Hell Spawn by Declan Finn

My name is Officer Thomas Nolan, and I am a saint. I can smell evil. I show mercy to the lesser criminals - the desperate. Even those I’ve put behind bars seem to like me. But now there’s a serial killer bringing darkness beyond imagination to my city. I can smell his stench a mile away. But how can I prove it? How do you do forensics on a killer possessed by a demon?

This is an action thriller in the style of the Dungeon Crawler Carl and Joe Ledger series. Straight forward and no fancy writing while blending honorable intentions with graphic violence usually against monsters. The good are very good and the evil are very evil. They can often be heavy handed. They're not the kind of book you brag about reading like you do Dickens, but you can't stop because they're like popcorn. This one is a Catholic action horror novel.

In this series, Detective Tom Nolan discovers that he can bilocate, smell evil, and is open enough to God's grace to becoming a saint. A saintly warrior, in fact, who is trying to stop a demon-possessed serial killer who has targeted his family and friends. He becomes a Catholic army of one battling the legions of Hell.

The Saint Tommy series is one that will appeal to a very specific audience. Catholic. Especially Catholics who believe in what the Church teaches 100%. So that means conservative Catholics. Lucky for me, I'm one of that crowd! I don't think you have to be Catholic to enjoy it but it will certainly help get some of the jokes.

When Detective Nolan discovers he wasn't killed because a pyx stopped the bullet, you give a little chuckle. When he wants an educated priest and goes to his pal Father Freeman because he's a Dominican (and specifically not a Jesuit), there's that chuckle again.

This story surprised me because the horrific way a serial killer is treating the victims' bodies points back to something that is hidden from the general public in many ways. And which they might not think of as being horrific in the original usage, depending on their political and moral stances. It was a clever way to bring a pointed message home.

The fight sequences are over the top and get increasingly long as the book goes on. However, I really enjoyed the way the Rikers fight action was interspersed with lines of the rite of exorcism. This gave extra meaning to the point and power of those prayers. I have gone on to read more of the series and this often is done with lines of psalms in those books. It gives me a sense of what the psalmist had experienced and was expressing in a way that made the lines very vivid.

Also, I was impressed by Nolan's continual insistence that he is achieving nothing on his own, that he is doing God's will and only by God's grace will anything be accomplished. That also resonated.

I don't care for the way that political broad brushes are applied to certain groups. This becomes even more pointed as the series continues. But I've put up with a number of other series applying similar broad brushes in the other direction so, as I've done with those, I shrug it off and go on.

Surprisingly, this book stuck with me in a way that has affected my faith life as I mentioned above. It's not bad to have that as the takeaway!

Julie wants to ride on top of the stagecoach. Scott wants to stay inside to talk with the nice man about how to be an hombre.

 Join us for Episode 381: Hombre (1967) starring Paul Newman.

Women Preparing Silk

Women preparing silk, Emperor Huizong

Is Burglary a Sport, a Trade or an Art

It is a moot point whether burglary is to be considered as a sport, a trade, or an art.

For trade, technique is scarcely rigid enough, and its claims to be considered an art are vitiated by the mercenary element that qualifies its triumphs. On the whole it seems to be most justly ranked as a sport, a sport for which no rules are at present formulated, and of which the prizes are distributed in an extremely informal manner.

H.G. Wells, The Hammerpond Park Burglary

I don't think of H.G. Wells as being funny so this was a delightful surprise.

I don't like soccer but have discovered that I am enjoying the FIFA coverage

I don't actually care about FIFA but have really been enjoying watching all the stories with people having so much fun — both discovering America and Americans bonding over watch parties. What better way to lead us into our 250th anniversary? 

This video reel gives you an idea of what I'm talking about.

How and why to cook

'Now, just one more question, Mrs. Appleyard,' the Editor said, hoping she would break another cookie. 'I've heard it said that a well-known painter when asked what he mixed his paints with, said "With brains." Now do you feel that--to sum up what you've told me--people should cook with brains? May I quote you?'

Mrs. Appleyard put another batch of cookies into the oven.

