Pattern Day in Glendalough

"Pattern" is an old Irish term that denotes the feast day of the local patron. This day of June 3rd is the feast of Saint Kevin, still celebrated in Ireland, especially in the area surrounding the beautiful ruins of the monastery of Glendalough (Irish for "the valley of the two lakes") founded by the saint in the 6th century.

There are many interesting stories about St. Kevin, as is true of any Irish Saint (or sinner for that manner...). St. Kevin had a fondness for wild creatures and is often referred to as the "St. Francis of Ireland" (However as St. Kevin was first I think that St. Francis should be referred to as the St. Kevin of Italy...but that’s just me). One story goes that a blackbird laid an egg in the palm of his hand and the saint remained in that position of prayer until the bird hatched. This is why he is the patron of blackbirds...so now you know!

Another story goes that the ancient king of that region had a pet goose (why I do not know) who was getting on in years and could no longer fly. The King petitioned the Saint to make the bird young again (why...again I have no clue). Saint Kevin said that he would, on condition that the King grant him all the land that the bird could fly over. As the bird could not fly...the King granted the request. No sooner where the words out of his mouth when the goose took off in flight and flew over the land that Saint Kevin had his eye on for a monastery (any bets he and the goose where in cahoots?). Thus the monastic community of Glendalough was founded, through the generosity of an old bird that was too tough for dinner...I think that we need more old kings with pet geese, I like monasteries!

My favorite story is of how the saint overcame the amorous advances of a certain young lady who had taken a fancy to him. Kathleen, a young lass with "eyes of most unholy blue," fell in love with the handsome young hermit Kevin, and pursued him in his secluded hermitage. Before she reached him, the saint felt her presence approaching and immediately flung himself into a patch of stinging nettles to overcome temptation. He then took hold of a buddle of the nettles and brandished the young lady with them until the "fire without extinguished the fire within." This incident has many renditions...some ending with the lady being flung off a cliff into the lough (lake) below...but as St. Kevin is known as a gentle saint, and there are reports of the fair Kathleen becoming a devout nun after the incident...the tossing off the cliff story seems a little much. Nice story though...and it might not harm if I carried some nettles around with me to beat off all the young ladies desirous of my affections...particularly if it induces them to enter a convent (we need more nuns)!

St. Kevin's name is a rendition of the Irish Coemgen, meaning "beautiful shining birth." He died in the year 618 and was canonized in 1903. Images of him usually include Irish symbols, such as Celtic crosses, and the famous round tower (c.800) that still stands among the ruins of Glendalough. The saint himself usually has an outstretched hand with an egg in his palm and a blackbird on his shoulder or hovering near him.

The images, uploaded for your viewing pleasure, are of the ruins of Glendalough (which you can still visit if you are ever in County Wicklow) and artistic representations of the saint.

St. Kevin - pray for us.

Last of May and Aiden away from Ave

Well tis the last of the month of Our Lady, and non too soon for the crown of flowers on Mary's head is looking pretty sad. Sad though, as I do like May...and Mary too.

Well for all of you who may be wondering what I am up too I thought that I might take some time to let you know

I am of course still taking Zoology. So far, with two of the three tests behind me, I have a 79 in the class...which means a C+. All I need is a grade that will transfer and one fourth of the grade is coming to class and a notebook thing that I have nailed. Beleive it or not...but I have actually made each and every one of the classes. I guess if I was a commuter student at Ave I might have done better as far as attendance is concerned...weird...maybe I should have lived at home and drove to classes...hahahaha...no

I have been busy besides class with helping Dad on the farm and doing odd jobs for Grandmother. Not too much else to report on the home front...gosh we sound boring!

Aiden is still doing very well, although I think that he misses Aloysius and Felix the Cat. He does not seem to like the big desktops around here, too old and not as cool and hip as Aloysius, Felix and himself. He is very tired of dial-up, slows him down something dreadful...so I think that he might be getting depressed. Thinking that he may need a trip to cheer him up, I took him to the Grand Rapids Public Library with free wireless! I think that he likes this cute little laptop across the way...but I am trying to discourage him from thinking about her (she is a mac and I don't think that the relationship would work) and I think that it may be working. He is more interested in playing on Limewire once again...so I think that I have him sufficiently distracted.

I promise to get some pictures of home soon! I do not know if you want to see them...but pictures are pretty and I like them. I will also be sure and keep you posted regarding my upcoming Icon painting class! I am so exited...but Aiden is not sure about it...it means taking time away from him...poor Aiden

Happy Summers to you all from Aiden and Brendan!!!

Patron Saint of Farmers

St. Isidore the Farmer (1070-1130)

A lazy post today, but one that memorializes a special saint for all farmers. I also wish that angels would help out a bit around here too...we must be lacking in holiness or something.

Isidore was born to very poor yet very pious Catholic parents in Madrid, Spain. His parents were unable to support him when he was a youth and sent him to work for a wealthy landowner, John de Vergas (He ended up working for him for the rest of his life).

