man with black hat

On the road ...

2012-01-30T08:30:00.001-05:00

... to Ohio, again. Just a few days to look in on Mom and Dad, something this writer has taken to doing more often. It's nine hours with a good tail wind from Arlington, Virginia, to "the Queen City of the West." When we're not visiting, we'll be catching up on our reading.

Not to mention ... our writing.

The Definitive Not-Too-Shabby Ron Paul Interview

2012-01-29T19:30:00.006-05:00

Readers of mwbh know that this writer is not particularly enamored with any of the Republican candidates for President, and has been wavering between Ron Paul and Rick Santorum, all the while preparing to hold his nose at the thought of "pulling the lever" for Mitt Romney (which should not be confused with being "in the tank" for him), and concluding that Newt Gingrich needs to retire and spend more time with his wife ~~before moving on to the next one~~, maybe hold a garage sale and sell off some of his excess baggage. That said, this is a halfway-decent interview with Congressman Paul on ~~that fair-and-balanced bastion of neo-cons everywhere~~ Fox News. They treat him pretty decently without soft-pedalling the questions, and Paul manages to avoid going off on the Trilateral Commission for nearly twenty minutes.

Now there's something you don't see every day. Exit question: yours truly didn't get to hear the last few minutes. Do they mention the newsletter thing?

Anybody???

We Two

2012-01-29T17:45:00.002-05:00

I cannot do it alone.
The waves run fast and high,
And the fogs close chill around,
And the light goes out
    in the sky,
But I know that we two
    shall win,

Jesus and I.

I cannot row it myself,
My boat on the raging sea,
But beside me sits another
Who pulls or steers with me.
And I know that we two shall
    come safe into port,

His child and He.

Coward and wayward and weak,
I change with the changing sky.
One day eager and brave,
The next not caring to try.
But He never gives in and we two shall win,

Jesus and I.

Strong and tender and true,
Crucified once for me.
I know He will never change
What'er I may do or be.
We shall finish our course and reach home at last,

His child and He.

-- Father Francis P Le Buffe (1885-1954)

An “FYI” for Clergy, Religious and Other Catholic Educators

2012-01-29T06:00:00.003-05:00

Homily preached by the Reverend Peter M. J. Stravinskas, Ph.D., S.T.D., at the Church of the Holy Innocents in Manhattan on 29 January 2012.

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Today the Church in the United States begins its annual celebration of Catholic Schools Week, and I would like to take this opportunity to review with you the Church’s understanding of the critical importance of our schools and to challenge you to respond appropriately. In the interests of full disclosure, let me note at the outset that not only have I spent my entire adult life working in and for Catholic schools (at the elementary, secondary, university and seminary levels) but that everything I am, I owe to my Catholic education. Not just my priestly vocation but the Catholic Faith itself came to me from the parish school because my parents were not practicing Catholics when they committed me and my education to St. Rose of Lima School in Newark in 1955. Through God’s grace and what I like to call “reverse evangelization,” I brought them back to the Church by the time I was in second grade!

“The days have come ... in which the school is more necessary than the church.” Does that statement startle you? Who could say that? The answer is that it did indeed startle people the first time it was said – and nearly 150 years ago – by Archbishop John J. Hughes of New York. In many ways, it was his insight and foresight that launched the Catholic community in America on an endeavor unparalleled in the history of the Church. Archbishop Hughes felt that if he lost the children, there would be little hope for the future of the Church in this country.

From the last third of the nineteenth century until the same period of the twentieth century, the Catholic school system in the United States was the marvel and envy of the Church Universal.

The First Provincial Council of Baltimore in 1829 asserted that “we judge it absolutely necessary that schools be established in which the young may be taught the principles of faith and morality, while being instructed in letters.” The bishops of the nation made their judgment a matter of law in 1884 at the Third Plenary Council of Baltimore: “We decide and decree that near each church, where it does not exist, a parish school is to be erected within two years of the promulgation of this Council.”

Some American bishops, like John Ireland, opted for an “assimilationist” form of Catholicism. This Americanist point of view maintained that Catholic doctrine should be presented in a way that would cause as little difference to surface with Protestants as possible. Educationally, the Americanists were opposed to parochial schools, however, by the time the Code of Canon Law was enacted in 1917, they had to face this strong statement: “Catholic children are not to attend non-Catholic, neutral or mixed schools.” Where no other alternative was available, the bishop himself had to determine what dangers to the Faith existed and then judge if a dispensation from the law would be tolerable.

The rationale behind this stringent injunction was explained clearly by Pope Pius XI in his encyclical, Divini Illius Magistri (On the Christian Education of Youth): “The so-called ‘neutral’school from which religion is excluded, is contrary to the fundamental principles of education. Such a school moreover cannot exist in practice; it is bound to become irreligious.” While this kind of thinking has been characterized as a “fortress” or “siege mentality,” few observers can doubt that the American so-called public school is a potent example of a “neutral” school system becoming “irreligious” de facto and, some would add, de jure.

The Fathers of the Second Vatican Council dealt with Catholic education extensively as they followed the trajectory of Church teaching to that point and contributed to its development as well. Several comments bear notice from their Declaration on Christian Education:

“The Church's involvement in the field of education is demonstrated especially by the Catholic school ... Therefore, since it can contribute so substantially to fulfilling the mission of God's people, and can further the dialogue between the Church and the family of man, to their mutual benefit, the Catholic school retains its immense importance in the circumstances of our times too ... As for Catholic parents, the Council calls to mind their duty to entrust their children to Catholic schools ...”

One should observe that these statements are rather absolute, not surrounded by various qualifiers.

In 1971 the American bishops issued a pastoral letter on Catholic education, To Teach as Jesus Did. It became the standard by which to judge all Catholic schools, outlining as it did the goals and objectives for all Catholic institutions of learning. Included is the following statement: “[They] are the most effective means available to the Church for the education of children and young people.” Many would point to the great irony that at the very moment of this letter's promulgation, pastors were closing schools at an unprecedented rate, usually with the blessing of the local bishop.

Pope Paul VI's bicentennial message to the Church in the United States contained praise for the American Catholic school system and an encouragement to continue the tradition: “The strength of the Church in America (is) in the Catholic schools.” Nor was it sheer coincidence that the two Americans Paul VI canonized in observance of our bicentennial, Bishop John Neumann of Philadelphia and Mother Seton of New York, were prime movers in the parochial school effort.

The most thorough analysis of Catholic education in modern times was offered by the Sacred Congregation for Catholic Education in 1977. The Catholic School probed every aspect of the educational process and also recognized the fact that some people had suggested the phasing out of Catholic schools. Its conclusion was that “to give in to them would be suicidal.”

Pope John Paul II's esteem for the American Catholic school system was demonstrated with great regularity. Just months after his installation, he sent a videotaped message to Catholic educators gathered in Philadelphia for the annual convention of the National Catholic Educational Association, in which he said that he hoped to give “a new impulse to Catholic education throughout the vast area of the United States of America.” He went on to say: “Yes, the Catholic school must remain a privileged means of Catholic education in America. . . , worthy of the greatest sacrifices.” Later that year during his first pastoral visit to the States, with 20,000 Catholic school students at Madison Square Garden, he seized the opportunity “to tell (them) why the Church considers it so important and expends so much energy in order to provide . . . millions of young people with a Catholic education.” It is for no other purpose, he said, than to “communicate Christ” to them. He likewise referred to the Catholic school as “the heart of the Church.”

Pope Benedict XVI, at the Catholic University of America in 2008, weighed in as well:

Dear friends, the history of this nation includes many examples of the Church's commitment in this regard. The Catholic community here has in fact made education one of its highest priorities. This undertaking has not come without great sacrifice. Towering figures, like Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton and other founders and foundresses, with great tenacity and foresight, laid the foundations of what is today a remarkable network of parochial schools contributing to the spiritual well-being of the Church and the nation ... Countless dedicated Religious Sisters, Brothers, and Priests together with selfless parents have, through Catholic schools, helped generations of immigrants to rise from poverty and take their place in mainstream society.

This sacrifice continues today. It is an outstanding apostolate of hope, seeking to address the material, intellectual and spiritual needs of over three million children and students. It also provides a highly commendable opportunity for the entire Catholic community to contribute generously to the financial needs of our institutions. Their long-term sustainability must be assured. Indeed, everything possible must be done, in cooperation with the wider community, to ensure that they are accessible to people of all social and economic strata. No child should be denied his or her right to an education in faith, which in turn nurtures the soul of a nation.

At times, some “traditional” critics of our schools will agree that Catholic schools were certainly superb “in the old days,” but are not so any more. While some horror stories about bad catechesis and poor attitudinal formation are regrettably accurate, it is crucial to underscore two other points: (1) The local government school will not be any more “Catholic,” for sure. (2) In spite of deficiencies which surfaced in the seventies, Catholic elementary and secondary schools today are on the rebound in terms of reclaiming a truly Catholic identity, to which I can personally attest since I spend the vast majority of my time working with schools on this matter.

A third issue to consider is that socialization and identification with the “institutional” Church are key for an “incarnational” religion like Catholicism, in which structures are critically important; “home-schooling” has not achieved that goal and cannot do so, in spite of good will and intentions – all documented both statistically and anecdotally. Furthermore, sociological surveys consistently show that graduates of post-conciliar Catholic schools continue to be markedly different from their public school counterparts, especially in regard to Sunday Mass attendance, thoughts on abortion, willingness to consider a priestly or religious vocation, and generosity to the local parish (both in service and donations).

At yet another level, the success story of Catholic schools in this country occurs with phenomenal regularity in the academic realm. Professor John Coleman of the University of Chicago documents an impressive performance record for Catholic high school students, which indicates that they outstrip not only public school students but also – and amazingly so – students from private schools! The reason for the success? According to Coleman, this happens because of religious and moral values in our schools and because of the coordination between home and school. These two aspects take on the greatest significance when we reflect on the incredible achievements of youngsters in inner-city Catholic schools.

The National Catholic Education Association recently released the latest statistics on Catholic schools in the United States. Almost totally unnoticed in nearly all the reporting was a small but critically important detail: Over 26% of our schools have waiting lists!

The first lesson to be taken from this is the necessity of passing along good news when it happens, rather than purveying an incessant stream of bad news. Now, we cannot ignore the sad fact that Catholic schools, especially in inner-city environments, continue to close. Which leads to a second lesson. Why are Catholic schools still closing? In the inner cities, it is largely due to a population shift. In other words, the traditional Catholic demographic reality is no longer there. In many instances, whole sections of cities have become veritable ghost-towns, particularly in terms of children – which is why government schools are closing in those places as well. So, let's make sure that when a story is told about the shuttering of a Catholic school that it is put in the context of what is occurring in the overall sociological reality.

Now, back to suburbia – where the vast majority of Catholics have lived for the past three decades and will continue to live into the foreseeable future. A fundamental error in strategic planning was made on the part of ecclesiastical leaders in the 1970s as the demographic shift from urban to suburban began. Whereas up through the 1950s, new parishes always began with schools, that was generally not the case in the 1970s, either because Church authorities were too enamored of the burgeoning CCD cottage industry as a viable alternative to Catholic schools (now proven to be an abject failure) or because bishops and priests failed to see the basic fatal flaw in so-called public education – pointed out so clearly by Pope Pius XI in Divini Illius Magistri. That point must be stressed to our people, if we expect them to make the sacrifices needed to maintain our schools, even in suburbia. In other words, if public schools are not flawed at their root and if Catholic schools are just a bit “nicer,” why bother?

Much more could be said about the moral responsibility of every Catholic – whether or not having children in our schools – to support the total effort of Catholic education, especially as an act of gratitude for the Catholic schooling one personally received (probably for a pittance) and which now presents an almost insupportable burden for so many parents. Needless to say, Catholics and all citizens of intelligence and good will need to unite to reverse the public-school monopoly which keeps parental choice at bay by holding poor and middle-class families economic hostages of a godless and failed system of education.

The Church in the United States responded to an anti-Catholic threat in the nineteenth century by fashioning her own school system and that school system has served both the Church and the broader society very well. A new form of anti-Catholicism exists today, not of Protestants against Catholics but of virulent secularists against all people of faith. That fact forces me to conclude that Catholic schools are more necessary today than ever before in our history. Such aggressive secularization can only be held off and even reversed if the Church is able to offer her members an alternative vision of life and what sociologists call a viable “sub-culture” (actually, the Catholic “sub-culture” is the real culture, while what society is offering is not a culture at all). In essence, that is what St. Benedict did as the decadent Roman culture was breathing its last, and that alternate vision saved not only the Church but western culture. The principal agent of that renewal was a monasticism which founded schools everywhere. What emerged in relatively short order was the glorious Middle Ages – the Age of Faith – with the good, the true and the beautiful producing a superabundance of magnificent works of literature, art, music and architecture – and thousands of saints.

Believers must be convinced – and then must convince everyone else – that the Fathers of Vatican II got it right when they declared in Gaudium et Spes: “Without the Creator, the creature vanishes” (n. 36). History supports that assertion. Just look at the bloodshed of every godless movement of modernity from the French Revolution to the Mexican Revolution and the Spanish Civil War to the murderous campaigns of the Nazis and Communists. Clearly, “without the Creator, the creature vanishes.” And an education devoid of God is an anti-education.

Let me conclude with some very insightful observations of the convert-monk and poet of the twentieth century, Thomas Merton. Reflecting on some years of his boyhood spent in France between the two world wars, he contrasted a state school in the village with a Catholic one:

When I think of the Catholic parents who sent their children to a school like that, I begin to wonder what was wrong with their heads. Down by the river, in a big clean white building, was a college run by the Marist Fathers. I had never been inside it: indeed, it was so clean that it frightened me. But I knew a couple of boys who went to it. They were sons of the little lady who ran the pastry shop opposite the church at St. Antonin and I remember them as exceptionally nice fellows, very pleasant and good. It never occurred to anyone to despise them for being pious. And how unlike the products of the Lycée they were!

When I reflect on all this, I am overwhelmed at the thought of the tremendous weight of moral responsibility that Catholic parents accumulate upon their shoulders by not sending their children to Catholic schools. Those who are not of the Church have no understanding of this. They cannot be expected to. As far as they can see, all this insistence on Catholic schools is only a money-making device by which the Church is trying to increase its domination over the minds of men, and its own temporal prosperity. And of course most non-Catholics imagine that the Church is immensely rich, and that all Catholic institutions make money hand over fist, and that all that money is stored away somewhere to buy gold and silver dishes for the Pope and cigars for the College of Cardinals.

Is it any wonder that there can be no peace in a world where everything possible is being done to guarantee that the youth of every nation will grow up absolutely without moral and religious discipline, and without the shadow of an interior life, or of that spirituality and charity and faith which alone can safeguard the treaties and agreements made by governments?

And Catholics, thousands of Catholics everywhere, have the consummate audacity to weep and complain because God does not hear their prayers for peace, when they have neglected not only His will, but the ordinary dictates of natural reason and prudence, and let their children grow up according to the standards of a civilization of hyenas. (Thomas Merton, The Seven Storey Mountain. New York: Harcourt, Inc., 1998, 56.)

My dear friends, we need to revive what I like to call “The Spirit of 1884,” in which the bishops of our nation issued their clarion call to have every Catholic child in a Catholic school. In that way and only in that way, shall we stave off the emergence of another generation growing up “according to the standards of a civilization of hyenas.” I pray that you will join in that noble effort.

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Father Stravinskas is the Executive Director of the Catholic Education Foundation. The above is reproduced here with his kind permission.

Calvin and Hobbes: The “Lost” Comic

2012-01-28T10:30:00.002-05:00

Today, the reformed Roman calendar celebrates the feast of St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), Father and Doctor of the Western Church. Known in particular as “Doctor Angelicus” (“the Angelic Doctor”), and as the father of the philosophical-theological methodology known as "Thomism," is the pre-eminent architect of Western theology, whose work was for centuries (and should be today, for that matter) required study for seminarians. Traditionally, the good Doctor was commemorated on March 7, the day of his death, as is the norm. However, in the calendar reforms of 1969, his feast was moved to the date of the transfer of his relics to Toulouse, to avoid its being overshadowed by the Lenten season. (In the traditional Roman calendar, he is still remembered on March 7.)

Growing up in Ohio, and unbeknownst to us at the time, we essentially learned Thomism at the dinner table. “Man is a reasoning animal.” “Everything you do in life is either a plus or a minus.” ... and so on. This writer only discovered later, while studying the Doctor's works in a Sunday night class at the Dominican House of Studies in the late 1980s, that he was a Thomist all along. For reasons explained in this classic Calvin and Hobbes comic, the life and work of this Saint is worthy of attention, now more than ever, don't you think?

Or don't you?

FAMW: Craig Ferguson Does Britney

2012-01-27T12:30:00.000-05:00

Oops, we did it again ... and again!

After last week's rendition and this week's Guitar Workshop, both featuring Richard Thompson, we thought we'd show you a similar contribution of late night talk show host Craig Ferguson to the popular culture -- just the thing before we head out of town, and for this week's Friday Afternoon Moment of Whimsy.

Guitar Workshop: Richard Thompson Reconsidered

2012-01-26T16:15:00.000-05:00

Hey, kids, remember the fun we had with Richard Thompson last week? Well, oops, let's do that again, only this time, more up-close and personal.

We've seen what can be done with Travis-style picking, in our workshops dating back to September and October of 2010. Well, there's more than one way to do double duty, with the running bass line on one hand, and punctuating licks on ... well, the same hand. We have Thompson to give us an example here.

The iPad is the superior model of a type of electronics that is changing how we obtain and use our information. If you download “On The Music Path” from Apple's App Store, you can get this lesson in “Folk Rock Guitar” for $9.99. One of the songs he opens up for us, is off the 1985 album "Across a Crowded Room" on Polydor, with “When the Spell is Broken” as the first cut. He uses a flatpick in his thump and forefinger to keep the bass line running, leaving, the other three (yes, all three of them) to give a light touch where necessary.

There are many artists whose work can be examined with this amazing app. For the intermediate guitarist, this is as good a place as any to start.

Art-For-Art’s-Sake Theatre: Moxy Früvous Revisited

2012-01-25T11:30:00.000-05:00

Time once again for our usual midday Wednesday feature.

Four young street musicians from Toronto were together known as Moxy Früvous. From their formation in 1989, they recorded and toured almost continuously for more than a decade, before parting ways in 2000. But in that time, this folk-pop quartet gathered a small yet dedicated following known as “Früheads.” Their schtick was not unlike another Canadian band, Barenaked Ladies -- a stage show punctuated by witty reparteé between selections, and a special appeal to the "recovering geek" in all of us. (Okay, some of us.)

My son Paul used to accompany me to the concerts. He was even worked into the act more than once, which was the origin of “Virtual Boy” as his stage name. The first time was in July of 1998. Some guy named “Mike” tells the story at the band's website, recently resurrected for posterity. There was another appearance we attended as well, in August of 1999.

The band appeared on CBS Sunday Morning in August of 2000, by which time they were already edging towards their separate ways. The last time Paul and I saw them was at the 9:30 Club. When the band would not come out for an encore, about forty of us gathered in a circle and sang "The Drinking Song" in their stead.

We miss them to this day, as do the Früheads.

The Eternal State of the Union

2012-01-24T22:00:00.002-05:00

I never watch the State of the Union address. I never expect to hear anything new or different. And thanks to Matt Welch writing for Reason.com, now I know why.

[S]tarting with John F. Kennedy's address to a joint session of Congress in 1961, you could take one sentence from each SOTU since, in chronological order, and cobble together a speech that will likely resemble much of what you'll hear tonight.

So that's precisely what I've done. Without further ado ...

You should read it on this night every year. In fact, maybe we'll just post the damn thing every year and save everyone the trouble.

Ode to One Thousand Days

2012-01-24T15:15:00.003-05:00

Today marks one thousand days that the Congress has failed to pass a budget. The Democrats can't entirely blame Republicans for holding things up, since the Nancy Boys (Pelosi, that is) were in control of the House for the early part of that, and to this day, the Democrats still control the Senate. At least some of the responsibility falls at the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue, what with the President's vast experience as a community organizer and all that.

The end of this video provides a link to the Heritage Foundation. Maybe they have the answers; maybe they don't. But they're asking at least one of the right questions, don't you think?

Or don't you?

Random Thoughts on the March for Life

2012-01-23T16:45:00.000-05:00

This was the scene at the Hyatt Regency in DC this past Saturday. A group of pro-choice activists, calling themselves "Occupy Anti-Choice" interrupted the event (at about 00:30) and prattled on for several minutes on how most of the people in the room would impose their morality on everybody else. Given the opportunity by those at the podium to present themselves at the stand in a civil manner, they appeared incapable. So the hotel security ~~took their damn time about it and~~ escorted the protesters from the room.

