Strange Notions

Brandon Vogt recently launched a website, Strange Notions, with the goal of encouraging dialogue between Catholics and atheists. There's several articles on a variety of topics, like God, philosophy, morality, science, and Jesus. Brandon managed to assemble an impressive team of contributors, most well known in the Catholic blogosphere:

Dr. Peter Kreeft, Dr. Edward Feser, Fr. Robert Barron, Fr. Robert Spitzer, Dr. Benjamin Wiker, Dr. Christopher Kaczor, Dr. Janet Smith, Dr. Kevin Vost, Christopher West, Jimmy Akin, Jennifer Fulwiler, Marc Barnes, Leah Libresco, Stacy Trascanos, Mark Shea, Tim Staples and Carl Olson.

Be sure to check it out!

Coming Attractions

I'm thinking of picking up my blogging, since I haven't been active in a while on account of being distracted by my pop culture-related video making. Perhaps I can kill two birds with one stone and blog about my reading of Alex Pruss's One Body and the What is Marriage? book by George/Anderson/Girgis. It'll also give me an excuse to reread the chapter on sexual morality in the Catechism.

A few other books I'd really like to get are Karol Wojtyla's Love and Responsibility and J. Budziszewski's On the Meaning of Sex.

Hopefully I can stick to a blogging schedule.

Easter Sunday

Khristós Anésti! Alithós Anésti! Christus resurrexit! Resurrexit vere! Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!

Habemus Papam

Pope Francis I, formerly Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio

Cardinal Bergoglio from Argentina elected as Pope Francis I. 

His blessing:

Brothers and sisters, good evening!

You know that it was the duty of the Conclave to give Rome a Bishop.  It seems that my brother Cardinals have gone to the ends of the earth to get one... but here we are... I thank you for your welcome.  The diocesan community of Rome now has its Bishop.  Thank you!      And first of all, I would like to offer a prayer for our Bishop Emeritus, Benedict XVI.  Let us pray together for him, that the Lord may bless him and that Our Lady may keep him. 

And now, we take up this journey:  Bishop and People.  This journey of the Church of Rome which presides in charity over all the Churches.  A journey of fraternity, of love, of trust among us.  Let us always pray for one another.  Let us pray for the whole world, that there may be a great spirit of fraternity.  It is my hope for you that this journey of the Church, which we start today, and in which my Cardinal Vicar, here present, will assist me, will be fruitful for the evangelization of this most beautiful city. 

And now I would like to give the blessing, but first - first I ask a favour of you: before the Bishop blesses his people, I ask you to pray to the Lord that he will bless me: the prayer of the people asking the blessing for their Bishop.  Let us make, in silence, this prayer:  your prayer over me. 

Now I will give the Blessing to you and to the whole world, to all men and women of good will.

Brothers and sisters, I leave you now.  Thank you for your welcome.  Pray for me and until we meet again.  We will see each other soon.  Tomorrow I wish to go and pray to Our Lady, that she may watch over all of Rome.  Good night and sleep well!

Handy Dandy Conclave Resources

While I continue to try to get back into the blogging mood, here's the Crescat's useful compilation of resources on the Conclave election, which begins tomorrow.

Also, Thomas McDonald of "God and the Machine" recommended the Conclave news app for Apple and Android devices, and Jeff Miller, the "Curt Jester," pointed out the PopeAlarm.com text message/email notification service for when the smoke rises.

A Tribute to Benedict XVI's Final Day as Pope: The Regensburg Address

Source

Susan of Ironic Catholic asked her fellow Catholic bloggers to post a small tribute to Benedict XVI's final day as Pope.

I think it's fitting with Benedict XVI's academic background that I quote from his Regensburg Address, which dealt, among other things, with the perennial issue of the relation between Faith and Reason, Fides et Ratio:


The West has long been endangered by this aversion to the questions which underlie its rationality, and can only suffer great harm thereby. The courage to engage the whole breadth of reason, and not the denial of its grandeur - this is the programme with which a theology grounded in Biblical faith enters into the debates of our time. "Not to act reasonably, not to act with logos, is contrary to the nature of God", said Manuel II, according to his Christian understanding of God, in response to his Persian interlocutor. It is to this great logos, to this breadth of reason, that we invite our partners in the dialogue of cultures. To rediscover it constantly is the great task of the university.

