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anniversarygiftideas1 · 11 months ago

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How to Choose the Best Anniversary Gifts

Anniversaries are milestones that deserve celebration and recognition. Whether it's a first anniversary marked by paper or a golden 50th anniversary, finding the perfect gift can be a thoughtful way to express love and appreciation. At The Gift Bags, we understand the importance of these occasions and have curated a range of gift ideas to suit various tastes and milestones.

Personalisation: Tailoring to Interests and Milestones

The secret to selecting the best anniversary gift lies in personalisation. It's about understanding the couple's journey, interests, and the significance of the milestone they celebrate.

First Anniversary (Paper): Paper gifts can range from custom art prints to personalised journals, symbolising the strength and connection in a relationship. For more ideas, explore Paper Anniversary Gifts for the 1st Anniversary.

Tenth Anniversary (Tin): Reflecting the durability and flexibility of a decade-long partnership, tin gifts can include bespoke tin jewellery or decorative items. Discover unique options at Tin Anniversary Gifts for the 10th Wedding Anniversary.

Twenty-Fifth Anniversary (Silver): Celebrating a quarter-century of love, silver gifts often entail jewellery or elegant home accessories. Find inspiration at Silver Anniversary Gifts for the 25th Wedding Anniversary.

Milestone Consideration: Gifts That Resonate

Each anniversary year has its own traditional and modern gift themes, which can serve as a guide to finding the perfect gift. For example:

1st to 5th Anniversaries: Focus on building the foundation of the marriage with gifts symbolising strength and connection.

10th to 20th Anniversaries: Celebrate the growing bond with gifts representing stability and enduring love.

25th and Beyond: Honor the legacy of the relationship with gifts symbolising harmony, strength, and commitment.

For a comprehensive guide, visit Anniversary Gift Ideas to explore options tailored to different anniversary milestones.

Uniqueness: Opting for Memorable Options

The uniqueness of a gift adds to its specialness. At The Gift Bags, we offer a variety of unique and memorable gift ideas. From customised keepsakes to luxury experiences, our selection caters to diverse tastes and ensures that each gift stands out.

Customised Keepsakes: Personalised gifts, like engraved jewellery or custom artwork, carry a sentimental value.

Luxury Experiences: Gift an unforgettable experience, such as a romantic getaway or a gourmet dining experience.

For more unique ideas, delve into Gifts for Anniversaries to discover a selection of handpicked, distinctive options.

Quality and Affordability: Finding the Right Balance

Choosing a gift that is both high-quality and affordable is crucial. The Gift Bags focuses on providing a selection that balances elegance and value, ensuring you can find a luxurious gift that fits your budget.

Elegant Yet Affordable: Select from various gifts that offer sophistication without breaking the bank.

Quality Assurance: Each product is chosen for its high-quality materials and craftsmanship.

Stress-Free Gift Selection: A Joyful Experience

Gift-giving should be a pleasurable experience, not a source of stress. At The Gift Bags, we prioritise a stress-free experience by offering a user-friendly website, expert recommendations, and diverse options. This ensures that finding the perfect anniversary gift is easy and enjoyable.

User-Friendly Website: Our website is designed for easy navigation, allowing you to find gifts quickly based on the anniversary year or theme.

Expert Recommendations: Benefit from the expertise of our gift specialists, who curate selections based on popularity and uniqueness.

Celebrating Golden Milestones: The Pinnacle of Anniversary Gifts

Regarding landmark anniversaries like the 50th (Golden Wedding Anniversary), the gift should be as extraordinary as the occasion. Gold symbolises the wisdom, strength, and prosperity of a half-century-long marriage.

Gold-Themed Gifts: Choose from elegant gold jewellery, decorative items, or even gold-accented experiences. For a curated selection, visit Golden Wedding Anniversary Gifts.

Luxury Experiences: Consider gifting a once-in-a-lifetime experience, like a luxury cruise or a stay in an exotic location.

The Ultimate Anniversary Gift Guide: A Summary

Anniversaries are significant events that deserve special recognition. Choosing the right gift involves:

Considering the couple's unique story.

The anniversary milestone.

It is finding a balance between quality and affordability.

Here's a brief guide:

1st Anniversary: Embrace paper-themed gifts that symbolise the strength of the marital bond.

10th Anniversary: Opt for tin or aluminium gifts that reflect the flexibility and durability of the relationship.

25th Anniversary: Silver gifts epitomise the brilliance and elegance of a quarter-century together.

50th Anniversary: Gold gifts represent the prosperity and wisdom accrued over five decades.

For more detailed insights and a wide array of options, visit The Gift Bags and explore our extensive collection of anniversary gifts.

Josephine Oliver - I am a seasoned wedding planner with a keen eye for what people like for their wedding and for the best gifts for individuals. I combine my professional life with my own relationships and expertise in gift-giving to provide gift ideas for valentine's, anniversaries, weddings, engagement parties and other planned events. Visit: https://thegiftbags.co.uk

#Anniversary Gifts #Best Anniversary Gifts #Anniversary Gift Guide #Wedding Anniversary Gifts #Anniversary Gift Ideas

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hadeschan · 1 year ago

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item # K20E45

RARE Rian Sema Pra Buddha Leela Sivali, Ngan Chalong Yee Sìp Haa Buddha Sattawat, Lang Yant U, Lae Pra Khata Yay Thamma, Nua Alpaka. A mint nickel alloy amulet in a shape of an inverted Temple Boundary Marking Stone Tablet with figure of a Walking Buddha, and bas-reliefs of Unalome and Yay Thamma Sermon in Thai Texts in the back. Made by Royal Thai Government, a fundraiser Batch for a construction of The World’s Largest Walking Buddha Statue, a Phra Si Sakkaya Thotsaphonlayan Prathan Phutthamonthon Suthat at Phutthamonthon, a Buddhist park in Salaya, Phutthamonthon, Nakhon Pathom province, Thailand, and to commemorate the 25th Century Anniversary of Buddhism. The Consecration/Blessing Ceremony was held at the temple of Wat Suthat Thepwararam, Bangkok for a non-stop 3 days and 3 nights started on Sao Ha Day (Feb 12, BE 2500) attending by 108 Guru Monks including Luang Phor Lee of Wat Asokaram, Luang Phu Toh of Wat Pradu Chimphli, Phor Than Klai of Wat Suan Khan, Luang Phor Tay Kongthong of Wat Sam-ngam, Luang Phor Ngern of Wat Don Yai Hom, Luang Phor Tan, Wat Thammasain, Luang Phor Rung, Wat Tha Krabue, Luang Phu Seng of Wat Kalayanamit….

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“The Walking Buddha shows action, guided by good practice, concentration and wisdom, is the basis for all goodness. The Walking Buddha is leading owner by walking tirelessly toward the new age of life, where you live happily with a bright face and act with selflessness. The Walking Buddha displays the gesture of dispelling fear (Abhaya Mudra), or giving instruction (Vitarka Mudra), Walking Buddha would bring good luck in all that comes your way in the future.”

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BEST FOR: The Walking Buddha brings success in career and in life ahead, and it helps achieve victory over all difficulties. Buddha would walk with you through pain and suffering. Wealth Fetching, Maha Larp (it brings Lucky Wealth), Klawklad Plodpai (it brings safety, and pushes you away from all danger), Kongkraphan (it makes you invulnerable to all weapon attack), Maha-ut (it stops gun from shooting at you), Metta Maha Niyom (it helps bring loving, caring, and kindness, and compassion from people all around you to you), and Kaa Kaai Dee (it helps tempt your customers to buy whatever you are selling, and it helps attract new customers and then keep them coming back. Ponggan Poot-pee pee-saat Kunsai Mondam Sa-niat jan-rai Sat Meepit (it helps ward off evil spirit, demon, bad ghost, bad omen, bad spell, curse, accursedness, black magic, misfortune, doom, and poisonous animals). And this amulet helps protect you from manipulators, backstabbers, and toxic people.

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The inverted Temple Boundary Marking Stone Tablet

An amulet in a shape of a temple boundary marking stone tablet is believed that this type of amulet has the power to create invisible shields, barriers and shield-like objects that protect the wearer against everything with variation of Absolute Defense. And the Inverted Temple Boundary Marking Stone Tablet one is believed to reverse bad luck and bring auspicious energy.

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Yant U or Yant Unalome

Yant U or Yant Unalome, unalome cabalistic writing represents the path to enlightenment in the Buddhist culture. The spirals are meant to symbolize the twists and turns in life, and the straight lines the moment one reaches enlightenment or peace and harmony. The dots at the end of the symbol represent death, or the moment we fade to nothing.

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Pra Khata Yay Thamma

Pra Khata Yay Thamma, the sermon in Pali, the heart of Buddhism which presents causes of sufferings and the way out of sufferings guided by Buddha.

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THE MAKING OF THE THAILAND’S 25TH BUDDHIST CENTURY CELEBRATION BATCH OF AMULETS.

This Batch of amulets was made to commemorate the 25th Century of Buddhism in BE 2500 (CE 1957) or Pra Kreuang Chalong Yee Sìp Haa Buddha Sattawat, in Thai. The Royal Thai Police Commander General. Pao Sriyanonda was Master of the Ceremonies.

The Consecration/Blessing Ceremony on the Batch of BE 2500 amulets was held at the temple of Wat Suthat Thepwararam, Bangkok for a non-stop 3 days and 3 nights started on Sao Ha Day (Feb 12, BE 2500), attended by 108 Guru Monks namely:-

1)Prakru A-komsoonton, Wat Suthat Thepwararam, Bangkok

2)Prakru Soontonsamadhiwat, Wat Suthat Thepwararam, Bangkok

3)Pra Yanapirat, Wat Suthat Thepwararam, Bangkok

4)Prakru Piboonbannawat, Wat Suthat Thepwararam, Bangkok

5)Prakru Soontonseanlajarn, Wat Suthat Thepwararam, Bangkok

6)Prakru Pisansorrakit, Wat Suthat Thepwararam, Bangkok

7)Pra Maha Suan, Wat Suthat Thepwararam, Bangkok

8)Pra Amnuay, Wat Suthat Thepwararam, Bangkok

9)Pra Palat Suphod, Wat Suthat Thepwararam, Bangkok

10)Prakru Visitvihangarn, Wat Suthat Thepwararam, Bangkok

11)Pra Suthamteerakhun (Luang Phor Wong), Wat Saket, Bangkok

12)Pra Archan Sa, Wat Ratchanaddaram, Bangkok

13)Pra Palat Pang, Wat Mahathat, Bangkok

14)Pra Visutthisomphothi, Wat Phra Chetuphon, Bangkok

15)Pra Vorawetkunachan, Wat Phra Chetuphon, Bangkok

16)Prakru Thapanakitprasat, Wat Phra Chetuphon, Bangkok

17)Pra Indrarasamachan, Wat Phra Chetuphon, Bangkok

18)Prakru Vinaiton-feuang, Wat Samphanthawong, Bangkok

19)Prakru Pakk, Wat Bungthonglang, Bangkok

20)Prakru Ganlayanovisut (Luang Phor Geun), Wat Borom Sathon (Wat Don), Bangkok

21)Pra Archan Mee, Wat Suan Phlu, Bangkok

22)Pra Archan Muan, Wat Na Wong (Wat Rong Heep), Bangkok

23)Pra Luang Vijit, Wat Saphan Sung, Bangkok

24)Pra Archan Hoon, Wat Nuan Chan (Wat Bang Kuat), Bangkok

25)Pra Rachamolee, Wat Rakang, Bangkok

26)Luang Vichitchasoton, Wat Santi Thammaram, Bangkok

27)Prakru Sophon-ganlaya-nuwat (Luang Phu Seng), Wat Kalayanamit, Bangkok

28)Prakru Pawwanapirat (Luang Phor Phon), Wat Nang, Bangkok

29)Prakru Tivagorn (Luang Phu Gleep), Wat Taling Chan, Bangkok

30)Prakru Pairoj Wutthikhun (Luang Phor Toon), Wat Pho Nimit, Bangkok

31)Prakru Yannasit, Wat Ratchasittharam (Wat Plub), Bangkok

32)Pra Archan Ma, Wat Ratchasittharam (Wat Plub), Bangkok

33)Pra Archan Huan, Wat Pikul, Bangkok

34)Pra Maha Teerawat, Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen, Bangkok

