You’d think a Black Madonna saving the lives of two gay men who had been hate crimed, and then them celebrating her intervening for them by having gay sex would be something the Woke Left invented, but it’s Real and her name is Our Lady of Montevergine
Here’s an article with various sources that I found interesting and helped me learn more about it (this sentence sounds robotic but that’s just how I write ;_;)
The Madonna of Montevergine has been helping LGBTQ people since medieval times -- including the miraculous rescue of a male couple in Italy
to anyone interested, i just finished writing my first substack article on my personal story with being trans and christian. i plan on writing more of similar, but probably less personal story based, articles in the future
Interested in Christopaganism? Not really sure where to start? Hopefully this little intro post can help you get started!
Contents
˚˖𓍢ִ໋❀ What is Christopaganism?
˚˖𓍢ִ໋❀ How do I find sources?
˚˖𓍢ִ໋❀ Well, how do I practice?
˚˖𓍢ִ໋❀ I'm a bit uncomfortable, but I want to practice
˚˖𓍢ִ໋❀ Isn't Christopaganism an oxymoron? This is disrespectful!
˚˖𓍢ִ໋❀ Closing statement
Updated: 10/15
- Fixed the sources section (was missing something)
What is Christopaganism?
Christopaganism is just as it seems! It's the merging of both Christian practices and a form of paganism.
There are many different ways to balance and practice both religions. Some may be interested in honoring the Greek gods alongside saints and angels or just the angels alongside Egyptian gods. There's no right or wrong way for how you balance out your christopagan practice.
How do I find sources?
So with Christopaganism there isn't really an one stop shop for sources where you can find everything you need to know in one book. Since there are so many Christian denominations and forms of paganism out there, you'll have to find sources based on your interests, historical texts, or based on folk practices for your culture.
Let's say you're interested in Hellenic Polytheism and Catholicism. You will have to look into sources for both practices separately. Hoard books on Hellenic Polytheism and worship, scroll through Theoi.com, and read the Greek myths. You should also look into the various aspects of Catholicism, the religious figures, and how Catholics practice.
If you want an inside look into how someone merges both practices, you can talk with christopagans who practice both. Join discord servers, browse Tumblr, join communities, etc. Ask questions! How do they practice? How do they balance both religions? This, in my opinion, will be one of the best things you can do for your practice.
Wait but you mentioned historical texts!
I did! This will actually depend a lot on the regions you look at. What you'll want to do is look into what certain regions did as Christians started converting their people.
What are some ways the Christians help incorporate pagan tradition into their religion to help with conversion? How did people worship comfortably while living under 2 separate religion?
Take notes on how some of the people of the region lived during that time period. This may help with crafting your own beliefs and practices!
Now what do I mean with folk practices?
Folk practices very often incorporate both pagan religion and Christianity in their traditions. Although because of stigma around paganism and witchcraft it won't always be presented as christopaganism.
Most folk practices seem to be fairly flexible and compatable with both pagan and Christian beliefs as often times they are intertwined with Folk Catholic beliefs on top of the beliefs of that region before Christianity. They're the beliefs and traditions of the people as they have learned and adapted to different generations of religion.
For example, within Italian folk practices you can find a lot of practitioners working with the saints, angels, the Abrahamic god, and Roman gods (or other pagan gods of their choosing).
So looking into folk practices is another good option for looking into christopaganism and how to practice. With this option though, I would like to make sure to let you know that you need to be mindful of closed practices. When doing research, look into whether or not a folk practice is meant to be closed to that culture or if it can be adapted into any practice. A lot of folk practices are based on family knowledge or tied to a specific location.
Well, how do I practice?
As mentioned before, there is no right or wrong way to practice. However you choose to practice is up to you and what works for you!
Here's what I would recommend when getting into Christopaganism.
First, identify which denomination of Christianity you prefer to work with. This could be the same denomination you grew up in or the one that's most prominent in your area. Maybe you just looked up "Christianity" and picked the one that seemed most interesting to you at the time. Doesn't matter how you found your preferred denomination!
