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Information about Saints taken from http://www.catholic.org/
St. Anthony of Padua
Saint Anthony was canonized (declared a saint) less than one year after his death.
There is perhaps no more loved and admired saint in the Catholic Church than Saint Anthony of Padua, a Doctor of the Church. Though his work was in Italy, he was born in Portugal. He first joined the Augustinian Order and then left it and joined the Franciscan Order in 1221, when he was 26 years old. The reason he became a Franciscan was because of the death of the five Franciscan protomartyrs -- St. Bernard, St. Peter, St. Otho, St. Accursius, and St. Adjutus -- who shed their blood for the Catholic Faith in the year 1220, in Morocco, in North Africa, and whose headless and mutilated bodies had been brought to St. Anthony's monastery on their way back for burial. St. Anthony became a Franciscan in the hope of shedding his own blood and becoming a martyr. He lived only ten years after joining the Franciscan Order.
So simple and resounding was his teaching of the Catholic Faith, so that the most unlettered and innocent might understand it, that he was made a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius XII in 1946. Saint Anthony was only 36 years old when he died. He is called the "hammer of the Heretics" His great protection against their lies and deceits in the matter of Christian doctrine was to utter, simply and innocently, the Holy Name of Mary. When St. Anthony of Padua found he was preaching the true Gospel of the Catholic Church to heretics who would not listen to him, he then went out and preached it to the fishes. This was not, as liberals and naturalists are trying to say, for the instruction of the fishes, but rather for the glory of God, the delight of the angels, and the easing of his own heart. St. Anthony wanted to profess the Catholic Faith with his mind and his heart, at every moment.
He is typically depicted with a book and the Infant Child Jesus, to whom He miraculously appeared, and is commonly referred to today as the "finder of lost articles." Upon exhumation, some 336 years after his death, his body was found to be corrupted, yet his tongue was totally incorrupt, so perfect were the teachings that had been formed upon it.
Devotion to the Sacred Heart, as we know it, began about the year 1672. On repeated occasions, Jesus appeared to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, a Visitation nun, in France, and during these apparitions He explained to her the devotion to His Sacred Heart as He wanted people to practice it. he asked to be honored in the symbol of His Heart of flesh; he asked for acts of reparation, for frequent Communion, Communion on the First Friday of the month, and the keeping of the Holy Hour.
When the Catholic Church approved the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, she did not base her action only on the visions of Saint Margaret Mary. The Church approved the devotion on its own merits. There is only one Person in Jesus, and that Person was at the same time God and Man. His Heart, too, is Divine -- it is the Heart of God.
There are two things that must always be found together in the devotion to the Sacred Heart: Christ's Heart of flesh and Christ's love for us. True devotion to the Sacred Heart means devotion to the Divine Heart of Christ insofar as His Heart represents and recalls His love for us.
In honoring the Heart of Christ, our homage lingers on the Person of Jesus in the fullness of His love. This love of Christ for us was the moving force of all he did and suffered for us -- in Nazareth, on the Cross, in giving Himself in the Blessed Sacrament, in His teaching and healing, in His praying and working. When we speak of the Sacred Heart, we mean Jesus showing us His Heart, Jesus all love for us and all lovable.
Jesus Christ is the incarnation of God's infinite love. The Human Nature which the Son of God took upon Himself was filled with love and kindness that has never found an equal. He is the perfect model of love of God and neighbor.
Every day of His life was filled with repeated proofs of "Christ's love that surpasses all knowledge" (Eph 3:19). Jesus handed down for all time the fundamental feature of His character: "Take My yoke upon your shoulders and learn from Me, for I am meek and humble of Heart" (Mt 11:29). He invited all, refusing none, surprising friends and rivals by His unconditional generosity.
The meaning of love in the life of Jesus was especially evident in His sufferings. Out of love for His Father He willed to undergo the death of the Cross. "The world must know that I love the Father and do just as the Father has commanded Me" (Jn 14:31).
The love that Jesus bore toward us also urged Him to undergo the death of the Cross. At the Last Supper, He said, "There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends" (Jn 15:13)
The Heart of Jesus never ceases to love us in heaven. He sanctifies us through the Sacraments. These are inexhaustible fountains of grace and holiness which have their source in the boundless ocean of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Our Lady Queen of Peace
Sts. Joachim and Anne
Feast day: July 26
By tradition Joachim and Anne are considered to be the names of the parents of Mary, the Mother of God. We have no historical evidence, however, of any elements of their lives, including their names. Any stories about Mary's father and mother come to us through legend and tradition.
We get the oldest story from a document called the Gospel of James, though in no way should this document be trusted to be factual, historical, or the Word of God. The legend told in this document says that after years of childlessness, an angel appeared to tell Anne and Joachim that they would have a child. Anne promised to dedicate this child to God (much the way that Samuel was dedicated by his mother Hannah -- Anne -- in 1 Kings).
For those who wonder what we can learn from people we know nothing about and how we can honor them, we must focus on why they are honored by the church. Whatever their names or the facts of their lives, the truth is that it was the parents of Mary who nurtured Mary, taught her, brought her up to be a worthy Mother of God. It was their teaching that led her to respond to God's request with faith, "Let it be done to me as you will." It was their example of parenting that Mary must have followed as she brought up her own son, Jesus. It was their faith that laid the foundation of courage and strength that allowed her to stand by the cross as her son was crucified and still believe.
Such parents can be examples and models for all parents.
Anne (or Ann) is the patron saint of Christian mothers and of women in labor.
Parents of Mary, pray for all parents that they may provide the loving home and faithful teaching that you provided your daughter. Amen
Pope St. Gregory the Great
Feast day: September 3
St. Gregory, born at Rome about the year 540, was the son of Gordianus, a wealthy senator, who later renounced the world and became one of the seven deacons of Rome. After he had acquired the usual thorough education, Emperor Justin the Younger appointed him, in 574, Chief Magistrate of Rome, though he was only thirty-four years of age.
After the death of his father, he built six monasteries in Sicily and founded a seventh in his own house in Rome, which became the Benedictine Monastery of St. Andrew. Here, he himself assumed the monastic habit in 575, at the age of thirty-five.
After the death of Pelagius, St. Gregory was chosen Pope by the unanimous consent of priests and people. Now began those labors which merited for him the title of Great. His zeal extended over the entire known world, he was in contact with all the Churches of Christendom and, in spite of his bodily sufferings, and innumerable labors, he found time to compose a great number of works. He is known above all for his magnificent contributions to the Liturgy of the Mass and Office. He is one of the four great Doctors of the Latin Church. He died March 12, 604. He is the patron of teachers.
St. Catherine of Siena
Feast day: April 29
The 25th child of a wool dyer in northern Italy, St. Catherine started having mystical experiences when she was only 6, seeing guardian angels as clearly as the people they protected. She became a Dominican tertiary when she was 16, and continued to have visions of Christ, Mary, and the saints. St. Catherine was one of the most brilliant theological minds of her day, although she never had any formal education. She persuaded the Pope to go back to Rome from Avignon, in 1377, and when she died she was endeavoring to heal the Great Western Schism. In 1375 Our Lord give her the Stigmata, which was visible only after her death. Her spiritual director was Blessed Raymond of Capua. St, Catherine's letters, and a treatise called "a dialogue" are considered among the most brilliant writings in the history of the Catholic Church. She died when she was only 33, and her body was found incorrupt in 1430.
St. Therese of Lisieux
Feast day: October 1
Generations of Catholics have admired this young saint, called her the "Little Flower", and found in her short life more inspiration for own lives than in volumes by theologians.
Yet Therese died when she was 24, after having lived as cloistered Carmelite for less than ten years. She never went on missions, never founded a religious order, never performed great works. The only book of hers, published after her death, was an brief edited version of her journal called "Story of a Soul." (Collections of her letters and restored versions of her journals have been published recently.) But within 28 years of her death, the public demand was so great that she was canonized.
Over the years, some modern Catholics have turned away from her because they associate her with over- sentimentalized piety and yet the message she has for us is still as compelling and simple as it was almost a century ago.
Therese was born in France in 1873, the pampered daughter of a mother who had wanted to be a saint and a father who had wanted to be monk. The two had gotten married but determined they would be celibate until a priest told them that was not how God wanted a marriage to work! They must have followed his advice very well because they had nine children. The five children who lived were all daughters who were close all their lives.
Tragedy and loss came quickly to Therese when her mother died of breast cancer when she was four and a half years old. Her sixteen year old sister Pauline became her second mother -- which made the second loss even worse when Pauline entered the Carmelite convent five years later. A few months later, Therese became so ill with a fever that people thought she was dying.
The worst part of it for Therese was all the people sitting around her bed staring at her like, she said, "a string of onions." When Therese saw her sisters praying to statue of Mary in her room, Therese also prayed. She saw Mary smile at her and suddenly she was cured. She tried to keep the grace of the cure secret but people found out and badgered her with questions about what Mary was wearing, what she looked like. When she refused to give in to their curiosity, they passed the story that she had made the whole thing up.
Without realizing it, by the time she was eleven years old she had developed the habit of mental prayer. She would find a place between her bed and the wall and in that solitude think about God, life, eternity.
When her other sisters, Marie and Leonie, left to join religious orders (the Carmelites and Poor Clares, respectively), Therese was left alone with her last sister Celine and her father. Therese tells us that she wanted to be good but that she had an odd way of going about. This spoiled little Queen of her father's wouldn't do housework. She thought if she made the beds she was doing a great favor!
Every time Therese even imagined that someone was criticizing her or didn't appreciate her, she burst into tears. Then she would cry because she had cried! Any inner wall she built to contain her wild emotions crumpled immediately before the tiniest comment.
Therese wanted to enter the Carmelite convent to join Pauline and Marie but how could she convince others that she could handle the rigors of Carmelite life, if she couldn't handle her own emotional outbursts? She had prayed that Jesus would help her but there was no sign of an answer.
On Christmas day in 1886, the fourteen-year-old hurried home from church. In France, young children left their shoes by the hearth at Christmas, and then parents would fill them with gifts. By fourteen, most children outgrew this custom. But her sister Celine didn't want Therese to grow up. So they continued to leave presents in "baby" Therese's shoes.
As she and Celine climbed the stairs to take off their hats, their father's voice rose up from the parlor below. Standing over the shoes, he sighed, "Thank goodness that's the last time we shall have this kind of thing!"
Therese froze, and her sister looked at her helplessly. Celine knew that in a few minutes Therese would be in tears over what her father had said.
