Day Five - October 31

Lord, have mercy on us,
Christ, have mercy on us,
Christ, hear us,
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us.
God, the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, Have mercy on us.

Our Lady of Victory, pray for us.
Victorious daughter of the Father, pray for us.
Victorious Mother of the Son, pray for us.
Victorious Spouse of the Holy Spirit, pray for us.
Victorious servant of the Holy Trinity, pray for us.
Victorious in your Immaculate Conception, pray for us.
Victorious in crushing the serpent's head, pray for us.
Victorious over all the children of Adam, pray for us.
Victorious over all enemies, pray for us.
Victorious in your response to the Angel Gabriel, pray for us.
Victorious in your wedding to St. Joseph, pray for us.
Victorious in the birth of Christ, pray for us.
Victorious in the flight to Egypt, pray for us.
Victorious in your exile, pray for us.
Victorious in your home at Nazareth, pray for us.
Victorious in finding Christ in the temple, pray for us.
Victorious in the mission of your Son, pray for us.
Victorious in His passion and death, pray for us.
Victorious in His Resurrection and Ascension, pray for us.
Victorious in the Coming of the Holy Spirit, pray for us.
Victorious in your sorrows and joys, pray for us.
Victorious in your glorious Assumption, pray for us.
Victorious in the angels who remained faithful, pray for us.
Victorious in the happiness of the saints, pray for us.
Victorious in the message of the prophets, pray for us.
Victorious in the testimony of the patriarchs, pray for us.
Victorious in the zeal of the apostles, pray for us.
Victorious in the witness of the evangelists, pray for us.
Victorious in the wisdom of the doctors, pray for us.
Victorious in the deeds of the confessors, pray for us.
Victorious in the triumph of all holy women, pray for us.
Victorious in the faithfulness of the martyrs, pray for us.
Victorious in your powerful intercession, pray for us.
Victorious under your many titles, pray for us.
Victorious at the moment of death, pray for us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Spare us, Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Hear us, Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Have mercy, Lord.
Pray for us, blessed Lady of Victory.
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.


Let us pray:
Our Lady of Victory, we have unshaken confidence in your influence with your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. Humbly we ask your intercession for all of us associated under your title, Our Lady of Victory. We beg your powerful assistance also for our own personal needs. (Please mention here your special intention in you own words.) In your maternal kindness please ask Jesus to forgive all our sins and failings, and to secure His blessings for us and for all the works of charity dedicated to your name. We implore you to obtain for us the grace of sharing Christ's
victory and yours forever in the life that knows no ending. May we join you there to praise forever the Father, His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, one God, for all the ages to come. Amen.

Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To Thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To Thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn, then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us. And after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of Thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary, Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that any one who fled to Thy protection, implored Thy help, and sought Thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto Thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To Thee I come; before Thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate! despise not my petitions, but in
Thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

All this we ask of The Father in the name of Mary's Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with Him and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.

Fulton Sheen would be proud

So would Saint Maximillian Kolbe!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lh_81zsW6U8

Thank you to all the bishops who have spoken up with clear and correct teaching on the issues of this election!

Day Four - October 30

Vatican Fresco of the Battle of Lepanto

Image source

Lord, have mercy on us,
Christ, have mercy on us,
Christ, hear us,
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us.
God, the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, Have mercy on us.

Our Lady of Victory, pray for us.
Victorious daughter of the Father, pray for us.
Victorious Mother of the Son, pray for us.
Victorious Spouse of the Holy Spirit, pray for us.
Victorious servant of the Holy Trinity, pray for us.
Victorious in your Immaculate Conception, pray for us.
Victorious in crushing the serpent's head, pray for us.
Victorious over all the children of Adam, pray for us.
Victorious over all enemies, pray for us.
Victorious in your response to the Angel Gabriel, pray for us.
Victorious in your wedding to St. Joseph, pray for us.
Victorious in the birth of Christ, pray for us.
Victorious in the flight to Egypt, pray for us.
Victorious in your exile, pray for us.
Victorious in your home at Nazareth, pray for us.
Victorious in finding Christ in the temple, pray for us.
Victorious in the mission of your Son, pray for us.
Victorious in His passion and death, pray for us.
Victorious in His Resurrection and Ascension, pray for us.
Victorious in the Coming of the Holy Spirit, pray for us.
Victorious in your sorrows and joys, pray for us.
Victorious in your glorious Assumption, pray for us.
Victorious in the angels who remained faithful, pray for us.
Victorious in the happiness of the saints, pray for us.
Victorious in the message of the prophets, pray for us.
Victorious in the testimony of the patriarchs, pray for us.
Victorious in the zeal of the apostles, pray for us.
Victorious in the witness of the evangelists, pray for us.
Victorious in the wisdom of the doctors, pray for us.
Victorious in the deeds of the confessors, pray for us.
Victorious in the triumph of all holy women, pray for us.
Victorious in the faithfulness of the martyrs, pray for us.
Victorious in your powerful intercession, pray for us.
Victorious under your many titles, pray for us.
Victorious at the moment of death, pray for us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Spare us, Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Hear us, Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Have mercy, Lord.
Pray for us, blessed Lady of Victory.
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.


