#chapel of the st michel catholic

[postcard-from-the-past]

Chapel of the St. Michel Catholic boarding school in the Langonnet Abbey, Brittany region of France

French vintage postcard, mailed in 1906 to Paris

[cruger2984]

THE DESCRIPTION OF OUR LADY OF PROMPT SUCCOR The Patroness of New Orleans and the State of Louisiana Feast Day: January 8

The French Ursuline nuns first arrived in Louisiana in 1727. The nuns established a convent and founded what is the oldest school for girls in the territory of the modern-day U.S., Ursuline Academy, which educated the children of European colonists, Native Americans, and those of the local Creole people, slave or free. The Spanish sisters came to assist the growing school in 1763 after Louisiana fell under Spanish control.

In 1800, the territory came back under French possession, and in 1803, most of the sisters, fearing the anti-clerical sentiment of the French Revolution, fled to Havana, Cuba. When Louisiana passed into the control of the United States, the sisters sent the President a letter asking if their property rights would be honored by the new government.

Short of teachers, Mother Saint Andre Madier requested sisters from France to come to America to aid the struggling convent. She wrote to her cousin, Mother Saint Michel Gensoul, who was running a Catholic girls boarding school in France at the time. The Catholic Church was suffering the wrath of the revolution under Napoleon. Mother Saint Michel, knowing that the Church was in distress in both her homeland and abroad, approached Bishop Fournier of Montpelier to request a transfer. Bishop Fournier felt unable to afford the loss of another nun, as many had been killed or fled during the revolution, and advised Mother St. Michel that only the Pope could give this authorization.

Pope Pius VII was a prisoner of Napoleon at the time, and Mother St. Michel knew the unlikelihood of the Pope even receiving her letter. She prayed before a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary and said: "O most Holy Virgin Mary, if you obtain for me a prompt and favorable answer to this letter, I promise to have you honored at New Orleans under the title of Our Lady of Prompt Succor."

Sending her petition on March 19, 1809, Mother St. Michel received a letter from the Pope Pius VII granting her request on April 29, 1809. Mother St. Michel commissioned a statue of the Virgin Mary holding the Infant Jesus. The workman carved her flowing robes so that she would appear to be moving quickly. Bishop Fournier blessed the statue and Mother St. Michel's work.

Many miracles have been attributed to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of Our Lady of Prompt Succor. Two historical events are especially associated with the Virgin. The first occurred in 1812 during the eruption of a great fire in New Orleans devastating the Vieux Carré. The Ursuline convent was facing imminent destruction as the winds blew the terrible fire toward the Plaza de Armas.

An order was given to evacuate the convent, however at that moment, a nun named Sr. St. Anthony (Marthe Delatre, daughter of Antoine Delatre) placed a small statue of Our Lady of Prompt Succor on a window seat and Mother St. Michel began to pray aloud, "Our Lady of Prompt Succor, we are lost unless you hasten to our aid!"

The second major miracle occurred in 1815, three years after the disastrous fire. General Andrew Jackson's 6,000 American troops faced 15,000 British soldiers on the plains of Chalmette. On the eve of the Battle of New Orleans, New Orleans residents joined the Ursuline sisters at their convent in the French Quarter to pray throughout the night, imploring the help of Our Lady of Prompt Succor.

On the morning of January 8, the Very Rev. William Dubourg, Vicar General, offered Mass at the altar on which the statue of Our Lady of Prompt Succor had been placed. Cannon fire could be heard from the chapel. The Prioress of the Ursuline convent, Mother Ste. Marie Olivier de Vezin, made a vow to have a Mass of Thanksgiving sung annually should the American forces win. At the very moment of communion, a courier ran into the chapel to inform all those present that the British had been defeated. They had become confused by a fog and wandered into a swamp.

The Mass ended with the singing of the Te Deum, and an annual Mass of Thanksgiving has been held January 8 ever since.

Pious believers of New Orleans pray before the statue of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, asking for her intercession whenever a hurricane threatens the city. During hurricane season, prayers are said at every Mass in the city during the Prayers of the Faithful requesting Our Lady of Prompt Succor's intercession and protection. After Hurricane Katrina, prayers were made to Our Lady of Prompt Succor asking for the quick recovery of the damaged city and surrounding area.

On June 13, 1928 - the feast of St. Anthony of Padua, Pope Pius XI declared the Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title of Our Lady of Prompt Succor as the Patroness of Louisiana.

[thepastisalreadywritten]

Iconic Mont Saint-Michel Abbey celebrates 1,000 years

By Solène Tadié

13 June 2023

It was exactly a millennium ago that the first stone of the abbey church of Mont Saint-Michel in French Normandy was laid.

The monument that the poet Victor Hugo called the “Khéops of the West” has since become one of the highest symbols of French Catholic identity and one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the world, with more than 3 million visitors a year.

This important anniversary will give rise to a number of celebrations that will continue through the fall of 2023.

Standing on relatively inhospitable terrain, enthroned on a rocky islet less than a kilometer in diameter, surrounded by a vast sandy plain subject to the vagaries of the tides, the UNESCO World Heritage Site has stood the test of time, offering itself as a spectacle for dozens of generations to see.

Indeed, the history of this place of prayer and pilgrimage was as precarious and tumultuous as its surroundings.

While the construction of the present abbey church dates back to 1023, a first church dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel is said to have been built as early as 708 on the mount, then known as Mont-Tombe.

According to “Revelation,” the oldest text reporting the context of the abbey’s construction (written around the beginning of the 11th century), St. Aubert, then-bishop of Avranches, was visited three times in a dream by the archangel, who instructed him to erect a sanctuary in his honor on the summit of the site “so that he whose venerable commemoration was celebrated at Mont Gargan [the first great shrine dedicated to the Leader of the Celest Army, in the Puglia region of Italy] might be celebrated with no less fervor in the middle of the sea.”

St. Aubert undertook the building of a first church with the capacity of about a hundred people, consecrated in October 709 and given the name Mont-Saint-Michel-au-péril-de-la-Mer.

The prelate installed 12 canons there, responsible for praying the Divine Office and welcoming local pilgrims.

The canons were replaced in the 10th century by Benedictine monks at the behest of Richard I, Duke of Normandy, who had little taste for the canons’ opulent lifestyle.

In 1023, the order undertook the construction of the abbey church we know today, based on three rock-cut crypts and the former chapel.

This ambitious project marked a decisive step in the international outreach of the site, where miracles abounded as the flow of pilgrims from all over Christendom expanded.

“This edifice is like Noah’s ark laid over the crypts,” said François Saint-James, a guide and lecturer at Mont Saint-Michel, in an interview with Le Devoir newspaper, underlining the architectural prowess required for this medieval project.

“It was a time when France was covered with a white cloak of churches, as a monk from Cluny once wrote. You have to imagine the gigantic scale of the work.

The granite blocks were cut on the Chausey islands, 34 kilometers from here.

Caen stone, a soft, light stone that’s easy to carve, was used. ... When, in the midst of the Hundred Years’ War, the Romanesque choir collapsed, it was rebuilt in flamboyant Gothic style.”

While the abbey’s architectural evolution continued uninterrupted until the 19th century, one of its highest points was the construction of “La Merveille” (The Wonder) in the 13th century, a jewel of Norman Gothic art.

It consists of two buildings on three levels, supported by high buttresses, with a cloister and refectory, 80 meters above sea level, beneath which were built an almshouse, a storeroom, and guest rooms.

The fame of the shrine started to decline in the 17th century, when part of the abbey was turned into a prison by the royal power.

Seized by central government during the revolution, it became a detention center for priests deemed hostile to the Jacobin terror.

In the 19th century, the site, listed as a historic monument in 1874, was gradually returned to monastic life and its original vocation as a sanctuary.

The abbey’s distinctive silhouette was further enhanced by a neo-Gothic spire in 1897, topped by a gilded statue of the archangel.

To mark its 1,000th anniversary, a special tribute is being paid to the abbey that many have dubbed the “Wonder of the West” with the exhibition “La Demeure de l’Archange” (The Archangel’s Abode), retracing its glorious and tumultuous history through some 30 masterpieces, until November 5.

Many of these items, which include sculptures, scale models, statues, and silverware, will be on display to visitors to the abbey for the first time.

Another highlight of the many celebrations taking place over the summer and part of the autumn will be the “Millennium Solstice,” a never-before-seen light show projected onto Mont Saint-Michel from various spots in the bay on the evening of June 23.

The beauty of this sacred site, trodden by millions of pilgrims over the centuries, has been celebrated and immortalized in the writings of many great men of letters over the last few centuries, from Gustave Flaubert to Théophile Gautier and Victor Hugo.

In particular, it inspired the novel “Les Merveilles du Mont Saint-Michel” (1879) by the prolific writer Paul Féval.

He had already paid tribute to the monument a few years earlier, in “La Fée des grèves,” with these lines often quoted by admirers of the famous Mont:

“Twilight broke. Mont-Saint-Michel was the first to emerge from the shadows, offering the golden wings of its archangel to the reflections of the dawning dawn; then the sides of Normandy and Brittany lit up in turn.

Then again, a sort of light steam seemed to rise from the receding sea, and all was veiled except for the statue of Saint Michael, which dominated this wide ocean of mist.”

[anastpaul]

Saint of the Day – Saint Pope Pius V OP (1504-1572) – born Antonio Ghislieri (from 1518 called Michele Ghislieri, OP) 17 January 1504 at Bosco, diocese of Alessandria, Lombardy, Italy, was head of the Catholic Church and ruler of the Papal States from 8 January 1566 to his death in 1572.   He died on 1 May 1572 in Rome, Italy, apparently of a renal disorder caused by kidney stones.   He was a reformer, an apostle of prayer and charity, a great organiser, Marian devotee and apostle of the Holy Rosary, lover of the Holy Cross.  Pius V was highly ascetic. 

He wore a hair shirt beneath the simple habit of a Dominican friar (for which reason he is often attributed with the institution of the White cassock worn by the Holy Father) and was often seen in bare feet.  In the time of a great famine in Rome he imported corn at his own expense from Sicily and France, a considerable part of which he distributed among the poor and sold the rest to the public at a very low price.  After the papal election, instead of hosting an elaborate banquet, he ordered that the food be given to people in real need.   Tradition holds that he once restored a beggar’s severed foot.

He is chiefly notable for his role in the Council of Trent, the Counter-Reformation, the Battle of Lepanto and the standardisation of the Roman rite within the Latin Church. Pius V declared Thomas Aquinas a Doctor of the Church.

As a cardinal, Ghislieri gained a reputation for putting orthodoxy before personalities, prosecuting eight French bishops for heresy.   He also stood firm against nepotism, rebuking his predecessor Pope Pius IV to his face when he wanted to make a 13-year-old member of his family a cardinal and subsidise a nephew from the papal treasury.

By means of the papal bull of 1570, Regnans in Excelsis, Pius V excommunicated Elizabeth I of England for heresy and persecution of English Catholics during her reign. He also arranged the formation of the Holy League, an alliance of Catholic states to combat the advancement of the Ottoman Empire in Eastern Europe. 

Although outnumbered, the Holy League famously defeated the Ottomans at the Battle of Lepanto in 1571.   St Pius V attributed the victory to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and instituted the feast of Our Lady of Victory.   Biographers report that as the Battle of Lepanto ended, Pius rose and went over to a window, where he stood gazing toward the East. “…Looking at the sky, he cried out, ‘A truce to business, our great task at present is to thank God for the victory which He has just given the Christian army’.”

Pope Pius V was from a poor Italian family and had entered the Dominican order at age 14.   A teacher, a master of novices, a bishop and finally a cardinal, he was a strict and honest man, as well as a zealous reformer.   He wept when he was told in 1566 that he had been elected pope.   The 18-year-long Council of Trent had ended 3 years before and he, as Holy Father, had the task of implementing it.

The previous pope had been easygoing but Pius V made immediate changes.   At first, the people complained that the atmosphere of Rome became like that of a monastery.   But soon the pope’s personal character changed their minds.   He ordered that the gifts given at his coronation be sent to hospitals and to those in need.   The Church finances were examined, the army was reduced and the lifestyles of the cardinals and bishops were simplified.   Seminaries were established, synods were held, dioceses were organised, and parish priests were called to regular meetings.   A new catechism was completed.   Parish priests were made responsible for Catholic education.   The Roman Missal became the sole Mass book for the Western Church (with a few minor exceptions) for four centuries.

His first care as Pope was to reform the Roman court and capital by the strict example of his household and the severe punishment of all offenders.   He next endeavoured to obtain from the Catholic powers the recognition of the Tridentine decrees, two of which he urgently enforced-the residence of bishops and the establishment of diocesan seminaries.

He revised the Missal and Breviary and reformed the ecclesiastical music.   Nor was he less active in protecting the Church.

We see him at the same time supporting the Catholic King of France against the Huguenot rebels, encouraging Mary Queen of Scots, in the bitterness of her captivity and excommunicating her rival the usurper Elizabeth, when the best blood of England had flowed upon the scaffold and the measure of her crimes was full.

But it was at Lepanto that the Saint’s power was most manifest, there, in October, 1571, by the holy league which he had formed but still more by his prayers to the great Mother of God, the aged Pontiff crushed the Ottoman forces and saved Christendom from the Turk.

