Basium Pro Jesu (A Kiss for Jesus)

"Look-look-look!" I whispered fiercely to my toddler as he struggled up on tiptoes on the kneeler to see Father holding up the host during the consecration at Mass today.

"Look!  See?  See that little circle?  That's Jesus!  Father's holding up Jesus!"  And then I whispered in my son's ear, "We love you, Jesus!" and surreptiously blew Jesus a kiss across the church, a gesture my son generously bestows on everyone he loves.  Eagerly, he mimicked me.

Then my little daughter blew the moment right out of the water.  "Mom!" she breathed urgently.  "I have to go potty!"

Young-daughter and toddler-son in tow, we crept quickly to bathroom, where an intercom system enabled us to continue to listen to Mass.  My son froze, eyes wide, fascinated.

"Who dat!?" he gasped.  Then inspiration lit his face.  "Dat Jesus!  We love you, Jesus!" he screeched as he happily blew a kiss to the wind.

Oh, from the proverbial precious mouths of babes!  Thank you, Lord, for this moment of unabashed loving joy!

"You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet." (Luke 7:45)

Ora Pro Mater (A Prayer for Mothers)

Summer has been luxurious, like a cat's long, languorous stretch in a warm sunbeam.

Alas, however, I am the mother of six Lilliputians, all but one in single digit ages and several still in diapers.  Now, as we begin the homeschool year, I find myself feeling that initial shock of jumping into a cool pool and feeling the water close over my head.  With that last quick intake of breath, and before the panic of lack of air sets in, I push upward immediately through the chilly depths toward air and light, gasping deeply like a landed fish when my head breaks the surface.  And I realize I will survive homeschooling!

It is both a challenge and a privilege to homeschool one's children, and I remind myself often of that on good days and bad. Toward that end, I'd love to share with you a prayer, which I partially composed and keep visible on my teacher desk.  I hope it brings you inspiration, solace, courage, and joy....especially on days when you'd rather be throwing a vase at the wall!

"Sweetest Lord, make me appreciative of the dignity of my high vocation and its many responsibilities.  Never permit me to disgrace it by giving way to coldness, unkindness, or impatience." (1)  As I respond to my children's repeated needs just one more time, fill the depths of my heart with Your Loving Concern and instill on my tongue the Wisdom of Your Words.  Transform my tiredness, frustration, and anger into Your Joy, Compassion, and Love.

Sweetest Lord, "I want to do what you ask of me, in the way you ask, for as long as you ask, because you ask it." (2)  Help me believe I can do what you ask me to do.  Forgive me for the times when I fail.  Strengthen me to rise and reach for Your Hand when I fall.  Give me joy in attending to my Little Ones.  As I embrace each of them, graciously infuse my anxious soul with the same quiet, peace, and surety of Your Holy Mother's Loving Embrace.

Sweetest Lord, let my feeble limitations as a parent dissipate and be swept away by your Almighty strength.  Grant me the grace to live a long life of loving fidelity and generous surrender to You, through the gentle care of my children.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I Place My Trust in You!

Amen.

1 - Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

2 - Pope Clement XI

"....never tire of doing what is right." (2 Thessalonians 3:13 )

"Therefore, since through God's mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart." (2 Corinthians 4:1)

Nos Promptus Ut Rugio (Let's Get Ready to Rumble!)

It can be so disheartening....

We just read on-line that an upcoming memorial service, to be held by NYC Mayor Bloomberg, commemorating the anniversary of the September 11th attacks SPECIFICALLY EXCLUDES religious or clergy representatives or references.  Really?  Is this how we remember our loved ones and ask God to Bless America?

Subsequent to that....

We just read on-line that, due to damage sustained by the earthquake, the service for the unveiling of MLK's memorial in Washington, D.C. will be MOVED from the Episcopal National Cathedral to the Catholic Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, "the largest Catholic church in the United States and North America and one of the ten largest largest churches in the world" (sources: www.dcquake.nationalcathedral.org/ and www.nationalshrine.com).  The Lord works in mysterious ways!

Let us pray for all who will be present for this service, as they suddenly find themselves present in the premier Catholic church in America, in the Eucharistic presence of Our Lord, dedicated to our country's patron saint!

May Our Lady gently move each person's heart closer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus! 

May each person be inspired by the visual homage and praise of the cathedral!

Most of all, may the Eucharistic presence of Jesus flood each person's heart with the Joy of His Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity!

Vive Jesu!

"After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, approached, rolled back the stone, and sat upon it.  His appearance was like lightning and his clothing was white as snow. The guards were shaken with fear of him and became like dead men. Then the angel said to the women in reply, 'Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said.' "  (Matthew 28:1-6a)

In Caelum (On Heaven)

So you wanna hear today's giggle from my monkeys?  We were in the van and the subject of "paradise" came up.  "What's paradise?" my young son asked.  "Some people think it's heaven," my little daughter immediately replied, and then excitedly continued, "And some people think it's Hawaii!"