- James V. Schall's book on the Address.

Pope Benedict's XVI's final tweet

                                                          HT: Aggie Catholics

How to Become a Pope

This seems like an excellent short video explaining the conclave, the election of a new Pope (HT: Lisa Hendey):

I haven't read the comments, but this being YouTube, you can probably imagine what lies in store.

Will the Next Pope be Catholic?

My friend Bryce looks at the "shocked, shocked" New York Times reaction to Pope Benedict's belief that Catholicism is true, while Get Religion looks at several newspapers bringing up the possibility of a new progressive pope. 

I think the answer to the suggestion that the election of a new pope might bring a change in Church teachings on "pelvic issues" like abortion, contraception and same-sex marriage is clear...

HT:  The Hermeneutic of Continuity 

HT: Creative Minority Report

Fr. Dwight Longenecker gives a more detailed explanation of  why some journalists are misreading Pope Benedict's resignation. 

Pope Benedict XVI to Resign

From the Pope's Declaration on Vatican Radio:

well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter, entrusted to me by the Cardinals on 19 April 2005, in such a way, that as from 28 February 2013, at 20:00 hours, the See of Rome, the See of Saint Peter, will be vacant and a Conclave to elect the new Supreme Pontiff will have to be convoked by those whose competence it is.
Dear Brothers, I thank you most sincerely for all the love and work with which you have supported me in my ministry and I ask pardon for all my defects. And now, let us entrust the Holy Church to the care of Our Supreme Pastor, Our Lord Jesus Christ, and implore his holy Mother Mary, so that she may assist the Cardinal Fathers with her maternal solicitude, in electing a new Supreme Pontiff. With regard to myself, I wish to also devotedly serve the Holy Church of God in the future through a life dedicated to prayer. 

From the Vatican, 10 February 2013 

BENEDICTUS PP XVI

Please pray for Pope Benedict while reaches the final days of his office. May God bless him.

Feast Day of St. Thomas Aquinas

Today is the feast day of St.Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church (Doctor Angelicus) and the most prominent medieval Scholastic philosopher and theologian.


While so many men were trying to base philosophy on theological foundations, a very simple and modest man was putting everything in its place. His name was Thomas Aquinas, and he was saying things so obviously true that, from his time down to our own day, very few people have been sufficiently self-forgetful to accept them. There is an ethical problem at the root of our philosophical difficulties; for men are most anxious to find truth, but very reluctant to accept it. We do not like to be cornered by rational evidence, and even when truth is there, in its impersonal and commanding objectivity, our greatest difficulty still remains; it is for me to bow to it in spite of the fact that it is not exclusively mine, for you to accept it though it cannot be exclusively yours. In short, finding out truth is not so hard; what is hard is not to run away from truth once we have found it. When it is not a "yes but," our "yes" is often enough a "yes, and..."; it applies much less to what we have just been told than to we are about to say. The greatest among philosophers are those who do not flinch in the presence of truth, but welcome it with the simple words: yes, Amen.

St. Thomas Aquinas was one of the latter, clear-sighted enough to know truth when he saw it, humble enough to bow to it in its presence. -- Etienne Gilson, The Unity of Philosophical Experience, 49




There are many interesting links available across the net:



Recommended reading on Aquinas:

- New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia page, Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy page, Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy Aquinas Metaphysics page.

-G.K. Chesterton, St Thomas Aquinas (free online version)

-Etienne Gilson, The Christian Philosophy of Thomas Aquinas (Brandon: "Still the best introduction to Aquinas you can get your hands on.")

-Brian Davies, The Thought of Thomas Aquinas (Ed Feser: "Probably the best single volume in print for anyone looking for an overview of the whole range of Aquinas’s philosophical and theological thinking.")

-Edward Feser, Aquinas

For peeping Thomists like me who've just discovered the Angelic Doctor, a good place to start is:

Timothy Mcdermott, ed., Summa Theologiae: The Concise Translation

Ralph McInerny, ed, Thomas Aquinas: Selected Writings

For the full Summa, there are a few choices: hardback/paperback, Kindle, and online.

