All Souls Day

Praying for the Dead

II Maccabees 12:43-46: "And making a gathering, he [Judas] sent twelve thousand drachms of silver to Jerusalem for sacrifice to be offered for the sins of the dead, thinking well and religiously concerning the resurrection, (For if he had not hoped that they that were slain should rise again, it would have seemed superfluous and vain to pray for the dead,) And because he considered that they who had fallen asleep with godliness, had great grace laid up for them. It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins." Those who've died in a state of grace are not truly "dead"; they are our beloved in Heaven or in Purgatory (on their way to Heaven) and will forever be, world without end, part of the Communion of Saints -- the Church Triumphant (the Saints in Heaven, whether or not they are beatified or canonized), the Church Suffering (the saints in Purgatory), and the Church Militant (the saints on earth). Because we can't know, aside from those the Church has beatified or canonized, who is already in Heaven, who is in Purgatory for a time, or who is damned, we pray for the dead for the rest of our lives -- assuming they are in Purgatory, while hoping they are in Heaven and not damned. We also ask those who've died to pray for us. While those whom the Church has deemed to be of the Church Triumphant (the canonized Saints) are in Heaven for certain and are, therefore, in no need of our prayers for them, we've always asked for them to pray for us. As to the Church Suffering in Purgatory, Aquinas teaches that they are not able to know, by themselves, our prayers; however, it is piously believed, and taught by St. Alphonsus Liguori, that God makes our prayers known to them -- not directly, as they are deprived of the Beatific Vision until they enter Heaven, but by infusing this knowledge into their souls. St. Bellarmine teaches that because the Church Suffering is so close to God -- much closer than we are and having the great consolation of knowing they are saved -- their prayers for us are very effective. So, as you pray for your dead loved ones, ask them to pray for you, too! As to the damned, there is no hope; no prayer can help them and we can't pray formally for those in Hell. The problem, of course, is that we can't know who is damned, and so we pray generally for "all the faithful departed." For those who've died outside of visible Communion with Christ's Church or for those Catholics who've died seemingly without repentance and in scandal, public prayer cannot be offered, but we can most certainly still pray privately with the hope that they've died in a state of grace (i.e., those who are denied a Catholic funeral can't be prayed for liturgically, publicly, but they can most definitely be prayed for -- and should be prayed for -- privately). Priests can even offer Masses for such people privately, without naming them. Liturgical Prayer for the Dead Masses on the 3rd, 7th, and 30th Days and on Anniversaries In addition to the prayers said just after death, and the prayers of the funeral Mass, it is Catholic practice to have Masses said for the departed on the 3rd, 7th, and 30th days after the death or burial. When tallying the dates for such Masses, one starts counting the day after the date of death or burial as day one. That is, for example, if someone were to die on May 1st and be buried on May 3rd, the Mass said for him on the 7th day should be offered on May 8th (the 7th day after death) or May 10th (the 7th day after the date of burial). Masses are also offered on the anniversaries of the date of death, but these are celebrated on the same date -- i.e., one who dies on May 1, 2005 will have a Mass said on May 1, 2006. Masses for the dead have infinite value, in the objective order, for the souls of the departed. They also have great subjective value for those who survive in that it is comforting to know that Masses are being offered for one's departed loved ones. So, while the bereaved can arrange such Masses, others, even non-Catholics, can arrange with a priest to have such Masses said, too, which would be a great gift of comfort to survivors (stole fees for such Masses are usually $5 to $10 dollars, depending on the diocese). Such Masses don't necessarily have to be offered in the diocese(s) of the deceased or bereaved; any priest, anywhere in the world, can be asked to offer a Mass for someone (note to non-Catholics: traditional Catholics would be most comforted, or only comforted, by a traditional Mass being offered, depending on how they view the Novus Ordo Mass. So be safe and arrange such things with a traditional priest.). In any case, it is customary to let the bereaved know you've asked that a Mass be said by sending him a "Mass Card." A Mass Card is much like a greeting card, but with a place to write in the intentions of a requested Mass, the name of the person who arranged the Mass, and, sometimes, the name of the priest who will be offering the Mass. Your church, chapel, or funeral home might have Mass Cards to send, but, if not, you can get them from Catholic gift shops and stationers, too. (Note that Mass Cards aren't only sent to notify people of Masses for their dead loved ones, though this is their most common use; they can be sent to notify