Cnytr

Another Zadok one-liner

2011-08-28T00:48:00.001+09:00

Zadok: [on a new baby's name] I heartily approve of the name "Boniface". Me: I hear Boniface and all I can think of is the Pope who is upside down in Dante's Inferno. Zadok: I think of St Boniface chopping down the pagan oak trees in Germany. He's like the patron saint of commercial exploitation of the rainforest.

Happy Laurencemas!

2011-08-10T09:59:00.003+09:00

St. Lawrence very nearly skipping towards his martyrdom circa 430AD, Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Ravenna, Italy Today in the old breviary, we read: Levíta Lauréntius * bonum opus operátus est, qui per signum crucis cæcos illuminávit, et thesáuros Ecclésiæ dedit paupéribus. St. Lawrence's charity is here illuminated by the fact that he gave many lexica and expensive dictionaries to the poor.

Happy Feast Day

2011-08-08T16:29:00.003+09:00

Happy feast of St. Dominic! Here in Japan, there is, of course, a shocking lack of Dominicanity. My husband and I have done our best to bring a small corner of the sweetness of Truth to this far-flung corner of the world. Plus, this is an important practice for us to habituate for when the kids grow up. Any physical thing or activity to connect the spiritual realities of the day to the here

Oh, hello there

2011-07-22T14:55:00.003+09:00

Why hello bloggians. I realized today that, after an hour of playing DoodleJump quietly on my iPhone while the baby slept, that I need to find something better to do with my time. Of course, I could do things that desperately need to be done, like cleaning the house and, hey, eating food, but all those things might make noise; noise might wake the baby. If the baby wakes, not only are my hands

Addendum - St Joseph

2011-03-19T07:26:00.002+09:00

Please also pray on this, the feast of St. Joseph, that my husband will be able to make it back for the birth of our child, and that our child will cooperate and be born while he's home (i.e. not too late)! Deus, qui ineffábili providéntia beátum Joseph sanctíssimæ Genitrícis tuæ sponsum elígere dignátus es : præsta, quæsumus ; ut, quem protectórem venerámur in terris, intercessórem habére

Quick update post

2011-03-19T07:13:00.004+09:00

Dear bloggians, So the intent of my test post failed miserably, BUT it has actually generated a few comments to show that people still keep an eye on this blog, even though it's pretty dormant (though, as mentioned, never dead). Just a quick update on our personal situation, as the authoress, husband and unborn child are in Japan: * We are not on the main island of Honshu, which was subject to

Test

2011-03-15T06:27:00.000+09:00

Test post for uncle's candy.

Cnytr's Wedding

2010-12-06T15:02:00.002+09:00

Oh by the way, I realized I never posted photos from our awesome Traddie wedding. Going to the chapel, etc, with my Maid of Honor on my right, but that is not my Mother, clad in pearls of Ophir on my life ... it's my sister. Just clad in ... pearls. The gathering outside, with all its biretta-ed glory. More photos of this and the procession: 1. Here; the servers are family friends of mine since

Advent Thoughts on a Byzantine Carol

2010-12-06T06:19:00.003+09:00

platytera ton ouranon -- More Spacious than the HeavensSince the move to Japan with my husband, I have gotten involved with the Catholic choir on base. This pregnancy has been tough so far, with three months of morning sickness in which I could hardly stand, and for most of which I was alone; after that, a period of recovery, and then two weeks of the flu. After that, about a week and a half of

Itchy Nissan

2010-07-14T12:19:00.004+09:00

Not saying that Cnytr is being shut down (it never is ... I have had this blog since I was in high school), but you should definitely hie thee over to Itchy Nissan, where Sakura E is posting.

Update

2010-07-10T04:41:00.005+09:00

Dearest Bloggians, I thank you for your patience amidst the scarcity of my blog updates. I hope to begin a new phase of the blog as a married woman, and as the wife of a Naval officer, soon (as of tomorrow) to be living in Sasebo, Japan. My dear commenter and brother in St. Dominic Anthony OPL has given me a heads-up about the state of Catholicism there ("interesting", shall we say). Well, we'll

Stuff Cnytr Has Been Doing

2010-01-27T03:00:00.007+09:00

St. Anthony of PaduaSt. Anthony of PaduaHot dam! What a saint.~Anonymous Bernini's Noli me tangere from the interior of the Angelicum's chapel, S. Domenico e SistoHello again my bloggians whom I neglect far too much (mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa), I'm pleased to report that all is well with the Cnytr these days and, having had the good fortune to have returned to Rome recently, will