Let us pray:
Our Lady of Victory, we have unshaken confidence in your influence with your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. Humbly we ask your intercession for all of us associated under your title, Our Lady of Victory. We beg your powerful assistance also for our own personal needs. (Please mention here your special intention in you own words.) In your maternal kindness please ask Jesus to forgive all our sins and failings, and to secure His blessings for us and for all the works of charity dedicated to your name. We implore you to obtain for us the grace of sharing Christ's
victory and yours forever in the life that knows no ending. May we join you there to praise forever the Father, His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, one God, for all the ages to come. Amen.

Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To Thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To Thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn, then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us. And after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of Thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary, Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that any one who fled to Thy protection, implored Thy help, and sought Thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto Thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To Thee I come; before Thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate! despise not my petitions, but in
Thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

All this we ask of The Father in the name of Mary's Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with Him and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.

Day Three - October 29

Mary, Refuge of Sinners, 1836
Basilica of Our Lady of Victories

Image Source

Lord, have mercy on us,
Christ, have mercy on us,
Christ, hear us,
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us.
God, the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, Have mercy on us.

Our Lady of Victory, pray for us.
Victorious daughter of the Father, pray for us.
Victorious Mother of the Son, pray for us.
Victorious Spouse of the Holy Spirit, pray for us.
Victorious servant of the Holy Trinity, pray for us.
Victorious in your Immaculate Conception, pray for us.
Victorious in crushing the serpent's head, pray for us.
Victorious over all the children of Adam, pray for us.
Victorious over all enemies, pray for us.
Victorious in your response to the Angel Gabriel, pray for us.
Victorious in your wedding to St. Joseph, pray for us.
Victorious in the birth of Christ, pray for us.
Victorious in the flight to Egypt, pray for us.
Victorious in your exile, pray for us.
Victorious in your home at Nazareth, pray for us.
Victorious in finding Christ in the temple, pray for us.
Victorious in the mission of your Son, pray for us.
Victorious in His passion and death, pray for us.
Victorious in His Resurrection and Ascension, pray for us.
Victorious in the Coming of the Holy Spirit, pray for us.
Victorious in your sorrows and joys, pray for us.
Victorious in your glorious Assumption, pray for us.
Victorious in the angels who remained faithful, pray for us.
Victorious in the happiness of the saints, pray for us.
Victorious in the message of the prophets, pray for us.
Victorious in the testimony of the patriarchs, pray for us.
Victorious in the zeal of the apostles, pray for us.
Victorious in the witness of the evangelists, pray for us.
Victorious in the wisdom of the doctors, pray for us.
Victorious in the deeds of the confessors, pray for us.
Victorious in the triumph of all holy women, pray for us.
Victorious in the faithfulness of the martyrs, pray for us.
Victorious in your powerful intercession, pray for us.
Victorious under your many titles, pray for us.
Victorious at the moment of death, pray for us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Spare us, Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Hear us, Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Have mercy, Lord.
Pray for us, blessed Lady of Victory.
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.


Let us pray:
Our Lady of Victory, we have unshaken confidence in your influence with your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. Humbly we ask your intercession for all of us associated under your title, Our Lady of Victory. We beg your powerful assistance also for our own personal needs. (Please mention here your special intention in you own words.) In your maternal kindness please ask Jesus to forgive all our sins and failings, and to secure His blessings for us and for all the works of charity dedicated to your name. We implore you to obtain for us the grace of sharing Christ's
victory and yours forever in the life that knows no ending. May we join you there to praise forever the Father, His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, one God, for all the ages to come. Amen.

Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To Thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To Thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn, then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us. And after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of Thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary, Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that any one who fled to Thy protection, implored Thy help, and sought Thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto Thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To Thee I come; before Thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate! despise not my petitions, but in
Thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

All this we ask of The Father in the name of Mary's Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with Him and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.

Hats off!

Presenting:
The Official Church Lady hat. It was my first foray away from garter stitch scarves, having been enpowered by Knit from the First Hat pattern in Knit 2 Together. Knit your own today!

And Seminarian Pat's scarf, as part of Scarves for Priests Roman Outreach. His is blue to match the piping on the traditional cassocks for the North American Pontifical College.

Day Two - October 28

Battle of Lepanto by Paolo Veronese

Image source

Lord, have mercy on us,
Christ, have mercy on us,
Christ, hear us,
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us.
God, the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, Have mercy on us.

Our Lady of Victory, pray for us.
Victorious daughter of the Father, pray for us.
Victorious Mother of the Son, pray for us.
Victorious Spouse of the Holy Spirit, pray for us.
Victorious servant of the Holy Trinity, pray for us.
Victorious in your Immaculate Conception, pray for us.
Victorious in crushing the serpent's head, pray for us.
Victorious over all the children of Adam, pray for us.
Victorious over all enemies, pray for us.
Victorious in your response to the Angel Gabriel, pray for us.
Victorious in your wedding to St. Joseph, pray for us.
Victorious in the birth of Christ, pray for us.
Victorious in the flight to Egypt, pray for us.
Victorious in your exile, pray for us.
Victorious in your home at Nazareth, pray for us.
Victorious in finding Christ in the temple, pray for us.
Victorious in the mission of your Son, pray for us.
Victorious in His passion and death, pray for us.
Victorious in His Resurrection and Ascension, pray for us.
Victorious in the Coming of the Holy Spirit, pray for us.
Victorious in your sorrows and joys, pray for us.
Victorious in your glorious Assumption, pray for us.
Victorious in the angels who remained faithful, pray for us.
Victorious in the happiness of the saints, pray for us.
Victorious in the message of the prophets, pray for us.
Victorious in the testimony of the patriarchs, pray for us.
Victorious in the zeal of the apostles, pray for us.
Victorious in the witness of the evangelists, pray for us.
Victorious in the wisdom of the doctors, pray for us.
Victorious in the deeds of the confessors, pray for us.
Victorious in the triumph of all holy women, pray for us.
Victorious in the faithfulness of the martyrs, pray for us.
Victorious in your powerful intercession, pray for us.
Victorious under your many titles, pray for us.
Victorious at the moment of death, pray for us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Spare us, Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Hear us, Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Have mercy, Lord.
Pray for us, blessed Lady of Victory.
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.


Let us pray:
Our Lady of Victory, we have unshaken confidence in your influence with your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. Humbly we ask your intercession for all of us associated under your title, Our Lady of Victory. We beg your powerful assistance also for our own personal needs. (Please mention here your special intention in you own words.) In your maternal kindness please ask Jesus to forgive all our sins and failings, and to secure His blessings for us and for all the works of charity dedicated to your name. We implore you to obtain for us the grace of sharing Christ's
victory and yours forever in the life that knows no ending. May we join you there to praise forever the Father, His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, one God, for all the ages to come. Amen.

Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To Thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To Thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn, then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us. And after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of Thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary, Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that any one who fled to Thy protection, implored Thy help, and sought Thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto Thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To Thee I come; before Thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate! despise not my petitions, but in
Thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

All this we ask of The Father in the name of Mary's Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with Him and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.

Day One of the Novena to Our Lady of Victory

Lord, have mercy on us,
Christ, have mercy on us,
Christ, hear us,
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us.
God, the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy on us.
God, the Holy Spirit, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, Have mercy on us.

