Pesky Volcanoes

Here we go again, or do we? We await with baited breath as another Icelandic Volcano starts erupting. The spring/summer of 2010 is still fresh in our memory, I'm sure, when the pronounceable erupted and created chaos. Let's hope we do not have a repeat of it. While we may lament disruption to travel plans, erupting volcanoes can create ecological problems if the eruption is serious enough, and people living near them can face various dangers. So let us pray for a soothing of the latest volcano. At least I can pronounce this one: Bardarbunga......that sounds familiar.....why do parties come to mind???

Anyway, I draw your attention to the Church's great patrons of volcanic eruptions, the martyrs St Januarius and St Agatha. I wrote a prayer to them for all effected by natural disasters:

Novena to St Januarius and St Agatha

Patrons of Volcanoes

Blessed Martyrs, Januarius and Agatha,
you who offered your lives in witness to Christ,
into your hands we entrust all who are in danger.
Take into your special care those threatened by volcanoes
and the hazards of the natural world,
that the Lord may preserve them,
their homes and their livelihoods.
Guide all who travel and those who seek refuge,
may they find shelter in the Heart of Christ
and in the charity of their brothers and sisters in faith.

O holy Saints Januarius and Agatha,
courageous bishop and devoted virgin and bride of Christ,
commend us to the intercession of the Mother of God
so that we, like her,
may abandon ourselves to the will of the Father,
for the sake of the Son
with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Amen

"Thar She Blows...?"

The Gateway to Hell: Hekla volcano, preparing to erupt?

It seems the volcano of all volcanoes is getting ready to blow.  Last year when the Ejako-what's-its-face* blew and created mayhem all over Europe, the experts were speaking in low voices about Hekla, the next door neighbour to Ejuko-yoke*, which tended to follow suit.  By far a more powerful volcano, Hekla (locals call it "The Gateway to Hell"), seems to have caused ecological and climate disasters all over Europe and beyond in the past.  God help us if that starts again, it may be more than the inconvenience of grounded planes.

Well, according to news reports, there is unusual activity in Hekla and the experts say it is ready to erupt.  So, people, time to invoke the dynamic duo again - SS Januarius and Agatha.   And as we keep this intention in our prayers, we might just remember all those who may be affected by a serious eruption, those in danger, those who may lose their livelihoods.

The Ash Novena

Novena to St Januarius and St Agatha

Patrons of Volcanoes

Blessed Martyrs, Januarius and Agatha,

you who offered your lives in witness to Christ,

into your hands we entrust all who are in danger.

Take into your special care those threatened by volcanoes

and the hazards of the natural world,

that the Lord may preserve them,

their homes and their livelihoods.

Guide all who travel and those who seek refuge,

may they find shelter in the Heart of Christ

and in the charity of their brothers and sisters in faith.

O holy Saints Januarius and Agatha,

courageous bishop and devoted virgin and bride of Christ,

commend us to the intercession of the Mother of God

so that we, like her,

may abandon ourselves to the will of the Father,

for the sake of the Son

with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Amen

* Father is just being silly, he knows it's called Eyjafjoell, although he can't pronounce it first thing in the morning or last thing at night, or even not at all.

The Ash Novena

Well, here we go again.  Another Icelandic volcano has decided to heap woe on Europe.  Flights to and from Scotland have been grounded, Ryanair is up in arms saying the IAA is being too strict: are we in for a repeat of last year? 

I was just thinking, apart from last year and today, I do not remember disruptions to flights from Icelandic volcanoes - was it the case that there were no eruptions - but I would imagine there would have been.  Or is is a case, as Ryanair suggests, aviation authorities are being too strict - health and safety gone mad.  Though, to be honest with you, when it comes to flying, I have no problem with a lunatic caution - it eases the nerves to know that not even a smidgen of risk is taken.

So we're back to the dynamic duo, St Januarius and St Agatha, the patrons of volcanoes and volcanic eruptions.  In the good old Catholic tradition we can to pray to the Saints for assistance.  With one eye on our pilgrimage to Fatima in a few weeks, I am offering you a little prayer to the two martyrs for help in this time of volcanic eruptions (came to me during my Holy Hour this morning).  Call it the Ash Novena, spread it wherever you want, so all may be safe, our travel plans may go ahead, but in all things that we may accept the will of God and grow in the virtues  of abandonment and patience.

Novena to St Januarius and St Agatha

Patrons of Volcanoes

(Ash Novena!)

Blessed Martyrs, Januarius and Agatha,

you who offered your lives in witness to Christ,

into your hands we entrust all who are in danger.

Take into your special care those threatened by volcanoes

and the hazards of the natural world,

that the Lord may preserve them,

their homes and their livelihoods.

Guide all who travel and those who seek refuge,

may they find shelter in the Heart of Christ

and in the charity of their brothers and sisters in faith.

O holy Saints Januarius and Agatha,

courageous bishop and devoted virgin and bride of Christ,

commend us to the intercession of the Mother of God

so that we, like her,

may abandon ourselves to the will of the Father,

for the sake of the Son

with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Amen