Recently, I was reminded of a beautiful practice some of our friends in Europe have.  I was told the John Paul II even discussed it in his letter on the Rosary.
 
I’m trying to implement it, myself, now.
 
This custom, which I was first introduced to some years ago by my mother’s Austrian friend, is to insert a little phrase, which refers to the mystery at hand, in the middle of each Hail Mary. 
 
An example for the Third Joyful Mystery would be to pray each Ave as follows: “Hail Mary, full of grace…blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus, who was born at Bethlehem…Holy Mary…”
 
I had kind of forgotten about this custom, but, the last two days, it’s been really helpful in keeping my mind on track and preventing me from drifting off into other unrelated thoughts and preoccupations. 
 
As we approach Lent and pray the Sorrowful Mysteries more frequently, introducing this custom could be a very beautiful way of entering more deeply into Christ’s sufferings. 
 
Below are some examples of how we might pray these mysteries according to this fruitful custom:
1st Sorrowful Mystery: “…Jesus, who chose the Father’s will at Gethsemane…”
2nd Sorrowful Mystery: “…Jesus, who was scourged at the pillar…”
3rd Sorrowful Mystery: “…Jesus, who was crowned with thorns…”
4th Sorrowful Mystery: “…Jesus, who carried the cross for us…”
5th Sorrowful Mystery: “…Jesus, who died on the cross…”
 
I hope this practice helps you and me to pray more faithful and fruitfully.
 
Have a blessed Lent!

This morning, at Mass, we heard the account of Noah sending out a raven or dove after certain increments of time, to find out if the land was dry and ready for life again. 
 
Genesis doesn’t say what everyone did in the meantime. 
 
They (humans and many animals) were on this large craft for many weeks.  Surely, they were eager to put their feet on dry land again. 
 
Earlier, as I announced rosary and Mass, which would be held in our chapel shortly, I recalled that it was February 15th, a day which had been designated by my dad as the “official last day of winter.” His explanation for this title was that “It might snow, and it might get cold – but it’s not going to last too much longer!”  (Here in Grand Forks, ND – a couple hundred miles north, February 21st might be a more realistic date.)
 
As Noah’s dove returned with an olive leaf, the inhabitants of his ark probably shared similar sentiments of hope: “It might smell in here, and we might be running low on commodities – but we should be getting out of this ark pretty soon!” 
 
This evening, as I was upstairs doing aide work, I noticed that the sky was still half light, and it was after 6 p.m.!  Saying a prayer of thanks for the lengthening days, I went on my way. 
 
Like the survivors on Noah’s ark, and like my dad, I, too, am hopeful for brighter days ahead, and thankful for the gifts of new life (even if not yet here). 
 
I’m thinking I should start planning my garden.  After all, here, in the “north country,” we are wise to start some of our seeds indoors.

“As long as the earth lasts,
seedtime and harvest,
cold and heat,
Summer and winter,
and day and night
shall not cease.”  (Gen. 8:22)

Sometimes, it’s said that “deaths come in threes.”  The question has even been raised around here: “Who’s next?” after two deaths of acquaintances during a short time.
 
The past few weeks, though, for us here, have brought duo deaths, not of acquaintances, but of close friends.
 
Two and a half weeks ago (though it feels, to me, like years), Sister Rebecca died.  Our community here at St. Anne’s is still deeply grieving this.  Yesterday morning, we heard that Fr. Ed Sherman, who left us for St. Gerard’s last spring, had also died.  He too has been such a part of our lives for many years. 
 
As I reflect upon this, my thoughts return to a topic which has been on my mind more of late, that of heaven.  I hope Father Ed had a peaceful death, and that he’s now catching up with his brother, Fr. Bill (who died last May) and with Sr. Rebecca, who we hope is now a recent addition to the celestial welcoming committee.  I can just imagine the happy reunions. 
 
Besides catching up and singing songs of praise, there is one thing I hope our departed loved ones don’t neglect.  That is praying for the rest of us, who they’ve left behind, but who are still united with them, especially in the Eucharist.  We could really use their help – that’s for sure! 
 
There’s a little prayer I like to use sometimes, especially when thinking about such things: “All you holy angels and saints, please pray for us.”