Rome, Saints, and Relics ... oh my!

With today being the feast of the First Martyrs of Rome, I was thinking of how many relics I have seen when going to Rome.

Here's a sample from my trip to Rome last year. These are just "collections" of relics in various churches. This doesn't include all the more individual relics I have pictures of.

A side chapel at Il Gesu, the Jesuit church.

Turning around in the same side chapel the other wall has a similar collection.

A collection of relics related to the Passion of Our Lord. These are at Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, a Cistercian church.

Here is the reliquary in Saint Paul's Outside the Walls.
(At the bottom, just to the right, in the midle of that case, that's the skull of Saint Ananias, the man who healed Saint Paul of his blindness at his conversion.)

I'm disappointed that I don't have a picture of the "Holy of Holies" at the top of the Sacred Steps which was one of the main "collections" of relics of the early martyrs in Rome.

Still, it's amazing to go to Rome and see so many relics from so many Saints and Martyrs. I think here in the United States, we are starved of these visible remains of those who have not just gone before us, but actually died for the Faith. It's much different to see major relics in these Roman and Italian churches that what we usually see here in the States: tiny specks of a bone or something in a tiny reliquary.

But here's to asking the early Roman Martyrs for their intercession for an increase of our Faith, especially here in the States where we are overrun by secularism in the world and apathy in many in the Church.

RS

Grizzly news

"Avid reader" Ronny sent me some grizzly news, well, not grizzly as in gruesome, but grizzly as in my mascot ... perfect for some Monday levity.



I personally hate it when people set up barbed wire to get my hair. In one sense I feel it is rather ironic. In this age of "animal rights," who does the US Geological Survey think they are to violate our grizzly privacy with their CCTV's!?!?! Are US national parks turning into London's 1984 becoming real with today's CCTV proliferation?

You humans need to quit assuming we want rights. We just wish you'd leave us alone and quit using us animals for your political agendas. PETA, LEAVE ME ALONE! The Onion has a point (LOL):



Of course the minute I saw the MSNBC video, I had to search youtube because I knew that somebody would do something like this:





Which eventually reminded me of the dancing bear in this video. I love the way these guys flip the usual "thug" image of rap and make it more "fuzzy."



RS

Comparison of Prayers - Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul

Saint Peter
Saint Paul
Collect (Opening Prayer)

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Deus, qui huius diéi venerándam sanctámque lætítiam in apostolórum Petri et Pauli sollemnitáte tribuísti, da Ecclésiæ tuæ eórum in ómnibus sequi præcéptum, per quos religiónis sumpsit exórdium.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, per ómnia saécula sæculórum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. God our Father, today you give us the joy of celebrating the feast of the apostles Peter and Paul. Through them your Church first received the faith. Keep us true to their teaching.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. O God, Who has granted venerable and holy joy on this day’s Solemnity of the Apostles Peter and Paul, grant to Your Church to follow in all things the precepts of these men, through whom She received the institution of the Faith.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.

Prayer Over the Gifts

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Hóstiam, Dómine, quam nómini tuo exhibémus sacrándam, apostólica prosequátur orátio, nosque tibi reddat in sacrifício celebrándo devótos.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Lord, may your apostles join their prayers to our offering and help us to celebrate this sacrifice in love and unity.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

My Own Literal Translation
May the prayer of Your Apostles, O Lord, accompany the offering, which we present to be consecrated to Your Name, and may it restore us, Your faithful, to You in this Sacrifice about to be celebrated.
Through Christ our Lord.

Preface
Preface of Saints Peter and Paul - On the twofold mission of Peter and Paul in the Church


Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Vere dignum et iustum est, æquum et salútare, nos tibi semper et ubíque grátias ágere: Dómine, sancte Pater, omnípotens ætérne Deus:
Quia nos beáti apóstoli Petrus et Paulus tua dispositióne lætíficant: hic princeps fídei confiténdæ, ille intellegéndæ clarus assértor; hic relíquiis Israel instítuens Ecclésiam primitívam, ille magíster et doctor géntium vocandárum.
Sic divérso consílio unam Christi famíliam congregántes, par mundo venerábile, una coróna sociávit.
Et ídeo cum Sanctis et Angelis univérsis te collaudámus, sine fine dicéntes:
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus ..

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Father, all-powerful and ever-living God, we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks.
You fill our hearts with joy as we honor your great apostles: Peter, our leader in the faith, and Paul, its fearless preacher. Peter raised up the Church from the faithful flock of Israel. Paul brought your call to the nations, and became the teacher of the world.
Each in his chosen way gathered into unity the one family of Christ. Both shared a martyr’s death and are praised throughout the world.
Now with the apostles and all the angels and saints, we praise you for ever:
Holy, holy, holy ...

My Own Literal Translation
It is truly right and just, proper and availing unto salvation, that we always and everywhere give thanks to You, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty and Eternal God:
Thus the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul make us joyful by means of Your plan: one the leader for the sake of confessing the Faith, the other as a brilliant speaker for the sake of understanding; one for founding the early Church from the remnant of Israel, the other an instructor and teacher for the sake of calling the Gentiles.
Thus gathering one family of Christ through different plans, the one crown [of martyrdom] united this venerable pair in the world.
And thus, together with all the Saints and Angels we praise You, saying without end:
Holy, Holy, Holy ...

Post-Communion Prayer

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Da nobis, Dómine, hoc sacraménto reféctis, ita in Ecclésia conversári, ut, perseverántes in fractióne panis Apostolorúmque doctrína, cor unum simus et ánima una, tua caritáte firmáti.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. Lord, renew the life of your Church with the power of this sacrament. May the breaking of the bread and the teaching of the apostles keep us united in your love.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.

