMMACK

Sean Will Gary Beller / SEAN WILL GARY BELLER

Valerie Zicaro / VALERIE ZICARO

William James Wright V / WILLIAM JAMES WRIGHT V

William Omani Whiting / WILLIAM OMANI WHITING

Michael Adam Fathauer / MICHAEL ADAM FATHAUER

This American Common Law Lien is established and operates upon the international jurisdiction of the land and soil of The United States of America [Unincorporated] and the International Salvage Lien/Impoundment Order operates upon the non-delegated jurisdiction of the sea retained under Amendment X.  All Powers are exercised under The Great Seal of The United States of America, at home and abroad.

The foregoing list of Debtors/DEBTORS includes specific members of the Reign of the Heavens Society by name but also attaches all such members of the Reign of the Heavens Society generally, who have sought to impersonate our lawful international government, The United States of America, and who have sought to bring false claims of abandonment and the proceeds of piracy against it.

All these bankrupt and stateless entities are hereby seized upon in international jurisdiction, together with all their assets, records, registrations, copyrights, trademarks, contracts, lands, homes, buildings, personal property, progeny, certificates, bank accounts, licenses, signatures both in ink and electronic, and the paper or other matrix their signatures appear upon. 

These entities, U.S. Citizens and Municipal citizens of the United States, were formed by our grace and acceptance of The Constitution of the United States of America and The Constitution of the United States, respectively, and they have no right or reason to attack their Employers or to presume anything about us or our operations, much less attempt to establish liens against American State Nationals and their private property, including their copyrighted and trademarked Persons/PERSONS.

Whereupon this American Common Law Lien and International Salvage Lien/Impoundment Order is issued, authorizing the immediate arrest and impoundment of the listed and separately identified Persons/PERSONS for trespass upon the land and transgression upon the sea, and applies, more generally, against all members of the Reign of the Heavens Society for impersonating the lawful international government of this country and continued acts of international financial terrorism intended to harm our people. 

The frauds that have been committed against us must be brought to an end.  It is lamentable that otherwise well-intentioned people have, through ignorance of history and law, been prevailed upon to commit crimes amounting to treason against this country.  

The American Common Law Lien is published and the salvage lien and impoundment is so ordered this ____ day of June of the year 2020 by: __________________________ Fiduciary & Creditor

The United States of America

c/o Box 520994

  Big Lake, Alaska 99652

Report: Antifa Building a Heavily Armed Military Wing

Antifa, the violent anarchist group that has taken to the streets to help Black Lives Matter promote rioting and looting, is building an armed military wing that is preparing for revolution.

In the third installment of its Antifa expose, Project Veritas has exposed an Antifa subsidiary called Redneck Revolt, a brigade of heavily armed revolutionaries who practice at gun ranges for either terror attacks or a full-scale military assault on state and local, if not federal, authorities.

PV’s undercover reporter also revealed that heavily armed members showed up at the infamous Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. Undercover Mission Redneck Revolt’s website says it “puts the Red back in Redneck,” an explicit assocation with communism, and chapters sometimes call themselves John Brown Gun Clubs after the 18th-century terrorist who raided Harper’s Ferry, Virginia. The reporter contacted its affiliate in Shelby, North Carolina, through Facebook Messenger.

Read the entire article written by R. Cort Kirkwood here:

https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/crime/item/35963-report-antifa-building-a-heavily-armed-military-wing?ct=t(EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_12_2_2019_15_37_COPY_01)&mc_cid=f12ee2708a&mc_eid=ea546b4020

And You Are?

By Anna Von Reitz

Pretend for a moment that you are the lawful heir of a huge estate. 

Pretend that you have two groups of employees, the Roundheads and the Squareheads. 

You leave for a prolonged trip, and a couple of years later, you come home to find that your employees have taken over and don't recognize who you are.  

You've grown a beard, lost two front teeth in an accident, and your hair is bleached by the sun.  

In your absence, they have fought violently over which group would inherit and control your "abandoned" estate, but they have finally reached a compromise. 