Do they know what they are up against? This is a time lapse from last year's march, produced by Air Maria. An hour and thirty-one minutes was reduced to roughly one minute (with St Michael's Parish of Annandale, Virginia, showing up at 0:37), to reveal not hundreds, not thousands, but tens of thousands or more. The mainstream media will try to play it down, as they usually do, but the March for Life remains the largest such annual event in the Nation's capital.

Most people never come face to face with the central argument over abortion. Once you establish that it is indeed a human life, then taking that life amounts to taking a human life, choice or no choice. If you justfy abortion, you justify taking a human life, the circumstances notwithstanding. And as this final video shows, minds can be changed without resorting to the unreasonable. Someday, we as a people will do the same, or avoid doing so to our own peril.

“ProLifeCon” Twitcast and Transcript

2012-01-23T08:15:00.012-05:00

Today it begins, our third annual “Twitcast” joining pro-life bloggers from near and far, who all had the good sense to come in out of the rain, during the annual March for Life. (Click here for last year's transcript.) The following is the transcript of this year's event. Items were edited slightly for correction. Bracketed text is for clarity. Items listed in green entered the feed during our report, and were deemed germaine to the topic at hand.

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Transcript of Twitcast

We've got our coffee, we've got our pastries, here at the luxurious Family Research Council. What could go wrong? #prolifecon
08:26

And ... it begins. Tony Perkins heads the FRC, and leads the introduction, and offers comments "to set the stage for today." #prolifecon
08:34

54 million abortions in the USA since Roe v Wade. That's the entire population of the Pacific time zone. #prolifecon
08:34

Contemplating "moral outrage" over the wreck of the Costa Concordia, but none for the most vulnerable of human life. #prolifecon
08:36

Over 2000 crisis pregnancy centers are operating in the USA today, a step towards becoming a pro-life nation. But it's not over. #prolifecon
08:38

"We need to go beyond political promises, and call for practical solutions." #prolifecon
08:38

Jill Stanek is a registered nurse who exposed the phenomenon of babies being born in hospitals and left to die. She put her ... #prolifecon
08:41

... reputation on the line, and is now a formidable advocate, at jillstanek.com and through speaking engagements. #prolifecon
08:41

Jill introduces Michael Clancy, the photographer of the "Hand of Hope" photo in 2000. #prolifecon
08:43

Media reaction, the hospital attempted to blow off the authenticity of the photo, that the image of a preborn child was staged. #prolifecon
08:44

The story with the photo first appeared in LIFE magazine. As to the baby, "Samuel is my hero." #prolifecon
08:52

Clancy was physically prevented from taking the photo, but it was too late, and now he has all rights to it. #prolifecon
08:53

Julie and Samuel Armas give the "other side of the story." Samuel [the preborn baby in the photo] is now twelve years old. #prolifecon
08:53

Samuel's mother describes his fetal surgery for spina bifida, and later saw the photo in USA Today. #prolifecon
08:59

"This happened so that God's glory could be fulfilled." #prolifecon
09:00

The fetus was at 21 weeks, and weighed at 15 ounces, when the photo was taken. #prolifecon
09:04

"Do the kids at school know it's you in the picture?" Eventually, some of them do, and ask questions about it. #prolifecon
09:06

"Mom, I'm on Wikipedia." #prolifecon
09:06

Dr Gerald Nadal is a prominent pro-life Catholic blogger, lives in NYC with his family. #prolifecon
09:07

There is an effort in hospitals to steadily promote what is essentially eugenics, to weed out "damaged" babies. #prolifecon
09:08

RT @TheMorningSpew: @EdMorrissey Ed have you seen this video? ABC airs prolife video and probably don't realize it. http://t.co/Fxw8Pzbf
09:09

"Science in the service of the pro-life movement" is the theme of Dr Nadal's blog. #prolifecon
09:10

"An aggressive effort in fetal eugenics." Some doctors will refuse to bring certain babies to term. #prolifecon
09:12

"I long for the days when it was about a woman's 'right to choose.' Lately they're not given a choice by doctors." #prolifecon
09:15

The encouragement of fetal eugenics is beginning as early as medical school. #prolifecon
09:16

Ryan Bomburger is Chief Creative Officer, The Radiance Foundation, will speak on abortion, adoption, and the black community. #prolifecon
09:21

Ryan has appeared at this event for ... well, this is the third one, so far as we know. #prolifecon
09:22

theradiancefoundation.org #prolifecon
09:22

Ryan was conceived by rape, was given over to adoption, is now married with children of his own. #prolifecon
09:23

toomanyaborted.com #prolifecon
09:24

Of all abortions in America, an estimated 35% are African-American babies. #prolifecon
09:25

Alluding to Genesis 1:1, "the darkness is filling the void again." #prolifecon
09:30

toomanyaborted.com has produced a number of pro-life videos to carry on the message. #prolifecon
09:31

"When God creates, it's intentional, it's revelational." #prolifecon
09:33

The theme of the presentation is "the DESIGN of messaging." Who are we trying to reach? #prolifecon
09:33

When God creates, it's transformational." #prolifecon
09:33

blackprolifecoalition.org #prolifecon
09:35

Lila Rose is founder of LiveAction, and started infiltrating Planned Parenthood clinics with hidden video cameras at 15. #prolifecon
09:37

Now 23 years old, a recent graduate of UCLA #prolifecon
09:38

If a picture is worth a thousand words, imagine the power of video. #prolifecon
09:41

After doing multimedia presentations at churches and elsewhere, she discovered YouTube, and saw an opportunity. #prolifecon
09:42

The power of visual media is what made Ms Rose aware of the horrors of abortion. The clinics "hide the reality of abortion." #prolifecon
09:43

"Over a fourth of our children are being killed through abortion." #prolifecon
09:44

Ms Rose began going undercover through videocams and phone calls for four and a half years, AND exposing them to the world. #prolifecon
09:45

Exposure includes concealment of statutory rape against young girls by Planned Parenthood. #prolifecon
09:47

liveaction.org #prolifecon
09:48

CBS and CNN have begun (finally!) to cover the work of LiveAction. #prolifecon
09:50

INTERMISSION: Returning at 10:00 am eastern USA time. #prolifecon
09:51

Jill: Archived screen of video feed is available after the event at frc.org/prolifecon #prolifecon
10:01

Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) is a "pro-life hero" on the Hill. Has been active in fighting sex trafficking around the world. #prolifecon
10:02

Smith has been in Congress for 31 years. #prolifecon
10:06

Henry Reid used to be prolife, before moving to the Senate. Still now there is "the most pro-life Congress ever." #prolifecon
10:07

Congressman Smith's presentation goes into considerable detail on pro-life-related legislation. More is [likely to be] found at his website. #prolifecon
10:10

That website: chrissmith.house.gov #prolifecon
10:11

The Obama administration is clearly working with Planned Parenthood, through the various government agencies. #prolifecon
10:20

Nurses are being forced to participate in abortions. They are often unaware of any "conscience clause." #prolifecon
10:23

Congresswoman Vicki Hartzler (R-MO) is the next speaker, one of the recent "Tea Party" candidates -- the "fighting freshmen."#prolifecon
10:25

Large pro-life "freshman" class in Congress, and a growing number of pro-life women on the Hill. #prolifecon
10:27

Hartzler grew up on a farm, discovered the nature of preborn as human life watching a presentation in high school home ec class. #prolifecon
10:32

Discovered the truth behind Planned Parenthood, that they're "all about money, and they don't deserve a dime of our money." #prolifecon
10:33

Most "tea party" sympathy is focused on the funding issues alone, although a noticeable pro-life sentiment. #prolifecon
10:40

Collin Raye is a country music recording artist, with a personal story to tell. #prolifecon
10:42

Raye has produced an inspirational CD: "His Love Remains." #prolifecon
10:44

Raye elaborates on the growing and dangerous trend toward euthanasia, as a "compassionate" solution. #prolifecon
10:50

Raye describes a granddaughter who was in a coma, but who is now alive and well. #prolifecon
10:53

only hundreds? RT @NROcorner: Candidates Celebrate March for Life: hundreds of pro-lifers gather in D.C. for the Mar... http://t.co/MMcRlmlC
10:59

Kristan Hawkins is Executive Director of Students for Life of America #prolifecon
10:59

Since Roe v Wade, the gap between "pro-choice" and "pro-life" in this country is narrowing, 49 to 45 percent respectively. #prolifecon
11:03

"Don't be afraid about abolishing abortion. I'm putting myself out of a job." #prolifecon
11:10

apassiontoserve.org #prolifecon
11:15

Karen Snuffer is Executive Director of the CareNet Pregnancy Resource Centers: Manassas, Woodbridge, and Warrenton. #prolifecon
11:19

CareNet works not only with churches, but with adoption and social service agencies, as well as legal services. #prolifecon
11:24

Tom McClusky is Senior Vice President of FRC Action, a spokesman for life issues on the Hill. #prolifecon

ivotevalues.org #prolifecon
11:31

We're "rounding third and headed for home" with the #prolifecon event and "twitcast." Transcript later today ...
11:33

+ + +

We here at mwbh want to thank the Family Research Council for providing this event yet again this year, and for the support they give us, to make it possible to send you coverage via Twitter. We also want to thank the many of you who retweeted our messages out in the cybersphere, bringing seven new followers to our Twitter feed.

This writer also had the pleasure of meeting with Nashville recording artist Collin Raye, and had a chance to speak with him briefly, about his current undertakings, and the challenge of being his own man in an increasingly secularized musical genre. In the face of it all, he's had 30 singles in the country music charts between 1991 and 2007, four of which have reached number one.

Not too shabby.

There were photos taken with Collin (better than the one above, taken with a cameraphone), and we will publish them here as soon as they are available. Meanwhile, we've got more pro-life coverage in the days ahead. Stay tuned, and stay in touch.

“Kung hei faht choi!”

2012-01-22T16:15:00.002-05:00

That's what they're saying in China today (where it's already tomorrow), and in the Philippines, as well as in any country with a large Chinese population, not to mention Chinatowns all over the world. Today begins the lunar new year in China -- to be more exact, “The Year of the Dragon.”

I took Paul to his first "dragon festival" in DC's Chinatown when he was about two years old. He fit right in with his bright red snowsuit. Such is the culmination of a fifteen-day celebration that begins today (at least where it's already tomorrow). This clip was taken at the National Building Museum five years ago, with a phone camera. That was the Year of the Pig, but at least a dragon showed up.

Obviously camera phones have come a long way in five short years, don't you think?

Or don't you?

Coming Monday: The “ProLifeCon” Twitcast

2012-01-21T19:30:00.004-05:00

That's right, a twitcast. What in Sam Hill would YOU call it?

We will be calling it as we see it, come Monday morning, from the seventh annual conference of pro-life bloggers and online social media activists, sponsored by the Family Research Council, which is hosting “ProLifeCon” in conjunction with the annual March for Life. This will be the third year we will have hung the Black Hat at the Family Research Council in Washington DC, where this yearly event takes place.

Speakers will include Jill Stanek (JillStanek.com), Lila Rose (President, LiveAction), Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (R-MO), Collin Raye (Spokesman, Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network), and many others. We will be sending a continuous stream of messages on Twitter, from approximately 8:15 to 11:30 am. A transcript with commentary will be published in a subsequent post by the following evening. There will also be a live video stream from the conference website.

twitter.com/manwithblackhat. Be there. Aloha.
.

FNBW: Obligatory “Obama Does Al Green” Moment

2012-01-20T20:15:00.003-05:00

We thought this week rated a Friday Night Bonus Whimsy. It has been the kind of news cycle that can rate one.

By now you've heard about this, but you didn't believe it, did you? The guy's not that bad a singer, actually. And it gets better. Among the velvety tones he has attempted to emulate, they include Aretha Franklin, and Dionne Warwick. But if that's not enough to dissuade you from Mitt Romney, wait until you hear him sing happy birthday to South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley. In a completely unrelated story, Chuck Norris has just endorsed ... Newt Gingrich. Fact is stranger than truth.

Either that or he'd just heard Mitt sing.

Soooo ... strap yourselves in for the Year of the Apocalypse, folks, it's gonna be a long one!

FAMW: Oops We Did It Again!

2012-01-20T14:15:00.001-05:00

The Daily Beast reports on the latest with Chris Crocker, who previously went viral with his video about people being mean to Britney Spears. We doubt she even noticed. In fact, we doubt she's even aware of some of the more unique tributes to her craft, including this 1999 performance of Richard Thompson. Of course, our devoted fans are aware of Thompson's work, having sampled it at our Guitar Workshop in the past year. We'll be featuring him again next week, but until then, he's the victim of choice for this week's Friday Afternoon Moment of Whimsy.

My Newt Gingrich Moment

2012-01-19T21:00:00.001-05:00

With or without the anticipation of ABC News interviewing his ex-wife, and with or without advance notice of what would be said, it is easy to depict Newt Gingrich, at least in terms of his personal life, as what used to be known as a “cad.” The American Heritage Dictionary defines this as “a man whose behavior is unprincipled or dishonorable.”

Still, you have to admit, when it comes to those "gotcha!" moments like the ones in this clip, he's a crowd-pleaser. So, until his bid for the nomination, and his political future in general, goes completely in the tank, he makes for good (political) theater.

Somebody get the popcorn.

Wikipedia Wevisited

2012-01-19T16:15:00.002-05:00

We here at mwbh did not notice much of a drop in visits to our humble, if virtual abobe, during our Anti-SOPA Protest yesterday, so we'd like to give a shout to our readers. Then again, maybe they had no choice, since Craigslist was blocked yesterday as well. Meanwhile, Wikipedia has no complaints about yesterday either.

More than 162 million people saw our message asking if you could imagine a world without free knowledge. You said no. You shut down Congress’s switchboards. You melted their servers. Your voice was loud and strong. Millions of people have spoken in defense of a free and open Internet.

For us, this is not about money. It’s about knowledge ...

... and they invite you to learn more about what you can do.

Meanwhile, you know where to find us -- again. Stay tuned, and stay in touch.

The Six Dirty Secrets of Presidential Politics in 2012

2012-01-19T07:30:00.003-05:00

Yeah, sure, I'm just linking to an article, with little else to add other than that it proves I was right about something all along, so why not just steal the title as well -- in this case, of a piece in The American Thinker, which included in its short list, this particular gem:

It is quite clear that the country is basically split politically into thirds. One third is known in overly polite circles as "independent" or "casual" voters. In truth, these are people who don't pay attention and don't really care about current events. Unfortunately, because the other two thirds of "partisans" tend to balance each other out, it is these voters (yes, regrettably, they do indeed vote) who usually decide the winner in presidential elections.

Because the media has by far the greatest influence over this group (because they get their political "news" almost entirely from headlines, comedians, and friends), they went for ...

You know the rest. The point here, at least in this item, is that the nation is not split down the middle, but into two-thirds who actually do any thinking at all (right- or wrong-headed, depending on who you ask), and one-third for which ignorance is bliss.

Some of you won't like the rest of the list, but it may prove to be true.

WWW: Wednesday Without Wikipedia

2012-01-18T00:01:00.006-05:00

Today, from midnight to midnight, Eastern Standard (USA) Time (or 5:00 AM Greenwich Mean Time), the English-language edition of Wikipedia is temporarily shut down, in protest of proposed legislation to fix something that is neither broken nor over-regulated -- in other words, the Internet. To learn more about the proposed Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), click here for the main page. Or, for that matter, here.

Google will post an anti-SOPA notice on its home page. It should be noted that President Obama has threatened to veto SOPA, which is small comfort to those certain that similar measures will rear their ugly heads in the future. Meanwhile, here at mwbh, we will take the opportunity this day, one for which items had already been prepared, to go dark as well, save but for this notice, and whatever remains in the sidebar. This we do in solidarity with one of our favorite sources for research.

And then we'll come back.

UPDATE: Support for the bill, and its evil twin, the Protect Act (PIPA), is fading by the hour today, as Talking Points Memo reports. We may be back in action before the day is out, if only to celebrate our victory dance. Developing ...

Remember the Birkenhead

2012-01-17T16:15:00.005-05:00

IMAGE: "The Wreck of the Birkenhead" by Thomas M Hemy

It was never codified in the annals of maritime law [NOTA BENE: Although we've managed to come pretty close]. Nevertheless, it was the heroic virtue of the captain and crew of the steam frigate-turned-troopship HMS Birkenhead, that originated the most famous of the unwritten Laws of the Sea. In 1852, upon hitting the hidden rocks off the coast of Cape Horn in South Africa, the valiant officers and crew stood in formation at attention -- made famous by the poet Rudyard Kipling as "the Birkenhead drill" -- as women and children were given first choice of what few serviceable lifeboats remained.

To take your chance in the thick of a rush,
    with firing all about,
Is nothing so bad when you've cover to 'and,
    an' leave an' likin' to shout;
But to stand an' be still to the Birken'ead drill
    is a damn tough bullet to chew,
An' they done it, the Jollies -- 'Er Majesty's Jollies --
    soldier an' sailor too ...

By 1860, the maxim "women and children first" entered the popular lexicon, made ever more so with the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912. Regarding the latter, 72 percent of the women on board were saved and 50 percent of the children, but only 19 percent of the men. (NOTE: Some estimates dispute these percentages, which may have been slightly lower in all categories, but the point of this example remains.)

What has happened to us since then?

We can blame the captain and officers of the Carnival cruise ship Costa Concordia for their unchivalrous conduct, as their ship ran aground off the coast of Tuscany ...

Frenchwoman Nicole Servel, 61, said Francis Servel, 71, gave her his lifejacket before they leapt off the sinking cruise ship.

She said: 'I owe my life to my husband – it’s obvious he saved me.' She managed to swim for shore, while Mr Servel was swept underwater and drowned.'

The horrific story was just one of many ...

+ + +

Fights broke out to get into the lifeboats, men refused to prioritise women, expectant mothers and children as they pushed themselves forward to escape. Crew ignored their passengers – leaving ‘chefs and waiters’ to help out.

+ + +

[Sandra] Rogers, a widow originally from Chester who has retired to Minorca, was sailing with her daughter Karen, 39, and seven-year-old twin granddaughters Emma and Chloe.

She said: ‘I want everyone to know how badly some people behaved. It was a nightmare. I lost my daughter and my grandchildren in the chaos.

‘I was standing by the lifeboats and men, big men, were banging into me and knocking the girls. It was awful. There was a total lack of organisation. There was no one telling people where to go ... And when we finally got into a lifeboat, people, grown men, were trying to jump into the boat. I thought, if they land in here we are going to capsize.'

VIDEO: Raw footage from a passnger of the Costa Concordia of panic on board ship, and an eyewitness account from a survivor. (Content advisory.)

... but the problem runs deeper than that, as we shall take pains to explain further on.

It is said that a captain is the last to leave his ship, and if need be, obliged to go down with her. Such was hardly the case here. (The translation is provided by Reuters via CBS News, and we simply cannot resist the urge to show you all of it.

Coast Guard: "Listen Schettino, there are people trapped on board. Now you need to go on your life boat, under the bow of the ship on the side. There is a ladder. You need to climb up the ladder and board the ship. Get on board and report to me how many people there are. Is that clear?. . . . "

Schettino: "At this moment the ship is tilted."

Coast Guard: "I understand. Listen, there are people who are coming down the ladder on the bow. Go back in the opposite direction, get back on the ship, and tell me how many people there are and what they have on board. . . . Tell me if there are children, women and what type of help they need. And you tell me the number of each of these categories. Is that clear? . . . Listen Schettino, perhaps you have saved yourself from the sea but I will make you look very bad. I will make you pay for this. Dammit, go back on board!"

Schettino: "Please . . . "

Coast Guard: "There is no please about it. Go back on board. Assure me you are going back on board!"

Schettino: "I am in the life boat, under the ship, I haven't gone anywhere, I'm here."

Coast Guard: "What are you doing?"

Schettino: "I am coordinating . . . "

Coast Guard: "What are you coordinating there? Go on board! Coordinate the rescue from on board! Are you refusing?"

Schettino: "No, I am not refusing."

Coast Guard: "Tell me the reason why you are not going back on board."

Schettino: "There is another life boat ... "

Coast Guard: "You go back on board! That is an order! There is nothing else for you to consider. You have sounded the 'abandon ship.' Now I am giving the orders. Go back on board. Is that clear? Don't you hear me?"

Schettino: "I am going on board."

Coast Guard: "Go! Call me immediately when you are on board. My rescue people are in front of the bow."

The coast guard never got that call, by the way. And the above is infinitely more colorful -- this one's for you, Sofia -- in the original Italian. This writer has, at one time or another, worked for those with a similar "hands-off" approach to management, which is about as inspiring as the example above. (Not much of that in over a decade, we are pleased to report.)

