Above is an image of Zinaida Serebriakova, a woman created in the image of the Triune God. Zinaida sees herself in the mirror and knows herself; she sees herself to be beautiful, knows herself to be good. Seeing and knowing … Continue reading
trinity
The Glorification of Andrei Rublev
In 1998, the Russian Orthodox Church “glorified” (the formal process of canonization in the East) the celebrated iconographer, Andrei Rublev (c. 1360-1430; feast day, January 29 or July 4). Little is known about his life, and still less is known … Continue reading
Recognizing the Lord
As the first season of the new liturgical year, Advent possesses a twofold character. Having just ended the liturgical year celebrating the solemnity of Jesus Christ reigning over the universe in glory, we begin the cycle again with a dynamic … Continue reading
Even This Cannot Stop True Love
Love hopes all things, bears all things, endures all things, but is blind to nothing. True love sees the faults and failings of the beloved, yet bears them out of a love that pierces through daily annoyances, faults, and failings … Continue reading
Union Brings Silence
If you are able to escape the stuffy mass of humanity in the Sistine Chapel and the security guards yelling “SILENCIO” and “NO PHOTO”, be sure to take the short walk down the hall to a room called the “Stanza … Continue reading
What the Father Was Doing During the Crucifixion
Editor’s note: This is the fifth post in our newest series, Beholding True Beauty, which consists of prayerful reflections on works of sacred art. The series will run on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the month of October. Read the whole … Continue reading
Stuck in the Molasses Swamp
How sad, how lack-luster a life he leadsWho delights to describe the death he sees.How rotten be the heart of a brotherWho snivels ‘bout the rot in another! ***** One thing we can know for certain about heaven is that … Continue reading
The Treasure of the Church
Where are the treasures of the Church? Perhaps you have seen some in art museums. There are stunning reliquaries, beautiful chalices, and intricately decorated liturgical books. And yet behind glass these treasures appear dead. They sit sadly empty, no longer … Continue reading
All We Need Is Love
No generation passes without affording us some deeper insight into what it is to be human. Professors opine, poets and songwriters construe their craft, and politicians enact laws all to enlarge our experience of life, even if at the end … Continue reading
The Liturgy as Formation
Oftentimes friends and family ask me, “Well, how long until you become a priest?” I usually respond with a condensed version of our lengthy and seemingly complicated formation program. More questions ensue, and I continue to explain to them the … Continue reading
The Presence of God
Homes are not beautiful if they are empty. Things are beautiful by the presence of God. —St. Thomas Aquinas on Psalm 25 So many today never think of God, and some, even when they do think of God, consider him … Continue reading
Baptized Beyond Nature
Some think that to be a Muslim, it is sufficient simply to be born, or to be born to a Muslim father. Likewise, some think that to be a Jew, it is sufficient to be born to a Jewish mother. … Continue reading
Advent Conference Audio: Elizabeth of the Trinity
Dominicana is happy to offer this audio recording of “The Dark Light of Sister Elizabeth.” It was given by Br. Isaiah Beiter, O.P. as the first installment of the 2016 Advent Conferences at the Dominican House of Studies. Series flyer … Continue reading