Thursday, September 30, 2010

Roman Basilica of S. Andrea della Valle

Peter's brother, Andrew.

Two lovely domes on the skyline.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Missionary Sisters of Charity: "Poorest of the Poor"

"Go home and sell all that belongs to you.  Give it to the poor, and so the treasure you have shall be in heaven; then come back and follow me."

--Matt. 19:21

Rome Quotes

"I loved Latin."

-St. Augustine (Confessiones, Book I, 13).

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Pope on the Illustrious English Nation: "The Dowry of Mary"

"The love and care of the Roman Pontiffs for England has been traditional from the days of Our holy predecessor Gregory the Great."

-Pope Leo XIII

Traditional Visit of Latin Rite Patriarch of Jerusalem to Cortona, Near Florence




Each new Patriarch of Jerusalem of the Latins makes a visit to the Diocese of Arezzo-Cortona-Sansepolcro to be welcomed by the locals: bishop, mayor, clergy and faithful.

Cortona is where a famous relic of the true cross is kept and Sansepolcro was named after the Holy Sepulchre, the most sacred shrine for Christians, where Christ was buried and where He rose from the dead at Jerusalem.

From Allumiere: Sanctuary of the Madonna delle Grazie




North of Rome, in the hills near the sea.

It has been an honor to visit here to pray a few times.

Costumes for Kids

In Cortona these kids walked in the procession. 

Moms and dads loved it.

Be a Franciscan

St. Francis, stigmatist.

Pax et Bonum.

Sedia Gestatoria: Bring It Back


Last seen in 1978.

Here seen in white, instead of red.

Monday, September 27, 2010

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Latin Rite Patriarch of Jerusalem: His Beatitude Fouad Twal


Pontifical Mass yesterday at Cortona, near Florence.

N.B. Someone might want to replace the current Wiki pic:


Tunic and Cushion of St. Francis of Assisi at Cortona

For over 750 years these have been kept here at the church of St. Francis (XIII cent.), at Cortona (near Florence).

This is the second largest church in the world dedicated to St. Francis, after his Basilica in Assisi (both were designed and constructed by Friar Elias, follower and companion of St. Francis, his Vicar and subsequently Minister General of the Order).  With its gothic nave and trussed roof, this style became the model for Franciscan churches.  Friar Elias himself carried these relics here from Assisi. 

Relic of the True Cross at Cortona

For 1,000 years this relic has been kept here.

The old  reliquary, from the Xth century, was brought from Constantinople here to Cortona (near Florence) by the Franciscan, Friar Elias (a friend and follower of St. Francis of Assisi).

Pope to the Noble English Nation

To the Blessed Virgin.

Prayer for England.

O Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God and our most gentle Queen and Mother, look down in mercy upon England thy "Dowry" and upon us all who greatly hope and trust in thee. By thee it was that Jesus our Saviour and our hope was given unto the world ; and He has given thee to us that we might hope still more. Plead for us thy children, whom thou didst receive and accept at the foot of the cross. O sorrowful Mother! intercede for our separated brethren, that with us in the one true fold they may be united to the supreme Shepherd, the Vicar of thy Son. Pray for us all, dear Mother, that by faith fruitful in good works we may all deserve to see and praise God, together with thee, in our heavenly home. Amen.

http://www.papalencyclicals.net/Leo13/l13amantissima.htm

Pope on Anglican Orders

"In England, shortly after it was rent from the centre of Christian unity, a new rite for conferring Holy Orders was publicly introduced under Edward VI, the true Sacrament of Orders, as instituted by Christ, lapsed, and with it the hierarchial succession."

-Pope Leo XIII (Apostolic Letter Apostolicae Curae, September 13, 1896).

http://www.papalencyclicals.net/Leo13/l13curae.htm

Catholic Culture: Catholic Politicians

Vote for good Catholic politicians: http://www.votetonyh.org/.

"Legislation is the work of men invested with power, and who, in fact, govern the nation; therefore it follows that, practically, the quality of the laws depends more upon the quality of these men than upon the form of power.  The laws will be good or bad accordingly as the minds of the legislators are imbued with good or bad principles, and as they allow themselves to be guided by political prudence or by passion."

--Pope Leo XIII

Saturday, September 25, 2010

"Colossal" Statue of St. Charles Borromeo at His Birthplace of Arona

Still one of the highest statues in the world.

It was unveiled in 1698 and was begun in 1624.

