View allAll Photos Tagged Humility
Therefore, as Go'ds chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
February 23rd, 2009
As you can see, this isn't really a self-portrait. But you can barely see me in the reflection, and that counts enough for me. I really don't feel like doing anything different. I took this at about 6:24 this morning. 20 minutes before I went to my bus stop. Excuse the dirty window, our cats like to jump, and our dog is slobbery. :P I just liked the heart. I'm not sure where it came from. But iiiiii like it. :D
Today, I woke up, and just..didn't wanna wake up. Haha. But I did, of course. I got up, showered, did my hair, got dressed, did my make-up, etc. This girl that went to Falcon (her name was Sarah Conrad) died over the weekend, and so everyone wore yellow because that was her favorite color. She got into a car accident, and wasn't wearing her seatbelt. So, yeah. I don't think I knew her, but it's still super sad. Her poor brother is heart-broken, they were really close.
I got to school, and saw Howie and Mo. Went to all my classes, and nothing really exciting happened. Just a regular school day. In Freshman Seminar, we made posters for a movie night for Friday, it was fun. And a waste of time. I liked it. :] Pretty much the whole time, I was trying to convince Mo to come to church with me. We're learning about the Bible, where it came from, why we believe it, etc. Mo always says that the Bible isn't real, so I wanted to invite him. I tried FOREVERRRR to convince him, and he wouldn't go. It was sad. But then, after school, Mo told Howie about it, and Howie said that he would go. I'm excited. I hope that he DOES go. And maybe he'll like it, that woud be good. :]
Then, I came home, and am just hanging out. Did some homework, tried to take a picture but failed, etc. Now I'm here.
At 7, Nathan has a game. I plan on going.
My Dad called and asked for his number. And....I just realized that that could be bad news. Why does my Dad want to talk to Nathan? Hm. That's really weird.....really weird....Whoa. I should ask him.
I think I'm gunna ask Sam to take some pictures with me on the football and track field. I think it would be way fun. Maybe we could take the activity bus home, and she could hang out. It's been a long time since we've done anything. And she's PERFECT for taking pictures.
Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site
Maggie Walker’s kitchen was where she ate with direct family every day, which included her adopted daughter who cooked for her. This was a much humbler setup comparing to her formal dining, but still equipped with a state-of-the-art stove, which was yet another demonstration of her humility and care for others.
Don't you hate it when you think you're almost done making something and then you realize that you've screwed up royally? My mom calls times like that humility moments. Yup, I forgot to finish the back edges of these lovely dresses, and now I have to take their skirts off entirely to fix them. Humility sucks!
The Friend of God has these three qualities: a generosity like that of the ocean, a compassion like that of the sun, and a humility like that of the earth.
---Bayazid
O God, through our Love for You that we become a True family.
We do not see each other through how we physically look, age, intelligence, skills or wealth –
But through God’s Divine Grace to see with our Heart –
Through Holy Virtues of Humility, Love, Generosity, Forbearance, Forgiveness, Peace and Joy.
That everyone has a Spirit to be saved through our Love.
And that through our Love for God that everyone’s Spirit becomes Holy and pure.
To see beyond what our eyes could see,
But the Spirituality of everyone to understand what Love is all about.
Amen.
Gatka (Punjabi: ਗਤਕਾ gatkā) is a weapon-based Indian martial art created by the Sikhs of the Pan Jaab. The Panjabi word gatka refers to the wooden stick used in sparring matches. The term might have originated as a diminutive of the Sanskrit word gadha or mace.
Gatka can be practiced either as a sport (khel) or ritual (rasmi). The modern sport originated in the later 19th century, out of sword practice in the British Indian Army during the 1880s. It is played by two opponents who spar with wooden staves intended to simulate swords. The sticks may be paired with a shield. The older techniques and various other weapons are taught in the ritual aspect of the art. These are demonstrated in preset routines or performed as a sword dance during Sikh festivals. Though primarily an armed fighting style, gatka also incorporates wrestling as part of its empty-handed training component
David IV also known as David the Builder, from the House of Bagrationi, was King of Georgia from 1089 to 1125.
Popularly considered as the greatest Georgian king and the most successful Georgian ruler, he succeeded in driving the Seljuk Turks out of the country winning the major Battle of Didgori in 1121. His reforms of the army and administration enabled him to reunite the country and bring most Caucasian lands under Georgia’s control. A friend of the church and a notable promoter of Christian culture, he was canonized by the Georgian Orthodox Church.
Early life
The only son of King George II (1072–1089) by his wife Helena, he was born in Kutaisi, western Georgia in 1073. David was raised during one of the darkest chapters of Georgian history, amidst the strife of the so-called Great Turkish Onslaught (didi turkoba) when the Seljuk tribes began massive migrations to the southern Caucasus. King Giorgi II was unable to cope with the problem, and in a bloodless coup in 1089, he was forced to resign in favor of his 16-years-old son.
David's revival of the Georgian State
later depiction of King David by an unknown artistDespite his age, he was actively involved in Georgia’s political life. David IV pursued a purposeful policy, taking no unconsidered step. He was determined to bring order to the land, bridle the unsubmissive secular and ecclesiastic feudal lords, centralize the state administration, form a new type of army that would stand up better to the Seljuk Turkish military organization, and then go over to a methodical offensive with the aim of expelling the Seljuks first from Georgia and then from the whole Caucasus. Between 1089–1100, King David organized small detachments of his loyal troops to restore order and destroy isolated enemy troops. He began the resettlement of devastated regions and helped to revive major cities. Encouraged by his success, but more importantly the beginning of the Crusades in Palestine, he ceased payment of the annual contribution to the Seljuks and put an end to their seasonal migration to Georgia. In 1101, King David captured the fortress of Zedazeni, a strategic point in his struggle for Kakheti and Hereti, and within the next three years he liberated most of eastern Georgia.
In 1093, he arrested the powerful feudal lord Liparit Baghvashi, a long-time enemy of the Georgian crown, and expelled him from Georgia (1094). After the death of Liparit’s son Rati, David abolished their duchy of Kldekari in 1103.
He slowly pushed the Seljuk Turks out of the country, recovering more and more land from them as they were now forced to focus not only on the Georgians but the newly begun Crusades in the eastern Mediterranean [3]. By 1099 David IV's power was considerable enough that he was able to refuse paying tribute to the Turks. By that time, he also rejected a Byzantine title of panhypersebastos [4] thus indicating that Georgia would deal with the Byzantine Empire only on a parity basis.
In 1103 a major ecclesiastical congress known as the Ruis-Urbnisi Synod was held at the monasteries of Ruisi and Urbnisi. David succeeded in removing oppositionist bishops, and combined two offices: courtier’s (Mtzignobartukhutsesi, i.e. Chief Secretary) and clerical (Bishop of Tchqondidi) into a single institution of Tchqondidel-Mtzignobartukhutsesi corresponding roughly to the post of prime minister.
Next year, David’s supporters in the eastern Georgian province of Kakheti captured the local king Aghsartan II (1102–1104), a loyal tributary of the Seljuk Sultan, and reunited the area with the rest Georgia.
Military campaigns
Kingdom of Georgia under David IV. Copyright©2004 Andrew AndersenFollowing the annexation of Kakheti, in 1105, David routed a Seljuk punitive force at the Battle of Ertzukhi, leading to momentum that helped him to secure the key fortresses of Samshvilde, Rustavi, Gishi, and Lorri between 1110 and 1118.
Problems began to crop up for David now. His population, having been at war for the better part of twenty years, needed to be allowed to become productive again. Also, his nobles were still making problems for him, along with the city of Tbilisi which still could not be liberated from Arab grasp. Again David was forced to solve these problems before he could continue the reclamation of his nation and people. For this purpose, David IV radically reformed his military. He resettled a Kipchak tribe of 40,000 families from the Northern Caucasus in Georgia in 1118–1120. Every family was obliged to provide one soldier with a horse and weapons. This 40,000 strong Kipchak-army was entirely dependent on the King. Kipchaks were settled in different regions of Georgia. Some were settled in Inner Kartli province, others were given lands along the border. They were quickly assimilated into Georgians.
In 1120 David IV moved to western Georgia and, when the Turks began pillaging Georgian lands, he suddenly attacked them. Only an insignificant Seljuk force escaped. King David then entered the neighbouring Shirvan and took the town of Qabala.
In the winter of 1120–1121 the Georgian troops successfully attacked the Seljuk settlements on the eastern and southwestern approaches to the Transcaucasus.
Muslim powers became increasingly concerned about the rapid rise of a Christian state in southern Caucasia. In 1121, Sultan Mahmud b. Muhammad (1118–1131) declared a holy war on Georgia and rallied a large coalition of Muslim states led by the Artuqid Najm al-din El-ğazi and Toğrul b. Muhammad. The size of the Muslim army is still a matter of debate with numbers ranging from fantastic 600,000 men (Walter the Chancellor’s Bella Antiochena, Matthew of Edessa) to 400,000 (Smbat Sparapet’s Chronicle) to modern Georgian estimates of 180,000–250,000 men. Although all these numbers are exaggerated, all sources agree that the Muslim powers gathered an army that was much larger than the Georgian force of 56,000 men. However, August 12, 1121, King David routed the enemy army on the fields of Didgori, achieving what is often considered the greatest military success in Georgian history. The victory at Didgori signaled the emergence of Georgia as a great military power and shifted the regional balance in favor of Georgian cultural and political supremacy.
Following his success, King David captured Tbilisi, the last Muslim enclave remaining from the Arab occupation, in 1122 and moved the Georgian capital there. A well-educated man, he preached tolerance and acceptance of other religions, abrogated taxes and services for the Muslims and Jews, and protected the Sufis and Muslim scholars. In 1123, David’s army liberated Dmanisi, the last Seljuk stronghold in southern Georgia. In 1124, David finally conquered Shirvan and took the Armenian city of Ani from the Muslim Emirs, thus expanding the borders of his kingdom to the Araxes basin. Armenians met him as a liberator providing some auxiliary force for his army. It was when the important component of "Sword of the Messiah" appeared in the title of David the Builder. It is engraved on a copper coin of David's day:
“ King of Kings, David, son of George, Sword of the Messiah. ”
Humane treatment of the Muslim population, as well as the representatives of other religions and cultures, set a standard for tolerance in his multiethnic kingdom. It was a hallmark not only for his enlightened reign, but for all of Georgian history and culture.
David the Builder died on January 24, 1125, and upon his death, King David was, as he had ordered, buried under the stone inside the main gatehouse of the Gelati Monastery so that anyone coming to his beloved Gelati Academy stepped on his tomb first, a humble gesture for a great man. He had three children, the son Demetre, who succeeded him and continued his father's victorious reign; and two daughters, Tamar, who was married to the Shirwan Shah Akhsitan (Aghsartan in Georgian), and Kata (Katai), married to Isaakios Comnenus, the son of the Byzantine Emperor Alexius I Comnenus. Beside his political and military skills, King David earned fame as a writer, composing Galobani sinanulisani (Hymns of Repentance, c. 1120), a powerful work of emotional free-verse psalms, which reveal the king’s humility and religious zeal.
Cultural life
King David the Builder gave close attention to the education of his people. The king selected children who were sent to the Byzantine Empire "so that they be taught languages and bring home translations made by them there". Many of them later became well-known scholars.
At the time of David the Builder there were quite a few schools and academies in Georgia, among which Gelati occupies a special place. King David's historian calls Gelati Academy
“ a second Jerusalem of all the East for learning of all that is of value, for the teaching of knowledge - a second Athens, far exceeding the first in divine law, a canon for all ecclesiastical splendors. ”
Besides Gelati there also were other cultural-enlightenment and scholarly centers in Georgia at that time, i.e. the Academy of Ikalto.
King David was an author of a religious poem “Galobani Sinanulisani” (Psalms of Regret).
Family
Marriages
Rusudan, an Armenian princess (divorced in 1107)
Gurandukht, daughter of the Kipchak chief Atraka (ca. 1107)
Children
Demetre I
Prince Vakhtang (Tsuata)
Prince George (From Rusudan)
Princess Tamar, who married Abul Muzaffar Manuchahr II, Shirvanshah (d. ca 1154), and became a nun in widowhood.
Princess Katay (Irene), who married the Byzantine prince Isaakios Comnenus Sebastocrator.
Princess Tamar who was married to Prince Jadaros of Ossetia
Title
H.M. The Most High King David, son of George, by the will of our Lord, King of Kings of the Abkhazians, Kartvelians, Ranians, Kakhetians and the Armenians, Shirvanshah and Shahanshah of all the East and West, Sword of Messiah.
