Cottage Blessings

A Homeschooling Thespian

One of my dearest local friends has a new blog, and it is such a valuable resource, I can't resist passing along the link. Be sure to visit A Homeschooling Thespian for arts education plans and suggestions by a musician, drama teacher, and homeschooler extraordinaire—not to mention the loveliest person you could ever meet!

Here is a sample of her simple and do-able plans for studying Vivaldi. I can't wait to call my children to breakfast tomorrow to the strains of The Four Seasons!

Our Lady of All Patience

This afternoon, the older four girls and I went to First Saturday confession. I entered the confessional to repeat the same sin I confess month after month after month--"Father, I was impatient with the children." My pastor smiled, telling me (yet again) that he hears this from mothers all the time.

Is it any wonder that today, of all days, I came across this--a Hymn to Our Lady of All Patience (what a title!) written by none other than our beloved St. Louis de Montfort? Here it is, an anthem to Our Blessed Mother suitable for mothers everywhere:

Come to my assistance,
O gentle and divine Mary,
Come to my assistance!
I suffer and groan every day.
Be compassionate to my troubles.
Free me from them, I beg you.
Come to my assistance!

Help me,
You are most merciful,
Help me!
Everything is under your rule.
Give me then some help
Or at least, the gift of patience.
Help me!

Please click here for the next five stanzas of St. Louis' hymn. He really seems to have been suffering when he wrote it, but it is a fine testimony to his faith in Our Lady's love and care.

Sun-bleached bones, gargoyles, and one unlucky elk

can only mean one thing:

One of my favorite people in the world has a brand new blog!

And the memorable stories are just beginning to pour in!

In which we are invited to Tea and step inside the pages of Victoria Magazine

The same day I wrote the post asking the immortal question, "Does the Gunther Family ever stop taking tea?" I received an email from my gracious friend, Gloria, entitled, "Invitation to Tea":

"Could you come to tea at my house on Wednesday? We could do a high tea with sandwiches and scones with lemon curd etc. The girls love having tea parties."

Needless to say, I fired back an immediate response:

"We will come with great joy on Wednesday! Thank you for the invitation to your beautiful home!"

An automatic link to my blog appeared at the end of the message, and Gloria followed it, finding Cottage Blessings for *the first time.* When she read all those posts about the charms of Tea in San Francisco, she laughed out loud, knowing she had invited the right family!

My dear friends, feast your eyes on the spread Gloria provided for us. Its perfect elegance and beauty cannot be captured on film, because you cannot see the well-tended gardens surrounding the house with every sort of blooming or edible growing thing imaginable (all thriving as vibrantly as a Beatrix Potter watercolor) or the detailed architectural elements both inside an out, reminding me of why San Francisco is so famous for this. You cannot see Gloria's dear children showing me their artwork and telling stories, combing and ribboning Maureen's blonde head, or teaching their guests the Virginia Reel! These things are tucked away in my memory, but I know you can imagine them.

I will attempt to relay the menu, hoping not to forget a single delectable bite:

Vanilla Milk Tea
Earl Grey Tea
Cucumber Tea Sandwiches sprigged with mint
Chicken Salad Tea Sandwiches
Date Tea Sandwiches
Peanut Butter and Jelly Triangles (for the very little ones)
Homemade Lemon Scones
Homemade Nutmeg Scones
Homemade Clotted Cream
Homemade Lemon Curd
Red Jam
Assorted Cookies
Miniature Brownies

All of this was served on fine china and an heirloom tablecloth with the strains of Bach and Pachelbel filling our ears.

Gloria thought of everything, and what Victorian Tea would be complete without a charming table for the littler girls?

In the Little Girl World, if you are a friend, you must be picked up. Maureen has found favor with the Princess.

Agnes found a copy of Maria von Trapp's "The Story of the von Trapp Family Singers" on a shelf. Not only did Gloria let her borrow it, she also sang a duet of "The Sound of Music" with Agnes, much to our great delight. Gloria is a Conservatory graduate, and her voice is ethereal!

The only difficulty was peeling my children out at the end--this was not easy, let me tell you. Tea Time in San Francisco keeps getting better and better!

*******
BTW, Gloria is a dear friend of Chari Bryans, not to mention Maria Peceli, Willa Ryan and Erica Sanchez--there is quite a wonderful group of mothers here in the Golden State of California.

The Madonna of the Woods

in the Cottage Garden.

The Flowers Strewn in our Path

We were already a quarter of an hour late for the Andre Rieu Concert when we made our way through security and past the great glassy doors of the Nassau Coliseum. Now face to face with the snack bar (after leaving home without dinner), the sports-fan fare of popcorn, peanuts, and pretzels was irresistible.

With little cash in my pocket, I asked the man behind the counter, “Do you take American Express?”

“Sorry, M’am, no credit cards.”

“OK,” I said, widening my wallet to reveal a twenty dollar bill and a couple of other singles.

A swelling stream of requests flowed from the mouth of the girls, blissfully unaware of their mother’s shortage: “Can I have a pretzel?” “Mommy, I don’t like pretzels—may I have popcorn?” “Do you think we could order hot dogs?” “Do they sell French Fries?” “Can we bring home candy for Patrick and Maureen?”

The man stood waiting as I dammed the stream with one quick, “Mommy doesn’t have much money,” ordering three pretzels, three waters, and one bag of popcorn. Boxing the snacks in an instant, the man said, “Twenty-seven dollars, please.”

It was quite a bit more than I expected, and I presented the twenty and the stray bills counting out a mere twenty-four. The man stared while I took one last desperate glance inside the wallet, finding (joy of joys) a tightly wrinkled group of bills under a crumpled receipt—three more dollars! “Well, what do you know?” I said to him, laughing, “I have exactly twenty seven dollars.”

If I could paint a picture for you of the look on that man’s face, you would see before you the personification of human kindness, empathy, joy, and relief. He was beaming and thanked me heartily. It was only then I realized the poor man had been waiting anxiously, dreading the possibility that he might need to take back a water or a pretzel from that thin cardboard box.

We found our seats—mercifully on the aisle—with the concert already in full swing. Andre Rieu and his vibrant young orchestra, oddly out of place in the drafty sports arena, succeeded in warming it to the rafters. The girls were captivated, but there was one young one even more appreciative than my four. A small boy with Down’s Syndrome three or four years old—impossibly cute in a long-sleeved plaid shirt—sat two rows in front of us. He kept time to the music with his hands, thrilling to every note. Putting an arm around his father, he received a prompt kiss, before turning to smile toward the couple in the row behind him.

