Inspired by Truth, Enlightening Minds for the Church in Canada and Throughout the World
Inspired by Truth, Enlightening Minds for the Church in Canada and Throughout the World
William Shakespeare was born at Stratford-on-Avon on April 23rd, 1564. His formal education, it is speculated, was limited. Some believe that not being university educated was likely to his advantage so far as his future career was concerned. Little is known of his life, perhaps because he was not so fully recognized for his genius[…]
Here a glimpse into the past, of Canada, and the Church in Canada, with a sermon by Rev. Msgr. Vincent Nicholas Foy, preached at the evening Mass on Sunday, December 6, 1959 at St. Michael’s Cathedral, Toronto, before the changes made in the wake of the Second Vatican Council. As readers may know, Monsignor Foy was[…]
(Here be some thoughts from Kaleb Hammond the connection between J.R.R. Tolkien and the Oratory of Saint Philip Neri, specifically the ‘London Oratory’, in the midst of which Tolkien spent his formative years. We had hoped to post them on January 3rd, Tolkien’s birthday, but, well, the best laid plans and all that. Perhaps providential,[…]
Dante Alighieri, one of the world’s greatest poets, was born in Florence, Italy, in 1265. Early in life he inherited the benefits of growing up in the newly founded Florentine democracy. In his youth he became a champion of liberal policies. When the reigning Pope Boniface VIII sided with the old aristocratic party, Dante fought[…]
In the events surrounding the birth of Jesus, three groups are called to our attention: the shepherds, the Magi and the court of King Herod. Each had its peculiar reaction to the birth of Jesus. The shepherds represent a simple faith; they heard and they believed, and they acted. The Magi, as the wise men[…]
The Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel (Eph. 3:6). Our celebration of the Solemnity of the Epiphany completes our commemoration of the Mystery of the Incarnation which Christmas commemorates. In keeping with an ancient tradition of the Church, you have[…]
Every year, we celebrate the feast of the Epiphany, commemorating the visit of the magi to the Holy Family, on Jan. 6 (hence the 12 days of Christmas) – or the Sunday nearest that date. Among some communities it is customary to give gifts on this day, similar to how gifts might be given on[…]
(Mikyele Schramm has a few thoughts on the feast of the Circumcision of Christ, commemorated on the octave of Christmas, the first day of the calendar year. This feast was replaced in the revisions of 1969 with the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, which itself used to fall on October 11th. But it’s still[…]
January 1st begins the new calendar year and it also brings to an end the celebration of the Christmas Octave with the celebration of the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God, a feast that celebrates the divine maternity of Blessed Virgin Mary. The coherence of these liturgical celebrations directs us to the ideal of[…]
The Italian sculptor and painter Michelangelo lived to be nearly ninety years old, fulfilling his own dictum: I am a poor man and of little worth, who is laboring in that art that God has given me in order to extend my life as long as possible. That in his own opinion he was of[…]
