"You are tenacious. I love a woman who won't give up." William Luse 6/1/04
"Kudos also to Elena, who proved that she can take it as well as she can dish it." TSO 6/4/04
"the wonderful Elena" Nathan Nelson 8/1/04
"Elena, I quake at the sound of your name" John B-Catholic Packer Fan 8-12-04
"I like your writing and your spunk." Todd Flowerday, Catholic Sensibility 11-8-04
"Elena is is so many shades of stupid they don't make a Crayola box big enough to begin coloring her" Anonymous TWA blog 2/05
"Well, Elena cuts to the chase. Says it like it is and doesn't mince her words." Alexa of Domestic Excellence
"Elena, a woman I have little in common with but have come to be fond of" Cecily Kellog 9/15/05
"I work nonstop to help people with stupidly limited perspectives, like you, accept this reality. Even when it’s hopeless, like in your case. You live in a fantasy. I can’t help you" Also Cecily Kellog 07/2020
"Your witness is horrendous" JCecil of Liberal Catholic News
"Truth, love, charity, and, oh yeah, sensitivity, decorum, good taste and a dollop of wit. That's more like it. Keep rockin'!" PMC 12/05
"I've also been reading this blog for some time and just noticed I hadn't added you to my favorite blogs. Done!" The Mighty Barrister 5/21/04
"Now go haul your huge, sagging, obese, smelly old body out of the chair and take care of those kids of yours before I call CPS and have them do an inspection and see what you're really up to when you're supposed to be homeschooling them." NMH 2006
"That you are one narcissistic, bizaare individual." Jill Filipovic on Feministe Blog September 2006
"I could certainly continue to go back and forth (and believe me, I would love to!!!!!), but that would be answering a fool according to his folly." Amy-anti-Catholic blogger at Blessed Motherhood 7/07/07!
"Where's Elena? We need Elena." Kathryn the Daring Young Mom 2/17/06
"I have no problem with Elena. I find her answers to be quite lucid, witty, and insightful." David B commenting on In Today's News 10/29/05
"She's not cranky, she just senses happiness and snuffs it out." Gabe, age 9, after being scolded for not being ready for swim practice. 12/0
"you are one narcissistic, bizaare, individual." Jill Filipovic 9/11/2006
"Elena of My Domestic Church get’s my nomination for living a life of loveliness that I could only ever dream of. She’s an awesome wife and mother, a deeply committed Catholic, a proponent of pro-life issues, a hands on make-and-bake-and-cut-and-stick-musical-momma, a prayerful, compassionate, thoughtful and passionate woman who endeavours to live a christocentric life in her own euphonious way. Yes, I am proud to know her as a blog buddy and sharing in her trials and her triumphs via reading her blog over the last few years has impacted me more than she could know… and always for the better." Deb from Ukok's Place 08/2007
"I have a feeling elena never moves on from anything. other than the couch to the fridge." 08/2007 commenter on the now defunct Rock Star Mommy Blog.
"I think you're a shrew." Anne Basso 7/08
"Even with our differences, I will say one thing--she's smart. I may not always agree with what she says, but she doesn't spout unsupported garbage as fact." Ruthjoec aka JAnn from AOL Catholic message boards and This That and the Other Thing Blog
"I was wrong. You were right. God bless you" T from LO2W blog 3/6/2008
"As a Catholic Mother myself, I enjoy reading My Domestic Church. It's one of the many blogs that I follow and read regularly. It's refreshing to read comments from a mother that shares your views. So much of what Elena has me nodding my head in agreement. I'm sure that any Catholic-Mother will enjoy reading Elena's blog." SAMinIL on Blog Catalog 9/09
"Because of my interest in Benedictine spirituality and monasticism, began reading about the Domestic Church. This site is an excellent resource. Like any good family it is alive with energy and the Holy Spirit." John on Blog Catalog 12/08
"I watched your talk on YouTube and thought you and your husband did a wonderful job. Very natural, not stilted. Your account of your child, Raphael's, life and death were extremely touching and profound." Eileen via e-mail 02/21/2010
"Happy Easter to you Elena! Four years ago I discovered Candy. Two years ago I discovered you. Last night (Easter Vigil) I was received into full communion with the Catholic Church. It was a beautiful night and one I will remember forever. Thanks to you and Kelly for clearing up any confusion there may be about what the Church believes, teaches, and proclaims. Have a blessed Easter season!" From a VTC reader. 05/2010
"Elena, You completely 'foul up' the catechism. I repeat you are a nice lady, but your lack of education and knowledge, as your distorted answers show," Jack from Liberal Catholic Sports Music 1/9/2009
"you repeatedly impress me. I know we have very different political views that show up in our comments to each other at times, but I have never once felt anything but generosity from you toward who I am." JB via e-mail 7/23/2010
"The post I really love, though is 28 Things I Learned About Marriage in 28 Years at My Domestic Church. In fact, it's so good I plan to show it on the first day of class for my Family and Society course this." Sister Edith at Monastic Musings
Elena was animated, enthusiastic, faith shined through! She was very real. For us, she was relatable and so honest and open. She motivated us the most and we are thankful that she shared so much of her personal life to show example. some PreCana evals from 2014
"you never cease to amaze me, and everyone else! You are unbelievably unforgettably wow! I'm so blessed to be your cousin and friend. Dan - My domestic cousin 5/2014
"Elena: A flute could never sound or feel so etherial as when you play." Marissa
"Your comments are continually provoking, idiotic and condescending" my nephew 11/2018
" As a mom of littles, I really appreciate moms like you tackling these tough issues and sharing your wisdom!" Laura commenting on Catholicmom 06/2019
"Thanks so much for a thoughtful article faithful to the teachings of our faith, while being compassionate towards gay people."Tim commenting on Catholicmom dot com 06/2019
"Grandma, snuggle me!" - My domestic granddaughter 2017
"When Elena turns the other cheek, it's so she can whip around the other side with full force!" Mr. Pete My Domestic Husband!
