Big buts... More random thoughts on the economy.

"Give to everyone who asks, do not turn your back on the borrower."

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"But people shouldn't ask strangers to help them pay off their debts, or help them pay for school, or ask others to shelter them when they go on a trip, or ask people to help them pay the exorbitant cost associated with giving birth or adopting children."

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Big But...

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I've actually criticized people who have done such things, believing people should be more responsible, and that they ought to work for what they get, and so on and so forth. While that may be true generally, who was I to determine anything about how others earned their living or asked for financial help? I was wrong... really wrong... and totally lacked charity. I was acting, thinking, talking-writing, very self-righteously... and I did not even realize it.

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But - I was wrong.

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Secret pride.

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There is a story from the desert fathers how one of the abbas, on his way to a chapter to pass judgement on an errant brother, before leaving his hermitage, took a large basket and filled it with sand. The brothers met him on his way and asked the meaning of the display. The abba explained that he was coming to pass judgement on a brother, while his own sins poured out unknown behind him like sand.

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Self-righteousness.

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The downturn in the economy has been a great lesson for me. Once upon a time, I had been so sure I had done everything right - paying off all my bills, never carrying credit card debt, saving a big chunk of my earnings, and so on. And then the market crashed. I soon understood I had placed my trust in the wrong place - money, not God. I was proud of my accomplishments, not realizing I too have been a borrower living on borrowed time. Without going into detail, I have realized the error of my ways, and apologize to those I criticized. Oh, and I'm okay financially - just not the "rich" man I thought I was.

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"He then told them a parable addressed to those who believed in their own self-righteousness while holding everyone else in contempt..."

Random thoughts on the economy and stuff.

The Global Agenda.

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I have trouble sleeping at night - it isn't my conscience keeping me awake, nor worries about the economy, it has more to do with some health problems. But that isn't my point here. I noticed during the night a neighbor's van being towed away - shortly after midnight. Why do you think that was? He couldn't afford his car payments any longer and the van was repossessed. I wonder when the house will be repossessed?

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I said it would happen, and it did today - Macy's announced the closing of nine of their stores - one of them in a north Minneapolis suburb. The Brookdale store has always been a D-list store anyway - meaning, it wasn't a huge money maker, and companies never spent much money renovating the complex, much less stocking it with anything fashionable or high end. Anyway, they are closing, and more store closings are sure to follow.

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Repossessing homes and cars, stores closing, people losing their investments and social security - perhaps these are simply metaphors for the "change" that has been promised...
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Of course everyone knows the economy is bad and getting worse and worse, as Obama keeps repeating. So the solution is to "spend" their way out of it by printing more money and bailing the banking and investment industries out. Sorry - they won't pay your credit bills or forgive your debts however. But will that even matter?

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Isn't printing more money just leading to greater debt? Isn't printing more money what deflates the value of the dollar and leads to skyrocketing inflation? What is really going on? Gorbachev, Sarkozy, Merkel, and Tony Blair? - Yeah, they are all calling for a new world order, a new global economy, a new global capitalism, a new international agenda - and why is Obama supposed to be the leader?

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Something is going on... I have a hunch the economic crises wasn't really an accident.

The sin of Ham

What a story.

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Imagine naming your son Ham - may as well call him Pig - I actually kind of like Pig better. Anyway, my friend Angela (pronounced in the United States: 'angle-ah'), who lives someplace in the Canadian wilderness, is reading the Bible and was perplexed by the sin of Ham as recorded in the book of Genesis. I added my two cents, attempting to explain what I thought the big deal was when he pulled his dad's pants down, but I held back a little. Why? Because I am going to paint it - the sin of Ham that is. I see it in my head - it so has to be painted. I can't show it here when it is finished because it will involve nudity - so I will have to re-open "Up Your Street" as my real art blog. I can show it there.

What father fixed for supper...

The minutia of a country curate's life.
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And don't forget to vote, and for heavens sake, vote often.

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Art: Michael Sowa

Catholic of the year awards.

What a novel idea.

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My dear friend Cathy has posted her choices for 2008 Catholic of the Year and Dissident Catholic of the Year awards. See her picks here.

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I decided to do my own choice/picks. Drumroll please...

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Catholic of the Year:

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- The shy old lady - I think her name is Mae - that comes to adoration every Wednesday and reads her prayers while kneeling as best she can despite her bad knees. She also attends daily Mass when her knees permit her to walk the few blocks to church. She smiles and nods to everyone she passes, but rarely speaks unless spoken to.

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Dissident Catholic of the Year:

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- The priest who uses his blog to criticize Roman Catholic bishops, clergy, and others who are not big fans of the Traditional Latin Mass.

Mrs. Rabitowitz

A surprising story.

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Before going out to remove snow this afternoon, I put out more food for Mrs. Rabbit. I don't know if I mentioned this, but she sits only a few yards away from the little table I feed her at while I cover the top with food. I always make sure some of it falls on the ground for the mice and the voles. The table is actually an upside-down plastic litter-box that has never been used. It suits her perfectly as she sits on her haunches and feeds herself like a little person seated at a dining table.

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Anyway, as I was putting out the trail mix and baguette crumbs, I heard a little voice say quietly, "Thank you. The food has been especially delicious this winter."

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I looked up, quite surprised to see the rabbit speaking, having moved closer to me, less than a foot away I'd say. "You're quite welcome... err... Mrs. Rabbit." I answered.

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She giggled slightly and proceeded to inform me that her name was Mrs. Rabitowitz. I asked if she was Polish or Jewish and she explained that her heritage was indeed Jewish, but she couldn't be certain about the Polish part. "You look surprised Mr. Nelson, but most rabbits are of Jewish ancestry, although we don't go to temple. That explains why we are often depicted in art bringing eggs to children at Easter. The Catholics are all at Church and we deliver the eggs and candy for their celebrations."

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"Why of course!" I exclaimed, "that makes perfect sense. I just never heard that explanation before."

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"Oh sure, few people know about these things now days," she remarked, tasting a raisin. "For instance, did you realize most dogs are Gentiles, as are cats - although some breeds of cats may be Jewish, especially the Asian cats."

