Friday, February 01, 2008

A Protestant Girl and Her Saints


Today's Friday Five asks:

There is so much going on this weekend that I thought I'd provide an options Friday 5!!!!
.
First Superbowl ( someone explain to this Brit the significance)- love it or hate it?
5 reasons please!!!!!
.
Second Candlemas/ Imbloc/ Groundhog day/ St Brigid's day- all of these fall on either the 1st or 2nd February.
.
1. Do you celebrate one or more of these?
2. How?
3. Is this a bit of fun or deeply significant?
4. Are festivals/ Saints days important to you?
5.Name your favourite Saints day/ celebration.


*****************************

I know nada about the Super Bowl. Is the Super Bowl this week-end?

But Brigid: oh, I like Brigid. It just so happens that I have a photo of her window in the Abbey on Iona, along with some photos of oystercatchers, the birds associated with her, also from Iona. I love to imagine Brigid, wise and strong-willed church leader, standing on the beaches of Iona looking for oystercatchers 1500 years before I did.

My favorite saint is, of course, Ignatius of Loyola, that 16th century genius of The Spiritual Exercises, which transformed my life. His feast day comes around a couple of days after my birthday, so I can actually remember it. I've been reading, off and on, James Martin's My Life With The Saints. I can't recall his exact words, but he says, as a Jesuit, that Ignatius seems somewhat distant, austere, and demanding to him. Not my experience ~ I think of him as an affectionate older brother, writing to me from Rome and saying, "This will help you out."


And, by the way,
My Life With The Saints is an engaging read: a blend of autobiograohical Wharton-corporate-executive-becomes-a-Jesuit and narrative introductions to a smattering of saints, some officially canonized and some not, some whom anyone would recognize and some far more obscure. You don't have to be a Catholic to find plenty of interest and inspiration in their lives.

12 comments:

Lori said...

I'm not into Superbowl. And only dabble with Saints. Although I really love Saint Francis and Saint Bernadette.

I read everything I could find about Francis for a couple years just after "Brother Sun, Sister Moon" was released. What an amazing person.

Now I want to check out Ignatius.

RevAnne said...

Thanks for sharing about Brigid...I too know little about the saints, although I do enjoy reading about the lesser known ones from time to time.
Thanks for your play!

chartreuseova said...

That sounds like an interesting book. Although I spent a few years in the RC church, I must admit to knowing very little about the lives of most saints. I'd only heard of Brigid but know nothing of her life.

Jan said...

That book looks and sounds very interesting. I didn't like St. Ignatius so much before, but am learning to like him. But that always holds true for me--the more I learn about something or someone, the more I like them! Thanks.

RevDrKate said...

I always loved reading saint's lives as a kid...the "backstory" finding out how human they truly were, if the biographers were willing to tell, was so endearing. Thanks for the good book lead!

Sr. Heather said...

Rats... now you've made me go and add something to my amazon wishlist. Sigh. :-)

Great play - hope you have a lovely weekend!
Hedwyg

Sally said...

Iona, Brigid, and Oyster Catchers... wow...could it get any better!!!?
Great play- thanks :-)

Hot Cup Lutheran said...

oyster catchers? i have no idea what that is...

Gannet Girl said...

The photo at the bottom is of an oystercatcher on Iona summer before last. They live on the US coast as well.

April said...

Very cool info! And gorgeous pictures. I'm trying not to be jealous and not succeeding

Diane M. Roth said...

thanks for sharing! I have "my life" but haven't read all of it yet.

Stratoz said...

Yes, it is time for the super bowl... a reason to make (and eat) a traditional pizza, stop from all the usual pursuits, and drink a beer, maybe two.

Brigid is new to me. Oystercatchers are not, though I have not seen many... for i do not go to the shore often.

Iggy is great.

I read My life with the Saints... love his honesty in pointing out how he was considered clueless about topics by fellow Jesuits. I just started his recent book about his experience in theatre..mosaic woman read it and loved it.