Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the Memorial of Saint Leo the Great, Pope & Doctor of the Church (circa 400-461), forty-fifth Bishop of Rome: Doctor-link ūnus, Doctor-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

He was a pope & doctor, whose pontificate the Council of Chalcedon (451) defined that Christ is one divine person with two natures, divine & human. He vigorously defended the unity of the Church.

I attended Mass at Holy Family on Monday (no Mass is celebrated at Holy Redeemer on Monday), but there were no parish bulletins to be had.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Grellan, Missionary (fifth century): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Our sources are unclear on whether St. Grellan was a priest or a bishop, but both seem likely.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Baudolino, Hermit (circa 700-740): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Weekday
The Letter to Philemon, verses seven thru twenty;
Psalm One Hundred Forty-six, verses seven thru ten;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter seventeen, verses twenty thru twenty-five;

or, for St. Leo:
The Book of Sirach, chapter thirty-nine, verses six thru ten;
Psalm Thirty-seven, verse thirty(a);
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter sixteen, verses thirteen thru nineteen.

Individual Reading
The Book of Job, chapter six (verses one thru thirty);
The Book of Job, chapter seven (verses one thru twenty-one);
The Book of Job, chapter eight (verses one thru twenty-two);
The Book of Daniel, chapter two, verses thirty-one thru forty-nine;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter seventeen, verses twenty-six thru thirty-seven.

Commentary: Job's First Reply (Job, 6 & 7, inclusive) & Bildad's First Speech (8, inclusive), the King's Dream (Daniel, 2:31-49), & the Day of the Son of Man (Luke, 17:26-37).

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Edmund Fitzgerald

Gordon Lightfoot, "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" via iTunes (from Summertime Dream) (The Last Angry Man)

Operation AXIOM
Forty-one years ago to the day, 10 November 1975, the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald sank in Lake Superior, claiming twenty-nine souls. The Fitz was the largest "lake boat" ever constructed when launched in 1958 & set several seasonal haul records in her career. Songwriter Gordon Lightfoot says he was inspired to write & record "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" when an issue of Newsweek misspelt the ship's name as "Edmond Fitzgerald," dishonoring the memory of those who died. Twenty-nine men perished when the freighter S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald sank on 10 November 1975, forty-one years today.

The Wayback Machine Tour of the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald
Edmund Fitzgerald '10 | Edmund Fitzgerald '11 | Edmund Fitzgerald '14 | Edmund Fitzgerald '15

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica: Archbasilica-link ūnus, Archbasilica-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

The Lateran Basilica in Rome is the oldest & highest ranking of the four major basilicas in Rome. The Basilica of St. John Lateran is the cathedral of the diocese of Rome, the official ecclesiastical seat of the Holy Father, the Bishop of Rome, not St. Peter's Basilica.

Quoth Franciscan Media:

Unlike the commemorations of other Roman churches, this anniversary is a feast. The dedication of a church is a feast for all its parishioners. In a sense, St. John Lateran is the parish church of all Catholics, because it is the pope’s cathedral. This church is the spiritual home of the people who are the Church.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Ursinus of Bourges, Bishop (third century): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Benignus of Armagh, Bishop (died 467), nicknamed "St. Patrick's Psalm-singer:" Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the feast of Blessed George Napper, Priest & Martyr (1550-1610), martyred in the reign of the king James VI & I: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Book of Ezra, chapter forty-seven, verses one, two, eight, nine, & twelve;
Psalm Forty-six, verses two, three, five, six, eight, & nine;
The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter three, verses nine(c) thru eleven, sixteen, & seventeen;
The Gospel according to John, chapter two, verses thirteen thru twenty-two.

Individual Reading
The Book of Job, chapter three (verses one thru twenty-six);
The Book of Job, chapter four (verses one thru twenty-one);
The Book of Job, chapter five (verses one thru twenty-seven).

Commentary: Job's Plaint (3, inclusive) & Eliphaz's First Speech (4 & 5, inclusive).

The Rebel Black Dot Thunder Song of the Day

John Barry & Tom Jones, "Thunderball" via iTunes (from Thunderball: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (The Last Angry Spy)

Commentary: The lyrics of "Thunderball" are unbelievable, until one remembers the context—the swinging Nineteen Sixties, the Sexual Revolution, Tom Jones. Still, wow. Just—wow.

"He always runs while others walk.
He acts while other men just talk.
He looks at this world and wants it all,
So he strikes—like Thunderball!

"He knows the meaning of success.
His needs are more so he gives less.
They call him the winner who takes all
And he strikes—like Thunderball!

"Any woman he wants he'll get.
He will break any heart without regret.
His days of asking are all gone.
His fight goes on and on and on,
But he thinks that the fight is worth it all,
So he strikes—like Thunderball!"

"His needs are more so he gives less"? "His days of asking are all gone"? Yikes!

The Rebel Black Dot Thunder Song of the Day

AC/DC, "Thunderstruck" courtesy He Who Shall Not Be Named (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: "Thunder" & "thunderstruck" are more aurally pleasing than "lightning" & "lightning-struck." By the same token, lightning bolts are more visually pleasing than thunderclap. Thunder & lightning are the audible & visible results of the same phenomenon, so the conflation is neither inappropriate nor even all that incorrect.

Also, I have no idea what beef the graphic artist who designed the above image has against the apostrophe. Why the nonsensical "You ve" instead of "You've"? Who knows, maybe an apostrophe killed his father.

Liberty & Union

I could not in good conscience vote for Hillary Clinton. I could not in good conscience vote for Donald Trump. I considered writing in Bill Murray, but I couldn't do that to him, especially not when he's still basking in the glow of his beloved Cubs' first World Series crown in over a century. All that said, the thought of a President Murray does make me smile.

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the feast of Saint Godfrey of Amiens, Bishop, O.S.B. (circa 1066-1115): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the feast of Blessed John Duns Scotus, Priest, O.F.M. (circa 1266-1308), nicknamed the "Subtle Doctor:" Blessed-link ūnus, Blessed-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity, Religious, O.C.D. (1880-1906): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: St. Elizabeth was canonized way, way back on 16 October 2016.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Letter to Titus, chapter two, verses one thru eight & eleven thru fourteen;
Psalm Thirty-seven, verses three, four, eighteen, twenty-three, twenty-seven, & twenty-nine;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter seventeen, verses seven thru ten.

The Explorers' Club, № DXXII

Operation AXIOM: The World War
The Wipers Times; or, Salient News, a satirical trench newspaper written by British servicemen in the Ypres Salient, with the first issue published in February 1916 & the last in December 1918.

Lest we forget.

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the feast of Saint Ernest, Abbot & Martyr, O.S.B. (died 1148), martyred at Mecca during the Second Crusade: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Engelbert of Cologne, Bishop & Martyr (circa 1185-1225), martyred in the reign of the count, & St. Englebert's cousin, Frederick of Isenburg: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Letter to Titus, chapter one, verses one thru nine;
Psalm Twenty-four, verses one(b) thru four(b), five, & six;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter seventeen, verses one thru six.

