Happy Blessed Feast of the Ascension!

"He that descended is the same also that ascended above all the heavens,

that He might fill all things."

(Ephesians 4:10)

Heads up:

The Novena of the Holy Ghost before Pentecost Begins Tomorrow!

The novena in honor of the Holy Ghost is the oldest of all novenas. When Our Lord sent His Apostles to Jerusalem to await the coming of the Holy Ghost on the first Pentecost, the nine days waiting and praying constituted, at Jesus' direction, the first novena. The only novena officially prescribed by the Church, it addresses the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity in a powerful plea for the wisdom, fortitude and charity so sorely needed by every Christian in every age. To encourage devotion to the Holy Ghost, the Church has enriched this novena with the following indulgences:

    The faithful who devoutly assist at the public novena in honor of the Holy Ghost immediately preceding the Feast of Pentecost may gain:

An indulgence of 10 years on any day of the novena;
A plenary indulgence if they take part in at least five of the exercises, and moreover, go to confession, and receive Holy Communion.

Every day say: 

ACT OF CONSECRATION
TO THE HOLY GHOST     On my knees / before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses / I offer myself, soul and body / to Thee O Eternal Spirit of God. / I adore the brightness of Thy purity / the unerring keeness of Thy justice / and the might of Thy love. Thou art the Strength / and Light of my soul. / In Thee I live and move and am. / I desire never to grieve Thee / Mercifully guard my every thought / and grant that I may always watch for Thy light / and listen to Thy voice / and follow Thy graciuos inspirations. / I cling to Thee / and give myself to Thee / and ask Thee / by Thy compassion / to watch over me in my weakness. / Holding the pierced feet of Jesus / and looking at His five Wounds / and trusting in His Precious Blood / and adoring His opened side and stricken Heart / I implore Thee / Adorable Spirit / Helper of my imfirmity, / so to keep me in Thy grace / that I may never sin against Thee. / Give me grace / O Holy Ghost, / Spirit of the Father and of the Son / to say to Thee always and everywhere / "Speak, Lord / for Thy servant heareth."

PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS
OF THE HOLY GHOST     O Lord Jesus Christ / Who, before ascending into heaven / did promise to send the Holy Ghost / to finish Thy work / in the souls of Thine Apostles and Disciples / deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me / that He may perfect in my soul / the work of Thy grace and Thy love. / Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom / that I may despise the perishable things of this world / and aspire only after the things / that are eternal, / the Spirit of Counsel / that I may ever choose / the surest way of pleasing God / and gaining heaven, / the Spirit of Fortitude / that I may bear my cross with Thee / and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation, / the Spirit of Knowledge that I may know God and know myself / and grow perfect in the science of the Saints, / the Spirit of Piety / that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable, / the Spirit of Fear of the Lord / that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God, and may dread in any way to displease Him. / Mark me, dear Lord, / with the sign of Thy true disciples / and animate me in all things with Thee.

Then add:

FIRST DAY

Holy Spirit! Lord of light!
From Thy clear celestial height,
Thy pure beaming radiance give!

The Holy Ghost     Only one thing is important ~ eternal salvation. Only one thing, therefore, is to be feared ~ sin. Sin is the result of ignorance, weakness, and indifference. The Holy Ghost is the Spirit of Light, of Strength, and of Love. With His sevenfold gifts He enlightens the mind, strengthens the will, and inflames the heart with love of God. To ensure our salvation we ought to invoke the Divine Spirit daily, for "The Spirit helpeth our infirmity. We know not what we should pray for as we ought. But the Spirit Himself asketh for us."

Prayer     Almighty and eternal God, Who hast vouchsafed to regenerate us by water and the Holy Ghost, and hast given us forgiveness of all sins, vouchsafe to send forth from heaven upon us Thy sevenfold Spirit; the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and Fortitude, the Spirit of Knowledge and Piety, and fill us with the Spirit of Holy Fear. Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary - ONCE
Glory be to the Father - SEVEN TIMES
Act of Consecration and Prayer for the Seven Gifts - ONCE

---

SECOND DAY
Come Thou, Father of the poor!
Come, treasure which endure!
Come Thou, Light of all that live!

The Gift of Holy Fear     The gift of Fear fills us with a sovereign respect for God, and makes us dread nothing so much as to offend Him by sin. It is a fear that arises, not from the thought of hell, but from sentiments of reverence and filial submission to our heavenly Father. It is the fear that is the beginning of wisdom, detaching us from worldly pleasures that could in any way separate us from God. "They that fear the Lord will prepare their hearts, and in His sight will sanctify their souls."

