My Jesus: what's mine is yours, because what's yours is mine, and what's mine I abandon in you.– St. Josemaria Escriva
Let us give our whole selves to Jesus so that He can use us to do great things for His Kingdom!
Thursday, August 31, 2006
Our Holy Father
You must love, venerate, pray and mortify yourself for the Pope, and do so with greater affection each day. For he is the foundation stone of the Church and, throughout the centuries, right to the end of time, he carries out among men that task of sanctifying and governing which Jesus entrusted to Peter.
– St. Josemaria Escriva, The Forge, #134
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Monday, August 28, 2006
miscellaneous
Hello all!
Hope you're doing well. Sorry I haven't written a proper blog post in a while. In my feeble defence--there has been a lot going on! (it's only a feeble defence though as I have spent a fair share of time procrastinating too!)
Chris's family came over for the afternoon yesterday to get their first look at our new house! It all went well and it was great to see them. They brought us some more wedding presents that had been left at their house, including 2 icons (one of the Holy Family and one of the annunciation) which are really nice.
ALSO, they brought our PHOTO ALBUM from the photographer which was FANTASTIC!! God Bless him, he did a brilliant job ( & as he is a family friend of Chris's it was his wedding gift to us!!).
As well as the gorgeous photo album with 120 pics, he also sent us a cd with about 250 pictures on, and a mini video too!
I know everyone is probably tired of photos of my wedding, but hey; it's my blog!!
so I've updated my yahoo photos site with a 3rd album which has a random selection of some of the photographer's photos on:
PHOTOS HERE
again, clicking 'view slideshow' is probably the best way to look at them.
So yeh, Chris's family coming over yesterday was great! I felt a bit embarassed by the end though because I had nothing to feed them! They were only supposed to be coming over for a couple of hours in the afternoon and Chris's mum had said to Chris that they would already have had lunch, and we didn't have to cook a meal for them, so Chris & I only bought some biscuits and snack food.
Well, it turned out that that hadn't had much of a lunch (a sandwhich each) and they stayed at our house till way past dinner time...and then still had a 4 hour drive back home! But because we hadn't bought any food (and it was Sunday, also known as end-of-the-week-and-so-fridge-is-bare day) I had nothing to offer them but toast and jam! (the jam was my mum's home-made jam though, which I guess is a small step up from just regular shop jam!) (but only a tiny step up!)
We also only have one of those mini-sized fridges and so we can hardly fit anything in as it is!! They kept saying it was okay, but I felt so embarassed and like an aweful hostess!
Oh well!! I guess I have a life-time to make up for it! But I don't think I'll ever forget having to desperatly serve toast as the first meal to my in-laws!!
Everything else is going well. Chris and I have found a very cost-effective way of doing our weekly food shopping; we go shopping at about 9:30pm on a Monday night because:
a) There is hardly anyone around in the shopping centre at that time on a Monday
b) That is when all the food gets discounted before the shop closes at 11pm!
Perhaps I should start a book...."101 ways to save money as newly-wed students"!
(Way number 2: get lots of homemade jam from your mother!!)
anyway, I better get back to my psychiatry revison.
God Bless,
-x-
Hope you're doing well. Sorry I haven't written a proper blog post in a while. In my feeble defence--there has been a lot going on! (it's only a feeble defence though as I have spent a fair share of time procrastinating too!)
Chris's family came over for the afternoon yesterday to get their first look at our new house! It all went well and it was great to see them. They brought us some more wedding presents that had been left at their house, including 2 icons (one of the Holy Family and one of the annunciation) which are really nice.
ALSO, they brought our PHOTO ALBUM from the photographer which was FANTASTIC!! God Bless him, he did a brilliant job ( & as he is a family friend of Chris's it was his wedding gift to us!!).
As well as the gorgeous photo album with 120 pics, he also sent us a cd with about 250 pictures on, and a mini video too!
I know everyone is probably tired of photos of my wedding, but hey; it's my blog!!
so I've updated my yahoo photos site with a 3rd album which has a random selection of some of the photographer's photos on:
PHOTOS HERE
again, clicking 'view slideshow' is probably the best way to look at them.
