Weekly Insight
At the Roots of the Mountains: J.R.R. Tolkien’s Contributions to The Jerusalem Bible, continued: Part II
Tolkien’s Original Jonah Compared to other Traditional Catholic Versions
Msgr. Ronald Knox, a prominent convert from Anglicanism, became “the fifth Catholic Chaplain at Oxford since the Reformation”, holding the position from 1926-1939. During this time,...
The Legendary Hermit, Saints Giles, or Egidio
The life of Saint Giles, as many mediaeval saints, is steeped in legend. What we do know is that he had quite a following, his popularity attested by the countless places, villages, cities, churches...
Saint Raymond, the Not-Born, and Saint Aristedes, the Apologist
Saint Raymond Nonnatus - the 'not-born' - who died on this day in 1240, was a Mercedarian priest, whose Order, as their name implies, was tasked with ransoming Christian slaves from the Moors (that...
Poet’s Corner: Exiled in Place
To be estranged from what was once dear land,
bereft and orphaned, herded now like beasts—
interred too deep, a silence creeps in stonehand.
They raze the stage; they rend the page — no land!
for freedom died,...
The Not so Hidden Life of Blessed John Juvenal Ancina
Saint Philip Neri, the founder of the Oratorians and the ‘second Apostle’ of Rome, recommended reading books beginning with ‘S’, that is, lives of the saints, so that we may imitate at least some...
The Tragedy of Anthony Kenny
The recent encomium on Anthony Kenny - former priest turned agnostic philosopher – struck me as disconcerting. The title of the reflection is indicative: “The Last Grand Master from a Grander Age”.
True enough, Dr....
The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist
The celebration of the beheading of Saint John the Baptist - an expeditious entrance into heaven - is sort of a bookend to the summer; you may recall that June 24th, just after the...
The Interior Furnace: Reclaiming our Burning Love for Jesus and Mary
In our modern, fast paced world, there is a dangerous tendency to turn our Catholic faith into a cold, dry routine. We easily look for comfortable safety zones, treating our daily prayers and religious...
Augustine’s Long Pilgrimage to Truth
A blessed feast of the great Saint Augustine (354-430), bishop and doctor of the Church, and one of the greatest theologians in her history. His voluminous works - his autobiography, sermons, commentaries, letters, -...
Pope Benedict and Augustine
BENEDICT XVI
GENERAL AUDIENCE
Paul VI Audience Hall
Wednesday, 9 January 2008
Saint Augustine of Hippo (1)
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
After the great Christmas festivities, I would like to return to the meditations on the Fathers of the Church...
The Persevering Prayer of Monica
Monica is the patron saint of mothers - not least, those who pray for the conversion of their children, an integral part of the maternal vocation, as many a mother will admit. Even for...
The Black Madonna: Our Lady of Częstochowa
This feast of the 'Queen of Poland' is a national holiday in that great nation, with thousands of pilgrims flocking to her shrine at Jazna Gora, where the precious image of Our Lady of Częstochowa...
Celebrating Our Baptismal Day
On this day, I was baptized in Saint Patrick's church, in Dumbarton, Scotland, on the commemoration of King Saint Louis IX and Saint Joseph Calasanz, at least in the revised calendar. I recommend that...
Saint Louis IX: A Most Christian King
(Here is a reprise of Kaleb Hammond's reflection on the great medieaval king, whom we celebrate today)
St. Louis IX (1214-1270) has been considered by many to be the greatest king of medieval Christendom. As...
Saint Joseph Calasanz, a Teacher for Teachers
We would be remiss if we did not at least remark on this day on the great and sadly forgotten Saint Joseph Calasanz (+1648), a zealous priest, pastor, reformer and educator, who more or...
