Have you experienced such a place?
“Everything in this family runs with the regularity of the great pendulum of the staircase clock, where “tick” is answered by “tock” in an oscillation no hastier at night than during the day.”
If you think of all the homes you have visited in the last year, or for that matter in your lifetime, how many could you honestly say were of the level that Fr. Royo Marin, OP, is referring to in chapter 3 of Dona Lucilia when he speaks of, “one of those blessed homes where a queen serenely reigns?” Many of us, for sure, have never entered such a home where holiness goes to such depths in the minutest details of everyday life.
“Everything in this family runs with the regularity of the great pendulum of the staircase clock, where “tick” is answered by “tock” in an oscillation no hastier at night than during the day.”
Our present day culture certainly does not cultivate this sort of environment and in fact uses all its force to prevent it. The idea of such a well ordered home where, “this queen of equanimity is perturbed by neither the importunities of her children, her own reverses in health, the care of the house, nor the incessant vicissitudes of life” is so unfortunately foreign to children growing up in the 21st century. Undeniably though, these images stir in the depths of souls something greatly longed for, something universally needed by every child, something that we all know should exist in every home, for we are all called to “… be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt 5:48).
As we read any random pages from Dona Lucilia’s biography we sense a fragrance, something that touches these deepest longings. Within her home, this air of sublime sweetness wraps itself around and permeates all of what is good, true and beautiful in Christian Civilization. Dr. Plinio, who grew up in the warm embrace of this “truly Catholic lady”, observed her closely and greatly admired his mother’s union with the Sacred Heart of Jesus:
“This devotion, coupled with the recollected environment she maintained in the home, inclined him to prayer and contemplation. Dr. Plinio recalled that frequently, upon returning home after an outing or childhood party, he would find his home immersed in an atmosphere evocative of the solemn, noble, and rich tone of the bells of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church.” (Dona Lucilia, p. 188)
Why not take a few minutes to think about your home and family — choose one little “detail” to improve this week, something that could elevate your home/family one step closer to being “truly Catholic” — an oasis of serenity and beauty…
Over the the coming months donalucilia.com will be posting articles, ideas and practical resources to help families. If you would like to share something please email: donaluciliawebsite@gmail.com
Instagram - Dona Lucilia in the Details
Consider the shortness of time, the length of eternity and reflect how everything here below comes to an end and passes by. Of what use is it to lean upon that which cannot give support?
St. Gerard Majella
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See the latest Heralds of the Gospel Magazine: not to be missed articles on Pope Benedict and the Church.
https://catholicmagazine.news/heralds-of-the-gospel-magazine-vol-17-no-184-february-2023/
#trulycatholicfamily #catholicmom #catholicfamily #discipline #stjohnbosco #catholicmotherhood #parentingtips #trulycatholiclady
Parents beware! Inspire your children to be diligent and enthusiastic about keeping occupied with good things whether it be work, prayer, study or healthy recreation. Lead by example!
"Rest never means idleness."
"An idle mind is the devil’s workshop."
"Avoid idleness and idle people; carry out your duties. Whenever you are idle you are in serious danger of falling into sin, because idleness teaches us all kinds of vice."
"As soon as you become aware of temptation, busy yourself with something. Idleness and modesty can’t go together. In overcoming idleness, you will overcome temptations against purity."
St. John Bosco
#trulycatholicfamily #catholicmom #catholicfamily #discipline #stjohnbosco #catholicmotherhood #parentingtips #trulycatholiclady
God shapes everyone’s heart according to the purpose for which He destines it (cf. Ps 33:15), just as the potter skillfully molds each vessel he makes into a specific shape.
Quote from the soon to be published book, St. Joseph: Who Knows Him?... by Msgr. João Scognamiglio Clá Dias, EP
Contact us to find out how you can get a copy!
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DISCIPLINE IN THE TRULY CATHOLIC HOME
“Let everything take place at its proper time,” the Holy Spirit reminds us. Punishing a child is very much the same. Choosing the right moment is very important. If we use so much care in healing an illness or an injury, should we not be equally solicitous in character healing?
St. John Bosco (Feast Day January 31)
See the page below for excellent parenting tips:
https://donalucilia.com/discipline/
#trulycatholicfamily #catholicmom #catholicfamily #discipline #stjohnbosco #catholicmotherhood #parentingtips #trulycatholiclady
FIRM IN SWEETNESS, SWEET IN FIRMNESS
A truly Catholic Lady remains ever faithful to Catholic principles; or, rather, to becoming ever more similar to her Divine Model, the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This implies living out a daily, moment-by-moment martyrdom, for the prevailing attitude is one of concession and compromise toward evil. She needs unbreakable rectitude, and to engage in a continual and all-out fight to guard her unshakeable position of fidelity.
But through it all, her sweetness shows how human her rectitude is. Were it not for this, it could hint of heartlessness.
Baccarat crystal, which is strong, but has some flexibility, could be taken as a symbol of a truly Catholic lady, whose soul has these qualities, par excellence. Her delicacy, her affable treatment of others, the accuracy of her judgements, the firmness of her decisions, and all of the nuances of her personality reflect the unique qualities of this crystal – some of which are even apparently contradictory: brilliance, refinement, and rigidity along with flexibility and subtlety.
She maintains this way of being even in the midst of life’s difficulties and tempests. While she rarely takes the deliberation of cutting off contact with someone, she is unwavering, will not give in, step back, or yield. She will not create a clash, but she will advance.
Liberally adapted from:
Dona Lucilia.
Città del Vaticano-Nobleton: LEV;
Heralds of the Gospel, 2013, p.410-414
#trulycatholicfamily #catholicmom #CatholicFamily #CatholicFamily #catholic #motherhood #essentiallycatholichome #essentialoils #peace #peaceofmind #Baccarat #trulycatholiclady
