Consubstantial with the Father

On this day in 325, the first version of the Nicene Creed was adopted by the Council of that name, the first such ‘ecumenical’ gathering in the Church, with the Second Vatican Council being the 21st such. We will see if God wills any further Councils, and more on that, perhaps, anon. The key to the Creed was the insertion of the term ‘homo-ousios’ – ‘same substance’ – in Greek, to describe the Son’s relation to the Father, that Christ truly was the same divine nature, ‘God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial (homoousios) with the Father‘. The Trinity and the Incarnation are the two essential foundations of our Christian and Catholic Faith, signifying that God is a subsistent relation of knowledge and love, who bestows such upon His creatures, especially Man, made in His very image.

In one of those ironies of history, this day in 1785 also marks the foundation of the first Unitarian church in the United States, based on James Freeman’s revised prayer book. The Unitarians, as their name implies, deny the Trinity and, hence, the Incarnation – much like, by the bye, Islam. Charles Darwin’s wife, Emma Wedgewood, was a Unitarian. As her husband drifted into agnosticism, she feared for his salvation, that they might be separated for eternity. At least she believed in a judgement, and a God, and that this life meant something beyond this brief transitory existence, which is what modern ‘Darwinism’ implies, whatever Darwin himself believed in his heart of hearts.

We are made for far, far greater things that the here and now, as Christ promised, brimming over, to the full. Life is liminal, or ’tis not life at all, and we can but glimpse what is in store for those who love God, and live in that relationship with the Trinitarian God, revealed in the Son, Who wills our salvation far more than we ever could.

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→

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→

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→

Weronika Krawczyk and Injustice in Poland

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→

Three Easter Musical Gems: Bach, Palestrina and Byrd

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→

Saint Isidore of Seville, the Internet and Industriousness

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→

An Ancient Homily for Holy Saturday

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→