word: alacrity

alacrity 

Definition:	(noun) Cheerful willingness.
Synonyms:	briskness, eagerness
Usage:	Tom gave up the brush with reluctance in his face, but alacrity in his heart. Discuss.

Audiobook : A Course in Miracles – Part 1 (“…a universal theology is imposible but a universal experience is posible!…”)

[youtube.com/watch?v=0yEzodbiqbk]

Audiobook : A Course in Miracles – Part 1 (follow the other audiobooks in the playlist)

Published on Dec 8, 2013

The introduction to the book contains the following summary:

1. Nothing real can be threatened.

1. Nothing unreal exists.

1. Herein lies the peace of God.

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word: pervade

pervade

Definition:	(verb) Spread or diffuse through.
Synonyms:	imbue, permeate, riddle, penetrate
Usage:	Yet amid all these varieties and incongruities, there is a common meaning or spirit which pervades his writings. Discuss.

Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor by Irving Berlin

[youtube.com/watch?v=rsRemx7ANg4]

Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor

Words by Emma Lazarus
Music by Barbara Klaskin Silberg ©2000

To download this song, Please visit:
http://www.TinyTuneTown.com or
http://www.SongsForLearning

For more information on performing this song, please visit:
http://www.MrsMusic.com

welcome to euzicasa: visitors from 200 countries, and 5 continents found this site interesting enough to visit again: Did you?

welcome to euzicasa: visitors from 200 countries, and 5 continents found this site interesting enough to visit again: Did you?

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TODAY’S BIRTHDAY: Pope Innocent XI (1611)

Pope Innocent XI (1611)

In 1676, Benedetto Odescalchi was elected pope despite the strong opposition of Louis XIV of France, with whom he had a long, bitter quarrel over Gallicanism—a French Roman Catholic tradition of resistance to papal authority. He took the name Innocent XI. As Pope, Innocent lived very parsimoniously and sought to curb nepotism among the cardinals. He closed all of the theaters in Rome—deemed centers of vice and immorality—and brought a temporary halt to the flourishing tradition of what? More… Discuss

TODAY’S SAINT, MAY 11: Frost Saints’ Days

Frost Saints’ Days

These three consecutive days in May mark the feasts of St. Mammertus, St. Pancras, and St. Servatus. In the wine-growing districts of France, a severe cold spell occasionally strikes at this time of year, inflicting serious damage on the grapevines; some in rural France have believed that it is the result of their having offended one of the three saints, who for this reason are called the “frost saints.” French farmers have been known to show their displeasure over a cold snap at this time of year by flogging the statues and defacing the pictures of Mammertus, Pancras, and Servatus. More… Discuss

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TODAY’S SAINT: St. Peter of Tarantaise May 8: Cistercian Archbishop

Saint of the Day

St. Peter of Tarantaise
May 8: Cistercian archbishop. Peter was born near Vienne, in Dauphine, … Read More

May 8

St. Victor Maurus St. Desideratus St. Abran St. Wiro St. Acacius St. Victor the Moor St. Wiro St. Dionysius St. Helladius of Auxerre St. Indract St. Maria Magdalen of Canossa St. Odrian St. Peter of Tarantaise

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quotation: William Makepeace Thackeray

Mother is the name for God in the lips and hearts of little children.

William Makepeace Thackeray (1811-1863) Discuss

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Expectation, poetic thought by George B (my poetry collection)

Expectation, poetic thought by George B

It happen once before, creation,
when all there wasn’t turned into being
But then it all fell into complacency
And we became accustomed to just this –
We call being…

Being interrupted,
takes one to before creation,
when nothing was, yet,
everything had an equal chance to become…
fifty- fifty chance,
either – or
neither–nor,
it is that simple,
being, not being,
it’s expected…

US news articles and blogs – The Christian Science Monitor – CSMonitor.com

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SAINT OF THE DAY April 22: ST. ABDIESUS April 22

SAINT OF THE DAY

ST. ABDIESUS
April 22: Also called Hebed Jesus, a deacon in the Christian community of … Read More

April 22

St. Abdiesus St. Acepsimas St. Alexander St. Apelles St. Arwald St. Authaire St. Bicor St. Tarbula St. Theodore of Sykeon St. Senorina St. Epiphanius and Alexander St. Joseph of Persia St. Leo of Sens St. Leonides of Alexandria St. Mareas St. Opportuna St. Milles St. Parmenius, Chrysoteins, and Helimenas Bl. Maria Gabriella Sagheddu

 

