A Deo et Rege

Today, for some reason, I was in a very observant state of mind. I was driving home from work (this is the odd Sunday where I had to work for an hour or so) and noticed a beautiful house with a fountain in front (it was covered by a large tarp). I couldn’t wait to see it in the summer! However, I immediately thought: "Wait! I have driven past this house in the summer…and the autumn and the winter…and have never even noticed it before!" D’oh! I was also driving to the YMCA today and noticed that there is a giant beautiful blue house on the route I always take named after a large bird. Wow! It’s amazing the things a person can notice when actually paying attention!

There is a point to my rambling, so bear with me. It’s amazing how quickly life can go by and we can’t even slow down to get a few little pleasures out of it. Sometimes I feel like I’m always trying to be happy by reaching a point rather than finding happiness in getting there. Noticing these little things after months of driving right by them kind of sums up how quickly I live my life. Maybe some things are passing me by.

So, this Lent I think one of my goals will be to simply slow down. To mix two sayings, I’m going to stop and smell the coffee (and drink it too).

Photo by Jonathan Bennett (I’m messing with Picasa 2)

Today is the feast of the Chair of St. Peter. Rather than spill digital ink writing my own commentary, I will point you to Carmel’s excellent thoughts on the matter.

Lent is almost upon us. Ash Weds. is nearly a week away. Many people often wonder what they should "give up" for Lent and time is running out. Many people also wish they had the time to read writings from the history of the Church, especially the early Fathers. At Ancient and Future Catholics and ChurchYear.Net we’ve come up with a great solution for both of these dilemmas: the Church Fathers Lenten Reading Plan  (.pdf) (go here for html version).

If you follow our plan, when Easter comes, you will have read 10 early Church Fathers and over 15 individual works from the early Church. You will also have deepened your faith and knowledge in numerous ways during Lent. It will only take 15 minutes or so a day too. These writings have been an inspiration down through the ages and helped lead countless numbers throughout history to the Catholic Church (including many readers and contributors to our websites). What are you waiting for?

Update: Chad has put together one file containing all the writings of the Fathers in order! Thanks Chad!

P.S.- if you’re doing this, please let us know and provide feedback on choices, length of readings, etc.

Photo of St. Catherine of Siena (whose writings are not included) from Shrine of the Holy Relics taken by Jonathan Bennett

For those unfamiliar with the Catholic season of Christmastide, it begins on Christmas Day and ends the day after the Baptism of our Lord. Normally the feast of the Baptism of our Lord is the Sunday after the Epiphany. However since the Epiphany in most Catholic countries is transferred to a Sunday, the celebration of the Baptism of Our Lord can vary. This year, at least in the USA, it falls on a Monday: January 9th (tomorrow). This means that tomorrow is the last day of the Christmas season. Tuesday (or perhaps Monday evening) we start Ordinary Time. For more information on this and other facts about the Catholic Church calendar, I invite you to visit a webpage I co-author, ChurchYear.Net.

We are lucky as Catholics (along with other liturgical Christians) to get such a long time for Christmas. When I was evangelical Protestant there was always a post-Christmas letdown on December 26th, and the 12 days and Christmastide have certainly cured that. However, there is nonetheless some sadness as I ponder the nearing end of the Christmas season. I will miss the festivity, the lights, the decorations, the tree, the carols, the unique antiphons in the daily office, my Christmas candles, my Christmas coffee creamers and coffees (no joke!), and other things. I just really enjoy Christmas and it’s sad to have to leave it behind. However, I’m not leaving the Incarnation behind,
so I should perhaps focus on that.

However, in some ways it’s good the Christmas season is ending. From a secular standpoint, leaving all the Christmas accessories up any longer would make them lose their special quality. And our bodies are not meant for unlimited festivity as my holiday weight gain can attest! Naturally, the end of the Christmas seasons means we’re closer to spring and summer, which for someone living in the USA snowbelt is good news. Liturgically, we need more than Christmas and the end of Christmas means we’re that much closer to Lent. A non-Catholic, but interested, friend of mine was shocked to hear that I look forward to Lent! Call me a Catholic nerd I guess.

On Tuesday I’ll take down my Nativity and my tree and put away all of my decorations. Tonight and tomorrow I’ll make a concerted effort to enjoy them before I pack them up. But, they’ll be out next year. And the way time goes, it’ll be Christmas before we all know it.

Happy Christmastide and a blessed Ordinary Time!

Photos are of my tree and window candle (I love window candles, especially colored ones. You can’t hardly tell but this one is blue)

Today, in many Catholic countries, is the feast of the Epiphany (officially it falls, in the Roman Calendar, on Jan. 6th, but many Episcopal Conferences have transferred it to a Sunday). This solemnity celebrates the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles through the
Magi (Wise Men). In addition, other manifestations of Christ are often
commemorated, including the miracle at Cana.

