Harriet Beecher Stowe Clerihew

Harriet Beecher Stowe

dealt slavery a blow

with a powerful novel that "started a war,"

sadly few read it any more.

 

Pax et bonum

Franciscan pictures

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Cymbeline (Shakespeare)

In my quest to read all of Shakespeare's plays I can now add Cymbeline to my tally - the 9th of his plays that I've read this year (of my goal of 12), and the 23rd of his credited 38 plays.

Cymbeline is one of Shakespeare's late plays - and it is not one of his best. The plot is unrealistic - a fairy tale of sorts (wicked stepmother, potions, nobles in disguise), but flawed. None of the lines struck me as particularly memorable. It has a happy ending, with people repenting and family members reunited, so somewhat of a comedy. There are tragic elements - though it lacks a real great villain. The queen is evil, but repents and simply dies. Iachimo is a liar and plotter, but he too repents. And the son of the queen, Cloten, is wicked but an idiot. As for heroes, the king of the title is also a fool, and Posthumus, the husband of the princess, is a dupe and a hothead wo doesn't deserve his wife. The "best" character is Imogen - the princess - who stands out among the nobles as admirable. 

Despite it's flaws, it was worth reading. It's Shakespeare, after all, and it's certainly not the worst of his plays that I've read.

The tally so far: 

Cymbeline

Troilus and Cressida

Henry VIII

Henry IV Part II

Antony and Cleopatra

The Life and Death of King John

Twelfth Night

The Tragedy of Richard II

As You Like It

Richard III
The Taming of the Shrew
Romeo and Juliet
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
The Merchant of Venice
Henry IV Part I
Henry V
Julius Caesar
Hamlet
Othello
King Lear
Macbeth
The Winter’s Tale

The Tempest.    

The plays I have yet to read (in chronological order)

Henry VI Part I
Henry VI Part II
Henry VI Part III
The Comedy of Errors
Titus Andronicus
The Two Gentlemen of Verona
Love’s Labour’s Lost
As You Like It
The Merry Wives of Windsor
All’s Well That Ends Well
Measure for Measure
Coriolanus
Timon of Athens
Pericles
The Two Noble Kinsmen

I'll read at least three more before the year ends But for now, another mystery.

Pax et bonum

Descartes Clerihew

Rene Descartes,
philosopher most smart,
he was, he thought,
but now I think he’s not.

Pax et bonum

Recent Reads

In recent days I finished three books - A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller, August 9 by Father Emmanuel Charles McCarthy, and Dance Hall of the Dead by Tony Hillerman.

A Canticle for Leibowitz is actually a reread - though I haven't read it since high school many decades ago. The book is on a number of lists of recommended Catholic novels, and it is in keeping with the dystopian reading I've been doing over the last year.

The book was as good as I remembered it. The plot is believable, as are the characters. The themes are important ones: Preserving faith and knowledge, the human spirit, sin, dealing with pain and tragedy, and more. A well-crafted book. I highly recommend it. 

August 9 deals with war and violence and significant events/deaths on that date: The atomic bombing of Nagasaki (the most Catholic city in Japan), the death of Saint Edith Stein in Auschwitz, the execution of Blessed Franz Jagerstatter for refusing to serve in the Nazi army.

Father McCarthy argues that Catholics (and Christians) are called to nonviolence - criticizing the just war theory Christians have adopted - and points out the sad irony that the people who committed these acts of violence were all Christians, some of them Catholic, and that Catholic and Christian leaders often backed war.

This short book is a mix of interviews, excerpts from others' writings, short essays, and homilies. In the homilies in particular he repeats the same information, so that after a while their effectiveness are reduced. It probably would have been better to have read them individually over a period of time rather than in continuous reading over a couple of days.

The book is a challenging one due to the subject matter. It makes one think - which I applaud. Another book I'd recommend.

Dance Hall of the Dead is the first of the official Lieutenant Leaphorn/Navajo novels by Hillerman - the character was introduced as a secondary one in a previous novel. Including that earlier novel, there are 18 books in the series, and one of my goals is to read them all. (I'm about half way through.)

It was typical Hillerman - well-crafted, interesting characters. and a good dose of Navajo (and Zuni) culture and beliefs. And it doesn't have a "neat"happy ending - which, I suspect is true of a lot of real police work. In real life, even good people sometimes get killed, and justice doesn't always come just through the legal system.

For fans of mysteries and police procedurals, and those who are fascinated by Native American culture, this book and all of Hillerman's Navajo novels are must reads.

With these three books I'm now up to 62 for the year - well on my way to my overall of at least 80 books read this year.

Pax et bonum

Patton Smiles (Lanturne)

Patton Smiles

The 

distant

battles sounds

fill his heart with 

joy

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Biden's response to Americans stranded in Afghanistan

Pax et bonum

Another Saturne (New Colonist)

New Colonist

 

she

quickly

learned that here

the spiders have

wings

Pax et bonum

Lanturnes (Lanternes) and Saturnes

I've already tried my hand at cinquains - a form of poetry with Rochester roots. Adelaide Crapsey developed that form that, simply, consists of five lines, with two syllables in the first line, four in the second, six in the third, eight in the fourth, and two in the fifth.