The Rebel Black Dot Thunder Song of the Day

They Might Be Giants, "Thunderbird" from The Spine (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: Before Hallowe'en, I idly considered a loosely knit theme of songs with "Thunder" in the title, but the proximate cause of this week's theme was my conversations on Saturday with Red Patton, who teaches high school history. We discussed, as we are wont to due, the Carthaginian oligarch & general Hamilcar Barca. Red Patton had started referring to him, affectionately, as "Thunder Pig," pig for the Ham- in Hamilcar & the surname Barca meaning "thunder." I've since learned that Barca actually means "lightning," but "Lightning Pig" isn't as fun a nickname as Thunder Pig. Never let the truth stand in the way of a good story, I say.

"I know, I know I said that would quit,
Alright, I promise, no more after this,
You don't know how I tried
To forget what it was like,
I remember now, I remember now,
Why they called it Thunderbird,
Why they called it Thunderbird…

"We like fun, me and my girl,
We'll have fun, fun, fun until
T-bird takes her dad away.

"I know, I know I said that I'd desist,
Alright, I promise, no more after this,
Not to be what I was like,
Not to soar across the sky,
Spread my thunder wings and fly,
Spread my thunder wings and fly,
I remember now, I remember now
Why they called it Thunderbird,
Why they called it Thunderbird."

Project BLACK MAMBA: XXXII Sunday in Ordinary Time

'Tis the Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time: Wikipedia-link.

Otherwise, 6 November would be the feast of Saint Paul of Constantinople, Bishop & Martyr (died circa 350), martyred in the reign of the emperor Constanius II: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twould also be the feast of Saint Leonard of Noblac, Abbot (died circa 559): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the feast of Saint Barlaam of Novgorod, Hermit (died circa 1192, A.K.A. of Khutyn): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

Scripture of the Week
Mass Readings
The Second Book of Maccabees, chapter seven, verses one, two, & nine thru fourteen;
Psalm Seventeen, verses one, five, six, eight, & fifteen;
The Second Letter to the Thessalonians, chapter two, verse sixteen thru chapter three, verse five;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter twenty, verses twenty-seven thru thirty-eight
(or, the Gospel according to Luke, chapter twenty, verses thirty-four thru thirty-eight).

Individual Reading
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter sixteen, verses fourteen, fifteen, & sixteen;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-eight, verses sixteen thru twenty;
The Book of Isaiah, chapter sixty-six, verses eighteen thru twenty-four.

Commentary: Read at "Whole Family Catechesis" this morning, where I stood in for the Director of Religious Education, my pal Papa Sierra. I picked the ending of the first two gospels because they tied in with this morning subject, evangelization. The Holy Ghost led me to the ending of Isaiah.

The Commissioning of the Eleven (Mark, 16:14-16), the Commissioning of the Disciples (Matthew, 28:16-20), Gathering of the Nations (Isaiah, 66:18-21), & Lasting Punishment & Reward (66:22-24).

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Lord's Day

J. J. Heller, "Save Me" from Painted Red (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary:

"Living, am I really living,
Or am I just existing,
Hiding away?
Danger, the world is full of danger,
But if I never try to go outside
My heart will waste away.

"Come and save me!
You're the only source of all the peace I need,
Come and save me,
Come and save me…"

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the feast of Saint Magnus of Milan, Bishop (died circa 530): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

We also remember Venerable Solanus Casey, Priest, O.F.M. Cap. (1870-1957): Venerable-link ūnus, Venerable-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: When there is no major feast or memorial, Franciscan Media are kind of wild cards. There is no obvious reason to recognize Venerable Solanus Casey on 5 November, but neither am I aware of any reason not to do so; so, today I'll play along.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Letter to the Philippians, chapter four, verses ten thru nineteen;
Psalm One Hundred Twelve, verses one(b), two, five, six, eight(a), & nine;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter sixteen, verses nine thru fifteen.

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Day: Go Blue!

The University of Michigan Marching Band, "Little Brown Jug" from Hurrah for the Yellow and Blue (The Last Angry Wolverine)

Commentary: Today I'm attending my first Michigan football game in a decade & a half, thanks to tickets procured by Red Patton. Go Blue!

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo, Bishop (1538-1584), founder of the Ambrosians, formally the Oblates of St. Ambrose & St. Charles: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Oblates.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

With others, led the movement to combat the inroads of the Protestant Reformation. He was a leading figure during the Counter-Reformation & was responsible for significant reforms in the Catholic Church, including the founding of seminarians for the education of priests.

Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:

Charles Borromeo was born in northern Italy in 1538 to an established & wealthy family. Trained in civil & canon law in Pavia, he was called to Rome as a young man by his uncle, Pope Pius IV, to be secretary of state at the Vatican. He played an important role in convincing Pius to reconvene the Council of Trent, which sought to address corruption in a sixteenth-century church beleaguered by the Protestant Reformation. Under the auspices of that council, beginning in 1563 Borromeo supervised the writing of an accurate catechism, rewrote liturgical texts & music, & began enforcing clerical reform in Rome. Pope Pius IV named Borromeo archbishop of Milan, but kept him in Rome performing a multitude of official functions.

If I seemed overly harsh in describing yesterday's minor conflation of Ss. Martin de Porres & Peter Claver by Fr. Firestone during his homily, let me also add that I have a devil of a time keeping straight & separate the lives & times of Ss. Charles Borromeo & Robert Bellarmine (17 September), contemporaries & both bishops & Italians, though only the latter has been recognized as a Doctor of the Church.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Gregory of Burtscheid, Abbot, O.S.B. (circa 940-999, A.K.A. of Calabria): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Weekday
The Letter to the Philippians, chapter three, verse seventeen thru chapter four, verse one;
Psalm One Hundred Twenty-two, verses one thru five;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter sixteen, verses one thru eight;

or, for St. Charles:
The Letter to the Romans, chapter twelve, verses three thru thirteen;
Psalm Eighty-nine, verses two(a);
The Gospel according to John, chapter ten, verses eleven thru sixteen.

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Day

Fountains of Wayne, "I-95" from Traffic and Weather (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: To me, on this day, "I-95" is more allegorical than literal, about bearing with this life, the often-tedious slog through this mundane world, 'til the blessed day we see God Almighty face to face.

"It's a nine-hour drive
From me to you south on I-95
And I'll do it 'til the day that I die,
If I need to just to see you,
Just to see you…"

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint Martin de Porres, Religious, O.P. (1579-1639): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

He was noted for work on behalf of the poor, establishing an orphanage & a children's hospital/ He maintained an austere lifestyle, which including fasting & abstaining from meat. Among the many miracles attributed to him were those of levitation, bilocation, miraculous knowledge, instantaneous cures, & an ability to communicate with animals.

Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:

Martin de Porres was born in Lima, Peru, in 1579 to parents of mixed race. Raised primarily by his mother, a freed slave, Martin experienced the effects of racism & poverty early in his life. He became the apprentice of a barber, learning not only how to cut hair, but to perform basic medical treatments. feeling called to give his life to God in service of the lowly, Martin entered the Dominicans, who accepted him as a lay helper & later as a brother. he spent his days caring for those who were sick & poor, as well as performing menial tasks within the monastery. His nights were spent in prayer, penance, & adoration.

During the homily at lunchtime Mass at St. Matthew's in downtown Flint, the celebrant, Father Tom Firestone, conflated the lives of St. Martin de Porres, O.P. & St. Peter Claver, S.J. (9 September). This was somewhat understandable given their contemporaneous lives, geographic proximity, & roles in the history of race relations in the New World, but unfortunate all the same. I wished gently to correct Father after Mass, but he slipped out before I had the opportunity.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Malachy, Bishop (circa 1094-1148, A.K.A. O'More, Máel Máedóc Ua Morgair, of Armagh): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Weekday
The Letter to the Philippians, chapter three, verses three thru eight(a);
Psalm One Hundred Five, verses two thru seven;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter fifteen, verses one thru ten;

or, for St. Martin:
The Letter to the Philippians, chapter four, verses four thru nine;
Psalm One Hundred Thirty-one;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-two, verses thirty-four thru forty.

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Day

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, "The Skeleton Song" from Pay Attention (The Last Angry Man)

Skammentary: Once one begins listening to The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, it is hard to pick just one song, but this is the one that originally caught my ear.

"One day my skeletons appeared
And I knew where they were coming from,
I'm out of rope, I volunteered,
And I never thought the day would come.

"Some boundaries I once overstepped,
Shortcomings I must now accept,
Secrets that could not be kept,
I wish my skeletons had slept.

"You're not being honest, really,
You really don't know how to be,
Take an honest look at yourself,
Try a little honesty.

"To further add to my demise,
Demons never exorcised,
Appeared before my very eyes,
To one one's, just my own, surprise.

"Scenario just so surreal:
Demons once so well concealed,
But now throughout my whole ordeal
So real and painfully revealed.

"You're not being honest, really,
You really don't know how to be,
Take an honest look at yourself,
Try a little honesty.
You're not being honest, really,
And honestly you've never been,
You ought to take a look at yourself,
Let the honesty begin.

"In flew the accusations,
Like razor-toothed insinuations,
Each curse my own creation,
And every monster my invention.
Beasts, they came to burden,
Hell, I let whatever stirred in,
And I couldn't get a word in
At this unearthly intervention.

"They let up when they knew that got through,
They knew I'd never be the same,
With little left to say or do,
They left as quickly as they came.

"The life was scared half out of me,
Someway, somehow I survived,
A part of me was proud of me
The day my skeletons arrived.

"You're not being honest, really,
You really don't know how to be,
Take an honest look at yourself,
Try a little honesty,
Try a little honesty!"

Project GLOWWORM | Urbi et Orbi

I've never before participated in No Shave November, A.K.A. "Movember," not because of any animosity toward raising funds & "awareness" for men's health issues, but because I am simply unwilling to shave my magnificent moustache & start again from zero. I remain so, yet this year I am participating in the Catholic Balm Co.'s, et al., Nazarite Challenge: (Nazarite-link). A "nazarite," in the Bible, is one who consecrated himself to the Lord/separated himself from the world & sin, through the fulfillment of a vow with specific conditions (Wikipedia-link). This November's Nazarite Challenge consists of five elements:

1) Join the Community
2) Commit to Prayer
3) Stop Shaving
4) Abstain & Avoid
5) Share Your Faith

I've joined the e-mail list & the Facebook page to join the community, added the official Nazarite Challenge prayer to my daily supplications, sworn off pop, & responded to the Holy Ghost's prompting to join the current Christ Renews His Parish team at Holy Redeemer. This is a GLOWWORM post, after all, so what about stopping shaving? I already don't shave my face, so I was faced with a quandary on this point, which I resolved through the following steps: I'm not going to shave the small part of my cheeks that I normally shave in order to keep those sparse hairs from grounding the flying wings of my handlebar moustache, I'm not going to trim any of the hairs in my beard (& I will only trim hairs in my moustache that have gone well & truly rogue, not just for aesthetic considerations), & on Hallowe'en night I shaved my head & will not cut those hairs again 'til December.

I normally trim the hair atop my head every three weeks, & have often thought that I should do so every fortnight, so how was I possibly to go four-plus weeks without becoming completely miserable? I shaved my head for the first time since high school, when we used to do so on the swim team before the end-of-the-season conference meet (for reasons of both aquatic performance & team solidarity). None of my hats feel quite right. I don't normally have very lengthy hair, but it makes more a difference than I had supposed. The smoothness has already passed (proving that have a shaven head is a high-maintenance bother I don't need) & right now my stubble has an effect on undershirts (T-shirts) not unlike Velcro. It's astonishing! I'm estimating a fortnight until my hair is back to normal, as it would look after a normal Level 1 buzzing my my electric clippers. (I've had those clippers since 1997. They cost as much as two haircuts at the barbershops on/around campus in Ann Arbor, so over the ensuing twenty years, the clippers have paid for themselves many times over.) I'll let you know if it takes longer.

I'm anticipating the most trouble with not shaving the small portion of my moustache directly beneath my nose. Past experience indicates that these hairs love nothing better than growing straight up my nostrils, which is very uncomfortable. I have genuine doubts about my ability to persist in not shaving those hairs; rather, I'm all but certain that I will be unable to persist in allowing them to grow.

This will be a very interesting experiment. (I really should come up with a Secret Base code name for the Nazarite Challenge. Project SAMSON—for the Biblical judge Samson was probably the most renowned Nazarite—would be a little too on the nose.) I am constantly pruning my beard & my moustache, so I expect things to get a little hairy without this topiary/bonsai styling. I would end with "Let the fun begin!" except that the fun has already begun.

I'm not neglecting the spiritual aspects of the Nazarite Challenge, it's just that they fit in so seamlessly with what I'm already doing, & writing about them presents few opportunities to type the word moustache. The official prayer of the Narazite Challenge:

Lord God, remember me!
Strengthen me, if only for this day,
So that I might rise up to do Your will.

Help me, Lord, to die to myself,
And in doing so,
To crush my pride & sins
Beneath the weight of Your grace.

Help me, O my God,
To sacrifice for others,
To stay free from that which leads to death,
And to humble myself before You.

May Your Spirit rush upon me, Lord!
Grant me Your strength.
Give me the boldness of Your Judges
So that I might proclaim Your glory.

Lord God, remember me!
Strengthen me, if only for this day,
So that I might rise up to do Your will.