They have created a trust in your honor, "hoping for your eventual return".  

They have named their own "United States Trustees" and divvied up the Title to your estate. 

The Roundheads won the toss to hold the Equitable Title --- the actual assets, and the Squareheads got the Legal Title, plus all the juicy work contracts. 

Of course, you come forward to claim your estate, but they just look at you askance, laugh, or beat you for your impudence.  

Anyone can see that you are just a slave or at most, an indentured servant.  

You couldn't possibly be the fabled, missing, dearly departed John Q. Public that these erstwhile employees have been so diligently searching for all these years. 

Unable to otherwise explain who you are, the Roundheads adopt you as one of theirs, but then, the Squareheads are not to be left out, and they, too, adopt you as one of them.  

Both sides claim that you are an employee of the estate, just like they are, but because you are a Dual Citizen, you owe all the duties and obligations of both the Roundhead and Squarehead factions.  

They run you ragged.  

First the Roundheads claim that you are a Squarehead and that you aren't doing your duty. Then the Squareheads claim that you are a Roundhead, and that you are similarly out of compliance with your job description and statutory obligations. 

And every time they bring these charges, you have to pay or go to jail or both.

Your life becomes a living nightmare of punishments and threats and obligations you never owed or agreed to, and on top of that, you are the actual landlord.  

Welcome to your life in America.  

Two groups of foreign subcontractors, one British Territorial faction, and one Papist Municipal faction, have taken over your estate "for" you.  

And what are you going to do about it?  

Stand there like a stump?  

Or are you going to declare that yes, you are John Q. Public, and this is your country--- your estate?  

And make it clear that no, you are not one of your erring employees, neither Roundhead nor Squarehead?  

It's up to you, of course, whether you will take the responsibility of owning and managing your own life and property.   

You could just continue to stand there like an imbecile and vote for favored employees to run things for you, while you go from pillar to post doing all their work for them and paying for all their debts run up against your assets. 

But, if you do, you can hardly blame them for misidentifying you as a mental incompetent.  

After all, who but an imbecile would own such a vast estate and yet, wear himself out doing two jobs to pay for the debts of his employees? 

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See this article and over 2500 others on Anna's website here: www.annavonreitz.com

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Self-Governance

By Anna Von Reitz

Inevitably, if you have grown up in this country, there comes a day when the dissonance between the fact and the fiction becomes self-evident. 

That moment can be summed up as — you are constantly being told that you are free, but you realize that you are not free. 

Instead, you are being bossed around and herded and threatened by your own public employees. 

And though this may both anger and scare you, you are not likely to know what to do about it. 

Looking at what appears to be the monolithic power of the U.S. Government you may feel that there is absolutely nothing you can do about it short of a suicidal armed insurrection or trying to run away so far into the boondocks that even Uncle Sam’s satellites can’t find you. 

Good luck with that. 

So the first choices that come readily to mind once you realize that you are a slave or at best an indentured servant — are not comforting at all: (1) continued peonage and enslavement; (2) suicidal armed insurrection or (3) flight. 

There is a Fourth Choice: self-governance. 

You have heard those words before but most likely never thought much about what they mean or imply. 

Stop a moment right now. 

Realize that you have been standing around letting other people govern you all your life. 

After your parents and your pastors and your teachers came the politicians and the bureaucrats and the agency goons. 

They all taught you to obey and comply and fear punishment if you didn’t. 

Chances are you have never learned much, if anything, about self-government— and the idea that it is a legitimate and safe alternative to a life of enslavement is probably foreign to you..... but it is true. 

It’s what you are guaranteed, if you choose to exercise that option and take responsibility to self-govern your world— beginning with your self. 

The reason you don’t have control is that you are Missing in Action, lost at sea. 

You are supposed to be self-governing, deciding everything, declaring your political status, assembling your State Assemblies, staffing your own courts and jury pools, manning your State militias. 

Yeah, you. There on the couch. 

So the rest of us woke up and found the keys to the insane asylum doors.  We are doing what needs to be done. We are self-governing and peaceably ending the Corporate Feudalism that was planned for us. 

