Week 26

Chapter 10, Part 1: Pages 384 - 399 Our Preparation for the Tempest: 3 Questions to Ponder https://youtu.be/coPzjv4tq-0 Week 26 Questions Question 1 How very prophetic Dr. Plinio’s words in the 1920 letter to his friend are. Ten years before its outbreak, he talks of the inevitability of a world war in which the “putrefaction” of the “sad twentieth century” will reach its climax. He foresees the rising of the worst elements in society and the persecution of the Church. What Dr. Plinio calls the ‘sad twentieth century” is a…

Comments Off on Week 26

Week 25

Chapter 9: Pages 371 – 383 7 Suave and Subtle Counter-Revolutionary Responses https://youtu.be/e7D-mjMUKqEWeek 25 QuestionsQuestion 1Dr. Plinio became aware that a stray cat and her kittens were residing in the backyard.  seeing this as a mere nuisance, in his usual decisive way, he directed the maid to  "Get a broom or a garden hose and expel them from the yard."   "Ah, the poor thing. . ." Dona Lucilia responded.  "Don't do that."In reply to his perfect reasoning as to why he saw this as an acceptable solution, she…

Comments Off on Week 25

Week 24

Chapter 9 - Part 3: Pages 356-371 True Friendship vs. False Friendship https://youtu.be/J-kQDA2NOPg Week 24 Questions Question 1 The Author, Msgr. Joao Cla, describes the relationship between Dona Lucilia and her son, Dr. Plinio, in this way: "Unless seen with eyes of Faith, it may be difficult to comprehend this closeness and union of soul between mother and son. It was the fruit of an ardent love of God, which led them to admire one another's supernatural virtues - gifts of Providence." It seems that Msgr. Joao intends by…

Comments Off on Week 24

Week 23

Chapter 2 (Part 1) Pages 51 - 64 Chapter 9 - Part 2: Pages 344 - 356 Reaction to Stressful Trials https://youtu.be/kFx3xpYlXIsWeek 23 QuestionsQuestion 1At the death of Dona Gabriela, Dona Lucilia "... although filled with sorrow … did not flee from the onerous duty of receiving the condolences of friends... siblings and close relatives ... "She has expanded so much as a person since, at the time of the death of her father she was unable to face these duties.What was the source of her consolation, and…

Comments Off on Week 23

Week 22

Chapter 9 - Part 1 - Pages 330-344 Expressing Affection in a Harsh World https://youtu.be/4PtjcZIcpxY Week 22 Questions Question 1 In the 1930s, Dona Lucilia experienced so many dramatic changes and upheavals. She saw the demise of many of the beautiful traditions of the past. She was there as "... the virtue of charity which had governed social interaction, making kindness the hallmark of the Brazilian temperament, gradually died out in hearts." She lived through political chaos and financial disaster. What was her reaction?   Though she had no…

Comments Off on Week 22

Week 19

Chapter 2 (Part 1) Pages 51 - 64 Chapter 8 - Part 3: Pages 3307-329 The Answer to the Crisis of Loneliness in the World https://youtu.be/vhx27xkTNIg Week 19 Questions Question 1 Dona Lucilia pleads with her son, literally, on " bended” knee, “… never again to leave things to the last minute."  Dr. Plinio was totally surprised by this display. He would, understandably, have been preoccupied with this important occasion from his own perspective, unaware of the anxiety his dear mother was experiencing. It should be within the family…

Comments Off on Week 19

Week 18

Chapter 2 (Part 1) Pages 51 - 64 Messaging with a Truly Catholic Lady https://youtu.be/ez1qXBts3HY Week 18 Questions Question 1 Gratitude, the forgotten virtue, was always remembered by Dona Lucilia. It is not possible to tell her story without including many incidents. At one point she urged Plinio to "lose no opportunity to show your gratitude and affection" to the priest with whom he traveled to Rio to meet with Catholic leaders. Think also of the gratitude this priest, the Pastor who had given Rosee and Plinio their Catechism course…

0 Comments

Week 17

Chapter 2 (Part 1) Pages 51 - 64 Midlife “Crisis” vs Lucilian Wisdom https://youtu.be/w4EfBdmEifMWeek 17 QuestionsQuestion 1It was that time in Brazil when "It was considered shameful for a man to openly proclaim himself a Catholic."Plinio, to the great relief of Dona Lucilia, had early on made the decision to continue in the path of true Catholicism set by his mother. It was for him, though, a time of painful isolation. Divine Providence provided him with the opportunity to enthusiastically enroll in the First Congress of Catholic Youth in Sao…

0 Comments

Week 16

Chapter 2 (Part 1) Pages 51 - 64 2 Goals and 10 Tips for Parenting Teenagers https://youtu.be/-DuvCPewYN4Week 16 QuestionsQuestion 1Dona Lucilia was always vigilant regarding the well-being of her children. Plinio's health was a constant concern. His progress and achievements at school were very important to her, stressing how these efforts would "... draw down God's Graces and blessings." This is so apparent in the exchange of letters at even the least separation.Dona Lucilia always felt drawn to a beautiful statuary depiction of the Finding of Our Lord in the Temple…

0 Comments

Week 15

Chapter 2 (Part 1) Pages 51 - 64 Parenting through the Revolution: Affection, detachment and a clear line of right and wrong https://youtu.be/nEj14JelwfMWeek 15 QuestionsQuestion 1Children can suffer a great deal from misunderstandings and injustices. How important is it to give a fair hearing and help a child resolve important and troubling issues?Question 2Dona Lucilia had high academic standards for her son. She obviously was able to balance other aspects of life to accommodate this.Sometimes we have high standards in some areas for our children and ourselves - looking for…