My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. Grant to us, O Lord, by means of this Sacrament of restoration to dwell in the Church in such a way, that, persevering in the Breaking of the Bread and the Doctrine of the Apostles, we may be of one heart and one mind, having been strengthened by Your Charity.
Through Christ our Lord.

RS

Comparison of Prayers - Vigil of the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul

Mosaic at the top of the facade of Saint Paul's Outside the Walls in Rome
The Pauline Year commemorating the 2000th anniversary of the birth of Saint Paul begins this evening.

Collect (Opening Prayer)

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Da nobis, quaésumus, Dómine Deus noster, beatórum apostolórum Petri et Pauli intercessiónibus sublevári, ut, per quos Ecclésiæ tuæ supérni múneris rudiménta donásti, per eos subsídia perpétuæ salútis impéndas.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, per ómnia saécula sæculórum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. Lord our God, encourage us through the prayers of Saints Peter and Paul. May the apostles who strengthened the faith of the infant Church help us on our way of salvation.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. Grant to us, we beseech You, O Lord our God, to be supported by the intercessions of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, that, through whom You gave to Your Church the beginnings of heavenly service, through those You may extend the assistance of Your everlasting salvation.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.

Prayer Over the Gifts

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Múnera, Dómine, tuis altáribus adhibémus, de beatórum apostolórum Petri et Pauli sollemnitátibus gloriántes, ut quantum sumus de nostro mérito formidántes, tantum de tua benignitáte gloriémur salvándi.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Lord, we present these gifts on this feast of the apostles Peter and Paul. Help us to know our own weakness and to rejoice in your saving power.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.

My Own Literal Translation
O Lord, may we make use of the gifts on Your altar, glorying in the solemnity of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, that as much as we are forming our merits, we may equally glory in the salvation from Your kindness.
Through Christ our Lord.

Preface
Preface of Saints Peter and Paul - On the twofold mission of Peter and Paul in the Church


Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Vere dignum et iustum est, æquum et salútare, nos tibi semper et ubíque grátias ágere: Dómine, sancte Pater, omnípotens ætérne Deus:
Quia nos beáti apóstoli Petrus et Paulus tua dispositióne lætíficant: hic princeps fídei confiténdæ, ille intellegéndæ clarus assértor; hic relíquiis Israel instítuens Ecclésiam primitívam, ille magíster et doctor géntium vocandárum.
Sic divérso consílio unam Christi famíliam congregántes, par mundo venerábile, una coróna sociávit.
Et ídeo cum Sanctis et Angelis univérsis te collaudámus, sine fine dicéntes:
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus ...

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Father, all-powerful and ever-living God, we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks.
You fill our hearts with joy as we honor your great apostles: Peter, our leader in the faith, and Paul, its fearless preacher. Peter raised up the Church from the faithful flock of Israel. Paul brought your call to the nations, and became the teacher of the world.
Each in his chosen way gathered into unity the one family of Christ. Both shared a martyr’s death and are praised throughout the world.
Now with the apostles and all the angels and saints, we praise you for ever:
Holy, holy, holy ...

My Own Literal Translation
It is truly right and just, proper and availing unto salvation, that we always and everywhere give thanks to You, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty and Eternal God:
Thus the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul make us joyful by means of Your plan: one the leader for the sake of confessing the Faith, the other as a brilliant speaker for the sake of understanding; one for founding the early Church from the remnant of Israel, the other an instructor and teacher for the sake of calling the Gentiles.
Thus gathering one family of Christ through different plans, the one crown [of martyrdom] united this venerable pair in the world.
And thus, together with all the Saints and Angels we praise You, saying without end:
Holy, Holy, Holy ...

Post-Communion Prayer

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Let us pray. Cæléstibus sacraméntis, quaésumus, Dómine, fidéles tuos corróbora, quos Apostolórum doctrína illuminásti.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. Father, you give us light by the teaching of your apostles. In this sacrament we have received fill us with your strength.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.

My Own Literal Translation
By these heavenly Sacraments, we beseech You, O Lord, strengthen Your faithful, whom You enlighten by the doctrine of the Apostles.
Through Christ our Lord.

RS

Plenary Indugences for the Pauline Year

Saint Paul's Outside the Walls
A reminder that there are Plenary Indulgences attached to the Pauline Year which begins Saturday evening (the Vigil of the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul).

Although the main indulgence is obtained by an actual pilgrimage to the Basilica of Saint Paul's Outside the Walls in Rome, there are plenary indulgences available to the faithful who cannot make a pilgrimage [my emphasis below]

Here is the official proclamation from the Vatican Website:

URBIS ET ORBIS

DECREE

Special Indulgences are conceded to faithful
on the occasion of the 2000th anniversary of the birth of St Paul the Apostle

In the imminence of the liturgical Solemnity of the Princes of the Apostles, motivated by pastoral solicitude the Supreme Pontiff intends to provide promptly for spiritual treasures to be granted to the faithful for their sanctification, so that on this pious and happy occasion, from First Vespers of the Solemnity mentioned, they may renew and reinforce with even greater fervour intentions of supernatural salvation, principally in honour of the Apostle to the Gentiles, the 2000th anniversary of whose birth on earth is now approaching.

The gift of Indulgences which the Roman Pontiff offers to the universal Church, truly smoothes the way to attaining a supreme degree of inner purification which, while honouring the Blessed Apostle Paul, exalts the supernatural life in the hearts of the faithful and gently encourages them to do good deeds.

