People, Places, and Things I Currently Fancy

This isn’t a lifestyle blog, since I hardly speak of my personal life or habits. If I did that would be so incredibly awkward, so I just share surface information. Anyway, I’m starting a new series of posts where every now and then I’ll post about people, places, and things I fancy at the moment. Just because I’m Catholic doesn’t mean I can’t like other stuff. Or people. So this is the first one. As a side note, I’m also going to begin a whole other string of posts on The Interior Castle by St. Teresa of Avila. In those posts I’ll go through the mansions one by one, explain them, muse through my own thoughts, and try to come to the understanding that St. Teresa left for us. I’m looking forward to it because if you know me, you know I love St. Teresa of Avila. 

Also, this blog now has a Facebook page. *Cue the confetti and children saying yaaaay* 

I’ll put a link in the sidebar, but here’s the link: The Salty Catholic 

Share it, tell your friends, like it, be cool.

In no particular order, I present to you the people, places, and things I currently fancy. 

Chris Pratt 

     
                                 

Because what’s not to like about Chris Pratt? Seriously. He’s likable without even trying. I’d watch Jurassic World again. I kept thinking of him as Andy from Parks and Recreation, but fighting dinosaurs are cool too.

St. Raphael 

St. Raphael is the best. He always helps me out with everything. When I’m lost, blind, need healing, or just praying for my intentions, he’s there. He didn’t fail Tobias, so he won’t fail us either. Plus the Book of Tobit is just all around awesome. It’s a love story with pooping birds, demon slaying, fishing, and victory. I don’t think any other story beats that.

School Supplies

Even though I’m in college I really do like shopping for school supplies. It’s almost time to go back to school, so I have to stock up on new notebooks, pens, sticky notes, and folders. Yes, I’m that student. I also changed my major to communications (future speech therapist up in huurrr) so you could say I’m excited to start the next semester. I also have to learn ASL so I’m really looking forward to that. 

AM by the Arctic Monkeys

Look away kids, I listen to secular music. But real talk this album is badass. I’ve always really liked the Arctic Monkeys older stuff, but this album is just something else. The new hip hop influence, sleek lyrics and falsetto tones spoke to me on a personal level. Especially the emotionally-cool lyrics. I’ve shed many a tear to this album. Cheesy, but you don’t get it unless you feel music on that level. I’m calling it now, Alex Turner is going to be one of the greatest lyricists of our time, bet on it. 

The beach 

Living in California makes this one pretty obvious. For me, the beach is emotionally and spiritually refreshing, like a little retreat. Every single time I go to the beach, I always think of Our Star of the Sea, too. I look out to the beautiful yet frightening mass of water and I’m always amazed by the thought that Our Lady is the Star of the Sea who brings us all home, no matter how lost out we are.

Chipotle

Source: Chipotle

Now, I’m Mexican-American and I know my Mexican food. I didn’t think I would like Chipotle because I pride myself in knowing what real Mexican food is and isn’t, but I was so wrong about this one. Humility is a valuable lesson. Especially when it comes to burrito bowls. I’m hooked. I’m basic. I’m sorry. I’m really not sorry.

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So that’s it for now. Don’t be too scandalized. In the meantime I’ll be re-reading The Interior Castle and seeing what I come up with. Pax. 

Have Mercy on my Eyes, or Eye

Let’s just cut the cheesy introduction and address the pink elephant in the room. What is going with the Year of Mercy logo? How is this considered to be good and inspiring art?

Just look at it. Who sincerely and honestly thought this was a good idea? I can’t wrap my mind around this. I don’t think I want to. To me, that doesn’t resound the message of mercy. Instead, it looks a regrettable hippie throwback to the 70’s. Come on, Catholic Church, I thought we were putting those dark days behind us. Is no one else unsettled that this thing looks like something out of a cheap comic? 