someone about Masses offered for other intentions, too, but Mass Cards for the Dead and Mass Cards for the Living are usually decorated very differently). Masses for the Dead can be offered at almost any time, not only on the days mentioned above. At any time throughout the year after death of a loved one, and also in the years to come, a Catholic would consider it a very beautiful thing to receive a Mass Card letting him know that a Mass is being said for someone he misses. Most importantly, though, aside from the "gift" aspect of offering Masses for a friend's dead relatives, the soul of the departed would receive the benefits of the greatest prayers of the Church and the infinite value of the offering of the Son to the Father for the remission of sins! Purgatorian Archconfraternity Another thing to consider for yourself and your loved ones is to enroll in the Purgatorian Archconfraternity -- an organization for whose members, living or dead, Mass is offered. The Purgatorian Archconfraternity began with a group of Redemptorist Fathers in 1840, headquartered at the Church of S. Maria Monterone in Rome. Their group was raised by Pope Gregory XVI to the status of an Archconfraternity in 1841. After the Second Vatican Council, things went awry with the Archconfraternity as they did with everything else, but the Archconfraternity has been restored by the Transalpine Redemptorist Fathers who live in Golgotha Monastery on the little island of Papa Stronsay, in Orkney, North of Scotland (see video of these monks off the "Fun Stuff" page). Once enrolled in the Archconfraternity, the traditional Latin Mass will be offered for you or your loved ones, as members of the group, living or dead, every day (except for those days when only one priest is available, or on those days when no Masses are ever offered, such as Good Friday, etc.). The Rosary will be prayed each Monday for dead members. If a living member of the Archconfraternity dies, a special Mass will be offered for him as soon as the priests are notified. One may enroll for a year or for a lifetime, as a single individual or as a family (parents and children). Living members should also try to assist the souls in Purgatory through their prayers and works, especially through the Mass, and should spread this devotion to others, but no obligations bind one under the pain of sin. The daily Masses and weekly Rosaries offered by the island priests will continue until Jesus comes again, God willing, as long as there are at least three priests on Papa Stronsay. If ever there were two priests, the Masses would be offered weekly. If there were to ever be one priest, obligations would cease -- but vocations are booming. See the Papa Stronsay website (off-site. Will open in new browser window). For information on the Purgatorian Archconfraternity, write to: Purgatorian Archconfraternity Golgotha Monastery Island Papa Stronsay, KW17 2AR Orkney, Scotland Private Prayer for the Dead In addition to having a Mass said on the anniversary of a loved one's death as mentioned above, there exists an old Christian custom of fasting, burning a candle for 24 hours, and praying for them on this day (this custom was adopted by Jews in the Middle Ages; they call it "Jahrzeit" as did the medieval German Christians.) Any orthodox traditional or improvised prayer can be prayed at this time, but the Rosary is always appropriate and can be prayed now (or any time) for the dead, offered in the same way it is at Catholic funerals -- i.e., with the Fatima Prayer replaced by the Eternal Rest Prayer. The Eternal Rest prayer is also prayed by itself, offered any time for the dead, when visiting grave sites, and when passing cemeteries. It is a prayer every Catholic should know by heart: Eternal rest grant unto him/her (them), O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon him/her (them). May he/she (they) rest in peace. Amen. Réquiem ætérnam dona ei (eis) Dómine; et lux perpétua lúceat ei (eis). Requiéscat (Requiéscant) in pace. Amen. We also pray for our dead every time we eat if we pray the After Meal Blessing, another prayer every Catholic should know by heart: We give Thee thanks for all Thy benefits, O Almighty God, Who livest and reignest forever. And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen. Agimus tibi gratias, omnipotens Deus, pro universis beneficiis tuis, qui vivis et regnas in saecula saeculorum. Fidelium animae, per misericordiam Dei, requiescant in pace. Amen. The Penitential Psalms -- i.e., Psalms 6, 31, 37, 50, 101, 129, 142 -- are also prayed for the dead, especially the 129th Psalm, known as De Profundis (Out of the Depths): Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O Lord: Lord hear my voice. De profúndis clamávi ad te, Dómine: Dómine, exáudi vocem meam. Let Thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication. Fiant aures tuae intendéntes: in vocem deprecationes meae. If Thou, Lord, shouldst mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? Si iniquitátes observaveris, Dómine: Dómine, quis sustinébit. But there is forgiveness with Thee: because of Thy law I wait for Thee, O Lord. Quia apud te propitiátio est: et propter legem tuam sustinui te, Dómine. My soul waiteth on His word: my soul hopeth in the Lord. Sustinuit ánima mea in