Disappearing Data
When the data does not go the way you’d like it, delete it, right down the hole of your donut graph. I don’t recall learning that back when I was studying experimental methodology, but the times they are a changin’.
Year: 2022
Eusebius, the anti-Arian Model Bishop
Saint Eusebius of Vercelli Dear Brothers and Sisters, This morning I invite you to reflect on St Eusebius of Vercelli, the first Bishop of Northern Italy of whom we have reliable information. Born in Sardinia at the beginning of the fourth century, he moved to Rome with his family at a tender age. Later, he[…]
Three Eusebii
Names can be confusing in history, for significant figures often share the same name – There have been eighteen kings Louis in France; eight kings Henry in England and six kings James in Scotland; eleven emperors Constantine in – where else – Constantinople; and six presidents James in the United States. I may add that[…]
The Spiritual Guidance of Saint Alphonsus Maria de’ Liguori
On August 1, 2022, we celebrated the liturgical memorial of St Alphonsus Maria de’ Liguori I asked myself: In what way such a great saint speaks to us today? In an age where we are sadly experiencing a serious lack of spiritual mentors, leafing through his numerous writings, I can easily arrive at the conclusion[…]
Whoever prays is certainly saved. He who does not is certainly damned. (Saint Alphonsus Ligouri, as quoted in the Catechism, 2744)
Podcast: What’s In An Apology?
I offer the following thoughts on the Holy Father’s apologia in his penitential pilgrimage to Canada as a help in discernment and prayer. They are not meant to be exhaustive; rather to offer food for thought. At the end of the day, we don’t want to throw the proverbial Christ child out with the bathwater,[…]
Each generation is converted by the saint who contradicts it most. (G.K. Chesterton)
Banishing Envy
The final words of today’s second reading, from Saint Paul’s letter to the Colossians, like their parallel in Galatians, are much resorted today: Here there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free man, but Christ is all, and in all.[1] There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave[…]
Coins, Climate and Contraception
As the Pope departs from Canada, after visiting the national shrine of Saint Anne de Beaupré, we pray through the intercession of the good Saint Anne and the Blessed Mother for good fruit and, as he enters into his August rest, that the Holy Spirit guide and inspire him. To be more specific, we pray[…]
The Shadow of Peter
A friend mentioned to me the significance of the papal pilgrimage to Canada – that, regardless of what we think of the current occupant of the chair of Peter, there is still the ‘shadow of Peter’ that follows him whither he goes. The phrase was at first off-putting to me, for, like many readers, I[…]