ARTICLE: SHAMANISM

Shamanism

Shamanism is premised on the belief that the visible world is pervaded by invisible spirits that affect the lives of the living. Intermediaries known as shamans are believed to have contact with these forces and to be able to cure illness, foretell the future, and control natural events. Some societies distinguish shamans who cure from sorcerers who harm, while others believe that all shamans have both curative and deadly powers. What methods do shamans use to make contact with the spirit world? More…Discuss

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SAINT OF THE DAY April 14: ST. LYDWINE

SAINT OF THE DAY

ST. LYDWINE
April 14: St. Lydwine is the patroness of sickness Lydwine of Schiedam was … Read More

April 14

St. Lydwine Bl. Peter Gonzales St. Abundius St. Ardalion St. Tassach St. Thomais St. Tiburtius St. Domnina of Terni St. Lambert of Lyon St. Peter Gonzalez St. Benezet

TODAY’S SAINTS: ST. MARGUERITE D’YOUVILLE April 11 (Foundress of the Sisters of Charity, the Grey Nuns of Canada)

SAINT OF THE DAY

ST. MARGUERITE D’YOUVILLE
April 11: Foundress of the Sisters of Charity, the Grey Nuns of Canada. … Read More

April 11

St. Marguerite d’Youville St. Stanislaus St. Gemma Galgani St. Antipas St. Barsanuphius St. Domnio St. Godebertha St. Machai St. Maedhog St. Philip of Gortyna

 

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SAINT OF THE DAY: ST. ACACIUS: Feastday: April 9

ST. ACACIUS

Feastday: April 9

Death: 425 

Acacius was bishop of Amida (Diarbekir), Mesopotamia. He sold the sacred vessels of his church to aid victims of the Persian persecution. His actions so impressed King Bahram V that he is reported to have ordered an end to the persecution of the Christians. His feast day is April 9th.

April 9

St. Acacius St. Waldetrudis Bl. Thomas of Tolentino St. Casilda of Toledo St. Demetrius St. Dotto St. Eupsychius St. Gaucherius St. Hedda St. Hugh of Rouen St. Materiana Martyrs of Croyland Martyrs of Pannonia

 

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• ST. CYRIL OF JERUSALEM – BISHOP AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH: March 18

THIS DAY IN THE YESTERYEAR: THE NOTRE-DAME AFFAIR (1950)

The Notre-Dame Affair (1950)

The Notre-Dame Affair was an anti-Catholic intervention performed by radical members of the Lettrist movement on Easter Sunday 1950. During a quiet moment in the Easter High Mass, Michel Mourre, disguised as a Dominican monk, climbed to the rostrum and declaimed a blasphemous anti-sermon on the death of God. Not surprisingly, his statements enraged the thousands of faithful present at the mass, who went after Mourre and his co-conspirators and may well have lynched them had it not been for whom?More… Discuss

TODAY’S HOLIDAY: HANA MATSURI

Hana Matsuri

Hana Matsuri is a celebration of the Buddha‘s birthday, observed in Buddhist temples throughout Japan, where it is known as Kambutsue. The highlight of the celebration is a ritual known as kambutsue (“ceremony of ‘baptizing’ the Buddha”), in which a tiny bronze statue of the Buddha, standing in an open lotus flower, is anointed with sweet tea. People use a small bamboo ladle to pour the tea, made of hydrangea leaves, over the head of the statue. The custom is supposed to date from the seventh century, when perfume was used, as well as tea. More… Discuss

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SAINT OF THE DAY April 8: ST. JULIE BILLIART (1751-1816)

SAINT OF THE DAY

ST. JULIE BILLIART
April 8: St. Julie (Julia) Billiart was born in 1751 and died in 1816. As … Read More

April 8

St. Julie Billiart St. Walter of Pontoise St. Aedesius St. Amantius of Como St. Concessa St. Dionysius of Corinth St. Januarius, Maxima, and Macaria St. Julia Billiart St. Redemptus St. Perpetuus St. Aedesius

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SAINT OF THE DAY April 6: ST. WILLIAM OF ESKILSOE

SAINT OF THE DAY

ST. WILLIAM OF ESKILSOE
April 6: Missionary. Born at Saint-Germain, France, circa 1125, he served … Read More

April 6

St. Celestine I St. Sixtus I St. Berthane St. Brychan St. Ulehad St. Winebald St. William of Eskilsoe St. Timothy & Diogenes St. Elstan St. Florentius St. Rufina St. Paul Tinh St. Platonides Bl. Pierino Morosini

ARTICLE: YOGA

Yoga

Yoga dates to at least the 2nd century BCE—and likely much earlier—as an orthodox school of Hindu philosophy, but it has become known outside of India as a means of physical and mental exercise. The popular form in the West is hatha yoga, which emphasizes specific postures combined with controlled breathing to bring about mental calm. Hatha yoga’s more than 1,000 positions are intended to make the spine supple and promote circulation throughout the body. What does yoga mean in Sanskrit? More… Discuss

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SAINT OF THE DAY: ST. PETER REGULATUS March 30

SAINT OF THE DAY

ST. PETER REGULATUS
March 30: Also Peter Regalado, Franciscan reformer. Peter was born at … Read More

March 30

Bl. Amadeus IX of Savoy St. Zosimus St. Tola St. Clinius St. Domninus St. Fergus St. John Climacus St. Leonard Muraildo St. Mamertinus of Auxerre St. Regulus St. Quirinus St. Osburga St. Pastor St. Patto St. Peter Regulatus

 

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TODAY’S SAINT: ST. BERTHOLD March 29

SAINT OF THE DAY

ST. BERTHOLD
March 29: Considered by some historians to be the founder of the Carmelite … Read More

March 29

St. Armogastes and Companions St. Berthold St. Secundus St. Eustace St. Firminus St. Gladys St. Gwynllyw St. Lasar St. Ludolph St. Mark St. Pastor St. Ludolf of Ratzeburg

SAINT OF THE DAY March 24: ST. ALDEMAR March 24

SAINT OF THE DAY

ST. ALDEMAR
March 24: Abbot and miracle worker, called “the Wise.” Born in … Read More

March 24

St. Aldemar St. Timolaus & Companions St. Seleucus St. Caimin St. Cairlon St. Domangard St. Epicharis St. Hildelitba St. Latinus St. Macartan St. Romulus and Secundus St. Mark & Timothy St. Pigmenius

SAINT OF THE DAY March 23: ST. TORIBIO ALFONSO DE MOGROVEJO

SAINT OF THE DAY

ST. TORIBIO ALFONSO DE MOGROVEJO
March 23: Bishop and defender of the rights of the native Indians in Peru, … Read More

March 23

St. Fidelis St. Benedict of Campania St. Victorian St. Theodulus St. Toribio Alfonso de Mogrovejo St. Domitius St. Ethelwald St. Felix St. Joseph Oriol St. Julian St. Nicon St. Rafqa

 

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SAINT OF THE DAY March 22: Saint of the Day ST. LEA

SAINT OF THE DAY

ST. LEA
March 22: A letter which St. Jerome wrote to St. Marcella provides the … Read More

March 22

St. Lea St. Nicholas Owen St. Basil of Ancyra St. Benvenutus Scotivoli St. Trien St. Saturninus St. Callinica & Basilissa St. Darerca of Ireland St. Deogratius St. Epaphroditus St. Humilitas St. Octavian St. Paul of Narbonne

 

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SAINT OF THE DAY March 15: ST. LOUISE DE MARILLAC

SAINT OF THE DAY

Deutsch: Reliquienschrein der Hl. Louise de Marillac, Paris, rue du Bac Français : Reliquaire de Sainte Louise de Marillac, Paris, rue du Bac (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

ST. LOUISE DE MARILLAC
March 15: Louise de Marillac was born probably at Ferrieres-en-Brie near … Read More

 

March 15

St. Louise de Marillac St. Matrona St. Aristobulus Bl. William Hart St. Clement Maria Hofbauer St. Leocrita St. Mancius St. Raymond of Fitero St. Nicander St. Menignus St. Monaldus of Ancona Bl. Artemide Zatti

 

word: LILLIPUTIAN

lilliputian 

Definition:	(adjective) Very small.
Synonyms:	bantam, diminutive, flyspeck, midget, petite, tiny
Usage:	How am I supposed to fit everything I will need for summer camp in this lilliputian trunk?! Discuss.

 

QUOTATION: Victor Hugo

When grace is joined with wrinkles, it is adorable. There is an unspeakable dawn in happy old age.

Victor Hugo (1802-1885) Discuss

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TODAY’S SAINT: St. Frances of Rome (Feastday: March 9)

St. Frances of Rome

Feastday: March 9
1384 – 1440Frances was born in the city of Rome in 1384 to a wealthy, noble family. From her mother she inherited a quiet manner and a pious devotion to God. From her father, however, she inherited a strong will. She decided at eleven that she knew what God wanted for her — she was going to be a nun.

And that’s where her will ran right up against her father’s. He told Frances she was far too young to know her mind — but not too young to be married. He had already promised her in marriage to the son of another wealthy family. In Rome at that time a father’s word was law; a father could even sell his children into slavery or order them killed.

Frances probably felt that’s what he was doing by forcing her to marry. But just as he wouldn’t listen to her, Frances wouldn’t listen to him. She stubbornly prayed to God to prevent the marriage until her confessor pointed out, “Are you crying because you want to do God’s will or because you want God to do your will?”