There is enough failure to go around here, but it extends beyond a single cruise ship, beyond the high seas, and well-entrenched on dry land. The quest to consider women as equal to men, however noble in some areas of society, has been confused with making them the same, with biology only an arbitrary construct, a concession to the random design of the evolutionary process. This, as opposed to something more. Meanwhile, we as men can say how heroic we would respond to the situation described here. Such is all well and good. But in conversations this writer has had with more than one man who has seen combat, the truth is that a man simply does not know how he will respond. For this reason, the most astutely-trained fighter shows the most courage under fire, as his training has torn the old man to shreds, and made a new one its place. On the surface, it is a matter of choice. At its core, it is a matter of discipline.

Saint Paul admonished the men of Galatia (in harsher terms than he did women, contrary to the assumption of your "parish liturgist") as to how men and women submit to one another; in his case, in marriage. The man is called upon to lay down his live for the woman, a burden not reciprocated in kind. How do we, as Christian men, “put on the new man” in this day and age, with respect to women in general?

Our Mark Wahlberg Moment

2012-01-16T17:45:00.000-05:00

It is difficult for most of us to imagine, that the actors we see on the big screen live anything but a 24/7 glamorous lifestyle, as opposed to being real people with ordinary lives. In this clip, Piers Morgan interviews Mark Wahlberg, whose movie Contraband was just released this past weekend, about his Catholic faith.

Who knew?

Festum Asinorum

2012-01-14T19:30:00.005-05:00

For the season that is Christmas, the party never stops, at least not until Candlemas Day, by which time "Carnivale" is already underway, depending on one's locale.

Today was known in the Middle Ages as the “Feast of the Ass” -- known in France, where it was most popular, as “Fête de l'âne.” It was meant to honor the beast of burden that carried the Blessed Virgin Mary as she and Joseph fled for Egypt with the Infant Jesus. Apparently, at some point in the Mass of the Day, after the Introit (Entrance Chant), the following ditty was sung, in Latin and in French:

Orientis partibus
Adventavit Asinus
Pulcher et fortissimus
Sarcinis aptissimus.

Hez, Sire Asnes, car chantez,
Belle bouche rechignez,
Vous aurez du foin assez
Et de l'avoine a plantez.

The folks at Southern Fried Catholism explain it further. As they (apparently) explain, liturgical abuses have a long and colorful history. What they don't explain, is that the chant sung here was later the basis for an unrelated Marian hymn, Concordi Laetitia.

It just goes to show you: Fact is stranger than truth.

FAMW: Mighty Mike “Imagine A Jump”

2012-01-13T16:30:00.002-05:00

They call it a “mashup” -- blending two or more pre-existing recordings to create a new one, usually by laying the vocal track of one song seamlessly over the instrumental track of another. This is a case in point, using Van Halen singing "Jump" and John Lennon playing "Imagine." Hard to believe (or maybe, hard to imagine), but this sort of thing can actually qualify for the "fair use" provisions in copyright law. We have “Mighty Mike” to thank for doing a better job of ruining this song, than that guy we've never heard of who changed the lyrics on New Year's Eve. Atta boy, Mikey!

And so, the tradition continues for another year, with this week's Friday Afternoon Moment of Whimsy.

Guitar Workshop: Four-Note Blues

2012-01-12T21:30:00.000-05:00

For our first Guitar Workshop of the year, I wanted to share something I came across on the internet over the Christmas holidays.

Sometimes these enterprising entrepreneurs can be a lot of hype, leading you on for a product about which you learn nothing, until you're knee-deep in the dog-and-pony show. Well, Griff Hamlin isn't one of those guys. You get access to this page straight away.

Here we are introduced to a blues lead solo that uses just four notes.

That's right. Just. Four. Notes.

For the key of A (per this example), they are on the second and first strings, the tenth and eighth frets. Now, you will have to bend the notes at one time or another, especially on the first string. And you can also move up and down the neck when you transpose keys. Eventually you will be tempted to expand. The next thing you know, you've discovered the pentatonic scale, four notes at a time.

This is a good exercise for the advanced beginner, someone who is getting acquainted with the neck above the first position (other than barre chords) for the first time. This guy's DVD lesson looks like a sweet deal for the price.

Still not convinced? Go to his special download page, and get the downloadable transcription, the audio jam track, and a complete audio track of the exercise.

After all that, you will definitely be ready to take on that pentatonic scale we mentioned earlier, and which we covered in February and March of 2010.

No Gold Watch?

2012-01-12T12:30:00.001-05:00

Six years ago, when I was eligible for my 25-year pin, some clown from our admin section who didn't know me from Adam was telling everybody I wasn't eligible. I managed to go over his head (not much of a challenge in this case), and got it straightened out. In the year or more that followed, I was awarded two more of them. Three 25-year pins! Then there was a rumor that they were going to discontinue the pins altogether. That's when I took drastic measures and found one on eBay. It didn't look like the ones I was used to, but it was gold-colored, and pretty snazzy.

The communications office had an "all-hands" meeting today, at which time they gave me an official thirty-year pin. It is also gold-colored (unlike the silver ones from previous milestones), and looks like the one in the illustration here. Still not as snazzy as my "unofficial" pin, but now I don't have to change pins from one suit to another.

Whatever makes life easier, I always say.

(NOTE: Due to scheduling challenges, our latest installment of "Guitar Workshop" will appear later today, which is later than usual. Really.)

Art-For-Art’s-Sake Theatre: Dan Zanes

2012-01-11T12:30:00.003-05:00

Time once again for our usual midday Wednesday feature -- if a bit longer than usual.

New Hampshire native son Dan Zanes was part of the 1980s garage band The Del Fuegos. Something about getting older does things to rock-and-rollers, especially when they have children of their own. They either end up like Ozzy Osbourne, or (we can only hope) like this guy, who is now the front man for the Grammy-winning Dan Zanes and Friends. Why? He explains in the first video.

I believe that every family should have its own band. I believe that every neighborhood should have its own series of bands. In other words, there should be bands everywhere ...

Once upon a time, I was in bands everywhere.

In the sixth grade, I played guitar for a garage band known as "David and the Dragons." No, I wasn't the David, that was the other guy, David Ziegenhardt, the drummer. (Our teacher said we should have been called "Dragon and the Davids." She had a point.) In high school, I played with a bunch of country rockers, and I'm not sure we even had a name, much less remember what it was. In college during the mid-1970s, I played with a contradance band known as the "Cincinnati Country Dance Orchestra." Later in the decade, I was half of the front end of "Alexander's Part Time Band" (a play on a ragtime tune of a similar name). I played guitar, clawhammer banjo, and mandolin; sister Mary played bluegrass banjo and guitar. Whoever could stand us at one time or another completed the setting, anywhere from one to three others. In the early 1980s, after moving from Ohio to DC, I played guitar and banjo for a trio that traveled with a clog-dance team. We called ourselves "The Stump Jumpers String Band." Our alternate name was "Men Without Taps." (It was the 80s, after all.)

My musical resumé after that is strictly solo. My luck with bands has been very uneven over the years. I have long envied those who succeed with family bands. I don't even think I had much luck dating musicians either. Neither is nearly as romantic as it seems.

Last night I was watching a movie on high-end cable. They usually fill the interim with short films and long advertisements. One of the former was a live-action-with-animation video of this band playing “Wonder Wheel.” I cannot find it, but I managed to find this performance at Battery Park in NYC last Fourth of July. Looking spontaneous can be fun, but it's harder to be in sync with each other.

And so it goes.

Voris Revisited (or, do “combox jockeys” wear black hats?)

2012-01-10T20:30:00.013-05:00

When is having "jurisdiction" like not having "jurisdiction"? When having it ... DON'T ... MEAN ... DIDDLEY! when the rubber meets the proverbial road.

If you've been following the discussion at What Does The Prayer Really Say?, you know of the news that the Archdiocese of Detroit has determined that Michael Voris and his apostolate, Real Catholic TV (which is actually owned and financed by another individual and parent entity in another diocese, possibly making it someone else's problem), has been determined as not being sanctioned for the use of the word "Catholic" in its name. Dr Edward Peters, a renowned canon lawyer, author of the blog In the Light of the Law, and father of Thomas “Not Your Average Catholic” Peters, is dedicated to explaining the complexities of ecclesiastical jurisprudence with respect to important issues facing the Church today. He has attempted to explain, with what appears to be no small amount of frustration, that the location of the owner of the apostolate does not affect jurisdiction for the Archdiocese.

... every time someone asks what “jurisdiction” the AOD has over Voris/RCTV to make the statements it made, they imply, without stating, that the AOD needs “jurisdiction” (however that is to be understood) in order to make the statements it has made. I reject that unstated assumption: the AOD does not need “jurisdiction” over Voris/RCTV in order to make the public statements it has made, most recently, that it “does not regard [Voris/RCTV] as being authorized to use the word ‘Catholic’ to identify or promote their public activities.” Indeed, as declarations of fact, the statements could have been made by anyone with adequate knowledge of the situation ...

I could be wrong, but I believe that our opening statement is what thousands of us poor unlettered "combox jockeys" (as he would have us be known) have been trying to tell the good Doctor for the past couple of weeks. There are likely three reasons why we have been doing a poor job of explaining ourselves. And so, we here at man with black hat have decided to cut the poor guy a break (to say nothing of the rest of you), and elaborate upon what we have identified as three problem areas.

1) The perceived scandal of selective enforcement. Commenters have been quick to point out that tenured-yet-heretical theologians, wild liturgical dancing nuns, and aging-hippie dissenting priests (including one old retired bishop who can't seem to stop whining about something) have been running footloose and fancy free in the Archdiocese for decades without consequence. As much of a scandal as this truly is, and with confidence that the Archbishop of Detroit will answer for each and every single instance, one at a time, when he stands before the Throne of the Almighty -- yes, dear minions, for all of that, here in this our vale of tears, it is irrelevant, as the lawgiver is empowered with the discretion to pursue any jurisprudential matters as he sees fit. Indeed, if one is to function with ANY authority at all, said lawgiver must be given the benefit of discretionary judgment, that which is commensurate with the responsibility in question.

2) The "big picture" in preserving authority. When one is faced with disobedience on all sides, of a sort that demands a response, there must be a reasonable chance, not only that a decree of correction will be met with compliance, but that, failing such compliance, any penalties imposed will actually be felt by the offender, so as to dissuade them from their malfeasance. A religious order can create havoc among their cohorts, generating discontent at both their national conferences and their secret covens in the woods, and eventually put even the appearance of undue pressure on an otherwise faithful prelate. But give a directive to Joe Blow's Catholic Crusade, and he'll fold like an accordion in a heartbeat, thus bringing order to the cosmos that spins around in a bishop's head. The late John Cardinal O'Connor himself lamented that diocesan bishops are often, to use his own term, "morally bludgeoned" by their own staffs. The path of least resistance is tempting, if only because it works. For the moment.

3) Jurisdiction is a many-splendored thing. Canon lawyers have to know Latin, and “jurisdiction” is a Latin word. Let's run with that. The word is from the Latin “juris” (law) and “dicere” (to speak). Jurisdiction, then, is the authority to make pronouncements on legal matters. It is by implication, however, that such is followed by the authority to administer justice, including the imposition of penalties, in the same area of pronouncement. We might be settled on the Archdiocese of Detroit being within its rights to make a statement that, yes, something that someone watches on the internet in the den of their house which is geographically situated within the Archdiocese, is or is not operating with the sanction of local church authority. But (here comes the proverbial drumroll!) is that authority limited to merely having an opinion, or is it empowered to enforce said decree through penalties? And in so doing, will it honor the due process over which it presides, and preserve the rights of the faithful, as opposed to their tired old status quo?

And THAT, good Doctor, is “however that is to be understood.” Capisce?

The matter of who can actually force the issue with the apostolate in question is yet to be settled, as it now appears that it has the attention of both the Archdiocese of Detroit AND the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend (in the case of the latter, at least unofficially). Time will only tell how it is played out. Mr Voris has likely said all that he can say for now, and is unlikely to elaborate without further developments.

As to the faithful of the Archdiocese of Detroit, and those matters which have brought them to the point of outrage, they will get the justice they deserve, ONLY when they decide that they will no longer tolerate the lack thereof, and are willing to act, either with their well-spent time, the withholding of their treasure, or by moving to a diocese that truly appreciates them.

Like mine.

Memo to Detroit: Get REAL!

2012-01-09T19:30:00.004-05:00

We here at mwbh have been waiting for Michael Voris and RealCatholicTV (RCTV) to respond to an (ostensibly) official statement from the Archdiocese of Detroit, where Voris and his production are domiciled, that he is not sanctioned by the local church (that is, the Archdiocese) to use the name "Catholic" to identify his apostolate, as would be required in the Code of Canon Law. In what has become a question of jurisdiction, Voris has recently pointed out that the operation itself is actually based in the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Indiana, the domicile of the owner-financier of RCTV, Mark Brummer. As reported in LifeSiteNews.com:

Fr. Mark Gurtner, Judicial Vicar of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend in Indiana spoke with LifeSiteNews ... as a canon lawyer and not an official of the diocese, [and] believes the jurisdiction of the case resides with the Indiana diocese. “It certainly seems to me that canonically Michael Voris would not be the one that this would be imposed on ... [i]t seems like if the Archdiocese of Detroit is trying to go after (Voris), that’s the wrong person to address this with, that would have to be with the owner of the website or blog ...”

In this video, Voris, as President of RCTV (which is not the same as being owner) provides the official response of that apostolate.

It should also be noted that earlier reports show that Voris and RCTV have attempted to communicate with the Archdiocese on this matter, but that the latter has been unresponsive to them directly. In the opinion of this writer, such would lend credence to the idea (but not necessarily proof) that certain minions within the chancery have gone rogue, and that the Archbishop himself is unable to ~~come out from hiding underneath his desk long enough to~~ take control of the matter.

Notice how Voris wears a tie for the occasion. This means war.

Winning One for the Mittster?

2012-01-09T17:45:00.002-05:00

Before Sal could become an American citizen, she had to take a test, one which most adults born and raised in America would fail (but of course, not yours truly, but anyway ...). This included much of what the Constitution actually says about how the Federal government is structured, and what it generally can and cannot do.

Among those who wouldn't be able to make the grade is Mister Lowest Common Denominator himself. Watch this clip of the former Governor of a state having to turn to someone who was never a Governor of a state, to find out what rights a state may or may not have. (No, I don't think he's entirely joking.) It's one of those scenarios that the boys in the Smoke Filled Room that is the GOP establishment didn't count on.

Exit question: Who still thinks Ron Paul is the crazy one?

“Smells and Bells”

2012-01-09T12:30:00.003-05:00

... is what we call the phenomenon, that which adds light and shade to the ars celebrandi of sacred worship, the dimension of sound and scent that lifts the senses. Katrina Fernandez, author of The Crescat, calls our attention not only to the sensation, but to the science.

Incense is ... more than something that just smells nice and serves the more practical purpose of masking the stench of unwashed peasantry – as some claim. It apparently can also alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety.

IMAGE: November 2010. The author as Senior Master of Ceremonies at St John the Beloved Church, McLean VA, holding a replica of the "Botafumeiro", a famous thurible found in the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral in Spain. More information: http://tinyurl.com/27nj2ow

Father Peter Stravinskas was fond of telling a story, one which to this writer hopes to do justice. At one parish where he celebrated Mass regularly, there was a woman in the pews who would always be coughing whenever the thurifer* walked by in procession. This was apparently part of a crusade of hers to have the practice of using incense at Mass eliminated from parish life. One Sunday, the good Father decided to leave the thurible* empty. As the procession went along, there she was, still coughing. What can often be a legitimate concern, particularly with incense of poor quality, can also be addressed by sitting farther away.

That, and getting a life.

Perhaps the greatest cause of incense not being used is part of a larger problem, that of the loss of quality of training of altar servers, which are little more than window dressing in many parishes. With all the attention focused on including girls and making some sort of ideological statement, little time and energy is left over to prepare them for the more complex functions of their role. This is in addition to the lingering iconoclasm which still pervades Catholic worship in the life of the average parish.

* The thurifer, or censer-bearer, is responsible during the Mass for the possession and care of the thurible, or censer. In more formal celebrations of the Mass, as he is in the lead position, he often functions as a de facto Master of Ceremonies, in the absence of one so designated.

Plowing Through Monday

2012-01-09T09:00:00.002-05:00

Today was the traditional start of the agricultural year in England, and so was known as “Plough Monday” or the day after “Plough Sunday” which was the Sunday following Epiphany. This was when everyone would end the Christmas revelry and get back to work. John Brand, in his 1777 book Observations on Popular Antiquities, gives an account of the formalities:

The FOOL PLOUGH goes about: a pageant consisting of a number of sword dancers dragging a plough, with music; one, sometimes two, in very strange attire; the Bessy, in the grotesque habit of an old woman, and the Fool, almost covered with skins, a hairy cap on, and the tail of some animal hanging from his back. The office of one of these characters, in which he is very assiduous, is to go about rattling a box amongst the spectators of the dance, in which he receives their little donations.

Well, maybe not directly back to work. Personally, though, I'd rather be molly dancing.

What is that, you ask?

“Molly dancing” traditionally only appeared during the depths of winter and is regarded by many people as the East Anglian form of Morris dancing. It is characterized by blackened faces, heavy boots (usually hobnailed) and the presence of a "Lord" and a "Lady", two of the men specially attired respectively as a gentleman and his consort, who lead the dances. Blackening faces was a form of disguise, since the dancers could not afford to be recognised. Some of those people from whom they had demanded money with menaces would have been their employers. Molly dancing is by nature robust and, some would say, aggressive. These qualities are emphasised by the sound of the hobnailed boots worn by the dancers, which were the normal form of footwear for farm workers in the East of England right up until the second half of the twentieth century. (Information courtesy alexandersanders.)

On a promising note, and according to the Olde Farmer's Almanac: “In the evening, each farmer provided a Plough Monday supper for his workers, with plentiful beef and ale for all.”

They could do worse.

When Is Epiphany Not Really Epiphany?

2012-01-08T07:30:00.001-05:00

When it's today.

The traditional Roman calendar observes the Feast of the Holy Family, while the reformed Roman calendar observes either (universally, including the Diocese of Rome) the Second Sunday After Christmas, or (in the Dioceses of the USA and elsewhere) the Solemnity of the Epiphany.* Why the latter, you ask? This is a judgment by a competent territorial body of bishops, which is to say, our bishops' conference. In this instance, the term "competent" is used guardedly. You see, they think you are entirely too lazy for celebrating anything on a weekday, so they make it convenient for you. They would probably provide drive-thru confessions, only passing on the idea after ignoring the advice of an army of lawyers and "risk assessment specialists."

Should the day ever come, Deo volente, when we should succeed in converting the culture for Christ, they may be inclined to move Christmas to a Sunday as well, to coordinate our schedules with the department stores. Almost seems worth it, don't you think?

Or don't you?

We can say all we want about "the reason for the season" and "keeping Christ in Christmas" and so on. But such festivity presumes a value, a meaning, of sacred time. We can assure ourselves that "our bishops know what they're doing." But how can something be sacred if one can bend it and twist it to suit one's convenience?

And that's when you have to ask, what do they really know, about what they're doing?

Here at Chez Alexandre, we have celebrated Epiphany on the traditional day, even before -- shall we say? -- we "crossed over to the Dark Side." Still, there is a great temptation to take down the lights sometime between Christmas and New Year's Day, to put the decorations back in storage until the season returns, and to send the dying tree to its final resting place. Yet there are presents yet to wrap for the "little Christmas" twelve days after the big one.

All in good time.

* The traditional Roman calendar does allow for an "external solemnity" on the Sunday within the octave of the Feast, but that is not quite the same thing, as it does not presume a change of the Feast day itself, but merely extends that which stays as it is.

Christus Mansionem Benedicat!

2012-01-06T15:00:00.000-05:00

The Blessing of the Entrance to the House (aka “Chalking the Door”)

At the Mass for the Day, the faithful are given chalk that has been blessed by the priest, as well as special holy water known as "Epiphany water." The blessing for it, which takes place only for this occasion, includes a prayer of exorcism. The blessed chalk and the holy water are then taken home, to be used that evening.

+ + +

We begin with the Sign of the Cross, and the words of Psalm 71(72) "Deus, judicium":

Give the King your justice, O God, *
    and your righteousness to the King's son;

That he may rule your people righteously *
    and the poor with justice.

That the mountains may bring prosperity to the people, *
    and the little hills bring righteousness.

He shall defend the needy among the people; *
    he shall rescue the poor and crush the oppressor.

He shall live as long as the sun and moon endure, *
    from one generation to another.

