Darrell Pursiful at Disert Paths has posted his list for the “League of Extraordinary Christians” (pre-1054), a takeoff on the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. It’s an entertaining read, complete with a Rogue, a Muscle guy, a Mastermind, and a Guy with a Boat. Many of our faves make at least cameo appearances.

My great blog patroness, Julie at Happy Catholic, tagged me on a Quote Meme. The idea is to go here, to the random quotes generator, and look through random quotes until you find five that you think (a) reflect who you are or (b) what you believe. I’m not sure what these represent, but they rang true and made me smile:

If I were two-faced, would I be wearing this one?
Abraham Lincoln (1809 – 1865)

The days of the digital watch are numbered.
Tom Stoppard (1937 – )

We are here on Earth to do good to others. What the others are here for, I don’t know.
W. H. Auden (1907 – 1973)

Among those whom I like or admire, I can find no common denominator, but among those whom I love, I can: all of them make me laugh.
W. H. Auden (1907 – 1973)

All power corrupts, but we need the electricity.
Unknown

The Weekly Roman Observer now posts podcasts of its episodes on Apple’s iTunes service. I’m on the latest number, and the audio is absolutely free.

An intelligent, discreet, and pious young woman is worth more than all the money in the world. Tell her that you love her more than your own life, because this present life is nothing, and that your only hope is that the two of you pass through this life in such a way that, in the world to come, you will be united in perfect love.

That’s St. John Chrysostom. I used those words to dedicated my book The Fathers of the Church to my wife Terri. She and I are married twenty-one years today.

MercatorNet says that Latin is making a comeback, with interest in everything from Augustine’s Confessions to J.K. Rowling’s “Harrius Potter.”

Paulinus was born at Bordeaux about 354 into a prominent family. He became governor of the Province of Campania, but he soon realized that he could not find in public life the happiness he sought. From 380 to 390 he lived almost entirely in his native land. He married a Spanish lady, a Christian named Therasia. To her, to Bishop Delphinus of Bordeaux and his successor the Presbyter Amandus, and to St. Martin of Tours, who had cured him of some disease of the eye, he owed his conversion. He and his brother were baptized at the same time by Delphinus. When Paulinus lost his only child eight days after birth, and when he was threatened with the charge of having murdered his brother, he and his wife decided to withdraw from the world, vow celibacy, and enter the monastic life. They went to Spain about 390.

At Christmas, 394 or 395, the inhabitants of Barcelona obliged him to be ordained. Having had a special devotion to St. Felix, who was buried at Nola in Campania, he laid out a fine avenue leading to the church containing Felix’s tomb, and beside it he built a hospital. He decided to settle down there with Therasia; and he distributed the largest part of his possessions among the poor. In 395 he moved to Nola, where he led a rigorous, ascetic, and monastic life, at the same time contributing generously to the Church.

About 409 Paulinus was chosen Bishop of Nola. For twenty years he served in a praiseworthy manner. He was a prolific author of letters and poems. Many of his letters to famous friends have been preserved — including letters to St. Augustine. Thirty-three poems have also survived. He was a keen observer of detail and a master of description; so his works give us many rare glimpses of ordinary Christian life in his time — of the construction of sanctuaries, the celebration of feast days, and the layout of particular churches, not least St. Peter’s in Rome.

He also wrote letters in verse, including a nuptial hymn that extols the dignity and sanctity of Christian marriage, and a poem of comfort to parents on the death of their child.

Paulinus was known for his fervent devotion to the saints, which even Augustine thought was rather excessive!

But even during his lifetime Paulinus was looked upon as saint. When he died, on June 22, 431, he was honored as he himself had always honored the saints.

Got many of the details of St. Paulinus’s life from the ever-handy Catholic Encyclopedia, but supplemented with other sources, such as the lovely translations in the Ancient Christian Writers series.

Rogue Classicism alerts us to the fact that today is the anniversary of Hosius’ announcement of the Nicene Creed during the first Council of Nicea (325 A.D.).

One of the great things about being Catholic is that you never have to ponder long before finding a reason to celebrate with chocolate.

Do as the Fathers did — “Bend the knee of your heart” — as you pray Kevin’s new translation of the Prayer of Manasseh at Biblicalia. Kevin also gives us some history of the Fathers’ use and interpretation of the biblical prayer. It goes all the way back to St. Clement of Rome, possibly as early as 69 A.D.

Chris at GrailCode.com has posted a helpful summary review of all the historical data he’s presented so far. It’s all hyperlinked, so you can use it to browse the evidence of Arthur in history. And, of course, you’re always welcome to skip ahead and just buy the book that he and I co-authored: The Grail Code: Quest for the Real Presence.

On this memorial of St. Justin, please pray for a young man named Justin who’s battling back from a severe infection that very nearly killed him.

Stranger than fiction: The Vatican Museum’s renovation plans have emerged, straight from the pages of The Da Vinci Code.

ROME (CNS) — A projected new entrance to the Vatican Museums will feature a giant glass pyramid … Rome Mayor Walter Veltroni said the above-ground pyramid at the entrance site would help illuminate the underground complex and would evoke the famous pyramid at the entrance of the Louvre in Paris.

Gasp. Which oppressed woman of Christian antiquity do you suppose will be buried there — at the very heart of the conspiracy?

I just think this is very cool, so I bought one for my wife. But my older kids commandeered it.

My lovely lamb, my daughter Mary Agnes, will be confirmed this evening. Please remember her in your prayers through the day.

Cecilia M. Hugo died late last week. She was the sister and literary secretary (and later literary executor) of the Augustine scholar Father John J. Hugo. Father Hugo was best known as the spiritual director of Dorothy Day. (Yours truly co-edited a volume of Father Hugo’s writings.) Cecilia was Macrina to his Gregory. Burial is in Pittsburgh tomorrow, Tuesday, May 2. Raise a prayer, please, for her repose.

Michael Barber at Singing In The Reign passed the comprehensive exams for his doctoral program. Thus, it’s a great day for those of us who delight in reading Scripture with the Fathers. Stop by and congratulate him.