Silk Dyed Easter Eggs 2010

I used Martha Stewart's silk tie technique.

Good Friday Lenten Tea

For our Good Friday tea, we started with "TheKing's Crown"

"And Pilate asked him,'Are you the King of the Jews?' And he answered him, ' You have said so." Mark 15:2The crowns can also be used for The Crown of Thorns, "..............and, plaiting a crown of thorns they put it on him." Mark 15:17

Out of Envy

"He perceived that it was out of envy that the chief priests had delivered him up." Mark 15:10

The Purple Cloak( I used grape jelly to top the seamless garments)

"And the clothed him in a purple cloak......." Mark 15:17

Golgotha Tuna( It was sugested to used hard boiled eggs with skull and crossbone but, we usually have tuna for lunch on Friday. )

"And they brought Him to the place called Golgotha ( which means the place of the skull) " Mark 15:22

The Seamless Garment( with 2 cubes of cheese on each to represent the dice cast as the soldiers gambled for Our Lord's garment.

:But the tunic was without seam, woven from top to bottom;so theu said to one another,'Let us not tear it , but cast lots for it to see whose it shall be." John 19:23-24

Two Robbers

"And with Him they crucified two robbers, one on His right and one on His left" Mark 15:27

Vinegar to Drink( I had balsamic vinegar, I forgot to take a picture)

"And one ran and, filling a sponge full of vinegar , put it on a reed aand gave it to Him to drink, saying'Wait let us see whether Elijah will come to take Him down." Mark 15:36

The Roman Centurion

(100 grapes to represent one hundred Roman army men present at Our Lord;s Crucifixion)

"And when the centurion, who stood facing Him, saw that He thus breathed his last , he said,'Truly this man was the Son of God"Mark 15:39

Laid in the Tomb Muffins( they had strawberry jam hidden in the middle)

"And he brought a linan shroud , and taking Him down , wrapped Him in the linen shroud , and laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock ; and he rolled a stone against the door of the tomb."

Lenten Tea

Today we had a Lenten tea. The children really enjoyed it. i found this wonderful idea at Cotttage Blessings

and also Shower of Roses

we started with:

"Palm on The Road"

Round crackers topped with mayonnaise and pieces of hearts of plam.

Holy week begins with Palm Sunday as Jesus was recieved in Jerusalem.

"And many spread their garments on the road, and others spread leafy branches which they had cut from the fields" Mark 11:8

"Costly Oil"

"And truly , I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world , what she has done will be told in memory of her" Mark 14:9

"Thirty Pieces of Silver" ( round provolone cheese)

" Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, What will you give me if I deliver himto you ? And they paid him 30 pieces of silver" Mathew 25:14-15

"The Cook Crows Twice" ( deli roasted chicken)

" And Jesus said to him , Truly I say to you, this very night, before the cook crows twice, you will deny me three times" Mark 14:30

"Unleavened Bread"

"And on the first day of unleavened bread , when they sacrificed the Passover lamb , His disciples said to Him, Where will you have us go and prepare for you to eat the passover?" Mark 14:12

"The Mount of Olives"

"And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives" Mark 14:26

"Gethsemane Figs"

"And they went to a place which was called Gethsemane ; and He said to His disciples sit here, while I pray" Mark 14:32

"Judas' Kiss"

" And when he came , he went up to Him at once, and said, Master, and he kissed Him" Mark 14:45

"Clouds of Heaven"

" And Jesus said, I am : and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of Heaven" mark 14:62

"Saint Peter's Tears" ( green tea mints)

"And immediately the cock crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times. And he broke down and wept." Mark 14:72

Orange Cream Cupcakes

In honor of Our Lady of Altagracias i also madethese cupcakes today.


1 box (18.25 oz) yellow cake mix, prepared as box directs, substituting orange juice for the water
2 boxes of Jello vanila pudding prepared according to package directions.

PREPARATION
1. Heat oven to 350°F. Line 24 regular-size (2½ -in. diam) muffin cups with paper or foil liners (see Note 2).

