Ora et Labora: Day 46

7/15/10


This past week I have had a profound absence of inscribed prayer intentions so I figured it was time to be a bit more pro-active about the whole thing. So I decided to finally get around to writing letters to pastors to get permission to put prayer collection boxes in the entrance way of their parishes. In addition I have also created the, soon to be famous, “Relic of the Communion of Saints” pamphlet!

I’ll be including these with my letters to pastors as well as leaving a stack of them with each prayer box. If there is anyone that you think would be interested in this project please either ask them to email me their address to relicofthecommunionosaints@gmail.com or email me yourself and I will send you the files to print your very own pamphlets.

Today’s prayer intentions:
- For an end to contraception
- Blessings of children for those couples who have none
- In thanksgiving for our family
- The repose of the soul of Shirley
- For the salvation and sanctification of all souls
- For the past, present and future intentions and salvation of all those who participate in prayer or proximity to “The Relic of the Communion of Saints”

.

Ora et Labora: Day 33

7/2/10

Now that my family is back home (praise God) I once again have access to the camera and will spare you the typically verbose blog entry for a feast for the eyes.

On a quick note however, I have successfully filled a shelf with finished (well…greenware) beads. Sure, it’s a completely arbitrary goal but in the very least it looks impressive, and gives me a well needed shot in the arm to keep trudging along.

But the biggest news of all is that I have received word back from the auxiliary Bishop:

Dear Joseph,

Thank you for your letter. Your art project sounds very interesting and worthwhile. I would be happy to support you in this work in any way that I can. I would be happy to bless the project in November/December.
My prayer intention would be: "for an end to abortion"
May the Lord bless your good work.

In Christ,
Most Reverend James D. Conley, S.T.L.
Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Denver

Praise God! I am so excited that he is giving both his proverbial, and God’s actual blessing to this work. We truly are blessed to have such wonderful Bishops here in Denver.

As far as prayer intentions are concerned, there has been a bit of a decrease in the frequency of receiving intentions. This seems to be mostly due to the fact that the people who know about “The Relic of the Communion of Saints” are those who have already contributed. Please continue to spread the word, I am eager to received inscribed intentions not only because of their use for this work, but because the more I have been praying for the intentions of others that have come in, the more compelled to continue to pray I have become.

While the flow is slow I have received some wonderful inscribed prayers recently. Many of the prayers I have received recently have been manifest in the form of prayer cards, which I think is very interesting. Artistically there comes to mind the juxtaposition of mass produced objects as means of creating unique handmade objects. Spiritually, in many ways prayer cards are of the same order of object as the one that I am seeking to create in that they both carry images as well as prayers in an inseparable whole as a unified act of prayer.

On similar note to the prayer cards that are being added to the collection of prayers that will be incinerated in the beads of “The Relic of the Communion of Saints” I have decided that it is only fitting that I also include any broken sacramentals that I have so that they may become a “holocaust to the Lord” and in the hopes that some part of their sacred nature may be transferred into what will soon (thanks to the willingness of Bishop Conley) become a sacramental as well.

I’ve also received quite a few printouts of traditional prayers. Some I’ve seen before, some are new to me. One that struck me recently was a copy of the famous prayer of St. Gertrude. When I received this inscribed prayer I couldn’t help but to think of my little sister whom I have the honor being her confirmation sponsor and of having her be our daughter’s godmother. The prayer of St. Gertrude famously is said to have been promised by God to release 1,000 souls from purgatory every time it is devoutly prayed. The point of contention lies in whether or not this was a public or a private revelation to St. Gertrude. In response to this quandary my sister responded simply by saying, “No problem, I’ll just ask St. Gertrude to pray with me every time I pray it.” Talk about a beautiful example of the workings among the Communion of Saints!

While I have received several interesting inscribed prayer requests I still find a wonderful honesty and beauty in simple prayers scrawled on scraps of paper. To help facilitate this when I have conversations with people about this work I have made a little book to keep on hand so that none can ever have the excuse that they don’t have anything to write their prayers on for me. Besides the utility of the book I find it very humbling to be carrying around an object that is full of the deepest hopes and yearnings of others. What a beautiful thing…

Unquestionably the most interesting and gratifying inscribed prayers I have received to date came in the mail the other day from Chicago.