My heart overflows with noble words

2009-10-31T12:16:00.001+09:00

Bloggians -- I know it has been a while since I last posted, and one of those posts made it seem as if I might have run away and join the convent. Au contraire, my little bloggerings. Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum ... Miss Lauren's hand has been honorably requested to her father (and granted by the Cnytr herself) in marriage. All I can say is, His Grace hath made the match; let all grace say "

What Happens When We Modernize the Church TOO Much

2009-07-10T20:16:00.000+09:00

Prayer Request, Prayer Update

2009-06-19T10:31:00.002+09:00

Thank you for praying for Yevgen's dad, who seems to be doing fine after surgery. Yevgen is now back in the States and all seems fine. This weekend, even though I do not think I have a vocation, I am going to visit the Byzantine Discalced Carmelites of Holy Annunciation Monastery in Sugarloaf, PA. I am doing this for a retreat, but also because I am totally intrigued by the combination of

Prayers

2009-05-28T00:02:00.002+09:00

Please pray for my photographer Byzantine seminarian friend Yevgen (above). He is in Ukraine until this end of this week. Earlier I got an email from him asking for my prayers, as his father is unwell and needs heart surgery, which is scheduled for today. Yesterday he (and his family?) were at the hospital donating blood, presumably for said surgery. I don't have details of what's going on, but

Kind of Lame, Yet Kind of Clever

2009-05-27T23:53:00.003+09:00

I'd be happier if there was more biretta involved. P.s. So where do I get the iConfess app for my iTouch?HT: Orbis Catholicus

Does this strike anyone else ...

2009-05-27T23:35:00.002+09:00

Does this (an advert on a Telegraph article I was reading this morning) strike anyone else as slightly ironic and remind one of this? NUMBER ONE ... ... THE LARCH. THE. LARCH. It has also often struck me, in the same vein, that there ought to be a sort of Audobon's Field Guide to Religious Habits in Rome. Then we might be able to have an episode of Cnytr about How To Recognize Different Types of

And speaking of Joseph of Arimathea...

2009-05-27T23:00:00.001+09:00

HT: LOLSaints

Psalm 137

2009-05-27T21:39:00.003+09:00

Speaking of nationalistic hymns, I'm sure we're all familiar with Psalm 137 (sans the last two verses because we live in post-Vatican II times):By the rivers of Babylonthere we sat and wept,remembering Zion;on the poplars that grew therewe hung up our harps.For it was there that they asked us,our captors, for songs,our oppressors, for joy."Sing to us," they said,"one of Zion's songs."O how could

Patriotic Hymnody

2009-05-27T21:15:00.001+09:00

Surrounding Glastonbury Abbey near Bedford in England are apocryphal tales of Joseph of Arimathea and Christ establishing a wattle-and-daub church, of Joseph thrusting his spear into the ground whereupon the Glastonbury thorn grew up, and of a place in which he buried the Holy Grail, whereupon a spring flowed forth. (ahem Please note I say these tales are apocryphal only because I think the true

St. Simeon the Stylite

2009-05-27T04:05:00.004+09:00

Not too long ago, I posted an article about 6 Saints Who Can Kick Your Arse. Unsurprisingly and awesomely, St. Simeon Stylite was among them. This past Sunday in the Gregorian calendar of the Eastern Catholic Church, we commemorated St. Simeon Stylite along with the fathers of Nicea. St. Simeon must not be allowed to pass without comment, as he is Tough, Good For You and Awesome, much like the

Assention to the Ascension

2009-05-27T01:04:00.003+09:00

from a 13th century Syriac bible; Al-Za'faran Monastery(?), Turkey(?)Within one week, I will have celebrated the Ascension not once (the Gregorian calendar: Thursday), not twice (the made-up mobility of the feast: Sunday), but three times (the Julian calendar: Thursday). And it's a good thing, too. I believe I finally "get" the feast of the Ascension. Oh there are a number of reasons, I

Cake or Death ... with Legos

2009-05-24T09:58:00.001+09:00

Happy Ascension Thursday!

