Yeah...So, I'm not studying in Rome

So, in case you didn't know, in case anyone ever anywhere reads this...I will not be studying in Rome in the fall, for many reasons. Really for one reason, it is not God's will. You can read about my pilgrimage I will be going on this fall though at my new blog: thisearthlypilgrimag.bogspot.com

The Suspense is Killing ME!

So....I haven't posted in a LONG time...I know. But here's the thing, it's not because I have been lazy (maybe) or that I have nothing to say. On the contrary, many things have happened in the last month that have made me pray all the more about what I should be doing in the fall. A choice has to be made. I am waiting....waiting for the answers, waiting for clarity. I don't think I will be waiting much longer, but the suspense is palpable, thick, and exciting. Life is an adventure right? Isn't that what people say...so when you don't know what will happen next it is exciting right? I will have a new post soon regardless....hopefully with answers, but that is not entirely up to me. Please pray that I see the will of God clearly in my life (and that I do it)!

A Day I Look Forward to...

I look forward to this day every year; the liturgy is very beautiful and personally God has made this day very special for me. My words don't do justice though to the reality of the Incarnate Word that has become the Light for all of us, so I will let Simeon's Canticle from Luke's Gospel speak for me. Here is a "setting of the canticle of Simeon written by Sir Gustav Holst in 1915 for the choir of Westminster Cathedral; unusually, R. R. Terry first performed it on Easter Sunday that year. The piece is scored for an eight-part choir, and in tribute to Terry's work in reviving Renaissance polyphony, it makes references to older musical styles including antiphonal effects (reminiscent of Venetian Renaissance music), and a fine contrapuntal 'Amen'. Beginning with what has been described as a "musical sunrise", it is a fitting example of sacred music with which to celebrate this feast of Christ's light. " (Br Lawrence Lew, O.P)



I was more than a little disappointed that there was no Masses anywhere today because of this enormous blizzard...

Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas....Happy Feast Day!

The school that I would like to study at is having it's patrons feast day today....in honor of that I wanted to share a little something that the Holy Father said

Who was St. Thomas Aquinas? Benedict XVI explains

I have loved learning all of my life, I love reading blah blah blah...nerd nerd nerd. Anyway....St. Thomas is one of the most brilliant people I have ever read, and I love his works especially because at times they challenge me quite a bit (no kidding whew!) but more than his explinations of the faith, I have loved his music, his Eucharistic hymns. They speak more to WHO St Thomas KNEW rather than just WHAT he knew; a love that compelled him more than any purely intellectual endeavor. One of my favorites, Adoro te Devote, speaks very eloquently of our Eucharistic Lord and our own human reality.

Feast of St Anthony of the Desert

St. Anthony of the Desert is one of my favorite saints, one of the Desert Fathers, and one of my own fathers. Today I have been pondering the great blessing of the dessert, a time and place devoid of all  else but God himself and only work - the attainment of God. Anthony, hearing the call of God to renounce the world, gave all he had and went to live a life not worrying about tommorow but relying only on the providence of God. Living in silence, both exterior and interior, listening only for the whisper of God to secret places in the depth of the heart. The father of monastacism, defender of the church against heresey, and lover of God, this man gave up all to have the ALL in ALL. I have today been pondering how to live in the interior desert as Anthony did in order to recieve this ALL in ALL. Even though we may not be called to the desert at this time (but I would go in a minute!) there is still the renunciation that is required to follow Jesus on the narrow way leading to eternal life. I am just praying for God's mercy so that I may also hear His whisper even in the midst of the world.

Read more about this great saint!

And...I love the Eastern Church.....so here are some words from thier liturgy...

Troparion of St Anthony the Great Tone 4
Thou didst follow the ways of zealous Elijah,/ and the straight path of the Baptist, O Father Anthony./ Thou didst become a desert dweller/ and support the world by thy prayers./ Intercede with Christ our God that our souls may be saved.

Kontakion of St Anthony the Great Tone 2
Thou didst abandon the world’s tumult and live in silence,/ and emulate the Baptist, O Anthony./ Wherefore we acclaim thee with him,/ thou summit of the Fathers.

Oremus Pro Invicem

My Etsy Shop is here! I will put up all my work on it over the next day or so....

Theotokos: Mary Mother of God

Happy New Year! What I really mean by that is Happy Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God! This is a print I did of our mother, the Mother of God. I am praying to her that she may teach me how to serve God better. I am also giving this next year to her, all that will happen, and all that will come with it. I know that she looks after me with a tenderness that is unmerited and will help me to do God's will, whatever that is. I also have posted some more photos of my art work, in a very wide range of subjects and mediums. Please also check out my new  Etsy account where you can purchase these works and see how much each of them cost. It would be easier for me if you just buy them directly from me by emailing me at Tarynawatkins@gmail.com. Whatever you prefer though. I am excited to be endeavoring in this new venue, but I am praying that it is successful; I don't know what to expect!

Incarnation: Our Divinization

The Nativity at St. Peters in Rome

I thought that this would be a great opportunity to share how blessed I am. Contemplating the incarnation during this time of year always makes me very greatfull not just for the things I have been given (more than I need) or the people that God has placed in my life (better than I deserve), but also that God has come to our very selves in order to live with us. A person more powerful and larger than the entire universe has decided that he wants to come to us, come to me and gives himself to me in the Eucharist. He becomes human so we can become divine like him. Jesus has completely changed my life over the last couple of years, done things that I would NEVER have expected or dreamed, fathomed, thought of, or even conceived was possible (including this whole Rome thing, but much more wonderful things than that). I am thankful not just for what God has done for me, but for Himself. Just him, even without all of these things, in the goodness that IS Him. We have such a wonderful revelation of who Jesus is, he wants to be known, he wants to share himself, share his life, share the secret of who he is. He wants to whisper to our hearts how much he wants us for himself. Christmas is such a great reminder of His tenderness, and the vulnerability that I need to cultivate. The liturgy is so rich in Advent; we have seen the longing and waiting of those who sought to see the face of God. Now we see this child, kissed by his mother Mary. She kisses the face of God who had been so long awaited. I very much like the manger scenes during Christmas, and now they will receive Jesus after the long wait. I can't wait to see the Nativity scene and experience the liturgy in the Vatican next year (God willing), so rich in tradition and the mystery of the Incarnation of the Word Made Flesh.

Location, Location, Location

View Rome in a larger map

This is a map that I have been slowly putting together. It gives you a little idea of where the apartment is, where all the great things in Rome are....

No News is .... No News

I know it has been a long time since my last post....here's why. I have been waiting for exciting news about an apartment in Rome. Just to let you know, I am still waiting. It's one of those crazy Italian things I think (although it's kind of everywhere). I have been emailing Luigi (yes, a real Italian) about an apartment in Rome, not too far from the Angelicum. On the way there I would pass by St. John Lateran, the Holy Stairs, and Holy Cross which holds some of the most important relics in Rome, including a huge piece of the True Cross. (!!!) But this whole emailing back and forth, hearing different things from different people, and the 8 hour time difference, has made communication very difficult. Fortunately I believe that I will be able to get the apartment as soon as I write my declaration of sustenance which has been the hardest part of this whole thing. I am also in the process of setting up an online shop that would allow me to reach a broader audience for my paintings. It is on a website called Etsy. I had never heard of it before, but a lot of other people have. There is a lot of great artwork and craft-work there. And I have yet to put up pictures of all my work like I promised, so I should have that done in the next week. I hope with this new outlet there will be more people interested in purchasing my artwork.