G.K. Chesterton quipped once, if memory serves, that each man, with some diligent and faithful hard work, should be able to afford ‘three acres and a cow’, to provide for his family in a fitting manner. Enough room to grow a large garden, the cow for milk (and perhaps, eventually, meat), space for the children to frolic, and the family to walk and wander. Such is also the teaching of the Church, from Leo XIII’s Rerum Novarum (1891) all the way to John Paul II’s Centesimus Annus (1991) – we have a right to private property,, and there’s enough room in the world for every family to have such a little kingdom to call their own.
As for Chesterton’s ideal of three acres, well, dream on, Macduff. Even a quarter or eighth of an acre anywhere near – that is, within two or three hours’ drive – of any sort of urban centre or civilization would cost far more than the average worker will ever be able to afford, at least anywhere near civilization. A simple semi-detached hastily-constructed townhouse in a dismal still-under-construction-zone with no grass or nature nearby is beyond the reach of most Canadians.
Hence, Trudeau and Freeland’s plan to build more ‘affordable housing’ – four million new dwellings, apparently. But a glimpse into said plan reveals that number to be plucked out of thin air, and, what is more to the point, they don’t intend ‘houses’, far less homes. Rather, think more small Soviet-esque pods, wherein people of all sorts are crammed together, privacy is nil, incessant noise and the sweet smell of marijuana wafting through the paper-thin walls, and raising anything resembling a traditional family – husband, wife and more than 1.5 children – nearly impossible.
This is hardly a recipe for societal cohesion and flourishing. As the family goes, said Pope John Paul, so goes society.
You say you want a revolution?
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→
(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→
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 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→
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→
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→
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→
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→
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→
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→