These Forty Days

The Last Seven Words...

2009-04-10T11:08:00.000-07:00

A lovely gift sent to us by Father Augustine:

THE SEVEN WORDS OF JESUS ON THE CROSS

Jesus died on the Cross to redeem mankind, to save us from our sins, because he loves us.
He was mocked, scorned, and tortured in the praetorium; carried his cross up the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem to Calvary, nailed to the Cross, hung between two common criminals, and suffered an indescribable end.

When religious pilgrimages to the Holy Land were prevented by military occupation of Jerusalem, a popular devotion known as the Way of the Cross arose during Lent, fourteen stations retracing the Passion, Crucifixion, Death, and Burial of Jesus.

The Seven Words are the last seven expressions of Jesus on the Cross recorded in Scripture.

THE FIRST WORD

"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do."
Gospel of Luke 23:34
Jesus says this first word only in the Gospel of Luke, just after he was crucified by the soldiers on Golgotha, with the criminals, one on the right and one on the left. The timing of this suggests that Jesus asks his Father to primarily forgive his enemies, the soldiers, who have scourged him, mocked him, tortured him, and who have just nailed him to the cross. But could this not also apply to his Apostles and companions who have deserted him, to Peter who has denied him three times, to the fickle crowd, who only days before praised him on his entrance to Jerusalem, and then days later chose him over Barabbas to be crucified? Could this not also apply to us, who daily forget him in our lives?

Does he react angrily? No, he asks his Father to forgive them, because they are ignorant! At the height of his physical suffering, his Divine love prevails and He asks His Father to forgive his enemies.

Right up to his final hours on earth, Jesus preaches forgiveness. He teaches forgiveness in the Lord's Prayer: "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us [Matthew 6:12]." When asked by Peter, how many times should we forgive someone, Jesus answers seventy times seven [Matthew 18:21-22]. At the Last Supper, Jesus explains his crucifixion to his Apostles when he tells them to drink of the cup: "Drink of it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins [Matthew 26:27-28]." He forgives the paralytic at Capernaum [Mark 2:5], and the adulteress caught in the act and about to be stoned [John 8:1-11]. And even following his Resurrection, his first act is to commission his disciples to forgive, the Scriptural foundation for the Sacrament of Confession: "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if the retain the sins of any, they are retained [John 20:22-23]."

THE SECOND WORD

"Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."
Gospel of Luke 23:43
Now it is not just the religious leaders or the soldiers that mock Jesus, but even one of the criminals, a downward progression of mockery. But the criminal on the right speaks up for Jesus, explaining the two criminals are receiving their just due, and then pointing to Jesus, says, "this man has done nothing wrong." Then, turning to Jesus, he asks, "Jesus, remember me when you come in your kingly power [Luke 23:42]." What wonderful faith this repentant sinner had in Jesus - far more than the doubting Thomas, one of his own Apostles! Ignoring his own suffering, Jesus mercifully responds with His second word.

The second word again is about forgiveness, this time directed to a sinner. Just as the first word, this Biblical expression again is found only in the Gospel of Luke. Jesus shows his Divinity by opening heaven for a repentant sinner - such generosity to a man that only asked to be remembered!

THE THIRD WORD

"Jesus said to his mother: "Woman, this is your son".
Then he said to the disciple: "This is your mother."
Gospel of John 19:26-27
Jesus and Mary are together again, at the beginning of his ministry in Cana and now at the end of his public ministry at the foot of the Cross. What sorrow must fill her heart, to see her Son mocked, tortured, and now just crucified. Once again, a sword pierces Mary's soul, the sword predicted by Simeon at the Temple [Luke 2:35]. . There are four at the foot of the cross, Mary his Mother, John, the disciple whom he loved, Mary of Cleopas, his mother's sister, and Mary Magdalene. His third word is addressed to Mary and John, the only eye-witness of the Gospel writers.

But again Jesus rises above the occasion, and his concerns are for the ones that love him. The good son that He is, Jesus is concerned about taking care of his mother. In fact, this passage offers proof that Jesus was the only child of Mary, because if he did have brothers or sisters, they would have provided for her. But Jesus looks to John to care for her.

St. Joseph is noticeably absent. The historic paintings, such as Tondo-doni by Michelangelo and The Holy Family by Raphael, suggest Joseph was a considerably older man. St. Joseph had probably died by the time of the crucifixion, or else he would have been the one to take care of Mary. Early Christian traditions and the second-century apocryphal Protoevangelium of James hold that Joseph was a widower, and his children by his widow were the "brothers and sisters of Jesus."

Another striking phrase indicating Jesus was an only child is Mark 6:3, referring to Jesus: "Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?" Now if James, Joses and Judas and Simon were also natural sons of Mary, Jesus would not have been called the "son of Mary."

THE FOURTH WORD

"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34
This is the only expression of Jesus in the Gospels of Matthew and Mark. Both Gospels relate that it was in the ninth hour, after 3 hours of darkness, that Jesus cried out this fourth word. The ninth hour was three o'clock in Palestine. Just after He speaks, Mark relates with a horrible sense of finality, "And Jesus uttered a loud cry, and breathed his last [Mark 15:37]."

One is struck by the anguished tone of this expression compared to the first three words of Jesus. This cry is from the painful heart of the human Jesus who must feel deserted by His Father and the Holy Spirit, not to mention his earthly companions the Apostles. As if to emphasize his loneliness, Mark even has his loved ones "looking from afar," not close to him as in the Gospel of John. Jesus feels separated from his Father. He is now all alone, and he must face death by himself.

But is not this exactly what happens to all of us when we die? We too will be all alone at the time of death! Jesus completely lives the human experience as we do, and by doing so, frees us from the clutches of sin.

There can not be a more dreadful moment in the history of man as this moment. Jesus who came to save us is crucified, and He realizes the horror of what is happening and what He now is enduring. He is about to be engulfed in the raging sea of sin. Evil triumphs, as Jesus admits: "But this is your hour [Luke 22:53]." But it is only for a moment. The burden of all the sins of humanity for a moment overwhelm the humanity of our Jesus.

But does this not have to happen? Does this not have to occur if Jesus is to save us? It is in defeat of his humanity that the Divine plan of His Father, and as the Trinity, His plan will be completed! It is by His death that we are redeemed.

THE FIFTH WORD

"I thirst"
Gospel of John 19:28
The fifth word of Jesus is His only human expression of His physical suffering. Jesus is now in shock. The wounds inflicted upon him in the scourging, the crowning with thorns, and the nailing upon the cross are now taking their toll, especially after losing blood on the three-hour walk through the city of Jerusalem to Golgotha on the Way of the Cross. Systematic studies of the Shroud of Turin, as reported by Gerald O'Collins in Interpreting Jesus, indicate the passion of Jesus was far worse than one could imagine. The Shroud has been exhaustively studied by every possible scientific maneuver, and the scientific burden of proof is now on those who do not accept the Shroud as the burial cloth of Jesus.

THE SIXTH WORD

When Jesus had received the wine, he said, "It is finished";
and he bowed his head and handed over the spirit.
Gospel of John 19:30
It is now a fait accomplit. The sixth word is Jesus' recognition that his suffering is over and his task is completed. Jesus was obedient to the Father and gave his love for mankind by redeeming us with His death on the Cross.

The above painting is meant to capture the moment.
What was the darkest day of mankind became the brightest day for mankind.

When Jesus died, He "handed over" the Spirit.
Jesus remains in control to the end, and it is He who handed over his Spirit. One should not miss the double entendre here, for this may also be interpreted as His death brought forth the Holy Spirit. This becomes more evident in John 19:34: "But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water." The imagery of water recalls the Holy Spirit as "living water." This fulfills the prophecy in Zechariah 12:10: "They will look upon him whom they have pierced." The piercing of Jesus' side prefigures the sacraments of Eucharist (blood) and Baptism (water), and as well the beginning of the Church.

THE SEVENTH WORD

Jesus cried out in a loud voice,
"Father, into your hands I commend my spirit":
Gospel of Luke 23:46
The seventh word of Jesus is from the Gospel of Luke, and is directed to the Father in heaven, just before He dies. Luke quotes Psalm 31:5 - "Into thy hands I commend my spirit; thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God." Luke repeatedly pleads Jesus' innocence: with Pilate [Luke 23:4, 14-15, 22], through Dismas, the criminal [Luke 23:41], and immediately after His death with the centurion" "Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, 'Certainly this man was innocent [Luke 23:47].'"
The innocent Lamb had been slain for our sins.

Jesus fulfills His mission, and as He says so clearly in John's Gospel, He can now return: "I came from the Father and have come into the world; again, I am leaving the world and going to the Father [John 16:28]."
Jesus practiced what He preached: "Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends [John 15:13]."

TFD Episode #6:: Surrender with Deacon Tom, Part 6

2009-04-06T15:32:00.000-07:00

Surrender - To the Cross. Your Cross.

Many thanks to Deacon Tom Fox for providing us these beautiful reflections. Thank you for joining us each Lenten Monday, we hope that you have been abundantly blessed by this Lent's reflections.

Remember, you can also download these podcasts via iTunes.

Deacon Tom Fox was ordained by Archbishop Charles Chaput into the Diocese of Denver. He worked in a mountain town parish at the foot of the Rocky Mountain National Park. Thousands of tourists and visitors came to his parish as they vacationed in and around the Continental Divide. Frequent requests for his homilies and Communion Service reflections led to a parishioner volunteering to set up a website (www.deacontomonline.com) where Tom stores some of his preaching. Deacon Tom has also worked with pre-marriage formation for young couples, baptismal prep for parents and he has taught RCIA for several years.

Tom's work on the internet led to his monthly contributions to the wonderful Lisa Hendey site for Catholic mothering (www.catholicmom.com) and a little later to a monthly column on the family site www.catholicfamilypodcast.com . The last year or so, Tom has been recording weekly reflections for the podcast found at www.catholicmoments.com He was interviewed on the Catholic Relevant Radio Network and he is working on completion of a Pontifical College Josephinum course on Diaconate Ministry for Marriage and Families. Deacon Tom and his wife Dee now reside in north central Arizona and Tom was granted deacon ministry faculties by the Tucson Diocese.

TFD Episode #5:: Surrender with Deacon Tom, Part 5

2009-03-30T07:35:00.000-07:00

Surrender - To the Father, Like a Child

Many thanks to Deacon Tom Fox for providing us these beautiful reflections. Join us each Lenten Monday for another installment in our 2009 series "Surrender". You can also download these podcasts via iTunes.

Deacon Tom Fox was ordained by Archbishop Charles Chaput into the Diocese of Denver. He worked in a mountain town parish at the foot of the Rocky Mountain National Park. Thousands of tourists and visitors came to his parish as they vacationed in and around the Continental Divide. Frequent requests for his homilies and Communion Service reflections led to a parishioner volunteering to set up a website (www.deacontomonline.com) where Tom stores some of his preaching. Deacon Tom has also worked with pre-marriage formation for young couples, baptismal prep for parents and he has taught RCIA for several years.

Tom's work on the internet led to his monthly contributions to the wonderful Lisa Hendey site for Catholic mothering (www.catholicmom.com) and a little later to a monthly column on the family site www.catholicfamilypodcast.com . The last year or so, Tom has been recording weekly reflections for the podcast found at www.catholicmoments.com He was interviewed on the Catholic Relevant Radio Network and he is working on completion of a Pontifical College Josephinum course on Diaconate Ministry for Marriage and Families. Deacon Tom and his wife Dee now reside in north central Arizona and Tom was granted deacon ministry faculties by the Tucson Diocese.

TFD Special: Father Augustine on the Luminous Mysteries

2009-03-26T06:54:00.000-07:00

Father Augustine again discusses the luminous mysteries.

I have also linked the paper which Father provided to his attendees

The Annunciation

2009-03-25T07:16:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to Fr. Augustine Measures, OSB for this beautiful homily on this holy day!

Splinters form the Cross

2009-03-24T05:03:00.000-07:00

By Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle

“Grant, Lord, that your faithful may become partakers in your passion through their sufferings in this life, so that the fruits of your salvation may be made manifest in them,” we read in the Divine Office.

When recently discussing a painful ordeal with a dear friend, we reminisced about our meeting each other over twenty years ago. She was pregnant with her first child, and I with my second. We recalled how we had helped each other throughout our difficult pregnancies and encouraged each other while nursing our tiny babies, who got us up every two hours. We have watched each other’s children blossom and grow.

Each of us has also suffered the loss of an unborn child through a miscarriage. We were able to hold each other’s hand.

I remember being wheeled into the operating room, sad and very scared, when I had lost a baby. I had been l5 weeks pregnant.

A nurse placed a package on my stomach and helped me open it as I was still being wheeled in for surgery because of the miscarriage. Inside was a statue of Jesus surrounded by little children. There was also a lovely, little note: “Jesus loves all his little children. I love you and I’m praying for you.”

A tear trickled down my cheek and I remembered to whisper a prayer. My friend’s thoughtful gesture touched me. Very shortly, the anesthesia took effect and then I remember waking up with lots of tubes and more IVs. I was told by the nurse that I had lost a lot of blood and had nearly died on the operating table. I was told that I needed to stay in the hospital a couple of days. How could I? I was only supposed to be here for a couple of hours. My little daughter and older son won’t understand. I need to go home. I was able to talk my doctor into allowing me to return home that evening to be with my family after I had a transfusion.

My thoughts returned to the gift that I had received from my dear friend. How she had managed to get that special treasure to the hospital before my emergency surgery remained a mystery to me. Her loving thoughts, concern and prayers helped me through the loss as did the help from my dear family and friends.

My friend, too, suffered the pain of losing an unborn child. God allowed me to be a comfort to her because he had allowed me to relate to her pain, so similar to that I had experienced earlier.

It was interesting, too, that we each also experienced placenta previa and a hemorrhaged uterus, forcing us into complete bed rest during our pregnancies. Having older children to care for, we asked ourselves, “What is complete bed rest? Mothers don’t really get to rest, do they?”

We each managed to get through our long pregnancies, supporting one another, counting the days till we would come face to face with our precious infants. And then, once again, we were on our feet heading into yet another chapter of our lives.

At times it may seem that things will always be this way, that nothing will change. Yet our lives progress in phases. A nine-month difficult pregnancy may seem like an eternity. A painful separation or divorce may leave us devastated. An unexpected accident or a sudden death of a loved one is very hard to handle and get over.

We need to remember that this, too, will pass. Time goes on and time heals. Each difficulty or “splinter from the Cross” has with it a solution and God’s grace. Every earthly pain or trial ends. Then we move on to another level of life, complete with new joys and sorrows and challenges. God, in His divine providence, provides for us the perfect amount of grace to get us through.

Our journey throughout our lives may take us along some very challenging roads. We might find ourselves at times in the most unexpected places. The gift of faith that God has given us for the asking will surely help to carry us through.

St Francis de Sales tells us in the Introduction to the Devout Life: “We need to suffer patiently not only the burden of being ill, but of being ill with the particular illness that God wants for us, among the people that He wants us to be with, and with the discomforts that He permits us to experience. I say the same of all other tribulations.”

Suffering is a part of life. But faith makes it bearable and love makes it a way to draw closer to the One Who suffered and died so that we might live. His Cross, our splinter — both are redemption.

Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle, mother of five and Lay Missionary of Charity writes from Connecticut. She is the author of the Best-selling book, Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers, published by Our Sunday Visitor Publishing. Her book, The Heart of Motherhood: Finding Holiness in the Catholic Home, published by Crossroad Publishing. Her book, Prayerfully Expecting: A Nine-Month Novena for Mothers-To-Be, bears a foreword by Blessed Teresa of Calcutta whom the author knew personally and was released in April 2007. These three books were encouraged and endorsed by Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta and given a blessing by Pope John Paul II. They are available through her website: www.donnacooperoboyle.com. Donna-Marie's latest books are: Catholic Saints Prayer Book , published by Our Sunday Visitor Publishing, The Domestic Church: Room by Room: A Mother's Study Guide, and Grace Cafe: Serving up Recipes for Faithful Mothering, both by Circle Press Publishing. Donna-Marie donates a portion of the proceeds to the Missionaries of Charity to help the poor, as well as parish organizations. Donna-Marie writes for a number of magazines, newspapers and Catholic websites. She has appeared on EWTN television, she has a regular radio segment called, "Mom's Corner" with Teresa Tomeo on "Catholic Connection," Ave Maria Radio. She is a regular contributor to Catholic Mom.com. Catholic Exchange, Catholic Online, and Catholic Outpost. She lectures on a number of topics and can be reached through her website or at DMCOBoyle@aol.com .

TFD Episode #4:: Surrender with Deacon Tom, Part 4

2009-03-23T06:52:00.000-07:00

Surrender - No Matter What

Many thanks to Deacon Tom Fox for providing us these beautiful reflections. Join us each Lenten Monday for another installment in our 2009 series "Surrender". You can also download these podcasts via iTunes.

Deacon Tom Fox was ordained by Archbishop Charles Chaput into the Diocese of Denver. He worked in a mountain town parish at the foot of the Rocky Mountain National Park. Thousands of tourists and visitors came to his parish as they vacationed in and around the Continental Divide. Frequent requests for his homilies and Communion Service reflections led to a parishioner volunteering to set up a website (www.deacontomonline.com) where Tom stores some of his preaching. Deacon Tom has also worked with pre-marriage formation for young couples, baptismal prep for parents and he has taught RCIA for several years.

Tom's work on the internet led to his monthly contributions to the wonderful Lisa Hendey site for Catholic mothering (www.catholicmom.com) and a little later to a monthly column on the family site www.catholicfamilypodcast.com . The last year or so, Tom has been recording weekly reflections for the podcast found at www.catholicmoments.com He was interviewed on the Catholic Relevant Radio Network and he is working on completion of a Pontifical College Josephinum course on Diaconate Ministry for Marriage and Families. Deacon Tom and his wife Dee now reside in north central Arizona and Tom was granted deacon ministry faculties by the Tucson Diocese.

TFD Episode #3:: Surrender with Deacon Tom, Part 3

2009-03-18T06:44:00.000-07:00

Surrender is Love

Many thanks to Deacon Tom Fox for providing us these beautiful reflections. Join us each Lenten Monday for another installment in our 2009 series "Surrender". You can also download these podcasts via iTunes.

Deacon Tom Fox was ordained by Archbishop Charles Chaput into the Diocese of Denver. He worked in a mountain town parish at the foot of the Rocky Mountain National Park. Thousands of tourists and visitors came to his parish as they vacationed in and around the Continental Divide. Frequent requests for his homilies and Communion Service reflections led to a parishioner volunteering to set up a website (www.deacontomonline.com) where Tom stores some of his preaching. Deacon Tom has also worked with pre-marriage formation for young couples, baptismal prep for parents and he has taught RCIA for several years.

Tom's work on the internet led to his monthly contributions to the wonderful Lisa Hendey site for Catholic mothering (www.catholicmom.com) and a little later to a monthly column on the family site www.catholicfamilypodcast.com . The last year or so, Tom has been recording weekly reflections for the podcast found at www.catholicmoments.com He was interviewed on the Catholic Relevant Radio Network and he is working on completion of a Pontifical College Josephinum course on Diaconate Ministry for Marriage and Families. Deacon Tom and his wife Dee now reside in north central Arizona and Tom was granted deacon ministry faculties by the Tucson Diocese.

A Mother's Faith-filled Life in Imitation of Our Blessed Mother

2009-03-14T07:49:00.000-07:00

Here's an excerpt from the first chapter, "The Foyer: Our Blessed Mother Mary and Motherhood" from my book, The Domestic Church: Room by Room: A Mother's Study Guide to ponder this week of Lent...

"Thoughts to Ponder...

If Mary, who was the Mother of God, can be his handmaid, taking delight in serving others, I can certainly strive to be a handmaid, too. Within my vocation of motherhood I will find a deep and lasting peace when I become intimately united to Christ while striving to be a servant to others, especially within my own family. Through the gift of myself, I receive so much in return—much more than I can ever imagine.

A life of prayer is necessary to come closer to Jesus and to understand God’s holy will for my life. Prayer and the many graces that are bestowed upon me in my vocation will ultimately give me the necessary strength to carry out my duties within my household, as well as to increase the love for my family.

It would be a lie to convey that a mother’s daily life is only one of blissful loving embraces and constant “warm fuzzies.” Motherhood is intrinsically beautiful, but while she is in the “trenches” with whiny demands, diapers, overflowing hampers of dirty laundry, and the constantly refilling kitchen sink, mothers know that the feeling of love for her family may not always emerge easily in every circumstance. It will, at times, come through the sacrifice of giving of herself and her decision to remain faithful to her vocation. A mother decides to love and to continue to love her family in God’s plan for her salvation and the salvation of her family. Through a mother’s loving service, God is at work sanctifying her soul when she thoroughly surrenders her heart to his holy will.

When life seems difficult within the family, I have recourse to the Blessed Mother who was human like me and will truly understand my problems. She will intercede for me; she is waiting to hear my prayers. Mothers can learn from Mary who is an example of one who listened to God and allowed the Holy Spirit to inspire and guide her. I can learn from Mary that a mother’s prayer is powerful. When I am asked to endure suffering or pain within my role as a mother, I can turn my thoughts to Mother Mary and ask her assistance and intercession. Throughout difficulties, and while trusting in God during particular situations within my homelife, I can meditate on Mary’s faithful trust in Our Lord and in the guidance of the Holy Spirit. When I experience the deep joy in my role as a mother, I can feel an affinity with Mary, who experienced deep joy in mothering Jesus.

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta taught me to say a very simple but poignant prayer to the Blessed Mother. She said, “Mary, Mother of Jesus, be a Mother to me now.” Let us invoke her often.

Let us also pray along with Blessed Teresa of Calcutta that the words in John’s Gospel, “love one another; even as I have loved you” will “not only be a light to us, but also a flame consuming the selfishness which prevents the growth of holiness”—so that love will permeate our vocation of motherhood.
***

“Holy Mary, Mother of God, our Mother, teach us to believe, to hope, to love with you. Show us the way to his Kingdom! Star of the Sea, shine upon us and guide us on our way!”—Benedict XVI ( Spe Salvi (Christian Hope), November 30, 2007)

***

Dear Blessed Mother Mary, please open my heart to see the holiness within my vocation of motherhood. Please guide me each day as I guide my children towards Heaven. Help me to have the courage to strive to serve others as you did, rather than expect to be served. I pray that I may also be a “handmaid of the Lord.” I pray for the courage to say to the Lord, “be it done unto me according to Thy Word.” Teach me, please, dear holy Mary, and bring me to Your Son Jesus. Amen."

***
Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle, mother of five and Lay Missionary of Charity writes from Connecticut. She is the author of the Best-selling book, Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers, published by Our Sunday Visitor Publishing. Her book, The Heart of Motherhood: Finding Holiness in the Catholic Home, published by Crossroad Publishing. Her book, Prayerfully Expecting: A Nine-Month Novena for Mothers-To-Be, bears a foreword by Blessed Teresa of Calcutta whom the author knew personally and was released in April 2007. These three books were encouraged and endorsed by Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta and given a blessing by Pope John Paul II. They are available through her website: www.donnacooperoboyle.com. Donna-Marie's latest books are: Catholic Saints Prayer Book , published by Our Sunday Visitor Publishing, The Domestic Church: Room by Room: A Mother's Study Guide, and Grace Cafe: Serving up Recipes for Faithful Mothering, both by Circle Press Publishing. Donna-Marie donates a portion of the proceeds to the Missionaries of Charity to help the poor, as well as parish organizations. Donna-Marie writes for a number of magazines, newspapers and Catholic websites. She has appeared on EWTN television, she has a regular radio segment called, "Mom's Corner" with Teresa Tomeo on "Catholic Connection," Ave Maria Radio. She is a regular contributor to Catholic Mom.com. Catholic Exchange, Catholic Online, and Catholic Outpost. She lectures on a number of topics and can be reached through her website or at DMCOBoyle@aol.com .
Read more...

Scriptural Stations Meditations - Fourteenth Station

2009-03-10T09:18:00.000-07:00

Jesus is Placed in the Tomb

We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
Because by Your holy cross You have
redeemed the world.

When it was evening,
there came a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph,
who was himself a disciple of Jesus.
He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus;
then Pilate ordered it to be handed over.
Taking the body, Joseph wrapped it [in] clean linen
and laid it in his new tomb that he had hewn in the rock.
Then he rolled a huge stone across the entrance to the tomb
and departed.

~Matthew 27: 57-60

We pray:

Lord Jesus, Your friends pull the iron from Your
mangled hands and feet and
balance your stiffened body down from the cross.
They must look on Your closed eyes in bitter confusion,
seeing their beloved friend silenced by those who opposed him.
Bitter grief and a kind of hopelessness is their only food now;
they do not understand that they will soon see You alive again.
Your lifeless body is anointed and wrapped in a sheet
and then laid in a borrowed tomb, sealed from sight,
from those who love You, in darkness.
Your friends are grieving and Your enemies are celebrating uneasily.
But the stone tomb is like a womb that will give birth to everlasting life.
Because You accepted even death, death on a cross (Phil 2:8), death is never the end.
Death is always a new beginning.

