The Salvation of the World

Today is a day I look forward to for two reasons, (don't you, too?)  First, today is The Feast of the Annunciation - the day when the Angel Gabriel came to a young girl named Mary and asked her to be the Mother of Our Lord, thus setting in motion the final steps to the salvation of the world.

The second reason is another celebration... a fictional one, I will admit, but a celebration non the less.  For today in Lord of the Rings history is the day that Sauron's Ring was destroyed, thus bringing about the salvation of Middle Earth.

As a devout Catholic and an avid Lord of the Rings fan, I am always overjoyed at how well these two loves go together.  Tolkien was a devout Catholic and this is very evident in his works.  But I'm sure you know that already, so I'll just cut to the quick and share with you some beautiful Catholic analogies (note, I said analogies, not allegories) and 'co-incidences' that I and my fellow Tolkien-fanatic friends have uncovered.

The Beginning of a New Year
This morning my dear friend, whom I shall call 'Flora Gamgee' gave me a call, first to wish me a Happy Annunciation, and secondly to bid me a Happy Destruction of the Ring Day.  During the course of our conversation, she told me that she just found out that in the traditional Catholic calendar, the liturgical year began today - March 25th, the Feast of the Annunciation.  Appropriate, since the Annunciation is when God's plan for our salvation was set in to play.
Now, Tolkien would have known about this fact and so I find it of great and exciting interest that he picked March 25th as the day the Ring would be destroyed.  From that day forth "in Gondor the New Year will always now begin upon the twenty-fifth of March when Sauron fell." - Return of the King

The Seven Sacraments
Back in January, I spent the night at another Tolkien-friends house and spent at least an hour and forty-five minutes discussing the Lord of the Rings.  (Oh, heaven!)  We could have talked longer... but decided that as it was about two in the morning we probably get at least some sleep - given the fact that we had to get up early the next... er, that morning.
"Well, I expect that I shall go on sleeping, whether I drop off or no.  And the less said the sooner I'll drop off, if you get my meaning." - Samwise Gamgee
The prevalent theme of our discussion was the analogies contained in the Lord of the Rings.  We are firm believers that there are no direct allegories, because Tolkien said so himself that he detested allegories.  However, I do believe and contend that there are many analogies - how could there not be, with such a devoted Catholic as the author? 
One of the allegories we discussed were the presence of the Seven Sacraments.  To tell the truth, we only found six, but we are sure the seventh is hiding in there somewhere.

Baptism
"Frodo heard the splash of water.  It foamed about his feet.  He felt the quick heave and surge as the horse left the river... He was across the Ford. ... 'By Elbereth and Luthien the Fair', said Frodo with a last effort, lifting up his sword, ' you shall have neither the Ring nor me!' ... the black horses were filled with madness, and leaping forward in terror they bore their riders into the rushing flood.  Their piercing cries were drowned in the roaring of the river as it carried them away." - The Fellowship of the Ring
  
For those who are not familiar with the Catholic Sacrament of Baptism, the candidate renounces Satan and all his evil works, is immersed in or has the water poured over his head and the black stains of Original Sin are washed away, in much the same way that Frodo rides through the river, tells the servants of Sauron to go away and the Black Riders being swept away by the flood.  (There are other actions involved - such as the anointing with oil and lighting the baptismal candle, but as they do not directly pertain to the analogy I am trying to demonstrate, I did not mention them.)


Confession 
"Aragorn knelt beside him.  Boromir opened his eyes and strove to speak.  At last slow words came. 'I tried to take the Ring from Frodo,' he said.  'I am sorry.  I have paid.'" - The Two Towers
 
This analogy is not quite as obvious in the books, but has a beautiful representation in the movies, particularly when Aragorn makes an almost Sign of the Cross-like gesture and blesses Boromir. (I am sure the filmmakers were quite unaware of any similarities.  But that makes it all the cooler!)  Boromir is dying after having tried to take the Ring from Frodo, and then defending Merry and Pippin from the orcs.  Aragorn finds him, and Boromir confesses to him what he has done.  As Aragorn consoles him, telling him that he is forgiven, Boromir dies.

Holy Communion
"Often in their hearts they thanked the Lady of Lórien for the gift of lembas, for they could eat of it and find new strength even as they ran." - The Two Towers
"The lembas had a virtue without which they would long ago have lain down to die.... it fed the will, and it gave strength to endure, and to master sinew and limb beyond the measure of mortal kind." - The Return of the King

As much has already been written on the similarities of the lembas bread and the Eucharist - it being the more obvious of the analogies -  I will not add my own interpretation here.  I will only say... wow.  Is that last quote amazing or what?

