I went into a store the other day and chuckled at the clean sweep that had been effected — from cozy holiday-mode to bright spiff-it-up and start-your-workouts mode. I admit I'm ready (well, maybe not for workouts per se).
But we'll stay Christmas-like for a few more weeks anyway!
The liturgical year still has little gifts to offer us: the theophanies of Christ's baptism, finding in the Temple, and miracle at Cana. The readings emphasize these manifestations, exhorting us to turn away from idolatry and worldliness.
And Candlemas is coming! Now is the time to source your candles for the coming year so they can be blessed. (I found those green ones on my mantel in a thrift store. Now I want all green candles!)
I am finishing up the gargantuan draft of my book to send to the publisher, and trying my best not to add any content here until I do!
But I am thinking ahead to a possible St. Greg's Pocket “Pocket Book” (as Deirdre calls it) — a reading we could do together. Have you ever heard of Wendy Shalit's A Return to Modesty? (affiliate link) I was thinking of our reading that if there was any interest. It always astonishes me that modesty, which after all is a virtue, is entirely rejected by many, and that fact alone makes me want to forge ahead!
Past guided readings have included The Spirit of the Liturgy (both books, by Ratzinger and Guardini, linked here). You can find a good round-up of my suggestions for your Pocket/book club here — suggestions that go to our need for deep (not necessarily long) reading that will significantly further our spiritual and moral development. This sort of reading helps bond our community, I think. We have a basis for going forward, which is important, because I consider these communities as the bedrock of the renewal of life together in these difficult times. Any of the readings can be done at any time, and I'm always here to discuss/answer questions to the best of my ability/find someone to help.
bits & pieces
- A good explanation of the workings of conscience from my friend Leila Miller, using the rather macabre example of clinic workers laughing at dead babies. Yes, it's disturbing, but it can help us understand ourselves and give us insight when we encounter someone who laughs evil off — knowing when someone suffers from a bad conscience can help us be better parents and neighbors. Leila breaks down conscience (following the teaching of the redoubtable J. Budziszewski) — this is a must-read.
- The best New Year's resolution, in my humble opinion, is to get serious about rooting out sinful behavior and living a life in union with God. In this way we will transform the world around us! Only personal sanctity matters! An examination of conscience based on the 10 Commandments. Here's another one, with a shorter one linked at the end.
- We probably all think we would oppose any political attempt to override our parental rights and duties. But what if the usurpation occurs as a matter of bureaucratic fiat and under cover of something that seems unobjectionable, like routine medical care? Be aware of bills like the one discussed in this article, perhaps already passed or coming up in your state soon.
- How a Catholic Monk Saved Honeybees From Near Extinction: “After 70 years of apiarian work, Brother Adam succeeded in developing one of the most popular bee strains used today, known as the beekeepers’ bee: docile, disease resistant, and fertile, with a high production of honey.”
- Erasing Thomas à Becket from medieval manuscripts “can be seen as part of the Reformation’s project of iconoclasm, and the efforts to eliminate idolatry and ‘superstition’ from the religion of England. But even bearing this in mind, it is nonetheless true that Thomas Becket and his cult were uniquely singled out for suppression by the architects of the Reformation, for a number of reasons.”
- How a Kansas humanities program (founded by John Senior) shaped a generation of Catholic leaders. (And, if you homeschool or participate in a small Christian school, you!) This book, John Senior and the Restoration of Realism, delves into all the particulars of John Senior's life and thought — highly recommended. That is an affiliate link.
- This Facebook page rounds up things that are “German-like at home” and this post shows the traditional prayer corner in a humble home. Make your own using our book The Little Oratory as your guide! (affiliate link)
from the archives
- For other New Year's resolution help, make your house reasonably clean, get a handle on your laundry, make menus, and in general attend to the ordinary tasks with love and watch your year get fabulous!
liturgical year
St. Hyginus and St. Theodosius.
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Helena says
What a beautiful children’s prayer book! Could you share its title and publication info?
Kathleen L says
Yes, please!!!
Carrie says
We love green candles, too! Here’s some that we’ve been very happy with from amazon…. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005EYHPCI/ref=ya_aw_od_pi?ie=UTF8&psc=1&th=1
Leila says
Helena, I posted about this book here: http://likemotherlikedaughter.org/2019/11/my-book-of-the-churchs-year-a-giveaway-of-a-beautiful-book/
You can order it from the St. Augustine Academy Press — the link is in that post.
Catrina Ryan says
Yes, let’s read Shalit’s book!
Ann says
Yes, on the Shalit book read!
So happy to see there is an article on Dr. Senior’s Humanities Program. I knew several of his students, and they greatly impacted my life.
Lisa G. says
I’m in for another book discussion here, if that’s what you’re meaning. I’m a bit thrown off by your mention of a St. Greg’s Pocket – do you think of this group of your blog readers as a Pocket?
Mignon says
I loves Shalit’s book when I read it years ago. I’d be up for perusing it again, if you decide to do a discussion here! It’s a wonderful book, not only on what modesty is and why it’s desirable, but also how society sabotages modesty (I’m remembering in particular her sad description of the sex ed classes at her school that she opted out of, but how snarky and ugly it made everyone who was in on the “dirty secret” of sexuality laid bare in such a base manner.) It’s a powerful and indicting look at a world that is far, far from me as a homeschooling Catholic mom!
Also, that piece by Leila Miller made me want to read Budziezevsky’s book! What a terrific breakdown of conscience! Thanks for sharing the article!
Catherine says
Yes to reading the book on modesty!
GretchenJoanna says
This is the most delicious post! I will have to come back to snack on it and chew on it a lot more than I have time for at the moment. I still have at least half of my decorations up and am very reluctant to let Christmas go… even though our Orthodox liturgical calendar has already seen “Leavetaking of Nativity” and The Circumcision of Christ and Theophany come and go. Of course, I never have to leave behind “God is with us!” Happy New Year!
Kathleen says
I would enjoy a book discussion. Funny you should suggest it, modesty and more feminine dress has been on my mind lately.
rh says
I’m of two minds about Shalit’s book. On the one hand, it was highly formative for me in college. I ran into it in a bargain bin and it definitely helped me begin to articulate how my late childhood and adolescence had led me astray in young adulthood (the parts about horrid sex ed especially resonated – I have so many stories). It started my journey back to modesty and authentic femininity.
On the other hand, it seems a bit dated. I reread it a few years back and didn’t feel it had held up – she was quite young when she wrote it, and the message was so new then I think the flaws didn’t stand out. I remember being a bit said that it didn’t have the ‘classic’ quality of something you can read forever. I wonder if there is a stronger case out there – I’ve never read The Thrill of the Chaste which has a similar theme (perhaps including a conversion of some sort as well), but I know that author is an excellent writer.
That said, if you do it, I’ll definitely join in. I have daughter’s hitting an age where I need to guide them towards true modesty and embracing their womanhood within their own particular personalities and circumstances. I think Leila’s thoughts and the comments here would be valuable, even if the work has some weaknesses.
Catherine says
On a less scholarly note…Christmas craft reveal?? Even just on Instagram. Would love to see some homemade pretty!
Mignon says
Leila, I would love to know what you make of the end of that piece on Becket. King Henry VIII issues an edict to erase him from all manuscripts in England but in his own personal prayer book leaves him intact? Hmmmm……
Leila says
I know, right? He was obviously very conflicted. Conscience will out.