Our Lady of Ashes

When I'm not homeschooling the kids, being a stay-at-home Dad and Handy Husband, I teach Theology at a local Catholic High School.  As G.K. Chesterton said: “You say grace before meals. All right. But I say grace before the concert and the opera, and grace before the play and pantomime, and grace before I open a book, and grace before sketching, painting, swimming, fencing, boxing, walking, playing, dancing and grace before I dip the pen in the ink.” So here are some ways to say Grace before tests/exams/assignments and ask the blessing and aid of Divine Wisdom before you "dip the pen in the ink" and put the pen to the test ... or cursor to the document, as you will. Come Holy Spirit Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful. And kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And you will renew the face of the earth. Lord, by the light of the Holy Spirit you have taught the hearts of your faithful. In the same Spirit help ...

In the Liturgy of the Hours there are several canticles, or songs, from the Book of Revelation.  These are powerful hymns of praise to Jesus Christ worthy of meditation, and incorporating into your own prayer life, whether on the nights indicated, or as you read the Book of Revelation, or as you feel called to offer worship to the Lamb of God. from Vespers for Tuesdays — Revelation 4:11, 5:9, 10, 12 O Lord our God, you are worthy * to receive glory and honor and power. For you have created all things; * by your will they came to be and were made. Worthy are you, O Lord * to receive the scroll and break open its seals. For you were slain; * with your blood you purchased for God men from every race and tongue, * of every people and nation. You made of them a kingdom, † and priests to serve our God, * and they shall reign on earth. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain * to receive power and riches, wisdom and strength, * honor and glory and praise. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, * ...

The Book of Revelation is a rare text to be a part of the Lectionary for the Mass. But it is read under some circumstances and here are some of the notable moments and feasts when that happens. The Chrism Mass on Thursday of Holy Week Revelation 1:5-8 is the second reading at this Mass at which the Bishop blesses the Oil of the Sick and the Oil of Catechumens and consecrates the Chrism. The reading is likely included at this mass—which is to be "a manifestation of the Priests' communion with their Bishop" and at which the Bishop is urged to make his homily "about priestly anointing"—is likely included because it lauds Christ "who has made us into a Kingdom, priests for his God and Father." It is the second reading for the Sundays of Easter, Year C , and in Year II it is the "Epistle"/First Reading for the weekday masses of the Thirty-Third and Thirty-Fourth Weeks of Ordinary time. The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Aug 15) At the Ma...