Suffering and Senioritis

Is "meh" an adjective? Probably not. But I've been feeling very meh lately. Perhaps it's partly because November is one of those months associated with what I just can't seem to forget. But I'll save that for my memoirs, in about 35 years or so. Anywho, health problems, senioritis, stress and what seems to be inevitable sleep deprivation, are all summed up in one almost non-existant word: meh. My Providential woes are not uncommon, and they too shall pass. But what are we to do in times of tribulations? Stay where we are and hope for the best, or get out to improve the situation? I'll let you know when I figure it out. Until then, I'll be beginning a novena to St. Maximilian Kolbe, because Lord knows I need heavenly intercession. Besides choking on incense during benediction and fresh holy water fonts, that's one of the many things I love about being Catholic. Even when we hit the wall, or cry alone in a fetal position until our eyes are painfully swollen, we are not alone. Better yet, we are never alone. Not with the multitude of angels and saints praying and cheering for us on this rocky road home, aka Heaven. 

There's also nothing to fear with Divine Providence (which is always perfection) in control. The difficult situations are the ones that can be the most purifying and strengthening, but only if we let them. They either make us or break us. Even when we want to give up or give in, difficult circumstances offer a priceless source of edification. Many a virtue has been born through tough times, the saints can attest to that. We're not going to be tested or tempted beyond our threshold, so we might as well come out stronger, and look back at woeful instances as times of strengthening and growth. It's either that or allow our souls to wither away in a corner, as the chalice of albeit painful yet sweet purification is wasted. Contrary to what the world says, sometimes we need to suffer in order to grow. Again, take a look at the saints. There's not one who didn't suffer. When accepted gracefully and with great love, suffering is a recipe for sainthood. For proof and holy examples, read the lives of St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. Maria Goretti, or Bl. Chiara Badano. Suffering is sanctifying, so in order to be sanctified, we must suffer.

I don't know exactly when I'll move past this period of feeling mehish, but if it wasn't beneficial to my soul, then it wouldn't be happening. That's my sole comfort. At the end of the day, Divine Providence is still amazingly awesome and absolutely perfect, even in the hours of suffering. St. Maximilian Kolbe, ora pro nobis.

How's that for No-Shave November?

"For Jesus Christ I am prepared to suffer still more." -St. Maximilian Kolbe

The Saintly Celebration

Happy All-Saints Day! All you holy men and women, ora pro nobis! 
In a recent post, I said I wasn’t going to celebrate the mainstream version of Halloween. Instead I celebrated Holyween, in preparation for All-Saints Day. I don’t think I’ve ever had that much fun, and neither have my brothers or sisters. Putting together our costumes was so much better than buying costumes that we probably won’t remember in a few years. So without further ado, I present to you a glimpse of what my very Catholic Halloween looked like. 

Here I am with my youngest brother, as Our Lady of Mt. Carmel and Baby Jesus. Getting him to wear his costume was a huge accomplishment!

         From beginning to end is St. Francis Xavier, St. Rita of Cascia, and a wingless St. Michael the Archangel. 

St. Kateri Tekakwitha 

                                   The now-winged St. Michael!

Special thanks to my mom for sewing, creating and helping with our costumes! We love you mother dearest. 

For the past two years I’ve dressed up as Momma Mary, but my figurative and literal Papa Joseph is nowhere to be found. God really does have the best sense of humor. :)
I’m already thinking of what to be next year… but for now I’ll try to wrap my mind around the fact that this year is almost over. So, so much has happened in the past year, and I can’t believe this chapter is almost over! Praise the Lord. Anyway, have a blessed All-Saints Day… remember that it’s a holy day of obligation, so now you can’t say that you forgot or didn’t know. You’re very welcome. Pax.