Lord, through the cross You have conquered death and made it flow into life.
You are placed alone in the tomb to show us that
the grave’s utter aloneness is not the end for which we are created.

You will soon rise, triumphant over death and sin, with the power to draw all of us to You in everlasting joy and unity.
You are living eternally,
and You created each of us to live forever with You.
Help us to remember that only our bodies enter the tomb;
our souls are always alive in You.
Give us this deep knowledge of salvation,
so that we will be moved to offer our lives
as a sacrifice of praise and gratitude.
May we see past the cross and past the tomb to the
light of the Resurrection, knowing that
the silence and darkness of death is only the crossing ground
to an eternal song of praise, and the Day that will never end.

Closing Prayer:

Lord Jesus,
in looking at Your suffering,
we begin to penetrate the mystery that here is Your glory.
We continuously rediscover the value and meaning of the Cross,
the truth of which opens us to hope in the face of so many difficulties.

As we “look on Him whom we have pierced” (Jn 19:37),
our own sorrows can be seen as a privileged way
to the very Heart of Christ, poured out for us.
You are alive and breathing through Your Church and
through each soul, ever revealing Yourself anew,
because love is always new, and continues to find new ways
to give itself and to express itself.
It is this truth that embraces every age and every situation
and makes the Cross the one sign of our salvation.

May we who have faithfully reflected on these mysteries follow in your steps and so come to share your glory in heavenwhere you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spiritone God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

Total Consecration:: Week 1, Day 6 - Self Knowledge

2009-03-10T05:03:00.001-07:00

Today's readings followed by Litany of the Holy Spirit, Litany of Loreto, and Ave Maris Stella.

Luke 17:1-10 (NAB)

He said to his disciples, "Things that cause sin will inevitably occur, but woe to the person through whom they occur. It would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck and he be thrown into the sea than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he wrongs you seven times in one day and returns to you seven times saying, 'I am sorry,' you should forgive him." And the apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith." The Lord replied, "If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to (this) mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you. "Who among you would say to your servant who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, 'Come here immediately and take your place at table'? Would he not rather say to him, 'Prepare something for me to eat. Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink. You may eat and drink when I am finished'? Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded? So should it be with you. When you have done all you have been commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.'"

Imitation of Christ, by Thomas á Kempis: Book 3, Chapter 47

That All Grievous Things Are to Be Endured For the Sake of Eternal Life
My son, be not wearied out by the labors which thou hast undertaken for My sake, nor let tribulation cast thee down ever at all; but let My promise strengthen and comfort thee under every circumstance. I am well able to reward thee, above all measure and degree. Thou shalt not long toil here, nor always be oppressed with griefs. Wait a little while, and thou shalt see a speedy end of thine evils.

Lenten Strategies; Listening, Not Looking

2009-03-10T05:03:00.000-07:00

By Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle

We are constantly searching for signs and wonders, never satisfied, always looking, seldom quiet or still enough to listen. Pope Benedict said, “As long as we live in the world, our relationship with God consists more in listening than in seeing; and even contemplation comes about, so to say, with eyes closed and thanks to the inner light lit within us by the Word of God.”

He said, “Human life is, in fact, a journey of faith and as such, progresses more in the shadows than in full light, and is not without moments of obscurity or even complete blackness.”

Each day we get up to face a new day. We may feel we have our lives figured out to a certain extent, but in actuality, we are always venturing into the unknown, walking in faith. Our Holy Father also told us that the Blessed Virgin “advanced in her own pilgrimage of faith day after day.” We should remember that although she was the mother of Jesus, she was human like us and needed to be steadfast in prayer to walk in faith.

Humbly listening to the voice of the Lord, Mary meditated on the Word of God through Scripture and through events in the life of her Son in which she knew and accepted as the voice of God.

By remaining close to our Lady, we can progress in our faith through the shadows of this Lent and the uncertain days ahead in our lives. We can seek the Blessed Mother’s help in our journey, asking her to teach us to be quiet so that we will be able to listen.

Our Lord is always present even when He seems obscure or absent. He is always waiting for us to communicate with Him and listen to His loving words to us. We have to learn how to be still to hear Him. Visits to the Blessed Sacrament help us to quiet our thoughts and move aside the clutter of our minds that gets in the way of a real communication with our Lord. Resting in our Lord’s presence in the Blessed Sacrament will refresh our souls. Seeking out more time for prayer in the stillness of our hearts wherever we are in our walks of life will help us come closer to our Lord and His holy will for us.

Our Holy Father specifically told the faithful during Lent to “listen to Him in His Word, conserved in Holy Scripture…listen to it in the events of our own lives, seeking to read therein the messages of Providence,” and finally, “to listen to it in our brothers and sisters, especially in the smallest and the poorest, towards whom Jesus Himself calls for a concrete display of our love.”

Jesus gives us this message through His Vicar on earth asking us to begin to truly listen for Him. We can take some time out each day to pick up the Bible, the Divine Office or the Readings of the day and after reading, pause to listen. We can be more attentive to the nitty-gritty of our lives and the events that fill our days. Nothing is a coincidence. Is our Lord speaking to us?

We need to look outside ourselves and find the “smallest” and the “poorest” in our families and in our neighbors and coworkers and respond with a “concrete display of our love.”

Pope Benedict told us that our Lord “always speaks to us, and expects us to pay the greatest attention, especially in this period of Lent.” Our Lord is speaking to us. Do we hear Him?

Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle, mother of five and Lay Missionary of Charity writes from Connecticut. She is the author of the Best-selling book, Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers, published by Our Sunday Visitor Publishing. Her book, The Heart of Motherhood: Finding Holiness in the Catholic Home, published by Crossroad Publishing. Her book, Prayerfully Expecting: A Nine-Month Novena for Mothers-To-Be, bears a foreword by Blessed Teresa of Calcutta whom the author knew personally and was released in April 2007. These three books were encouraged and endorsed by Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta and given a blessing by Pope John Paul II. They are available through her website: www.donnacooperoboyle.com. Donna-Marie's latest books are: Catholic Saints Prayer Book , published by Our Sunday Visitor Publishing, The Domestic Church: Room by Room: A Mother's Study Guide, and Grace Cafe: Serving up Recipes for Faithful Mothering, both by Circle Press Publishing. Donna-Marie donates a portion of the proceeds to the Missionaries of Charity to help the poor, as well as parish organizations. Donna-Marie writes for a number of magazines, newspapers and Catholic websites. She has appeared on EWTN television, she has a regular radio segment called, "Mom's Corner" with Teresa Tomeo on "Catholic Connection," Ave Maria Radio. She is a regular contributor to Catholic Mom.com. Catholic Exchange, Catholic Online, and Catholic Outpost. She lectures on a number of topics and can be reached through her website or at DMCOBoyle@aol.com .

TFD Episode #2:: Surrender with Deacon Tom, Part 2

2009-03-10T04:41:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to Deacon Tom Fox for providing us these beautiful reflections. Join us each Lenten Monday for another installment in our 2009 series "Surrender". You can also download these podcasts via iTunes.

Deacon Tom Fox was ordained by Archbishop Charles Chaput into the Diocese of Denver. He worked in a mountain town parish at the foot of the Rocky Mountain National Park. Thousands of tourists and visitors came to his parish as they vacationed in and around the Continental Divide. Frequent requests for his homilies and Communion Service reflections led to a parishioner volunteering to set up a website (www.deacontomonline.com) where Tom stores some of his preaching. Deacon Tom has also worked with pre-marriage formation for young couples, baptismal prep for parents and he has taught RCIA for several years.

Tom's work on the internet led to his monthly contributions to the wonderful Lisa Hendey site for Catholic mothering (www.catholicmom.com) and a little later to a monthly column on the family site www.catholicfamilypodcast.com . The last year or so, Tom has been recording weekly reflections for the podcast found at www.catholicmoments.com He was interviewed on the Catholic Relevant Radio Network and he is working on completion of a Pontifical College Josephinum course on Diaconate Ministry for Marriage and Families. Deacon Tom and his wife Dee now reside in north central Arizona and Tom was granted deacon ministry faculties by the Tucson Diocese.

Scriptural Stations Meditations - Thirteenth Station

2009-03-09T09:11:00.000-07:00

Jesus Dies on the Cross

We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
Because by Your holy cross You have
redeemed the world.

[I]n order that the scripture might be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I thirst."
So they put a sponge soaked in wine on a sprig of hyssop and
put it up to his mouth.
When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, "It is finished."
And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.
Now since it was preparation day,
in order that the bodies might not remain on the cross on the sabbath, …
the Jews asked Pilate that they be taken down…
[W]hen [the soldiers] came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead,
they did not break his legs,
but one soldier thrust his lance into his side,
and immediately
blood and water
flowed out.
~John 19: 28-34

We pray:

Lord Jesus, we can only look with wonder at this moment that
changes all of history and changes us,
this moment of our salvation.
At the sight of Your Body tortured and pierced for us,
we see clearly that redemption is not a kind of business transaction
in which we exchange prayers and penance for sins;
redemption is wrought by love that, in immolating itself wholly,
transforms darkness into light, hate to love, selfishness into gift.
The altar of the Cross defines God for us, and redefines Love.
In looking on You whom they have pierced (Jn 19:37),
we come to understand that You will spare nothing
to bring us to the radiance for which we are created.
We begin to see more clearly that our own activity
must be united to Your one saving action.
At every Mass, we are here at this moment anew,
and as the drop of water poured into the chalice is completely assimilated
into the rich wine of Your love and transformed,
so our own ordinary offerings are transformed
within the Chalice of Your Heart
by Your immense love and become worthy gifts to the Father.

Lord, You are always reaching out to us, offering Yourself to us wholly;
this love is only revealed to most people through our own open arms.
We must be Christ to one another.
This is our own inescapable role in the revelation of love.
Your heart transformed acts of malice and hate
into moments of grace and the victory of love;
renew our hearts with Your love, so that we can continue this
transformation in the world.

May we come to know through this apparent defeat,
as the last drops of blood and water
pour out from Your Heart onto the ground, that Love has the final victory.

Total Consecration:: Week 1, Day 5 - Self Knowledge

2009-03-09T04:58:00.000-07:00

Today's readings followed by Litany of the Holy Spirit, Litany of Loreto, and Ave Maris Stella.

True Devotion To the Blessed Virgin Mary, No. 228

Of Judgment, and the Punishment of Sinners In all things look to the end; and how thou wilt stand before that strict Judge (Heb. 10:31) to whom nothing is hid, who is not appeased with gifts, nor admitteth excuses, but will judge according to right. O wretched and foolish sinner, who sometimes art in terror at the countenance of an angry man, what answer wilt thou make to God who knoweth all thy wickedness (Job 9:2)! Why dost thou not provide for thyself (Luke 16:9) against the day of judgement, when no man can be excused of defended by another, but every one shall be a sufficient burden for himself!

Luke 16:1-8 (NAB)

Then he also said to his disciples, "A rich man had a steward who was reported to him for squandering his property. He summoned him and said, 'What is this I hear about you? Prepare a full account of your stewardship, because you can no longer be my steward.' The steward said to himself, 'What shall I do, now that my master is taking the position of steward away from me? I am not strong enough to dig and I am ashamed to beg. I know what I shall do so that, when I am removed from the stewardship, they may welcome me into their homes.' He called in his master's debtors one by one. To the first he said, 'How much do you owe my master?' He replied, 'One hundred measures of olive oil.' He said to him, 'Here is your promissory note. Sit down and quickly write one for fifty.' Then to another he said, 'And you, how much do you owe?' He replied, 'One hundred kors of wheat.' He said to him, 'Here is your promissory note; write one for eighty.' And the master commended that dishonest steward for acting prudently. "For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light.

Scriptural Stations Meditations - Twelfth Station

2009-03-08T09:08:00.000-07:00

Jesus Speaks to His Mother and the Disciple

We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother
and his mother's sister,
Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala.
When Jesus saw his mother
and the disciple there whom he loved,
he said to his mother,
"Woman, behold, your son."
Then he said to the disciple,
"Behold, your mother."
And from that hour
the disciple took her
into his home.

~John 19: 25-27

We pray:

Lord Jesus, though You seem to have nothing now,
You are still giving.
You give mercy and forgiveness to all,
You give Your promise of salvation to the Good Thief,
and now You give Your own Mother to us.
Mary’s Heart, pierced with the sword of sorrow
prophesied by Simeon so many years ago,
is now open to the whole world.
She stands at the foot of the Cross, consumed with grief
yet looking straight into the face of suffering, strong in hope.
She accepts this as she has accepted every detail of her life:
as the Father’s perfect will, which she need not understand.
She must only trust.
She does not waver, does not draw back from her fiat,
“Be it done to me as you have said” (Lk 1:38).
She places no limits or conditions on her Yes,
because she trusts fully that nothing is impossible for God.
She is confident that You will reign, that this is necessary,
and that Love will conquer all.

Lord, bring us beyond our woundedness
to the place where we know that our peace and our joy
are to be found only in doing the will of the Father wholeheartedly.
Help us to remember, like Mary, that the Mystery of God
does not require our understanding, but rather our trust;
we must trust God’s loving plan for His creation,
and do all we can to spread the Fire You came to
enkindle on earth.

May this entrusting of Your mother to the beloved disciple
and of Your beloved disciple to Mary be a sign to us that You do not want us to walk alone,

and inspire us to support one another as we journey toward You.

Total Consecration:: Week 1, Day 4 - Self Knowledge

2009-03-08T04:56:00.000-07:00

Today's readings followed by Litany of the Holy Spirit, Litany of Loreto and Ave Maris Stella.

From True Devotion To the Blessed Virgin Mary, No. 228

Preparatory Exercises

During the first week they should offer up all their prayers and acts of devotion to acquire knowledge of themselves and sorrow for their sins. Let them perform all their actions in a spirit of humility. With this end in view they may, if they wish, meditate on what I have said concerning our corrupted nature, and consider themselves during six days of the week as nothing but sails, slugs, toads, swine, snakes and goats. Or else they may meditate on the following three considerations of St. Bernard: "Remember what you were -corrupted seed; what you are - a body destined for decay; what you will be -food for worms." They will ask our Lord and the Holy Spirit to enlighten them saying, "Lord, that I may see," or "Lord, let me know myself," or the "Come, Holy Spirit". Every day they should say the Litany of the Holy Spirit, with the prayer that follows, as indicated in the first part of this work. They will turn to our Blessed Lady and beg her to obtain for them that great grace which is the foundation of all others, the grace of self-knowledge. For this intention they will say each day the Ave Maris Stella and the Litany of the Blessed Virgin.

Imitation of Christ, by Thomas á Kempis: Book 2, Chapter 5

Of Self-consideration
We cannot trust over much to ourselves (Jer. 17:5), because grace oftentimes is wanting to us, and understanding also. Little light is there in us, and this we quickly lose by our negligence. Oftentimes too we perceive not our inward blindness how great it is. Oftentimes we do evil, and excuse it worse (Psalm 141:4). We are sometimes moved with passion, and we think it zeal. We reprehend small things in others, and pass over our own greater matters (Matt. 7:5). Quickly enough we feel and weigh what we suffer at the hands of others; but we mind not how much others suffer from us. He that well and rightly considereth his own works, will find little cause to judge hardly of another.

Scriptural Stations Meditations - Eleventh Station

2009-03-07T09:05:00.000-08:00

Jesus Promises His Kingdom to the Good Thief

We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
Because by Your holy cross You have
redeemed the world.

Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying,
"Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us."
The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply,
"Have you no fear of God,
for you are subject to the same condemnation?
And indeed, we have been condemned justly,
for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes,
but this man has done nothing criminal."
Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
He replied to him,
"Amen, I say to you, today
you will be with me in Paradise."

~Luke 23: 39-43

We pray:

Lord Jesus, Your love is freely given, but cannot be forced on us.
Love must be freely accepted.
Here, in extreme agony as You take Your last labored breaths,
You are still reaching out with love to all who will open themselves to it, especially the least among us.
The “Good Thief” is good because he acknowledges his
helplessness and sinfulness and reaches toward You with hope;
he knows that he is “not good” alone and reaches out to You,
seeing Your goodness and love.
He opens himself to this love,
and enters Heaven through the door of Your freely borne wounds.
The rejection of Your great love for us defines sin;
this great love is the inexhaustible Source of Mercy,
which desires to forget every offense,
restore us to our original dignity, and fill us with every good thing.
Your goodness and mercy are like water or light,
reaching into every space that is open to them,
filling every space that is not sealed against them.

Lord, You never fail to repay our slightest efforts toward You
and to fill whatever we open to You.
Give us the grace to acknowledge our own powerlessness,
so that we will remain open to Your healing touch,
to the cleansing waters of Your merciful Love,
and to the glorious light of Your Truth
and be re-created in Your image.
Fully alive, we can walk in the freedom of the Spirit
Who is Life and Love.

May Your eager forgiveness and infinite mercy
help us to acknowledge our weakness
and open our hearts to the radiance of Your Love.

Total Consecration:: Week 1, Day 3 - Self Knowledge

2009-03-07T04:50:00.000-08:00

Today's readings followed by Litany of the Holy Spirit, Litany of Loreto and Ave Maris Stella.

Luke 13:1-5 (NAB)

At that time some people who were present there told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with the blood of their sacrifices. He said to them in reply, "Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were greater sinners than all other Galileans? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did! Or those eighteen people who were killed when the tower at Siloam fell on them --do you think they were more guilty than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!"

True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Nos. 81 and 82

We Need Mary in order to Die to Ourselves
Secondly, in order to empty ourselves of self, we must die daily to ourselves. This involves our renouncing what the powers of the soul and the senses of the body incline us to do. We must see as if we did not see, hear as if we did not hear and use the things of this world as if we did not use them. This is what St. Paul calls "dying daily". Unless the grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain and does not bear any good fruit. If we do not die to self and if our holiest devotions do not lead us to this necessary and fruitful death, we shall not bear fruit of any worth and our devotions will cease to be profitable. All our good works will be tainted by self-love and self-will so that our greatest sacrifices and our best actions will be unacceptable to God. Consequently when we come to die we shall find ourselves devoid of virtue and merit and discover that we do not possess even one spark of that pure love which God shares only with those who have died to themselves and whose life is hidden with Jesus Christ in him.

Thirdly, we must choose among all the devotions to the Blessed Virgin the one which will lead us more surely to this dying to self. This devotion will be the best and the most sanctifying for us.

Scriptural Stations Meditations - Tenth Station

2009-03-06T08:59:00.000-08:00

Jesus is Crucified

We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.

When they came to the place called the Skull,
they crucified him and the criminals there,
one on his right, the other on his left.
[Then Jesus said,
"Father, forgive them, they know not what they do."]
The people stood by and watched;
the rulers, meanwhile,
sneered at him and said,
"He saved others, let him save himself
if he is the chosen one, the Messiah of God."
Even the soldiers jeered at him.
Above him there was an inscription that read,
"This is the King of the Jews."
~Luke 23: 33-38

We pray:

Lord Jesus, in total freedom, You open Your arms and are
stretched out on the wood of the cross,
accepting every detail of this execution –
the ridicule of a pitiless crowd,
the rough wood against torn skin,
exposure to the stinging wind,
the crudeness of the executioners,
the blood in Your eyes,
the raging pain of thorns in the skull,
and the sickening violence of iron driven into flesh.
Utter agony.
A sign proclaims You “King of the Jews.”
Earthly kings reign by making people subject to them;
You reign by making Yourself subject to us, by giving Yourself wholly.
Raised on the throne of the Cross, crowned with thorns, You reign;
and You offer Yourself as gift to the Father,
offering each one of us and all we suffer –
within Your Heart, capable of transforming all things with love,
we are present to You in this moment of salvation.

Lord, because You desire to share Your victory with us,
the Cross is always open to love willing to suffer for others,
and the Redemption is always being completed by our own self-giving.
Help us to move beyond intellectual assent or commitment to action
and to become oblation,
pouring ourselves out for others in union with You,
so that by carrying Your death in our bodies,
Your life may also be manifest (2 Cor 4:10).
In this way, we present our own bodies as a holy and living sacrifice,
which is our spiritual worship (Rom 12:1),
and all we do for love is transformed into glory.

May Your willingness to give all for each of us enable us to
walk toward You in the shadow of the Cross,
which fills every void and makes sense of every difficulty and every pain.

Total Consecration:: Week 1, Day 2 - Self Knowledge

2009-03-06T04:48:00.000-08:00

Today's reading followed by Litany of the Holy Spirit, Litany of Loreto, Ave Maris Stella

Imitation of Christ, by Thomas á Kempis: Book 3, Chapter 13

My son, he that endeavoreth to withdraw himself from obedience, withdraweth himself from grace; and he who seeketh for himself private benefit (Matt. 16:24), loseth those which are common. He that doth not cheerfully and freely submit himself to his superior, it is a sign that his flesh is not as yet perfectly obedient unto him, but oftentimes kicketh and murmureth against him. Learn thou therefore quickly to submit thyself to thy superior, if thou desire to keep thine own flesh under the yoke. For more speedily is the outward enemy overcome, if the inward man be not laid waste. There is no worse nor more troublesome enemy to the soul than thou art unto thyself, if thou be not well in harmony with the Spirit. It is altogether necessary that thou take up a true contempt for thyself, if thou desire to prevail against flesh and blood. Because as yet thou lovest thyself too inordinately, therefore thou art afraid to resign thyself wholly to the will of others. And yet, what great matter is it, if thou, who art but dust and nothing, subject thyself to a man for God's sake, when I, the Almighty and the Most Highest who created all things of nothing, humbly subjected Myself to man for thy sake?

I became of all men the most humble and the most abject (Luke 2:7; John 13:14), that thou mightest overcome thy pride with My humility. O dust! learn to be obedient. Learn to humble thyself, thou earth and clay, and to bow thyself down under the feet of all men. Learn to break thine own wishes, and to yield thyself to all subjection.

Scriptural Stations Meditations - Ninth Station

2009-03-05T08:57:00.000-08:00

Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem

We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
Because by Your holy cross You have
redeemed the world.

A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including
many women who mourned and lamented him.
Jesus turned to them and said,
"Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me;
weep instead for yourselves and for your children, for indeed, the days are coming when people will say,
‘Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed.'
At that time, people will say to the mountains,
‘Fall upon us!' and to the hills, ‘Cover us!'
for if these things are done when the wood is green what will happen when it is dry?"

~Luke 23: 27-31

We pray:

Lord Jesus, You are on the point of death, but even now
Your compassionate heart is looking for ways to give,
to comfort others, to save those along the way.
You pause and speak with these women,
weeping and mourning at the sight of Your suffering
and at the vulgar noise of the crowd.
Was Your face new to them, or had they been part of the crowds
that followed You and listened to Your words?
What must have been the reaction of these women to this encounter?
What did they see in Your face?
They could not have understood clearly
the meaning of the words You spoke, and yet,
what must it have been like
to look into the eyes of the Suffering Servant in His very agony?
You try to open their eyes to the wider realities around them,
to help them see that it is the
unwillingness to be open to the truth that causes this suffering,
that people have not recognized
the time of their visitation (Luke 19:44).

Lord, give us the grace to recognize Your presence among us,
in the people around us, in the activities of the day,
and especially within Your Church.
Help us to appreciate the truth that You are always coming to us,
particularly in the sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist,
so that we might open ourselves fully to the transformation You promise,
and live in gratitude for this Presence.

May Your Presence within us and among us
radiate joyfully, that we may be bearers of Your Light into
every darkened place in the world.

The Blessed Mother: A Woman for All Vocations

2009-03-05T08:16:00.000-08:00

Some words for women to ponder this week...

The Blessed Mother: A Woman for All Vocations

by Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

Can a woman like me aspire to emulate such an amazing woman—the Virgin Mother of God, the first disciple, the matriarch of the Holy Family, and the Mother of the Church? Recalling instances in Mary’s life, we call to mind her gentleness, humility, holiness, perseverance, selflessness, and unwavering faith.

I ask myself this because I know I will never accomplish what our Blessed Mother has, or even come close to her holiness. Yet all women are called to holiness—whether in the sublime role of raising children, as a wife, as a single woman, or as a woman religious. And Mary demonstrates attributes and virtues that all women can emulate, whatever their vocation.

Mary’s deep faith was the foundation of her great holiness. Even though Mary was the Mother of God, we should remember that Mary was human like us and prayed to be unwavering in her faith, just as we also are called to do. Mary’s faith is the same gift available to us. We can ask Mary to be a mother to us and guide us closer to her Son, Jesus.

A Faithful Heart

Wanting to imitate Mary’s virtues, we may try to figure out what made her tick. Images from our Catholic tradition and Scripture may come to mind. We may be reminded of Mary as a faithful Jewish girl praying with her people in Palestine for the coming of the Messiah, the fulfillment of God’s promises. Mary was familiar with Isaiah’s words that a virgin would conceive and bear a child called Immanuel—“God with us”—but never imagined that she would be that virgin.

At times, we find ourselves in situations requiring faith in God, but our humanness causes us to feel inadequate or to fear that we are not faithful enough. When I hemorrhaged at 10 weeks pregnant with my fifth child, I was required to have faith that God’s holy will would be fulfilled, whatever it would be.