So yeh, Chris's family coming over yesterday was great! I felt a bit embarassed by the end though because I had nothing to feed them! They were only supposed to be coming over for a couple of hours in the afternoon and Chris's mum had said to Chris that they would already have had lunch, and we didn't have to cook a meal for them, so Chris & I only bought some biscuits and snack food.
Well, it turned out that that hadn't had much of a lunch (a sandwhich each) and they stayed at our house till way past dinner time...and then still had a 4 hour drive back home! But because we hadn't bought any food (and it was Sunday, also known as end-of-the-week-and-so-fridge-is-bare day) I had nothing to offer them but toast and jam! (the jam was my mum's home-made jam though, which I guess is a small step up from just regular shop jam!) (but only a tiny step up!)
We also only have one of those mini-sized fridges and so we can hardly fit anything in as it is!! They kept saying it was okay, but I felt so embarassed and like an aweful hostess!
Oh well!! I guess I have a life-time to make up for it! But I don't think I'll ever forget having to desperatly serve toast as the first meal to my in-laws!!
Everything else is going well. Chris and I have found a very cost-effective way of doing our weekly food shopping; we go shopping at about 9:30pm on a Monday night because:
a) There is hardly anyone around in the shopping centre at that time on a Monday
b) That is when all the food gets discounted before the shop closes at 11pm!
Perhaps I should start a book...."101 ways to save money as newly-wed students"!
(Way number 2: get lots of homemade jam from your mother!!)
anyway, I better get back to my psychiatry revison.
God Bless,
-x-
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Miracle of Mary's House in Ephesus, spared from the flames
26 August, 2006
TURKEY
Miracle of Mary's House in Ephesus, spared from the flames
An enormous fire destroyed 1,200 hectares of forest, but the flames stopped
one metre short of the shrine. Here is the account of a monk who witnessed
what people did not hesitate to describe as a "miracle".
Ankara (AsiaNews) - People are saying it is a miracle while religious admit
the incident was indeed "extraordinary". A devastating summer fire in Turkey
wiped out 1,200 hectares of forest and came to a halt barely a metre away
from the House of Mary, near Selcuk, a shrine that is the destination of
pilgrims from all over the world, Christians and Muslims. The house of
Meryem Ana is also likely to be a stage in the journey of Pope Benedict XVI
to this country at the end of November. This led some of the media to think,
at first, that the fire was caused by arson, while others suspected an
attack by the PKK of the Kurds. Speculations were put to rest when it was
found that the fire was probably caused by people who were picnicking in the
forest: the heat, dryness and wind contributed to the fire, as happened in
other coastal areas.
On Sunday 20 August, as a result of the torrid heat sweeping across Turkey
and the strong dry wind, 23 enormous forest fires were reported at the same
time along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. They struck the most crowded
tourist areas like Bodrum and Antalya and 1,200 hectares of forest were
burnt. Even Izmir zone was not spared and the "House of Our Lady" risked
going up in flames. Fully immersed in greenery, it was reached by the fire
that spread from the bottom of the hill, furiously burning everything that
came in its way.
But the flames, as if by magic, stopped barely a metre away from the simple
brick house. The building consists of two sections identified as the living
room and bedroom of the Virgin, who is said to have ended her earthly life
here. Currently the place is a shrine, the destination of both Christian and
Muslim pilgrims who come from all around the world. Everyone immediately
claimed this was a miracle and the news was reported in capital letters in
the headlines of the main national papers.
The extraordinary nature of the event was confirmed by an Italian Capuchin,
Fr Adriano Franchini, resident of Meryem Ana Evi (Mary's house) and superior
of the Custody of Turkey. "Yes, we had a rough time," he said. "After
receiving the notice to evacuate, I concerned myself with bringing the car
to a place of safety to be able to escape. I found for our guests and then I
wanted to return home to get some things but there was no chance to do so,
we could no longer approach: we saw the smoke and the high flames coming
closer. We feared the wind may change direction and we would be trapped; the
speed with which the flames spread and advances among the pine trees was
incredible."