I watched that boy a long time, wishing—and this kind of thing never occurs to me with so many of my own—that he was sitting with us. My lap was strangely empty, and there was something undeniably compelling in his gestures and expression. I was not the only one who noticed it, for he had a circle of fond admirers round about him—not only his family, mind you, but smiling concert goers whose pleasant faces and hearty waves showed how their night was brightened by his unspoiled delight.

Intermission came, and, with the lights turned up, the girls began scrutinizing the aisles and floor of the arena, searching desperately for their two grandparents. We had found out earlier that day that Gram and Pop would be at the concert (just by chance—we hadn’t planned it). I warned them a sighting would be highly unlikely given the enormity of the crowd, yet somehow we managed to spot Gram who was wearing red. If you could mount an enormous Buccaneer ride in the very center of the Coliseum and set it rocking at full tilt, we would have been at one high point on the arc, and my in-laws would have been on the other. The moment they spotted Gram, the girls were elated, adding, “Look, there’s Pop! He’s coming back with coffee!” Even from that impossible distance all four reflexively waved and smiled, stretching high up in their seats in hopes of being noticed.

What is it about grandparents that can turn a cold and crowded Coliseum into a familiar living room? One sight of Gram and Pop and four Heidis begged to be allowed to descend to the deep valley and scale the Alps to pay a visit to the Grandfather and Grandmother, eager and determined as if bent on delivering an apron of fresh-picked flowers or sack of soft white rolls. Unfortunately for my high-spirited lasses, their mother was on hand to play Fraulein Rottenmeier, making short work of the plan, yet I smiled to witness their deep love and affection.

All too soon, the concert hummed to a close. Andre Rieu, as is his custom in every country he visits, played a final selection meant to capture the essence of the place and its people. At the first strains of “America the Beautiful,” the crowd was on its feet singing in one voice, in a tone at once insistent and proud, “America, America, God shed His grace on thee.” A bagpiper entered blasting the first throbbing notes of Amazing Grace and, instantly, thousands of people who had just faced the new American reality of stadium security checks, remembered our firefighters, police officers, and soldiers. This homegrown hymn breathed through old world lungs spoke its wordless message of Brotherhood, Hope, and Longing. In two simple selections, Andre Rieu had grasped the American Spirit—the immortal soul of a faithful people.

Making our way out through the crowd, I was already reflecting upon the good people blooming all around us like blossoms bursting forth from a garden well-tended—the man behind the counter, that happy little boy and his admirers, our Gram and Pop, and Andre Rieu himself—who with bow and fiddle and bagpipe had pierced through to reach the all too often hidden heart of a nation. With these thoughts still playing in my mind, I turned the key in the ignition and put our van in reverse, wondering for the first time how I would escape from the tight spot in that unceasing flow of traffic. Before I had even a moment to wait, a white-haired woman in a sedan paused and waved me on with a friendly smile.

“What a nice woman!” I exclaimed to the girls, turning my wheel instantly and flitting to freedom as readily as a boy who hears the final bell at school. Raising a hand out my window, I waved the driver’s salute of gratitude, offering up a heartfelt and heart-lifting prayer of thanksgiving for all the flowers strewn in our path.

Twenty-four hours to Our Lady

What do you do when you have less than twenty-four hours to prepare for Our Lady?

Tuesday afternoon, I found out that the pilgrim image of Our Lady of Guadalupe would be coming to our house on Wednesday! This image holds a deep significance for our family and all the members of our local homeschooling group. Four and a half years ago, it was brought to the bedside of our beloved friend after a near fatal and appalling car accident. I still have pictures of my children gathered round the image in the living room of our first home, just before bringing it to Brigid's bedside in the hospital:

Imagine my joy to learn that this miraculous image would be visiting us again, this time gracing our new home. More incredibly, my beautifully recovered friend and her two children would be on hand to greet Our Lady, thanking her for the precious gift of a mother's life.

Late Tuesday night, I had a moment of panic. With very few flowers blooming in the yard, I wondered how the children would welcome Our Lady, or prepare our home to receive her beautiful image. It had been on my mind to revisit the Marian May Baskets craft from last year, this time re-inventing it with pretty paper cones and ribbon for the first of May. Happily, it occurred to me that these simple cones would be perfect for crafting with a crowd, and the children could take the baskets home afterward to give as May Day gifts. Please take a look at this hastily prepared--but very well received--Marian activity:

Marie presents her First Communion-themed basket.

Two unfinished samples wait to be filled and hung on the front door of a loved one.

This Irish-themed basket, with a turf Madonna fringe of moss, graces our front door.

We started with patterned collage paper from the scrapbooking aisle (rectangular works best--one package makes twenty):

These were formed into cones with hot glue with two holes punched on each side for ribbon:

The pastel, blue, and lavender patterns on our collage paper were just perfect. If you are crafting with a crowd of children, it helps to fashion the cones in advance. (Hot glue and crowds of children don't mix!)

The cones store inside one another for easy transfer.

As a central element of each basket, I gave each child a small floral notecard to create a spiritual bouquet, encouraging them to write down prayers they will say for the recipients of their baskets.

The children hung their baskets in the shrubs surrounding the image, making April bloom like May!

The cones were such a happy sight, offering a festive atmosphere of love and welcome.

At the last possible moment, I arranged for a friend (a high school music teacher off this week) to join us for the afternoon leading the children in song: "Bring Flowers of the Fairest," "Salve Regina," "Regina Caeli" and other devotional hymns. The children said the Rosary with love and reverence, each one offering prayer requests to Our Blessed Mother.

I prayed for all of you--particularly those trying to conceive and Heather, a young mother diagnosed with a brain tumor. Here is a partial group shot of the children. (Too bad the pole from our volley ball net is in the way!)

The glorious Spring weather seemed an earthly reflection of the graces showered on our home and families. What a blessed day it was!

[A special thanks to Theresa F. for bringing the image to our home yesterday! You are beautiful inside and out!]

A Hymn for Marie

“Marie, you are the luckiest girl in the world,” I announced, climbing into our family’s van. “Take a look at the hymn you will be singing for your First Holy Communion!” (The thoughtful secretary at our parish’s Religious Education Office had just given me the lyrics for Marie to practice while the children waited a moment in the car.)

Agnes was the first to get a hold of the slip of paper I was carelessly handing back, recognizing the verses instantly and singing:

“Jesus, my Lord, my God, my All, How can I love Thee as I ought?”

She interrupted herself to exclaim, “Oh, I love that one! You really are lucky, Marie. That’s going to be beautiful.”

Waiting at a stop sign and watching Marie through my rear-view mirror, I could see she was pleased. “You will love this hymn all your life and learn so much from it,” I assured her, flicking on a right hand blinker, “In fact, it is a Catechism in itself! It reminds us that Jesus is truly present in the Blessed Eucharist and we need to spend our lives loving Him more and more, taking Mary as our model.”

