Recta Ratio

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of my loved ones, family, readers, and my fellow bloggers the happiest and most blessed of Christmases. May the miracle of the Nativity brighten all our hearts, resolve our quarrels, enlighten our minds, and bring us all joy and peace.

"And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not, for behold, I bring thee good tidings of great joy which shall be to all men. For unto thee is born this day in the City of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.'"

And I'm not sure if I will have time to blog tomorrow, Christmas Eve. My intention to put up a Nativity scene for each of the twelve days will not be frustrated, however, especially since I spent a good part of the morning capturing new nativity images. If I have to, I'll post-date the posting.

I'm a stubborn cuss and still insist that day eleven belongs to the Lords a Leapin' (still the 11 faithful Apostles) if for no other reason than the alliteration.

But this is a good explanation.

Pope Benedict went Pope John Paul one better, by including blessed rosaries.

Here is a suggestion for later reference. Pope Benedict ought to revive the custom of blessing and distributing wax Agnus Deis.

Courtesy of The Blog From the Core


Ye who have scorned each other,
Or injured friend or brother,
In this fast-fading year;
Ye who, by word or deed
Have made a kind heart bleed,
Come gather here.

Let sinn'd-against, and sinning,
Forget their strife's beginning,
And join in friendship now;
Be links no longer broken,
Be sweet forgiveness spoken,
Under the holly bough.

Ye who have loved each other,
Sister and friend and brother,
In this fast-fading year;
Mother and sire and child,
Young man and maiden mild,
Come gather here;

And let your hearts grow fonder,
As memory shall ponder
Each past unbroken vow.
Old loves and younger wooing
Are sweet in the renewing,
Under the holly bough.

Ye who have nourish'd sadness,
Estranged from hope and gladness,
In this fast-fading year;
Ye with o'erburthen'd mind,
Made aliens from your kind,
Come gather here.

Let not the useless sorrow
Pursue you night and morrow;
If e'er you hoped, hope now—
Take heart, uncloud your faces,
And join in our embraces
Under the holly bough.

Charles Mackay (1814-1889)

Courtesy of Winterr's Words

1. Hot Chocolate or apple cider? Apple cider, hot and mulled.
2. Turkey or Ham? Ham, Virginia Ham, specifically, but a chateaubriand cut of beef really says Christmas Eve to me.
3. Do you get a Fake or Real you cut it yourself christmas tree? A big expensive fake one that looks real. No shedding, no fire hazard (a big consideration when you put 3200 lights on a 7.5 foot tree), no care required, can be put up earlier and left up later. Missing that scent? A.C. Moore craft store sells a bottle of Evergreen scent that is the next best thing. I buy 1-3 bottles every year and liberally douse the tree with them just before guests come.
4. Decorations on the outside of your house? Lights on the trees outside (colored) and white lights and pine garlands around the front door and the railings. An electric candle in each window. Balsam wreath with big bright red bow, candy canes, gilded pinecones, little bright red bows, and sprigs of variegated holly on the front door.
5. Snowball fights or sledding? Snowballing!
6. Do you enjoy going downtown shopping? Yes, to look at the tree and window displays and smell the roasted nuts. The real shopping is done at the mall on weekday mornings, bright and early.
7. Favorite Christmas song? The Gloucestershire Wassail. I hum it for weeks before Christmas.
8. How do you feel about Christmas movies? Love 'em! Especially The Gathering, The Homecoming, the numerous versions of A Christmas Carol, and It's A Wonderful Life.
9. When is it too early to start listening to Christmas music? Before Thanksgiving
10. Stockings before or after presents? Stockings come first, then presents.
11. Carolers, do you or do you not watch and listen to them? I do, and some of the performances are quite good. My secret ambition is to assemble a group to go carolling with every year. The problem is that I couldn't carry a tune in a bucket with handles.
12. Go to someone elses house or they come to you? They absolutely must come to me. I have to be the host. How else could I get to pretend I am Squire Bracebridge or Mr. Fezziwig?
13. Do you read the Christmas Story? If so when? Always right after dinner on Christmas Eve, just before the Bambini go into the Nativity sets, and the stockings are hung.
14. What do you do after presents and dinner? Relax, talk, wash dishes, play cards, watch any Christmas movie I have not been able to fit in yet, set the table for dessert, as dessert comes hours after dinner.
15. What is your favorite holiday smell? Balsam, though cloves come in a close second.
16. Ice skating or walking around the mall? A walk on Christmas is very nice.
17. Do you open a present or presents on Christmas Eve, or wait until Christmas day? One present is opened Christmas Eve, after dinner and the reading of the Christmas Story. The rest, Christmas morning (except for those being exchanged with people who are coming later in the day, or on Boxing Day.
18. Favorite Christmas memory? Christmas Eve dinner, with shrimp, chateaubriand, mashed spuds and spicy gravy, Yorkshire puds, mince pie, then sitting around with Christmas music playing and just looking at the glow from the tree and the candles. Very peaceful.
19. Favorite Part about winter? Snuggling and drinking cocoa.
20. Ever kissed under mistletoe? Yes, but it was fake mistletoe, as the real stuff is hard to find these days in the Northeast.