He continued: "We had to escape quickly amid tears and desperate searching
for relatives, but everyone was able to reach safety. When we came together
down in Selcuk (a town at the foot of the hill), the first news that reached
us from the helicopters, when they finally arrived, were really bad:
everything is burning, nothing will be saved! Then there was a ray of
optimism... at last, towards the evening, there was the realization that the
fire had been truly devastating, spreading across a large area and all
around Meryem Ana and our homes, but the shrine and homes had remained
intact!"
The Franciscan did not say it was a miracle, but he admitted that what had
happened was extraordinary. "Even around our houses, the fire reached the
outer wall on three sides, and a burnt tree fell on the roof but the flames
did not take hold in the residence; even a palm tree one metre from the
house was burnt to cinders! The fire around the shrine came as far as the
benches outside, where mass is celebrated in the open, and stopped there.
People who saw the devastation all around say it is a miracle. Certainly it
is a scenario with incredible features."
None of the many pilgrims present were injured and the incident did nothing
to stop the flux of tourists and believers, who are currently going in even
greater numbers to take stock of the disaster and to admire the miracle.
TURKEY
Miracle of Mary's House in Ephesus, spared from the flames
An enormous fire destroyed 1,200 hectares of forest, but the flames stopped
one metre short of the shrine. Here is the account of a monk who witnessed
what people did not hesitate to describe as a "miracle".
Ankara (AsiaNews) - People are saying it is a miracle while religious admit
the incident was indeed "extraordinary". A devastating summer fire in Turkey
wiped out 1,200 hectares of forest and came to a halt barely a metre away
from the House of Mary, near Selcuk, a shrine that is the destination of
pilgrims from all over the world, Christians and Muslims. The house of
Meryem Ana is also likely to be a stage in the journey of Pope Benedict XVI
to this country at the end of November. This led some of the media to think,
at first, that the fire was caused by arson, while others suspected an
attack by the PKK of the Kurds. Speculations were put to rest when it was
found that the fire was probably caused by people who were picnicking in the
forest: the heat, dryness and wind contributed to the fire, as happened in
other coastal areas.
On Sunday 20 August, as a result of the torrid heat sweeping across Turkey
and the strong dry wind, 23 enormous forest fires were reported at the same
time along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. They struck the most crowded
tourist areas like Bodrum and Antalya and 1,200 hectares of forest were
burnt. Even Izmir zone was not spared and the "House of Our Lady" risked
going up in flames. Fully immersed in greenery, it was reached by the fire
that spread from the bottom of the hill, furiously burning everything that
came in its way.
But the flames, as if by magic, stopped barely a metre away from the simple
brick house. The building consists of two sections identified as the living
room and bedroom of the Virgin, who is said to have ended her earthly life
here. Currently the place is a shrine, the destination of both Christian and
Muslim pilgrims who come from all around the world. Everyone immediately
claimed this was a miracle and the news was reported in capital letters in
the headlines of the main national papers.
The extraordinary nature of the event was confirmed by an Italian Capuchin,
Fr Adriano Franchini, resident of Meryem Ana Evi (Mary's house) and superior
of the Custody of Turkey. "Yes, we had a rough time," he said. "After
receiving the notice to evacuate, I concerned myself with bringing the car
to a place of safety to be able to escape. I found for our guests and then I
wanted to return home to get some things but there was no chance to do so,
we could no longer approach: we saw the smoke and the high flames coming
closer. We feared the wind may change direction and we would be trapped; the
speed with which the flames spread and advances among the pine trees was
incredible."
He continued: "We had to escape quickly amid tears and desperate searching
for relatives, but everyone was able to reach safety. When we came together
down in Selcuk (a town at the foot of the hill), the first news that reached
us from the helicopters, when they finally arrived, were really bad:
everything is burning, nothing will be saved! Then there was a ray of
optimism... at last, towards the evening, there was the realization that the
fire had been truly devastating, spreading across a large area and all
around Meryem Ana and our homes, but the shrine and homes had remained
intact!"
