One day I hope to create a pilgrimage for Catholic mothers in Italy. It would be 4-5 days, with the first day being a "Mary Day." The first site is the oldest site to honor Mary, from the 1st century. It is in the Roman Forum. Then we will go to her first basilica, Santa Maria Maggiore. That will be followed by other Marian sites in Rome. The second day, we would see sites for other mother saints including St. Monica and St. Rita. The third day we would travel to Siena or Milan and the fourth to Florence or Assisi--still a work in progress. Seeing Italy through the lenses of mothers and the important contribution they make, and they ways that Italy testifies to the importance of the maternal vocation, is a goldmine yet to be tapped.
It would be a pilgrimage, aiming to foster for a mother the Christ-like nature of her vocation: a daily self-emptying out of love for others, that is the pattern of Christ (Phil. 2:16).
Friday, February 21, 2020
Thursday, February 20, 2020
Angelicum
Today I took my first class at the Angelicum. It was a big moment for me to sit in a classroom as a student for the first time in 22 years. I have actually taught philosophy classes in those same classrooms. It was a delight to sit in a student seat and watch the professor do his thing--call role, learn the students' names, engage us in the material, establish the way he conducts class, etc. He is a Dominican priest educated at Toulouse among other places and a very kind fellow.
The class is on the Eucharist. For having run a blog for 9 years called "Eucharistic Motherhood," it is a dream come true to be sitting in this course. The texts selected by the professor are Fr. Roch Keretzky's Wedding Feast of the Lamb which I have read and tried to self-teach but am eager to hear Fr. Blankenhorn's presentation of it, and Thomas Aquinas' Summa Theologiae on the Eucharist.
One insight that I really enjoyed from the first class actually had nothing to do with the Eucharist per se. Rather, Fr. Blankenhorn said that all Scripture is interpreted. There is no such thing as reading Scripture without an interpretive lenses. The Catholic Church recognizes this reality and so is transparent about what that lenses is and the role of Tradition in that interpretation. Lutherans, he said, are just now becoming aware of it, and are rather displeased to have to acknowledge it.
The fact of Scripture needing interpretation is the main reason why I became Catholic. Once I could see it, I couldn't unsee it. As a Protestant, I read Scripture everyday. And my background understanding from sermons, Sunday school lessons, books, Calvin, Luther and soo forth were always at work helping me interpret the Bible. Some passages are featured as though written in bold; others a Protestant would almost like to cross out (such as James on works). As soon as I could see that my Protestant tradition was shaping my reading of Scripture, but proclaims "Sola Scriptura," I realized that the Catholic Church is more honest in naming scripture and tradition as the authorities of our faith. While it was almost scary and I only reluctantly began to see the Catholic tradition as authoritative, I have come to embrace it and thank "mother Church" for her guidance in bringing me to Christ.
I am very exited to begin theological studies at the Angelicum! What a blessing of being here in Rome.
The class is on the Eucharist. For having run a blog for 9 years called "Eucharistic Motherhood," it is a dream come true to be sitting in this course. The texts selected by the professor are Fr. Roch Keretzky's Wedding Feast of the Lamb which I have read and tried to self-teach but am eager to hear Fr. Blankenhorn's presentation of it, and Thomas Aquinas' Summa Theologiae on the Eucharist.
One insight that I really enjoyed from the first class actually had nothing to do with the Eucharist per se. Rather, Fr. Blankenhorn said that all Scripture is interpreted. There is no such thing as reading Scripture without an interpretive lenses. The Catholic Church recognizes this reality and so is transparent about what that lenses is and the role of Tradition in that interpretation. Lutherans, he said, are just now becoming aware of it, and are rather displeased to have to acknowledge it.
The fact of Scripture needing interpretation is the main reason why I became Catholic. Once I could see it, I couldn't unsee it. As a Protestant, I read Scripture everyday. And my background understanding from sermons, Sunday school lessons, books, Calvin, Luther and soo forth were always at work helping me interpret the Bible. Some passages are featured as though written in bold; others a Protestant would almost like to cross out (such as James on works). As soon as I could see that my Protestant tradition was shaping my reading of Scripture, but proclaims "Sola Scriptura," I realized that the Catholic Church is more honest in naming scripture and tradition as the authorities of our faith. While it was almost scary and I only reluctantly began to see the Catholic tradition as authoritative, I have come to embrace it and thank "mother Church" for her guidance in bringing me to Christ.
