This makes me think.... about how far I need to go, but not being intimidated by that.

We need the living Christ, whom we can know only through our encounter with him. But encounter presumes actual presence -- the Real Presence, which in turn, requires the Sacrament and the Church that alone is authorized to give us the Sacrament, the church that Christ himself willed into existence and continues to support. The Eucharist, at each new celebration, must be recognized anew as the cord of our Christian life. But we cannot celebrate the Eucharist adequately if we are content to reduce it to a ritual of -- more or less -- a half-hour's duration. To receive Christ means to worship him. We welcome him properly and worthily at the solemn moment of receiving him, come to understand his nature, and in worshipping him learn to know him, come to understand his nature, and follow him. We need to learn once more how to rest peacefully in his gentle presence in our churches, where the Eucharist is likewise always present because Christ intercedes for us before the Father, because he always awaits us and speaks to us. We must learn again how to draw inwardly close to him, for it is only thus that we become worthy of the Eucharist. We cannot prepare ourselves to receive the Eucharist simply by thinking about how it should be done. We can prepare for it only when we try to comprehend the depths of its demands on us, of its greatness; when we do not reduce it to our level, but let ourselves be raised to its exalted level; when we become aware of the accumulated sound of the prayers offered during all the centuries in which generations of men have advanced and are still advancing toward Christ.

--Pope Benedict XVI, writing as Cardinal Ratzinger in Co-Workers of the Truth, p. 81-82.

Among Women ReadHER 3.31.12... Papa Benny, Cuba, confession, sex, weirdness...

Photo credit: Maria Johnson, as we shared margaritas with the Holy Father

Among Women ReadHER

3.31.12

First, a few posts about Pope Benedict XVI's Apostolic Visits to Mexico and Cuba...

You can read his addresses and homilies on these trips here. There were lots of my favorite quotes, but here's one to give you a taste:

Dear friends, do not hesitate to follow Jesus Christ. In him we find the truth about God and about mankind. He helps us to overcome our selfishness, to rise above our vain struggles and to conquer all that oppresses us. The one who does evil, who sins, becomes its slave and will never attain freedom (cf. Jn 8:34). Only by renouncing hatred and our hard and blind hearts will we be free and a new life will well up in us. 

Convinced that it is Christ who is the true measure of man, and knowing that in him we find the strength needed to face every trial, I wish to proclaim openly that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life. In him everyone will find complete freedom, the light to understand reality most deeply and to transform it by the renewing power of love. 

The Church lives to make others sharers in the one thing she possesses, which is none other than Christ, our hope of glory (cf. Col 1:27). To carry out this duty, she must count on basic religious freedom, which consists in her being able to proclaim and to celebrate her faith also in public, bringing to others the message of love, reconciliation and peace which Jesus brought to the world. 

If you only have time for one, read the rest of this one... pretty powerful words about religious freedom spoken aloud in Mass setting within a country with a communistic regime.

The Pope blesses image of Our Lady of Guadalupe...

He picked up a few new hats along the way...

Entrusting Cuba to Caridad

By Maria Morera Johnson, a guest at my column at Patheos this week

I recommend this piece by my friend, blogger and co-host of SQPN's Catholic Weekend Show, Maria Morera Johnson, a Cuban-American, writing about subjects close to her heart.

Other goodies....

Vatican Approves a Blessing of the Womb
Posted at Zenit
Well, here's a powerful pro-life move! Yay! Will watch for more details in the days ahead.

Confessing Who We Really Are

By Lori Miller at Catholic Mom

A good one. If you still haven't gone to confession this Lent, let this be a loving nudge.

When Shall We Begin to Do Good?

By Elizabeth Scalia at The Anchoress

When Elizabeth raves about something, I always pay attention. 

Looking Closer at the Hail Mary: "Blessed"

By Maria Morera Johnson at Snoring Scholar

Yes, it just worked out that way, here's another one from Maria, this time in a continuing series on the words of the Hail Mary, hosted by the delightful Sarah Reinhard at Snoring Scholar.


