tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17195089369520431052024-03-05T11:03:20.075-05:00Natural and Relaxed Home LearningAs the Son of God was growing up, God the Father could have had Him go to the best schools in the world. He could've gone to the most prestigious university in Greece, the great libraries of Rome or the best school in Jerusalem. Instead, God wanted His Son to stay home with His Mother and His Father. "And the Child grew, and waxed strong, full of wisdom; and the grace of God was in Him." (Luke 2:52)Sweetums5http://www.blogger.com/profile/09194206938609300984noreply@blogger.comBlogger81125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719508936952043105.post-67090329595881590052013-05-30T20:41:00.002-04:002015-07-14T00:05:48.546-04:00Inspiring Quotes for Students # 1<br />
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Sometimes it’s not about having all of the right resources, it’s
about being resourceful with what you have. Stop making excuses – just
start <i>making</i>!</div>
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~ <a href="http://talentegg.ca/incubator/author/cassandra-jowett/">Cassandra Jowett</a> / <a href="http://talentegg.ca/incubator/2013/03/15/inspirational-quotes-for-students-abraham-lincoln-michael-altshuler-and-more/">Source: Talent Egg</a></div>
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Don’t sit around waiting for things to happen. Make your own luck.</div>
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~ <a href="http://talentegg.ca/incubator/author/cassandra-jowett/">Cassandra Jowett</a> / <a href="http://talentegg.ca/incubator/2013/03/15/inspirational-quotes-for-students-abraham-lincoln-michael-altshuler-and-more/">Source: Talent Egg</a></div>
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<span style="color: grey;"><i>“The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.” —<b> Michael Altshuler</b></i></span></div>
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Life is short! But it’s all yours. Do what you want with it.</div>
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~ <a href="http://talentegg.ca/incubator/author/cassandra-jowett/">Cassandra Jowett</a> / <a href="http://talentegg.ca/incubator/2013/03/15/inspirational-quotes-for-students-abraham-lincoln-michael-altshuler-and-more/">Source: Talent Egg</a></div>
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<span style="color: grey;"><i>“The grass is greener where you water it.” —<b> Neil Barringham</b></i></span></div>
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The more you nurture your true passions, the more fulfilled you’ll be.</div>
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~ <a href="http://talentegg.ca/incubator/author/cassandra-jowett/">Cassandra Jowett</a> / <a href="http://talentegg.ca/incubator/2013/03/15/inspirational-quotes-for-students-abraham-lincoln-michael-altshuler-and-more/">Source: Talent Egg</a></div>
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Keep perspective and focus on the positive. Life will reward you for it. </div>
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~ <a href="http://talentegg.ca/incubator/author/cassandra-jowett/">Cassandra Jowett</a> / <a href="http://talentegg.ca/incubator/2013/03/15/inspirational-quotes-for-students-abraham-lincoln-michael-altshuler-and-more/">Source: Talent Egg</a><br />
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You can be born talented, or you can work hard and stay passionate. Either way, you’re awesome.</div>
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~ <a href="http://talentegg.ca/incubator/author/cassandra-jowett/">Cassandra Jowett</a> / <a href="http://talentegg.ca/incubator/2013/03/15/inspirational-quotes-for-students-abraham-lincoln-michael-altshuler-and-more/">Source: Talent Egg</a><br />
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<br />Sweetums5http://www.blogger.com/profile/09194206938609300984noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719508936952043105.post-37075709316423002302013-05-30T20:41:00.001-04:002015-07-14T00:07:36.175-04:00Inspiring Quotes for Students # 2<br />
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<a href="http://talentegg.ca/incubator/2013/05/03/daily-dose-of-motivational-quotes/">Source: Talent Egg</a></div>
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<a href="http://talentegg.ca/incubator/2013/04/04/inspiring-quotes-students-thomas-jefferson-mark-twain/">Source: Talent Egg</a></div>
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Sweetums5http://www.blogger.com/profile/09194206938609300984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719508936952043105.post-69038128122064454852013-05-29T22:51:00.003-04:002015-07-14T00:08:36.538-04:00Spiritual Reading: Read-Aloud Books We've Begun (May 28, 2013)<br />
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One Short Chapter a Day </div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/You-Are-Beloved-Meditations-Steadfast/dp/1878718495/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1369881272&sr=1-1&keywords=You+are+My+Beloved%3A+Meditations+on+God%27s+Steadfast+Love+by+Mitch+Finley"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Source: Amazon.com</span></a></div>
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1. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/You-Are-Beloved-Meditations-Steadfast/dp/1878718495/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1369881272&sr=1-1&keywords=You+are+My+Beloved%3A+Meditations+on+God%27s+Steadfast+Love+by+Mitch+Finley">You are My Beloved</a>: Meditations on God's Steadfast Love by Mitch Finley</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.catholiccompany.com/">Source: Catholic Company</a></span></div>
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2. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/First-Christians-Acts-Apostles-Children/dp/1928832326/ref=sr_1_1_bnp_1_pap?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1369881395&sr=1-1&keywords=The+First+Christians%3A++The+Acts+of+the+Apostles+for+Children">The First Christians</a>: The Acts of the Apostles for Children by Marigold Hunt</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/101-Inspirational-Stories-Power-Prayer/dp/0972844775/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1369881480&sr=1-1&keywords=101+Inspirational+Stories+of+the+Power+of+Prayer"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Source: Amazon.com</span></a></div>
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3. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/101-Inspirational-Stories-Power-Prayer/dp/0972844775/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1369881480&sr=1-1&keywords=101+Inspirational+Stories+of+the+Power+of+Prayer">101 Inspirational Stories of the Power of Prayer</a> by Sister Patricia Proctor</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51H1NYB3Z7L.jpg">Source</a></span></div>
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4. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/How-Handle-Worry-Catholic-Approach/dp/0819833908/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1369881554&sr=1-1">How to Handle Worry</a>: A Catholic Approach by Marshall J. Cook</div>
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5. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Conversations-Between-Child-Wants/dp/1467946915/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1369881632&sr=1-1&keywords=Jesus+and+I+by+Jean+Plaquevent">Jesus and I</a>: Conversations between Jesus and Any Child Who Wants to Talk to Him by Jean Plaquevent</div>
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Sweetums5http://www.blogger.com/profile/09194206938609300984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719508936952043105.post-71784749133220740442013-05-05T20:44:00.001-04:002015-07-14T00:10:42.393-04:00Learning and Loving - Sunday, May 5, 2013<br />
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1. Time for God: Sunday Mass Homily </div>
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Fr. Schierer shared this beautiful story about a Roman soldier, who had a pregnant wife. Unfortunately, he had to go with the Roman army to a distant land. At that time, Christianity was still outlawed. But several Christian women came to help the Roman wife till she gave birth to their baby boy. The wife was so moved by the kindness of the Christian women, that she asked that she and her baby be baptized.</div>
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In the meantime, the husband had also encountered Christians in his travels with the army. He was amazed at their courage and peace in the face of persecution, and he asked them what was the source of their strength.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <a href="http://www.maghrebchristians.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Christians-in-the-Roman-empire-getting-eaten-for-their-faith..jpg">Source</a></span></div>
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The Christians shared their faith with him, but somehow he was not able to be baptized.<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span>When he came home to his wife, he was overjoyed to see her and their baby son. The wife was happy that her husband was back home, but nervous about telling him that they were Christians. </div>
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When she showed their baby son to him, she summoned up the courage to tell him that he was baptized a Christian and so was she. Upon hearing these words, the husband knelt before their baby and told her what he had learned from the Christians he had met, that their baby was a temple of the Holy Spirit, containing the one, true God. </div>
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The wife rejoiced and the husband became Christian, too.</div>
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What a beautiful story!</div>
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2. Play Session with Sled (40 minutes)</div>
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~ first with his Bionicles for 15 minutes in his room, then with his army soldiers and war-torn buildings that he and Muddee made out of boxes (a few years ago) for the rest of the time in the basement.</div>
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~ Summary of Sled's story: the American soldiers had occupied the buildings in a town, but the British and German soldiers invaded the town and took over the buildings. There were a lot of casualties on all sides.</div>
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3. Sports: Track Practice (Muddee with NOVA AC)</div>
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~ Robs brought Muddee to track practice this afternoon. They both got a good work-out.</div>
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4. Time for our Marriage</div>
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~ Robs and I read John Gottman's Book, "The Relationship Cure," for 1/2 hour.</div>
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~ Good marriage tune-up!<br />
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5. Family Time<br />
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a) Robs and the boys played a short game of Badminton in the yard.<br />
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<img alt="http://a248.e.akamai.net/origin-cdn.volusion.com/gojz4.xgmc2/v/vspfiles/photos/B0007VZXVS-2.jpg" class="decoded" src="http://a248.e.akamai.net/origin-cdn.volusion.com/gojz4.xgmc2/v/vspfiles/photos/B0007VZXVS-2.jpg" height="381" width="400" /> </div>
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<a href="http://a248.e.akamai.net/origin-cdn.volusion.com/gojz4.xgmc2/v/vspfiles/photos/B0007VZXVS-2.jpg"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Source </span></a></div>
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b) We all played the board game, Roundabout, for the first time, after dinner. It's not the best game, but Sled won, followed by Robs.</div>
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Sweetums5http://www.blogger.com/profile/09194206938609300984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719508936952043105.post-50755790502445564682013-03-10T00:58:00.001-05:002015-07-14T00:09:23.742-04:00Quotes: Self-Compassion<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://thedailyray.tumblr.com/post/27047268733/article-self-compassion-being-there-for" style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: #cc6600; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 20.796875px;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Source</span></a><br />
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Sweetums5http://www.blogger.com/profile/09194206938609300984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719508936952043105.post-63186031348467123822012-11-09T05:22:00.001-05:002015-07-14T00:12:37.064-04:00Consoling Thoughts for Those Disappointed by Obama Re-election # 2<div style="text-align: center;">
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From Franciscan University Catechetics Professor, Bob Rice:</div>
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From <a href="http://bob-rice.com/2012/11/07/the-most-important-result-is-still-to-come/">Bob Rice's Website</a>:</span></div>
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<a href="http://catholicandculture.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/screen-shot-2012-11-07-at-5-58-42-am.png"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-535" src="http://catholicandculture.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/screen-shot-2012-11-07-at-5-58-42-am.png?w=620" height="87" title="Screen Shot 2012-11-07 at 5.58.42 AM" width="400" /></a></div>
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Well, about 48% of the country is unhappy right now. Consider me one of them.<br />
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Like many, I’ve been invested in this election. Read numerous stories
and blogs on the Internet. Followed the debates. Talked about it a lot.
Prayed. Voted. And yet the same guy who was elected President four
years ago is the same guy who got voted in today. Once again he’s
talking about “hope” in front of a cheering Chicago audience. After the
speech they played Bruce Springsteen’s “We Take Care Of Our Own.”</div>
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I would have rather had an election result that ended with Taylor Swift’s “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.”<br />
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I’m not the only one who prayed and fasted for this day. At Church
every Sunday (and daily), we’ve been praying or our country and for the
election. Though the prayers never specifically said, “We pray Mitt
Romney wins,” that seemed like an easy connection to make. We prayed for
a president that respects the dignity of the unborn. We prayed for a
president that respects religious freedom.</div>
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And yet we now have a president who seems to not care about either of
those two important issues. He is more concerned with the rights of
same sex couples to be married than the rights of unborn children to
live. He is more concerned with the “rights” to free contraceptives than
the rights of religious freedom.</div>
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So… were our prayers unanswered? Our novenas wasted? On the surface, it seems to be that way.</div>
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But God isn’t done yet. He just rarely answers prayers the way we think He will.</div>
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God isn’t into democracy. Jesus said, “Follow me,” not, “vote for
me.” Though we might feel that our prayers for the election weren’t
heard, God is bigger than an election. He’s about saving souls and
changing hearts.<br />
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<img alt="http://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium-large/3-jesus-said-follow-me-letitia-m-lane.jpg" class="decoded" src="http://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium-large/3-jesus-said-follow-me-letitia-m-lane.jpg" height="294" width="400" /> </div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">[<a href="http://images.fineartamerica.com/images-medium-large/3-jesus-said-follow-me-letitia-m-lane.jpg">Source</a>]</span></div>
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Abortions in this country are down. Why? Because abortion centers are
closing due to movements such as “40 Days for Life.” This is the most
pro-life generation the country has ever seen. Hearts are changing.
That’s the work of God, not man. Man can create a law to make something
“legal” or “illegal.” But only God makes things “right” or “wrong.” The
law is external, the Spirit is internal. God is more concerned about the
heart.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Same-sex marriage? Yes, it’s disappointing that same sex marriage won
a popular vote in Maine and Maryland. Proponents say this is the
beginning of a national trend (as if the 30 previous states who voted
against same sex marriage don’t matter.) That may be true. But I think
we need to do better in talking about what marriage really is. We’ve
been hoping for a vote to “protect marriage,” but perhaps we’ve been too
focused in “out-voting” the issue than explaining it. Now we have to be
more articulate. I can’t see that as a bad thing.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Religious freedom? That battle is far from over. More lawsuits have
been leveled toward the Federal Government on this matter than any other
in American history, and most of lower court results have been
respecting religious rights. Obama’s re-election doesn’t make the HHS
mandate a slam dunk, though that would have been nice—just as it would
have been a non-issue if Obamacare was flipped by the Supreme Court. But
it seems we’re just not going to get any short cuts on this: the issue
of religious freedom will need to be directly addressed by the Supreme
Court. And that could be a <i>great</i> thing.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
One “positive” thing you can say about Obama is that he’s done more
to unite the Catholic Church in America than anyone in the past 50
years. He got <i>every</i> Catholic bishop to stand against him. He
also did a lot to unite the Christian Church — remember Mike Huckabee
saying, “Today, I’m Catholic!” Heck, he even got evangelical Christians
to back a Mormon for president.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Dark-haired man with graying hair at the temples, dressed in dark suit, at a nighttime indoor event" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ca/Mitt_Romney_by_Gage_Skidmore_6.jpg/220px-Mitt_Romney_by_Gage_Skidmore_6.jpg" height="290" width="220" /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
M<span style="font-size: small;">i</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">tt Romney</span> [<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitt_Romney">Source</a>]</span></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
If we had woken up this morning with the headline, “Romney is the
President,” we might have gone back to sleep feeling secure in one
nation under God. We could be thankful that this HHS nonsense is over
and we can go back to our lives. We could be hopeful that abortions
would be reduced thanks to government intervention. That’s how I hoped
to start the day.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But God does not want us asleep. He wants us awake. He wants us to do
the same thing we’ve been doing: pray, work, and fast for our country.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
If we thought we could wake up and feel safe about these issues
because Romney got elected then we’d be as foolish as those on the other
side of these issues who think Obama is the “savior.” We can’t depend
on the government for our spiritual “welfare.” We’ve got to go out and
proclaim God’s truth with our lips and share His love from our hearts.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I’m bummed that Obama won. I know a lot of people who worked really
hard during this election and I can’t imagine how devastated they feel:
any time you spend work on a “failed” effort it’s always heart-breaking.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But I still have hope, and not the “hope” that Obama talked about to a
cheering crowd this morning. His “hope” was optimism based on the human
spirit; our hope is rooted in Jesus Christ and in His saving power. The
hope Obama offered four years ago hasn’t materialized, but our hope in
Christ is “an anchor for the soul, firm and secure” (Heb 6:19.)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The re-election of Barack Obama means that Christians in the United
States have to stay united and actively proclaim the truth of the Gospel
if we are to protect the values we believe were given to us from God.
