Prayer for Joe Spado

My Haiku Dedication to Joe Spado:

Dear God, welcome Joe,

with Your loving open arms

and the kiss of peace. 

Receive, Lord, in tranquility and peace, 

the soul of your servant, Joe Spado, 

who has departed out of this present life to be with you.  

Give him the life that knows no age, 

the good things that do not pass away; 

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

~Adapted from Saint Ignatius Loyola~

I knew Joe only from his blog Round Circle: 

The Truth Is Spoken Here.

However, what I learned from reading 

his posts was that he was a deeply caring man 

who endured physical pain, 

with more than a modicum of humor,

as one can tell from his own profile:

Spadoman

I'm a Renaisance Man. I've been a lot of places and done a lot of things. I tell stories, sometimes, when I'm in the mood or especially when someone asks me. I don't want to believe I have an ego problem, but I admit I have an ego. All I really desire is when you hear that I have passed, I hope you can say, "Too bad, he was a nice guy."

Those of us who followed his blog

will miss him.

And I know from experience

the severe ache, even physical in nature,

of losing a mate.

Yet, I do not presume to know exactly

what his widow and family are experiencing now.

But I do want them to know 

that many of us are praying for them 

and for their husband/father, grandfather’s soul.

God bless you, Joe.

linking to

Rebecca's 

Haiku My Heart

A Virgin A Day: Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal

O Virgin Mother of God, Mary Immaculate,

We dedicate and consecrate ourselves to you 

under the title of

Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal

May this Medal be for each one of us a sure sign 

of your affection for us

 and a constant reminder of our duties toward you.

Ever while wearing it, 

may we be blessed by your loving protections

 and preserved in the grace of your son.  

O Most Powerful Virgin, 

Mother of our Savior,

keep us close to you every moment of our lives.  

Obtain for us, your children, 

the grace of a happy death; 

so that in union with you, 

we may enjoy the bliss of Heaven forever. 

Amen 

It is important to note as well that, 

as with all sacramentals, 

the Miraculous Medal is not some “lucky charm”. 

Keep in mind also that in expressing devotion to Mary, 

we do not worship her, 

as many Christians in other denominations, 

especially some Evangelicals, believe, 

but rather honor her in her devotion to our Lord! 

As the popular saying goes “to Jesus through Mary.” 

Remember also her last words in Scripture, 

which could almost be her motto, 

in which she told the attendants at the wedding feast of Cana

“Do whatever he [Jesus] tells you.” (John 2:5)

linking to 

the loving Rebecca at her 

A Virgin A Day

A Virgin A Day: Creation's New Eve

"Creation's New Eve

reveals

'a people in darkness'

not forsaken

but waiting,

for the blackness is contained

within a warm and spotless womb

dotted only

with the Speck of a Savior."

~Rita A. Simmonds~

note: This is the first time 

I've heard of Rita A. Simmonds. 

With this poem,

I know that I shall read

more of her poetry.

linking to the

incomparable Rebecca and her

A Virgin A Day

a Medictation: Huron Carol by St. Jean de Brebeuf

The Magnificat's Meditation of the Day for Tuesday was "Huron Carol".  It was the first North American Christmas carol.  The song was written by Jesuit father and North American martyr Saint Jean de Brebeuf

pencil drawing by Helen Hull Hitchcock

in Quebec, Canada, where he was a missionary to the Huron people.  The words are not exactly the same as in the devotional, but I think they both express the love Brebeuf felt for Jesus and the Huron people.

Below are the lyrics that I found here.

Twas in the moon of wintertime
When all the birds had fled,
That mighty Gitchi Manitou
Sent angel choirs instead;
Before their light the stars grew dim,
And wond'ring hunters heard the hymn:
Jesus, your King is born,
Jesus is born,
In excelsis gloria.

O, harken to the angels' word,
Do not decline
To heed the message which you heard:
The Child Divine,
As they proclaim, has come this morn
Of Mary pure. Let us adore.
Jesus is born,
In excelsis gloria.

Within a lodge of broken bark
The tender Babe was found,
A ragged robe of rabbit skin
Enwrapp'd His beauty 'round;
But as the hunter braves drew nigh,
The angel song rang loud and high:
Jesus, your King is born,
Jesus is born,
In excelsis gloria.

The earliest moon of wintertime
Is not so round and fair
As was the ring of glory on
The helpless infant there.
The chiefs from far before Him knelt
With gifts of fox and beaver pelt.
Jesus, your King is born,
Jesus is born,
In excelsis gloria.

O children of the forest free,
O sons of Manitou,
The Holy Child of earth and heav'n
Is born today for you.
Come kneel before the radiant boy;
Who brings you beauty, peace and joy.
Jesus, your King is born,
Jesus is born,
In excelsis gloria.

- See more at: http://www.adoremus.org/1299-100-Huron.html#sthash.npcbymt4.dpuf

other renditions of the carol can be found on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcT0Sh4TRmk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iv8WgjciDUg&list=PL240024A04CC85E20

A Virgin A Day: A Mary Collage

o blessed Mother,

through these days of Advent,

when mothers are taking on

even more with shopping-

whether online or in stores-

planning menus for family

and guests,

driving children hither and yon,

helping at the local food bank,

buying extra food and gifts

for families in need,

remembering prayers

for their Advent partners,

reading the latest chapter

for their Bible Studies,

and taking the time

to pray for themselves

in order

to have patience and love

for their families and neighbors.

o please, Mary,

open your heart to cover over

all these beautiful mothers

with your divinity.

amen

a note about the collage:

I borrowed the image of Mary

from http://ww.123rf.com/stock-photo/

The other items are from

my From Teddi with Love kit.

linking with love

to Rebecca's

A Virgin A Day

Rest in Peace,
dear Joe Spado,
of
Round Circle

Shadow Shot Sunday 2: Church Front

afternoon visit
provides a meal for my sight
feeding with shadows

more Shadow Shot Sunday 2
hosted by
the delightful Gemma Wiseman

12 Days of Mary: The Visitation

Luke 1:39-56

At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

Mary’s Song

46 And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord
47     and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has been mindful
    of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49     for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
    holy is his name.
50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,
    from generation to generation.
51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
    he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
    but has lifted up the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
    but has sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
    remembering to be merciful
55 to Abraham and his descendants forever,
    just as he promised our ancestors.”

56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months 

and then returned home.

linking with great joy

to Rebecca's

A Virgin A Day

that honors

our Blessed Mother