But the tantrum never came. Something incredible had happened to Therese. Jesus had come into her heart and done what she could not do herself. He had made her more sensitive to her father's feelings than her own.
She swallowed her tears, walked slowly down the stairs, and exclaimed over the gifts in the shoes, as if she had never heard a word her father said. The following year she entered the convent. In her autobiography she referred to this Christmas as her "conversion."
Therese be known as the Little Flower but she had a will of steel. When the superior of the Carmelite convent refused to take Therese because she was so young, the formerly shy little girl went to the bishop. When the bishop also said no, she decided to go over his head, as well.
Her father and sister took her on a pilgrimage to Rome to try to get her mind off this crazy idea. Therese loved it. It was the one time when being little worked to her advantage! Because she was young and small she could run everywhere, touch relics and tombs without being yelled at. Finally they went for an audience with the Pope. They had been forbidden to speak to him but that didn't stop Therese. As soon as she got near him, she begged that he let her enter the Carmelite convent. She had to be carried out by two of the guards!
But the Vicar General who had seen her courage was impressed and soon Therese was admitted to the Carmelite convent that her sisters Pauline and Marie had already joined. Her romantic ideas of convent life and suffering soon met up with reality in a way she had never expected. Her father suffered a series of strokes that left him affected not only physically but mentally. When he began hallucinating and grabbed for a gun as if going into battle, he was taken to an asylum for the insane. Horrified, Therese learned of the humiliation of the father she adored and admired and of the gossip and pity of their so-called friends. As a cloistered nun she couldn't even visit her father.
This began a horrible time of suffering when she experienced such dryness in prayer that she stated "Jesus isn't doing much to keep the conversation going." She was so grief-stricken that she often fell asleep in prayer. She consoled herself by saying that mothers loved children when they lie asleep in their arms so that God must love her when she slept during prayer.
She knew as a Carmelite nun she would never be able to perform great deeds. " Love proves itself by deeds, so how am I to show my love? Great deeds are forbidden me. The only way I can prove my love is by scattering flowers and these flowers are every little sacrifice, every glance and word, and the doing of the least actions for love." She took every chance to sacrifice, no matter how small it would seem. She smiled at the sisters she didn't like. She ate everything she was given without complaining -- so that she was often given the worst leftovers. One time she was accused of breaking a vase when she was not at fault. Instead of arguing she sank to her knees and begged forgiveness. These little sacrifices cost her more than bigger ones, for these went unrecognized by others. No one told her how wonderful she was for these little secret humiliations and good deeds.
When Pauline was elected prioress, she asked Therese for the ultimate sacrifice. Because of politics in the convent, many of the sisters feared that the family Martin would taken over the convent. Therefore Pauline asked Therese to remain a novice, in order to allay the fears of the others that the three sisters would push everyone else around. This meant she would never be a fully professed nun, that she would always have to ask permission for everything she did. This sacrifice was made a little sweeter when Celine entered the convent after her father's death. Four of the sisters were now together again.
Therese continued to worry about how she could achieve holiness in the life she led. She didn't want to just be good, she wanted to be a saint. She thought there must be a way for people living hidden, little lives like hers. " I have always wanted to become a saint. Unfortunately when I have compared myself with the saints, I have always found that there is the same difference between the saints and me as there is between a mountain whose summit is lost in the clouds and a humble grain of sand trodden underfoot by passers-by. Instead of being discouraged, I told myself: God would not make me wish for something impossible and so, in spite of my littleness, I can aim at being a saint. It is impossible for me to grow bigger, so I put up with myself as I am, with all my countless faults. But I will look for some means of going to heaven by a little way which is very short and very straight, a little way that is quite new.
" We live in an age of inventions. We need no longer climb laboriously up flights of stairs; in well-to-do houses there are lifts. And I was determined to find a lift to carry me to Jesus, for I was far too small to climb the steep stairs of perfection. So I sought in holy Scripture some idea of what this life I wanted would be, and I read these words: "Whosoever is a little one, come to me." It is your arms, Jesus, that are the lift to carry me to heaven. And so there is no need for me to grow up: I must stay little and become less and less."
She worried about her vocation: " I feel in me the vocation of the Priest. I have the vocation of the Apostle. Martyrdom was the dream of my youth and this dream has grown with me. Considering the mystical body of the Church, I desired to see myself in them all. Charity gave me the key to my vocation. I understood that the Church had a Heart and that this Heart was burning with love. I understood that Love comprised all vocations, that Love was everything, that it embraced all times and places...in a word, that it was eternal! Then in the excess of my delirious joy, I cried out: O Jesus, my Love...my vocation, at last I have found it...My vocation is Love!"
When an antagonist was elected prioress, new political suspicions and plottings sprang up. The concern over the Martin sisters perhaps was not exaggerated. In this small convent they now made up one-fifth of the population. Despite this and the fact that Therese was a permanent novice they put her in charge of the other novices.
Then in 1896, she coughed up blood. She kept working without telling anyone until she became so sick a year later everyone knew it. Worst of all she had lost her joy and confidence and felt she would die young without leaving anything behind. Pauline had already had her writing down her memories for journal and now she wanted her to continue -- so they would have something to circulate on her life after her death.
Her pain was so great that she said that if she had not had faith she would have taken her own life without hesitation. But she tried to remain smiling and cheerful -- and succeeded so well that some thought she was only pretending to be ill. Her one dream as the work she would do after her death, helping those on earth. "I will return," she said. "My heaven will be spent on earth." She died on September 30, 1897 at the age of 24 years old. She herself felt it was a blessing God allowed her to die at exactly that age. she had always felt that she had a vocation to be a priest and felt God let her die at the age she would have been ordained if she had been a man so that she wouldn't have to suffer.
After she died, everything at the convent went back to normal. One nun commented that there was nothing to say about Therese. But Pauline put together Therese's writings (and heavily edited them, unfortunately) and sent 2000 copies to other convents. But Therese's "little way" of trusting in Jesus to make her holy and relying on small daily sacrifices instead of great deeds appealed to the thousands of Catholics and others who were trying to find holiness in ordinary lives. Within two years, the Martin family had to move because her notoriety was so great and by 1925 she had been canonized.
Therese of Lisieux is one of the patron saints of the missions, not because she ever went anywhere, but because of her special love of the missions, and the prayers and letters she gave in support of missionaries. This is reminder to all of us who feel we can do nothing, that it is the little things that keep God's kingdom growing.
St. Elizabeth of Hungary
St. Elizabeth was born in Hungary in 1207, the daughter of Alexander II, King of Hungary. At the age of four she was sent for education to the court of the Landgrave of Thuringia, to whose infant son she was betrothed. As she grew in age, her piety also increased by leaps and bounds. In 1221, she married Louis of Thuringia and in spite of her position at court began to lead an austerely simple life, practiced penance, and devoted herself to works of charity.
Her husband was himself much inclined to religion and highly esteemed her virtue, encouraging her in her exemplary life. They had three children when tragedy struck - Louis was killed while fighting with the Crusaders. After his death, Elizabeth left the court, made arrangements for the care of her children, and in 1228, renounced the world, becoming a tertiary of St. Francis. She built the Franciscan hospital at Marburg and devoted herself to the care of the sick until her death at the age of 24 in 1231.
St. Elizabeth is the patron saint of bakers, countesses, death of children, falsely accused, the homeless, nursing services, tertiaries, widows, and young brides. Her symbols are alms, flowers, bread, the poor, and a pitcher.
St. Jude Thaddaeus
Feast day: October 28
St. Jude, known as Thaddaeus, was a brother of St. James the Less, and a relative of Our Saviour. St. Jude was one of the 12 Apostles of Jesus.
Ancient writers tell us that he preached the Gospel in Judea, Samaria, Idumaea, Syria, Mesopotamia, and Lybia. According to Eusebius, he returned to Jerusalem in the year 62, and assisted at the election of his brother, St. Simeon, as Bishop of Jerusalem.
He is an author of an epistle (letter) to the Churches of the East, particularly the Jewish converts, directed against the heresies of the Simonians, Nicolaites, and Gnostics. This Apostle is said to have suffered martyrdom in Armenia, which was then subject to Persia. The final conversion of the Armenian nation to Christianity did not take place until the third century of our era.
Jude was the one who asked Jesus at the Last Supper why He would not manifest Himself to the whole world after His resurrection. Little else is known of his life. Legend claims that he visited Beirut and Edessa; possibly martyred with St. Simon in Persia.
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, Virgin (Feast day November 13) St. Frances was born in Lombardi, Italy in 1850, one of thirteen children. At eighteen, she desired to become a Nun, but poor health stood in her way. She helped her parents until their death, and then worked on a farm with her brothers and sisters.
One day a priest asked her to teach in a girls' school and she stayed for six years. At the request of her Bishop, she founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart to care for poor children in schools and hospitals. Then at the urging of Pope Leo XIII she came to the United States with six nuns in 1889 to work among the Italian immigrants.
Filled with a deep trust in God and endowed with a wonderful administrative ability, this remarkable woman soon founded schools, hospitals, and orphanages in this strange land and saw them flourish in the aid of Italian immigrants and children. At the time of her death, at Chicago, Illinois on December 22, 1917, her institute numbered houses in England, France, Spain, the United States, and South America. In 1946, she became the first American citizen to be canonized when she was elevated to sainthood by Pope Pius XII. St. Frances is the patroness of immigrants.
The Nativity
(3rd Joyful Mystery of the Holy Rosary)
The Presentation of the Child Jesus in the temple
(4th Joyful Mystery of the Holy Rosary)
The Prophecy of Simeon to Our Lady
34 and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted 35 (and you yourself a sword will pierce)[b] so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."
(Luke 2:34-35)
These Seven Sorrows
The Prophecy of Simeon. (Luke 2:34–35)
The escape and Flight into Egypt. (Matthew 2:13)
The Loss of the Child Jesus in the Temple of Jerusalem. (Luke 2:43–45)
The Meeting of Mary and Jesus on the Via Dolorosa.
The Crucifixion of Jesus on Mount Calvary. (John 19:25)
The Piercing of the Side of Jesus, and His Descent from the Cross. (Matthew 27:57–59)
The Burial of Jesus by Joseph of Arimathea. (John 19:40–42)
Religious Teachers Filippini
They served in school / parish from 1950-2011
To read more about their history...
To read more about their foundress St. Lucy Filippini...
Jesus healing the sick
The Crucifixion
(5th Sorrowful Mystery of the Holy Rosary)
The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
(5th Glorious Mystery of the Holy Rosary)
Final Judgement
St. Teresa of Avila
