Merry Christmas!

The Magdalene Sisters wish you and your loved ones a most Blessed Christmas season! We pray that the Incarnate Lord blesses you in whatever state in life you find yourself.

Stay tuned for some exciting changes from our little corner of the internet in the new year!

Blessings,
Julian, Edith, and Agatha

Work, work, work!

These last few days of work before Christmas are, sometimes, utter agony. Everyone around me is wishing me a Merry Christmas, and I feel like a scrouge, because I have to spend 20 of the next 52 hours in the office getting a ton of work done. This then, is keeping me inline:

You have recieved God's call to a specific way: it is to be at all the crossroads of the world, while remaining all the while, and as you carry out your professional work, in God.
--Jose Maria Escriva, #748, The Forge

It's not Christmas yet. These next few days will be the intense, expectant, hard-working days of Advent. And when I arrive home, I'll rejoice. But first: to work.

Musings

I haven't had much to say in recent weeks. It's not because work was busy (it was), or that social commitments were abounding (they were). I just haven't wanted to make time to write, as I didn't think I had anything profound or really important or interesting to say. But this morning I just wanted to. So, here goes.

I was over at Agatha's the other day, eating a most wonderful wintry dinner, and we were talking about life (as per usual). Agatha commented that our life situations hadn't really changed since this time last year, and I agreed. We're both still working at the same jobs, both still friends with the same people, no big ruptures or marriages or anything in our families, and, as per the subject of this blog, we're both still single. It made me think about whether or not I really had anything to contribute to this conversation anymore, if my life seemed to be following the "status quo." But this morning I decided that yes, the status quo is fine, because status quo doesn't mean stagnant. Much of the liturgical calendar is filled with "ordinary time," and if that is my life right now, then so be it. The ordinary parts of the life of a single person...working, providing for oneself, dating (crazy people, I might add!), deepening friendships, and growing with the Lord over seemingly insignificant (but in reality, heroic) things is just what we should be talking about.

My 2011 already looks like a promising one. Is my husband around the corner? Oh, who the heck knows. But I am going to take a course in Denver this summer on Salvation History to beef up my knowledge, I'm taking 30 girls to World Youth Day in Madrid, I'm going to welcome my first niece or nephew into the world, and I'm going to turn 27 --- a great age, if I do say so myself. It feels more distinguished than 26...don't know why, but it does, and several friends agree :) The upcoming year is sure to be filled with the mundane...grading, making dinner for one out of the contents of the fridge, paying bills, etc. But I know I will find the Lord in it all, because I did this year.

Papa B on Me!

Well, not me, but my patroness :)

The End of a Good Feast Day

For I know well the spring that flows and runs,

although it is night

1. That eternal spring is hidden,

for I know well where it has its rise

although it is night

2. I do not know its origin, nor has it one,

but I know that every origin has come from it

although it is night.

3. I know that nothing else is so beautiful,

and that the heavens and the earth drink there

although it is night.

4. I know well that it is bottomless

and no one is able to cross it,

although it is night.

5. Its clarity is never darkened,

and I know that every light has come from it

although it is night.

6. I know that its streams are so brimming

they water the lands of hell, the heavens, and earth

although it is night.

7. I know well the stream that flows from this spring

is mighty in compass and power

although it is night.

8. I know the stream proceeding from these two,

that neither of them in fact precedes it

although it is night

9. This eternal spring is hidden

in this living bread for our life's sake

although it is night.

10. It is here calling out to creatures;

and they satisfy their thirst,

although in darkness,

because it is night.

11. This living spring that I love for

I see in this bread of life,

although it is night.

-- St. John of the Cross, The Poetry

Immaculate Conception Novena Day 9

Ave, Regina Coeli!

Today we honor Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth - the Immaculate Conception from whom the Word made Flesh entered the world. This is a glorious feast, because Mary pre-figures the glory that is promised to us at the end of our lives. She was made totally pure, with no stain of sinfulness. Luke 1: 26-40

And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. Who having heard, was troubled at his saying, and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be. [And the angel said to her: Fear not, Mary, for you have found grace with God.

Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the most High; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father; and he shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever. And of his kingdom there shall be no end. And Mary said to the angel: How shall this be done, because I know not man? And the angel answering, said to her: The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the most High shall overshadow thee. And therefore also the Holy which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

And behold thy cousin Elizabeth, she also hath conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her that is called barren: Because no word shall be impossible with God. And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. And Mary rising up in those days, went into the hill country with haste into a city of Juda. And she entered into the house of Zachary, and saluted Elizabeth.

Let us rejoice, for she shows us the way! Her Immaculate Conception is our hope! O Felix Culpa, for had the apple not been taken by Adam and Eve, we would not have our glorious New Adam and New Eve!

