But why stop there?

I also looked at the dual-sided medals… the kind with a different saint on either side… for Our Lady of Guadalupe, and who should I see but San Juan Diego.

Oh, good!  I can use these on some of my crowns, or make bracelets with them.

Then I found some St. Anthony medals, so I got a few of those for the chaplets.  I much prefer the relics from Franciscan Mission Associates, but I have to make do with what’s available.

What I really and truly wanted were Holy Infant of Prague medals for some chaplets that I hadn’t yet begun to design, but I didn’t find any; and the shop had no idea when some would be in stock.

What to do, what to do, since I rarely drive into town to buy items that I need.

Veritable rose

As I stood there trying to decide, I examined the medals I was holding and made quite a discovery.  Not all the Our Lady of Guadalupe medals were paired with San Juan Diego.
I’d erroneously assumed that all the medals in the bin were the same, yet some had the Santo Niño de Atocha instead of San Juan Diego.

Hallelujah!  I’ll buy more of these with the Holy Infant and try my hand at crafting the chaplets I’ve had on hold all this time.  Then, later on, I’ll come back to buy some Infant of Prague medals.

The beauty of it all is that the Infant, like Our Lady, is known to devotees by various names.  Nevertheless, he’s one and the same regardless of our name for him, as the bishop told us at the feast day Mass of the Santo Niño de Cebú.

Bishop’s homily

Christmas is not over in the Philippines until the Santo Niño de Cebú feast day.  The celebration began in 1521 when Magellan first introduced the statue from Spain.  After a great fire, the Santo Niño statue miraculously remained intact; so it’s now a much venerated relic.  But, whether the Infant is called the St. Infant of Prague or the Santo Niño de Atocha, the practice is the same.  There are many beautiful stories.  Growing up [in Ireland], there were always statues in homes.  The custom was to place a coin under the statue, so the family would never go broke.  The Infant of Prague statue was placed outside to guarantee fine weather for a wedding.  The message from the Santo Niño has always been associated with humility, love, and trust.  The Santo Niño calls in whispers.  If we listen carefully, we hear him.  The Lord calls us in different ways to give us a message to do what he asks.  The Lord waits patiently for all of us to come to him, nonjudgmentally to follow him.  If we do that… follow his counsel, trust in him… we need not worry.  With him all things are possible (Bishop Edmund Carmody, 2009).

Two prototypes

Finally having both the time and the inclination to focus on creating the Child Jesus chaplets, I got to work.

The chaplet on the left, strung on black hemp, was completed first.

Since the devotion starts with three Our Father‘s, I chose blue for God’s powerful greatness.  The pink beads represent Our Lady’s tender loving care, so they’re the twelve Hail Mary‘s.  The green beads denote not only the promise of hope for the chaplet’s devotees, but also the thanksgiving and praise sent heavenward with the three Glory Be prayers.

The chaplet on the right had me in contemplative, problem solving mode overnight.  It’s visually different from the first because of its bright orange hue; but it’s strung with elastic, so it can be worn as a bracelet.

Christmas year ’round

Although the second chaplet posed somewhat of a challenge… or two… or three… ’cause hiding knots takes a bit of creative talent, I’ve got my materials set out to bead at least one more bracelet with the three remaining Our Lady of Guadalupe/Santo Niño de Atocha medals on the dining table.

I can hardly wait to see how the rest of the chaplets turn out, and I’ll certainly add photos upon completion.  After all, sharing the Child Jesus chaplet with others is one way to keep Christ in Christmas year ’round.

P.S.  January 18, 2012

Links of interest…  Franciscan Mission Associates…  prayer requests…  quarterly newsletter…  seasonal devotion…  Holy Infant of Prague…  about…  chaplet…  devotions…  feast…  history…  little crown…  novena…  of good health…  petitions…  Santo Niño de Atocha…  about…  chapel…  history…  miracles…  origin…  prayers…  Santo Niño de Cebú…  basilica…  feast…  history…  hymn (YouTube)…  novena…  origin…  perpetual novena…  poem…  song (YouTube)…

WP posts…  Budding relationships…  Connected tangents…  Holy relics…  My Franciscan Crown…  Mary’s seven joys…  Mary’s miraculous medal…  Oh, happy day!…  Our Lady…  Promise of hope…  Repeated prayers…  Santo Niño…  Si quaeris miracula…  Sweet Jesus…  Venerable Margaret

Angels and saints

A lifetime ago, I taught a CCE class at St. Mary’s back home.  I wanted so much to be an angel… not a saint, an angel… that I happened to share this tasty morsel with the other catechists at our Christmas luncheon.

The director, who overheard, chided me.  “Don’t you know that angels were never human?  That they’re nothing more than God’s helpers?  That God loves us infinitely more than angels?  You should want to be a saint instead!!!”

I was crushed.

Field of angels

That night I dreamt I was standing in a field at dusk.  I could hear flapping sounds getting louder and louder all around me.  I wondered if I was standing at the airport field near mom’s house.  Then, lo and behold, I began to see them.

Oh, my gosh, what a sight!  I couldn’t believe my eyes!

As evening became nighttime, more and more angels were landing all around me.  Lots of angels.  A whole field full of angels gracefully landing and lifting off.  Some my height, others much taller.  All willowy.  All with the same peaceful yet intense expression.  All so very elegant, purposeful, real.

I had no idea what was happening.  I was awestruck to be in the presence of these gorgeous beings that were either oblivious to my standing in their midst or accepting of me as I was.

