A Bad Moon Risin’

We’re now into the second month of the Iran vs. America/Israel War – or whatever name one wants to give it, whether ‘war’ or ‘conflict’, or who’s involved, or who might become involved, as the Houthis have now started lobbing missiles into Israel. And into this second moon cycle, as we approach the greatest solemnity of our liturgical year, might a bad moon be risin’? There are still no clearly defined aims, except a vague ‘unconditional surrender’ from Trump, which is most definitely not one of the conditions to which the Iranians will submit anytime soon.

Whither will this go? It seems no one knows, besides God from His eternal perspective. A second or third quagmire of Afghanistan or Vietnam? Thousands of soldiers dead in the desert? And what of the wider effects, as fuel prices skyrocket? It’s currently an ominous $166.6 per litre where I happen to live – I know, superstitious numerology, but I’m Irish.

Apparently, the Land Down Under is in particularly dire straits, fully committed to Net Zero, they are getting close to that, unintentionally, approaching zero diesel reserves, which means farmers cannot farm, besides going back ox and goad. And that won’t feed their 27 million. Is an Australian Mad Max dystopia around the corner, with crazed bandits robbing, raping and pillaging across the fruited plain? Ironic, that in the original series, societal collapse began with the depletion of gas, or petrol as they call it. It’s the McGuffin of the film, and now, perhaps, all too real.

Then again, reality does have a way of reasserting itself. Things always revert to type. The real world runs on oil, not on gusts of wind or the gold-tinged rays of the heavenly orb.

Does Trump have a plan or an agenda, an ace up his sleeve? Or is the real-estate tycoon and media star in way above his head, filled with Armageddon scenarios, casting himself as the saviour of the new eschatological Israel? Who knows, except, perhaps, as we mentioned above, God Himself, for I’m not sure even Trump is clear on that.

May peace reign, before chaos spirals, and a blood-dimmed tide is loosed upon the world.

Regina pacis, intercede pro nobis !

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→