Hospitality

A Familiar Stranger

I saw a stranger today.

I put food for him in the eating-place

And drink in the drinking-place

And music in the listening-place.

In the Holy name of the Trinity

He blessed myself and my family.

And the lark said in her warble

Often, often,often

Goes Christ in the stranger's guise.

O, oft and oft and oft,

Goes Christ in the stranger's guise.

Celtic proverb  

graphic: Emmaus Road

Celtic Advent Begins

a short liturgy to be prayed each evening of Advent up until the 17th of December
Can be accompanied by the lighting of an advent candle.

* God of the watching ones,
give us Your benidiction.

* God of the waiting ones,
give us your good word for our souls

*God of the watching ones
the slow and the suffering ones
give us Your benidiction,
Your good word for our souls
that we might rest.

* God of the watching ones,
the waiting ones,
the slow and the suffering ones,

* and the angels in heaven,

* and the child in the womb,

give us your benidiction,
your good word for our souls,
that we might rest and rise
in the kindness of your company

* indicates a change in reader
bold types to be repeated together

taken from Celtic Daily Prayer of the Northumbria Community


see Celtic Advent Litugy

Hilda of Whitby and the development of Celtic Monasticism

Hilda's original convent is not known, except that it was on the north bank of the River Wear in North East England on a tract of land given to her by Adian. Here, with a few companions, she learned the traditions of Celtic monasticism, which Adian brought from Iona. After a year Aidan appointed Hilda as the second Abess of Hartlepool Abbey. No trace remains of this abbey, but its monastic cemetery has been found near the present St. Hilda's Church. She was Abess there six years.

In 657 King Oswey pledged his infant daughter to the church and to the care of Hilda.
She was granted was granted large tracts of land by the King and founded a new monastery on the cliffs of Whitby, then known as Streonshalh. Hilda became the founding abbess of that a new monastery. She remained there until her death.

 Archaeological evidence shows that Whitby monastery was in the Celtic style, with its members living in small houses, each for two or three people. The tradition in double monasteries, such as Hartlepool and Whitby, was that men and women lived separately, but worshipped and worked together.  The simple buildings were made of thatch and timber. The exact location and size of the church associated with this monastery, is unknown.

Bede states that the original ideals of monasticism were maintained strictly in Hilda's abbey. All property and goods were held in common; Christian virtues were exercised, especially peace and charity. Everyone had to study the Bible and do good works.

The monastery's reputation and that of its Abbess spread throughout the country. Contemporary accounts report that Hilda was visited by Kings and princes, who sought ot her advice on matters of faith and state.

Five men from this monastery became bishops and two also join Hilda in being revered as saints- Saint John of Beverley, Bishop of Hexham, and St. Wilfrid  Bishop of York.

compiled from various source

Graphic: Orthodox Icon of Hilda

Advent (2)

The Liturgical year begins with advent. Advent means “coming” or “arrival.” Advent the tme when God breaks in on us.This is the season we celebrate the birth of Jesus and His first Advent 2000 years ago, as well as expect of is second Advent.   This is meant to be not only a season of refreshment and renewal but also of reflection and refocusing, as we anticipate the birth of the one who brings life and meaning to what we are and do.  We await the coming of Christ in quiet expectation.

SEE  THE LIVING WATER ADVENT ARTICLE

Martin of Tours (316-397)