I have changed the main template image for Christmas. Now I am featuring a Nativity which also prefigures the Crucifixion by Benedetto Bonfigli, from c. 1445.

Don't fret. Our old friends St. Jerome, Job, and Saint Pope Gregory the Great from The Hours of Henry VIII will be back after Epiphany.

O Emmanuel, Rex et legifer noster, exspectatio gentium, et Salvator earum: veni ad salvandum nos Domine Deus noster.

An audit conducted by the Archdiocese of Boston has indicated that $176,370.00 belonging to Holy Trinity parish, the Boston home for the Ecclesia Dei indult Mass, was improperly accounted to St. James parish, the other downtown parish run by Father Hugh O'Regan, who is both administrator of Holy Trinity and pastor of St. James.

While the Archdiocese is praising Father O'Regan's tenure as head of the two parishes, it was quick to deposit the funds in an account designated for Holy Trinity's use.

What effect this revelation will have on the decision to close Holy Trinity is unknown. Adding the $176,000 back to Holy Trinity's account certainly argues that, as parishioners have been consistently saying, Holy Trinity is in good shape financially. Putting it in perspective, that is the cost of a major repair, like the roof.

Holy Trinity parishioners have long argued that Father O'Regan favored St. James, the Chinatown parish, as he has social and business interests with the Chinatown business community through that parish. This was evident when Holy Trinity was not on the original list of parishes to be closed (and St. James, which has lower attendence, was) but, at the last minute, a decision came out of the blue to add Holy Trinity to the closing list, and take St. James off.

Why wasn't this found by a parish Finance Council? Until three years ago, Holy Trinity had no such thing. And once one was started, Father O'Regan denied it acces to financial statements. So, basically, the parish Finance council was kept in the dark while Father O'Regan did as he pleased.

Well, I pray that this revelation will be key in keeping a stable and vibrant Latin Mass community at Holy Trinity for the foreseeable future.

ARCHDIOCESE OF BOSTON
2121 COMMONWEALTH AVENUE

BRIGHTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02135-3193

(617) 254-0100 FAX (617) 783-4564
OFFICE OF THE CHANCELLOR
December 15, 2005

Ms. Delores Miller
259 Savin Hill Avenue
Dorchester, MA 02125

Dear Ms. Miller:
I thank you for your letter of December 10, 2005 regarding our now-
concluding investigation of financial matters of Holy Trinity Church
in Boston.

In your letter of December 10, you indicated that you do not wish to
come in for a meeting at this time. Rather, you ask to simply have me
deliver the results of the investigation. The results of the
investigation are that, net of bills paid on behalf of Holy Trinity
Parish by St. James Parish, Holy Trinity Parish transferred $176,390
to St. James Parish over the period of the audit.