Legacy
David the Builder’s epoch greatly influenced the national perception of the Georgians. They are still proud of David’s victories and dream of his glorious reign.
The nation’s current flag is based on David’s standard. The Order of David the Builder is one of the most prestigious decorations awarded by Georgia.
After being elected President of Georgia, Georgia’s current leader Mikheil Saakashvili took an oath at David the Builder’s tomb at Gelati Monastery on the day of his inauguration on January 25, 2004. Mikheil Saakashvili said it was a symbol of his dedication to follow in David's footsteps, who brought unity and prosperity to Georgia. Many across the impoverished country hope that Saakashvili will manage to do the same.
Pietro Lorenzetti, Siena ca. 1280/85 – ca. 1348
Beata Umiltà / Selige Humilitas / Blessed Humility (1341)
Pietro Lorenzetti, der ältere Bruder von Ambrogio Lorenzetti, gilt als Nachfolger Giottos, da er den Freskenzyklus in der Unterkirche der Basilika San Francesco in Assisi ab etwa 1325 fertigstellte. Zusammen mit seinem Bruder malte er die allegorische Darstellung der Auswikungen guten und schlechten Regierung im Palazzo Pubblico, dem Rathaus von Siena. Da nach 1348 Nachrichten über die Brüder Lorenzetti fehlen, ist anzunehmen, dass sie der Pestepidemie von 1348 zum Opfer fielen.
Diese Tafel gehört zum Polyptychon der seligen Humiltas aus der Kirche San Giovanni Evangelista in Florenz. Beeinflusst von der Kunst Giottos stellte Pietro Lorenzetti die selige Humilitas und elf lebendige Szenen aus ihrem Leben dar.
Text aus www.heiligenlexikon.de:
Rosanna, die eigentlich in einen Orden eintreten wollte, heiratete 1241 ihren Mann Ugolotto Negusanti. Als der an einer Geschlechtskrankheit erkrankte, traten beide nach neun Ehejahren in das Doppelkloster S. Perpetua in Faënza ein. 1252 wurde Rosanna Reklusin am Vallombrosanerkloster S. Apollonare in Faënza, wo sie zwölf Jahre lebte. Auf Bitten des Ordensgenerals Plebano begann sie um 1266 mit dem Aufbau des neuen Frauenklosters S. Maria Novella alla Malta nahe Faënza und wurde dort Äbtissin. 1282 wurde sie Äbtissin des von ihr gegründeten Klosters S. Giovanni Evangelista bei Florenz. Humilitas verfasste einige mystische Lobgesänge und Predigten. Humilitas' Lebensgeschichte wurde vor 1332 verfasst. Ihre Gebeine lagen seit 1584 im Kloster San Salvi in Florenz, inzwischen sind sie im Kloster San Spirito im Stadtteil Varlungo in Florenz.
Philippians 2:1-11 (ANIV)
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
DRAWING NOTES:
TIME OF DAY:
Unspecified.
LIGHTING NOTES:
Lighting for this scene comes from the heavenly figure of God on the right of the scene.
CHARACTERS PRESENT:
The two main figures are both Jesus. On the left we see him hanging on the cross & on the right we see him ascended into heaven & glowing with divine light. There are many worshipping figures around this figures feet.
RESEARCH/ADDITIONAL NOTES:
I once heard a preacher talking about this verse & he used a big “V” for victory to describe this scriptural text. The preacher pointed out that Jesus has 2 natures: that of God & that of man. Jesus was eternally in heaven having all the attributes of God, but then gave up his rightful position of honour in heaven in order to become a man & live amongst his creation. In so doing we have a supreme example of sinless perfection in Jesus the Christ. But Jesus went further, his mission was not simply to live amongst us, it was always to die for us, in our place, & so atone for our sinfulness & take our sins upon his own body. Only then could that sinless man take away our sins, once & for all, & thereby gain for us a complete salvation, opening up our own pathway back to the Father in heaven. It was always necessary for Jesus to die as a substitute for us, but he went even further than that: he died on a cross, which to the Jews was the worst form of capital punishment. Indeed there is a scripture which reads “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree (or cross.)” * This descent in humility is represented in the text on the left of the “V”, which is read from top to bottom (verses 5-8.)
The bottom of the “V” is the point of Jesus’ death on the cross.
Verse 9 starts with “Therefore” - referring to the previous verses 5-8; Paul now gives us the consequence of Jesus’ death on the cross: the ascending outcome of his sacrifice on our behalf, which is that his name (Jesus) is now the most powerful name in all the cosmos. “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name...”
Following the crucifixion (the humiliation) we have Jesus’ bodily resurrection & ascension back into heaven. As a result of Christ’s personal sacrifice of his life for all mankind, God the father exalts the Son. The atonement for our sins is the greatest event in history. The sinless man dying for all mankind is the ultimate sacrifice of a loving God for His own created beings (us.) Therefore, after the cross of Jesus comes the ascension into glory & recognition of the value of the finished work of Jesus.
The text on the right of the “V” is read from the bottom to the top (verses 9-11.) The text clearly says that God the Father has given Jesus the name above every name & that all people everywhere will have to bend the knee in submission to Jesus as a result of his mission to Earth, to save everyone.
*Galatians 3:13 (ANIV)
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree."
Why not visit my website & see all the cartoons there? www.biblecartoons.co.uk
Life is a long lesson in humility.
— John M. Barrie
Typeface: Futura
Merchandise available: www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/135045055
Of the eight great virtues, humility is most important for growth in every person and to perfect a saint. How can we be considered human or dignified even realistic and saintly without some embarrasment in our lives? I sure never made it to today without some form of extreme humility! Try not to of yourself lesser but equal to all, humility is to not proclaim anything but to know your place. A servant is humiliated by being seen as a lesser who serves a higher, they embarrass themselves if someone of normal or greater status happens to notice them! To be caught off-guard doing something rather dumb or otherwise >.< is embarrasing but must be accepted for us to grow!
1If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.