Okay now you have your denomination picked, look into it. Find sources about the religion and belief system. What parts of the religion stick out to you the most? Take note of them and incorporate them into your practice.
Next, let's take a look into the paganism part. Which religions call out to you the most? Which deities or spirits interest you? This could be a mix of different practices or just one particular practice.
Now if you choose a couple different pagan practices to look into, research will take a little bit longer. With paganism, you'll have to look into how to worship the gods based on each practice. So for Hellenic polytheism, what is right or wrong in terms of offerings? What offerings do I give to the Norse gods?
What I want to emphasize here is respect. Approach each practice respectfully. Take the time to learn about each religion and how to approach the gods. While you can mold your practice to fits what works for you, you cannot disrespect the gods. What works for one practice may not work for the other. You need to put in the work for any practice you approach.
I'm a bit uncomfortable but I want to practice
And that is 100% okay! There is no need to jump into Christopaganism. You can take your time and learn what feels comfortable and what doesn't. You are learning what makes this practice feel fulfilling and wonderful to you.
As someone who grew up Catholic and only knowing about that religion, this is a large learning curve. Things feel awkward and you aren't sure if what you're experiencing is real or made up. It will take time, but if you genuinely enjoy what you're learning and doing, then that's perfect!
Take this one step at a time. You got this!
Isn't Christopagan an oxymoron? This is disrespectful!
So let's unpack this. This statement right here? Yeah, it can be an incredibly ignorant and offensive statement.
Why is that?
There is actually a lot of cultural influence in christopaganism. When you step back and take a look at how modern Christianity came to be, there is a lot of overlap with paganism. After 300 years of coexisting with paganism, Christians wanted to spread their religion with the intention of being the "true religion". To do this they needed to adapt to a world that was already comfortable with pagan practices and worshipping pagan gods alongside the Christian god.
The Celtic goddess Brigid became St. Brigid. The Roman goddess Fortuna is an angel of luck in some cases. There are plenty of examples of Christianity adapting pagan practices.
Even today there is a lot of "pagan" ways of practicing Christianity that stuck around. When you look at Mexican or Italian ways of practicing Christianity today, there are quite a few traditions and practices that many people would consider "pagan" or say isn't "Christian enough" or something similar.
Overtime many "pagan" practices became cultural. So to say that paganism is demonic or wrong. To say that Christopaganism or Folk Catholic practices are disrespectful is to say that specific cultures are disrespectful. Just because you do not agree with how someone else practices, does not make it disrespectful.
Closing statement
Christopaganism is a fairly widely debated topic. I won't lie, you may run into some people that try and bash you for being christopagan. Ignore them.
Does this practice make you happy? Do you enjoy what you're doing? Are you respecting the beliefs you practice? Yes? Then you're doing everything right. Don't worry about what other people think about your practice.
I wanted to remake Mother Mary's information post as her last one has some wrong info that I didn't double check. also feels like it needed more so uhhh...enjoy more with this new post ദ്ദി(˵ •̀ ᴗ - ˵ ) ✧
Titles & Apparitions
Note : I only really added some of the more well known titles / apparitions for Mother Mary...she actually has a TON that wouldn't fit well in one post
Queen of Angels
Star of the Sea
Our Lady of Sorrows
Our Lady of the Way
Our Lady of Guadalupe
Our Lady of Šiluva
Our Lady of Laus (also known as Our Lady of Happy Meetings)
Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal
Our Lady of Zion
Our Lady of La Salette
Our Lady of Lourdes
Our Lady of Fátima (also known as Our Lady of the Rosary)
Matron of...
