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Wednesday, April 25, 2007
St. Mark
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.
10:43 Posted in Liturgical Year | Permalink | Comments (6) | Trackbacks (0) | Email this | Tags: St. Mark, evangelis, Liturgical Year, Saint
Oh Dear
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"
09:25 Posted in Fun | Permalink | Comments (6) | Trackbacks (0) | Email this
Remiss
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.
09:20 Posted in Fairs, Carnivals | Permalink | Comments (1) | Trackbacks (0) | Email this
Saturday, April 21, 2007
When Was the Last Time I....
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.
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Rest In Peace
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.
13:10 Posted in Hymns and Gregorian Chant | Permalink | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Email this
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Happy Anniversary, Dear Papa!
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)
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Joy and St. Gianna
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…
14:20 Posted in Fairs, Carnivals | Permalink | Comments (3) | Trackbacks (0) | Email this
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Finding Joy
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!"
11:04 Posted in Fairs, Carnivals | Permalink | Comments (3) | Trackbacks (0) | Email this
Monday, April 16, 2007
Happy 80th Birthday, Pope Benedict!
Send prayers and birthday wishes to our Holy Father and glean some ideas on how to celebrate this day at home.
11:35 Posted in Domestic Church | Permalink | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Email this
Not Eggsactly Something You See Everyday
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.
10:44 Posted in Crafts | Permalink | Comments (5) | Trackbacks (0) | Email this
Friday, April 13, 2007
Is it Really Spring?
The calendar says spring, but winter hasn't let go quite yet. But there is hope, and Dawn is hosting an Early Spring Field Day. Don't miss it!
I've also added a few entries to my very neglected Food Blog.
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Thursday, April 12, 2007
Liturgy and Catechesis Through Our Holy Father
While Pope John Paul II will always have a special place in my heart, I just love our current Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI. The more I read his talks and writings I'm convinced he's a gift to Catholic mothers, especially homeschooling mothers. His knowledge of the liturgy and the Faith is vast, and yet he can unfold it in small amounts to make things tangible and applicable. He highlights some of the older traditions, uniting them with today, explaining their significance. Pope Benedict has a special knack for showing the connection of ritual and the spiritual. Not even the smallest movement is hollow, for it all points back to the Eucharist and love of God.
I'm reading through the homilies and talks of the Holy Father during Holy Week. Besides the VIS summary, the entire texts Holy Week can be found:
Chrism Mass 2007 Homily
Holy Thursday 2007 Homily
Easter Vigil 2007 Homily
Urbi et Orbi Message
And the Vatican website has a lovely Easter 2007 presentation, which includes photos and music....gorgeous music.
I love his descriptions at the Chrism Mass of Holy Thursday of the priestly vestments for Mass. At the Chrism Mass the priests remember the institution of Holy Orders by Christ, their own ordination, and renew their priestly vows. These descriptions are so wonderful, and will enrich my teaching to my son about the Mass:
In his homily the Pope recalled the moment during a priest's ordination in which he dons the liturgical vestments, saying: "In this exterior gesture the Church wishes to make the interior event clear to us, and the task that arises therefrom: to don Christ, to give oneself to Him as He gave Himself to us. This event, this 'donning of Christ,' is represented ever and anew in each Mass."
The liturgical vestments, then, Benedict XVI commented, "illustrate what it means 'to don Christ,' to speak and to talk 'in persona Christi'."
The amice, he continued, "used to be placed over the head like a kind of hood, thus becoming a symbol of that discipline of the senses and the mind which is necessary for the celebration of Mass."
The texts that interpret the alb and the stole "evoke the festive robes that the father gave to the prodigal son when he returned home dirty and in rags. When we celebrate the liturgy, acting 'in persona Christi,' we are all aware just how far from Him we are, how much dirt there is in our own lives. Only He can give us the festive robes, make us worthy of presiding at His table and of serving Him."
In donning the alb, said the Holy Father, "we must remember that His suffering was for me also. And only because His love is greater than all of my sins can I represent Him and be a witness to His light. ... We ask the Lord to eliminate all hostility from our hearts, to remove all feelings of self- sufficiency and truly to dress us with the robe of love, that we may become people of light and not of the shadows."