For Aquinas's entire works online.

Just for fun, a Thomas Aquinas music video:

- Father Robert Barron on St. Thomas Aquinas:

St. Thomas Aquinas, Ora Pro Nobis!

Mike Flynn and John C.Wright Interview

It's not every day when the well-known Catholic writers Michael Flynn and John C. Wright get together to talk Catholicism and Science Fiction. The interviewer and medievalist Sandra Miesel also includes an article on the subject of Catholic Science Fiction. Be sure to give both a read!  (HT: Mark Shea).

I should also mention the Catholic Writer's Guild, which includes many sci-fi writers.

New Year's Resolutions

I'm not a big fan of new year's resolutions since they usually involve virtues or vices that we should already be cultivating or avoiding. We don't really need a reminder to take care of ourselves, to be more honest, kind, and generous to others and less of a pain to be around. But, I guess it wouldn't hurt to list a few things not related to my struggle to become a virtuous person (or at least not as obviously related):

1. Start writing and finishing my writing projects (fanfics, blog posts, the MLP Virtue Ethics series, a sci-fi or fantasy novel, etc.)

2. Cut down on the social media distractions from Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube (very important for resolution #1)

3. Learn a new skill, like video editing or drawing.

4. Finally pass Mass Effect 3 and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.

But the moral resolutions still loom large:

Prideful Trixie

1. I should work on humbling myself, lowering that pride that opens the door to all other vices.

Lazy Rainbow Dash

2. I should fight my tendency towards sloth, which not only leads to physical laziness, but also moral and intellectual passivity. If I let myself be ruled by acedia, not only can I not become an academic philosopher, but I also cannot hope to live a good life.

3. Of course, I should strive to be less of a bad Catholic, turning toward God, the Final End, instead of away from Him.

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe

Today (December 12) is the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patroness of the Americas. In Mexican Catholic culture there is a tremendous devotion to "La Virgen de Guadalupe."

The story of the miraculous Marian apparition goes:


In the winter of 1531, a poor, 57-year-old Aztec Indian living five miles outside of Mexico City encountered a miraculous happening on his way to morning Mass. First he heard strange music coming from Tepeyac Hill, and then he heard a woman's voice calling his name. Juan Diego climbed the hill and encountered a young woman, appearing to be of his own people in physical appearance and dress. The woman identified herself as the Virgin Mary, and told Juan Diego to ask the bishop of Mexico City to build a church on the hill to assist in the conversion of the nation and be a source of consolation to the people.

Juan Diego obeyed the request, but the bishop was skeptical regarding the message, even though he perceived that Juan was a humble, and well meaning Catholic. Juan reported the bishop's doubt to Our Lady at Tepeyac Hill, and she asked him to return to the bishop once again, bearing the same message. The bishop once again heard the story, and told Juan Diego to ask Our Lady for a sign that it was indeed herself that wished for the church to be built.

When he returned to the hill, Mary gave Juan Diego such a sign. Miraculously, roses appeared on the hill in the middle of winter, and Juan gathered them in his tilma, or cloak. Our Lady arranged the roses in his tilma with her own hands, and Juan returned to the bishop's presence. When Juan released the tilma, allowing the flowers to fall to the floor, it was revealed that a miraculous image of Our Lady had imprinted itself on his tilma (see above).

The bishop immediately fell to his knees, and came to believe in Juan Diego's message. A church was built on the spot of the apparition, as Mary had requested, and 8 million people converted to Catholicism in a short period of time upon hearing of or viewing the miraculous image of Our Lady.


Other helpful links:

- Warren Carroll, Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Conquest of Darkness

- New Advent, "Shrine of Guadalupe"

- Our Lady of Guadalupe page

- "La Guadalupana" Marian hymn (HT: Mrs. Darwin)

Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us, that we may be more deeply united to your Son, Jesus. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Amable Virgen de Guadalupe, Madre y Auxilio de todos los Cristianos desde que te apareciste a San Juan Diego en los cerros de México, las penas que me atormentan pongo en tus benditas manos. Acuérdate, Oh Santa Madre, que jamás se oyó decir que alguno te haya implorado sin tu auxilio recibir: por eso con fe, confianza humilde y arrepentimiento lleno de amor y esperanza, este favor yo te suplico.

