Saturday, August 11, 2007
Ice Cream Thoughts In Mid-August
The weather is hot here in Boston, in the 80s, and it feels hotter in the sun.
This is a good time to think about ice cream. I fondly remember Haydn Pearson's Countryman columns about the joys of turn-of-the-20th-century life in New England, when, as a farm boy, one of the great pleasures in life was when, chores finished, his father would send him to the ice house for ice, so that his mother could whip up a batch of home-made ice cream. He would turn the crank endlessly in pursuit of icy relief from the heat of the Dog Days. And you can bet that the strawberries were fresh, or, at worst, from strawberry preserves put up just a month before.
Well, most of us buy our ice cream today. And when we don't, there are very few of us who use the old fashioned sort of ice cream maker, which requires you to turn the crank for quite some time. Today, for those of us with ice cream makers, they are electric.
And, since almost everything is air-conditioned, we have much less zeal in pursuit of ice cream. And, in fact, ice cream is eaten in New England year-round.
I was going somewhere with this. This isn't just nostalgia, though I think there is plenty of room for some nostalgia for better and more wholesome days in this decadent time.
For those in New England, I want to recommend my favorite ice cream emporium, Richardson's on Route 114 in Middleton. The place is incredible. Batting cages, mini-golf, and a driving range. Barns out back, with the cows making the raw material for the best, freshest ice cream in the world. Middleton was dairy farm country going back to before the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 (and Middleton, along with Danvers and Peabody, made up Old Salem Village), and the folks at Richardson's have perfected both the art and science of it. Take the tour, explore the amazing list of flavors, and find how the ice cream goes from cow to cone.
Also, for those with ice cream makers and a willingness to experiment, you should become a member of my original Recta Ratio Yahoo Group. I have over 50 ice cream, gelato, and sorbet recipes that are available, along with hosts of other goodies. Try unique ice creams, like Chestnut or Cardamom, exotics like Lime Basil Sorbet, or Earl Grey Gelato, or sinfully luxurious items like Lavendar Honey Ice Cream, or Chocolate Grand Marnier Ice Cream. Those frozen dessert recipes are just a fraction of the more than 500 recipes I have tucked away there.
This is a good time to think about ice cream. I fondly remember Haydn Pearson's Countryman columns about the joys of turn-of-the-20th-century life in New England, when, as a farm boy, one of the great pleasures in life was when, chores finished, his father would send him to the ice house for ice, so that his mother could whip up a batch of home-made ice cream. He would turn the crank endlessly in pursuit of icy relief from the heat of the Dog Days. And you can bet that the strawberries were fresh, or, at worst, from strawberry preserves put up just a month before.
Well, most of us buy our ice cream today. And when we don't, there are very few of us who use the old fashioned sort of ice cream maker, which requires you to turn the crank for quite some time. Today, for those of us with ice cream makers, they are electric.
And, since almost everything is air-conditioned, we have much less zeal in pursuit of ice cream. And, in fact, ice cream is eaten in New England year-round.
I was going somewhere with this. This isn't just nostalgia, though I think there is plenty of room for some nostalgia for better and more wholesome days in this decadent time.
For those in New England, I want to recommend my favorite ice cream emporium, Richardson's on Route 114 in Middleton. The place is incredible. Batting cages, mini-golf, and a driving range. Barns out back, with the cows making the raw material for the best, freshest ice cream in the world. Middleton was dairy farm country going back to before the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 (and Middleton, along with Danvers and Peabody, made up Old Salem Village), and the folks at Richardson's have perfected both the art and science of it. Take the tour, explore the amazing list of flavors, and find how the ice cream goes from cow to cone.
Also, for those with ice cream makers and a willingness to experiment, you should become a member of my original Recta Ratio Yahoo Group. I have over 50 ice cream, gelato, and sorbet recipes that are available, along with hosts of other goodies. Try unique ice creams, like Chestnut or Cardamom, exotics like Lime Basil Sorbet, or Earl Grey Gelato, or sinfully luxurious items like Lavendar Honey Ice Cream, or Chocolate Grand Marnier Ice Cream. Those frozen dessert recipes are just a fraction of the more than 500 recipes I have tucked away there.
Labels: Restorationists
Our Blessed Lady's Saturday
August being dedicated by the Church to the Immaculate Heart of Our Blessed Lady, August's Our Blessed Lady's Saturdays will likewise be devoted.
O Immaculate Heart of Mary,
Heavenly beauty and splendor of the Father,
Thou art the most valued Heavenly treasure.
New Eve, immaculate in soul, spirit and body,
Created of the godly seed by the Spirit of God,
Thou art the spiritual Mother of mankind.
Pure Virgin, full of grace then and now,
Thy whole being was raised Heavenly in full glory,
To be elevated above all the hosts within the Kingdom of God.
O Heavenly Mother, Queen of Heaven and earth,
I recognize the glory of thy highest title,
The Immaculate Heart of Mary!
Loving Mother, dispenser of endless blessings,
Thou who continuously intercedes on our behalf,
Please present my need before thy loving Son Jesus.