verbo ejus: sperávit ánima mea in Dómino. From the morning watch even until night let Israel hope in the Lord: A custodia matutina usque ad noctem: specret Israel in Dómino. For with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is plentiful redemption. Quia apud Dóminum misericordia: et copiósa apud eum redémptio. And He shall redeem Israel, from all their iniquities. Et ipse redimet Israel, ex ómnibus iniquitátibus ejus. The Prayer of St. Gertrude the Great Another prayer Catholics should be familiar with is that of St. Gertrude the Great (A.D. 1256-1301/2), who was told by Our Lord in a private revelation, that when the following prayer is prayed earnestly, 1,000 souls will be released from Purgatory. Because of the desire to unite the prayer with the merits of the Mass, it is most powerful: Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood Of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the holy souls in Purgatory, for sinners everywhere, for sinners in the Universal Church, those in my own home and within my own family. Amen. Heroic Act of Charity An "Heroic Act of Charity" is the offering of the satisfactory value (not the merits) of all of our sufferings and works of our rest of our lives and of any time we may spend in Purgatory for the relief of the souls in Purgatory. We do this by first deciding to do so, and then praying (using our own words or the more formal prayer below) to offer these things to God through Mary's hands. Doing this is not a matter of taking a vow; it doesn't bind under pain of sin, and it is revokable (unless one vows never to revoke the Act). But it is a tremendous sacrifice, hence the name. It is truly heroic, a giving up of one's own earned relief from the temporal effects of sin -- even relief of the sufferings of Purgatory -- for the good of others. In addition to asking God to use their satisfactory works for the souls in Purgatory, those who make this Act also receive a plenary indulgence (under the usual conditions) for the souls in Purgatory each time they receive Communion, and each time they hear Mass on Mondays for the sake of the departed. Words to a formal Act of Heroic Charity are as follows: O Holy and Adorable Trinity, desiring to aid in the relief and release of the Holy Souls in Purgatory, through my devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, I cede and renounce, on behalf of these souls, all the satisfactory part of my works, and all the suffrages which may be given to me after my death. In their entirety, I offer them to Mary, the Most Holy Mother of God, that she may use them, according to her good pleasure, for those souls of the faithful departed whom she desires to alleviate their suffering. O my God, deign to accept and bless my offering which I make to Thee through the most august Queen of Heaven and Earth. Amen. The Days of the Dead The entire month of November is devoted to the Poor Souls in Purgatory, and Rosaries for the dead are offered during this time (with the Eternal Rest prayer replacing the Fatima prayer as above). The month-long devotion to the Souls in Purgatory begins with the three consecutive "Days of the Dead" at the end of October and early November: The Days of the Dead are: All Hallows' Eve: 31 October, the day on which we unofficially recall the realities of Hell and how to avoid it; All Saints Day, or All Hallows' Day: 1 November, the day on which we officially honor God's Saints of the Church Triumphant; and All Souls Day: 2 November, the day on which we officially commemorate and pray for all the faithful departed of the Church Suffering. Some Catholics might pray a Novena for the Holy Souls, the All Souls Novena, or some other such Novena beginning on 24 October and ending on All Saints Day (the eve All Souls Day). Then, after sunset on All Saints Day, we light a candle (preferably one that that had been blessed at Candlemas) and pray the Rosary for the dead. The next day, 2 November, being All Souls Day, we can offer public prayer for the dead by attending one of the three Masses offered for the dead on that day. We also visit the graves of our family members, seeking those special indulgences for them that are only offered on All Souls Day and during the Octave of All Saints: A plenary indulgence, applicable only to the souls in Purgatory, may be gained on the 2nd by making a pious visit to a church to pray a Pater and the Creed, and A plenary indulgence, applicable only to the Souls in Purgatory, may also be gained fron 1 November to 8 November by visiting loved ones' graves and praying the Eternal Rest prayer for their peace. (For more information on the customs associated with the Days of the Dead, see the Seasonal Customs page) We are not limited to indulgences for the dead on these Days of the Dead, however. Indulgenced works, prayer, votive offerings, alms-giving, etc., may always be offered for the dead, at any time of the year. Note that those in Purgatory are also especially remembered on Ember Days. Also note that because those in Purgatory are no longer under the jurisdiction of the Church Militant, all the above prayers, indulgences, and works for the dead are offered by way of beseeching God to apply them for the relief of the Church Suffering. Courtesy of the Fisheaters website!

