May 31, 2015

I can't think of a good title for this post. So many topics today! So, what better than the simple date?

Today is the Feast of the Holy Trinity, and the end of the official Easter season of the church. Technically, it is also the first Sunday after Pentecost, and the beginning of the Time after Pentecost, this year consisting of 26 Sundays, ending on November 29. Today, we celebrate one of the great mysteries of our Faith, the fact that although there is only one God, there are also three Divine Persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. We have celebrated each of these Persons individually, and now we celebrate all of them together, reinforcing our belief.

Today is also the Feast of the Queenship of Our Lady. Because she gave herself so faithfully to God, and because she is the Mother of God, she was crowned Queen of Heaven and Earth. When we accept her Son as King, we will also accept her as our Queen and Mother.

"Adeamus cum fiducia ad thronum gratiae,ut mesericordiam consequamur, et gratiam inveniamus in auxilio opportuno" (Introit).

Requiem Aeternam

Today my grandfather died. He lived a long life, and he is proof of God's love and forgiveness, because he returned to the One True Faith at the end of January, making a good confession and receiving the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist for the first time in many years. He will be joining his wife, my grandmother, after surviving her by two decades.

Dies irae, dies illa,

Solvet saeclum in favilla:

Test David cum Sibylla.

Quantus tremor est futurus,

Quando judex est venturus,

Cunta stricte discussurus!

Tuba mirum spargens sonum

Per sepulchra regionum,

Coget omnes ante thorium.

Mors stupebit et natura,

Cum resurget creatura,

Judicanti responsura.

Liber scriptus proferetur,

In quo totum continetur,

Unde mundus judicetur.

Judex ergo cum sedebit,

Quidquid latet apparebit:

Nil inultum remanebit.

Quid sum miser tunc dicturus?

Quem patronum rogaturus,

Cum vix justus sit securus?

Rex tremendae majestatis,

Qui salvandos savas gratis,

Salva me, fons pietatis.

Recordare Jesu pie,

Quod sum causa tuae viae:

Ne me perdas illa die.

Querens me, sedisti lassus:

Redemisti crucem passus:

Tantus labor non sit cassus.

Juste Judex ultionis,

Donum fac remissionis

Ante diem rationis.

Ingemisco, tamquam reus:

Culpa rubet vultus meus:

Supplicanti parce, Deus.

Qui Mariam absolvisti,

Et latronem exaudisti,

Mihi quoque spem dedisti.

Preces meae non sunt dignae:

Sed tu bonus fac benigne,

Ne perenni cremer igne.

Inter oves locum praesta,

Et ab haedis me sequestra,

Statuens in parte dextra.

Confutatis maledictis,

Flammis acribus addictis:

Voca me cum benedictis.

Oro supplex et acclinis,

Cor contritum quasi cinis:

Gere curas mei finis.

Lacrimosa dies illa,

Qua resurget ex favilla

Judicandus homo reus:

Huic ergo parce Deus.

Pie Jesu Domine, dona eis requiem. Amen.

Pentecost and St. Dominic

Come Holy Ghost!

Happy feast of Pentecost! The feast of Pentecost, like the feast of Easter, is tied to the Jewish Feast of  Harvests, which happened 50 days (Pentecost in Greek) after the feast of First-fruits, which was celebrated around the same time as Passover. The feast day was one of the many that Jews from around the world had to visit Jerusalem, and was therefore a perfect occasion for Christ's word to be spread and the preaching of the Apostles to start.

"Suddenly, there came a sound from heaven, as of a mighty wind coming, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting"(Epistle). Tradition tells us that the Apostles and Our Lady had been sitting in prayer in the same room that Our Lord had hired for the Last Supper. Before the Holy Ghost came, the apostles were timid, scared to preach the Gospel, and waiting for an earthly leader. After He came, they were filled with courage, given the power of tongues to preach to everyone, and realized that the Kingdom of God was truly not of this earth, but existed in Heaven. This is truly a miracle, but it's the same miracle we get as Catholics when we receive the Sacrament of Confirmation, which gives us the sacramental grace to stand up for our faith, in the face of every hardship.

Let us pray for the courage to stand up for our faith. Today's gift of the Holy Ghost is Wisdom; "The gift of Wisdom is an illumination of the Holy Ghost, thanks to which our intellect is able to look at revealed truths in their more sublime light, to the greater joy of our souls" (St. Andrew's Missal).

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St. Dominic, by Fra Angelico

Today is also the feast of the Translation of St. Dominic's relics: the day that they were re-interred for the public to be able to pray at. This is the feast day of my alma mater, St. Dominic School in Post Falls, and so it holds a special place in my heart. Happy feast day to all my fellow alumni!