I am very exited to begin theological studies at the Angelicum! What a blessing of being here in Rome.
Quote of the Day
"Mom, I won a burping contest in the study hall today."
"Really Annie? Who was the judge?"
"The teacher."
"Really Annie? Who was the judge?"
"The teacher."
Monday, February 10, 2020
Feast of St. Scholastica
Happy Feast of St. Scholastica! Here is a post I wrote about her, her brother, and motherhood a few months ago for Mighty Is Her Call. Enjoy!
https://mightyishercall.com/saints-benedict-and-scholastica-for-mothers/
https://mightyishercall.com/saints-benedict-and-scholastica-for-mothers/
Saturday, February 8, 2020
Metaphysics of Motherhood
I have started my Metaphysics of Motherhood project over again, and am posting a little at a time on the Mighty Is Her Call page devoted to the metaphysics of motherhood. If you take a look, let me know if you have feedback! The renewed effort begins Feb. 7th.
https://mightyishercall.com/metaphysics-of-motherhood/
https://mightyishercall.com/metaphysics-of-motherhood/
Tuesday, February 4, 2020
Podcast
I am having a wonderful time creating a podcast that I will release soon. Its current title is "Confessions of a Mother: A New Look at an Extraordinary Vocation." It is modeled on St. Augustine's Confessions in that, through the telling of his personal story, he explores metaphysical and theological themes and breaks new ground in exploring the inner workings of the heart. I hope, in my own way, to share my own story while exploring the metaphysics of motherhood as well as theological and spiritual insights into the dignity of the vocation of motherhood. I do not know of anyone who has developed a metaphysics of motherhood, and there are spiritual insights ready to be developed. I am so excited to embark on this undertaking!
Monday, February 3, 2020
Thomas Aquinas for Mothers
Here is my recent post on the Mighty Is Her Call website. Please share this website with mothers you love who need encouragement and daily reminders of the dignity and importance of their vocation. They can sign up for daily posts or weekly, which are called "Featured Posts." It is free and a meaningful gift for mothers!
https://mightyishercall.com/thomas-aquinas-for-mothers/
https://mightyishercall.com/thomas-aquinas-for-mothers/
Sunday, February 2, 2020
Celebrating in Rome
Ron insisted on a celebratory dinner in Rome. We went to our favorite restaurant in Monti across from our favorite pizzeria and down the street from one of our favorite gelateria.
My favorite dish was ravioli with duck ragu. We spent hours talking and laughing--all except Clare who felt strangely bad and Sebastian who wouldn't eat until I played a game with him and Annie who kept vying for attention by saying strange things and then getting "Shush"'d by her siblings. Okay, so it was a very typical, normal time. But I wouldn't change it for anything. I love my family exactly the way it is. Eccezionale.
My favorite dish was ravioli with duck ragu. We spent hours talking and laughing--all except Clare who felt strangely bad and Sebastian who wouldn't eat until I played a game with him and Annie who kept vying for attention by saying strange things and then getting "Shush"'d by her siblings. Okay, so it was a very typical, normal time. But I wouldn't change it for anything. I love my family exactly the way it is. Eccezionale.
Wednesday, January 22, 2020
Signing the Book Contract!
As of five minutes ago, Our Sunday Visitor and I are under contract for my manuscript, A New Kind of Motherhood: For the 21st Century Woman Discerning an Extraordinary Vocation."
The book is for young women who want to do something great with their lives and wonder whether motherhood may detract from their success. The book makes a case for motherhood in the life of the 21st century woman.
Our Sunday Visitor has been wonderful to work with, and I cannot say enough about Mary Beth Baker, their Senior Acquisitions Editor. What a blessing!
Jacob is photographing me signing the document, with Sebastian in my lap and Clare by my side celebrating. Wahoo!
Jake said, "Mom, I'm so happy for you. I remember your first few manuscripts side by side in binders on a shelve in our old house on Lane Street. You've been writing on motherhood for most of my life. I am really happy for you!"
The book is for young women who want to do something great with their lives and wonder whether motherhood may detract from their success. The book makes a case for motherhood in the life of the 21st century woman.
Our Sunday Visitor has been wonderful to work with, and I cannot say enough about Mary Beth Baker, their Senior Acquisitions Editor. What a blessing!
Jacob is photographing me signing the document, with Sebastian in my lap and Clare by my side celebrating. Wahoo!
