Blessed Lady, sky and stars, earth and rivers, day and night – everything that is subject to the power or use of man – rejoice that through you they are in some sense restored to their lost beauty and are endowed with inexpressible new grace. (Saint Anselm, +1109)
Year: 2023
The devil tempts that he may ruin; God tests that he may crown. (Saint Ambrose, +397)
Five Fun Facts About Saint Nicholas
As part of today’s celebration of a great saint, here are some factoids that did not make into my own reflection on Saint Nicholas of Myra. And a merry day to one and all.
The Phenomenon of Javier Milei in Context
Javier Milei is the president elect of Argentina, and if all goes according to plan, on December 10, 2023, he will be the fiftieth president of Argentina. The election of Milei presents many firsts for an Argentinian president. He’s the first Argentine president to be an economist and a professor of economics. Interestingly, he has[…]
Dom Alcuin Reid, and Sacrosanctum at Sixty
December 4th, 2023 marks the 60th birthday of Sacrosanctum Concilium, the Constitution on the Liturgy from the Second Vatican Council, and Dom Alcuin Reid has a superlative take on the history, and possible future, of the fateful document. Many of the radical revisions made to the liturgy, especially the Mass, had little to do with[…]
And you, O Church, are a most excellent assembly, the noble summit of perfect purity, whose assistance comes from God. You in whom God lives, receive from us an exposition of the faith that is free from error, to strengthen the Church, just as our Fathers handed it down to us. (Saint John Damascene, +749)
John of Damascus, Defender of Icons and the Last of the Eastern Fathers
Was there ever a golden age of Catholic and Islamic relations? The evidence for such is slim, with the two religions seemingly incompatible and irreconcilable – after all, they both want to convert everyone to their respective religion, and one believes that Christ is Lord, Redeemer and Saviour, God from God and Light from Light,[…]
A Few Advent Musical Selections
With Advent beginning, I wanted to share some musical selections for this time of waiting. Some will hopefully be familiar, and others will be unfamiliar but enjoyable nonetheless. The first selection is one that will likely be familiar to all readers. “Veni Veni Emmanuel” is one of the so-called “O Antiphons,” which are traditionally sung[…]
We do not preach only one coming of Christ, but a second as well, much more glorious than the first. The first coming was marked by patience; the second will bring the crown of a divine kingdom. In general, whatever relates to our Lord Jesus Christ has two aspects. There is a birth from God[…]
First Sunday of Advent: The Fulfilment of Revelation
For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem (Lk. 21: 36). The first Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of a new liturgical year, a new year of grace. In the cycle of the sacred liturgy, this is Year A, during which the Sunday Gospel readings will[…]