Teresa Sanchez Cepeda Davila y Ahumada Born at Avila, Old Castile, 28 March, 1515; died at Alba de Tormes, 4 Oct., 1582. The third child of Don Alonso Sanchez de Cepeda by his second wife, Doña Beatriz Davila y Ahumada, who died when the saint was in her fourteenth year, Teresa was brought up by her saintly father, a lover of serious books, and a tender and pious mother. After her death and the marriage of her eldest sister, Teresa was sent for her education to the Augustinian nuns at Avila, but owing to illness she left at the end of eighteen months, and for some years remained with her father and occasionally with other relatives, notably an uncle who made her acquainted with the Letters of St. Jerome, which determined her to adopt the religious life, not so much through any attraction towards it, as through a desire of choosing the safest course. Unable to obtain her father's consent she left his house unknown to him on Nov., 1535, to enter the Carmelite Convent of the Incarnation at Avila, which then counted 140 nuns. The wrench from her family caused her a pain which she ever afterwards compared to that of death. However, her father at once yielded and Teresa took the habit. After her profession in the following year she became very seriously ill, and underwent a prolonged cure and such unskillful medical treatment that she was reduced to a most pitiful state, and even after partial recovery through the intercession of St. Joseph, her health remained permanently impaired. During these years of suffering she began the practice of mental prayer, but fearing that her conversations with some world-minded relatives, frequent visitors at the convent, rendered her unworthy of the graces God bestowed on her in prayer, discontinued it, until she came under the influence, first of the Dominicans, and afterwards of the Jesuits. Meanwhile God had begun to visit her with "intellectual visions and locutions", that is manifestations in which the exterior senses were in no way affected, the things seen and the words heard being directly impressed upon her mind, and giving her wonderful strength in trials, reprimanding her for unfaithfulness, and consoling her in trouble. Unable to reconcile such graces with her shortcomings, which her delicate conscience represented as grievous faults, she had recourse not only to the most spiritual confessors she could find, but also to some saintly laymen, who, never suspecting that the account she gave them of her sins was greatly exaggerated, believed these manifestations to be the work of the evil spirit. The more she endeavoured to resist them the more powerfully did God work in her soul. The whole city of Avila was troubled by the reports of the visions of this nun. It was reserved to St. Francis Borgia and St. Peter of Alcantara, and afterwards to a number of Dominicans (particularly Pedro Ibañez and Domingo Bañez), Jesuits, and other religious and secular priests, to discern the work of God and to guide her on a safe road. The account of her spiritual life contained in the "Life written by herself" (completed in 1565, an earlier version being lost), in the "Relations", and in the "Interior Castle", forms one of the most remarkable spiritual biographies with which only the "Confessions of St. Augustine" can bear comparison. To this period belong also such extraordinary manifestations as the piercing or transverberation of her heart, the spiritual espousals, and the mystical marriage. A vision of the place destined for her in hell in case she should have been unfaithful to grace, determined her to seek a more perfect life. After many troubles and much opposition St. Teresa founded the convent of Discalced Carmelite Nuns of the Primitive Rule of St. Joseph at Avila (24 Aug., 1562), and after six months obtained permission to take up her residence there. Four years later she received the visit of the General of the Carmelites, John-Baptist Rubeo (Rossi), who not only approved of what she had done but granted leave for the foundation of other convents of friars as well as nuns. In rapid succession she established her nuns at Medina del Campo (1567), Malagon and Valladolid (1568), Toledo and Pastrana (1569), Salamanca (1570), Alba de Tormes (1571), Segovia (1574), Veas and Seville (1575), and Caravaca (1576). In the "Book of Foundations" she tells the story of these convents, nearly all of which were established in spite of violent opposition but with manifest assistance from above. Everywhere she found souls generous enough to embrace the austerities of the primitive rule of Carmel. Having made the acquaintance of Antonio de Heredia, prior of Medina, and St. John of the Cross, she established her reform among the friars (28 Nov., 1568), the first convents being those of Duruelo (1568), Pastrana (1569), Mancera, and Alcalá de Henares (1570). A new epoch began with the entrance into religion of Jerome Gratian, inasmuch as this remarkable man was almost immediately entrusted by the nuncio with the authority of visitor Apostolic of the Carmelite friars and nuns of the old observance in Andalusia, and as such considered himself entitled to overrule the various restrictions insisted upon by the general and the general chapter. On the death of the nuncio and the arrival of his successor a fearful storm burst over St. Teresa and her work, lasting four years and threatening to annihilate the nascent reform. The incidents of this persecution are best described in her letters. The storm at length passed, and the province of Discalced Carmelites, with the support of Philip II, was approved and canonically established on 22 June, 1580. St. Teresa, old and broken in health, made further foundations at Villanuava de la Jara and Palencia (1580), Soria (1581), Granada (through her assistant the Venerable Anne of Jesus), and at Burgos (1582). She left this latter place at the end of July, and, stopping at Palencia, Valladolid, and Medina del Campo, reached Alba de Torres in September, suffering intensely. Soon she took to her bed and passed away on 4 Oct., 1582, the following day, owing to the reform of the calendar, being reckoned as 15 October. After some years her body was transferred to Avila, but later on reconveyed to Alba, where it is still preserved incorrupt. Her heart, too, showing the marks of the Transverberation, is exposed there to the veneration of the faithful. She was beatified in 1614, and canonized in 1622 by Gregory XV, the feast being fixed on 15 October. St. Teresa's position among writers on mystical theology is unique. In all her writings on this subject she deals with her personal experiences, which a deep insight and analytical gifts enabled her to explain clearly. The Thomistic substratum may be traced to the influence of her confessors and directors, many of whom belonged to the Dominican Order. She herself had no pretension to found a school in the accepted sense of the term, and there is no vestige in her writings of any influence of the Areopagite, the Patristic, or the Scholastic Mystical schools, as represented among others, by the German Dominican Mystics. She is intensely personal, her system going exactly as far as her experiences, but not a step further. A word must be added on the orthography of her name. It has of late become the fashion to write her name Teresa or Teresia, without "h", not only in Spanish and Italian, where the "h" could have no place, but also in French, German, and Latin, which ought to preserve the etymological spelling. As it is derived from a Greek name, Tharasia, the saintly wife of St. Paulinus of Nola, it should be written Theresia in German and Latin, and Thérèse in French.
Taken from:
Photo Credit: Marjorie Cox
The Sacrament of Baptism
The Baptism of the Lord
(1st Luminous Mystery of the Holy Rosary)
St. John Bosco
What do dreams have to with prayer? Aren't they just random images of our mind?
In 1867 Pope Pius IX was upset with John Bosco because he wouldn't take his dreams seriously enough. Nine years earlier when Pope Pius IX met with the future saint who worked with neglected boys, he learned of the dreams that John had been having since the age of nine, dreams that had revealed God's will for John's life. So Pius IX had made a request, "Write down these dreams and everything else you have told me, minutely and in their natural sense." Pius IX saw John's dreams as a legacy for those John worked with and as an inspiration for those he ministered to.
Despite Scripture evidence and Church tradition respecting dreams, John had encountered skepticism when he had his first dream at the age of nine. The young Bosco dreamed that he was in a field with a crowd of children. The children started cursing and misbehaving. John jumped into the crowd to try to stop them -- by fighting and shouting. Suddenly a man with a face filled with light appeared dressed in a white flowing mantle. The man called John over and made him leader of the boys. John was stunned at being put in charge of these unruly gang. The man said, "You will have to win these friends of yours not with blows but with gentleness and kindness." As adults, most of us would be reluctant to take on such a mission -- and nine year old John was even less pleased. "I'm just a boy," he argued, "how can you order me to do something that looks impossible." The man answered, "What seems so impossible you must achieve by being obedient and acquiring knowledge." Thenthe boys turned into the wild animals they had been acting like. The man told John that this is the field of John's life work. Once John changed and grew in humility, faithfulness, and strength, he would see a change in the children -- a change that the man now demonstrated. The wild animals suddenly turned into gentle lambs.
When John told his family about his dream, his brothers just laughed at him. Everyone had a different interpretation of what it meant: he would become a shepherd, a priest, a gang leader. His own grandmother echoed the sage advice we have heard through the years, "You mustn't pay any attention to dreams." John said, "I felt the same way about it, yet I could never get that dream out of my head."
Eventually that first dream led him to minister to poor and neglected boys, to use the love and guidance that seemed so impossible at age nine to lead them to faithful and fulfilled lives. He started out by learning how to juggle and do tricks to catch the attention of the children. Once he had their attention he would teach them and take them to Mass. It wasn't always easy -- few people wanted a crowd of loud, bedraggled boys hanging around. And he had so little money and help that people thought he was crazy. Priests who promised to help would get frustrated and leave.
Two "friends" even tried to commit him to an institution for the mentally ill. They brought a carriage and were planning to trick him into coming with him. But instead of getting in, John said, "After you" and politely let them go ahead. When his friends were in the carriage he slammed the door and told the drive to take off as fast as he could go!
Through it all he found encouragement and support through his dreams. In one dream, Mary led him into a beautiful garden. There were roses everywhere, crowding the ground with their blooms and the air with their scent. He was told to take off his shoes and walk along a path through a rose arbor. Before he had walked more than a few steps, his naked feet were cut and bleeding from the thorns. When he said he would have to wear shoes or turn back, Mary told him to put on sturdy shoes. As he stepped forward a second time, he was followed by helpers. But the walls of the arbor closed on him, the roof sank lower and the roses crept onto the path. Thorns caught at him from all around. When he pushed them aside he only got more cuts, until he was tangled in thorns. Yet those who watched said, "How lucky Don John is! His path is forever strewn with roses! He hasn't a worry in the world. No troubles at all!" Many of the helpers, who had been expecting an easy journey, turned back, but some stayed with him. Finally he climbed through the roses and thorns to find another incredible garden. A cool breeze soothed his torn skin and healed his wounds.
In his interpretation, the path was his mission, the roses were his charity to the boys, and the thorns were the distractions, the obstacles, and frustrations that would stand in his way. The message of the dream was clear to John: he must keep going, not lose faith in God or his mission, and he would come through to the place he belonged.
Often John acted on his dreams simply by sharing them, sometimes repeating them to several different individuals or groups he thought would be affected by the dream. "Let me tell you about a dream that has absorbed my mind," he would say.
The groups he most often shared with were the boys he helped -- because so many of the dreams involved them. For example, he used several dreams to remind the boys to keep to a good and moral life. In one dream he saw the boys eating bread of four kinds -- tasty rolls, ordinary bread, coarse bread, and moldy bread, which represented the state of the boys' souls. He said he would be glad to talk to any boys who wanted to know which bread they were eating and then proceeded to use the occasion to give them moral guidance.
