Photina

Photina
n., An issue of water from the earth; a spring; a fountain. v.intr., To rise to the surface, ready to flow; to rise or surge from an inner source. v.tr., To pour forth. adj., In a satisfactory condition; right or proper. interj., Used to introduce a remark, resume a narrative, or fill a pause during conversation; used to express surprise.dictionary.com

Wednesday, September 03, 2003

Today is the feast day of St. Gregory the Great, Bishop of Rome, Doctor of the Church, and father of Gregorian chant.

The book I've chosen to highlight today is Pastoral Care, an English translation of one of St. Gregory's works, Liber Regulae Pastoralis. A partial English translation is also available online.

The Ogg introduction to the work:
The most famous of Pope Gregory the Great's writings, and justly so, is the Liber Regulae Pastoralis, known commonly as the "Pastoral Care," or the "Pastoral Rule." This book was written soon after its author became pope (590), and was addressed to John, Bishop of Ravenna, in reply to inquiries received from him respecting the duties and obligations of the clergy. Though thus put into form for a special purpose, there can be no doubt that it was the product of long thought. Everywhere throughout Europe the work was received with the favor it deserved, and in Spain, Gaul, and Italy its influence upon the life and manners of the clergy was beyond estimate. Even in Britain it was a real power for good. The work is in four parts: (1) on the selection of men for the work of the Church; (2) on the sort of life the pastor ought to live; (3) on the best methods of dealing with the various types of people which every pastor will be likely to encounter; and (4) on the necessity that the pastor guard himself against egotism and personal ambition.

posted by Heidi | 3.9.03

Monday, September 01, 2003

Since this is Labor Day, I thought an appropriate literary selection would be Loaves and Fishes by Dorothy Day: "The inspiring story of the Catholic Worker movement."

As I ran a couple of errands today, I was struck by the realization that a day that began as the "workingman's holiday" has in fact become a white-collar holiday--the bankers and business people of America get the day off, but the WalMart, McDonald's, etc. employees are on the job as usual...

posted by Heidi | 1.9.03