35)Pra Archan Jaai, Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen, Bangkok

36)Pra Archan Inn, Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen, Bangkok

37)Prakru Kijjapirom, Wat Arun Ratwararam, Bangkok

38)Prakru Vinaisangvon, Wat Prayun Wongsawat, Bangkok

39)Pra Sukkhum Thammachan, Wat Hong Rattanaram, Bangkok

40)Prakru Phrommavinit, Wat Hong Rattanaram, Bangkok

41)Pra Archan Inn, Wat Suwan, Bangkok

42)Prakru Viriyakit (Luang Phu Toh), Wat Pradu Chimphli, Bangkok

43)Pra Preecha Nontamunee, Wat Molee, Bangkok

44)Prakru Palat Chaeng (Luang Phor Chaeng), Wat Si Rattanaram (Wat Bang Phang), Nonthaburi

45)Pra Palat Young (Luang Phor Young), Wat Bang Chak, Nonthaburi

46)Pra Archan Somjit, Wat Pa Ka Riang, Ratchaburi

47)Luang Phor Tan, Wat Thammasain (Wat Kaew Fah), Ratchaburi

48)Prakru Bin, Wat Kaew, Ratchaburi

49)Pra Inn Kemachan, Wat Chong Lom, Ratchaburi

50)Luang Phor Ngern, Wat Don Yai Hom, Nakhon Pathom

51)Prakru Sangglavichai, Wat Pra Prathom Chedi, Nakhon Pathom

52)Pra Archan Samniengm Wat Wayruvanarm, Nakhon Pathom

53)Luang Phor Tay Kongthong, Wat Sam-ngam, Nakhon Pathom

54)Pra Archan Plaek, Wat Sra Bua, Pathumthani

55)Prakru Palat Tung, Wat Taim Tawaai, Pathumthani

56)Prakru Bovon Thammakit, Wat Bodh, Pathumthani

57)Prakru Sophon Samachan, Wat Nong Bua, Kanchanaburi

58)Prakru Visutthirangsi, Wat Nua, Kanchanaburi

59)Pra Mucharin Molee, Wat Mutcharin, Pattani

60)Prakru Rod, Wat Pradoo, Nakhon Si Thammarat

61)Phor Than Klai, Wat Suan Khan, Nakhon Si Thammarat

62)Luang Phor Lee, Wat Asokaram, Samut Pakan

63)Pra Archan Buth, Wat Mai Bang Pla Kot, Samut Pakan

64)Pra Archan Sawang, Wat Klang Suan, Samut Pakan

65)Prakru Sirisorrakhun, Wat Tai Hat, Samut Songkhram

66)Prakru Samut Soonton, Wat Puang Malai, Samut Songkhram

67)Prakru Sutthi Sara-wutthachan, Wat Sadet, Samut Songkhram

68)Pra Archan Auang, Wat Bang Kana Thong, Samut Songkhram

69)Luang Phor Rung, Wat Tha Krabue, Samut Sakhon

70)Luang Phu Thong, Wat Don Gai Dee, Samut Sakhon

71)Luang Phor Tinn, Wat Pa Lelai, Suphan Buri

72)Pra Archan Tam, Wat Pra Loy, Suphan Buri

73)Luang Phor Kreun, Wat Sang Kho, Suphan Buri

74)Luang Phor Príng, Wat Vorachan, Suphan Buri

75) Luang Phor Eiang, Wat U-thong, Suphan Buri

76)Pra Vorapot, Wat Aranyikaram, Chonburi

77)Prakru Thammawutthikun. Wat Samet, Chonburi

78)Luang Phor Laai, Wat Ratbamrung, Chonburi

79)Luang Phor Boonmee, Wat Pho Samphan, Chonburi

80)Pra Phrom Nakarachan, Wat Chaeng Phrom Nakhon, Sing Buri

81)Luang Phor Pare, Wat Pikul Thong, Sing Buri

82)Pra Chainatmunee, Wat Borommathat, Chainat

83)Luang Phor Hom, Wat Chak Mak, Rayong

84)Pra Archan Meuang, Wat Ta Pare, Lampang

85)Prakru Uthai Thammathani, Wat Tao U-thong, Prachin Buri

86)Luang Phor Seng, Wat Si Prachantakam, Prachin Buri

87)Prakru Soonton Thammaprakat, Wat Pho Pak Plee, Nakhon Nayok

88)Kruba Wang, Wat Ban Denn, Tak

89)Prakru Sawan Viriyakit, Wat Sawankanivas, Phrae

90)Prakru Chan, Wat Klong Ranong, Nakhon Sawan

91)Luang Phor Aan, Wat Pra Yat, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya

92)Pra Archan Jaem, Wat Wang Dang Nua, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya

93)Prakru Lek, Wat Bang Nomko, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya

94)Pra Archan Mee, Wat Indraram, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya

95)Pra Archan Waan, Wat Dok Mai, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya

96)Luang Phor Naai, Wat Ban Jang, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya

97)Luang Phor Nor, Wat Klang Ta Rua, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya

98)Luang Phor Jong, Wat Natang-nok, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya

99)Pra Athigan Jor, Wat Pradoo Lokkachet, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya

100)Luang Phu Si, Wat Sakae, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya

101)Luang Phor Chit, Wat Maha That, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya

102)Luang Phor Thongsuk, Wat Tanod Luang, Phetchaburi

103)Prakru Piboon Seanlachan, Wat Pho Gru, Phetchaburi

104)Luang Phor Top, Wat Sawang Arun (Wat Chon Dan), Phetchabun

105)Pra Sawan Nayok, Wat Sawankharam, Sukhothai

106)Pra Boran Watthachan, Wat Ratchathani, Sukhothai

107)Luang Phor Pi, Wat Lan Hoi, Sukhotahi

108)Luang Phor Thongdee, Wat Sadej, Samut Songkhram

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THE SAO HA DAY

The Sao Ha Day is the Saturday, the fifth day of the month on Thai lunar calendar, and according to ancient Thai Astrology, the Sao Ha Day is the day of “Keun Reu Ram Ha Kam” which means New Moon or waxing crescent moon of a Lunar Phase, and “Deuan Ha” which means fifth month of Thai Lunar Calendar / Month of April. It happens once in every 2-3 years. And the Soa Ha day is the most auspicious day for having Buddha amulets Blessing Ceremony which the highest power of “Kongkraphan Chatrie” (being invulnerable to all weapon attack), “Klawklad Plodpai” (pushing you away from all danger), and Maha-ut (stopping gun from shooting at you or the gun aiming at you would miss the target).

Thais believe that people who were born on this day would be protected by Thep Pra Sao Devaraj (God of Saturday), Thep Pra Sao was created by Hindu Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva crushed 10 of great Tiger Kings into powder, and wrapped with purple and black pieces clothes, sprung with elixir of immortality. The Saturday people were born with auspicious blessing from Thep Pra Sao Devaraj with prestige, and power to win over all difficulties in life.

Thep Pra Sao Devaraj AKA Saturn is the sixth planet from the Sun and the second-largest in the Solar System, after Jupiter.

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DIMENSION: 3.40 cm high / 2.10 cm wide / 0.20 cm thick

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item # K18B19

Price: price upon request, pls PM and/or email us [email protected]

100% GENUINE WITH 365 DAYS FULL REFUND WARRANTY

Item location: Hong Kong, SAR

Ships to: Worldwide

Delivery: Estimated 7 days handling time after receipt of cleared payment. Please allow additional time if international delivery is subject to customs processing.

Shipping: FREE Thailandpost International registered mail. International items may be subject to customs processing and additional charges.

Payments: PayPal / Western Union / MoneyGram /maybank2u.com / DBS iBanking / Wechat Pay / Alipay / INSTAREM / PromptPay International / Remitly

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cpblaylock-blog · 2 years ago

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TAKING TIME TO REFLECT @ 50.

A half-century, 5 decades, 600 months or however you chose quantify my age. In reality, it’s just a number and I certainly don’t act my age nor do I plan on it anytime soon. I have never been one to go over the top with birthday celebrations (except for my kids) for as long as I can remember. As I mark the 2nd anniversary of my 25th birthday, I have had some time to reflect on a few things I’ve learned, value, and can appreciate at age 50.

To travel is to learn.

Traveling (for work or pleasure) has provided me with an amazing opportunity to learn about people, cultures, communities and traditions of places I have dreamt about visiting my whole life. It has blown open my appreciation for diversity and lit the wick of curiosity in me, which I hope continues to burn for a long time.

Being kind is infectious.

I’m often times told, “you are too nice” most times in reference to my tendency to give people the benefit of the doubt. Sure, I have been burned and made to look like a fool as some people have earned my mistrust. However, those instances are pretty rare and the result / outcome of my intentional kindness serves as fuel for my soul as people light up with love, appreciation and gratitude for even the simplest of acts of kindness. It’s selfish, I know but it has been one of my favorite lessons to teach and demonstrate for my boys throughout their adolescence and into adulthood.

Generosity is an extension of God’s blessing.

Being generous is not exclusive to donating money. Yes, it is nice to donate money and in some cases a huge blessing to those on the receiving end but generosity can also include time spent with someone who needs a friend, efforts to make connections or contacts to help someone on their path to success, offering wisdom and perspective to those who come behind you to help them avoid the pitfalls they may encounter along the way or just doing something nice for someone anonymously. As I get older, I find myself becoming more intentional when these opportunities arise. It’s almost like God whispers in my ear something as simple as “make a phone call, Caroline”, “send them a note” or “offer them some encouragement today”. It may seem weird but I try to listen to that voice in my head, to what it says and it usually results in something that fills my soul with joy and goodness.

Love will always win over hate.

I’ve experienced some pretty difficult things in 50 short years. The seed of bitterness and hate could have been sewn into the fabric of my being a long time ago but thankfully I made the conscious choice to love. It certainly was not easy at times and the devil is quite cunning in his ability to manipulate my mind and thought process to try and stoke the fire of resentment and hate. As I look back, I am grateful for obedience to forgiveness and the grace extended to me in the darkness of times which have led me to a place of peace and happiness.

Life is Good

Many people have asked me recently, “how are you doing?” (Mostly in reference to my divorce last year). Last month, I was again asked this very question by a friend I had not seen in a long time who was genuine in her query. As soon as the last syllable rolled off her tongue, I could feel myself smiling, my heart rate increasing, and a glow emanating from my soul. “I AM HAPPY.” I didn’t have to think about it, contemplate the positive vs the negative, or give thought to things that are usually the source of stress before I responded. My response that followed was unrehearsed and instinctive and it was only after I said it that I truly appreciated what came out of my mouth. “I will be 50 in March. I’m educated, have a great job, have raised two remarkable young men, have a supportive family and I have found the love of my life in a man I have known since I was 8 years old. I could not be happier. Life is good.”

At 50, I still mountain bike, play golf, hike, exercise 3-4 times per week, fly and travel when I can. As my good friend GKC says, “I’m 29 and holding” and there is so much left to do, see and explore. So if you see me in the coming days, weeks and months, know that I expect a hug and that I’m am happy.

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incorrectdcu · 2 years ago

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Time Line?? Time is not made out of lines. It is made out of circles; that is why clocks are round."