The Glories of Being Weird
By Emily Stimpson at CatholicVote.org
Another great take on life and love and simply being "counter-cultural" simply by living this awesome cannot-be-denied faith.


The Dark Night of the Soul: Or Why a Failing Lent Isn't
By Chris Capolino at Catholic Mom
Ok, might be the best piece from Chris ever. 


How to Pray with Your Spouse: 4 steps
Posted at the USCCB's "For Your Marriage" page
Some good advice.


Nothing Subtle About this Photo
By Mountain Butorac at Catholic Traveler
Just click on the link for a moment. Beautiful. 


Christopher Hitchins and Groaning During Sex
By Marc Barnes at Bad Catholic
If you've never read Marc Barnes, you might find that he is somewhat irreverently reverent... but he's young and he is on to a great career as a writer and apologist. 


Important Safety Information: Girls Around Me APP will make you tighten up your online privacy.

This song has a beautiful prayer within it: "Lord, break my heart with what breaks yours...."

10:50am: Here's a late update from today's Wall Street Journal:


When the Archbishop Met the President
By James Taranto at the WSJ
The continuing HHS Mandate saga...

Entrusting Cuba to Caridad... a guest post by Maria Morera Johnson

Photo by Maria Johnson

I've written about this subject before.... the lovely story of Our Lady of Charity "coming" to the people of Cuba over 400 years. Ah, but it is so much more than an story of sweet devotion to Mary, though it is very much that... today it has socio-political and religious ramifications for the tiny island of Cuba.

If you've ever thought that the story of salvation history ended with the coming of Christ 2000 years ago, think again. The history of salvation continues in the very lives we lead. The will of God continues to unfold in the world today, and Mary, the Mother of God is often playing a decisive role. In the last century and a half we've seen it happening in Lourdes, Fatima, Akita, Kibeho, and elsewhere. Many have believed that Mary has played a role in assisting the fall of communism in Eastern Europe, in the wake of Pope John Paul's consecration of Russia, and the entire world to Mary. Now, I can only guess what Our Lady's intercession may bring to Cuba in the future.

For now, Cuba's patroness, Our Lady of Charity, has brought two papal visits to this tiny nation within 15 years... and there are more and more public displays of faith taking place in the face of government oppression.

This week, my good friend, Maria Morera Johnson, who has taught me so much about this devotion to Our Lady of Charity, and about Cuban history, takes a turn as my guest at my column at Patheos. It is a pleasure to let her share her love of her Catholic faith, her love of Mary, and her heritage in her observations regarding Pope Benedict's visit to Cuba this week.

Here's a little excerpt....

Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to Cuba, the country of my birth and the country my parents and I fled in 1966, both delights and pulls on the heartstrings of many Cubans and Cuban-Americans like myself, watching his pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity of Cobre from afar, yearning to be present with the Holy Father in this Jubilee Year. 

So much of my identity lies bundled within the mantle of Cuba’s patroness, La Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre, that I too easily forget who she is. 

To my child’s heart she is a constant companion, my ever-present friend whose image in the homes of family and friends, doctors’ offices, and storefronts in the Cuban neighborhoods of Atlanta and Miami where I grew up identified a little piece of home. The sight of her, especially in an unexpected place, is cause for joy -- as an adult I learned Cause of Our Joy as one of Mary’s many titles -- back then I just knew her as “la virgencita”, a sweet diminutive denoting the closeness of my relationship to her. 

Wherever she was, there was Baby Jesus nestled in her left arm. As a child, I never paid any mind to the object in her right hand, a cross. This juxtaposition of the Incarnation and Crucifixion, the dichotomy of joy and human suffering, speaks volumes to me today. 

Cuba’s history is also a dichotomy, a history resplendent with the natural beauty of an island paradise and a people filled with goodwill that contrasts with periods of oppression and abuse. In all of this, the Blessed Mother has remained present, watching over her children. 

Read it all, please.

Among Women ReadHER 1.28.12 ...HHS ruling... Mom stuff... Pope quotes... Stuff to make us think...Nags!