My doctor told me that I was miscarrying and conducted an ultrasound to check on the baby. When the ultrasound revealed a tiny baby with a beating heart, I was ordered to stay on complete bed rest and just wait. The doctor added that he wished the miscarriage would hurry up, saving me from further anguish.

I shuddered at his words and chose to hope instead. I rested and waited and never stopped praying. My four children bustled around me as I did my best to stay still and have faith in whatever it was that God had planned for us. I knew Bl. Teresa of Calcutta at the time, and she instructed me to call upon the Blessed Mother and to wear a Miraculous Medal that she had given me. She reminded me to trust in Our Lord, stay close to Mary, and pray, “Mary, Mother of Jesus, be a mother to me now.”

Our prayers were heard, and after a long nine months Mary-Catherine was born! In retrospect, I can understand why Our Lord may have given me another reason to pause during that pregnancy: While I was kept still, I was inspired to write about motherhood. These reflections have since been published. As a busy mother with four children and another on the way, I might never have had a spare moment to sit down to write! Our Lord knew what He was doing.

Humble Generosity and Courage

We know that when the angel Gabriel visited Mary with the announcement that she would become Jesus’ mother (Lk. 1:26–39), the humble teenager found it difficult to believe that it was she, a simple girl, who was chosen by God. Taking the blessing to heart, Mary responded with her courageous “yes” to God.

Shortly afterward, her generous heart sent her on a journey into the hill country, pregnant and “in haste,” to help her cousin Elizabeth, who was much older and also expecting a child (Lk. 1:39). Mary surely prayed and reflected throughout her journey, while the blessedness of Jesus dwelled within her. After Elizabeth’s baby leaped in her womb upon Mary’s arrival, the two women embraced. Elizabeth praised Mary for her great faith, and Mary humbly responded with the words of the Magnificat, glorifying God’s holiness, justice, and mercy, and foretelling that all generations would call her blessed because of the great things the Lord had done in her (Lk. 1:46–55).

When we question our own ability to courageously answer God with our “yes” when He bids us to follow Him, we must remember that, as women, we are also blessed with generous and courageous hearts like Mary’s. Graces are available to us to be courageous and to respond with love in all situations within our vocations. Throughout our daily lives, we are presented with many opportunities to put our own needs aside and go “in haste” to help—to help our children, our spouses, our parents, our neighbors, our coworkers, or whomever God has put into our lives.

The Simplicity of Love

Mary was led on a donkey by her beloved husband, Joseph, in search of a place to give birth and faced only rejection by the innkeepers. Soon afterward, Jesus’ infant cries were comforted at His mother’s breast in a stable. Our King and Savior was born into poverty, resting in a wooden manger of hay—hardly what is expected for a King’s birth! Angels sent simple shepherds to Mary and Joseph to see their holy baby. Mary “kept all these things, pondering them in her heart” (Lk. 2:19).

When we women face rejection in one form or another, we can pray for the graces we need to continue on, just as Mary did at the inns and later, when she felt the sting of the rejection of her Son by the very people He helped.

We can imagine Mary throughout the hidden years, teaching Jesus on her knee in the warmth of their humble home. As Jesus grew, Mary surely encouraged her Son to help Joseph in his carpentry. Mary’s faith deepened in the cenacle of prayer that she fostered in the heart of her home.

Mothers, too, live through hidden years, raising their families and trying to remain simple. Especially when children are young, mothers may find themselves housebound with the care of the family, children’s illness, or infants too small to go out. Mothers can make their home a “domestic Church,” as Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI have spoken of, by praying within the home, teaching the children, and thanking God for the blessedness of their families and the opportunities to care for them.

“Do whatever he tells you”

At the start of Jesus’ public ministry, sympathetic that a bride and groom were without wine, Jesus’ mother told Him, “They have no wine.” While Jesus appeared reluctant to perform His first miracle, saying that His hour had not yet come, Mary confidently told the wine stewards to “do whatever he tells you” (Jn. 2:2–11). Mary’s initiative, intercession, and obedience ultimately nudged on her Son. Thus, the power of a mother’s love brought about Jesus’ first public miracle.

Women, as mothers, have within reach the tremendous power of prayer. A mother has the ability to influence her children for better or for worse. A faithful mother’s prayers will always be heard by God. In their intercessory role, faithful mothers are forever praying for the welfare of their children, both for those living at home and for those who are grown and may have strayed away from the Church. A mother’s prayers can be just as efficacious as those of our Blessed Mother and have the power to work miracles in human hearts.

The Heart of the Home

Women can learn from Mary as one who listened to God and allowed the Holy Spirit to inspire and guide her. She gave herself completely to the will of the Father. We learn from Mary that a mother’s prayer is powerful. When we are asked to endure suffering or pain within our vocation, we can turn our thoughts to Mother Mary, who was no stranger to suffering, and ask her assistance and intercession.

When it is difficult to trust in God, we women can meditate on Mary’s faithful trust in Our Lord, drawing strength from her as we pray for guidance from the Holy Spirit. When those of us who are mothers experience the deep joy within our role, we can feel an affinity with someone who has also experienced this deep joy in mothering Jesus.

Mary’s marvelous “yes” to God changed the entire world for all eternity. May all faithful women also courageously answer Our Lord, “Let it be done to me according to your word,” as they strive to live holy lives and raise their families in a cenacle of prayer fostered in their homes, pondering it all deep within their own hearts and setting an example for all women.

(This article appeared in Lay Witness magazine and is used with permission from the author)

*******

Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle, mother of five and a Lay Missionary of Charity, is the author of the best-selling book, Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers (OSV, 2005), The Heart of Motherhood: Finding Holiness in the Catholic Home (Crossroad, 2006), and Prayerfully Expecting: A Nine-Month Novena For Expectant Mothers (Crossroad, 2007). All were endorsed by Bl. Teresa of Calcutta and blessed by Pope John Paul II. Her newest books are Catholic Saints Prayer Book (OSV, 2008), Grace Cafe: Serving up Recipes for Faithful Living (Circle Press, 2008), and The Domestic Church: Room by Room: A Mother's Study Guide (Circle Press, 2008) They are available through her website: www.donnacooperoboyle.com. Her work can also be seen in several magazines and Catholic websites.

Total Consecration:: Week 1 - Self Knowledge

2009-03-05T04:30:00.000-08:00

This week, we will work on becoming self-aware and learning to die to ourselves so that we may surrender to His holy will, following the example of the Blessed Mother. With her help, we will grow more like her Son.

Tday's reading followed by Litany of the Holy Spirit, Litany of Loreto, Ave Maris Stella

Luke 11:1-10 (NAB)

1 He was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples." He said to them, "When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread and forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us, and do not subject us to the final test." And he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey and I have nothing to offer him,' and he says in reply from within, 'Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.' I tell you, if he does not get up to give him the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence. "And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Scriptural Stations Meditations - Eighth Station

2009-03-04T08:49:00.000-08:00

Jesus is Helped by Simon the Cyrenian to Carry the Cross

We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.

They pressed into service a passer-by,
Simon, a Cyrenian,
who was coming in from the country,
the father of
Alexander and Rufus,
to carry his cross.

~Mark 15: 21

We pray:

Lord Jesus, You are truly man,
one like us in all things but sin,
and here we see You so weakened that You cannot go on –
tormented and bloody, barely dragging Yourself
through the dust of the road that will take You
outside the walls of the city to Your death.
In Your unprotected weakness, You need help to reach the end.
Simon does not want to get involved with this criminal,
nor with the mess of an execution;
he does not want this interruption in his life.
But You want to give Simon the gift of helping You,
the gift of the Cross, the gift of sharing in the work of redemption.
Others’ needs are always an interruption for us, a crossroad;
self-giving love is open to these disruptions and delays,
and looks for places in which heartfelt giving
can meet real need.

Lord, when faced with the needs of others,
we are often tempted to turn away, to take the easy way,
or to declare that this is not our responsibility.
But we are called to bear one another’s burdens (Gal 6:2) and to
make up what is lacking in the work of salvation (Col 1:24).
This is the mystery of self-giving love which You came to show us.
We must serve others and remain
open and available to their needs and weakness,
willing to expose ourselves to their deepest suffering.
We must be ready to help bear what they cannot bear alone,
offering ourselves for their good.

May we accept Your invitation to be unmistakable witnesses to the
unearthly truth of sacrificial love.

Humble Fare:: Kapusta

2009-03-04T05:30:00.000-08:00

Another Polish recipe today! Kapusta is a favourite in our house. We consider it comfort food - great when it's really cold outside. It's simple and inexpensive to make and feeds a crowd. Traditionally, kapusta is made with meaty pork ribs (bone in), but I make it from the meaty carcass left over from roast chicken dinner. It's important to boil the bones for the flavour. Meat alone just doesn't give the same taste. It also calls for a tin of yellow pea soup. I have made it with green pea soup, and green pea with bacon. Both of those options change the flavour considerably, so try to get the yellow this time around. Once you've tasted it, you may choose to experiment with the others.

This soup is best served over mashed potatoes, or a cauliflower puree (rather stiff). I suppose you could serve it over rice or egg noodles (or real kluski noodles). I always offer pumpernickel bread with this dish.

Kapusta

1 chicken carcass (with meat still on the bones)
1 green cabbage, shredded
1 large onion, sliced thin
1 tin sauerkraut
1 tin yellow pea soup (Habitant makes a great French Canadian pea soup)
water
salt and peppercorns to taste
1 tsp fennel seed, if desired

Place the chicken carcass in a large soup pot and cover with water, add a generous amount of salt and about 10 peppercorns. Cover tightly and bring to the boil; simmer for 45 minutes to an hour. Remove carcass and set aside to cool slightly. Add cabbage, onions, kraut and pea soup to the pot. Cover and let simmer until the cabbage is softened, about 15 minutes. In the meantime, strip te meat from the chicken bones and add back into the pot. **Fennel seed will help with the digestion of the cabbage and imparts a lovely, earthy, licorice flavour.

Kapusta will not be brothy, but somewhat dense with cabbage. Serves a big crowd and freezes beautifully.

Scriptural Stations Meditations - Seventh Station

2009-03-03T08:43:00.000-08:00

Jesus Bears the Cross

We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.

Then (Pilate) handed him over to them to be crucified.
So they took Jesus, and carrying the cross himself
he went out to what is called the Place of the Skull,
in Hebrew, Golgotha.

~John 19: 16-17

We pray:

Lord Jesus, the cross is the instrument of the
most shameful execution,
but You embrace it eagerly as the key that will open the
floodgates of grace and the fullness of life to all.
The rough beam burns deeply into Your wounded shoulders,
the darkness of sin and rejection
weighing heavily on Your generous Heart.
You are already near death,
barely resembling the charismatic rabbi
so recently speaking with authority, healing the broken, and forgiving sins.
But You choose this way freely:
“No one takes my life from me, but I lay it down of my own accord.” (Jn 10:18)
And this is the definition of true gift;
the value of a gift is not in what we allow to be taken from us,
but in what we freely give.

Lord, we often place limits or conditions
on what we will give or do.
But if we will have life and have it to the full,
we must be willing to pour ourselves out for others,
to take up our cross and follow You (Mark 8:34).
Help us to say YES to Your way, to be heedless of the
thorns and splinters we will encounter as we embrace our daily deaths
so that we can rise to new life in You.
Give us the interior freedom to embrace the
cross of our own immolation and carry it to the end,
knowing that You have gone before us and carry it with us.

May Your embrace of the cross inspire us to
do the will of the Father as He wants it done, so that
we are doing God’s work, not works for God.

Total Consecration - Day Twelve

2009-03-03T06:02:00.000-08:00

Today is the final day of preparation for Total Consecration. Tomorrow, we begin Week One.

Reading for today, followed by Veni Creator, Ave Maris Stella, Magnificat, and Gloria Patri:

Imitation of Christ, by Thomas á Kempis: Book 1, Chapter 25., cont.

But if thou observest any thing worthy of reproof, beware thou do not the same. And if at any time thou hast done it, labor quickly to amend thyself. As thine eye observeth others, so art thou by others noted again. How sweet and pleasant a thing it is, to see brethren fervent and devout, obedient and well-disciplined! How sad and grievous a thing it is, to see them walk disorderly, not applying themselves to that for which they are called! How hurtful a thing it is, when they neglect the purpose of their calling and busy themselves in things not committed to their care! Be mindful of the purpose thou hast embraced, and set always before thee the image of the Crucified. Good cause thou hast to be ashamed in looking upon the life of Jesus Christ, seeing thou hast not as yet endeavored to conform thyself more unto Him, though thou hast been a long time in the way of God. A religious person that exercizeth himself seriously and devoutly in the most holy life and passion of our Lord, shall there abundantly find whatsoever is profitable and necessary for him, neither shall he need to seek any better thing, besides Jesus. O if Jesus crucified would come into our hearts, how quickly and fully should we be. A man fervent and diligent is prepared for all things. It is harder toil to resist vices and passions, than to sweat in bodily labors. He that avoideth not small faults, by little and little falleth into greater. Thou wilt always rejoice in the evening, if thou spend the day profitably. Be watchful over thyself, stir up thyself, warn thyself, and whatsoever becometh of others, neglect not thyself. The more violent thou uses against thyself, the more shalt thou progress. Amen.

Transforming Lenten Struggles

2009-03-03T05:04:00.000-08:00

By Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle

My husband tells me with a mischievous smile that he “was put on this earth to make me a saint!” We laugh, but really I know he is more accurate than he may think. Our response to every situation and circumstance in our lives makes us either closer or further from God.

It is truly up to us how we will respond to these situations surrounding us. No one decides for us.

“A Christian has to fight on a daily basis, and especially during Lent, a test like the one Jesus passed in the desert. He was tempted by Satan during those forty days and again in Gethsemane, where He resisted the last temptation by accepting the will of the Father to the last final measure,” our Holy Father, Benedict, told us as we began this Lenten journey.

Each day, as Christians, we fight the fight. Each day we put one foot in front of the other, asking our Lord to guide our steps, to give us strength to pass by the things we are to avoid and embrace the things we are to handle. During these days of Lent, we are to be even more attentive to the things and people that encircle us.

We should be aware and remember that we will be given opportunities for extra grace through the many challenges we will most likely be presented with at this penitential time. Nothing is a coincidence. Prayer will be our saving grace and will help to transform our souls to be open to hear our Lord speaking to our hearts in the midst of our ordinary days.

Pope Benedict tells us, “Another aspect of Lenten spirituality is what we call a struggle, a contest…it is a spiritual fight, directed against sin, and, in the end, against Satan, the origin and beginning of every sin. It is a struggle that involves the whole person and requires permanent and watchful attention.”

Prayer, a conversation with the Divine, can be said at any time, in any place and will help put us into the spirit of repentance, giving us strength and courage to fight against temptation. Prayer will help us open our hearts more fully. We can make use of the sacrament of confession, frequent the Blessed Sacrament and call upon the Blessed Mother, Queen of All Virtues, seeking her help in aiding us to become more virtuous.

As we go about our ordinary days during Lent, let’s be sure to pause a moment to consider our response to everything that fills our days. And when we have missed the mark, we will vow to try harder and with more passion. We pray that our lives will become a response of wholehearted abandon to our Lord, accepting His holy will for us. Our Church gives us forty days to be more attentive. Hopefully, we won’t stop at Easter Sunday but will allow this attentiveness to spill into the remainder of our days throughout our lives.

The next time we encounter struggles, strife or suffering from our dear family members, coworkers or events in our daily lives, let’s pause and respond with love and thank God for giving them to us as aids in helping us along our road to sainthood.

Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle, mother of five and Lay Missionary of Charity writes from Connecticut. She is the author of the Best-selling book, Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers, published by Our Sunday Visitor Publishing. Her book, The Heart of Motherhood: Finding Holiness in the Catholic Home, published by Crossroad Publishing. Her book, Prayerfully Expecting: A Nine-Month Novena for Mothers-To-Be, bears a foreword by Blessed Teresa of Calcutta whom the author knew personally and was released in April 2007. These three books were encouraged and endorsed by Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta and given a blessing by Pope John Paul II. They are available through her website: www.donnacooperoboyle.com. Donna-Marie's latest books are: Catholic Saints Prayer Book , published by Our Sunday Visitor Publishing, The Domestic Church: Room by Room: A Mother's Study Guide, and Grace Cafe: Serving up Recipes for Faithful Mothering, both by Circle Press Publishing. Donna-Marie donates a portion of the proceeds to the Missionaries of Charity to help the poor, as well as parish organizations. Donna-Marie writes for a number of magazines, newspapers and Catholic websites. She has appeared on EWTN television, she has a regular radio segment called, "Mom's Corner" with Teresa Tomeo on "Catholic Connection," Ave Maria Radio. She is a regular contributor to Catholic Mom.com. Catholic Exchange, Catholic Online, and Catholic Outpost. She lectures on a number of topics and can be reached through her website or at DMCOBoyle@aol.com .

TFD Episode #1:: Surrender with Deacon Tom, Part 1

2009-03-02T09:20:00.000-08:00

Scriptural Stations Meditations - Sixth Station

2009-03-02T08:39:00.000-08:00

Jesus is Scourged and Crowned with Thorns

We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.

Then Pilate took Jesus and had him scourged.
And the soldiers wove a crown out of thorns
and placed it on his head,
and clothed him in a purple cloak,
and they came to him and said,
"Hail, King of the Jews!"
And they struck him repeatedly.

~John 19: 1-3

We pray:

Lord Jesus, this kind of cruelty is hard for us to imagine,
and yet many people in the world are suffering horribly and
being tortured at the hands of others even today.
Man’s inhumanity to man is ever-present in this world.
Your flesh, the flesh assumed by Divinity, is
torn violently and Your blood flows to the ground.
To mock You, the soldiers force a ridiculous crown onto Your head,
blinding You with pain.
Yet Your Heart sees clearly and continues to
reach beyond the taunts and jeers,
longing to gather all to the safety of love.
You endure this cruelty to show us the profoundest truth:
that God is not a God of power and wrath to be feared,
but that God is Love, and Love will give all and
suffer all things, even to death,
so that we can be free to love in return.

Lord, You are like a mother who longs to draw us all to Your Heart,
but we will not be gathered, running with false independence
toward an abyss we refuse to acknowledge.
Humanity’s distorted desire for power and freedom
has lead to the most hideous violence and injustice.
Give us the grace to see that only in You
can we find our true selves and be free.
Help us to understand that power is made perfect in weakness (Cor 12:9)
and that the realities of love are not manifest in bold displays of strength,
but deep within hearts eager to
pour themselves out – even in hiddenness – for others.

May the suffering and ridicule You endured for love of us
ignite deep within our hearts the willingness to suffer for love of one another and You.

Total Consecration - Day Eleven

2009-03-02T06:01:00.000-08:00

Reading for today, followed by Veni Creator, Ave Maris Stella, Magnificat, and Gloria Patri:

Imitation of Christ, by Thomas á Kempis: Book 1, Chapter

When a certain anxious person, who often times wavered between hope and fear, once overcome with sadness, threw himself upon the ground in prayer, before one of the altars in the Church and thinking these things in his mind, said "Oh, if I only knew how to persevere," that very instant he heard within him, this heavenly answer: "And if thou didst know this, what would thou do? Do now what you would do, and thou shall be perfectly secure." And immediately being consoled, and comforted, he committed himself to the Divine Will, and his anxious thoughts ceased. He no longer wished for curious things; searching to find out what would happen to him, but studied rather to learn what was the acceptable and perfect will of God for the beginning and the perfection of every good work. "Hope in the Lord," said the Prophet, "And do all good, and inhabit the land, and thou shall be fed of the riches thereof." There is one thing that keeps many back from spiritual progress, and from fervor in amendment namely: the labor that is necessary for the struggle. And assuredly they especially advance beyond others in virtues, who strive the most manfully to overcome the very things which are the hardest and most contrary to them. For there a man does profit more and merit more abundant grace, when he does most to overcome himself and mortify his spirit. All have not, indeed, equal difficulties to overcome and mortify, but a diligent and zealous person will make a greater progress though he have more passions than another, who is well regulated but less fervent in the pursuit of virtues.

Scriptural Stations Meditations - Fifth Station

2009-03-01T08:31:00.000-08:00

Jesus is Judged by Pilate

We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.

They bound Jesus, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate.
Pilate questioned him, "Are you the king of the Jews?"
He said to him in reply, "You say so."
The chief priests accused him of many things.
Again Pilate questioned him,
"Have you no answer? See how many things they accuse you of."
Jesus gave him no further answer, so that Pilate was amazed....
Pilate said to (the crowd), "Then what do you want me to do with
the man you call the king of the Jews?"
They shouted, "Crucify him."
Pilate said to them, "Why? What evil has he done?"
They only shouted the louder, "Crucify him."
Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barrabas...
[and] handed [Jesus] over to be crucified.

~Mark 15: 1-5, 12-15

We pray:

Lord Jesus, Pilate embodies the acclaimed powers of
this world, parading authority and wealth that are not their own.
Before this lie, You stand firm –
Your power and authority are independent of this world.
Pilate expresses his own struggle of conscience before all,
trying to appease the mob and ease his conscience
by compromise and ceremony. But the crowd is not appeased
and he will still be tormented by his decision to hand You over
though he finds no guilt in You.
His fear of losing what he has outshouts his sense of justice,
so he washes his hands of the matter,
but our actions and inactions have consequences that
water and human words cannot erase.
Maintaining the status quo or protecting one’s interests
causes the innocent to suffer and allows evil to gain a foothold.

Lord, in this world, unjust power often prevails and
the innocent suffer needlessly,
and this exploitation is often wrapped in deceptive words.
Help us to see in Your example the need to
bear each day’s injustice toward us,
especially the confusion of those who
know what is true but refuse to act.
Give us the wisdom to know when it is better to
bear injustice patiently and when we should speak out.
Give us the grace to trust that You can use
even the injustice of the world for Your greater glory,
because light shines brightest in the darkest night.

May we never lose sight of the true cleansing
found in Your Word and the life-giving water of Your sacraments.

Total Consecration - Day Ten

2009-03-01T05:59:00.000-08:00

Reading for today, followed by Veni Creator, Ave Maris Stella, Magnificat, and Gloria Patri:

Imitation of Christ, by Thomas á Kempis: Book 3, Chapter

Now, will I speak again, O Lord, and will not be silent, I will say in the hearing of my God and my King Who is on high: Oh, how great is the abundance of Thy sweetness, O Lord, which Thou hast hidden for those that fear Thee! But what art Thou, for those who love Thee? What, to those who serve Thee with their whole heart? Unspeakable indeed is the sweetness of Thy contemplation, which Thou bestowest on those who love Thee. In this most of all hast Thou showed me the sweetness of Thy love, that when I had no being, Thou didst make me; and when I was straying far from Thee, Thou brought me back again, that I might serve Thee: and Thou hast commanded me to serve Thee. O Fountain of everlasting love, what shall I say of Thee? How can I forget Thee, Who hast vouchsafed to remember me even after I was corrupted and lost? Beyond all hope Thou showest mercy to Thy servant; and beyond all desert, hast Thou manifested Thy grace and friendship. What return shall I make to Thee for this favor? For it is granted to all who forsake these things, to renounce the world, and to assume the monastic life. Is it much that I should serve Thee, Whom the whole creation is bound to serve? It ought not to seem much to me to serve Thee; but this does rather appear great and wonderful to me, that Thou vouchsafest to receive one so wretched and unworthy as Thy servant. It is a great honor, a great glory, to serve Thee, and to despise all things for Thee, for they who willingly subject themselves to Thy holy service, shall have great grace. They shall experience the most sweet consolation of the Holy Spirit, Who for the love of Thee, have cast aside all carnal delight.

"No" to me = "Yes" to Jesus; it's not just about denial and deprivation

2009-02-28T16:26:00.000-08:00

Does God want us to be miserable?
Is He some kind of killjoy?
What kind of God would limit my computer time?

I know some tweens and teens asking these questions about now.

With all the "no" of Lent, all the paring down like the desert, all the stripping away, it may seem like that, especially to children. How do we reconcile all this abstaining and fasting with the truth that God wants us to be filled with JOY?

That's not an easy concept, for any of us. And to keep difficult concepts simple and accessible and have something to quickly remind us of why we do what we do when our nature starts to kick at the goad and object to all our good resolutions, we need a simple formula that we can repeat.
The formula we use in this house is: "No" to me is "YES" to Jesus.

The austerities of the spiritual life have a point; it's not just about denial and deprivation. If suffering were an end in itself, it would be a very sick spirituality indeed, a distortion of the truth. There are many different analogies we can use to help children understand the point: we talk about "flexing our spiritual muscles" so that our wills become strong for good and not weak and lax so that we give in to every temptation; we talk about eliminating distractions so that our minds can find quiet to think about the more important things, without the theme song to Blue's Clues running through them or an eagerness for our turn on the computer disrupting that quiet; we talk about our solidarity with the poor, how we want to be like people we love and we should love them too, about how our using less would mean more equity in the world (though it doesn't immediately translate into that in the real world); we talk about how we want to be like Jesus, and He had nothing, not even "a place to lay His head," and how He gave us everything so that we would learn to give and not to take; we talk about how human beings have always given their best to God - their firstfruits, their most perfect lamb (we are studying ancient Rome, and we see even they give their best things to the gods and not save them for themselves) - and so we do to, only we don't have to build an altar and BURN what we want to give in sacrifice, we simply deny ourselves the use of that thing for now and "offer it up" as sacrifice.