2009-05-22T04:57:00.001+09:00

O sweetest Jesus, who, without leaving the bosom of the Father, hast, as a man, dwelt among the earth-born, to-day art thou ascended in glory from the Mount of Olives, and graciously hast borne on high our fallen nature, and hast sat down with the Father. For which cause the Bodiless Powers of heaven, amazed at the marvel, were affrighted with dread, and seized with trembling, they magnified thy

Briefly on the Christ Icon and the Akathist to Sweetest Jesus

2009-05-19T06:00:00.005+09:00

Well ... after the dose below of what I sometimes like to call Hooah Catholicism, perhaps we ought to cleanse our palate a bit, and remind us of the sweeter aspects of our faith which we should love so diligently as to be as hard core as St. Simon Stylite, et ceteri. A newer icon of ChristNotice how an icon engages you. The icon of Christ looks out at you from the background of blessedness,

6 Saints Who Could Kick Your Arse

2009-05-19T05:49:00.004+09:00

I enjoy this very much, mostly because St. Simon/Simeon the Stylite is pretty foundational when it comes to hard core Catholicism. I've lately enjoyed visiting Orthodox churches which have icons of him (and other stylites!) painted on their walls. I'm also quite pleased that Vikings and kings have made it onto the list. Back in the days when men were men and the pagans were scared. I've written

Random Image Found on Internet + Apophatic Theology

2009-05-13T22:50:00.004+09:00

I realize I need to post more. The past week and a half has, I suppose, been rather busy, so I haven't thought very much of Interesting Things, nor have I posted when I have thought of Interesting Things. Mea culpa, I shall try to do better in the future. In the meantime, a pithy thing to hold you over until I reflect on the differences between the habit of the Carthusian and the

Into Thy hands, O Lord Jesus Christ my God, I commit my spirit.

2009-05-06T11:32:00.002+09:00

Prayer of Saint John Damascene, which is to be said while pointing at thy bed O Master, Lover of mankind, is this bed to be my coffin, or wilt Thou enlighten my wretched soul with another day? Behold, the coffin lieth before me; behold, death confronteth me. I fear, O Lord, Thy judgment and the endless torments, yet I cease not to do evil. My Lord God, I continually anger Thee, and Thy most pure

Epiclesis Image

2009-05-06T04:23:00.003+09:00

Not my favorite image of the set, but still miles ahead of the current iconoclastic (clip) art of the revised breviary. Kindly do not deprive our souls of the visual beauty inherent in the liturgical tradition of the church! Ours is a generation that cries more than ever for the true, the beautiful and the good. Deus lo vult.

No wimpy crucifixion for 1957

2009-05-06T04:20:00.001+09:00

And there's King David a the foot of the cross -- something more common in medieval imagery.

More 1957 Goodness

2009-05-06T04:17:00.002+09:00

I love the strength of this image. I also love the red/black contrast, especially in a liturgical (" ") setting -- the comparison between the rubricized Christ and the rubrics of Say the Black, Do the Red fame arises naturally. Although Satan himself looks powerful and formidable with armor, freaky bat-wings and a laurel crown, Christ himself has conquered and tramples death by death.

What else is the internet for if not for stealing other peoples' thoughts?

2009-05-06T04:15:00.004+09:00

A seminarian friend of mine on facebook recently posted this and a few other images from a 1957 breviary. One of the comments was, "Sweet, Mariology in a graphic form: Not shining with a glory of her own, but reflecting that of Christ."

Apologies for blogging this ...

2009-04-30T03:39:00.003+09:00

... but I cannot help myself. I was recently the subject of a bit of art produced by my friend Sarah McMenomy. She remembered a photo of me from when I was 19 and produced the above. (Re: the heavenly nature of the image, I feel compelled to say I let the artist do her work. I suppose this is the faithful representing the Cherubim and singing the thrice-holy hymn, laying aside all cares of life..

Light Blogging Week

2009-04-29T07:54:00.002+09:00

Chalice, Annunciation of the Mother of God Byzantine Catholic Church; icon of Christ the Bridegroom in the backgroundI apologize for the late blogging as of late. Life here in DC has picked up a little, and I've been performing with choir, working late, attending funerals, and trying to sleep in an 80-degree-at-night-and-as-yet-A/C-less apartment. In my absence, I recommend this page of Eastern

Thomas on Thomas, on Thomas Sunday

2009-04-26T15:04:00.001+09:00

Plagas sicut Thomas, non intueor,Deum tamen meum te confiteor:Fac me tibi semper magis credere,In te spem habere, te diligere. My Lord and my God!