I remember facing west, and when I turned to my right, there… not two feet from me… stood the most beautiful angel ever!  He must’ve been eight to ten feet tall, wearing a resplendent white gown with a bright, teal-colored satin sash.  His hair was brown; his face, masculine yet soft-featured.  He emanated self-confidence but was so focused that he didn’t even turn to look at me.  He straightened his sash as we stood in total silence except for the flapping all around of wings spanning eight to ten feet or more.

Standing beside him, I sensed that he commanded the others.  Yet, they were so proficient that they needed no reminders about their duties and responsibilities.  I wondered if they were working in shifts, since they came and went at different times.  Had they returned for the night?  Were those departing called out on emergencies?

Two angels

A few years later, when I was teaching CCE at Christ the King, Bennye, a fourth grader, gave me a book, There’s Dynamite in Praise (Gossett, 1974), which had a story about two angels.

I thought about my dream.  Maybe those steadfast angels landing all around me had indeed returned to heaven after having spent their day on earth.

It was during this time, too, when the catechists at Christ the King would gather ’round Sister Jovita to talk after Tuesday night’s middle school CCE classes.

One plus three or twelve

“Have you ever wanted to meet your guardian angel?” I asked.

The catechists in our small group hadn’t given the notion any thought.

“I did, and I have!  I even wrote about it in my journal.”  I was so excited that I had to share.  “His name is Brwyn, spelled with all consonants.  I met him as he walked down a dirt path with his ‘three assistants,’ but he can summon ‘a dozen more if they’re needed.’  He’s stocky and robust with a strong yet gentle voice; and he assured me that I’m very well protected.”

“Are you familiar with Andrew Greeley?” Sister asked.

None of us had heard of Greeley, so Sister told us he’d written about angels.

“I’ll look for the book at Waldenbooks,” but I never found that particular title; and then I simply forgot.

What I find really interesting, though, is how vividly I still remember the dream.  Brwyn was a Celt from Medieval Times.  He reminded me of Robin Hood with his forest-green outfit, leggings, and dark-brown suede boots.  But he had no wings!  Or maybe he had them folded back so that I didn’t notice?

Still, I’ve always believed that I met my guardian angel because my desire to do so was so strong that my wish was granted.

Angels all around

My dreams were truly unforgettable; the angels, very real.  It’s easier to share what I felt than to describe what I saw.  I can readily visualize the scenes, but the words take time.  For this reason, I was tempted to scour through my journals to look for the angel entries, but that’s a lengthy process, too.

To this day, I still look for the tall angel when I come across angel sites, prayer cards, and literature on angels.  In fact, my sister gave me Angels (Underhill, 1994) because of the teal-colored angel on the cover, but I didn’t find my angel in the book.

I haven’t given up, though.  One of these days, I’ll find the angel in white with the teal satin sash.

In the meantime, I’ll enjoy my gift angels all around as a reminder of the field of angels in my dream.

Prayers

Guardian angel…  Angel of God, my guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here, ever this day be at my side… to light, to love, to be my guide.

A mother to her children’s guardian angels…  I humbly salute you, O you faithful, heavenly friends of my children!  I give you heartfelt thanks for all the love and goodness you show them.  At some future day I shall, with thanks more worthy than I can now give, repay your care for them and before the whole heavenly court acknowledge their indebtedness to your guidance and protection.  Continue to watch over them.  Provide for all their needs of body and soul.  Pray, likewise, for me, for my husband, and my whole family, that we may all one day rejoice in your blessed company.  Amen.

Thoughts

The angels, wherever they may be sent, never stop gazing upon God.  In the same way, the virtuous person, as much as he can, always keeps the memory of God in his heart (St. Bonaventure, 1217-1274).

“Make yourself familiar with the angels and behold them frequently in spirit; for without being seen, they are present with you” (St. Francis de Sales, 1567-1622).

Links of interest…  Angels…  and miracles…  book…  stories…  Archangel prayers…  feast day…  Gabriel…  messengers…  Michael…  Raphael…  Uriel…  Chaplet…  for the sick and dying…  holy angels…  petition and protection…  pictures / prayers…  Don Gossett…  Miracle healing testimonies by large prayers (YouTube)…   There’s dynamite in praise (book)…  Guardian angels…  about…  badges…  chaplet…  for humanity…  prayers…  role…  servants of God…  Keeping it Catholic…  Sarah’s archangels…  Various rosaries / chaplets…

WP posts…  Angels keeping watch…  Building community…  Prayer and praise…  Two angels

Prayer booklet

“Did you receive my Christmas card?”

“Why do you ask?”

“I included a prayer booklet to St. Peregrine,” I said.  “He’s a true wonder worker.”  Then I proceeded to tell her what had happened a few Saturdays back.

For at least three weeks, I’d been having serious abdominal cramping.  Sometimes it was off and on throughout the day; other times, constant.

Being a worry wort, my imagination knows no bounds; so I’d been in search and find mode on the internet, looking at sites… the Mayo Clinic, WebMD, others I’ve come to trust, plus others.  I’d feel okay about what I’d read, but I’d still wonder… and be concerned.

Still, I hate going to the doctor; so I always put it off as a last resort.  I hate to take meds for anything, since they irritate my stomach and abdomen.  I don’t do well with over-the-counter drugs either, so it’s quite a conundrum especially when I have no choice but to bite the bullet and take something prescribed.

Father Ralph’s homily

Sharing all this with Olivia, I then said, “So I was lying in bed, the room dark and perfect for focusing on just one prayer.  I remembered, as I often do, Father Ralph’s homily regarding St. Peregrine’s powerful intercessions.”

Yes, the good God Almighty has indeed done wondrous deeds.  [Moreover,] since he is as the Bible tells us—the same, yesterday, today, and forever—we can expect to see, to experience, and many times to be part of, his miraculous delivering power in our lives and the lives of those that are very near and dear to us.  It’s an ongoing testimony to the reality of God and to the truth of his word.

