Saint John Gualbert – A Prodigious Prodigal
Giovanni Gaulberto (985 – 1073) – or John Gualbert – was born into a noble Italian family, and like many such, had a dissolute youth, in vanities and ‘romantic intrigues’. Hmm. But he was a prodigal son, and what prompted his conversion was one death and one potential death. Not his own, but his brother’s, Ugo, who was murdered. Giovanni tracked down the perpetrator in a dark alley, like something out of a film, and on a Good Friday of all days; but the murderer pleaded for mercy, kneeling with his arms outstretched. Giovanni had a sudden realization of the Cross, on which Christ forgave his own murderers, and from that moment on, the acratic youth became the ascetic man.
John became a Benedictine monk, and spent the rest of his life in prayer, work and penance, going beyond the rules. He moved on from there, realizing he was called to found a new and stricter reform, devoted to contemplation and asceticism; and so settled in Vallambrosa, after which region his Order was named. His way of life was so severe, it had to be lessened to keep even zealous postulants. Brother John was renowned for his holiness, and his supernaturally inspired counsel – even Popes would seek his advice and prayers, including the great reformer Gregory VII, and Leo IX made the pilgrimage to see him in person.
Our saint died on this 12th day of July in 1073, at the age of 88, and was canonized by Celestine III in 1193. Galileo was for a time a novice with the Vallambrosians – the vagaries of history! They are still going today, with, as of 2015, with 9 houses, 73 monks and 43 priests, the motherhouse still in Vallambrosa.
Saint John Gualbert is patron saint of foresters and rangers since he had his monks plant trees as part of their Benedictine ‘ora et labora’.
Carney’s Amoral Majority
After five defections – euphemistically described as ‘crossing the floor’ – and three by-elections, Mark Carney and his Liberals how have their coveted majority. One wonders what bowls of pottage were offered in back-room deals. In the archaic monarchical system that is the Dominion of Canada, this majority allows the newly-minted Prime Minister to rule[…]Continue reading→
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→
A Tale of Two Benedicts
A grace-filled Holy Week to all our readers! As we await and prepare for the Resurrection about to dawn upon us, we might keep in mind two Benedicts: Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, requiescat in pace, elected on this day in 2005; and today’s commemoration of the mystic pilgrim, Benedict Joseph Labre, who died on this[…]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→
Saint Lydwina of Schiedam and Suffering Joyfully
Saint Lydwina of Schiedam (1380 – 1433) was one of the countless and glorious ‘victim souls’ in the history of the Church, those whose lives are filled with suffering, often of an unimaginable intensity, but who suffer joyfully. She was a fifteen-year old Dutch girl, out skating one day, when she fell and broke one[…]Continue reading→
The Glorious Martyrdoms of Martin and Maximus
As we enter into Eastertide, we recall on this 13th of April Pope Saint Martin I (+655), one of the noblest, if most tragic, of the successors of Saint Peter. Born in Umbria, Italy, he was of noble lineage, with great intelligence combined with charity and love of the poor and the Church. While still[…]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→