Therefore, this Apostolic Penitentiary, to which the Holy Father has entrusted the task of the preparation and compilation of the Decree on the granting and obtaining of Indulgences that will be valid for the duration of the Pauline Year, benevolently bestows with this Decree issued in conformity with the desire of the August Pontiff, the following graces listed:

I. Each and every truly repentant individual member of the Christian faithful, duly absolved through the Sacrament of Reconciliation and restored with Holy Communion, who devoutly makes a pilgrimage to the Papal Basilica of St Paul on the Ostian Way and who prays for the Supreme Pontiff's intentions, will be granted the Plenary Indulgence from temporal punishment for his/her sins, once sacramental forgiveness and pardon for any shortcomings has been obtained.

The Christian faithful may benefit from the Plenary Indulgence both for themselves and for the deceased, as many times as they fulfil the required conditions but without prejudice to the norm stipulating that the Plenary Indulgence may be obtained only once a day.

In order that the prayer raised on this holy visit may lead and invite the souls of the faithful to venerate more intensely the memory of St Paul, the following has been established: the faithful, in addition to raising their own supplications before the altar of the Most Blessed Sacrament, each one according to his own devotion, must go to the altar of the Confessio and devoutly recite the Our Father and the Creed, adding pious invocations in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Paul. And may this devotion always be closely united to the memory of the Prince of the Apostles, St Peter.

II. The Christian faithful of the various local Churches, having fulfilled the required conditions (sacramental Confession, Eucharistic Communion, prayers for the Supreme Pontiff's intentions) and in a spirit of total detachment from any inclination to sin, may benefit from the Plenary Indulgence if they take part devoutly in a sacred function or in a pious public exercise in honour of the Apostle to the Gentiles; on the days of the solemn opening and closure of the Pauline Year, in all the sacred places; on other days specified by the local Ordinary, in holy places dedicated to St Paul and, for the convenience of the faithful, in other places designated by the same Ordinary.

III. Lastly, the faithful prevented by illness or another legitimate and important cause, always in a spirit of detachment from any inclination to sin, with the intention of fulfilling the usual conditions as soon as possible, will also be able to obtain the Plenary Indulgence, as long as they spiritually join in a Jubilee celebration in honour of St Paul, offering their prayers and sufferings to God for Christian unity.

In order that the faithful may more easily share in these heavenly favours, may the priests approved by the competent ecclesiastical authority for hearing confessions prepare promptly and generously to receive them.

This Decree is effective for the whole of the Pauline Year. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary.

Given in Rome, at the Offices of the Apostolic Penitentiary, 10 May, in the Year of the Incarnation of the Lord 2008, on the eve of Pentecost.

Cardinal James Francis Stafford
Major Penitentiary

Fr Gianfranco Girotti, O.F.M. Conv.
Titular Bishop of Meta Regent

In addition to the acts mentioned above, the usual conditions for obtaining a plenary indulgence apply for all of these, which are:

- Say one “Our Father” and one “Hail Mary” for the intentions of the Pope

- Make a Sacramental Confession within about a week of (before or after) the Feast of Christ the King

- Worthily receive Holy Communion (ideally on the Feast of Christ the King)

- that one be free from all attachment to sin, even venial sin.
(For a better understanding of this one, see this excellent article by Fr. Tim Finigan: "Plenary indulgences not impossible")

RS

Commemoration of Saints John and Paul, Martyrs

Today is the Commemoration of the Martyrs Saints John and Paul, who are mentioned together in the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer I). Unfortunately, their part of the Canon is now [optional], so many priests, even if they say the Roman Canon, will skip over the part which mentions them:

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Communicántes, et memóriam venerántes, in primis gloriósæ semper Vírginis Maríæ, Genetrícis Dei et Dómini nostri Iesu Christi: sed et beáti Ioseph, eiúsdem Vírginis Sponsi, et beatórum Apostolórum ac Mártyrum tuórum, Petri et Pauli, Andréæ, [Iacóbi, Ioánnis, Thomæ, Iacóbi, Philíppi, Bartholomaéi, Matthaéi, Simónis et Thaddaéi, Lini, Cleti, Cleméntis, Xysti, Cornélii, Cypriáni, Lauréntii, Chrysógoni, Ioánnis et Pauli, Cosmæ et Damiáni] et ómnium Sanctórum tuórum; quorum méritis precibúsque concédas, ut in ómnibus protectiónis tuæ muniámur auxílio.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
In union with the whole Church we honor Mary, the ever-virgin mother of Jesus Christ our Lord and God. We honor Joseph, her husband, the apostles and martyrs Peter and Paul, Andrew,
[James, John, Thomas, James, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Simon and Jude; we honor Linus, Cletus, Clement, Sixtus, Cornelius, Cyprian, Lawrence, Chrysogonus, John and Paul, Cosmas and Damian]
and all the saints. May their merits and prayers gain us your constant help and protection.
(Yes, in the English Sacramentary, the optional text is made much smaller. No wonder it doesn't get read!)

Better Literal Translation (based on the Credo translation)
In communion with, and reverently remembering, in the first place, the glorious ever-Virgin Mary, Mother of our God and Lord Jesus Christ: then blessed Joseph, spouse of the same Virgin, and Your blessed Apostles and Martyrs, Peter and Paul, Andrew, [James, John, Thomas, James, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Simon and Thaddeus, Linus, Cletus, Clement, Sixtus, Cornelius, Cyprian, Lawrence, Chrysogonus, John and Paul, Cosmas and Damian], and all Your Saints; by whose merits and prayers grant that we may be strengthened in all things by the help of Your protection.

