February 10, 2021

From Unborn to Pre-Born!

Ever had God plant a wild hair in your head and not be able to yank it out?  Yeah.  It's like THAT.


Because the annual March for Life normally occurs in January, there has been a plethora of online chatter about "the unborn," praying for the unborn, marching for the unborn, supporting the unborn, saving the unborn.


You know, honestly, I've never liked the sound of that:  the "unborn."  It always has sounded a little creepy to me, like some kind of unholy foreign creature or a zombie or something.  "The Unborn."  I can just hear the ominous swell of warning music in a "B" horror movie.  "The Unborn!"  (*shiver*)


Has anyone else ever thought that?


(....listening for revelatory yes's or crickets here....)


"Unborn" just sounds so...final.  Like it refers to a creature which has NEVER been born AND never will be born.  The creature *IS* an unborn.  Period.


Of course, I realize that "unborn" babies in utero simply are not born YET.  I realize that.  But, language matters and I wonder if we (including and perhaps especially those who are not already pro-life) have become too accustomed to hearing "the unborn," so much so that the preliminary condition of infants in the womb awaiting and preparing for their birth seems unimportant, unrecognizable, unreal.

 

Those aren't REAL babies.  They're unborn.  They're un-babies.


Mmmphf....

 

What about "the pre-born"?  What about referring to those who are preparing to be born -- actual, whole, beginner people! -- as "the pre-born"?  They already possess an inherent human dignity and simply are preparing for and awaiting their next stage in human development, being born.  They are pre-born, pre-birth, pre-natal, pre-arrival-party, already authentic human beings preparing for their grand entrance into the world beyond their mother's womb!


Why can't we call them the "pre-born?"

 

It sounds so much more like a "getting ready" or preparing stage of life, rather than the fixed and final one of those who won't be allowed to be born, the unborn.  To me, "pre-born" creates an infinitely more complete impression of a distinct individual, a human being who already has such uniquely human characteristics that s/he actively is preparing to show up here!  Being born is a given, because if one is "pre-born," then it implies that this is the time prior to when one *WILL* be born.


I don't know.  It's late.  I'm rambling here.  Clearly.  And yet....


I guess just wanted to share with you the fact that God put this nagging thought in my head about the importance of language, even and especially for the pre-born.  Maybe I'm not the first one to come up with this.  But, please know that I now will be referring to infants in the womb as "pre-born."  I hope you might consider doing so, too!


(...could've made a looooong story a lot shorter right there with just that, couldn't I have?)  ;- )


Thanks for listening and for letting me share the Tiny Little Crusade that God put inside my head!

March 1, 2019

Why I Wear a Veil

A lovely friend of mine recently wrote to ask why I veil for Mass and Adoration.  This is what I told her.  I hope it might help you, too, if you are discerning adding a veil to your devotional practices.


My family thinks I'm "a little out there," a la "The Church Lady."  No one else in my extended family veils and at the time that I first started wearing one, I didn't know ANYone else who did, either.  But, I had seen other women in church veiling and wondered about it....

Then, the Church revised the wording of the Mass with Advent 2011.  I prayed a *LOT* about whether or not to veil, then felt a pull toward, "new Church year; new devotion to help me focus."  At the time, my youngest was only seven months old and the rest of our family's pew was filled with all six impatient, squirming children, with me at one end and my husband far away at the other.  It was nigh on *impossible* for me to focus on Mass.  At.  All.  Much less for an entire hour.

As a result, I was increasingly impatient, annoyed, self-pitying, and resentful that I couldn't manage one measly hour a week before the Lord!  Ugh!  Then, I saw veils.  And I noticed that, in a gentle sort of way, they were like blinkers or blinders on a horse.

I grew up around horses.  Horses' eyes are set far on opposite sides of their heads as one of their methods of self defense -- they have almost a 360 degree view of everything around them.  Consequently, they see (and react!) to EVERYTHING.

