"A good translator will be the first to agree that no translation is good; or, at any rate, good enough. How are we to find eight short English words which actually stand for 'Sumit unus, sumunt mille; quantum isti, tantum ille'? How is anybody really to render the sound of the 'Pange Lingua,' when the very first syllable has a clang like the clash of cymbals?"
-G.K. Chesterton (cf. St. Thomas Aquinas).
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Rally the Catholic Youth: See You in Madrid A.D. 2011
Despite the girly-man music and odd liturgy, it can be of great value for Catholic kids to participate as an easy oppotunity for a first introduction to the visible papacy and true fellowship in seeing how big our numbers truly are. Glorious Catholic youth, you are not alone; Peter confirms you in the Faith: see him and worship with him among thousands of other youth in the gift, joy and wonder and splendor of the Holy Ghost.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Donations
Many have given in different ways to support this blog.
A big thank you to everybody!
Through the grace of God, YOU keep the blog going through your generosity.
"We asked him to tell us about Rome and the many beautiful things he had seen there."
--St. Maria Faustina Kowalska (aka "Little Faustina"), Diary, 1168.
This blog has always had a small, but enthusiastic following.
The Lord bless and reward you all.
And thank you as ever for the donations which keep this effort afloat.
The Incarnation needs to be the idea that is central in our civilisation. Help keep every worthy Catholic effort afloat. Keep this blog going!
Thank you for the donations which are always welcome.
You are prayed for at every holy shrine.
Let us pray!
A big thank you to everybody!
Through the grace of God, YOU keep the blog going through your generosity.
"We asked him to tell us about Rome and the many beautiful things he had seen there."
--St. Maria Faustina Kowalska (aka "Little Faustina"), Diary, 1168.
This blog has always had a small, but enthusiastic following.
The Lord bless and reward you all.
And thank you as ever for the donations which keep this effort afloat.
The Incarnation needs to be the idea that is central in our civilisation. Help keep every worthy Catholic effort afloat. Keep this blog going!
Thank you for the donations which are always welcome.
You are prayed for at every holy shrine.
Let us pray!
Be a Pilgrim in Catholic Europe
Yes, it is one of the great wonders of the world.
But, it is also a monument of Christendom - the belfry of the Cathedral of Pisa.
Catholic Culture: Woodcarving
Make one of these for your parish with the arms of the present reigning Pontiff.
What is Wrong with this Picture?
Meanwhile the Church hath spoken and given...
"The musical tradition of the universal Church is a treasure of immeasurable value, greater even than that of any other art." --Vatican Council II
Happy 100th Birthday, Mother!
MCMX - 26.VIII - MMX: Centessimus annus ab ortu beatae Teresiae Calcuttensis, nata Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu ex Albaniensi familia Scupi in hodierna Macedonia, qui institutum Missionariarum Caritatis condidit pro miserrimis succurrendis.
Thanks, Rodolfo!
What the Tomb of a Bishop Looks Like: In Latin for Eternal Memory
Most Rev. Carlo Chenis, my friend, the bishop of the See of Civitavecchia-Tarquinia.
You were the new Pope's man at the port of Rome. All your students loved you. Leadership was your gift. You loved the Church. Son of Don Bosco, cancer took your body. You still inspire us. May your memory be eternal!
Statue of Pius XII in Vatican Basilica
Pio XII
Pont. Max.
S.R.E. Cardinales
Ab Eo Creati
As was custom, after he passed away the cardinals whom he had created had this statue erected in St. Peter's Basilica sacred to his memory.
What Cardinals Smoke in St. Peter's Square
Hecho en Cuba.
A pipe from Asia Minor where St. Paul the Apostle was born and tobacco from the Catholic island discovered by the Admiral, Christopher Columbus, for the Catholic sovereigns Ferdinand and Isabel.
This summer yours truly read The Four Voyages by Christopher Columbus (Penguin Books); and his old log-book is a fabulous read!
Catholic Culture: Beer
Catholic men meet for a beer to chat about Church history, theology, liturgy, politics, etc.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Summertime in Italy: Swim where the Future Pope Swam
Santa Marinella, near Rome.
The Pacelli family had already began to vacation here a bit while he was still just a boy.
Then the future Pius XII came here until he was elected Supreme Pontiff in 1939.
Swim here where he, too, swam and enjoy the rich history in these parts.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
St. Bartholomew on Tiber Island
Tiber Island, Rome.
The body of the saint is entombed inside the main altar here.
Today you were prayed for here.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Arona: Birthplace of St. Charles Borromeo
Church of St. Charles, constructed over his place of birth.