We are taking back the rights by accepting the responsibilities. 

But where are you? Still sitting on the couch? 

If you want freedom— actual freedom— and you want to come home to an America you recognize, a place where sodomy is not taught to four year-olds in school, and where you pay for your own lunch, hey, if that sounds good....

Welcome home. 

We need numbers added to the Vermont, North Dakota, and West Virginia State Assemblies. 

We’ve populated those states but now is the time to bulk up the State Assemblies and make them hum like three little buzz saws. 

If you are sick and tired of the Swamp and the Swamp Creatures and the Night of the Living Dead Parrot-time “News” casts, and all the rest of it—- stand up. 

Get off the couch. Do your part. Think. Act. Correct your political status records. Join your State Assembly.  Contribute. Self-govern.

Go to: www.TheAmericanStatesAssembly.net

and start self-governing today. 

Send a donation for our constitutional sheriffs, state militias, and Continental Marshals who are standing here, many of them unpaid, to keep you safe. 

Send another donation to help set up your own civilian court system.  It’s long overdue and will put an end to all the harassment and pillaging of private property that has gone on—- the illegal mortgages and equally unlawful foreclosures, the crooked banks, the theft of our children by bureaucrats working for foreign corporations masquerading as “the government” —- and so much more. 

To all of you who have been sitting around waiting for one man, Donald Trump, to drain the swamp— it’s time to grab your own shovels and buckets. 

Send to: avannavon@gmail.com 

Or via Snail Mail to:

Anna Maria Riezinger 

c/o Box 520994 

Big Lake, Alaska 99652

The Light Within

By Anna Von Reitz

Last week I asked you to visualize the white light of Heaven moving like a gentle rain storm over the land of America, beginning far out in the Pacific and moving steadily Eastward, first engulfing Hawaii and then the West Coast and the Midwest and the South and the Eastern Seaboard. 

People immediately asked --- why only America?  

The short answer is: because of unique history.   If we wake up America, we wake up the entire Earth.  

Why?  Because people from all over the planet are here, every possible race and ethnic group and color is here, with connections to all parts of the planet. 

So the message and the light is not "only" for America, but rather through America, like a giant transmitter that reaches every corner of the globe. 

When America awakens and shines like one of the stars of Heaven, all the other nations will rub their sleepy eyes and remember who they are, too.  

Indeed, this is already happening. 

So stand fast in your strength and calm in your faith, and imagine every scrap of America illuminated with bright, beautiful light --- not the light of the sun, but the light of the son.  Let love and compassion shine.  Let new understanding arise. 

In Ezekial Chapter 8 we read about those who face East, those who worship the sun and who place their faith in the created thing instead of the Creator (Romans 1:25).  

This is why we must turn away to the "West" for our salvation and bathe in the light of The Truth, not the light of any physical sun, though we may imagine it as light like the sun, piercing the spiritual darkness and making it flee away beyond remembrance.

Imagine being able to comfort everyone for all the ages of suffering and injustice?  Being able to soothe the hurts and take away the tears?  Imagine being able to bring to fruition all the good dreams that seemed to be lost?  

Imagine the Earth in harmony, living and breathing and healthy and whole? 

This is possible.  

It is in reach.  

All we have to do is want this end result and to envision it with our mind's eye and with our love extended to cast out the darkness in every part -- first, every part of America, and then, every other part of the Earth, until there is no more ugliness, no more pain, no more fear, no more want anywhere.  

And why and how, exactly, is this to come about --- despite the headline news? 

Because those who have dwelt in darkness have seen a great light ---- not a physical light, a light within, a spark, a flame, a beacon, a watch fire of the soul.  The bright light of Heaven. 

Let this light of Heaven soak every cubic centimetre, every tree, stem and leaf, every creek, every mountain top, every river and sea.  Let it find the lonely escarpments and the sand banks.  Let it search the city blocks and tenements. Let it caress the tired billboards and the wounds of those who are weary and sick at heart.  Let it wash over us and over our country. 

