May the Fourth Be With You, Superheroes One and All

By historical coincidence, this May 6th is the day that Saint Francis Xavier arrived in the Portugese colony of Goa on the Indian coast, in 1542. One hundred and sixty years to the day later, the first bishop of Quebec, Francois de Laval, named after the famed missionary, went to his eternal reward. They’re probably still swapping stories in heaven.

May the Fourth, besides being the memorial of fellow Canadian Blessed Marie-Leonie Paradis, was also informally Star Wars day, a meme begun a few years ago, as in, may the fourth be with you, and all that. Many of us would like to be in a galaxy far, far away, and/or a long, long time ago.

I have despaired of the endless Star Wars, themselves caught in what seems a never-ending cycle. I have almost despaired of films in general. In my review of the film, perhaps I was too critical – I often am when assessing, as they are a sort of catharsis for films I dislike, which is part of the reason I don’t write many, and don’t watch many films.

The first week of May in 2002 which seems aeons ago, saw the opening of the first of the Spider Mans (men?), the first film to make over $100 million in its opening weekend. There was a freshness, a joie de vivre, in Toby McGuire’s new-found powers, and his realization that with great power, comes great responsibility, even the willingness to die to self. But the superhero franchise – endless and ever-more mindless – has not lived up to its initial promise, except in box office receipts, descending into visual spectacle, mopey and brooding introspection, clumsy deadening dialogue seemingly made up on the fly…

Perhaps the suffering through which are all journeying will give rise to a new kind of hero, the ordinary types once celebrated by Hollywood, and by our culture as a whole, the one who triumphs over ordinary obstacles in an extraordinary way, and for a purpose and end that transcends himself. Even Bannister running his miracle mile.

The only true story is the human one, the one we’re all living, the jagged and twisting path to holiness, even if imperfect and secular. God can use anything to bring us to heaven, and all we need do is say, fiat, let it be done to me, secundum verbum tuum, according to Thy word – and will.

That’s what makes life – and Hollywood, and indeed, all true art, imitating life – great.

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→