Prayer

Opening Prayer

O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son, we beseech You that, as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son, You did preserve Her from all stain, so too You would permit us, purified through Her intercession, to come unto You. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

Prayer for Day 9

O Mother of the King of the Universe, most perfect member of the human race, "our tainted nature’s solitary boast," we turn to you as mother, advocate, and mediatrix. O Holy Mary, assist us in our present necessity. By your Immaculate Conception, O Mary conceived without sin, we humbly beseech you from the bottom of our heart to intercede for us with your Divine Son and ask that we be granted the favor for which we now plead...

(State your intention here...)

O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will. Amen.

From EWTN

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The Hardest Thing to Teach

Every day my high school Catholic Bioethics class poses challenges for me -- some good, some bad, some I'm routinely able to answer, and some that are new and require me to think on my feet. I was recently asked by a colleague what the most difficult topic to teach is, and while I first thought it might be the case against homosexuality, it turns out that it is increasingly becoming artificial/assisted reproduction. I think this is posing a challenge for several reasons....some of which are related, others which are not.

1. The model of the family is now viewed by my students (age 18) as something archaic, or at the very best, something arbitrary. Or, if family matters, family is whatever one willingly determines it to be...deliberately two-parent, deliberately one-parent, purposefully gay, purposefully straight, etc. I asked them to think about whether or not the design of the body is something arbitrary...whether or not the fact that it takes a biological father and a biological mother to create new life. They don't see that fact as particularly meaningful..just a fact of science that can be manipulated so as to satisfy our desires (all the while ignoring its implications).

2. The second reason the Church's teaching on artificial reproduction is so difficult to sell is for the very fact that assessing these techniques as immoral seems to perpetuate the immense suffering that a faithful, heterosexual, Catholic couple might experience....the desire to act in accord with the natural law while being unable to give one another a biological child. Trying to explain why ART's might have a good object and intention but immoral technique is so difficult. This generation does not see the use of technology as something that might offend or threaten our very humanity -- they take it for granted and assume it is something morally good or morally neutral.

3. Some of the children that I'm teaching are the products of these technologies. Now, some of the students I teach have had abortions, and so there is a very real suffering and tension that takes place when we talk our way through that issue. But this topic poses another question, in that some begin to question their identity and origin. As a teacher who so thoroughly cares about these girls, it's difficult to watch them grapple with their parents' decisions, to hear that the means why which they were conceived are not justifiable, even while I stress that once conception takes place, no matter the means, one is infinitely loved by God and has been given an eternal end with Him.

It's just a hard thing to pull off...both a truthful yet pastorally sensitive approach to such a topic, because it deals with our humanity...our beginning, our desires, the desires of our parents, and the evaluation of and self-reflection regarding our personal ethics, which, if there is to be any progress, is bound to include growing pains.

Immaculate Conception Novena Day 8

Ave, Stella Matutina!

Today we honor Mary, the Morning Star. We are so blessed to have Mary as a Mother who guides our way to Jesus. Like the prophets of the Old Testament, Mary trusts the Lord in all her needs. Her faith is made perfect by her love, and when she calls out to the Lord, He responds with tender love. Hosea 6: 1-3

In their affliction they will rise early to me: Come, and let us return to the Lord: For he hath taken us, and he will heal us: he will strike, and he will cure us. He will revive us after two days: on the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. We shall know, and we shall follow on, that we may know the Lord. His going forth is prepared as the morning light, and he will come to us as the early and the latter rain to the earth.

We pray, Mary, that as our Mother and Morning Star, you will guide us to ever seek the will of God in our lives, as you too sought Him with perfect trust and perfect love.

Prayer

Opening Prayer

O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son, we beseech You that, as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son, You did preserve Her from all stain, so too You would permit us, purified through Her intercession, to come unto You. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

Prayer for Day 8

O Most gracious Virgin Mary, beloved Mother of Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, intercede with him for us that we be granted the favor which we petition for so earnestly in this novena...O Mother of the Word Incarnate, we feel animated with confidence that your prayers in our behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God. O Glorious Mother of God, in memory of your joyous Immaculate Conception, hear our prayers and obtain for us our petitions.

(State your intention here...)

O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will.


From EWTN
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Immaculate Conception Novena Day 7

Ave, Ianua Coeli!

Today we honor Mary, the Gate of Heaven. She is truly our gateway to the Lord, the one who reveals Him to us by saying Yes to giving Him her own holy flesh.

Psalm 23 [24]: 6-10

This is the generation of them that seek him, of them that seek the face of the God of Jacob. Lift up your gates, O ye princes, and be ye lifted up, O eternal gates: and the King of Glory shall enter in. Who is this King of Glory? the Lord who is strong and mighty: the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your gates, O ye princes, and be ye lifted up, O eternal gates: and the King of Glory shall enter in. Who is this King of Glory? the Lord of hosts, he is the King of Glory.

