October: Awareness Month

This morning while driving to work, I was made aware (by a story of a woman being charged with domestic violence for throwing muffins at her husband) that this month is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. As any follower of football has noticed, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. My priest has told us that October is the Month of the Rosary. Searching in wikipedia also reveals that October is National Pork Month, Fair Trade Month, Dwarfism Awareness, Pregnancy Loss and Infant Loss Awareness, and many others. This is apparently the month for being aware of... well, everything.

I became painfully aware of how fragile these vessels of our spirit are by the news that one of my sister's friends had died today. A letter from Benjamin Franklin to his young stepdaughter after the death of her father sums up what we should be most aware of at all times.

DEAR CHILD, PHILADELPHIA, February 22, 1756.

I condole with you, we have lost a most dear and valuable relation, but it is the will of God and Nature that these mortal bodies be laid aside, when the soul is to enter into real life; 'tis rather an embrio state, a preparation for living; a man is not completely born until he be dead: Why then should we grieve that a new child is born among the immortals? A new member added to their happy society? We are spirits. That bodies should be lent us, while they can afford us pleasure, assist us in acquiring knowledge, or doing good to our fellow creatures, is a kind and benevolent act of God -- when they become unfit for these purposes and afford us pain instead of pleasure -- instead of an aid, become an incumbrance and answer none of the intentions for which they were given, it is equally kind and benevolent that a way is provided by which we may get rid of them. Death is that way. We ourselves prudently choose a partial death. In some cases a mangled painful limb, which cannot be restored, we willingly cut off -- He who plucks out a tooth, parts with it freely since the pain goes with it, and he that quits the whole body, parts at once with all pains and possibilities of pains and diseases it was liable to, or capable of making him suffer.

Our friend and we are invited abroad on a party of pleasure -- that is to last forever -- His chair was first ready and he is gone before us -- we could not all conveniently start together, and why should you and I be grieved at this, since we are soon to follow, and we know where to find him. Adieu,

May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Amen

October 4th: Cher Ami, The Little Pigeon that Could

On October 4th, 1918, the Lost Battalion of the 77th Division was stuck behind enemy lines without ammunition or food. To make matters worse, their own side had started unknowingly to shell their position. This was during World War I and homing pigeons were still being used for communications. The first pigeon was sent back with the message "Many wounded. Cannot evacuate." It was shot down. A second pigeon was sent back with the message "Men are suffering. Can support be sent." It was also shot down. That left one pigeon, Cher Ami (meaning 'dear friend' in French). He was dispatched with the message, "We are along the road parallel 276.4. Our own artillery is dropping a barrage directly on us. For heaven's sake, stop it!"

As the pigeon took off, the Germans immediately saw him and openned fire. The pigeon was shot down, but miraculously managed to retake flight. He arrived back at headquarters, 25 miles, in 25 minutes, saving 194 lives. He was shot through the breast, blinded in one eye, and one leg had to be amputated. He became the hero of the 77th infantry division. When his condition improved, he was seen off by a general back to America. He died a year later from his injuries. He is now on display as part of the "Price of Freedom" exhibit at the Smithsonian (With Sergeant Stubby)

St. Francis Preaches to the Birds

Father Francis and his companions were making a trip through the Spoleto Valley near the town of Bevagna. Suddenly, Francis spotted a great number of birds of all varieties. There were doves, crows and all sorts of birds. Swept up in the moment, Francis left his friends in the road and ran after the birds, who patiently waited for him. He greeted them in his usual way, expecting them to scurry off into the air as he spoke. But they moved not.

Filled with awe, he asked them if they would stay awhile and listen to the Word of God. He said to them: “My brother and sister birds, you should praise your Creator and always love him: He gave you feathers for clothes, wings to fly and all other things that you need. It is God who made you noble among all creatures, making your home in thin, pure air. Without sowing or reaping, you receive God’s guidance and protection.”

At this the birds began to spread their wings, stretch their necks and gaze at Francis, rejoicing and praising God in a wonderful way according to their nature. Francis then walked right through the middle of them, turned around and came back, touching their heads and bodies with his tunic.

Then he gave them his blessing, making the sign of the cross over them. At that they flew off and Francis, rejoicing and giving thanks to God, went on his way.

