Family in Feast and Feria

Today, August 22, is the memorial of the Queenship of Mary. It falls one week after the Solemnity of the Assumption. We were able to go to Mass today, had lunch with some of my sisters and their families and my father. Tonight we'll pray the rosary together as family.

The Coronation and Queenship of Mary is a concept a little foreign to us Americans. We have no royalty, and our early War for American Independence was rebelling against the tyranny of the kings. So trying to meditate on Mary as queen comes a little harder for me.

Years ago as a teenager I watched an old obscure black and white movie. It was based in England, and the story centered around a poor, young motherless boy. He had always heard that the Queen is the mother of all in her country, that the subjects look to her as a mother. And since the boy had no mother, he searched out a way to meet his "Queen Mother", to experience her maternal love in person.

That aspect of the movie has stayed with me all these years. I found I could understand queenship much easier by understanding the maternal aspect of the queenly throne. The queen isn't some distant, regal person that we can't approach, but a loving mother for us all. And isn't that a perfect description of Our Lady?

And while meditating on these thoughts today, the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe came to mind. Here we have Mary appearing to humankind as a queen. And yet, her words to us were as a Mother:

Listen and let it penetrate your heart, my dear little son. Do not be troubled or weighed down with grief. Do not fear any illness or vexation, anxiety, or pain. Am I not here who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not your fountain of life? Are you not in the folds of my mantle? In the crossing of my arms? Is there anything else you need?

Meditating on her words and her motherly love is perfect for my spiritual needs today. "Do not be troubled" -- Thank you, dear Blessed Mother.

Today is the Memorial of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. This title and devotion is one of the oldest to Our Lady, dating to the Old Testament. If you have a copy of this month's Magnificat, the feature painting and article treats the history of this devotion beautifully.

This is my favorite prayer to Our Lady of Mount Carmel. It can be said as a novena prayer or just a daily prayer. This version was given to our family years ago by the Carmelite brothers and priests located in Marylake Monastery in Arkansas. There are different versions, but since we included this in our dinnertime prayers, I've memorized and come to love this version:

O most beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, splendor of Heaven, blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in this my necessity. Oh, Star of the Sea, help me and show me herein that you are my Mother.

O Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succor me in this necessity; there are none that can withstand your power. O show me herein that you are my Mother.

Our Lady, queen and beauty of Carmel, pray for me and obtain my requests.

Sweet Mother, I place this cause into your hands.

I'm on the lookout for a children's book illustrating either this devotion to Our Lady, the Brown Scapular, the vision of Simon Stock, the story of the Carmelite Order, or some connection. Anyone have suggestions besides Mary Fabyan Windeatt's coloring book?

For older reading, I really found Catechesis and Ritual for the Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel this little book to be invaluable on the devotion of the Brown Scapular.

Our family just returned from visiting my mother-in-law. Part of our trip included going to the local church festival for Our Lady of Mount Carmel. It's an Italian parish, so there was great festival food and traditions.

I know I won't be creating much of a fancy meal for this feast. It's hot, and my planned meal isn't Italian. At the festival they served "pizza fritta" (or maybe the sign said "pizza frittata"?) which is basically fried dough rolled in sugar...another form of a doughnut. The name didn't seem right, but a quick Google shows other people call it the same thing.

I love checking my Italian cookbooks to see what is made on these festival days. Italian Festival Food by Anne Bianchi includes a recipe for Crostata de Ricotta (Creamy Ricotta Tart). It doesn't look too complicated, and the dough doesn't require rising. I won't be doing it this year...but email me if you want the recipe!

The few tomatoes I thought would be ready when we came back were nibbled on by some creature...it's been too dry here. BUT we had some tremendous rain last night, and with the high heat this week, I should have a few ripe tomatoes this week.

For more reading besides Catholic Culture above, see these links:

Domestic-Church.com

Women for Faith and Family

Mary Page

This 4RealLearning thread had some info about OLMC festivals.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.

Why was I thinking that tomorrow was the feast of the Visitation? I know -- because I can't remember what day it is. May is already over!

But TODAY is the feast of the Visitation, the second Joyful Mystery of the Rosary.

I've uploaded a coloring page on my other blog-in-progress. Don't ask me when I'll ever get that up and running. I'm still trying to find a theme that doesn't put the page titles across the bannerhead.

The coloring page is from an old coloring book I bought years ago. It's crumbling, and I need to scan the rest of the pages before it isn't usable. The illustrations are so lovely.

