I keep up occasional correspondence with the prioress of a cloistered Carmelite monastery, and she pointed out to me that our daughter’s baptism (Jan. 2nd) coincided with the birthday of St. Therese of Lisieux. I didn’t know this. Now this is exceedingly cool because I have a devotion to St. Therese, and last year I [...]

Continue Reading Birthday of St. Therese of Lisieux

Down in a green and shady bed A modest violet grew; Its stalk was bent, it hung its head, As if to hide from view. And yet it was a lovely flower, Its colors bright and fair! It might have graced a rosy bower, Instead of hiding there. Yet there it was content to bloom, [...]

Continue Reading Jane Taylor – THE VIOLET POEM

I once had a sweet little doll, dears, The prettiest doll in the world; Her cheeks were so red and white, dears, And her hair was so charmingly curled. But I lost my poor little doll, dears, As I played in the heath one day; And I cried for her more than a week, dears, [...]

Continue Reading CHARLES KINGSLEY – THE LOST DOLL POEM

There stands by the wood-path shaded A meek little beggar maid; Close under her mantle faded She is hidden like one afraid. Yet if you but lifted lightly That mantle of russet brown, She would spring up slender and sightly, In a smoke-blue silken gown. For she is a princess, fated, Disguised in the wood [...]

Continue Reading Helen Gray Cone – A FAIRY TALE POEM

“And where have you been, my Mary, And where have you been from me?” “I’ve been to the top of the Caldon Low, The midsummer night to see!” “And what did you see, my Mary, All up on the Caldon Low?” “I saw the glad sunshine come down, And I saw the merry winds blow.” [...]

Continue Reading MARY HOWITT – THE FAIRIES OF THE CALDON LOW POEM

The goldenrod is yellow, The corn is turning brown, The trees in apple orchards With fruit are bending down; The gentian’s bluest fringes Are curling in the sun; In dusty pods the milkweed Its hidden silk has spun; The sedges flaunt their harvest In every meadow nook, And asters by the brookside Make asters in [...]

Continue Reading HELEN HUNT JACKSON – SEPTEMBER POEM

Shed no tear! oh, shed no tear! The flower will bloom another year. Weep no more! oh, weep no more! Young buds sleep in the root’s white core. Dry your eyes! oh, dry your eyes! For I was taught in Paradise To ease my breast of melodies,– Shed no tear. Overhead! look overhead! ‘Mong the [...]

Continue Reading John Keats – FAIRY SONG POEM

“Almighty God, who hast given us this good land for our heritage; We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of thy favour and glad to do thy will. Bless our land with honourable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and [...]

Continue Reading Prayer For Our Country