[With] the St. Peregrine novena, I’ve seen ongoing miracles [but] you must have faith to believe and expect God to do what no one else can do.

God is real.  Miracles are real.  God [doesn’t play favorites].  [He’s] bigger than any problem you could possibly face or endure.  He said, “Call upon me in the day of trouble, and I will answer you and show you marvelous things you know not of” (transcribed audio; Lanoux, 2010).

Healing power

“What I recalled most about Father Ralph’s homily as I lay in pain,” I continued, “was that I didn’t need to be present before St. Peregrine’s first-class relic at Stella Maris to state my petition.  I remembered the story Father told about little Cooper from Victoria, TX.”

About a week [after visiting here for the first time, Cooper’s grandparents] called and told me they liked the chapel.  Then about a week or two later, [the grandfather] called [again].

“Father, we’ve got a problem….  [My] twenty-one-month-old grandson… can’t walk, [and] the doctors can’t figure out why.”

I said, “Bend over now.  Touch your ankles, [and] we will pray.  There’s no distance in prayer.  God’s a healer.  He’s not dead; he’s alive.”

I don’t know what I prayed.  I just prayed.

A week or two later, [the grandfather called].  He [was] ecstatic.

“I went to a family gathering for my son,” [he told me], “and little Cooper was there.  He was running all over.  You can’t keep up with him!”

[The grandparents brought Cooper] to the chapel.  I hadn’t [met] Cooper [until then].  At the end of Mass, I had [the grandfather] give that little testimonial.

“As I lay in bed that night, I prayed.  Mentally, silently, I focused on the words with resolve.  St. Peregrine, I’ve had this terrible pain for weeks now; and I’m scared.  It could be nothing serious, but I’m still concerned.  If it’s God’s will that I should be healed, then please help me.  And you’re not going to believe this, Olivia.  The moment I reached the period at the end of my visualized sentence, the pain was gone!  I haven’t had any more abdominal discomfort since then.  Isn’t that amazing?!!  Father’s words, ‘There’s no distance in prayer,’ empowered me to ask for healing; and I got it!  So this is why I sent you the prayer booklet.”

Building community

“I’ll most certainly read the leaflet,” Olivia said enthusiastically.  “In fact, my sister called to remind me about the prayer shawl she’d sent sometime back.  She insisted that I cover myself with it.  The prayer blanket ministry she belongs to made it, so I’m going to use that, too.”

We talked and laughed a while longer before we hung up the phone.  I assured Olivia that I’ll be at the hospital to keep her husband, George, and the others company the afternoon of the surgery; and she, in turn, told me that she feels “positively about everything.”  She also said that she’ll petition St. Peregrine for healing.

Prayers to St. Peregrine

A novena offering…  We thank you, heavenly Father, for the Church’s constant blessing upon the beautiful custom of invoking special saints for special needs.  In St. Peregrine we honor a powerful helper in certain bodily ailments and afflictions.  May his prayerful and loving intercession, added to our own prayers, obtain for us the special graces for which we plead during these nine days of prayer.

As we begin our novena, please accept it as our filial offering of worship to you, almighty and merciful Father.  In rendering homage to your holy ones, it is you, Father, whose favors and blessings we seek.  Through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Daily novena…  Heavenly Father, we thank you for giving us St. Peregrine as patron of persons suffering from cancer, foot ailments, or any incurable disease.

May he unite his prayers to our own.  May he intercede before the throne of grace for all persons now suffering and afflicted.

We recommend especially those for whom we now request his prayers.  (Please name the ones you are praying for— and don’t forget your personal needs.)  In the name of Christ our Lord, who is glorified in Peregrine and all the other saints, we pray.  Amen.

Contact information

Nine Days Prayer to St. Peregrine (B-28R/07) is available from Franciscan Mission Associates, P.O. Box 598, Mount Vernon, NY 10551-0598.  The booklet focuses on one of nine intentions daily… trust, love, peace on earth, humility, patience, hope, living by the day, thankfulness, and perseverance.

Pdf file…  Father Ralph’s homily

P.S.  January 21, 2012

Oh, glorious day!  Steven and I visited Stella Maris again and spent time visiting with Father Ralph before five o’clock Mass.  My wish came true when Father Ralph let me hold St. Peregrine’s first-class relic so I could pray for Olivia.

P.P.S.  January 23, 2012

Olivia’s surgery went better than fine.  Although the procedure took about eight hours, the surgeon, who was all smiles, was surprised and quite pleased at how well everything had gone.

I told him that we’d networked prayerfully since December 7, 2011, when Olivia had first been to her doctor.  “Olivia said, ‘Let’s pray for the doctors and all the medical staff.’”

“Keep it up!  It worked!” the surgeon beamed.

Links of interest…  Franciscan Mission Associates prayer requests…  Relics…
St. Peregrine…  about…  “cancer saint”…  chapel…  chaplet…  feast…  friends of…  healing intercessor and friend…  healing ministry…  healing power…  May 1st…  more prayers…  novena…  prayer…  prayer requests…  prayers…  saint…  Stella Maris…  anniversary…  history…  marker…  parish listing…  TX Tropical Trail Region…

WP posts…  Holy relics…  My Franciscan Crown…  Stella Maris

I especially liked the introduction, since I’m a huge proponent of proactive engagement.

The printed prayers are a guide only.  If you prefer, you may use your own words in addressing
St. Anthony just as you speak freely to a friend.  Better still, you may pray to him, wherever possible, without any words at all, but from the heart alone (p. 2).