2. Spoon cake batter into lined cups, filling each ⅔ full. Bake as box directs. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Using tip of a paring knife, cut a small hole in top of each cupcake.

3. Prepare vanilla as box directs. Chill overnight. Spoon into apastry bag fitted with a wide tip.Pipe into holes in cupcakes Serve. Refrigerate any leftover pudding.


Our lady of Altagracias is a painting of the Virgin Mary at the scene of Jesus' birth, and the protector of Santo Domingo. The Virgin, occupies the middle of the picture; she is looking with tenderness at the child who lies nearly naked on the straw of the manger. A blue cloak sprinkled with stars envelops her and a white scapular closes her garments in front. Maria of Altagracia wears the colors of the Dominican flag; anticipating in this manner the national identity. A radiant crown and twelve stars frame her head which now has a crown on it. The frame which holds the painting is probably the most refined example of Dominican gold work. This marvel made of gold, precious stones and enamel, is the work of an unknown 18th century artist. Possibly he used the jewels that the Virgin's devotees gratefully offered her. The image of Our Lady of Altagracia had the privilege of being crowned twice: on August 15, 1922 - during the pontificate of Pius XI - and by Pope John Paul II, who on January 25, 1979, during his visit to Santo Domingo, personally crowned the image with a golden silver tiara, his personal gift to the Virgin, the first evangelizer of the Americas

Lamb of God Bread

Today is the feast day of Saint Agnes so we made Lamb of God Bread for this wonderful martyr.


St. Agnes
St. Agnes was a Roman girl who was only thirteen years old when she suffered martyrdom for her Faith. Agnes had made a promise, a promise to God never to stain her purity. Her love for the Lord was very great and she hated sin even more than death! Since she was very beautiful, many young men wished to marry Agnes, but she would always say, "Jesus Christ is my only Spouse."

Procop, the Governor's son, became very angry when she refused him. He had tried to win her for his wife with rich gifts and promises, but the beautiful young girl kept saying, "I am already promised to the Lord of the Universe. He is more splendid than the sun and the stars, and He has said He will never leave me!" In great anger, Procop accused her of being a Christian and brought her to his father, the Governor. The Governor promised Agnes wonderful gifts if she would only deny God, but Agnes refused. He tried to change her mind by putting her in chains, but her lovely face shone with joy. Next he sent her to a place of sin, but an Angel protected her. At last, she was condemned to death. Even the pagans cried to see such a young and beautiful girl going to death. Yet, Agnes was as happy as a bride on her wedding day. She did not pay attention to those who begged her to save herself. "I would offend my Spouse," she said, "if I were to try to please you. He chose me first and He shall have me!" Then she prayed and bowed her head for the death-stroke of the sword.

Saint Thomas Aquinas

SAINT THOMAS AQUINAS Doctor of the Church(1225-1274)
The great Saint Thomas was born of noble parents at Aquino near Naples in Italy, in 1225; his century was replete with great names and Christian works, yet he dominates it by the power of his thought and the perfection of his works. In his childhood he was the provider for the poor of the neighborhood during a famine; his father, meeting him in a corridor with the food he had succeeded in taking from the kitchen, asked him what he had under his cloak; he opened it and fresh roses fell on the ground. The nobleman embraced his son and amid his tears, gave him permission to follow thereafter all inspirations of his charity.

Saint John Joseph of the Cross

SAINT JOHN JOSEPH of the CROSS Confessor, priest, Franciscan Friar(1654-1734)
Saint John Joseph of the Cross was born on the feast of the Assumption in 1654, on the island of Ischia in the kingdom of Naples. From his childhood he was a model of virtue, and in his sixteenth year he entered the Franciscan Order of the Strict Observance, or Reform of Saint Peter of Alcantara, at Naples. Such was the edification he gave in his Order, that within three years after his profession he was sent to found a monastery in Piedmont. He assisted in its construction himself and established there the most perfect silence and monastic fervor.