Amén. Así sea.

Santa, Honesty, and Lying

The real St. Nick

With the feast day of St. Nicholas coming up tomorrow (Dec. 6), I thought I'd share a few comments from other Catholic bloggers on the question of whether we should tell our children about Santa Claus and if conveying the Santa tale counts as lying. (HT: Marcel)

- Edward Feser, "There is No Santa Clause"

- James Chastek, "Santaism"

- Marcel, "Is Telling a Child About Santa Claus Lying?"

- Mr. Darwin, "My Youth as a Santa Skeptic"

- Blackadder, "No Virginia, There is No Santa Claus"

Feast Day of St. Albert the Great

It is by the path of love, which is charity, that God draws near to man, and man to God. But where charity is not found, God cannot dwell. If, then, we possess charity, we possess God, for "God is Charity" (1 Jn 4:8)

Today is the feast day of St. Albert the Great, Doctor Universalis (the Universal Doctor), scientist, and teacher of St. Thomas Aquinas.

We call this man a dumb ox, but his bellowing in doctrine will one day resound throughout the world. -- St. Albert

- Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy page

- Some posts on St. Albertus Magnus from the Catholic blogosphere:

- "St. Albert the Professer," Dominicana

- "The Greatest of Germans," Crisis Magazine

- "The Parting Words of St. Albert Revealed," The Ironic Catholic

RPG Catholic Update II

I'm trying to pick a patron saint for my confirmation next month (Dec. 2). There are many good choices (St. Augustine, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Joan of Arc, St. Therese of Lisieux, St. Edith Stein, St. Anselm...). The catechist suggested that one way to choose a patron saint is to see if your birthday falls on the same day as a feast day. Well, there isn't a feast day (in the new liturgical calendar) on my birthday (Jan. 30), so I guess I need to go with the saint with the closest feast day: St. Thomas Aquinas (Jan. 28).

Feast Day of All Saints of the Order of the Preachers (Dominicans)

St. Dominic, St. Thomas, St. Albert, St. Catherine of Siena...

Ora pro nobis!

Some Post-Election Thoughts

Well, for faithful Catholics, the election news isn't good.  President Obama retained his office despite a blatant pro-choice party platform, even capturing the "Catholic vote" 50-48. "Same-sex marriage" is now legal in four states. The threat of the HHS mandate still looms. At least Massachusetts voters struck down the physician assisted suicide bill. In short, tough days are ahead for the Church...

Ah, if only my preferred presidential candidate had won. Despite questionable past actions like trying to bring about eternal darkness, Princess Luna at least doesn't support intrinsic evils like abortion and violate religious liberty with stuff like the HHS mandate. The fun certainly would be double what it is now...

At the ACPA Conference

I was able to make it to the first day of the American Catholic Philosophical Association annual meeting in Marina Del Rey, CA. Alfredo and his friend Alex Yousif were there and I tagged along with them the rest of the day.

Alfredo the "Analytic Scholastic," Eric the "RPG Catholic," and Alex

We started the proceedings by listening to Kevin Timpe on "Responsible Agency and God" and Daniel Speak on "Open Theism." Dr. Timpe asked me to wear a unicorn shirt to the lecture and so I whipped out my MLP Vynil Scratch "DJ-Pon 3" tee.

After the first session, we went to the next lecture by Dr. Chris Tollefsen on "Double Effect Reasoning and Two Hard Cases." Gyula Klima was scheduled to present a paper, but couldn't make it from New York due to flooding from Hurricane Sandy. I was a bit disappointed at not seeing Klima, but to my surprise, Edward Feser (whose books and blog posts I've recommend countless times) walked into the room. After the talk ended, I was able to meet Dr. Feser and discuss a few Thomistic matters I've been thinking about lately.

Big fanboy grin...

Alfredo, Ed Feser, and Alex

Next up, I joined Alfredo, Alex, Dr. Tollefsen and other professors for dinner at a local French restaurant. We finished the night by going to a reception in the topmost penthouse room of the Marriot Hotel, where I met Germain Grisez and Christopher Kaczor.

Overall, I'd say it was a fun day.

