Vijaya Bodach
Reading, Writing & Ruminating
Saturday, September 21, 2024
Bountiful Garden
Wednesday, September 18, 2024
St. Hildegard von Bingen and Encouragement for Writing
She wrote to St. Bernard and he told the Pope, who exhorted Hildegard to finish her writing. Wow! Even the saints need encouragement. I've been turning to her for the same. Pray for us, St. Hildegard.
Monday, September 16, 2024
Exaltation of the Holy Cross
I learned about this beautiful Cross of Snow in Colorado and the poem that Longfellow wrote upon the death of his wife through a homily by Fr. Joseph Mary on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. I especially loved the quote from Fulton Sheen about the Cross without Jesus making it a burden, whereas, with our Savior, it becomes redemptive.
It reminded me of another quote of his from his book Life of Christ: “The Western post-Christian civilization has picked up the Christ without His Cross. But a Christ without a sacrifice that reconciles the world to God is a cheap, colorless, itinerant preacher who deserves to be popular for His great Sermon on the Mount, but also merits unpopularity for what He said about His Divinity on the one hand, and divorce, judgment, and hell on the other. This sentimental Christ... Without His Cross, He becomes nothing more than a sultry precursor of democracy or a humanitarian who taught brotherhood without tears.” All this reminded me of another beautiful quote by Dietrich Bonhoeffer on cheap grace. I can only hope and pray that Longfellow, at the end of his life received all the necessary graces to reach heaven.
The Cross of Snow
Monday, September 9, 2024
Sing! Sing! Sing!
Monday, September 2, 2024
September Saints
2. The Flight into Egypt. ~Matthew 2:13
3. The loss of the child Jesus in the Temple. ~Luke 2:43–45
4. Mary meets Jesus on the way to Calvary.
5. Jesus dies on the cross. ~John 19:25
6. The piercing of the side of Jesus, and Mary's receiving the body of Jesus in her arms. ~Matthew 27:57–59
7. The body of Jesus is placed in the tomb. ~John 19:40–42
Wednesday, August 28, 2024
Happy Feast of St. Augustine of Hippo
Thursday, August 22, 2024
Writing with Migraines
Thursday, August 15, 2024
Wedding Anniversary
Yesterday, we went out to celebrate at Lost Isle on John's Island. Lovely ambience and wonderful food! We take most of our meals on the porch so it was great to be seated outdoors in the shade, smelling the wood smoked meat as it was being prepared, and enjoying a cooling spray from the fan. Much like home, without dishes to wash :)
Sunday, August 11, 2024
Adoration Chapel
It was so lovely to pray in the Adoration Chapel, which is behind the main Altar of St. Clare of Assisi. The stained glass windows are beautiful--we have St. Joseph, St. Francis, St. Elizabeth with child St. John the Baptist; St. Anne with the child Mary; King David and St. Peter. And up above, there's the pelican, a symbol of Christ, who gives His own self as food.
Monday, August 5, 2024
A Road Trip and a Reunion
Michael and I made a wonderful road trip to Texas for a family reunion in July and we also made a pilgrimage to several shrines along the way. We prayed and talked and listened to several audiobooks, all available on Formed: The Lighthouse by Michael O'Brien was my favorite, followed by The Sabbatical, also by O'Brien. We also enjoyed Sohrab Ahmari's journey to the Catholic faith in his memoir From Fire, by Water. We listened to the first few chapters of A Priest is Not His Own by Ap. Fulton Sheen. It's so good I had to buy a hard copy, which I will enjoy reading and re-reading.
First stop was the Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament. It was so lovely to make a Holy Hour there, hear Mass with the angelic singing of the cloistered nuns, and spend time in this beautiful area. If we ever had to leave our home, this is the place I'd want to be. Since we're not allowed to take pictures in the shrine, I was grateful that they had a photobook with some commentary for purchase in the gift shop.
We were lucky to get out of Texas with the first bands of hurricane Beryl slowing our drive. We spent a couple of nights in New Orleans and heard Sunday Mass at St. Patrick's church, which was being renovated. Just beautiful!
The Museum of WWII is a must. Such an important piece of our history--we can never forget the crimes against humanity and the sacrifices so many made to protect the innocent. I feel it most urgently, esp. as our current administration has taken us to the brink of WWIII. Only God can save us now. I especially enjoyed reading the little-known stories of the men and women who served. And always, I learn something new--the history of the Merchant Marines.
We visited a couple more shrines. Our pastor had introduced me to Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos several years ago. He's known for his many miracles, so I was grateful to have this opportunity to pray at his shrine. It's right next to St. Mary's Assumption Church and what a beautiful and peaceful place of worship. Our last shrine to visit was that of Our Lady of Prompt Succor. If you need help quickly, she's the one to invoke!
This was such a wonderful trip, being strengthened in faith and family, and our friendship with the saints. I think about all the people who made sacrifices to build these beautiful churches. What a gift it is to us. And always, I was fascinated by the clouds. They are such a reminder of God's presence, His watch over us, His infinite love for us. May you always feel secure in His Love and Mercy.