Catholicae Testudines

Showing Off

Okay, this doesn't really have anything to do with anything, but the geek factor on the blog might appreciate this little Flash animation I just completed with the help of a voice actor from Australia...

Music, back by popular demand

To the very polite reader who asked about the other posts on sacred music, here is the rest of my humble essay on sacred music:

Part I
Part II
Part III
Part IV
Part V
Part VI
Part VII
Epilogue
Addendum

Hm...did I just skip over part V?  I couldn't find one.

Fall of the Republic

Reading recent headlines it occurs to me that when true tyranny does arise in these United States, it will not occur through the executive branch accruing new powers during a time of war...it will be through legislatures outlawing cigarettes and donuts.

Viewing and Funeral Arrangements

Since a lot of readers of this blog are friends of Anthony's I thought I'd pass this along.

My Friends,

The Wake will be on Wednesday September 27, from 7pm to 9pm at:

Charles L. Stevens Funeral Home
1501 E. Fort Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21230

The Funeral Mass will be on Thursday September 28, starting 11am at:

Our Lady of Good Council Church:
1532 E. Fort Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21230

Confessions will precede Mass.
Reception is to follow the Mass.

Thank you all for your prayers.

Please send this message to all interested parties.

God Bless

Hm...is he trying to tell us something?

Pope Benedict's prayer intentions: "For the responsible use of the mass media."

Driving a wedge between

I was watching that TV guide channel to see the tv listings, and those tv commentary people in the top part of the screen were talking about that show "Desperate Housewives."  The interesting thing about this was what they noted about it and what they said.  They reported that the show's writers objected to the leading actresses getting pregnant again.  The actresses didn't think this was unreasonable; they expected that the writers would just write it into the show one way or another (which is apparently quite normal in tv, whether they incorporate it into the story or write and shoot around it).  But the writers did not approve.  Think about that for a minute.

The woman especially thought this was unreasonable.  Like she said, "They're women who are sleeping with everyone.  Why is it implausible that they should be pregnant?"

Besides the possibility that the writers are just inflexible and self-important, I think this may be a bit of a cultural barometer, don't you?

It is Finished

Just wanted to let everyone know I passed the dissertation defense. Thanks again for all the prayers, gang! To hear Isabel describe the event, it seems pretty clear that the Holy Spirit was working overtime this afternoon.

Thesis-Lent is over, but I'll save my reflections and celebratory levity for later out of respect for other more sobering posts made recently.

Defense & Prayers

Peter, may God be with you, please let us know how it goes.

And in answer to a request related to the previous post, here's a link to the office for the dead.

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Sarah Demarest

My good friend and roommate just received news that his sister died unexpectedly this evening. Please pray for her soul and for comfort for his family. Offering up any indulgences you might be receiving for the repose of her soul would be greatly appreciated.

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord.
And let perpetual light shine upon her.

May she rest in peace and may her soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.

Novena to St. Thomas Day 9

This one's a little early, but I figure people will want to finish early tomorrow before Peter's defense.

St. Thomas, patron of students

"For in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind" (1 Cor 1:5).

St. Thomas, God called you to spend most of your life in academic pursuits, first as a student, and then as a professor of theology. In your work as a teacher, you desired to help your students apply what they learned to their lives, in order to grow in holiness. You realized that knowledge is meant to draw people closer to God. In your teaching you sought to communicate the truth, desiring to help your students become better Christians.

Pray for all students. Pray for those who may have difficulty in their studies, as well as for those who can study with ease. Pray that they may all be open to the truth, and always seek to better under stand it. May they grow in knowledge so as to know God better and to be able to serve their brothers and sisters as the Lord desires. St. Thomas, pray especially for theologians, that in their studies and research they may come to a deeper knowledge of revealed doctrine in keeping with the mind of the Church. May their lives reflect the holiness of the Word of God which they seek to more fully under stand.\

St. Thomas Aquinas, patron of students and universities, I thank God for the gifts of light and knowledge He bestowed on you, which you used to build up the Church in love. I thank God, too, for the wealth and richness of theological teaching you left in your writings. Not only were you a great teacher, you lived a life of virtue and you made holiness the desire of your heart. If I cannot imitate you in the brilliance of your academic pursuits, I can follow you in the humility and charity which marked your life. As St. Paul said, charity is the greatest gift, and it is open to all. Pray for me that I might grow in holiness and charity. Pray also for universities, and for all students. In particular, please obtain the favor I ask during this novena that Peter be filled with wisdom and knowledge that will assist him in passing his defense.

Amen.