That amount was borrowed today by St. James Parish and deposited to
an existing account belonging to Holy Trinity Parish.

Since you have elected not to come in at the present time, I will be
sharing the full results of this audit with the Reconfiguration
Oversight Committee this evening. I would have preferred to take the
representatives of the Parish through it directly, but I do see the
need for. an outside review of our work and will therefore cover this
with our committee established by the Archbishop to report on the
integrity of our process.

If you find that you or the members of your group want to go through
the detail, we would be happy to schedule time to meet with you.

Sincerely,


David W. Smith Chancellor
c: Most Reverend Sean P. O'Malley, OFM Cap.
Hon. Thomas F. Reilly, Attorney General, Comm. of Mass.
Reconfiguration Oversight Committee

The Gloucestershire Wassail

1. Wassail! Wassail! all over the town,
Our toast it is white and our ale it is brown;
Our bowl it is made of the white maple tree;
From the wassailing bowl, we'll drink to thee.

2. So here is to Cherry and to his right cheek
Pray God send our master a good piece of beef
And a good piece of beef that may we all see
With the wassailing bowl, we'll drink to thee.

3. Here's to Dobbin, and to his right eye,
God send our mistress a good Christmas pie;
A good Christmas pie as e'er I did see,
With my wassailing bowl I drink to thee.

4. So here is to Broad May and to her broad horn
May God send our master a good crop of corn
And a good crop of corn that may we all see
With the wassailing bowl, we'll drink to thee.

5. And here is to Fillpail and to her left ear
Pray God send our master a happy New Year
And a happy New Year as e'er he did see
With the wassailing bowl, we'll drink to thee.

6. Here's to our Colly, and to her long tail,
God send our master us never may fail
Of a cup of good beer: I pray you draw near,
And our jolly wassail it's then you shall hear.

7. Come butler, come fill us a bowl of the best
Then we hope that your soul in heaven may rest
But if you do draw us a bowl of the small
Then down shall go butler, bowl and all.

8. Be here any maids? I suppose here be some;
Sure they will not let young men stand on the cold stone!
Sing hey O, maids! come trole back the pin,
And the fairest maid in the house let us all in.

9. Then here's to the maid in the lily white smock
Who tripped to the door and slipped back the lock
Who tripped to the door and pulled back the pin
For to let these jolly wassailers in.

I Saw Three Ships

1. I saw three ships come sailing in,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day,
I saw three ships come sailing in,
On Christmas day in the morning.

2. And what was in those ships all three?
On Christmas day, on Christmas day,
And what was in those ships all three?
On Christmas day in the morning.

3. The Virgin mary and Christ were there
On Christmas day, on Christmas day,
The Virgin Mary and Christ were there,
On Christmas day in the morning.

4. Pray whither sailed those ships all three?
On Christmas day, on Christmas day,
Pray whither sailed those ships all three?
On Christmas day in the morning.

5. Oh, they sailed into Bethlehem,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day,
Oh, they sailed into Bethlehem,
On Christmas day in the morning.

6. And all the bells on earth shall ring,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day,
And all the bells on earth shall ring,
On Christmas day in the morning.

7. And all the Angels in Heaven shall sing,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day,
And all the Angels in Heaven shall sing,
On Christmas day in the morning.

8. And all the souls on earth shall sing,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day,
And all the souls on earth shall sing,
On Christmas day in the morning.

9. Then let us all rejoice, amain,
On Christmas day, on Christmas day,
Then let us all rejoice, amain,
On Christmas day in the morning.

Past Three O'Clock

Past three a clock,
And a cold frosty morning,
Past three a clock;
Good morrow, masters all!

1. Born is a Baby,
Gentle as may be,
Son of the eternal
Father supernal.

Past three a clock,
And a cold frosty morning,
Past three a clock;
Good morrow, masters all!