On Holy Humility

On Holy Humility
Thoughts of Blessed Charles de Foucauld
Part Two

“Where has he learnt these things? …Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary?” (Mark 6:2-3).

You took only three years to teach the Truth to the world, O my God, to establish Your Church, to form Your Apostles; but you did not consider it too long to consecrate thirty years to preach the example of humility, of abasing Yourself in a hidden life to men…

“Quid est homo…” How is it possible that God has need of us, who can give Him nothing except that which He has given us? How is it possible to believe that we are in a position to be useful to Him, we, who can do nothing without Him, He, Who can do everything without us?

Let us throw ourselves into abjection, into poverty, into the humble manual labour of Our Lord: love demands imitation: let us love and imitate: “The servant is not greater than the master”; we are little like Jesus. Jesus tells us to follow Him: let us follow Him, share in His life, His works, His occupations, His abasement, His poverty, His abjection; let us be workers, poor workers despised together with Him! Let us wear the same crown of scorn and disdain on our head which He wore. “He who follows me will not walk in darkness;” let us follow Him, imitate Him and be for Him as little brothers who live like Him in all things: “I am the way, the truth and the life”; let us follow this way, let us live the life of Jesus, let us do His works, which are truth…

“I have come to save the world”; we have also the same aim and we must not ransom mankind, but work for its salvation; let us engage the same means as He Himself engaged. Now, these means are not human wisdom, surrounded by luxury and splendor and seated in the first place, but rather Divine Wisdom, concealed under the appearance of a poor Man, a Man who lives by the work of His Hands, a man Who is wise and full of knowledge, but Who is despised, abject, Who has never studied in the schools of men, but Who has been before their eyes and they have known Him as One Who lived humbly, performing lowly work.

Let us follow this Divine example; we are the faithful images of Jesus… We are truly, sharing His whole life, the little brothers of Jesus… Let us never separate ourselves from His work, from His abjection, from imitating Him just like St. Paul, who was filled with love for Him: “Be imitators of me as I am of Christ.”

From De vita Contemplativa – Franciscan Sisters of The Immaculate (Umbria, Italy) - Contribution and translation: Francesca Romana - This is the second and last of a two part series.

Thank You Rorate Caeli for your thought provoking Posts!!

Religion for Wrestling Fans!

Sometimes, when I'm feeling a little blah and need a reminder that my life isn't all that bad after all, I take this bad boy out for a spin. This is so unbelievably disturbing, and yet, so entertaining! I often think they just take the ropes down after a wrestling match and "let fly"!

Seriously, if you get sucked into "The Way International" you have no one but yourself to blame! However, on the plus side not only will your mind be "renewed", you'll be certifiably "entertaining"!

Election Reform for a Modern World

As I watched the Republican "debate" a couple of weeks ago, shaking my head at what an absolute farce debates always are, I couldn't help but feel an impending sense of doom. I fully expect a future election to be determined in a reality show format. Aside from looking clean and apparently STD free, the contenders won't be that different than they are today. They'll be divided into teams (red and blue of course), shake hands, kiss baby's, talk crap about each other, form alliances, lie, cheat, steal, molest pages, and vote each other off the campaign RV. The last one standing is who we're stuck with for the next two, four, or six years. I think you get the idea. Mark my words, it's coming, and like our current crop of candidates "whoever wins, we lose"!

The only individual worth anything in the room was Ron Paul, but it's virtually impossible for him to communicate his message on crucial issues in one or two minute clips. In this age of professional politicians and "image management" he doesn't come off as polished and "dazzling" as some of the others. Unfortunately, on top of being addicted to the government "teat" in some form or another, most people are more concerned about the latest cast off from American Idol and what starlet plans on adopting a starving Asian child. They simply don't have the interest or time to research a candidates positions, they might fall behind on really important things.

If your fellow voters and the media were really interested in putting our country on the right track the media elites who produce these sham "debates" would give candidates enough time (and John Q. Citizen would demand it) to thoroughly explain their positions to a population mentally and morally stunted by our public education system. Alas they're not, and the madness will continue.

Litany of Humility

O Jesus! meek and humble of heart, Hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed, Deliver me, Jesus.

From the desire of being loved...
From the desire of being extolled ...
From the desire of being honored ...
From the desire of being praised ...
From the desire of being preferred to others...
From the desire of being consulted ...
From the desire of being approved ...
From the fear of being humiliated ...
Fromthe fear of being despised...
From the fear of suffering rebukes ...
From the fear of being calumniated ...
From the fear of being forgotten ...
From the fear of being ridiculed ...
From the fear of being wronged ...
From the fear of being suspected ...

That others may be loved more than I, Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.

That others may be esteemed more than I ...
That, in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I may decrease ...
That others may be chosen and I set aside ...
That others may be praised and I unnoticed ...
That others may be preferred to me in everything...
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should…

Rafael Cardinal Merry del Val (1865-1930)

Unsolicited Rambling Thoughts and Advice on Dropping Some Weight

Oh to be young again! I remember when I could eat anything I wanted with virtually no consequences! Pizza, hot dogs, chips, ice cream, soda, mac and cheese, fast food, you name it. I indulged in all the staples of the modern American diet. I was in my 20's, very fit from cycling, and had the metabolism of a hummingbird. All that changed when I hit 30. I had stopped riding (and everything else I used to do), but still ate like I was ship wrecked. This overindulgence went on for years until about 6 years ago I decided It was now or never. Like most of America, I was fat, stressed, and depressed about the situation I'd put myself in. Over the years I had, on occasion, dropped a few pounds by walking trails and watching what I ate but I never made what I would call a change in lifestyle. I wasn't motivated enough and I thought I was too busy ("boy I need to start working out soon" I'd tell myself).