Thomas Sunday

2009-04-26T14:23:00.003+09:00

O amazing wonder! Unbelief has engendered firm faith for Thomas, who said ‘Unless I see, I will not believe’, having handled the side, acknowledged as God incarnate the same Son of God: he recognised that he had suffered in the flesh; he proclaimed the risen God and he cried in shining tones ‘My Lord and my God, glory to you’.Verse. Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem. Praise your God, O Sion.O amazing

Prayers

2009-04-23T04:24:00.002+09:00

Prayers are appreciated for a pre-the seminarian friend of mine, Chip, whose mother (Csilla) was killed by a drunk driver last evening. His father was in the hospital, but seems to have nothing worse than some bruises to show for it (deo gratias). His mother, however, was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected 60 feet from the car. I know myself and a lot of his friends had just seen and been

Anecdote from Cnytr's Thomas Sunday

2009-04-20T13:39:00.003+09:00

This afternoon at the Ukrainian [Greek] Catholic parish I sometimes attend, there was after today's Thomas Sunday liturgy, a Sviachene or parish Easter dinner. Said dinner involved the blessing (and consuming) of the foods abstained from during Great Lent, including eggs, butter, cheese, and meat, as well as dairy (there was sour cream and borscht!), sweets, et cetera. I was additionally very

This post brought to you by the letter ж

2009-04-20T11:29:00.005+09:00

The name of the character "ж" means "bug" (or more specifically "beetle"). The sound it makes is a soft voiced g sound, as in the word "mirage", or "si" in "visual". The voiced character of the letter makes it sound like ... a bug. Also, it looks like a bug, too, especially a squashed one. This was a letter I found intimidating because I could never remember what the heck kind of sound it makes.

Christos Voskrese! The King of Glory Enters!

2009-04-20T07:02:00.002+09:00

Interior/Christos Pantokrator Dome, St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, Washington, DCA blessed Pascha to all those on an older calendar, and to all the Orthodox. Last night I attended Matins and 1/4 of the Holy Saturday Liturgy at St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church in DC (an ecumenical visit where no communion was received, mind you ... and I got strange looks for wearing a veil, as I had no

Russian Orthodox Confession in the Open

2009-04-17T20:44:00.003+09:00

Vorutka, Russia The penitent's head is covered by a stole. No matter how much the Irish monks borrowed from Eastern monasticism, I am eternally grateful for their novel idea of closed confessionals. From National Geographic.Update: Commenter Rightwingprof adds, It's not nearly as bad as it looks. There is a chanter chanting the Psalms throughout confessions, so nothing is overheard. It is

Dunquin, Ireland

2009-04-16T19:58:00.003+09:00

Medieval crucifixion from a nearby ruined church integrated into a retaining structure.I'm going to randomly guess that this depiction is 15th century.The ruins of the Medieval church, now an active graveyard. The interior of the modern church, still in active use. Dunquin is the most Westerly point of Ireand, and probably of Western Europe.

Lake Abhainn an Scáil

2009-04-16T14:00:00.003+09:00

Pictured here is lake Abhainn an Scáil, or Annascaul, meaning Lake of Shadows in Irish. Peaceful and tranquil in its own right, it is also home to a hidden mass rock where, it is said, only the hands of the priest can reveal where the implements for holy mass are hidden within it. Furthermore, it is the focus of a local legend featuring Scáil Ní Mhúirnáin and the hero Cúchulainn of the famous

Bright Monday

2009-04-16T09:15:00.002+09:00

St. Innocent Cathedral, Russian Orthodox Diocese of AlaskaThe week after Easter in the East is known as "Bright Week". Among other things, fasting is forbidden (even considered sinful!), and the Holy Doors of the iconostasis are open (as pictured above). I attended Bright Monday Divine Liturgy recently, and was most pleased with the subdeacon's reflection. With his permission, I'm posting it here

Britain's Got Talent

2009-04-16T01:54:00.003+09:00

I've never really been a fan of any reality TV show. I've never watched American Idol (except to see Neil Diamond on it), I've sporadically followed So You Think You Can Dance (TRUE talent on that show) and it used to be ballroom homework to watch Dancing with the Stars, but other than that ... No Thank You. But I have to say, Britain's Got Talent intrigues me a little, especially given the

Icon of Pontius Pilate's Wife Claudia Procla

2009-04-16T00:24:00.002+09:00

She is here pictured with St. Nestor the martyr.

Gallarus Oratory

2009-04-15T21:19:00.002+09:00

The only extant intact (perfect) example of its kind, dating from the 7th or 8th century. Without heels ... I'm about as tall as an Irish monk.