Along came blinders.  You've seen them -- the Budweiser Clydesdales and Amish buggy horses wear square ones on their bridles and Thoroughbred race horses wear spherical ones on a hood on their face.  The blinders narrow the horse's frame of vision so he focuses ONLY on what's ahead of him.

Ahhhhhhhh.  As in every moment of my life as a stay-at-home, homeschooling mom, I was surrounded on all sides by a miniature Barbarian Hoard.  Almost.  All sides but one.  What was in front of me in church?  The tabernacle -- literally, because we sit up front for the benefit of our eldest son (which really winds up benefiting us all!).

Wearing a veil became my literal and figurative blinders.  In many instances, it literally obscures my peripheral vision.  In all instances, it is a lightweight, tangible reminder of where I am, Who is present, and what I am there to do.

Worship.  Him.

It's that simple.

Worship.  Him.

My veil becomes my blinders.  My prayer tent.  My spiritual security blanket.  My smack on the head to pay attention.  My reminder that I am on holy ground, in the presence of Almighty God, a humble creature before her Creator.

It does not make me MORE humble or more reverent or more special than anyone else there.  If anything, while a veil *IS* special (because it's only for a woman in the Real Presence), it reminds me that I'm NOT the most special.  I am the least before Him.  It is such a wonderful, freeing, comforting train of thought, almost like being a child again and obliviously having my late father lovingly take care of.... everything.

The same kids were still squirming.  The same distractions were all still there, whether in my head or all around me.  And the same God was still present in the same way in the same tabernacle where He always was.  But, now I had a tangible touchstone to remind me.

It was like the time I confessed to a priest about being distracted too often during the rosary.

"Do you come back to it?" he asked.

I frowned.  "Of course."

He smiled.  "Then, that is an even greater grace.  To be pulled away, whether by the devil or by honest distractions, and to CHOOSE to return to it can be an even greater grace."

My veil reminds me to keep coming back, despite the distractions.

Today, I feel naked and amiss if I enter a Catholic church without my veil.  So, I keep it in my purse (with an extra for anyone else!  I've given away three since I started veiling!).  It's kind of like "appropriate dress and comportment" for me.  I wouldn't wear stilettos to the barn, nor pajamas to my boss's dinner party.  I wouldn't chew gum in a job interview, but I would make sure I brushed my teeth.  My veil just feels... right, in every way, in the Real Presence of Our Lord.

And that, in the immortal words of Paul Harvey, is the rest of the story!

:-D

That also, my dear friend, is probably waaaaay more than you really wanted to know!  I scrolled back through this and was going to delete it, but decided to be honest and send it "as is."

Wearing a veil is simple and complex, all at the same time.  I hope this is helpful to you in discerning your own devotions!  The video entitled "The Chapel Veil" by "True Faith TV" on YouTube also is well-done.

Thank you!  Please be assured of my prayers! ❤️

December 2, 2018

Advent Calendar

Here it is!  My "Advent Calendar" for 2018 is ready for you to color and enjoy!  Please feel welcome to print, photocopy, or distribute this for personal use only.

Advent Blessings!  iiii

St. Andrew Christmas Novena

(The "St. Andrew Christmas Novena" technically began on Friday, November 30th, the feast of St. Andrew.  But, I firmly believe it's never too late to get on the prayer train praising the Baby Jesus!  I hear He's very powerful, you know.)  :-)

While a novena is normally a nine-day [or nine hour] prayer, the term sometimes is used for any prayer that is repeated over a series of days. The Saint Andrew Christmas Novena is often called simply the "Christmas Novena" or the "Christmas Anticipation Prayer," because it is prayed 15 times every day (we pray five [5] each at breakfast, lunch, and supper) from the Feast of Saint Andrew the Apostle (November 30th) until Christmas. The First Sunday of Advent always is the Sunday closest to the Feast of Saint Andrew.