Among Women ReadHER

1.28.12

HHS ABC Rule: Anybody but Catholics Has Religious Freedom
By Sr. Mary Ann Walsh at the USCCB Media Blog
Read this and stay informed on this issue. 

Prayers for Women Approaching Labor
By Lisa Schmidt at The Practicing Catholic
Pray!

To the Mother With Only One Child
By Simcha Fisher at her blog at National Catholic Register
This struck a chord with me, and many other women, judging by the combox at the end of the post. Oh, and Tom Hoopes gives the Dad's version.


Talk to Your Mother!
By Simcha Fisher at her blog at National Catholic Register
Yes, a double-header from Simcha. There are no rules here, I link what I like each week. (Re the post: If you're like me, you wanna write a post that challenges us to do a test study on the rosary's power to break bad habits. I bet others have stories like this. Go Momma Mary. Go Rosary.)

March for Love
By Tim Muldoon at Patheos
Read this one slowly. Then listen to your heart.

Girl Scout Leadership: Pro-Choice, Pro-Gay Ideologues
By Mary Hasson at Catholic Lane
I was a GS for years. It was a great organization back in the day when I was young. But I've seen a slow decline in the moral values that were once characteristic of the organization. So I'm very troubled by the links on this post that just underscore that even more. 


Silence and Word, The Path to Evangelization
By Pope Benedict XVI
For those of us active in new media evangelization, these World Communications Day messages are important to read. But let me say that what strikes me as profoundly simple about this message is the implicit call to go deeper still in our personal communication via the dynamics of love, friendship, and  Communion. 

Pope Stresses Role of Spiritual Guides in Discernment (for vocations)
Posted by Zenit
The Pope emphasizes importance of priests and parents in presenting vocation options to young people.


Meet the Marriage Killer
By Elizabeth Bernstein at the Wall Street Journal
All about nagging. Some good suggestions for avoiding it, at the end of the article.


A City's Soul in the Balance
By Elizabeth Lev at Zenit
Commentary on the good, the bad and the ugly in NYC.


Lunch with the Girls
By Lisa Hendey at Faith and Family Live
Book it! 


Forgotten Relics Found in Buffalo
Posted by Fox News
Cool news story. Hope there is follow-up!


2 VIDEOs: Fr. Robert Barron comments on the recent viral video dealing with "Why I love Jesus and hate religion."


Miss the March for Life? Here it is in hyperdrive summary form...

Among Women ReadHER 1.21.12 Sleepless... struggles.. quotables... politics..and bookishness!

Among Women ReadHER

1.21.12

Before
By Amy Welborn
A warm reflection about her father's study, oh, and so much more, in the months after his death.


Politics as a Vocation: Mary Ann Glendon discusses the duty of all Christians to engage in public life 
By Christopher White at the National Catholic Register
I'm a fan of practically everything Mary Ann Glendon writes or shares. (Glendon is former Ambassador to the Vatican under Pres. George W. Bush, and a top lawyer in Church affairs and at Harvard.)  She's a woman who is a gift to the Church and to our country, always defending the normative place of religion in the public square.


Thriving!
By Arwen Mosher at Faith and Family Live
If you struggle with comparing yourself to other Moms around you, let Arwen's voice resound in your head.


Get a Good Night's Sleep: Pray, Hope, and Don't Worry!
By Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur at CatholicMom.com
A recent study shows lots of women suffer insomnia or put off sleep due to worries or stress. Patrice has some advice. Patrice was a guest on AW back in the early days, on episode 6.

Well Said: Being Childlike

By Julie Davis at Happy Catholic

Julie always pulls something of interest from her Quote Journal...this time it is one that I had read before but had forgotten from Madeline L'Engle... enjoy!  To hear more fabulous quotes, listen to Julie's conversation with me on AW 99. 


On faith
Posted by BenedictEveryday.com
Speaking of more quotes, I love these daily quotes from our Holy Father. 


