Stupidity is also a gift of God, but one mustn't misuse it.
Pope John Paul II
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Favorite Quote of the Day
Stupidity is also a gift of God, but one mustn't misuse it.
Pope John Paul II
Our Lady of Knock
While visiting Ireland a few years back, we made the pilgrimage to Knock. The Story of Knock began on the 21st August 1879 when Our Lady, St. Joseph and St. John the Evangelist appeared at the south gable of Knock Parish Church. The apparition was witnessed by fifteen people, young and old. From this miraculous Apparition Knock has grown to the status of an internationally recognised Marian Shrine.
http://www.knock-shrine.ie/
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Friday, January 13, 2012
Mary Undoer of Knots
My daughter-in-law, Julie, shared this beautiful jewel of a novena with me:
http://www.theholyrosary.org/maryundoerknots
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Solemnity of the Baptism of our Lord
The Anima Christi
Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from Christ's side, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O good Jesus, hear me.
Within Thy wounds hide me.
Suffer me not to be separated from Thee.
From the malicious enemy defend me.
In the hour of my death call me.
And bid me come unto Thee.
That I may praise Thee with Thy saints and with Thy angels.
Forever and ever
Amen
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Madonna and Child
Gazing at this beautiful mother and precious child, knowing that they represent the mother of God and God Incarnate, fills me with such joy and tenderness and sorrow all wrapped up together. I am so thankful for Mary's "yes" - for her "Fiat".
Friday, December 2, 2011
Celebration of Life
I attended one of these yesterday and was shocked - really! I didn't know the person who was being lauded and lampooned but he sounded like someone it would have been fun to know. The church was packed. I was amazed at how many people knew this guy -- Wow is all I can say about that. The only person missing at the party was the poor dead guy. The eulogies lasted for an hour and a half - I kid you not. This was not a sad event. Perhaps a few women shed a tear now and then but for the most part it was...."Happy"; however, I haven't been to very many funerals in my life having avoided them "like the plague". Perhaps I got the idea from my Mom that attending funerals was just too sad. I cannot ever remember attending one when I was a child.
The minister spoke a few times and led in prayer a time or two. One thing he said stuck with me - he said that our religion and expression of our faith is a "private matter". Woah...What? Private? These are Christians I'm talking about here (albeit separated brethren). If there is anything I know about Christianity, being a Catholic, it is NOT private, hidden, or secret. What did Jesus say about hiding your light under a bushel? or the virgins who ran out of oil?
I haven't been to a protestant church for decades (except Anglican) - but I was amazed at the changes - not only in the sanctuary er I mean building where they worship but in the attitude of the people themselves. They seemed like "nice" people. Very inclusive since there were women there who made it obvious regarding their life orientation. I cannot put my finger on what was missing for me. Maybe it was because there was no cross, no holy pictures to draw one's eye or perhaps it was because there was no altar. I don't know..but, I did not feel God's presence in the midst of them. For me this was the saddest thing of all.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
St. Mary's, Virginia City, NV
Virginia City, NV has an old catholic church, St. Mary's, that keeps its old statues in the basement; they have a sort of museum down there that one can visit. I took pics of the beautiful statues and lamented that no one will see these unless you know where to go. They are so inspiring and lovely...it's such a shame they are in the basement.
Friday, November 11, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Thursday, October 6, 2011
When the Frost is on the Punkin
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock,
And you hear the kyouck and gobble of the struttin' turkey-cock,
And the clackin' of the guineys, and the cluckin' of the hens,
And the rooster's hallylooyer as he tiptoes on the fence;
O, it's then's the times a feller is a-feelin' at his best,
With the risin' sun to greet him from a night of peaceful rest,
As he leaves the house, bareheaded, and goes out to feed the stock,
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock.
They's something kindo' harty-like about the atmusfere
When the heat of summer's over and the coolin' fall is here --
Of course we miss the flowers, and the blossums on the trees,
And the mumble of the hummin'-birds and buzzin' of the bees;
But the air's so appetizin'; and the landscape through the haze
Of a crisp and sunny morning of the airly autumn days
Is a pictur' that no painter has the colorin' to mock --
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock.
The husky, rusty russel of the tossels of the corn,
And the raspin' of the tangled leaves, as golden as the morn;
The stubble in the furries -- kindo' lonesome-like, but still
A-preachin' sermuns to us of the barns they growed to fill;
The strawstack in the medder, and the reaper in the shed;
The hosses in theyr stalls below -- the clover over-head! --
O, it sets my hart a-clickin' like the tickin' of a clock,
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock!
Then your apples all is gethered, and the ones a feller keeps
Is poured around the celler-floor in red and yeller heaps;
And your cider-makin' 's over, and your wimmern-folks is through
With their mince and apple-butter, and theyr souse and saussage, too! ...