It means we have to pray more, work harder, and be more active in
sharing our faith. If we do that, it would be a more important “result”
than any political office we could ever vote for.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I’ll end with what we prayed in Mass this morning: ”The Lord is my
light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is my life’s refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Sweetums5http://www.blogger.com/profile/09194206938609300984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719508936952043105.post-31391642258477964802012-11-09T04:54:00.003-05:002012-12-09T19:10:53.206-05:00{pretty, happy, funny, real} <div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
+ JMJ +</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life.<br />
<br />
<b>{pretty}</b><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOvfMuOJj17FOYAr4sfToNRsYmlICPTYioPCi8TvcNqdfFPEFS1MZLp-f28WfxN4j_YeC80RK1wFyJwjFQ4jnYMHUsYnsCoj-0vkvIELVnhvTOnvoG2fG4UPypdKvlsMUetll5lyzN1mE/s1600/Flowers+at+Ida+Lee+Park,+NOVA+AC+Invitational+(MIG,+10-27-12).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOvfMuOJj17FOYAr4sfToNRsYmlICPTYioPCi8TvcNqdfFPEFS1MZLp-f28WfxN4j_YeC80RK1wFyJwjFQ4jnYMHUsYnsCoj-0vkvIELVnhvTOnvoG2fG4UPypdKvlsMUetll5lyzN1mE/s320/Flowers+at+Ida+Lee+Park,+NOVA+AC+Invitational+(MIG,+10-27-12).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Beautiful flower hubby photographed at Ida Lee Park, where Muddee's NOVA AC Invitational Cross Country Meet was held on Saturday, October 27, 2012.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1Tx1t8bGAhV1YigzhQ_RwsG5VYLEmN6u9v38o-8Os9EG5y0PLaGkBsCmYBDfey0137la0CkrwFuZ1-MbK0r2F0vLzkylugeocNrejHeFAQMeV3YeYgGE0GFj-8gCY7JROGvfg2TA910/s1600/Ida+Lee+Park+in+the+Fall+(10-27-12).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1Tx1t8bGAhV1YigzhQ_RwsG5VYLEmN6u9v38o-8Os9EG5y0PLaGkBsCmYBDfey0137la0CkrwFuZ1-MbK0r2F0vLzkylugeocNrejHeFAQMeV3YeYgGE0GFj-8gCY7JROGvfg2TA910/s400/Ida+Lee+Park+in+the+Fall+(10-27-12).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Ida Lee Park in the Fall<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>{happy}</b><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1Q7bmcgFRpgUyPWo3pPgo15w3rBih8XV1yNnfwAX3UypxD3SyXRDkvrrfNxrgWNFlR7KZWnAl2xvaiSDS2OdFxnUzXQNEFzacmwAG697fZlCVltZjeHhwSm7UfKLXdLI6rB25CCJMtY/s1600/MIG,+NOVA+AC+Invitational+Award,+10-27-12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1Q7bmcgFRpgUyPWo3pPgo15w3rBih8XV1yNnfwAX3UypxD3SyXRDkvrrfNxrgWNFlR7KZWnAl2xvaiSDS2OdFxnUzXQNEFzacmwAG697fZlCVltZjeHhwSm7UfKLXdLI6rB25CCJMtY/s400/MIG,+NOVA+AC+Invitational+Award,+10-27-12.jpg" width="303" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Muddee is awarded a medal for finishing in the Top 10 at <br />
the NOVA AC Invitational Cross Country Meet on October 27, 2012.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLW0gtsFFQOA4tkNxrWxBytYATHH1X3QJ4xm_HHpg9T7PLkQczDeDnlpvu_MWMBc6PZGAmcOaGjYmdYP-f7Zk5yXp4KLq0yzK6tJpfzimeNYfIuEzcBYjyLokI5lCy8BhwumxN9CX1WQ/s1600/MIG+-+NOVA+AC+Invitational+Winners!+(10-27-12).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLW0gtsFFQOA4tkNxrWxBytYATHH1X3QJ4xm_HHpg9T7PLkQczDeDnlpvu_MWMBc6PZGAmcOaGjYmdYP-f7Zk5yXp4KLq0yzK6tJpfzimeNYfIuEzcBYjyLokI5lCy8BhwumxN9CX1WQ/s400/MIG+-+NOVA+AC+Invitational+Winners!+(10-27-12).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The Winners!<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><b>{funny}</b></b><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinGXI_hJ9opVAUBmcj8fFIJSKXnwBRnntuutHQle3dH56fWh7GaIm-1l3vgMcj12L8ky0Y8oy6w_OSt_92JTC_HHfYevGonPrpt0ApwIVVEmtN6Akh6lD4zlHOTVQVOXIcJ9wSjiNWXJo/s1600/Rob's+Feet!++(9-8-12).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinGXI_hJ9opVAUBmcj8fFIJSKXnwBRnntuutHQle3dH56fWh7GaIm-1l3vgMcj12L8ky0Y8oy6w_OSt_92JTC_HHfYevGonPrpt0ApwIVVEmtN6Akh6lD4zlHOTVQVOXIcJ9wSjiNWXJo/s320/Rob's+Feet!++(9-8-12).jpg" width="284" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Not sure why hubby took a picture of his feet, but I thought it fit the bill for this portion of the post. =) (September 8, 2012)<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><b><b>{real}</b> </b></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><b> </b> </b> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOMXRA9DvTnO8RDP4kES81iWnuwVZAu1mZzKH5OLQGL1DfmTh_GERsg2wKPudGRuKtlm_zLuv5yd5FfWBUDWw3drym0lwjNH_qNovYf5FGcdsAAXSuVKVNNJX_lepfpnFyaZrBeNyQQnY/s1600/Potomac+River+after+Hurricane+Sandy+(10-30-12).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOMXRA9DvTnO8RDP4kES81iWnuwVZAu1mZzKH5OLQGL1DfmTh_GERsg2wKPudGRuKtlm_zLuv5yd5FfWBUDWw3drym0lwjNH_qNovYf5FGcdsAAXSuVKVNNJX_lepfpnFyaZrBeNyQQnY/s400/Potomac+River+after+Hurricane+Sandy+(10-30-12).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
The Potomac River the day after Hurricane Sandy (October 30, 2012)<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1jgT5eZXZwQ5lB8swEZnD1qYIXofXXhjiYfTkhcwJ-Yf5kGBoQztbGnhlC_xVKM7PSAxWsqMfclkzOqfIT_bvOHlY2MaByqRRfHX47VM5zbRVr8d0ajBuMPUqYCE0mw1LdRIJog8wj9w/s1600/By+the+Potomac+River+after+Day+after+Hurricane+Sandy+(10-30-12).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1jgT5eZXZwQ5lB8swEZnD1qYIXofXXhjiYfTkhcwJ-Yf5kGBoQztbGnhlC_xVKM7PSAxWsqMfclkzOqfIT_bvOHlY2MaByqRRfHX47VM5zbRVr8d0ajBuMPUqYCE0mw1LdRIJog8wj9w/s400/By+the+Potomac+River+after+Day+after+Hurricane+Sandy+(10-30-12).jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
By the Potomac River the Day after Hurricane Sandy. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnFYSifqmZ8Vg0ZbJqB2GBTS5Cz17htx_-ro8JqQYcFZ7krrH8ThUODgKXQ59v-YVdkc1VYaFjyXZHIOnBnqo2q9I3lgKvpRVlbMR9G5ax91y-_VWoKPk2FZTOnDRP4JdQy-0mj4w9keQ/s1600/Park+Walkway+after+Hurricane+Sandy+(10-30-12).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnFYSifqmZ8Vg0ZbJqB2GBTS5Cz17htx_-ro8JqQYcFZ7krrH8ThUODgKXQ59v-YVdkc1VYaFjyXZHIOnBnqo2q9I3lgKvpRVlbMR9G5ax91y-_VWoKPk2FZTOnDRP4JdQy-0mj4w9keQ/s400/Park+Walkway+after+Hurricane+Sandy+(10-30-12).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The park walkways were strewn with leaves from trees shaken by Sandy's strong winds.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6DMT9UeuBGKg6Zx4YzurOVPjEW86z4kaDPWoVKFH5v6tTW9xhWQGNdBVqwdPYq0uL-xbOQzTsAqn0MyZZ1kaHXxb7gDA7lhkdMz1hUYGAPtws4xwQJ2QQn0wZdt0ghVcfkOJgX4jK8FA/s1600/Potomac+River+Day+after+Hurricane+Sandy+(10-30-12).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6DMT9UeuBGKg6Zx4YzurOVPjEW86z4kaDPWoVKFH5v6tTW9xhWQGNdBVqwdPYq0uL-xbOQzTsAqn0MyZZ1kaHXxb7gDA7lhkdMz1hUYGAPtws4xwQJ2QQn0wZdt0ghVcfkOJgX4jK8FA/s400/Potomac+River+Day+after+Hurricane+Sandy+(10-30-12).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Potomac River after Hurricane Sandy (October 30, 2012).<br />
<br />
Thank you, Lord, for sparing us from the brunt of the storm! </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Visit <a href="http://ourmothersdaughters.blogspot.com/2012/11/pretty-happy-funny-real-master-bedroom.html">Like Mother, Like Daughter </a>for more pictures of contentment.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Sweetums5http://www.blogger.com/profile/09194206938609300984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719508936952043105.post-13566640143931273022012-11-07T04:43:00.000-05:002012-11-09T05:18:37.159-05:00Consoling Thoughts for Those Disappointed by Obama Re-election # 1<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
+ JMJ +</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
From Live Action President, Lila Rose:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="http://cnsnews.com/sites/default/files/images/lila%20rose%202.jpg?1297389091" class="decoded" height="303" src="http://cnsnews.com/sites/default/files/images/lila%20rose%202.jpg?1297389091" width="400" /> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">[<a href="http://cnsnews.com/sites/default/files/images/lila%20rose%202.jpg?1297389091">Source</a>]</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
“Our work to defend the lives of the most vulnerable and to promote human dignity is not dependent on an election. This is a fight for each person, one person at a time. We will only work harder, hope and trust more, and ask God to make our lives a reflection of His love which never disappoints.” <span style="font-size: xx-small;">[<a href="http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/obama-wins-re-election-mainstream-media-projections">Source</a>]</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
From Marjorie Dannenfelser, the President of the Susan B. Anthony List:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" height="269" src="http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/images/size340/Marjorie_Dannenfelser_Susan_B_Anthony_List_CNA_US_Catholic_News_2_27_12.jpg" width="340" /> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">[<a href="http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/women-want-conscience-rights-more-than-mandate/">Source</a>]</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
“Let me make one thing clear: the pro-life cause did not lose tonight, Mitt Romney did. It is with a heavy heart that I say that he ran a campaign purely on
economic issues – and time and time again did not go on offense on our
issue. Polling this cycle and historical voting trends show
that <u>the pro-life issue isn’t only the right thing to do, but it is the
winning thing to do politically</u>. I’m afraid Mitt Romney and his team
failed to recognize this. We will need to work on this, too.” <span style="font-size: xx-small;">[<a href="http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/obama-wins-re-election-mainstream-media-projections">Source</a>]</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">From Tom Crowe<span style="font-size: small;"> of Catholic Vote.org:</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span><img alt="http://www.catholicvote.org/discuss/wp-content/uploads/userphoto/tom-crowe.thumbnail.jpg" class="decoded" src="http://www.catholicvote.org/discuss/wp-content/uploads/userphoto/tom-crowe.thumbnail.jpg" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">[<a href="http://www.catholicvote.org/discuss/wp-content/uploads/userphoto/tom-crowe.thumbnail.jpg">Source</a>]</span> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">... the way forward will not be in our own machinations but it will be in
embracing the substance of the Church and bringing her to the world and
the world to her. We make a difference when we affect hearts, which
move minds, and the heart is moved when the Holy Spirit is allowed to
move in the heart.</span><br />
<br />
We are children of God before we are citizens of any nation or
subjects of any sovereign. We fight the good fight in the politics of
the world to bring about the good and true in the world precisely
because we are first children of God, and we have been called to affect
the good in the world, so that more of us might end up in heaven with
God in eternity.<br />
<br />
Let us forge ahead with full hope in the promise of God’s love,
anchored in God’s Church, affecting the world for the good and the true. <br />
<br />
In the end, God has already won anyhow. <span style="font-size: xx-small;">[<a href="http://www.catholicvote.org/discuss/index.php?p=38535">Source</a>]</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">From</span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span>S</span>usan Michelle Tyrrell in LifeSite News:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.lifesitenews.com/images/sized/images/blog/Susan_Michelle_Tyrrell-175x175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="http://www.lifesitenews.com/images/sized/images/blog/Susan_Michelle_Tyrrell-175x175.jpg" border="0" class="decoded" src="http://www.lifesitenews.com/images/sized/images/blog/Susan_Michelle_Tyrrell-175x175.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[<a href="http://www.lifesitenews.com/images/sized/images/blog/Susan_Michelle_Tyrrell-175x175.jpg">Source</a>]</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Never have we needed to pray as we do in this critical hour. No man
is our answer apart from Jesus, and He wasn’t the least bit surprised.
Before the foundation of the world, He knew we’d re-elect President
Obama tonight. We absolutely cannot forget the word of the Lord in
Romans which says:
</div>
<blockquote>
13 Let every soul be subject to the governing
authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the
authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists
the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will
bring judgment on themselves.For rulers are not a terror to good works,
but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is
good, and you will have praise from the same.</blockquote>
Did
you catch that? Rulers are not a terror to good works. As we do the
will of the Lord, no man, pro-abortion or not, should be a Christian’s
terror. Jesus wants abortion to end. We have the Man of all men on our
side. We cannot be in the wrong when we do right, but we can be wrong
even in being right if we lash out and live from anger. As you take in
the news tonight, please don’t forget the mandate to pray, not only to
end abortion but for the rulers of this land, whether we wanted them to
be elected or not—because that’s actually irrelevant to our prayers.<br />
<blockquote>
Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications,
prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,for
kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and
peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. I Tim. 2:1-2</blockquote>
We’ll have more response for you Wednesday, but we want to encourage
you and remind you of the truth and hope that has not left. The
president may not be on our side with LIFE, but the true King of the
earth is. What we must do now is pray for our president, even as we pray
for abortion to end. We must remember that being a Christian means we
are to display Christ-like behavior. This is the time to respond in love
and prayer. Its’ a time to stand for truth in love. This will change a
culture far more than an election.<br />
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Many of us go to bed disappointed tonight. But it’s time to remember
the hope that does not disappoint (Romans 5). Jesus Christ is the same
yesterday, today and forever, and His desire for LIFE has never changed.<br />
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Take a day, feel sad about the loss, cry a bit, and then get up and
stand on your knees. We have a battle to fight. And every day that we
don’t, close to 4000 babies will suffer. This isn’t time to get
fruitlessly angry but to channel that anger to the hope we have in
Jesus. <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[<a href="http://www.lifesitenews.com/blog/obama-is-re-elected-now-is-the-time-for-prayer-not-anger-or-negativity">Source</a>]</span></span><br />
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Sweetums5http://www.blogger.com/profile/09194206938609300984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719508936952043105.post-31497915059243660222012-10-09T05:40:00.001-04:002012-10-09T05:59:21.290-04:00St. Hilarion the Great - Feast Day: October 21 <div style="text-align: center;">
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<b>Saint Hilarion the Great </b><br />
(291 - 371 AD)<br />
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Feast Day: October 21 </div>
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On October 21st, we remember a saint who began life possessing
many of the delights the world can offer, and willingly gave them all
up. He is Saint Hilarion, who became one of the foremost ascetics of
Palestine.<br />
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Hilarion was born at Tabatha, south of Gaza in Palestine. He was the son of Pagan parents, who did not believe in God. But he had a happy and relatively carefree childhood. He read and played music,
enjoyed sports and games, and idled away hours with his friends. There
was little to suggest that he would deny himself the pleasures of life
as he grew up.<br />
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Hilarion's parents wanted to give him a good education along with his
other advantages. When he was a teenager, they sent him to Alexandria in Egypt -- a sophisticated
city known for its libraries, schools, and excellent teachers -- to
study. It was then, as a student, that his life changed forever, and in
ways his parents couldn't have anticipated.<br />
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Alexandria offered many forms of entertainment. A person could go to
the theater, attend the circus, or shout with the crowds at violent,
bloody contests in the arena. But Hilarion was unimpressed and even
repelled by these.<br />
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He found himself drawn instead to the assemblies of
Christians, who met often to worship. These people became his friends and
his guides in the spiritual life.<br />
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There at the age of 15, he was baptized. His conversion started him out on a glorious journey leading him closer to God. <br />
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Like everyone in Alexandria, Hilarion had heard about the famous monk,
who made his home in the forbidding Egyptian desert and lived a
wonderfully simple, prayerful life there.<br />
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After listening to an account of the angelic life of St. Anthony the Great (January 17), Egypt's illustrious hermit, Hilarion went to visit him in the desert, desiring to study with him and learn what is pleasing to God. Upon meeting that truly great man, the Father of monks, Saint Hilarion determined to devote himself also to the ascetical life.<br />
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The visit changed young Hilarion's life forever. He stayed with Anthony
for two months, and carefully observed everything the older man did — his
constant prayer, his extremely austere diet, the gentle way he dealt
with other people while being so strict in his own habits. Hilarion
decided to begin a life modeled on Anthony's.<br />
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Many people came to St. Anthony for help. Soon, it was not quiet enough there for Hilarion. He could not find the peace he was looking for. He wanted to be alone to serve Jesus, whom he had just come to love. So he returned to his native land, Palestine. <br />
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When he did so, he found that his parents had died. He quickly settled his affairs by distributing his family's inheritance to the poor. Afterwards, he set out into the desert surrounding the city of Maium to live
alone as a hermit. Though only fifteen years old (306), he built a
little hut, scarcely large enough to accommodate himself, and
slept on the bare ground.<br />
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Saint Jerome, who wrote an account of his life, described his efforts:<br />
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"With no other covering for his limbs but a shirt of sackcloth, and a
cloak of skins which the blessed Anthony had given him when he set out,
and a blanket of the coarsest sort, he found pleasure in the vast and
terrible wilderness with the sea on one side and the marshland on the
other." </div>
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Most of Hilarion's time was spent in reading and in meditating upon Holy
Scripture. He fasted during the day and had a small meal after sunset made up of a few figs and a little soup from herbs. This sufficed for his
nourishment, but he never took it before the setting of the sun.