The Pope then went on to recall that the chasuble represents "the yoke of the Lord which has been imposed upon us as priests. ... To bear the Lord's yoke means above all learning from Him, being always ready to go to His school. We must learn mildness and humility, the humility of God which was expressed in His becoming man."
His homily from the evening of Holy Thursday has even more food for thought. I wrote about pondering our family's Holy Thursday's traditions. Be sure to read whole homily.
In the narrations of the Evangelists, there is an apparent contradiction between the Gospel of John, on one hand, and what, on the other hand, Matthew, Mark and Luke tell us. According to John, Jesus died on the cross precisely at the moment in which, in the temple, the Passover lambs were being sacrificed. His death and the sacrifice of the lambs coincided.
This means that he died on the eve of Passover, and that, therefore, he could not have personally celebrated the paschal supper; at least this is what it would seem.....
Therefore, Jesus celebrated Passover without a lamb, no, not without a lamb: Instead of the lamb he gave himself, his body and his blood. In this way he foresaw his death coherently with his announcement: "No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own" (John 10:18). The moment he offered his body and blood to the disciples, he truly fulfilled this statement. He himself offered his life. Only in this way the old Passover obtains its true meaning. ....
Jesus celebrated the Passover without a lamb and without the temple, and nevertheless, he was not lacking a lamb or a temple. He himself was the awaited lamb, the true one, the one that John the Baptist had foretold at the beginning of Jesus' public ministry: "Behold the Lamb of God, that takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29).
And he himself was the true temple, the living temple, the one in which God lives, in which we can find ourselves with God and adore him. His blood, the love of he who is at the same time Son of God and true man, one of us, this blood has the power to save. His love, this love in which he gives himself freely for us, is what saves us. The nostalgic action, in some sense inefficient, of the immolation of the innocent and immaculate lamb, found an answer in the one who became for us both lamb and temple.
In this way, in the center of the new Passover of Christ, we find the cross. The new gift brought by him proceeds from there. And in this way, it always remains in the holy Eucharist, by which we can celebrate with the apostles through the ages the new Passover.
To think that Jesus didn't have the lamb, but HE was the lamb, is astounding, but makes perfect sense! (And, I must say, I'm relieved, as I don't like the taste of lamb!) So even more so, imitating the original Passover meal or doing a Christian seder meal comes up a little short -- because Jesus didn't even do all that was prescribed, but was himself the Lamb for the Passover Feast.
The Urbi et Orbi message talks about renewing our faith:
When Jesus came for a second time, eight days later in the Upper Room, he said to him: “put your finger here and see my hands; and put out your hand and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing!” The Apostle’s response is a moving profession of faith: “My Lord and my God!” (Jn 20:27-28).
“My Lord and my God!” We too renew that profession of faith of Thomas. I have chosen these words for my Easter greetings this year, because humanity today expects from Christians a renewed witness to the resurrection of Christ; it needs to encounter him and to know him as true God and true man.
At the point of elevation of the body and blood of Christ, I renew my profession of faith by repeating the words of Thomas, and I teach my son to do the same. And our Holy Father guides us in explaining the depth of this renewal; what this should mean for us and the world.
I'm merely scratching the surface. Before he became pope, as Cardinal Ratzinger, he was a prolific writer. Now as pope we have his first Encyclical Letter, Deus Caritas Est and the new post synodal Apostolic Exhortation Sacramentum Caritas.
Such richness, such beauty, that he shares with us, but in words that I can comprehend. It's a special gift the Pope, as a father, gives to us. I receive it as a daughter of the Church. in turn as a mother I give this gift of Faith to my son.
12:15 Posted in Liturgical Year | Permalink | Comments (2) | Trackbacks (0) | Email this
Loveliness of Easter
The Loveliness Fair of Easter is up and hosted by Divinagrace. Grab some of your Easter candy (dark chocolate would be my choice) and share the Easter joy.
Christ is risen, Alleluia! He is risen indeed, Alleluia!
