"A Bloody Habit" by Eleanor Bourg Nicholson

I just read the second of the books I got based on recommendations and ads in Catholic publications: A Bloody Habit by Eleanor Bourg Nicholson.

The book starts out strong. Interesting characters, and an intriguing premise, and a nice twist on the classic English vampire tale. Heck, Bram Stoker even shows up briefly! The main character was a bit full of himself, but certainly held my attention. But as I kept reading I did find, though, that despite the fact that the main character is a man I began to suspect the author was a woman - yeah, I really hadn't paid attention until that point. 

The ending chapters lost some of the "depth" of the earlier chapters. They became more action-oriented,  and as the pace picked up the book became less intriguing - though still enjoyable.

Overall, a good read.

It is a horror novel, however. Though it has a decidedly Catholic twist, and it's not graphic, it may not be to everyone's taste.

For me, definitely a better book than This Thing of Darkness by K. V. Turley and Fiorella De Maria, the first of the suggested books I read. Now on to the third of the suggested books, Toward the Gleam by T. M. Doran.  

Pax et bonum

Saint Francesco Antonio Fasani

Born in Lucera, Francesco entered the Conventual Franciscans in 1695. After his ordination 10 years later, he taught philosophy to younger friars, served as guardian of his friary, and later became provincial minister. When his term of office ended, Francesco became master of novices and finally pastor in his hometown.

In his various ministries, he was loving, devout, and penitential. He was a sought-after confessor and preacher. One witness at the canonical hearings regarding Francesco’s holiness testified, “In his preaching he spoke in a familiar way, filled as he was with the love of God and neighbor; fired by the Spirit, he made use of the word and deed of holy Scripture, stirring his listeners and moving them to do penance.” Francesco showed himself a loyal friend of the poor, never hesitating to seek from benefactors what was needed.

At his death in Lucera, children ran through the streets crying out, “The saint is dead! The saint is dead!” Francesco was canonized in 1986.

- From Franciscan Media

Pax et bonum

Saint James of the Marche

Meet one of the fathers of the modern pawnshop!

James was born in the Marche of Ancona, in central Italy along the Adriatic Sea. After earning doctorates in canon and civil law at the University of Perugia, he joined the Friars Minor and began a very austere life. He fasted nine months of the year; he slept three hours a night. Saint Bernardine of Siena told him to moderate his penances.

James studied theology with Saint John of Capistrano. Ordained in 1420, James began a preaching career that took him all over Italy and through 13 Central and Eastern European countries. This extremely popular preacher converted many people–250,000 at one estimate–and helped spread devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus. His sermons prompted numerous Catholics to reform their lives, and many men joined the Franciscans under his influence.

With John of Capistrano, Albert of Sarteano, and Bernardine of Siena, James is considered one of the “four pillars” of the Observant movement among the Franciscans. These friars became known especially for their preaching.

To combat extremely high interest rates, James established montes pietatis—literally, mountains of charity—nonprofit credit organizations that lent money on pawned objects at very low rates.

Not everyone was happy with the work James did. Twice assassins lost their nerve when they came face to face with him. James died in 1476, and was canonized in 1726.

- From Franciscan Media

Pax et bonum

This Thing of Darkness (Turley and De Maria)

After the heavy load of reading Dostoyevsky's great The Brothers Karamazov, I decided to go for "lighter" fare.  I had seen This Thing of Darkness by K. V. Turley and Fiorella De Maria promoted in some Catholic publications, and was intrigued by the fact that it involved Bela Lugosi, so I decided to give it a try.

First, let me say that after Karamazov, any non-classic would suffer in comparison!

With some reservations, I enjoyed the book, and in particular all Lugosi aspects. I was somewhat familiar with his life and career, the horror genre, and German horror films, so the historical references worked for me. Murnau. Nosferatu. Chaney. Karloff. White Zombie. Whale. Browning. All familiar territory.

The writers clearly did some research. I wonder if as part of their research they viewed Shadow of the Vampire? They touch on a few of the ideas in that movie, but that may have been unintentional. 

The basic premise of the novel was interesting, and the underlying examination of evil, film, and culture, and the importance of faith, all rang true.

