All Else Confusion

"I prefer the monotony of obscure sacrifice to all ecstasies. To pick up a pin for love can convert a soul."

Labels: Novena

At noon PST today, the doctors removed extraordinary life support from the little daughter of Patrick and Mariella Coffin.

Tomorrow is the Feast of these awesome Archangels. At noon PST we will begin the ventilator disconnection and the removal of the sundry wires, tubes and heart medications that bar the way between hospital and heaven.

I'm quite numb to what this all means practically or even emotionally; yet. All I can say is, I can't wait to see her cherubic face without all that facial tape. Naomi will then be anointed with the Sacrament of the Sick -- not for the forgiveness of sins, which in her case don't exist, but for one last strengthening and healing as the Lord Jesus takes her from our arms to his.


Patrick notes that Christ also began his death at noon. Fittingly, noon in California is the hour of mercy here in Massachusetts

May the angels come to meet her and bring her into the presence of God. May she rest in peace.

Labels: prayer request

Prayer of St. Therese

O my God! O Most Blessed Trinity! I desire to love Thee and to make Thee loved – to labor for the glory of the Holy Church by saving souls here upon earth and by delivering those suffering in Purgatory. I desire to fulfill perfectly Thy Holy Will and to reach the degree of glory Thou hast prepared for me in Thy Kingdom. In a word, I wish to be holy, but knowing how helpless I am, I beseech Thee, my God to be Thyself my holiness.

Since Thou hast loved me so much as to give me Thine Only-Begotten Son to be my Savior and my Spouse, the infinite treasures of His merits are mine. Gladly do I offer them to Thee, and I beg of Thee to behold me only through the Eyes of Jesus, and in His Heart aflame with love. Moreover, I offer Thee all the merits of the Saints both in Heaven and on earth, together with their acts of love, and those of the holy Angels. Lastly, I offer Thee, O Blessed Trinity, the love and the merits of the Blessed Virgin, my dearest Mother – to her I commit this Oblation, praying her to present it to Thee.

During the days of His life on earth, her Divine Son, my sweet Spouse, said to us: “If you ask the Father anything in My Name, He will give it to you.” Therefore I am certain Thou will fulfill my longing. O my God, I know that the more Thou dost wish to bestow, the more Thou dost make us desire. In my heart I feel boundless desires, and I confidently beseech Thee to take possession of my soul. I cannot receive Thee in Holy Communion as often as I would like, but O Lord, art Thou not all-powerful? Abide in me as Thou dost in the Tabernacle – never abandon Thy little Victim.

I long to console Thee for ungrateful sinners, and I implore Thee to take from me all liberty to sin. If through weakness I should chance to fall, may a glance from Thine eyes straightaway cleanse my soul and consume all my imperfections – as fire transforms all things into itself.

I thank Thee, O my God , for all the graces Thou has granted me, especially for having purified me in the crucible of suffering. At the Day of Judgment I shall gaze on Thee with joy as Thou bearest Thy scepter of the Cross. And Since Thou has deigned to give me this precious Cross as my portion, I hope to be like unto Thee in Paradise and to behold the Sacred Wounds of thy Passion shine on my glorified body.

After earth’s exile, I trust to possess Thee in our Father’s Home. But I do not seek to lay up treasures in Heaven. I wish to labor for Thy Love alone – with the sole aim of pleasing Thee, of consoling Thy Sacred Heart, and of saving souls who will love Thee throughout eternity.

When the evening of life is come, I shall stand before Thee with empty hands, because I do not ask Thee, my God, to take account of my works. All our works of justice are blemished in Thine eyes. I wish, therefore, to be robed with Thine own Justice, and to receive from Thy Love the everlasting gift of Thyself. I desire no other Throne, no other Crown, but Thee, O my Beloved! In Thy sight, time is naught – “One day is a thousand years.” Thou can, in a single instant, prepare me to appear before Thee.

In order that my life may be one Act of perfect Love, I offer myself as a Victim of Holocaust to Thy Merciful Love, imploring Thee to consume me unceasingly, and to allow the floods of infinite tenderness gathered up in Thee to overflow into my soul, so that I may become a very martyr of Thy love. O My God, may this martyrdom, after having prepared me to appear in Thy Presence, free me from this life at the last, and my soul take its flight – without delay – into the eternal embrace of Thy Merciful Love!

O my Beloved! I desire at every beat of my heart to renew this Oblation an infinite number of times, “till the shadows retire,” and everlastingly I can tell Thee my love face to face. Amen.

Labels: Novena

Today is the Feast of the Archangels, Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. Formerly this day was the feast of St. Michael, or Michaelmas (St. Gabriel was celebrated on March 24 and St. Raphael on October 24). In many countries, Michaelmas has many traditions and traditional food. In England, this was a day for hiring servants, electing magistrates, the opening of deer hunting season, and starting university. In France, they eat Gaufres, or waffles and in some parts of Europe they drink a wine called "St. Michael's Love".

A British legend says that this is the last day that blackberries can be picked. The legend goes that when St. Michael expelled Lucifer from heaven, he fell from the skies and landed in a prickly blackberry bush. Satan cursed the fruit, scorched them with his fiery breath, and stamp and spat on them, so that they would be unfit for eating. A Traditional Irish proverb says:
On Michaelmas Day the devil puts his foot on the blackberries.

Collect:
God our Father,
in a wonderful way you guide the work of angels and men.
May those who serve you constantly in heaven
keep our lives safe from all harm on earth.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Labels: Feast Day

Cardinal Sean has some pictures up on his blog of Vatican City, including this picture of the Vatican's ATM Machine. Just a reminder that Latin is still alive and well at Vatican City!

