The Wearin' of the Green

Happy St. Patrick's Day! La feile Padraig shona duit!

Yet again, I'm sharing a picture from St. Patrick's Cathedral in Armagh. I just love this image. He is often depicted in Ireland in red...I wonder why. Maybe it shows his royalty, or his closeness to the Savior, who is often shown in that color. When we wear green today, we show our Catholicism and our connection to the shamrock and the Trinity. Protestants who want to protest wear orange today!

I'm reminiscing today about the special sites and things that I've visited, relating to this great saint. I've seen his grave, his bell, a well with an old cross where he baptized many, the place where he lit the Easter fire to launch his mission in Ireland, the place where he fasted for 40 days for the people of Ireland, and I'm sure I'm forgetting something.

Of course the kids watched the CCC movie of St. Patrick, which also reminds me - I've seen that bell, and I've been to Slane! Buiochas le Dia! (Thanks be to God)

I also spent some time browsing this fascinating old book!

May St. Patrick bless all who read this, and make us strong in the Faith like he was!

Fit for the Work

As the fasting is upon us for this beautiful season of Lent, it seems like food and fitness are not far out of my consciousness. I loved this quote that a friend shared from St. Philip Neri:

"Cast yourself with confidence into the arms of God; and be very sure of this: that if He wants anything of you He will fit you for your work and give you the strength to do it."

He will fit us for whatever work He has for us, and will give us the strength to do it. O Lord, give me the strength to make an excellent Lent, and make me fit to fulfill Thy Will in all things, especially as a wife and mother.

This photo shows the Brompton Oratory in London, founded by St. Philip Neri's Congregation. There are some amazing frescoes of the saint in this building. It's a little piece of Rome right in the middle of Knightsbridge.

Last night, I had my Rome pictures out because my teen is writing a paper on Rome. *sigh* What an amazing place!

A Week from Tomorrow!

It's hard to believe that Lent begins a week from tomorrow! Doesn't it feel as if we haven't even gotten used to writing "2011"?

I received a letter from a modern organization the other day, and it gave me some good ideas for a pre-Lent meditation. With some changes, here it is:

"My dearest child," Our Lady says to us. "Please do not fear these next forty days. During this time, my Son will give you His greatest gift. He will show us, through His sufferings, His sacrifice and death, how much He loves you, and how much He wants your sanctification."

She further advises us, "Please embrace this time of sacrifice as your own. Behold the true power of Faith, Charity and Sacrifice. Never forget, my dearest child, that I am here to hold you in my arms, just as I held my Son when He was taken down from the Cross."

Just as St. John lay his head on the Savior in this stained-glass window from St. Patrick's Cathedral in Armagh, Ireland, let us rest in Jesus and His Most Holy Mother as we make this Lent the holiest we've ever had!