Our Mother of Sorrows

(I was blessed to help compile this book, available from Leonine Press)

Today is one of the two feasts of Our Lady of Sorrows in the year. On this day, we compassionate her in her sorrow before and during the Passion of Her Divine Son.

We attended a funeral on Monday, and the priest reminded us of how we can turn to this Mother for comfort in our afflictions. She knows; she suffered too. A friend of mine used to ask Our Lady to give her a hug, and she always felt consoled afterward.

Here are some words of solace for us in our trials and tribulations, both spiritual and temporal:

"Still, however bitter are these things, O suffering soul, be of good heart and keep thy soul in peace. For in the midst of thy bitterest trials, Christ, the elect of thy heart, chosen out of thousands, the door being shut, -- that is, all the powers of thy soul being as it were shut in by thy trials -- Christ Himself, I say, knows how to enter and to pour into thy spirit a certain new sweetness which thou hast never yet tasted." 

~ Louis de Blois, "Comfort for the Faint-Hearted" imprimatur 1902.  

50 Years Ago Today....

(Photo by Stephanie McGuire, taken 22 years ago on my first trip to Ireland. I'm holding the miraculous Infant Jesus statue that belonged to Little Nellie of Holy God. To read about her, click here: Library : Modern Day Saint — Nellie Organ | Catholic Culture.)

Today is a landmark birthday for me...I've lived half a century. Half a century! It doesn't seem possible. 

As I contemplate this, I'm grateful for so much in my life. I thank God for my Catholic Faith, and my family and other loved ones. What are some of my other favorite things?

"Raindrops on roses, and whiskers on kittens...." ~ Wait, stop, Julie Andrews. I've got this. My favorite things, not yours. (I have often thought, however, that Raindrops on Roses would be my choice for the name of a tea room.)

My Favorite Things on my 50th Birthday

Tea Rooms and Tea Parties and Tea with friends - warm, steaming scones with real Devonshire cream and a touch of Irish berry jam.

Ireland - Irish air that makes my hair soft and wavy, Irish music that makes my feet itch to dance, Irish scenery that rejoices my heart, Irish stew that warms my insides, Irish Faith and History - finding shrines and castles around every corner!

Irish Tea, especially Barry's Gold, Bewley's Gold and Lyon's Gold. Ha! And it's my "golden anniversary" of being born!

Travel, particularly to Europe - immersing myself in their history and culture. I'm happiest when I'm mistaken for a local, like when I was asked for directions in Cashel, Co. Tipperary.

Sister-Friends: you all know who you are. I'm so thankful for each and every one of you!

Smiling, and bringing a smile to others' faces.

Laughing, and watching laughter bubble up in others.

Encouraging others; lifting them up and helping them find hope and inspiration.

Reading, especially clean mysteries, books that transport me to another time and place, stories with strong characters, books about the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the lives of the Saints.

Cozy places - like window seats, and secret rooms that open behind bookshelves, and sofas with pillows and soft throws.

Writing - travel journals, blogs, mysteries, inspirational nonfiction, stories of the Saints.

Browsing bookstores....especially in House of Books in Ballybofey, Co. Donegal or John Bevan's Books on the Welsh/English border. 

The list could go on...but it's been fun to think of some of the many things that I enjoy and that I'm thankful for these 50 years....

If you read this, I hope you'll say a prayer for me today, that I may fulfill God's Plan for me, that I may do His work, that He may work through me, in my own soul, my husband, my children, and everyone with whom I come in contact. 

I want to share the Light.

We are Members of His Body

 (Photo by Ron McGuire) Taken in Drogheda, Ireland

We are each part of the Mystical Body of Christ. He is our Head, we are the "members". What about those that we love who are straying from the path of righteousness? Are they still part of the Mystical Body of Christ?

The Sacred Heart of Jesus, in His Love, has addressed this question, in a conversation with Saint Gertrude the Great. This vision of hers may bring us encouragement and consolation as we pray for those we love:

"One day, as St. Gertrude was praying for some miscreants who had caused great harm to her monastery, Our Lord appeared to her. His Arm was painfully bent and distorted, and the sinews appeared quite broken. He said to her: 'Those who pray for the conversion of those unfortunate men pour a soothing balm upon My Suffering Arm, and with a delicate hand bring back little by little the muscles to their proper place.'... 

"'Most sweet Lord, how can you call such men Your Arm, unworthy as they are of such an honor?' 

"'I call them so in truth, because they are members of the Body of that Church of which I glory to be the Head. Therefore, the state of their souls causes Me unspeakable anxiety. My Heart has an intense desire for their conversion.'" 