Project BLACK MAMBA: All Souls' Day

'Tis the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls' Day): All Souls-link ūnus, All Souls-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

All Souls' Day in the United States is dedicated to prayers for the dead. The Day of the Dead is also celebrated on this day.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Book of Wisdom, chapter three, verses one thru nine;
Psalm Twenty-three, verses one thru six;
The Letter to the Romans, chapter five, verses five thru eleven;
or, the Letter to the Romans, chapter six, verses three thru nine;
The Gospel according to John, chapter six, verses thirty-seven thru forty.

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Día de Muertos

The Folksmen, "Skeletons of Quinto" from A Mighty Wind: The Album (The Last Angry Dead Man)

Commentary: "Skeletons of Quinto" was also the R.B.D.S.O.T.D. for All Souls' Day last year. This was not intentional, but I'd wager both decisions were rooted in the same thought process: the obvious Spanish linguistic & cultural influence on the song (yes, Día de Muertos is a Mexican, not a Spanish, holiday; sue me for being culturally illiterate &/or insensitive) & my enduring fondness for skulls & skeletons, including cavaleras y calacas. I wonder if this will persist & become a tradition, much as The Mighty Mighty Bosstones' "A Reason to Toast" has become for Thanksgiving.

Project BLACK MAMBA: All Saints' Day

'Tis the Solemnity of All Saints: All Saints-link ūnus, All Saints-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

A Christian festival celebrated in honor of all the saints, known & unknown. It occurs on different dates in different Christian traditions. All Saints' Day revolves around "giving God solemn thanks for the lives & deaths of His saints," including those who are "famous or obscure."

Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:

On the feast of All Saints, we honor those men & women who—whether they've been canonized or not—have led lives of heroic virtue that set an example for all Christians. The meaning of the feast is summarized in a sermon by St. Bernard (20 August): "if we venerate their money, it serves us, not them. But I tell you, when I think of them,I feel myself inflamed by a tremendous yearning. Calling the saints to mind inspires us, or rather arouses in us, above all else, a longing to enjoy their company so desirable in itself– In short, we long to be united in happiness with all the saints."

All you holy men & women, pray for us!

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Book of Revelation, chapter seven, verses two thru four, nine thru fourteen;
Psalm Twenty-four, verses one(b) thru four(b), five & six;
The First Letter of John, chapter three, verses one thru three;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter five, verses one thru twelve(a).

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the All Saints' Day

The Dixieland All Stars, "When the Saints Go Marching In" via iTunes (from The Dixieland All Stars: The Greatest Band in the World) (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: Today's R.B.D.S.O.T.D. is instrumental, but still reflects how dearly I wish to be in that number when in go marching the saints.

The Rebel Black Dot Song of Hallowe'en

That Handsome Devil, "Twist the Knife" via iTunes (from The Heart Goes to Heaven, the Head Goes to Hell) (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: A darkly comedic ballad of love gone murderously wrong, akin to Spike Jones's "My Old Flame" which is replete with a Peter Lorre impersonation (a Hallowe'en R.D.B.S.O.T.D. in 2012). I was introduced to "Twist the Knife" by Jojo, my long lost pal whom I saw, briefly, over the summer, only for her to disappear again into the jealously possessive (one suspects though hopes not abusive) clutches of another unworthy, scumbag boyflesh. Happy Hallowe'en, ladies & ghouls!

"I see that look in your eyes and I hide the crooked knives.
The arsenic made me nauseous, but I love a good surprise.
It's 'til death do up part, I wouldn't lie, my pudding pie,
But I could speed that process up, now couldn't I?

"Get love and hate confused, can't separate the two,
O my love, how I've hated you!

"I say it's over (It's over!)
This time we're through (We're through!)
But I go crazy when I'm not with you.
They call me lonely (You're lonely!)
They say I'm blue (Boo hoo hoo hoo!)
But I go crazy when I'm not with you."

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the feast of Saint Wolfgang of Regensburg, Bishop, O.S.B. (circa 934-994, A.K.A. of Ratisbon), nicknamed the "Great Almoner" for his almsgiving: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the feast of Blessed Irene Stefani, Nun, M.C. (1891-1930), nicknamed "Nyaatha" (mother of mercy) for her charity: Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also All Hallows' Eve, the vigil of All Saints' Day & first day of the Allhallowtide triduum: Eve-link & Wikipedia-link Allhallowstide.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Letter to the Philippians, chapter two, verses one thru four;
Psalm One Hundred Thirty-one, verses one(b-e), two, & three;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter fourteen, verses twelve thru fourteen.

Individual Reading
The Book of Job, chapter one (of forty-two; verses one thru twenty-two);
The Book of Job, chapter two (verses one thru thirteen).

Commentary: I: Prologue—Job's Wealth & Piety (1:1-12), the First Trial (1:13-22), the Second Trial (2:1-10), & Job's Three Friends (2:11-13).

The Explorers' Club, № DXXI

Operation AXIOM: The World War
19-25 October 1916: The Second Battle of Cobadin—A joint Russo-Romanian army was defeated by the Bulgarians, resulting in the Central Powers capture of the strategic port of Constanța; also by 25 October, the Romanians were pushed back to their original positions of 27 August, their jumping off points for the invasion of Austro-Hungarian Transylvania; counter-invasion was to follow.

Lest we forget.

Project BLACK MAMBA: XXXI Sunday in Ordinary Time

'Tis the Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time: Wikipedia-link.

Otherwise, 30 October would be the feast of Saint Marcellus the Centurion, Martyr (died circa 298, A.K.A. of Tangiers), martyred in the reign of the emperor Diocletian: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Twould also be the feast of Saint Asterius of Amasea, Bishop (circa 350-410): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the feast of Blessed Benvenuta Bojani, Religious, T.O.S.D. (1254-1292): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the feast of Saint Alphonsus Rodríguez, Religious, S.J. (1532-1617): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: St. Alphonsus was a lay brother of the Jesuits, whom I also know from my devotion to St. Peter Claver, S.J. (9 September), on whom St. Alphonsus was a profound & laudable influence. We were all created to be saints, & one of our callings is to encourage & equip each other to become the saints we are meant to be, as St. Alphonsus did for St. Peter.

Scripture of the Week
Mass Readings
The Book of Wisdom, chapter eleven, verse twenty-two thru chapter twelve, verse two;
Psalm One Hundred Forty-five, verses one, two, eight thru eleven, thirteen, & fourteen;
The Second Letter to the Thessalonians, chapter one, verse eleven thru chapter two, verse two;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter nineteen, verses one thru ten.

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Lord's Day

Audrey Assad featuring Fernando Ortega, "Oh, the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus" from Inheritance (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary:

"Underneath me, all around me is the current of His love,
Leading onward, leading homeward, to Thy glorious rest above…"

Bonus! Song of the Day: Go Blue!

