Quotes, Word, other Miscellaneous: February 2005 Archives

Ever wanted to go on retreat and be a hermit for a week or even just a few days?

A friend was doing a little reading up on the Disney-produced "The
Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" movie and clicked onto a link
to a site devoted to C.S. Lewis. Their quote for today:

"He that but looketh on a plate of ham and eggs to lust after it
hath already committed breakfast with it in his heart."
&mdash Letters to an American Lady

I wanted to highlight something Marty Helgesen wrote in a comment box:

Catholics who want to participate in the evangelization of the South might want to join the Society of Sts. Francis Xavier and Therese. Members mail brochures to people in southern states and other parts of the country with small Catholic populations inviting them to take free correspondence courses in the teachings of the Church. There are no membership fees or dues and the brochures and mailing lists are provided free. The only cost is a 23 cent stamp a day and the few minutes it takes to address a double postcard and pray for the recipient. The courses are provided by the Catholic Home Study Service and Catholics as well as non-Catholics are invited to enroll. Anyone interested in joining can request further information from the Society of Sts. Francis Xavier and Therese:

In Conversation With God by Francis Fernandez (published by Scepter Press) is an excellent devotional book I've been reading for many years now and highly recommend to all. It's published by Opus Dei folks and will challenge you in your faith, I guarantee it. If you've ever read spiritual works that are full of "And I learned from Mother Superior that when in the refrectory, I mustn't ..." and wondered if there was something that would speak to you in your state of life, whether at work or in school, this is the devotional for you. Unabashedly orthodox, it gives practical tips on living the Christian life in the world. It follows the liturgical calendar and readings (naturally), and each day is divided into three sections you can read morning, noon, and night or afternoon. He quotes the Scriptures, the Fathers, the Saints, the Popes (especially John Paul), and St. Escriva. Occasionally it gets a bit heavy on the sentimentalism — sometimes I have to gag at how he speculates on what this or that saint would have done (my favorite is how Jesus and St. Joseph would have always carefully cleaned and put their tools away whenever they were done with them) — but it is a flaw that can easily be overlooked.

Unfortunately Amazon doesn't have samples you can read. If I had a larger audience I'd type in a segment for you. But I'll give you yesterday's headings. The topic says, "The existence of the devil and his activity." The sections were "The devil exists and acts in people and society. His activity is mysterious, but real and effective.", "Who the devil is. His power is limited. We need divine help in order to conquer.", "Jesus Christ vanquishes the devil. Trust in Christ. Means that we have to use. Holy Water." He quotes Scripture 12 times, church councils four times (three are SVC), St. Irenaeus, Ven. Cdl. Newman, Cassian, St. Jean Vianny, St. John of the Cross, St. Escriva, and four times quotes St. oops John Paul II. All and all an excellent, edifying book.

(as we'd say in New England)

This has got to be the coolest thing I've seen in a long time.

(Thanks, Caleb!)

Some people think, perhaps with some reason, that the Pope wears an odd-looking hat. Ain't nuthin compared to this one sported by the King of Nepal.

(Ok, so maybe it doesn't count 100%, but it's still funny.)