Much attention has justly been given to Cardinal Biffi’s Lenten Retreat to the Pope and leaders of the Roman Curia (e.g., “Pope’s Retreat Preacher Speaks on Antichrist As a ‘Pacifist, Ecologist and Ecumenist’”). Soon after the retreat — because papal … 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.
On the Hatred of ‘the World’
Below is a sublime liturgical reflection from the pen of my favorite spiritual writer, Abbot Prosper Guéranger. It is an excerpt from The Liturgical Year for the Tuesday of Quinquagesima Week, where that profound Benedictine master writes about the hatred we … Continue reading →
Archbishop Ranjith and His Frank Assessment
Earlier this week, we linked to Anthony Valle’s interview with Archbishop Albert Malcom Ranjith Patabendige Don, the Sri Lankan secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship. The interview was published by Inside the Vatican and has been made available on … Continue reading →
‘Oriental Orthodox’ Dialogue, the Problem of Pluralism
Zenit news agency ran a story on the ecumenical dialogue with the Oriental Orthodox (Report of Catholic-Oriental Orthodox Commission). Noteworthy in that report is the list of papers that were presented at the Commission’s meeting. Please notice the topics: “Mission, … Continue reading →
Liberal Hate Profiteers Slam Traditionalists
Anybody not gullible enough to swallow everything the liberal media cram down his throat knows that the word “anti-Semitism” is a serious verbal weapon frequently hurled around by ideologues and opportunists alike. An organization that fits both categories has recently … Continue reading →
The Candidates and Church Teaching
It is a privilege to treat our friends to some of Gary Potter’s discerning thoughts concerning the election. — Brother André Marie, M.I.C.M. The Candidates and Church Teaching By Gary Potter There is still more than a year to go … Continue reading →
Part III of the Review of ‘Harvard to Harvard’
This is the final installment of our review of Abbot Gabriel’s book. (Click Here for Part I / Click Here for Part II) The “Regularization.” When Abbot Gabriel told me that there would be things Brother Francis would not agree … Continue reading →
Part II of the Review of ‘Harvard to Harvard’
In the last edition, I mentioned that my review of Abbot Gabriel’s book would cover both its positive and its negative aspects. I also mentioned that, should the parts we view as less favorable get more attention, it is not … Continue reading →
Review of ‘Harvard to Harvard’ by Abbot Gabriel Gibbs (Part I)
The Abbot of St. Benedict Abbey in Still River has made an important contribution to the historical literature on Father Feeney and his Crusade, Harvard to Harvard. Abbot Gabriel Gibbs, O.S.B., one of the early members of the Slaves of … Continue reading →
A Tale of Two Monasteries
The Australian-based CathNews web site has been reviewing the major news stories of 2006. Two of those stories side-by-side made for an alarming study in ecclesiastical confusion. The first covered the unconventional conversion of Frere Roger of Taize, the ecumenical … Continue reading →
Christmas and the Battle
The Holy Father’s Angelus Address on the Feast of St. Stephen reminded us of some thoughts of Father Feeney’s in Bread of Life, namely, that the Christ Child came into an evil world and was very soon surrounded by violence. … Continue reading →
False Ecumenism: An Old Error, On Hanukkah and Christmas
What we call today, ecumenism, is not a new thing. (Neither, for that matter, is its cousin, syncretism, or its twin sister, indifferentism. Error is very old.) The not-very-venerable antiquity of ecumenism struck me the other day as I was … Continue reading →
St. Joseph and ‘the Holidays’
With Thanksgiving now behind us, Americans are now in the thick of the “Holiday Season,” you know, the annual public pretense that puts Kwanzaa and Hanukkah on a par with the Birth of God in time. (Not that I dismiss … Continue reading →
Saint Josaphat and Church Unity
With the Holy Father getting ready to meet Patriarch Bartholomew in Turkey, there is much talk of Catholic-Orthodox unity (e.g., Meeting between Benedict XVI and Patriarch Bartholomew will not be a meeting of heads of two universal Churches – Moscow … Continue reading →
Ecumenism and Fatima Reconsidered
Lately, there are some mainstream conservative thinkers who have gone on record critical of ecumenical endeavors. Lately, too, there is a mainstream and respected journalist who has done a major course correction vis-a-vis Fatima. The two issues are very much … Continue reading →