Down the Nights and Down the Days: Advent for a Prisoner Priest
. . . Offering Mass in a prison cell is a little like offering Mass in a battlefield. We don't have the luxury of an altar, and must make do with what we've got - which isn't much. In the middle of the floor in this eight-by-twelve-foot cell are two concrete stumps that protrude about two feet out of the concrete floor. Just inches to one side of my stump is an iron bunk, and inches to the other side is a concrete counter protruding sixteen inches from the stone cell wall. At first, I offered Mass sitting on the concrete stump with my Mass kit spread at the edge of my bunk. One of my treasures is a Hammond World Atlas. Whenever TSW readers post comments that mention where they are, Pornchai and I like to find their town or city in the Atlas. So far, we have had readers from 31 countries. . . .
To Guard You in All Your Ways: The Archangels on These Stone Walls
. . . Re-reading these two angelic posts might be a good way to commemorate the Feast of the Archangels celebrated by the Church this week (September 29) as well as the Feast of the Guardian Angels (October 2nd) even though the Sunday liturgy takes precedence in the Church's liturgical calendar. I'm very glad to have written these two posts. They have deeply felt meaning for me and for many TSW readers. Please join us in honoring the Angelic Presence of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael at the two links below. "For to His angels he has given command about you that they guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the adder, the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot." (Psalm 91:11-13). . .