judith finale

Follow-up for 11/26/2023 post. I provided no translation for the finale of Vivaldi's Juditha.

The battle of Lepanto, fought off the west coast of Greece on October 7, 1571, in the Ionian Sea just below the Adriatic, was a victory for the Holy League over the Ottoman Empire, which saw most of its fleet sunk or captured.

The Holy League was an alliance of Catholic maritime states. Don John of Austria, half-brother of Philip II of Spain, was named by Pope Pius V as overall commander of the fleet and led the center division, assisted by Papal captain Marcantonio Colonna (on the right) and the Venetian Sebastiano Venier (on the left).

Colonna was a duke and Roman aristocrat who served as Viceroy of Sicily for the Spanish Crown and had the rank of Captain General of the Church. This battle saved Christendom and ranks up there with VE Day, May 8, 1945.

With a heart for justice, Judith raised a sword against the enemies of God’s people (Old Testament), and the city of Adria, a Venice possession, gave its name to the Adriatic Sea. Queen Judith was a type for The Queen, Mary, the mother of God.

Some time ago, James Martin, SJ, posted a YouTube video saying the Catholic Church is against war. He is, and he is ignorans.