Read about Project Inspired's Campaign to stop selling Cosmopolitan magazine to under-aged girls.
Sign the anti-Cosmo petition here.  H/T Teresa Tomeo, who recently guested on AW 118. 


Beatitudes for Parents

By Patti Armstrong

Patti posts a short reflection from Marion Kinneman -- it still rings true. Patti was a recent guest on AW, you can find that interview here. 

Tech Talk Tuesdays
By Sarah Reinhard at CatholicMom.com
If you are a gadget person with a smart phone or tablet, you'll enjoy Sarah's series at CM for recommendations for Catholic and family-related apps. I've linked to her archives. Sarah was a guest on AW 11 and AW 116.

Sure, I love to read online, but I also love curling up with good book. Here's a whimsical short video for book lovers...



The Moral is the Story: Flannery O'Connor's Wisdom for a Catholic Literary Renaissance
By Vaughn Kohler at the Gregorian Blog
This one's for all my writing buddies, especially in the Catholic Writer's Guild.

This makes me think... about dealing with fear...

If you abide in the love of Christ, rooted in the faith, you will encounter, even amid setbacks and suffering, the source of true happiness and joy.  Faith does not run counter to your highest ideals; on the contrary, it elevates and perfects those ideals.  Dear young people, do not be satisfied with anything less than Truth and Love, do not be content with anything less than Christ.

Nowadays, although the dominant culture of relativism all around us has given up on the search for truth, even if it is the highest aspiration of the human spirit, we need to speak with courage and humility of the universal significance of Christ as the Saviour of humanity and the source of hope for our lives.   He who took upon himself our afflictions, is well acquainted with the mystery of human suffering and manifests his loving presence in those who suffer...  

... Dear friends, may no adversity paralyze you.  Be afraid neither of the world, nor of the future, nor of your weakness.  The Lord has allowed you to live in this moment of history so that, by your faith, his name will continue to resound throughout the world. 


--Benedict XVI, Homily at Prayer Vigil, World Youth Day, Madrid,  2011, August 20, 2011.

This makes me think... about faith and the exciting intersections of anniversaries in the coming year.

 The “door of faith” (Acts 14:27) is always open for us, ushering us into the life of communion with God and offering entry into his Church. It is possible to cross that threshold when the word of God is proclaimed and the heart allows itself to be shaped by transforming grace. To enter through that door is to set out on a journey that lasts a lifetime. It begins with baptism (cf. Rom 6:4), through which we can address God as Father, and it ends with the passage through death to eternal life, fruit of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, whose will it was, by the gift of the Holy Spirit, to draw those who believe in him into his own glory (cf. Jn17:22). To profess faith in the Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – is to believe in one God who is Love (cf. 1 Jn 4:8): the Father, who in the fullness of time sent his Son for our salvation; Jesus Christ, who in the mystery of his death and resurrection redeemed the world; the Holy Spirit, who leads the Church across the centuries as we await the Lord’s glorious return. 
(from par. 1)

...

I have decided to announce a Year of Faith. It will begin on 11 October 2012, the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council, and it will end on the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Universal King, on 24 November 2013. The starting date of 11 October 2012 also marks the twentieth anniversary of the publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, a text promulgated by my Predecessor, Blessed John Paul II, with a view to illustrating for all the faithful the power and beauty of the faith. This document, an authentic fruit of the Second Vatican Council, was requested by the Extraordinary Synod of Bishops in 1985 as an instrument at the service of catechesis and it was produced in collaboration with all the bishops of the Catholic Church. Moreover, the theme of the General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops that I have convoked for October 2012 is “The New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian Faith”. This will be a good opportunity to usher the whole Church into a time of particular reflection and rediscovery of the faith. 
(from par. 4)

...

I would like to sketch a path intended to help us understand more profoundly not only the content of the faith, but also the act by which we choose to entrust ourselves fully to God, in complete freedom. In fact, there exists a profound unity between the act by which we believe and the content to which we give our assent. Saint Paul helps us to enter into this reality when he writes: “Man believes with his heart and so is justified, and he confesses with his lips and so is saved” (Rom 10:10). The heart indicates that the first act by which one comes to faith is God’s gift and the action of grace which acts and transforms the person deep within.

