Losing one's Bounce...

Not sure what the search engines might make of this title, but truth to tell I have lost my bounce. A bout of laryngitis has helped. It tends to make one's posts even longer and more whiney than usual, so as an antidote, here is a post that might raise a smile or two:-

"POST HASTE".
One bitter snow-covered morning , the postman called to deliver a parcel for my husband. My twin two- year- olds were snug inside the house, and as kids do, had freed themselves of all coverings but their nappies.
As I struggled with the Key, the boys ran to the front door as usual to see who was knocking.
"Cold morning!" Exclaimed the kindly young postman with a smile.
"Yes I replied, too cold to be wearing just a nappy!..."
I turned to look for confirmation from my rosy-cheeked cherubs,It seems the twins, having sensed the cold, had decided not to make an appearance at the front door, and as the bitter wind whistled down the hallway, I observed that just for once there was not even a single toy littering the hallway to support my jokey comment.
The postman's face twisted into a frightened frown and he left quickly.
The boys were found giggling behind the sofa.
I don't thnk I've had a visit from that postman since.
As many have said, "If there is no sense of humour in heaven, I don't want to go there!"

God's masterpieces

I thought we haven't had an image of Mary lately on my posts, so I am offering this one today.
Its a clay figure of the Magnificat I've been working on in my shed. I had hoped to cast her in plaster before the cold weather begun, and bring her inside, but it hasn't happened yet. Obstacle after obstacle has presented itself.
If the frost gets to her while she is "left out in the cold" she will be ruined and I will have to begin again. So this image may be all I will have to remember "her " by!
I created the figure, encouraged by the words of Mr.Bentley the art advisor of “Primavera Fine Art Foundation" (which is committed to creating a renaissance of fine theological art in the Church,) ‘Every great work of art is a window between time and eternity. When we learn to contemplate art or come in contact with it, we actually come in contact with God, a little piece of His glory.’ (That statement was not directed personally to me or my work I must add!)
Well, I can't claim it to be a "great work of art, but I can hope (and pray)it may reflect some of Mary's heart.
I think when Mary sung the "Magnificat it was such a lovely and blessed moment in her life, which was otherwise steeped in sorrows.
As the mother of Divine Innocence, she must continue to look with sorrow on the disregard for the innocence of children in today's modern culture.
It was this disregard for children which prompted me to write to the House of Lords, to the Children's minister Baroness Morgan of Drefilin. I was objecting to the introduction of compulsory sex education for children. Already some schools are introducing it for children as young as seven.
When this programme was proposed for my 10 year old daughters, I felt I had no choice but to remove her from the lessons. (Mr. Knight says parents COULD have the option to take children out of certain lessons.) If you have ever tried this, (As I did) you will be made to feel you are going against the grain. The school does not have to prove its professionalism or its religious ethos. (The poster in the foyer does this for them ...) Unfortunately, you, the parent do. I did ask if I might view the material in the programme before removing my child, but I am still awaiting a reply. Surely my request was reasonable?
It wasn't until my in-laws heard I had objected that they told me their son (then ten years old) had come home after the course asking "Did you have to do That once for me to be born?"
So I can only guess at what the programme teaches.

It is known that up until the age of 12, children are at an "Aspirational" stage in their lives. A time to dream about becoming astronauts, painters, postmen, singers, brick layers - You name it. One thing that young children do not need to aspire to is sexual relationships. It's not really something they think about, they are too busy learning the latest skateboard moves.
The Government want to rob them of this time of innocence allegedly to reduce the number of future teenage pregnancies...no doubt the cost of housing teenage mums and chasing absent fathers for financial support is taking its toll.
If they were really doing something with a child's interests at heart, then they would do more to encourage stability in the family unit.
I believe it is more likely that this bill if it is passed, will lead to premature experimentation, more social problems and a more dysfunctional and fragmented society.


