Imagining Corona
Napoleon once quipped that men live by imagination – by which, we may surmise, he meant that they live more in the future than the present, of what may yet be, instead of what is.
The two ways we as wayfaring humans in a fragile landscape are by the passions of hope and fear: We look forward to better things, to summer, to vacations, to meeting new people, all that life may offer. On the darker side, we live by fear – perhaps, now, more so than by hope – of what may befall us and our fellow men: War, famine, asteroids, ecological collapse and, of course, the coronavirus – the dreaded COVID-19, with infection rates just passing the 100,000 mark, and a death rate purportedly at 3.2%.
I wrote recently that some scientists say this virus has hit the ‘sweet spot’ between infectious rate and mortality, doing as much damage as it might. As we look around, however, it may already have done so, with people scared to venture forth outside their front porch. Every cough, sniffle, touched door handle, every event where you are within three feet of another possibly-infected human prompts our already-running-wild imagination – and if we know anything of the 14th century Black Death, it’s even worse.
Stock markets are tumbling; stadiums are empty; cities usually bustling with tourists are relative ghost towns; airlines are slashing prices; the Olympics may be moved or cancelled outright; even the new James Bond movie has been delayed until November. Apparently, it’s a smitten, woke Bond driving an electric car, upstaged by his female counterparts, so as far as some are concerned, Bond may sleep Rip van Winkle-like, as long as he wants.
One physician I know quite well called this the ‘bologna virus’, that it has been hyped up beyond any factual basis – it is, in his estimation, a slightly more virulent form of the common flu, which already kills thousands each and every year.
I suppose adopt what prudent precautions you might, fear not, take advantage of the open spaces, trust in God, and hope for the best. And always ensure your imagination is grounded in truth. Veritas vos liberabit, after 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→
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→