He shall come down like rain upon the mown field, *
    like showers that water the earth.

In his time shall the righteous flourish; *
    there shall be abundance of peace
        till the moon shall be no more.

He shall rule from sea to sea, *
    and from the River to the ends of the earth.

His foes shall bow down before him, *
    and his enemies lick the dust.

The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall pay tribute, *
    and the kings of Arabia and Saba offer gifts.

All kings shall bow down before him, *
    and all the nations do him service.

For he shall deliver the poor who cries out in distress, *
    and the oppressed who has no helper.

He shall have pity on the lowly and poor; *
    he shall preserve the lives of the needy.

He shall redeem their lives from oppression and violence, *
    and dear shall their blood be in his sight.

Long may he live!
    and may there be given to him gold from Arabia; *
        may prayer be made for him always,
            and may they bless him all the day long.

May there be abundance of grain on the earth,
    growing thick even on the hilltops; *
        may its fruit flourish like Lebanon,
            and its grain like grass upon the earth.

May his Name remain for ever
    and be established as long as the sun endures; *
        may all the nations bless themselves in him
            and call him blessed.

Blessed be the Lord GOD, the God of Israel, *
    who alone does wondrous deeds!

And blessed be his glorious Name for ever! *
    and may all the earth be filled with his glory.

Amen.

Then one who is the Officiant says the prayer of blessing, while sprinkling holy water over the door.

Lord God of Heaven and Earth, who hast revealed thine only-begotten Son to every nation by the guidance of a star: Bless this house and all who inhabit it. Fill them with the light of Christ, that their love for others may truly reflect thy love. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

If necessary, the Officiant or another steps up onto a chair or stepladder, and with a piece of blessed chalk, writes over the entrance to the house.

“Christus ...”

          C

“Mansionem ...”

          C      M

“Benedicat.”

          C      M      B

“May Christ ...”

20      C      M      B

“this dwelling ... bless.”

20      C      M      B      12

“In the name of God, the Father ...”

20  +  C      M      B      12

“the Son ...”

20  +  C  +  M      B      12

“... and the Holy Spirit.”

20  +  C  +  M  +  B      12

Everyone responds.

“Amen.”

20  +  C  +  M  +  B  +  12

Thus ends the blessing. The inscription is to be removed on the Feast of Pentecost. For those who require a simpler form, one is provided courtesy of worship.ca.

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Meanwhile, the day is remembered throughout the world by various names. In many parts of Europe, Epiphany retains its distinction as "Little Christmas." Among the Greek Orthodox, the waters of the harbor are blessed by the local priest. In Spanish-speaking countries, it is known as “Dia de los Tres Reyes” (“Day of the Three Kings”). There are parades on the main street, and pageants for the children. An example of the latter is seen here, performed by Iglesia Smirna Misionera, an Assembly of God congregation in Waterbury, Connecticut.

Oh, come on, you guys, click on it. These kids worked SO hard on this.

FAMW: 2012 Explained. Really.

2012-01-06T14:00:00.002-05:00

This author spent one year doing work on the side for a magazine devoted to Marian apparitions, which was a unique introduction to the lunatic fringe of Catholic devotionalism. (My spell-check just red-lined that word, so it's not a real word, and yet somehow it works. Oh well ...) Here at the Black Hat Corral, we were just thinking about those madcap moonlighting days, when we decided to feature this video produced by our old friend C G P Grey. (This is the guy who did those videos about British history and stuff that we posted late last July, remember? Of course you do.)

Anyway, here it is. You can bet the Medjugorje crowd has found a way to hitch a ride on this bandwagon. Just a reminder of what to expect hearing about ad nauseum, for this week's Friday Afternoon Moment of Whimsy.

(H/T to Radio Free Babylon.)

My Scoutmaster Died Today

2012-01-05T19:30:00.008-05:00

If you've been in Scouting long enough, you can remember at least one adult leader who embodies the ideals of the Scouting movement. He wears the uniform as comfortably as a favorite old coat, he knows the skills of the outdoors, inspires others to follow him on the trail, and in turn, showing the youth under his charge how they can be leaders themselves. Older boys leave home to seek their fortunes, but come to visit him when they're in town, even years after he retires from leading a unit. When he has "gone home," as we say in Scouting, he is remembered as a hero.

I knew two or three such men in my youth. The following account of just such a man, written in August of 1994, came across my desk today, written by a guy about the same age as me. It is reproduced here in its entirety, and with the author's permission. -- DLA

+ + +

I just got a phone call. My Scoutmaster, Roscoe Masonheimer, has just passed away. Roscoe was Scoutmaster of BSA troop #1 in Santa Barbara, Calif. for over 50 years. To say that he loved Scouting would be a gross understatement. Roscoe WAS Scouting, in the truest sense of the word.

In the turbulent 1960's, while I was in Scouting, Troop 1, Mission Council, Santa Barbara, Calif. was a haven for all that was wrong in the world. At that time Troop 1 had about 50 boys, many of whom I still know to this day. Roscoe had that unique ability to really know and to love every boy in his unit. Roscoe wasn't only Scoutmaster, he was father, counselor, mediator, and hero. I didn't know a boy in the Troop that didn't want to be just like Roscoe. Yes, Roscoe taught us knots and lashings and first aid. But in a larger sense, he taught us to be men, not just men, but honorable men. When we learned a requirement, it wasn't just to pass a test, it was to grow in our life's purpose. Roscoe wanted us all to succeed, not just for him, but for our own self respect. To this day, 28 years after passing my pioneering merit badge, I can still splice a rope, and this is not something I use in my office everyday.

In a time period when drugs were becoming a major problem, I can still remember the only problem we had in my 7 years as a Scout. On a 5 day spring trip, one of the Scouts threw away a sandwich. Roscoe privately asked each Scout if he had thrown it away, each in turn denied any knowledge of it. I still remember the hurt in Roscoe's eyes. It was the first time, and only time that I know of that one of his boys had lied to him, it crushed him.

In the late 60's and early 70's troop 1 was an interesting dichotomy, we had boys from the wealthiest families in town, and boys from the poorest parts of town. But when you entered that door, we were all Scouts. If your family couldn't afford a uniform, Roscoe made sure you got one. We were a camping troop, and if you didn't have the equipment, a way was always found for you to earn it or borrow it.

Roscoe was not a wealthy man in dollars, yet every year, he spent his vacation time leading us on a high sierra trip, a canoe trip, or the most exciting thing possible, attending a national jamboree as a unit. Every year Troop 1 had (and still does) a Christmas tree lot. Every boy was expected to work the lot to earn points toward going on the BIG summer trip. The funny thing was, you couldn't keep us away from the lot.

Roscoe was a carpenter by trade. He was a product of the CCC camps of the 1930's. Roscoe was one of those people that never quit until the job was done, and he instilled that in his boys. Much of what I am today, I owe to Roscoe. Several times in the past couple of years, my wife told me I should write him and tell him how much he had given me. Unfortunately, I was just getting to it this week, and now it's too late.

The funeral is Wednesday at 11:00 am, just about the time my wife is due to deliver our first son. If my son turn out to be half the man that Roscoe wanted his boys to be, I will be a proud father.

Wes Chormicle
BSA Troop 1
1965-1973

Christ-Mass: Day 12 (Twelfth Night)

2012-01-05T15:00:00.003-05:00

Joy, health, love and peace
Be all here in this place
By your leave we will sing
Concerning our King.

Our King is well dressed
In silks of the best
In ribbons so rare
No King can compare.

We have traveled many miles
Over hedges and stiles
In search of our King
Unto you we bring.

We have powder and shot
To conquer the lot
We have cannon and ball
To conquer them all.

Old Christmas
    is past
Twelfth Night
    is the last
And we bid
    you adieu
Praise joy
    to the new.

(H/T to Steeleye Span.)

Guitar Workshop: Falling for the Bathroom Sessions

2012-01-05T12:15:00.001-05:00

We've all seen them on YouTube, the self-made-by-yourself videos of would-be celebrities. Some of them are pretty sharp (if not always for general consumption), and their viral shelf life goes beyond fifteen minutes. Then there are the ones of otherwise reasonably intelligent people who spend half their time stuttering. Some of them play guitar.

Whether it's a performance piece, a tutorial, or a commentary on whatever put a burr in your saddle that day, there are a few things to remember. One is to know what you're doing. The secret to good guitar playing, at the end of the day, is the same as any other skill: practice! Good lighting, a setting with good composition that doesn't have a thing growing out of your head in the background, and the critical judgment of a friend, not to mention more than one take -- these are just a few ingredients of a good solo video. They can make the difference between a rabid cult following, and bringing shame and dishonor upon your family for generations.

Having a personality doesn't hurt either.

Most YouTube video performances appear to happen in the subject's bedroom. Half of them should really consider the bathroom instead. The acoustics cover a host of sins, and not just when performing Gregorian chant. Here we have Ed Robertson, singer, songwriter, and co-founder of Barenaked Ladies, doing a totally unplugged and unaccompanied version of “Falling for the First Time” from the 2000 album Maroon. This song reached number 11 on the Billboard Adult Top 100 that year. His rhythm playing certainly does the song justice, as well thought-out chord progressions are a key component of a good solo version of any band tune. Intermediate-to-advanced players can probably figure out what he's doing. They can also go to either ultimate-guitar.com or xguitar.com.

Jerzy Kluger (1921-2011)

2012-01-04T19:00:00.002-05:00

A Polish Jewish businessman, a lifelong close friend of Karol Wojtyła (later Pope John Paul II), who spent his final years living in Rome, died on December 31 from complications of Alzheimer's disease. He was 90 years old. He is preceded by a daughter, Leslie Kluger, who died earlier that year. He leaves behind his wife, Irene, a second daughter, a grandchild, and two great-grandchildren.

Kluger was the source of a volume of correspondence with John Paul II entitled Letter to a Jewish Friend: The Simple and Extraordinary Story of Pope John Paul II and His Jewish School Friend, compiled by Gian Franco Svidercoschi in 1995. His friendship with the Polish pope was instrumental in the latter's efforts to further Catholic-Jewish relations.

May His great Name grow exalted and sanctified
    in the world that He created as He willed.
May He give reign to His kingship
    in your lifetimes and in your days,
And in the lifetimes of the entire Family of Israel,
    swiftly and soon ...

The Washington Post carries his obituary. The New York Times also has an interesting piece on Kluger from 1998.

(H/T to Michelle Arnold.)

Christ-Mass: Day 11 (St Elizabeth Ann Seton)

2012-01-04T15:00:00.000-05:00

“On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, eleven pipers piping ...”

Today is the feast of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, the foundress of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Joseph, the mother of the Nation's parochial school system, and patroness of Catholic schools. She was the first native-born American to be canonized a saint, by Pope Paul VI in 1975. From the original motherhouse in Emmitsburg, Maryland, a branch house was established out west, known today as the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati, based at Mount Saint Joseph-on-the-Ohio, located on the west side.

Art-For-Art’s-Sake Theatre: “This Is The New Year”

2012-01-04T11:15:00.000-05:00

Time once again for our usual midday Wednesday feature.

The celebration continues in welcoming in the new year. This song is written by New Jersey-born singer-composer Ian Axel, and is performed by the Montville High School A Cappella Choir 2010-2011, with arrangement by Zach Scovish and Josh Cushing.

Christ-Mass: Day 10 (St Genevieve)

2012-01-03T15:00:00.001-05:00

“On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, ten lords a-leaping ...”

Today, the holiday hoopla dies down. The banks reopen, the post office delivers the mail again, and Federal employees schlep back to work. It's still kind of quiet around here, though.

Meanwhile, both the Eastern and Western churches remember the French shepherd girl Saint Genevieve, who lived in the mid- and late- fifth century. Her sanctity was noted at a very early age by Saint Germanus, bishop of Auxerre, who consecrated her to God at the age of seven. Genevieve is patroness of the city of Paris, which has been saved through her intercession more than once, the first time from her contemporary, Attila the Hun.

Not too shabby.

The Illusion of Empire

2012-01-02T16:15:00.004-05:00

From the pages of the journal Whiskey and Gunpowder, Jeffrey Tucker reminds us, on an anticlimactic day of year, of one event that defied such convention.

Twenty years ago, and much to the shock of just about everyone, the mighty Soviet Union, the very embodiment of Hegel’s view of the state as the divine on Earth, dissolved and disappeared. The malicious foe of the U.S., the deadly grizzly that was said to wander the world seeking whom it would devour, just rolled over.

What’s more ...

Oh yes, there's more, as in the lesson it holds for America (like in the fourth paragraph, for example).

Christ-Mass: Day 9 (The Holy Name of Jesus)

2012-01-02T15:00:00.001-05:00

“On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, nine ladies dancing ...”

The traditional Roman calendar associated this day with the Holy Name of Jesus -- that is, unless on a Sunday between the first and sixth of the month, don't ask me why. Historically, the observance of this feast has been all over the place until nearly one hundred years ago. The circumcision of a newborn male under Jewish law must take place eight days after the child's birth, at which time he is given his name. Small wonder, then, that the Gospel readings for both feasts in the traditional Roman calendar are the same. In addition, some Western traditions, such as Anglican and Lutheran, celebrate both on the first of January. This year, for reasons mentioned above, the feast occurs today.

Once I heard a comedian pose this important theological question: “If Jesus was Jewish, why did He have an Hispanic name?” The peculiar occasion aside, it gives us occasion to consider, that the name "Jesus" was not an uncommon one in His day. Brian Palmer writes for Slate:

Many people shared the name. Christ's given name, commonly Romanized as Yeshua, was quite common in first-century Galilee. (Jesus comes from the transliteration of Yeshua into Greek and then English.) Archaeologists have unearthed the tombs of 71 Yeshuas from the period of Jesus' death. The name also appears 30 times in the Old Testament in reference to four separate characters -- including a descendant of Aaron who helped to distribute offerings of grain (2 Chronicles 31:15) and a man who accompanied former captives of Nebuchadnezzar back to Jerusalem (Ezra 2:2)...

How would Christ have been addressed by those around him? Well, certainly not as "Mister Christ." In fact, "Christ" was not a name, but a title, from the Greek Khristós or "anointed one." The Hebrew word was Moshiach or "Messiah." He would have been known by His given name, and the name of His father -- Yeshua bar Yehosef or "Jesus Son of Joseph." In later centuries (or in present-day Iceland), He might have been addressed as "Jesus Josephson," but that's just a hunch. We know that He eventually left Nazareth of Galilee, the town of His childhood, for other parts of that country, as well as Samaria and Judea. In those places, He would have been just as likely addressed as Yeshua Nasraya or "Jesus of Nazareth." We know from Scripture that such was the inscription on the Cross, which gave His name, and the nature of His offense: "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews." After all, a guy from a hick town like that would have been rather conspicuous in a high-falutin' place like Jerusalem, especially outside of the High Holydays.

The Scriptures also record him being addressed as "Jesus Son of David." A man would also have been known for his extended family; that is, his tribe or house, as in Yeshua ben David or "Jesus of the House of David." Or so I've read. But even though family lineage was everything in Jewish society, such an address was not as common in everyday use.

Or so I've read.

Devotion to the Holy Name has also been the inspiration for the National Association of the Holy Name Society. HNS chapters have been the basis for men's clubs in Catholic parishes for generations.

Christ-Mass: Day 8 (Circumcision/St Basil)

2012-01-01T15:00:00.003-05:00

“On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, eight maids a-milking ...”

The world knows today as New Year's Day. Our holy Mother Church knows it by many names.

First and foremost, it is the “Octave-day” or eighth day of Christmastide. Such was its name in the earliest liturgical books. As such, it would be remembered as the day of Circumcision, when a son of Israel was marked according to the Law. (To be honest, it hurts just thinking about it.) In both the classical and reformed Roman Missals, the brief account from Luke is proclaimed:

At that time, after eight days were accomplished, that the Child should be circumcised: His Name was called Jesus, which was called by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. (2:21)

In the reformed Missal, the day is known as the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God. While appearing as a break in tradition, it is a reminder of the Marian emphasis of the Feast, evident in the prayers of the day for both older and newer forms of the Missal. It was the tradition in Rome, that the Pope would go to one of the many churches in the city, whichever was the "Station" for that particular feast -- in the case of this one, the Basilica of Saint Mary Major.

But wait, there is so much more...

In the East, today is known not only for the Circumcision, but as the Feast of Saint Basil the Great, bishop of Caesarea in the fourth century, and one of the great Fathers of the Eastern Church. Today is when the Greeks would traditionally exchange gifts. For many years, when I couldn't meet with Paul for Christmas (and as he was raised in the Byzantine Rite of his mother), I would make an occasion of this day.

With all that arcane information, you still have to admit that four names for one day is a lot. And to think the year is just getting started.

Te Deum

2011-12-31T23:59:00.003-05:00

We praise thee,
    O God :
we acknowledge thee
    to be the Lord.
All the earth
    doth worship thee :
the Father
    everlasting.
To thee all Angels
    cry aloud :
the Heavens,
    and all
    the Powers therein.
To thee Cherubim and Seraphim :
    continually do cry,
Holy, Holy, Holy :
    Lord God of Sabaoth;
Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty :
    of thy glory.
The glorious company of the Apostles :
    praise thee.
The goodly fellowship of the Prophets :
    praise thee.
The noble army of Martyrs :
    praise thee.
The holy Church throughout all the world :
    doth acknowledge thee;
The Father : of an infinite Majesty;
Thine honourable, true :
    and only Son;
Also the Holy Ghost :
    the Comforter.
Thou art the King of Glory :
    O Christ.
Thou art the everlasting Son :
    of the Father.
When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man :
    thou didst not abhor the Virgin's womb.
When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death :
    thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers.
Thou sittest at the right hand of God :
    in the glory of the Father.
We believe that thou shalt come :
    to be our Judge.
We therefore pray thee, help thy servants :
    whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood.
Make them to be numbered with thy Saints :
    in glory everlasting.

O Lord, save thy people :
    and bless thine heritage.
Govern them :
    and lift them up for ever.
Day by day :
    we magnify thee;
And we worship thy Name :
    ever world without end.
Vouchsafe, O Lord :
    to keep us this day without sin.
O Lord, have mercy upon us :
    have mercy upon us.
O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us :
    as our trust is in thee.
O Lord, in thee have I trusted :
    let me never be confounded.

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The Te Deum (also known as Ambrosian Hymn or A Song of the Church) is an early Christian hymn of praise. A plenary indulgence is granted, under the usual conditions, to those who recite it in public on New Year's Eve.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot ...

2011-12-31T19:30:00.019-05:00

We come to that moment at man with black hat, where we reflect upon the past year, as well as give a brief acknowledgement of some of those things upon which we meant to report, but didn't get around to it.

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Below is a picture of my Mom's family on the farm in Brown County, Ohio, dated 1943. Mom is in the first row on the far right. Of her ten brothers and sisters, some never left the farm, some never left Ohio. A few of them moved elsewhere, even to (gasp!) California. These decisions influenced each of them individually, and in turn their relationships to one another over a lifetime.

You see, I've discovered something about my family in the last three months, something that would never have occurred to me in the last three decades. As the only one of four children to move to another part of the country, the distance invariably affected the dynamics of that relationship. Visiting for several days every four or five weeks is like getting to know them all over again. Whereas before, you're not involved in the day-to-day comings and goings, especially with regard to caring for your aging parents, now you are. Not only do they have to get used to the idea, but you have to get used to their having to get used to ... you get the idea.

There is no one to blame, and no right or wrong about any of it. But rectifying it is simply what has to happen. I've accumulated enough annual leave over the past two years, to make reconnecting a priority over the next one year. Now THAT'S a New Year's resolution I'm certain to keep.

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I believe that the American people have lost the collective wisdom necessary to choose a President worthy of the title.

With all that has happened among the Republican would-be candidates, each have had their ups and downs. As this is written, Mitt Romney sits comfortably at the top as the least offensive candidate, Newt Gingrich is falling, Ron Paul is getting ready to fall, Rick Santorum is moving steadily upward, Michele Bachmann has earned a permanent spot in the "also ran" category, Rick Perry is attempting a comeback that won't happen, and most of us wouldn't know Jon Huntsman if we bumped into him on the street. Among those of that elusive phenomenon known as "the Catholic vote," Gingrich has the status quo in the bag, having been forgiven for cheating on two wives, thus giving annulments a bad name for the rest of us. But no matter. Meanwhile, many traditional Catholics are backing Rick Santorum. He is known to be a very principled man, with few if any pretensions about himself, and the "right" positions on most of the issues. He is criticized for too much emphasis on social issues. He should be talking more about jobs and the economy. That's what voters want to hear, just like the German people in the 1930s when they elected Hitler. (How'd that work out, by the way?)