Schools Minister Jim Knight wants this bill to become statutory,(which happens to mean "fixed" - like a statue! - I digress...)saying:
"We want to be clear we're not talking about five-year-olds being taught about sex. At Key Stage 1 they will be learning about themselves, their differences, their friendships, how to have strong friendships and how to manage their feelings...Five-year-olds could be taught topics such as the differences between men and women as well as that animals produce offspring. "
Sounds quite benign, but then children at this age are usually quite happy with the knowledge of the sexes they already have; for example:- Girls like pink, boys don't. Girls have long hair, boys don't. If they know that their younger sibling is in mum's tum - then why need it be pointed out through the " animal" model - unless the Government want to include further detail?
Mr Knight then adds why he feels this imposition on a child's understanding is necessary:
"That then allows them in Key Stage 2 to learn about puberty and then about the facts of life, all these sorts of matters."
Is it a matter of stealth then, for the Government to want to prime children at the age of five, in order to make them receptive to "these sorts of matters." at a later date?

It was with some relief I read on an AOL news report that somewhere in England, there were other objectors who saw the scheme for what it is:

"Family campaigners called on the government to scrap plans to teach sex education to primary school children in England.
Stephen Green, national director of Christian Voice, said the proposals would only "encourage experimentation" and contribute to the rise in teenage pregnancy and infertility. He said the idea of teaching young children about sex is "a wickedness" from a Government that wants to see "a whole generation fornicating".
Well, I would express it as the "dis-budding of a Nation." Because the Government desire to present a child's mind with something it would not naturally seek at the age of 10.

It feels strange to me that it is necessary for a group like this to voice an objection. Shouldn't every Catholic parent at every Catholic school be asking for information on the true content of the programme? Do Catholic parents no - longer feel they have any authority as to how their children are educated?
The following ,"Our Lady of Good Success" in which Mary prophecies the subversive corruption of the young is worth a peruse at this point.

I have never thought of myself as a political person, but as A PARENT, I was glad to find this link,write to them so that at very least, I was able to tell my M.P. how it would affect the outcome of my future voting.
.
When we look at a religious piece of art, it is meant to raise our hearts to God. When we look at our children, we must also see them as mini- masterpieces who are precious children of God; A work of art which we as parents are to form in the image of Chirst.
I look once again to my image of Mary singing her Magnificat, her face upturned to heaven, her hands held expectant of receiving his grace and blessing. Filled with joy as she contemplates the innocent babe in her virginal womb. Today may Mary herself ask God's help on our behalf for the sake of our children and all future generations. Amen!
(Apologies for the many re-edits on this post, my own children are on holiday from school this week!)

One of those weeks.

Ever have one of those weeks?
It got off to a poor start when we had a rosary procession and all the candles we had just lit for everyone blew out the moment they stepped foot outside of the church door...
It was the kind of week when:
Your Methodist freind tries to convert you which is most disapointing because you
thought they had accepted you for what you are.
When your Catholic conservative freind tries to convert you to her way of thinking by thumping on a bit too much about her dislike of Catholic liberals...and becomes disapointingly unchristian?
And your liberal Charismatic freinds loudly announce their "latest revelation" from the Lord, and it is straight out of the bible - and you wonder why they didn't just read it in the bible in the first place because it was there all the time?
When the flower lady warns you off her patch for removing a dead flower on the shrine without her permission...?
When a "traditionalist" refuses to take part in the rosary "Mysteries of light." - because Mary didn't tell Saint Dominic about it at the time! I guess that means the apostles and monks before him said it wrong too? Or were they just following an even older tradition?
Hmmmm can't think just now why the phrase " Pharisaic tendencies" has sprung to mind.
Jesus said we were to be like little children, but I don't think he had the "arguementative" trait in mind, - more likely the "trusting in the Father" one.

Ho Hum...I admit my coming from a large family had some disadvantages, but prepared me for these kinds of situations.
It's good to have healthy discussion, or we would not "grow" in our faith. Not so good to get "dug in on issues" because the Holy Spirit will not break through our defences and enlighten us if we are not open to Him. When entrenchment happens our churches then becomes a series of groups, strongholds or clans, and we know that clans can go to war. (If you have seen Braveheart.)
What a thought - the traditionalists painting their faces blue and the Charismatiscs turning up in breastplates and helmets.(Not sure where I would put the flowers in that scenario!)
These are all good people, but we have to be so careful of distractions that take our eye off of the Lord and onto things of little import.
(I am just as guilty, It would have been a good dose of humility for me to ask first and to leave that dead flower where it was I guess! A little thoughtlessness can stir up a lot of trouble - the devil knows my weakness for flowers!)
I heard Father Raniero Cantalmessa speaking on God the Father this week. He said sometimes we beleive we are doing things God's way, and that can make us believe he is only on our side.
He advised that we should Never ask a Father to choose, because he cannot do it. God Our Father is on everyone's side.
Worth remembering! Righteousness all too easily spills over into self righteousness!
A final word from Teresa of Avila, whose feast it is on 15th of October. She was a woman deeply filled with the Holy Spirit, and a "No - nonsense" sort of a gal!:

"Let nothing trouble you,
Let nothing scare you,
All is fleeting,
God alone is unchanging
Patience obtains everything.
They want nothing who posess God;
He alone is enough."

