Halloween: Catholic Edition

Happy Hallows’ Eve.  It was quite a busy weekend at the Penny household: getting the candy ready for evangelization, carving pumpkins, putting the finishing touches on Dollar’s costume, attending the Fall Fest at my parish…  While these activities might seem superficially pagan – they are fun activities that bring us closer to God each year.  I am of the train of thought that Halloween needs to be taken back by Catholics.  Maybe it’s the preschool teacher in me, the one that used to sing songs to teach the letters of the alphabet or the high school teacher in me that used parts of “The Simpsons” episodes as great lead-ins to discussions on poetry and classical literature.

Learning is fun. 

God is fun.

 

Last week in my class, we learned about the domestic church and how “we become virtuous by being engaged, at as many levels as possible with other people who live the life of virtue.”  Other people help us in our process of sanctification as do the activities that we do together.  I want my nephew to have a positive experience of his Catholic Church, of his Christian faith, of God.  Thus, we have our yearly seasonal traditions. 

We come together and we mark our candy with “Jesus’ loves you” stickers.  Sometimes we have really meaningful discussions while we work, other times we race to see who can tag the most candy in a minute.  This year, one of my nephew’s friends joined us and it was such a treat because he got to explain our traditions to her; “You never put stickers on your candy? We always do because we want more people to know about God.”  My heart did little summersaults because my catechesis is working, he gets it!     

Every year he decides on a pumpkin design to carve and as we carve we read the “instructions” for carving a pumpkin, “The Pumpkin Gospel,” a glow-in-the-dark picture book that describes how God transforms us into beautiful creations.  On Saturday, he read it out loud to his friend then explained to her how God takes out all the bad stuff and fills us with good stuff.  This year it’s all about his favorite game (Minecraft) luckily the characters are boxy figures which are quite easy to reproduce so I am still the auntie who can do anything.  The pumpkin turned out great and this year for the first time in his young life, he carved it all by himself!      

Read book and begin carving!

 Happy carvers.

I drew the design & he brings it to life!

Finished product!

Sunday, we attended Fall Fest at our parish in full blown saint costumes.  This year he went as John the Baptist because he wanted to learn more about the patron of the mission we created earlier in the year.  I happen to be the only adult that also dresses up to the event.  This year I was finally able to wear my Saint Cecilia costume out in public to the festivity, I always get a lot of compliments or weird looks from parents who have lost their child-like spirit (smile)… 

 Creepy Crawlers Show.

 Even Father gets in the fun!

Our new friend Little Mustard.

 Saint Cecilia & John the Baptist. 

One fat frog.

Maybe I just have a gift for adding “a spoonful of sugar” to make activities more meaningful.  Or maybe I have learned that God truly is everywhere not just in spiritual books or places; “For where two or more are gather in my name, there I am in the midst of them….”  Am not sure how much my nephew actually learns through these moments, but I hope that as he grows up he remembers them with great affection.  Have a Happy Halloween!         

Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow

A younger me, loved September, October, November and December- these months were the highlight of my year - every year!  It began with the beginning of the school year.  September, always felt like a new beginning, a fresh start.  I loved shopping for school supplies: new pens, pencils, cute notebooks and a binder with a clear cover to fill with pictures of my favorite basketball player.  I was known as the Lakers girl in high school for a reason.  As I began to fit into my new year, October would begin and I would ponder all month long what I would be for Halloween.  Usually on the last week of October mom and I would go to the fabric store (one cannot hurry inspiration) and buy the materials to create my costume.  We would spend that last week together sizing, cutting, sewing and decorating my outfit.  Then November would roll and Thanksgiving break always followed with my birthday celebration.  In my home birthdays are special.  Even if our tight budget didn’t allow for presents or cake, mom always cooked my favorite meal and my sister would wake me up with a serenade.  I would get hugs and kisses and that special feeling of belonging to my small clan.  Then, December would follow and I would look forward to the banquet, those tamales (that were only made one time during the year) and that yummy ponche!  Sometimes there would be dancing, and always great stories around our traditional Christmas bonfire.  It was such a treat for us kids who were allowed to stay up until midnight when in full embrace (hugs galore) we celebrated the birth of Jesus. 

Things have changed- now these months seem a little sadder. 

