«Ad Rem» is our Prior’s fortnightly email message offering news and commentary regarding the Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the Crusade of St. Benedict Center, and issues affecting the universal Church. Each number offers brief, ad rem (“to the point”) commentary on timely or otherwise important matters. Click here to subscribe to our email list and receive the «Ad Rem» each time it’s published.
Ecumenism is a neologism. While that sentence hits the ear with all the clumsy force of a Dr. Seuss-like bit of doggerel, it is simply a statement of fact. Traditionally, the word “ecumenical” denoted “of or pertaining to the inhabited … Continue reading
The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) was Jesus’ answer to a disingenuous question from “a certain lawyer,” i.e., an expert in the Pharisaical interpretation of the Torah. The question was “Who is my neighbor?” It was insincere because … Continue reading
As I write, my thoughts are directed to our October 9–10 Conference, which is for us the renewal of a beloved autumnal ritual. This year’s theme is “Oases of Sanity in the 21st Century,” and I have entitled my own … Continue reading
Last time, we considered the sacramental economy in the period of the so-called “Law of Nature.” It is now our task to take up how that economy changed at the time of God’s covenant of circumcision with Abraham and then … Continue reading
The Catholic sacramental system is a marvel of Divine Wisdom that human creativity, no matter how ingenious, could not possibly have imagined. These seven fonts of divine grace — so variously and so perfectly accommodated to the spiritual needs of … Continue reading
For thy sake we are put to death all the day long. We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. (Ps. 43:22) The Psalm verse atop this Ad Rem came to mind as I was considering the situation. Psalm 43 … Continue reading
For the past two episodes of Reconquest, and concluding with a third, I am discussing the “Letter to the Archbishop of Boston” — known also as Suprema haec sacra and also “the Marchetti-Selvaggiani Letter.” This well known letter concerns our … Continue reading
This is the last installment in our series on the Catholic economy of salvation. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus “began with the end,” that is, Our Blessed Lord gave us a glimpse of what He desires us to … Continue reading
We continue our series on the Catholic economy of salvation. The three theological virtues, along with sanctifying grace, are infused into the soul directly by God. The sacraments are all the works of Jesus Christ, who is the heavenly High … Continue reading
In this third installment on the revealed economy of salvation, we will explore the necessity of the Church, a subject very dear to our hearts here at Saint Benedict Center. It was my intention to include other topics make this … Continue reading
My third and final installment of “What Must I Do to Be Saved” will come next week. As we are only a few days from the month of June, here is an earlier Ad Rem that might make for timely … Continue reading
Continuing our series on the Catholic economy of salvation, we move from our first installment’s consideration of faith, hope, and charity, to a look at the sacraments. We will not address each and every sacrament here, but will confine ourselves … Continue reading
You may have seen one of those Protestant tracts, web pages, or videos that asks: “What Must I Do to Be Saved?” The reference is from Acts of the Apostles 16:30-31, where it is related that Saint Paul and Silas … Continue reading
My last Ad Rem, “The Iran War and the Battle for the Soul of America,” garnered strong reactions, both positive and negative. Grateful as I am for the positive comments I received, the negative ones need to be addressed here. … Continue reading
A man once told Brother Francis, when our Lebanese mentor had initiated a religious conversation with him, “There are two things we don’t talk about here!” Brother responded, with all the apparent naïveté of a foreigner, “What are they?” “Religion … Continue reading
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