Last Day of the Pentecost Novena

Today is our last day before Pentecost. I'd like to offer up today for the Catholic Church. We are in the middle of a crisis, and the Pope, Cardinals, and Bishops need all our prayers in order to bring the rest of the Church back to Tradition. The world can't acknowledge Our Lord as its King until the leadership of the Church has returned to spreading the Faith and stopped promoting ecumenism.

Come, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of your faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of Thy love.

Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created.

And thou shalt renew the face of this earth.

Let us Pray

O God, Who has instructed the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Ghost, grant that by the same Spirit we may be always truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolation. Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen

Days Seven and Eight of the Pentecost Novena

Wow, the past few days have been crazy. Yesterday I was so tired, I went to bed at the same time as Hubby and Eleanor! Today has been kind of crazy, I started a diet and cooking is taking up some time, as well as having healthy breakfasts, lunches, and snacks.

Yesterday, I prayed for my parents (again). They left Pennsylvania and arrived back in Illinois early this morning, and Mom and Rosemary are going to Kansas tomorrow morning. They'll be back for good in June! This past year has been so weird. I was hoping to have more of my mom's guidance in keeping my daughter alive her first year, but managed to do it mostly alone. I'm looking forward to having some more time with my sister and mom this year. Planning some tea parties and pool parties for this summer! Today, my intention was for my daughter. I've recently had the occasion to stand up for my faith, and I'm praying that she will be given the education necessary to do the same when her turn comes. I know I have a lot of time until her Confirmation and even high school graduation, but the prayers start now.

Come, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of your faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of Thy love.

Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created.

And thou shalt renew the face of this earth.

Let us Pray

O God, Who has instructed the hears of the Faithful by the light of the Holy Ghost, grant that by the same Spirit we may be always truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolation. Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

Day Six of the Pentecost Novena

Today we had a cold chill. I'm kind of happy that I got Eleanor a few winter clothes in the 6-9 months size, because even though it's May, it still gets cold enough for flannel footy pajamas and wool dresses!

Today my prayer intention is for all those in office. I definitely don't agree with everything this country is doing, but continue to pray for the leaders that, whether they believe it or not, only received their authority through God. Let us pray not only that our leaders start or continue to do God's Will, but that our fellow citizens start to enact change through legal, peaceful means, instead of violence, lies, and victimization.

Come, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of your faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of Thy love.

Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created.

And thou shalt renew the face of this earth.

Let us Pray

O God, Who has instructed the hears of the Faithful by the light of the Holy Ghost, grant that by the same Spirit we may be always truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolation. Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

Day Five of the Pentecost Novena

Today was super busy. I'm feeling a little under the weather, and Eleanor felt like constantly moving, although she took some better naps than yesterday!

I'm offering up as my special intention my cousins Megan and Clare (who is also my god-daughter). I found out last night that their Confirmations were yesterday. May the Holy Ghost bless them! I'm also praying for my sister, whose Confirmation was a few weeks ago. I had the privilege of being her sponsor. May they all remain firm in their faith, now that they are considered adults ready to defend the Catholic Faith!

Come, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of your faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of Thy love.

Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created.

And thou shalt renew the face of this earth.

Let us Pray

O God, Who hast instructed the hearts of the Faithful by the light of the Holy Ghost, grant that by the same Spirit we may be always truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolation. Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

Day Four of the Pentecost Novena

Today looked deceptively nice outside, bright and sunny. Eleanor and I went to the park, but we couldn't stay long because of how cold it actually was with the wind blowing. She does love swinging! I'm looking forward to the nicer weather, but we are praying that this summer remains pretty cool so that we don't have to use our A/C too often!

She loves swinging!

I'm offering today's prayer up for my Hubby. It's hard being the head of a household, trying to do what is best for us all, and weighing the benefits and risks of every step. I may act like I know all the right answers, but I'm not the one who has all that pressure on my shoulders!

Come, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of your faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of Thy love.

Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created.

And thou shalt renew the face of this earth.

Let us Pray

O God, Who hast instructed the hearts of the Faithful by the light of the Holy Ghost, grant that by the same Spirit we may be always truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolation. Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

Advertisement Warning!

I was finally able to start some advertisements on this page. I hope this doesn't bother anyone in particular. I'm hoping that it allows me to help support my family, even if it just brings in enough for a bottle of wine every year! (One of the $5 bottles, that is).

Day Three of Pentecost Novena

Today I want to offer as my special intention my extended family. Aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, there are a lot of them, and I pray that they may also be enlightened.  I'm also praying for my parents and sister, who are driving out to Philly today and tomorrow. Dad has a big meeting, and Mom is taking advantage of picking up some back east treats. May the Holy Ghost inspire them to bring me some Tastykake Butterscotch Krumpets, chip steak, and Herr's Salt and Vinegar chips!!

Come, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of your faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of Thy love.

Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created.

And thou shalt renew the face of this earth.

