13 November 2020 | St. Didacus | Eugene, Ore.

In the bleak ides of November, as Oregon prepares to lock down once again to stem the rising tide of covid cases, join me for some intellectual and spiritual respite as we talk about Edward III (the last of the history plays—for real this time), St. Didacus (patron of a large American city—you’ll never guess which one!) and the much-neglected virtue of patience. Also, you’ll get my thoughts, for better or worse, on the new two-week “Oregon freeze” order going into effect next week, from my perspective “in the trenches.” Save us, O Jesus!

Opening music: “Stella caeli extirpavit,” sequence in times of pestilence, sung by the Benedictine monks of Mount Angel Abbey, 2020. All rights reserved.

Find the text of this ancient prayer in Latin and English here.