Confirmation
"'We have drunk the cup of parting," she said, 'and the shadows fall between us.  But before you go, I have brought in my ship gifts which the Lord and Lady of the Galadhrim now offer you in memory of Lothlorien.'" - The Fellowship of the Ring

This is another of the more hidden ones, but it is no less beautiful for it being hidden.  While Galadriel is not like a Bishop, or the Holy Spirit, she most certainly was inspired to give her gifts to the Fellowship.  Nine gifts, gifts that would strengthen and help each bearer in one way or another in their struggle against the evil of Sauron.

Matrimony
"And Aragorn the King Elessar wedded Arwen Undomiel in the City of the Kings upon the day of Midsummer, and the tale of their long waiting and labours was come to fulfillment."
And so it was settled.  Sam Gamgee married Rose Cotton in the Spring of 1420 (which was also famous for its weddings), and they came and lived at Bag End." - The Return of the King


I don't think I need to explain this one very much, do I? ;)  As we all know, Aragorn and Arwen, Faramir and Eowyn and Sam and Rosie were all married and all had long and beautiful lives together.

Holy Orders
Now I must confess that this is the Sacrament we are stumped on.  We are quite sure there is an analogy somewhere, but have not quite found it yet.  Any help?
Perhaps though... we are looking at this the wrong way... Read the later section titled "A Priest and a Deacon" and then give me your thoughts on the matter.

Anointing of the Sick
"So at last Faramir and Eowyn and Meriadoc were laid in beds in the Houses of Healing; and there they were tended well.
'The hands of the king are the hands of a healer.'" - The Return of the King

The Houses of Healing were a place in the city of Minas Tirith where those who were ill or dying were brought to be healed.  Many could be cured by ordinary means, but some required the special touch of the King.  It reminds me of how we often fall ill, but sometimes we need this sacrament, the healing of the King, to help us through our illness.  The beauty of it is that the Anointing of the Sick (formerly called 'The Last Rites') provides spiritual healing as well - just as Faramir and Eowyn were also healed of spiritual ailments in the Houses. 

A Priest and A Deacon
I cannot take credit for discovering either of the following analogies, having been informed myself by my friend Flora Gamgee and the other friend I mentioned who does not have a name.  Hmmm... I need to tell her to fix that.
While at the sleepover with my nameless friend, she mentioned that in ways Frodo was like a priest and Sam like a deacon.  Frodo had his specific task he was given, just as the priest has his.  Sam, as with the deacon, could not do Frodo's task for him - but he could help him to accomplish it.  Also, in case you never noticed, Frodo does not get married, just as a priest cannot, while Sam does.  (It is permissible for a deacon to be married, though technically they have to get married before they become a deacon.  Which is why these are analogies, not allegories.)

Finally, something that Flora pointed out to me that I found quite fascinating.  Before Frodo and Sam start their journey up Mount Doom (which has been likened to Christ's journey up Calvary) they eat the last bit of their food, they have their Last Supper.  As Frodo journey's up the mountain, bowed down with the weight of his burden, he stumbles and falls until at last he can go no further.  Then Sam helps by picking up Frodo and carrying him until he has the strength to go on.  (Simon of Cyrene, anyone?)

At that point the similarities stop, as Frodo gives in to the Ring's power.  But that is only natural.  Frodo was human - er, hobbit - and was able to give into temptation.  As I said before, that's why these are analogies and not allegories.  While some might discredit the imperfect fit of what I have just outlined, to me the fact that these incidents are not perfect fits, are not allegorical makes them that much more beautiful and fascinating.

So one these two special days - one Catholic, the other fictional - I hope I have given you something to ponder and marvel at the beauty of God's creation.  Thank you for bearing with me in my very long post.  =)

Nai haryuvalyë melwa rë!

(May you have a lovely day)

~ Silmarien

In Memoriam

Marc Girard - Died July 1st, 2008

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.

In Memoriam

Thom Girard - Died June 30th, 2008

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.

One Voice that Changed the Lives of Millions

About a week ago, my family and i watched the film "Amazing Grace", and tonight i watched it again. I'd heard about it from friends of mine, and after hearing about it enough times i actually went and got it from the library, where it so conveniently happened to be sitting on the shelf during one trip where i was told to "go find a movie for us to watch tonight". I can't believe i hadn't taken the initiative to get it before.

