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Archbp. Nichols of Westminster is now a free man!
This is rather cool. The Diocese of Westminster has on its site the news that the Archbishop of Westminster received the Freedom of the City of London. The Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of...
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Exhibit on the historical inspiration for Capt. Jack Aubrey!
This is for your Just Too Cool folder. BBC reports: Admiral Cochrane artefacts go on display for first time The life of an admiral who inspired the character Jack Aubrey, portrayed in the film Master...
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On the preparation of Christmas Pudding: advice sought
Since Stir-Up Sunday is upon us and it is time to make the Christmas Pudding, I thought consult in advance with some of you who have experience. I made one last year, of course. It was wonderful. I...
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Smoking Bishop and a Cat named Jeoffry
A reader alerted me to this wonderful bit of lore on the blog Spitalfields Life. Enjoy this with a glass of negus, which it’s something Preserved Killick will know about. Nowadays, we may celebrate...
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Dr. Maturin on Jesuits
As most of you readers know, I am fond of Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey/Maturin series. In Reverse of the Medal (the 11th ) we find some comments about Jesuits and their schools. Keep in mind that Dr....
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Sort of Sunday Supper…. sort of… and a fun blog suggestion
You may remember that I have posted about cooking some ancient and medieval dishes. Today I discovered a blog dedicate to ancient cooking with a delightful name: Pass The Garum. Garum, of course, is...
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QUAERITUR: Can I eat insect parts on Fridays?
Since the topic came up elsewhere, I thought it a good idea to revive this question from a reader and repost it: From a reader: Do insect products count as meat products, and therefore prohibited on...
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My view for a while
And so we begin another trip. New author, too! I wonder if he will hold even a candle to Patrick O’Brian. I hope he ain’t a slubberdegullion or a blatteroon. UPDATE: Time for the next leg. This is...
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“One of the great papist characters in modern fiction”
At the UK’s best Catholic weekly, the Catholic Herald, there is a fun piece about books I often mention here, the Aubrey/Maturin series by Patrick O’Brian, who would be 100 years old this year. Which I...
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“Pius later sent rosaries to all the Catholic tars on ‘Old Ironsides’”
In my other day job I am the captain of HMS Surprise. Therefore I took note of something I read about Bl. Pius IX and USS Constitution. You will recall from your reading of The Fortune of War that...
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Fr. Z in Portsmouth
I am presently visiting a priest friend at Sacred Heart in Fareham, near Portsmouth. Yesterday went to the historical harbor, where we were able to visit Lord Nelson’s famous flagship HMS Victory. I...
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What does the gowk really say?
A scene from The Fortune of War (6th in the series), which includes the wonderful word “gowk”. At this time our friends Capt. Aubrey, Dr. Maturin and some of the crew from HMS Leopard are on their way...
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Holy Mass “free of time or geography”
In Patrick O’Brian’s The Fortune of War Capt. Jack Aubrey and Dr. Stephen Maturin are prisoners of war in Boston. At one point, Stephen goes to Sunday Mass, though he is running a bit late! He hurried...
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ASK FATHER: Of different shades of rose, madder, and debauchery
“Real priests wear rosacea!” QUAERITUR: Elsewhere someone asked if there are proper shades of rose, rosacea, for Roman vestments just as there are different shades of violet or purple for Advent and...
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