Hurray Sunday (WC)

 

(Wendy Cabell, November 26, 2023, feast day of Our Lady of Soufanieh (from which: "God saves me, Jesus enlightens me, the Holy Spirit is my life, thus I fear nothing."), Our Lady of the Mountains, and Blessed Delphine of Glandèves. On Jewish calendar today Talmud completed (475). Image from here.)

Hurray Sunday

(though it can be any day, every day)

If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life 

is thank you, it will be enough. -–Meister Eckhart.

Hurray Sunday is inspired by the idea floating around out there of writing thank you cards on Thanksgiving. Which never seems to happen at our house. But we’ve been thinking, this Sunday following might just be the perfect time. That is, if it’s kept simple, perhaps an image (some favorite freebies here, here) with a short note. A “Hurray, so thankful for you!”. Which is also inspired by 94 year old Patricia (Patsy) Garlan‘s awesome philosophy of “a rumbling, tumbling ‘Yay!’ every day”, shared recently at Mythica’s Gratitude Cafe. To which, and to many more, a big…Hurray!

Praying (WC)

 

(Wendy Cabell, November 24, 2023, Day after Thanksgiving, Afterfeast of the Entry of the Most Holy Mother of God into the Temple, feast day of Our Lady of Montserrat, Saint Katherine of Alexandria, Saint Mastridia of Alexandria and Blessed Maria Anna Sala. Image from here.)

Praying 

(a found poem)

not for what I want to be

but to be opened by what is here

a rumbling tumbling

“Yay”--everyday!

*Lines (heard at Kayleen Asbo (of Mythica)’s Gratitude Cafe, November 24, 2023) are from Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer and Patricia (Patsy) Garlan, respectively, used with permission.

Thank-Feel (WC)

 

(Wendy Cabell, November 20, 2023, Forefeast of the (above) Entry into the Temple of the Most Holy Theotokos, Our Lady of La Guarde, and feast day of Blessed Maria Fortunata Viti. Image from here.)

Thank-Feel

And this world — it can hold so much sadness and pain. It also holds an infinite well of wonder*

like the warmth

of hand, of heart

and the stars

in mind, in eyes

and all that’s melodic,

              s p a c i o u s 

and the veto power of a smile

and to-day --

Its current itinerary

is enough.

*Above quote by Victoria Bennett, author, from interview on Resilience Rising podcast episode 27.

**From prompt: Free write as inspired by the etymology of “thank” and related quotes. From Lisa Freedman’s BreatheReadWrite, November 20, 2023.

When In Darkness (WC)

(Wendy Cabell, November 18, 2023, feast day of (above) Our Lady of Chiquinquira, Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne, Saint Mabyn/Mabenna of Cornwall, Blessed Karoliny Kózkówny and Noah the Patriarch. Image from here.)

When In Darkness

(adventures in severe light sensitivity) 

You get in there and fight it, says optometrist –-

                                                                           though not how. 

Likely a systemic issue, hard to treat, says another doctor, closing door.  

You get in there and cope, says self. Adapt the home, cover the windows, mask the

glare. Hunt for red and amber nightlights, light candles. Don red glasses, a dear gift

from Mom. When your Aunt finds a computer your eyes can handle, cry Alleluia!

You get in there and reap, says Spirit –- Cherish Light. Let the air in. They say

Icons are windows to Heaven, now near forty ringing these walls. Note             

                                         the light shines in the darkness, and the 

                                    darkness has not overcome it. --John 1:5

                                       

You get in there, as in inward

the appointed meeting place.

You get in there --

where the Light is

*From Prompt: Write list of difficult things have learned or accomplished, then choose one, ponder what the difficulties were there and how made things work (think both concrete and metaphorical/fanciful), how it changed you, changed world--then free write as inspired by Ellen Bass' "How to Apologize". From Robbi Nester's Saturday Generative Writing class (the Poetry Salon), November 18, 2023.

Mountain Mama (WC)

 

(Wendy Cabell, November 11, 2023, feast day of Saint Martin of Tours and Saint Marina of Omura. On Jewish calendar today is blessing of the new month, and Flood ends (2104 BC). Image from personal SoulCollage deck.)

Mountain Mama

(while before SoulCollage version of the 

“Queen of All” Icon of the Mother of God”)

nooks sprout wings where Your 

feet brush, Angels' pharmacy–-

Skyspun remedies

*From prompt: Freewrite as inspired by quotes mentioning feet. From Lisa Freedman’s BreatheReadWrite, November 11, 2023.

Mothering (WC)

  

(November 10, 2023, feast day of Our Lady of Anosivolakely, Our Lady of Last Agony ("'And after this our exile, show unto us the Blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.' A true servant of Mary cannot perish..."), and Pope Saint Leo the Great. Image is from family photo album, Great Grandma Otten's restaurant, 1920's, California.)

Mothering 

(much needed about now; a found/group poem)

Closed hearts perhaps just needing a lift,

all of them kissed and hugged us 

as if we were the most wonderful children in the world–-

It could be on any menu, today’s special on any day

*Lines from self, Suzanne Westhues and Lisa Freedman (used with permission), in that order. From prompt: Freewrite as inspired by “Kissing in Vietnamese” by Ocean Vuong. From Lisa Freedman’s BreatheReadWrite, November 5, 2023. 

First Light (WC)

(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.

Rainbow Mother (WC)

 

(Wendy Cabell, November 1, All Saints Day (part of Fall Tridium), feast day of (above) Our Lady of Heede/the Universe, Deborah the Prophetess, Rachael the Matriarch and Ruth the Matriarch. On Jewish calendar today Great Flood Begins (2105 BC). Image from here.)

Rainbow Mother

(for the feast day of Our Lady of the Universe, 2023)

We are dressed in the scaffold of creation… 

called to co-create.-– St. Hildegard of Bingen

Red Your solid pathway

Orange our toasty glow

Yellow this seep of Sun

Greening from above -- below

Blue Your shielding mantle 

Indigo trailing through

Your Violets sure balm

for world’s violence —

Bloom!

*From prompt: Freewrite as inspired by “Blue Monday” by Diane Wakoski. From Lisa Freedman’s BreatheRead Write, November 1, 2023.

Bethlehem Prayer (WC)

 

(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.

Homefront (WC)

(Wendy Cabell, October 22, feast day of the Interior Life of Mary, Our Lady of the Underground, Our Lady of  Talant, the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, the Andronicus Icon of the Mother of God, the "Seven Sleepers” of Ephesus, (above) Saint Mary Salome Disciple of Jesus (wife of Zebedee and Mother of Saints James and John, Apostles), Pope Saint John Paul II and Blessed Lucia Bartolini Rucellai. Jewish calendar today marks the "return to everyday activities following the spirituality of the festival-rich month of Tishrei." Image from here (and another irresistible teacherly Saint here.)

Homefront 

(a found poem)

One of my teachers always said to me 

‘In the face of great destruction, create.’

—Sue Ellen Parkinson, Iconographer

 

books papers chalk–-

a world apart, a place to dream

Light overcoming darkness

*Guest Poet Betty Fanelli’s awesome freewrite above (used with permission) is based on her childhood memories during World War II. She later became a much loved teacher herself, in Special Ed.

**From prompt: Freewrite as inspired by “Teachers” by Will Schutt. From Lisa Freedman’s BreatheReadWrite Studio Time, October 21, 2023.

Consolation Prayer (WC)

 

(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