Reel Big Fish, "Hate You" from Monkeys for Nothin' and the Chimps for Free (The Last Angry Wolverine)

Commentary: This R.B.D.S.O.T.D. is not saying "I hate you" to anyone at Michigan State. I don't hate Mark Dantonio, I really don't. But Dantonio really does hate me, me & everyone affiliated with the University of Michigan. Dantonio's hatred is all-consuming, & like Captain Ahab's, ultimately self-destructive. For example, at the end of today's game, when the two-point conversion could not have altered the outcome in his club's favor, Coach Dantonio had his squad attempt the two-point conversion, apparently for spite's sake. The ball was fumbled, scooped up by a Michigan's Jabril Peppers, & returned for a safety, ending Dantonio's squad's slim chances of snatching victory from the jaws of defeat with an onside kick recovery. "Hate You" encapsulates Dantonio's spiteful attitude, an attitude that fuels behavior that today actually hurt his club. Such are the fruits of hatred, Mr. Dantonio, my co-religionist; competition is fine & healthy, but the Christian has no place for hate in his heart, except hatred for sin & evil.

Better luck never. Go Blue!

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the feast of Saint Narcissus of Jerusalem, Bishop (circa 99-216): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. It is a curiosity of Divine Providence that some saints live earthly lives as long as St. Narcissus's while others' sojourns are as short as Bl. Chiara's.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Gaetano Errico, Priest (1791-1860), founder of the Missionaries of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus & Mary: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Order.

'Tis also the feast of Blessed Chiara Badano (1971-1990, A.K.A. "Luce"): Blessed-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Letter to the Philippians, chapter one, verses eighteen(b) thru twenty-six;
Psalm Forty-two, verses two, three, & five(c,d,e,f);
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter fourteen, verses one & seven thru eleven;

Personal Reading
The Book of Sirach, chapter eighteen, verses twenty-seven thru thirty-three;
The Letter to the Philippians, chapter four, verse eight;
The Letter to Titus, chapter two, verses eleven thru fourteen;
The Book of Proverbs, chapter twenty-seven, verse seventeen;
The Book of Job, chapter one, verses twenty, twenty-one, & twenty-two.

Commentary: The first three readings are from this week's Saint Joseph Covenant Keepers meeting, wherein men gather to study Scripture & the Catechism & then reflect upon questions that help us to examine our lives, the better to grow as believers & disciples of Christ & to support each other in the quest to be better men, husbands, & fathers. 'Tis an idea at least as old as Proverbs, 27:17, & yet in our age of emasculation & isolation it seems fresh & new, almost a revelation:

As iron sharpens iron, so man sharpens his fellow man.

I thought of Job when contemplating the difference in the lifespans of St. Narcissus & Bl. Chiara, when composing the above comment. I then cracked open my Bible to check that I had remembered the famous line correctly. Job, 1:21:

And said,
"Naked I came forth from my mother's womb,
& naked I shall go back again.
The LORD gave & the LORD has taken away;
blessed be the name of the LORD!"

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Day: Go Blue!

John Linnell, "Michigan" from State Songs (The Last Angry Wolverine)

Commentary: There is discord in sacred Michigan, civil strife 'twixt a self-styled "Athens" & an antagonistically-defined "Sparta"—knowledge & reason versus ignorance & emotion. The valiant Wolverines of the University of Michigan, founded 1817 (when Michigan was still a territory, not yet a state), contend against the reigning B1G champions, the dastardly Spartans of Michigan State University, founded 1855. Michigan State defines itself in large measure by its opposition to Michigan, its otherness from Michigan; Michigan defines herself by the very ideals of Western civilization. It eats up the dastardly Spartans that while Michigan is Michigan State's archrival, but Michigan State is not Michigan's archrival. This is contest for the soul of the State of Michigan, so in an uncommon bout of munificence, I've selected a R.B.D.S.O.T.D. that is not specific to the Universitas Michigania, but concerns the whole of sacred Michigan. Of course, that said, the lyrics of "Michigan" are largely nonsensical.

"O Michigan! Exemplar
Of unchecked replication.
O Michigan! O Michigan!
The tank the fishes are in!

"Expansionist in spirit,
In letter borders obtained,
Don't hold us back,
Don't hold us back,
We must eat Michigan's brain!

"Now grow back, Michigan,
We miss you again!"

Go Blue!

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the Feast of Saints Simon & Jude, Apostles (first century): Apostles-link, Apostle-link Sierra & Wikipedia-link Sierra, & Apostle-link Juliett & Wikipedia-link Juliett.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

St. Simon is represented in art with a saw, the instrument of his martyrdom. St. Jude's square points him out as an architect of the house of God. St. Paul called himself by this name; & St. Jude, by his catholic epistle, has also a special right to be reckoned among our Lord's principal workmen. But our apostle had another nobility, far surpassing all earthly titles: being nephew, by his father Cleophas or Alpheus (sic), to St. Joseph (19 March, 1 May), & legal cousin to the Man-God, Jude was one of those called by their companions the brethren of the carpenter's Son.

Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:

The name of St. Simon usually appears eleventh in the list of the apostles. Nothing is known of him except that he was born in Cana & is surnamed (sic) "the Zealot." St. Jude, also called Thaddeus, was the apostle who asked the Lord at the Last Supper why He had manifested himself only to His disciples & not to the whole world (John, 14:22).

'Tis also the feast of Saint Godwin of Stavelot, Abbot, O.S.B. (died circa 690): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Letter to the Ephesians, chapter two, verses nineteen thru twenty-two;
Psalm Nineteen, verses two thru five;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter six, verses twelve thru sixteen.

Personal Reading
The Letter of James, chapter five (of five; verses one thru twenty);
Introduction to the Wisdom Books;
Introduction to the Book of Job.

Commentary: The final chapter of James references the perseverance of Job. Today's reflection in my daily reflection books references the patience of Job. The prayer in my Rosary—day eight of the fifty-four-day novena—asked for patience in adversity & love for enemies (the old man who clearly should no longer be behind the wheel, who crunched the bumper, fender, & driver's side headlight of the Malibu Stacy this morning, creating a huge headache for yours truly). I do not particularly want to read Job, but there is every reason to believe the Lord is telling me to read Job, to contemplate Job & the problem of evil.

But first, the end of the latest re-reading of James: Warning to the Rich (5:1-6), Patience & Oaths (5:7-12), Anointing of the Sick (5:13-15), Confession & Intercession (5:16-18) & Conversion of Sinners (5:19&20).

The Rebel Black Dot Hallowe'en Song of the Day

Screamin' Jay Hawkins, "I Put a Spell on You" from The Crazy World of Screamin' Jay Hawkins (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary:

"I love you,
I love you,
I love you, anyhow.

"I don't care if you don't want me,
I'm yours right now…"

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the feast of Saint Abraham the Poor, Hermit (died circa 372): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine '14 & Wayback Machine '15.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Frumentius of Ethiopia, Bishop (died circa 383): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the feast of Blessed Bartholomew of Vicenza, Bishop, O.P. (circa 1200-1271, A.K.A. of Braganca): Blessed-link ūnus, Blessed-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Letter to the Ephesians, chapter six, verses ten thru twenty;
Psalm One Hundred Forty-four, verses one(b), two, nine, & ten;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter thirteen, verses thirty-one thru thirty-five.

