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The crimson worm, or tola'ath shani, is a small insect in the Middle East, historically valued for producing a brilliant red dye. Its unique life cycle, where the mother attaches to a tree and dies to protect her young with a red stain that later turns white, is widely cited in Christian theology as a living prophecy of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection. Scientific Name: Coccus ilicis (often referred to as Kermes ilicis or Kermes biblicus). The Sacrifice: When the female is ready to lay eggs, she attaches herself permanently to a tree, forming a hard crimson shell. She protects her young beneath this body, providing food for them, and dies upon this tree. The Stain: As the mother dies, she secretes a crimson red dye that stains the wood and her young, who remain red for the rest of their lives. Color Transformation: After three days, the dead body of the mother loses its crimson color, turning white (resembling wool or snow) Biblical and Historical Significance Dye Source: The dye produced from this insect was used in the ancient world for high-value items, specifically in the construction of the Tabernacle and the priestly garments (Exodus 26). Psalm 22:6: In this messianic Psalm, David writes, "I am a worm [tola], and no man," symbolizing deep humility and sacrifice. Isaiah 1:18: This passage highlights the transformation of the stain: "...though your sins be as scarlet [tola], they shall be as white as snow". Symbolic Connection The life cycle of the tola is often cited to parallel the crucifixion (attaching to wood), the shedding of blood (the stain), and the resurrection (turning white).

I'm finally reading this book!

I've been following this guy on the socials and he's so excited about becoming Catholic. He's also taught me a lot (or reminded me of stuff I forgot)! https://www.instagram.com/tremaynecollins001/

I don't know what news service this is from, but it showed up on my local ABC affiliate's web page. ######################################################################## ‘Would it help if I told you I’m Pope Leo?’ Pope attempts to update his banking information himself, gets hung up on by: Ben Bradley, Katharin Czink Posted: May 7, 2026 / 01:10 PM CDT Updated: May 7, 2026 / 01:10 PM CDT We all have to deal with the ordinary tasks of daily living and so does The Pope, apparently. A very relatable story making a big splash on social media this week, as told by Father Tom McCarthy a fellow Augustinian and long-time friend to Pope Leo. “He is one of us,” he said. “He’s a Chicagoan a Southsider, he really is.” Shortly after that Southsider became the leader of the Catholic Church one year ago, the former Robert Prevost simply wanted to update his contact information on his bank account. He was moving to Rome and wanted to let the local branch in Chicago know where to find him. “He is as normal as they come,” McCarthy said. And that’s why it was no surprise Pope Leo himself made the call. More Coverage: Chicago’s Pope Leo “This is how humble he was that he didn’t have an assistant or a secretary do it, which he could have done,” McCarthy said. “But he said, ‘Oh I’ll just quick call and change.’ He answered all the questions. They said, ‘Sorry, sir. You have to come in person.’ So finally he says, ‘I really can’t come in person. Would it help if I told you I’m Pope Leo?’ They hung up! … I’d hang up on him! If someone is telling me, ‘This is the Pope,’ I’d hang up on them. So I’m not blaming the employee.” Of course, it all got resolved. The pontiff asked a friend here in Chicago to help him verify his identity. And the bank was happy to keep the pope’s business.

I made you a moderator, but I think the spam will end with the new settings I put in place.

Also, now all new member registrations must be approved by a moderator.

Also, now all new member registrations must be approved by a moderator.

Great idea. The first post of all new members must now be approved by a moderator.

OK, that planned didn't work. Spammers are smart. NEW RULE: New members must have their first post approved by a moderator. After approval, they will be moved to the "Chummy Commoner" group and be able to post like a normal human being.

I bow slowly and deeply in your direction! THANK YOU!

The gambler is banned.

I'm no expert at any of this, but your plan sounds solid. Thanks! (And I think the admins get double time-out-of-purgatory for dealing with all this.)

I took a few actions: Added stricter spam defense New members now have to answer a question When moderators flag someone as a spammer it now automatically deletes every post they've ever made

I'm on it!

Hey Guadalupe, I'm not sure I have much to add but this is so, so important so I am hopeful. Another thing you could check out is if the community/Order has been under investigation by the Holy See, if they've had an Apostolic Administrator or a Superior from another community come in for oversight or to change things. This might help you figure out if there were things that were wrong in the past that were remedied or changed or whether these practises are ongoing, or whether there really is / was something to worry about. Or maybe they could arrange a call or letter to the current Novice Mistress? Even if she is abroad?! Or you could ask to go and visit the Novitiate house abroad for an experience. Not to enter, just to go for a week to be among the postulants to see. This might not be financially viable. Sisters of Life are beautiful, but if you are being called to the other Order, or desire it more, investigate it as thoroughly as possible lest you be left feeling with a 'second best' sense on bad days when you eventually enter. Prayers, L.

05/01/26 US FDA blocked publication of COVID, shingles vaccine safety studies https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/05/fda-studies-covid-shingles-vaccines-safe.html

Yum. This is my dinner plan later this week.

Feel free to Facebook message Dust. We need an admin to look at how to slow the new spammers.

Lent my be over, but I still look forward to a nice fish fry on Fridays (year round)

Please go away you Eastern Orthodox, UK, gambling spammer. We're not stupid here. We can see that all of these online gambling spams follow the same simplistic patterns - I stumbled on this, I tried it just out of boredom, I lost, but I kept at it, and then I won. . . . . . . . BORING! Completely uncreative. ... and completely untrue. This board focuses on Preaching Holy Apostolic Truth. That's the PHAT in Phatmass. And online gabling has nothing to do with preaching holy apostolic truth. Please turn you pathetic attempts elsewhere.

You do know Lent is over now, right? You don't have to eat such awful food now :)

not all spam is bad. I like spam and tomato sandwiches They're tasty and delicious!