He died in 1888, at the age of seventy-two. His work lives on in the Salesian order he founded.
In His Footsteps:
John Bosco found God's message in his dreams. If you have some question or problem in your life, ask God to send you an answer or help in a dream. Then write down your dreams. Ask God to help you remember and interpret the dreams that come from God.
Saint John Bosco, you reached out to children whom no one cared for despite ridicule and insults. Help us to care less about the laughter of the world and care more about the joy of the Lord. Amen
Copyright 1996-2000 by Terry Matz. All Rights Reserved.
St. Dominic Savio
St. Dominic Savio was born in Italy in 1842. One day when he was just four, he disappeared and his good mother went looking for him. She found the little fellow in a corner praying with his hands joined and his head bowed. He already knew all his prayers by heart! At five, he was an altar boy. When he was seven, he received his First Holy Communion. On that solemn day, he chose a motto: "Death, but not sin!" and he kept it always.
"A teenager such as Dominic, who bravely struggled to keep his innocence from Baptism to the end of his life, is really a saint," said Pope St. Pius X.
Yes, Dominic was an ordinary boy with an extraordinary love for God.
At the age of twelve, Dominic entered the school run by St. John Bosco. Don Bosco examined him first and at the end of the questions, Dominic asked,
"What do you think of me?"
"I think you're good material," answered the priest, with a big smile.
"Well, then," said Dominic, "You are a good tailor, so if the material is good, take me and make a new suit out of me for Our Lord!"
Everyone in the school saw from the way he prayed that this boy was different. He greatly loved all the boys, and even though he was younger, he used to worry about them. He was afraid that they would lose the grace of God by sinning.
One day, a fellow brought a magazine full of bad pictures to school. In a minute, a group of boys had gathered around him to see it.
"What's up?" wondered Dominic, and he, too, went to look. Just one peek was enough for him. He grabbed the magazine and tore it to pieces! "Poor us!" he cried in the meantime, "Did God give us eyes to look at such things as this? Aren't you ashamed?"
"Oh, we were just looking at these pictures for the fun of it," said one boy.
"Sure, for fun," answered Dominic, "and in the meantime you're preparing yourselves to go to hell!"
"Oh, what's so wrong about looking at these pictures anyway?" another fellow demanded.
Dominic had a ready answer. "If you don't see anything wrong," he said sadly, "this is even worse." It means you're used to looking at shameful things!"
No one said anything after that. They all realized that Dominic was right. Another time he stopped a terrific stone-throwing fight between two angry boys. Holding up a little crucifix between them, he said, "Before you fight, look at this and say, 'Jesus Christ was innocent and He died forgiving His murderers. I am a sinner, and I am going to hurt Him by not forgiving my enemies.' Then you can start - and throw your first stone at me!"
The two boys were so ashamed of themselves that they apologized, and promised to go to confession too.
One day Dominic began to feel sick and was sent home to get better. While at home he grew worse, instead, and received the last Sacraments. He was only fifteen then, but he did not fear death. In fact, he was overjoyed at the thought of going to Heaven. Just before he died, he tried to sit up.
"Goodbye," he murmured to his good father. Suddenly his face lit up with a smile of great joy and happiness. "I am seeing such wonderful things!" he exclaimed. Then he spoke no more, for he had gone to Heaven.
Dominic is the patron saint of choir boys and of the falsely accused.
This latter title was given to him due to the following incident. One time, two boys filled the school stove with snow and garbage during the cold winter months. When the teacher came back into the room, they falsely accused Dominic of doing the "dirty" deed. Although disciplined in front of the entire class, Dominic refused to tell on the two mischievous boys. When the truth was later revealed, Dominic was asked why he didn't confess to his innocence. He remarked that he was imitating Our Lord, Who remained silent during His persecutions and crucifixion.
His feast day is March 9th.
St. Christopher
Before the 1969 reform of the Roman calendar, Christopher was listed as a martyr who died under Decius. Nothing else is known about him. There are several legends about him including the one in which he was crossing a river when a child asked to be carried across. When Christopher put the child on his shoulders he found the child was unbelievably heavy. The child, according to the legend, was Christ carrying the weight of the whole world. This was what made Christopher patron saint of travelers and is invoked against storms, plagues, etc.. His former feast day is July 25.
Before the formal canonization process began in the fifteenth century, many saints were proclaimed by popular approval. This was a much faster process but unfortunately many of the saints so named were based on legends, pagan mythology, or even other religions -- for example, the story of the Buddha traveled west to Europe and he was "converted" into a Catholic saint! In 1969, the Church took a long look at all the saints on its calendar to see if there was historical evidence that that saint existed and lived a life of holiness. In taking that long look, the Church discovered that there was little proof that many "saints", including some very popular ones, ever lived. Christopher was one of the names that was determined to have a basis mostly in legend. Therefore Christopher (and others) were dropped from the universal calendar.
Some saints were considered so legendary that their cult was completely repressed (including St. Ursula). Christopher's cult was not suppressed but it is confined to local calendars (those for a diocese, country, or so forth). His name Christopher, means Christ-bearer. He died a martyr during the reign of Decius in the third century.
Copyright 1996-2000 Terry Matz. All Rights Reserved.
St. Kateri Tekakwitha
Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, Virgin, was canonized on 10/21/2012 by Pope Benedict XVI.
Kateri was born near the town of Auriesville, New York, in the year 1656, the daughter of a Mohawk warrior. She was four years old when her mother died of smallpox. The disease also attacked Kateri and transfigured her face. She was adopted by her two aunts and an uncle. Kateri became converted as a teenager. She was baptized at the age of twenty and incurred the great hostility of her tribe. Although she had to suffer greatly for her Faith, she remained firm in it. Kateri went to the new Christian colony of Indians in Canada. Here she lived a life dedicated to prayer, penitential practices, and care for the sick and aged. Every morning, even in bitterest winter, she stood before the chapel door until it opened at four and remained there until after the last Mass. She was devoted to the Eucharist and to Jesus Crucified. She died on April 17, 1680 at the age of twenty-four. She is known as the "Lily of the Mohawks". Devotion to Kateri is responsible for establishing Native American ministries in Catholic Churches all over the United States and Canada. Kateri was declared venerable by the Catholic Church in 1943 and she was Beatified in 1980. Hundreds of thousands have visited shrines to Kateri erected at both St. Francis Xavier and Caughnawaga and at her birth place at Auriesville, New York. Pilgrimages at these sites continue today.
St. Kateri Teckakwitha is the first Native American to be declared a Saint. Her feast day is July 14. She is the patroness of the environment and ecology as is St. Francis of Assisi.
St. Pius X
On June 2, 1835, Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto saw the light of earth at Riesi, Province of Treviso, in Venice; on August 20, 1914, he saw the light of heaven; and on May 29, 1954, he who had become the two hundred fifty-ninth pope was canonized St. Pius X.
Two of the most outstanding accomplishments of this saintly Pope were the inauguration of the liturgical renewal and the restoration of frequent communion from childhood. He also waged an unwavering war against the heresy and evils of Modernism, gave great impetus to biblical studies, and brought about the codification of Canon Law. His overriding concern was to renew all things in Christ.
Above all, his holiness shone forth conspicuously. From St. Pius X we learn again that "the folly of the Cross", simplicity of life, and humility of heart are still the highest wisdom and the indispensable conditions of a perfect Christian life, for they are the very source of all apostolic fruitfulness.
His last will and testament bears the striking sentence: "I was born poor, I have lived in poverty, and I wish to die poor." His feast day is August 21.
St. Cecilia
In the fourth century appeared a Greek religious romance on the Loves of Cecilia and Valerian, written, like those of Chrysanthus and Daria, Julian and Basilissa, in glorification of the virginal life, and with the purpose of taking the place of the sensual romances of Daphnis and Chloe, Chereas and Callirhoe, etc., which were then popular. There may have been a foundation of fact on which the story was built up; but the Roman Calendar of the fourth century, and the Carthaginian Calendar of the fifth make no mention of Cecilia.
It is said, however, that there was a church dedicated to S. Cecilia in Rome in the fifth century, in which Pope Symmachus held a council in 500. But Symmachus held no council in that year. That held at Easter, 502, was in the "basilica Julii"; that on September 1, 505, was held in the "basilica Sessoriana"; that on October 23, 501, was in "porticu beati Petri apostoli que appelatur Palmaria." The next synod, November 6, 502, met in the church of St. Peter; that in 533, "ante confessionem beati Petri"; and that in 503 also in the basilica of S. Peter. Consequently, till better evidence is produced, we must conclude that S. Cecilia was not known or venerated in Rome till about the time when Pope Gelasius (496) introduced her name into his Sacramentary. In 821, however, there was an old church fallen into decay with the dedication to S. Cecilia; but Pope Paschal I dreamed that the body of the saint lay in the cemetery of S. Celestas, along with that of her husband Valerian. He accordingly looked for them and found them, or, at all events, some bodies, as was probable, in the catacombs, which he was pleased to regard as those of Cecilia nd Valerian. And he translated these relics to the church of S. Cecilia, and founded a monastery in their honor.
The story of S. Cecilia is not without beauty and merit. There was in the city of Rome a virgin named Cecilia, who was given in marriage to a youth named Valerian. She wore sackcloth next to her skin, and fasted, and invoked the saints and angels and virgins, beseeching them to guard her virginity. And she said to her husband, "I will tell you a secret if you will swear not to reveal it to anyone." And when he swore, she added, "There is an angel who watches me, and wards off from me any who would touch me." He said, "Dearest, if this be true, show me the angel." "That can only be if you will believe in one God, and be baptized."
She sent him to Pope S. Urban (223-230), who baptized him; and when he returned, he saw Cecilia praying in her chamber, and an angel by her with flaming wings, holding two crowns of roses and lilies, which he placed on their heads, and then vanished. Shortly after, Tibertius, the brother of Valerian, entered, and wondered at the fragrance and beauty of the flowers at that season of the year.
When he heard the story of how they had obtained these crowns, he also consented to be baptized. After their baptism the two brothers devoted themselves to burying the martyrs slain daily by the prefect of the city, Turcius Almachius. [There was no prefect of that name.] They were arrested and brought before the prefect, and when they refused to sacrifice to the gods were executed with the sword.
In the meantime, S. Cecilia, by preaching had converted four hundred persons, whom Pope Urban forthwith baptized. Then Cecilia was arrested, and condemned to be suffocated in the baths. She was shut in for a night and a day, and the fires were heaped up, and made to glow and roar their utmost, but Cecilia did not even break out into perspiration through the heat. When Almachius heard this he sent an executioner to cut off her head in the bath. The man struck thrice without being able to sever the head from the trunk. He left her bleeding, and she lived three days. Crowds came to her, and collected her blood with napkins and sponges, whilst she preached to them or prayed. At the end of that period she died, and was buried by Pope Urban and his deacons.