The example of Lydia is particularly eloquent in this regard. Saint Luke recounts that, while he was at Philippi, Paul went on the Sabbath to proclaim the Gospel to some women; among them was Lydia and “the Lord opened her heart to give heed to what was said by Paul” (Acts16:14). There is an important meaning contained within this expression. Saint Luke teaches that knowing the content to be believed is not sufficient unless the heart, the authentic sacred space within the person, is opened by grace that allows the eyes to see below the surface and to understand that what has been proclaimed is the word of God.

Confessing with the lips indicates in turn that faith implies public testimony and commitment. A Christian may never think of belief as a private act. Faith is choosing to stand with the Lord so as to live with him. This “standing with him” points towards an understanding of the reasons for believing. Faith, precisely because it is a free act, also demands social responsibility for what one believes. The Church on the day of Pentecost demonstrates with utter clarity this public dimension of believing and proclaiming one’s faith fearlessly to every person. It is the gift of the Holy Spirit that makes us fit for mission and strengthens our witness, making it frank and courageous. 

(from par. 10)

---Benedict XVI, Apostolic Letter, Moto Proprio Data, Porta Fidei. (For the Indiction of the Year of Faith.)

Among Women ReadHER 10.22.11 You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll read, you'll wonder.

Among Women ReadHer

10.22.11

The Lessons of St. Gerard
by Sarah Reinhard at Snoring Scholar
We passed St. Gerard's feast this week, but it's never too late to give praise to one of the great patrons and advocates of mothers and mothers-to-be everywhere. You'll find Sarah was an AW guest way back in the earliest podcasts -- AW 11 -- and she recently added her comments to our special rosary edition. Speaking of patrons, Sarah has been one of the great ones of this podcast, a debt I cannot repay save to ask you to check out her new books and blog


Prayer and Theology
by Dr. Anthony Lillies from his blog Beginning to Pray
Yeah. What he said. 


The Evolution of Organic Sex (Part of an ongoing series.)
by Dr Tim Muldoon, from his column at Patheos
A bit of theology and a bit of history puts where we are today in perspective.


Revolution is Calling
by Elizabeth Scalia, her weekly column on Tuesday at First Things
Weighing in on more than just Occupying Wall Street... 


Robert Downey Jr Asks Hollywood to Forgive Mel Gibson
by Frank Weathers from Why I Am a Catholic
One of the best pieces I've read on this subject. 

What an MBA and a Spiritual Director Taught Me about Being Overwhelmed
by Jennifer Fulwiler at Conversion Diary
Still blogging at Conversion Diary, and NCRegister, I'm in awe of Jennifer's prolific output... not just prolific, but well-balanced, meaningful posts time and again. Gotta get her to visit us Among Women... not that I want to add to her stress or anything...


Our Catholic Faith at Work 
by Randy Hain at The Integrated Life
Always a great writer on the subject of faith "on the job", here's Randy's latest post.


Easier Than You Think
by Elizabeth Cosgrove at Virtuous Planet
Taking it from being single friends to being "in a relationship" for 6 months.

Protestant Pumpkins
by Hilary McRee Flanery at Catholic Lane
This is one of those sad-but-happy pieces that you really can't make your mind up after you've read it, but you decide it's a lovely tribute to the Catholic life well-lived-even-when-we-live-it-awkwardly all in the same moment. May God bless the Sacramental Soldier, and this beloved family who will dearly miss this young boy.


Notes from A Dragon Mom
by Emily Rapp in the NY Times
It is not often that I would dare post two articles that talk of the early demise of children, however, this article is powerfully poignant for all families who deal with disease and the challenges of a poor prognosis for their loved one. Let us pray send up a prayer for the families involved.


The Mighty Macs: More than a Game
by Maria Morera Johnson, of the Catholic Weekend Podcast, at Patheos
One of my delights at the CNMC was sitting next to Maria -- former hard-core high-school hoops star herself -- and my pal, Lisa Hendey, at this pre-screening. What fun! What a game! 


