Happy All Hallows' Eve

The Church Militant (we are in a fight against evil here on earth) celebrates the Church Triumphant (the saints in heaven) on Nov. 1st and then prays for the Church Suffering (all souls in purgatory) on Nov 2nd. Our parish has a tradition of having a Solemn High Requiem Mass for All Souls Day with the music by Gabriel Faure.

I lovelovelove the Litany of the Saints. Enjoy!

For those of you who enjoy more modern music, there's  Chris Tomlin.

I have many books written by saints and about them. This one is fascinating: The Incorruptibles by Joan Carroll Cruz.

Have a happy and safe Halloween.

Town Hall Meeting, Harvest Tour of Homes, and a Pilgrimage to St. Maria Goretti

The title itself would make anyone tired, no? My life revolves around home -- cooking, cleaning, writing, minding the kids, singing, praying -- so it's unusual for me to be so very busy as we were this weekend, but you'll see it was all good.

Saturday morning, Michael and the kids went to a town hall meeting with JEBush. I think Max looks like a young Republican already. They had a great time and were very much impressed with the things he had to say. I was sorry to miss it, but I wanted an hour of quiet before the Harvest Home Tour (a fundraiser for our public library). Here's a lovely write up in the local newspaper.

I was so honored to be asked to participate and had a good time in a townhome that was comfortable and beautiful, designed for both privacy -- with little nooks for reading or writing -- and openness. Max was in his element, driving the patrons to the four different houses, and I'm sure hamming it up as well. Don't we clean up nicely? I had my books on display and especially enjoyed speaking with the teachers and librarians who were kind enough to tell me how much they love my older books on plant parts and graphing. 








I like this painting of little Maria because it captures her youth and innocence, even in her seriousnes

Then it was off to Charlotte, NC to venerate the relics of St. Maria Goretti. Check out the tour schedule and if she's in your area, go visit. She is the youngest saint to be canonized and ever since her feast day (July 6th) this year, she's been on my mind. She is the little saint of mercy, of forgiveness, and of chastity because she refused the sexual advances of a young man, Alessandro. Enraged, he stabbed her 14 times. She endured surgery without anesthetic. The following day, before receiving Holy Viaticum, with her eyes fixed on the Crucifix, she forgave Alessandro with these words, "Yes, for the love of Jesus I too pardon him, and I want him to be with me in heaven." She died at the Vesper hour on the Feast of the Precious Blood while the Passionists, in a nearby church, were chanting Isaiah 63:1-2: Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bosra, this beautiful one in his robe, walking in the greatness of his strength. I, that speak justice, and am a defender to save. Why then is thy apparel red, and thy garments like theirs that tread in the winepress?

Alessandro didn't just take a life; he destroyed a family. You see, Maria's father had died the year before from malaria, and without Maria's help, her mother Assunta couldn't care for the younger children. They were all given away. Can you even imagine the grief of this mother? But she forgave him too. Alessandro had had a complete conversion in prison. 

 

But why this yearning to venerate the skeletal remains of St. Maria? I cannot quite explain it myself except that saints come into our lives when we need them most. As Dagny remarked, it's a strange custom but one that is part of Church Tradition. Years and years ago, probably when I was around 8 or 9, my mother had mentioned the little saint and how important it was to forgive. My mother didn't tell me Maria's story but still she remained in my heart. Little did I know what a big part she would play in my own life. You see, I too have an Alessandro in my life, and although I'd like to think I've forgiven and forgotten, it is still something I grapple with. I take the Lord's Prayer seriously and this sentence gives me pause: "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." Ouch. If I won't completely forgive the inexcusable, then what about all the inexcusable things I've done? Yes ... this forgiveness is a serious business. Our parish priest reminds us often, "You do not have to reconcile or be friends to forgive. It's an act of the will, so  just do it." That is what I do on a daily basis and if I'm having a hard time, I ask God to remember that I have the *desire* to forgive even if I cannot do it well at times. We should all be so heroic as little Maria. 