Prayers to St. Anthony

For continued help…  Dear St. Anthony, greetings!  I count on you as a special friend.  Now that I have personal experience of your help, I can thank you best by imitating you for, as they say, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

May I select one virtue of your, then, that I most admire?  Perhaps, I choose this trait of yours because I so much lack it.  I’d like to imitate your goodness to the poor and those in need.

I shall start with those neartest to me, my own family.  I will do something for them whenever I can, and try to anticipate their needs.  Then I’ll look for a chance among those who live next door.

Please help me to persevere in this good intention, to progress from kind words to good deeds, and not to be discouraged if my intentions are misunderstood.  Please pray for me to God; this I ask of you in the name of Christ, our Lord.  Amen.

V.  Pray for us, St. Anthony.
R.  That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

For peace…  Dear St. Anthony, yet again I greet you and thank you.  Throughout your life you always tried to be a peacemaker.  You were always reconciling enemies, getting factions to work together, smoothing and composing differences.

Our world is now upset with wars abroad, with violence and dissension at home.  Everywhere in our cities and towns, in our colleges and schools, even in our churches, a spirit of strife too often prevails.

These are all, as you know better than I, the fruit of sin, a sign of human instability and insufficiency.  Help us by your power before God to be peacemakers.  Help me especially to pray and work for peace in my family and my neighborhood whenever I can.  I ask this favor in the name of our Lord, the prince of peace.  Amen.

V.  Pray for us, St. Anthony.
R.  That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Before a journey…  Dear St. Anthony, Today I greet you as the special guardian of those who must travel, or go on a trip.  I appreciate your continued interest in my welfare and your unfailing help.  I am sure you will keep on aiding us.

You were constantly on the move from one country to another– Sicily, France, Spain– and in all the cities of Italy.  So you know the perils of being on the road.  You have seen the troubles along the way.

In the journeys my family and I make please guide and guard us.  Let us move with caution even while we rely on your assistance.

Our Lord, Jesus Christ, told us, “I am the way.”  Pray to him for us to keep us always on the right path.  Amen.

V.  Pray for us, St. Anthony.
R.  That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Before Mass…  Dear St. Anthony, I greet you today with reverence in the knowledge of your special love of our Lord in the Eucharist.

Today I ask you to help me appreciate better the graces God gives us at holy Mass, and in receiving the sacred Eucharist.  I think of you especially when the liturgy speaks of “the saints who have done your will.”

With your aid I will be more reverent and worshipful during Mass, more careful in preparation for holy communion, more grateful in thanking god for the graces He gives us in the holy mysteries.

Let me be always well fed at the sacred banquet not only by the bread of life but by the word of God spoken for us and explained to us at Mass.  This favor, I ask of you, in Christ’s name.  Amen.

V.  Pray for us, St. Anthony.
R.  That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

In time of trial…  Great St. Anthony, I thank our Lord for the benefits he still gives us today in your honor.  I thank him, too, for the graces he gave you during your brief span on earth.

God can give us, his creatures, no greater gift than himself.  This is what Jesus, our Lord, did when as the divine infant, he embraced you.  It is also a symbol of the love he holds for all his people, the love he longs to share with each one of us, even me.

Dear St. Anthony, help me in my anxieties, troubles, and afflictions, particularly (here mention your request).  Please intercede for me with God in my necessities.  This I ask through Christ, our Lord.  Amen.

V.  Pray for us, St. Anthony.
R.  That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

For an understanding heart…  Dear St. Anthony, I salute you as my powerful patron before God.  You know how much we yearn for happiness, and how often and how stubbornly we seek it in the wrong places.

Please ask our Lord for us the grace he gave you so abundantly.  Thus, we may not vainly seek happiness in God’s creatures, but only in God himself, the source of all good.

Beg for us, powerful St. Anthony, the grace of an understanding heart.  Then, we will see the image of God in all those we meet and in every creature.  Let our hearts always be fixed on the true source of our joy, Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen.

V.  Pray for us, St. Anthony.
R.  That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Contact information

If you’d like to request either the pamphlet (B5/09) or a third-class St. Anthony relic, contact Franciscan Mission Associates, P.O. Box 598, Mount Vernon, NY 10551-0598.  The director is Father Primo, O.F.M.

Links of interest…   American Catholic…  Basilica in Padua, Italy…  Dear St. Anthony…  Do you need a miracle in your life?…  Franciscan Mission Associates…  prayer requests…  quarterly newsletter…  seasonal devotion…  Help from heaven…  Nine Tuesdays devotion…  Si quaeris miracula…  St. Anthony…  1195-1231…  biography…  Franciscan…  life…  miracles and traditions…  more prayers…  prayers…  shrine…  still more prayers…  stolen relic…  wonder worker…  St. Anthony’s Guild…  devotions…  ecards…  prayer requests…  prayers…  YouTube…  Hymn to St. Anthony of Padua (composed by Father Ike Carpio, OFM+; sung by Brother Ariel Manga, OFM)…  Si quaeris miracula (sung by Padre Maurizio nella Basilica di San Francesco a Bologna)…

WP posts…  Budding relationships…  Franciscan experience…  Holy relics…  In good time…  Making meaning…  My Franciscan Crown…  Prayer…  Si quaeris miacula…  St. Anthony…  St. Felix

Not Sunday.  That’s the epiphany of the Lord.  Monday?  Even though it’s the baptism of the Lord?  Probably.

I was looking at the Word among us and found that Tuesday prayers reflect the first week in Ordinary Time.

So when does Christmas officially end? I wondered, and off I went into search and find mode.  So I googled when does Christmas start and end but round and round I went taking longer than anticipated until, finally, I was enlightened.

Christmas begins at sundown on Christmas Eve and ends with the Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord, I read.