Later, Francis wondered aloud to his companions why he had never preached to birds before. And from that day on, Francis made it his habit to solicitously invoke all birds, all animals and reptiles to praise and love their Creator. And many times during Francis’ life there were remarkable events of Francis speaking to the animals.

Sep. 21:Death of Nathan Hale, Captain in the American Army

During the war for American Independence, the Battle of Long Island was the first battle after the Declaration of Independence, first battle of the army of America, the largest battle in the whole war, and was won only in that we successfully fled. This is the world in which Nathan Hale gave his one life for our country.

After the evacuation of Long Island, George Washington expressed a desire to Colonel Knowlton that he wished to learn about the British situation, strength, and future movements. This was communicated to a Captain Nathan Hale of Connecticut. Being animated by a sense of duty and considering this an opportunity to serve his country, he at once offered himself as a volunteer for this service. He successfully passed in disguise to Long Island but was apprehended during his return. Once the proof of his object was shown clearly, he openly and frankly expressed his purpose and views. Sir William Howe at once gave the order to have him executed the next morn.

The next morning he asked for a clergyman; he was denied. He asked for a Bible; he was denied. He asked that two letters he had written be delivered to his mother and sister; he was denied and his letters destroyed. "Unknown to all around him, without a single friend to offer him the least consolation, thus fell as amiable and worthy a young man as America could boast, with this as his dying observation, that 'he only lamented that he had but one life to lose for his country.'"

My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.

You only get just one time around
You only get one shot at this
One chance, to find out
The one thing that you don't wanna miss
One day when it's all said and done
I hope you see that it was enough, this
One ride, one try, one life...
To love....

-33miles, One Life to Love

September 14: Triumph of the Holy Cross

When the Sacred Body of Christ was taken down from the Cross, the Cross itself was buried to prevent the the followers of Christ from finding it. In 312, Constantine, not yet a Christian, was doing battle for the throne. He prayed to the Christian God to aid him in his struggle. In answer to his prayers, a cross appeared in the heavens bearing the inscription: "In This Sign You Will Conquer." In gratitude for the victory over his foe, Constantine had the Sign of Christianity placed on the Roman standards and shields.

When the Edict of Milan was issued (granting freedom of worship to

Christians), Constantine's mother, St. Helena, gladly converted. According to tradition, she is credited with finding the true cross in 326. She engineered a dig around its burial place. The wood was declared the true cross when a woman experienced a cure when she touched it. The wood was enshrined in a silver casket and placed within a church on that spot. This event is celebrated on May 3 on the "The Invention of the Cross." (Invention in Latin means 'to come upon, to discover')

In the year 614, the king of Persia, invaded, sacked Jerusalem, and carried off the relics of the True Cross. The Emperor of Constantinople, Heraclius, in response, invaded Persia and forced them to sue for peace. Part of the deal was to restore the True Cross. Heraclius piosuly brought the the relics back to Jerusalem. When he reached the city gate to Calvary, he laid aside every robe and mark of royalty and, wearing only sackcloth, carried the relics back to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher (burial place). These events are celebrated on September 14 in the feast of the Triumph of the Holy Cross.

Let us ever glory in the cross of Christ,
our salvation and our hope.
Let us bow in homage to the Lord of Life,
who was broken to make us whole.
There is no greater love, as blessed as this:
to lay down one's life for a friend.
Let us ever glory in the cross of Christ
and the triumph of God's great love.

Glory in the Cross -Dan Schutte

September 8: Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos

September 8: Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The feast of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated on December 8th. Nine months later (funny how that works out), we celebrate the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on September 8th.

Theotokos is the Greek title for Mary. It means God-bearer or one who gives birth to God. Nativity just means birth. I have to admit I was kinda disappointed there was not more meaning behind it...

When I love I give it all I can

Like my mother does.

When I'm scared I bow my head and pray

Like my mother does.

When I feel weak and un-pretty

I know I am beautiful and strong

Because I see myself

Like my mother does.

Like My Mother Does -Lauren Alaina

Lyrics worth know (Pg. 1)

So... I like music (and by like I mean I could not live without). Here are a bunch of lyrics I think are worth knowing, songs worth hearing. If I don't post which song it is from, google it. If you can't find it, post and ask. I will answer as best I can. If you have any suggestions of lyrics that should be added, let me know.