All Saints Day

                                                      


                                                      Litany of the Saints



Lord, have mercy on us.
CHRIST, have mercy on us.
LORD, have mercy on us.
CHRIST, hear us.
CHRIST, graciously hear us.

GOD, THE FATHER OF HEAVEN, have mercy on us.
GOD THE SON, REDEEMER OF THE WORLD, have mercy on us.
GOD THE HOLY GHOST, have mercy on us.
HOLY TRINITY, ONE GOD, have mercy on us.
HOLY MARY, pray for us.
HOLY MOTHER OF GOD, pray for us.
HOLY VIRGIN OF VIRGINS, pray for us.
ST. MICHAEL, pray for us.
ST. GABRIEL, pray for us.
ST. RAPHAEL, pray for us.
ALL YE HOLY ANGELS AND ARCHANGELS, pray for us.
ALL YE HOLY ORDERS OF BLESSED SPIRITS, pray for us.
ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST, pray for us. ST. JOSEPH, pray for us.
ALL YE HOLY PATRIARCHS AND PROPHETS, pray for us.

ST. PETER, pray for us.
ST. PAUL, pray for us.
ST. ANDREW, pray for us.
ST. JAMES, pray for us.
ST. JOHN, pray for us.
ST. THOMAS, pray for us.
ST. JAMES, pray for us.
ST. PHILIP, pray for us.
ST. BARTHOLOMEW, pray for us.
ST. MATTHEW, pray for us.
ST. SIMON, pray for us.
ST. THADDEUS, pray for us.
ST. BARNABAS, pray for us.
ST. LUKE, pray for us.
ST. MARK, pray for us.
ALL YE HOLY APOSTLES AND EVANGELIST, pray for us.
ALL YE HOLY DISCIPLES OF OUR LORD, pray for us.
ALL YE HOLY INNOCENTS, pray for us.

ST. STEPHEN, pray for us.
ST. LAWRENCE, pray for us.
ST. VINCENT, pray for us.
SS. FABIAN AND SEBASTIAN, pray for us.
SS. JOHN AND PAUL, pray for us.
SS. COSMOS AND DAMIAN, pray for us.
SS. GERVASE AND PROTASE, pray for us.
ALL YE HOLY MARTYRS, pray for us.

ST. SYLVESTER, pray for us.
ST. GREGORY, pray for us.
ST. AMBROSE, pray for us.
ST. AUGUSTINE, pray for us.
ST. JEROME, pray for us.
ST. MARTIN, pray for us.
ST. NICHOLAS, pray for us.
ALL YE HOLY BISHOPS AND CONFESSORS, pray for us.
ALL YE HOLY DOCTORS, pray for us.

ST. ANTHONY, pray for us.
ST. BENEDICT, pray for us.
ST. BERNARD, pray for us.
ST. DOMINIC, pray for us.
ST. FRANCIS, pray for us.
ALL YE HOLY PRIEST AND LEVITES, pray for us.
ALL YE HOLY MONKS AND HERMITS, pray for us.

ST. MARY MAGDALEN, pray for us.
ST. AGATHA, pray for us.
ST. LUCY, pray for us.
ST. AGNES, pray for us.
ST. CECILIA, pray for us.
ST. CATHERINE, pray for us.
ST. ANASTASIA, pray for us.
ALL YE HOLY VIRGINS AND WIDOWS, pray for us.
ALL YE MEN AND WOMEN, SAINTS OF GOD, make intercession for us.

BE MERCIFUL, spare us, O Lord!
BE MERCIFUL, graciously hear us, O Lord!
FROM ALL EVIL, O Lord, deliver us.
FROM ALL SIN, O Lord, deliver us.
FROM THY WRATH, O Lord, deliver us.
FROM A SUDDEN AND UNPROVIDED DEATH, O Lord, deliver us.
FROM THE DECEITS OF THE DEVIL, O Lord, deliver us.
FROM ANGER, HATRED, AND ALL ILL WILL, O Lord, deliver us.
FROM THE SPIRIT OF FORNICATION, O Lord, deliver us.
FROM LIGHTNING AND TEMPEST, O Lord, deliver us.
FROM THE SCOURGE OF EARTHQUAKE, O Lord, deliver us.
FROM PESTILENCE, FAMINE, AND WAR, O Lord, deliver us.
FROM EVERLASTING DEATH, O Lord, deliver us.

