A Tale of Two Synods
Today marks the beginning of two synods, the one on the ‘Amazon’, with its controversial working document, and the one in Germany, with perhaps its even more controversial agenda: Married priests; ‘natural revelation’ given to indigenous peoples; LGBTQ inclusion; the morality of sexual expression outside of traditional marriage; female ‘ordination’, that is, to the diaconate; the environment and the climatological and ecological impact and role of mankind, and on it goes. Me worry? Well, God is in charge, but we should pray, for we humans can say and do some rather inane, and insane, things.
On that note, this being the memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary – originally termed Our Lady of Victory by Saint Pius V, in commemoration of the miraculous defeat in 1571 of the Ottoman navy by Christians under Don Juan against innumerable odds – peruse one of Pope John Paul II’s last encyclicals, Rosarium Virginis Mariae, demonstrating his love for the Mother of God, and that devotion to her is the shortest and safest route to salvation. The power of the Rosary is belied by the simplicity of the prayer. But, then, God loves what is simple and humble, with which – and with whom – He can do great things.
Tonight is the English language debate of those vying – for reasons beyond my ken – for the job of Prime Minister. Oh, well. You may take my own thoughts what I wrote a few days ago. As Mark Steyn puts it, even if the ‘Conservatives’ win, they may gain office, but they won’t gain much power. For nearly the entire culture – much of what we now know as ‘Canada’ – from hospitals, to schools, to media and universities, is in the hands of the ‘Liberal’ ideology. Andrew Scheer might warm the seat for the next ‘Liberal’, unless, that is, he finds it within himself to start a true cultural revolution, which is what we really need, from the ground up. We’re a long, long way from Lepanto, and those magnanimous souls who saved Christian civilization. But what was, might be again, if we discover once again our own Catholic roots, and that parrhesia, that boldness and courage which only Christ, His Church and His sacraments offer.
As Saint Paul says, I can do all things in Him Who strengthens me.
And the way to Christ is through Mary, His mother. So carpe diem, et carpe Rosarium: take up that Rosary, and pray. Today.
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→
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→
Pope Leo and a Rosary for Peace
Pope Leo XIV has asked Catholics across the world to join him in a Rosary for peace today, at 18:00 Rome time (6 pm), which would be noon from where I write (EST). If you are able, whether at that time or another, and in whatever way you pray, to join in intercession with the[…]Continue reading→
Payette’s Payout
I was glancing through some headlines, and noticed a mention of Julie Payette – engineer and astronaut and sometime the Queen’s representative in Canada – which brought back vague memories. She was appointed Governor-General by Justin Trudeau in 2017. Ms. Payette resigned in 2021, amidst claims that she created a ‘toxic work environment’, with allegations[…]Continue reading→