A lovely place, overlooking the gigantic Lake Maggiore, near Milan.
You were prayed for here.
At this site St. Charles was born on October 2, 1538 (inside the fortress of Arona, no longer standing).
Arona: Birthplace of St. Charles Borromeo
Up above the town of Arona, overlooking Lake Maggiore, is this "Sacred Mountain of St. Charles," where the saint was born.
The church visible at the top was constructed over his exact place of birth.
Arona: Birthplace of St. Charles Borromeo
This photo was taken from our boat which we took from Switzerland, into Italy.
On the right of the cliff in the middle is visible the church constructed over his place of birth.
WHITHER GOES OUR LITURGY?
Source: http://piuslad.blogspot.com/.
UPDATED CHURCH [From 1974]
Latin's gone,
Peace is too,
Singin' and shoutin'
From every pew.
Altar's turned round,
Priest is too,
Commentator's shoutin'
Page twenty-two.
Communion rail's gone,
Stand up straight,
Kneeling suddenly
Went out of date.
Processions are forming
In every aisle,
Salvation organized
Single file.
Rosary's out,
Psalms are in,
Hardly ever hear
A word against sin.
Listen to the Lector,
Hear how he reads.
Please stop rattlin'
Those Rosary beads!
Father's looking puzzled,
Doesn't know his part,
Used to know the whole Mass
In Latin by heart.
I hope all the changes
Are just about done,
And that they won't drop Bingo
Before I've won.
I found this poem printed in a book on the history of Sacred Heart Parish in Aberdeen, SD. The editor comments, "This ditty, composed by some anonymous bard, came to our attention recently. While we may not agree with its contents, we feel that it does have a message that is pertinent to our time."
UPDATED CHURCH [From 1974]
Latin's gone,
Peace is too,
Singin' and shoutin'
From every pew.
Altar's turned round,
Priest is too,
Commentator's shoutin'
Page twenty-two.
Communion rail's gone,
Stand up straight,
Kneeling suddenly
Went out of date.
Processions are forming
In every aisle,
Salvation organized
Single file.
Rosary's out,
Psalms are in,
Hardly ever hear
A word against sin.
Listen to the Lector,
Hear how he reads.
Please stop rattlin'
Those Rosary beads!
Father's looking puzzled,
Doesn't know his part,
Used to know the whole Mass
In Latin by heart.
I hope all the changes
Are just about done,
And that they won't drop Bingo
Before I've won.
I found this poem printed in a book on the history of Sacred Heart Parish in Aberdeen, SD. The editor comments, "This ditty, composed by some anonymous bard, came to our attention recently. While we may not agree with its contents, we feel that it does have a message that is pertinent to our time."
Friday, August 20, 2010
Catholic Culture: Catholic Newspapers
Enlist here and support the good guys:
http://www.thewandererpress.com/ee/wandererpress/index.php.
http://www.thewandererpress.com/ee/wandererpress/index.php.
From Ascona, Switzerland: Tiara on Gate
Residence of the "archpriest" of Ascona (honorary title of the pastor of the town parish).
Great Cathedrals of Christendom: Visit and See them As a Pilgrim
Duomo of Milan.
Pray inside at the tomb of St. Charles Borromeo.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Maniple
Yours truly just purchased this old maniple for 1 euro at an outdoor summer market along the beach near Rome.
Tears of St. Lawrence
The famous Fr. Z has had some fine posts on the curiosity of the "tears" of St. Lawrence, as seen here:
http://wdtprs.com/blog/2010/08/the-tears-of-st-lawrence-are-still-flowing/
Some nights ago at midnight yours truly went out to the seashore and laid down on a big rock and the view was tremendous.
With the fishermen and the crash of the waves one could see the famed tears of St. Lawrence like something out of a motion picture.
The tears look a bit terrifying; like speedy missiles.
What you see is a star now and then flying through the sky with tremendous speed and at the blink of an eye it is all over.
http://wdtprs.com/blog/2010/08/the-tears-of-st-lawrence-are-still-flowing/
Some nights ago at midnight yours truly went out to the seashore and laid down on a big rock and the view was tremendous.
With the fishermen and the crash of the waves one could see the famed tears of St. Lawrence like something out of a motion picture.
The tears look a bit terrifying; like speedy missiles.
What you see is a star now and then flying through the sky with tremendous speed and at the blink of an eye it is all over.
COLISEVM
"The blood, the miracles, and the victories of the early Church have cast a hallowed reminiscence around this venerable ruin, that makes us approach it with a species of religious awe."