Today we are going to color this page, pray the rosary, and talk about this feast. Mary left such an example of charity, and practicing the Corporal Works of Mercy. Ds and I drove out to visit my mom today, a little in keeping of today's theme.

Today is the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary.

A simple way my family marked this feast was the Mary Candle (or here). And I am introducing the custom this year in our family.



Ebay is such a wonderful place to find family memory items -- I was able to track down a similar candle like we used. It's red, just like my mother's (I'd prefer white)...but I still love it! I found the candlestick holder yesterday at an antique store (inexpensive), but thought it looked so "Marian" I couldn't pass it up. Not sure if it's a perfect match, but the blue peeking from under the mantle is lovely.

The Candle symbolizes Jesus. Having the wax figure of Baby Jesus is tangible for small children.



I quickly made this mantle for the candle from scraps and glue, so it's not perfect. The white mantle symbolizes Mary and her womb, pure and stainless, without sin, from the moment when she was conceived in St. Anne's womb. The candle will remain covered until Christmas.

September 19 marks the Optional Memorial of St. Januarius and Our Lady of La Salette. For most this day doesn't have great significance. After all, do you know any English children named after Januarius? Drop me a line if you do. I know Januarius is greatly loved in Italy (known as San Gennaro), especially in Naples. La Salette apparitions happened in 1846 in France, and is probably one of the lesser known approved apparitions.

But both of today's celebrations remind me of the importance of family reading, of owning and displaying books, of witnessing my parents' reading, talking about books, and having books read aoud. The day reminds me that I pursued my own rabbit trails and did independent reading from a young age. Sound like a stretch? Well, when I was about 11 or so, I thought I could start reading books on my mother's shelves. She had quite a good religious book collection. I would look at the spines and titles, ask her about them. If she thought it was appropriate or easy enough for me to read, she'd recommend it. It was through perusing her bookshelves that I found material La Salette and St. Januarius.

The story of St. Januarius the person is short -- in fact, there's not much we know except that he was an Italian bishop in the 4th century and martyred for his faith. It's his relics that have attracted so much attention since the 14th century in Naples.

On my mother's bookshelf was the book entitled The Incorruptibles: A Study of the Incorruption of the Bodies of Various Catholic Saints and Beati by Joan Carroll Cruz.
There's something quite fascinating, although I admit a bit macabre, on seeing bodies or parts of bodies that have remained untouched by decomposition. When a saint's body has been found incorrupt through miraculous means, it's like a signal from God to look at this person's life. What is the significance? Why draw our eyes to this person's life?

Having enjoyed that book so much, when Joan Cruz's next book on Relics was published, I bought my own copy....I have my name and address from 1983 written inside my book. And that is where I got the most information about the blood of St. Januarius. In the past, blood was collected in vials after the death of a holy person as a devotional item. There are vials of blood of St. Januarius, as well as his bones and his head are encased in reliquaries. From Relics:

The recurring miracle of the liquefaction of his blood 18 times a year is often reported in the secular as well as the religious press, and is the occasion of great gatherings in the Cathedral of Naples. Here the people pray fervently while the resident cardinal, who usually presides over the ceremony, holds the vials of blood. The miracle occurs when the bust reliquary containing the head of the saint is brought near. When the liquefaction is accomplished in full view of the spectators, the cardinal announces, "The miracle has happened," words that cause great rejoicing and the chanting of the Te Deum....

The blood has failed to liquefy several times, each time coinciding with the outbreak of disease, famine, war or political suppression. It is the for this reason that Neapolitans rejoice at each liquefaction.

The book continues with more historical explanation and discussion about the analysis and examinings of this miracle. It's interesting reading. Carol Field in her Celebrating Italy describes the scene in Naples on this day:

At the famous Feast of San Gennaro swarms of the faithful gather in tense crowds to wait for the annual miracle in which the saint's blood liquefies. In Naples the event is dizzying and claustrophic, but a smaller, less dramatic feast in the saint's honor takes place in Praiano, on the Amalfi Drive, just down the coast from Naples, where people eat maccheroni with eggplant and peppers and coniglio in umido, braised rabbit.

In Little Italy in New York City you can find The Festival of San Gennaro in New York City. The Shrine of the Holy Whapping has some pictures and descriptions of this wonderful festival.

I had two posts on Our Lady of La Salette and Sunday and More on La Salette.Be sure to click on Mary G.'s link in the first post for her description of her visit to the actual shrine. Helen at Castle of the Immaculate also has a post on this feast day, and the importance of personal prayer...one of the messages from Our Lady. Father Z also talks about the message of Our Lady. For more, see:

Catholic Encyclopedia
Mary Pages
Missionaries of La Salette
Shrine of La Salette. At the bottom of this page are further links to the actual shrine, but the site is only in French.

