Category - Faith

Basilica of the National Shrine

Our Catholic homeschool group took the show on the road Friday with a field trip to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. Or just the Basilica, for short.

After getting lost taking the scenic route in the rain, we still managed to get there in time for mass in the crypt chapel, where our group was welcomed – by name- by the officiating priest.  Then lunch in the cafeteria where it looked for a moment that we were not going to be able to find seats for the 22 of us, but by the time we’d gone through the line all sorts of tables had opened up.

After lunch we had a guided tour.  I’d love to say that it was wonderful, but our guide talked sooo fast that he was difficult to understand.  I was trying hard to hear what he had to say, and I know that the children missed most of it.  I got some great pictures, though.

The basilica contains over 70 chapels and oratories dedicated to Our Lady, and they reflect the cultures and traditions of people around the world. This one, to Our Lady of Lourdes, is a replica of the grotto in France.
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I’m not sure why it had a gate in front of it.

Bip was on a potty break when we saw the chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  I took him back to see it and asked him if he knew who it was.  “Mary!” he said in that cute preschooler way he has.

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I showed him Juan Diego, with the roses spilling out of his tilma.

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I thought Our Lady of China was beautiful –
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Walking into the main part of the church, this is the ceiling –
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And a close up of one of the domes…
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When you’re visiting DC, don’t miss the Basilica!  They have free pamphlets available to help you find your way or you can purchase a more in depth guide.  Both are available in the bookstore or gift shop.  There’s free parking, always a plus in DC!

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So There We Were…

…leaving the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Philip and I, our friends that we are sponsoring into the Church, our parish priest and one of the members of our church who was there for support.  The three military men were in uniform, looking very handsome indeed.  We were just walking along the front of the basilica when one of the men said, “Newt Gingrich just got into that white car.”

Parked in front of the basilica were two tour buses and in between the two buses was a white car, but from where we were, we couldn’t see who was in it.

After a round of, “Really?”, “That white car up there?” and “No way!”, I said, “Let’s catch up and look.” So we sped up a bit and as we passed the white car, we turned to look at the passenger.

And lo and behold! there was Newt Gingrich himself.

We did what any grown up would do – we grinned and waved.  Newt waved back and one of the guys started to walk closer to the car.  And Newt did what anyone who finds himself being peered at by three guys in uniform, two women and a priest would do – he rolled down the window.

So all three of the guys rushed up to shake his hand.  I would have, too, except I was wearing heels and I would have hand to run to get to the car in a timely manner.  I shook Philip’s hand right afterward, though, so it was almost as good.

Or course, we were all wondering just what he had been doing at the basilica and when we got home, I looked on the internet.  Turns out, Newt Gingrich is becoming Catholic and was participating in the Rite of Election himself.  Cool.

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Answers, I’ve Got ’em!

My blogging friend, Sandy, asked me to help her better understand my post about the Rite of Election.  First, I do have to apologize because I sometimes forget that hello, not everyone is Catholic. Just like everyone is not in the military and will not understand when I tell you that yesterday my husband went to the TMO because we are PCS’ing, but it’s to early to contact the TLF.

So I had another blogging dilema. Let someone else worry about offending the Brits, the growing nanny state and the price of tea in China because I’ve got readers needing answers.  And pretty yarn to knit up. Focus, everyone, focus!

Really, though- I wanted to make sure I explained the Catholic jargon in a way that would still let the original story flow.  I was going to hyper link, I was going to provide a glossary at the end.  And then Sandy said, “um, how about just a website?”

I tend to overthink a bit.

So here you go Sandy, and anyone else I left scratching their heads.  Here is a Glossary of Terms for the Rite of Christian Initiation (RCIA). It’s part of a much larger article about the entire process of RCIA.

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Amazing

Philip and I were asked by two of our friends to sponsor them as they enter the Catholic Church this Easter.  Of course, this is an honor and a privilege for us – and a very unique experience.  We each have godchildren and we’ve both been Confirmation sponsors, but this is the first time we’ve been godparents/sponsors together.

So the four of us spent pretty much all of last Sunday together participating in the Rite of Sending at our home parish here on base, then at the Rite of Election at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.  All I can say is…amazing.

I’d never been to the Basilica, so I was immediately awestruck by the building itself.  The interior rivaled any basilica or cathedral we’ve seen in Europe.  I cannot even begin to do it justice in trying to describe it with words.  I didn’t bring a camera, so I can’t share any pictures, sadly.  Our homeschool group is taking a tour next month, so I’ll get some pictures then.