The last Christmas my clan was complete, in December of 2003, I looked out the window and my brother in heaven was walking towards our doorstep carrying our first “real” tree.  He had carried it on his shoulders all the way from the tree lot, which was a couple miles away and he carried it in the city, while cars drove beside him!  He had no shame, or perhaps a lot of humility.  I looked out and couldn’t believe my eyes- he looked so incredibly happy- like a true mountain man.  I ran out laughing, exclaiming, “How? Did you carry it all the way home?” His smile grew and with great pride he said, “And I chose the best one, the biggest, fullest one.”  That was my big brother when he managed to come thru the schizophrenia. 

Yet, he died one sweet November and everything changed.  Nothing was or will ever be the same.  When autumn approaches I still get excited about all those things, the beginning of school, Halloween costumes… But, November is hard because it holds his birthday and his death anniversary.  November reminds me that my family is incomplete.  When he died I was so afraid that I would forget him.  So afraid that one day I would wake up and no longer remember the sound of his voice or features of his face.  While I know that he’s at peace with God and that I will see him again.  The separation still hurts, more in November.  Those are the ways of love- when we love sometimes it hurts.  This November sorrow is a reminder that love has no end, not even by death.  Next week he would be turning forty-seven, instead (on the 16^th) he’s celebrating twelve-years in heaven (smile).  I can only imagine the joy and peace that surrounds him and that makes me smile.  It makes me smile real WIDE, when I think that one day along with Jesus he will come to greet me with more excitement than that one time he carried a Christmas tree on his shoulders all the way home.

I am blessed to feel this sweet sorrow- it’s a great testament of our sibling love.  It has also taught me that I will never forget him because he lives in me – he lives in those wonderful memories.  Those shared adventures that will be with me until I breathe my last breath…

“Here’s the deepest secret nobody knows

(Here’s the root of the root and the bud of the bud

And the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows

Higher than the soul can hope or the mind can hide)

And this is the wonder that’s keeping the stars apart

I carry your heart (I carry it in my heart)”      

Saint Cecilia & The Princess in Me

When I was a little girl, I used to play with my sister’s first communion veil.  One day I found it hidden neatly in brown tissue in a drawer in our china cabinet.  Every day (after that), I would find a way to try it on and to play with it in secret (or so I thought) because by the way it was stored I knew it was special.  I would look at myself in the mirror and not see a miniature bride, but a beautiful, medieval princess.  One day my mom casually said; “you know if your sister catches you wearing her Communion veil she’s not going to be very happy.”  I was so sneaky, how in the world did she find out?  That’s when I realized that moms know everything!  Yep, they do!  Moms are also very kind because she followed with, “when you celebrate your First Communion, after the ceremony you can use the dress and the veil to play with it as much as you want.”  I had so many dreams of me in complete princess gear of running free in the fields and addressing my animal kingdom (we lived in a farm) in full attire.  But…  As luck would have it the day after my First Holy Communion we got on a bus that relocated my family to California, we didn’t have enough room in our packing for a puffy white dress not even the veil…

Why am I telling you this story?  Because my sister made a comment about my costume, “Why do you always wear long dresses for Halloween?”

She’s right in her observation.  I’ve always loved wearing costumes that incorporate long, flowy dresses and crowns- oh the crowns!  I have been all sort of classic characters: Juliet, Esmeralda, classical fairy princess, Snow Brown (look at my skin I can’t be Snow White)- the list is endless!  In fact, this year I decided to dress as Saint Cecilia mostly because I saw images captured her with a flower crown! A saint with a flower crown- how completely irresistible!!! 

Yet, I pondered why do I have such an affinity to period costumes? Hum…  I don’t have any desire to be a princess, but looking like one is a whole different matter.  This obsession began with that secret veil!  Oh, how I lamented (as a child) the loss of my Communion attire.  I had so many plans, so many hopes for that outfit- I was going to wear it until it fell apart – until I had to be ripped out of it, or buried in it whichever came first.  Yet, I only wore it one single time! In fact, I haven’t seen it since - nor will I ever.  A few years ago my mom returned from Mexico sharing that she cleaned out our closets (in our home in Michoacán) and gave away many things- one being my communion dress! Oh, how I wanted to cry, to travel back in time and retrieve that perfect dress of dreams… I got mad at her for doing so, but quickly forgave her because what use can I have for it now?  But, you see that’s when this snobbery began.  What I was unable to do as a child, I now replicate every year on the one day that society allows me to be a child again.  I go back in time and give that princess-starved child in me her dream of looking like a princess.  Yes, I happen to be prejudice in my costume selections – I will only choose costumes with crowns and long dresses.  Though on occasion I will surprise you (like last year when I was Saint Joan of Arc)…  But that’s rare.  I tend to stick with what I love, and what I love is looking like a Medieval princess queen! 

