Hold Me Like Holy Water

Hat tip: In Toon With the World




I have no words for this, because it's too realistic. Scary.

The Christmas tree in St. Peter's Square. Read below for today's Christmas symbol!  

I haven't been tagged on this one - but I wanted to do it anyway. Tagging's overrated, as far as I'm concerned (except for previous post...then it's wonderful!).

My Confessions...

I confess that I used to have a celebrity crush on Heath Ledger, especially as seen in "10 Things I Hate About You." (I guess the fact that I have often been compared to Katarina Stratford plays a part in that...see below for more on that one though) It has since faded, and completely died with the release of this.

I confess that I often turn on Frank Sinatra music and waltz by myself around my bedroom.

I confess that I took illegal pictures of the Sistine Chapel (I didn't use my flash!), even as the guy yelled "No Foto!" at me.

I confess that I never really learned treble clef/left hand piano. I only know chords.

I confess that I don't understand text messaging in the least. If you've got something to say, call me. Why waste the time to type out like, 3 words?

I confess that I have phone anxiety and do not like to talk over the phone with strangers. I avoid it at all costs. I have remedied this somewhat by working at the bookstore, as I have to call customers when their orders are in. However, I still get nervous each time.

I confess that I have a tendency to exaggerate by adding one to everything. If I have 2 apples, I will say I have 3. If I went to bed at 1am, I will say it was 2am. I do not know why.

I confess that I got a tattoo of a cherub on my ankle the day I turned 18.

I confess that I was, at one point, anti-EWTN. I thought it was boring, stupid, and for weeeirdos. Now I can't get enough.

I confess that at one point I wanted to be a Franciscan. This was because my encounters with the Dominicans in the area I grew up with was less than inspiring. We'll leave it at that.

I confess that my mood strongly depends on how my hair looks.

I confess that I love love love olive oil. I can't get enough.

I confess that I Google EVERYTHING. I am an incessantly Googling someone/thing.

I confess that I pride myself in being criticized for being too conservative (especially in That Class).

I confess that I stole a Jubilee 2000 banner from the chapel just before it was destroyed. It now hangs in my bedroom.

I confess that I was once a quite militant feminist. This is the biggest reason I cannot stand them. I know, from the inside, that their views are unfounded, ridiculous and just plain wrong.

I confess that I have a ridiculous obsession with other languages/cultures.

I confess that I will often do things for the free t-shirt. This includes helping freshmen move in at the beginning of the school year.

I confess that I call Black and White "team colors."

I confess that I am studying to be a teacher, yet have a ridiculous aversion to going to class and am often tempted to skip without feeling the slightest amount of guilt. It doesn't mean I don't love learning. I'd go to class - if that was what happened there!

That's all I've got for you.

Caritas et veritas.

I've been tagged! Betsy, over at A Little Flower Garden, has requested I complete this meme:

Three names I go by: 1. Angela 2. Ang 3. Mother (descending from "Mother Angelica", to "Mother Angela", to just plain ol' "Mother" now...)

Three screen names I have had: 1. Angel2c714, 2. LittleFlowerOP, 3. OPsistertobe (though rarely used - I had to be in a specifically hopeful mood)

Three physical things I like about myself: 1. My brown eyes 2. My curly hair 3. My Polish nose

Three physical things I don't like about myself: 1. My bad eyes 2. My curly hair (it depends on the day, I tell you!) 3. My teeth that seem to be ever changing in position

Three parts of my heritage: 1. Polish! 2. German 3. Cherokee

Three things that scare me: 1. Rabid liberal feminists 2. the Culture of Death 3. finding out I'm wrong...really wrong.

Three of my everyday essentials: 1. Prayer 2. Laughter 3. Learning

Three of my favorite musical artists: 1. Jennifer Knapp 2. Crispin 3. Martina McBride

Three of my favorite songs: 1. Hold Me Now/Jennifer Knapp 2. Regina/Crispin 3. Concrete Angel/Martina McBride

Three things I want/have in a relationship:1. Love 2. Honesty 3. Fidelity

Three physical things about the opposite sex that appeal to me: 1.Boys in uniform (I'm totally with Betsy on this one!!) 2.Boys with scapulars (I can name nearly all of them on campus) 3.Boys with a Rosary in their pockets (again, with you on this one)

Three of my favorite hobbies:1. Reading 2. Listening to music 3. Changing the world with reason, logic and Truth! (you know, one of those things...on the side) :)

Three things I want to do really badly right now:1. Lay the smack down in That Class 2. Go back to bed and sleep/watch "Bells of St. Mary's" 3. Go to Rome.