She gave in to the marriage — reluctantly. It was difficult for people to understand her objection. Her future husband Lorenzo Ponziani was noble, wealthy, a good person and he really cared for her. An ideal match — except for someone who was determined to be a bride of Christ.

Then her nightmare began. This quiet, shy thirteen year old was thrust into the whirl of parties and banquets that accompanied a wedding. Her mother-in-law Cecilia loved to entertain and expected her new daughter-in-law to enjoy the revelry of her social life too. Fasting and scourging were far easier than this torture God now asked her to face.

Frances collapsed from the strain. For months she lay close to death, unable to eat or move or speak.

At her worst, she had a vision of St. Alexis. The son of a noble family, Alexis had run away to beg rather than marry. After years of begging he was so unrecognizable that when he returned home his own father thought he was just another beggar and made him sleep under the stairs. In her own way, Frances must have felt unrecognized by her family — they couldn’t see how she wanted to give up everything for Jesus. St. Alexis told her God was giving her an important choice: Did she want to recover or not?

It’s hard for us to understand why a thirteen-year-old would want to die but Frances was miserable. Finally, she whispered, “God’s will is mine.” The hardest words she could have said — but the right words to set her on the road to sanctity.

St. Alexis replied, “Then you will live to glorify His Name.” Her recovery was immediate and complete. Lorenzo became even more devoted to her after this — he was even a little in awe of her because of what she’d been through.

But her problems did not disappear. Her mother-in-law still expected her to entertain and go on visits with her. Look at Frances’ sister-in-law Vannozza –happily going through the rounds of parties, dressing up, playing cards. Why couldn’t Frances be more like Vannozza?

In a house where she lived with her husband, his parents, his brother and his brother’s family, she felt all alone. And that’s why Vannozza found her crying bitterly in the garden one day. When Frances poured out her heart to Vannozza and it turned out that this sister-in-law had wanted to live a life devoted to the Lord too. What Frances had written off as frivolity was just Vannozza’s natural easy-going and joyful manner. They became close friends and worked out a program of devout practices and services to work together.

They decided their obligations to their family came first. For Frances that meant dressing up to her rank, making visits and receiving visits — and most importantly doing it gladly. But the two spiritual friends went to masstogether, visited prisons, served in hospitals and set up a secret chapel in an abandoned tower of their palace where they prayed together.

But it wasn’t fashionable for noblewomen to help the poor and people gossiped about two girls out alone on the streets. Cecilia suffered under the laughter of her friends and yelled at her daughters-in-law to stop theirs spiritual practices. When that didn’t work Cecilia then appealed to her sons, but Lorenzo refused to interfere with Frances’ charity.

The beginning of the fifteenth century brought the birth of her first son, Battista, after John the Baptist. We might expect that the grief of losing her mother-in-law soon after might have been mixed with relief — no more pressure to live in society. But a household as large as the Ponziani’s needed someone to run it. Everyone thought that sixteen-year-old Frances was best qualified to take her mother-in-law’s place. She was thrust even more deeply into society and worldly duties. Her family was right, though — she was an excellent administrator and a fair and pleasant employer.

After two more children were born to her — a boy, Giovanni Evangelista, and a girl, Agnes — a flood brought disease and famine to Rome. Frances gave orders that no one asking for alms would be turned away and she and Vannozza went out to the poor with corn, wine, oil and clothing. Her father-in-law, furious that she was giving away their supplies during a famine, took the keys of the granary and wine cellar away from her.

Then just to make sure she wouldn’t have a chance to give away more, he sold off their extra corn, leaving just enough for the family, and all but one cask of one. The two noblewomen went out to the streets to beg instead.

Finally Frances was so desperate for food to give to the poor she went to the now empty corn loft and sifted through the straw searching for a few leftover kernels of corn. After she left Lorenzo came in and was stunned to find the previously empty granary filled with yellow corn. Frances drew wine out of their one cask until one day her father in law went down and found it empty. Everyone screamed at Frances. After saying a prayer, she led them to cellar, turned the spigot on the empty cask, and out flowed the most wonderful wine. These incidents completely converted Lorenzo and her father-in-law.

Having her husband and father-in-law completely on her side meant she could do what she always wanted. She immediately sold her jewels and clothes and distributed money to needy. She started wearing a dress of coarse green cloth.

Civil war came to Rome — this was a time of popes and antipopes and Rome became a battleground. At one point there were three men claiming to be pope. One of them sent a cruel governor, Count Troja, to conquer Rome. Lorenzo was seriously wounded and his brother was arrested. Troja sent word that Lorenzo’s brother would be executed unless he had Battista, Frances’s son and heir of the family, as a hostage. As long as Troja had Battista he knew the Ponzianis would stop fighting.

