Just Another Day In Paradise

8 months old today

The Most Precious Blood of Jesus craft

Please stop by Anne's blog to see this beautiful craft for the month of the Most Precious blood of Jesus.

Wordless Wednesday- fruit from our garden

Traditional feast of the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ

July is the month of the Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Today, according to the Traditional Calendar of 1962 and previous, is the Feast of the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ. After Vatican II, this feast day was combined with Corpus Christi. In the 1969 Calendar, Corpus Christi is officially called the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ.

A Letter of Pope John XXIII on promoting devotion to the Most Precious Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ

Devotions to the Most Precious Blood of Jesus:

Chaplet of the Most Precious Blood

Litany of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus

Offering in Reparation to the Most Precious Blood of Jesus

Recommended books:

The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ

The Agony of Jesus

On the Passion of Christ

The Pain of Christ and the Sorrow of God

Characters of the Passion: Lessons on Faith and Trust

Devotion to the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ

(The following is taken from Dom Prosper Guéranger's entry in The Liturgical Year for July 1, in Volume XII of the 1983 Marian House edition of the English translation by the Benedictines of Stanbrook.)

"John the Baptist has pointed out the Lamb, Peter has firmly established his throne, Paul has prepared the bride; their joint work, admirable in its unity, at once suggests the reason for their feasts occurring almost simultaneously in the cycle. The alliance being now secured, all three fall into shade; whilst the bride herself, raised up by them to such loftly heights, appears alone before us, holding in her hands the sacred cup of the nuptial-feast."

"This gives the key of today's solemnity, revealing how its appearance in the heavens of the holy liturgy at this particular season is replete with mystery. The Church, it is true, has already made known to the sons of the new covenant, in a much more solemn matter, the price of the Blood that redeemed them, its nutritive strength, and the adorng homage is its due. On Good Friday, earth and heaven beheld all sin drowned in the saving stream, whose eternal flood-gates at last gave way beneath the combined effort of man's violence and of the love of the divine Heart. The festival of Corpus Christi witnessed our prostrate worship before the altars whereon is perpetuated the Sacrifice of Calvary, and where the outpouring of the precious Blood affords drink to the humblest little ones, as well as to the mightiest potentates of earth, lowly bowed in adoration before it."

"How is it, then, that holy Church is now inviting all Christians to hail, in a particular manner, the stream of life ever gushing from the sacred fount? What else can this mean, but that the preceding solemnities have by no means exhausted the mystery? The peace which this Blood has made to reign in the high places as well as in the low; the impetus of its wave bearing back the sons of Adam from the yawning gulf, purified, renewed, and dazzling white in the radiance of their heavenly apparel; the sacred Table outspread before them on the waters' brink, and the chalice brimful of inebriation - all this preparation and display would be objectless, all these splendours would be incomprehensible, if man were not brought to see therein the wooings of a love that could never endure its advances to be outdone by the pretensions of any other. Therefore, the Blood of Jesus is set before our eyes at this moment as the Blood of the Testament; the pledge of the alliance proposed to us by God [Exodus 24: 8; Hebrews 9: 20]' the dower stipulated by eternal Wisdom for this divine union to which He is inviting all men, and its consummation in our soul which is being urged forward with such vehemence by the Holy Ghost."

"'Having therefore, brethren, a confidence in entering into the Holies by the Blood of Christ,' says the apostle, 'a new and living way which He hath dedicated for through the veil - that is to say, His flesh - let us draw near with a pure heart in fullness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with clean water, let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He is faithful that hath promised. Let us consider one another to provoke unto charity and to good works [Hebrews 10: 19-24]. And may the God of peace who brought again from the dead the great Pastor of the sheep, our Lord Jesus Christ, in the Blood of the everlasting Testament, fit you in all goodness, that you may do His will: doing in you that which is well-pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom is glory forever and ever. Amen! [Hebrews 13: 20,21].'"

