I expected to be entertained by the rousing good thriller that my husband & I watched this weekend. I did not expect to be weeping by the end of it. (You’ve pretty much got me pegged by now, haven’t you. Yes, well, I can be a weepy person.)
The movie dealt with some of life’s most complicated themes: the love of a man and his wife grown cold; the temptation towards adultery; the unexpected death of a spouse. Indeed, I was so shaken by the time the credits were rolling that I needed time both with my husband and away from him—seemingly simultaneously—in order to collect my thoughts and then, make sense of them.
“I just wish I knew in advance,” I told him, “what sort of hardships were in store for us. How do I know that I will cope?”
“You need faith,” my husband replied, with all the certainty I needed, “even when you’re walking in darkness. You have to trust in God’s love and have faith in what He’s doing.”
Well, okay then.
I’m stepping out in faith right now and announcing my temporary break from blogging. My life is a little disordered at present and I need the grace of a good, old-fashioned 30-day retreat to get my life and my priorities back on track.
Pretty deep stuff, eh? Not to worry, my friend. I’m not taking off for Zimbabwe or sending my children off to boarding school or anything so drastic as all that.
I’m just…well, I’m just taking a wee break, is all. September’s sweet sonata has begun, and my spiritual tires are in need of a good rotation.
Since I can’t get away in body (to the relief of my husband and children, I think), I am going away in spirit and will be following the 33-day preparation for a total consecration to Mary, as outlined in this book by St. Louis de Montfort. I have chosen as the date of my consecration one of my very favorite feast days: October 7th, the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.
I’ll be back with a recap at that time, God willing. (With a 33-page post? Ha.)
Oh, and one last thing. I can always be reached via email, snail mail and telephone.
So should you need a friend, I’m there.
A couple of items before I go:
Jane at Building the Ark brought my attention to an extremely unfortunate event: the opening of a new abortion facility—a.k.a. death mill—outside of Chicago. It will be the largest “health center” of its kind in the US. (God help us.)
Please do what you can to fight this battle: write letters, fast (even from something small, like cream in your coffee or your piece of chocolate), and pray pray pray. We cannot continue to kill our young without deserving to pay the consequences.
And finally, on a humble and slightly embarrassed note, if you have nominated me for a blogger’s award (recently or—sigh—not so very recently) I thank you.
From the bottom of my blogging heart, I thank you.
We’ll miss you!
Catherine
I’ll miss your posts, but seeing your name pop up in my Google Reader will be a great treat to look forward to.
Wishing you peace during your retreat. 🙂
I will miss you dearly, but I understand the need to get your interior life in order. Have you considered going on an actual retreat? I go on these annually, and cannot tell you how much they refresh my body and soul. That time alone with Christ is so important (and His mother). I’ll be praying for you and sacrificing. God Bless and I love you. 🙂
I just finished my consecration!! August 15th, my 12th year!! It is a long 33 days trying to fit those “extra” prayers in. (I am also doing the 1 year St Bridget prayers) I hope you have a wonderful consecration!! (Fr Altier did our first consecration 12 years ago!) The graces just flow, I look forward to it every year, and seem to get different things out of it every year!
I am glad you are taking a break! Good for you, and good for me too, I need a break too. (from reading) I may peek some though…
That darn computer pulls me and draws me in!
*my 2 year old had her birthday yesterday and is 3 now!! Please tell me 3 will be better with this one!! 🙂
I will miss you too. Make the most of it!
Margaret,
Yours is one of the 2 blogs I check faithfully every time I’m online. I will miss your frequent posts, but look forward to your return.
What a GREAT idea in the meantime–the total consecration from St. Louis de Montfort. Maybe it’s time for me to dig out my copy from the overstuffed bookshelf! You’ve inspired me.
Also thanks for the reminder that even little tiny fasts and sacrifices can make a difference and are especially worth it for the possible rescue of the unborn babies. I’m determined to make these.
Until October–
a faithful reader in FL
I am just an email or phone call away. You will be missed and your return is already anxiously awaited!
Margaret:
Enjoy your time of rest and renewal. I pray that it will be a time of grace and many blessings.
Love,
Heather – NY
May God bless you, Margaret. We never do know what is in store for us, you know, and sometimes we have to face up to some unpleasant possibilities. But at the same time, it’s true that God does not give us more than we can handle. We may not WANT the burdens, but no matter how terrible they are, we can handle them. (My mother was relieved to find out that I’ve fully imagined the loss of my beloved. She figures it’s a positive sign that I’ll make it.)
Anyway, have a lovely retreat. I can’t imagine not “seeing” you for a whole month, though. Glad you’re not fasting from email!
Hope you have a very blessed break, Margaret!
I will say a prayer for your spiritual restfulness.
Have a prayerful, peaceful, and blessed break. You will be prayed for and missed!
How lovely, Margaret.
Three years ago, I made the Consecration. It was a lovely experience and is a daily challenge to live the Consecration.
Graces abound! I’ll be praying for you…and I completely understand your need for this retreat. Sometimes, we simply must “retreat” in order to go forward. God’s blessings to you and your family.
Blessings to you, Margaret. I pray that your time of renewal will help His yoke to be easy and His burden light.
Oh dear Margaret, what timing. Just as I return, you leave. Well, I will miss your funny, thoughtful voice each day, but I will offer it as a sacrifice for you. And I completely understand your need to do so.
I’ve decided to join you in your 33-day preparation. I’ve been wanting to renew my consecration for a long time, and, wonder of wonders, I actually found the book already unpacked. I’m taking that as a sign.
So, each day as you pray, know that I am praying with you.
Margaret,
Thank you for posting the information about the Aurora PP clinic and helping to spread the word for the faithful to pray. God’s blessings on your retreat.
Jane
Many prayers for you during this prayer-steeped time!
May the Lord Jesus hide you in His Most Sacred Heart. I will miss you but I, too, will offer it up and try my best to do as you suggest to end the Culture of Death in our nation.
How sad, I return and you’re gone. Well, DO have a wonderful break and reap those spiritual rewards, as many as you can!
Did you know that “True Devotion to Mary” by St. Louis De Montfort is one of the most recommended books by the popes of the last century? It’s very short, and will be a great compliment to your Consecration (which comes out of “True Devotion”.)
We will miss you, but this is truly worthy of your time. Enjoy your walk with Momma Mary and your talks with Jesus.
I am sneaking back on-line to thank you all for your prayers and encouragement. The past two days have not been easy! I trust this means that I am growing spiritually; why else would my abstinence from blogging be so very, very difficult?
What a good idea for a retreat, I hope you’re enjoying it. I made my Total Consecration last year and it was difficult and fulfilling. If it’s helpful, Rosary Army has all 33 days of prayer in Podcast form/MP3 here:
http://www.rosaryarmy.com/consecrationpodcast.aspx/
I found it helpful with the loooong litanties!
Happy blog fasting! Hope to have you back and revitalized in October. I love the new header on your blog. You’re encouraging me to have some more girls just so I can also have my pick of cute faces around the house!