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

An American Catholic Biography

2019 Summer Reading Recommendations:Lamy of Sante Fe by Paul Horgan Many of you have probably read, or at least know of, the classics of Catholic biography. Among autobiographies, few stand out more than The Confessions of Saint Augustine, the Apologia … Continue reading

All Things Work Together for Good

2019 Summer Reading Recommendations:The Betrothed by Alessandro Manzoni For your summer reading pleasure I thought I would recommend one of my favorite Catholic works of fiction, which you have probably never heard of: I Promessi Sposi  (usually translated The Betrothed). … Continue reading

Eucharistic Love

Sometimes we take our Catholic lingo for granted, forgetting that like any other group, we have jargon. It takes time to get acclimated to it. If we are not attentive, sometimes the meaning of our own jargon eludes us. Maybe … Continue reading

Sword of Dishonor

2019 Summer Reading Recommendations:Sword of Honor by Evelyn Waugh In August 1939, Nazi Germany signed the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, a treaty of non-aggression with the U.S.S.R. They were only to violate it within two years upon invading the Soviet Union in … Continue reading

Too Much Religion

In his Summa Theologiae, qq. 81-100, St. Thomas Aquinas discusses the virtue of religion, whereby we render due worship to God our creator. It may seem odd that Thomas devotes 20 questions to this virtue, each composed of several articles. … Continue reading

Salvation is from the Jews

2019 Summer Reading Recommendations:Sister Mary Baruch, the Early Years by Jacob Restrick, O.P. I would like to recommend Sister Mary Baruch, the Early Years, by Jacob Restrick, O.P. The work is the first of a five book series that follows … Continue reading

The Soul of the Apostolate

2019 Summer Reading Recommendations:The Soul of the Apostolate by Jean-Baptiste Chautard, O.C.S.O  I once spent two weeks in Kolkata on a discernment and mission trip where I worked alongside the Missionaries of Charity. By the end of those two weeks, … Continue reading

The Work of God

Time is passing into eternity, and it’s happening every day. The Church marks the passing of time with the liturgical year, which makes each day bear more significance than simply another cycle of 24 hours. With the proclamation of the … Continue reading

Reclaiming an Art of Dying for the 21st Century

Ars Moriendi, or “The Art of Dying,” was an immensely popular and influential medieval text aimed at equipping the faithful for death and dying. It appeared by order of the Council of Constance sometime between 1414 and 1418, and although … Continue reading

An Unequivocal Endorsement

2019 Summer Reading Recommendations:Conchita: A Mother’s Spiritual Diary by Marie-Michel Philipon, O.P. I seldom endorse books with unequivocal praise. Still less do I endorse authors in such wise, especially if I have not read most (if not all) of his … Continue reading

Liturgical Retreat

2019 Summer Reading Recommendations:The Spirit of the Liturgy by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger It would be easier if she had four arms, but alas, she has but two! Her towheaded boys were squirming and flailing all about the pew, not to … Continue reading

Seeking Silence

Silentium est pater praedicatorum * I have so often sought for the silenceOf a star-lit sky shining without sound,But found the siren-shattered defianceOf the world blast and howl as barking hound. In darkened chapel’s gentle candle glow,Soul nodding along to … Continue reading

Greatness Then, Greatness Now

One of the most convincing elements of good art is its ability to draw the viewer into the full depth of its subject. In the realm of film and television, HBO’s Band of Brothers (2001) stands in a class of … Continue reading

2019 Summer Reading Recommendations

I recently listened to a podcast in which the show host offered a provocative description of a public building that is somewhat distinctive to the American landscape and ethos. He said that public libraries are “temples of sharing.” This initially … Continue reading

The Maid of Orleans

Who could have seen upon her little facethe pain that God’s great wisdom would allowFor this young maid, just dancing, filled with grace,bedecked with crowns and chains of daisies now.The gentle light of heav’n upon her brow,Her dark curls shine … Continue reading

In the Eucharistic Feast

For 39 days, we have been rejoicing in the glory of the Resurrection, recalling the wonder of the apostles in those weeks after the first Easter. Tomorrow, Jesus ascends to the Father, fulfilling his mission on earth and preparing his … Continue reading

Memory

Today is Memorial Day, when Americans take time to remember those who have given their lives in defense of their country. I am, in fact, not an American, but in my native Canada we have a similar commemoration called Remembrance … Continue reading

Why Relics?

Why relics? It’s a natural instinct to keep meaningful tokens. Anyone who has lost loved ones knows the impact of an old photo, a handwritten letter, or a crackling recorded message. In a way, the ones we have lost become … Continue reading

The Fruit of Obedience

I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes that it may bear more fruit. Abide in me, … Continue reading

“And You My Brothers and Sisters”

Have you ever had that experience where words that you have said thousands of times suddenly hit you in a new way? It could be saying “I love you” to a family member, or the words to a song that … Continue reading

Follow the Lamb

Glancing up from the riverbank, the Baptist “looked at Jesus as he walked, and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God!’” (Jn 1:36). His disciples understood the subtext: Follow the Lamb. Where, O Lamb, are you going, where do you abide? … Continue reading

Preaching in Lystra

When Paul and Barnabas heal a crippled man at Lystra while proclaiming the Gospel there, the miracle at first seems to backfire. By preaching in Lystra, they intended to turn the locals away from idolatry to the true worship of … Continue reading

Does Thomas know the way?

“Where I am going you know the way.”Thomas said to him,“Master, we do not know where you are going;how can we know the way?” (John 14:4-5) “Here Thomas denies the two things that our Lord affirmed.” St. Thomas Aquinas’ first … Continue reading