Journeys of a Catholic Poster Girl

Happy All Saints’ Day, friends. Don’t you love this feast?
I do–as a kid I always thought it was weird to be juxtaposed with halloween (sacred and profane, and all that), but as I grew older and realized how important the saints are to us, and how close they are, I’ve really grown to love this feast.

Here are the three saints I’m celebrating this year:

St. Therese of the Child Jesus, as always. She was the saint I chose at my confirmation, and the more I learn about here, the more I fall in love with her. She’s the most popular saint of modern times for a reason. If you’re looking for a good book on her, I recommend this one.  And there’s the movie!

St. Francis is the saint I have been studying this year. I got the idea from “Around the Year With the Von Trapp Family” to pick a saint every first Sunday of Advent that you will study during the year. I chose St. Francis since, at that time, I was applying to Franciscan University and wanted to learn more about St. Francis and the order he founded. This book is a good introduction, and this movie (also featuring St. Clare) is fantastic. (Also, in my family, my grandfather’s name is Francis, and it is my brother’s middle name.)

And finally, St. Dominic, whom, as we know from here, I have been studying. Right now I don’t have any books or movies to recomment, except–say the rosary! This great gift was given by Mary to St. Dominic, and is such a powerful prayer.

In addition to these, there is also St. Emily and St. Michael the Archangel, who are my name saints (Michele is my mom’s name, and my middle name.)

What about you? Who are your special saints?

Today I went to noon Mass at St. Joseph’s downtown. I made a promise to myself to go more often, so…no day like today, right?

Usually I like to get there early so I can say my rosary (or most of it) in front of the tabernacle, in the Eucharistic chapel. There’s just something about praying my rosary there, in front of Jesus in the tabernacle, that makes it that much more special for me, and I feel so much closer to Our Lord. So this is an important time for me. I tend to work out big problems while doing this, too.

So I was praying, per usual, when I saw a nun and a little girl. I couldn’t tell what order the nun was with–I didn’t recognize her habit (grey head scarf/pieces, whatever it’s called now, a sort of lighter-gray, dark white dress, rope around the waist, wooden rosary also at waist). The nun, who looked about my age, was pointing things out to the little girl, and, when they reached the chapel, the nun showed her how to genuflect and make the Sign of the Cross. I’m guessing the girl was about three or four.

The sister and the child attended the Mass (today’s the feast day of St. Bartholemew, BTW), and I sat in front of her. During the peace we shook hands. She had the most radiant, calm, peaceful face. And she was very friendly and obviously patient, to take the little girl around like that.

Seeing a nun–in habit!–worshipping and teaching like that was a good insertion to my day. It also helped me stick to my resolve to be more prayerful, more in tune with God.

So, this year my patron saint is St. Francis of Assisi. I chose him for a few reasons: one, he’s a saint everyone “knows”, but I thought I didn’t really know much about him, other than the rebuilding of the churches, loving animals, and stuff like that. So I thought I needed to know a bit more about him. 

Second, I am applying to Franciscan University of Steubenville to do my MA work. So I thought it wouldn’t hurt to know more about the order’s founder, no? 

I have begun, thus, to read about St. Francis. I will probably create a Google doc, like I have with my Jane project (over on the Bucket), to amass all the info. But right now I’m just reading. 

The first book I read wasn’t precisely about St. Francis, per se. It was My Life With the Saints, by James Martin, S.J.  As the title would indicate, Fr. Martin writes about the different saints that have had an impact on his life, including St. Jude, St. Peter, St. Therese, St. Bernadette, and St. Francis. 

While this wasn’t a biography, more of a personal reflection, I still learned more than I had before–about St. Francis’ family, how his father changed his name to Francis as an homage to France, the founding of the Franciscan order, and St. Francis’ love of song. Martin writes in an engaging style that makes this a fun book to read. 

The second book was a Christmas gift from my friend Richelle– St. Francis of Assisi, by G.K. Chesterton. (The link doesn’t take you to a precise copy, but it’s as good–if not better). Chesterton, with his characteristic wit and insight, gives “an introduction” to St. Francis (which is what he calls it), touching on his life, the historical period, and some good anecdotes. He says several times that his book is for beginners, or those just learning about the saint, which made it perfect for starting my project. 

While 2009 doesn’t start for another month, in the Church 2009 has begun today! The first Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of the new Church Year. 

Last year I found a copy of the out-of-print Around the Year With the Von Trapp Family (yes, that Von Trapp family) on the internet (link on sidebar). Besides being wonderfully written, it also gives meticulous detail about how the large family celebrated every season of the Church year. I printed off the pages and placed them in a binder (sort of comprising a ‘book’), and have followed it since then. 

This is the first Advent I have with it, and one of the ideas is choosing a patron saint for the year. This year, I have chosen St. Francis, partially because there are several “Francis”es in my family, and also because I hope to be studying at Franciscan University in 2009, so I figure I better know some more about him and his order, other than he was kidnapped by pirates, rebuilt churches with his money, liked animals and founded the Franciscan order. 

So this year I will be praying/reading/studying St. Francis. If you know any good books or internet links about him, please leave them in the combox!

Another thing: Advent reading. I use the Magnificat Advent book, and Advent and Christmas with Pope John Paul II. (There’s a whole series of these–Padre Pio, G.K. Chesterton, etc., etc.) What books do you like to use? 