Jake said, "Mom, I'm so happy for you. I remember your first few manuscripts side by side in binders on a shelve in our old house on Lane Street. You've been writing on motherhood for most of my life. I am really happy for you!"
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
Home Life In Italy
I marvel daily what it takes to run a home--a home with an Italian twist. It's the first time I've had to focus so much on running a house, and thank goodness, I have the time to devote to it. When my kids were little, I taught part-time. Then I stopped teaching at the university and began homeschooling. It is a very special kind of work. Although I was home all the time, and still cooked and cleaned, my primary duties were educational and my mind was on executing lessons and overseeing schoolwork all day long. Then I went back to teaching at the university. And then went back to homeschooling once again.
Now here I am at 47 years old, and for the first time in my life, all my 6 kids are all in school. I do not have a work visa here in Italy, and so teaching is not a possibility right now. Homeschooling is illegal in Italy, so that is not an option either. It is amazing to me that after I drop the kids off in the mornings, I have their entire school day, until 1:30 pm. alone.
First, I go grocery shopping. Because our kitchenette has no storage and is the size of a postage stamp, I go every day and get fresh food just for that day. I work all morning toward the 2 pm lunch that is the biggest meal of the day when all the kids come home. I put away groceries, clean breakfast dishes, and put on laundry. Then I scrub and chop vegetables, brown meat, and start a pasta sauce. Each lunch usually consists of a pasta with a homemade sauce, then a meat and a vegetable and fresh bread from the bakery. Or else it is a big stew like chicken cacciatore, coq au vin, beef and vegetable stew, or tuscan white bean soup. I also make one or two vegetables each day, like huge platters of roasted cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, broccoli, artichokes or zucchini. These meals take between one and two hours to prepare, just because the kitchen is so small that you can only do one thing at a time, there is such little counter space, and you have to clean everything as you go. It's like making quasi-gourmet meals on a sailboat, motorhome or campground site.
Then, I have to vacuum and mop the floors every day, because Charlie, our 100 lb. Golden Labrador, frolics in the vineyard all day and tracks in dirt and mud. If you measured how much dirt he brings in on a given day, it would probably be at least a cup full. It hides in his paws and fur. Plus he sheds. So, on a good day, we leave him out all day, and then bathe him when he comes in for the evening. But many days, he sneaks in and out with people entering or exiting, and then we do not get to his bath in the evening. So we live with a constant layer of soot, just good, clean dirt, coating our floors. I fight a losing battle every day cleaning them.
Then I rotate the laundry and try to get three loads in. The washing machine is tiny, and the shortest cycle takes 1 hour and 4 minutes. Then the dryer, equally as tiny, takes 2 hours and 17 minutes. So I run the first load and then put it in the dryer. Then I run a second load that will get air-dried, and then run a third load that will get put in the dryer after the first load. All that takes 4 hours and 34 minutes. That is almost exactly the amount of time I have from the time I get home from the grocery store to the time I have to go pick up Sebastian and Annie.
All that takes until about 11 am. While the food continues to cook and the laundry to run, I then have about 2 hours to myself. I exercise, check emails, run errands. Last semester, I had enough time in there to write a 40,000 page manuscript.
This semester, what will I do with my free time? In addition to working with the press on revisions, I want to write the Metaphysics of Motherhood, essays on this topic that has interested me for 10 years. I also want to write a book, For Mothers Who Fail, because so many mothers struggle with failing at their job and the Christian message, I think, has a strong message of consolation and seeing the situation with a different lens. I want to take some classes in theology at the Angelicum so that I can eventually write a theology of motherhood. I also have to study for the Italian driver's license, the patente, which is a monster and so should be very time consuming. It seems like a lot to cram into hours a day. But I've never had so much time to follow my interests in my entire adult life. What a pleasure it is to be a one-of-a-kind philosopher-writer-blogger-ministry founder-housewife in Italy.
Now here I am at 47 years old, and for the first time in my life, all my 6 kids are all in school. I do not have a work visa here in Italy, and so teaching is not a possibility right now. Homeschooling is illegal in Italy, so that is not an option either. It is amazing to me that after I drop the kids off in the mornings, I have their entire school day, until 1:30 pm. alone.