"Nor must we omit to mention here, that this feast is a monument of one of the most brilliant victories of holy Church in our own age. [Blessed Pope] Pius IX had been driven out from Rome in [November] 1848 by the triumphant revolution; but the following year, just about this season, his power was re-established. Under the aegis of the apostles on June 28 and the two following days, the eldest daughter of the Church [a former nickname for France], faithful to her past glories, swept the ramparts of the eternal city; and on July 2, Mary's festival [the feast of the Visitation on the traditional calendar], the victory was completed. Not long after this, a twofold decree notified to the city and the world the Pontiff's gratitude and the way in which he intended to perpetuate, in the sacred liturgy, the memory of these events."

"On August 10, from Gaeta itself [a town between Rome and Naples], the place of his exile in the evil day, [Blessed Pope] Pius IX, before returning to reassume the governments of his States, addressing himself to the invisible head of the Church, confided her in a special manner to His divine care, by the institution of this day's festival; reminding Him that it was for His Church that He had vouchsafed to shed all His precious Blood. Then, when the Pontiff re-entered his capital [on 12 April 1850, when he was finally assured that the French would not interfere in his affairs], turning to Mary, just as [Pope St.] Pius V and [Pope] Pius VIII had done under other circumstances, the Vicar of Christ solemnly attributed the honour of the recent victory to her who is ever the help of Christians; for on the feast of her Visitation it had been gained; and he now decreed that this said feast of July 2 should be raised from the rite of double major to that of second class throught the whole world [under the pre-1962 system of classifying feasts and holy days]. This was a prelude to the definition of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, which the immortal Pontiff had already projected, whereby the crushing of the serpent's head would be completed."

Precious Blood of Jesus, save us!
Sanguis Christi, inebria me!

The Simple Woman's Daybook- June 30th

Stop by Peggy's to see today's Simple Woman's Daybook posts.

Outside my window...beautiful blue skies.

I am thinking...about what to make for dinner.

I am thankful for...a well stocked refrigerator and freezer.

From the kitchen...still thinking :-)

I am creating...next year's 9th grade plans.

I am going...to make pumpkin muffins for breakfast tomorrow.

I am wearing...a red top and denim skirt.

I am reading...Little Therese and Purgatory: Explained by the Lives and Legends of the Saints to the kids.

I am hoping...my husband will be home by 6:00.

I am hearing... this song on the radio.

Around the house...2 nephews spending the week with us.

One of my favorite things...reading to the kids.

A few plans for the rest of the week...Mass and Holy hour on Friday morning.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...a priceless moment between sisters.

Sled or baby pool?

Photos taken by big sister Angela, age 5

Nativity of St. John the Baptist

Leonardo da Vinci, 1452-1519 St. John the Baptist Oil on wood

Customs for celebrating the Nativity of St. John the Baptist (1st. class feast)

On the Feast of St. John, it is customary to gather the perennial herb "St. John's Wort" (Hypericum perforatum), named for our Saint. It's long been seen as a means to keep evil away, and since medieval times, the herb has been hung over doors, windows and icons (its genus name -- hypericum -- means "above a picture")

In addition to gathering St. John's wort, it's also customary to gather flowers to make wreaths to wear and to hang in your home or, especially, on the front door. In some places, such as Poland, some of these wreaths are floated down the river in honor of Christ's Baptism by St. John in the Jordan. Make a wreath of flowers that dry well, and hang in your home all year to be replaced next St. John's Day. Alternatively, flowers can be tied together in bunches with beautiful ribbons and hanged upside-down to decorate your home all year.

The temporal focal point of the festivities, though, is the building of fires outdoors in which to burn worn out sacramentals and to serve as a symbol of the one Christ Himself called "a burning and shining light" (John 5:35).

After the blessing, a decade of the Rosary is prayed while walking sunwise -- clockwise, not widdershins -- around the fire, the old Sacramentals are reverently burned, and then the party begins.

As to foods, it's customary to eat strawberries (Our Lady is said to accompany children who pick strawberries on this day). In addition, in Sweden pickled herring, boiled potatoes, sour cream, crisp bread, beer and schnapps are enjoyed, while in Spain they eat figs and a savory pie made with tuna. In Ireland, "goody" is another traditional food -- white bread broken in pieces and boiled with milk, sugar, and spices in a great pot over the fire.

To get more ideas on how to celebrate today, go here.