-Booster Gold, probably

#dcu #dc #incorrect dc quotes #incorrect quotes #booster gold #queue make me feel like a dangerous woman #incorrect dcu #giving that 25th century wisdom

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wolveswithoutteeth · 5 years ago

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any book recs? ✨

of course! my goodreads has more recommendations and i’ve created shelves for certain themes/time periods/genres but here are some favorites:

fiction:

the secret history by donna tartt

the goldfinch by donna tartt

red, white & royal blue by casey mcquiston

the song of achilles by madeline miller

the hours by michael cunningham

tipping the velvet by sarah waters

deathless by catherynne m valente

the round house by louise erdrich

ghost wall by sarah moss

on earth we��re briefly gorgeous by ocean vuong

if we were villains by m.l. rio

normal people by sally rooney (the tv adaptation is now available on hulu!)

conversations with friends by sally rooney

lie with me by philippe benson

girl with a pearl earring by tracy chevalier

homegoing by yaa gyasi

trumpet by jackie kay

tin man by sarah winman

little fires everywhere by celeste ng

everything i never told you by celeste ng

burial rites by hannah kent

the remains of the day by kazuo ishiguro

the underground railroad by colson whitehead

americanah by chimamanda ngozi adichie

young adult:

we are okay by nina lacour

everything leads to you by nina lacour

the grisha trilogy by leigh bardugo

six of crows by leigh bardugo

the winternight trilogy by katherine arden

shatter me series by tahereh mafi

i’ll give you the sun by jandy nelson

19th and 20th century american lit:

moby dick by herman melville

little women by louisa may alcott

behind a mask (and other stories) by louisa may alcott

cecil dreeme by theodore winthrop

the awakening by kate chopin

the house of mirth by edith wharton

ethan frome and other stories by edith wharton

giovanni’s room by james baldwin

all of toni morrison’s books! (i recommend reading her work in publication order if you can but my favorites are beloved and the song of solomon)

victorian:

the moonstone by wilkie collins

lady audley’s secret by mary elizabeth braddon

jane eyre by charlotte bronte

villette by charlotte bronte

wuthering heights by emily bronte

the picture of dorian gray by oscar wilde

middlemarch by george eliot

bleak house by charles dickens

british modernism:

wide sargasso sea by jean rhys

good morning, midnight by jean rhys

voyage in the dark by jean rhys

mrs dalloway by virginia woolf

maurice by e.m. forster

the return of the soldier by rebecca west

collected stories by katherine mansfield

rebecca by daphne du murier

poetry:

devotions by mary oliver

crush by richard siken

war of the foxes by richard siken

collected poems by edna st. vincent millay

collected poems by christina rossetti

selected poems by edith wharton

undercurrent by rita wong

the wild iris by louise gluck

useless magic: lyrics and poetry by florence welch (if you’re a fan of florence + the machine, this hardcover book is beautifully published and includes poems, lyrics, illustrations, photography, etc.)

graphic novels:

all of isabel greenberg’s books!

through the woods by emily carroll (very spooky! and the art is beautiful!)

and the ocean was our sky by patrick ness

short story collections:

the bloody chamber and other stories by angela carter

how to breathe underwater by julie orringer

by light we knew our names by anne valente

st lucy’s home for girls raised by wolves by karen russell

kissing the witch: old tales in new skins by emma donoghue

interpreter of maladies by jhumpa lahiri

the thing around your neck by chimamanda ngozi adichie

the last animal by abby geni

nonfiction/theory:

upstream: selected essays by mary oliver

into the wild by jon krakauer

hunger by roxane gay

braiding sweetgrass: indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge and the teachings of plants by robin wall kimmerer

playing in the dark: whiteness and the literary imagination by toni morrison

in the wake: on blackness and being by christina sharpe

forms by caroline levine

touching feeling by eve kosofsky sedgwick

TBR books i’m excited to read as soon as this semester is over:

the starless sea by erin morgenstern

frankissstein by jeanette winterson

glass town by isabel greenberg

supper club by lara williams

the night watchman by louise erdrich

writers & lovers by lily king

her body and other parties by carmen maria machado

the library book by susan orlean

my life in middlemarch by rebecca mead

my year of rest and relaxation by ottessa moshfegh

the lonely city by olivia laing

the women’s prize postponed their winner announcement to september so i’ll be reading from the longlist this summer (and some previous winners/longlisters to celebrate the prize’s 25th anniversary this year!) this year’s list is really strong but a few books i’m most excited about:

hamnet by maggie o’farrell

girl, woman, other by bernadine evaristo

a thousand ships by natalie haynes

weather by jenny offill

red at the bone by jacqueline woodson

lastly, support independent book stores (if you can!) i ordered two books last month that i’m excited to read:

crude by olivia laing

a little book on form by robert haas

#asks #books #recommendations #literaetures #reference #mine

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lokisbeautifulangel · 5 years ago

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Merry Christmas Happy Yule 🎄💕🎄 thank you all Who decided not to give up the fight, You are a Warrior Strong at heart, Mind & Soul 💞💕

Santa and Odin - Christmas and Yule

Was Santa Claus partially inspired by Odin?

First things first...

1) We are not denying the obvious influence of Saint Nicholas who gave to the poor during the 3rd century. However, Saint Nicholas did not have gift making elves or flying capabilities. This article is a look at the interesting similarities between the fictitious character of Santa Claus and Odin of Norse mythology.

2) Few historians disagree that many of our current Christmas traditions (decorating trees, wreaths, mistletoe, etc) can be traced back to Yule (or 'Jul'), a popular Scandinavian holiday with connections to the Norse god Odin. Evidence of this would be the many popular Christmas carols that mention Yule, Yuletide, Yule log, etc. While history shows that the church replaced popular pagan holidays with new Christian holidays that focus on Christ, many of the original Yule traditions continued through the years.

Santa was originally called Father Christmas. One of Odin's most popular titles is that of the word Allfather. [1] As previously mentioned, he is also called Jólfaðr (Yule Father). [4]

Folklorist Margaret Baker stated the following,

"the appearance of Santa Claus or Father Christmas, whose day is the 25th of December, owes much to Odin, the old blue-hooded, cloaked, white-bearded Giftbringer of the north, who rode the midwinter sky on his eight-footed steed Sleipnir, visiting his people with gifts. … Odin, [over time] transformed into Father Christmas, then Santa Claus, prospered with St Nicholas and the Christchild, and became a leading player on the Christmas stage."

Consider what Santa Claus would have meant to our earlier ancestors. Santa symbolized facing hardship (for winter is a time of great hardship in agrarian societies) with protection, abundance, generosity, and joy. These same qualities were also inherent in the writings of Odin, who was not merely the god of war, but also of poetry and wisdom, and the embodiment of gift giving and heroic stoicism.

Santa Claus is a complex cultural-conglomerated character. He has many evolving points of origin – Scandinavian and Germanic myth, Saint Nicholas of the third-century Eastern Roman Empire, Medieval and later folk forms like Sinterklaas and other regional variations, Victorian poems and etchings, even the Coca Cola ads of the 1930s and all the other pop-culture since then.

Christmas comparisons to Yule

• Carols and Caroling. Though they were almost certainly of a very different character than our Christmas carols, the Norse sang Yule carols. Nordic children would wear masks and go door-to-door among their neighbors singing carols.

• Nights of magic, magical creatures, and holiday miracles. Vikings believed that the time around Yule was magical, especially at night. As in Celtic Samhain, the barrier between our world and the supernatural world was at its thinnest. Spirits could travel the forests and fields. Elves, dwarves, and other beings were active and could become involved in the affairs of humans. These various spirits and beings could sometimes bring blessings or justice to humans who needed it, and who showed them their due respect. [6,10] Our Christmas imagery of nocturnal magic such as in The Nutcracker, or the spiritual journeys of Ebenezer Scrooge are stories from much later times, but their feeling and themes would have been perfectly familiar to the Vikings.

• Gifts of cakes and sweets. These items were offered to the fates (Norns) and mother (fertility and nurturing) forces that probably originated with older Indo-European cults, but suffused the Aesir Goddesses of the Viking Age (such as Freya and Frigg).

• Veneration of goddesses. To many Christians, Mary is an especially important Christmas character, and often receives special attention. The Vikings were the same regarding their emphasis of the female deities and the celebration of deity motherhood around Yule.

• Wreaths. One Yule tradition involved making large wheels of pine boughs, lighting them on fire, and rolling them down a hill in honor of the sun. The round shape of wreaths also depicted the cyclical nature of the seasons and of the Norse conception of the cosmos/time.

• Yule Logs. At the Yule feast, Vikings would burn large logs of oak inscribed with runes for good fortune in the coming year. Oak is the hardest of woods, and so these logs would burn long and hot throughout the night to gladden the feast and to chase the darkness away.

• Drinking. Christmas and New Year are the main times of year that conspicuous drinking of alcohol becomes more socially acceptable. The Vikings celebrated Yule with nights-on-end of drinking mead and specially-brewed ales from animal horns (and sometimes the skulls of their enemies).

• Mistletoe. Loki, the god of mischief and misfortune murdered Baldur (who was one of the most beloved of the gods) with a spear made from mistletoe. The Mistletoe berries later became a symbol of love in the epilogue of the same story, hence the tradition of kissing under it; Baldur’s death was also supposed to lead to rebirth after Ragnarok, in keeping with the theme of Yule. [12]

Christmas trees. Vikings decorated trees with food, gifts, and small carvings (particularly in honor of their gods). The tradition of lighting candles on trees was not documented until the early 19th century, and so we can hope that the ever-practical Vikings had better sense than that.

Holidays are times when the traditions of our many ancestors come down to us in blended forms. Despite its diverse points of origins, Christmas is still a time in which people brave the cold to come together, strengthening the bonds of kinship and friendship, think of their past and their future, and consider their spiritual place in the world.

#odinism #odin sphere #lokean #loki #queen freya #norse gods #norse mythology #merry christmas #happy yule #odin borson #allfather

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lovehaswonangelnumbers · 6 years ago

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New Post has been published on https://lovehaswonangelnumbers.org/strawberry-fields-forever-horoscopes-february-25th-march-3rd-2019/

Strawberry Fields Forever ~ Horoscopes February 25th-March 3rd, 2019

Via Aeolianheart

It is the second week of Pisces season, a perfect time to go within and make peace with the past. This is a time of deep reflection, for the Sun’s annual journey through the zodiac ends here.

As the Sun in Pisces submerges its light deeper and deeper into the waters of the abyss, memories bubble and emotions begin to flood.

Amidst the blissful enchantments of remembrance, the pain and sorrow of the past can emerge vividly.

Just breathe in. And let it go.

Remember that in the oceans of Pisces, even your bitterest tears will find their way home: dissolving back into the waters from whence they were born.

In Pisces, the Sun’s light no longer illuminates your individual story, fueled by the drama of your personal pain. Instead, the Sun illuminates the vastness of the whole human story, the collective unconscious that merges all time and memory together. It is here where your sacrifice of pain becomes resurrected as much deeper compassion for the world.

There is deep wisdom to be gained during Pisces season, but it is not taught through words or elaborate theories. The wisdom of Pisces is transmitted through the most primal level of consciousness, the limitless realm of imagination.

In language, only songs and poetry can begin to capture the essence of this realm. Untainted by the cognitive and rational mind, songwriters and poets are cherished for bringing treasures of wisdom back from the most primal level of consciousness: the swirl of eternal images.

Songs and poetry are the golden threads of enchantment that weave waking and dream life together.

There are innumerable examples to draw inspiration from, such a vast ocean of beauty to behold. But for this week’s meditation on Pisces, feel into the ambiance created by listening to the Beatles’ Strawberry Fields Forever which was released in February of 1967.

It is an exquisite song. If you knew nothing about its place in the history of psychedelic pop music, you would still fall under its spell as the lyrics begin with…

Let me take you down…

‘Cause I’m going to Strawberry Fields

Nothing is real

And nothing to get hung about

Strawberry Fields forever

…it begins like a song of innocence, an idyll from the ancestors of English poetry reaching across the centuries to uplift your heart and soul with the shared imagination of strawberry fields stretching on forever.

But the wisdom of the Sun in Pisces does not only express itself through eternal images of beauty. The Sun in Pisces is also felt when you are drawn to experience the dissolution of self…

Living is easy with eyes closed

Misunderstanding all you see

It’s getting hard to be someone

But it all works out

It doesn’t matter much to me

The Sun in Pisces asks you to remember that even the most heroic of heroes’ journeys must eventually dissolve back into the infinite, its torchlight merging into the glistening sparkle of the whole human story.

No one I think is in my tree

I mean it must be high or low

When interviewed about his songwriting process, John Lennon described Strawberry Fields Forever as being “psycho-analysis set to music”, a meditation upon his visionary sense of the world, that emerged in childhood.

“I always was so psychic or intuitive or poetic or whatever you want to call it, that I was always seeing things in a hallucinatory way.”

Reflecting further upon his journey of becoming a poet, John Lennon also shared:

“ Surrealism had a great effect on me, because then I realized that the imagery in my mind wasn’t insanity…Surrealism to me is reality….Even as a child. When I looked at myself in the mirror…I would find myself seeing hallucinatory images of my face changing and becoming cosmic and complete…”

..Strawberry Fields forever…

Monday/Tuesday: It’s Getting Hard

The week begins with a melancholy mood, as the Moon wanes through the last degrees of Scorpio. The last notes of Venus’ recent conjunction with Pluto still linger, giving you a sense of what will arise when she makes a conjunction with the South Node on Monday.