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"Oh..." I muttered distracted by the thought of pets having a particular nationality other than breed, or even a specific religious heritage. "Well I s'pose that would explain the German Shepherds who worked in the concentration camps." I said quietly.

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Mrs. Rabitowitz looked at me somewhat sadly, gave me a slight smile and said, "Adieu Mr. Nelson, and thank you again for such delicious food." And then she hopped away, into the hedge.

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I then went out front and finished removing snow before I drove to the store for more food.

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The End

Spiritual direction and deception... some thoughts.

God told me...

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I noticed Pat Robertson came out with his predictions this weekend, not unlike psychics are wont to do, only Robertson claims God told him - implying he has his knowledge from a higher authority...

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I think the fact that religious men and women claim such personal communications and messages from God is a pretty good sign that "faith has dwindled among the sons of men, empty follies they talk, each one with his neighbor." (Ps. 11) Modern men and women have "itchy ears" looking for religious novelty and revelations, along with signs and wonders, while neglecting the good they ought to be doing for their neighbor.

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Presumption of assumption.

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St. John of the Cross writes about such people who have a high regard for supernatural communications as "testing God" by their efforts - even when their spiritual directors, persuaded by their personal attachment to extraordinary revelations, ask the person under their care to to request some sort of spiritual knowledge. St. John says that God is displeased with such entreaties and does not even desire them. He points out that these people often act in accord with their revelations, and because of their attachment to the so-called prophecies, their faith is more rooted in these things rather than God.

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St. John writes, These souls "find natural satisfaction in them (revelations) and fit them naturally into their own way of thinking." Although "they often err exceedingly, and are taken aback at the unexpected outcome. Then doubts come to the fore concerning the divine origin of these revelations, since events do not come to pass as they were led to believe. (This is especially true of those who listen to such mystics and who placed their trust in their pronouncements.) They presumed two factors; 1) That the revelations were from God, since from the beginning they firmly adhered to them. Yet this adherence was probably due to their natural inclination towards them. 2) That since the revelations were from God, events would unfold according to their anticipation."

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Such people are easily deluded because God's revelations or locutions are not dependant upon natural understanding and do not always come to fulfillment according to human expectations, much less in accord with their literal sense. St John warns; "Though they (such revelations) may in themselves contain certitude and truth, they do not always have it in their causes and in our way of understanding them."

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Seeking spiritual direction.

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I would never presume to discuss the issue of spiritual direction as regards a person discerning a religious vocation, or one living in the religious state. Indeed, I have no capacity other than experience to discuss the subject even for lay people. Therefore, what I say here is strictly personal opinion and should be taken as just that.

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That said, a person ought to avoid spiritual direction from someone who claims to be a mystic; that is, one who claims to obtain direct knowledge from God or some saint in their (the penitent) regard, no matter if the person is a priest, a religious, or a lay-person. Alsso, one ought to remember that spiritual direction is not a matter of telling a person what to do, nor of trying to convince them to do this or that, but it is rather a mutual listening process with the purpose of guiding the soul to holiness. It is not therapy or psychological counseling.

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In fact, though priests today happen to be better educated than any other time in history, I believe few are qualified to be authentic spiritual directors in the traditional understanding of the process. Even if they have their degrees saying they are. I believe many newly ordained, no matter how pious and faithful to the Holy Father and Magisterium - in other words, orthodox - are ready to be spiritual directors in the classic sense. Of course they ought to be available for counsel and direction concerning the keeping of the commandments and living the ordinary ascetic life expected of a Christian, but rarely are they qualified to deal with such issues associated with so-called spiritual communications, much less mental disturbances or illness and its cause. (In such cases, other than acting as a confessor, the priest should refer the penitent to a psychiatric professional.)

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Ordinary means of spiritual direction.

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What I am really getting at is this, the average Catholic who prays daily and frequents the sacraments, hardly needs or requires a spiritual director, simply because most direction is received through homilies, confession, spiritual friendships and spiritual associations, as well as good reading from approved sources.

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Many times, especially in the case of emotionally needy persons, and those who happen to be very impressionable - male or female, young or more mature - one can be attracted to a particular priest on account of his outward piety, attractiveness, and/or sensitivity in dealing with penitents. The penitent, albeit of good will, can easily deceive herself that their attraction is purely spiritual, and therefore harmless. I think younger priests need to be especially cautious here, as does the penitent.

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Mutual admiration.

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Many people who have grown accustomed to spending much time in prayer, reading many spiritual books, imagine themselves saints already and seek a spiritual director who suits their fantasy and taste, flattering their progress in the spiritual life, long before virtue is proven, or prayer is more than an occasional interior consolation, and so on. Many of us lay people imagine ourselves to be very holy if we spend a few hours a week in adoration, attend daily Mass, or recite the Liturgy of Hours on a more or less regular basis.

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If we happen to have led wicked lives in the past, or have come through some great temptation or trauma, and experience the least hint of a remarkable conversion, even an experienced priest can think we are holy and very special. That is unfortunate, because then spiritual direction can become a pretext for mutual admiration and approval - a sort of spiritual recreation, rather than helping the soul enter the narrow way that leads to life.

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Two things to think about.

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"Never take a man for your example in the tasks you have to perform, no matter how holy he may be, for the devil will set his imperfections before you." - John of the Cross

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"Perfection does not lie in the perfections the soul knows it has, but in the virtues our Lord sees in it. This is a closed book, hence one has no reason for presumption, but must remain prostrate on the ground with respect to self." - John of the Cross

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Note: All thoughts from John of the Cross are taken from his Collected Works. It should be remembered that St. John wrote primarily for contemplative cloistered religious, hence his counsel should be digested accordingly for lay-people, conscious of their completely different lifestyle and state in life. Try to imbibe the aroma or spirit of his writing, rather than drinking in the literal interpretation. And do not forget, I am not qualified to interpret his work, but I am simply writing from my personal understanding. The contemporary soul ought to be wise as a serpent even under the care of a spiritual director.