St Pius was accustomed to kiss the feet of his crucifix on leaving or entering his room. One day the feet moved away from his lips.   Sorrow filled his heart and he made acts of contrition, fearing that he must have committed some secret offence but still he could not kiss the feet.   It was afterwards found that they had been poisoned by an enemy.

After only six years as pope, Pius V died of a painful disease, of which he had never complained.   He was buried in the chapel of St Andrea which was close to the tomb of Pope Pius III, in the Vatican. Although his will requested he be buried in Bosco, Pope Sixtus V built a monument in the chapel of SS. Sacramento in the Liberian basilica. His remains were transferred there on 9 January 1588.  The front of his tomb has a lid of gilded bronze which shows a likeness of the dead pope. Most of the time this is left open to allow the veneration of the saint’s remains.

Portrait of Pius V by Pierre Le Gros on the tomb

In 1696, the process of Pius V’s canonisation was started through the efforts of the Master of the Order of Preachers, Antonin Cloche.   He also immediately commissioned a representative tomb from the sculptor Pierre Le Gros the Younger, to be erected in the Sistine Chapel of the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore.   The pope’s body was placed in it in 1698.   Pope Pius V was beatified by Pope Clement X in the year 1672 and was Canonised by Pope Clement XI (1700–21) on 22 May 1712.

Blessed Cardinal John Henry Newman declared that:

 “St Pius V was stern and severe, as far as a heart burning and melted with divine love could be so … Yet such energy and vigour as his were necessary for the times.   He was a soldier of Christ in a time of insurrection and rebellion, when in a spiritual sense, martial law was proclaimed.”

Saint of the Day – Saint Pope Pius V (1504-1572) Saint of the Day - Saint Pope Pius V OP (1504-1572) - born Antonio Ghislieri (from 1518 called…

[oselatra]

2019 Arkansas Times Academic All-Stars Nominees

Listed by their hometowns. Here are the students nominated to be Academic All-Stars. They are listed by their hometowns as indicated by mailing addresses. ALMA EMILY FOWLER Mulberry High School BAY JACOB HARLEY OSTER Bay High School BEARDEN CASSIDY CLEMENS Bearden High School GARRETT MCWHORTER Bearden High School BEEBE TAYLOR DWAYNE BOYCE Beebe High School JOLEY MARIE MITCHELL Rose Bud High School MARIANNA KERSEY RICHEY Beebe High School BEE BRANCH ANDREA DE TOUR Arkansas Virtual Academy High School BENTON JULIANNA DEMI SORVILLO Bauxite High School KAYLA M. TREASITTI Glen Rose High School BENTONVILLE KENDRA RISENER Haas Hall Academy ANGEL SOTERO Bentonville West High School JESSICA YIN Bentonville West High School BERRYVILLE ALEX RUBEN MALDONADO-LOPEZ Berryville High School AMBER NICOLE VEACH Berryville High School BISMARCK LAUREN ELIZABETH CORLEY Bismarck High School BLACK ROCK PAIGE LEANN PENN Hillcrest High School BLYTHEVILLE CHANDLER SPROUSE Gosnell High School SHAKIAH WILLIAMS Blytheville High School BONNERDALE HANNAH DIGGS Centerpoint High School BOONEVILLE JUSTIN RONGEY Magazine High School BRINKLEY KEVON MALOID DILLWORTH Brinkley High School EMILY ANN TAYLOR Brinkley High School BRUNO LANE BOGLE Valley Springs High School BRYANT SYDNEY ELAINE BOWMAN Bryant High School HARRISON BENNETT DOWNS Bryant High School CABOT ZHENG HUI ZHANG Cabot High School CAVE CITY KENDALL TOWNSLEY Cave City High School CENTER RIDGE SOPHIA FRANCESCA ISELY Nemo Vista High School CLARKSVILLE BRADLEY SCOTT BUCK Johnson County Westside High School CLINTON JACOB ALLEN BURROUGHS South Side High School CONWAY MARY KATHERINE FREYALDENHOVEN Conway High School KENDON CRAIG MOLINE Conway High School CORNING CAROLINE GOODMAN Corning High School CROSSETT DAILEY MARIE CHAVIS Crossett High School BRYCE RICHARD MOON Crossett High School DAMASCUS CLAIRE ELIZABETH DREWRY South Side High School DES ARC LINDSEY NICOLE REIDHAR Des Arc High School DEWITT RACHEL DANIELS DeWitt High School ZONTRAY KENDALL DeWitt High School DONALDSON DYLAN JASHUN CLAYTON Bismarck High School DOVER Ethan Seth Owen Jacobs Dover High School EUREKA SPRINGS KAYDEN ECKMAN Eureka Springs High School EVANSVILLE JESSICA ANN GOLDMAN Lincoln High School FARMINGTON NICHOLAS JAMES ERICKSON Farmington High School REAGAN SIERRA WHITE Farmington High School FAYETTEVILLE CHLOE AUGUST BOWEN Springdale High School SOPHIE FERNANDO Haas Hall Academy JEREMIA LO Fayetteville High School HAMAAD MEHAL Haas Hall Academy SPENCER LEE WALKER Fayetteville High School FISHER ANNA CHAPLAIN Harrisburg College and Career Prep FORT SMITH JOHN TYLER FREENY Southside High School MADISON ISABELLA RENEE MARSH Southside High School GOSNELL KAYLEE JO MILLER Gosnell High School GREENBRIER MADELYN RENEE JAMESON Greenbrier High School CALEB WADE TAPLEY Greenbrier High School GREENWOOD JULIA KATHLEEN BRIXEY Greenwood High School TYLER LAWRENCE MERREIGHN Greenwood High School GREERS FERRY FAITH MARIE BIRMINGHAM West Side High School HAMBURG NIGEL LEWIS Hamburg High School BRENDA FAITH O'FALLON Hamburg High School HARRISON GRACE ESTELLE BRANDT Harrison High School BLAKE JOHN WILLIAM WHITMER Harrison High School HAZEN ROSS TIMOTHY HARPER Hazen High School HICKORY PLAINS JEREMIAH DESHONE WILLIAMS Des Arc High School HIGDEN NATHANIEL WYATT SMITH West Side High School HORATIO GRACE ELIZABETH HARRIS Horatio High School HOT SPRINGS RHETT BARRETT Cutter Morning Star High School FAITH ELIZABETH CARNIE Lake Hamilton High School JORDAN C. ERICKSON Lake Hamilton High School EMMA KIRSTEN FERGUSON Lakeside High School THOMAS IAN HOLLIS Lakeside High School ANTHONY ALEXANDER REITER Hot Springs High School MICAH TRAVIS Mountain Pine High School HUTTIG NASTAJAE ALIYAH ALDERSON Strong High School JACKSONVILLE BASIA YVONNE BROWN Jacksonville High School GERALD ANTONIO DONOHUE Jacksonville High School JONESBORO OPHIE COPELIN Nettleton High School JETT JACKSON Harrisburg College and Career Prep ISABELLE FLORENCE JONES The Academies at Jonesboro High School JOSHUA MILNES Nettleton High School ANNA ELISE OPPENHEIM Bay High School NIKKOLETTE AMANDA PERKINS Brookland High School SEAN A. ROADES Valley View High School KALLEN SMITH Brookland High School TRACY N. TANNER Valley View High School LEACHVILLE HALLIE ELIZABETH BROWN Buffalo Island Central High School KYLE BRADLEY THRASHER Buffalo Island Central High School LITTLE ROCK MOHAMMED ABUELEM Pulaski Academy MILLER CLARK BACON eStem High School NATHAN THOMAS BARBER The Academies at Jonesboro High School CAROLINE BLANSCET Little Rock Christian Academy ANA ABARCA CHAVEZ Hall High School REBECCA SUSAN DIXON Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High School SARAH J. DOUGLASS Joe T. Robinson High School SULLIVAN WALTER FITZ Catholic High School for Boys CELIA KRETH Episcopal Collegiate School FELIPE MORALES OSORIO Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High School CLAUDIA CATHERINE SMITH eStem High School ETHAN STRAUSS Episcopal Collegiate School LUKE WEINER Little Rock Christian Academy MICHELLE XU Little Rock Central High School RAMY YOUSEF Little Rock Central High School MCCRORY CHRISTIAN LITTLE McCrory High School MABELVALE HALEY AMBER STANTON LISA Academy West High School MAGAZINE EMILY STATON Magazine High School MAMMOTH SPRING DEVON CRAY Mammoth Spring High School MARION WESLEY JAMES BARRETT Marion High School MORGAN BRADFORD WHITED Marion High School MAUMELLE GARRETT MICHAEL BAKANOVIC Maumelle High School CHAD BOYD Maumelle Charter High School GENRIETTA CHURBANOVA Pulaski Academy LINCOLN MOSES Maumelle Charter High School VICTORIA ORTEGA Maumelle High School MAYFLOWER HAYDYN HUDNALL Mayflower High School MULBERRY JARRET CHAMBERS Mulberry High School NEWPORT NOAH BLAKE RABY Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts NORTH LITTLE ROCK SOPHIA LYNN CHIER Mount St. Mary Academy CHASE CHRISTIAN MOHR-MCELROY North Little Rock Center of Excellence Charter KATHERINE RAMIREZ North Little Rock High School CARRE'LLA SADLER North Little Rock High School IOAN BROWN SANDERS North Little Rock High School OZARK AUTUMN PAIGE FLAHERTY Johnson County Westside High School PARAGOULD EMMA FARMER Marmaduke High School MICHALA ANN MCPHINK Paragould High School JACKSON CHANDLER PARKER Paragould High School MADISON SHEA ROBINSON Greene County Tech High School PARON JOHN MATTHEW HOWARD Joe T. Robinson High School PEA RIDGE HALLEY LASTER Pea Ridge High School ALEC ANDREW MEREDITH Pea Ridge High School PINE BLUFF MORGAN EDWARDS Watson Chapel High School A'DARIUS LEE Watson Chapel High School PINEVILLE KENLEE KAY KILLIAN Calico Rock High School PLUMERVILLE GARRETT R. HENDRIX Morrilton High School POWHATAN CREEDEN JAMES RICHEY Hillcrest High School RAVENDEN SPRINGS EMILY CHEYENNE LUFFMAN Sloan-Hendrix High School REYNO CHANDLER CONYERS Corning High School RISON JUSTIN JACOBS Rison High School MACY RATLIFF Rison High School ROGERS ALISHA AJAY CHATLANI Rogers High School MORGAN DIBASILIO Rogers Heritage High School SIDRA NADEEM Rogers New Technology High School NATHAN POWELL SKINNER Rogers High School ADAM RYSZARD SIWIEC Rogers Heritage High School ROSE BUD CARSON DAVID LUCENA Rose Bud High School ROYAL ANASTACIA GLASCO Mountain Pine High School RUSSELLVILLE KAYLEE FREEMAN Hector High School SEARCY JACKSON TANNER BENIGHT Searcy High School LAUREN ELIZABETH BROWN Searcy High School SHERIDAN LAINEY FAITH HILL Sheridan High School LOGAN JAMES INGRAM Sheridan High School SHERWOOD TIMOTHY NATHANIEL ESPEJO Sylvan Hills High School CHASE MARIE SWINTON Sylvan Hills High School SILOAM SPRINGS CHRISTINE NICOLE HONN Siloam Springs High School OLIVER MONROE REID Siloam Springs High School SMACKOVER ROBERT THOMAS DIXON Smackover High School KAYLEIGH AMANDA YEAGER Smackover High School SPRINGDALE EDUARDO AGUILAR Springdale High School SPRINGFIELD CAROLYN HOPE HOPKINS Morrilton High School STUTTGART MARY SALLAH JIA Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts TRUMANN ZACHARY DAVID BURCHFIELD Trumann High School WALNUT RIDGE DEVIN FOSTER SMITH Greene County Tech High School WARD JESSICA DAWN VAUGHN Cabot High School WHITE HALL JUSTIN ROBERT DADY White Hall High School WINSLOW JOSEPH ANDREW TAYLOR Lincoln High School WYNNE KYRA LIANE DOBSON Wynne High School JACKSON CHARLES GEORGE Wynne High School 2019 Arkansas Times Academic All-Stars Nominees

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Us, April 5

You can buy a copy of this issue for your very own at my eBay store: https://www.ebay.com/str/bradentonbooks

Cover: All Eyes on Duchess Kate

Page 2: Red Carpet -- Hollywood is in full bloom with the perfect inspo to put a little spring in your step -- Elle Fanning, Kate Middleton, Cate Blanchett, Jennifer Lopez, Lupita Nyong'o

Page 3: Mindy Kaling, Kathryn Newton, Gabrielle Union, Caitriona Balfe, Penelope Cruz

Page 4: Who Wore It Best? Scarlett Johansson vs. Delilah Belle Hamlin vs. Ingrid Andress in Tom Ford

Page 6: Loose Talk -- Jennifer Garner on finally getting her ears pierced at age 48, Cardi B's thoughts on Selena Gomez possibly stepping away from music, Michelle Obama on living with messy daughters Malia and Sasha, Soleil Moon Frye recalling her first consensual sexual experience with Charlie Sheen, Kim Kardashian West on how much her voice has changed over 20 seasons of Keeping Up With the Kardashians

Page 8: Contents

Page 10: Hot Pics -- ahead of the Miami Open Venus Williams took a break from practice to play with her dog Harold

Page 11: Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo were attached at the hip during an outing in Montecito, Paul McCartney enjoyed a beach day while on vacation in St. Barts, sporting a massive diamond ring Bethenny Frankel was at the beach in Miami

Page 12: Paris Hilton's Lanvin dress paired perfectly with her bubblegum-hued Bentley, Jared Leto looked unrecognizable while filming House of Gucci in Italy and meanwhile Lady Gaga and Adam Driver continued shooting scenes the following day

Page 13: Britney Spears looked to be in good spirits while out with boyfriend Sam Asghari in L.A., Robin Roberts hammed it up for the camera on the set of Good Morning America, Kourtney Kardashian couldn't keep her hands off new beau Travis Barker after enjoying a dinner date in L.A.