One day I got on the scale and realized I'd hit 240 pounds "on the dot"! Spare tire, double chin, budding "moobs", weird drivers license picture, holy crap! I was no longer the 1980's svelt cyclist (175 lbs), I was the 2005 "fat dad who got tired hitting grounders to his little league team". I was embarrassed that I'd let myself go like that! Something in me snapped at that moment. I decided to be a responsible adult and "dig out".

I started out by stretching and walking some local trails at a nearby park. I put my head phones on and walked at a pretty good clip (enough to break a good sweat). I didn't keep track of how far I went, I just made sure I pushed myself. I would do this whenever I was home, and when I was traveling I'd find a local park or neighborhood. It was tough at first. My muscles and joints would ache to the point of discouragement. "Screw this!" I'd say to myself, "you're fat and it's hopeless." Then I'd see someone in a deeper hole than I was in, out there plugging along, and I'd think "it could be worse, and if they can try, you better get your head on straight!".

In terms of getting my head on straight I performed a massive "ego check". I realized I put myself in that situation and it was going to take time and serious effort. I didn't get that way overnight, and fat or skinny I'd never be what I once was physically or in appearance anyways, but I would feel and look better than I did (I'm content to blend in). Coming to a realization of these things took the pressure off and I settled in for the long haul.

I lost some weight from all the walking and changing my diet, and a year or so later I decided to buy a bike (another Bottecchia!). I was very excited to get back on the bike and was quickly humbled. I knew it would be painful, but geeeeez! The first time out I did 10 excruciating, leg burning miles (probably at about 10 mph haha)! I felt jittery, and vulnerable before a car was even in sight. I used to hammer for miles and miles and miles! I could climb fairly well and could bomb down descents without a care in the world (I hit 50 mph a couple of times)! Now, years of inactivity later, I was fat, pasty white, and struggling up a very small incline in my small chain ring. I kept on riding and rediscovered a sport which meant so much to me as a younger man. After setting reasonable goals for time and distance, every chance I got I hit the road and basically punished myself. The weight started to melt off quickly!

I changed my diet radically. No regular soda or juice, junk food, fast food (avoid it like the plague), deep fried food, desert, etc. I wouldn't even take a sample at Costco! I tried as hard as I could to avoid processed "insta meals" and kept my portions of anything I ate reasonable (no buffets either!). I cut out diet soda a couple years ago (completely soda free for two years!) and drink a lot of water and unsweet tea.

For the most part (I'm not a killjoy) I now eat reasonable portions of salad, meat of all kinds, lots of seafood, healthy bread, fruit, vegetables of all sorts, healthy cereal, and dairy (very little cheese). I don't snack much at all and I don't have desert or sweets very often. I fast every week and abstain from meat every Friday. I "takes me vitamins" as well.

If I'm tempted I just remember that I've lost 50 lbs the hard way. I know what whatever it is that's tempting me tastes like, I've had my fair share. I don't need it, I'm an adult and can't eat that crap anymore. I'm can control my will (the Catholic faith has help me immeasurably in this!) and I choose to deny myself.

I think what we feed our minds with has a lot to do with what we feed our bodies as well. In a nutshell, we live in a culture that caters to the basest desires. In fact it often creates or magnifies those desires. It focuses on "the self". If we marinate ourselves in it, which most people do from childhood, it's bound to create unhappiness and confusion. We are constantly fed images as to what "success" is, what "happiness" is, what "fulfillment" is, etc. Problems surface and are settled in the duration of a commercial or sitcom. Good looking/ cool people (not fat slobs) eat lots of fast, un-nutritious food, are ultra fit (if obesity isn't normal, neither is being ripped! Shoot for normal), drive great cars, wind surf, look great dressed immodestly (you're not "hot", dress like you should, not how you want to..), are incredibly promiscuous (STD & guilt free!) and have a better time in the shower than you ever will! Life is seemingly good for them, and that could be you if only you bought___! So you buy___ and you're still in the same boat, only now you're poorer and depressed! It's not reality in any way, shape or form. So maybe, consciously or unconsciously, you eat as a temporary distraction?

Everyone has obstacles, your goal should be to limit them and keep them within reason. Honestly, if you really think about it, you bring the bulk of your problems on yourself to one degree or another. The opposite is true as well.

Try a "culture fast" for a week. Turn off your TV, get away from your computer, throw out your crappy music (or at least box it up) and fill your life with good music and books of substance. Pray often, learn to enjoy silence, being outside, walk and talk with your spouse and kids, talk with a neighbor, plant a garden, buy a telescope, go to a museum, park, zoo, or library.

As for losing weight, you can do that too! You Should!! It's the right thing to do for yourself, your spouse, and your kids! And if you ever need some realistic advice or encouragement please let me know!