~ Very Rev. Andre Prevot, "Love, Peace and Joy: Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus according to St. Gertrude", imprimatur 1911.

Picture of the Annunciation hanging in St. John Vianney's house

Happy Feast of the Annunciation! When we visited the home of St. John Vianney, the Cure of Ars, in France, this painting was covered with protective glass. I know that this picture that belonged to the patron saint of parish priests is significant, but I don't know why. Do you know? If so, please post in the comments below!

In the meantime, here are some words from the Cure of Ars to inspire us:

"The pure soul is a beautiful rose, and the Three Divine Persons descend from Heaven to inhale its fragrance." ~ St. John Vianney

Is Lent over yet?

 

Annecy, the hometown of St. Francis de Sales

I took this photo in 2015, and when I look at it, it makes me so happy. The town has changed so little that from the days that St. Francis de Sales walked its streets and crossed its canals.

He is one of my favorite saints, and the subject of the first chapter of my book. St. Francis de Sales first met his friend and spiritual daughter St. Jane de Chantal when she came to hear him preach at Dijon during Lent. In those days before the internet or even tape recorders, the faithful came in person to hear great prelates preach.

We only have two and a half more weeks of Lent! Let us garner some inspiration from a letter of St. Francis today:

"Lent is the autumn of the spiritual life, during which we gather fruit to keep us going for the rest of the year. Enrich yourselves with these treasures, which nobody can take away from you and which cannot be destroyed. I am accustomed to say that we will not spend Lent well unless we are determined to make the most of it. Let us, therefore, spend this Lent as if it were our last, and we will make it well." 

St. Joseph and St. Patrick

 Lough Derg again

March 19th is traditionally the feast of St. Joseph, although it is bumped to Monday this year because of the Fourth Sunday of Lent. Here you see a quiet place on Lough Derg, to pray and think about these two mighty saints - Saint Patrick and Saint Joseph.

In my book, I propose that Saint Joseph may have been phlegmatic in temperament because we never hear a single word from him in Scripture. He is quiet, hardworking, and doesn't act impulsively. Saint Patrick, on the other hand, is vocal and a man of action. These two men, with contrasting temperaments, show us an example of alternate paths to God. Every temperament is made to help us return to God, from Whom we came. 

Years ago, a dear sanguine priest named Fr. Paul Wickens threw celebrations at his church (St. Anthony's in New Jersey) for St. Patrick's and St. Joseph's Day. I remember visiting there one Sunday, and he announced that there would be Irish soda bread and cannolis to celebrate the two saints, for his predominantly Irish and Italian congregation. To this day, I chuckle over the idea of using cannolis to honor St. Joseph! So whether you are celebrating with Irish soda bread, cannolis, or some other refreshment, have a happy feast day! Here is some St. Joseph inspiration for us:

"The joy of the Blessed Virgin in thus finding her beloved Son (after three days' loss in Jerusalem), whom she had mourned as lost, has often been a subject of devout meditation. In this joy Saint Joseph shared in an eminent degree; for if he had shared her grief, 'thy father and I have sought Thee sorrowing,' how can we but believe that He who will wipe away the tear from every eye, deluged the soul of His foster-father with an ocean of consolation and joy?"

"Happy we if we never rest when we have lost Jesus by our sins, till we find Him, and taste the joy which His presence will afford, here and hereafter." ~ Fr. Joseph Ignatius Vallejo, SJ. The Life of St. Joseph, Most Worthy Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and Foster-father of Jesus. Copyright 1884.

St. Patrick, the Penitential Pilgrim

Lough Derg (Photo Credit: Amy Gilmor)

Now that I've added the "search" and "follow" feature to this blog, you can search "Patrick" and find all my St. Patrick posts over the years! I've shared many travel pictures and memories of St. Patrick. And here's the new one for today:

"Lough Derg" is better known as St. Patrick's Purgatory. Pilgrims have been coming to this distant, uncommercialized island in County Donegal for prayer and penance since the days that the fifth century St. Patrick visited.

"We are told how St. Patrick removed from the distractions of the world into that gloomy cave [on the Island]; and there prayed that the pains of Purgatory might be revealed to him. His request was granted. St. Patrick was so much awed by this vision, that he departed from the cave, and ordered that henceforth the island should be made a terrestrial purgatory, where sinners could atone for their sins by prayer and fasting." ~ Rev. D. Cannon O'Connor, P.P., St. Patrick's Purgatory, Lough Derg. Its History, Traditions, Legends, Antiquities, Topography, and Scenic Surroundings. 1903 edition.