First, I go grocery shopping. Because our kitchenette has no storage and is the size of a postage stamp, I go every day and get fresh food just for that day. I work all morning toward the 2 pm lunch that is the biggest meal of the day when all the kids come home. I put away groceries, clean breakfast dishes, and put on laundry. Then I scrub and chop vegetables, brown meat, and start a pasta sauce. Each lunch usually consists of a pasta with a homemade sauce, then a meat and a vegetable and fresh bread from the bakery. Or else it is a big stew like chicken cacciatore, coq au vin, beef and vegetable stew, or tuscan white bean soup. I also make one or two vegetables each day, like huge platters of roasted cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, broccoli, artichokes or zucchini. These meals take between one and two hours to prepare, just because the kitchen is so small that you can only do one thing at a time, there is such little counter space, and you have to clean everything as you go. It's like making quasi-gourmet meals on a sailboat, motorhome or campground site.
Then, I have to vacuum and mop the floors every day, because Charlie, our 100 lb. Golden Labrador, frolics in the vineyard all day and tracks in dirt and mud. If you measured how much dirt he brings in on a given day, it would probably be at least a cup full. It hides in his paws and fur. Plus he sheds. So, on a good day, we leave him out all day, and then bathe him when he comes in for the evening. But many days, he sneaks in and out with people entering or exiting, and then we do not get to his bath in the evening. So we live with a constant layer of soot, just good, clean dirt, coating our floors. I fight a losing battle every day cleaning them.
Then I rotate the laundry and try to get three loads in. The washing machine is tiny, and the shortest cycle takes 1 hour and 4 minutes. Then the dryer, equally as tiny, takes 2 hours and 17 minutes. So I run the first load and then put it in the dryer. Then I run a second load that will get air-dried, and then run a third load that will get put in the dryer after the first load. All that takes 4 hours and 34 minutes. That is almost exactly the amount of time I have from the time I get home from the grocery store to the time I have to go pick up Sebastian and Annie.
All that takes until about 11 am. While the food continues to cook and the laundry to run, I then have about 2 hours to myself. I exercise, check emails, run errands. Last semester, I had enough time in there to write a 40,000 page manuscript.
This semester, what will I do with my free time? In addition to working with the press on revisions, I want to write the Metaphysics of Motherhood, essays on this topic that has interested me for 10 years. I also want to write a book, For Mothers Who Fail, because so many mothers struggle with failing at their job and the Christian message, I think, has a strong message of consolation and seeing the situation with a different lens. I want to take some classes in theology at the Angelicum so that I can eventually write a theology of motherhood. I also have to study for the Italian driver's license, the patente, which is a monster and so should be very time consuming. It seems like a lot to cram into hours a day. But I've never had so much time to follow my interests in my entire adult life. What a pleasure it is to be a one-of-a-kind philosopher-writer-blogger-ministry founder-housewife in Italy.
Monday, January 20, 2020
Guardian Angels in the Bathroom
Sebastian is having typical 5-year-old nightmares. All of our kids went through this phase. Well, one of his nightmares was that our master bathroom was the throat of a monster and if you enter the bathroom, you'll get swallowed up. So he has refused to go in the bathroom alone for 2 months. We have discussed, explained, cajoled, insisted, yelled, begged, and commanded. To no avail. One of us always winds up standing guard at the bathroom door. Sebastian checks to make sure you are there, but then asks you "not to look." Obviously! Why would I look? Very complicated, micro-manager he is.
The other day, Sebastian had stayed up too late the night before and woke up exhausted. I said, "I will let you stay home from school, on one condition: If I put up a picture of a guardian angel in the bathroom, you go to the bathroom by yourself."
"Deal."
So we searched online and found great pictures and I printed them out on our very poorly-functioning Italian printer. Even with new cartridges it is pitiful. Anyway, I printed out a discolored and striped reproduction of the first guardian angel picture. Sebastian took it into the bathroom and taped it up. "Another one!" he shouted. I obliged him. Then another. Then another. Soon, from the waist down, the wall was covered with photos of Jesus and guardian angels. Sebastian immediately went to the bathroom by himself. I told him if he asks me to go in there next time, I will take away all the photos. So now he won't let me near the bathroom when he is in there.
Poor Ron when he came home from work and saw the bathroom. "What happened!?!?!?!" He assures me that going to the bathroom will never be the same for him again.
The other day, Sebastian had stayed up too late the night before and woke up exhausted. I said, "I will let you stay home from school, on one condition: If I put up a picture of a guardian angel in the bathroom, you go to the bathroom by yourself."