The novena is not actually addressed to Saint Andrew, but to God Himself, asking Him to grant our request in the honor of the birth of His Son at Christmas. You can say the prayer all 15 times, all at once, or divide up the recitation as necessary (perhaps five times at each meal).

Prayed as a family, the Saint Andrew Christmas Novena is a very good way to help focus the attention of your children on the Advent season.

Saint Andrew Christmas Novena
Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour, vouchsafe, O my God! to hear my prayer and grant my desires, through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother. Amen.

(source: by Scott P. Richert at Catholicism.about.com)

February 2, 2018

Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes

Tomorrow begins the novena to Our Lady of Lourdes, whose feast day is Sunday, February 11th:



http://www.oblatesusa.org/prayer/novena-prayers/our-lady-of-lourdes-novena-prayers/

St. Bernadette is a beautiful example to us all of believing, even when it doesn't make sense!

November 30, 2017

TODAY! - Christmas Novena

While a novena is normally a nine-day [or nine hour] prayer, the term sometimes is used for any prayer that is repeated over a series of days. The Saint Andrew Christmas Novena is often called simply the "Christmas Novena" or the "Christmas Anticipation Prayer," because it is prayed 15 times every day (we pray five [5] each at breakfast, lunch, and supper) from the Feast of Saint Andrew the Apostle (November 30th) until Christmas. The First Sunday of Advent always is the Sunday closest to the Feast of Saint Andrew.

The novena is not actually addressed to Saint Andrew, but to God Himself, asking Him to grant our request in the honor of the birth of His Son at Christmas. You can say the prayer all 15 times, all at once, or divide up the recitation as necessary (perhaps five times at each meal).

Prayed as a family, the Saint Andrew Christmas Novena is a very good way to help focus the attention of your children on the Advent season.

Saint Andrew Christmas Novena
Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour, vouchsafe, O my God! to hear my prayer and grant my desires, through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother. Amen.

(source: by Scott P. Richert at Catholicism.about.com)

July 2, 2017

Freedom

July 2, 1776 - The Continental Congress votes for independence, passing a resolution offered by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia: "Resolved, That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved."

June 23, 2017

Feast of the Sacred Heart

Here is a link to a fabulous page with several prayers and everything you ever wanted to know about the Sacred Heart of Jesus and His love....for YOU!

Catholic News World:
Sacred Heart of Jesus

June 22, 2017

Sacred Heart Novena - Day 9

O Lord Jesus Christ, to Thy Most Sacred Heart I confide this intention (mention your request).
Only look upon me, then do what Thy Heart inspires.

Let Thy Sacred Heart decide.

I count on Thee.
I trust in Thee.
I throw myself on Thy Mercy, Lord Jesus!
Thou wilt not fail me.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in Thee.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I believe in Thy Love for me.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, Thy Kingdom come.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I have asked Thee for many favors, but I earnestly implore this one.  Take it, place it in Thy open, broken Heart, and when the Eternal Father looks upon it, covered with Thy Precious Blood, He will not refuse it.  It will no longer be my prayer, but Thine, O Jesus.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in Thee.
Let me never be confounded.

Amen.

(Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be).

June 21, 2017

Sacred Heart Novena - Day 8

O Lord Jesus Christ, to Thy Most Sacred Heart I confide this intention (mention your request).
Only look upon me, then do what Thy Heart inspires.

Let Thy Sacred Heart decide.

I count on Thee.
I trust in Thee.
I throw myself on Thy Mercy, Lord Jesus!
Thou wilt not fail me.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in Thee.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I believe in Thy Love for me.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, Thy Kingdom come.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I have asked Thee for many favors, but I earnestly implore this one.  Take it, place it in Thy open, broken Heart, and when the Eternal Father looks upon it, covered with Thy Precious Blood, He will not refuse it.  It will no longer be my prayer, but Thine, O Jesus.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in Thee.
Let me never be confounded.

Amen.

(Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be).