Three careers I've considered:1. Teacher 2. Social Worker 3. Doctor

Three Places I want to vacation:1. ROMA 2. Poland 3. New York

Three kids names I like:1. EmmaLeigh Therese (I know, I'm clever) 2. Dominic Franciszek (again, clever) 3. Chiara Cecilia - now how's that for loading on the saint names?

Three things I want to do before I die:1. Learn humility 2. Kiss The Pope's Ring 3. Have amazing last words

Three ways that I am stereotypically a girl:1. I like wearing skirts 2. I cry watching shows like Extreme Makeover: Home Edition 3. I believe there is nothing chocolate can't fix (proven time and time again!)

Three ways that I am stereotypically a boy:1. I like driving in fast cars listening to rock music 2. I like to watch football (especially when my brother is playing) 3. I haven't worn a stitch of makeup in years.

Three celeb crushes:I don't crush celebrities. Look to my confession later about this topic...

Three people I would like to see post this meme:1. Rusty at Triple Threat, 2. Megan at The Path of Loving Trust, 3. Gary at Saint Duhawk

And there it is. :)

Comments on Harry Potter...tomorrow. One word comment for today: indescribable. Heh.

So I finished knitting the scarf I started last year. I put it down when school picked up and, well, as those things go, it sat for quite some time. It finished nicely, according to myself and others. I am quite proud of it. I finished it Saturday night. It is purple. As I was sitting on my best friend's bed along with her and a friend of hers, I stated "Ah! Just in time for Advent!" They thought I was strange. But, according to Annie...
"You know you're a Catholic nerd when...
you finish a purple scarf on the night before the first Sunday of Advent and get really excited about being able to dress according to the liturgical season for the entirety of the season!"
Yessss. :)
I love being a Catholic nerd.

School's hectic. I hate That Class and The Paper that is due for it on Wednesday. I cannot wait to be finished with That Class. Argh.

I am working on my Confessions, as seen on some blogs in blogdom currently. I find them interesting. I will post them when ready.

As for now - I am off to bed. No more sluggish mornings for me. No sirreee - it's Advent.

Caritas et veritas.

