Saturday, December 31, 2011

BENEDICT XVI'S PRAYER INTENTIONS FOR JANUARY 2012

VATICAN CITY, 30 DEC 2011 (VIS) - Pope Benedict's general prayer intention for January 2012 is: "That the victims of natural disasters may receive the spiritual and material comfort they need to rebuild their lives".

His mission intention is: "That the dedication of Christians to peace may bear witness to the name of Christ before all men and women of good will".



BXVI-PRAYER INTENTIONS/ VIS 20111230 (70)

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Knit, Swirl!


          I got this book in the mail yesterday
          and just had to rummage in my yarn stash. 

"Cast on 737 stitches" !!!!
Casting on took an hour, each row so far has taken an additional hour.

 Two rows done!
I may have this finished in a year....

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Franciscan Crown Rosary with Meditations

(Our SFO fraternity prays this rosary at our May and October meetings.  It is recommended to be prayed on Saturdays)

Method of Praying the Franciscan Crown with these Meditations

Begin with the first decade, without any introductory prayers, announcing the first Joy, reflecting on the Meditation, and offering the prayer which follows. Then pray one Our Father and ten Hail Marys in honor of that mystery. Continue in the same manner with the remaining six decades, praying each one in honor of the mystery commemorated. On finishing the seventh decade, offer two Hail Marys (on the two beads near the link), in honor of the seventy-two years of Our Lady’s earthly pilgrimage. Finally, pray one Our Father and one Hail Mary (on the two beads nearest the cross) for the intentions of the Holy Father. There is no Creed nor any other prayer on the cross, nor are any of the traditional Marian prayers, such as the Hail Holy Queen or “O my Jesus….,” said during the recitation of the Franciscan Crown Rosary. A Marian hymn may precede or follow the Crown.



The Franciscan Crown, also called the Rosary of the Seven Joys of the Blessed Virgin, dates back to the year 1422, and is still a traditional devotion for all three Orders of St. Francis in honor of the Mother of God.



Franciscan Crown Rosary: Mirror of a Franciscan Vocation

Sister M. Bernetta Quinn, OSF
Rochester, Minnesota (1954)



Our Lady’s Joys


I offer you these joys, each one a gem to gleam, dear Mother, in your diadem:

     The first, a sapphire-truth of Gabriel’s words
          More musical than flights of singing birds;

     The next, an emerald-sign of hope in Him
          who slept within you, hymned by Seraphim;

     The third, a ruby-charity in bloom
          against your heart in Bethlehem’s narrow room;

     The fourth, a topaz-like the Wise Men’s star
          Lighting their way from country strange and far;

     The fifth, a diamond-tears that turned to joy
          When with the Doctors you beheld your Boy;

     The sixth, an opal- quick with fire that shone
          From the wounds of Christ that earliest Easter dawn;

     The seventh, a pearl- that prize worth all the rest.
          Hail, Queen, forever reigning, ever blest!


First Joy - The Annunciation


As fire to bush the Word to Mary came,
Who, unconsumed, burned with a silver flame.
O Eucharistic Lord, come and ignite
my spirit with Your uncreated Light!

Meditation

Mary, just before she conceived Christ, was preparing her soul for union with God, although unaware of what form this union would take. A brief conversation with an angel, and she found herself one with God in a unique and ineffable way. Before Communion, we too prepare the Portiuncula of our heart for this entry; afterward, though the material accidents conceal the fact, our Lord is no less really present in us than He was in His Immaculate Mother.

Prayer

Dearest Lady, more than mirror of the Divine Son, very tabernacle of His dwelling, obtain for us through your loving prayers such cooperation with grace that we also may conceive within our soul your everliving Son.



Second Joy – The Visitation


Our Lady left the nest of Nazareth
That Christ her son might bless Elizabeth.
Stay with me, Lord, throughout the busy day;
anoint with grace all that I do or say.

Meditation


Framed between two lovely songs, the Magnificat and the Benedictus, the birth of John the Baptist set aglow, as a flame lights a candle, the thought of a Redeemer in each citizen of the hill country who came to the precursor’s christening. Before and after this holy nativity, the gentle presence of Mary blessed the one of Zachary, as we too bless the places to which we bring the Christ united to us in the Eucharist, and pledged to remain in our heart as long as grace continues there.