When Frances heard this she grabbed Battista by the hand and fled. On the street, she ran into her spiritual adviser Don Andrew who told her she was choosing the wrong way and ordered her to trust God. Slowly she turned around and made her way to Capitol Hill where Count Troja was waiting. As she and Battista walked the streets, crowds of people tried to block her way or grab Battista from her to save him. After giving him up, Frances ran to a church to weep and pray.

As soon as she left, Troja had put Battista on a soldier’s horse — but every horse they tried refused to move. Finally the governor gave in to God’s wishes. Frances was still kneeling before the altar when she felt Battista’s little arms around her.

But the troubles were not over. Frances was left alone against the attackers when she sent Lorenzo out of Rome to avoid capture. Drunken invaders broke into her house, tortured and killed the servants, demolished the palace, literally tore it apart and smashed everything. And this time God did not intervene — Battista was taken to Naples. Yet this kidnapping probably saved Battista’s life because soon a plague hit — a plague that took the lives of many including Frances’ nine-year-old son Evangelista.

At this point, her house in ruins, her husband gone, one son dead, one son a hostage, she could have given up. She looked around, cleared out the wreckage of the house and turned it into a makeshift hospital and a shelter for the homeless.

One year after his death Evangelista came to her in a vision and told her that Agnes was going to die too. In returnGod was granting her a special grace by sending an archangel to be her guardian angel for the rest of her life. She would always been able to see him. A constant companion and spiritual adviser, he once commanded her to stop her severe penances (eating only bread and water and wearing a hair shirt). “You should understand by now,” theangel told her, “that the God who made your body and gave it to your soul as a servant never intended that thespirit should ruin the flesh and return it to him despoiled.”

Finally the wars were over and Battista and her husband returned home. But though her son came back a charming young man her husband returned broken in mind and body. Probably the hardest work of healing Frances had to do in her life was to restore Lorenzo back to his old self.

When Battista married a pretty young woman named Mabilia Frances expected to find someone to share in the management of the household. But Mabilia wanted none of it. She was as opposite of Frances and Frances had been of her mother-in- law. Mabilia wanted to party and ridiculed Frances in public for her shabby green dress, her habits, and her standards. One day in the middle of yelling at her, Mabilia suddenly turned pale and fainted, crying, “Oh my pride, my dreadful pride.” Frances nursed her back to health and healed their differences as well. A converted Mabilia did her best to imitate Frances after that.

With Lorenzo’s support and respect, Frances started a lay order of women attached to the Benedictines called the Oblates of Mary. The women lived in the world but pledged to offer themselves to God and serve the poor. Eventually they bought a house where the widowed members could live in community.

Frances nursed Lorenzo until he died. His last words to her were, “I feel as if my whole life has been one beautiful dream of purest happiness. God has given me so much in your love.” After his death, Frances moved into the house with the other Oblates and was made superior. At 52 she had the life she dreamed of when she was eleven. She had been right in discerning her original vocation — she just had the timing wrong. God had had other plans for her in between.

Frances died four years later. Her last words were “The angel has finished his task — he beckons me to follow him.”

In Her Footsteps:Do you have a spiritual friend who helps you on your journey, someone to pray with and serve with? If you don’t have one now, ask God to send you such a companion. Then look around you. This friend, like Frances’ Vannozza, may be near you already. Try sharing some of your spiritual hopes and desires with those closest to you. You may be surprised at their reaction. (But don’t force your opinions on others or get discouraged by lack of interest. Just keep asking God to lead you.) 

Other Saints for March 9:

• St. Catherine of Bologna
• St. Gregory of Nyssa
• St. Anthony
• St. Bosa of York
• St. Pacian

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TODAY’S BIRTHDAY: MERWAN SHERIAR IRANI, MEHER BABA (1894)

Merwan Sheriar Irani, Meher Baba (1894)

Born into a Zoroastrian family of Persian descent, Meher Baba underwent a spiritual awakening at 19 and in time concluded that he was the avatar—the incarnation of God in human form—of his age. He formulated a belief system that identified the goal of life as realizing the oneness of God, from whom the universe emanates. In an effort to bring others to that realization through love, he worked extensively with the poor and the physically and mentally ill. For how many years did he remain silent? More…Discuss

 

ARTICLE: THE MAMLUKS

The Mamluks

The Mamluks were members of a warrior caste that ruled Egypt from about 1250 to 1517. Islamic rulers created the caste by collecting non-Muslim slave boys, grooming them as cavalry soldiers, and converting them to Islam during training. The Mamluks initially served the Ayyubid sultans but grew powerful enough to challenge them and claim the sultanate. Though the Ottomans crushed the Mamluks and took Cairo in 1517, the word “mamluk” lives on in various cultures today. What meanings does it have? More… Discuss

