Flowers from Malta - part 6

One final post about Maltese flowers, although I may come back with a few more in the future. Granted that we are still in the spring, but I cannot believe how many varieties of flowers I discovered. Maybe because I am looking out for them to add to my collection, but there are quite a variety and unusual ones which may grow in the Mediterranean region and require dry conditions, because many of these grow without much care, and without much moisture too. But  enjoy these last few photos, and back to more different and interesting posts from tomorrow.

Feast of the Visitation

Today we finish the month of May with yet another Marian feast – the visitation of Mary to Elizabeth. Besides the birth of Jesus, this must have been one of the happiest days in Mary’s life. Reflect on this short poem as you enjoy also the two photos that shows the exuberance of the encounter, not the solemn moment that most painters portray.

Mary, you went hurriedly over hillsides,
Many of them, to be with aunt Elizabeth,
Whose womb also swelled with surprise
You, the woman of youth and vigor,
Weary from the long road’s rigors,
                                Wondering still about the mystery within.                               Elizabeth, wrinkled and wise,
Weary from the child kicking inside,
(already a hint of wildness in him.)

 'Visitation' by Sister Laura McGowan

The two of you, meeting at the door,
weeping and laughing at the same time,
Each one gasping at the other’s fertility
And leaping between and among you,
those two frisky fetuses, yet to be born,
                                       the prophet and One to be proclaimed                                              Did they feel the love of your hospitality?
                                     Did they swim and sway with your voice?                                           Did they listen with tiny, eager ears to all
that passed between the two of you
in the days and weeks that swiftly passed
                                       growing and feeding on your rich love?                                             I don’t know which I’d have wanted more, 
                                     to be in one of those glorious filled wombs,                                         or in the house of that woman-blessed place.

Flowers from Malta - part 5

A few more flowers to share with you today and on Wednesday, mainly because of the variety and abundance of flowers I am discovering all over my neighborhood. Among these flowers are jasmine which are native to tropical and subtropical regions of Eurasia, Australasia and Oceania, although only one of the 200 species is native to Europe, which is probably the one I am showing today. They are extremely fragrant, and are used as floral bouquets at weddings, just like the stephanotis, which I showed a few days ago.

Jasmine flowers, very fragrant

Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi procession in Malta

A celebration of the Eucharist is held all around the world today, as we give thanks for the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. The word Eucharist in fact means ‘giving thanks,’ and it was the last gift Jesus left for us, during the Last Supper when he gave us His Body and His Blood as a memorial, and which we commemorate at every Mass we celebrate. Processions are held in many parishes with the celebrant carrying the Blessed Sacrament in a Monstrance or in a ciborium, and many people place flowers on the street. Children who recently received their First Holy Communion also accompany in the procession, along with altar servers and priests. The above photo was taken in a procession at Rabat, Malta when I was visiting in 2008, and you can see the monstrance being carried by a bishop, accompanied by members of the confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament, dressed in red capes, holding a baldacchino above the Blessed Sacrament. 

The procession of Corpus Christi was started by a Belgian nun, Sister Giuliana of Liege who had asked her Bishop Jacques Pantaleon to start this devotion. Eventually he became Pope and as Pope Urban IV, he gave her desired permission, and the processions is held world-wide in many countries.

Flowers from Malta - part 4

The Caper flowers, which grow wildly in Malta, producing capers.

I am discovering even more unusual flowers, and I am happy to share them with you. After tomorrow's reflection on Corpus Christi, I will continue on Monday with more colorful flowers from Malta. Understand that I am not going out of my way to search for these flowers, just walking around my neighborhood and coming across these flowers, some of which I did not know they even existed. 

4 different colors of bougainvillea

Included today are the flowers of the caper plant and 4 layers of bougainvillea, purple, red, orange and white. This is a flower that spreads profusely, scrambling over other plants with their spiky thorns. The thorns are tipped with a black, waxy substance. They are evergreen where rainfall occurs all year, or deciduous if there is a dry season.

White bougainvillea

Flowers from Malta - part 3

Sharing with you today a selection of more flowers I discovered around my neighborhood in St Julian's, Malta, some of which are not common in the USA. Most probably they require a more arid and dry climate, and grow like wild flowers in front gardens that people have in front of their homes. The last one today is a species of a cactus, which also grow profusely in Malta. Most of them grow without much moisture, especially this past winter, which turned out to be one of the driest on record.

