The Universe.

"Let Those Who Have Eyes, See . . ."

Some of the most breathtaking views in The Universe are created by Nebulae — hot, glowing clouds of gas. This new NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope image shows the centre of The Lagoon Nebula, an object with a deceptively tranquil name, in the Constellation of Sagittarius. The region is filled with intense winds from hot Stars, churning funnels of gas, and energetic Star formation, all embedded within an intricate haze of gas and pitch-dark dust.

Image Credit: NASA, ESA, J. Trauger (Jet Propulson Laboratory).

Illustration: NASA

Wikipedia states that Charles Darwin promoted "Natural Selection" to explain things.

He described himself as an Agnostic.

Wikipedia states that Richard Dawkins is an Atheist, a patron of the British Humanist Association, and a supporter of the Brights Movement. He is well known for his criticism of

Creationism and Intelligent Design.

In his 1986 book, The Blind Watchmaker, Dawkins argues against the Watchmaker Analogy, an argument for the existence of a Supernatural Creator based upon the complexity of living organisms. Instead, he describes evolutionary processes as analogous to a blind watchmaker.

If you travel for 15,000 Light Years,

and if you go to the Constellation of Sagittarius,

you will see this.

It is the spectacular cosmic pairing of the Star "Hen 2-427" — more commonly known as

"WR 124" — and the nebula "M1-67", which surrounds it. Both objects, captured here

by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, are found in the Constellation of Sagittarius

and lie 15,000 light-years away.

The Star "Hen 2-427" shines brightly at the very centre of this explosive image,

and around the hot clumps of surrounding gas that are being ejected into Space

at over 93,210 miles (150,000 km) per hour.

Illustration: NASA

Charles Darwin promoted "Natural Selection" to explain things.

He described himself as "an Agnostic".

Although we are used to seeing Saturn's Moons lit directly by the Sun, sometimes we can catch them illuminated by "Saturn-Shine." Here, we see Saturn's Moon "Mimas" (upper right of The Rings of Saturn) lit by light reflected off of Saturn.

Illustration: NASA

Wikipedia states that Jainism believes The Universe is eternal

and has no need for a Creator Deity.

"Every time I hear a new-born baby cry . . ."

"I Believe",

by

The Bachelors.

Available on YouTube at

https://youtu.be/5d_TFZ9yaKg

"I Don't Mind If You Don't Like My Manners. I Don't Like Them Myself. They're Pretty Bad. I Grieve Over Them On Long Winter Evenings."

TAKE A PACKARD . . .

1949 Packard Station Sedan.

Illustration; HEMMINGS DAILY

PLAY BACKGROUND MUSIC . . .

"Nightmare".

by Artie Shaw.

[The perfect Intro to . . .

you know whom.]

Available on YouTube at

https://youtu.be/K0lH8OM8gmI

ADD A DAME . . .

Lauren Bacall.

American Actress.

Illustration: THE NEW YORK TIMES

AND A DASH OF RYE . . .

   

Straight Rye Whiskey. Date: 2 September 2005 (original upload date). Source:

Transferred from en.wikipedia; Transferred to Commons by User:JohnnyMrNinja

using CommonsHelper. Author: Original uploader was Zoicon5 at en.wikipedia.

(Wikimedia Commons). Whisky Tumblers Picture. Illustration: LUXDECO

PUT ON A TRENCH COAT

Illustration: THE BOGIE FILM BLOG

AND WHAT D'YER GET ?

Screenshot of Humphrey Bogart

from the trailer for the film Invisible Stripes.

Date:1939.

This File: 15 February 2008.

User: Rossrs~commonswiki.

(Wikimedia Commons)

"Nightmare".

by Artie Shaw.

[The perfect Finale to . . .

you know whom.]

Available on YouTube at

https://youtu.be/K0lH8OM8gmI

Illustration: BUZZQUOTES

Plus Ça Change, Plus C’est La Même Chose.

The Right Reverend

Dom Prosper Guéranger, O.S.B.

