In Principio

Does soul have a weight?

A topic for speculation/discussion. I was talking to my friend the other day and he told me that there was an experiment in the beginning of XX century of weighing the human soul. Let's speculate a bit.
Here is the story of the experiment from McGill University in Montreal:
"he April 1907 issue of American Medicine featured a paper by Dr. Duncan Macdougall describing his experiment whereby the beds of dying patients were placed on a sensitive balance. Believe it or not, he was trying to weigh the human soul! The paper was titled “Hypothesis Concerning Soul Substance Together with Experimental Evidence of The Existence of Such Substance.” Macdougall of Haverhill, Massachusetts placed six dying patients on the specially constructed balance and concluded that at the moment of death there was a loss in weight of about three quarters of an ounce, or 21 grams. He had previously determined the weight loss attributed to evaporation of moisture form the skin, and by comparison this was sudden …More

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Coenobium

According to the story:
MacDougall placed dying patients on specially designed scales.
He claimed that at the exact moment of death, the body suddenly lost about 21 grams in weight.
He attempted to rule out ordinary explanations such as:
evaporation,
breathing,
urine or feces,
air leaving the lungs.
He later repeated the experiment on dogs and reported no weight loss, concluding that dogs did not possess souls.

In Principio

When you deal with the most difficult atheists /scientists/ and try to influenced them into thinking you need measurable, scientific proofs/theories/hypotheses. That's my job. That's what I do.

In Principio

Transcendental Fibonacci Constant (Transcendental Golden Ratio, phi)

Transcendental 'Golden Ratio' (phi)
The (Geometric) Golden Ratio:
Golden Ratio, ϕ ≈ 1.618, is a number that keeps appearing where mathematics meets beauty. Often found in geometry and approximating natural growth patterns, this "divine proportion" is used in art and design to create aesthetically pleasing, harmonious rectangles, etc.
Transcendental Golden Ratio (Fibonacci Constant) /phi/:
phi = (7/5) * (pi/e) = 1.61801828971...
One of the three constants of Creation. So, we have pi, e, and phi = (pi is a symbol of God the Father (Principle & Creating Form), e is a symbol of God the Son - Jesus Christ (Principle & Creating Process/Life) and phi is a symbol of the Holy Spirit (Principle & Creating Harmony between the previous Two)
" They function as the architectural trinity from which all structures, dimensions, constants, laws, values, and physical manifestations arise."

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In Principio

Lazarus Peter Kalamation.com I am starting/finishing (hopefully) the second part out of three of my work. What I try to say - the DNA follows the rules same as all the other constants. So we'll have time, space, life, charge, mass, current and temperature and so on. What is important - after the time and space comes life (DNA exponent). Can I ask you for a prayer for me? Thank you in advance.

Opera 369

Where there is 'order and beauty'...there is GOD!

In Principio

“Hold the cross high so I may see it through the flames.” ~ Great Saint Joan of Arc

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Lazarus Peter Kalamation.com

Feast day coming May 30. An example of the power of virginity united with the Church and regional bishop. Reminder of sovereignty principles.

rhemes1582

Another GREAT Saint!

In Principio

Jesus appeared to His Mother first after the Resurrection

"St. Vincent Ferrer taught that the first appearance after the Resurrection was to the Blessed Virgin Mary. St. Ambrose, St. Anselm, St. Albert the Great, and St. Ignatius of Loyola also supported this belief. They explained that Jesus first appeared not to convince doubters, but to comfort the one who suffered most with Him at Calvary."

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Cath intruth

@Victor t J. before there was Scripture, the Faith was handed down orally (Tradition).
Also,
John 21:25 But there are also many other things which Jesus did; which, if they were written every one, the world itself, I think, would not be able to contain the books that should be written.

Victor t J.

So, all of these people know more than Sacred Scripture, the INERRANT Word of God?

In Principio

Hemingway was a strong Catholic (?)

Hemingway was a strong Catholic. His religion came mainly from the apparitions of the Virgin Mary. He told me several times that if there was no Bible, was no man-made Church laws, the apparitions proved beyond any doubt that the Catholic Church was the true church. ~ G. Herter

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Lazarus Peter Kalamation.com

What a strategic truth to hide from the masses for the sake of atheism and free masonry. Maybe there is a lesson here for the Shakespeares and Hemingways of the world.