Page 14: Baby on Board -- Selling Sunset's Christine Quinn, Gal Gadot, Lauren Burnham with husband Arie Luyendyk Jr., Christina Milian showed off her growing belly in a floral lingerie set by Savage x Fenty

Page 16: Flex Zone -- with warmer days ahead, stars push their bodies harder -- Nicole Scherzinger and Thom Evans, Kate Hudson added three pound dumbbells to her fitness routine, Eva Longoria works out with a trampoline, Cara Delevingne does yoga, Kevin Hart was joined by son Hendrix for a sweat sesh, Gabrielle Union working out

Page 18: Stars They're Just Like Us -- Jax Taylor took out the trash and recycling bins in L.A., Ally Brooke put on sunscreen she bought at CVS in L.A., after food shopping Ariel Winter packed her car with goodies in L.A.

Page 20: Love Lives -- Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom sparked marriage rumors after she was seen wearing a gold band on that finger while in Hawaii

Page 21: They've quietly been together for over three years but Keanu Reeves and Alexandra Grant who were spotted together during a rare date night in Beverly Hills are in no rush to wed and they've both been in serious relationships before so they're content just being with each other but that doesn't mean marriage is off the table

* For Brooklyn Decker, the silver lining of the pandemic has spending more time with Andy Roddick -- she said it has strengthened their relationship

* The secret to Nick and Vanessa Lachey's successful marriage of nearly 10 years? Spontaneous intimacy, according to Vanessa

Page 22: Hot Hollywood -- Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani won't be sending save the date cards anytime soon because the duo is struggling to agree on a wedding day -- Gwen is pushing hard for their first ceremony on Blake's Oklahoma ranch to take place in early fall (the two are planning a second affair in L.A.), but Blake, who has been vocal about his impatience, wants to wed this summer but there's a problem: tornado season and the chapel he had constructed on his property for Gwen, a devout Catholic, isn't built to withstand even a minor wind event -- no matter what though, the pair (who are also trying for a baby via surrogate) still plan to exchange their vows before the end of the year and won't let these hiccups affect their big day

Page 23: Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez denied reports that they ended their engagement and were spotted packing on the PDA in the Dominican Republic -- J.Lo started to question A-Rod after rumors began to swirl that he had an affair with Southern Charm star Madison LeCroy but Alex has been on his best behavior of late

* A Britney Spears comeback could be on the horizon as she is dropping hints about singing again even though her attorney previously said she will not perform as long as her father in charge, but if the judge rules in her favor to make her care manager, Jodi Montgomery, her conservator, Britney will follow through and promise to perform again

* Keeping Up With Us -- Kobe Bryant's widow Vanessa Bryant has named the four deputies who allegedly shared graphic photos from the helicopter crash that killed her husband and daughter Gianna and seven others, despite sharing a selfie of herself wearing a half-heart necklace that she rocked while dating Ben Affleck his ex Ana de Armas denied that the two were back together, Armie Hammer is being investigated by L.A. police after a woman came forth and accused the actor of raping her in 2017 but Armie's attorney maintains their relations were completely consensual, CBS has extended The Talk's hiatus after claims of racism and toxicity were made against cohost Sharon Osbourne, just days after Tiger Woods returned home from the hospital following his near-fatal car crash new details from the investigation revealed that the golf pro didn't take his foot off the accelerator leading up to the accident

Page 24: A Day in My Life -- Maria Sharapova

Page 25: Kanye West's personal life might be in shambles, but his finances were thriving -- according to a new report, the rapper's net worth has climbed to $6.6 billion amid his ongoing divorce from Kim Kardashian -- he has really thrown himself into his work -- Kanye was first declared a billionaire last April largely in part to his fashion line, Yeezy, which is valued between $3.2 and $4.7 billion -- Kanye actually learned a lot from Kim's family about business decisions and he used to throw so much of his own money into his projects, but he's learned that doesn't have to be the case and it's clearly paying off big

* These hip-hop stars also made a large sum of their money away from the mic -- 50 Cent, Diddy, Jay-Z, Dr. Dre

Page 26: Cover Story -- Duchess Kate carries on -- the resilient royal is stepping in to save the crown

Page 28: Angelina Jolie vs. Brad Pitt: a new low -- as Brad and Angelina's nasty custody battle rages on, their kids are put in the middle

Page 30: Makeovers of the Year -- behold the style evolution of Hollywood's latest luminaries -- Andra Day, Halsey

Page 31: Tiffany Haddish, Lily Collins, Awkwafina

Page 32: Major Transformations -- Adrienne Bailon, Rebel Wilson

Page 34: Ayesha Curry, Kelly Osbourne, Adele

Page 36: Spring Makeup Bag Update -- whisper-light formulas in soft, pretty hues that will freshen up your look fast

Page 38: Laura Harrier tells how she makes her peepers pop

Page 40: Let It Grow! Kristen Stewart's mane man Adir Abergel shares hacks to help a haircut in flux look luxe

Page 42: Entertainment -- Mark Long on The Challenge: All Stars

Page 43: Take Five with Sway Bhatia

Page 46: Fashion Police -- when bad clothes happen to good people -- Noah Cyrus, Machine Gun Kelly, Amber Rose

Page 47: Bella Hadid, Harry Styles

Page 48: 25 Things You Don't Know About Me -- Kevin O'Leary

[insidethemood]

The bejeweled skeletons are mostly found in Germany, Switzerland and Austria and were created for the Catholic Church’s Counter-Reformation campaign. Decorated skeletons replaced relics that had been destroyed during the Reformation. Also, these were to reinvigorate faith in relics. The Protestants were against relics, and so the Roman Catholics were sending these skeletons north into battleground states, usually the most sumptuous relics. Skeletons were displayed in churches and were extremely popular. This was something the Catholics had that the Protestants did not. A tangible link to the supernatural. The Protestants were talking about abstract terms, but these were concrete. This was a visual example of the glory of God. This was what in store for the Catholic faithful. All the bones came from Rome’s catacombs. The Church just sent raw bones north. It would be up to the parish or monastery in question to raise money for the decoration, with the work usually carried out by nuns in a convent. Local nobles would devote clothes for the skeletons. This could be a lengthy process, with some skeletons taking up years to complete. Wealthy individuals or private groups, like trade guilds, would pay for entire skeletons. Usually there was a caveat. The skeleton had to be displayed with a logo or in the guild’s private chapel. Decline set in for the bones in 1803 when Napoleon forced mass secularisation in Germany. Although many were destroyed, loyal parishioners and clergy often hid skeletons. When one church was turned into a stable the local priest took the skeletons scheduled to be destroyed and hid both. The skeletons passed through the family for a century before being returned to the church. 1. St. Konstantius, Rorschach (Switzerland) — Gucci by Alessandro Michele, Resort 2019 2. St. Benedictus, Berg am Liam (Germany) — Maison Margiela by John Galliano, Spring /015 Couture #heavenlybodies #relic #gucci #maisonmargiela #johngalliano #alessandromichele #fashioninspiration #insidethemood #paulkoudounaris https://www.instagram.com/p/CEO57g6oukS/?igshid=1vkouvwal4365

[rockofeye]

Way Leads On To Way

It’s been a busy couple weeks over this way, and a lot of stuff is happening both rapidly and slowly.

Last weekend, we mounted lave tet in Boston, which made for a long weekend Doing Stuff with family. It was a really lovely and intimate experience for me with some of my siblings, and it was good to spend time with them without the hustle and bustle of a big ceremony going on around us. Ceremony of any sort leads me to and leaves me with new understandings of the spirits and how they move in the world, which is a blessing I am grateful for.

Yesterday was Michaelmas/Feast of St. Michel Arcange, and one of my husbands walks with St. Michael, so I began a novena for him several days before lave tet began which was an interesting challenge for myself. Several nights had ceremony ending in the wee hours, which meant I would begin my prayers in the wee-est of wee hours since I prefer to make most of my big prayers right before I sleep. Some nights I was too exhausted to do anything but the main novena prayer, so I owe Agaou some rounds of rosary-saying.

Today was Haitian dance class, which meets weekly here in the city, and while I have been before, it had been a long time since I had been. One of my brothers was teaching, though, so I wanted to go support him and I really do need to lean how to dance. It was so, SO much fun. I joked later that it usually takes me a plane ticket and a passport to enjoy sweating profusely so much with my friends, but LORD it was good. We danced a little yanvalou, parigol, a whole lot of Djouba and Nago, and ended with a bit of banda. 

As soon as the drums started,I really felt alive--I live for those damn drums because they are the heartbeat of the spirits, and it is so joyful to hear the rhythms. I didn’t do too badly, overall--there is some stuff that I am really not good at yet (my spine does not yet want to move like my brother’s, but it will get there), but I picked up the footwork and could get it going. I love me some Djouba and Nago dances, though, and it was really amazing to start to learn how to move my body like the spirits do when they are down in possession. I really can’t wait to go back.

Today is also the 120th anniversary of the death of St. Thérèse of Lisieux/ Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face. She has shown up for me in a big, big way after kanzo, and it’s likely because of my pre-kanzo praying to her. Part of my bargain with my spirits to get to Haiti and into the djevo was that, if they would help the money come, I would attend Mass weekly. The church I attended Mass at had a votive altar for her, and I knew her to have the reputation of being deeply faithful and possessing a lot of internal spiritual strength and fortitude--she entered the cloister at 15 and never left the convent after that, eventually dying of tuberculosis inside the walls. So, I prayed and asked her to grant my strength to do what I needed to do to fulfill my promise to my spirits and to have faith in their plan for me. They were prayers of desperation, honestly, since things were burning down and I had no idea how I was going to make it all happen. To be frank, if my mother had told me that praying to the light bulb would have helped me, I would have done it. She didn’t tell me to go speak with Thérèse, but I decided that nothing was off limits so to  Thérèse I went.

Imagine my surprise when she started talking back, after I had settled down from kanzo. I have dreamed her over and over where we sit down and talk about things or where I find things that have her image on them. Hell, right before kanzo someone gave me a statue of Thérèse. I wondered out loud to my mother why a saint known to be a very Catholic-y Catholic would start talking to me, and my mother looked up from her task and said ‘because she was listening’. Duh.

Thérèse doesn’t seem to have any sort of issue with me--despite me being the worst version of a Catholic you have ever seen, complete with my happy living in sin of various sorts and the whole trans thing and on and on--and even seems pleased with my attention. She outright doesn’t care about the vodou thing, which was super surprising, and the more I read about her, the more I understand how she and her philosophy of devotion fit within my spiritual sphere and personal development. Once I get settled into my next home, she wants a space of her own and I guess since I was screeching at her pre-kanzo, she is exempt from my ‘absolutely no more spirits’ declaration I made post-kanzo. So, she’ll get her shrine.

Her attention and presence has coincided nicely with a request from one of my husbands to attend Mass regularly, which, in the dream he gave me that informed of this in a ‘why don’t you attend Mass more? why don’t you participate?’, resulted in my dream-self sort of telling him off (’the Church doesn’t want me and I don’t want it’). My mother’s take on all of this was super pragmatic--if your husband is telling you to go to church, you probably should get your ass to church’. So, I have been bouncing around to a variety of churches to find one that I like. Tomorrow, I go to Mass at the chapel at the local Carmelite monastery for a special Mass in honor of Thérèse, since tomorrow is her official feast day.

All of this keeps being drawn together in one fat care package for me of ‘things you need to work on’ from my spirits. I was not raised Catholic, but grew up in a fairly religiously combative Protestant household with involvement in what amounts to a Christian-flavored cult and am a pastor’s kid. I have a lot of baggage to unpack there and they are making sure I get to it. In a lot of ways, it is circles just being looped in tighter and tighter to form one whole, which, basically, is me. It’s nice, in it’s own way, if not completely comfy.

The title of this post is part of that idea of tightening circles, kind of. One of the big misconceptions that a lot of folks have about kanzo is that once you’re out, you’re good. Like, things are in place, life will be smooth, you don’t have a lot to keep chugging on, and I sort of laugh at that because I totally see where that comes from--you’ve essentially just climbed a huge spiritual mountain complete with ice crevasses and sheer cliffs. Surely this means Done, right?

Nope. For me, I got lucky--I didn’t even have the time/space to consider what came after kanzo as the world was basically ending on the date I was scheduled to head to Haiti. Anything after didn’t matter and I didn’t think about it, so it wasn’t that huge a deal when it was clear that, oh no, kanzo is really just a beginning of the work. In that framework, the way leads on to the way. There is no finished and no good enough. There will never be a point where I can point to something and say ‘yeah, I got that’. There is always a way to make something a little better or a place to learn a new thing or, at the very least, a new challenge from the spirits. 