Prayer


Our Lady of Service, for whom no duty was too small, help us to see that love transforms every action, and that without it what is praised by others as success is dry and fruitless for eternity. St. Francis, servant of all, teach us to copy Mary in her humility.




Third Joy – The Nativity

In Bethlehem, one star-enchanted night,
The Blessed Virgin bore the world’s delight.
Christ in the Sacrament, be born anew
within this soul that longs to shelter You!


Meditation

Outside the city of self, in the darkness of trust in God, the Blessed Virgin bore her Child. Although His incarnate life was now separate from her body, the Word remained within her like a king on his throne. So does He reign within each of us, possessing and possessed, when as a result of His birth in the first House of Bread, Bethlehem, He comes to us in the Eucharist. Each of us becomes, morning after morning, a Greccio, a home for the infant God.


Prayer


Who can teach us as well as you, dear Mother, how to receive the body and blood, soul and divinity of Jesus? Walk beside us to the altar and deepen in us all virtues, that we may bear closer resemblance to Him Who is Eucharistically born in our hearts.



Fourth Joy – The Visit of the Magi

Balthasar, Caspar, Melchior knelt down
To pay their court as to a kingly crown.
O Lord, desired of nations, come to me
with all the treasures of Your deity.

Meditation

Just as Mary’s eager desire to share her Son led to the Visitation and to the adoration of the shepherds, so did she, brighter than any star, draw these Magi to the feet of their Redeemer. After their arrival, with joy she gave Him to each in turn, even as she does to us who receive Him in Holy Communion. The gold of abandonment, the myrrh of Franciscan penitence, and the frankincense of complete love are little to return for such a Gift.


Prayer


Sweetest Mother, every morning when we kneel at the altar rail, place your Son within our soul as you placed Him in the arms of those first Wise Men to enter the poor cave of Bethlehem. Even before this earthly exile ends, show us the Fruit of your womb, Jesus our Lord.



Fifth Joy – The Finding of Jesus in the Temple

Where once she brought Him to be sacrificed,
Our joyful Lady found again her Christ.
Here in Your Father’s house I seek you, Lord.
Within this Host, by Seraphim adored.


Meditation

None know so well as our dear Mother, sorrowful in this faint reflection of the three-day separation after Calvary, how heavy a burden life can be when Christ is absent. Just as He embraced Mary tenderly when she discovered Him in the Temple, so does He greet each of us who find Him anew in the Eucharist; as He went down to Nazareth with her, so does He accompany us wherever our Franciscan work for Him may lead.

Prayer
Now that you have found your Son beyond any possibility of loss in the Temple of Paradise, pray for us who are still on pilgrimage. Dear Mother, may each finding of Christ in the Eucharist along the stations of our journey be a foreshadowing of perpetual union with Him in Heaven.


Sixth Joy – The Resurrection

The storm clouds broken and the shadows gone,
His Mother kissed her risen Son at dawn.
Dear Mary, teach me, day by happy day,
What words of welcome my poor heart should say.



Meditation


Joyful beyond any words, the meeting of Mary and her Son on the morning of His resurrection represents in heightened splendor what happens in every Communion. With no language but tenderness, the risen Christ gives Himself to the soul who receives Him in the Mass, Calvary all over again and climaxed as that was by the glory of a more perfect union than a world without suffering could ever have known.


Prayer


O Queen of Heaven, rejoice- and help us to rejoice, when after each night we kneel in the radiance of a new Easter as our Lord comes to us in Holy Communion. We too must be worthy to bear Him, Who has risen as He said, but we can be so only through your aid, channel of every grace. St. Francis, wounded on La Verna, pray that we, like you, may achieve the Vision of God.



Seventh Joy – The Assumption and Coronation

God crowned her Queen, the only sinless one,
Her diadem the stars, her robe the sun.
O Blessed Gift! Now Heaven has come to me
Since God is Heaven, and His Son is He.

Meditation


“Where I am, you also shall be.” The love of Christ for His Mother, body and soul, made Him long for her entrance into eternity. In the greatest of her festivals, He welcomed her into Heaven. Mary’s assumption is a dazzling transfiguration of that union Christ effects in us all through the Eucharist; her coronation is the symbol of the “greater things” in store for us according to the exhortation of our holy father St. Francis.


