Gila at Arundel hotel

Gila at Arundel hotel
Visit with Mercedes

Saturday, 3 November 2012

Fasts and Feasts

My dear Friends

I love being part of the Church liturgical calendar, with, from time to time, also being in tune with the Jewish liturgical calendar, from where, of course, I originate.

From September to November, we seem to have happily swung from fasts to Feasts, what with the Jewish New Year then the Day of Atonement, then the Feast of Tabernacles. We have celebrated several Saints days in the Church recently, including St Francis of Assisi, and last Thursday was the big one-the Feast of All Saints. Among my favourites, for different reasons, are-Thomas More, the first Saint I ever encountered at fourteen (when my Protestant school performed A Man for All Seasons), who slightly unfortunately is the Patron saint of politicians!

Then, you may not know about St Botolphe, who is the patron Saint of travellers. You may think this is St Francis and I am not sure when the change occurred! Then amongst the women St Cecilia, patron Saint of music and of course St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, known as Edith Stein, who came from a Jewish family in Breslau and perished in Auschwitz, and was brought into official sainthood by John Paul II.

All these give us an example of holiness by their lives; there are many unknown and hidden people who could be called saints by their selflessness and devotion. For many, they live lives in obscurity but of course God knows all of their goodness.

Hannah Senesh, who lived in Palestine on a kibbutz, but who went back to Hungary and flew a plane behind enemy lines and perished at the hands of the Nazis, said in one of her letters:

'The souls of those who have gone before us light up the way for the rest of mankind.'

In November the Church remembers especially those who have gone before us, and with whom we are in communion for the rest of our live too.

In the next Blog I will tell you my unusual experiences on All Saints Day in Rome 1998, when I was about to embark on my new life.

Shalom from Gila

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