Our Lady of Victory, pray for us.
Victorious daughter of the Father, pray for us.
Victorious Mother of the Son, pray for us.
Victorious Spouse of the Holy Spirit, pray for us.
Victorious servant of the Holy Trinity, pray for us.
Victorious in your Immaculate Conception, pray for us.
Victorious in crushing the serpent's head, pray for us.
Victorious over all the children of Adam, pray for us.
Victorious over all enemies, pray for us.
Victorious in your response to the Angel Gabriel, pray for us.
Victorious in your wedding to St. Joseph, pray for us.
Victorious in the birth of Christ, pray for us.
Victorious in the flight to Egypt, pray for us.
Victorious in your exile, pray for us.
Victorious in your home at Nazareth, pray for us.
Victorious in finding Christ in the temple, pray for us.
Victorious in the mission of your Son, pray for us.
Victorious in His passion and death, pray for us.
Victorious in His Resurrection and Ascension, pray for us.
Victorious in the Coming of the Holy Spirit, pray for us.
Victorious in your sorrows and joys, pray for us.
Victorious in your glorious Assumption, pray for us.
Victorious in the angels who remained faithful, pray for us.
Victorious in the happiness of the saints, pray for us.
Victorious in the message of the prophets, pray for us.
Victorious in the testimony of the patriarchs, pray for us.
Victorious in the zeal of the apostles, pray for us.
Victorious in the witness of the evangelists, pray for us.
Victorious in the wisdom of the doctors, pray for us.
Victorious in the deeds of the confessors, pray for us.
Victorious in the triumph of all holy women, pray for us.
Victorious in the faithfulness of the martyrs, pray for us.
Victorious in your powerful intercession, pray for us.
Victorious under your many titles, pray for us.
Victorious at the moment of death, pray for us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Spare us, Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Hear us, Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Have mercy, Lord.
Pray for us, blessed Lady of Victory.
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.


Let us pray:
Our Lady of Victory, we have unshaken confidence in your influence with your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. Humbly we ask your intercession for all of us associated under your title, Our Lady of Victory. We beg your powerful assistance also for our own personal needs. (Please mention here your special intention in you own words.) In your maternal kindness please ask Jesus to forgive all our sins and failings, and to secure His blessings for us and for all the works of charity dedicated to your name. We implore you to obtain for us the grace of sharing Christ's
victory and your forever in the life that knows no ending. May we join you there to praise forever the Father, His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, one God, for all the ages to come. Amen.

Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To Thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To Thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn, then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us. And after this, our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of Thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary, Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that any one who fled to Thy protection, implored Thy help, and sought Thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto Thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To Thee I come; before Thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate! despise not my petitions, but in
Thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.

All this we ask of The Father in the name of Mary's Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with Him and the Holy Spirit forever and ever. Amen.

Novena for the Election

I've received this reminder to pray for the election outcome as an email forward from quite a few sources and will try to remember to update the reminders each day. Lord, please have mercy on our country!

From Father Corapi's Call For A Rosary Novena:

I strongly urge every one of you to make a Novena and pray the Rosary to Our Lady of Victory between October 27th and Election Day, November 4th. Pray that God's will be done and the most innocent and utterly vulnerable of our brothers and sisters will be protected from this barbaric and grossly sinful blight on society that is abortion. No woman, and no man has the right to choose to murder an innocent human being. May God grant us the wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and counsel to form our consciences in accordance with authentic Catholic teaching, and then vote that well-formed Catholic conscience.

Patron Saint of the Coffee Klatsch

"Any parish priest has to have a bit of the entrepreneur in him, but in November, McGivney came up with a new machine for pulling coins out of willing comers. It was a "coffee festival,"a novelty that combined one part coffee- always a high profit item- with desserts and a bit of entertainment. Under McGivney's direction, the women of the parish joined forces with his loyal troops from the [Total Abstinence & Literary Society] to open the coffee festival.

"Father McGivney could not miss any chance to bring in funds. Sometime in between celebrating Mass eight or ten times per week, hearing confessions, performing baptisms, and counseling the weak and troubled- those things he was taught to do in seminary- he opened a swinging nightspot in downtown New Haven.

