Pray for the Holy Souls!

There's a new blog referred to by Mac McLernon at Mulier Fortis called Sub Umbra Alarum Tuarum, which is a verse from Psalm 90(91) "Qui habitat". If you haven't heard the 11 minute long tract from the first Sunday of Lent, go and do it now (or even next time round on Sunday 17th Feb 2013).

Anyway, SUAT has a nice post on the Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed, which you should read. Now.

Then say an "Eternal rest" for the Holy Souls.

Meanwhile, here's the best orchestra Requiem by Duruflé:

Oh no! He's back!

It has been a long time since I have properly posted, i.e. anything other than prayers or videos, etc. I had taken an unofficial break from any real sort of blogging since I had nothing to say and whenever I did think of writing anything, I didn't seem to have the energy or the willpower to write something complete and thought-out. I also read a number of other blogs and thought "Why would anyone read mine at all, when there are already such brilliant blogs out there?" I also read Joe Heschmeyer's tips on blogging and found I was guilty of a number of mistakes.
Most of all, the impetus for me starting this blog disappeared after I came back from my year abroad while at university. I've already written nostalgically a couple of times about my time in Nantes and perhaps less nostalgically about Heidelberg, although I had more fun in general in the latter place. But since I came back, life seemed as humdrum and uneventful as ever, so I gradually stopped.
I also noticed a great tendency throughout my blog to moan a lot, which I haven't enjoyed reading myself!
I had considered deleting the blog, but for some reason, probably pride, I couldn't delete it. Anyway, I've decided to try at the whole blogging thing again, this time without trying to churn out spiritual, theological masterpieces* but just simple thoughts and reflections that I may have. Today I was at an archdiocesan retreat for justice and peace for young people (which in the Archdiocese means that small gap between 18 and 35!) which was very interesting and heartening to know that you're not alone among your age group. My parish can seem lonely sometimes when the nearest person to your own age is your brother, and that's all.
If I'm good, I'll write something more about the retreat and any reflections I may have of it tomorrow or during the week (which is very busy, so perhaps unlikely).

*Previously, whenever I wanted to write something, I wanted it to be dazzling and perfect, the result of which was nothing at all! A prayer read to us today by Oscar Romero about how we just do a little of the work and God does the whole picture helped me to let go of this desire.

Series on France

Over at Unam Sanctam Catholicam, Boniface is writing a series on France. Currently he is writing about the Jansenist heresy. I'd recommend his blog as he presents his arguments and the history very clearly and the blog is very readable.