This alignment between Venus and the South Node in Capricorn will offer lessons about what aspects of the past can now be sacrificed. Whatever outworn beliefs that foster any lack of self-esteem can now be discarded.

Let dead leaves fall where they may to nourish the soil for the future.

Wednesday/Thursday: To Be Someone

On Wednesday, the Sun in Pisces sextiles Mars in Taurus giving you the spirit and the motivated energy to get a lot of important work done.

Mars brings extra sensuality to the Sun’s mystical daydream. The world is full of great art, great food, and great sex! With your senses fully awake and alive, you will be reminded of how to appreciate the beauty in your life.

Friday/Saturday/Sunday: But it All Works Out

On Friday, the first day of March, Venus in Capricorn will square Uranus in Aries. This will create a sharp instinct to define what your true values and integrity are built upon. You may suddenly choke on the lies you’ve been believing, turning sharply away from things that are luring you into the traps of conformity. This square will renew your sense of integrity, derived from your own common sense and intuition.

Just as this square perfects, Venus moves into the sign of Aquarius. The many practical worldly concerns that weighed down so heavy during her transit through Capricorn will be lightened up.

In Aquarius, Venus seeks to appease her appetites for beauty upon the edge, sifting through the outpourings of discarded madness in search of the light of genius. It is Venus in Aquarius that recognizes the spark of the divine in what has become outcast, unorthodox and strange.

Much Love,

Rachel

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dalanmendonca · 3 years ago

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Belief Inversions - VI

People

Adults know how the world works

When you're a kid you think adults are super smart and that one day when you grow up, you'll understand everything. When you actually grow up, you look like an adult from the outside but from the inside you still feel like a kid. No moment of enlightenment arrives, you're still as confused as ever. You just complain about it less. You either accept the beauty of your insignificance or try to rebel against it; but you just stop asking the "what does it all mean?" question directly. You just "go on" with your life - whatever your life is.

There are some smart people who have figured it out

This is a sister projection of the above. Where we assume that our lives are chaotic and confusing because we are bad, but there are these enlightened souls out there immune from the world's crap and living blissfully. In the last year alone, two of the world's richest men have ended their marriages. Celebrities keep getting into trouble. No one figures it out. There's no vaccine against getting passed over for a promotion a work, annoying neighbours, marriage troubles, fights in the family, delayed orders, spilt coffee, shitty investments, and the myriad of life's slaps in the face. But there is an opportunity to approach life's events with equanimity and give it your best.

Being a kid was a special time, being an adult will suck

I heard this a lot when I was a kid. "Enjoy your childhood. Such a time will never come". It was confusing because, it's not like I had an option to enjoy adulthood or was deliberately not enjoying my childhood. Though I do cherish my childhood, as someone who was able to stand on his own two feet, my adult life is far more superior to my childhood on many counts. I can order as many chocolates as I want, I watch TV shows all day, I can sleep all day, I can read all day. I can do whatever I want. And drinking, sex, and drugs are options on the table. Every goddamn carnal pleasure permitted. WHEW! In hindsight, most kids live in little prisons of their parents rules.

20s is a special time, life will suck after that

On my 25th birthday, when I was coming to terms with being alive for a quarter of a century, my friend told me bluntly "It gets worse from here, everything in your life will go downhill. Looks, brains, everything". I didn't take him too seriously or worry about his damning prophecy, but I have often wondered, "Will life only get worse?". 5 years later, the answer is no, at least for now. I think as you get older, you see things more clearly, you gain more independence, you slow down on fooling yourself, and start inching closer to living life on your own terms. The financial independence, the self confidence, the letting go of bad patterns and toxic attachments takes time; and you slowly become sterner and more agentic. You understand and accept who you are. That is only a good thing. Every age of your life is different, and you're called upon to do different things in each, they're not comparable.

That said, the human body and raw cognitive capabilities definitely peak in the 20s. Let's not deny that. However, fluid intelligence gets replaced by crystallised intelligence, keeping overall cognitive ability going up. The raw speed of a young person gets replaced by the wisdom and experience of an older person, they deliver the same results, the latter with more reliability. There is a lot of fetishization of youth.

#30daychallenge #Time

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hadeschan · 1 year ago

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item # N20C11

Pra Buddha Leela Yi-sip-ha Buddha Sattawas, Nua Pong, Roon Raak, Pra Archan Klang-saeng, Samnak Song Khao Kuti. A holy powder Walking Buddha Buddha amulet copied the style of a Walking Buddha amulet that was made on the celebration of 25th Century of Buddhism. Made by Pra Archan Klang-saeng of Samnak Song Khao Kuti (Buddhist Priest Sanctuary), Koh Yor, Songkhla Province in BE 2558 (CE 2015) as the FIRST Batch of his Walking Buddha amulet.

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DIMENSION: 4.70 cm high / 1.80 cm wide / 0.80 cm thick

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lazaroschamberger20 · 4 years ago

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The Last Lecture Audiobook Download

[Audio Books] The Last Lecture Audiobook Download by Randy Pausch

'We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.'

Randy Pausch

A lot of professors give talks titled 'The Last Lecture.' Professors are asked to consider their demise and to ruminate on what matters most to them. And while they speak, audiences can't help but mull the same question: What wisdom would we impart to the world if we knew it was our last chance? If we had to vanish tomorrow, what would we want as our legacy?

When Randy Pausch, a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon, was asked to give such a lecture, he didn't have to imagine it as his last, since he had recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer. But the lecture he gave--'Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams'--wasn't about dying. It was about the importance of overcoming obstacles, of enabling the dreams of others, of seizing every moment (because 'time is all you have...and you may find one day that you have less than you think'). It was a summation of everything Randy had come to believe. It was about living.

In this book, Randy Pausch has combined the humor, inspiration and intelligence that made his lecture such a phenomenon and given it an indelible form. It is a book that will be shared for generations to come.

Download The Last Lecture Audiobook Download by (Randy Pausch)

Duration: 4 hours, 30 minutes

Writer: Randy Pausch

Publisher: Hachette Book Group USA

Narrators: Eric Singer

Genres: Eric Singer

Rating: 4.49

Narrator Rating: 4.89

Publication: Tuesday, 01 April 2008

The Last Lecture Audiobook Download Reviews

Mignon W.

In a college class this book was required to read and like the other reviews. This book is surprisingly good!!

Rating: 5

Jason Rogers

Yeah awesome so Idk I had to read this and I think its Good bit sad so yeah bye

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Edward Reynolds

The Last Lecture was a book assigned to me to read about 6 years ago. Reluctantly I started the read, but I was soon surprised just how much of an impact this book would have on me. It showed the importance of many aspects of life and to never give up chasing your childhood dreams. The audio version was the second time I had gone through the book and it brought with it every emotion and benefit of physically reading it.

Rating: 5

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kingteeshops · 5 years ago

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Quarantined 25th birthday party 2020 none of you are invited mask covid19 shirt

media artist Rose Quarantined 25th birthday party 2020 none of you are invited mask covid19 shirt . Simpson, a Santa Clara Pueblo, opens the show. With her work, Maria, she presents herself as a petrolhead—something viewed as a very masculine hobby—then gives it a native woman’s twist, outfitting the car with decals inspired by the lines found in Pueblo ceramics, which are often made and mastered by women. Quarantined 25th birthday party 2020 none of you are invited mask covid19 shirt, hoodie, sweater, longsleeve and ladies t-shirt

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Unisex In another room, a large-scale painting, titled The Wisdom of the Universe, by Métis artist Christi Belcourt—painted in a dotted style, to give her canvas the appearance of being beaded—explores the relationship between indigenous people and nature Quarantined 25th birthday party 2020 none of you are invited mask covid19 tshirt . Animals, plants, and water hold a sacred place in indigenous life, and Belcourt specifically refers to 21st-century climate change, only painting species that are on Canada’s endangered list. It’s an extremely beautiful piece with an ugly message at its core. Meanwhile, Legacy is a theme that runs through just about every piece in the show. A standout sample is the collaboration jewelry, titled Adornment: Iconic Perceptions, by Kiowa jeweler Keri Ataumbi and Shoshone-Bannock and Luiseño artist Jamie Okuma, both profiled for Vogue here. On a glimmering cocktail ring and necklace, Okuma beaded portraits of Pocahontas, based on historical illustrations of her in the 17th and 18th century; Ataumbi then set Okuma’s beading with precious metal, pearls, and stones. They are fabulous pieces of fashion that reimagine a historical figure who has long been misunderstood and stereotyped. In general, the fashion pieces show just how much indigenous art has evolved, and they cut through any myth of its homogeneity. An Anishinaabe jingle dress and beaded headband from the 1900s evokes the flapper-style silhouettes that dominated the time period, showing that a traditional garment can even reflect the current trends of the day. Another piece by Okuma, a hand-beaded pair of Christian Louboutin platforms, combines traditional craft with an ultramodern flourish. You Can See More Product: https://kingteeshops.com/product-category/trending/ Read the full article

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tshirtfashiontrend · 5 years ago

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tipsycad147 · 5 years ago

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Aquarius January St. Dwynwen’s Day

By shirleytwofeathers

Dwynwen was Wales’ patron saint of lovers, and January 25th is the Welsh equivalent to St Valentine’s Day. However, it is a romantic country, and they also celebrate St Valentine’s day on 14 February!

She is also known as:

Dwyn

Donwen

Donwenna

Dunwen

Her most well known saying is “Nothing wins hearts like cheerfulness”

The story of Dwynwen dates back to the 5th century. She was a beautiful Celtic princess, the prettiest of all the King of Wales’s 24 daughters (Brychan Brycheiniog of Brechon also had 11 sons!).

Dwynwen was in deeply in love with the handsome Maelon Dafodrill, but her father had already betrothed her to another, so he refused to give them his consent. On finding out, Maelon cruelly forced himself upon her and fled. With a broken heart, and grieved to have upset her father, Dwynwen ran to the woods and begged God to make her forget her love for Maelon.

Exhausted and aungished, Dwynwen eventually fell asleep. Whilst dreaming, an angel visited her and left a sweet smelling potion. This would erase all memories of Maelon, and his callous heart would also be cooled, but so much so that he turned to ice. Dwynwen was horrified to find her love frozen solid. She prayed again to God, who answered her prayers by granting her three wishes.

Her first wish was to have Maelon thawed and for him to forget her; her second, to have God look kindly on the hopes and dreams of true lovers whilst mending the broken hearts of the spurned; and her third was for her to never marry, but to devote the remainder of her life to God, as thanks for saving Maelon.

Dwynwen devoted the rest of life to God’s service. She became a nun and lived on Llanddwyn Island on the western coast of Ynys Mon (Anglesey), an area accessible only at low tide. She founded a church there, remains of which can still be seen today. After her death she was declared the Welsh Patron Saint of Lovers and ever since, Welsh lovers have looked to St Dwynwen for her help in courting their true love, or for forgetting a false one.

On the island there is a well where, according to legend, a sacred fish (an eel) swims. It is said that the eel can predict the happiness of relationships.

Her well, a fresh-water spring called Ffynnon Dwynwen, became a wishing well and place of pilgrimage, particularly for lovers because of the story above. The tradition grew that the eel in the well could foretell the future for lovers – ask questions and watch which way they turn. Women would scatter breadcrumbs on the surface, then lay her handkerchief on water’s surface; if the eel disturbed it, her lover would be faithful.

Visitors still go to the well today, hoping that the water will boil, meaning that love and good luck will follow them. Her well continues to be a place of pilgrimage; there’s a tradition that if the fish in the well are active when a couple visits, it’s the sign of a faithful husband.

Visitors would leave offerings at her shrine, and so popular was this place of pilgrimage that it became the richest in the area during Tudor times. This funded a substantial chapel that was built in the 16th century on the site of Dwynwen’s original chapel.

