Ellicott City - Hampton

August 15, 2026 The Solemnity of the Assumption Peace and Good, These days have been much of the ordinary except for the provincial chapter the last week of July and of a trip I had Thursday and Friday to Hampton, Virginia (4 hour drive) for the interment of the ashes of Anne Hamilton, the wife of one of my spiritual directees. We had a service at the cemetary which included songs, scripture, and remembrances. We then had a reception at a local Red Lobster with many members of Anne's schoolmates (who were all ages around 82 years old). They all told stories about Anne, and I was really impressed by their comraderie and joy. The only downside in the trip was travel on route 95. I could not believe the number of cars on the road both Thursday and Friday. I am keeping up with the podcasts on the readings of the day. I also finished a pretty big project. Each Sunday we have had a short reflection at Mass on St. Francis for the Year of St. Francis. Each Tuesday we have been having a short reflection on how St. Anthony was a true disciple of St. Francis. I finished up all those reflections til the end of the Year of St. Francis. I can start working again on articles for the Messenger of St. Anthony from Padua. I also finished a series of give zoom sessions with a ladies group in Alexandria, Virginia. I always love doing things like that. We had various topics throughout the weeks, and we had a good discussion while I was on line, and then the ladies continued their discussions afterward. I will be doing zoom classes for a parish group in the fall, as well as for a group of Deacons and their wives. I finished some reading and listening: Angel of Death by Jack Higgins This is one of Jack Higgins spy novels. His writing style is a bit over the top, but nevertheless entertaining. An agency under the direct authority of the Prime Minister investigates a series of seemingly unconnected murders (except for the fact that they were all committed with the same gun). They discover an unlikely group of assassins working under the guidance of a Soviet GRU (military intelligence) agent. Death of an Addict by M.C. Beaton This is a detective story set in a small village in Scotland. This is the first book of this author that I have read, and it was quite a good story. A young man who was an addict but has stopped using and seems to be getting his life together is found dead of an overdose. The local policeman does not agree with the verdict of his superiors that the death was accidental, and he follows up until the truth is found. Epic Fails in American History by Ahoy Publications This is one of the Ahoy Publications (most of which are simply lists of trivia about a given topic). This one presents short presentations about plans and initiatives that went sadly wrong and created a great deal of chaos (financial, political, etc.). This is not a very heavy read, but it gives a lot of interesting details. Caligula by Stephen Dando-Collins This is an overview of a very troubling emperor of Rome during the early days of the empire. He began well and was actually very popular, but then it seems as if he suffered some sort of illness that changed his character to that of a murderous and paranoid tyrant. He was eventually assassinated by members of his guard who then raised Claudius, his uncle, as his successor. The Roman Conquest of Brittania by Charles River Editors This book speaks of the conquest of Britain from the days of Julius Caesar, to the failed invasion of Caligula, to the conquest during the reign of Claudius (which Claudius used for his glory even though he was only present there for a few days). It deals with the tribes that opposed the invasion and of the changes in culture after the Romans were in charge. The History of Art in 50 Paintings by Peter Russell This is a book sponsored by Delphi Masters of Art. It gives the background to the artist and a particular piece of art of 50 different artists throughout the ages. Like the other Delphi books, it is not an especially in depth study of any of the works or artists, but it does present a good and interesting introduction of them. Arrayed in Crimson: Martyrdom and Persecution in the Early Church by Andrea Molinari This is an account of the martyrdoms of the early martyrs of the Church, both as historic facts and the spirituality and value of their witness (of their lives but also of their writings and the writings about them). It is quite well done and worth a good listen. The is a Learn25 course. The Virgin of Guadalupe by Charles River Editors This is a short presentation of the apparition at Guadalupe in Mexico. The author studies the historicity of the event and the tilma upon which one sees the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He deals with the sources for these things. He also speaks of the religious and political consequences of all of this. I found the author to be skeptical but not cynical. Masters of War: History’s Greatest Strategic Thinkers by Andrew Wilson This course goes through a number of theorists and practitioners of military science. Wilson shows the strengths and weaknesses of each of the figures whom he proposes, from Machievelli to Clausiwitz, from Napoleon to very modern figures. The course (from Great Courses) is worthwhile for those interested in the topic. St. Francis of Assisi: Understanding the Prayers and Gifts of St. Francis by Charles Smiech This is a Learn25 course by one of my friends, an OFM friar who lived at our friary in Chicago. It is a good reflection on some of the major themes of the spirituality of St. Francis and how they can and should be used today to live a simple and yet profound spirituality. At the Table with Jesus: Understanding the History, Context and Meaning of the Last Supper by William Burton This is a course by Learn25. I have to admit that this was one of the few courses offered by this company that I did not like. The author has a few pet theories that he continues to push all throughout his presentation. He tortures certain interpretations to make them say what he wants. There is some good information in his lectures, but I cannot recommend this particular course. The Big Melt by Jeff Goodell This is the story of a voyage to Antarctica by a scientific team to measure the effects of global warming upon a glacier which is breaking up. The author organizes the material into a series of vignettes, each of which deals with some aspect or some event in the trip. It is an interesting read. Have a good week. Shalom fr. Jude