Rejoice, for Mary shows us the way to our heavenly home!

Prayer

Opening Prayer

O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son, we beseech You that, as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son, You did preserve Her from all stain, so too You would permit us, purified through Her intercession, to come unto You. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

Prayer for Day 7

O Immaculate Virgin, Mother of God, and my mother, from the sublime heights of your dignity turn your merciful eyes upon me while I, full of confidence in your bounty and keeping in mind your Immaculate conception and fully conscious of your power, beg of you to come to our aid and ask your Divine Son to grant the favor we earnestly seek in this novena... if it be beneficial for our immortal souls and the souls for whom we pray.

(State your intention here...)

O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will.

From EWTN

Photo Credit

Immaculate Conception Novena Day 6

Ave, Regina Angelorum!

Today we honor Mary as the Queen of All Angels! We should rejoice because Mary is Queen over all creation, and is higher than the Angels. She foreshadows the glory we shall have in the Beatific vision in communion with all creation. With the angels, she watches over us and guides ever closer to her Son.

Psalm 44 [45]: 8-12

You have loved justice, and hated iniquity: therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above you fellows. Myrrh and stacte and cassia perfume your garments, from the ivory houses: out of which the daughters of kings have delighted you in your glory. The queen stood on your right hand, in gilded clothing; surrounded with variety.

Hearken, O daughter, and see, and incline your ear: and forget your people and your father's house. And the king shall greatly desire your beauty; for he is the Lord your God, and him they shall adore.

Let us rejoice in her glory with all the heavenly host! For she is our Mother who teaches us how to accept God's will for our lives.

Prayer

Opening Prayer

O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son, we beseech You that, as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son, You did preserve Her from all stain, so too You would permit us, purified through Her intercession, to come unto You. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

Prayer for Day 6

Glorious and immortal Queen of Heaven, we profess our firm belief in your Immaculate Conception preordained for you in the merits of your Divine Son. We rejoice with you in your Immaculate Conception. To the one ever-reigning God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, three in Person, one in nature, we offer thanks for your blessed Immaculate Conception. O Mother of the Word made Flesh, listen to our petition as we ask this special grace during this novena...

(State your intention here...)

O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will. Amen.

From EWTN

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Immaculate Conception Novena Day 5

Ave, Spes Nostra!

Today we honor Mary as Our Hope. Since she is our Mother, she is always observant of the who we are and our needs. This is so beautifully depicted in the wedding feast at Cana. Jn 2:1-5

And the third day, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee: and the mother of Jesus was there. And Jesus also was invited, and his disciples, to the marriage. And the wine failing, the mother of Jesus said to him: They have no wine. And Jesus said to her: Woman, what is that to me and to you? my hour is not yet come. His mother said to the waiters: Whatsoever he shall say to you, do.

Mary has complete faith that Jesus will abide by her request. She observes the wedding of her beloved brethren, and seeking to keep them from the embarrassment of no wine, she turns to Her Son. And He obeys her request. She gives us hope that whatever problems we bring to her in prayer, she will bring to her Son. And He will grant her request. So when our situations seem hopeless, let us rejoice with the confidence that Mary, our Mother is also Our Hope.

Prayer

Opening Prayer
O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son, we beseech You that, as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son, You did preserve Her from all stain, so too You would permit us, purified through Her intercession, to come unto You. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

Prayer for Day 5
O Lord, who, by the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, did prepare a fitting dwelling for your Son, we beseech you that as by the foreseen death of your Son, you did preserve her from all stain of sin, grant that through her intercession, we may be favored with the granting of the grace that we seek for at this time...

(State your intention here...)

O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will. Amen.

From EWTN

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Immaculate Conception Novena Day 4

Ave Maria, Refugium Peccatorum!

Today we honor Mary under the title 'Refuge of Sinners.' Since we should be spiritually like children, it is wonderful to know that Mary is our mother. And as a mother, she is a refuge of love in a hostile world that is so torn by sin. Mt 19:13-14

Then were little children presented to him, that he should impose hands upon them and pray. And the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said to them: Let the children come unto me, and forbid them not: for the kingdom of heaven is for such.

What a great comfort it is to know that we can approach Jesus with the littleness of a child. And by the loving intercession of His Mother, we learn how to approach Him with that child-like love that defines our heavenly home.

Prayer

Opening Prayer

O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son, we beseech You that, as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son, You did preserve Her from all stain, so too You would permit us, purified through Her intercession, to come unto You. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

Prayer for Day 4

O Mary, Mother of God, endowed in your glorious Immaculate Conception with the fullness of grace; unique among women in that you are both mother and virgin; Mother of Christ and Virgin of Christ, we ask you to look down with a tender heart from your throne and listen to our prayers as we earnestly ask that you obtain for us the favor for which we now plead...