(1805-1875),

Abbot of Solesmes Abbey,

France.

Artist: Claude-Ferdinand Gaillard (1874).

Photo: 7 May 2007 (original upload date).

Source: Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons.

Author: The original uploader was Ikanreed at English Wikipedia.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Illustration: ANGELUS PRESS

United States of America.

"Persecution, which has not yet relented in our regard, under the ever-varying depositaries of secular power, has retarded the publication of this volume far beyond our worst expectations. Our readers will, we trust, be good enough to believe that we regret these forced delays as much as they do.

"May we hope that they will please to remember us and our Monastic brethren in their Prayers to God, and thus aid us to bear the brunt of Hell's violence, so particularly directed against the sons of Dom Guéranger.

"We implore Our Lord to vouchsafe in return to pour upon our readers a share in the Blessings promised by Him to those who suffer for Justice' sake."

Fr. L. F., O.S.B.

Solesmes,

8 May 1888.

The above Text is

The Preface of

The Liturgical Year

Volume 12

Time After Pentecost

Book III.

8 May 1888.

Illustration: ANGELUS PRESS

United States of America.

A 15-volume treasury of Catholic theology, history, hagiography, and apologetics, originally published in the 1840s. Long out of print, this classic work of The Holy Abbot, Dom Guéranger,

on The Roman Liturgy, is available again.

A personal friend of Louis Veuillot, Cardinal Pie, and Blessed Pope Pius IX, and staunch defender

of The Papacy as well as The Roman Liturgy, Dom Guéranger has written a work that

some have called "The Summa of The Liturgy". Essential for every Catholic

who loves the ancient Liturgy and The Life of Prayer.

Illustration: ANGELUS PRESS

United States of America.

Blessed Pope Pius IX, in his Eulogy of Dom Guéranger,

credited him with three great accomplishments:

The revival of The Monastic Tradition in France;

Restoration of The Roman Liturgy and Gregorian Chant;

The Theological justification for two Dogmatic Definitions:

That of The Immaculate Conception;

And The Infallibility of The Roman Pontiff.

Includes:

Propers in Latin and English for every day of The Liturgical Year

(Temporal Cycle and Sanctoral Cycle).

Assorted Propers and Hymns from Liturgies of non-Roman Rites

(Byzantine, Chaldean, Maronite, Mozarabic, Ambrosian, etc).

Propers of Sunday Vespers.

Propers of First Vespers and Second Vespers for Feast Days.

Thorough commentary on all of this.

Introductions to each Season of The Liturgical Year.

Appropriate Morning and Evening Prayers for each Season.

The best ways to hear Mass during each Season.

The best dispositions of Soul for receiving Holy Communion in each Season.

Illustration: ST. BONAVENTURE PUBLICATIONS

United States of America.

-Volume I: Advent

-Volume II: Christmas I

-Volume III: Christmas II

-Volume IV: Septuagesima

-Volume V: Lent

-Volume VI: Passiontide & Holy Week

-Volume VII: Paschal Time I

-Volume VIII: Paschal Time II

Illustration: SAINT MICHAEL'S ABBEY

United Kingdom.

-Volume IX: Paschal Time III

-Volume X: Time After Pentecost I

-Volume XI: Time After Pentecost II

-Volume XII: Time After Pentecost III

-Volume XIII: Time After Pentecost IV

-Volume XIV: Time After Pentecost V

-Volume XV: Time After Pentecost VI

Over 7,000 pp.

Illustration: CENACLE CATHOLIC BOOKS

United Kingdom.

Available in The United Kingdom

from

CENACLE CATHOLIC BOOKS

and

SAINT MICHAEL'S ABBEY

Available in The United States

from

ANGELUS PRESS

and

ST. BONAVENTURE PUBLICATIONS

Art Nouveau.

Text from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia,

unless otherwise stated.

Poster design, by Louis John Rhead, advertising ‘Le Journal de la Beauté’, 1897.