Saint Casmir

SAINT CASIMIR King of Poland(1458-1483)
Casimir, the second son of Casimir III, King of Poland, was born in 1458. From the custody of a very virtuous mother, Elizabeth of Austria, he passed to the guardianship of a devoted master, the learned and pious John Dugloss. Thus animated from his earliest years by precept and example, his innocence and piety soon ripened into the practice of heroic virtue.

Blessed Henry Suzo

BLESSED HENRY SUZO Confessor(1300-1366)
Blessed Henry Suzo was born in 1300 at Constance in Germany. There he entered the Dominican convent at the age of thirteen, and made his preparatory studies in the sacred disciplines. In 1327 he became a teacher of theology, and in 1334 began preaching. In 1343 he was elected prior of a convent at Diessenhofen. Blessed Henry is known especially as a mystic who regarded himself as the servant of Eternal Wisdom become Man. He practiced severe austerities and experienced, along with his visions and ecstasies, bitter persecutions and grievous calumnies.

Saint Albinus

SAINT ALBINUS Bishop(470-550)
Saint Albinus was of an ancient and noble family in Brittany, and from his childhood was fervent in every exercise of piety. He ardently sighed after the happiness which a devout soul finds in being disengaged from all earthly things. Having embraced the monastic state, despite his parents’ disapproval, he shone a perfect model of virtue, taking upon himself all the humblest offices and disciplining his flesh by every kind of mortification. In brief, he lived as if in all things he were without any will of his own; and his soul seemed so perfectly governed by the spirit of Christ as to live only for Him.

SAINTS ROMANUS

SAINTS ROMANUSFounder and Abbot(†460)and LUPICINUShis brother, Abbot(†480)
Saint Romanus, born in the late fourth century, left his relatives and spent some time in the monastery of Ainay at Lyons, near a large church at the conflux of the Saône and Rhone. The faithful had built it in honor of the famous martyrs of that region, whose ashes were thrown into the Rhone. His purpose for this retreat was to study all the practices of monastic life, and he obtained from the Abbot of Ainay some recently written books on the lives of the Desert Fathers.

SAINT GABRIEL of OUR LADY of SORROWS

SAINT GABRIEL of OUR LADY of SORROWSPassionist(1838-1862)
Saint Gabriel was born at Assisi in 1838. He was guided by Our Lady into the Passionist Order founded by Saint Paul of the Cross, and became a veritable Apostle of Her Sorrows. He was a very great and truly contemplative soul, whose only preoccupation was to unite himself to God at all times. He allowed no distractions to enter his spirit, and even though Italy, his country, was in a state of ferment when he entered religion, he wanted to know nothing of it.

SAINT MECHTILDIS OF HACKEBORN

SAINT MECHTILDIS OF HACKEBORNAbbess(1240-1298)
Saint Mechtildis, born in 1240 in Saxony, was the younger sister of the illustrious Abbess Gertrude of Hackeborn. She was so attracted to religious life at the age of seven, after a visit to her sister in the monastery of Rodardsdoft, that she begged to be allowed to enter the monastic school there. Her gifts caused her to make great progress both in virtue and learning.

Saint Tarasius

SAINT TARASIUSPatriarch of Constantinople(750-806)
Tarasius was born at Constantinople in the middle of the eighth century, of a noble family. His mother, Eucratia, brought him up in the practice of the most eminent virtues. By his talents and virtue he gained the esteem of all, and was raised to the greatest honors of the empire, made first a Consul and afterwards first Secretary of State to the Emperor Constantine IV and the Empress Irene, his mother. In the midst of the court and in its highest honors, he led a life like that of a religious.