Prayer To St Dwynwen

Oh Blessed St. Dwynwen, you who knew pain and peace, division and reconciliation. You have promised to aid lovers and you watch over those whose hearts have been broken. As you received three boons from an Angel, intercede for me to receive 3 blessings to obtain my heart’s desire (state request) and if that is not God’s will, a speedy healing from my pain; your guidance and assistance that I may find love with the right person, at the right time, and in a right way; and an unshakeable faith in the boundless kindness and wisdom of God and this I ask in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

St. Dwynwen, we beseech thee, comfort lovers whose vision is unclear. Send mending to those with love lost. Protect companions. In your name we seek to do the same. In your name we choose love first. With the love of you, Mary and of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Sources:

Celtic Life

Wales.com

Catholic Saints Info

https://shirleytwofeathers.com/The_Blog/pagancalendar/category/january-holidays/page/2/

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witchling-of-ravenclaw-blog · 7 years ago

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OC: SAMEYAH ASTRAE

Full Name: Sameyah Astrae

Aliases: Sam, Sammi

Parents: Vena Astrae and Micah Astrae

Sameyah’s parents live in Astrae Manor on Penrose Lane in the United Kingdom. They are wealthy pure bloods with a free house elf named Lokky whom they treat like a member of the family. He serves them out of love, not slavery.

During their schooling at Hogwarts, Micah Astrae was a member of Ravenclaw and Vena Astrae was a member of Hufflepuff.

Micah Astrae is a distinguished astronomer who takes part in successfully dealing with the increasingly dangerous solar flares from the Sun. Vena Astrae is a renowned healer who specializes in rare herbal remedies. It’s common that wealth spoils an individual's personality but this is not the case with the Astraes. They are well known for being kind and generous, often giving large sums to charities.

Sameyah has a healthy relationship with her parents, them being her only friends before attending Hogwarts. Though they are often busy with their work, Sameyah has learned to keep herself busy with books. If she ever gets too lonely, she spends her time with Lokky, the house elf.

Friends: Valik and Misha

Valik is a headstrong and charismatic second-year Slytherin with a secret dislike for the general population. He tends to get himself and his friends into mischief!

Misha is a shy and meek first-year Ravenclaw who tends to get bullied.

Valik and Misha have been friends since early childhood.

School: Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is the British wizarding school, located in the Highlands of Scotland. It takes students from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and Ireland.

The castle is located in the mountains near a loch. The precise location of the school can never be uncovered because it was rendered Unplottable. To Muggles, the school looks like an old abandoned castle. Similarly, most wizarding schools locations are protected in order to prevent their ways of teaching being revealed, as well as protect the students and schools themselves from any harm.

Established around the 10th century, Hogwarts is considered to be one of the finest magical institutions in the wizarding world, though other notable schools included Beauxbatons Academy of Magic and the Durmstrang Institute. Children with magical abilities are enrolled at birth, and acceptance is confirmed by owl post at age eleven. However, if the child in question is a Muggle-born, a professor from the school would come and inform the child's parents.

It should be noted that some rooms in the school tend to "move around," and so do the steps on the grand staircase. Albus Dumbledore once noted that even he did not know all of Hogwarts' secrets. The castle has witnessed centuries and has a long history of ancient magic.

Witches and wizards cannot Apparate or Disapparate in Hogwarts grounds, except for when the Headmaster lifts the enchantment, whether only in certain areas or for the entire campus, so as to make the school less vulnerable when it serves the headmaster to allow Apparition. Electricity and electronic devices are not found at Hogwarts. Hermione Granger indicated that due to the high levels of magic, substitutes for magic used by Muggles, such as computers, radar and electricity "go haywire" around Hogwarts. Radios, however, make an exception as they are not powered by electricity, but by magic.

In May 1998, the Battle of Hogwarts took place. This battle ended with the death of many on both sides. Thanks to Harry Potter, Lord Voldemort was finally destroyed once and for all, and peace was restored, and Minerva McGonagall became the Headmistress of the school. Harry was celebrated as a true hero.

After the Battle, Hogwarts was repaired. Some students, such as Hermione Granger, returned to the school in 1998 to complete their education. By 2017, normal school life had resumed with McGonagall still as Headmistress and Hagrid still as Keeper of the Keys. Many descendants of previous students were now coming to Hogwarts as new pupils, and Neville Longbottom became the Professor for Herbology after retiring as an Auror.

School Year

Term begins on 1 September. Students usually reach Hogwarts via the Hogwarts Express, which leaves from Platform 9¾ of London's King's Cross Station at 11 a.m. sharp. There seemed to be other ways of entering the school, such as via broomsticks or Floo Powder, or simply Apparating to a nearby location such as Hogsmeade. Missing the Hogwarts Express for any reason is a very serious problem, but will not cost the student points as long as they get there before the term has officially started. The Hogwarts Express brings the students to Hogsmeade station, where the first years traditionally cross the Black Lake in boats with the gamekeeper, and go under an opening in the rocks upon which Hogwarts is built, through a curtain of ivy, and finally into an underground harbour.

Older students travel on the road in carriages pulled by Thestrals (invisible to any that hasn't witnessed death) to the castle. The Welcoming Feast takes place in the Great Hall. This feast includes the Sorting ceremony, followed by a few words from the current Headmaster or Headmistress, the banquet starts after this, including large quantities of food and drink. The feast is closed with a few more words from the Headmaster or headmistress, but it also included the usual "start-of-term notices".

After dinner, students are led to their house common room by a prefect. This is a special time for new students to get comfortable with their surroundings because the next day classes begin. The class schedules are handed out during breakfast by the Heads of House. After two weeks of classes, the Quidditch team trials and flying lessons for the first years usually occur.

Hogwarts' school year is structured in a similar way to other non-magical schools and colleges in the UK, with a three-term year punctuated by holidays at Christmas and Easter and bounded by the long summer holiday of nine weeks. Students have the option of staying at Hogwarts for the winter and spring holidays. Those who choose to stay at the castle do not have lessons and attend a feast on Christmas Day. Students also do not have classes the week of Easter, but this is much less enjoyable due to the large amount of work that the teachers assign students at this time in preparation for final exams.

Other than the breaks and weekends, students do not receive holidays. However, students third year and above may visit Hogsmeade, the local village, occasionally. There are normally four feasts per year: the start-of-term feast at the beginning of the school year, end-of-term feast at the end of the school year, and feasts at Hallowe'en and Christmas. Feasts are also called to mark special occasions, as in Goblet of Fire, when there was a feast to celebrate the beginning of the Triwizard Tournament.

Classes will proceed normally and the next notable event occurs on the evening of 31 October: the Hallowe'en feast. Decorations include giant pumpkins and flocks of hundreds of bats flying across the halls. The served foods include pumpkin treats, tarts, cakes and all sorts of magical sweets. The Quidditch season starts usually with the first Quidditch match in the first weeks of November. In the second week of December, the Deputy Head takes names of those who are staying at Hogwarts over the Christmas holidays. The first term usually ends about a week before Christmas and most of the students and some of the teachers go home by the school train.

In Triwizard Tournament years, the Yule Ball occurs on the evening of Christmas Day, ending at midnight. On the 25th of December, a Christmas Feast is held in the Great Hall. Shortly after the 6th January (Epiphany aka Twelfth Night), the Hogwarts Express returns to Hogsmeade; the second term begins. The exact dates of the beginning of the Easter holidays vary every year. During these holidays, the students may go home. The final exams are held the first week of June and the results come out on the second week. In the evening before the Hogwarts Express goes back to London, the End-of-Term Feast is held. The Hogwarts Express returns to London during the third week of June. Some staff and all of the students leave Hogwarts for summer holiday.

House: Ravenclaw

Ravenclaw is one of the four Houses of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, founded by Rowena Ravenclaw and its common room and dorms are found in Ravenclaw Tower. Members of this house are characterised by their wit, learning, and wisdom. Its house colours are blue and silver, and its symbol is a raven. The house ghost, who in life was the daughter of the house's founder Rowena Ravenclaw, is the Grey Lady. Ravenclaw corresponds roughly to the element of air; the House colours blue and silver were chosen to represent the sky and raven feathers respectively, both having much to do with air.

The entrance to the common room is located on the west side of Hogwarts at the top of a spiral staircase, presumably located on the fifth floor, and is a door without a doorknob or keyhole, but a silver knocker in the shape of a raven. In order to enter the room, a person must answer a riddle asked by the raven knocker; if they answer incorrectly, they must wait for someone else who gets it right.

The Ravenclaw common room is one of the airiest rooms at Hogwarts. It is a wide, circular room with arched windows hung with blue and bronze silks and a midnight blue carpet covered in stars, which is reflected onto the domed ceiling. During the day, Ravenclaw students have an excellent view of the school grounds, including the lake, Forbidden Forest, Quidditch pitch, Herbology gardens and the surrounding mountains.

The room is furnished with tables, chairs, and bookcases; and by the door leading up to the dormitories stands a tall statue of Rowena Ravenclaw made of white marble. According to Prefect Robert Hilliard, the sound of wind whistling around the windows of the tower is relaxing while going to sleep.

Wand: Ebony, White River Monster, 11″, Unyielding

This jet-black wand wood has an impressive appearance and reputation, being highly suited to all manner of combative magic, and to Transfiguration. Ebony is happiest in the hand of those with the courage to be themselves. Frequently non-conformist, highly individual or comfortable with the status of outsider, ebony wand owners have been found both among the ranks of the Order of the Phoenix and among the Death Eaters. In the experience of Garrick Ollivander, the ebony wand’s perfect match is one who will hold fast to his or her beliefs, no matter what the external pressure, and will not be swayed lightly from their purpose.

The White River Monster was a species of magical fish native to the White Riverin Arkansas that was characterised by its spiny back. Thiago Quintana, an American wandmaker who worked in the early 20th century, used a single spine taken from the back of a White River Monster as the core in all the wands he made. This initially raised concerns of over-fishing, but because Quintana was the only one who knew how to lure the creatures, it ultimately did not have very much of an ecological impact. Quintana fiercely guarded the secret to luring White River Monsters until his death, after which wands containing White River Monster spine cores were no longer made.

Pet: Alter Cat

Upon entering the dorms for the first time, Sameyah noticed a group of people surrounding a bed placed next to a large, tall window. They appeared curious but the sound of a violent hiss sent them stumbling back to reveal a silver eyed feline with long black fur sitting atop a plush comforter.

Sameyah began to approach cautiously when one of the children quickly shared some seemingly vital information, “I wouldn’t get too close! It’s got something under its paw but it won’t let us near!” Sameyah, having a way with animals in the muggle world, stepped forward to try her luck. The cat’s eyes flashed to hers and they locked, unyielding. Its silver orbs stared back at her with a calm intensity like the eye of a storm. As she moved closer the cat seemed to relax and sit up, allowing her to grasp the envelope once protected by its claws.

She inspected the envelope and noticed that it was addressed to herself. Confused, she opened it with care and removed a note written in red ink on expensive looking parchment. The note read as such: “Dearest Sam, a gift for you. He is a rare breed with a very curious ability. Take good care of him. Sincerely, a friend.”

A friend? Sameyah didn’t have any friends. She flipped the parchment over, hoping for a bit more information but the note burst into a brilliant array of non-heated, blue flames leaving her in the dark.

Her parents wouldn’t allow an animal in their home due to her father’s allergies so she had been denied a pet after being enrolled. This had been quite a heartbreak for a girl with such a passion for animals so this little surprise had a mischievous grin tugging at her lips.

She looked up to see everyone staring at her. “Don’t worry, he’s mine.” She said as if she had already known. She sat down on the bed next to the feline and slowly reached out her fingertips to see if it would allow her to touch him. The cat leaned into her touch and the grin on Sam’s face widened. “And I guess this is my bed, too.” She giggled softly, knowing that the cat had already claimed it as their own.

The majority of the children had already lost interest to some magical animal candy one of the other kids had smuggled off the train but one boy continued to stare with what seemed to be shock. “What?” Sameyah asked, worried that someone had cast an Unruly spell on her hair or something.

The boy took a step closer and looked at her in an even more confused manner than before, “Your eyes, t-they changed color!” Sameyah tried not to show too much concern lest he be playing some sort of trick on her, but the mirror across her bed didn’t lie. Her eyes were silver, just like the cat’s! Equally as shocked as the boy she lifted her hand from the animal to inspect herself further but her eyes faded quickly to their original green. “Whoa!” The boy exclaimed once again.

