The Seed Shop
Here in a quiet and dusty room they lie,
Faded as crumbled stone or shifting sand,
Forlorn as ashes, shrivelled, scentless, dry -
Meadows and gardens running through my hand.
Dead that shall quicken at the call of Spring,
Sleepers to stir beneath June's magic kiss,
Though birds pass over unremembering,
And no bee seek here roses that were his.
In this brown husk a dale of hawthorn dreams,
A cedar in this narrow cell is thrust
That will drink deeply of a century's streams,
These lilies shall make summer on my dust.
Here in their safe and simple house of death,
Sealed in their shells a million roses leap,
Here I can blow a garden with my breath,
And in my hand a forest lies asleep.
(Muriel Stuart 1899-1967)
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
Lenten Examination of Blogscience: results.
cct
Results in the form of commandments addressed to self - they apply to mine own blogs and to commenting on other people's:
1. Thou shalt not blog if it would interfere with thy Lenten regime of prayer and penance. (Work for ITSOA counts as prayerful study and is allowed.)
2. Thou shalt not blog just for the sake of it, or if someone else has already blogged it. (Thou shalt blog a funny post only on Laetare Sunday)
3. Thou shalt not blog in a harshly critical manner about 'thy neighbour'.
4. Thou shalt not blog on the Sabbath day, except for ITSOA posts and Laetare Sunday as at 2 above.
5. Thou shalt blog in order to promote prayer and to comfort and help others. (This includes music and poetry and other spiritual writing.)
6. Thou shalt not blog argumentatively unless Holy Mother Church, His Holiness Pope Benedict, or Christ's little ones are under attack.
7. Thou shalt not blog in self-justification or promotion.
8. Thou shalt blog in promotion of any rational initiative to support thy Holy Father Pope Benedict and his faithful bishops and priests.
9. Thou shalt not blog if the time could be spent performing a spiritual or corporal work of mercy close to home.
10. Thou shalt print this off and pin it above thy desk as a constant reminder of thy intentions.
God bless all here for a holy and fruitful Lent.
J
Results in the form of commandments addressed to self - they apply to mine own blogs and to commenting on other people's:
1. Thou shalt not blog if it would interfere with thy Lenten regime of prayer and penance. (Work for ITSOA counts as prayerful study and is allowed.)
2. Thou shalt not blog just for the sake of it, or if someone else has already blogged it. (Thou shalt blog a funny post only on Laetare Sunday)
3. Thou shalt not blog in a harshly critical manner about 'thy neighbour'.
4. Thou shalt not blog on the Sabbath day, except for ITSOA posts and Laetare Sunday as at 2 above.
5. Thou shalt blog in order to promote prayer and to comfort and help others. (This includes music and poetry and other spiritual writing.)
6. Thou shalt not blog argumentatively unless Holy Mother Church, His Holiness Pope Benedict, or Christ's little ones are under attack.
7. Thou shalt not blog in self-justification or promotion.
8. Thou shalt blog in promotion of any rational initiative to support thy Holy Father Pope Benedict and his faithful bishops and priests.
9. Thou shalt not blog if the time could be spent performing a spiritual or corporal work of mercy close to home.
10. Thou shalt print this off and pin it above thy desk as a constant reminder of thy intentions.
God bless all here for a holy and fruitful Lent.
J
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
General Audience Feb. 18th: Pope Benedict speaks on St. Bede the Venerable
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How very, very appropriate that the only English Doctor of the Church should have come up for Papa's attention today!!! No time to tell you what he said, but it could not help but show up the current anti-Pope attitude in many areas of English Catholicism. We'll have to wait for the full text on the Vatican website as part of his ongoing series on the early Fathers. Vatican YouTube only gives a very potted version of his greetings to Anglophone pilgrims.
In Christo pro Papa
How very, very appropriate that the only English Doctor of the Church should have come up for Papa's attention today!!! No time to tell you what he said, but it could not help but show up the current anti-Pope attitude in many areas of English Catholicism. We'll have to wait for the full text on the Vatican website as part of his ongoing series on the early Fathers. Vatican YouTube only gives a very potted version of his greetings to Anglophone pilgrims.
