Something in the Air?

An interesting bit of scuttlebutt from Peter's Barque (by way of Professor Tighe):

I'm not sure what, but something, possibly something big, is in the Roman air.

A Dominican friar close to the Vatican in Rome has asked that the Dominican friars, nuns, sisters and laity pray the Dominican Litany each day until March 25 for the following intention: "If it be the will of God, we pray that those opposed to this outcome do not prevail." The friar is unable to disclose the exact reason for this request due to the high secrecy required.

We do not yet know completely what he is referring to, but it seems likely that it involves an important move by the Vatican, perhaps in the area of the liturgy.

The Dominican Litany has a fascinating history. It was prayed by the order when Pope Innocent IV and a cardinal tried to suppress it. The day the cardinal announced the suppression he fell downstairs and died shortly afterword from his injuries; the same day, Innocent IV suffered a stroke and also expired soon after.

In other words, you don't mess with the Dominicans. It brings to mind a joke about them.

Two men considering a religious vocation were having a conversation. “What is similar about the Jesuit and Dominican Orders? ” the one asked.

The second replied, “Well, they were both founded by Spaniards — St. Dominic for the Dominicans, and St. Ignatius of Loyola for the Jesuits. They were also both founded to combat heresy — the Dominicans to fight the Albigensians, and the Jesuits to fight the Protestants.”

“What is different about the Jesuit and Dominican Orders?”

“Met any Albigensians lately?”