Since Theodore's arrival, I have been praying the Divine Office with the Fraternités Monastiques de Jérusalem in Paris via livestream on French Catholic television (KTOTV). I haphazardly discovered this YouTube channel when I wanted on-the-scene reportage of the Notre Dame Cathedral fire and restoration. I started watching Masses at St-Sulpice (in lieu of Notre Dame), and developed a strong affection for Paris's archbishop, Msgr. Michel Aupetit. From there, I have been watching the many documentaries about beautiful monasteries throughout France, L'Arche community for disabled adults, and many other segments on French Catholicism. But what has been the most influential surprise is the daily "laudes" and the "office du milieu du jour" that help me pray the Divine Office. When I sit down to nurse Theodore, I am able to pray with these consecrated religious in the heart of urban Paris. To aid my prayer, I have ordered online a very old copy of Le Psautier de la Bible de Jérusalem from a used bookstore in France. It has been life-changing to build this prayer routine into my day. I would love to be able to join these beautiful sisters and brothers in worship and prayer at St.-Gervais in Paris someday when my kids are travel-ready. Until then, I am so thankful for the beautiful prayer, music, worship, adoration, church, organ, meditations, and examples of consecrated life exemplified/embodied in the daily habits of this monastic community.
Listen to this beautiful prayer for the intercession of all of the saints of Paris...
Here it is again, the Litany of Parisian saints (a pre-recorded version, with subtitles)
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