Hat-tip: Church Pop John Wayne and his son, Patrick, venerate a statue of the Blessed Virgin in Cong, Ireland in 1950 during filming of The Quiet Man. For those who don't know, the great John Wayne, though far from perfect (especially regarding marital fidelity), was a devout believer his whole life, and throughout his life was … Continue reading Picture of the Day
History
Veni, Vidi, Deus Vicit
For September 12, recalling the charge of King Jan Sobieski of Poland that saved Vienna and Christendom from the invading Turks. Until recently, that was the high water mark of the Muslim invasion of Europe and started the liberation of eastern Europe. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75zmIj_4LFQ
Thought: Who Writes History?
Everyone knows the canard "History is written by the winners." Few people ever point that it's sheer nonsense. Are there no Confederate histories of the American Civil War? No British histories of the American Revolution? No Christian histories of the Crusades? The greatest of all historians - Thucydides - wrote from the point of view … Continue reading Thought: Who Writes History?
Easter Feminism
Wow, this one is weapons grade stupid! "But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense." -- Luke 24:11 Even before we begin there’s a bad sign. Should I deal with this now or later? Later I think. The men refused to listen to her story. She was publicly smeared … Continue reading Easter Feminism
Columbus Day
Behind him lay the gray Azores, Behind the Gates of Hercules; Before him not the ghost of shores; Before him only shoreless seas. The good mate said: "Now we must pray, For lo! the very stars are gone. Brave Adm'r'l speak: what shall I say?" "Why, say: 'Sail on, sail on, and on!'" "My men … Continue reading Columbus Day
My Imperialism
I like to describe myself as an imperialist, or at least as having imperialist sympathies. That's admittedly a bit of an exaggeration, but is certainly true relative to most of my contemporaries, if only because I don't automatically equate 'colonialism' and 'empire-building' with 'evil.' My admittedly-limited knowledge of history tells me that the world is … Continue reading My Imperialism
“Not Yours to Give”
A thought-provoking excerpt from the biography of Davy Crockett on the rights and limitations of government: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoEJ-D2bgc0
St. Bernard on the New Knighthood
St. Bernard of Clairvaux, the great Cistercian Abbott and Doctor of the Church, was one of the most influential men in Christendom during his lifetime. It's no surprise, therefore, that his friend, Hughes de Paynes sought his help in promoting his fledgling Order of Knights Templar, and, since St. Bernard was an ardent supporter of the … Continue reading St. Bernard on the New Knighthood
A Trip into the Past
If you have any turn for history, especially if, like me, you're interested in the Victorian/Edwardian eras, check out this eye-popping film from 1906. Called "A Trip Down Market Street," it's simply thirteen minutes' worth of footage shot from a cable car as it travels the length of San Francisco's market street, and it is fascinating. It's … Continue reading A Trip into the Past
Theodore Roosevelt Addresses the Knights of Columbus
Another speech for the Fourth. On October 12, 1915 (Columbus Day), former President Theodore Roosevelt gave a speech to the Knights of Columbus in New York. His subject that day was the essential unity of all Americans, whatever their origin, and, of course, the glories of that great nation. Without further adieu, I present the … Continue reading Theodore Roosevelt Addresses the Knights of Columbus
Serpent's Den 