 

Make Music Part of Your Life Series: Felix Mendelssohn – Songs without Words – Op.53, No.1

Felix Mendelssohn – Songs without Words – Op.53, No.1
András Schiff
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TODAY’S SAINT: Saint of the Day for Tuesday, February 11th, 2014

Saint of the Day for Tuesday, February 11th, 2014

St. Paschal

Paschal was the son of Bonosus, a Roman. He studied at the Lateran, was named head of St. Stephen’s monastery, which housed pilgrims to Rome, and was elected Pope to succeed Pope Stephen IV (V) on … http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=809

 

Saint of the Day for Saturday, February 8th, 2014

Feastday: February 8
1481 – 1537

Jerome Emiliani lay chained in the dark dirty dungeon. Only a short time before he had been a military commander for Venice in charge of a fortress. He didn’t care much about God because he didn’t need him — he had his own strength and the strength of his soldiers and weapons. When Venice’s enemies, the League of Cambrai, captured the fortress, he was dragged off and imprisoned. There in the dungeon, Jerome decided to get rid of the chains that bound him. He let go of his worldly attachments and embraced God.

When he finally was able to escape, he hung his metal chains in the nearby church of Treviso — in gratitude not only for being freed from physical prison but from his spiritual dungeon as well.

After a short time as mayor of Treviso he returned his home inVenice where he studied for the priesthood. The war may have been over but it was followed by the famine and plague war’s devastation often brought. Thousands suffered in his beloved city. Jerome devoted himself to service again — this time, not to the military but the poor and suffering around him. He felt a special call to help the orphans who had no one to care for them. All the loved ones who would have protected them and comforted them had been taken by sickness or starvation. He would become their parent, their family.

Using his own money, he rented a house for the orphans, fed them, clothed them, and educated them. Part of his education was to give them the first known catechetical teaching by question and answer. But his constant devotion to the suffering put him in danger too and he fell ill from the plague himself. When he recovered, he had the ideal excuse to back away, but instead his illness seemed to take the last links of the chain from his soul. Once again he interpreted his suffering to be a sign of how little the ambitions of the world mattered.

He committed his whole life and all he owned to helping others. He founded orphanages in other cities, a hospital, and a shelter for prostitutes. This grew into a congregation of priests and brothers that was named after the place where they had a house: the Clerks Regular of Somascha. Although they spent time educating other young people, their primary work was always Jerome’s first love — helping orphans.

His final chains fell away when he again fell ill while taking care of the sick. He died in 1537 at the age of 56.

He is the patron saint of abandoned children and orphans.

More Saints of the Day

St. Jerome Emiliani, St. Cointha, St. Cuthman of Steyning, St. Dionysius, St. Elfleda, St. Honoratus, St. Jacut and Guethenoc, St. Josephine Bakhita, St. Kigwe, St. Llibio, St. Meingold of Huy, St. Nicetius of Besancon, St. Oncho, St. Paul Lucius, and Cyriacus, St. Paul of Verdun, Bl. Peter Igneus, St. Peter Igneus, St. Stephen of Muret, 

ARTICLE: OBSCURANTISM (If I may: there is nothing but OBSCURANTISM in NEW WORLD ORDER! Stop looking back to the inquisition!)

Obscurantism

From the Latin word for darkening—obscurans—comes obscurantism, referring to the practice of deliberately withholding information. This may be done either by concealing facts or—in literature and art—by using an intentionally vague style. The term derives from a 16th-century satire about the dispute between Jew-turned-Dominican friar Johannes Pfefferkorn, who sought to destroy all Jewish texts, and his humanist opponent Johann Reuchlin. Who gave Pfefferkorn permission to burn the works? More…Discuss

Related articles

• Notes and Queries: The Obscurantism of Phenomenology
• Giordano Bruno
• German non-Jews honored for preserving local Jewish history
• Called to the Lay Dominicans

 

TO YOUR HEALTH: Bone-Safe Yoga (for people with skeletal health conditions such as osteoporosis)

Published on Dec 20, 2012

Google Tech Talk
November 13, 2012
(more info below)
Presented by Kathleen Cody, Shelley Powers, and Annie Appleby

ABSTRACT

Yoga is a great practice for reducing stress and enhancing your well-being. But, did you know that some poses can be harmful as you get older? Take time to understand the risky movements and how to modify them to strengthen your bones and prevent fractures.