Chains He shall break for the slave is our brother

Give to your brother if he is in need

Offer up thanks for the gifts you receive

There's treasure in heaven for the generous few

That was the gospel according to Luke

I celebrate the day that you were born to die so I could one day pray for you to save my life.

And by his wounds we are healed

What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus

Sickness and healing are in every heart. Death and deliverance are in every hand.

Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

I have been there

Here I am, Lord send me

This one ride, One try, One life, To love.

I wonder what life would be like if we let Jesus live through you and me

Why are you trying to earn grace?

I don't have a thing that I got on my own
I don't have a care that I carry alone
But I have a God who's carrying me

Everything rides on hope now
Everything rides on faith somehow
When the world has broken me down
Your love sets me free

Yahweh! Ancient of days, Yahweh!

I will sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously
Who is like You, oh Lord, among the celestial
Who is like You, majestic in holiness
In Your love, You lead the people You redeemed
I will sing, I will sing, I will sing

Here I am, Lord send me
All of my life, I make an offering,
Here I am, Lord send me
Somehow my story is a part of Your plan,
Here I am

May 24: Feast of Our Lady, Help of Christians

By the year 1597, the the Litany of Loreto contained the title of Mary "Advocata Christianorum" (Help of Christians). The phrase was used largely after the battle of Lepanto, where a coalition of fleets which formed the "Holy League" defeated the main Ottoman fleet which was sailing from Lepanto, Greece. The defeat of the Turks was attributed to Divine Will (as the Ottomans had not lost a major naval battle for a century).

The Feast day of Our Lady, Help of Christians did not come until 1816. On July 5, 1808, Napoleon Bonaparte had Pope Pius VII arrested and taken to a prison outside Paris. It was not until 1814 (after the battle of Leipzig) that he was released. On March 17, he was set free in Savona, Italy, on the eve of the feast of Our Lady of Mercy. The pontiff attributed this victory to Our Lady and on his march back to Rome, he entered every sanctuary to Our Mother and crown her images. People crowded the streets to catch a glimpse of the pontiff who had stood up to Napoleon himself. He re-entered Rome on May 24th and assigned that day as the Feast of Our Lady, Help of Chrstians.

-Litany of Loreto

V. Lord, have mercy.
R. Christ have mercy.
V. Lord have mercy. Christ hear us.
R. Christ graciously hear us.
God the Father of heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, pray for us.
Holy Mother of God, pray for us.
Holy Virgin of Virgins, [etc.]
Mother of Christ,
Mother of divine grace,
Mother most pure,
Mother most chaste,
Mother inviolate,
Mother undefiled,
Mother most amiable,
Mother most admirable,
Mother of good Counsel,
Mother of our Creator,
Mother of our Savior,
Virgin most prudent,
Virgin most venerable,
Virgin most renowned,
Virgin most powerful,
Virgin most merciful,
Virgin most faithful,
Mirror of justice,
Seat of wisdom,
Cause of our joy,
Spiritual vessel,
Vessel of honor,
Singular vessel of devotion,
Mystical rose,
Tower of David,
Tower of ivory,
House of gold,
Ark of the covenant,
Gate of heaven,
Morning star,
Health of the sick,
Refuge of sinners,
Comforter of the afflicted,
Help of Christians,
Queen of Angels,
Queen of Patriarchs,
Queen of Prophets,
Queen of Apostles,
Queen of Martyrs,
Queen of Confessors,
Queen of Virgins,
Queen of all Saints,
Queen conceived without original sin,
Queen assumed into heaven,
Queen of the most holy Rosary,
Queen of families,
Queen of peace,

V. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
R. Spare us, O Lord.
V. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
R. Graciously hear us, O Lord.
V. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray. Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord God, that we thy servants may enjoy perpetual health of mind and body, and by the glorious intercession of blessed Mary, ever Virgin, may we be freed from present sorrow, and rejoice in eternal happiness. Through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.

May 9: Workman Pizza Day

An excerpt from Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card.

A great rabbi stands teaching in the marketplace. It happens that a husband has found proof that morning of his wife's adultery, and a mob carries her to the marketplace to stone her to death. (There is a familiar version of this story, but a friend of mine, a speaker of the dead, has told me of two other rabbis that faced the same situation. Those are the one's I'm going to tell you.)