Prayer


“Mary the Virgin, well the heart knows.
She is the Mystery, she is the Rose.”

In the words of Fr. Hopkins we hail you, Mary, as a white rose, Dante’s figure of Heaven. You are Heaven, in the sense, because Heaven is where God is and He is with you beyond all ages. Lead us, dear Mother, to that consummation of which the Eucharist is the unbreakable promise. Amen.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

The Paraphrase of the Our Father according to St. Francis of Assisi, for his feast day

Our Father: Most Holy, our Creator and Redeemer, our Savior and our Comforter.

Who art in Heaven: in the angels and the saints. Who gives them light so that they may have knowledge, because Thou, Lord, are Light. Who inflames them so that they may love, because Thou, Lord, are Love. Who lives continually in them and who fills them so that they may be happy, because Thou, Lord, are the Supreme Good, the Eternal Good, and it is from Thee that all good comes, and without Thee there is no good.


Hallowed be Thy Name: May our knowledge of Thee become ever clearer, so that we may realize the extent of Thy benefits, the steadfastness of Thy promises, the sublimity of Thy Majesty and the depth of Thy judgments.

Thy Kingdom come: so that Thou may reign in us by Thy grace and bring us to Thy Kingdom, where we shall see Thee clearly, love Thee perfectly, be blessed in Thy company and enjoy Thee forever.


Thy Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven: so that we may love Thee with our whole heart by always thinking of Thee; with our whole mind by directing our whole intention towards Thee and seeking Thy glory in everything; and with all our strength by spending all our powers and affections of soul and body in the service of Thy Love alone. And may we love our neighbors as ourselves, encouraging them all to love Thee as best we can, rejoicing as the good fortune of others, just as it were our own, and sympathizing with their misfortunes, while giving offense to no one.

Give us this day our daily bread: Thy own beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to remind us of the love He showed for us and to help us understand and appreciate it and everything that he did or said or suffered.


And forgive us our trespasses: in Thy infinite Mercy, and by the power of the Passion of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, together with the merits and the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and all your saints.

As we forgive those who trespass against us: and if we do not forgive perfectly, Lord, make us forgive perfectly, so that we may indeed love our enemies for love of Thee, and pray fervently to Thee for them, returning no one evil for evil, anxious only to serve everybody in Thee.

And lead us not into temptation: hidden or obvious, sudden or unforeseen.

But deliver us from evil: Present, past, or to come.

Amen.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This translation is based on that of Benen Fahy, OFM, as it appeared in "The Writings of St. Francis of Assisi," Burnes & Oates, London, 1964.

http://www.franciscan-archive.org/patriarcha/opera/parafras.html
 

Friday, September 30, 2011

Pope Benedict's prayer intentions for October

VATICAN CITY, 30 SEP 2011 ( VIS ) - Pope Benedict's general prayer intention for October is: "That the terminally ill may be supported by their faith in God and the love of their brothers and sisters".

His mission intention is: "That the celebration of World Mission Day may foster in the People of God a passion for evangelisation with the willingness to support the missions with prayer and economic aid for the poorest Churches".



BXVI-PRAYER INTENTIONS/ VIS 20110930 (80)

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

New English Liturgy Seen as "More Formal"

Msgr. Wadsworth Explains the Translation Process

FRONT ROYAL, Virginia, SEPT. 26, 2011 (Zenit.org).- The executive director of the International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL) visited Christendom College last week to explain the steps involved in producing the new translation of the missal of the liturgy in English.

Theologian Msgr. Andrew Wadsworth, a priest of the Archdiocese of Westminster, England, readily acknowledged that the new translation is "more formal."

He explained that the use of formal English words reflected the quality and the characteristics of the original Latin text, and it also avoided regional differences that are more often found in colloquial phrasings.

"The difference that we have in our language, when we use it in an everyday way, does not exist to the same level when we move everything up a notch," the priest said. "When we move everything to a more formal register of the use of English, then we have a language that is common across regional and national boundaries."

Msgr. Wadsworth suggested that the current translation is "a bit flat": "The ideas are there, but they've sort of been squashed. In the new translation, they are re-inflated. They have something of the natural balance that is evident in the Latin.

"The phrases balance each other perfectly, the ideas are well presented, and you get a greater sense of what the prayer is about."

In his talk titled "The Making of the Missal," the commission director also explained the translation process, which he said was undertaken with "great care" and with the involvement of the bishops at each step.