The reservations arise over some of the details about the main non-Lugosi characters. Something about them just did not click, and some of the incidents involving them seemed questionable. I found one of the plot details at the end totally predictable. At times the writing seemed hard to follow and a little choppy - as if the two authors wrote sections each and the sections did not fully come together (I don't know if this last observations is true, but that's the impression I got). I also had the advantage of being familiar with some of the biographical and historical elements, but wonder if other readers would find them confusing - the business of the horror classic Nosferatu, for example: How many modern readers have seen it? Finally, some of the details at the end seemed a little rushed - an exorcist conveniently appears and seems to understand everything, for example. It was as if the authors needed just to get it done. Consequently, I think some things were left unresolved.

Bottom line, the book fit my need for lighter fare (even if dealing with some heavy elements of evil). The writing is better than a lot of what's offered in contemporary fiction. It certainly was worth reading.

Pax et bonum

Why Dostoyevsky?

I recently finished rereading The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. 

Dostoyevsky has long been one of my favorite writers, which, given the personality I project, may seem odd.

His characters tend to be over sensitive, talkative, extremely passionate and demonstrative, and sometimes violent.

I tend to seem quiet, reserved, undemonstrative, and unemotional.

But really, inside I am a Dostoyevsky character. Occasionally, it has come through in uncomfortable ways; I have been violent with things, and, to my shame, twice against people.

So I consciously try to keep the passion in check.

Even still, it comes through. I am subject to bouts of depression. I have made sudden decisions that surprise people. I dropped out of college, dealing with depression and the loss of a someone with whom I was hopelessly in love. I left the seminary over the same woman. I suddenly took a job in a distant city, showing up there even though I knew no one there and had no place to live. I have suddenly quit jobs or cut off friends and other people. I have occasionally spouted things that have gotten me in trouble.

And even when I have kept the passion in check, I tend to let things fester. I linger over perceived slights. I take offense easily. 

Not very healthy, I know. But keeping it in check cuts down on the chance of my hurting others, things, or even myself.

However, as I look back, I see how it has affected my career and my relationships in negative ways.

So as I read Dostoyevsky, I often see myself in his characters. 

That's scary!

Pax et bonum

Christmas Card Poem In The Works

Started work on a possible Christmas poem for this year, sorted through the Christmas cards I already have (odd ones left over from previous sets), and compiled a preliminary list of people to whom to send cards. 

The poem will be two or three verses long, I think. It focuses on the shepherds in contrast with the wise me.

On that star-bright night

the wise men trudged along

while shepherds in the fields

heard the angel's song ...

Something like that to start. 

I just have to finish that poem, then I can start sending out the cards.

Pax et bonum

Saint Agnes of Assisi

Born Caterina Offreducia, Agnes was the younger sister of Saint Clare, and her first follower. When Caterina left home two weeks after Clare’s departure, their family attempted to bring her back by force. They tried to drag her out of the monastery, but her body suddenly became so heavy that several knights could not budge it. Her uncle Monaldo tried to strike her but was temporarily paralyzed. The knights then left Caterina and Clare in peace. Saint Francis himself gave Clare’s sister the name Agnes, because she was gentle like a young lamb.

Agnes matched her sister in devotion to prayer and in willingness to endure the strict penances that characterized the Poor Ladies’ lives at San Damiano. In 1221, a group of Benedictine nuns in Monticelli near Florence asked to become Poor Ladies. Saint Clare sent Agnes to become abbess of that monastery. Agnes soon wrote a rather sad letter about how much she missed Clare and the other nuns at San Damiano. After establishing other monasteries of Poor Ladies in northern Italy, Agnes was recalled to San Damiano in 1253, as Clare lay dying.

Three months later Agnes followed Clare in death, and was canonized in 1753.

- From Franciscan Media 

Pax et bonum

Candace Cameron Bure's 'Traditional Marriage' Backlash Response -

Candace Cameron Bure's 'Traditional Marriage' Comments Spark Backlash - Here's Her Beautiful Response -: Actress and producer Candace Cameron Bure responded after she received harsh criticism from those who support homosexual marriage.

The Brothers Karamazov

I've spent the last month rereading The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky.

At 877 sometimes dense pages it's not surprising it took me a month to get through it. And, of course, I have been reading other works and doing other things - including beginning to volunteer at a hospice.  

I first read this book about 40 years ago, and, to be honest, had forgotten most of it. 

The book is considered one of the great works of Western literature. I agree, but also recognize it's not to everyone's taste. The long monologues and the difficult issues make it tough reading. 

It did inspire a clerihew (of course):

Fyodor Dostoevsky

was plagued by vices that proved pesky .