The rabbi walks forward and stands beside the woman. Out of respect for him the mob forbears, and waits with the stones heavy in their hands. "Is there anyone here," he says to them, "who has not desired another man's wife, another woman's husband?"

They murmur and say, "We all know the desire. But, Rabbi, none of us has acted on it."

The rabbi says, "Then kneel down and give thanks that God made you strong." He takes the woman by the hand and leads her out of the market. Just before he lets her go, he whispers to her, "Tell the lord magistrate who saved his mistress. Then he'll know I am his loyal servant."

So the woman lives, because the community is too corrupt to protect itself from disorder.

Another rabbi, another city. He goes to her and stops the mob, as in the other story, and says, "Which of you is without sin? Let him cast the first stone."

The people are abashed, and they forget their unity of purpose in the memory of their own individual sins. Someday, they think, I may be like this woman, and I'll hope for forgiveness and another chance. I should treat her the way I wish to be treated.

As they open their hands and let the stones fall to the ground, the rabbi picks up one of the fallen stones, lifts it high over the woman's head, and throws it straight down with all his might. It crushes her skull and dashes her brains onto the cobblestones.

"Nor am I without sin," he says to the people. "But if we allow only perfect people to enforce the law, the law will soon be dead, and our city with it."

So the woman died because her community was too rigid to endure her deviance.

The famous version of this story is noteworthy because it is so startling rare in our experience. Most communities lurch between decay and rigor mortis, and when they veer too far, they die. Only one rabbi dared to expect of us such a perfect balance that we could preserve the law and still forgive the deviation. So, of course, they kill him.

Philip Workman was a death row inmate executed on May 9th, 2007. What he did is not important. It is a custom to allow a death row inmate a last meal of whatever they wished right before their execution. As his last meal, he asked that a pizza be given to a homeless person. The prison officials denied his request and he died on schedule. Afterwards, when word got out about his last request, thousands of dollars worth of pizza were donated to homeless shelters.

For a greater respect for all human life, from conception to natural death, we pray to the Lord.

May 1st: Feast of St. Joseph the Worker

Apparently in response to the "May Day" celebrations for workers sponsored by Communists, Pius XII instituted the feast of St. Joseph the Worker in 1955. But the relationship between Joseph and the cause of workers has a much longer history.

In a constantly necessary effort to keep Jesus from being removed from ordinary human life, the Church has from the beginning proudly emphasized that Jesus was a carpenter, obviously trained by Joseph in both the satisfactions and the drudgery of that vocation. Humanity is like God not only in thinking and loving, but also in creating. Whether we make a table or a cathedral, we are called to bear fruit with our hands and mind, ultimately for the building up of the Body of Christ.

Joseph, by the work of your hands
and the sweat of your brow,
you supported Jesus and Mary,
and had the Son of God as your fellow worker.

Teach me to work as you did,
with patience and perseverance, for God and
for those whom God has given me to support.
Teach me to see in my fellow workers
the Christ who desires to be in them,
that I may always be charitable and forbearing
towards all.

Grant me to look upon work
with the eyes of faith,
so that I shall recognize in it
my share in God’s own creative activity
and in Christ’s work of our redemption,
and so take pride in it.

When it is pleasant and productive,
remind me to give thanks to God for it.
And when it is burdensome,
teach me to offer it to God,
in reparation for my sins
and the sins of the world.

April 19: Oklahoma City Bombing

The second largest act of terrorism on American soil (the largest at the time), the Oklahoma City Bombing was carried out by militia movement sympathizers on April 19, 1995. The target was the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. The attack killed 168 people (including 6 children), injured 680 people, and caused at least $652 million dollars in damage. The explosion destroyed or damaged 324 buildings and measured a 3.0 on the Richter scale. It was heard and felt 55 miles away.

A memorial now takes the space where the

explosion took place. In the parking lot across

from the Murrah Building, there was a lone

American elm tree. In the explosion, it was badly damaged and initially it was not thought to have survived. However, a year later, it began to bloom. It is now known as the Survivor Tree and is one of the main features of the memorial. Around the base of the tree are the words, "The spirit of this city and this nation will not be defeated; our deeply rooted faith sustains us."

This links to a video by Garth Brooks called The Change.