And finally, some "coming attractions" ... this video not only talks about next year's 50th anniversary of the start of Vatican II, (FYI, it also is the 20th anniversary of the new Catechism of the Catholic Church), it just so happens that this will also kick off amid the Pope's gathering of the Synod of Bishops whose theme will be on the New Evangelization... again, all this coming next October 2012. See how our Pope thinks with Augustine: our faith is ever ancient, ever new!

Buckle up!


If you have time, go read the Pope's letter announcing it. As a theology geek and a catechist, I think this rocks!

Among Women ReadHER 10.15.11 Lotsa random H's: HPV, Hospitality, Halloween, & the Holy Father...

Among Women ReadHer

10.15.11

The Holy Father's Catechesis on Prayer: Psalm 23
Translated by Diane Montagna
Each week, at the General Audience on Wednesday, the Pope visits and prays with pilgrims from around the world. His recent messages have been on prayer, and last week, he spoke about Psalm 23. Some beautiful reflections on the images contained in that psalm are captured here.


"I Wouldn't Give You $5 for the Whole Operation..."
Tom Crowe at CatholicVote.org
A well stated posture we need to have about the Catholic Church in light of another the indictment of the Bishop of KC, MO... good insight here.


The HPV Vaccine -- Not for "Little Girls"
--Kathleen Berchelmann, MD at CatholicMom.com
Given all the discussions about it in the press, I really appreciated the health information synthesized by the Catholic Medical Association. 


A Special Mother is Born - a new book!
--Leticia Velasquez, from her blog, Cause of Our Joy
A new book, edited by Leticia, is a wonderful anthology of essays and stories for parents of children with special needs. You may recall Leticia's visits on AW back on episodes 6 and 30.

Singles: "Entrust your future to the Lord."
--By Bishop Rhodes
That's a word for all of us! 


Shrews
By The Crescat (Katrina Fernandez, now over at Patheos)
This came out while I was away, and it continued to get traffic into this week. 


New Love, New Vocabulary
--Elizabeth Duffy
A new columnist over at Patheos manages to take on marriage, fidelity, and the new missal translation all in the same article.


I Just Went to Get My Hair Done (and saved a baby from abortion instead.)
--Kelly Clinger from LifeSiteNews.com
Ever notice how freely women speak to each other at the hair salon? I mean I have had some pretty amazing conversations with complete strangers there over the years. Just sayin'. You never know when the moment will come where God puts you in a situation to just speak up, with love, and with compassion for the woman next to you. 


Costumes For Kids Can Send the Wrong Message
--Mary Beth Hicks at Family Events
Halloween celebrations -- and the "appropriate" costumes for children! -- are a mixed bag in our society. Mary Beth has some straight talk on the subject.


My Nouveay Traditional SAHM Lifestyle and Amanda Marcotte's Exploding Head
Simcha Fisher at her blog at National Catholic Register
Simcha's covering a lot of important ground here as we look at motherhood, women's roles, and the culture. See what you think.

Harveen's Brand of Hospitality

---Lisa Hendey at Faith and Family Live!

Lisa walked right into the arms of a spiritual mother cared for an nurtured her without reserve. Let us take notes. (Also, see Lisa's forthcoming book found in the video trailer below.)

The book trailer for Lisa Hendey's newest title:

Be looking for Lisa Hendey's conversation with me "Among Women" coming up soon!

Other Books I can heartily recommend:
Here are two reviews for "Catholicism" from Fr Robert Barron that you've heard me brag on...
from Kathryn Jean Lopez & Maria Johnson


And here's my own take on Brandon Vogt's "The Church and New Media", which I subtitle The Catholic Tourist's Guide for the Digital Continent.