-Philippians 2:1-2 (NIV)
PRAYERS & NOVENA TO ST MARTIN DE PORRES
PRAYER
Most humble Martin de Porres, whose burning charity embraced not only thy needy brethren, but also the very animals of the field, splendid example of charity, we hail and invoke thee! From that high throne which thou dost occupy, deign to listen to the supplications of thy needy brethren that, by imitating thy virtues, we may live contented in that state in which God has placed us, and, carrying our cross with strength and courage, we may follow in the footsteps of our Blessed Redeemer and His most afflicted Mother, to reach at last the Kingdom of Heaven through the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
PRAYER FOR HUMILITY - AFTER THE EXAMPLE OF
ST MARTIN DE PORRES
O God, Who hast given us in Thy Humble Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, the model of all virtue and perfection, grant to us the virtue of humility. We think so little of Thee because we are so full of self. We cannot love Thee more until humility shows us our own nothingness and makes us rejoice in our complete dependence upon Thee.
Thou hast given to the world a glorious apostle of humility, St Martin de Porres. Guide us by his example and strengthen us through his intercessions in our efforts to conform our hearts to the humble Heart of Thy Crucified Son.
Renew, O Lord, in these days, when pride and forgetfulness of Thee are so widespread, the wonders which Thou didst perform through Thy humble servant, Martin de Porres, during his lifetime. We pray that all the world may know of St Martin and of the surpassing value of the virtue of humility. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER - TO BE SAID BY THOSE IN DISTRESS
In this pain and sadness which weighs me down and for which I can find no human support, I turn to you, St Martin. Be my friend and my protector and intercede for me with our merciful Father in heaven. Ask that my sins be forgiven and that I may be freed from the evils which burden and distract me. Give me your spirit of sacrifice that I may welcome whatever God sends me for love of Him who makes all things a means of holiness.
O Heavenly Father, in the name of your Son and of His Blessed Mother, and by the merits of your faithful servant Martin, help me in my great trouble and do not forsake me. Amen.
PRAYER
Well done, thou good and faithful servant; because thou hast been faithful over few things, I will make thee ruler over many things, saith the Lord.
Pray for us, St Martin de Porres.
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. O God, the exalter of the humble, Who didst make St Martin, Thy confessor, to enter the heavenly kingdom, grant through his merits and intercession, that we may so follow the example of his humility on earth as to deserve to be exalted with him in heaven. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
INVOCATION TO ST MARTIN DE PORRES
(Invocation to be said when applying the St Martin relic, picture or medal to the sick, or when held in the hand by those who are in need.)
In the name of the Most Holy Trinity,
In the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God,
In the name of Mary, Queen of Heaven,
In the name of Joseph, Patron of the Universal Church,
St Martin, cure (help) me (him, her)
For the honour and glory of God
And the salvation of souls.
NOVENA TO ST MARTIN DE PORRES
FIRST DAY - ST MARTIN'S HUMILITY
St Martin imitated our Lord, Who was meek and humble of heart. There was no pride or vanity in his soul. He knew that God is our Creator and that we are but His creatures. He understood that God loves us as children and only wants us to be happy. So he submitted entirely to the Holy Will of God. Let us all imitate St Martin by humbly doing the Will of God in all things.
Let us pray. O humble St Martin, ask our Lord to give us the grace of true humility that we may not be puffed up with foolish pride, but may be contented with the gifts that God gives us. Obtain for us the light of the Holy Ghost that we may understand, as you did, that pride is a deceit of the devil and that only by doing the Will of God can we be truly happy. Amen.
Say one Our Father, ten Hail Marys & one Glory Be.
SECOND DAY - ST MARTIN'S LOVE OF GOD
St Martin’s whole soul was filled with God’s love. He knew that Almighty God sent His Only Son into the world to suffer and die on the Cross for our sins. His heart was stirred with deep affection for so loving a Redeemer, and his whole life gives evidence of his sincere gratitude. May we, too, learn to love our Saviour more and more and show our love by our good works.
Let us pray. O St Martin, why are our hearts so cold and lacking in love for the Son of God, Who became a little Child for our salvation? Why are we so slow to love One Who loved us so much that He gave His life for mankind? Ask God to make us realise that the only way to happiness is by loving and serving Him with all our hearts and souls. Amen.
Say one Our Father, ten Hail Marys & one Glory Be.
THIRD DAY - ST MARTIN'S LOVE OF THE POOR
St Martin was called “the Father of the Poor”. He saw in the poor, the sick and the dying the children of God, and he helped them in a thousand practical ways. He studied medicine so that he might know how to cure the sick. Every day he distributed alms to the poor. He built an orphanage for children. Let us imitate the charity of St Martin that God may bless us as He blessed him.
Let us pray. Dear St Martin, teach us to be generous with the gifts that God has given us. Make us sympathetic towards those who are suffering and afflicted. Pray to our Redeemer and to Our Lady of Mercy that our hearts may not be hardened by sin and selfishness, but that we may always be kind and generous to our neighbours because they are the children of our Heavenly Father. Amen.
Say one Our Father, ten Hail Marys & one Glory Be.
FOURTH DAY - ST MARTIN'S FAITH
St Martin had a lively faith in all the teachings of the Catholic Church because he knew that it was founded by Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Who can neither deceive nor be deceived. God rewarded St Martin’s humble faith by enlightening his mind that he might believe the mysteries of our Holy Religion. May God give us the grace always to believe the truths which He has revealed.
Let us pray. O glorious St Martin, we need strong faith in God and His Holy Church, especially in these days when so many people have turned against religion. Bring to a knowledge and love of the true Church the non-Catholic members of your race that they may find the way to salvation and happiness. Ask God to make us faithful soldiers of Jesus Christ in life and in death. Amen.
Say one Our Father, ten Hail Marys & one Glory Be.
FIFTH DAY - ST MARTIN'S CONFIDENCE IN GOD
St Martin firmly relied on the goodness and promises of God. He hoped through the grace of God, and the merits of Jesus Christ one day to obtain an eternal reward. We know that St Martin’s trust in God was not in vain. We, too, are confident that God will forgive us our sins if we are truly sorry and that He will give us everlasting life if we serve Him faithfully by obeying His commandments.
Let us pray. St Martin, help us to have a great trust in Almighty God. Make us understand that He is One Friend who will never desert us as long as we are true to Him. Keep us from foolishly presuming that we will be saved without doing our part, but keep us also from despair, which forgets the mercy of God. Ask the Child Jesus to increase in our hearts faith, hope, and charity. Amen.