09:12 Posted in Loveliness Fairs | Permalink | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) | Email this
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Treasure Trove at Your Fingertips
Have you visited Musica Sacra -- Church Music Association of America (CMAA) lately? The wealth of information and resources they are providing for free are astounding, and every week there seems to be something new. For anyone who wants to enter more fully into the richness of our Catholic Faith and Liturgy, learning Gregorian Chant is one of the key components. Pope Benedict XVI's Apostolic Exhortation, Sacramentum Caritatis , specifically mentioned in these excerpts.
And CMAA is giving the tools to help learn and teach Gregorian Chant. One can either buy reprints of classic works , or download free .pdf files from the sidebar. Some highlights:
Gregorian Chant for Church and School, by Sister Mary Antonine Goodchild
The Spirit of Gregorian Chant by Marie Pierik
And of course, the Ward Method books, 1, 2, 3 and 4.
I've mentioned the Ward Method a few times here, and raved about it at the 4RealLearning Forums. Now you can read books 1, 2, 3, and 4 written by Justine Ward (see the sidebar for the .pdf files). I was happy to provide my copy of Book 3 so they could complete the set. The newer versions of the Ward Method taught at CUA is slightly different, but not much. Truly, if Gregorian Chant and Latin are the universal music and language of the Church, then EVERYONE should be able to learn. Justine Ward learned from the monks of Solesmes and then "translated it" so that every child can learn music through Gregorian Chant. Truly a gift, and CMAA has made sure this gift is made available to everyone again.
12:15 Posted in Hymns and Gregorian Chant | Permalink | Comments (3) | Trackbacks (0) | Email this
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Holy Week and Easter 2007
This is the day the Lord has made, Alleluia!
Let us rejoice and be glad in it, Alleluia!
Christ is risen, Alleluia!
He is risen, indeed, Alleluia!
Easter Greetings to you all! Here are some highlights of our Holy Week and Easter.
I wasn't able to finish my figures for Holy Week presentations, like Theresa's and Maryan's. But we did the Lesson from Jonah as planned, with big success.
Holy Thursday we had a small meal in imitation of the Passover meal, as discussed here. I added the grapes, as per the description from Rumer Godden's book. I reread Mary Reed Newland's Holy Thursday traditions, and many elements match my idea. During the Easter Vigil on hearing those words "This is our Passover Feast" really struck home that the Mass is our emphasis, not the Seder Meal. And another reason why a Seder Meal doesn't go over well in our home -- dh and I don't like lamb. Every year I try, but it's the aroma and aftertaste that I just find distasteful....
Good Friday we awoke to a light blanket of snow. Here's the image from my kitchen window:
Our Fontanini figures didn't arrive in time for presentations in Holy Week, so I made a tomb from a shoebox, with a stone to roll away. I used a corpus from a broken crucifix and laid it in the tomb. On Easter only the cloths remained, with an image of the Resurrected Christ.
No one was sick this Triduum, so we attended as a family to Holy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil liturgies. I was able to present the Liturgy of Light presentation in a small way to my son, and he really was good and attentive to the long 3 hour Easter Vigil. We had baptisms and confirmations, trumpets, French horn, timpani, choir and organ, the Liturgy of Light...so much to keep him involved.
My lamb cake was a HUGE success. This was the best I've ever done, and thanks to Elizabeth's Foss' suggestions in the Easter Menu thread. Yummy! The decorating took more time than planned, as I couldn't squeeze the decorator bag because of a arthritic thumb...a family problem from my mother.
Easter Sunday was spent at my parents' house, with an egg hunt and dinner. Our family's egg traditions start off on Holy Saturday. We usually get together and color and dye eggs. Adults and children alike are part of this tradition. We compete in creating the Alleluia egg -- only criteria are that the egg needs to have Alleluia and depict the joy of the Resurrection. Usually yellow eggs are chosen, but not a requirement. The judging took place on Sunday, and one of my eggs won.