He said that a base translator, who is accomplished in both linguistics and theology, initially translates each text. That translation is then evaluated by a team of four bishops, who present the text to the 11 bishops who serve ICEL. The text then goes to the 11 conferences that those bishops represent.

There, comments and recommendations are made, after which it is sent back to

ICEL. The commission makes adjustments to the translation and then it goes back to the 11 conferences for review. With a two-thirds majority vote, it is approved and sent to the Holy See.

Gregorian chant

Msgr. Wadsworth, an accomplished musician and leader of a choir that performs internationally, also noted that the new Missal contains more music that any other Missal in the history of the Church.

"The music is Gregorian chant -- with which I believe you are familiar," he said with a smile. "The Latin and the English sometimes appear side by side, which is a powerful way to reinforce that the singing of chant in Latin is perfectly alright in an English celebration of the Mass."

He went on to encourage students in their study of Latin, saying that the language is the "matrix" of much of western civilization and even more so of the Church -- particularly with sacred liturgy.

"The number of men and women who have the necessary command of the language is pitifully small at the present. It has dwindled," he said. "You are part of the new wave that's going to produce a new generation of scholars that will have not only these skills, but the sensibility to understand what the liturgy is about because you've been formed with Catholic theology. It is not sufficient to be a linguist. You have to be a linguist who understands the theology of the liturgy and who understands the truest purpose of the liturgy."

Concluding, Msgr. Wadsworth said that the purpose of the production of the English edition of the Missal -- and the guiding purpose in all of ICEL's activity -- is to create a dignified celebration of the sacred liturgy enabling all people to come to a greater experience of the saving mysteries that are celebrated.

The new translation of the Mass will be implemented in the United States on Nov. 27.

--- --- ---

On the Net:

To download the talk: http://christendom.edu/news/itunesu.php

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

We Are Catholic!

Thank you to my Plurk friend DefendUsInBattle for making and sharing this great video!

Friday, August 26, 2011

Cenaculum Mobilensis (What I Did on My Summer Vacation, or Latin Isn't as Dead as One Might Imagine)

Salvete omnes!

I spent the first week of August at Visitation Monastery in Mobile, Alabama, where I participated in the annual Latin Immersion Cenaculum of the Familia Sancti Hieronymi,  The Invitatio stated, "Come for the good of Holy Mother Church, for the good of Catholic Culture, and for your own good."  This simple summary of the experience of the Cenaculum, while very true and succinct, does not do justice to the actual experience of the week.

Latin was the language of the week.  Everything, and I mean everything, was spoken in Latin.  We were about 30 participants who came together from several states in the US, as well as other countries, children and adults, laity and clergy. We ranged in our Latin ability from beginner to advanced, with both ecclesial and classical pronunciation. (listening to the classicist was like trying to decipher an accent! lol) We heard two lectures each morning and one in the afternoon. In addition, each afternoon a fun session was held for the tiro (beginner), which helped overcome hesitancy in conversation.  The adulescentes had brought their sports equipment, and every afternoon they played pugnifollis, AKA volleyball!   In the evenings, we were treated to various slide shows of religious sites in Italy and Sicily.   EWTN sent someone to film one of the days, and some of the participants were interviewed.   The last evening was the Celebrandi, kind of a group participation variety event.  Each participant could get up and sing, dance, play the piano, recite a poem, or whatever (in lingua Latina, of course!).

However, the week did not consist only of lectures, games, and conversation.  It truly was a retreat.  We assembled in the historic Arts and Crafts style chapel four times each day for the chanted Liturgium Horarium in alternatum.  After Morning Prayer (Matitudinem), the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was sung in either the Extraordinary or Ordinary form.  Midday Prayer (Sextem) was followed by the recitation of the Sanctum Rosarium.  Two of the Vespers (Vesperum) services were Solemn, for the Feast of the Transfiguration and for Second Vespers of Sunday.  Night Prayer (Completorium) was followed by the Office of Readings(Lectionis). Each evening concluded with Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament and Benediction. 

Each meal was preceeded by the Angelus and the traditional Grace Before Meals.

For my schola cantorum buddies, here is a list of (mostly) what we chanted:

Missa IX,  Missa II, Missa XII(?), Missa de Angelis, Missa Orbis Factor
Credo I, Credo IV
The actual appointed Propers for each Mass!