Let it bring healing in its wake and keep us steady and centered no matter what craziness may be going on in the world around us. 

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See this article and over 2500 others on Anna's website here: www.annavonreitz.com

To support this work look for the PayPal buttons on this website. 

How do we use your donations?  Find out here.

PSYOP? George Floyd “death” was faked by crisis actors to engineer revolutionary riots, video authors say

https://www.naturalnews.com/2020-06-08-george-floyd-death-faked-crisis-actors-psyop.html

Lies, Coverups, Google, Censorship and the Google Whistleblower: Zach Vorhies (Part 3)

Found Here:  https://youtu.be/1vrlHajt_d0

Down the River? Here's a Paddle.

 By Anna Von Reitz

There were two important moments in more or less recent past time when "our public servants" took things into their own hands and really betrayed us to serve themselves and their political masters.  

The first round came in 1937 with the advent of the Council of Governments, a John D. Rockerfeller idea designed to promote collusion among various levels of the foreign "federated" government holding sway in the wake of the Great Depression, and a build-up of war-time preparations because the so-called "elite" were already busy planning WWII. 

Nelson and David Rockerfeller continued to use this mechanism in the Post-War years and to fund it.  You will find unelected "councils" of County Governments, State Governments, and yes, at the Federal level, too, all funded by the Rockerfellers and their cronies as a means of influence peddling and kickback delivery.  Look around where's your nearest "council of governments"? 

A couple years ago I went to the local "Council of County Governments" building in Belton, Texas.  It was all gleaming marble like something out of NYC, with a reception desk worthy of the United Nations, manned at the time by one lonely security guard armed with a side-arm and a plethora of electronic surveillance equipment.  

So what are these organizations plunked down in the middle of our communities?   They are elitist clubs for people engaged in county government. Here, they get all the latest Eurozone Big Ideas pumped into them as if by intravenous feeding.  Here, they are made to feel "special" and powerful, and their egos and pocketbooks are stuffed full.  

This is how the Rockerfellers and the IMF and all their Cronies sell things like "the New Green Deal" and convince otherwise sane people that "Covid 19" exists as a virus, and deliver pallets of bricks to street corners in areas designated "Riot Districts".  

This has been going on since 1937.  When you think of the Flying Monkeys, well, here they are, in their marble halls, with their huge over-built reception counters.  See the Buck Act passed in 1940 for a taste of what they were pushing then, and what these traitors used to "draft" and murder untold thousands of men during WWII and Korea and Vietnam. 

Another such incursion happened in 1976-1980 with the passage of a new raft of nasty BS from our employees who are still evidently seeking to find their place. 

Check out the Depository Institutions Deregulation and Monetary Control Act. 

Check out the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act. 

Check out the International Organizations Immunities Act. 

There they are, happily doing what they do best --- disposing of what doesn't belong to them--- or trying to.  

Those who have been following along for a while already know why the Department of Defense failed to deploy the 10,000 troops President Trump asked for.  

Washington, DC is an "independent, international city-state".  

We don't own it, though two States, Maryland and Virginia, still own the land and soil that the foreign Capitol sits upon.  As I have repeatedly told everyone, this international city-state is run as a foreign oligarchy by the members of the Municipal Congress.  See Article I, Section 8, Clause 17.  

And just like all the foreign undermining provided by the Councils of Government, and the Jimmy Carter Administration, this is another example of how foreign political interests have gained inroads and wrecked havoc for their own self-interest.  

So--- Council of Governments is bad news, the Democratic Political Party Lobby is bad news, and so is the international city-state of Washington, DC, and all the rats in Congress who have used it plunder and pillage, conscript, and abuse the people that they are supposed to serve in Good Faith. 

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See this article and over 2500 others on Anna's website here: www.annavonreitz.com

To support this work look for the PayPal buttons on this website. 

How do we use your donations?  Find out here.

Feast of the Holy Trinity

Rev. Fr. Leonard Goffine's
The Church's Year

This festival is celebrated on the Sunday after Pentecost, because as soon as the apostles were instructed and consoled by the Holy Ghost, they began to preach openly that which Christ had taught them.

