Mind Numbing Exercise

You Are a Raccoon

You are very curious. Your curiosity has led you to learn a lot about the world... including some things you rather not know. You are also very sneaky. You can blend in when you need to, and no one really knows what you are up to. At times, you can be morally dubious. You're willing to do a lot to get ahead, even if it means stepping on other people's toes. You are generally passive and tend to work behind the scenes. But if someone challenges you, you get downright nasty!

What Animal Are You?

To the Queen of the Most Holy Rosary

Queen of the most holy Rosary...

in these times of such brazen impiety, manifest thy power with the signs of thine ancient victories, and from thy throne, whence thou dost dispense pardon and graces, mercifully regard the Church of thy Son, His Vicar on earth, and every order of clergy and laity, who are sore oppressed in the mighty conflict. Do thou, who art the powerful vanquisher of all heresies, hasten the hour of mercy, even though the hour of God's justice is every day provoked by the countless sins of men. For me who am the least of men, kneeling before thee in supplication, do thou obtain the grace I need to live righteously upon earth and to reign among the just in heaven, the while in company with all faithful Christians throughout the world, I salute thee and acclaim thee as Queen of the most holy Rosary.

Queen of the most holy Rosary, pray for us!

Image courtesy of Trinity Stores. Check it out. There is lovely stuff there, including work by this artist.

While I was searching for an image to use for this post, I found this one, immediately knowing who the painter of the Retablo is. The artist is Arturo Olivas, a New Mexico Santero. I own two of his pieces and decided to use this image. It's lovely. I definitely think I'll have him paint me an image of La Conquistadora, who incidentally started out as an image of Our Lady of the Rosary.

From St. of the Day:

It was St. Dominic in the late twelfth and early thirteenth centuries who encouraged everyone to say the Rosary. St. Dominic was greatly saddened by the spread of a terrible heresy called Albigensianism. With the members of his new Order of Preachers, he was trying his best to destroy this dangerous heresy. He begged the Blessed Virgin for help, and it is said that she told him to preach devotion to the Holy Rosary. St. Dominic obeyed and he was very successful in stopping the heresy. The Holy Rosary is a simple devotion which can be practiced by all people-old and young, learned and unlearned. It can be said anywhere, at any time. While we say the Our Father, ten Hail Marys and Glory to the Father, we think about great moments in the lives of Jesus and Mary. In this way, we grow closer and closer to Jesus and his Blessed Mother. We learn to imitate their holy lives. Mary is very pleased when we say the Holy Rosary often and well. She used to say it with St. Bernadette when she appeared to her at Lourdes. The three little children of Fatima learned from Mary the power of the Rosary. Mary taught them that the Rosary obtains graces and saves sinners from hell. A Dominican pope, Pius V, established today's feast. It is to show our gratitude to Mary for a military victory over the Turks at Lepanto on October 7, 1571. By prayerfully meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary, we are able to follow the example of Mary who "heard the Word of God and cherished it in her heart."

Interesting post and argument for wearing of black vestments on All Soul's Day over here at the New Liturgical Movement. I, for one, wouldn't be bothered by seeing black vestments at Mass. Personally, my closet is full of black clothes and combinations there of, so... why not?
Of course, I'm just a lay person sitting in the pews. I'm not a depressive, but I've always liked the "slimming" nature of black. Heh.

Memorial of St. Francis

I think St. Francis is my "unofficial" patron of this blog. He is the patron Saint of my city and there is great devotion to him. Tomorrow is his Memorial and the end of a novena that
the parish of the Cathedral Basilica has been saying in his honor.

There is a great tradition of blessing the animals in honor of his day (the blessing is actually happening tomorrow) and I've never taken my monsters (dogs) for a blessing that if I get them bathed and properly presentable I might take them to have them blessed.

I think his attribution to patron of animals, came from the story of how he tamed the wolf. His original mission however, was to rebuild God's Church and he did so. It took him a while to figure out God meant figuratively and not literally. And his accomplishments were truly amazing.

St Francis of Assisi (1181 - 1226)