Illustration: ART NOUVEAU STYLE

Art Nouveau is an international philosophy and style of art, architecture and applied art – especially the decorative arts – that was most popular during 1890–1910. The English language uses the French name Art Nouveau ("New Art"), but the style has many different names in other countries. A reaction to academic art of the 19th-Century, it was inspired by natural forms and structures, not only in flowers and plants, but also in curved lines. Architects tried to harmonise with the natural environment.

Art Nouveau is considered a "total" art style, embracing architecture, graphic art, interior design, and most of the decorative arts, including jewellery, furniture, textiles, household silver, and other utensils and lighting, as well as the fine arts. According to the philosophy of the style, art should be a way of life. For many well-off Europeans, it was possible to live in an Art Nouveau-inspired house with Art Nouveau furniture, silverware, fabrics, ceramics, including tableware, jewellery, cigarette cases, etc. Artists desired to combine the fine arts and applied arts, even for utilitarian objects.

Although Art Nouveau was replaced by 20th-Century Modernist styles, it is now considered as an important transition between the eclectic historic revival styles of the 19th-Century and Modernism.

English: Tour of Rodolphe Salis' Black Cat.

Français: Tournée du Chat Noir de Rodolphe Salis.

Poster of 1896.

Artist: Théophile Steinlen (1859–1923).

Current location: Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University,

New Jersey, United States of America.

Source/Photographer: BAEF9F-mDJvr0A at Google Cultural Institute.

(Wikimedia Commons)

English: Lefèvre-Utile Biscuits.

Français: Biscuits Lefèvre-Utile.

Artist: Alfons Mucha (1860–1939).

Date: 1897.

Current location: Private Collection.

Source/Photographer: Art Renewal Center Museum, image 4433.

(Wikimedia Commons)

At its beginning, neither Art Nouveau, nor Jugendstil (its German name), was the common name of the style and it had different names as it spread. Those two names came from, respectively, Siegfried Bing's gallery, Maison de l'Art Nouveau, in Paris, France, and the Magazine, Jugend, in Munich, Germany, both of which promoted and popularised the style.

Maison de l'Art Nouveau (House of New Art) was the name of the gallery, initiated in 1895, by the German art dealer, Siegfried Bing, in Paris, that featured exclusively modern art. The fame of his gallery was increased at the 1900 Exposition Universelle, where he presented co-ordinated — in design and colour — installations of modern furniture, tapestries and objets d'art. These decorative displays became so strongly associated with the style, that the name of his gallery subsequently provided a commonly-used term for the entire style. Thus the term "Art Nouveau" was created.

Part of the evolution of Art Nouveau were several International Fairs, which presented buildings and products designed in the new style. So, the 1888 Barcelona Universal Exposition marks the beginning of the Modernisme, with some buildings of Lluís Domènech i Montaner. The Exposition Universelle of 1900, in Paris, presented an overview of the 'modern style' in every medium. It achieved further recognition at the Esposizione Internazionale d'Arte Decorativa Moderna of 1902 in Turin, Italy, where designers exhibited from almost every European Country where Art Nouveau was practiced.

Tiffany Table Lamp.

Circa 1899-1902.

Tiffany Studios,

Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company.

Photo: November 2007.

Source: Own work.

Author: User:Piotrus.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Table Lamp.

Circa 1900, by Louis Comfort Tiffany.

Photo: 30 September 2010.

Source: Own work.

Author: sailko.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Art Nouveau is usually known as Jugendstil, in Germany, as Modern (Модерн), in Russia, as Modernisme, in Catalonia, Spain, as Secession, in Austria-Hungary, and as Stile Liberty, in Italy. The style was most popular in Europe, but its influence was global. Hence, it is known in various guises with frequent localised characteristics. Other local names were associated with the characteristics of its forms, its practitioners and their works, and schools of thought or study where it was popular.

Many of these terms refer to the idea of "Newness". Before the term "Art Nouveau" became common in France, Le Style Moderne ("The Modern Style") was the more frequent designation. Arte joven ("Young Art"), in Spain, Modernisme, in Catalonia, Arte Nova, in Portugal ("New Art"), Arte Nuova, in Italy (also "New Art"), and Nieuwe Kunst, in The Netherlands.

