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.

This is one of the favorite pictures I have of my wife. It was taken in a small French town near the Mediterranean coast on our honeymoon. I don't know why I like it so much ... I just do.

This particular devotion and feast have been familiar to me since I was a young child. I don't know if there was any elderly German relative who did not have a depiction of the Sacred Heart hanging somewhere in their home. Over time, the meaning of this feast has become more clear to me: The Heart of God has beat in The Heart of Man. The essence of life is to allow this reality to be present in each of our lives; To allow the Heart of God to beat within each one of us.

May is the Month of Mary It is fitting that this occurs in Spring  a time of renewal and new life. Pray the Rosary today and open yourself up to Renewal and New Life as She leads you closer to Her Son - Jesus Christ. "Do whatever he tells you to."                      (John 2:5)

Joseph Kautzman Ht. 19.5", Wt. 6.4 lbs. Named after St. Joseph but already sporting minature sideburns like his other role model Joseph Mauer of the TWINS!!!

Easter Season When 40 days in the desert through the Light of the Resurrection lead to a NEW DAY in the Son