Dusting off this very brief article from a 1948 edition of From the Housetops, I am struck with how timely it remains. If it were written today, it would have to be updated with the more recent innovation that Charity … Continue reading
Tag Archives: From the Housetops – Cambridge Issues
Catholicism is Also a Manner
CATHOLICISM is not only a matter: a truth to be told; it is also a manner: a way of telling it. Manner makes meaning quite as much as matter does. To say what Christ said, but not in the way … Continue reading
The Root of Evil
Brought up as we American Catholics are in Protestant traditions, surrounded on every side by Protestant culture, compelled to approve and applaud Protestant values, any attempt on our part to resist being engulfed by this flood-tide will appear insanely anti-social. … Continue reading
O Doctor Optime
In this day of confusion and false prophets where shall we look to find the Truth which will set us free, the sure teachings of the Faith? Who will teach us Christ? As in past ages the true Christian will … Continue reading
A Note on History
One of the few things on which most Americans will agree is that dates are not worth remembering. A typical conversation might run like this: “Oh! You’re going to college?”
Monseigneur Saint Michel
Two feasts every year. One a double major, the other a double of the first class!
Dear Infant Jesus of Prague
You came down amongst us as a Light shining in the darkness, as a sign for men of good will, that they might become part of Your Flock, guided by Your Vicar on earth, and as a contradiction to those … Continue reading
How Do Liberal Catholics Talk
Since the Reformation, back in the dawn of modern times, the heresies which it ushered into the world have always been fought by the Church. In spite of that, some Catholics have been intoxicated by the political consequences that naturally … Continue reading
Intellectualism and Intelligence
An intellectual, in the popular sense of the term, is one who prides himself on possessing much knowledge, one who delights in knowing facts just for the sake of knowing facts. An intelligent person is one who makes proper use … Continue reading
Saint Ignatius Loyola
In the sixteenth century the University of Paris was a fair-sized town. It had fifty colleges and schools and some sixteen thousand students thronged its numerous buildings. They were divided into four “nations”: the French, Picards, Normans, and Germans. The … Continue reading
How to Write a Book
Fifty-four years ago three sisters called Mary, Pauline, and Teresa spent an hour of joy in each other’s company. The youngest sister, Teresa, told tales of her childhood with such charm that the other two were captivated.
Catholic Education
(A Question or Two on Education) This fall, once again, all over the United States, Catholic boys and girls have enrolled in non-Catholic colleges. For the most of them their motives are simple and not too ambitious — a good … Continue reading
How Not to Write a Book
“I have a nausea,” said Sancho Panza, “and I believe I must write a book.” “I can think of no nausea so potent as to fit thee to write a book,” said Don Quixote, “and, since thou art my squire, … Continue reading
Conversation Without Conversion
Why, yes, I’m a Catholic. I thought you knew. I haven’t mentioned it explicitly before because I’ve gathered from various remarks you’ve made that you’re not too fond of the Church, and I haven’t wanted our friendship to be endangered … Continue reading
Common Moth
Born out of dust, of dust’s consistency, You start, from the immensity of night, A wisp of fluttering transparency, Glorious with willingness, this final flight.