Check out the blog for a lot more pictures.

Labels: fun

This is a letter written by Therese to her sister Celine who stayed at home to care for their father before joining Therese and their two older sisters, Marie and Pauline, at the convent. Celine was a talented artist and was allowed to bring her camera to Carmel - as a result, we have over 40 pictures of St. Therese in the convent.

What first attracted me to St. Therese, when I was a freshman in high school and was assigned her autobiography for our Lit. class, was how simple her little way is. She's so ordinary. She didn't have visions, trances, or perform great miracles. She seems to struggle with the same little problems that I face - the annoyances of daily life, living with sisters, distraction in prayer - and she knew how to win the fight. You only have to look at her face to see her determination. In her letter, Therese tells Celine:

...when I am feeling nothing, when I am INCAPABLE of praying, of practicing virtue, then is the moment for seeking opportunities, nothings, which please Jesus more than mastery of the world or even martyrdom suffered with generosity. For example, a smile, a friendly word, when I would want to say nothing, or put on a look of annoyance, etc., etc.

A smile when I'm annoyed or want to be left alone. How simple. How incredibly difficult.



From Thérèse to Céline.

July 18, 1893

J.M.J.T.

Jesus

Dear Céline,

I was not counting on answering your letter this time, but our Mother wants me to add a note to hers. What things I would have to tell you! But since I have only a few moments, I must first assure the little drop of dew that her Thérèse understands her… After having read your letter, I went to prayer, and taking the gospel, I asked Jesus to find a passage for you, and this is what I found: "Behold the fig tree and the other trees, when they begin to bear tender leaves, you judge that summer is near. In the same way, when you see these things taking place, know that the kingdom of God is near." I closed the book, I had read enough; in fact, these things taking place in my Céline’s soul prove the kingdom of Jesus is set up in her soul…. Now I want to tell you what is taking place in my own soul; no doubt, it is the same things as in yours. You have rightly said, Céline, the cool mornings have passed for us, there remain no more flowers to gather, Jesus has taken them for Himself. Perhaps He will make new ones bloom one day, but in the meantime what must we do? Céline, God is no longer asking anything from me…in the beginning, He was asking an infinity of things from me. I thought, at times, that since Jesus was no longer asking anything from me, I had to go along quietly in peace and love, doing only what He was asking me…. But I had a light. St. Teresa [of Avila] says we must maintain love. The wood is not within our reach when we are in darkness, in aridities, but at least are we not obliged to throw little pieces of straw on it? Jesus is really powerful enough to keep the fire going by Himself. However, He is satisfied when He sees us put a little fuel on it. This attentiveness pleases Jesus, and then He throws on the fire a lot of wood. We do not see it, but we do feel the strength of love’s warmth. I have experienced it; when I am feeling nothing, when I am INCAPABLE of praying, of practicing virtue, then is the moment for seeking opportunities, nothings, which please Jesus more than mastery of the world or even martyrdom suffered with generosity. For example, a smile, a friendly word, when I would want to say nothing, or put on a look of annoyance, etc., etc.

Céline, do you understand? It is not for the purpose of weaving my crown, gaining merits, it is in order to please Jesus…. When I do not have any opportunities, I want at least to tell Him frequently that I love Him; this is not difficult, and it keeps the fire going. Even though this fire of love would seem to me to have gone out, I would like to throw something on it, and Jesus could then relight it. Céline, I am afraid I have not said what I should; perhaps you will think I always do what I am saying. Oh, no! I am not always faithful, but I never get discouraged; I abandon myself into the arms of Jesus. The little drop of dew goes deeper into the calyx of the flower of the fields, and there it finds again all it has lost and even much more.

Your little Sister Thérèse of the Child Jesus of the Holy Face

Letter taken from General Correspondence Volume Two Translated by John Clarke, O.C.D. Copyright (c) 1988 by Washington Province of Discalced Carmelites, ICS Publications, 2131 Lincoln Road, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20002 U.S.A.

Labels: Novena

Diane at Te Deum has a beautiful post about the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist. I know I've mentioned them before, but I get so excited when someone else is excited about them. You see, I've felt a real connection with them ever since one of my best friends joined them 6 years ago. One of my household sisters was already there, and two other women, who were in my major at Steubenville - there were only about 30 of us, so were were a pretty close group - joined about the same time. For a while, it seemed everywhere I went I was hearing news of someone else joining!

Founded in 1997 by 4 women, the convent has experienced phenominal growth. When Sister Elizabeth Ann made her profession and received her black veil, the median age at the convent was 27. Yes, that's right - 27. At that time there were about 45 sisters. Today, just 3 years later, there are around 70.

During the summer at Christendom College, I had the priviledge of studying with about 60 men and women from various orders around the country (and Canada). All wore habits, all were joyful - they made you smile just to be near them. When people start to complain about the Church, when they start to bemoan the awful times we are experiencing, I just want to point to these orders and tell them, "There is so much hope."

Hat tip to Dom.

Labels: sisters

St. Therese as a novice in January, 1889 - not yet 16 years old.



He whose Heart ever watcheth, taught me, that while for a soul whose faith equals but a tiny grain of mustard seed, He works miracles, in order that this faith which is so weak may be fortified; yet for His intimate friends, for His Mother, He did not work miracles until He had put their faith to test. Did He not let Lazarus die through Martha and Mary had sent to tell Him that he was sick? At the marriage at Cana, the Blessed Virgin having asked Him to come to the assistance of the master of the house, did He not reply that His hour was not yet come? But after the trial, what a recompense! Water changed to wine, Lazarus restored to life...