'Brains are not enough,' she said. 'You have to like things: the dishes you cook with, the people you buy the butter from, the field where the crows fly over the corn and the wind that blows through their wings. You have to like the table you put the food on, and the people who sit around it. Yes, even when they tip back in your Hitchcock chairs, you have to like them. You don't just like how the food tastes--you like how it looks and smells and how the egg beater sounds. You like the rhythm of chopping and the throb of the teakettle lid. You like to test the frying pan with water and see it run around like quicksilver. You like the shadow in pewter and the soft gleam of silver and the sharp flash of glass. You like the feel of damask napkins and the shadows of flowers on a white cloth. You like people eating in their best clothes in candlelight, and in their dungarees on a beach in the broiling sun, or under a pine tree in the rain.

'You like the last moment before a meal is served when the hollandaise thickens, the steak comes sputtering out of the broiler, the cream is cooked into the potatoes and the last drop of water is cooked out of the peas.' Here she was silent long enough to take the correctly lacy and golden cookies off the pan. 'Not with brains,' she repeated, putting down the spatula. 'With love.'

Louise Andrews Kent, Mrs. Appleyard's Cookbook

A book I love to read over and over. There are recipes — which are fun enough on their own to read — but there are also wonderful pieces like this.

A Gift

A Gift, taken by the amazing Remo Savisaar

Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

In the midst of the second world war Pope Pius XII put the whole world under the special protection of our Savior's Mother by consecrating it to her Immaculate Heart, and in 1944 he decreed that in the future the whole Church should celebrate the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. This is not a new devotion. In the seventeenth century, St. John Eudes preached it together with that of the Sacred Heart; in the nineteenth century, Pius VII and Pius IX allowed several churches to celebrate a feast of the Pure Heart of Mary. Pius XII instituted today's feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary for the whole Church, so as to obtain by her intercession "peace among nations, freedom for the Church, the conversion of sinners, the love of purity and the practice of virtue" (Decree of May 4, 1944).

Catholic Culture

As always you'll find a lot more information, prayers, and activities at Catholic Culture.

I particularly like this reflection which reminds me of why Mary was not only the first and best of Jesus' disciples, but why I should ask her for help in my own Christian journey.

The Preface of the Mass attributes a number of qualities to the Heart of Mary. It is wise, because she understood the meaning of the Scriptures as no other person had ever done, and she kept in it the memory of the words and things relating to the mystery of salvation. It is immaculate, that is, immune from any stain of sin. It is docile because she submitted so faithfully to God's will and to every one of his wishes. It is new, according to the ancient prophecy of Ezechiel  -- a new heart I will give you, and a new spirit -- clothed in the newness of grace merited by Christ. It is humble because she imitated the humility of Christ, who said Learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart. It is simple, free from any duplicity and full of the Spirit of truth. It is clean and thus able to see God according to the words of the Beatitude. It is firm in her acceptance of the Will of God when Simeon announced to her that a sword of sorrow would pierce her heart, when persecution broke out aginst her Son or when the moment of his death was at hand. It is ready, for whilst Christ slept in the sepulcher she kept watch in the expectation of his resurrection, just like the spouse in the Canticle of Canticles.

As we consider the splendor and holiness of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, we can examine today the depths of our own soul: whether we are open and docile to the graces and inspirations of the Holy Spirit, whether we jealously guard our heart from anything that could separate it form God, whether we pull up by the roots our little feelings of resentment, of envy ... which tend to bed themselves down within it. We know that from our heart's richness or its poverty our words and deeds will speak. The good man out of his good treasure brings forth good things. (Matt. 12:35)

In Conversation with God, Vol. 6: Special Feasts: January to June

The Immaculate Heart, Józef Mehoffer

 

Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

On the feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, we give special honor to the source and symbol of the love Our Saviour has for us. Celebrated the Friday after the feast of Corpus Christi, the feast day celebrates the devotion to the Heart of Jesus; one of the oldest devotions of the Church, dating back in some form to the Patristic Era, the era of the early Church Fathers. Sr. Mary Jeremiah, O.P., S.T.D. Describes the importance and significance of the devotion:

“Jesus Christ is the center of the universe. His pierced Heart, as the symbol of His infinite and divine charity united to his human affections and love, is the focal point of all time. Those who lived during the long period before his incarnation and redemptive death and resurrection waited with yearning for the promised redeemer. Those who witnessed the piercing of his side, as well as all people who will live, are invited to gaze upon and contemplate this mystery. . . As Christians lovingly gaze upon his Heart, they are given the grace to believe in God's mercy and forgiveness.” - from the book The Secret of the Heart

Originally from an article on Aquinas and More, link dead

The Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is a moveable feast, which means that it depends on the date of Easter Sunday. It is celebrated 19 days after Pentecost Sunday, which falls on the 50th day of Easter.

