World's Largest Monstrance/Guest Writer

Dear Readers, the following information is from my friend Marge. I apologize that the links won't take you directly to the sites, you'll need to type in the addresses. Something is not working right with my link thingamajig, can't quite get it to do what I want. Anyway, enjoy, and if you get a chance to visit St. Stanislaus, please tell me about your visit!

"The largest monstrance in the world is located at St.Stanislaus Kostka parish in Illinois (Chicago area). I believe, at present, it is located in the parish church, which has perpetual adoration, and is awaiting completion of the Sanctuary of The Divine Mercy, which appears to be a desire of Our Lady, directly made known to the pastor of this church.

The vision for the sanctuary and monstrance began nine years ago when St. Stanislaus Kostka pastor Fr. Anthony Bus, CR, heard a call from Mary asking him to build the sanctuary. (He wrote a book about his experience entitled A Mother’s Plea: Lifting the Veil in Sanctuary (Marian Press).) The book, originally published in 2005, has been a popular title in Catholic book circles partly because of its apocalyptic theme. It has been updated with information on the painstaking effort to build the sanctuary.

The gilded monstrance was sculpted by an artist/sculptor named Stefan Niedorezo and took two years to carve from linden wood using Renaissance methods (whatever those are..maybe you know). The 'iconic' monstrance is nine feet tall and weighs 700 pounds. Malgorzata Sawczuk is the artist who applied the gilding and he also serves as project conservator. (I don't necessarily know these artists or recognize their names, but I include them in case you want to research to know more about them).

The monstrance depicts the Blessed Mother as the link between the old and new covenants. She is depicted above/over the Ark of the Covenant which, as we know, contained the stone tablets inscribed with the 10 Commandments. In the monstrance, Mary is “clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars,” (Book of Revelation (Rev 11:19 and 12:1-2).

The unveiling of this monstrance took place last year, 2008, on the feast of the Visitation. The ceremony was televised live on EWTN and the Latin American TV station El Sembrador. Relevant Radio also provided U.S. coverage. Mass was celebrated by Cardinal Francis George.

As I mentioned, perpetual adoration before Jesus in this monstrance, is to be held in the parish church (except when Mass is being offered) until the Sanctuary of The Divine Mercy, requested by our Blessed Mother, is completed. As of this date, I have no idea how far along they are or if the Sanctuary is finished or ??? I am definitely going to go, one of these days, to adore Jesus in this most beautiful place and a place specifically requested by His Mother! I think it is so telling, for our times, that Mary requested the specific name She did for the Sanctuary - The Divine Mercy !!! (and, how often do you get to adore Jesus in a host that's bigger than a dinner plate???!!!)

Notice, when you look at the beautiful figure of Our Lady, that Jesus is positioned to be both in Her heart and in Her womb.

Below are some links that will show you beautiful pictures as well as some of the information. I've tried to label the links somewhat, so you know what they are, but you'll find out soon enough by clicking on them.

ENJOY !!! (I dare you not to get spiritual goosebumps!!) grin.."

http://www.amothersplea.org/ (home page of the Sanctuary of The Divine Mercy)

http://www.catholicnewworld.com/gallery.aspx?gallery=7 (various pictures of the Marian Monstrance in progress, etc)

http://www.amillionsouls.com/ (another homepage of the Sanctuary of The Divine Mercy, w/link to sign up for adoration and other links)

Taffy Pull

Creator God,

You are constantly pulling me and stretching me. I see an image of the taffy machine at the State Fair, twisting and turning and pulling the sweet treat until it comes out perfectly tender and soft. In the same way that the taffy machine works with the candy, You work with me. In the end, when You are through pulling and stretching me, I will be sweet and delectable in Your eyes. But until Your work with me is done, I will revel in the delight of Your playful touch. Keep pulling and stretching me, Lord. Make me perfect in Your sight. Amen.

Pondering Pages/An Interrupted Life

I've been really slacking in the book-reading department of late. I guess I've been spending too much time reading the blogs instead!

Here's a book I read a year ago, it is an absolute favorite!

An Interrupted Life is the diary of Etty Hillesum. Etty was a Dutch Jew during World War II and she ended up dying in the concentration camps. This book is her story in prayers and conversation with God in the few years preceding her death. It is a very inspiring tale, telling how she came from very little faith, to a very deep faith. Her words and prayers moved me deeply.

Here are some favorite quotes:

"I love people so very terribly, because in every human being I love something of You."

"The jasmine behind my house has been completely ruined by the rains and storms of the last few days, its white blossoms are floating about in muddy black pools on the low garage roof. But somewhere inside me the jasmine continues to blossom undisturbed, just as profusely and delicately as it ever did. And it spreads its scent around the House in which You dwell, oh God. You can see, I look after You, I bring You not only my tears and forebodings on this stormy, grey Sunday morning, I even bring You scented jasmine."

"You are sure to go through some lean times with me now and then, when my faith weakens a little, but believe me, I shall always labor for you and remain faithful to You and I shall never drive You from my presence."