Martin of Tours Retires from   Military service

IN the meantime, as the barbarians were rushing within the two divisions of Gaul, Julian Cæsar,[12] bringing an army together at the city[13] of the Vaugiones, began to distribute a donative to the soldiers. As was the custom in such a case, they were called forward, one by one, until it came to the turn of Martin. Then, indeed, judging it a suitable opportunity for seeking his discharge--for he did not think it would be proper for him, if he were not to continue in the service, to receive a donative--he said to Cæsar, "Hitherto I have served you as a soldier: allow me now to become a soldier to God: let the man who is to serve thee receive thy donative: I am the soldier of Christ: it is not lawful for me to fight." Then truly the tyrant stormed on hearing such words, declaring that, from fear of the battle, which was to take place on the morrow, and not from any religious feeling, Martin withdrew from the service. But Martin, full of courage, yea all the more resolute from the danger that had been set before him, exclaims, "If this conduct of mine is ascribed to cowardice, and not to faith, I will take my stand unarmed before the line of battle tomorrow, and in the name of the Lord Jesus, protected by the sign of the cross, and not by shield or helmet, I will safely penetrate the ranks of the enemy." He is ordered, therefore, to be thrust back into prison, determined on proving his words true by exposing himself unarmed to the barbarians. But, on the following day, the enemy sent ambassadors to treat about peace and surrendered both themselves and all their possessions. In these circumstances who can doubt that this victory was due to the saintly man? It was granted him that he should not be sent unarmed to the fight. And although the good Lord could have preserved his own soldier, even amid the swords and darts of the enemy, yet that his blessed eyes might not be pained by witnessing the death of others, he removed all necessity for fighting. For Christ did not require to secure any other victory in behalf of his own soldier, than that, the enemy being subdued without bloodshed, no one should suffer death.




from Sulpitius Serverus's Life of Martin of Tours


see Martin of Tours thumbnail bio

Pacafisim and Non-Violence (1)

Matthew 5:39But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.


Matthew 5:44But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.


Luke 6:27But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.


Romans 12:19-21Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.


Colossians 3:11Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.


1 Peter 3:9Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.


James 4:12There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you--who are you to judge your neighbor?

Elizabeth Catez

Élisabeth Catez better known as Elizabeth of the Trinity was born into a Military family. At age 7 her father Captain Joseph Catez died unexpectedly.

Growing up she had a terribly uncotollable temper . After receiving her First Communion in 1891 Elizabeth became calmer and for her age had deep into God and the world. She began developing a profound sense and understanding of the Trinity. Elizabeth visited the sick at every chance she had. A number of young men asked for her hand in marriage, she declined them all.

Elizabeth aquired an interest in the Discalced Carmelites and although her mother strongly opposed it, Elizabeth entered the Dijon Convent on August 2, 1901.

From the very beginning Elizabeth’s favorite point of the Rule was not poverty, chastity or obedience, but silence. She identified from the start with the Order’s motto: Alone with the Alone.

Elizabeth put her thoughts and prayers to paper, as a result we have a pretty good window into her relationship with God. She wrote" I find Him everywhere, while doing the wash as well as while praying. Other entries contained such things as: "Every happening, every event, every suffering as also every joy, is a sacrament that gives God to the soul." "Prayer is a rest, a relaxation, . . . We must look at Him all the time; we must keep silent; it is so simple." "I have found my heaven on earth, since heaven is God, and God is in my soul. " "We shall not be purified by looking at our miseries, but by gazing on Him who is all purity and holiness."

In November 1904, her community renewed their vows. While reciting them, Elizabeth felt the magnetic pull of grace. Returning to her cell, she erratic penned one of the most insightful prayers in Carmelite history. She called it her Act of Oblation.

"O my God, Trinity whom I adore! Help me to become utterly forgetful of self, that I may bury myself in Thee, as changeless and as calm as though my soul were already in eternity . . . O my Three, my All, my Beatitude, Infinite Solitude, Immensity wherein I lose myself! I yield myself to Thee as Thy prey. Bury Thyself in me that I may be buried in Thee, until I depart to contemplate in Thy light the abyss of Thy greatness!"

Elizabeth died at the age of 26 of Addison's disease. Even though her illness was unbearable, She experienced a deep peace and intamacy with God. In a letter written just a few weeks before her death in the year 1906, she declared to a friend: "My beloved Antoinette, I leave you my faith in the presence of God, of the God who is all Love dwelling in our souls. I confide to you: it is this intimacy with Him 'within' that has been the beautiful sun illuminating my life, making it already an anticipated Heaven: it is what sustains me today in my suffering.'

Her last words were, "I am going to Light, to Love, to Life!"