Why do we celebrate this festival?

That we may openly profess our faith in the doctrine of the Holy Trinity, which is the first of Christian truths, the foundation of the Christian religion, and the most sublime of all mysteries; and that we may render thanks, to the Father for having created us, to the Son for having redeemed us, and to the Holy Ghost for having sanctified us.

In praise and honor of the most Holy Trinity, the Church sings at the Introit of this day's Mass:

INTROIT Blessed be the holy Trinity and undivided Unity: we will give glory to him, because he hath shown his mercy to us: (Tob. XII.) O Lord, our Lord, how wonderful is thy name in all the earth! (Ps. VIII. 1.) Glory be to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

COLLECT Almighty, everlasting God, who hast granted to Thy servants, in the confession of the true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of Thy, majesty, to adore the Unity: grant that, by steadfastness in the same faith, we may ever be defended from all adversities. Through our Lord Jesus Christ Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the Unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end, Amen.

EPISTLE (ROM XI. 33-36.) O the depth of the riches of the wisdom and of the knowledge of God! How incomprehensible are his judgments, and how unsearchable his ways! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? Or who hath been his counselor? Or who hath first given to him, and recompense shall be made him? For of him, and by him, and in him, are all things: to him be glory forever. Amen.

EXPLANATION St. Paul's exclamations, in this epistle, are caused by the inscrutable judgment of God in rejecting the Jews and calling the Gentiles. The Church makes use of these words to express her admiration for the incomprehensible mystery of the most Holy Trinity, which surpasses our understanding, and yet is the worthy object of our faith, hope and love. Although neither angels nor men can fathom this mystery, it cannot be difficult for the sound human intellect to believe it, since it is indubitably and evidently revealed by God, and we, in many natural and human things, accept for true and certain much that we cannot comprehend. Let us submit our intellect, there fore, and yield ourselves up to faith; as there was indeed a time when men were martyred, when even persons of all ages and conditions preferred to die rather than to abandon this faith, so let us rather wait until our faith is changed to contemplation, until we see the Triune God, face to face, as He is, and in the sight of that countenance become eternally happy. Thither should all our hopes, wishes,' and desires be directed, and we should cease all fruitless investigations, endeavoring by humble faith and active love, to prove worthy of the beatific vision; for if we do not love Him who is our all, our last end and aim, and lovingly desire Him, we will have to hope of one day possessing Him.

ASPIRATION O incomprehensible, Triune God! O Abyss of wisdom, power, and goodness! To Thee all glory and adoration! In Thee I lose myself; I cannot contain Thee, do Thou, contain me. I believe in Thee, though I cannot comprehend Thee; do Thou increase my faith; I hope in. Thee, for Thou art the source of all good; do Thou enliven my hope; I love Thee, because Thou art worthy, of all love; do Thou inflame ever more my love, that in Thy love I may live and die. Amen.

GOSPEL (Matt. XXVIII. 18-20.) At that time Jesus said to His disciples: All power is given to me in heaven and in earth. Going, therefore; teach ye all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.

EXPLANATION Christ being God had from all eternity the same power that His Father had; being man, He had this same power by the union of His divinity with His humanity, and on account of the infinite merits of His passion. In virtue of this power, He said to His apostles, before the ascension, that, as His Heavenly Father had sent Him, even so He sent them to all nations, without exception, to teach all that He had commanded, and to receive them, by means of baptism, into the Church; at the same time He promised to be with them to the end of the world, that is, that He would console them in suffering, strengthen them in persecution, preserve them from error, and always protect them and their successors, the bishops and priests, even unto the consummation of the world.

(See Instruction on the doctrine of the infallibility of the Church for the first Sunday after Easter.)

ASPIRATION Be with us, O Lord, for without Thee our pastors cannot produce fruit, nor their hearers profit anything from their words. Be with us always, for we always need Thy help. All power is given to Thee, Thou bast then the right to command, and we are bound to obey Thy commands which by Thy Church Thou hast made known to us. This we have promised in baptism, and now before Thee we renew those vows. Grant now that those promises which without Thee we could not have made, and without Thee cannot keep, may be fulfilled in our actions. Leave us not to ourselves, but be Thou with us, and make us obedient to Thee, that by cheerful submission to Thee we may receive happiness.

