Another Musical Saint

As today is the Memorial of St. Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr and patron saint of musicians, I thought it would be appropriate to introduce you to another female saint who also made a significant contribution to the treasury of sacred music.

St. Hildegard of Binden (c. 1098-1176) was a Benedictine abbess and polymath. Her contributions in many other fields, both sacred and secular, lead to her becoming the fourth female Doctor of the Church in 2012. A truly remarkable woman, no matter in what time she may have lived.

Enjoy this presentation of her chant.

November 2024 Morning Offering Prayer Intention

Here is the intention for this month when praying the Morning Offering:

For Anyone Who Has Lost A Child. We pray that all parents who mourn the loss of a son or daughter find support in their community and receive peace and consolation from the Holy Spirit.

(UPDATE:  11/30/23) A reflection for this intention can be found here.

October 2024 Morning Offering Prayer Intention

Here is the intention for this month when praying the Morning Offering:

For A Shared Mission. We pray that the Church continue to sustain in all ways a Synodal lifestyle, as a sign of co-responsibility, promoting the participation, the communion and the mission shared among priests, religious and lay people.

(UPDATE:  10/31/23) A reflection for this intention can be found here.

 

Last Time As A Teen

It all began nineteen years ago.

228 months later, it continues.

No, there hasn't been at least one post a day for the past 6,940 days. (You forgot about Leap Days, didn't you?) That has never been a goal. Prolific posting has never been a hallmark of this infinitesimal corner of the universe, considering there have only been 1,300+ original posts during this time (remember, I am the king of re-posting).

What has been the goal of this 'blog as it has evolved are thoughtful, quality posts. Your mileage may vary as to how that standard has been met. It also has found a bit of focus with matters musical, liturgical, spiritual, and personal. It has and will be a work in progress, much like the 'blogmaster.

I still have a "still, small voice". I have noticed a very slight uptick in views of new material. It does give me hope the continued maturing will regain me a cornerstone audience and the continued building of a following. While I wonder if the halcyon days of 'blogging are over, as other types of social media has seeming left this format in the dust, I still believe in both the medium and the message it can deliver. A more concerted effort is necessary. (Yes, I know I have said that in various ways over the years. I am such a tease that way. I hope the wait for my musings will be worth it.)

So, the 'blogosphere will still have me around.

It's still worth it to hit the "publish" button on Blogger.

I still welcome your presence as I reestablish mine.

Besides, I want to see the chronological odometer change.

 

A Tragedy Remembered Again

 

Twenty-three years. In relation to the age of our country, it is only 9.27 % our its existence. Our history has had many milestone moments, events which have shape us into the nation we are now, dotted on our timeline:  the dramas of war, the expansion and conquering of territory, the metamorphosis from agrarian to industrial to technological ages. These are duly noted in ways catalogued large and writ small.

But it was on this date two score and three years ago that perhaps has given us our greatest existential challenge, in a way Satan could only execute. Brilliantly diabolical and completely unexpected, the result was even better than anticipated. Four jet airliners became weapons of mass destruction. Two were flown into the original Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York, NY, completely destroying them. One went nose first into the Pentagon in Washington, DC, doing significant damage. The last was destined for the White House had not a passenger said, "Let's roll," diverting it to a farm field near Shanksville, PA.

The damage to the national psyche is still evident. The cost of 2,996 lives. A change in how we are combating the threats that terrorism presents. And, perhaps (and I would venture to say there may be someone who has or can draw the conclusion) this was the start of the rupturing of our country to the point where we are today.

This is not the time to debate that point. This unofficial national holiday, much like June 6 and December 7, is a time of remembrance and healing. It is a time of firming our resolve that "We the People of the United States" will recover and continue the work of forming "a more perfect Union". It is a time to resume the task of this tragedy shaping us, not deforming us.

Many communities held a "day of service" this past Saturday. There will be the now usual memorial services and tributes today. As always, if your schedule allows, be a part of whatever is done to commemorate this tragic dot on the timeline.

"Never Forget."

September 2024 Morning Offering Prayer Intention

Here is the intention for this month when praying the Morning Offering:

For The Cry Of The Earth. We pray that each one of us will hear and take to heart the cry of the Earth and of victims of natural disasters and climactic change, and that all will undertake to personally care for the world in which we live. 

"Where She Has Gone..."

The Assumption of the Virgin

Lodovico Caracci

Ora pro nobis, Salve Regina.

**********

Originally posted 8/15/2008.

August 2024 Morning Offering Prayer Intentions

Here is the intention for this month when praying the Morning Offering:

For Political Leaders. We pray that political leaders be at the service of their own people, working for integral human development and for the common good, especially caring for the poor and those who have lost their jobs.

A reflection for this intention can be found here.

July 2024 Morning Offering Prayer Intention

Here is the intention for this month when praying the Morning Offering:

For the Pastoral Care of the Sick. We pray that the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is conferred to those who receive it and their loved ones the power of the Lord and become ever more a visible sign of compassion and hope for all.

A reflection for this intention can be found here. 

(Talk about getting lost in the shuffle of life. No excuse for it. I'm sorry.)

Beddian Platinum Nativity

A person celebrates their "Golden Birthday" when their age matches their day of birth. They celebrate their "Platinum Birthday" when their age matches the last two digits of their birth year. There is also something known as a "Beddian Birthday" Similar to a "Platinum Birthday", it also is when your age corresponds to your birth year, a phenomena noticed by a New York City firefighter named Bobby Beddia on his 53rd. birthday.

I had my "Golden Birthday" a long time ago. I get to celebrate the other two today. And after what happened to me last year, I really do have a reason to celebrate.

I have become more grateful with each passing natal day; especially this one. I thank God once again for granting me the gift of life:  to live, move, and have being. With stable housing and employment, I am in a far better place than I was. There is still much more damage to my psyche to repair; to that end, I have been seeing a mental health professional about once a month since March. In those few sessions an excellent foundation is being prepared to address a lot of personal issues.

I have also seemed to have grown just a bit more spiritually over the past twelve months. A return to the Sacrament of the Eucharist has been the cornerstone of that improvement. My prayer life has a little more routine, focus, and commitment. The work now is to notice the graces I am being given and use them.

Aging is not optional; maturing, however, shouldn't be. All the quotes along the lines of "you're not getting older; your getting better" are applicable. Especially the one about being patient with me, as God is not finished with me yet. That day will come; I pray I will be truly ready for it.

In the meantime, "... I have promises to keep,/And miles to go before I sleep."

Once again, "Come, grow old with me. The best is yet to be."

God willing, I hope to tell you all about it on my next birthday.