I am honored to have received these amazing images illustrated by a man who inspires me both as an artist and as a Catholic: Daniel Mitsui. Upon each of the images, physical remnants of the visual prayer life that he has, are quiet, peaceful and beautiful prayer requests. As for the bishop holding the robot head? I have no idea what it is either, but to say that its fascinating is a terrible understatement. Please check out his blog as it is a wealth of Truth and Beauty, and even more importantly please seek out his talent and commission him to make you some beautiful prayerful images of your very own: http://www.danielmitsui.com/

I thank everyone who has, and continues to contribute to “The Relic of the Communion of Saints” in their support, inscribed prayers and for the prayers they make to God on my behalf. Please continue to help me create this work so that it may be a pleasing sacrifice to our Father.

Today’s Prayer Intentions:

- A job for Chris
- Healing for Judy, thanks be to God
- Heal John’s heart and leg. Thank you, Jesus
- For the release of the souls in Purgatory and for blessings on those who have no one to pray for them
- For all of those whose children have died before they were born, that the children may be shown great mercy and that their families may be given peace and joy.
- For health and safety for Melissa and her daughter
- Safety for all those who travel and in thanksgiving for safe travels for Britt and Charlotte
- St. Christopher, pray for us.
- For all soldiers who fight for justice that they may be protected from all physical and spiritual harm
- That all soldiers may have access to the sacraments and that they may receive them, specially reconciliation and the Eucharist
- For all of our enemies, that they may repent and become great saints through the Love and Mercy of Jesus
- For conversions, especially of my family, friends and enemies.
- For Daniel’s son, that surgery may be avoided and if it be unavoidable that it be successful
- In thanksgiving for all priests and for blessings upon them, especially for those who are struggling.
- “For my wife, that she may give birth to our children naturally and safely"
- “For my husband, that he will continue to be a good husband, father, and provider”
- May the font of Mercy that flows from our Lord’s wounded and sacred heart cleanse and refresh us
- For the canonization of Fr. McGivney
- For blessings on the Knights of Columbus, that they may manifest the virtues of unity, charity, fraternity and patriotism at all times in their lives.
- Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter
- May the Most Sacred heart of Jesus be adored and loved in all tabernacles until the end of time.
- Jesus, Mary and Joseph, I love you very much, I beg you to spare the life and soul of the spiritually adopted baby whom I have spiritually adopted, who is in danger of an abortion.
- St. Jude, pray for us.
- St. Joan of Arc, pray for us
- St. Benedict, pray for us.
- St. Faustina, pray for us.
- For an end to abortion and mercy upon those who have been directly or indirectly affected by it.
- Oh Mary, pray for us who have recourse to thee, and those who do not have recourse to thee, especially those enemies of Holy Mother Church
- Eternal Father, I offer you the most precious blood of thy divine son Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the holy souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the universal church, those in my home and within my family. Amen.
- St. Gertrude, pray for us.
- Breathe in my, act in me, strengthen me; Holy Spirit.
- Our Lady of Victory, pray for us.
- That no soul may perish, but that all may be made great saints through the love and mercy of Jesus.
- Our Lady of Mount Carmel, pray for us.
- For the past, present and future intentions and salvation of all those who participate in prayer or proximity to “The Relic of the Communion of Saints

.

Ora et Labora: Day 23

Its been a long time since I posted and there are reasons, but honestly, they are more like excuses, so I will forgoe the details and simply give the long anticipated update:

- there has been some continued problems with the mold but thanks to some wise counsel from a friend and tremendously conceptually and technically talented artist (www.laurenmayerstudios.com) I realized the importance that some  starting moisture has in the capillary process. After I realized this, I've had a marked decrease in "mold errors."

- despite these struggles beads have continued to be churned out, albeit slowly, the count is now up to a noble 28.

- I composed and sent out the letter to the Bishop in hopes that he will be able to bless "The Relic of the Communion of Saints" at the opening in late November/early December

- I met with a priest for spiritual direction and was reminded through him that this period of prayer and fasting isn't meant to make a masterpiece, but rather for God to make a masterpiece out of me (and you for that matter.)

- despite my beginning intentions and disposition of being in a state of prayer and fasting during this time of creation, I am now realizing that frankly I wasn't serious enough about this endeavour. Not just in how the piece will take shape, but in what way my Father will form me.

- my wife and daughter have been out of town for the past couple of weeks and the importance of other members of the Communion of Saints as inspiration and help in the path to holiness has been brought painfully into view as I've struggled here at home without them.