At Benediction each night, we sang a few selections from the booklet Jubilate Deo:
Magnificat
Da Pacem
Te Deum
O Salutaris
Ubi Caritas
Tu Es Petrus
Ave Maris Stella
Tantum Ergo
Adoro Te Devote
Laudate

The schola also sang a Palestrina motet at one of the Masses, but I did not write down the name of it.  The chanting of the Solemn Vespers used an assortment of Modes 3-8.



 Pictures:

Cenaculum participants
(missing a few!)

Liturgium Horarum

Angelus





stained glass windows

  



Tabernacle and Privileged Altar
   










                                               at the Celebrandi

posted by Domina Gaudia!

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Saint Faustina's Prayer for Holy Church and for Priests

O my Jesus, I beg You on behalf of the whole Church: Grant it love and the light of Your Spirit and give power to the words of priests so that hardened hearts might be brought to repentance and return to You, O Lord.

Lord, give us holy priests; You Yourself maintain them in holiness. O Divine and Great High Priest, may the power of Your mercy accompany them everywhere and protect them from the devil's traps and snares which are continually being set for the souls of priests. May the power of Your mercy, O Lord, shatter and bring to naught all that might tarnish the sanctity of priests, for You can do all things. I ask You, Jesus, for a special blessing and for light for the priests before whom I will make my confessions throughout my lifetime. Amen.



Source: Posted on the Franciscan_Spirit mailing list on May 12, 2003 by Nadine Mansour; also as prayer # 7 in: Chalice of Strength, pages 17-18. Crusade for Priests, Detroit, Michigan, 1996. (www.opusangelorum.org).

http://www.paxetbonum.net/pfp2.html#40

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Pentecost 2011

Congratulations to the Church in Australia, who has begun on this day the new translation of the Mass!

Acts 2: 1-4 (Douay-Rheims Bible)


1 AND when the days of the Pentecost were accomplished, they were all together in one place: 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a mighty wind coming, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared to them parted tongues as it were of fire, and it sat upon every one of them: 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they began to speak with divers tongues, according as the Holy Ghost gave them to speak.















Sunday, May 8, 2011

Happy Mother's Day, we have a winner!

Congratulations to Ruby A., the winner of the
OQuamGloriosum
Mother's Day toddler mantilla giveaway!

toddler mantilla, doll not included

Happy Mother's Day to all our contestants, and the myriad of OQG blog readers!  ;)

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Vigil Prayer to Our Lady prayed by Pope Benedict & written by John Paul II

Pope Benedict XVI closed the prayer vigil tonight on the eve of John Paul II's beatification with this beautiful Marian prayer:

PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF LOURDES


Hail Mary, poor and humble Woman, Blessed by the Most High! Virgin of hope, dawn of a new era, We join in your song of praise, to celebrate the Lord’s mercy, to proclaim the coming of the Kingdom and the full liberation of humanity.

Hail Mary, lowly handmaid of the Lord, Glorious Mother of Christ! Faithful Virgin, holy dwelling-place of the Word, Teach us to persevere in listening to the Word, and to be docile to the voice of the Spirit, attentive to his promptings in the depths of our conscience and to his manifestations in the events of history.

Hail Mary, Woman of sorrows, Mother of the living! Virgin spouse beneath the Cross, the new Eve, Be our guide along the paths of the world. Teach us to experience and to spread the love of Christ, to stand with you before the innumerable crosses on which your Son is still crucified.

Hail Mary, woman of faith, First of the disciples! Virgin Mother of the Church, help us always to account for the hope that is in us, with trust in human goodness and the Father’s love. Teach us to build up the world beginning from within: in the depths of silence and prayer, in the joy of fraternal love, in the unique fruitfulness of the Cross.

Holy Mary, Mother of believers, Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.

Amen.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Enter to win the Toddler's Mantilla giveaway on Mother's Day!

In honor of Mother's Day, I have decided to have a little contest! The winner will receive this handmade toddler-sized mantilla with ribbon chin tie.
 To enter, post a comment below this post.
 On Mother's Day, a winner will be drawn at random from the commentors.

Best of luck to all!