INSTRUCTION ON THE HOLY SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

Going, therefore, teach ye all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost (Matt. XXVIII. 19.)

Is baptism a Sacrament?

Yes because in it the baptized person receives the grace of God by means of an external sign, instituted by Christ.

What is this external sign?

The immersion, or the pouring of water, accompanied by the words: "I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy ghost:"

What does the baptismal grace effect?

It removes original and actual sin; causing ,man to be spiritually born again, made a new creature, a child of God, and joint heir with Christ.

How many kinds of baptism are there?

There are three kinds: The baptism of desire, which consists in a heartfelt desire for the baptism of water, joined with a perfect love of God, or a perfect sorrow for sins committed, and with the purpose to obey all God's commands; the baptism of blood, which is received by those who suffer martyrdom for the true faith, without having received the baptism of water; the baptism of water, which is the Sacrament of Baptism.

What do the different ceremonies of this Sacrament signify?

They are the external signs of the effects which baptism produces inwardly upon the soul, and should impress us with deep reverence for this Sacrament.

Why is it customary to have a godfather or godmother?

That there may be a witness that the child has received baptism; that in case of the death of the parents, the sponsors may assume their place, and have the child instructed in the truths of religion. St. Augustine speaking of the duties of sponsors, very beautifully says: "They should use all care, often to admonish in true love their godchildren that they may strive to lead a pure life; they should warn them against all detraction, all improper songs, and keep them from pride, envy, anger, and revenge; they should watch over them that they may preserve the Catholic faith, attend the church services, listen to the word of God, and obey their parents and their pastors." Sponsors must therefore be true believers, and of unquestionable morality. No one, unless a Catholic can be chosen for a sponsor, because one who is not a Catholic would not instruct the child in the Catholic faith, or see that others do it; but would be more likely, as experience shows, to draw the child over to error.

What results from this sponsorship?

In baptism, as in confirmation, a spiritual affinity originates between, the sponsors, the one who baptizes or confirms, with the one baptized or confirmed, and with the parents, so that, by a decision of the Church a godfather or godmother cannot contract marriage with any of these parties, unless the impediment is removed by dispensation, that is, by a special permission received from a spiritual superior. But the sponsors have no spiritual relationship to each other.

Why has the Church instituted this spiritual relation?

From reverence for these holy Sacraments, and that by this spiritual bond the sponsors may be more closely connected with their godchildren, and be incited earnestly to discharge their obligation.

Why must the person to be baptized wait at the entrance of the church?

To indicate that until he has thrown off the yoke of sin, and submitted to Christ, and His authority, he is unworthy to enter, because baptism is the door of God's grace, to the kingdom of heaven, and the communion of saints.

Why does the person receive a saint's name?

That by this name he may be enrolled, through baptism, into the number of Christians whom St. Paul calls saints; that he may have a patron and intercessor, and that the saint, whose name he bears, may be his model and example, by which he may regulate his own life.

Why does the priest breathe in the face of the one to be baptized?

In imitation of Christ who breathed on His apostles when He gave them the Holy Ghost. (John XX. 22.) St. Chrysostom says that in baptism supernatural life is given to the soul as God imparted natural life to Adam by breathing on him.

Why does the priest impose his hand so many times upon the head of the person to be baptized?

To show that he is now the property of God and is under His protection.

What do the many exorcisms signify?

That the evil spirit who previous to baptism holds the person in bondage is now commanded in the name of God to depart, that a dwelling?place may be prepared for the Holy Ghost.

Why is the person so often signed with the sign of the cross?

To signify that through the power of Christ's merits and of His death on the cross, baptism washes away original sin; that the person is to be henceforth a follower of Christ the Crucified, and as such must fight valiantly under the banner of the cross, against the enemies of his salvation, and must follow Christ on the way of the cross even unto death.

