St. Elizabeth
I guess I should write something about the reasons I haven’t been posting lately. As I mentioned, I have been commissioned to write a few little things for the 8th centenary of the birth of St. Elizabeth Hungary in 2007. Revising my dissertation on Elizabeth for publication has taken all of my spare time from work during the last month or so. Now it’s been turned in, which means on to the next stage - revising it again! That is, the first revision - involving largely corrections and updating references - will be for scholars; publication is being undertaken by the Franciscans of the Third Order Regular. The second will be for the average reader, and will involve condensing and considerably rewriting my work. It’s under consideration by a publisher right now.
But this is far from all. Here’s a complete list (so far) of what I am being asked to accomplish in the next year or so in regard to the patron saint of the Secular Franciscans or SFO (the order I belong to).
Publishing two revisions of my doctoral dissertation.
Doing a new edition of St. Elizabeth’s canonization process and translation of it into English.
Speaking about Elizabeth to the Regional gathering of the SFO (Tau Cross Region) in Babylon New York on November 11, 2006.
Delivering a talk to the Minister General and International Council of the SFO in Rome on February 22, 2007.
Speaking the next day, February 23, before an international historical conference on St. Elizabeth at the Pontifical University the Antonianum. I will be lodged with the Friars of the TOR in the guest house of their convent at the beautiful basilica of Sts. Cosmas and Damian with the Roman Forum and the Colosseum in its back yard. My mother, sister and sister-in-law are hoping to join me there while we explore Rome for a week or so.
Perhaps the most exciting part is the news I received a few days ago, that I have been made a member of the international commission of the SFO which will overseeing the centenary celebrations, lasting from November 17, 2006-November 17, 2008; we will choose the logo and motto for the centenary, develop formation materials for the order worldwide, and find ways to spread knowledge of Elizabeth’s secular spiriuality especially among married couples and families.
All of this is a tremendous honor and a great deal of work — as well as a real joy. All in honor of a wonderful and valiant woman and saint. And of course, all in addition to my full-time job, though a grant from the TOR is helping with that.
Of course it means putting many other things on hold, including my attempt at a screenwriting career. Blogging may become erratic. I hope anyone who reads this will pray for me, because I already feel overwhelmed by everything.