St. Patrick, by virtue of his purported use of the shamrock to explain the Mystery of the Holy Trinity, has almost come to be synonymous with the Trinity.  Another legacy of the saint:  St. Patrick's Breastplate, an "Old Irish" lorica" which St. Patrick is credited with having composed.  Lorica is translated as shield or breastplate.      This long prayer has also been called the Deer's Cry.  The reason:  there is a collection of hymns...

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First of all, Happy Halloween to one and all!   Unbeknownst to many, the holiday of Halloween has its roots in the Catholic Church.  All Hallow's Eve is considered the "Vigil" of two Catholic Feast Days which honor the "Dearly Departed."  Novemeber 1 is the Feast of All Saints and is the day set aside to commemorate the lives and legacies of the Saints (including the Patriachs of the Faith from the Old Testament), those...

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One of my favorite questions to ask when meeting new acquaintances - both personal and professional - is "How did you and your spouse meet"?  It's a question to which folks always have an answer and about which they like to share.  When both spouses are present, it's fun to see the similarities in what they remember and to compare "both sides of the story".  It's a conversation which can go on for hours. With...

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I have always loved Feast Days.  St. Andrew's Feast Day is November 30, and marks the beginning of the Advent Season in our home!  Since I was a very little girl, I have recited the St. Andrew Novena. My dear grandmother gave me the prayer card one November 30, and said, "St. Andrew will deliver your special intentions to the Christ Child on Christmas Eve."  Ever since, I have said the prayer 15 times each...

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As I reflect back on "The days of summer" (evidenced by my last post re summer's shades of green and how I'm missing them), I continue to be struck by two profound "patriotic teaching moments".  One goes back to the very beginning of summer ... the heralding in of the season with the Boston Pops annual Fourth of July "fireworks spectacular".  This year, because of weather, it was aired on the 3rd and frankly, having...

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