"Amazing Grace" was truly, amazing. There was a preview for the movie before the movie (where all the rest of the previews are) and while waiting for my mom to come we watched the preview and i fell in love with "Amazing Grace" right then and there. I loved it even more after i actually watched the film.

"Amazing Grace" is the story of William Wilberforce, a Member of Parliament for 45 years and a tireless advocate of abolition, better education, the poor and countless other social reforms. The movie mentions 'Wilber's' other causes, but focuses on his goal of the abolition of the slave trade in the British Empire. In fact, the release was planned to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the passing of the Parliamentary Bill banning the slave trade.

My mother was wondering why, given the amazing accomplishments that Wilberforce achieved, we had never heard a bit about him before, but a biography on Wilberforce that i just finished reading gives a good analogy. It's a bit like when there is a dreadful disease, the book said. It consumes the populace, destroying the nation, but then a wonderful cure is invented that so totally wipes out the disease that people no longer remember there was a disease, or even a cure for it.

I was and am very inspired by the story of William Wilberforce. He worked tirelessly and doggedly for the end of slavery, even to the point of ruining his health. never giving up, supported by a slow growing group of like-minded people and in the end was able to rid the Empire of slavery.

Of course, after watching "Amazing Grace", i naturally thought of the parallels between slavery and abortion. Abortion is a more silent issue than slavery in the US was, but in England during Wilberforce's time slavery was a 'silent issue' as well. Slaves had previously been emancipated in England, so most people had no idea what slavery was really like. Slaves were in the West Indies, far across the Atlantic Ocean and far removed from public knowledge. The average Englishman had no concept of the cruilties and the horrors of slavery. They were told that the Africans were far better off as slaves, much like we are told that women are far better off without "unplanned pregnancies".

It gives me hope; if one man in Parliment could bring a "silent issue" to the attention of the government and the public, eventually winning over opposition and ridding the empire of a 'peculiar insitution'... could we be rid of abortion by having at least one or two politicians dedicated to the pro-life cause in our government?

With amazing grace, i think we could.

A Prayer for Our Troops

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom, we think of how they have followed in the footsteps of your son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Please hold our service men and women in your strong arms. Cover them with your sheltering grace and presence as they stand in the gap for our protection.

We also remember the families of our troops, and ask for your unique blessings to fill their homes and your peace, provision and strength to fill their lives.

May the members of our armed forces be filled with courage to face each day and may they trust in the Lord's mighty power to accomplish each task. Let our military brothers and sisters feel our love and support.

In the name of Jesus. Amen.

A History of Memorial Day

H/T: usmemorialday.org

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day. There is also evidence that organized women's groups in the South were decorating graves before the end of the Civil War: a hymn published in 1867, "Kneel Where Our Loves are Sleeping" by Nella L. Sweet carried the dedication "To The Ladies of the South who are Decorating the Graves of the Confederate Dead" (Source: Duke University's Historic American Sheet Music, 1850-1920). While Waterloo N.Y. was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966, it's difficult to prove conclusively the origins of the day. It is more likely that it had many separate beginnings; each of those towns and every planned or spontaneous gathering of people to honor the war dead in the 1860's tapped into the general human need to honor our dead, each contributed honorably to the growing movement that culminated in Gen Logan giving his official proclamation in 1868. It is not important who was the very first, what is important is that Memorial Day was established. Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all.

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war). It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971 (P.L. 90 - 363) to ensure a three day weekend for Federal holidays), though several southern states have an additional separate day for honoring the Confederate war dead: January 19 in Texas, April 26 in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi; May 10 in South Carolina; and June 3 (Jefferson Davis' birthday) in Louisiana and Tennessee.

In 1915, inspired by the poem "In Flanders Fields," Moina Michael replied with her own poem:

We cherish too, the Poppy red That grows on fields where valor led, It seems to signal to the skies That blood of heroes never dies.

She then conceived of an idea to wear red poppies on Memorial day in honor of those who died serving the nation during war. She was the first to wear one, and sold poppies to her friends and co-workers with the money going to benefit servicemen in need. Later a Madam Guerin from France was visiting the United States and learned of this new custom started by Ms.Michael and when she returned to France, made artificial red poppies to raise money for war orphaned children and widowed women. This tradition spread to other countries. In 1921, the Franco-American Children's League sold poppies nationally to benefit war orphans of France and Belgium. The League disbanded a year later and Madam Guerin approached the VFW for help. Shortly before Memorial Day in 1922 the VFW became the first veterans' organization to nationally sell poppies. Two years later their "Buddy" Poppy program was selling artificial poppies made by disabled veterans. In 1948 the US Post Office honored Ms Michael for her role in founding the National Poppy movement by issuing a red 3 cent postage stamp with her likeness on it.