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He supported himself by weaving baskets, but spent the rest of his time in prayer. Because of his mortifications and humility, he triumphed over fierce
assaults by the evil one, for in the desert, Hilarion faced many temptations. At times, he felt that God did not hear his prayers at all. But he did not let these temptations stop him from praying even harder. <br />
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The monk struggled intensely with impure, lustful thoughts, vexations of the mind and the burning temptations and passions of his flesh. But he defeated them with heavy labor, fasting and fervent prayer. The devil sought to frighten the saint with phantoms and apparitions. <br />
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During prayer, St. Hilarion heard children crying, women wailing, the roaring of lions and other wild beasts. The monk perceived that it was the demons causing these terrors in order to drive him away from the wilderness. He overcame his fear with the help of fervent prayer. <br />
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Once, robbers fell upon St. Hilarion, and he persuaded them to forsake their life of crime through the power of his words. <br />
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After twenty years in the desert, the holy man worked his first miracle. Soon, all of Palestine learned about the holy ascetic. Many people began coming to his hut to beg his help. He became a healer, a counselor, and a worker of miracles. <br />
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The Lord granted to St. Hilarion the power to cast out unclean spirits. With this gift of grace, he loosed the bonds of many of the afflicted. <br />
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Such was the grace that he received from God that he could tell by the
smell of someone's body or clothing which passion afflicted his soul. The sick came for healing, and the monk cured them free of charge, saying that the grace of God is not for sale (MT 10:8). <br />
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Several men asked him to let them stay with him to learn from him how to pray and do penance. They came to St. Hilarion, wanting to save their soul under his guidance. In his great love for God and people, the saint invited them to stay. <br />
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With the blessing of St. Hilarion, monasteries began to spring up throughout Palestine. Going from one monastery to another, he instituted a strict ascetic manner of life.<br />
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Because of the miracles he worked, he found himself
compelled by his growing renown to leave Gaza, to escape from the
throngs of people coming to ask his prayers.<br />
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He began to travel, when he was sixty-five. He moved frequently so as not to attract adoring followers. He passed through Egypt and Libya, and sailed to Sicily in search of peace and quiet.<br />
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When he visited
Egypt, he came again with longing to the place where Saint Anthony had
lived. But he was not able to remain in any one place for long, since
despite all his attempts to conceal himself, the light of the grace that
was in him could not be hid. The fame of his miracles of mercy always brought crowds of visitors. (He had two thousand followers.)<br />
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A few years before his death, Hilarion finally found a lonely cave in Cyprus and at last felt that he was truly alone with God. There, the ascetic lived in a solitary place until the Lord summoned him to Himself. He was eighty years old when he died.<br />
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The day of St. Hilarion's death is given as October 21, 371. His grave is on the island of Cyprus. St. Jerome wrote the life of the holy hermit twenty years after his death in 390 AD at Bethlehem.</div>
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<span style="color: #e69138;"><b><i>With the streams of your tears, you have made the barren desert
fertile. Through sighs of sorrow from deep within you, your labors have
borne fruit a hundred-fold. By your miracles, you have become a light,
shining upon the world. O St. Hilarion, pray to Christ our
God, to save our souls.</i></b></span><br />
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<i><span style="color: #e69138;"><b>As we gather on this day, we sing your praise and acclaim, you as a
never-setting light of the bright spiritual Daystar. Those whom
ignorance benighted, you illumined with your beams; and you raised to the divine heights, O St. Hilarion, all who cry
out: Height of ascetics, Rejoice!</b></span> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">[<a href="http://onbehalfofall.org/2009/10/21/oct-21-st-hilarion-the-great/">Source</a>]</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="color: #e69138;"><b>St. Hilarion, pray for us, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.</b></span></i><br />
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[Sources of text: <a href="http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net/kids/saints/1021_hilarion.asp">Holy Spirit Interactive Kids</a>, <a href="http://www.stjosephmelkitecatholicchurch.org/menaion_for_october/index.album/p-alignleft-bioct-21-commemoration-of-our-venerable-father-hilarion?i=28&s=1">St. Joseph Melkite Catholic Church</a>,</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://www.stgeorgeofboston.org/news/saints/archive/407.html">St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church</a>, <a href="http://dce.oca.org/assets/templates/bulletin.cfm?mode=html&id=48">Orthodox Church in America</a> and <a href="http://onbehalfofall.org/2009/10/21/oct-21-st-hilarion-the-great/">On Behalf of All</a>]</div>
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Sweetums5http://www.blogger.com/profile/09194206938609300984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719508936952043105.post-88261963346313977952012-10-06T03:12:00.003-04:002012-10-06T04:16:35.624-04:00Saint Serafino of Monte Granaro - Feastday: October 12 (Biography # 4)<div style="text-align: center;">
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<b>Saint Serafino of Monte Granaro </b></div>
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(1540 - 1604)</div>
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Miracle Worker, and Model of Humility, Obedience, and Charity.<br />
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Feast Day: October 12<br />
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A Capuchin, Saint Serafino served as counsel and spiritual advisor to many, despite his own limited education. He is remembered for his holiness, unwavering commitment to serve the poor, and devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and Our Blessed Mother.<br />
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Born Felice de Nicola at Monte Granaro of a poor, pious family, the future saint was forced to take a job as a shepherd early in his youth to help support the family. In the fields with his sheep, he spent long hours in prayer and contemplation of the Lord, having been inspired by his mother from an early age to remain pure and innocent, and work toward sainthood. However, his early employment prevented him from gaining any formal education. </div>
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Early in life, he developed a special devotion to Our Blessed Mother, and would travel as pilgrim to the shrine devoted to her at Loreto (which was not too far from his home). On one occasion, when he reached the Potenza River, which we had to cross, he found the water so high that no boatman would assist him. In his eagerness to reach the shrine, he stepped into the river, which became as solid ground beneath his feet, allowing him to cross without danger or becoming wet!<br />
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While still a teenager, both of Felice’s parents died, and he was from that point to be looked after by his elder brother. A bricklayer, and man of extremely violent temper, his brother employed him, but provided him no warmth or family connection. Rather, he delivered harsh words and blows, and significant abuse, regardless of how hard Felice worked to please him. The future saint, however, for his part, accepted all the trials given to him with great penance, recognizing his suffering as the path to holiness.</div>
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At the young age of 16, Felice entered the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin convent as a lay brother at Ascoli Piceno, desiring to consecrate himself fully to the Lord. Upon acceptance, he is reported to have said: "I have nothing -- just a crucifix and a rosary--but with these I hope to benefit the friars and become a saint." He took the name Serafino, giving up his former identity and life. <br />
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At first, Serafino was mocked by his brothers due to his illiteracy. He turned to prayer as comfort, later recalling, "When I entered religious life I was a poor, unskilled laborer, lacking both talent and potential. I remained as I was, and this caused so many humiliations and rebukes, which the devil used as opportunities to tempt me to leave religious life and retreat to some desert, withdrawing into myself.<br />
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I entrusted myself to the Lord, and one night I heard a voice coming from the tabernacle say, <span style="background-color: #ffe599;"><b>‘To serve God you must die to yourself and accept adversity, of whatever type.’ So I accepted them and resolved to recite a rosary for anyone who caused me trouble.</b></span><br />
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Then I heard the voice from the tabernacle say, '<span style="background-color: #ffe599;"><b>Your prayers for those who mortify you are very pleasing to me. In exchange, I am ready to grant you many graces</b></span>.’”<br />
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Eventually, despite his lack of education and young age, the brothers at the convent recognized his piety and holiness, as well as his unaffected simplicity, and soon he was respected and admired by his community.<br />
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He encouraged them in the ways of humility, obedience, limitless charity to those in need, mortification, and self-sacrifice, and worked tirelessly at the most menial chores in service to his brothers. He was graced with considerable spiritual gifts and wisdom, as well as devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady.</div>
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Serafino was further endowed by the Lord with the gift of reading the secrets of hearts, and with that of miracles (restoring the sick to health via his intercession and the Sign of the Cross) and prophecy. Although uneducated, his advice was sought by secular and ecclesiastical dignitaries, and was a fruitful source of virtue to souls.<br />
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Saint Serafino ate very little, frequently taking only one fourth of his meager rations, and distributing the rest to the poor. As porter for the community, he was responsible for feeding those in need, and he would frequently empty the larders and vegetable garden, distributing all the community had to the poor.<br />
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On one such occasion, his superior reprimanded him for endangering the welfare of his brothers, giving away all their food. Ever obedient, Serafino assured the superior that it would not happen again, and that the community would in no way suffer. Sure enough, the following morning, the vegetable garden was again full of new vegetables, having miraculously grown overnight!</div>
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<span style="background-color: #ffe599;"><b>Despite the attention and recognition he received from leaders and dignitaries, Saint Serafino desired to withdraw from the world</b></span>. His reputation captured the attention of all, including the dukes of Bavaria and Parma, the Peopli nobles of Bologna, and Cardinal Bandini. To avoid having people kiss his hand or tunic to show their respect, Serafino would carry a crucifix with him, offering it for them to kiss. </div>
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<span style="background-color: #ffe599;"><b>Serafino found his solace in quiet prayer and contemplation before the Blessed Sacrament, contemplating the suffering of Christ</b></span>. He devoted each night to prayer, and would remain in front of the Sacrament for hours at a time, absorbed in the Light of Christ. He would then take a short rest, rising again to attend the Midnight Office, and after another short rest, rise in prayer and service to his brothers. The Lord preserved his bodily strength, allowing him to continue his rigorous routine on little sleep for the majority of his life.</div>
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Saint Serafino prayed each day: </div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;">Holy Mother, pierce me through,<br /> In my heart each wound renew<br /> Of my Savior Crucified.</span></div>
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Saint Serafino died peacefully on October 12, 1604, at the age of 64. Many miracles were reported at his tomb, which lies in the Capuchin friary at Ascoli. </div>
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John Paul II wrote that the message and life of Saint Serafino as an <span style="color: #3d85c6;"><i>"eloquent witness of the universal vocation to holiness."</i> </span>The Holy Father went on to say:<br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><i>"<span style="background-color: #ffe599;"><b>With the passage of time, holiness
does not lose its force of attraction; more than that, it shines with
greater luminosity. This is evident in the person of Brother Serafino, a
simple and illiterate man whom all, both the humble and powerful,
regarded as a real 'brother.'</b></span> Precisely because of this," the "humble
son of St. Francis" is "an eloquent witness of that universal vocation
to holiness.”</i></span></div>
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Pope John Paul II also had the following to say about Saint Serafino, holding him up as a holy example of prayer, penance, and mortification:</div>
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Saint Serafino<i><span style="color: #cc0000;"> <span style="color: #3d85c6;">"had assimilated so
profoundly the evangelical exhortation 'pray without ceasing' that his
mind was habitually immersed in things of the spirit.”</span></span></i> He contemplated <span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><i>"the divine presence in creation and in people"</i></span> </span>and <span style="color: #3d85c6;"><i>"his prayer was prolonged for hours … before the tabernacle.”</i> </span>Moved also <span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><i>"by
an intense love for the passion of Christ, he would pause to meditate
on the Lord's sorrows and those of the Blessed Virgin."</i></span> </span>His spirit in the course of the years <span style="color: #3d85c6;"><i>"made transparent the real greatness of his soul.”</i></span></div>
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Saint Serafino <span style="color: #3d85c6;"><i>"had well understood
the evangelical page that proclaims: 'Whoever would be great among you
must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave
of all.'"</i></span><br />
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In the posts he held as caretaker and alms-giver, he came in contact with the most varied people. This saint <span style="color: #3d85c6;"><i>"loved
to frequent the more underprivileged and marginalized sectors of the
population to discover their hidden needs and to alleviate their
physical and spiritual sufferings.”</i></span> Moreover, <span style="color: #3d85c6;"><i>"he
was a great peacemaker in families, wisely tempering, according to the
circumstances, strong reprimands, gestures of loving solidarity, and
words of encouraging consolation.”</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #ffe599;"><b>We are reminded by the life of Saint Serafino of Montegranaro that simplicity in devotion and spirit are what the Lord calls each of us to. We all to frequently get caught up in the need to dramatically or philosophically proclaim our faith—or even support our faith with study and discourse, attempting to make a logical or rational argument for our beliefs. Saint Serafino could do none of this, having never learned to read. Rather, he proclaimed the simple Christian faith by imitating the life of Christ in service, obedience, and charity towards those in need. The humility and simplicity of his actions are far more dramatic and inspiring than the most learned scholarly arguments. </b></span> We are reminded today that our witness is also through our actions!</div>
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<span style="color: #e69138;"><b><i>God, our Father, You endowed Saint
Serafino with the manifold gifts of the Holy Spirit, and made him an
admirable witness of the riches of Christ. Through his intercession, make
us grow in knowledge of You, that we may walk faithfully before You,
according to the truth of the gospel. Amen.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138;"><b><i>Saint
Serafino, pray for us, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.</i></b></span></div>
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[Source of entire text and pictures: <a href="http://365rosaries.blogspot.com/2011/10/october-12-saint-serafino-of.html">A Year of Prayer - 365 Rosaries</a>]</div>
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Sweetums5http://www.blogger.com/profile/09194206938609300984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719508936952043105.post-17192501391189871962012-10-06T02:19:00.000-04:002012-10-06T04:05:35.924-04:00St. Seraphin of Monte Granaro - Feastday: October 12 (Biography # 3)<div style="text-align: center;">
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<b>Saint Seraphin of Monte Granaro </b><br />
Religious </div>
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(1540-1604)</div>
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Feastday: October 12</div>
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Seraphin De Nicola, baptized Felice, was born in Monte Granaro, Italy, in 1540. His parents were poor in earthly goods and obscure in the sight of men. But the spirit of prayer, which his mother instilled in the boy, was an inheritance of priceless value. The loving lessons of his mother caused Seraphin to make the firm resolve to remain innocent and become a saint.</div>
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His father and brother were masons, but Felice was not strong or skilled, so he was sent to work as a shepherd, a job he enjoyed because it allowed him to be by himself and pray. </div>
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On the death of his parents, Seraphin was subjected to a severe trial.
