I can quit anytime
"Do you have many Josephite prayer books?"
"Oh, a few. ... Well, maybe several. ... OKAY, FINE, A LOT."
Don't judge me.
(We are
not even gonna discuss how many Josephite holy cards I have. NO, I DO NOT HAVE A PROBLEM.)
Labels: joseph, josephite, prayer
Finally, some promising Wonder Woman news
"[C]oming this August, DC will launch
Sensation Comics featuring Wonder Woman, an all-new anthology series based on the Amazon princess. ... Sensation Comics, which is named for the original forties series which was Wonder Woman’s showcase title, will feature stories set in a variety of eras from the Wonder Woman comics, and won’t be tied into DC’s whole New 52 incarnation.
"Even though the New 52 version of Diana from Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang has received widespread acclaim
[from those who don't know any better and are wholly enamored of the "darker, grittier, MOAR REALS" done-to-death schtick], for many longtime Wonder Woman fans, the newest version of the Amazon princess feels very far removed from the emissary of peace created by psychologist William Marston back in 1941. Sensation Comics will give
old and cranky [author's strikethrough, not mine :-P ] devoted and loyal fans like a us a version of the Wonder Woman character we have been missing. Digital chapters of the series will come out once a week, with every three chapters being collected into single print issues." (
DC Comics Announces Sensation Comics featuring Wonder Woman Anthology Title)
Thank you, DC! It's nice to see an instance of good breaking through your standard suck.
Labels: comics, geeky, wonder woman
Water for Life
Earlier today, when getting coffee in one of the kitchen areas at work, the fancypants coffeemaker stopped and its flashy menu demanded that I fill up the water container before proceeding.
I grumpily sighed at the bother, but as I took out and plunked the container in the sink, I thought of how wonderful it is that all I need to do to get safe, clean water is
turn a knob. BAM! Done.
I don't have to take time out of my day to walk miles each way to get only what I can carry on my head.
I don't have to worry about militias blocking access to it.
I don't have to ration it.
I don't have to boil it.
Say what you will, our water system in the States is a masterpiece of engineering and such a blessing. And so many folks around the world -- and even here in the States --
struggle to meet this basic necessity of life.
So, when I get home, Imma chat with Husband Mike about which of these groups we'll be supporting:
What about you?
Labels: gratitude, humanitarian aid
A Brief Overview of the Secular Franciscan Order
I frequently get asked, "What's the Secular Franciscan Order all about?" (Runner-up:
"What's that thing you're wearing?" ::pointing to my Tau pendant::) So, I thought I'd share with you my high-level overview of who we are and where we come from.
Someday, when I'm feeling extra-adventurous, I'll do a Franciscan Order family tree diagram ... because who doesn't love drawings that look like spaghetti? (Yeah, it's that involved. :-P ) ANYway ...
To answer the question, "What's the Secular Franciscan Order all about?", we've gotta first go back to St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226).
History
The First Order
In the 1200s was a dude named Francesco Bernardone (St. Francis of Assisi) who was trying to live the Gospel as faithfully as possible. This attracted a lot of positive attention, and several other dudes said, "Hey, Francesco! We really like what you're doin'. Can we join you?" This led to the creation of the
Order of Friars Minor (Ordo Fratrum Minorum), the First Order in the overall Franciscan Order.
Spaghetti Twist Alert: The First Order later split into three observances: The Order of Friars Minor, the
Order of Friars Minor Capuchin (Ordo Fratrum Minorum Capuccinorum), and the
Order of Friars Minor Conventual (Ordo Fratrum Minorum Conventualium).
The Second Order
A little while later, a young noblewoman, Chiara Offreduccio (St. Clare of Assisi, 1194-1253) saw what was goin' on and wanted to join, too. With Francis' help, she eventually established what's today called the
Poor Clares (Ordinem Sanctae Clarae) (then known as the Poor Ladies), the Second Order ... because it came second. :-P
Spaghetti Twist Alert the Seconde: Within the Second Order, there are many different communities and observances. One of the more well-known ones today is the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration, the
community to which Mother Angelica of EWTN belongs.
The Third Order
A little while after
that, in 1221, a married couple, Bl. Luchesio and Buonadonna of Poggibonzi (both died in 1260), also wanted to join the party. (Ain't no party like a Franciscan party!) So, they approached Francis and said, "Yo! We want in! But, we've got worldly responsibilities that we just can't ditch. Plus, as you can see, we're married and we'd really like to stay that way. Can you do anything for us?"
Francis, being a very creative fellow, came up with the Brothers and Sisters of Penance, the Third Order ... 'cause it came third. (See a pattern here?) Today, it's known as the
Secular Franciscan Order (Ordo Franciscanus Saecularis).
In case you're wondering what's the deal with the term "secular": Unlike religious brothers and sisters, those in secular orders (also known as third, tertiary, or lay orders) don't remove themselves from the world but stay in their own homes, families, and jobs -- that's where the term "secular" comes in. Faithful and practicing married or single Catholic men and women from all walks of life are able to join secular orders (as can diocesan priests and deacons).
For more information on third/secular orders,
I compiled some info. explaining them, and some links to other third/secular orders.
Spaghetti Twist Alert the Thirde: Over time, Secular Franciscans began living together in communities, and eventually formed into religious orders. This became the
Third Order Regular (Tertius Ordo Regularis).
... See what I mean by spaghetti, peoples?!
Who We Are/What We "Do"
For more general info. on our order -- which is a
real order in the Church -- check out
this welcome letter from the National Minister of the order in the U.S.
To go deeper, see this
fabulous explanation of who we are and what we're all about:
"A Specific Vocation for A Particular Mission" by Benedetto Lino, OFS (it's a PDF; sorry).
... And yes,
we wear habits. Always have. :-)
Labels: franciscan, ofs, third order regular, third orders
Can you fix my habit?
Yesterday, I noticed that the jump ring on my habit* was looking a tiny bit stretched. While I could've attempted to use our needle-nose pliers to squish it more tightly closed, I didn't trust myself to manage it properly -- I had visions of either mashing it into a football shape, or losing control and somehow doinking myself in the face.
So I decided that the safest course of action would be for Husband Mike to do it, and asked him, "Can you fix my habit?"
... In retrospect, it sounds like I've got a problem with crack.
= = = =
* Yes! Secular Franciscans wear habits, and we always have. I explain it
here.
Labels: franciscan, ofs, silly