St. Catherine of Alexandria Church in Ventry, Ireland

2009-04-15T20:42:00.002+09:00

Slowly and bit by bit, the interesting things from Ireland will now be posted on Cnytr, beginning with this painting, behind the altar in Naoimh Caitriona (St. Catherine's) in Ventry, Ireland on the Dingle peninsula. The name of the church is interesting in itself, as the devotion to St. Catherine of Alexandria is not normally a likely one for the time, being completely foreign geographically

I sometimes have dreams like this

2009-04-14T23:38:00.002+09:00

Stella Artois Ice Sk..Watch the ad...And evidently one of those guys is the director of the Decalogue, about which I have previously blogged (or, well, one of the Decalogue, anyway, Decalogue 6; Klata was evidently in Decalogue 1). HT: Father Z

I wish they had instructions for this when I was a kid...

2009-04-14T23:37:00.002+09:00

...I totally would have built it. Church Unveils Lego Jesus Statue for Easter HT: Co-worker who doesn't read this blog.

Why Christ the Gardener? A Quickie Response

2009-04-14T00:59:00.002+09:00

In a comment on the previous post, reader Embrethiliel asks,I get that St. Mary thought Jesus was the gardener, but I have to wonder why the Jesus in this painting seems deliberately disguised as a gardener. (At least that's what I'm guessing from the shovel and the hat!) Does it mean something deep that I'm totally missing?I started a response in the comments section, but it got long enough that

Exsultet at the Dominican House

2009-04-13T09:44:00.000+09:00

Dominican House of Studies, Washington, DC

Christ the Gardener

2009-04-13T09:35:00.003+09:00

from S. Maria Sopra Minerva in Romehen the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not know the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes.But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of

A Walk on the Caelian Hill

2009-04-13T08:01:00.001+09:00

I know this guy, and I didn't know he made this video. I shall have to tease him mercilessly for it. No, it's good, watch it.

The Holiest Thing You May Hear All Day

2009-04-13T07:57:00.001+09:00

I made this appropriate to the day by adding a bunch of Anastasis (Resurrection) icons. It sounds strange at first to the Western ear, but the beauty of the thing -- words and music -- can really grow on one.

Christus surrexit

2009-04-12T22:33:00.003+09:00

One of the Cnytr's favorite things ever is going to Rome, even going to Rome during the craziness of Holy Week and Easter when most sane people are getting outta Dodge. In fact, Cnytr notes with some regret that this is the first Easter in about three years that she has not been in Rome, cavorting with her seminarian buddies, church-hopping on Holy Thursday, and getting soaked (as last year) in

Easter Vigil with the Dominicans

2009-04-12T22:26:00.002+09:00

Before the GospelDominican House of Studies, Washington, DC

Good Friday Chanted Gospel with Dominicans

2009-04-12T22:13:00.002+09:00

Jesus is arrested: Peter denies Christ:"Woman, behold your son" and Christ's death upon the cross: St. Thomas Aquinas University Parish,Charlottesville, VA

Dominicans on Good Friday

2009-04-12T05:33:00.002+09:00

St. Thomas Aquinas, University Parish Charlottesville, VA

Holy Thursday Procession: St. Mary's, Mother of God

2009-04-10T22:58:00.001+09:00

Altar of Repose, St. Mary's, Mother of God, Washington, DC

Altar of Repose: St. Joseph's on Capitol Hill

2009-04-10T22:56:00.000+09:00

Washington, DC

Altar of Repose: St. Cyril's

2009-04-10T22:55:00.000+09:00

Washington, DC

Judas Iscariot on Spy Wednesday in the West and in the East

2009-04-09T10:11:00.004+09:00

Today is "Spy Wednesday", and it is the closest the Judas Iscariot will ever get to being on the Roman calendar. In today's Gospel at Mass, we hear from Matthew's gospel of how Judas approaches the chief priests and seeks to hand Jesus over to them. In the next "scene", the Last Supper, Judas is subtly identified by Christ, in a beautiful and tragic "It is you who have said so." While this scene

Holy Week

2009-04-08T03:39:00.001+09:00

“Now the powers of heaven are serving invisibly with us. For behold, the King of Glory now enters as the mystical sacrifice, perfect and complete: solemnly is now brought forth. Let us all approach, full of faith and love; let us draw near and become partakers of everlasting life. Alleluia! Alleluia! Allelulia!”