His brother, a bricklayer and a man of a violent temper, needed Seraphin to help with the business, so he took him into
his employ. He was given tasks he could not complete. No matter what the boy did, he received nothing but
harsh words and blows from his ill-tempered brother. He would beat him and belittle him. Seraphin bore the cruel treatment with
great patience and recognized in it the way to holiness. </div>
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A friend urged him to accept his more spiritual side and suggested he speak with the Capuchins. Desiring to consecrate himself to the service of God, he entered a Capuchin convent when he was only 16 years old. He served in various friaries as porter and questor.<br />
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He devoted the night to prayer. In the evening he would visit the Blessed Sacrament and remain there for hours absorbed in prayer and contemplation. Then he would take a short rest, after which he would get up once more to attend the midnight office. God seemed to preserve his bodily strength in a marvelous way.</div>
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During a famine, he ate but a fourth of his own meager meal, in order to have so much more to give to the poor. As porter of the convent, charged with providing for the poor, he once exceeded the bounds of obedience. For, as he had nothing more to give and there were still some poor waiting for help, he went into the garden and gathered a supply of the vegetables growing there. </div>
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When his superior took him to task for it, the good brother assured him that the community would in no way suffer on his account, and the next morning a new growth of vegetables appeared in the garden.</div>
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The miraculous power with which God rewarded the charity of His servant continued to manifest itself. Countless sick were restored to health when he made the Sign of the Cross over them.</div>
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Seraphin endeavored, nevertheless, to withdraw as much as possible from contact with the world. While engaged in the quiet work about the convent, his heart was busy contemplating the sufferings of Christ. </div>
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His life was noted for its unaffected simplicity, close union with Christ, and great love for the poor and for sinners. Inflamed with the love of God, Seraphin departed from this life on
October 12, 1604, in his 64th year. Many miracles occurred at his
grave, and Pope Clement XIII canonized him in 1767.</div>
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+ <i>PRAYER</i> + </div>
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<i>God, our Father, You endowed Saint Seraphin with the manifold gifts of the Spirit, and made him an admirable witness of the riches of Christ. Through his intercession make us grow in knowledge of You that we may walk faithfully before You according to the truth of the gospel. </i><br />
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<i>We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.</i></div>
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[Sources of text and pictures: <a href="http://www.capuchin.org/about/history/saints/detail/28">Capuchin Franciscans</a>, Province of St. Mary, and <a href="http://stevenwood.com/reflections/franciscan/1012-28.htm">Steven Wood</a>'s reflections.] </div>
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<br />Sweetums5http://www.blogger.com/profile/09194206938609300984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719508936952043105.post-57004490759732949022012-10-06T01:31:00.000-04:002012-10-06T04:10:08.662-04:00St. Seraphin of Monte Granaro - Feastday: October 12 (Biography # 2)<div style="text-align: center;">
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<b>St. Seraphin of Monte Granaro</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>(1540-1604)</b><br />
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Feastday: October 12 </div>
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<b>"The Saint is dead! The Saint is dead!"</b></div>
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<br />
He wasn't exactly the best groomed of saints! His fellow countrymen
described him with these words: “His beard and hair were always ruffled
… his breath smelled dreadful … his habit, covered in patches, always
slipped down a little on his left side, making his hair-shirt visible …
his neck was always covered with a burning rash or eczema … he never
ever wanted to be touched on the shoulders … he had a great love for
flowers and children.”<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.capuchin.or.kr/img/data/seraphin/Seraphin01.jpg" target="_new"><img align="right" border="0" hspace="10" name="zb_target_resize" src="http://www.capuchin.or.kr/img/data/Seraphin01.jpg" vspace="10" /></a>And
these children of Ascoli Piceno, whom the old Capuchin had always loved
so tenderly, were the first to announce the news of his death. In
fact, when he died, in 1604, his fellow Capuchins had first thought of
burying him quietly, lest news of his death draw too big a crowd to the
friary for his funeral. But somehow the children got wind of the news
and round the town they went crying aloud: "The Saint is dead! The Saint
is dead!"<br />
<br />
'Saint', 'wonder-worker', 'prophet' - these are but some of the exalted
titles by which people were referring to Brother Seraphin of
Monte Granaro long before he died. And after his death the wonders did
not cease, but only seemed to increase. 46 years earlier, he had
entered the Capuchin novitiate at Jesi, introducing himself with these
prophetic words: "I have nothing but a crucifix and a rosary. With these
I hope to benefit the Brothers and become a saint."<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>A Clumsy Young Man</b></div>
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<br />
He was a young man of eighteen then but, despite his best efforts, he
had never been very of practical use to anyone or skillful at anything,
except perhaps praying. He was born at Monte Granaro in the Central
Italian region know as the Marches of Ancona, around 1540, the second of
Jerome de Nicola and his wife Theodora's four children. His father,
Jerome was a builder by trade, but found it hard to eke out a living.
This boy who was baptized Felix, was, at a young age, sent to work on a
neighbouring farm, so as to earn some extra income for the family. In
the countryside, with only sheep for company, he developed a love for
silence, solitude, prayer and meditation. But when his parents died,
and his brother, Silenzio took over the family business, Felix was
called back home to help with the building work. He was, however, a
clumsy young man, totally incapable of learning any of the building
skills, his brother tried to teach him. Even as a mere hod carrier, his
innate clumsiness got the better of him and he was regularly scolded
and badly beaten by his bad-tempered older brother. <br />
<br />
He gradually began to feel a desire to withdraw to some lonely place and
dedicate himself to God alone, in a life of prayer and mortification,
like Desert Fathers did of old. One day while he was telling Lois
Vannucci, a girl from nearby Loro Piceno, she suggested he could find
just such a life with the newly established Capuchin Friars Minor, who
had a friary at Tolentino, not very far away.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.capuchin.or.kr/img/data/seraphin/Seraphin02.jpg" target="_new"><img align="left" border="0" hspace="10" name="zb_target_resize" src="http://www.capuchin.or.kr/img/data/Seraphin02.jpg" vspace="10" /></a><b>Early Years as a Capuchin</b><br />
<br />
And so, Felix, then 16 year old, made his way to the Capuchin Friary and
asked to be admitted to the Order. His request was refused then, but
he tried again two years later, in 1558, and this time he was admitted.
Now known by the religious name of Brother Seraphin of Montegranaro, he
spent his novitiate year at Jesi novitiate friary and one year later he
made perpetual profession there.<br />
<br />
Despite his high hopes and intense prayer life, things did not go
smoothly for this newly professed Capuchin Brother during his first
years in religious life. His natural awkwardness and clumsiness still
continued to blight the various ministries of fraternal service to which
he was assigned, bringing upon himself the reproval of his Ministers
and fellow Capuchins, as well as many humiliations, penances and
frequent changes of address. His inability to satisfactorily perform the
various tasks assigned to him was, in fact, one of the main reasons he
had to be reassigned so often. He lived for a short time in many of the
Provinces local fraternities, at places like Loro Piceno, Corinaldo,
Ostra, Ancona, Sant' Elipidio and Montolmo. The precise chronology of
his stays in these places is hard to determine. Finally, around 1589,
he was moved to Ascoli Piceno where he spent the last 15 years of his
life.<br />
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<br />
<b>The Secret of his Holiness</b></div>
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<br />
Wherever he went great throngs of people flocked to see him, attracted
by his obvious holiness and the fame of the miracles he worked. When
the Brother Guardian of the Civitanova friary demanded to know the
secret of his holiness and miraculous powers. This is the answer Brother
Seraphin gave him. "When I came to the friary, I was a poor unskilled
laborer, without ability and without aptitude: and this was the cause of
so many humiliations and so many reproofs on which the Demon acted,
causing the temptation to leave the Order and withdraw to the desert to
enter my heart. I entrusted myself to the Lord and one night a voice
came out from the Tabernacle, saying, <span style="background-color: #ffe599;"><b>"To serve God it is necessary to
die to oneself and accept adversities, whatever the nature of these may
be." I did accept them and offered to recite a rosary for those who
inflicted them on me. The familiar voice from the same Tabernacle
assured me, saying, "Your prayers for those who mortify you are most
pleasing to me. I am ready, in exchange, to grant you every grace."</b></span><br />
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<b>The Wonder worker</b></div>
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<br />
<a href="http://www.capuchin.or.kr/img/data/seraphin/Seraphin03.jpg" target="_new"><img align="right" border="0" hspace="10" name="zb_target_resize" src="http://www.capuchin.or.kr/img/data/Seraphin03.jpg" vspace="10" /></a>And
oh! How many were the graces ensued? These were not primarily graces
given for his own personal benefit but for the good of others. Some
2000 pages of documentation for the process of his canonization contain a
list testimonies about these numerous graces and miracles brought about
by him. That list might even have been longer if one Guardian had not
commanded him to stop working miracles. People had only to kiss his
mantle, be touched by his hands, or even invoke his name, to be cured of
stubborn ailments and escape from impossible predicaments. Anything he
touched seemed to bring about miracles. Bread, oranges, grass, wheat,
lettuce, and especially his rosary beads, made from fennel and pieces of
pumpkin - all these became imbued with miraculous powers. In fact the
ordinary people had more faith in his rosary beads than they had in any
medicines city doctors might prescribe.<br />
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<b>Some of Brother Seraphin's Healings</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
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A mother brought once a young girl who had never been able to speak and
asked him to cure her. "O Little Saint," he said "take her to the
church to the altar of the Blessed Sacrament." A little while later when
he saw the girl and her mother kneeling before the altar, he said to
them "It is nothing!" and placing three fragrant roses in the girl's
hand, he said to her mother "Take her home and you will see that she
will be talking even more than you want her to." That evening during
supper the little girl began to talk and talk, so much so that her
parents were wondering how they might get her to shut up!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.capuchin.or.kr/img/data/seraphin/Seraphin04.jpg" target="_new"><img align="left" border="0" hspace="10" name="zb_target_resize" src="http://www.capuchin.or.kr/img/data/Seraphin04.jpg" vspace="10" /></a>A
canon of the Cathedral of Ascoli Piceno, Reverend Francis Panicci, was
suffering from a contagious skin disease which caused his hands to break
out in pus-filled spots and crusty scabs. He received all sorts of
medical treatment but the skin disease got worse instead of better, so
much so that he was no longer able to say Mass in public. One day he
decided to take a walk in the Capuchin friary garden, where he came upon
old Brother Seraphin, who took his hands in his, saying "Whose hands
are these? Are they perhaps the hands of a priest, of a canon even?"
Half jokingly the Canon asked him. "Will you give me some remedy,
Brother Seraphin!" Brother Seraphin plucked a fistful of grass from a
nearby meadow and began to rub it into the priest's hands until they
were green all over, saying over and over: "I want you to be healed, to
make these hands beautiful!" Though the hands did not get better there
and then the did feel better and softer afterwards. Within a fortnight,
the Canon's hands were perfectly restored to health and he was able to
say Mass publicly again.<br />
<br />
He once healed a bishop who was at death's door. The bishop told him, "I
made a long journey and was hoping to enter paradise. But, thanks to
you, they shut the door in my face and threw me down the stairs, so here
I am back in this world." <br />
<br />
Even his fellow Capuchin Saint, Brother Laurence of Brindisi was aware
of his fame as a miracle worker who could even raise the dead to life.
But when he met him earlier during his visitation of the Province, he
did not recognize the elderly Brother, who volunteered to go on the
Missions, as the one that all the talk was about. And that is the way
Brother Seraphin himself would have wanted it.<br />
<br />
Even when an aura of sanctity came to surround him and he was attracting
throngs of cheering devotees, he always sought to remain hidden and
steadfastly did his best to escape the applause of the people. He used
to often tell a grateful devotee: “All right, calm down, little saint,
calm down! Because it was not I, but Christ and your faith that healed
you!”<br />
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<br />
<b>A Model Capuchin at the Service of his Brothers</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
Brother Seraphin of Monte Granaro was a typical Capuchin, from head to
toe, the very personification of the Order's main charisms. He was
indeed a man of prayer, a brother of the people, a poor and austere
Friar Minor and evangelizer of poor. As a peacemaker, he thirsted for
righteousness and justice and delighted also in the works of God's
Creation.<br />
<br />
Brother Seraphin was always grateful to the Capuchin Brothers for
accepting him into the Fraternity, despite his many drawbacks. This
fraternal love and gratefulness found its concrete expression, above
all, in his prompt obedience. He moved willingly from friary to friary,
seeking to be of use to his Brothers, as cook, gardener, questor,
porter and companion to preachers, But his fraternal love reached its
apex in the prayers he offered for those Brothers who were critical of
him or insulted him publicly because of his incompetence. <br />
<br />
Another remedy he used for dealing with such rebukes was a healthy sense
of humour. Once a Guardian shouted at him that he was a "hypocrite, a
deceiver of the whole world and a stiff necked man!" "I may be a
hypocrite" answered Seraphin straight away, "but I am not a lazy one,
because I am always going about deceiving now this one, now that!" <br />
<br />
When a Priest Brother in the Fraternity was afflicted with scruples and
depressed, Brother Seraphin told him to follow him into the
kitchenette, where he had some reserved cases for him. There he opened
the cupboard and showed him a big quantity of cheese, saying with an
impish grin, "These are my reserved cases." (In Italian 'casi riservati'
can mean both reserved cases and preserved cheeses). At this his
confrere could not help burst out laughing, and soon forgot about the
scruples, that were causing his depression. <br />
<br />
<br />
<b>A Man of Prayer</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
Like Saint Francis before him, Brother Seraphin was not so much a man
who said prayers but a man whose whole life had become a
prayer. Witnesses tell us that even while he was conversing with other
people. his mind was habitually raised up to God and that he enjoyed
that rarest of mystical gifts, a lifelong union with God. <a href="http://www.capuchin.or.kr/img/data/seraphin/Seraphin05.jpg" target="_new"><img align="right" border="0" hspace="10" name="zb_target_resize" src="http://www.capuchin.or.kr/img/data/Seraphin05.jpg" vspace="10" /></a>Not
only when he was staying at the Friary, but also when he stopped
overnight at the houses of benefactors while questing, his prayers
extended deep into the silence of the night. After the other Brothers
had gone to bed, he would make his way quietly to the church, to pray
for hours before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. At night, he usually
spent more time in the chapel than in his cell. If someone saw him
there, and he was aware of it, he would pretend to be asleep, snoring
loudly! When one Brother reproved him for such irreverence, he answered
half-jokingly “My little saint, I get more sleep in the chapel than in
the refectory.” He also told one Confrere that he spent the nights in
church because in his cell he found himself terribly tempted against
chastity, despite his advance age!<br />
<br />
His heart-to-Heart conversations with the Lord, led Brother Seraphin to
an intimate experience of God, It was an experience enabled this
semi-illiterate Capuchin Lay Brother to penetrate the deepest mysteries
of the our Faith, arrive at the summits of contemplation and astound
even the most learned churchmen with his supernaturally acquired wisdom.