June 20, 2017

Sacred Heart Novena - Day 7

O Lord Jesus Christ, to Thy Most Sacred Heart I confide this intention (mention your request).
Only look upon me, then do what Thy Heart inspires.

Let Thy Sacred Heart decide.

I count on Thee.
I trust in Thee.
I throw myself on Thy Mercy, Lord Jesus!
Thou wilt not fail me.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in Thee.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I believe in Thy Love for me.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, Thy Kingdom come.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I have asked Thee for many favors, but I earnestly implore this one.  Take it, place it in Thy open, broken Heart, and when the Eternal Father looks upon it, covered with Thy Precious Blood, He will not refuse it.  It will no longer be my prayer, but Thine, O Jesus.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in Thee.
Let me never be confounded.

Amen.

(Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be).

June 19, 2017

Sacred Heart Novena - Day 6

O Lord Jesus Christ, to Thy Most Sacred Heart I confide this intention (mention your request).
Only look upon me, then do what Thy Heart inspires.

Let Thy Sacred Heart decide.

I count on Thee.
I trust in Thee.
I throw myself on Thy Mercy, Lord Jesus!
Thou wilt not fail me.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in Thee.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I believe in Thy Love for me.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, Thy Kingdom come.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I have asked Thee for many favors, but I earnestly implore this one.  Take it, place it in Thy open, broken Heart, and when the Eternal Father looks upon it, covered with Thy Precious Blood, He will not refuse it.  It will no longer be my prayer, but Thine, O Jesus.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in Thee.
Let me never be confounded.

Amen.

(Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be).

June 18, 2017

Sacred Heart Novena - Day 5

O Lord Jesus Christ, to Thy Most Sacred Heart I confide this intention (mention your request).
Only look upon me, then do what Thy Heart inspires.

Let Thy Sacred Heart decide.

I count on Thee.
I trust in Thee.
I throw myself on Thy Mercy, Lord Jesus!
Thou wilt not fail me.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in Thee.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I believe in Thy Love for me.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, Thy Kingdom come.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I have asked Thee for many favors, but I earnestly implore this one.  Take it, place it in Thy open, broken Heart, and when the Eternal Father looks upon it, covered with Thy Precious Blood, He will not refuse it.  It will no longer be my prayer, but Thine, O Jesus.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in Thee.
Let me never be confounded.

Amen.

(Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be).

June 17, 2017

Sacred Heart Novena - Day 4

O Lord Jesus Christ, to Thy Most Sacred Heart I confide this intention (mention your request).
Only look upon me, then do what Thy Heart inspires.

Let Thy Sacred Heart decide.

I count on Thee.
I trust in Thee.
I throw myself on Thy Mercy, Lord Jesus!
Thou wilt not fail me.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in Thee.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I believe in Thy Love for me.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, Thy Kingdom come.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I have asked Thee for many favors, but I earnestly implore this one.  Take it, place it in Thy open, broken Heart, and when the Eternal Father looks upon it, covered with Thy Precious Blood, He will not refuse it.  It will no longer be my prayer, but Thine, O Jesus.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in Thee.
Let me never be confounded.

Amen.

(Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be).

June 16, 2017

Sacred Heart Novena - Day 3

O Lord Jesus Christ, to Thy Most Sacred Heart I confide this intention (mention your request).
Only look upon me, then do what Thy Heart inspires.

Let Thy Sacred Heart decide.

I count on Thee.
I trust in Thee.
I throw myself on Thy Mercy, Lord Jesus!
Thou wilt not fail me.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in Thee.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I believe in Thy Love for me.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, Thy Kingdom come.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I have asked Thee for many favors, but I earnestly implore this one.  Take it, place it in Thy open, broken Heart, and when the Eternal Father looks upon it, covered with Thy Precious Blood, He will not refuse it.  It will no longer be my prayer, but Thine, O Jesus.

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in Thee.
Let me never be confounded.

Amen.

(Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be).