A sub-category of News.
I have just finished reading an excellent symposium written by contemporary Catholic Scholastic Theologians. Each, in their own way, tried to detail what they believe is the greatest threat to the Catholic Faith in the modern world. However, whenever they referred to what the early Christians knew and experienced as the love of God, or…
A good many years ago, I suggested to some friends that we start a Catholic book discussion group. Initially, I thought our group could discuss all kinds of Catholic literature and not limit ourselves to just one area. Gradually, though, it became clear to me that it was better for us to read and discuss…
Above: Supper at Emmaus by Caravaggio (1601). So ample and so profound is the mystery of the glorious Pasch, that an entire week may well be spent in its meditation. Yesterday, we limited ourselves to our Redeemer’s rising from the tomb, and showing Himself, in six different apparitions, to them that were dear to Him….
The Church, in her ancient wisdom, does a striking thing on this greatest of feasts. After the dark austerity of Lent, after the long stripping away of liturgical ornaments and consolations, after the silence and stillness and blackness of the tomb, she sets before us on Easter morning an Epistle that glitters with Paschal theology…
This text is taken from The Liturgical Year, authored by Dom Prosper Gueranger (1841-1875) The night between Saturday and Sunday has well nigh run its course, and the day-dawn is appearing. The Mother of sorrows is waiting, in courageous hope and patience, for the blissful moment of her Jesus’ return. Magdalene and the other holy…
Easter itself is an 8-day celebration, and even after the Octave concludes on Low Sunday, the Easter Season lasts for a total of fifty days until the completion of Ascensiontide and the celebration of Pentecost Sunday. This period of time, especially for the Octave of Easter, is enriched with many rich customs all expressing the…
The trouble with atheists, to quote a punch line I once heard, is that they are constantly talking about God. Perhaps it’s the occupational hazard that comes with the job. And, yet, to endlessly obsess about Him, one might almost think that they actually do believe in God. I mean, if one were perfectly convinced…
Above: Pietà, by William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1825-1905). See this article by Steve Skojec. From the book School of Jesus Crucified. 1. Her grief at the burial of her Crucified Son It still remained to the disconsolate Mother to drink the last drop of that chalice of sorrow from which indescribable bitterness had so long been poured…
This text is taken from The Liturgical Year, authored by Dom Prosper Gueranger (1841-1875) A night has passed over the Tomb, wherein lies buried the Body of the Man-God. Death is triumphant in that silent cave, and hold captive Him that gives life to every creature—but his triumph will soon be at an end. The…
To the sophisticated Romans of the ancient world crucifixions were a hum-drum affair. They were as routine as writing a traffic ticket. For instance, in 71 B.C. seven thousand slaves led by Spartacus revolted. After they were captured, each one was crucified. Suetonius tells us that the line of the crucifixions extended for 240 miles,…
