#223 – 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 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

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podcasticon#223 – Philokalia

#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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podcasticon#222 – Rome of the North

#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 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

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podcasticon#221 – Chess Club

#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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podcasticon#218 – The Gregorian Calendar

#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 1st and 4th verses
More information on Silent Night, Holy Night including live web-cam performance on Christmas Eve
Silent Night, Holy Night in many different languages

Clips from film Joyeux Noël including singing of Stille Nacht on YouTube
Mahalia Jackson’s version of Silent Night on YouTube
John Denver and the Muppets version of Silent Night on YouTube
Celtic Thunder’s Christmas 1915 on YouTube
Get a free .mp3 download of Christmas 1915 at the Celtic Thunder website – click button for e-card
Photo by Howard Hudson

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podcasticon#217 – Silent Night

#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 West” from Ignatius Press
“How Rome Went To China” – the missionary work of Matteo Ricci and the Society of Jesus from the Library of Congress
The Clocks of Matteo Ricci – includes very interesting video of a clock that writes in Chinese
Chinese songs written by Matteo Ricci
The Map of Matteo Ricci

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podcasticon#216 – Matteo Ricci and the Wonderful Clock

#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” edited and written by Josef Raischl SFO and André Cirino OFM

Cria-BD – Christian Comic Book blog and web site

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podcasticon#215 – The Saving of Assisi

#214 – The Fall of Monte Cassino

In WWII, the Allied forces seeking to reach Rome had to get past the German held Gustav line, unfortunately for the Benedictine Abbey of Monte Cassino – it was at ground zero.

Links:
The History Network Podcast on the Battle of Monte Cassino – contains more information about the battles around Monte Cassino itself.
History of the Battle of Monte Cassino
BBC site on the Battle of Monte Cassino
John Paul II’s words on the fate of Monte Cassino
Wojtek the Soldier Bear

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podcasticon#214 – The Fall of Monte Cassino