Better Know My Favorite Saint! May 13 Edition

Julian of Norwitch

The Lady Juliana was born about 1342, and when she was thirty years old, she became gravely ill and was expected to die. Then, on the seventh day, the medical crisis passed, and she had a series of fifteen visions, or "showings," in which she was led to contemplate the Passion of Christ. These brought her great peace and joy. She became an anchoress, living in a small hut near to the church in Norwich, where she devoted the rest of her life to prayer and contemplation of the meaning of her visions. The results of her meditations she wrote in a book called Revelations of Divine Love, available in modern English in a Penguin Paperback edition. During her lifetime, she became known as a counselor, whose advice combined spiritual insight with common sense, and many persons came to speak with her. Since her death, many more have found help in her writings.

The precise date of her death is uncertain.

Her book is a tender meditation on God's eternal and all-embracing love, as expressed to us in the Passion of Christ.

She describes seeing God holding a tiny thing in his hand, like a small brown nut, which seemed so fragile and insignificant that she wondered why it did not crumble before her eyes. She understood that the thing was the entire created universe, which is as nothing compared to its Creator, and she was told, "God made it, God loves it, God keeps it."

She was concerned that sometimes when we are faced wiith a difficult moral decision, it seems that no matter which way we decide, we will have acted from motives that are less then completely pure, so that neither decision is defensible. She finally wrote: "It is enough to be sure of the deed. Our courteous Lord will deign to redeem the motive."

The is more on Dame Julian here

With thanks and gratitute to Anglican Resources at SoAJ

Presiding Bishop issues statement on Zimbabwe crisis

May 7, 2008

[Episcopal News Service]

Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori issued a statement May 6 on the political and humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe, calling for all Episcopalians to advocate for an international response.

Robert Mugabe's government, shesays, has engaged in a "systematic repression of human rights, democracy, ane economic opportunity for the people of Zimbabwe."
In her statement, Jefferts Schori joins with the archbishops of Canterbury and York, and the Archbishop of Cape Town, in calling for an international arms embargo against the government of Zimbabwe.

Urging all Episcopalians to continue to pray for the people of Zimbabwe, Jefferts Schori says: "In a land that has suffered so greatly in recent years as a result of 165,000 percent inflation, 80 percent unemployment, and poverty so drastic that life expectancy is now only in the mid-30s, the need for healing and transformation could not be more urgent."

The full text of the Presiding Bishop's statement can be viewed
here.

Better Know a Saint! May 6 Edition

St. Petronax

Abbot, called “the Second Founder of Montecassino.” Not to be confused with the Monte Cristo sandwich which is ham and cheese between two slices of french toast. It's usually served with pancake syrup which ups its yum quotient!

Anyway, Petronax joined the Benedictines and in 717 went to Montecassino at the urging of Pope Benedict. It seems the Lombards left a mess when the stayed at the Montecassino in 580.

It wasn't as if it was deserted. Hermits occupied the Abbey, and St. Benedict's tomb was in fairly good shape. With the help of the Hermits, Petronax rebuilt the Abbey. The Pope was so pleased, Petronax was elected abbot for the newly refurbished abbey. For thirty years he was in charge of the Montecassino , and it once again became a respected Benedictine institution.

He is buried near his sister Scolastica, beneath the High Altar of the Abbey. St. Benedict is the Patron Saint of engineers, speleologists (people with an unhealthy urge to shimmy through caves) and of land reclaimination. He'd probably feel at home in our society, since land reclaimation is a big field.

He was proclaimed main Patron of Europe by Pope Paul VI on the occasion of his visit to Montecassino on October 24, 1964 with the following motivation: "Messenger of Peace, Unifier, Master of Civilization and in particular Herald of Faith and Iniziator of monastic life in Western Europe". (Papal Brief - Pacis Nuntius).

Way to go, Petronax!

Land of the Milk and Honey

Here's a nice place to meditate. It's the Japanese Garden at the Ellington Agricultural Research Center in Nashville.

It's a favored spot for sipping bevvies and reading. This week's bevvie is from Starbucks, their new Honey Latte. It's a warm latte, with the usual foam on top and drizzled with honey. It's a good idea, but the clover honey was very bland and sunk to the bottom of the milk. A nice orange blossom honey would be sweet but not overly so.

Starbucks' Bevvie of Milk and Honey

Or as it as properly called a honey latte. I had a grande (medium) 2% honey latte with whip. While it was good it was a little too sweet for me. They were using clover honey, and I think orange blossom honey would have tasted better. Tupolo would also added a nice smokey sweetness.

Another good think Starbucks is doing is Blank and White cookies, two to a packet, for $1.50. They are about 2 1/2 inches and wrapped in a cello that will not strip the icing off. If you put them in your fridge, they are much easier to get out with less icing slippage.

I hear they are getting out of the music business. How sad! I love their eclectic selections. The in store music piped in is still tremendous.

Big news! We all know Howard is back. He is bringing better Swiss machines which will us a more traditional, more rounded shot.

Starbucks has always been my favorite after church place. Many other seem to feel the same way, because the Youth Group from the local Baptist church is always there,too.

It's the little things that make life nice.