November 2008 Archives

(Here's an RoL article from Brian.)

In this segment of "Faith in Action," I would like to introduce you to a great Jesuit saint, Joseph Pignatelli, who carried, like a great badge over his heart, the virtue of "fidelity."

Joseph was born in 1737 in Saragossa, Spain. At the age of 16, he entered the Society of Jesus and was ordained a priest in 1762. Five years later, Joseph found himself on board a ship with other Jesuits leaving Spain and heading for the Island of Corsica. The enemies of the Jesuits convinced the Portuguese, Spanish and French governments to send the religious order into exile, and they did exactly that. After spending time in Corsica, Joseph along with his Jesuit companions were taken to and dropped off, in Ferrara, Italy. In 1773, Pope Clement XIV, under great pressure, suppressed and disbanded the Jesuit Order. From 1767 to his death in 1811, Joseph Pignatelli's life was full of hardships, misunderstanding and sufferings.

Joseph underwent a slow, dry martyrdom for over forty years, experiencing exile and the suppression of his Order. While watching fellow Jesuits abandoning the Order, either leaving religious life altogether or becoming secular priests, the virtue of fidelity shined like the brightest of stars within his soul. He remained a faithful Jesuit, living his religious vows and the Jesuit ideal, from the time he left Spain to his arrival in Parma in 1797 where he became Jesuit Provincial. Joseph's entire religious life was a sign of heroic fidelity.

In a country where we daily read and hear about contracts being nullified, vows being broken and promises being dismissed, it is rather safe to say that fidelity or faithfulness is lacking in our society. Unfortunately, this lack of fidelity does not only exist in the secular world, but can even be found amongst the lay faithful, which is why I believe the example of St. Joseph Pignatelli is so relevant.

Fidelity is extremely important to one's spiritual life because it is a prerequisite for discipleship. By putting fidelity into practice, we become more faithful to Jesus Christ, more faithful to His Church and her teachings and we become more faithful to the sacramental life and a life of prayer. Fidelity guides and helps us be faithful to our baptismal vows and Catholic calling.

St. Joseph Pignatelli was a man of fidelity. Even in those dark days when the Jesuit Order was suppressed, he remained faithful to his religious vows and Jesuit ideals. Fidelity is important to the life of every Catholic if he or she wants to remain faithful to Christ and His Church.

St. Joseph Pignatelli, pray for us and help us practice fidelity so we can always remain faithful to Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. Amen.

God bless.

Speaking of the holidays, if you are looking for an edible Christmas gift, we heartily recommend two gifts that we have received and truly enjoyed.

Mystic Monk Coffee

Mystic Monk Coffee is roasted by the Carmelite Monks, a Roman Catholic monastery in the silence and solitude of the Rocky Mountains of northern Wyoming. The monks live a hidden life of prayer and contemplation in the pursuit of God. The monastery is inundated with young men who seek to leave everything to pray for the world, in a tradition at least a thousand years old. It is the monks' great joy and privilege to share the fruit of their life with you in every cup of Mystic Monk Coffee.

(Note: My sis bought Brian the Mystic Monk Coffee for his birthday and he LOVED it! Personally, I am not a coffee drinker but the smell of their hazelnut coffee makes you seriously consider converting!)

Gethsemani Farms

Since 1848, when 44 Trappist monks from the Abbey of Melleray in western France made themselves a new home in the hills of central Kentucky, Gethsemani has been a hardworking community. Supporting themselves at first by farming, the monks now depend on their mail-order sales of homemade fruitcake, cheese and bourbon fudge.

To a Trappist, work is a form of prayer. In fact, the cycle of public prayers the monks chant seven times daily is known as the Work of God, or Opus Dei in Latin. Trappists also pray privately at intervals throughout the day, encountering God through the ancient monastic discipline known as lectio divina, or sacred reading.

(Note: We have only tasted their cheese so far, but it was superb. Make sure to try the "smoked" one. Yum!)

I was excited to see that the movie Holiday Affair is finally out on DVD. Made in 1949 and starring Janet Leigh and Robert Mitchum, it is the perfect marriage of Christmas cheer and romantic comedy. Check it out!

I haven't done it in a couple weeks, so here's today's Friday-Fill In.

1. My blueprint for success includes trusting your gut instincts. (Especially when coupled with prayer.)

2. A mini-sized snicker bar was the last candy I ate. (Trick or treat!)

3. The best facial moisturizer I've ever used is Neutrogena moisturizer with sunscreen. (Gotta watch that Cali sun.)

4. Flirting/sneaking kisses with your hubby can be good therapy. (Laughing would be a close second.)

5. I'd like to tell you about something but I forgot. (I'll remember as soon as I leave the room.)

6. Being willing to listen and trying to help out is my strongest characteristic. (That was a tough one.)

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going out to eat, tomorrow my plans include confession and Sunday, I want to turn off the phone and computer and play outside with my family!

Have a fun and blessed weekend!

A friend told me about this book and it looks great.

Fifth grader Olivia Thomas has moved to a new school in a new state, and is eager to make friends! Her best friend quickly becomes someone she has never seen -- St. Thérèse of Lisieux.

Follow Olivia's trials as she tries to fit in at St. Michael's School. With the help of her grandmother, she learns about the "Little Way" of serving God and how it can change everything!

Nancy Carabio Belanger's touching book, targeted toward girls and boys age 8-13, is beautifully illustrated by Sandra Casali LewAllen.

It was recommended by Rachel Watkins (of the Little Flowers Girls" Club) and it is worth checking out. It is avaiable at Amazon or directly from LittleFlowerBook.com.

Whether you voted for him or not, we have a new president and as Catholics, we are called to pray for him and support him, as we can. I disagree with him in a number of key areas but I must admit that I am proud that the US has elected its first man of color. I only pray that Obama's fight for equality extends to the fundamental right to life.

Here is a prayer from Catholic.org.

Prayer for Government Leader
God of power and might, wisdom and justice,
through you authority is rightly administered,
laws are enacted, and judgment is decreed.
Assist with your spirit of counsel and fortitude
the President and other government leaders of these United States.
May they always seek the ways of righteousness, justice and mercy.
Grant that they may be enabled by your powerful protection
to lead our country with honesty and integrity.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen

UPDATE: Trisha said this in her blog on 11/06/08:

Today I was also reminded that we are in the year of St. Paul. He was a man who zealously persecuted Christians because he believed with his whole heart that this was the truth. It wasn't until he encountered Christ on the road to Damascus that he realized he was in error. St. Paul, pray for Obama and our nation.

I love that idea! Each night we will be asking St. Paul to intercede and pray for Obama.

October has come and gone but we had a lot of fun! Since we celebrated (a modified version of) Halloween and All Saints' Day, we have to prepare two costumes. This year we were able to get one main costume and change it up a bit to suit both occasions.

Here we have Bella as Dorothy and then later as Bl. Jacinta of Fatima.

Here we have Sheriff Andrew and then Bl. Miguel Pro (in one of his disguises.)