Bicyclists - Madonna del Ghisallo
Fishmongers
Overseas Filipino Workers - Our Lady of Guidance
Harness makers
Seafarers - Our Lady, Star of the Sea
Spanish Civil Guard - Our Lady of the Pillar
Pilots/Aviators - Our Lady of Loreto
mothers
women in childbirth
nuns
religious vocations
countless cities, towns and countries
the moon
Favored People
Everyone
Mary is most well known as the Matron of Humanity.
Feast Days
Note : Again she has a lot of feast days especially with the amount of titles and apparitions she has
January 1 : Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
January 8 : Our Lady of Prompt Succor
February 2 : Presentation of the Lord
February 11 : Our Lady of Lourdes
March 25 : Annunciation
May 13 : Our Lady of Fatima
May 31 : Visitation
June 27 : Our Mother of Perpetual Help
July 16 : Our Lady of Mount Carmel
August 15 : Assumption
August 22 : Queenship of Mary
September 8 : Birth of Mary
September 12 : The Most Holy Name of Mary
September 15 : Our Lady of Sorrows
October 7 : Our Lady of the Rosary
November 21 : Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
December 8 : Immaculate Conception
December 12 : Our Lady of Guadalupe
Associations
┊Month: May, October (Month of the Rosary)
┊Attributes: seven swords, rosary, scapular, roses, beams of light, the Sacred Heart, crescent moon, serpent beneath her feet
┊Color: blue
Common Mary Garden flowers / Plants & Associations
Lily – Mary’s purity. The gold stamens surrounded by the white petals stand for Jesus or for Mary’s holiness.
Rose – Its beauty, fragrance, and thorns signify Mary’s role in salvation history. Mary is called Mystical Rose. White roses stand for her joys; red for her sorrows, and yellow for her glories.
Iris – Its deep-blue symbolizes Mary’s fidelity, and its blade-shaped leaves denote her sorrows.
Gladiolus – Its sword-shaped leaves symbolize Mary’s sorrows.
Baby’s Breath – Mary’s innocence and purity as well as the breath of the Holy Spirit
Ivy (evergreen) – Mary’s faithfulness
Violets – Mary’s humility and innocence.
Legend: When Mary said, “Behold the handmaid of he Lord,” violets blossomed outside her window and the Angel Gabriel blessed them as he left.
Blue Columbine – Our Lady’s slipper.
Legend: It sprang up where Mary stepped on the way to Elizabeth.
Marigold (Mary’s gold) – Named for Mary, it symbolizes her simplicity and domesticity as well as her sorrows because of its strong scent like burial ointments and because sometimes it “weeps” in the morning.
Legend: Thieves who stole Mary’s purse on the Flight into Egypt found it full of marigolds.
Rosemary (Rose of Mary)
Legend: It turned blue after Mary en route to Egypt spread the Baby Jesus’ clothes out to dry on it.
Thistle – Our Lady’s thistle.
Legend: The leaves of the plant became spotted when drops of milk fell on them while Mary was nursing Jesus.
Lavender – Jesus’ swaddling clothes
Sea Pink or Sea Thrift
Legend: On the flight into Egypt these soft flowers formed a cushion for Mary to rest.
Fuchia – Our Lady’s ear-drops (earrings)
Legend: The Holy Child at play hung them from Mary’s ears.
Daisy
Legends: It bloomed at the foot of the manger. Or was another “star” sign for King Melchior; on seeing it, the stable door opened.
Hostas “Assumption Lilies” – In late summer a tall, thin stalk emerges from the leaves and becomes a flower, a reminder of Mary’s Assumption.
Can help with....
Loving unconditionally
feeling connected to your faith
healing your relationships
creating abundance
following your bliss
situations that seem impossible
whatever you ask for help with
Offerings
candles
incense
rosary
roses
flowers associated with her
ribbons
images of associations
items related to her family
items of your family
Devotional Acts
Pray the rosary
Novenas
Pilgrimage to holy sites
donate to mother's shelters
take care of physical and mental health
help mothers in need
plant a Mary garden
follow her son's teachings
Resources
Britannica
The Ultimate Guide to Marian Apparitions
Titles of Mary
Feast Days of Mary
Marian Feast Days - Catholic Tradition
Flowers for Mary
Encyclopedia of Mystics, Saints, and Sages
by: Judika Illes
Simply Catholic
Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Just a little reminder! If you enjoy what I create, you can support me at https://ko-fi.com/acemistakes
I think many people misunderstand the seven deadly sins, applying them in media and in practice to refer to separate and morally-neutral acts.