Their entry in the Roman Martyrology is:

2004 Roman Martyrology
Romæ, commemorátio sanctórum Ioánnis et Pauli, quorum nómini basílica dicáta est in monte Cǽlio ad clivum Scáuri, in titulo Pammáchii senatóris.

My rough translation
At Rome, the commemoration of Saints John and Paul, of whose names a basilica is dedicated on the Caelian mountain [one of the 7 hills of Rome] at the hill of the Scauri, in the title of Senator Pammachius.

The basilica was built over Saint John's and Saint Paul's house.


It is also the place where they were martyred. There is a special marking on the floor of the basilica over the spot on which they were martyred.

"The place of the martyrdom of Saints John and Paul is in this particular spot".
The Pammachius mentioned in the Martyrology entry is Saint Pammachius, who was a devout Roman senator who had the basilica built. His relics are also in the basilica.


The relics of Saints John and Paul are in a sarcophagus in the main altar.


I believe the painting behind the high altar is of the Martyrdom of Saints John and Paul.


More information on Saints John and Paul available at the Catholic Encylopedia and separately on the Patron Saint's Index for Saint John and Saint Paul.

RS

Solemnity of the Birth of Saint John the Baptist - Comparison of Prayers

"Saint John the Baptist" by Titian

Collect (Opening Prayer)

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Deus, qui beátum Ioánnem Baptístam suscitásti, ut perféctam plebem Christo Dómino preæparáret, da pópulis tuis spiritálium grátiam gaudiórum, et ómnium fidélium mentes dírige in viam salútis et pacis.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, per ómnia saécula sæculórum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. All-powerful God, help your people to walk the path to salvation. By following the teaching of John the Baptist, may we come to your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. O God, You Who raised up blessed John the Baptist, so that he might prepare a perfect people for Christ the Lord, give to Your people the grace of spiritual joy, and direct the minds of all the faithful in the ways of salvation and peace.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, You Son, Who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.

Prayer Over the Gifts

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Tua, Dómine, munéribus altária cumulámus, illíus nativitátem honóre débito celebrántes, qui Salvatórem mundi et cécinit affutúrum, et adésse monstrávit.
Qui vivit et regnat in saécula sæculórum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Lord, look with favor on the gifts we bring on this feast of John the Baptist. Help us put into action the mystery we celebrate in this sacrament.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.

My Own Literal Translation
We heap up gifts upon Your altar, O Lord, celebrating with due honor the birth of him, who both prophesied the coming Savior, and pointed out His Presence.
Who lives and reigns forever and ever.

Preface
Preface of John the Baptist - On the mission of the forerunner

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Vere dignum et iustum est, æquum et salútare, nos tibi semper et ubíque grátias ágere: Dómine, sancte Pater, omnípotens ætérne Deus: per Christum Dóminum nostrum.
In cuius Præcursóre beáto Ioánne tuam magnificéntiam collaudámus, quem inter natos mulíerum honóre præcípuo consecrásti.
Qui cum nascéndo multa gáudia præstitísset, et nondum éditus exsultásset ad humánæ salútis advéntum, ipse solus ómnium prophetárum Agnum redemptiónis osténdit.
Sed et sanctificándis étiam aquæ fluéntis ipsum baptísmatis lavit auctórem, et méruit fuso sánguine suprémum illi testimónium exhibére.
Et ídeo, cum cælórum virtútibus, in terris te iúgiter prædicámus, maiestáti tuæ sine fine clamántes:
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus ...

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Father, all-powerful and ever-living God, we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord.
We praise your greatness as we honor the prophet who prepared the way before your Son. You set him apart from other men, marking him out with special favor.
His birth brought great rejoicing: even in the womb he leapt for joy, so near was man’s salvation. You chose John the Baptist from all the prophets to show the world its redeemer, the lamb of sacrifice.
He baptized Christ, the giver of baptism, in waters made holy by the one who was baptized. You found John worthy of a martyr’s death, his last and greatest act of witness to your Son.
In our unending joy we echo on earth the song of the angels in heaven as they praise your glory for ever:
Holy, holy, holy ...

My Own Literal Translation
It is truly right and just, proper and availing unto salvation, that we always and everywhere give thanks to You, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty and Eternal God: through Christ our Lord.
In Whose forerunner we together praise your magnificence the blessed John, whom you consecrated with extraordinary honor among those born of women.
Who had been distinguished by being born with great joy, and not yet born he had lept with great joy at the nearness of the salvation of man, he himself was the only one of all the Prophets who revealed the Lamb of redemption.
As also by the pourings of water he also washed the Author of Baptism Himself, and he merited to show the supreme testimony by pouring out his blood.
And so, with all the Heavenly Powers, we on earth proclaim together, crying out to Your Majesty without end:
Holy, Holy, Holy ...

Post-Communion Prayer

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Cæléstis Agni convívio refécti, quaésumus, Dómine, ut Ecclésia tua, sumens de beáti Ioánnis Baptístæ generatióne lætítiam, quem ille prænuntiávit ventúrum, suæ regeneratiónis cognóscat auctórem.
Qui vivit et regnat in saécula sæculórum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Father, may the prayers of John the Baptist lead us to the Lamb of God. May this eucharist bring us the mercy of Christ,
who is Lord for ever and ever.

My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. Having been refreshed by the Banquet of the Heavenly Lamb, grant we beseech You, O Lord, that Your Church, being joyful at the birth of blessed John the Baptist, who foretold Him Who would come, may know the Author of Its rebirth.
Who lives and reigns forever and ever.

