It is not true, as is sometimes said, that man cannot organize the world without God. What is true is that, without God, he can only organize it against man (Henri Cardinal de Lubac, +1991)
Year: 2025
Saint Thomas of Villanova
This Saint Thomas (1488 – 1555), of noble Spanish lineage, and had it all, as the saying goes, taking as his ‘last name’ the place from which he came, Villanueva. Like Christ, although rich, he became poor, even as a child giving his clothes to those less fortunate, and would be found walking around (nearly?)[…]
International Hobbit Day
In the midst of all the bad news swirling around us – about which more anon – it may provide some small comfort to commemorate in some way International Hobbit Day, which falls on September 22nd, the traditional ‘birthdays’ of both Frodo and Bilbo Baggins, nephew and uncle respectively. The Hobbit itself – as a[…]
Twenty-Fifth Sunday and Using Wealth Wisely
You cannot serve God and mammon (Lk. 16:13). ⧾ At face value, it would seem that that the Gospel text of the Mass appears to be in favour of dishonesty in business dealing. Yet, like all of Our Lord’s parables, there is a deeper meaning that can only be accessed by faith. At the theological level,[…]
Pope Benedict and Saint Matthew
BENEDICT XVI GENERAL AUDIENCE Paul VI Audience Hall Wednesday, 30 August 2006 Matthew Dear Brothers and Sisters, Continuing the series of portraits of the Twelve Apostles that we began a few weeks ago, let us reflect today on Matthew. To tell the truth, it is almost impossible to paint a complete picture of him because[…]
Saint Andrew Kim-Taegon and the Martyrs of Korea
Today we commemorate the feast of the countless martyrs of Korea, led by the indomitable convert priest, Father Andrew Kim Taegon, who was eventually tortured and beheaded by the shores of the Han River in 1846 at the tender age of 25. Thousands more were likewise killed for their faith, 103 of whom were canonized[…]
Charlie Kirk: A Poem, In Memoriam
Father, when we step into the night, guide us with Your precious light. To this land of the free and brave Please come to hallow and to save. When dark Night comes to often kill, Stop him with Your awesome will. If Satan moves to bend and break us Let Your[…]
Saint Januarius’ Blood
Saint Januarius was bishop of Benevuento, in the south-west of Italy, about whom a number of legends are told – that he survived unscathed being burnt in a furnace, that wild bears refused to touch him in the amphitheatre – but all we know for relative certainty is that he was put to death in[…]
Saint Joseph of Cupertino’s Levity
According to the laws of physics, a man should not be able to fly, at least without technological help. But are not the ‘laws of physics’, as Chesterton posits, themselves miracles? Why should trees produce scrumptious apples, or water and the sky different shades of Marian blue? Why should we, hairless apes according to some,[…]
Pope Benedict and Saint Hildegarde of Bingen
BENEDICT XVI GENERAL AUDIENCE Papal Summer Residence, Castel Gandolfo Wednesday, 1st September 2010 Saint Hildegard of Bingen Dear Brothers and Sisters, In 1988, on the occasion of the Marian Year, Venerable John Paul II wrote an Apostolic Letter entitled Mulieris Dignitatem on the precious role that women have played and play in the life of the Church.[…]