Major epiphany

Woohoo!  Great response.  Now I know for sure.

Funny that I’d never stopped to wonder why it was that, back home, folks celebrate Three Kings Day in a very big way.  It’s a rather complicated story to me regarding finding the baby in the cake served and then having to pay it forward by hosting another party for everyone.  I don’t even recall when the initial baby cake is served, so I guess this is a story for another time when I’ve checked it out.

Our principal used to do that to the faculty and staff at our public school; and, while it was always fun to eat cake, it wasn’t so much fun to host a party ’cause I’ve always been a party pooper.  Still, it worked out well, since she’d have the baker place ten babies in the initial cake so that the expense and the responsibility would be shared, which was fine.

Oh, the memories!  But, while I’m at it, what is Epiphany?

I continued my searches; and, when I was nearly frustrated, I remembered the source that never disappoints.

Fisheaters have the most gorgeous pictures with their explanations on the various topics!  I love their site!  And I found lots to read… and share… so, last night when Steven asked for this month’s issue of the Word among us to prepare for today’s readings, I waxed eloquent on the topic of Epiphany.

Wow.  I couldn’t believe I’d gone all these years without fully grasping the meaning of the twelve days of Christmas.  What an epiphany!  Yes.  I couldn’t resist the pun.  The ol’ pea brain is always blown away with every little… and big… morsel of knowledge gleaned.

Epiphany

The Epiphany of the Lord is celebrated in ways I never knew!  I couldn’t believe we’ve never discussed these traditions at church, so I kept my ears and eyes open during this morning’s Mass.

Yes, Father Xaviour talked about the magi.  Yes, Jay Masterson had us sing We Three Kings.  But where was the tradition of the chalk and the gifts of the magi, not to mention the Epiphany water that one takes home to bless every room in the house?

Customs and traditions

For families who practice traditions involving “the Magi” or “La Befana” leaving gifts for children, the day begins with the wee ones discovering what was left for them while they slept on Twelfth Night.

At today’s Mass, there will be a blessing of gold, frankincense, myrrh, Epiphany Water, and, after Communion, a blessing of chalk.  Bring small special items of gold to have with you during the Mass, and they will be blessed if they are exposed as you sit in your pew with them (wedding rings, rosaries, an heirloom piece of gold jewelry, for example).

When Mass is over, you will take some of the blessed chalk, frankincense, myrrh, and Epiphany Water home with you, so it’s good to bring a container to transport Holy Water and one to put some grains of incense and a piece of chalk into.  (Note: if you can, take and keep [five] pieces of blessed incense for your Paschal Candle this Easter).

When you get home, sprinkle some Epiphany water (otherwise and afterwards used as regular Holy Water) in the rooms of your house to protect it and bring blessings.  This Holy Water recalls the waters of the Jordan, and is a visible reminder of Christ’s Divinity, of Jesus’s revealing Himself as God at His Baptism, when were heard the words from the Father: “This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased.” This rite of blessing the home [is] led by a priest, if possible, or the father of the house if no priest is available… (Fisheaters, n. d.).

Gifts of the Magi

While I love the idea of baking a Three Kings cake now that I have the recipe, what matters more is that I understand the meaning of Epiphany and the significance of the gifts of the magi.

Although Steven and I like to keep Christmas year ’round, I find myself eagerly awaiting the Epiphany of the Lord again so I can participate more fully.  Additionally, I look forward to being present at a Mass during which gold, frankincense, myrrh, water, and chalk are blessed and subsequently shared with the church community.

I want to live my faith by bringing home the gifts of the magi, reciting the prayers, and blessing every room in the house.  After all, Epiphany is an extraordinary tradition with countless blessings for the entire year.

Links of interest…  Baptism of the Lord…  Christmas novena (Nov 30-Dec 24)…  Days of Christmas…  Feast of the Epiphany…  Las posadas & the 2nd Christmas novena
(Dec 16-24)…  Seasonal customs…  Twelfth night…  We Three Kings (YouTube)…  the Word among us…

WP posts…  Blue heaven…  Christmas blessings…  Church time blues…  Concrete abstraction…  Faith and prayer…  Santo Niño…  Thanksgiving prayers

Yesterday I received another novena from Franciscan Mission Associates in honor of  Our Lady of Lourdes .  Since I’d long intended to post the prayers, I compared the new pamphlet to the one I’d received previously; and, joyful surprise, the two are different.

Links of interest…  Franciscan Mission Associates…  Lourdes Grotto & Guadalupe Tepeyac (San Antonio, TX)…  anniversary…  directions…  facebook…  mission…  photos…  Our Lady of Lourdes…  grotto…  in Massabielle…  in Ohio…  in Rio Grande City: history / photos…  national shrine…  of Lourdes…  pilgrimage site…  placing petitions (France)…

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Gift shop

At the conclusion of time happily spent with Father, not to mention the VIP tour he gave us of the grounds and the facility where he resides, Steven and I drove to the Oblate gift shop.

On entering the building, I noticed the displays in the hallway.  It’s amazing how Mary graces everything everywhere related to the Oblates!

Then I walked into the gift shop, and, oh, my!  What a wonderful place with groupings here and there very tastefully done.  I asked the woman behind the counter if I could take photos, but she gave me a look as if to say, “Hmm.  I don’t think so.”

I suppose I could’ve asked her supervisor, but I chose to explore the shop instead and was immediately taken with the statues’ faces.  Whether same-sized or not, each statue’s face was unique.

Statue dilemma

“Oh, look, darling!  This is the most beautiful Infant I’ve ever seen!  Look at his delicate features.  See how he’s different from the others?”

“That’s because each statue has been handpainted,” Steven responded.

