Murder In The 33rd Degree

The tragedy of Jodi Arias and Travis Alexander captured the imagination and riveted attention of viewers around the world. When the murder trial of beautiful Jodi Arias was televised and beamed internationally into foreign homes, the tragic story that unfolded of this fatally stricken young Mormon union is not something that history will quickly forget, nor will the cries from Arias supporters who believe her to have been over sentenced, be easily silenced. Despite changing the name to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in 1838, the killing of handsome Travis Alexander smacked and reverberated with similarity to the murders of atonement committed in those early times, a fact not overlooked by those familiar with the historic origins of the Mormon Church. Yet this similarity was never raised in court by either defense or prosecution. Since her conviction for murder in the first degree, Jodi Arias is serving out a natural life sentence at Perryville Prison, handed down by Judge Sherry Stephens.

To appreciate the title of this work, MEMOIRS OF AN UNWED FATHER [his sixth book], the reader should know, right up front, that its author is a priest -a Catholic priest; a Catholic and very Roman priest. Fresh the hippocampus of raconteur Charles Theodore Murr, comes this (mostly humorous) selection of short stories. Set in New York, Rome, Guadalajara, even La Tuna Agria, these tales are meant to provoke some thought and reflection but, more than anything else, smiles. Welcome to the unusual world of Charles Theodore Murr; profession: Father.

Few women in the 20th century wielded more power and influence than did Josefine Lehnert (1894-1983). No woman, in twenty centuries, ever wielded more power and influence in the Vatican.When Josefine Lehnert entered Holy Cross Convent [Menzinger, Switzerland] she was given the name "Pascalina." In 1917, the beautiful young nun from Bavaria and two other Sisters were sent to Munich to organize and maintain the nunciature. The Holy See's newly appointed Nuncio to Bavaria was 41-year-old Eugenio Pacelli. For the rest his diplomatic career, Schwester Pascalina would remain his personal secretary, housekeeper and ne plus ultra confidante. When Pacelli was recalled to Rome in 1929 and subsequently made a cardinal and appointed Secretary of State, he requested that Sister Pascalina be permitted to continue working with him. She was the first woman ever to reside in the Apostolic Palace. In 1939, on the first ballot and by a unanimous [minus one] vote, Eugenio Pacelli became the world's 260th Pope; the twelfth to take the name "Pius."Romanità -an unofficial yet rigorous ecclesiastical/Italianate protocol that permeates diplomacy to this day- saw fit to "promote" the new pontiff's secretary. Henceforth, "Sister" Pascalina was "Mother" Pascalina. Strong woman that she was, "La Madre" was keenly and constantly aware of the tightrope she was walking -and more so of the snake pit just below it. As the pope's closest confidante, she strove for anonymity; kept any opinion she might have had on any matter, private or public, strictly to herself; avoided photographers and journalists like the plague and -perhaps most challengingly of all- ignored every cruel rumor and innuendo, never dignifying one of them with a response.Undoubtedly, Pope Pius XII was a giant among men; an outstanding intellectual; a savior to countless victims of World War II; a courageous advocate for the voiceless; a born leader who understood a complicated world and its leaders, good and evil; a Pope worthy to be called "Great".It is said that "Behind ever great man is a great woman." The history of Pope Pius XII and Mother Pascalina requires one very important word change to that maxim: "Beside every great man stands a great woman."

Following after brilliant authoritarian Pope Pius XII and good-humored Pope John XXIII, Pope Paul VI seemed hesitant, anxious, even tormented. Yet the impact of his fifteen-year-long papacy was colossal: not a single aspect of Church life was left untouched in the whirlwind of change unleashed by the Ecumenical Council he guided and sought to implement. Who was this man, Giovanni Battista Montini (1897-1978), who so altered the face, the voice, the bearing of Catholicism? Versatile historian Yves Chiron is equal to the challenge of portraying this multifaceted and in many ways enigmatic figure, who was ordained a priest without passing through the seminary and never held a simple parish assignment. Taking advantage of hitherto untapped archival sources and the testimony of numerous witnesses, Chiron builds up a faithful portrait of a figure controversial at every stage of his career: from his anti-fascist activities as university chaplain to his work in the diplomatic corps, which would create tensions with Pius XII; from his heavy years as Archbishop of Milan to his Janus-like role at the Second Vatican Council, when his interventions alternately delighted and devastated both progressives and conservatives; from his intimate involvement in the recasting of the Roman Catholic liturgy to his adamant rejection of contraception, which left him abandoned by bishops and theologians who held the world's willing ear. Paul VI emerges as a pope torn between conflicting interpretations of aggiornamento and overwhelmed by crises in the Church as he tried to reconcile fundamental principles of dogma with pressures from modernist reformers.

Take the mystery out of the Freemasons Fascinated by Freemasons? Freemasons For Dummies is the internationally bestselling introduction to the Masons, the oldest and largest "secret society" in the world. This balanced, eye-opening guide demystifies Freemasonry, explaining everything from its elaborate rituals and cryptic rites, to its curious symbols and their meanings. With new and improved content, including updated examples and references throughout, this new edition of Freemasons For Dummies provides the most straightforward, non-intimidating guide to the subject on the market. Updated expert coverage of the basic beliefs and philosophy behind Freemasonry Revised information on the history of the society, including updates concerning its founding, famous historical members, and pivotal events New coverage devoted to the recent influx of younger membership The latest and ongoing controversies and myths surrounding Freemasonry The role of women in a Masonic organization, including opportunities for women to participate in Freemasonry The effects cultural and political changes and worldwide events are having on the organization If you're intrigued by the mystery that surrounds the Masons, get ready to learn the facts about this ancient order in Freemasons For Dummies.

"The Illuminati Mayhem & Murder" by Frank White delves into the enigmatic and often misunderstood world of the Illuminati, the secret society that has captivated imaginations and sparked controversies for centuries. This comprehensive volume combines White's two groundbreaking works, providing an unparalleled exploration of the group's far-reaching influence, intricate power structures, and alleged involvement in pivotal historical events. In "Who Are The Illuminati," White critically examines the truths and myths surrounding this secretive organization. From their rumored control over global events to their purported ties with influential families like the Rockefellers and Rothschilds, the book investigates the depth of the Illuminati's influence. Are they the puppet masters of the world's elite, shaping politics, entertainment, and media? Or is their notoriety a product of misinterpretation and conspiracy theories? "The Illuminati's Greatest Hits" takes a darker turn, unveiling the alleged covert operations and brutal tactics employed by the Illuminati to maintain their stronghold. From orchestrating revolutions and wars to the high-profile assassinations of Lincoln, Kennedy, and other key figures, White explores how these events fit into the larger puzzle of the New World Order. The book questions the extent of their manipulation and their relentless pursuit of global domination, shedding light on the sinister side of this enigmatic group. Together, these narratives form "The Illuminati Mayhem & Murder," a book that not only uncovers the layers of secrecy surrounding the Illuminati but also challenges the reader to question the very fabric of modern history. It's an essential read for anyone intrigued by the shadowy intersection of power, conspiracy, and the clandestine forces shaping our world.

Robert Langdon, while at the U.S. Capital Building, finds an object encoded with five symbols, which is an ancient invitation to usher its recipient into a long-lost world of esoteric wisdom. When Langdon's belived mentor, Peter Solomon, is kidnapped, he realizes his only hope of saving Peter is to accept this mystical invitation and follow wherever it leads him. Langdon is instantly plunged into a clandestine world of Masonic secrets, hidden history, and never-before-seen locations - all of which seem to be dragging him toward a single, inconceivable truth.