Had it been clearer, we might have seen the sun rise at 07:32. I hope to see it set at 18:16. I do not hope to hear the Ave Maria chime at 18:30.
Welcome new registrants:
stl_tlm
avalonjohn44
Today is called the Feast of Crispin.
Last year I went to the church of San Lorenzo in Panisperna both to find the altar and tomb of Sts. Crispin and Crispinian and also the tomb and monument of the great Card. Sirleto.
Here is their altar and urn in the church.
I have a fun post from last year with many video versions of Shakespeare’s glorious speech from Henry V. HERE It’s worth a visit.
Speaking of downpours, I was on my way to a book presentation last night and as I stepped out the door, the heavens did their best to prevent my arrival. I went along as best I could from sheltered spot to spot, making progress only when the rain relented a bit. At P.za Navona it really poured, in massive sheets, that started coming in horizontally. That’s when I say, “Nope”, and went for some cover.
Some progress and another bad wave.
Chi è al coperto quando piove,
è ben matto se si move;
se si move e se si bagna,
è ben matto se si lagna.
Why was I out in this madness?
My good friend Fr Robert Sirico of Action Institute presented the Italian translation of his book
The Economics of the Parables
This morning at church a nice young man from St. Louis served Mass for me. A good way to start the day. Followed by breakfast and a walk through the Campo to get flowers.
On my walk I was waved at by various shop keepers 6 times along with a strong dog tail wag and I was called only once a “priest piece of ****”. Par for the course.
Back at the place, some of the droopy zinnias in a shallower vase with their unsupportive stems abbreviated.
I got a few more today.
Meanwhile, interested in learning or improving? Try THIS.
Solve this puzzle. Black to move.
NB: I’ll hold comments with solutions ’till the next day so there won’t be “spoilers” for others.
The Summit Dominicans will surely be making candles for Advent wreaths. We are getting down to the last weeks of this liturgical year and Advent will soon be upon us. Why not get your Advent candles from them? You get nice candles, made by the sisters, and they get your support. HERE If you don’t see something adventy right away use their SEARCH box for Advent.
Your use of my Amazon affiliate link is a major part of my income. It helps to pay for insurance, groceries, everything. Please remember me when shopping online. Thanks in advance. US HERE – UK HERE
Loading ...
“priest piece of….”
Why would someone say that to a priest? Doesnt seem to trouble you? Why would someone say that?
—- perplexed
teomatteo: There could be a number of factors involved. There are a lot of people on the street in Rome who ought to be in institutions. There are people who need meds and don’t have or take them. There are those who have been in some way deeply hurt or disappointed. There are dyed through and through Catholic hating Communists and homosexualists. There are the possessed whose demons get triggered. There are… there are… there are…. The cassock really seems to set some people off. It happens. Rome is ground zero for spiritual warfare.
Being called names or being spat upon here is not all that uncommon. The last time I was here a guy who was manifestly off medication and living very rough came at me with a piece of broken bottle. Fortunately he did it near to some Carabinieri in front of the Palazzo Farnese.
Sometimes it is downright amusing. I’ve had people clearly off meds follow me for a couple of blocks absolutely screaming some of the most foully creative invective imaginable. My biggest challenge in moments like that is to keep going and try not to laugh because that just makes it worse.
I group these street encounter types together with those who, not nearby at all, but rather far away, in cold calculation secretly and in concert with others in an organized way work to do me harm on other levels. It happens. They are to be pitied and prayed for. Doing such things will bring the most ferocious of judgments down on them in the life to come. Hence, they are to be forgiven, on my part, and prayed for. I don’t have much fear for the unhinged guy in the street. I tremble for the long-distance detractors.
Fr Z.,
The juxtaposition of the photograph of the tremendously beautiful flowers and the wretched slurs you often endure has a very Shakespearean quality.
Has my presence chased the rain away?hahaha
I find it quite warm today.
I had no idea Father??. You are ever in my prayers. I know that vengeance is the Lord’s but I should think an imprecatory prayer could help with the long distance variety? What are your thoughts on those types of prayer. I’d like to do one for my neighbor who has put an evil eye card in her window directly facing my home. Should I be concerned? She’s not a very nice person who I suspect also has mental health issues, but her last encounter towards me resulted in a police having to issue her a citation for assault.
Also, those are Gerbera Daisies Father. Same genus, different species ;o)
Father Z, I have a “foodie” question.
I just got back from two weeks in Italy (Roma, Umbria, Firenze) and really enjoyed the “fagioli” I had with various meat dishes. My understanding is that they are “cannellini”, so I ordered some. That’s when I got confused.
The various sites I checked equated “cannellini” with “white kidney” beans. However, I find that some people think they are different, with the “cannellini” much “smoother” (my experience) than the “white kidney”s. Are they the same? I found a site that says they are different species yet most food sites use the names interchangeably. I ordered “Italian cannellini” beans.
Thanks for your help.
Speaking of St. Crispin’s Day:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzIyExlEcyk
Not seeing a line for mate, but I do see a way to exchange a knight and a queen for a queen and a rook.
1. Qxd8+ Qxd8
2. Nc7+ Kb8
3. Ne6+ Kc8
4. Nxd8 Kxd8
White could do several different things (including blundering the game by trying to block with the g4 bishop), but I think these moves are their best option.
At P.za Navona it really poured, in massive sheets, that started coming in horizontally.
Fr. Z, walking up towards O Cebreiro last year on my way back to France from Compostela, the rain was “falling” upwards !! (well, about a 60° angle)
There is a nice smothered checkmate in the puzzle.
1. . . . Qg1+
2. Rxg1 (or Nxg1) Kf2#
Rome in the rain! What a precious memory of that is mine. Trastevere — half way up to my knees. In retrospect it was wonderful but I was thirty years younger.