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I recommend reading, "Spiritual Direction and Meditation" by Thomas Merton, as well as anything by Fr. Dubay on spiritual direction, before searching for a director.

Sorry I'm late with these.

New Year Resolutions.

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I'm going to lose weight, get a hair transplant, a nose job, an eye lift, and breast reduction surgery.

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I'm going to find a way to be always drunk without weight gain.

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I'm going to start an online talk show called "Up Your Street" - after I heal from the surgery of course.

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I'm going to finish my tell-all book about my life, including details of my torrid affair with Gilbert Gottfried.

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I'm going to sell my Mercedes and buy a Honda - out of concern for the poor who have to take the bus.

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And most importantly, I will never tell a lie again - ever.

Eat dung...

Remember the controversy over the "Dung Madonna" shown at the Brooklyn Museum a few years ago?
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For the most part, the only thing most Catholic defenders knew about the painting is what media reported... And all they needed to hear was an image of Mary was covered in elephant-dung - then it hit the fan. Everyone went ballistic, even the pro-abortion Catholic mayor registered his protest - No doubt with an eye to the Catholic vote down the road.

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As is usually the case, the controversy quickly died down. Although today I have to wonder if the same people would get all bent out of shape over this news; "Out of food, Zimbabweans eating cow dung"? I find that revolting.
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Our Lady, Protectress of the Poor and Starving, pray for us.

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Image: Ethiopian Madonna, 17th century. I removed the Dung Madonna from the original post so as not to offend anyone or show any disrespect to Our Lady - I replaced it with this detail of an Ethiopian icon. However, I personally found the original image interesting and inoffensive, noting similarities with more primitive images of the Virgin painted centuries ago. But more importantly, in light of recent news from Zimbabwe, the controversial image took on greater significance for me today.

Lagerfeld lets the fur fly.

"The animals would eat us if we didn't kill them." Karl Lagerfeld

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Brains and talent, a good combination for someone who looks like Michael Jackson's mortician. In an interview, German born fashion designer for Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld, discusses wearing fur and eating meat.

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"Animals should be killed "nicely" if at all possible, said Lagerfeld, who admitted to being queasy about eating meat.

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"I can hardly eat meat because it has to look like something what it was not when it was alive," he said.

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He concluded: "In a meat-eating world, wearing leather for shoes and clothes and even handbags, the discussion of fur is childish." - Telegraph

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When is the last time baby seals, little foxes, and minks attacked people? For me the problem of wearing fur is the problem of cruelty as well as harvesting animals simply to satisfy vanity and greed. Lagerfeld should be reminded that the market for fur grows proportionately as designers use (misuse) it. Inciting countries such as China to skin dogs and cats alive to supply fur to the clothing industry.

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On size 0 models.

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In an interview on the Radio 4 Today programme, Lagerfeld also said the issue of size zero models was insignificant compared to the "zillions" of fat people.

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But he said: "In France there are, I think, less than one per cent of people who are too skinny.

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"There are nearly 30 per cent of young people who are too fat. So let's take care of the zillions of the too fat before we talk about the percentage that's left." - Telegraph

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Lagerfeld's take on the recession.

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In further questions Lagerfeld said he viewed the global recession as "more like a cleaning up."
"It was too rotten anyway, so it had to be cleaned up," he said. - Telegraph

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Someone needs a makeover.

Doubt

Well Barbara hasn't bothered to review the film yet, even though she gets all the new releases sent to her, so I had to look elsewhere for an opinion, and I found a wonderful review at Architect Design. He loved it.

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I finally saw the film yesterday. I have to admit I found it rather tedious to sit through for the first half - the story only picks up steam as we become more involved in the crux of the matter: Is the priest a pederast or is he simply a progressive, compassionate associate-pastor whose responsibility happens to be the altar boys and the parochial school attached to the parish? To be sure, both Philip Seymour Hoffman and Meryl Streep play their roles beautifully.

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In fact, Streep's Sr. Aloysius is so good, on first take, her apparent lack of empathy makes her entirely uninteresting, albeit the plot seeks to demonstrate the mean nun syndrome through her character. It rings true, don't get me wrong. However, watch her closely; as superior of the community, she discreetly reveals genuine charity and concern for the women under her charge - that sort of sensibility is often an indication of sanctity in the common life. On the other hand, I'm convinced Aloysius' preference for no nonsense, severe discipline as regards students was simply the way things were done in those days - not just in parochial schools either. Public schools could be just as severe - slaps and punches, slams up against lockers, or paddles in gym, not withholding. (I attended both private and public schools - so I know.) Sr. Aloysius was tough, and though it sounds sentimental - an emotion she evidently had little tolerance for - she really cared for the school children, although she knew from experience how manipulative students could be.

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I think to really understand Sr. Aloysius, one should recall Sr. Vauzou from "The Song of Bernadette" - without giving away the ending - the viewer will thus understand Streep's character - not confusing her final confession with the conclusion non-religious people might assume regarding the issue of doubt.

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At first the film is deceptive in its portrayal of a type of religious monotony frequently associated with conservative Catholicism - which may account for my initial boredom - although I found that the story, along with the superb acting, continued to captivate my imagination hours after viewing it. In my opinion, the film does a fair job in capturing the mood of the Catholic Church in America at the time. But since I was rather bored in the beginning, I occupied myself with picking out styling mistakes - a few of which I couldn't wait to comment on.

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For instance, Hoffman's Fr. Flynn wears vestments that probably were not around at the time - too modern - but even if they had been around - the stole would never have been worn on the outside. In addition, Fr. Flynn's alb was definitely a modern alb - I doubt it was even available back then. He also uses a modern breviary - you can see he has the contemporary Liturgy of the Hours - something that did not exist at the time. Also, I doubt the tabernacle in the church would not have been veiled in the manner shown - with some odd handkerchief thing laying over the top. It would have been veiled in liturgical colors to match the priests vestments.