In Christo pro Papa
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
For Our beloved and most Holy Father Benedict : An English poem
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I'm flying to England tomorrow and won't have computer access until Saturday when I'll be able to post again and read/respond to emails. I debated whether to continue quotations from the 'Little Flower ' Novena but since the link is clearly to the left on sidebar, decided to post the folllowing instead.
If -
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up again with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch and toss,
And lose and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be Pope Benedict my son!
Apologies to the 'good little Kipling' for changing his last line. I wanted to add the names of Frs. Tim, Ray, Mark, Michael, George and many others, but it wouldn't scan and I'm sure they, together with our Holy Father, are in our minds and prayers.
God bless all here,
In Christo pro Papa
Jane
I'm flying to England tomorrow and won't have computer access until Saturday when I'll be able to post again and read/respond to emails. I debated whether to continue quotations from the 'Little Flower ' Novena but since the link is clearly to the left on sidebar, decided to post the folllowing instead.
If -
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up again with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch and toss,
And lose and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be Pope Benedict my son!
Apologies to the 'good little Kipling' for changing his last line. I wanted to add the names of Frs. Tim, Ray, Mark, Michael, George and many others, but it wouldn't scan and I'm sure they, together with our Holy Father, are in our minds and prayers.
God bless all here,
In Christo pro Papa
Jane
Please pray with urgency for Fr Tim Finigan and his parishioners
For details please see Fr Tim's blog, 'The Hermeneutic of Continuity'. Scroll to link in blog list below.
May God bless, strengthen and protect Pope Benedict and his faithful priests in Jesus Christ. Saint Michael and St. Jean Vianney defend us all in the day of battle.
Amen.
May God bless, strengthen and protect Pope Benedict and his faithful priests in Jesus Christ. Saint Michael and St. Jean Vianney defend us all in the day of battle.
Amen.
Monday, February 16, 2009
From the 'Little Flower' Novena: Prayer on Day 5
"Little Flower of Jesus, from the very first moment of your religious life you thought only of denying yourself in all things so as to follow Jesus more perfectly; help me to bear patiently the trials of my daily life. Teach me to make use of the trials, the sufferings, the humiliations, that come my way, to learn to know myself better and to love God more.
Intercede for us all the days of our life, but especially during this Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favours we ask through your intercession. Amen."
Intercede for us all the days of our life, but especially during this Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and favours we ask through your intercession. Amen."
The Allotment at 'Bara Brith'
I'm fascinated by Leurgeb's new project and promised her a few thoughts. These are to be found on my Gardening blog. Scroll to link on sidebar.
cct
ICPP
cct
ICPP
Cooker Tops and Counsel from Pope Benedict's mother
On housework:
"Always do it before it looks as if it needs doing." Maria Ratzinger senior.
The last time I cleaned the cooker top, I vowed to take this advice. The trouble has been that during the last month, her younger son has kept me, as countless others, almost fully occupied. I most definitely am not blaming HIM! I blame my own lack of self discipline for the job I've had to do today!
Well there it is ....my public confession. In future the letters cct (cleaned cooker top) will appear at top of my posts, to show that a firm purpose of amendment is being fulfilled!
Affectionat acknowledgements to my friend Clare A, who told me about Papa's mother's saying some time ago. Clare if you're reading this, can you let me know where you saw it?
In Christo pro Papa
"Always do it before it looks as if it needs doing." Maria Ratzinger senior.
The last time I cleaned the cooker top, I vowed to take this advice. The trouble has been that during the last month, her younger son has kept me, as countless others, almost fully occupied. I most definitely am not blaming HIM! I blame my own lack of self discipline for the job I've had to do today!
Well there it is ....my public confession. In future the letters cct (cleaned cooker top) will appear at top of my posts, to show that a firm purpose of amendment is being fulfilled!
Affectionat acknowledgements to my friend Clare A, who told me about Papa's mother's saying some time ago. Clare if you're reading this, can you let me know where you saw it?
In Christo pro Papa
Sunday, February 15, 2009
'Little Flower' Novena Day 4: Thought for the day
"Abandonment to God. I fear only one thing...to keep my own will; take it, my God,for I choose all that You choose.
