From the earliest days of the Christian Church, periods have been set aside for a “joyful fast” in remembrance of the gifts of God. Not only would these days increase Christian devotion through prayer and fasting, they would also have a significant influence on Japanese cuisine.
Ember Days for 2010:
February 24, 26, and 27 (the [...]
Author Archives: sbeshonertor
#234 – Ember Days
#233 – Philokalia
The collection of writings known as the Philokalia is often considered the second most important spiritual text for the Eastern Church after the Bible. Yet, the Philokalia is not just for the East – indeed it can be enriching for all Christians.
Links:
File of the Philokalia in .pdf format – link found at the bottom [...]
#222 – Rome of the North
Visiting the city of Salzburg, Austria gave me an opportunity to witness the work of Prince Archbishop Wolf Dietrich, the man who “preached in stone”. Famous or infamous, he certainly left his mark on the city.
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Send e-mail questions and comments to catholicunderthehood@gmail.com or leave voice mail at 1 740 [...]
#221 – Chess Club
While Chess did not originate in Catholic culture, the culture of Catholicism certainly influenced the game and in turn Chess influenced the way Catholics understood their faith.
Links:
Chapter 16 of the “The Way of Perfection” by St. Theresa of Avila
Gautier de Coinci on the Virgin Mary as the Queen of Chess
Treatise on the Game of Chess [...]
#220 – No Middle Ground
Every week millions of Americans turned on their radios to listen to the fiery and controversial broadcasts of Fr. Charles Coughlin. He was loved and hated, with him there was, as he said, no middle ground.
Links:
Some of Fr. Coughlin’s radio broadcasts
Fr. Coughlin’s “Am I an Anti-Semite?”
The program and principles of the National Union for [...]
#219 – Missed Opportunity?
Pope Leo XIII began his pontificate with a great vision of the Third Order of Saint Francis bringing about the salvation of Europe and the World. It didn’t quite turn out that way.
Links:
Pope Leo XIII’s Encyclical on Saint Francis and the Franciscans – Auspicato Concessum
The Leonine Rule – Misericors Dei Filius
Previous Catholic:Under The Hood [...]
#218 – The Gregorian Calendar
Most of the world marks its time according the calendar instituted by Pope Gregory XIII but calendar reform is a tricky business.
Links:
Papal Bull “Inter Gravisimus” on the implementation of the Gregorian Calendar
“Hesitant steps: acceptance of the Gregorian calendar in eighteenth-century Geneva”
Dates various countries adopted the Gregorian calendar
Website for Our Lady of Soufanieh
Picture by Rsuessbr
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#217 – Silent Night
When Fr. Josef Mohr wrote the words “Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht” in 1816, little did he know how it would become one of the most inspirational Christmas songs of all time and even bring a bit of peace in the midst of WWI.
Links:
Information on Silent Night, Holy Night including traditional German .mp3 versions of the [...]
#216 – Matteo Ricci and the Wonderful Clock
Next year is the 400th anniversary of the death of Fr. Matteo Ricci, SJ who became a model of Catholic evangelization. If he had advice for the evangelizers of today, it might be to bring a clock.
Links:
Journey to the East – Book on the Jesuit Missions to China
“Weaving a profound dialogue between East and [...]
#215 – The Saving of Assisi
Faced with the twin threats of WWII and the Holocaust,the people of Assisi looked to their three protectors – God, Saint Francis, and German Colonel Valentin Müller. Plus, Austrian Alpine Horns.
Links:
“The Strategy That Saved Assisi” by Francesco Santucci
“Three Heroes of Assisi in World War II: Bishop Guiseppe Nicolini, Colonel Valentin Müller, Don Aldo Brunacci” [...]







