Pentecost Sunday

"Suddenly there came a sound from Heaven, as of a mighty wind coming from where they were sitting, alleluia:  and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, speaking the wonderful works of God, alleluia."

--from the Mass of Pentecost Sunday, Acts 2. 2, 4
*Click on the picture to view a larger version.

To A Butterfly

I've watched you now a full half-hour,
Self-poised upon that yellow flower;
And, little Butterfly, indeed!
I know not if you sleep or feed.
How motionless!--not frozen seas
More motionless! and then
What joy awaits you, when the breeze
Hath found you out among the trees,
And calls you forth again!

This plot of orchard-ground is ours;
My trees they are, my Sister's flowers;
Here rest your wings when they are weary.
Here lodge as in a sanctuary!
Come often to us, fear no wrong;
Sit near us on the bough!
We'll talk of sunshine and of song,
And summer days when we were young;
Sweet childish days that were as long
As twenty days are now.

--William Wordsworth

Some rain

"Thy fate is the common fate of all,
Into each life some rain must fall."
--Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Be not afraid

"My child, we must not be afraid of doing good, even if it costs us something."

--Saint Jean Vianney

Into joy

"It is possible that God wants of you some extraordinary self-dedication;  it is far more probable that He wants you only to turn the ordinary everyday troubles and crosses of life into joy."

--Reverend Gerald Vann, O.P. in Heart of Compassion

The Heart of God

"In the Heart of God there is but love."

--Saint Jean Vianney

Captivated

 "Yes, when a soul has allowed herself to be captivated by the inebriating fragrance of Thy perfumes, she could not run alone: all the souls whom she loves are drawn after her; this is a natural consequence of her attractions towards Thee."

--Saint Therese of Lisieux