Patron Saint Against Arm Pain

2009-04-07T00:50:00.004+09:00

In case you had ever spent feverish nights wondering, oh wondering who could be patron saint against arm pain was, fear not! Cnytr is here to ease your troubled mind. The individual in question is St. Amalberga or St. Amelia of Temse, a 7th/8th century Belgian saint whose feast day is July 10th, and has incredibly confused hagiography, evidently sharing the same name and same feast day with

Christ the Bridegroom

2009-04-06T20:00:00.005+09:00

This week in the Eastern Church is known not only as Holy Week, but Great and Holy Week. This morning's Matins is called "Bridegroom Matins", for the central icon used in the service, and for the Troparion of the Bridegoom which is chanted whilst the icon (above) is processed into the dark church: Behold the bridegroom comes at midnight: blessed is the servant whom he shall find awake. But he

Icon and Book Service website

2009-04-03T06:02:00.002+09:00

Glikofilousa (Sweet Kissing) Mother of GodPlease visit the Icon and Book service website (mentioned below), or visit the store, located on 12th and Quincy (with the big icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help out front) in person. A veritable feast for the eyes and ears, that's Cnytr's guarantee.

A little-known cultus of St. Anthony

2009-04-03T01:37:00.003+09:00

Dedicated to the Patron Saint of BaconA cultus never approved, probably on account of it's conflicting with the veneration of the Transfiguration of Our Lord as the protector of pork processors (note: that link NOT A JOKE). Side note: Clever butchering (cough) of the symbology/hagiography of St. Anthony, Abbot. HT: Tom at Disputations.

Br. Ursus -- Cutest Dominican Ever

2009-04-03T01:21:00.003+09:00

An April 1st post from GodzDogz. AAAAHAHAHAAA SO CUTE! This is a BRILLIANT idea. I think my own Aloysius Bear might be just about to enter the Dominican Order ... eyes sewing machine and black and white fabric "I get up at 7.43 every morning for Lauds. This is always a great challenge, especially in winter. Before joining the order, I used to hibernate for 6 months of the year, so it has taken me

Man of Sorrows

2009-04-03T00:42:00.002+09:00

From somebody's Flickr stream: Christ as Man of Sorrows (Swiss about 1650)Christ is shown standing in the sepulchre, surrounded by the instruments of His Passion. In front of the tomb kneels a Dominican nun, probably the donor. The Inscription translates as "I am his faithful bride" Swiss glass like German glass is often very rich in its enamel primary colours. In spite of its mid C17 date the

Useful Phrases for the Ukrainian Catholic, and Others

2009-04-02T23:59:00.004+09:00

Notes on the Cyrillic Alphabet: - This alphabet is entirely made up, and traceable to Sts. Cyril and Methodius. Given the origins of other alphabets and scripts (i.e. UNKNOWN), that's pretty cool. - That being said, the alphabet looks like Greek: А, В, Г, Е, І, K, M, H, O, П, R, C, T, У, Ф and Х are all letters recognizable to Greek-speakers and Westerners with some background in Math. -

John Paul II, We (Still) Love You

2009-04-02T23:39:00.003+09:00

Lauren (age 16) and Parents with Pope John Paul II, July 2001Today is four years since the death of our dear Pope John Paul II. I had a number of posts back in Papal April of that year about the goings-on. It still surprises me how emotional his passing was -- and still is -- for young Catholics. I feel now, as I did then, that losing JPII was like losing a member of the family. I remember that

St. Joseph the Betrothed Dome in Chicago, IL

2009-04-02T05:23:00.007+09:00

Interior of the main dome of St. Joseph the Betrothed Ukrainian Byzantine-Catholic Church, Chicago, Illinois.Or, click here for the original image.Update: More photos found in a flickr stream: Exterior of the Church in snowDetailDome and chandelierDome and some other detailsI don't know what these are calledInformation on the church according to this site:The St. Joseph The Betrothed is an

More on the Icon Below

2009-04-02T04:54:00.004+09:00

If I had taken two seconds to Google a little more before posting the below, I would have found that the tradition of portraying St. Joseph as "the Betrothed" is a very traditional Eastern one. There is an Akathist Hymn to St. Joseph, and a Church in Wheaton, IL dedicated to "St. Joseph the Betrothed". For the Eastern Church, the feast of St. Joseph falls the Sunday after Christmas. This Orthodox

