the ?? inscription, which stranger inscribes on Francis' keystone, can be expanded (reading right-to-left) to "Leibowitz." Authorities argue whether their founder, if ever canonized, should be called St. Isaac, St. Edward, or St. Leibowitz. Once the Devil's Advocate relents, Leibowitz's canonization is scheduled in New Rome and Francis is sent to represent the Order. Legend says after being drenched with fuel oil, he asks for a cup of it to drink, changes it to water and the water into wine for consecration as his last communion.
Given a name only in Part 2, Benjamin is described identically in all three parts of the novel, as a spindly old man dressed in burlap, with a hat, staff, sandals, and water bag, and uttering a characteristic, non-verbal utterance. The solitary Old.....
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