Can Being Single Be a Vocation, and a few other things…

I have an article published in Catholic World Report on the vocation of singlehood – if we may term it so – in response to Mary Cuff’s article in Crisis earlier in August, whose provocative title is ‘There is no vocation to the single life’. Hmm. That all depends on what one means. Are some human beings meant to be single, and find what ‘vocation’ there be in the midst of what might be regarded as an unstable, restless and potential state? The good side of singlehood is a greater inclusivity, an openness to chaste friendships, more capacity to focus on apostolic work, more time and space for prayer, and so on. But only if used well! Anon, read over my words, if you are amenable, and let us know what you think.

Are we supposed to rally behind Erin O’Toole, and carry the nearly-defunct ‘Conservative’ Party to victory in the next election? Mr. O’Toole is a covert liberal, ‘conserving’ almost nothing, a red leprechaun painted in blue, sort of like a chubby socialist Swedish smurf, except he’s of Irish extraction, so he should be more ‘Catholic’ than he is, espousing at least a modicum of the Church’s pro-life stance. I, for one, don’t think I can vote for him as our next Prime Minister. But, then, there’s always the anti-Trudeau vote. Spoiling one’s ballot, perchance?

We are at an odd, critical moment in history, with most of our ‘choices’ being local, private ones, such as whom we are going to hang out, where we go to Mass, what we think, say and do in our homes and amongst our friends, kith and kin. Not a bad way to live, for now, as many of the ‘bigger’ choices – our politicians, our bishops, the protocols we must face each day, in the public square, in our churches – well out of our control. But we fight what battles we might, and should, and let God take care of the rest. What was that from the second psalm?

Why do the nations conspire, and the peoples plot in vain?The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and his anointed, saying, “Let us burst their bonds asunder, and cast their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens laughs; the LORD has them in derision. Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
and terrify them in his fury.

Professional sports continue to implode, ratings are cratering, fans dwindling, games being ignored, much, I must admit with some ting of regret, to my own schadenfreude. Men chasing rubber balls around courts may be mildly amusing and entertaining, but to pay them 7, 8 or 9 figures for doing so? And their entitled arrogance, to paraphrase Hamlet, to ‘play or not to play’, as the whim strikes them? As per above, we should return to local sports, where the competitors actually play for a team, for a locale, for a town or city, for their people – that we could get support, and it would be a lot more fun – home games with coolers of beer and bbq’s, instead of overpriced concessions stands.

Remember, fun? The Latin notion of fruor, enjoying something just for its own sake, for the good and honest pleasure it may give? Like dancing and singing, conversation and fellowship? Let us turn off the virtual reality, and return to these solid and real things, which bear the very stamp of their Creator.

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→