Saint Cecilia with her guardian angel and me with mine... LOL!

This year, I enjoyed reading the biography, Saint Cecilia Virgin, Wife, Martyr, by Father Prosper Gueranger.  I found and read the book while praying a novena to my guardian angel and discovered that she was a saint who had the privilege of seeing hers!  Thus, I felt like the Holy Spirit inspired my saint selection this year by showing me an image of her with a flower crown!  God loves to be funny like that (smile).  As it turns out her angel was the one that gifted Saint Cecilia the crown of flowers- flowers from paradise!  I found her biography really interesting though it left me with many unanswered questions about celibacy and purity… She was married; yet, never consummated her marriage because God protected her virginity.  Through this purity she was able to assist in her husband’s conversion and he was eventually also able to see the angel that protected her.  Together, the husband and wife, were able to accomplish much for the Kingdom and gave up their lives for their faith.  She also had a beautiful voice and loved to sing to the Lord.  Thus, she’s the patron saint of music, composers, luthiers, poets and singers. In addition, to her patronage of bodily purity and martyrs.  Reading the lives of the saints, helps me get to know each individually.  By knowing each better, I am then able to ask for their intercession because we (the saint and I) have created a friendship and when there’s friendship it’s not at all weird to ask for prayer.  I recommend that if you have difficulty understanding the intercession of saints that you begin by getting to know some of them more intimately.  Saint Cecilia, ora pro nobis.

God's Funny Sense of Humor

Last week, I mentioned that I wanted to give you a tour of my new diocese… I love the location it’s beautifully built, it has so many points of focus.  The thing that I love most is that it has these larger than life biblical sculptures throughout, they serve as great meditation sources...  The first time I visited the campus, when we were both not Catholic, I was impressed by its architectural beauty.  I was there to see their annual Christmas play, even in the dark of the night the campus looked absolutely radiant.  They used to put on two elaborate plays during the year one for Christmas and one for Easter, the plays were so fantastically put together that people from all over the world came to watch.  The campus itself was like a Christian tourist spot that yearly brought many curious travelers with cameras in hand.  Later, I discovered that the church began as a drive-thru location, so that people would come, park and without getting out of their cars hear the sermon.  Fast-Christianity anyone? Yet, the church grew too quickly and accumulated a lot of debt eventually filling for bankruptcy.  I found this out when I wanted to take my parents to see the Nativity play and I was told the performances were on hold indefinitely.  Apparently they were unable to pay the actors and animal dealers and were going through serious lawsuits.  I had been attending their Sunday services, taking bible studies and was considering joining the church.  On Christmas Eve, my parents accompanied me and we went to a service that closed with snow falling from its ceilings and everyone in attendance got a complete, porcelain nativity souvenir.  My parents though impressed by the wealth of the church, said they still preferred their Catholic Church.  Yet, I continued going because I enjoyed the spectacle and the great preaching.  Until, one Sunday we were introduced to an Argentine preacher who would be taking over the Spanish speaking community.  He was a really big deal (extremely famous) in Argentina and had a very impressive resume- so the Cathedral couldn’t stop raving about what a great acquisition he was to the church.  Yet, when he began speaking he began bashing on Catholics and I was so turned off that I didn’t listen to anything else he said.  I couldn’t believe that a leader of such a reputable church (with such an impressive background) would begin by attacking other people of faith.  That was the last time I went to a protestant church before I went home to the Catholic Church…  I had forgotten about the Crystal Cathedral with all its splendor, until I was told that our Catholic Church was in negotiations about purchasing the property.     

Now that it’s ours and that my Diocese has relocated to the new Catholic Christ Cathedral I get to enjoy the campus on almost a weekly basis.  God is really funny!  Never doubt His sense of humor!  I look at Him and I remind Him of how close I was to joining this church. 

He smirks. 

I smile,  impressed by His ability to convert even Fast-Christian-Tourist locations.  