Lust is not simply attraction or premarital sex. Gluttony is not enjoying food. Wrath is not feeling anger. Pride is not healthy self-respect. Envy is not wishing others well. Sloth is not resting. Greed is not ambition.
✧ Lust (Luxuria) ✧
Lust refers to sexual acts that harm others or are immoral, not natural attraction or love. Specifically: rape, pedophilia, sexual coercion, adultery that violates moral duties. The original focus is on exploitation and abuse, not consensual desire or affection.
Matthew 5:27-28 — "You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery in his heart."
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 — "For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor."
Jesus expands the understanding of sin beyond external acts to internal intention. Lust is not simply desire, it’s conscious objectification and intent to violate moral order. The Greek term here for lustful intent, epithumeo, is often translated as “covet” or “strong desire,” but in context implies desire directed toward violating God’s law or harming another.
✧ Gluttony (Gula) ✧
Gluttony is overconsumption to the point of harm, not enjoying food or drink. Specifically: hoarding, waste, or obsession that neglects the needs of the body, spirit, or community.
Proverbs 23:20-21 — "Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor…"
Philippians 3:19 — "Their god is their belly."
Medieval writers categorized gluttony as excess that distracts from spiritual life, not simple pleasure. Overconsumption could lead to illness, moral weakness, or neglect of charity. Gluttony is about disordered desire (not to be confused with a binging disorder), not moderation or enjoyment.
✧ Wrath (Ira) ✧
Wrath is uncontrolled, destructive anger that seeks revenge or harm, not righteous indignation or self-defense. The sin lies in letting anger dominate judgment and relationships.
Ephesians 4:26-27 — "Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger."
James 1:19-20 — "The anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God."
Church fathers (ex: Thomas Aquinas) distinguished just anger (righteous indignation) from wrath that destroys relationships and virtue. Wrath becomes sinful when it is persistent, vindictive, or harms the innocent.
✧ Pride (Superbia) ✧
Pride is arrogance, vanity, or self-exaltation over God or others, not healthy self-esteem. Early writers saw pride as the root of all other sins, because it sets oneself above moral and divine order.
Proverbs 16:18 — "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall."
James 4:6 — "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
Pride was called the "queen of sins" because it fuels all other sins: greed, envy, wrath, etc. It is turning the will inward and rejecting dependence on God. Healthy confidence or pride in work is distinct from this self-exalting arrogance.
✧ Envy (Invidia) ✧
Envy is resentment at another’s good fortune, often wishing them harm, not simply desiring something someone else has. True envy is corrosive to the soul and community, admiration and healthy aspiration are fine.
Proverbs 14:30 — "A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot."
Galatians 5:26 — "Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another."
Early Christians saw envy as spiritual corrosion, eroding charity and joy. Wishing someone’s success to fail, or taking pleasure in their misfortune, is the sin, not aspiring to emulate or admire. Envy poisons the soul, unlike aspiration, ambition, or healthy comparison.
✧ Sloth (Acedia) ✧
Sloth is spiritual or moral apathy, neglect of duties to God and community. Rest, relaxation, or self-care are not sins. The problem is neglect, stagnation, and turning away from responsibility.
Proverbs 6:6-11 — "Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways…"
Matthew 25:26-30 — "Parable of the talents, the sin of neglecting what God entrusts to us."
Sloth is not resting, contemplation, or retreat. It is spiritual paralysis, refusing to act in life or devotion. Medieval monks emphasized vigilance: sloth leads to decay of virtue and inaction against evil.
