Author: Mike Aquilina

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New Book Is In

My newest new book, Fire of God’s Love: 120 Reflections on the Eucharist, has arrived!

It’s a collection of unusual (if I do say so myself), but entirely orthodox meditations from a diverse assortment of saints and thinkers. For example:

Marshall McLuhan

J.R.R. Tolkien

Maria Montessori

Blaise Pascal

Richard John Neuhaus

G.E.M. Anscombe

Plus the Fathers, of course: Augustine, Chrysostom, Ambrose, Ephrem, Caesarius of Arles, Cyril of Jerusalem, Balaeus, Irenaeus, Justin, Ignatius, Jacob of Sarugh, Maximus Confessor, Sechnall … And, as the folks at Ronco used to say, many more.

I’ve also invoked some names that were ubiquitous a century or a half ago, and should not be forgotten: Moritz Meschler, Nicholas Gihr, Maurice Zundel, April Oursler Armstrong, A.M. Roguet, Lawrence Lovasik … And, as the folks at Ronco used to say, many more.

And I’ve included my beloved friends Carl Sommer and Father Ronald Lawler — and Scott Hahn, to whom the book is dedicated.

I think you’ll like it. It’s a substantial book that sticks to your ribs. The readings I chose have stuck to mine, down the years.

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Signs and Goodies

This very cool homeschooling website just posted a kind review of my book Signs and Mysteries: Revealing Ancient Christian Symbols, which is gorgeously illustrated by Lea Marie Ravotti.

This is a beautiful little book. The design, typography, and illustrations are exquisite, light, and graceful. However, it is not light reading. To fully comprehend the meaning of each symbol, take it one chapter at a time. An understanding of these ancient symbols will bring us closer to our Christian roots, and in turn, closer to our Risen Lord.

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For the Journey

Kevin Branson, of the blog Journey to Rome, reviewed The How-To Book of Catholic Devotions: Everything You Need to Know but No One Ever Taught You, which I wrote with my friend Regis Flaherty, who’s something of an expert in this area, having also written Catholic Customs: A Fresh Look at Traditional Practices. Kevin also does quick hits on a few of my other books. May his tribe increase and his crops be abundant.

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Feast of Saints Peter and Paul

Scott and Kimberly Hahn and I closed out the Year of St. Paul with a special two-day event at spacious St. Thomas More Church in Bethel Park, Pa. There were three talks and a weekend-long book fair. The parishioners were lovely.

Father Z provides reports and commentary on the breaking St. Paul news — namely, what was found in his tomb, and the discover of the oldest icon of St. Paul (fourth century).

Happy feast day, everybody. Celebrate!

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Good Sam’s Museum

Israel has opened a “mosaic museum” in the West Bank, reports The Art Newspaper.

The $2.5m Museum of the Good Samaritan, housing nearly 50 mosaics and a collection of antiquities, was opened at the Christian pilgrimage site where the Bible’s “Parable of the Good Samaritan” is believed to be set. The site also comprises the restored Good Samaritan Inn, a reconstructed Byzantine church, and Second Temple-era dwelling caves.

The museum’s preserved and restored mosaics and other relics from the fourth to the sixth centuries originate from Christian, Jewish and Samaritan historic sites, based on themes in the parable, Dr Magen said. He also said that excavations at the site show it to be the location where King Herod’s palace once stood.

There’s a good chance the St. Paul Center will return, with Steve Ray, to the Holy Land in 2011. Maybe we can see this museum together.
Hat tip: Jim Davila of PaleoJudaica.
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Classics in Pittsburgh

Zee Ann Poerio of Excellence Through Classics asked me to spread the word about summer classics programs in the Pittsburgh area. I’ve been to ETC programs before, and they’re always very good. Some of them are geared to elementary school teachers, but Zee would love for more homeschooling parents and kids to be involved. If you need more information, contact Zee at zee.poerio@gmail.com.

JULY 22 – JULY 24, 2009

In collaboration with local, state, national, and international organizations including the Pennsylvania Classical Association, The Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, Wayne State University Press, Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers, and the Primary Latin Project in the UK. Elementary and Middle School teachers will learn creative ways to bring the ancient past into the present through history, culture, language, art, food fashion, and technology. No previous background in Classics is required. Certificates of attendance will be issued and ACT 48 Credits provided for PA Teachers.

WEDNESDAY – July 22, 2009 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM TOUR, TEA with lunch, & CLASSICS TALK Following a tour, and tea with lunch, our Guest speaker Barbara Bell, Director of the Primary Latin Project in the UK and author of Minimus: Starting Out In Latin and Minimus Secundus will speak briefly about tea customs in the UK and will present a Classics talk in the Gilfillan Farmhouse at 1950 Washington Road, (Upper St. Clair) Pittsburgh, PA 15241. Built circa 1857 in the Greek Revival Gothic Architectural style, the Gilfillan Farmhouse is an historic landmark.

THURSDAY – July 23, 2009 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM THE MUSEUM AS A MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESOURCE Includes multiple presenters in collaboration with the Carnegie Museum of Art at 4400 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213. Highlights will include a Minimus:Starting Out in Latin training session for teachers by Barbara Bell, a Fashion Show of ancient costume by Norma Goldman, a scholar in ancient costuming and Pittsburgh native, Hands On Technology and Archaeology with Andrew Reinhard of Bolchazy-Carducci Publishers, and Art, Mythology, and Ancient Coins by Zee Ann Poerio of Excellence Through Classics. (Includes lunch in Museum Cafe.)

FRIDAY – July 24, 2009 9:00 – 2:00 PM CLASSICS WORKSHOP & BOOK FAIR Book talks by Barbara Bell, Norma Goldman, and James R. Clifford, Jr.; Interactive technology presentations and classroom activities by Andrew Reinhard and Zee Ann Poerio; and Ancient Roman military exhibit by George Metz (Gallio Velius Marsallas) of Legion XXIV at the Barnes & Noble at 301 South Hills Village Mall, Pittsburgh, PA 15241 (Includes boxed lunch.)

Participants will receive free resources, giveaways, lesson ideas, and be eligible for door prizes at each event. Please visit the ETC website for updates and complete list of speakers at www.etclassics.org. Contact Zee Ann Poerio, at: zee.poerio@gmail.com for more information or to request a registration form. Registration is $25.00 for each event.