For more information, visit our All About Epiphany page.

A Prayer for Epiphany:

O LORD,
give us a new epiphany
when You will be manifested to the world:
to those who do not know You,
to those who do not want You,
to those who vilify Your Name,
to those who oppress Your Mystical Body,
to those who deny You,
and to all those who unconsciously long for You.

Bring the day closer
when all people will know and love You
together with the Father
and the Holy Spirit–
and the Kingdom of God will have arrived.

From the New St. Joseph People’s Prayer Book

Photo by Jonathan Bennett (I took a pic of my nativity set with a longer shutter speed and a slight blue tone; it also gives a hint of a personal custom of lighting candles for the 12 days of Christmas)

Normally the feast of the Holy Family falls on the first Sunday after Christmas, with one exception: when Christmas is a Sunday. When that happens, it falls on December 30th. So, today is the feast of the Holy Family. It got me thinking about the Holy Family and the feast in general. Here are my thoughts…

First, I don’t think any other major Christian communion celebrates this feast. I may be wrong on a local level (and invite examples), but officially I think I’m correct. So, this is a uniquely Catholic feast.

The feast of the Holy Family strikes me as extremely counter-cultural, especially in America in 2005. The family unit, which used to be the source of cohesion in society and culture (and the Church) has broken down. I don’t think we can even speak of "breaking down" anymore. The divorce, cohabitation, and out of wedlock birth statistics are alarming. Add to that the rates of pornography use, the abuse of children and the coverups, the casual acceptance of abortion, and an uncritical embrace of artificial contraception. People seem to be actively making war on the family unit, even if not intentionally.

There exists an even more subtle assault on the family as well: materialism. In fact, we could probably tie all of the above issues to this. American society tends to pursue greater material wealth at the expense of other blessings. Children (and even a husband or wife) tend to get in the way of pursuing material wealth. Casual sex and living together are much easier and cheaper than supporting a person through ups and downs and in sickness and in health. Paying for food and shelter for a child tends to take away money from the flat-screen TV or Hummer fund. Even in school, children are taught about careers and success and rarely is family life emphasized and if so, it’s in the context of limiting it: i.e. birth control.

And yet, this family unit, Mother, Father, and Child, is called holy. God created the family
and sanctified it through the Incarnation. The Catholic Church refers to the family as the "domestic Church" because it is the setting where our Faith and values are passed down. Also, the Church’s mission is lived out in the family from evangelizing to proclaiming the Good News. The failure in Catholic catechesis, while surely due in part to the parish and parochial schools, is probably rather a result of lukewarm and heretical parents who pass on a lukewarm and heretical faith to their children.

As a society, but more importantly as a Church, especially in America and Europe, we need to recover the value and emphasis on the family. This doesn’t mean denigrating the single life, but rather recognizing different vocations. It also means that parents, especially Christians fathers, must take a strong leadership role in both their own families and in the lives of the Church and community.

The Holy Family of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus also provides an excellent example for families today. Although Mary was pregnant without Joseph’s participation, he nonetheless trusted her and in God. Although he was probably shocked and would’ve been subject to gossip and slander, he stood by his spouse and followed the will of God by raising a child who was not his own biologically. He also protected his wife and child when faced with persecution by taking them to Egypt. He lived chastely in following God’s plan for his spouse. Although young and probably scared, Mary boldly said yes to God’s will which resulted in the salvation of the world. She knew her "yes" would bring her sorrow and pain and it eventually took her to the foot of the Cross. And yet, she took the way of suffering by completely following God’s will.

The Holy Family serves as a model for all families. As 2006 approaches we need them more than ever.

Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and Mother of the Church, pray for us
St. Joseph, foster father of Jesus and protector of the Church, pray for us
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us

Father,
help us to live as the Holy Family,
united in respect and love.
Bring us to the joy and peace of your eternal home.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. (New St. Joseph Missal)

For more info:

All About the Solemnity of the Holy Family
Holy Family Prayers

Image of holy family and a very special father/daughter statue by Jonathan Bennett

I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,

And wild and sweet the words repeat

Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And thought how, as the day had come,

The belfries of all Christendom

Had rolled along the unbroken song

Of peace on earth, good will to men.

Till ringing, singing on its way

The world revolved from night to day,

A voice, a chime, a chant sublime

Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head

“There is no peace on earth,” I said,

“For hate is strong and mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good will to men.”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail

With peace on earth, good will to men.” (Longfellow)

And we are ready on Church Year.Net. We have up an All About Christmas page and our collection of Christmas Prayers. If you’re interested, have a peak even though it’s still Advent. We assure you it’s not a sin! But you’d better wait until Christmas to pray them.

Iesu Rex Admirabilis

O Jesus, King most wonderful!
Thou Conqueror renowned!
Thou Sweetness most ineffable!
in whom all joys are found!