Prayer     Come, O blessed Spirit of Holy Fear, penetrate my inmost heart, that I may set Thee, my Lord and God, before my face forever; help me to shun all things that can offend Thee, and make me worthy to appear before the pure eyes of Thy Divine Majesty in heaven where Thou livest and reignest in the unity of the Blessed Trinity, God, world without end. Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary - ONCE
Glory be to the Father - SEVEN TIMES
Act of Consecration and Prayer for the Seven Gifts - ONCE

---

THIRD DAY
Thou, of all consolers, best,
Visiting the troubled breast,
Dost refreshing peace bestow.

The Gift of Piety     The gift of Piety begets in our hearts a filial affection for God as our most loving Father. It inspires us to love and respect for His sake, persons and things consecrated to Him, as well as those who are vested with His authority: His Blessed Mother and the Saints, The Church and its visible Head, our parents and superiors, our country and its rulers. He who is filled with the gift of Piety finds the practice of his religion, not a burdensome duty, but a delightful service. Where there is love, there is no labor.

Prayer     Come, O Blessed Spirit of Piety, possess my heart. Enkindle therein such a love for God that I may find satisfaction only in His service, and for His sake, lovingly submit to all legitimate authority. Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary - ONCE
Glory be to the Father - SEVEN TIMES
Act of Consecration and Prayer for the Seven Gifts - ONCE

---

FOURTH DAY
Thou in toil art comfort sweet;
Pleasant coolness in the heat;
Solace in the midst of woe.

The Gift of Piety     By the gift of Fortitude the soul is strengthened against natural fear, and supported to the end in the performance of duty. Fortitude imparts to the will, an impulse and energy which move it to undertake without hesitancy, the most arduous tasks, to face dangers, to trample under foot, human respect, and to endure without complaint, the slow martyrdom of even lifelong tribulation. "He that shall persevere unto the end, he shall be saved."

Prayer     Come, O Blessed Spirit of Fortitude, uphold my soul in time of trouble and adversity, sustain my efforts after holiness, strengthen my weakness, give me courage against all the assaults of my enemies, that I may never be overcome, and separated from Thee, my God and greatest good. Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary - ONCE
Glory be to the Father - SEVEN TIMES
Act of Consecration and Prayer for the Seven Gifts - ONCE

---

FIFTH DAY
Light immortal! Light Divine!
Visit Thou these hearts of Thine,
And our inmost being fill!

The Gift of Knowledge     The gift of Knowledge enables the soul to evaluate created things at their true worth ~ in their relation to God. Knowledge unmasks the pretence of creatures, reveals their emptiness, and points out their only true purpose as instruments in the service of God. It shows us the loving care of God even in adversity, and directs us to glorify Him in every circumstance of life. Guided by its light, we put first things first, and prize the friendship of God beyond all else. "Knowledge is a fountain of life to him that possesseth it."

Prayer     Come, O Blessed Spirit of Knowledge, and grant that I may perceive the will of the Father; show me the nothingness of earthly things, that I may realize their vanity and use them only for Thy glory and my own salvation, looking ever beyond them to Thee, and Thy eternal rewards. Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary - ONCE
Glory be to the Father - SEVEN TIMES
Act of Consecration and Prayer for the Seven Gifts - ONCE

---

SIXTH DAY
If Thou take Thy grace away,
Nothing pure in man will stay,
All his good is turned to ill.

The Gift of Understanding     Understanding, as a gift of the Holy Ghost, helps us to grasp the meaning of the truths of our holy religion. By faith we kinow them, but by Understanding we learn to appreciate and relish them. It enables us to penetrate the inner meaning of revealed truths, and through them to be quickened to newness of life. Our faith ceases to be sterile and inactive, but inspires a mode of life that bears eloquent testimony to the faith that is in us; we begin to "walk worthy of God, in all things pleasing, and increasing in the knowledge of God."

Prayer     Come, O Spirit of Understanding, and enlighten our minds, that we may know and believe all the mysteries of salvation; and may merit at last to see the eternal light in Thy Light; and in the light of glory, to have a clear vision of Thee and the Father and the Son. Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary - ONCE
Glory be to the Father - SEVEN TIMES
Act of Consecration and Prayer for the Seven Gifts - ONCE

---

SEVENTH DAY
Heal our wounds ~ our strength renew;
Onour dryness pour Thy dew!
Wash the stains of guilt away!