Sameyah paused, unsure of the magic at play here. She touched the cat again, and again her eyes turned silver. “Curious ability, indeed.” She muttered to herself.

Later in her research, she discovers that her cat, whom she named Ipswich, is an Alter Cat. Whoever comes in physical contact with these animals will take on the eye color of that specific feline for as long as contact is kept.

Patronus: Wolf

The wolf is a bit of a darker and mysterious soul, with the strength of a fighter. A person with this patronus has had a lot happen in their life, and do to that they wear a mask over their emotions. They do, however, have a very big heart that is full of both passion and fire. They have a lot of emotion within them that they are willing to give, but only once they completely trust you, and since they have been made cynical over the years this can be difficult.

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tsgmobilebayalabama · 5 years ago

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OCTOBER

The first full month of autumn is here, and along with it comes a variety of exciting events we’re looking forward to in the Mobile Bay area. From a culinary collaboration in the streets of downtown Mobile to a fundraiser at the Point Clear Polo Fields to the anticipated launch of The Scout Guide’s 3rd Volume, here is our list of can’t-miss October happenings.

SPECIALS

Haley Dermatology / October Specials

Fillers buy 2 get 1 free

Chemical peels 20% off

Skinceuticals 15%off

Coolsculpting walk in Consults October 13th 10am-2:30pm

Walk in Toxin clinic with dr. Haley October 17th 12-1

Harvest Jewels Trunk Shows

October 25th | Sophiella Gallery | 6:30-9:00 pm

November 21st | East Bay Clothiers | 11:00 am - 7:00 pm

November 22nd | East Bay Clothiers | 11:00 am - 5:00 pm

EVENTS

Bluepass

October 1st- 15th | Junior League of Mobile

Shop. Save. Support. BluePass is a 15 day shopping event that offers pass holders special discounts at participating area merchants. Learn More

Flight of the Oysters

October 3rd | Thursday | 6pm-8pm | Fairhope Brewing Company

The Wandering Oyster and Fairhope Brewing Company have teamed up again for our second oyster and beer pairing event! Join them for a guided tasting of nine world-class oysters paired with three hand-crafted brews, including an oyster stout created just for the event. All for just $30, a portion of which will be going directly to Daphne's Boy Scout Troop 82. Learn More

Focus Women’s Conference

October 4th | Friday | 8am-5pm | Mobile Convention Center

Focus Women’s Conference is a full day of speakers, workshops, panel discussions, networking, and vendor/career expo to encourage, educate, and empower women. They are committed to offering quality content that enables women to economically empower themselves, live their best lives, and impact their community in positive ways. This years key note speaker is Elizabeth Smart. Learn More

JAES presents: The Black Party

October 4th | Friday | 6pm-10pm | Fairhope Brewing Company

A night of Food, Drinks, Live Music, Live Art, Draw-Down Raffle and Silent Auction benefiting the children of the Eastern Shore! Learn More

New Yoga For Every Body

October 4th | Friday | 8am | Soul Shine Yoga

Experience movement to open the body. This class is for all levels, all ages, all body types. Beginners and experienced yogis...everyone is welcome! Mondays and Fridays at 8am Learn More

Meditation: Journey to the Center

October 4th | Friday | 11am | Soul Shine Yoga

Join Betsey Grady for guided meditation every Friday to take your yoga practice even deeper. Consider this time to be a 'Journey to the Center of Your Self '. Enjoy resting your body and mind in a slightly warmed space that inspires detoxification and releasing physical and mental impurities. Allow yourself time to simply BE in the warmth and practice letting your thoughts go. Let yourself be guided to move into a place of openness and feel what it's like to let go of resistance. Free yourself from expectations, judgments, thoughts of past or future and truly let the power of the heat and power of the mind bring you to a new state of clarity, both physically and mentally. Learn More

Haunted Duck Tours

October 1st-30th | Fort of Colonial Mobile

For centuries Mobile has been home to pirates, vagabonds, miscreants, soldiers, and ladies of the night. While their bodies may be gone, their souls remain. Embark on this all new spine-tingling tour of Mobile and the Mobile River as we search along our haunted city streets for these forgotten souls who linger somewhere between today and the afterlife. Learn More

Polo at the Point

October 5th | Saturday | 10am | Point Clear Polo Fields

Polo at the Point has become one of Alabama’s top one-day fundraiser events. Organized by all volunteers with proceeds going back to our community. Event highlights include world-class polo, gourmet cuisine, champagne, divot stomping, tailgating fun, reserved seating, garden party attire in the luncheon tent and much more. Tickets range from $10 (tailgate) to $250. (Polo Brunch & Players Party ) 6-10 pm, Grand Hotel Golf & Spa. Learn More

Pumpkin Palooza

October 5th | Saturday | 11am | Fort of Colonial Mobile

Bring the family and join in the fun at The Fort for Pumpkin Palooza! Featuring games & prizes, treats, crafts, activities, bouncy castle and more!! Admission includes a pumpkin for decorating! Smac's Shack Food Truck will will also be there serving up some amazing BBQ! (not included in admission) Learn More

Rubber Ducky Regatta

October 5th | Saturday | 10am | Cooper Riverside Park

Mobile’s annual Rubber Ducky Regatta will make a splash by dropping 10,000 rubber duckies into the Mobile River at Cooper Riverside Park. The “adopted” duckies will race to the finish line and the fastest ducky’s adopter will win a Carnival Cruise for two out of Mobile! All proceeds will benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Mobile, which houses families with seriously ill and injured children being treated at area hospitals. By adopting a rubber ducky not only will you have a chance to win prizes, but you will be providing funds for a safe haven to all the families who stay at the Ronald McDonald House while their child is receiving treatment. The event kicks off at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 5, and the race will begin at 11 a.m. The Rubber Ducky Regatta invites all families in the surrounding areas to enjoy a morning of family-friendly fun at Cooper Riverside Park in downtown Mobile. Admission for the Rubber Ducky Regatta is free to attend and any remaining rubber duckies will be available for adoption prior to the race. Learn More

Prenatal Yoga + 4 Week Series

October 6th-27th | Sundays | 4:30pm | Soul Shine Yoga

Prenatal yoga gives a woman energy to enjoy her pregnancy, serenity to build a deeper intimacy with her own body and baby, and the presence of mind to expect the unexpected and be present. The benefits are numerous: release stress, enhance the ability to relax, boost physical strength, increase flexibility, improve balance, ease discomforts of pregnancy, open hips and pelvis, strengthen pelvic floor, build confidence, and expand a woman’s circle of community support. Take this time to foster a deeper connection to your self, to your body, to your baby. Learn More

Mindfulness Meditation for Peace

October 7th | Monday | 7:30pm | Soul Shine Yoga

Are you looking for an inner vacation to relax and let go? Come out and de-stress! Join Soul Shine Yoga for a relaxing and peaceful guided meditation appropriate for beginners and experienced students. There will be a brief introduction, guided meditation with loving kindness meditation and brief wisdom talk. 1st Mondays of the month, 7:30-8:45pm Learn More

Nonprofit night featuring FEEF

October 8th | Tuesday | 5pm-7pm | Fairhope Brewing Company

FBC’s monthly Nonprofit Night at the brewery for October spotlights the Fairhope Educational Enrichment Foundation. For over 20 years, this wonderful organization has raised and dispensed funds dedicated to making Fairhope's public schools the best they can be. Please join them for the evening, with $1 of every pour will go to FEEF's cause. Learn More

Magic Moments Magic Show

October 13th | Sunday | 2:30pm | St. Luke’s Episcopal School Theatre

Join them for a magic show for the whole family! Start in the lobby where you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy up close magic, face painting, balloon art, and more before you head into the theater where magician David Garrard will wow you with a show you’ll never forget! Benefiting Magic Moments, the only wish granting organization dedicated solely to providing happiness to children in the state of Alabama. Learn More

*Mention SCOUT SENT YOU and receive a free child’s ticket with the purchase of an adult ticket.*

An Afternoon of Jazz

October 13th | 4pm-7pm | Fairhope Brewing Company

The Jazz Studio will begin at 2 followed by EMCO. The open jam will start at around 3:30pm. Bring your instrument and join in the fun. THIS FREE EVENT IS OPEN TO ALL AGES. Learn More

Crystal Singing Bowls Sound Bath

October 13th | Sunday | 5:45pm | Soul Shine Yoga

Enjoy an hour of relaxation and rejuvenation with the healing sounds of crystal singing bowls. They'll start with a gentle guided meditation to help ease you into a meditative state of mind. You will be lying on your back listening to the sounds and your body will be taking in the vibration of the sound bath. This experience will purify and quiet the mind as the sounds soothe the nervous system Singing bowls emit powerful vibrations that penetrate deeply into every cell of the body. Come to a Sound Bath class and experience relaxation and rejuvenation for the mind, body and spirit! Learn More

3rd Annual Grilled Cheese Meltdown

October 17th | Thursday | 5:30pm-7:30pm | Cathedral Square

The third annual Grilled Cheese Meltdown features 20 teams grilling up the tastiest comfort food on the planet! They'll be competing to see who will be named the Big Cheese and take home the Golden Spatula. Tickets are $8 in advance/$10 at the gate. Children under the age of 6 are free. Libations available for purchase. Proceeds benefit the Urban Emporium, Mobile's retail incubator. Learn More

Beverage Academy: The World of Liqueur and Cordials

October 18th | Friday | 5:30pm | Grand Hotel Goes Resort & Spa

Each month, their Beverage Team at the Grand Hotel will be teaching classes at the resorts’ Beverage Academy. The classes are aimed at expanding the participants’ knowledge of beverage basics while also incorporating more advanced techniques. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, the classes are fun, hands-on experiences that will have people raving about your beverage skills. In each Grand Beverage Academy, you will receive a one- hour beverage demonstration, recipes and beverage sampling. Learn about aperitifs and digestifs and peek into the world of liqueur and cordials, as a vital ingredient in many cocktails. Learn More

Cooking Essentials VII: Classic French Desserts

October 19th | Saturday | 10am | Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa

Each month, a Chef at the Grand Hotel will be teaching classes at the Resort’s Culinary Academy. These classes focus on expanding the participants’ knowledge of the culinary basics while also incorporating techniques that are more advanced. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, the Chef’s classes are fun, hands-on experiences that will have people raving about your culinary skills. In each Grand Culinary Academy, you will receive an in depth cooking demonstration, recipes, food sampling and a diploma. A Grand Chef will share the secrets of preparing decadent desserts: Pate a choux, Dark Chocolate Mousse and Macarons. These rich gourmet desserts will be an instant success when served to your guests. Learn More

48th Annual Little Sisters of the Poor Lawn Party

October 20th | Sunday | 10am | Little Sisters of the Poor

Fun for the whole family including train rides, petting zoo, pony rides, games, raffles, inflatable slides, live music, food and more all. The proceeds go to the care of our elderly Residents. Learn More

Magic Moments Day

October 21st | Monday | All Day

Governor Kay Ivey has declared Monday, October 21, 2019 “Magic Moments Day” across the state of Alabama. In October, Magic Moments, the only wish granting organization dedicated exclusively to children in Alabama with chronic, life threatening illnesses, celebrates its 35th anniversary. Since its founding in 1984, Magic Moments has given over 4,800 children in all 67 counties of the state their very own magic moment.