Alexander Severus, who was emperor when Urban was Pope, did not persecute the Church, though it is possible some Christians may have suffered in his reign. Herodian says that no person was condemned during the reign of Alexander, except according to the usual course of the law and by judges of the strictest integrity. A few Christians may have suffered, but there can have been no furious persecutions, such as is described in the Acts as waged by the apocryphal prefect, Turcius Almachius.
Urbanus was the prefect of the city, and Ulpian, who had much influence at the beginning of Alexander's reign as principal secretary of the emperor and commander of the Pretorian Guards, is thought to have encouraged persecution. Usuardus makes Cecilia suffer under Commodus. Molanus transfers the martyrdom to the reign of Marcus Aurelius. But it is idle to expect to extract history from romance.
In 1599 Cardinal Paul Emilius Sfondrati, nephew of Pope Gregory XIV, rebuilt the church of S. Cecilia.
St. Cecilia is regarded as the patroness of music [because of the story that she heard heavenly music in her heart when she was married], and is represented in art with an organ or organ-pipes in her hand.
From The Lives of the Saints by the Rev. S. Baring-Gould, M.A., published in 1914 in Edinburgh.
King David
In the Bible the name David is borne only by the second king of Israel, the great-grandson of Boaz and Ruth ( Ruth 4:18 sqq. ). He was the youngest of the eight sons of Isai, or Jesse ( 1 Samuel 16:8 ; cf. 1 Chronicles 2:13 ), a small proprietor, of the tribe of Juda, dwelling at Bethlehem, where David was born. Our knowledge of David's life and character is derived exclusively from the pages of Sacred Scripture , viz., 1 Samuel 16 ; 1 Kings 2 ; 1 Chronicles 2, 3, 10-29 ; Ruth 4:18-22 , and the titles of many Psalms. According to the usual chronology, David was born in 1085 and reigned from 1055 to 1015 B.C. Recent writers have been induced by the Assyrian inscriptions to date his reign from 30 to 50 years later. Within the limits imposed it is impossible to give more than a bare outline of the events of his life and a brief estimate of his character and his significance in the history of the chosen people, as king, psalmist, prophet, and type of the Messias. Read more…
St. John the Evangelist
Saint John the Divine as the son of Zebedee, and his mother's name was Salome [Matthew 4:21, 27:56; Mark 15:40, 16:1]. They lived on the shores of the sea of Galilee. The brother of Saint John, probably considerably older, was Saint James. The mention of the "hired men" [Mark 1:20], and of Saint John's "home" [John 19:27], implies that the condition of Salome and her children was not one of great poverty.
SS. John and James followed the Baptist when he preached repentance in the wilderness of Jordan. There can be little doubt that the two disciples, whom Saint John does not name (John 1:35), who looked on Jesus "as he walked," when the Baptist exclaimed with prophetic perception, "Behold the Lamb of God!" were Andrew and John. They followed and asked the Lord where he dwelt. He bade them come and see, and they stayed with him all day. Of the subject of conversation that took place in this interview no record has come to us, but it was probably the starting-point of the entire devotion of heart and soul which lasted through the life of the Beloved Apostle.
John apparently followed his new Master to Galilee, and was with him at the marriage feast of Cana, journeyed with him to Capernaum, and thenceforth never left him, save when sent on the missionary expedition with another, invested with the power of healing. He, James, and Peter, came within the innermost circle of their Lord's friends, and these three were suffered to remain with Christ when all the rest of the apostles were kept at a distance [Mark 5:37, Matthew 17:1, 26:37]. Peter, James, and John were with Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane. The mother of James and John, knowing our Lord's love for the brethren, made special request for them, that they might sit, one on his right hand, the other on his left, in his kingdom [Matthew 20:21]. There must have been much impetuosity in the character of the brothers, for they obtained the nickname of Boanerges, Sons of Thunder [Mark 3:17, see also Luke 9:54]. It is not necessary to dwell on the familiar history of the Last Supper and the Passion. To John was committed by our Lord the highest of privileges, the care of his mother [John 19:27]. John [the "disciple whom Jesus loved"] and Peter were the first to receive the news from the Magdalene of the Resurrection [John 20:2], and they hastened at once to the sepulchre, and there when Peter was restrained by awe, John impetuously "reached the tomb first."
In the interval between the Resurrection and the Ascension, John and Peter were together on the Sea of Galilee [John 21:1], having returned to their old calling, and old familiar haunts.
When Christ appeared on the shore in the dusk of morning, John was the first to recognize him. The last words of the Gospel reveal the attachment which existed between the two apostles. It was not enough for Peter to know his own fate, he must learn also something of the future that awaited his friend. The Acts show us them still united, entering together as worshippers into the Temple [Acts 3:1], and protesting together against the threats of the Sanhedrin [Acts 4:13]. They were fellow-workers together in the first step of Church expansion. The apostle whose wrath had been kindled at the unbelief of the Samaritans, was the first to receive these Samaritans as brethren [Luke 9:54, Acts 8:14].
He probably remained at Jerusalem until the death of the Virgin, though tradition of no great antiquity or weight asserts that he took her to Ephesus. When he went to Ephesus is uncertain. He was at Jerusalem fifteen years after Saint Paul's first visit there [Acts 15:6]. There is no trace of his presence there when Saint Paul was at Jerusalem for the last time.
Tradition, more or less trustworthy, completes the history. Irenaeus says that Saint John did not settle at Ephesus until after the death SS. Peter and Paul, and this is probable. He certainly as not there when Saint Timothy was appointed bishop of that place. Saint Jerome says that he supervised and governed all the Churches of Asia. He probably took up his abode finally in Ephesus in 97. In the persecution of Domitian he was taken to Rome, and was placed in a cauldron of boiling oil, outside the Latin gate, without the boiling fluid doing him any injury. [Eusebius makes no mention of this. The legend of the boiling oil occurs in Tertullian and in Saint Jerome]. He was sent to labor at the mines in Patmos. At the accession of Nerva he was set free, and returned to Ephesus, and there it is thought that he wrote his gospel. Of his zeal and love combined we have examples in Eusebius, who tells, on the authority of Irenaeus, that Saint John once fled out of a bath on hearing that Cerinthus was in it, lest, as he asserted, the roof should fall in, and crush the heretic. On the other hand, he showed the love that was in him. He commended a young man in whom he was interested to a bishop, and bade him keep his trust well. Some years after he learned that the young man had become a robber. Saint John, though very old, pursued him among the mountain fastnesses, and by his tenderness recovered him.
In his old age, when unable to do more, he was carried into the assembly of the Church at Ephesus, and his sole exhortation was, "Little children, love one another."
The date of his death cannot be fixed with anything like precision, but it is certain that he lived to a very advanced age. He is represented holding a chalice from which issues a dragon, as he is supposed to have been given poison, which was, however, innocuous. Also his symbol is an eagle.
From The Lives of the Saints by the Rev. S. Baring-Gould, M.A., published in 1914 in Edinburgh.
St. James the Greater
For James there was no indication that this was the day that his life would change. The dawn for him was not the bright beginning of a new day, but the end of long fruitless night of fishing. As James sat mending his nets in the boat with his brother John and his father Zebedee, he must have watched in wonder as his partner Simon brought in nets loaded with fish he had caught at the command of Jesus. Was he shocked when he saw Simon and his brother Andrew walk away from this incredible catch at a word from this same Jesus?
As he watched Jesus walk toward him followed by Simon and Andrew, did he feel curiosity, fear, hope, envy? Jesus didn't pass him by but, stopping by their boat, called James and his brother John to do just what Simon and Andrew had done. Without argument or discussion, James and John left their boat and even their father behind, and followed Jesus.
The first thing James saw after he followed Jesus was his teaching with authority in the synagogue and the cure of Simon's mother-in-law.
We all know that Jesus was the focus of James' life from then on, but it is also evident that James held a special place in Jesus' life.
He was chosen by Jesus to be one of the twelve apostles, given the mission to proclaim the good news, and authority to heal and cast out demons. To be named one of the twelve James must have had faith and commitment.
But even among the apostles he held a special place. When Jesus raised Jairus' daughter when all thought her dead, he only allowed James, John, and Peter to come with him. Even more important when he went up to the mountain to pray, he wanted James, John, and Peter to go with him. And it was there on the mountain they were privileged to witness what no one else had seen -- Jesus transfigured in his glory, speaking to Moses and Elijah, as the voice of God spoke from a cloud.
And with Simon Peter, James and John were the only ones of the apostles that Jesus gave a special name: Sons of Thunder.
To be singled out in these ways, James must have been a close and respected friend of Jesus.
It's no wonder then that James, along with John, felt that he had the right to go to Jesus and ask him to give them whatever they asked. As a mark of his love, Jesus didn't rebuke them but asked them what they wanted. They showed their lack of understanding of his mission when they asked that he let one of them sit on his right and the other on his left when he came into his glory. He replied that they didn't know what they were asking. They didn't see the cross in his future, but an earthly throne. Could they drink of the cup he would drink of? They replied that they could. He assured them they would indeed drink of that cup.
(Matthew has their mother asking for this favor for her sons. Despite the bad reputation their mother got for this, it should be remembered that she too had followed Jesus in his travels, providing for him, and was one of the women who stayed with Jesus as he was crucified when the apostles, including her son James, had fled.)
The other apostles were furious at this request. But Jesus used this opportunity to teach all of them that in order to be great one must be a servant.
James and John did show further lack of understanding of their friend and Lord when he was turned away by Samaritans. They wanted to use their newfound authority as apostles not to heal but to bring fire down on the town. (Perhaps Jesus gave them their Sons of Thunder nickname because of their passion, their own fire, or their temper.) Jesus did reprimand them for their unforgiving, vengeful view of their power.
But despite all these misunderstandings, it was still James, Peter, and John that Jesus chose to join him in prayer at the Garden of Gethsemane for his final prayer before his arrest. It must have hurt Jesus that the three of them fell asleep on this agonizing evening.
James did drink of the cup Jesus drank of, all too shortly after the Resurrection. Acts 12:1 tells us that James was one of the first martyrs of the Church. King Herod Agrippa I killed him with a sword in an early persecution of the Church. There is a story that the man who arrested James became a convert after hearing James speak at his trial and was executed with him.
James is called James the Greater because another younger apostle was named James. He should not be accused with this James, or the James who is a relative of Jesus, or the James who was an elder of the Church in Jerusalem and heard Peter's defense of baptizing Gentiles. James, son of Thunder, was dead by then.
Legends have sprung up that James evangelized Spain before he died but these stories have no basis in historical fact.
James is the patron saint of hatmakers, rheumatoid sufferers, and laborers.
In His Footsteps
St. William of Rochester
St. William of Rochester whose feast day is May 23rd is the patron saint of adopted children. William was a well-to-do burgher at Perth, Scotland. He went on pilgrimage to Jerusalem with his adopted son David who murdered him near Rochester, England. When a mentally deranged woman found his body and cared for it, she was miraculously cured of her mental problems. Reportedly miracles occurred at his grave, and it is said that he was canonized by Pope Alexander IV in 1256, though there is no record of such a canonization. There is a shrine dedicated to William at Rochester Cathedral.


