Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha

Catherine Tekakwitha 
By Eliza Allen Starr

The sweet-briar rose of summer glades

We lay upon another shrine;*

The lily of the Mohawk woods,

O dusky maiden! shall be thine.

One pendent flower, upon a stem

With leaves enfolded, pearly white;

Itself, its eaves, its very stalk

Like frost-work set in summer light.

Though swaying to the lightest breeze,

No fibre gives it earthly hold;

A miracle of beauty, seen

Upspringing from the forest mould.**

And thus, in innocence of soul,

A Mohawk maiden, orphaned, shy,

Grew up within a cabin’s shade,

Almost apart from human eye.

Left at her birth to warlike kin,

A stranger to all gentle care,

Death gave to her an unseen shield-

Her Christian mother’s dying prayer.

The April airs, though long delayed,

Are not so welcome to the fir,

Nor through the wind-flower’s slender stem

So swift a sense of gladness stir,

As Heaven’s full message, sent, at length,

Through Christian teachers to the maid;

Which found her, waiting still, within

A Mohawk cabin’s humble shade.

Thenceforth the Bread, thenceforth the Wine

“Which springs forth virgins” was her food

“Oh! who will show me,” still she cried,

“The perfect way, the highest good?”

As new-fledged eagles seek the sun,

Her soul to joys mysterious soared;

the Sovereign Beauty claimed His spouse;

She loved where she had first adored.

The lonely cross which marks her grave,

The Old World’s pilgrim oft has stayed;

Still pauses here to ask her aid.

The foaming torrents hoarsely chant

Her virgin praises, year by year;

And Indian maidens love to bring

Their griefs their joys, their wishes, here.

Then, let the rose of summer glades

Be laid upon another shrine;

The lily of the Mohawk woods;

O dusky maiden! shall be thine.

 NOTE: Eliza Allen Starr was a convert and a prominent Catholic poet in 19th century America.

This is the place, where I'm giving a Talk, tomorrow.  It's not the inside of Mary Immaculate of Lourdes; it's one of the parish buildings.  I'm speaking to the St. Dominic Chapter of Lay Dominicans, there.  The topic is the beatification of Blessed John Joseph Lataste, O.P.

It's going to be a lot of give and take.  I'm going to ask them more questions, than they're going to ask me.

What's the process of canonization?
Where are beatifications held?
What do you think of our new Dominican Blessed?

Then I'll ask them to pray for his canonization.

pictures  Of course, you've seen those.

Prophets of Doom

Drought stretches across America, 

IS SOMETHING BEING SAID IN THE HEAT AND STORMS AND EVEN A QUAKE THAT AFFLICTED WASHINGTON?

 

Catholic Schism: Diarmaid MacCulloch, Influential Church Historian, Predicts Major Division In 'Silence In Christian History'

What do you think when you read headlines like the above?  Does the "end of the world," come to mind?  The Second Coming is near.

Let me put your mind to rest.  In today's Midday Prayer, Psalm 60 is introduced with these calming words, "You will suffer in the world, but have confidence: I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)  

O God, you have rejected us and broken us.

You have been angry; come back to us.

God is not vengeful. God does not take His anger out on His people.  Think about it.  Think.  Do you think that the God who came as a helpless babe, among the poor, would do that?  Think.  Destruction, wrath, war, natural disasters, etc., just isn't the way He operates.

It's not the way He responds.  Think of the indignities Jesus went through.  Think of Jesus' crucifixion.

It's not God's way.