Come learn about:

– The basics of bone health and get some tips to improve overall posture
– Understand how yoga can help reduce bone loss and fractures as you age
– Incorporate the principles of bone safe yoga into your practice
– In-office Yoga Poses to help realign your posture during your work day

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear Kathleen Cody and Annie Appleby impart their expertise on the mechanics of alignment, dynamic alignment and leg strengthening to prevent bone loss and fractures in your yoga practice.

For more information:
http://www.americanbonehealth.org/

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• Yoga Health Benefits For Women
• Power Post: Yoga Is Healthy
• Using Yoga to Rehab Your Back
• Yoga to Reduce Stress
• Adho Mukha Svanasasa ~ Downward Facing Dog

Saint of the Day for Sunday, February 2nd, 2014

Feastday: February 2
Patron of abuse victims, people rejected by religious orders, widows
1556 – 1640

St. Joan de Lestonnac was born in Bordeaux, France, in 1556. She married at the age of seventeen. The happy marriage produced four children, but her husband died suddenly in 1597. After herchildren were raised, she entered the Cistercian monastery at Toulouse. Joan was forced to leave the Cistercians when she became afflicted with poor health. She returned to Bordeaux with the idea of forming a new congregation, and several young girls joined her as novices. They ministered to victims of a plague that struck Bordeaux, and they were determined to counteract the evils of heresy promulgated by Calvinism. Thus was formed the Congregation of the Religious of Notre Dame of Bordeaux. In 1608, Joan and her companions received the religious habit from the Archbishop of Bordeaux. Joan was elected superior in 1610, and many miracles occurred at her tomb. She was canonized in 1949 by Pope Pius XII. Her feast day is February 2.

More Saints of the Day

St. Joan de LestonnacSt. Adalbald of OstrevantSt. AdelogaSt. ApronianSt. CorneliusEbsdorf Martyrs

St. FeockSt. FlosculusSt. Lawrence of CanterburyMartyrs of EbsdorfSt. Theodoric

 

ARTICLE: THE INCOHERENCE OF THE PHILOSOPHERS

The Incoherence of the Philosophers

The Incoherence of the Philosophers is a landmark 11th-century text by al-Ghazali of the rational-based Asharite school of Muslim theology. In it, he criticizes the Avicennian school of Islamic philosophy, accusing its followers of being irreligious. Among al-Ghazali’s 20 charges against them is their inability to prove the existence of God and inability to prove the impossibility of the existence of two gods. Who refuted al-Ghazali’s views with The Incoherence of the Incoherence? More…Discuss

 

Today’s Holiday: WORLD RELIGION DAY

World Religion Day

This day was initiated in 1950 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’i faith in the United States. The purpose was to call attention to the harmony of theworld’s religions and emphasize that the aims of religion are to create unity among people, to ease suffering, and to bring about peace. The day is observed with gatherings in homes, public meetings and panel discussions, and proclamations by government officials. More… Discuss

 

RESPIGHI Suite for Organ and Strings In G

RESPIGHI Suite for Organ and Strings
Performed by Ars Nova Chamber Orchestra at Vienna Presbyterian Church on October 27​, 2012.

 

ARTICLE: THE EIGHT EVIL THOUGHTS

The Eight Evil Thoughts

Evagrius Ponticus struggled with adulterous desires and physical illness before devoting his life to Christianity, becoming an ascetic monk in 383 CE. Despite later accusations of heresy, Evagrius exerted a tremendous influence on the church through his writings and is best known for categorizing eight forms of temptation. These eight evil thoughts are gluttony, greed, sloth, sorrow, lust, anger, vainglory, and pride. Who later revised the list to form the more commonly known Seven Deadly Sins?More… Discuss

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• The Seven Deadly Sins: An Introduction
• Maps of the Seven Deadly Sins in America
• Seven deadly sins
• The Seven Deadly Sins: Gluttony
• Seven.
• Seven Deadly Sins AND Catholic Seven Virtues

 

WORD: WRETCH

wretch 

Definition:	(noun) A person pitied for his misfortune.
Synonyms:	poor devil
Usage:	If the poor wretch waked in the flames and perished, no one cared.

