Video meliora proboque deteriora sequor

And the night slowly envelopes the christian world - flickering lights like meteorites produce short lived streaks of sparks on the steadily greying sky; the cathedrals of old left to decay empty while the remnant gathering their tiny congregations in homes and makeshift chapels. The catacombs return:

Amerio quotes Isaias:

Custos, quid de nocte?
custos, quid de nocte?
Dixit custos:
Venit mane et nox;
si quæritis, quærite;
convertimini, venite.

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers prepare for the feast of our Lord's birthday, interrupting advent penitence with rejoicing this coming Gaudete Sunday!

Ash Wednesday

Thus, Lent begins, the sacrifice of the faithful takes on a holy character and the smudge of honor announces the coming judgement...

Benedicamus Domino!