Tea at Trianon: Eucharistic Convention in Auckland, April 2009

John Wilson Croker on Marie-Antoinette

"We have followed the history of Marie Antoinette with the greatest diligence and scrupulosity. We have lived in those times. We have talked with some of her friends and some of her enemies; we have read, certainly not all, but hundreds of the libels written against her; and we have, in short, examined her life with– if we may be allowed to say so of ourselves– something of the accuracy of contemporaries, the diligence of inquirers, and the impartiality of historians, all combined; and we feel it our duty to declare, in as a solemn a manner as literature admits of, our well-matured opinion that every reproach against the morals of the queen was a gross calumny– that she was, as we have said, one of the purest of human beings."

~from History of the Guillotine by John Wilson Croker, 1844

Edmund Burke on Marie-Antoinette

"It is now sixteen or seventeen years since I saw the queen of France, then dauphiness, at Versailles; and surely there never lighted on this orb, which she hardly seemed to touch, a more delightful vision. I saw her just above the horizon, decorating and cheering the elevated sphere she had just begun to move in, glittering like a morning star full of life and splendor and joy. Oh, what a revolution....Little did I dream that I should have lived to see such disasters fall upon her, in a nation of gallant men, in a nation of men of honor and of cavaliers! I thought ten thousand swords must have leaped from their scabbards, to avenge even a look which threatened her with insult. But the age of chivalry is gone; that of sophisters, economists, and calculators has succeeded...."

~Edmund Burke, October 1790

Monday, February 16, 2009

Eucharistic Convention in Auckland, April 2009

I am happy to announce that I have been invited to speak at the Eucharistic Convention in Auckland, New Zealand. The dates of the convention are April 17, 18, and 19. I look forward to visiting such a beautiful country and reaping the spiritual benefits of the convention. For those from New Zealand who have read my books and who visit this blog, I look forward to meeting you in person. Please pray for a safe journey. I have never been so far from home before, although my mother the world traveler assures me that there is nothing to it at all. At any rate, going to Colorado to visit my sister will now seem like nothing. Share

9 comments:

Enbrethiliel said...: +JMJ+

Ah, Elena, you make me wish I were still in NZ and could hear you speak! =(

Congratulations and good luck!; February 16, 2009 at 2:29:00 AM EST
elena maria vidal said...: Yes, that would have been loads of fun! Thank you!; February 16, 2009 at 8:02:00 AM EST
Iosue Andreas Sartorius said...: Congratulations! I'd love to be able to make it down there.; February 16, 2009 at 10:57:00 AM EST
elena maria vidal said...: I wish you would! I am beginning to realize how many friends I have on the other side of the world!; February 16, 2009 at 11:06:00 AM EST
Anonymous said...: Oh this would have been a short skip and a jump from India....too bad we are returning to the states the month before, otherwise it would have been a great excuse to see that country--and to see you and hear you speak!!; February 17, 2009 at 12:24:00 AM EST
Ann Murray said...: I'm delighted for you, Elena. Such an opportunity for the historian in you to come to the fore cannot be missed. Looking forward to hearing all about it.; February 18, 2009 at 11:57:00 AM EST
Unknown said...: We here in Auckland are equally excited at the prospect of meeting you at the beautiful Eucharistic Convention.

Have a safe, enjoyable and relaxing journey, for God and your guardian angel will be with you all the way.

Terry; March 10, 2009 at 2:01:00 AM EDT
Catholic Author said...: Hi Elena

That's wonderful that you are coming down to our beautiful country! By the way if your friends want to come down it is the best time cause the $US is currently worth twice as much as the $NZ. We are sure looking forward to having you come down and share God's wisdom and love. I have been a speaker at the Eucharistic Convention myself and it is a wonderful experience. The people are very friendly. You can learn more about me by my website www.godfact.com and my articles on Theolgoy of the Body at http://tob.catholicexchange.com/category/columnists/brendan-roberts/

God bless

Brendan Roberts; March 12, 2009 at 3:38:00 PM EDT
elena maria vidal said...: Thank you, Veritas, I will give a complete report upon my return.

Thank you, Terry, please ask the angels to help me to deal with the jet lag! I wish I was able to make my stay a bit longer.

Thank you, Brendan, that is good news about the currency. I will check out your website and articles. Thanks for the links, and especially for the encouragement! I am looking forward to the trip!; March 12, 2009 at 6:19:00 PM EDT