In other cases, important examples, well-known artists, and associated locations influenced the names. Hector Guimard's Paris Métro entrances, for example, provided the term Style Métro, the popularity in Italy of Art Nouveau designs from London's Liberty & Co Department Store resulted in its being known as the Stile Liberty ("Liberty Style"), and, in The United States, it became known as the "Tiffany Style", due to its association with Louis Comfort Tiffany. In The United Kingdom, it is associated with the activities of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, in Glasgow, Scotland, and is often known as "The Glasgow" Style.

Floral patterns by Stanisław Wyspiański (1869-1907).

Illustration: ART NOUVEAU STYLE

Although Art Nouveau acquired distinctly localised tendencies as its geographic spread increased, some general characteristics are indicative of the form. A description published in Pan Magazine, of Hermann Obrist's Wall Hanging Cyclamen (1894), described it as "sudden violent curves generated by the crack of a whip", which became well known during the early spread of Art Nouveau. Subsequently, not only did the work itself become better known as The Whiplash, but the term "Whiplash" is frequently applied to the characteristic curves employed by Art Nouveau artists. Such decorative "Whiplash" motifs, formed by dynamic, undulating, and flowing lines in a syncopated rhythm and asymmetrical shape, are found throughout the architecture, painting, sculpture, and other forms of Art Nouveau design.

Book-Cover of Arthur Mackmurdo "Wren's City Churches", 1883.

Often cited among Incunabula of Art Nouveau.

(Wikipedia)

The origins of Art Nouveau are found in the resistance of the artist William Morris to the cluttered compositions and the revival tendencies of the 19th-Century, and his theories that helped initiate The Arts And Crafts Movement. However, Arthur Mackmurdo's Book-Cover for Wren's City Churches (1883), with its rhythmic floral patterns, is often considered the first realisation of Art Nouveau.

About the same time, the flat perspective and strong colours of Japanese Wood Block Prints, especially those of Katsushika Hokusai, had a strong effect on the formulation of Art Nouveau. The Japonisme, that was popular in Europe during the 1880s and 1890s, was particularly influential on many artists with its organic forms and references to The Natural World.

Art Nouveau entrance

to the French Metro,

Paris, France.

Illustration: DIGITAL EDITIONS

Besides being adopted by artists like Emile Gallé and James Abbott McNeill Whistler, Japanese-inspired art and design was championed by the businessmen Siegfried Bing and Arthur Lasenby Liberty at their Departmental Stores, in Paris and London, respectively.

In architecture, hyperbolas and parabolas in windows, arches, and doors are common, and decorative mouldings 'grow' into plant-derived forms. Like most design styles, Art Nouveau sought to harmonise its forms. The Text, above The Paris Metro entrance, uses the qualities of the rest of The Iron Work in the structure.

Glass Canopy, Metro Entrance at Abbesses, in Montmartre, Paris, France.

While you are exploring Art Nouveau Paris, don’t forget the Metro Station entrances designed by Hector Guimard. He designed two versions, with and without glass roofs. Paris erected 141 of his designs; today, 86 remain. There are only two of the glass-roofed varieties, one at Porte Dauphine and one at Abbesses. A reconstruction of one is also at the entrance to Châtelet.

The simpler style, and the one you will notice more in Paris, is the "Metropolitan" sign

embraced by two Lamp-Posts resembling plants, although I always think the orange lamps

look like alien eyes (see photo, below).

You can find this in many locations around the City (Parc Monceau, St. Michel, Cité,

Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre, Nation, Victor Hugo)

Illustration: TRAVEL BEYOND PARIS

Metro Entrance at Saint Michel,

in the Quartier Latin, Paris.