SAINT MATTHIAS

SAINT MATTHIASApostle(†63)
After our Blessed Lord’s Ascension His disciples came together, with Mary His mother and the eleven Apostles, in an upper room at Jerusalem. The little company numbered no more than one hundred and twenty souls. They were waiting for the promised coming of the Holy Ghost, and they persevered in prayer. Meanwhile there was a solemn act to be performed on the part of the Church, which could not be postponed. The place of the fallen Judas had to be filled, that the number of the Apostles might be complete. Saint Peter, therefore, as Vicar of Christ, arose to announce the divine decree. What the Holy Ghost had spoken by the mouth of David concerning Judas, he said, must be fulfilled. Of him it had been written, “His bishopric let another take.” A choice, therefore, was needed of one among those who had been their companions from the beginning, who could bear witness to the Resurrection of Jesus.

SAINT PETER DAMIAN

SAINT PETER DAMIANCardinal Bishop(988-1072)
Saint Peter Damian, born in 988, lost both his parents at an early age. His eldest brother, to whose hands he was left, treated him so cruelly that another brother, a priest, moved by his piteous state, sent him to the University of Parma, where he acquired great distinction. His studies were sanctified by vigils, fasts, and prayers, until at last, thinking that all this was only serving God halfway, he resolved to leave the world. He joined the monks of Fonte Avellano, then in the greatest repute, and by his wisdom and sanctity rose to be Superior.

BLESSED BROTHER DIDACE PELLETIER

BLESSED BROTHER DIDACE PELLETIERConfessor(1657-1699)
Brother Didace was the first child born at Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, or at least the first child whose baptismal certificate is inscribed in the parish register; he was also the first Canadian-born Lay Brother of the first missionaries in New France, the Recollets (French Franciscans), and the first Canadian who left a reputation of sanctity on Canadian soil after his death. Such are the titles of Blessed Brother Didace, originally Claude Pelletier.

SAINT PETER’S CHAIR AT ANTIOCH

SAINT PETER’S CHAIR AT ANTIOCH(ca. 36-43)
That Saint Peter, before he went to Rome, founded the see of Antioch is attested by many Saints of the earliest times, including Saint Ignatius of Antioch and Saint Clement, Pope. It was just that the Prince of the Apostles should take under his particular care and surveillance this city, which was then the capital of the East, and where the faith so early took such deep roots as to give birth there to the name of Christians. There his voice could be heard by representatives of the three largest nations of antiquity — the Hebrews, the Greeks and the Latins. Saint Chrysostom says that Saint Peter was there for a long period; Saint Gregory the Great, that he was seven years Bishop of Antioch. He did not reside there at all times, but governed its apostolic activity with the wisdom his mandate assured.

SAINT EUCHERIUS

SAINT EUCHERIUSBishop of Orleans(687-738)
This Saint was born at Orleans of a very illustrious family. At his birth his parents dedicated him to God, for his mother had been advised in a vision that he would some day be Bishop of the city of Orleans. They took great care to form both his mind and his heart. His improvement in virtue kept pace with his progress in learning; he meditated assiduously on the sacred writings, especially on Saint Paul’s manner of speaking on the world and its enjoyments, calling them mere empty shadows which deceive us and vanish away. These reflections at length sank so deeply into his mind that he resolved to leave the world. To put this design in execution, about the year 714 he retired to the abbey of Jumiege in Normandy, where he spent six or seven years in the practice of penitential austerities and obedience.

SAINT CONRAD OF PIACENZA

SAINT CONRAD OF PIACENZAHermit(†1351)
Saint Conrad was living peacefully as a nobleman of Piacenza. He had married when quite young and led a virtuous and God-fearing life. One day, when engaged in his usual pastime of hunting, he ordered his attendants to set fire to some brushwood where game had taken refuge. The prevailing wind caused the flames to spread rapidly, and the surrounding fields and forest were soon in a state of conflagration. A mendicant who happened to be found near the place where the fire had originated was accused of being the author; he was imprisoned, tried and condemned to death. As the poor man was being led to execution, Conrad, stricken with remorse, declared the man innocent and confessed his own guilt openly. In order to repair the damage of which he had been the cause, as he then volunteered to do, he was obliged to sell all his possessions. He repaid his neighbors for all the losses they had suffered, then retired to a distant region where he took the Third Order habit of Saint Francis, while his wife entered the Order of Poor Clares.