I don't have any books for younger children on this apparition, although I know that Mary Fabyan Windeatt has two titles, Our Lady of La Salette and The Children Of La Salette. It would be lovely to have a picture book to relate the story to my son.

For older I have two books I can recommend, one A Woman Clothed with the Sun edited by John Delaney, which is the book I took off my mother's shelf. Second is an OOP book from Lumen Books, The Story of La Salette by James P. O'Reilly, M.S.

Now both the miracles of the relics and also the private revelation of Our Lady of La Salette are not truths-with-a-capital-T that must believed by a Catholic, but optional. We may believe, but must also have a balance. We must ensure that believing in these that it doesn't detract from the Truths and Tradition our Catholic Faith that we Must believe and love.

For me, these feasts also remind me of the value of good books and reading in the family.

Otherwise entitled "What's In a Name?"

Today is the Optional Memorial of the Most Holy Name of Mary. See Women for Faith and Family for the readings and prayers of the day. In the Jewish tradition of naming the child 8 days after birth, this feast was established. The observance of the feast was moved to September 12, only four days after Mary's birthday. Crescents and coffee are traditional foods for this day.

The corresponding feastday to the naming of Mary is the Optional Memorial of the Holy Name of Jesus on January 3. Both of these feasts are wonderful opportunities to discuss the sacredness of the names of Jesus and Mary and also the importance and significance of our own Baptismal name and patron saints.

For Reading and Discussion, Young Mary of Nazareth by Marianna Mayer, the same book we used for the Birth of Mary. Retelling the stories of the naming of Jesus (Annunciation, Angel in the Dream to Joseph, Presentation in the Temple), the naming of John the Baptist ("His name is John") would be wonderful to include in discussion. I'd like to include how the Jewish customs of birth, naming the child, etc. were done in Jesus' and Mary's time.

Each person's name is his identity, significant, and the one that he will carry throughout eternity. The name of the Messiah was even more important. Catholic Encyclopedia talks about the significance of Jesus' name, with the Gospel quotes, and also from Paul: "That in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth" (Phil 2:10). The name of Mary is also holy and should be spoken reverently.

Two prayers to recite today:
The Divine Praises (instituted because of the blasphemies taken against the holy names of Jesus and Mary).
Litany of the Holy Name of Mary

From St. Bernard of Clairvaux I found two quotes to use for meditation, copywork and/or memorization:

In the time of danger, of difficulty, of uncertainty, think upon Mary, call upon Mary. Do not let her name depart out of your mouth or out of your heart.

and

May the lovely name of our Lord Jesus Christ and of His most blessed Mother be blessed for ever and ever. Amen.

Part of our stories today will include how we named our son. Children love hearing the stories of their birthday. For my son's birth we had to have c-section because of some high risk factors. We didn't know his gender until he was born. We had tossed names around, but nothing was firm. In that cold operating room our son was held up, a miraculous wonder to our eyes! When my husband saw him tears came to his eyes. That was the moment he declared what the name would be.

Then we will talk about WHY we chose his name. Was it a family name? Who are his patron saints? When are the feastdays for his name? And then discuss how his name is spoken at his Baptism. He loves to hear the story of the Baptismal rite, from how little he was, what he wore, his godparents, the candle, the priest and all the actions of the ritual. In future years I think I'll take out his birth certificate and his baptismal certificate, and also pictures to remember the day we officially named him.

The choosing of a Christian name is important, apparent from the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

III. THE CHRISTIAN NAME

2156 The sacrament of Baptism is conferred "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."85 In Baptism, the Lord's name sanctifies man, and the Christian receives his name in the Church. This can be the name of a saint, that is, of a disciple who has lived a life of exemplary fidelity to the Lord. The patron saint provides a model of charity; we are assured of his intercession. The "baptismal name" can also express a Christian mystery or Christian virtue. "Parents, sponsors, and the pastor are to see that a name is not given which is foreign to Christian sentiment."

2157 The Christian begins his day, his prayers, and his activities with the Sign of the Cross: "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." The baptized person dedicates the day to the glory of God and calls on the Savior's grace which lets him act in the Spirit as a child of the Father. The sign of the cross strengthens us in temptations and difficulties.

2158 God calls each one by name. Everyone's name is sacred. The name is the icon of the person. It demands respect as a sign of the dignity of the one who bears it.