To this day, pilgrims retreat there for three days of austere fasting - one bare, simple meal each day - and long prayerful vigils through the night, while visiting "stations" of the saints barefoot. Alice Curtayne, in her book Lough Derg: St. Patrick's Purgatory - that I bought secondhand at "House of Books" in County Donegal - calls the customs "native, sternly realistic, purely spiritual." Much like St. Patrick himself!

The picture above, taken as I stood next to the photographer, shows a statue of St. Patrick as a pilgrim, with "St. Patrick's Purgatory" in the background. We visited one day when there was no retreat going on, and staff were having a conference.

Lent, as we know, is a time of penance, and how fitting that St. Patrick's Day comes during this time! He, as the Irish would say, "was a great one for penance". 

Sometimes, though, we experience sufferings in our lives that we did not choose ourselves, as penance. These penances are actually the ones most beneficial to our souls, if we accept them with love. Here is our inspirational quote for today:

"A great cross is, very often, the prelude to a great grace, even for an unbeliever. Suffering ripens the soul, sometimes very quickly. A great trial can, with one stroke, detach a soul from all that is created; it can be the source of a total conversion." 

~ Father Jean C.J. D'Elbee

"Persevere!"

Inch Abbey, Downpatrick, Northern Ireland

My heart has been taking me back to Ireland in this month of St. Patrick. This is a memory from the ruins of Inch Abbey, near the grave of Saints Patrick and Brigid in Downpatrick. You take a quiet little walk into the countryside to see the ruins. 

Anyone who travels to Ireland can't help but notice the ruined churches and abbeys, attacked by those who were trying to rob the Irish of their Faith. But the Irish persevered. They hung on through persecution and conquests of every kind, always refusing to give up their greatest treasure - their Holy Catholic Faith.

Last Sunday, we celebrated the feast of St. Gregory the Great. He offers us this reflection about St. Mary Magdalene and her example of perseverance. It reminds me of a good priest I know, who always says at the end of Confession, "Persevere!"

St. Gregory the Great: "When Mary Magdalen came to the tomb and did not find the Lord’s Body, she thought it had been taken away and so informed the disciples. After they came and saw the tomb, they too believed what Mary had told them. The text then says: 'The disciples went back home,' and it adds: 'but Mary wept and remained standing outside the tomb.' We should reflect on Mary’s attitude and the great love she felt for Christ; for though the disciples had left the tomb, she remained. 

"She was still seeking the One she had not found, and while she sought, she wept; burning with the fire of love, she longed for Him whom she thought had been taken away. And so it happened that the woman who stayed behind to seek Christ was the only one to see Him. For perseverance is essential to any good deed, as the voice of truth tells us: 'Whoever perseveres to the end will be saved.'"

From the Hand of God

(Photo Credit: Stephanie McGuire)

Ah, the beautiful Cliffs of Moher on the west coast of Ireland! (Next stop westward: Connecticut!) This picture is from 22 years ago, taken on my first trip to St. Patrick's adopted country. You can see it was chilly and rainy that day, but I didn't care. Irish air is invigorating!

Today, I wish to share a quote that seems to sum it all up. I just finished reading Archbishop Ullathorne's "Patience and Humility: A Handbook for Christians", published by Sophia Institute Press. My takeaway: We need to look at everything from God's perspective, and that will help us to always remain in a cheerful state of mind and soul. No matter what is happening in this crazy world of ours, we are still in His Hands. 

As the Irish say, "May God hold you in the Palm of His Hand." If you can spare a Hail Mary or an Our Father for my intention that I find a publisher for my book, I'd be most appreciative!

In the meantime, here is a saintly quote for today:

"If you embrace all things in life as coming from the Hands of God...assuredly you will die a saint."

~ St. Alphonsus de Ligouri

Sharing Exciting News!

 

(Photo Credit: Amy Gilmor)

What better place to write and journal than in a medieval ruin on the top of the Hill of Slane in Ireland! Here I am, enjoying the view. This picture seemed like a good choice for relaunching my blog.

After writing and journaling in many parts of the world, I'm finally ready to release my nonfiction book.

Those of you who have read this blog know that I love learning from the saints and finding ways to uplift and encourage souls (my own included). The stories are what stick with me...and the principles as illustrated by the stories. This is why Our Lord spoke in parables - because the story of the Prodigal Son sticks more with us than just being told that He wants to forgive and accept us back. 

My book is called "Piety & Petulance: Lessons from the Temperaments of the Saints" and I'm currently querying publishers. Would you please pray that we find just the right publisher, who will make this accessible to the souls who will most benefit from it?

I thank you for your prayers!