My brother-in-law is the very generous "Easter Pooka" (watch "Harvey" to know what we mean) and he hid 66 eggs, plus the Alleluia egg. My son found the most eggs this year (with help) -- and this was a big year for him, because he was able to touch the real eggs, not just plastic this time! Everyone gets an Easter bag with goodies, and the person who finds the Alleluia wins the big gold box of goodies. In imitation of the Masters golf tournament, there is a gold jacket ceremony and presentation of the box. It's all great fun for the kids and adults.
When the family came together we had a foot washing on Easter Sunday, as a sign of repentance and forgiveness, of rebirth in grace, which fits perfectly in tune with Easter. We follow Christ's Mandatum. "If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you."
More photos at Flickr Slideshow.
I hope you all had a blessed Easter, and continue to share the Easter joy in our Resurrected Lord for the 50 days of this Easter season!
18:05 Posted in Liturgical Year | Permalink | Comments (8) | Trackbacks (0) | Email this
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Call Me Crazy...
I know my neighbors think I am, and tonight I've sealed my fate. We're having a hard freeze the next few nights, so I was out clipping some tulips and daffodils to bring indoors. I asked two Jennifers, As Cozy as Spring and S/V MarihaloJen and they both concurred that the flowering plants would be ruined, best to bring them inside.
I wanted some spring color from my garden for Easter, so after the Holy Thursday Mass I quickly did some cuttings. I hope no one noticed that I was in my dress clothes with snow boots at 10:00 at night.
23:34 Posted in Humor | Permalink | Comments (3) | Trackbacks (0) | Email this
The Triduum of Holy Week
One of my birthday gifts to myself was purchasing a used copy of In This House of Brede by Rumer Godden. Our library didn't have a copy, and I've been eager to read it after hearing such wonderful praise from the ladies at 4RealLearning Forums. So this week I was struck by this passage on Holy Week in the monastery:
For every religious. Holy Week is the most moving time of the year. At Brede the church was never empty, recreation was suspended. and each nun was quiet, withdrawn, except for the part she must play in choir. "In the liturgy of Tenebrae, of the last three days of Holy Week," taught Dame Clare, "the Church mourns over Jerusalem and celebrates the Passion of our Lord in primitive chants drawn from the Jewish tradition itself; they must often have been on the lips of Christ and the apostles." On Maundy Thursday Cecily was allotted the first lamentation and, as she prefaced each verse with the singing of the Hebrew alphabet, Aleph, Beth . . , she was doing what any of the apostles might have done in the synagogues along the sea of Galilee. "The psalm ‘In Exitu, Israel" explained Dame Clare, "is the exact counterpart of that of the Jewish Passover night, and was probably sung by our Lord in the upper room."
On that same day, the Abbess, following her Master's example, became the servant of the whole community, serving them at midday dinner. The sight of the refectory was inviting: each place was laid with a snow-white napkin, a glass of wine, a bunch of grapes, a small wheaten loaf, and a brown earthenware bowl of vegetable soup. Apricot puffs and cheese were laid along the side tables. When the nuns were seated, the Abbess came in, wearing a white apron and white sleeves, and with her came the kitchener, Sister Priscilla. bearing a great silver salver of fish. The Abbess went to every nun, serving her and laying beside her plate a nose-gay of small flowers violets, wood anemones, primulas, grape hyacinths, tiny ferns, pink heaths.
Later, in the chapter house, Abbess Catherine, girded with a towel, would kneel before twelve of her daughters, drawn by lot "I must cut my toe-nails," Dame Nichola had said in panic—and reverently wash their fret, just as Christ did to his apostles. "1 have set you an example," He told them, '-to teach you what to do: That night the Mass re-enacted the Last Supper, when Jesus took bread and broke it, took wine, and spoke the words that consecrated then and gave them to his disciples, the gift to the world for all time, of the Eucharist. Then, just as Christ had gone from the upper room to the garden of Gethsemane and was seized in the midst of his disciples, so the Host was taken from the altar's tabernacle and borne in procession to a small side altar made welcoming with flowers and candles: the church was left stark, the high altar stripped of its linen, the doors of the empty tabernacle flung open. Bells were replaced by the dry sound of clappers.