Edie Loughmiller

I know fervent Catholic converts who came into the Church for this very reason - Fatima, Guadalupe, LaSalette.and the others. So compelling, and then followed the catechism and the formation. This is probably the main reason so many converts are so on fire for the Catholic Faith - a burning love for Mary. 🙏

"But we will now explain another duty of the diligent and faithful servant: "And lamps burning in your hand." It is not sufficient for the faithful servant to have his "loins girt," that so he may freely and easily meet his Lord; a burning lamp is also required to show him the way, because at night he should be expecting the Lord, when He returneth from the nuptial banquet. In this place, "the lamp" signifies the law of God, which will point out the right path. David saith: " Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path."

‘THE ART OF DYING WELL’ by CARDINAL Saint BELLARMINE - ‘CHAPTER IV ~ …THREE EVANGELICAL COUNSELS.’; pages 10-12; part II

[St. Robert Bellarmine – XVI-XVII Century A.D.; born: Montepulciano, Grand Duchy of Tuscany/died: Rome, Papal States; (Aged 78); Cardinal; Rector; Professor; Doctor of the Church; Role in Giordano Bruno & Galileo cases]
What will they do then, when death cometh suddenly upon them, who are now wholly immersed in worldly cares, and who never think for one moment of the account they will have to give to God, of all their works, of all their words, of all their thoughts, of all their desires, and of all their omissions ? Will these be able to meet Christ, with their loins girt? Rather, will they not, being entangled and bound, fall in their sins into despair? For what can they answer, when the Judge shall say unto them: “Why did you not attend to my words, with which I so often admonished you, saying: Seek first the kingdom of God and his justice, and all other things shall be added unto you? And why also did you not consider those words, which you must have so often heard in the church, …More

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In Principio

"The "law is a light” saith Solomon in the Book of Proverbs. But this lamp cannot illumine or point out the way, if it be left in our chamber or house, and therefore we must hold it in our hand, that it may show us the right way. Many there are well acquainted with divine and human laws, but they commit many sins, or omit many good and necessary works, because they have not a lamp in their hands that is, because their knowledge does not extend to works. How many most learned men are there, who commit very grievous sins, because when they act they consult not the law of the Lord, but their anger, their lust, or some other passion!"

"O my Redeemer, for the time past I have not done this. For the future I desire to suffer everything for love of You: give me strength to put my desires into action."

‘THE PASSION AND CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS CHRIST AND THE SEVEN LAST WORDS FROM THE CROSS’ By St. ALPHONSUS de LIGUORI – ‘VI. THE INSULTS OFFERED TO JESUS CHRIST…’; points 3-4; pp. 9-11

[Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori – XVII – XVIII Century AD; born: Marianella, Kingdom of Naples/died: Pagani, Kingdom of Naples; (aged 90); spiritual writer, composer, musician, artist, poet, lawyer, scholastic philosopher, and theologian, Founder, Bishop, Doctor of the Church]
3. "He saved Others, Himself He cannot save." (Mt 27:42)
St. Matthew goes on to relate the other insults
which the Jews offered to Jesus Christ : He saved others, Himself He cannot save.
Thus they treated him as an impostor, by referring to the miracles which had been performed by him in the restoration of the dead to life, and by treating him as one who was unable to save his own life.
St. Leo replies to them, that this was not the proper hour for Jesus to display his divine power; and that he would not hinder the redemption of man in order to confound their blasphemies.
St. Gregory suggests another motive why Jesus would not descend from the cross: "If he had then come down, he would not have shown to us the …More

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In Principio

"The Jews, not satisfied with the injuries and blasphemies which they had offered to Jesus Christ reproached him with the name of his Father, saying, He trusted in God, let Him now deliver Him, if He will have Him; for He said, I am the Son of God. This sacrilegious expression of the Jews was already foretold by David when he said in the name of Christ, All they that saw Me derided Me; they spoke with their lips, and shook their head saying, He trusted in God, let Him deliver Him, let Him save Him; for He desires Him. These very men who thus spoke were called bulls, dogs, and lions, by David in the same Psalm: Fat bulls encompassed me. Many dogs surrounded me. Save me from the mouth of the lion. Thus, when the Jews said, Let Him now deliver Him, if He will have Him, they truly showed that they were these bulls, dogs, and lions which had been foretold by David."

In Principio

Great St. Augustine ~~~ What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want...

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In Principio

St. John Bosco ~~~ Be eager to go to Mass on weekdays also, even if it costs a sacrifice. Our Lord will reward you with His Blessings...

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In Principio

Jordan Peterson (?) ~~ I used to think that the worst thing in life was to end up alone. It's not. The worst thing in life is end up with people who make you feel alone...

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In Principio

Great Saint Catherine of Alexandria ~~~ Forgive the faults I committed in ignorance and wash my soul in the blood I will shed for Thee...

