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
On September 13th, 1917, Our Lady appeared for the fifth time to the three children at Cova de Iria in Fatima. Tens of thousands showed up, clogging the streets and byways, in the hope of catching a glimpse, or even just to ‘be there’. The message of the Virgin Mary was simple, and full of[…]
BENEDICT XVI GENERAL AUDIENCE Wednesday, 4 June 2008 Saint Gregory the Great (2) Dear Brothers and Sisters, Today, at our Wednesday appointment, I return to the extraordinary figure of Pope Gregory the Great to receive some additional light from his rich teaching. Notwithstanding the many duties connected to his office as the Bishop of Rome,[…]
Saint Raymond Nonnatus, who died on this day in 1240, was a Mercedarian priest, whose Order, as their name implies, was taskedwith ransoming Christian slaves from the Moors (that is, Muslims). We might consider that a controversial practice, as ironically incentivizing capturing more slaves to receive more in the way of reward, but in its[…]
On this day, I was baptized in Saint Patrick’s church, in Dumbarton, Scotland, on the commemoration of King Saint Louis IX and Saint Joseph Calasanz, at least in the revised calendar. I recommend to Catholics to discover their baptismal day, and commemorate and celebrate it, for, in light of the ‘sacramental life’, that day is[…]
We would be remiss if we did not at least remark on this day on the great and sadly forgotten Saint Joseph Calasanz (+1648), a zealous priest, pastor, reformer and educator, who more or less set up what we now take for granted – universal basic education for all children, free of charge for the[…]
The 23rd of August is the anniversary of a 1973 bank robbery in Stockholm, Sweden. The robbery went south, descending into a hostage situation lasting two days. What was odd was that the hostages apparently began to sympathize with their captors – whose last names were Olsson and Olafsson – and refused to cooperate with[…]
In his General Audience yesterday, Pope Leo called for Catholics to pray and fast tomorrow, Friday, on the Queenship of Mary, for the intentions of peace. Here are his words: Next Friday, 22 August, we will celebrate the memorial of Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Mary is the Mother of believers here on earth,[…]
BENEDICT XVI GENERAL AUDIENCE Saint Peter’s Square Wednesday, 4 November 2009 Two Theological Models in Comparison: Bernard and Abelard Dear Brothers and Sisters, In my last Catechesis I presented the main features of 12th-century monastic theology and scholastic theology which, in a certain sense, we might call respectively “theology of the heart” and “theology of reason”. Among[…]
For those in the Peterborough area, or even further afield, mark your calendars for a new and original musical, Past the Limit, a Story of Life, Loss and Hope. Performances are at the Peterborough Theatre Guild, August 22nd, 23rd and 24th.
PASTORAL VISIT TO THE BASILICA OF SAINT LAWRENCE OUTSIDE THE WALLS ON THE OCCASION OF THE 1750th ANNIVERSARY OF THE MARTYRDOM OF THE HOLY DEACON HOMILY OF HIS HOLINESS BENEDICT XVI First Sunday of Advent, 30 November 2008 Dear brothers and sisters, the thought of Christ’s presence and his return at the end of time[…]