The Franciscan did not say it was a miracle, but he admitted that what had
happened was extraordinary. "Even around our houses, the fire reached the
outer wall on three sides, and a burnt tree fell on the roof but the flames
did not take hold in the residence; even a palm tree one metre from the
house was burnt to cinders! The fire around the shrine came as far as the
benches outside, where mass is celebrated in the open, and stopped there.
People who saw the devastation all around say it is a miracle. Certainly it
is a scenario with incredible features."
None of the many pilgrims present were injured and the incident did nothing
to stop the flux of tourists and believers, who are currently going in even
greater numbers to take stock of the disaster and to admire the miracle.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
OH MY GOODNESS SO BUSY
I AM SO CRAZILY BUSY.
This is the first time in my life I have had an entire house to look after and had to do everything for myself and another person (cooking, washing, cleaning, ironing) AND my studies ontop of it all and full days at the hospital and revision!
Chris does help with stuff, but he has so much of his own stuff to do also.
There *always* seems to be something to do!
Plus, I keep going to bed late, waking up early....it's tiring, especially as my holiday wasn't really much of a holiday and I didn't get a huge amount of rest and relaxation (Rome was fun, but busy, and when we got back we had 50 squillion boxes to unpack and the house to sort out! and then I started Uni again!)
*breeeeath*
I've never drunk coffee in my life (dont like the tast of it), but maybe I should consider starting now...?!!
okay! stress over!
I updated my yahoo photos thing though if anyone is interested with some more pics from the General Audience we had with the Pope.
PHOTOS
and now Rosary, other prayers and then SLEEP!
This is the first time in my life I have had an entire house to look after and had to do everything for myself and another person (cooking, washing, cleaning, ironing) AND my studies ontop of it all and full days at the hospital and revision!
Chris does help with stuff, but he has so much of his own stuff to do also.
There *always* seems to be something to do!
Plus, I keep going to bed late, waking up early....it's tiring, especially as my holiday wasn't really much of a holiday and I didn't get a huge amount of rest and relaxation (Rome was fun, but busy, and when we got back we had 50 squillion boxes to unpack and the house to sort out! and then I started Uni again!)
*breeeeath*
I've never drunk coffee in my life (dont like the tast of it), but maybe I should consider starting now...?!!
okay! stress over!
I updated my yahoo photos thing though if anyone is interested with some more pics from the General Audience we had with the Pope.
PHOTOS
and now Rosary, other prayers and then SLEEP!
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Me & Pope!
Apparently I'm not the only one who has been having problems uploading photos onto blogger, (Carmel seems to be having some problems too), I am less worried about my old laptop now!
So I have put my photo of me & the Pope onto my yahoo pictures site!!
Again, perhaps clicking 'view slideshow' might be nicer than just looking at the tiny thumb-nail pics!
PHOTOS HERE
and yes, that is really me speaking with the Pope and clasping his hands!!
The hand on my left shoulder with the glinting wedding ring is Chris (he was standing behind me!! hehe! It pays being the shorter one!)
(Also, I have added a few more photos into my 'Wedding folder'. and at some point I will also upload my photos from our honeymoon...me in front of St. Peter's in a wedding dress!! But I should be learning about obsessive compulsive disorders at the moment so I better go and leave it for another day!)
ps- Happy Feast day of St. Rosa of Lima.
I just read this little piece about her and it made me think how amazingly unattached to the superficial passing things of this world she was, with her heart set on eternity and what an outstanding example that is to us.
So I have put my photo of me & the Pope onto my yahoo pictures site!!
Again, perhaps clicking 'view slideshow' might be nicer than just looking at the tiny thumb-nail pics!
PHOTOS HERE
and yes, that is really me speaking with the Pope and clasping his hands!!
The hand on my left shoulder with the glinting wedding ring is Chris (he was standing behind me!! hehe! It pays being the shorter one!)