Illustration: 

TRAVEL BEYOND PARIS

Art Nouveau in architecture and interior design eschewed the eclectic revival styles of the 19th-Century. Though Art Nouveau designers selected and 'modernised' some of the more abstract elements of Rococo style, such as flame and shell textures, they also advocated the use of very stylised organic forms as a source of inspiration, expanding the 'natural' repertoire to use seaweed, grasses, and insects. The softly-melding forms of 17th-Century auricular style, best exemplified in Dutch silverware, was another influence.

Poster for "Motocycles Comiot, Paris, 87 Boulevart, Gouvion St. Cyr",

from "Maîtres de l'Affiche" (Masters of the Poster).

Artist: Théophile Steinlen (1859-1923).

Date: 1899.

Source: Maîtres de l'Affiche (Masters of the Poster) refers to 256 colour lithographic plates

used to create an art publication during The Belle Époque, in Paris, France. The collection, reproduced from the original works of ninety-seven artists in a smaller

11 x 15 inch format, was put together by Jules Chéret, the father of poster art.

The varied selection of prints were sold in packages of four and delivered monthly to subscribers. On sixteen occasions during the selling period, between December 1895 through November 1900, the monthly package included a bonus of a specially created lithograph.

A complete set, in five volumes, was sold in 2014 for US$43,450.

(Wikimedia Commons)

Wing-Sleeved Wool Coat,

with Fur Trim.

Circa 1910-1920.

via Whitaker Auctions.

Illustration: ART NOUVEAU STYLE

Love's Pure Light.

"Love's Pure Light".

Artist: Kathy Lawrence.

Date: 2006.

Illustration: CHRIST CENTERED MALL.COM

Immaculate Heart Of The Blessed Virgin Mary. Feast Day 22 August.

Text from The Saint Andrew Daily Missal.

The Immaculate Heart of The Blessed Virgin Mary.
Feast Day 22 August.

Double of The Second-Class.

White Vestments.

The Blessed Virgin Mary.

According to a Tradition, sanctioned by authority, it was at Jerusalem, near the room of The Last Supper, at the spot where now stands a Church committed to the care of The Benedictines, that Mary breathed her last (Secret).

And it is at the foot of The Mount of Olives, in a place where, about 1130, a Monastery of The Benedictine Monks of Cluny was built, that her mortal remains were laid and "she was carried up to Heaven" (Alleluia).

The Pilgrimages, made to this tomb, originated The Feast of the Assumption, which was already Solemnised in The East at the end of the 6th-Century A.D. At the beginning of the 7th-Century A.D., The Feast was also Solemnised at Rome, and it spread with The Roman Liturgy over The Whole West. Pope Leo IV instituted The Octave in 847 A.D.

The Virgin and Infant with Angels.

Artist: William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825–1905).

Date: 1900.

Current location: Petit Palais, Paris, France.

Source/Photographer: Art Renewal Center – description

Copied from the English Wikipedia to Commons.

(Wikipedia Commons)

"We have accompanied thee with all our Prayers, when thou didst ascend towards thy Son," says Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, "and we have at least followed thee at a distance, O Blessed Virgin ! May thy goodness make known to the World, the Grace bestowed on thee by God: Obtain by thy Holy Prayers, the forgiveness of the guilty, health for the sick, strength for weak Souls, consolation for the afflicted, help and deliverance for those in peril.

O Mary, Queen of Clemency, on this joyful Solemnity, may thy humble servants, who praise and invoke thy sweet name, be overwhelmed with Graces by Jesus Christ thy Son, Our Lord, Who is The Sovereign God, Blessed throughout the ages. Amen." [Fifth and Sixth Lessons at Matins.]

Let us honour Mary with special confidence during these Feasts, which celebrate her triumph.

Mass: Adeamus. 
Commemoration: Saints Timothy, Hippolytus and Symphorian. Martyrs.

The Virgin and Infant of The Lilies.

Artist: William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825–1905).

Date: 1899.

Source: PaintingHere.com

Author: William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825–1905).

(Wikimedia Commons)

The Liturgical worship of "The Most Pure Heart of Mary" was suggested by The Fathers who commented The Canticle of Canticles; it was first joined to that of The Sacred Heart of Jesus, in the 17th-Century, by Saint John Eudes; however, it was only at the beginning of the 19th-Century that Pope Pius VII allowed some places to keep a Feast in its honour, on the Sunday after The Octave of her Assumption.

