Friday's Entry

May 20th Annular Eclipse

It's time to warm up for the annular eclipse coming on May 20th. Annular comes from the word annulus, a  Latin word meaning ring. In eclipses, it refers to the ring of fire visible around the sun. This means we are not expecting a total eclipse on the path of its shadow across the earth. The moon, which creates solar eclipses when it gets between the sun and us, is farther out in its orbit. So, it will not cover the sun completely. It will cover almost all of the sun, leaving a thin ring of fire around the sun's edge. You can watch the moon take a bit of the sun as usual, but when it moves to center position, it will not completely block out the light. Hence, it leaves that ring, or annulus.

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_eclipse_of_May_20,_2012

Since this eclipse falls across Redding, California, head north to see it. Some astronomers, when thwarted by clouds and bad weather will drive along the path of annularity until they find a break in the clouds. Many astronomers set up cameras to take photos of the event. All of them wear eye protection and have special solar filters for their binoculars and telescopes. Without it, you'l likely fry your eyes.

http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEhelp/safety.html

No! polarized sun glasses are not enough to protect you. Neither is welder's glass. You must absolutely purchase the correct solar protection that blocks both UV and Infrared rays. Otherwise, like Galileo, you will go blind. Naturally, you can go online for such equipment. It's relatively inexpensive when you consider that you'll save your eyes

http://www.rainbowsymphony.com/soleclipse.html

An annular eclipse occurs when the Moon is not quite big enough to block all the Sun. NOAA/SEC [larger image]

A special case of a solar eclipse is known as an annular eclipse. This occurs when the Moon is farther from the Earth than normal, and hence its apparent size is not quite sufficient to cover the Sun completely. Therefore, even though the Sun- Moon alignment is perfect, the Moon will appear slightly smaller in diameter than the Sun and a thin ring of sunlight will remain visible around the dark silhouette of the Moon. The name annular eclipse comes from the Latin annulus, meaning ring. The next total solar eclipse visible from the United States will occur on August 21, 2017. In the mean time, there will be a few partial solar eclipses to entertain us! Just check the Table of Solar Eclipsesfor information on upcoming eclipses.

The greatest care must be taken when watchinga solar eclipse - but nobody should ever pass up the chance of seeing the splendor of such a celestial event. Never look at the Sun unless you wear special solar eclipse eyeglasses, and even more importantly, make sure you have the proper filters if you plan to observe the Sun through a telescope.

http://www.nightskyinfo.com/solar_eclipses/

+ Sky Highlights+ The Sky This Month

• Astronomy Basics
• 
  

The Father and I are One

A story in keeping with today's feast of the Apostles, Sts. Philip and James:

The Master stood there, as if he’d never left, never suffered, never died. Phil ran his fingers through his thick dark hair. He grabbed a tuft and twisted hard, to make sure he wasn’t dreaming. His mind whirled and his heart thumped in his chest, because he remembered another time. It had been only days before, but it seemed an eternity.

All the apostles were gathered in the upper room for Passover, and Jesus was glum. It was as if he thought something bad was going to happen. Phil didn’t understand the mood at the time. Usually Passover was solemn but joyful. Yet, Jesus’ conversation got heavy. Phil tipped his head sideways like he always did when he listened hard. Jesus was talking serious stuff, something about going places.

Tom piped up, “Going where?”

The Master sat the head of the table answering, “I told you. I’m getting a place ready for you.” Phil and the others whispered to one another trying to figure out what Jesus meant. Sitting closest to Jesus, Phil didn’t miss a word, but nothing made sense.

Tom’s blue eyes searched the room. He asked, “What’s wrong with this place?” But Jesus kept up his strange mood. His talk was way over their heads, although Tom seemed satisfied with Jesus’ comment that he was coming back--but from where?

Then the Master answered Tom’s thoughts as if he could read them, “You know where I’m going, and you know the way.” 

Tom grumbled, “Look, we don’t know where you are going; how can we know the way?”

“I am the way . . .” Jesus said. The words cut the air. Even Phil found the words out of this world, especially when Jesus finished with, “No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Philip leaned closer to say, “Show us the Father.” He didn’t really expect any response. He just wanted Jesus to get off the subject because everybody was going nuts over the melodrama.

Philip almost choked when Jesus said, “Philip, “I’ve been with you all this time, and still you don’t know me?”

All the talk about “the Father and I are one; and if you see me, you see the Father,” drove him crazy . . . until now.

            The Jesus who stood before him was one with the Father, and he knew it. 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_the_Apostle 

Music should be played

Efforts to reach Ara’s audience pay off. Not only has the author of Ara’s memoir received notification of interest from Maestro Dudamel, of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, but has also re-connected with the man who conducted Composer Ara Sevanian’s 4^th Symphony. Maestro James Domine has invited the author to visit his classes on Beethoven and on Violin Concerti offered at Pierce College, as well.   http://www.jamesdomine.com/?section=bio

Only conductors such as these can further the music of Ara Sevanian by scheduling concerts.   

http://www.gustavodudamel.com/

Mary's Month

The month of May belongs to Mary. It has always been full of Marian events, from praying the rosary or reciting the Litany of Loretto, to crowning Marian statues with flowers and with accompanying songs.   http://newtheologicalmovement.blogspot.com/2011/05/may-is-marys-month-but-why.html

A favorite song of my high school years was always sung during the crowning. We girls would pick flowers and weave a crown for the statue of Mary in the school chapel.