A variation of the cinquain is the Lanturne (also spelled Lanterne). As Wikipedia defines it:

"... a cinquain form of poetry, in which the first line has one syllable and each subsequent line increases in length by one syllable, except for the final line that concludes the poem with one syllable. Its name derives from the lantern shape that appears when the poem is aligned to the center of the page.

Each line of the lanterne is able to stand on its own, and while the poem may or may not be given a title, the title of a lanterne sometimes functions as an integral part of the poem, working as a 'sixth' line. "

A science fiction variation being proposed is the Saturne - with science fiction or horror topics fitting in with the whole scifaiku movement. I read an essay by Lauren McBride about this form in the latest issue of Scifaiquest.

Curious, I decided to try my hand, and created:

Last words

a

vulture

hungrily

circles above

me

I might try more.

Pax et bonum

29th Anniversary

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New Scifaiku

even though he knew

what the downwind air contained

he took a deep breath

she believed it was

just her imagination

until the first bite

I should have known

this was not a normal date

when her tattoo moved

thought I was watching

a 50's sci-fi movie 

but it was the news

time travel mishap -

alternative history

no longer fiction

Pax et bonum

Scifaiku Published

Four of my scifaiku were published this August in the online and print editions of Scifaikuest.

Online - 

Snow on snow on snow –
spring on the new colony
still two years away

the calculations
off by a decimal point -

debris field explained

Print -

apocalypse comes -

our final embrace will last             

an eternity 

through the rubble

a three-legged dog carries 

a tibia

Pax et bonum

Saint Louis of Toulouse

Saint Louis of Toulouse

When he died at the age of 23, Louis was already a Franciscan, a bishop, and a saint!

Louis’s parents were Charles II of Naples and Sicily, and Mary, daughter of the King of Hungary. Louis was related to Saint Louis IX on his father’s side and to Elizabeth of Hungary on his mother’s side.

Louis showed early signs of attachment to prayer and to the corporal works of mercy. As a child he used to take food from the castle to feed the poor. When he was 14, Louis and two of his brothers were taken as hostages to the king of Aragon’s court as part of a political deal involving Louis’s father. At the court, Louis was tutored by Franciscan friars under whom he made great progress both in his studies and in the spiritual life. Like Saint Francis he developed a special love for those afflicted with leprosy.

While he was still a hostage, Louis decided to renounce his royal title and become a priest. When he was 20, he was allowed to leave the king of Aragon’s court. He renounced his title in favor of his brother Robert and was ordained the next year. Very shortly after, he was appointed bishop of Toulouse, but the pope agreed to Louis’s request to become a Franciscan first.

The Franciscan spirit pervaded Louis. “Jesus Christ is all my riches; he alone is sufficient for me,” Louis kept repeating. Even as a bishop he wore the Franciscan habit and sometimes begged. He assigned a friar to offer him correction—in public if necessary—and the friar did his job.

Louis’s service to the Diocese of Toulouse was richly blessed. In no time he was considered a saint. Louis set aside 75 percent of his income as bishop to feed the poor and maintain churches. Each day he fed 25 poor people at his table.

Louis was canonized in 1317 by Pope John XXII, one of his former teachers. His liturgical feast is celebrated on August 19.

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Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

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A Contrast In Communication: Pro-lifers vs Pro-choicers

On August 13, more than 100 pro-lifers gathered outside the site in Brighton, N.Y., where a new Planned Parenthood abortion center is to be built.

In addition to praying and listening to speakers, a number of the pro-lifers held signs along the road and waved to cars passing by. 

A number of people  in passing cars responded positively, honking, waving back, or giving a thumb's up.

Unfortunately, a few folks were less than positive.

These charming young ladies later returned, stopped their car, yelled and insulted, and one of them, um, raised her shirt.

Sadly, this kind of "digital" response.is common. I don't know why there is so much vulgarity - guilt, pain, anger, lack of manners? - but too often attempts by pro-lifers to reasonably discuss the issue are violently repulsed.

We continue to pray that hearts and minds will be opened, and where it is needed, healing will take place.

Pax et bonum

Opposing Planned Parenthood Expansion

August 13, more than 100 people protested the the construction of a Planned Parenthood abortion center in Brighton, N.Y.

The gathered pro-lifers prayed, witnessed, held signs, waved to passing cars, and listened to speakers.

Pax et bonum

The Quiet Light and Fahrenheit 451

I recently finished two more books: The Quiet Light by Louis de Wohl  and Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. Both were rereads - though, especiallin in the case of Fahrenheit, it's been a long time.

I reread The Quiet Light in preparation for my Chesterton groups reading of Chesterton's biography of St. Thomas Aquinas.

The book was typical of de Wohl's novelizations of saints' lives. He provides a sense of the times, vivid characters, action, a bit of romance. The focus is more on the other characters - especially Piers - than on St. Thomas, but given the nature of the book that's fine. The book does contain some good doses of St. Thomas's ideas - which was great for my purposes.

Overall, a good read.

Ditto for Fahrenheit - the latest of my dystopian reading given the times.