THROUGH THE MYSTERY OF THY HOLY INCARNATION, O Lord, Deliver us.
THROUGH THY COMING, O Lord, deliver us.
THROUGH THY NATIVITY, O Lord, deliver us.
THROUGH THY BAPTISM AND HOLY FASTING, O Lord, deliver us.
THROUGH THY CROSS AND PASSION, O Lord, deliver us.
THROUGH THY DEATH AND BURIAL, O Lord, deliver us.
THROUGH THY HOLY RESURRECTION, O Lord, deliver us.
THROUGH THINE ADMIRABLE ASCENSION, O Lord, deliver us.
THROUGH THE COMING OF THE HOLY GHOST, THE PARACLETE, O Lord, deliver us.
IN THE DAY OF JUDGMENT, We Sinners beseech Thee, hear us.
THAT THOU WOULDST SPARE US, We beseech Thee, hear us.
THAT THOU WOULDST PARDON US, We beseech Thee, hear us.
THAT THOU WOULDST VOUCHSAFE TO BRING US TO TRUE PENANCE, We Beseech Thee hear us.
THAT THOU WOULDST VOUCHSAFE TO GOVERN AND PRESERVE THY HOLY CHURCH.... We beseech Thee, hear us.
THAT THOU WOULDST VOUCHSAFE TO PRESERVE OUR APOSTOLIC PRELATE AND ALL ECCLESIASTICAL ORDERS IN HOLY RELIGION. We beseech Thee, hear us.
THAT THOU WOULDST VOUCHSAFE TO HUMBLE THE ENEMIES OF THY HOLY CHURCH, We beseech Thee, hear us.
THAT THOU WOULDST VOUCH SAFE TO GIVE PEACE AND TRUE CONCORD TO CHRISTIAN KINGS AND PRINCES, We beseech Thee, hear us.
THAT THOU WOULDST VOUCHSAFE TO GRANT PEACE AND UNITY TO ALL CHRISTIAN PEOPLE, We beseech Thee, hear us.
THAT THOU WOULDST VOUCHSAFE TO BRING BACK TO THE UNITY OF THE CHURCH ALL THOSE WHO HAVE STRAYED AWAY, AND LEAD TO THE LIGHT OF THE GOSPEL ALL UNBELIEVERS, We beseech Thee, hear us.
THAT THOU WOULDST VOUCHSAFE TO CONFIRM AND PRESERVE US THY HOLY SERVICE, We beseech Thee, hear us.
THAT THOU WOULDST LIFT UP OUR MINDS TO HEAVENLY DESIRES, We beseech Thee, hear us.
THAT THOU WOULDST RENDER ETERNAL BLESSINGS TO ALL OUR BENEFACTORS, We beseech Thee, hear us.
THAT THOU WOULDST DELIVER OUR SOULS AND HOSE OF OUR BRETHREN, RELATIVE, AND BENEFACTORS FROM ETERNAL DAMNATION, We beseech Thee, hear us.
THAT THOU WOULDST VOUCHSAFE TO GIVE AND PRESERVE THE FRUITS OF THE EARTH, We beseech Thee, hear us.
THAT THOU WOULDST VOUCHSAFE TO GIVE ETERNAL REST TO ALL THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED, We beseech Thee, hear us.
THAT THOU WOULDST VOUCHSAFE GRACIOUSLY TO HEAR US, We beseech Thee, hear us.
SON OF GOD, We beseech Thee, hear us.

LAMB OF GOD, WHO TAKEST AWAY THE SINS OF THE WORLD, Spare us, O Lord.
LAMB OF GOD, WHO TAKEST AWAY THE SINS OF THE WORLD, Graciously hear us, O Lord.
LAMB OF GOD, WHO TAKEST AWAY THE SINS OF THE WORLD, Have mercy on us.

CHRIST, HEAR US.......
CHRIST, GRACIOUSLY HEAR US.......
LORD, HAVE MERCY ON US.......
CHRIST, HAVE MERCY ON US.......
LORD, HAVE MERCY ON US.......