St. Augustine of Hippo, a figure often remembered by young Catholics for his plea to God during his wild youth, "Give me chastity and continence, but not quite yet," Has left us with a wealth of wisdom. One such quote, which a friend recently shared with me, resonates particularly powerfully in our modern […]
Love and Do What You Will… Read More »
"Hail, heavenly ladder by which God came down; hail, bridge leading from earth to heaven." Agathistos Hymn, Greek –6th century. It is a challenge to be born on a day so charged with potential and even more so to me, who was the first baby of that year in my city when I was born.
A New Year, My Birthday, and the Solemnity of Mary Read More »
Flannery O'Connor: From Mysteries and Manners "I often ask myself what makes a story work, and what makes it hold up as a story and I have decided that it is probably some action, some gesture of a character that is unlike any other in the story, one which indicates where the real heart of
The Anagogical Moment, Referencing the Mystery. Read More »
It is easy to forget that Easter so focused on the Son, is also about the Mother and in 20th century mystic and author Adrienne Von Speyr‘s brilliant work Handmaid of the Lord, Von Speyr examines the significance and importance of Mary’s life: “Her first Yes to the angel, her first joy at conception, her
Reading Adrienne Von Speyr on Easter Morning Read More »
The tricks and treating are over (well, except for that candy migraine hangover and the bag of little wrapped chocolates hidden in the kitchen pantry for later must-have-sweeties-emergencies) and now we honor the saints. As a Catholic, it’s true, I talk to the saints all the time. I ask for help, courage, prayers for friends
I enjoy these days, for they have their own stories, their own prayers, and their own hymns. For a little while, we stop our noisy routines and settle into a contemplation of the mysteries. It is the will of God that we should have nothing which has not passed through the hands of Mary. –
Holy Days of Obligation: The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Read More »
I am so happy to celebrate St. Brigid’s Feast Day — especially as I have learned that in addition to being an excellent dairy maid (and therefore patron saint of farmers), she was especially fond of beer. We have been learning how to home brew beer (first batch was a successful dark beer with a
The Feast Day of St. Brigid Who Loved Beer Read More »
At my confirmation I took the name of Martha — a saint I identified with readily as she was always the first to cook for everyone, clean house for everyone, and in general, worry about everyone else. Admirable virtues to be sure — but she needed a gentle reminder that there was nothing wrong with