The only happiness here below is to strive to be always content with what Jesus gives us.
I can demand nothing with fervour, except the perfect accomplishment of God's will in my soul.
O my Beloved, I offer myself to You, that You may perfectly accomplish in me Your holy designs, and I will not allow anything created to be an obstacle in their path."
The only happiness here below is to strive to be always content with what Jesus gives us.
I can demand nothing with fervour, except the perfect accomplishment of God's will in my soul.
O my Beloved, I offer myself to You, that You may perfectly accomplish in me Your holy designs, and I will not allow anything created to be an obstacle in their path."
Saturday, February 14, 2009
'Little Flower' Novena Day 3: Prayer: "Make all things lead me to Heaven and God...."
Begging the intercession of Saint Therese:
"....make all things lead me to heaven and God. Whether I look at the sun, the moon, the stars and the vast expanse in which they float, or whether I look at the flowers of the field, the trees of the forest, the beauties of the earth so full of colour and so glorious, may they speak to me of the love and power of God; may they all sing His praises in my ear. Like you may I daily love Him more and more in return for His gifts. Teach me often to deny myself in my dealings with others, that I mmay offer to Jesus many little sacrifices.
Intercede for us all the days of our life, but especially during this Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and famours we ask through your intercession. Amen."
"....make all things lead me to heaven and God. Whether I look at the sun, the moon, the stars and the vast expanse in which they float, or whether I look at the flowers of the field, the trees of the forest, the beauties of the earth so full of colour and so glorious, may they speak to me of the love and power of God; may they all sing His praises in my ear. Like you may I daily love Him more and more in return for His gifts. Teach me often to deny myself in my dealings with others, that I mmay offer to Jesus many little sacrifices.
Intercede for us all the days of our life, but especially during this Novena and obtain for us from God the graces and famours we ask through your intercession. Amen."
Friday, February 13, 2009
Fr de Malleray sent the email
My apologies for attributing the email on bloggingLOURDES to Fr. Berg, when it was actually signed by Fr de Malleray. I should be surprised if either will mind though! The message not the medium is the important thing. Thanks to Mark for pointing out my error. The fact that nobody else has picked it up is a sign of how few people read this blog!
God bless anyone here!
In Christo pro Papa
God bless anyone here!
In Christo pro Papa
FSSP Novena for Pope Benedict
Thanks to Mark, the Novena text and that of Fr. Berg's letter, now appear on our joint blog, 'In the Sight of Angels'. Repeat: It begins tomorrow.
In Christo pro Papa,
J
In Christo pro Papa,
J
Thought for Day 2 from the Little Flower Novena
"Sin. The only grace I ask, O Jesus, is never to offend Thee.
By love and not by fear, does a soul avoid committing the least fault.
Yes, even if I have on my conscience every possible crime, I should lose none of my confidence; my heart breaking with sorrow, I should go and throw myself into the arms of my Saviour.
The remembrance of my faults humbles me and makes me afraid to rely on my own strength, which is nothing but weakness."
By love and not by fear, does a soul avoid committing the least fault.
Yes, even if I have on my conscience every possible crime, I should lose none of my confidence; my heart breaking with sorrow, I should go and throw myself into the arms of my Saviour.
The remembrance of my faults humbles me and makes me afraid to rely on my own strength, which is nothing but weakness."
Another initiative in support of Pope Benedict: A novena
Go to bloggingLOURDES where you will find the Novena in Latin and English together with part of an email to Fr George from Fr. Berg FSSP
Thought for Day 1 from the Little Flower Novena: Confidence in God
"We can never have too much confidence in the good God who is so powerful and so merciful. We obtain from Him as much as we hope for.
If you are nothing, do you forget that Jesus is everything? You have only to lose your nothingness in His Infinity and think only of loving Him."
If you are nothing, do you forget that Jesus is everything? You have only to lose your nothingness in His Infinity and think only of loving Him."
Thursday, February 12, 2009
An Orthodox Rabbi supports Traditional Catholicism
I invite all to read this artlice, who have not already seen it on WDTPRS. Link at sixth item in sidebar here.