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Then we watch Sr. Aloysius slapping kids on the back of the head at Sunday Mass. Nuns did do that - but only at school Masses - the daily Mass before classes began. Sundays the kids would have been with their family and the nuns would be up front in the first pew, sitting together as a community. That stuff never happened at Sunday Mass unless a fervent parishioner took it upon herself to correct stray children misbehaving. Another detail I found interesting is when Aloysius makes a subtle complaint about how cumbersome the habits were. Not more than a year or two later, the sisters were out of the traditional habit and into skirts and blouses. But who could fault them for that, the Seton habits were farmer-in-the-dell ugly.

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As for the school culture, in one scene the girls and boys are shown dancing together during music class in the auditorium. The song was Eydie Gorme singing, "Blame it on the Bossa Nova". That would never have happened in Sr. Aloyisius' school - they may have danced the Virginia Reel - but never the Bossa Nova - the "dance of love". Although the song did offer a momentary break in the somber tone of the film - for a moment.

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All in all, the film is fairly accurate as regards Catholic culture of the time, and it never impressed me as being the least bit anti-Catholic, as some people feared. Critics have suggested the ending leaves the viewer in doubt - not so much. I know what happened - most Catholics will too.

Rudi and Peggy

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Peggy Moffit was one of the most famous fashion models in the 1960's. She was best known as fashion designer Rudi Gernreich's lead mannequin and muse. She epitomized the '60's look, sensationalizing the label when she modelled Gernreich's topless swim suit. The suit wouldn't even raise an eyebrow today - as it was, the piece was unattractively asexual - much like Moffit's look - not that she was unattractive - her look was decidedly asexual. I believe the era pioneered much of the gender-neutral trends, both in fashion and politics, we have lived with since; although, I would guess Chanel initiated gender-neutral fashion long before the 1960's, when she introduced pants for women.

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Miss Moffit, who turns 70 this year, was also a collaborator in Gernreich's designs, and retained label and design rights to the firm after the designer's death.

What I did for New Years Eve.

I got all dressed up again and went out night-clubbing.

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I am laughing so hard - I did not do that! I just love the photo however - and so does Mrs. Parkes.

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This is what I really did. I went to the vigil Mass for the Octave of Christmas. Then I went grocery shopping because Lund's was open until midnight. After that I went to Target and bought some movies. I came home and watched one of them, The Queen, showcasing Helen Mirren's astonishing portrayal of Her Majesty. I had never seen the film before, except for trailers and clips amid interviews. I'm a johnny-come-lately as the film was released a couple of years ago, but who cares.

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I know some of the British did not appreciate the public outcry for honors to be shown Princess Diana by the Royals, but these folks were very much in the minority. (I'm quite sure Mrs. Boggle had some problems with it.) I followed all the events surrounding the death of Princess Diana rather closely; I too was angry with the Queen for her silence and indifference to what was going on outside Buckingham Palace, indeed around the globe. Yet when she turned up outside the palace to review the floral tributes and acknowledge the massive crowds of her subjects, I distinctly recall my immediate change of heart towards her, saying, "That's all you had to do dear - just show up."

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I repeated those words during the film last night.

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The film treated Her Majesty quite well, and Tony Blair was also shown in a better light than what my opinion of him happens to be today. The bad guys in the film turned out to be the consort, Prince Philip, and Mrs Blair - I have a particular dislike for Mrs. B. Prince Charles came off a bit of a weakling - but hopefully he will never be King. I think the Queen Mum would have played better with Joan Plowright in the role, but it is over and done with.

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My favorite scene? The Queen's encounter with the stag - although I'm sure if that incident had really happened, Her Majesty would have shot it.

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Happy New Year everyone.

Failed to notice.

Or take seriously.
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Since the demolition of AR2, I haven't really posted a great deal of serious stuff, things like massacres and terrorist attacks and other assorted "little murders" - like dad coming over for Christmas dressed like Santa, killing the family and torching the in-laws house. (Yes, the holidays can be stressful.)
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It isn't that I failed to note these things, I just didn't know how to respond to them, one can become a bit numb to such events occurring in rapid succession, as they are wont to do lately. It is less a problem of apathy as it is shell-shock, at least in my case.
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For instance, I found it absolutely incredible, astonishing, shocking - what have you - that the world went into fits of horror over the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, yet said nary a word about the Hindu-extremist terrorist attacks on Christians elsewhere in India. Just so, the media ignores the recent massacre of Christians a day or two ago in the Congo. It seems the only black people media is interested in is the Obama family and Barry's abs, or Oprah who just can't manage to keep the weight off, God bless her generous little heart.
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Don't get me started on the Israeli war against Hamas. It is certainly being reported, but not as accurately as it could be, and some important players seem to be missing from the public eye while all of it has been unfolding: Bush and Obama. Obviously, the U.S. has no clear leader in this time of transition - so it could be an excellent moment for Russia to emerge as the new global power, what with their warships trawling around America's seas.
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But back to the Israelis and the Arabs - neither one of them give a damn about the Palestinian Christians - in fact, Hamas just re-instituted crucifixion for capital crimes - that kinda, sorta carries a message about Christendom, don't you agree? And don't forget they started the current conflict over Christmas - no significance in that, I'm sure. I'm not pretending to put forth any political analysis here, but it seems to me many people are not paying attention to what is going on - and they should be. Below is an excerpt from Caroline Glick's column, "The 'realist' fantasy" - a good read if you are interested in world peace and that kind of crap:
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Hamas's endorsement of nailing enemies of Islam to crosses came at the same time it renewed its jihad. Here, too, Hamas wanted to make sure that Christians didn't feel neglected as its fighters launched missiles at Jewish day care centers and schools. So on Wednesday, Hamas lobbed a mortar shell at the Erez crossing point into Israel just as a group of Gazan Christians were standing on line waiting to travel to Bethlehem for Christmas. - Jerusalem Post
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Oh. Happy New Year.

Nicely put.

What painters do...

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I’m not an abstractionist. I’m not interested in the relationship of color or form or anything else. I’m interested only in expressing basic human emotions: tragedy, ecstasy, doom, and so on. - Mark Rothko

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And something I do as well...

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Whether I'm painting or not, I have this overweening interest in humanity. Even if I'm not working, I'm still analyzing people. - Alice Neel

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So my point is...