This heart
Still believes
The love and mercy still exist
While all the hatred rage and so many say
That love is all but pointless in madness such as this
It's like trying to stop a fire
With the moisture from a kiss

And I hear them saying you'll never change things
And no matter what you do it's still the same thing
But it's not the world that I am changing
I do this so this world will know
That it will not change me

April 14: Assassination of Abraham Lincoln

On April 14, 1865, with the war winding down in the North's favor, a plan was carried out to to give vitality to the South's resolve. A conspiracy planned to kill the President, Vice President, and the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State was only wounded, the Vice President's would be assassin chickened out, but John Wilkes Booth, a well known actor at the time, carried out his part successfully.

"In the end, its not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years."

"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation, so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate, we can not consecrate, we can not hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

April 13: Apollo 13 Explosion

"It was the thirteenth scheduled lunar space exploration mission, scheduled for liftoff at the thirteenth minute after the thirteenth hour. The Lunar landing was scheduled for the thirteenth day of the month. All it lacked was a Friday to be a paraskevidekatriaphobe’s worst nightmare. Unfortunately, no one at NASA was superstitious. "

On April 13, 1970, two days after launch, the idyllic words, "Houston, we've had a problem" were said.

The astronauts were instructed to stir their hydrogen and oxygen tanks. 98 seconds later, a loud bang was heard accompanied by fluctuations in power. Damaged shielding of the wires in the fan had caused a short circuit which lit the shielding material on fire. This fire increased the pressure in the oxygen tank, causing it to rupture. Facing limited water and power, carbon dioxide build up, and freezing temperatures, the astronauts survived only through ingenuity, perseverance, and faith, both in themselves as well as those on the ground.

In the end, NASA called the mission a "successful failure."

You feel like a candle in a hurricane
Just like a picture with a broken frame
Alone and helpless
Like you've lost your fight
But you'll be alright, you'll be alright

Cause when push comes to shove
You taste what you're made of
You might bend, till you break
Cause its all you can take
On your knees you look up
Decide you've had enough
You get mad you get strong
Wipe your hands shake it off
Then you Stand, Then you stand

-Stand, Rascal Flatts

April 12: Cosmonautics Day

On April 12, 1961, 27 year old Yuri Gagarin became the first man in space. Celebrated in Russia and other nations, this holiday commemorates his 1 hour 48 minute flight aboard a Vostok (meaning east [no clue why. Anyone have any idea?]) 1 spacecraft.

The image is a 1965 postage stamp commemorating Costmonautics Day.

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, — and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of — wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air. . . .

Up, up the long, delirious burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or ever eagle flew —
And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

— John Gillespie Magee, Jr

April 11: Juan Santamaria Day

Juan Santamaria Day is a national holiday celebrated in Costa Rica. In the mid-19th century, a number of Americans attempted to foment insurrections in Latin American countries, which was known as filibustering. One more successful attempt overthrew the government of Nicaragua and attempted to take over surrounding nations.

In 1856, Costa Rica was being invaded. The president called upon the general population to take up arms; Juan Santamaria answered the call. The illegitimate son of a single mother, he joined as a drummer. On April 8, the Second Battle of Rivas began. By April 11, the battle was still at a standstill, with the invaders having taken residence in a hostel near the center of town.

The general suggested that a single man attempt to light the hostel on fire. After several failed attempts, Juan Santamaria took up the torch; he first made the others promise to take care of his mother if he should die. He was mortally wounded, but before dying, he lit the hostel on fire, which turned the tide of the battle.

Now I lay in my grave at age 21
Long before you were born
Before I bore a son
What good did it do?
Well hopefully for you
A world without war
A life full of color

-War Was In Color, Carbon Leaf

April 8: Funeral of Pope John Paul II

The largest gathering of heads of state, the one of the most watched events in history, and one of the largest gatherings of Christianity ever, the funeral of Pope John Paul II was unprecedented in many ways (as was his whole life):

• The Ecumenical Patriarch attended in the honorary first seat in the sector reserved for delegations from churches not in full communion with Rome; this was the first time an Ecumenical Patriarch attended a papal funeral since the Great Schism.
• The Archbishop of Canterbury was present at a papal funeral for the first time since the Church of England broke with the papacy in the 16th century.
• Breaking with tradition for the sacred prayer, the names of the Saints canonised by Pope John Paul II, such as Faustina Kowalska and Josemaria Escriva, were allowed to be included in the litany.
• The 14 April novemdiales Mass (9 days of masses of mourning) at St. Peter's Basilica replaced traditional hymns and prayers with those of the Maronite Rite, one of the Eastern Catholic Churches. It was the first time a cardinal patriarch of an Eastern Catholic Church offered a novemdiales Mass, in his own rite, for a pope.