Anima Christi

Soul of Christ, sanctify me
Body of Christ, save me
Blood of Christ, inebriate me
Water from Christ's side, wash me
Passion of Christ, strengthen me
O good Jesus, hear me
Within Thy wounds hide me
Suffer me not to be separated from Thee
From the malicious enemy defend me
In the hour of my death call me
And bid me come unto Thee
That I may praise Thee with Thy saints
and with Thy angels
Forever and ever
Amen

The Anima Christi is a prayer from around the 14th century. It is still widely used after receiving the body and blood of Our Lord, Jesus Christ in Holy Communion.

Good Times!

Last week I did something that I've never really been able to do due to a hectic work/ travel schedule, I took my wife and daughters "on the road" with me. We had a great time driving through Northern Virginia and Maryland. Tuesday they were able to hang out at the hotel while I went on my appointments. Wednesday we ate lunch at The Shamrock, a restaurant owned by Mike Fitzgerald, a good friend of mine in Thurmont, Maryland. There's nothing better than a bowl of fish chowder at The Shamrock (although they do have a fine pub in the back I need to mention)!

After a great lunch we drove up to Gettysburg and were able to tour the battlefield for several hours! Over the years I've been able to visit every major Civil War battlefield and numerous smaller ones, and Gettysburg was the only one missing. CHECK. This is the 150 anniversary of the war so that made it even better. If you were a Confederate soldier in Pickett's charge, you had a suitcase full of courage (or a knapsack at the very least). Gettysburg, Antietam, and Shiloh are great places to visit if you ever get a chance.

Thursday we had a chance to stop at Mayorga Coffee! Mayorga is a regional coffee that we buy at Costco and their based in Rockville, Maryland. It's our favorite and we were able to buy some different coffee that's not sold at Costco! If you want to buy some I recommend the Cafe Cubano or the Nicaragua, you won't be disappointed. That night I scored a room at the Crown Plaza for dirt cheap, so we slept really well!

Friday I took a vacation day at we spent several hours at the US Botanic Garden in Washington DC. All I can say is WOW!! We've been to several gardens over the years including Bouchart Gardens in Victoria, BC. The USBC is one of the best and we'll being going back whenever we visit DC.

Over all it was a great week and it was nice to have some company "on the road".

Story Songs

Earlier this week I was using "the facilities" at a restaurant in Silver Spring, Maryland (side note-If Somalia is wondering where all of its citizens disappeared to, they're in Silver Spring, MD, Columbus, OH & driving Taxi's in NYC) and what's playing on the in house play list but "Convoy" by CW McCall! In Southern parlance I'd been "talking to a man about a dog" and now my mind was racing! Now granted Convoy is an extraordinarily stupid song but it was a hit, mostly due to the rural/ truck driving culture that was a fad of sorts in the 70's and early 80's. People flocked to the theater's to watch artistic gems such as Convoy (yes it was a movie, so was Harper Valley PTA!), "Breaker, Breaker" (starring a young Chuck Norris) & "Smokey and the Bandit"! Clint Eastwood was "Philo Beddoe" and beat the crap out of many a meat packer and left Pacoma littered with the bodies of Black Widow's in his "Any Which Way but Loose" movies (still entertaining), this was spun off for TV with "BJ and The Bear" because there's nothing more amusing than the combination of long haul truck driving and sidekick apes.

I guess I've been wondering what has happened to the "story song" genre (Rap doesn't count)? When I was really small I loved Jimmy Dean's "Big Bad John" and Marty Robbin's "El Paso" ("Big Iron" is great too!). Johnny Horton had big hits with "The Battle of New Orleans" and "North to Alaska". The first one I really liked was Larry Verne's "Mr. Custer" (Hey Charlie duck your head!), that was a real classic! Kenny Roger's (props to Brian Gooch & Grandma Smart) was the last performer I can think of that could pull the "story song" out of his tool box and was able to make some made for TV movies as a result as well. It's sad we've lost this bit of Americana but maybe we don't have any stories to tell anymore, the music/entertainment industry is so crass and profane now maybe it's a good thing.

Capital to Capital Century 2010- A Saturday in Hell

It's been two days since I completed the Cap2Cap Century and I'm still amazed that I finished.

This was my third consecutive year riding this relatively flat 100 mile route and I felt fairly well prepared to put in a good day "in the saddle". It's not a race mind you, but I do enjoy competing against myself and trying to improve my best time. While I don't have as many miles in at this point as I did last year (weather, work, etc), I'm certainly not in bad shape by any means. Miles wise January and February were meager. In March I squeezed in 300 miles. April was very good and I pounded out 500. I do the bulk of this on weekends and an occasional office week. Plus, I've spent much of the last year focusing on overall conditioning and I'm feeling like I'm in the best shape of my life overall.

That being said, when I woke up Saturday morning I felt like I could at least equal last year's time of 5 hours and 15 minutes. At 7:30 am a couple hundred of us rolled out on the road to Colonial Williamsburg. Much of the route is absolutely beautiful and the scenery is amazing. We cut through small towns and pass Colonial era plantations on heavily shaded roads. Sometimes the smell of the honeysuckle and gardenia is overpowering!