Yesterday, I was sitting in one of the gardens lost in meditation and contemplation.  When a thought occurred.  The Cathedral is being gutted out and completely transformed from the inside to make it appropriate for Catholic worship.  Like me, the Cathedral is undergoing major internal renovation.  Everything inside has been taken apart and only those appropriate parts (like the organ) will be kept everything else will be replaced.  I love the Christ Cathedral more now because we have so much in common - we are even experiencing growing pains together! 

Most class days I like to go early and spend some time in quiet solitude in one of its gardens.  Yesterday, I sat listening to the running water in the area where the “Whoever is without sin among you, cast the first stone,” sculpture rests.  Someday I hope I can give you an actual in person tour and share more about my adventures in my journey towards the Catholic Church, for now enjoy the pictures.    

Weekend Adventures

“Good mornin’, good mornin’, It’s great to stay up late, good mornin’, good mornin’ to you…” I begin singing the lyrics to my favorite song from my all-time favorite musical, “Singing in the Rain.”  It’s actually quite an appropriate song this morning (smile) because it’s raining here in California!  Maybe watching the movie in an amphitheater over the weekend was equivalent to a rain dance - either way we have rain!  On Friday, I invited two of my friends to a special viewing of the classic film at a local community venue.  As it happens neither had seen the movie, and I had never seen it on the big screen so we were all in for a special treat.  Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds and Donald O’Connor were as superb as I remembered them, maybe even better because film is always so much more fantastic when shared with an audience.  We all laughed quite a bit inspired by the comedy of the scenes and awesome wit the dialogue offered.  My friends loved the movie and I fell in love with it all over again.  What a special night!

The following day I attended our annual Diocesan Ministries Celebration with some of my RCIA teammates and friends from Jovenes Para Cristo.  I was able to sit in on some lectures in Spanish and some in English- and guess who I spotted?  Father Spitzer!  Well, I knew ahead of time that I was going to see him because I did sign up for his lecture, but I arrived early to his talk and as per tradition a picture of us was snapped.  I had the pleasure of talking to him for quite a bit!  I was able to tell him how much I love his work because science and reason were huge reasons I left the Catholic Church and his work has helped me reconcile those areas.  He even used me as an example in his talk! Yep, I inspired one minute of his lecture! LOL He also shared that he’s going in for a retinal examination on November 14^th to see if he qualifies for the procedure so let’s keep him in our prayers.  Maybe the next time I see him he will be able to see his number one fan (smile)! 

The conference kept me busy all day, I didn’t get home until around six PM, and then I had to make my way to my best friend’s birthday dinner.  I was exhausted, but manage to be there for a couple hours before heading home and crashing.  I am an introvert and I didn’t have any time between one event and the other to be alone for a bit and to gather my energy so I think I was a bit of grouch at the dinner.  Actually, I know I was a grouch.  I spent a whole day wrapped in learning my faith, and when it was time to put it into practice I failed.  Getting lost on my way to the venue didn’t help either (I am horrible with directions, I ALWAYS get lost).  So, when I arrived I was mad because I was late and I hate being late.  Big lesson learned – do less.  One of my strongest love languages is quality time, spending time with those I love is my way of showing others how much I care.  A lot of the time I try to be everywhere with everyone, but I am so depleted on energy that I can’t give the best of me.  Which then makes me feel crappy because even though I show up I am not my happy self.  Lesson learned, I think I need to learn to schedule less.

Thus, Sunday, I crashed! I didn’t do anything.  It was so nice not having any activities, no place that I needed to be just time to be alone.  It was nice cleaning and doing housework in quiet solitude - well with a content dog shadow following me around (smile).  Time flies when you are an adult, before I knew it the weekend was over and it was time to begin a whole new week full of possibilities….    