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I simply attempt to document what I see and experience, and if I am lucky, someone may call it art. - Terrance J. Nelson

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Image: Mark Rothko

Charity

Telling the truth.

What really happened to Abbey-Roads2.

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I was dropped - cut off - eliminated - kicked out. All because of the following post:

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I’ve had it!

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I’m switching back to Blogger - this site is far too much trouble. Please visit Abbey-Roads and add it to your blogroll if you like what I write. I was going to wait until after Christmas - but I can’t even post on this site any longer. I try to publish what I write and lose half the text. I’m outta here… nothing works here! (Wow! - Maybe this is what they wanted?!)

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Whatever - I’ll leave the site up for awhile - at least until my Neo-Counter account expires.

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Truth be told, the administrator of stblogs.com was offended by that post - which I thoughtlessly wrote out of frustration because of the problems I was experiencing. He was especially insulted with my last line: "I own the banner here, as well as the content - so watch out." He took it as a legal threat - it wasn't.

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The very sad thing about all of this is that I lost my work. That said, I realize it was my own fault. At least I learned a very important lesson, I do not own anything, so no one needs to watch out.

Tony Blair, Syncretist

"Faith is vital to understand the Middle East."

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Ah. Tony Blair.

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"I regularly read the Koran, practically every day," Blair told an interviewer. He said the Prophet Mohammed had been "an enormously civilizing force." - Source

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I just love British comedy, although Basil Faulty remains my favorite character.

Fourth Day of Christmas: Inaccuracies

The Twelve Days of Christmas.

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Liturgically the whole concept of the 12 days has been screwed up, pretty much because Epiphany is kept on the second Sunday after Christmas. Today is the 4th day in my calculations, although others would say it is the 3rd. I calculate from Christmas Day to January 5th, which I observe as 12th Night - January 6th being Epiphany. I'm probably wrong.

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Anyway. The Twelve Days of Christmas is one Christmas carol I do not like. There happens to be some debate concerning the origins of the song as well as its meaning. Some people say it was used as a way to catechize during the English Reformation, when Catholics were persecuted. As if the Protestants couldn't hear the singing, much less understand the meaning of the song - since they kept the same fundamentals of the faith.

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No, I think the song developed as a means to remind Catholics, and sympathetic members of the Church of England, that Christmas is not just a day, but lasts for twelve days. Liturgically there always has been the Octave, the eight days following, while the 4 days leading up to Epiphany equalled the full twelve days. But I'm getting over my head here.

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My point is this. In Cromwell's England, Christmas was for the most part banned, and if it was celebrated at all, it was done so privately, and it would probably not go beyond the day itself - just like modern times. Therefore, I believe the song was composed to encourage people to continue the tradition of celebrating Christmas for the full 12 days - even if everyone was saying the day after Christmas, "Whew! I'm glad that is over!"

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Ho, ho, ho!

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For more information on the Twelve Days of Christmas, click here.

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Did Oliver Cromwell personally ban Christmass in England? Click here to find out.

BU - 8

The last part is the best.

Third day of Christmas. Christmas cards and greetings.

Happy Holidays.

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I still have cards to send - I usually send to the very, very Catholic after Christmas, as well as to those I hope would be Catholic. A card "after it's all over" can be a good reminder it is not. In addition, I'm picking out my cards for next year, it is always a good idea to buy the cards for next year when they are marked down from this year - that is, if you care to send the very best without spending a great deal. I'm one of those who consider Christmas cards a little gift.

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Seasons Greetings.

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I also enjoy ruffling the feathers of the very, very pious when it comes to Christmas greetings. If one sends a card, as I will do, with the printed greeting that doesn't mention Christmas, yet happens to be wonderful Christmas art - or not - what prevents the sender from writing, "Merry Christmas" with a little note and their signature? Just so, when a person wishes you a friendly, "Happy Holidays", why on earth would you shout back for all to hear, "Merry Christmas!" Or, "I celebrate Christmas!" How rude is that. Someone was kind enough to greet you and wish you well, and yet your ego has to assert itself and call attention to your wonderful Christmas spirit. A quiet smile, and a sincere "Merry Christmas" would be the kindest response.

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Happy Hanukkah.

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This morning I read on another blog the writer's boast how, after making the declaration of "Merry Christmas" for all to hear in response to a "Happy Holidays" greeting, the obviously very young man turned to wish the Jewish woman behind him, "Happy Hanukkah" after she informed him she doesn't celebrate Christmas. Thus after he wished her "HH" she responded, "And what do you know about Hanukkah?". Rising to the challenge, the very well-educated, albeit very young man, made it clear to the woman that he knew everything about it from his Catholic bible. (Many Jews are not even religious, nor do they actually celebrate Hanukkah.)

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Isn't that special. I'll bet everyone in hearing distance was dying to convert to Roman Catholicism and were filled with the infectious Christmas spirit that the very rude, very young man exhibited.

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Yeah, so Happy Kwanza while you're at it.

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LOL!

Ripped jeans and Fr. Corapi.

This really isn't Corapi - but it sort of looks like him - what he'd look like if he remained in Hollywood maybe...
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Image from the Sartorialist - who got it out of GQ. The Sartorialist has a great new format - much larger photos.

It was bound to happen.

The Rabbit's Christmas party has begun.

Seriously. I have so much food outside in the garden, everyone is eating; the voles, the mice, the squirrels, and of course the birds, and Mrs. Rabbit is out there now.

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As for me, I will actually be visiting my sister's house this weekend to see my brother Tim who is here from Germany. It promises to be very fun. I haven't seen any of them in years.

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Update: I guess I was just pretending.

The Second Day of Christmas

The Feast of Stephen.

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For most non-Catholics, I expect the feast of Stephen is only a line from a Christmas carol, "Good King Wenceslaus", yet for Roman Catholics, it is much more than that. Immediately after the joyful birth of Christ, the feast of the holy proto-martyr Stephen is celebrated. The deacon St. Stephen was put to death by stoning, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. Though the heavens were opened and St. Stephen was consoled and strengthened by the vision of Christ in glory, the martyr's passion and death has much to teach us.