Our entire lives can and should become oblation, and I often point to Pope John Paul the Great as an example of one who gave up all for Christ, and received so much. But he kept giving all, to the very end. He did not draw back when the going got tough.

We start small, we start now. We begin flexing those muscles and going without things we think we cannot go without during these 40 days. We begin to overcome our selfishness and prove that God is more important to us than our own wants by saying "no" to ourselves about something we want to do or use or eat. We sacrifice it to God that way. So, "no" to me is "yes" to Jesus.

But as everything we do has mixed motives, we can remind ourselves that there is a greater reward to come for all this "sacrificing." There is Heaven, in the long term - life with Jesus. But in the short term, there is a cadre of new and better habits formed, an increase of actual grace that brings us more self-control, more generosity, more peace, a stronger will, a deeper love. And hopefully, there is a better preparedness for the celebration of the Paschal Mystery.
To young minds, I present this tantalizingly as, "If you want to enjoy the FEAST, you really need to FAST."

Most days, it works.

Scriptural Stations Meditations - Fourth Station

2009-02-28T08:26:00.000-08:00

Jesus is Denied by Peter

We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.

After arresting him they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest;
Peter was following at a distance.
They lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat around it, and Peter sat down with them.
When a maid saw him seated in the light,
she looked intently at him and said, "This man too was with him."
But he denied it saying, "Woman, I do not know him."
A short while later someone else saw him and said,
"You too are one of them";
but Peter answered, "My friend, I am not."
About an hour later, still another insisted,
"Assuredly, this man too was with him, for he also is a Galilean."
But Peter said, "My friend, I do not know what you are talking about."
Just as he was saying this, the cock crowed,
and the Lord turned and looked at Peter;
and Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him,
"Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times."
He went out and began to weep bitterly.
~Luke 22:54-62

We pray:

Lord Jesus, generous desires and bold words are often
where our fidelity begins and ends;
these are not enough to sustain us through a true test,
as Peter discovered in the courtyard.
At the very moment when You are witnessing to the truth
even though it will cost You Your life, Peter is demonstrating
our natural and fearful response to danger;
he is saying whatever is necessary to “save his own skin,”
even to the point of swearing that he does not know You.
He is denying his own identity in denying You.
Peter heard you say,
“Blessed are those who endure persecution for My sake,” (Mt 5:10)
but he now knows experientially Your more recent words:
“the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mt 26:41)

Lord, we are short-sighted and self-preserving by nature,
but You came to show us a new way of living:
the Way of self-giving love.
Open us to Your glance –
that glance of mercy and love that will draw from us
cleansing tears of healing and renewal.
In this restoring grace, may we find the strength to
witness to truth and hope,
without being preoccupied with ourselves.

May Your abundant mercy give us courage to
admit our failings, ask Your forgiveness and return to You,
ready to follow You ever anew.

Total Consecration - Day Nine

2009-02-28T05:58:00.000-08:00

Reading for today, followed by Veni Creator, Ave Maris Stella, Magnificat, and Gloria Patri:

Imitation of Christ, by Thomas á Kempis: Book 1, Chapter 13, cont.

Fire tries iron, and temptation a just man. We often know not what we are able to do, but temptations discover what we are. Still, we must watch, especially in the beginning of temptation; for then the enemy is more easily overcome, if he be not suffered to enter the door of the mind, but is withstood upon the threshold the very moment he knocks. Whence a certain one has said "Resist beginnings; all too late the cure." When ills have gathered strength, by long delay, first there comes from the mind a simple thought; then a strong imagination, afterwards delight, and the evil motion and consent and so, little by little the fiend does gain entrance, when he is not resisted in the beginning. The longer anyone has been slothful in resisting, so much the weaker he becomes, daily in himself, and the enemy, so much the stronger in him. Some suffer grievous temptations in the beginning of their conversion, others in the end and others are troubled nearly their whole life. Some are very lightly tempted, according to the wisdom and the equity of the ordinance of God who weighs man's condition and merits, and pre-ordaineth all things for the salvation of His elect. We must not, therefore, despair when we are tempted, but the more fervently pray to God to help us in every tribulation: Who, of a truth, according to the sayings of St. Paul, will make such issue with the temptation, that we are able to sustain it. Let us then humble our souls under the hand of God in every temptation and tribulation, for the humble in spirit, He will save and exalt. In temptation and tribulations, it is proved what progress man has made; and there also is great merit, and virtue is made more manifest.

Scriptural Stations Meditations - Third Station

2009-02-27T08:20:00.000-08:00

Jesus is Condemned by the Sanhedrin

We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.

When day came the council of elders of the people met, both chief priests and scribes,
and they brought him before their Sanhedrin.
They said, "If you are the Messiah, tell us,"
but he replied to them, "If I tell you, you will not believe, and if I question, you will not respond.
But from this time on the Son of Man will be seated
at the right hand of the power of God."
They all asked, "Are you then the Son of God?"
He replied to them, "You say that I am."
Then they said, "What further need have we for testimony?
We have heard it from his own mouth." ~Luke 22: 66-71

We pray:

Lord Jesus, Your friends have all scattered in fear
and You now stand alone before the powers of this world.
In a mockery of justice that holds no hope for You,
the Sanhedrin poses questions, but You refuse to
“play the game” or plead Your case;
word games and compromises have no place in You.
The Truth will stand free, and if those who choose the lie will
distort it and ignore it and muffle it and pretend to destroy it,
yet Truth will triumph.
You are not concerned with winning this unwinnable argument;
Your only concern is Truth.
Without Truth, there is no justice.

Lord, we are weak and wounded, and prone to waver
in our generosity and our commitment.
Without Your wisdom, we often allow our fear or selfwardness
to distract us from standing up for what is right.
Or we become so zealous about one particular truth that
our efforts become exaggerated and even offensive to others.
Give us the courage to witness to the full truth, with love,
regardless of what it will cost us.
Give us the clarity to see that we are not responsible for
eradicating every evil, every distortion, and every injustice;
we are only required to speak the truth plainly, gently, with love.

May Your gentle humility and endless mercy guide
our every effort to bring Truth to others.

The Blessed Mother Mary and my own Motherhood

2009-02-27T07:25:00.000-08:00

I am excerpting a few parts from my book, The Domestic Church: Room by Room: A Mother's Study Guide for reflection today and for this upcoming week. These excerpts are from Chapter One: The Foyer: Our Blessed Mother Mary and Motherhood

This Chapter speaks of the fact that we as mothers may not feel so inclined to relate or even compare our own motherhood to the Blessed Mother's motherhood, although we know that we should try to emulate her virtues. After all, Mary was the Mother of God! She was sinless! She was given the tremendous gift of carrying the Redeemer of the world in her womb! We may feel that she is far removed from our lives. Nevertheless, do we dare ask ourselves: "How can a simple mother like me aspire to imitate such an amazing Mother? And in imitating Mother Mary, will I glorify and please God?

A few short excerpts follow which may give us food for thought as we journey through this week of Lent...

A mother can learn from Mary by asking for God's grace to entrust herself completely to him with the "full submission of intellect and will."

For mothers, it means service first in her family and then reaching out to the world. At times, good intentions and a mother's loving heart may cause her to stretch herself too much to administer to the needs of others outside her home. It's wonderful and holy to want to help, yet mothers must remember that their love begins first and foremost at home. Being sure that her family is properly cared for before she embarks in other areas of ministry will ensure that she is not inadvertently neglecting her family in the process of helping others.

Silence can ironically be found in the busyness of a mother's day as a mother learns to retreat to her heart even as she is involved in the care of her family. Within the "silence" of a mother's heart, Our Lord can speak.

It is when she realizes that Our Lord actually wants to use her attentiveness to her family's needs that she will understand the value and prayerfulness in performing little things with great love. The mother becomes an everyday example to her family as she raises her children in holiness and goes about with a prayerful heart, striving to emulate the Blessed Mother's virtues.

Perhaps we can spend at least a few moments to ponder and pray about our own vocation of motherhood and how Our Lord may be calling to our hearts.

(Excerpts above from The Domestic Church: Room by Room: A Mother's Study Guide Circle Press, 2008, available at http://www.donnacooperoboyle.com)

Total Consecration - Day Eight

2009-02-27T06:00:00.000-08:00

Reading for today, followed by Veni Creator, Ave Maris Stella, Magnificat, and Gloria Patri:

Imitation of Christ, by Thomas á Kempis: Book 1, Chapter 13

As long as we live in this world, we cannot be without temptations and tribulations. Hence it is written in Job "Man's life on earth is a temptation." Everyone therefore should be solicitous about his temptations and watch in prayer lest the devil find an opportunity to catch him: who never sleeps, but goes about, seeking whom he can devour. No one is so perfect and holy as sometimes not to have temptations and we can never be wholly free from them. Nevertheless, temptations are very profitable to man, troublesome and grievous though they may be, for in them, a man is humbled, purified and instructed. All the Saints passed through many tribulations and temptations and were purified by them. And they that could not support temptations, became reprobate, and fell away. Many seek to flee temptations, and fall worse into them. We cannot conquer by flight alone, but by patience and true humility we become stronger than all our enemies. He who only declines them outwardly, and does not pluck out their root, will profit little; nay, temptations will sooner return and he will find himself in a worse condition. By degrees and by patience you will, by God's grace, better overcome them than by harshness and your own importunity. Take council the oftener in temptation, and do not deal harshly with one who is tempted; but pour in consolation, as thou wouldst wish to be done unto yourself. Inconstancy of mind and little confidence in God, is the beginning of all temptations. For as a ship without a helm is driven to and fro by the waves, so the man who neglects and gives up his resolutions is tempted in many ways.

Scriptural Stations Meditations - Second Station

2009-02-26T08:13:00.000-08:00

Jesus, Betrayed by Judas, is Arrested

We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.

While he was still speaking,
a crowd approached
and in front was one of the Twelve,
a man named Judas.
He went up to Jesus to kiss him.
Jesus said to him,
"Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?"
His disciples realized what was about to happen,
and they asked,
"Lord, shall we strike with a sword?"
Luke 22:47-49

We pray:

Lord Jesus, as You began Your prayer in the garden,
Your friends could not reach out to You because
they did not understand;
now, another friend hands You over to those who will execute You.
Judas wanted more than the quiet kingdom of love and service
which You came to enkindle,
a kingdom of peace that begins deep within us.
Because he is driven by his own vision and desires
rather than by love,
he is driven to action that will lead to what he did not foresee.
Yet You do not respond with anger or bitterness.
Even as Judas lies with a kiss, you invite him to the truth,
posing a question to his conscience, no more.
Even as You are arrested with clubs, You reject violence.
You look on each person with love, seeing what we are,
inviting us to something better.
Always, Your heart is offering mercy.

Lord, teach us Your way, so that we will comprehend
Your new commandment, given at the last supper with Your friends:
“Love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12).
Fill us with Your love
so that we will see that we are made to serve others,
to give to others, even to suffer for others.
Help us to be as gentle with one another as You are with us,
to turn all bitterness and resentment from our hearts,
so that they remain open conduits of Your love;
in this way, we will become the peacemakers You called blessed.

May Your suffering love be the prism through which we see one another.

Scriptural Stations Meditations - First Station

2009-02-26T08:07:00.000-08:00

Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane

We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.
Because by Your holy cross You have redeemed the world.

Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane,
and he said to his disciples,
"Sit here while I go over there and pray."
He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee,
and began to feel sorrow and distress.
Then he said to them, "My soul is sorrowful even to death.
Remain here and keep watch with me."
He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying,
"My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me;
yet, not as I will, but as you will."
When he returned to his disciples he found them asleep.
He said to Peter, "So you could not keep watch with me for one hour?
Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." ~Matthew 25:36-41

We pray:

Lord Jesus, Your whole life has been
a perfect offering to the Father,
and here in the garden You will not
withdraw from Your mission of freeing all of Creation
by taking upon Yourself every fallenness and transforming it.
Yet we see You struggling with what is before You.
Your friends recently saw You
transfigured on the mountain
and then You demonstrated that love means service
by washing their feet,
but now they cannot reach beyond themselves
or be available to You in this profound sorrow;
a sorrow so deep Your sweat is mingled with blood.
You are alone with the Father.So often we feel overwhelmed
and want to ask that we might be relieved of our burdens.
You have shown us that these feelings are natural
and this cry is acceptable,
as long as we echo Your ultimate submission to the Father.

Lord, give us the strength to surrender our wills to You,
so that in all things we may know the wisdom of
letting go, and we might always say,
“Not my will, but Yours be done.”
Teach us to trust in the power of self-giving love
and to understand that we need not rely on our own strength,
because Your grace is sufficient (2 Cor 12:9).
Sometimes, presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1)
means simply remaining where we are when we want to run.

May Your submission to the Father encourage us
to trust in Love.

Total Consecration - Day Seven

2009-02-26T05:55:00.000-08:00

Reading for today, followed by Veni Creator, Ave Maris Stella, Magnificat, and Gloria Patri:

Imitation of Christ, by Thomas á Kempis: Book 1, Chapter 18, cont.

Outwardly they suffered want, but within they were refreshed with grace and Divine consolation. They were aliens to the world; they seemed as nothing and the world despised them; but they were precious and beloved in the sight of God. They persevered in true humility, they lived in simple obedience, they walked in charity and patience, and so every day they advanced in spirit and gained great favor with God. They were given for example to all religious, and ought more to excite us to advance in good, than the number of lukewarm to induce us to grow remiss. Oh! how great was the fervor of all religious in the beginning of their holy institute! Oh, how great was their devotion in prayer, how great was their zeal for virtue! How vigorous the discipline that was kept up, what reverence and obedience, under the rule of the superior, flourished in all! Their traces that remain still bear witness, that they were truly holy and perfect men who did battle so stoutly, and trampled the world under their feet. Now, he is thought great who is not a transgressor; and who can, with patience, endure what he has undertaken. Ah, the lukewarmness and negligence of our state! that we soon fall away from our first fervor, and are even now tired with life, from slothfulness and tepidity. Oh that advancement in virtue be not quite asleep in thee, who has so often seen the manifold examples of the devout!

What does it mean to surrender - A Lenten Reflection

2009-02-26T04:01:00.000-08:00

What does it mean to surrender? Does it mean that I should give up on myself, and on everything that I am, to wipe away all that has contributed to the person I have come to be, to throw up my hands and bend the will? Not exactly.

The distinction to be made between submission and surrender is this. When I submit, I become compliant. I relinquish control. And ultimately I deny who I am and fail to acknowledge that God has been, and remains alive and well, working in and through me, shaping my life, and gradually conforming me to the image of His Beloved Son, Jesus. Submission is co-dependent. I submit to avoid the pain of conflict and struggle. I submit to keep the peace. I submit in order that I don’t shake things up, make waves, or rock the boat.

Conversely, when I surrender, I retain the integrity of who I am as a person. I acknowledge that there is a greater Power, more benevolent than I, a skillful Guide who will direct me through humility to become greater than I had imagined I could ever be. The timeless words of Saint Paul echo forth: “when I am weak, then I am made strong.” (2 Corinthians 12: 9-10) When I am humbled, then I am exalted (1 Peter 5: 6-8). Through surrendering to God, I give permission to the Holy Spirit to work in and through me, to speak into my life and through my life, into the lives of others. To surrender myself to God is to embrace all that I am. Through this act of surrender, I learn to accept who I am, I gain a new depth of perspective on myself and on the person that I am becoming. I see myself in true context with greater clarity.

Oswald Chambers, the Scottish born minister and devotional writer of the early twentieth century noted a three-dimensional aspect of surrender: surrender for deliverance, surrender for devotion, and surrender for death. Each element is rooted in a surrender of the will throughout life. Surrender for deliverance provides the weary with rest. Surrender for devotion builds upon surrender for deliverance and is centered upon trusting in Christ’s abiding love to care for us as we yield our pride and self-centeredness to God. These both prepare us for ultimate surrender at death, the orientation of our lives as an “aspiration for unbroken communion with God.”

Interestingly, the word “surrender” does not appear throughout the course of Sacred Scripture. Instead a number of words that are often translated as “submit” do appear. The most prominent of these are the Hebrew words “anah” (meaning “to humble self”) and “raphas” (meaning “to stir up self”). These indicate that there is a dynamic aspect to surrender in the Biblical mindset. In the New Testament, Saint Paul uses the Greek work “hupotasso” frequently. This word means “to set in order under.” The author of Hebrews uses another term, “hupeiko” that literally translates as “to yield under.”

As we progress through this liturgical season of Lent, let us be ever mindful that surrendering to God is not a complacent act of submission, but an inspiring, invigorating and life-generating act of the will to draw us closer in relationship to God, to lead us toward greater unity with one another, and to nourish within us a greater harmony with our deepest selves.

One Million Souls

2009-02-25T06:27:00.000-08:00

Last year, my oldest daughter Catherine chose to make it her Lenten project to release one thousand souls each day from Purgatory by praying the prayer of St. Gertrude. The prayer can also be said for the benefit of the living sinners.

About St. Gertrude:

We don’t know who her parents were or what became of them, and she may been an orphan. Gertrude was raised in the Benedictine abbey of Saint Mary of Helfta, Eisleben, Saxony from age five. An extremely bright and dedicated student, she excelled in literature and philosophy, and when she was old enough, became a Benedictine nun. At age 26, when she had become too enamored of philosophy, she received a vision of Christ who reproached her; from then on she studied the Bible and the works of the Church Fathers. Gertrude received other visions and mystical instruction, which formed the basis of her writings. She helped spread devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Her writings have been greatly praised by Saint Teresa and Saint Francis de Sales, and continue in print today.

Excerpt courtesy of SQPN.

**St. Gertrude's writings are available for purchase on our bookshelf.

My friend Jennifer pointed out that one could release a million souls during the Lenten season by praying 33 times each day, and 34 on the last day. In order to help keep track of the prayers, Jennifer suggested a string of prayer beads made specially for the devotion. Catherine designed a string that can hand by a belt loop to keep them handy throughout the day. I have also devised one that is similar to a string of sacrifice beads, so that if you don't have time to say all of the prayers at once, you can keep track of how many you've said throughout the day.

You can make your own string quite simply by stringing 34 beads (choosing a unique bead for the first or last - this one is only prayed on the last day) onto a piece of waxed linen cord, with or without knots in between. Add a cross, crucifix, or St. Gertrude medal to one end, if you wish.

Below is Catherine's string, made from wood and carnelian beads with a small cross, an acrylic charm that she handpainted, and a bull-ring closure to keep them on her belt loop.

Prayer of St. Gertrude:

"Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son,
Jesus, in union with the masses said throughout the world today, for all the
holy souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal
church, those in my own home and within my family. Amen."

Humble Fare:: Ash Wednesday

2009-02-25T06:20:00.000-08:00

It is traditional in our family to not only simplify our entire Lenten menu, but to eat soups on each Wednesday. Since we also abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday, the soup is a vegetarian one - Pasta e Fagioli. I love the simplicity of this dish, it's lovely with a good piece of Italian bread dipped in jewel green, peppery olive oil, and a crisp salad. It makes a good meal for those not making a strict fast today.

Pasta e Fagioli is also a very forgiving recipe. This recipe makes 2 large meal-sized servings or 4 small side-servings. It's easy to double or treble (or more!) for your family. This is a very basic recipe, you can adjust your herbs to what you like, you can add other vegetables to the saute step (carrots, celery, etc.), and you can also add diced meats.

photo courtesy of CHOW

Pasta e Fagioli

4 T olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 small onion, finely choped
1 can diced tomatoes, drained
2 tsp. dried parsley
1/2 tsp. dried basil
1/4 tsp. dried oregano
1 can kidney beans (any colour, but white is traditional) rinsed, drained
Salt and pepper to taste
8 oz. small pasta, cooked (ditalini is traditional, but I'll be using cavatelli today)

Heat 3 tablespoons oil in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and onion and sauté until golden. Stir in tomatoes and cook 5 minutes. Add herbs and simmer about 15 minutes. Add beans and cook until heated through. Adjust seasonings to taste. Toss sauce with pasta and remaining olive oil. Serve with crusty bread and parmesan cheese.

Total Consecration - Day Six

2009-02-25T05:53:00.000-08:00

Reading for today, followed by Veni Creator, Ave Maris Stella, Magnificat, and Gloria Patri:

Imitation of Christ, by Thomas á Kempis: Book 1, Chapter 18

Look upon the lively examples of the holy Fathers in whom shone real perfection and the religious life, and you will see how little it is, and almost nothing that we do. Alas, what is our life when we compare it with theirs? Saints and friends of Christ, they served our Lord in hunger and in thirst, in cold, in nakedness, in labor and in weariness, in watching, in fasting, prayers and holy meditations, and in frequent persecutions and reproaches. Oh, how many grievous tribulations did the Apostles suffer and the Martyrs and Confessors and Virgins, and all the rest who resolved to follow the steps of Christ! For they hated their lives in this world, that they might keep them in life everlasting. Oh what a strict and self-renouncing life the holy Fathers of the desert led! What long and grievous temptations did they bear! How often were they harassed by the enemy, what frequent and fervent prayers did they offer up to God, what rigorous abstinence did they practice! What a valiant contest waged they to subdue their imperfections! What purity and straightforwardness of purpose kept they towards God! By day they labored, and much of the night they spent in prayer; though while they labored, they were far from leaving off mental prayer. They spent all their time profitably. Every hour seemed short to spend with God; and even their necessary bodily refreshment was forgotten in the great sweetness of contemplation. They renounced all riches, dignities, honors and kindred; they hardly took what was necessary for life. It grieved them to serve the body even in its necessity. Accordingly, they were poor in earthly things, but very rich in grace and virtues.

Paczki Day

2009-02-24T13:57:00.000-08:00

Traditionally celebrated on the THURSDAY before Ash Wednesday, Paczki Day was a way for Poles to use up all of those ingredients that were not to be used during Lent - cream, milk, butter, sugar. Nowadays, Paczki Day is usually observed on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, when the rest of the Christian world is celebrating Shrove Tuesday, or Mardis Gras.

Paczkis are Polish filled doughnuts. Known for their heavy, rich dough, they are made with anywhere between 4 and 8 egg yolks. Paczkis, packed in reassuringly familiar red and white boxes, make an appearance at neighbourhood grocery stores in the week or so before Lent begins. Those golden, round beauties covered in granulated sugar or glaze are enough to make your mouth water. And woe to you if you should pass by the boxes in the market - they don't last long!

Just in case you don't live in a Polish community, or you *did* pass by them in the store; and just in case you don't have a babci to fry some for you, here is a recipe I modified from the Felician Sisters' cookbook given to me by my Nana in the 80's. You still have time to get some made for a before bed treat!

Paczki

2 c. milk (warm)
1 yeast cake (or 1.5 tsp instant, or 2 tsp. active dry)
7.5 c. sifted flour (I use bread flour)
4 egg yolks plus 1 whole egg, slightly beaten
1 tsp. salt
3/4 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
grated rind 1/2 lemon (I've also seen recipes that call for orange zest)
1.2 melted butter (cooled)
1/2 c. sifted flour
Jam (you can also use custards, or thick pie filling)

In a very large mixing bowl, combine milk, yeast (dissolve the cake if using cake yeast), and 2 c. flour, set aside. Blend together eggs, salt, sugar, vanilla, and rind, add to flour mixture. Beat butter into the batter and gradually add remaining flour, knead for 10 minutes. Let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 45 minutes. Punch down the dough and divide into quarters. Taking one quarter of the dough at a time, form a roll about 16 inches long, and cut into 16 1" rounds and flatten. Place a spoonful of filling on half the rounds, leaving a margin around the filling. Dampen the dough around the edge and place the other rounds on top, pinching the edges to seal. Set aside and let rise a second time, about 30 minutes. Repeat for the remaining dough. Fry in deep oil at approximately 370 degrees F until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Drain on paper towelling, sprinkle with plain white sugar, or cinnamon sugar, or drizzle with a glaze made from confectioner's sugar (my oldest son used to say "confessioners sugar" - very appropriate to Shrove Tuesday, no?), vanilla and cream or milk.

Delicious!