 

I didn't think we could make a pilgrimage because of the commitment we'd already made for the Harvest Tour so a dear friend's mother in CT went for me earlier (taking along our family photo), waited in line for two hours so that she could spend 15 seconds in front of the reliquary to ask for healing in our family. She didn't press for any explanations but simply did this out of the goodness of her heart. God bless her. Upon receipt of her letter, I wept. 

 

This is a wax figure that has the skeletal remains of St. Maria Goretti

 

And it stoked the fire to go even more! We checked the schedule one more time and as luck would have it, the Church hosting St. Maria's reliquary would be open all day and all night for veneration!!! Yes, we could do this. It didn't matter what time we arrived. Of course, what would normally take 3 hours took us 5 due to a couple of bad traffic jams, but we were not worried. It was a time to pray. The church would be open ... and it was beautiful.

 

I cannot express the joy, the quiet hush of prayer. Even at 1 o'clock in the morning, the church was about half full of pilgrims. Priests, young couples, older people, families with many children sleeping on their parents' laps. Some were wide awake. Others were whimpering but there was so much peace. We were all drawn to this little saint. The line moved in an orderly fashion and there was no rushing or jostling -- it was a time to pray. I couldn't stop the tears from coming knowing St. Maria has been praying for me for so many years. I am thankful  my family agreed to go on this trip at a crazy hour. I couldn't have made it alone ... not with Harry. So thanks be to God for everything. And thank you St. Maria for drawing us closer to you. We hope to meet in heaven. Please pray for us!

 

Assunta said this portrait most resembled Maria. Assunta is the first mother to attend the canonization of a daughter!
Maria was just a few months shy of 12 when she was killed in 1902.

CS Lewis has a brilliant essay on forgiveness that is worth several readings.

For a small gem of a book, see St. Maria Goretti: in Garments all Red, and there's a lovely Italian movie as well.

A Poem by St. Teresa de Avila

Teresa de Avila by Brother Juan de la Miseria, 1576 AD

Teresa, after seeing this portrait said, "May God forgive you, Brother Juan, for having painted me ugly and bleary-eyed."

You have to love her wit and sense of humor.

I am surprised he didn't paint her with a pen or quill -- her writings on prayer and the interior life are so amazing, she was proclaimed the first woman Doctor of the Church.

On her feast day (Oct. 15th) I delivered ten boxes of books for the Knights of Columbus book sale and for $20 brought home a box myself. That's progress, right? Among the books I bought was the first volume of St. Teresa's Collected Works. What a gift!!! I will be sharing some good books with you later, but first, a poem by St. Teresa. 

The Poem
"For the Profession of Isabel De Los Angeles"

 

In weeping be my joy,

My rest in fright,

In sorrowing my serenity,

My wealth in losing all.

 

Amid storms be my love,

In the wound my delight,

My life in death,

In rejection my favor.

 

In poverty be my riches,

My triumph in struggling,

Rest in laboring,

In sadness my contentment.

 

In darkness be my light,

My greatness in the lowly place,

My way on the short road,

In the cross my glory.

 

In humiliation be my honor,

My palm in suffering,

Increase in my wanting,

In losing my gain.

 

My fullness be in hunger,

In fearing my hope,

My rejoicing in fear,

In grieving my delight.

 

In forgetting be my memory,

Humiliation my exalting,

In lowliness my repute,

Affronts my victory.

 

My laurels be in contempt,

In afflictions my fondness,

My dignity a lowly nook,

In solitude my esteem.

 

In Christ be my trust,

My affection in Him alone,

In His weariness my vigor,

My repose in His imitation.

 

My strength is founded here,

In Him alone my surety,

My integrity's proof,

In His likeness my purity.

 

 

ETA: The poem was published in the Magnificat. This magazine has been publishing excerpts of her works this entire month in honor of her 500th birthday.

Greek Festival

This weekend we went to the Greek festival downtown Charleston and enjoyed the food, music and folk-dancing. But when I stepped inside the church, I thought I was in heaven ... they had stained glass windows everywhere, with the apostles and saints depicted, along with the mysteries of the rosary and then these beautiful old paintings. The one on the left is on the ceiling and the eyes of Jesus seem to follow you!

A Wedding Feast!!!

