Every year the sight of footpaths lined with shrivelling Christmas trees, lying strippedof the last remnants of the season, gives me a tinge of sadness at the realisation thatthe Church enters once again ‘ordinary time.’ In reality, ‘Ordinary Time’ is far from aliteral description, but a new season and opportunity to more deeply contemplate themystery … Continue reading The Magi lead us into our ‘Ordinary days’
“Nothing in all of creation can ever separate us from the love of God.” - Romans 8:39 In 1930, after his conversion to Christianity, TS Elliot wrote several poems of Lent, I found that this one from Ash Wednesday - Part 6 really speak to me about this week. “This is the time of tension between … Continue reading Adoration Lenten Reflection – Week 1
A bookclub has been on our mind for a little while here at Anima, so when people were starting to look into reading (or rereading) Pope Benedict's vast written legacy, we thought it was a great opportunity to begin. It was even more fortuitous when we realised that Emily Stimpson Chapman had decided something similar. … Continue reading Anima Women’s Bookclub!
Saint Elizabeth is often depicted holding a basket of bread, or some other sort of food or beverage, characteristic of her devotion to the poor and hungry. Today’s feast celebrates the life of St Elizabeth of Hungry. Born as the daughter of the Hungarian King in the early 13th century, she married into German Royalty … Continue reading Go forth and serve! – The Feast of St Elizabeth of Hungry
One of the many Churches I visited during my time living in Europe was the Capuchin Church of Santa Maria della Concezione dei Cappuccin in Rome. What is remarkable about this Church is that the crypt contains the skeletal remains of 3,700 bodies of Capuchin Friars. When I brought my parents on a visit there, my enthusiasm … Continue reading Why the obsession with bones? – All Hallows Eve
Mary Salome in "The descent from the cross" by Rogier van der Weyden Did you ever see the Princess Diaries? After watching the movie, I remember as an inspired younger version of myself, attentively writing on a pretty memory card and placing it in clear view on my notice board: “Courage is not the absence of … Continue reading What is more important to you than fear?
