My dearest auntie

Today it is her birthday, the auntie we called "tchitchia" and who was truly a second mother to me. My good nephew brought her flowers and just sent this picture.

It takes one by surprise, to see a photo almost instantly of someone we love so profoundly. The eyes tear up as the heart becomes so small and sorrowful, drowning in saudades....

I have endless memories of the times we both spent together. As the seventh child in a family of ten children, my childhood years found my aunt living across the street and coming over often to give Mom a hand with just about everything: I remember her bathing young ones, cooking, cleaning, helping with homework in many levels, teaching lessons and the best of all... telling stories! She would tell us stories of books or films she had enjoyed, and her story-telling skills were so enthralling! In the summer months, in Grandmother's mountain property, the chapters would end in a cliffhanger every night and we literary couldn't wait to sit in the varanda envidraçada (enclosed veranda) after dinner for her story-telling each evening!

So my young life was lived so much alongside my dearest auntie... I remember watching her, fascinated by her dexterity, as she would paint porcelain and set up her Nativity set that has been our own here at home for many years... (...and yet never, not even close, beautifully set up as she had it....)  I remember her frosting the cakes when Mother threw fancier parties with her own recipe for chocolate frosting.... her spatula would glide on the cake as she immersed it in cold water every other time, smoothing it perfectly  I remember her helping me memorize poetry for school for hours on end! I have kids who can memorize poems and facts almost instantly, but that all comes from Husband. I was never good at it and I so appreciated her help! One Mother's Day I was selected to write and give the speech at school and again there she was by my side helping me write it.

But I had her for more time than the simple time she came to spend at our home helping out. I had a special affinity to her and absolutely loved her company. I had her so very much in my heart in a special way! I remember waiting in the front steps for her arrival after mass each Sunday--that's how much I enjoyed her company. I knew then that we had a spiritual and personality bond of sorts. We were similar in many ways! I saw Mother and she as Mary and Laura Ingalls, and the same with my sister Margo and I--the older ones of the pairs were pretty and proper... while we both, the younger ones, were the creative parts of the pairs. I showered her with questions, and loved to listen to her speak about just about anything. Most especially the faith. She told me so much about her pilgrimage to Europe when grandmother took her to Lourdes to bathe in the miraculous water--and her version coming from within, and I've always loved hearing it. We leafed through art books and saints books together, and she taught me so so very much about the life of faith and virtue!

I thank God for her presence in my life, for being a wonderful second mother to me, and I pray for her today. May God give her peace and comfort in her golden years.

My Auntie

She has always loved to go outside and be in the sunshine... and my brother Pedro who lives closest to her sent this photo the other day to us, her nephews and nieces.

It is hard for me to receive such a photo without tearing up. The heart gets tight and small, and a lump comes in the throat. I so miss my dearest, dearest auntie! She is such a part of my childhood and youth, and I think of her there in her golden days, the best patient her caretakers could ask for! 

It is because of her that I have volunteered recently to join the lay people of my parish to take communion to the home-bound elderly. For how many years my auntie has enjoyed this privilege, all from the hands of kind parish volunteer ministers. When I do this for others it is a way I find to say Thank You to those wonderful people.

Joyful news

As if the news of the canonization cause for a Brazilian Carmelite weren't enough news to bring Joy and Hope, this one has a very special reason to being me personal joy. 

In college, at the small Teresa of Avila College in Lorena, SP, I had a special, wonderful friend, with whom I shared a small house for most of those years. Her name was Maria Auxiliadora (Mary Help of Christians, a very popular name for girls in Brazil). What my dearest friend "Dodora", as we all called her, and I had in common above all else was the family life we had left behind for college. Our parents met but once or twice, but we felt at home in either one of our families' homes. Her parents were people of strong faith and exemplary home life. Her parents' home was closer to our college campus than mine, and especially when my parents retired and moved away to our summer property five hours away, I saw myself visiting her family home often. I felt at home at their dinner table, attending mass with them, playing games or listening to her and her sisters play the piano in their lovely music room. I think in my foolish young age I hardly deserved their hospitable welcoming, and yet today I am so grateful for that family oasis when I so needed one.

One thing Dodora's family had that I always envied was the fact that she had many relatives who were religious. Indeed, her uncle-Bishop prayed her own Nuptial Mass, and as she entered the cathedral, in her simple wedding dress, holding her dad's hands as the noon bells tolled, the two of them praying the Angelus together as they had often done,  I was certain that I would probably never attend a wedding like that again.

