The current definition of the Middle Ages implies that they are an intermediary epoch between two civilizations, and, therefore, only a break in the course of civilization.

There is no term about whose definition there is more perfect agreement than “The Middle Ages.” We are told that the Middle Ages are an intermediary epoch between antiquity and modern times. This is the definition given by all dictionaries, encyclopedias, text-books and summaries. Read More »

[The Battleground: Syria and Palestine, the Seed Plot of Religion by Hilaire Belloc. Ignatius Press.]

Hilaire Belloc, one of my favorite authors, was exceedingly prolific. He wrote one hundred fifty three books of poetry, essays, history, religion, politics, and economics, as well as hundreds of magazine and newspaper articles. His life (1870-1953) was long and fascinating, and even had him serving for a time in the French army. He was, in fact, born in France of a French father and an Irish mother. Later, he moved to Britain and served in Parliament. A brilliant and witty Catholic, he was largely responsible for his friend G. K. Chesterton’s conversion to the Faith. Read More »

What a beautiful and crowning epithet this would have been on his tombstone. He wrote this in his early diary.

Zenit has a insightful interview with the head of the Italian Chestertonian Society addressing why the great writer and thinker became a Catholic. For those who love Chesterton this is a good read.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, one of the greatest poets to grace the sunrise of American literature in the mid-nineteenth century, had more than a passing interest in Catholic themes. Study travels to the European  countrysides, which were granted him by Maine’s Bowdoin College, in preparation for his assuming the chair of modern languages, gave him a taste for Catholic culture.  One of his most endearing poems was Santa
Filomena. It was published in the very first issue of The Atlantic Magazine in 1857. There is also his greatest masterpiece, the epic poem, Evangeline,  Read More »

The following extract from the Catechism on Catholic Doctrine, written by the renowned Scottish Bishop, George Hay (1729-1811), is presented for you as a testimony to the Faith of the centuries. A con­vert from Episcopalianism, Bishop Hay understood, far better than most of our present day Catholic clergy, the need for infallible authority in religious matters. Read More »

A great sage of our time, Hilaire Belloc, foresaw what was coming upon our civilization. He saw its approach half a century ago more clearly than most people today see it now that it is here. Read More »

In honor of yesterday’s Feast of Corpus Christi and its Octave, remnants of which still exist in the 1962 Liturgy, this is something of a literary tribute to the Bread of Life. Read More »

Towards the end of his life, Bishop Fulton Sheen (1895–1979) personally gave our Brother Hugh permission to reprint this article in From the Housetops in the 1970s. We once again make it available, this time on the web.

(Books by or about Father Denis Fahey are available at store.catholicism.org)

On account of the confusion of mind prevalent among Catholics concerning the question of Anti-Semitism, a few words must be said about it. Read More »

Sometimes it is not enough for a man to die. A mediocre man, even a good one, is soon forgotten. Read More »