“Oh, my gosh!” I gushed as I held the Infant statue.  “He’s so beautiful!”

“Take him.”

“I can’t.  I already have mine.  And the small ceramic one that belonged to Tía Queta, the one Belia gave me.  What would I do with another one?  Besides, one is enough.  How sad if I couldn’t focus all my love on just one!” I rationalized, trying really hard not to give in to my impulses.

“Take him.”

“No, that’s all right.  I have mine, but this one is absolutely gorgeous.  His face is the most beautiful here.  Such an exquisite face!” I said putting the statue back with the others.  “Did you see St. Anthony?  Oh, my gosh.  That’s another one, but I’m going to walk around now ’cause what I really need are prayer cards for my blog.”

Pleasant surprise

I’ve always said that presentation is everything, and the gift shop certainly had me oohing and ahhing.  I could easily have spent hours browsing, but we’d agreed to visit the Oblate cemetery afterwards; so I didn’t want to put that off.

I selected fifteen laminated cards, including St. Martin of Tours for my “Budding relationships” post, and looked around the shop one last time before heading to the checkout counter.

Of course, Steven had gotten there first and, oh, my gosh.  He had the statues as well as three Guadalupe Tepeyac mementos for the gang.  I was happy; but I was concerned, too.  I should know better than to open my mouth when I see something I really and truly like!  Still, I had a thought about the Infant, one that I had no intention of sharing lest I change my mind.

Oblate cemetery

The temperature had dropped since we’d been at the gift shop, so I tried not to think about the cold.  Shivering, I followed Steven behind the gift shop to the adjacent property and remained on the street.

What a sombering sight to see rows of headstones perfectly aligned, keeping reverent company with one another.

Steven walked past a few and said, “Some of these dates go way back!”

Then, out of the blue, a nicely plumped mockingbird perched itself atop one of the markers before brazenly flying to one closer to us.  It didn’t budge at all as if letting us know, “I’m the caretaker here, so you be respectful.”

Shared thoughts

Standing there at the cemetery I felt so very sad as the realization that priests are like the rest of us in that they deal with debilitating illnesses and die.  The thought of priests residing so close to the place where they might be buried hit me like a ton of bricks!

The reality of life and death seemed quite harsh as my mind wondered, Have they returned to where they started their journey to be buried here, too?

Again and again, I took note of all the headstones.  I wanted to spend time with each one, read their names and dates, and thank them for heeding the call of service. 

So many priests buried here!  I wonder what their lives were like.  I wonder if their families came to the funeral services or if just the Oblates attended because their relatives were either dead, too old to assist, or unable to attend for other reasons. 

It’s quite a sacrifice to spend one’s life away from family as Father Sheehan has done since 1949, when he first joined the seminary at age fourteen.  He was such a youngster then; but, as time passed, his parents died and so did most of his thirteen siblings.

So is this what happens when priests come to the Madonna Residence to retire?  Do others ever stop to think what happens when priests retire?  When they’re alone with no one to visit?  When they’re ill?  When they’re confined to a facility and can no longer serve as they used to?

I thought back to my students.  Incredibly, some of them had no idea that I had a life outside of teaching.  They were stunned to see me shopping for groceries, surprised to see me at the mall, amused to see me wearing shorts and a tee shirt, glad to see me at church, but always joyful to bump into me anywhere, everywhere.

Similarly, I’d never wondered what Father Sheehan had meant when he’d written that he’d retired, when he’d told me he was living in a home.

I imagined him still celebrating Mass on a daily basis or assisting at various parishes as needed.  I’d never stopped to think that some priests might be physically and/or mentally incapacitated or that they’d live in either a nursing home or an assisted living facility.

Other than contributing to special collections for retired priests and religious at church and mailing donations for that purpose to Catholic groups that we support, our visit to Father Sheehan at the Oblate Madonna Residence was quite a revelation.  But seeing the cemetery was like being stabbed in the heart!

Promise of hope

Since returning from our trip to San Antonio, my mind has continued to process my thoughts and feelings from our visit with Father Sheehan.  At times tearfully, I’ve contemplated the reality of what it is to be in service to God.

Regardless of what it takes to choose that vocation… or even how much one loves that life… it’s not an easy road to see through to the completion of one’s life.

No matter how good the care is at retirement facilities, there’s so much of real life that’s absent.  Family, for instance, which explains Father Bob’s exuberance in telling us that he’d be spending Christmas with his three nephews… and why Father Sheehan has always talked about his month’s vacation back home in Chicago where he stays with his three sisters.

“I could stay longer, but I don’t want them to get tired of having me around,” he told us matter of factly with an air of wistful amusement.

Does he make himself say that because he knows that, no matter how much he loves and enjoys his family, his chosen path is different from the rest of us who live in the real world day in and day out?  Does he feel out of place when he’s gone too long from his chosen environment?

Like the Velveteen Rabbit who gave his all for the love of the child, Father Sheehan, Father Bob, and the others we saw at the Oblate Madonna Residence gave their all for the love of God.

What selfless dedication to the one whose son is our promise of hope!

Novena to the Infant of Prague

O Jesus, Prince of Peace and King of the Universe, you chose to humble yourself and come into the world not as a powerful ruler, but as a helpless infant, grant us the grace of humility and gentleness before you and our brothers and sisters.

Grant, too, O Lord, that we may always strive to achieve the virtue and innocence of your own holy childhood.

Instill in us a growing faith in you, O Lord, and the strength to resist temptation in a world which widely rejects you.

Look upon us with compassion and forgive us our sins.  Fill our hearts with kindness and understanding, especially for children, the aged, and those we dislike or who dislike us.

O Jesus who so loved children that you admonished us, “Unless you become like little children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven,” grant us a childlike faith and purity of heart.