(Also, I have added a few more photos into my 'Wedding folder'. and at some point I will also upload my photos from our honeymoon...me in front of St. Peter's in a wedding dress!! But I should be learning about obsessive compulsive disorders at the moment so I better go and leave it for another day!)
ps- Happy Feast day of St. Rosa of Lima.
I just read this little piece about her and it made me think how amazingly unattached to the superficial passing things of this world she was, with her heart set on eternity and what an outstanding example that is to us.
St. Rose of Lima (1617-1668)Rose was the first saint born in the Americas. She was a beautiful girl who was so devoted to chastity that she used pepper and lye to ruin her complexion. A mystic and visionary, she suffered from invisible stigmata and many other ailments
Sunday, August 20, 2006
So I have this amazing photo....
While we were at the Papal Audience in Rome, Chris & I met another young newly-wed Catholic couple from America. We exchanged email addresses with them in order to swop any nice photos of the Pope we may have of each other.
So the other day they sent us a picture they took..
It's a picture of ME HOLDING HANDS WITH THE POPE!!!
yes, that's right! ME chit-chatting to BXVI!
aaaaaaaaaaaaaarghh!!
Chris's hand is resting on my shoulder & you can see the glint of his wedding ring!
Unfortunatly blogger is being silly again and wont upload the photo for me...so it'll have to wait!
poo!
In other news, I still don't have the internet set up at my new house yet. Hopefully it'll be set up sometime this week though.
Also, I start back at University tomorrow. Waaaaa! My 3 weeks of holiday are over for another year!! Next holiday is on December 23rd!
I will be doing psychiatry for the next 6 weeks, which sounds like it's gonna be quite interesting and different!
Also, do any of my readers go to Opus Dei circles?
Just out of curiosity....
So the other day they sent us a picture they took..
It's a picture of ME HOLDING HANDS WITH THE POPE!!!
yes, that's right! ME chit-chatting to BXVI!
aaaaaaaaaaaaaarghh!!
Chris's hand is resting on my shoulder & you can see the glint of his wedding ring!
Unfortunatly blogger is being silly again and wont upload the photo for me...so it'll have to wait!
poo!
In other news, I still don't have the internet set up at my new house yet. Hopefully it'll be set up sometime this week though.
Also, I start back at University tomorrow. Waaaaa! My 3 weeks of holiday are over for another year!! Next holiday is on December 23rd!
I will be doing psychiatry for the next 6 weeks, which sounds like it's gonna be quite interesting and different!
Also, do any of my readers go to Opus Dei circles?
Just out of curiosity....
Thursday, August 17, 2006
DO YOU LIVE IN ENGLAND?
"MAN MUST RECONCILE HIMSELF TO HIS NATURAL GREATNESS"
- JP2
How to study and reflect on John Paul II’s Theology of the Body
Thursday 14th September 2006
Westminster Cathedral Hall,
Ambrosden ave. SW1P 1QJ
6pm—8pm.
Welcome: Bishop Bernard Longley –Auxiliary Bishop in Westminster
Keynote Speaker: Anastasia Northrop –Theology of the Body International Alliance
Introduction: Edmund Adamus –Director for Pastoral Affairs, Westminster Diocese
The Keynote speaker, Anastasia Northrop, is president of the Theology of the Body International Alliance, working full time with Our Father's Will Communications in the United States, a Catholic media ministry, promoting John Paul II's understanding of the human person worldwide. She is a speaker and writer on the Theology of the Body and is author of a study guide for John Paul’s catechesis entitled: The Freedom of the Gift.
Bookings can be paid in advance or on the door!
Entry Fee: £5.00 Cheques payable to “WRCDT”
Return to Catherine MacGillivray: Dept for Pastoral Affairs
Vaughan House, Francis Street. SW1P 1QN
cathmacgillivray@rcdow.org.uk 020-7931-6064
-
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Happy Feast of the Assumption
Father in heaven,
all creation rightly gives you praise,
for all life and all holiness come from you.
In the plan of your wisdom
she who bore the Christ in her womb
was raised body and soul in glory to be with him in heaven.
