A cause for celebration . . .

I'm celebrating! This is where you ask me what I'm celebrating . . .

I'm celebrating that split-second of time after receiving Absolution when I was actually in a State of Grace. That infinitesimally small period of time when I was actually reconciled to God. Isn't Confession a marvellous Sacrament?

Of course, I'm sure we've all felt that feeling of the weight of sin being lifted from our shoulders and the sensation of 'floating on air' for a while. Sadly, it's all too short a period of time for me. But just for an instant, it's the most marvellous feeling in the world.

I don't know about you but sometimes this is more palpable than others and as today was one of those time, I felt moved to celebrate.

That's all I wanted to say. Back to normal now.

Update:

As Berenike has correctly pointed out, I am guilty of quite a large chunk of poetic licence here.

Obviously I should not have used the term being in a state of grace when really what I meant was being without sin of any kind. Reading my post again, it does make it sound as if I routinely leave the Confessional and almost immediately fall into mortal sin! I was trying to express in my inadequate way the feeling which comes with absolution; that feeling of having wiped the slate clean, of being completely without sin of any kind, even the smallest venial sin. A fantastic feeling, even if poorly expressed.

Happy St Patrick's Day!

I always feel a bit of a fraud on St Patrick's Day. I haven't a drop of Irish blood in me, as far as I'm aware but being a Catholic, in this country at least, seems to mean celebrating St Patrick's Day.

I'm very happy to join in the celebrations and am always made to feel very welcome as 'Irish for the day'. So I'll raise a glass to all my Irish friends and wish you all a very Happy St Patrick's Day.

I hope you enjoy this haunting rendition of St Patrick's Breastplate. It was either this or Glorious St Patrick. I couldn' t make up my mind so I hope I've made the right choice!

A Conundrum ...

Here's a conundrum for you ...

Having slipped up on Valentine's Day (don't ask!), the paterfamilias is obviously trying to make amends (!) and has booked a table for lunch on Mother's Day at a very smart local restaurant ( Okay, I admit it, I have been dropping a few hints lately but it's the only way!)

Now the problem is that number one son has booked a short break holiday that weekend as he has leave to use up before the end of the year. Number two son is in Manchester and is really busy at the moment trying to get some serious work done as hopefully this will be his final year of his thesis. I know he's busy enjoying himself too but I don't begrudge him that. Anyway, it means that neither of the offspring will actually be here to celebrate Mother's Day on the day itself and be able to join us for lunch. (By the way the numbers merely denote which is the older of the two boys!).

I would love to have lunch at this restaurant and also quite like the idea of having lunch with just the two of us, for a change, but do I want to do that surrounded by women celebrating in the bosom of their families?