God is good. My sister was married Oct. 10th, on the Feast of the Maternity of the Blessed Virgin (I know that sounds incongruous, but Christianity if full of paradoxes like these). I had such a wonderful time visiting with all my family, esp. my nieces and nephews who are growing up so beautifully.

So without further ado, I post some pictures of this beautiful sacrament, held in the replica of the first mission church (St. Williams) built in Round Rock, TX.

Preparation involved hanging out and playing games. My sister made all the fancy bouquets and bows.

 

Wedding day meant getting dressed up in all our Indian finery!!! My SIL (in the purple and pink sari) dressed and pinned me so that I could run around taking pictures.

 

 

Here comes the bride but I couldn't get a good picture. I hope my nephew's wife got one.

Listening to the Word of God. Readings from Song of Songs and the famous reading from St. Paul's letter to the Corinthians ... the litany of love. The deacon gave a wonderful homily on the meaning of holy matrimony and the choir director, a rich baritone, amazed us with his beautiful singing of Psalm 103 and Ave Maria (the wedded couple's first prayer together as they offered flowers to the Blessed Mother).

 

 

Oh, how wonderful it is to be a witness and remember our own wedding vows. Then it was off to the reception.

 

 

 

Since I was in Round Rock for a week, it was a wonderful family reunion. We got to worship together and I also had a chance to visit Agape, a crisis pregnancy center, where my sister volunteers. I only wish all the Bodachs could've come but I know Greg and Suman will make a trip to see us when they get a chance. They are a mite busy right now ... planning their honeymoon in Italy!!! 

Mr. and Mrs. Greg Casey, wishing you both a long and happy life together. May you help each other get to heaven! God bless you now and always.

Flooding, Phones and Finishing

You all might have known about the dreadful flooding in SC. We've been unscathed, just watching the levels rise in our yard with high tide since we're right next to the marsh and less than half mile away from the Cooper River. Schools reopened today, though many counties are still not in any shape. Please pray for all the victims.

The kids and I have been monkeying around with my new phone and since I couldn't seem to make any headway with the novel revisions, decided to pull a couple of all-nighters. I've not done this since graduate school. Even when I had newborns, I got a little bit of rest in between all the feedings. So I am happy to report that I am done with this round of revisions on my YA contemporary novel. Of course, the moment I printed it out, I thought about some things I need to add/change/clarify but that will have to wait. I'm taking a week off to clear my head. Then I need to go with a fine-toothed comb and get ready to send it out again. Wish me luck! I'm really hoping I've hit the mark this time.

Blood Moon, Beer and the Benedict Option

If Max ever makes a time-lapse of the lunar eclipse, I will share it. Alas, he's been busy with school and football and robotics and enjoying it all thoroughly. What a sight to behold, the moon so close to us, and the earth's shadow darkening it. And the more the moon was shadowed, the greater its reddish hue. Although we had clouds flitting about, we had a wonderful time hanging out on our porch watching this celestial event. I still remember the time when our kids were little and we brought our sleeping bags outside so that we could watch the meteor shower. To see dozens of them one after the other, well, we don't even have that many wishes!   

I didn't make my goal of finishing up the revisions by the end of the month, but what a glorious month nonetheless. But we had birthdays, saints and angels to celebrate. I didn't realize how busy these past two weeks were with extra choir practice because although I thought I'd get back to my novel, I've been spending a lot of time relaxing on my back porch, soaking up the beauty and songs of the birds. With high tide and Joaquin pounding us with rain, the water level is right up to our grass. It's beautiful ... and I find myself humming the Kyrie and Agnus Dei (my two favorite movements) from St. Bruno's Mass. We had a soprano soloist to sing the Benedictus and truly, truly what glory she gives to God with her voice! Just heavenly.

Mass gives us a taste of heaven here on earth. So briefly I will share what Fr. Folsom had to say.

The homily was on the prayer to St. Michael the Archangel composed by Pope Leo XIII with the many Scriptural references (Daniel, Jude, Ephesians, Revelations). Fr. Folsom recounted how the angels were all created good, but by their own choice, some of them rejected God. "I will not serve." And so they cannot be in heaven. Hell is their dwelling place, a place completely devoid of God. I've always wondered why God did not destroy the bad angels given the horrors they have produced for mankind, but God permits them to live and allows them to test us. We too have to make a choice. Whom shall we serve, God or the devil? And even if we choose God, the Christian life is a constant struggle because of our fallen nature. We seek help from the good angels because we cannot do it ourselves. It's too dangerous. It's spiritual warfare, folks.