Now if Santorum can only explain how a nation that is going broke, can continue to be the world's baby-sitter with its policy of interventionism, he might convince yours truly. But he hasn't -- yet.

The GOP will probably end up picking Romney, not because he is the better candidate (even the endorsement from the Washington Examiner was lukewarm at best), but because he is, as we said before, the least offensive of all of them, and the one most likely to beat President Obama. And that's what sad about this election. We've consigned ourselves to picking the lesser of two or more evils. A guy like Santorum, on the other hand, is easier fodder for rock star celebrities and late night talk show hosts. This is to say nothing of the manipulations of the mainstream news media, which we saw so blatantly in 2008. (Isn't that right, Chris Matthews?) America can no longer decide what it wants in a President without checking in with those Chatty-Cathies on "The View." Whatever happens in November of next year, it will be what the American people truly deserve, even to the nation's own downfall.

(But hey, don't just take my word for it.)

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One morning this past May, Father Lawrence Madden of the Society of Jesus was found dead of an apparent heart attack, at the Jesuit Residence at Georgetown University. He was 78 years old. Madden was the founder in 1981 of the Georgetown Center for Liturgy, sponsored jointly by Georgetown University, and neighboring Holy Trinity Parish in Georgetown. Madden assumed the role of pastor of Holy Trinity in 1994. The Washington Post reported thus:

The parish was riven by disagreement between supporters and opponents of the silent protest [over the reserving of priestly ordination to men]. That difficult period at Holy Trinity was chronicled by journalist Jim Naughton in his 1996 book, “Catholics in Crisis,” an account of the tension between progressive American congregations and the Catholic church leadership.

Fr. Madden was seen as a “calming influence” who could navigate between the expectations of the congregation and church authorities, Naughton said ...

My acquaintance with Father Madden began shortly after I moved to Washington in 1980, and I joined Holy Trinity the following spring. I witnessed a different side of him than most people. I had good reason to doubt his judgment, with respect to certain liturgical innovations implemented by him in the parish, and had the unmitigated gall to challenge him publicly. But it was Madden, more than any single individual, who inspired my deep and abiding interest in the study of liturgy, which I maintain to this day. I left Holy Trinity in 1987, in protest over giving a "pro-choice" congressman/parishioner a speaking venue. I returned in 1991 when I moved to Georgetown while going through my divorce, and was a sacristan on staff there for three years. Madden and I developed a mutual respect for one another, despite the acrimony of our past, and while under his employ, he was never anything other than fair. I lost track of my ties to Holy Trinity around the turn of the century, and so only learned of his passing recently. I will miss him.

Father Madden is memorialized at the blog Pray Tell - Worship, Wit & Wisdom, as well as by Mary Fox of the journal Pastoral Liturgy.

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It is putting it mildly to say that Steven Jobs changed my life forever. Then again, he did it for so many others. When I was studying graphic design at the University of Cincinnati in the mid-1970s, I had a notion of what I wanted to be. It would be roughly two decades before it even existed, and a decade after that before it could be realized. Jobs did not invent the internet, nor was he the sole innovator behind personal computing. Even credit for the Macintosh itself has to be shared. Steve Wozniak can be given as much credit as Jobs, even if he lacked the public profile. Susan Kare was the designer behind the first icons for the original Macintosh, thus giving life to the "graphical user interface" that was its hallmark. At the end of the day, it was Jobs who had the vision, who connected all the dots. It was Jobs who, more than anyone else, spearheaded the merger of design and technology, to make both accessible to the masses, in a way that even the "experts" in those early days found inconceivable.

Jobs once said that the consumer didn't always know what he wanted. I agree with this assessment, as for the consumer to want something, he has to know it was possible to begin with. Where once he could not imagine a device like the iPhone, now he wonders how he got along without it. To this day, the Macintosh operating system still takes second place to the Windows operating system. But in terms of accessibility and user-friendliness, the former has led the way for the latter, whether the architects of the latter want to admit it or not.

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The problem with Christopher Hitchens was not only that he did not believe in God, but how tenaciously he professed others to be fools for believing. He had one redeeming quality, which was not caring what anyone thought of him for being who he was. Some would call this conviction, including many Catholics, especially those Catholics who insisted on storming Heaven with prayers for his final conversion before dying of cancer. They know that, in studying the lives of the saints and the great intellectuals of history, the most dramatic conversions are the ones that are hardest to come by. God can turn the coldest of hearts to his favor, thus teaching the lukewarm among us of His glory. This tribute video, produced by VanityFair.com, shows some of his more memorable moments. [CONTENT WARNING: Occasional expletives with corresponding hand gestures.]

May God have mercy on him.

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Finally, we read in Sunday's style section of the Washington Post about the personal goals being set by various country music artists for the coming year. This includes Taylor Swift, and how she would

“... love to make collaborations in different directions that aren't exactly expected.”

Translated, this means that our little glamor girl is getting a taste of the high life, and wants to crossover into pop music. This is not unlike the "countrypolitan" phase in the 1970s, fueled by the disco craze, and by transplanted hillbillies making enough at the auto factory to move to the suburbs. Waylon Jennings said it best: “Did ol’ Hank really do it this way?” Probably not, but others have, which means it will be anything but "unexpected." Look for an album of evening cocktail music, maybe even a duet with Tony Bennett, in the coming year.

And remember, you heard it here first.

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As this year draws to a close, the next one will be the most challenging ever. Facing the possible loss of a parent, progressing with a significant career change, the future of one's service to the Church and the community, health issues, and certain matters of the heart -- all told, they are a sign that one individual can always live in "interesting times." We cannot concern ourselves with the doomsday prophecies that would accompany the Year of our Lord Two Thousand and Twelve. They have been with us before, and will likely continue, until time really does come to an end. Our Lord reminded us that the challenges of the present day are enough to worry us. So we make the most of what His Father in Heaven has given us.

Or, if one were to ask Mr Hitchens, we take what we can get ... don't you think?

Or don't you?

NSWC: New Year’s Eve “Rag Dance”

2011-12-31T18:00:00.003-05:00

Many of the traditional carols associated with the Christmas season are not specifically for Christmas itself, but are meant to welcome in the New Year. This 1990 performance by Nowell Sing We Clear (Tony Barrand, Fred Breunig, Andy Davis and John Roberts) in Altamont, New York, recreates a custom brought by the Acadians, on their way down the Mississippi River to Louisiana, to such towns as Prairie du Rocher, Illinois, and Ste Genevieve, Missouri, both not far from Saint Louis. The “rag dance” is a traditional New Year's Eve "visiting custom." Dancers dress in costumes decorated with rags, and neighbors join in as they progress from house to house.

Of course, here at Chez Alexandre, the New Year's Eve traditional dance is strictly Latin, so tonight, we'll see you at The Salsa Room. Or maybe someone will change their mind at the last damn minute and want to go see a movie. Or maybe they'll even be too damn "tired" to go to a movie and want to watch one on television.

Women!

Christ-Mass: Day 7 (St Sylvester)

2011-12-31T15:00:00.000-05:00

“On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, seven swans a-swimming ...”

Allowing for corruptions evolving the text as described earlier, the "seven swans a-swimming" completes the first seven days being represented by birds, in honor of the seven sacraments. The song is just more than half over, and we can already see that someone obviously put a great deal of thought into it.

Today is the Feast of Saint Sylvester, who was Pope from January 31, 314, until his death on this day in 335. He was the first bishop of Rome to refer to himself as "Pope," or "Father (Papa)." His reign would have occurred during that of Emperor Constantine (see image above right), as well as the First Council of Nicea in 325, which composed the Nicene Creed proclaimed at Mass on Sunday. (Sylvester did not attend this council, but sent a legation.) He is also one of the ten longest-reigning popes in history.

In present-day Germany, this day of New Year's Eve is known as "Silvester." Other countries know the day better by the saints name as well (such as "la Saint-Sylvestre" in France.)

Now. if we could just figure out what birds and sacraments have in common.

Random Thoughts Within Octave

2011-12-30T17:30:00.002-05:00

Sal and I got back from Cincinnati last night, and what can I tell you?

The good news is, Mom is getting better, and is learning to adjust to life at Cottingham for the long haul. The move out of the "old homestead" is giving her a chance to be more sociable, and to join in activities. She plays bingo once a week, and joins in the arts and crafts projects. This is good for her, as taking care of Dad induced a reclusive lifestyle over the years. She is being weaned off the neck brace, and we have high hopes that she can soon be moved from the Skilled Nursing wing to Assisted Living.

Dad is another story. While he has his moments of good spirits, he tires very easily. There are days when he rallies, like yesterday morning when we stopped in to say goodbye. But most of his time is spent sleeping -- "resting my eyes," he likes to call it -- and he has lost interest in watching his favorite comedy show (CBS' Everybody Loves Raymond, now on TV Land), the evening news, just about everything. Even eating is difficult, as a weakness in his digestive system requires that he eat slowly. And even then, he gets tired.

Meanwhile, Sal and I made the most of our time there. Early on Wednesday mornings, there is a small gathering of friends at "The Main Cup," a coffee bar on Main Street in Milford. One of them is Susan, one of my old school chums from St Andrew's. We've known each other since we were five. I wanted her to meet Sal, so we went down there, as it was also my birthday. Susan is one of those vivacious, unforgettable characters who is very hard to forget. Many of us who attended St Andrew School, in particular the Class of 1969, remember our grade school classmates with as much fondness as those from high school.

Two of my classmates, and some friends of the family, are buried in the parish cemetery just south of the town. Sal and I went to visit our plot while I was there, and I even laid on the ground face up to show her how I'd end up one day. I also confirmed that the corner markers had been put in.

Naturally, we had to go shopping, and I would have been remiss not to introduce her to Kenwood Towne Center. They also had a Cheesecake Factory. Obviously we must visit Kenwood again, even if it means braving their perfectly lousy parking, including mysteriously blocked off exits.

And most important (well, at least to me), there was my birthday, a celebration of which was held at a private room at Cottingham. It's always great seeing the nephews, as well as Eva, the first (and so far, only) of the great-grandchildren. It's a shame we can't send the video from Sal's phone of the whole fam damily together just hamming it up ... isn't it?

No trip home would have been complete without stopping at the outlet mall just off I-71 in Jeffersonville, a promise I had been meaning to keep. Sal got lost (or preoccupied with her mission, depending on your point of view) for over an hour. We managed to get back before ten last night, driving through the mountains of West Virginia in the darkness.

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FOOTNOTE(S): The "octave" mentioned above, for those of you who don't follow this sort of thing (in which case, if you're Catholic, shame on you), is the eight days from Christmas through New Year's Day. The latter is known as the Feast of the Circumcision in the traditional Roman calendar, and the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God in the reformed calendar. In the Churches of the East, it is the Feast of Saint Basil the Great.

Christ-Mass: Day 6 (Day Within Octave)

2011-12-30T15:00:00.001-05:00

“On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, six geese a-laying ...”

Geese were among the first birds to be domesticated. As our ancestors made the transformation from hunting and gathering to settling and farming, they found they could keep a supply of them penned up, and with sufficient breeding, to supply eggs and meat for a period of time. Thus did geese emerge as a common barnyard fowl in England.

Katy Sirls is an English professor at Dixie College in St George, Utah, where she teaches English classes at Dixie College. After completing her Master of Fine Arts degree in writing, with an emphasis on fiction, she published one of her academic essays.

After several months overseas, Stacia is ecstatic to return home for Christmas. It’s been too long since she’s seen her boyfriend, Luke and she longs to be in his arms again. She even has a seductive and sexy “present” planned for their first night together.

With arrangements to celebrate the holidays with Luke’s family, Stacia soon discovers her plans are going to be quite difficult to carry out. Her first night back is spent getting to know his beloved pet geese. It seems as though their night of passion will have to wait—until, that is, she discovers Luke has plans of his own.

Stacia soon finds herself following the mysterious trail of presents Luke has left her: Christmas-wrapped goose eggs, each one with a clue that will lead her to the next... and, ultimately, to a night she’ll never forget!

There are no saints or events to be commemorated on this, an ordinary octave day of Christmastide. It is enough that it falls within the Twelve Days, and that the celebration of the Nativity continues.

FAMW: Scrat’s Continental Crack-Up (Part Deux)

2011-12-30T13:30:00.000-05:00

Our first Whimsy of the year was “Scrat’s Continental Crack-Up” spinning off from the “Ice Age” saga. In this next episode, Scrat finds himself on a deserted island, from which the elusive acorn beckons him once more. It is only fitting that the first shall end with the last (or at least the sequel), for this week's (and this year's last) Friday Afternoon Moment of Whimsy.

Christ-Mass: Day 5 (St Thomas of Canterbury)

2011-12-29T15:00:00.001-05:00

“On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, five gold rings ...”

The fifth day's gift of gold rings (or "golden rings" in some versions) refers not to gold jewelry, but to a characteristic of the ring-necked pheasant. This becomes significant later. Day after tomorrow. You'll have to wait for that.

But you don't have to wait for today's feast, which in the western Church is that of St Thomas à Becket, also known as Thomas of Canterbury, where he was Archbishop at the time of his death. Born around 1162, he became the confidant and High Chancellor of King Henry II of England. Then the King got the idea for Thomas, already an archdeacon, to be consecrated Archbishop of Canterbury and Primate of All England. This did not have the effect for which the King had hoped. Eventually, Thomas was embroiled in conflict with Henry over the rights and privileges of the Church, and was assassinated by the King's followers in Canterbury Cathedral, on this day in 1170. He was canonized less than four years later by Pope Alexander III.

This story became the subject of a stage play, and eventually the great 1964 film, Becket, starring Richard Burton as Thomas Becket and Peter O'Toole as King Henry. It won an Academy Award for Best Screenplay, and received eleven other nominations, including Best Actor (Burton and O'Toole).

Following an extensive restoration process, the original 1964 film was made available in limited theatrical re-release in 2007. It is currently available on DVD. More information is available at the website: becketthemovie.com.

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It is a little-known fact, that today the Western church also celebrates the feast of an Old Testament figure, namely King David himself. In the West, we rarely address Old Testament people as "Saint So-and-so," although it is quite common in the East. ("Saint Elias," for example, is a popular name for Eastern Catholic and Orthodox parishes.) As to "Saint David," both Shawn Tribe and Father Z provide commentary.

Childermas Revisited

2011-12-28T21:00:00.002-05:00

Okay, we're back. Here is what happened on this day after 1954 (a "Marian Year" by the way):

* On this day in 1973, Alexander Solzhenitsyn published "Gulag Archipelago," an expose of the Soviet prison system.

* On this day in 1981, Elizabeth Jordan Carr, the first American test-tube baby, was born in Norfolk, Virginia.

* On this day in 1982, Nevell Johnson Jr, a black man, was mortally wounded by a police officer in a Miami video arcade, setting off three days of race-related disturbances that left another man dead.

* On this day in 1989, Alexander Dubcek, the former Czechoslovak Communist leader who was deposed in a Soviet-led Warsaw Pact invasion in 1968, was named president of the country's parliament.

* On this day in 1999, Clayton Moore, television's "Lone Ranger," died in West Hills, Calif., at age 85.

* On this day in 2004, in New York City, activist and author Susan Sontag died at age 71, and actor Jerry Orbach died at age 69.

* On this day in 2005, former top Enron Corporation accountant Richard Causey pleaded guilty to securities fraud, and agreed to help pursue convictions against Enron founder Kenneth Lay and former CEO Jeffrey Skilling.

* On this day in 2008, the Detroit Lions completed an 0-16 season, the NFL's worst ever, with a 31-21 loss to the Green Bay Packers.

* On this day in 2009, 43 people died in a suicide bombing in Karachi, Pakistan, where Shia Muslims were observing the Day of Ashura.

* On this day in 2010, Popular protests began in Algeria against the government, as part of the so-called "Arab Spring."

There was a time when having a birthday between Christmas and the New Year was something of a curse. I used to say my parents sent me a card every year out of guilt. Contrast that with this year, when I received forty birthday wishes on Facebook, which is a Facebook record (at least for me). I thank them all for their salutations.

Of course, the party at Cottingham was a success, at least for me anyway, complete with a candle-lit cupcake. All the nephews were there, including Mom and Dad's great-granddaughter.

(FIRST IMAGE: A rare photo of the Salus Populi Romani, crowned by Pius XII in 1953. The crown inscription reads: "Pius XII PM Deiparae Reginae Kal MCMLIV A Mar." Pope Pius XII to the Queen Mother of God, Marian Year 1954. After the renovation, the crown was deleted and is now in the museum of the sacristy of Saint Peter. The picture today in Rome exists therefore only without the crown.)

Christ-Mass: Day 4 (Childermas)

2011-12-28T15:00:00.004-05:00

“On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, four calling birds ...”

Actually, they would have been referred to as "colly birds," meaning a form of blackbird. This is one of a number of lines that had become corrupted over the centuries. But enough about the song. Today is the Feast of the Holy Innocents, the infant males under the age of two in Bethlehem that King Herod had put to death -- tradition has put the number at 14,000 -- in the hopes of doing away with the newborn King, which he saw as a threat to his power (Matthew 2:16-18).

Obviously he didn't know the half of it.

In Spainish-speaking countries (including, uh, Spain), this is traditionally a day given to playing practical jokes, much like April Fools' Day elsewhere. The pranks are known as "inocentadas" and their victims are called "inocentes," or alternatively, the pranksters are the "inocentes." Don't ask me why.

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This day is significant for a number of other reasons ...

* On this day in 1065, Westminster Abbey was consecrated.

* On this day in 1768, Taksin the Great was crowned king of the newly established Thonburi Kingdom in the new capital at Thonburi, present-day Thailand.

* On this day in 1832, John Calhoun became the first Vice President of the USA to resign.

* On this day in 1836, at the Old Gum Tree near present-day Adelaide, Royal Navy Rear–Admiral John Hindmarsh read a proclamation establishing the British province of South Australia.

* On this day in 1846, Iowa became the 29th of our United States.

* On this day in 1856, Woodrow Wilson, the 28th President of the United States (1913-21), was born.

* On this day in 1869, William Semple of Mount Vernon, Ohio, obtained a patent for chewing gum.

* On this day in 1879, the Tay Rail Bridge, spanning the Firth of Tay in Scotland between Dundee and the Wormit, collapsed during a violent storm while a train was passing over it, killing all on board.

* On this day in 1905, Earl "Fatha" Hines, the father of modern jazz piano, was born, as was the forerunner of the NCAA, the Intercollegiate Athletic Association of the United States.

* On this day in 1922, Stan Lee, the great American comic book writer, was born.

* On this day in 1937, Composer Maurice Ravel died in Paris.

* On this day in 1945, Congress officially recognized the Pledge of Allegiance.

* On this day in 1948, The Douglas DC-3 airliner NC16002, en route from San Juan, Puerto Rico to Miami, Florida, disappeared in the area known as the Bermuda Triangle.

* On this day in 1954, both the actor Denzel Washington, and professional wrestler Lanny Poffo, were born.

So was I.

Closer to the present, "Sal" and I are packed and ready to head back to Civilization As We Know It, but tonight there's a little soireé at Cottingham Retirement Community. It's in my honor, but no one's admitting it. Our family never was one to make a fuss out of birthdays. But in my case, they'll make an exception.

They're really swell. I might come back again.

(IMAGE 1: The Massacre of the Innocents at Bethlehem, 1488, by Matteo di Giovanni. IMAGE 2: The author, January 1955, in Cleveland, Ohio, from the Alexander Family Album. H/T to Patricia Alexander Drybala.)

Christ-Mass: Day 3 (St John’s Day)

2011-12-27T15:00:00.001-05:00

“On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, three French hens ...”

“The disciple whom Jesus loved” (“ο μαθητης ον ηγαπα ο Ιησους”) was, for a time, banished under Emperor Domition to the island of Patmos in the Aegean Sea. This was before returning to Ephesus to live to a ripe old age. While John was the only one of the Twelve to die a natural death (living to be nearly one hundred years old, according to tradition), it was not for want of his enemies trying. Upon an attempt to kill John by poisoning his wine, the evil substance miraculously took the form of a serpent, as it dissipated from his cup.

Today, families can celebrate the Feast of Saint John by drinking to the health of each other, based on a German tradition known as Johannissegen. Fisheaters has a recipe for mulled wine that is customary to the occasion. Before the evening meal begins, the head of the house recites the blessing over the wine, as recorded in the Rituale Romanum:

“Lord Jesus Christ, Thou didst call Thyself the vine and Thy holy Apostles the branches; and out of all those who love Thee, Thou didst desire to make a good vineyard. Bless this wine and pour into it the might of Thy benediction so that every one who drinks or takes of it, may through the intercession of Thy beloved disciple, the holy Apostle and Evangelist John, be freed from every disease or attack of illness and obtain health of body and soul. Who livest and reignest forever. (Amen.)”