2159 The name one receives is a name for eternity. In the kingdom, the mysterious and unique character of each person marked with God's name will shine forth in splendor. "To him who conquers . . . I will give a white stone, with a new name written on the stone which no one knows except him who receives it." "Then I looked, and Lo, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads."

2165 In Baptism, the Christian receives his name in the Church. Parents, godparents, and the pastor are to see that he be given a Christian name. The patron saint provides a model of charity and the assurance of his prayer.

If we have time, we'll do some coloring of the names of Mary and Jesus. I also want to spell out the words with our magnetic letters and write it on the chalkboard, as I think these names should definitely be sight words for my son. Perhaps by January 3rd I'll have my moveable alphabet and sandpaper letters to incorporate these names into more of the senses. But other ways I'm thinking is making roll out cookie dough and cut out the letters, or just some kind of play dough and do the same.

For further reading about Baptismal names, namedays, and patron saints, see the following:

Namedays

Baptismal Names

Patron Saints and Namedays

Online text for My Nameday--Come for Dessert by Helen McLoughlin, an entire book dedicated to ideas on celebrating Namedays.

ADDENDUM: I need to give some caveats on my recommendation of Young Mary of Nazareth by Marianna Mayer. Not everything in the book is factual about Mary's life. The only things that we need to believe are what is told in the Gospels and taught by the Church. Ann and Joachim's lives and some of Mary's life have been pieced together by stories passed down through generations. It is not an element of faith to believe that Joseph was old and a widower. Marianna Mayers pieces together different stories and legends to create her book. You will find her bibliography and her introduction at the beginning explains her method.

And for the record, I don't believe that Joseph was a widower with sons, I believe he was in his 30s. I seriously doubt that Ann and Joachim would bring Mary at age 3 to the Temple and leave her there. Still trying to figure that one out.

September 8 the Church celebrates the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This is definitely a feast that little children can understand and embrace....after all, who loves birthdays the most? This is one of only three birthdays celebrated in the Liturgical Year. The other two feasts are Christmas, Christ's Birthday and the Birth of John the Baptism, June 24. All other feasts we celebrate their birth into eternal life in Heaven, which is the day they died on earth. But these three people are unique in our Faith.

As a family we're celebrating simply today. We're attending morning Mass, going to breakfast with extended family members (for ds to see his cousins is the most fun). If I can I'm going to practice making a "safe" birthday cake (and chocolate does seem to be okay) for ds' upcoming birthday, but it will be for Our Lady today. After all, you can't have a birthday without cake and candles and singing?

Our decorations will also be simple. I'll use the Fleur-de-Lys trivet, and perhaps some of my fleur-de-lys napkin rings for symbols of Mary.

The book we're reading today to focus on Mary's birth and childhood is a lovely OOP book I mentioned yesterday, Young Mary of Nazareth by Marianna Mayer. Mayer combines the stories from various sources and legends to tell the story of Ann and Joachim and the Blessed Virgin Mary's earlier life. It continues on to the Birth of Jesus. The illustrations are what makes the book, as they are art masterpieces depicting the story. A wonderful book, and definitely can double as art study.

We plan on saying the rosary as a family, and incorporate some extra Marian hymns for the day.

For more reading, see Maria Bambina devotion
Women for Faith and Family Birthday of Mary
Catholic Culture's Nativity of Mary
From Dictionary of Mary
Catholic Encyclopedia, Nativity of Mary

For more fabulous ideas for your Domestic Church, see the 4Real Learning forum in Birthday of Mary and Mama Mary's Birthday.

Image Information: WGA, The Birth of Mary, by Master of the Pfullendorf Altar, early 15th century, Wood.

As I mentioned in my previous post, today (July 26) is my nameday. Or rather, my middle nameday. (But it is spelled Ann without an "e").

While looking through some paintings of Saints Anne and Joachim, I was struck by the role St. Anne plays as grandmother. She is pictured many times helping out her daughter, Mary. It's the traditional role of mother and daughter that come into play in these beautiful paintings.

How often is this replayed over and over in families' lives -- the daughter is having a baby, the mother (now a grandmother) comes over to help. Beautiful. I am blessed to have a mother who did (and does) just that. Her generosity doesn't end after two weeks postpartum...she manages to always be there to help out her daughter or son in need (and there are seven of us).

What a wonderful ministry that St. Anne could fulfill, taking care of her grandson, the Messiah, and what a great example. Caring for my child doesn't end when he leaves the nest and starts his own family. It just readjusts.

