I've never seen this pic before

Yeah I just officially Theresed up the blog. I really think Therese was being facetious when she said a shower of roses. I think she really meant baseball bats but of course that sounds too scary and mean and makes her sneaky ways too obvious.

Feast of Corpus Christi

VEE: The Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus. For me that's it, that's all, that's everything. It is He who brought me back (I'm a revert) and He fully present in the Eucharist that gives what nothing else can. That satisfies all hungers and thirsts for it is Him we thirst for, that I thirsted for, and to receive Him validly, worthily is all I want. I had to move, to change jobs, change my life in order to have a life worthy to receive and so it cost me in a way but the return on investment is out of this world. I give Him my sins, my worthlessness, my stupidity etc and He gives me everything. He gives me Himself. It is the sweetest deal ever.

Who else is at Mass doesn't matter, nor the language of the Mass, nor the music, or if I ever enter Carmel, or anything else. It is Him and me and that is all that matters. I used to use all kinds of things as excuses to not go to Mass. Oh the Church is ugly, the music I can't stand, the people get on my nerves, I don't understand the language etc etc blah blah blah. Jesus knows the situation though and yet He still gives us Himself in the Eucharist. He knew things wouldn't be perfect yet He longs to be with each of us so much that we have this Sacrament. Go for Him. Go worthily (Confession first) and go for Him.

DS: Today I was suprised by a visit from Bishop Flanagan, an old friend of mine I haven't seen in 20 years. He came to dedicate a brand new altar at the Mission Church of St. Joseph where I attended Mass this morning. In the process of dedicating the altar, he stated that he used the same Chrism Oil that they use to consecrate men during Ordination of priesthood, and when they elevate a priest to the office of Bishop. They also use that same oil at Confirmation. And here he was spilling it all over this piece of wood. "What makes this piece of wood so special?" He asked. "It was just a piece of wood, but now it, like the men who's oil this is poured upon at ordination and consecration, is now annointed. It is now consecrated to the Lord. This piece of wood is no longer just a piece of wood, for on it we will celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. It is now the wood of the Altar of the Cross..."

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. On this day, we are reminded once again on the words of Jesus as spoken in John Chapter 6. He gave Himself to us, His Flesh and Blood to eat and drink. Many of his followers could not accept this, so they abandoned Him. Just like today, many people say they are Christians, yet they refuse to believe Jesus when He says:

“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you; he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats me will live because of me. This is the bread which came down from heaven, not such as the fathers ate and died; he who eats this bread will live for ever.” - John 6:53-58

The Catholic Church does not refuse this, we believe what has been given to us from Jesus, handed down to the Apostles and handed down to the Church throughout the ages. We receive Jesus, His Body, Blood Soul and Divinity when we go to Mass and receive the Host. We eat His Flesh and we drink His Blood, and as St. Paul re-affirms, "For His Flesh is Real Food and His Blood Real Drink."

Dueling Salves

The Salve Regina is a hymn sung to the Blessed Virgin Mary, imploring her intercession. It is known in English as "The Hail Holy Queen."

VEE: I am of the opinion that the Carmelite version of the Salve Regina is far far FAR better than the OP version. You guys sound like a bunch of sad faced saints. :P

CARMELITE VERSION:

DS: I think the Dominicans get it right, especially since we're begging for survival in "this vale of tears." The Carms version sounds like "the Brady Bunch" got a hold of it...

DOMINICAN VERSION:

VEE: "The Brady Bunch?!?!?!?" Sheesh at least someone has joy in their suffering unlike some mopy OPs :P

DS: Its our job to be as normal as possible...enjoying ur suffering?? Sounds sadistic...

VEE: This coming from The Inquisition? riiiight...

DS: Vee!!!

Vee: DS!!!

*we'll be back later! :P*

Tiny Texas Houses

DS: There is a place in Texas that builds tiny houses using scrap metals and antique fixtures. I live on ranchland, and I was out this morn looking at the flat, expansive, empty fields that were once corn fields. I dream of landscaping the place, putting in more trees with paths, ponds and gardens. It would be nice to stick one of these little houses out there in the middle of nowhere so I can "get away from it all." Heck, I'd probably wind up living in it permanently! Even if I was a millionaire, I would want to live in one of these quaint, cozy little houses.