"The coffee festival was supposed to run only one night, but because of the overwhelming attendance, it stayed open a week. It could have remained open indefinitely, as a going business, but Father McGivney did have to sleep at some point."
[Parish Priest: Father Michael McGivney & American Catholicism]

Father McGivney's Life & Legacy

In honor of Father McGivney, support one of these Catholic coffee companies.
Catholic Relief Services Fair Trade Coffee
Esther's Coffee
Monk Rock [with flavors such as St Paddy's Espresso!]
Mystic Monk Coffee
St Ignatius Gourmet Coffees [St Francis Xavier & Peter Claver blends!]

[Father McGivney image source: Knights of Columbus]

Pretty as a picture

Whether they are flowers for the altar, dinner table, or social event, Real Simple magazine has some handy tips for creating fantastic arrangements from supermarket flowers (or what the Garden Club dropped off on the parish doorstep!)

Many hands make light work

Like the pioneer girls of yore, many of your church ladies learned to sew by quilting. Even if the Amish folklore of humility blocks has been disproved, quilting still affords the opportunity for cultivating patience, creativity, and generosity.

Many parish's groups make a quilt for the annual raffle; others make smaller ones for crisis pregnancy centers (especially appropriate in October, Respect Life month) or hospitalized children. Whether you are putting your quilts to use for those in need at home or elsewhere, through quilting you can engage in a corporal act of mercy.

Enter some inspiration from Catholic novelist (and fellow alum of Our Lady's University!), Jennifer Chiaverini, author of the Elm Creek Quilt books. Below are excerpts from her interview in the St Anthony's Messenger September issue. And Jennifer's newest book, The Quilter's Kitchen, includes recipes perfect for sharing at your local helping hands group meeting.

It all started when Jennifer was planning her wedding to Marty Chiaverini and longed for an heirloom wedding quilt to brighten up their apartment. But Jennifer didn’t have any close friends or relatives who quilted, and her budget prevented her from purchasing such an item. Thus, the young woman whose sewing was limited to basic mending taught herself how to quilt.

Jennifer and Marty met in a creative-writing course when they were undergraduate students at the University of Notre Dame, where she earned a B.A. in English.

Regarding her education, Jennifer says, “I specifically chose Notre Dame because it was a Catholic school.” She recalls that the “wonderful theology and philosophy classes they offered were very important in my formation, my intellectual development.”

Being Catholic “is part of my moral code, my ethical beliefs and the way I make decisions and choices,” such as “who we are going to vote for or what products we are going to buy,” says Jennifer, a member of St. Bernard Parish in Middleton, Wisconsin. “My Catholic values come into focus, even though I’m not talking about them.”

She confirms that their home holds many examples of her needlework. Unlike the characters in her novels, Jennifer doesn’t belong to a quilting bee. “When I make quilts, I make them myself,” she says. But one group effort she coordinated was a fund-raiser for Capital Candlelighters, a nonprofit in Madison that serves families whose children have been diagnosed with cancer. Jennifer contacted some of her favorite authors for autographs on fabric, which were stitched together into a quilt that was auctioned.

CLOCHE sighting

Classic cloche hat in 100% wool with a tonal patent-finished trim and tie.

available from Ann Taylor

Happy nameday, Margaret Mary!

The life of St Margaret Mary Alacoque

St Teresa of Avila

St Teresa's doctoral hat, bestowed by Pope Paul VI in 1970








Vestments embroidered by
St Teresa of Avila






Christ has no body on earth but ours,
no hands but ours, no feet but ours.
Ours are the eyes through which
the compassion of Christ looks out upon the world,
ours are the feet with which he goes about doing good,
ours are the hands with which he blesses his people.
[St Teresa of Avila]

image source: St Teresa of Avila: A Spiritual Journey

Fruitful insight from Orchard House

I recently paid a visit to Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House, the setting for Little Women. Church Ladies can learn a lot from the March girls' ingenuity, self-sacrifice, and love of home and family. If you haven't read this classic, you should! And here is some of Louisa's advice that is very apropos for us Church Ladies:


"Work of head and hand is my salvation when disappointment or weariness burden and darken my soul." [LMA, 1858]

[image source]

Smart cookie

The acquisition of extra-liturgical baking pans continues! This madeleine pan was a housewarming present from my in-laws, and I look forward to making a batch to share at the Guild of Church Ladies Tuesday night. You can get your own here.