In that vein, priests never really retire, in any sense. There will always be spirits to tend and feed, always stuff to do, always ceremonies to put on, always clients to help, and so I will always work, in many spheres. The way leads on to the way. I will always needs to have income, if only to make sure my spirits stay happy, and I will always need to develop myself as a person so that I can be the best priest-tool and best version of myself for my spirits. There is no sitting still, only moving forward, even if I am crawling.

So, the way continues to unfold, and I am glad for it. It means I am not dead yet and that I have purpose at my finger tips, even if all I want to do is scratch at the walls when things are uncomfy.

Lots of stuff coming up for me, too! A book I wrote a piece for on queer magic in vodou will be coming out in April which is super exciting. I will be doing an AMA/ask me anything on Reddit as soon as I get myself together and submit the post (and I will link it here if anyone wants to go read) and have a day where I am not running around doing a million things. I am starting to plan for top surgery in the not-distant future, which means I have a lot of things to plan out and work to do since this will not be a small undertaking at all. More stuff is on the cusp of coming to fruition, and it’s all good.

Things are good in general, and I feel blessed to wake up every day and feel gratitude for all that has transpired in the past few years and gratitude for all that my spirits have done for me. All that I have descends from them--my hands may have done the work, but it is by their grace that it all has come to be. These days, I can only pray to know their will for me and to see their faces out in the world and on the inside--they take such excellent care of me, and I am so damn small and inconsequential.

It is rainy and overcast here today, which I love, and I hope you are having as satisfying a day as I am! 

[romancatholicreflections]

26th November >> Sunday Homilies and Reflections for Roman Catholics on the Solemnity of Christ The King  ~ Year A, Last Sunday of the Church Year.

The Feast of Christ the King of the Universe

Gospel text: Matthew 25:31-46vs.31  Jesus said to his disciples: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, escorted by all the angels, then he will take his seat on his throne of glory.vs.32  All the nations will be assembled before him and he will separate men one from another as the shepherd separates sheep from goats.vs.33  He will place the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.vs.34  Then the King will say to those on his right hand, ‘Come, you whom my Father has blessed, take for your heritage the kingdom prepared for you since the foundation of the world.vs.35  For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you made me welcome;vs.36  naked and you clothed me, sick and you visited me, in prison and you came to see me.’vs.37  Then the virtuous will say to him in reply, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you; or thirsty and give you drink?vs.38  When did we see you a stranger and make you welcome; naked and clothe you;vs.39  sick or in prison and go to see you?’vs.40  And the King will answer, ‘I tell you solemnly, in so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me.’vs.41  Next he will say to those on his left hand, ‘Go away from me, with your curse upon you, to the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.vs.42  For I was hungry and you never gave me food; I was thirsty and you never gave me anything to drink;vs.43  I was a stranger and you never made me welcome, naked and you never clothed me, sick and in prison and you never visited me.’vs.44  Then it will be their turn to ask, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty, a stranger or naked, sick or in prison, and did not come to your help?’vs.45  Then he will answer, ‘I tell you solemnly, in so far as you neglected to do this to one of the least of these, you neglected to do it to me.’vs.46 And they will go away to eternal punishment, and the virtuous to eternal life.”

Michelangelo’s The Last Judgementin the Sistine Chapel, Rome

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We have four commentators available from whom you may wish to choose . Scroll down to the required author.

Michel DeVerteuil:       Lectio Divina with the Sunday Gospels – Year A

Thomas O’Loughlin:    Liturgical Resources for the year of Matthew

John Littleton :              Journeying through the Year of Matthew

Donal Neary :                 Editor of the Messenger

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Michel DeVerteuil Lectio Divina with the Sunday Gospels- Year A www.columba.ie

General Comments

For today’s feast of Christ the King, the Church chose a gospel passage which is the final teaching of Jesus’ public life according to St Matthew; it therefore completes the lectionary’s “continuous reading” for the year. Meditating on this passage in the light of the feast requires two clarifications.

Modern Western culture does not have kings – or queens. The few left do not exercise any real power; they play ceremonial roles and we associate them with pomp and pageantry. In the biblical culture, however, kings are leaders of their communities. They are “judges” in the sense that they set moral standards for the community. Rightly then, today’s gospel reading celebrates Christ’s kingship as an act of “judgement”.

The second clarification  is that Jesus is a special kind of king – his way of “judging” is very different from what prevails in the world. This is what the feast celebrates – the “good news for the poor” of Christ’s (God’s) standards of judgement. It is also a call to repentance addressed to us as individuals and as a Church, since our “judgments” (in word or action) are often far removed from those of Jesus.

As always in the bible, Christ’s kingship is taught not in abstract language but through a dramatic story – an event we are invited to identify with. The  story is of a future, final judgment – like the parable of two weeks ago, “the kingdom of heaven will be like this”. Our present judgments are never “final”,  the final one will occur only “when the Son of Man comes in his glory escorted by all his angels”. For now, all we can be certain of is that God’s judgement will surprise us, and so we are humble in his presence. To the extent that we are complacent and self-satisfied we are not ready for God’s judgement. St Paul sums up our attitude: “There must be no passing of premature judgement. Leave that until the Lord comes: he will light up all that is hidden in the dark and reveal the secret intentions of the human heart” (1 Cor 4: 5).

This is not the whole picture, however. Today’s passage invites us to remember the temporary and fleeting “judgement moments” we may have experienced: – we became seriously ill – our marriage broke up – we fell into a fault we thought we would never succumb to – our country experienced  national disaster, floods, famine, civil war. These experiences are authentic encounters with God in that they reinforce the teaching of the entire bible that when God comes into the world “the lowly are lifted up and set in the company of princes”, “the barren wife bears countless children”, “the last come first”. – We thought that certain people were the “least”. Now we realise they were sacred, divine in fact, since what we did to them we did to Christ and what we refused them we refused to Christ.

Pope Francis washes the foot of a prison inmate during the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper at Rome’s Casal del Marmo prison for minors.

– We thought that we met Christ by doing extraordinary things. Now we realise that it was in very mundane things, giving food to the hungry, drink to the thirsty, clothes to the naked, visiting the sick and those in prison. – We thought we met Christ in moments of prayer or in holy places. Now we realise that we meet him when we feed and clothe those in need, when we visit hospitals and prisons. – We realise that leadership in religious organisations counts for nothing before God. In his judgement, the only thing that counts is humble service.

As always in the bible, the judgement causes two reactions and we have experienced them both at different times: – wonderful relief at knowing we were right. Good actions which we (and others who had power over us – “chief priests and elders”) looked on as trivial were in fact truly great, recognised in the presence of God (and of all right thinking people) and never to be forgotten. It is a homecoming experience, we “take for our heritage the kingdom prepared for us since the foundation of the world”. – terrible sadness when we realise that we have missed the boat – like the foolish bridesmaids of two weeks ago. We are consumed by remorse, “the eternal fire”. The contrast with the virtuous is striking; for them it was a homecoming, whereas these feel deep alienation – the fire was “prepared for the devil and his angels”, they “go away” to their fate.

As on the past two Sundays, we remember the context of this teaching. Jesus’ imminent crucifixion  would be a “judgement moment” in that it broke down all barriers: – the humblest person there was the Son of God, – the holy place was outside the city, – the person  of faith was a Roman soldier. In those degrading circumstances, the “son of man” was present “in his glory escorted by all the angels, with all the nations assembled before him”. We remember experiences which seemed to be disasters but in fact were judgement moments showing us how wrong our values were.

We note once more the down-to-earthness of Jesus’ judgement. The sign that we have met him is that we discern between good and evil, “goats and sheep are separated; one placed on the right, the other on the left”. His teaching is not airy fairy  – “you must live with the consequences of your actions”. “Good news” is implied however – “other chances will arise so don’t miss out next time”.

Scriptural Prayer

      “It is we who lose when we allow the venom of hatred and revenge to circulate through our spiritual veins.”  ….Archbishop Pantin of Port of Spain, Trinidad

Lord, forgive us that in times of great crisis – national or personal – we become vengeful, wanting to consign people to the eternal fire prepared for the devils and his angels. Help us to wait for the day when the Son of Man comes to his glory, escorted by all the angels, takes his seat on his throne of glory, with all the nations assembled before him, and separates good from evil, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

Lord, we tend to think of you sitting passively on your throne, indifferent to what is going on in the world. But whenever we enter your presence, it is always an experience of discernment, of goodness being put on one side of you and evil on the other, like sheep being separated from goats.

Lord, we thank you for those beautiful moments when we relieved someone’s pain. – Someone was hungry and we gave them food, thirsty and we gave them drink; – we clothed someone naked, made a stranger welcome; – visited one who was sick, went to see a prisoner. Quite suddenly it dawned on us that we had experienced a blessed moment, had a personal meeting with you and had come to the best of ourselves; we had taken possession of a kingdom that had been prepared for us since the foundation of the world.

Lord, part of each one of us has no compassion, can see the hungry and never give them food, see the thirsty and never give them anything to drink, never wants to make strangers welcome, clothe the naked, or visit the sick and those in prison. Sometimes this part of ourselves seems very influential, but it is not the truth of ourselves; it is evil, destined for the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

Lord, a moment of grace is like coming home, entering a kingdom prepared for us since the foundation of the world. Thank you, Lord.

“We can never really love others unless we feel a certain reverence towards them.” …Cardinal Newman Lord, help us to move from helping the poor with condescension to experiencing that to do a favour to one of the least of our brothers and sisters is to be given the privilege of doing it to you.

Lord, we thank you for those who are grateful to us. So often all we did was to help them in some basic way, but they make us feel that we looked after you and now deserve to be put on your right side,

Lord, we have to make a journey in our relationship with you. At first, we think that we will draw close to you by doing plenty of “holy” duties. Then we realise that you want us to be free and spontaneous, just to be compassionate, and leave judgement to you.

“The abdication by the Christian churches of one whole department of life, that of social and political conduct, as the sphere of the powers of this world and of them alone, is one of the capital revolutions through which the human spirit has passed.” … R.H. Tawney

Lord, we pray that your Church will always proclaim Jesus’ teaching that when the Son of Man comes in his glory, escorted by all the angels, to take his seat on his throne of glory with all the

[the-record-obituaries]

June 12, 2019: Obituaries

Eric John Sloop, 62

Mr. Eric John Sloop, age 62 passed away peacefully in his home in Wilkesboro North Carolina on Saturday, June 8, 2019 surrounded by family. Eric was ill for only three weeks.

Memorial services will be held 2:00 PM, Wednesday, June 12, 2019 at Scenic Memorial Gardens Mausoleum Chapel with Rev. Alfred E. Andrews, Jr., officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service.

Eric was born January 15, 1957 in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, the third of four children to John Ralph Sloop (deceased) and Ruth Perry Sloop. Eric began his career at Statesville Pallet Company as a partner in 1991 and then became owner in 2001 at the death of his father, John Sloop. The company has grown exponentially under Eric's leadership and co-worker Regina Pierce his sister. His son, Dylan Sloop joined the family business in 2013 and it continues to thrive.

Eric loved God and his family, the foundations of his life. He enjoyed time with his wife Michelle, hunting adventures with his sons, Dylan and Jordan, family gatherings, golfing, and took great pride in his work.

He was preceded in death by his father.

He is survived by his wife; Michelle Arce Sloop of the home, son; Dylan Rhodes Sloop and wife Risa of Moravian Falls, a step-daughter; Taylor Gann of Wilkesboro, two step-sons; Jordan Pearson of Wilkesboro and Kyle Gann of New York, two sisters; Teresa Sloop Church and husband Mark, Regina Sloop Pierce and one brother; Davy Sloop and wife Pam all of Wilkesboro.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Catchadream.org/inmemory/.

Online condolences can be made at www.reinssturdivant.com

  Mary Martha "Mim" Whelan,  91

Mary Martha "Mim" Whelan, age 91, passed away peacefully on June 6, 2019 at her son's home to begin her new everlasting journey with God. Mim was born on February 17, 1928 in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, the daughter of George and Mary Hlavaty. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband, Robert, the love of her life.

Mim worked for Mellon National Bank in Pittsburgh until her retirement. Mim was a snow bird in her later years but moved here permanently 11 years ago to be with family. She was a loving, caring person, who was always willing to share with others, especially her cooking and homemade soups. She was an avid animal lover and especially loved to spoil her felines.

She is survived by her son, Robert of Moravian Falls.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to her caregivers, Sandra and Sue, who showed such loving care over the past four years. Also, thanks are given to the Aides (Courtney, Jessica, Lynn and Sally), Nurses (Rhiannon), and staff of Mtn. Valley Hospice for providing her with exceptional care and service. The compassion shown by all can never be repaid.

Funeral service and burial will be in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. A memorial mass will be held at a later date at St. John de la Salle Catholic Church in North Wilkesboro. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mtn. Valley Hospice, 688 North Bridge Street, Elkin, NC 28621 or to the Humane Society of Wilkes, PO Box 306, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659. Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be made to www.millerfuneralservice.com

 Robert Lee "Bobby" Jones

Mr. Robert Lee "Bobby" Jones, age 76 of Lexington passed away Thursday, June 6, 2019 at Forsyth Medical Center.

Graveside services were held 2:00 Sunday, June 9, 2019 at Lewis Fork Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Sherrill Wellborn officiating.