Total Consecration - Day Five

2009-02-24T05:52:00.000-08:00

Reading for today, followed by Veni Creator, Ave Maris Stella, Magnificat, and Gloria Patri:

Imitation of Christ, by Thomas á Kempis: Book 3, Chapter 40

Wherefore, but I did know well, how to cast from me all human comfort, either for the sake of devotion, or through the necessity by which I am compelled to seek Thee, because there is no man that can comfort me. Then might I deservedly hope in Thy favor, and rejoice in the gift of a new consolation. Thanks be to Thee from Whom all things proceed, as often as it happens to me. I, indeed, am but vanity, and nothing in Thy sight , an inconstant and weak man. Where, therefore, can I glory, or for what do I desire to be thought of highly? Forsooth of my very nothingness; and this is most vain. Truly vainglory is an evil plague, because it draws away from true glory, and robs us of heavenly grace. For, while a man takes complacency in himself, he displeases Thee; while he wants for human applause, he is deprived of true virtues. But true, glory and holy exultation is to glory in Thee, and not in one's self; to rejoice in Thy Name, but not in one's own strength. To find pleasure in no creature, save only for Thy sake. Let Thy Name be praised, not mine; let Thy work be magnified, not mine; let Thy Holy Name be blessed, but let nothing be attributed to me of the praise of men. Thou art my glory; Thou art the exultation of my heart; in Thee, will I glory and rejoice all the day; but for myself, I will glory in nothing but in my infirmities.

A Mother’s Lenten Strategies

2009-02-24T05:02:00.000-08:00

by Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle

At the start of the penitential season of Lent coming up, we may find ourselves scrambling to figure out what to “give up.” We have given up desserts, candy and possibly TV in the past. But maybe we’ve decided to switch our emphasis this year.
And just what is penance anyway? In Vatican II’s Apostolic Constitution on Penance, we read, “Penance therefore—already in the Old Testament—is a religious, personal act which has as its aim love and surrender to God: fasting for the sake of God, not for one’s own self.
“It {the Church} insists first of all that the virtue of penitence be exercised in persevering faithfulness to the duties of one’s state in life, in the acceptance of the difficulties arising from one’s work and from human coexistence, in a patient bearing of the trials of earthly life and of the utter insecurity which pervades it” {Chapter 3}.
For mothers, why not consider the obvious when contemplating the proper penance? As parents, we have heard our youngsters ask for our undivided attention. When my daughter Mary-Catherine was two-and-a half-years old, she used to put it this way, “Mommy, turn your face here!”
I remember on one occasion when she precociously explained to me the little game that she had been playing with her doll. I had been listening to her every word, as I busily folded my family’s laundry, trying to catch up with that never-ending chore before the next batch needed to be tackled. But to Mary-Catherine’s mind, I had just been folding towels. She wanted eye contact. She wanted my attention. Her persistence paid off because I eventually got the point and stopped what I was doing, left the mound of laundry for a short while, and put my daughter on my lap for a wonderful conversation.
Of course, we know our tasks in the home are never really complete and that we are on twenty-four hour call to our children’s needs. Yet, this Lenten season would be an ideal time to slow down. But how is this possible? There is so much to accomplish within the home and it’s difficult to slow down the pace for fear of getting behind.
In actuality, our children are happy to have us bustling about the house while they are at play. They are content knowing that we are in sight nearby. They feel secure in our presence, confident that they can call upon us at any time (usually when we are up to our elbows in a project!}.
Wouldn’t it be nice, though, if we stopped and took a break to enjoy our children and allowed them the time to be truly with us.
During a season of quiet, of prayer, fasting and reflection, we can please our Lord in a very natural way as mothers, by going about what we do each day and lovingly caring for our children in an ordinary yet extraordinary way.
So, although out of necessity, we have learned the art of preparing and cooking an entire family meal, changing a diaper, and folding a load of laundry, while engrossed in a telephone conversation with a close friend, we need to slow down and let go a bit to give our full attention to our children. Take the phone off the hook if necessary, at times, for a little peace and quiet in which to enjoy your family.
Playing a short game, watching a family show or movie together, or reading an uplifting story to our children are welcome changes. A brisk walk in the fresh, cold air, or a frolic in the snow are not only refreshing and fun, but will help to bring us all closer together. And these are teachable moments, too.
An important part of our schedule should be a slot for some individual time with each child. When things are busy, sometimes it may be only for ten or fifteen minutes each night, sitting on the bed, saying prayers, “good night” and talking briefly about the day and what’s coming up tomorrow. Children appreciate the expression of genuine interest in their school activities, social situations, and their life in general. When they are running in from school, be sure to grab them and sit them on your lap for a few minutes to exchange information about our days. Let’s be sure to make the time for them as much as possible.
Family meetings; held either weekly or from time to time, can offer each member the opportunity to express what’s on his or her mind. A prayer can begin your meeting with a chance for each member to offer a petition. This would also be an ideal time to discuss as a family what to do to help the less fortunate during Lent and throughout the year. There’s always the local soup kitchen; there may be elderly neighbors who could use a hand with shoveling snow for those of us who live in the colder areas. Perhaps one of the children can baby-sit for a single mother who needs a break. Depending on age, children can come up with some great ideas, too.
Taking the time to praise our children is important, too. As mothers, we responsibly correct and teach our little ones. We must not forget that they also need our compliments, praise and attention. And, without a doubt, they need our unconditional love, our hugs and our kisses.
Lent is also a time to remember the role prayer plays in our lives. Above all, we need to make our life a prayer. Our encounter with God is within our family, where He in His Divine providence has placed us.
Lent can help us to work at becoming better mothers if we offer God the sacrifice of generously giving of our time, our love and our very selves to be present to our families.
These are forty days of extra nurturing and love, forty days in which we can serve our Lord, present in little ones. He has told us, “Come, you whom my Father has blessed, take as your heritage the kingdom prepared for you since the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me to drink…” (Matt. 25:34-36). We are comforted knowing we are serving our dear Lord in our family.

(A version of this article appeared in The Catholic Transcript – March 11, 1994)

Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle, mother of five and Lay Missionary of Charity writes from Connecticut. She is the author of the Best-selling book, Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers, published by Our Sunday Visitor Publishing. Her book, The Heart of Motherhood: Finding Holiness in the Catholic Home, published by Crossroad Publishing. Her book, Prayerfully Expecting: A Nine-Month Novena for Mothers-To-Be, bears a foreword by Blessed Teresa of Calcutta whom the author knew personally and was released in April 2007. These three books were encouraged and endorsed by Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta and given a blessing by Pope John Paul II. They are available through her website: www.donnacooperoboyle.com. Donna-Marie's latest books are: Catholic Saints Prayer Book , published by Our Sunday Visitor Publishing, The Domestic Church: Room by Room: A Mother's Study Guide, and Grace Cafe: Serving up Recipes for Faithful Mothering, both by Circle Press Publishing. Donna-Marie donates a portion of the proceeds to the Missionaries of Charity to help the poor, as well as parish organizations. Donna-Marie writes for a number of magazines, newspapers and Catholic websites. She has appeared on EWTN television, she has a regular radio segment called, "Mom's Corner" with Teresa Tomeo on "Catholic Connection," Ave Maria Radio. She is a regular contributor to Catholic Mom.com. Catholic Exchange, Catholic Online, and Catholic Outpost. She lectures on a number of topics and can be reached through her website or at DMCOBoyle@aol.com .

Total Consecration - Day Four

2009-02-23T05:48:00.000-08:00

Reading for today, followed by Veni Creator, Ave Maris Stella, Magnificat, and Gloria Patri:

Imitation of Christ, by Thomas á Kempis: Book 3, Chapters 7, 40 (this book is available for purchase on our bookshelf.)

That man has no good of himself, and that he cannot glory in anything Lord, what is man, that Thou art mindful of him; or the son of man, that Thou visit him? What has man deserved that Thou should give him grace? Lord, what cause have I to complain, if Thou forsakest me, or what can I justly allege, if what I petition Thou shalt not grant? This most assuredly, I may truly think and say: Lord I am nothing, I can do nothing of myself, that is good, but I am in all things defective and ever tend to nothing. And unless I am assisted and interiorly instructed by Thee, I become wholly tepid and relaxed, but Thou, O Lord, art always the same, and endurest unto eternity, ever good, just and holy, doing all things well, justly and holily and disposing them in wisdom. But I who am more inclined to go back, than to go forward, continue not always in one state, for I am changed, seven different times. But it quickly becomes better when it pleases Thee, and Thou stretchest out Thy helping hand: for Thou alone, without man's aid can assist me and so strengthen me, that my countenance shall be more diversely changed: but my heart be converted and find its rest in Thee alone. He who would be too secure in time of peace will often be found too much dejected in time of war. If you could always continue to be humble and little in your own eyes, and keep your spirit in due order and subjection, you would not fall so easily into danger and offense. It is good counsel that, when you have conceived the spirit of fervor, you should meditate how it will be when that light shall be withdrawn.

Total Consecration - Day Three

2009-02-22T05:34:00.000-08:00

Reading for today, followed by Veni Creator, Ave Maris Stella, Magnificat, and Gloria Patri:

Matthew 7:1-14 (NAB)
"Stop judging, that you may not be judged. For as you judge, so will you be judged, and the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you. Why do you notice the splinter in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove that splinter from your eye,' while the wooden beam is in your eye? You hypocrite, remove the wooden beam from your eye first; then you will see clearly to remove the splinter from your brother's eye. "Do not give what is holy to dogs, or throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them underfoot, and turn and tear you to pieces. "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asks for a loaf of bread, or a snake when he asks for a fish? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him. "Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the law and the prophets. "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few.

Total Consecration - Day Two

2009-02-21T11:50:00.000-08:00

Reading for today, followed by Veni Creator, Ave Maris Stella, Magnificat, and Gloria Patri:

Matthew 5:48, 6:1-15 (NAB)

So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect. "(But) take care not to perform righteous deeds in order that people may see them; otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father. When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of others. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, so that your almsgiving may be secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. "When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you. In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. "This is how you are to pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and do not subject us to the final test, but deliver us from the evil one. If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.

Pack Your Bags...

2009-02-21T06:00:00.000-08:00

And let's head out to the desert together. Lent offers us an opportunity to purge, purify, renew. It offers us a reason to let go of things we normally hang on to - hurts, obligations, habits. During Lent, we recognize the beauty of simplicity, we feel the freedom of traveling lightly, we appreciate the quiet. In 40 days we will pick up our crosses once again, but for now, we can lay our burdens down - a little bit along the way. Each burden laid is a battle won against the Evil that seeks to keep our souls from Divine Rest.

It calls to mind a song I love:

I'm trading my sorrows, I'm trading my shame;
I'm laying them down for the joy of the Lord.
I'm trading my sickness, I'm trading my pain;
I'm laying them down for the joy of the Lord.

Refrain
We say yes, Lord, yes, Lord, yes, yes, Lord,
yes, Lord, yes, Lord, yes, yes, Lord,
yes, Lord, yes, Lord, yes, yes, Lord. Amen.

I am pressed but not crushed,
persecuted, not abandoned,
struck down but not destroyed.
I am blessed beyond the curse,
for His promise will endure,
that His joy is gonna be my strength.
Though the sorrow may last for the night,
his joy comes with the morning!

For the forty days of Lent, we'll be posting suggestions towards devotions, plain living, plain food, crafts and activities to do with your children, and beautiful thoughts about this season of fasting - all centered around this year's theme: "Surrender".

Total Consecration - Day One

2009-02-20T07:46:00.000-08:00

Today, 20 February, is the first day of the exercise. If you miss a day during the first part of consecration, you can catch up by reading the passages, and praying the prayers for each day that you missed.

Today's reading is:

Matthew 5:1-19 (NAB)

When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you. "You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its taste, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father. "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys and teaches these commandments will be called greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Today, and for the following 11 days we will pray the following:

Come Holy Spirit/Veni Creator

Come, Holy Spirit, Creator blest,
and in our souls take up Thy rest;
come with Thy grace and heavenly aid
to fill the hearts which Thou hast made.

O comforter, to Thee we cry,
O heavenly gift of God Most High,
O fount of life and fire of love,
and sweet anointing from above.

Thou in Thy sevenfold gifts are known;
Thou, finger of God's hand we own;
Thou, promise of the Father, Thou
Who dost the tongue with power imbue.

Kindle our sense from above,
and make our hearts o'erflow with love;
with patience firm and virtue high
the weakness of our flesh supply.

Far from us drive the foe we dread,
and grant us Thy peace instead;
so shall we not, with Thee for guide,
turn from the path of life aside.

Oh, may Thy grace on us bestow
the Father and the Son to know;
and Thee, through endless times confessed,
of both the eternal Spirit blest.

Now to the Father and the Son,
Who rose from death, be glory given,
with Thou, O Holy Comforter,
henceforth by all in earth and heaven.
Amen.

Veni, Creator Spiritus,
mentes tuorum visita,
imple superna gratia
quae tu creasti pectora.

Qui diceris Paraclitus,
altissimi donum Dei,
fons vivus, ignis, caritas,
et spiritalis unctio.

Tu, septiformis munere,
digitus paternae dexterae,
Tu rite promissum Patris,
sermone ditans guttura.

Accende lumen sensibus:
infunde amorem cordibus:
infirma nostri corporis
virtute firmans perpeti.

Hostem repellas longius,
pacemque dones protinus:
ductore sic te praevio
vitemus omne noxium.

Per te sciamus da Patrem,
noscamus atque Filium;
Teque utriusque Spiritum
credamus omni tempore.

Deo Patri sit gloria,
et Filio, qui a mortuis
surrexit, ac Paraclito,
in saeculorum saecula.
Amen.

Hail Star of the Ocean/Ave Maris Stella

Hail, O Star of the ocean,
God's own Mother blest,
ever sinless Virgin,
gate of heav'nly rest.

Taking that sweet Ave,
which from Gabriel came,
peace confirm within us,
changing Eve's name.

Break the sinners' fetters,
make our blindness day,
Chase all evils from us,
for all blessings pray.

Show thyself a Mother,
may the Word divine
born for us thine Infant
hear our prayers through thine.

Virgin all excelling,
mildest of the mild,
free from guilt preserve us
meek and undefiled.

Keep our life all spotless,
make our way secure
till we find in Jesus,
joy for evermore.

Praise to God the Father,
honor to the Son,
in the Holy Spirit,
be the glory one. Amen.

Ave, maris stella,
Dei Mater alma,
atque semper Virgo,
felix caeli porta.

Sumens illud Ave
Gabrielis ore,
funda nos in pace,
mutans Hevae nomen

Solve vincula reis,
profer lumen caecis
mala nostra pelle,
bona cuncta posce.

Monstra te esse matrem,
sumat per te preces,
qui pro nobis natus,
tulit esse tuus.

Virgo singularis,
inter omnes mites,
nos culpis solutos,
mites fac et castos.

Vitam praesta puram,
iter para tutum:
ut videntes Iesum
semper collaetemur.

Sit laus Deo Patri,
summo Christo decus,
Spiritui Sancto,
tribus honor unus. Amen.

Canticle of Mary/Magnificat

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;
he has looked with favour on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed;
the Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his name.
He has mercy on those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm
and has scattered the proud in their conceit,
Casting down the mighty from their thrones
and lifting up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away empty.
He has come to the aid of his servant Israel,
to remember his promise of mercy,
The promise made to our ancestors,
to Abraham and his children for ever.

Magnificat anima mea Dominum,
et exsultavit spiritus meus in Deo salvatore meo,
quia respexit humilitatem ancillae suae.
Ecce enim ex hoc beatam me dicent omnes generationes,
quia fecit mihi magna, qui potens est,
et sanctum nomen eius,
et misericordia eius in progenies et progenies
timentibus eum.
Fecit potentiam in brachio suo,
dispersit superbos mente cordis sui;
deposuit potentes de sede
et exaltavit humiles;
esurientes implevit bonis
et divites dimisit inanes.
Suscepit Israel puerum suum,
recordatus misericordiae,
sicut locutus est ad patres nostros,
Abraham et semini eius in saecula

Glory Be/ Gloria Patri

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost/Spirit,
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto,
Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

Total Consecration to Jesus Through Mary - Introduction

2009-02-20T07:25:00.000-08:00

"It is precisely in the complete surrender of one's own soul to trust in the Blessed Virgin, from which come the most extraordinary graces." - quote courtesy of New Jerusalem.

This year, TFD will be posting each day's exercise towards total consecration. This cycle will end on The Feast of the Annunciation - March 25 - considered the preferred date for consecration.

For an excellent description of Total Consecration and St. Louis-Marie de Montfort, please visit the Fish Eaters website.

Greg and Jennifer Willits have also produced an excellent audio version of The Consecration if you would prefer to download each exercise to your iPod to listen to during your day. Greg has also provided a clear, concise description of the devotion on the Rosary Army site.

Audio version here.

The Prisoner of "I"

2008-04-03T08:54:00.000-07:00

One thing I have noticed in my long life is the oft used word "I". If you type the word "I" repeatedly it resembles prison bars, e.g.
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

Once upona I read somewhere that the cross of Christ is the word "I" crossed out. So many are prisoners of their baser senses and appetites; be it food, sex, boredom... In his Prologue of his Rule for monasteries, St. Benedict calls these prisoners Sarabaites.

The third kind of monks, a detestable kind, are the Sarabaites.
These, not having been tested,
as gold in the furnace (Wis. 3:6),
by any rule or by the lessons of experience,
are as soft as lead.
In their works they still keep faith with the world,
so that their tonsure marks them as liars before God.
They live in twos or threes, or even singly,
without a shepherd,
in their own sheepfolds and not in the Lord's.
Their law is the desire for self-gratification:
whatever enters their mind or appeals to them,
that they call holy;
what they dislike, they regard as unlawful.

How many of us are prisoners of our "I" and are afraid to step into freedom of the cross? Of seeing with the eyes of Christ? Are we not called to rise above the level of our body functions and to become mature, fully integrated spiritual souls? Let us read again with fresh eyes the exhortation of the Scriptures and repeated again in the Prologue of the Rule of St. Benedict.

L I S T E N carefully, my child,
to your master's precepts,
and incline the ear of your heart (Prov. 4:20).
Receive willingly and carry out effectively
your loving father's advice,
that by the labor of obedience
you may return to Him
from whom you had departed by the sloth of disobedience.
To you, therefore, my words are now addressed,
whoever you may be,
who are renouncing your own will
to do battle under the Lord Christ, the true King,
and are taking up the strong, bright weapons of obedience.

And first of all,
whatever good work you begin to do,
beg of Him with most earnest prayer to perfect it,
that He who has now deigned to count us among His children
may not at any time be grieved by our evil deeds.
For we must always so serve Him
with the good things He has given us,
that He will never as an angry Father disinherit His children,
nor ever as a dread Lord, provoked by our evil actions,
deliver us to everlasting punishment
as wicked servants who would not follow Him to glory.
Let us arise, then, at last,
for the Scripture stirs us up, saying,
"Now is the hour for us to rise from sleep" (Rom. 13:11).
Let us open our eyes to the deifying light,
let us hear with attentive ears
the warning which the divine voice cries daily to us,
"Today if you hear His voice,
harden not your hearts" (Ps. 94[95]:8).
And again,
"Whoever has ears to hear,
hear what the Spirit says to the churches" (Matt. 11-15; Apoc. 2:7).
And what does He say?
"Come, My children, listen to Me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord" (Ps. 33[34]:12).
"Run while you have the light of life,
lest the darkness of death overtake you" (John 12:35).

And the Lord, seeking his laborer
in the multitude to whom He thus cries out,
says again,
"Who is the one who will have life,
and desires to see good days" (Ps. 33[34]:13)?
And if, hearing Him, you answer,
"I am the one,"
God says to you,
"If you will have true and everlasting life,
keep your tongue from evil
and your lips that they speak no guile.
Turn away from evil and do good;
seek after peace and pursue it" (Ps. 33[34]:14-15).
And when you have done these things,
My eyes shall be upon you
and My ears open to your prayers;
and before you call upon Me,
I will say to you,
'Behold, here I am'" (Ps. 33[34]:16; Is. 65:24; 58:9).

What can be sweeter to us, dear ones,
than this voice of the Lord inviting us?
Behold, in His loving kindness
the Lord shows us the way of life.

Having our loins girded, therefore,
with faith and the performance of good works (Eph. 6:14),
let us walk in His paths
by the guidance of the Gospel,
that we may deserve to see Him
who has called us to His kingdom (1 Thess. 2:12).

For if we wish to dwell in the tent of that kingdom,
we must run to it by good deeds
or we shall never reach it.

But let us ask the Lord, with the Prophet,
"Lord, who shall dwell in Your tent,
or who shall rest upon Your holy mountain" (Ps. 14[15]:1)?

After this question, brothers and sisters,
let us listen to the Lord
as He answers and shows us the way to that tent, saying,
"The one Who walks without stain and practices justice;
who speaks truth from his heart;
who has not used his tongue for deceit;
who has done no evil to his neighbor;
who has given no place to slander against his neighbor."

This is the one who,
under any temptation from the malicious devil,
has brought him to naught (Ps. 14[15]:4)
by casting him and his temptation from the sight of his heart;
and who has laid hold of his thoughts
while they were still young
and dashed them against Christ (Ps. 13[14]6[137]:9).

It is they who,
fearing the Lord (Ps. 14[15]:4),
do not pride themselves on their good observance;
but,
convinced that the good which is in them
cannot come from themselves and must be from the Lord,
glorify the Lord's work in them (Ps. 14[15]:4),
using the words of the Prophet,
"Not to us, O Lord, not to us,
but to Your name give the glory" (Ps. 113[115:1]:9).
Thus also the Apostle Paul
attributed nothing of the success of his preaching to himself,
but said,
"By the grace of God I am what I am" (1 Cor. 15:10).
And again he says,
"He who glories, let him glory in the Lord" (2 Cor. 10:17).

Hence the Lord says in the Gospel,
"Whoever listens to these words of Mine and acts upon them,
I will liken to a wise person
who built a house on rock.
The floods came,
the winds blew and beat against that house,
and it did not fall,
because it had been founded on rock" (Matt. 7:24-25).

Having given us these assurances,
the Lord is waiting every day
for us to respond by our deeds to His holy admonitions.
And the days of this life are lengthened
and a truce granted us for this very reason,
that we may amend our evil ways.
As the Apostle says,
"Do you not know that God's patience is inviting you to repent" (Rom. 2:4)?
For the merciful Lord tells us,
"I desire not the death of the sinner,
but that the sinner should be converted and live" (Ezech. 33:11).

So, brothers and sisters, we have asked the Lord
who is to dwell in His tent,
and we have heard His commands
to anyone who would dwell there;
it remains for us to fulfill those duties.

Therefore we must prepare our hearts and our bodies
to do battle under the holy obedience of His commands;
and let us ask God that He be pleased to give us the help of His grace
for anything which our nature finds hardly possible.
And if we want to escape the pains of hell
and attain life everlasting,
then, while there is still time,
while we are still in the body
and are able to fulfill all these things
by the light of this life,
we must hasten to do now
what will profit us for eternity.

That's me away then.

Reliving the Saga of Salvation

2008-03-19T07:20:00.001-07:00

Beginning sundown tonight we relive the Holy Triduum, the three days of that Last Supper and Jesus' trial, crucifixion and Resurrection.

On Holy Thursday is the Last Supper and the institution of both the Priesthood and the Holy Mass. The priest washes the feet of his parishioners. Holy Mass is served for the last time for 48 hours. The consecrated Hosts are removed from the tabernacle and moved to a side altar. The main altar is stripped. Candles are extinguished. The Betrayal of Our Lord is retold. All is a terrible waiting for that most painful of sacrifices for our sinful souls.

On Good Friday, we again walk the Way of the Cross and experience the Flagellation, the Crucifixion and that most terrible and most merciful of Hours, the Hour of Mercy at 3 pm in which our Beloved Lord and Savior dies for our sakes. We meditate on our Savior's seven last words. We mourn for Our Lord and repent of the awful sins that have caused Him his Agony. The darkened church sits in its hush, waiting... waiting for the Resurrection.

Saturday at sundown, the large fire is ignited outside. The priest blesses the fire and the Paschal candle is lit by the blessed fire; while lighting the Paschal candle, the priest says: "May the light of Christ, rising in glory, dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds."

Lifting the Paschal candle the priest chants: "Christ our light". We respond: "Thanks be to God."

Processing into the darkened church, the priest chants a second time: "Christ our light". We respond: "Thanks be to God."

Once inside at the back of the church, the priest chants a third time: "Christ our light". We respond: "Thanks be to God." We then begin the lighting of our wee candles from the Paschal candle. We turn and light the candle of the person next to us, thus symbolizing the passing on of the Good News, our salvation as Christ is Resurrected. The fire of candles spreads throughout the whole congregation reminding us of the Light and Fire of the Gospel and the once darkened church comes alive with the Light of Christ.

The priest then prays:

My dearest friends, standing with me in this holy light, join me in asking God for mercy, that he may give his unworthy minister grace to sing his Easter praises. The Lord be with you.

We respond: And also with you.

Lift up your hearts.

We respond: We lift them up to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

We respond: It is right to give Him thanks and praise.

The priest continues:

It is truly right that with full hearts and minds and voices we should praise the unseen God, the all-powerful Father, and his only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

For Christ has ransomed us with his blood, and paid for us the price of Adam's sin to our eternal Father!

This is our passover feast, when Christ, the true Lamb, is slain, whose blood consecrates the homes of all believers.

This is the night when first you saved our fathers: you freed the people of Israel from their slavery and led them dry-shod through the sea.

This is the night when the pillar of fire destroyed the darkness of that sin!

This is the night when Christians everywhere, washed clean of sin and freed from all defilement, are restored to grace and grow together in holiness.

