St. Faustina encouraged the companionship of the saints. For the past several years I have offered the choice from a sack full of saints names to my Carmelite friends and Mass companions. This year St. Frances Cabrini will walk the Liturgical year with me. I spent a little time reading about her life. I found pictures of her in-corrupt body on some web sites. She was a Sister of the Sacred Heart. Perhaps her intercession will bring me closer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus this year. Or she may have other plans. I purchased a little medal of her at my Catholic book store and attached it to my scapular. It was difficult for me to 'retire' the Padre Pio medal I wore for the past year. There is much to read and study about that saint. A 365 type book of his writings kept him close to me everyday. I will have to work a little harder to keep St. Frances Cabrini in mind. This will not hurt me.
This year's Bible Verse is from Job 21:2-3. At least listen to my words, and let that be the consolation you offer. Bear with me while I speak.
I hung my Advent Wreath on my front house wall. Last year a priest suggested we bring Advent to our exterior home decorating. I decorated a large wreath in blue and pink and white flowers and ribbons, and added plastic Christmas bulbs that looked like candle flames.No one commented; but I knew what the decoration meant.
I have changed indoor Advent wreaths this year. I bought a wreath base that included statues of the nativity characters. And I added a larger greenery wreath to circle it. The figures looked better in the catalog than in real life, but they look more Catholic on my table than just greenery and candles. They are growing on me. I add paper stars each evening on which I have written the names of someone I wish to remember and pray for this season.
I have challenged my prayer group to consider themselves a nativity character for the Advent season. Last year I chose 'king.' I read a wonderful book called The Revelation of the Magi. The writer suggested there were really twelve kings and he named them. My nativity characters walked with me all year long! This year I chose 'camel.' I was not happy. About all I know of camels is that they spit. Again, I researched more about them and found the root word of camel is 'beauty'. Ah, now that is something to consider for the month of December: How I can be beauty for the Christ Child. Or how He can see beauty in me.
