Today is the feast of Blessed Karl of Austria, the last Hapsburg Emperor (for now). For those who don't know the tragic story of this holy monarch, Blessed Karl was the grand nephew of Emperor Franz Joseph and ascended the throne in 1916 at the age of twenty-six. He was an extremely pious and kindly … Continue reading October 21: Blessed Karl of Austria
Saints
Some thoughts from ‘The Infidelity of the Future’
Today at lunch I refreshed my mind by reading St. John Henry Newman's sermon The Infidelity of the Future. Some of his main points, with brief thoughts: *The great evil of our time is the Spirit of Infidelity itself. Has it never struck you as odd that we consider terms like 'unorthodox' or 'unconventional' to … Continue reading Some thoughts from ‘The Infidelity of the Future’
Talking about St. John Henry Newman’s Idea of a Gentleman at Catholic Match
Latest Catholic Match piece is up, going into St. John Henry Newman's description of a Gentleman and how it applies to people today: St. Cardinal Newman (a man who knew something of being both a Christian and a gentleman) offered this definition (abridged: the full description can be found in his Idea of a University): … Continue reading Talking about St. John Henry Newman’s Idea of a Gentleman at Catholic Match
Saint John Henry Newman
It's rare that we get good news from the Church these days, so cherish it when it comes! Cardinal Newman, the great English convert of the 19th century, whose return to Rome sparked something of a Catholic renaissance in that noble, yet obstinate island kingdom, is now declared a Saint. Cardinal Newman is one of … Continue reading Saint John Henry Newman
For St. Patrick’s Day
The great 'Lorica' or "Breastplate Prayer" of St. Patrick, the patron of the Land that Once was Ireland: Sancti Patricii Hymnus ad Temoriam. Ad Temoriam hodie potentiam praepollentem invoco Trinitatis, Credo in Trinitatem sub unitate numinis elementorum. Apud Temoriam hodie virtutem nativitatis Christi cum ea ejus baptismi, Virtutem crucifixionis cum ea ejus sepulturae, Virtutem resurrectionis … Continue reading For St. Patrick’s Day
Hail, Patron
Today, January 24, is the feast day of St. Francis de Sales, patron of writers and journalists. Mr. David Warren provides as fine a summary of his life, work, and faith as I've read. “Be who you are and be that well.”
Serpent's Den 