0 Comments

Week 14

Chapter 2 (Part 1) Pages 51 - 64 Martyrdom of Silence, Sweetness and Severity https://youtu.be/7iujFkoKKBQWeek 13 Questions Question 1"My son, the times are very evil and you are very young... I want you to know that I would rather see you dead than gone astray."Dona Lucilia's story will unfold more and more just how great her love was for her dear son, Plinio. These words, though, show how her "... loving affection for her children was rooted entirely in love of God."Who was the very young saint who, as part…

0 Comments

Week 13

Chapter 2 (Part 1) Pages 51 - 64 Marvellous Tales: “Dona Lucilia – Teach us how to tell stories!” https://youtu.be/DMzIE709s1AWeek 13 QuestionsQuestion 1The poses of Dona Lucilia and her siblings in the portrait, are, no doubt, typical of a style of photography at that time, including the absence of smiles. Her brother to the left seems to lean right in to his role. The brother on the right is also accepting of his more stately pose. Only Dona Lucilia "while resigned," seems truly uncomfortable, even averting her gaze…

0 Comments

Week 12

Chapter 6 - Part 2: Pages 184-281 A Mother's Choice: Mediocrity or the Marvellous https://youtu.be/cLGxlGAFEJoWeek 12 QuestionsQuestion 1The poses of Dona Lucilia and her siblings in the portrait, are, no doubt, typical of a style of photography at that time, including the absence of smiles. Her brother to the left seems to lean right in to his role. The brother on the right is also accepting of his more stately pose. Only Dona Lucilia "while resigned," seems truly uncomfortable, even averting her gaze from the camera.  Something is…

0 Comments

Week 11

Chapter 6 - Part 1: Pages 166-184 The Impact of a Truly Catholic Lady https://youtu.be/RZBrhkfncwkWeek 11 QuestionsQuestion 1Dona Lucilia returns. The greetings exchanged with the staff are filled with warmth and joy. This was at a time when "... familial spirit still pervaded the relations between the social classes with profound goodwill." These were not family members but servants. Both "masters" and "servants" were filled with affection and genuine interest in the well-being of each other.Of course, not in every situation, but in so many cases, these relations have soured. People who now…

0 Comments

Week 10

What will a Lady be like in the Reign of Mary? https://youtu.be/v6Jn8du9mogWeek 10 QuestionsQuestion 11.  It had been established that Dona Lucilia was known in her own family setting as a pillar of kindness, sound advice and solace.Though it was a time when a lady would have to be somewhat guarded as to how she presented herself to others, still, her wisdom, warmth and kindness were so obvious that many felt free to approach her, feeling safe to confide their fears, disappointments and defects: the distressed Russian Princess and Dona Lucilia's…

0 Comments

Week 9

A Mother’s Choice: Mediocrity or the Marvellous https://youtu.be/vSTHwO5KhAEWeek 9 QuestionsQuestion 1It is difficult, really, to imagine that the Polish Count and his wife had genuine expectations of adopting little Plinio and taking him home with them. They no doubt were enchanted with this most unusual child. Could it be that more than anything, they wanted to entice Dona Lucilia to the park in order to meet the mother of this unique little person and to share with her the incident of his sweet declaration of total love and…

0 Comments

Week 8

How does a Lady with Grandeur of Soul Suffer? https://youtu.be/G8DMT5QkpCQWeek 8 QuestionsQuestion 1Anyone who has any experience with the pain of gall bladder attacks knows how totally consuming and incapacitating they are. It was only extreme virtue that would allow Dona Lucilia to act as she did, before, during and after the surgery she had to endure.Before - she had to embrace with Faith and confidence this radical, new procedure. Then, she had to help prepare her family for this huge adventure of sailing to Europe with a…

0 Comments

Week 7

Chapter 2 (Part 1) Pages 51 - 64 10 Qualities a Lady needs to become a "Serene Queen of her Home' https://youtu.be/lM6Ho7fGRzk Week 7 Questions Question 1 Dona Lucilia's father, Dr. Antonio, had a mystical presentiment about his death occurring during the year 1909. Though the year had almost ended, this illustrious and beloved man did in fact die suddenly, unexpectedly, on Nov. 12, 1909. The news placed Dona Lucilia in such a state of shock and grief that she was unable to pay her last respects to…

0 Comments

Week 6

AUDIO A Counter-Revolutionary Perspective https://youtu.be/060rrHPj4Zg Week 6 Questions Please share your thoughts at the bottom of the page in the Discussion Forum. Question 1 Dona Lucilia saw her father as an instrument of the Holy Spirit in directing her life. Combined with her own determination that fulfillment of the Will of God was the only way to decide her vocation, she embraced Dr. Antonio's suggestion about marriage, even abandoning her own natural inclination towards a religious life. She accepted this as the "Will of Divine Providence." The footnote…

0 Comments

The Formation of Our Young Children

The Formation of Our Young Children At what age does a person define their mentality and decide the course of their life? Opinions are divided and the answer is not easy to give. There are so many factors that come into play. However, the generalized opinion is that these deliberations are made in youth, sometimes, on the way to adulthood, during university studies. It is at this time that young people come in contact with new ideas and tendencies, will confront the current way of life, and either…

0 Comments
  • 1
  • 2
Close Menu