Dodora and her siblings also had a religious auntie, the foundress of a new Carmel in a nearby diocese. Alas, I never met her but how I wish today that I could have. Because today... her oldest sister Maria Luiza, also a dear friend, named after the very auntie, posted the joyful news on Facebook. This is written by her Carmelite community:


"Our mother lived steeped in the mystery of God.
We lived with a Saint who lived the life we live. But she lived it with a love so great, so intense, that spared no effort, sacrifices to be faithful to the end. Due to the growth of her reputation for holiness and graces obtained, Bishop Don Diamantino made ​​the request in Rome for the opening of her beatification process . The request was accepted. The opening process took place on March 4, 2012, at Nossa Senhora d’Ajuda Mother-Church,  in the city of Três Pontas.
We pray that her virtues are officially recognized by the Church, and that our dear mother is declared the first Carmelite Brazilian saint."

"Nossa Mãe vivia mergulhada no mistério de Deus.
Convivemos com uma Santa que viveu a vida que nós vivemos. Mas a viveu com um amor tão grande, tão intenso, que não media esforços, sacrifícios para ser fiel até o fim. Devido ao crescimento de sua fama de santidade e de graças alcançadas, o Bispo Dom Diamantino, fez o pedido em Roma para abertura do Processo de Beatificação. O pedido foi aceito. A abertura do Processo deu-se no dia 4 de março de 2012, na Matriz Nossa Senhora d’Ajuda, na cidade de Três Pontas.Rezemos para que suas virtudes sejam reconhecidas oficialmente pela Igreja e Nossa Mãe seja declarada a primeira santa Carmelita brasileira."

Below are more news about her life (in the old photo, my friend's  mom is one of the little sisters, and her saintly sister is the one on the right):

Mother Teresa Margaret of the Heart of Mary, whose birth name was Maria Luiza, was born on December 24, 1915 in the town of Borda da Mata in the state of Minas Gerais, in Brazil, the fifth daughter of Francisco Marques da Costa Júnior and D . Mariana Costa Resende. She was baptized in the church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on February 10, 1916.

Reading the works of St. Therese and Blessed Elisabeth of the Trinity, during a retreat, her vocation was born to the cloistered life.

She first entered the Carmel of Mogi das Cruzes / SP, to May 29, 1937.

As a novice she received the name of Teresa Margaret of the Heart of Mary. She made her solemn vows on February 2, 1942.

The Carmel of Mogi das Cruzes was too humid, which hurt the health of the sisters. The community moved then to a new building in Aparecida, SP, the Carmel of St. Therese.

After some time, many bishops asked the Carmel of Aparecida to start foundations for new Carmels in their dioceses. Among these was the insistent request of Msgr. John Rabelo de Mesquita, Vicar General of the Campanha Diocese. Sister Teresa Margaret was nominated and proposed for such a task.

The monastery became increasingly a focal point for the faithful of the region. Many sought the mother superior for advice, spiritual guidance and help. Soon people as a sign of reverence and affection began to call her Our Mother

After a period of illness, she fell asleep in the Lord on November 14, 2005.

The charisma that became known in the city, diocese, and very reliable to the people of God, was her ability to listen and advise.

Because of the fame of holiness and graces through her intercession, the Bishop of the Diocese Campanha, Don Dom Diamantino Prata de Carvalho according to the Community of Carmel St. Joseph in Rome introduced the request to open the Process of Beatification, whose Postulator is Dr. Paolo Vilotta.

Getting an affirmative answer from Rome, the Ecclesiastical Tribunal was constituted.

Enjoy!

My latest Faith & Family article talkes about my sweet and dear auntie who had so many good stories to tell!
Enjoy it here !

My grandmother’s school art book

Looking through and framing some of my Vovó Helena’s school girl days art studies. She was still 17 in 1923 in Olinda near Recife, Pernambuco, Bahia. All I know is that it was a school run by French nuns. The onions are by my auntie Lygia. 

 

In Brazil, continued

Life has been nonstop here this week, with visits, outings, and lots of sewing. I am delighted to be able to help them in such a useful way!
In the photo I am on the sofa with my sister Margarida Maria, who is closest in age to me, we always shared a room at home. We were numbers six and seven. My adopted brother Pedro and my dear auntie is next to him. My sisters Marta, the youngest, and Maria Madalena who is Number Four, are standing up.

My auntie's bells

Using my picture editor, I scanned and "cut' these... painted by my beloved titia in the 1950s... I am making cards and gifts tags with them!