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If it's not visible, it's not a problem, right? Non-visible flicker is a common byproduct of LED circuit designs, and it can be hazardous to health, safety, and work performance.
Lighting manufacturers should be aware of some upcoming standards changes—including from the DLC—that could impact their ability to sell products with flicker in the near future.

subset: commoncrawl


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Written on:
27 July, 2017
Is Lysol Toxic to Humans?
Skip To:
Lysol refers to a brand of disinfectant that kills bacteria, mycobacteria and viruses. People use Lysol to disinfect homes, hospitals and other locations. Lysol is toxic to humans if used incorrectly.
If a person ingests Lysol, give the victim a glass of water and seek immediate medical attention. Ingesting Lysol may cause nausea, vomiting, circulatory failure, respiratory failure, central nervous system depression, liver dysfunction and kidney dysfunction.
Skin Contact
If you get Lysol on your skin, wash it off with soap and water. Remove any clothing that soaked with Lysol. See a doctor if irritation persists after washing your skin.
Eye Contact
If eye contact occurs, flush eyes with water for at least 15 minutes. Remove contact lenses, if necessary. See a doctor if irritation continues after flushing with water.
Aerosol forms of Lysol are flammable. Do not expose aerosol forms of Lysol to heat and flame. Never puncture aerosol cans.


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Yesterday I e-mailed the Apple Store to find out what had delayed the dispatch of my PowerBook for so long, as this Friday marks the one-month anniversary of the order placement. Although I've had no e-mail response from them, it would seem as if they've responded by marking my order as "Shipped" as of today.
Remains to be seen whether I get my PowerBook by the end of the week, but I'm hyped regardless.


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There are 2 separate walks to be enjoyed at Basted Mills Public Open Space. Both walks are on the higher levels of the site and both require using the steps. These steps are very unevenly spaced which has been necessary to avoid the tree roots. Negotiating these steps can be a very slippery during the winter and wet weather. This has proved to be a particularly difficult problem trying to provide access and maintaining the natural beauty of the area.
The first walk can be started at the steps leading down from the picnic area or from the stone steps that lead up from behind the new houses. (Take the public footpath that leads between the houses and look for the steps on the lefthand side). This walk takes you along the stream across the stream and back along the lake. Walking through the woods in spring is a delight among the bluebells, wood anemones and orchids.
The second walk starts on the otherside of the lane from the picnic area opposite the public footpath which comes from Borough Green. Steps lead up to the upper meadow (cricket pitch). The footpath traces the top of the hill and onto a gate that leads on Mill Lane. Walking down Mill Lane provides a high view overlooking the lake. The trees on the slope are coppiced to maintain views of the lake.
Throughout the woodlands there is still evidence of the devestation that the 1987 hurricane caused, Large trees that were uprooted have been left to form part of the wildlife habitat. Other trees which have died have also been left to provide wildlife habitats.