Story of A Soul, Chapter VI

Labels: Novena

St. Therese portraying St. Joan of Arc in a play put on by the novices at Carmel.

Labels: Novena

At the age of 14, Therese approached her father for permission to enter the Camelite convent in Lisieux. Though saddened at the thought of losing his beloved "Queen", her father gave his permission. However, Therese ran into difficulties with the Carmelite authorities who thought she was too young and would not admit her. In November of 1887, while on pilgrimage to Rome, Therese begged Pope Leo XIII to allow her to enter the convent at age 15. He told her, "Go - go - you will enter if God wills it." On New Year's Day, 1988, the prioress of Carmel notified Therese that she would be allowed to enter the convent. On April 9, 1988, at the age of 15 years, 3 months, Therese bid a tearful good-bye to her father and entered "the desert" of Carmel.


Saint Thérèse, you who are a beloved child of God and who boldly trusted God's mercy, teach me how to let myself be loved by God, who is love. Help me to fall into His arms like the prodigal son, and to give back to God my life and my death. Help me to open myself freely to His tenderness, so as not to take away from His Father's heart the joy of loving me.

Our Father

Saint Thérèse, you who are in love with Jesus, you were filled with passion for the Gospel and the Eucharist. Revive in me a thirst for the Word of God. May it light my path on this "little way" of trust where, with you, I take the elevator of love. May your motto "living in love" free my deep desire. In this way, like you, all I want is to love Jesus and help others love Him.

Hail Mary

Saint Thérèse, you who are embraced by the Holy Spirit, you have become the Spirit in my prayer and my actions. Prepare me to welcome the Spirit humbly in the little things of every day with Mary, who smiled at you in your time of testing. May your hope inspire me in times when I am not able to love.

Glory be to the Father

Prayer for Vocations
Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, you who have been rightly proclaimed the patroness of Catholic missions throughout the world, remember the burning desire which you manifested here on earth to plant the cross of Christ on every shore and to preach the Gospel even until the end of the world. I ask you, according to your promise, to assist all priests, missionaries, and the whole Church of God. Help us to implement the new evangelization which our world and our diocese[s] so badly need. Pray for us that Jesus will inspire in the hearts of our youth a burning desire to serve Him as priests, sisters, and missionaries so that the Gospel may radiate anew to dispel the darkness of sin and death.

Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Doctor of the Church, pray for us.

Labels: Novena

St. Therese was the youngest of nine children - 5 girls survived to adulthood. All 5 entered the convent.


Saint Thérèse, you who are a beloved child of God and who boldly trusted God's mercy, teach me how to let myself be loved by God, who is love. Help me to fall into His arms like the prodigal son, and to give back to God my life and my death. Help me to open myself freely to His tenderness, so as not to take away from His Father's heart the joy of loving me.

Our Father

Saint Thérèse, you who are in love with Jesus, you were filled with passion for the Gospel and the Eucharist. Revive in me a thirst for the Word of God. May it light my path on this "little way" of trust where, with you, I take the elevator of love. May your motto "living in love" free my deep desire. In this way, like you, all I want is to love Jesus and help others love Him.

Hail Mary

Saint Thérèse, you who are embraced by the Holy Spirit, you have become the Spirit in my prayer and my actions. Prepare me to welcome the Spirit humbly in the little things of every day with Mary, who smiled at you in your time of testing. May your hope inspire me in times when I am not able to love.

Glory be to the Father

Prayer for Vocations
Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, you who have been rightly proclaimed the patroness of Catholic missions throughout the world, remember the burning desire which you manifested here on earth to plant the cross of Christ on every shore and to preach the Gospel even until the end of the world. I ask you, according to your promise, to assist all priests, missionaries, and the whole Church of God. Help us to implement the new evangelization which our world and our diocese[s] so badly need. Pray for us that Jesus will inspire in the hearts of our youth a burning desire to serve Him as priests, sisters, and missionaries so that the Gospel may radiate anew to dispel the darkness of sin and death.

Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Doctor of the Church, pray for us.

Labels: Novena

Today is the first day of the Novena to St. Therese of the Child Jesus whose feast day is on October 1.


Saint Thérèse, you who are a beloved child of God and who boldly trusted God's mercy, teach me how to let myself be loved by God, who is love. Help me to fall into His arms like the prodigal son, and to give back to God my life and my death. Help me to open myself freely to His tenderness, so as not to take away from His Father's heart the joy of loving me.

Our Father

Saint Thérèse, you who are in love with Jesus, you were filled with passion for the Gospel and the Eucharist. Revive in me a thirst for the Word of God. May it light my path on this "little way" of trust where, with you, I take the elevator of love. May your motto "living in love" free my deep desire. In this way, like you, all I want is to love Jesus and help others love Him.

Hail Mary

Saint Thérèse, you who are embraced by the Holy Spirit, you have become the Spirit in my prayer and my actions. Prepare me to welcome the Spirit humbly in the little things of every day with Mary, who smiled at you in your time of testing. May your hope inspire me in times when I am not able to love.

Glory be to the Father

Prayer for Vocations
Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, you who have been rightly proclaimed the patroness of Catholic missions throughout the world, remember the burning desire which you manifested here on earth to plant the cross of Christ on every shore and to preach the Gospel even until the end of the world. I ask you, according to your promise, to assist all priests, missionaries, and the whole Church of God. Help us to implement the new evangelization which our world and our diocese[s] so badly need. Pray for us that Jesus will inspire in the hearts of our youth a burning desire to serve Him as priests, sisters, and missionaries so that the Gospel may radiate anew to dispel the darkness of sin and death.

Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Doctor of the Church, pray for us.

Novena courtesy of Women for Faith and Family

Labels: Novena

Congratulations to Big Papi! After tying Jimmie Foxx last night for the Boston Red Sox single season home run record with number 50, he hit home runs 51 and 52 tonight. It couldn't happen to a nicer guy. And, it's extra special after the heart scare that he had in August.

Making it even sweeter, Ortiz hit his home runs on the last night of a home stand - and against his old team, the Minnesota Twins. He was only the 6th left hand batter to hit a home run off of Johan Santana this year.

Jimmie Foxx's single season record of 50 was set back in 1938.

Ortiz is going to auction off HR ball #50 with proceeds to go to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. He's keeping #51 though!

Labels: baseball

Cardinal O'Malley has a new blog. He's going to be chronicalling his trip to Rome to formally accept his titular Church, Santa Maria della Vittoria.

“I want to share with you, Catholics of Boston, my experiences as I return to Rome as a Cardinal and more importantly, I want to share with you a sense of what it is that Boston’s Archbishop does on business in Rome representing the people of the Archdiocese.”
– Cardinal Seán


It's an interesting idea. I'm looking forward to seeing what he has to say.

Hat tip to Dom.

Friday points out this column by Fr. Jonathan Morris which states that Pope Benedict did not apologize for his lecture at the University of Regensburg.

Contrary to many media reports, Pope Benedict XVI did not apologize on Sunday for his September 12 discourse at the University of Regensburg. He did not retract his words, and did not say he regretted his speech. Unless, of course, you consider an apology his expression of remorse that some misunderstood him, took offense, and reacted violently and irrationally, thus proving, ironically, the accuracy of his original thesis; that cultural dialogue is a pipedream unless all sides reject religiously-motivated violence.

Fr. Jonathan also points out that Pope Benedict isn't the kind to back down.

Shy by nature and strong by faith, his meek demeanor reflects the kind of rare, humble soul that is most comfortable in absolute obscurity — but stands up nicely and fearlessly in the spotlight when the mission so demands.

Thank God.

I'm in the midst of writing my second paper (of three) that I need to complete by October 25 for my classes this summer. Not going so well. Of course, it didn't help that I abandoned it last night for the Rolling Stones concert. Not that I'm a big fan, but when you get offered a free ticket how can you refuse? Besides, I'd never been to Gillette Stadium before.

Tomorrow - back to the paper.

Labels: school

I've been checking Seize the Dei religiously since Thursday, hoping to hear some good news. Unfortunately, the news is worse than expected. My heart broke tonight as I read of Naomi Rose's birth and what Patrick and his wife are suffering.

Devastating for us, though, is the unanimous opinion of the best neonatologists and surgeons on staff at Children's Hospital of Los Angeles that Naomi is not a candidate for any kind of aggressive intervention. Her brain was found to have many more (and more profound) abnormalities than was previously thought based on prenatal MRIs. And her condition will deteriorate day by day. Her cerebellum, cerebral cortex, basal ganglia -- the whole neurological motherboard, so to speak, is far too under developed to support the most basic elements of life. The particular type of trisomy 9 she suffers seems to have ganged up on her little brain. Ironically, the septal heart defect (hole), and the aorta choarctation, appear to have been healed.

Because of these abnomalities, Naomi will not be able to live long without life support. Now, Patrick and his wife have an impossible decision to make: when is it time to let go?

Life sometimes includes some "It Must Be Done, Period" moments. This is one of them, God help us. We now face the impossible task of deciding when to finesse the end of her little life -- an event we're told would be peaceful, and well medicated throughout. Yet, we believe her true Father will give us the signs that it's time to help him greet her, as we helped him make her.
.....

Please pray for Mariella and I that we read the signs of the times properly over the next few days. Naomi is no longer in need of prayers; we are. And I have to tell you, our family is truly walking in the strength of the Holy Spirit thanks to your constant prayers and support these past six months. We're experiencing the mysterious Beatitude blessedness of those who mourn. It is a great consolation.

Please continue to pray for Patrick and his family.

to my grandparents.

On this day in 1945, an army sargent, veteran of D-day and war casualty, married a Polish girl from Pittsburgh. They settled in New Hampshire and raised 10 children. Today, they have 24 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

The story of how my grandparent's met is worth recounting. My grandfather has a strong devotion to Our Lady and had asked her to find him a spouse. One night, at a USO dance in Washington, D.C., he met a pretty red-head and made a date to meet her the dance the next night. The next night, before meeting his date, my grandfather made a stop at a local church to again ask Mary to guide him in finding the right girl. He saw Mary smile at him and he knew he was going to meet the right girl that night. Then he went to the dance. Unable to find he date, he went up on the balcony to search the dancing couples down below.

And, looking down, he saw a girl dancing and knew that he wanted to meet her. So, he asked her to dance and then asked her to meet him the next day. A few weeks later, my grandfather shipped out to training in Florida and then England, but they continued getting to know each other through letters. By the time my grandfather returned from the way, they were engaged. And the rest, as they say, is history.

As for the red-head? He never saw her again.

Labels: family

Like most single Catholics that I know, especially ones over a "certain age," I'm registered on a Catholic dating site - in fact more than one. It's nice to know I'm in good company.

Middle-ranking civil servant, single, Catholic, 43, immaculate past, from the country, is looking for a good Catholic, pure girl who can cook well, tackle all household chores, with a talent for sewing and homemaking with a view to marriage as soon as possible. Fortune desirable but not a precondition.