The Gift of Counsel     The gift of Counsel endows the soul with supernatural prudence, enabling it to judge promptly and rightly, what must be done, especially in difficult circumstances. Counsel applies the principles furnished by Knowledge and Understanding, to the innumerable concrete cases that confront us in the course of our daily duty as parents, teachers, public servants, and Christian citizens. Counsel is supernatural common sense, a priceless treasure in the quest of salvation. "Above all these things, pray to the Most High, that He may direct thy way in truth."

Prayer     Come, O Spirit of Counsel, help and guide me in all my ways, that I may always do Thy holy will. Incline my heart to that which is good; turn it away from all that is evil, and direct me by the straight path of Thy commandments to that goal of eternal life for which I long. Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary - ONCE
Glory be to the Father - SEVEN TIMES
Act of Consecration and Prayer for the Seven Gifts - ONCE

---

EIGHTH DAY
Bend the stubborn heart and will;
Melt the frozen, warm the chill;
Guide the steps that go astray!

The Gift of Wisdom     Embodying all the other gifts, as charity embraces all the other virtues, Wisdom is the most perfect of the gifts. Of Wisdom it is written, "all good things come to me with her, and innumerable riches, through her hands." It is the gift of Wisdom that strengthens our faith, fortifies hope, perfectss charity, and promotes the practice of virtue in the highest degree. Wisdom enlightens the mind to discern and relish things divine, in the appreciation of which earthly joys lose their savor, whilst the Cross of Christ yields a divine sweetness according to the words of the Saviour: "Take up thy cross and follow me, for my yoke is sweet and my burden light."

Prayer     Come, O Spirit of Wisdom, and reveal to my soul the mysteries of heavenly things, their exceeding greatness, power, and beauty. Teach me to love them above and beyond all the passing joys and satisfactions of earth. Help me to attain them and possess them foreven. Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary - ONCE
Glory be to the Father - SEVEN TIMES
Act of Consecration and Prayer for the Seven Gifts - ONCE

---

NINTH DAY
Thou, on those who evermore
Thee confess, and Thee adore,
In Thy sevenfold gifts, descend:

Give them comfort when they die;
Give them life with Thee on high;
Give them joys which never end. Amen.

The Fruits of the Holy Ghost     The gifts of the Holy Ghost perfect the supernatural virtues by enabling us to practice them with greater docility to divine inspiration. As we grow in the knowledge and love of God under the direction of the Holy Ghost, our service becomes more sincere and generous, the practice of virtue, more perfect. Such acts of virtue leave the heart filled with joy and consolation, and are known as Fruits of the Holy Ghost. These Fruits in turn render the practice of virtue more attractive, and become a powerful incentive for still greater efforet in the service of God, to serve Whom is to reign.

Prayer     Come, O Divine Spirit, fill my heart with Thy heavenly fruits: charity, joy, peace, patience, long-suffering, benignity, goodness, faith, mildness, and modesty, continency and chastity, that I may never weary in the service of God, but by continued faithful submission to Thy inspiration, may merit to be united eternally with Thee in the love of the Father and the Son. Amen.

Our Father and Hail Mary - ONCE
Glory be to the Father - SEVEN TIMES
Act of Consecration and Prayer for the Seven Gifts - ONCE

A Blessed Ordination Anniversary!

Two years ago today, our son, Fr. Philip Marie, CMRI received Holy Orders.

I love that phrase. Before this day, the last Sacrament he was initiated into was Confirmation, when he became a soldier of Christ -- and on this day in 2018, he got his orders. His holy assignment.

Having completed years of study and pretty much constant work in the field, his promotion to the priesthood made him a leader and a resource in the most vital of services to mankind: administering to the salvation of our souls. A heavy responsibility.
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Please pray for him and all our priests!  The harvest is great, but the laborers few.

Thirty-three Years Ago...

Lisa and Dan

April, 1987

* The closest thing to a cellphone was a Star Trek communicator; everyone had pagers and telephone answering machines for their landlines to try to keep in touch; the internet was a thing -- but not much of a thing yet; nobody we knew had an e-mail account.

* Cable TV was cutting edge and considered racy and dangerous; MTV was all the rage; televisions were fat and boxy; only VHS tapes -- no dvds or blueray.

