Sacraments and the Sixth Sunday of Easter

Someone once said to me, “I don’t need a priest to forgive my sins. I go directly to God.” I shuddered, hoping that he...

Victoria Day 2-4, Ales and Dominions

A happy Victoria Day to all our readers! Some have dubbed this 'May 2-4', I suppose since it often falls somewhat close to the...

Adoro Te Devote, latens Deitas: Godhead Here in Hiding Whom I Do Adore

St. John Chrysostom wrote: “When Mass is being celebrated, the sanctuary is filled with countless angels who adore the Divine Victim immolated on the...

Tories and the Grave New World

A nation that kills its own children has no future.  St. John Paul II In 2008, the late Father Alphonse deValk, founding editor of...

Anne Bolyen’s Apparent Demise. But ’tis Really So?

Anne Boleyn lost her head on this fine spring day in May, 1536, put to death by the decree of her own quasi-husband, Henry...

Word Painting in William Byrd’s Vigilate and Ave Verum Corpus

Few composers have lived and nonetheless thrived in such a turbulent era as William Byrd. Born sometime between 1539 and 1543, Byrd grew up...

The Ascension of our Lord

Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come...

Wisdom in Tough Times From Thomas More

1. When you feel like quitting “You must not abandon the ship in a storm because you cannot control the winds… What you cannot turn...

Augustine’s Monastic Mission

The first bishop of Canterbury, Augustine (+604), pronounced in England, ‘Austin’, was a Roman citizen, like the ‘other’ Augustine, of Hippo, who lived over...

Pentecost’s Fortitude

‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me so I send you’ (Jn. 20:21). ⧾ The text of the Gospel brings us back...