Florence: Art, Beauty and Truth
Firenze! Even the name – at least in Italian – signifies energy, exuberance, enthusiasm. What is one to say of Florence in a few words? I spent but... Read more.
The Eschatological Message of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Around this time of year in the Office of Readings, or Lauds, we follow the travails of the prophet Elijah from the Book of Kings, his battle with the Ahaz, the... Read more.
The Seraphic Doctor: Saint Bonaventure
(This year, I have the great grace of being in Assisi on the feast of this great Franciscan saint – more to say on that. For now, some words on Bonaventure,... Read more.
Le Sieci and Christ the King
I left off these reflections with my arrival in Florence, after the Purgatory – I will not say hell, for it had its end – of the overnight bus ride across... Read more.
Saint Camillus de Lellis: Alea Iacta Est
A true saint for our times is the one we celebrate today – Camillus de Lellis (+1614) (we will follow the Canadian calendar, and for those American readers... Read more.
Saint Henry and Cunegunde’s Heavenly Rule
We could do with more leaders such as Saint Henry (+1024, ‘Emperor of the Romans’ and ‘King of the Italians’, the last of the ‘Ottonian’... Read more.
Orange Day and Saint Oliver Plunkett, the Last Martyr of the Protestant ‘Reformation’
July the 12th is ‘Orange’ Day, celebrated still with fervour in Northern Ireland, commemorating the defeat of the rightful Catholic king of the Stuart line,... Read more.
Swtizerland and Frauenthal
Upon arriving in Zurich from Vienna, I had an hour or so before I caught a connecting train down to Knonau and the convent. So thought I would take a stroll through... Read more.
Saint Benedict: Ora et Labora
A blessed feast of Saint Benedict (+543), as we commemorate the monk credited with saving what we know as ‘civilization’. As a student in the decadence... Read more.
Myriads of Martyrs for China
Through the centuries there have been untold thousands of martyrs in China, and July 9th is chosen as the day to commemorate them, for it was on this day in 1900... Read more.