(11/4)...streaming

Happy Feast of St. Charles Borromeo, patron of seminarians (those dear boys men) and stomach disorders. Remember that the next time the stomach bug goes through your house. Somebody needs to make up a rhyme, like the one to St. Anthony patron of lost things, but for vomit and fevers. Any submissions?

We are having a quiet evening at my house. As a reward for preparing a big and tasty dinner last night, my husband suggested we order pizza tonight. My guess is he didn't want to do any dishes. Maybe it was in honor of St. Charles, as he was an Italian. I baked an Apple Butter cake with Ginger Browned Butter Icing, and we ate it with Butter Pecan Cashew ice cream. Yum.

Mass was a bit of a train wreck today. I don't think I've ever had such a bad experience at Mass. We sat in front of a family, a few of which were Catholic and more than a few not, with a three- or four-year-old boy who talked through the entire Mass. I'm not kidding. A few times it was a loud whisper but most of the time it was borderline outdoor voice. At one point, during Father's homily (a Father we didn't know and who did not identify himself -- don't you just hate that?) the little monster (he really was) stood on the pew and said "I'm on fire, I'm on fire!" I thought he was going to crash and burn on my head.

Around the same moment, the little girl in front of us pulled some lotion or hand gel out of her little purse (B&B Raspberry, if I'm not mistaken which is, in my opinion, one of the top five worst smells ever) and used it, several times, sending all of us into coughing and sneezing fits. It was a multi-sensory experience.

At the Consecration the little man in back of us received a loudly-whispered retelling of the Last Supper by grandpa. "On the night before the man on the cross died, he had supper with his friends and they ate bread and had wine." By then I was pinching together the bridge of my nose to stay sane. I could hear almost nothing besides the kid and the bells. I know this retelling sounds uncharitable, but it was all way, way beyond normal distractions at Mass.

Finally it was Communion, but the visiting priest didn't get the run-through of the Communion traffic and didn't see the elderly and handicapped in the front three pews. Finally he got it, and as he finished giving the last person Communion, he stepped back and right into the front of the Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion holding the chalice of the Precious Blood. The extraordinary minister's hands went up and the Precious Blood spilled, probably all over his suit coat, the back of the priest's chasuble, and all over the floor. Audible gasps. For a moment time stopped, and then they all acted as if nothing happened and took their places. No purificator on the floor. I felt so sick, I was afraid I'd lose my breakfast. My Lord, was there on the floor. In hindsight, I should have stood in front of the spot so no one walked there, but I didn't think of it until later. I think Father should have stopped what he was doing until the someone, the EMHC, got another purificator and put it on the floor. For this reason, I think the Precious Blood should not be distributed to the masses. The masses should be educated that the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Our Lord Jesus is contained completely within the Host. After Communion, a purificator was placed on the floor, but, of course, that was after ten pews of people behind us walked through it.

Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.

Fortunately the remainder of the day was rather quiet. I have sewn several scapulars, and generally rested. It feels like the calm before the storm, and I know that the storm ahead will challenge each and every one of us.

Tomorrow our parish is having Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament all day for a good outcome of the election. We prayed for the election of government officials who will protect the sanctity of human life at all stages, as well as religious freedom. We also had two great letters published in our bulletin. One you can find here (by a local Catholic physician) and the other here (by the bishop of Green Bay)

Tomorrow I will fast and attend Adoration. Faith and I will learn about the Electoral College. Leila did a great resource post for learning. 

On Tuesday, I will vote. I am one of the few who wait for Election Day to vote. I don't think I will manage to do anything besides vote. I will allow myself to be distracted by prayer. I plan to take a Miraculous Medal to the polling place and leave it somewhere. I may or may not also sprinkle a little Holy water along the way. I know I'm odd, but I believe every little bit helps.

God help us.