ROME 23/04 – Day 20: Mysteria and wysteria

In Roma in this 110th day of the year, the sunset will be at 1958, having risen at 0621.

The Ave Maria ought to chime, but in the place most worthy of its sounding it won’t, at 2015.

Welcome new registrant:

Paul Schoppe

Today is the anniversary of the death of Msgr. Richard J. Schuler, olim pastor of St. Agnes in St. Paul MN, to whom so many owe so much.  His legacy is still being lived and the fruits of his labors are still being harvested.  Very much missed.

Yesterday evening I met friends for preprandials.

Which drink is mine, in this moment before taking possession of the new book in English from Card. Muller?

Later, off to supper.  This is a good season for vignarola.

My dining companion was looking forward to MEAT, so MEAT was meet and met.

A great evening and long conversation.  I’m grateful for his friendship and all he is doing for priests.

A nice corner.  It’s like a scene from a murder mystery…

It’s the 18th century and a body has been deposited under a “no dumping… mondazzaro” sign. Immediately a note was sent to alert the Most Reverend Most Illustrious Monsignor President of the Streets about this obviously strangled corpse. News arrived as he was dining with a visitor, Msgr. Domenico Ponziani, Vicar General of Modena and a world famous chess player. Returning to the dining salon, the President declares, “Monsignore Domenico, I may have something that will interest you.” Circling the table, he extends his bony hand, the large episcopal ring catching the candles. With a flourish, L’Illustrissimo places an object on his guest’s now empty plate: an elegantly carved ivory chess piece… a bishop, crusted with dried blood. “Monsignor Crepaldi is dead. This was in his hand.” “How dreadful, Monsignore!” “Curious, though, Domenico. There wasn’t a cut on his body. This is not his own blood!”

The Roman streets are filled with mysteries.

About the book I was holding up.   This is the English version of a work by Gerhard Ludwig Card. Müller.

US HERE and UK HERE

True and False Reform: What It Means to Be Catholic

I noted with interest two things while sitting at the table with those drinks, which were a variant of a Manhattan, though somewhat more aromatic.  I was told that it had been blended and stored for two months and yesterday was its first appearance.

The Cocktail Culture has hit Rome.

But I digress.

The first thing I noticed is that the 2021 German title was: Was ist katholisch.   The title suggests to me that Germany is so far gone that that simple title is necessary.

The second thing I noticed is the page with some introductory quotes.  The final one, really caught my eye as a sharp opening blast.  The very mention of the late Card. Hosius is enough, but his epitaph is a thunderclap.

During my last Roman Sojourn I wrote about Stanislaus Hosius (1505-1579). Just as F. Atticus McButterpants has heraldic pants on his coat of arms, Hosius has hose.  Hosius was Major Penitentiary and Card. Priest of Santa Maria in Trastevere..  His funerary monument is to the right of the sanctuary  Polish… actually Prussian.  He was a fierce opponent of the Protestant Revolt.

The epitaph itself:

I am writing these things about those who are seducing you:

Whoever is out of harmony with the Roman Church in the doctrine of the Faith is not Catholic.

So, Müller has planted his flag.  More on this in the days to come.

After Holy Mass this morning, with a couple visiting from Stateside, we strolled up to the edge of the Campo de’ Fiori where you can see, these days, this lovely sight.

Yesterday I said a Votive Mass of St. Joseph to ask him to get involved with my finding a place here.  Today, I also offered this idea to the High Priest with His votive Mass on Thursday.  Also, this morning, at the beginning of the Via dei Cappellari, I noted that an enterprising devotee of Our Lady has given her some wysteria, which is coming in right now.  I had a chat with her, too, given that a place that seemed enticing was in this very street and under her mantle.

Meanwhile, here is a puzzle for you today.

Black’s Queen has too much to do.

White to play.

NB: I’ll hold comments with solutions ’till the next day so there won’t be “spoilers” for others.

As I write, I also have the nail-biter Gam 8 of 14 on and with crazy clock management, wild pawn structures, with lunch… caprese.