Personal Reading
The Letter of James, chapter four (verses one thru seventeen);
The Letter of James, chapter five, verses sixteen, seventeen, & eighteen.

Commentary: Causes of Division (4:1-12), Warning against Presumption (4:13-17), & Confession & Intercession (5:16-18).

The Rebel Black Dot Hallowe'en Song of the Day

Creedence Clearwater Revival, "I Put a Spell on You" from Chronicle: 20 Greatest Hits (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: It's the off-kilter rhythm that makes "I Put a Spell on You" spooky, not the lyrics.

The Rebel Black Dot Hallowe'en Song of the Day

Cast & M.G.M. Orchestra, "Ding Dong, the Witch Is Dead" via iTunes (from The Wizard of Oz: Soundtrack Restored—2010 Digitally Remastered) (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: This Hallowe'en, even the good witches aren't pulling their punches.

"Let the joyous news be spread:
The wicked old witch at last is dead…"

The Victors

Saturday, 8 October 2016 @ (corporate sponsor) Stadium
(№ 4) Michigan 78-0 Rutgers
6-0, B1G 3-0

I am still not exactly reconciled to Nebraska's membership in the B1G, but this is largely a personal aminus (based largely on 1997); the State of Nebraska is undeniably Midwestern & the conniving Cornhuskers have a long record of success in football. I'm not a fan of Maryland's membership in the B1G, because the State of Maryland is most definitely not remotely Midwestern, but at least the terrible Terrapins have a long history of success in college basketball & a century-old rivalry with Penn State in football. There is nothing at all to like about Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey's membership in the B1G. It is appalling that due to conference expansion & divisional schedules Michigan & Wisconsin did not play in the five season betwixt 2010 & 2016—& yet Michigan has to play Rutgers every damn year.

Such is my deathless hostility to Rutgers's membership that in the midst of the rout I texted a kinsman & fellow Wolverine:

No, I will never let this go. Rutgers? Really? Rutgers?!

His response was:

Your outrage is appropriate & correct.

Even beating the alien Scarlet Knights by a Fielding Yost-esque 78-0 wasn't very much fun, because that score wasn't even about Rutgers. Instead, it was puerile one-upsmanship against the hated Buckeyes, who the week before had dominated Rutgers 58-0 in the Horseshoe. Rutgers's membership in the B1G is an embarrassment. Rutgers ruins everything.

Saturday, 15 October 2016
bye week

My fall has been hectic, even moreso than usual. So, it was a slightly irksome that in a weekend when I had unusually free of commitments, there was neither a Michigan football game nor an F1 grand prix. The next weekend, when I was to attend a two-day diocesan assembly & thus be away from both home & television, there was both a Michigan football game & an F1 grand prix. Nobody ever asks me before they schedule these things, so I'll chalk this up as one of those things for which I should pray for the serenity to accept.

In the course of the bye week, № 3 Clemson looked unimpressive in a 24-17 victory over unranked N. C. State. The Associated Press voters, in whatever wisdom they possess, thus promoted the valiant Wolverines to № 3 & demoted the epithetless Tigers to № 4.

Saturday, 22 October 2016 / Michigan Stadium
(№ 3) Michigan 41-8 Illinois
7-0, B1G 4-0

The first half against the feisty Fighting Illini was essentially perfect: at halftime the valiant Wolverines lead 31-0 (with the four touchdowns, two passes & two runs, being scored by four different players, showing the diversity of weapons at the Maize & Blue's disposal) & Illinois didn't have a single passing yard. In the second half, Michigan's offense ground to a halt, scoring on ten points & allowing Illinois's defense to assert a regrettable degree of pressure on sophomore quarterback Wilton Speight. The sense is that Coach Harbaugh & co. called off the attack, but given the relentless nature of previous victories that is a not entirely satisfactory explanation. I freely admit that after the Lost Decade (& last season's defeats at the hands of Michigan State & Ohio State) mine is a dark & suspicious disposition. I have a hard time believing that the valiant Wolverines are a good as they appear to be (& they appear to be very, very good), & I see a dark cloud behind every silver lining. I am always looking for fault, for chinks in the armor, for disaster around every corner. I hope that is what's going on in my looking askance at the second half against Illinois. Not every club is as woebegone as Rutgers, after all.

It is a tribute to Coach Harbaugh's status as the Impossible Unicorn of Our Dreams, bolstered & justified by the massive turnaround seen in teams 136 & 137, that the old Michigan "arrogance" has so quickly returned. Who else could be anything but completely satisfied by a 41-8 drubbing of a respectable conference opponent?

Next: The dastardly Spartans of the Michigan Agricultural College (or whatever "Moo U." is calling itself this week), in East Lansing.

The dastardly Spartans are in the midst of a five-game losing streak that has seen them tumble from № 8 in the A.P. poll to near the bottom of the B1G standings. I had observed this collapse with unabashed glee, reveling in the Schadenfreude. The Lost Decade of Michigan football coincided with possibly the most consistently successful decade in Michigan State football history, & the Sparty hubris flowed freely. Green & White paraphernalia was to be seen everywhere; this fall, though, there is hardly any Green & White to be seen. A huge number of the dastardly Spartans' fans have proven themselves to be fairweather scum, the dregs of the sports world. This has been a source of additionally glee. Bwa ha ha ha ha!

The only shame in all this is that it will make Saturday's victory (for the valiant Wolverines will be victorious) marginally less satisfying. The "Fighting Harbaughs" of Team 137 are so fierce, so unrelenting, so ready to revenge last year's defeat, that even the best, most able squad of dastardly Spartans would fall before them. It would have been ever so much fun to watch Uncle Don's Murder Machine murderize a high-flying squad of illiterate Green & White-clad thugs. However, it will have to suffice to put an unholy hurt on this year's squad, a spineless crew that has already dropped games to unranked Indiana, B.Y.U., Northwestern, & Maryland, & seems to have quit on their bilious coach, Mark Dantonio. I say again, Bwa ha ha ha ha!

Champions of the West
There are presently (week nine) five B1G clubs ranked in the Associated Press Top 25.

№ 2 Michigan, the valiant Wolverines (7-0, B1G 4-0)
№ 6 Ohio State, the hated Buckeyes (6-1, B1G 3-1)
№ 7 Nebraska, the conniving Cornhuskers (7-0, B1G 4-0)
№ 11 Wisconsin, the pesky Badgers (5-2, B1G 2-2)
№ 24 Penn State, the ferocious Nittany Lions (5-2, B1G 3-1)

Ohio State fell from № 2 to № 6 after losing to unranked Penn State; the hated Buckeys are the highest-ranked club with a loss. Penn State entered the rankings on the strength of beating Ohio State. Wisconsin fell out of the Top 10 after a victory over unranked Iowa (leapfrogged by undefeated West Virginia), but the pesky Badgers remain the highest-ranked two-loss club. Michigan advanced from № 3 to the № 2 spot vacated by T.O.S.U.

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the feast of Saint Evaristus, Pope (circa 44-107, A.K.A. Aristus), fifth Bishop of Rome: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Cuthbert of Canterbury, Bishop, O.S.B. (died circa 760): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Fulk of Pavia, Bishop (1164-1229, A.K.A. of Piacenza): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Letter to the Ephesians, chapter six, verses one thru nine;
Psalm One Hundred Forty-five, verses ten thru fourteen;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter thirteen, verses twenty-two thru thirty.

Personal Reading
The Letter of James, chapter three (verses one thru eighteen).

Commentary: Power of the Tongue (3:1-12) & True Wisdom (3:13-18).

The Explorers' Club, № DXX

Operation AXIOM: The World War—The Battle of Verdun, Part V
20 October-5 November 1916: The "First Offensive" (from the French perspective)—Preceded by a six-day artillery bombardment (including massive railway guns), reorganized & refreshed French infantry advanced, recapturing Fort Douaumont (24 October) & Fort Vaux (2 November), & reached the lines held on 24 February, the third day of the Germans' Verdun offensive.

Lest we forget.

Commentary: The German captures of the forts, via the Wayback Machine: Doumaumont on 25 February (№ CDLXXXVII) & Vaux on 8 June (№ DI).

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the feast of Saint Tabitha (first century, A.K.A. Dorcas), whose rising from the dead at the hands of St. Peter is recorded int he Acts of the Apostles: Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the feast of Saints Crispin & Crispian, Martyrs (died circa 286, the latter A.K.A. Crispinian), martyred in the reign of the emperor Diocletian: Martyr-link P-I-N, Martyr-link P-I-A-N, & Wikipedia-link.

'Tis also the feast of the Forty Martyrs of England & Wales (died 1535-1679), martyred in the reigns of the monarchs Henry VIII, Edward VI, Elizabeth I, James VI & I, Charles I, & Charles II & the uncrowned Oliver Cromwell: Martyrs-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
The Letter to the Ephesians, chapter five, verses twenty-one thru thirty-three;
or, the Letter to the Ephesians, chapter five, verses two & twenty-five thru thirty-two;
Psalm One Hundred Twenty-eight, verses one thru five;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter thirteen, verses eighteen thru twenty-one.

Personal Reading
The Letter of James, chapter two (verses one thru twenty-six).

Commentary: Sin of Partiality (2:1-13) & Faith & Works (2:14-26).

The Rebel Black Dot Hallowe'en Song of the Day

Billy Bletcher, Dorothy Compton, Mary Moder, & Pinto Colvig, "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?" via iTunes (The Last Angry Man)

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint Anthony Mary Claret, Bishop, C.M.F. (1807-1870), founder of the Claretians, formally the Congregation of Missionaries, Sons of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link C.M.F.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

A Spanish... archbishop & missionary, he was confessor of Isabella II of Spain & he founded the Congregation of Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, commonly called the Claretians.

Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:

By age twenty-one Anthony had been educated & was in much demand for his skill as a weaver. While suffering because of poor health, Anthony imagined himself as a Carthusian monk. He went to the bishop for advice. The bishop suggested that he first go to the diocesan seminary & then, if he wished, leave & become a monk. Anthony followed this advice & enjoyed seminary life. He founded a society of missionaries, & after being named bishop of Cuba, he won renown for his pastoral zeal. After returning to Spain, he continued to work the Church. He died at Fontfrodie in France in 1870.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Senoch, Abbot, O.S.B. (died circa 576): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Weekday
The Letter to the Ephesians, chapter four, verse thirty-two thru chapter five, verse eight;
Psalm One, verses one thru four & six;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter thirteen, verses ten thru seventeen;

or, for St. Anthony:
The Book of Isaiah, chapter fifty-two, verses seven thru ten;
Psalm Ninety-six, verse three;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter one, verses fourteen thru twenty.

Commentary: The readings for the Optional Memorial have changed since last year, though only the psalm. I have not kept close enough track to note is this is common or unusual.

Personal Reading
Introduction to the Letter of James;
The Letter of James, chapter one (of five; verses one thru twenty-seven).

Commentary: Address (1:1), Perseverance in Trial (1:2-11), Temptation (1:12-18), & Doers of the Word (1:19-27).

The Rebel Black Dot Hallowe'en Song of the Day!

The Aquabats!, "Martian Girl!" from The Return of the Aquabats! (Captain Thumps Up!)

Skammentary: The Return was The Aquabats!' debut album. Ha! Now that's comedy!

"Here's a story that must be told,
It's kind of new, not very old,
About a female Martian with a wild grin,
Big orange eyes and green skin.
Blue was her hair,
She came from way up there,
She wore silver underwear,
Almost naked but she didn't care.

"Why, oh why did she come from Planet P?
I don't know-wo-wo-wo!

"Martian girl from Planet P, will you marry me?
Wo-wo-wo-wo-wo!
She came from outer space, she came to see if Earth was good,
Wo-wo-wo-wo-wo!
In the supermarket she got distracted in the meat department—
Wo-wo-wo-wo-wo!
She's looking at me, she's looking hungry, think she's gonna eat me!
Wo-wo-wo-wo-wo!

"She's not a bird, she's not a plane,
She's got green blood pumping through her veins.
Saw a light in the sky and then I found her,
Now I'm having my own close encounter.
She smiled at me as she fixed her hair,
And then she kissed me right then and there.
I started bleeding, that's the weirdest part,
'Cause this alien's teeth are razor sharp.

"Why, oh why did she comes from Planet P, etc.…"

Project BLACK MAMBA: XXX Sunday in Ordinary Time

'Tis the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Wikipedia-link.

Otherwise, 23 October would be the feast of Saint Ignatius of Constantinople, Bishop (circa 798-877): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

'Twould also be the feast of Saint John of Capistrano, Priest, O.F.M. (1386-1456): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:

St. John was born in Capistrano in 1386. He studied law at Perugia & for a time was governor of that city. He entered the Order of Friars Minor &, after ordination to the priesthood, he led an untiring apostolic life preaching throughout Europe both to strengthen Christian life & to refute heresy.

Scripture of the Week
Mass Readings
The Book of Sirach, chapter thirty-five, verses twelve, thirteen, fourteen, sixteen, seventeen, & eighteen;
Psalm Thirty-four, verses two, three, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, & twenty-three;
The Second Letter to Timothy, chapter four, verses six, seven, eight, sixteen, seventeen, & eighteen;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter eighteen, verses nine thru fourteen.