During prayer, he sometimes fell into ecstasies, as one of his
companions witnessed during a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Loreto in
1596. In fact, that confrere, Brother Simon of Femo, had to shake
saintly old Brother to rouse him, after he had spent fourteen hours in
continuous prayer inside the Holy House, without ever moving. <br />
<br />
Ecstatic though it sometimes was, Brother Seraphin's prayer never evaded
reality. One of the Brothers. who was spying on Brother Seraphin in
church, overheard him repeat over and over, with sighs, "Peace, Lord, I
ask for peace for ..." Not being able to make out the name of the
person, he tried to move closer, but bumped his leg against a seat in
the darkness, startling Brother Seraphin, who immediately got up and
told him to go to bed. The next day in the refectory, the Brothers
heard that some long feuding noble families in the city had reconciled
with each other that very morning!<br />
<br />
Brother Seraphin, as a true Franciscan, was most devoted to Jesus's
Passion, to His Eucharistic presence and to His Taking Flesh in the womb
of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Boverius, the celebrated chronicler of the
Capuchin Order, noted that when Brother Seraphin was mediating on the
mysteries of the Passion, he "experienced in himself such tenderness of
heart and such a fire of divine love that he dissolved in a flood of
tears." He always carried with him a little wooden cross or, in later
years, a brass crucifix. Pointing to that crucifix, he would often say
to his Brother Priests: "Behold the book for studying and for preaching
to the people". His own prolonged prayerful and contemplative gaze often
rested on this image of Christ Crucified.<br />
<br />
His
other predominant devotion was devotion to the Eucharist, which was
expressed above all in an intense participation in the Sacrifice of the
Mass. He said over and over that he desired to be transferred to Loreto
or Rome, so as to be able to serve more Masses each day. In divergence
from what was customary at the time, he received Communion daily, with
the permission of the Order's Ministers. <br />
<br />
His devotion to the Incarnation and to the Blessed Virgin Mary can be
seen in the frequency of his pilgrimages to the Holy House of Nazareth,
preserved in the Basilica of Loreto. As a child he had crossed a
flooded river dry-shod in order to get there quickly, while his
relatives waited on the bank waiting for the torrent would
abate. Frequently pictured with a rosary beads in his hand, he prayed
the rosary often and delighted in meditating on the mysteries of the
life of Christ and of Our Lady.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>A Poor and Austere Lesser Brother</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
His bare cell, which had not even the narrowest of windows, only a door,
bears eloquent witness to his love for Lady Poverty. His clothing and
the objects he used, even devotional objects, such as his rosary beads,
were made from the poorest materials. Only once in his lifetime, and
much to his embarrassment, did his Ministers persuade him to wear a new
habit.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.capuchin.or.kr/img/data/seraphin/Seraphin07.jpg" target="_new"><img align="right" border="0" hspace="10" name="zb_target_resize" src="http://www.capuchin.or.kr/img/data/Seraphin07.jpg" vspace="10" /></a>His
austerity shone out above all in his penances, which lead him to
incredible abstinence when it came to food and drink. He usually ate
nothing but a little vegetable soup and salad, He even refrained from
drinking water, when he travelled along sun-drenched, dusty country
roads in summer, questing for the Brothers' needs. Yet he was always
ready to break his fasts if he, by eating, could persuade a sick brother
to eat with him. He irritated his skin by wearing with a rough hair
shirt next to it and he subjected his body to frequent
flagellation. All this, he did, in order to become more like the
Crucified Christ and overcome himself, so as to better live the Gospel
life he had promised.<br />
<br />
Taking the last place was not merely a matter of choice for Seraphin,
but also a condition enforced on him by necessity. He was so ill-suited
to the various chores he had to do around the house, that the Order's
Ministers often humiliated him by assigning him the lowliest of tasks in
the house. He himself used to say that "the way to go up" was by the
"way of descending below," He understood well the significance of
Franciscan minority and when, in 1604, he first heard that Pope Clement
VIII had made Brother Anselm of Monopoli the first Capuchin Cardinal in
history, he exclaimed with a loud cry: "O poor Capuchin Order,
instituted on the foundation of deepest humility!"<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>An Evangelizing "Brother of the People"</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
Prayer was the powerhouse of his evangelizing dynamism. In prayer, he
encountered Christ and experienced the Good News of his Gospel. This
experience was one he shared with others, especially with the poor and
the marginalized, not only by his simple words, but also by the witness
of his example and good deeds.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.capuchin.or.kr/img/data/seraphin/Seraphin08.jpg" target="_new"><img align="left" border="0" hspace="10" name="zb_target_resize" src="http://www.capuchin.or.kr/img/data/Seraphin08.jpg" vspace="10" /></a>The
unction of his exhortations often astounded learned people. Once he
turned up at a theology class and was compelled by obedience to say a
few words to those gathered there. He spoke with such faith and such
holy competence, that the students wondered if the Seraphic Doctor of
the Church, Saint Bonaventure himself. had come back under the guise of
this simple Lay Brother. When sometimes he was obliged by obedience to
give a sermon in the refectory, his words in commenting on Psalm 91,
beginning with the words "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most
High", or on the "Stabat Mater" sequence were so full of feeling, that
he used to reduce his listeners to tears. <br />
<br />
He entered the palaces of the rich and the hovels of the poor, consoling
them and often, thanks to God's special providence, curing their
illnesses by means of his little crucifix. Even the gates of the city's
prison were opened to Brother Seraphin, who sought to comfort those
detained there and bring them back to God. Nobles, prelates and even
Cardinals sought his prayers and advice about their spiritual concerns,
as well as about their material ones. His supernatural wisdom, his way
of being present in the society he lived in and his fame as a worker of
miracles, made him in truth an "Evangelizer of the Poor" and a true
"Brother of the People."<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>A Peacemaker who Thirsted for Justice, in Love with Creation</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
Brother Seraphin knew how to insert himself in an extraordinary way in
the concrete historical and social realities of his times, Yet, in his
work for reconciliation and his struggles against injustice and
unrighteous behaviour, as well as in his love for creatures, he seems
almost to anticipate the sensibilities of our times.<br />
<br />
As
questor and as porter, he constantly did his best to be of service to
those who were either materially or spiritually in need, With great
love, he supplied the tables of the poor, sometimes even obtaining for
them, from God, a miraculous multiplication of vegetables. He was a
peacemaker to families in discord, an apostle to violent and murderous
bandits, a corrector of women's unrestrained opulence and men's
inveterate gambling. <br />
<br />
Like Saint Francis, he had a transparent love for creation and would
burst forth in praise of the Creator. With a childlike soul, he talked
tenderly to the birds, as he fed them, before sending them on their way
to soar freely once more high into the heavens. He also conversed with
fish, which happily swam up his habit sleeves when he put his arms in
the water. And he took great delight in the colours and sweet
fragrances of the flowers of the field.
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<br />
<b>His Final Years and Posthumous Glorification</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
Brother Seraphin of Montegranaro spent the last 15 years of his life at
the Friary of Ascoli Piceno. He took Ascoli's citizenry took to his
heart and they, in turn, took him to theirs, so much so that after his
death, his image was displayed in almost every home and even hung on the
outside of public buildings.<br />
<br />
There on the afternoon of the 12th of October 1604, he welcomed Sister
Death! And after hearing the news of his death, spread by the children
of the town, throngs of citizens rushed to the friary to bid him a last
farewell. It is said that a sweet odor emanated from his corpse, which
had hardly been buried, before his first biography was published. His
remains, encased in a wax effigy, lie today enshrined in Ascoli Piceno's
Capuchin Friary church. He was beatified by Pope Benedict XIII on the
8th of July 1729 and canonized by Pope Clement XIII on the 16th of July
1767.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.capuchin.or.kr/img/data/seraphin/Seraphin10.jpg" target="_new"><img border="0" hspace="10" name="zb_target_resize" src="http://www.capuchin.or.kr/img/data/Seraphin10.jpg" vspace="10" /></a><a href="http://www.capuchin.or.kr/img/data/seraphin/Seraphin10.jpg" target="_new"></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><i>"All right, calm down, little saint, calm down! Because it was not
I, but Christ and your faith that healed you!", "Oh little saint,
little saint, may you be given white bread! Oh! that I might be worthy
of purgatory! I am but a sinner!", "I have nothing but a crucifix and a
rosary. With these I hope to benefit the Brothers and become a saint."</i></b> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
~ Saint Seraphin of Monte Granaro</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Source of entire text and pictures: Website of the <a href="http://www.capuchin.or.kr/bbs/view.php?id=menu2_saint_eng&no=24&PHPSESSID=5dc131258d99087d88a43a1a0c5a2a4d">Order of Capuchin Friars Minor</a>, Korea </div>
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<br /></div>
<br />Sweetums5http://www.blogger.com/profile/09194206938609300984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719508936952043105.post-83523609696877213932012-10-06T01:21:00.001-04:002012-10-06T03:53:18.539-04:00St. Seraphin of Monte Granaro - Feastday: October 12 (Biography # 1)<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
+ JMJ +</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
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<img border="0" name="zb_target_resize" src="http://www.capuchin.or.kr/bbs/data/menu2_saint_eng/1286848810/Seraphin00.jpg" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<b>St. Seraphin of Monte Granaro</b><br />
(1540-1604)<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Feastday: October 12</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Born into a poor Italian family, young Seraphin lived the life of a shepherd and spent much of his time in prayer. Mistreated for a time by his older brother after the two of them had been orphaned, Seraphin became a Capuchin Franciscan at age 16 and impressed everyone with his humility and generosity. <br />
<br />
Serving as a lay brother, Seraphin imitated St. Francis in fasting, clothing and courtesy to all. H e even mirrored Francis' missionary zeal, but Seraphin's superiors did not judge him to be a candidate for the missions. <br />
<br />
Faithful to the core, Seraphin spent three hours in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament daily. The poor who begged at the friary door came to hold a special love for him. Despite his uneventful life, he reached impressive spiritual heights and has had miracles attributed to him. <br />
<br />
Seraphin died on October 12, 1604, and was canonized in 1767.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="http://www.capuchin.or.kr/img/data/seraphin/Seraphin01.jpg" class="decoded" src="http://www.capuchin.or.kr/img/data/seraphin/Seraphin01.jpg" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">[<a href="http://www.capuchin.or.kr/bbs/view.php?id=menu2_saint_eng&no=24&PHPSESSID=5dc131258d99087d88a43a1a0c5a2a4d">Source</a>] </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Comment:<br />
<br />
For many people these days, work has no significance beyond providing the money they need to live. How many share the belief expressed in the Book of Genesis that we are to cooperate with God in caring for the earth? <span style="background-color: #ffe599;"><b>The kind of work Seraphin did may not strike us as earth-shattering. The work was ordinary; the spirit in which he did it was not.</b></span><br />
<br />
Quote:<br />
<br />
In Brothers of Men, Rene Voillaume of the Little Brothers of Jesus speaks about ordinary work and holiness: "<span style="background-color: #ffe599;"><b>Now this holiness [of Jesus] became a reality in the most ordinary circumstances of life, those of work, of the family and the social life of a village, and this is an emphatic affirmation of the fact that the most obscure and humdrum human activities are entirely compatible with the perfection of the Son of God.</b></span>" Christians are convinced, he says, "that the evangelical holiness proper to a child of God is possible in the ordinary circumstances of a man who is poor and obliged to work for his living."<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">[<a href="http://www.capuchin.or.kr/bbs/view.php?id=menu2_saint_eng&no=24&PHPSESSID=5dc131258d99087d88a43a1a0c5a2a4d">Source</a></span> of entire text and pictures above.]<br />
<br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b431/ahava2/Comments/Dividers/goldscroll_div.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="42" src="http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b431/ahava2/Comments/Dividers/goldscroll_div.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> + Prayer + </b></div>
<br />
<i>O God, who inflamed the heart of St. Seraphin with the fire of Your love, grant, we beg You, that at his intercession, we may walk in his footsteps and be inflamed with the same fire of love. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. <span style="font-size: xx-small;">[<a href="http://stevenwood.com/reflections/franciscan/1012-28.htm">Source</a>]</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i>
<i>St. Seraphin, pray for us, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Sweetums5http://www.blogger.com/profile/09194206938609300984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719508936952043105.post-90646544037222446152012-10-05T05:02:00.000-04:002012-10-09T04:39:09.837-04:00St. Denis - Feastday: October 9 <br />
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+ JMJ +</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">SAINT DENIS </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(d. circa 258 AD) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Patron Saint of France</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
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</div>
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<br /></div>
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Born and raised in Italy, he
was sent as a missionary to Gaul (now France) from Rome, circa 250 A.D.,
by Pope St. Clement, along with five other bishops. <span style="font-size: xx-small;">[<a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=42">Source</a>]</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
He made
his base of missionary activity an island in the Seine near the city of
Lutetia Parisorium -- what would become Paris. For this <a href="http://www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=9875">reason</a> he is known as the first <a href="http://www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=1918">bishop</a> of <a href="http://www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=8987">Paris</a> and the <a href="http://www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=933">Apostle</a> of France. <span style="font-size: xx-small;">[<a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=42">Source</a>]</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
At this time, Paris was under Roman rule and law. Christianity had been outlawed as a strange and peculiar sect. The majority of the population followed the current belief that the Roman emperor was divine. St. Denis denied the divinity of the Roman emperor.<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">[<a href="http://ssa.paris.online.fr/pages/SaintDenis.htm">Source</a>]</span></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
During the persecution under Valerius in 258, he was arrested, along with his inseparable companions,
Rusticus and Eleutherius. Later writers have referred to them as
Denis' <a href="http://www.catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=9622">priest</a> and deacon, or his deacon and subdeacon, but we have no further information on them. <span style="font-size: xx-small;">[<a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=42">Source</a>]</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After
a long imprisonment and several aborted executions, the three martyrs
were taken to the temple of Mercury, on the hill now known as <a href="http://ssa.paris.online.fr/pages/18th.htm">Montmartre</a> (literally, "mountain of
martyrs"), and beheaded with a sword. <span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">[<a href="http://ssa.paris.online.fr/pages/SaintDenis.htm">Source</a>]</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Nothing unusual so far, you say. People were mutilated and beheaded, according to the laws and customs of the time, regularly. What made this particular beheading rather different was the attitude of the beheadee (this may be a new word, forgive me, but it does fit). Quite simply he picked up his head and walked! <span style="font-size: xx-small;"> {<a href="http://ssa.paris.online.fr/pages/SaintDenis.htm">Source</a>}</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="unknown st denis patron saint of france 1826" height="396" itemprop="image" src="http://www.artelista.com/prints/scala/big/2/9/0/H501200m.jpg" title="unknown st denis patron saint of france 1826" width="400" /> </div>
<div class="cabecera_titulo" style="text-align: center;">
St. Denis, Patron Saint of France, 1826 (unknown)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">[<a href="http://www.artelista.com/en/great-masters/artwork/1451695513668349-st-denis-patron-saint-of-france-1826.html">Source</a>]</span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
First, he washed it in a nearby stream, and then walked a further
6000 paces carrying his head and preaching a sermon the entire way. Then he lay down and died. It is not
recorded what the bewildered Roman officials thought of all this
kerfuffle. <span style="font-size: xx-small;">{<a href="http://ssa.paris.online.fr/pages/SaintDenis.htm">Source</a>} </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Another story says that his body and those of<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Eleutherius and Rusticus </span></span>were thrown into the river. They were later retrieved from the Seine by his converts and buried <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">on the spot of their
martyrdom</span></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">. </span></span> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">[<a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=42">Source</a>]</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Veneration of Saint Denis began soon after his death. </span></span>The
spot where he died became a holy place. Christians visited it, at
first, in secret and quietly, as the religion was still outlawed. But
in time Christianity gained popularity, and soon became the common
religion, so they visited openly. <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">{<a href="http://ssa.paris.online.fr/pages/SaintDenis.htm">Source</a>}</span></span></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Then in 451, <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Geneviève</span></span></span></span>, a Christian, had a vision from God. At this time the Huns, led by Attila, had overrun large parts of Europe, and were heading for Paris with nothing in their way to stop them. People had already started to flee from the city. But in <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Geneviève</span></span></span></span>'s vision, she saw that the Huns would not enter Paris, and she urged the people to stay in their city. <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">{<a href="http://ssa.paris.online.fr/pages/SaintDenis.htm">Source</a>}</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img alt="" class="size-full wp-image-4094" height="480" src="http://www.pravmir.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Sainte_Genevieve_icon.jpg" title="Sainte_Genevieve_icon" width="381" /> </span></span></span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">St. Geneviève of Paris </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">(422 - 512 AD)</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">{<a href="http://www.pravmir.com/the-orthodox-saints-of-france/">Source</a>}</span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
They stayed, and the Huns moved south to the richer pickings of the Loire valley, and their eventual defeat, but that's another story. <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Geneviève</span></span></span></span> converted the current king, Clovis, to Christianity. <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Assisted by the people of Paris, </span></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Geneviève</span></span> </span></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">(who </span></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">was granted sainthood later on and</span></span> became the patron saint of Paris) built a church over St. Denis's tomb at the beginning of the sixth century. </span></span>The site became a pilgrimage place. <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">{<a href="http://ssa.paris.online.fr/pages/SaintDenis.htm">Source</a>}</span></span></span> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img alt="File:St Denis Front.jpg" height="300" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7d/St_Denis_Front.jpg/800px-St_Denis_Front.jpg" width="400" /> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
St. Denis Basilica</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ile-de-France, Paris, France</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(About noon, Winter, 2005)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">[<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:St_Denis_Front.jpg">Source</a>]</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="232" src="http://www.sacred-destinations.com/france/images/paris/st-denis/resized/nave2-cc-stevec77.jpg" width="350" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