 

Putting up the Nativity Set

Yesterday I put up the old Nativity Set from my beloved auntie. She would set it up so beautifully every year and I so wish I had a photo of it--it was a work of art, using real sand and little rocks etc. I asked her over the years for it and sometime after I was married she did give it to me. I have have been putting it up for 30 years! 

The stable is made from discarded pieces of an old wood roof they were replacing at our first rental in Manhattan, KS. I thought then it was quite temporary, but over the years it has seemed more and more perfect for the humble birth of the King of Kings. I wonder if one of my children will ever ask for it, and if it can withstand many more years--being made of crumbly pottery. For now, I spend love and time arranging it again and again, the heart full of gratitude for so much God has provided us through the years, for all of the Christmases, for so many loving memories.

Feast of The Exaltation of the Holy Cross

Father spoke at Mass of Saint Helena, founder of the True Cross, and my grandmother Helena comes to mind so vividly. Here she is with my little brother Eduardo on her lap, with my parents, all (then eight) of us, and my aunt, her only other daughter, our dearest auntie, who never married. Our own Number Five is named after her, the first daughter born to us after her passing in 1992. Eternal rest grant her, Lord.

In my Magnificat missal I could follow the beautiful prayers and Preface of today's mass.... and also enjoy one of the beautiful features that fill the publication's pages every month.

A Wonderful Christmas Morning!

We started with a Norwegian Breakfast courtesy of the Kleven family--we even made some more of the Lefse ourselves!

Number Two got the new Adele CD and a lego from Number One!

And my brother Pedro sent this photo with my dear Auntie!

We may not have little ones around, but both Star Wars and Legos made their appearances!

Ah ah ah!

Rey!

and "Wedge"!

The 10th anniversary edition of Ticket to Ride was a hit!

A beautiful lady

My sister Marta sent me this photo of my dearest auntie with a new haircut and her new scarf brought from Poland, and to me she is the most beautiful lady in this world!

Please pray for him with me

My friend Liz got me praying for Philip, and we have been praying for him daily. So has my dear auntie in Brazil. Here he is, speaking about his own journey to high school students.

Seminarian Philip Johnson from Deacon Watkins on Vimeo.

Post from Brazil

Dear ones,

My dad is resting and I am able to send a quick update. Surgery went well and I was able to see in the recovery room as I had the driver bring me directly from the airport to the hotel. It was a long trip: the weather seemed to plague every flight and I missed the International connection. On top of it all, my luggage was lost and has not yet been found. I will not tell you what I have been wearing as it may make you cry.

It is such a privilege to be here to help him with all of the little things and to help cheer him up. The hospital is beautiful: marble stairs, granite counters everywhere including in his spacious room. The service from nurses and doctors alike has all of the sweet Brazilian affection I grew up with... they are so sweet not only to him but to us family members as well. They bring teatime snacks (cafezinho and hot milk) and nighttime tea and biscoitinhos after dinner. It is a Catholic hospital, St. Therese, and it has a beautiful chapel.

When I am at home I spend time with my auntie. She has gotten back to doing a little bit of artwork, as she did decades ago. She is able to color and Geoff sent her some excellent quality Dover coloring books which she loved.

Please keep my dad and my family in your prayers!
With Brazilian love,

Ana

From Brazil

My dear sister Margo is visiting our dearest Papai and Auntie... with her handsome son Jose Marcos. They sent these excellent pictures and the heart is small with loving saudades...

My Trip I: first days

1. My sister-in-law Camila was my high school friend in senior year, and it was wonderful to spend time with her. (My brother, and astrophysicist, is in the background). We worked on a puzzle together and chatted for hours. 2. My dear auntie has rediscovered the pleasure of artistic work and has been happily coloring religious and Dover coloring books I took down for her.
3. My brother checking out my iPad at a local eatery with Wifi.
4. They spent a few days and left a void when they left. My niece Elisa has a superb lyrical singing voice and has recorded a new DVD, we are eagerly awaiting a copy! At 18, she already sings in weddings and other events. With them, in the picture, is my little sister Marta, doctor in History and Major Seminary professor.

Our house by Mayo Clinic - St. Mary’s hospital campus

With the help of Number One, we installed ourselves in a little old house near the hospital where Matthew is being treated and having surgery for his brain aneurysm. Number Five spends most of the time in the hospital while Number Four and I take care of the house, the kids etc. Auntie Tracy came to visit bringing wonderful treats. At church after mass Number Five offered special prayers for the surgery to Our Lady of Guadalupe.