Fr. Lasance in October

The month of the Holy Rosary, October, has arrived with its cooler temperatures, and evolving leaf scapes. It is a delightful time of the year, though one can be troubled without much effort by taking a glance at the international, or local news. It should be noted, however, that such news sources do not contain the Catholic view of the world; which leads to the question of what is the Catholic view of the world? That view is summed up in the Baltimore Catechism, but can be simply stated that Jesus Christ is King; and, in the end, all shall be well for those who hope in Him. And, so with that in mind, we publish today another quote in the Fr. Lasance quote series, and it now follows: Do not look forward to what may happen to-morrow: the same everlasting Father who cares for you to-day will take care of you to-morrow and every day. Either He will shield you from suffering or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, then, and put aside…

The Sweet and Holy Name of Mary

As September in the year 2023 progresses, and the leaves are beginning to turn to yellow, the Roman Catholic Church commemorates the Most Holy Name of Mary. The Church’s liturgy for today is a veritable feast which delights in the contemplation of this holy name as seen here. Dom Prosper Gueranger (b. 1805- d. 1875) in his book The Liturgical Year had much to say about this day; and it is worth a read. Here is Dom Prosper’s writing on the Most Holy Name of Mary: “And the Virgin’s name was Mary” (Luke i. 27). Let us speak a little about this name which signifies star of the sea, and which so well befits the Virgin Mother. Rightly is she likened to a star: for as a star emits its ray without being dimmed so the Virgin brought forth her Son without receiving any injury. The ray takes nought from the brightness of the star, nor the Son from His Mother’s integrity. This is the noble star risen out of Jacob, whose ray illumines the whole world, whose splendour shines…

Hail to Mary, Our Blessed Virgin Mother, on Her Nativity

~September the eighth is the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. The world was changed at the birth of Our Lady as described by Dom Prosper Gueranger in the following (refreshed for today) 2018 Marian Room post (for further reading, you might open the linked items in the post): Today is the celebration of the Nativity of Mary. It is a joyous day in the Roman Catholic Church, and in the world. If we tried to imagine a creature given to us as the Mother of Our Savior, I do not expect that we could have imagined one as good and kind, sweet and loving, perfect in every manner, as the Most Holy Mother, Mary; the Immaculate Conception, our Mother and Queen. On her birthday, we particularly remember Mary in her babyhood. Mary has been known traditionally in her babyhood under the title of Maria Bambina. Catholics have had a great love for Our Lady in her babyhood for centuries. In Dom Prosper Gueranger’s The Liturgical Year, Dom Gueranger treats of the Nativity of Mary in the following: “Let us celebrate the…

Fr. Lasance Collected Quotes

Today, The Marian Room is posting another quote from Fr. Francis X. Lasance’s prayer book, My Prayer Book. This quote is on the effect of Catholic pictures in a home. I think you will find it to be thought provoking: “A Room with good Catholic pictures in it and a room without such pictures differ as much as a room with windows and one without these necessities. Pictures, and I mean only good, pure pictures, are consolers of loneliness, and a relief to the troubled mind. They are windows to the imprisoned heart, books, histories, sermons which we can read without the trouble of turning over the leaves or straining the eyes. They make up for the want of many other enjoyments to those whose life is mostly passed amid the smoke and din, the bustle and noise of a large city. Pictures of Our Lord and His saints inspire us, give us courage and induce us to bear our cross with Christian resignation.” ~31 My Catholic Prayer-Book “Pictures of Our Lord and His saints inspire us, give us courage…

Fr. Lasance’s Quote on the Love of Flowers

The prolific Catholic writer, the Reverend Francis Xavier Lasance (b. 1860- d. 1946), published an interesting prayer book in 1908 which has been quite popular since its first printing. This book is titled My Prayer Book, Happiness in Goodness, and I find it interesting because it is not only filled with Catholic prayers, but it also contains many quotes from various Catholic writers of which Fr. Lasance collected. So, I am going to start a new little thread of posts sharing these quotes. Today, I am sharing one which Father printed regarding what the love of flowers tells us about a person: “I have always noticed that wherever you find flowers, no matter whether in a garret or in palace, it is a pretty sure sign that there is an inner refinement of which the world is not cognizant. I have seen flowers cultivated and cherished by some of the lowest and poorest of our people. Where these emblems of purity are found, you may rest assured that they represent a hope, and speak of a goodness of heart not…