Let us run with confidence and joy to enter into the cloud like Moses and Elijah, or like James and John. Let us be caught up like Peter to behold the divine vision and to be transfigured by that glorious transfiguration. Let us retire from the world, stand aloof from the earth, rise above the[…]
Year: 2024
Father Leo Ramsperger, Requiescat in Pace
It is with sadness that we note, on this Sunday, and the memorial of the patron saint of priests, the passing into eternity of Father Leo Ramsperger, who died last Friday, August 2nd, the commemoration of the Portiuncula, we may add, at the venerable age of 100, and a priest for 70 years. Very few[…]
Upon receiving Holy Communion, the Adorable Blood of Jesus Christ really flows in our veins and His Flesh is really blended with ours. (Saint Jean-Marie Vianney, +1859)
18th Sunday: The Bread of Life and the Canon of Holy Mass
For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. (Jn 6:33) As we listen to our Lord’s Eucharistic discourse, our Lord Himself teaches us about the Eucharist, the Sacrament prefigured not only in the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fish but also in the life[…]
Wojtyla Summer Institute August 8-11th, 2024
Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College is delighted to announce the Wojtyla Summer Institute for Teachers, scheduled for August 8-11, 2024. This year’s theme, ‘Literature and the Catholic Imagination,’ promises to ignite insightful discussions. Our distinguished keynote speaker, Professor Randy Boyagoda, a renowned writer and academic serving as Professor of English and Acting Vice-Provost, Faculty[…]
Dreher on the Olympic Debacle: A Civilizational Suicide Note on the Seine
Here is an insightful, and forceful, take on the Olympic opening ceremony by Rod Dreher. An excerpt, on the spectacle staged by Thomas Jolly: Jolly rogered the good faith of Christians the world over, and knew exactly what he was doing. So too did everyone at the IOC and in the French government who approved[…]
Pope Benedict and Saint Eusebius of Vercelli
This morning I invite you to reflect on St Eusebius of Vercelli, the first Bishop of Northern Italy of whom we have reliable information. Born in Sardinia at the beginning of the fourth century, he moved to Rome with his family at a tender age. Later, he was instituted lector: he thus came to belong[…]
Why Does Hell Exist?
“The teaching of the Church affirms the existence of hell and its eternity. Immediately after death the souls of those who die in a state of mortal sin descend into hell, where they suffer the punishments of hell, ‘eternal fire.’ The chief punishment of hell is eternal separation from God, in whom alone man can[…]
Pugilistic Controversy: Men Pounding Women?
(A reader pointed out that in the recent boxing controversy, the ‘male’ opponent was not transgender, but rather a biological male apparently with physiological-sexual development disorders. The title, and this reflection, have been emended to reflect that). I asked in a recent post whether the transgender travesty was still a thing at this Olympic games.[…]
Francisco Guerrero’s Ave Virgo
A fitting way to begin this month of August, dedicated to Our Lady, with some music in her honour. Here is a motet by the prolific Spanish priest and composer, Francisco Guerrero (+1599), a contemporary of the Italian Palestrina (+1594), their styles being not dissimilar. Both use chant-like rhythm and themes, and spiritual texts, to[…]