Ave Maria

I know I've posted this poem before... but it's just that good!

 

Ave Maria - John Jerome Rooney

Lady thy soldier I would be
This day I choose thy shield
And go thrice-armored for the fight
Forth to the world's wide field.


There I shall meet the dark allies,
the flesh, the fiend, the world,
and fiercely shall their darts of fire
upon my heart be hurled.

But I will raise my buckler strong
Betwixt me and the foe,
and with the Spirit's flaming sword,
shall give them blow for blow.

Lady, thy sailor I would be,
This day I sign my name
to sail the high seas of the earth
for glory of thy fame.

The tempest may besiege my bark
the pirate life in wait:
The perils of the monstrous deep
may tempt oerwhelming fate.

Yet wheresoe-er my ship may steer
Upon the waters wide
Thy name shall be my compass sure,
Thy star my midnight guide.

Thy poet lady I would be,
to sing thy peerless praise;
Thy loyal bard, I'd bring to thee,
Heart-music from all lays.

Soft melody outpoured in June
by God's dear feathered throng,
Would mingle with the organ's roll
to glorify my song

And Dante's voice and Petrarch's strain
And Milton's matchless line
Would lend to my poor minstrel note
A harmony divine

Lady, I choose to be thy son;
for Mother thee I choose,
O, for thy sweet and holy Child
do not my claim refuse.

Alone and motherless am I
Tho' strong, I long for rest
The thunder of the world's applause
is not a Mother's breast.

Ave maria! Shield us all.
Thy sons we choose to be.
Mother of grace, we raise our hearts,
Our hearts, our love to thee.

Beer Blessing

Just heard this for the first time last night...

V: Our help is in the name of the Lord!
R: Who made heaven and earth!
V: The Lord be with you!
R: And with your spirit!

Let us pray,

Bless O Lord, this creature beer, which thou hast deigned to produce from the fat of grain: that it may be a salutary remedy to the human race, and grant through the invocation of thy holy name; that, whoever shall drink it, may gain health in body and peace in soul.
Through Christ our Lord.

R: Amen

Art of Culture

School of Athens

The Thinker

Ave Maria - John Jerome Rooney

Excerpt...
Thy poet, Lady, I would be
To sing thy peerless praise;
Thy loyal bard, I'd bring to thee
Heart-music from all lays.

Soft melody, outpoured in June
By God's dear feathered throng,
Would mingle with the organ's roll
To glorify my song;

And Dante's voice and Petrarch's strain
And Milton's matchless line
Would lend to my poor minstrel note
A harmony divine.

Cultural Antipasto

Here I will post little tidbits, preparatory dishes aimed at creating a sense of culture, and recognizing the importance of things based in the transcendentals. For example, poems, pieces of art, photographs, musical compositions, stories of cultures, and experiences are all possible topics that I will post here. Hopefully it ignites in you with a desire for those things that are good, beautiful, and true.