I have really fallen for this wonderful man and we have been dating for 3 years and seriously looking at marriage. Here is the problem: He goes to church. I really don’t mind the Christmas and Easter visits, but he insists on going every Sunday. It is so hard to plan weekends with his over-commitment to his church. On top of that he insists on “tithing” which means 10 percent of his income to this church. This drives me crazy! That is like a car payment! I love this man so much, but I don’t know how to approach the subject of his crazed over-commitment to his faith or church. I mean, people don’t do church like they used to, right? How can I drag this man out of his cave and get him to live in the real, modern world.

Carolyn Hax: Um. In my version of the modern world, each of us is entitled to live in whatever cave we damn please. Earth currently hosts about 6 billion people. Surely you can find one to love whose choices you respect.

Wow.

The above was part of today’s advice chat on the WaPo’s website.
A few comments:

Here is the problem: He goes to church. I really don’t mind the Christmas and Easter visits, but he insists on going every Sunday. It is so hard to plan weekends with his over-commitment to his church.

Um, going to church once a week is not an “overcommitment.” In fact, it’s just about the bare minimum you can do to practice your faith.

On top of that he insists on “tithing” which means 10 percent of his income to this church. This drives me crazy! That is like a car payment!

This is the second thing most people do when they attend church regularly–they tithe. You know, Biblical injunctions and all that, plus the general feeling of obligation when the basket is passed, usually lead to tithing. If he gives 10%, bravo to him!!!! That’s superb!

don’t know how to approach the subject of his crazed over-commitment to his faith or church.

Honey, “Crazed overcommitment” would be like taking you and hiding away in some cabin in Montana, waiting for the second Coming with an ammo stockpile and Spam. This ain’t it.

mean, people don’t do church like they used to, right?

If this is her definition of “do church,” then she’d be totally appalled by the practices of some of the readers of this blog (and its author)–prayer every day! confession! Sacraments! Spiritual reading! Oh my gosh! And some people still become priests and nuns and monks, and give themselves totally to God! Wow!

How can I drag this man out of his cave and get him to live in the real, modern world.

“Out of his cave?” Um, he believes in God. He’s religious. He is, apparently, Christian. I’m not seeing any caveman behaviors here.

I loved Carolyn’s response: “Wow.” That just about sums it up.

From Magnificat (with some of my own additions):

Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton was born on August 28, 1774, in New york City, to a wealth and distinguished Episcopalian family. She was baptized in the Episcopal faith and was a faithful adherent to the Episcopal Church of England. Her mother died when she was a child and her father was a physician. In 1794, Elizabeth married businessman William Seton, and they raised five children in New York City. Her husband suffered a catastrophic business failure which forced the family to sell their home and depend on the kindness of relatives. William contracted tuberculosis and Elizabeth and Anna, one of their daughters, accompanied him to Leghorn, Italy, where he sought a cure. Sadly, he died there, and Elizabeth and Anna went to live for a time with the Felicci family, wealthy Italians who were friends of William’s. Impressed by their deep faith, Elizabeth decided to convert to Catholicsm upon her return to America. She made her professsion of faith in 1805, much to the displeasure of her family. At the behest of Bishop John Carroll, Elizabeth established the her Catholic school in Balitmore in 1808, which was open to all students regardless of their family’s ability in pay. In 1809 she founded the Daughters of Charity in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Her two boys were educated at Mount St. Mary’s and joined the American navy. Elizabeth lost two of her daughters, Anna and Rebecca, to tuberculosis. Her daughter Katherine survived. Her community spread to New York state, and as far as St. Louis, before she died on January 4, 1821. She was declared a Saint (the first American-born) by Pope Paul VI on September 14, 1975.

From St. Elizabeth’s writings:

O Father, the first rule of our dear Saviour’s life was to do your will. Let his will of the present moment be the first rule of our daily life and work, with no other desire but for its most full and complete accomplishment. Help us to follow it faithfully, so that doing what you wish we will be pleasing to you.

Lord Jesus, who was born for us in a stable, lived for us a life of pain and sorrow and died for us upon the cross; say for us in the hour of death, “Father, forgive,” and to your Mother, “behold your child.” Say to us, “This day you shall be with me in paradise.” Dear Saviour, leave us not, forsake us not. We thirst for you, Fountain of Living Water. Our days pass quickly along; soon all will be consummated for us. To your hands, we commend our spirits, not and forever. Amen.

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is one of my favorite saints. I’ve seen the movie A Time for Miracles many times, and it helps butress my own feeling of vocation. In my ideal life, I would like to be her–married to a man she loved, children, a nun, a foundress, a teacher, etc. Her life was hard, I know. But still, she encompassed every part of a woman’s life in a truly unique way.

In grade school my parents took us to Emmitsburg to see St. Elizabeth’s home and school. You can still see the original school house she and the sisters used. St. Elizabeth is buried on the property, along with her children. It is a beautiful and peaceful place.

Some links:

On her life

Seton shrine in NYC (lower Manhattan)

The Emmitsburg Shrine (National shrine)

Today I got my registration email from the SMME in Ann Arbor for the vocations retreat in February! I am so excited!

For great gifts that support religious life, go to the Cloister Gift Shoppe, run by the Dominican Nuns in NJ. Their soaps are wonderful–I ordered three scents and they arrived yesterday. I am so happy with them!

I have also put a link to them on my sidebar, so you can shop their year ’round!

These are the two communities I am discerning/talking with:

 Nashville Dominicans of St. Cecilia

Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist (SMME for short)

Please, all of you in blogger land:

please pray for me and for the order I am contacting, that they will be open to the idea of giving me a chance to try my vocation with them, even with my crazy health history!

I have never felt so strongly drawn to anything as I have to this order.

Jesus and Mary, pray for me!