{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!

Mass on the Feast of All Souls

This was our 5th annual All Souls Mass at a local cemetery. (Here are pictures from the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th years!)   Unlike every other year, the weather was just gorgeous today and actually even WARM!  Unfortunately our friend Marc wasn't there to video and take pictures this year, so I only have a few to share from the Mass.

Altar in the Catholic section of a local historic cemetery

As always, it was such a beautiful Mass! We are so blessed to have such a wonderful "retired" priest in our area!  Thank you Father Carmelo!! 

My children were excited to see Uncle David!   

He is my youngest brother and oldest godson.  Isn't he cute! :-) 

We spent some time reading headstones and praying for the souls of those buried beneath.  

These headstones belonged to a mother and daughter.   The mother died in 1871 at the age of 35, just over 2 years after her daughter died at only 14 years of age.   How hard that must have been for the husband/father...

The headstones read:

Catherine E. 

Beloved daughter of S.J. & P. Fehely

Died Aug. 5, 1869 Age 14 yrs. 6 m. & 7 days

Her life was as edifying as it was brief.

Sarah Jane

wife of Patrick Fehely

Died Oct. 21, 1871 Aged 35 years

She was a good wife, a loving mother, a sincere 

friend, and a useful member of society. 

John  son of O.&N. Keegan

DIED Dec. 5, 1883

Aged 5yrs.3Ms.11Ds.

Our blessed angel has gone to rest

God has called him and He knows best

I'd love to go back some time and explore some more of this beautiful cemetery!

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.

Mass on the Feast of All Souls ~ A few more pictures!

Here are a few more pictures (actually they are "video stills") from our friend Marc, taken at the beautiful Mass at a local cemetery for the Holy Souls.  Thank you Marc!

Mass on the Feast of All Souls ~ November 2, 2009

Shower of Photos 2009 :: Day 26

Father Carmelo and Snuggles

50 Years a Priest

On March 14, 2009 Fr. Carmelo Mifsud celebrated 50 years as a priest of God. Here is a short video tribute to his life. It was created by our friend Marc and presented last night, at the lovely Anniversary dinner we attended, in his honor:

Father Carmelo has been such an incredible blessing to our family. Just a few examples include: baptizing Rascal, baptizing a few of our Godchildren (including Benjamin and Madeleine), blessing our home, offering Mass at the cemetery each year on the feast of All Souls, and allowing Captain and Rascal to begin serving Mass and Benediction on Fridays when they turned just 5 years old. Not to mention that this has all taken place during his very active "retirement"! Thank you Father Carmelo, and may God reward you abundantly!

Prayer to the Sacred Heart for Priests

O JESUS, Eternal Priest, keep all Thy priests within the shelter of Thy Sacred Heart where none may harm them. Keep unstained their anointed hands which daily touch Thy Sacred Body. Keep unsullied their lips purpled with Thy Precious Blood. Keep pure and unearthly their hearts sealed with the sublime marks of Thy glorious priesthood. Let Thy holy love surround them and shield them from the world's contagion.

Bless their labors with abundant fruit, and may the souls to whom they have ministered be here below their joy and consolation and in Heaven their beautiful and everlasting crown. 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.