The long, vaulted Gothic nave of St-Denis.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">[<a href="http://www.sacred-destinations.com/france/paris-st-denis">Source</a>]</span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Several churches existed before the current cathedral was built in Gothic style in the 12th and 13th centuries. <span style="font-size: xx-small;">[<a href="http://www.leonardfrank.com/Worldheritage/SaintDenis.html">Source</a>]</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img alt="http://www.paris-architecture.info/IMAGES/st-denis(1).jpg" class="decoded" src="http://www.paris-architecture.info/IMAGES/st-denis%281%29.jpg" /> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">[<a href="http://www.paris-architecture.info/IMAGES/st-denis%281%29.jpg">Source</a>]</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">It was the first Gothic church in the world.</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">[<a href="http://www.vierzehnheiligen.eu/en/gnadenaltar/7-heiliger_dionys.php">Source</a>]</span></span></span></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img alt="Saint Denis basilica, rose window" height="322" src="http://ssa.paris.online.fr/pages/images/StDenis2858.jpg" width="419" /> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The rose window inside the basilica.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">{<a href="http://ssa.paris.online.fr/pages/SaintDenis.htm">Source</a>}</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The cathedral became the burial place for most of the kings of France, from the 5th century until the French Revolution in 1793. <span style="font-size: xx-small;">[<a href="http://www.leonardfrank.com/Worldheritage/SaintDenis.html">Source</a>]</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="http://img.franceguide.com/Companies/saint-denis2.jpg" /> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tombs with Funeral Sculptures inside the Royal Basilica </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> [<a href="http://uk.franceguide.com/partners/Seine-Saint-Denis-Tourisme.html?NodeID=2060&CpyEditoID=116000">Source</a>]</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img alt="http://ssa.paris.online.fr/pages/images/StDenis2862.jpg" class="decoded" src="http://ssa.paris.online.fr/pages/images/StDenis2862.jpg" /> </span></div>
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(From left to right) The tombs of Philip le Long, Jane d'Evereaux, and Charles IV, le Bel (the Good). <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">{<a href="http://ssa.paris.online.fr/pages/SaintDenis.htm">Source</a>}</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><img alt="http://saints.sqpn.com/wp-content/gallery/saint-denis-of-paris/saint-denis-of-paris-02.jpg" class="decoded" src="http://saints.sqpn.com/wp-content/gallery/saint-denis-of-paris/saint-denis-of-paris-02.jpg" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span></span> <span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">[<a href="http://saints.sqpn.com/saint-denis-of-paris-gallery/">Source</a>]</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">St. Denis is usually represented with his head in his hands. </span></span>While many Christian martyrs carry the <a href="http://www.executedtoday.com/2007/11/25/feast-day-of-st-catherine-of-the-wheel/">instruments</a> of their martyrdom in iconography, and a few others roll with the bits of severed flesh exacted by those martyrdoms, Denis is only the most notable of an entire designated sub-class who carry their own heads: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cephalophore">cephalophores</a>. <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">{<a href="http://www.executedtoday.com/2011/10/09/feast-day-of-saint-denis-cephalophore/">Source</a>}</span></span></span></div>
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Again we have the case of a saint about whom almost nothing is known, yet one whose cult has been a vigorous part of the Church's history for centuries. We can only conclude that the deep impression the saint made on the people of his day must have resulted from a life of unusual holiness. <span style="font-size: xx-small;">[<a href="http://catholic-thoughts.info/saints/Octsaints.htm">Source</a>] </span></div>
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In all such cases, there are two fundamental facts: A great man gave his life for Christ, and the Church has never forgotten him — a human symbol of God's eternal mindfulness. (AmericanCatholic.org)<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></div>
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October 9 is celebrated as the feast of Saint Denis and also of his companions, Rusticus and Eleutherius. Denis (or Dionysius as he is also called) is the most famous of the three. <span style="font-size: xx-small;"> [<a href="http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=42">Source</a>]</span></div>
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Particular Patronage:</div>
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Helper against headache, trouble of conscience and faith, in painful fights when you risk your head, patron of France and Paris, former patron of the Carolingian dynasty.<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[<a href="http://www.vierzehnheiligen.eu/en/gnadenaltar/7-heiliger_dionys.php">Source</a>]</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Prayer to St. Denis and Companions: </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138;"><i><b> </b></i></span><span style="color: #e69138;"><i><b> </b></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138;"><i><b>O shepherd of a faithful people, you shed your blood with your brothers as a holy offering to the Lord after drawing many souls into His fold. Beheaded for your success as Christ’s evangelist, you still lead faithful souls to God. </b></i></span></div>
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<i><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Pray we shall be so ready to lay down our own lives for the propagation of the Word of God, and that on our journey, we shall be protected from all the snares of the devil, that nothing shall prevent our standing at Jesus’s side both in this world and the next. Amen.</span></b> </i> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[<a href="http://castroller.com/Podcasts/TheBreadcast/2627398">Source</a>]</span></span></span></span></div>
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<i>Shorter Prayer: </i></div>
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<i><b><span style="color: #e69138;">St. Denis, we, too, are in danger during the daily strain of life. Help us not to give up because of our weakness. Show us the direct way to sincere penitence so that we can feel God's love and mercy. </span></b> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[<a href="http://www.vierzehnheiligen.eu/en/gnadenaltar/7-heiliger_dionys.php">Source</a>]</span></span></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138;">Saints Denis, Eleutherius, and Rusticus, pray for us, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.</span></span></span></i></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>Sweetums5http://www.blogger.com/profile/09194206938609300984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719508936952043105.post-42370738113323721422012-09-22T09:31:00.002-04:002012-09-23T00:23:29.906-04:00Obedience to God ~ Great Quotes!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(<a href="http://media.photobucket.com/image/catch%20fish/Laura2911/losenko1.jpg?o=19">Source</a>) </span></div>
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The power of obedience! The lake of Gennesareth had denied its fishes to Peter’s nets. A whole night in vain. Then, obedient, he lowered his net again to the water and they caught "a huge number of fish." Believe me: the miracle is repeated each day.<br />
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~ St. Josemaria Escriva</div>
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<img alt="http://www.seventy8productions.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/We-Must-Trust-And-Obey.png" class="decoded" height="286" src="http://www.seventy8productions.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/We-Must-Trust-And-Obey.png" width="400" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(<a href="http://www.seventy8productions.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/We-Must-Trust-And-Obey.png">Source</a>)</span></div>
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Obedience is an act of faith; disobedience is the result of unbelief.<br />
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~ Edwin Louis Cole</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span class="bodybold"> St. Teresa of Avila </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span class="bodybold"> (<a href="http://media.photobucket.com/image/st%20teresa%20of%20avila/KatieV67/toa1.jpg?o=29">Source</a>)</span></span></div>
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I often thought my constitution would
never endure the work I had to do, (but) the Lord said to me:
"Daughter, obedience gives strength.”<br />
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~ St. Teresa of Avila<br />
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<img alt="http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/c0.0.403.403/p403x403/216079_405028942880120_44356310_n.jpg" class="decoded" height="320" src="http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/c0.0.403.403/p403x403/216079_405028942880120_44356310_n.jpg" width="320" /><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(<a href="http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/c0.0.403.403/p403x403/216079_405028942880120_44356310_n.jpg">Source</a>) </span><br />
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On days when life is difficult and I feel overwhelmed, as I do fairly
often, it helps to remember in my prayers that all God requires of me is
to trust Him and be His friend. I find I can do that. <br />
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~ Bruce Larson </div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta </span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(<a href="http://media.photobucket.com/image/mother%20teresa/Rhenizzle/motherteresa.jpg?o=165">Source</a>)</span></div>
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Don't give in to discouragement.... If you are discouraged it is a sign of pride because it shows you trust in your own powers. Never bother about people's opinions. Be obedient to truth. For with humble obedience, you will never be disturbed.</div>
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~ Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta<br />
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If we want the Word of God to have authority in our life, there is only one way - obey it. If we want the Holy Spirit to have authority in our life, there is only one way - Obey Him. If we always obey impulses of fear or doubt or resentment, what will have authority over our minds? Fear, and doubt and resentment. <br />
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~ Tom Marshall<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Blessed John Henry Newman</span><br />
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God has created me to do him some definite service; he has committed some work to me which he has not committed to another. I have my mission - I never may know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next. <br />
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~ Blessed John Henry Newman<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(<a href="http://media.photobucket.com/image/love%20god%20quotes/jgomonkey13/Quotes/ILOVEGODbyKRISTIN-1.jpg?o=38">Source</a>) </span></div>
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I may no longer depend on pleasant impulses to bring me before the Lord. I must rather respond to principles I know to be right, whether I feel them to be enjoyable or not. <br />
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~ Jim Elliot </div>
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<img alt="http://saintalbertthegreatfoundation.org/logo.jpg" class="decoded" height="400" src="http://saintalbertthegreatfoundation.org/logo.jpg" width="301" /></div>
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Apparition of the Virgin to St. Albert the Great, 1660</div>
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by Vicente Salvador Gomez</div>
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Valencia, Spain </div>
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(<a href="http://saintalbertthegreatfoundation.org/logo.jpg">Source</a>) </span><br />
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He
that is truly obedient does not wait for a command, but as soon as he
knows what his superior wishes to have done immediately sets himself to
work, without expecting an order.</div>
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~ Saint Albert the Great, Doctor of the Church</div>
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One needs the sweetness to start one on the spiritual life but, once started, one must learn to obey God for his own sake, not for the pleasure. <br />
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~ C. S. Lewis </div>
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<a href="http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb468/Joy7crf/LoveGod.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb468/Joy7crf/LoveGod.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
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Obedience has a price, too - death to our own ways - but it also promises a great reward: the commendation of the Father. So lay aside all your excuses. Then take hold of His plan for your life, and watch Him do mighty works through you. <br />
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~ Joy Strang<br />
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<img alt="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwTxeCRkstK21-0ZAPqOwzSt-fVdvibr9Ki7JGXisgqjvD1apnHi-E9wqAuPyg1FEGSjWo6p65OHhDmdgiqrnycwn8uboehhrY44hHkjLiHH2D-1qBp2e53iJCUF4u9gl4KKcgEsL7hdc/s1600/St+John+Climacus.jpg" class="decoded" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwTxeCRkstK21-0ZAPqOwzSt-fVdvibr9Ki7JGXisgqjvD1apnHi-E9wqAuPyg1FEGSjWo6p65OHhDmdgiqrnycwn8uboehhrY44hHkjLiHH2D-1qBp2e53iJCUF4u9gl4KKcgEsL7hdc/s400/St+John+Climacus.jpg" width="346" /> </div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> St. John Climacus</span><br />
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Just as trees swayed by the winds drive their roots deeply into the earth, so those who live in obedience get strong and unshakable souls. <br />
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~ St. John Climacus<br />
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The consequence of disobedience to the clearly revealed will of God is that the time will come when we will no longer be able to hear God speaking to us. <br />
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~ Selwyn Hughes </div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Madame Jeanne Guyon </span></div>
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God must be sought and seen in His providences; it is not our actions in themselves considered which please Him, but the spirit in which they are done, more especially the constant ready obedience to every discovery of His will, even in the minutest things, and with such a suppleness and flexibility of mind as not to adhere to anything, but to turn and move in any direction where He shall call. <br />
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~ Madame Jeanne Guyon<br />
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<img alt="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhucPGMb6IdNJzgVCxQtqaiYpGxyqEBYiSoJAAwqa9H-D144roCwDLde7_hL5z2bgL4CiaTA05iaVNGvqAZqCYnvzN4PGu4i-vdmrL8Z8wpFt5QOLBbyq6RzkC_vq122FN_tzi2uBFIaN50/s1600/Trust+and+Obey.jpg" class="decoded" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhucPGMb6IdNJzgVCxQtqaiYpGxyqEBYiSoJAAwqa9H-D144roCwDLde7_hL5z2bgL4CiaTA05iaVNGvqAZqCYnvzN4PGu4i-vdmrL8Z8wpFt5QOLBbyq6RzkC_vq122FN_tzi2uBFIaN50/s400/Trust+and+Obey.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhucPGMb6IdNJzgVCxQtqaiYpGxyqEBYiSoJAAwqa9H-D144roCwDLde7_hL5z2bgL4CiaTA05iaVNGvqAZqCYnvzN4PGu4i-vdmrL8Z8wpFt5QOLBbyq6RzkC_vq122FN_tzi2uBFIaN50/s1600/Trust+and+Obey.jpg">Source</a>)</span><br />
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There's some task which the God of all the universe, the great Creator,
your redeemer in Jesus Christ has for you to do, and which will remain
undone and incomplete until by faith and obedience you step into the
will of God.
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~ Alan Redpath </div>
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<img alt="http://dailyoffice.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/thomasakempis-250.jpg" class="decoded" src="http://dailyoffice.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/thomasakempis-250.jpg" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Thomas a Kempis</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> (<a href="http://dailyoffice.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/thomasakempis-250.jpg">Source</a>)</span></div>
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Whoever strives to withdraw from obedience, withdraws from grace. <br />
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~ Thomas a Kempis</div>
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<img alt="http://bibleyp.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/obedience-bible-verses.png" class="decoded" height="240" src="http://bibleyp.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/obedience-bible-verses.png" width="320" /> </div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(<a href="http://bibleyp.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/obedience-bible-verses.png">Source</a>)</span></div>
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"What's in it for me?" man says about obeying God. In this context how selfish and sinful that question is. The living God has spoken, and that is enough. The Saviour who shed his blood to save us from hell has told us how we should live, and that is enough. The loving Holy Spirit who made us alive has moved holy men to speak a word to us, and that is enough. We obey God because that glorifies God and there is nothing more than that. <br />
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~ Geoff Thomas </div>
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<img alt="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwGP-7zimSzeSYzWE_q9nbQb1AWjkkXq3j4-0ZnCEFYbNz5tNxHY_YN6DZ1q3nRcXyu-WwAXcoiw52wD2cBUwx5cdVx2WZUTGzjY11t2TGex67623BDqElKI0Rl_D6A_waKOwtOw51iJRK/s1600/22-let-go-let-god.png" class="decoded" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwGP-7zimSzeSYzWE_q9nbQb1AWjkkXq3j4-0ZnCEFYbNz5tNxHY_YN6DZ1q3nRcXyu-WwAXcoiw52wD2cBUwx5cdVx2WZUTGzjY11t2TGex67623BDqElKI0Rl_D6A_waKOwtOw51iJRK/s400/22-let-go-let-god.png" width="400" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwGP-7zimSzeSYzWE_q9nbQb1AWjkkXq3j4-0ZnCEFYbNz5tNxHY_YN6DZ1q3nRcXyu-WwAXcoiw52wD2cBUwx5cdVx2WZUTGzjY11t2TGex67623BDqElKI0Rl_D6A_waKOwtOw51iJRK/s1600/22-let-go-let-god.png">Source</a>) </span></span></div>
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Today I will face my problems, unwrap them and seek to understand their component parts, spread them out before the Lord, thank Him in advance for what He's going to do, follow orders for what I am to do, and stand by to watch His miracles. <br />
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~ Anonymous </div>
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<a href="http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa23/holymusic55/Saints/St%20Ignatius%20of%20Loyola/StIgnatiusofLoyolapatronofsoldiers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa23/holymusic55/Saints/St%20Ignatius%20of%20Loyola/StIgnatiusofLoyolapatronofsoldiers.jpg" width="234" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Saint Ignatius Loyola </span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(<a href="http://media.photobucket.com/image/st%20ignatius%20of%20loyola/holymusic55/Saints/St%20Ignatius%20of%20Loyola/StIgnatiusofLoyolapatronofsoldiers.jpg?o=16">Source</a>) </span></div>
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There are three sorts of obedience; the first, obedience when a strict obligation is imposed upon us, and this is good; the second when the simple word of the superior, without any strict command, suffices for us, and this is better; the third, when a thing is done without waiting for an express command, from a knowledge that it will be pleasing to the superior, and this is the best of all.</div>
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~ Saint Ignatius, Father of the Church</div>
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Sweetums5http://www.blogger.com/profile/09194206938609300984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719508936952043105.post-27799156770854272162012-09-19T08:07:00.000-04:002012-09-19T16:31:15.614-04:00Helping Others - Great Quotes!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<![endif]-->In helping others, we shall help ourselves, for whatever good we give out completes the circle and comes back to us. </div>
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~ Flora Edwards</div>
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If you haven't any charity in your heart, you have the worst kind of heart trouble. </div>
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~ Bob Hope</div>
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If you would lift me up you must be on higher ground. </div>
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~ Ralph Waldo Emerson</div>
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If you're too busy to give your neighbor a helping hand, then you're just too darned busy. </div>
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~ Marie T. Freeman</div>
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~ Audrey Hepburn </div>
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If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. If you want happiness for a day, go fishing. If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help somebody. </div>
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~ Chinese Proverb</div>
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In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit. </div>
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~ Albert Schweitzer</div>
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<a href="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e110/GodsCowboy/GODSMessages/BLOGPictures/HelpOthersNewFont.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e110/GodsCowboy/GODSMessages/BLOGPictures/HelpOthersNewFont.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It is literally true that you can succeed best and quickest by helping others to succeed. </div>
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~ Napoleon Hill<br />
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<a href="http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt127/mztofa/private_1_f3253a9ee9c52fc2c0a1f62e4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i604.photobucket.com/albums/tt127/mztofa/private_1_f3253a9ee9c52fc2c0a1f62e4.jpg" width="320" /></a> <br />
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If a friend is in trouble, don't annoy
him by asking him if there's anything you can do. Think of something
appropriate and do it. <br />
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~ E. W. Howe</div>
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If you light a lamp for somebody, it will also brighten your path. <br />
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~ Buddhist saying</div>
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Sweetums5http://www.blogger.com/profile/09194206938609300984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719508936952043105.post-22858618768539969332012-09-18T01:16:00.000-04:002012-09-18T01:30:32.021-04:00National Gallery of Art: Sculpture Garden<div style="text-align: center;">
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We
visited the Sculpture Garden last May 5, 2012. It was a breezy
afternoon, a perfect time to reintroduce Muddee to the works in the
Garden since he was much younger when we had last visited.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhchn0Rm3qkA5kKdHvVMLwKw7XcgWiMpA2Wkc-YwpQVvqSdw0x0RgxkbN4f9BsV9BaTq1PP7bSKF2UWLzlttqczUBynaWNLtMCo1NMKl133zDK_eCH0cjZkCQF8t_RoAo92Yoe6JQp46Uw/s1600/Afternoon+in+DC+-+May+5%252C+2012+050+-+Photoshop+edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhchn0Rm3qkA5kKdHvVMLwKw7XcgWiMpA2Wkc-YwpQVvqSdw0x0RgxkbN4f9BsV9BaTq1PP7bSKF2UWLzlttqczUBynaWNLtMCo1NMKl133zDK_eCH0cjZkCQF8t_RoAo92Yoe6JQp46Uw/s400/Afternoon+in+DC+-+May+5%252C+2012+050+-+Photoshop+edited.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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"The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden is the most recent addition to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Gallery_of_Art">National Gallery of Art</a>.