Mr. Jones was born March 16, 1943 in Wilkes County. He was the owner of Golden Triad Plumbing Company.

He was preceded in death by his mother; Freda Della Blevins Jones and a brother; Terry Clyde Jones.

He is survived by two sisters; Betty Wiles of Kernersville and Linda Christenson of West Palm Beach Fl.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that memorials be made to the Donor's Choice.

Online condolences may be made at www.reinssturdivant.com

 Ella Schmitt, 85

Ella Jean Schmitt, age 85, of Moravian Falls, passed away Thursday, June 6, 2019 at her home. Mrs. Schmitt was born January 29, 1934 in Alleghany County to Jesse Martin and Mary Cain Billings. She was a member of Moravian Falls Baptist Church. Ella was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Floyd Schmitt; and sister, Willa Crysel.

Surviving are her sons, John M. Schmitt (Sheila Harrington) of Wilkesboro, Karl Schmitt and spouse Sabrena of Grover; daughter, Teresa Rhodes and (Jerry E. Pearson) of Moravian Falls; grandchildren, Tiffany Kilby, Emily Brown, Ian Schmitt; great grandchildren, Grace Kilby, Hunter Kilby, Kailee Brown, Carley Brown, Keegan Brown, Caiden Brown; sister, Ada Walker of Moravian Falls.

Funeral service was June 9,  at Moravian Falls Baptist Church with Pastor Joe Sturgill officiating. Burial followed in Moravian Falls Cemetery.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Wake Forest Health and Hospice, 126 Executive Drive, Suite 110, Wilkesboro, NC 28697.

Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

 Dare Blevins, 57

Mrs. Dare Spears Blevins, age 57 of North Wilkesboro, passed away Wednesday, June 5, 2019 at SECU Hospice of Yadkin.

Funeral services were June 7,  at Reins Sturdivant Funeral Home with Pastor Richard Blevins, Pastor Mitchell Owenby and Pastor Mark Barlow officiating. Burial was in Scenic Memorial Gardens.  

Mrs. Blevins was born May 23, 1962 in Wilkes County to Hubbard Lee Spears and Hazel Bumgarner Spears. She was a CNA. Mrs. Blevins was a member of Chestnut Grove Baptist Church. Her favorite hobby was to crochet which she loved.

She was preceded in death by her parents, four sisters and a brother.

Mrs. Blevins is survived by her husband, Pastor Richard Blevins who she was a wonderful wife to for 40 years, a daughter; Dorothy Boyden and husband Jeff of North Wilkesboro, a son; Matthew Blevins and wife Amanda of North Wilkesboro, four grandchildren; Victoria Cunningham, Alexus Bowlin, Zackary Blevins and Austin Blevins, a twin sister; Clara Harris and husband Clayton of North Wilkesboro, a brother; Don Bumgarner and wife Bonnie of North Wilkesboro and a special niece; Tammy.

Flowers will be accepted.

 Robert  Billings, 93

Robert Willard Billings, age 93, of Traphill, passed away Wednesday, June 5, 2019 at his home. He was born December 3, 1925 in Wilkes County to Granville and Beatrice Wiles Billings. Mr. Billings was a US Army Veteran and a member of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church in Traphill. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Sally Jeanette Mitchell Billings; and grandson, Tucker Pearson.

   Surviving are his daughters, Linda Felts and spouse Michael Kim Felts of Olin, Vicki Billings of Traphill, sister, Lena Pruitt of Mocksville; grandchildren, Michelle Ellis and spouse Chris of Advance, Jonathan Felts and spouse Gretchen of Burnsville, Laura Pearson of Traphill, Carrie Absher of Boonville; great grandchildren, Landyn Ellis, Sydney Ellis, Jackson Ellis all of Advance, and Opal Felts of Burnsville.

Graveside service was June 6,   at Round Hill Baptist Church Cemetery

with Rev. Allen Lunsford and Rev. Tracy Nichols officiating. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, 223 Absher Road, Traphill, NC 28685.

Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.  

 Terry Langley, 52

Mr. Terry Lee Langley, 52 of North Wilkesboro, passed away on Tuesday, June 4, 2019.

Terry was born on June 19, 1966 in Harrisburg Pennsylvania to Phillip Dale Langley Sr. and Dorothy Elizabeth Rehrer Langley.

Terry is preceded in death by his parents.

Terry is survived by his brother, Philip Dale Langley Jr., of Silver Springs Florida, 2 step brothers, John Coy Hurt and Henry Lee Hurt also of Florida; nephew, Mason Hays and wife Amanda of Hays, and there children Scarlett, EmberLette and Nathen Carlton, Niece Kayla Marie Langley of Florida.

No formal arrangements are planned.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to Adams Funeral Home of Wilkes, P.O. Box 396 Moravian Falls NC, 28654 to help with finale expenses.

Adams Funeral Home of Wilkes has the honor of serving Langley Family

 Mary Acosta, 48

Mrs. Mary Louise Call Acosta, 48, of North Wilkesboro, passed away on Wednesday, June 4, 2019 at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.

Mary was born on June 23, 1970 in Wilkes County to Clinton Call and Evelyn Louise Call.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents and brother, Randall Call.

Mary  is survived by her daughter, Leah Lambert of North Wilkesboro; son, Chris Call (Savannah) of Boomer; sister Debra Bauguess (Mark) of North Wilkesboro; 8 grandchildren, Isaiah Sheets, Selena Rodriguez, Skylar Lambert, Taylor Greer, Jaylen, Kaelyn, Josselin and Madelyn Call.

Memorial Service information will be posted at a later date.

In addition to flowers, memorial donations may be given to Adams Funeral Home of Wilkes, P.O. Box 396, Moravian Falls, NC 28654 to help with final expenses.

Adams Funeral Home of Wilkes has the honor of serving the Acosta Family.

 Jessica Jennings,  37

Jessica Renee Jennings, age 37, of Hays, passed away Monday, June 3, 2019 at Forsyth Medical Center. She was born September 11, 1981 in Wilkes County to Jerry Dwayne and Ruth Ann Rudd Jennings.

Jessica loved music and dancing, hiking and butterflies. She was talented in various craft and very good with children. Jessica was preceded in death by her father; grandparents, Don and Velma Jennings, Marvin and Margie Scott.

She is survived by her daughter, Renee Lewis of Hays; mother and step father, Ruth Ann and William Hodgdon of Statesville; brother, Andrew Dwayne Jennings of Statesville; nephew, Dalton Jennings of Statesville; and companion, David Query of Hays.

The family   will receive friends at Miller Funeral Service from 2:00 until 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 12, 2019. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family, c/o Ruth Ann Hodgdon, 165 Harriet Lane, Statesville, NC 28625.

Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.  

 Ted Nichols, 74

Mr. Ted "Dale" Nichols, Sr. age 74 of North Wilkesboro, passed away Monday, June 3, 2019 at the home of his daughter in Stanfield, NC.

Funeral services were June 7,   at Center Baptist Church with Rev. David Key officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.  

Mr. Nichols was born March 30, 1945 in Wilkes County to Ted R. Nichols and Ethel Holcomb Nichols. Mr. Nichols was a member of Center Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon and Sunday School Teacher.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Nichols was preceded in death by four sisters; Louella Brown, Della Sears, Jan Farthing and Christine Blankenship.

Mr. Nichols is survived by his wife of 53 years, Mrs. Carolyn R. Pilkenton Nichols of the home, a daughter; SFC DeAndree Watson and husband Joe of Stanfield, two sons; Ted Dale Nichols, Jr. of North Wilkesboro and Marty Len Nichols and wife DeAnna of Hickory, two grandchildren; Deyton Watson and Mystery Watson, two sisters; Deborah Pruitt and husband Tom of Asheville and Judy Nichols of Purlear, a sister in law; Jean Waters of North Wilkesboro and a brother William Nichols and wife Shirley of Purlear.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Center Baptist Church 205 Center Baptist Church Road North Wilkesboro, NC 28659.

Jeremy McGuire, 39

Jeremy Dale McGuire, age 39, of North Wilkesboro, passed away Monday, June 3, 2019 at his home. He was born March 24, 1980 in Wilkes County to James McGuire and Patricia Hart. Jeremy was a movie buff and an avid collector of things.

Surviving are his parents; James and RoseMarie Battaglia McGuire; his biological mother, Patricia Hart of Ennice; brothers, Barry Croft of Bear, Delaware, Joshua David McGuire of Obituaries

Continued from previous page

Sparta, sisters, Jamie Marie Mendenhall and spouse John of Bear, Delaware, Nancy Battaglia of North Wilkesboro; favorite canine companion, Kaos; grandmother, Doris Vandeveer of Lancaster, South Carolina; nieces and nephews, Emily Croft, Dominic Pruitt, Cassidy Pruitt, Halo McGuire, Jacob McGuire; great nephew, Gannon Anderson; close friend, James Kessler of North Wilkesboro; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins; and sure to be missed by his many friends.

Memorial service will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 14,   at Miller Funeral Chapel with Brother Matthew Higgins officiating. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, 38105-9956.

Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.  

 June  Bumgarner, 83

June Elizabeth Minton Bumgarner, age 83, of Wilkesboro, passed away Monday, June 3, 2019 at Wake Forest Baptist Health - Wilkes Medical Center. She was born February 3rd, 1936 in Wilkes County to Richard and Vena Osborne Minton. She was a member of Gordon Baptist Church. Mrs. Bumgarner was preceded in death on November 6th, 2006 by her husband of 54 years, Woodrow Bumgarner. June will be remembered as a sweet spirited and loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Barbara (Bobbie) Minton Byers, Betty Minton Adams, Kaye Minton Rogers and a granddaughter, Dana Goodwin.

Survivors include two sons, Dan Goodwin and wife Alice of Statesville, Dickie Bumgarner and wife Reba of Moravian Falls; two daughters, Sherry Barlow and husband Mark of North Wilkesboro, Terry Stamper and husband Gary of Wilkesboro. She is also survived by nine grandchildren, Chris Stamper and wife Shena, Matthew Stamper and wife Heather, Leslie Stamper and Justin Anderson, Benjamin Stamper and wife Essence, Greg Barlow and wife Renee, Daniel Barlow and wife Erin, Holly Bates and husband Nick, Justin Bumgarner and Kierstin Bumgarner; ten great grandchildren, Noah Stamper, Hydie Stamper, Alexis Stamper, Levi Stamper, Isabella Anderson, Sofia Anderson, Gabriella Anderson, Grady Bates, Eden Bates and Laken McGlamery; two sisters, Jane Canter of Moravian Falls and Rachel Elledge of Wilkesboro.

Funeral service was June 6,   at Gordon Baptist Church with Pastor Mark Barlow and Brother Larry Adams officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.   Flowers will be accepted.

Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.  

 Sue  Long, 77

Sue Harrald Long, age 77, of Laurel Springs, passed away Sunday, June 2, 2019 at Alleghany Memorial Hospital. She was born February 6, 1942 in Alleghany County to Ivey and Nora Reeves Harrald. Sue was preceded in death by her parents; son, William Long; brothers, Dean Harrald, Russell Harrald; and sister, Louise Hooks.

Surviving are her husband, John Ashley of Boomer; daughter, Jewell Ashley of North Wilkesboro; brothers, Floyd Harrald, Hilmer Harrald both of Laurel Springs; sisters, Norma Harrald of Laurel Springs, Yonnie Sheets of Statesville, Barbara Lewis and spouse Henry of West Jefferson.

Funeral service was June 7,  at Miller Funeral Chapel. Burial   followed in Mount Zion United Methodist Church in Piney Creek.

Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.  

 Ina  Poe

Mrs. Ina Winona Elliott Poe of North Wilkesboro passed away on Sunday, June 2, 2019 at her residence.

Ina was born on Friday, May 4, 1945 in Ashe County to the late Clarence Glenn Elliot and Annie Clyde Eller Elliott.

Ina is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Carl Richard Poe; daughter, Cynthia Jane Roten; sisters, Janis Elliott, Edna Campbell, Vilea Shepherd and Mary Mahaffey.

Ina is survived by her daughters, Mylinthia Wagoner (Allen) of North Wilkesboro, Donna Sue Smithey (Bucky) of North Wilkesboro, Tammie Woodie (Steve) of Laurel Springs; sons, Timothy Poe (Tina) of North Wilkesboro, Tony Poe ( Kim) of Hamptonville; sisters, Betty Powers (Pete) of Lansing, Juanita Walton (Thomas) of North Wilkesboro, 9 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

A memorial service was June 8,  at Adams Funeral Home of Wilkes Chapel, 2109 Moravian Falls Road.  Rev. Joey McClure, Rev. Fred Richardson and Rev. Wiley Boggs will be officiating.  

Adams Funeral Home of Wilkes has the honor of serving the Poe Family.

 Robert Morris, 70

Robert "Bob" Eric Morris, age 70, of North Wilkesboro, passed away peacefully Saturday, June 1, 2019 at his home following a courageous battle with cancer. He was born March 8, 1949, in San Francisco, California, to Jack and Dorothy Morris. Mr. Morris attended Westmoor High School in Daly City, CA., and following graduation enlisted in the army, serving in both Vietnam and Korea. Upon leaving the military, he spent the next twenty years in the retail paint business before becoming a professional painting contractor, a skill he exercised until his death.

