Pierced with the Wounds of Christ

Holy Mother, pierce me through;
In my heart each wound renew
Of my Saviour crucified.

This verse of the Stabat Mater invokes Mary to renew in us the sufferings of Christ.  On the first Friday of Lent, while praying the Stations, it struck me that this is not just a general plea to remember the sufferings of Christ and to feel some slight pang in our hearts at this remembrance.  No, we are asking for much more.  This is a cry to be pierced by each wound with the pain Our Lord suffered.  These were excruciating pains and we are asking Our Lady to renew them in us throughout our lives.  Singing this verse again is an excellent reminder that every pain and every suffering, physical, mental, as well as spiritual, are graces to unite us to Christ.  We ask for this grace in our prayers and songs, but when the everyday sufferings come, we complain and try our very best to get out of them or at least seek human sympathy.  Instead, let us embrace the cross fully this Lent.  Seek to feel every suffering keenly in union with Our Lord and offer it to Him.  The pain we ask for in the song is not just a little remembrance of His pain once on Calvary but is an invitation for us to join Him in the pain He suffers every day at the hands of sinners.  Let us do this all in love for Our Lord. 

Make me feel as you have felt;
Make my soul to glow and melt
With the love of Christ our Lord.

The "I Should Have Read That Book" Tag

Rules:

• Thank the person who tagged you and link back to their post.  (Thank you, dear Samantha of Bookshire!)
• Link to the creator’s blog in your post.
• Answer the questions below.
• Tag 10 others to take part.  (Oh boy!  I'm afraid I don't have 10 Blogger friends, *sniff*.)

A book that a certain friend is always telling you to read

Well, she's not always telling me to read the book, but she has recommended the movie multiple times and I did watch it, so we'll say, Under the Greenwood Tree.

A book that’s been on your TBR forever and yet you still haven’t picked it up

What book hasn't been on my TBR list for forever?!  There are regrettably so many!  I'll mention one here that is very popular in the traditional Catholic circles, and that is Saint Magnus: The Last Viking.  I shelved this book as TBR on Goodreads in 2018. 

A book in a series you’ve started, but haven’t gotten 'round to finishing yet

Dies a death of shame.  I call myself an Anne fan.  I regret to say I have not actually finished the series.  I only need to read Rainbow Valley and Rilla, but still!!  Shame! 🙈

A classic you’ve always liked the sound of, but never actually read

I know, I know!  More shame.  And I've watched the adaptations, too!  😭  I do love the story and want to read this so badly.  Maybe this summer?  Seems like a fitting read?

A popular book that it seems everyone but you has read

Are we speaking of the "popular through the ages" kind of book or "trending now"?  Let's go with The Blue Castle because that is both a classic as well as still generally popular.  26 of my Goodreads friends have shelved it and it has a 4.3 star rating.  I almost did a read-along with The Maidens of Green Gables, but my life schedule didn't allow for it at the time.  Maybe there will be another chance some day. 

A book that inspired a film/TV adaptation that you really love, but you just haven’t read it yet

Sense and Sensibility could also count for this one, but let's go with North and South.  Now this title is a chunky read so you'll pardon my negligence, yes?  Thank you.  Someday, if I get married and have oodles of spare time around my own House of Dreams, I may cozy up with this one.  For now, I will enjoy the mini-series. 😊

A book you see all over Instagram but haven’t picked up yet

Ok, I'm not exactly on Bookstagram.  I'm more a part of Knitstagram, or the Teachergram. 😂  Still, I would say The Enchanted Sonata.  That's a Bookstagram book, right?  I've also thought of reading Romanov which has a similar looking cover (it makes me think they're part of the same series, but I haven't found a connection), but I'm on the fence about that one.  It's currently not on my TBR list because of the magic aspect.  If you've read it, I'd love to hear your thoughts below!

Well, that was fun!!  It was so great to complete a tag again.  This one has been in my drafts since 2022.  It was also very humbling as I should have read many of these titles already, I know.  Do you have any recommendations of other titles I can add to my TBR?  Have you read any of these titles?  Which ones are also sitting in your TBR list?  I want to know so please comment below!

Thanks so much for reading along!  If you've made it this far, tag you're it!!  If you complete this on your blog, link your post in the comments below.

In cordibus Jesu et Mariae,

My Simple Daybook vol. IV

 

For Today 3.7.25

~Daybook Template taken from The Simple Woman's blog~

Looking out my window...

It's dark outside.  I always seem to get the creative bug in the evenings.  Maybe it's the relaxed mood, maybe it's a cup of tea, or maybe it's just the itch to avoid sleep that sparks the need to *do* something. 🙈

I am thinking...

