An encyclical was issued on June 4, 2013 by Metropolitan Markos of Chios on Christians who practice Yoga and whether or not it is merely a physical exercise. In this encyclical he explains that the Hindu religious practice of yoga was established for the sole purpose of entering into a spiritual state, and never had anything to do with exercise until a few decades ago when Hindu yogis explained it this way when they were trying to win converts in the West.
Monthly Archives: June 2013
70% of Americans on Prescription Drugs
A new study has uncovered record numbers of Americans on prescription drugs with nearly three-quarters of the population taking at least one drug at any given time.
According to a press release from the Mayo Clinic’s Olmsted Medical Center, researchers found that 70 percent of Americans are on at least one prescription drug, and more than half take two. Twenty percent of patients are on five or more prescription medications, according to the findings these people also need help with prescriptions.
Feast of the Birth of John the Baptist
“Prepare the way of the Lord; Read the rest…
Weeding The Garden
“My daughter, Read the rest…
Sharing The Cross
Feast of St. Paulinus of Nola (355-431)
“What I have I give thee; we will go to Africa, and I will give myself for your son.”
-St. Paulinus of Nola (to a widow whose only son was taken into slavery by the son-in-law of a Vandal king.)
For Reflection:
It is unlikely that God is asking me to give myself to redeem a slave; however, He is asking me to be generous to the point of self-sacrifice. How can I respond today? St. Paulinus of Nola, pray for me.
Outrage Continues Over President’s Attack on Catholic Schools
Even though the mainstream media in the U.S. has chosen to ignore a major gaffe made by the President in Ireland earlier this week, it hasn’t squelched the outrage of Catholics who were shocked at his assertion that having Catholic and Protestant schools “encourages division.”
Planned Parenthood to Help Sell ObamaCare
Commentary by Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
The nation’s largest abortion provider, an organization that has a vested interest in the success of the president’s vastly unpopular health care plan, has offered the services of its 750 clinics to help sell ObamaCare to the public.
Lourdes Shrine in Ruins After Floods
The mayor of Lourdes, France is pleading for help after the worst flooding in a century left the Shrine of Lourdes in ruins.
The Telegraph is reporting that the Shrine is buried beneath more than a meter of mud with the grotto looking more like a war zone than one of the most beloved Catholic shrines in the world.
Feast of St. Aloysius Gonzaga
“I am a crooked piece of iron and am come into religion to be made straight by the hammer of mortification and penance.”
-St. Aloysius Gonzaga
For Reflection:
What is my “hammer” today?
Introducing Lexi Conner – our newest blogger!
Hello,
I’m Lexi Conner and I am so excited to be part of the Women of Grace blogging family!
Perhaps you can guess from my name that I have a very special interest. I LOVE words! Some might say that makes me a “geek” or a bluestocking, bookworm, or highbrow (See! I just can’t help it!). But it was this very interest that Johnnette found so intriguing (compelling, captivating, fascinating, riveting, titillating – pick one!).
However, she was very specific about what she wanted me to present in this blog (I think she might have thought I’d go off on a “word tangent” or something). She has asked me to explore words that are part of our Catholic Faith. You see, I am a devout (zealous, passionate, ardent, faithful, fervent, earnest, orthodox) Catholic. I LOVE my Faith and I LOVE God and Our Blessed Mother and all of the saints.
Sometimes I will present you with words that are linked together by theme. Other times I won’t (I like to keep things exciting like this so you will never know exactly what you are going to get!). If there are any interesting features about the word – its history or etymology – I will let you know. If YOU have any interesting facts about the word, please let me know via” comment” and I will post it. It is all going to be so much FUN and we will learn so much about our Catholic Faith and its own special vocabulary!
I am looking forward to being your personal lexicographer (a compiler of a dictionary. Origin 1650-60. Late Greek. From “lexicon”—a wordbook or dictionary. Example: Noah Webster was a lexicographer. Interesting factoid: The definition for “Webster” comes from the Middle English. In its archaic sense it means “a weaver.” See how Noah’s last name reveals what he did – just like my whole name reveals what I do! He “weaved” together a book of words and I am providing you with a lexicon! Amazing! Can you already see how much fun we are going to have?!).
Speaking of names, I have a riddle for you. Oh yes, that is another interesting feature of the Lexi Blog (Don’t you LOVE it!): I will occasionally pose a riddle for you or a word jumble or a cute story or some other little exercise to keep your brain nimble and your funny bone tickled.
This riddle was told to my great-grandfather, whom I still have thanks to God, by his grandfather. That means it was my great-great grandfather who told it. See if you can figure out the riddle. If you think you’ve got it, post it in comments. The winner will receive a special gift courtesy of Women of Grace®(Johnnette told me it was okay). I will know who was the first to send in the correct answer (there is a way to do this, you know.). Comment submissions will be good until one week from today.
Okay. Here is the riddle:
An older German gentleman was walking across a bridge when a beautiful young fraulein began to walk across the bridge from the opposite direction. When their paths crossed, the gentleman tipped his hat and drew his cane, and in this story I told his name. What was it? (Hint: Remember the story was told, not written. That is important.)
I’m giggling already. Have fun! I hope we become good friends!
Linguistically yours,