Badda Bing, Badda Boom

Saint Monica   and    St. Augustine
My "cloistered brothers" and I were discussing Augustine's Confessions, Book 8, in Dominican Study Group, tonight.   Attention was called on Augustine's process of conversion.  He resisted.  He wrestled with himself.  He even came to the conclusion that the Church was true, but hesitated about joining.  He dragged his feet about converting.  He suffered from inertia.
You know the rest of the story.  The child's voice telling him to "Take up and read."
badda bing, badda boom
Although, the child's voice was the impetus to get Augustine up off his duff, his conversion process is not that unusual.    One of my "cloistered brothers" pointed out that most of us move into a deeper spiritual direction, in much the same way.  We don't look for a bolt of lightning, or a voice, but something moves us.  We're open.  We know the Church is true.  But we're too content with our own life styles to think too much about how, or whether we should, commit ourselves into a closer relationship with God.
Maybe we're too busy with our teen age lives.  Maybe we're just beginning our careers.  Our young families keep us very busy.  Whatever...we know the Church is there...but we put it on hold.
Then one day, we have an empty nest, and it's quiet.  It's quiet enough to hear the voice of God.
badda bing, badda boom
Maybe one day a friend takes us to a Life in the Spirit Seminar.
badda bing, badda boom
Maybe a relative takes us to a Cursillo.
badda bing, badda boom
Perhaps, curiosity takes us to a charismatic healing service.
badda bing, badda boom
We go to Medjugorje to see what all the hoopla is about.
badda bing, badda boom
A bolt of lightning could knock you off your donkey.
badda bing, badda boom
And then again, a child could tell you, "Take up and read."


              

Catholic Writers Conference

M E D I A   R E L E A S E

CONTACT:

Ann Margaret Lewis Phone:  (317) 755-2693 e-mail: cwglivecon@catholicwritersguild.com

For Immediate Release

Catholic Writers to Hold Conference in Arlington, Texas

Arlington, TX--The fourth annual Catholic Writers’ Conference LIVE will take place August 29-31, 2012, at the Arlington Convention Center in Arlington, TX. Sponsored by the Catholic Writer’s Guild and the Catholic Marketing Network (CMN), and held in conjunction with CMN’s annual retailer trade show, the Catholic Writers Conference LIVE provides Catholic authors with a prime opportunity to meet and share their faith with editors, publishers, fellow writers, and bookstore owners from across the globe.

The conference will offer “pitch sessions,” allowing authors an opportunity to meet personally with publishing professionals and pitch their writing projects. In addition, attendees have the opportunity to sign up for critique with professional editors and writers. Some participating publishers are Ignatius Press, Ave Maria Press, Christus Publishing, Tuscany Press, Ascension Press and Servant Books. Information for this event can be found on the conference web site.

This year's conference will focus on “Writing and the New Evangelization.” Speakers include EWTN personalities Teresa Tomeo and Father Andrew Apostoli, CFR, authors Ellen Hrkach (In NAME ONLY) and Patti Armstrong (STORIES FOR THE HOMESCHOOL HEART), Ann Margaret Lewis (MURDER IN THE VATICAN: THE CHURCH MYSTERIES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES), and author and blogger Sarah Reinhard (A CATHOLIC MOTHER’S COMPANION TO PREGNANCY: WALKING WITH MARY FROM CONCEPTION TO BAPTISM). More excellent speakers are still being confirmed.

In partnership with the Catholic New Media Conference, also taking place in the convention center, conference attendees will be able to attend a special track on blogging for $25. Information on this opportunity will be made to attendees upon registration.

“It's not just writing, it's not just fellowship, it's inspiration, too!” says 2011 Conference presenter Sarah Reinhard. “It was great to share the Eucharist and evening meals in person with writers who inspire me, encourage me, and motivate me the rest of the year.”

The Catholic Writers Guild, a religious non-profit organization affiliated with the Archdiocese of Indianapolis sponsors both this live conference in August and an online conference in February to further its mission of promoting Catholic literature. Says CWG President Ann Lewis, “These events are integral to our mission of ‘creating a rebirth of Catholic arts and letters.”

Registration costs $70 for CWG members, $75 for non-members and $40 for students. There's also a discounted combined membership. To register or for more information, go to http://www.catholicwritersconference.com.

# # #

Graphics, interviews and further information available upon request.

Ann Lewis talks about #Catholic #Writers #Conference on Catholic Connection with Teresa Tomeo Mon 9:30 AM http://avemariaradio.net/christian-radio-host.php/Teresa-Tomeo/

Catholic Writers! #Catholic #Writers #Conference LIVE in #Arlington, TX 8/29-31 http://www.catholicwritersconference.com/

Theme for CWCL—the new evangelization

The Past Does Not Define You

I've heard the Gospel for the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, three times: Mass, a Communion Service, and again tonight at Mass for my "cloistered brothers."  This means that I've heard three different homilies for Mark 6: 1-6.  Not one homilist has my take on the scripture.

