Author’s Notes, or How Frodo Baggins Helped Me Become a Better Catholic

Some people come into our lives and leave footprints on our hearts and we are never, ever the same - Flavia Weedn

I first met Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee in December 2001. Since then they have not ceased to slowly transform my life in many ways I never anticipated.

This epic story that is now at its end (or I should this part of the tale has ended, but the Story hasn’t) was originally going to be the love story of Frodo and Sam. It was after some time that I realized that another love story was being woven in and that was Frodo and Iluvatar. I had never written anything like either of these and most of the latter in the beginning was unconscious, then when I realized what was happening, I deliberately wrote more of it so it was throughout the story instead of just a little in Part 4 as I originally intended. I had no idea that as I wrote the story of Frodo’s spiritual journey that I would begin one of my own. That began a few months ago so I am still very much at the beginning of a deepening peace, comfort and love for God and His plan for me. I had always had a good, close relationship with God the Father, but none with God the Son or His Holy Mother. That is now starting. I had some fears to let go before a relationship with Jesus could start. As Frodo realized how irrational his fears of losing his brother’s love if he ever told him about still desiring the Ring, so I realized the fears I harbored were irrational and stunting me spiritually. I am now much more open to Jesus and God’s plan for me. I can much more freely say "I am Yours, do with me as You will." I hope I have the same courage as Frodo did when he said yes when he discovered his vocation. I also realized that Frodo made a deliberate choice to become a person of faith and it gave him great joy to do that and be that. I had no such choice or joy myself. I was born into a Catholic family, I choose to remain in that faith, but I did not originally choose as Frodo did. That is not to say that my faith was dead or unwanted, far from it, but still I had nothing of the joy that an ‘adult convert’ like Frodo had. But now because of encountering this story and this hobbit and his joy in particular, I have more peace and joy than perhaps I ever had. Where would I be without him? I have no idea whether I would have found these paths without such a guide. God does work in mysterious ways. I have read and am still reading a bunch of books dealing with the spiritual themes of LOTR and during one I was filled with this immense joy and peace that removed any fear of death because I know something wonderful is beyond if I can just persevere. I always knew that, but I never had that particular feeling before and it has remained with me. I am also becoming less selfish. I am even considering officially Byzantine Catholic instead of Roman Catholic. Byzantines are still in union with the Pope, but have a richer spirituality than many Western churches these days. The only thing before that was holding me back was that they have not just Lent (known as the Great Fast), but two other smaller fasts in the year and I thought, one Lent is plenty, but as I am overcoming my selfishness and deepening my spirituality, that is no longer the obstacle it once was. So count me among the many whose lives have been profoundly affected by the professor’s discovery of the journey of Mr. Underhill. :)

I also want to take this opportunity of thank you all, dear readers and dearest reviewers, for all your wonderful support in this tale and all my others. It is so greatly, greatly appreciated! This one took 2 years to write and I have a lot of ideas already for my next epic which I hope to start in the fall, if not earlier and there are some shorter pieces I will be doing in the meantime. It’s wonderful to encounter so many other Christian writers and reviewers and have the Christian/Catholic elements of my story welcomed!

This story wouldn’t be anywhere the length it is (around 500!!! pages) if I wasn’t inspired by other writers. I have, unfortunately, forgotten many of their names, but standing out is Arien and Budgielover, the former for her Valinor series - (http://www.writers-haven.net/Stories%20from%20the%20Shire.htm - then click on Home, Goodbye, The Birthday, etc - I tried doing a direct link to the stories but for some reason it didn’t want to work right) and the latter for "Out of All Knowledge." (http://www.writers-haven.net/Masterpieces/Out%20of%20All%20Knowledgeby%20Budgielover.htm - copy and paste if link doesn’t work). If you haven’t read these stories, you must. . I’m sure Shirebound has something to do with all this too. And I know Sally Gardens did too.

Great thanks must also be given to Queen Galadriel for all her lovely lullabies and the one that Frodo Baggins wrote and my friend who wrote the one called "When Morning Comes". This story would not be as rich without your much valued contributions! Hantanyel, melinyel!

God bless and thanks again, all of you, for your support during this journey.  I am so grateful to find such kindred spirits! :)

I will close with a prayer directed to St. Joan of Arc, who several centuries ago, had her own seemingly impossible Quest to fulfill in helping to free France from English control. It fits Frodo so well it’s not even funny. They both showed what can be done by the most unlikely of vessels chosen by God to fulfill His plans. She is one of my favorite saints.

St. Joan of Arc,

you were asked to do the impossible,

yet you accomplished the incredible.

You relied on prayer and the Sacraments for your strength,

and did not let human fraility deter you.

Let us emulate your courage in the decisive moments of our lives

and help us to listen to the voice of the Lord. Amen.

(From A Spiritual Pilgrimage to France by Anne Richards Tschanz)