Our Hearts Are Restless

Here's just a quick update on life at college! This weekend is the 35th Anniversary celebration here at Christendom.  Last night we were blessed to hear a talk given by the Theologian of the Pontifical Household, Father Wojciech Giertych, a Polish Dominican friar.  Father Giertych preached at Mass yesterday and today...a wonderful speaker.  I was able to receive a blessing from him after the talk at the cocktail reception.  He's a very kind, cheerful man, at first imposing but then inspiring.  Fireworks show last night was awesome, as well as some reminiscing from one of the original professors about the first days of the college.  We've got a dance this evening, and probably more festivities tomorrow.  Fr. Giertych will be the main celebrant at Sunday Mass - I do wish I could record his sermon!   Yesterday was the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, one of my favorite feasts because St. Helena, who found that great relic, is my patroness.  Was able to venerate the r...

III. The Christian Name 2156 The sacrament of Baptism is conferred “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”  In Baptism, the Lord’s name sanctifies man, and the Christian receives his name in the Church. This can be the name of a saint, that is, of a disciple who has lived a life of exemplary fidelity to the Lord. The patron saint provides a model of charity; we are assured of his intercession. The “baptismal name” can also express a Christian mystery or Christian virtue. “Parents, sponsors, and the pastor are to see that a name is not given which is foreign to Christian sentiment.”  (232, 1267) 2157 The Christian begins his day, his prayers, and his activities with the Sign of the Cross: “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” The baptized person dedicates the day to the glory of God and calls on the Savior’s grace which lets him act in the Spirit as a child of the Father. The sign of the cross strengthens us in temptations an...

A gem that someone showed me - a new favorite poem of mine. REDEMPTION by George Herbert Having been tenant long to a rich Lord, Not thriving, I resolved to be bold, And make a suit unto him, to afford A new small-rented lease, and cancell th’ old. In heaven at his manour I him sought : They told me there, that he was lately gone About some land, which he had dearly bought Long since on earth, to take possession. I straight return’d, and knowing his great birth, Sought him accordingly in great resorts ; In cities, theatres, gardens, parks, and courts : At length I heard a ragged noise and mirth Of theeves and murderers : there I him espied, Who straight, Your suit is granted , said, and died.  

There's just barely time to get a poem in for this month, since I neglected to post one earlier.   Bath-Song Sing hey!  For the bath at the close of the day that washes the weary mud away A loon is he that will not sing O!  Water Hot is a noble thing!   O!  Sweet is the sound of the falling rain, And the brook that leaps from hill to plain; but better than rain or rippling streams is Water Hot that smokes and steams.   O!  Water cold we may pour at need down a thirsty throat and be glad indeed but better is beer if drink we lack, And Water Hot poured down the back.   O!  Water is fair that leaps on high in a fountain white beneath the sky; But never did fountain smell so sweet as splashing Hot Water with my feet!   ~J.R.R. Tolkien

I have been woefully remiss about writing here over this past week or two.  However, I do have a good explanation – I arrived back at Christendom College and have just completed my first week of classes.  Because my brain is so exhausted after a long summer of little mental stimulus and now sudden bombardments of complicated philosophical reasoning, I have no ability to concoct an intelligent article or essay. On the first day of class, when we get our syllabi, each professor generally provides a course goal, description, objectives, etc.  These serve as a thesis statement, essentially, for the rest of the semester.  Therefore, I thought that it might be amusing for you, my readers, to see what I will (hopefully!) be learning over the next few months.  Also, I have included the texts that we are using for each class. Philosophy 201: Ethics Required Texts – Basic Works of Aristotle Course Goal: To gain a better understanding of the end of human life and of what is involved in human mo...

Majestic Queen of Heaven and Mistress of the Angels, you received from God the power and command to crush the head of Satan. Therefore, we humbly beg of you, send forth the legions of Heaven, that under your command they may seek out all evil spirits, engage them everywhere in battle, curb their pride, and hurl them back into the pit of hell. “Who is like unto God?”      With firm confidence we present ourselves before you, our most loving Mother, afflicted and troubled as we are, and we beg you to let us understand the love you have for us by granting this petition, if it is according to the Will of God and profitable for our salvation: (mention your request).      Good and tender Mother, you shall ever be our hope and the object of our love. Mother of God, send forth the Holy Angels to defend us and drive far from us the cruel foe. Holy Angels and Archangels, defend and keep us. For the Feast:  the excerpt from the Catechism of the Catholic Church on this dogma. 966    “Finally the I...

      Majestic Queen of Heaven and Mistress of the Angels, you received from God the power and command to crush the head of satan. Therefore, we humbly beg of you, send forth the legions of Heaven, that under your command they may seek out all evil spirits, engage them everywhere in battle, curb their pride, and hurl them back into the pit of hell. “Who is like unto God?”      With firm confidence we present ourselves before you, our most loving Mother, afflicted and troubled as we are, and we beg you to let us understand the love you have for us by granting this petition, if it is according to the Will of God and profitable for our salvation: (mention your request).      Good and tender Mother, you shall ever be our hope and the object of our love. Mother of God, send forth the Holy Angels to defend us and drive far from us the cruel foe. Holy Angels and Archangels, defend and keep us.   [caption id="attachment_546" align="aligncenter" width="451"] Andre...