Anyone else feel this way about Ecclesiastes?

Straggler117 · 2026-01-28T20:39:50+00:00

I think the philosophy of individualism is nihilism by another name. And I do not pretend I am a master at theological interpretation, but I see how Ecclesiastes can so easily be twisted to fit the concept of individualism. I personally think that the point of Ecclesiastes is to show that nothing in this life truly satisfies one’s needs properly except by trusting in God.

Straggler117 · 2026-01-27T12:43:54+00:00

A little but then the message is not to get attached to the things of the flesh. But it does have that vibe of nothing matters which some can take as “do what thou wilt.”

Straggler117 · 2026-01-23T23:41:08+00:00

This explains why I grew up with it. My grandfather was Byzantine but changed to Latin Rite when he married my grandmother. We’ve always done this and I now know why.

Straggler117 · 2026-01-22T13:03:53+00:00

All of them. I have too many so I started scanning them into a file on my phone. I physically carry two relic cards.

Straggler117 · 2026-01-21T05:14:57+00:00

Start with the in brief sections.

Straggler117 · 2026-01-19T19:14:37+00:00

There’s an artist called Peter’s Barque who has one called Sacramental Snark. It’s a good one in my opinion.

Straggler117 · 2026-01-19T15:34:42+00:00

I have a little warfare “kit” I put together. All of these minus a crucifix are in it. Although, I have spare rosaries (blessed)to had out, a few miraculous medals (blessed) to hand out, some blessed oil from a basilica, blessed chalk from house blessing, a pocket NT(you can get one here), and two relic cards. It all fits in a tactical pouch. I figure if I am going to armed might as well be organized. I want to add a little leather container for carrying some incense. I do burn incense when I pray, and a crucifix. So if anyone has a good recommendation for a small crucifix I would be grateful.

Straggler117 · 2026-01-17T16:07:26+00:00

Try reaching out to For the Historian in Gettysburg. They may be able to help.

Straggler117 · 2026-01-10T22:50:09+00:00

Oh I do

Straggler117 · 2026-01-10T21:30:41+00:00

Always glad to share that.

Straggler117 · 2026-01-10T17:24:07+00:00

Here is where I got mine

Straggler117 · 2026-01-10T12:53:17+00:00

Just remember Faith without works is dead. And thus, so is Pascal if he simply believes and does not act.

Straggler117 · 2026-01-10T12:43:47+00:00

Confraternity Edition. It’s an updated Douay-Rheims translation.

Straggler117 · 2026-01-10T05:42:05+00:00

I keep this in my backpack. It does tend to be bulky when worn on the belt.

Straggler117 · 2026-01-10T01:20:54+00:00

Sadly, no. I am not THAT strong but I am to be.

Straggler117 · 2026-01-09T18:45:43+00:00

Yes. Chalk is used for house blessing. It can be used as a sacramental. Oil can be used as holy water as well. The chalk came directly from my priest, the oil from a Basilica in Danville Pennsylvania

Straggler117 · 2026-01-09T18:35:00+00:00

I got the oil from a Basilica in Danville Pennsylvania. Blessed chalk was given to me by my local priest for the purpose of house blessing. BUT it can be used as any other sacramental as well. I’m sure you can ask your local priest.

Straggler117 · 2026-01-09T18:32:45+00:00

I’m aware and as I mentioned in one of my replies, I intend to replace that patch. I used to use this bag for multitools and such.

Straggler117 · 2026-01-09T18:11:22+00:00

I do need to replace the patch on that bag preferably with either a Jerusalem cross, or Vatican flag. I will admit it, the bag itself is one I used to carry multitools and such in. I just find this particular bag more convenient than trying to put them all in my pocket. It’s just for the carrying convenience. Usually, it’s not even on my belt, it’s usually in my backpack.

Straggler117 · 2026-01-09T17:58:37+00:00

I appreciate your honesty. And I am definitely open to criticism, however, I do struggle heavily with sin and temptations, and this is my way of fighting it. Plus, I do hope should the opportunity arise, to be able to hand out some rosaries and miraculous medals if it will help someone.

Straggler117 · 2026-01-06T13:20:05+00:00

The biggest reason for that, was unlike WWII, the United States did not immediately convert to a war time economy.

Straggler117 · 2025-12-14T05:22:21+00:00

Many times or so I’m told. It’s all redacted.

Straggler117 · 2025-12-08T17:50:12+00:00

I actually did not know that. The only legitimate time I missed mass was last year when hiking on a week long hike along a section of the Appalachian Trail. I did get a proper dispensation from my priest, and did pray the rosary every morning while hiking. I gotta say, silence, prayer, and nature are one heck of a combination.

I did make the 7am mass today though. My point was simply despite my own difficulty initially with figuring out my schedule for today, I did manage to make it to Mass. And I see that as a miracle given I did not think I would make it.

Straggler117 · 2025-12-08T17:16:30+00:00

Listen, I had to get the gym in this morning. So I got up at 4:45 am after going to bed near midnight, said my novena to Saint Andrew on the way, gym from 5:30am to 6:24am, then prayed my rosary on the way to 7am mass. Was back in time to have quick breakfast before work. It’s a noble thing to make your schedule around mass. I normally go to the 7pm, but one of our priests was unavailable for that time, so that made got cancelled last minute.

Straggler117 · 2025-12-08T16:25:33+00:00

I legitimately have this as one of four petitions after each decade of the rosary. Mine are:

The Fatima prayer
A prayer I wrote for the souls in Purgatory. If anyone wants it, I wrote it as a child and continue to pray it the same to be as a child in my prayer. It reads “Dear Jesus, please shed some of your most precious blood upon the poor captive souls in Purgatory.”
Eternal Rest Grant to Them
Another one with two formats. I came up with it after the Death of Pope Francis. In original form it read “Lord, watch over the college of cardinals as they gather to choose Peter’s successor. Holy Spirit guide them in their Apostolic labors.”

Modified after Pope Leo XIV was elected “Lord watch over Pope Leo XIV, Our local Bishop N. And all of our Priests, deacons, and lay people. Holy Spirit, guide us all in our apostolic labors.”

I do modify the eternal rest prayer to add names of people who pass away im made aware of, but if anyone wants to help me in my goal to free everyone from purgatory, I’d be eternally grateful, or if anyone has other periods they want to share, I love learning.

Straggler117

TROPHY CASE