Womanhood Wednesday (Modest it Hottest)

Before I actually write this post, I just have to say that I'm so happy that my son will be baptized on Easter Sunday. We had been hoping to have him baptized sooner, but this is a great day for it to happen. What a blessing!

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A seasoned professor once stood amid a group of college freshmen who were scribbling down lecture notes from a dusty chalkboard in preparation to write their first research paper of the semester. As they were taking down these notes, one student raised her hand to ask the question that was on every student's mind.

"How long does the paper need to be?"

Removing his glasses and casually wiping them clean on his blazer, the professor smiled, "A good paper should be like a woman's dress: long enough to cover everything, but short enough to keep it interesting."

So, why am I sharing this small anecdote during Holy Week? Because even though we are supposed to be reflecting on Our Lord's life, death and resurrection, I'm also sure that many lovely ladies are trying to decide what to wear for Easter Sunday Mass.

When attending Sunday Mass, one can see people dressed in a wide array of clothing- ranging from sweats, to blue jeans, to strapless dresses to suits. What then, is the appropriate attire?

A good rule of thumb would be to dress up more for Mass than one would for work. After all, you're going receive the King of kings. What does this mean for ladies? Ideally, it means that we should wear something modest and feminine. (Not jeans and a jersey.)

In addition to this, it is also important to be respectful to men. The role of a godly woman is to help lead others to God, and since this includes men, dress in a way that encourages men to respect you, and not be distracted. A godly woman can draw a man to God by her beauty if done in a respectful, modest way.

Now, don't let the word "modest" frighten you. "Modest" does not mean "frumpy." While true beauty and holiness are on the inside, it is also important to remember that you are one of God's masterpieces and should dress as such! Remember, long enough to cover everything, short enough to keep it interesting. In other words, be certain to dress in a manner that is respectful not only to Our Lord, but to others.

I hope that everyone has a happy and HOLY Holy Week and Easter Triduum!

Welcome

About a month ago, my husband, my son and I inched into a crowded room full of young families. Toddlers were scuttling across the white tiled floor while parents lined up to receive packets and pens from a cheerful looking woman in a flower print dress. After the woman had handed us our information, we ended up sitting down and waiting for baptism class to begin.

In order to have our son baptized, it was required that we attend a class that reviewed the meaning of sacraments, went over a little bit of Church history, and some other theology. We also ended up watching a video that captured my attention.

I can't remember the name of the video, but in it, an older woman began to tell a story about how her elementary school teacher, a nun, had always wanted her to enter the convent. The nun had told her student that she would be getting up at various times during the night to pray- one o'clock, three o'clock, five o'clock- etc. , and that because she consecrated these hours to prayer, they would be sacred.

After sharing that anecdote, the woman smiled at the screen and asked, "Now what do those times sound like to you?" Just about everyone in the room smiled as they answered, "Feeding times."

Two different vocations- and the same sacred hours are kept.

This blog will be filled with musings on marriage as a vocation, the gift of motherhood, the Blessed Mother, femininity, and personal stories as well. As a young wife and mother, these are topics that are very dear to my heart, and ones that I would like to discuss and share with others. Welcome to Sacred Hours.