The Cloud, The Angels, The Ascension...

My column this week up at Patheos takes a look at the Ascension -- trying to highlight the fantastic as well as sublime aspects of it  -- while gaining an appreciation for Jesus' continued proximity to us... here's a snippet:

It reads like a movie finale, complete with special effects…

Jesus and his truest companions are in the soul-stirring closing scene.

Strong, important, curious words are uttered, recorded for posterity.

 …wait for the promise of the Father…

 …you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit…

 …you shall receive power…

 …you shall be my witnesses…

… to the end[s] of the earth. (See Acts 1: 4, 5, 8, RSV-CE.)

The proverbial torch is passed to the noble characters that remain faithful. Then, in a moment worthy of high-priced special effects, the leading man puts a seeming end to the story as he is enveloped and transported from view…

 “…as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.” (Acts 1:9)  

You expect the credits to roll up. But wait…

The rest. 

Angels Watchin' Over Me... (yeah, for real!)

Happy to be over at Faith and Family Live today, unpacking the Church's teaching on angels. Here's a little snippet:

Drawing on Scripture, the Church has long taught the existence of guardian angels who personally attend us. In referring to the angels given to each child, Jesus said: “See that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven (Matthew 18:10)”.  (See also: Psalm 34:7, Luke 16:22 and Psalm 91:11.)

Just dwell on the second part of that verse, and let’s reflect for a moment … in heaven their angels always behold the face of my Father …

Whatever I am doing at this very moment, my guardian angel, who is with me, is beholding the glory of God. The attention of our guardian angel is supernatural, and it takes place simultaneously on earth and in heaven. And while your angel is taking in both views, what do you think it is doing? 

Interceding for you. 

Read the entire article. 

Image credit 

Some have entertained angels...

I'm over at Faith and Family Live today...
talking it up about angels!

image credit

Among Women Podcast #64

Among Women 64 celebrates the beauty of the Angelus Prayer with a guest appearance that Apostle of the Angelus, Sr. Anne Flanagan, FSP, aka writer of the Nun Blog.

Join Sr. Anne and myself for a spirited discussion about the way the Angelus helps us "sanctify time" in our life, and make a holy offering to God.

The Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is July 16th. Our "Blessed are They" segment explain the origin of this title as it relates to Mary, Mount Carmel in Israel, and the Carmelite orders over the years.

It Makes Me Think...

Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary

Every day, from one end of the earth to the other, in the highest heaven and in the lowest abyss, all things preach, all things proclaim the wondrous Virgin Mary. The nine choirs of angels, men and women of every age, rank and religion, both good and evil, even the very devils themselves are compelled by the force of truth, willingly or unwillingly, to call her blessed. According to St. Bonaventure, all the angels in heaven unceasingly call out to her: "Holy, holy, holy Mary, Virgin Mother of God." They greet her countless times each day with the angelic greeting, "Hail, Mary", while prostrating themselves before her, begging her as a favour to honour them with one of her requests. According to St. Augustine, even St. Michael, though prince of all the heavenly court, is the most eager of all the angels to honour her and lead others to honour her. At all times he awaits the privilege of going at her word to the aid of one of her servants.


The whole world is filled with her glory, and this is especially true of Christian peoples, who have chosen her as guardian and protectress of kingdoms, provinces, dioceses, and towns. Many cathedrals are consecrated to God in her name. There is no church without an altar dedicated to her, no country or region without at least one of her miraculous images where all kinds of afflictions are cured and all sorts of benefits received. Many are the confraternities and associations honouring her as patron; many are the orders under her name and protection; many are the members of sodalities and religious of all congregations who voice her praises and make known her compassion. There is not a child who does not praise her by lisping a Hail Mary. There is scarcely a sinner, however hardened, who does not possess some spark of confidence in her. The very devils in hell, while fearing her, show her respect.


And yet in truth we must still say with the saints: De Maria numquam satis : We have still not praised, exalted, honoured, loved and served Mary adequately. She is worthy of even more praise, respect, love and service.

----St. Louis de Montfort, True Devotion to Mary, (online version), par. 8-10.

Among Women Podcast #27

Among Women #27 features the story of St. Frances of Rome who could see her guardian angel, and the AW interview of interviewer extraordinaire, Lisa Hendey of CatholicMOM.com and the Catholic Moments Podcast!

AW celebrates 6 months of podcasting! Meanwhile, your host, Pat Gohn fights seasonal allergies that have turned her usual baritone into a bass!