Smorgasbord #2
Hospitality, Hallowtide, and the Lion
Hello friends! This is Peregrino, a newsletter about the journey. And welcome to another edition of Smorgasbord, a self-service buffet of ideas.
What a week! Tuesday night, I crashed
and his wife’s date night to watch the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Philadelphia Phillies and get a ticket to The World Series—tied 1-1 at the time of writing. Thursday night, I met with to talk about Substack! He will publish his book, “The Story of Everything,” here. Keep him on your radar.I’ve been working from home for three years, but this changed mid-October when I was told I now need to go into the office two days a week, Tuesdays and Thursdays. This has been an adjustment since we only have one vehicle (it didn’t make sense to have two), and as much as I enjoy having time by myself during my 30-minute commute, it feels like a waste of time when I could be done, walk to the kitchen and help
with dinner. I also have a lousy memory since I suggested we have team lunch at a Chinese place that uses MSG, which tastes great but gives me headaches. When I told my teammates that I was not feeling well, one of them said, “I was surprised you suggested that place. I remember you felt sick afterward that other time.” You live, you learn.Mary’s Hospitality
October is dedicated to the Most Holy Rosary, and at Châtelet Cantú, we’ve been praying a decade of the rosary as part of the kids’ bedtime routine. In this episode of the Poco a Poco Podcast by the Franciscans of the Renewal, Br. Kolbe talked about how each mystery of the Most Holy Rosary is an invitation of Our Lady to tell us about the life of Jesus, and receiving her hospitality and drawing closer to Mary will help us draw closer to her son. This has helped me go deeper into contemplation while saying the rosary, and I hope it helps you as well.
Ad Jesum Per Mariam!
Hallowtide
I saw this piece on
regarding Hallowtide (All Hallows Eve, a.k.a. Halloween, All Saints Day, and All Souls Day). It is full of resources for those looking to add to their family traditions around this time of year.Diana and I are taking the kids trick-or-treating, attending Mass on Wednesday morning for All Saints, and putting up our Dia de Muertos Ofrenda for All Souls Day. I may even make some Pan de Muerto.
Earlier this year, I wrote about death and loss. In case you missed it, you can read that essay here:
Manuel Santillán, the Lion
While commuting this week, I listened to one of my favorite bands, “Los Fabulosos Cadillacs.” This ska/reggae/punk band from Argentina has several songs that explore the themes of social justice with made-up stories and heroes like Manueal Santillán, the Lion. Sr. Flavio, the band’s bassist, wrote the lyrics for this song that I’ll attempt to translate as a short story.
Manuel Santillán, el León
The Lion is hiding in the alley, knowing well what will happen to him. Then he takes out his revolver, and he's going to shoot. The police surround him relentlessly; they're looking to settle the score, and it's the sergeant who, without hesitating, opens fire and hits him.
The strange thing is that, before dying, the Lion Santillán pronounced words before the officials who were looking at him, disconcerted, and he said: "Dear eternal enemies, today I leave this world of pain. Never forget that the people's tears go toward the sea."
They go to the sea, they go to the sea, tears, pain, and the suffering of the people drown and sink in the sea.
The officials who saw Santillán die abandoned the force. Nothing else was ever known about them. No one spoke of the event anymore. But still, around the old San Telmo, in a dirty tavern, they say that a drunk murmured, crying, the Lion’s words: "They go to the sea, they go to the sea, tears, pain, and the suffering of the people drown and sink in the sea."
Sobremesa
Do you commute to work? What do you do with that time?
Are you sensitive to MSG? What’s your favorite Chinese food dish?
Do you pray the rosary?
For the fathers: Have you ever imposed a ”daddy tax” on your children’s candy?
Do you have a favorite song that’s also a short story?
My work commute is about three blocks, not even enough time for a podcast! I like General Chicken but have a similar reaction to yours afterward. I wouldn’t know where to begin with a rosary, but know that God heats the prayers of his children. Not sure what a “daddy tax” is, but don’t remember getting into their candy! A song running through my mind today is Barry Manilow’s “When October Goes”. Haunting. (No pun intended!)
What a beautiful ofrenda! Every Hallowtide, we've been adding a few more ancestor photos to collages in our hallway - it's been a humbling thing, since I realize how little I actually know about my own family once we go back a few generations!
Daddy tax is very much a part of our world!