The Kettlebell ...

... is in the mail.  I will break you, comrade!

Roma!

Just a quick update for you all:

Tom and I have been in Rome for about a week now, and have enjoyed the cooler weather and fewer crowds that wintertime has allotted us.  Accomodations are also much cheaper--we've gotten away with a double room with private bathroom for $65/night, right next to the railway station.  My thoughts have been running to the vast differences between the Holy Land and Rome, the de facto Christian capital, and it is consoling to be here in this place where everything has the mark of Christendom upon it.  It feels like somewhat of a panacea for the possible complexes one might inherit from spending two and a half months in Israel.

Anyhow, these are thoughts that I'd like to develop when I have more time.  For now, it's off to the Pantheon!  Check back soon for more in-depth reflections on what it's been like overseas, as well as thoughts on Pope Benedict's Truth and Tolerance (in which he grapples with the question of world religions).

Blessings!

The Flatlander Has a Mandate

Check it out! 

Pope Discovers Internet, Decrees That Priests Harness Its Coercive Powers

h't First Thoughts

In Pilgrimage news, we just got back from a phenomenal three-day excursion to Jordan.  We toured some of the most phenomenal archaeological ruins I've ever set foot on.  More soon!

On Pilgrimage

I suppose you've noticed things are a bit different on the blog here.  The changes are, in case you haven't guessed, meant to reflect my "pilgrim" status over the next three months.  I hope you'll be back to visit soon, as I'll be making regular journal entries along with some thoughtful and well-crafted photos meant to emphasize quality and not quantity.  Six other seminarians will also be posting journal entries and photos on the Official Seminary Journal, the link to which can be found above ("The Seminarian's Tale").  We're leaving on Wednesday, so good stuff will soon be forthcoming!

Ж

In the meanwhile, to tide you over until our first entry, I thought I'd share a little piece of artwork recently commissioned for a priest friend of ours. It's a bookplate, designed to be pasted into the inside front cover of a book, and identifies the owner in a distinctive way.  These were all the rage back in the day, but as we hold our books cheap these days, this sort of investment hasn't caught on.

 

However, the fellow in question is quite the learned man, and is an earnest lender of books.  What better gift than a bookplate?  So we thought, and indeed it turned out better than I'd hoped.  The very talented Matthew Alderman, a recent graduate of Notre Dame architecture, designed a custom drawing that we had printed using offset lithography (the same process used to print books).

The drawing is of Bishop Frederic Baraga, the first bishop of our friend's diocese.  He was known as the "snowshoe priest" during his years of working with the trappers and natives, slogging from village to village with a seemingly indefatigable fervor.  In his right hand, he holds a book entitled "Kije-Manito o Masinaigan," which if you knew Chippewa, you'd be able to translate as "The Holy Book of God," i.e. the Bible; you see, Baraga wrote the first grammar of the Chippewa language (which, interestingly enough, I was able to use to look up the Chippewa word for Bible... thanks GoogleBooks!).  The fleur-de-lis in the moon symbolizes the Mother of God, to whom Baraga had dedicated the very first church he christened in the territory, according to a vow he'd made years before.  The lily is also a common symbol of purity, and has been used in iconography for St. Aloysius Gonzaga, patron saint of youth as well as of the small Salvadoran village in which our friend served for three years before entering the seminary.  The national bird of El Salvador, the torogóz, is reclining at the foot of the left stave, and a small hare is poking its head up above the roof (the Salvadoran nickname for the man was "el conejo").

But the finest detail is hidden to the untutored eye.  This newly ordained priest had done a pilgrimage following in the footsteps of the saintly bishop, tracing a path from the first Mass offered in the mission to his tomb in the diocesan cathedral.  You'll notice in the snow behind Baraga are footprints leading to the treeline.  It might be hard to see, but there's a silhouette of a man standing in an opening in the trees, heading out to "follow in the footsteps" of the founding bishop of his diocese.  All in all, a rich symbolic icon of the man we know, and hopefully an encouragement to hold fast to his priestly calling and pursue excellence through the intercession of his shepherd's predecessor!

Abandoned Until Further Notice

Unfortunately, my laptop isn't functioning and there's only one computer here that I can use for the internet (which I'm using right now, and the keyboard isn't exactly cooperating). If things get up and running again, I'll be sure to catch up on the happenings, but until then, don't hold your breath.

I'm kind of enjoying being off the grid anyway.

No More TV

I'm serious this time.

Really.

Free Lecture!

Enthusiasts of the Norwegian author Sigrid Undset will enjoy a short lecture by Bernt Ivar Eidsvig, Bishop of Oslo, delivered at my alma mater in November of this past year. The download, a .zip file containing eight .mp3 files, can be found at the link below until the 28th of January. After that, you will need to contact me directly with your email address and I will re-post the file.

https://rcpt.yousendit.com/644573742/f6941a3ef8c86d5624549e2d6397577c

Please post your thoughts in the comments box below by clicking on the "__ comments" link. I hope to have a post up soon.

Restabilization Complete

I have some ideas about the humane treatment of animals and human dignity that might get posted within the next week or so. As things have settled down, retreats are over, school is starting up, the life of the mind will resume its regularly scheduled program.

Check back in a week or so, and peruse the review of St. Margaret Mary's autobiography in the meanwhile.

Perk Up Your Ears

Out in theaters now is the latest digital wunderfilm, WALL*E, and though I've heard some interesting criticism, this quote from an interview with the director earned my $8.50.

I'll try to get some thoughts on the film up this weekend. Looking forward to your comments.

After These Messages ...

Circumstances have conspired against my posting this last week and a half, which has frustrated me to no end as I have some thoughts cooking which are in desperate need of publication. Look for a post on faith, reason, science, and, yes, BENEDICT in the next couple of days. Be assured it will be droll and opaque to all but the most tenacious readers.

In the meanwhile, I highly encourage you to read Amy Welborn's thoughts on the upcoming papal visit and the media spinstorm that is brewing.