Weekly Insight
Mystical-Literal Interpretation of Scripture
The mystical literal interpretation of scripture is an avenue to powers many consider to be unusual. It is not a method they teach you in catechism class. Some of its masters, such as Venerable...
Alexius the Beggar
Saint Alex – or Alexius – known as ‘the Beggar’ was a Christian in the early fourth-century, was the son of a Senator, Euphemian, and his wife, Aglae. Fearing the allure of the riches...
The Witness of the Carmelites of Compiègne
It was on this day in a Parisian summer in 1794 that sixteen female members of the Carmelite Order, located at Compiègne – one day after their patronal feast of Our Lady of Mount...
Pope John Paul II and Carmel
A young Karol Wojtyla, while discerning his vocation as he matured in his hometown of Wadowice, thought of becoming a Carmelite, drawn to their contemplative life and deep spirituality, prayer, devotion to Our Lady,...
The Message of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Around this time of year in the Office of Readings, or Lauds, we follow the travails of the prophet Elijah from the Book of Kings, his battle with the Ahaz, the false prophets of...
The Letter, the Grotto, and the Promise of Lourdes
(July 16th is the anniversary of the last of the 18 reported apparitions at Lourdes, one in which Our Lady did not say anything but, according to Saint Bernadette, she 'looked more beautiful than...
The Gimli Glider and DEI
Perhaps other readers, like myself, enjoy watching those 'Mayday' episodes. You know, those quasi-documentaries that re-create airplane disasters, showing the tragedy unfold in the first half, and then going through the forensic details that...
Pope Benedict and Saint Bonaventure: Part I
(The young Josef Ratzinger completed his doctorate on the thought of Saint Bonaventure, and his devotion is evinced by his giving not just one, but three full addresses on the great Franciscan. They can...
Serving with Joy: Explorers and Seniors Unite at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish
In a beautiful witness to Christian charity and youthful generosity, 60 teenage Explorers from the Federation of North American Explorers (FNE) recently hosted a special community dinner for 50 seniors from St. Thomas the...
Bastille and the Storm of a True Revolution
Today marks the anniversary of the official beginning of the French Revolution, on this fourteenth of July in 1789 with the storming of the Bastille prison. Much ado is made of this 'storming', purportedly...
Saint Camillus de Lellis: Alea Iacta Est
A true saint for our times is the one we celebrate today - Camillus de Lellis (+1614) (we will follow the Canadian calendar, and for those American readers who would like to reflect on...
Saint Henry and Cunegunde’s Heavenly Rule
We could do with more leaders such as Saint Henry (+1024), 'Emperor of the Romans' and 'King of the Italians', the last of the 'Ottonian' line - descended from the Emperor of the recently...
Slavery, Scripture, and the Church: human dignity in Catholic historical perspective
The publication of Magnifica Humanitas (2026), the first encyclical of Pope Leo XIV, has renewed global discussion on the Catholic Church’s historical relationship with slavery. In the document, Pope Leo expressed deep sorrow and asked...
Orange Day and Saint Oliver Plunkett, the Last Martyr of the Protestant ‘Reformation’
July the 12th is ‘Orange’ Day, celebrated still with fervour in Northern Ireland, commemorating the defeat of the rightful Catholic king of the Stuart line, James II of England and Ireland (and VII of...
Fifteenth Sunday: Applying the Parables
Then the disciples came and asked Jesus, ‘Why do you speak to them in parables?’ He answered, ‘To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to...