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In Principio

‘THE ART OF DYING WELL’ by CARDINAL Saint BELLARMINE - ‘CHAPTER IV ~ …THREE EVANGELICAL COUNSELS.’; pages 10-12; part II

[St. Robert Bellarmine – XVI-XVII Century A.D.; born: Montepulciano, Grand Duchy of Tuscany/died: Rome, Papal States; (Aged 78); Cardinal; Rector; Professor; Doctor of the Church; Role in Giordano Bruno & Galileo cases]
What will they do then, when death cometh suddenly upon them, who are now wholly immersed in worldly cares, and who never think for one moment of the account they will have to give to God, of all their works, of all their words, of all their thoughts, of all their desires, and of all their omissions ? Will these be able to meet Christ, with their loins girt? Rather, will they not, being entangled and bound, fall in their sins into despair? For what can they answer, when the Judge shall say unto them: “Why did you not attend to my words, with which I so often admonished you, saying: Seek first the kingdom of God and his justice, and all other things shall be added unto you? And why also did you not consider those words, which you must have so often heard in the church, …More

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In Principio shares this

"But we will now explain another duty of the diligent and faithful servant: "And lamps burning in your hand." It is not sufficient for the faithful servant to have his "loins girt," that so he may freely and easily meet his Lord; a burning lamp is also required to show him the way, because at night he should be expecting the Lord, when He returneth from the nuptial banquet. In this place, "the lamp" signifies the law of God, which will point out the right path. David saith: " Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path."

In Principio

"Wherefore, let them ask of God the gift of contrition, let them ponder on the enormity of sin, let them detest their sins from their heart, and seriously ask themselves who is the "offended and the offenders." Man, a worm, offends God the Almighty; a base slave, the Lord of heaven and earth! Spare not then your tears, nor cease to strike your breast: in fine, make a firm resolution never more to offend God, never more to irritate the best of Fathers. If this examination be continued morning and night, or at least once in the day, it can scarcely happen that we shall die in sin, or mad, or delirious. Thus it will be, that every preparation being made for a good death, neither its uncertainty will trouble us, nor the happiness of eternal life fail us."

In Principio

‘THE PASSION AND CRUCIFIXION OF JESUS CHRIST AND THE SEVEN LAST WORDS FROM THE CROSS’ By St. ALPHONSUS de LIGUORI – ‘VI. THE INSULTS OFFERED TO JESUS CHRIST…’; points 3-4; pp. 9-11

[Saint Alphonsus Maria de Liguori – XVII – XVIII Century AD; born: Marianella, Kingdom of Naples/died: Pagani, Kingdom of Naples; (aged 90); spiritual writer, composer, musician, artist, poet, lawyer, scholastic philosopher, and theologian, Founder, Bishop, Doctor of the Church]
3. "He saved Others, Himself He cannot save." (Mt 27:42)
St. Matthew goes on to relate the other insults
which the Jews offered to Jesus Christ : He saved others, Himself He cannot save.
Thus they treated him as an impostor, by referring to the miracles which had been performed by him in the restoration of the dead to life, and by treating him as one who was unable to save his own life.
St. Leo replies to them, that this was not the proper hour for Jesus to display his divine power; and that he would not hinder the redemption of man in order to confound their blasphemies.
St. Gregory suggests another motive why Jesus would not descend from the cross: "If he had then come down, he would not have shown to us the …More

3237
In Principio shares this

"O my Redeemer, for the time past I have not done this. For the future I desire to suffer everything for love of You: give me strength to put my desires into action."

In Principio

"St. Leo replies to them, that this was not the proper hour for Jesus to display his divine power; and that he would not hinder the redemption of man in order to confound their blasphemies."

In Principio

St. Hilary of Poitiers ~~~ No matter how sinful one may have been, if he has devotion to Mary, it is impossible that he be lost...

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In Principio

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton ~~~ Oh my God, forgive what I have been, correct what I am, and direct what I will be...

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In Principio

On this date in history, 25 November 1177, a 16-year-old king with leprosy refused to surrender. King Baldwin IV led just 375 knights against Saladin's 26 000 men...

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In Principio

St. John of Kronstadt ~~~ Why does the Lord prolong man's days on the Earth - In order that everyone should have time to repent and to cleanse himself...

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"23. “Our created essence asks to be rejoined with its principle.” (Ruysbroeck) The Word, “the Splendor of the Father, is the eternal archetype after which creatures are designed on the day of their creation.”