No actual toddler was photographed in the modeling of this mantilla!
See my other veils at Mantillas by Jjoy

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

first attempt at recording

In prep for Divine Mercy Sunday, I thought I'd better see about audio recording some of the songs during the holy hour, when the ppl are venerating the image. (last year I had several requests for the music) Here is my first attempt, such as it is.

song of st augustine

Saturday, April 23, 2011

from an ancient homily for Holy Saturday

Something strange is happening—there is a great silence on earth today, a great silence and stillness. The whole earth keeps silence because the King is asleep. The earth trembled and is still because God has fallen asleep in the flesh and he has raised up all who have slept ever since the world began. God has died in the flesh and hell trembles with fear.


He has gone to search for our first parent, as for a lost sheep. Greatly desiring to visit those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, he has gone to free from sorrow the captives Adam and Eve, he who is both God and the son of Eve. The Lord approached them bearing the cross, the weapon that had won him the victory. At the sight of him Adam, the first man he had created, struck his breast in terror and cried out to everyone: “My Lord be with you all.” Christ answered him: “And with your spirit.” He took him by the hand and raised him up, saying: “Awake, O sleeper, and rise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”

I am your God, who for your sake have become your son. Out of love for you and for your descendants I now by my own authority command all who are held in bondage to come forth, all who are in darkness to be enlightened, all who are sleeping to arise. I order you, O sleeper, to awake. I did not create you to be held a prisoner in hell. Rise from the dead, for I am the life of the dead. Rise up, work of my hands, you who were created in my image. Rise, let us leave this place, for you are in me and I am in you; together we form only one person and we cannot be separated.

For your sake I, your God, became your son; I, the Lord, took the form of a slave; I, whose home is above the heavens, descended to the earth and beneath the earth. For your sake, for the sake of man, I became like a man without help, free among the dead. For the sake of you, who left a garden, I was betrayed to the Jews in a garden, and I was crucified in a garden.

See on my face the spittle I received in order to restore to you the life I once breathed into you. See there the marks of the blows I received in order to refashion your warped nature in my image. On my back see the marks of the scourging I endured to remove the burden of sin that weighs upon your back. See my hands, nailed firmly to a tree, for you who once wickedly stretched out your hand to a tree.


I slept on the cross and a sword pierced my side for you who slept in paradise and brought forth Eve from your side. My side has healed the pain in yours. My sleep will rouse you from your sleep in hell. The sword that pierced me has sheathed the sword that was turned against you.

Rise, let us leave this place. The enemy led you out of the earthly paradise. I will not restore you to that paradise, but I will enthrone you in heaven. I forbade you the tree that was only a symbol of life, but see, I who am life itself am now one with you. I appointed cherubim to guard you as slaves are guarded, but now I make them worship you as God. The throne formed by cherubim awaits you, its bearers swift and eager. The bridal chamber is adorned, the banquet is ready, the eternal dwelling places are prepared, the treasure houses of all good things lie open. The kingdom of heaven has been prepared for you from all eternity.

from divineoffice.org
 
 

Sunday, April 17, 2011

OQuamGloriosum CafePress Shop!

So, now I have a CafePress shop. There are two designs featured at this point:

100% Chalcedon Compliant 451 A.D.

and

Latin is my Prayer Tongue


Here's the link http://www.cafepress.com/OQuamGloriosum

Friday, March 18, 2011

Feast of St. Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church

Ancient Prayer to St. Joseph

Oh, St. Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God.
I place in you all my interests and desires.
Oh, St. Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession, and obtain for me from your devine Son all spiritual blessings, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
So that, having engaged here below your heavenly power, I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of Fathers.

Oh, St. Joseph, I never weary of contemplating you, and Jesus asleep in your arms;
I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart.
Press Him in my name and kiss His fine head for me and ask him to return the Kiss when I draw my dying breath.
 St. Joseph, Patron of departing souls - Pray for me.


Thursday, March 17, 2011

St. Patrick's Breastplate

I bind unto myself today
The strong Name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same
The Three in One and One in Three.
I bind this today to me forever
By power of faith, Christ’s incarnation;
His baptism in Jordan river,
His death on Cross for my salvation;
His bursting from the spicèd tomb,
His riding up the heavenly way,
His coming at the day of doom
I bind unto myself today.