Though I remembered the basic story, it's been so long since I read it (and had seen the movie several times since) that I had forgotten some of the plot details. 

Well-crafted story and interesting characters. I was particularly impressed by Bradbury's writing.  He is a wonderful writer.

What's sad is that like so many of the other dystopian novels, I've read in the last year, too many of the predictions have come true. The watering down of culture, the dominance of television, the social isolation have all proven true. Bradbury did not know about the effects of computers and the internet - but they certainly fit in with his predictions.

Another good read.

Now on to another dystopian novel: A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter Miller.

Pax et bonum

Two Scifaiku Published

Published in the August 2021 online edition of Scifaikuest -

snow on snow on snow –

spring on the new colony

still two years away

- Lee Strong, OFS

the calculations

off by a decimal point -

debris field explained

- Lee Strong, OFS

Pax et bonum

Blessed Solanus Casey

Blessed Solanus Casey (my patron) - July 30 Feast Day

Barney Casey became one of Detroit’s best-known priests even though he was not allowed to preach formally or to hear confessions!

Barney came from a large family in Oak Grove, Wisconsin. At the age of 21, and after he had worked as a logger, a hospital orderly, a streetcar operator, and a prison guard, he entered St. Francis Seminary in Milwaukee—where he found the studies difficult. He left there, and in 1896, joined the Capuchins in Detroit, taking the name Solanus. His studies for the priesthood were again arduous.

On July 24, 1904, Solanus was ordained, but because his knowledge of theology was judged to be weak, he was not given permission to hear confessions or to preach. A Franciscan Capuchin who knew him well said this annoying restriction “brought forth in him a greatness and a holiness that might never have been realized in any other way.”

During his 14 years as porter and sacristan in Yonkers, New York, the people there recognized Solanus as a fine speaker. James Derum, his biographer writes, “For, though he was forbidden to deliver doctrinal sermons, he could give inspirational talks, or feverinos, as the Capuchins termed them.” His spiritual fire deeply impressed his listeners.

Father Solanus served at parishes in Manhattan and Harlem before returning to Detroit, where he was porter and sacristan for 20 years at St. Bonaventure Monastery. Every Wednesday afternoon he conducted well-attended services for the sick. A co-worker estimates that on the average day 150 to 200 people came to see Father Solanus in the front office. Most of them came to receive his blessing; 40 to 50 came for consultation. Many people considered him instrumental in cures and other blessings they received.

Father Solanus’ sense of God’s providence inspired many of his visitors. “Blessed be God in all his designs” was one of his favorite expressions.

The many friends of Father Solanus helped the Capuchins begin a soup kitchen during the Depression. Capuchins are still feeding the hungry there today.

In failing health, Solanus was transferred to the Capuchin novitiate in Huntington, Indiana, in 1946,  where he lived for ten years until needing to be hospitalized in Detroit. Father Solanus died on July 31, 1957. An estimated 20,000 people passed by his coffin before his burial in St. Bonaventure Church in Detroit.

At the funeral Mass, the provincial Father Gerald said: “His was a life of service and love for people like me and you. When he was not himself sick, he nevertheless suffered with and for you that were sick. When he was not physically hungry, he hungered with people like you. He had a divine love for people. He loved people for what he could do for them—and for God, through them.”

In 1960, a Father Solanus Guild was formed in Detroit to aid Capuchin seminarians. By 1967, the guild had 5,000 members—many of them grateful recipients of his practical advice and his comforting assurance that God would not abandon them in their trials. Solanus Casey was declared Venerable in 1995, and beatified on November 18, 2017.

- from Franciscan Media

Pax et bonum

Saint John Vianney (Secular Franciscan)

Saint John Vianney - August 4 Feast Day

A man with vision overcomes obstacles and performs deeds that seem impossible. John Vianney was a man with vision: He wanted to become a priest. But he had to overcome his meager formal schooling, which inadequately prepared him for seminary studies.

His failure to comprehend Latin lectures forced him to discontinue. But his vision of being a priest urged him to seek private tutoring. After a lengthy battle with the books, John was ordained.

Situations calling for “impossible” deeds followed him everywhere. As pastor of the parish at Ars, John encountered people who were indifferent and quite comfortable with their style of living. His vision led him through severe fasts and short nights of sleep.

With Catherine Lassagne and Benedicta Lardet, he established La Providence, a home for girls. Only a man of vision could have such trust that God would provide for the spiritual and material needs of all those who came to make La Providence their home.

His work as a confessor is John Vianney’s most remarkable accomplishment. In the winter months he was to spend 11 to 12 hours daily reconciling people with God. In the summer months this time was increased to 16 hours. Unless a man was dedicated to his vision of a priestly vocation, he could not have endured this giving of self day after day.

Many people look forward to retirement and taking it easy, doing the things they always wanted to do but never had the time. But John Vianney had no thoughts of retirement. As his fame spread, more hours were consumed in serving God’s people. Even the few hours he would allow himself for sleep were disturbed frequently by the devil.

Who, but a man with vision, could keep going with ever-increasing strength? In 1929, Pope Pius XI named him the patron of parish priests worldwide.

- From Franciscan Media

Pax et bonum