My only beef is the use of the term 'left wing'. It is possible to hold some politically 'left-wing' views and be a Traditional Catholic, loyal to the Pope.
In Christo pro Papa
My only beef is the use of the term 'left wing'. It is possible to hold some politically 'left-wing' views and be a Traditional Catholic, loyal to the Pope.
In Christo pro Papa
Spiritual Bouquet for Pope Benedict at bloggingLOURDES: Results
371 Holy Communions
1,317 Holy Rosaries
501 Memorares
61 Fifty four day Rosary Novenas (= 3,294 Rosaries in addition to those above)
30 Masses
1,317 Holy Rosaries
501 Memorares
61 Fifty four day Rosary Novenas (= 3,294 Rosaries in addition to those above)
30 Masses
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Update on Petition and bloggingLOURDES support for Pope Benedict.
1. PETITION IN SUPPORT OF POPE BENEDICT
Latest figures at 12.05 gmt and rising. It is an ongoing petition. There is no closing date.
Signatories 38,515
Number of children for whom they are responsible 70,449
Total number of souls represented 108,964
THE CHILDREN ARE VITALLY IMPORTANT. THEY REPRESENT THE FUTURE OF THE FAITH. HOW WISE THE ORGANISERS WERE TO FACTOR THEM IN.
2. SPIRITUAL BOUQUET AT bloggingLOURDES
Message for PPL Flagship and all Captains
The whole of our Bouquet, gathered between October and Epiphany has now been added to the bL one. Everything apart from Fr Mark's Masses, 834 Rosaries and 24 Holy Communions, has been separately recorded by Fr Byers and will be sent to the Holy Father with the main Bouquet results.
He has all your URLS and has published them on the Bouquet page in thanks for our support and 'spreading the word'.
I don't yet know whether we will be able to send future offerings via Fr Byers, please keep sending to me until further notice. I will let you know as soon as possible. In the meantime, UNTIL LATE TODAY YOU CAN STILL REGISTER any Masses, Rosaries or Holy Communions you have accumulated since Epiphany. Repeated clicking of appropriate prayer category is necessary for each item. End message.
Message for everyone who supports Benedict through prayer and/or action.
PAPA HAS BEGGED FOR OUR PRAYERS. THEY ARE ALREADY BEFORE THE THRONE OF GOD AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE OFFERED. It will give him untold strength and encouragement if we share this knowledge with him.
Please do everything you can to support these two initiatives.
SIGN the petition
CONTRIBUTE to the bloggingLOURDES Bouquet
POST links on your blog or website
NETWORK you contacts ONLINE AND OFF
SUPPORT others who have more time to spend on this than you do, by sending them a brief message of encouragement to their comboxes.
UNITE BEHIND OUR HOLY FATHER POPE BENEDICT XVI. PRAY FOR HIM. PRAY WITH HIM, FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL BE PRAYING FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED IN THE CURRENT SITUATION, from Bishop Williamson at one extreme to Hans Kung at the other!
God bless all here.
In Christo pro Papa
J
Latest figures at 12.05 gmt and rising. It is an ongoing petition. There is no closing date.
Signatories 38,515
Number of children for whom they are responsible 70,449
Total number of souls represented 108,964
THE CHILDREN ARE VITALLY IMPORTANT. THEY REPRESENT THE FUTURE OF THE FAITH. HOW WISE THE ORGANISERS WERE TO FACTOR THEM IN.
2. SPIRITUAL BOUQUET AT bloggingLOURDES
Message for PPL Flagship and all Captains
The whole of our Bouquet, gathered between October and Epiphany has now been added to the bL one. Everything apart from Fr Mark's Masses, 834 Rosaries and 24 Holy Communions, has been separately recorded by Fr Byers and will be sent to the Holy Father with the main Bouquet results.
He has all your URLS and has published them on the Bouquet page in thanks for our support and 'spreading the word'.
I don't yet know whether we will be able to send future offerings via Fr Byers, please keep sending to me until further notice. I will let you know as soon as possible. In the meantime, UNTIL LATE TODAY YOU CAN STILL REGISTER any Masses, Rosaries or Holy Communions you have accumulated since Epiphany. Repeated clicking of appropriate prayer category is necessary for each item. End message.