I bind unto myself the power
Of the great love of cherubim;
The sweet ‘Well done’ in judgment hour,
The service of the seraphim,
Confessors’ faith, Apostles’ word,
The Patriarchs’ prayers, the prophets’ scrolls,
All good deeds done unto the Lord
And purity of virgin souls.

I bind unto myself today
The virtues of the star lit heaven,
The glorious sun’s life giving ray,
The whiteness of the moon at even,
The flashing of the lightning free,
The whirling wind’s tempestuous shocks,
The stable earth, the deep salt sea
Around the old eternal rocks.

I bind unto myself today
The power of God to hold and lead,
His eye to watch, His might to stay,
His ear to hearken to my need.
The wisdom of my God to teach,
His hand to guide, His shield to ward;
The word of God to give me speech,
His heavenly host to be my guard.

Against the demon snares of sin,
The vice that gives temptation force,
The natural lusts that war within,
The hostile men that mar my course;
Or few or many, far or nigh,
In every place and in all hours,
Against their fierce hostility
I bind to me these holy powers.

Against all Satan’s spells and wiles,
Against false words of heresy,
Against the knowledge that defiles,
Against the heart’s idolatry,
Against the wizard’s evil craft,
Against the death wound and the burning,
The choking wave, the poisoned shaft,
Protect me, Christ, till Thy returning.

Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

I bind unto myself the Name,
The strong Name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same,
The Three in One and One in Three.
By Whom all nature hath creation,
Eternal Father, Spirit, Word:
Praise to the Lord of my salvation,
Salvation is of Christ the Lord.


Friday, March 11, 2011

Crochet and Lent, OK it's a stretch...

Here we are, the Friday after Ash Wednesday already. Here is an awesome entry from St. Faustina's diary, in which she asks Jesus to convert as many souls as the number of stitches she crochets, and Jesus grants her request! :)


961


+ This morning after completing my spiritual exercises, I began at once to crochet. I sensed a stillness in my heart; I sensed that Jesus was resting in it. That deep and sweet consciousness of God's presence prompted me to say to the Lord, "O Most Holy Trinity dwelling in my heart, I beg You: grant the grace of conversion to as many souls as the [number of] stitches that I will make today with this crochet hook." Then I heard these words in my soul: My daughter, too great are your demands. "Jesus, You know that for You it is easier to grant much rather than a little." That is so, it is less difficult for Me to grant a soul much rather than a little, but every conversion of a sinful soul demands sacrifice. "Well, Jesus, I offer You this whole-hearted work of mine; this offering does not seem to me to be too small for such a large number of souls; You know, Jesus, that for thirty years You were saving souls by just this kind of work. And since holy obedience forbids me to perform great penances and mortifications, therefore I ask You, Lord: accept these mere nothings stamped with the seal of obedience as great things." Then I heard a voice in my soul: My dear daughter, I comply with your request.

Source: Diary of St. Faustina

Now for the stretch! Here are some pictures of what I've been crocheting the last couple of weeks...I wonder if St. Faustina can put in a word for me:





Currently, I'm working on a shawl.   Have a holy Lenten season!

Friday, February 25, 2011

goodbye sweet Daniel


 My beautiful Daniel striped tiger left us on Tuesday after losing his battle with diabetes. He was only 12 years old and the light of our household. He and his brother Blase were born in our laundry room in 1998, while we were awaiting the arrival of Hurricaine Georges. All the kittehs used to love to cuddle with him; they are having to regroup now. He leaves behind his mother and his brother. We will always love you Daniel!

Daniel, Kolbe, and Dominica
Kolbe left us last year

Daniel Striped Tiger from Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood
I loved him ever since I was little, and got to 'meet' him in person
at our local PBS affiliate when I was in high school
My Daniel is named after him :)
(he always knew when it was tuna-time,
even without the wristwatch!)

"Daniel Striped Tiger is a shy young tiger who became tame
 when he learned not to bite anything but his food.
 He enjoys all the things that most children like,
so long as they aren't too scary"

Daniel and Dominica
he always liked to take his half out of the middle
note the laptop pushed to the side/edge

Saturday, January 22, 2011

If it's not a baby, you're not pregnant...


For forty years I endured that generation. I said, "They are a people whose hearts go astray and they to not know my ways." So I swore in my anger, "They shall not enter into my rest."
Psalm 95:10-11



This is the 38th anniversary of Roe v. Wade......