To pay his bills he took a successful gamble

creating characters who were prone to verbally ramble..

 

I'm currently reading The Imitation of Christ in small chunks. But as for fiction, lighter reading for a while. I'm starting off with a novel about Bela Lugosi, This Thing of Darkness by K.V. Turley and Fiorella De Maria. 

Pax et bonum

Saint Elizabeth of Hungary - Secular Franciscan

In her short life, Elizabeth manifested such great love for the poor and suffering that she has become the patroness of Catholic charities and of the Secular Franciscan Order. The daughter of the King of Hungary, Elizabeth chose a life of penance and asceticism when a life of leisure and luxury could easily have been hers. This choice endeared her in the hearts of the common people throughout Europe.

At the age of 14, Elizabeth was married to Louis of Thuringia, whom she deeply loved. She bore three children. Under the spiritual direction of a Franciscan friar, she led a life of prayer, sacrifice, and service to the poor and sick. Seeking to become one with the poor, she wore simple clothing. Daily she would take bread to hundreds of the poorest in the land who came to her gate.

After six years of marriage, her husband died in the Crusades, and Elizabeth was grief-stricken. Her husband’s family looked upon her as squandering the royal purse, and mistreated her, finally throwing her out of the palace. The return of her husband’s allies from the Crusades resulted in her being reinstated, since her son was legal heir to the throne.

In 1228, Elizabeth joined the Secular Franciscan Order, spending the remaining few years of her life caring for the poor in a hospital which she founded in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi. Elizabeth’s health declined, and she died before her 24th birthday in 1231. Her great popularity resulted in her canonization four years later.

- From Franciscan Media

Pax et bonum

King Charles III (Clerihew)

The Brits now have their third Chuck,

and so I wish them lots of luck.

He finally achieved one of his two main goals,

the other, of course, being Mrs. Parker Bowles.

Pax et bonum

The recent elections

I've always been a bit of a political junkie. I was even once a member of a political party's city committee, and was later asked to run for office. And as a reporter I covered politics. When I worked for the diocesan newspaper I once covered an election in which a deacon was running for a nomination - this was before the Vatican said the ordained cannot run for or hold political office. During a forum, the deacon declared that he believed in a woman's right to choose. I confronted him after the forum and asked how he, a deacon, an official representative of the Church, could publicly take a position in opposition to Church teachings. He said that he personally supported the Church teachings, but in a secular, pluralistic society he could not impose his faith on others. We ran the story, including his comments. According to unofficial reports we received, he was called into the bishop's office. Whatever the case, he did withdraw from the race shortly after the story appeared!

Anyway, in recent times my involvement has been through commentary on social media - sometimes satirical and sarcastic in nature. We did have lawn signs this year, for the first time since 2008, and I actually donated to the campaigns of two candidates.

Our nation has been heading in a disastrous direction, and I had hoped this past week the election would help stop the downward moral slide. One major party has clearly and openly embraced immorality, while the other major party, while being wishy-washy in its own positions, at least paid lip service to opposing some of the immorality.

The wishy-washy party was afraid to clearly articulate its position or the extremism of the other party. 

Alas, the voters chose the immoral party. And the two candidates I supported lost.

I viewed this election as a turning point - and I believe our nation chose the wrong direction. I have little hope that we can turn things around now, barring Divine intervention.

As such, I have given up on politics. From now on, I'll only comment on moral issues.

Pax et bonum

Saint Didacus

Didacus is living proof that God “chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.”


As a young man in Spain, Didacus joined the Secular Franciscan Order and lived for some time as a hermit. After Didacus became a Franciscan brother, he developed a reputation for great insight into God’s ways. His penances were heroic. He was so generous with the poor that the friars sometimes grew uneasy about his charity.

Didacus volunteered for the missions in the Canary Islands and labored there energetically and profitably. He was also the superior of a friary there.

In 1450, he was sent to Rome to attend the canonization of Saint Bernardine of Siena. When many of the friars gathered for that celebration fell ill, Didacus stayed in Rome for three months to nurse them. After he returned to Spain, he pursued a life of contemplation full-time. He showed the friars the wisdom of God’s ways.

As he was dying, Didacus looked at a crucifix and said: “O faithful wood, O precious nails! You have borne an exceedingly sweet burden, for you have been judged worthy to bear the Lord and King of heaven” (Marion A. Habig, OFM, The Franciscan Book of Saints, p. 834).