Updated Sidebars

I've added all the books we are reading this year on the sidebars. We are having so much learning about many topics, especially the weather. The boys are fascinated with tornadoes and clouds. I have learned so much from them this year. I see clouds in a whole new way now. They are also enjoying all the books on germs. The kids thought You Wouldn't Want to Be Sick in the 16th Century! was hysterical. A little gross, but very funny and they enjoyed it a lot! Adrianna, Marygrace and Cecilia are reading about the Holocaust. Those books are on the left sidebar, right under the 4th of July books. I had some of those books from our Revolutionary War unit study last fall.

I find that I'm constantly putting more and more books on hold from the library. This past Spring we read all the gardening books and two of my favorite books were Katie and the Sunflowers by James Mayhew and Camille and the Sunflowers by Laurence Anholt. Camille and the Sunflowers is about a boy meeting Vincent Van Gogh, so now we are going to do an Art appreciation study this summer as well. The art books are listed on the sidebar right under the Thunderstorms and Tornadoes. It's amazing how you can learn about one subject and that leads to something else. I am looking forward to learning about so many incredible artists. After reading Katie Meets The Impressionists to Angela yesterday, she asked me if we could go to the Art museum sometime. I'm hoping to take the kids to the National Gallery of Art this summer.

The Simple Woman's Daybook- June 23rd

Stop by Peggy's to see today's Simple Woman's Daybook posts.

Outside my window...bright blue skies.

I am thinking...about how crazy we are to get another pet :- )

I am thankful for...the baby's recovery.

From the kitchen....baked ham, rice and baked beans for lunch.

I am creating....this post. I'm not very creative at all!

I am going...to take my mom to Kohl's this morning.

I am wearing...a white top and a very colorful skirt.

I am reading...Little Therese to the children.

I am hoping...to buy some flowers for the garden today.

I am hearing... the baby nursing.

Around the house...a new puppy.

One of my favorite things...nursing my baby girl.

A few plans for the rest of the week...cleaning out the garage.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... Marygrace reading to Angela.

I'm feeling better

After not being able to keep the baby's fever down for three days, I took Maria to the Urgent Care on Wednesday and she was diagnosed with strep throat. Poor little baby! She was in so much pain and was not able to nurse much until Thursday. Her fever finally broke Thursday morning and she has been able to sleep well for the past two nights. Even though she was so sick, she tried so hard to be happy. She's such a content little baby and always has a smile for her daddy. We are so thankful for the many prayers said for her. I know St. Therese was interceding for our little flower. When I arrived at the Urgent Care, a half hour away, at 3:00 p.m. there was no one there, so she got seen right away. I didn't think I would be home before 7:00, but everything went extremely well and I was home by 4:30. Our 18 year old daughter even ordered dinner for the family and had it delivered by the time I arrived. We are truly blessed!

My heart is aching...

for my dear friend Jennifer. Please keep her and her beautiful family in your prayers.

Miscarriage prayer

My Lord, the baby is dead!

Why, my Lord—dare I ask why? It will not hear the whisper of the wind or see the beauty of its parents’ face—it will not see the beauty of Your creation or the flame of a sunrise. Why, my Lord?

“Why, My child—do you ask ‘why’? Well, I will tell you why.

You see, the child lives. Instead of the wind he hears the sound of angels singing before My throne. Instead of the beauty that passes he sees everlasting Beauty—he sees My face. He was created and lived a short time so the image of his parents imprinted on his face may stand before Me as their personal intercessor. He knows secrets of heaven unknown to men on earth. He laughs with a special joy that only the innocent possess. My ways are not the ways of man. I create for My Kingdom and each creature fills a place in that Kingdom that could not be filled by another. He was created for My joy and his parents’ merits. He has never seen pain or sin. He has never felt hunger or pain. I breathed a soul into a seed, made it grow and called it forth.”

I am humbled before you, my Lord, for questioning Your wisdom, goodness, and love. I speak as a fool—forgive me. I acknowledge Your sovereign rights over life and death. I thank You for the life that began for so short a time to enjoy so long an Eternity.                                                                                              --  Mother M. Angelica

Wordless Wednesday

Dinner from our garden

Marinated Rosemary chicken. We seasoned the chicken with Rosemary, Oregano and Lemon Thyme from our herb garden.

