The Wonders of Webb

The James Webb telescope is a technological wonder, which allows us to peer every farther and more fully into the even greater marvels of the universe and, hence, into God’s natural mysteries. Launched, fittingly enough, on Christmas Day in 2021, the 13,000 pound telescope sailed through space, settling in what is known as the ‘Lagrange point’ between the Sun and the Earth, a zone of gravitational equilibrium between the two bodies (which, due to the movement around elliptical orbits, varies between 155,000 and 517,000 miles from the Earth). By comparison, the famed Hubble telescope, itself a marvel, hovers a mere 514 miles from our surface, not far from the space station.

With this distance from any interference from other sources of light, in the purity of deep space, its new reflecting mirrors, and its ability to see deep into the infrared spectrum (which is why the telescope must be keep close to absolute zero, so its own reflected heat does not interfere), Webb can see to what may be the very edge of the universe, 13 billion miles away, providing awe-some images of the universe close to its own purported beginning (for that light takes that much time to reach us, and hence is that old, the stuff of the Big Bang itself). The vast mirrors can concentrate on a small fraction of space – a veritable thumbnail – and reveal any number of distant objects therein. For a sample of the first pictures from the Webb, see here.

All in all, a wonder to behold, which is why the universe was created – for our benefit. Why are there so many billions of galaxies, stars, nebulae, clusters, planets, asteroids, comets? Well, why not? Could anything less than a near-infinity manifest the glory of our omnipotent and eternal God to the creatures He made in His own image? Sad for those such as Carl Sagan, who think the universe just one vast meaningless mire of matter. Not so, Dr. Sagan! It is a marvel for our eyes, and, more so, for our minds! The entire cosmos was created for us, and we are only at the beginning of what we might yet discover…

The heavens are telling the glory of God;
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork….(Ps 19:1)

(source: wikipedia.org)

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→

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→

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→

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→

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→