He and his wife and daughter moved to North Carolina in 2007, where he was later employed by First Baptist Church in North Wilkesboro as Maintenance Director. Bob was preceded in death by his parents.

Surviving him are his wife, Helen Marie Morris; daughter, Elizabeth Morris; sister, Marilyn Morris; step-sons, Jason Anderson, Jon Anderson, Simon Dudley; and the wives and children of the Anderson and Dudley families.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, June 15, 2019, at First Baptist Church in North Wilkesboro with Pastor Bert Young officiating. Following the service, family and friends are invited to gather in Wayland Fellowship Hall to honor Bob by sharing stories and memories. Light refreshments will be served.

While flowers will be accepted, the family prefers donations to the charity of your choice: Pruitt Hospice, 924 Main Street, Suite 100, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659; DAV (Disabled American Veterans) P.O. BOX 14301, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45250-0301; or FBC Pantry Ministry, 510 D Street, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659. Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be made to www.millerfuneralservice.com

 Bud Lane, 78

Mr. Bud Lane, age 78 husband of the late Lois McGrady Lane of McGrady passed away Thursday, May 30, 2019 at his home.

Funeral services were June 3rd,  at Rock Springs Baptist Church with Elder Dan Edwards officiating. Burial with Honors by the Wilkes County Fireman's Association Honor Guard was held in the church cemetery.  

Mr. Lane was born July 15, 1940 in Wilkes County to Sanford Ford and Elvia Royal Lane.  He retired from Gardner Mirror.  He also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, mowing, and gardening.    

Bud served as a deacon at Cane Creek Baptist Church and Rock Springs Baptist Church. He was an active first responder and served as a volunteer fireman for the McGrady Fire/Rescue for twenty two years and received Fireman of the Year Award.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by this wife: Lois McGrady Lane, grandson; Richard Allen Matheson, two sisters; Rosie Sutton and Linda Royal and five brothers; Pete, John, Charlie and Robert Lane and Bob Royal.

He is survived by a daughter and son-in-law; LeAnn and Jeff Odle; two sons and daughters-in-law; Michael and Donna Maynor Lane and Daniel and Jamie Swaringen Lane all of McGrady six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren, one sister and brother-in-law; Betty and Bud Perry of Millers Creek, one brother; Larry Lane of Jonesville, one sister-in law; Wanda McGrady Teague and a brother-in-law; David McGrady and wife April Parsons McGrady.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to McGrady Fire/Rescue , PO Box 87, McGrady, NC 28649.

 Billy Michael

Mr. Billy Ralph Michael better known as "Bill", passed away Thursday, May 30, 2019 at Caldwell County Hospice and Palliative Care in Lenoir.  

Funeral services were June 3rd, at First Baptist Church of North Wilkesboro with Dr. Bert Young officiating. Burial with Military Honors by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1142 Honor Guard was in Mountlawn Memorial Park.

Mr. Michael was born May 12, 1938 in Wilkes County to Amos Taft Michael and Elizabeth Wilson Michael. He owned and operated Wilkes Honda for 25 years. He was currently employed by Wilkes County Government in the Appraisal Department. Bill was a member of First Baptist Church of North Wilkesboro where he   served on the Diaconate, was an Usher, a member of the Lockup Team and served on various other committees.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Mr. Michael is survived by his wife; Elaine Moore Michael of the home, a son; Gregory Martin Michael of Wilkesboro, a sister; Barbara Ann Darnell of North Wilkesboro.

 The family requests no flowers but ask that memorials be made to the First Baptist Church of North Wilkesboro Department of Music PO Box 458 North Wilkesboro, NC 28659 or to the Caldwell County Hospice and Palliative Care 902 Kirkwood Street NW Lenoir, NC 28645.

 Online condolences may be made at www.reinssturdivant.com

[siciliancunningcraft]

It’s a traditional custom of southern Italians to choreograph plays during the feasts of their town’s saints. Such a beloved custom it is that our ancestors even brought it to America and many Italian-Americans today continue this beautiful expression of faith. Here is a play performed at Monte Gargano during today’s feast of the Apparizioni of San Michele Arcangelo, beautifully filmed by Angelo Totaro.

EVVIVA SAN MICHELE ARCANGELO!! My generous and loving patron

History of the Feast of the Apparition of St. Michael the Archangel at Monte Sant'Angelo:

“Around the year 490, a lord of the Gargano was searching for one of his prize bulls. He almost gave up, judging the bull was helplessly lost, when he spotted him in a cave, kneeling. The cave was high above the lord, and hopelessly inaccessible. The bull would never be able to get out; so, as a gesture of mercy, the lord shot an arrow toward the bull to put the animal out of its misery. The arrow changed its course in mid-flight, like a boomerang, and struck the lord. The lord went to the local bishop, declaring what had happened. The bishop immediately instituted three days of fasting and prayer to be done outside of the Cave, as he was not sure if it was a Heavenly inspired occurrence, or from the other place. While the bishop, his priests, and the lord were on the Gargano, praying at the mouth of the cave, Saint Michael appeared to the bishop, and declared: “I am the Archangel Michael, and am always in the presence of the Lord. This cave is sacred to me; it is of my choosing. There will be no more shedding of bull’s blood. Where the rocks open widely, the sins of man may be pardoned. That which is asked here in prayer will be granted. Therefore, go up the mountain and dedicate the grotto to Christian worship.” The bishop apparently was not convinced that the apparition was truly the Prince of the Heavenly Hosts, or he could not have hesitated in obeying the command. The bishop hesitated with “should I, shouldn’t I,” for two years! The nearby town of Siponto was being invaded by pagan hordes. It was certain that the town would be defeated. Gargano was right in the path of the invaders. If Siponto fell, it was pretty definite that Gargano would go, also. The bishop asked for a three day truce for prayer. During this time, Saint Michael appeared to the bishop, again. He promised, if the people would attack the enemy believing victory would be theirs, walking in faith, he, Michael, would lead them to victory. The townspeople advanced boldly. A sand storm assailed and whipped the enemy, blinding them; huge pellets of hale joined in, pummeling them relentlessly. Terrorized, they retreated from Siponto, leaving the area forever. The bishop climbed up the mountain to the cave. He did not come down for a long time. He seemed to be agonizing. He did not enter the cave, but instead prayed outside, at the mouth of the cave . When he came down, the bishop still did not have a church built there, where the faithful could worship. We don’t know what caused the bishop to hesitate this second time. There was an anguish that didn’t leave him, a gnawing inside of him, eating at him. The cave and the Archangel’s words were constantly on his mind. His spirit was being wrenched by a tug-of-war. He was being pulled in opposite directions. He knew he should be honoring the Angel’s request. In his heart, he knew it was truly Saint Michael who had appeared to him both times. But, in his head? Well, something or someone was holding him back. The following year, as the anniversary of the apparition drew near, the bishop appealed to the Pope for guidance and direction. The Pope ordered the bishop to go to the cave, with other bishops and priests from the area, for three days of prayer and fasting. He was to ask the Lord for discernment, and the Angel for help. The bishop prayed outside the cave, at the mouth of the cave, again not inside. During this time, Michael appeared to the bishop, a third time. He ordered the bishop to enter the cave: “It is not necessary that you dedicate this church that I myself have consecrated with my presence. Enter and under my assistance, raise prayer and celebrate the Sacrifice of the Mass. I will show you how I myself have consecrated that place.” The bishop finally did as the Archangel Michael dictated. When he entered the cave, he found a splendid altar covered with a red cloth and a crystal cross upon it, as the Archangel had foretold. At the entrance was the imprint of a child’s foot, confirming the presence of the Archangel. A structure, which appears to be a church, was built over the cave. From the street level, one can see towers, and arches, and bells. Actually, it’s only a facade. Pilgrims have to walk down 86 steps to the cave, which is the church. It was set up as a church, with an altar rail, pews, and side chapels. Over the years, an Episcopal (bishop’s) chair was carved out of a huge block of stone and placed at the side of the altar. Chapels were hewn lovingly out of local stone and placed in the cave. It was even raised to the level of a Basilica! It is known as the “Celestial Basilica”; maybe because the church has never been consecrated by a bishop (nor have any relics been placed in the altar stone). It has been consecrated by the presence of Michael, himself. The Cave of Saint Michael immediately became a famous Shrine for pilgrimages. At one point in the Middle Ages, there were four major Catholic Shrines in the world. They were called: Deus (or God) for the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem; Apostoli, for the tombs of the Apostles in Rome; Sanctus, for the Shrine to Saint James, called Santiago de Compostela, in Spain, and Angelus, for the Cave of Saint Michael, in the Gargano in Italy.” -Excerpt from Bob and Penny Lord

[full-imagination]

Fouad Said Marzouca

Fouad Said Marzouca, 77, of Spartanburg, SC, died Saturday, August 29, 2020 at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center. Born February 8, 1943 in Bethlehem, Palestine, he was the son of the late Saeed Yanni and Afifa Nicola El-Ali Marzouca. Fouad was a member of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. He attended The University of Cairo, a former member of Kuwaiti National Broadcast Company, a self-employed businessman, and a professional violinist. He was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. Survivors include his loving wife of 52 years, Yanett Marzouca; his daughters, Michelle Marzouca Sundquist (Evan James) of Spartanburg, SC, Christine Marzouca Whitlock (Jamie) of Spartanburg, SC, Natalie Marzouca of Spartanburg, SC; his son, Dwain Leaver of London, England; grandchildren, John Fouad (Jack) Sundquist, Evan Sundquist II, Ceana Sundquist, Madison Whitlock, Andrew Whitlock, Carter Amir Whitlock; sisters, Victoria M. Zablah of Bethlehem, Palestine and Rosa M. Hazboun of Bethlehem, Palestine. Along with his parents, he was also predeceased by a daughter, Charmaine Marzouca; brothers, Joseph Saeed Marzouca, Elias Saeed Marzouka, George Saeed Marzouca; sisters, Mary Kawas and Adele Alhazeen. Visitation will be 6:00 – 8:00 PM Friday, September 4, 2020 at Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel, 2075 East Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29307. A funeral service for the family will be conducted at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church on Saturday, September 5, 2020. A public interment service will be conducted at approximately 12:30 PM following the funeral service in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, 1300 Fernwood-Glendale Road, Spartanburg, SC 29307. Due to COVID-19, social distancing and personal protective equipment guidelines will be observed. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 697 Asheville Highway, Spartanburg, SC 29303 or to St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 290 E. Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302. Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel from The JF Floyd Mortuary via Spartanburg Funeral

[anastpaul]

Another 3 Saints of the Day – 26 January – St Alberic of Citeaux O.Cist (Died 1109) Monk and Abbot , St Robert of Molesme O.Cist (1028-1111) Abbot and St Stephen Harding O.Cist (c 1060-1134) Monk, Priest and the three are Co-Founders of the Cistercian Order. 

Robert was born about 1029, a nobleman from Champagne, a younger son, who entered the Benedictine abbey of Montier-la-Celle near Troyes at age fifteen and rose to the office of prior.   He was made the abbot of Saint Michel-de-Tonnerre around the year 1070 but he soon discovered that the monks were quarrelsome and disobedient, so he returned to Montier-la-Celle.

Meanwhile, two hermits from a group of monks that had settled at Collan went to Rome and asked Pope Gregory VII to give them Robert as their superior.   The pope granted their request and as of 1074 Robert served as their leader.   Soon after, Robert moved the small community to Molesme in the valley of Langres in Burgundy.   Initially, the establishment consisted of only huts made of branches surrounding a chapel in the forest, dedicated to the Holy Trinity.   Molesme Abbey quickly became known for its piety and sanctity and Robert’s reputation as a saintly man grew.   It is because of this reputation that in 1082 St Bruno of Cologne (c 1030 -1101) came to Robert seeking advice.   He lived with Robert’s community for a time before going on to found the Grande Chartreuse, the first Carthusian monastery.

In 1098 there were 35 dependent priories of Molesme and other annexes and some priories of nuns.   Donors from the surrounding area vied with one another in helping the monks;  soon they had more than they needed, slackened their way of life and became tepid.   Benefactors sent their children to the abbey for education and other non-monastic activities began to dominate daily life.   The vast land holdings they had acquired required a large number of employees.   As the community grew increasingly wealthy, it began to attract men seeking entry for the wrong reasons.   They caused a division among the brothers, challenging Robert’s severity.   Robert twice tried to leave Molesme but was ordered back by the Pope.

In 1098, Robert and twenty-one of his monks left Molesme with the intention of never returning.   Renaud, the viscount of Beaune, gave this group a desolate valley in a deep forest, there they founded Cîteaux Abbey.   Saints Stephen Harding and Alberic – two of Robert’s monks from Molesme – were pivotal in founding the new house.   The archbishop of Lyons, being persuaded that they could not subsist there without the endorsement of an influential churchman, wrote in their favour to Eudo, duke of Burgundy.   Eudo paid for the construction they had begun, helped the monks finance their operating expenses and gave them much land and cattle.   The bishop of Challons elevated the new monastery to the canonical status of an abbey.

In 1099, the monks of Molesme asked Robert to return and agreed to submit entirely to his interpretation of the Rule of St Benedict, the local bishop also pressured Robert to return.   He agreed and Molesme became a major centre for the Benedictines under his tutelage.   Albéric was made successor abbot at Cîteaux, with Stephen Harding as prior.