Pope John Paul II is set to be beatified on 1 May 2011 (May being the month of Mary).

Giovanni Paulo! Giovanni Paulo!

There was a boy, he came from Poland
He had a mother and a father and
a brother; they all loved him.
They named him Karol.
When he played futbol, he was the goalie.
He would grow up to be strong and to be holy.

Every day he would watch his daddy pray;
the biggest lesson he would learn to
keep him walkin' on the way.
The death of his mother, soon to be
followed by his brother, tore a hole
in his soul to be mended by another.

But the pain would increase when
his father would decease;
loneliest days to be endured
by this future priest.
The beast would have a feast
with all the anger and rage,
but Karol took it deeper
with his love for the stage.

Frustration with Nazi occupation
can't mess with the destiny
of this man's vocation.
They put him on the blacklist,
but he still practiced gift and mystery, breakin' history.

Walls comin' down, it's profound, stick around,
'cause pound for pound, the victory's
loomin' large as a way to live in resistance
with persistence let me give you a for instance:

He went underground, but he was never found.
They tried to kill him with a truck, had no luck.
With a wound to the head, left him lyin' for dead.
Ain't no gain without pain,
let's take it back to the refrain...

You can only know this man from within
so lets begin with the Virgin on a
maximum level contendin' with the devil.
Things just ain't what they seem;
ask the communist regime?
know what I mean?

Yo, that's why we be singin' the Hail! Holy Queen.
His priestly formation for your information
raises up a new kind of culture confrontation.
The judgment, eh, hist'ry will confound explanation.

He will do a new thing with the Papal ring,
He will bring the power of the keys;
Please don't miss this, the forgiveness of
his killer in prison, this is the vision.
Giovanni Paulo, John Paul II,
Giovanni Paulo, we love you!

-Giovanni Paolo, Tom Booth and Fr. Stan Fortuna (with help from Matt Maher)

April 6: Rwandan Genocide Begins

On April 6th 1993, the airplane carrying the Hutu President was shot down. 100 days later, atleast 800,000 people had been killed.

Let’s say were sorry, before it’s too late, give forgiveness a chance. Turn the anger into water; let it slip through our hands. We all bleed red, we all taste rain, all fall down, lose our way;  We all say words we regret, we all cry tears, we all bleed red.

-Bleed Red, Ronnie Dunn

April 4: St. Issy Day!

Happy Feast of St. Isidore of Seville! This saint is known as "the last scholar of the ancient world." For hundreds of years after his death, the histories written were based on all his works; he wrote a dictionary, encyclopedia, and a couple of histories of man and the church. A doctor of the church, after succeeding his bother (St. Leander) as bishop of Seville, he fought the Arian heresy and unified the Christians of Spain.

He is a proposed patron saint of the internet. He is much needed in today's world where things are so easy to find online, better or for worse.

Almighty and eternal God,
who created us in Thy image

and bade us to seek after all that is good,
true and beautiful,
especially in the divine person of Thy only-begotten Son,
our Lord Jesus Christ,

Grant we beseech Thee that,
through the intercession of Saint Isidore,
bishop and doctor,
during our journeys through the internet

we will direct our hands and eyes only to that which is pleasing to Thee
and treat with charity and patience all those souls whom we encounter.
Through Christ our Lord.

Amen

(PS: But most importantly, he is my Confirmation Saint.)

March 24: Oscar Romero is assasinated

Oscar Romero was a martyr of the church. He spoke out against all that was evil in his country. His friend was shot as a message to back down, but he never did. He excommunicated the murders. He cancelled all masses except for one in front of the cathedral. He spoke the truth no matter what the cost to himself.

In 1978, he was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize (it was given that year to Mother Teresa). He was given an honorary Doctorate from Louvain University in Belgium.

