Family in Feast and Feria

I know, I said I was on a blog break, but I had these thoughts on my mind and just had to write.

I was running errands this week, and I found myself looking at employee name tags. When I would see names like "Michael" and "Matthew" and "Mark" I had to restrain myself from complimenting the man on their strong male name. I love seeing the saints' names being used for children and adults. Saints were real people with faults and struggles, but cooperated with God's grace to work and pray daily to gain their heavenly reward. It wasn't easy. They are heroes of the best kind. So seeing saints' names reminds me of the saints' life and how powerful an intercessor they can be for those that invoke their patrons.

So in comes St. Mark, Evangelist, whose feast is today. Another great saint, who knew Jesus Christ in person. And we have the treasure of his Gospel to read everyday. What a blessing!

His Gospel is the shortest of the four. I have always loved his vivid descriptions, with adjectives like "immediately" used frequently. It is said that this Gospel was written for Western Civilization, the "Roman Gospel". It also referred to as St. Peter's Gospel, as many believe that St. Peter related the eyewitness accounts of Christ's life to Mark. In the agony in the garden, Mark mentions a young man in a linen cloth which was removed when he tried to run away. Most scripture scholars believe that was Mark, relating that story about himself.

Mark's main symbol is a lion, or a winged lion, because Mark illustrates Our Lord's royal dignity and the lion as the king of beasts is an appropriate symbol. Also he begins his Gospel in the wilderness, `The voice of one crying in the desert: Make ready the way of the Lord,' which the lion is a type. St. Mark also dwells on the resurrection, and in the early church the lion was a figure of the resurrection.

For more reading, see:
Catholic Encyclopedia
Golden Legend of St. Mark
Women for Faith and Family

Mark founded the Christian Church in Alexandria, and later his remains were brought to Venice, Italy. He is the patron of Venice, lawyers, and glaziers. A typical Venetian dish for today is Risi e Bisi (rice and peas?). I found a cheesy version from Rachel Ray. There is a similar recipe in one of my favorite cookbooks, Festa: Recipes and Recollections of Italian Holidays by Helen Barolini.

From this blog comes a quote from Gourmet cookbook, edited by Ruth Reichl, that has a little explanation of this dish:

"The inspiration for this risotto is the soupy dish called 'risi e bisi' (rice and peas), which is Venetian in origin and is traditionally eaten on St. Mark's Day, April 25, when the first local peas appear in the Rialto market. We call for frozen baby peas (unless fresh peas are REALLY fresh, they can be too starchy), and we eat this year-round. We stir in some prosciutto for depth (pancetta will work well too) and a bit of lemon zest to perk things up."

Last year I cooked Pasta San Marco and posted some thoughts on my food blog about the feast of St. Mark. Cooking with the Saints was the source for the Pasta recipe, but there are other recipes listed, too. And of course don't forget to check out Catholic Culture's recipes.

St. Mark, pray for us.

The warm weather is upon us, and I've pulled out my sandals, which means bare toes. Now feet in general are not pretty, but my toes are particularly not attractive. So I do paint my toenails to disguise a little of their "ugliness". I painted them a pale pink this week.

My son asked me yesterday, "Why did you paint them pink?"

I replied, "Because I wanted to make them pink. I think it's pretty."

To which he said: "Why don't you paint them red like the other ladies? I like red"

I've been very remiss in not providing links to these terrific carnivals and fairs. Mea Culpa!

As an aside, I just LOVE web dictionaries. When sitting down to write, words pop in my mind, and I start to think, "What is the exact definition of that word? Am I using it properly?" So I do a Google search for "Definition ____" and secure that word in my mind. It's a little vocabulary exercise for me.

Anyway, I missed the Early Spring Field Day, Loveliness of Toddlers Fair, and the Loveliness of Spring Fair....and now missed the Carnival of Finding Joy. I'm on a roll (or is it a downward spiral?)! But don't you miss them. There are some wonderful posts to read and absorb and enjoy, and they are hosted by some very wonderful (and capable and reliable) ladies!

I have found a little joy this week. After discovering our hot water heater was leaking on Saturday (what a blessing all 50 gallons wasn't all over the basement), it was repaired on Monday. Having clean clothes, clean dishes, and a warm shower is such a blessing, relief, and yes, joyful. But I shall not going into detail about the other problem which happened as soon as the repairmen left...our A/C konked out.

As far as spring is concerned, it's just absolutely thrilling. We've spent a lot of our time out of doors, windows are flung open (for dual purposes). It is frustrating that when the good weather comes, instead of being able to relax and enjoy it, it signals the need for work. Yard work, gardening, weeding...and countless other jobs of cleaning, painting, repairing.

So, I'm taking a little blog break. I'm off to do my little spring work, but ALSO I'm taking some time to smell the roses.