For the long hours of' the Good Friday vigil, a heavy wooden crucifix lay before the empty tabernacle as the nuns chanted and prayed the terrible saga through. The names mingled Judas, Malchus, Annas, Caiaphas_ Herod, Pontius Pilate. Barabbas, Simon of Cyrene: the women of Jerusalem, the two thieves, and the centurion: the two Marys who stood with our Lady at the foot of the cross. "The women didn't run away,” said the Abbess.
Christ died and. as if the Abbey had died too, came the long pause of holy Saturday— “Surely the longest day in the year," said Dame Beatrice—until at night, hope came hack to the Church as, long ago, hope had come to the apostles. The new fire was kindled in the church porch, the huge Paschal candle, inscribed with the date of the civil year and painted with symbols of the Resurrection, was lit from that new fire and the priest took the first step inside the darkened empty church; he raised the candle and cried “Lumen Christi”—the light of Christ. Three times the cry echoed as the new light was passed from candle to candle, the boy servers who came from the town lighting their candles from the great one and bringing them to the wicket, where the Abbess met them with hers; she passed the fire to the rows of nuns, each holding her candle until the whole church was illuminated.
As the candles caught their light one from another. Cecily had a vision of the flame hunting in the same way from one church to another throughout Christendom, far around the world: new light., new joy. fresh hope. Thousands of candles, pure wax, wax of bees, made through the year by the wings and work of infinitesimal creatures like us, thought Cecily, made for this night. "This is the night,” intoned the priest. 'the night on which heaven was wedded to earth. On this night Christ broke the bonds of death,” and, “The night shall be as light as day, the night shall light up my joy.”
The priest blessed the new water and led the renewal of baptismal vows until, just before midnight, Mass began, the first Mass of Easter, when linen, flowers, and candlesticks were brought back to the altar as the celebrant began the opening of the Gloria, ‘Gloria in excelsis Deo…’ Every bell, every stop on the organ, every voice joined in the triumphant response, ‘Glory to God on high,’ and it was Easter Sunday.
What really struck me was the description of their celebration on Holy Thursday, as it seemed similar to our family's traditions. It has been a recent movement for many Christians to celebrate a Messianic seder meal sometime in Holy Week. I had been feeling that we had not been authentic enough, until last year this conversation Passover Sets gave me a different view. I don't think it would be right to have a seder meal. This is part of the Jewish religion, and not established until 500 years AFTER Christ's death. We are not Jews, but Catholics. What I can do is just remember the Exodus story and the Last Supper and bring in elements to highlight this feast, but not do a whole seder meal.
My mother always did an interpretation of the Passover Meal in our family. For years my siblings and our families would come together and share that meal. But now my mother can't host the meal, so my own small family will be observing this feast day alone. I had to make plans and adjust to our size, my son's age (and allergies) and make our traditions. With white tablecloth and candles and china and silver I will be serving lamb chops, spinach and celery, mashed potatoes, rolls, applesauce, grapes, and wine. The meal is more symbolic. I didn't have time to make unleavened bread, but I'm incorporating bread as part of the meal. We shall wash our feet and then go to Church for the Mass of the Lord's Supper. There my son can hear and witness similar elements at the Mass and be brought into more active participation because he can remember doing something similar at home, the Domestic Church.
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Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Various and Sundry
My minutes are precious this morning, so just a quick rundown:
- My youngest sister is having laparoscopy surgery this morning to remove two cysts, one on each ovary. Please pray that it will be smooth and no surprises.
- My son woke up with a stomach virus last night...and was up almost the whole night. Ah--can you hear it? It's the little voice saying "It's Holy Week!" It always comes with the extra sufferings to help walk in Christ's footsteps at Calvary. Pray for his recovery. He doesn't understand why he can't have food and drink.
- Sarah has completed the The Loveliness of John Paul II. It's just beautiful! The entries are so moving.
- Kristen wrote a beautiful piece entitled The Infertile Catholic.
- There is a new beautiful section on the 4RealLearning Board called Our Mother's Garden of Sorrow. It's not a discussion board, but just a visual garden, with comfort and prayers written for those sorrows in life, tied in with the Our Lady and her Seven Sorrows.