Robert died on 17 April 1111.   Pope Honorius III Canonised him in 1222.   His feast day in the Roman Catholic Church was at first observed on 17 April, later transferred to April 29 and finally combined with the feast of Alberic and Stephen Harding and is observed in our day on 26 January.

The Life of Saint Robert de Molesme was written by Guy, his immediate successor as abbot of Molesme.

Alberic was a hermit in the forest of Collan in France who, along with five other hermits, invited Abbot Robert of Molesme to begin a new monastery with them that would operate under the Rule of St Benedict.

Alberic is credited with attaining the Cistercian Order’s legal foundation.   Pope Pascal II granted this legitimacy with his Bull Desiderium quod (around 1100).   Albéric also decided to move the monastery’s buildings a kilometer to the north and initiated construction on the first abbey church.   The Church was consecrated less than six years later.   Alberic also introduced the use of the white Cistercian cowl.   It was given to him for the monks, according to legend, by the Virgin Mary as they were at choir praying vigils.   Accordingly, the white cowl is one of Alberic’s attributes in hagiographical paintings.

Alberic’s feast day, together with that of Robert of Molesme and Stephen Harding, is celebrated on 26 January.

Harding was born in Sherborne, Dorset, in the Kingdom of England and spoke English, Norman, French and Latin.   He was placed in Sherborne Abbey at a young age but eventually left the monastery and became a travelling scholar, journeying with one devout companion into Scotland and afterwards to Paris and then to Rome.   He eventually moved to Molesme Abbey in Burgundy, under the Abbot Robert of Molesme (c. 1027-1111).   During his time at Molesme abbey he seemed to have assumed the name Stephen.

When Robert left Molesme to avoid what he perceived to be the abbey’s increasing wealth and overly strong connections to the aristocracy, Harding and Alberic of Cîteaux went with him.   Seeing no hope of a sufficient reformation in Molesme, Robert appointed another abbot for the abbey and then, with Alberic, Harding and twenty-one other monks, received permission from Hugh, the Archbishop of Lyons and legate of the Holy See, to found a new monastery in Citeaux, a marshy wilderness five leagues from Dijon.   There, they formed a new, more austere monastery.   Eudes, afterwards Duke of Burgundy, built them a little church which was placed under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin, as all the churches of the Cistercians from that time have been.

Stephen became the third abbot of Cîteaux.   However, very few were joining the community and the monks were suffering from hunger and sickness.   In 1112, Bernard of Clairvaux entered the community, bringing with him thirty companions.   Between 1112 and 1119, a dozen new Cistercian houses were founded to accommodate those joining the young order.   Harding’s organisational skills were exceptional, he instituted the system of general chapters and regular visitations.   In 1119, he received official approbation for the Carta Caritatis (Charter of Charity), an important document for the Cistercian Order, establishing its unifying principles.

The reception of St Bernard.

Stephen Harding served Cîteaux Abbey as abbot for twenty-five years.   While no single person is considered the founder of the Cistercian Order, the shape of Cistercian thought and its rapid growth in the 12th century were arguably due to Harding’s leadership. Insisting on simplicity in all aspects of monastic life, he was largely responsible for the severity of Cistercian architecture and the simple beauty of the Order’s liturgy and music.   He was an accomplished scribe for the monastery’s scriptorium, his highest achievement is considered to be the Harding Bible, famous among medieval manuscripts.   In 1133, he resigned as head of the order because of age and infirmity.   He died on 28 March 1134 and was buried in the tomb of Alberic, his predecessor, in the cloisters at Cîteaux.  Stephen was largely responsible for the severity of Cistercian architecture because he was an adherer of simplicity in all aspects of monastic life.

An illumination by St Stephen Harding presenting a model of his church to the Blessed Virgin Mary (Municipal Library, Dijon). Cîteaux, c 1125.   At this period Cistercian illumination was the most advanced in France but within 25 years it was abandoned altogether under the influence of St Bernard of Clairvaux.

In a joint commemoration with Robert of Molesme and Alberic, the first two abbots of Cîteaux, the Roman Catholic Church celebrates Stephen Harding’s feast day on 26 January.    There is a Catholic Baroque Church established by 1785, the patron saint of which is Stephen Harding, it is located in Hungary, in the village Apátistvánfalva.

The north aisle of the Church of St Sepulchre-without-Newgate in London was formerly a chapel dedicated to him (it became the Musicians’ Chapel in the 20th century).

He was Canonised by the Catholic church in 1623.

[chocolateheal]

16 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Go To Definition Abstract Expressionism Art On Your Own | definition abstract expressionism art

Alfonso Ossorio’s mural in Negros Occidental. His wax-resist watercolor studies for the mural appearance the articulation amid Pollock’s Abstruse Expressionism and Dubuffet’s Art Brut. —ARNOLD ALMACEN

ABSTRACT EXPRESSIONISM BEHIND THE IRON CURTAIN | The Brooklyn Rail – definition abstract expressionism art | definition abstract expressionism art

A new display of paintings by Alfonso Ossorio seeks to erect into the art and activity of the ambiguous artist-dilettante who had been abundantly absolved in his lifetime as bald angel to Jackson Pollock and an art dabbler, but whose acceptability for trailblazing art has so developed back his afterlife in 1990 that he’s now advised the missing articulation amid American Abstruse Expressionism and European Art Brut.

“Grazing Light,” which opens this anniversary at León Gallery in Makati, follows through the awful acknowledged display “Afflictions of Glory.” Mounted aftermost year additionally at León to mark the Philippine-American artist’s bearing centenary (1916-2016), “Afflictions” was the aboriginal anytime above appearance of Ossorio’s assignment in the acreage of his birth.

The new display will adhere 18 works, all from the Robert Ossorio Family Collection. Art restorer and conservator Liliane “Tats” Rejante Manahan, activity administrator of the new exhibit, appear that aftermost year’s works, which she helped abbey and León Gallery buyer Jaime Ponce de León insisted were of “unassailable provenance,” had additionally appear from the aforementioned source.

Liliane “Tats” Rejante Manahan, activity administrator of “Grazing Light”

“Afflictions” fabricated assertive admission amid the beatnik delineation of Christ in Ossorio’s acclaimed mural at the St. Joseph the Worker abbey in Victorias, Negros Occidental assignment and his own circuitous attitude due to his austere Catholic upbringing, accepting a actual able mother, and his homosexuality.

“Grazing Light” will somehow body on Ossorio’s conflicted obsessiveness, but with accent on his different but actual acute aesthetic techniques, such as his wax-resist painting adjustment and his avant-garde reinvention of medieval adorn address as illustrated in his Victorias abbey mural.

Drawing from her assignment additionally as an autogenous designer, Manahan said the appellation refers to ablaze or lights amid abutting to the lit apparent that brings into abatement highlights and textures. She said that Ossorio’s methods of alliteration and layering, accurate to the affected Art Brut tradition, would acknowledge layers, textures and caliginosity that accord his works their astonishing power. It may assume that “shadows” would additionally affix with the antecedent display that tackled Ossorio’s “Afflictions.”

Manahan says display interiors will arm-twist Victorias in the 1950s, back Ossorio alternate to assignment on his family’s chapel. —PHOTOS BY LYN RILLON

Repatriated

The Ossorio exhibits may be addition appearance of “repatriated” Philippine art from the West. But the affair is added complicated than that.

Ossorio, begat of a amoroso association that accustomed Victorias Milling in Negros Occidental, larboard the Philippines back he was 8 years old, acquired British and American education, became a US citizen, and lived there until his death, save for a abrupt accession in 1950 to assignment for 10 months on the now acclaimed “Angry Christ” in Victorias.

Although Ossorio was a accomplished artist, consistently announcement and alike beat art styles, he was added accepted as angel to Pollock and a artsy who captivated amplitude over aerial association in the East Hamptons, area his all-inclusive estate, The Creeks, became the hub of VIPs, artists and intellectuals. Because he was to the estate born, as an artist, he was from the art apple by and ample proscribed.

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Classified by the media as a affiliate of the New York School, Ossorio was at best an account of concern because of his ethnicity and his own art convenance was both agnate and antithetical to Abstruse Expressionism.

Such “dissimilar similarity” was conceivably prefigured when, at the advancement of Pollock, Ossorio went to Paris and met Jean Dubuffet, best of “Art Brut” (literally “raw art”). The French artisan declared Art Brut as accepting a “spontaneous and acerb adroit character.”

Dubuffet’s analogue was a ambagious way of adage Art Brut works were by patients in brainy asylums (“outsider art,” according to one British critic, somehow approximating Michel Foucault’s address on prisons and brainy asylums) and by accouchement (later “naïf art”).

Dubuffet inveighed adjoin “culture” and “civilization” for deracinating or standardizing aesthetic expression. He believed that the freest announcement could be begin alone from the mentally deranged, above the bound of acumen anchored by ability and the establishment.

Oddly enough, Pollock and Dubuffet never met, but their corresponding streams begin a arch in Ossorio—action painting and gestural abstracting abutting somehow with outsider, naïf and archaic art.

How West met West through East was, in fact, the apriorism of—“Angels, Demons and Savages: Pollock, Ossorio, Dubuffet,” the actual important   display of the Phillips Collection in Washington and Parrish Art Museum in New York in 2013. It showed Ossorio’s cardinal role in the affair of two movements that were both agnate and disparate at the aforementioned time.

“St. Anthony of Padua Preaching with Fishes”

Pivotal moment

But as the two shows of Ossorio in the Philippines may now tend to show, the cardinal moment may accept been the “Angry Christ” mural in Victorias.

Exhibited aftermost year was a absorption of the mural fabricated in Ossorio’s brand medium, water-resistant wax on paper. It angry out he had fabricated some 300 studies of the mural, which should accentuate how Ossorio both compared with and differed from Pollock and Dubuffet.

As Manahan explained, whatever “spontaneity” could be attributed to his expressionist and raw-art inclinations was in the final analysis, “studied and actual deliberate.”

It was in the studies that Ossorio was able to absolute his wax-resist method, some samples of which would be apparent in “Grazing Light.”

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Manahan said Ossorio would absolutely band hot wax on the cartoon surface, or draw with a acicular candle, again besom water-based acrylic over it; this would banish acrylic over wax, creating shapes and fractals spontaneously, which the artisan would interpret.

Drawing from his raw-art instincts, he would repetitively band the angel added until he could adumbrate a amount or a allegory or, cartoon from his Abstruse Expressionist leaning, abstruse representation.

“16-X-79”

Obsessive, monastic

For Manahan, Ossorio’s acute wax-resist adjustment was additionally prefigured in the berserk abandonment with which he planned, conceptualized and accomplished the mural.

Manahan apparent the berserk accurateness that went into Ossorio’s art back she was asked to advance the attention and apology of the Victorias chapel.

Manahan said she apparent Ossorio acclimated ethyl silicate 40 as adhesive for the mural afterwards consulting Ralph Meyer, a admired columnist of painter’s handbooks. “The aftereffect is like a fresco: It accessories the colorant so that the assignment seems to beating with light, and admitting the abrasion and breach of time, the colorant will not crumb but aloof fade.”

She said she apparent Ossorio’s modus on the mural back she did basic scratches on the assignment to actuate the able apology approach.

“Ossorio was a nerd, a accurate researcher; he advised everything,” said Manahan.

“That’s why the mural is beauteous except for genitalia that had been corrective over through the years (due to capricious interventions),” said Manahan. “It is because of Ossorio’s use of the binder.”

Having advised in Benedictine boarding schools (St Benedict of Nursia is the architect of the Western apostolic movement and now accustomed as the airy architect of Europe), and accepting catholic widely, the Catholic-bred Ossorio was accustomed with the medieval adorn techniques.

Light for the medieval abbey was a representation of God, so the Benedictine monks, who adored age-old manuscripts from the Dark Ages by artful them, reproduced them through aflame manuscripts. Later, medieval adorn painters developed techniques to allurement ablaze that able their works with amount beam as able-bodied as a anguish faculty of animation.

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The Benedictine adage is “Ora et labore” (prayer and work). It is actual appetizing to brainstorm Ossorio active over the mural but with the attentive affection of a abbot in prayer.

This abutting of advised ambition and active assignment in Ossorio may be why Manahan said she didn’t accept that Ossorio’s address was as “spontaneous” as Abstruse Expressionism and Art Brut.

“It is so aral, so studied,” she said.

Manahan bidding her continuing allure of Ossorio’s techniques.

“I am sucked into it; the added you know, the beneath you know,” she said.

Which is not to say Ossorio did not comedy the aesthetic arch amid the ablaze American and the appropriately ablaze French.

“Ossorio was smacked appropriate into Pollock and Dubuffet,” said Manahan. “He was the accepted denominator.”

What has been accustomed added or beneath is that his Philippine studies prefigured Ossorio’s arch of absorption and Art Brut, his amalgamation of both absorption and representation.

Dubbufet afterwards commented that in Ossorio’s style, “the apotheosis seems fortuitious.” But now we should apperceive better.

Nothing is adventitious in Ossorio’s art. At the least, it could be said his is the art of both the adventitious and the adventurous.

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Top 15 Monuments and Historic Sites in Paris

01 of 16

Monuments Marking Paris’ Rich History

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Paris is a city with a rich history that stretches back to the third century B.C. It is no surprise, then, that important Paris monuments are so numerous, breathtaking, and varied in terms of period and architectural style. From Roman-era ruins to post-World War II memorials, these famous sites and monuments in the City of Light are essential keys to understanding the city's elaborate and complicated past. 