2. Seraph quire singeth,
Angel bell ringeth;
Hark how they rime it,
Time it and chime it.

3. Mid earth rejoices
Hearing such voices
e'ertofore so well
Carolling Nowell.

4. Hinds o'er the pearly,
Dewy lawn early
Seek the high Stranger
Laid in the manger.

5. Cheese from the dairy
Bring they for Mary
And, not for money,
Butter and honey.

6. Light out of star-land
Leadeth from far land
Princes, to meet him,
Worship and greet him.

7. Myrrh from full coffer,
Incense they offer;
Nor is the golden
Nugget withholden.

8. Thus they: I pray you,
Up, sirs, nor stay you
Till ye confess him
Likewise and bless him.

The Boar's Head Carol
1. The boar's head in hand bear I,
Bedeck'd with bays and rosemary.
I pray you, my masters, be merry
Quot estis in convivio

Caput apri defero
Reddens laudes Domino

2. The boar's head, as I understand,
Is the rarest dish in all this land,
Which thus bedeck'd with a gay garland
Let us servire cantico.

Caput apri defero
Reddens laudes Domino

3. Our steward hath provided this
In honor of the King of Bliss;
Which, on this day to be served is
In Reginensi atrio.

Caput apri defero
Reddens laudes Domino

Deck the Halls

Deck the halls with boughs of holly
Fa la la la la la la la la
'Tis the season to be jolly
Fa la la la la la la la la
Fill the mead cup, drain the barrel
Fa la la la la la la la la
Troll the ancient Christmas carol
Fa la la la la la la la la

2. See the flowing bowl before us
Fa la la la la la la la la
Strike the harp and join the chorus
Fa la la la la la la la la
Follow me in merry measure
Fa la la la la la la la la
While I sing of beauty's treasure
Fa la la la la la la la la

3. Fast away the old year passes
Fa la la la la la la la la
Hail the new ye lads and lasses
Fa la la la la la la la la
Laughing, quaffing, all altogether
Fa la la la la la la la la
Heedless of the wind and weather
Fa la la la la la la la la

Here We Come A Wassailing

Here we come a-wassailing
Among the leaves so green,
Here we come a-wand'ring
So fair to be seen.

Chorus:
Love and joy come to you,
And to you your wassail, too,
And God bless you, and send you
A Happy New Year,
And God send you a Happy New Year.

We are not daily beggers
That beg from door to door,
But we are neighbors' children
Whom you have seen before

Our Wassail cup is made
Of the rosemary tree
And so is your beer
Of the best barley

Good master and good mistress,
As you sit beside the fire,
Pray think of us poor children
Who wander in the mire.

We have a little purse
Made of ratching leather skin;
We want some of your small change
To line it well within.

Bring us out a table
And spread it with a cloth;
Bring us out a mouldy cheese,
And some of your Christmas loaf.

God bless the master of this house,
Likewise the mistress too;
And all the little children
That round the table go.

The Holly and the Ivy

1. The holly and the ivy,
When they are both full grown.
Of all the trees that are in the wood,
The holly bears the crown.

Chorus
Oh, the rising of the sun,
The running of the deer.
The playing of the merry organ,
Sweet singing in the quire.

2. The holly bears a blossom
As white as lily flower;
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To be our sweet Savior. Chorus

3. The holly bears a berry
As red as any blood;
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
To do poor sinners good. Chorus

4. The holly bears a prickle
As sharp as any thorn;
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
On Christmas day in the morn. Chorus

5. The holly bears a bark
As bitter as any gall;
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
For to redeem us all. Chorus

6. The holly and the ivy,
When they are both full grown,
Of all the trees that are in the wood,
The holly bears the crown. Chorus

Good King Wenceslaus

Good King Wenceslas looked out,
On the feast of Stephen,
When the snow lay round about,
Deep and crisp and even:
Brightly shone the moon that night,
Though the frost was cruel,
When a poor man came in sight,
Gathering winter fuel.

