The Roman statesman Cato the Elder (234-149 BC) gave us the pithy Latin proverb rem tene verba sequentur, “grasp the thing and the words will follow.” The lesson is this: once you sufficiently grasp the concept you wish to speak … 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.
Hope in God, not the World; Spe Salvi
The Holy Father’s latest encyclical, Spe Salvi, was published on Friday, the Feast of Saint Andrew. Releasing it as he did just before Advent, the Pope Benedict seems to be consciously presenting us with an Advent theme. This is appropriate … Continue reading
Concerning Palantíri and Blogses: Technology without Grace
A recent news story from the Los Angeles Times tells of a multi-level tragedy that reveals once again the the depravity of fallen human nature in its technologically-enhanced destructive ugliness. In brief, a teenage girl who was subject to depression … Continue reading
False Ecumenism Takes a Formidable Beating
The following is reproduced from the web site of Professor Enrico Maria Radaelli. It is a review by Corrado Trinci O.M.R.I., of Professor Radaelli’s own book: The Mystery of the Blindfolded Synagogue. The Professor is an author who should be … Continue reading
Saint Josaphat, Apostle of Eastern Catholic Unity
Some years ago, Brother Francis wrote an article combining the history of today’s saint with that of Saint Andrew Bobola: Two Patrons for True Ecumenism. Towards the end of that article is an excerpt from Abbot Guéranger’s Liturgical Year. These … Continue reading
“The Father Feeney Archive”: A Disclaimer
I was recently informed that “The Father Feeney Archive” is back online. Don’t let the name fool you. The web master is no friend of Father Feeney or Saint Benedict Center. In an email sent to his list, the site’s … Continue reading
The Center in the News: “Chronicle”
Last Thursday night, Boston’s WCVB TV aired a controversy concerning Saint Benedict Center on their news magazine, “Chronicle.” This is why we posted a welcome message to Chronicle viewers to our main site and our SBC-Richmond Blog. What did we … Continue reading
The Rosary and the Republic, World Mission Sunday
You may not have noticed it, but next year is an election year. For a moment, though, we would do well to look beyond electioneering to the true hope of the Republic. This is not to dismiss politics — the … Continue reading
Russian Ecumenical Walkout, Aborted Babies not Martyrs
Rosary Rally a Success. We had about 120 people at our Rally in Keene on Saturday. For two hours, we prayed the Rosary, sang hymns, and gave witness to Our Lady’s Fatima Message. Two fourteen-foot banners, our Third Order’s Pilgrim … Continue reading
The Shire, not the Borg
Recently, on two separate occasions, I discussed our apostolate with a couple of members of the media. One had something of a grasp of our community’s purpose. The other was far less aware and seemed swayed by some of the … Continue reading
Summorum Pontificum: the Battle Begins
Now that Summorum Pontificum has gone into effect, there are some interesting battle-lines being drawn. One of the most perceptive comments I’ve yet seen regarding the Holy Father’s motu proprio comes from Mr. Edwin Faust, who likened it to the … Continue reading
The Centenary of Pascendi, the Battle of Vienna
An Important Centenary. This past Saturday marked a very important centenary. On September 8, 1907, the Feast of Our Lady’s Nativity, Pope St. Pius X published his wonderful encyclical condemning Modernism: Pascendi Dominici Gregis. The vigilant pope’s definitive condemnation of … Continue reading
Saints X and Y
Below is a little talk I gave this morning to our school students (most of whom are little), who are accustomed to hearing a few minutes’ meditation about the saint of the day before each Mass. Since today is a … Continue reading
The Miracle of the Sun and a Public Witness for Our Lady
The stunning Miracle of the Sun, described below in an eyewitness account, was a modern miracle testifying to the truth of the Catholic Faith and Our Lady’s exalted role in the economy of salvation. It was heaven’s seal of approval … Continue reading
Tired Old Arguments against Tradition
As the September-14 liftoff date for the Motu Proprio approaches, commentators are busy trying to frame public opinion about the Traditional Mass. There have been some very good and penetrating positive responses to the document, and there have been some … Continue reading