Joseph the Betrothed

2009-04-02T04:28:00.003+09:00

Today in Lauren's adventures in the Eastern Church, most of her lunch break was spent in the Icon and Book Service on Quincy street drooling over books, vestments, icons, various liturgical paraphernalia and music. That place is very dangerous to Lauren, who has a better-paying job than she did upon her discovery of the place when she first arrived in Washington in 2005, and she does not feel bad

St. Josaphat Seminary Ikonostasis and a Lack of Pews

2009-03-30T06:44:00.004+09:00

Posted at the request of BWJ Originally from St. Andrew's Ukrainian Catholic Church in PA, which closed down. Thus, St. Andrew's is the ikon on the farthest right. Usually that place is reserved for the namesake of the church or chapel. It can't be seen very well, but the small ikons across the top of the ikonostasis are the 12 major feast days of the East: 1. The nativity of the Theotokos 2. The

Cnytr goes Multicultural

2009-03-30T06:09:00.003+09:00

In a cool Catholic way, of course ... This afternoon at Holy Family Ukrainian Catholic Church in Washington, DC was a lovely pysanka workshop. Pysanka are traditionally-decorated Ukrainian eggs. The tradition of decorating eggs in this manner is one of the traditions "baptized" by the Christianity of Byzantium. Egg-decorating of even clay eggs has existed for over a thousand years, but by being

Yes, Prime Minister on Modernism

2009-03-29T22:37:00.001+09:00

I think I just snorted tea all out my nose. HT: Fr. Z.

Father Foster Archives

2009-03-29T22:20:00.003+09:00

If you're looking for the 2005 archives of "The Latin Lover", Fr. Coulter has some of them online here. A more detailed account of the archive (with all the shows I've missed SINCE 2005) here. This show is the one where he speaks of Holy Week and Palm Sunday. Listen to this to hear Fr. Foster sing Pueri Hebraeorum "The children of the Hebrews, carrying branches of olives, went to meet to Lord,

Fr. Reggie Foster speaks in Latin!

2009-03-29T22:17:00.001+09:00

And just in case you can't understand the Latin, the subtitles are in Portuguese. Narration in German. Have fun with that, meinen lieblings.

Psalm 141 Video

2009-03-29T12:43:00.003+09:00

A terrible video with good audio, which was really the point of the video anyway (first time using iMovie). I don't take very many pictures during the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, and when I do they're without flash, so these photos are pretty blurry. Apologies. These are some shots of various Byzantine Liturgies with the St. Josaphat Seminary in the National Shrine's Byzantine chapel. The

Akathistos Saturday

2009-03-29T11:30:00.004+09:00

The fifth Sunday in Lent for our Eastern Catholic bretheren is called the "Akathistos Saturday", "Akathistos" from the Greek term meaning "not sitting", as it must be recited standing, as when the Gospel is read, to render proper reverence. This blogger idly wonders whether this particular Saturday always follows the Annunciation or whether it happened to work out this way in this particular year

Excellent Quote from Holy Whapping

2009-03-28T04:48:00.001+09:00

I see nothing wrong with being 'modern' if that means adapting old designs to new realities and bringing forth new beauty, but I don't see why that means knocking off all the interesting bits off a building and leaving it a inhuman cube. Humans cannot stand that much "reality." Like nudity, it is more often a sin against charity than chastity, more disappointing than attractive, once the initial

How does Christ's death save us? Gregory of Nyssa answers.

2009-03-28T04:44:00.002+09:00

For since, as has been said before, it was not in the nature of the opposing power to come in contact with the undiluted presence of God, and to undergo His unclouded manifestation, therefore, in order to secure that the ransom in our behalf might be easily accepted by him who required it, the Deity was hidden under the veil of our nature, that so, as with ravenous fish, the hook of the Deity

Prayer request

2009-03-26T05:16:00.001+09:00

Fr. Z reports predictions of record floods (crests of up to 41 feet!) in ND, and posts the "blessing against floods". O God, Who dealest justly with the wicked, and dost not will the death of sinners, humbly we entreat they Majesty! Protect with heavenly aid they trusting servants from perils of flood, and keep them constantly under thy heavenly protection. May they at all times serve thee, and

The Akathist Hymn in Greek ( Ὁ Ἀκάθιστος Ὕμνος )

2009-03-26T04:09:00.002+09:00

And to those who are interested in such things, here is (largely) the same hymn, but in Greek. Click "Επόμενη σελίδα" to go on to the next page.