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While the Christian is taken up in the joy and glory associated with the commemoration of the birth of Jesus, one may be assured one will also experience many of the same woes the rest of men encounter, which happen to be the effects of original sin. What is more, the Christian, trained in the way of penance and mortification, will not be surprised as they see fulfilled in their lifetime these words; "You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved." - Matthew 10:22

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Art: St. Stephen Martyr, from Sub Tuum, the monastery blog by Br. Stephen. Please visit his site to read about his clothing in the monastic habit, and to get a glimpse of Christmas in a monastery.

Christ Mass at the Cathedral of St. Paul

Details.

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Fr. Adams was the celebrant for the Mass at mid-day. He is one of the finest young priests I have ever met. Really. He is awesome.

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The Rector, Fr. Joseph Johnson is too. The Cathedral has taken on a new aura... there seems to be an 'odor of sanctity' unlike ever before. I'm not exaggerating.

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I arrived early for Mass, entering the Cathedral by the side door. I looked towards the back and noticed hundreds of lights draping Our Lady of Victory Chapel. As I moved closer, the display became more intriguing. Finally, standing in front of St. Joseph's chapel, I looked across, the impression was heavenly, it reminded me of Christmas in Rome, or Naples. The entire chapel was draped and festooned with antique gold and white sheer fabric. Magnificent runs of what appeared to be silk illusion, with lights sprinkled through the cascades. (I apologize that I do not have any photos yet.)

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The crowds of families obstructed my view of the actual creche. Finally I got near enough to sneak into the side of the chapel, hidden behind the great columns and lighted birch tree branches the size of trees. The roof of the creche was laden with a large cascade of white and red Peruvian roses falling from the gable down each side. The same roses were arranged in huge bouquets on either side of the creche. In the background loomed the beautiful marble statue of Our Lady of Victory, and above her crown was the star of Bethlehem, while the extravagantly tented fabric streamed down to enclose the entire tableaux.

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I do not even do it justice trying to describe it here - it must be seen in person. If you live in the Twin City area, you should make the pilgrimage to venerate the Holy Infant in this sumptuous setting which so glorifies the Incarnation. It is the finest Nativity I have ever seen in this region.

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A visit to the St. Joseph chapel is rewarded with lovely displays of flowers and roses - designed and donated by the same person who donated her time, money, and talent to construct the beautiful presepe for Our Lady's chapel... the very talented designer, Anne Marie Hanson. God reward her for such a lovely Christmas gift to the Cathedral. By her generosity, those who visit the chapel get a little glimpse of heaven in these dark days, while her art lifts the poor in spirit above the worries and cares of the world.

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The sanctuary itself is magnificently decorated as well, all in red, with more lights adding sparkle to the festal processional banners. Yet there is another detail, perhaps taken for granted by many. The Father Rector has taken care that all of the altars throughout the immense Cathedral are properly covered in altar cloths, and for Christmas, every altar is illuminated with candles, three on either side of the tabernacle, glowing and warming a pilgrim's heart.

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I have never experienced the Cathedral in such a manner before... It is such a holy place. That's all I really wanted to say.

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Visit the Cathedral website: http://www.cathedralsaintpaul.org/

Merry Christmas

Did anyone watch the Holy Father's Midnight Mass?

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As the Pope processed to the Nativity after Mass, a man in red jumped the barricade and rushed the Pope. Security was able to restrain him, it appeared the man was knocked to the floor. The Holy Father looked startled for a brief moment, standing back a bit. (Story here.) A spokesman for the Vatican said the man appeared to pose no danger and was probably overly enthusiastic in his efforts to greet the Holy Father. I wonder.
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Praying for the Holy Father.

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God bless all of you, and thanks for your friendship and support. Wishing all of you a wonderful twelve days of Christmas.

Ninth Day of Preparation: The Vigil of Christmas

The Perfect Joy.
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O Divine Infant Jesus, our Saviour, your love for St. Joseph could not have been greater, and yet you did not remedy his inability to provide comfortable lodging for Our Lady Mary to give birth. Neither did you shield your holy parents from the indifference and contempt shown by those who refused them. Though an upright and just man, we recognize in St. Joseph an aspect of our own poverty and failed attempts to do the good we desire. Sadly, some of us may even lack all virtue and feel ourselves steeped in sin, and therefore deserving of contempt and rejection, leading us to behave no better than the beasts.
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However, it is the patient example of St. Joseph, and Our Lady Mary who gave birth to you amongst the beasts in stable, that you teach us O Little Lord the perfect joy of Christmas.
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You gently remind us that the price of your friendship is frequently the pain of your apparent rebuff. And while it is true that on account of our sins we may deserve to be cast out and excluded, each Christmas recalls to us that you are always there to meet us, even in the most culpable desolation. For this we thank you Little Lamb. In this is the perfect joy of Christmas, that you meet us even in our basest misery, our powerlessness, pouring out your mercy and love to the soul who hungers for you - Love Incarnate.
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Merry Christmas!
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[This would have been posted on Abbey2 if it had remained.]

What happened?

My blogs.

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Late last night Abbey Roads2 was deleted a bit prematurely... I'm not the swiftest when it comes to understanding web stuff, and I complain and curse when things don't go my way and sometimes act rashly. Anyway, after AR2 vanished, I started fiddling around with the settings on this blog and went to bed not realizing I had made it invitation only. Obviously I changed that this morning... But AR2 I can't change, it's gone. So I will be blogging here and will adjust my blogroll accordingly to include many of the links I had on AR2.

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Other than that - nothing to blog about today. Happy Christmas to all.

The Cathedral of St. Paul at Christmas.

I think I may go to Christmas Mass here. I can be lost in the crowd that way.

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I have to go out and shovel snow now.

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Click here for the Cathedral's website: http://www.cathedralsaintpaul.org/

A shorter Christmas Carol

Part One: Remembering Christmas past.