Reversion: The Road Less Traveled

I was driving home from my class last night feeling quite downcast, because this has been my most challenging course so far!  I try really hard to not be a critical person, but to see the good not only in people, but in art, literature… society.  Yet, for this class Father wants us to be really critical with the material we read, and last night I felt like such a protestant!  Until last night I didn’t realize how much of my Christian understanding is from outside Catholic understanding.  Those years that I spent in non-Catholic churches I read a lot of their theology because I am a bookworm.  To this day, I know some of the best Christian (non-Catholic) theologians because I read their stuff.  Eventually I want to give you guys a tour of our new Diocese, it used to be this huge mega church that went bankrupt and which was purchased by our Catholic Church.  The founder Robert Schuller wrote many, many books- I think I owned most of them at one point.  I also attended Rick Warren’s (the man who wrote the hot selling, Purpose Driven Life book) mega church and read some of his books, as well as participated in some of his led bible studies.  In addition, every day on my way from work I would listen to Chuck Smith’s “Pastor’s Perspective” on the radio and read many of his books…  The legendary Billy Graham, check, read his books.  The Case for Christ, written by Lee Strobel, gave my faith wings and I hungrily consumed all of his books…  So, there I was driving home last night thinking how much I have been affected by my past formation in non-Catholic theology and how screwed I felt by it because I can’t differentiate between Catholic Church teaching and protestant theology (most of the time) and I wanted to cry.  I turned off the radio and began a conversation with God on the verge of tears, and then a thought came to mind that gave me so much peace, God is so good!  I realized that my experience in the many different mega churches and understanding of their Christian perspective gives me an understanding that a cradle Catholic will not have.  This experience can help me better relate and reach a population that like me wasn’t Catholic at all times in their life. 

“My little lamb,” God said (He always calls me His little lamb), “don’t fret, am I not the God who never wastes a hurt?  Am I not the God who uses affliction for a greater good?” 

“Yep,” I answered, “You are the God that works all things together for the good of those who love You.”

The problem hasn’t been corrected, I still have to write a five to ten page paper using critical analysis of my reading to pass the course.  I still need to start shifting my theology into Catholic and non-Catholic categories.  I still need to face those feelings of confusion and dread and replace them with a new, clear Catholic perspective.  There’s much work to be done, but I am willing and God is willing to be with me every step of the way…  If God takes me the way I am and sees so much potential than I too need to be merciful with myself...  When I came back to the Catholic Church a group of us were having an animated discussion about contraception- and I shared my thoughts on the subject (which at the time were a confused mess) and a woman turned against me and berated me telling me that I couldn’t not be Catholic and believe what I did.  She refused to hear me out and just kept repeating, “you are not Catholic!”  Which instead of help me listen to her views only made me angry.  Later she sent me an email and told me, that she was sorry that she had reacted the way she did, but she came to an understanding that people are at different levels spiritually and that I was young and naïve and still not at her level.”  Great apology right?  Any who- that memory came back, because I was afraid of being rejected because I am a convert (in a way)- and I am still in the process of conversion.  It’s challenging for me to identify Catholic theology from other Christian thought.  Maybe I am at a lower level spiritually, but even at this lower level God is with me- guiding and encouraging me to travel the path together- to go the distance- And that makes all the difference, “juntos.” 

 On a side note, isn't my vintage necklace super cool!  It's a hand stitched silhouette of a lady.

And the reverse side is a mirror, which comes handy when replying lipstick! :)

Celebrate Your Feminity with a Nice Dress

On the eve of International Girls Day, I bring a healthy dose of femininity.  While I live mostly in pants, on occasion I like wearing dresses.  I recently found this dress at Savers and loved the floral print, while I don’t like wearing sleeveless “anything” I knew I could pair this dress with a pink tee from a previous purchase.  I think the combination turned out super cute.  A healthy relationship with maxi dresses is also developing - when the trend first began I didn’t really find the cuts sold flattering, but recently I have found some thrifted scores that I love.  With a bit of creativity I have also managed to make them look modest (for the hot temperatures) by adding a tee underneath and I am really digging the look.  I love being a girl and expressing my femininity through fashion.  I also think it’s important to embrace our girliness in our appearance because Catholic men are attracted to women that look like women- as are Catholic women attracted to manly men.  We find beauty and sanctity in our gender differences because God made us compatibly so.  Sometimes, I think Catholic women forget the power of our outer femininity or dismiss it scared to fall into the sin of vanity, but a healthy physical appearance can do wonders for the soul.  An older lady (at a senior home that I used to volunteer at) once told me, “When you are feeling downcast always try to look your best- you won’t believe how a nice appearance will make you less sad.”  I think that’s a gem of old age wisdom, because when we look good we do feel good. 

 The glitter purse is a gift from my BFF, Dollar likes it a lot. 

 Just on three items I would have spent $194.50, but my good thrifty genes helped make this outfit just shy of twenty bucks at $18.49!  I also look a bit grumpy (here) because my nephew kept goofing off instead of taking my picture- that's what happens when you employ a free photographer!