* Dan was finishing up his bachelors degree in accounting at the University of Denver, before going on to achieve his Masters degree in Business, while working at the DU sports department and editing the sports pages at the school paper; I was just finishing off a year as the editor-in-chief of the school paper and half-way through my senior year, with a triple major in English, but I never did graduate and get the piece of paper. I went on, instead, to get married, have our first baby -- then advanced to the higher degree of Homemaker and "Superfamily Mom" of ten.

* Top grossing movies at the box office: Three Men and a Baby (Tom Sellek, Ted Danson, Steve Gutenberg); Lethal Weapon (Mel Gibson & Danny Glover), Fatal Attraction (Glenn Close & Michael Douglas), and The Untouchables (Kevin Kostner & Sean Connery).

* Top Forty Pop hits of the year were: Walk Like an Egyptian (The Bangles), Alone (Heart), and I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Whitney Houston)' Michael Jackson's album Bad hit the shelves in this year.

* In news: Reagan's famous "Berlin Wall" speech in west Berlin; DNA evidence was used for the first time to convict a criminal; there was a significant global stock market crash (22.6% drop in one day in October; televangelist, Jim Baker, mired in scandal; first ever episode of The Simpsons; work on the "Chunnel" began; disposable contact lenses first marketed; one second removed from clocks worldwide to adjust the Gregorian calendar; Margaret Thatcher won seat as prime minister of UK for the third time; Fox Broadcasting Company made its debut.

* In fashion: tassel loafers, Doc Martins, and boat shoes; patterned knit sweaters (ala Dr. Huxtable in the popular Cosby Show); parachute pants; bangle watches; "big shirts" and stirrup leggings; padded shoulders (men and women); preppy, button-down, pastels; alternatively, the Goth look; big hair; mullets; beards out/mustaches in; Don Johnson "stubble" look.

Lisa and Dan

April, 2020

Now: May, 2020

* Dan and I both have smartphones and very often wish we didn't. They certainly don't make us smarter. FYI for anyone who doesn't already know: I never ever check my cellphone messages (just like I never remembered to check my answering machine in the '90s): leave me a text if you want to get ahold of me. ;)

* We have Netflix and Amazon Prime movies on our "smart" TV -- sort of by default -- but almost never find anything decent to watch on them -- and very often default to our own dvd collection, if we watch anything at all; have two flat-screen televisions, though, and a projector with a big screen that we could pull down in the pub if we wanted to (but we never do; not sure it's even hooked up...); most often, we listen to podcasts, sermons, or books on tape while doing housework or whatever.

 * Last movies we went to see in a theater: Knives Out (loved it -- but with caveats); Dr. Doolittle (eh.) Looking forward to Death on the Nile this fall!

* In fashion in *our* world: button down shirts and khakis or blue jeans (Dan); ankle-length skirts and anything green (me); princess dresses (the seven granddaughters).

* Top musical hits in our house: The soundtrack to Murder on the Orient Express and A Beautiful Mind; In Praise of Mary (Mater Dei Men's Choir); Patty Page tunes on my Amazon playlist; Cathy and Anna (and anyone else who comes by) always eventually rolling into some kind of harmony somewhere -- either over dishes at the sink or around the piano or campfire.

* In world news: Everything coronavirus -- though we're trying to ignore it (trying, anyway; not succeeding); the upcoming presidential election (rooting for Trump, of course, and worried about the nefarious powers out to take control); all that is or is not pertinent about Q-anon 

* In real news: Mass and the Holy Eucharist available again in Omaha with more minimal restrictions a week from Monday (Woot!); two new grandbabies due this summer (Michelle and Ben expecting a little boy in June -- after three girls! And Dominic and Monica expecting their second little girl in August -- which will add up to 10 grandchildren!); Anna graduated from high school - sorta! -- hope to get her class together this fall maybe -- and have a real graduation ceremony for them!); our little terrier/bichon, Dawsey, drinking my coffee whenever I turn my head (the little stinker); the front porch rebuild by Dominic, Anna, and Isabel M during Holy Week -- and how we now have to rebuild or remove the old planters that used to front it; how our vegetable garden still needs completed planning and planting; our new (to us) car -- a VW Passat turbo diesel (fun to drive!); gearing up for the "make-good" wedding reception for Cathy and Louis (married April 4th) in October (it's going to be a blast!); and, last but not least, Dan's and my anniversary trip to Arkansas next week, to a cabin in the woods, with no wifi, where we won't have a choice but to be unplugged -- and happily miss out on all the news except where we're going to hike and what we're going to grill for dinner!

