Katie’s Blog

This “Catholic Alphabet” has been circulating the blogosphere lately. So I though I’d add in my two cents worth. Hopefully you’ll enjoy it… and think about how you would answer the questions yourself!

[A is for Apparitions - your favorite]:
The most intriguing to me… I don’t know about “favorite”… Devotion to Divine Mercy- St. Faustina Kowalska. “Jesus, I trust in You.” What a message!

[B is for Bible- the one you read most often]:
The one that I hold near and dear to my heart is the New Revised Standard Version- Catholic Edition. I have a certain affinity for footnotes and color maps. It’s filled with post-it notes and underlining.

C is for Charism- the one you would most like to have]:
Charisms—gifts given to us to give away. And seeing as the church doesn’t know how many there are, it’s kind of hard to know what I would ask for. But Wisdom and Knowledge—to have insight for particular situations and to be able to see the big picture—are what I pray for most often.

[D is for Doctor of the Church- your favorite]:
At a school run by the Dominican Friars of the Province of St. Albert the Great, I suppose I should say St. Albert. And being under the patronage of St. Thomas Aquinas, it would be easy to say that he is my favorite. But personally, still within the Dominican theme, I have to say St. Catherine of Siena is my favorite.

[E is for Essential Prayer - What’s yours?]:
Nunc Dittimis (also known as Night Prayer, Compline, and the Canticle of Simeon):

Lord, now you let your servant go in peace:
your word has been fulfilled.
My own eyes have seen the salvation
which you have prepared in the sight of every people;
A light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel.

(Second favorite- the Magnificat)

[F is for Favorite Hymn]:
No way can I pin it down to just one. But… here are a few: “As the Deer”; “For the Beauty of the Earth”; “Canticle of the Sun” (Haugen); “O Come, O Come Emmanuel”; “Ubi Caritas”… just to name a few.

[G is for Gospel - your favorite author?]:
John… because he’s different than the rest. Because, with young children in catechesis, his is the Gospel we read from most often—especially the Good Shepherd and the True Vine.

[H is for Holy Communion - How would you describe it, using one word?]:
Faith, hope, and love- and the greatest of these is LOVE.

[I is for Inspiration - When do you feel most inspired by God?]:
In nature—particularly along the beach of Lake Michigan. But also when in the presence of children. Their prayers are so much more attuned to being in close relationship with God.

[J is for Jesus - When did you first meet Him?]:
Some time in elementary school. Two of my best friends and I used to walk the outdoor Stations of the Cross (mostly because we were not the kind to succeed in any sports-related activity) during recess.

[K is for Kindness- Which saint or person has most inspired you by their kindness?]:
~From our tradition: St. Martin de Porres and Bl. Andre Bessette
~ From my life: My youth minister, Joe, who used to lead our Bible Studies in high school. Two words: LIVING SAINT!

[L is for Liturgical Year - your favorite time in the liturgical cycle?]:
Advent- the time when as a whole church we proclaim that we live in joyful hope waiting for the Parousia.

To be continued…