- speaking of which, they took the camera so I am without a way to post exciting new pictures of a big pile o' beads, and recent prayer intentions I've recieved, but to entice you to come back they include contributions from a priest and an artist.

That's all for now, I'll be more vigilant about posting again and please continue to pray and contribute to this work, as it turns out, it must be at least somewhat important since there's been quite a bit of resistance both internally and externally to its creation.

Ora et Labora: Day 8

6/7/10
I am starting to have some major problems with my mold. All Saturday night, as well as all day Sunday I left the mold alone, letting it dry a bit after basically continuously casting last week. Today I ruined a bead trying to open the mold. So I let the second casting sit a bit longer (over an hour) to try to avoid such a problem again, but to no avail as I ruined a second bead by attempting to open the mold. The third casting I have let sit for over 4 hours and I just attempted to open the mold and it was resisting pretty hard so I decided to leave it over night and see if that helps the situation any. If I am not able to remove the bead from the mold tomorrow then frankly I’m not sure what I’m going to do. Nothing really changed with the mold and I can’t afford to be waiting for dozens of hours to remove beads as I’ve only successfully cast 15 thus far, making just over a quarter of the way there (on small beads alone). Any suggestions would be gladly accepted as well as prayers.

Having found an entire box of books that we had yet unpacked when we moved into our house I realized that I suddenly was inundated with lots of wonderful art books that needed a place to be and I was inspired to procure and put up a small bookshelf in (the clean part) of the studio. In addition to art books I also found a book that I’d nearly forgotten I even owned, “Relics”. Can’t imagine anything much more appropriate for continued study in preparation for “The Relic of the Communion of Saints.”

My study of the Catechism “Expressions of Prayer” was quite interesting as well. This article discusses that prayer fundamentally falls into three major categories: verbal, meditative and contemplative of which the following was especially remarkable:

- We cannot pray "at all times" if we do not pray at specific times, consciously willing it.
- Even interior prayer, cannot neglect vocal prayer. Prayer is internalized to the extent that we become aware of him "to whom we speak;" Thus vocal prayer becomes an initial form of contemplative prayer.
- Christians owe it to themselves to develop the desire to meditate regularly, lest they come to resemble the three first kinds of soil in the parable of the sower.
- Contemplation is a gaze of faith, fixed on Jesus. "I look at him and he looks at me":

While reciting Psalm 7 today, there wasn’t anything that particularly influenced me as the past few have but nevertheless it is important to be reminded that, “God is a just judge, strong and patient” (not to mention the fact that “he hath made ready his arrows for them that burn” sounds far too cool not to take note of.)

Tonight enjoy the graces of the Joyful Mysteries of the rosary.

Today’s Prayer Intentions:
- For the return of Steve’s mother to the sacraments
- For the conversion of Judyth to the Faith
- For continued increase in health for John
- For the gift of Faith for all of those who seek God, and that a great desire for Him may be instilled in those who do not.
- For safe and edifying travels for Fr. Michael.
- For mercy, upon our poor souls and upon those of the whole world
- For the past, present and future intentions and salvation of all those who participate in prayer or proximity to “The Relic of the Communion of Saints”

.

Ora et Labora: Day 6

6/5/10

Rather than just casting I decided to make some more progress today on the fabrication of “The Relic of the Communion of Saints” by starting work on the large beads. I made a positive and I’m letting it set up for a couple of days (as I’m taking tomorrow off since it’s Sunday) before I make a mold of it (not to mention I need to buy some plaster.) I have to admit I get a really strong fish vibe from it right now, but then again I did when I made the positive for the small bead too, once the form is repeated and connected I’m confident it will lose whatever fishy tendencies it may have.

Since I found a few materials as I was cleaning out our storage area today I was also inspired to begin making the prayer intention book that I hope to accompany “The Relic of the Communion of Saints”. It certainly has a very “handmade” feel to it, but right now, as it is yet unfinished, I’m afraid that reads more as “ugly.” However, I hope to change that once the canvass gets a nice coat of gesso and then an even nicer coat of beautiful paint. I have yet to decide whether I will paint it myself or if I should ask a talented painter friend of mine (www.gwynethholston.com) to contribute in this way toward the work.

