Rosary Walk.

If you are the kind of person who enjoys killing two birds with one stone (what a wierd expression that is) then a rosary walk is for you.

I try to have a rosary walk every day - though sometimes the weather or health intervenes. The rosary walk is simple and improves your physical and spiritual health. The first thing is to have a 'tenner' a one decade rosary. These are so small they can be concealed in one hand. Then go for your walk around your neighbourhood (I aim for 30 mins) with your almost invisible tenner in your hand and as you walk, you silently pray the rosary. I love it. I often fantasise about the concept being widely used by Catholics. Imagine every Catholic walking daily around the streets quietly saying the rosary. It would transform the church and what would all that prayer in our streets do for our towns and cities? It would also be a silent witness to those who have the perception to realise what we are doing. I'm praying that one day it will happen.

traditions 2

In my bedroom I have a small prayer table. On it I have an icon of our beloved Lord, a beautiful rosary my daughter bought for me and a small statue of our Blessed Mother. Above it is a equally small crucifix. I love to put a quiet, unobtrusive symbol of the current feast day on the table. For example at the recent feast of Our Lady's Birthday I put a tiny wreath of red rose buds at her feet with prayer - a Hail Mary and a soft "Happy Birthday Blessed Mother." Later this week at the feast of The Triumph of the Cross I will adorn my crucifix with the roses and pray for sinners.

I love keeping these traditions, they teach us to be mindful of what it is happening in our universal church, and help us to live our lives in communion with Our Lord, His angels and His saints.

Traditions 1

Over the last few years I have started keeping more the traditions of the church and am amazed at the effects it has on my spiritual life. I have long kept Sunday as a day of rest from sunset (or 5pm)on Saturday to sunset (or 5pm) on Sunday. We really do need a day of rest to recharge our batteries as our God clearly knew. I have also started a minor fast on Fridays - at my age I think a true fast would not be healthy for me, though I do keep it on Good Friday and Ash Wednesday.

We also light a candle as we pray at our prayer table before our evening meal and I try to have a candle in the church colours of the day. It seems to bring me so close to the Universal Church.

Spring

Today is the second day of spring and it was a beautiful day; sunny and dry. Glorious after all the winter murk. But to remind us that we aren't really free of winter yet it was very cold, in fact there is going to be a frost tonight according to the weather forecast. But it was a foretaste, a glimmer, of what is to come. I much prefer spring to summer, which is too hot for me. I guess it is a example of the old adage that it's better to travel hopefully than to arrive! This saying does not apply to going to Heaven of course:-)

Father Tom

Our dear Father Tom has just come back from a retreat in Australia. I was so pleased to see him on the altar this morning and I thanked God for his safe return. He is a great priest and has a lovely warmth of manner. When he preaches he holds the Bible so he can flip backwards and forwards to show how the readings are part of the whole message of the Bible. As I love reading the Bible I also love this style of preaching.

Best of all he says the Latin Mass for us. Deo Gratias for Fr Tom.

Besuty 2

Is there anything more beautiful than getting up before sunrise and praying to the almighty and eternal God? I don't think so. The silence, the stillness, the lone candle flckering - and you alone with God (apart from your guardian angel and the saints that is). What a blessed time.

Beauty 1

I am haunted by a longing for beauty. How can I get more beauty in my life and is right to long for it? Can a Christian lead a beautiful life when the ugliness of sin - both mine and others - intrudes so much? Should we want beauty?

I'm going to make it my aim and will keep you posted.