I jumped into a really decent pace line of about 20 riders and after warming up we were steaming along at an average speed of about 25 mph! I took a couple of good pulls at the front and we rolled into the first rest area. I refilled my bottles and ate a banana and a Clif bar. About 10 minutes later we were off again and clipping along at a good pace. As we were going past some open fields I noticed that we were being helped by a very stiff tailwind and our average speed was now around 32 or 33 mph. While this was deliriously fun heading toward the turn around point, I knew if the wind didn't change directions it would be a suck fest of mammoth proportions on the way back.

At the 50 mile turnaround I ate, drank, and relaxed in the shade for a little bit. It was starting to get hot and the wind was really picking up. I don't like sitting for too long because you start to stiffin' up, so I decided to get moving. I was talking with one of the ride volunteers when someone started yapping over his radio that they need an ambulance somewhere. A rider had been blown into another rider and they both went down pretty hard! Yikes! I took off with a couple of other guys and as we were heading over the James River bridge the wind felt UNREAL! I thought it was because we were on a bridge (duh!) but that was not the case. The bridge is not long, nor steep but it seemed to take forever to cross. We were going about 12 mph!

Once we crossed the river and got into the tree line it was a little better, but not much. We wanted to form an echelon, a great way to get in someones draft in a crosswind. But that doesn't work to well on a fairly well traveled road. The choice was echelon and risk getting thumped by a car or suffer in the wind. We chose the wind. The next 50 miles was by far the worst physical suffering I've ever felt in my life! We tried to stay together but eventually we were separated. You want to help a guy, but you can only do so much. You just go at whatever pace you think you can maintain. I did everything I could think of to distract myself from the pain. I said my Rosary. I asked every Saint I could think of to pray for me. I said an unknown number of Hail Mary's. I recited every prayer I could think of several times over.

The last 25 or 30 miles were a nightmare of freakish pain! I Filled my bottles at the last rest stop and ate again. I was only there about five minutes and took off again with Robert. Robert and I had ridden about 50 miles together off and on during the ride. He unintentionally dropped me on the first "hill" and he was a constant dot on the horizon for the next 15 miles or so. I finally caught him, and unintentionally dropped him about 2 miles later. I actually wanted to quit with 12 miles to go, then I saw a pair of crap filled white jockey shorts laying on the side of the road! How FREAKING BIZARRE! I've seen a lot of debris on the side of the road in my time but I can honestly say that was a first! I thought "if you quit with twelve miles to go after all you've been through today that will sum it all up"! So I put my head down and kept going. With three miles to go I had another first, my quads started cramping like mad! I had to put pressure on certain points to keep them from totally imploding.

When I finally crossed the line I was emotionally spent. I felt nothing whatsoever. No joy. No sense of accomplishment. Nothing. I just sat on a chair and tried not to fall over. I started feeling light headed and having sharp stomach cramps and decided to use a Port o' John. After a few minutes in there the cramps started to get so bad that I decided it was time to vamoose! I didn't want to pass out and die in a portable crapper. That's not a noble way to go and would not sit well with the wife and kids. So I staggered over to some grass and layed down for about 20 minutes.

Finally I felt good enough to partake of the lunch they provided. I had some "Buzz and Ned's" barbecue and tried to drink as much as I could. Carol came and picked me up. She'd been at the soccer fields all day with the girls and was worried about me when she saw how windy it was. Sunday I was not feeling too hot at all, but I'm doing much better today. I still feel extremely weak, but the stomach cramps are almost gone.

I'll be working in Albany this week. Usually I'd already be thinking about the upcoming weekends rides. At the moment it's the last thing I want to think about.

End Result- 103 miles in 6 hours, 5 minutes.

"Barkeep, Give Me a Shackelton's OTR Stat"!

Since we live in a country chock full o' metro sexuals and other wussified males, many of whom would stay jobless if they couldn't find a job in their "field of expertise", imagine what kind of man it took to answer the following 1907 ad...

“Wanted. Men for hazardous journey. Low wages. Bitter cold. Long hours of complete darkness. Safe return doubtful. Honor and recognition in the event of success.”

Men of a different time, no doubt about it. With the conditions (freezing temps, stiff winds, cobbled roads) of the early classics almost upon us, imagine that ad running in some small Belgian paper. If you're not familiar with the tale of Shackleton and "The Endurance", you should be!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernest_Shackleton

Ernest Shackleton would have made one hell of a patron!

Of all the discoveries a modern day adventurer could make, this has to be amongst the coolest (literally)!