Message for everyone who supports Benedict through prayer and/or action.
PAPA HAS BEGGED FOR OUR PRAYERS. THEY ARE ALREADY BEFORE THE THRONE OF GOD AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE OFFERED. It will give him untold strength and encouragement if we share this knowledge with him.
Please do everything you can to support these two initiatives.
SIGN the petition
CONTRIBUTE to the bloggingLOURDES Bouquet
POST links on your blog or website
NETWORK you contacts ONLINE AND OFF
SUPPORT others who have more time to spend on this than you do, by sending them a brief message of encouragement to their comboxes.
UNITE BEHIND OUR HOLY FATHER POPE BENEDICT XVI. PRAY FOR HIM. PRAY WITH HIM, FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL BE PRAYING FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED IN THE CURRENT SITUATION, from Bishop Williamson at one extreme to Hans Kung at the other!
God bless all here.
In Christo pro Papa
J
Monday, February 9, 2009
Red weather alert: Tempest expected by 6pm tonight
St. Romain is highly likely to be in the path of the tempest if it happens. Pray for us please. If the winds start to get up, I'll have to disconnect. Please network the Support Pope Benedict Petition and the Spiritual Bouquet at bloggingLOURDES
God bess all here,
In Christo pro Papa
Jane
Just spotted the typo. My cat Bess is still out, so maybe that's the psychological reason for it.
God bess all here,
In Christo pro Papa
Jane
Just spotted the typo. My cat Bess is still out, so maybe that's the psychological reason for it.
A fervent plea to Priests on behalf of the Holy Father at bloggingLOURDES:
Dear Fathers in Faith:
On my knees, I beg you to offer Mass for the Holy Father who has yet again called for our prayers. Holy Mass is the most powerful prayer of all and it is something you alone can do. You can register your Mass at Fr Byers' poll of prayer on his bloggingLOURDES site. And if you have a backlog of Masses already offered for Pope Benedict, you can revisit until all are included in the bouquet for him. The prayer we have offered is already before the throne of God, but our dear Pope needs the strength and encouragement that this knowledge will give him.....
At present the poll shows well over a thousand Rosaries, but only 17 Masses.
In Christo pro Papa
On my knees, I beg you to offer Mass for the Holy Father who has yet again called for our prayers. Holy Mass is the most powerful prayer of all and it is something you alone can do. You can register your Mass at Fr Byers' poll of prayer on his bloggingLOURDES site. And if you have a backlog of Masses already offered for Pope Benedict, you can revisit until all are included in the bouquet for him. The prayer we have offered is already before the throne of God, but our dear Pope needs the strength and encouragement that this knowledge will give him.....
At present the poll shows well over a thousand Rosaries, but only 17 Masses.
In Christo pro Papa
Saturday, February 7, 2009
URGENT SPIRITUAL BOUQUET UPDATE.
BEFORE FOLLOWING THE SIDEBAR LINK TO bloggingLOURDES, PLEASE GO TO 'IN THE SIGHT OF ANGELS' FOR URGENT UPDATE AND INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING THIS.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Support Pope Benedict Petition
URGENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SEE LINK ON SIEDEBAR; SEE FR BLAKE FOR ORIGIN OF THE PETITION. FOUND IT LAST NIGHT VIA A COMMENT ON WDTPRS. MANTILLA TWITCH TO THAT PERSON BEFORE IT WAS BLOWN AWAY ENTIRELY BY ADMIRATION OF FR BLAKE AND THE OTHERS WHO STARTED THE PETITION. ALL WHO ARE PRO GOD'S CHURCH AND HIS VICAR ON EARTH SHOULD SIGN IT PARTICULARLY SINCE THERE IS A COUNTER ONE DOING THE ROUNDS.