PHOTOS: 1. Candle in the wind 2. One of Fr. Lovasik's childrens books. 3. Teresa of Avila (artist unknown)

Saint Dominic de Guzman and the Rosary

Dominic was born between 1171 and 1173 in the Castilian village of Caleruega, son of Felix de Guzman and Jane of Aza of the Spanish nobility.
(Jane of Aza was noted for her concern for the poor and was regarded by the local people as a saint.)
In those times, decisions were made early in a child's life, if they were to be trained - educated for knighthood or the priesthood.
From early youth, Dominic was trained to become a priest.
After he had learned the rudiments, Dominic was initiated into clerical studies by his mother's brother, a priest.
When he was about fourteen, he went to the cathedral school of Palencia to study philosophy and theology. He studied theology for four years, an unusually thorough formation for the average priest in those days.
While in Palencia, Dominic's spirit of generosity was evident. He used what meagre resources he had to help the poor. He raised additional funds for them by selling his books.
By the age of 24 he had finished his studies, and went on to join the chapter of Canons Regular of the cathedral of Osma. Not long after this, he was ordained a priest.
St. Dominic's work in France was hindered by the sin of the people, who as 'christians' (Albigensians) were the bad example blocking his apostolic work.

The Albigensian heresy:
The Albigensians were a form of the Cathart religion. The Albigenses taught that anything material is evil, and is a creation of the devil. They taught that marriage was evil. (Wheresas Catholics know marriage to be a sacrament - Jesus often uses images of marriage in his teachings.)
Catholics beleive that we have a creator God, (who loves what He creates, and creates it so that He may love it.)
The Albigensians taught that the body was evil, and should be denied to the point that people were taking their own lives.
Because of their beleif that anything material was evil, for them, Christ could not have become fully man and fully divine at the same time.
These beliefs therefore led to serious errors in Catholic and Christian doctrine, in particular the understanding of the incarnation and resurrection of a Christ, who chose to win our salvation through his share in our own human suffering.

Dominic withdrew into a forest in Toulouse, spending three days and nights in prayer and harsh penance. Whilst in deep prayer, Our Lady, accompanied by three angels appeared to him and told him that the principal weapon with which the Blessed Trinity wants to use to reform the world is that of the Angelic Psalter.
She said:

'Wonder not that you have obtained so little fruit by your labors, you have spent them on barren soil, not yet watered with the dew of Divine Grace. When God willed to renew the face of the earth, He began by sending down on it the fertilizing rain of the Angelic Salutation. Therefore preach my Psalter... and you will obtain an abundant harvest'“ I want you to know that in this kind of warfare, the battering ram has always been the Angelic Psalter, which is the foundation-stone of the New Testament.”

She told him that if he wanted to reach hardened souls and win them over to God, that he must preach her Psalter.
St. Dominic set off with great determination to fulfill the mission Mary had entrusted to him. As Mary had promised, the people of Toulouse were duly converted. Dominic continued to preach the beauty, power and efficacy of the Rosary for the remainder of his life. God chose to work many miracles through him including the raising to life of Napoleone Orsini; which attests to the spirit of St. Dominic after that of the great Apostles Peter and Paul. His use of the Rosary during Exorcisms of individuals is also known.
He died around the year 1221, after three weeks of sickness, and many trials which he bore with heroic patience.

Relics of Therese of Liseux visit Britain.

