“Let us run to Mary, and, as her little children, cast ourselves into her arms with a perfect confidence.” –Saint Francis de Sales Today, on the feast of Candlemas, I am re-posting a poem in which the English Catholic writer Gilbert Keith Chesterton (b. 1874- d. 1936) professed his love of, and need for, the Blessed Virgin Mary. The poem is titled Confessional, and it is quite beautiful. The last line strikes a poignant chord as Chesterton confesses that his heart is a heavy load to bear. At the conclusion of the poem, the reader is left with a sense that Chesterton had made a heartfelt and childlike entreaty to Our Lady that she might assist him in bearing the load of his heart (paraphrase GKC). This poem expresses the essence of Catholic devotion to Our Lady: giving oneself to Jesus through the Blessed Virgin Mary, and subsequently trusting in Our Lady’s loving (maternal) care. For more on Candlemas, you might read here, here, and here. May you have a good Candlemas day. ~SCF Confessional by G.K. Chesterton Now that I…
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Pope Leo XIII and The Holy Rosary
~The following post is a repeat from September of 2018 (with edits). I like to re-read Pope Leo XIII, and think you will, too. SF “…let them cling more and more to the practice of the Rosary, to that devotion which our ancestors were in the habit of practicing, not only as an ever-ready remedy for their misfortunes, but as a whole badge of Christian piety.” ~Pope Leo XIII, 1883 The following is the first of eleven (!) encyclicals written by Pope Leo XIII (b. 1810- d. 1903) on the Holy Rosary. This encyclical was written in 1883, and is applicable to our day. It is quite instructive, and offers a glimpse into what the Church has traditionally taught, and held most dear, regarding the Holy Rosary. Pope Leo XIII was aware of the battle that his people were in, knew the tradition of the Rosary, its wonderful help and efficacy; and, hence, taught it incessantly throughout his long pontificate. The battle has not lessened in our day. We remain the Church Militant, and, as such, listen to the wise words of…
Epiphany 2022
January the sixth is Epiphany, a feast once celebrated with grandeur and joy. Let us revive Epiphany celebrations; let us restore Catholic culture in our homes and in our families. To learn about the history of Catholic Epiphany customs, I am (again) posting the following Epiphany-related text(s) from the French priest and Benedictine monk, Dom Prosper Gueranger (b. 1805- d. 1875): Theodosius, Charlemagne, our own Alfred the Great and Edward the Confessor, Stephen of Hungary, the Emperor Henry 2nd, Ferdinand of Castile, Louis 9th of France, are examples of Kings who had a special devotion to the Feast of the Epiphany. Their ambition was to go, in company with the Magi, to the feet of the Divine Infant, and offer him their gifts. At the English Court, the custom is still retained, and the reigning Sovereign offers an ingot of Gold as a tribute of homage to Jesus the King of kings: the ingot is afterwards redeemed by a certain sum of money. But this custom of imitating the Three Kings in their mystic gifts was not confined to Courts.…
The Season of Christmas
Christmas Day by Christina Rossetti “A baby is a harmless thing And wins our hearts with one accord, And Flower of Babies was their King, Jesus Christ our Lord: Lily of lilies He Upon His Mother’s knee; Rose of roses, soon to be Crowned with thorns on leafless tree. A lamb is innocent and mild And merry on the soft green sod; And Jesus Christ, the Undefiled, Is the Lamb of God: Only spotless He Upon His Mother’s knee; White and ruddy, soon to be Sacrificed for you and me. Nay, lamb is not so sweet a word, Nor lily half so pure a name; Another name our hearts hath stirred, Kindling them to flame: ‘Jesus’ certainly Is music and melody: Heart with heart in harmony Carol we and worship we.” (source) Christmas day has ushered us into the wonderful season of Christmas. May your Christmas season be blessed! ~SCF ~Top image: Adoration of the Magi by Peter Paul Rubens, painted between 1633-1634, source. “Come to me, all you that labour, and are burdened, and I will refresh you. [29] Take up my…
Merry Christmas
In the Bleak Midwinter by Christina Rossetti (source): “In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan, Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone; Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow, In the bleak midwinter, long ago. Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him, nor earth sustain; Heaven and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign. In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ. Enough for Him, whom cherubim, worship night and day, Breastful of milk, and a mangerful of hay; Enough for Him, whom angels fall before, The ox and ass and camel which adore. Angels and archangels may have gathered there, Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air; But His mother only, in her maiden bliss, Worshipped the beloved with a kiss. What can I give Him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part; Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart. “Sung version, here From all of us…