Celebrating Moms, Grandmothers, Godmothers, "Other Mothers," and Spiritual Mothers

I've been working on a reflection on mothers, grandmothers, Godmothers, "other mothers" and spiritual mothers.  It has started with me remembering one of the spiritual mothers in my life who recently passed away, so I'm going to take some more time with it. In the meantime, I'd like to share with you a beautiful song about the most amazing, most loving, most holy mother I know.

"A Mother's Song" by music missionary Danielle Rose

The Three Holiest Days of the Year: The Easter Triduum

We are about to enter into the three holiest days of the Christian calendar which are celebrated as one unbroken service.  Many people, including a number of practicing Catholics, don't realize that beginning at sunset on Holy Thursday, through Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday into Easter Sunday are the three holiest days in the year. These three days, starting Thursday evening and going through Sunday evening are known as the Holy Triduum.  They give us a wonderful opportunity to pray and reflect on Christ's Passion, death, and Resurrection.

A Holy Week overview in two minutes:

Over the years, I have prayerfully written a number of reflections on these three holiest of days and how they are observed.  Below, I've included links to those reflections as well as to those posts that chronicle the joyous, miraculous occasion of my husband returning to the Catholic faith.

Holy Thursday: Washing of the feet and Institution of the Eucharist

This evening we will remember what Christ did in His 72 hours on earth.  To read more about the significance of Holy Thursday and what we do to honor it, check out this reflection.

Good Friday: Veneration of the Cross

A reflection on The First Station of the Cross

A new look at Christ's words on the Cross: "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?"

Remembering Christ's Sorrowful Passion

Easter Vigil: A culmination of the faith and summary of Christianity through Scripture reflection, songs, and sacraments.  Saturday evening is when people are Baptized and brought into the church through the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults.

Easter Triduum Observation

 Fond Memories from 2013 Triduum

Check out Very Special Fond Memories of the Holy Week for a more detailed account of one of the best Holy Week's of my life, when my husband Kevin returned to the Catholic Church in 2000 (and was named "the patron saint of boyfriends" by Fr. Remi Sojka, the priest who served our Catholic Campus Ministry at Hollins University and Roanoke College.

May you and your family have a very blessed and most Holy Triduum!

St. Teresa of Avila poem: In the Hands of God

I am Yours and born of You,

What do You want of me?

Majestic Sovereign,

Unending wisdom,

Kindness pleasing to my soul;

God sublime, one Being Good,

Behold this one so vile.

Singing of her love to you:

What do You want of me?

Yours, You made me,

Yours, you saved me,

Yours, you called me,

Yours, you awaited me,

Yours, I did not stray.

What do you want of me?

Good Lord, what do you want of me?

What is this wretch to do?

What work is this,

This sinful slave, to do?

Look at me, Sweet Love,

Sweet Love, look at me,

What do you want of me?

In Your hand

I place my heart,

Body, life and soul,

Deep feelings and affections mine,

Spouse – Redeemer sweet,

Myself offered now to you,

What do you want of me?

Give me death, give me life,

Health or sickness,

Honor or shame,

War or swelling peace,

Weakness or full strength,

Yes, to these I say,

What do you want of me?

Give me wealth or want,

Happiness or gloominess,

Heaven or hell,

Sweet life, sun unveiled,

To you I give all.

What do you want of me?

Give me, if You will, prayer;

Or let me know dryness,

And abundance of devotion,

or if not, then barrenness.

In you alone, Sovereign Majesty,

I find my peace,

What do You want of me?

Give me then wisdom,

Or for love, ignorance,

Years of abundance,

or hunger and famine.

Darkness or sunlight,

Move me here or there:

What do You want of me?

If You want me to rest,

I desire it for love;

If to labor,

I will die working:

Sweet Love say

Where, how and when.

What do You want of me?

Calvary or Tabor give me,

Desert or fruitful land;

As Job in suffering

Or John at Your breast;

Barren or fruited vine,

Whatever be Your will:

What do You want of me?

Be I Joseph Chained

Or as Egypt's governor,

David pained

Or exalted high,

Jonas drowned,

Or Jonas freed:

What do You want of me?

Silent or speaking,

Fruitbearing or barren,

My wounds shown by the Law,

Rejoicing in the tender Gospel;

Sorrowing or exulting,

You alone live in me:

What do you want of me?

Yours I am, for You I was born:

Yours I am, for You I was born:

What do You want of me?