"Big Al" who with affection was known as the shortest bishop with the tallest mitre. He was a holy and humble man who used to be seen taking the bus around Rome.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Venerable Franciscans of San Lorenzo and Campo Verano
Wonderful old men, but few now and venerable in age.
Across the street is located the largest university in Italy.
Would be nice to see the Franciscans of the Immaculate take over and really change San Lorenzo into a the powerhouse it needs to be.
Arrival at the Port of Rome: View from the Station
Lovely sea breeze. Clean air. A great place to take a walk, watch the fishermen at dusk, get a haircut or go to the outdoor market. Lots of wonderful memories here. In fact, Halloween was spent here this year.
Friday, October 30, 2009
On the Path to Sainthood: Rome Resort Town of Santa Marinella Honors Its Own Eugenio Pacelli, Future Pope Pius XII
Many years ago the brother of the future Pope Pius XII, Francesco Pacelli, purchased a holiday villa at 386 Via Aurelia in the resort town of S. Marinella, sixty-five km from Rome. Before his election to the throne of Peter in 1939, the future Pope spent some time at his brother's villa where he swam in the waters seen above. To commemorate his time spent on brief holidays here this marble plaque was just dedicated today and will soon be attached to the wall near the seashore for all to see.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Adorers of the Royal Heart of Jesus Christ Sovereign Priest in Gricigliano (near Florence) Vows
Saturday, October 24, 2009
In the first photo the two new American sisters can be seen on the right (one from Wisconsin and the other from Minnesota).
In the second photo can be seen the two new American sisters, with another French sister whose brother is a priest in the ICK.
In the third photo can be seen the new American sister with her mother after the vows.
In the fourth photo can be seen the new French sister on the right with her family (three generations with her mother and grandmother!).
Adorers of the Royal Heart of Jesus Christ Sovereign Priest in Gricigliano (near Florence) Vows
The sisters thank you for your support: http://www.institute-christ-king.org/vocations/sisters/.
Diocesan Museum of Prato (near Florence): Chasuble from 1500s
Lackluster vestments might be in vogue today, but it was not always that way...bust the phat old glory otta da museums, all y'all!
Lateran Palace: When Popes Ate Pigeons
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Just Another Day in the Eternal City: Via Appia Antica
At noon today yours truly was crossing the Via Appia Antica at Via Ardeatine (in front of Domine, Quo Vadis?) and this was the scene.
Rome Conference on Pius XII at San Lorenzo with Sr. Margherita Marchione
Rome Priest Killed by Nazis: Padre Pietro Pappagallo (1888-1944) RIP
The massacre of 335 Italians took place here on March 24, 1944 in the pozzolana caves just outside Rome.
Victims belonged to every professional category and social condition: 68 military, 9 farmers, 41 craftsmen, 9 artists, 71 merchants, 1 diplomat, 33 professionals, 37 employees, 47 workmen, 6 students and 1 priest. The order came from Hitler. 70 were Jews. The youngest was 14. The oldest was 75. Everybody was shot in the head.
Rest in peace. Amen.
"In broad daylight on March 23, 1944, a group of 16 partisans (G.A.P.) accomplished a sensational attempt against an armed division of 160 S.S. marching along Via Rasella. An explosive charge, hidden in a hand-cart, exploded in the middle of the German column while other partisans launched bombs and fired submachine-guns at the rear of the unit causing 32 deaths and wounding 38 (one of which later died in the hospital). With the arrival of reinforcements, the reaction was instantaneous and furious with shooting, ransacking and looting of the surrounding houses. But the Nazis immediately wanted to carry out a frightening retaliation to punish and terrorize the entire city; from Hitler himself came the order to execute 10 Italians for every German killed within 24 hours."
Monday, October 26, 2009
The Ultimate Book on Clergy Hats: Finally Here!
An astonishing book: 712 pages (9 lbs.) of Catholic beauty.
Hundreds of photos of clerical headgear plus more of lovely extras such as papal rings, dishes and shoes.
Photos taken from the famed Philippi Collection which is the world's largest collection of ecclesiastical headwear.
Get your copy today: http://www.dieter-philippi.de/mydante_1429.html.
Worth every cent...
Product Details:
The PHILIPPI collection (87 KB)Bound hardcover with 712 pages
Protective dust cover and bound-in ribbon bookmark
Language: German
Product Dimensions: 9.6" x 12" (open: 20.5" x 12"), 1.9" thick
Weight: 9.3 pounds
Price: 79.-- € / from Januray 1, 2010: 119.-- €
Publisher: St. Benno Verlag, Leipzig
ISBN 978-3-7462-2800-6
In UK you can order via Amazon
In USA and Canada you can try to order via:
Ms Maria Incremona of Angelus Media Distribution Group
200 Broadway, Long Branch, NJ 07740
Phone: 888-222-2634
E-mail: info@angelusmedia.com
http://www.angelusmedia.com/
Pius XII Conference in Rome
Basilica of San Lorenzo Fuori Le Mura
5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
9:15 p.m. film showing of Pastor Angelicus
Hosted by Pastor Angelicus Comitato Papa Pacelli.
These notables will be there:
Giulio Alfano, Emilio Artiglieri, Nicola Bux, Stefano De Fiores, Giorgio Israel, Julio Loredo, Francesco Lucantoni, Leonardo Macrobio, Margherita Marchione, Gaspare Mura, Fabio Silvestri, Pasquale Squitieri, Umberto Tarsitano, Alexandra von Teuffenbach, Fabio Zavattaro, modera Antonio Gaspari.
The English Martyrs Commemorated in Rome
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Pastor Angelicus: the Ultimate Vatican DVD
Director: Romolo Marcellini
Narrator (English Version): Msgr. Fulton J. Sheen
Introduction (English Version): Archbishop Spellman
Copyright: 1942
Documentary on Pius XII in black and white
80 min.
Available from:
Filmoteca Vaticana
Via della Conciliazione, 5
00120 Citta' del Vaticano
Italy
fv@pccs.va
While still in high school by God's grace yours truly got a copy of this in VHS from Keep the Faith and seeing it was my first ever view of Rome and the Vatican in motion. Still seeing the film years later I can almost hear the Batman theme (reprise) or Attack of the Batwing from the original Batman film score.
From Harvard to Rome: the American Dominican in Rome
An exquisite man, this is Fr. Al Wilder, O.P. A graduate from Harvard after WWII, he converted to Catholicism and entered the Dominican Order and is now one of the very last old-school Thomists still teaching in Rome. For years he has taught philosophy and theology in the Holy City and is much loved by all students and will be sorely missed as this is his last teaching year at Rome's Angelicum. Enjoy your retirement, Father, and we pray a new generation will pick up the torch and continue on!