The Rite itself – again, wow.  There were 5 Bishops in attendance – the Archbishop of DC, 3 of his auxiliary bishops and the Bishop of the Archdiocese for the Military Services.  Incidentally, ours was the only church that identified itself as being from a military base, so the bishop was probably there just for us!  The sheer number of people being baptized or coming into full communion with the Church was so inspiring, and makes you think that maybe our country really isn’t going to hell in a hand basket after all.  Each of the catechumens who will be baptized at Easter were called by name and were presented by their godparent to the Archbishop.  He seemed to be having quite a good time, shaking hands and smiling the whole time.  They lined up on the in front of the altar, where they answered questions as a group.  After they returned to their seats, the candidates for Confirmation were by parish and went up with their sponsors.  We didn’t get to meet the Archbishop, but we filled the enormous chancel.  We were one of the first parishes called up, so we stood to the very back.  It was an amazing view, looking out over the sea of humanity, and also taking in the beautiful artwork surrounding us. We will probably never again be that close to the altar of the Basilica.

I have to say that it was actually a lot of fun.  Our military men in their uniforms looked quite handsome and distinguished, and we had seats about 5 rows from the front.  I got little crick in my neck from looking up at the Archbishop during his homily, we were that close.  It was fun sharing the experience with the others from our parish, too.

I do have another side story to tell about something that happened as we were leaving.  But it’s a story for another day…

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Merry Christmas

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.“

Merry Christmas, from my family to yours.

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A Glimpse

However good this life gets, it pales in comparison to heaven.  Five years ago today, we were given a glimpse, just a glimpse of heaven, as our daughter, Rebecca was born.  For just 8 short months, everything was perfect.  We honestly couldn’t ask for anything more.  She was all toothless grins, fat little legs, big brown eyes and deep dimples.  Life just didn’t get better than that.

If life could be that good, imagine what heaven is like.

But we don’t have to just imagine, we’ve already seen a glimpse.

Happy Birthday, dear sweet baby.  Eternity won’t be enough time to hold you again.

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Enjoying the Season

Sorry I’ve been absent again, but I’ve been thoroughly enjoying the season.  Our house is decorated and the last of the presents are on their way.  Pumpkin Girl finished up her first piano book and I’ve been relearning all the Christmas carols I used to know.  Did I ever mention that I was once hired to play Christmas carols at a party?  Best paying job I ever had!  These days though, I play to a smaller, more adoring audience who accompany me with various and sundry percussion instruments.

Yesterday we went on behind the scenes tour of the BX (yes, after 3 years of living on an air force base I’m finally calling it the BX).  The best part?  The gift bags and pizza and drinks they gave us at the end!  Then later we went to church for the feast of the Immaculate Conception.  As on all Marian feasts, we sang “Hail Mary, Gentle Woman” which is Bip’s favorite.  He knows more of the words than he knew in August and he sang out loud and in clear in his sweet toddler voice.  It made up for him being quite the turkey during the readings earlier.

Speaking of Mary, the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is on Friday.  In honor of the occassion, our homeschool group made God’s Eye ornaments.  I put a tutorial for these really easy ornaments on the Homeschool Classroom today: Quick Christmas Ornament.

So I promise not to stay away so long.  I’ve got pictures of my holiday decorating to share!

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Perspective

I had a frustrating morning.  Pumpkin Girl said “Mama?” about 27 times in 15 minutes, each time followed by some rambling story, none of which I can remember.

Boo is hitting new lows in being a 10 year old boy.

Both of them kept up a steady stream of “ma-a-ma”s during their school work, to which I replied each time, “I’ll be RIGHT. THERE.  Move on to something else.”  And I really was busy, trying to wind yarn for a homeschool group craft project and order supplies for scouts.

Then school was over and I sat down for a little recreational computer time, and I glanced at the calendar only to realize that it is that time again.

Time to remember all the children that have died.  Suddenly, the “mama”s are not interruptions into my day, but a reminder of all the blessings that have been given…and taken away.

December 14th is the Worldwide Candle Lighting to honor and remember children who have died.  Candles will be lit at 7 PM local time, creating a 24 hour wave of light across the world.

Please write this event down on your calendar so that you can participate.  Light a candle for our children who have died and say a prayer for the families they have left behind.

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The Day After

Much has been said about yesterday’s election.  I’ve read a lot of blogs this morning, mostly by Christian, homeschooling moms, just the kind of people that Senator-Elect Mark Warner called a “threat to what it means to be an American.”  They are disappointed and worried and I don’t blame them.  I am very glad that my husband’s retirement from the Army is already in the works.  But I’m worried about what happens when he enters the civilian workforce.  I’m all for rendering unto Caesar and all that, but really, where is the motivation to get good grades, find a good job and work hard to achieve your own piece of the pie?  It’s hard not to worry that after 20 years of service to our nation, at a price we never bargained for, we’ll finally be able to make some real money, only to see it “redistributed.”

But you know what?  We will all be OK.  We are not in charge here.  We never were.

I’ll leave you with this quote from Charles L. Allen:

“When you say a situation or a person is hopeless, you are slamming the door in the face of God.”

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