I can see very well how the people of Jesus' hometown saw Him.  Isn't this the bratty kid I beat up in Kindergarten?  Isn't this the kid we called "Snots" because his nose was always running?

Seeing Jesus from that perspective, who would believe that he was the Messiah?

Some people are locked in their own perspectives of certain people.  Some don't believe people can change.  Some can't get over what once was, or what once was done.

Can criminals change?  Can convicts be good people?


No.  I'm not surprised at people's reactions to Jesus, at all.  Nope; not one bit.

"God does not look at what we have been; God sees only what we are."  (Words of Fr. Jean Joseph Lataste OP - from a retreat given to the women at Cadillac Prison, France 1864)

Dominican Litany of Saints

You thought the Litany was long before.  Blessed Lataste has been added.  He's the friar in the middle of this picture. Sorry it's so poor.  It's a picture of a holy card, one of my "cloistered brothers" drew it.  That's Pere Lataste in the center.  Mother Henri Dominique is last, in the second row, right.  An anonymous "cloistered brother" is in front--the only one not in habit.  He's just wearing the Dominican Laity's scapular for those who are Final Promised.  Oh! There's one other not in habit.  First row right, the last  lady, is in 1860 French prison garb, representing a prisoner from Cadillac prison.  To understand this cast of holy people, please read the Spring edition of eLumenate.

As I was saying, the Litany of Dominican saints is not an ejaculatory prayer.   It's very long.   It's not said often.  One reason is because it's so long, but also, it's potent.  It's a powerful prayer.  Over the weekend, the President of the LFSD was requested by our Provincial, to start praying the Litany.  It seems that Archbishop Augustine Di Noia, O.P. has requested that the Dominican Litany be prayed for the success of full reconciliation of the Society of Pius X with Rome.  Archbishop Di Noia has been made vice president of the commission charged with bringing the SSPX back home.

The last time the Dominican Litany was prayed by the Dominican Family was to pray for a satisfactory solution to bring back those Anglicans who wish to come back to Rome.  Archbishop DiNoia helped set up the personal ordinoriates to accommodate all those Anglicans.  The Dominican Litany was successful then, and will be again.  You are welcome to join us.

Litany of Dominican Saints and Blesseds

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy.

Christ, hear us .Christ, graciously hear us.

God, the heavenly Father, have mercy on us.

God, the heavenly Father, have mercy on us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the World, have mercy on us.

God the Son, Redeemer of the World, have mercy on us.

God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us. God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.

Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.

Holy Mary, Pray for us.