Completed and opened to the public on May 23, 1999, the location
provides an outdoor setting for exhibiting a number of pieces from the
Museum's contemporary sculpture collection." <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Gallery_of_Art_Sculpture_Garden">Source</a>)</span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5ijiSEXSo9CsjkzZ5J9aU-x79XaqFrxrgVWWkercr7T7NKewiPS_l5jdhMcSPc3JEdYSIp5AOzCOzaYdh9qn5ZryeziZrPgFQJwqseqqxjovHNkC38E7XWWVad9_B9DvSQbPRg9YiPk/s1600/Afternoon+in+DC+-+May+5%252C+2012+046+-+Photoshop+edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5ijiSEXSo9CsjkzZ5J9aU-x79XaqFrxrgVWWkercr7T7NKewiPS_l5jdhMcSPc3JEdYSIp5AOzCOzaYdh9qn5ZryeziZrPgFQJwqseqqxjovHNkC38E7XWWVad9_B9DvSQbPRg9YiPk/s400/Afternoon+in+DC+-+May+5%252C+2012+046+-+Photoshop+edited.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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"It was designed to offer year-round enjoyment to the public in one of the
preeminent locations on the National Mall (right across the National Archives) . It includes seventeen works from the Gallery's growing
collection." <span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <a href="http://www.nga.gov/exhibitions/sculptureinfo.shtm">(Source)</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOUTCYSXjl_EjDMRKOolRlPg20sjZhPQeOAPUTY31214QnbF40j0j2hTDW6klia2DmTVBdimIcU-krou2h87QTSpcuMrzNS06iG74gtiiKAXtgBPCSAX-LRwJ8hPLPAfQxRvAtASd1eIY/s1600/Afternoon+in+DC+-+May+5%252C+2012+049+-+Photoshop+edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOUTCYSXjl_EjDMRKOolRlPg20sjZhPQeOAPUTY31214QnbF40j0j2hTDW6klia2DmTVBdimIcU-krou2h87QTSpcuMrzNS06iG74gtiiKAXtgBPCSAX-LRwJ8hPLPAfQxRvAtASd1eIY/s400/Afternoon+in+DC+-+May+5%252C+2012+049+-+Photoshop+edited.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="st">The reflecting pool and fountain refresh visitors from Spring through Fall. In the winter, it becomes an Ice Rink.</span><br />
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Here are some of the works we saw:</div>
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<b>Sol LeWitt</b><br />
American, born 1928<br />
Four-Sided Pyramid, 1999<br />
Concrete Blocks and Mortar</div>
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"From the early 1960s to the present, Sol LeWitt has been at the forefront of minimal and conceptual art. LeWitt's 'structures' (a term he prefers to sculpture) are generally composed with modular, quasi-architectural forms. For many of his works, LeWitt creates a plan and a set of instructions to be executed by others.</div>
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Four-Sided Pyramid was constructed on this site by a team of engineers and stone masons in collaboration with the artist. The terraced pyramid, first employed by LeWitt in the 1960s, relates to the setback design that had long been characteristic of New York City skyscrapers. Its geometric structure also alludes to the ziggurats of ancient Mesopotamia." <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(<a href="http://www.nga.gov/feature/sculpturegarden/sculpture/sculpture10.shtm">Source</a>)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiiRdmf_BZT7zZuQjOC_6HI4gh_JbM0tMo3qeCxnYKSHTr-qWS_-Sh9nk4YtYY8rUkLaKFiHZ8pkFpxZLjXOJ1TLZs0ChGK93P1Ad_YrKw71FgEiEwLJUn8hEyrGlNReqUnvMG5aK4Jdw/s1600/Afternoon+in+DC+-+May+5,+2012+043+-+Photoshop+edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiiRdmf_BZT7zZuQjOC_6HI4gh_JbM0tMo3qeCxnYKSHTr-qWS_-Sh9nk4YtYY8rUkLaKFiHZ8pkFpxZLjXOJ1TLZs0ChGK93P1Ad_YrKw71FgEiEwLJUn8hEyrGlNReqUnvMG5aK4Jdw/s400/Afternoon+in+DC+-+May+5,+2012+043+-+Photoshop+edited.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Roy Lichtenstein</b><br />
American, 1923-1997<br />
House I, 1996/1998<br />
Fabricated and Painted Aluminum<br />
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"Roy Lichtenstein is best known for the pop paintings based on advertisements and comic strips that he made in the 1960s. He also produced a significant body of sculpture, including large-scale works designed for the outdoors. House I incorporates the hallmarks of the artist's style: crisp, elemental drawing, heavy black outlines, and a palette based on primary colors. </div>
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Whereas most of the artist's sculpture approximates freestanding paintings in relief rather than volumetric structures in the round, some of his late sculpture, such as House I, exploits the illusionistic effects of a third dimension. The side of the house at once projects toward the viewer while appearing to recede into space." <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(<a href="http://www.nga.gov/feature/sculpturegarden/sculpture/sculpture15.shtm">Source</a>)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfYp0zeqfO5TKO55DaX-AdHpb51uWzWG_bGnzkiOGsXiao5K66H-ZDJGXMWu_e2wgLTvw0_m_7p-Xg7aQdCCiVZOSbTKOdD360l78P5UQoKCYlF-liX56XDVDudPL6TmUs4Fvnvbv1lMk/s1600/Afternoon+in+DC+-+May+5,+2012+042+-+Photoshop+edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfYp0zeqfO5TKO55DaX-AdHpb51uWzWG_bGnzkiOGsXiao5K66H-ZDJGXMWu_e2wgLTvw0_m_7p-Xg7aQdCCiVZOSbTKOdD360l78P5UQoKCYlF-liX56XDVDudPL6TmUs4Fvnvbv1lMk/s400/Afternoon+in+DC+-+May+5,+2012+042+-+Photoshop+edited.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tony Smith</span><br />
American, 1912-1980<br /><i>Moondog,</i></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"> 1964/1998-1999<br />
Painted Aluminum<br /> </span></div>
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"Smith's work is related to the simplified geometric forms in
the minimalist art of the 1960s, but was also strongly influenced by
the artist's early career as an architect. The structure of <i>Moondog</i>
is based on the lattice motif that Smith used as the building block for
a spare yet complex formal and expressive language. Indeed, while <i>Moondog</i>
is a logical geometric configuration (fifteen extended octahedrons plus
ten tetrahedrons), from certain viewpoints it has a startling tilt,
conveying an impression of instability. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Smith compared this sculpture
to a variety of forms, including a Japanese lantern and a human pelvic
bone. The title itself derives from two sources: Moondog was the name
of a blind poet and folk musician who lived in New York City, and Smith
has also likened this sculpture to <i>Dog Barking at the Moon,</i> a painting by Joan Miró. He first created <i>Moondog</i>
in 1964 as a 33-inch cardboard model, intending to 'cast the piece in
bronze as a garden sculpture,' which he did in 1970. Smith himself
planned the large scale edition of <i>Moondog,</i> although it was not produced in his lifetime." </span> (<a href="http://www.nga.gov/feature/sculpturegarden/sculpture/sculpture12.shtm">Source</a>)</span></div>
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<b>Roxy Paine</b><br />
American, born 1966<br />
<i>Graft</i>, 2008-2009</div>
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Stainless steel</div>
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"At 45 feet high by 45 feet wide, American sculptor Roxy Paine’s newly installed sculpture, Graft (2008–2009), stands out among the trees in the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, one-half mile from the U.S. Capitol on the National Mall. The Gallery commissioned Paine to make a <i>Dendroid</i>, as the artist calls his series of treelike sculptures, for the Sculpture Garden. The resulting work is the first by Paine to enter the collection, as well as the first contemporary sculpture to be installed in the Sculpture Garden in the ten years since it opened.</div>
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Graft presents two fictive but distinct species of trees—one gnarled, twisting, and irregular, the other smooth, elegant, and rhythmic—joined to the same trunk. Among its rich associations, this sculpture evokes the persistent human desire to alter and recombine elements of nature, as well as the ever–present tension between order and chaos." <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(<a href="http://www.nga.gov/press/2009/paine.shtm">Source</a>)</span></div>
<br />Sweetums5http://www.blogger.com/profile/09194206938609300984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719508936952043105.post-3874161425110630202012-09-16T07:20:00.003-04:002012-09-18T01:36:19.946-04:00National Gallery of Art: West Building ~ May 5, 2012 <br />
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+ JMJ +</div>
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On a breezy Saturday last May, Robs, the boys and I went to the National Gallery of Art to see a special exhibit on Picasso's early drawings from 1890-1921. It was very interesting to see how talented he was even at such a young age. (For more on the exhibit, see this <a href="http://naturalrelaxedhomelearning.blogspot.com/2012/05/picassos-drawings-18901921-reinventing.html">post</a>.)<br />
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Here's a picture of Robs and the boys at the side entrance of the NGA's West Building, with a
poster of Picasso's self-portrait as a young man, above the door.</div>
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After the Picasso Exhibit, we went to see the Sculpture Galleries on the West Building's ground floor. It had been some time since we were last there. Muddee had been a baby, so he was seeing everything with new eyes. We saw ...</div>
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The Thinker (<i>Le Penseur</i>) </div>
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<a href="http://www.nga.gov/cgi-bin/tsearch?artistid=2251">by Auguste Rodin</a> </div>
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French, 1840 - 1917<br />
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<i>Rodin's "Thinker" exists today in many casts and sizes. More than fifty are known in this size—which is the size of Rodin's original handmade clay model.</i> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(<a href="http://www.nga.gov/fcgi-bin/tinfo_f?object=1005">Source</a>)</span></div>
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A smaller sculpture of Rodin's famous "The Kiss<i>"</i> (<i>Le Baiser</i>). <i>The original bronze sculpture (almost three feet high) was reproduced in bronze and marble, in both enlarged and reduced versions. The National Gallery's diminutive golden bronze work (under ten inches) is one of sixty-nine versions of this size. </i> </div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(<a href="http://www.nga.gov/fcgi-bin/tinfo_f?object=1008">Source</a>)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Edgar Degas's <u>original</u> wax statuette of the </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Little Dancer, Aged
Fourteen" (1878 - 1881), </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">one of the best-loved sculptures of all time. </span> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(<a href="http://obit-mag.com/media/image/25e88150c14bf39957f4c7ce88028586.jpg">Source</a>) </span><br />
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The boys recognized it right away, having first </div>
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seen one of its bronze castings at the </div>
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<i>Musee' D'Orsay</i> in Paris during our 2004 trip.</div>
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At the West Building's rotunda in front of the statue of Mercury.</div>
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One of the modern sculptures outside of the National Gallery of Art.</div>
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In front of the National Gallery's stately Mall entrance.</div>
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On the broad staircase leading to the colonnaded porch and the building's main entrance. (The Gallery had just closed for the day.) It's always so nice to visit this beautiful museum and its collection of great art.</div>
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Afterwards, we went to the Sculpture Garden nearby, since the last time we were there, Muddee was so small. To see that post, go <a href="http://naturalrelaxedhomelearning.blogspot.com/2012/09/national-gallery-of-art-sculpture-garden.html">here</a>.</div>
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Sweetums5http://www.blogger.com/profile/09194206938609300984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719508936952043105.post-32263431253568624152012-08-14T05:10:00.000-04:002012-08-26T04:56:41.831-04:00Why Go to Mass? # 6<div style="text-align: center;">
+ JMJ +</div>
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<a href="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v518/Tannhaeuser/Belloc01.jpg"><img border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v518/Tannhaeuser/Belloc01.jpg" /></a></div>
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Hilaire Belloc (1870 – 1953)</div>
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Anglo-French writer, historian, orator, poet, satirist, man of letters, and political activist, notable for his Catholic faith.</div>
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Hilaire Belloc on why we need daily Mass:</div>
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In the first village I came to I found that Mass was over, and this justly annoyed me. For what is a pilgrimage in which a man cannot hear Mass every morning? </div>
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<img src="http://blog.smu.edu/studentadventures/files/2008/11/10/r-me-with-my-sole-posessions-sm.jpg" /> </div>
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A student on pilgrimage in Santiago, Spain. (<a href="http://blog.smu.edu/studentadventures/category/rachel-in-spain/">Source</a>)</div>
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Of all the things I have read about St Louis which make me wish I had known him to speak to, nothing seems to me more delightful than his habit of getting Mass daily whenever he marched down south. </div>
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<img height="400" src="http://www.liturgies.net/saints/louis/louis.jpg" width="282" /> </div>
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St. Louis, King of France </div>
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1214-1270</div>
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(<a href="http://www.liturgies.net/saints/louis/louis.htm">Source</a>) </div>
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But why this should be so delightful I cannot tell. Of course, there is a grace and influence belonging to such a custom. But it is not of that I am speaking, but of the pleasing sensation of order and accomplishment which attaches to a day one has opened by Mass -- a purely temporal ... feeling, but a source of continual comfort to me. </div>
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This comfort I ascribe to four causes, and these causes are:</div>
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1. That for half-an-hour just at the opening of the day you are silent and recollected, and have to put off cares, interests, and passions in the repetition of a familiar action. This must certainly be a great benefit to the body and give it tone.</div>
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<img src="http://images.suite101.com/1684827_com_adoration.jpg" /> </div>
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(<a href="http://suite101.com/article/how-to-pray-for-healing-clergy-abuse-in-ireland-a215792">Source</a>)</div>
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2. That the Mass is a careful and rapid ritual. Now it is the function of all ritual (as we see in games, social arrangements and so forth) to relieve the mind by so much of responsibility and initiative and to catch you up (as it were) into itself, leading your life for you during the time it lasts. In this way, you experience a singular repose, after which ... I am sure one is fitter for action and judgment.</div>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJwMZSc-MbSBFWNcIN8b9RHVvHsQnSXfamEIZXSOBNUuSipKvqPD2zL3ZFlzFzG6uLjj289-hEZWsKS0JYjoZCh0CreQ1abbAodh8U8PukWjps8S1pwRFZ_P5_FRbq92WFgiXt5TE2ic/s1600/high+mass.jpg" /> </div>
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(<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJwMZSc-MbSBFWNcIN8b9RHVvHsQnSXfamEIZXSOBNUuSipKvqPD2zL3ZFlzFzG6uLjj289-hEZWsKS0JYjoZCh0CreQ1abbAodh8U8PukWjps8S1pwRFZ_P5_FRbq92WFgiXt5TE2ic/s1600/high+mass.jpg">Source</a>)</div>
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3. That the surroundings incline you to good and reasonable thoughts, and for the moment deaden the rasp (a harsh, grating noise) and jar (a sudden unpleasant effect upon the mind or feelings) of that busy wickedness which, both working in one’s self and received from others, is the true source of all human miseries. Thus the time spent at Mass is like a short repose (the state of being at rest; peace; tranquility; calm) in a deep and well-built library, into which no sounds come and where you feel yourself secure against the outer world.</div>
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<img alt="Young Man Praying" border="0" class="asset asset-image at-xid-6a01156fa3482e970c013483605ae5970c " height="246" src="http://jimmydsmith.typepad.com/.a/6a01156fa3482e970c013483605ae5970c-800wi" title="Young Man Praying" width="400" /></div>
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(<a href="http://jimmydsmith.typepad.com/mondaymorningpastor/2010/06/a-good-pastor-will-be-a-man-of-prayer.html">Source</a>)</div>
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4. And the most important cause of this feeling of satisfaction is that you are doing what the human race has done for thousands upon thousands upon thousands of years. This is a matter of such moment that I am astonished people hear of it so little. Whatever is buried right into our blood from immemorial habit that we must be certain to do if we are to be fairly happy (of course no grown man or woman can really be very happy for long–but I mean reasonably happy), and, what is more important, decent and secure of our souls. Thus one should from time to time hunt animals, or at the very least shoot at a mark; one should always drink some kind of fermented liquor with one’s food–and especially deeply upon great feast-days; one should go on the water from time to time; and one should dance on occasions; and one should sing in chorus. For all these things man has done since God put him into a garden and his eyes first became troubled with a soul. Similarly some teacher or ranter or other, whose name I forget, said lately one very wise thing at least, which was that every man should do a little work with his hands.</div>
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Oh! what good philosophy this is, and how much better it would be if rich people, instead of raining the influence of their rank and spending their money on leagues for this or that exceptional thing, were to spend it in converting the middle-class to ordinary living and to the tradition of the race. Indeed, if I had power for some thirty years I would see to it that people should be allowed to follow their inbred instincts in these matters, and should hunt, drink, sing, dance, sail, and dig; and those that would not should be compelled by force.</div>
