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
The most vital characteristic of our Catholic faith is not its external organization that has of late, thanks to Pope Francis, attracted the attention of the media. What makes us flourish, if flourish we do, is our vivid consciousness of the presence of Jesus with us in the Eucharist, what we call “the real presence.”[…]
“Could you not watch one hour with Me?” (Matthew, 26:40) I came to set fire upon the earth, and how I wish it were already blazing! (Luke 12:49) With the vacation season in full swing, so many people choose to expose their bodies to the direct rays of the sun. Sadly, so few decide to[…]
On Monday 26 July 2021 I had the grace of visiting Ravenna, once the capital city of the Western Roman Empire, from 402 till 476 when the empire finally collapsed. This city, which also served as the capital of the Ostrogothic Kingdom up to the time when it was re-conquered in 540 by the Byzantine[…]
On July 16th, Pope Francis issued the Motu Proprio Traditionis Custodes, On the Use of the Roman Liturgy Prior to the Reform of 1970. Many bishops it would seem have wisely granted themselves what the document does not; a vacatio legis or period before the law takes effect. Whatever the reasons for this document, should[…]
Mozart published his 40th symphony on this day in 1788, the ‘great’ in G minor, one of two symphonies he wrote in the minor key – the other also in G minor, number 25, called the ‘little’ (I suppose calling it the ‘minor’ would be a tad confusing). The original music is scored for flute,[…]
This Sunday’s reflection is the third in a series of meditations on the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, with specific references to the Ancient Rite of the Mass. There are many books in circulation that illustrate the theological and spiritual cohesion of the Ancient Rite of the Mass. It is the Rite that sustained and[…]
Jesus provides us with a motive for acting, viz., the love of God, which in practical terms produces a love of our neighbours. That’s why he fed the people with an actual meal of loaves and fishes as well as preaching the words of life. I am always impressed when I visit a parish to[…]
(The question of how often to go to the sacrament of confession is a very personal one for Catholics, made deep within one’s conscience, and covered by the anonymity of the sacrament itself. The author here, who wishes to remain anonymous, makes a case for weekly reception. Whatever we may decide, the conclusions he draws[…]
To put the controversy and strife over the recent Motu Proprio into context, I thought a few words from Josef Ratzinger would be helpful. I just finished perusing Dom Alcuin Reid’s 2005 ‘The Organic Development of the Liturgy’ (well worth a read), and in the preface, dated July 26th, 2005 (Saint Anne!), then-Cardinal Ratzinger says[…]
This Sunday’s reflection is the second in a series of meditations on the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, with specific references to the Ancient Rite of the Mass. There are many books in circulation that illustrate the theological and spiritual cohesion of the Ancient Rite of the Mass. It is the Rite that sustained and[…]