Within moments, the trees and lights and houses whizzing past both sides of the van seemed curiously out of rhythm with the measured hymn being sung by four steady voices behind me:

“Jesus, my Lord, my God, my All,
How can I love Thee as I ought?
And how revere this won’drous gift,
So far surpassing hope or thought?

“Sweet Sacrament, we Thee adore!
O make us love Thee more and more!
O make us love Thee more and more!

“Had I but Mary’s sinless heart,
To love Thee with my dearest King,
O with what bursts of fervent praise,
Thy goodness Jesus would I sing!

“Sweet Sacrament, we Thee adore!
O make us love Thee more and more!
O make us love Thee more and more!

Seven-year-old Marie asked only one question, “What does ‘surpassing’ mean?”

“It means the gift of the Blessed Sacrament is far beyond anything we could ever hope for or imagine. It’s better than anything!”

“Wow,” she breathed, poking a thoughtful thumb into her mouth to drink it in. [Yes, dear friends, like her mother before her, our precious Marie is a thumb sucker, particularly when she is mulling something over.] She sat quietly pondering as her sisters began again, relishing the sound of their own voices in a hymn worthy of the Seraphim.

Weeks passed, and our long-anticipated Easter Pageant rolled around. After one of the performances, Marie was asked to rehearse the song along with the other communicants. A jumble of children tumbled into three standing rows—an adorable hodgepodge of tall and small, sharp and scruffy, calm and clamorous--boys and girls with eyes and hair and faces of every description--some from Mass-going families and others who may find themselves inside the Church but rarely.

When the music began, a palpable and unifying change in expression and demeanor came over each and every one of them, and, as they lifted their voices to sing, a range of emotions could be read upon their earnest faces:

“Jesus, my Lord, my God, my All,”

Reverence.

“How can I love Thee as I ought?”

Ardor.

“And how revere this wond’rous gift,”

Depth.

“So far surpassing hope or thought?"

Joy.

“Sweet Sacrament, we Thee adore! O make us love Thee more and more! O make us love Thee more and more!”

Pure Elation.

Something perceptible and heartfelt had taken root in all of them, no mistake.

Understandably impressed and not a little bit surprised, the musical director blurted after one round, “You are the best First Holy Communion singers I have ever had!” The children gladly began the hymn once more, their second rendering no less heartfelt than the first.

This time, the director could not help but wheel about, hoping to find some adults catching this singular performance. Most of the moms were chatting in clusters, but I stood watching with a broad smile on my face, and she made a beeline toward me.

“I can’t believe how well they are singing,” she began happily and without any introduction. “When this song was chosen, I had my doubts. I thought it would be too hard for young children.”

“It is wonderful!” I agreed wholeheartedly. “I think the words of the hymn have inspired them!”

“I don’t know,” she said, still beaming toward the children, “maybe,” before slipping back to the front to cheer on her little band of singers.

The children resumed the hymn for the third time in a row, their faces still as alight and ardent as before. By this time, I had tears in my eyes, and, as if in silent accompaniment to the melody, the words of St. John’s Gospel rang out in my mind:

“Simon, do you love me? Feed my lambs. Simon, do you love me? Tend my sheep. Simon, do you love me? Feed my sheep.”

Our Lord’s lambs were right there before me and populating the First Holy Communion group. There they were, frisking and frolicking and kicking up their heels, having just been fed the hardy grasses of Truth and Beauty. I can only imagine how vibrant this flock will be when nourished by the Bread of Angels.

It seems to me that too often we choose over-simplified little ditties for young children, as if perk and pep would stand in for substance. For seven and eight year olds, insipid, shallow strains hold about as much spiritual significance as “I’m a Little Teapot.” But give them Truth articulated in rich and beautiful language, and their ready hearts soak it in like well-tilled gardens in April. Young though they are, children are eternal beings made in the image and likeness of God, longing—no living--to know Him. The question, “Jesus, my Lord, my God, my all, how can I love Thee as I ought?” is a challenge for all eternity and an aspiration that cannot be embraced too soon. It is the battle cry of the saints.

I am looking forward to the blessed day on which my fourth young one will receive Jesus in First Holy Communion, and I cannot wait to hear those precious lambs singing their hearts out once more—this time lit from within by the True Presence of Our Lord Himself.

*******

[This photo of five of our children, taken back in October, seemed perfect for Marie's Hymn.]

Pearls from the Catechism:

“Truth is beautiful in itself.” [CCC 2500.]

“’The musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of inestimable value, greater even than that of any other art.’” [CCC 1156.]

“What material food produces in our bodily life, Holy Communion wonderfully achieves in our spiritual life.” [CCC 1392.]

*******
Complete Lyrics to "Jesus, My Lord, My God, My All" by Father Frederick William Faber.

Sample of Marie's hymn, sung by my favorite singer, the late Frank Patterson. (Please scroll down to select.)
*******
This post is lovingly dedicated to our beloved "Papa," Pope John Paul the Great, on his second birthday in Heaven.

Water, Daughter, Water . . .

God, in His infinite goodness, saw to it that it does not take much to entertain a toddler.

Maureen and I had a blast playing a ridiculous game this afternoon. I made it up on the spur of the moment in an attempt to be silly, but she just loved it. Mom does all the talking for this one.

Me [who happened to be holding a bottle of water]: "This is my nice little baby water."

[Turning to pat Maureen]: "This is my nice little baby daughter."

[Ttouching water again]: "Water!"

[Patting Maureen affectionately]: "Daughter!"

"Water!"

"Daughter!"

"Water!"

"Daughter!"

"Water!"

[Throwing both arms around Maureen suddenly]: "Caught her!!!!"

The "caught her" brought screams and squeals of the deepest laughter, not to mention a crowd of amused young onlookers. So enthusiastic was Maureen that she pressed me to repeat this game at least a dozen times. Even seven year old Marie begged for a turn (and received several)! Needless to say, the rhyme needed to be tweaked quite a bit for Patrick.

For a far more dramatic look at a real life game of "Water, Daughter," please pay a visit to the Cottage Garden. But be warned--you will need your rubbers.

Tea, Turtledoves, and Treading Water: When Candlemas Comes to Call

O Blessed Mother of God, who went up to the Temple according to the law with your
offering of little white doves, pray for me that I too may keep the law and be pure in heart
like you.

Sweet heart of Mary, be my salvation.

--from the Novena for Purification

I have a confession to make--we have never celebrated Candlemas in our house. Candlemas, for me, is a pleasant sounding holiday with a name that makes me think of medieval times, kind of like Michaelmas and Martinmas, two other celebrations we only discovered recently.

This year a series of events led me to believe that the Holy Spirit might be prompting us to do more for this great feast of the Purification of Our Lady.