Traditional observance of Memorial day has diminished over the years. Many Americans nowadays have forgotten the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day. At many cemeteries, the graves of the fallen are increasingly ignored, neglected. Most people no longer remember the proper flag etiquette for the day. While there are towns and cities that still hold Memorial Day parades, many have not held a parade in decades. Some people think the day is for honoring any and all dead, and not just those fallen in service to our country.

There are a few notable exceptions. Since the late 50's on the Thursday before Memorial Day, the 1,200 soldiers of the 3d U.S. Infantry place small American flags at each of the more than 260,000 gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery. They then patrol 24 hours a day during the weekend to ensure that each flag remains standing. In 1951, the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts of St. Louis began placing flags on the 150,000 graves at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery as an annual Good Turn, a practice that continues to this day. More recently, beginning in 1998, on the Saturday before the observed day for Memorial Day, the Boys Scouts and Girl Scouts place a candle at each of approximately 15,300 grave sites of soldiers buried at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park on Marye's Heights (the Luminaria Program). And in 2004, Washington D.C. held its first Memorial Day parade in over 60 years.

To help re-educate and remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day, the "National Moment of Remembrance" resolution was passed on Dec 2000 which asks that at 3 p.m. local time, for all Americans "To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to 'Taps."

The Moment of Remembrance is a step in the right direction to returning the meaning back to the day. What is needed is a full return to the original day of observance. Set aside one day out of the year for the nation to get together to remember, reflect and honor those who have given their all in service to their country.

But what may be needed to return the solemn, and even sacred, spirit back to Memorial Day is for a return to its traditional day of observance. Many feel that when Congress made the day into a three-day weekend in with the National Holiday Act of 1971, it made it all the easier for people to be distracted from the spirit and meaning of the day. As the VFW stated in its 2002 Memorial Day address: "Changing the date merely to create three-day weekends has undermined the very meaning of the day. No doubt, this has contributed greatly to the general public's nonchalant observance of Memorial Day."

Happy Memorial Day!

Girard Family on Extreme Home Makeover!

Some of you may remember Thom and Marc Girard, who died tragically last summer. As you may recall, before Thom and Marc died, the family had lost their house in a fire and had been living in a trailer. Well, in December 2008, the Girard's got a new home, thanks to Extreme Home Makeover! The show airs tomorrow night at 8pm Eastern Time on ABC.
You can go here to watch the preview, and be sure to have your tv's on tomorrow night!
If you do happen to miss it, I am pretty sure you can watch past episodes on the sight, so you'll be able to catch it later.
*claps* This is so cool!

The Angel of Marye's Heights

When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him... Then the king will say to those on the right... 'I was thirsty and you gave me to drink...'
Then the righteous will answer him and say, 'Lord, when did we see you ...thirsty and give you drink?'...
And the kind will say to them in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.'

~ Matthew 25:31-32, 35, 37, 40

Sergeant Richard Rowland Kirkland was enlisted in the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. He fought with his fellow soldiers on December 13th in one of the bloodiest battles of the entire war, repelling the Federal Army of the Potomac. In the closing of the battle, and all through the night, Sergeant Kirkland listened to the cries of agony and pleas for mercy from the Federal soldiers lying wounded on the battlefield.
The cries continued on into the next day, many begging for water.
At last Kirkland could stand it no longer. He approached his commander, General Kershaw, and asked for permission to bring water to the suffering men. Kershaw replied, asking Kirkland, "Don't you know that you would get a bullet through your head the moment you stepped over the wall? ..."

Kirkland responded with these words, "Yes, I know that I may, but if you will let me, I am willing to try it." The General could not refuse this gallant and earnest request and allowed Kirkland to go out on his mission of mercy. He was greeted as expected with bullets from the Federals on the other side of the field, but once he began administering aid to the wounded men, they ceased fire. Both sides watched and cheered, and after Kirkland had done all that he could do, he returned to the Confederate lines.
Sergeant Kirkland went on to distinguish himself at Gettysburg and later fell on the field at Chickamauga. He truly followed out the orders of Our Lord, Kirkland's chief commander,

'But to you who hear I say... love your enemies and do good to them.
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.'

~ Luke 6: 27, 35, 36

In God We Trust

Who else can we turn to in times of tragedy?

