You say you Long to be a “soiree lady,” and all that came to mind was the PBS show "Keeping Up Appearances" and Hyacinth. I even had to google soiree lady and look what appeared: Royal Doulton Soiree Lady Figurine just like the kind that Hyacinth would have had at her home. So happy you are not a Hyacinth to me.
There is a beautiful tradition that goes something along the lines of when St Alfred was studying at the Seminary, he was so overwhelmed by the intellectual rigor he ran away. He didn’t believe he was up to the task of the study. Our Lady appeared to him and asked him why he had not called on her to grant him the graces to persevere and understand the depths of philosophy and theology? She gave these graces to him but told him that at some point in his life he would forget all that he had learnt. This happened many years later when giving an important speech and he never regained his memory. St Alfred, Ora pro nobis!
It was told to me by a traditional Dominican from France, to highlight St Alfred’s true humility and submission to God’s Will. Thank you for the beautiful piece :)
Thank you for writing about St. Albert the Great. My husband's namesake. I bought him two of his books and he loves them. I need to get into them and read more.
You say you Long to be a “soiree lady,” and all that came to mind was the PBS show "Keeping Up Appearances" and Hyacinth. I even had to google soiree lady and look what appeared: Royal Doulton Soiree Lady Figurine just like the kind that Hyacinth would have had at her home. So happy you are not a Hyacinth to me.
Haha! Not like Hyacinth, but she is endlessly entertaining to watch.
No, more like a Russian Countess of the early 19th century.
There is a beautiful tradition that goes something along the lines of when St Alfred was studying at the Seminary, he was so overwhelmed by the intellectual rigor he ran away. He didn’t believe he was up to the task of the study. Our Lady appeared to him and asked him why he had not called on her to grant him the graces to persevere and understand the depths of philosophy and theology? She gave these graces to him but told him that at some point in his life he would forget all that he had learnt. This happened many years later when giving an important speech and he never regained his memory. St Alfred, Ora pro nobis!
I had not heard this before. Very poignant, indeed. But I am sure his surrender and humility was complete. Thank you for reading.
It was told to me by a traditional Dominican from France, to highlight St Alfred’s true humility and submission to God’s Will. Thank you for the beautiful piece :)
Thank you for writing about St. Albert the Great. My husband's namesake. I bought him two of his books and he loves them. I need to get into them and read more.