He then lifts his glass toward the next person (or touches the rim of his glass to theirs), saying, “I drink you the love of Saint John.” The receiver says in response, “I thank you for the love of Saint John.” The second person turns to the third, and the process is repeated all around the table.

That's the long form. The short form is where all present clink their glasses together saying, “Drink the love of Saint John.” This is especially handy for young children who cannot wait to chow down.

To each his own.

Christ-Mass: Day 2 (Boxing Day)

2011-12-26T15:00:00.000-05:00

“On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, two turtle doves ...”

I love to show this video of the á capella group Straight No Chaser singing their own unique version of "The Twelve Days of Christmas." Today still feels a little like Christmas, only more stores are open, bustling continued consumer spending in spite of everything. Those nice ladies I met who were working at Macy's on Christmas Eve are sure to do well this year, and that just warms my heart.

I know, some people may think that's a concession to the over-commercialization of the holiday, but hey, we're talking about Macy's here!

Today is “Boxing Day” in Canada, the UK, and other nations of the Commonwealth. Traditionally, Christmas Day was when the master of the house would give presents to his family. On the following day, he would arrange for leftovers from his great feast to be given to his domestic staff, in boxes that they could take home. Eventually, it became customary to box other gifts as well. In any case, they get another day off, eh? So, here's a shout to our friendly neighbors to the north, with a very helpful explanation of the feast, courtesy of a garage band from Fairfax, Virginia (well, it kinda looks like they're in a garage, or maybe their parents' basement, whatever...) known as the "Holiday Hipsters" (available on Facebook or MySpace) singing "Carol of the Boxing Day."

Meanwhile, the Irish celebrate this as a national holiday, too, only as Saint Stephen's Day.

Christ-Mass: Day 1 (Nativity)

2011-12-25T15:00:00.000-05:00

“On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, a partridge in a pear tree.”

The period known as Christmastide begins with the Feast of the Nativity itself; specifically, with the evening of that first day, through the morning of the Feast of the Epiphany. And so the first day of Christmas is December 25-26, and the season ends with Twelfth Night on January 5-6. By tomorrow, you will stop hearing Christmas music on some radio stations, but at Chez Alexandre, whether here or on the road, as well as here at mwbh, the Christmas season is just beginning.

Most of us are familiar with the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas," and the significance of the symbolism therein. But for those who do not...

Twelve Drummers Drumming refers to the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed

Eleven Pipers Piping refers to the eleven faithful apostles

Ten Lords A-leaping refers to the ten commandments

Nine Ladies Dancing refers to the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit

Eight Maids A-milking refers to the eight beatitudes

Seven Swans A-swimming refers to the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, and/or the seven sacraments

Six Geese A-laying refers to the six days of creation

Five Golden Rings refers to the first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch", which gives the history of man's fall from grace.

Four Calling Birds refers to the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists.

Three French Hens refers to Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues.

Two Turtle Doves refers to the Old and New Testaments.

One Partridge in a Pear Tree refers to Christ on Earth being crucified upon a tree.

True Love refers to God, who sent his only son to us.

[NOTA BENE: The use of this song was a "secret catechism" for children, employed by Catholics persecuted in post-Reformation England, is a matter of some conjecture, as pointed out in this article from Snopes.com.]

Now then (and this should be a treat for those of you new to us), the return of a venerable mwbh tradition ...

Since 1984, the cumulative costs of the aforementioned items have been used as a tongue-in-cheek economic indicator. This custom began with and is maintained by PNC Bank. Two pricing charts are created, referred to as the "Christmas Price Index" and "The True Cost of Christmas." The former is an index of the current costs of one set of each of the gifts given by the True Love to the singer of the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas." The latter is the cumulative cost of all the gifts with the repetitions listed in the song. The people mentioned in the song are hired, not purchased.

Jim Dunigan, managing executive of investments with PNC Wealth Management, is back once again to discuss this year's CPI, including a brief history, the impact of the economy on this year's results, and how the PNC CPI can be used in the classroom. Obviously, the economy has had some surprises this year, not all of them pleasant ones, and this episode reflects that. Visit www.pncchristmaspriceindex.com to see the full interactive media extravaganza, or just watch the "low-end" version here.

The original 1984 cost was $12,623.10. The total costs of all goods and services for the 2011 Christmas Price Index is $24,263.18 (up a measly 3.5 percent from $23,439.38 last year). Learn the details, including which items went up in cost, and which went down, in the accompanying video clip.

And now, don't you have anything better to do on a day like this? Your friends are waiting on Facebook. Hop to it!

Christ-Mass: In Die Nativitatis Domini

2011-12-25T12:30:00.006-05:00

A baby born
    in Bethlehem:
(and I heard
    from Heaven today).
The wise men
    saw and they
    followed that star:
(and I heard
    from Heaven today).
The shepherds heard
    the angels' song:
(and I heard
    from Heaven today).
A bell is ringing in the other bright world:
(and I heard from Heaven today).

This 2008 performance by Nowell Sing We Clear (Tony Barrand, Fred Breunig, Andy Davis and John Roberts) from the Latchis Theater in Brattleboro, Vermont, is of an old "call and response" song known as “I Heard From Heaven Today.”

Hurry on, my weary soul,
    and I heard from Heaven today
Hurry on, oh my weary soul,
    and I heard from Heaven today.

Christ-Mass: In Aurora

2011-12-25T06:00:00.009-05:00

You are the
    new day.
Meekness,
    love,
    humility,
Come down
    to us
    this day:
Christ, your
    birth has
    proved to me
You are the
    new day.

Quiet in a stall you lie,
Angels watching in the sky
Whisper to you from on high:
“You are the new day.”

When our life is darkest night,
Hope has burned away,
Love, your ray of guiding light,
Show us the new day.

Love of all things great and small,
Leaving none, embracing all,
Fold around me where I fall,
Bring in the new day.

This new day will be a turning point
For every one,
If we let the Christ-child in,
And reach for the new day.

Christ the Way, the Truth, the Life,
Healing sadness, ending strife,
You we welcome, Lord of Life.
Born on a new day,
You are the new day.

+    +    +

The text of this great choral piece is an adaption by King's Singers member Philip Lawson, of the original YOU ARE THE NEW DAY by John David (a Cardiff-born songwriter, record producer and instrumentalist). Lawson thereby transformed it into a Christmas carol. John David wrote both melody and the original text. Peter Knight made the arrangement for King's Singers. For Cambridge Singers, the arrangement was slightly adapted for mixed voices and strings.

As this is published, we're hitchin' up the wagons for the trek to Ohio, to return five days later. Here's hoping for good weather through the West Virginia mountains today; it should take nine hours, eight and a half with a good tail wind. On behalf of the staff and management of man with black hat (or, to put it another way, the voices in my head that tell me what to do), and all of us here at Chez Alexandre, we wish you a most blessed Christ-Mass holyday, and a most joyful and prosperous New Year.

“Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon!” Yeah, you right!

Gaudete! Christus est natus ...!

2011-12-25T00:00:00.006-05:00

Gaudete,
    gaudete!
Christus
    est natus
    Rejoice,
        rejoice!
    Christ
        is born
Ex Maria
    virgine,
    gaudete!
    Of Mary
        the Virgin — rejoice!

Tempus adest gratiæ
    The time of grace has come
Hoc quod optabamus,
    This that we have desired,
Carmina lætitiæ
    Verses of joy
Devote reddamus.
    Let us devoutly return.

Deus homo factus est
    God has become man,
Natura mirante,
    Nature marveling,
Mundus renovatus est
    The world has been renewed
A Christo regnante.
    By the reigning Christ.

Ezechielis porta
    The closed gate of Ezechiel
Clausa pertransitur,
    Is passed through,
Unde lux est orta
    Whence the light is born,
Salus invenitur.
    Salvation is found.

Ergo nostra contio
    Therefore let our gathering
Psallat iam in lustro;
    Now sing in brightness
Benedicat Domino:
    Let it give praise to the Lord:
Salus Regi nostro.
    Greeting to our King.

“Gaudete” (pronounced gow-DAE-tae, "rejoice" in Latin) is a sacred Christmas carol, composed sometime in the 16th century. The song was published in the Piae Cantiones, a collection of Finnish/Swedish sacred songs published in 1582. No music is given for the verses, but the standard tune comes from older liturgical books.

The text, in Latin, is a typical song of praise, probably stemming from the Middle Ages. It follows the standard pattern for the time - a uniform series of four-line stanzas, each preceded by a two-line refrain (in the early English carol this was known as the "burden"). Carols could be on any subject, but typically they were about the Virgin Mary or the Saints of Christmas.

And tonight, we rejoice, for God is with us.

Christ-Mass: The Vigil

2011-12-24T21:00:00.001-05:00

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“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, / because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. / He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives / and recovering of sight to the blind, / to set at liberty those who are oppressed, / to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” -- Isaiah 61:1-2

The reason for the Season is not the season of Reason ... and there’s a reason!

2011-12-24T09:00:00.000-05:00

When I was a boy growing up in Ohio, the town where I lived would put up decorations along the main drag, like every other town. They all said "Seasons Greetings." Not "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays." It wouldn't have occurred to me that Christmas was being downplayed. Not in a town settled in 1787 by Methodists, who still pretty much ran the place nearly two centuries later, and not in a town where Santa Claus rode a fire truck through the streets of town on the Sunday before Christmas, handing out bags of treats to all the children.

But times have changed, or at least we think they have. In a nation where people are free to worship as they choose, an increasing number come to our shores who choose to worship as non-Christians. It comes as no surprise that Christmas has a different meaning to them, if any at all. In one example last year concerning the loss of innocence, there was a face-off of holiday billboards on each end of the Lincoln Tunnel into New York City, with an atheist billboard on the New Jersey side and a Catholic billboard on the New York side. Just listen to the clown who claimed to speak on behalf of "reason."

"Christians don't own the season." (0:40)

I don't know what that means, to "own" a time of the year. There is sufficient evidence over two millennia, that this time of year has been associated almost exclusively with the Christian holiday known as Christmas, which certainly didn't get its name from an atheist. Come to think of it, why WOULD an atheist want to own the season? It's a lot of semantic trickery, really, and for all the noise people like this made, I really don't believe there was much of a public outcry, in the form of not giving gifts on or about the 25th of this month.

Which means the atheists threw their money away on something that will change nothing.

You can't tell that to William Donohue of the Catholic League. In his defense, we should not take Christmas, never mind our Christian faith, for granted. He is absolutely right on that point, and deserves credit for putting himself in the face of ridicule to say it. Nevertheless, he comes off in interviews as a chronic whiner. This is not because of a personality defect (a factor upon which his detractors, even those who agree with him, lay entirely too much stress), but because of the modulation of his voice, which is unsuited for broadcasting or public speaking -- unless, of course, a chronic whiner is the kind of voice you are looking for. And if you are, you probably don't work in radio or television. If Donohue ever attempts his own talk radio program, someone with authority will break him the bad news. Until then, he either needs a vocal trainer, or the Catholic League needs a press secretary.

Witness also this report from The New York Daily News (via Gateway Pundit), where, in a promotion for UNICEF (a United Nations agency which obviously ran out of people to pick on), Santa Claus is depicted as a cynical old man who does not care about poor people in developing nations.

“This ain’t no Christmas gift. So, you buy this products for your friend, and all this stuff goes to poor kids? Like in Africa?” Santa asks, before skeptically examining a vaccine bottle with a magnifying glass, shaking a bottle of pills and squirting the contents of a syringe into the air.

All told, it only adds to the worry that Christmas is being threatened, and yet ...

The Faith upon which the Incarnation is built, and the Church founded by Him to spread that message, have always been under siege, and the blood of Her martyrs has been the seed-bed of an ever-growing harvest. Witness the occurrence in November of last year, at a shopping mall food court in Ontario, in Excruciatingly-Politically-Correct Canada. This wouldn't happen for Eid-ah-Adha, the Islamic "festival of sacrifice," or for Ras as-Sana al-Hijreya, the Islamic New Year. No one will pull a stunt like this for a fabricated (and, unbeknownst to many, anti-Christian) holiday like Kwanzaa. And as this is written, NORAD wasn't monitoring the skies for Hanukkah Harry.

The threat to Christmas has been greatly exaggerated, O ye of little faith! To be Christian, or more specifically, to be Catholic, is to believe that our Savior, the God-Made-Man, took the form of a slave, triumphed over Death, and sits at the right hand of God the Father. He, and He alone, is King. At the end of the day, at the end of Time itself, every nation shall yield, every knee shall bend down, and every tongue shall proclaim, that Jesus Christ is LORD! All the billboards in the world to the contrary will not change that.

And so ...

As this is published, this writer is packing for the trip to Ohio in the next week. But first, one final tribute, as preparations are also underway to celebrate the "Christ-Mass" at the Church of Saint John the Beloved in McLean, Virginia, where yours truly is First Master of Ceremonies for a Solemn High Mass at the stroke of twelve. “Gaudete! Christus est natus ex Maria Virginae!” “Rejoice! Christ is born of Mary the Virgin.”

Now, quit your damn bellyaching and crack open that eggnog already!

+ + +

A special thanks to Alphabet Photography of Niagara Falls, Ontario, for thumbing their noses at the Human Rights Commission and orchestrating a "hate crime" disguised as a flash mob, eh? Special thanks to Robert Cooper and Chorus Niagara, The Welland Seaway Mall, and Fagan Media Group.

Obligatory “Person of the Year” Tribute

2011-12-23T23:00:00.004-05:00

Beginning in 1927 with Charles Lindbergh, Time magazine has devoted its last issue of the calendar year, to recognizing the person or persons, who are judged to have made the most significant impact on newsworthy events of that year. The title of "Man of the Year" was bestowed on Mohandas Gandhi in 1930, and Adolf Hitler and Josef Stalin in 1938 and 1939, respectively. After all, it's not a Miss Congeniality award. The title was changed to "Person of the Year" in 1999.

Closer to the present, this year's award goes to ... THE PROTESTER. In particular, not only those who took to the streets for regime change in the Arab world, but participants in the "Occupy" movement here in the States. As this video shows, those who camped out in city parks and cost local governments millions in additional police oversight and clean-up efforts, all took the news reasonably well. (CONTENT WARNING: A few select expletives.)

To those who actually accomplished something, better luck next year.

FAMW: Obligatory “Christmas Airport Flash Mob” Video

2011-12-23T13:30:00.000-05:00

On December 15, 2010, hundreds of unsuspecting passengers at LAX's Tom Bradley International Terminal witnessed a surprise Christmas flash dance performed by dozens of airport workers. Many travelers taken with the spirit of the moment joined in the dance.

LAX is one of the world's busiest airports, with flights to and from every major city in the world, not to mention the subject for this week's Friday Afternoon Moment of Whimsy.

Won't be long now.

Novena for Christ-Mass: O Emmanuel

2011-12-23T06:00:00.002-05:00

Veni, Veni Emmanuel!
    O come, o come, Emmanuel,
Captivum solve Israel!
    And ransom captive Israel,
Qui gemit in exsilio,
    That mourns in lonely exile here,
Privatus Dei Filio.
    Until the Son of God appear.

Isaiah had prophesied, “The Lord himself will give you this sign: the Virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel.” (7:14). “Emmanuel” means “God is with us.”

“O Emmanuel, king and lawgiver, desire of the nations, Savior of all people, come and set us free, Lord our God.”

+    +    +

Gaude, gaude, Emmanuel
    Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel
Nascetur pro te, Israel.
    Shall come to thee, O Israel.

+    +    +

Z

(Won't be long now ...)

Downloads Revisited

2011-12-22T16:45:00.003-05:00

We here at mwbh would like to recommend three other albums for MP3 download, in time for the Christmas season, recorded by artists who are a breath of fresh air to the genre.

John Roberts and Tony Barrand (born 1940s) are two English-American folklorist-musicians who have been together since 1969, when they were graduate students in psychology at Cornell. They form half of the quartet known as Nowell Sing We Clear, whose performances consist of yuletide stories and music, and (lest we forget) a Mummers Play. their nine albums as an ensemble are available on CD at Golden Hind Music. Their latest was recorded and released in 2008, entitled Nowell, Nowell, Nowell!

Sixpence None the Richer can best be described as a latent Christian pop-rock duo, currently a collaboration of vocalist Leigh Nash (born 06/27/1976) and songwriter-multi-instrumentalist Matt Slocum (born 12/27/1972), both of New Braunfels, Texas. The band's name is inspired by a passage from the C S Lewis book Mere Christianity. Their 2008 release for this blessed season is entitled The Dawn of Grace.

Sufjan Stevens (born 07/01/1975) is a guitarist-singer-songwriter who mixes autobiography, religious fantasy, and regional history, to create folk songs of grand proportions. A preoccupation with epic concepts has motivated two state records (Michigan and Illinois), with plans to eventually complete such tributes for every state in the Union. Born in Detroit, he currently lives in Brooklyn. His 2006 compilation of five extended-play CDs is entitled Songs for Christmas.

Download these puppies in time for Christmas, and as family and loved ones gather and hear what is in the background, you are guaranteed to start a conversation, and end with memories of a unique celebration.

Sara Groves: O Holy Night

2011-12-22T13:30:00.003-05:00

It happens to every recording artist who achieves enough fame. The manager calls them up and says, hey, it would really be great if you did a Christmas album. The fans would love it.

That is to say, real die-hard fans will love hearing your own butchered versions of Christmas classics, but practically no one else will. Country music artists seem to be particularly notorious for this. Yep, Christmas in the country, with a guy who never saw the business end of a plow, and who televised his last holiday special at his mansion outside Nashville. "Honey, would you (order one of the servants to) throw another log on the fire?" Lovely.

But every now and then, someone comes along who breaks convention, and turns the warmed-over concept completely on its ear.

Thirty-nine year old contemporary Christian artist Sara Groves was born in Vineland, New Jersey, and grew up in Springfield, Missouri. Her passion for songwriting came out of a "lonesome" childhood, and was later encouraged by her husband Troy. In September 2005, Sara, Troy, his father, a neighbour, and a Minneapolis ER doctor delivered a tour bus and trailer load of baby supplies to victims of Hurricane Katrina in Slidell, Louisiana.

In 2008, she released her eighth album, O Holy Night, which took traditional Christmas songs and did her own twist on the melody, in some instances more of a departure than others. This is not something everyone can pull off very easily. This writer discovered her on Pandora's "Folk Holidays Radio" and was completely blown away. This album is available on MP3 download. Give a listen to the sampler, and be amazed for yourself.

Guitar Workshop: John Fahey Christmas Medley

2011-12-22T11:30:00.002-05:00

[This is the sequel to last week's Workshop, also from this time last year. -- DLA]

For this week's installment, we're leaving you on your own to figure things out, based on what was learned last week. Here we have John Fahey performing a medley of two Christmas classics; "Hark The Herald Angels Sing" and "O Come All Ye Faithful." This medley is featured on his album "The New Possibility" as well as the anthology shown here; "The Best of John Fahey Volume 2: 1964-1983."

(Hint: It's in the key of C.)

Novena for Christ-Mass: O Rex Gentium

2011-12-22T06:00:00.001-05:00

Veni, Veni, Rex gentium,
    O come, Desire of nations, bind,
veni, Redemptor omnium,
    In one the hearts of all mankind;
Ut salvas tuos famulos
    Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
Peccati sibi conscios.
    And be Thyself our King of peace.

Isaiah had prophesied, “For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.” (9:5), and “He shall judge between the nations, and impose terms on many peoples. They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; one nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again.” (2:4)

“O King of all the nations, the only joy of every human heart; O Keystone of the mighty arch of man, come and save the creature you fashioned from the dust.”

+    +    +

Gaude, gaude, Emmanuel
    Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel
Nascetur pro te, Israel.
    Shall come to thee, O Israel.

+    +    +

Z

Dungarees and the Culture Wars

2011-12-21T19:00:00.003-05:00

Yeah, you read it right.

The American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family, and Property was established in 1971, dedicated to the restoration of Christian (specifically Catholic) civilization. They are inspired by the work of in Professor Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira, who founded the parent society in Brazil in 1960. With their red banners, matching capes, and occasional drum and bugle corps, they parade at the March for Life and appear at college campuses handing out literature, and are basically non-violent when confronted, as they often are on campuses. I'll say this for them, they have no shame. Put them up against Muslims in Dearborn, Michigan, and my money's on the boys in red. Those evangelical Bible-thumpers can sit this one out, pal, it's time to rumble.

So what's got them worked up lately? Offenses by commissioned "artists" and playwrights against the True Faith, the secularization of Christmas, to be sure. But a page on their "Student Action" group takes on one of the burning "culture war" issues of our time. You'd better sit down.

