The great reason for this transfiguration was to remove the scandal of the cross from the hearts of his disciples, and to prevent the humiliation of his voluntary suffering from disturbing the faith of those who had witnessed the surpassing glory that lay concealed. – Pope Saint Leo the Great
Year: 2022
Fatima, Ukraine and Consecration
(The consecration of Russia, and whether or not it has been done, or done correctly, is a convoluted and controversial topic, upon which readers may have different opinions. See also this recent theological reflection on what ‘consecrating a country’ might mean – Editor). We must realize that we cannot coexist eternally, for a long time.[…]
Novena to Saint Joseph!
The universal solemnity to Saint Joseph, patron of the universal Church (and of Canada) is on March 19th, and the novena to one of the most powerful intercessors (besides Our Lady, but I’m sure she would be glad to cooperate) begins today. The Church could use his – and our – help more than ever,[…]
A Tale of Two Bishops
Bishop Georg Bätzing, head of the German Catholic bishops’ conference, has declared that the Church should change her moral teaching, to allow for same-sex unions and sex outside of marriage. As he puts it, we have to somewhat change the Catechism on this matter. Sexuality is a gift from God. And not a sin. Of[…]
A society is in decay, final or transitional, when common sense really becomes uncommon – G.K. Chesterton
Lent with the Fathers of the Church and Some Spiritual Writers
Lent is a privileged time in the liturgical year, preparing us for the celebration of Easter. However, our whole life should be a journey of transformation until the time that we enter into the Heavenly Kingdom for our Eternal Easter. Both the Fathers of the Church and eminent spiritual writers certainly give us a rich[…]
What One Consecrated Soul Can Do
The unknown life of Magdalene of Austria (+1590), in this recounting by Eduoard Hapsburg, one of her distant relatives, shows what one soul can do, when given completely to God, to change the course of history. Our world could use a few more good women like her, and her near-contemporary, Frances of Rome.
Let us not be afraid that God will ask too much of us, but let us be guided by His Word in every daily action, even when we feel poor, inadequate sinners – Pope Benedict XVI
Saint Kieran and His Contrary
March 5th is the traditional feast of Saint Kieran, an early Irish monk and bishop, one of the ‘Twelve Apostles’ of Ireland, disciples of Saint Finian, who, with the great Saint Patrick, established the Faith in the Emerald Isle of Erin. Sadly, that Faith is retreating like a low tide, and I will not belabor[…]
Clarificatio
It seems there has been something of a tempest in reaction to my two posts about Russia and Ukraine, which were admittedly hastily written, unclear and, as one person described it, ‘sloppy’. Mea culpa, and, again, my apologies, especially after all my own exhortations to clarity and precision. And, in particular, I apologize for posting[…]