A performance of the play SOCRATES MEETS JESUS by Kevin O’Brien, based on the book by Peter Kreeft, at the American Chesterton Society Conference in Worcester, MA on August 2, 2013
This is generally really good. I especially loved the wrap-up which puts a lot of things into context.
I was generally positive about the history concerning Pope St. Pius V. until I read this article.
It might sound ridiculous, but jesters used to be so common that nearly every powerful and important person had one. And I mean it: pretty much everyone. Kings and princes? Of course. Bishops? Yes. Cardinals? Yup.
But did the pope have a jester? It might sound ridiculous, but yes, the pope had a jester.
The thing you need to know is that jesters weren’t necessarily clowns. They were responsible for entertainment of every sort in the Renaissance period. Just like artists of the time were expected to be masters of sculpture, painting, architecture and even music writing, jesters were expected to be master entertainers. This included but wasn’t limited to storytelling, athletics, acrobatics, singing and acting. And yes, they knew how to juggle, occasionally wore silly costumes, and told jokes. Their trade was expendable, but also respected. So when dignitaries and nobility visited Rome to see the Supreme Pontiff, a little bit of entertainment was expected.
Have to admit that being the Papal Jester would have been my dream job if it had not been eliminated. I can even do some of the things listed – juggling, singing, acting, wearing silly costumes, and of course telling jokes.
Bring back the Papal Jester in a return to tradition.
This version of The Weekly Francis covers material released in the last week from 3 October 2017 to 21 March 2018.
The Weekly Francis is a compilation of the Holy Father’s writings, speeches, etc which I also post at Jimmy Akin’s blog.
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This version of The Weekly Francis covers material released in the last week from 13 June 2017 to 14 March 2018.
The Weekly Francis is a compilation of the Holy Father’s writings, speeches, etc which I also post at Jimmy Akin’s blog.
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From an article Acer has made smart beads to help keep count of Buddhist mantras
Taiwanese tech company Acer has made Buddhist prayer beads that can help keep track of recited mantras. The beads have a smart chip that tracks the number of times a mantra is repeated and displays the number on a smartphone app. (The chip senses how many times a user has rotated the beads through their hand. Each rotation marks one mantra.).
The beads also reportedly have the capacity for future features to be added, like electronic payments, or getting discounts from Buddhist shops and restaurants.
I could almost wish for a Rosary version of this.
Although I could also see it’s use for reciting the Jesus Prayer. The Pilgrim in the Russian Orthodox classic The Way of the Pilgrim could have made use of this as he was given more and more repetitions of the Jesus Prayer to recite.
Now the Buddhist prayer beads version is rather odd in that electronic payments will be latter enabled. What? Perhaps PrayPal. Or maybe to pay for Pray for View.
Now what options would a electonic Rosary have?
Another nun made strange, clacking noises in chapel. Therese did not say, but the good lady was probably either toying with her rosary or was afflicted by ill-fitting dentures.
The clacking sound really got to Therese. It ground into her brain. Terrible-tempered Therese was pouring sweat in frustration. She tried to shut her ears, but was unsuccessful. Then, as an example of her ‘little ways’, she made a concert out of the clacking and offered it as a prayer to Jesus. “I assure you,” she dryly remarked, “that was no prayer of Quiet.”
Photo Credit: Acer via Engadget
This version of The Weekly Francis covers material released in the last week from 25 February to 7 March 2018.
The Weekly Francis is a compilation of the Holy Father’s writings, speeches, etc which I also post at Jimmy Akin’s blog.
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This article in Crux Gregorian chant gives Catholics elevated liturgical experience originally from the Catholic News Service is pretty informative and positive.
Still I had to laugh at this one paragraph quoting Elizabeth Black, the assistant music director of St. John the Beloved Catholic Church in McLean, Virginia.
“He has a very specific paragraph on Gregorian chant,” she said, “where out of the blue he actually says Gregorian chant enables people to participate actively and that this is the people’s music and they should be singing it.”
“Out of the blue”? Really? Not quite as the section of sacred music was totally in context with the rest of the document. Pope Pius XII – Mediator Dei
Plus the paragraph referenced is actually the Pope quoting Pope Pius XI’s Divini Cultus.
Still a very good article over all and other quotes from Elizabeth Black are more on the mark. Along with remarks from Timothy S. McDonnell, director of the Institute of Sacred Music at The Catholic University of America in Washington.
This version of The Weekly Francis covers material released in the last week from 11 February 2018 to 28 February 2018.
The Weekly Francis is a compilation of the Holy Father’s writings, speeches, etc which I also post at Jimmy Akin’s blog.
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OMAHA, Nebraska – It’s brought order out of chaos, meaning to a life that had become dry and mechanical, and a closeness to Christ that Chelsie Promes could not have imagined.
It’s the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults – entry into full communion with the Catholic Church through months of classes and prayer that culminates with baptisms, confirmations and first Communions at Easter Vigils in parishes across the archdiocese.
“It has opened my eyes to seeing that God is always present,” Promes said of her growth in faith as she prepares to join the church. “He loves me. He is my first love. He’s given me a way of life. I can tell that by living through him, knowing he is at my side.”
Father James Keiter, pastor of St. Boniface Parish in Menominee, where Promes and her husband are members, said Promes is one of three people he is helping prepare for full communion with the Church. Her husband, Jeremy, also is attending the classes.
“She’s on fire! Such a genuine joy as she learns about the faith,” said Keiter, who also is pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish in Fordyce and St. Joseph Parish in Constance. “Her husband is Catholic born and raised, and he has questions, too.”
Nicely written story original from CNS by Joe Ruff. I would like to see more such stories regarding members of RCIA and what brought them to the Church.
This version of The Weekly Francis covers material released in the last week from 10 February 2018 to 18 February 2018.
The Weekly Francis is a compilation of the Holy Father’s writings, speeches, etc which I also post at Jimmy Akin’s blog.
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