In this morning's Washington Post, E.J. Dionne wonders how often Yeats' poem "The Second Coming" will be quoted in this election cycle: "The best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity." Of course, this begs a different question: What affect will Pope Francis have on public discourse seeing as he meets most people's criteria of "the best" and he is full of conviction!
Over at Father Zuhlsdorf's blog, check out these photos of a recent Traditional Latin Mass with Bishop Robert Morlino of Wisconsin. I confess, I find these photos frightening. Look at the seminarians in the front rows! I do not begrudge people who like the TLM their chance to worship in that style, but if the bishop or his seminarians think the TLM is the future of the Church, then the diocese of Madison is being ill-prepared for that future.I confess. I also find the photos intriguing....I just can't help thinking that in one of them, Nathan Lane will be spotted.
At his blog, Cardinal Sean O'Malley recounts the events of his week. And, last week included the Catholic Conversation Project which met at the Connor Retreat Center in Dover, Massachusetts. I will be writing about the CCP in my column for the print edition next issue. It is always a pleasure to be with these smart, engaged young theologians, and an added treat to have Cardinal Sean with us too.
And, yesterday was the feast of St. Roch, or San Rocco in Italian. St. Roch is the patron saint of dogs, so my four-legged kids celebrated in fine fashion - london broil and ham in their dinner!
