A Deo et Rege

Today, in many Catholic countries, is the feast of the Epiphany (officially it falls, in the Roman Calendar, on Jan. 6th, but many Episcopal Conferences have transferred it to a Sunday). This solemnity celebrates the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles through the
Magi (Wise Men). In addition, other manifestations of Christ are often
commemorated, including the miracle at Cana.

For more information, visit our All About Epiphany page.

A Prayer for Epiphany:

O LORD,
give us a new epiphany
when You will be manifested to the world:
to those who do not know You,
to those who do not want You,
to those who vilify Your Name,
to those who oppress Your Mystical Body,
to those who deny You,
and to all those who unconsciously long for You.

Bring the day closer
when all people will know and love You
together with the Father
and the Holy Spirit–
and the Kingdom of God will have arrived.

From the New St. Joseph People’s Prayer Book

Photo by Jonathan Bennett (I took a pic of my nativity set with a longer shutter speed and a slight blue tone; it also gives a hint of a personal custom of lighting candles for the 12 days of Christmas)

Yes, I had a longer post up on this. Yes, I deleted it. Why? I felt it could be taken the wrong way and was a bit sensationalist. I still like the essay, but will instead link to it without (too much anyway) my commentary:

The Century Ahead: Its the Demography Stupid by Mark Steyn (courtesy VirtueOnline)

Marie-Linda tagged me, so here goes!

What was your favorite movie in 2005?
This was a bit difficult since I don’t watch many movies. However, the best movie I saw in 2005 had to have been Babe: Pig in the City, the sequel to the original Babe movie.

What was your favorite book in 2005?
Since I am mainly into non-fiction books, I’d have to say Spirit of the Liturgy by Pope Benedict XVI. It gave me a new perspective on the mass and helped me to find a vision for the future of Catholic liturgy, architecture, and music that goes through the past, not just back to the 1970s.

What was your favorite music album in 2005?
Once again, my album buying is limited. I mainly download music from the internet now (legally of course!). However, I did buy a few albums and the best is Friendly Fire by the relatively but shouldn’t be unknown Bill Mallonee.

Richer or Poorer?
Richer, although not rich to be sure. I got a full-time teaching job this year, which has been a blessing in many ways, including a steady income.

Thinner or fatter?
The same, but still more weigh than I had in 2004. See my resolution!

What kept you sane this past year?
God, The Catholic Church, Carmel, and my family.

Which personal accomplishment in 2005 are you most pleased with?
Getting a full time job doing what I enjoy and living on my own for the first time ever. While it hasn’t always been easy I’m still here (see above question!).

What resolutions have you made for ‘06?
I didn’t really make too many, but I want to take off a few pounds, get in better shape, and get healthier. I also want to deepen my relationship with God and his Church and try to learn more about and experience mysticism. I’d also like to continue visiting Catholic shrines.

Which bad habit are you most motivated to break?
Hmmm, probably eating Dairy Queen blizzards. One habit I’m not motivated at all to break is my coffee drinking.

Which resolutions do you expect to keep?
All of them

What are you most looking forward to in 2006?
Getting married.

I supposed I should tag some people…how about Robb (although he’s done something similar already), Enbrethiliel, Jason, and anyone else who wants to do it!

is St. Matthew!

From: Catholic Online:

St. Matthew, one of the twelve Apostles, is the author of the first
Gospel. This has been the constant tradition of the Church and is
confirmed by the Gospel itself. He was the son of Alpheus and was
called to be an Apostle while sitting in the tax collectors place at
Capernaum. Before his conversion he was a publican, i.e., a tax
collector by profession. He is to be identified with the "Levi" of Mark
and Luke.

His apostolic activity was at first restricted to
the communities of Palestine. Nothing definite is known about his later
life. There is a tradition that points to Ethiopia as his field of
labor; other traditions mention of Parthia and Persia. It is uncertain
whether he died a natural death or received the crown of martyrdom.

Continue Reading About St. Matthew

If you are interested in reading more about the custom of getting a Saint for the year and getting a Saint chosen for you, please visit this blog entry from the blog A Catholic life.

I’m still trying to figure out the significance of St. Matthew in my life. Perhaps it has to do with the phrase, from the above CatholicOnline biography, "St. Matthew’s Gospel was written to fill a sorely-felt want for his fellow countrymen, both believers and unbelievers." Although I won’t be writing a Gospel, perhaps this year my calling will be to help Americans, Catholics and otherwise, find fulfillment and renewal in the Catholic Church. Or maybe St. Matthew has some surprises.

