Solstice, Sanctity and Ireland
This is the first day of summer, the longest day of the year (in the northern hemisphere), solstice marking the Earth’s midway point in its 186 million mile journey around the Sun, in whose light we may rejoice.
It is also the memorial of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga (+ 1591), a Jesuit scholastic who died at the tender age of 23 caring for victims of the plague in Rome. Aloysius, whose original Italian name was Luigi, was from a rich, noble family, and destined for a life of honour and privilege, from which he began to distance himself from a young age, receiving his First Communion from Saint Charles Borromeo, and taking a private vow of chastity as he turned nine. Later in his teen years, against his father’s wishes (who finally relented), Aloysius entered the Jesuits, renouncing all rights to his inheritance.
As a novice, Aloysius’ spiritual director was none other than Saint Robert Bellarmine, one of the great lights of the post-Tridentine reform and renewal.
We know not what the idealistic and inspired soul of Aloysius might have done in a life long lived, for like others, Pier Giorgio, Dominic Savio, Therese, God took him to heaven young, fulfilling much in a short time, which is what life is about, really, to reach that potential of sanctity to which we are all called.
As his Collect for today says, let those of us who have not followed his innocence, at least follow his path of penitence and conversion.
On that note, or rather not, yesterday, the Senate, the supposed house of sober second thought, approved the legalization of marijuana, to take effect on October 17th. I will have more to say on this in a bit (particularly the moral difference between the noble use of alcohol, and ignoble use of drugs) as will Paula Adamick in her article tomorrow. But for now, take it as another nail in the coffin for the once-great nation of Canada.
And Ireland, poor Ireland. After the vote legalizing abortion the Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, the first openly homosexual holder of that office, and no friend of the Church, a symbol of what the green Isle has become, announced that Catholic hospitals will be forced to perform abortions, which will mean, if this threat goes through, for threat it is, that if the hospitals submit, they will no longer be ‘Catholic’, and neither will Ireland, if she continues on this path. I wonder if Mr. Varadkar realizes that, and what his intentions really are.
In the end, Saint Aloysius had it right: It is all about sanctity, prayer, mortification, growing in grace, friendship with God, charity to our fellow man; about doing the good in the moment, to the person and in the situation in which we find ourselves. Ora 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→
Saint Kateri , Canada’s Protectress
This was the title given to Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, by Pope Benedict XVI, when he canonized her on October 28th, 2012, along with six others, in Saint Peter’ Square (she had been beatified by Pope John Paul II back in 1980). With Saint Joseph as our protector, along with the Canadian martyrs, we seem to[…]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→
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→
My Name is Bernadette
April 16th is a propitious day, for besides the anniversary of Father de Valk’s death, who founded Catholic Insight in its print form decades ago, and the commemoration of the ‘two Benedicts’, mentioned in accompanying posts, today we also recall Saint Bernadette Soubirous, the young visionary to whom the Virgin Mary appeared numerous times at[…]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→