One day in winter, as I came home, my mother, seeing that I was cold, offered me some tea, a thing I did not ordinarily take. I declined at first, and then, for no particular reason, changed my mind. She sent out for one of those short, plump little cakes called 'petites madeleines,' which look as though they had been moulded in the fluted scallop of a pilgrim's shell. And soon, mechanically, weary after a dull day with the prospect of a depressing morrow, I raised to my lips a spoonful of the tea in which I had soaked a morsel of the cake. No sooner had the warm liquid, and the crumbs with it, touched my palate, a shudder ran through my whole body, and I stopped, intent upon the extraordinary changes that were taking place. An exquisite pleasure had invaded my senses, but individual, detached, with no suggestion of its origin. And at once the vicissitudes of life had become indifferent to me, its disasters innocuous, its brevity illusory--this new sensation having had on me the effect which love has of filling me with a precious essence; or rather this essence was not in me, it was myself. I had ceased now to feel mediocre, accidental, mortal. Whence could it have come to me, this all-powerful joy? I was conscious that it was connected with the taste of tea and cake, but that it infinitely transcended those savours, could not, indeed, be of the same nature as theirs. Whence did it come? What did it signify? How could I seize upon and define it? [Remembrance of Things Past]

Dress the part

[Ghent Altarpiece]

But when the king came in to meet the guests, he saw a man there not dressed in a wedding garment. The king said to him, 'My friend, how is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?' But he was reduced to silence. Then the king said to his attendants, 'Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’ Many are invited, but few are chosen."
[Gospel, Sunday October 12]

Father explained the today's Gospel parable using the symbolism of the white robe of baptism as the initial entrance to the wedding feast and the wedding garment as the mark of a Christian life filled of good deeds and embraced crosses giving one an invitation to the heaven, the wedding feast of the Lamb. It's also a good opportunity to revisit the importance of what people- both laity and clergy- wear to Mass.

To demonstrate the importance of Sunday, the Lord's Day, the laity should dress as nicely as possible for Mass to show our respect for God. One could even consider adopting the European custom of Sunday clothes. Maria Trapp notes "When we put on [our Sunday clothes], we invariably feel some of the Sunday spirit come over us."

In each piece of vestiture, the priest more fully puts on Christ. The traditional prayers for vesting follow.

While putting on the amice, which he first puts on his head, and then over his shoulders:
'Place upon me, O Lord, the helmet of salvation, that I may overcome the assaults of the devil.'

At the alb:
Purify me, Lord, and cleanse my heart so that, washed in the Blood of the Lamb, I may enjoy eternal bliss.

At the cincture:
Gird me, O Lord, with the girdle of purity, and extinguish in me all evil desires, that the virtue of chastity may abide in me.

At the maniple: Grant, O Lord, that I may so bear the maniple of weeping and sorrow, that I may receive the reward for my labors with rejoicing.

At the stole:
Restore unto me, O Lord, the stole of immortality, which was lost through the guilt of our first parents: and, although I am unworthy to approach Your sacred Mysteries, nevertheless grant unto me eternal joy.

At the chasuble:
O Lord, Who said: My yoke is easy and My burden light: grant that I may bear it well and follow after You with thanksgiving. Amen.

[image source: Catholic Child's Picture Dictionary]

Support your priests

On Sunday, Oct. 26, Catholic parishes throughout the United States will show support for their priests with prayer, celebration and dialogue.

Priesthood Sunday was established by the National Federation of Priests’ Councils in 2003 to provide a way for Catholic communities to express appreciation for devoted priests who serve them so faithfully. Such a celebration is increasingly relevant in light of the declining number of priests in the United States. Only about 4,000 of the 19,000 parishes in this country currently have more than one priest. Many priests serve two or more parishes by themselves. Clearly, there is a great need for a show of love and support for the priesthood.

For more information about how people can participate in Priesthood Sunday, all are invited to visit www.priestsunday.org for many ideas on suggested liturgies, social celebrations, activities, reflections, and downloadable graphics, guides and posters. A complete downloadable 2008 Celebration Starter Kit can be found at these Web sites. Requests for printed material may be directed to the national office of Serra USA in Chicago at 888-777-6681.

Suggested activities that have been used to affirm and celebrate priests:

Plan a liturgy and include petitions for your priests during the Prayer of the Faithful.

Recite the World Priest Day Prayer as a Communion meditation at all weekend liturgies.