Shackleton's whisky stash recovered

(UKPA) – 6 hours ago

A stash of whisky which lay buried under Antarctic ice for more than 100 years has been recovered by a team restoring explorer Ernest Shackleton's hut.

The spirit, five crates in total, was made by McKinlay and Co, and drinks group Whyte & Mackay has asked for a sample to carry out tests with a view to re-launching the brand.

New Zealand Antarctic Heritage Trust team leader Al Fastier said the team thought there were two whisky and brandy crates and were amazed to find five.

Mr Fastier said restoration workers found the crates under the hut's floorboards in 2006, but they were too deeply embedded in ice to be dislodged.

The New Zealanders agreed to drill the ice to try to retrieve some bottles, although the rest must stay under conservation guidelines agreed to by 12 Antarctic Treaty nations.

Ice has cracked some of the crates and formed inside them. Mr Fastier said that would make extracting the contents delicate, but the trust would decide how to do so in the coming weeks.

Richard Paterson, master blender at Whyte & Mackay, whose company supplied the Mackinlay's whisky for Shackleton, described the find as "a gift from the heavens for whisky lovers".

He added: "If the contents can be confirmed, safely extracted and analysed, the original blend may be able to be replicated. Given the original recipe no longer exists, this may open a door into history."

Shackleton's expedition ran short of supplies on its long ski trek to the South Pole from the northern Antarctic coast in 1907/09 and turned back about 100 miles short of its goal.

The expedition sailed away in 1909 as winter ice formed, leaving behind supplies, including the whisky and brandy.

Copyright © 2010 The Press Association. All rights reserved.

Requiem in Pace- Richard Kite

On Veteran's Day 2009, one of the best friends I've ever had went on to his eternal reward. Dick was a fine Christian man, dedicated Patriot, and the most quietly charitable man you'd ever meet. A widower for a number of years, he lived very modestly, and used his income to help those in need. He was always happy, and never complained about trials in his life.

Every Veteran's day he would walk the grounds of Arlington National Cemetery and pay his respects. This last time he came home and quietly passed away. He was kind enough to let me stay at his home in Alexandria, Virginia every time I worked in the D.C. area. He always insisted on taking me out to dinner at Lonestar Steakhouse or at Hee Been, a Korean restaurant. He was a Bluegrass aficionado and could really play his guitar!

When I initially became interested in learning about Catholicism, Dick was the first person I spoke with and he was able to answer my questions, and straighten out my misconceptions.

Fittingly, The last time I saw him was at my baptism on October 17th at Our Lady of Fatima here in Richmond. He took my family and I out to dinner at a nearby Italian restaurant afterwards and we had a great time. My wife and children loved him.

We will miss him dearly.

His funeral Mass was at Saint Mary Mother of God Roman Catholic Church in Washington D.C. It was an overwhelmingly beautiful Latin service. The following Sequence was chanted by a group of priests (in Latin) from a balcony in the cathedral. It was simply amazing.

1. Day of wrath and doom impending, David's word with Sibyl's blending, Heaven and earth in ashes ending.

2. O what fear man's bosom rendeth, When from Heaven the Judge descendeth, On whose sentence all dependeth.

3. Wondrous sound the trumpet flingeth, Through earth's sepulchers it ringeth, All before the throne it bringeth.

4. Death is struck, and nature quaking, All creation is awaking, To its Judge an answer making.

5. Lo, the book exactly worded, Wherein all hath been recorded, Thence shall judgement be awarded.

6. When the Judge His seat attaineth, And each hidden deed arraigneth, Nothing unavenged remaineth.

7. What shall I, frail man, be pleading? Who for me be interceding, When the just are mercy needing?

8. King of majesty tremendous, Who dost free salvation send us, Fount of pity, then befriend us.

9. Think, kind Jesus, my salvation, Caused thy wondrous incarnation, Leave me not to reprobation.

10. Faint and weary thou has sought me, On the cross of suffering bought me, Shall such grace be vainly brought me?

11. Righteous Judge, for sin's pollution, Grant thy gift of absolution, Ere the day of retribution.

12. Guilty now I pour my moaning, All my shame with anguish owning, Spare, O God, Thy suppliant groaning.

13. Through the sinful woman shriven, through the dying thief forgiven, Thou to me a hope hast given.

14. Worthless are my prayers and sighing, Yet, good Lord, in grace complying, Rescue me from fires undying.

15. With thy sheep a place provide me, From the goats afar divide me, To Thy right hand do Thou guide me.

16. When the wicked are confounded, Doomed to flames of woe unbounded, Call me with Thy Saints surrounded.

17. Low I kneel with heart's submission, See, like ashes, my contrition, Help me in my last condition.

18. Ah! that day of tears and mourning, From the dust of earth returning.

19. Man for judgement must prepare him, Spare O God, in mercy spare him.

20. Lord all pitying, Jesus blest, Grant them Thine eternal rest. Amen.