Flowers from Malta – part 2

Stephanotis floribunda

Stephanotis floribunda (also called Madagascar jasmine, waxflower, Hawaiian wedding flower, bridal wreath) is a species of flowering plant, native to Madagascar. Growing to 6 m (20 ft) or more, it is an evergreen woody climber with glossy, leathery oval leaves and clusters of pure white, waxy, intensely fragrant tubular flowers. Madagascar's climate, with its moderate temperatures, high humidity and seasonal cycles of hot, wet summers and cool, dry winters provides the optimal growing conditions for Stephanotis. Grown commercially, the trumpet-shaped blooms are in season year-round, provided they are given enough light and water, and are a popular component of bridal bouquets. It is a vigorous climber, tough-stemmed, bearing dark green leathery leaves, which grow in pairs at regular intervals along the vine.

Oleander

Oleander grows up to 20 feet in height, with flowers that grow in clusters 

at the end of each branch; they are white, pink to red. They grow in a

broad area from Mauritania, Morocco and Portugal eastward through

the Mediterranean region and the Sahara (where it is only found

sporadically), to the Arabian peninsula, southern Asia, and as far as

southern parts of China. On the East Coast of the US, it grows as far

north as Virginia Beach, Virginia, while in California and Texas it is

naturalized as a median strip planting, as is the case in Malta. In Texas

they are so prolific that Galveston is known as the 'Oleander City.’

Flowers from Malta - part 1

Going for a walk every evening, I am discovering many flowers that grow in Malta, and may not be found in American gardens. Yesterday I took my camera and came back with quite a few unusual and common flowers, which I will share with you over the next few days. Today I focus on the hibiscus, of which I found a very unusual color on one of them, orange with yellow edges. You may be more familiar with the red one, but there are also orange, yellow and pink ones, two of which I share with you here. 

The flowers are large, conspicuous, trumpet-shaped, with five or more petals. Hibiscus is a genus of flowering plants in the mallow family, Malvaceae. It is quite large, containing several hundred species that are native to warm-temperate, subtropical and tropical regions throughout the world. 

Member species are often noted for their showy flowers and are commonly known simply as hibiscus, or less widely known as rose mallow. The genus includes both annual and perennial herbaceous plants, as well as woody shrubs and small trees. More flowers tomorrow.

Balloon Dog

I am trying something different today. I am actually trying to see if I can insert a video in my blog, besides the usual pictures, which my friends and followers are used to. So here is a test of a light-hearted video I had for a few years. This appeared on the NBC Jay Leno show when a little dog showed up, claiming that he can pop a number of balloons in 30 seconds. So let's let him loose and see what happens. As the seconds wind down, you think it's impossible for the little pooch to do his job, but you will be surprised. If this video works, I will from time to time include short videos to cheer you up. You may not see the video if you're checking on an IPad, but apparently it worked on a desktop or laptop computer.

Surprise Mass on TV

Yesterday, the feast of the Holy Trinity I went to celebrate Mass in my childhood church as usual at 9 AM, with the usual packed church. There I found 3 cameras set up, ready to transmit the Mass live on Malta TV. I was told only few hours earlier that the Mass may be shown on TV. Of course I was prepared with a good homily and the celebration went on without a hitch. But I came to realize how critical a live transmission can be. When you see a movie, or even any show on TV, they rehearse and do one take after another, until the director is satisfied with the end product. 

This was quite different, as I started the Mass with absolutely no room for error. And everything went on beautifully, with the Folk Group embellishing the liturgy with their music, and the congregation participating willingly and faithfully. Some friends of mine in Bend were able to watch the Mass, which was at midnight in Oregon. However I was able to watch the Mass again on replay on TV and took a few photos for you to cherish. The photos are a little bit grainy, but fairly OK nonetheless.

Holy Trinity

Esteban Murillo - The Holy Trinity

On this feast of the Holy Trinity, may I suggest a practical prayer that we can all do every night so that the Holy Trinity may become an important part of our lives. So, as an examination of conscience, every night before you get to bed, take 3 minutes or even one minute divided into 20 seconds. In the first minute, think of a positive event that happened to you during the day, maybe a good news you received, a good deed you accomplished, and thank God the Father for it. In the second minute, think of a negative thing that you experienced, maybe a conflict, an argument or quarrel with someone else, and ask God the Son, Jesus, to forgive you for it. Then during the last minute, think of something you have to do tomorrow, maybe an important decision you have to make, talking to another person on an important issue, and talk to God the Holy Spirit while asking for guidance and inspiration. Simple, yet an effective way to feel connected with the Trinity. 

And may we never be embarrassed to make the sign of the cross, the sign of every Christian. Please notice a different perspective of the Trinity in the painting by Murillo, seeing Jesus as a toddler, and also with Mary, Anne and John the Baptist, besides God and the Holy Spirit.