This is the night when Jesus Christ broke the chains of death and rose triumphant from the grave.

What good would life have been to us, had Christ not come as our Redeemer?

Father, how wonderful your care for us! How boundless your merciful love! To ransom a slave you gave away your Son....

And so the Mass of Easter begins. Next are the readings of Scripture with the Liturgy of the Word of God. The altar is dressed once again, the choir sings aloud after 3 days of silence. The Liturgy of the Holy Eucharist is chanted once more. All is rejoicing for the Resurrection of the Son of God.
Amen!

Let us praise Our God, and in all ways give thanks!

Taming the Restless Evil

2008-03-13T07:15:00.000-07:00

In chapter 3 of the book of James we read:

2 for we all fall short in many respects. If anyone does not fall short in speech, he is a perfect man, able to bridle his whole body also.

And again:

7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species,

8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

9 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings who are made in the likeness of God.

10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. This need not be so, my brothers.

No one is perfect but we can all try for a higher standard in our words. We are encouraged in paragraph 2475 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

“Christ's disciples have ‘put on the new man, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.’ By ‘putting away falsehood,’ they are to ‘put away all malice and all guile and insincerity and envy and all slander."

Sins of the tongue are considered the most difficult, the most pernicious of all the human faults. People decry war and criticize killing other people; yet in the next breath they gossip, slander, detract, use sarcasm... this is violence too as it "kills" the reputation of the speaker and the one whom the speaker attacks. It kills all charity and compassion. It kills the spirit of Christian Community.

"For what does it profit if we abstain from fish and fowl and yet bite and devour our brothers and sisters? The evil speaker eats the flesh of his brother and bites the body of his neighbor." St. John Chrysostom

Today is the day I shall be prepping my garden for the planting. While I dig the weeds and pull up the old plants, I like to meditate on my own faults and try to dig them up, roots and all. While planting I like to pray for the grace to plant new habits of the new person that I am to become in Christ and so I also think of ways to avoid those faults of my past.

That's me away, then.

A Post-Communion meditation, Ramona style

2008-03-12T10:11:00.000-07:00

At Mass last Sunday, just moments before Holy Communion, Ramona whispered, "I have to go to the bathroom."

I whispered back, "Can you hold it just a couple more minutes? Just 'til after we go up for Communion?"

I was thinking that since we were in the fourth row, I'd receive very soon and then we could head to the bathroom without missing the pinnacle of my day.

Ramona solemnly nodded.

And so, with the Body of Christ in my mouth and my daughter's hand in mine, we headed up the aisle, down the stairs and into the tiny bathroom of our 125-year-old church. There, instead of praying my favorite post-Communion prayer, the Anima Christi:

Soul of Christ, sanctify me
Body of Christ, save me
Blood of Christ, inebriate me
Water from Christ's side, wash me
Passion of Christ, strengthen me
O good Jesus, hear me
Within Thy wounds hide me
Suffer me not to be separated from Thee
From the malignant enemy defend me
At the hour of my death call me
And bid me come to Thee
That with thy saints I may praise Thee
Forever and ever.
Amen.

I listened to Ramona chatter about how cold the toilet seat was, and wasn't it nice to sit by Grandma Mary today, and what does that sign say? Does that say there's a diaper table in the other bathroom? ("Yes, sweetie, a diaper-changing table,") and, oh, wow, that water is cold, too. Why is that water so cold? Let's go sit down. And you can warm me up.

And that's what we did. We made our way back upstairs (passing, on our way, a teenage girl slipping out the side door ... sigh ....), back to our pew and we knelt together for the few seconds that were left of my post-Communion prayer time.

I had missed saying my Anima Christi, but I knew something vital:

The soul of Christ is sanctifying me. Every day. Little by little, one bathroom and one chatter session at a time.

The soul of Christ: through my children and my vocation.

Lose Your Baggage

2008-03-05T17:33:00.000-08:00

Some of us travel with a lot of baggage...the emotional kind. Past hurts are rehearsed over and over again; used as excuses to ignore God's call to a ministry; or to bolster pride in refusing to make amends with another. An old folk saying tells us:

Holding a grudge is like swallowing poison...and waiting for the other person to die.

Time and again, Scripture exhorts us to forgive and move forward. Take the antidote for your poisonous grudges by recalling a past hurt and instead of rehearsing or resenting, pray aloud: I FORGIVE the person who was involved. Then pray the Holy Spirit to help you forgive, forget and grow again in Christian charity.

Ephesians 4
23
and be renewed in the spirit of your minds,
24
and put on the new self, created in God's way in righteousness and holiness of truth.
...
26
Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun set on your anger,
27
and do not leave room for the devil.
...
31
All bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, and reviling must be removed from you, along with all malice.
32
(And) be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.

That's me away then.
Plain Catholic in the Mountains

Temptation in the Desert

2008-03-01T13:52:00.000-08:00

Ten years ago, when Anne was four years old, and Betsy was a toddler, I had my first inkling of real Lenten temptation.

Oh, yes, previously, I'd been tempted to eat chocolate, or to have a juicy burger on a Friday, but all that seemed quite benign in comparison to a moment at Mass, on the first weekend of Lent ten years ago.

I was a relatively new Catholic and Atticus was not even thinking of becoming Catholic. But, I was certain this would be the year that I'd be a shining, stellar example to him of patience, faith and God's love. I would let Christ shine through me so clearly, so incredibly, that my husband could not help but be touched, and could not help but run to the nearest priest and beg to be brought into the Church.

I breezed through Ash Wednesday, not even missing the things I'd given up. I was too focused on being so good, for Atticus's benefit.

On the first weekend of Lent, we went to Mass on Saturday night. Atticus came along, because he'd made a Lenten promise of his own: although he wasn't considering Catholicism, he offered to attend Mass with me every week during Lent.

Normally, he didn't go at all. And, since he stayed home, he usually kept our very little girls with him, and I zipped off to Mass alone. Though I longed for us to be "one of those families -- the ones who are together at Mass", I enjoyed the experience of entering fully, quietly into the Mass, without distractions.

So, there we were, on the first weekend of Lent, all of us. "Together at Mass."

And, I felt impatient.

And uncomfortable.

And angry.

I'd had my daughters at Mass plenty of times, but this weekend it suddenly seemed different. They were acting like ... ummm, like ... little girls. Energetic little girls. They were squirmy, and loud and fussy.

Atticus was oblivious to their antics. It was impossible for me to be oblivious. I was frustrated with all of them, including Atticus. Maybe especially Atticus.

The church was crowded, stuffy and warm. I could barely hear the readings.

But, then, I heard the priest say this:

"... led by the Spirit into the wilderness for forty days, to be tempted by the Devil."

And I was struck, perhaps for the first time, by two realities:

1. We are not alone in the desert.

2. We are being actively tempted.

We are not alone.

We, too, are led by the Spirit into the wilderness of Lent, but, we are not abandoned. And, we are not expected to do this of our own strength.

To be tempted by the devil.

Yes, certainly, I had always thought of Lent as a time of temptation, but I thought of it as "me against myself." I thought that if I had enough resolve, if I were "good enough," it would be easy.

But, suddenly, in that stuffy church, surrounded by fussy children and a husband who didn't want to be there, I realized that I'd been tempted to impatience with the very thing I longed for with my whole being.

"My husband's conversion, and family togetherness at Mass, will mean this?," I'd been thinking. Unpleasantness, distraction, impatience, anger? The desire to be here alone?

I had been tempted away from the good, away even from the desire to be the clear window through which Atticus could see Christ.

Only by God's grace was I able to see the moment for what it was:

Temptation in the desert.

But, I was not alone.

The moment was redeemed by that realization. I reclaimed my longing for my husband's conversion. I knew it would mean giving up "entering fully into the Mass alone," but it would also mean gaining a new way of entering fully into the Mass: as a family. A loud, messy, imperfect, distracted, and sometimes-frustrated family.

I knew then that many more temptations would pop up on this rocky road of my continuing conversion. I knew that there were forces at work actively trying to discourage me from praying for my husband's reception into the Church (which did not come until two years later.) I knew that these things would be, (and would feel) stronger during times of fasting, when I was hungry -- both literally and spiritually -- and vulnerable.

Lent can still be hard.

But, I know I'm not alone.

And that has made all the difference.

Can a mother observe Lent?

2008-02-12T12:57:00.000-08:00

In some moments, I think moms have the most difficulty observing Lent; at other times, I think they have the least difficulty of anyone.

My ideal Lent is 40 days of fasting and prayer, actually reading the books I'd like to read to prepare for the celebration of the Paschal Mystery, and a great deal of silent solitude.

But I'm a mom with 7 children. Small people need a lot of fuel and won't eat small and simple meals; they also need snacks. My time is not my own, so I cannot devote the hours I'd like to quiet recollection. There is no silence here except between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. and I'm usually sleeping through it, gratefully. In this way, it seems I have some difficulty observing Lent in the way I'd like, but that's just the point. My ideal Lent is not ideal, because it is not God's Plan for me. "My ideal Lent" is just that: MINE. It would be for me, not Him.

His Plan includes 7 children (2 teenagers), a husband who works from home, a barking dog, deadlines and unfinished business. His Plan is perfect. It doesn't look like my Plan, and that is just what I need to work on this Lent: changing my own mind and will to match HIS. I need to give up my own ideas and try to see what His are.

So even though I cannot reduce much of the noise around here, I can learn to enter into that inner silence where He dwells. Even though I cannot live on lentils and rice for 40 days, I can learn to be more grateful for the food He allows me to put on the table; grateful for all the dirty dishes, as they are signs that I have a full and healthy household to eat what He gives us; and I can mortify my own appetite in little and hidden ways. Even though I cannot carve out more time to pray, I can remember that everything I do, I do before His Face. His wounded, suffering Face. I can be more conscious that everything I do, I do for love of Him who died for love of me.

I can be more attentive to each little need before me. So often, the exigencies of the day come at me at such speed, and I am so busy multi-tasking, that I can only be reactive; at least I can try during Lent to respond to each person fully. Let each person who interrupts what I think is important be like Christ asking for my attention, then it will be easier to respond properly.

I can also focus on ways the entire family can move closer to the wounded Heart of Christ during this season of preparation. We pause at 3 pm to thank Jesus for dying on the cross for us, or to sing Adoramus Te. We are making a greater effort to pray the Rosary together in the evening. On Fridays, we all attend the children's Way of the Cross at our parish; then we spend some time in church while we wait for the evening Fish Fry - Mom tries to pray. We have limited media (or "screen time") and shut down the music. We are discussing the Gospel readings and how they lead us to Holy Week.

As a homeschooling mother, I am in a perfect position to find ways to let Lent permeate our days and weeks in little ways that have a cumulative impact, and that help children feel that we have entered into something special; this is not Ordinary Time. We are preparing for Something.

All of this takes mental and physical effort on my part, and that is part of my Lenten offering as well. I would prefer to find some silence somewhere and look on Christ there; God's will for me is to remain where I am and find Christ here in these circumstances, and serve Him in these people. No pious escape.

Can a mother observe Lent? With all her heart.

PROJECT :: Lenten Calendar

2008-02-08T12:32:00.000-08:00

Our kids love to count down (or up!) to important events. We make paper chains and block calendars with them. This year, we made a matchbox Advent Calendar, too. It was a big hit! But we hadn't done anything for Lent before this year. I needed to make something inexpensive and fast. I came up with this:

Below is a little tutorial on how to make one with your kids. Don't worry, it's not too late if you haven't got one. You can whip one of these up in no time. You'll need:

A piece of posterboard (violet is great!)
A white marker or paint pen
Green construction paper
sequins or flat backs
chenille stems
coloured tissue paper
string
scissors
glue

I mounted my posterboard onto an old bulletin board that we had handy, but you can just mount your finished calendar directly to the wall with florists fix or thumb tacks.

First, using your paint pen, write "Our Lenten Journey" (or whatever you like) evenly across the top, leaving a bit of space to the right of the title for your butterfly. Then make a winding path down the poster board. Mine has 4 circuits, which I think looks good.

Next, make your butterfly and affix it to the top right-hand corner of the board. I used a decoupage image printed on cardstock for my butterfly, but you can make a beautiful one out of construction paper or even tissue paper! For the decoupage version, cut two identical butterflies and stick one down completely using a glue stick or paste. Glue flat backs or sequins on the second butterfly and fold the wings up. Using fabri-tac, or a similar glue, fix the second butterfly directly on top of the first butterfly, leaving the wings free.

Using your green construction paper (I used two shades of green cardstock), cut 40 olive leaves. Mark your leaves 1-40. Paste or glue them evenly onto your winding path, beginning at the lower right corner.

Next, cut your chenille stems to a length of about 1.5 inches. I've used sparkly white and gold stems, which I twisted together to get a fatter caterpillar. You can also use the thick-and-thin style chenille stems.

Each day, your child can place one caterpillar on that day's leaf until you get to the top. You can use glue or a stapler, whichever you prefer. Keep your waiting caterpillars in a baggy, envelope or pouch that is stapled or tacked to the board.

On the eve of Easter, you will remove all of the caterpillars and glue onto each one a pretty piece of tissue paper that has been accordian-pleated into a pair of wings. Tie a piece of string around it's middle and hang it, and all its friends, in a door way, or from the ceiling. The surprise comes on Easter morning when they find that ALL of the caterpillars have turned into butterflies!

It's a wonderful visual representation of the transformation that takes place during Lent.

Variations::
1. Instead of writing a number on each leaf, write a virtue or a sacrifice for your child or children to practice each day.
2. Instead of making separate leaves and caterpillars, you could simply make 40 paper caterpillars and stick one to the path each day.

So many more ideas... I'm sure you'll come up with some excellent ones to share!

Menu :: Ash Wednesday

2008-02-06T10:04:00.000-08:00

Plain food is a Lenten tradition for our family. It is a time when we do away with fancy side dishes and rich sauces. Desserts are reserved for Easter, unless there is a significant feast that falls during Lent. Our receipts focus on ingredients that are simple and economical, easy to prepare, and nutritious. We do try, each year, to include receipts that remind us of our brothers and sisters living in nations that have little to eat. It has helped us to deepen our compassion for Christ's beloved who suffer. The dishes are almost always vegetarian.

Wednesdays are always "Soup Day" in our home during Lent. So today I offer you a delicious soup to be eaten with a crusty loaf or flatbread. It comes from the Sundays at Moosewood cookbook.

Cream of Leek and Zucchini Soup

3-4 leeks, rinsed and chopped
1 large onion, chopped
1.5 T olive oil
1.5 T butter
3-4 medium zucchini, chopped
1 tsp. salt
1 clove garlic, minced
1 T. dried tarragon
1.5 tsp. fennel seeds
black pepper to taste
3 T. flour
3 c. vegetable stock
1 c. heavy cream

Saute onions and leeks in butter an oil 10 minutes. Add zucchini and garlic; continue to saute for another 10 minutes. Add tarragon, fennel and black pepper, cook for an additional 2-3 minutes. Add flour and cook 2-3 minutes, stir well. Add stock and cook over medium heat until the broth thinkens. Using and immersion blender (or a standard blender), puree the vegetables. Return to pot and add cream. Warm through and serve.

Tis Not About Me

2008-02-06T06:33:00.000-08:00

Tis Ash Wednesday and the day when we, as Catholics, are anointed with ashes to remind us that we are dust and to dust we shall return. Tis a reminder that our life in Christ is not about us...tis about The Mission, the Great Commission. Lent is a training camp for teaching usto forget ourselves so that we may be better warriors for The Message. The Message that Jesus died for our sins; though He is God, He took the form of man to battle for us against the enemy of our souls...sin.

In the Great Commission, Jesus told us to take The Message into all the world. To be able to carry that Message in our lives, we have to live according to the Gospels for the Message to have meaning. So we give up those things that hinder the Message; loose tongues, bad habits. St. Paul reminds us that the most effective way to preach theMessage is to LIVE the Message.

Jesus told us to take up our cross and follow Him. Let us begin anew to put on the Gospel Life and leave behind grudges, gossip, sarcasm,and satiety of the senses. Cultivate an attitude of gratitude and be a gentle and forgiving child of God. Then we too, can speak with power and authority for the sake of The Message.

Submitted By JC of Plain Catholic in the Mountains

A Journey Begins

2008-02-05T19:52:00.000-08:00

She stands by the doorway holding in her hands a sack of bread and dried figs, and an extra robe to keep Him warm. He has said that he must leave on an important journey, one that will fulfill the Will of His Father. There isn’t much time to prepare, and she remembers the story of her ancestors fleeing into the desert, without enough time to even allow the bread to rise. She smiles. Her heart swells with love for Him. He has grown into a fine man, Joseph would be proud.

He comes in from bathing in the well, His hair is still wet and His robe smells of lavender and sunshine, just as His clothes have done since He was a babe. Once again, her heart overflows.

“I have packed you some bread and some figs so that you won’t be hungry. And here is an extra robe to keep you warm. These spring nights can be so cold,”

“Woman”, he says smiling “you spoil me”

“Yes, but it is only because I love you so”, Mary smiles back.

He takes the sack and the robe tenderly from her hands. She gazes up into His soft brown eyes, those beautiful eyes, then reaches up and tweaks His beard.

“Kol tuv”, she says.

He reaches for her hand, which is still resting on his cheek, and squeezes it.

“L’hitraot”, He replies with a wink, and steps out into the lane.

The neighbours are busily going about their daily business. Some look up and wave a greeting to Jesus as He sets out. Mary watches Him make his way down the street. He stops at the end of the lane to talk to a little girl. Her mother, Rivka has been very ill and Mary reminds herself to stop by with some lentil soup.

She wakes from her reverie in time to see Jesus hand his sack of food to the child, laying his hand on her head as if in blessing. He tosses His robe over one shoulder and walks on, the sun creating an aureole in the curls of His hair.

She feels a bitter sting in her nose and a tear rolls from the corner of her eye. She wipes it away with her veil, not understanding why she should be so emotional. She gathers herself, takes a deep breath of the fragrant spring air and steps back into the house to attend to her chores…

*Kol tuv – Be well, L’Hitraot – See you soon

(c) 2008 Nissa Gadbois

Welcome to the Desert

2008-02-05T19:50:00.000-08:00

It is a place of stark beauty. There are no distractions here, no sound but the wind, nothing but the soothing softness of the sand and the majesty of God's Heaven above. In this place of quiet, we can hear His call more clearly. Temptations will surely come, but through prayer, we will be strengthened. At the end of our journey, we will be souls transformed. Made into beautiful votives which will carry the light of Christ from Easter for always.
This year, I have decided that we should focus on the dignity and blessing of our married vocations; and how we can pray Lent to help us grow in sanctifying grace, making us worthy of the title of Daughters of a King and the honor of marriage and motherhood.
This year, we welcome Kathryn Mulderink, the author of several wonderful books that will surely deepen your Faith and love for God. We are also welcoming Donna Cooper O'Boyle as a contributor this year. I am pleased and honored to have her here. Her newest publication, "Catholic Saints Prayer Book" is due out in March.

In addition to reflections and devotions for your spiritual growth, we offer you articles with practical ways to transform your daily life, and resources for helping your children grow in faith. Our regular content will be coupled with audio talks with women, who will share their personal stories and thoughts, throughout the season.

Finally, we are invited to experience Lent with Our Blessed Mother's through an original fictional series that I have been inspired to write. I pray that the Holy Spirit will speak through the story, touching your heart and soul.

Thank you for taking time out of your day to visit this website. I hope that you will come often to refresh yourself throughout this beautiful season. My prayers are with each and every one of you. May you be richly blessed!

Good Friday Homily

2007-04-06T11:12:00.000-07:00

Another wonderful gift from Father Augustine. He has included the first reading, as well as a moving musical piece along with the Passion according to John and his daily homily. These are followed by a special Good Friday Meditation. May they bless your day!

A Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah

He Was Despised

The Passion According to John

Father Augustine's Homily on the Passion

Good Friday Meditation

For the Sake of His Sorrowful Passion

2007-04-06T08:54:00.000-07:00

Have mercy on us and on the whole world!

Good Friday. This is the most intense day of the Liturgical Year for me. Yet I look forward to it. We have come to the end of our desert journey. We arrived last night at the Lord's last supper, we followed him to the Garden of Gethsemane. We were called to a Holy Priesthood and to celebrate His sacrifice in the Mass. Today we witness the depth of His sacrifice in His awful suffering:

His Trial
His Scourging
His Heavy Cross
His Death

It makes me tremble, truly. In fact this song is what brings it all home to me. I can feel the deep grief that His Blessed Mother felt. I feel the weight of my sins. I understand most deeply - like on no other ocassion - the words of the Centurion: "Lord, I am not worthy to receive you. But only say the word and I shall be healed". Amen!

Today we fast once again. The hunger we feel this day will be satisfied both physically and spiritually on Sunday. We will feast and celebrate with our families and friends in Thanksgiving for our Salvation. We will come to the Table with renewed joy and gratitude to once again receive Him whom we mourn today.

Today, we begin the Novena of Divine Mercy. It is a powerful devotion. It is said that even the most hardened sinner can recite this only once will receive mercy. Today at 3pm, the hour of Our Saviour's death, you can join in with this beautiful version of the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, offered in three parts:

Part I
Part II
Part III

Come along, we will go together to stand at His feet and behold the wood of the cross on which is hung our Salvation. Let us mourn today in gratitude for His suffering - for our sakes for on the third day we shall rejoice in the promise of Eternal Life!

Good Friday at Home

2007-04-06T04:48:00.001-07:00

1. Keep the lights off all day
2. Avoid using energy of any kind, prepare vegetarian chollent on Thursday (**receipt below) to be eaten on Friday. It is traditional for Jews not to cook on Shabbat so this is a perfect receipt for a day when cooking is being avoided.
3. Wear headcovering all day
4. Eat only extremely plain food (for those not fasting) - no embellishment of any kind. Eggs and lentils are traditional for Jews in mourning. Ideally these should be provided by another family, but not always practical.
5. Sit shiva as our Jewish brothers and sisters would - cover all mirrors for the day, no jewelry, no make-up, no hair doo-dads for the girls, nothing. The aim is plainness and lack of vanity. We're mourning here...
6. Recite the sorrowful mysteries, with scripture readings and a decade of the Rosary sprinkled throughout the day - especially trying to end with the fifth mystery at 3pm. Take a period of complete silence (if you are not going to Church at that time). A minute, five minutes, an hour (older kids can do that).
7. Recite a Chaplet of Divine Mercy, especially in the 3 o'clock hour.
8. Light Candles, burn incense. See if you can get some from church or religious supply. Some have frankincense and myrrh...
9. Hammer nails into your lenten cross, pinning an item in need of repentance with it. Add a crown of thorns (Sunday morning, you will have covered the cross in a white or white and gold cloth and replaced the crown of thorns with a crown of flowers).
10. Set up a stations of the cross in your home. Have the children color these pages and hang them up throughout the house, making a circuit. This document includes the Risen Christ to color and put up on Easter!
11. Try Reciting the Kaddish Yehe Shelama Rabba, which literally means the Orphans' Kaddish. It is the traditional prayer said by Jewish mourners with origins that go back hundreds of years before Christ was born. It was most certainly said by His disciples. The Kaddish is an exaltation and a confirmation of our faith in God. Feel free to modify the prayer, if you wish, where you see "Israel" to "All God's People", or "Descendents of Israel", or "The Universal Church", or whatever you deem most appropriate that reflects our Christian state.

Glorified and sanctified be God's great name throughout the world which He has created according to His will. May He establish His kingdom in your lifetime and during your days, and within the life of the entire House of Israel, speedily and soon; and say, Amen.

May His great name be blessed forever and to all eternity.

Blessed and praised, glorified and exalted, extolled and honored, adored and lauded be the name of the Holy One, blessed be He, beyond all the blessings and hymns, praises and consolations that are ever spoken in the world; and say, Amen.

May there be abundant peace from heaven, and life, for us
and for all Israel; and say, Amen.

He who creates peace in His celestial heights, may He create peace for us and for all Israel; and say, Amen.

Chollent (pronounced Hollent with a gutteral "H" sound)

2 large onions, sliced
2 qt. vegetable stock
1/4c. olive oil
8 carrots, cut in chunks
2 c. lentils, soaked for several hours
8 medium potatoes, peeled and diced (large)
2 c. barley, soaked for several hours
2 c. water

Saute onion in oil in pot until soft, then add rest of ingredients with water to cover. Bring to a boil and cook for 1 hour, adding water as needed to keep a soupy consistency. Place chollent in a covered roasting pan in a very low oven and cook overnight. It will be ready to eat by lunchtime on Friday. You can also boil several washed eggs in the stew. These will be removed before eating, peeled and served on the side with pita bread.

Blessed Good Friday to you!

Father's Homily for Maunday Thursday

2007-04-05T14:55:00.000-07:00

Please enjoy! Father has the help of Simon today, who has a lovely accent which I'm guessing is Manchester...

Maunday Thursday

Please offer a prayer for Father's throat, he's battling a terrible frog. Bless him for soldiering on through the Homily!