I've been tagged by In This House of Brede and But I Have Called Your Friends two weeks ago.

4. cursed? Last week. I admit once in a while I let some mild ones slip out. I'm not so sweet and innocent!

5. had a nightmare? Almost every night. Most don't wake me, but they do wake dh.

6. checked your email? 2 hours ago.

7. had a crush? Too long ago to remember. I had quite a few in grade school and high school, though.

8. drove a car? Thursday. When dh is home I don't need to drive.

9. rode a roller coaster? 1987? Last one I hope ever.

10. took a nap? Sunday, when I was sick.

11. went to the movies? Whichever was the last one in the theater...The Passion of the Christ or the second movie of The Lord of the Rings trilogy. I don't enjoy the theater, too loud...I prefer my couch, even though the screen is smaller.

12. drank alcohol? Last night. Had some white wine with dh.

13. went to a party? March 17 and 18, parties for my 40th birthday.

14. said “I love you"? An hour ago to my son, and this morning to my dh.

15. cooked a meal? Thursday night. It's been a busy weekend.

16. exercised? Not regularly. I lugged boxes of books at a booksale yesterday and did hours of weeding today. I'm sore, and that's pitiful.

I tag MB, MaryM, and Ruth.

I was saddened to hear the news that Msgr. Richard Schuler died yesterday. He played a huge role in sacred music, especially in America, and founded the Church Music Association of America. You can read a short biography here.

I had a chance to meet him and listen to his talks at a Sacred Music Colloquim about 11 or 12 years ago. What a wonderful, humble, holy priest!

Eternal rest, grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Today is the second anniversary of the election of Pope Benedict XVI. This is a beautiful meditation from Opus Dei site which really illustrates our duty to pray and support the Holy Father:

“Union with the Pope is union with Peter”

You must love, venerate, pray and mortify yourself for the Pope, and do so with greater affection each day. For he is the foundation stone of the Church and, throughout the centuries, right to the end of time, he carries out among men that task of sanctifying and governing which Jesus entrusted to Peter. (The Forge, 134)

The supreme power of the Roman Pontiff and his infallibility, when he speaks ex cathedra, are not human inventions. They are based on the explicit foundational will of Christ. How foolish it is, then, to confront the government of the Pope with that of the bishops, or to reduce the validity of the pontifical Magisterium to the consent of the faithful! Nothing is more foreign to it than a balance of powers; human moulds of thought do not help us, no matter how attractive or functional they may be. No one in the Church enjoys absolute power by himself, as man. In the Church there is no leader other than Christ. And Christ constituted a vicar of his — the Roman Pontiff — for his wayfaring spouse on earth. (…)

We help to make that apostolic continuity more evident in the eyes of all men by demonstrating with exquisite fidelity our union with the Pope, which is union with Peter. Love for the Roman Pontiff must be in us a delightful passion, for in him we see Christ. If we deal with the Lord in prayer, we will go forward with a clear gaze that will permit us to perceive the action of the Holy Spirit, even in the face of events we do not understand or which produce sighs or sorrow. (In Love with the Church, 13)

My apologies. Yesterday I forgot to post the link to the Carnival of Joy: Week 1 at Three Plus Two. There are some wonderful entries, and so perfect for the week when so many hearts are heavy with the tragedy at Virginia Tech.

And even during the heaviness, God sends little graces. I'm feeling called to pray to St. Gianna. After posting Finding Joy this week, a sweet reader wrote to me her own personal struggle of secondary infertility. Twelve years later after praying to St. Gianna, she was able to bear a child. My suffering is so little compared to that!

I was so touched by this reader reaching out to me, and thought that maybe I should start praying to this mother-saint of our age. That thought seems confirmed when I read Kristen's post today on a Novena to St. Gianna. The novena starts today, ending on her feast, April 28.

My heart seems pulled in this direction. Perhaps God will not grant another child for us. I'm asking for that blessing, but my main intention is peace and guidance for me and my family as we walk this path. The difficult decisions and sufferings St. Gianna endured in her life indicates she might be the one to intercede for us.

Novena To Obtain Graces Through Saint Gianna Beretta Molla

God, our Father, you have granted to your church the gift of Gianna Beretta Molla. In her youth she lovingly sought you and drew other young people to you, involving them, through apostolic witness and Catholic Action, in the care of the sick and aged, to help and comfort them.

We thank you for the gift of this young women, so deeply committed to you. Through her example grant us the grace to consecrate our life to your service, for the joy of our brothers and sisters.

Glory be …

Jesus, Redeemer of mankind, you called Saint Gianna to exercise the medical profession as a mission for the comfort of bodies and souls. In her suffering fellowmen and in the little ones, deprived of all support, she saw you.