THE MELODY OF ST. CECILIA
by St. Therese of Lisieux

"During the sound of the instruments,
Cecilia was singing in her heart."
Office of the Church.
Thou glorious Saint of God! in ecstasy I see
The path of shining light thy footsteps left below;
And still I think I hear thy heavenly melody;
Of thy celestial chant e'en here the sounds we know.
Now, of my exiled soul, accept the fervent prayer;
Upon thy virginal heart let my young heart find rest!
Almost unequalled here wast thou, O lily fair,
Immaculately pure, and how divinely blest!
Most chaste white dove of Rome! through all thy life on earth
No other spouse than Christ thy heart desired to find.
He chose thy favored soul, e'en from thy hour of birth,
And made it rich in grace and virtues all combined.
And yet a mortal came, on fire with youth and pride;
He saw how sweet thou wert, thou white celestial flower!
And then, to gain thy love to win thee for his bride
He strove with all his strength, from that momen­tous hour.
Soon bridal feasts he spread, his palace decked with glory,
Bade minstrels play their best, and songs ring loudly there,
While still thy virginal heart sang soft thy Saviour's story,
Whose echo rose to heaven like incense sweet and rare.
How couldst thou sing, so far from Heaven, thy fatherland,
When seeing near thy side, that mortal bold and frail ?
Did not thy heart crave, then, in heaven's high courts to stand,
And dwell, forever safe, with Christ beyond the veil?
But no! thy harp I hear vibrate like seraph's singing,
Harp of thy love, whose sound so softly smote the car;
These words, to Christ thy Lord, in thy sweet chant were ringing:
"Now keep my young heart pure, O Jesus, Spouse most dear."
Abandonment how true! O wondrous melody!
By that celestial chant thy love now stands re­vealed
The love that knows no fear, but sleeps in ecstasy
Upon the Saviour's Heart, from every ill con­cealed.
In wide blue skies appeared the radiant white star
That came, to lighten up, with meek and timid glow,
The luminous night that shows, unveiled to us afar,
That virginal love, in heaven, which virgin spouses know.
But here, Valerian dreamed of earthly joy and bliss.
Cecilia! thou alone wast his young heart's desire.
Ah, when thy hand he gained, he gained far more than this!
That hand showed him a path to better things, and higher.
"O friend! " to him thou saidst "near me doth watch alway
An angel of the Lord, who keeps me pure as snow,
Who leaves me not alone, neither by night nor day;
E'en in my sleep, his wings protect from harm and woe.
At night, his holy face, with clear and silvery light
A glory lovelier far than morning sun, doth shine.
That face to me appears like some blest image bright,
Transparent, marvelous, of God's own face divine."
Then cried Valerian: " Show me this angel blest,
That I may give my faith to thy firm word, fair maid;
Or else believe that hate for thee will fill my breast,
And thou, before my wrath, shalt shudder sore afraid."
O dove, within the rock of God's strong heart con­cealed,
No fear hadst thou, that night, of subtlest fowler's snare:
The Face of Jesus, then, Its light to thee revealed;
His sacred gospels lay upon thy bosom fair.
"Valerian!" that word was said with gentlest smile,
"My heavenly guide, who hears, will answer thy request.
Soon thou his face shalt see; his voice shall thee beguile,
For martyrdom to seek, and thus to find thy rest.
But, ere his face thou see, baptismal grace must make
Thy soul as white as snow, that God therein may dwell.
The one true God Himself thy heart His home shall make,
The Spirit give thee life, that thou mayst serve Him well;
The Word, the Father's Son, and Son of Mary chaste,
Must immolate Himself, in His vast love for thee,
Upon His altar throne; and there thou must be placed,
Beside that throne, to feed on Him Who died for thee.
Then shall the seraph bright, thee for his brother, claim,
And, seeing in thy heart the home of God his King,
Thee shall he lift from earth's dark dens of sin and shame;
Thee, to his own abode, that angel then shall bring."
"Ah! in my heart I feel a new fire burn tonight!"
Transformed by God's own grace, the young patrician cried.
Oh! come, within my soul to dwell, Thou Lord of light!
Worthy my love shall be of thee, Cecile, my bride!"
In his baptismal robe, the type of innocence,
Valerian, at last, the angel's face beheld;
In awe he gazed upon that grave magnificence;
That radiant, crown decked brow his old ambitions quelled.
Fresh roses in his hands did that grand spirit bear,
Pure lilies, dazzling white, to his strong heart he pressed.
In gardens of high heaven had bloomed those blos­soms rare,
Beneath the rays of love from their Creator blest.
"O Spouses dear to Heaven! the martyrs' royal rose
Shall crown your brows," exclaimed that angel from on high
"No voice on earth can sing, no mortal tongue disclose,
Its value beyond price, that lasts eternally.
I lose myself in God, His attributes proclaim;
But I cannot, for Him, bear pain, though fain would I!
I cannot shed or tears or blood for His dear name;
To prove my love for Him, I cannot gladly die.
Oh! purity is ours, the angels' special grace,
Our vast, unbounded joy, that ne'er shall fade away;
But o'er our lofty lot yours hath a loftier place,
For you can be pure, and you can die, to‑day'
"Of chaste virginity, you see the emblem here,
In these white lilies sweet, fair gift from Christ the Lamb;
The pure white crown He gives, in glory you shall wear;
And you for aye shall chant the new song to His name.
Your union, spotless, chaste, shall win great souls to God
Souls that no other spouse, than Christ, shall seek on earth;
And near His heavenly throne, when life's hard path is trod,
There you shall see them shine, in saintly joy and mirth."
Cecilia, lend to me thy melody most sweet:
How many souls would I convert to Jesus now.
I fain would die, like thee, to win them to His feet;
For him give all my tears, my blood. Oh, help me thou!
Pray for me that I gain, on this our pilgrim way
Perfect abandonment that sweetest fruit of love.
Saint of my heart! oh, soon, bring me to endless day;
Obtain that I may fly, with thee, to heaven above!
April 28, 1893.