RS

Vigil Mass of the Birth of Saint John the Baptist - Comparison of Prayers

"Angel Appearing to Zechariah" by Domenico Ghirlandaio

I wasn't overly confident in this translation, but I think I got it for the most part. I would still hope I'm doing better than the old ICEL translation.

Collect (Opening Prayer)

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Præsta, quaésumus, omnípotens Deus, ut família tua per viam salútis incédat, et, beáti Ioánnis Præcursóris hortaménta sectándo, ad eum quem prædíxit, secúra pervéniat, Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum.
Qui tecum vivit et regnat, in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia saécula sæculórum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. All-powerful God, help your people to walk the path to salvation. By following the teaching of John the Baptist, may we come to your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. Grant, we beseech You, Almighty God, that Your servants may march in the way of salvation, and, following the exhortations of blessed John the Precursor, may safely come to Him Whom he foretold, our Lord Jesus Christ.
Who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.

Prayer Over the Gifts

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Múnera pópuli tui, Dómine, propítius intende, in beáti Ioánnis Baptistæ sollemnitáte deláta, et præsta, ut, quæ mystério gérimus, débitæ servitútis actióne sectémur.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Lord, look with favor on the gifts we bring on this feast of John the Baptist. Help us put into action the mystery we celebrate in this sacrament.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.

My Own Literal Translation
O Lord, look upon the gifts of Your people, brought on this solemnity of blessed John the Baptist, and grant, that, by this mystery, we may cut away sins, which we bear, by this action of servitude.
Through Christ our Lord.

Preface
Preface of John the Baptist - On the mission of the forerunner

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Vere dignum et iustum est, æquum et salútare, nos tibi semper et ubíque grátias ágere: Dómine, sancte Pater, omnípotens ætérne Deus: per Christum Dóminum nostrum.
In cuius Præcursóre beáto Ioánne tuam magnificéntiam collaudámus, quem inter natos mulíerum honóre præcípuo consecrásti.
Qui cum nascéndo multa gáudia præstitísset, et nondum éditus exsultásset ad humánæ salútis advéntum, ipse solus ómnium prophetárum Agnum redemptiónis osténdit.
Sed et sanctificándis étiam aquæ fluéntis ipsum baptísmatis lavit auctórem, et méruit fuso sánguine suprémum illi testimónium exhibére.
Et ídeo, cum cælórum virtútibus, in terris te iúgiter prædicámus, maiestáti tuæ sine fine clamántes:
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus ...

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Father, all-powerful and ever-living God, we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord.
We praise your greatness as we honor the prophet who prepared the way before your Son. You set him apart from other men, marking him out with special favor.
His birth brought great rejoicing: even in the womb he leapt for joy, so near was man’s salvation. You chose John the Baptist from all the prophets to show the world its redeemer, the lamb of sacrifice.
He baptized Christ, the giver of baptism, in waters made holy by the one who was baptized. You found John worthy of a martyr’s death, his last and greatest act of witness to your Son.
In our unending joy we echo on earth the song of the angels in heaven as they praise your glory for ever:
Holy, holy, holy ...

My Own Literal Translation
It is truly right and just, proper and availing unto salvation, that we always and everywhere give thanks to You, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty and Eternal God: through Christ our Lord.
In Whose forerunner we together praise your magnificence the blessed John, whom you consecrated with extraordinary honor among those born of women.
Who had been distinguished by being born with great joy, and not yet born he had lept with great joy at the nearness of the salvation of man, he himself was the only one of all the Prophets who revealed the Lamb of redemption.
As also by the pourings of water he also washed the Author of Baptism Himself, and he merited to show the supreme testimony by pouring out his blood.
And so, with all the Heavenly Powers, we on earth proclaim together, crying out to Your Majesty without end:
Holy, Holy, Holy ...

Post-Communion Prayer

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Sacris dápibus satiátos, beáti Ioánnis Baptístæ nos, Dómine, præclára comitétur orátio, et, quem Agnum nostra ablatúrum crímina nuntiávit, ipsum Fílium tuum poscat nobis fore placátum.
Qui vivit et regnat in saécula sæculórum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Father, may the prayers of John the Baptist lead us to the Lamb of God. May this eucharist bring us the mercy of Christ,
who is Lord for ever and ever.

My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. Having been filled by these Sacred Foods, may the noble prayer of blessed John the Baptist accompany us, O Lord, and, may he obtain for us the mercy of Your Son Himself, the Lamb about to take away our sins Whom he foretold.
Who lives and reigns forever and ever.

RS

12th Sunday "Per Annum" - Comparison of Prayers

aka 12th Sunday of Ordinary Time
"Jeremiah Lamenting the Destruction of Jerusalem" by Rembrandt
Collect (Opening Prayer)

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Sancti nóminis tui, Dómine, timórem páriter et amórem fac nos habére perpétuum, quia numquam tua gubernatióne destítuis, quos in soliditáte tuæ dilectiónis instítuis.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, per ómnia saécula sæculórum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. Father, guide and protector of your people, grant us an unfailing respect for your name and keep us always in your love.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. O Lord, make us to equally fear and have perpetual love for Your Holy Name, for in Your guidance You have never abandoned those, whom You have established in the firmness of Your love.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Prayer Over the Gifts

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Súscipe, Dómine, sacrifícium placatiónis et laudis, et præsta, ut, huius operatióne mundáti, beneplácitum tibi nostræ mentis offerámus afféctum.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Lord, receive our offering, and may this sacrifice of praise purify us in mind and heart and make us always eager to serve you.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.