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My desk in the garden room has a glass top supported by two stainless steel sawhorses. As I was meditating this morning, I noticed the trees outside reflected in the glass. The trunks were laden with snow, on one side only, while the other side seemed to be outlined with a faint frost. The sight reminded me of one of my first jobs in the art department of Dayton's, a local department store that is now Macy's. I started in Downtown St. Paul, considered a "Downtown" store equal to the Minneapolis flagship store, although Minneapolis was the only store referred to as "Downtown". In addition, all display people were considered Downtown, or Minneapolis employees. It all sounds rather trivial today, but it was an important status thing back then - which display people took very seriously, thus educating me on how to be a snob before my time I'm afraid.

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It was the store's design department, not the display dept. that was responsible for the auditorium Christmas display and Santa-fantasy-land, as well as the animated window displays. Department differentiation and titles were very important in those days. Len Shimota was the man responsible for design, and he hired Tommie Rowland (sp?), an artist specializing in animated figures from Staten Island, to do the art and backgrounds. She earned her reputation with her windows created for Saks, Lord and Taylor, Bergdorf's and other stores in Manhattan. She was very little and rather craggy looking from chain smoking, and while working, she looked down right elfin, her bed-hair standing up in a little peak. She scared me to death. She seemed coarse and a bit shady to me, unaccustomed as I was to what seemed an abrasive New York accent and Keith Richard's style laugh. Although when she was dressed up, she was a tad more lovely, always wearing stiletto heels to increase her height.

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Anyway, my first job involved painting the background for the auditorium. As I said, in the late 1960's Dayton's had two downtown stores, each with their own auditorium, and these were turned into a Santa-land-fantasy-land. That year the theme was Dickens village. I painted the snow-laden trees, taught by another expert, Bobbie Mackin. Bobbie was a set designer turned display woman. Now deceased, she was an extraordinary talent and very kind to me, a naive high school kid working amidst the other rather earthy art majors from the University, who were hired to paint the free-standing buildings for the display. Bobbie started me off, demonstrating how to paint a snow laden tree, and to my surprise, I finished the entire background by myself. Bobbie liked my work so much she took me to Gorden Display in Roseville, and taught me how to do touch up work on the figures and actual sets. That is where I met Tommie and got to know the University students.

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After installation, I was kept on to work in the display department. I was part-watchman, part grunt man. The animated windows needed to be checked regularly until 10PM - when the lights went off - because the constantly running motors sometimes stalled and presented a fire danger. In between window checks, I covered felt panels for spring displays, and made props such as painted hangers with women's faces - copies of similar things seen in London's Carnaby St. boutiques. If there was nothing at all to do, I smoked in the display offices, pouring over News and Reviews, a display weekly, studying details of the window displays from NYC. I also studied the home and fashion magazines, educating myself in interior design and fashion. For a senior in high school, I thought I had hit the big time. I was the envy of all my friends, especially my classmates from studio arts. That was 1966, I wish I knew then what I know now; status, sophistication, snobism, - it is nothing but an illusion - a fleeting fantasy.

The Animal's Nativity.

Painting.
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I'm back to painting in my typical style. I'm painting The Animal's Nativity. I set out to do an illumination type painting, then I inserted a dog, a cat, soon a rabbit, and mouses... The dog is bigger than Our Lady, and Joseph is holding the Bambino. It will be a pazzo Nativity - not at all like the masterpiece above - but the cats will like it very much. Xena-Celine sits on a little rug atop my painting table as I work. I doubt I'll finish it by Christmas - although it ought to be done by Twelfth Night - but I'm not concerned about completing it.
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Making up your own traditions.
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It occurred to me that if one is alone, or one half of a couple, or even with a small family - it could be fun to try and make things for Christmas - even "on" Christmas, or to "do" things around the home. What if you decorated the tree closer to Christmas or on Christmas Eve - it doesn't have to be done all at once - but could be stretched over a few days, only to be completed Christmas Eve. It should be an enjoyable task, and not a drudgery. So often we work very hard to complete things, to get things done, only to be disappointed and let down after everything is "perfect" - although it is never perfect.
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Christmas is very much about the imperfect. Imperfect trees, imperfect dinners, imperfect wines, imperfect gifts, imperfect relatives and friends, imperfect me. You get the picture.
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And don't forget, Christmas is a season that only begins on Christmas Eve. And if you have to visit many people, remember the Three Kings never made it to Bethlehem until 12th Night.
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Works for me.

More Christmas legends and lore...

Mistletoe.

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The use of mistletoe dates back to pagan times of course, just as the Christmas tree, advent wreaths, and the use of other greenery does. It is actually a hemiparasite plant that grows upon tree trunks. It was once considered an aphrodisiac by the ancients and associated with fertility by the ancient Celts and Germans. The idea of kissing under the mistletoe originated with Saturnalia, the ancient pagan feast, and later extended into pagan marriage rites.

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The custom of kissing under the mistletoe continues into modern times, although some have taken advantage of the practice and landed in jail.

Poor Christmas: Great expectations.

Foxes and rabbits have holes, birds have nests... Being content with a sufficiency.

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I love to watch the rabbits and mice and voles in my garden. I see their tracks in the snow and I'm consoled to think some of them live in the foundation of my garage, although it is not heated in there, it may be a bit warmer than the outdoors. I often wonder how the little critters endure the snow and below zero temperatures, although an abundance of snow, as well as their winter coats, and fur-woven-with-twigs-and-mulch nests would provide much needed warmth.

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I began to think how in our times, we Americans have the luxury of unprecedented comfort. We have homes that have no comparison with any other period of domesticity in history, what with our heating and air-conditioning, air purifiers and filters, lighting, refrigerators along with all sorts of appliances, and so on. Our cars are heated, and if one can afford it, even the seats are heated, and the kids can watch TV in the back seat. We all know this, and take it for granted, often complaining when we are deprived of something or other, as when the power goes out. God forbid one's connection to the Internet is interrupted.

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Yet like the rabbits, human beings once lived in badly heated homes without any modern conveniences at all. Even royalty had a tough time of it in those huge stone castles. I shiver just thinking about it. For thousands and thousands of years man led a rather deprived existence - compared to our modern standards - and survived quite well. They wanted for much less than we do, simply because they never had a great deal to begin with. Only the very few lived in any sort of luxury - although it never equalled what we take for granted today.