"At the request of Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor and the bishops of England and Wales, the relics of St. Thérèse of Lisieux will be visiting Great Britian country from 16 September to 16 October 2009."
For more information on where the relics will be venerated, click this link:
click Here

Pope Benedict's intentions for October:~
OCTOBER 2008
General:
That the Synod of Bishops may help bishops and theologians as well as catechists and pastoral workers engaged in the service of the Word of God transmit with courage the truth of the faith in communion with the entire Church.
Mission:
That in this month dedicated to the missions, through the promotional activities of the Pontifical Missionary Works and other organisms, the Christian may feel the need to participate in the Church’s universal mission with prayer, sacrifice and concrete help.
(Source - EWTN)

HOW THE ROSARY GOT ITS NAME

HOW MARY’S PSALTER CAME TO BE KNOWN AS “THE ROSARY”

The name "Rosary", means a garland or bouquet of roses.
"ROSARY" is a fitting name for this devotion because flower imagery is abundant throughout the Bible, and often points to a spiritual flowering within the soul. This flowering of the soul as its virtues blossom forth, is one of the fruits of reciting the rosary well.
The following passages in particular have been applied by the Church Fathers to the Blessed Virgin herself; the odour of her sanctity is embodied by the scent of spiritual flowers, reflecting the sweetness of her soul.

"I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys.

As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.

Stay me up with flowers, compass me about with apples"
(Canticles 2: 1,2,5)

The “Chronicles of Saint Francis”; recorded that the Jesuit brother Alphonsus Rodriguez would say his Rosary with such fervour that as he prayed he would often see a rose come out of his mouth at each prayer.
The following words from Ecclisiasticus, (King David) seem to confirm that the breath carrying heartfelt prayer rising heavenwards, can take floral form to those gifted with spiritual vision.

“Listen to me, devout children, and blossom
Like the rose that grows on the bank of the watercourse.
Give off a sweet smell like incense,
Flower like the lily; spread your fragrance abroad,
Sing a song of praise
Blessing the Lord for all his works.”
(Ecclesiasticus 39:13 -19)

Saint Louis de Montforte in his “ Secret of the Rosary” relates how Mary’s psalter came to be known more affectionately as the Rosary:

Throughout Europe the story of The Chronicles of Saint Francis tell of a young Friar who habitually said the Rosary every day before dinner.
One day he did not manage to say it, the refectory bell had already rung and he asked the superior’s permission to say it before coming to the table. Permission granted he went to his cell to pray.

On noting that the young monk had been gone a long time, the superior sent another friar to fetch him. He found the friar at prayer in his cell, the room bathed in light. Our Lady was present with two angels, and each time the friar prayed beautiful roses kept issuing from his mouth. The angels took them one by one and placed them as a crown upon her head. Our Lady smilingly accepted them.
Finally two more friars were sent to find out what had happened, and witnessed the same lovely scene.”

THE ROSARY AND THE BOWER
The prayer of the rosary is regularly referred to by the saints as a chain which protects like a fortress, around situations and people. It is also called a chain of love by which we are joined to Mary in her love of the Trinity.
It is referred to as a garland or a crown of honour to adorn Mary with.
A bower is an area which is a more enclosed than an arbour. It is entwined through with scented climbing plants such as the clematis and rose.
Mary’s bower is also the Rosary – representing the perfumed shelter by which it surrounds our souls.
PHOTOS: 1, 2, & 3 roses 4 praying cherub.

ROSARY BASICS

The Holy Rosary is a form of prayer used from the times of the apostles and disciples down to the present.
It is a scriptural prayer because it uses the words of God as spoken through the Angel Gabriel at the Annunciation. This is known as the Hail Mary"; it also uses the the “Our Father” which Jesus taught his disciples when they asked him how they were to pray.

These prayers are accompanied by scriptural passages from the New Testament which follow the life of Christ.
These scriptural events are known to the rosary as “Mysteries”.
Mary is NOT the main focus of the rosary. She is present as the human who loved Jesus the most, and this helps us to see Him through her eyes. In this way we are brought to a greater love of Christ.
It is for this reason, that the last two “Glorious Mysteries” remind us of the victory Christ has won for us, in the example of Mary.

THE FOUR MYSTERIES

1. The Joyful mysteries – from the Annunciation to Jesus’ twelfth year.
2. The luminous mysteries- from His Baptism to his last Supper (Eucharist)
3. the Sorrowful mysteries – from his agony in the garden to crucifixion
4. The Glorious mysteries- from His resurrection to His crowning
of His Mother in heaven.


TECHNICAL STUFF!
The Rosary is made up of a chain or rope of beads, with the addition of a crucifix.
Rosary beads are usually big enough to hang around your neck.
It's not usual to wear them in this way, even if they are very beautiful, because they are not meant for decoration.
I have to admit though that when my family meet to pray the rosary, I wear them like this, because I have such a poor memory I would forget them otherwise.