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Now in the morning Mass, you do all that the race needs to do and has done for all these ages where religion was concerned; there you have the sacred and separate Enclosure, the Altar, the Priest in his Vestments, the set ritual, the ancient and hierarchic tongue, and all that your nature cries out for in the matter of worship.</div>
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(from The Path to Rome)</div>
<br />Sweetums5http://www.blogger.com/profile/09194206938609300984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719508936952043105.post-48202520198014575082012-08-14T03:33:00.001-04:002012-08-26T04:20:39.653-04:00Why Go to Mass? # 5<div style="text-align: center;">
+ JMJ +<br />
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<a href="http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k27/jakyl32/365%20Rosaries-%20australia%20blogs/41holyeucharist4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k27/jakyl32/365%20Rosaries-%20australia%20blogs/41holyeucharist4.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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(<a href="http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k27/jakyl32/365%20Rosaries-%20australia%20blogs/41holyeucharist4.jpg">Source</a>)</div>
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The Mass is far more than just a “feel good” experience. I go to Mass because it is the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ, which is not only the salvation of the Church, but the salvation of the world. </div>
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If we do not have Christ’s sacrifice, we do not have either physical or spiritual salvation. I believe that without the Sacrifice of Christ being constantly offered to our Heavenly Father, our sins would call down the destruction of God upon the entire earth.</div>
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There is nothing more important in the entire universe than the Sacrifice of the Mass. It is the Sacrifice of Christ, and thus the Sacrifice of the Mass, stands between mankind and total destruction.</div>
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As we pray in the Consecration:</div>
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<i>"We offer unto You, O Lord, the chalice of salvation, and grant that in the sight of Your divine majesty, it may ascend as a sweet-smelling savour for our salvation, and that of all the whole world."</i></div>
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~ Brooklyn</div>
Sweetums5http://www.blogger.com/profile/09194206938609300984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719508936952043105.post-14312440022921548472012-08-14T03:30:00.000-04:002012-08-26T04:43:33.849-04:00Why Go to Mass? # 4<div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;">
+ JMJ +</div>
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<a href="http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy232/AngloLuterano/Catolicismo/Eucharist_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy232/AngloLuterano/Catolicismo/Eucharist_04.jpg" width="301" /></a></div>
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<span id="goog_164299002"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_164299003"></span><br /></div>
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(<a href="http://i795.photobucket.com/albums/yy232/AngloLuterano/Catolicismo/Eucharist_04.jpg">Source</a>)</div>
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</div>
<div style="color: #444444; text-align: left;">
I compiled some wonderful responses from <a href="http://wdtprs.com/blog/2011/11/is-this-list-complete/">Fr. Z's blogpost</a> -- great reminders!</div>
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From Bryan:</div>
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<i>1. We will die someday and face our particular judgment, and so need to be constantly nourished at the Altar of His Sacrifice for that day -- after worthily receiving His forgiveness in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<i>2. Since we're fallen human beings, it's our privilege to assist at this foretaste of the Heavenly Banquet here on earth, despite our sinfulness and unworthiness.</i><br />
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<img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.catholicchapterhouse.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/EucharistMass.gif" width="267" /><i> </i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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(<a href="http://pastoralmeanderings.blogspot.com/2011/09/mass-etiquette-from-roman-catholic-lay.html">Source</a>)<i><br /></i></div>
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From Carole McCorry:</div>
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<i>1. I go to Mass to celebrate and receive the Eucharist, to be spiritually nourished.</i></div>
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<i>2. Sometimes I just go for the peacefulness of prayer.</i></div>
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<i>3. I go because my heart calls me to be there.</i></div>
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From Fr. W:</div>
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<i>At Mass, we offer the Blood of Christ in atonement for our sins.</i></div>
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From Joseph:</div>
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<i>In deep gratitude for everything from whom all good originates.</i></div>
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From Jenice:</div>
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<i>1. I love the Mass.</i></div>
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<i>2. I’m grateful that the Lord called me out of darkness and into the wonderful light of the Catholic Church.</i></div>
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<i>3. I want to become more holy.</i></div>
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Sweetums5http://www.blogger.com/profile/09194206938609300984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719508936952043105.post-63472971349171228302012-08-14T03:25:00.001-04:002012-08-26T04:21:29.406-04:00Why Go to Mass? # 3<div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;">
+ JMJ +</div>
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<a href="http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r30/prophet_o_peace/BVM/may119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r30/prophet_o_peace/BVM/may119.jpg" /></a></div>
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(<a href="http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r30/prophet_o_peace/BVM/may119.jpg">Source</a>)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #444444;">I compiled some wonderful responses from</span> <a href="http://wdtprs.com/blog/2011/11/is-this-list-complete/">Fr. Z's blogpost</a> <span style="color: #444444;">-- great reminders!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138;">From M:</span><i><span style="color: #e69138;"> </span> To glorify God. </i></div>
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From Tzard:</div>
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<i>1. For the answering of my particular intentions, which I bring with me to Mass (and general intentions, like for the Holy Father). <br /><br />2. For the dead. </i></div>
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From Cardinal O'Malley:</div>
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<i>1. To be transformed by Christ’s grace.<br /><br /> 2. To participate in Jesus’s victory over death and the salvation of the world.<br /><br /> 3. To deepen our relationship with God.</i></div>
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From Irish Girl:</div>
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<i>I go to Mass to receive the graces to save my soul and be with God forever in heaven.</i></div>
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From a High School Principal:</div>
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<i>I grew up in a family where going to Mass on Sunday was about as optional as breathing.</i></div>
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From bdchatfi: </div>
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<i>We are dead men in need of Life. The Sacraments are our Medicine. Repentance and humility are our state.</i></div>
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Sweetums5http://www.blogger.com/profile/09194206938609300984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719508936952043105.post-79621295725476853732012-08-14T03:23:00.000-04:002012-08-26T04:26:26.060-04:00Why Go to Mass? # 2<div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;">
+ JMJ +</div>
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<a href="http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/raemarie6/img028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/raemarie6/img028.jpg" width="270" /></a></div>
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(<a href="http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o530/raemarie6/img028.jpg">Source</a>)</div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="color: #444444; text-align: left;">
I compiled some wonderful responses from <a href="http://wdtprs.com/blog/2011/11/is-this-list-complete/">Fr. Z's blogpost</a> -- great reminders!<br />
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From Blaise:</div>
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<i>We desire to be transformed by God’s Grace because we need that to face judgment.</i></div>
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From Gregg the Obscure:</div>
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<i>a. Nothing of this world approaches the importance of Jesus’s sacrifice of Himself which takes place in each Mass.</i></div>
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<i><br /></i>
<i>b. The grace of the Sacraments prevents me from doing even more harm to others through sin than I already do.</i></div>
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<i><br /></i>
<i>c. What shall I render to the Lord, for all the things He hath rendered unto me?</i></div>
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From Joe in Canada:</div>
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<i>To worship God as He has commanded us to do. We were created to be in a proper relationship with Him: this is called “the Mass.”</i><br />
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<img alt="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lql5fxdJVX1qmnpseo1_400.jpg" src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lql5fxdJVX1qmnpseo1_400.jpg" /><i> </i></div>
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(<a href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lql5fxdJVX1qmnpseo1_400.jpg">Source</a>)</div>
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From KAS:</div>
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<i>1. I’m there because Jesus is there.</i></div>
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<i>2. I go because this discipline seems to set the tone for my entire week.</i></div>
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From Guatadopt:</div>
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<i>The Eucharist … as if we need any other reason! We shouldn’t do things simply because there is a rule or law that says so.</i></div>
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From Ave Crux:</div>
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<i>Because, in justice, we owe God worship.</i></div>
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Sweetums5http://www.blogger.com/profile/09194206938609300984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719508936952043105.post-64840399397592224432012-08-14T03:19:00.000-04:002012-08-26T03:48:17.471-04:00Why Go to Mass? # 1<div style="text-align: center;">
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+ JMJ +</div>
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<a href="http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f10/majorpitcairn/b992892d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f10/majorpitcairn/b992892d.jpg" /></a></div>
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I compiled some wonderful responses from <a href="http://wdtprs.com/blog/2011/11/is-this-list-complete/">Fr. Z's blogpost</a> -- great reminders!</div>
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From Super Trad Mum:</div>
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<i>1) I go to Mass to worship God in the Eucharist and take part in the Mystery of Calvary. </i><br />
<i>2) Like Mother Teresa, I go to look at God and give Him time to look at me.</i><br />
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From Louise A:</div>
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<i>1) To adore God.</i><br />
<i>2) To thank God.</i><br />
<i>3) To obtain grace.</i><br />
<i>4) To offer a Reparation to God for our sins and the sins of the whole world. </i><br />
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<i>(Suggestion for kids: Perhaps you can offer up the times when you find yourself bored at Mass. Let's offer up that "suffering" for souls.)</i><br />
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<i> </i><img alt="The Catholic Mass - Fyodor Bronnikov" class="" height="300" itemprop="image" src="http://uploads4.wikipaintings.org/images/fyodor-bronnikov/the-catholic-mass.jpg%21Blog.jpg" title="The Catholic Mass - Fyodor Bronnikov" width="400" /></div>
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<br />
The Catholic Mass by Fyodor Bronnikov (<a href="http://www.wikipaintings.org/en/fyodor-bronnikov/the-catholic-mass">Source</a>)</div>
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From Introibo:</div>
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<i>To receive the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of our Blessed Lord in the Holy Eucharist.</i><br />
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From iPadre: </div>
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<i>To personally stand at Calvary and witness the sacrifice of the Living God. (I imagine this with my mind's eye when I look at the altar during Consecration.) </i><br />
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<i>To offer my life (prayers, works, joys and sufferings, my whole being) to God, in union with the Sacrifice of the Lamb of God. </i><br />
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From pm12: </div>
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<i>Being at Mass is our way to Him and His Way to us through His Priests. </i><br />
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From Young Canadian Male: </div>
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<i>Because missing Mass -- without appropriate reason or unforeseen circumstances that prevent one from going -- places the person in a state of mortal sin. </i></div>
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Sweetums5http://www.blogger.com/profile/09194206938609300984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1719508936952043105.post-71868382892440090202012-07-07T21:45:00.001-04:002012-08-24T01:16:10.919-04:00Picasso Prints: Natural History, Part 3<div>
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+ JMJ +</div>
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From <a href="http://www.culture24.org.uk/science%20%26%20nature/animals/art17605">Culture 24 (UK)</a>:<br />
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Here are more of Pablo Picasso's delicate black and white prints, showing images of animals etched onto plates during the 1930s and 1940s.</div>
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<img height="400" src="http://www.joseflebovicgallery.com/catalogue/archive/cat-127-2007/Large/0052.jpg" width="322" /><br />
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L'Atruche / <a href="http://www.joseflebovicgallery.com/catalogue/archive/cat-127-2007/pages/pg07.html">The Ostrich</a>, 1936/1942<br />
Aquatint and Drypoint Etching by Pablo Picasso<br />
Watermarked "Ambroise" in Lower Margin<br />
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<i>Inspired by a book on natural history written in 1749 by Comte de Buffon, the plates were commissioned by a French publisher to provide illustrations for the work.</i></div>
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<img height="400" src="http://www.joseflebovicgallery.com/catalogue/CL_140_2009/Large/140_0092.jpg" width="320" /><br />
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La Langouste / <a href="http://www.joseflebovicgallery.com/catalogue/CL_140_2009/Pages/pg13.html">The Crayfish</a>, 1936 / 1942<br />
Aquatint and Drypoint Etching by Pablo Picasso<br />
Watermarked "Vollard"<br />
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<i>Picasso selected 31 animals described in the book and etched them, from his mind's eye, using a process known as aquatint.</i><br />
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<img height="400" src="http://www.spaightwoodgalleries.com/Media/Picasso/Picasso_Vulture.jpg" width="306" /><br />
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Le Vautour / <a href="http://www.spaightwoodgalleries.com/Pages/Picasso_Buffon.html">The Vulture</a>, 1936<br />
Original Sugar-lift Aquatint by Pablo Picasso<br />
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<img height="400" src="http://www.joseflebovicgallery.com/catalogue/archive/cat-127-2007/Large/0053.jpg" width="318" /><br />
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Le Crapaud / <a href="http://www.joseflebovicgallery.com/catalogue/archive/cat-127-2007/pages/pg07.html">The Toad</a>, 1936/1942<br />
Aquatint and Drypoint Etching by Pablo Picasso<br />
Watermarked "Vollard" in Lower Margin<br />
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<i>The results, while not taken from real life, are both incredibly detailed and attractive evocations.</i></div>
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<img src="http://www.georgetownframeshoppe.com/img/picasso_buff2.jpg" /><br />
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<a href="http://www.georgetownframeshoppe.com/picasso_buffon_signed.html">L'Ane</a> / The Donkey, 1942<br />
Etching by Pablo Picasso<br />
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<img src="http://www.georgetownframeshoppe.com/img/picasso_buff7.jpg" /><br />
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<a href="http://www.georgetownframeshoppe.com/picasso_buffon_signed.html">Le Coq</a> / The Rooster, 1936 / 1942<br />
Aquatint and Drypoint Etching by Pablo Picasso <br />
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Click here to see <a href="http://naturalrelaxedhomelearning.blogspot.com/2012_06_01_archive.html">Part 1</a> of this post. <br />
Click here to see <a href="http://naturalrelaxedhomelearning.blogspot.com/2012/07/picasso-prints-natural-history-part-ii.html">Part 2</a> of this post.<br />
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Sweetums5http://www.blogger.com/profile/09194206938609300984noreply@blogger.com0