2. "Hither page and stand by me,
If thou know'st it, telling,
Yonder peasant, who is he,
Where and what his dwelling?"
"Sire, he lives a good league hence,
Underneath the mountain,
Right against the forest fence,
By Saint Agnes' fountain."

3. "Bring me flesh and bring me wine,
Bring me pine logs hither:
Thou and I will see him dine,
When we bear them thither."
Page and monarch forth they went,
Forth they went together;
Though the rude wind's wild lament,
And the bitter weather.

4. "Sire, the night is darker now,
And the wind blows stronger;
Fails my heart, I know now how,
I can go no longer."
"Mark my footsteps, my good page;
Tread thou in them boldly;
Thou shalt find the winter's rage
Freeze thy blood less coldly."

5. In his master's steps he trod,
Where the snow lay dinted;
Heat was in the very sod
Which the saint had printed.
Therefore, Christian men, be sure,
Wealth or rank possessing,
Ye who now will bless the poor,
Shall yourselves find blessing.

God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen

1. God rest you merry, gentlemen,
Let nothing you dismay.
For Jesus Christ our Savior,
Was born on Christmas Day;
To save us all from Satan? power,
When we were gone astray.

Chorus
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy;
O tidings of comfort and joy.

2. In Bethlehem, in Jewry,
This blessed Babe was born,
And laid within a manger,
Upon this blessed morn;
The which His mother Mary
Did nothing take in scorn. Chorus

3. From God our heavenly Father,
A blessed angel came.
And unto certain shepherds,
Brought tidings of the same,
How that in Bethlehem was born,
The Son of God by name: Chorus

4. Fear not, then said the Angel,
Let nothing you affright,
This day is born a Savior,
Of virtue, power, and might;
So frequently to vanquish all,
The friends of Satan quite; Chorus

5. The shepherds at those tidings,
Rejoiced much in mind,
And left their flocks a feeding,
In tempest, storm, and wind,
And went to Bethlehem straightway,
This blessed babe to find: Chorus

6. But when to Bethlehem they came,
Whereas this infant lay
They found him in a manger,
Where oxen feed on hay;
His mother Mary kneeling,
Unto the Lord did pray: Chorus

7. Now to the Lord sing praises,
All you within this place,
And with true love and brotherhood,
Each other now embrace;
This holy tide of Christmas,
All others doth disgrace. Chorus

8. God bless the ruler of this house,
And send him long to reign,
And many a merry Christmas
May live to see again;
Among your friends and kindred
That live both far and near. Alternate Chorus:

That God send you a happy new year,
Happy new year,
And God send you a happy new year.

The First Nowell

1. The first nowell the Angel did say
Was to three poor shepherds in fields as they lay.
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep,
In a cold winter? night that was so deep.

Chorus
Nowell, nowell, nowell, nowell.
Born is the King of Israel.

2. They looked up and saw a star
Shining in the East, beyond them far,
And to the earth it gave great light,
And so it continued, both day and night. Chorus

3. And by the light of that same Star
Three Wise Men came from country far,
To seek for a King was their intent,
And to follow the Star wherever it went. Chorus

4. This Star drew nigh to the North West;
O'er Bethlehem it took it's rest.
And there it did both stop and stay,
Right over the place where Jesus lay. Chorus

5. Then did they know assuredly
Within that house, the King did lie
One entered in then for to see
And found the babe in poverty. Chorus

6. Then entered in those Wise Men three,
Full reverently upon bended knee,
And offer'd there, in his presence,
Their gold, and myrrh, and frankincense. Chorus

7. Between an ox stall and an ass,
This Child truly there he was;
For want of clothing they did him lay
All in a manger, among the hay. Chorus

8. Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord;
That hath made heaven and earth of nought,
And with his blood mankind hath bought. Chorus

9. If we in our time shall do well
We shall be free from death and Hell
For God hath prepared for us all
A resting place in general. Chorus

The Coventry Carol

1. Lullay, Thou little tiny Child,
By, by, lully, lullay.
Lullay, Thou little tiny Child.
By, by, lully, lullay.

2. O sisters, too, how may we do,
For to preserve this day;
This poor Youngling for whom we sing,
By, by, lully, lullay.

3. Herod the King, in his raging,
Charged he hath this day;
His men of might, in his own sight,
All children young, to slay.