What does the salt signify which is put into the person's mouth?

It is an emblem of Christian wisdom and of preservation from the corruption of sin.

Why are his ears and nose touched with spittle?

That as Christ put spittle on the eyes. of the man born blind, thus restoring his sight, so by baptism, the spiritual blindness of the soul is removed, and his mind receives light to behold heavenly wisdom. Also, as St. Ambrose says, the candidate is thus instructed to open his ears to priestly, admonitions, and become a sweet odor of Christ.

Why does the priest ask: "Dust thou renounce the devil; and all his works, and all his pomps?"

That the Christian may know that his vocation requires him to renounce and combat the devil, his works, suggestions and pomps. Thus St. Ambrose very beautifully addresses a person just baptized: "When the priest asked: `Dust thou renounce the devil and all his works,' what didst thou reply? `I renounce them.' `Dost thou renounce the world, its lusts and its pomps?' `I renounce them.' Think of these promises, and let them never depart from thy mind. Thou hast given thy handwriting to the priest,, who stands for Christ; when thou hast given thy note to a man,  thou art bound to him. Now thy word is not on earth but preserved in heaven; say not thou knowest nothing of this promise; this exculpates thee no better than the excuse of a soldier who in time of battle should say he knew not that by becoming a soldier he would have to fight."

Why is the person anointed on the shoulder and breast with holy oil?

As Saints Ambrose and Chrysostom explain this is done to strengthen him to fight bravely for Christ; as the combatants of old anointed themselves with oil before they entered the arena, so is he anointed, on the breast, that he may gain courage and force, bravely to combat the world, the flesh, and the devil, and on the shoulder, that he may be strong to bear constantly and untiringly, the yoke of Christ's commands, and pursue the toilsome course of life in unwavering fidelity to God and His holy law.

Why are, the Lord's Prayer, and the Apostles' Creed said at baptism?

That, when the child is a grown person an acknowledgment of faith may by this means be made in the face of the Church; when children are baptized, these prayers are said by the sponsors who are thus reminded to see that their godchildren are well instructed in these as in all other Christian truths.

Why does the priest expressly ask the person if he will be baptized?

Because as man, through Adam, of his own free will obeyed the devil, so now when he would be received among the number of Christ's children, he must, to obtain salvation, of his own free will obey the precepts of God.

Why is water poured three times upon the person's head?

This is done, as St. Gregory the Great writes, in token that man after this thrice-repeated ablution rises from the death of sin, as Christ, after His three days' burial, rose from the dead. (Rom. VI. 4.5.) In early times the candidate for baptism was immersed three times in the water. For many 'reasons this custom has been abolished.

Why is the person anointed on the top of the head with chrism?

This anointing is, so to speak, the crown of the young Christian. As in the Old Law the kings were anointed, (I Kings X. 1.) as Jesus is the Anointed One, and as the Apostle St. Peter calls the Christians a chosen race, a kingly priesthood, a holy people, (I Peter II. 9.) so the baptized by means of this unction is embodied in Christ, the Anointed One, and participates in His priesthood and kingly dignity. What an exalted position is the Christian's! He is the anointed one of the Lord, and in a spiritual sense a priest, because he constantly brings himself to the Lord God as a pleasing sacrifice in prayer, mortification, &c. He is king when he rules over his inclinations, submits them to reason, and reason to the Lord. Besides this he is king by the claims which, through baptism, he possesses to the kingdom of heaven. Through the chrism he becomes the blessed temple of the Holy Ghost, the sacred vessel which in time, through communion, will contain the precious body and blood of Christ. How does he desecrate this temple when, by grievous sin, he tramples this exalted dignity under his feet and stains the temple of the Holy Ghost, his soul!

What does the white robe signify?

The holy Fathers teach that this represents the glory to which by baptism we are born again; the purity and beauty with which the soul, having been washed from sin in the Sacrament of baptism, is adorned, and the innocence which the baptized should preserve through his whole life.

Why is a lighted candle placed in his hand?

