Most gracious Heavenly Father, We thank you for our faithful priests and bishops, whose spiritual fatherhood and example of fidelity, self-sacrifice, and devotion is so vital to the faith of your people. May our spiritual fathers be guided by the examples of Saints Peter and Paul, all the Apostles and their saintly successors. Give them valiant faith in the face of confusion and conflict, hope in time of trouble and sorrow, and steadfast love for you, for their families, and... Read more
The houseplants in the upstairs hermitage needed watering. There aren’t as many as there used to be. As I now spend more time indoors as a writer, rather than outdoors as I once did being a gardener, I wanted sunlight streaming through the windows. The numerous houseplants I once had hoarded the light, so I gave the largest plants away. I’ve written before of my love of the Crab Cactus, Schlumbergera, of which I have three—oh, and a start of... Read more
Let us pray for our Sisters and Nuns that as they embrace their consecrated life the vow of poverty is more fully lived. Upon entering this new life, letting go of material goods can be a challenge for some. Help them to release willingly the things in their possession—the sentimental things given in love, an item that has been a favored tool, something appreciated for the simplicity of the delight it brings—which may be viewed as “mine” instead of owned... Read more
Want to incorporate a rosary garden into an existing landscape? Here’s an easy way to line a walkway, enhance a garden bed, or circle a tree. 1–Purchase: 59-60, 4’-6’ bamboo stakes. You’ll want the poles tall enough for the beads to be seen among the plants and not hidden. 2–Purchase round plastic Christmas ornaments 53 for the mater beads and 6 of a different color or larger size for pater beads. They kind of look like mini gazing balls once arranged.... Read more
Lord Hear Our Prayer, During this season of continued storms of snow and ice and freezing rain, in the relentless cold and winds that chill our bodies and our spirits, let us remember our priests. They too struggle with this weather. Not only to meet the demands of being a priest, they also ache in their hearts for those who are most vulnerable: the poor and homeless, the elderly and the sick—those who have become isolated. We pray for our priests... Read more
Many years ago I made small stained glass windows. The vibrancy of the material—its waves, ripples, and bubbles diffusing light—was a feast of color to the eyes. In workshops I learned how a small scratch directionally drawn would allow the glass to break in desired ways. I was fascinated by this breaking apart almost more than the construction of the final windows. There was some sort of comfort in watching the separation take place—a knowing that from a larger, undefined... Read more
Our Loving Lord, hear us as we pray for our Sisters and Nuns. We pray that in their daily seeking, you come to them who serve you in patient hope. As they make an offering of themselves, you come to them who have pledged to you their poverty. In their carrying the burdens of our world within their hearts, come to them who have offered themselves through vows to persevere. It is your face that they seek in us—in the... Read more
His name was Bill, though William seemed to suite him better. He was not very tall, only about 5’ 6”, a bit overweight and prematurely balding. He had bright pale blue eyes that smiled from behind thick wire rimmed glasses. Bill was a man of fine mettle, and a friend of a friend’s husband. We had met a few times in gatherings of similar social circles. We were in our mid-twenties, me recently entering college while he having graduated several... Read more
Gracious and loving God, we thank you for the gift of our priests. Through them, we experience your presence in the sacraments. Help our priests to be strong in their vocation. Set their souls on fire with love for your people. Grant them the wisdom, understanding, and strength they need to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Inspire them with the vision of your Kingdom. Give them the words they need to spread the Gospel. Allow them to experience joy... Read more
One of the small pleasures in my day is watching the birds, especially when praying a rosary. Their feeding at the window reminds me of the Bible verse about sparrows (Mt 10:29-31), and I am comforted in knowing God is at least as attentive to me as to his little brown birds. For this reason, I’ve added a platform feeder to the sill outside my oratory window. It hangs near the suet feeder that’s attached to an iron swivel bracket.... Read more
Morning Rose Prayer Gardens
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