Among Women Podcast #109 - Metanoia*

Among Women 109 welcomes AW listener and current third-order Carmelite aspirant, Erin Aldrich Miller, as she recalls the many steps of her reversion and her quest to learn to pray. From her challenges in her college days to being a young wife with a baby on the way, Erin shares the ups and downs of life... from grief, mistakes, and emptiness, to being "recruited" by St. Teresa of Avila and learning the ways of Carmelite spirituality.

I also profile the wisdom and exemplary life of St. Teresa of Avila, with a reading from the saint, and commentary by Pope Paul VI and Pope Benedict XVI on her exemplary life. Listen to the podcast here.

And time's a wastin'!  Remember, I am also taking audio feedback and written feedback for an upcoming AW Special Edition: What I Love About the Rosary.  To participate, just share what you love about the Rosary, by calling our feedback line at 206-203-2024, or message via Facebook at the Among Women Podcast page. Or email me at amongwomenpodcast@me.com. Audio files that you record on your mobile phone or via iTunes are good too! 

Entries must be received by 6pm EST, Monday, Sept. 26. All participants will have their names placed in a free drawing for a handcrafted rosary from Rustic Rosaries by Margaret Rose (made of beautiful blue pearls!) You can see it here...

*Metanoia - A Greek word that means "change of mind". The biblical term for that repentance or complete change of heart which turns one away from sin to serve the living God.

Among Women ReadHer... 7.2.11

Among Women ReadHer

7.2.11

Gentleness in the Real World
-- Elizabeth Foss from her website ElizabethFoss.com
Every woman should read this - but its especially for those just out of college or soon-to-be.

Pope Benedict using an iPad... the Video you've been waiting for 
-- Thomas Peters at American Papist
Yeah, I kinda dig it. Of course, it's the launch of the new Vatican news site: NEWS.va..


Sibling Holy Wars 
-- Sherry Antonelli at CatholicMom.com
Real life in the pew.


Lot's Wife Syndrome
-- Cheryl Dickow at Catholic Womanhood
Wisdom from the Old Testament.


Intergrity, Shape and Radiance:Defining Inner Beauty
-- Christina Novak at CatholicMom.com
Great applications for a daily "make-up" routine.


As we celebrate our nation's birth this weekend, we should also be thinking about celebrating the birth of all human persons, and the right to life. Certain persons are more at risk than others.

At Fátima: A Bullet in Our Lady's Crown

My column at Patheos this week explores the link between Blessed John Paul II and the message of Fatima. Here's a sampling...

A curious and dramatic artifact from the pontificate of Blessed John Paul II is found in Fátima, Portugal… a would-be assassin’s bullet poignantly sits under the peak of Our Lady of Fátima’s bejeweled crown. The bullet was found in the Pope’s jeep after the 1981 attack on Pope John Paul II’s life. Sometime later, a grateful pope presented the bullet to the Bishop of Leira-Fátima. The Bishop promptly enshrined it in the crown, transforming a lethal image into a beautiful sign of faithful maternal protection and a son’s humble gratitude.

John Paul II attributed his survival of the shooting to the direct intervention of the Blessed Mother, to whom he had an ardent and lifelong devotion. 

The rest of the story, including quotes from Benedict XVI on the subject, is found here.

Among Women #95- Roma!

Yes, here I am, finally. Back from Rome and finally uploading a new podcast since my travels. That's me standing on the roof of St. Peter's Basilica... near the dome...There's a heavenly view from the top, and you can tell it was a very sunny day -- but cool enough to keep the jacket zipped -- when I visited! Behind me, believe it or not, is a cafe (who knew?) selling espresso, soft drinks, etc., and there's a gift shop from where I purchased a few postcards and some lovely rosary beads that commemorate the beatification of John Paul II, (and, yes, they were blessed by Pope Benedict)... so be listening to the podcast to get in on that giveaway!

Here's a picture of the rosary:

Among Women 95 celebrates Holy Week and Easter in Rome with the Gohn family (tho' none of my fam were brave enough to actually record with me!) as we take in some of the sights and the General Audience in St. Peter's Square with my pope and yours, Benedict XVI.  This week show departs from our normal two segments in order to bring you scenes and sounds from Rome.