San Diego, California, is named for this Franciscan, who was canonized in 1588.

- From Franciscan Media

Pax et bonum

To Life!

Got a call the other day from the hospice where I signed up to volunteer. It had closed down due to covid, and just reopened.

My first shift will be Tuesday.

I became interested in volunteering due to the death last year of my brother-in-law in a hospice. They gave him such great care. Death came with love and dignity. 

This particular hospice at which I will be volunteering is one I have supported financially for years. My Fraternity used to meet in the same building, so while we were praying downstairs, people were going home upstairs.

This is one more way for me to proclaim my support for life from conception to natural death. I pray outside Planned Parenthood and support pregnancy centers and homes for pregnant women, so I'm there at the beginning of life. I also support health clinics, shelters, food pantries, etc., so I'm there in the middle of life. 

Now I will be there at the end.

Pax et bonum

Smudges of Three

for on

I of

I any

who 4 the 

Hell's kicking the 

shoving panel 

life of 

if type hit

like

man truck around 

pure I

don't I'm 

there of in

the shooting 

sky gasoline 

I blasted 

the you in

you a a out

and of

(I followed though on my All Star suggestion of creating a dada poem. Might be more to come!) 

Pax et bonum

Saint Nicholas Tavelic and Companions

Nicholas and his three companions are among the 158 Franciscans who have been martyred in the Holy Land since the friars became custodians of the shrines in 1335.

Nicholas was born in 1340 to a wealthy and noble family in Croatia. He joined the Franciscans, and was sent with Deodat of Rodez to preach in Bosnia. In 1384, they volunteered for the Holy Land missions and were sent there. They looked after the holy places, cared for the Christian pilgrims, and studied Arabic.

In 1391, Nicholas, Deodat, Peter of Narbonne, and Stephen of Cuneo decided to take a direct approach to converting the Muslims. On November 11, they went to the huge Mosque of Omar in Jerusalem and asked to see the Qadix—Muslim official. Reading from a prepared statement, they said that all people must accept the gospel of Jesus. When they were ordered to retract their statement, they refused. After beatings and imprisonment, they were beheaded before a large crowd.

Nicholas and his companions were canonized in 1970. They are the only Franciscans martyred in the Holy Land to be canonized. Their liturgical feast is celebrated on November 14.

Pax et bonum

All Stars (I guess) - My Sort-Of Beat Roots

While cleaning out some boxes of books in the garage I came across a copy of All Stars, a collection of poems edited by Tom Clark. I got the 1972 book when I was a Freshman in college taking a poetry course taught by Anselm Hollo, a Finnish poet who have moved to the U.S. and who was influenced by the Beat Poets. The course was definitely eye-opening for this young Catholic-school product and budding poet. In conjunction with the course, for example, he arranged for Tuli Kupferberg (of the satirical rock band The Fugs) to talk to the class and give a reading. The Fugs did some interesting protest songs like "Kill for Peace," "War Song," and "CIA Man."  (Caution: They were prone to really foul language and sexual content!)

Strange times.

The collection was of new work by some 13 poets, one of whom was Ed Sanders, who created The Fugs with Kupferberg. The other poets were Michael McClure, Clark Coolidge, Dick Gallup, Aram Saroyan. Ed Dorn, Alice Notley, Ted Brrigan, Ron Padgett, Philip Whalen, Tom Clark, James Schuyler, and Robert Creeley. There are some prominent name in that list.

I flipped through the book and found some notes I'd scribbled all those years ago. I also read some of the poems.

Umm. Definitely poetry of that time period, with obvious Beat Poet influences. I think some drugs were also involved in the writing!

Poem 

Rod Padgett

Please be happy

My arms are happy arms

My legs are happy legs

With them I walk every day

To town to get the newspaper

.... okay Rod .... and that one was a collaboration with four other people!

and one of Philip Whalen's contributions was called "LEAVING THE CAPITAL"

Morosely resentfully hysterically packing. 

Neighbor's wite dog reminds me of decapitation. Why.

Secret recollection of Grimm's tales illustrated by

Gustave Dore:  "Falada"

There's plenty more in the book. There's even a "poem" of mine that they inspired and that I wrote on one page:

Dirt

When I was young

I used to make mud pies.

               I still do.

That's in the Ted Berrigan section. I don't know if reading him played a role in my scribbling that classic, or if the page just had a lot of blank space.