(Mention your request here)
O Immaculate Heart of Mary,
I know that thou are now presenting my need before Jesus,
For thou hast never turned away those in dire need.
Mother dearest, I await thy favorable answer,
Submitting myself to the Divine will of the Lord,
For all glories are His forever and ever.
Amen.
Labels: Restorationists
Friday, August 10, 2007
There Has Been Much Talk About Church Dress Codes and Behaviour Lately
I agree with much of what I have seen. Check out what Reclaiming Our Catholic Patrimony has to say. Also, note that the Saint Benedict Center at Still River has a dress code.
But Father Z drew my attention to this at The Deacon's Bench, which had me smiling.
But Father Z drew my attention to this at The Deacon's Bench, which had me smiling.
Labels: Restorationists
Many Images of Ven. Pope Pius XII
Saint Lawrence
Friday At the Foot of the Cross
Ant. Remember not, O Lord, my offenses, nor the offenses of my fathers, nor takest Thou vengeance upon them.
Psalm 31
1 To David himself, understanding.
Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 2 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord hath not imputed sin, and in whose spirit there is no guile. 3 Because I was silent my bones grew old; whilst I cried out all the day long. 4 For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: I am turned in my anguish, whilst the thorn is fastened. 5 I have acknowledged my sin to thee, and my injustice I have not concealed. I said I will confess against myself my injustice to the Lord: and thou hast forgiven the wickedness of my sin.
6 For this shall every one that is holy pray to thee in a seasonable time. And yet in a flood of many waters, they shall not come nigh unto him. 7 Thou art my refuge from the trouble which hath encompassed me: my joy, deliver me from them that surround me. 8 I will give thee understanding, and I will instruct thee in this way, in which thou shalt go: I will fix my eyes upon thee. 9 Do not become like the horse and the mule, who have no understanding. With bit and bridle bind fast their jaws, who come not near unto thee. 10 Many are the scourges of the sinner, but mercy shall encompass him that hopeth in the Lord.
11 Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye just, and glory, all ye right of heart.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, as it was in the beginning, is now, and always will be in the World of Worlds.
Amen.
Ant. Remember not, O Lord, my offenses, nor the offenses of my fathers, nor takest Thou vengeance upon them.
Prayer Against Greed
What is mine is heaven and so what should I want on earth from Thee, O God of my heart and my portion in eternity? The eye is not satisfied, nor is the ear filled, but I shall be satisfied when Thy glory will have appeared. Oh how I have served Mammon with such zeal so far! And what will it profit me if I have gained the whole world if indeed I shall suffer the loss of my soul? All the rich have gone to their sleep and found their hands empty. I will confess to Thee, my Lord, my unjust deeds, and Thou shalt, I pray, remit the impiety of my sins. In the future I will have mercy on the poor, and I will expend myself fervently in Thy service. Help me, O Lord, Thou who filleth my desires with good things. (Ps 102:5)
Labels: Restorationists
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross
One of the great modern Carmelite saints, a convert from Judaism, martyred at Auchswitz by the Nazis.
A biography from the Vatican Information Service.
"The world is in flames: do you wish to put them out? Contemplate the cross; from His open heart the blood of the Redeemer pours, blood which can put out even the flames of hell....Through the power of the cross you can be present wherever there is pain, carried there by your compassionate charity, by that very charity which you draw from the divine heart. That charity enables you to spread everywhere the most precious blood in order to ease pain, save and redeem."
~ St. Teresa Benedicta, Carmelite Proper of the Liturgy of the Hours
Via Tea At Trianon
Labels: Restorationists
Touching the Heart
The Boston area news in the last two weeks has included two particularly brutal child murders, in one of which, the mother was the apparent murderer of two children, and in the other a cousin raped and killed a young girl. It would seem that there is grief enough for anyone with a heart.
But this story about a loyal dog reaching the end of his sufferings was the story that brought tears to my eyes.
Why? Probably because I have made that last trip to the vet's myself. I have lived through those last few days. And, being childless, the murder of a child is quite incomprehensible to me. It is so far beyond my experience that I can't grasp it.
But this story about a loyal dog reaching the end of his sufferings was the story that brought tears to my eyes.
Why? Probably because I have made that last trip to the vet's myself. I have lived through those last few days. And, being childless, the murder of a child is quite incomprehensible to me. It is so far beyond my experience that I can't grasp it.
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
On the SSPX
Brian Mershon and Athanasius both discuss the Pius X Society.
I think it is important to note that the Church views attendance at the SSPX's Masses as meeting the requirement for Sunday Mass. So attendance at their Masses is not sinful, and the priest Brian quotes seems to be overreaching.
However, that said, many people attracted to the SSPX, and further to its right, among the SSPV, and the "conclavists" and sedes, do have a schismatical mindset, and have set themselves up as a higher authority than the Church itself. So if you are seeking faithful Catholics for, what is the new buzzword...ah yes, "fellowship," beware of who you meet there.