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At A Glance
Size: Small
Weight: 3 - 7 lbs.
Height: 8" - 11"
Life Span: 12 - 16 years
Also know as: No Nicknames.
Group: Toy
Origin: Germany
Today's Role: Companion Dog
History and Facts: The Pomeranian is thought to be a descendant of the large German Spitz. Even though it is a small dog, the Pomeranian believes it is just as big as other dogs. The Pomeranian gained popularity after Queen Victoria brought one home from England.
Temperament / Behavior
Pomeranians are spunky dogs that tend to perform well in obedience classes. If not well-trained and socialized early, Pomeranians may be unfriendly to strangers, other dogs, and family members. This dog will bark to guard its property. This breed adapts well to apartment living and is well-suited for adult households.
Breed-Related Health Concerns
Undescended testicles; patellar luxation; tracheal collapse; patent ductus arteriosus; progressive retinal atrophy; hypoglycemia; tooth and gum disease. Be sure to obtain your Pomeranian from a reputable dealer.
Special Needs
Exercise: The Pomeranian needs little exercise.
Grooming: Pomeranians needs brushed several times per week, as well as trimmed about every 12 weeks.


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Experienced motorcyclists know that safety is a major concern every time they hit the road. No matter how cautious a motorcyclist is, an accident can happen with little to no warning. When they do, riders are often left receiving the full impact of the collision. Motorcycles do not have the protections offered by other motor vehicles; as a result, almost any motorcycle accident can have serious consequences.
While there are several ways to improve motorcycle safety, helmets often receive the most attention. Several states have laws that mandate helmet use, but Texas is not one of them. Motorcyclists 20 and under are required to wear helmets within the state, but that ends once a person turns 21.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, helmets reduce the amount of motorcycle deaths by 37 percent. However, not every helmet is created equal. Certain helmets do not meet the specific criteria set by the U.S. Department of Transportation, and therefore may not offer protection in a crash. Some manufacturers may even place a DoT sticker on the helmet even though it has not been inspected.
New technology is constantly being developed that will make helmets better suited for motorcyclists. Many riders feel that a helmet restricts their field of vision, making it difficult to see what is happening on their sides. New helmets offer a wider eye-port, which will allow a motorcyclist to see more without having to take his or her eyes off the road.
Perhaps more importantly, the new technology is focusing on a way to reduce serious head injuries. Helmets are being developed that do a better job of absorbing the impact of crashes. Finding a way to reduce the force of the accident can go a long way toward reducing the number of traumatic brain injuries that often result in motorcycle crashes.
Source: TechNewsWorld, "Keeping a Lid on It: New Motorcycle Helmet Technologies" Vivian Wagner, March 13, 2012.


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Nostalgia & History > Burlington Northern Collision/Derailment at Oregon, Illinois
Date: 02/13/18 09:10
Burlington Northern Collision/Derailment at Oregon, Illinois
Author: GBW309
Unfortunately, derailments happen for what ever reason. I don't recall the exact details or date of this derailment/collision but it was probably October of 1990 at Oregon, Illinois (slide stamped Nov, 1990). I believe that an eastbound train had overrun the east siding switch and crept out onto the main when a westbound came around the corner and struck him head on. If Pat sees this (quakerengineer), he may recall some more details. I wasn't able to find any details by google search.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/13/18 09:11 by GBW309.
Date: 02/13/18 09:51
Re: Burlington Northern Collision/Derailment at Oregon, Illinois
Author: Quakerengr
Okay here you go. The ewd trains engine heaters stopped working near Genoa, Wi. abt MP 280. Crew decides to operate train from second unit.
That unit was facing cab west. They were on one of the ewd Expediter type intermodal trains that BN started operating mid 80's, conductor only.
The engr had recently bid onto the road from yard at Cicero, Il, never worked road trains before. The conductor was a very old head and would have been sitting on the side of engine where the signals are placed, thus he would have to relay signals to engr in hard to see spots, which if operating from second motor would be a lot..
Siding at Oregon, MP 99, was short, do not think a mile long at this time. The ewd approach signal to the siding at this time was one of those where your window to see signal was short. ( BN did extend the siding and now is close to 11,000. ft long). For whatever reason the crew did not see the "Approach signal, aka yellow ". This signal is at the apex of the hill, looking at my charts is 0.79 for ewd trains and for wwd's 0.47. The vision on the west siding signal also was short, thus coming off this hill always required maximum dynamic brakes and usually some air as at the site of this collision is a 45 mph restriction over the Rock River bridge.
Thus they did not stop at the east siding switch which was displaying a STOP indication, and ran into the wwd train pulling into the siding. I have worked with the conductor on that wwd train and he retells the story. They were pulling their wwd Expediter train into the siding at 10 mph maybe had 25 or 30 cars of their train inside. As the ewd roared by he and engr said to each other they are going, what we call "HOT", towards the east end of siding. Next thing they are in emergency and an explosion as the engines and cars tore out the gas lines that are connected to the switch machines for clearing da snow. After they stopped they ran back and like a scene from a horror movie, the crew members are walking out of the smoke and dust looking like zombies. Fortunately no one was injured, physically. As is the case, the BN held an investigation to ascertain the facts and determine their responsibility, if any, in connection with the alleged incident that happenned on this day. The conductor was old enough to retire and HE did not show for the investigation. The engineer was dismissed and never was able to return to work for BN. Of note that engr had a small cabin at a campground located at MP 104 abt 5 miles west of the derailment... Unknown if he continued to stay there, I did not know him as he worked the frt pool out of Aurora, Il and we worked the pool out of N. La Crosse, Wi. which is what is known as a double ended frt pool for the crews.. Hope this not too much info...
Edited 5 time(s). Last edit at 02/13/18 19:08 by Quakerengr.
Date: 02/13/18 09:54
Re: Burlington Northern Collision/Derailment at Oregon, Illinois
Author: MILW86A
That was the same year of a fatal wreck on the Peavine near Orion where a washout caused the wreck of Train 144(IIRC) Killing the engineer I think.
Date: 02/13/18 10:11
Re: Burlington Northern Collision/Derailment at Oregon, Illinois
Author: Quakerengr
In this case, they had flash floods, due to heavy rain in that area. This also before the railroads had technology or used that info to advise trains of possible danger. This area is where much of the Peat Moss you can buy at the landscape centers comes from, making for a mushy base of soil.. The track inspector in the area had not had a chance to go over that stretch of track. This was at Oliver, just west of Fenton, Il not to far east of Clinton, Iowa. As they came thru on green signals the ballast was washed away the 2 strands of welded rail just hanging in the balance. The lead engine was a LMX, as they hit the washout, engines leaned to left, front door opened and a rush of mud flew into the cab and unfortunately the conductor's foot became caught on the leg posts of the firemans seat. He also inhaled a tremendous amount of mud and water into his lungs. The engineer held his head above the water until help arrived to untangle his foot. Sam did not survive. BN actually changed the station name to "Sam" in honor of conductor Sam, who passed away.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/13/18 21:41 by Quakerengr.
Date: 02/13/18 10:18
Re: Burlington Northern Collision/Derailment at Oregon, Illinois
Author: GBW309
Thanks for the updates PWM. Regarding the peat bog accident, I really feel like at any given time, our "number may be up" Just yesterday there was a 29 vehicle pile up on 151 west of Madison, WI A very small pocket of dense fog and a chain reaction collision involving cars and semi trucks.
Date: 02/13/18 15:08
Re: Burlington Northern Collision/Derailment at Oregon, Illinois
Author: WichitaJct
"Crew decides to operate train from second unit."
They were operating the train from a trailing unit? Really? That in itself seems like a serious rule violation.
Date: 02/13/18 19:05
Re: Burlington Northern Collision/Derailment at Oregon, Illinois
Author: Quakerengr
Different railroading back in 1990, any rails will understand.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/13/18 19:13 by Quakerengr.


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The News Zone
All the latest from around the school...
In this section we bring you a round-up of all the latest goings-on in and around Gilwern. Click on any image to see it full-size.
February 2018
School Severe Weather/ Snow Procedures
See picture
Eisteddfod Optional Competitions
In a review of the school Eisteddfod pupils have expressed that they would like to increase the number of categories for home entries. Please see the picture above for the competitions.
Thank You
Love was in the air this week as we raised a fantastic sum of £306.00 at our Valentine's Disco. The children certainly embraced the opportunity showcasing their creativity and unique dance moves!
The money raised will help facilitate the summer show "Return to the Forbidden Planet" which will be performed at The Beaufort Theatre on Thursday 21st and Friday 22nd June 2018. A show not to be missed!!!


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Made with noodles, pudding, cream cheese and a crunchy cookie topping, this vanilla-scented kugel is perfect for brunches, potlucks and holiday gatherings.
Search Results for: noodle kugel
Sweet Lokshen Kugel
Learn to make traditional Yiddish dairy noodle pudding with cottage cheese, sour cream, cream cheese, sugar, and cinnamon.
Chai Noodle Kugel
Love chai lattes? You'll really love this creamy dessert-style kugel with warm Indian chai spices.
Creamy Noodle Kugel
A delicious and adaptable sweet kugel recipe. Make as written or substitute your favorite kugel ingredients. The only limit is your imagination!
Rum Raisin Cranberry Kugel
This rich, seasonal kugel is warmed by autumn spices and the essence of rum. Chopped walnuts give texture. A unique and delicious twist on kugel.
Passover Potato Kugel
Easy, delicious recipe for potato kugel. Crispy and golden on the outside, fluffy on the inside.
Eggnog Gingerbread Kugel
This easy make-ahead noodle kugel dessert is perfect for a holiday potluck. A sweet and decadent indulgence!
The Levin Family—Polish Ashkenazi Food and Traditions (Part 2)
Tori explores Jewish food history in an old family memoir belonging to an Ashkenazi family from the Pinsk region of Poland.
Creamy Noodle Kugel on San Diego Living
Tori cooks up a Creamy Noodle Kugel on San Diego Living.
On Yom Kippur and Gratitude
A message of gratitude on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish year.
Uncle Dov's Memoir: Polish Ashkenazi Food and Traditions (Part 1)
Exploring Jewish food history in an old family memoir belonging to an Ashkenazi family from the Pinsk region of Poland.
Links to all of Tori's press mentions and appearances.
Mary Goldberg's Passover Mandel Bread
Learn to make Passover Mandel Bread from the recipe of a 104 year-old Jewish woman named Mary Goldberg.
What is Yom Kippur?
Learn about the meaning of Yom Kippur and how the holiday is observed.
What is Shabbat?
Learn about the meaning of Shabbat, the types of foods that are traditionally eaten, and how it is celebrated.
The Best of 2011
Tori Avey shares her favorite blog recipes from 2011.
Sukkot Recipes
Delicious and creative recipe ideas for the Jewish holiday of Sukkot.
Joan Nathan's Honey Orange Chicken
Joan Nathan shares her holiday cooking traditions & how she became a cookbook author.


