A Time to Give Thanks, and a Time to Vote

A blessed and joyous Thanksgiving to all our readers, a greeting which we would have offered earlier, but some technical glitches got in the way.

Today is also the memorial of Saint Callixtus, who seems to have lived a rather dissolute and rebellious life in youth, but to have undergone a deep conversion at some point, being ordained a priest, then chosen Pope. He was known for his emphasis on God’s mercy, absolving sinners even of notorious sins, which scandalized some of the more austere bishops, including Hippolytus, who set himself up as anti-Pope in opposition, but he too was reconciled, and ended up a martyr and saint, along with Callixtus. All God needs is a movement of the heart towards Him; that is enough.

As we rejoice – or, by now, have rejoiced – over fellowship and food, we should keep in mind not only what good things with which God has blessed us, but also what we must face in the week, and weeks, ahead, with the election in Canada, and the synods in Rome and Germany.

Enjoy Paula Adamick’s article on why le Dauphin, Justin Trudeau, must not be re-elected. As de Tocqueville pointed out in his tour through America back in its beginnings, democracy works, sort of, but one must beware of the ‘tyranny of the majority’. That is, if most of the people – even a significant majority of those who actually vote – are on the government paycheque, and our nation is full of them, then they will hold the minority who do not have such benefits in a type of quasi-servitude. After all, any politician who speaks of cuts and balancing the books – all quite rational and necessary – is seen as a Scrooge, killjoy and heartless miser. Whereas Trudeau and his ‘sunny ways’ will keep the money hose flowing, that is, until the creditors come to call.

So ponder and pray, and vote with thy conscience, for which, as Saint Callixtus shows, we will all have to stand before God.

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→

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→

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→

Saint Stanislaus of Szczepanów

We celebrate Saint Stanislaus today (+ April 11, 1079), in light of this Easter Octave, a bishop and martyr who accepted the episcopacy only at the direct order of Pope Alexander II. He proved a wise and courageous leader of his flock, put to death by his own king, Boleslaus, for rebuking the monarch’s ‘immoral[…]Continue reading→

Weronika Krawczyk and Injustice in Poland

Catholic Action in Poland has issued a formal statement appealing to the President of the Republic of Poland to pardon Weronika Krawczyk—convicted for warning other women against an abortion-performing gynaecologist. Catholic Action (AK) emphasizes that no apology is owed to a doctor who has performed numerous abortions and proposed others; furthermore, the organization considers the[…]Continue reading→

Three Easter Musical Gems: Bach, Palestrina and Byrd

A very blessed and glorious Easter! Christus surrexit vere, alleluia! As we begin this Easter Octave with the great Solemnity of Easter, music to lift the soul would be one of Bach’s Easter cantatas, composed during his time at Leipzig in the early 1700’s, for the six Sundays of this festive season, leading up to[…]Continue reading→

Saint Isidore of Seville, the Internet and Industriousness

Today, April 4th, muted this year by Holy Saturday, is the commemoration of Saint Isidore of Seville (560-636) a bishop and doctor of the Church during a tumultuous age, when civilization was crumbling, coming apart at its very seams, which may sound sort of au courant. Then again, the form of this world has always[…]Continue reading→

An Ancient Homily for Holy Saturday

The time between Good Friday and Easter Sunday is one of waiting, in silence, as the world wonders – anticipates – what will happen, after the death of Christ. We re-live this time each year in the anamnesis of our liturgy, and in turn look forward to the glorious re-creation of all things at the[…]Continue reading→