The ad from Joseph Ratzinger was answered by Maria Peintner, age 36. Personally I take comfort from the fact that Pope Benedicts parents were "older" when they met and married. And, that they married 4 months later. I guess if you know, you know. Why wait?

A friend sent me this notice about a talk to be given in Boston. I've heard the presenter, Fr. Tom Loya several times and I gladly recommend him. You can hear some of his radio programs here.

When: Thursday, October 5th from 7pm to 9pm

Where:
St. Clement’s Eucharistic Shrine - Upper Room
1105 Boylston Street Boston, MA

This talk is a penetrating exploration into the archetypes & “hardwiring” of maleness & femaleness. Pope John Paul II said that “humanity, its dignity and its balance at every moment and every place on the globe will depend upon who man will be for woman and who woman will be for man.” In order to fully understand this statement, we must first understand who man and woman really are. In this presentation Fr. Thomas Loya demonstrates how God created men and women with different and complimentary physical and intellectual abilities. He shows how these differences indicated the particular ways that God intends for men and women to image the love of the Trinity. This entertaining and insightful talk will help men and women, single or married, to live as God intended us to live in the beginning.

About the Presenter: Fr. Thomas J Loya, STB, MA is currently the pastor of Annunciation of the Mother of God Byzantine Catholic Parish in Homer Glen, IL. He is also the host of “Light of the East” radio program and speaks about Theology of the Body each week as a regular guest on Relevant Radio’s Morning Air Program. As a seminarian studying in Rome, Fr. Loya was first exposed to Pope John Paul II’s monumental teaching on the human person when he attended his weekly audiences about The Theology of the Body. Fr. Loya was ordained in 1982 and later added to his Bachelor of Fine Arts by earning a Masters in Counseling and Human Services in 1993. Using his background in art, counseling, and Eastern Catholic spirituality, Fr. Loya brings the principles of The Theology of the Body deep into the lived experience of every aspect of human sexuality.

A Free Will Donation will be collected at the door and the proceeds will go toward Oblates of the Virgin Mary Seminarian Scholarship fund.
Reserve your seat by e-mailing: StClementJPIItalk(at)hotmail(dot)com.

Today's Memorial commemorates the seven sorrow of Mary. The seven sorrows are:

* at the prophecy of Simeon;
* at the flight into Egypt;
* having lost the Holy Child at Jerusalem;
* meeting Jesus on his way to Calvary;
* standing at the foot of the Cross;
* Jesus being taken from the Cross;
* at the burial of Christ.

The feast began in Colgne in 1413. It spread to the south of Europe at the end of the sixteen century and to France after the year 1600. The feast was extended to Spain and Tuscany in 1735 and 1807 respectively. Finally in 1814, Pope Pius VIIV extended the feast to the entire Latin Church.

For more information, go Ask Sister Mary Martha.

Collect:
Father,
as Your Son was raised on the cross,
His mother Mary stood by Him, sharing His sufferings.
May Your Church be united with Christ
in His suffering and death
and so come to share in His rising to new life,
where He lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Labels: Feast Day

Today's feast is the Exultation of the Holy Cross. On September 14, 326 Saint Helen, mother of the Emperor Constantine, miraculously discovered the cross while on pilgrimage to Jerusalem. This feast has been celebrated on September 14 ever since.

The Cross represents our salvation, and is therefore a powerful symbol of the Christian faith. We remember the Cross, and Christ's ultimate victory over sin and death, by making the sign of the Cross on our persons, and hanging them in our churches, homes, and Catholic schools.

Adoramus te, christe, et benedicimus tibi,
quia per crucem tuam redemisti mundum.

We adore thee, O Christ, and we bless thee,
for by thy cross thou hast redeemed the world.

Labels: Feast Day

St. John Chrysostom is considered one of the greatest preachers to ever preach from a Christian pulpit. The title "Chrysostom" means "golden-mouthed." St. John Chrysostom was born in Antioch around the year 347. He was preparing for a career in law, when, at the age of 23 he was baptized and decided to serve the Lord by entering a monastery. In 386 John Chrysostom was ordained to the priesthood and over the next several years his main task was preaching. A sermon that St. John delivered condemning the adulation of a crowd at the unveiling of a statue of the Empress Eudoxia resulted in permanent exile. From exile, he remained in contact with the Church, writing treatises and letters which are a treasure of the Church today. St. John Chrysostom died in exile at Pontus in the year 407.

Prayer of St. John Chrysostom to Jesus before Holy Communion

O Lord, my God, I am not worthy that you should come into my soul, but I am glad that you have come to me because in your loving kindness you desire to dwell in me. You ask me to open the door of my soul, which you alone have created, so that you may enter into it with your loving kindness and dispel the darkness of my mind. I believe that you will do this for you did not turn away Mary Magdalene when she approached you in tears. Neither did you withhold forgiveness from the tax collector who repented of his sins or from teh good thief who asked to be received into your kingdom. Indeed, you numbered as your friends all who came to you with repentant hearts. O God, you alone are blessed always, now, and forever.

Labels: Feast Day

Today is the Optional Memorial of the Most Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Established in 1513 in Spain, this feast was extended to the Universal Church in 1683 by Pope Innocent XI in thanksgiving to our Lady for the victory on September 12, 1683 by John Sobieski, king of Poland, over the Turks, who were besieging Vienna and threatening the West. When we pronounce the name of Mary, we affirm her power, implore her aid and place ourselves under her protection.


Lord our God, when your Son was dying on the altar of the cross, he gave us as our mother the one he had chosen to be his own mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary; grant that we who call upon the holy name of Mary, our mother, with confidence in her protection may receive strength and comfort in all our needs. (Marian Sacramentary, Mass for the Holy Name of the Blessed Virgin Mary).