One can even climb up to the top on an inside ladder.

It is 35 meters high.

Friday, September 24, 2010

Room Where St. Charles Borromeo Was Born

Arona, near Milan.

Today there is a church here constructed over the former castle where he was born on Oct. 2, 1538. 

Sadly, the original castle was destroyed by order of Napoleon in 1801.

You were prayed for in this room.

Camera Natale di San Carlo Borromeo.

Remember the Missions: Russian Federation

Photo taken at 2010 Diocesan Eucharistic Congress, Charlotte, N.C.


Urgent help still needed: http://www.vladmission.org/

Catholic Art: Statues

Allumiere, north of Rome.

There are still art studios in Florence where a new generation of sculptors learn and practice this art.

Catholic Art: Ceramics

Allumiere, north of Rome.

Talented craftsmen in places like Umbria and Lazio are still making these lovely images for outdoor gardens, etc.

Portantina of St. Charles Borromeo

This is the original sedan chair used by St. Charles during his many pastoral visits through the Duchy of Milan.

Photo taken at his birthplace, Arona.

Vatican Nuns

"I wish to disapper in You, O Jesus."  --St. Faustina

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Rome's Casa S. Pio X

Opera Femminile B. Luigi Guanella.

At Basilica of San Pancrazio.

Rome Quotes

"Today bring to Me the souls of heretics and schismatics, and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy.  During My bitter Passion they tore at My Body and Heart; that is, My Church.  As they return to unity with the Church, My wounds heal, and in this way they alleviate My Passion."

-Christ to St. Maria Faustina of the Most Blessed Sacrament (Diary, 1218).

Holy Relics of German Christians Killed by Nazis

Basilica di San Bartolomeo, Rome.

From L to R.

Letter of Blessed Franz Jägerstätter, Catholic Austrian, written a few days before his decapitation in a Berlin jail, August 9, 1943.

Pyx for consecrated Host used by the wife of Eugen Bolz, a Catholic in opposition of the Nazi regime, decapitated January 23, 1945.  Even though it was prohibited in the prison, Bolz received Holy Communion just before he died from this same pyx.

Letter to family members of Evangelical pastor Paul Schneider, written at Nazi camp of Buchenwald, where he died July 18, 1939.

Relic of Blessed Cardinal Clemens Augustus von Galen.

Stone cut during an attack of the S.S. against the residence of His Excellency Joannes Baptista Sproll, the Bishop of Rottenburg-Stuttgart, exiled because of his opposition to the Nazi program of euthanasia.

Letter to family members of the Catholic Heinrich Ruster, written at the Nazi camp of Sachsenhausen, where he was killed October 23, 1942.

MAY THEIR MEMORY BE ETERNAL.

Latin in the Floor

Allumiere, north of Rome.

Baroque on the Italian Peninsula

Tolfa, north of Rome.

If you want real Italian food, visit a town like this and you will be amazed.

Papal Heraldry

The galero has been left on episcopal arms.

The tiara is to be left on papal arms.

STEPHANIE KORNY (1910 - 2010): Requiem!

In your charity pray for the Lord's faithful handmaiden

STEPHANIE KORNY née Hujwan

beloved mother and grandmother

who,

comforted by the Sacraments of Holy Church,

fell asleep in the Lord at Winnipeg, Canada,

at the age of 99 years.

Зі святими упокой, Христе, душу раби Твоєї Стефанії,
де немає болізні й печалі, але життя безконечне.
Вічна її пам'ять!

The Papal Coronation: Bring It Back

Image from the Internet.

"The papal coronation took place on 30th June 1963.  He prepared himself by receiving the sacrament of Penance, to which he was faithful."  p. 52.

Bring back the rite of coronation!

"The gift of the tiara occured on 13th November 1964, shortly before the Holy Father's departure for Bombay.  The pope concelebrated Mass in St. Peter's according to the Byzantine rite together with the Melchite Patriarch.  At the end of the liturgy the Secretary General of the Council publicly recalled that according to Jesus Christ's example, the  Church had always been the mother of the poor, and that accordingly, the pope was donating his tiara to them.  The Holy Father himself, among the acclamations of the crowd, approached the altar and laid the tiara upon it.  The gesture aroused a great surprise, for not all approved of it."  p. 83.

--Paul VI by Archbishop Pasquale Macchi.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Clergy Shoes (Souliers d'Église)

Musée Fourvière - Lyon

Exposition from 19 September to 8 December, 2003