 

This Day in the Yesteryear: MERCURIUS BECOMES POPE JOHN II (533 CE)

Mercurius becomes Pope John II (533 CE)

Though Catholics today are accustomed to the pope taking a new name once elected, Mercurius was the first to do so. As his birth name honored the pagan god Mercury, he chose to become John II upon elevation to the papacy. Though he died just two years later, he served at a time when sacred artifacts were regularly being sold and simony—the purchase or sale of church offices or preferment—was rampant in the selection of church officials. What other scandals did John face in his brief tenure? More… Discuss

 

THE DIAMOND SUTRA

The Diamond Sutra is a Buddhist wisdom text. Written in the form of a dialogue between the Buddha Gautama and a questioning disciple, it emphasizes the fleeting nature of the material world and posits that enlightenment cannot be achieved through rational thought. A wood block-printed copy of the sutra held at the British Library is the earliest known printed text with a date—868 CE—predating the Gutenberg Bible by about 587 years. The copy, in scroll form, is roughly how many feet long? More… Discuss

From the Vatican: Angelus Domini 2014-01-01

Streamed live on Jan 1, 2014

Every Sunday and on the main liturgical feasts, the Pope recites the Marian prayer of the Angelus with the pilgrims. Before and after the prayer, he delivers a brief reflection and issues greetings.

 

Hair – Original Broadway Cast Recording [Full Album] 1968

1. Aquarius (4:44)
2. Sodomy (1:29)
3. Donna / Hashish (4:20)
4. Colored Spade (1:31)
5. Manchester (1:57)
6. Abie Baby / Fourscore (2:44)
7. I’m Black / Ain’t Got No (2:23)
8. Air (1:27)
9. I Got Life (2:14)
10. Frank Mills (2:40)
11. Hair (2:42)
12. L.B.J. (1:09)
13. Electric Blue / Old Fashioned Melody (3:50)
14. Hare Krishna (3:16)
15. Where Do I Go? (2:49)
16. Black Boys (1:12)
17. White Boys (2:36)
18. Walking In Space (6:12)
19. Easy To Be Hard (3:39)
20. 3-5-0-0 (3:49)
21. Good Morning Starshine (2:24)
22. What A Piece Of Work Is Man (1:38)
23. Somebody To Love (4:10)
24. Don’t Put It Down (2:23)
25. The Flesh Failures (Let The Sunshine In) (6:04)

 

Bach – Cantate BWV 190 – Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied (Sing to the Lord a new song )

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH BWV 225 Sing to the LORD A NEW SONG LYRICS

Sing to the Lord a new song 

Sing to the Lord a new song, the congregation of saints praise him. Israel rejoice in him that made him.The children of Zion rejoice in their King sei’n, Let them praise his name in the series, with timbrels and with harps they want to play him. 

As a father pities 
God, you also receive our on, 
About his young infants, 
So the Lord is doing all of us, 
So we childlike fear him pure. 
He knows our frailty, 
God knows we are only dust, 
Because without you nothing is done 
With all our stuff. 
Just as the grass from the rake, 
A Blum and falling leaves. 
The wind only blows over it, 
So it is no longer there, 
Drum you be our shield and light, 
And do not deceive us our hope, 
So you’re going to make it further. 
So man passes away, 
Its end, which is close to him. 
Blessed is the only stiff and strong 
Relies on you and your bounty. 

Praise the Lord for his mighty acts, praise him according to his excellent greatness! 
Everything that has breath praise the Lord Hallelujah! 

English: Sing ye the Lord a new refrain, the assembly of saints shoulderstand be telling his praises.Israel joyful be in him who hath made him. Let Zion’s children rejoice in him who is mighty Their king, let them be praising his name’s honor in dances, with timbrels and with psalt’ries unto him be playing. 

Chorale (Chorus II) 

As a father doth mercy show 

Aria (Chorus I) 

God, take quiet Further now our part, 
To his own little children dear, 
Thus doth the Lord to all men, 
If pure as children we fear him. 
He sees our feeble powers, 
God knows we are but dust; 
For, lacking thee, naught shall we gain 
Of all our Endeavors synthesis. 
Just as the grass in mowing, 
Or bud and falling leaf, 
If wind but o’er it bloweth, 
It is no longer there, 
So be thou our shield and true light, 
And if our hope betray us not, 
Thou wilt Malthus henceforth help us. 
E’en so one’s life is passing, 
His end is near to him. 
Blest he Whose hope Both strong and firm 
On thee and on thy grace doth rest. 

[Ps 150:2 and 6] (Chorus I, Chorus II) 

Praise ye the Lord in all his doings, praise ye him in all his might and majesty! 

(Chorus I and II) 

All things Which do draw breath, praise ye the Lord, hallelujah!

 

QUOTATION: Joseph Conrad ABOUT UNLAWFUL AMBITIONS

All ambitions are lawful except those which climb upward on the miseries or credulities of mankind.

Joseph Conrad (1857-1924) Discuss

 

All ambitions are lawful except those which climb upward on the miseries or credulities of mankind.

 

Quotation: Charles Dickens

When I talk of eyes, the stars come out! Whose eyes are they? If they are angels’ eyes, why do they look down here and see good men hurt, and only wink and sparkle all the night?

Charles Dickens (1812-1870) Discuss