A woman once came to speak to me about some difficulties she was having. At some point in the conversation, it came out that she could not pray to God the Father, but insisted on addressing all her prayers only … Continue reading
Category: «Ad Rem» A Fortnightly Email Message from the Prior
«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.
Interjecting Advent Authenticity into the Secular ‘Holiday’ Season
Aside from being authentic expressions of the worship of Christ’s Mystical Body, ancient liturgical traditions are also wonderful correctives to the spirit of the age. Vis-à-vis Christmas, those who celebrate it still are often confused by merchants and entertainers into … Continue reading
Concerning Strength and Weakness
At first blush, it may appear vain or proud for a Catholic to desire “strength.” After all, the Apostle tells us that, “the weak things of the world hath God chosen, that he may confound the strong” (I Cor. 1:27b). … Continue reading
But the Church Really Is ‘Just a Building’
For some strange reason, in numerous conversations I have had with Protestants, the same statement has been made over and over by the other party while discussing the nature of the Church: “The Church is not a building!” The observation … Continue reading
On Leaves and Martyrs and the Glory of God
Here in rural New England, we are blessed to be surrounded this time of year with something I did not grow up with in Louisiana: fall color. The varied hues of reds, oranges, and yellows, dazzle the eye, while the … Continue reading
Time and Salvation
Eternal salvation is the single most urgent matter facing humanity. Whether or not we live the life of grace here and of beatitude hereafter does objectively matter more than any other concern we face either corporately or individually. Anyone with … Continue reading
The Church: a Supernatural Organism, Not a Mere Human Institution
It is not a popular thing to say that there is no salvation outside the Catholic Church. When Catholics who uncompromisingly believe this doctrine actually profess it, the contrary reactions can be very acerbic, which is one of many reasons … Continue reading
Saint Thomas on ‘the Division of Grace’
Saint Ignatius Loyola was, before becoming a saint, a man of practical affairs, being a career soldier and aristocrat. I say “before becoming a saint” using the narrow, strict notion of the word saint, that of being someone excellently holy, … Continue reading
Causality and the Biblical Economy of Salvation
When God created all things in the beginning, He did so for a purpose worthy of Himself: His own glory. It may surprise readers to learn that this is actually a dogma of the faith and that anyone who denies … Continue reading
Life, Causality, and the Catholic-Protestant Divide
What do the definition of life and the philosophical concept of “secondary causality” have to do with hot-button issues that separate Catholics and Protestants? A lot, I believe, and what follows here is an introduction to a concept that can … Continue reading
Optimism and Pessimism as Inadequate Categories
“You’re so ‘glass half-empty’!” Have you ever heard that one? It usually comes up in a conversation after one party has made a particularly “negative” comment. At times, the accusation precipitates an argument on the merits of optimism over pessimism … Continue reading
The Sons of Heli and a Lutheran from New Jersey
A Lutheran from New Jersey called me last week. His question for me, which is of no consequence to these lines, led us to a discussion of the problem of evil in the Church of Jesus Christ. You see, this … Continue reading
On Loving and Hating in June: the Sacred Heart vs. Depraved ‘Pride’
June is the month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. In the last few years, a collective of public relations consultants and groomers have also named it “Pride Month.” If you have not heard — in which case you have … Continue reading
‘Extra Ecclesiam’ and the Hierarchy of Virtue: Reply to an Objection
Someone recently told me: you’re right about no salvation outside the Church, but that’s not the most important thing. Love is. The novelty of the objection interested me because it was not a denial of extra ecclesiam nulla salus, nor … Continue reading
The Powers Latent in Your Families
Next week, I will be in Louisiana, participating in an event organized by Mike Church, “The Fellowship of The Clans” Crusader Congress. I was given a curious talk title to address: “Harnessing the Power of Family over State.” Rather than … Continue reading
