Faith, Friendship, and Finding Flannery

Happy St. Patrick's Day! What a joy for me to spend these past couple of weeks with three pilgrims from the North who wanted to see the place where Flannery O'Connor penned her unforgettable short stories, wrote letters, tended her peacocks, and lived a life she didn't dream of, but lived it to the fullest.

 
I'm still not caught up on the Catholic conference online, but decided to watch Roxane's presentation on Seasons in a Writer's Life, given I've entered a new chapter in my own life (I'm again on babytime :) When I learned that she had a book about Finding Flannery, I had to know who else was so affected by her life and stories to make a literary pilgrimage like we did for our 25th wedding anniversary (Michael and I had made a pilgrimage to Savannah and Milledgeville, the places Flannery spent the first and last thirteen years of her life respectively).

Reading FF as one who's already familiar with her life and stories brought back memories. It was the feeling of finding instant friends. You too?!!! The three writers--Christina Brajkovich, Karen Anne Mahoney, and Roxane B. Salonen--met through a Catholic writing group and planned this trip. Each woman was in a different stage in her life, yet they each felt a connection. As a transplant to the South, I knew they were in for a shock, because we have a different sensibility here (when we moved here 15 years ago, I knew immediately I was home). I'm surprised they didn't come across any "bless your heart" comments :)

I have to admit that in the opening chapters, the need to overexplain the connection to Flannery was annoying. It was obvious. But I realized that for a person who didn't know Flannery's life or stories, it was a wonderful introduction. That it would pique the reader's interest and also give some context. I remember not knowing anything about Flannery until a critique partner compared one of my stories--Driving Lessons--to hers. Btw, it won first prize in a writing contest, but I've never been able to find a publisher for it. My story is tame compared to anything Flannery wrote! Her stories disturbed me, probably because she was holding up a mirror to myself with her unlikeable characters. But I digress...

I loved the cover art as well as the interior. The three writers each chose a bird to represent themselves as they reflected on their journey and Flannery. It took them ten years to write this book and in that decade they experienced many changes in their own lives. I really appreciated how honest they were sharing their own joys and sorrows throughout this period, and their ability to see the grace of God in all things, which is what Flannery is so good at conveying. They felt her guidance from heaven. She might not be a canonized saint yet...but those of us who know and love her, we pray for her intercession, even as we pray for the repose of her soul. Why do people make a pilgrimage? Read this unusual travel memoir and you will understand. I highly recommend this book for those who know and love Flannery and those who have yet to know her life and work.

I'm so delighted to have this book--many thanks to Enroute for providing a review copy--and looking forward to meeting Roxane in Chicago at the Catholic Writing Conference! That last picture is of me in Flannery :)   

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.  

Near this shrine was another monastery, St. Bernard Abbey, where the public is free to wander the Ave Maria Grotto, or Little Jerusalem, original miniatures built by Brother Joseph Zoettl (1878-1961). I was completely enchanted and I am amazed that he'd never seen any of the beautiful shrines that he built so perfectly in miniature. You'll notice broken glass, bottle caps, shells, marbles, and other discarded items. Given my travelling days are numbered, it was such a delight to see these wonders, along with a friendly kitty :)

The family reunion was so special. My sister and sister-in-law cooked all the delicious Indian food. The cousins planned games and outings. This is the first time they were all together at the same time. How I wish our family weren't so scattered all over the US but I'm grateful for all the letters, the time we do have together, and for transportation--the very thing that has separated families. A double-edged sword for sure. My father understands. It was his 96th birthday but wasn't able to travel for the festivities. Still we all sang to him on the phone, in harmony! We missed our mom--how proud she'd be of her growing family. Today is my eldest brother's birthday who died as a child. Oh, how I long for heaven!!! Heaven!!!

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.