Contemplative Haven

When we look up joy in the Catholic Catechism it says “see also: Happiness”, and the two combined give us seven entries. As I was reading through them, I reflected once more on how intertwined and inter-related everything is.
One of the entries listed for joy (Paragraph 1829) says:
The fruits of charity are joy, peace, and [...]

Some of you may recall Neven Pesa from a post I did in April 2008 here at Contemplative Haven and also from one at Consecrated to Mary.
Neven contacted some of us last month (Catholic Seminarian Rocker is what he titled his email!) to update us on his story; he was enthusiastic when I asked him [...]

Well, call me a diehard, but our turkey is real and I’ll be up all night making the pumpkin pies!
 
CBC Archives
 

Happy Thanksgiving weekend, my fellow Canadians!

One of the best days of my life.     ♥

When I was little I used to climb to the top of the bay tree beside our house to hide from everyone and be with my God.  His beautiful creation still provides peace and solitude, but I know now that He Himself is my hiding place, and most especially His Sacred Heart.

Just look what ukok has done for us! Among the many artistic offerings on her site, she has recently created free downloadable/printable prayer cards of the Holy Father’s monthly intentions.
Also, if you go to her special page for Free Prayer Cards and Bookmarks you will find a lovely selection of themes, including the Blessed Virgin and [...]

From Julia Cameron’s, Blessings.  Prayers and Declarations for a Heartful Life:
I Accept My Blessings As They Unfold Within Me
I am blossoming in Spirit’s time.  Knowing this, I turn to my inner flowering securely. Within the environment of my own heart, I enjoy the sunlight of safety, the warmth of harmony, the strength of right companions. [...]

[From: The Circle of Life. The Heart's Journey Through the Seasons, by Joyce Rupp & Macrina Wiederkehr, pg. 29]
Learn to be attentive in this new season of your life, and I will continue to teach you.  I want to share my beauty with you now that you are growing older.  Beauty is the heart’s balm.  [...]

The Gentle Healer, on YouTube.

After reading the post that Abbot Joseph (of “Word Incarnate” in my sidebar) wrote in remembrance of the one-year anniversary of Laura’s death, Todd Agnew’s version of this classic hymn came immediately to mind, for many reasons:

Hallelujah!  Tears of sorrow, tears of joy.  Laura, please pray for us.