In celebration of this milestone, Magic Moments is partnering with restaurants, stores, and other organizations across the state. A portion of proceeds from a set of new tires, a percentage of purchase at a clothing store, lunches and dinner that benefit Magic Moments in each corner of the state - there are a myriad of ways organizations from all over Alabama are partnering with Magic Moments on October 21st, during that week, and even throughout the whole month of October. Learn More

People participating in Mobile and Baldwin County:

Noble South & The Wash House each donated a “Dinner for 2” that we are raffling off at the Magic Show as a kick off to Magic Moments Day. Pollman’s - Mobile Old Shell location - They are making a Magic Moments cookie or cupcake to sell the whole week and proceeds will go towards MM. Sterling Hot Yoga - Mobile - Oct 21st - Karma Class will benefit MM Dew Drop - Mobile - Oct 21st portion of proceeds toward MM Butch Cassidy’s -Mobile - Oct 21st portion of proceeds toward MM Taziki’s - Daphne & Mobile locations - Oct 21st Lulu’s - Gulf Shores - Oct 21st portion of proceeds toward MM Cobalt - Orange Beach - Oct 21st portion of proceeds toward MM Cosmo’s - Orange Beach - Oct 21st portion of proceeds toward MM

The Scout Guide Mobile Bay Volume 3 Launch

October 23rd | Wednesday | Atchison Home

Scouted Members will celebrate the launch in a a private gathering and are the first to see the new guides. Thursday October 24th the guides will be distributed to participating members and given out to the public. Learn More

Dining on Dauphin

October 24th | Thursday | 6:30pm | Downtown Mobile

Showcasing globally inspired, locally sourced, inventive cuisine from three of Mobile’s premier restaurants in an intimate setting along Dauphin Street in downtown Mobile’s historic arts and entertainment district. This event will feature a four-course dinner from Noja, The Noble South, and Southern National. The meal will be accompanied with wines. Learn More

Wild Things Ball

October 24th | Thursday | 7pm | Alabama Contemporary Art Center

In celebration of All Hallow’s Eve and the closing of a decade, they are hosting the biggest and wildest party we can muster. The evening’s events will include: COSTUMES, DANCING, LIBATIONS, RAFFLES, FRIENDS. Learn more.

Sophiella Gallery’s One Year Anniversary Party

October 25th | Friday | 6:30pm | Sophiella Gallery

Come celebrate one year with Sophiella Gallery and see featured local artists in a collaborative show called Faces and Places. Their will be a trunk show happening with the fabulous local jewelry line, Harvest Jewels and food by the Noble South. Learn More

Food Truck Friday

October 25th | Friday | 4pm-9pm | Fairhope Brewing Company

This month’s Food Truck Friday will include great local Brews, and live music by Little Raine Band.

68th Annual Greater Gulf State Fair

October 25th-November 3rd | Greater Gulf State Fair Grounds

The 2019 Greater Gulf State Fair will be better than ever with all your favorite attractions and more. Exciting rides, fun games, great food, rodeo competitions, and live music performances including The Marshall Tucker Band. Learn More.

Downtown Fairhope’s Tirck or Treat

October 26th | Saturday | 10am | Fairhope Welcome Center /Downtown Fairhope

Downtown Trick or Treat is a fabulous family tradition, and a safe way for kids of all ages to enjoy a little pre-Halloween fun! Children are invited to wear their Halloween costume and trick or treat in downtown Fairhope. Just look for the orange pumpkins in the windows of stores downtown to see who is participating. Participants are also invited to drop by the Welcome Center, with their camera, where a Halloween photo stop will be set-up. Learn More

Mobile Witches Ride

October 27th | Sunday | 3:30pm | The Blind Mule

The Mobile Witches Ride is a major fundraiser for Delta Dogs, a community supported, volunteer run non-profit that provides free spay and neuter and veterinary care to the pets of Mobile's community in need. Learn More

Fairhope Witches Ride

October 29th | Tuesday | 5:30pm | Downtown Fairhope

2019 Fairhope Witches ride Fly for the Fur! Charity bike ride to benefit local animal charities. Learn More

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pamphletstoinspire · 5 years ago

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ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (AUGUST 25TH) by Fr. Francis Xavier Weninger, 1882

“And they bring to Him one deaf and dumb, and they besought Him that He would lay His hands upon him.”–Mark 7, 32.

Those portions of the Gospels which are read to the faithful in the course of the ecclesiastical year seem to be selected, it might almost be said, at random from the Sacred Scriptures. To the preacher, also, whose duty it is to discourse, year after year, from those fragments, it might at first sight appear difficult to make a practical application of this or that Gospel to the spiritual wants of his hearers. This, however, is not so; for, as each Gospel is in turn presented for the instruction of the faithful, it will become more evident that the Word of God is a manna which contains the most varied and delicious tastes, and, moreover, that it impresses the mind as being the ever new and yet immutable truth of the word of Him Whom St. Augustine addressed as “Beauty always ancient yet ever new.”

Indeed, if the preacher were every year to direct the attention of his hearers to the same important point of doctrine, it would be, even to the very same congregation, most interesting as well as instructive, since every word of the Gospel is intimately connected with the great work of redemption; for instance, the lesson for this Sunday tells us how Christ vouchsafed to heal the deaf and dumb man.

Let its consider how deaf the human race has ever been to the Word of God, and whatever relates to their salvation.

Mary, whose heart was ever open to the inspirations of the Holy Ghost, obtain for us the same readiness to receive the admonitions of the Spirit of Love and Truth! I speak in the most holy name of Jesus, for the greater honor and glory of God!

If there is any thing which should call forth our astonishment, it is this spiritual deafness of the human race, both individually and collectively, and the incredible indifference manifested in regard to all that God has revealed concerning our existence and eternal destination–the fall of man, his redemption, and that eternity which draws nearer each day. This disposition was manifest even in paradise, before the fall, and afterwards developed itself to such an enormous extent as to justify the assertion, that after our first parents had yielded to the seductions of Satan, their whole posterity became afflicted with this voluntary deafness.

As I have already said, this disposition was perceptible when the fidelity of our first parents was put to the test, for they seemed to give a more ready ear to the seducing wiles of the tempter than to the warning voice of God. Yes, it would seem that our first mother found something far more attractive in the alluring voice of the devil, and the delicious taste of the fruit, than in the exercise of the obedience which she owed to her Maker and Sovereign Lord. His divine command was unheeded and despised at the intimations of greatness conveyed by the serpent: “You shall be as gods.”

Adam and Eve fell, and, with them, the race of man became subject to sin and death. But God, in His mercy, decreed that His well-beloved Son should redeem and save the souls created for eternal happiness.

But, alas! Cain, the first-born of the human kind, closed his heart to the inspirations of divine grace, and stained the earth with his brother's blood! And in every age of the world so many, many souls have been found to follow in his footsteps, that, as time wore on, the human race became more and more deaf to the voice of God, and its ways seemed perverted to the ways of iniquity.

Noah, for a hundred years, spoke in terms of entreaty, as well as warning; but his words fell upon ears which refused to heed. He built the ark amid the jeers and mockery of those who looked on in scorn; and, even after the deluge, how soon did heathenism stifle the voice of conscience, and close the ears of the soul!

Almighty God set apart for Himself a nation, through which the whole human family might receive warning and instruction, and be prepared for that wonderful and much-desired event the birth of the Redeemer of the world.

Yet how did the world behave towards this people? We need only look at Pharao. Moses spoke to him, threatening him in the name of the Lord. He listened, yet heard not, for he was obdurate. Again, Moses appeared, and spoke in terms of terrible warning to the wicked king. God sends him various punishments; noxious insects of every kind infest the land, and cause fearful destruction; the waters change into blood; the light of the sun is darkened; the destroying angel spares not the first-born of the Egyptians; and, nevertheless, the hearts of Pharao and his people remained closed to the voice of God. Hearing it exteriorly, they despised it interiorly, until the Lord stretches forth his avenging arm, and the waters of the Red Sea engulf that rebellious host in their terrible depths.

And even in regard to the chosen people of God, was not their spiritual deafness astonishing and deplorable? Amid the thunder's roll and the lightning's flash the Israelites listen as the commands of God are proclaimed; but even while they listen they turn away unheeding, and, in spite of the wonders they witness, pay homage to a golden calf. God sends them a succession of prophets, and they put them all to death.

Christ Himself appears. He speaks, He, the Incarnate Wisdom of God. The people throng around Him; but that class of priests, so wise in their own estimation, yet so totally depraved, the scribes and Pharisees, cry out in tones of scorn: “Which of us hears Him?”

Ascending to heaven, Christ sends His Apostles to announce to all mankind the word of salvation. The Holy Ghost, the promised Paraclete, appears in the form of fiery tongues, above their heads; and, taking in the utmost boundaries of the earth, they proclaim to all men the Word of God.

But St. Paul has told of the results, as he himself experienced them, when, at Athens, he publicly addressed the inhabitants of that world-renowned city. Some laughed in derision, some promised to listen at a future time, which never came for them; and the other Apostles, as they went their ways to the nations of the earth, too often met with the same discouraging results. Oh, how sad, my brethren, when we reflect that this deplorable indifference still characterizes the children of Adam, even after the Gospel has been preached, and the Church spread over the whole earth, and its holiness proved by the most wonderful effects and astonishing miracles.

Even today, and in this so-called age of enlightenment and culture, in this our nineteenth century, how fearfully indifferent are not men to the truths which the Word of God teaches, about their spiritual duties, their ultimate destination, and the momentous affair of their eternal salvation! This inattention and indifference is so much the more surprising because it presents such a striking contrast to the manner in which men generally act when they are told of something; which, by performing certain duties, or fulfilling certain conditions, they can gain, and by which they can greatly promote their temporal interests. Ah, yes! They eagerly hasten to that spot in some far-off land, where they are told that the bright gold lies buried deep in the soil, waiting only to enrich him who is so fortunate as to find it. They even brave the perils of the mighty deep, uncertain whether they will ever safely reach the shore. The same is true of honors and dignities. Observe the different aspirants to a throne; with what anxiety they watch the various political changes, fearing to lose the slightest chance of turning them to their advantage.

It is ever the same, beloved in Christ. Look at the sick. If they are told of some eminent physician or celebrated remedy, they will inquire into or send in quest of the same; they are all anxiety, and leave nothing undone to regain their health. The mechanic is ever on the alert to hear of new inventions; the merchant watches every opportunity to buy and sell to advantage; the man of wealth knows no rest, for, day and night, he is seeking to add to his store, or, hearing of a probable panic, he rushes to the spot where he can learn the truth, and try to avert the worst.

And, by means of God's Holy Word, man is told of the joys of heaven, the glory therein, and of the terrible and eternal torments which are prepared for sinners in hell. It penetrates the ears of the body, but the spiritual hearing is gone. The human race goes recklessly on, living in a state of indifference as if wholly unconcerned for the future. Alas! Christians–Catholics–are no better, if they were only aware of it! They act as did the Jews, when St. Stephen preached to them: “They stopped their ears;” that is, they resolutely avoid attending service at those hours, when they would be reminded of their duties to God; or, when they are present, they attend not to the word of salvation, even if they hear it exteriorly. O folly! folly! To seek after the transitory joys and honors of earth in preference to listening to the Divine Word; to plunge, perhaps, into the vilest dissipations, rather than mortify their passions; to listen to the voice of the worldling or infidel, yet to close their hearts against the warning voice of God's minister, who seeks to win souls for Christ.

O Lord, preserve us from the evil of willful deafness of the soul; for, when it becomes chronic, all hope of salvation is over forever! Amen!

“And they bring to Him one deaf and dumb; and they besought Him that He would lay His hand upon him.” Mark 7, 32.

I considered with you, most beloved in Christ, when the Gospel of this Sunday was read for you last year, the lamentable indifference of mankind in general to the sublime truths and terrible warnings of our holy faith and its Divine Founder, and how, since the fall, man seems as though stricken with a spiritual deafness, which prevents him hearing the word of God!

And if he does hear it, he listens, as it were, against his will, not only paying no attention to what would show him the way to happiness; but going so far as to despise and deny it. We have also reflected upon the eagerness with which he seeks after all that he deems best for his temporal welfare, and the readiness with which he believes all that he hears on the subject. In truth, it would seem as if, in his corrupted state, he found more pleasure in falsehood than in truth! Far different from holy David, who cried out: “The wicked have told me fables; but not as Thy law. All Thy statutes are truth, and therefore a light to guide my feet to heaven!”

If this strike you, as it surely must, as a miserable condition, scarcely less so is the state of those Christians who hear and believe, but live, notwithstanding, such lukewarm and tepid lives, as to give the impression that they care nothing for what they hear and believe.

But neither of these classes of deaf-mutes need despair of being healed; for there are ample means to effect their restoration, and these, with the Divine assistance, I will point out to you today.

Mary, spouse of the Holy Ghost, obtain for us, from that Spirit of Love, a perfect willingness to hear and obey the voice of God! I speak in the most holy name of Jesus, for the greater honor and glory of God!