Say one Our Father, ten Hail Marys & one Glory Be.
SIXTH DAY - ST MARTIN'S DEVOTION TO PRAYER
St Martin kept his mind and heart always lifted up to the Creator of all things. His prayer came from the depths of his soul. He constantly turned to God to adore Him, to thank Him, and to ask Him for help. St Martin prayed with humility and perseverance, and God was pleased to answer his prayers in miraculous ways. He will pray for us before the Throne of God in Heaven.
Let us pray. St Martin, help us to realise that Christ meant what He said when He promised: “Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and you shall find.” Make us faithful in attending Holy Mass and other devotions. Remind us to say our daily prayers to obtain the blessing of God. Ask the Queen of the Most Holy Rosary to obtain for us a share of the treasures of the Holy Rosary. Amen.
Say one Our Father, ten Hail Marys & one Glory Be.
SEVENTH DAY - ST MARTIN'S SPIRIT OF PENANCE
St Martin was a brave man. He was not afraid of hard work. He did not weakly seek for comforts as we often do. Even though he laboured so hard, he was glad to do severe penances for his sins and for the salvation of souls. If so holy a man did penances, how much more should we, who have seriously offended Almighty God by our sinfulness!
Let us pray. St Martin, from you we learn how to be courageous and valiant. From your life we learn to avoid idleness and self-seeking. Give us some of that spirit of penance which you had, so that we may be brave in the struggle with temptation. Ask Jesus Crucified to give us the grace to fight the good fight for victory. Amen.
Say one Our Father, ten Hail Marys & one Glory Be.
EIGHTH DAY - ST MARTIN'S REWARD
St Martin died a holy and peaceful death. He had spent his life in doing good as a humble Lay-Brother of the Dominican Order. But he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. Soon his heroic life became widely known, and Pope John XXIII solemnly proclaimed Martin de Porres a Saint of God. Let us rejoice that we have such a noble brother among the Saints of God in Heaven!
Let us pray. Dear St Martin, you have been raised up by Almighty God to show us the way to our true home. You have given us the good example and the encouragement that we need. We know from your life that to win the reward of glory we have but to love and serve the Best of Masters. May we ever be humble that we, too, may be exulted unto everlasting life. Amen.
Say one Our Father, ten Hail Marys & one Glory Be.
NINTH DAY - ST MARTIN'S MIRACLES
St Martin performed many miracles during his life and after his holy death. We can go to him with confidence for he will grant our petitions if they are for the good of our souls. His heart is very big, and he loves to help us, he is kind in every way. We have only to tell him our troubles and to ask him to help us. If we do our part we can be sure that our dear friend St Martin will do his.
Let us pray. O Lord Jesus Christ, Who didst inflame the heart of St Martin with an ardent love of the poor and Who didst teach him the wonderful joy of true humility and the wisdom of accepting God’s Holy Will, grant that, like him, we may be ever truly humble of heart and full of Christ-like love for suffering humanity. Deign, we beseech Thee, that, by imitating the holy life and enjoying the powerful help of this saintly Negro, the whole world may be drawn nearer to Thee, the Saviour of the human race. Who livest and reignest, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.
Say one Our Father, ten Hail Marys & one Glory Be.
Sul fianco destro sono riconoscibili le piccole aperture e il rosone della primitiva facciata risalente al XII secolo, mentre l'attuale facciata, già attribuita ad Andrea Palladio e ora riferita all'opera di Vincenzo Dotto e di Giambattista della Sala, è scandita da quattro semi colonne corinzie poste su alto basamento e gioca sulle tonalità del cotto e dell'intonaco. Le nicchie tra gli intercolumni sono occupate da l'Umiltà (o la Purità) e la Verginità, di Antonio Bonazza. Sopra, due bassorilievi settecenteschi raffiguranti i la prova e il martirio dei santi titolari della chiesa. Sotto, a sinistra, la lapide funeraria del medico Bartolomeo Campo, a destra un'iscrizione che ricorda il testamento di don Cesare Mantova. Sull'attico sono posti le statue de I quattro Evangelisti, opere di Pietro Danieletti. Sulla falsa arcata che si apre al centro della facciata, un affresco monumentale di Guy Louis II Vernansal raffigurante l'Immacolata Concezione tra i santi titolari, opera gravemente danneggiata dalle intemperie.
{from it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiesa_di_San_Canziano_(Padova)}
... the present façade was previously attributed to Andrea Palladio but is now considered to be the work of Vincenzo Dotto & Giambattista della Sala. In the niches between the semi-columns are depicted Humility {or Purity} & Virginity, works of Antonio Bonazza. Above them, two 17th-century reliëfs depicting the trials & matryrdom of the patron saints. At the top, the 4 evangelists, works of Pietro Danieletti. In the center, a weathered fresco of the immaculate conception with the patron saints of the church, by Guy Louis II Vernansal.
Tricolor heron with four ducks. If you want to learn humility compare the behavior of these five birds to humankind's behaviors as exhibited since the dawn of history.
The birds display the peacefulness which is essential to an animal who happens to value its continued survival as a species on the Earth for tens of millions of years. Humankind lives in the frantic manner of a species which knows that its time is up and that death and extinction are just around the corner.
Humankind behaves in a manner consistent with a species that knows that it doesn't have a future. Needless to say, the human species does not have a future on the Earth, on the moon, on Mars, in the Universe or in Heaven.
Extinction is coming and humankind knows it. Extinction is coming and humankind is fully responsible for its own fate. Extinction is coming and there is no escape or salvation for the human species.
If God existed the state of the Earth has degenerated so much that not even God could save the human species from self-extermination. Certainly if God existed and God wanted to save humankind while allowing the Earth to die, I myself would prevent God from lifting a finger on humankind's behalf.
There is no salvation for humankind. So I can only hate pity for the helpless & hopeless animal which lacks free will and cannot escape from itself though it so desperately wants to escape from human nature.
O Lord Jesus Christ,
With Your wisdom and compassionate good deeds for the Poor –
That Heaven has proclaimed You as “King of Kings, Lord of Lords”.
O Mother Mary,
With Your humility and truth in your apparitions and miracles to save the Needy –
That Heaven has proclaimed You as “Queen of Queens, Mother of Mothers”.
We cannot be as perfect as You, but we are Your mere followers –
As God’s Holy Spirit on Earth to bring the Holy Spirit of Generosity and Compassion to all.
