Originally from 2020, revisited now in loving memory of my Mother
Little Rose Prayer
(a variation on the Saint Therese novena,
in gratitude after Mom's surgery, 2020)
Saint Therese please send
a rose from above,
Guide me to know that
God is love.
Help me in my
intentions this day,
and keep me on your
Little Way.
Amen.
(Wendy Cabell, January 8, 2025, afterfeast of Theophany, Synaxis of the Theotokos (old calendar) and feast of Our Lady of Refuge, the (above) Three Joys, Help in Birth-giving, Kykkos, and Blessed Womb Icons of the Mother of God, and Saints Julian and Basilissa. Jewish calendar remembers the Septuagint "of the seventy", the Greek translation of the Torah (246 BC). Image from here.)
Sunflower Song
(for those dark-familiar)
moon’s tug, sway
sun’s wriggle, soft shake
eyes languid, upon this rise
as when world
first wakes
*From combined prompts: Freewrite as inspired by “A Litany for Survival” by Audre Lorde, from Daisy Barrett Nash’s Legacy Lines series, January 8, 2025. Last stanza inspired by the etymology of “first”, from Lisa Freedman’s BreatheReadWrite, January 7, 2025.
(Wendy Cabell, January 8, 2025, afterfeast of Theophany, Synaxis of the Theotokos (old calendar) and feast of Our Lady of Refuge, (above) Three Joys, Help in Birth-giving, Kykkos, and Blessed Womb Icons of the Mother of God, and Saints Julian and Basilissa. Jewish calendar remembers the Septuagint "of the seventy", the Greek translation of the Torah (246 BC). Image from here.)
Sunflower Song
To be simple is
to be like a sunflower…
--Saint Julia Billiart
Moon’s sway, gives way
follows Sun
Sky’s wriggle, soft shake
follows Sun
Hope’s stretch, just a little
follows Sun
As when world first wakes —
follow Sun
*From combined prompts: Freewrite as inspired by the etymology of “first” (from Lisa Freedman’s BreatheReadWrite, January 7, 2025); and by “A Litany for Survival” by Audre Lorde (from Daisy Barrett Nash’s Legacy Lines series, January 8, 2025).
(Wendy Cabell, June 9, 2024, National Children's Day**, feast day of (above) Our Lady of Ligny/Our Lady of Virtues, Our Lady della Fontenuova / Our Lady of the Plain, the “of the Passion” Icon of the Mother of God (in Catholic Church called Our Lady of Perpetual Help), Saint Ephrem of Syria, Blessed Anne Marie Taigi, On Jewish calendar Moses ascended Mount Sinai for the first time/Chosen people (1313 BC). (Image from here.)
Raise us, Your children
(after the Akathist to the Mother of God Nurturer of Children*)
Most Immaculate Merciful Mother
raise us your children
in the purity of childhood
Raise us to be poor in spirit
that we may inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.
Raise us to weep,
that we may be comforted.
Raise us to be meek,
that we may inherit the earth.
Raise us to hunger and thirst for righteousness,
that we may be filled.
Raise us to be merciful,
that we may obtain mercy.
Raise us to be pure in heart,
that we may see God.
Raise us to be peacemakers,
that we may be called the sons and daughters of God.
O Mother, raise us, Your children,
to be made worthy of the Kingdom of God
and heirs of eternal blessings.
Amen.
*The above is complied/adapted from the Akathist to the Mother of God Nurturer of Children.
**"The second Sunday in June rewinds time for a moment to celebrate National Children's Day. This day honors the children in our lives by slowing down our fast-paced lives, turning off the tech, and refocusing on the important things. Taking one day may not be enough, but using it as an opportunity to redirect our family life is an important way to stay connected with our children."--National Day Calendar
(Wendy Cabell, January 25, 2024, feast day of Tu BiShevat (New Year for Trees), Our Lady's Shroud, the (above) Milkgiver Icon of the Mother God (old calendar), the “Assuage my Sorrows” Icon of the Mother of God, the "Unexpected Joy" Icon of the Mother of God, Saint Dwynwen (of the family of Saint Brychan of Brecknock; coined the maxim, "nothing wins hearts like cheerfulness"), . Image from here.)