Vee: These are so cute and if I had the $$$ and immigration status to live in Texas I would get one of them. It is like the perfect little hermitage. Naturally I would want it as far away as possible from DS' tiny house. It's not so much her I'd have a problem with, it would be her hundreds of cats! :P

Here is the link to the company's website: http://www.tinytexashouses.com/

The only thing that matters is God's Love

I Love My German Shepherd

Vee: In light of all that is going on with Fr Corapi and his new persona/creepy website The Black Sheep Dog my two cents are as follows. Im going to stick with my German Shepherd! Baaa!

DS: I find the whole thing extremely sad. I think Fr. Corapi shouldn't criticize the Bishop of Corpus Christi. Peeps are comparing Fr. Corapi to Padre Pio, but I'm not sure if Padre Pio ever opened his mouth against his accusers and his superiors. I doubt it. All I can say is, we all say stupid lame things when we are upset. Heck, I did that just last week, LOL! I think Fr. Corapi is just upset. I hope and pray for him, as thousands are praying for him. I have complete trust in God that these prayers are not in vain.

BTW---I agree with Vee, Our German Shepherd rawks :)

Our Lady of the Bubble Wrap

Just before Lent a mysterious package arrived. Well I was expecting the package but the contents were a mystery. A zillion layers of bubble wrap later I uncovered this gorgeous status of Mary. ♥ ♥ ♥ She is about a foot tall and sits on my night table. I've also had her blessed and the priest looked with great love at her and said a beautiful blessing. I dont remember the words exactly but he even prayed for those who would look at her, and for the home where she would stand. I can't thank DS enough for this incredible gift. You have blessed me in so many ways.

Hello peeps. This is Team O.P. Carm. We're two friends who have decided that the world needs another blog. Ours will be exceptional.

First off, we want to start this on the right foot, so, our first post is a prayer to the Holy Spirit along with St. Benedict's exorcism prayer. Yeah, we don't mess around...

Veni Sancte Spiritus

VENI, Sancte Spiritus, et emitte caelitus lucis tuae radium.	COME, Holy Ghost, send down those beams, which sweetly flow in silent streams from Thy bright throne above.
Veni, pater pauperum, veni, dator munerum veni, lumen cordium.	O come, Thou Father of the poor; O come, Thou source of all our store, come, fill our hearts with love.
Consolator optime, dulcis hospes animae, dulce refrigerium.	O Thou, of comforters the best, O Thou, the soul's delightful guest, the pilgrim's sweet relief.
In labore requies, in aestu temperies in fletu solatium.	Rest art Thou in our toil, most sweet refreshment in the noonday heat; and solace in our grief.
O lux beatissima, reple cordis intima tuorum fidelium.	O blessed Light of life Thou art; fill with Thy light the inmost heart of those who hope in Thee.
Sine tuo numine, nihil est in homine, nihil est innoxium.	Without Thy Godhead nothing can, have any price or worth in man, nothing can harmless be.
Lava quod est sordidum, riga quod est aridum, sana quod est saucium.	Lord, wash our sinful stains away, refresh from heaven our barren clay, our wounds and bruises heal.
Flecte quod est rigidum, fove quod est frigidum, rege quod est devium.	To Thy sweet yoke our stiff necks bow, warm with Thy fire our hearts of snow, our wandering feet recall.
Da tuis fidelibus, in te confidentibus, sacrum septenarium.	Grant to Thy faithful, dearest Lord, whose only hope is Thy sure word, the sevenfold gifts of grace.
Da virtutis meritum, da salutis exitum, da perenne gaudium, Amen, Alleluia.	Grant us in life Thy grace that we, in peace may die and ever be, in joy before Thy face. Amen. Alleluia.

St. Benedict's Exorcism Prayer

Vade retro Satana! Nunquam suade mihi vana! Sunt mala quae libas. Ipse venena bibas!

(Begone Satan! Never tempt me with your vanities! What you offer me is evil. Drink the poison yourself!)