First, the Purification Novena scheduled months ago at Loreto Cottage began (prayed especially for the wonderful Theresa)--it was several days before I even realized that The Purification and Candlemas are the same Feast! (So that's what Candlemas is!) Then out of the blue, a local friend emailed a beautiful Candlemas prayer. Another friend announced she would be hosting the Loveliness of Candlemas Fair. (I could not wait to read it, but did not at first even think about participating--after all, we had *no* plan to celebrate the feast at all!) The final straw--a straw from the manger perhaps--came when a dear friend from our local homeschooling group presented me with a bright yellow folder on Friday. Tucked inside were page after page of Candlemas prayers and hymns collected from several of her treasured out of print books--all painstakingly photocopied just for me.

At that point, I knew God was telling me something!

For those of you unfamiliar with Candlemas (myself included up until about a day or so ago), it is the Feast of the Purification of Our Lady and the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple. Traditionally called Candlemas because candles are blessed on this day to help us remember the words of holy Simeon who called the babe in his arms, "A light to lighten the gentiles and the glory of your people, Israel." Luke 2: 32.

As we often do with feasts, the girls and I are planning a Tea, along with a special centerpiece and craft. It is admittedly hastily planned, but we never let perfectionism stand in the way of fun!

Candlemas Tea Menu

Pure Tea
Sugar Cubes for Our Lady
Milk for St. Joseph
Water
A pair of turtledoves
Holy Simeon's Arms
Piercing swords
Anna the Prophetess
Pure Hearts
Theresa's edible tapers (optional)

Reading: Luke 2: 22-40.

Recipes and Suggestions:

1. Pure Tea

I hope this will not sound too silly, but many boxes of tea are marked "pure tea." It seems to me that this might be pointed out to the children in conjunction with a discussion of the ritual of purification.

2. Sugar Cubes for Our Lady and Milk for St. Joseph

This is an idea borrowed from Our Epiphany Tea, and the explanations fit just as well here. When discussing Our Lady, I would point out that the whiteness of the sugar reminds us of her purity. Out of obedience and humility, she went to the Temple for the ritual of Purification, but she was at all times sinless and spotless from the moment of her conception.

3. Water

Water is so associated with purity and purification that a pitcher of spring water for the table makes sense for this celebration. We are also planning a holy water centerpiece (below).

4. A pair of turtledoves

There are so many possibilities for this offering--anything from delicate white sandwiches to small meringues, but for this celebration, the children in our family will be preparing a small craft for the table featuring craft store doves in a basket. (I purchased the doves on Saturday, and it has been all I could do to keep the children from playing with them! I found one attached to a handwrought floral fairy's car today!)

5. Holy Simeon's Arms

Holy Simeon held the Christ Child in his arms saying, "Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to Your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation." Luke 2: 29-30. To remember the loving arms of Simeon, twisted pretzels (first invented in the middle ages to represent arms folded in prayer) will be a readily obtained and simple symbol.

As you are serving them, remind the children that Christ would later preach, "You are the salt of the earth . . . . You are the light of the world." (Mt. 5: 13-14.)

6. Piercing Swords

Simeon was moved by the Holy Spirit to declare to Our Lady, "Behold, this child is destined for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be contradicted, and you yourself a sword will pierce, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." Luke 2: 34-35.

A simple cube of mild cheese, topped with a grape tomato and pierced with a toothpick would provide a good visual for the children. If you have a party store near you, you might even pick up the perfect box ofSword Toothpicks.

7. Anna the Prophetess

Oh, how I love Anna--worshiping in the temple day and night at the age of 84. [This would be my mother if she did not have grandchildren. : )]

Because Anna was a widow, something black might represent her well. I can think of many possibilities, but our family will pick up a box of Mallomars. They are perfect for Anna. The black outer shell shows that she is a widow, but inside you will see the purity and goodness of her devout heart represented in the white center. Note that the marshmallow stands on top of a graham cracker, and remind the children that this good woman never left the floor of the Temple day or night.

(By the way, up until recently, I would have told you I could not stand Mallomars, but I tried one around Christmas, and it was surprisingly good.)

8. Pure Hearts

Have the children dip strawberries in fresh whipped cream to represent Our Lady's pure and innocent heart. If you managed to get sword toothpicks, it would be very effective to skewer each strawberry for added significance.

Another possibility:

We have a small fondue pot that rarely gets used. I may let the children dip the strawberries into melted white chocolate kept warm over a candle, just because I like the idea of the candle for Candlemas.

9. Theresa's Edible Tapers

Speaking of fondue pots, 11 year old Theresa made a creative suggestion we will not have time to test in advance. Cut small pieces of shoestring licorice--dip several times in melted white chocolate leaving a bit of licorice exposed as a wick. If it works, you will have tiny and adorable edible dipped tapers.

Here are some photographs of our Candlemas supplies:

On Friday morning, we will attend Mass at our parish, asking the priest to bless these floating white rose candles. The white rose seemed the perfect symbol of the Purification of Our Lady, and I plan to give the centerpiece added meaning by floating the candles in holy water, allowing the children to bless themselves (before the candles are lit, of course!)

A print of the Presentation will grace the table as well, along with a children's project--doves in a basket. We only have six doves, so, just as Mary and Joseph shared a pair of turtledoves, each pair of my children will share a pair as well.

I never did post pictures of my glorious Advent log in its fully lighted beauty. (Thank you, Rebecca!!!) Fortunately, I am a procrastinator, and the log is still on our living room mantle. I plan on replacing the red Christmas candle with a large fat white one, decorated with Marian symbols to become a Mary Candle. We will light the white side candles and sing Candlemas hymns, processing out afterward to bid a last farewell to our outdoor creche. It will be a fitting end to the official Christmas season, and for once I am glad we never got around to putting some things away!

And a word about treading water. As you know, the learning room of our cottage is soaked through. Yesterday, a workman brought me over to survey the cleanup effort, and I was shocked to see the room stripped down to the studs. The walls and ceiling were ripped out, and even part of the adjacent bathroom wall was no more. The place looked worse, if anything, so much worse than when it was merely wet with a ceiling piece hanging down. Still, I knew it had to be done if the room is to get better.

Then it occurred to me that the stripped room was a perfect metaphor for purification--in many ways, to improve our hearts and become true followers of Christ, we need to strip them down to the studs, lopping away all that is festering within us and holding us back from Him. Even Our Lady, pure and sinless though she was, was pruned and groomed in the school of suffering--told on the very day of Purification of a sword that would pierce her heart.

And so, Candlemas has come to call this year, in more ways than one.

Sowing a Seed

"Joshua and the battle of Jericho, Jericho, Jericho! Joshua and the battle of Jericho! And the walls came tumbling down!"