‘Works’ – Saint Elisabeth of the Trinity - I. HEAVEN IN FAITH - Seventh Day – First & Second Prayer; points 22-25; pages 9-10

[Saint Elisabeth of the Trinity/Elizabeth Catez – XIX-XX Century; born: Avord, France/died: Dijon, France; (aged 26); Mystic; Spiritual Writer; Gifted Pianist]
Seventh Day
First prayer
22. “God chose us in Him before creation, that we should be holy and immaculate in His presence, in love.” (Ep 1:4)
“The Holy Trinity created us in its image, according to the eternal design that it possessed in its bosom before the world was created,” (Ruysbroeck) in this “beginning without beginning” of which Bossuet speaks following St. John: “In principio erat Verbum.” Jn 1:1)
In the beginning was the Word; and we could add: in the beginning was nothing, for God in His eternal solitude already carried us in His thought.
“The Father contemplates Himself” “in the abyss of His fecundity, and by the very act of comprehending Himself He engendered another person, the Son, His eternal Word. The archetype of all creatures who had not yet issued out of the void eternally dwelt in Him, and God saw them …More

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"25. “The highest perfection in this life,” says a pious author, “consists in remaining so closely united to God that the soul with all its faculties and its powers is recollected in God,” “that its affections united in the joy of love find rest only in possession of the Creator. The image of God imprinted in the soul is formed by reason, memory, and will. As long as these faculties do not bear the perfect image of God, they do not resemble Him as on the day of creation."

"51. Again, beware of doing violence to yourself, endeavouring to experience pleasure in your prayers and good deeds. Pray and act always with something of that pure faith which Mary showed when on earth, and which she will share with you as time goes on. Poor little slave, let your sovereign Queen enjoy the clear sight of God, the raptures, delights, satisfactions and riches of heaven. Content yourself with a pure faith, which is accompanied by repugnance, distractions, weariness and dryness. Let your prayer be: “To whatever Mary my Queen does in heaven, I say Amen, so be it.” We cannot do better than this for the time being."

‘The excellence of this practice of devotion’ ~ ‘The Secret of Mary’ – Saint Louis de Montfort – ‘The interior constituents…; Chapters III; points 43-52; part II; pages 10-11

[Saint Louis-Marie Grignion de Montfort; XVII-XVIII Century AD; born: Montfort-sur-Meu, France/died: Saint-Laurent-sur-Sevre, France; (aged 43); Founder; Spiritual Writer]
3. The interior constituents of this consecration and its spirit
To Jesus through Mary
43. I have already said that this devotion consists in performing all our actions with Mary, in Mary, through Mary, and for Mary.
44. It is not enough to give ourselves just once as a slave to Jesus through Mary;
nor is it enough to renew that consecration once a month or once a week. That alone would make it just a passing devotion and would not raise the soul to the level of holiness which it is capable of reaching. It is easy to enrol in a confraternity; easy to undertake this devotion, and say every day the few vocal prayers prescribed. The chief difficulty is to enter into its spirit, which requires an interior dependence on Mary, and effectively becoming her slave and the slave of Jesus through her. I have met many people who …More

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"52. From time to time I gave rewards to the kings, as well as making payments to their sons who travel with me; notwithstanding which, they seized me with my companions, and that day most avidly desired to kill me. But my time had not yet come. They plundered everything they found on us anyway, and fettered me in irons; and on the fourteenth day the Lord freed me from their power, and whatever they had of ours was given back to us for the sake of God on account of the indispensable friends whom we had made before."

‘Confession of Saint Patrick’ by Saint Patrick ## 45-53; pp. 10-11

[Saint Patrick - mid-fifth to early-sixth century; born: Roman Britain/died: Ireland; Missionary, Bishop; Apostle of Ireland]
45. What is more, let anyone laugh and taunt if he so wishes. I am not keeping silent, nor am I hiding the signs and wonders that were shown to me by the Lord many years before they happened, [he] who knew everything, even before the beginning of time.
46. Thus, I should give thanks unceasingly to God, who frequently forgave my folly and my negligence, in more than one instance so as not to be violently angry with me, who am placed as his helper, and I did not easily assent to what had been revealed to me, as the Spirit was urging; and the Lord took pity on me thousands upon thousands of times, because he saw within me that I was prepared, but that I was ignorant of what to do in view of my situation; because many were trying to prevent this mission. They were talking among themselves behind my back, and saying: “Why is this fellow throwing himself into danger …More

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In Principio

"47. Now I have put it frankly to my brethren and co-workers, who have believed me because of what I have foretold and still foretell to strengthen and reinforce your faith. I wish only that you, too, would make greater and better efforts. This will be my pride, for a wise son makes a proud father."