It is an emblem of the Christian doctrine which preserves the baptized from the darkness of error, ignorance, and sin, illumines his understanding, and leads him safely in the way of virtue; it represents the flame of love for God and our neighbor which the baptized should henceforth continually carry, like the five prudent virgins, (Matt. XXV. 13.) on the path to meet the Lord, that when his life is ended he may be admitted to the eternal wedding feast; it signifies also the light of good example which he should keep ever burning.

Who is the minister of this sacrament?

The ordinary minister is the priest of the Church; but in case of necessity any layman or woman, even the father or mother can baptize. Parents, however, should not baptize their own child unless no other Catholic can be procured. The reason why lay persons are permitted to baptize is that no one may be deprived of salvation.

What must be observed particularly in private baptism?

The person who baptizes must be careful to use only natural water, which must be poured on the child's head saying at the same time the words: I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; having at the same time the intention of baptizing as the Church does, in the manner required by Christ.

INSTRUCTION ON THE RENEWAL OF BAPTISMAL VOWS

All the graces and dignities which we receive in baptism, God secures to us for the future, only on condition that we keep our baptismal vows. Every Christian in baptism makes a bond with God through the meditation of Christ who has sealed it with His blood. This bond consists, on man's part, in the promise to renounce forever the devil, all his works and all his pomps, that is, constantly to suppress the threefold lust of the eyes, the flesh and the pride of life, by which the devil leads us to sin, and to believe all that God has revealed, and all that His holy Church proposes to our belief, and diligently and properly to make use of all the means of salvation. On the part of God this bond consists in cleansing us from all sin, in bestowing the gifts of the Holy Ghost, in adopting us as His children, and. in the assurance to the inheritance of heaven. This bond will never be broken by God who is infinitely true and faithful, but it is often violated by weak and fickle man. In compliance with the desire of the Church we should often reflect upon it, and from time to time renew it in the sight of God. This should be done particularly before receiving the holy Sacrament of Confirmation, before first Communion, on the vigils of Easter and Pentecost, at the blessing of baptismal water, on the anniversaries of our baptism and confirmation, before making any solemn vow, before entering into matrimony and when in danger of death. This renewal of baptismal vows can be made in the following manner: Placing ourselves in the presence of God, we kneel down, fold our hands, and say with fervent devotion:

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was born and suffered for us.
I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.
I renounce the devil; all his works and all his pomps.

Christ Jesus ! With Thee I am united, to Thee alone I cling, Thee only will I follow, for Thee I desire to live and die. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

DOCTRINE ON THE HOLY TRINITY

What is God?

GOD is the most perfect being, the highest, best Good, who exists, from all eternity, by whom heaven and earth are created, and from whom all things derive and hold life and existence, for of Him, and by Him, and in Him are all things. (Rom. XI. 36.)

What is the Blessed Trinity?

The Blessed Trinity is this one God who is one in nature and threefold in person, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

Is each of these three persons God?

Yes, because each of them has the divine nature and substance.

Are they not three Gods?

No, because all three of these persons have one and the same divine nature and substance.

Is any one of these three persons older, mightier, or greater than the other?

By, no means, they are all three from eternity entirely equal to each .other in divine omnipotence greatness and majesty, and must, therefore, be equally adored and venerated.

Ought one to give himself up to the investigation of the most Blessed Trinity?

No; "For," says the saintly Bishop Martin, "the mystery of the Trinity cannot be comprehended by the human intellect, no one however eloquent can exhaust it; if entire books were written about it, so that the whole world were filled with them, yet the unspeakable wisdom of God would not be expressed. God who is indescribable, can in no way be described. When the human mind ceases to speak of Him, then it but begins to speak." Therefore the true Christian throws his intellect under the feet of faith, not seeking to understand that which the human mind can as little comprehend, as a tiny hole in the sand can contain the immeasurable sea. An humble and active faith will make us worthy some day in the other world, to see with ' the greatest bliss this mystery as it is, for in this consists eternal life, that by a pious life we may glorify and know the only true God, Christ Jesus His Son, and the Holy Ghost.