For the first time since 2013, I shall be missing the annual conference at St. Benedict Center. Alas, my attendance is a victim of the Corona-induced restrictions on travel. So, I have decided to tick off the things I’ll miss … Continue reading
Author Archives: Charles A. Coulombe
The Religion of America IV: Can These Bones Live?
The events that have transpired since our last instalment have cast everything said thus far into exceedingly and uncomfortably stark relief. Across the United States, cities have burned, shops been looted, and the statues not merely of Confederate stalwarts but … Continue reading
The Religion of America III: Decline and Fall
As we have seen, the American Civic Religion was a disparate and amorphous thing — vaguely “Christian” as the Supreme Court decreed, and buttressed by the three pillars of the republic: the family, the church (of whatever kind), and the … Continue reading
The Religion of America II: Practitioners and Practise
Having looked at the tenets and history of our national cultus, we must now examine those who conducted it, its shrines, and its liturgies. We have in these pages examined the role of the President of the United States as … Continue reading
The Religion of America, I: Tenets and History
There are many reasons attributed to American decline over the past decades. One may look at moral, economic, political, and cultural factors — and many have. To be sure, all of these play their part. But in, with, and under … Continue reading
To Gary Potter
The following brief poem came to the author this morning… Our hopes for early glory fail, The causes that we fought for die; Still avidly His Cross we hail, In silhouette against the sky.
Fighting Rage
A few months ago, in response to an article of mine on the Habsburgs, I faced what German-speakers have dubbed an “Online-Lynchmobb,” courtesy of Twitter. The puerile nature of the attacks drove me through the roof! Difference of opinion is … Continue reading
Tolkien and Reality
It shall come as a surprise to no one that I am a great fan of J.R.R. Tolkien’s work. Having discovered The Lord of the Rings in Junior High (thanks in no small part to having been introduced to C.S. … Continue reading
The Real Father Feeney
The recent profile by Michael Voris and Church Militant of Fr. Leonard Feeney (at first SJ and latterly MICM) — and certain other developments have resurrected interest in the much maligned native of Lynn, Massachusetts. The tragic tale of how … Continue reading
Coming Home
‘Warren,’ she said, ‘he has come home to die: You needn’t be afraid he’ll leave you this time.’ ‘Home,’ he mocked gently. ‘Yes, what else but home? It all depends on what you mean by home. Of course he’s nothing … Continue reading
Hail to the Chiefs?
February is certainly presidents’ month, given that Washington, Lincoln, and Reagan — arguably three of our most impressive — were all born at this time. Given the current and ongoing attacks against the current holder of the office — and … Continue reading
As Christmas Leaves Us
Thus times do shift; each thing his turn does hold; New things succeed as former things grow old. — Robert Herrick, “Ceremonies for Candlemas Eve” After the excitement of the Twelve Days of Christmas and theringing in of the New … Continue reading
Why I Love St. Nicholas
Advent and the onset of Christmas always brings on memories of times past and the omnipresent figure of Santa Claus. Now, do not misunderstand me — I am all too aware (and have written about) the de-Christianisation of Christmas and … Continue reading
When the Guns Fell Silent
A century ago, at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, the worst war in recorded history up to that time ended on its Western Front. Hundreds of miles to the East, a Saint was driven … Continue reading
The Old World and The New
I have recently moved from Los Angeles, California, to Trumau Austria, in order to pursue a Master’s degree in Sacred Theology. Uprooting myself from the city where I have lived most of my life was difficult enough; to move to … Continue reading