We cannot be You, but we can also be humble and do compassionate good deeds –
Even in our own little ways as God’s Children, as Your Children.
Heaven is so generous to have blessed the Poor and the Needy –
With the same Power given to Lord Jesus Christ and Mother Mary.
That all of us mere followers of God may be God’s Servants for the Poor and the Needy.
That our utmost respect for God may be given for the least of our brethren.
That the Poor and the Needy may have God’s Power as Heaven’s Judges –
For our worthiness to enter the Kingdom of God in Heaven.
Amen.
Please don't use this image on websites, blogs or other media without my explicit permission.
© All rights reserved
Some humility
Wind blowing through spider web
Fifth of a second
1 - something soft (spider webs are icky and soft)
2 - something roundish (dew drops)
3 - orton effect (fun!)
I was so upset at the wind, even though I love the wind, and I hate the heat, and the dew was perfect. It kept blowing the web almost constantly, so I had to wait for it to stop, quickly (manually) focus with the macro lens, and then take the shot. Again...and again...and again.
The Orton effect is there, it's just subtle. I worked it in Photoshop mightily until it looked right to my eyes. Hope it looks right in yours.
Stained glass in St. Mary's parish church, Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire, depicting the personifications of justice, courage and humility. The church website says this was made by Morris, and is "in the style of Edward Burne-Jones". Noted! [edit] see dajavous's comment below for more information.
From the August 2016 return trip to Siem Reap and the Angkor complex:
I love the Angkor complex, Siem Reap, and the Cambodian people so much that I returned again for about a week to photograph as much of the “non-major” sites as I could. Some of them are slightly far from Angkor Wat (by that, I mean to say more than 10 kilometers away), and usually require a little more money to get to. Also, some of the sites (Beng Mealea, Phnom Kulen) are not included in the Angkor ticket price and have an additional admission fee.
I don’t know if there’s a set number of how many sites belong in the Angkor complex, though I’m sure it would vary. (Do you only count the major sites like Angkor Wat, Bayon, Ta Prohm? Do you add the sites that aren’t included in the standard “Angkor Pass,” but are clearly of the same era? Do you include sites that aren’t even named (as are one of the sites in this series)? All in all, I’ll put a very rough number at…50 sites in the Siem Reap area, and that includes the sites that are about 100 km away. Of those, I would say I’ve been to all but 5-10 now. All are included here with the exception, obviously, of the sites that I didn’t visit. (Off the top of my head, I can say they include Koh Ker & that respective group, which is about 120 km ENE of Siem Reap; Phnom Krom, one of the three “mountains” with temples; Ta Prohm Kel; and Mangalartha.)
In practical terms, I’m afraid that with the volume of shooting (about 1,500 frames in the past 7 days), photos will start to look redundant to those who don’t have the same interest in ancient/historical architecture or Angkor as I do. That being said, there are a few things besides temples here. The Old Market area (now Night Market/Pub Street) is represented – a little – and Phnom Kulen has a pretty nice waterfall which is also in this series. Also, I tried to catch a few people in here, though didn’t get as many as I would’ve liked.
I had my friend Mao (tuktuk driver) take me around for 5 of these 7 days this time around. As I mentioned last time, he may cost a little more than what you can arrange through a hotel/guesthouse, but he’s well worth the money (and, in the grand scheme of things, not too expensive; I paid less than $200 for the five days, two of which were “long” trips). He loves his country and heritage, he knows what he’s showing you, he’s flexible, he gives you enough ice water to keep you hydrated, and he’s just a good guy. (He even bought me a birthday cake for cryin’ out loud…) Anyway, I highly recommend Mao. You can find him here: www.facebook.com/mao.khvan (or on Trip Advisor: www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g297390-d10726821-R... )
Now that shameless plugs and other assorted rhetoric are out of the way, it’s time to get on to the temples, ruins, and other miscellany.
The fifth day (and last time I’ll see Mao unless I go back to Siem Reap again) started just the same as my birthday. Chhiengmai brought me a ham & cheese omelette at the hotel, then Mao picked me up and off we went.
Following the same route to Banteay Kdei, we took a right and headed out on the grand loop. The first stop was at Pre Rup, which I’d seen in May, but wanted to photograph again this time around. I love the May shots because it’s in afternoon light, so there are some nice silhouette shots in there. This time, however, was early morning. We didn’t shoot as extensively as we did in May; only staying on the eastern side of the temple and not ascending it. Still, it’s a rather striking temple and worth seeing, even with the restoration that looks as if it hasn’t been touched since May – and didn’t look like it was being touched then, either.
Pre Rup is on the southeast corner of the Grand Loop. From there, continue north. Right before you reach East Mebon is a road going east. (This is the road that would lead you to Banteay Samré if taken straight, or Banteay Srei, Phnom Kulen, and Kbal Spean, if you turn left at the first intersection about 1 kilometer east from here.)
Our second destination, though, was Phnom Bok. To reach here, continue east on the aforementioned road – pass Banteay Samré – taking the first left, then continuing north about 5-10 minutes. All in all, it’s about 20 minutes from the Grand Loop road.
Having seen snow-capped mountains enough in my life, I chuckle to call these mountains instead of hills. However, Angkor is in a large plain, as you can see in these pictures, so any hill looks like a mountain. In the same breath, these aren’t baby hills.
Mao’s wife and daughter stayed with the tuktuk while we went clambering up the hill. I was giving Mao a good ribbing about him not being my friend for making me climb a mountain in tropical heat, but it really wasn’t too bad. He said, “there are only 100 stairs to the top!” I laughed and said there’s no way that’s a mountain then. We walked up a hill for about five minutes before getting to the bottom of the staircase on the south side of the mountain that goes to the summit. He still insisted it was only 100 steps. I counted, just for fun. Turns out, there are 626 steps, give or take one, to the top of the hill and, even when you get to the top, you still have to climb up…a little farther.
As I mentioned, though, it wasn’t a bad climb. The first 400 or so steps are forested, so you’re in shade, though it’s hot and humid. After that, the views of the surrounding plains open up which are quite nice. Mostly, you can see to the south or southeast. I couldn’t see any of the main temples which would be southwest from here. (I couldn’t see them from the peak when looking southwest, though, either…)
At the top of Phnom Bok, there’s a little shelter/rest area where you can sit and buy ice cold drinks. There’s a new Hindu temple up there, and also the ruins of an Angkor-era temple. Sadly, there are also remnants of the Khmer Rouge era, too; machine gun mounts and the like, surrounding the temple.