When once Thou visitest the heart,
then truth begins to shine;
then earthly vanities depart;
then kindles love divine.

O Jesu! Light of all below!
Thou font of life and fire!
surpassing all the joys we know,
and all we can desire.

May every heart confess Thy name,
and ever Thee adore;
and seeking Thee, itself inflame
to seek Thee more and more.

Thee may our tongues for ever bless;
Thee may we love alone;
and ever in out lives express
the image of Thine own. Amen.

From the Roman Breviary, Translation: Fr. Edward Caswall (1814-1878)

More Christ the King information:

All About Christ the King
Christ the King Prayers (source of above hymn)
Reflections on Christ the King

Photo by Jonathan Bennett taken at Our Lady of Lourdes, Euclid, OH

Well happy belated Martinmas day anyway since it was actually yesterday. Some traditions even believe that Martinmas begins November 11th at 11:11am. The festival of St. Martin marks not only the traditional beginning of winter in some European countries, but also the start of the Christmas season. In this vein, "St. Martin’s summer" is a way of speaking of what Americans call an "Indian summer."

Since it’s also harvest time, the day has been associated with these types of celebrations, which traditionally include goose and wine. Some have considered this festival to be the start of a mini-carnival since Advent is only a few weeks away. The harvest connection has resulted in drawing parallels to Thanksgiving Day and St. Martin’s Day has been viewed as a sort of "Catholic" Thanksgiving.

Now, I love Thanksgiving Day and it’s one of my favorite holidays for the food, family, tradition, etc. However, it is ultimately a holiday that is Puritan in origin. It may not be a bad idea for Americans, especially American Catholics, to recover (or discover) a devotion to St. Martin and the celebrations surrounding his day.

Happy Martinmas!

Sources/more info

Feast of St. Martin (NB: site is a bit on the radtrad side, but doesn’t appear schismatic)
Thanksgiving Glossary (Part II) (about.com)

Photos (an attempt to capture the fall/harvest theme) by Jonathan Bennett

I’ve often thought of those departed individuals who have no one to pray for their souls. It seems like such a tragedy. For some it’s because they’re simply not remembered by anyone. Others aren’t prayed for because the living simply don’t have time to remember. The third group would probably be those whose family members don’t believe in prayers for the dead. Yet, evidence (much of it physical) for this practice occurs in the very early Church. It’s interesting that most of the Protestant reformers continued so many medieval concepts while rejecting one as early as prayers for the dead (the issue of purgatory aside, although the dogma is not as developed as many assume). For example, Tertullian exhorts widows to pray for their husbands and Perpetua prayed for her dead suffering brother. The most interesting is the inscription of Abercius, a 2nd century Christian who had the following inscribed on his tomb: "…Let him who understands and believes this pray for [me]" (source).

Anyway, most of my relatives would fall into the third category. So, I feel a special duty to pray for them. If I (or my brother) don’t pray for their souls, no one will. During November, the month of all souls, I try to say an individual office of the dead for each of my departed friends and relatives at least once. For anyone interested, the office for the dead can be found online here. If this isn’t feasible, the prayer, "Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace" goes a long way.

Image by Jonathan Bennett from Our Lady of Lourdes shrine, Euclid, Ohio

The Carmelites began when Christian monks, following the crusaders, went to the Mt. Carmel of Old Testament fame to become hermits and live a rule of life. However, in 1245 the Muslims recaptured much of the holy land and murdered most of the Carmelites. Those who survived returned to Europe and spread their rule throughout the world. This is where the story of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel begins.

According to tradition, in 1251, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to St. Simon Stock, a Carmelite in England and gave him the brown scapular. It was a symbol of the bond between the Carmelite order and herself. However, the scapular is for all people and represents the protection and security we find in Mary’s heavenly love and intercession.

The scapular is often misunderstood. Many, especially those uneducated about its origins and purpose, regard it as magic or superstitious. However, this is not the case. The scapular is a sacramental and above all a sign. Mary promised at Mt. Carmel that all who die with the scapular will not suffer eternal fire. However, this is understood in light of Catholic teaching that says that one must persevere in faith, hope, and love in order to be saved. The scapular then is a sign of a life in total obedience to Christ through Mary who gave the perfect example.

Sources/More info:
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Shrine (see historical parts of this site)
EWTN
Carmelites

Image from:
St. Charles Borromeo Church Image Gallery (note the scapular in it)

Today is the memorial of St. Maria Goretti in the Church calendar. Although not as famous as many other Saints, her story certainly deserves re-telling. Goretti was a devout Catholic who died for her faith just shy of her 12th birthday. Her 19 year old neighbor, Alessandro Serenelli, was attracted to her, but she spurned his advances. He finally tried to force himself on her, but she resisted, telling him it was a sin. He tried to choke her and in anger eventually stabbed her 14 times. She survived, but the best efforts of the doctors failed to save her and she died two days later, after having forgiven Serenelli personally and asking God to forgive him.