4. Then woe is me, poor Child, for Thee,
And ever mourn and say;
For Thy parting, nor say nor sing,
By, by, lully, lullay.

Johnny Damon is, for all intents and purposes, a member of the New York Yankees, Leaving a big gaping hole in centerfield. Once again, Steinbrenner's money is awfully tempting.

My Photobucket account where I store many of my template images has exceeded its monthly bandwith limit. That surprises me, since I did not get the impression that I was getting all that many hits at this time of the year. But transferring the photos that go with the categories of links would be time-consuming and vexatious (because, after moving all the images, I would then need to alter the template accordingly, image by image). Besides, that account's monthly term with Photobucket begins anew on the 28th. So we will go without images over the link categories for a few days.

My apologies. But I'm sure I'm more troubled by it than anyone else.

From The Word Among Us.

O Rex Gentium, et desideratus earum, lapisque angularis, qui facis utraque unum: veni, et salva hominem, quem de limo formasti.

But the forecast seems to indicate a mild, green Christmas, like most in Boston.

This Yahoo slideshow has several photos of Pope Benedict in a camauro, the red, fur trimmed hat reserved for Popes. The last pope to appear in one was Blessed John XXIII.

From photos I have seen, Pope John's version was cut to go around the ears, while Pope Benedict's is cut straight. Also, you will notice from the photo below that its shade of red does not match the red of his vestments. It really does look more like a Santa hat!

Papa Ratzi is stylin'. He probably also knows who's been naughty, and who's been nice.

From The Word Among Us.

O Oriens, splendor lucis æternæ, et sol justitiæ: veni, et illumina sedentes in tenebris, et umbra mortis.

From the Vatican Information Service
DECREES OF THE CONGREGATION FOR THE CAUSES OF SAINTS

VATICAN CITY, DEC 20, 2005 (VIS) - Yesterday, during a private audience with Cardinal Jose Saraiva Martins, C.M.F., prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, the Pope authorized the congregation to promulgate the following decrees:

MIRACLES

- Venerable Servant of God Luigi Boccardo, Italian, priest of the archdiocese of Turin, Italy, founder of the Order of Sisters of Christ the King, a contemplative branch of the Poor Sisters of San Gaetano (1861 - 1936).

- Venerable Servant of God Luigi Monza, Italian, priest of the archdiocese of Milan, Italy, founder of the Secular Institute of the Little Apostles of Charity (1898 - 1954).

- Venerable Servant of God Mose Tovini, Italian, priest of the diocese of Brescia, Italy (1877 - 1930).

- Venerable Servant of God Agostino Thevarparampil, known as "Kunjachan," Indian, priest of the eparchy of Palai, India (1891 - 1973).

- Venerable Servant of God Eustachio Van Lieshout, Dutch, professed priest of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary (Picpus) (1890 - 1943).

- Venerable Servant of God Maria Teresa di Gesu, nee Maria Scrilli, Italian, founder of the Congregation of Sisters of Our Lady of Carmel (1825 - 1889).

- Venerable Servant of God Maria Teresa di San Giuseppe, nee Anna Maria Tauscher van den Bosch, German, founder of the Congregation of Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus (1855 - 1938).

- Venerable Servant of God Maria della Passione di Nostro Signore Gesu Cristo, nee Grazia Tarallo, Italian, of the Institute of Crucified Sisters Adorers of the Holy Eucharist (1866 - 1912).

- Venerable Servant of God Elia di San Clemente, nee Teodora Fracasso, Italian, professed nun of the Order of Discalced Carmelites (1901 - 1927).