And this from the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia's website.

I love St. Cecilia. I loved her church in Rome. We walked 17 miles that day to get to it, and I couldn't be happier about that fact. It was beautiful. I designated a full 2 pages to her church in my scrapbook - something which no other church received (well, other than St. Peter's, of course).
Yay for St. Cecilia.
And yay for the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia. They rock.

St. Cecilia, pray for us!

Caritas et veritas.

Happy Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary! Woot!

Yesterday for Christ the King, the archbishop came to say Mass. Yay. It's also our chapel's patronal feast (Christ the King Chapel), so that's exciting. We all donned our red shirts and had a grand ole time. At the end of Mass, the president presented the archbishop with a gift from the school, and the archbishop joked that it was probably a sweatshirt from Luther or Wartburg. Heh. What a joker. ;)

So the thing that's been driving me crazy:
We're renovating the chapel. The first sketches are pretty cool. Not particularly my style, but then again, that's not surprising. It'll do. It's nice, there's some good motivation behind why things are going to be the way they are, and that's respectable. However, I have this one complaint. Here we are making sure that the marble tone matches with the fabric on the chairs and the wood finishes are all similar, etc. etc. and we still use glass and clay chalices and patens. What the heck? I am so frustrated with this. I know I've posted about it many a time, but it's gotten to the point where I just can't take it much longer. We've had two very knowledgeable guests on campus who have asked me about the vessels. They want to know why we use glass and clay, and the answers I give (are obviously not my own) never seem sufficient. And they've both told me that. Now, to me, if we're so concerned about making sure God's House looks pretty, why the heck aren't we concerned with making sure the immediate vessel that Jesus' Body and Blood will be in? Why aren't we paying attention to the fact that we are busying ourselves about the finish of the wood for aesthetic appeal instead of using the vessels mandated by the Church? Dear. And then I heard some talk about how the church will better reflect the theology of the liturgy...and I about lost it. What's more important to our theology than the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ? Surely not the placement of the pews. Surely not the tone of the paint on the wall. Surely not the size of the organ. Argh. I'm going to draft a letter soon. I'm not going to talk to y'all in blogland anymore - I'm going to make sure the people who can do something about it hear too.

And I started a fight today that wasn't supposed to happen. I still maintain that I'm right, and this isn't a pride issue. It's an issue of really truly being right and not backing down for the good of the person with whom I am fighting.
You know, for as many fights as I start, you'd think I love them.
But I don't.

Enough for now.
Caritas et veritas.

Ok, it's been a few days since I've posted anything of substance, and that's mostly because I've been busy with schoolwork (which is surprising, because I don't feel that I've done anything school-related in a while). Interesting. I think I have junioritis. It's a less severe but still occasionally crippling academic disease which often prevents those who have contracted it from completing even the simplest assignments because of the boredom and distaste one experiences in beginning the endeavor.
Heh.

Actually, I'm very excited that Thanksgiving is this week. I cannot wait to go home and take a few days off, spending quality time with the family. I love my family, though they're nuts. We always joke about how we put the fun in dysfunctional - and it's quite true. :) We have the craziest time doing pretty much everything. Last year the tree fell on top of my brother while he was cutting it down. Right as it fell, he very calmly stated, "Um, the tree. It's, it's on my head." I about died laughing. My mom was freaking out because there was a tree on his head. And my dad actually lifted it off. Heh. Always an adventure whenever we head out into public.
And...AND...I get to see my best friend, Elizabeth!!! I'm very excited for that too. Yay.

Well, I have to get ready for our Thanksgiving dinner here at school (the roommates and I made lots of deliciousness). And tomorrow I have to write an ethical decision paper - I just have to come up with an ethical problem!

Caritas et veritas!