During these nine days of prayer, O Divine Infant King, give us the grace not only to pray fervently but also to help spread your gospel by deed as well as word.  Amen.

Prayer of petition

O Infant of Prague who said, “The more you honor me, the more I will bless you,” give us the strength to bear the burdens of daily life in this sinful world.  Give us a firm purpose of amendment and a resolve to lead a better life.  Help us endure our afflictions and sorrows with patience and courage.

Finally, O beloved Infant King, if it be your will, grant my petitions.  (Mention them here.)  But whatever you choose, give me the strength to submit to your will in all things.  Amen.

The prayers may be said on any nine successive days, especially from the 16th to the 24th of any month and, in particular, in December before the Feast of the Nativity of Christ the Infant.

Links of interest…  Child Jesus…  about…  chaplet…  devotions…  feast…  novena…  of good health…  Priests…  100 prayers for priests…  holy hour for priests…  novena…  prayers for priests…  priests and religious prayers…  St. John Vianney…  world year for priests…  Uncertain lives: Children of promise, teachers of hope (Bullough, Jr., 2001)…

WP posts…  Angels keeping watch…  Building community…  Call of service…  Christmas year ’round…  Connected tangents…  Father’s guided tour…  Father now retired…  Gifts…  Heart of hearts…  Marian devotions…  Mary’s miraculous medal…  Mary’s seven joys…  May flowers…  Oblate chapel…  On being Christian…  Our Lady…  A real church…  Santo Niño…  Soulful…  Sweet Jesus…  Two angels…  Venerable Margaret        

Even though Father Sheehan had been one of three priests assigned to Immaculate Conception Cathedral and its missions, Sacred Heart and St. Thomas, for a number of years, I, as a parishioner, hadn’t interacted with Father other than having participated in the Masses he’d celebrated.

God’s master plan

Then, after work on September 12, 2002, I called the cathedral and asked if either Father Moran or Father Lanese were at the office so I could go by to talk.

“They’re both unavailable,” the secretary told me, ”but Father Sheehan is here.  I’m sure he wouldn’t mind your dropping by to see him.  Would you like for me to let him know you’re on the way?”

I didn’t respond right away.  I was comfortable with Father Moran, since he was our priest at Sacred Heart, and I’d gone to confession with Father Lanese; but I’d never dealt with Father Sheehan before.  Yet, I was desperate to sit and talk about a personal crisis from the day before.

“Yes, please,” I finally said.  “I should be there in about fifteen minutes.”

Driving to the cathedral, I didn’t know which would be worse, sharing my dilemma with Father Sheehan or… dread of all dreads… being chastised when I really needed patience and understanding.

All the way there, I thought back to the two times… in 1970 and in 1990… that I’d sought assistance from a priest.  Neither had gone well, so my mind teetered between feeling apprehensive and needing peace of mind.  Having matured since then, however, I knew better than to back away.  Besides, I’d already committed to showing up.

Overcoming adversity

I parked adjacent to my old school, across the street from the office.  No turning back now.

I’d been to the office a few times, namely, when I’d registered and when I’d turned in raffle ticket money; but, so unlike the cathedral itself, the place seemed unfamiliar and lacked personality.  Nevertheless, the secretary was gracious and kind.

“You’re here to see Father Sheehan?” she asked smilingly.

“Yes,” I said politely.

“Follow me, please.”

Father Sheehan’s office was across from the reception area.  The top half of its door was glass; everything else around it, shades of yellow.  I didn’t have much time to think ’cause the door opened right away.

A friend in need

Much taller up close than from the fifth pew in church, Father greeted me with a warm, boyish smile.  He was so down to earth that I felt as if I’d known him all my life.

Father’s office had three or four chairs around a small table with magazines, so we sat to converse within that circle as friends, not as a priest and a stranger seated with a desk-barrier inbetween.

Of course, I didn’t know how or where to start; so Father said,

By the time people come into my office, they’ve already gone through a lot.  A lot of grief.  A lot of worry.  A lot of penance.  They’ve been harder on themselves than either I or God would ever be.  My job isn’t to scold or to punish.  My role as a priest is to listen, accept, and understand.  We all make mistakes, and we suffer dearly for them.  By the time people come in, they’re at the end of their rope; so I’m not going to make things worse.  Just tell me what’s on your mind, and we’ll take it from there.

Forever friends

For almost two months I visited regularly.  Sometimes we talked about books we’d read; other times, about work.  We’d both suffered recent losses… Father, his mother and his sister; me, someone I’d thought was a friend.

“We’ll commiserate,” he’d tease.

Certainly, we did our share of laughing and crying to the point that Father Lanese would pass by, look in on us through the door’s window, and shake his head; and we learned about each other’s family.

We became forever friends in a short span of time so that, even when Father was transferred to Roma, which might as well have been the other side of the world, we began our correspondence.  Plus, I drove there a couple of times with Acacia-Darling… my one and only grandchild then… to visit a few hours and enjoy a meal at Dairy Queen, since both Father and Acacia loved chicken fingers with mashed potatoes, gravy, and Texas toast.

Of course, my life got busier and busier.  I taught school, did paperwork and more at home, and continued with my graduate studies; so I didn’t have time for visits anymore.  Then, as time passed, I corresponded less and less.

Not Father, though.  He sent cards regularly even though I was on another planet altogether.

Still, if we could’ve communicated telepathically, he would’ve known that I always vividly recalled our talks, the stories, the laughter, and the tears.

Over the years, I’ve treasured Father not only for his greeting cards, but especially for his being my forever friend… caring, loving, supportive… no matter how infrequently I’ve corresponded.  To this day, too, Father Sheehan is synonymous with Immaculate Conception Cathedral, my heart of hearts since age five when I attended first grade in the building across the street.  So how could I ever possibly forget when the memories are so entwined?