Hail, O Star who manifests the Sun!

2009-03-26T03:08:00.002+09:00

As soon as the angel had received his command, he hastened to Joseph's house and said to the ever-virgin: "Behold, heaven was brought down to earth when the Word Himself was fully contained in you! Now that I see Him in your womb, taking a servant's form, I cry out to you in wonder: Hail, O Bride and Maiden ever-pure!"An Archangel was sent from heaven to greet the Mother of God, and as he saw you

Things not said by Jesus ... ever

2009-03-24T12:27:00.002+09:00

Here ... although maybe he SHOULD have said the above ... Via The Ironic Catholic, whose Modest Proposal for ND ought be noted (linked).

Why do you sleep?

2009-03-24T04:33:00.001+09:00

Lauren: Is the Agony in the Garden in all four gospels?Zadok: I don't rememberLauren: Looks like in John is the priestly prayer of Jesus instead of the Agony. Zadok: St John's Grade: IncompleteLauren: ROFL! THAT'S GETTING BLOGGED

The Mysteries of the Holy Rosary

2009-03-22T13:08:00.004+09:00

This thing I just found -- the Mysteries of the Holy Rosary circa 1903 in someone's Flickr stream.Only a few of the images are really good (I especially like the Annunciation and the Coronation of our Blessed Lady), but what's most interesting is what these actually are, that is, plates in a picture frame with a cord on the bottom. Pulling on the cord results in a change of picture. I can imagine

O Lord, I believe and profess

2009-03-22T12:45:00.003+09:00

Se dat suis manibusO Lord, I believe and profess that You are truly Christ, the Son of the living God, Who came into the World to save sinners, of whom I am the first. Accept me as a partaker of your mystical supper, O Son of God, for I will not reveal Your mysteries to our enemies, nor will I give you a kiss as did Judas, but like the thief will I confess to You.+ Remember me, O Lord, when You

Господи, помилуй (Lord, have mercy)

2009-03-22T11:57:00.003+09:00

—Let my prayer rise like incense before You and the lifting of my hands, like an evening sacrifice.—Set a guard, O Lord, before my mouth, and a portal around my lips.—Incline my heart away from evil dealings, from finding excuses for sinful deeds.—In company with men who work iniquity let me not partake of what they choose.—May a just man chasten me with justice and reprove me; may

There are many more intelligent things from Fr. Z I could have posted ...

2009-03-22T11:29:00.001+09:00

...but I simply can't help myself when he posts birdies.

The Shadow of the Beloved

2009-03-22T01:30:00.003+09:00

'In his shadow, for which I longed, I am seated, and his fruit is sweet to my taste.' Justly did she long for the shadow of the one from whom she would receive both refreshment and nourishment. For the other trees of the wood may indeed provide a comforting shadow, but not a life giving food, not the enduring fruits of salvation. There is only one 'author of life', 'one mediator between God and

St. Joseph's Day Procession

2009-03-22T01:14:00.001+09:00

In Santa Marinella, outside Rome. From Orbis Catholicus.

Why is this disturbingly like my life and my companions?

2009-03-20T11:02:00.000+09:00

More St. Joseph on Facebook

2009-03-20T02:53:00.004+09:00

The following are images I've posted on a St. Joseph group in Facebook. The comment this one got was: The French actually says "get up and take the child and his mother to Egypt".It's cool that some people say that Joseph was afraid to take Mary as his wife cos he knew just by looking at her how holy and pure she was and doubted his ability to be the head of the holy family. Ah, yes, our humble

Facebook on St. Joseph

2009-03-20T02:46:00.002+09:00

Today, my status is: Lauren [...] wishes everyone a happy and blessed St. Joseph's day, even though she has a bone to pick with this particular saint. (Kind of an in-joke) But I have gotten so much grief from this status today, including the following: Fr.N[...] at 11:17am March 19Alright little lady, what's the beef??? Give the guy a break, he's been through a lot, okay?Lauren [...] at 11:37am

And to all Italians out there ...

2009-03-20T02:12:00.003+09:00

Buona festa di S. Giuseppe!I should expand this post: according to sources I know of more reliable than Wikipedia and ItaliansRUs (to which I am SO not linking) but unable to find at the moment, in the middle ages, it was the intercession of St. Joseph that saved Sicily from a drought/famine. Therefore to this day, the feast of S. Giuseppe is widely celebrated in the Italian communities. Special