As Thanksgiving time approaches, I urge you to think of the many blessings you have been given. Perhaps this litany will aid you in doing so.

Let us give thanks to God for ballot boxes, newspaper editorials, and open borders.
For all the freedoms we enjoy.
Let us give thanks for diplomats, treaties, and compromise.
For peace in a world of war.
For police officers, streetlights, and concerned neighbors.
For safety from fear and harm.
Let us give thanks to God for St. Paul and Priscilla, St. Francis and St. Claire, Martin Luther, Martin Luther King, and Mother Theresa.
For all the Christians who ran the race before us.
Let us give thanks to God for the Scriptures, for creeds and confessions, for the songs and hymns of God’s people.
For all good things in our heritage of faith.
Let us give thanks to God for a good creation, a redeeming Son, and a transforming Spirit.
For all the benefits of our salvation.
Let us give thanks to God for purple and orange sunsets, bright red flowers, great gray elephants, and the vast blackness of space.
For all the wonders, God, of your creative mind.
Let us give thanks to God for Mozart, Michelangelo, and Milton, for pianos, paint brushes, and pencils.
For all the wonders of our creative minds, made in your image, O Lord.
Let us give thanks to God for Thanksgiving turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie.
For the abundance of food that sustains our bodies.
Let us give thanks to God for soft beds, warm fires, familiar chairs, and open windows.
For the abundant comfort of our homes.
Let us give thanks to God for cars that run, brand-new sneakers, and long, hot showers.
For God’s goodness that flows above and beyond our needs.
Let us give thanks to God for aggressive immune systems, for running cross-country, and for sound sleep,
For the strength and health of our bodies.
Let us give thanks to God for crossword puzzles, learning foreign languages, and plane geometry.
For healthy, strong minds.
Let us give thanks to God for pesky little brothers, wise grandmothers, favorite uncles, loving parents, and fresh fiancées.
For the families that shaped our lives.
Let us give thanks to God for surprise phone calls, funny birthday gifts, and long talks late at night.
For friends who stick with us as the years go by.
Let us give thanks to God for men and women with dark skin and light skin, freckles and curls, pug noses and beards, graceful limbs and ample laps.
For all the beautiful diversity of people, all over the world, who make up the one family of God, bound together in Jesus Christ.

BWA HAHA HA AH AHAAHH
My roommate, Megan, and I seriously had to stop, laugh ourselves silly, and collapse with the very same laughter MANY times whilst reading this one.

Never in all my days...HAHAHAHAH.

If you are interested in the source, look no further: Reformed Worship.

So I cut my hair. That's the big news of today. I actually cut it last night when I got home from Mass. Just got it wet, got out the scissors, pulled it straight, and chop chop chop. It was quite fun, actually, considering I've never done that. And considering that I haven't gotten a haircut in about a year. So...it's very different for me. I am loving having it shorter, as it is less work, less bother, and a lot lighter and curlier. I'm quite proud of myself. :)

Oh - happy birthday to my cousins, Clare and Colette! Yay!!
They are sisters, two years apart (15 and 17) with the same birthday. Very fun. Clare is the older, and is obviously named after St. Clare (because of the Poor Clares in Rockford). And Colette was consequently named after St. Colette because the Poor Clares are technically the Poor Clare Colettines. :) Yay for Clare and Colette.
Happy birthday you two!!

A week from tomorrow is the feast of St. Cecilia! Cannot wait.

Well, not much posting for today - just wanted to do a minor update. I have an ethics paper to revise for the bajillionth time before it's due tomorrow.
As I read in a comment on Amy's blog today, revision is like purgatory.
"You've fought the good fight, merited the crown, but there's still the need for purification..."

Indeed.

Wish me luck, as the paper is about designer babies and I basically want to throw it on the floor in deference to the genius in the Gospel of Life. I sound like an idiot in this paper.

Caritas et veritas!