My Own Literal Translation
O Lord, accept this Sacrifice of repentance and praise, and grant, that, having been cleansed by the work of this Sacrifice, we may offer to You the pleasing affection of our hearts.
Through Christ our Lord.

Post-Communion Prayer

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Sacri Córporis et Sánguinis pretiósi alimónia renováti, quaésumus, Dómine, cleméntiam tuam, ut, quod gérimus devotióne frequénti, certa redemptióne capiámus.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Lord, you give us the body and blood of your Son to renew your life within us. In your mercy, assure our redemption and bring us to the eternal life we celebrate in this eucharist.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. Having been renewed by the food of this Holy Body and Precious Blood, we humbly beseech Your clemency, O Lord, that, that which we carry out with frequent devotion, may obtain for us certain redemption.
Through Christ our Lord.

RS

RS Movie Review - Idiocracy

I had seen the DVD of "Idiocracy" in the bargain bin at WalMart once, which is the only way I even happened to know it existed. I was curious about it, since it was from Mike Judge (the creator of "Office Space," "King of the Hill," and "Beavis & Butthead"), but given that I had never heard about "Idiocracy," I worried it might have been so bad nobody went to see it. So, I just forgot about it.

Then I happened to see a passing reference to it over at Hallowed Ground blog of all places. So, after reading a few more reviews, I decided to get it. Not knowing quite what to expect.

So, one of the most average men of our time, Joe Bower, becomes part of an army experiment to cryogenically freeze humans. His test is to last a year. However, through "human error" he ends up being frozen 500 years. When he is unfrozen, he finds the world has become a society of idiots dumbed down by media and advertising. Thus, Joe is now the smartest guy on the planet.

Well, my fears were put to rest, as I found it to be another great piece from Mike Judge. Nobody is sure why the studio never promoted it. My only guess is that it just wouldn't fly with those whom it is poking fun at (which would be the average sit-around-on-your-butt-and-watch-TV-joe ... hence the main characters name), and it also pokes direct fun at many major real life corporations. With Fox being one of them, I'm guessing they suddenly didn't like one of it's own movies making fun of it. Guess Mike Judge bit the hand that fed him in their mind. It's humor is subtle in some ways but rather in your face at the same time. It often has the same biting humor as "Office Space." Unfortunately "Idiocracy" does feel less polished than "Office Space," but that may be due to the lack of support the studio gave it.

It does have "language and sex related humor" and thus got an "R" rating, but the whole point of the language and sexual humor is to make a point ... much like the over the top violence in Arnold Schwarzenegger's "Last Action Hero." This movie did have many laugh out loud moments. It helps to pay attention to not just the characters, but things in the background as well.

If you're expecting something as polished as "Office Space" you may be disappointed. However, if you're looking for a good satire of modern society and what we could become [cough]youtube[/cough], you may find "Idiocracy" to be a little diamond in the rough at your local DVD rental place. I definitely liked it.

Trailer


RS

Video games are getting so realistic!

Time for some Monday levity.

This item from The Onion about the "new" "World of World of Warcraft" cracked me up.

(Sometime The Onion can sometimes be a bit crass, but often they are brilliantly written. I would deem this video safe though.)




RS

11th Sunday "Per Annum"

"The Calling of the Apostles" by Domenico Ghirlandaio
(aka the 11th Sunday of Ordinary Time)
Collect (Opening Prayer)

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Deus, in te sperántium fortitúdo, invocatiónibus nostris adésto propítius, et, quia sine te nihil potest mortális infírmitas, grátiæ tuæ præsta semper auxílium, ut, in exsequéndis mandátis tuis, et voluntáte tibi et actióne placeámus.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, per ómnia saécula sæculórum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. Almighty God, our hope and our strength, without you we falter. Help us to follow Christ and to live according to your will.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. O God, Strength of those who hope in You, graciously hear our pleas: because, through the weakness of our mortal nature nothing can be done without You, always grant the aid of Your grace, so that, in carrying out Your commands, we may please You in both will and action.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Prayer Over the Gifts

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Deus, qui humáni géneris utrámque substántiam præséntium múnerum et aliménto végetas et rénovas sacraménto, tríbue, quaésumus, ut eórum et corpóribus nostris subsídium non desit et méntibus.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Lord God, in this bread and wine you give us food for body and spirit. May the eucharist renew our strength and bring us health of mind and body.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.

My Own Literal Translation
O God, Who by the food of these offerings does both nourish the two-fold substance of mankind and renew it by this Sacrament, grant, we beseech You, that the assistance of It may never be lacking to either our bodies or souls.
Through Christ our Lord.

Post-Communion Prayer

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Hæc tua, Dómine, sumpta sacra commúnio, sicut fidélium in te uniónum præsígnat, sic in Ecclésia tua unitátis operétur efféctum.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. Lord, may this eucharist accomplish in your Church the unity and peace it signifies.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.

My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. O Lord, just as This Your Holy Communion Which we have received, represents the union of the faithful with You, so also may It produce the effect of unity in Your Church.
Through Christ our Lord.

RS

Made it through the "war."

I don't think it's Thursday anymore in any part of the world, so I guess we made it.

I guess Sarah Connor saved us from Skynet and the terminators again.


RS

Happy Nuclear War Day

I love Texas, but sometimes we do compete with Idaho in having nut jobs holed up in our states:



He's twice predicted nuclear war in the past, which didn't come to pass. I guess he thinks third time's the charm. Come on, dude, nuclear armageddon is so 1980's.