And what a special place in the grandchild's heart there is for their grandmother!

These are just a few examples of St. Anne with the Mary and Jesus or the Holy Family. See Web Gallery of Art for more information and other paintings. Click on the image for a larger view:

UNKNOWN MASTER, Hungarian: Saint Anne with the Virgin and the Child, c. 1520


MASACCIO: The Madonna and Child with Saint Anne, 1424


SARACENI, Carlo: Madonna and Child with St Anne, 1610


CLAEISSENS, Antoon: Virgin and Child with St Anne


DÜRER, Albrecht: St Anne with the Virgin and Child, 1519


GRECO, El: Holy Family with St Anne, 1600s


LEONARDO da Vinci: The Virgin and Child with St Anne, c. 1510


UNKNOWN MASTER, Flemish: Virgin and Child with St Anne, 1490s

Yesterday was the Feast of the Visitation and also the end of May, a month dedicated to Mary. I'm a day late, but I received the Vatican Information Service email this morning and had to share it. By the way, you can sign up for the daily news from VIS here. It's wonderful to see what our Holy Father is doing. This is what the press uses for their Vatican news information...and so you can actually get it "straight from the horse's mouth."

I've included the whole news story, but what struck me is that the end of May was marked with a procession and a celebration. The month dedicated to Mary didn't just fade into June, but closed with ceremony. That's a good point to bring home, that these special celebrations or dedications (such as the Sacred Heart for June, Holy Rosary for October) is every day that month. We should renew our devotion and commitment each day, but imitate the Church and start and end with gusto, no matter our ups and downs along the way.

And what a great inspiration to institute something similar in our little domestic church. How about a little family procession? This could be a simple thing like taking the statue of Mary from her place of honor at the special Marian altar back home to the usual place. Or removing the special Marian decorations to save for next year. Just a little ceremony inside the house, perhaps, closing with a special treat!

Another interesting note...even though this is the feast of the Visitation on May 31, this procession was not part of the feast. The traditional date of the feast was July 2nd, moved to May 31 after Vatican II. How lovely that this day is now linked to a traditional Marian ceremony as this.

For more on Church of St. Stephen of the Abyssinians and Roman Art Lover. And pictures of the Vatican Gardens

MONTH OF MAY: POPE THANKS MARY FOR HER PROTECTION
VATICAN CITY, JUN 1, 2006 (VIS) - At 8 p.m. yesterday, the traditional procession marking the end of the month of May wound its way from the Church of St. Stephen of the Abyssinians - located near the apse of the Vatican Basilica - to the Grotto of Lourdes in the Vatican Gardens. Hundreds of people participated in the ceremony, which was presided by Archbishop Angelo Comastri, His Holiness' vicar general for Vatican City State.

Benedict XVI arrived at the Grotto at 9 p.m. and, before imparting his apostolic blessing, delivered a brief address.

The Pope first recalled how this year the month of May was "characterized by the arrival of the image of the Virgin of Fatima in St. Peter's Square on the 25th anniversary of the assassination attempt against the beloved John Paul II, and also by my apostolic trip ... to Poland, where I was able to visit the places dear to my great predecessor."

At the Shrine of Jasna Gora in Czestochowa, he said, "I understood how much our celestial Protectress accompanies her children's journey, and does not disregard supplications addressed to her with humility and faith. Once again, together with you, I wish to thank her for having accompanied me during my visit to the dear land of Poland. I also wish to express my gratitude to Mary for her support in my daily service to the Church. I know I can rely on her help in all situations, indeed I know that she, with maternal intuition, meets all her children's needs and intervenes effectively in their support."

Benedict XVI then highlighted how in the Virgin Mary's visit to her cousin Elizabeth - which the Church celebrates today as the Feast of the Visitation of Mary - "the hidden protagonist is Jesus. Mary carried Him in her womb as in a sacred tabernacle. ... Wherever Mary goes, there is Jesus."

"May true Marian devotion never obscure or diminish faith and love for Jesus Christ, our Savior, the only mediator between God and man. ... Let us, then, entrust ourselves to her with filial devotion."

The Pope concluded his address by asking the faithful to pray especially for the forthcoming vigil in St. Peter's Square on Saturday, June 3, when he will meet with new lay movements and communities "those promising groups that have blossomed in the Church following Vatican Council II."

Don't miss Alice's beautiful post at Cottage Blessings on May Crowning, and sharing of inspirational posts and gorgeous photos of Mary altars from other wonderful families.

"Bring Flowers of the Fairest..."