Mercy is great, mercy is necessary to practice our beautiful faith to the fullest. We have the corporal and spiritual works of mercy to guide us along the way. Wonderful. But this eyesore (no pun intended to the shared eye) is frightening. It makes me uncomfortable, and the thought of this image plastered all over our parishes in the near-future is already making me cringe. Not to mention being shared with the entire world. 

Really now, what is going on with the shared eye?? Oh yes, solidarity and community. Lol silly, uncomfortable little me. But I’d bet money that modernists are rejoicing and having a kumbaya fest around it. 

Look into my eye

Seriously people, how hard would it have been to incorporate the real image of Divine Mercy? We have it for a reason, St. Faustina didn’t have it commissioned just for kicks. 

I could go on, but I won’t because charity is also important and frankly, I don’t want to go on. So instead I’ll drink my coffee, and look like this for the rest of the day. Thanks, Michael Scott, you get me.

Source: Giphy

40 Lenten Sacrifices

A week from today, Catholics around the globe will be sporting ashes on their foreheads, which commences the beginning of Lent. 40 days of sacrifice, prayer and spiritual growth.

The big question is: what are you giving up or doing for Lent?
For some help, I’ve recruited my sisters to help come up with a list of 40 Lenten Sacrifices, that go beyond giving up chocolate… although that is a legitimate sacrifice for chocoholics. 

   

   

So without further ado, here you go.


25 Corporal Sacrifices 

1. Don’t scratch at itchy spots
2. Give up some vanity (shaving, makeup, eyebrow tweezing, etc)
3. Sleep with no pillow
4. Sleep on the floor
5. Don’t snack
6. Don’t buy what isn’t necessary 
7. No video games
8. Do 20 jumping jacks every morning, after you wake up
9. Avoid secular/mainstream music
10. Don’t eat out
11. Check social media only once a day, or not at all
12. Wear your least favorite color
13. Don’t speak unless unnecessary
14. Be externally (and internally) charitable to someone who makes you a saint (aka is extremely annoying)
15. Practice mortifying your senses (i.e not eating that extra slice of pizza, not watching the next episode of your favorite series, eat your least favorite food etc.)
16. When arriving at someones house, actually go to the door instead of texting or calling so say that you’re outside
17. Fast from a common food, like cheese, potatoes or bread, for example
18. Use stairs instead of the elevator or escalator 
19. Say goodbye to regular TV, and hello to EWTN 
20. Give up internet time for prayer time
21. Wear the same (or two) pair of shoes for all 40 days
22. Do your homework the day you receive it, no slacking
23. Don’t hit that snooze button
24. Don’t use extra salt or pepper on your food, including french fries
25. Do one act of charity daily, and also consider joining THE PACT to keep it going, even when Lent is over.

15 Spiritual Sacrifices

1. Start a spiritual journal and write one entry daily, or write daily if you already keep one
2. Pray three rosaries daily
3. Learn holy humility by praying instead of complaining, eye rolling, etc.
4. Continuously read (and finish) spiritual books until Lent is finished. For starters, Preparation for Death by St. Alphonsus Ligouri, or anything by St. Francis de Sales.
5. Meditate daily on the Passion 
6. Kiss a Crucifix daily, 5 times, in honor of Our Lord’s Five Wounds
7. Read The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord, by Bl. Anne Catherine Emmerich 
8. Go to adoration as often as you can, even daily
9. Go to daily mass
10. Go to confession weekly
11. Pray the Stations of the Cross every day
12. Instead of listening to secular music, listen to Gregorian chant
13. Meditate daily on the sorrows of Our Lady, which led up to the Passion. For help, click here
14. Learn about a new saint every day.
15. Say a Hail Mary for every person you encounter

Don’t be a Lenten brat

As a last note, if you’re already dreading Lent or complaining about it, you’re doing it wrong. This liturgical season is a time for deep prayer and truly looking at the Passion of Christ, the ultimate act of love for you and I, in its entirety. With that being said, let us continue to prepare for Lent with an open heart and prayerful disposition, by preparing to join our sacrifices with Christ. Pax.