SEE LINK ON SIEDEBAR; SEE FR BLAKE FOR ORIGIN OF THE PETITION. FOUND IT LAST NIGHT VIA A COMMENT ON WDTPRS. MANTILLA TWITCH TO THAT PERSON BEFORE IT WAS BLOWN AWAY ENTIRELY BY ADMIRATION OF FR BLAKE AND THE OTHERS WHO STARTED THE PETITION. ALL WHO ARE PRO GOD'S CHURCH AND HIS VICAR ON EARTH SHOULD SIGN IT PARTICULARLY SINCE THERE IS A COUNTER ONE DOING THE ROUNDS.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Candlemas 2009: A Long Night's Journey to the Light.
Well, I for one have been on a spiritual and emotional switch-back since the rumour first broke that our Holy Father was about to lift the excommunications. Tthe ride is not over yet. Even the redoubtable Fr Tim titled a post 'Trying to keep up.' This produced a mental picture of the entire orthodox Catholic movement led by their Clergy, all pedalling like fury in a Papal version of the Tour de France, and trying to keep up with the leader in the white and yellow jersey. Boy has he got stamina, in 'part-ic-u-laaa-re' for someone well past retirement age for such exertions.
By Saturday I had 'hit the wall' and that is why I haven't blogged here since then.
My exhaustion was largely spiritual. So I've been receiving trackside treatment for a couple of days. Even before the Swiss Guard thumped his halberd on the ground to start the race, I was in need of time off for more 'training'.
By Sunday felt fit enough to compose a Candlemas post for 'In the Sight of Angels. My energy was insufficient to the task of making a summary of Dom Gueranger's 48 pages on the Feast. Instead I posted an extract from my 2001 reflection on the multi-faceted light shown forth by it. By the time it was done felt a lot better. The Holy Father's mien and words at the Angelus were also soothing. He was received extremely warmly by the crowd, which clearly touched him because he thanked them twice. At the end he didn't disappear as abruptly as usual and I had the sensation he wanted to stay a little longer in the warmth of their affection before continuing the 'race'.
During my 'treatment' a decision was made that I should post more concentratedly on spiritual aspects of what's happening, with occasional dashes of humour when the muse visits. Commenting on other blogs should be more or less confined to reasoned defence of Pope Benedict. That is why I commented on HS both yesterday and Saturday night. Where there is vituperation I should attempt to defuse it, but I am not to get involved in wrangles. There is no point in worrying about the Media either. They are behaving according to their agenda and are being selective and biased in their treatment of His Holiness. Far better to say an extra Rosary for the Holy Father and his intentions, than fulminate in futile impotence against the hacks.
This morning after the Office, I took my own advice, the Pope himself leading via CD. We had reached the Litany at 'Mater castissima' when there was a squealing outside the French window. Our black cat, Bruno had caught a blackbird. I hammered on the window. The noise startled him enough to turn and open his mouth. To my great relief and joy, the bird flew off to rejoin his mate, who was anxiously waiting and watching from the elder tree in the courtyard. I'm afraid he will be fairly bald for a while, judging from the amount of feathers he had been forced to leave in Bruno's mouth. This worries me because we are promised another freeze this week.
The recording ended. Meditation on the Candlemas extract mentioned above, searching for guidance as to what to write in this post:. Each facet of light seemed to have bearing on the present 'trouble' The eighth one arrested me for some reason.
'-the light that completed the cycle of prophecy immediately surrounding the birth of the Saviour'.
Decided to study all these prophesies again, and the reactions of those who received them. Here again were bearings. They will certainly come to you, if you choose to consider them in this way. Suffice it to say that the necessary concluding stage in the entire session was to do something I often resort to, when trying to decide between opposing parties whose actions and words I can't satisfactorily interpret intellectually. Why didn't I do this straight away, you may ask, and what is it?
Answer: I wanted to see whether THAT is what I should write about, and in any case learned a great deal on the way to finding confirmation. What is this thing I do?
I jot down 4 lists: 1. The Gifts of the Holy Spirit; 2. The fruits of the Holy Spirit; 3. St. Thomas Aquinas' list of correspondences between the seven Capital Virtues and the seven Gifts; 4. The seven deadly sins.
Then after prayer to the Holy Spirit, I match the participants against the lists. Usually, the more complex the situation, the longer it takes, but in the case of the Pope, and all the other forces, groups and individuals involved, based on long evidence to date it was remarkably quick today. It's not a simplistic exercise and is gruelling. Anyway, I'm sure it's not necessary to tell you who 'ran' out the winner, this time.