Thanks to Enbrethiliel for the link

Image of St. Matthew from St. Charles Borromeo Church Art Gallery

The websites of which I am a co-editor, Ancient and Future Catholics and ChurchYear.Net, are promoting an online service of Lessons and Carols (link is .pdf) tomorrow (Jan 5th) at 9:00pm EST. If you are interested, check out the service bulletin. It will be done on Paltalk, an online voice and discussion program. To join in this online service with Anglican roots, go to paltalk’s website, download the program, and sign up for a handle. You will need speakers to hear it. At 9:00pm EST, go to the Christianity rooms and look for "Catholics Building Bridges." Join this room. The service will occur live and we invite all to participate in their homes at their computer. If this sounds like something you’d enjoy, please come. All are welcome.

A Prayer to Our Lady for the New Year

Blessed Mother of Consolation, guide me through your loving prayers as I begin this new year. Remain close to me as I continue this earthly pilgrimage, moving through my time in this world toward a life with our Father, the true goal of every pilgrim.

Help me to move into this new year without fear or anxiety, rather with trust and openness to the many wonderful graces our Father gives us in each and every one of our years here upon earth.

Dear Mary, be with me and guide me to live my life of faith as you lived your life, ever in the presence of our Father, ever accepting His will, always living that will completely. Help me to touch those around me as you would touch them, with gentleness and calm, with understanding and patience. Guide me to help those near me who are in need as you would help them, giving completely of what I am, what I have received of God.

Pray for me each and every day of this new year, that I might live my life in the example of your beloved Son, our Lord. I truly desire to live as Christ taught us to live, to proclaim through my life His message of understanding and love.

Our Father has given us another year, dear Mary. I know in my heart of the endless wealth of this gift. Be with me each day, as I turn, full of hope, to my Father and say as you have said in your life, "be it done unto me according to Your Word."

Amen

Prayer from "A Pilgrim’s Prayer Book by Brother Jeffrey Hines, OFM Conv.
Photo by Jonathan Bennett (meant to virtually provide the view from the shrine kneeler)

Today I ventured to Carey, Ohio once again to visit the
National Shrine and Basilica of Our Lady of Consolation. This is a very special place for me, as a quick glance under the category "Catholic, Shrines" will show (on sidebar or bottom of this post). Last time, I went to join their confraternity; today I went to ask Our Lady’s intercessions for physical healing.

David, Jennifer, and I left somewhat early and naturally stopped at Speedway beforehand. The trip up was nice and on the way we stopped and looked at the Pontifical College Josephinum, the only seminary in the US under direct Vatican control. Surprisingly it’s located in Columbus, Ohio. Go figure.

When we arrived in Carey, we were disappointed to find that the bookstore was closed. However, they were doing devotions at least, which was the main reason we visited. We went into the main church building and I was shocked and I mean shocked: the shrine was completely decked out for Christmas. Granted my experience with Catholic parishes is somewhat limited, but this was the most beautiful example of Christmas decorating I’d ever seen! They had greenery everywhere, much of it lighted. They had (at my count) 10 lighted Christmas trees in the main shrine area alone. As someone who loves God, Mary, Christmas and shrines, I was in heaven.

I took some pictures, but mainly focused on prayer and devotion since I was here for spiritual reasons. Devotions started at 2:30pm and were awesome. They began with a rosary; then Fr. John-Raphael (Conventual Franciscan) gave an excellent homily on the
Blessed Mother. Next, they had Eucharistic adoration with the Divine Praises. Finally, they ended with a healing service that included being touched with a relic of the true cross.

After this, I took out the handy pilgrimage booklet and visited each altar, petitioning God and asking various Saints and the Blessed Mother to entreat our Lord on my behalf. I finally said my farewells to the Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation, knowing that I have a loving Mother to intercede on my behalf to her all-powerful Son.

Before I left I filled up 6 bottles of holy water. No, they’re not all for me! However, I like to have physical reminders of my visits. No Gnosticism for me, thanks. On the way home we looked at many Christmas lights and God’s natural lights in some amazing sunsets. I just wish Carmel would’ve been here. Next year for sure!

If you’re ever in the Carey, Ohio area (somewhat close to Toledo and Columbus) and are a devoted Catholic, I highly recommend you visit.

Photos of the shrine by Jonathan Bennett. The real beauty comes from others; I just try to capture a glimpse of it.

First, I’d like to wish all my readers a Happy New Year! May 2006 be a wonderful time for all of you!

Second, I’d like to wish all of you a happy solemnity of the Mother of God. It starts the new year off right to recognize the Motherhood of the one who bore the Son of God.

Third, I’d like to ask your prayers as I travel to the Shrine and Basilica of Our Lady of Consolation in Carey, Ohio. Without going into detail, I may need surgery in February and pray that through God’s grace and our Lady’s intercession I won’t. Thanks.