In reading the poems in the book now I can honestly say I'm not impressed. Yes, some of the poets in the collection are still well-known in poetic and academic circles. And when I look online, editions of the book in good condition go for $50-$80. So maybe it's just that these particular poems are just not to my taste now.

I will say that at the time the course did influence me as a beginning poet. And I always liked Hollo - I still remember him chuckling as the read and lectured with that wonderful Finnish accent. He helped to bring the works to life.

One of my poetic efforts from that time that showed the influence was one called "P.P.S."

P.P.S.
(for Dave Nittler)

Bruce is holding out a box. A box.
Is that sexually oriented?
On a farm in the middle of the desert. A rat walks by and spits on
the crocus. He smiles.
Water crashes over, around, in and about the weathered sand.
Motion.
And Ahab and Arab Sinbad eat the corn and the horse. Marty wants to
smoke the camel, but Sinbad says, ``No, it is not meant for man to be so
intoxicated.''
Not understanding (as I drink soda), we left for the caravan. It was
buried in the sand, so we cried and lied about lives we'd never lived.
Oh, and don't forget about the boat on the Nile.
Sadly, Ahab set his sights beyond the sea where his true love sat
with the dog and told him how handsome he was. The merry merchants of
Seville sold him a pipe and a bible to die by.
Man was not meant to see.
As the palms swayed, Moses saw the word and lost his eyes. Alone, he
would have cried, but God smiled and told him to die happy.
His joy, oh, such joy,
In the inn, Jesus and Mary talked as the apostles lay nearby. As he
cried softly, she touched His head.  "Do you really know what love is?''
Jesus asked. She smiled yes.
Let the newborn son speak of the silence in his heart as they stone
him in the garden and lie about the cross. Another fairy tale to tell the
sucking babes?
On Orion they call it love. But on Earth, they patented death and
sold it to the highest gun. Mars is in Omaha and calls himself Il Duce,
not knowing or understanding himself in the least.
Writing love poems in lines of infamy. Playing guitar in a rock `n'
roll band, in the park, in the summer, in freedom, in natural high. And
singing about all those days gone by; synthesized dreams and nightmares
on the moon. Popeye was on the moon and ate it. Olive smiled.
Black Masses, holy whitehood in the church, laughter in the halls of
the basement. Devil love and three odd men in Nixon's clothes. Satanic
majesties, get them while they're hot.
Diamonds in the rough, carpetbaggers in wardens' disguises, buying
them wholesale as they sleep.
Karma in the middle of the field. Hellfire in the mud. But it is
white? Is God black? Was Jesus brown? Or are we fools. There was an
answer hidden under a rock on the moon. Neil picked it up and crushed the
word with golf balls.
The fall.
Andromeda's edge.
A rocket ship floats beyond the wreckage that once was her sister.
A proud ship. The Executor.
A war is flash and burn in brilliant second bursts. God has a sense
of humor, so He cries. And it floods the heavens. Thus came birth. A
star, messenger, love, dirt, war, and shattered confusion.
And man was born in a teardrop.
He grew into an animal. The law once said, "Marry in, kill out.''
Now, "Marry in, kill in.'' No war but fratricide.
That is our end.

 

Okay ... In subsequent years I got better as poet. I think.

I hope!

The second-hand Beat influence seems to be there. I had not yet discovered dada poetry and art, to which I'm more inclined these days, and I see now dada may have been an influence on the poets in the book. And to be honest, I later changed one part of "P.P.S." because I grew uncomfortable with some wording that I now find offensive. - so this version is not completely as I first wrote it.

As for the title, the poem, which was written in October of 1973, was really added to a letter to my friend David Nittler, whom I had known since grade school and who, sadly, is now deceased. Hence "Post Post Script."

Not sure what to do with the book. It's not in great condition, so I don't feel comfortable donating it.

But I have no desire to keep it. And it's too worn and frayed to sell.

Recycling? Adding it to the burn pile? Put it back in the garage to let the mice finish it off?

Or cut it up into words and phrases, shake the cuttings up in a bag, pull them out one by one, and make a couple of dada poems?

And then, perhaps, to paraphrase the end of Ed Sanders's contribution - 

I'll crawl.

I'll grovel.

I'll conquer.

Pax et bonum

Forever - Rock of Faith cover

Hungry - Rock of Faith cover

This is the Stuff - Rock of Faith cover

Proclaim to the nations

Rock of faith God of Wonders 2016

Edgar Allen Moe

Pax et bonum

Proclaim to the nations