Friday, January 14, 2011

Musicians Invited to Participate in Youth Day - Vocalists Needed

MADRID, JAN. 13, 2011 (Zenit.org).- World Youth Day organizers have issued a call for musicians to participate in the orchestra and choir for the ceremonies with Benedict XVI in Madrid this coming August.
Young people with classical instrument and vocal training are invited to be part of the volunteer orchestra and choir to animate the youth day events.

The invitation is extended to advanced instrumentalists in the string, wind and percussion sections, as well as professional or advanced amateur singers.
Pedro Alfaro, director of the music project, stated his belief that "music is the spiritual art par excellence, with a special capacity to awaken great ideals in people."
Hence, he encouraged all music professionals to share their talent with young people from the whole world.
The deadline for registration is Jan. 27. The selection tests will take place on various weekends in February. The final choice of participants will be published on Feb. 23.

All the tests and practices will be held in Madrid. The practices will take place on Saturday afternoons beginning March 5, and an intensive schedule will be followed in the days preceding World Youth Day.

The project is being organized by Musica para Todos (Music for Everyone), which aims to spread values through music. The group specializes in activities that combine musical quality with forums that bring the ascetic musical experience to large audiences.
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On the Net:
For more information: http://www.madrid11.com/

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Minestrone

Someone on Plurk wanted my minestrone recipe, so here it is! Bon appetit!


Minestrone (from Betty Crocker’s Christmas Cookbook, c. 1982)

2 lbs ground beef

1 large onion, chopped (about 1 cup)

1 clove garlic, finely chopped

1 28-oz can whole tomatoes

1 15-oz can kidney beans

1 12-oz can vacuum-packed whole kernel corn

2 stalks celery, sliced (about 1 cup)

2 cups shredded cabbage (about ¼ head)

2 small zucchini, sliced (about 2 cups)

1 cup uncooked pasta (I used small seashell pasta)

3 cups water

½ cup red wine or water

2 t. instant beef bouillon

1 ½ t. salt

1 ½ t. Italian seasoning

Brown ground beef, onion and garlic in a Dutch oven; drain. Stir in tomatoes with liquid, kidney beans and remaining ingredients: break up tomatoes with a fork.

Heat to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until pasta and veggies are tender, about 10 minutes.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Eggnog-Stollen Bread Pudding

So, it's getting to be that time of year...Epiphany has either been celebrated or is just around the corner, depending on your observance. Some of the Christmas goodies have been hanging around long enough, and are ready to morph into new goodies!
I had half a Stollen leftover and some eggnog, a little time on my hands...(you know what that means)...and voila! :)


Eggnog-Stollen Bread Pudding

Adapted from a Rachel Ray recipe

• ½ leftover Stollen, cut or broken into chunks or cubes, about 5 cups

• 3 whole eggs

• 3/4 cups sugar

• 2 cups eggnog

• 1/4 cup rum

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

• 1 teaspoon ground cardamom

• ½ teaspoon ground mace

• 1 cup bittersweet chocolate chips (I used Ghirardelli)

Optional: vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or whatever to top it off for serving (does it really need it? seriously ;) )

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

Place a kettle of water on to boil for a water bath (bain-marie to you foodies).

For the eggnog custard, in a large bowl thoroughly whisk together the eggs, sugar, eggnog, rum, vanilla extract, and spices. Fold in stollen cubes and chocolate chips.

Spray a large 12 hole muffin tin* with Baker’s Joy. Divide bread/eggnog mixture gently and evenly into the muffin tins. Place the filled muffin tin in a tall sided cookie sheet or roasting pan. Transfer to the preheated oven and carefully pour the hot water from kettle onto sheet pan, creating a water bath for the muffin tin to sit in.

Bake 15 to 20 minutes until the tops are nicely browned, and a toothpick comes clean from the center. Bread pudding may be served warm or cold.

*note*
I had extra leftover after filling all the muffin cups, probably due to the whole cup of chocolate chips I added. I put the extra in an individual oval baker and set it in a pie plate with more hot water. It just depends on the size of the muffin cups.

original recipe this was based on, thanks Rachel!

...and while you still have all that hot water hanging around, try
simmering potpourri from my plurk-friend Melanie, mmmmmm

Quick Ten-Step Refutation of Sola Scriptura

Quick Ten-Step Refutation of Sola Scriptura