Last year I also dwelt on the pitiable, and, indeed, most culpable, state into which this indifference to hearing that Divine voice has cast the human race. As it existed in ages past, it prevails at the present time, a truth which was brought particularly home to me, when, recently, I was explaining to a Protestant, who was extremely obstinate in her own opinion, that there is but one Church, one true Church, and how it could be no other than that which has existed for over eighteen hundred years that was founded by Christ when He lived among men. In the very beginning this Protestant assured me that, say what I might, she would not be convinced; that she would retain the form of belief she had always professed, even though she knew that every word of my argument would be true!

While I spoke, the lady allowed her gaze to wander constantly, as if to assure me of her inattention, as well as to banish from her mind every thought that might have touched her heart or shown her the truth.

When, in conclusion, I asked her: “Now, what do you say? Am I not right?” she replied, with the utmost indifference: “It may be that you are; I was not listening to you; for I intend to remain what I am.”

I once met a soldier, dying in an hospital in Galicia, and endeavored to lead him to believe in and embrace our holy faith. In the very face of death, his reply was: “It is useless, priest; even if God Himself were to stand before me, with the terrible assurance that if I refused to become a Catholic I would this very day be plunged into the abyss of hell; rather would I go to perdition than become a member of the faith you profess!”

But praise and thanks to our merciful Lord, all heretics and infidels do not so willfully harden their hearts against the truth! But still the spiritual deafness, so universally prevailing, is most deplorable.

What is equally, if not more lamentable, is, that even among the children of the true Church, there exists a tepidity and indifference, which is alike sad, and astonishing. I include also those Catholics who certainly hear and believe the word of God; but seem content that their days should pass on in this spirit of tepidity, perfectly indifferent about leading a holy life, but content if they barely fulfill their religious duties. They strive not after Christian perfection; neither do they hunger and thirst after justice!

This indifference, when displayed by those who have not heard the Divine Word, and who, therefore, neither believe nor concern themselves about it, is some what to be wondered at; but how difficult it is to comprehend that a Christian, who really believes the Divine truths of faith, and what they inculcate about our salvation, the imitation of Christ and His saints, and that eternity which most certainly awaits us–who admits that there is a judgment he can not escape, a purgatory which perhaps holds those he has given bad example, a heaven and hell to reward or to punish–who, in fine, would be willing to give up every thing, even life itself, for his faith, can yet remain wholly absorbed in the interests of earth, making but little preparation for death!

But as I said, there is a remedy for this insensibility, this spiritual deafness. We shall find this remedy if we reflect on the manner in which Christ cured the deaf-mute of today's Gospel.

He took him aside. What is signified by this? Our Lord wished to show that the principal cause of spiritual deafness, and moral indifference, is found in the influence which the example of, and intercourse with others exert upon the lives of those afflicted there with. Jews and heathens, heretics and infidels, reproduce in their thoughts, and imitate in their actions, whatever they see and hear! The same is true of indifferent and lukewarm Christians. They verify the adage: “Show me your company, and I will tell you what you are!”

Therefore, that your spiritual deafness may be healed, you must not live with the crowd, nor follow the crowd, but retire and meditate earnestly and often, for with justice has the Prophet Jeremias declared : “With desolation is all the land made desolate, because there is none that considereth in his heart.” The world is filled with wickedness, infidelity, want of faith, impiety and indifference to supernatural things, because “no one thinketh in the heart.” O Christian, retire into yourself, examine your own heart, listen to the word of God, understand it, and it will exercise a most decisive influence upon your life!

Christ put His finger into the ears of the deaf and dumb man. What signifies this? It admonishes us, that if we take an interest in the conversion of sinners to a holy life, or of heretics to the one true faith, we should not make use of lengthy arguments and abstruse explanations to lead them to the path of right and truth; for plain reasons, based on admitted truths, and confirmed by experience, have most weight.

For heretics and infidels, the consideration of the following truths would be most beneficial: There is but one God and Creator; as a rational being, I am immortal; therefore, between God and me there exists a relation which is called Religion, and which is founded upon the revelation of God to man, since reason alone, and of itself, is not explicit concerning the consequences of that relationship. Christ was the first teacher of this divinely revealed religion, and after Him, by His own appointment, the Apostles and their successors–the bishops and priests of the Church. This Church, founded by Him, is the Catholic Church, which is therefore the only true one, and, the only one in which salvation can be found. If those who are separated from the fold of Christ, either by infidelity or some perverted form of religion, show themselves inclined to enter her fold, it is unwise to lose time in lengthy discussions; but go to meet them, rather, with outstretched arms. Show them the truth in all its sublimity, and pray earnestly to God that He may bless your efforts for Christ's dear sake.

The same means should be adopted with great sinners, whom some faithful child of the Church wishes to lead gently to God. They should be urged to consider the great contrast between their mode of life and their faith, and the imminent danger to which they expose their eternal salvation if they refuse to live consistently with their belief.

“And spitting, Christ touched His tongue.” The spittle signifies the littleness of all the frail and fleeting goods of earth, and of the empty pleasures of this mortal life. The exaggerated estimate of earthly riches and enjoyments is precisely what stands in the way of a true conversion to a zealous and pious life–a life in perfect accord with the teachings of holy faith.

Christ looked up to heaven and prayed. This admonishes us to direct our thoughts to heaven, and to excite in our hearts the desire for that happy home. It should also strengthen us to labor with the greatest zeal in the service of God, to deem no effort too great to do His holy will.

We should implore God to have mercy on us, and bring us at last to eternal bliss! If we act thus, we will hear the word of God, such as it is. We will live according to its precepts, rendering to God honor for time and eternity, through Jesus Christ our Lord! Amen!

“And the string of his tongue was loosed; and he spoke right.” Mark 7, 35.

The afflicted man, of whom we read in this day's Gospel that he was made whole, suffered from a twofold evil: he was afflicted with deafness, and in consequence lost the power of speech. But when the deafness disappeared under the ministrations of the Son of God, he spoke, and “spoke right.” We can here make not only a close but a most important application of this man's double infirmity and of his cure to the spiritual condition of humanity, considered both as a body and individually, and to the remedy that is required by their state.

We have already considered how prone human nature is to turn a deaf ear when the Word of God is announced, and lamented the astonishing indifference to the truths of holy faith which prevails in our day. Those who have the happiness of belonging to the one true Church may be counted by millions; but a large proportion of them pay no regard to the inspirations of the Holy Ghost, and, instead of being an honor, they are at once a scandal and a grief to her. Thus, such Christians not only remain deaf but become dumb also, and speak not when and where, and as they should.

Christ first healed the deafness of the afflicted man–“faith comes from hearing”–then He loosened the string of his tongue, whereupon he spoke, and “spoke right.”

Let us consider what this dumbness typifies in regard to the human race–first as a body, then individually ascertaining thus the meaning of the words: “And he spoke right.”

O Mary, who, having heard and believed, didst intone that sublime canticle before the Lord on Judea's heights, teach us, thy children, ever to speak when we should, and in the manner most pleasing to God! I speak in the most holy name of Jesus, for the greater honor and glory of God!

The votaries of the world care neither for God nor for their own salvation. They receive the Word of God exteriorly, and seem to listen to it, but heeding it not they remain spiritually deaf; and it is a fact, that heretics and schismatics, Pagans and Jews, Protestants and faithless Catholics, suffer alike from this deplorable evil.

Not less remarkable is the silence of man with regard to God! The world is dumb! From the rising of the sun to the going down of the same, from the earliest dawn of day until the shades of night have fallen over the world, often from eventide until the midnight hour has tolled, what a ceaseless hum of conversation is heard over all the world. Every subject is discussed with never-flagging interest, save one, and that is, God. What a profound silence is maintained upon that one theme, alike so terrible and so sweet.

“Lord, what wouldst Thou have me do?” should be the thought of every soul at earliest dawn; but few there are who ask the question even once, and yet our tongues should serve as means of praising God; daily and hourly should we praise and thank Him, pay Him our homage, and implore Him to bestow His grace upon us in the hour of need. And yet how many there are who allow the years to come and go, and utter not one prayer nor word of praise to Him! They are dumb.

And it is not that they are wanting in ideas or words. They can speak of whatever is grand, beautiful, and sublime in the order of creation, which they see and admire. They are eloquent in their praise of the great progress in science, the works of the learned, and are proud of knowing the authors. They delight in having read the most famous books, deeming it necessary to at least pretend to a classical education. They must see and converse upon the noted productions of art, and know the names of the artists to admire or condemn as they wish. They make the tour of the world, extol the beauties of nature, even explore the mysteries of the firmament, and call the stars by name. They dispute about the astronomer who discovered them first, and pretend to have arrived at a knowledge of the fundamental laws of nature.

They extol the goodness of men, their generosity and heroism, their benignity, prudence, and ability. They speak of prominent politicians, of the royal and great personages of this world; they forget not relations and friends, especially if their position be good; they recall with love and gratitude those benefactors to whom they owe much. But on one subject they are silent. There is a silence, death-like and inexplicable, in regard to that God in Whom are embodied the most admirable attributes infinite holiness, goodness, and majesty. He it is Who is the first great cause, not only of all the grandeur and magnificence in nature, of which men are so loud in their praise, but of all the wondrous achievements of mankind, for who, but the Creator, bestowed on the work of His hands those powers which render man great?

One discovers a new force in nature, and is lauded by the whole world; yet he only accidentally came to its knowledge; not he, but God, laid it in nature's bosom. About Him, the author of all power, not a word is heard.

There is a man who has made the tour of the world, and sent forth a volume on the wonders he saw, the glories of the firmament, and the beauties which render this earth so fair. His description is brilliant, his book is much sought after, but not one of its pages pays tribute to the Creator of heaven and earth; not one word is found therein in praise of the Lord. Nay, search from beginning to end, and, perhaps, you will fail to find even His name.

In the same way does the world remain dumb about the propagation of God's kingdom on earth. Administrators of public affairs deem themselves wonderfully wise in proclaiming aloud: “Believe what you wish, act as you think best with regard to God and religion, keep the commandments of God if you please or keep them not; but woe unto you if you violate a law of the State.” And, my brethren, at all legislative or political assemblies where the most able men of the State come together to deliberate or make laws, where debates and discussions are the order of the day, not only is there not one word spoken about God, but were His most holy name to be mentioned, surprise, or even disdain, would be read in the expression of all. This class of men may well be called deaf and dumb with regard to their duties towards their Creator.

In how many families do we not find one or more suffering from these spiritual evils! They are both deaf and dumb when there is question of fulfilling what is commanded by the Church. How many parents are thus afflicted? Deaf and dumb! Poor parents, who care not, as they should, to know and fulfill the divine will; who do not provide books for their children which will foster in their youthful minds a love of piety, and a longing after all that is good!

Perhaps, through their fault, those children will remain also through life deaf and dumb. Poor children! Allowed to grow up with scarce any instruction about God, or the means of attaining eternal bliss, they hear naught of His holy name except when it is profaned. Their parents are silent! They see the children–who have been given them by God–walking on the road to perdition, urged on, perhaps, by their evil example, yet they are dumb! Nay, perhaps they even say, “they are old enough to act as they please;” or, “what else can one expect from their youth? By and by they will do better!”

It may be a wife, it may be a husband, who is afflicted. Growing careless in the discharge of every religious duty, the erring party pursues the downward path, without a word of remonstrance from the other, whose duty it is to speak, but who is dumb. There is a couple who have contracted a mixed marriage. The Catholic husband or wife, as the case may be, makes not the slightest effort to sanctify the unbelieving partner, but remains willfully and culpably silent. Perhaps the heart of that unconverted one is ready to receive the Word of God, and to be at once a consolation and a joy to the sacred Heart of our Lord, but for that criminal silence, that terrible spiritual dumbness!

Or, perhaps, alas! most beloved in Christ, when the greater number of Christians, Catholics, whom the loving Saviour invites to be models for the rest of the world, do open their lips, it may be that they do not speak right, that they injure rather than promote the interests of God's kingdom on earth, because their discourse is a curse, their conversation an oath.

It may be that they advocate the cause of the wicked; it may be that, forgetting the faith of their fathers, and faithless to all that it enjoins, they go even so far as to profess infidelity; that they boast of their hatred to others, and the revenge they will take, or project new methods of offending a God Who will not be mocked. They do not speak right.

Therefore, O Lord! open for thy faithless children the ears of their souls that they may hear Thy Word, and, doing it, open their lips only to declare Thy praise! Amen!

From: https://www.pamphletstoinspire.com/

#eleventh sunday after pentecost

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