What Paganism Was Really Like

I serendipitously came across this article by Algis Valiunas - always worth reading - which describes what paganism was really like. Not the idealized...

Palestrina’s Sicut Cervus

There are few - some may argue none - who can match Palestrina's composition, and his ars perfecta, in full form here with his motet...

Captain Philips

I just took in the new American-everyman Tom Hank's movie, Captain Philips which, surprisingly from its limited quality, has made over $218 million so...

Sunday Musical Offering: The Time for Flowers, and Mozart’s 36th Masterpiece

A friend just sent along this poignant ballad, and as I wrote in reply, in gist, that I enjoy pretty much anything with a...

Palestrina’s Iesu Rex Admirabilis

The feast of Christ the King (in the usus antiquior) was put in place on this last Sunday of October to counteract so-called Reformation...

A Reflection on the Exorcist: Believer

The latest exorcist movie, Exorcist: The Believer (henceforward “The Believer”), hit theaters on Friday, October 6, 2023, close to the 50th anniversary of the...

Mendelssohn’s Ave Maria

On this memorial of the Holy Name of Mary, here is a magnificent rendition of the Ave Maria by Felix Mendelssohn, which may seem...

Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D Minor – On Guitar

I wouldn't have thought it could be done, but for our musical selection this Sunday - after a respite from these - here is...

Why Is This Night Different? – A Poem

The table set for everyday- my father, leaning in; two or three gathered.   His usual shyness at supper- the rub of indignity against composure; his cane, his chair.   His voice...

Thinking as Though God Exists: Newman on Evangelizing the “Nones”

Dr. Ryan Topping, of Newman Theological College in Edmonton, zealous proponent of true Catholic education, life-long teacher, prolific author and sometime contributor to these...