A sub-category of News.
I am as happy as the next red-blooded male that Donald Trump is back in the White House. Although I am an outsider, I have watched with joy as the Donald has signed a zillion Executive Orders that are dismantling the Woke Industrial Complex in real time. I must admit that, as a northern neighbor,…
In the immediate aftermath of the Council of Trent, Catholic spirituality, in both theory and practice, reached a height never reached before since the early Church. Founded on the Council of Trent, this new Catholic spirituality was inspired and guided by such great saints as St. Charles Borromeo, St. Robert Bellarmine, St. Francis de Sales,…
Above: The Marriage of the Virgin by Raphael (1483–1520) One of the most tragic initiatives undertaken during the pontificate of Pope John XXIII was the removal of the pro aliquibus locis feasts in preparation for the promulgation for the 1962 Roman Missal. Among the fourteen liturgical celebrations axed by the Sacred Congregation of Rites, the…
Photo by Obed Hernández on Unsplash Today is Day 6 of the Octave of Christian Unity. Traditional Prayer for the Octave: A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who “participate in some of the services during the Week of Christian Unity and assist at the closing of this same week.” A partial indulgence is…
In the theology courses I have taught high schoolers, I take pains to convey that faith is a type of knowledge, not mere belief. The traditional definition of knowledge, according to epistemology, is justified true belief, and we can certainly be justified in holding the truths of faith. However, such justification is a kind that…
The re-inauguration of Donald Trump as president of the United States—and his dismissal of Justin Trudeau as Canadian Prime Minister the week before; the apparent slow but certain push in Austria, Germany, and France by parties which the European establishment dubs “Far Right” (and darkly hints are Neo-Nazi, although their own views on the Man…
It’s a popular pastime for Catholics to gripe about the music at their parishes. I should know because I was among those who did so. Instead of continuing the rich tradition of producing and preserving over a millennium of beautiful Catholic music, most parishes feature contemporary pop music (usually in the style of James Taylor…
British evolutionary biologist and prominent atheist Richard Dawkins has regrets about describing himself as a “cultural Christian” last year in an interview. “I imprudently said I was a ‘cultural Christian,’ and I haven’t heard the end of it,” wrote Dawkins in a recent piece for The Spectator. Though standing by his earlier comments—in which he…
Photo by John Price on Unsplash. Today is Day 5 of the Octave of Christian Unity. Traditional Prayer for the Octave: A plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful who “participate in some of the services during the Week of Christian Unity and assist at the closing of this same week.” A partial indulgence is…
As I begin this article, I am feeling extremely surreal. After an absence of over a month, I am back in my Austrian apartment, with everything about me as normal as it can be for an expatriate. But just a few short days ago I was in Southern California, where I have lived most of…
