Happy Mother's Day

Being a Mom is something I will never take for granted. I celebrated my first Mother's Day 12 years ago, in Portland, OR. I remember going to Mass at Holy Rosary Church that day with my husband and 3 1/2 month old baby boy and receiving a lovely pink carnation. Though it doesn't now look so lovely, I have that dried carnation in my curio cabinet to this day.

I remember so very many Mother's Days before that one. I would watch other moms celebrating the day while I was left with the yearning in my heart to join them. It seemed like years came and went until finally I was honored beyond words to be among the moms on that Mother's Day in 2000. I was 36 years old.

God has blessed us richly with our two sons, now 10 and 12. Being a mom is ever-challenging, ever-rewarding, often difficult, but so very satisfying. After so many years of longing, I can now imagine doing nothing else. All my humble thanks to Our Lord in Heaven for honoring me with this vocation.

And a special prayer to Our Blessed Mother for that young woman out there who is still longing for motherhood as I did for so many years.  Hail Mary...

A Blessed and Happy Mother's Day to all moms!

May Crowning at Saint Mary's Assumption, and Novena

The month of May is dedicated to Our Lady.  Here are a couple of photos from the beautiful procession and crowning at Mass today.  

Also, Father Arnaud Rostand, U.S. District Superior of the Society of Saint Pius X solicits the generosity of the faithful in offering a Novena to the Holy Ghost with the intention of the graces of light and strength to the Holy Father, Benedict XVI and the Superior General of the Society, Bishop Fellay as the discussions between Rome and the Society continue.  The novena, starting on May 8 and ending on May 16 (the Vigil of the Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord) consists of praying the "Veni Creator Spiritus" and adding the "Memorare". -HSDad

Novena

VENI, Creator Spiritus, mentes tuorum visita, imple superna gratia quae tu creasti pectora.	COME, Holy Spirit, Creator blest, and in our souls take up Thy rest; come with Thy grace and heavenly aid to fill the hearts which Thou hast made.
Qui diceris Paraclitus, altissimi donum Dei, fons vivus, ignis, caritas, et spiritalis unctio.	O comforter, to Thee we cry, O heavenly gift of God Most High, O fount of life and fire of love, and sweet anointing from above.
Tu, septiformis munere, digitus paternae dexterae, Tu rite promissum Patris, sermone ditans guttura.	Thou in Thy sevenfold gifts are known; Thou, finger of God’s hand we own; Thou, promise of the Father, Thou Who dost the tongue with power imbue.
Accende lumen sensibus: infunde amorem cordibus: infirma nostri corporis virtute firmans perpeti.	Kindle our sense from above, and make our hearts overflow with love; with patience firm and virtue high the weakness of our flesh supply.
Hostem repellas longius, pacemque dones protinus: ductore sic te praevio vitemus omne noxium.	Far from us drive the foe we dread, and grant us Thy peace instead; so shall we not, with Thee for guide, turn from the path of life aside.
Per te sciamus da Patrem, noscamus atque Filium; Teque utriusque Spiritum credamus omni tempore.	Oh, may Thy grace on us bestow the Father and the Son to know; and Thee, through endless times confessed, of both the eternal Spirit blest.
Deo Patri sit gloria, et Filio, qui a mortuis surrexit, ac Paraclito, in saeculorum saecula. Amen.	Now to the Father and the Son, Who rose from death, be glory given, with Thou, O Holy Comforter, henceforth by all in earth and heaven. Amen.
V. Emitte Spiritum tuum, et creabuntur: R. Et renovabis faciem terrae. Oremus: Deus qui corda fidelium Sancti Spiritus illustratione docuisti: da nobis in eodem Spiritu recta sapere, et de eius semper consolatione gaudere. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. R. Amen.	V. Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created. R. And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth. Let us Pray: O God, Who hast taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Ghost: grant that, by the gift of the same Spirit, we may be always truly wise, and ever rejoice in His consolation. Through Christ Our Lord. R. Amen.
MEMORARE, O piissima Virgo Maria, non esse auditum a saeculo, quemquam ad tua currentem praesidia, tua implorantem auxilia, tua petentem suffragia, esse derelictum. Ego tali animatus confidentia, ad te, Virgo Virginum, Mater, curro, ad te venio, coram te gemens peccator assisto. Noli, Mater Verbi, verba mea despicere; sed audi propitia et exaudi. Amen.	Remember, O Most Gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to Thy protection, implored Thy help and sought Thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto Thee, O Virgin of Virgins, my Mother; to Thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in Thy mercy, hear and answer me. Amen.