Ruminations of an Amateur Monastic
Today is the feast of the blessed martyr Saint Polycarp (he of many fishes). Burned alive in Rome for the crime of being a Christian bishop, he was a disciple of Saint John the Apostle. Although I could wax on and on about the great Polycarp, I’m not going to, for as the headline to this post reveals, a truly […]
» Read moreIt’s the first of January, and I’m clearly looking and feeling my very best after last night’s festivities. We rarely throw parties, but when we do, we invariably overdo it a bit. Last night’s feast had libations aplenty and a table groaning with food for our family and friends old and new. Everybody brought something to share. Combine that with […]
» Read moreMy son’s middle name is Andrew, after his mother’s uncle. The name itself means “brave one” in Greek. Today is the feast of Saint Andrew, a brave man if ever there was. Saint Andrew is sometimes known as “First called” since he was the first of John the Baptist’s followers to become disciples of Jesus. He quickly recruited his brother […]
» Read moreThis morning is the calm before the whirlwind. It is the moment of silence in the morning before everyone else is awake and about their busy day. In many ways, this has always been my favourite part of the day. It’s when you can see the whole glorious day stretch out before you full of promise and possibility. I rarely […]
» Read moreLet me preface this by saying that I rarely remember my dreams these days, but this one ended in a most vivid and frightening fashion. I’ve recorded it here primarily for my own use. I was in a building, teeming with children. I had the impression that it was some sort of summer youth program sponsored by the owners of […]
» Read moreDear Saint Monica, troubled wife and mother, many sorrows pierced your heart during your lifetime. Yet, you never despaired or lost faith. With confidence, persistence, and profound faith, you prayed daily for the conversion of your beloved husband, Patricius, and your beloved son, Augustine; your prayers were answered. Grant me that same fortitude, patience, and trust in the Lord. Intercede […]
» Read moreIf I had to guess, I’d say you’ve never heard of Rev. John Corapi, SOLT. I first saw Fr. Corapi on EWTN, preaching a series of TV programs on the Catechism of the Catholic Church. He is a dynamic speaker and a gifted teacher. His talks helped me to understand some of the more impenetrable language and dense wording of […]
» Read moreWe were in Seattle for the weekend, attending my niece’s wedding. Since there were many out of town friends and relatives, the events surrounding the wedding itself stretched from Friday night through Sunday night. It was a beautiful wedding and a wonderful time all around. I wish the bride and groom every happiness in the world. All over the world […]
» Read morePlease pray for the soul of India Escobar (19 March 1990 – 26 April 2008). Requiem æternam dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis. Te decet hymnus Deus, in Sion, et tibi reddetur votum in Ierusalem. Exaudi orationem meam; ad te omnis caro veniet. Requiem æternam dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis. Grant them eternal rest, O […]
» Read moreAs part of my Lenten reading, I have been devouring Pope Benedict’s book Jesus of Nazareth: Holy Week: From the Entrance Into Jerusalem To The Resurrection. This passage on the atonement appears on page 232: Again and again people say: It must be a cruel God who demands infinite atonement. Is this not a notion unworthy of God? …[I]t becomes […]
» Read moreToday is the feast of Saint Agnes, a young Roman lady of 13 or 14 who suffered martyrdom in the persecutions of Diocletian. Her name is in the Roman Canon of the Mass (Eucharistic Prayer I), though I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of times I’ve actually heard it prayed. On this day, I am […]
» Read moreToday is the Commemoration of All Souls. On this day, I ask you to pray for the soul of India Escobar.
» Read moreI have been truly overwhelmed by the kindness and love shown to me and to my family in the past days. Your thoughts and your prayers have been a source of solace and comfort in this impossible time. I would like to especially thank those of you who made it to Tristan’s sentencing yesterday. For those of you unable to […]
» Read moreToday my son, Tristan Andrew Ryng, was sentenced to 27 months in the state penitentiary. It was 105° today in Tacoma. Set a record, it did, six degrees higher than ever. I am very tired. Today, I looked into the eyes of a man who wished to murder me, and I could not gainsay him.
» Read moreSaturday was spent at Tacoma’s Ethnic Fest, an excuse for sampling foods from restaurants previously unknown and browsing through merchant kiosks of cultures entirely unfamiliar. Sunday was a surprise party for our pastor, Fr. Carmine Sacco, SJ. He was celebrating his 65th anniversary of becoming a Jesuit. No, that number is not a typo. He’s baptising the grandchildren of people […]
» Read moreI have not been posting much of late. Mostly it’s because I hate to whine to you. My job is killing me by inches, but I have a job, which is more than I can say of many of my friends. I’ve written not a word on two different stalled novels. And so it goes. And then there was today, […]
» Read moreAfter 128 days in hospital, my son went home to his mother’s house on Saturday. I meant to post this earlier, but I was hoping to include some photos I took of the day. I still haven’t uploaded the photos, so I figured I’d better post before too much more time has passed. Tristan can walk with the help of […]
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