 What We've Learned in 33 Years of Marriage

Dan:

- A good marriage starts by choosing well.  But it is more about perseverance and hard work.

- "Conquering" marriage begins with conquering yourself.

- A truly great marriage is one of constant renewal and rediscovery.

- If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy.

- Marriage is a life of hard work, but it's important for husband and wife to each take time to get away and recharge.

- You should be well acquainted with your spouse's temperament and love language by no later than your wedding day.

- You're not marrying a person, you're marrying an indelible family culture.  Choose wisely.  Guys, if your wife-to-be had a dysfunctional relationship with her father, she'll bring that dysfunction into your marriage.

- Fortunately for me, I have a wife who adored and respected her father.

- A woman's affections run deep, but are also fleeting.  Don't ever think that something wonderful that you do today, "should last her for awhile".  She'll reset the scoreboard again tomorrow morning, if not sooner.

- Done right, marriage is the closest thing to Heaven this world has to offer.  Done poorly, it is about two doors down from Hell itself.

Lisa:

It really is all about the little things. 

Don't sweat them when they're annoying; they could be just the ticket to perfecting some fault of your own -- or take time off of Purgatory for you -- but one thing's sure, if you pelt your husband and children with them, they'll eventually tune you out, and then where will you be?

It's especially important to make a habit of noticing the beautiful little things, though, like how your husband's face lights up when he plays with his children -- or grandchildren, or when he warms up the car for you on cold Sunday mornings before Mass; or how he'll bring you a glass of wine, even when he doesn't want one himself; or how he leads family prayers; or how he never forgets to kiss you goodbye; or the funny way he pronounces orange; or how your hand fits in his hand like a hug; or how he says your name (when he remembers your name's not Mommy), and a million other little ways he shows his love -- aside from how he pays the bills and keeps the whole family fed and safe.

 Gosh, but it's easy to remark only on the annoyances of life. It's such a rut to get into, and believe me, not a good one for anyone. If there's one thing I've found out the hard way (and still haven't mastered), it's to notice -- and comment! --  on all the little good things -- fifty times more than you point out the annoying little things. (Really. Keep count!) And for every fifty good  little things your spouse adds to your life, make sure you add at least 50 more.

God is in the details. If you take care of the little things, He takes care of the big things.

Lisa and Dan

May 2nd, 1987

I love you, Dan.

After 33 years,

I love you still;

Always have,

Always will!

Anniversary Prayer

O Lord, omnipotent and eternal God, 

we give you thanks and we bless your holy name. 

You created man and woman in your image and blessed their union, 

so that each would be for the other a help and support. 

Remember us today. 

Protect us and grant that our love may be in the image 

of the devotion and love of Christ for his Church. 

Grant us a long and fruitful life together, in joy and in peace,

so that, through your Son and in the Holy Spirit, 

our hearts may always rise to you in praise and goods works. 

Amen.

Something else we've both learned:

Prayer for All Situations

O, my God, I will put myself without reserve into Thy hands. Wealth or woe, joy or sorrow, friends or bereavement, honour or humiliation, good report or ill report, comfort or discomfort, Thy presence or the hiding of Thy countenance, all is good if it comes from Thee. Thou art wisdom and Thou art love — what can I desire more?

- John Henry Cardinal Newman

Down Payment

William, a couple springs ago, walking in on a chat I'm having with one of the girls about the cost of raising a family (don't know how we got onto that!):

"Yeah, it's cost over $10, 000 just to raise me so far," he says.

To which I respond: " Interesting figure. Where'd you read that?"

"Calvin and Hobbes."

"Well, ok, must be about right then." (I'm rolling my eyes; the girls are giggling.)

Then, under his breath as he walks out, William adds: "Just gotta figure out now if it's a gift or a loan..."

We're laughing, but wait a minute...

There is an answer (though he walked away before I figured it out):

It's a loan you pay back, kiddo, through your own children someday. Or, if you're Religious, it goes straight back to the Original Gifter.

But, in the meantime, you can clean your room and pick up after the dog. Down payment.

Reverence, cont'd

At the Communion Rail - On the Tongue

I remember coming home from school (Holy Trinity, Norfolk, VA)  in the '70s and telling my Dad we were being instructed on Communion in the hand. It was a new thing at the time, and we were told it wasn't mandatory, but encouraged and given not much more information than how it was done. It seemed wrong, though, even to me, a stupid kid. I had questions I was too shy to ask the teacher in class. But no worries; Dad would explain. So, I cornered him in his study that afternoon and told him all about it.