MARTYRS

- Servants of God Victorio Chumillas Fernandez, Spanish, professed priest of the Order of Friars Minor (1902 - 1936), and 21 companions, of the same Order of St. Francis, martyrs.

- Servants of God Antero Mateo Garcia, Spanish, husband and father, of the Third Order of St. Dominic (1875 - 1936), and eleven companions of the Second and Third Orders of St. Dominic, martyrs.

HEROIC VIRTUES

- Blessed Simone da Lipnica, Polish, professed priest of the Order of Friars Minor, (1440 - 1482), whose cult was confirmed by the Holy See on February 14, 1685.

- Blessed Camilla Battista Varano, Italian, professed nun of the Order of Poor Clares (1458 - 1524) whose cult was confirmed by the Holy See on April 7, 1843.

- Servant of God Carlo Bascape, ne Giovanni Francesco, Italian, of the Congregation of the Clerics Regular of St. Paul (Barnabites), bishop of Novara, Italy (1550 - 1615).

- Servant of God Massimo Rinaldi, Italian, of the Congregation of Missionaries of St. Charles, bishop of Rieti, Italy (1869 - 1941).

- Servant of God Paolo Giuseppe Nardini, diocesan priest and founder of the Congregation of Franciscan Sisters of the Holy Family (1821 - 1862).

- Servant of God Eustachio Kugler, ne Giuseppe, German, professed religious of the Hospitaller Order of St. John of God (1867 - 1946).

- Servant of God Isabella De Rosis, Italian, founder of the Congregation of Reparatrix Sisters of the Sacred Heart (1842 - 1911).

- Servant of God Josefa Segovia Moron, first director of the Teresian Institute (1891 - 1957).

Shrimp and cocktail sauce
Onion soup

Beef tenderloin roast
Yorkshire pudding
Mashed spuds
Gravy
Cranberry relish
Christmas carrots
spinach
Claret

Mince pie
Eggnog ice cream

Nuts
Dates and figs
Cheddar

Eggnog
Cider

There are few things more satisfying than baking cookies before Christmas. Lots of them. Dozens and dozens and dozens.

This lady has the right idea, though they belong in nice airtight tins.

Here are some of my favorites, with links to their recipes at Recta Ratio: the Yahoo Group.

Jumbles
Honey Cookies
Pfeffernusse
Lebkucken
Rum Balls
Springerles
Marzipan
Sugar Cookies
Shortbread
Orange Ginger Cookies
Chocolate Ravioli Filled With Raspberry
Chambord or Cointreau Brownies (OR BOTH!!!)
Buttered Rum Cookies
Almond Raspberry Rugalach
Christmas Hermits
Chocolate Peppermint Sandwiches
Cherry Kisses
Amaretti Cookies
Eggnog Cookies
Gingerbread Men
Pizzelle Cookies
Almond Macaroons
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Sesame Logs
Double Lemon Bars
1610 Rose Cakes
Pistachio Macaroons
Speculaas
Triple Espresso Brownies
Brandy Snaps

Bishop David Choby, formerly a priest of that diocese. God bless him in his ministry.

O Clavis David, et sceptrum domus Israel; qui aperis, et nemo claudit; claudis, et nemo aperit: veni, et educ vinctum de domo carceris, sedentem in tenebris, et umbra mortis.

From The Word Among Us.

Now trees their leafy hats do bare
To reverence Winter's silver hair;
A handsome hostesss, merry host,
A pot of ale now and a toast,
Tobacco and a good coal fire,
Are things this season doth require.

Poor Robin's Almanac, 1684

Performed by the Clancy Brothers on their Clancy Brothers Christmas CD

On the road the frost is glistening.
People stream from Midnight Mass.
Friendly candles glow in windows.
Strangers greet you as you pass.
Home then to the laden table;
Ham and goose and pints of beer,
Whisky handed 'round in tumblers,
Christmas comes but once a year!