RS

Is the web affecting our brains?

I know I've felt it. In my own realization, it seems like I have been less proficient at retaining the information itself, and more focused on just knowing how to get to the information I need. Instead of remembering all the data around "fact A," I usually end up just knowing that all the information on "fact A" is over at website "fact A.com."

It opens up the question about the internet and how we use it. Because it is such a new thing, I think many (not only myself) are having to learn a certain discipline in using this new tool. The internet is certainly a great and powerful tool for information and ideas, but it is a two edged sword. For all the information and ideas it has, it also has a lot of misinformation and bad ideas. It's easy to get distracted while researching something to watch a quick video clip, read a quick sports result, or just start surfing on some unrelated tangent.

It's interesting that I found this article after making my post yesterday about buying some good old fashioned books. So, part of the veracity of an article I just found will be if you can even get through the article or not. However, it is a good article to give some thought about the internet and it's effect on our thought processes as we move deeper into the digital age.

The article is called "Is Google Making Us Stupid?" over at The Atlantic

Over the past few years I’ve had an uncomfortable sense that someone, or something, has been tinkering with my brain, remapping the neural circuitry, reprogramming the memory. My mind isn’t going—so far as I can tell—but it’s changing. I’m not thinking the way I used to think. I can feel it most strongly when I’m reading. Immersing myself in a book or a lengthy article used to be easy. My mind would get caught up in the narrative or the turns of the argument, and I’d spend hours strolling through long stretches of prose. That’s rarely the case anymore. Now my concentration often starts to drift after two or three pages. I get fidgety, lose the thread, begin looking for something else to do. I feel as if I’m always dragging my wayward brain back to the text. The deep reading that used to come naturally has become a struggle.

I think I know what’s going on. For more than a decade now, I’ve been spending a lot of time online, searching and surfing and sometimes adding to the great databases of the Internet. The Web has been a godsend to me as a writer. Research that once required days in the stacks or periodical rooms of libraries can now be done in minutes. A few Google searches, some quick clicks on hyperlinks, and I’ve got the telltale fact or pithy quote I was after. Even when I’m not working, I’m as likely as not to be foraging in the Web’s info-thickets—reading and writing e-mails, scanning headlines and blog posts, watching videos and listening to podcasts, or just tripping from link to link to link. (Unlike footnotes, to which they’re sometimes likened, hyperlinks don’t merely point to related works; they propel you toward them.)

[snip]

I’m not the only one. When I mention my troubles with reading to friends and acquaintances—literary types, most of them—many say they’re having similar experiences. The more they use the Web, the more they have to fight to stay focused on long pieces of writing. Some of the bloggers I follow have also begun mentioning the phenomenon. Scott Karp, who writes a blog about online media, recently confessed that he has stopped reading books altogether. “I was a lit major in college, and used to be [a] voracious book reader,” he wrote. “What happened?” He speculates on the answer: “What if I do all my reading on the web not so much because the way I read has changed, i.e. I’m just seeking convenience, but because the way I THINK has changed?”

[snip]

Sergey Brin and Larry Page, the gifted young men who founded Google while pursuing doctoral degrees in computer science at Stanford, speak frequently of their desire to turn their search engine into an artificial intelligence, a HAL-like machine that might be connected directly to our brains. “The ultimate search engine is something as smart as people—or smarter,” Page said in a speech a few years back. “For us, working on search is a way to work on artificial intelligence.” In a 2004 interview with Newsweek, Brin said, “Certainly if you had all the world’s information directly attached to your brain, or an artificial brain that was smarter than your brain, you’d be better off.” Last year, Page told a convention of scientists that Google is “really trying to build artificial intelligence and to do it on a large scale.”

Like I said, it's certainly worth reading the whole article. It touches on several things I have personally experienced.

I know that even though I do feel I read much, much more now (mostly on the web though), it's often more trivial things, or just blurbs rather than focusing on the whole of the article. And I also will gravitate towards things that are more entertaining than necessarily intellectual. It sort of worried me that I recognized just about every internet celebrity in the latest Weezer video for "Pork and Beans" (yes, those are the real internet personae in the video).



See, I had to slip in that little bit o' entertainment, either to keep your (or more likely my own) attention.

See if you agree with me or not.

Oh well, off to read some more Don Quixote.

RS

Classical lesiure reading

Well, I've been looking for some lesiure reading material, and finally last night, on a whim I went to the bookstore. I finally just decided to go look at the classics and they had a nice little selection of classics with a buy 2 get 1 free offer. So, I ended up getting "Don Quixote" by Miguel de Cervantes, "The Brothers Karamazov" by Fyodor Dostoevsky, and "The Three Musketeers" by Alexandre Dumas (yeah, those "little" books, LOL). All in all, getting those three for under $20 isn't too bad.
I'm starting with "Don Quixote."


Amusing so far, although I haven't read but the first few chapters.

RS

10th Sunday "Per Annum" - Comparison of Prayers

"The Calling of Saint Matthew" by Hendrick Terbrugghen
Collect (Opening Prayer)

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Deus, a quo bona cuncta procédunt, tuis largíre supplícibus, ut cogitémus, te inspiránte, quæ recta sunt, et, te gubernánte, éadem faciámus.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, per ómnia saécula sæculórum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. God of wisdom and love, source of all good, send your Spirit to teach us your truth and guide our actions in your way of peace.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. O God, from Whom all good things come, grant to Your humble petitioners, that, by Your inspiration, we may reflect on those things which are upright, and, by Your governing, we may do them.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

Prayer Over the Gifts

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Réspice, Dómine, quaésumus, nostram propítius servitútem, ut quod offérimus sit tibi munus accéptum, et nostræ caritátis augméntum.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Lord, look with love on our service. Accept the gifts we bring and help us to grow in Christian love.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.