It's worthwhile to remember all of Ephesians 6, but especially verses 11-17:



After Mass, we had a wonderful potluck supper with the monks providing the beer. Michael said it gave him flashbacks of living in Belgium, where they make 300 varieties of beer. I never did develop a taste for it but from all the approving looks I could tell it was pleasing to all. I was most excited when I heard we'd get to bring the glasses home as a gift from the monks! 

Fr. Folsom spoke about the Benedict Option. Rod Dreher coined the term as a response to "pioneering forms of dropping out of a barbaric mainstream culture that has grown hostile to our fundamental values." However, there has been some confusion about what this really means. Does it mean to retreat from society? Yes and no. For a monk, yes. But not for the lay-people. In short, it is about following in the footsteps of St. Benedict and following his rule: ora et labora. It is a grassroots movement where Catholics endeavor to live in a community where Christian moral life can flourish in a post-Christian world.

There is a fundamental tension of a Christian living in the world. We are to live in this world but not be of it. It is a nice saying but how do we achieve this? Ideally, it would be a Catholic society governed by the Gospel. In the middle ages we see the joining of Church and State and all the benefits it provided. Life, liturgy, schools, hospitals. That no longer exists anywhere. 

There are places where Catholics can reside peacefully. The Church is the heart of a town. But more and more, there are conflicts. There are laws banning manger scenes at Christmas. Or banning of crucifixes in Italian public schools. From hidden persecution, you can have overt persecution, such as in the Middle East, where you will be martyred for your faith. If martyrdom is a real possibility, many Catholics go underground.

Right now, it is difficult to judge what will happen in our country but in both Europe and America, there has been a silent apostasy through absorption into the culture that no longer holds Christian values.

Fr. Folsom said everywhere that a monastery has sprung up, it is a place where Catholic culture and tradition is preserved. People are attracted to the orderly life in stark contrast of a chaotic society. Families form small communities around the monastery to join them for Mass or other devotions. It's real, genuine and of God because it is Truth, Goodness and Beauty.

Here's an interesting article that quibbles about the terminology but in reality is exactly what people are speaking about when they talk about the Benedict option: following in the footsteps of St. Benedict.

We ended with a chanting of Salve Regina. I love our parish -- it's a little oasis where Catholic faith and traditions are flourishing -- where Christ is King!  

Novena in Preparation for Michaelmas

I well remember two years ago, my friend Deana and I  rushing back from the Carolinas SCBWI conference so that I could make it to Mass. It was a High Mass in honor of St. Michael the Archangel. I brought my music with me to the conference so that I could practice in my hotel room and I was so grateful to have a comfortable room all to my own (one of the perks of being a speaker). It was that same Sunday we joined the Angelic Warfare confraternity. I cannot express how many fruits have come from this. By ourselves, we cannot fight our sinful nature, but with the help of good angels and saints, we can resist evil.

This year is even more special. Fr. Cassian Folsom, a priest/monk from the Benedictine community of Norcia, Italy is coming to celebrate Mass. Did you all know their album hits #1 in religious music? Who would've thunk in today's world? The human heart longs to be united to God and this music lifts our hearts and minds to Him. The chant is DIVINE. That's one of the reasons we are not singing a chant Mass, as much as we love it. We wouldn't want his ears to hurt with our poor chanting. Instead we will sing the Sir Richard Terry Mass written in honor of St. Bruno, founder of the Carthusians. It's lovely but I just realized it's only nine days away! We have much work to do to give honor and glory to God.

The good monk is bringing beer too! We expect a packed church. It might be for the beer, but I am sure it is to listen to Fr. Folsom, who will discuss the Benedict Option. So, if you are in the Charleston area, Sept. 29th, come join us for Mass (6 pm) and stay for the potluck at Stella Maris Catholic Church.