The patient bunch of kids wait out the spelling of that whole message?
Forgive me, but I’m skeptical of certain details in this story:
Not of the power of prayer … or of the power of darkness but … of the power of the ouija board.
At least you found an understanding of “under the blood.”
Well I think I’ve always understood “protection” under the blood, but I still don’t get “keeping your sins under the blood.”
I totally and completely believe that the Ouija board can be a vehicle for the powers of darkness. You might be interested in
This article in Envoy Magazine
and this one in the middle of the page from Catholic Answers
Neither of those interest me.
Just because I accept this:
“The Lord repeatedly condemns any and all occultic practices, including divination.”
doesn’t mean I must accept this:
“the Ouija board really does work”
But I’m not likely to find out for sure anyway.
The point of the story, I surmise, is that prayer works … why mention the occult? It’s just sensationalism … or worse – piques another’s curiosity.
“why mention the occult?”
Why not mention the occult. It’s just the other side of the coin. I’m not as cynical as you are.
Just sounds like the near occasion of sin to me.
Cynical? You mean “skeptical,” don’t you? You aren’t as skeptical as I. I don’t want to talk cynicism, please.
“It’s just the other side of the coin.”
I don’t agree with that, as it suggests equality.
We aren’t obliged to give the devil his due.
It is a near occasion of sin! That’s part of the point!!
And no, I think cynical fits in that you were questioning my motives for bringing up the occult in the first place.
Good and evil – the classic struggle is it not. Doesn’t mean they are equal, but it does mean that they both exist and I think it is very naive to think that evil does not exist, or is not powerful.
Whatever cynicism I may have on this matter is directed principally at “anonymous,” i.e., whomever shared the story with you, prompting you sufficiently to repeat it here for us.
So, let’s back up:
You share an amazing, second-hand tale you think true.
I comment that I can’t accept the reported occult activity of the story credible.
You think that, by doubting the efficacy of an ouija board and calling it sensational, I’m questioning your motives. Is this your story? Is it original with you? No, it’s second- or third- or whatever-hand.
Still, I am sorry that when I rejected a part of this story – as I am bound by my conscience to reject – you thought I was questioning your motivation.
But, tell me, this story is intended to keep your kids away from ouija boards, yes? “It certainly made an impression on … my own!”
This tale notwithstanding, I hold that some supernatural episodes we experience are intended to remain private, especially if the details might be construed as sensational by someone with a weak faith.
I hope you’ll think on that.
I blogged about the woman who told me the story. Her name is Fabiola and she was telling the story to the children at Jr. Legion of Mary. Surprisingly, quite a few of these children who attend this Catholic school had already played with Ouija boards and had seances. Fab was telling the children about the Miraculous Medal (which we commemorated this week in the liturgical calendar). We ended up going down a rabbit trail connected to superstitions and then to the occult.
Fab’s presentation was clearly within the guidelines of the Catholic Church:
2116 All forms of divination are to be rejected: recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead or other practices falsely supposed to “unveil” the future.48 Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the phenomena of clairvoyance, and recourse to mediums all conceal a desire for power over time, history, and, in the last analysis, other human beings, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers. They contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone.
2117 All practices of magic or sorcery, by which one attempts to tame occult powers, so as to place them at one’s service and have a supernatural power over others – even if this were for the sake of restoring their health – are gravely contrary to the virtue of religion. These practices are even more to be condemned when accompanied by the intention of harming someone, or when they have recourse to the intervention of demons. Wearing charms is also reprehensible. Spiritism often implies divination or magical practices; the Church for her part warns the faithful against it. Recourse to so-called traditional cures does not justify either the invocation of evil powers or the exploitation of another’s credulity.
You questioned my motives when you wrote: “why mention the occult? It’s just sensationalism … or worse – piques another’s curiosity.”
I have no reason to doubt Fabiola and in fact I have read accounts that were equally chilling. There is an account in one of the Surprised by the Truth books about a young man who similarly started having dealings with the occult and demons after playing with the Ouija board. When he tried to walk away from that path, the demon tried to drown him and several of his strong friends had to stay with him all night to keep him safe. I have no reason to doubt that story.
Just as you by reason of conscience feel it necessary to doubt I felt motivated by conscience to share the story and my experience here.