Some of the photographs below are keyed to the some of the things the podcast describes. But feel free to listen and to share your own thoughts below in the combox.

And a very Happy Easter, once again!

To Roma!

"The boys" and I ready for take-off out of Boston. Peter, 18, Bobby, 23. Katie is already in Europe, and Bob is working in Denmark, preparing to meet us in Rome.

Cafes along Piazza Navona

Cafe life kills jetlag! And cures flat hair from sleeping on a plane!

The Bernini fountains, Piazza Navona

Bobby, in front of St. Agnes' church (where she was martyred), Piazza Navona

The Pantheon

 Dome of the Pantheon -- yes with an open skylight. Allegedly no rain ever enters it!

The Pantheon renamed 

The altar (crucifix covered on Palm Sunday)

 "The Annunciation"

Close-up of the Father overshadowing Mary with the Spirit

Pantheon, exterior

St. Peter's Basilica, as seen from St. Angelo Bridge area

 taxi stand near St Peter's

 The Collonnade with the papal apartments above

Huge Main entrance doors to St. Peter's (those statues on the roof line are 10-12 feet high)

 Chairs set up in the Square for the papal audience, Egyptian obelisk in center. 
(Note: there are more Egyptian obelisks in Rome than in Egypt. How they got dragged and transported by the Roman I'll never know!)

 Giant statue of St. Peter outside

 The fountains at St. Peter's

The apostles

The Papal Apartments... window in top row, second from right is the window that the Pope addresses the crowd from on Sundays for the Angelus.

Check this out --->>>Below St. Peter's Basilica is St. Peter's tomb and an ancient necropolis unearthed in the mid 20th century. We toured the tomb and necropolis but were not allowed to take pictures. Here is an excellent resource, and online virtual tour of why St. Peter's is build over the Peter's tomb, following his martyrdom.

 Getting ready for the Papal Audience on Wed April 20th.

 The crowd fills St. Peter's square

 Clear skies!

 The "porch" and awning where the pope will preside over the gathering.

Pilgrims await the Holy Father's appearance

 A Swiss Guard standing by in traditional medieval dress
(Don't be fooled, these guys are military-trained protection for the pope.) 

Security police pacing and passing the time

Photographers setting up 

 Oh looky! Here he comes!

 Slowly blessing the crowd...

 Best photo of the Pope we have... thank God for tall husbands!

 Dwarfted by the immensity of St. Peter's

 Pope giving his catechesis...

...and speaking extemporaneously.

The Pope's departure

INSIDE ST. PETER's:

The Holy Door of St. Peter's (only opened during Jubilee Years)

Michaelangelo's Pieta

The approach to the main altar

 Above the main altar

Holy Spirit stained glass over the memorial cathedra chair

 The dome from the floor of the basilica--from here, the very center has a painting of Jesus and Mary, but it is hard to observe in these photos.

The inside of the dome -- After climbing to the top inside

 Those letters encircling the dome are 6 feet high... look at the height of the people in this photo who are also climbing the dome.  This place is massive!

Views from the inner dome...the quote in Latin is from the Gospel... "Upon this rock [Peter/petra] I will build my church. (Mt 16:18)"

 Remember the apostles on top of St Peter's in the photo above? Here they are from the roof line... about 10-12 feet high.

on the roof, but we did not climb to the top of the cupola... up just under that cross at the top.

 St Paul statue in courtyard of Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls

 

 St Paul's Basilica -- see those circular disks on top of the columns? That all the apostolic succession of all the pope's images from St. Peter to Pope Benedict XVI.

Sorry, not a good photo of BXVI.

A better view of BXVI

 Mosaic behind the altar at St. Paul's

Loving the cafe life!

The 5 of us - sitting in the ancient amphitheatre of Ostia Antica

 Easter dinner with the Gohn's and Benjy, (missing, Bobby who snapped the picture).

And now, some randomness:

My Husband has a thing for small, and even tiny cars...

And tiny trucks too!

And this heel-clicking fun!