-The Martyrs of the Coliseum
Angelicum: Rome's Forgotten Bernini Altar
Located inside the main chapel of Sts. Dominic and Sixtus.
Would be nice to have Holy Mass celebrated again at this altar.
Battle of Lepanto: Rome Image of Our Lady of Guadalupe
San Nicola in Carcere.
It is said that this image was at the famed Battle of Lepanto.
Old Corpus Domini Banners of the Lateran Palace
These lovely banners, from the era of Blessed Pius IX, are still put up each year for Corpus Christi.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Naples: Beautiful Church Capital of the World
Visits Naples and see the churches.
It is the city of domes. If you study church architecture, then study Naples.
Each church is defined by its verticality and the dome defines the building and everything reaches up to the heavens.
Wear a Mantilla
Rome.
People don't like to hear this, but the mantilla is a symbol and a reminder that a woman is under the leadership (paternity/authority) and protection of her husband. A woman's hair is her honor. It is veiled in His Eucharistic presence. The covered head is a symbol of modesty, womanhood, maternity and sanctity. This is why the Madonna is veiled, why our sisters are veiled and why our brides and daughters on the day of their on their First Holy Communion are veiled.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Why Have a Catholic Blog?
In short, this is why:
"But all this is for the sake of immortal souls."
-St. Maria Faustina (Diary, 1010).
A Catholic blog is the Lord's work.
We each do the Lord's work because we each hear a call. If you are batpized, then listen for your call...
In this case, more Catholic photographs are needed online and this blog is an answer to that call.
All glory and honor be to the Lord!
As the Council of Trent says: "God forbid that a Christian should either trust or glory in himself, and not in the Lord" (cf. I Cor. i. 31; II Cor. x. 17.).
The Council further has this to say: "Abound in every good work, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord;" (cf. I Cor. xv. 58.) "for God is not unjust, that He should forget your work, and the love which you have shown in His name;" (cf. Heb. vi. 10.) and, "Do not lose your confidence, which hath a great reward." (cf. Heb. x. 35.)
In these our calamitous times which are so oversown with misinformation, do the Lord's work and unveil Catholic truth.
Let us pray!
"But all this is for the sake of immortal souls."
-St. Maria Faustina (Diary, 1010).
A Catholic blog is the Lord's work.
We each do the Lord's work because we each hear a call. If you are batpized, then listen for your call...
In this case, more Catholic photographs are needed online and this blog is an answer to that call.
All glory and honor be to the Lord!
As the Council of Trent says: "God forbid that a Christian should either trust or glory in himself, and not in the Lord" (cf. I Cor. i. 31; II Cor. x. 17.).
The Council further has this to say: "Abound in every good work, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord;" (cf. I Cor. xv. 58.) "for God is not unjust, that He should forget your work, and the love which you have shown in His name;" (cf. Heb. vi. 10.) and, "Do not lose your confidence, which hath a great reward." (cf. Heb. x. 35.)
In these our calamitous times which are so oversown with misinformation, do the Lord's work and unveil Catholic truth.
Let us pray!
Friday, August 13, 2010
Why Latin in the Liturgy?
Here is what the old statesman Lloyd George had to say back in the day:
"There is no Church," says Lloyd George, "that has made a surer and deeper search into human nature. Roman Catholics conduct their worship in the language of worship. Their Church utilizes every means of taking people beyond everyday interests; the language of commerce and of everyday occupation is left outside, and the people are taught the language of worship. That shows a shrewd, deep insight into the human mind."
--The Mass by Fr. Joseph Dunney.
"There is no Church," says Lloyd George, "that has made a surer and deeper search into human nature. Roman Catholics conduct their worship in the language of worship. Their Church utilizes every means of taking people beyond everyday interests; the language of commerce and of everyday occupation is left outside, and the people are taught the language of worship. That shows a shrewd, deep insight into the human mind."
--The Mass by Fr. Joseph Dunney.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Rome Quotes
"Today, I prayed more fervently than ever for the Holy Father."
-St. Maria Faustina of the Most Blessed Sacrament (Diary, 925).
-St. Maria Faustina of the Most Blessed Sacrament (Diary, 925).
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Tomb of Santa Susanna
Today is her feast, August 11.
SANCTIS MART GABINIO SVSANNAE ET FELICITATI SACRVM.
Inside this altar are the remains of Sts. Susanna, Gabinus and Felicity the Roman (patron saint of parents who have lost a child in death).
Santa Susanna
The American parish in Rome.
Truth be told, I don't know one American or Canadian in the Alma Città who attends this parish.