Dear Quincy, Have you ever wondered why everybody likes to celebrate Halloween so much?  I’m not talking about the origins of the holiday – there are as many legends about that as there are languages to tell them in.  Rather, I am curious as to why so many people like to dress up in costumes.  Probably nothing to it, really, just an excuse for a party.  Speaking of parties, I hope you and your friends are continuing the tradition you began last year of offering alternative parties – where the laughter is sincere, the fun is clean, the light is bright, and the music intelligible.  I can hardly think of a better contribution you could make to social life on campus.  The devil has succeeded in convincing too many people that a “good time” requires sin.  The truth is just the opposite.  The best times are had by the saints, believe it or not, whose joy not only fills their own hearts and minds, but overflows into everyone around them.  That happened to be the downfall of today’s saint, by the way. Quintinus embraced Christ and the Catholic faith in Rome, then joined St Lucian of Beauvais on a trip into Gaul (modern France) where they set to evangelizing the pagan natives.  Quintinus, with his deep spirituality and outgoing personality, was so successful in winning converts to Christ in the city of Amiens and its surrounding area that he was rounded up by the authorities.  The prefect used bribery then threats to try and get him to compromise his faith and sacrifice to idols, all to no avail.  Finally he was subjected to hideous tortures, but remained placid and refused to abjure, so they cut off his head.  The legend says that a dove emerged from the severed neck and flew up into heaven.  Perhaps not true in fact, it is still quite true, since the holy martyr’s spirit remained vigorous and lively even while they tormented and destroyed his body. So keep on spreading smiles as the best way to spread the faith.  And as you pursue holiness, never forget that, as St Theresa of Avila put it, “a sad saint is a bad saint.” God bless. Uncle Eddy

Dear Marcela, I am sad to hear that you are having such a difficult time with your ROTC commitment, but I bet I know the real reason why: it interferes with some of the “normal” activities that your friends have time for, and, well, as they say, the “grass is always greener on the other side of the fence,” right?  Well, I have nothing better to do than remind my relatives of the truth of things, so I will gladly take a minute to remind you that your ROTC commitment, besides being an objectively good thing (honorably serving your country falls under the auspices of the Fourth Commandment, you will remember), it has the potential to be a real blessing for you personally.  After all, most of those “normal activities” that you long for are hardly productive activities, and you yourself have described to me how dissipated and irresponsible a bunch of your peers have become in the face of college’s many enjoyable but superficial distractions.  I know for a fact that you have plenty of time for a healthy social life and ample relaxation, and my guess is that you are merely feeling tempted by the deceptive pleasures of an unhealthy social life and excessive relaxation.  Well, they are temptations, and should be treated as such.  Take today’s saint for an example. Marcellus was a soldier, just like you, and a centurion to boot (officer in the imperial army).  He embraced Christ and the Catholic faith during one of the calms between the storms of Roman persecution.  The Holy Spirit took firm hold of his heart and mind, and he began to see clearly the decadence and sinfulness of the “normal” activities encouraged by Roman culture.  While witnessing certain excesses during a feast held in honor of the Emperor’s birthday, he became so disgusted that he publicly renounced his allegiance to the Emperor and his army, throwing to the ground the insignia of his rank.  Of course, abandoning one’s military allegiance was a capital crime, so his fellow soldiers brought him before the officials (after they were done with the feasting) and accused him.  The saint took advantage of the opportunity to witness to Christ, saying: “I serve Jesus Christ the eternal king.  I will no longer serve your emperors, and I scorn to worship your gods of wood and stone, which are deaf and dumb idols.”  He had concluded that the requirements of his pagan duties were incompatible with the demands of Christian living.  Of course, they put him on trial.  He stood firm and had to be executed. So you see, you are not the only one with duties (natural and supernatural) and loyalties that infringe upon your “freedom” to overindulge in useless (or dangerous) pastimes.  I will say a prayer to St Marcellus to give you the fortitude you need to glory in what is true and right, as he did, instead of complaining about it. Loyally yours, Uncle Eddy

Dear Cassie, That is an interesting question you ask.  And I am glad that at least one of my nieces is spiritually sensitive enough to ask it.  The answer is simple: if you are wondering how your spiritual life is going, do what you do when you wonder how your physical life is doing – check the vital signs.  One of the key vital signs is what you do with your free time.  Let’s say you get an unexpected change of plans and all of a sudden you have an afternoon free, or a Saturday, or a morning, or just an hour.  What’s the first thing that comes to mind about how to spend that time?  Catch up on sleep?  Go for a run?  Watch a movie?  Sunbathing? (If you had chosen to go to USC it would be an option even in October.)  Such are normal ideas, and can be healthy.  But among the many possibilities a visit to Christ in the Eucharist, or a little afternoon retreat to the nearby monastery, shrine, or cathedral should at least pop up as an alternative.  If Christ is really real for you, and if your relationship with him really matters, you will covet time to hang out with him.  If not, it won’t even occur to you.  Take a lesson from today’s saint. Narcissus was already an old man when he was made bishop of Jerusalem.  But his vibrant faith and contagious charity (along with his knack for miracles) made him a favorite among the faithful of all ages.  He was so popular, in fact, that he incurred the disaffection of some lax clerics.  They slandered him, and though no one believed their lies, the accusations caused enough turbulence to afford the holy prelate an opportunity to step down from his post.  To reestablish peace, he retired into solitude far from the city – an occupation he had long desired to take on.  For years he prayed and did penance, and only returned to society when he was over 100 years old.  His people were so astonished and delighted that they immediately petitioned him to take up his former office, despite his age.  He acquiesced, but took on St Alexander as his coadjutor bishop, and spent the rest of his life guiding his flock with exemplary prudence.  He died when he was around 116. How he loved God! When ousted from his See he sentenced himself to “solitary confinement” so he could spend more time with the Lord he adored.  So, my dear niece, take a gander at that spiritual vital sign, and ask yourself what you do with your free time.  If Jesus doesn’t make an appearance, he clearly has not yet won your heart. Sincerely, Uncle Eddy