I personally have a special love for the novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

O Lord Jesus Christ, to your most Sacred Heart I confide this intention. Only look upon me, then do what your love inspires. Let your Sacred Heart decide. I count on you. I trust in you. I throw myself on your mercy. Lord Jesus, you will not fail me.

(Mention your request)

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in you.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I believe in your love for me.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, your kingdom come.

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I have asked you for many favors, but I earnestly implore this one. Take it, place it in your open heart. When the Eternal Father looks upon it, he will see it covered with your Precious Blood. It will no longer be my prayer, but yours, Jesus. Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in you. Let me not be disappointed. Amen.

There is something about this part especially that gets to me: "When the Eternal Father looks upon it, he will see it covered with your Precious Blood. It will no longer be my prayer, but yours, Jesus."

I have also posted the Litany of the Sacred Heart which is very useful for prayerful meditation on the perfection that is Jesus' heart with which we try to bring our hearts in line daily.

Other Good Thoughts about The Sacred Heart of Jesus

"In the best apologetic manner the Catholic lady said, "Well, you know how you Baptists accept Jesus into your heart? We Catholics ask Jesus to accept us into his heart.

Father Dwight Longenecker

The Sacred Heart, Józef Mehoffer

The Long Leg

The Long Leg, Edward Hopper, c.1930
via WikiPaintings

God intrudes

Despite our efforts to keep him out, God intrudes. The life of Jesus is bracketed by two impossibilities: a virgin's womb and an empty tomb. Jesus entered our world through a door marked "No Entrance" and left through a door marked "No Exit."

Peter Larson

I keep forgetting how utterly impossible Jesus' life was. By human standards, anyway.

And the Winner Is — 1945

 Our family is working our way through Oscar winners and whichever nominees take our fancy. Also as they are available, since some films are hard to find.

This is the first year that only five films could be nominated. This really cut down on the variety and we missed the wide ranging field from previous years with more nominees.

Nominated films that we didn't watch because we'd couldn't find them were The Pied Piper and Wake Island.

WINNER

After being appointed to a run-down New York parish, a young, hip priest connects with a gang of boys looking for direction and eventually wins over over the aging, conventional Parish priest.

1945 Oscar winner. It did not age well.

 NOMINEES

Fred MacMurray is the insurance salesman who comes up with the perfect murder scheme to rid femme fatale Barbara Stanwyck of her husband's annoying presence. Edward G. Robinson is MacMurray's boss, a wily insurance investigator who feels that things don't quite add up. 

This should have won. A true classic that we didn't rewatch for this because we've seen it so many times. A Movie You Might Have Missed #10.

A newlywed fears she’s going mad when strange things start happening at the family mansion.

Another one that should have won and it's a classic for a reason. If you only know the term "gaslight" but not where it came from, then you need to watch this movie.  A Movie You Might Have Missed #74.

The political career of Woodrow Wilson is chronicled, beginning with his decision to leave his post at Princeton to run for Governor of New Jersey, and his subsequent ascent to the Presidency of the United States.

We were curious to see what a movie would be like that was made so soon after Wilson's presidency. Oy veh. Hero worship, anyone? Not bad but not really worth watching.

=======

All the Oscar viewing is here.

Girl Reading

Girl Reading, Georgios Jakobides

She looks so scholarly! I love it!

Not Fairy Tales But Real Life!

Moses said to the people:
"If only you would heed the voice of the LORD, your God,
and keep his commandments and statutes
that are written in this book of the law,
when you return to the LORD, your God,
with all your heart and all your soul.

"For this command that I enjoin on you today
is not too mysterious and remote for you.
It is not up in the sky, that you should say,
'Who will go up in the sky to get it for us
and tell us of it, that we may carry it out?'
Nor is it across the sea, that you should say,
'Who will cross the sea to get it for us
and tell us of it, that we may carry it out?'
No, it is something very near to you,
already in your mouths and in your hearts;
you have only to carry it out."

Dt 30:10-14

Reading this, I was struck by the similarity to fairy tales where the hero is sent on a quest. Often it is to win the hand of a bride or to gain treasure, but there are usually three tasks that are in far away, unimaginable lands. When I heard, "Who will go up in the sky to get it for us" and "Who will cross the sea to get it for us" that fairy tale mythology popped into my head.