 In my whole life with my father, I only saw him three times with tears in his eyes. This was one of those times, and the first time, actually, that I saw his composure slip. He recovered himself, of course. I remember him folding his arms across his chest like he used to do -- and he turned away for a minute -- then gathered himself and got right into Dad mode. Before I'd recovered from my astonishment, he whipped out into the living room and called a family meeting wherein we were forbidden to ever ever touch the Blessed Sacrament. Ever.

The priest's hands are consecrated in order to make him worthy to touch the sacred Eucharist -- and he does so with great reverence and humility -- after years and years of study and preparation -- while leading a life of prayer and sacrifice. While there we kids were, with dirty fingernails, picking our noses and behaving like heathens. Or words to that effect. ;)  And Our Lord deserves far better than that. Of all of us, not just snotnosed kids. Don't be presuming otherwise.

We took him seriously, said, "yessir," because, even if we didn't really understand, it was obviously a matter of great importance -- and there was no question that Dad's say on the matter (any matter) trumped anyone else's. Even the catechism teachers'. And whoever else was making new rules that my Dad said disrespected Our Lord. Respect was something we understood.

But it didn't dawn on me until much later why this lesson he taught us struck so deep a chord in my soul that I remember it more than forty years later as if it were yesterday. I 'got' the idea of respect right off -- that was nothing new -- but the tears I'd seen in my Dad's eyes connected it with love. You treat with respect those you love. My Dad, yes. Christ, even more so. I learned from one how to love the other.

And, dear Lord, I so hope I've passed the lesson on. It may have been the one great lesson of my life -- and there I was, a kid with dirty fingernails, never guessing it'd be my job to pass that torch. Something we all have to do; no matter when it's passed to us, we have to spread the light of it in every way we can -- and pray that others open their eyes to see.

* If this post seems familiar, it's because I first published it on facebook a few months ago; thought I'd like to have it here, as well. Filed under: true stories I want my children and grandchildren to find long after I'm dead.

Meditation for the First Full Week of Lent

Difficulties that God allows, that we don't choose, when offered as gifts of love to our Divine Savior are the most pleasing to God and do the most good for our souls.

We have such a tendency -- don't we? -- to offer up chocolate unflinchingly for Lent, then complain about having to get up early for work -- or deal with ice on our windshields -- or cranky children -- or aching arthritis, etc... Better to eat chocolate during Lent if it's one or the other, and work on our patience with *life* -- something that we can work into a lifelong habit that will help us save our souls.

Jumping Off Swings

My brother, Greg (God rest his soul), and I used to do this. It's what we thought swings were for! What good was "back and forth, back and forth, back and forth," with no SSWWOOSH! and a glorious moment of weightless freedom -- before you crashed down into the dirt -- and twisted your ankle?

Remember the flat-seated swings? You don't see them any more; I expect they're casualty of our hyper-cautious Western world, but they worked far better for launching yourself out of than today's "sling" seats. I mean -- no kidding -- shooting out of the old-fashioned swings at the top of the arc, you were a rocket! For a minute. And then you had to scramble out of the way before the hard wooden seat swung back down and cracked you on the head...!

Talk about fun! What do kids these days know about the thrill of near-concussions?

It's a wonder we survived, but I think we're the better for it, my generation and the playground hooligans before mine.  There's something to be said for calculated (or not so calculated) risk taking -- and learning from your own mistakes the hard way.

Not that good parents shouldn't protect their children, mind you. Especially as concerns their innocence, we have to be almost obsessively vigilant -- and we can't just let them run wild and free around most neighborhoods. It's just not safe to do that any more. But, they do need to have the apron strings loose enough that they can learn to find their own ways in the world. Good parenting means sometimes stepping back and watching our kids jump out of the swing.

They need to find out, for instance, that if they don't study and do their homework, they'll flunk -- and nobody is going to smooth it over for them, turn a blind eye, and pass them forward.  They'll be humiliated. They'll have wasted a whole year. But it was their responsibility and no one else's -- and they have to suffer the consequences, or they'll go through life expecting to be passed forward without doing the work to deserve it. That's a terribly big fat wooden swing seat to get hit with. It's the sad kid that learns to duck it by getting hit -- but it's a lesson they'll learn to take seriously.

