I once got lost in the woods. I had spent the day hiking with much of my novitiate class, and four of us toured an off-trail route later in the afternoon. Because of a hurt ankle, I lagged behind at … Continue reading
St. Augustine
Preacher, Theologian, Contemplative
In Blessed Humbert of Romans’ important work, “On the Beginnings of the Order of Preachers,” he calls St. Augustine “the distinguished Preacher.” This way of identifying Augustine stands in splendid relief to St. Thomas Aquinas’ way of identifying him over … Continue reading
The Tears of St. Monica
Thus you gave another answer through your priest, a certain bishop nurtured in the Church and trained in your books. When that woman implored him to consider speaking with me, to refute my errors, un-teach me evil, and teach me … Continue reading
The Untamed Lion
“Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you” (Mr. Beaver, The Lion Witch and the Wardrobe). A personal relationship with Jesus Christ is not a hunky-dory friendship with a buddy. Jesus is the God-man, and … Continue reading
Unrelenting Contrition
Saint Teresa of Calcutta famously said to her Missionaries of Charity, “God does not call us to be successful but to be faithful.” Really, these words provide a panacea for anyone tempted toward perfectionism as well as a stimulus for … Continue reading
Indeed You Love Truth in the Heart
The Acts of the Apostles recounts a startling run-in between the apostles and Ananias and Sapphira. Having sold property and presented the proceeds to the early Church community, the couple then failed to present all the proceeds and then lied … Continue reading
Saint Who?
Saint Dogfan. Ours is the kind of Church that can boast of a saint named Dogfan. No boasting really happens, however. Today is St. Dogfan’s feast day, but it’s unlikely that Masses commemorating this fifth-century Welsh martyr will be celebrated … Continue reading
From the Lips of Babes
“Who is that?” “That is Jesus on the cross.” “Why is He all beat up?” “He loved us so much that he came all the way from heaven to suffer and die to save us, even when we killed Him.” … Continue reading
Just One More
I remember the first time I became cognizant of the commission of the sin of gluttony. I found myself at my grandmother’s house with a bucket of gelatinous candies, no supervision, and no stated rules as to how many I … Continue reading
Happy Memorial Day?
The upbeat greeting of “Happy Memorial Day,” said with the same enthusiasm of Independence Day, has always seemed off to me. This somber national holiday honors the dead rather than focusing on a particular victory. Also known as Decoration Day, … Continue reading
The Way of Happiness
No one can fail to wish to be happy or to seek after happiness. But we are reminded on every side that we have not found it yet. We are still yearning and seeking after happiness, or after someone to … Continue reading