- I'm so excited about other bloggers and their Pysanky excitement. Suzanne took a trip down memory lane and Mary G. did her first attempt at Pysanky Eggs with Mary M. Even with the loss of two eggs, the survivors are gorgeous!
- I'm enjoying seeing Holy Week unfold at Maryan's blog with her Holy Week presentations. She is definitely inspiring me.
- My sister got to see the Sandhills Cranes as they migrate through Nebraska. There's a wonderful Crane Cam to follow these. You can see them mostly inthe morning and evening. At this moment the audio has some problems. Yesterday that was my "soundtrack" for the day, just listening to Rowe Sanctuary noises. So calming and beautiful. Yes, I know it's lovely outside my house, too, but we're a little under the weather here.
- And one more little note. A priest at a nearby church mentioned that small little pancakes (i.e., silver dollars) were a traditional food for Spy Wednesday. I see the connection and absolutely love it. I do have to admit it must be a newer tradition for if pancakes were a Fat Tuesday dish to eat up all the eggs and dairy due to fasting restrictions, they certainly wouldn't be part of Holy Week fare. But our fasting rules aren't the same, so enjoy your silver dollar pancakes to remember the 30 coins that Judas received to betray Jesus.
That's about all the time I have today for computer. It's back to the couch and snuggle with my son. We're hobbling through our Holy Week. Anyone have suggestions for bringing one's voice back? I can't shake this laryngitis, and it's so hard to read our Holy Week books!
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Monday, April 02, 2007
Servant of God, John Paul II
Sarah is hosting the Loveliness of John Paul II.
I've been struggling for words to say. Two years ago we said goodbye to our beloved Pope John Paul II. I remember the call in the morning in 1978 -- Paul VI had died. I was eleven years old. And after his election, not even two months later, another early morning call, our new pope, John Paul I had died. I still associate early calls in the morning to sad news. And then we had our first Polish Pope election. I remember watching the smoke -- is it black? Is it white? Such confusion...and then his smiling face. John Paul II!
I grew up with John Paul. He was a large part of my life. I saw him in Rome twice, and attended two World Youth Days, one in his native Poland, the other in Denver. He was a dear father in my life, taught me much, and left more for me to learn. A week after Benedict XVI was elected, we miscarried our second child. We prayed to know the name of the child, and both dh and I chose the name "Karol Mary" after our beloved Pope and our Blessed Mother. Another constant reminder to us.
Although he died right before Divine Mercy Sunday, we suffered along with him during Holy Week. I don't know if I can ever separate the memory of his final days from the celebration of the Triduum. We were all walking with our dear "Papa" in Christ's footsteps. He didn't hide it from us -- he showed us what it meant to suffer. He lifted the veil, showed us to unite ourselves to Christ meant we have to embrace the Cross. To love Christ means to pray and to suffer -- and to do it all with joy and in peace.
I miss him, but I feel more closely united to him now that he is gone than on earth. In my heart I believe he is already in heaven praying for us all. The news from the Vatican today is wonderful. The diocesan phase of his Cause has been officially completed. He is on the fast track to being officially canonized and recognized with the official title of "Saint".
And then we can all pray together "St. John Paul the Great, pray for us!"
Official Prayer to Ask Favors through the Intercession Pope John Paul II
O Blessed Trinity, we thank you for having graced the church with Pope John Paul II and for allowing the tenderness of your fatherly care, the glory of the cross of Christ, and the splendor of the Holy Spirit, to shine through him. Trusting fully in your infinite mercy and in the maternal intercession of Mary, he has given us a living image of Jesus the Good Shepherd, and has shown us that holiness is the necessary measure of ordinary Christian life and is the way of achieving eternal communion with you. Grant us, by his intercession, and according to your will, the graces we implore, hoping that he will soon be numbered among your saints. Amen.
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The Easter Vigil
I do plan on moving this blog over to Wordpress, but I haven't finished the design and move yet. I've been putting some material online there because I can create pages. I just finished some rough notes on The Easter Vigil...as promised to Carole.
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