Here is a "colour -coded" rosary, (once owned by my young daughter before her brothers snapped it in a tug of war!)

The colour coding shows each set of Ten beads on which the "Hail Mary's" are prayed, plus one extra bead which I will explain below.
This is where the maths can get confusing if you are a rosary beginner;
The "extra" bead is actually used for three separate prayers; the "Our Father" and the "Glory be". This is a prayer of praise to the Holy Trinity.
Well, that used to be about it, until Our Lady appeared at Fatima asking if we might add another prayer here, specifically asking for God's mercy.
The rosary is valid without the insertion of this prayer from Our Lady of Fatima.
It is sometimes omitted in group recitations according to local custom.
(I will give more details of this in my "ROSARY PRIMER" blog on the links bar which I am currently building.)
No one ever seems to have gotten around to making a rosary which adds a bead for each of these prayers.
(Just as well really, an extra fifteen beads would be too long for a diminutive person like myself to wear around the neck - I may well trip over them!

Now, back to the beads...
This photo shows the crucifix, and the beads which lead off from the main loop of the rosary.
The rosary begins with the prayer of the "Apostle's creed" and continues as shown by the numbers here.

ISN'T IT GOING TO TAKE JUST TOOOO LOOOOONG?
The rosary need not be prayed in its entirety because it is about meditating on Christ's life; so taking time to say one "decade" is fine.
Before long you may want to try a couple of decades together, which may flower into a garland of five.
The full garland is made up of twenty decades - something I've never managed...yet.
Some folk will say it takes "Fifteen minutes" to say a rosary of five decades...but I would say double that! - set aside at least half an hour if you are to do it justice.
Although it may seem like a long prayer, once you get into the meditations time seems to pass unnoticed.
Research has shown that praying the rosary lowers your blood pressure! It is a truly wonderful, calming prayer, which is something that has to be experienced to be believed.
Mary encouraged the Apostles to preserve in prayer in the upper room before Pentecost; I pray she will help you to begin and to persevere in the recitation of this powerful prayer.

SIMPLE JOYS

(above ~ a 17th Century Madonna)
It seems a fitting thing to give our own mother’s flowers.
I myself take delight in my own children pulling up the dandelions, the calendula, the clematis and other such blooms from the garden to bring me. That look of delight on their faces in having found such unexpected precious jewels in the garden, is a joy to behold.
I think Mary would have felt the same way, especially when we give her the bouquet of the Rosary.
I am not much of a poet, but I dedicate this ditty to my sister, who was diagnosed with Leukaemia last year.
I know she had deep conscerns about how this would impact on her husband and sons. The poem is about a child and his mum, and hopefully a re-assurance that God has cared for us from all eternity, and continues to do so in every moment.
(My ten year old liked it because of the underpants line!)

“Simple Joys”

Today,
I watched my little boy –
JUMP!
Into a bed of Lavender
(And trample it with joy)
He laughed with glee,
As crushing with his tiny feet
Released the soapy fragrance sweet,

Then…
Peering through the spikes of bloom
That brushed against his ears –
He looked to see if I’d approved,
or else been moved to tears.

Beneath my gaze, he rolled Into
another unsuspecting plant.
King Solomon would never dare
In nothing but his underpants!
More like the playful baby Moses
Hidden by the reeds and roses.
He plunged into the verdant deep,


Cradled in an Asian daisy.
Petals, soft like feathered fans
Amber drifts so fine and hazy
Stroked his feet and tiny hands
Stems defied each earnest tug
Which tried to free it from the ground.

Then snap! and bump!
He landed on his cushioned rump.
Having pulled the blossom free
He toddled closer to my knee.

Into my hand another came,
And pressed my palm with Mary’s gold
The lisping toddler breathed its name
“A “Daithy” mum, for you to hold…”

Some gardeners may well feel sad
That blooms don’t mix with little lads,
But when God made the daisy flower,
And gave the lavender its scent
He'd thought of all the simple joy
They’d give this day to my small boy,
This happy moment, heaven sent -
And a mother’s joy in innocence.

>

Poem "Simple Joys" (c)Jblewis 1/10/08
Photo: Mary hangs out the washing while Jesus plays(traditionally she used a rosemary bush, but...)Artist unknown