My final full day in Rome is also the final day of April. The sun rose at 6:05. It will set at 20:10, to chase the cycle of the Ave Maria Bell, which, like a tease, is to be rung – but won’t be – at 20:30.
In the Vetus Ordo today we celebrate S. Catherine of Siena, virgin and doctrix. In the Novus, we celebrate Pope St. Pius V (+1 May 1572) whose body is in the Sistine Chapel of S. Maria Maggiore. It is also the Feast of St. Quirinus, Martyr (s. III) and St. Peter the Levite (+605).
From one of the little churches I stepped into yesterday. S. Nicola di Bari. It had been a Dominican place, as the art at the side altars suggested (St Thomas Aquinas, etc.). This was way up above the little organ in the loft.
I am packing, going systematically from one end of the place to the other, tidying, readying things for storage, sorting for disposal. Tonight, my “carrellino” will go back to its waiting place. I’ll finalize my dishes and leftovers, probably have a walk, and try to get to bed a little early.
Welcome registrant:
Helengrace3712
HEY! a*****.w****@erickson.com My thank you note to you got kicked back with an “undeliverable” message. Did you update your email? Let me know!
Yesterday I ran a couple of errands in the afternoon, including a stop at a couple of clerical shops and a phone place.
Can you identity these?
I determined that I was going to have filetti di baccalà yesterday, deep fried reconstituted cod. I hadn’t been for quite a while. This is a classic place. They have a small menu and they do quite a bit of take away.
To order take away, go to the very back, to the kitchen.
They needed hotter oil, I think. Deep frying is tricky. They could do better.
I also got some puntarelle.
Summary: Come here if you want a taste of Roman Friday of Lent. Otherwise, run, don’t walk… to a better place. This ain’t what it used to be. The puntarelle were fresh but the dressing was not inspiring. I was able to dress it up a bit at home. The filetti… waaaaay to salty. It may have been an off evening. However, my desire for filetti – from that place – has been slaked for the next 10 years or so. Too bad. I used to enjoy them.
Someone should open up a place and give them competition. Seriously.
In happier news: The Jasmine Report (Not about the Jesuit).
I was walking along a usual route in the evening and suddenly… that distinct smell. Looking on the far side of the bush…
Just in time. It’s like Rome is saying, “AÒ!”
Please remember me when shopping online and use my affiliate links. US HERE – UK HERE WHY? This helps to pay for health insurance (massively hiked for this new year of surprises), utilities, groceries, etc.. At no extra cost, you provide help for which I am grateful.
In chessy news, Magnus Carlsen opined about official world champ Ding Liren, who hasn’t been playing much and who hasn’t done very well.
“The question is whether he is sort of permanently broken from the last world championship that he played. I’m not sure, but I think there is a possibility that he could be,” said Carlsen.
Meanwhile, white to move and mate in 5.
1. Rg7+ Kf7 2. Qe7+ Rf7 3. Rg1+ Kh8 4. Qe5+ Rg7 5. Qxg7#
NB: I’ll hold comments with solutions ’till the next day so there won’t be “spoilers” for others.
Benedictine beer makes things better. They have three kinds, not two! Click to learn more.
UPDATE:
Just a little something to make you laugh. They’re serious, but… really?
You couldn't make this up: for "Deaconess Day +plus" in Speyer, Germany—which demands that "all offices in the Church be opened to women"—the Liturgy of the Word was accompanied by clown dancing. Yes: clown dancing!
„Clowntheologie“, brought to you by literal clowns…! ? https://t.co/emMS2twhYa pic.twitter.com/EGP4MHoM6i— Matthew Hazell (@M_P_Hazell) April 30, 2024
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re: Shop window
Is that for your final Knight in Rome, Father?
[HAR! I see what you did there.]
FR. Z asks: Can you identity these?
Medals.
2nd from left: Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta, commonly known as the Order of Malta or Knights of Malta.
2nd from right: The Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George.
Tiles:
Center: Badge of the Order of St. John
Right: Badge of the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George
I think I’ll stick with Culver’s beer battered cod.
acard: Considering what I had last night, Culver’s would be the better choice.
No Culver’s here, however.
Medals:
most right is https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benemerenti_medal
most left is https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pro_Ecclesia_et_Pontifice
3rd from left is https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_St._Gregory_the_Great
center is https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_St._Sylvester
Sorry Father, but you have to go to London-East Side, really- for a proper fish n chip. Everywhere else is pure hubris…
Thanks for the information on the Cod place. I’ll consider not going there again. Please do mention the names of restaurants that you like.
Father Z., Are there German Clowns in Hell?
[All of them, I suspect. Even the living ones. What must it be like to be German and a clown?]
The pilgrim shell at the top is for the Order of the Holy Sepulchre. The bookend medals are the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice (sp), I still have my grandmother’s somewhere about the house. Next from the left is the Knights of Moolah (fine, Malta, but we know how you get one, don’t we? :-) ), followed by the Knights of St Gregory, and then in the center the Knights of St Sylvester, with stripes to remind you of a canary cage. The blue and white one is an Italian royal medal, the Order of Savoy. Is someone still handing out those? I didn’t know the one second from right, so thank you GHP.
Medals:
3rd from right: https://barbiconi.it/en/106-merit-of-savoy
The “tiles” are Pallae https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palla_(oggetto_liturgico)
cardboard squares sewed in linen. They are put on the chalice on top of the purificatorium and the chalice veil is placed on it.
My educated guess is that these pallae are especially for masses of the orders.
…might make for an interesting chess set – or at least some of the pieces.
The food looks great Father Z. I hope you can your apartment in Rome and spend more time there. Love your photos and commentary.
The medals… here is my attempt L-R Papal Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice, Order of Malta, Papal knighthood Order of St Gregory the Great, Papal knighthood Order of Pope St Sylvestrer, skip the blue cross IDK, then the Constantinian Order of The Two Sicilies, and final perhaps the Papal Bene Merenti Medal.
The “tiles” are actually palls for the chalice during Mass. L-R Knights of the Order of St Gregory (papal order), then Order of Malta, then Constantinian Order.
I see at the very top of the photo cufflinks for L-R Papal Knighthood Order of the Holy Sepulcher, and cuff links for Order of Malta (a sovereign Order of Knighthood)
JustaSinner says: East End
Yes, I’ve had wonderful fish and chips there and elsewhere in London. However, I have to admit that what Culver’s (a mid US chain) serves up with consistency is darn good.
I think I need a trip back to London to verify my findings… if there is any “London” left.
Fr. Z:
Refrain from having an Espresso with your dessert tonight so you can get a good night sleep. I am sure as good of a cook you are your leftovers got eaten.
Have a blessed and safe trip home. You might get a good nap tomorrow afternoon on the way to LGA or JFK or MIA on a Dreamliner.