Those more spiritually advanced than myself, will possibly say to themselves, that that the fact I didn't do this earlier in the week, shows how far I have to go, and I agree. It also shows the damage that can be done by too much blogging!!
Off now to watch the Mass direct from Rome. A happy, holy and enlightend Candlemas to all here,
In Christo pro Papa
J
By Saturday I had 'hit the wall' and that is why I haven't blogged here since then.
My exhaustion was largely spiritual. So I've been receiving trackside treatment for a couple of days. Even before the Swiss Guard thumped his halberd on the ground to start the race, I was in need of time off for more 'training'.
By Sunday felt fit enough to compose a Candlemas post for 'In the Sight of Angels. My energy was insufficient to the task of making a summary of Dom Gueranger's 48 pages on the Feast. Instead I posted an extract from my 2001 reflection on the multi-faceted light shown forth by it. By the time it was done felt a lot better. The Holy Father's mien and words at the Angelus were also soothing. He was received extremely warmly by the crowd, which clearly touched him because he thanked them twice. At the end he didn't disappear as abruptly as usual and I had the sensation he wanted to stay a little longer in the warmth of their affection before continuing the 'race'.
During my 'treatment' a decision was made that I should post more concentratedly on spiritual aspects of what's happening, with occasional dashes of humour when the muse visits. Commenting on other blogs should be more or less confined to reasoned defence of Pope Benedict. That is why I commented on HS both yesterday and Saturday night. Where there is vituperation I should attempt to defuse it, but I am not to get involved in wrangles. There is no point in worrying about the Media either. They are behaving according to their agenda and are being selective and biased in their treatment of His Holiness. Far better to say an extra Rosary for the Holy Father and his intentions, than fulminate in futile impotence against the hacks.
This morning after the Office, I took my own advice, the Pope himself leading via CD. We had reached the Litany at 'Mater castissima' when there was a squealing outside the French window. Our black cat, Bruno had caught a blackbird. I hammered on the window. The noise startled him enough to turn and open his mouth. To my great relief and joy, the bird flew off to rejoin his mate, who was anxiously waiting and watching from the elder tree in the courtyard. I'm afraid he will be fairly bald for a while, judging from the amount of feathers he had been forced to leave in Bruno's mouth. This worries me because we are promised another freeze this week.
The recording ended. Meditation on the Candlemas extract mentioned above, searching for guidance as to what to write in this post:. Each facet of light seemed to have bearing on the present 'trouble' The eighth one arrested me for some reason.
'-the light that completed the cycle of prophecy immediately surrounding the birth of the Saviour'.
Decided to study all these prophesies again, and the reactions of those who received them. Here again were bearings. They will certainly come to you, if you choose to consider them in this way. Suffice it to say that the necessary concluding stage in the entire session was to do something I often resort to, when trying to decide between opposing parties whose actions and words I can't satisfactorily interpret intellectually. Why didn't I do this straight away, you may ask, and what is it?
Answer: I wanted to see whether THAT is what I should write about, and in any case learned a great deal on the way to finding confirmation. What is this thing I do?
I jot down 4 lists: 1. The Gifts of the Holy Spirit; 2. The fruits of the Holy Spirit; 3. St. Thomas Aquinas' list of correspondences between the seven Capital Virtues and the seven Gifts; 4. The seven deadly sins.
Then after prayer to the Holy Spirit, I match the participants against the lists. Usually, the more complex the situation, the longer it takes, but in the case of the Pope, and all the other forces, groups and individuals involved, based on long evidence to date it was remarkably quick today. It's not a simplistic exercise and is gruelling. Anyway, I'm sure it's not necessary to tell you who 'ran' out the winner, this time.
Those more spiritually advanced than myself, will possibly say to themselves, that that the fact I didn't do this earlier in the week, shows how far I have to go, and I agree. It also shows the damage that can be done by too much blogging!!
Off now to watch the Mass direct from Rome. A happy, holy and enlightend Candlemas to all here,
In Christo pro Papa
J
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