The Gas Pump Preacher

[T]o speak of a ‘new evangelization’ does not in fact mean that a single formula should be developed that would hold the same for all circumstances. ~ Pope Benedict XVI He came up to me with a question about Aquinas. He … Continue reading

Good Deeds

In today’s first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, we learn of the aftermath of Peter and John’s healing of the cripple in the Temple. Presumably for years, the cripple had been begging in the Temple, and finally Peter … Continue reading

Stony Souls

Saul stood by with a heart harder than the stones striking Stephen. Unconvinced by Stephen’s eloquent preaching, unmoved by his miracles, blind to his angelic countenance, blinder still to his burning love, the eyes of Saul’s soul, sealed shut by … Continue reading

Unique From Day One

Until a few weeks ago, I did not know the March for Life has a theme each year. I have attended the March several times, both before and after becoming a Dominican friar, but somehow this simple fact eluded me. … Continue reading

Why Doesn’t God Give Everyone Faith?

Those who do not believe the Christian faith fit into two categories: those who have heard the faith and rejected it and those who have never heard the faith. The former group was offered the gift of faith but did … Continue reading

Apostle to the American Frontier

When the going gets tough, the tough get going, or so goes the saying. In these turbulent times of ecclesial crisis, a flashback to the early days of the Catholic Church in America—days in which plenty of tough folks faced … Continue reading

A Warrior’s Fall

He fought the battles no one else would fight Till, bitter, he fought foes already dead Estranged, he fought his fellows by his might And died but slaying foes within his head. ***** To fight for a just cause is … Continue reading

La Noche de La Caridad

Something beautiful will happen in Buenos Aires tonight. At around 6 p.m. a group of people will begin to congregate at the convent of St. Dominic in San Telmo, one of the city’s older barrios. There they’ll begin to prepare … Continue reading

Christian Kindness

What makes Christian kindness to be Christian? The substance of Christian kindness doesn’t seem different from any other kindness. The corporal works of mercy, for example, are things that most people who aren’t Christians would still consider to be kindnesses. … Continue reading

A Body You Prepared for Me

What we have seen with our eyes, what we looked upon and touched with our hands concerns the Word of life— for the life was made visible; we have seen it and testify to it and proclaim to you the … Continue reading

St. Boniface and the Idols of the Day

Chop! Chop! Chop! Wiping away the perspiration rolling down his broad forehead, the burly Englishman heaved his axe and struck again. Chop! Chop! Chop! The bitter cursing that greeted his first swings died down to an uneasy grumble. “How stiff-necked … Continue reading

Short-Term Evangelization

“Let us offer each other the sign of peace.” The amphitheater housing thousands of high school-aged teens erupts in a joyful rumble of handshakes, hugs, and hubbub. The kiss of peace lasts a good five minutes before the sound of … Continue reading

Mother Angelica’s Reality TV

The first place I saw Mother Angelica was somewhere between the channels of a PBS documentary and a QVC jewelry auction. A Franciscan Poor Clare clad in a full religious habit beamed before a camera to discuss the sacrament of … Continue reading

A Theist among the Atheists

Last week, another friar and I participated in a panel-discussion on religion and secularism at George Mason University. The event was sponsored and organized by the local chapter of the Secular Student Alliance. The panel consisted of three Christians—two Dominicans … Continue reading

St. Agnes and the Women’s March

“Jesus Christ was recklessly charitable,” a wise friar told me after hundreds of people lined up to use the restroom at a Dominican priory. There were not enough restrooms set up for the Women’s March that took place in Washington, … Continue reading

Fake News Is Great News

I have known many men who wished to deceive, but none who wished to be deceived. –St. Augustine “Fake news” has become big news in recent months. How could the proliferation of deliberately fabricated articles be a good thing? It’s … Continue reading

Mirrors of Mercy

Dominicana is happy to offer this audio recording of “Mirrors of Mercy,” a reflection given at last night’s Vigil of All Saints by Br. Irenaeus Dunlevy. The vigil focused on readings from four saints: John Chrysostom, Catherine of Siena, John Paul … Continue reading

Godly Speech

It was said of our Holy Father Dominic that he always spoke either with God or about God. Likewise, Blessed Jordan of Saxony tells us that “he dedicated the day to his neighbor, but gave the night to God.” Now, … Continue reading

A Thrown Away Culture

Throughout his pontificate, Pope Francis has spoken out against a modern “throwaway culture.” The Holy Father has perceived this culture in a variety of attitudes present today, from consumerist demands for disposable products, to a lack of care for creation, … Continue reading