2,996 is a tribute to the victims of September 11, 2001. Thanks to D.C. Roe for putting together this coalition of bloggers (over 3,000 of them) to each honor a victim. To see the list of bloggers and read other tributes go here.

I am remembering Gerard Jean Baptiste, a member of the New York Fire Department. Gerard was born in Santo domingo de Guzman on March 11, 1966. On his 5th birthday he flew from his native Santo Domingo to the United States. His mother recalls him saying, "Now we're in America," as soon as the plane reached cruising altitude.

Gerard worked as a lifeguard at a New York public pool and tried graphic arts and computers before finding his niche in the army. He was a First lieutenant in the 1-69 Infantry of the New York Army National Guard and was working toward becoming an officer in the fire department.

Gerard's friends remember him as a great leader, a ladies man, and always looking for fun and adventure. He loved New York City; he thought that it was the most beautiful city in the world. Gerard's other great love was dogs. He always had dog biscuits in his pockets for the pets that walked past Ladder 9 in SoHo. The dog biscuits also made it easy to strike up conversations with the children - and women - that the dogs brought with them.

Gerard Jean Baptiste was laid to rest with a funeral at St. Patrick's Cathedral on September 7, 2005. His father said, "It makes us very proud for his being what in life he loved to be; An American, a Public Servant, A Soldier, A Firefighter."

Thank you Gerard for your service and your sacrifice.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let Your Perpetual Light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in peace. Amen.

To view a guestbook for Gerard, go here.

Here is a comment from his sister-in-law:

I met gerard when I first started dating his brother, who is now my husband, about twenty years ago. He had an eye for women and nice clothes. He was always very quiet but when he smiled his face would light up a room. He loved all his nephews very much and though he was always very proper he became a kid when he was with them trying to please them with what ever they wanted. My fondest memories of you Gerard was when you played with my boys.
Gerard I know that a piece of you is still with us through the niece you never met. She was born exactly six months after the tragedy (on 03/11/02) and she shares your same birthday I know that there is some of you in her. I pray that your spirit has risen along with all those that tragically lost their lives as well on that day. Give us the courage and the wisdom to do right by you and give us peace. For a year later we are still struggling with your loss. September 11, 2001 changed my life, a nephew was born and brother in-law was lost. I will make sure that your niece and nephews will always know you loved them. May you rest in piece.....Miosotis

Pope Benedict is visting his homeland. He arrived in Munich yesterday and leaves again on Thursday. EWTN has live coverage. Gerald Augustinus at The Cafeteria Is Closed... has a lot of good coverage including translations of the Pope's address in Munich and Sunday homily. Be sure and check out all the great pictures too.

I just discovered this great video at Evangelical Catholicism by Katerina Marie highlighting the main reasons why I'm Catholic and happy to be so.

The background music is the theme song from World Youth Day in 2005, but it will always remind me of standing in line for hours on a Thursday afternoon in Rome with thousands of members of the universal Church, waiting to view the body of John Paul II. Speakers set up along the route played a loop of this song, a decade of the rosary, a gospel reading, and a reading from various of John Paul's writings.

Part III in a series about living the single life in preparation for dating at Evanglical Catholicism highlights what we all have in common - single people, married and religious. We are all called to serve the Lord, growing in love for him and whatever our vocation is - major and minor - is the method through which we can do that growing.

Our vocations, whether they are marriage or religious life, are designed to ultimately serve the Lord and our brothers and sisters with the deepest charity that can only be given through God’s grace.

Someone notified me that they were having a problem commenting - the comment box is taking a long time to load. I don't seem to be having a problem. Is anyone else? Please leave a comment (if you can!) and let me know. Thanks.

Today is the feast of the Nativity of Mary - exactly nine months after the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (of Mary, not Jesus - Jesus' conception is celebrated on March 25 - the Feast of the Annunciation). The Catholic Church celebrates the birthday of only 2 saints, Mary and John the Baptist. The Feast of the Nativity of Mary was celebrated by the universal Church as early as the 6th century and is one of the oldest Marian feasts.

Thy birth, O Virgin Mother of God,
heralded joy to all the world.
For from thou hast risen the Sun of justice,
Christ our God.

Destroying the curse, He gave blessing;
and damning death, He bestowed on us
life everlasting.

Blessed art thou among women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
For from thou hast risen of Sun of justice,
Christ our God.


­from The Divine Office - Matins

Labels: Feast Day

Back in June I asked for prayers for a friend's baby. The doctors had determined that the baby had some medical problems, but were having trouble making a final diagnosis. The baby, Naomi, is scheduled for delivery on Thursday, Sept. 14. So, please say a couple extra prayers. Thanks.

Katerina at Evangelical Catholicism posts the second installment in her series on preparing for dating: Seeking a Community.

Young adults alike have a difficult time meeting peers their age who also share their same interests at work, because they are limited by the demographics present at their work environment. If this is true for finding people with the same interests, you can only imagine how hard it is to find young adults who are practicing Catholics at work!

So, how do you find this community? It takes a lot of hard work and persistence.

Katerina gives 4 suggestions:

Become a Minister in your parish: If you are not one yet, this can be a great way to meet more people at your parish and even if they are not young adults, they still are part of your faith community who will provide support through difficult times.

Participate in Young Adult Groups: Ideally, your parish will have a young adult group, but if that is not the case, research other parishes or at the Diocese level to see which parishes are offering young adult gatherings.