Please, pray with us this Novena to Saint Michael the Archangel for Holy Mother the Church, the Holy Father Pope Francis, for ourselves, our families, and our country. We pray the short form above daily but I've swiped the longer form from Rorate Caeli.

PRINCEPS gloriosissime caelestis militiae, sancte Michael Archangele, defende nos in proelio et colluctatione, quae nobis adversus principes et potestates, adversus mundi rectores tenebrarum harum, contra spiritualia nequitiae, in caelestibus. Veni in auxilium hominum, quos Deus creavit inexterminabiles, et ad imaginem similitudinis suae fecit, et a tyrannide diaboli emit pretio magno. Proeliare hodie cum beatorum Angelorum exercitu proelia Domini, sicut pugnasti contra ducem superbiae luciferum, et angelos eius apostaticos: et non valuerunt, neque locus inventus est eorum amplius in caelo. Sed proiectus est draco ille magnus, serpens antiquus, qui vocatur diabolus et satanas, qui seducit universum orbem; et proiectus est in terram, et angeli eius cum illo missi sunt.	O GLORIOUS Prince of the heavenly host, Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in the battle and fearful warfare that we are waging against the principalities and powers, against the rulers of this world of darkness, against the evil spirits. Come thou to the assistance of men, whom Almighty God created immortal, making them in His own image and likeness and redeeming them at a great price from the tyranny of Satan. Fight this day the battle of the Lord with thy legions of holy Angels, even as of old thou didst fight against Lucifer, the leader of the proud spirits and all his rebel angels, who were powerless to stand against thee, neither was their place found any more in heaven. And that great dragon was cast forth, the ancient serpent, who is called the devil and satan, who seduces the whole world; and he was cast forth upon Earth, and his angels were sent with him.
En antiquus inimicus et homicida vehementer erectus est. Transfiguratus in angelum lucis, cum tota malignorum spirituum caterva late circuit et invadit terram, ut in ea deleat nomen Dei et Christi eius, animasque ad aeternae gloriae coronam destinatas furetur, mactet ac perdat in sempiternum interitum. Virus nequitiae suae, tamquam flumen immundissimum, draco maleficus transfundit in homines depravatos mente et corruptos corde; spiritum mendacii, impietatis et blasphemiae; halitumque mortiferum luxuriae, vitiorum omnium et iniquitatum.	But behold! the ancient enemy of mankind and a murderer from the beginning has been fiercely aroused. Changing himself into an angel of light, he goes about with the whole multitude of the wicked spirits to invade the earth and blot out the Name of God and of His Christ, to plunder, to slay, and to consign to eternal damnation the souls that have been destined for a crown of everlasting life. This wicked serpent, like an unclean torrent, pours into men of depraved minds and corrupt hearts the poison of his malice, the spirit of lying, impiety and blasphemy, and the deadly breath of impurity and every form of vice and iniquity.
Ecclesiam, Agni immaculati sponsam, vaferrimi hostes repleverunt amaritudinibus, inebriarunt absinthio; ad omnia desiderabilia eius impias miserunt manus. Ubi sedes beatissimi Petri et Cathedra veritatis ad lucem gentium constituta est, ibi thronum posuerunt abominationis et impietatis suae; ut percusso Pastore, et gregem disperdere valeant.	Be favorable to Thy Church, the Bride of the Lamb without spot, whose enemies have filled to overflowing with gall and inebriated with wormwood. They have laid profane hands upon Her most sacred treasures. Where the See of the most blessed Peter and the Chair of Truth has been constituted as a light to the nations, there they have placed a throne of their abomination and impiety; so that with the Pastor struck, they may prevail to disperse the flock.
