Category Archives: European History

#278 – Vin Mariani, Cocaine, and the Pope

March 3, 2012 – 6:27 am

In the second half of the nineteenth century, the popularity of Vin Mariani spread throughout European and American society as a wonder cure for almost every ailment. Unfortunately, drinkers of Vin Marini didn’t know that the secret ingredient had some not so pleasant side effects.

Links:
Information on Vin Mariani can be found here and here.
Images of Vin Mariani advertisements can be found here.
Promotional advertisements for Vin Marinia featuring Pope Leo XIII can be found here and here.
Intact bottle of Vin Mariani
Food Scientists investigate bottle of Vin Mariani
Pictures and endorsements from 1893 Vin Marini book can be found here.

Sources:
Inciardi, James A. The War on Drugs II: The Continuing Epic of Heroin, Cocaine, Crack, Crime, AIDS, and Public Policy. Mountain View, Calif: Mayfield Pub. Co, 1992.
Mariani & Co. Coca Erythroxylon (Vin Mariani): Its Uses in the Treatment of Disease. Mariani & Co., 1886.
Markel, Howard. An Anatomy of Addiction: Sigmund Freud, William Halsted and the Miracle Drug, Cocaine. 1st ed. New York: Pantheon Books, 2011.
Pendergrast, Mark. For God, Country, and Coca-Cola: The Definitive History of the Great American Soft Drink and the Company That Makes It. 2nd ed., rev. and expanded. New York: Basic Books, 2000.

Be sure to vote for Catholic: Under The Hood for the Best Catholic Podcast for 2011 at About.com!
Check out the other great podcasts at the Starquest Production Network

Send e-mail questions and comments to catholicunderthehood@gmail.com

To listen, just click on the link below:
podcasticon#278 – Vin Mariani, Cocaine, and the Pope

Advertisement
By sbeshonertor | Also posted in History of Peru, Papal History, Podcast, US History | Comments (0)

#275 – The Papal Peace Note

February 11, 2012 – 6:03 am

Pope Benedict XV repeatedly called for an end to the violence of the First World War, but his cries just as repeatedly were rejected by the governments of belligerent countries that would be satisfied with nothing less than total victory. Yet, it was not only the governments of belligerent countries that thwarted Benedict’s mission – many Catholic bishops and cardinals also rejected the “Pope’s peace”.

Links:
Benedict XV’s Papal Peace Note
Benedict XV’s Peace Offering Calendar

Sources:
Griffin, Mike. “Snubbed: Pope Benedict XV and Cardinal James Gibbons”. Sign of Peace Journal.
Peters, Walter H. The Life of Benedict XV. Milwaukee: Bruce Pub. Co, 1959.
Pollard, John F. The Unknown Pope: Benedict XV (1912-1922) and the Pursuit of Peace. London: Geoffrey Chapman, 2000.

Image:
“The Peaceful Pope” – cover of Simplicissimus 1915.

Check out the other great podcasts at the Starquest Production Network
Website of the Third Order Franciscans

Send e-mail questions and comments to catholicunderthehood@gmail.com

To listen, just click on the link below:

podcasticon#275 – The Papal Peace Note

By sbeshonertor | Also posted in Austrian History, Belgian History, British History, French History, German History, Italian History, Papal History, Podcast, Russian History, US History | Comments (0)

Today in Catholic History – Pope Paul VI meets Archbishop of Canterbury Michael Ramsey

March 23, 2010 – 3:37 am

On this day in 1966, Pope Paul VI met with Archbishop of Canterbury Michael Ramsey in the Sistine Chapel. This was the first meeting between the heads of the Catholic and Anglican churches in 400 years.

Paul VI and Archbishop Ramsey would sign a common declaration stressing their desire to work together on issues of mutual importance such as dealing with issues involving mixed marriages of Anglicans and Catholics. This dialogue would be “founded on the Gospels and on the ancient common traditions”.

Paul VI also presented the archbishop with the episcopal ring he had wore as Archbishop of Milan. This ring is still worn by the Archbishops of Canterbury when they visit the Pontiff.

This meeting would also lead to the establishment of the Anglican Center in Rome.