"Deal."
So we searched online and found great pictures and I printed them out on our very poorly-functioning Italian printer. Even with new cartridges it is pitiful. Anyway, I printed out a discolored and striped reproduction of the first guardian angel picture. Sebastian took it into the bathroom and taped it up. "Another one!" he shouted. I obliged him. Then another. Then another. Soon, from the waist down, the wall was covered with photos of Jesus and guardian angels. Sebastian immediately went to the bathroom by himself. I told him if he asks me to go in there next time, I will take away all the photos. So now he won't let me near the bathroom when he is in there.
Poor Ron when he came home from work and saw the bathroom. "What happened!?!?!?!" He assures me that going to the bathroom will never be the same for him again.
Friday, January 17, 2020
The Alps
Words cannot describe how much we enjoyed meeting Mom, Dad, Leah and Hunter (and Malcolm!) in Davos Switzerland.
It was really fun spending time with Leah who had us laughing the whole time, and Hunter is doing incredibly well. It was great to hear about his work and life. Dad and Mom are doing so well with their Safe Conversations and Relationships first endeavors, and we are so happy and proud of them.
The sub-plot, however, was skiing. While many of us are skiers, we are US intermediate skiers. We heard that the Alps are much steeper and harder. So, on the first day, Jacob and I decided to do a reconnaissance trip on the slopes. As we ascended the gondola, I prayed for a complete cleaning of my soul from all stain of sin, performing as close as I could to Last Rites on myself.
The mountain was incredibly steep and we struggled to find beginner slopes. But we jumped right into our most experienced skiing skills, and braved the "pistes" for two hours until we came upon a beginner slope. We knew we could bring family members there the next day and they would be safe. We celebrated a job well done, and the fact that we were still alive, with weissbier and weinerbrats in a chalet lodge on the slopes.
Meanwhile, the girls enjoyed the spa at the hotel! Smart women!
The next day, Leah and Mary conquered the mountain with Jacob and me, while Ron got the others instructors and ski school. The deal Ron and I made with them was that a legit instructor had to say, "Yes, this person is ready to go up the mountain." And so they worked toward that goal all week.
And by the end of the week, Clare and Leigh and even Annie were on that mountain!
Meanwhile, we had wonderful dinners and fun conversation with all the family in the hotel. Aunt Leah took lots of the kids ice skating and we had a wonderful dress up time getting ready for a New Year's Eve party. (Look at those eyelids!)
It was really fun spending time with Leah who had us laughing the whole time, and Hunter is doing incredibly well. It was great to hear about his work and life. Dad and Mom are doing so well with their Safe Conversations and Relationships first endeavors, and we are so happy and proud of them.
The sub-plot, however, was skiing. While many of us are skiers, we are US intermediate skiers. We heard that the Alps are much steeper and harder. So, on the first day, Jacob and I decided to do a reconnaissance trip on the slopes. As we ascended the gondola, I prayed for a complete cleaning of my soul from all stain of sin, performing as close as I could to Last Rites on myself.
The mountain was incredibly steep and we struggled to find beginner slopes. But we jumped right into our most experienced skiing skills, and braved the "pistes" for two hours until we came upon a beginner slope. We knew we could bring family members there the next day and they would be safe. We celebrated a job well done, and the fact that we were still alive, with weissbier and weinerbrats in a chalet lodge on the slopes.
Meanwhile, the girls enjoyed the spa at the hotel! Smart women!
The next day, Leah and Mary conquered the mountain with Jacob and me, while Ron got the others instructors and ski school. The deal Ron and I made with them was that a legit instructor had to say, "Yes, this person is ready to go up the mountain." And so they worked toward that goal all week.
And by the end of the week, Clare and Leigh and even Annie were on that mountain!
Meanwhile, we had wonderful dinners and fun conversation with all the family in the hotel. Aunt Leah took lots of the kids ice skating and we had a wonderful dress up time getting ready for a New Year's Eve party. (Look at those eyelids!)
Leah wore a dress that was Granny Ruth's--it must be 50 or 60 years old and is more gorgeous than ever. . . on Leah! What a beauty!
It was great to be with so many of our family. There were so many joys and we are so grateful! Thanks to Mom, Dad, Leah and Hunter for the trip and for coming all the way over here to meet up with us! What a privilege and blessing! Love you guys!
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