Holy Thursday

2007-04-05T13:24:00.000-07:00

From Father Augustine - Chrism Mass Homily and the beautiful passage he refers to:

Preface of Priesthood (Chrism Mass): [The priesthood of Christ and the ministry of priests]

Father, all-powerful and ever-living God,
we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks.
By your Holy Spirit
you anoint your only Son
High Priest of the new and eternal covenant.
With wisdom and love you have planned
that this one priesthood should continue in the Church.

CHRIST GIVES THE DIGNITY OF A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD
TO THE PEOPLE HE HAS MADE HIS OWN.
From these, with a brother's love,
he chooses men to share his sacred ministry
by the laying on of hands.

He appoints them to renew in his name
the sacrifice of our redemption
as they set before your family his paschal meal.
He calls them to lead your people in love,
nourish them by your word,
and strengthen them through the sacraments.

Father, they are to give their lives in your service
and for the salvation of your people
as they strive to grow in the likeness of Christ
and honor you by their courageous witness of faith and love.

We praise you, Lord, with all the angels and saints
in their song of joy.
Holy, holy, holy Lord...
Rite of Blessing of the Oil of the Sick:
God of all consolation
you chose and sent your Son to heal the world.
Graciously listen to our prayer of faith:
send the power of your Holy Spirit, the Consoler,
into this precious oil, this soothing ointment,
this rich gift, this fruit of the earth.

Bless this oil + and sanctify it for our use.

Make this oil a remedy for all who are anointed with it;
heal them in body, in soul, and in spirit,
and deliver them from every affliction.

[We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.]

A Lesson of Faith

2007-04-03T10:33:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share this beautiful parable with you. It was written in the 19th century by Margaret Gatty. I've just read it with my son William (who will turn six on Easter Vigil). The language is rich and beautiful, expressive and funny. It is so appropriate for Holy Week. I hope you will print it to enjoy with your children. As an aside, we will be making egg carton caterpillars, which will be replaced with pretty crepe paper butterflies on Easter Morning.

A LESSON OF FAITH

"If a man die, shall he live again? All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come."–JOB xiv. 14.
"LET me hire you as a nurse for my poor children," said a Butterfly to a quiet Caterpillar, who was strolling along a cabbage-leaf in her odd lumbering way. "See these little eggs," continued the Butterfly; "I don't know how long it will be before they come to life, and I feel very sick and poorly, and if I should die, who will take care of my baby butterflies when I am gone? Will you, kind, mild, green Caterpillar? But you must mind what you give them to eat, Caterpillar!–they cannot, of course, live on your rough food. You must give them early dew, and honey from the flowers; and you must let them fly about only a little way at first; for, of course, one can't expect them to use their wings properly all at once. Dear me! it is a sad pity you cannot fly yourself. But I have no time to look for another nurse now, so you will do your best, I hope. Dear! dear! I cannot think what made me come and lay my eggs on a cabbage-leaf! What a place for young butterflies to be born upon! Still you will be kind, will you not, to the poor little ones? Here, take this gold-dust from my wings as a reward. Oh, how dizzy I am! Caterpillar! you will remember about the food–"

And with these words the Butterfly closed her eyes and died; and the green Caterpillar who had not had the opportunity of even saying Yes or No to the request, was left standing alone by the side of the Butterfly's eggs.

"A pretty nurse she has chosen, indeed, poor lady!" exclaimed she, "and a pretty business I have in hand! Why, her senses must have left her, or she never would have asked a poor crawling creature like me to bring up her dainty little ones! Much they'll mind me, truly, when they feel the gay wings on their backs, and can fly away out of my sight whenever they choose! Ah! how silly some people are, in spite of their painted clothes and the gold-dust on their wings!"

However, the poor Butterfly was dead, and there lay the eggs on the cabbage-leaf; and the green Caterpillar had a kind heart, so she resolved to do her best. But she got no sleep that night, she was so very anxious. She made her back quite ache with walking all night long round her little charges, for fear any harm should happen to them; and in the morning says she to herself–

"Two heads are better than one. I will consult some wise animal upon the matter, and get advice. How should a poor crawling creature like me know what to do without asking my betters?"

But still there was a difficulty–whom should the Caterpillar consult? There was the shaggy Dog who sometimes came into the garden. But he was so rough!–he would most likely whisk all the eggs off the cabbage-leaf with one brush of his tail, if she called him near to talk to her, and then she should never forgive herself. There was the Tom Cat, to be sure, who would sometimes sit at the foot of the apple-tree, basking himself and warming his fur in the sunshine; but he was so selfish and indifferent!–there was no hope of his giving himself the trouble to think about butterflies' eggs. "I wonder which is the wisest of all the animals I know," sighed the Caterpillar, in great distress; and then she thought, and thought, till at last she thought of the Lark; and she fancied that because he went up so high, and nobody knew where he went to, he must be very clever, and know a great deal; for to go up very high (which she could never do) was the Caterpillar's idea of perfect glory.

Now, in the neighbouring corn-field there lived a Lark, and the Caterpillar sent a message to him, to beg him to come and talk to her; and when he came she told him all her difficulties, and asked him what she was to do, to feed and rear the little creatures so different from herself.

"Perhaps you will be able to inquire and hear something about it next time you go up high," observed the Caterpillar timidly.

The Lark said, "Perhaps he should;" but he did not satisfy her curiosity any further. Soon afterwards, however, he went singing upwards into the bright, blue sky. By degrees his voice died away in the distance, till the green Caterpillar could not hear a sound. It is nothing to say she could not see him; for, poor thing! she never could see far at any time and had a difficulty in looking upwards at all, even when she reared herself up most carefully, which she did now; but it was of no use, so she dropped upon her legs again, and resumed her walk round the Butterfly's eggs, nibbling a bit of the cabbage-leaf now and then as she moved along.

"What a time the Lark has been gone!" she cried, at last. "I wonder where he is just now! I would give all my legs to know! He must have flown up higher than usual this time, I do think! How I should like to know where it is that he goes to, and what he hears in that curious blue sky! He always sings in going up and coming down, but he never lets any secret out. He is very, very close!"

And the green Caterpillar took another turn round the Butterfly's eggs.

At last the Lark's voice began to be heard again. The Caterpillar almost jumped for joy and it was not long before she saw her friend descend with hushed note to the cabbage bed.

"New, news, glorious news, friend Caterpillar!" sang the Lark; "but the worst of it is, you won't believe me!"

"I believe everything I am told," observed the Caterpillar hastily.

"Well, then, first of all, I will tell you what these little creatures are to eat"–and the Lark nodded his beak towards the eggs. "What do you think it is to be? Guess!"

"Dew, and the honey out of flowers, I am afraid," sighed the Caterpillar.

"No such thing, old lady! Something simpler than that. Something that you can get at quite easily."

"I can get at nothing quite easily but cabbage-leaves," murmured the Caterpillar, in distress.

"Excellent! my good friend," cried the Lark exultingly; "you have found it out. You are to feed them with cabbage-leaves."

"Never! " said the Caterpillar indignantly. "It was their dying mother's last request that I should do no such thing."

"Their dying mother knew nothing about the matter," persisted the Lark; "but why do you ask me, and then disbelieve what I say? You have neither faith nor trust."

"Oh, I believe everything I am told," said the Caterpillar.

"Nay, but you do not," replied the Lark; "you won't believe me even about the food, and yet that is but a beginning of what I have to tell you. Why, Caterpillar, what do you think those little eggs will turn out to be?"

"Butterflies, to be sure," said the Caterpillar.

"Caterpillars! " sang the Lark; "and you'll find it out in time;" and the Lark flew away, for he did not want to stay and contest the point with his friend.

"I thought the Lark had been wise and kind," observed the mild green Caterpillar, once more beginning to walk round the eggs, "but I find that he is foolish and saucy instead. Perhaps he went up too high this time. Ah, it's a pity when people who soar so high are silly and rude nevertheless! Dear! I still wonder whom he sees, and what he does up yonder."

"I would tell you, if you would believe me," sang the Lark, descending once more.

"I believe everything I am told," reiterated the Caterpillar, with as grave a face as if it were a fact.

"Then I'll tell you something else," cried the Lark; "for the best of my news remains behind. You will one day be a Butterfly yourself. "

"Wretched bird!" exclaimed the Caterpillar, "you jest with my inferiority–now you are cruel as well as foolish. Go away! I will ask your advice no more."

"I told you you would not believe me," cried the Lark, nettled in his turn.

"I believe everything that I am told," persisted the Caterpillar; "that is"–and she hesitated,–"everything that it is reasonable to believe. But to tell me that butterflies' eggs are caterpillars, and that caterpillars leave off crawling and get wings, and become butterflies!–Lark! you are too wise to believe such nonsense yourself, for you know it is impossible."

"I know no such thing," said the Lark, warmly. "Whether I hover over the corn-fields of earth, or go up into the depths of the sky, I see so many wonderful things, I know no reason why there should not be more. Oh, Caterpillar! it is because you crawl, because you never get beyond your cabbage-leaf, that you call any thing impossible."

"Nonsense!" shouted the Caterpillar. "I know what's possible, and what's not possible, according to my experience and capacity, as well as you do. Look at my long green body and these endless legs, and then talk to me about having wings and a painted feathery coat! Fool!–"

"And fool you! you would-be-wise Caterpillar!" cried the indignant lark. "Fool, to attempt to reason about what you cannot understand! Do you not hear how my song swells with rejoicing as I soar upwards to the mysterious wonder-world above? Oh, Caterpillar! what comes to you from thence, receive, as I do, upon trust."

"That is what you call–"

"Faith," interrupted the Lark.

At that moment she felt something at her side. She looked round–eight or ten little green caterpillars were moving about, and had already made a show of a hole in the cabbage-leaf. They had broken from the Butterfly's eggs!

Shame and amazement filled our green friend's heart, but joy soon followed; for, as the first wonder was possible, the second might be so too. "Teach me your lesson, Lark!" she would say; and the Lark sang to her of the wonders of the earth below, and of the heaven above. And the Caterpillar talked all the rest of her life to her relations of the time when she should be a Butterfly.

But none of them believed her. She nevertheless had learnt the Lark's lesson of faith, and when she was going into her chrysalis grave, she said–"I shall be a Butterfly some day!"

But her relations thought her head was wandering, and they said, "Poor thing!"

And when she was a Butterfly, and was going to die again, she said–

"I have known many wonders–I have faith–I can trust even now for what shall come next!"

Have Faith fellow caterpillars! One day we, too shall be beautiful butterflies!

Father Augustine's Lenten Meditations

2007-03-19T15:40:00.000-07:00

For the Solemnity of St. Joseph

Father Augustine's Meditations

2007-03-17T06:31:00.000-07:00

For St. Patrick's Day!

Finally! Whew. Our system has been having terrible connectivity problems, preventing my properly loading Father's Homilies and Meditations. Pray God it'll stay up and running when we need it from now on!

Here is the text of the document Father sent along for today's meditation:

Luke 18. 9-17

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector
9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Jesus Blesses Little Children
(Mt 19.13—15; Mk 10.13-16)
15 People were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them; and when the disciples saw it, they sternly ordered them not to do it. 16 But Jesus called for them and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. 17 Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.”

Weblog Carnivals Reminder!

2007-03-15T13:23:00.000-07:00

Don't forget to send your submissions! Simple Gifts carnival is focusing on the simple gifts of Faith. Describe how you imbue your home with faith.

Tuesday Tea is all about soups. Please submit your favorite soup receipts - especially those using springtime ingredients!

Get your submissions in before Sunday for inclusion next week!

Meatless Meals Carnival!

2007-03-14T06:16:00.000-07:00

I don't know how I missed this. Not one clue.

Here we are at the halfway mark and I didn't know Ruth was hosting this WONDERFUL meatless meal carnival every Friday! I've put a permalink right there in the sidebar so you can visit for inspiration while planning dinner for the remaining Fridays of Lent. And if you have a delicious meatless recips - submit it!

You can also submit recipes to the Tuesday Tea Carnival - this coming carnival is all about soups!

Lenten Grumpies

2007-03-13T06:52:00.000-07:00

Boy, Donna Marie must have a secret hidden camera in our home... It's been a trial this year. I must remember that Lent is a character building exercise! Many thanks to Donna Marie for another wonderful contribution. Please visit her online at the links below. If your family is suffering from the Lenten Grumpies, please send me a post about it.
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The Lenten “Grumpies”
By Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle

I think I detect a few cases of the “grumpies” around here. It must be Lent. People must be craving their candy and desserts that they have given up. Maybe they are even in withdrawal. As I was out doing errands on a Friday in Lent recently, a driver motioned his hand at me and I’m not talking about a friendly “hello!” I guess I didn’t leave the drive up window of the bank quickly enough for him. Well, that hand motion and his mouth flapping got him a prayer from me, by the grace of God. That day was a very good penitential day in so many ways as there were challenges to deal with at home and out in the community and the migraine head ache didn’t help.
The extensive wait in very long line at the Post Office gave an opportunity to pray another decade of the Rosary for the impatient people around me who may have been experiencing the “grumpies.” Yet another opportunity for prayer was when a woman speeded towards me, almost hitting me. I guess she felt she had to be somewhere awfully fast! Later on, a rude person on the other end of the phone helped to further set the tone for the day. A person could get grumpy dealing with all of this!
Are you experiencing the “grumpies” or live with someone who is? Are the kids bickering more than usual? Is your spouse having trouble understanding you? Are you losing your patience over insignificant trivial things? Are your buttons being pushed? Is everyone driving you crazy? Does it feel like everything you are doing or attempting to do is going wrong? Don’t worry, it’s just Lent. All of the above is good material for penance, I think. Our dear Lord is very aware of what we are experiencing.
We Can Counteract the “Grumpies”
Lent is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on our lives; to examine what we are doing and what we should be doing. We have these forty days to deeply reflect and pray. Each day comes to us with new grace to help us on our journey. Each day comes with its own challenges and joy of heart when we offer it all to God. Hopefully we will be able to look upon the little inconveniences and annoyances as a gift to help strengthen our resolves to be the Christian our Lord calls us to be. Our actions are much more articulate than our words can ever be. Let’s pause before reacting to the challenging situation which fill our daily lives so that we won’t regret our actions and responses. Keeping a prayerful attitude will aid us immensely. Making use of the Sacraments frequently will fuel our souls and the love in our hearts. Visits to the Blessed Sacrament will give us peace.
We can counteract the “grumpies” with our responses of joy and our decision to turn to prayer when encountering discord and distress rather than reacting to it in a negative way. I have found that turning to the Blessed Mother immediately when experiencing a troubling situation will merit immediate grace and help. A quick aspiration to her asking for help or praying the Hail Mary will work wonders. I have been known to even suddenly start praying the “Hail Mary” out loud in my household, very loudly when I detect tension or when there is any bickering. It may seem comical at times, but it definitely “breaks the ice” and gets the point across. St. John Vianney (Cure d’Ars, 1786 – 1859) has said, “If you invoke the Blessed Virgin when you are tempted, she will come at once to your help, and Satan will leave you.”
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Let’s not forget about prayer and penance after Lent is finished and after we have celebrated the joy of the Risen Christ on Easter Sunday. We should continue to reflect and to pray and offer sacrifices to God each day as if we were still in the Lenten season. In this way we will please our Lord and together with our fellow pilgrims, help to light the way to Heaven for others.
Donna-Marie Cooper O'Boyle, mother of five and author of the best-selling book, Catholic Prayer Book for Mothers (OSV Pub., Oct. 05), The Heart of Motherhood: Finding Holiness in the Catholic Home (Crossroad Pub., Oct. 06), and Prayerfully Expecting: A Nine Month Novena for Mothers-To-Be (Crossroad Pub., April 07) writes from Connecticut. Her books were endorsed by Blessed Teresa of Calcutta and blessed by Pope John Paul II. Signed copies can be purchased through her website. Donna-Marie lectures on a variety of subjects and can be reached through her website , as well as her blog

Many Great Lenten Feasts

2007-03-10T17:27:00.000-08:00

Tanner's Annunciation 1898

The Church in her great wisdom knows her sheep. Right in the midst of our Great Lenten Fast, and most likely at a time we need it most, the Church sends us great saints' Feasts to celebrate. The most commonly celebrated Lenten Feasts fall nearly within one week of each other: St. Patrick, St. Joseph, St. Benedict and the Annunciation on March 17, 19, 21 and 25 respectively. Be sure to email me your bloggings, writings, special celebrations and saint stories and legends for these or any other saints.

A Treasure from Donna Marie Cooper O'Boyle

2007-03-08T08:24:00.000-08:00

Many thanks Donna Marie for sharing your wisdom! You can visit Donna online here and on her new weblog here
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A Mother’s Lenten Strategies

At the start of the penitential season of Lent coming up, we may find ourselves scrambling to figure out what to “give up.” We have given up desserts, candy and possibly TV in the past. But maybe we’ve decided to switch our emphasis this year.
And just what is penance anyway? In Vatican II’s Apostolic Constitution on Penance, we read, “Penance therefore—already in the Old Testament—is a religious, personal act which has as its aim love and surrender to God: fasting for the sake of God, not for one’s own self.
“It {the Church} insists first of all that the virtue of penitence be exercised in persevering faithfulness to the duties of one’s state in life, in the acceptance of the difficulties arising from one’s work and from human coexistence, in a patient bearing of the trials of earthly life and of the utter insecurity which pervades it” {Chapter 3}.
For mothers, why not consider the obvious when contemplating the proper penance? As parents, we have heard our youngsters ask for our undivided attention. When my daughter Mary-Catherine was two-and-a half-years old, she used to put it this way, “Mommy, turn your face here!”
I remember on one occasion when she precociously explained to me the little game that she had been playing with her doll. I had been listening to her every word, as I busily folded my family’s laundry, trying to catch up with that never-ending chore before the next batch needed to be tackled. But to Mary-Catherine’s mind, I had just been folding towels. She wanted eye contact. She wanted my attention. Her persistence paid off because I eventually got the point and stopped what I was doing, left the mound of laundry for a short while, and put my daughter on my lap for a wonderful conversation.
Of course, we know our tasks in the home are never really complete and that we are on twenty-four hour call to our children’s needs. Yet, this Lenten season would be an ideal time to slow down. But how is this possible? There is so much to accomplish within the home and it’s difficult to slow down the pace for fear of getting behind.
In actuality, our children are happy to have us bustling about the house while they are at play. They are content knowing that we are in sight nearby. They feel secure in our presence, confident that they can call upon us at any time (usually when we are up to our elbows in a project!}.
Wouldn’t it be nice, though, if we stopped and took a break to enjoy our children and allowed them the time to be truly with us.
During a season of quiet, of prayer, fasting and reflection, we can please our Lord in a very natural way as mothers, by going about what we do each day and lovingly caring for our children in an ordinary yet extraordinary way.
So, although out of necessity, we have learned the art of preparing and cooking an entire family meal, changing a diaper, and folding a load of laundry, while engrossed in a telephone conversation with a close friend, we need to slow down and let go a bit to give our full attention to our children. Take the phone off the hook if necessary, at times, for a little peace and quiet in which to enjoy your family.
Playing a short game, watching a family show or movie together, or reading an uplifting story to our children are welcome changes. A brisk walk in the fresh, cold air, or a frolic in the snow are not only refreshing and fun, but will help to bring us all closer together. And these are teachable moments, too.
An important part of our schedule should be a slot for some individual time with each child. When things are busy, sometimes it may be only for ten or fifteen minutes each night, sitting on the bed, saying prayers, “good night” and talking briefly about the day and what’s coming up tomorrow. Children appreciate the expression of genuine interest in their school activities, social situations, and their life in general. When they are running in from school, be sure to grab them and sit them on your lap for a few minutes to exchange information about our days. Let’s be sure to make the time for them as much as possible.
Family meetings; held either weekly or from time to time, can offer each member the opportunity to express what’s on his or her mind. A prayer can begin your meeting with a chance for each member to offer a petition. This would also be an ideal time to discuss as a family what to do to help the less fortunate during Lent and throughout the year. There’s always the local soup kitchen; there may be elderly neighbors who could use a hand with shoveling snow for those of us who live in the colder areas. Perhaps one of the children can baby-sit for a single mother who needs a break. Depending on age, children can come up with some great ideas, too.
Taking the time to praise our children is important, too. As mothers, we responsibly correct and teach our little ones. We must not forget that they also need our compliments, praise and attention. And, without a doubt, they need our unconditional love, our hugs and our kisses.
Lent is also a time to remember the role prayer plays in our lives. Above all, we need to make our life a prayer. Our encounter with God is within our family, where He in His Divine providence has placed us.
Lent can help us to work at becoming better mothers if we offer God the sacrifice of generously giving of our time, our love and our very selves to be present to our families.
These are forty days of extra nurturing and love, forty days in which we can serve our Lord, present in little ones. He has told us, “Come, you whom my Father has blessed, take as your heritage the kingdom prepared for you since the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me to drink…” (Matt. 25:34-36). We are comforted knowing we are serving our dear Lord in our family.

(A version of this article appeared in The Catholic Transcript – March 11, 1994)

Agony in the Garden

2007-03-04T12:08:00.000-08:00

For me, this particular scene is by far the most frightening of Christ's passion. It is Jesus at His most human, most vulnerable state. At this moment, I wish I could speak for us all and say "Don't do this for us! We've been so hateful, so sinful. We are so unworthy!". My inclination is to dash the cup from the Father's hands to save Jesus this pain. Why should He, who is so good, make such as sacrifice for the likes of us?

But that is precisely what the evil one would want me to do. To throw away salvation. The temptation is not only Jesus', but ours. It takes far greater strength and faith to stand by and allow Jesus to die for us. We can do as the disciples and close our eyes - as children often do when they are frightened (if I can't see what I fear, it doesn't exist). Or we can kneel beside Him and pray for the strength to carry on. To suffer temptations, humiliations, injury, to take up our crosses and drag them along until that glorious day when we, too will commend our spirits into His hands. Please, God - along the road we may meet with a Simon, to help us carry our burden, and a Veronica to offer unexpected comfort.

Father Augustine has given us this beautiful talk on Christ's Agony. May it enrich your Lenten Journey!

Father Augustine's Lenten Meditations

2007-03-04T06:31:00.000-08:00

"Remember He dearly wants to Transfigure US PERMANTLY INTO HIS GLORY" ~ Father Augustine

For Sunday 4th March

Father Augustine's Lenten Meditations

2007-03-03T14:01:00.000-08:00

For Saturday 3 March

And the text of Phillipians below:

PHILIPPIANS 2 HYMN

5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
6 who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
as something to be exploited,
7
but emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.

And being found in human form,
8 he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death—
even death on a cross.
9
Therefore God also highly exalted him
and gave him the name
that is above every name,
10
so that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11
and every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

I am once again humbled that Christ lowered Himself for our sakes. Surely we can endure suffering through this Lenten season and work toward a true conversion, which will make us more like Him!

Father Augustine's Lenten Meditations

2007-03-02T08:00:00.000-08:00

Here is a whole bouquet of Father's beautiful meditations. I must apologize for the delay in psting. We've had a string of nasty colds go through the house so my computer time has been much reduced. Add to that the fact that our computer needed a good purge and you have found me a week later than I should be. I pray your Lent is being richly blessed. Enjoy these Lenten Meditations!

For Sunday 25th February

For Monday 26th February

For Tuesday 27th February

For Wednesday 28th February

For Thursday 1st March

For Friday 2nd March

And that should catch us all up! I pray that I've not got them all mixed up.

Readying the Heart and Home During Lent!

2007-02-28T14:56:00.000-08:00

I am forever compiling a list of worthwhile Lenten reading for both Mom and Dad and for the children...especially picture books! We love to add books to our home library and display the Lenten books in a special reading basket by my nursing chair. What are your favorite books to read during lent?
Please send me a quick note telling me of your favorite Lenten reads (tappclan (at) hotmail (dot) com ) and I will post your recommendation to our ever growing list for all to enjoy!

Do you ever feel behind in your great ideas? I certainly do. I realize that the children and my daily duties always come first. Serving God this lent in the ordinary is always my first priority, but I still long for the extra hand to be creative and to be on top of "fleshing out" each liturgical season as it comes upon us with lots of wonderful hands-on projects...living lessons and lots of wonderful living books for both young and old. I have come to realize that taking time out for such things teaches a lesson about the importance of living the active life of seeking out God in all the little things and actually finding Him there.

One thing more I realize is that I am a work in progress. God is so good, he knows that...he made me that way. So here I am trying to get my act together to share lent in a more meaningful way through the "stuff" that our "school" is made of....the curricula. .. and I feel like I am "behind" again. After all, lent has already begun! Then I began to think of the time before the computer came into our home, I was lucky to do one extra thing each liturgical season. Now, I am known to do many and I am known to want to do too many....anyone else know the feeling?? I am so blessed to know many wonderful homeschool moms and dads through the net and you have forever blessed our lives and home. It is such a grace to be able to share such things with each other. Please share how you live the liturgical season of Lent in your homes! Let's share!! Please send me links to your blog posts and even if you don't have a blog...email me and we will get it up here!

What do we do? Well, there are many things because we slowly added in new things as each new year came upon us and some of the traditions became as automatic as brushing your teeth...so they were more fun than stressful. Go easy on yourself and see what this Lent inspires you to do!

