Soggy Saturday

So, How Am I Doing These Days?

Not great, to be honest with you...it is cold and rainy here in the Bluffs again this morning, which isn't doing anything good for my flu-like symptoms...and as for my ongoing emotional crisis...no end in sight...

Heartbreak Hotel, by Jack Vettriano

"You quit smoking almost four years ago..."

It's a painting, doofus...metaphor much?

Feast Day

Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, by Augustine Pichot

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation, marking the occasion of the visit of the Archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary, at which time he informed her that she was to be the mother of Jesus Christ.

Although March 25 is the customary date (at one point Catholics during the Middle Ages assigned it as the start of the calendar year), this feast is not permitted to fall on a Sunday, or during Holy Week
or on Easter.

When that happens (as it did just last year), the Annunciation feast is moved to the Monday following the Octave of Easter.

"Any chance Mary might be able to help with your current crisis?"

I've told you before...that isn't how supplication works...and even if my pals Aristotle and Aquinas would call what I want to pray for "right desire" (an open question),
my failure was so comprehensive that even a novena most likely wouldn't be enough
to undo it...

Until Next Time...

Ave Maris Stella originated as a plainsong chant in the 8th century, and since that time it has grown into one of the most popular Marian hymns. It is commonly sung
in both devotional and liturgical services, and has received musical settings from
a who's who of noted composers including Victoria, Palestrina, Monteverdi, Dvořák, and Liszt, among others.

This performance of Edvard Grieg's setting by the Latvian Voices ensemble was filmed live at the Tolosa Choral Contest in 2012...