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It is very difficult for those who have just lost their jobs, or their home, or their life savings to understand that it is not the end of the world, that people need much less to get by than they ever imagined.

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The rabbits remind me of such things. Indeed, I sometimes recall how, while on my pilgrimage to Compostella, I looked for lodging in a heavy rainstorm. I had hardly any money at all and it was late at night. I prayed St. Joseph to find me a dry place to sleep, reminding him how he found a place for the Virgin in Bethlehem. As I turned the corner in the little village I was passing through near the Spanish frontier, I saw a vegetable cart, with a canvas tarp. I quickly crawled in and slept the night, grateful St. Joseph provided me with the shelter. The next morning I knew better than to complain that my night had been quite uncomfortable with damp and cold, considering how the Saint provided similar conditions for Our Lady. In both situations, the accommodations were quite adequate, albeit not the least luxurious. The next night I found lodging in a garden shed filled with hay.

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Very often, we require a lot fewer things than we imagine - while in reality, we are 'entitled' to even less.

Christmas is a week from today.

Pretending.

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I can't remember exactly when I began pretending - telling stories about how my family celebrated Christmas, with all of the lovely old world customs and so on. It may have started when I was in 5th grade - a pivotal year for me in so many ways. I remember pretending to my classmates how I had received everything I asked for that Christmas, and described Christmas Eve as being full of magic, decorating the freshly cut tree, loaded with lights and ornaments, delicious food, and so on. I never realized I had been lying, reasoning I was "just pretending" - to avoid either being made fun of, or worse, the object of pity.

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I later employed the same tactic for people I worked with, as well as my family after I had moved away. I told coworkers who were worried I would be alone on Christmas, that I was going home; my excuse to my family was that I would be with friends instead.

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Anyway, after I was firmly on my own and began working in display, my Christmas memories became rather grand, a little like Hans Brinker's. I charmed people with stories of visits from St. Nicholas, absolutely incredible Christmas trees and creches, and of course the Italian Christmases with my friends. Although my Italian Christmases were not exaggerations - completely - except for the occasional inclusion of a few details I employed to embellish my own experiences at home. I learned how to perfect the art of pretense from a wonderful woman named "J", an Audrey Hepburn look-a-like, act-a-like, talk-a-like, dress-a-like, who happened to be one of the nicest phonies in the world - and one of the most believable at that. Her stories were absolute royalty. It took decades for me to shake off that influence.

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"J" was so charming. Many times she insulted me to my face during the course of a "teddy-bear" lunch or coffee, and I never even realized it until years later.

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Anyway. Don't worry, I stopped pretending about my Christmases many years ago when I realized I could make them as magical as I wanted all on my own; the traditions I pretended my family observed, I began to observe myself - often doing for others what I wanted for myself. Thus Christmas was no longer pretend. Now days, it is even more real, albeit much more simple. (Correction - I continued to fabricate stories for concerned coworkers as to the where and with whom I celebrated Christmas - I don't have to do that any longer. I know, I'm a liar.)

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I'm invited to my relatives next week. Ah. The more things change, the more they remain the same. Except I do not lie any more - I just say I can't make it.

Sagrada Familia

Magnificent.
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Detail of the Catalan Cathedral in Barcelona, Spain, designed by Antoni Gaudi (1852-1926). The official title of the church is "Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Familia". Construction began in 1882 and is scheduled to be completed in 2026. Construction was interupted during the Spanish Civil War. Antoni Gaudi is also a candidate for sainthood in the Catholic Church. For more information and additional photos on the Cathedral, go here.
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Links:
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Official Site

More on Christmas cards.

When you care enough to send the very best.

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I just ran across a blog that advises one should only send Christmas cards with a Christian image and greeting, in order to let the manufacturers know what sells. I doubt I even have to say what I think of that nonsense.

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Capturing the charm of that "hand-made" look.

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The image above is an example of a type of humorous Christmas card I like to send to friends who either are not religious, or simply like a good laugh. When one opens the card, which appears to be home-made, the verse looks as if it had been typed on an old fashioned type-writer. In this case, the verse reads:

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"the kids? out back playing with their new empty boxes. season's greetings."

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How lovely and thoughtful. Now who wouldn't know this is a Christmas card? This card would be perfect to send to a family on welfare, or even those newly weds with children, who live in a house they can't afford.

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Suitable for framing.

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I like to refer to this type of card as; "dysfunctional greetings". Yet the producers of the greeting card line describe their product as; "greetings that push buttons, poke fun, and provoke something." Whatever, it is all in fun. Send it to the right people and you may never have to bother with sending another card to them again.

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This line of cards has been around for several years now, and I never tire of them. The company is MikWright, Ltd. The cards retail at about $3.50 each. MikWright also produces cocktail napkins. The napkins use the same photo format with captions that poke fun at, ridicule, and shame alcoholics back into drinking. They are great for AA meetings and get togethers.

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Tim and Phyllis have a website too: www.mikwright.com

Cheers!

Poor Christmas: Staging it back a bit.

Gaudete Sunday (Gaudete means rejoice - it is the 3rd Sunday in Advent.)

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As everyone knows, many people are losing their jobs, not to mention their houses as we sink deeper into recession. People die at this time of year just as they do all year long. Recently a woman was knocked down in a store parking lot and was killed when the drunk driver ran over her head. Horrible crime! People's houses burn down, as did a teacher's from my parish school last week.

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Another woman I deeply respect and admire is going in for surgery this coming Wednesday - she has stage 4 ovarian cancer - please keep her in your prayers. Another man I know, like many others this time of year, is going through severe mental and emotional trials. At this time of year, a time of inordinate expectations for happiness and joy on the natural level, the drama misfortune occasions is often heightened and can be too much to bear for some.

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It is good to pull it back a bit at times. To be temperate without being too sober. To have fun and to plan fun without being too demanding or obnoxious. To be kind and considerate without being patronizing or condescending. To cry if you need too, without being full of self-pity - or God forbid - self-loathing.

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And never forget we are all in this together, so if nothing else, we need to pray for one another.