An Update from Devonshire

A few words from dreekit Devon, with the heavy rain coming down here in the village of Brixham, on the south coast of England, most famous, or infamous as your proclivities lean, as the landing spot of William of Orange on November 5, 1688, the beginning of the ‘Glorious Revolution’, making Protestantism permanent in England (well, we will see about that, as you may read; I will post some thoughts on the Isle of Albion tomorrow).

In the meantime, I did have an article published in Crisis magazine a few days ago, on the 50th anniversary of Humanae Vitae, the prophetic, landmark, sign-of-contradiction, Catholic-world-dividing encyclical of Blessed Paul VI.

I also plan to write on the fine line between evil and insanity, in light of the recent shooting in Toronto. The sad lone perpetrator, who apparently took his own life when confronted by police (as they often do) was ‘disturbed’, but by what, we know not.  Pray for his soul, for those of his vicitims, both deceased, and those who lived, but will live with the effects of this evil for the rest of their lives.

And while on evil, which resides in all of us, it seems that some of its more evident forms are alive and well in the Church. By credible reports, Cardinal McCarrick has been up to no good for a long time. Too little, too late, perhaps, but now stripped of his title, he has been told to go into seclusion, to prepare, one may surmise, for the only judgement that really counts in the end.

As should we all, for our own sins, and offer what prayer and reparation we can. There is a fine article in First Things, on the simple, hidden sanctity of three young persons to be canonized during the upcoming Youth Synod. Edifying reading, and much recommended.

So, on with the pilgrimage, as I make my way, bit by bit, to Rome as providence guides, taking your intentions along with me.

A blessed and joyous Sunday to all!

Carney’s Amoral Majority

After five defections – euphemistically described as ‘crossing the floor’ – and three by-elections, Mark Carney and his Liberals how have their coveted majority. One wonders what bowls of pottage were offered in back-room deals. In the archaic monarchical system that is the Dominion of Canada, this majority allows the newly-minted Prime Minister to rule[…]Continue reading→

Saint Kateri , Canada’s Protectress

This was the title given to Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, by Pope Benedict XVI, when he canonized her on October 28th, 2012, along with six others, in Saint Peter’ Square (she had been beatified by Pope John Paul II back in 1980). With Saint Joseph as our protector, along with the Canadian martyrs, we seem to[…]Continue reading→

A Closed, Unsustainable, Descending Loop

As a follow-up to my thoughts on Payette’s payout, here be a stark image of where are here in Canada. As the graph shows in, well, graphic terms, since 2025, the public sector has contributed to 95.5% of economic growth. The private sector – which funds the public sector, or is supposed to – has[…]Continue reading→

Remembering Father Alphonse de Valk

(Today marks the sixth anniversary of the death of Father Alphonse de Valk, C.S.B., a faithful, courageous and indefatigable Basilian priest, pro-life-and-family apostle, and the founder of Catholic Insight magazine. Here is what we wrote those on his entering into eternity five years ago, as we continue to remember him in our prayers and thoughts)[…]Continue reading→

A Tale of Two Benedicts

A grace-filled Holy Week to all our readers! As we await and prepare for the Resurrection about to dawn upon us, we might keep in mind two Benedicts: Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, requiescat in pace, elected on this day in 2005; and today’s commemoration of the mystic pilgrim, Benedict Joseph Labre, who died on this[…]Continue reading→

My Name is Bernadette

April 16th is a propitious day, for besides the anniversary of Father de Valk’s death, who founded Catholic Insight in its print form decades ago, and the commemoration of the ‘two Benedicts’, mentioned in accompanying posts, today we also recall Saint Bernadette Soubirous, the young visionary to whom the Virgin Mary appeared numerous times at[…]Continue reading→

Presidential Pardon of Weronika Krawczyk

As a good news, follow-up to our story from Poland, of the persecution of Weronika Krawczyk for her pro-life views, we heard that she has been granted a presidential pardon. One might still wonder why one needs a presidential pardon for simply holding the long-held belief that the child within the womb is a child,[…]Continue reading→

Saint Lydwina of Schiedam and Suffering Joyfully

Saint Lydwina of Schiedam (1380 – 1433) was one of the countless and glorious ‘victim souls’ in the history of the Church, those whose lives are filled with suffering, often of an unimaginable intensity, but who suffer joyfully. She was a fifteen-year old Dutch girl, out skating one day, when she fell and broke one[…]Continue reading→

The Glorious Martyrdoms of Martin and Maximus

As we enter into Eastertide, we recall on this 13th of April Pope Saint Martin I (+655), one of the noblest, if most tragic, of the successors of Saint Peter. Born in Umbria, Italy, he was of noble lineage, with great intelligence combined with charity and love of the poor and the Church. While still[…]Continue reading→

Divine Mercy Sunday – An Echo of Every Mass

Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe’…  ‘My Lord and my God!’ (Jn. 20:18)). Today is Divine Mercy Sunday, and as we celebrate the end of the Easter Octave, we contemplate the wounded side of our Saviour, the Church’s source of life. On Good Friday in the[…]Continue reading→