My Own Literal Translation
O Lord, we beseech You, Look down in mercy upon our service, that the gifts which we offer to You may be acceptable, and may be an increasing of our sacrificial love.
Through Christ our Lord.

Post-Communion Prayer

Official Latin from the 1969 & 2002 Roman Missals
Orémus. Tua nos, Dómine, medicinális operátio, et a nostris perversitátibus cleménter expédiat, et ad ea quæ sunt recta perdúcat.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum.

Official 1973 I.C.E.L. Translation (Used at Mass in English)
Let us pray. Lord, may your healing love turn us from sin and keep us on the way that leads to you.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.

My Own Literal Translation
Let us pray. May Your work of healing, O Lord, mercifully free us from our perverse inclinations, and may it lead us to those things which are upright.
Through Christ our Lord.

RS

Clapping in church

"It is not fitting to applaud the servant in the house of his Master."
- Pope St. Pius X on clapping in church.

"Wherever applause breaks out in the liturgy because of some human achievement, it is a sure sign that the essence of liturgy has totally disappeared and been replaced by a kind of religious entertainment."
-Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger

Quotes found at Hallowed Ground

RS

Homebrews and the Holy Grail

Roman Sacristan raising a pint with friends
Last Memorial Day was fun. I'm only just now writing about it because I got sick last Wednesday and was down a few days with a bad fever and aches. (No, I don't think it was because of Monday either), and then yesterday I had a minor umbilical hernia repair surgery. (Now I really want some beer!)

A friend of mine is a home brewer. After helping him move some things, he took me over to one of his fellow homebrewer's house on Memorial Day. He was busy brewing and we helped him out. Although I am not a brewer, I am a beer enthusiast. This guy (as with all the homebrewers I have met) was kind enough to share some of the fruits of his labors, either with things he has brewed himself, or beers he has obtained which are not available locally (be it city, state, or country). All in all, it was a great tasting.

Please note: these were not full beers, but tastings, only two at the brew-pub were full pints. This was also stretched out over 8 hours.

1) Homebrew of a Kolsch style beer
Very good, clean, crisp, golden beer. Great for summer time.

2) Homebrew of an ESB-ish type beer
A bit difficult to categorize, but the consensus was it was closest to an ESB type beer. I tend to like bitters and this one was pretty good.

3) Homebrew of a porter
A simple, straightforward (and pretty darn good) porter.

4) Cantillion Sour Gueze
A lambic style from Belgium. Very sour, but strangely not too tart.

5) A sour kriek from Belgium which I cannot remember
This was one of the more tart kriek (cherry) beers I have had. It is much more sour than something like Timmermans kriek (which is very sweet).

6) Alaskan Smoked Porter
This one shocked me. It was really good. The smokey flavor was very pronounced, but it was not overpowering the porter.

7) Alaskan IPA
Excellent British style IPA. A very clean hoppy flavor.

8) Old Ale/American Barley Wine "homebrew"
Apparently the two friends I was with, "rescued" this keg before it was thrown out. The guy getting rid of it thought it had gone bad and let my friends take it off his hands. As it turned out, it aged well and is pretty good getting into a Barley-wine-ish flavor.

9) Gordon Biersch (brew-pub chain that recently opened locally) Schwartzbier
A pretty darn good black beer.

10) Gordon Biersch Marzen
I thought this one was simple, but my host felt this was much more complex. I guess I wasn't using the right tasting lingo. I most likely meant it was a straightforward marzen. Either way, it was pretty good.

11) Taste of Gordon Biersch Golden Export
This was pretty good, not as good as the previous two beers.

12) Taste of Gordon Biersch Hefeweizen
Objectively speaking, it was a pretty good Hefeweizen. It had strong banana and bubble gum flavors to it. I myself am not the biggest fan of Hefeweizens, but I would certainly drink it.

13) Taste of Gordon Biersch Czech Pilsner
This was the one beer I was disappointed with. It had a rather harsh kick to it. But this is most likely due to the fact that the brewpub is new and the brewmeister there is just getting used to the place. Overall, given how good the other beers are, he has done an amazing job at opening the place with good beers.

15) Rodenbach Sour
Pretty good. Not quite as good as the Cantillon Sour earlier, but nevertheless, it was pretty tasty.

14) Westvleteren Abt 12 (the real deal)
The bottle cap from the tasting
I skipped 14 because this was the highlight of the night. A real honest to goodness Westvleteren Abt 12! This is a holy grail of beer tasting. You can get the commercial version which is called Saint Bernardus Abbot 12 (and used to be called Saint Sixtus) here in Texas and it is pretty good. But the Westvleteren Abt 12 has been voted THE best beer in the world several times and does surpass the commercial version. And you can only get it it legitimately by going to the monastery itself and having a reservation to buy it. Our friend was able to pick up a whole case when he visited Belgium last year. It is a pretty good beer. My only wish was that I had more to try since we all three split a small bottle (which is understandable). I was happy enough with that. This now puts me at having tried 6 of the 7 authentic Trappist beers in the world. So far I have had:

Chimay
La Trappe (aka Koningshoeven or Schaapskooi)
Westmalle
Rochefort
Orval
Westvleteren

All I have yet to try now is:
Achel

vintage photo of a monk of Chimay sharing a beer
Cheers!

RS