Francis was the son of a prosperous cloth merchant in Assisi. When his father objected to having his goods sold without his consent to pay for the restoration of a church, the bishop commanded Francis to repay the money. He did. He also renounced his father and gave back everything he had ever been given, even his garments. He began a life of perfect evangelical poverty, living by begging and even then only accepting the worst food that people had to give. He preached to all the love of God and the love of the created world; because, having renounced everything, he celebrated everything he received, or saw, or heard, as a gift. A rich man sold everything and joined him in living next to a leper colony; a canon from a neighbouring church gave up his position and joined them also. They looked into the Gospel and saw the story of the rich young man whom Jesus told to sell everything; they saw Jesus telling his disciples to take nothing with them on their journey; they saw Jesus saying that his followers must also carry his cross. And on that basis they founded an order. Francis went to Rome himself and persuaded the Pope to sanction it, though it must have seemed at once impractical and subversive, to set thousands of holy men wandering penniless round the towns and villages of Europe.
Because Francis was wearing an old brown garment begged from a peasant, tied round the middle with string, that became the Franciscan habit. Ten years later 5,000 men were wearing it; a hundred years later Dante was buried in it because it was more glorious than cloth of gold.
There is too much to say about Francis to fit here. He tried to convert the Muslims, or at least to attain martyrdom in doing so. He started the practice of setting up a crib in church to celebrate the Nativity.
Francis died in 1226, having started a revolution. The Franciscans endure to this day.

Summary taken from the Liturgy of the Hours at Universalis. See the full article in the Catholic Encyclopaedia.

Someone to Watch Over Me

My angel of God, my guardian dear to whom God's love commits me here ever this night/day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide.
Amen.





This is how I learned the prayer as a child. Today is the Feast of the Guardian Angels. Even now on nights when I struggle to find peace or am too restless, I think of that prayer my mother taught me when I was a little girl and sometimes it helps. Though, restless nights as an adult are probably stem from more real-life fears than the irrational fears of childhood. Still, it is comforting to know that there is a guardian angel who will guard, rule, guide and protect us through the long, distressing nights or our the stressful days of our lives.

Today we celebrate God's messengers who protect us human beings. We see them throughout the Bible. Angels delivered messages from God, protected people from dangers and rescued them. The New Testament Acts of the Apostles tells in chapter 12 how St. Peter was led out of prison by an angel. The belief that we each have a guardian angel has been common to Christians for many centuries. The picture of a guardian angel that we often see is an angel protecting a little child as he or she walks over a small bridge. In 1608, Pope Paul V added today's feast to the calendar of saints and celebrations. It is very encouraging to know and believe that we each have an angel guarding and protecting us. Our guardian angel is a gift from our loving God. We can say this brief prayer as often as we would like to throughout the day: Angel of God,my guardian dear, to whom God's love entrusts me here. Ever this day be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen. "And so the angels are here; they are at your side; they are with you, present on your behalf. They are here to protect you and to serve you. But even if it is God who has given them this charge, we must nonetheless be grateful to them for the great love with which they obey and come to help us in our great need." -St. Bernard -- From Saint of the Day.

Today's short reading from today's morning Office.

	Exodus 23:20 - 21 ©
I myself will send an angel before you to guard you as you go and to bring you to the place that I have prepared. Give him reverence and listen to all that he says.

If only they could protect us from pesky little mice roaming our houses.

Dawn and All Its Majesty

Ok. I've seen this image of cute, little angels in everything, greeting cards, posters, bookmarks, books, websites and I've never thought too much about it. I know it's taken from classical art... well actually Renaissance art by the Italian Artist Raphael. However, I bet most people haven't a clue that it's only part of a painting, that it's from an even greater image, a more important piece of religious art?

I had never seen the piece in its entirety, or if I had seen it in art books when I was younger. My mom has some beautiful art history books and I'd look through them as a kid. She is really the art student, as I only wish that I knew more. Anyway, looking at the piece in its entirety, the angels didn't stand out to me.

As a whole, the angels are dwarfed by the image of the Madonna, who stands between Saints Sixtus and Barbara holding the Baby Jesus. I didn't take a class in Renaissance Art in college, I took Modern Art instead. Now I wish that I had because all I have is Wikipedia to tell me about this painting.

Brother Knows Best.

Ever wonder what the pope's brother has to say about his little brother?



There's this nice article about Pope Benedict XVI from the man who probably knows him best, his Brother Monsignor Georg Ratzinger.



(Image from Catholic News Agency).

This quote touched me deeply. It truly must have been as life changing for him as well as the pope.

Msgr. Ratzinger said he was “disappointed” when his brother was elected Pope, because “this meant we would have to significantly reconfigure our relationship,” because they would not be able to see each other much. “In any case, after the human decision of the cardinals, this is the will of God and we must say yes to it.”

From everything I've read, the Brother's Ratzinger wanted to retire together, but it was not meant to be, as one was called to become Pope. It must have been a bittersweet day for Msgr. Georg to see his baby brother elected Pope. Nonetheless, read the whole article.

Link first seen at the Deacon's Bench.

While Googling I find some of the most interesting things, usually after searching for one thing but finding something else. I just found this site, Holy Cards for Your Inspiration. It's a lovely blog with lots of Catholic imagery. However, it wasn't what I was looking for.

I wish...

