Happy Easter

 

He is Risen, just as He said.

Triduum

We enter into the most Holy Season of the year, and my favorite one as well.  The Triduum, the three days of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday.  They are unique in their meaning and history.  Tonight is the remembrance of the Last Supper, the washing of the disciples' feet and the Institution of the Eucharist and Priesthood.  Tonight we will have our feet washed by our pastor, a symbolic re-enactment of Jesus washing his disciples' feet.  Tomorrow is the solemn remembrance of Jesus' death on the cross, the only day in which there is not a Mass celebrated.  And finally, the Easter Vigil, the high Holy day, when we re-tell the story of salvation history.  We listen and sing of the times of old and we sing the Alleluia once again. 

Happy Birthday

From his snowmobiling days...

St. Patrick's Breastplate

I bind unto myself today
The strong Name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same,
The Three in One and One in Three.

I bind this day to me for ever.
By power of faith, Christ's incarnation;
His baptism in the Jordan river;
His death on Cross for my salvation;
His bursting from the spicèd tomb;
His riding up the heavenly way;
His coming at the day of doom;*
I bind unto myself today.

I bind unto myself the power
Of the great love of the cherubim;
The sweet 'well done' in judgment hour,
The service of the seraphim,
Confessors' faith, Apostles' word,
The Patriarchs' prayers, the Prophets' scrolls,
All good deeds done unto the Lord,
And purity of virgin souls.

I bind unto myself today
The virtues of the starlit heaven,
The glorious sun's life-giving ray,
The whiteness of the moon at even,
The flashing of the lightning free,
The whirling wind's tempestuous shocks,
The stable earth, the deep salt sea,
Around the old eternal rocks.

I bind unto myself today
The power of God to hold and lead,
His eye to watch, His might to stay,
His ear to hearken to my need.
The wisdom of my God to teach,
His hand to guide, His shield to ward,
The word of God to give me speech,
His heavenly host to be my guard.

Against the demon snares of sin,
The vice that gives temptation force,
The natural lusts that war within,
The hostile men that mar my course;
Or few or many, far or nigh,
In every place and in all hours,
Against their fierce hostility,
I bind to me these holy powers.

Against all Satan's spells and wiles,
Against false words of heresy,
Against the knowledge that defiles,
Against the heart's idolatry,
Against the wizard's evil craft,
Against the death wound and the burning,
The choking wave and the poisoned shaft,
Protect me, Christ, till Thy returning.

Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

I bind unto myself the Name,
The strong Name of the Trinity;
By invocation of the same.
The Three in One, and One in Three,
Of Whom all nature hath creation,
Eternal Father, Spirit, Word:
Praise to the Lord of my salvation,
Salvation is of Christ the Lord.

Habemus Papam

We have a Pope!

Over the past weeks, since the Chair of St. Peter has been empty, there has been so much discussion about our new spiritual leader.

I was away for most of this day, and as I walked in Anna told me that a new pope has been elected, she found out on Facebook (go figure!)

So, on only the 5th ballot vote, the College of Cardinals has elected a new pope.  His name is Jorge Mario Bergoglio, former Archbishop of Beunos Aires, now known as Francis I.

May God bless him!

Back to normal

Went grocery shopping, only sewed for 3 minutes (to fix some ripped costumes), brokered a deal on cleaning the wedding dress from the Sound of Music (only $30 instead of $150!!), made 2 quiches and 3 cinnamon/raisin breads for bible study, made a homemade dinner of beef stew (which the whole family was home to eat!!), cleaned 4 loads of costume laundry, made a deposit to the bank for Girl Scout cookie money, helped Anna print her 41-page project for Early Childhood, went to book club and got the kids to school on time (almost).

Sound of Music

Well, the hills were alive with The Sound of Music, as were the hallways and theatre of Oak Ridge High School.

We had a fabulous run and Anna is tired and ready to sleep forever, but unfortunately she has school tomorrow!

Costumes will be cleaned and returned this week.