I can still see the scene in my mind's eye: the cafeteria of St. Mary's School, surreal to me at night, with an assortment of neighborhood children pressing round a fortress of cardboard milk cartons. The gang of us are singing at the top of our lungs, before bolting forward with a whoop to topple the flimsy firmament at just the right moment. This simple, boisterous game was all part of "Family Night," an event promoted in those days by a young priest named Father Daily and filed away forever in my treasure chest of joyful childhood memories. I am not sure what I knew about Joshua or Jericho at the time, yet the fun and wild abandon of the game remains with me still.

Then there was Lent at St. Mary's Church and the 7:30 evening Mass in its dimly lit basement. My mother and our neighbor, Mrs. Maloney, would rarely miss it. Anne Maloney and I could not wait to pile into the car for the novel nightly outing, or better yet walk under the train trestle with its flourescent lights and cooing pigeons, pretty sure of a soda at Alexander's afterward, and, if we were very lucky, a piece of creamy white chocolate to split between us. How I loved those Masses with Anne at my side and holy Father Callahan on the altar. The memory of them brings a pleasing mist to my eyes even now.

Looking back on my early "spiritual" experiences, I see now that, although they were in some ways less than ethereal, those blessed moments are cloaked in a mantle of simple childish gladness and mirth. To this day, I love the Mass and the Church and the Holy Bible and our parish priests, and, it seems to me, the seeds of Faith and love and loyalty were sown deep, sown in the ready heart of a child and fed and fertilized with soda and smiles, war whoops and white chocolate.

In passing on the Faith to our children, it is a great hope of mine that we will allow them to form many happy associations like these. Armed with a childhood of fond religious memories, they surely will fare far better against the world's onslaught than those tottery milk cartons in the cafeteria. With this in mind, we have begun a new tradition in our home--First Saturday Outings.

The idea was born over hot chocolates in Starbuck's back in December. I had taken the four older girls and my favorite slingrider to do a little window shopping while dh watched Patrick and Maureen. The night was pleasingly temperate, and our spirits were so high that it made me wonder why we rarely go out together in the evening. It happened to be First Saturday, and I considered what fun it would be make a special trip every First Saturday night. The girls were at once taken with the idea and talked about the first Saturday of January for a full month. Even the wonders of Christmas and New Year's could not dilute their eager anticipation.

First Saturday morning, the children awoke already talking about Mass and Confession and the special trip planned for afterward. This month, our outing consisted of omelettes at a local diner with a walk through Border's Bookstore afterward. Dh and I decided to spring for a round of hot cocoa at the cafe, but, much to everyone's dismay, they were all out of (gasp) cocoa powder. Fortuitously, the girl behind the counter offered white chocolate as a substitute, and, you will be glad to learn, the pale variety was accepted by today's young Catholics as readily as it was by Anne Maloney and Alice O'Brien those many years ago.

We arrived home late and began the usual bustle of toothbrushing, pajama hunting, and laundry rounding ("It's like herding cats," quipped dh.) The little three were asleep in an instant, when I remembered we had not yet said a Rosary or meditated an extra fifteen minutes on the Mysteries for First Saturday. The four girls were only too happy to stay up a while longer for a cozy, quiet Rosary, and I was just about to remind them of the quarter hour's meditation, when an idea struck me.

"Get on your coats, girls."

Eight eyes opened wide, and even dh uttered a disbelieving, "Did you say 'coats'?"

Within two minutes, we were outside under the stars--barely chilly with the springlike weather we have been having--and singing around our outdoor creche. Everything but the creche was pitch black, and the children's voices rose sweetly in the thin night air. Hymn after hymn of their own choosing: "Lo, How a Rose E're Blooming," "Adeste Fideles," "Hark the Herald Angels Sing," "Do You Know What I Know?" "Away in a Manger"--they formed the merriest little quartet of carolers you ever heard, inventing harmonies and smiling toward the stable. I listened silently, my heart swelling with hope that these blessed hymns might be their "Joshua and the Battle of Jericho," with each heartfelt note girding them for adulthood.

As we walked back to the house, I found more than one young hand had made its way into mine, and a couple of the girls walked ahead arm in arm. Margaret turned to me with a face as bright as the moon above our heads and proclaimed, "This was such a fun day!"

More music to my ears.

Harp Sting

Margaret has decided she wants to begin harp lessons. She loves the delicate beauty of the harp and already imagines herself dressed as an angel and strumming this ethereal instrument for next year's Christmas Pageant. She was so excited when I found her a harp teacher and absolutely cannot wait to get started this week. In her enthusiasm, she kept saying things like: "I can't believe I am going to play the harp"; "Maybe Theresa can play a duet with me on her violin"; "Are you going to buy me a harp, or will we rent one?"; "Did you ever think about harp lessons when you were younger, Mom?"; "Why do they always show angels playing harps?"; "Do you think the harp will be hard or easy to play?"; "Where do you think we will keep my harp?"

After about a day or so of this, Margaret mused to Agnes, "I can't wait for my first harp lesson," to which Agnes deadpanned, "That's great, Margaret, but could you stop harping on it?"

Scenes from our Tea for the Twelve Days of Christmas and Epiphany

Our Tea for the Twelve Days of Christmas and Epiphany was appreciated by all the children, and I am hoping it will become a tradition in our house for many years to come.

How perfect is this teapot (coffee pot, actually)? Its deep burgundy and woodsy hues form a cozy backdrop for the lyrics to "Silent Night." I found this treasure at an after-Christmas sale and almost did not purchase it. That is, until I caught site of the nesting sugar and creamer and was smitten instantly and irrevocably. I had never before seen a creamer resting atop a sugar bowl, and, although I realize it will never hold enough milk to accommodate that hulking coffee pot, true love isn't necessarily practical. Believe it or not, it was only when I brought these home that I realized how perfect they would be for our Christmas Tea! After all, tea may be brewed in a coffee pot!

"Tea from the Innkeeper":

"Sugar Cubes for Our Lady":

"Milk for St. Joseph":

As you can see, the creamer actually forms a lid for the sugar bowl, reminding us that St. Joseph is the protector of Our Lady:

I had planned on heading out to the bakery for a baguette and rolls, but a busy morning prevented the errand. Theresa saved the day by whipping up a blueberry quick bread from a mix to represent "Bethlehem, House of Bread":

"Babes in the Manger":

"Shepherd's Staffs":

Margaret, Marie, Patrick, and Theresa spent part of the afternoon creating dozens of angels out of coffee filters. There were several different designs, but my personal favorites were the ones made out of our cut-up Christmas photograph. "A Host of Angels":

An angelic centerpiece, with seven angels--one for each of the children:

Agnes' letters were a highlight for all of us. She read them aloud while the others gathered round the tree. Has it truly been a year since she surprised me with that Wise Man Figure?