After 30-45 minutes on the mountaintop, we went back down and I was glad to have a rest in the tuktuk while we made our way back to the Grand Loop. It was a good chance to rest up and enjoy the scenery (in addition to waving like a fool at every passerby as I’m wont to do).
Upon returning to the Grand Loop road, we made a quick right heading north for about 200 meters to the East Mebon. In May, we stopped here, but didn’t do anything other than climb the main stairs, take a few shots, and head off to lunch. (We were tired by that point.)
Because of that, I told Mao I wanted to take time to extensively go around the East Mebon. It’s a surprisingly nice temple mount. (I don’t know how the West Mebon compares; unlike this one, there is still water in the west baray, and I didn’t go out there.) All told, Mao and I wandered our separate ways here for about half an hour or so. I got back to the tuktuk right before one of the daily summer downpours. Mao was stuck out in the rain, but had my backpack, P&S, and umbrella, so was fine.
After a 5-10 minute rest, a Coke and a smile later, the four of us went back on our way around the Grand Loop continuing clockwise. We bypassed Ta Som (which I’d shot well enough in May) and stopped for a very quick shoot at Prasat Krol Ko. This is a very small temple built in the late 12th and early 13th century by Jayavarman VII. It looks like many of the other temples, so most don’t stop here as it’s not terribly interesting. It’s a temple surrounded by two concentric enclosures, in the Bayon style, and rather small. However, it’s near Neak Pean and Preah Khan, so there’s no reason not to stop. This is a Hindu (I believe) temple, as it’s named/dedicated to a cow. I enjoyed it.
The next stop – Neak Pean – was less than two minutes down the road. (Again, no reason not to stop at both. Neak Pean (sometimes spelled “Neak Poan” and pronounced “neek poh-an”) is architecturally different than most of the other sites, as is the setting. Neak Pean is a cruciform arrangement of ponds that centers on a sanctuary tower on a circular island in the middle. Currently, access is limited and you can’t go all the way around it. You approach from the north over a boardwalk – this crosses over the Jayatataka baray, which offers some nice panoramic views of Phnom Bok about 5 kilometers to the east – and finally arrive at the north end of the monument. You can walk around either side to the eastern and western corners, but can go no farther. There are (were) four different sculpted animals on each of the four small ponds around the sanctuary. Eavesdropping a tour guide, he said the four ponds represent earth, air, fire, and water. I had read somewhere what the four animals were, but can’t seem to find that information now. I was very pleased with this stop, too, mainly because it offered a little variety.
After the nice stroll over the boardwalk back to the tuktuk, we continued heading west. At the turn off for Preah Khan (which I skipped this time since we spent a bit of time here in May), there are also two other nearby, rarely visited temples: Banteay Prei and Prasat Prei. These are immediately north of Preah Khan on the outside of the Loop road. Preah Khan is about 200 meters south on the inside of the loop. Neither of these two temples are listed in either LP Cambodia or my Ancient Angkor guidebook, so I unfortunately can’t tell you a thing about them, but would venture to say they were probably built by Jayavarman VII…but, that’s pure conjecture. They were both rather nice to see, and in a fair state of decomposition, so it lent to nice photography. As they are so close to Preah Khan, again…I don’t see why you wouldn’t visit here. You can see both temples in about 20 minutes without going out of your way to do so.
The next stop on today’s private tour is Krol Romeas. This is a very unassuming structure that is less than five minutes outside the North Gate of Angkor Thom. I’m a little confused about what “romeas” means. At first Mao’s wife told me it meant sheep. Then I believe she said it meant hippopotamus. Either way, this structure was an animal pen for one of those. Given the size and depth, I’ll say hippo enclosure is probably correct. Currently, it’s just a very nice setting in the forest. It’s a round enclosure about 20 meters in diameter, just east of the Grand Loop road.
After Krol Romeas, our next stops were the remaining (for me) gates of Angkor Thom: first, the North Gate for a very quick shoot, then down to Bayon and due west on a relaxing, rarely traveled road to the West Gate. The West Gate is supposed to be the one in the most pristine (unrestored) state, though I thought it looked fine. The setting was good.
By this time, it was getting to be early afternoon, probably around 4:00. The next – and last – stop of the day was south of town, away from the majority of Angkor sites. Going south from the Night Market area of Siem Reap along the river, there are two sites of interest: The main one Is the third of the “major” hills – Phnom Krom. This is supposed to be a nice place to see the sunset. However, from having climbed Phnom Bok earlier in the day, I wasn’t inclined to go here, though it was on my original “wish list” that I gave to Mao. Instead, we just went to the other temple in the area: Wat Athvea (sometimes also written Athwea). This is a very tranquil temple and is great in the late afternoon. It’s attached to a functioning monastery, but isn’t noisy. There is a pagoda built on the site of an ancient temple here. What you see here is a 12th century Hindu temple. There is a cemetery adjacent, but that’s not included in this set.
Upon finishing for the day, Mao dropped me back off at my guesthouse. This would be the last time I saw Mao on this trip, though his wife and daughter insisted on taking me to the airport on Tuesday, so I would see them one more time. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Mao’s a good man (Cambodian Mao, that is…)
As always, I hope you enjoy this set. I appreciate you taking time to look. If you have any questions, please feel free to send me a message or leave it via comment.
The Postcard
A postally unused postcard that was published by S. P. G. The card has a divided back on which is printed:
'The Native Market at
Accra, West Africa.
The S. P. G. started
work on the Gold
Coast in 1751.'
The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts
The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts (known as SPG) was founded by the Reverend Dr. Thomas Bray in 1701. SPG sent priests and schoolteachers to America to minister to the colonists, and to take the message of the gospel to enslaved Africans and native Americans.
During the 18th. century SPG’s activities expanded into the West Indies, Canada, Australia and West Africa.
Over its three-hundred year history, what later became USPG has sent over 15,000 missionaries worldwide. Many of these missionaries were pioneers, some were involved in tackling slavery, championing women’s rights and opposing racism.
They also helped to establish indigenous Anglican churches in the countries where they worked, helping to build what is today the global Anglican Communion.
