Thursday, May 7, 2020

SHE'LL BE COMING AROUND THE MOUNTAIN WHEN SHE COMES!

About a year ago, when I brought home the magnificent icon of St. Sebastian, written by Mother Iliana of the Christ the Bridegroom Byzantine Monastery, asked if I had another saint that I wanted because people were asking about commissions and there would be a waiting list.  (There is a waiting list now measured in years.)  I asked for St. Joan of Arc because I was ordained on her feast day and my class took her as our patron.

I received a phone call about a week ago that said that St. Joan was ready and that I could come pick her up!  Fr. Anthony and I, feeling a little housebound, jumped on the chance for a road trip to Burton, Ohio where the Monastery is.  

When we got there, the sisters were not quite ready to greet us so we went to visit the shrine which was technically closed (and VERY muddy) which made it nicer for us to pray.

The monastery is under quarantine by order of their bishop so we couldn't go in so Mother Iliana brought Joan out to us.  
 Here is just a glimpse of St. Joan.  I don't want to completely reveal her until her feast day.
But let me say this - this is a phenomenally gorgeous icon!  Well done!  I love it and am looking forward to praying with it!  It is the same size as our St. Sebastian icon which stands at the front doors of the church currently to remind to pray through the intercession of St. Sebastian who is the saint to invoke against the spread of contagious diseases.

Monday, May 4, 2020

TUESDAY QUOTE OF THE WEEK CDLXXVI

FINDING TRUTH WHEREVER IT MAY BE FOUND:  "Bacons the best.  Even the frying of bacon sounds like applause."  Jim Gaffigan

QUOTE II:  When you have bacon in your mouth, it doesn't matter who's president or anything. Every time I'm eating bacon I think, I could die right now, and I mean it. That's how good life is."  Louis CK

QUOTE III:  "Life expectancy would grow by leaps and bounds if green vegetables smelled as good as bacon."  Doug Larson

QUOTE IV:  Bacon is so good by itself that to put it in any other food is an admission of failure. You're basically saying, I can't make this other food taste good, so I'll throw in bacon."  Penn Jillette

QUOTE V:  "Part of the fun of being Catholic is knowing the difference between an indelicacy and an indecency."  

IN OTHER NEWS:
TODAY IS BACONMAS DAY

If you need something to lift your spirits, today is Baconmas Day.  It is a day to celebrate our salvation particularly by celebrating the Eucharist and confession, to offer prayers of thanksgiving for all of the good things that God has given us, to gather together and eat different dishes of bacon.  

Scriptural underpinnings:  On the fourth Monday of Easter, the first reading at the Mass is about a vision that St. Peter had in Joppa where not only are all things that God has made declared clean, but that salvation is opened up to all.  (Acts 11:1-18)

Theological significance:  For the first time, outreach to the gentiles is taken up by St. Peter, the visible head of the Church, and is no longer just this odd, side thing that St. Paul is doing.  Not only has the Church become truly Catholic (that is, universal) but now all of creation is declared good.  This is an idea not shared by most faiths and not even among all Christians.  But all of creation (including you) is declared good and intended for good and, when we sin, can be restored to goodness again - that we are all called to be saints.

Ways to celebrate:  When possible, attend the sacraments of our salvation especially Mass and confession.  It is also a great day to review all of the blessings in your life and to offer prayers of thanksgiving.

Also important on this day is to gather (when possible) with those you love with general merry making and a meal of bacon prepared in different ways.  The reason for this is that, up and until this time, pork was declared an unclean food but with this vision of St. Peter, all of God’s creation is declared clean and good for eating (in responsible portions.)  Like eating blackberries on Michaelmas Day or Oplatki on Christmas, the eating of bacon points toward the greater truth of this feat day: that you were chosen to be part of the Body of the Body of Christ and recognizing the intended goodness and yourself and of your brothers and sisters in Christ, that we are wildly loved by God and that all of creation is good.

While not strictly necessary, the meal is generally to be held in the evening by candlelight since it was in a dream that St. Peter had his vision.

The host or main cook of the Baconmas feast is called the Baconista.

Although the day is to be one of celebration, the feast is NOT to become a bacchanal.  Prayer is to remain part of the day.  A general calling to mind of all the things for which each person is grateful is a noble practice.

As Hiliare Belloc said, “Where ‘ere the Catholic sun doth shine, there will be laughter and good wine.”

Prayer:

O Lord,
creator and ruler of all creation,
when You gave St. Peter his vision in Joppa
and declared all of your creation clean,
You helped us see all of Your creation
as a wonderful gift of your love
and an aid to our salvation.
On (this) Baconmas Day
we recall how very blessed we are
to be chosen as Your sons and daughters
and included in the One Body of Christ.
Help us to remain true to our calling to be saints;
to live a sacramental life;
and to appreciate all people as an image of Christ.

Baconmas Day Carols:

GOOD ST. PETER
To the tune of Good King Wenceslaus 

Good St. Peter’s had a sight
on a Joppa rooftop
when the cloth revealed aright
the Creator’s workshop
Take and slaughter; all is clean
and is good for eating
No man is too lost or mean
on this bacon evening!

Bring me bacon; bring me wine
Gather all His people
Let us pray and let us dine
‘Neath the church’s steeple
Page and monarch all are called
let His grace none bypass
Our redemption to recall
on this bacon day Mass.

I SAW A CLOTH COME FLOATING DOWN
Traditional Baconmas Day Carol
(To the tune of “I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing In)

Peter (solo)
I saw a cloth come floating down,
come floating down, come floating down
I saw a cloth come floating down
in Joppa dreams in the evening.

All
And what was it that you did see
that you did see (etc.)
in Joppa dreams in the evening?

Peter
I saw arrayed all God’s great beasts
all God’s great beasts . . .
in Joppa dreams in the evening.

All
And what did God say unto you
say onto you . . . 
In Joppa dreams in the evening?

Peter
Take now and eat for all is clean
for all is clean . . .
In Joppa dreams in the evening.

All
And did you eat of that great feast?
of that great feast . . .
In Joppa dreams in the evening?

Peter
Not I (stomps foot), said I, for it’s profane!
for (stomps) it’s profane . . .
In Joppa dreams in the evening!

All
Do (clap) not call vile what I have made
what (clap) I have made . . . 
In (clap) Joppa dreams in the evening.

Peter
Then all is good and all are saved! (on the word “saved” all clap and shout, “Yes!”)
and all are saved
in Joppa dreams in the evening.

All & Peter
So shout “Huzza!” and celebrate
and celebrate and celebrate . . .
for we are saved this evening. 

This was sent in for the celebration: