July 2007 Archives

I have to admit that I've never read much about Padre Pio. If you could see the stack of unread books I have, you'd know why.

This is an excellent introduction to the life of Padre Pio. You do have to look away from a couple of things. Jurgen Prochnow seems horribly out of place in this film, and is actually a distraction. His Japanese-monster-movie dubbing is, well, monsterous.

But that is easily over looked by the performance of Sergio Castellioto as the Padre. He really puts a face to a saint that fits almost perfectly.

The production quality isn't all that good at times, but overall it's not bad. It was originally an Italian TV mini-series, so the production values and moments of melodrama are forgiven.

The stigmata scenes might be a bit intense for kids, but shouldn't bother teens at all.

A good movie. In Italian with subtitles.

As I continue trying to get certain aspects of my life back in order, I thought it might be good to share a couple of movie reviews. These aren't going to be fancy reviews...just my own thoughts on a few things I've seen this summer. Here goes...

This is the story of a Catholic priest given nine days freedom from a Nazi concentration camp. The story is compelling, all the more as it's based on a true tale. The priest in question is released in the hope that he will convince a bishop to give in to Nazi occupation. An up-and-coming Gestapo officer is the brain-child of this operation, and his head is at stake. You get a pair of very fine performances into the mix.

At one point the priest and the Gestapo officer discuss their vocations. Yes, you heard that right. It gives new meaning to Milton's line about the power of the human mind to turn evil into grace.

I wouldn't let my 9 year old watch it. There are only a few acts of violence that give me that hesitation. My 14 year old could see it - and will in a few weeks - but she knows something of the evil involved in Nazi occupations.

An excellent movie. In German with subtitles.

On the past two Sundays I’ve been driving out to a suburban Anglican Use parish. The reasons are twofold. First, I needed a dose of orthodoxy…long story as to why. Second, I’ve always been curious.

The parish is St. Mary the Virgin in Arlington, Texas. It just happens to be the same parish that the Summa Mamas attend. (Dear Summa Mamas…check your e-mail more often). What a drive! It was just over 80 miles roundtrip…it’s really easy to forget how big the Dallas/Ft. Worth area really is.

Anybody that’s been around me long knows that I have a love/hate relationship with the Harry Potter series. I’ve said so publicly often enough, and I even crossed swords with John Granger once in a combox duel that would have made Neville Longbottom proud (why do I always get tangled up with THE expert on a subject)? I doubt very much that Mr. Granger would remember it, but he did manage to convince me on a few points. I remained unconvinced on others.

I finished the last book of the series this weekend, and wanted to post some thoughts. But first, a little background…

Allow me to introduce you to the Tridentine Mass. The video quality isn't great, but I think you'll get the idea.

I thought I'd post some pictures from my vacation. Hope they work out. I'm not gifted with the digital camera. I've probably arranged for the site to take 45 minutes to load. Well, here's hoping this works.

Well, it’s very good to see that some folks are still dropping by from time to time. So, I figure I owe a little tale on where things stand as of now.

My work load has not changed. I’m still doing double duty in another city, and the stress levels are…stunning. However, there is light at the end of this particular tunnel. They’ve hired someone for the second office, so my double duty time will come to an end in mid-August. Until the, I may not try too many posts of great depth and length. I have a couple started, but the distractions are more than the writing can handle just now.

I’ll try to keep things going with some fluffy posts for a few more weeks. In the meantime, I’ll keep plugging away at a couple of the longer posts I’ve been working on. Hopefully, by the middle of August, things will settle down into something like the old routine of yester year.

Forgot about that...

...what exactly does it mean to be a "crawly amphibian"? Is it a good thing?

I got some hits from a site called The Truth Laid Bear. I've seen them around, but never paid much attention. Anybody know what this is and how it works?

...is anyone still out there?

I have returned. Actually, I got back several weeks ago, but have been in lay-low mode. Lots of house painting has been done, lots of scrubbing. All very exciting stuff, I know...

After few days of trying to recover from jet lag, it suddenly became Sunday (time passes strangely when you’re body is seven time zones west of your head). Time for church. I was up at 3:30 (I got lots of things done around the house while recovering from jet lag). Off I went to our trusty old parish for the 10 o’clock Mass. I walk in the door and…

…2 x 4 strikes between the eyes…

…and I can tell I’m back in the US.

While in Poland we visited a couple of churches. The cathedral in Lublin was particularly majestic. All the walls are covered with frescoes. Small paintings of some of the bishops hang in various places – some dating back to the 14th century. The altar was stunning – hand carved figures looked down on the altar, giving the effect of heaven itself looking down on the priest. Stained glass. Marble floors. Even the little kids whispered out of respect. I stood, staring about, trying to take it all in. “Isn’t it a bit distracting during Mass,” I asked my Polish-born wife. “You just get used to it,” she answered. “You get used to this?!? Is it possible?”

We stopped at one small church in Lublin’s old town, not far from the castle. It was a church run by the Capuchins. The Capuchins are not known as being frivolous or extravagant, and this church was as austere as any we saw in Poland. There was a massive crucifix behind the altar, and the Stations of the Cross were hand carved and about two feet square. In its austerity it was impressive.

In every Polish church the tabernacle was clearly visible from the main entrance.

The shock came in my return to my dreadfully American parish. There’s no crucifix. There are two statues – one of the risen Christ and one of Mary – but calling them "artistic" is a bit of a stretch. The Stations of the Cross are maybe five inches square and made of cast brass, I think; you can’t make out what they are from more than 20 feet away. You have to look hard to see where they hid the tabernacle – it’s in a side room far removed from the people. Once Mass is over, the next choir comes charging in to warm-up. There’s never a moment of quiet – someone is always hallooing or banging something around.

>sigh<

So, yes, I have returned.