My daughter also got a stunner this weekend when she had to use a one-room, unisex bathroom with her younger brother and my husband, and saw for the first time a urinal on the wall.  "What's that!?" she asked, looking concerned as she pointed at the urinal.  My son (fresh from his experience of "pee-ing like a man" for the first time on the Blue Knights camping trip with Daddy) grinned proudly and said, "That's for me and Dad.  We can pee standing up!"

My daughter looked horrified.  "You mean like an animal!?" she gasped.

The blessing of animals traditionally takes place in autumn, as the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi is October 4^th.  St. Francis's love of all God's animals is well-documented, particularly in his "Canticle of the Creatures."

Lacrima Pro Vereor (Tears for Fears)

So once again, one of my kids found her suuuuuuuuffering unimaginably interminable.  You know, one of those hand-to-the-forehead, drama queen, "Woooooooooe is me!" moments (*sigh*).

"Offer it up!" I quipped (for the forty-eleventh time).  This remark was met with a blank look, which definitely would have been an eye-roll-look, if eye-rolls-at-adults were allowed in our house.  Which.  They.  Are.  Not.

"Offer it up for the souls in purgatory," I continued.  "Pick a soul," I added, just to make it interesting.  "Pick the soul who needs one more prayer to get out.  Pick the one at the end of the line who'll be locking up.  Pick the youngest soul, the oldest soul, the tallest soul, the skinniest soul, the soul who has absolutely no one to pray for him, the soul with a wart on his nose, the soul with the horsey laugh....." and on I went with ever-more ridiculous characteristics, hoping to lighten my daughter's mood.

It worked.  My wee banshee began to giggle and happily went about her assigned task, which moments ago had been the proverbial bane of her immediate existence.

But then my little son, just stood there looking thoughtful, then slightly concerned.  "I'd pick the youngest soul," he said, tears beginning to pool in his large dark eyes.  "Because he might be a little afraid to be there."

My heart dropped, my throat closed up, and I dropped to my knees on our kitchen floor to hug both these kids and thank God for them, praying we all actually might make it to heaven together some day after all.

This was a moment just too good not to share!

"He then took up a collection among all his soldiers, amounting to two thousand silver drachmas, which he sent to Jerusalem to provide for an expiatory sacrifice. In doing this he acted in a very excellent and noble way, inasmuch as he had the resurrection of the dead in view; for if he were not expecting the fallen to rise again, it would have been useless and foolish to pray for them in death.  But if he did this with a view to the splendid reward that awaits those who had gone to rest in godliness, it was a holy and pious thought.  Thus he made atonement for the dead that they might be freed from this sin."  (2 Maccabees 12:43-45)

Datum Grate (Donate Happily!)

Okay, so I removed the majority of our two year old's and about half of my clothes closet at 11:30p last night.  I mean, seriously folks, let's be honest -- after giving birth to five of our six kids, my posterior end just is never gonna see the inside of those pants nor skirts EVER again, no matter how many pilates I do (...which, I don't do any, so that might be part of the problem.  Bon-bons are not very slimming).   :-)

I feel GRRRREAT!  How incredibly blessed are we that I've packed up so very, very, very many clothes to donate, and yet my closet still looks "full"?  The breath of fresh air space is marvelous and already I can't even remember which clothes I pitched.  Many of the items are excellent quality suits and skirts from when I was gainfully employed (in another life B.C. -- Before Children), so our church's thrift shop is about to get lucky!  Here's hoping this counts toward "clothing the naked".  Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow!  My recommendation - just do it!

"Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (II Corinthians 9:7)

"Why are you anxious about clothes?  Learn from the way the wild flowers grow.  They do not work or spin.  But I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was clothed like one of them.  If God so clothes the grass of the field, which grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith?"  (Matthew 6:28-30)

Pax Inter Mutationes (Peace Amidst Change)

"Do not look forward in fear to the changes of life; rather look to them with full hope that as they arise, God, whose very own you are, will deliver you from out of them. He has kept you hitherto, and He will lead you safely through all things; and when you cannot stand it, God will bury you in His arms. Do not fear what may happen tomorrow; the same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you everyday.  He will either shield you from suffering, or He will give you strength to bear it.  Be at peace and put aside anxious thoughts and imaginations." (St. Francis de Sales)

 

"Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by waves; but He was asleep.  They came and woke Him, saying, 'Lord, save us! We are perishing!'  He said to them, 'Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?' Then He got up, rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm."  (Matthew 8:24-26)

On Hand-Holding During the Our Father

Recently, the question was raised among friends about the appropriateness of holding hands during Mass while the congregation prays the Our Father.  Predictably, this potentially polarizing topic quickly stiffened more than a few spines.  Could we disagree on this critical subject, yet still remain friends!?

