My TAU

I received my TAU when I was admitted as a Candidate to the Secular Franciscan Order and since that time I have worn it where it can be seen. I have had a person tell me she loved my wooden jewelry and didn't know that it had come back in style. I explained to her that what I was wearing was not a piece of jewelry but actually my "Habit".
The picture above is the shape of the TAU has a picture of St. Francis of Assisi within it.
MyTau is a simple piece of wood with a metal loop and is hanging from a piece of dark brown cord that has three knots in it. Each knot represents poverty, chastity and obedience.
The TAU is the official habit and symbol of the Secular Franciscan Order. The "T" shaped cross resembles the real cross of the Crucifixion. It is also, a letter in the Greek and Hebrew alphabets.
Pope Innocent III, at the Lateran Council of 1216 , incorporated into his homily the statement from Ezekiel 9:4 the elect, the chosen, those faithful will be marked with the sign of the "tau" and saved from destruction.
St. Francis took that as a personal statement and made the TAU his own symbol, his signature and symbol of his order.

"COME HOLY SPIRIT"

During one of my classes on the Bible our instructor [who was using the Jeff Cavin's kit workbooks & DVD, Thank you Jesus for Jeff Cavin, passed out a small leaflet printed by the Marian Press[www.marian.org] Stockbridge, Ma. in it was a piercing and what I consider a real life prayer to the Holy Spirit. I would like to share this prayer written by a Virginia Garey.

Come, Holy Spirit
Replace the tension within us with a holy relaxation.
Replace the turbulence within us with a sacred calm
Replace anxiety within us with a quiet confidence.
Replace the fear within us with a strong faith.
Replace the bitterness within us with the sweetness of grace.
Replace the darkness within us with a gentle light.
Replace the coldness within us with a loving warmth.
Replace the night within us with your light.
Straighten our crookedness.
Fill our emptiness.
Dull the edge of our pride.
Sharpen the edge of our humility.
Light the fires of our love.
Quench the flames of our lust.
Let us see ourselves as You see us
That we may see You as You have promised.
and be fortunate according to Your word:
"Blessed are the pure of heart for they shall see God" [Mt.5:8]

Since this is the first Sunday in Advent, Happy New Year to all. Today's Gospel tells us to be prepared at all times. We never know the hour, day or season of the year. The prayer I posted pinpoints all that we need to work on in our daily lives as well as our prayer life. I think it is a good check list for us to use, to prepare for His Glorius Second Coming.

My Profession

I have not posted since August and so much has taken place since then. I am no longer a Candidate for SFO. I was professed on October 2nd. Everyone tried to explain how I would feel that day, but all their comments paled against the actual day. It was a sunny, warm day and I don't think that
my feet touched the ground for days after.
Religious Ed has started and I have a great bunch of kids this year. I am using some of the teaching techniques I learned at our Catechist Conference.
My husband was in the hospital for a few days but he is doing well now. My youngest son was in a motorcycle accident and is staying with me. He too is doing well. Thank you Jesus for preserving the lives of my husband and son. God has been so good to me and I am so very grateful for all His blessings. The photo is of the actual profession ritual, where our minister and
Father Emmet are presiding just before Mass.