Incorporate your priest’s favorite hymn(s) into the liturgy for all weekend Masses.

Send cards/balloons/flowers/cookies/goodie baskets to your parish priest or bishop, telling them what their priesthood/leadership/friendship means to you.

Invite a priest or seminarian to a meal hosted by your parish, group or community.

Remember those particular priests who have ministered to you in the past and send a note/make a phone call/contact them and let them know of your gratitude.

Introduce yourself and family to your priest or bishop whom you have not met personally, either in person or by mail.

Take time before or after the weekend liturgies to recognize and appreciate your pastor and priests.

Compliment your priests as often as possible.

Get Catholic schools or religious education classes to participate in a poster or essay contest about what the priesthood means to them or involve them in writing notes/drawing pictures for the pastor/priests stationed at their parish; have them make special homemade gifts for their priests.

Conduct an all-night eucharistic vigil for the health, welfare and spiritual growth of all priests.

Solicit prayer/spiritual bouquets from parishioners and present them to the clergy.

Organize a parish potluck supper to celebrate “Father’s Day.”

Hold a coffee cake/donuts/pastry reception “honoring Father” following the Masses that weekend.

Create a banner to be displayed in front of the church.

Publish an open letter of appreciation for the pastor/priests in the parish bulletin.
[full Boston Pilot Article]
[car magnet information]

Power to Church Ladies!

The 100 members of the women’s council “meet on Tuesday mornings in the back of the church,” she said. “We are excited, and the council women bought a stained glass window of the Blessed Mother for the new church.”
[full Florida Catholic article]

Knitting for Dummies

"We can do no great things, only small things with great love." [Mother Teresa]

Long ago, I resigned myself to the fact that the most favorable compliment about my forays in knitting were that the plain knit scarves were consistent. As a child, I was taught to knit like a Brit by a Scottish house-guest. Her week long visit was long enough for exactly that: learning the knit stitch and casting off.

My prowess never extended beyond plain knitting. I couldn't find any resources on how to purl English style when I first needed them in the early 90s, and assumed they didn't exist. When I started up The Little Flower Project (Scarves for Priests), I resigned myself to a lesson in humility and a lifetime of diligently made plain scarves, varying only in color, while I enviously watched Therese and Gianna make lacy sweaters and teddy bears on our regional road trips.

Then yesterday, I encountered Knitting for Dummies, which had visual instructions in both English and Continental style. In 5 minutes, I was purling! In 15 minutes, I could make stockinette! In half an hour, seed stitch! And by tonight, cables!

Knitting for Dummies (and its companion book, Knitting Patterns for Dummies) are excellent resources for the knitting novice.

Rain, rain go away

Some options to protect Church Ladies from autumn storms (and an exercise in ecumenism to boot!): umbrellas based on the architecture of Washington DC's National Cathedral. Visit the Cathedral store online for more information about the vaulted and rose window designs.

St Bruno

Your church ladies are pleased to remind you that today is the feast of St Bruno, the French Carthusian biblical scholar and patron of beer makers. So quaff one, preferably while toasting Our Lady's University.

You can also read more about Bruno's contributions to Catholic culture in one of our favorite books, The Bad Catholic's Guide to Wine, Whiskey, and Song. Consult our friends at the Catholic Beer Review for beverage recommendations. I will be serving this slow cooker ale stew with beer bread and Leffe Abbey Ale (developed at the abbey of Notre Dame da Leffe) for dinner to the local Carthusian hermit.

If Father is around, he can bless your beer, using the following formula from the Roman Ritual:

V. Our help is in the name of the Lord.
R. Who made heaven and earth.

V. The Lord be with you.
R. And with thy spirit.

Let us pray.

Bless, + O Lord, this creature beer, which thou hast deigned to produce from the fat of grain: that it may be a salutary remedy to the human race, and grant through the invocation of thy holy name; that, whoever shall drink it, may gain health in body and peace in soul. Through Christ our Lord.

R. Amen.

The beer is then sprinkled with holy water.

St Therese

A happy name-day to all Thereses, and especially our own!

Therese is a great patron for church ladies, since we strive to live out her words, "In the heart of the Church, my mother, I will be love." In the legacy of St Therese, pray today for all priests, especially missionaries.