"Wise Men's Gifts":

At the very end, the children opened yet another very special surprise on behalf of the Christ Child:

The gifts of the Magi--gold, frankincense, and myrrh in ornate boxes--an extravagance purchased two days ago for a clearance price at yet another after-Christmas sale. I never would have thought of purchasing these, but the price was too good to pass up. You see, there are many advantages to being one of the minority who celebrates the Twelve Days of Christmas:

Of course, it wouldn't be a Cottage Blessings Party without our usual rag tag band of party crashers. Oh, how I love the ever-growing Raggedy Family:

So Eileen, what did you think of your first Christmas Tea?

Her smile says it all!

Happy Feast of the Epiphany, dear friends!

*******
Production Team

Babysitters: Theresa, Agnes, Marie, Margaret (in shifts)
Baking: Theresa
Poetry: Agnes
Angel Crafting: Margaret (lead designer), Theresa, Marie, Patrick
Best Boy: Patrick
Direction and Cinematography: Mommy
"Babe in a Manger" assembly: Marie, with help from Mommy
Tablescape Design Advice: every single person in the family, with final say given to Mommy
Music: Christmas Choirs (BMG), 3 CD set purchased at Staples for $7.99.

*******
A word about the three letters. A dear friend asked permission to read Agnes' letters aloud during her Tea. Agnes was honored beyond words and hopes anyone who wishes will feel free to do the same.

A Very Simple Tea for the Twelve Days of Christmas and Epiphany

As 2006 draws to a close and we make ready to celebrate the Epiphany next week, I hope some of you will enjoy this simple Tea suitable for any of the Twelve Days of Christmas. While I would prefer to create detailed menus emphasizing the infancy narratives found in St. Luke and St. Matthew, time is of the essence, and a simplified version will work well for this year.

In advance of the Tea, I would suggest that mothers set aside three things--a little bit of money for the poor box, a list of special prayers said thoughout the week (especially prayers for your children), and notes of sacrifices made or sufferings offered in love (parents experience this everyday). These will be important at the end of the Tea. If you are so inclined, ask your children to join you, setting aside a portion of their Christmas money, saying special prayers, and keeping track of little hurts and sufferings they remember to offer up.

Christmas and Epiphany Tea Menu

House of Bread
Tea from the Innkeeper
Sugar Cubes for Our Lady
Milk for St. Joseph
The Babe in the Manger
Shepherds' Staffs
A Host of Angels
Wise Men's Gifts

Recipes and Suggestions

Begin by reading from any good picture book on the Nativity, choosing your version based on your children's ages and the beauty of the illustrations. As you serve the tea, re-tell the story of the Nativity, explaining the significance of each menu item as you go along. (In the recipe section below, I will attempt to show in a small way how this might be done.)

1. "House of Bread" (Lk. 2: 1-4.)

Offer the children a basket of rolls with butter to represent Bethlehem, which means "House of Bread." As you read or tell the beginning of the Nativity story, explain the significance of this, reminding them of the Holy Eucharist. The gospel begins:

"In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria. So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child."

2. "Tea from the Innkeeper" (Lk. 2.)

Bethlehem was crowded, and there was no room for Joseph and Mary in the Inn. Taking pity on the young couple, the innkeeper allowed them to take shelter in a cave used by animals. Tea represents warmth, hospitality, and comfort, and so, as we pour our tea, we remember the innkeeper who offered a humble roof to the blessed couple on that holy night.

3. "Sugar Cubes for Our Lady"

We call Our Blessed Mother "our life, our sweetness, and our hope." As we sweeten our tea, we are reminded of Our Lady's sweetness, the spotless whiteness of the refined sugar symbolizing her purity and innocence. The cubes dissolve in the hot liquid, just as Our Lady conformed herself completely to the Divine Will. Stirring the cubes into our tea, we repeat Mary's Fiat as proclaimed in the Angelus saying, "Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done unto me according to Thy Word."

4. "Milk for St. Joseph"

Often, when we drink tea, it is hot and can burn our lips. The milk cools the tea and protects us, just as St. Joseph protected the Holy Family. It's pure whiteness reminds us that St. Joseph was a pure and just man.

5. "The Babe in the Manger" (Lk. 2: 6-7)

"While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn."

The manger was a place where animals ate, reminding us that our dear Lord provides food for our souls in the Holy Eucharist. The swaddling clothes prefigure the burial cloth that would be placed around Christ's body after the Crucifixion.

To assemble sweet mini-mangers, gather:

Waffle Bowls for ice cream (or individual graham cracker tart shells)
Ice cream or pudding
Toasted Coconut or shaved white chocolate (optional)
Pepperidge Farm "Gingerman" Cookies
Whipped Cream or Cool Whip
Necco Wafers (optional)
Decorator's gel icing (optional)

Put a scoop of ice cream or pudding into a waffle bowl, sprinkling toasted coconut or white chocolate shavings on top for hay. (In the photo, I used a mixture of white coconut and shaved milk chocolate, but white chocolate would be even better.) Nestle a Gingerman cookie in this "manger," tucking a yellow Necco wafer under its head for a halo. Dollop Cool Whip or Whipped Cream over the center of the body for "swaddling clothes," drawing a sweet little face and curl of hair with decorator's gel icing. As you will note from the photo, I used a graham cracker pie shell, but waffle bowls make even better mangers if you can find them at your local store.

6. "Shepherd's Staffs" (Lk. 2: 8.)

"Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock."

Hand each of the children a candy cane to represent the staffs of the shepherds. (These may be taken home or saved for later.) Teach the children of the spiritual significance of the candy cane. Each one reminds us that Jesus is the Good Shepherd. The red and white represent the blood and water from His side and, when turned upside down, the candy cane forms the letter "J."

7. "A Host of Angels" (Lk. 2: 9-20)

Hold a simple white tissue paper angel up for view as you tell about the angel who first came to the shepherds. Then, just before you say, "[a]nd suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: 'Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests,'" ask the children to peek under their plates or placemats. There they will each find a simple tissue paper angel with the words "Glory to God in the Highest" emblazoned across the front. Have the children shout out the angels' message with joy while waving their special angels, "Glory to God in the Highest!" or "Glory to God in the Highest and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests!"