Below are some key dates in USPG's history.
-- 1710 -- SPG accepted the bequest of a Barbadian slave plantation, beginning a deeply shameful episode in the Society’s history. The enslaved were not emancipated until 1834.
-- 1736-37 -- John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, served as an SPG missionary in America.
-- 1766 -- Philip Quaque, the first African to be ordained in the Church of England, arrived on the Gold Coast, serving as an SPG missionary priest and teacher until 1816.
-- 1796 -- SPG sent missionaries to work on Norfolk Island, a penal settlement 800 miles east of Australia.
-- 1820-1900 -- Pastoral ministry and educational work among indigenous people began to take priority over care of colonists, and SPG sent missionaries to more than 50 countries including India, South Africa, Malaysia, Myanmar, China, Eswatini (Swaziland), Japan, Korea and Zimbabwe.
-- 1828-1884 -- Irishman George Nobbs ministered to the SPG-supported Pitcairn islanders, first as their teacher and doctor, and then from 1852 until his death, as an SPG missionary.
-- 1856 -- Sarah Coombes, the first single SPG woman missionary, arrived in North Borneo.
-- 1857 -- David Livingstone issued a challenge in his lectures in Oxford and Cambridge that led to the formation of the Universities’ Mission to Central Africa (UMCA).
At the heart of its work was opposition to the East African slave trade, and it went on to make a major contribution in the fight against leprosy.
By the early 20th century, the UMCA had established the church in Central Africa across modern day Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia.
-- 1870 -- From 1863 when her husband, the Revd. Robert Winter, became head of the SPG Mission in Delhi, Priscilla Winter noticed the women of the city needed medical care, and having dispensed simple remedies herself she began to organise the Delhi Female Medical Mission which opened in 1870.
Following her death in 1881, St. Stephen’s Hospital for Women and Children was built as a memorial to her.
-- 1877 -- The Cambridge Mission to Delhi (CMD), inspired by Cambridge theologian B. F. Westcott, led to the development of two Anglican communities there: the Brotherhood of the Ascension and St. Stephen’s Community for women. St. Stephen’s Hospital and St. Stephen’s College became important Indian institutions.
-- 1880's -- SPG sent the Revd Edwin Dodgson, brother of the author Lewis Carroll as a missionary, first to the volcanic island of Tristan da Cunha known as ‘the Lonely Island’ in the South Atlantic and then to the Cape Verde islands.
-- 1895-1905 -- A number of radically-minded SPG missionaries, dubbed “Atheists of the Empire” began work: Roland Allen in China (1895), Arthur Cripps in Mashonaland (Zimbabwe) from 1900 and C. F. Andrews in India (1904).
All were highly critical of British imperialism, and they empowered local people as well as nurturing indigenous leadership and nationalist sentiment. They inspired radicals within the next generation of church leaders, including Bishop Trevor Huddleston.
-- 1930 -- SPG nurse Edith Shelley contracted leprosy in Tanganyika (now Tanzania) and chose to live at the Lulindi Leprosy Settlement while she was being treated. This inspired her to set up outpatient clinics in villages where she trained African medical staff.
-- 1954-1962 -- Father Roger Tennant was a USPG missionary in Korea where he was known for is humility and compassion. He established a leprosy colony in Namyangju which became the model for subsequent government-funded projects.
-- 1965 -- The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts united with the Universities’ Mission to Central Africa to form The United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel (USPG). The Cambridge Mission to Delhi joined USPG in 1968.
-- 1970's and 1980's -- USPG took a leading role in support of the church and people of South Africa during the apartheid era. Desmond Tutu, Archbishop Emeritus of Capetown stated:
“USPG were close allies with us during the
apartheid years, providing a link between
parishes in South Africa and Britain so that
together we could share information and
pray about our common concerns.
USPG helped our fellow Christians to keep
faith with us through those difficult years.
They helped us know that we were not alone.”
-- 1985 -- USPG missionary Canon Robin Lamburn’s humanitarian work was recognised when he was awarded the Albert Schweitzer International Prize.
Although officially retired, he dedicated 25 years to Kindwitwi Leprosy Village in Tanzania where he encouraged residents to be self-reliant, increasing their self-esteem and helping them to regain their dignity, despite their suffering.
-- 2000 -- USPG played a key role in the international campaign Jubilee 2000 aimed at cancelling debt amongst the poorest countries of the world. Jubilee 2000’s co-founder Bill Peters was USPG’s Chair, and a driving force.
-- 2016 -- Following four years in which it was known as ‘Us’ (the United Society), USPG returns as – United Society Partners in the Gospel.
This is Sandy the Dog. She is deaf. When in life....you think your situation is bad...just imagine what others are going through and be grateful.
amidst living this world...is the humility we keep in our heart...in sharing blessings to the needy...
The Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption in Saginaw was packed with faithful from across the diocese who came to witness the ordination of Father Adam Maher on June 1.
The Rite of Ordination includes the candidate promising to "discharge the office of priesthood with humility and love, to hold fast to the mystery of faith, to proclaim this faith in word and deed, to embrace the celibate state and to pray for the Church and the whole world," as well as obedience to the bishop and his successors. The candidate then lies prostrate as the congregation prays the Litany of Supplication. Following the prayer, Bishop Cistone and those priests present silently impose their hands upon the candidate. The candidate is then dressed in priestly vestments, a stole and chasuble. He then kneels before the bishop, who anoints his hands with Sacred Chrism and hands over the bread and wine.
A Port Sanilac native, Father Adam completed his seminarian education at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. This July, he will become the Parochial Administrator of Our Lady Consolata Parish, which serves Cass City, Sebewaing, Gagetown and Wilmot.
Regarding his call to the priesthood, Father Adam credits the prayers of so many people to whom he says, "My vocation is the fruit of your prayers. I'm excited to lay my life down for Jesus and for all of you. Your prayers have been preparing me for this. I feel your prayers."
St Martin de Porres once said that he wishes to be as useful as a broom which was then put away when no longer needed. This can be seen as an expression of his humility. In this painting from San Esteban in Salamanca, St Martin is shown wearing the habit of a Dominican lay brother, i.e., a friar of the Order who will not be ordained. Behind him we see Dominican 'clerical brothers' in the more familiar white habits. Since Vatican II, all Dominican friars wear the same white habit.