As readers prepare to enter into the Paschal Triduum we pray that all our patrons and readers have a most peaceful and prayerful Easter.

Coenantibus autem illis accepit Jesus panem, et benedixit, ac fregit, deditque discipulis suis.

While they were at supper, Jesus took bread, and bless, and broke, and gave to his disciples.

Christus factus est pro nobis obediens usque ad mortem, mortem autem crucis.

Christ became obedient for us unto death, even the death of the cross.

Haec dies quam fecit Dominus, exsultemus et laetemur in ea.

This is the day which the Lord hath made, let us exalt and be glad.

INSIDE THE LIBRARY

For those wondering what the Library actually looks like, here are some photos taken today on the feast of Michelmas.

Visitors entering Mitchell House are first greeted with the green elevator.

Once on the third floor, visitors must ascend the stairs and wait until the vault is opened in order to discover the literary treasures which lie awaiting. For those wishing to return books outside of opening hours, a returns box has been provided.

Once the metal door is open, visitors can get their first glimpse of the Library.

Upon crossing the threshold and entering the Library visitors will be greeted by the Crucifix, a mandatory requirement for any Catholic building or room.

The noticeboard is your first port-of-call to find out what is happening not only in the Library but around the city. Today's noticeboard featured two articles on the Library from AD2000 magazine and The Australian newspaper, advertisements for talks at the Dominican House of Studies and Institute of Spiritual Studies, and information on Monsignor Ronald Knox, prepared by the blogger in preparation for the seminar in his honour next Saturday.

For patrons wishing to look up any of our titles the Library has a couple of computers which feature a DOS-based catalogue specially designed by Mr. John Daly, which anyone from a luddite to the most "PC-savvy" patron can access.

Here is a view down one of the aisles. On the left are books on biblical studies and doctrine, while on the right is spirituality featuring the works of Cardinal Newman. The Library has a special Irish collection embracing Ireland's history and literature in both English and Gaelic. Depicted are works on Irish history and the Brehon Laws.

In years past Caroline Chisholm graced our five-dollar note but has since been replaced by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. The Library's Coordinator received this poster and since the GK Chesterton seminar last year it has been displayed above our periodical's display. An important part of the Library's history and mission is its role as a meeting place for Catholics. Among the groups who have met at the Library recently are the Victorican Catholic Student's Association and Catholic Media Group. The Library also hosts book launches, discussion groups, talks and an icon school.

Stay tuned for more photos from inside the Library featuring its many icons and prints, as well as information on the Icon School.

Papal Anecdotes

A certain incompetent artists prevailed upon Pope Pius IX to sit for a portrait and when the canvas was finished, urged the Holy Father to sign it with a few words from the Holy Scriptures. The Pope glanced at the portrait, which was so poorly done it scarcely resembled him, and complied with the artist's request. Not until later did it dawn on the artist the Pope had written the words of Our Lord, "Nolite timere, ergo sum" which mean "Fear not, it is I"

The mother of Pope Pius X was one of the favoured few who lived to witness the consecration of her son as sovereign pontiff. After the ceremony ended, the Pope walked over to his mother and held out his hand. "I would like you to be the first to kiss the ring of the fisherman." His mother bent and kissed the pope's ring. Then she held out her own hand with its slightly tarnished wedding ring. "Now, Joseph," she commanded, "you kiss this one. If it wasn't for this one, you would not have that one."

Pope John XXIII had a warm, down-to-earth sense of humour. One time a new building had to be constructed on Vatican grounds. The architect submitted the plans to His Holiness, who shortly afterward returned them with these Latin three Latin words written in the margin: "Non sumus angeli", that is to say "We are not angels." The architect and his staff were non-plussed as to what the Pope meant, until finally someone noticed the plans did not include bathrooms.

When King Louis Philippe's minister, Thiers, made a visit to Rome, he requested an audience with Pope Gregory XVI but on the condition that, as a Protestant, he should not have to kneel before the Pope or kiss his hand. When the Pope was informed of this, he replied with a smile that the minister could do as he pleased. When the minister finally entered the room he felt a strange feeling take possession of him and knelt down in front of the Pope to kiss his foot. The Pope asked him: "Did you perhaps stumble over something, Monsieur Thiers?" To which the Frenchman replied, "Truly, we all stumble at the greatness of the papacy."

The problem with Network 10s latest offering is that it is a good forty years out of date. The age of nuns in habits seeking sexual liberation has long been forgotten and replaced by an age of nuns without habits seeking clerical domination.

A Library's Heavenly Patrons

According to tradition there are three saints invoked as patrons of libraries. The first is the doctor and father of the church, St. Jerome, whose volumes of commentaries, correspondence and translation created the image of a man surrounded by books. In the painting below St. Jerome is depicted in the Venetian style wearing a scarlet habit and hood, with a cardinal's hat on the left, symbolic of his position as secretary to Pope Damasus I. He is seen removing a thorn from a lion's paw and in gratitude the beast became his companion.

Second is the virgin and martyr, St. Catherine of Alexandria, whose eloquent defense of Christianity put to confusion a group of pagan philosophers and so enraged the Emperor Maxentius that he had her martyred. In the painting by Carlo Dolci, St. Catherine is seen reading attentively amidst the sumptuous surroundings of her noble home. The crown on the left is a reference to Maxentius' offer to marry her, which she gladly places side in pusuit of truth and widsom.

Finally there is the deacon and martyr, St. Lawrence, whose preservation of the material wealth of the church of Rome, including its documents, made librarians see him as a patron and invoke his intercession. In this painting by Bernardo Strozzi, St. Lawrence is presenting a silver thurible to an elderly couple and while himself holding a processional cross. In the foreground are other sacred objects for distribution to the poor including a bishop's crosier, ewer, chalice and paten.

The purpose of this blog is to keep patrons informed of coming events and the contents of the Library's collection, which houses the sapientiae et scientiae perennis of the Catholic Church.

Please visit this blog for details of the visit of Fr. Ian Ker, writer and Newman scholar, and the Library's literary seminar on Msgr. Ronald Knox.