Today’s exploration of the Catechism, “The Way of Prayer” gave quite a bit of reference to the Church Triumphant’s role in the Communion of Saints:

- The witnesses who have preceded us into the kingdom share in the living tradition of prayer by the example of their lives, the transmission of their writings, and their prayer today. They contemplate God, praise him and constantly care for those whom they have left on earth. When they entered into the joy of their Master, they were "put in charge of many things." Their intercession is their most exalted service to God's plan. We can and should ask them to intercede for us and for the whole world.

But I was also reminded that as the Church rightfully celebrates prayer in the sacred space of a church so too should the domestic church set aside a place that, “can be a "prayer corner" with the Sacred Scriptures and icons, in order to be there, in secret, before our Father. In a Christian family, this kind of little oratory fosters prayer in common.” I am often shamed by the fact that rather than not having a special place set aside such as this, instead I neglect the beautiful space that we have created. Honestly, I haven’t used the little prayer space we set up for our family in… months. That is, until today. Yet again God used Charlotte to compel my prayer life to mature as I picked her up while she fussed and was suddenly compelled to kneel down in front of our little “shrine” and pray with my daughter to our Father. From here on out I will try to spend at least a portion of my time in prayer for the petitions of “The Relic of the Communion of Saints” at this special place in our home.

My recitation of Psalm 6 today really did a number on driving the point of praying every chance we get before it is too late, “For there is no one in death that is mindful of thee: and who shall confess to thee in hell?”

Tonight, enjoy the graces of the Joyful Mysteries and tomorrow, since I will not be posting, enjoy both the graces of the Glorious Mysteries of the rosary as well as the most powerful graces of my participation in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for you, your families and your intentions.

Today’s Prayer Intentions:
- For Eli that he may grow in holiness by living out his vocation of obedience to his parents
- For freedom from vanity
- That Dave’s father may be healed through the intercession of Solanus Casey and that he may be made a great saint when God calls him home.
- For Blessings on Jenny’s marriage preparations
- For an increase in vocations to the priesthood, especially to the Oblates of the Virgin Mary
- O saving Victim, opening wide the gate of Heaven to us below; Our foes press hard on every side; Your aid supply; Your strength bestow. To your great name be endless praise, Immortal Godhead, One in Three. O grant us endless length of days, In our true native land with thee. Amen.
- For the past, present and future intentions and salvation of all those who participate in prayer or proximity to “The Relic of the Communion of Saints”

Ora et Labora: Day 5

6/4/10


Today while I was casting beads I was compelled to re-measure one (since its size being “about a decimeter” didn’t strike much resonance with me). As it turns out each bead is approximately 4.5 inches long. Upon crunching some numbers I realized that the length of a decade, including the “Our Father” bead is going to be about 6 feet. That means the length of the entire loop will be somewhere around 30 feet! Considering I am planning on having “The Relic of the Communion of Saints” hanging on, and subsequently cascading off of, the wall; that halves the display height I’ll need, but I’m still looking at a solid 15 feet. And just imagine, it was once upon a time that I thought to myself “Hm, maybe I should make these beads bigger.”

Two wonderful bits of news today:

First of all, we stopped by Fr. Woody’s Haven of Hope (a day shelter that offers meals, showers, laundry, haircuts etc. to the homeless) to see some old friends and show off Charlotte. While we were there my wife suggested that I ask the director if we could set up a drop box for inscribed prayers at the Haven to which the director gladly agreed. I need to fabricate a box with a short description of the piece and get some golf pencils but I am so excited about this new prospect. Not only will it garner new prayer intentions but I am tapping into a population that I hadn’t previously considered and one that I am so eager to have contribute to this work. “Blessed are the meek…”

The other good news is that there are already fruits from our prayers for one of the intentions sent in. Just yesterday I recieved Sheila’s prayers and now, her husband Steve has been blessed with a new job! Praise God and may we always trust in His providence.

Speaking of prayer, today’s reflections on the Catechism, “The Way of Prayer”:
- The divine name may not be spoken by human lips, but by assuming our humanity The Word of God hands it over to us and we can invoke it: "Jesus," "YHWH saves." His name is the only one that contains the presence it signifies
- Jesus, the only mediator, is the way of our prayer; Mary, his mother and ours, is wholly transparent to him: she "shows the way" (hodigitria), and is herself "the Sign" of the way, according to the traditional iconography of East and West.