May we follow her example in reflecting your holiness
and join in her hymn of endless love and praise.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
ps- it is a holy day of obligation in most places in the world
Sunday, August 13, 2006
My Wedding Story
Sunday 30th July 2006....
*photos to go with the story: click HERE make sure you do view as slideshow for a much better viewing!*
The day started bright and early at 7:30am. My first thoughts of the day were "woohoo! I'm getting married today!!" and the smiling started!
The Nuptial Mass was set for 1pm.
I got up, had breakfast and jumped in the shower. By 8:15am I was ready for the hair-styling to begin. One of my Italian Aunts is a hair-dresser and so she was doing my hair for me. It took a good three hours to turn my straight hair into a bunch of curls and waves, and glue-in a dozen pearls:
At about 1:07pm (T plus 7 minutes...well, I was the bride! They expect me to be fashionably late!!) my dad and I looked at each other, both took in a deep breath and I said "Let's do this thing!" and we headed out to the Rolls!
I arrived at the Church and saw my bridesmaids waiting for me outside! I adjusted my veil so that it covered my face (which I had almost forgotten to do!) and walked into the porch of the Church.
Then when the Priest said "What God has joined together let no man put asunder" my first thought was "OH MY GOODNESS I AM MARRIED!!! I AM MARRIED!! CHRIS WE'RE MARRIED!!" and my face broke out into a grin (again!).
*photos to go with the story: click HERE make sure you do view as slideshow for a much better viewing!*
The day started bright and early at 7:30am. My first thoughts of the day were "woohoo! I'm getting married today!!" and the smiling started!
The Nuptial Mass was set for 1pm.
I got up, had breakfast and jumped in the shower. By 8:15am I was ready for the hair-styling to begin. One of my Italian Aunts is a hair-dresser and so she was doing my hair for me. It took a good three hours to turn my straight hair into a bunch of curls and waves, and glue-in a dozen pearls:
By the time my hair was done it was around 11am (T-minus 2 hours) and my 3 bridesmaids had arrived and as had the professional photographer.
The house was a flurry as my dad was running over his speech, my brother was getting ready, my mum and my Italian Aunts were in and out of the shower, my cousins were taking photos and sorting themselves out and our 2 family friends were helping with last minute preparations! Yes, the house was busy!
Despite all this I was pretty calm! Extremly calm actually! I was very excited about the day ahead but not really nervous at all!
My Aunts helped me fix on my wedding veil and I got into my dress for a couple of round-the-garden photos with the bridesmaids and my family 
My brother & I
At midday (T-minus one hour) the 1946 Rolls arrived to pick up the bridesmaids and bring them to Church.
As I still had an hour to go and I didn't want to ruin my dress by sitting down in it, I took it off and hung around in my dressing gown. At about 12:20pm I started getting a bit hungry and so I had some chocolate and a few sips of coke!!
Over the next half an hour our family friends and my cousins headed off for Church. At 12:30pm I knew that Chris was starting to pray the rosary at Church and I was wondering how that was going and how he was feeling!
I heard afterwards that it went really well, he led every decade of the rosary himself, despite his nerves!
Chris praying the rosary at Church
At about 12:45pm (T-minus 15 minutes) I started feeling a bit nervous!! Eeeek! In 15 minutes I'll be heading off to Church to GET MARRIED!!
My dad joked with me "It's not too late yet, you can still run away...!!" but my initial gut reaction was "No way! I *want* to marry Chris!!"
At about 12:55pm my mum and Italian Aunts were finally ready and they headed off for Church, after helping me back in my wedding dress.
I stood in the living room with my dad and I went over my vows again and we joked a bit about me growing up!! "This is it! I'm GETTING MARRIED!"
At about 1:07pm (T plus 7 minutes...well, I was the bride! They expect me to be fashionably late!!) my dad and I looked at each other, both took in a deep breath and I said "Let's do this thing!" and we headed out to the Rolls!
I arrived at the Church and saw my bridesmaids waiting for me outside! I adjusted my veil so that it covered my face (which I had almost forgotten to do!) and walked into the porch of the Church.
