La Petite Fleur de Lisieux

Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, one of the most if not the most popular Saint in the 20 century. I have nothing to back that up except for the ubiquitous use of Therese in the screen names of Catholic Internet forums, but that is understandable because of the impact this young saint had on the Church.
Born in Alençon, Normandy and joined the Discalced Carmelites at the age of 15 taking her final vows at 17. Wrote her memoirs and came up with The Little Way. Died at the age of 24, the youngest of the Doctors of the Church. Many miracles are attributed to her intercession.

Among her many patronages are France, missionaries, loss of parents, Spanish air crews and illness

Sancta Teresia Lexoviensis, ora pro nobis

Muñequitos Monasticos: Dominican Cooperator Brother

A Dominican Cooperator Brother is a lay friar in the Order of Preachers. Historically they existed to take care of worldly things so that the priest could focus on priestly duties. Currently their habits are identical to the Priests Brothers, but in the past they wore a distinctive habit of a black capuce and scapular as seen in the cartoon. That is the habit you see St. Martin of Porres wearing in his depictions.

The following is the current habit

Dominican Friar here
Dominican Friar animated gif here
Domican Sister here

St. Matthew the Apostle

Today is the feast of Apostle and Evangelist St. Matthew. He was a publican and tax collector before he followed Our Lord. Was the first to record the account and teachings of Jesus Christ.
Among his patronages are;  bookkeepers, security forces, and  tax collectors.


Sancte Matthæe, ora pro nobis

Engraved Temperment

I feel how this print looks.

Something about medieval philosophy and the four humors. Albrecht knows what I'm talkin' 'bout.

Melencolia I

Etreme Awesomosity

Being an military history buff I have always been a bit of a hoplophile, and being a hoplophile I have visited many sites the offer swords and all kinds of arms, from cheap replicas to high quality museum pieces. I am also a The Princess Bride geek and appreciate the sword created by Domingo Montoya of Arabella, Spain and carried by his son Inigo.

So how in the heck did I miss this?

Photo from Amazon.com

A limited edition Six Fingered Sword.

It's made from hand forged spring steel, so you can use it to fend off marauders.

There is a Dread Pirate Roberts/Westley version also made from hand forged steel so you cat do some rodent extermination around the house.

Muñequitos Monasticos: Carmelite Nuns

Here is a Discalced Carmelite, discalced meaning barefoot, but they typically wear sandals as opposed to shoes.
This reform was established by St. Teresa of Ávila and St. John of the Cross.

Original Carmelite post here

Discalced Carmelite Friars post here

Clip Art XII

A simple shield. I used a fusion of a maltese and pattée cross on an Iberian shield. Updated Version

For the Grouches

Here's a clip fro Sesame Street full of a dose of anti-grouch.

This is the good one, the one without Elmo.

Muñequitos Monasticos: Carmelite Friars

Around the times of the Crusades, inspired by Elijah the Prophet, hermits in the Holy Land settled on Mt. Carmel. They were eventually expelled from the Holy Land and spread throughout Europe. There are two main observances, The Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and the Order of Discalced Carmelites, the latter being a reform. They follow the Rule of St. Albert and formerly used the Rite of the Holy Sepulchre, eventually replacing it with the Roman rite of the Liturgy.

There exist various communities of Carmelites that live a more eremitical or contemplative life, as opposed to the usual  mendicant way, some using the old rite.

Here I have a representation of an O.Carm Friar. I also included a version with the white Carmelite mantle.

Discalced Carmelite Nun post here
Discalced Carmelite Friars post here

Clip Art XI

In anticipation for the Nativity of Mary. There are many symbols for this. A few are a bruised serpent, a crescent moon, and a fluer de lis. I went with a heraldic rose.

et cum spiritu tuo

In my diocese, the parish of St. Joseph in Macon, Georgia gets to implement the new translation of the Roman Missal this weekend. I marvel at the beauty of their church.


Photo from Southern Orders

The rest of us, 85 days