One thing that I did for my younger ones one year was to print out Lenten coloring pages and give it to them in a purple folder. I told them whenever they wanted to be quiet with God for a little while to just carefully color one of the pictures and think about how much God must love them and think about the ways they can show that they love God. It worked so well. I still have the finished folders with the little love notes to God that they dictated to me to write for them on the back of some of the pictures.

Another favorite Lenten activity was going on a Stations of the Cross scavenger hunt. One of the wonderful 4reallearning ladies posted this activity several years ago explaining that they put together these items in a stations of the cross box. In our case, it was a heart shaped basket. How my large motor boy loves to pull out each item as we reach that station. It helps the kiddoes to focus on the moment.

Katherine Mulderdink from 4reallearning wrote these beautiful stations of the cross for children that are available for a very small fee. My children love them and IMHO are more than worth the 1.68 for the download. The children sometimes turn over the paper and record their own reflections on the back. We then place them in clear page protectors and place in our Liturgical year binder...it is one with the smaller rings. We keep them in this binder for lent then place them in a larger permanent binder of their work for the year. It is a lot better than carrying the big one around all the time and it shows that THIS is what we are focusing on now.

Another favorite activity here is the Jesus Tree that we have fashioned out of felt. We use this to follow the gospel through Lent.

As we ready our hearts during lent, we also ready our home. We have posted the Stations of the cross (laminated on purple paper) around our home. We also printed out the Lenten calendar that Julie posted and we colored those pictures and laminated the calendar on purple paper. We post each week on the side of the refrigerator for easy viewing (I keep the other laminated weeks close by in a plastic magazine holder...ready to go!) The lamination keeps it clean.
Under that we colored and hung the Child's examination of conscience that was in the 2nd grade lesson plans for CHC and laminated that on purple paper too. (can you tell I love to laminate things? You can get a cheap one from Walmart, but clear contact paper works great!) The great thing about posting things on the fridge is that everyone goes there several times a day...a holy reminder, even if it is not read!

Consider setting up a special prayer corner for private prayer. This could be your fireplace mantle, a little table or a shelf in a book case. On ours, we place a purple cloth and place the basket of the stations of the cross items. We have a little basket of rosaries and little prayer booklets including the stations of the cross for children. There is a framed pic of fine art that I change every week. I set this frame on a little easel that I picked up at the craft store for pennies. I also place a candle there but we do not light it. I KNOW that if I do allow lit candles we will have problems with the little ones, so I just explain that your heart needs to pay attention to God as you spend this special time with him so just imagine that your heart is all lit up with love for Him...I post a little card in front of the candle saying this. The children love it! (Isn't it funny how some things strike them?)

The dining room table has a purple cloth on it covered with heavy clear plastic. Under it are various Lenten pictures and pics of the holy land's stations of the cross that I once got from Dumb Ox. (If anyone knows where I can find another copy of this let me know!)
Some of the pics are from Catholic catalogs and some are from Catholic junk mail...some are just printouts from Lenten Google searches for fine art. On Holy Thursday we place this last supper tablecloth on top of the purple one. This does look nice this way with the purple showing through.
On the center of the table is a grapevine wreath that we glued toothpicks to for lent..one for each day. Because this can be a hazard if the children drop the toothpick on the carpet and gets stepped on (go ahead and ask me how I know ;o) we permanently fix ours on the wreath. Come Easter Sunday, we place a decorated Lamb cake in the center of this crown and all the toothpicks have sprouted silk flowers!

Ooh before I forget, I also am looking for your favorite Lenten music recommendations! It is so nice to have it playing in the background as the children work on their Lenten art projects. Email me with your favorite ones!

Father Augustine's Lenten Meditations

2007-02-24T07:16:00.000-08:00

For Saturday 24th February - Meekness

St. Matthias, Apostle

2007-02-23T19:01:00.000-08:00

St. Matthias
February 24

St. Matthias was chosen to replace Judas the Traitor Apostle. “Men and brethren, the Scripture must needs be fulfilled which the Holy Ghost spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who was the leader of them that apprehended Jesus; who was numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry.” (Acts 1:16) Our Lord had chosen 12 Apostles but Judas betrayed Our Lord and unlike St. Peter, Judas refused to be forgiven. He despaired of the Mercy of God and tragically ended his own life. “And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And praying they said: thou Lord, who knowest the hearts of all men, show whether of these two Thou hast chosen, to take the place of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas hath by transgression fallen…. And they gave them lots, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.” (Acts I:25-26)

The following quote has been attributed to St. Matthias: "We must combat our flesh, set no value upon it, and concede to it nothing that can flatter it, but rather increase the growth of our soul by faith and knowledge".

According to some traditions, St. Matthias was stoned and then beheaded in Jerusalem. He is buried in St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome.

Father Augustine's Lenten Meditations

2007-02-23T12:10:00.000-08:00

For Friday 23 February

St. Peter Damian

2007-02-22T19:39:00.000-08:00

February 23

St. Peter Damian was born in 988 in Ravenna, Italy. “He was the youngest of a large family; his parents were noble, but poor. At his birth an elder brother protested against this new charge on the resources of the family with such effect that his mother refused to suckle him and the babe nearly died. A family retainer, however, fed the starving child and by example and reproaches recalled his mother to her duty. Left an orphan in early years, he was at first adopted by an elder brother, who ill-treated and under-fed him while employing him as a swineherd. The child showed signs of great piety and of remarkable intellectual gifts, and after some years of this servitude another brother, who was archpriest at Ravenna, had pity on him and took him away to be educated. this brother was called Damian and it was generally accepted that St. Peter added this name to his own in grateful recognition of his brother's kindness. “ (Catholic Encyclopedia(.

St. Peter was a very intelligent and pious young man and by the time he was 25 was teaching at the University at Parma and Ravenna. As a pious man he was given to fasting as well as mortification of the senses. University life disturbed him greatly so left to seek a deeper spiritual life. First he joined two hermits but after a 40 day retreat in a small cell he left quietly for the hermitage of Fonte-Avellana where he received the Benedictine habit.

Over time his health suffered due to his strict austerity. Try as he might to retire to a quiet monastic life he was often called on to be the Papal Legate to seek Peace between monasteries. He was outspoken regarding purity, most especially for priests who at this time were becoming more and more worldly. He was also well-known for his great writings.

In 1072, St. Peter was seized with a fever which lasted 7 days. “On the night preceding the feast of the Chair of St. Peter at Antioch, he ordered the office of the feast to be recited and at the end of the Lauds he died.” (Catholic Encyclopedia) There was never any formal canonization for St. Peter. Because of his holy life “cultus” developed almost immediately after his death which was approved and extended to the whole Church in 1823 by Pope Leo XII.

Father Augustine's Lenten Meditation

2007-02-22T09:37:00.000-08:00

For Thursday after Ash Wednesday.

Many, many thanks to Father for helping us to better focus ourselves during this Holy Season!

Making The Journey

2007-02-21T15:08:00.000-08:00

Lent is a journey. For a child a journey can be a time of great anticipation or great frustration. Think of the “are we there yet” syndrome. Maddening for mom and dad and just frightful for the children.

Since Lent can be a somber time it can be a challenge to parents to create the kind of atmosphere that can lead to a joyous Easter. We need to make sure that children are aware that sacrifice and penance are an important part of the season but the end result is joy.

That can be a tough sell.

Dawn has taken the journey aspect of Lent and made it visual and appealing for her young sons. Her idea of a daily offering for God makes the Lenten theme of going outside of yourself a very concrete and real one for small children. The path that her chart follows makes the journey exciting and the anticipation of Easter more exciting. There will be great love given in Dawn’s house this Lenten season.

Another great Lenten practice is that of Operation Rice Bowl. These bowls are available widely at church and your rectory and can be a beautiful way for your children to see the fruits of their little sacrifices. Each time they forgo a sweet or privilege a small monetary value is placed in the small cardboard “bowl”. On Easter Sunday the bowls are brought to church and the proceeds go to Catholic Relief Services to help alleviate hunger in developing nations. In 2007 the featured countries are Mexico, Pakistan, Angola, Cambodia and Niger. Find these countries on your world map or in your atlas and do a little extra reading about the challenges the children in these areas face as compared to the children here.

Kimberlee is getting Ready for Lent in her customary crafty way. Her idea of keeping fidgety boys occupied by tying knots for rosaries is, to my mind, sheer genius. The links and instructions she gives to make rosaries appropriate to be sent tour heroes fighting in the war are a beautiful way to teach children about true sacrifice. Who is giving more than our brave soldiers? Kimberlee also has her pretty household crochet ladies making wee little hats for a local charity.

I encourage you to check in here at These Forty Days for more ways to create a fruitful Lent for your whole family. If you have a craft that you wish to share please email me (mombarr@optonline.net) with either directions, pictures or a link to your blog.

Have a blessed day

Humble Fare

2007-02-21T10:25:00.000-08:00

During Lent, our family makes a practice of eating what we call 'plain food'. We do away with desserts, creams, sugar, large meaty meals (simple ones are alright). We fast every Friday - eating one fish meal that day - not the children obviously and not pregnant or nursing Mama.

Every Wednesday starting with Ash Wednesday is soup day. We eat soup and homemade bread. Soup and bread is probably my favorite meal all year round. Ash Wednesday's soup has no meat and the bread is served without butter (herbed olive oil is beautiful on bread). We will probably have a salad of plain greens (the bitterness of spinach is somehow appropriate) with a simple vinaigrette dressing. Here is what we will be having this evening:

Vegetable Barley Soup:

1/2 c. barley
2 qt. vegetable broth
2 large. onions, chopped
1 T. garlic, shopped
1 lb. carrot, peeled & chunked
1 head celery, chopped
1c. green beans, cut into bite sizes
2 zucchini (courgettes), sliced
8 oz. crimini mushrooms (or your favorite)
1 24 oz. diced tomatoes
1 T. parsley
1 tsp. thyme
2 bay leaves

Saute onion, garlic, carrot, and celery in hot oil; add salt and pepper
to taste. Add remaining ingredients to the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for about 1 hour, or until barley is tender. Remove bay leaves. This soup is lovely with shaved parmesan!

Sally Lunn Bread

1 cup milk
1 package active dry yeast ( or 2 1/4 teaspoons)
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs
4 cups all-purpose flour

Add ingredients to your bread machine, in the order recommended by the manufacturer. Choose "white bread" setting with medium crust (if applicable). Cool on its side on a rack. Makes a beautiful toast with jam and tea. Because of the richness of the bread itself, it does not need butter.

Vinaigrette

1c. extra virgin olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon (about 1/4c)
1 T Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper to taste.

Combine juice and mustard in glass mixing bowl. Using balloon whisk or electric beaters, slowly drizzle in olive oil until you have a light creamy consistency. Add salt and pepper to taste. Fresh thyme leaves are also a beautiful addition. This is the Real French dressing, not that appallingly orange stuff from the supermarket!

Bon Appetit! (Seems a bit out of place on Ash Wednesday...)

Please remember to send me your recipes for simple meals, meatless meals and soups throughout Lent!

Ash Wednesday

2007-02-20T21:19:00.000-08:00

Raphael's Crucifixion

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Great Lenten Fast. Since this is a time of prayer and penance for the remission of sin we begin by remembering who we really are with the Biblical verse Genesis 3:19 when God spoke to Adam after the Fall “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread till thou return to the earth, out of which thou was taken: for dust thou art, and into dust thou shalt return.” It is with great humility that we should remember these words and wander into the dessert where we should leave our pride so that we may kneel at the foot of the Cross with Mary Magdalen with true sorrow for our sins for it is our sins that crucified Our Lord.

Michaelangelo's Jonah in the Sistine Chapel
On Ash Wednesday we think back to the days of the Prophet Jonas (Jonah). When God told him to go to Ninive Jonah fled in weakness and fear from His Face. As a result God had Jonah swallowed up by a great fish. “And Jonas prayed to the Lord his God out of the belly of the fish. And he said: I cried out of my affliction to the Lord and he heard me: I cried out of the belly of hell and thou hast heard my voice” (Jonas 2:2-3). Henceforth the great fish spewed the Prophet upon the banks of Ninive, where the voice of God again spoke and told him to go forth into Ninive and preach. This time Jonas obeyed and he cried out “Yet forty days, and Ninive shall be destroyed. And the men of Ninive believed in God: and they proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth from the greatest to the least. And the word came to the king of Ninive; and he rose up out of his throne, and cast away his robe from him and was clothed in sackcloth and sat in ashes.” (Jonas 3:4-6)

Seven Penitential Psalms
In the early days of the Church those Christians who were guilty of grave faults had to go through public penance for the remission of their sins. They would wear blessed sackcloth and have the sign of ashes upon their foreheads. The ashes were (and still are) made from the palms used on the previous Palm Sunday. “Then while the Faithful were singing the Seven Penitential Psalms [Psalms 6, 31, 37, 50, 101, 129 and 142], the penitents were expelled from the holy place on account of their sins, just as Adam was driven out of paradise because of his disobedience.” (St. Andrew Missal) In 1091, the Holy Father extended the use of ashes to the Faithful as well.

The Church today uses ashes to remind us that one day each and every one of us will end up where mankind began: “Remember man that thou art dust and to dust thou shalt return” with the sign of the cross imprinted on our forehead as a visible sign that we are sinners and are in need of both repentance and redemption.

“Thus saith the Lord: Be converted to Me with all your heart, in fasting and in weeping and in mourning. And rend your hearts and not your garments, and turn to the Lord your God: for He is gracious and merciful, patient and rich in mercy, and ready to repent of the evil.” Joel 2:12-13

The Chair of St. Peter at Antioch

2007-02-20T19:57:00.000-08:00

February 22

“Jesus saith to them: But whom do you say that I am? Simon Peter answered, and said: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answering, said to him: Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona, because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in Heaven: and I say to thee: That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it; and to thee I will give the keys of the kingdom of Heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in Heaven; and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in Heaven.”
Matt 16:15-19

Simon Bar-Jona, one of the original twelve Apostles, was chosen by Our Lord to be the leader of His Church, the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. Simon, in those days meant something to the effect of a reed blowing in the wind or wishy-washy. It was The Master Himself who changed Simon’s name to Peter, meaning Rock. It is only by the Grace of Our Lord and Master that Peter was able to be the Rock, the cornerstone, which held the weight of the Church.

According to St. Gregory the Great and many others, after St. Peter left Jerusalem he spent about 7 years as bishop of Antioch where he founded the Holy See before going to Rome. Hence there is this Feast we celebrate today and a similar Feast on January 18th commemorating the Chair of St. Peter in Rome.

The actual physical Chair of St. Peter is still preserved in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Also in this Basilica, set in stone, is the long list of every Vicar of Christ since the time of St. Peter.

Our Lord Himself gave St. Peter, and all his successors, the power of Infallibility but not impeccability. In other words, they were still sinners. Christ, as the Invisible Head of the Church, chooses a visible head of the Church and has done so, in succession, since He first visibly chose St. Peter. All those Truths which the Church has always taught and all Truths Solemnly Defined by a Holy Father or Council are Infallible.

For a long and interesting read try Catholic Encyclopedia on the Chair of St. Peter at Antioch (and at Rome)

Let us remember to pray for our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI.

Bon Voyage!

2007-02-19T21:04:00.000-08:00

Every important journey deserves a great send-off! Shrove Tuesday is a wonderful beginning to the Lenten season. It is marked by making a confession and praying for the souls of sinners. The term "Shrove" comes from an old English term "to shrive", which is the equivalent to administering the Sacrament of Penance. So when you attend confession, you have been shriven.

Mercifully hear our prayers, O Lord, and spare all those who confess their sins unto you; that they, whose consciences by sin are accused, by your merciful pardon may be absolved; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Actually, the roots of Shrove Tuesday’s pancake extravaganza are not so much a feast before the fast, but the practicality and frugality of the English housewife. Dairy foods – fats, milk and eggs – were forbidden during Lent. In order to use up supplies, housewives made pancakes from the eggs, milk and butter that were left in the larder. The types of pancakes are as varied as the imagination. There were thick, fluffy varieties; rich, eggy pancakes; filled crepes; and quire – a stack of paper thin cakes. They were served with baked or preserved fruits, cream fillings, sugars fancy and plain, or even doused with spirits! Those pieces of bacon that weren’t consumed on Collop Monday – the day that eggs and bacon (or enormous beef or pork roasts) were consumed in great quantities – were certain to find their way onto plates alongside those steaming, golden medallions. Just because pancakes are on the menu doesn't mean you can't feast in the evening!

German Apple Pancakes

My family loves this for breakfast served with bacon or sausage (a rare treat). This makes a batch large enough for a family of 8. You can (if you’re feeling particularly ambitious) make these in mini pans to serve individually. For those of British descent, you’ll recognize this batter as being the same as for Yorkshire pudding. If you made this recipe with ‘bangers’ or sausage instead of apples – you’d have Toad in the Hole, which is a good teatime recipe. Serve with cream if you wish and for sure remember the homemade cocoa!

8 eggs
1.5 c. flour
1.5 c. milk
1 tsp salt
½ c. butter
4 medium apples, thinly sliced
½ c. sugar
1 tsp cinnamon

Preheat the oven to 400F. Place two large baking dishes (glass/Pyrex) in oven with ½ stick butter in each. Beat eggs, flour, milk and salt together for 1 minute – some folks like to use a blender for this part. When the butter is completely melted and HOT, add equal amounts of batter to each dish. Bake for 10 minutes. Combine cinnamon and sugar, set aside. Divide the apples evenly between both dishes, sprinkle on cinnamon sugar and bake for and additional 10-15 minutes. The batter will have puffed way up the sides – very impressive! When you bring it to the table, it’ll still be sizzling – that’s the panache!

Crepes

Crepes are beautiful things. These are truly the pancakes we’re talking about on Pancake Day. They can be stacked and layered with sweetened whipped cream (laced with spirits if you like) or stewed fruits; or they can be filled with preserved fruits and cream and rolled up, drizzled in sweet syrup or honey and sprinkled with powdered sugar.

4 eggs
1 cup flour
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup water
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons melted butter
Beat ingredients together in a large bowl using a balloon whisk. Cover and let sit for 1 hour. Heat butter or oil in a crepe pan (low sided frying pan) and pour small amount of batter into the center. Swirl the pan to distribute the batter and cook until set. Pick up and flip to cook the other side (should take only seconds). There seems to be some unwritten law of crepes that the first on MUST go to pieces. Have no fear – carry on and try the next one.
Try adding up to 2 T. sugar and your favorite flavouring or spirit to zhuzh up your cakes. I love my crepes filled with lemon curd (homemade if possible), rolled up and topped with stewed blueberries (or pie filling), cream and powdered sugar. You can also fill with sweetened mascarpone cheese and chopped pistachios. Have fun – offer a variety of toppings and fillings and let your family invent their own combination!
Makes 12-14 crepes.

Nana Belle’s Corn Pancakes

These are a major treat. I remember my Nana making these for me when I was a little girl. She always served with apple syrup and breakfast sausage. Oh, boy!

2.5 cup self-rising flour
2 T sugar
2 c. soured milk (add 2 tsp of vinegar)
2 large eggs
2 T melted butter
1 c. fresh-cut corn kernels (thawed frozen also work beautifully)

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and sugar. Measure the milk, then add the egg and butter to the measuring cup, and whisk them together until blended. Add the milk mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until blended, stir in corn kernels.

Lightly grease a skillet and heat it over medium-high heat. Pour about 1/4c. batter per pancake onto the skillet, and cook until the bubbles on the surface begin to break. Turn the pancakes over and cook until lightly browned. Makes about 2 dozen pancakes.

Now there is no reason you couldn’t substitute fruits for corn. If you are using berries, sprinkle the fruit on top of the batter on the skillet. This will prevent breakage and discoloration of your cakes.

Try organizing a pancake race for your children. Determine where the ‘Church’ will be, have two each of aprons, bandanas, frying pans, spatulas, and pancakes. The race begins by ringing the bell. The children don the aprons (tying securely) and bandanas, pick up the pans (with pancake inside) and spatulas and run like the Dickens to the bell-ringer, serve their pancake and run back. The fastest runner gets a new prayer book from the ‘Priest’.

Please remember to send me your simple, "Plain Food" menus and recipes, soup recipes, and meatless recipes for inclusion throughout Lent!

A Lenten Primer: Loveliness of Lent Fair

2007-02-19T05:24:00.000-08:00

It seems to be a contradiction in terms – an oxymoron. How can Lent possibly be lovely? The trick is to find beauty in complete simplicity; simplicity of faith, simplicity of living – taking away all the excesses that turn up the “noise” in our lives and create distractions from our attention to God and His will. The Shakers were masters of finding simplicity in everyday life, the lovely scent of fresh baked bread, the satisfaction in creating a fragrant soup that will satisfy both body and soul. They knew that God (not the other guy) is in the details, the tiniest little things. Their beautiful hymn could be a Lenten Anthem:

'Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free,
'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.
When true simplicity is gain'd,
To bow and to bend we shan't be asham'd,
To turn, turn will be our delight,
Till by turning, turning we come round right.

We are called to see the beauty in starkness. For in starkness, the color and grain of bare wood comes into sharper focus, we note the way the light plays on objects within our homes, or through the windows in our churches as we sit in quiet meditation. One lady who really does understand the beauty in 'everyday' is Donna Cooper O’Boyle, she wrote the book on it. If you can’t get enough of her beautiful writing, please visit us at These Forty Days. We’ll be featuring some excerpts from her work throughout the season. Another lady who truly understands the loveliness of Lent, is Wendy from The Bluebird of Happiness Comes to Tea.

Lent also calls us to compassion. Compassion literally means to share someone’s suffering. Outwardly, we are sharing in Christ’s suffering in the desert by leaving behind our old habits, hurts, and luxuries. We can unite ourselves to the poor, hungry, sick and lonely by fasting, giving alms, donating clothing, offering hospitality, caring for someone who is homebound. We can use this time to pray more often for someone who is ill. Our family has chosen a prayer project for Lent. Often, these acts of charity ignite a passion that lasts the rest of our lives.

That is precisely what God wants. He wants us to make a change for good - to experience a conversion. It doesn’t need to be a grand sacrifice; it can be something small but significant. Karen agrees, as does Margaret at Minnesota Mom. You needn’t even give something up – you can choose to take on something new, such as offering to join a ministry, or making a resolution to say “God Bless You” to every person you meet. It is a time to get outside your comfort zone and grow spiritually.

As parents, we must gently lead our children to learn the ways of our Faith, just as Elizabeth patiently does through this beautiful and touching conversation. Lent could easily become a cumbersome trial that children would learn to loathe. If we cheerfully approach Lent ourselves - setting the tone as Elena does, and gather ideas for fruitful activities (Ruth and Karen offer some amazing suggestions)they will grow into a deep knowledge and love for Lent. First, we must explain to them what Lent is. Dawn’s post “What is Lent” offers a beautiful, rich description for both children and adults.

This is a perfect time to delve deeper into our spiritual heritage with our children. It is important to understand the culture of the time in order to appreciate the importance of the events leading up to Easter. My children and I will be immersing ourselves in ancient Middle Eastern History and Culture. We have also been investigating the similarities and differences in how our Anglican brethren observe the season, and what other Protestant denominations think and feel about this holy time of year. Elizabeth Foss will be exploring the Lenten traditions of the Eastern Church with her children, inspired by this beautiful weblog by Katherine.

Because Lent is a long six weeks, organisation is important. These beautiful weekly calendars from Julie at Trinity Acres will help guide your children to grow in holiness throughout the Season. If you need further inspiration on your journey with Jesus toward Easter, please visit These Forty Days.

So, as the children and I are setting up our Rice Bowl, our sacrifice jar, hanging mourning on our Lenten Cross, and stringing sacrifice beads, we'll be praying that your eyes are opened to the Simple Gifts of the Lenten Season!

Loveliness of Lent

2007-02-12T07:19:00.000-08:00

Remember, the Loveliness of Lent Fair will be posted both at "Simple Gifts" and here at “These Forty Days” on Monday 19 February. I need your submissions by the end of this week.
Also, if you wish to submit articles of a Lenten nature throughout the season, please email me or one of my co-editors. Mary Ellen is our handcrafts editor so please let her know if you have a project to share. Projects can be for children or adults. Alert her to links to craft patterns as well. Donna Marie is our curriculum editor so if you have a book recommendation, unit study, or just want to lead us down a rabbit trail, let her know. Don’t forget alert her to books for adults if you have a favorite!

I’m looking for lots and lots of recipes, being the food editor and all! Please submit your Mardi Gras menus, recipes, celebrations right away!

The Loveliness of Lent

2007-02-06T08:31:00.000-08:00

I have the distinct pleasure to be hosting the Loveliness of Lent Fair on this weblog as well as on my main weblog Simple Gifts. Please share what you love about the Lenten Season with us! Include your thoughts, your daily devotions, your crafts, recipes, reading list, homeschooling activities - anything that makes Lent special for you and your family!

Please submit links and articles on the Loveliness of Lent to: nissa*at*gadboisfamily*dot*com by Sunday, 14 February for inclusion. The Fair will appear on 19 February!

Blessings,

Nissa