Holy Mother of God,

Holy Virgin of Virgins,

Saint Michael,

Saint Gabriel,

Saint Raphael,

Saint Joseph,

Saint John the Baptist,

All you holy angels and archangels,

All you holy patriarchs and prophets,

All you holy apostles and evangelists,

All you holy martyrs,

All you holy virgins and widows,

All you holy men and women,

Saint Mary Magdalene,

Saint Catherine of Alexandria,

Saint Augustine,

Holy Father Francis,

Blessed Jane of Aza,

Blessed Reginald of Orleans,

Holy Father Dominic,

Holy Father Dominic,

Blessed Bertrand,

Blessed Mannes,

Blessed Diana,

Blessed Jordan of Saxony,

Blessed John of Salerno,

Blessed William and Companions,

Blessed Ceslaus,

 Blessed Isnard,

 Blessed Guala,

Blessed Peter Gonzalez,

Saint Zdîslava,

Saint Peter of Verona,

Blessed Nicholas of Paglia,

Saint Hyacinth,

Blessed Gonsalvo,

Blessed Sadoc and Companions,

Blessed Giles,

Saint Margaret of Hungary,

Blessed Bartholomew of Vicenza,

Saint Thomas Aquinas,

Saint Raymond of Penyãfort,

Blessed Innocent,

Blessed Albert of Bergamo,

Saint Albert the Great,

Blessed John of Vercelli,

Blessed Ambrose,

Blessed Cecilia,

Blessed Benvenuta,

Blessed James of Varazze

Blessed James of Bevagna,

Blessed Benedict,

Blessed Jane of Orvieto,

Blessed Jordan of Pisa,

Blessed Emily,

Blessed James Salomonio,

Saint Agnes of Montepulciano,

Blessed Simon,

Blessed Margaret of Castello,

Blessed Augustine Kazotic,

Blessed James Benefatti,

Blessed Imelda,

Blessed Dalmatius,

Blessed Margaret Ebner,

Blessed Villana,

Blessed Peter of Ruffia,

Blessed Henry Suso,

Blessed Sibyllina,

Blessed Anthony of Pavonio,

Saint Catherine of Siena,

Blessed Marcolino,

Blessed Raymond of Capua,

Blessed Andrew Franchi,

Saint Vincent Ferrer,

Blessed Clara,

Blessed John Dominic,

Blessed Alvarez,

Blessed Maria Mancini,

Blessed Peter of Castello,

Blessed Andrew Abellon,

Blessed Stephen,

Blessed Peter of Geremia

Blessed John of Fiesole,

Blessed Lawrence of Ripafratta,

Blessed Anthony della Chiesa,

Saint Antoninus,

Blessed Anthony Neyrot,

Blessed Margaret of Savoy,

Blessed Bartholomew of Cerverio,

Blessed Matthew,

Blessed Constantius,

Blessed Christopher,

Blessed Damian,

Blessed Andrew of Peschiera,

Blessed Bernard,

Blessed Jane of Portugal,

Blessed James of Ulm,

Blessed Augustine of Biella,

Blessed Aimo,

Blessed Sebastian,

Blessed Mark,

Blessed Columba,

Blessed Magdalen,

Blessed Osanna of Mantua,

Blessed John Liccio,

Blessed Dominic Spadafora,

Blessed Stephana,

Blessed Adrian,

Blessed Lucy of Narni,

Blessed Catherine of Racconigi,

Blessed Osanna of Kotor,

Saint Pius,

Saint John of Cologne and Companions,

Blessed Maria Bartholomew,

Saint Louis Bertrand,

Saint Catherine de Ricci,

Blessed Robert Nutter,

Blessed Alfonsus and Companions,

Saint Rose of Lima,

Saint Dominic Ibáñez and Companions,

Blessed Agnes of Jesus,

Saint Lawrence Ruiz and Companions,

Saint Martin de Porres,

Blessed Peter Higgins,

Saint Francis de Capillas and Companions,

Saint Juan Macias,

Blessed Terence O’Brien,

Blessed Ann of the Angels,

Blessed Francis de Posadas,

Saint Louis de Montfort,

Saint Francis Gil,

Saint Matteo Alonso,

Blessed Peter Sanz and Companions,

Saint Vincent Liem,

Saint Hyacinth Castañeda,

Blessed Marie Poussepin,

Blessed George,

Blessed Catherine Jarrige,

Saint Ignatius Delgado and Companions,

Saint Joseph Diaz and Companions,

Saint Dominic An-Kham,

Saint Valentine Berrio-Ochoa and Companions,

Blessed Jean-Joseph Lataste,

Saint Francis Coll,

Saint Arnold Janssen,

Blessed Hyacinthe Cormier,

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati,

Blessed Bartolo Longo,

Blessed Maria Alfonsina Danil Ghattas,

Blessed Josefina Sauleda Paulis and Companions,

Blessed Buenaventura García Paredes and Companions,

Blessed Celestino José Alonso Villar and Companions,

Blessed Enrique Izquierdo Palacios and Companions,

Blessed Maria Ascension of the Heart of Jesus,

Blessed Michael Czartorysky,

Blessed Julia Rodzinska,

All you holy Dominicans,

Pray for us.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,

Spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,

Graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,

Have mercy on us.

Let us pray

God, source of all holiness, you have enriched your Church with many gifts in the saints of the Order of Preachers. By following the example of our brothers and sisters, may we come to enjoy their company for ever in the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.