Sally

By Edmund Blair Leighton

Prayer to Our Lady of Lourdes

O Holy Virgin, in the midst of your days of glory,
do not forget the sorrows of this earth.
Cast a merciful glance upon those who are suffering,
struggling against difficulties, with their lips constantly
pressed against life's bitter cup.
Have pity on those who love each other and are separated.
Have pity on our rebellious hearts.
Have pity on our weak faith.
Have pity on those we love.
Have pity on those who weep, on those who pray,
on those who fear.
Grant hope and peace to all.
Amen.

(Abbe Perreyve)

A Psalm for Friday

In Thee, O Lord, have I hoped:
I said, Thou art my God;
my times are in Thy hands.

Ps. 30. 15-16
From the Offertory of the Nuptial Mass

Such a beautiful, comforting prayer for resignation to God's Will!

Mrs. Gaskell

Note: This week’s post is a bit different.  Elizabeth Gaskell certainly created many valiant characters in her novels, and she herself was a remarkable woman, even if not necessarily a valiant one. Because Elizabeth Gaskell is not as well-known as Jane Austen probably is to most of us, I want to give a little bit more biographical information about her.  (It’s also interesting if you are familiar with her works, because of the many autobiographical aspects that she incorporates into them.) 

I recently re-watched my favorite movie, BBC’s adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell’s final novel, Wives and Daughters.  And much like the mouse who can’t just have a cookie and leave the rest alone, after watching the movie, I’m drawn back to the book.  You’ll notice I made the bold statement of calling this my favorite movie, and that is because the screenplay writer and director did such a fantastic job of recreating the characters, keeping true to the dialog and the characters, and much of the complete plot, as much as possible in a film adaptation of a novel.  If you haven’t seen it yet, you really must add it to your list, and familiarize yourself with some of the other works of dear Mrs. Gaskell!

Find something to do!

"Edith, dear, you're a woman with a brain and reasonable ability. Stop whining and find something to do."- The Dowager Countess

I can't give an unqualified recommendation of Downton Abbey, but this is a great line from the Dowager Countess.  It's like the Valiant Woman's equivalent of the "You should be studying" meme. I need to remember this more often.

Straying Thoughts

By Edmund Blair Leighton

For the Students

Prayer to St. Thomas Aquinas
Angel of Schools, at the bidding of Peter,
Thousands today are saluting thee thus.
We, too, are claiming thy care and thy counsel;
Angel of Schools, be an angel to us.
Come to our aid when thou hearest us calling.
Light up the dark; make the rough places plain.
Bring to our thoughts the unknown or forgotten.
Give us the words that we seek for in vain.
Amen.