We should strive to keep our hearts open to the sufferings and wretchedness of other people, and pray continually that God may grant us that spirit of compassion which is truly the spirit of God. (Saint Vincent de Paul, +1660)
Month: April 2020
The Mystery of Salvific Suffering
As we move towards Holy Week in this last week of Lent – in the midst of this global crisis, the unfolding effects of which are almost unknowable – it may help upon the mystery of suffering, whether of the physical sort, those afflicted by this virus or any other illness, or the many psychological and[…]
Ad Orientem, et Pro Populo
The Bishop of Boise, Idaho, Peter F. Christensen, has specifically forbidden his priests, even in their ultra-private Masses now mandated, from celebrating ‘ad orientem’. We’ve got to stop all those young rebels, it seems, reverting back to retrograde eras of yesteryear. His Excellency states that this is mandated by the new (2011) General Introduction to[…]
Be lovers of peace, the most precious treasure that anyone can desire. You are already aware that our sins drive God to anger, so you must repent of them, that God in his mercy may spare you. What men conceal is open to God. Turn to him with a sincere heart. Live in such a[…]
Possible Podcasts?
Dear Readers of Catholic Insight, In these days of self-isolation and social distancing – terms that were almost unused until a few weeks ago – I thought that a beginning a podcast, a living voice, might help some. This is a new thing, and if it is not amenable or helpful, please do say so,[…]
Tallis’ Lamentations
Fitting music for these days are the Lamentations of Jeremiah, as put to profound polyphony by the genius of Thomas Tallis (1505 – 1585), whose life spans what we call the ‘Reformation’, or the Protestant revolt against Catholicism, and the ‘Counter Reformation’, or the Catholic defense against this revolt on various levels, spiritual (Saint Philip[…]
When we speak with God in prayer we do not separate the Son from him, and when the body of the Son prays it does not separate its head from itself: it is the one Saviour of his body, our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who prays for us and in us and[…]
Stats, Reality and Repentance
There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics… So quipped Mark Twain, and, in the main, he was right. Statistics can be made to say pretty much whatever one wants them to say, all while telling what may well be truth, of a sort, or what one may think to be the[…]