Some of you may know of "The Illustrious Marceg", friend of "Master Paul Xavier", from reading the blog Catholic Discussions that Marc co-wrote on; or from the Fairy Tale Novels Forum. I just received the news today - due to a weeks absence from home - that Marc and his father died this past week; Thom (the father) on June 30th and Marc on July 1st. Marc, his father and two siblings were out swimming on a lake, towards an island. Thom was carrying the youngest daughter, while Marc and his brother were swimming on ahead. They heard their sister calling for help and turned to see her in the lake, alone. Marc told his younger brother to get to the island and went back for his sister. He was able to push her to safety and then went back for his dad. He was brought to the hospital barely alive and died the next morning.
Please keep their family in your prayers and pass along this petition. The family has had problems - such as un-employment and the house burning down - previous to this, so pray that they will be helped in their time of trial.

I find it.. interesting, shall I say?... Coincidental, that during this past week at camp, one of the homilies and the meditation was on how you can never know the time of your death. Who knows when you or your loved ones will die? All we can do, is to try and be ready for it when it comes. I was glad to hear from Paul that Marc had been able to go to confession shortly before his death, and that he was able to receive a blessing and the Anointing of the Sick. I am comforted by the thought that they must be both in heaven, or else close to it. Very close.

Here is a beautiful comment that a friend of Marc left on the Fransican Friar's blog:
As I write this tears of joy, and of sorrow are welling up in my eyes, so if I have any misspelling please forgive me. Thom was a true knight as Father has stated. He had all the makings of a true knight for Our Lady. He showed wisdom, knowledge, counsel, understanding, fortitude, piety, and fear of the Lord. As you might have guessed these are also the gifts of the Holy Spirit who flowed out of Thom at various stages throughout the encampment process (preparing, and enacting). He also had justice, he never gave up on that "lost sheep". When problem arose between boys he was always fair, and prudent in his judgments, usually the rights always overcame the wrongs, I think Thom always worked it out that way. He was an example of the way a knight, a Father, and a Grand Pubah, should be. I always looked to him for inspiration, and guidance. I will continue to do so. Thom will always stand out in my mind as someone who laughed and laughed, and laughed. His house burns down, he laughs, the mortgage company pulls a fast one on him, he laughs, he cooks a turkey in a garbage can for thanksgiving dinner, and it is ready 3 days later, he laughs. Nothing could defeat this man, nothing. Now I'm not saying he isn't human and didn't have his moments, but every time you saw Thom is was a guarantee that he was with one of his kids, and he was laughing.

Marc knew this. That is why he never would let his father go alone, no not Marc. Marc wouldn't let go of anything without a fight. He, he, and what can I say about Marc that has not already been said, thought or remembered. He was, is, and will always be a hero and a Saint in my mind. To go through the "system" with both hands up fighting away the devil at every turn, every corner, for Our Lady and Our Lord. I mean come on, his house burns down, he lives in a camper, takes his younger sibling to the bathroom in 2 feet of snow, up stairs onto a floor that is all wet ant rotting, brings them back, without any complaint, but just the opposite, he thinks it is great because of how many souls he is saving. What 18 year old has the mindset, the resolve, the fortitude of that young man, and wouldn't be considered a Saint. Please send us miracles Marc, I want to be at St. Peter's Square when your banner is unveiled, so we can all recite the Knight's Salter in your honor. He is truly a hero, and Thom and Carol should be held up as models of what parents should emulate, strive for, revere and achive. You will be missed Friar Tobey, you will be missed. Like Thom, Marc laughed in his own way, a sarcastic comment here, and a sigh behind a smile there, the non-guilty look he gave when you know for sure he did something that he should look guilty for. The way he always played with kids of all ages from my 1 year old, to a sarcastically mean 30 year old, he ways always willing to play.

I pray that my sons will one day be able to be as heroic as Marc was throughout his life, and in his death.

I will miss Thom smiling behind that big bushy beard of his, those kind eyes looking deep into your heart, and seeing you for you. I will miss Marc, or Friar Tobey as I loving called him, going 40 mph on the ranger through the woods. I will miss both of them just being…them. I am consoled though knowing that they are looking down from heaven saying to us, "Come on guys, we got it good, we made it, be strong." Thom, Marc your legacy will live on forever, you are true Knights.

Once again, please keep their family and friends in your prayers and petitions and pass this along. Marc and Thom were truly Knights in every meaning of the word.

To read more about Marc and his Dad, you can visit Regina Doman's Blog, as well as the Fransican Friars of the Immaculate .

To help out the Girard Family, you can donate money through Regina Doman's PayPal account. It can be found on her blog.

Eternal Rest grant unto them, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.