Category Archives: All Things Catholic

Lifetime’s The Sisterhood: Becoming Nuns — TV Review – Flavorwire

by

“It’s an unfathomable sacrifice to most, this dedication of your entire life to the church, and that’s what makes The Sisterhood both a fascinating watch and an illuminating amateur sociology project. As a docuseries, it succeeds because it wants to shed light on the subjects, not exploit them.”

via Lifetime’s The Sisterhood: Becoming Nuns — TV Review – Flavorwire.

The Fourteen Holy Helpers

by

This cradle Catholic never heard of Fourteen Holy Helpers until yesterday. The Church celebrates St. Catherine of Alexandria  on Nov. 25th and while she is greatly honored in her own right, she is also revered as one of the holy group of fourteen saints invokes in times of great distress.  “They are: Acacius, Barbara, Blaise, Catherine of Alexandria , Christopher , Cyriacus, Dionysius of Paris, Erasmus, Eustace, George, Margaret, Pantaleon, Vitus and Giles.”

How wonderful! I felt like it was bonus day, as I was getting fourteen for the price of one. I’m a New Yorker. As a group, we love a bargain, a holy bargain, all the better, and since our times definitely rank with beleaguered ages past,  these holy helpers are now among my go-to saintly buds. I’m a needy groupy.

 

The Lights of Advent Keep Vigil

by

Adventskranz Porzellan

Advent candles lit within my being,
Prayer like a torch,
Calling on the Spirit,
To light the lamp of vigil
And illuminate my soul.

Thanksgiving, a spotlight,
Setting blessings all aglow,
While praise as a million votives
Ring Your manger in the night.

Though my soul be steeped in sorrow,
For the sin that went before,
My tears You turn to shining crystal
As the sea before Your throne.

O, Sun of Justice,
In Heaven you replace the shining stars.
Banish all darkness here below,
As  once Your Star lit Earth’s long night

Alight all holiness,
As a rainbow green with Life,
Arches ’bout the celestial throne,
While incandescent angels
Sing with halo-headed saints.

Because You come,
This earthy life’s tomorrows
Are bedecked in Hope
As You knock at ready virgins’ door,

The Promise ever before me,
You stand, an open door.
I, now, Bold Abandonment,
Before the throne of grace,

Sainted souls gleaming like electrum
Flashing love’s arrows as lightning.
Advent becomes Christmas in my soul.

By Joann Nelander