The day before his death, he he called out, in his sermon, to all soldiers, as children of God, to stop carrying out the government's acts of oppression.

On March 24th, 1980, while raising the chalice at the end of the Eucharistic rite, his blood joined that of his brother Jesus on the altar of heaven. Even in death, he was opposed by those who love darkness over light. His funeral was marked with gunfire and a smoke bomb. Of the 250,000 that attended his funeral, forty people lost their lives

Romero is not only honored in Catholicism but also in other Christian denominations. The picture above shows statues at Westminster Abbey. There Romero stands next to Martin Luther King as one of the 20th century's most important martyrs.

A church that suffers no persecution but enjoys the privileges and support of the things of the earth - beware! - is not the true church of Jesus Christ. A preaching that does not point out sin is not the preaching of the gospel. A preaching that makes sinners feel good, so that they are secured in their sinful state, betrays the gospel's call.

-Oscar Romero

March 23: Give me liberty...

It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace-- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

-Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775

March 22: World Day for Water

So, water has been a big thing lately at the young adult group where I go to mass. Last Sunday, they had a Walk to Water to raise funds for countries with insufficient water purification. And just last night, it was mentioned that they are trying to get a group together to go down to South America and help build wells in impoverished areas. So I found it fitting that today, March 22, is the World Day for Water.

Started in 1993, the UN devotes this day towards promoting water. Clean water, safe water, running water. This years motto is , "World Water Day. Water for cities: responding to the urban challenge".

The patron saint of running water is St. John Nepomucene of Bohemia. There are a couple of differing accounts of his death, and they are not sure which is true or if there were two Johns from the same area and era. But they have one thing in common (and thus being the patron saint of water): they/he was made a martyr through drowning. (They are pretty sure the first is true bur are unsure if the second was the same man or a different person or not true all together.)

One account says Bad King Wenceslaus IV (about 400 years after Good King Wenceslaus), wanted to appoint the new abbot once the old one died. Once the old abbot died, however, the monks convened and elected a new abbot and John approved him without first consulting the king, knowing full well the king's plans. The king, furious with those meddling friars (which reminds me of a funny joke; see bottom of this article), had a bunch of the religious involved imprisoned and some tortured. John Nepomucene never gave into the king and eventually he was placed in chains and thrown off a bridge. The other account says that St. John N. was Bad King Wenceslaus' wife's confessor and he would not reveal her confessions to him, so the king had him drowned. He is the patron saint of Bohemia and protector from floods. His feast day is May 16.

There is a supernatural power in this mighty river's flow
It can bring the dead to life, and it can fill an empty soul
And give a heart the only thing worth livin' and worth dyin' for, yeah
But we will never know the awesome power of the grace of God
Until we let ourselves get swept away into this holy flood
So if you'll take my hand, we'll close our eyes and count to three
And take the leap of faith
Come on let's go

I'm diving in
I'm going deep
In over my head I wanna be
Caught in the rush
Lost in the flow
In over my head I wanna go
The river's deep
The river's wide
The river's water is alive
So sink or swim
I'm diving in
I'm diving in

-Dive, Steven Curtis Chapman

Florist Friars Joke

Interesting 'comic' about radiation by XKCD

Its down there

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\|/

really, it is...

moved it down so my informacion on the side would not get in the way.

March 21: Papier-mâché Tiara

The Papal Tiara is the crown of the papacy. For over a millennium, all popes were crowned with a tiara. Until Pope Benedict XVI, the tiara was prominently placed on the papal coat of arms. Pope Benedict has replaced the tiara with a traditional bishops mitre.

The papier-mâché tiara is a papal tiara that was made in exile for Pope Pius VII's papal coronation in a church in Venice. In 1798, Pope Pius's predecessor Pope Pius VI had been forced into exile when French troops invaded the Vatican and stole or destroyed all the ancient papal tiaras owned by the Holy See. When the ill Pius VI died in exile, the College of Cardinals elected Giorgio Barnaba Luigi Chiaramonti to the papacy.

A coronation was arranged for the new pope in a church in the cramped Benedictine monastery of San Giorgio on 21 March 1800. However, the church lacked a papal tiara with which to crown him. At short notice, a temporary tiara was manufactured using papier-mâché, and local aristocratic ladies donated their private jewels to decorate the new temporary crown.