8. "Wise Mens' Gifts"

Tell or read about the gifts of the Three Wise Men, allowing the children to take turns opening three beautifully wrapped gifts for the Baby Jesus they will find in the center of the table. In the first box, representing "Gold," put money gathered for the poor or for your parish. (This is especially effective if the children have shared some of their Christmas money in advance.) The next box, representing "Frankincense," will contain a spiritual bouquet of prayers said by Mom and Dad on behalf of and in thanksgiving for these precious children. Ask the children to continue to "fill" the box with prayers throughout the month. The last box, representing "Myrrh," will contain a list of sacrifices or sufferings offered up for the Christ Child. If these were completed by Mom and Dad, ask the children to continue to fill the box during the month of January.

At the end of the Tea, process to your familiy's Nativity scene, presenting these three boxes to the Christ Child and adding the figures of the Wise Men to the creche if you have not already done so. If you decide to make this Tea a tradition in your home, it might be worthwhile to consider filling the Three Wise Men's boxes as an activity throughout Advent or during the Twelve Days of Christmas.

_______

Christmas and Epiphany Tea Shopping List

Tea
Milk
Sugar cubes
Bread or rolls
Butter
Waffle bowls for ice cream (or individual graham cracker tart shells)
Ice cream or pudding
Toasted Coconut or shaved white chocolate (optional)
Pepperidge Farm "Gingerman" Cookies
Whipped Cream or Cool Whip
Necco Wafers (optional)
Decorator's gel icing (optional)
Candy canes

Other items you will need:

White tissue paper to create simple angels (The great thing about tissue paper is you can cut out several at once.)
Pen or marker for writing "Glory to God in the Highest"
Three wrapped boxes containing money for the poor, prayers, and sacrifices as described above

May God continue to bless you and your families during this holy season!

Bring Flow'rs of the Fairest

Bring flow'rs of the fairest, bring flow'rs of the rarest,
From garden and woodland and hillside and vale;
Our full hearts are swelling, our glad voices telling
The praise of the loveliest Rose of the vale.

O Mary! We crown thee with blossoms today,
Queen of the Angels, Queen of the May,
O Mary we crown thee with blossoms today,
Queen of the Angels, Queen of the May.

[Traditional Marian Hymn]

Our steadfast friend in heaven, St. Louis de Montfort taught that God's chosen ones "stay at home with their mother" and "always remain in the company of the Blessed Virgin . . . whose glory is wholly interior and who during her whole life dearly loved seclusion and prayer." They also "have a great love for Our Lady and honor her truly as their Mother and Queen." [True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin, "TDBV," Sections 196-197.]

Halfway through this glorious Marian month, it is my great joy and privilege to share photographs and writings from families who have indeed stayed at home with their mother affectionately honoring her as their Queen, through May Altars, Mary Gardens, and, above all, unceasing prayer and trust in her intercession and unfailing resolve to lead us to her Son.

In May is for Mary, the always-uplifting Dawn, of By Sun and Candlelight, inspires with an intimate look at her warm and gracious home, including a May altar that is as edifying as it is beautiful. I can imagine her boys picking up those well-chosen Marian books throughout the month and loving our heavenly mother more with each and every one. As they step outside to play, how glad they must be to breathe in the fragrant and well-tended garden, while watching songbirds visit a beautiful new statue of Our Lady that also happens to be a birdfeeder. (The Holy Spirit seems behind that Carmelite gift shop find!)

A devoted young mother from The Chronicles of Mommyhood shares her family's May Altar, a shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Czestochowa, the miraculous black Madonna of Poland, who was so instrumental in guiding and inspiring our beloved Pope, John Paul the Great, from the days of his youth. I had the privilege of visiting Czestochowa fourteen years ago and attended a private Mass in the presence of this revered icon. It was a stirring experience I will never forget and one of the reasons I especially love this particular May altar.

My dear friend, Elizabeth Foss, never ceases to amaze with photographs of her beautiful May altars, not to mention a thoughtful post sharing some of her family's many activities and devotions to honor Our Lady, including the creation of a colorful Mary Garden to grace the outside of their home. Elizabeth somehow manages to go the extra mile in everything she does.

Thoughtful Kathleen Lawson was kind enough to send a photograph of her indoor altar prayer room, a tranquil place of prayer and devotion that would enhance and bless any home,

not to mention her serene outdoor shrine, showing Our Lady fittingly crowned and decked in the loveliest of spring flowers:

Warm and wonderful Rebecca, of A Gypsy Caravan shares her family's May altar, lovingly trimmed with the season's brightest Lilies of the Valley, Pink Azaleas, and a delicately embroidered cloth, along with an array of devotional books sure to inspire the children throughout this month and beyond. I cannot imagine a more perfect place to pray and grow in love for Our Lady:

My friend and fellow moderator, Janette, of the 4Real Message Board shares her family's attractive altar. With its smooth Rosary beads artfully balancing a glossy jug of flowers in the same tawny hue and tea lights lit in Our Lady's honor, this May altar looks ready for the family to gather for the Rosary and a heartfelt round of hymns:

At the Ecole Buissonniere, Louise, the dear mother of eleven wonderful children, offers photos of her family's May Altar in a heartfelt Mother's Day wish to Our Lady. The varied old-fashioned roses and scattered petals make me wish their fragrance could travel through the computer screen, and the lighted candles and basket of books cannot help but lift the spirits and create an atmosphere of devotion and prayer. Louise, like all of the other mothers represented, has created a perfect place for her family to gather in prayer, touching the young souls in her care and inspiring them to an intimate love of Our Blessed Mother.

In outlining exterior practices of True Devotion to Our Lady, St. Louis mentions, among other things, the careful recitation of the Rosary, the wearing of the scapular, and "decorating her altars, [and] crowning and adorning her statues." [TDBV Section 116] How pleased our Mother in Heaven must be to see so many families gathered in prayer around richly decorated May Altars, drawing both parents and children ever closer to Jesus through Mary.

___________________

Many, many thanks to all who were kind enough to send photos and links sharing your May Altars here at Cottage Blessings. If anyone reading this did not get a chance to email a photo or link, please send it along any time, and I will be very glad to add it to this post. Believe me, I know how difficult it is to get an altar completed and photo ready by the middle of May. A series of illnesses and weather delays caused our May Altar and Crowning photos of last year to wait until the first of June, but I think Our Lady just wanted our rhododendrons to be in bloom for the event!

Mother of God, Star of the Sea

"As sailors are guided by a star to the port, so Christians are guided to heaven by Mary."

--St. Thomas Aquinas

In True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin, St. Louis de Montfort advocates complete Consecration to Jesus through Mary. This stalwart Marian saint sets forth a series of prayers and practices in preparation for the Consecration, including the daily recitation of the Ave Maris Stella, a prayer to Our Lady under her title "Star of the Sea":

Ave Maris Stella

Hail, bright star of the ocean,
God's own Mother blest,
Ever sinless Virgin,
Gate of heavenly rest.

Taking that sweet Ave
Which from Gabriel came,
Peace confirm within us,
Changing Eva's name.