I dearly miss blogging.  The creative and passionate outlet has been teaching as of late, but it doesn't quite allow for the same creativity.  I miss sharing and processing my thoughts in posts.  Not that my words are of any real consequence.  It's just nice being able to jot them down and share them with a few friends who share similar feelings.

I am thankful...

for the little joys.  I mean the tiny joys.  Stepping out my front door to get in my car in the morning.  The fresh air hits you in the face, the birds are chirping, and you feel as though a new adventure is about to sweep you away, just for that split second.  It has been rainy here for the last couple of days as well.  The sound and smell of the rain is really unbeatable.  Even a cup of tea without any cream or sugar first thing in the morning at work or last thing before you go to bed is a comfort.  I'm so thankful for the tiny joys God gives.

One of my favorite things...

One of my students gave me this gorgeous Mary vase.  She said she was supposed to put flowers in it but insisted I use it for my pens.   She's so beautiful and I love her so much!  She's perfect! 😍

I am creating...

baby items for my sister.  That's right!!  My sister is expecting her first baby and I couldn't be more excited.  Of course I'm knitting for the baby!  Just don't tell her.  I want it to be a surprise.  I did mention I'm knitting the baby a washcloth but I didn't tell her what the design will be.  You'll all just have to wait and find out with her. 😊

I am wearing...

All the fun teacher-y outfits.  Well, I suppose they're not your standard or trendy teacher outfits, but they're my own version.  Some days, I take inspiration from Anne, while on other days, I feel more like Ms. Frizzle.  I'm probably more in the realm of Jo March, if I'm being honest.  I wear what makes me feel comfortable while keeping an adventurous and untamed spirit.

I am reading...

Divine Intimacy and The Courage to be Afraid.  The first is a book of meditations by a Carmelite priest, Father Gabriel of Saint Mary Magdalene.  The second is a book by a French priest, Fr. Marie-Dominique Molinié.  This book goes deeper than trusting in God's providence.  It leads you to recognize His loving care as a father.  We say "Our Father" all the time, but how often do we stop to think about what that means?  I know not everyone has a good relationship with their father, and that makes me even more humbled and grateful that I do, but regardless of that fact, each and every one of us has God as our father, and He is the perfect one.  His fatherhood is not far off, subjecting and cold.  He loves with a very personal and intimate love.  He watches over you and wants to guide you every step of the way.  Ultimately, He wants to bring you, His dear child, to be with Him eternally.  The Courage to be Afraid was originally published in 1975 but started as retreats the author gave to Dominican nuns in 1953.

 I am watching...

All these years later, I'm still watching When Calls the Heart.  Can you believe it?!  It's just my comfort show.  I've caught myself up to the current season, Season 12, and it still has that Hope Valley charm.  Sure, it can be *very* cheesy at times and I don't always know about the modernization, but overall, it has kept its wholesome goodness.

This ship has sunk my heart.  🫠💖

 I am listening to...

Now that it's March, you know what that means... Folk Music Season! 😄 (Yes, I made that up, but you might try it.)  Here is my Spotify playlist full of great Irish folk music that is getting me in the mood for St. Patrick's Day! 🍀

I am learning...

how to teach.  Constantly.  I've been teaching for a year and a half and I learn something new every day whether it be a classroom management skill or how to teach superlative adjectives.  There is so so much to learn about teaching.  I feel as though I've not even scratched the surface.  I am always eager to learn more of this noble and multifaceted profession.  

In my kitchen...

Well, it's officially Lent so I'm not making too many exciting things.  (Who am I kidding?!  I don't often make exciting things anyhow. 😅)  Soups and casseroles are my good old standards.  Tomorrow I'm planning on making this crockpot pierogi casserole with kielbasa! 😋

Board Room

My Pinterest is a mix of classroom resources, outfit inspiration, and Saint quotes right now.  Got to love it. 🥰  I also created a mood board for 2025 and I have to say I'm pretty proud of it.  

My 2025 Pinterest Board

Shared Quote

Closing Notes

Thank you ever so much, dear reader, if you have made it this far.  It's such an honor that you even clicked on this little blog link to begin with.  I really do hope to be able to post more frequently again here.  I've missed it and I've missed you all.  There's already one post that is taking shape in my mind inspired by my first Stations of the Cross of the season.  I hope you are having a very blessed start to Lent.  Remember God loves you deeply and desires your eternal happiness with Him!  

God love you!

In the hearts of Jesus and Mary,