Vita Dulce

Aneas fleeing Troy There are many representations of this scene from "The Anead" of Virgil but it seems to me to be a good one to remind us of the blessedness of life at all stages and the necessity to foster and protect it. Aneas leads his son by the hand and carries his father on his back as his city is besieged. His father clutches in his hand the gods of the household. An image that all 'good' men should lead the young by right and true action, respect the wisdom of their elders and have piety and wonder for God.

  The Suscipe Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will, All I have and call my own. You have given all to me. To you, Lord, I return it. Everything is yours; do with it what you will. Give me only your love and your grace, That is enough for me.              (frequently attributed to St. Ignatius of Loyola)   *There is a certain sense of freedom one feels in saying the prayer; a 'letting go' and 'giving back' to God all that we have so that we no longer need to attempt to direct or control everything but to simply 'channel' our gifts and energy wherever God leads.