I was independently wealthy and could afford to travel and study all the time. Oh, how wonderful that would be. The things I would see and learn. I was listening to NPR yesterday and there was an interview with a woman who was talking about the Sarajevo Haggadah, an old Sephardic book that is an illustrated text of the Passover Haggadah. This book has been spared from tragedy after tragedy throughout the years. Its history seems to be truly amazing.

According to the woman interviewed Hitler knew about the book and wanted it for the museum he dreamt about building in Prague, dedicated to the Jewish people, whom he was carefully and strategically planning to eliminate. It sickens me to think of all the things the Nazi's stole from the Jews they were exterminating to keep as mementos from their attrocities. Thank God the book was carefully removed and hidden away from the Nazi's.

Image from here at Wikipedia.


Fast forward to the present. Knowing this book is Sephardic in origin, it is even more fascinating to me learn about. One day I want to trace my ancestry back to Spain, what wonders might I discover. I think I'd be disappointed to find out that I don't have any Sephardic ancestry, not that I'd convert to Judaism if I was. While, I don't know for sure, part of me feels like at one time my people were Jewish, by just hearing stories, knowing NM history and discovering common threads that run through all the old families of NM. I'm willing to open my mind to that possibility. It would make sense as to why my family came to America and didn't stay in Spain.

There have been families who have known they are/were Sephardic and never really acted like it was a surprise when it was discovered that many of the old families have Sephardic ancestry. There are others who were just shocked to learn that they might actually be of Sephardic Jewish descent. I suspect there is a bit of anti-semitism that has lingered because of those reactions, though I'd really not want to toss out such random and baseless accusations. I also believe that there are quite a few people who had no clue it was even a possiblity that NM's first settlers could have been Sephardic. My grandparents were long gone before I ever could have asked them if they thought we had Sephardic ancestry. Quite honestly, there are few people left to ask in my family about anything. I need to make my mom and aunts sit down to try to compile all they know.

But, as for now, it's all just a big mystery and one day one I hope to unravel. If not, I can write about it in fiction. Fiction is usually always much more interesting.

Feasts and Memorials of late.

While I missed posting about the Feast of the Archangels and the memorial of St. Jerome, today is the memorial of St. Theresa of the Child of Jesus.

St. Theresa, often called the Little Flower, was born in Normandy, France, in 1873. She was the youngest of the five daughters born to Louis and Zelie Martin. Theresa was a very lively, lovable little girl. Her father called her his "little queen." Yet she could be too sensitive and irritable. In the story she wrote of her life, she tells how the Infant Jesus helped her overcome this weakness. It was Theresa's great desire to enter the Carmelite convent where two of her sisters were already nuns. But since she was only fifteen, permission was not granted. Theresa felt sure that Jesus wanted her to spend her life loving him alone. She kept praying and asking the superior to admit her. She even dared to ask Pope Leo XIII himself to grant her heart's desire. And finally she was allowed to enter. Although she was only fifteen, Theresa did not expect to be babied. "Obedience, prayer and sacrifice" were her program. She had a thirst to suffer for love of God. Theresa had the spiritual courage of a real heroine. "May Jesus make me a martyr of the heart or of the body-or better, both!" she wrote. And she meant it. In winter she suffered from the bitter cold and dampness of her plain bedroom. There were other kinds of sufferings, too. Whenever she was humiliated, she would offer her pain to her beloved Jesus. She would hide her hurts under a smile. She told Jesus to do with her whatever was his will. Sister Theresa tried hard to be humble. She called her great confidence in God her "little way" to holiness. She always had a burning desire to become a saint. The young nun wanted to find a "short cut," an "elevator," to take her quickly to sanctity. So she looked in the Bible, and found the words, "Whoever is a little one, come to me." When she lay dying, she could say: "I have never given the good God anything but love, and it is with love that he will repay. After my death, I will let fall a shower of roses. I will spend my heaven doing good on earth." The Little Flower died on September 30, 1897. She was proclaimed a saint by Pope Pius XI in 1925. "O Jesus, my love, my vocation, at last I have found it. My vocation is LOVE!"

Text taken from "Saint of the Day" but there is more about her here, at Catholic Online. Father Jim Martin, over at America Magazine posts this nice reflection on her here. She is my mother's patron saint. She is named for her exactly. I used to laugh at her name, I thought it was funny to be named Theresa of the Child of Jesus-- of course her name is in Spanish and it made even less sense to me. However, now as I read about holy men and women and learn more about the history of the Church and understand its traditions, I've begun to understand the devotions and why children are named in honor of these holy people.

Her parents have been beatified and one day may become saints just like their daughter.

Things That Make You Go Hum...

Sometimes Catholics crack me up, in a good way. Really. Check out this fun thread "Where to Deleted Characters Go?" over at Catholic Online Forum. I read the title as a writer, so I had a totally different answer than the rest of the gang. But still, the philosophical and theological perspectives are interesting. ;-)

What Must Henry VIII Think?

Interesting news of late. Great Britain could have a Catholic King or even Queen. Apparently, there is a move to allow Catholics to be allowed to reign as monarch as well as letting the "first daughter" become queen.

For Me Mostly...

I know if I put these links in here, I'll find them again and it will be easier than looking through my bookmarks. I may put them in a separate category in the side bar later, after I know what I've got.

Our Sunday Visitor, Teaching Catholic Kids section.

Blest Are We. The website for the text book my parish uses.

Catechist. The online companion for the magazine.

Catechetical Resources Many many activities for kids are here. These are games.

Catholic Catechist. I joined their email list. We'll see if I find some support. They have Free Resources too.

Catholic Kids. I found some humor related stories I might be able to use. This seems to be more of a parent related site, but had some good links which lead me to the resources above. Same with Catholic Parenting.

Searchable Website with the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Not sure if these are especially Catholic, but Questions Kids Ask.

Family Pages by Plfaum Publishing.

Educational Programs and Catechist Resources at Loyola Press.

Secular Symbol Or Not?

Apparently a non-profit group in Utah has asked the City of Santa Fe to join them in a law suit against a group of atheists who are challenging the existence of several monuments they have placed along Utah's road sides in honor of police officers who have died in the line of duty. Apparently these crosses are similar to our own Cross of the Martyrs in Santa Fe. Reported in a news story in today's Journal, it brings our own Cross's standing in question. This one pictured here, is actually the second cross to our own martyr's, the orignal still stands in an old, popular Santa Fe neighborhood. It's hiding up in the hills. The monument was erected to honor the 21 Franciscan Friars who were killed during the Pueblo Revolt of 1680 and is still a popular place of devotion for locals and a spot well visited by tourists. Unrelatedly, I wonder if Rome has made any recognition of their martyrdom. Anyway, the Cross here is historic and I certainly hope that this challenge in Utah doesn't lead to a similar group posing a challenge here.

A few entries down, you can see a night view of the Cross taken on the last night of the Fiesta. When I have my wits about me, I'll post pictures and a brief history of the Fiestas of Santa Fe.

Also, it makes me wonder about all the Descansos on our roadways. In New Mexico they are protected from destruction and removal. Most of them are left for the loss of a loved one in an accident. Could they also be subject to challenge-- most of them are crosses. With Freedom of Religion, there are also those that call for the Freedom of Religion. While, I'm a strong advocate in the former, I do see the other side's point of view and it really is a touchy situation.

Catholic Vote 2008 (Updated)

So... I wasn't going to link to this video, which has been floating about the Internet for a couple of weeks now. I have and will try to continue to refrain from talking about politics in this blog. I don't recall where I first saw it posted, and quite honestly I was a bit apprehensive to watch it because I expected it to be advocating voting one-sided, one-issue, one particular candidate but it was actually more objective than I thought. I've seen it on various religious and lay people's blogs. The Dominican Nuns at Moniales posted it recently and have taken a lot of flack in their comments about posting it. I agree with most of the comments that support them however.

The Catholic Church is always going to teach that abortion is morally wrong, intrinsically evil and the killing of human life. It's taught that since its early days, but the Church also teaches and insists we must help the poor, help promote all life-- from cradle to grave-- not just the unborn.

There is so much to think about this November and we can't get caught up in one issue. I will admit I don't agree with this video 100%, this video seems to show that a bit more objectively than I've seen or heard so far. Yeah, it's got some cheesy footage and there are strong images, it's not that far removed from the homily I heard recently at Mass by one of the priests at my parish.

After reading a comment in the sister's blog, it seems it was made by a conservative group which supports McCain, however, despite that the video still seems to recognize that there are other issues of importance to consider in this election, the economy, the war, healthcare, poverty, equality issues, immigration and so on and so on. For those reasons-- I can see why some people are struggling with their conscience and how they will vote this November. I'm not struggling-- I know how I will vote. I just hope it makes a difference no matter what.

Also, if you're undecided and still thinking about whom to vote for, there are resources on the Internet to help you decide. The US Bishop's Guide to Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship is one place to start. That's a link to the whole document and it should help you weigh your own conscience should you be having troubles. Here is the pastoral letter from the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe. I was looking for a really good link- non-biased- I'd heard on the radio but can't find it. I am looking for one that is neither pro-Republican nor pro-Democrat. Here's the League of Women Voter's homepage. And an Election and Voting information site.

I'm not guaranteeing any of the links above. I'm just finding things that I might think are useful.