On The Other Side

 

Well that was a lot of fun. Spirited Easter Masses followed by the roast beef of Old Texas, Yorkshire pudding, carrots, roast potatoes, outrageously heavy English silver, Gerrards thank you very much, and general mahogany pounding all 'round. Great result, Christ has risen.

Then today. Wake up, amble downstairs and survey the kitchen. Marvel at the fact of its cleanliness. Yes, we cleared up after last night's celebration, make strong coffee and head out onto the back porch. Check the news on your phone and... lo and behold, the Pope's dead.

Well he was 88, to be fair, he also hated the Latin Mass and loved mass immigration into the West. I love the Latin Mass and hate mass immigration into the West, so we disagreed on that. But I won't bang on, may he rest in peace, even if he was a behind-the-times Vatican II empty the pew com/symp Liberation Theology Jesuit.

Who knows, maybe Ignatius Loyola will give him a stern talking to. And who knows who will succeed him? I don't and don't pretend to, though perhaps you do. Feel free to weigh in, no rule. In the meanwhile, leftover beef is being transformed into a beef and mushroom pie. Stand by for updates on this exciting culinary adventure.

Your Old Friend,

LSP

First Chaplain Of The Confederacy

 

Did you know that the Confederacy's first military chaplain was a Jesuit priest, Fr. Darius Hubert? I didn't until recently, thanks to Katherine Jeffrey's excellent biography, First Chaplain Of The Confederacy. Hubert served with the Army of Northern Virginia throughout the war and was present at the major battles in the eastern theater as well as, curiously, seeing chaplaincy aboard the ironclad Merrimac.

He was known for outstanding pastoral devotion to the men he served and rose above denominational differences to work alongside protestant chaplains as "brothers in Christ." A remarkable man who bravely followed the call of God regardless of danger to himself, whether on the battlefield or in the hospital wards of those dying with Yellow Fever.

Hubert was a believer in the Cause but graciously so, urging reconciliation and healing after the conflict. He carried a Yankee bullet on his person, which had failed to kill him, as a sign of God's providence and protection. He died in 1893 at the age of 70.

We need more priests like him.

God bless,

LSP