✧ Greed (Avaritia) ✧
Greed is excessive desire for wealth or power at the expense of others, not ambition, planning, or hard work. Exploitation, hoarding, and prioritizing possessions over moral obligations.
1 Timothy 6:10 — "The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil."
Luke 12:15 — "One’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions."
Greed is selfish accumulation and exploitation, not stewardship, planning, or effort. It is condemned when desire for gain overshadows love of neighbor and moral duty.
A prayer to St. Micheal for the protection of those scared and endangered to I.C.E
O saint michael, archangel and warrior of the Lord. please protect those endangered and brutalized by I.C.E, for their mistreatment is unholy, unjust, and cruel. brave micheal, dearest saint, pray for the weak, poor, struggling, and marginalized, and help defeat the evil that satan has cast into our government. in Christs name, amen
Latin: O Sancte Michael, Archangele et bellator Domini. Quaeso protege eos qui periclitantur et ab I.C.E. saeviuntur, nam eorum maltractatio impia, iniusta et crudelis est. Fortis Michael, carissime Sancte, ora pro infirmis, pauperibus, laborantibus et emarginatis, et adiuva ad vincendum malum quod Satanas in regimen nostrum iniecit. In nomine Christi, amen.
"Coming Out to God" Prayers and the Luminous Mysteries:
So I just got done going through today's mysteries of the rosary and afterwards I decided to start Chris Glaser's "Coming Out to God" since it's a collection of daily prayers and what a perfect day to start a daily practice.
The chapter intro before the prayers Glaser talked about the Fifth Luminous Mystery, the Transfiguration of Christ. He uses this to talk about how prayer can transfigure us and allow us to commune with the saints and God, how it's restorative to the soul, and how it can remind us we're created in their image no matter what anyone says.
The prayer then goes on to talk about a different kind of illumination. In prayer we are reaching out for support and the divine light within us shines. That's a light that reveals all about us. It's gonna shine no matter what. The Lord wants it to shine.
Here's the prayer in full. All credit to Chris Glaser. Coming Out to God is a lovely book so far, shout out to my parents for being hippie seminarians in the 90s.
God,
the earliest Gospel writer
wastes no time informing us
that Jesus rose early
and found a lonely place
to pray.
God, the closet is already a lonely place,
but the point is well taken.
Those of us in closets
may use our wilderness experience
as an opportunity for prayer.
Those of us out of closets
may escape the pressure —and the glory—
that freedom in promised lands entails
by taking time to be with you.
In prayer, the closet doors open
between the human and the divine,
between those who are gay
and those who are not,
between those in the closet and out.
Thank you, God, for opening doors
in the midst of dividing walls,
making us one Body
as we pray together.
Thank you, God, for opening doors
to your divine glory,
and the divine glory within us,
illuminating our darkest closet,
casting in shadow our brightest revelations.
Thank you, God, for opening doors among us,
though we are separated
geographically, culturally, ethnically, sexually,
that we might pray as one community,
transcending our own Diaspora,
our own dispersion among those
who do not share our experience,
either of spirituality or of sexuality.
In prayer,
you have made all grounds between us
holy ground.
We remove our shoes in reverence.
Amen.
I hope everyone has had a happy new year so far!! i think i wanna post a prayer from this book everyday because it's wisdom and comfort feels worthy of sharing. have a blessed day/night!!
A prayer for the deliverance of Homophobes/Transphobes
Loving God, I come before you in this moment to ask you to deliver me from those who discriminate against me. Let it be known that I am ever accepted in your loving presence, no matter who I am or what I choose to be. Amen.
A prayer to the sacred heart for acceptance
O Sacred heart of Christ, ever full of love and acceptance, I prostrate before you to petition you for this intention: (insert it here). Let it be known that you grant miracles for those in need, and you will receive my petition to ever love me, as your brother/sister/sibling. Sacred heart of Christ, pray for us. Amen.
