There is nothing so great as the Eucharist. If God had something more precious, He would have given it to us. (Saint Jean Vianney, +1859)
Day: June 22, 2025
Ave Verum – William Byrd’s Secret Treasure
We try to offer some musical selections for our readers on these great solemnities – so here is William Byrd’s rendition of the Ave Verum, composed in the first years of the 17th century, published in 1605, during the time of Shakespeare and the beginning of the Elizabethan persecutions against the Holy Eucharist – there[…]
Corpus Christi: The Gift of the Holy Eucharist
(Here in Canada, Corpus Christi is transferred to the following Sunday, even if, as mentioned, the traditional day is the Thursday after Pentecost. We were a bit delayed in posting this, as there was one of the most spectacular lightning storms last night here, which knocked out the electricity for most of the day. But[…]
Tolkien’s Devotion to Thomas More
As a prayerful and traditional Catholic, Tolkien had a profound devotion to many saints. Foremost, of course, was the Blessed Virgin Mary, upon whom, as he described, “all my own small perception of beauty both in majesty and simplicity is founded.”[1] Extending from his filial love for his spiritual Mother, Tolkien greatly venerated St. Bernadette Soubirous,[…]
Saint John Paul II’s Last Corpus Christi
MASS AND EUCHARISTIC PROCESSION FOR THE SOLEMNITY OF THE BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST HOMILY OF JOHN PAUL II Basilica of St John Lateran Thursday, 10 June 2004 1. “As often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (I Cor 11: 26). With these words St Paul[…]
Corpus Christi and the Poetry of Thomas Aquinas
(In Canada, the Solemnity is transferred to the next Sunday. In the universal Church, and various traditional rites and communities, it is celebrated on the proper day, the Thursday after Trinity Sunday. So here be some thoughts for this Solemnity, whenever you celebrate.) A blessed and grace-filled solemnity of Corpus Christi to one and all, at[…]