Enjoy yourself: When you are alone, grab a great book or the Bible and get your iPod or mp3 player and go to a coffee house and enjoy your reading. You will discover how peaceful and uplifting this simple experience will be. I can’t tell you how many times I have met Catholics and other Christians alike whenever they see my Bible or another religious book that I’m reading.

Start a Blog: I had not thought about this one until now, but if you are not successful in finding young adult groups in your area, then start a blog and be part of the Catholic blog community. You will meet people who are young like you and who share your faith and your spirit of service to the Church.

And, I would add, be prepared to stick with it through hard times. I've been involved in Young Adult Ministry for several years in my diocese (there hasn't been any official ministry in the diocese, so it's been very grassroots). What I've learned is that the group is bound to change frequently and sometimes dramatically as people move, get married, and enter religious life. The result is sometimes a feeling of constantly starting over with making friends and building community. It can be discouraging, but it can also be fun meeting new people.

Labels: dating, men, women

Today is the new feast day of Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta (Beatified on October 19, 2003.)

“By blood, I am Albanian. By citizenship, an Indian. By faith, I am a Catholic nun. As to my calling, I belong to the world. As to my heart, I belong entirely to the Heart of Jesus. ”

From the Biography of Mother Teresa from the Vatican website:

In order to respond better to both the physical and spiritual needs of the poor, Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity Brothers in 1963, in 1976 the contemplative branch of the Sisters, in 1979 the Contemplative Brothers, and in 1984 the Missionaries of Charity Fathers. Yet her inspiration was not limited to those with religious vocations. She formed the Co-Workers of Mother Teresa and the Sick and Suffering Co-Workers, people of many faiths and nationalities with whom she shared her spirit of prayer, simplicity, sacrifice and her apostolate of humble works of love. This spirit later inspired the Lay Missionaries of Charity. In answer to the requests of many priests, in 1981 Mother Teresa also began the Corpus Christi Movement for Priests as a "little way of holiness" for those who desire to share in her charism and spirit.

During the years of rapid growth the world began to turn its eyes towards Mother Teresa and the work she had started. Numerous awards, beginning with the Indian Padmashri Award in 1962 and notably the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979, honored her work, while an increasingly interested media began to follow her activities. She received both prizes and attention "for the glory of God and in the name of the poor."

The whole of Mother Teresa's life and labor bore witness to the joy of loving, the greatness and dignity of every human person, the value of little things done faithfully and with love, and the surpassing worth of friendship with God. But there was another heroic side of this great woman that was revealed only after her death. Hidden from all eyes, hidden even from those closest to her, was her interior life marked by an experience of a deep, painful and abiding feeling of being separated from God, even rejected by Him, along with an ever-increasing longing for His love. She called her inner experience, "the darkness." The "painful night" of her soul, which began around the time she started her work for the poor and continued to the end of her life, led Mother Teresa to an ever more profound union with God. Through the darkness she mystically participated in the thirst of Jesus, in His painful and burning longing for love, and she shared in the interior desolation of the poor.

During the last years of her life, despite increasingly severe health problems, Mother Teresa continued to govern her Society and respond to the needs of the poor and the Church. By 1997, Mother Teresa's Sisters numbered nearly 4,000 members and were established in 610 foundations in 123 countries of the world. In March 1997 she blessed her newly-elected successor as Superior General of the Missionaries of Charity and then made one more trip abroad. After meeting Pope John Paul II for the last time, she returned to Calcutta and spent her final weeks receiving visitors and instructing her Sisters. On September 5 Mother Teresa's earthly life came to an end. She was given the honor of a state funeral by the Government of India and her body was buried in the Mother House of the Missionaries of Charity. Her tomb quickly became a place of pilgrimage and prayer for people of all faiths, rich and poor alike. Mother Teresa left a testament of unshakable faith, invincible hope and extraordinary charity. Her response to Jesus' plea, "Come be My light," made her a Missionary of Charity, a "mother to the poor," a symbol of compassion to the world, and a living witness to the thirsting love of God.

Less than two years after her death, in view of Mother Teresa's widespread reputation of holiness and the favors being reported, Pope John Paul II permitted the opening of her Cause of Canonization. On December 20, 2002 he approved the decrees of her heroic virtues and miracles.

Labels: Feast Day

Saturday evening we watched King Kong, which meant that Saturday afternoon my nephew rode his bike by himself! (Bribes are a very important part of parenting I've learned!) Finally, after about half an hour of going up and down the hill at the end of the street, I let go and he made it all the way down the street by himself. When he got to the end, he looked back and saw me standing where I had let go, and he got the funniest look on his face. He didn't believe me when I told him that he could do it!

Labels: family

Last night we had a Bob Hope double feature: The Paleface and Son of the Paleface. The latter movie also stars Roy Rogers and his horse trigger.

About halfway through the second movie, my nephew suddenly remembered his straw cowboy hat and my guitar and began to serenade us. I wish I had a photo to post. It was precious!

Labels: family

Evangelical Catholicism has an interesting post on the importance of developing a spiritual life while single. It's a lesson that I've been trying to learn, but all too often don't practice.

As women, we experience many things throughout the day and take them in, but because we are always so busy with work or school, we never find time to just sit down and reflect on the impact that those experiences have in our hearts and minds. Another source of our busyness that prevents us from getting to know ourselves is when we keep looking around for the “perfect” Catholic man, so our frustration grows even more when our search turns out to be unsuccessful. Let God be God and let Him take you where He wants you to be. Before dating anyone, it is essential that you understand the priorities in your life so you can align them with those of someone else. Thus, you will be able to distinguish that person from all the others who will grow with you in holiness.