The broken pot

A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on each end of a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master’s house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water in his master’s house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end for which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.

After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. “I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you. “Why?” asked the bearer. “What are you ashamed of?” “I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master’s house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don’t get full value from your efforts,” the pot said.

The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, “As we return to the master’s house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path.” Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it somewhat. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again it apologized to the bearer for its failure.

The bearer said to the pot, “Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path, but not on the other pot’s side? That’s because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you’ve watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master’s table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house.”

Moral: Each of us has our own unique flaws.  We’re all cracked pots.  In this world, nothing goes to waste.  You may think like the cracked pot that you are inefficient or useless in certain areas of your life, but somehow these flaws can turn out to be a blessing in disguise.”

Squaring one’s conscience

Look at this square for a few seconds and then blow on. If it turns green, call the doctor. If it turns brown, see your dentist quickly. If it turns purple, make sure to see your psychiatrist. If it turns red, see your banker as soon as you can. If it turns black, call your lawyer and make a will. If it remains the same color, white, you are in good health, and there is no reason on earth why you should not be in church next Sunday morning, and every Sunday thereafter.

Beer

Some of the products made by the Maltese brewery Farsons.

There are more than 20,000 beer labels around the world. People drank beer 4,300 years before Christ, in Babylon, Assyria and even in China and among the Incas.  Commercial beer started in Germany around 1200, but the first Oktoberfest was held in 1810 in Munich. The oldest brewery in Munich, Lowenbrau was founded in 1373. The nation that drinks more beer (of course other than the people in Bend, Oregon, where there are close to 30 Breweries,) is the Czech Republic. 

Many monasteries used to, and still manufacture beer, because they found out it was healthy, and the cheapest way to drink. Malta has a well-known Brewery called Farsons, which also makes my favorite drink, Kinnie, made from oranges and aromatic herbs.

Three anecdotes of Pope St John XXIII

Pope John XXIII never forgot his parents’ hard life as small wine-growers and farmers. His brothers also joined in the farming, even when he became Pope. One day he was talking to some friends when he said: “There are only three ways a man can be ruined: women, gambling and farming. My family chose the most boring of the three.”

To receive the First Lady of the United States, Pope John wanted to use the correct protocol to greet her in English. The Secretary of State told him that he should use either “Madam” or “Mrs. Kennedy.” As he was waiting for the American President and his wife, he was pacing back and forth and practicing “Madam,....Mrs Kennedy...Madam....” But the minute she entered the room, he went towards her with arms outstretched and cried out in joy “Jacqueline!”

Pope John XXIII on his sedia gestatoria

Always concerned with the welfare of others, Pope John, who was a little on the heavy side, once asked what wages were paid to his chair-bearers, those who carry his sedia gestatoria. On being told, he pondered for a minute and said: “They should receive a bonus to compensate for the increase in papal weight.”

Blessing for the unborn

A few years ago, the Vatican issued a special blessing on the unborn, on the mother, the father and the entire family. This blessing can be celebrated during a Mass or in private. I did this a few times in a celebration and people appreciate this gesture and blessing, and Pope Francis himself has blessed many pregnant women who ask for a blessing. I make it a point to stress the importance of the blessings of life, especially when so many parents cannot unfortunately experience the same joy of bearing a child, while so many babies are still being aborted.

This is the prayer the priest says as the mother and father are invited forward:

God, author of all life, bless we pray, this unborn  child; give constant protection and grant a healthy birth that is the sign of our rebirth one day into the eternal rejoicing of heaven. Lord, who have brought to this woman the wondrous joy of motherhood, grant her comfort in all anxiety and make her determined to lead her child along the ways of salvation.

Lord of the ages, who have singled out this man to know the grace and pride of fatherhood, grant him courage in this new responsibility, and make him an example of justice and truth for this child.

Lord endow this family with sincere and enduring love as they prepare to welcome this child into their midst. Lord, you have put into the hearts of all men and women of good will a great awe and wonder at the gift of new life; fill this parish community with faithfulness to the teachings of the Gospel and now resolve to share in the spiritual formation of this child in Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.

How our mind reads

Aoccdrnig to a rseearch at Camarbigde Uinervtisy, it doeosn’t mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are wtitren, the olny ipromoatnt tinthg is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pacle. The rset can be a toatl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istfel, but the wrod as a wohle.

Pentecost

Pentecost window at St Francis de Sales Cathedral, Baker City, Oregon

Holy Spirit, fill our leisure time with newness.