Puddings made with eggs and treacle,
Seeded raisins and ground suet,
Sated breadcrumbs and mixed spices,
Grated rind and plenty fruit,
Cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg,
Porter, brandy, and old ale.
Don't forget the wine and whisky!
Christmas comes but once a year!

Women fussing in the kitchen,
Lay the food on every plate.
Men impatient in the hallway,
Guinness and porter while we wait.
Who cares if we work tomorrow?
Now's the time to spread good cheer!
Pass the punch around the table!
Christmas comes but once a year!

Veni, veni Emanuel: captivum solve Israel,
Qui gemit in exilio, privatus Dei Filio.

Gaude! gaude! Emanuel nascetur pro te, Israel.

Veni, O Jesse Virgula; ex hostis tuos ungula,
De specu tuos tartari, educ, et antro barathri.

Gaude! gaude! Emanuel nascetur pro te, Israel.

Veni, veni, O Oriens; solare nos adveniens;
Noctis depelle nebulas, dirasque noctis tenebras.

Gaude! gaude! Emanuel nascetur pro te, Israel.

Veni, Clavis Davidica; Regna reclude celica;
Fac iter tutum superum, et claude vias inferum.

Gaude! gaude! Emanuel nascetur pro te, Israel.

Veni, veni, Adonaï, Qui populo in Sinaï
Legem dedisti vertice in maiestate glorie.

Gaude! gaude! Emanuel nascetur pro te, Israel.

From the archives.

I see that The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe was number 2 this weekend, while Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is hanging on at no. 4. So there is good stuff at the theaters.

America Magazine has published an advertisement featuring a statue of Our blessed Lady wrapped in a condum, called "Extra Virgin." Witty? Avante Garde? Cutting Edge? Art?

Sacriligious. Blasphemous. Outrageous. Disgusting.

This is a gratuitious insult to our Blessed Lady. If it were featured in a secular publication, it would a cause for outrage. In a magazine run by a group that calls itself a "Catholic" religious order, it is an incredible thing, far beyond ordinary blasphemy. It is beyond words.

The editor of America ought to be sacked (again). Better yet, America ought to be suppressed. Straw that broke the camel's back.

The US provincial for the Society of Jesus ought to be sacked.

The regional superiors for the Jesuits ought to be sacked.

And any Jesuits associated with America (or at least any even remotely involved in the decision to publish this thing, who did not violently object to it) ought to be defrocked and excommunication ought to be considered.

And maybe the Holy Father ought to think very hard about leaving his successor a Church missing what passes now for the Society of Jesus. The order has been suppressed before. Maybe it is time to do it again. Father Fessio and the late Father Hardon and a very few good Jesuits aside, I can see no good reason to continue to recognize the Jesuits as a Catholic order. Maybe the few good Jesuits can be put in a newly created reform order, called something like Jesuits of the Renewal, and hack away any remaining connection the rest have to the Catholic Church.

While I was shamelessly watching Christmas specials and munching on candy, pizza, and Christmas cookies, the world continued to rotate, and stuff happened.

Archbishop Montalvo, the papal nuncio to the USA retired, and has been replaced by Archbishop Pietro Sambi. The papal nuncio has a lot of input with the Holy Father regarding new episcopal appointments.

Dom is making it clear that Archbishop Monbtalvo's last major effort here, the new Archbishop of San Francisco, looks more and more like a thoroughly bad hit. Or maybe Levada is to blame for this one.

What does San Francisco really need? How about Father Sistare of 'Not So Quiet' Catholic Corner? He'd clear out that Augean stables, or try, at least. He'd make a fine bishop, or archbishop. Quick, someone, tell Archbishop Sambi to put him on the list!

O Radix Jesse, qui stas in signum populorum, super quem continebunt reges os suum, quem Gentes deprecabuntur: veni ad liberandum nos, jam noli tardare.

O Adonai, et Dux domus Israel, qui Moysi in igne flammæ rubi apparuisti, et ei in Sina legem dedisti: veni ad redimendum nos in brachio extento.