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Burning your tenders on hot leather seats in the summer is not cool at all. It is […]
How to Choose the Right Bounce House for Sale?Bounce House January 14, 2016 Comments Off on How to Choose the Right Bounce House for Sale?
If you are looking for a bounce house, you will have to pay considerable attention to the different models and brands available in the market. If you are planning to make it an addition to your home or playhouse of your kindergarten school, it would be a considerable investment. For that reason, you might be looking to buy it on sale. However, at the time of purchase, check out the different factors as mentioned below.
Plan the theme
The bounce houses for sale come in different designs. These are usually designed in attractive colors and resemble popular child themes. These can be in the form of a playhouse which would be apt for your home or school garden. Again, for those who are looking to set it up for special occasions like parties and fun events, there are theme based designs like a castle or a playground area. You can look up the different themes which are displayed in online catalogs for the convenience of the customers.
Choose the dimensions
The bounce houses usually come in different dimensions. These vary as per the space you have available for setting up this kind of inflatable structure. Again, the space you need to accommodate an average number of children is also necessary to know before you opt for one such structure. You need to think ahead as well, especially if you are investing for a school or for an event management organization. You need to stock up on medium and large sized structures so that any group of children can be accommodated on different occasions.
Rent or purchase
There is also the option to rent out an inflatable bounce house. This makes sense when you simply have a one-time requirement. For those who organize children's parties on a regular basis, investing in an inflatable bounce house will make sense. For others, like parents of children, renting it out for special occasions will make sense. Rents are usually charged by the number of hours or as daily rates. However, rental hire usually allows customers to access expensive models that are larger or made of better quality materials.
Getting enough choices
You need not depend on a single vendor who will provide you the bounce house. For that reason, looking up bounce houses that are on sale on different online forums will be beneficial. It will help you to explore different price ranges and special discount offers as well. Many vendors even offer different inflatable structures as a package deal, making it a lucrative and comprehensive purchase for anyone. Only by exploring the different deals offered by different vendors, one will be able to understand the price ranges that exist and which to opt for, depending upon the budget. Again, one should even read up reviews about the different vendors before making a purchase.
For finding a reliable brand from where inflatable bounce houses can be obtained for sale or rent, you can look up this link: bouncerdepot.com


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This is a new-ish paper. The paper continues my defense of the value of trying to act morally rightly. I address the popular complaint that this constitutes an objectionable "moral fetishism". First, I suggest that many existing depictions of people trying to act rightly are caricatures displaying only the most odd or unnatural versions of this kind of motivation. Second, I argue that there is a kind of motivation by moral rightness that is extremely widespread and not at all odd or unnatural. We can see this by focusing on moral "hard cases" involving conflicts of value, in which it is unclear what the right thing to do is. I argue that, when we face a conflict between moral values and respond by deliberating about the relative importance of these values, this can only be explained by our being motivated to strike the right balance between the different values at stake. I then argue that this motivation – wanting to strike the right balance between the different values at stake – just is a species of wanting to act rightly. That is because moral rightness just is the property that an action has when it appropriately responds to all of the morally significant features of the situation. So being motivated to strike the right balance is one way for moral rightness per se to be the object of one's motivation. If this kind of motivation constitutes "moral fetishism", then we are all moral fetishists.
I don't yet have a version of this paper that I'm comfortable putting on the internet. But I am very happy to send copies of the current draft to interested parties! Email me: email@example.com


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Upper Michigan Wooded Recreational Parcel for sale. Some of The Best Hunting in the U.P.. This Gated 218 Acre Wooded Parcel is located in North-Western Dickinson County, in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. If you mention this area to Northern Michigan outdoor enthusiasts, they will think of an area with...218 Acres : $218,000
Schultz Rd Hunting, Mls 1100302
Ralph : Dickinson Co : Michigan
Great Lakes and Land Real Estate Co


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This weeks Heads Or Tails is Express. For more participants visit the Heads Or Tails new home.
When you are unhappy time stands still. When you are happy all you want to do is slow down and enjoy the moments. Moments of time that swiftly pass by. Rapidly the world presents its glory to you. You try to capture the high-speed memories within your mind for closer perusal at a quiet time. Yet non-stop events assault your delighted mind. Your mind's eye feels that these accelerated experiences will pass and you will feel like you missed them. The sheer velocity with which they occur, makes you feel dizzy, yet disoriented, with joy. These are the times of which your life story is made up. Quickly moving, a movie to play in your head for all time.


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The questions surrounding paid or unpaid internships and placements have been around a long time and are unlikely to disappear in the near future.
This page gives you some insight into the current discussions, issues and guidance on internship salaries. We have also included information on the current legislation so you can come to a decision that's right for your situation.
Most hosts pay, on average, a salary of between £13,000 to £23,000 dependent on the sector and skills of the intern.
If you are classed as a 'worker' while on placement, you should be paid at least the National Minimum Wage (NMW).
In certain sectors such as advertising and the creative industries there has been a tradition of internships being offered on an unpaid basis. For many students and graduates this can be the only way to get experience of working in their chosen career.
Some see this as discriminatory for those who do not have access to the resources to support themselves during an internship period.
Your employments rights and eligibility to receive the National Minimum Wage are determined by your employment status as either a worker, volunteer or employee. The Government provides some useful advice about your rights as an intern in this article.
Ultimately the decision is yours but you may want to consider the following questions before making your mind up.
Try to save money well in advance through part-time or summer work, as funding is hard to find.
Research funding as soon as you start looking for work experience. Organisations have set dates for the submission of applications and the allocation of funding, and you cannot usually apply retrospectively.
Use Turn2us for any other possible funding depending on your circumstances, location and requirements (eg. extracurricular activities, gap year, clothing and equipment to start work, travel).
University of Nottingham policy statementCovering paid and unpaid internships
Gov.ukEmployment rights and pay for interns
Gov.ukNational Minimum Wage: work experience and internships
Gov.ukNational Minimum Wage: Worker checklist
Gov.ukWhat is the minimum wage?
TARGETjobsUnpaid internships: are they worth it?
Associated of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS)Internships policy statement
UK Arts CouncilInternships in the arts
NB - Articles in this section may not necessarily represent the views of the University of Nottingham.
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Caribbean YTT Week 2 Learning, Laughing and Loving!
We finish our 2nd week of the Yoga Teacher Training Course. What a time that was! Yoga, yoga, yoga and more yoga, and after that yoga again! I have never done so much Yoga in one day, 4 hours of asanas on Thursday , as each group gave their first class as teachers, while the others had to do the class! oof! If I wasn't in shape before, I sure am now! I can really see and feel the difference in my body and my mind. I am 53 now, and these last months was starting to feel a little stiff, as if my body wasn't reacting as quickly as it should to what my mind was telling it to do. It saddened me, but I thought I had to accept it with grace, as part of life. Well, now, after 2 weeks of pretty intense yoga , I feel more supple and agile than ever before, I am amazed and if I wasn't convinced before that I wanted to become a true Yogi and a teacher, I totally am now! It is truly an amazing and enlightening experience, both physically, mentally and spiritualy.
I also must add that I have had sleeping difficulties since my early 20's, and though I stayed away from perscription drugs, I did try everything else, from homeopathy, herbal teas, exercizes, tapping, and even some Benedryl and Dramamine (which gave me awful bags under my eyes!) As part of our lecture I was reading "The Art and Science of Raja Yoga" by Swami Kriyananda, whre he suggests different Yoga asanas before bedtime, I added to this my relaxation meditation lying in bed and then went on to repeat mentally in my head over and over the Mantra "Om Mani Padme Hum" This mantra kept any unwanted thoughts and brain noise out of my head, and I was asleep! Woke up a few times at night, and where this used to be a major problem for me, a few "Om Mani Padme Hum's and I was back on my way to dream land! My new perfect sleeping pill, who would have thought.
Enough of me and more on the enchanting group of women that joined us in this YTT retreat. These girls are truly amazing, their progress, their enthusiasm, discipline, laughter and participation as they support eachother and grow together, is a joy to wittness. They make me feel younger and brighter every day. Also a big thank you to our never tireing , forever smiling, patient and knowledgeable teacher Corinne Aulakh! I know next week, Corinne,you are not going to be easy on us, but the pain and effort is well worth it!
Without anymore words, here are some photos to show you the experience, the fun, the sharing and selfless love we have been enjoying these past days.
Balance, Lectures & Corinne's Art!
Friday Afternoon Class