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Lord's Day

Hillsong United, "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)" (from Zion) via iTunes (The Last Angry Man)

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint John Paul II, Pope (1920-2005), two hundred sixty-fourth Bishop of Rome: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

He is recognized as helping to end Communist rule in his native Poland & eventually all of Europe. He visited one hundred twenty-nine countries, celebrated one hundred forty-seven beatifications, during which one thousand three hundred thirty-eight became blesseds, & five hundred twenty-one canonizations, for a total of four hundred eighty-two saints. (I confess, the numbers don't add up. —M.W.) He significantly improved the Catholic Church's relations with Judaism, Islam, the Eastern Orthodox Church, & the Anglican Communion. He upheld the Church's teachings on such matters as artificial contraception & the ordination of women, but also supported the Church's Second Vatican Council & its reforms.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Bertharius of Monte Cassino, Abbot & Martyr, O.S.B. (circa 810-883), martyred by Saracens: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Weekday
The Letter to the Ephesians, chapter four, verses seven thru sixteen;
Psalm One Hundred Twenty-two, verses one thru five;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter thirteen, verses one thru nine.

or, for St. John Paul:
The Book of Isaiah, chapter fifty-two, verses seven thru ten;
Psalm Ninety-six, verse three;
The Gospel according to John, chapter twenty-one, verses fifteen, sixteen, & seventeen.

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Day: Go Blue!

The University of Michigan Marching Band, "M Fanfare" from Hurrah for the Yellow and Blue (The Last Angry Wolverine)

Commentary: Long live the chief! This constitutes no statement of preference for the University of Illinois over the University of Michigan, especially since Chief Illiniwek has been banned by Illinois, under intense pressure from the N.C.A.A., merely a protest against the ignorant & ideological whitewashing of American history that led to the Chief's banishment.

Also, today's game is Homecoming. Why do I never go to Homecoming? What I am, one of the golf balls from Happy Gilmore? ("Are you too good for your home?") Go Blue!

The Rebel Black Dot Cigarette Girl Song of the Day

Barenaked Ladies, "Conventioneers" from Maroon (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: This will be the last Cigarette Girl-themed R.B.D.S.O.T.D., not because I've purged my head of this madness, but because the time has come for the R.B.D.S.O.T.D.'s annual Hallowe'en celebration. Why is her code name "Cigarette Girl"? Because she smokes cigarettes, at least when she's out drinking. That, & because she'd look dynamite in an old-fashioned cigarette girl uniform (above, Audrey Hepburn).

"You walked into the room
And the whole place stopped to notice.
Standing next to you
I feel hopeless and you know this.
I've never been ashamed of my attraction,
I'd be happy if you gave me just a fraction…

"I followed your perfume out away from all the rabble,
Right up to your room for a drink and Travel Scrabble,
You, stationed in the warm glow of the T.V.,
Too patient as I'm playing L-O-V-E,
And we laugh, and we laugh, and we laugh,
And we have to or we'll end up in the bath.

"Now we're in the bath…"

"Before all the fireworks exploded,
Our conversations were so loaded,
Innuendo flying.
Now what can we say?…"

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the feast of Saint Hilarion, Anchorite & Abbot (circa 291-371): Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Ursula, Virgin & Martyr (died circa 383), martyred at Cologne by the Huns: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Commentary: Wayback Machine.

'Tis the feast of Saint Wendelin, Hermit & Abbot (circa 554-617): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Weekday
The Letter to the Ephesians, chapter four, verses one thru six;
Psalm Twenty-four, verses one thru four (a,b), five, & six;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter twelve, verses fifty-four thru fifty-nine;

or, for the Diocesan Assembly:
The Letter to the Romans, chapter ten, verses nine thru eighteen;
Psalm Nineteen, verses two thru five;
The Gospel according to John, chapter seventeen, verses eleven & seventeen thru twenty-three.

Commentary: I would presume that a bishop has pretty wide-ranging authority to determine which readings are read in his diocese.

Bonus! Cigarette Girl Song of the Day

Semisonic, "One True Love" from All about Chemistry (The Last Angry Man)

Commentary: Now I'm just having fun with this ridiculous crush.

"All above me the stars are bright
And the sweet, suburban breeze is blowing,
And down the block are the parking lights
Of a hundred friends who I barely know,
And don't know me,
Don't know me,
None of them know me.

"And all through the party I want to leave,
All alone with one true love.
I could be happy if only I could be
In the dark with one true love.

"And in the middle of everyone
I still find myself with my thoughts alone.
And in the middle of all the noise
Look around myself at the shining toys
That I don't need,
I don't need,
I don't really need.

"And all through the party I want to leave,
All alone with one true love.
All of the lights are shining on me,
All I want is one true love…

"All of my life I've just wanted to be
In the dark with one true love.
Every day and night to be
All alone with one true love,
With one true love,
With one true love,
With one true love."

Project BLACK MAMBA

'Tis the Optional Memorial of Saint Paul of the Cross, Priest, C.P. (1694-1775), founder of the Passionists, formally the Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ: Saint-link ūnus, Saint-link duo, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link C.P.

Commentary: Wayback Machine. Quoth the Holy Redeemer bulletin:

The first name Paul received for his community was "the Poor of Jesus;" later they came to known as the Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ, or the Passionists. The community was to live a penitential life, in solitude & poverty.

Quoth the Holy Family bulletin:

Paolo Francesco Danei was born in Italy in 1694, the second of sixteen children. because of his father's financial difficulties, Paul had to leave school to help support his family. At age twenty, Paul joined the Ventian army that was defending the faith. After a year, he went back to a life of prayer & penance. Then God called him to form a group of men dedicated to preaching parish missions. These men, called Passionists, would preach the mystery of Christ crucified—the mystery of the father's love—in hopes that Christians would turn from their sins & rededicate their lives to Christ.

'Tis also the feast of Saint Irene of Tomar, Nun & Martyr (circa 635-653), martyred by a jealous man who would not accept her religious celibacy: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link.

Scripture of the Day
Mass Readings
Weekday
The Letter to the Ephesians, chapter three, verses fourteen thru twenty-one;
Psalm Thirty-three, verses one, two, four, five, eleven, twelve, eighteen, & nineteen;
The Gospel according to Luke, chapter twelve, verses forty-nine thru fifty-three;

or, for St. Paul:
The First Letter to the Corinthians, chapter one, verses eighteen thru twenty-five;
The Gospel according to Mark, chapter sixteen, verse fifteen;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter sixteen, verses twenty-four thru twenty-seven.

Chase Perfection, Catch Excellence
Today is my first day of praying a fifty-four day novena (Wikipedia-link) from the booklet 54 Day Basic Training in Holiness by Father Richard Heilman. Why today? Because there's no time like the present. I am a practiced enough procrastinator to know that if I delay any further & set a date on which I'll faithfully begin, on that day I'll find a perfectly valid excuse to put it off another day or two, & then another, & then another, 'til Kingdom Come & I am found unprepared. Prayers for my perseverance & diligence, as well as my sanctification, would be both welcome & most warmly appreciated.

The rallying cry of this novena is adapted from a quote of Vince Lombardi, the legendary football coach (legendary enough that the Super Bowl trophy is named in his honor), as well as a dogged opponent of all discrimination & loyal Knight of Columbus:

"Perfection is not attainable. But if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence."