Patron Saint of 2018

Back in 2016, I talked about how some Catholic families use a tradition of selecting a saint to be your patron or patroness for the year.  At that time, I was given St. Walburga.  I didn't do this in 2017, because (and I suppose this is a little silly), I was worried about "replacing" her.  That's like saying you can only have one friend, and will never make new ones.  So, this year, I decided to try again and add a new saintly friend to my circle.

I was secretly hoping for St. Joseph or St. Theresa of Avila.  But, the Good Lord knows what is best for me, and after some thoughtful prayer and reflection, I selected my saint.  (I use a Saint Name Generator, which you can find here if you're interested).  And once again, I was gifted with a new saintly friend...whom I have never heard of before!

So, Brothers and Sisters, please allow me to introduce you to my patroness of the year: St. Radegunde (not to be confused with St. Randegund, since it appears that even though they have the same feast day, they were apparently different??)

A little about my new patroness: St. Radegunde is the patroness of difficult marriages, loss of parents, weavers, scabies, fever, leprosy, drowning, scabs, ulcers, and potters.  She was born as a princess, daughter of a pagan king in what is now Germany.  Her father was murdered by his brother, who was in turn killed by the invading kings Theodoric of Austrasia and Clotaire I of Neustria.  Radegunde was taken prisoner and eventually married Clotaire.  She founded hospitals and cared for the sick, including lepers.  It was only when Clotaire killed her brother that Radegunde left the courts and became a nun.  During this time, she founded a monastery and lived out the rest of her days there.  She also secured a piece of the true cross for that monastery.  To read more about Radegunde, follow this link here.  

I'm excited to see what lessons I can learn from St. Radegunde in 2018.  And as for the rest of you, I pray that God will bless you and keep you, and that he will help you to grow in your faith each and every day.  Have a wonderful new year, everyone!  God bless!

"Happy" Reformation Day

So, tomorrow (October 31st) is Reformation Day for our Protestant brothers and sisters. To get into the spirit of the day, I had considered writing up a blog post with 95 defenses of the Catholic faith, but decided not to for a couple of reasons.

1. Tomorrow is Halloween, and I'll be too busy gorging myself with candy to write up 95 rebuttals to Martin Luther
2. You'll probably be too busy gorging yourselves with candy to read 95 rebuttals anyway

So, with that in mind, let's keep this short and sweet with this little meme I found online a few months back.

"Happy" Reformation Day, everyone.  And in case I don't get on here tomorrow, Happy Halloween, as well!

REVIEW: Mother Angelica: Her Grand Silence

I recently finished reading an amazing book.  For those of you who missed this post's title, this book was called Mother Angelica: Her Grand Silence.  It's a powerful and moving biography of an amazing woman.  Mother Angelica has been one of the most outspoken and influential women in the Church in the last century, and while I'm not a part of the committee that may one day determine her sainthood, I can say without fear of contradiction that this is one individual who certainly lived a saintly life.  I believe one day, we will see a Saint Angelica.  One day, all of her sacrificing, prayers, and suffering will culminate with one more saint in our midst.

The book covers most of the end of Mother's life.  Author Raymond Arroyo actually wrote another biography of Mother, which details the earlier portion of her life.  I have not had the chance to read it, but it will be on my to-read list for sure.  However, while all of Mother's life was a beautiful tribute to the God she discovered as a teen, for me, it was the end of her life which touched such a chord.

I have been trying to write about this for a while, but I just can't get the words to come out.  My grandmother has been sick for a long time, and is slowly passing away.  There have been times when I honestly believed that she was going to die, but each time, God brings her back to us.  I've been struggling with things, because I watch her suffering, and while I know there is a divine plan, I find it difficult to understand why a woman who is so sweet and loving, and so faithful to God would be made to suffer like this.  This book made me understand.

I understand now that pain and suffering is meant as a means of cleansing.  Suffering allows us to have a deeper relationship with God.  It forces us to be humble, it crushes our pride, and it makes us rely more deeply on Him.  It also acts as a spiritual cleansing for others.  Suffering allows us to sacrifice for the good of the souls of others.  When we are made to suffer, it is God reaching out to us and showing us His mercy.

I recommend all of you read this book, no matter your creed, situation, or current thoughts on religion.  Just read it and allow Mother to reach out to you as she has reached out to so many people, and how she has reached out to your little sister here; as she has reached out to me.

I'll leave you with this video.  This is from World Youth Day 1993, where the Stations of the Cross featured a pantomime with a female actor playing the role of Jesus.  Why am I sharing this?  Because this is the first time I had really seen Mother Angelica get angry; a righteous anger.  And every time I watch this video, I feel a fire stirred up inside of me, and I want to be just like her.  I hope that you feel the same.

God bless you all,


❤ Little Sister

A Couple of Inspirational Thoughts for the Start of Your Week

Dean Koontz

 

I was recently on ChurchPop and found this great article about author Dean Koontz.  Not only is he a Catholic, but he's a good writer, too!  I loved Odd Thomas, and the only think keeping me from diving right into the next book was the fact that the library didn't have it on the shelf.  In fact, perhaps I should stop by tomorrow and see if I can get it.

If you enjoy a good thriller with a supernatural twist, I think you'll really like his writing.  It sucks you right in and it's hard to stop reading.  You can check out the article here.  For those of you who saw the movie, Odd Thomas, but didn't read the book, you totally should.  If you hated the movie, that's fine, since I found it disappointing, too.  The book is much better.  And for those of you who loved the movie, well...the book is still much better :)

The Importance of Community

Sometimes, people ask why we need to go to Mass.  Can't I get the same experiences praying at home?  Plus, I can do it on my own time and at my own pace.  Mass is just too long, etc.  The list goes on and on.  And yes, there is something to be said for praying at home.  But, the sense of community cannot be overlooked.  After all, didn't our Lord say that were two or more are gathered in His name, he will be there among them? (Matthew 18:20)

And I think it goes deeper than that.  Today, at Mass, one of our parishioners had a heart attack.  I wasn't able to see who it was, but I heard it was a woman.  As of right now, we do not know if she is alive or dead.  But, rather than being horrified at this news, think of it this way: she was surrounded by her community in her hour of need.  And, if we believe the Gospels to be true (which we do), then God was more certainly with her.  Of course, God is with us always, as was stated in Matthew 28:20, "And behold I am with you always, even to the end of the age".   She came to mass alone, so that means she might be widowed or never married.  Imagine the alternative of dying alone at home with no one to take care of her.  Rather, she was surrounded by community who called 911, performed CPR, and rushed to her aid.  And of course, God was with her.

We all fell into silent prayer while the paramedics came to help.  One of the women from my parish, who was sitting in my pew, gripped my arm and held onto me for support, and I held her hand.  I'll be the first to admit that I'm somewhat emotionally stunted.  I don't like to talk about emotional things, and I don't know how to respond when people cry to me.  But, God blessed me in that moment, and allowed me to be strong enough for both of us, to hold my sobbing sister in Christ, and be there for her in that moment.  That's community.  Being there for each other in good times and in bad.  That's why it is important to go to Mass instead of just praying at home.  Because the early Christians were a community, and because God wants us to remain a community.  And because we need to take care of each other.

God bless you all,

Little Sister

Do Catholics Worship Mary?

Vocation

When I was a kid, I started to consider if I wanted to spend my life as a nun.  As I got a little older, my plans changed, but because of my interest, I still receive information from the local seminary, such as their newsletter, every couple of months.  I believe that we are all called to vocations, whether that is religious life, married life, or even just to be single.  This was a very powerful video and very thought provoking.  I pray that you take ten minutes out of your day to watch it.

This video was found on the wonderful site Catholic Memes.  If you would like more information, or if you're feeling called to explore your vocation, please visit the official site here.

Lent is Coming!

Lent is coming!  What are you planning on doing?

I'm sure many of you don't want to think about it yet, but Ash Wednesday is a week from this Wednesday, and it might be time to start thinking about what you want to do for your Lenten sacrifice.  It's best not to put this off until the last minute, otherwise you might end up like me a few years ago: realizing halfway through a Fat Tuesday paczki that you should be giving up something for Lent.  At this point, slightly embarrassed at being caught off guard like this, you go with the first thing that comes into your head, whether that's chocolate, alcohol, videogames, or something else entirely.

I'm not saying that it's wrong to give up something for Lent.  I mean, if you think you have a crippling addiction to alcohol, it might be time to give it up.  Or, if you think you eat too much, it might be time to reflect and avoid over-indulgence.  But, if you're just giving up chocolate just so you can say you've made a Lenten sacrifice, think about it this way: when Easter Sunday rolls around, what's the first thing you're going to do?  Most likely gorge on that thing you've been denying yourself for weeks.  Or, if you're like some of my friends, you'll be just fine, since you've been indulging every Sunday, because as they have told me many times (and I still do not believe it), "Sundays don't count as part of Lent!"

So, is it bad to give things up for Lent?  No  Lent should be about sacrifice, but really, it should be about shedding those things from your life that keep you away from God.  He is not going to care if you have a candy bar after dinner. Jesus would not slap a Snickers from Peter's hand and shout "Get behind me, Satan!"  There's nothing harmful about sweets in moderation.

For children, however, this is a great way to celebrate Lent.  By encouraging your children to give up something they love, you are teaching them discipline and sacrifice.  Perhaps you could even take it a step further: if, for example, your child likes to buy a cookie from the cafeteria at school each day, instead of buying one, have them take the 50 cents they would have spent and put it in the Rice Bowl, or in a jar for later.  At the end of Lent, they can donate it to a good cause, such as a charity that your parish is sponsoring this Lent.

"But, if I'm not giving up something, what do I do for Lent?"  This is a really good question.  To get back to my previous point, Lent should be about shedding those things that are harmful to your relationship with God.  So, instead of giving up coffee, refrain from gossip or nasty comments.  Or, you don't have to give up anything at all!  You could instead give of your time, or change your routine.  Spend an hour with the blessed sacrament each week.  Go on a retreat, join a prayer group, or help at the local soup kitchen.  Read the lives of the saints, or the writings of a Christian author.  With any luck, you'll soon find these actions have become habit forming and will last long after Lent.

That's part of what I'm doing this year.  I have several authors I would like to explore.  I'll be starting a new page on this blog dedicated to good books that I think you might like or find informative.

The second part of what I'm doing is going to involve inner focus and prayer.  I'm a very devoted Catholic, but I often feel awkward or nervous when talking about my faith with those of other faith backgrounds.  This is unfortunate, as it means I don't always get the appropriate message across.  That's part of the reason why I started this blog; I wanted a way to help spread the Gospel through a medium where I would not be wishy-washy or nervous.  So, in order to build up my faith life, I'm going to read a lot about the lives of the saints, Mary the Mother of God, and Catholic doctrines.  I'm also hoping to have a lot of good stuff to share with all of you.  Anything good that I read will be included in the recommended books page.  And anything else of value will hopefully make its way onto this blog.

In addition to all this, I'm also hoping to spend more time in quiet contemplation.  My mind really is a jumble these days, and I've found that I get nervous and flighty and have trouble concentrating on prayer.  That's why I'm going to spend at least half an hour to an hour in front of the blessed sacrament each week to help center myself.  If the mood should strike me, I might also partake of the spiritual reading I have lined up for the next few weeks.

Finally (yikes, is she ever going to stop??)  I'm going to fast.  Not every day, and maybe not every week, but I'm going to fast a couple times besides the required ones (Ash Wednesday and Good Friday).  Honestly, I hate fasting.  I'm constantly hungry and that makes me cranky and I get nasty headaches.  But, the Church only asks that I fast for two days out of the whole 365.  And Jesus fasted for 40 days and nights in the desert.  Certainly, I can go with reduced food for a few days.  But, the fasting is not just for the sake of fasting.  I'm going to be offering this sacrifice and the discomfort that come with it as a prayer for the end of abortion.  When I think of all the issues with our world, I keep coming back to abortion as the greatest of evils.  And besides, it would be incredibly selfish of me to say that my grumbling stomach is a greater suffering than what a baby goes through when it is aborted, or the physical and psychological trauma the mother experiences after the fact.  No one talks about that, only how great it was that she exercised her "choice".  But, that of course is a conversation for another time.

So, that's my Lenten goal: fasting, reading, and reflection.  I think that's pretty doable, don't you?

 

Tell me in the comments what your thoughts are for this Lenten season.  Have a book you'd like to recommend?  Tell me about it!  Lent is a time for spiritual growth and a shedding of our old ways and bad habits.  I hope you take the time to grow with me.