What could be more wonderful than this?

O precious and wonderful banquet, that brings us salvation and contain all sweetness! Could anything be of more intrinsic value? Under the old law it was the flesh of calves and goats that was offered, but here Christ himself, the true God, is set before us as our food. What could be more wonderful than this? No other sacrament has greater healing power; through it sins are purged away, virtues are increased, and the soul is enriched with an abundance of every spiritual gift. It is offered in the Church for the living and the dead, so that what was instituted for the salvation of all may be for the benefit of all. Yet, in the end, no one can fully express the sweetness of this sacrament, in which spiritual delight is tasted at its very source, and in which we renew the memory of that surpassing love for us which Christ revealed in his passion.
- St. Thomas Aquinas

Photo Credit - Mary Liz

Social Justice in Action

One of my favorite annual events happens this week. Holy Family Catholic Adoption Agency is holding it's summer fund raiser garage sale. The charity itself is a worthy one as their mission is to work in practical ways toward an end to abortion. All prospective adoptive parents commit to a weekly hour of prayer before the Blessed Sacrament and/or a weekly "prayerful presence outside area abortion centers." In their few years of existence eight babies have been saved from abortions and placed in loving Catholic homes.

Now on to this fund raising event ... This garage sale, held in two large buildings at the county fairground, takes donations from people all over the area. Typically, tables are piled high with a wide variety of clothing, household and garage items, sporting equipment, furniture - typical garage sale stuff. The beauty here is that instead of throwing items away, all of these people have saved them donate to this event. I know in our house, we always have a box (or several) in our garage, ready to receive the things for which we no longer have a use. A group of volunteers of all ages come on drop-off day to sort items. On the sale days there are long lines waiting for the doors to open. And this is the third part I love about this event - nothing is priced; they just ask patrons to consider what they can afford and what the items are worth, and then to pay a donation based on that.

The entire system exemplifies social justice principles at their best. We are provided with a practical way of being good stewards, lives are being saved, prayer is encouraged, people who can afford to give donate generously, and those who can't afford much are still provided with the clothing and other goods they need.

Besides all that, we usually come home with some treasures. While it's not specifically a Catholic event, there are lots of Catholic donors and it's not unusual to find spiritual classics, kitchsy statues, copies of bad liturgical music, Bibles, etc. This year I found several books, a beaded purse, four lovely (maybe silk) scarves, some vintage jewelry, a chapel veil, and this very classy piece which is now in a place of honor on my teacup shelf.

Ain't no sunshine when she's gone

Church ladies (especially the dishwasher-less) often pray for an apparition of the Kitchen Madonna after a dinner party. The reason for her non-appearance was made manifest Friday: she lives at the local Catholic paraphenalia store.

Too Beautiful to Eat?

There are several interesting sources to help you cook in celebration of the Church year, but these cakes from Solomon, I Have Surpassed Thee may be the pinnacle of catechetical foods!

The artist/chef is Sister Mericia - be sure to follow the links to last year's Pentecost cake and to her creations for Christmas and Easter.
I wonder if she gives lessons?

In Living Color

Church Ladies at a reunion yesterday

Vatican's Site Launches Latin Edition

VATICAN CITY, MAY 9, 2008 - The Vatican's official Web site launched an edition in the Church's official language -- Latin.

Visitors to the site can now select "Santa Sedes -- Latine" from the home page.

A menu appears offering texts of the Popes, the Bible, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Code of Canon Law, the texts from the Second Vatican Council, and documents from the Roman Curia.

Thanks to Zenit for the article!

Hear Ye, Hear Ye!

All are invited to attend the 10th Annual Minnesota Catholic Home Education Conference and Curriculum Fair on May 30-31 on the campus of the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. I've attended for nine of those ten years and have always found it to be a great source of information for my upcoming school year, inspiration to see 1,000-1,200 other Catholics who are called to find holiness on this path, and a little foretaste of heaven to be surrounded by an entire field house of new and used books to help us along the way.

I know of some church ladies who are called to home educate their children, and some who were home educated themselves, but I can't think of any who wouldn't appreciate the great speakers (Fr. Mitch Pacwa is the keynote this year) and the shopping fun!

You can register online until May 15 or at the door for a slightly higher charge.

And of course, all Pious Men are welcome too!

Happy feast of St. Gianna Molla! This address by her son at the 1999 dedication of a Newman Center to St. Gianna, describes many things that Catholic women should strive for (emphasis mine):

First, the witness of my mother was a hymn to life, to a love for life, and the beautiful things of life; it was a hymn to a faith lived with joy and nourished by the Eucharist and by prayer. Even in her medical profession, she knew how to see Jesus in her neighbour whom she loved and served with such great generosity.

Second, my mother knew how to live her earthly, daily existence with simplicity, balance, and constant service, all in a beautiful harmony, first as a young student and professional person, as a woman, then as wife and mother. Her generous commitment to and involvement in the Catholic Action and to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, along with her joie de vivre, was crowned with her love of piano, painting, tennis, mountain climbing, skiing, the symphony, theatre, and traveling.

Third, even in her earliest youth, my mother fully accepted the gift of faith and an explicitly Christian education received from her excellent parents who, in their vigilant wisdom, knew how to accompany her in her human and Christian growth. Whether it was in her youth, in primary school, in her secondary education, or in her university courses in medical school, Gianna received from exemplary priests, religious, and from wise professors, a pedagogical formation that was clearly in harmony with Cardinal John Henry Newman's idea of a university in which theology, the arts, and sciences would be taught in dialogue with one another.

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What a lovely idea!

Help ensure sweet dreams and holy habits with a pillowcase from Rest on His Word.

From their site: When you and your children go to bed at night, our antique holy card images and prayers will help you place your cares, hopes and needs with God. These special pillow cases are gentle teachers for young children to learn their prayers and for the whole family to practice their faith.

My favorite? The Act of Contrition with this very sweet image of a young Church Lady receiving absolution.

Pious Men

Of course, one of the chief joys of Pious Women is to spot signs of piety in the men they meet. Perhaps that's why I find these holy cards so charming. I came across them in a box of give-away stuff at our church along with several other old prayer cards and holy cards and I'm pretty sure a new collection has begun!

(The actual cards have more green tones - they look a lot more yellow on my screen.)

They were made in Belgium and are labeled "Alleluia N' 240" and "Alleluia N' 237." Both copyrighted by A. M. Ermeton S/Biert, and apparently for an English-speaking audience judging from the inscription "I Engage Myself" on the right one.

I'm wondering if anyone knows anything about them. Was the intended audience American Boy Scouts? Did American Boy Scouts ever really engage in activities like this? Do the two different colored uniforms denote different levels of scouts, or something else? The numbering hints that there are more in the series and I'd love to see more!

I found something similar here (an impressive collection of holy cards, btw) which looks like the same artist, but the text is in French. Any enlightenment on the topic would be welcome.