Adesto itaque, Dux invictissime, populo Dei contra irrumpentes spirituales nequitias, et fac victoriam. Te custodem et patronum sancta veneratur Ecclesia; te gloriatur defensore adversus terrestrium et infernorum nefarias potestates; tibi tradidit Dominus animas redemptorum in superna felicitate locandas. Deprecare Deum pacis, ut conterat satanam sub pedibus nostris, ne ultra valeat captivos tenere homines, et Ecclesiae nocere. Offer nostras preces in conspectu Altissimi, ut cito anticipent nos misericordiae Domini, et apprehendas draconem, serpentem antiquum, qui est diabolus et satanas, ac ligatum mittas in abyssum, ut non seducat amplius gentes. Hinc tuo confisi praesidio ac tutela, sacri ministerii nostri auctoritate [si fuerit laicus, vel clericus qui ordinem exorcistatus nondum suscepit, dicat: sacra sanctae Matris Ecclesiae auctoritate], ad infestationes diabolicae fraudis repellendas in nomine Iesu Christi Dei et Domini nostri fidentes et securi aggredimur.	Therefore, most invincible Leader, be with the people of God against this spiritual wickedness and bring about victory. Thou art venerated by Holy Church as Her guard and patron; Thou art glorified as our defender against the impious powers of earth and of hell. Unto thee the Lord hath handed over the souls of the redeemed to be placed in happiness above. Entreat the God of peace, to obliterate satan beneath our feet, lest he prevail further to hold men captive, and to injure the Church. Offer our prayers in the sight of the Most High, so that the mercy of the Lord may swiftly overtake us, and apprehend the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil and satan, and send him bound into the abyss, so that he may seduce the nations no more. Henceforth having been confided to thy escort and protection, we sacred ministers by our authority [if recited by a layman, or cleric who has not yet taken up the order of exorcist, say instead, "by the authority of Holy Mother Church ], do undertake to repel the infestations of diabolical deceit in the Name of Jesus Christ, Our God and Lord.
V. Ecce Crucem Domini, fugite partes adversae.	V. Behold the Cross of the Lord, depart from us, our adversaries.
R. Vicit Leo de tribu Iuda, radix David.	R. The Lion of the tribe of Juda, root of David, has conquered.
V. Fiat misericordia tua, Domine, super nos.	V. Let Thy mercy be upon us Lord.
R. Quemadmodum speravimus in te.	R. As much as we hope in Thee.
V. Domine, exaudi orationem meam.	V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. Et clamor meus ad te veniat.	R. And let my cry come unto Thee.
Oremus Deus, et Pater Domini nostri Iesu Christi, invocamus nomen sanctum tuum, et clementiam tuam supplices exposcimus ut, per intercessionem immaculatae semper Virginis Dei Genetricis Mariae, beati Michaelis Archangeli, beati Ioseph eiusdem beatae Virginis Sponsi, beatorum Apostolorum Petri et Pauli et omnium Sanctorum, adversus satanam, omnesque alios immundos spiritus, qui ad nocendum humano generi animasque perdendas pervagantur in mundo, nobis auxilium praestare digneris. Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.	Let us pray O God, and Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, we invoke Thy Holy Name, and we humbly implore Thy clemency so that, through the intercession of Mary, the Immaculate ever-Virgin Mother of God, of blessed Michael the Archangel, of blessed Joseph, the Spouse of the same blessed Virgin, of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and of all the Saints, Thou may deign to offer us aid against satan, and all the other unclean spirits, who wander through the world to injure the human race and to destroy souls. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Library Display -- Harvest Tour of Homes

A friend sent me this library display! Do you see what I see? I've been invited to be part of the annual Harvest Tour of Homes. It's a very unique way to raise money for our local library. Four beautiful homes are featured and in each home there is a local author. I am so honored to be amongst these wonderful authors who write about food, culture and history. I have a feeling my Michael is going to be very interested in Robert Moss's books on Southern food and especially barbecue! If you either watched or read and enjoyed The Help, you will love Angela William's memoir: Hush Now, Baby. I suspect that many such stories are just waiting to be told. And for the history buffs: a novel set in antebellum Charleston by Ben Pogue.  If you're in the Charleston area Oct. 24th, come see me and these amazing writers and support our local library!

I wonder whether some day I can get our home in good enough shape to be *shown*!!! Alas, the writing life means that I am not the best housekeeper. We have books not only on the shelves but piles of them in every room. And papers. Our formal dining area is actually a computer and art room. We pretty much live in the kitchen and back porch. It is a writer's dream home -- tranquil. Perhaps I'll leave behind a legacy of great books and someone else will keep house for me. Or maybe long after I'm dead, people will come to see where I wrote. Ah, one can dream.