He married a very religious woman named Maria Torribia (also known as Maria de la Cabeza). She, like Isidore became a saint. They had one son who died unexpectedly as a child. Their grief inclined them to believe their son's death to be a sign from God and consequently vowed to live a life of perfect continence.

Isidore frequented Holy Mass every morning but often reported to work late. Late, though he was, his plowing was nevertheless accomplished by angels that resulted in three times more productivity. His coworkers and his boss witnessed such miraculous events and accorded Isidore with great respect.

St. Isidore loved the poor and loved the animals. The miracle of the multiplication of food occurred when Isidore fed a flock of starving birds and on another time when Isidore shared his food with a large group of beggars.

Isidore died on May 15, 1120 at 60 years of age and was canonized in 1622 along with four very notable Spanish saints. The group, known as "the five saints", included St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Francis Xavier, St. Phillip Neri, and St. Isidore. His body has been found incorrupt. His memorial is celebrated on May 15th on the Roman Calendar.

St. Isidore is known as the patron of Madrid, Spain as well as Leon, Saragosa, and Seville. He is also considered the patron of farmers, peasants, day laborers, and rural communities.

Comparative Animal Biology...and all the perks

Home again...and out of the loop.

It's amazing how much living down a dirt road in the middle of nowhere with only dial up to connect to the outside world with no other form of higher technology isolates a person. I really do need to get into the habit of writing on this blog...otherwise you all would think that I had dropped off the planet completely (and you would be half right...but only metaphorically so).

As you all know I am taking a course back here at home. Its great...class starts at 8am and I live at least a 45 minute drive away...on a good day and Michigan cunstruction season is here... (grin and bear it).

So...Zoology at a public school, yep its all that and a biscuit for your tea! The Professor is apparently a Catholic (lapsed or not is hard to tell at this point...but fervent he is not) but a very liberal or progressive one. At this writing I have not figured out whether or not he thinks that there is a true religion. So far all religions are about the same, just a mess of trouble and that we should all be peacefull like the animals...nice!

On Wednesday he treated us to the full blown Evolution lecture, and to make it more understandable he broke it down into a nice analogy for us. He says that just as all organisms come from one organism, so to do all religions come from one common ancestor. In essence what he was basically saying is that just as random as it is that we look the way that we do and have all the faculties of Human beings (home sapiens sapiens) so it is that by the same chance that Catholocism or any other religion teaches what it does and looks the way that they do. Relativism, Gosh do I miss Ave classes! The worst thing that we had to deal with was whether or not evil had being!

...so did evil evolve into being???

God Bless you all!!!

Imperfect Glory...but Wonderful all the same.

Greetings to all on the Feast of the Institution of the Eucharist!

This morning I was priveledged to attend the Mass of Holy Chrism at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Lansing with Fr. Ed. I have never been to a Chrism Mass before and the expierence was awesome! It was such a wonderfull feeling seeing all the Priests, Seminarians (almost...JOE!!!...yea you know who you are!) and Deacons of the Diocese all gathered under one roof celebrating Mass with representatives of every parish in the Diocese and the Bishop shepherding his flock towards Christ. The feeling of the universality of the Church, as well as the particular nature of the Church overwhelmed me, and I was quite touched with a little inspiration...which oddly enough has endured the rest of the day so that I can relate it to you (whether that is a good thing or no...you be the judge!), rather than forgetting my inspiration as soon as something else, often trivial, blanks it out of my A.D.D. head!

We have often heard the phrase, "the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence." Commen phrase, but filled with the wisdom that simple folk sayings have aquired because of the years of wisdom that had gone it to repetedly showing the truth of the statement. This morning, at mass I was compelled to reflect on those very words, which have been important for me in my discernment on many levels.

I have often been plagued by fellow Catholics, on hearing that I wish to be a Diocesan Priest in my home diocese ask "why would you want to stay here?" They often cannot understand why I would willingly choose a diocese that was less than perfect with a less then perfect shepherd. For me it has always been simple, if all the good men (ie those who wish to be priests) leave their home, then who will guide the good people where they were raised in the future? My answer has often been unsatisifying to theses critics, but it nevertheless comes from deep feeling, conviction, calling, sense of duty and most of all love of my people, our history, and traditions.

What these folks seem to not understand...is that if you are constantly looking for the "greener side of the fence" you will be chasing a dream, for the grass will always look greener someplace else, Utopia is just what it is..."noplace." The grass will always be greener, this diocese may look good, but then the bishop leaves and another diocese gets a better bishop and suddenly its less green. But if you stick with the less than perfect plot of Grass that you have been given, water it, till it, fertilize it...it will improve and become greener. It will not be instant results (and don't get me started on the "just add water" culture of our society) but over the long term, you will see the work of your hands, and it will improve, with God's help.

Yes, there are folks who God calls to diferent fields, but the important thing is to stick with it, and have a firm purpose for why, and what you are doing. Another thing, yes this is America, it is not Europe. Our culture is one built on Puritanism, and Catholicism does not pervade society. But if you work on building the Church in your individual society then slowly, the diocese of this Nation will become greener, but it takes time and patience...and it will never be perfect...so get over it!

God Bless you this Triduum