Before you go, also check out which are the 10 most visited tourist attractions and top 10 museums in Paris. Make a plan to visit those sites that appeal to you most.

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02 of 16

Notre-Dame Cathedral

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Dating to the 12th century, Notre Dame dramatically towers alongside the banks of the Seine River, beckoning all to come to visit. It's simply breathtaking, with its intricate Gothic architectural details that took workers over a century to complete. Other stunning details are its flying buttresses; its famed bell tower from which one can still imagine Hugo's Quasimodo carrying out his duties; the scary and humorous gargoyles; and the stained-glass rose window inside. If you have extra time, make sure to visit the archaeological crypt at Notre Dame to learn more about the history of its construction and other fascinating elements. 

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03 of 16

Eiffel Tower

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When one of the world's most famous landmarks was presented as part of the 1889 World Exposition in Paris, many decried it as an eyesore on the city's horizon and demanded its removal. Who would have thought then, that the Eiffel Tower would become such an enduring and beloved icon of the City of Light? Before you go, learn the about the Eiffel Tower's interesting facts.

If you can, avoid visiting at peak hours and on weekends, so you can make the most of your visit and really enjoy the views from the top. The best times are just after it first opens and in the evenings.

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04 of 16

The Louvre Palace and Museum

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When most think of the Louvre, it's thought of as a museum, but it was a fortress and palace long before it became a world center for art. The palace is a testament to its rich history spanning from the medieval period to the present. Visiting the Louvre's Medieval foundation is fascinating. The adjacent Tuileries Gardens are perfect for a stroll before or after your visit to the museum. There is so much to see at the Louvre, don't try to pack it into just one day.

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Arc de Triomphe

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Looming 164 feet above the bustling traffic circle at the head of the Avenue des Champs-Elysees, the Arc de Triomphe seems to exemplify pomp and circumstance. You just do not get structures like these anymore. The arch is an icon of imperial France under Napoleon I and is a testament to a time when European leaders felt no shame in erecting massive structures in the service of their equally massive egos. Many do not bother to take the tour to the top, but the views over the elegant avenue stretching all the way to the Place de la Concorde, through the Tuileries, and on to the Louvre is more than worthwhile.

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06 of 16

The Sorbonne and the Latin Quarter

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You can almost picture it: a student roaming the halls of the Sorbonne with dusty old books clutched underarm, or, that same student sipping cafe perched in its old square situated in the St-Michel neighborhood in the Latin Quarter. One of Europe's oldest and most esteemed universities, the Sorbonne was founded in 1257, but studies here were initially exclusively theological. This is because, during the Medieval period, scholarship was almost exclusively the domain of monks, scribes, and other figures attached to the Catholic Church. Of course, in later centuries, the Sorbonne would go on to help produce some of Europe's most famous minds, before becoming a site of revolt during the 1968 student movements. After you have had your fill of the school, take a step into the Old Latin Quarter: the Rue Mouffetard district.

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07 of 16

The Pantheon

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The Pantheon is a neoclassical-style mausoleum where many of France's great minds like Voltaire, Rousseau, and Victor Hugo are buried. It was built between 1758 and 1790. From the Pantheon, a distant Eiffel Tower can be seen. Stop by the Pantheon during a stroll in the Latin Quarter.

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08 of 16

Pere Lachaise Cemetery

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There are many beautiful cemeteries within Paris, Pere Lachaise is one of most popular and loveliest. In addition to hosting the graves of famous souls from Oscar Wilde, playwright Moliere, and Jim Morrison of the Doors, the cemetery is simply a gorgeous place to stroll and meditate. There are also important war memorials on the site that pay tribute to the many who perished in conflicts and wars. 

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09 of 16

La Sainte Chapelle

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Not far from Notre Dame on the Ile de la Cite looms another pinnacle of gothic architecture. Sainte Chapelle was erected in the mid-13th century by King Louis IX. The cathedral features some of the period's best-conceived stained glass, housing a total of 15 glass panels and a prominent large window, whose colors remain surprisingly vibrant. Wall paintings and elaborate carvings place more emphasis on the stunning Medieval beauty of Sainte Chapelle.

To extend your visit, you can tour the adjoining Conciergerie, part of the former Medieval royal palace. It was used as a prison during the Revolutionary “Terror.” Queen Marie Antoinette spent her last days there before being executed.

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10 of 16

Opera Garnier

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Seating 2,200 people, the imposing Opera Garnier in Paris—also known as the Palais Garnier or simply the Paris Opera—is an architectural treasure and essential spot for the city's ballet and classical music scene.

Designed by Charles Garnier and inaugurated in 1875 as the Academie Nationale de Musique Theatre de l'Opera (National Academy of Music Opera Theater), the neo-baroque style building is the home of the Paris ballet. The city's official opera company relocated to the starkly contemporary Opera Bastille in 1989.

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Hotel de Cluny and Roman Baths

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The Hotel de Cluny is a Medieval residence that now houses the National Medieval Museum. The famous tapestry, “The Lady and the Unicorn,” is displayed there. Situated in the historic Latin Quarter, not far from the Sorbonne, the Hotel de Cluny boasts a Medieval-style aromatic garden that provides a pleasant spot for a stroll or for reading on a bench in the spring or summer.

The ruins of Roman Empire thermal baths can also be seen on-site. One of the museum's rooms, the tepidarium, was originally the “warm room” from the baths.

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Palais Royal Gardens

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Situated between the Louvre and the Opera Garnier is a Renaissance-style palace that was once the residence of the Cardinal Richelieu. Today, occupied by luxury boutiques and restaurants, as well as several government offices, the Palais Royal was for centuries the center of royal amusement. French playwright Moliere occupied a theater that once stood here with his troupe. It has since burned down, twice.

The stately palais and accompanying gardens are a very pleasant place for a stroll, cafe, or whirl around high-end shops, while Daniel Buren's quirky modern sculpture adds an interesting contrast to the old-world charm.

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Hotel de Ville (City Hall)

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Yet another “hotel” that is most certainly not a hotel in the English sense, Paris' Renaissance-style City Hall sits proudly in the center of Paris. It was built in 1873 on the vast plaza that was once called “Place de la Greve,” a site notorious for gory public executions during the Medieval period.

Today, Hôtel de Ville hosts events throughout the year like free exhibits, concerts during the summer, and ice-skating during the winter months. It can be a glorious sight in its lit evening guise.

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Les Invalides

Juan Carlos Cordovez-Mantilla / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

This vast complex was built as a hospital and convalescent home for injured soldiers under the reign of Louis XIV. Part of Les Invalides maintains this role today, but it is most famous for housing the tomb of Napoleon Bonaparte. The on-site Musée de l'Armée (Army Museum) boasts a vast collection of military artifacts and an elaborate armory.

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Saint Denis Basilica

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Just north of Paris in a working-class suburb is one of France's oldest sites of Christian worship and its most famous abbey—a burial place for 43 kings and 32 queens. The Saint Denis Basilica, whose current edifice was built sometime between the 11th and 12th centuries, served as a royal burial site from as early as the fifth century. With its sculpted tombs and flamboyant Gothic details, this often-overlooked gem is worth a trip outside the city limits.

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Deportation Memorial

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This sober memorial pays tribute to the 200,000 people (mostly Jews) who were deported to Nazi death camps from France during World War II. Erected in 1962 on the banks of the Seine (across from Notre Dame) and on the site of a former morgue, the Deportation Memorial was designed by architect G.H. Pingusson to evoke a sense of claustrophobia and despair.

One part of the memorial features an “eternal flame of hope” and an inscription reading the following: “Dedicated to the living memory of the 200,000 French deportees sleeping in the night and the fog, exterminated in the Nazi concentration camps.”

Nearby, you can visit the Paris Museum of Jewish Arts and History.

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A Chance to Spend 99-Plus Years in Venice (in the Afterlife)

VENICE — To let: four small lots with a 99-year (renewable) lease, on an exclusive Venetian island. Fixer-uppers. Illustrious neighbors: Igor Stravinsky, Joseph Brodsky, Emilio Vedova. Starting auction price: around $300,000.

It was not, admittedly, quite so straightforward. But that was the gist of a call for bids that appeared on Venice’s municipal website in March. Up for grabs were four chapel tombs in the cemetery of San Michele, Venice’s “isle of the dead.”

The cemetery, built after Napoleon’s administration ordered the residents of Venice to bury their dead outside the city center, has for more than 200 years been a final resting place for Venetians, as well as a few chosen foreigners given special dispensation to be buried there.

Now, that honor will go to the highest bidders.

Last year, Mayor Luigi Brugnaro decided to put up for auction five private chapels built by old Venetian families but abandoned for years. The proceeds will be used to restore older sections of the cemetery that have been worn by exposure to the elements.

It may not be a palazzo on the Grand Canal, but it’s a rare chance to spend the hereafter — or at least 99 years of it, renewable for 50 more — in an exclusive haunt that is normally open only to Venice residents, relatives of those buried in the cemetery and celebrities with a strong connection to the city.

Be forewarned, however: The chapels need considerable work and, like a Venice palazzo, will require eternal care.

A chapel here needs “the same maintenance as a palazzo in the historic center,” Massimiliano De Martin, the municipal councilor responsible for urban planning, said during a stroll through the cemetery grounds.

In March, a French entrepreneur secured the Salviati Chapel by bidding €350,000, or around $410,000, in the first auction. The chapel — part of the hemicycle entrance to the cemetery, where two other chapels are up for auction — was in good shape after a recent restoration paid for by the city.

The new owner — Dominique Vacher, the director general of Laboratoires Genevrier, a pharmaceutical company — and his wife already owned an apartment in the lagoon city, and decided to extend their stay.

Venice is billed “as the city where happiness is eternal,” he said in a statement issued by City Hall.

There will be plenty of room: The tomb chamber previously held seven corpses.

The two nearby chapels available — the Testolini Quadri, with a base price of more than €256,000, and the slightly larger Azzano, starting at over €277,000 — each sleep, so to speak, two corpses and countless funerary urns for ashes or bones. Two other chapels — the Venier and the Olivieri — are in other quadrants.

The cemetery was built during the French occupation of Venice, when it was decreed that burying the dead on the main islands was unsanitary. It was later enlarged.

Until 1954, all private tombs in the city, whether below or above ground, were leased for eternity. Since then, the city of Venice has leased tombs for a varying number of years. In some cases, leases can be renewed.

Otherwise, graves are exhumed on a schedule posted at the cemetery entrance and on its website. Exhumations take place throughout the year, aside from July and August, when “it’s too hot,” said Maurizio Zaranto, the cemetery’s manager. The remains can be cremated, and the ashes can go into a columbarium niche for 30 years, renewable for 20 more. Or bones can be deposited into the cemetery’s common ossuary.

Since 2011, the city has also allowed ashes to be scattered in the lagoon, as long as an official is present and the city’s mortuary police have granted approval. This is true for foreigners’ ashes, too.

In the San Michele cemetery, relatives of the deceased typically tend the tombs, and on a recent afternoon Venetians of various ages brought fresh flowers, brushed off tombstones and fought off ravenous mosquitoes.

Yet many older tombs are in need of specialized restoration, an issue that has grown more dire as Venice’s population has dwindled. There are now 85,000 people resting in peace on the island, compared with 56,000 Venetians living in the historic center, down from 175,000 in 1951.

“There are more dead Venetians than live ones — it’s a fact,” Mr. De Martin said.

The areas of the ceremony overseen by the Protestant and Orthodox Churches are also in a state of considerable disrepair, even though most luminaries buried on the island are in these sections. In the case of the Reparto Evangelico, the Protestant grounds, a recently formed foundation has begun fund-raising in Europe and the United States to pay for a restoration.

As with the Roman Catholic section of the cemetery, the Protestant graves are the responsibility of the families, but many no longer live in Venice. With a smaller population, “we don’t have the same pressure faced in the Catholic part” to make space for new tombs, said Oddbjorn Sormoen, an art historian and director of the fund-raising foundation.

So far, the group has mapped its quadrant to identify the areas most in need of repair and assess ways to redress them.

“Our next project is restoring the gateway to the chapel,” said John C. Mowinckel, the foundation’s president. His great-grandfather, Johan Ludwig Mowinckel — a Norwegian businessman who traded in salted cod, used in the traditional Venetian dish baccalà — is buried at San Michele.

“Oh, if we could get a dollar from every Protestant in America,” the fund-raiser added wistfully.

Restoration efforts on the Catholic side are, for now, financed by money raised by the auctions.

The first lot included five chapels, and officials said other chapels had been identified for future bidding. “We’re promoting the auction throughout the planet, because Venice has always been a city open to the world,” said Mr. De Martin, the city councilor.

While far from the maddening crowds that throng the city’s famous St. Mark’s Square, the cemetery has become a tourist magnet, both for those paying homage to the celebrities buried there and for those wanting to savor its peace and solemnity.

“You see, you’re smiling here in the cemetery,” Mr. De Martin said. “You don’t die here. This is the sense we want to give: that in Venice, no one dies. You live forever, in another way, but you continue to live.”

Follow Elisabetta Povoledo on Twitter: @EPovoledo.

The post A Chance to Spend 99-Plus Years in Venice (in the Afterlife) appeared first on World The News.

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