Dominicana is happy to offer this audio recording of “Beholding Light: Living and Recognizing the Realities of Grace.” It was given by Br. Hyacinth Grubb, O.P. as the final installment of the 2017 Lenten Conferences at the Dominican House of … Continue reading
Author Archives: dbrindle
The Love of Money
Money can be a tricky thing to get a handle on. On the one hand, it can seem that all of the world is measured in money. We encounter prices all the time, on gas station signs, in store windows, … Continue reading
The Eucharist: Grace for Tired Spirits
“Food tastes so good when you’re hungry!” Veritas from the lips of babes. This time it’s your ten-year-old son who has just worked his tail off after 60 minutes of hard-played soccer. And he’s right. After all, that’s what food … Continue reading
St. Ignatius and Other Great Dominicans
Editor’s note: On April 1, 2014, Dominicana and The Jesuit Post exchanged April Fools’ Day posts. This one was originally published by The Jesuit Post and is republished here with their gracious permission. The author, Fr. Innocent Smith, O.P., was … Continue reading
The Paradox of Willfulness
Lent is more than half over, a good time to remember why we carry our cross. We do it to be disciples of Christ, to do His will in our life and not our own. But surrendering our own willfulness … Continue reading
Sins of Speech
There’s a lot to be said for the old dictum “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” But we’re not merely bones. To a certain extent, we need the respect of others in order … Continue reading
The Glamour of Evil
In the middle of the rite of Baptism, right before the water is poured, the parents and godparents are asked if they reject Satan and “the glamour of evil.” It’s a curious phrase. Their whole life ahead of them, young … Continue reading
Unbeautiful Savior
At first glance, I was viscerally repulsed by the above painting. It was the eyes in particular, and the mouth, both of the same shade of red. Eyes shouldn’t be that red. It was hideous. The feeling of revulsion reminded … Continue reading
Lenten Conference Audio: Blinding Darkness
Dominicana is happy to offer this audio recording of “Blinding Darkness.” It was given by Br. John Paul Kern, O.P. as the second installment of the 2017 Lenten Conferences at the Dominican House of Studies. Listen to the whole series on … Continue reading
Remember Death
We are all going to die. We were reminded of this on Ash Wednesday when the priest put ashes on our heads saying, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” We need to be reminded about … Continue reading
Suspect the Good
It’s nearly impossible to have a civil conversation nowadays with someone who disagrees with you. For example, take Sally, who is pro-choice, and her friend Alice, who is pro-life. Sally and Alice had never talked about this issue before, but … Continue reading
Nails
Nails Now place the nail, my lovely lad and grip your hammer low;Now raise it high above your head, and firmly strike your blow.Once more raise up your arm again once more hit hard your steel,But mind your hand, let … Continue reading
Homesick for Heaven
I recently came across a line by Samuel Johnson that struck me as having a particular relevance to Dominican friars: “A man uncommitted is at home everywhere; unless he may be said to be at home nowhere.” As mendicants, we … Continue reading
Dispelling Darkness
On a recent Sunday evening, another brother and I walked up to a snow-covered golf course at the edge of the grounds at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire. Up for the week visiting our campus ministry there, we had … Continue reading
5 Ways St. Joseph Can Help Your Lent
Editor’s note: This post was originally published on March 19, 2015. How can St. Joseph help you this Lent? I propose five ways. Simplicity In John 6, when Jesus boldly declares, “I am the bread of life,” his hearers murmur … Continue reading
I Am Able
If only we could have the confidence of James and John. “‘Are you able to drink the chalice that I am to drink?’ They said to him, ‘We are able’” (Mt 20:22). And lest we think that they don’t know … Continue reading
Pixie Dust and Ash Wednesday
The Disney film adaption of Peter Pan ends (unsurprisingly) happily-ever-after. Gathered before the nursery window in a loving embrace, the Darling family fondly watches Peter and Tinkerbell fly their golden, pixie-enchanted ship through the moonlit clouds to Neverland. In the … Continue reading
Lenten Conference Audio: On Christian Purgation
Dominicana is happy to offer this audio recording of “On Christian Purgation: Following in the Footsteps of the Beloved.” It was given by Br. Augustine Marogi, O.P. as the first installment of the 2017 Lenten Conferences at the Dominican House … Continue reading
St. Patrick’s Slavery
Similar to the Irish people, St. Patrick moved from slavery to slavery. Looking at the life of today’s celebrated saint, we see three modes of slavery which are emblematic of the people he helped save. St. Patrick and his flock … Continue reading
Call Him Father
When meeting someone important, there is always one question that precedes every conversation: how do I address this person? Is it Your Highness, Your Excellency, Mr. President, simply Sir or Ma’am? It’s not an idle question. The importance of the … Continue reading
A Discerning Eye
My father once remarked that after years of eye exams, he had memorized the eye chart. This level of mastery of the material would guarantee success on an algebra or biology test, but it is not helpful in an eye … Continue reading
Don’t Look Gloomy, Smile!
Today we are just a week into Lent, with five weeks to go before the holy Triduum and the glories of Easter. In the meantime, we Christians are praying, fasting, and giving alms in reparation to God for our sins … Continue reading
The Six Effects of Confession
During Lent, many Catholics return to the sacrament of Penance, some after a few weeks, others after many years. Most of us approach Confession seeking forgiveness of sin and the alleviation of a guilty conscience. Perhaps to our surprise, 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
Jesus Wants Your Baggage
I love flying on airplanes. As if traveling to a new destination were not exciting enough, my extroverted personality delights in being in the company of complete strangers, packed front to back in a Boeing 787. A cocktail of ginger … Continue reading