I don't see great harm in attending an SSPX Mass once in a while, especially if there is no licit traditional Mass available. While their Masses are valid, though illicit, other sacraments received there seem to have lower canonical status. But actual membership in the society, or becoming an established part of their community I would advise against. And make your confession to a diocesan priest, or one from an order in unquestioned good standing with Rome.
So what is the real status of the SSPX? They are Catholics organizationally apart from the Church, whose bishops were consecrated illicitly, and without the approval of Rome. That makes them our brothers in the Faith. And we should pray that their communion with the whole Church will be made more perfect as soon as possible. Don't despair of them. God's grace will win through.
Update:
And I see that Father Zuhlsdorf has chimed in on this issue, pretty much on the same page I am.
I think it is important to note that the Church views attendance at the SSPX's Masses as meeting the requirement for Sunday Mass. So attendance at their Masses is not sinful, and the priest Brian quotes seems to be overreaching.
However, that said, many people attracted to the SSPX, and further to its right, among the SSPV, and the "conclavists" and sedes, do have a schismatical mindset, and have set themselves up as a higher authority than the Church itself. So if you are seeking faithful Catholics for, what is the new buzzword...ah yes, "fellowship," beware of who you meet there.
I don't see great harm in attending an SSPX Mass once in a while, especially if there is no licit traditional Mass available. While their Masses are valid, though illicit, other sacraments received there seem to have lower canonical status. But actual membership in the society, or becoming an established part of their community I would advise against. And make your confession to a diocesan priest, or one from an order in unquestioned good standing with Rome.
So what is the real status of the SSPX? They are Catholics organizationally apart from the Church, whose bishops were consecrated illicitly, and without the approval of Rome. That makes them our brothers in the Faith. And we should pray that their communion with the whole Church will be made more perfect as soon as possible. Don't despair of them. God's grace will win through.
Update:
And I see that Father Zuhlsdorf has chimed in on this issue, pretty much on the same page I am.
Labels: Restorationists
Saint Jean Marie Vianney
O heavenly Father, Shepherd of Thy people, we give Thee thanks for Thy servant Jean, who was faithful in the care and nurture of Thy flock; and we pray that, following his example and the teaching of his holy life, we may by Thy grace grow into the stature of the fullness of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
The Catholic Encyclopedia on the Cure of Ars.
Excerpts from his sermons.
TAN's selections on the Cure.
Father Rutler has a book out about him.
Twenty-one years ago, Pope John Paul II wrote on St. Jean Vianney to all priests in his Maundy Thursday letter.
His feast in the ordinary mode of the Latin Rite was August 4th.
Labels: Restorationists
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Summorum Pontificum Is One Month Old Today
Another Catholic Blogger From Massachusetts
So you thought it was just Dom, Mark, RC, Drew, Mary, Pew Lady, and me, eh?
Allow me to introduce A Quiet Catholic.
Allow me to introduce A Quiet Catholic.
Novena To the Immaculate Heart
August 7th is 9 days from the Assumption, so today is a good day to begin this novena:
Novena To the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Immaculate Heart of Mary, full of love for God and mankind,
and of compassion for sinners, I consecrate myself entirely to thee.
I entrust to thee the salvation of my soul. May my heart be ever
united with thine, so that I may hate sin, love God, and my
neighbor, and reach eternal life together with those whom I love.
Mediatrix of All Graces and Mother of Mercy, remember
the infinite treasure which thy Divine Son has merited by His
sufferings and which He has confided to thee for us, thy children.
Filled with confidence in thy motherly Heart, which I venerate
and love, I come to thee with my pressing needs.
Through the merits of thy loving Heart, and for the sake of
the Sacred Heart of Jesus, obtain for me the favor I ask:
[Mention your request.]
Dearest Mother, if what I ask for should not be according to
God's Will, pray that I may receive that which will be of greater
benefit to my soul. May I experience the kindness of thy
motherly Heart and the power of thine intercession with Jesus
during life and at the hour of my death.
Amen.
Novena To the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Immaculate Heart of Mary, full of love for God and mankind,
and of compassion for sinners, I consecrate myself entirely to thee.
I entrust to thee the salvation of my soul. May my heart be ever
united with thine, so that I may hate sin, love God, and my
neighbor, and reach eternal life together with those whom I love.
Mediatrix of All Graces and Mother of Mercy, remember
the infinite treasure which thy Divine Son has merited by His
sufferings and which He has confided to thee for us, thy children.
Filled with confidence in thy motherly Heart, which I venerate
and love, I come to thee with my pressing needs.
Through the merits of thy loving Heart, and for the sake of
the Sacred Heart of Jesus, obtain for me the favor I ask:
[Mention your request.]
Dearest Mother, if what I ask for should not be according to
God's Will, pray that I may receive that which will be of greater
benefit to my soul. May I experience the kindness of thy
motherly Heart and the power of thine intercession with Jesus
during life and at the hour of my death.
Amen.
Labels: Restorationists
I Don't Believe In Global Warming
But if things happen to be a little warmer, this is the likely cause:
Via Carpe Canum
Via Carpe Canum
Labels: Things That Make Me Laugh
TLM On-Line Tutorial
Monday, August 06, 2007
The Transfiguration