Unrepentant, Serenelli was sentenced to prison for his crime and remained a hardened man. While in prison, he had a vision of Maria where she appeared to him surrounded by lilies, the symbol of purity, some of which she offered him. At that moment he repented and converted to Catholicism. After his release from prison, he became a tertiary Capuchin, and even publicly apologized for his actions in the presence of Maria’s mother and the local parish church. He later testified of her holiness and she was canonized in 1950. Serenelli died in 1970 a changed man, a change which he credited to the intercession of St. Maria Goretti.

Prayer: Oh Saint Maria Goretti who, strengthened by God’s grace, did not hesitate even at the age of twelve to shed your blood and sacrifice life itself to defend your virginal purity, look graciously on the unhappy human race which has strayed far from the path of eternal salvation. Teach us all, and especially youth,with what courage and promptitude we should flee for the love of Jesus anything that could offend Him or stain our souls with sin. Obtain for us from our Lord victory in temptation, comfort in the sorrows of life, and the grace which we earnestly beg of thee (here insert intention), and may we one day enjoy with thee the imperishable glory of Heaven. Amen.

More Info on St. Maria and History/Prayer Source

Image from St. Charles Borromeo Church

Today in the Catholic Church is the feast day of St. Barnabas. We call him Barnabas, but that was not his real name. According to Acts 4, his real name was Joseph. He was given the name Bar-Nabas by the apostles. It means "Son of Encouragement." What a great name, one which certainly reflected a gift from God. It’s easy to be negative, but hard to be genuinely encouraging, even in the Church.

When I look back in my life, I can find so many people who played the role of Barnabas, those who encouraged me to be live my life to its fullest and journey to a closer relationship with the Lord. I can think of a several offhand who have been such a blessing that I can barely put their impact to words. But I’ll try:

My parents are a good start. They have been amazing, especially since I can be a bit trying at times. My brother who has gone on my journey with me. My fiancee who puts up with me and loves me even when I’m annoying or worse. My grandma who loves me even though I don’t visit as much as I should. My former pastors who have always been open to my questions and supported me even if it meant leaving their communities. My current priest/pastor who got me into the Church quickly and has been my confessor and pastor in a way that has richly blessed me. My former professors who patiently led me in a right direction and showed me Wisdom. My numerous internet friends (see blog list for many of them) who have given me wisdom and insight. They may not know it, but some of their words have been just what I needed at times. And my bosses at the schools who call me first to work and have been nothing but great to me. There are more, but this entry has to end somewhere.

I’m not sure of all the customs associated with St. Barnabas Day, but it’s as good as time as any to thank those people who’ve encouraged me in my life. I pray for the grace to give the same encouragement and love to those I meet.

Today is the Memorial of St. Ephrem of Syria, a great hymn writer of
the Eastern Church. In honor of his day, I give you the first 11
stanzas of his Fourth Hymn:

My God, without ceasing, I will tread the threshold of Thy house; I who
have rejected all grace, I will ask with boldness. that I may receive with
confidence. R., Our hope, be thou our Wall!

For if, O Lord, the earth, enriches manifold, a single grain of wheat,
how then shall my prayers, be enriched by Thy grace!

Because of the voices of my children, their sighs and their groans,
open to me the door of Thy mercy! Make glad for their voices, the mourning of
their sackcloth!

O firstborn that wast a weaned child, and wast familiar with the
children, the accurst sons of Nazareth, hearken to my lambs that have seen the
wolves, for lo! they cry.

For a flock, O my Lord, in the field, if so be it has seen the wolves,
flees to the shepherd, and takes refuge under his staff, and he drives away
them that would devour it.

Thy flock has seen the wolves, and lo! it cries loudly. Behold how
terrified it is! Let thy Cross be a staff, to drive out them that would
swallow it up!

Accept the cry of my little ones, that are altogether pure. It was He,
the Infant of days, that could appease, O Lord, the Ancient of days.

The day when the Babe came down, in the midst of the stall, the
Watchers descended and proclaimed, peace–may that peace be, in all my streets
for all my offspring.

Seventy and two old men, the elders of that people, sufficed not for
its breaches. The Babe it was, the Son of Mary, that gave peace on every side.

Have mercy, O Lord, on my children! in my children call to mind Thy
childhood, Thou Who wast a child! Let them that are like Thy childhood, be
saved by Thy grace!

Mingled in the midst of the flock, are the cry of the innocents, and
the voice of the sheep, that call on the Shepherd of all, to deliver them from
all.

Source: New Advent
Image of St. Ephrem believed to be in public domain