(State your intention here...)

O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will. Amen.

From EWTN

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The Perfect NYE

So it's that time of year again - top 100 countdowns of 2010, planning the perfect holiday/NYE party, finding the perfect outfit for ringing in the New Year. Ever notice how the whole New Year's Eve thing is so...hyped about? In every movie and magazine, it is portrayed as one of the most romantic and special nights that should exist in the young 20-somethings life.

But Julian and I were talking the other day, and neither of us has had the movie/magazine perfect NYE. In fact, I have usually found it rather uneventful. When I did not have a date, I felt like I was missing out on something super special that I should have been experiencing. When I had a date, I was usually miserable with him...maybe I just needed a different date, ha. But seriously, for both Julian and I, the best New Year's memories we have are playing board games with family and drinking wine (and in my case, pomegranate mimosas) at home. And, we don't feel like we are missing out. Maybe one day we will have the perfect date, the perfect dress, and the perfect venue. But for now, perfection for the holidays means being with all those you love - and isn't that exactly what it's all about anyway? - After all, it is what we are looking forward to in eternity...

Why, Jesus, Why?

This is a prayer I have oft repeated this year and will probably continue to repeat for my entire life. Like today, I prayed: Why, Jesus, why are so many children left feeling unloved and torn down by those who should love them unconditionally? Why, Jesus, why do some children feel they need to earn the love of their parents? And why, Jesus, why do those children try to fill their hurt with meaningless sex at such a young age and damage their souls so deeply? Why, Jesus, why?

Pray for those children, readers. They walk next to you and they need to know they are so very loved. Love them.

Immaculate Conception Novena Day 3

Ave Maria, Mater Divinae Gratiae!

Today we honor Mary under the title of Mother of Divine Grace! Mary's Fiat to God's proposal brought grace to the world - O Felix Culpa to give us such a mother! Even her cousin Elizabeth could not help rejoicing at the sound of Mary's voice! Luke 1: 41-50

And it came to pass, that when Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the infant leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she cried out with a loud voice, and said: Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed art thou that has believed, because those things shall be accomplished that were spoken to you by the Lord.

And Mary said: My soul magnifies the Lord. And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour. Because he has regarded the humility of his handmaid; for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. Because he that is mighty, has done great things to me; and holy is his name. And his mercy is from generation unto generations, to them that fear him.

Let us too rejoice in Mary's Magnificat, because she is the Mother of Divine Grace that is given to us with each breath we take!

Prayer

Opening Prayer

O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son, we beseech You that, as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son, You did preserve Her from all stain, so too You would permit us, purified through Her intercession, to come unto You. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

Prayer for Day 3

O Blessed Virgin Mary, glory of the Christian people, joy of the universal Church and Mother of Our Lord, speak for us to the Heart of Jesus, who is your Son and our brother. O Mary, who by your holy Immaculate Conception did enter the world free from stain, in your mercy obtain for us from Jesus the special favor which we now so earnestly seek...

(State your intention here...)

O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will. Amen.

From EWTN

Photo Credit

Immaculate Conception Novena Day 2

Ave Maria, Mater Ecclesiae!

Today we honor Mary under the title of "Mother of the Church." We know that Mary is the mother of the person of Christ, and from her he received the precious flesh that clothed Him. But we are His Body, His Church and she gives life to us by revealing the depth of His love. Matthew 12: 47-50:

And one said unto him: Behold your mother and your brethren stand without, seeking you. But he answering him, said: Who is my mother, and who are my brethren? And stretching forth his hand towards his disciples, he said: Behold my mother and my brethren. For whosoever shall do the will of my Father, that is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.

Like Mary, we strive to the will of God always. May she help us in the pilgrim Church on earth as we say: Ave Maria, Mater Ecclesiae - Mater Nostra!

Prayer

Opening Prayer

O God, who by the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, did prepare a worthy dwelling place for Your Son, we beseech You that, as by the foreseen death of this, Your Son, You did preserve Her from all stain, so too You would permit us, purified through Her intercession, to come unto You. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, world without end. Amen.

Prayer for Day 2

O Mary, ever blessed Virgin, Mother of God, Queen of angels and of saints, we salute you with the most profound veneration and filial devotion as we contemplate your holy Immaculate Conception, We thank you for your maternal protection and for the many blessings that we have received through your wondrous mercy and most powerful intercession. In all our necessities we have recourse to you with unbounded confidence. O Mother of Mercy, we beseech you now to hear our prayer and to obtain for us of your Divine Son the favor that we so earnestly request in this novena...
(State your intention here...)

O Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Mother of Christ, you had influence with your Divine Son while upon this earth; you have the same influence now in heaven. Pray for us and obtain for us from him the granting of my petition if it be the Divine Will. Amen.

From EWTN

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