I have too many diapers and Math tests today to share here anything more in-depth than a quick weigh-in (and lunch and laundry are right around the corner!  Oy!), but here's my take on our discussion:

You see, I believe we only will benefit and increase our erudition in the Catholic Faith by learning the Church's specific intent behind the clearly articulated rubrics of the Mass, via either respectful personal discourse (as with my dear friends) or edifying dissertation.

As the highest form of prayer, the Mass deserves our highest consideration, as do our fellow Catholics who, like us, also seek to praise and worship Almighty God as He deserves.  Let us be truthful yet amiable in our speech, lest we defeat the origin and fruits of our worship by allowing ourselves to degenerate into morally opprobrious conduct amidst each other.

"He gave some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers, to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the extent of the full stature of Christ, so that we may no longer be infants, tossed by waves and swept along by every wind of teaching arising from human trickery, from their cunning in the interests of deceitful scheming.  Rather, speaking the truth in love, we should grow in every way into him who is the head, Christ."  (Ephesians 4:11-15)

(...my underline emphases added...)

So.  That's how we discuss it.  Now how do we practice it?  Having just concluded the Eucharistic Prayers, during which our Lord Himself has been made Real and Truly Present on the altar, do we turn the focus on ourselves and stretch across the aisle kumbaya-fashion to hug, shake hands, fist bump, or engage in other similar gestures?

Um, no.  I'm with Father Z.* on this.  While the Our Father inherently unites us in Faith, the reverential aspect of the Mass demands our highest regard and obeisance.  Personal interpretations of the Mass (other than ethnic/cultural variations approved by the Holy See) by priests or laity, no matter how seemingly insignificant, small, or well-meaning, whether unwitting or deliberate cozenage, are scrofulous and a slippery slope to outright heresy.  And certainly no congregation specifically should be impelled to participate in a way that is not within the rubrics of the Mass.

Far more wise and saintly hearts and minds than mine have weighed in on this oftimes delicate topic, so I encourage you to research it personally, as well.

*  Father John Zuhlsdorf addresses this and many other liturgical questions on his excellent blog, "Father Z's Blog - What Does The Prayer Really Say?"  You can find his entry regarding the above topic at the following link:  http://wdtprs.com/blog/2011/05/quaeritur-our-father-hand-holding-fr-z-rants/

 

Meus Nomen Alexander (Call Me Alexander)

Okay, folks -- in light of ACTUAL urgent prayer needs, I have the most mundane of all possible prayer requests.  It's for me.

Ever read Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day?  Yep.  Well, you shoulda been at my house today.  Australia was looking better and better by the minute.  In the immortal words of Jimmy Buffett, "the doggies were a-yellin', the children were a-bitin'....".  I am bulbous as a beach ball (baby #6 is due later this month) and just as slow, the top of my desk has disappeared beneath the layers of an avalanche of papers and "things to do", and The Shriek Scale (both for me and the kids) seems to be rising exponentially.

I'm almost looking forward to a trip to the hospital for extreme pain just to get away.  After all, you get room service once the baby's born, right?

A wise woman, however (...okay, it was Amy M.), told me never to make homeschool decisions in February.  Today being the last day for that injunction, I opted (with great difficulty) not to quit, but instead fed the children (didn't I just feed them yesterday?) and read to them and tucked them in w/ my strained smile and their genuine, strong, tiny, warm little hugs (....*sigh*....okay, so THAT was the good part of the day).

So.  For whining publicly like this amidst my innumerable blessings, I suppose I've just earned at least another 10 years in purgatory (assuming I even make it that far).  Anyone willing to toss up a few Hail Marys for me will be my hero (and my children's)!  And have my eternal gratitude.

No, really.  I mean it.  Even in Australia.

With Love, Gratitude, and Great Mortification,

I Thank You! 

 

Beer Pro Meus Ferrum (Beer for My Horses)

A funny thing happened on the way to the Forum -- we had six children!  (Did you read our "About Us" tab at www.AveMomma.com?  No?  Go ahead.  I'll wait.  Really, go.  I'll wait right here.)

So.  Here I am, homeschooling our little sapling souls.  Since our eldest child has special needs, we sometimes have a need for expensive equipment or services, so I began Ave Momma as a small way to contribute some pin money to the family fortunes (thus beer for our horses), as well as follow Our Lady of Fatima's recommendation to spread the Joy of the Rosary.

We're looking forward to sharing some uplifting thoughts with you!

Thank you for joining us on the journey!

"Happy are all who fear the LORD, who walk in the ways of God.  What your hands provide you will enjoy; you will be happy and prosper: Like a fruitful vine your wife within your home, like olive plants your children around your table.  Just so will they be blessed who fear the Lord."  (Psalm 128:1-4)