If a kid gets into an argument with his friends, he can and should receive counsel from his parents, of course, but it's up to him to learn to be the  diplomat -- or find out how lonely it is to be an outcast. Straighten out your own affairs, kiddo, or get hit in the head with the swing.

If a girl spends all her allowance on Amazon and doesn't have enough money to go to the movies
with her friends, well, darn: Mom and Dad may be sad for her, but they shouldn't gift her the funds or lend from next month. Don't teach your child to be credit dependent; if she's a good kid and just didn't expect to need to save for a treat, make her work for movie money.  How will she learn to be financially prudent if she expects to be somehow always magically bailed out? You may be the one getting hit with the swing!

There are many examples of responsibility and just plain old common sense that are very often best taught by watchfully allowing our children to suffer the consequences of their failures.  And... there are an equal number of examples of things that just aren't worth the hassle for Mom and Dad. For instance, making elementary school children responsible for the location of their own shoes -- the hard way -- never works; they'd just as soon go barefoot. And if the pets don't get fed, they starve. Choose your lessons wisely!

Personal responsibility and self discipline really must be taught, though. They don't come naturally to most. We can see that in our own daily interactions and by reading the news.  For children to grow up and  succeed in the world and, more importantly, save their souls, they must learn that there are consequences to their actions and omissions. We have to let there be consequences. Sometimes we have to let them get hit with the swing for them to appreciate the intense satisfaction of running a victory lap around the swing set after NOT being hit.

Candlemas Day Tomorrow!

(Luke II. 22-32.) At that time, After the days of Mary's purification, according to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they carried Jesus to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord, as it is written in the law of the Lord: Every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord. And to offer a sacrifice, according as it is written in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtle doves, or two young pigeons. And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Ghost was in him. And he had received an answer from the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. And he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when his parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law: he also took him into his arms, and blessed God, and said: Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word, in peace: Because my eyes have seen thy salvation: which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples: a light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

Though most of us have long since put behind us all thought of candy canes and tinsel, tomorrow's feast actually marks the official end of the Christmas season. The precious days of Jesus' infancy hidden in the peace and security of Mary's confinement are coming to an end, with tomorrow marking His "introduction" to the world.  In the days when the Holy Family walked the earth, it was the custom for new mothers to go to the Temple to be declared officially "pure" forty days after the birth of a child (Lev. XII), and if that child was a firstborn son, it was Jewish law that the parents offer him officially to God at that time in order to show gratitude for the angel's sparing of the first-born of the Jews at the the time of Moses. (Exodus XII. 12)  Then, to redeem the child back from the Temple (Exodus XIII, 13), the parents offered a gift to be sacrificed in exchange, usually a lamb -- but if the family was poor, as Jesus' family was, a pair of turtle doves were sufficient.

 I love to imagine the Holy Family walking down a cobblestone road on the way to the Temple, the Infant Jesus bundled up and held close to the heart of His Mother, the turtle doves carried by good St. Joseph in a cage he made himself.  I wonder if anyone around them felt a spiritual nudge when the Infant Saviour passed by them? I wonder if I would have known it was the Holy Family passing by if I'd been there?

What a thought, though  -- that Jesus' parents, out of obedience to tradition, offered Him to the Jewish Temple, but then "bought Him back" with doves -- the symbol of peace.  In obedience and humility, Mary and Joseph fulfilled their  responsibility to the Mosaic Law that day, but the joy of the occasion was tempered when, upon meeting the prophet Simeon, Our Blessed Mother was reminded of the sorrows to come -- that her heart would be pierced with a sword.   Beauty and promise and sorrow that day were wrapped up together like the mysteries of the rosary, with the glory-to-come a glimmer in the eye of that bundled up Baby Boy.

Traditional Prayer for the Feast of the Presentation

Heavenly Father! look down from Thy throne of mercy upon the face of Thy Anointed in whom Thou art well pleased. Behold, He is this day offered to Thee in the temple for the sins of His brethren. Let this offering please Thee, and move Thee to have compassion on us sinners. In consideration of His humility and obedience, forgive us our pride and disobedience, and grant us, that purified by His blood, we may one day, having like Simeon departed this life in peace, behold Thee as the eternal Light which shall never be extinguished in the temple of Thy glory, be presented to Thee by Mary, our beloved Mother, and love and praise Thee forever. Amen.