Fill the long watches of days off and weekends 
with a new way of life for which there is no pay.
Fill up these weekends with
- new things not yet thought,
- new sights not yet seen,
- new people not yet met or visited,
- new deeds not yet accomplished,
- new sounds not yet heard,
- and new places not yet walked.
Fill the long nights with a new style of living, a new kind of caring.

Fill our emptiness with new people whom we have not yet touched or visited,
- roads we have not yet driven,
- hopes we have not yet experienced,
- news we have not known, 
- help we have not yet given,
Make our hours full - and our life long.
Come Holy Spirit, come, and change our world, 
so that we can change the world and others too.

Back in time

Yesterday, in my hometown of St Julian’s a historic re-enactment took place to celebrate the feast of the Ascension. Plenty of men and women, dressed in period costumes from the 17^th century paraded through the streets, and then a presentation took place where the Grand Master of the Knights of Malta was presented with various gifts, as if everything was happening in 1720 or thereabouts. Shotguns were fired, marching bands paraded through the streets, adding to the festive mood, and tourists and local folks alike enjoyed the colourful display, taking us back in time, as I hope these photos would do to you too. 

Cell-Phone vs the Bible

I wonder what would happen if we treated the Bible like we treat our cell-phone, or mobile phone.

What if we carried it around in our purse or pockets?

What if we flipped through it several times a day?

What if we turned back to go and get it if we forgot it?

What if we used it to receive messages from the text?

What if we treated it like we couldn’t live without it?

What if we gave it to our children as a gift?

What if we used it when we travel?

What if we used it in case of an emergency?

And unlike our cell-phone, we don’t have to worry about our Bible being disconnected because Jesus has already paid the price.

The Santa Fe Staircase

There is a church in Santa Fe, New Mexico, which attracts over 250, 000 visitors every year. It’s a mystery that is 150 years old. In 1872, the Bishop of the Santa Fe Archdiocese, commissioned the building of a convent chapel to be named Our Lady of Light Chapel, which would be in the care of the Sisters of Loreto. The chapel was designed by French architect Antoine Mouly in the Gothic Revival style, complete with spires, buttresses, and stained glass windows imported from France. The architect died suddenly^, and it was only after much of the chapel was constructed that the builders realized it was lacking any type of stairway to the choir loft.

Needing a way to get up to the choir loft the nuns prayed for St Joseph’s intercession for nine straight days. On the day after their novena ended a shabby-looking stranger appeared at their door. He told the nuns he would build them a staircase but that he needed total privacy and locked himself in the chapel for three months. He used a small number of primitive tools including a square, a saw and some warm water and constructed a spiral staircase entirely of non-native wood. The identity of the carpenter is not known for as soon as the staircase was finally finished he was gone, without even getting paid. Many witnesses, upon seeing the staircase, feel it was constructed by St. Joseph himself, as a miraculous occurrence.

The resulting staircase is an impressive work of carpentry. It ascends twenty feet, making two complete revolutions up to the choir loft without the use of nails, glue or apparent center support. Nonetheless there was no attachment unto any wall or pole in the original stairway, although in 1887 -- 10 years after it was built -- a railing was added and the outer spiral was fastened to an adjacent pillar. Instead of metal nails, the staircase was constructed using dowels or wooden pegs. The church and the staircase has become a site for pilgrimages, and pilgrims visit the church from everywhere. Yet there is another mystery – the staircase has 33 steps, the age of Jesus when he died.  

A weatherful prayer

Oh Lord, rain your blessings over me.

Help me control my stormy temper.

Keep me calm in the tsunamis of my life.

And by the lightning show me the way, in the tempest ahead.

By the change of wind, direct me to the right path.

Flood me with your love and patience.

Let me not forget that one day or another dark clouds will hover over me, 

but keep me calm and strong.

Oh Lord, help me to endure the tempest in my life, and when life becomes unbearable

And I am about to give up, awaken me with a clap of thunder,

Bring me back to my senses, so I will still be there tomorrow

To enjoy the rainbow and another sunny day. Amen.

Malta’s capital is 450 years old

A beautiful display with flowers was set up in the capital city of Malta, Valletta over the past weekend. And to commemorate this event, the organizers created an ‘infiorata,’ a colourful display with pansies and petunias, with the outline of the capital city in white. This year is the 450^th anniversary of the founding of Valletta, named after the Grand Master of the Knights, La Vallette. 

I took a few photos which I share with you, while the overview photo with people in it was downloaded from a local newspaper. It was on display for three days, and it was reported that close to 80,000 potted plants were used in the process.