 

Squash and Sweet Onions from the vegetable garden.

 

Squash and Sweet Onions sauteed in butter.

Delicious!!!

Prayer to our Guardian Angel When Unable to Attend Daily Mass

O holy Angel at my side,

Go to the church for me,

Kneel in my place at Holy Mass

Where I desire to be.

At Offertory, in my stead,

Take all I am and own,

And place it as a sacrifice

Upon the altar throne.

At holy Consecration’s bell,

Adore with seraph’s love,

My Jesus hidden on the Host,

Come down from heav’n above.

Then pray for those

I dearly love,

And those who

Cause me grief,

That Jesus’ Blood

May cleanse all hearts,

And suffering souls relieve.

And when the priest

Communion takes,

Oh, bring my Lord to me,

That His sweet Heart

May rest on mine,

And I His temple be.

Pray that this
Sacrifice Divine

May mankind’s sins efface;

Then bring me

Jesus’ blessing home—

The pledge of every grace.

Wordless Wednesday- from our garden

 

The Simple Woman's Daybook- June 9th

Stop by Peggy's to see today's Simple Woman's Daybook posts.

Outside my Window...a hazy, hot and humid morning.

I am thinking.... I need to get the kids up. It's 7:20 and they are still in bed.

I am thankful for....my Catholic faith, especially Our Lord in the Most Blessed Sacrament.

From the kitchen....something cold for dinner. It's going to be 99 degrees today.

I am creating...a new flower garden in the back yard with my husband.

I am going...to order this book today.

I am wearing...fleece pajamas.

I am reading...Connection Parenting: Parenting Through Connection Instead of Coercion, Through Love Instead of Fear.

I am hoping...to have a quiet day today and tomorrow since we are going to be busy the rest of the week.

I am hearing... "this song" on the radio.

Around the house...the usual things; dishes to be washed, laundry to be done and books to be read.

One of my favorite things...flowers in the garden.

A few plans for the rest of the week...King's Dominion, going to the Traditional Mass twice this week and visiting a dear friend after Mass so we can make Chaplets of the Sacred Heart for our families.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... I'll upload later on when I get my memory card back from my 14 year old.

Family devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

The month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. There are many ways to foster a devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus during this month. Here are some ways to practice this devotion:

1. Going to Confession and receiving Holy Communion on first Fridays for nine consecutive months. I've been trying to do this for over a decade and so far I have not been able to make it. We just keep trying again : )
2. Praying the daily Rosary. I pray 5 decades before the kids get up and 5 decades either in the morning with the kids or in the evening before bed, although I prefer the mornings.
3. Receiving Holy Communion frequently
4. Praying an act of consecration as a family during night prayers
5. Making a Holy Hour on Thursdays, at least once a month. I haven't tried this yet because it's in the evenings, and I usually can't get out of the house after 5:00 pm.
6. Displaying an image of the Sacred Heart in a prominent place in your home. We have ours in the front room, which we call our rosary room.
7. Pray the Chaplet of the Sacred Heart
8. Enthronement of the Sacred Heart. We have done this once, but have not renewed it since.

Periodically, the family might want to renew the Consecration, especially on the Feast of the Sacred Heart, at the Feast of Christ the King (the last Sunday in October), on days of great family joys; in times of sorrow, sickness, and death, major life events, such as First Communions, Confirmations, before the departure from home of a member: to join army, convent, seminary, before marriage, a child leaving for college, etc. Fish Eaters

Here is an act of consecration you can pray with your family in the evenings:

"Most sweet Jesus, humbly kneeling at Thy feet, we renew the consecration of our family to Thy Divine Heart. Be Thou our King forever! In Thee we have full and entire confidence. May Thy spirit penetrate our thoughts, our desires, our words and our deeds. Bless our undertakings, share in our joys, in our trials, and in our labors. Grant us to know Thee better, to love Thee more, to serve Thee without faltering."