First of all, this is amazing. I, of course, submitted my Polish mug. :)
hat tip: Shrine of the Holy Whapping

Secondly, it was a crazy week! The huuuge retreat here at Loras, Antioch, is this weekend, and everyone and their dog is going on it- so this week was filled with lots of chaos in preparation. I am not on team, nor am I attending the retreat, but I got quite caught up in the hustle and bustle of it nonetheless, as 4 of my roommates are on the team. This weekend will be weird, having only one roommate around (yay for Beth!). :) Anyway, there is my insufficient reason for not blogging all week. If I had time, I'd come up with something better, but I don't (Mass starts soon enough...can't come up with stories when rushing to attend Holy Mass...AFTER Mass, however...) ;) Heh.

So today four of us skipped the class we dislike strongly right down to our very fiber and went for coffee and bagels at Panera. Yum. I drove Rusty out to the restaurant after our holy hour. A few weeks back, when I was with him, he pulled a little kid move (Rusty, we look with our eyes, not our hands!) and pulled my miniature Sacred Heart statue off of my dashboard. Our Lady is still in place, but Our Lord has been dislocated for a few weeks. Anyway, this morning Rusty decided to make amends for his offense. So, he asked me if I had any gum. I did. The cinnamon Orbit kind. So, he chews it enough to get it good and pliable, then balls it up, spits it out, sticks it to my dashboard, and plops the Sacred Heart statue atop it. It actually looks kind of nice, considering it is red gum.
It's probably a heretical offense of some sort and I'll be reminded of it in purgatory, but gosh, we thought it was clever. And now I have the Sacred Heart back to guide me along the road (to holiness?). :) Oh dear...the things we come up with.

Proud moment of the week:
In Spanish class, the professor was trying to get us all to "tisk tisk" at the Church (like he always does...) and made a comment about whether we thought women were allowed equality in the Church. Knowing where he was going with this (and frankly, not wanting to go there), my friend, Alan, and I responded quickly "Yes." He looked at us and stated that it is a topic of debate, and he's really not so...and before he was able to make his bunk explanation about why he thinks the Church is the ruin of society, I state "Read Mulieris Dignitatem". He looks at me puzzled (partially because I spoke Latin and partially because I told him to read...the man who reads the dictionary for fun...), and asks me to repeat myself. So I do. Then he looks at me...stops a second, and says, "Ok." and we moved on.
Yes, that's right. Read. Mulieris. Dignitatem.
That's all it takes. :)

Another proud thing about which I am unashamed:
I have begun listening to Christmas music.
The reruns of EWTN's Religious Catalogue are of Christmas items, and I was in the mood. The way I see it, Christmas music is somewhat foo-fooed at during Advent because we are to have a spirit of preparation and all that jazz (I understand it...don't worry!), so...I'm going to get my Christmas fix before Advent.
Makes sense to me. :)

And the quote of the week is from dear St. Thomas More:
"These modern men, who have sprouted up overnight as "theologians" claiming to know everything...fail to agree among themselves about the great dogmas of the Christian faith. Each of them, whoever he may be, claiming that he has the truth, vanquishes the rest - only to be vanquished by the rest in return. But they are all alike in this way: They oppose the Catholic faith, and they are all conquered by it."

Gosh, I love that.

Enough for now - Mass calls!
As stated by a fifth-grader- "I have learned that the weight of one Mass is greater than anything in the world."
Amen kid!

Caritas et veritas!

Ugh, class. Again. Ok forget the fact that she doesn't know anything about the Albigensian heresy, and that she doesn't realize that the formation of the Dominicans was probably one of the most pivotal events in history I can think of (not that I'm biased or anything) - no, setting all that aside, she's just mean. And insulted me. I can't take this anymore. I nearly lost it last week when she was saying that she is a feminist, and a lot of times the people most surprised by her ideas are other women. And this is because they have been submitting to the oppressive male hierarchy for so long they don't realize they're being dominated. And I raise my hand and say, "Look here, I am offended that you think that women who listen to the Church are being blindly dominated" and she said that that is how most women respond, and then I told her very clearly and firmly that I have read the Church's documents, educated myself, and I believe what I believe because I believe it, not because I'm being forced by anybody. I believe it because it's Truth. And then she says something like "Yes, well, you would" and we end the conversation because I am about ready to either explode or pounce on her. So I put my head down and seethe. Anyway, I've just about had it. Why is it that people who wave the "I'm an accepting open-minded person" banner over their heads can be the most narrow-minded cruel people I've ever encountered? How difficult they make charity. Anyway, no more wasting virtual breath on her. I just had to express my frustration...again.
That is the worst class ever.