George Will wrote an article in The Washington Post titled “America's Bad Jeans.” The article analyses the influence blue jeans have on those who wear them. In his piece, Will cites another article published by the American writer Daniel Akst in The Wall Street Journal, “Down with Denim" ... Akst says, “Denim on the bourgeoisie is discordant.”

Several factors of more substance than the above contribute to this.

First, the average wardrobe in Western cultures has probably tripled or quadrupled in the last half-century. Our everyday or work clothes were once worn out dress clothes. But an increase in consumer choices, compounded by more disposable income, has contributed to this. In addition, denim jeans are comfortable, and tend to fit better over time. Besides, most people do not go out of their way to get pre-faded jeans, allowing their new ones to get broken in. And only stupid people pay good money (and to get them torn just right, really good money) to buy pre-torn jeans, I don't care how rich or famous they are.

In the 1970s, designer jeans such as "Chardon" and "Sasson" were very popular, especially with women. This came about in large part due to the demand of women for jeans more suited to their anatomy than that which was on the market up to then, which were better suited to men. It gained further acceptance because of the disco craze in mid-decade, when staring at a woman's backside became a more openly expressed preoccupation, among alleged babe hounds hanging at the bar nursing their by-then watered-down drinks. There was also a brand early in the decade called "Cheap Jeans," which really were not all that cheap.

One thing I do find annoying as a Scout commissioner, is the units who insist on a "waist up" uniform policy, where the boys can wear any pants they want with the uniform shirt as standard wear, except for the most formal occasions, if those. Keep in mind that I live in one of the most prosperous sections of the country. These boys generally don't wonder where either their next meal or pair of designer gym shoes is coming from.

As a boy, denim blue jeans were just about all I wore when I wasn't dressed for church, school, or Scout meetings. Only in the last decade have I really stopped wearing them regularly. I prefer cargo pants most of the time, as putting my wallet in a generous side pocket instead of the one behind me (on the recommendation of a chiropractor) is better for my back when sitting down. Yes, it can happen.

What few pairs of blue jeans I still wear tend not to be blue but ... black. Go figure.

Art-For-Art’s-Sake Theatre: Third Day “Born in Bethlehem”

2011-12-21T11:30:00.002-05:00

Time once again for our usual midday Wednesday feature.

Third Day is a Grammy award-winning Christian rock band formed in Marietta, Georgia during the 1990s. This is a live performance of a number off their seventh full-length album, Christmas Offerings, recorded and released in 2006.

Novena for Christ-Mass: O Oriens

2011-12-21T06:00:00.000-05:00

Veni, Veni, O Oriens!
    O come, Thou Dayspring,
        come and cheer,
Solare nos adveniens,
    Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Noctis depelle nebulas,
    Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
Dirasque noctis tenebras.
    And death's dark shadows put to flight.

Isaiah had prophesied, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shown.” (9:1).

“O Radiant Dawn, splendor of eternal light, sun of justice: come, shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death.”

+    +    +

Gaude, gaude, Emmanuel
    Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel
Nascetur pro te, Israel.
    Shall come to thee, O Israel.

+    +    +

Z

My Inner Anglican: The Urge to “Verge”

2011-12-20T16:30:00.000-05:00

With the recent wave of conversions of traditionally-minded Anglicans to communion with Rome, the Western church may benefit from traditions which are particular to the northern end of our heritage. One of them is mentioned specifically by Father Adrian Fortescue in his essential guide Ceremonies of the Roman Rite Described, and that is the role of the verger. This role basically combines those of a sacristan and "shadow" master of ceremonies, but has seen little if any role in the Roman liturgy over the centuries.

The verger is deserving of attention by those interested in the future of tradition in Catholic worship, as it provides a single, and proactive role, for one specifically dedicated to enabling its preservation.

Charles Williams is the Dean's Verger at Saint Paul's (Anglican) Cathedral in London. Here he provides the address for the Fourth Sunday of Advent. He also explains the role of the vergers in preparing the services and events that take place at the cathedral.

Keeping the “Ch” in “Chanukkah”

2011-12-20T09:30:00.002-05:00

[So, I fall asleep listening to ambient music on Sirius/XM, right? And suddenly at three in the morning it becomes The Hanukkah Channel. Thanks for the reminder, fellas. Couldn't find any openings in the numerical lineup could ya, now? The following is a replay, albeit with some updating, from the same occasion in 2008. -- DLA]

Tonight begins the Jewish Festival of Lights, known as Chanukkah (Hanukkah, or חנוכה), which commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, following the Maccabean Revolt of the 2nd century BC. It is observed for eight nights, as a reminder of the miracle of one night's supply of oil for the lamps lasting for eight, until a fresh supply could be obtained. (Jordanes writes: "Kind of, sort of..." Click then scroll to the bottom.)

Around the turn of this century, our director of communications was a devout Jewish woman, who invited all the staff to her house in the country for a holiday celebration. A highlight of the affair was her presentation with her grandchildren, as she told them of the story of Chanukkah. As the rest of us Gentiles watched, she would lead the children in the Hebrew chant for the occasion: “Blessed art Thou, Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who sanctified us by His commandments, and has commanded us to kindle the lights of Chanukkah...” While others stood around watching in varying degrees of perplexity, I found myself singing with the children.

Well, where do you idiots think Gregorian chant came from anyway?

A comedian named Adam Sandler first introduced this holiday classic on NBC's Saturday Night Live. The song gives a list of famous celebrities from various walks of life who are Jewish: “Put on your yarmulke, here comes Hanukkah / It's so much funukkah, to celebrate Hanukkah / Hanukkah is the Festival of Lights / Instead of one day of presents, we get eight crazy nights!”

There's more where that came from. They Might Be Giants appears in this video as a four-peice band, performing their Chanukkah song live for the first time ever. Shot during Juidth Owen & Harry Shearer's Holiday Sing-A-Long at The Canal Room in New York City on December 15, 2006. Of course, it should be noted here that Chanukkah is not a major Jewish feast in the strict sense. It only became popular with the demand for a Jewish occasion for gift-giving, especially to children, at the same time of year as Christmas. Nothing wrong with that, from what I can see.

Finally, on a serious note, Charlie Harare explains the origins of Chanukkah, and its meaning in daily life from a Jewish point of view, which is only reasonable as this is a Jewish holiday. (POSTSCRIPT: Right, Jews are not Catholics, I got that. But if the New Covenant is the fulfillment of the Old, and if Catholicism is the fulfillment of Judaism, then we cannot rule out the possibility that there is something to be learned here. And a Catholic who watches this video will learn for themselves.)

However you slice it, “It's beginning to look a lot like...”

Novena for Christ-Mass: O Clavis David

2011-12-20T06:00:00.001-05:00

Veni, Clavis Davidica,
    O come, thou Key of David, come,
Regna reclude caelica,
    And open wide our heavenly home;
Fac iter tutum superum,
    Make safe the way that leads on high,
Et claude vias inferum.
    And close the path to misery.

Isaiah had prophesied, “I will place the Key of the House of David on His shoulder; when he opens, no one will shut, when he shuts, no one will open.” (22:22), and “His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, from David’s throne, and over His kingdom, which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever.” (9:6).

“O Key of David, O royal Power of Israel controlling at your will the gate of Heaven: Come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death; and lead your captive people into freedom.”

+    +    +

Gaude, gaude, Emmanuel
    Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel
Nascetur pro te, Israel.
    Shall come to thee, O Israel.

+    +    +

Z

“I read the news today, oh boy ...” (Pre-Holyday Edition)

2011-12-19T08:00:00.002-05:00

While our crazy Uncle Jay sings out the soon-to-be-old year, we bring you a few various and sundry items coming across the mwbh news desk. This first one is what he missed:

• Kim Jong-Il, "Surpreme Leader" of North Korea, and arguably one of the cruelest dictators in recent memory, who would dine on lobster with silver chopsticks while his people were starving, has died of a heart attack (thus proving that he actually had one) at the age of 69. He is succeeded by his twenty-something third-oldest son, Kim Jong-un -- so far. (BBC News)

• According to a study by the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion, four out of ten adults termed "whatever" as the most annoying word in the English language, beating out such timeless classics as "like" and "you know." Well, like they say ... whatever. (Reuters)

• Two high school students in New York have been suspended for "Tebowing" in the school hallway. For those who have been listening to such reports without being told what it actually is, this amounts to getting down on one knee and praying when everyone is doing something else. Too bad they weren't Muslim; they would have at least gotten off with a warning. (Yahoo!)

• Police in Portland, Oregon, were called to a Toys-R-Us store, to contain a man who was going on a rampage, assaulting people with a plastic light sabre, described as "an elegant weapon from a more civilized age." Apparently the Force was not with this guy. (The Oregonian)

• A landlord in Cincinnati, Ohio, was found to have discriminated against a black girl by posting a “White Only” sign at a swimming pool. He wants a state civil rights commission to reconsider its decision. According to them, the landlord says she posted it because the girl used chemicals in her hair that would make the pool “cloudy.” (AP via Washington Post)

• Christopher Artes and Medeana Hendershot enjoyed hopping freight trains and traveling the country without a plan. They were recently found dead under a mound of coal at a Florida power plant, the victims of a railroad car unloading from the bottom. The movies always made this look easier. (AP)

And that's all the news that fits. Stay tuned, and stay in touch.

Novena for Christ-Mass: O Radix Jesse

2011-12-19T06:00:00.001-05:00

Veni, O Jesse virgula,
    O come, thou Rod of Jesse's stem,
Ex hostis tuos ungula,
    From every foe deliver them.
De specu tuos tartari
    That trust thy mighty power to save,
Educ et antro barathri.
    And give them vict'ry o'er the grave.

Isaiah had prophesied, “But a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom.” (11:1), and “On that day, the root of Jesse, set up as a signal for the nations, the Gentiles shall seek out, for his dwelling shall be glorious.” (11:10). Remember also that Jesse was the father of King David, and Micah had prophesied that the Messiah would be of the house and lineage of David and be born in David’s city, Bethlehem (Micah 5:1).

“O Flower of Jesse’s stem, you have been raised up as a sign for all peoples; kings stand silent in your presence; the nations bow down in worship before you. Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid.”

+    +    +

Gaude, gaude, Emmanuel
    Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel
Nascetur pro te, Israel.
    Shall come to thee, O Israel.

+    +    +

Z

Cyber Shopping Revisited

2011-12-18T18:45:00.005-05:00

We said we'd get back to this last-minute shopping thing, didn't we?

Do you think your little girl might one day have a vocation to Religious life? If Our Lord were to call her one day as His Mystical Bride, what could you do now to cultivate an awareness of the "still, small, voice"? Letting her be an altar server when she's a little older won't help. She may find it fulfilling at the time, but while little Johnny could aspire to the priestly role to which they attend, little Suzy could not. So, if the flaw in that plan is clear enough to you (and God help you if it isn't), read on.

Saintly Sisters is a Catholic family owned and operated business located in Rock Hill, South Carolina, providing affordable nun dolls in the hope of sparking vocations. When they set up shop in March of 2010, they had four dolls to choose from; Visitation, Holy Spirit Adoration, Sisters of Saint John, and the Sisters of Life. Since then they have added a Carmelite, Dominican, and Children of Mary doll. They hope to continue to add more orders to their line as well as branching out into other products.

As with all of us here at mwbh, this family recognizes the need for vocations to the religious life and the importance of actively reinforcing the possibility and beauty of a life of service to God in a young girl's mind and heart. Growing up without actual nuns is a sad reality of many parishes. Saintly Sisters hopes that our nun dolls will help change this reality. All of their dolls stand 13 inches tall, are available in Caucasian or African, and are attired in the authentic traditional garb of the order which they represent.

If you contact them online by Tuesday the 20th, they can still ship on time for Christmas. So click on their name above, and give your little girl a most unique gift this year. Ask for Suzzanne, and tell her that the Man with the Black Hat sent you.

You're welcome.

Rorate Caeli

2011-12-18T17:30:00.000-05:00

Today's Entrance Chant (Introit) for the Fourth Sunday of Advent is also a popular hymn for the entire season, and is especially used as an antiphon during Vespers. It is also known as "The Advent Prose" or by its first words in English: "Drop down ye heavens from above."

If you had the good sense to finish your Christmas shopping early, as we did here at Chez Alexandre, consider joining in the singing of this hymn as you contemplate the readings for the Mass of the Day. You can find the mp3 audio file, and the score for Gregorian chant, by clicking here.

You might also consider joining in with our special guests for today, brought to you by Gloria.tv.

Drop down dew, ye heavens, from above,
    Rorate coeli desuper et nubes pluant justum,
and let the clouds rain the Just One.
    Aperiatur terra et germinet salvatorem.

Be not angry, O Lord, and remember no longer our iniquity:
    Ne irascáris Dómine, ne ultra memíneris iniquitátis:
behold the city of thy sanctuary is become a desert,
    ecce cívitas Sáncti fácta est desérta:
Sion is made a desert.
    Síon desérta fácta est:
Jerusalem is desolate,
    Jerúsalem desoláta est:
the house of our holiness and of thy glory,
    dómus sanctificatiónis túæ et glóriæ túæ,
where our fathers praised thee.
    ubi laudavérunt te pátres nóstri.

Drop down dew, ye heavens, from above,
    Rorate coeli desuper et nubes pluant justum,
and let the clouds rain the Just One.
    Aperiatur terra et germinet salvatorem.

We have sinned, and we are become as one unclean,
and we have all fallen as a leaf;
and our iniquities, like the wind,
have taken us away
thou hast hid thy face from us,
and hast crushed us by the hand of our iniquity.

Drop down dew, ye heavens, from above,
    Rorate coeli desuper et nubes pluant justum,
and let the clouds rain the Just One.
    Aperiatur terra et germinet salvatorem.

See, O Lord, the affliction of thy people,
and send him whom thou hast promised to send.
Send forth the Lamb, the ruler of the earth,
from the rock of the desert
to the mount of the daughter of Sion,
that he himself may take off the yoke of our captivity.

Drop down dew, ye heavens, from above,
    Rorate coeli desuper et nubes pluant justum,
and let the clouds rain the Just One.
    Aperiatur terra et germinet salvatorem.

Be comforted, be comforted, my people;
thy salvation shall speedily come
why wilt thou waste away in sadness?
why bath sorrow seized thee?
I will save thee; fear not: for I am the Lord thy God,
the Holy One of Israel, thy Redeemer.

Drop down dew, ye heavens, from above,
    Rorate coeli desuper et nubes pluant justum,
and let the clouds rain the Just One.
    Aperiatur terra et germinet salvatorem.

Novena for Christ-Mass: O Adonai

2011-12-18T06:00:00.002-05:00

Veni, Veni Adonai!
    O come, O come, thou Lord of might,
Qui populo in Sinai
    Who to Thy tribes on Sinai's height
Legem dedisti vertice,
    In ancient times didst give the law
In Majestate gloriae.
    In cloud and majesty, and awe.

Isaiah had prophesied, “But He shall judge the poor with justice, and decide aright for the land’s afflicted. He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked. Justice shall be the band around his waist, and faithfulness a belt upon his hips.” (11:4-5); and “Indeed the Lord will be there with us, majestic; yes the Lord our judge, the Lord our lawgiver, the Lord our king, he it is who will save us.” (33:22).

“O sacred Lord of ancient Israel, who showed yourself to Moses in the burning bush, who gave him the holy law on Sinai mountain: come, stretch out your mighty hand to set us free.”

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Gaude, gaude, Emmanuel
    Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel
Nascetur pro te, Israel.
    Shall come to thee, O Israel.

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Z

Cyber Shopping, Anyone?

2011-12-17T18:30:00.002-05:00

If you're looking for last-minute gifts for the holidays, this writer would like to make a (non-compensated) pitch for the California-based Restoration Hardware. From the first location out of founder Stephen Gordon's home in Eureka (his first storefront, also in Eureka, shown here), to the present day with 100 retail stores and 10 outlet stores in 30 states, the District of Columbia and Canada, this is a great place to shop, and an even better place for the holidays. Specifically, we direct your attention to their "Stocking Stuffers" page at restorationhardware.com. Yours truly has found over the years that their selection makes for great, imaginative gifts of good quality, and at reasonable prices. They've gotten this reluctant shopper out of a jam on more than one occasion.

If you order online by Noon eastern time on December 20 here in the "lower 48" States (call Customer Service at 800.910.9836 and ask about Canada, Alaska, and/or Hawai'i), you can still make it for the 24th with standard delivery, and by the same time on the 22nd with rush delivery. As you can see, some items are sold out, but most items are still available.

Why do we do this? Because here at mwbh, we're all about spreading joy, and keeping the stress to a minimum, during this blessed season of the year. We've got one more idea to show you tomorrow evening. Stay tuned ...

Parols and Pork Rinds: A Mikey Bustos Update

2011-12-17T15:30:00.003-05:00

"Another Saturday night, and I ain't got ..." no Mikey Bustos.

That's right, kids. We haven't had a good dose of our favorite Pinoy Boy in a long time, have we? But he's been busy. During a whirlwind tour of the mother country, he appeared in a series of television commercials for Mang Juan Chicharrón, "chicharrón" being Spanish and/or Tagalog for fried pork rinds, which are as common there as are potato chips in the States. Most of these spots are not two minutes long, but this one is. Go figure.

And, of course, not to be outdone by yours truly, he has his own Filipino Christmas Tutorial, where he explains the customs of the Yuletide season in the Land of Seven Thousand Plus Islands (7,107 to be exact, more or less depending on the tides). To hear him tell it, commercialism has affected the Philippines as it has North America. But he keeps his sense of humor about it, as should we, don't you think?

Or don't you?

Who Da Man? YOU Da Man!

2011-12-17T12:30:00.004-05:00

William Bennett, the author, talk show host, and former Secretary of Education, recently wrote another book, and at a time when the human race could use it, if only roughly half of them. It's entitled The Book of Man: Readings on the Path to Manhood. Here he is on CBS explaining it to two pseudo-journalists, one of whom could use a copy, or he wouldn't have opened himself up for getting dissed by that dame sitting next to him.

After nearly half a century, the so-called "liberation" of women has left the male of the species in a state of confusion. Women want the same opportunities as men. They want to be able to grab men by the arm and slap them around in a bar during an argument, but upon attempting to respond in kind, maintain the right to go all "girlie" on them. (Ask me about it later.) They also expect the man to pick up the check after dinner after ordering the most expensive thing on the menu and before blowing them off later. They still expect to hide behind a man when walking with him down a dark street at night, and they still want preferential seating in the lifeboats when the ship is going down. Yes, ladies, this confuses the gentlemen. It also makes total weenies out of them, no matter how much time they spend at the gym.

And here you are, expecting him to hang the Christmas lights out on the gutters by sundown. Geez!

Bennett has something to bring to the table on this subject. He, along with my Very Close And Personal Friend Pat Buchanan, is a graduate of Gonzaga College High School, the prestigious all-male college preparatory institution, operated by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) since 1821, occupying the corner of North Capitol and "Eye" Streets in Washington DC since 1871, and boasting a long list of distinguished alumnae. Running boys' high schools as a means of forming the male character is one of the few things those cake-eating "Jebbies" still haven't managed to totally screw up (the operative word being totally.)

Notice in the video, not only what Bennett has to say, but how he says it. He doesn't have a problem making his point, even in the face of two fast-talking twerps challenging him -- gently, mind you, as even they know they're in the presence of greatness. To be a man is more than simply machismo; it also means being well-read, as the evidence thereof for Bennett just rolls off the tongue. He's heard the straw-man arguments, and he puts them in place with ease. Those two kids barely notice they're being totally schooled by the master.

Ladies, if you have a man in your life who would lay down his life for you, there is still time to get him this book for Christmas, if only to let him know how grateful you are that he's more than some pantywaist who can't tie his own tie without help. And just in case he does need help with it, he can go here:

The Art of Manliness

... is a website that is a treasure trove of what magazines like Esquire used to be, before the corporate pansies took over, telling men they had to spend over a hundred dollars for a decent Oxford dress shirt. This is also a great point of reference for last minute gifts for the man in your life. But most of all, it's a place where a man can learn everything there is to know about being a man, from how to carve a turkey (something I wish I'd known ten years ago, yeah, another long story) to how to make a citizen's arrest.

It's time to take back the world, fellas. Now put down that latest release of Super Mario Goes To Disneyland and get to work!

Novena for Christ-Mass: O Sapienta

2011-12-17T06:00:00.004-05:00

Veni, O Sapientia,
    O come, O Wisdom from on high,
Quae hic disponis omnia,
    who orders all things mightily,
Veni, viam prudentiae
    to us the path of knowledge show,
Ut doceas et gloriae.
    and teach us in her ways to go.