Let us Pray

O God, Who hast instructed the hearts of the Faithful by the light of the Holy Ghost, grant that by the same Spirit we may be always truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolation. Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

Day Two of Pentecost Novena

Sorry today is kind of late. We had a busy day: Hubby and I went on a date alone(!), Eleanor had her first babysitting experience (she had great caretakers, and loved it!), and on our way home we went for our local yard sale days. Long day!

Today, I'm praying especially for my family, whether they are related by blood or love.

Come, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of your faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of Thy love.

Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created.

And thou shalt renew the face of this earth.

Let us Pray

O God, Who hast instructed the hearts of the Faithful by the light of the Holy Ghost, grant that by the same Spirit we may be always truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolation. Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

Day One of Pentecost Novena

The tradition of the novena arose in honor of the nine days that Our Lady and the Apostles sat in prayer waiting for the Paraclete. In honor of their first novena, let us pray for our own enlightenment and those of others.

Today, I'm praying for enlightenment for someone who used to be close to me.

Come, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of your faithful, and enkindle in them the fire of Thy love.

Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created.

And thou shalt renew the face of this earth.

Let us Pray

O God, Who hast instructed the hearts of the Faithful by the light of the Holy Ghost, grant that by the same Spirit we may be always truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolation. Through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

Ascension Thursday

by Fra Angelico

Ascension Thursday is a big feast day in the Catholic Church, so big that it is a Holy Day of Obligation, one of the 10 established by the Church, one of the 6 celebrated in the United States (they vary from country to country). It is the beginning of the end of the official Easter Season, and takes place 40 days after Easter, a feasting period that corresponds to the fasting of Lent. I don't like math, but the number symbolism present everywhere is fascinating to me.

We don't actually read about the Ascension of Christ in today's Gospel. All the gospels end more or less vaguely around the time of the Ascension, but none have the actual description. The details of the Ascension are described in the Acts of the Apostles, and we read the beginning today as the Epistle. Why would the Gospels not go into the detail that the Acts do? This question occurs to me every year. We read the beginning of the Acts with Our Lord's last lesson that He will ever teach on Earth, preparing us for the coming of the Holy Ghost. He eats with the Apostles, possibly meaning that He celebrates Mass with them like He did at the Last Supper. The apostles are once more shown to be naïve, we see that they don't really understand, because Our Lord has to tell them once more that He will not be an earthly ruler. They really haven't learned yet! But they have faith enough to obey Our Lord's last command, to stay in Jerusalem until the Holy Ghost comes.

Finally, the epistle leaves us with a quotation that brings hope to the holy and despair to the wicked: 
"Ye Men of Galilee, why stand you looking up into Heaven? This Jesus, who is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come as you have seen Him going into heaven."
After the Gospel, the Paschal candle is snuffed out, because Christ is no longer here on earth with us.

Happy Mother's Day!

Our first picture together

Happy Mother's Day to all my readers! This is my first Mother's day with Eleanor, and while it has been a little bittersweet, it was very relaxing. Yesterday was the day we really celebrated, because we thought that Hubby was going to have to work; luckily he doesn't have to. Yesterday started by officially changing my name. It only took 1.5 years! I also changed my address on the license, registered to vote under my new name, and renewed my license for the next 4 years. So I figure I have 4 years to complain about this license picture and figure out how to get a better one. We went to brunch to a great breakfast place, Sunrise Café. I always love their breakfasts and homemade pies, but I've only finished my meal when I was pregnant and breastfeeding! Because the day was so pretty, we picked up some chicken and plums to grill, some of my guilty pleasures: Stouffer's mac and cheese and the latest new Mt. Dew for today, and went home. We almost went to some garage sales, but Eleanor and I wanted to relax a little after getting home from a 2 week trip to Kansas for my sister's Confirmation. All in all, a very relaxing day both yesterday and today.

Right after Eleanor was dedicated to Our Blessed Mother

While we remember our mothers, and celebrate being mothers, this day is good to remember all those who have taken a mothering position in our lives. For me, that means praying especially for my teachers, the Dominican Nuns of Fanjeaux, to whom we gave the name of Mother. I pray, and now marvel at, my own mother, with whose parenting I may not always agree (yes, that stick of broccoli is fine, no need to pre-chew the baby food!), but whose strength amazes me. I can't spend 2 weeks away from my husband without hurting, but because we as children needed and still do need a good education, my mother has spent much time without her helpmate. I pray for my godmother, who has offered up countless prayers and sacrifices for me, and whom I always take for granted.

Over a year of mothering this Sweetheart, since October 2013

It is fitting that Mother's Day should fall in May, the month celebrating the Blessed Virgin Mary. She is the Mother of all Catholics, ever since Christ said from the cross "Woman, behold thy Son" (John 19:26). Mother's Day is a good day for the May Crowning, as we pay tribute to our mothers, showing tribute to the Mother of God herself.

Our Lady, becoming a Mother