Before Spotting Cherry Blossoms
light spring breeze, heart waits tiny shoots seek the tender touch-- of the One Who Loves
*From prompt: Freewrite as inspired by “My Father Holds the Door for Yoko Ono” by Christopher Chambers. From Lisa Freedman's BreatheReadWrite, January 25, 2024.
(Wendy Cabell, November 8, 2023, feast day of Our Lady of Bellefontaine, the Archangels, St. Elizabeth of the Trinity (last words: "I am going to Light, to Love, to Life!"), St. Cybi (son of Saint Wenna/Gwen, St. Non's sister), Bl. Placidia of Verona and Bl. John Duns Scotus ("...taught that the divine was present in every(thing)... precisely in its uniqueness" --Laura Rutland).
Image is "Umm Nur" (Muslim title for Our Lady, meaning "Mother of one who was Light") by Wendy Cabell)
First Light
Loved into being, be
Thy way of seeing. Sun's slow
seep -- In through the night
*Lines are from verses/images came during Laura Thompson's Mother of All The World Workshop, Saturdays of August 30-November 5, above painting from same, October 14, 2023. It is faceless in the tradition of Willow Tree, etc.
(Wendy Cabell, day for Dedication of all Churches where the Consecration Date is Unknown, and feast day of the Philermos Icon of the Mother of God, Our Lady of Toledo, Saint Tabitha the Widow (raised from the dead by the Apostle Peter) and (above) Saint Canna verch Tewdr Marw. Image from here.)
Bethlehem Prayer
(based on Our Lady’s revelations to Elizabeth
Kindelmann 9/15/62...may her blessing extend to us!)
Come with Saint Joseph and me.
The Flame of Love seeks lodging...
Move gently ahead
without any force.
Be careful
be hidden
be humble
that you may bear
the Flame of Love.
We will guard you.
Come with us then!
We will walk the roads
of Bethlehem.
Amen.
(Wendy Cabell, October 7, last day of Sukkot and feast day of (above) Our Lady of the Rosary/Our Lady of Victory and Saint Pelagia of Tarsus. On Jewish calendar is also the Return from Temple Dedication (827 BC) and the Beginning of Prayer for Rain. Image from here.)
Consolation Prayer
(an "arrow prayer" for Our Lady, especially on Her First Saturdays)
Immaculate Virgin Mary
Mother of God
be with us your children
Amen!
*This simple prayer/Sabbath grace came about as a way to remember the 5 First Saturday consolations/reparations to Our Blessed Mother:
It is sometimes asked why Our Lady asked for Communions of reparation on five first Saturdays, instead of some other number. Our Blessed Lord answered that question when He appeared to Sr. Lucia May 29, 1930. He explained that it was because of five kinds of offenses and blasphemies against the Immaculate Heart of Mary, namely:
[1.] blasphemies against her Immaculate Conception ["immaculate"],
[2.] against her perpetual virginity ["virgin"],
[3.] against the divine and spiritual maternity of Mary ["Mother of God"],
[4.] blasphemies involving the rejection and dishonoring of her images ["Mary"; having been incarnate as we are, we can honor Her image],
[5.] and the neglect of implanting in the hearts of children a knowledge and love of this Immaculate Mother ["be with us your children"].
The spirit of reparation is a loving desire to make reparation to and console the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Our Mother.--vermontcatholic.org
(Wendy Cabell, October 7, 2023, last day of (above) Sukkot and feast day of Our Lady of the Rosary/Our Lady of Victory and Saint Pelagia of Tarsus. On Jewish calendar is also the Return from Temple Dedication (827 BC) and the Beginning of Prayer for Rain. Image from here. )
Simple Rule of Life
(Our Lady of Laus to Bl. Benoite Rencurel, paraphrased )
Do your duty cheerfully.
Bear no hatred towards enemies.
Be untroubled by temptations, worldly concerns.
Simply to God's presence return.
Homing Prayer
(a “mini” variation on the Creed, for the afterfeast of the
Dormition/Assumption and traditional plant blessing time, 2023)
I believe in the Father, who makes me.
I believe in the Son, who shapes me.
I believe in the Spirit, who keeps me.
I believe in Heaven (its garden now and here)
where my Home bee.