Isaiah had prophesied, “The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: a spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord, and his delight shall be the fear of the Lord.” (11:2-3), and “Wonderful is His counsel and great is His wisdom.” (28:29).

“O Wisdom, O holy Word of God, you govern all creation with your strong yet tender care. Come and show your people the way to salvation.”

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Gaude, gaude, Emmanuel
    Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel
Nascetur pro te, Israel.
    Shall come to thee, O Israel.

+    +    +

(Commentary for this year's edition of the “O Antiphons” is authored by Father William Saunders, a priest of the Diocese of Arlington. Copyright © 2003 Arlington Catholic Herald. Used without permission or shame.)

Z <-- This is the link to Father Zuhlsdorf's commentary. It will appear at the end of every installment in this series.

Evensong: Advent III (Friday)

2011-12-16T18:00:00.003-05:00

Behold, behold,
    the Lord will come.
In splendid light
    He will descend.
He comes to bring
    His people peace
And give them life
    that never ends.

-- Inspired by the Entrance Antiphon for the Mass of the Day

[This series of verses authored by Kathleen Pluth. Video clip of Psalm 66(67) sung by the Choir of Westminster Abbey.]

FAMW: Harry Meets Sally All Over Again

2011-12-16T14:30:00.001-05:00

The 1989 movie, directed by Rob Reiner and starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan, explored the question of whether men and women can be (just) friends. Two young independent filmmakers by the names of Jesse Budd and Patrick Romero set out to the library of Utah State University to find out. (Hey, aren't they all Mormons out there? Does that affect the data just a bit? Discuss.) For the most part, the guys all gave one answer, and the gals all gave the other answer -- that is, until put under just a little more scrutiny. But it makes for a great palate cleanser, and just the thing for this week's Friday Afternoon Moment of Whimsy.

(ALERT: Eye roll at 2:14. Heard it all before, right, hon?)

“And they wanna know how ... girls talk!”

2011-12-16T13:30:00.009-05:00

Personally, I like the Dave Edmunds w/Rockpile version of this tune better than that of Elvis Costello, the guy who actually wrote it. But it doesn't matter, because I think he's referring to something else.

NBC's Today Show reported on the growing trend among college girls of ... well, I'll let MSNBC.com explain it.

The report, recently published online in the Journal of Voice, examines the prevalence of a speech pattern called "vocal fry," the creaky, rough, guttural sound that pop singers sometimes use to slip into lower notes ... Can you hear in your head the way [Britney] Spears croaks the line "Oh baby, baby" in "Baby One More Time"?

You can also go to the source of the report, right here.

Personally, I never paid much attention to this trend. I didn't even notice it among the girls who attended the Art Institute while I was there, so much as how at least half of them (no, not all of them) dressed like skanks. (Hopefully not at their job interviews.) It's my own fault, really. I don't watch the Grammys anymore, not since a bunch of spoiled rich tramps took over the proceedings. I just go to the website and get the results the next day. (They even post the nominations along with the winners. Isn't that nice of them?)

But there is a trend that I have noticed.

Unlike the above, which is found exclusively among females of this age group, there is another vocal phenomenon that is found among both men and women. That's right, I said men. I hear it from young adults, even people at work in positions of authority. Any perfectly intelligent individual can sound as ill-equipped as the average Valley Girl when they talk this way. I'll let our New York City slam poet Taylor Mali explain it, with the assistance of the stunning typography of Ronnie Bruce.

What EVER!

Nah, I didn’t watch it either, but ...

2011-12-16T08:00:00.004-05:00

Watching half a dozen or more people argue with one another can be pretty tedious, and that's the good news. The bad news is, they all think we can choose a President this way. So here at Chez Alexandre, we'd rather keep watching reruns of NCIS, or even read a good book. Still, the highlights of last night's Iowa debate would still make for a good palate cleanser, and if you need one to start the weekend, The Daily Beast has seven brief video clips with the following:

• Rick Perry's "Tebow moment"
• Mitt Romney's take on Obama's egg-laying diplomacy
• Ron Paul on Obama's worst enemy
• Huntsman taking on Trump (Real bad-@$$ move, there, Jon-Boy!)
• Rick Perry (again?) on the do-nothing Congress
• Mitt Romney (again?) admitting mistakes
and, of course ...
• Newt Gingrich's "Jimmy Carter moment"

Naturally, everybody was dumping on Newt. After all, what fun is it if you can't kick a man when he's down, or at least headed there? Unfortunately, the Beastmeisters neglected to include Michele Bachmann, who's been coming on strong, and who actually held everybody's attention for several minutes talking about partial birth abortion. (What's that? We're making a big deal out of "culture war" issues at a time like this? Oh, the humanity!) She also managed to come out of last night's debate smelling like a rose, despite her exciting new "bad hair day" look (and that's probably all it is). Obviously hot Republican babes really scare some people. She should let her hair down again and really crack the whip, don't you think?

Or don't you?

UPDATE: Ed Morrissey at Hot Air provides a post-mortem on last night's proceedings, including what may be Ron Paul's perennial Achilles heel.

Novena for Christ-Mass: Prelude

2011-12-16T06:00:00.003-05:00

In a nation where eighty percent of the population is Catholic, Christmas starts early. It has to. After all, you cannot have a feast like Christmas without it being preceded by a novena. That's when you get up to attend Mass just before dawn for nine days before the big day. In the Philippines, it is known as “Simbang Gabi” which is Tagalog for "evening Mass." It is also known as “Misa de Gallo” which is Spanish for “Rooster’s Mass.”

So why is this series of Masses held in the morning and not the evening, as is customary with Masses for a Christmas novena? The answer can be traced to the early colonial days, when the people would be exhausted from working in the fields all day for their Spanish taskmasters. The priests and friars who tended to their spiritual needed, availed themselves of the people's desire to start the day early, ahead of the tropical heat, and moved the customary Mass and devotion to the early morning, before dawn.

The popular decoration for Christmas in the Philippines is the “parol” (pronounced “pah-ROLL” with a rolling "r", from the Spanish word for lantern, "farol"), which is as common there as the Christmas tree is here in the States. This star-shaped motif is a cross between a Chinese lantern and the Mexican piñata. It is lit from within; traditionally with candlelights mounted inside, but in the last century with electric lights. They are typically two to three feet wide, but if you go to such renowned events as th Fiesta at San Fernando, Pampanga (north of Metro Manila), there is a huge parade to celebrate the beginning -- no, not of Christmas, but of the novena.

Traditional parols are made with bamboo sticks and rice paper. If you go to the site known as “MyParol.com” you can learn to make one, or even order a kit. Better yet, if you can't wait for delivery, simply read the instructions and find what you need at an arts and crafts store. You could even get it done this weekend.

What are you sitting here reading this for? GET CRACKIN'!!!

Here at Chez Alexandre, we have a very colorful parol gracing the front door, one that Sal brought back from the Philippines. It is obviously of the modern variety, with elaborate flashing lights, and made with wire and a type of seashell known as capiz. The rest of the decorations will follow, but we had to start out on the right foot (or, should we say, in the right light?).

Now, back to that novena thing.

For most of our history of publication, we here at mwbh have followed the “O Antiphons” the seven chants which introduce the Vesperal Canticle -- the “Magnificat” -- in the Divine Office. Most people hear paraphrases of them all at once in the hymn "O Come O Come Emmanuel," but they are meant to be sung one a day, ending with the day before the that of the Vigil. Over time, our annual feature has evolved into its present form, as a comprehensive aid to daily devotion. For just five minutes of viewing during a quiet time in the day, one may contemplate the coming of the God-made-man. The video clips for this unique series are provided by the YouTube channel of francisxcc entitled “The Splendor of Truth.”

As an added bonus, we will provide links for each Antiphon, to Father John Zuhlsdorf's famous commentaries on the same, the link for which will be indicated by the letter “Z” at the bottom of each entry.

They will be set up to publish at six in the morning, eastern USA time, beginning tomorrow. Stay tuned ...

[NOTA BENE: Regarding a reference in the first video, a "barangay" is a municipality within a city; rendered as "barrio" in Spanish, as "berg" in German" and as "borough" in English. New York City, for example, is divided into five boroughs -- Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island. Same concept, just sayin' ...]

Evensong: Advent III (Thursday)

2011-12-15T18:00:00.003-05:00

O Lord, You are
    forever near,
And truthful, Lord,
    in all Your ways.
I know Your statutes
    from of old.
Eternal is Your
    length of days.

-- Inspired by Psalm 118:151-152

[This series of verses authored by Kathleen Pluth. Video clip of Psalm 29(30) performed in all voices by an anonymous handmaiden of the Lord at YouTube's PilgrimHymns's Channel.]

Guitar Workshop: John Fahey

2011-12-15T11:30:00.001-05:00

[From about this time last year, and it still has a little shelf life left. -- DLA]

These days, you can find any number of collections of sacred hymns and Christmas carols adapted to fingerpicking guitar. All of them owe a debt to the man who defied all convention in his day, and did it first.

John Fahey (1939-2001) (shown here with his mother in 1945) grew up in the town of Takoma Park, Maryland, just north of DC. "Takoma" was also the name of his first and self-made label, having no idea how to promote his unusual guitar work to established record companies. Much of what was written about him was apocryphal to varying degrees. He would often live out his bluesman persona under the name "Blind Joe Death," often convincing the uninitiated that he was actually a poor black man from down South. (Was there such a person? We may never know.) Although his success was marred by ill health, drinking, and a tumultuous personal life, Fahey was instrumental in the creation of a style known as "American Primitive," and the acceptance of the guitar in folk music, as more than the balladeer's backdrop.

Our first video clip is from the Laura Webber 1969 show "Guitar, Guitar", where he plays “In Christ There Is No East Or West”, a traditional Anglican hymn. The beauty of this hymn shows the combination of classical and blues playing elements, which was unheard of before the 1960s. Most chord progressions are in the first position, except for the occasional reach of the high notes. This makes the work readily accessible to the intermediate player.

In this next clip, the lesson continues, as seen on the DVD "The Guitar Of John Fahey (Volume One)" produced by guitarist and musicologist Stefan Grossman. While the previous clip is instructive in itself, Fahey takes the time to walk the viewer through certain parts. You can see that a hard life has already taken its toll on him, but not at the expense of his playing. You can find out more about the complete video at guitarvideos.com.

Last but certainly not least, is this recording from the 1968 Takoma album “The New Possibility: John Fahey’s Guitar Soli Christmas Album.” This particular piece of vinyl has been in the collection of yours truly for over thirty years. The listener will notice that the lowest E string has been dropped to a D (hence the term "dropped D tuning"). This was among the least complicated of Fahey's special tunings. Like the other hymn, "Joy to the World" is also easy to learn, and you just might have enough time to get it down for that special day.

If anyone were to ask me why I no longer play for "folk Masses," I could give them some liturgical or theological reason, but my reticence actually began with artistic reasons. Even in "contemporary" choirs, the guitar is not treated as a serious instrument, but as mere window dressing for your typical parish diva. Any semblance of light and shade in the accompaniment is left to a "real" musician playing the piano as if to back up a nightclub singer.

That's the long explanation. The short one is, I don't get to play like Fahey.

Don't let that stop YOU.

(More information on the life and work of John Fahey can be found at Wikipedia, at johnfahey.com, or at the Blind Joe Death Memorial Site.)

Another “Jon Stewart Makes Ron Paul Look Smarter Than Those Other Guys” Moment

2011-12-14T19:30:00.002-05:00

In a recent NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll, Texas congressman Ron Paul finished a distant third behind Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney (or was it Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich? Heh, whatever ...). And since it was their poll, the gang at NBC Nightly News actually swallowed a big lump and made history by MENTIONING HIS NAME!

Yours truly has not really decided on Ron Paul. Rick Santorum is a big favorite among many pro-life Catholics who tend to vote conservative, and he would be with this Catholic if the guy didn't beat the war drums like all the neo-cons up in the polls already. So when you watch how the other candidates start snickering when crazy old Uncle Ron starts talking about the Federal Reserve (again), consider that Jon Stewart might be on to something. If being consistent makes you crazy, what does the refusal to be make out of those other guys?

Discuss.

Evensong: John of the Cross

2011-12-14T18:00:00.000-05:00

May I boast only
    in the Cross:
The Cross of Jesus
    Christ our Lord,
That crucifies
    the world to me
And crucifies me
    to the world.

-- Inspired by Galatians 6:14

[This series of verses authored by Kathleen Pluth. The song “Psalm 37” performed by Rachel Sauls and the band SuRedemption.]

Art-For-Art’s-Sake Theatre: The Moody Blues’ Imaginary Tale

2011-12-14T10:30:00.002-05:00

Time once again for our usual midday Wednesday feature, albeit a little ahead of schedule.

They began life as a rhythm and blues band in the working class city of Birmingham, in the heart of the English midlands. But after a "one hit wonder" with “Go Now” in 1964, followed by a major defection of key members, what was left of The Moody Blues acquired new personnel, moved south to the County of Surrey outside of London, and reconstituted themselves as something altogether different, and heretofore unknown -- a progressive rock band heavily influenced by classical music.

A pair of would-be biographical works, both in song and music video, forms a part of the mythology of the band. “Your Wildest Dreams” tells the story of a man who remembers his first love. As the years go by, finds himself wondering if she remembers him in the same way. “I Know You’re Out There Somewhere” is the sequel, when the man realizes he still loves her, and vows to "return again" to her.

Legend of a Band - The Story of the Moody Blues is the 1990 documentary of the band which, in this writer's opinion, is one of the most thoughtfully prepared and truly sensitive works of its kind. Four of the band's longest-serving members (drummer Graham Edge, guitarist-singer Justin Hayward, bassist John Lodge, and flutist Ray Thomas) give very heartfelt accounts of their own experiences over the years, such that you hardly notice how little they tell of their personal lives -- marriage, children, and so forth. Nor do you sense the acrimony among them that led to their 1974-77 hiatus. Rather, it is only about the music, although one is left wondering what hidden grains of truth there are in the "imaginary tale."

In the above scene from the 1990 documentary, Hayward describes his inspiration for writing “Tuesday Afternoon.” To this day, only Edge (the only original member), Hayward, and Lodge remain.

Evensong: Advent III (Tuesday)

2011-12-13T18:00:00.003-05:00

Behold, the coming
    of the Lord
With all His saints
    accompanied.
And on that day,
    and on that day,
A light, a great light,
    shall proceed.

-- Inspired by Zechariah 14:5,7

[This series of verses authored by Kathleen Pluth. Psalm 32(33) verses 1-5 sung á cappella from the 1650 Scottish Psalter.]

Lussinatt: The Vigil of Saint Lucy

2011-12-12T23:00:00.003-05:00

Saint Lucy (283–304) received the crown of martyrdom during the Diocletian persecution. She is one of seven women aside from the Virgin Mary who appears in the Roman Canon. Her name is from the Latin word for "light," and she is remembered on the 13th day of December, the night before which was the longest of the year in the unreformed Julian calendar. As a result, various Germanic pagan feasts associated with the passing of darkness into light were appropriated by Christendom, and sanctified by this commemoration.

Saint Lucy is one of the few saints honored in the Lutheran tradition, and the eve of her feast is celebrated in Scandanavia, with a procession of young maids bearing candles, led by a chosen one with a lighted wreath on her head. The carol Santa Lucia, sung by the girls in procession, was an old Neapolitan melody of the same name. The lyrics in Italian are the song of the boatmen of the waterfront district in Naples. The various Nordic languages (Swedish is featured here) sing of the light that overcomes the darkness.

Natten går tunga fjät
    Night walks with a heavy step
rund gård och stuva;
    Round yard and hearth,
kring jord, som sol förlät,
    As the sun departs from earth,
skuggorna ruva.
    Shadows are brooding.
Då i vårt mörka hus,
    There in our dark house,
stiger med tända ljus,
    Walking with lit candles,
Sankta Lucia, Sankta Lucia!
    Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia!
Då i vårt mörka hus,
    There in our dark house,
stiger med tända ljus,
    Walking with lit candles,
Sankta Lucia, Sankta Lucia!
    Santa Lucia, Santa Lucia!

Evensong: Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe

2011-12-12T18:00:00.002-05:00

A great sign
    in the sky
    was seen:
A woman,
    with the
    sun arrayed.
The moon was
    laid beneath
    her feet;
A crown of
    twelve stars
    on her head.

-- Inspired by The Book of Revelation, Chapter 11

[This series of verses authored by Kathleen Pluth. Music video by The Killers performing ¡Happy Birthday Guadalupe!. Copyright 2009 The Island Def Jam Music Group. It seemed like a good idea at the time.]

Guadalupe

2011-12-12T11:00:00.001-05:00

[What follows is an updated version of what was published on this day in 2008. -- DLA]

I am generally not partial to images of the Blessed Mother without her carrying the Christ Child. The absence of Her Son has long struck me as edging toward a sort of Catholic goddess-worship -- Mariolatry, if you will. But I make one exception, and that's the image used to commemorate today's Feast, that of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas.

You can read all about her at ... where else? Or you can stick around.

Contrary to what some dime-store theologian disguised as a pastoral associate is telling your children in Catholic school right about now, the indigenous peoples' customs in Central and South America were not suppressed by their Catholic conquerors. In fact, the natives were all too happy to have been relieved of being victims of human sacrifices, where their hearts were cut out while they were still alive, so much so as to have participated in what may have been the largest single mass conversion in Christendom.

Furthermore, and on a lighter note, when Juan Diego opened his cloak for the bishop, and the venerable image appeared, the roses hidden in the cloak came falling out. But that wasn't the end of the miracle. The bishop recognized the roses as being of a variety only found in his native Spanish province of Castile. Years earlier, seeing that Cortez's successors were not nearly as benevolent as he, the bishop appealed to Our Lady for a sign of her intercession, in the form of roses from his home province. It would appear that he got his wish.

This was in the days before overnight delivery.

A few years ago, an American publisher of liturgical aids featured a tribute to this vision, starting out with some drivel about the Spaniards and their suppression of the venerable Aztec culture.* Several years ago, Father William Saunders gave a fuller account of the real deal in the Arlington Catholic Herald. I don't have the link, or the date of the piece, but I managed to preserve a few extracts:

The Aztec religious practices, which included human sacrifice, play an interesting and integral role in this story. Every major Aztec city had a temple pyramid, about 100 feet high, on top of which was erected an altar. Upon this altar, the Aztec priests offered human sacrifice to their god Huitzilopochtli, called the "Lover of Hearts and Drinker of Blood," by cutting out the beating hearts of their victims, usually adult men but often children. The priests held the beating hearts high for all to see, drank the blood, kicked the lifeless bodies down the pyramid stairs, and later severed the limbs and ate the flesh. Considering that the Aztecs controlled 371 towns and the law required 1,000 human sacrifices for each town with a temple pyramid, over 50,000 human beings were sacrificed each year. Moreover, the early Mexican historian Ixtlilxochitl estimated that one out of every five children fell victim to this bloodthirsty religion.

In 1487, when Juan Diego was just 13 years old, he would have witnessed the most horrible event: Tlacaellel, the 89-year-old Aztec ruler, dedicated the new temple pyramid of the sun, dedicated to the two chief gods of the Aztec pantheon — Huitzilopochtli and Tezcatlipoca, (the god of hell and darkness) — in the center of Tenochtitlan (later Mexico City). The temple pyramid was 100 feet high with 114 steps to reach the top. More than 80,000 men were sacrificed over a period of four days and four nights. One can only imagine the flow of blood and the piles of bodies from this dedication...

Nevertheless, in 1520, Hernan Cortes outlawed human sacrifice ...

When you look at it that way, giving up meat on Fridays doesn't seem so bad. Even so, the aforementioned process only took about fifteen seconds for each victim -- less time than your average abortion. (If you have to think about the connection, I can't help you.)

And then there are those feminist-theology types who try to see a "goddess" image in the Virgin Mary. They're outa luck there too:

These are also symbols of divine victory over the pagan religion. Sun rays were symbolic of the Aztec god Huitzilopochtle. Therefore, our Blessed Mother, standing before the rays, shows that she proclaims the true God who is greater than Huitzilopochtle and who eclipses his power.

She stands also on the moon. The moon represented night and darkness, and was associated with the god Tezcatlipoca. Here again, the Blessed Mother’s standing on the moon indicates divine triumph over evil.

Note also, that in her dominance over false idols, Our Lady stands in a submissive posture, with head bowed and hands folded, as if to a Higher Power.

More on this feast can be found here.

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* That commercial opportunists from Spain might have taken undue advantage of a massive cheap labor pool is not in dispute here. Nor is it unique to human history, or to Europeans. What it is, is another story for another day ...