So on a much happier note: the new Harry Potter movie comes out in 10 days. :) Yay.

Anyway, time to get to working. And watching "Sister Act". I know it's a ridiculous and inaccurate movie, but gosh, it is fun. :)

Caritas et veritas.

Scary. Very scary.

I was very surprised to see in my ZENIT today that the cause for Sister Maria Laura is being opened. I had never heard her name. Why?

Why is it that we are afraid to speak of Satan in our churches, religion programs in schools, etc.? Why is it that we are cultivating grounds for ignorance and, consequently, interest in the occult?
Why is it that priests are reluctant to explain exorcism and Satan to us, leaving our minds to wander according to what we see in Hollywood movies and hear in fictional spooky stories?
Perhaps because it's scary. But what's scarier is not knowing the Truth.

I propose that we, as young people, ask for information. It says right there in that article that according to Fr. Gabriele Amorth, the more dangerous type of satanism is that which doesn't believe in Satan but surrenders to unnatural acts of filth. I know from experience how easy it is to get sucked into the lie that "it's really nothing to worry about - just some music, or some eccentric people, or fun". And this is precisely the activity that serves as a catalyst for horrible atrocities like we see now.

Yes, I propose that we learn.

God bless Sister Maria Laura, and God help those three girls, and the many just like them, in some way or another.

In new news: Abercrombie and Fitch is teaching young girls/young women to be skanky. Oh wait, that's not new news. That's the reason I've never bought a single item there, nor do I outwardly support anyone's finances going to that company. I understand that they are cool and that it is terribly important to be amongst the cool people whilst in youth (even I bought one Tommy Hilfiger shirt to fit in, once upon a time). And yet, this is just wrong.
These girls deserve a great big 'atta girl'. This reminds me very much of the news story ofrecent when a bunch of young ladies started an uprising about the hoocharific clothing found in nearly every juniors section of every department store. And whaddaya know - the cool thing this summer were those gypsy skirts, that were ::gasp:: either at-knee or below! I mean, it wasn't perfect (they were usually paired with a less-than-modest top), but it was a step in the right direction! And so, to those young ladies, I say kudos. Perhaps in revolting against the ridiculous at Abercrombie, similar stores such as Hollister and FCUK (and any others you can come up with), will try to follow suit.

And by the way, yes, the shirt I have featured is available for your favorite 13 year old to wear! What better message to send to pre-teens/teens?
Ugh.

I guess this pretty much perfectly piggy-backs on the post from Curt Jester from yesterday.

And once more...ugh.

Caritas et VERITAS.

You know you're Catholic when...

you're sitting at your computer discussing the communion of saints over AOL Instant Messenger and writing a letter to a Sister of Life and you receive an email from Facebook that states, "God the Father has invited you to be his friend. Click here to confirm invitation."

HAHA. I love it! And don't worry, I friended God.

And....HAPPY FEAST OF ALL SAINTS!! YAY! I love the saints. I love love love the saints. They are so awesome. I am such a huge fan. And I love the image of them cheering us on in heaven. How cool is that? The scene we discussed tonight when pretty much everyone and their brother decided to either make or renew their consecration to Mary...
"St. Louis de Montfort and St. Dominic with their arms over each other's shoulders, buddy-buddy style, with their free arm waving in the air, St. Maximillian Kolbe doing a little dance, St. Therese ballroom dancing around on her own (as she used to do), and Bl. Teresa of Calcutta, with clasped hands, shaking them in the air and proclaiming God's praises. All of them in unison yelling"Go (insert name here)" "You can do it!!" and Cardinal O'Connor runs to Bl. Teresa and they join hands and chant "Give. God. Permission. Give. God. Permission!" And all the saints throw their hands in the air, and cheer loudly stadium style. The martyrs start the wave, and Bl. Pier Giorgio gives a fist pump as the victory lap is run..."

Heh...I'm having too much fun.

I love being Catholic. :)

Caritas et veritas.