Blessed Pope Pius IX granted it a proper Mass and Divine Office (Mass: Omnis Gloria).

In other places it was kept on the Sunday, or, rather, (since the present Edition of The Roman Missal, made in 1920 in the spirit of Pope Saint Pius X) [Editor: This Text is from the 1945 Edition of The Saint Andrew Daily Missal.] on the Saturday after The Feast of The Sacred Heart of Jesus.

"Regina Caeli"

(Queen of Heaven).

By Marco Frisina.

Available on YouTube at

https://youtu.be/8vxRMdhsJwY

On 8 December 1942 [Editor: The Feast Day of The Immaculate Conception.], during the terrible World War, Pope Pius XII Consecrated the whole of mankind to "The Immaculate Heart of Mary"; consequently, he extended The Feast to The Universal Church and gave it a new Mass and Divine Office by Decree of 4 May 1944.

That Feast, of The Immaculate Heart, is fixed, not to a Sunday, but to the very Octave-Day of The Assumption: Mary in Heaven goes on interceding lovingly on our behalf. Her Heart is the symbol of the ardent love, which she fosters first for God and for her Divine Son (Epistle), but also of her maternal care for all human Souls, which Jesus entrusted her when He died (Gospel, Communion).

We exalt the particular Holiness of her Heart (Gradual, Offertory), and we Pray her (Introit, Collects) to obtain "Peace for all Nations, freedom for The Church, conversion for the sinners, and for all Faithful, love for Chastity and the practice of all Virtues" (Decree 4 May 1944).

The Blessed Virgin Mary

is Crowned Queen of Heaven

by Her Beloved Son,

Illustration: CALEFACTORY.ORG

The following Paragraph is from DRUMCREE PARISH

In the midst of The Second World War, Pope Pius XII made an Act of Consecration of The Church and The Whole World to The Immaculate Heart on 31 October 1942, which was then Solemnly proclaimed on 8 December 1942. 

Two years later, by a Decree of 4 May 1944, The Holy Father extended The Feast of The Immaculate Heart of Mary to The Universal Church.

[Editor: Prior to which, 22 August had been "The Octave Day of The Assumption". Greater-Double. White Vestments.]

Saint Mary's Basilica, Cracow, Poland. The Church Of Our Lady Assumed Into Heaven.

Illustration: LA PORTE LATINE

Saint Mary's Basilica

(Church of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven),

Cracow, Poland.

Date: 2008.

Source: Own work.

Author: Pgkos

(Wikimedia Commons)

Saint Mary's Basilica.

Cracow, Poland.

Photo: 14 May 2006.

Source: Own work.

Author: targeman

(Wikimedia Commons)

See how vibrantly The Young evangelise in the heart of Cracow.

Plus, see the beautiful Interior of Saint Mary's Basilica.

God Bless Cracow.

Available on YouTube at

https://youtu.be/34IaI9ABY5I

The Nave,

Saint Mary's Basilica.

Cracow, Poland.

Photo: 2 April 2007.

Source: Own work.

Author: Bart Van den Bosch ( Wintermute314 ).

(Wikimedia Commons)

Gothic Altarpiece of Veit Stoss,

Saint Mary's Basilica,

Cracow, Poland.

Photo: 6 October 2006.

Source: Own work.

Author: Robert Breuer

(Wikimedia Commons)

"Salve Sancta Parens",

from the 13th-Century Gradual

of Eleanor of Brittany.

Sung by

Schola Cantorum Minorum Chosoviensis

at Saint Mary's Basilica.

Cracow, Poland.

Available on YouTube at

https://youtu.be/0SUQaEpdzuc

"Awake O Sleeper".

Sung by the Schola Mariacka

at

Saint Mary's Basilica.

Cracow, Poland.

Available on YouTube at

https://youtu.be/Wq1rP136cPs