After what seems to have been endless days of chill and rain, (bless the Lord!) it is a gloriously clear day, in Rome. The air is fresh and sweet. The weather is smiling. Not a breeze blowing and as the mists burn off, the sky is sapphire-blue. Just lovely. Tu Es Petrus! Here is a “libretto” (with English translations) to follow along. It’s a BIG pdf! For the Vatican’s useful guide to how the day will break down, go here.... Read more
Details are emerging of what to expect at tomorrow’s papal installation. I don’t have a link, yet, but here is what I’m seeing on Twitter, via Commonweal’s Grant Gallicho: 1) Rather than readings specific to a papal installation, the readings for the Solemnity of St. Joseph (which is tomorrow) will be used. That would be 2 Samuel 7:4-5a,12-14a,16, (the prophecy of Christ from the royal house of David) then Romans 4:13,16-18,22 (“Fatherhood of Abraham and righteousness of faith over law”)... Read more
The English writer and mystic Caryll Houselander is one of those people whose work I keep meaning to read, because every time I am exposed to even a little of her thinking, I’m intrigued and want more — she always puts me a bit in mind of Heather King. At the Philanthropy Daily blog, Scott Walter serves up a dose of Houselander that packs a relevant wallop: Pope Francis’ election reminded me of a passage in Houselander’s letters. She’s writing... Read more
So, really, what is your feeling about lace peeking out from under the chausible? Are you in mid-meltdown because noble vestments meant to showcase the Kingship and glory of Christ may take a backseat in Pope Francis’ bus while the plainer stuff, equally valid for liturgy but emphasizing Christ’s humanity, gets used? Scripture tells us “to everything there is a season”. In a very complicated age, when the church has an awful lot of housecleaning to do, perhaps it is... Read more
Sadly, my phone is not letting me have the picture I took today, for this piece, but honestly, I didn’t get any really good shots, anyway. I am a bad photographer, and too short to get much more than pictures of taller people getting better shots. Such is life. This pic above is from 2011. So, my recovery continues apace, and this morning I was able to be part of Pope Francis’ audience with the press. Unfortunately, his Italian was... Read more
Well, I’ve been quiet through some exciting time, and I apologize for that. I was supposed to be writing to you from St. Peter’s Square when the white smoke billowed and the new pope emerged, but instead I appear to have brought something dysenteric with me from NY; since landing in Rome, have been unable to do more than cling to the bathroom floor begging for death or healing and offering up my ordeal for the conclave and now our... Read more
So, basically, I realized something about myself over the last few days, and over at First Things I’m just putting it out there, because, why not? I yam what I yam: Up to now I have done a very poor job of dealing with it, largely because until that moment of clarity, I had not recognized the disorder. Like most same-sex attracted persons, I had thought of my battles and defeats in terms of weakness, shame; discipline, programming, and willpower;... Read more
I begin to think that yesterday’s Gospel reading — wherein Luke relates Jesus’ telling of the parable of the Prodigal son — is my very favorite parable of in scripture. Every time we read it I take away something wholly new. Yesterday, it was this: While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. Obviously, I’ve read the parable many times, and yet yesterday, it seemed like the Holy Spirit... Read more
Don’t miss this virtual conclave — it’s really good! Meanwhile: “What secret process? We’re talking electoral blocs! It’s a little too much like reading the pony pages! John Allen sees three ways to 77 votes! What can a pope change? More and less than you think. No clear favorite, but a lot of excitement about Dolan. My own gut says once they’re locked in, all bets are off, and we’ll be surprised at who emerges onto the balcony. Speaking of... Read more
When my husband and I had a chance to attend a First Profession at the Monastery of Our Lady of the Rosary, in Summit, we saw that the professing nun, Sister Mary Magdalene was radiant with joy, but one impression that remained with me for a long time after was her small but constant smile of delight. Image mine – ES To me it seemed eloquent of the intimacy of this moment of espousal to Christ. The declaration of vows... Read more
The Anchoress
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In