Crowning Song

Bring flowers of the rarest, bring flowers of the fairest
From garden and woodland and hillside and vale;
Our full hearts are swelling, our glad voices telling
The praise of the loveliest Rose of the vale.

Refrain:
Oh Mary, we crown you with blossoms today,
Queen of the Angels, Queen of the May.:

Our voices ascending, in harmony blending, 
Oh, thus may our hearts turn, dear Mother, to you.
Oh, how shall we prove you how truly we love you;
How dark without Mary life's journey would be. (Ref.) 

Litanies are rarely said these days. Even crowning of statues has lost ground in community devotions. It’s up to us to continue the tradition. If you have a statue of Mary, plait a tiny crown of natural or artificial blossoms, recite the litany, and sing the song.

Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Litany of Loretto)

This beautiful litany can be recited alone, or after praying the rosary, particularly during the month of May, dedicated to Mary.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
Holy Mother of God, pray for us.
Holy Virgin of virgins, pray for us.
Mother of Christ, pray for us.
Mother of divine grace, pray for us.
Mother most pure, pray for us.
Mother most chaste, pray for us.
Mother inviolate, pray for us.
Mother undefiled, pray for us.
Mother most amiable, pray for us.
Mother most admirable, pray for us.
Mother of good counsel, pray for us.
Mother of our Creator, pray for us.
Mother of our Savior, pray for us.
Virgin most prudent, pray for us.
Virgin most venerable, pray for us.
Virgin most renowned, pray for us.
Virgin most powerful, pray for us.
Virgin most merciful, pray for us.
Virgin most faithful, pray for us.
Mirror of justice, pray for us.
Seat of wisdom, pray for us.
Cause of our joy, pray for us.
Spiritual vessel, pray for us.
Vessel of honor, pray for us.
Singular vessel of devotion, pray for us.
Mystical rose, pray for us.
Tower of David, pray for us.
Tower of ivory, pray for us.
House of gold, pray for us.
Ark of the covenant, pray for us.
Gate of heaven, pray for us.
Morning star, pray for us.
Health of the sick, pray for us.
Refuge of sinners, pray for us.
Comforter of the afflicted, Help of Christians, pray for us.
Queen of Angels, pray for us.
Queen of Patriarchs, pray for us.
Queen of Prophets, pray for us.
Queen of Apostles, pray for us.
Queen of Martyrs, pray for us.
Queen of Confessors, pray for us.
Queen of Virgins, pray for us.
Queen of all Saints, pray for us.
Queen conceived without original sin, pray for us.
Queen assumed into heaven, pray for us.
Queen of the most holy Rosary, pray for us.
Queen of Peace, pray for us.
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord!.
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord!
Lamb of God, who take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. .
V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray. Grant, we beg you, O Lord God, that we your servants, may enjoy lasting health of mind and body, and by the glorious intercession of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, be delivered from present sorrow and enter into the joy of eternal happiness. Through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.

Let us pray. O God, who by the Resurrection of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, granted joy to the whole world; grant, we beg you, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, his Mother, we may attain the joys of eternal life. Through the same Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.

Prayer Source: Enchiridion of Indulgences , June 29, 1968

Songs are poetry. Not all poetry can be set to music. Here is a favorite poem of mine so appropriate for the month of May, Mary’s month, and a short biography link of the priest who wrote it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerard_Manley_Hopkins

Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844–89).  Poems.  1918.

The May Magnificat

MAY is Mary’s month, and I Muse at that and wonder why:     Her feasts follow reason,     Dated due to season— Candlemas, Lady Day;         5 But the Lady Month, May,     Why fasten that upon her,     With a feasting in her honour? Is it only its being brighter Than the most are must delight her?         10     Is it opportunest     And flowers finds soonest? Ask of her, the mighty mother: Her reply puts this other     Question: What is Spring?—         15     Growth in every thing— Flesh and fleece, fur and feather, Grass and greenworld all together;     Star-eyed strawberry-breasted     Throstle above her nested         20 Cluster of bugle blue eggs thin Forms and warms the life within;     And bird and blossom swell     In sod or sheath or shell. All things rising, all things sizing         25 Mary sees, sympathising     With that world of good,     Nature’s motherhood. Their magnifying of each its kind With delight calls to mind         30     How she did in her stored     Magnify the Lord. Well but there was more than this: Spring’s universal bliss     Much, had much to say         35     To offering Mary May. When drop-of-blood-and-foam-dapple Bloom lights the orchard-apple     And thicket and thorp are merry     With silver-surfèd cherry         40 And azuring-over greybell makes Wood banks and brakes wash wet like lakes     And magic cuckoocall     Caps, clears, and clinches all— This ecstasy all through mothering earth         45 Tells Mary her mirth till Christ’s birth     To remember and exultation     In God who was her salvation.

Let us keep up the tradition of honoring Mary in this month. Light a candle. Say a rosary. Sing a song.