Our 7th Annual Mass at the Cemetery...

... on the feast of All Souls!

{This Moment}

Réquiem ætérnam dona eis Dómine; et lux perpétua lúceat eis.

 Requiéscant in pace. Amen.

A Votive Mass for Our Lady

This past Friday we were so very blessed with a Latin Votive Mass for Our Lady!  It was the first time Father Carmelo (a retired priest in our area) has agreed to offer Mass in Latin for us.  It wasn't the extraordinary form, but still so very beautiful and (as a friend mentioned) we must celebrate these small victories in our liberal diocese.

The little historic church, which usually just has our family and a handful of other people attending on Fridays, was packed on this particular weekday morning during the first week of school.   We also had the lovely local Schola Choir singing in the loft. Who says that there isn't enough interest in Latin Masses around here?!

Following Mass, the Legion of Mary invited us to stay for a little reception.  It was such a beautiful and joy filled morning!  We are hoping that Father will agree to offer Mass in Latin more often... Perhaps for our annual All Souls Mass this year?!?  :)

I spent the rest of Friday preparing for our Mother/Daughter Tea Party on Saturday, which was so much fun!  I have tons of pictures to share with you all, but they will have to wait... My online time is extra limited at the moment, while we work on establishing some good routines for our new school year.    I'll be back soon!

{pretty, happy, funny, real}

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life. ~

{pretty}

Photo Credit:  Marc

I just love these pictures, which were taken at a baptism we attended for Amy's newest baby this past Sunday afternoon.  Our oldest two boys had the honor of serving!

Photo Credit: Lily Caroline

{happy}

Photo Credit: Lily Caroline

Our little Bud has just the cutest smiles, but I just haven't been able to capture one of them with my camera.   I was so excited that a couple friends caught him smiling at me with their cameras!

{funny}

I handed our baby to his daddy and pulled my camera out to take a few pictures...  However, the sounds from all the other cameras clicking away (in the tiny little historical church) made me laugh and I put my camera back in it's case.   Still, I just couldn't resist pulling it back out when I noticed the little gap between the mother and godfather, allowing me to see the sweet little guy being baptized when Father was pouring the baptismal waters over his cute little head.  

{real}

Photo Credit:  Marc

Umm... Yeah... I just had to go and have a small, small piece of the baptism cake and a half a cup of coffee with cream at the reception.  I've been paying for it ever since, which explains my lack of blogging this week.  I just can't believe how very sensitive this little one is to any dairy and caffeine.   My husband has been out of town the last couple days as well, which has made for a challenging start to Lent.   I think God might be telling me that He wants me to keep it extra simple this year... 

Visit Like Mother, Like Daughter for more pictures of contentment

Our 6th Annual Mass at the Cemetery...

... on the feast of All Souls!

Our Godson's Baptism

"Baptism is the sacrament that gives our souls the new life of sanctifying grace by which we become Christians, children of God, and heirs of heaven." ~ My Catholic Faith

Loving God, Creator of all good things,

Thank you for the gift of life given to our godchild.

What a privilege it was for us to stand as witnesses for the Church

when our godchild was washed in baptismal waters.

Lord, help us to be faithful to you all the days of our lives.

As our godchild grows in age and faith,

enable us to be a good example for him

of how to live as a follower of Jesus.

Through our love and concern, in moments of joy and sorrow,

allow us to reveal your loving face, O God.

We pray this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Video Highlights: Mass for the Holy Souls

A Mass at the Cemetery

for the Feast of All Souls

Video Stills courtesy of Marc

It was such a beautiful Mass! This was our 3rd annual All Souls Mass at a local cemetery since the Catholic section was "rediscovered" and unburied from the brush and blackberry bushes. Our boys have had the honor of being able to serve at the altar each year. And even though the weather is always bad, by the grace of God, the rain stops just long enough for Mass!

I only took a couple pictures myself which, it appears, was caught on film! I may still post one of two of my favorites, but I was so excited that Marc so graciously agreed to email a me a few video stills to share with you all. Wahoo! Thanks Marc, they're awesome!

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.