I know about the frustrations of not being able to find the "perfect Catholic man." All too often, I let them get in the way of letting God direct things. It's good to be reminded that perseverance has it's own rewards - it may never produce the man I'm looking for (but, then again, maybe it will), but it will develop a trust in God that lets him take me where he wants me to be.

Hat tip to Melanie B.

Labels: dating, men, women

Glenn Ford
May 1, 1916 - August 30, 2006

Hollywood movie star Glenn Ford died Wednesday at the age of 90. When asked how he wanted to be remembered Ford replied, "he did his best and he believed in God."

Ford's movie career spanned 6 decades, with over 100 movies and numerous television productions. It's hard to believe today that he struggled to get his career going. Following several small roles at Columbia pictures in the late 30's, Ford joined the Marines and spent World War II building safe houses in France. It wasn't until after his return, with his role as Johnny Farrell in 1946's Gilda that he achieved stardom. Ford would be re-teamed with his Gilda co-star Rita Hayworth for three more pictures.

Over half of Glenn Ford's movies were westerns (he was called the fasted gun in Hollywood because he could draw and shoot in .04 seconds, faster than John Wayne or James Arness). Check out the appropriately titled, The Fasted Gun Alive. But, some of his most memorable movies were were also crime dramas, contemporary dramas, war movies, and comedies. In The Big Heat, he played a police detective who takes on a powerful crime syndicate, and in the process loses his wife (played by Marlon Brando's sister, Jocelyn Brando) to a car bomb. In Blackboard Jungle, Ford played a soft-spoken teacher who confronts inner-city delinquents (one of whom was Sidney Poitier, who would go on to play the teacher in To Sir With Love). In Ransom! he played a father whose son has been kidnapped, a role later revived by Mel Gibson. He would play a military captain in Teahouse of the August Moon with Marlon Brando; in The Courship of Eddie's Father he played the widowed father of a young and very cute Ronnie Howard, who is determined to find his father a round-eyed girl for his next wife.

In 1961, Glenn Ford won the only award of his career, a Golden Globe for his portrayal of Dave "The Dude" in Frank Capra remake of Pocket Full of Miracles, which he produced.

Glenn Ford often said that he didn't act, he just played himself. If so, he must have been quite a man.

Check out the six movie tribute to Glenn Ford on September 10 on TCM starting at 8AM.

Lineup:
8:00 AM The Desperadoes ('43)
9:30 AM Stolen Life ('46)
11:30 AM Gilda ('46)
1:30 PM Blackboard Jungle ('55)
3:30 PM The Teahouse of the August Moon ('56)
5:45 PM The Courtship of Eddie's Father ('63)

Labels: movies

Either way, this blog is hilarious!

Thanks to The Lady in the Pew for pointing it out.

Courtesy of my college professor, an article all about Canada's immigration woes:

June 2006

Manitoba Herald, Canada


The flood of American liberals sneaking across the border into
Canada has intensified in the past week, sparking calls for increased
patrols to stop the illegal immigration. The actions of President Bush
are prompting the exodus among left-leaning citizens who fear they'll
soon be required to hunt, pray, and agree with Bill O'Reilly.

Canadian border farmers say it's not uncommon to see dozens of
sociology professors, animal-rights activists and Unitarians crossing
their fields at night.

"I went out to milk the cows the other day, and there was a Hollywood
producer huddled in the barn," said Manitoba farmer Red Greenfield,
whose acreage borders North Dakota. The producer was cold,
exhausted and hungry. "He asked me if I could spare a latte and some
free-range chicken. When I said I didn't have any, he left. Didn't even
get a chance to show him my screenplay, eh?"

In an effort to stop the illegal aliens, Greenfield erected higher
fences, but the liberals scaled them. So he tried installing speakers that blare
Rush Limbaugh across the fields. "Not real effective," he said.
"The liberals still got through, and Rush annoyed the cows so much
they wouldn't give milk."

Officials are particularly concerned about smugglers who meet liberals
near the Canadian border, pack them into Volvo station wagons, drive
them across the border and leave them to fend for themselves.

"A lot of these people are not prepared for rugged conditions," an
Ontario border patrolman said. "I found one carload without a drop of
drinking water. They did have a nice little Napa Valley cabernet,
though."

When liberals are caught, they're sent back across the border, often
wailing loudly that they fear retribution from conservatives. Rumors
have been circulating about the Bush administration establishing
re-education camps in which liberals will be forced to drink domestic
beer and watch NASCAR races.

In recent days, liberals have turned to sometimes ingenious ways of
crossing the border. Some have taken to posing as senior citizens on
bus trips to buy cheap Canadian prescription drugs. After catching a
half-dozen young vegans disguised in powdered wigs, Canadian
immigration authorities began stopping buses and quizzing the
supposed senior-citizen passengers on Perry Como and Rosemary
Clooney hits to prove they were alive in the '50s.

"If they can't identify the accordion player on The Lawrence Welk Show,
we get suspicious about their age," an official said.

Canadian citizens have complained that the illegal immigrants are
creating an organic-broccoli shortage and renting all the good Susan
Sarandon movies. "I feel sorry for American liberals, but the Canadian
economy just can't support them," an Ottawa resident said. "How many
art-history majors does one country need?"

In an effort to ease tensions between the United States and Canada,
Vice President Dick Cheney met with the Canadian ambassador and
pledged that the administration would take steps to reassure liberals,
a source close to Cheney said. "We're going to have some Peter, Paul
& Mary concerts. And we might put some endangered species on
postage stamps. The President is determined to reach out," he said.

Labels: fun