A new silver papal tiara to replace the destroyed ones was only manufactured in 1820, but the papier-mâché tiara continued in usage for decades afterwards, its lightweight design making it a comfortable alternative to the heavier silver alternative for popes as they aged. It was finally officially retired from usage in 1845, when a new lightweight tiara was manufactured for Pope Gregory XVI. Contemporary reports suggested that Pope Gregory viewed it as demeaning that the Vicar of Christ should be seen wearing a crown made not from gold or silver but from mere crushed paper.

Interesting article on Pope Benedict XVI coat of arms (with mitre hat): Coat of arms

So come lose your life for a carpenter's son

For a madman who died for a dream
And You'll have the faith His first followers had
And you'll feel the weight of the beam
So surrender the hunger to say you must know
Find the courage to say I believe
For the power of paradox opens your eyes
And blinds those who say they can see

We in our foolishness thought we were wise
He played the fool and He opened our eyes
We in our weakness believed we were strong
He became helpless to show we were wrong
So we follow God's own Fool
For only the foolish can tell
Believe the unbelievable, come be a fool as well

-God's Own Fool, Michael Card

March 18: Who am I / I am

You might be hearing this line at some point soon... like maybe a Sunday... maybe during the second reading... ;)

"... who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not in virtue of our works but in virtue of his own design and the grace he gave us in Christ Jesus ages ago..." -2 Timothy 1:9

I am, Mark Schultz

I am the One who walked on water
I am the One who calmed the seas
I am the miracles and wonders
So come and see
And follow me
You will know

Chorus:
I am the fount of living water
The risen Son of man
The healer of the broken
And when you cry
I am your savior and redeemer

Who bore the sins of man Lord,
The author and perfecter
Beginning and the end
I am

Who am I, Casting Crowns

Not because of who I am

But because of what You've done

Not because of what I've done

But because of who You are

Chorus:

I am a flower quickly fading

Here today and gone tomorrow

A wave tossed in the ocean

A vapor in the wind

Still You hear me when I'm calling

You catch me when I'm falling

And You've told me who I am

I am Yours, I am Yours

(Also, not much happened on March 18th... nothing I really felt like writing about. Any thoughts?)

March 17: St. Patrick's Day (Wear Green!)

March 17: International Wear Green Day

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Make sure to wear green or else..

Maewyn, born around 415 AD, he was captured by marauders around his 16th birthday and sold into slavery in Ireland. For 6 years he tended his master's sheep before escaping to France. In his Confessio, St. Patrick recounts how God directed him to the ship and helped him receive passage out of Ireland. Once in France, he joined a monastery and changed his name to Patrick (meaning 'father-figure', which is where we get patron and patriarch). When he completed his studies, he asked to return to Ireland and convert the peoples there. He was assigned as bishop of the area and set out to convert the pagans. I am sure you can guess how that went...

St. Patrick is well known for his shamrock analogy for the trinity (3 separate leaves, but still one plant) as well as his prayer of, "Christ beside me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ within me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me."

Let us pray:

Almighty God, who in your providence chose your servant Patrick to be the apostle of the Irish people, to bring those who were wandering in darkness and error to the true light and knowledge of you: Grant us so to walk in that light, that we may come at last to the light of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and ever.

Heartland, Celtic Thunder

When the storm is raging,
And thunder rolls,
Deliver us from the ocean
Save our souls.

A thiarna dean tracaire [Irish for "Lord have Mercy"]
A chriost dean trocaire [Irish for "Christ have Mercy"]
A thiarna dean trocaire
A chriost dean trocaire

When the winds are howling
Vigil keep
Shelter us and save us from the deep

A thiarna dean tracaire
A chriost dean trocaire
A thiarna dean trocaire
A chriost dean trocaire

Thank you Lord you have brought us safe to shore
Be our strength and protection evermore.

A thiarna dean tracaire
A chriost dean trocaire
A thiarna dean trocaire
A chriost dean trocaire

Dean Trocaire
Dean trocaire
A thiarna

A thiarna dean tracaire
A chriost dean trocaire
A thiarna dean trocaire
A chriost dean trocaire

A thiarna dean tracaire
A chriost dean trocaire
A thiarna dean trocaire
A chriost dean trocaire