"By the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Queen of Peace, set up Your kingdom in our country. Enter closely into the midst of our families and make them Yours through the solemn enthronement of Your Sacred Heart, so that soon one cry may resound from home to home: "May the triumphant Heart of Jesus be everywhere loved, blessed, and glorified forever!" Honor and glory to the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary!"

Chaplet of the Sacred Heart

The Chaplet consists of thirty-three small beads, six large beads, a centerpiece, a Crucifix and a Sacred Heart Medal. 

On the cross pray: Soul of Christ, sanctify me ...

On the large beads: O sweetest Heart of Jesus, I implore that I may ever love Thee more and more.

On the small beads: Sweet Heart of Jesus, be my love.

At the end of each decade: Sweet Heart of Mary, be my salvation.

At the conclusion: May the Heart of Jesus in the most blessed Sacrament be praised and adored and loved with grateful affection, at every moment, in all the tabernacles of the world, even to the end of time. 

Amen   

On the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus we made an Act of Reparation to the Sacred Heart in which you gain a plenary indulgence with the usual conditions. This month I'm going to read Saint Margaret Mary: And the Promises of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to the kids during our morning prayer time.

He promised that, in response to those who consecrate themselves and make reparations to His Sacred Heart:

• He will give them all the graces necessary in their state of life.
• He will establish peace in their homes.
• He will comfort them in all their afflictions.
• He will be their secure refuge during life, and above all, in death.
• He will bestow abundant blessings upon all their undertakings.
• Sinners will find in His Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy.
• Lukewarm souls shall become fervent.
• Fervent souls shall quickly mount to high perfection.
• He will bless every place in which an image of His Heart is exposed and honored.
• He will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.
• Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in His Heart.
• In the excessive mercy of His Heart that His all-powerful love will grant to all those who receive Holy Communion on the First Fridays in nine consecutive months the grace of final perseverance; they shall not die in His disgrace, nor without receiving their sacraments. His divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment.

Homemade baby wipes solution

Ever since I've been using these adorable cloth diapers, which you can see the baby wearing here, I have been wanting to make my own baby wipes, but I wanted to become comfortable with cloth diapers before using homemade baby wipes. I am making the baby wipes by cutting up some extra pink flannel baby blankets into small wipe-sized squares. If I had a surger I would surge the edges to prevent fraying.

To prepare, use a glass jar with a tight fitting lid. Pour all the ingredients in, cover the jar and shake to blend the ingredients. Place your homemade wipes in a container, preferably this one, which I received as a baby gift, add the solution, and invert a few times to make sure the wipes all get sufficiently moistened. Store any extra solution in the refrigerator. It should stay fresh for a long time, especially if you use distilled water.

• 1 cup distilled water
• 1/2 cup Aloe Vera gel- The gel from the Aloe Vera leaf is great for healing and relieving burns and rashes.
• 2 tbsp. calendulated oil- This herb is commonly used to soothe the skin and reduce inflamation. 
• 2 drops tea tree essential oil- This oil penetrates the skin and is useful for treating burns, scrapes, bites, and various skin irritations. It may also help to prevent and treat yeast infections. Very effective antibacterial and antiseptic.
• 2 drops lavender essential oil- Lavender may promote healing and as an aroma eases tension.
• 2 tbsp. vinegar-  It may be used to prevent mold.

7 months old!

The Simple Woman's Daybook- June 2nd

Stop by Peggy's to see today's Simple Woman's Daybook posts.

Outside my Window...Things are very wet right now due severe storms last night.

I am thinking...about what to feed the kids for breakfast. I'm thinking leftover sausage and waffles.

I am thankful for...the baby's new toy. It keeps her busy long enough for me to vacuum.

From the kitchen....maybe potato soup for dinner.

I am creating...lesson plans for this month.

I am going...to take the kids to the dentist this morning.

I am wearing...fleece pajamas.

I am reading...Connection Parenting: Parenting Through Connection Instead of Coercion, Through Love Instead of Fear.

I am hoping...the van won't break down on me today. The alternator needs to be replaced.

I am hearing... the parakeets chirping very loudly!.

Around the house...lots of dishes to wash since we lost power last night.

One of my favorite things...something warm to drink in the morning.

A few plans for the rest of the week...catching up on school work.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... Storm is on its way!