As I stood at the back of the Church and saw all the guests my nervousness immeditaly flew away! Oh look! There's so-and-so!! And look! There's cousins/aunts/uncles! And there are my friends!!
And all I could think was "COOL!!!"
Seriously, I had the best time of my life walking down the aisle! It was such fun! Seeing my family and friends, and all the people who had come for Chris & I just made me so happy!! Chris was standing at the front and had his back back facing me for about half of my walk down the aisle so I just looked at various family and friends in the congregation grinning at them!! And then Chris turned around and my heart flipped over!
Aaaaahh! It's my Chris!! I could feel my grin intensifying and my eyes locked in on his!
We're about the get married Chrissy!!!
It was beautiful!
The rest of the Nuptial Mass was so so so wonderful!
Chris & I said our vows well, neither of us forgot any of the words but my voice felt like it was about to crack on the 'till death us do part' line!
"I Antonia ....... do take you Christopher......to be my lawful wedded
husband. To have and to hold from this day forwards. For better, for worse. For richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health. To love and to cherish, till death us do part."
Then when the Priest said "What God has joined together let no man put asunder" my first thought was "OH MY GOODNESS I AM MARRIED!!! I AM MARRIED!! CHRIS WE'RE MARRIED!!" and my face broke out into a grin (again!).
After that we had the signing of the register which in England is usually incorporated into the Mass.
After that, and in the place of the bidding prayers, we had our consecration to the Holy Family with the prayer Chris, our Priest and I had written.
This part went beautifully; after the prayer the congregation sang a Marian hymn while Chris & I walked to the side altars of Mary and St. Joseph (to the right and left of the main altar) and placed a bouquet of flowers to each as a gift.
I place the bouquet of flowers by Mary's altar, and Chris by St. Joseph's
After that Mass proceeded as per usual, with the exception of the Nuptial Blessing which was also very very beautiful.
At the end of Mass Chris & I processed out followed by our bridesmaids and ushers. Chris & I then went and hid in one of the porches of the Church while the guests left via another door and each was handed one of the little packets of rice my mum & I made.
Once all the guests were assembled outside, the doors of the Church were thrown open, Chris & I ran out and the 200 handfuls of rice were thrown over us!! It was awesome as all the guests had formed this massive semi circle around the main doors to the Church, so we ran out and were surrounded by family and friends!! It was gorgeously happy!
The 200 handfuls of rice proved to be as much as I had anticipated and Chris & I spent a good 30 seconds twirling in the sunshine laughing while about 3kg of rice was being thrown on us!! (it got in my hair, even a bit in my mouth!) but it was a lot of fun!
After that we were taken by the Rolls to the reception venue and had the wedding meals with all our guests and spent the evening chit-chatting with everyone!
It was such a fun day!
So HERE is a compliation of some photos I put together for my family in Italy who couldnt come to the wedding. Hopefully they will make a bit more sense now that I've explained a bit of the story! (I'd recommend to click view as slideshow)
PICTURES HERE 
---------
Friday, August 11, 2006
a few pics..
So I've spent my entire day unpacking boxes and tidying up my new house! I'm exhausted!
Chris & I just came round to my parent's house (it's so weird how it's not my house any more!) and so I just thought I'd try to post a few quick pics.
Most of my pictures are on a different computer, but here are a few that are on my parent's computer.
When I get the internet I will post more, plus with some details of the day!
Chris & I walking out of the Church at the end of Mass!!
Chris & I just came round to my parent's house (it's so weird how it's not my house any more!) and so I just thought I'd try to post a few quick pics.
Most of my pictures are on a different computer, but here are a few that are on my parent's computer.
When I get the internet I will post more, plus with some details of the day!
Chris & I walking out of the Church at the end of Mass!!
Outside the Church when we were having all the rice thrown on us
Chris taking rice out of my hair!!
Chris & I at the reception venue! (wind blowing up my veil!)
Chris & I cutting cake
Oh, I have so many more but, like I said, they are on my laptop. I will put more up properly as soon as I can and tell you all about the day!!
