The Telegraph is reporting that the Shrine is buried beneath more than a meter of mud with the grotto looking more like a war zone than one of the most beloved Catholic shrines in the world.
-St. Aloysius Gonzaga
For Reflection:
What is my “hammer” today?
Hello,I’m Lexi Conner and I am so excited to be part of the Women of Grace blogging family!
Perhaps you can guess from my name that I have a very special interest. I LOVE words! Some might say that makes me a “geek” or a bluestocking, bookworm, or highbrow (See! I just can’t help it!). But it was this very interest that Johnnette found so intriguing (compelling, captivating, fascinating, riveting, titillating – pick one!).
However, she was very specific about what she wanted me to present in this blog (I think she might have thought I’d go off on a “word tangent” or something). She has asked me to explore words that are part of our Catholic Faith. You see, I am a devout (zealous, passionate, ardent, faithful, fervent, earnest, orthodox) Catholic. I LOVE my Faith and I LOVE God and Our Blessed Mother and all of the saints.
Sometimes I will present you with words that are linked together by theme. Other times I won’t (I like to keep things exciting like this so you will never know exactly what you are going to get!). If there are any interesting features about the word – its history or etymology – I will let you know. If YOU have any interesting facts about the word, please let me know via” comment” and I will post it. It is all going to be so much FUN and we will learn so much about our Catholic Faith and its own special vocabulary!
I am looking forward to being your personal lexicographer (a compiler of a dictionary. Origin 1650-60. Late Greek. From “lexicon”—a wordbook or dictionary. Example: Noah Webster was a lexicographer. Interesting factoid: The definition for “Webster” comes from the Middle English. In its archaic sense it means “a weaver.” See how Noah’s last name reveals what he did – just like my whole name reveals what I do! He “weaved” together a book of words and I am providing you with a lexicon! Amazing! Can you already see how much fun we are going to have?!).
Speaking of names, I have a riddle for you. Oh yes, that is another interesting feature of the Lexi Blog (Don’t you LOVE it!): I will occasionally pose a riddle for you or a word jumble or a cute story or some other little exercise to keep your brain nimble and your funny bone tickled.
This riddle was told to my great-grandfather, whom I still have thanks to God, by his grandfather. That means it was my great-great grandfather who told it. See if you can figure out the riddle. If you think you’ve got it, post it in comments. The winner will receive a special gift courtesy of Women of Grace®(Johnnette told me it was okay). I will know who was the first to send in the correct answer (there is a way to do this, you know.). Comment submissions will be good until one week from today.
Okay. Here is the riddle:
An older German gentleman was walking across a bridge when a beautiful young fraulein began to walk across the bridge from the opposite direction. When their paths crossed, the gentleman tipped his hat and drew his cane, and in this story I told his name. What was it? (Hint: Remember the story was told, not written. That is important.)
I’m giggling already. Have fun! I hope we become good friends!
Linguistically yours,
I want to personally invite you to join me, Fr. Philip Scott, FJ and Dr. Peggy Hartshorn, President of Heartbeat International for our upcoming 7th Annual Women of Grace Retreat and Benedicta Leadership Institute. It is certain to be a time of grace and healing in which Our Lord will refresh you with His spirit and renew your zeal for the mission to which He has entrusted you. Here's a preview of what you will experience. Please pray about coming and if you feel prompted, give us a call or register online today.
Your sister in Christ,
Johnnette
The Associated Press is reporting that 17 year-old Alberto di Tullio from Boiano, Italy got the ride of his life when Pope Francis spotted him in the crowd in St. Peter's Square yesterday.
In a handout prepared by the bishops, the faithful are being called to mark the 2nd Fortnight for Freedom from June 21 to July 4, 2013.
According to a press release by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Vatican has provided Latin texts of the revised prayers as well as official translations in the major western languages, including English and Spanish.
-Blessed Mary of the Cross MacKillop
For Reflection:
How can our cross be an anchor to happiness?
UCANews.com is reporting that the board of theologians of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints has approved the second miracle needed for the canonization of Blessed John Paul II.
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