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There are many ways to celebrate this Feast. If you're lucky (or I should say blessed!), you will be able to attend the candle blessing ceremonies at your parish and have some candles blessed to bring home, as it's become the custom on this day to bless the candles used throughout the year in the Church's ceremonies.  If you're unable to start the day in this way, though, you can start the day with a pious commemoration, lighting candles on your family altar, or before an image of the Holy Family and say the prayer printed above or simply read from the prayers of the Mass for the day. 

Then plan other fun things to imprint memories of the day for the children!

Many cultures have perfectly wonderful celebrations to make this day special.  I mentioned many in this post a couple years ago, and linked to some more that included the history of the blessing of candles on this day -- as well as the customary crepe or pancake dinners -- in this post.  Catholic Cuisine is always a wonderful resource, with a list of links for many different recipes and feastday dinners, as well as a lovely idea for a Candlemas Tea!   Lacy at  Catholic Icing also has some wonderful ideas for celebrating the day in crafts and goodies.

And then there are always coloring pages! The following prints, in the public domain, may be used to color: just click and copy to your computer, then print.

As the Feast of the Presentation officially ends the Christmas Season, we list it on our mental calendars as "last call" for removing all our Christmas decorations.  Usually, by the second week after the Big Day, we've started taking down the peripheral garlands and wreaths; then, through the next month, we take down a little more and a little more until we reach "center" which is our big Nativity scene.  Nobody ever wants to tackle this chore.  It's a big to do, let me tell you! But by this time, we've also developed an emotional attachment to our pretty stable, with its trees and rocks and bridges, the little animals, the sheep, the Holy Family... It's a letdown for us all, removing it from its place of honor.  Nevertheless, by the first of February, we know we have to tackle it.  And it usually turns out that we're more ready than we think we are for the change.

Before:

It only took two or three hours today to get the whole landscape and the fragile figurines taken down and packed carefully away, then a little while longer to wipe and vacuum up all the debris left behind. We're a little sad to see it go; the family room seems a little empty now!  But, there's also a sense of satisfaction in having it all finished -- and the lack of clutter, the feeling of "airiness," and cleanness feels kinda good!  It feels like we've taken the first step to a good spring cleaning.  It's a sort of "purification" that we've begun. All right, and good, and in the proper season.  A hint of things to come.

After:

I looked it up, by the way: as of today, February 1st, we have 16 days until Ash Wednesday, and 62 days until Easter...

In Praise of Mary

For the Month of May

I fain would sing a sweet new song

Thy loving Heart to greet,

I fain would cull the flowers fair,

And lay them at thy feet.

And of the precious virgin-gold

And shining jewels rare,

Would form a royal diadem, 

To grace thy forehead fair.

But ah! The heart-strings seem unstrung

And faint the music now,

I cannot place a golden crown

Upon thy queenly brow.

The first flowers fade too soon --

What shall the offerings be

From this poor exiled child of earth

O purest Heart, to thee?

I offer all the burning love

Of Jesus' Heart for thine,

And in the golden censer place

The little spark of mine.

And these, O Heart Immaculate,

Shall be my gifts to thee;

Oh I pray thy sweetest Son to grant

His love and thine to me.

- Anon
Taken from Volume I of the Carmelite Review, 1893, August Edition

Gifts

Don't forget to look! 

Wonder is everywhere, little gifts from God -- like when your Mom leaves a note in your lunchbox with hearts on it and a twinky. But better.

May!

The Month of Mary

A LITTLE LITANY

When God turned back eternity and was young,

Ancient of Days, grown little for your mirth

(As under the low arch the land is bright)

Peered through you, gate of heaven – and saw the earth.

Or shutting out his shining skies awhile

Built you about him for a house of gold

To see in pictured walls his storied world

Return upon him as a tale is told.

Or found his mirror there; the only glass

That would not break with that unbearable light

Till in a corner of the high dark house

God looked on God, as ghosts meet in the night.

Star of his morning; that unfallen star

In that strange starry overturn of space

When earth and sky changed places for an hour

And heaven looked upwards in a human face.

Or young on your strong knees and lifted up

Wisdom cried out, whose voice is in the street,

And more than twilight of twiformed cherubim

Made of his throne indeed a mercy-seat.

Or risen from play at your pale raiment’s hem

God, grown adventurous from all time’s repose,

Of your tall body climbed the ivory tower

And kissed upon your mouth the mystic rose.

– G.K. Chesterton