Thursday, August 10, 2006
The married lady speaks..
So, I'M BACK!!
First first first....thank you all SO MUCH for the many wonderfully sweet and oh-so kind comments and best wishes! THANK YOU! They brought me such joy to read when I arrived back this afternoon!
Secondly...I'M MARRIED!!!!!!! aaaaargh!
The Nuptial Mass was perfect! Thank you for all your prayers! God was SO GOOD to us and the blessings showered down!
The Mass was so grace-filled, the weather was fabulous (it poured the day before and the day after, but on Sunday 30th July there was SUNSHINE!), and it was such a happy day!!
I was SOOO happy!!! My memories are all smiles!
Thirdly....I KISSED THE POPE'S HAND!!
Yes, ladies & gentlemen, I KISSED POPE BENEDICT XVI's HAND!
Chris kissed his ring!
Also, I went to see JP2's tomb and I especially remembered all my blog readers to him!
The rest of the honeymoon was wonderful also! We saw so much in Rome, everyday was jam-packed with stuff! It was great!
Fourthly...I'm sure you have all heard about the 9/11 style terrorist attacks that were going to happen in the next few days on UK-USA flights, well, because of that there has been massive flight chaos with all UK flights today. The consequence being that Chris & I were stranded in Rome's Champino airport for many hours, and arrived home about 6 hours or so later than planned.
It's now 8:40pm and I am currently at my parent's house; Chris I have yet to go back to our own house. Our house consists of piles of unpacked boxes and we have no internet access set up yet, so unless I come back to my parent's house tomorrow (which I may well do..) I won't be able to update with more detailed info on how the wedding went, the honeymoon, what Pope's B's hand is like...etc!! But i will tell you all! I still have another 10 days of summer holiday so I will update soon!
I PROMISE!
**I am SOOOO sorry but blogger won't accept any of my photos! I AM SORRY!! I promise I will update loads as soon as I can!!**
here is a wonderful quote from St. Edith Stein, whose feast day it was yesterday:
First first first....thank you all SO MUCH for the many wonderfully sweet and oh-so kind comments and best wishes! THANK YOU! They brought me such joy to read when I arrived back this afternoon!
Secondly...I'M MARRIED!!!!!!! aaaaargh!
The Nuptial Mass was perfect! Thank you for all your prayers! God was SO GOOD to us and the blessings showered down!
The Mass was so grace-filled, the weather was fabulous (it poured the day before and the day after, but on Sunday 30th July there was SUNSHINE!), and it was such a happy day!!
I was SOOO happy!!! My memories are all smiles!
Thirdly....I KISSED THE POPE'S HAND!!
Yes, ladies & gentlemen, I KISSED POPE BENEDICT XVI's HAND!
Chris kissed his ring!
Also, I went to see JP2's tomb and I especially remembered all my blog readers to him!
The rest of the honeymoon was wonderful also! We saw so much in Rome, everyday was jam-packed with stuff! It was great!
Fourthly...I'm sure you have all heard about the 9/11 style terrorist attacks that were going to happen in the next few days on UK-USA flights, well, because of that there has been massive flight chaos with all UK flights today. The consequence being that Chris & I were stranded in Rome's Champino airport for many hours, and arrived home about 6 hours or so later than planned.
It's now 8:40pm and I am currently at my parent's house; Chris I have yet to go back to our own house. Our house consists of piles of unpacked boxes and we have no internet access set up yet, so unless I come back to my parent's house tomorrow (which I may well do..) I won't be able to update with more detailed info on how the wedding went, the honeymoon, what Pope's B's hand is like...etc!! But i will tell you all! I still have another 10 days of summer holiday so I will update soon!
I PROMISE!
**I am SOOOO sorry but blogger won't accept any of my photos! I AM SORRY!! I promise I will update loads as soon as I can!!**
here is a wonderful quote from St. Edith Stein, whose feast day it was yesterday:
Learn to depend on God alone and serve Him with a wholly pure and detached heart. Then you will be able to say 'I do not regret that I have given myself up to Love.'– St. Edith Stein
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