Just learned about this very interesting modern Blessed this week. Blessed Peter To Rot (pronounced 'toe-rote') was a catechist on the island of New Britain in Papua New Guinea, the son of the local chief, and a devoted husband and father who worked with the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart to spread the Gospel to … Continue reading Saint of the Day: Bl. Peter To Rot
Saints
A Not At All Edifying Thought on the Feast of Ss. Cyril and Methodius
Today's the Feast of Ss. Cyril and Methodius, Apostles to the Slavic peoples (hey, that’s me!). Among other regions, St. Methodius – who outlived his brother by several decades – evangelized Dalmatia, which makes me wonder… "So, Methodius, you're evangelizing Dalmatia! Any converts so far?" "Let’s see, last count...one hundred and one. By the way, … Continue reading A Not At All Edifying Thought on the Feast of Ss. Cyril and Methodius
Low Effort Blogging: Saint Aloysius Gonzaga
I’m hopped up on cold medicine right now and trying to conserve what energy I do have into not falling completely behind in current projects, so here’s a saint of the day copied directly from Catholic Encyclopedia: Born in the castle of Castiglione, 9 March, 1568; died 21 June, 1591. At eight he was placed … Continue reading Low Effort Blogging: Saint Aloysius Gonzaga
Words of the Saints: St. Louis to His Son
(Meant to have something of my own, but I've fallen down with a bad cold and don't have much in the way of thinking powers. So enjoy the advice of St. Louis IX to his son) 1. To his dear first-born son, Philip, greeting, and his father's love. 2. Dear son, since I desire with … Continue reading Words of the Saints: St. Louis to His Son
Words of the Saints: A Prayer of St. Bede
(A little late on this: taken from this excellent article on the Saint by my sister, which I recommend you read) Lord God almighty,open wide the door of my heartand illumine it with the grace of the Holy Spirit,that I may seek what is pleasing to your will.Guide my thoughts and my heart,and lead my … Continue reading Words of the Saints: A Prayer of St. Bede
Words of the Saints – St. John Henry Newman on Literature
"A Literature, when it is formed, is a national and historical fact; it is a matter of the past and the present, and can be as little ignored as the present, as little undone as the past. We can deny, supersede, or change it, then only, when we can do the same towards the race … Continue reading Words of the Saints – St. John Henry Newman on Literature
Friday Flotsam: The Emperor, the Director, and the Lexicographer
1. Today is the centenary of Bl. Karl of Austria’s death. Accordingly, I went to Mass before work to seek his intercession that God will send us good leaders (among other things). Those who aren't yet familiar with Emperor Karl are invited to learn more here. 2. A mild insomnia has been bothering me all … Continue reading Friday Flotsam: The Emperor, the Director, and the Lexicographer
Words of the Saints: Saint Francis de Sales on Anxiety
Book IV, Chapter II of Introduction to the Devout Life (emph. mine): "Anxiety of mind is not so much an abstract temptation, as the source whence various temptations arise. Sadness, when defined, is the mental grief we feel because of our involuntary ailments;—whether the evil be exterior, such as poverty, sickness or contempt; or interior, … Continue reading Words of the Saints: Saint Francis de Sales on Anxiety
Reflections on St. Joseph’s Day
Today is the Feast of St. Joseph; the man who taught God to be a man. Wading into the theology and imagery here would be intense work, so I’m going to limit myself to one subject (well, kind of). More and more it seems to me that God works in fractals: patterns repeated all the … Continue reading Reflections on St. Joseph’s Day
Serpent's Den 