The fact that the name of Jesus is a prayer, in fact the most complete prayer we can muster at any given moment is so fascinating. What a powerful gift we have with such a direct line to the heart of God that we no longer need to beg for God’s attention as the prayer in Psalm5, “Give ear, O Lord, to my words, understand my cry" once did. In Jesus we can be certain that God is attentive to our needs and understands, in both a mortal and a supernatural way, the yearning of our heart.

Tonight, enjoy the graces of the Sorrowful Mysteries.

Today’s Prayer Intentions:
- "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us sinners."
- For mercy and freedom for all of those with sexual addictions
- For the return of Jerry to the sacraments
- For blessings on the poor
- For an increase in love for the poor
- For blessings on Fr. Woody’s Haven of Hope, all of its guests and benefactors
- In thanksgiving for Steve’s job
- For Peace: in our hearts and in our world
- For the past, present and future intentions and salvation of all those who participate in prayer or proximity to “The Relic of the Communion of Saints”

.

Ora et Labora: Day 4

6/3/10
Today I continued to pour and pull molds and have finally reached double digits (I know that the picture shows only 9, the 10th was still setting up in the mold when this image was taken.)

This evening I also had the opportunity to see the new Center for Visual Arts space at its grand opening reception. I am very impressed by the space and am already scheming about what location to fight for in which to display “The Relic of the Communion of Saints.”

Unlike the past few nights where I’ve prayed before sleep, today I went on a walk with my wife and daughter and prayed a rosary together as a family. It was wonderful and something that I hope to make a habit. There is something truly mystical about praying together as a family, no wonder the Church offers the merits of a plenary indulgence for doing so (coupled with reception of the Eucharist and Confession of course.) At any rate, today enjoy the graces of the Mysteries of Light.

On an exciting note, I received my first batch of inscribed prayer intentions in the mail today! I hope to have my mailbox stuffed from here on out now that the ice has been broken. Thank you Sheila for sending in your intentions, be sure that I am praying sincerely for them and that I ask all who are to participate in this work to join me.

On a much more sorrowful note I also received a batch of prayer intentions hand delivered to our house by a friend today. One of the intentions was that “baby A may be brought to a happy baptism.” Since the mother of this baby is also a friend of ours I knew exactly to whom she was referring. Sadly, just a few minutes ago my wife informed me that this mother was actually miscarrying tonight. Suffice it to say, please keep the soul of this child, and the baby’s parents and siblings in your prayers as this is truly breaking all of their hearts.

The wisdom I found in the Catechism in “At the Wellspring of Prayer” today seem especially poignant: “time is in the Father's hands; it is in the present that we encounter him, not yesterday nor tomorrow, but today.” We offer our sorrow and our love for this baby to our Father as the most sincere of prayers and trusting in God we hope that this little soul may become a great saint this very day. We do so with full knowledge that, "hope does not disappoint, because God's love has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." Indeed trust is all we have left, and perhaps for the best because as Psalm4 reiterates today, “For thou, O Lord, singularly hast settled me in hope.”


Today’s Prayer Intentions:

- That God may have mercy on baby A and that He may make this child His newest saint
- That baby A’s family may be given consolation and peace in this time of sorrow
- That Melissa’s hernia stays small and the pain manageable
- That Melissa’s husband receives an acceptable job offer following his interview
- St. Anthony, please find the other size3 boys tap shoe
- For Brian who has brain cancer: that he may have peace, hope, faith and to be comforted. For his family to have strength, faith, understanding and security.
- For Nick who broke his neck: to have faith, determination, strength and the courage to endure his future.
- For parents-in-law: that they may see through divorce and know that their love through God endures forever.
- For Lily: that she may be loved unconditionally and be in good health and good spirits and always keep the Faith.
- For Steve that he may seek employment and that he and his wife may remain close with God and one another. That their marriage may grow in love for one another and for God.
- For Sheila: that she may have patience and gain physical strength to endure everyday. That she may become a better wife, mother, friend, sister, daughter and provider.
- For Jack and Laura: that their health may maintain their love for one another and grow stronger and that they may grow closer to God in their faith.
- For Mike and Leslie: that they may offer God the struggle of dealing with depression and that Mike may be freed from it.
- For the entire world: that faith formation, peace, love and kindness may grow through the hearts of all.
- In thanksgiving for the successful labor and birth of baby Nora, that she may be given continued health and be a blessing to her parents always.
- For the past, present and future intentions and salvation of all those who participate in prayer or proximity to “The Relic of the Communion of Saints”

.