Reformation Day

Here in Rome, it is difficult to go to the movies (still haven't seen the new Star Trek) because, naturally, most of the movies are dubbed into Italian. There are a couple of theatres what play movies "versione originale or lingua originale" but they are few and the offerings aren't always what you might want.

Bookstores are also rather dull; while there are usually English language sections, they are small and the offerings usually relegated to the latest chic-lit novelistic rubbish, vampire books for teens, Rome guide books and books about the wonders and glories of Obama.

So, one often has to make one's own fun.

Reformation Day is apparently something that is observed in some parts of Europe and no less in Santa Marinella. October 31 comes close enough to November 5th that I had the idea of combining the two celebrations.

Naturally, we wouldn't dream of burning an effigy of the "only man ever to enter Parliament with honest intentions," but there are quite a few other candidates who richly deserve the posthumous memorial.

So, we put some names in a hat, and burned Elizabeth I instead.

As a fully paid-up member of the Facebook group, "Elizabeth I: Heretic, Usurper, Tyrant"

and the founder of the Facebook group "The English Reformation was a Crime Against Humanity," I was happy to provide the venue, ie: I have a really great outdoor fireplace/barbeque at my place.

A bunch of friends came over and we had a jolly afternoon making an effigy:


looks just like her! (Note ruff)


making toffee apples,

eating hamburgers and then


the big event: an old fashioned Auto da Fe.

Pius (V) Bishop, servant of the servants of God, in lasting memory of the matter, says:

"Elizabeth I, by the grace of God, Queen of England, you have been found guilty of the following charges:

"Prohibiting with a strong hand the use of the true religion, which after its earlier overthrow by Henry VIII (a deserter therefrom) Mary, the lawful queen of famous memory, had with the help of this See restored, you have followed and embraced the errors of the heretics."

Readying the flames.

you have..."oppressed the followers of the Catholic faith; instituted false preachers and ministers of impiety; abolished the sacrifice of the mass, prayers, fasts, choice of meats, celibacy, and Catholic ceremonies; and have ordered that books of manifestly heretical content be propounded to the whole realm and that impious rites and institutions after the rule of Calvin, entertained and observed by yourself, be also observed by your subjects.

You have dared to eject bishops, rectors of churches and other Catholic priests from their churches and benefices, to bestow these and other things ecclesiastical upon heretics, and to determine spiritual causes; has forbidden the prelates, clergy and people to acknowledge the Church of Rome or obey its precepts and canonical sanctions; have forced most of them to come to terms with your wicked laws, to abjure the authority and obedience of the pope of Rome, and to accept you, on oath, as their only lady in matters temporal and spiritual;

Sentence pronounced.

We, seeing impieties and crimes multiplied one upon another the persecution of the faithful and afflictions of religion daily growing more severe under the guidance and by the activity of you, Elizabeth...

Stripped of the crown.

And moreover (we declare) you to be deprived of your pretended title to the aforesaid crown and of all lordship, dignity and privilege whatsoever.

Crown jewels removed.

Therefore, resting upon the authority of Him whose pleasure it was to place us (though unequal to such a burden) upon this supreme justice-seat, we do out of the fullness of our apostolic power declare you, Elizabeth...

...to be a heretic and favourer of heretics, and your adherents in the matters aforesaid to have incurred the sentence of excommunication and to be cut off from the unity of the body of Christ.


Even upon contemplating the terrible fate ahead, she refuses to repent.


"By the judgment of this court, you are sentenced to be consigned to the flames.


And may God have mercy upon your wretched soul."


Give her a poke, I think she's done.


The light of the True Faith prevails.

(A message for Nick Trandem: You may consider yourself tagged.)