"And what those who say 'You live too intensely' do not know is that one can withdraw into a prayer as into a convent cell and leave again with renewed strength and with peace regained."

"And when the turmoil becomes too great and I am completely at my wits end, then I still have my folded hands and my bended knee...it is my most precious inheritance...the girl who learned to pray. That is my most intimate gesture, more intimate than even being with a man. After all, one can't pour the whole of one's love out over a single man, can one?"

These beautiful heart-felt journal prayers just drew me in and made me want to love God more, to give Him everything. It was a great inspiration to me. I pray that you, dear reader, will feel the same way. Happy reading!

Delicious

Sometimes I just have to write a love letter to my daughter...

Delicious

My beautiful daughter Mary
wraps her arms tightly
around my neck, and I
breathe in deeply.
My senses are overcome
with her sweet smell.
She smells like dainty flowers
in the summer sunshine,
growing amid the fresh, green grass.
Mary is delicious!
My nose tickles her neck
and she giggles.
Mary’s laughter is
delicious, too!
Mary is the joy of God.

And sometimes, she writes one back...

Being with mommy

I like my mom because she is not like other girls. She is sweet nice and kind. When I look for her I do not know where she is then I go in her room there she is. If she is praying or just doing some stuff I sit on her bed and I join her with whatever she’s doing. I like my mom’s room because it feels so safe. To be in my mom’s room you have to have a secret pass word the secret password is love. My mom and I know the password but no one else does. It feels like my mom’s room is a magical world. I was looking for the love I found it in my mom’s heart. I LOVE MY MOM!!!!

Kolaches

Last week it was the annual Kopidlansky family reunion (my mom's side of the family). My daughter, Mary and I prepared our family's favorite ethnic treat, kolaches (we're Czechoslovakian) to share with our beloved family. Beloved might be a stretch. My mother was one of ten children. Most of her siblings had large families. I am the youngest of nine. I have 5 children, 30 nieces and nephews and 17 great nieces and nephews (so far!). I have over 100 cousins (or so I'm told). I have to take that fact on faith because I have never met them all and probably never will. So this annual family reunion is often a reunion of near strangers. We wear nametags to identify which branch of the tree we fell from. The only way I can stand out in this mix is to bring kolaches. Everybody loves them. They especially love the poppyseed kolaches. They all dig to the bottom of the pan just to find the poppyseed! My aunt Judy buys her kolaches from the bakery. Everyone says that mine are better, and (pardon the pride) I believe them. I bring 12 dozen kolaches every year, and every year I bring an empty pan home. What is it that makes my kolaches so good?

It's love. With each ball of dough that I pinch back, press down, fill, slather with butter and bake, I offer a prayer of love for the memory of my mother who taught me how to make them, and I offer a prayer of love for my children to whom I will pass on the tradition of kolache baking. I offer a prayer of love for my distant and not-so-distant relatives. And I honor my Lord by showing my love for my family with a special once-a-year treat.

Broken Dish

“I am like a dish that is broken” Psalm 31






Look at me Lord.
I am like a dish that is broken,
scattered and left in shards,
easily crushed underfoot,
useless.
Left alone, without care,
I will spread the pain that lives in my sharp edges.

Pick me up with your gentle, loving hands.
Repair me.
Hold me together with the glue of your Holy Eucharist.

As I praise you and love you
in the humility of my brokenness,
your precious Body and Blood will pull
my broken pieces back together
with an unbreakable bond.

I will be made stronger
through your love.
I will be made useful once more
so that I may serve you
and others.

Amen.

Feast of St. Mary Magdalene

“Woman, why are you weeping?”
John 20:15

“Why are you weeping?” he asks! “Why not weep?” would be my reply. How can I keep from crying when the one I love with all my heart is gone? I have no idea if I will ever see Him again! My life is black, dark, and empty like the tomb by which I stand. And then, it’s Him! He’s right here with me! I run to hold him, and what does he say? “Stop holding on to me.” I am stunned! How can He say that to me? Doesn’t he know me better than that? Doesn’t he know that my arms ache to hold him, my hands long to touch his face, my heart’s only desire is to love him and cling to him and never let go?

I have tremendous admiration for Mary Magdalene and the great strength she displayed in not just falling in a heap at Jesus’ feet, sobbing. What good is the resurrection, I would wonder, if that meant that I couldn’t hold Him? Yet here, she accepted his almost cold words “Stop holding on to me”, and joyfully shared the news of His resurrection with the other disciples. Mary Magdalene was so selfless and generous with the love of Christ. I am selfish and self-centered in comparison. Shame fills my heart when I think of how I want Jesus all for myself, without any thought for all the others who love Him, as well as all of the others whom He loves.

So, Mary Magdalene, I turn to you today on this your feast day, and I ask you to pray for me. I ask you to pray that I may be able to follow your example of strength and integrity. I pray that I may learn to love without the fulfillment of holding the One I love in my arms, but only holding Him in my heart. And I pray that I may be able to love all of the others that Jesus also loves, without any trace of jealousy, but rather with compassion and understanding for their own longing for Christ.

St. Mary Magdalene, pray for me. Amen.