Our beloved priest

For this reason, I’d always wanted to visit Father Sheehan again; so, when we finally had the chance on December 23, 2011, I wasn’t going to give up just because Father didn’t remember me.

As I later wrote in a letter to Father Bob, whom Steven and I met as we were leaving the Oblate Madonna Residence that afternoon,

Our visit was truly memorable.  I only wish we lived closer, so we could surprise Father more often.  But, having had such a great time, we’ll simply have to drive to San Antonio more than once every four or five years if we want to enjoy his sense of humor and, perhaps, your smiling face should you happen to be in at the time.

To me, there’s no one as kind, as attentive, or as real as Father.  When I was most in need of someone, he welcomed me into his office and made me feel that everything was going to be just fine.  And it was.  I’m sooo blessed to know him!

Pdf files: Letters to…  Father Bob / Father Sheehan

Links of interest…  100 prayers for priests…  holy hour for priests…  prayers for priests…  priests and religious prayers…  world year for priests…

WP posts…  Angels keeping watch…  Building community…  Connected tangents…  Father’s guided tour…  Gifts…  Heart of hearts…  Marian devotions…  Oblate chapel…  Our Lady…  Promise of hope…  A real church…  Soulful…  Sweet Jesus…  Two angels        

The afternoon had turned frigid, and Steven was the only one with a warm jacket; but that didn’t keep Father from asking, “Would you like a tour of the place?”

Advent scene

Lourdes grotto

Tepeyac shrine

Cavalry of Christ

Oblate grounds

Links of interest…  Lourdes, France…  about…  miracles / cures…  petitions…  Lourdes Grotto & Guadalupe Tepeyac (SA)…  anniversary…  directions…  facebook…  mission
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Stranger danger

“Hi, Father Sheehan!  We’ve come to ask if you’d like to join us for lunch,” I chirped excitedly.  I wanted to hug him hello, but he was stunned to have two strangers call on him at the Oblate Madonna Residence in San Antonio, TX!

I’d never expected that, since he’s regularly mailed greeting cards to us over the years.

Father quizzically searched our faces, mine especially.  He wanted to smile, but he wasn’t really sure about letting his guard down.

“Should we have called first?” I asked.  “I looked online for your phone number and found only the one for the house here.  I wrote the number on the back of your card, but I didn’t think to call.  I figured we’d just drop by; and then, if we couldn’t have access to you, I’d call.”

Seeing the card in my hands, Father admitted, “I can’t deny it’s my handwriting.  I have to know you, or you wouldn’t have that card; but I don’t know who you are.  What are you doing here?  What do you want?”

“We came to take you to lunch,” I repeated, hopeful that Father would agree to join us.  I wasn’t sure if he was kidding or if he really didn’t remember me.  “We can leave, if you like.  It’s just that I’d written to let you know we’d be in town this weekend, and we were hoping to spend some time with you.  Didn’t you receive my cards?”

Father Sheehan was struggling to remember who I was.

Steven and I were strangers to him, but we couldn’t just leave.  I knew who he was, so I wanted to reassure him.  “It’s okay that you don’t remember me.  I remember you, and that’s good enough!” I said cheerfully.  I wanted him to know that my feelings weren’t hurt; but not until I wrote this post did I realize that he was concerned for himself; and, really, he had every right to be.

Patiently yet enthusiastically, I shared a lot of memories going back to September 12, 2002, when we first met at Immaculate Conception Cathedral and became fast friends.  Yet, Father’s recollections eluded him.

“Who are you?  Why are you here?” Father asked again.

Then, like a frozen moment in time, we looked directly into each others’ eyes and… just like that… Father Sheehan’s memory seemed to thaw.

“I think I vaguely recall,” he declared, sounding less apprehensive and more receptive to our visit.

We both relaxed.

“So does this mean you’ll join us for lunch?” I asked invitingly, fully prepared to show Father a good time no matter what.

A lively visit

With Father in his familiar comfort zone, he once again became the lighthearted person who’d been our beloved family priest back home.  He mischievously joked and teased in his usual happy way.

Even though the weather was bitingly cold, our renewed friendship warmed our spirits.  Father gave us a tour of the grounds and the facility before asking, “Have you seen the chapel?”

“Whaatt?!!!  Oh, my gosh!  Oh, my gosh!  Oh, my gosh!” I exclaimed, anticipating a delightful topping on the Dairy Queen strawberry sundaes we’d enjoyed earlier.

A finely woven tapestry

For five precious hours, Father Sheehan had gifted us with crescendoing joy.  He’d been silly, entertaining, and informative all at once; but, ever the masterful storyteller, he’d saved the best for last.

The Oblate Madonna Residence chapel… like Father Sheehan’s recollection that the stained-glass windows were the same ones from when he entered the seminary at age fourteen in 1949… was a huge Secret Santa surprise.  Simply amazing.  Oh-so special.  A wonderful walk down memory lane.

Links of interest…  Brownsville diocese…  Immaculate Conception Cathedral (ICC)…  diocesan website…  national registry…  parishes online…  photos…  Our Lady of Refuge…  Sacred Heart Church (ICC mission)…  photos…  St. Eugene de Mazenod…  about…  biography…  book…  founder…  litanies…  novena…  prayer…  saint…  speaks to us (blog)…

WP posts…  Angels keeping watch…  Building community…  Connected tangents…  Father’s guided tour…  Gifts…  Heart of hearts…  Marian devotions…  Promise of hope…  A real church…  Soulful…  Sweet Jesus…  Two angels