Ellicott City

May 27 2026 Peace and Good, I have settled into a routine of helping out at the Shrine or Nursing Home, doing some writing projects and taping the daily scripture reflections. It is all going very well. I have also been called by various groups to give talks or weekends of recollection. I really get a lot out of that. I am working on a series of articles on archeological discoveries that shed light on some aspect of the Bible for our magazine in Padua. I write for the English edition, and have been writing for them since 1982. I am also writing small reflections for Sunday and Tuesday Masses here at the Shrine on St. Francis and St. Anthony for the Year of St. Francis we are celebrating this year. This past week we held the first part of our provincial chapter at the Maratine Center here in Baltimore. There were about 70 of us, and we elected the new definitory (council), made a few decisions, and discussed some items that we will cover in the second session at the end of July. The spirit among the friars was very positive. Even when we had to discuss a couple of touchy issues, there was a sense of concern and respect. I will be going to Pittsburgh tomorrow for a weekend retreat for a group of Secular Franciscans. I finished some reading and listening: The Way of the Heart: Desert Spirituality and Contemporary Ministry by Henri Nouwen This is a short reflection on the teaching of the Desert Fathers and Mothers and its application to ministry today. It especially deals with topics like solitude, silence and prayer and why they are so essential for people who guide others in this chaotic and every changing world. History’s Greatest Battles by Nigel Cawthorne This is an account of some of the most important battle fought through history, from the earliest times to recent days. The information is not all that new, but it is interesting to hear the story once again and be able to put it in perspective with all the other battles. Unlocking the Hidden History of DNA by Sam Kean This is a Teaching Company course on the discovery and study of DNA. It deals with the historic process of identifying what carries the message for our inheritance, and also with some of the recent questions arising from our ability to manipulate the genetic message (for the good, hopefully, but also with great potential for misuse). The professor is good and presents the material in a way that is understandable. Introduction to Judaism by Shai Cherry This is a Great Courses introduction to Judaism, its history, its beliefs, and its practices. The course is well done and gives considerable information about this faith. Cherry is a good lecturer and I would recommend this course to anyone. The Roman Civil Wars of the 3rd and 4th Centuries by Charles River Editors The 3rd and 4th centuries AD of Roman history were traumatic. The earlier period was marked by a rapid overthrow of emperors and civil war fought all throughout the empire. Toward the end of the 3rd century, Vespasian came to power who calmed the situation and created a new form of government in which the power was split among four leaders (two called Augusti, two Caesars). This was overthrown by the Emperor Constantine who, after another series of wars, was able to concentrate all the power in his own hands. Japan Runs Wild: 1942-1943 by Peter Harmsen This is an account of the beginning of World War II in the Pacific (at least the beginning in the sense of the involvement of America and European powers). Harmsen gives a good account of the action and the strategy behind the moves by the allies and Japan during this era. It marks the high point of Japanese conquest and the beginning of their fall. Morisot by Delphi Art Classics Berte Morisot was one of the few female impressionist artists in France during the dawning and full measure of that movement. Her story is told in the Delphi great artist series which gives short accounts of her life and career accompanied by copies of the pictures she painted at that time. It then gives a catalog of many more of her works. Winter King: Henry VII and the Dawn of Tudor England by Thomas Penn This is the story of Henry VII of England, the king who began the Tudor dynasty. He defeated King Richard III to take the throne, and while he brought a period of stability to the reign, he also proved to be a most avaricious monarch. He surrounded himself with disreputable deputies who extorted money from anyone who crossed their paths. They imprisoned people for no good reason just to force them to pay bribes which mostly went to the king but at times went into their own pockets. Two of the most nefarious of these deputies were tried and killed shortly after Henry VIII took the throne. Queen Victoria’s Children by John Van der Kiste This is an account of Queen Victoria and her many children (nine). It deals both with their personalities and careers, but also with the attitude of Victoria toward them (which often involved massive interference in their lives). Her children and grandchildren were married into almost every royal family in Europe, for better or worse. The Internal Enemy: Slavery and War in Virginia 1772-1832 by Alan Taylor This is the story of slavery in Virginia before, during and after the British American War of 1812-1814. The British advertised among the slaves that if they came over to the British side, they would be liberated. This caused an exodus of slaves from their plantations, especially in Tidewater Virginia. Taylor examines the details of this era, but also the attitudes of slaves and slave owners and of the British who got involved in the question. The Great Dissent by Thomas Healy This is the story of how Justice Oliver Wendel Holmes wrote a descent on a case involving free speech. Although he was on the losing side of the argument, what he said eventually came to be the litmus test for whether free speech should be allowed or not. Previously, free speech was largely defined as being able to say or print what you wanted without previous censorship, but one was then subject to possible prosecution afterwards. Holmes argued that free speech was essential to sort out the truth from the various opinions, and the only speech that could be restricted was that which caused an immediate danger to society or individuals. The Modern Scholar: Liberty and Its Price: Understanding the French Revolution by Donald Sutherland This is a series of lectures on the beginning and conduct and end of the French Revolution. Sutherland is good at describing the social and economic and jurisdictional factors that led to the revolution and on how it spun out of control, descending into the Reign of Terror. He gives a good description of the people involved and the politics of France and its surrounding neighbors. Have a good week. Shalom fr. Jude