Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Lumen Christi Award


A heartfelt thank you to Amy at Beautiful Whispers of Catholicism for nominating this blog for the Lumen Christi Award.  I am deeply touched and honored. 

There are three rules if you accept this award: 

(1) Name your favorite saint and why
(2) Name your favorite part of the Mass, and why
(3) Name your favorite thing about being a Catholic

Great questions, aren't they?  I love this opportunity to answer them.

(1)  Oh, how I love the saints!  Such examples of courage they are, often in the midst of great trials, but my favorite would have to be St. Francis de Sales.  You probably saw that one coming, as I quote him often But why?  I'll try to boil it down, at least a bit.  Bishop Francis de Sales worked tirelessly to spread solid Catholic truth during a time when such was being sorely challenged.  He wrote and distributed truth-filled documents, and became patron of Catholic writers.  He taught that the devout life is not only for those in monasteries, but also for people living in the world.  This was a rather novel idea in the early 1600s in France.  Francis also wrote warm, human, rich letters of spiritual direction to people from all walks of lifeHis love of God was obvious.  He founded the Order of the Visitation of Holy Mary, charging the Visitation Sisters to live in "profound humility toward God and great gentleness toward the neighbor" (a call I strive to keep in mind for myself).  Francis de Sales reminds all of us to “Always remember… to retire at various times into the solitude of your own heart even while outwardly engaged in discussions or transactions with others.  This mental solitude cannot be violated by the many people who surround you since they are not standing around your heart but only around your body.  Your heart remains alone in the presence of God.” 

(2)  My favorite part of the Mass is the Consecration.  I am speechless in the face of it.  And wordless as I try to write of it.  I think that if we had the merest glimpse of What is really happening in that moment - if the veil were lifted and our eyes of flesh could see Our Lord truly before us - we would fall on our faces and not even know, or care, how we got there.  

(3)  My favorite part of being Catholic is the fact that this is the Church Christ founded.  A look back into church history shows that clearly.  I say this as one who has, in the past, read Protestant as well as Catholic church history.  But I must admit that I have another favorite part of being Catholic: the miracle of the Mass.  And if I may be allowed to pick another (admittedly lesser) part, that would be the communion of saints.  Which brings us, in a way, full circle.... and maybe this is where I get to say "thank you" again....

With this nomination, I also have the privilege of nominating another blogger (or more) if I wish to do so.  That's the hard part, because there are so many great ones that I'd like to name at least twenty!  To make it easier on myself, I have decided to go with one.   

For its support of authentic Catholic femininity in today's (confused and challenging) world, and for enjoyable writing on a variety of topics related to that theme, I nominate:

The Feminine Gift

12 comments:

  1. I love your responses!! Amen Amen Amen. It really does seem like we should all fall on our faces before the Lord each consecration and communion. Such an ordinary action, holding one's hand out or drinking from the chalice to receive Jesus truly, for such extraordinary and incomprehensible love and mercy He so abundantly gives. All praise and thanks for His church on earth! I really like The Feminine Gift blog and will visit it again!! Thank you....

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  2. And Congratulations for the Lumen Christi Award!! I wholeheartedly agree with the choice!!!

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  3. Congratulations!! Ypurs is definitely a blog that is award worthy!

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  4. Congratulations, Nancy! I love your answers especially your reasons for loving St Francis de Sales..Blessings +

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  5. Thank you all, so much, for your generous words! I will admit to being delighted to answer the three questions, for I knew my "answers" as soon as I saw what was asked :) !

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  6. Nancy, congratulations! Your blog is definitely a Light in the darkness. Love all of your answers to the questions...and I'm with you, how could anyone possibly explain the Consecration, or Mass at all! Beyond words!

    The blog you chose sounds wonderful. Can't wait to visit..have never heard of that one. Congrats again...you know we all love you! xoxo

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  7. Patricia, how kind you are! Thank you so much. I like The Feminine Gift's approach to our lives as women, and I appreciate the perspective they provide on holy living from a generation younger than my own!

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  8. Congrats on your Lumen Christi and thank you for passing on the award! I very much enjoyed your answers. God bless!

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    1. Thank you so much. Double! I traced back the award to find its source, and am humbled to be in such good company. And the questions really are good ones; I loved answering them.

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  9. Nancy - Congratulations to you. Your site is definitely worthy of this honour - I love coming here to break, to breath and be filled with peace. Thank you for all your work in making this site what it is!

    And thank you so much for the nomination. Truly. Tess and I were speechless when we found out. From the bottom of our hearts - we are grateful.

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    1. Sarah, thank you! I truly appreciate The Feminine Gift, and the perspective you bring with your variety of beautifully written posts. As a woman a generation older than you and Tess, I am continually enlightened and encouraged by your insights.

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    2. So good to know. We often wonder, as I'm sure you do too, if our writing is touching the hearts of our readers. Thanks again, and a very blessed Advent and Christmas to you.

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