I was in awe. Indeed returning to God with our whole heart and soul is very close. Everyone can do it. We've all got built in translators so we know already what to do. God made it as easy as humanly possible to get close to him. It isn't a fairy tale, it isn't any of the tales of the gods that would have been familiar to the Hebrews from the Egyptians. It is real life and much simpler than that.

Now, whether or not it is easy to do is another matter. 

Captain Blood

Captain Blood, N.C. Wyeth

A Pirate's Guide to the First Grade

I'll make no bones about it. Cap'n Silver worked us like black dogs on a hot day. We counted and spelled 'til we nearly dropped, brain-addled and weary.

Pirate's Guide to the First Grade, James Preller

I've requested it from the library! This little bit I came across sounds magical!

Solemnity of Corpus Christi

I especially love that this solemnity is so important that it one of only five occasions in the year on which a diocesan bishop is not to be away from his diocese unless for a grave and urgent reason. It's that important.

Pope Leo, Corpus Christi procession 2025
(CNS Photo/Vatican Media, OSV)

This Solemnity goes back to the thirteenth century. It was first established in the diocese of Liége, and Pope Urban IV instituted it in 1264 for the whole Church. The meaning of this feast is the consideration of and devotion to the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. The center of the feast was to be, as Pope Urban IV described it, a popular devotion reflected in hymns and joy. In the same year Saint Thomas Aquinas, at the Pope's request, composed for this day two Offices which have nourished the piety of many Christians throughout the centuries. In many different places the procession with the Monstrance through specially bedecked streets gives testimony of the Christian people's faith and love for Christ, who once again passes through our cities and towns. The procession began in the same way as the feast itself.

For many years God fed manna to the people of Israel as they wandered in the wilderness. This was an image and symbol of the pilgrim church and of each individual who journeys towards his or her definitive homeland -- Heaven. That food given in the desert of Sinai is a figure of the true food, the Holy Eucharist. This is the sacrament of the human pilgrimage ... Precisely because of this, the annual feast of the Eucharist that the Church celebrates today contains within its liturgy so many references to the pilgrimage of the people of the Covenant in their wanderings through the wilderness (John Paul II)....

Today is a day of thanksgiving and of joy because God has wanted to remain with us in order to feed us and to strengthen us, so that we many never feel alone. The Holy Eucharist is the viaticum, the food for the long journey of our days on Earth towards the goal of true Life. Jesus accompanies us and strengthens us here in this world, where our life is like a shadow compared to the reality that awaits us. Earthly food is a pale image of the food we receive in Holy Communion. The Holy Eucharist opens up our hearts to a completely new reality.

In Conversation With God Vol 6
Daily Meditations, Special Feasts: January - June

The Feast of Corpus Christi is a moveable feast, which means that it depends on the date of Easter Sunday. Corpus Christi is celebrated on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday, which falls one week after Pentecost Sunday. As is often the case, many U.S. bishops have moved it to Sunday in their dioceses.

Some excellent historical information can be found in an old post at The Fathers of the Church where Mike Aquilina fills us in this feast and about the reality for the Church from the beginning.

One of the most telling pieces of evidence, to me, that this reality was the view of the early Christians on the Eucharist comes from St. Ignatius of Antioch's Letter to the Smyrnaeans (ca. AD 106) which was written about ten years after the death of the Apostle John. That means there wasn't time enough for him to have gotten "confused on this issue" (via John Bergsma, Word of the Lord, Year A).

But consider those who are of a different opinion with respect to the grace of Christ which has come unto us, how opposed they are to the will of God. ...

They abstain from the Eucharist and from prayer, because they confess not the Eucharist to be the flesh of our Saviour Jesus Christ, which suffered for our sins, and which the Father, of His greatness, raised up again. Those, therefore, who speak against this gift of God, incur death in the midst of their disputes. (emphasis added)

Statue of Jean Althen

Statue of Jean Althen, Papal Palace Gardens, Avignon, Belinda Del Pesco

Each Challenge is Supposed to Bring Out the Best in Us

Challenges will be with us until the day we die. But in God's mind, each challenge is supposed to bring out the best in us. ... Every outcome of every challenge should reveal how God supplies the grace to make it through the seemingly impossible.

Father Leo Patalinghug, Grace before Meals

Amen, amen. This makes all the difference when facing the hard things of life.

The Gardeners

Gustave Caillebotte, Les jardiniers, 1875