Break the captives' fetters,
Light on blindness pour,
All our ills expelling,
Ever bliss implore.

Show thyself a Mother;
May the Word Divine,
Born for us thy Infant,
Hear our prayers through thine.

Virgin all excelling,
Mildest of the mild,
Freed from guilt, preserve us,
Pure and undefiled.

Keep our life all spotless,
Make our way secure,
Till we find in Jesus
Joy forevermore.

Through the highest heaven
To the Almighty Three,
Father, Son and Spirit,
One same glory be.

Amen.

St. Thomas Aquinas' explanation of the title "Star of the Sea" for Our Lady (quoted above) should resonate with all of us. Mary is, after all, the "true north," our guiding star, forever and unfailingly leading us to her Son during our sojourn here on earth. Through whatever life my bring, we need only turn to her, trusting that she will never cast us adrift.

Not surprisingly, the talented crew of the S/V Mari Hal-O-Jen has a special devotion to Our Lady under this title, honoring her with a vibrant maritime mosaic fashioned entirely from pictures of the sea or sandy beach. Although we live not far from the ocean, I first heard of Our Lady as "the Ocean Star" listening to the late, great Frank Patterson's incomparable compilation of sacred music, Faith of our Fathers. His rendition of the hymn, "Hail Queen of Heaven," is as haunting and deep as the sea itself:

Hail, Queen of heav'n, the ocean star.
Guide of the wand'rer here below!
Thrown on life's surge, we claim thy care.
Save us from peril and from woe.

Mother of Christ, Star of the sea,
Pray for the wanderer. Pray for me.

O gentle, chaste, and spotless Maid,
We sinners make our prayers through thee.
Remind thy Son that He has paid
The price of our iniquity.

Virgin most pure, Star of the sea,
Pray for the sinner. Oh, pray for me.

Sojourners in this vale of tears,
To thee, blest advocate, we cry.
Oh, pity our sorrows, calm our fears.
And soothe with hope our misery.

Refuge in grief, Star of the sea,
Pray for the mourner, Oh, pray for me.

Throughout the day, I often find myself praying or singing the words "Mother of Christ, Star of the Sea, pray for the wanderer, pray for me" and knowing with complete confidence that she always will. If you are unfamiliar with this hymn, but would like to sing it around the May altar with your children this very night, let the exquisite choir of Saint Clement's Church in Chicago, Illinois be your guide: Hail Queen of Heaven.

As you listen, try this simple craft project:

Mary, Star of the Sea, Decorations

Materials

Star shaped wooden plaques from the craft store
Assorted shells
Acrylic paints in blues and whites
Paintbrushes
Glue
Small image of Our Lady
Blue ribbon (optional)

Instructions

Using several shades of blue and white, begin by painting an ocean scene on your star. When this is dry, paste a small image of the Blessed Mother to the center. (You may even want to paint a small ship adrift in the ocean to show that Our Lady guides us through life's troubled waters the way the North Star guides sailors at sea.) Now glue assorted sea shells around the edges to complete the nautical look. A piece of filmy blue ribbon will allow you to hang your decoration on the wall, always reminding you of Our Lady as our faithful and constant guide.

_____
Step One: Paint the water a medium blue.

Step Two: Paint a deep blue night sky.

Steps Three and Four: Use pale blue or white to add foam and waves on the ocean. Arrange shells around the star. (If we had had more shells, we could have bordered the entire star with them.)

Step Five: Paint a bright white star in the sky. Using the brush to fleck smaller stars dotting the horizon would add visual interest as well. (It is important to do this after the shells are in place so you know exactly where it should appear.)

Step Six: Paste a picture of Our Lady to the center.

Step Seven: Add a ribbon for hanging.

Optional Step Eight: We had an extra scallop shell, so we used it to create a "compass" pointing to Our Lady.

What's that you say? You do not have a star-shaped plaque or shells on hand and can't get to the craft store?

Improvise the plaque by cutting a star out of cardboard, cardstock, or even the inside of a cereal box! Replace the shells with painted pasta shells, or leave them out altogether, painting a pretty border on the edges instead. If you do not have an image of Our Lady, consider painting your own image of the Blessed Mother or perhaps the blue and white lettered symbol of the Star of the Sea as a fitting centerpiece.

Do not forget to leave your projects on the May altar as a tribute to Our Lady. The children might enjoy processing in with the crafts while singing "Hail, Queen of Heaven," a hymn I am sure they will love and remember well into adulthood.

__________
Materials cost per project: Less than $1, not including paint and paint brushes. It would have been even less expensive if we'd collected the shells ourselves!

Totus Tuus!

Today is the feast the Blessed Virgin Mary's indefatigable servant and champion, St. Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort, founder, missionary, and author of the treatise, True Devotion to Mary.

St. Louis' teachings on Our Blessed Mother are so penetrating that, at the beginning of his papacy, our beloved Marian Pope, John Paul II, took for his motto, "Totus Tuus," later writing:

"The motto is of course inspired by the teaching of Saint Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort, who explained in the following words Mary's role in the process of our configuration to Christ: 'Our entire perfection consists in being conformed, united and consecrated to Jesus Christ. Hence the most perfect of all devotions is undoubtedly that which conforms, unites and consecrates us most perfectly to Jesus Christ. Now since Mary is of all creatures the one most conformed to Jesus Christ, it follows that among all devotions that which most consecrates and conforms a soul to our Lord is devotion to Mary, his Holy Mother, and that the more a soul is consecrated to her the more will it be consecrated to Jesus Christ.'"

--Pope John Paul II, Rosarium Virginis Mariae, quoting "True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary" by St. Louis de Montfort (emphasis in original).

St. Louis was so faithfully devoted to Our Lady that I cannot help but think of his late April feast as her special favor to him, bestowing upon him the honor of heralding the glorious month of May! St. Louis reminds us that now is the time to freshen up our favorite tablecloths, take down vases, decorate pillar candles, and choose our most beautiful Marian statues to create a family May altar in time for Our Lady's blessed month. In the meantime, the young ones in our homes will enjoy creating personal May altars to grace their rooms during this Marian season and always.

Miniature May Altars

Materials:

Small wooden hangable shelves from the craft store
Assorted acrylic paints and paintbrushes
Optional: decoupage tissue, white glue, and a sponge brush

The children began by decorating inexpensive wooden shelves in pastel colors. Agnes chose to adorn hers with roses, lilies, an an "M" wreathed in twelve stars, before decoupaging a flower-flecked "altar cloth" on top. The decoupage was done simply, by applying watered-down white glue to tissue with a sponge brush. "Mod Podge" decoupage medium could have been used to add a glossy coat to the decoupage, but we opted for the simple approach.