More kind words

Maria Elena Vidal has just posted some generous thoughts about [ahem] The Book, including the following portion:

In the central part of the book, the author carefully builds a case as to how Catholic women are called to embody each of the sacraments, showing how every Christian woman is a living microcosm of the Church, the Bride of Christ. All are called to be mothers, on either the spiritual or physical level, or both. “Rather than being a job wedged among other responsibilities, motherhood is a vocation—and a powerful calling at that, since it speaks to the essence of a woman’s being.” (p 58)

Therefore, motherhood demands the “total gift of self” (p.58) We stand with Mary at the foot of the cross, in patience and humility. “This view of feminine love is a relief during times of trial, when we place the burden of concern at the foot of the cross where it belongs. Such is the vocation of mother; such is the Church that waits to embrace us all.” (p 85)

Now these words mean the world to me, having just finished her two books on the Marie Antoinette and her daughter. Upon finishing the second, I put it down with two thoughts: heavens, the trials endured by faithful souls throughout history,  and boy am I a bush-league author! Her research and overall grasp of the situation in revolutionary France were astonishing, and all fell neatly into the personal tales of the family caught in that particular fulcrum of suffering.

Interestingly, though, Marie Antoinette and Marie Therese did what they could to be living icons of holiness in their world of turmoil, and their suffering related to motherhood (the former suffering the death and separation of her children, the latter enduring an unconsummated marriage, thus sadly foregoing the opportunity to mother her own) bore its own fruit -- perhaps known to God alone. A review will appear in an upcoming Canticle, but until then, I heartily recommend both titles, and thank Maria for recommending mine.

Comments

[warren]

I have a Marie Antoinette question. In the movie, she is depicted as having an extramarital affair with a foreign army general. Is there any historical basis for that, or was it a fabrication in the movie script?

Love your blog by the way! I am so glad whenever I discover another blog where a faithful catholic is living her vocation, and teaching others about the joy of being fully alive in Christ.

The essential dignity of a woman, you use that phrase "icon", is apt. A godly woman is an occassion for a man to direct attention to her finer qualities, and thank God for her. Whether she is his sister, his wife, his friend or colleague, or some other sister in Christ, she gives all the men in her life, as well as all her fellow Christian women, a reason to look to God and give thanks to Him, when she uses her divinely given feminine gifts for the greater glory of God!

To be fully alive, to be human, to be man or woman, is the only thing worth being. I have been discussing with some orthodox Jewish friends, about the parallels between the Catholic idea of being fully alive, and the virtues that are required (such as chastity, and continence) with the Jewish principle of “k’rivath hadaath”, expressed in Scripture thus: “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)

Warren

[elena maria vidal]

The Coppola film is loaded with historical errors and the Fersen affair is certainly one of them. Many books and movies have speculated about a possible liaison between the Queen and the Count but there is no solid evidence. All the evidence points to Marie-Antoinette's fidelity to her faith and to her husband. Here are some articles I wrote about the continued slander of the queen, as well as a review of the Coppola film.

http://teaattrianon.blogspot.com/2007/01/fersen-legend-part-1.html

http://teaattrianon.blogspot.com/2007/01/fersen-legend-part-2.html

http://teaattrianon.blogspot.com/2007/01/fersen-legend-part-3.html

http://teaattrianon.blogspot.com/2007/03/review-of-marie-antoinette-2006.html

[elena maria vidal]

Here is an article about the Queen's gambling adiction, which she struggled with as a teenager and overcame. That was her true vice, not the affair with Count Fersen.

http://teaattrianon.blogspot.com/2007/03/marie-antoinettes-gambling-addiction.html

Here is an article about her overall reputation. (Unlike the portrayal in the film, Marie-Antoinette never drank alcohol.)
http://teaattrianon.blogspot.com/2007/03/reputation-of-marie-antoinette.html