O crux benedícta, quæ sola fuísti digna portáre Regem cælórum et Dóminum, allelúia. – O blessed cross, which alone was found worthy to bear the King of heaven and the Lord! Alleluia!
Year: 2024
Pope Benedict and Saint John Chrysostom: Part II
BENEDICT XVI GENERAL AUDIENCE Saint Peter’s Square Wednesday, 26 September 2007 St John Chrysostom (2) Dear Brothers and Sisters, Today, let us continue our reflection on St John Chrysostom. After the period he spent in Antioch, in 397 he was appointed Bishop of Constantinople, the capital of the Roman Empire of the East. John planned[…]
Pope Benedict and Saint John Chrysostom
BENEDICT XVI GENERAL AUDIENCE Saint Peter’s Square Wednesday, 19 September 2007 Saint John Chrysostom (1) Dear Brothers and Sisters, This year is the 16th centenary of St John Chrysostom’s death (407-2007). It can be said that John of Antioch, nicknamed “Chrysostom”, that is, “golden-mouthed”, because of his eloquence, is also still alive today because of[…]
Prayer should be the means by which I, at all times, receive all that I need, and, for this reason, be my daily refuge, my daily consolation, my daily joy, my source of rich and inexhaustible joy in life. (Saint John Chrysostom, +407)
The Holy Name of Mary is our Hope
As we are joyfully celebrating the feast of the Holy Name of Mary, on this twelfth of September, it is important that we see and value her name as our hope. You may rightly ask: But how is this so? My humble answer is found in that beautiful 2007 encyclical written by Pope Benedict XVI[…]
In dangers, in anguish, in doubt, think of Mary, call upon Mary. Let her name be ever on your lips, ever in your heart; and the better to obtain the help of her prayers, imitate the example of her life. Following her, you do not stray; invoking her, you do not despair; thinking of her,[…]
The 440 Hertz Conspiracy
I had no idea this was even a thing, but as I was preparing to teach a Chorus class, I came across this article on the purported conspiracy to tune instruments – and by extension our singing voices when accompanied by said instruments – to the standard A (above middle C) at 440 Hz (cycles[…]
Indonesian Endeavour
Indonesia is the most populous Muslim country in the world – with nearly 300 million people, and 87% of them at least nominally followers of Islam. Pope Francis just completed his pilgrimage there, in a different mode of his namesake of old, when in 1219 the original Francis recklessly went to convert the Sultan in[…]
Is Religion a Force for the Good?
Most people regard religion as a constructive and positive force in human history, while some regard it as a false and negative force. Naturally, that depends on which religion you are talking about, and even on whether or not you happen to be religious. Some old religions, and perhaps some new ones, appear to be[…]
Mother Teresa and the Call of God
On this day 68 years ago, Saint Teresa of Calcutta, whose memorial we recalled on September 5th, received in her life a call within a call. The voice from God happened in 1946, as she was journeying from Calcutta to Darjeeling, on the train, the Lord himself asked Mother Teresa to found a new religious community[…]