I don't know how to tell it -- but ef sich a thing could be
As the Angels wantin' boardin', and they'd call around on me --
I'd want to 'commodate 'em -- all the whole-indurin' flock --
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock!
James Whitcomb Riley
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
The Life of Cistercian Nuns
This post from one of the Nuns: "We wear the cuculla normally in Choir. However as it was 95 degrees and we have a small space and low ceiling, we do not wear it at those times. Also it was an altar bread baking day and so some of the sisters were in work smocks and hoods. I am a member of this community and happened upon this video made by a photographer who visited here several years ago."
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Prayer For Purity
Obtain for me a deep sense of modesty, which will be reflected in my external conduct. Protect my eyes, the windows of my soul, from anything that might dim the luster of a heart that must mirror only Christ-like purity.
And when the "Bread of Angels" becomes my food in Holy Communion, seal my heart forever against the suggestion of sinful pleasures.
May I be among the number of those of whom Jesus spoke: "Blessed are the pure of heart for they shall see God". Amen
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Monday, August 22, 2011
Kitchen Nook Project
I bought an oak kitchen nook at a second hand store and made cushions for it from a bedspread that I bought at Target. I think it turned out nicely.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Prayer to Our Lady Queen of Angels
Prayer to Our Lady Queen of Angels
August Queen of Heaven! Sovereign Mistress of the Angels! Thou who from the beginning hast received from God the power and mission to crush the head of Satan; we humbly beseech thee to send thy Holy Legions that under thy command and by thy power they may pursue the evil spirits; encounter them on every side; resist their bold attacks and drive them hence into the abyss of eternal woe. Amen.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Come Holy Spirit
I love this song, Come Holy Spirit. Isn't God wonderful and marvelous to give us such beauty in music:
- Veni, Sancte Spiritus,
- et emitte caelitus
- lucis tuae radium.
- Veni, pater pauperum,
- veni, dator munerum
- veni, lumen cordium.
- Consolator optime,
- dulcis hospes animae,
- dulce refrigerium.
- In labore requies,
- in aestu temperies
- in fletu solatium.
- O lux beatissima,
- reple cordis intima
- tuorum fidelium.
- Sine tuo numine,
- nihil est in homine,
- nihil est innoxium.
- Lava quod est sordidum,
- riga quod est aridum,
- sana quod est saucium.
- Flecte quod est rigidum,
- fove quod est frigidum,
- rege quod est devium.
- Da tuis fidelibus,
- in te confidentibus,
- sacrum septenarium.
- Da virtutis meritum,
- da salutis exitum,
- da perenne gaudium,
- Amen, Alleluia.
- send forth the heavenly
- radiance of your light.
- Come, father of the poor,
- come giver of gifts,
- come, light of the heart.
- Greatest comforter,
- sweet guest of the soul,
- sweet consolation.
- In labor, rest,
- in heat, temperance,
- in tears, solace.
- O most blessed light,
- fill the inmost heart
- of your faithful.
- Without your divine will,
- there is nothing in man,
- nothing is harmless.
- Wash that which is unclean,
- water that which is dry,
- heal that which is wounded.
- Bend that which is inflexible,
- warm that which is chilled,
- make right that which is wrong.
- Give to your faithful,
- who rely on you,
- the sevenfold gifts.
- Give reward to virtue,
- give salvation at our passing on,
- give eternal joy.
- Amen. Alleluia.
Aging
God is preparing me for death -- my death. I had a terrible and profound dream when I was in my late 30's -- I was looking at myself in the mirror from some distance and as I drew closer to the mirror I concluded that it wasn't myself that I was looking at but a very old wrinkled woman. As I peered at this very old and wrinkled face wondering why she was appearing to me, I suddenly realized that it was me! I awoke completely with no trace of sleepiness and began to sob, mourning and grieving for my youth taken from me. What a pity that the beautiful bodies that God gives us decay and die becoming fodder for the earth, the worms, and the plants. But it must be so...otherwise, I fear, that I would be a very vain and proud creature before God's eye. In giving me this knowledge through a dream, a vision that touched the very marrow of my soul, I was profoundly changed and not a day goes by that I don't think of my death and the deaths of those around me.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
The most holy Virgin had more faith than all men and angels. She saw her Son in the crib of Bethlehem, and believed Him the Creator of the world. She saw Him fly from Herod, and yet believed Him the King of kings. She saw Him born, and believed Him eternal. She saw Him poor and in need of food, and believed Him the Lord of the universe. She saw Him lying on straw, and believed Him omnipotent. She observed that He did not speak, and she believed Him infinite wisdom. She heard Him weep, and believed Him the joy of Paradise. In fine, she saw Him in death, despised and crucified, and, although faith wavered in others, Mary remained firm in the belief that He was God.
Of The Virtues of the Blessed Virgin Mary
St. Alphonsus Liguori
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