We thank you for having revealed yourself to this servant as “one who serves” and who soothes the sufferings of men. Treasuring her example may we become generous Christians at the service of our brothers and sisters, especially those with whom you deign to share your Cross.

Glory be…

God, Sanctifying Spirit, who love the Church as your Bride, you poured into the heart of Saint Gianna a share of your Love so that she could radiate it in her family, and thus cooperate with you in the wonderful plan of creation, and give life to new children who could not know and love you.

We thank you for this model wife and, through her encouraging witness, we beg you to grant to our families the serene and Christian presence of mothers committed to transform them into cenacles of faith and love, rich with generous activity and sanctifying service.

Glory be…

O God, Creator and lover of mankind, you were close to Saint Gianna when, affected by illness, she was in the painful dilemma of choosing between her own life and the life of the child whom she was carrying in herself, a gift long-awaited. Trusting you alone, and aware of your Commandment to respect human life, Gianna found the courage to do her duty as a mother and to say “yes” to the new life of her baby, generously sacrificing her own. Through the intercession of Mary, Mother of Jesus, and after the example of Gianna, inspire all mothers to welcome with love the sparkle of new life. Grant us the grace we are praying for …………. and the joy to find in Saint Gianna who, as a model spouse and mother, after the example of Christ, gave up her life for the life of others.

Hail Mary…

Angela at Three Plus Two is hosting a regular Wednesday fair through May (through Easter season) on Finding Joy.

The timing couldn't be better. Old Man Winter doesn't seem to want to give up, we keep coming down with various viruses...plenty enough to make us stir crazy. Being sick and housebound sometimes gives a skewed look on things.

So even before Jennifer's idea I've been thinking and praying along these lines.

• First of all, the Easter joy. That has been incredible. For the octave of Easter we've been saying with the Liturgy:
  
  

  This is the day the Lord has made!
  Let us rejoice and be glad in it, Alleluia, Alleluia!

  
  
  Christ is risen! We are not looking backwards to a past historical moment. Jesus Christ is risen today, now, in the present. To keep that reminder in my heart helps buoy my spirits.
  
  I love the custom from various Eastern rites that greet each other during the Easter season with some form of:
  
  

  "Christ is risen, Alleluia!"
  "He is risen indeed, Alleluia!" is the response

  
  This is a great practice to keep the reality of the resurrection in the present moment.



• Along the same lines, it fills my heart with joy seeing sharing our Faith together as a family. First of all, it is a true blessing to have my husband who is such a good man, who loves his Catholic Faith, and we pray and talk and share our Faith together. It is such a blessing to be united in raising our son, teaching him the Faith and seeing our son enjoy and grow in the love of God. Ds truly enjoyed celebrating the Triduum, and we are much richer seeing the Paschal Mysteries through his eyes.



• A great joy in my life is that my son's food allergies are less serious. We still avoid his allergens (eggs, dairy, and wheat) in eating, but he's now able to touch some of the offenders without reactions. I had such happiness seeing his color and dye eggs hard-boiled eggs, to be able to hunt for real eggs this year, without worrying of the contact allergy. He also can play with Playdoh without hives. Praise God for the little things!



• I've mentioned before my struggle with secondary infertility. Daily my prayer has been "Fiat", so I can embrace God's will for me. It is a daily struggle. I never thought I would be raising an "only child." Having come from a large family, surrounded by cousins, other friends with large families, it's a new adventure. So often I find myself thinking "If only we could have one more....it would be easier. I'd be happier."
  
  Divine Mercy Sunday at Mass came the gentle reminder that joy comes from my daily duty. I will be much happier in embracing His Will for me. I'm reaching out for things that *I* think will make me feel better. But really, true joy is recognizing God's hand in my daily life. I need to stop the procrastination and excuses and accept the moment.
  
  I know it doesn't seem like a joyful message, but a weight was truly lifted off my heart and I was at peace. The Lord has truly blessed me. I can find joy at the present, and not at the "what ifs" and "if only".

Thank you, Angela for hosting. I look forward to the other entries.

Christ is risen, Alleluia!
He is risen indeed, Alleluia!"

Send prayers and birthday wishes to our Holy Father and glean some ideas on how to celebrate this day at home.

A little follow-up on my pysanky post. I joined the Yahoo Group Eggs-Psyanky and am getting all sorts of pointers and wonderful links. Most of those in this group are true artists, and it's a wonder to behold their work.

Some of the artists had pysanky eggs in the White House Easter Egg Collection. You can can view them State by State. To see previous years, just change the year in the web address. The Texas egg which is featured is done pysanky style. The eggs are just breathtakingly beautiful!

One of the artists also shared the art she has done with tiny eggs, like finch and canary. Note the rosary; it's simply exquisite! Here's a closeup.