Tuesday, March 9, 2021

Open window - Mary holding the family rosaries while Cow TV and crocheting/St Frances of Rome - a married woman saint

I am very late here today... yesterday I walked into the house at the farm to check on any cows calving...   Joy showed me her prayer book and rosaries for the family that is stored in Mary by the window in the kitchen.
The window was open to allow in the fresh spring air and Mary was there watching the family farm scene.
Joy finding her rosary to show her grandma...
Rosaries for family prayer times on  the farm.
"This is my rosary."  Joy to grandma
Getting ready to put it...
around her neck while mom is busy watching cow TV and making a crochet blanket for her new Godson, who is to be baptized on Sunday.  

Your mom has sat in front of cow TV many years nursing her babies little Joy.  4 years ago you were a newborn during calving and your mom would get up during the night and nurse you and watch the cows for calving.  

Ruth and Paul also have Cow TV beside their bed complete with sound.  "I heard that cow with her calf at 1:30 in the morning." reports Paul.  
It takes a lot of practice to know what you should look for - up and down a lot, a tail out, feet out, sometimes bellowing and smelling the ground.  Ruth has become quite a proficient observer of those that are to calf soon.

I especially enjoy the Saint for today - St Frances of Rome as she was a wife and mother as well as a prayer/contemplative and servant of the poor and needy.  Her quote really rings a bell for my girls that are mothers to large families and busy with farm, ministries and homeschooling..."A married woman must often leave God at the altar to find Him in her household cares."  

Yes, that is a beautiful gift we women have that are home with a growing family plus all that we are called upon to do to promote the faith and care for the needs of others.  Psalm 25 today...He guides the humble to justice,
    he teaches the humble his way.
R.    Remember your mercies, O Lord.

If wives humbly serve their families... He guides and teaches us in our homes/domestic Churches!

Vigilant and watchful day and night at this busy time of year - 170+ cows to have healthy calves is a big job!
Ruth learned to crochet while still in high school from Pat's mother, grandma Ann!  Her hands are seldom idle as she has made probably close to 100 afghans over those 25 years!  
There is a wonderful peaceful feeling that goes with this time for Ruth - making a gift and watching on her post of caring for the animals on the farm as we work to feed the world!
One of our cameras is not working - one that looks at the cows still out on the manure pack and not looking that close to calving.  It seems that there are always a few surprises.  Lots of prayers for a good calving season are part of our time watching and caring for them.  

Jesus, we love you and look to you even in the midst of our busy homes with family and work... May we combine all that we do with constant prayer without ceasing.  Jesus, we trust in you.  Amen

Rubber boots are a must this time of year!  This was 7 years ago, and with rain due tomorrow we might have to have them in use soon!
Watching Ruth on cow TV this morning in the bright sun and the newest cow and calf in the pen born at 5a.
Now Pat... I can covertly take pictures while watching Cow TV... no dirty looks or complaints!
Pat invited me to go to town with him for "parts" and then proceeded to work on the tractor - he must have wanted me to take a picture right?  Done!
Ruth, Joy and Calf on a beautiful day - "Photo shoot with Joy and a calf ?" invited Ruth.  Pat even told me to turn the car around and go back for the pictures.  Cute Alert!
Mother cow is watchful behind the gate.  As I say about Ruth and how wonderful it is to her dad and I that she loved her life she grew up with so much that she now has it for herself!  Not only that but she does it much better than her mother ever did!  Her gardening , willingness to help her dad and husband outside, and grace and beauty that she brings to her household and the farm - like making a chicken house, playhouse, remodeling our old run down farmhouse to make it her own... you amaze me Ruth... everything you touch is a work of art!  Bless-bless, Barbara
Today we honor St. Frances of Rome, who was known for her compassion for the poor and her zeal for souls. May we imitate her love for the vulnerable in our communities!
Happy Feast Day
Saint Frances of Rome
1384 -1440
Feast Day: March 9
Patronage: Benedictine oblates, automobile drivers

Frances of Rome, an Italian saint, was a wife, mother, mystic, organizer of charitable services and a Benedictine oblate who founded a religious community of oblates. With her husband's consent St. Frances practiced continence and advanced in a life of contemplation. Her visions often assumed the form of drama enacted for her by heavenly personages. She had the gift of miracles and ecstasy, as well as the bodily vision of her guardian angel, had revelations concerning Purgatory and Hell, and foretold the ending of the Western Schism. She could read the secrets of consciences and detect plots of diabolical origin. She was remarkable for her humility and detachment, her obedience and patience.


Danny Gokey



 

No comments:

Post a Comment