I love animal print, grr!

Sometimes, I struggle with looking at myself in the mirror because of my current weight - that’s my insecurity, every woman has that one flaw that if they focus on it, they can miss that we are wonderfully made in the image of God.  Yet, even at this weight when I dress up I feel pretty darn cute (smile).  It also helps that my family always compliment and puff my ego just a tiny bit (smile).  There’s power in our femininity – even in the superficial dressing up part of it.  So own it, wear that flowery dress, the glittery purse, those leopard sandals- and if you really want to be wild wear them all at once!       

Celebrating Saint Francis all Weekend Long

Recently, I, attended an All Sons and Daughters concert at Calvary Chapel, the band is promoting their new album “Poets and Saints.”  Before the concert began the manager of the band (who is also a pastor of a church in Tennessee) gave an introduction about how the band toured Europe for inspiration.  It was in Italy that they learned about Saint Francis of Assisi and he became one of the saints that inspired some of the music for the album.  The pastor shared a brief bio of the life of Saint Francis to the non-Catholic audience and I found that extremely exciting.  Am not sure if it’s the Pope Francis effect, but to witness this retelling of the life of a very much Catholic person in a protestant church – and to hear the pastor gush about Saint Francis while challenging the audience to holiness made me think that unity in the Body of Christ is possible.  Saint Francis continues his missionary work, even after death.  As the pastor challenged us to be more like Saint Francis the audience roared in agreement.  Isn’t that neat! The concert began my celebration of my favorite Saint.

On Friday, I attended a Saint Luke Productions play about the life of Saint Francis.  The theatre company is known for taking the life of one saint and featuring a solo performance of the saint’s life.  Bishop Vann saw the Franciscan Drama when he had just been ordained, and he had been pushing for Saint Luke Productions to bring this play to our diocese.  Well, it finally came and during the perfect weekend, the weekend before Saint Francis’ Feast Day!  My friend and I attended the show on opening night and it was so well done.  There was music and skipping. For an hour we were transported back in time and invited to journey with our little brother.  I love theatre, but the productions that Saint Luke puts on are more than just a play- they are like windows into the lives of the saints.  I peek in and engage in so many levels that when the curtain drops I have so much to digest and ponder.  After the performance while I drove home my heart was content thinking of Saint Francis and what a happy, energetic disposition he has.  How he finds goodness and reasons to sing and praise God in everything.

The next day, my local parish hosted its annual blessing of the animals and I took my little, furry pal to get doused in holy water.  This year, the parish offered pet sitting services so that pet owners could participate in the Eucharistic Celebration before the animal blessing.  I was a little worried that my baby would be barking incessantly, but per babysitter he didn’t utter a sound.  Since, I discovered the pet blessing ritual, my dog and I have tried to be in attendance annually.  However, the service at Holy Spirit Church is by far the best one.  It’s small and intimate which makes it extra special.  Deacon Phil does such a great job!  He begins with a few opening prayers, then one by one he goes around calling each pet by name (reminding us of how Adam had the job of naming all the animals) then sprinkles holy water and blesses both the pet and the owner.  Afterwards,  he prays a concluding prayer and off we go a little holier (smile).

On the eve of his feast day, I attended my first Transitus service.  After reading about the Transitus of Saint Francis on a friend’s blog and finding that a nearby Franciscan parish was hosting the vigil, I was super curious to attend.  In my ignorance, I thought it was part of the Eucharistic celebration; yet, when I arrived I was given a candle and led into a lit by candlelight parish.  In front of the altar was a Franciscan cloak position in a manner that looked as if a body was being risen to heaven.  There were many candles giving such a beautiful glow and baskets of bread on a table.  The setting, music and readings connected me with the last days of my beloved saint.  It really felt like I was witnessing his passing from this life into the next and I was so involved in the experience that I had to stop myself from crying.  The use of the bells to signify his death was so powerful, I really felt like he had died again.  Then the organ plays a Christmas-morning-like tune to signify Saint Francis entrance into the Kingdom of God and the sadness is replaced by such joy and happiness.   This is such a great devotion- I can’t believe that I didn’t know about it sooner.

After, the service we had some refreshments and a cake in honor of his Feast Day and that’s how I celebrated the life of this blog’s patron saint. Paz y bien.