Time Magazine’s article on this meeting can be found here.
A photo of the meeting where the Holy Father presented the Archbishop with a 13th century fresco of Christ can be found here.

By sbeshonertor | Also posted in History of United Kingdom, Italian History, Today in Catholic History | Comments (0)

#226 – Where Peace Reigns

March 21, 2010 – 10:56 am

Maria Gaetana Agnesi was one of the brightest mathematicians of the 18th century who just as she had been given a position at the Bologna Academy of Sciences gave it all up to serve the poor. Also in this episode a few words on Kyriopascha and Palmbuschen.

Links:
Massimo Mazzotti has written a recent book on Maria Agnesi called “The World of Maria Gaetana Agnesi, Mathematician of God”
Here’s a good website with information about Maria Agnesi
Here’s a good website explaining “The Witch of Agnesi”

You can participate in the podcast listener’s survey here.

Send e-mail questions and comments to catholicunderthehood@gmail.com or leave voice mail at 1 740 936 4354

To listen, just click on the link below:

podcasticon#226 – Where Peace Reigns

By sbeshonertor | Also posted in Austrian History, Faith and Reason, Italian History, Lent and Easter, Podcast, Science, Spirituality, Women's History | Comments (0)

#225 – Dominica de Rosa

March 15, 2010 – 3:48 am

Laetare Sunday, also known as Dominica de Rosa, is probably best known for the rose – yes, rose – vestments the priest wears. This week, we take a look at how this tradition began and what it means for the spirituality of Lent.

Links:
Other examples of the Golden Rose

Photo from L’Osservatore Romano

Send e-mail questions and comments to catholicunderthehood@gmail.com or leave voice mail at 1 740 936 4354

To listen, just click on the link below:

podcasticon#225 – Dominica de Rosa

By sbeshonertor | Also posted in Lent and Easter, Podcast, Spirituality | Comments (0)

#224 – Ember Days

February 22, 2010 – 3:43 am

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 Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday after the First Sunday in Lent)
May 26, 28, and 29 (the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday after the Feast of Pentecost)
September 15, 17, and 18 (the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday after Holy Cross Day)
December 15, 17, and 18 (the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday after December 13)

Links:
Ember Days article at fisheaters
Ember Days article at Family in Feast and Feria
Ember Days article at Rorate Caeli
Readings and Prayers for the Ember Days

Last year’s talk by Sr. Gaudia about the Divine Mercy

Send e-mail questions and comments to catholicunderthehood@gmail.com or leave voice mail at 1 740 936 4354

To listen, just click on the link below:

podcasticon#224 – Ember Days

By sbeshonertor | Also posted in Advent and Christmas, Lent and Easter, Podcast, Spirituality | Comments (1)

#223 – Philokalia

February 8, 2010 – 7:32 am

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 of the page
Several books offering a good introduction to the Philokalia can be found at Light & Life Publishing
Volume 1 of the English translation of the Philokalia can be found at Amazon.com as can the Writings from the Philokalia: On the Prayer of the Heart
Catholic:Under The Hood on the Jesus Prayer

Help support the SQPN giving campaign!

Send e-mail questions and comments to catholicunderthehood@gmail.com or leave voice mail at 1 740 936 4354

To listen, just click on the link below:

podcasticon#223 – Philokalia

By sbeshonertor | Also posted in Eastern Catholic, Podcast, Spirituality | Comments (2)

#221 – Chess Club

January 17, 2010 – 4:47 pm

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 by Fr. Pietro Carrera
Paolo Boi and the Devil
Play a game of Carrera Chess
Jewish Story – “The Pope’s Game of Chess”

For more see “Birth of the Chess Queen: A History” by Marilyn Yalom
The Immortal Game: A History of Chess by David Shenk

Help support the SQPN giving campaign!

Send e-mail questions and comments to catholicunderthehood@gmail.com or leave voice mail at 1 740 936 4354

To listen, just click on the link below:

podcasticon#221 – Chess Club

By sbeshonertor | Also posted in Dominican Spirituality, Franciscan History, Italian History, Podcast, Spanish History, Spirituality | Comments (0)