Dreaming Beneath the Spires - Anita Mathias's Blog on Faith and Art

“All may; none must; some should:” The Anglican Mantra

As I was reading about the life of Cranmer, celebrated in the Martyr's Memorial in Oxford, I came across this splendid Anglican aphorism for the practice of Confession. "All may; none must; some should". Despite its sad and bloody beginnings, … [Continue reading]

Sundays, Poustinia, and Rest

By Anita Mathias

Several, several years ago, Roy and I went on a retreat in a "poustinia," a concept popularized by Catherine Doherty. We were given a cabin in the snowy woods in Minnesota, and meals were brought to us in a basket. The center was called "Pacem in … [Continue reading]

Marc Chagall–Master of Colour!

By Anita Mathias

I loved the huge stained glass windows created by Marc Chagall in the Cathedral of Reims. Something about his whimsical flying figures appeals to me, feels to me like a metaphor for how my soul and spirit long to be. I love the brilliance of the … [Continue reading]

God as Gardener

By Anita Mathias

John 15:1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener." God as gardener. That's a lovely metaphor of Jesus's. … [Continue reading]

Choristers on May Morning, William Holman Hunt

By Anita Mathias

Choristers at dawn on Magdalen Tower on May Morning--a tradition which still continues today! … [Continue reading]

Facebook Posts from April 2010

By Anita Mathias

Irene and I are making honey wheat bread. I have never made bread ever before, though the other three members of my family have, so they enjoyed patronising me. What hard work bread-making is!! All that thumping, pounding, and stretching! Waiting & … [Continue reading]

The Wisdom of Irene

By Anita Mathias

Irene, crooning to me, "Mummy, you're a mummy, and you'll always be a mummy, but I am an Irene, and one day I will be a mummy." Me, "Well, I'm not just a mummy." She, soothingly, "I know. You are a writer, a Mummy, and a chatterbox." … [Continue reading]

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