Once upon a time there lived a rich man who wanted to spend his money giving good things to the poor. One day he found a group of raggedy children playing in the street and said to them, “Come, boys … Continue reading
Category: Articles
Are We There Yet?
We all know that the End of the World is inevitable — but is it tomorrow? Some might be tempted to say yes. Or, if not tomorrow, definitely next week, maybe next year. Ten years at most. Twenty years at … Continue reading
Kingdom of the Immaculate
August is of course the month of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the centrepiece of which in the traditional calendar is the feast of the Immaculate Heart, placed by Pius XII on the Octave Day of the Assumption (August 22) … Continue reading
Helping Children to Tell the Truth
After working in a classroom for over twenty years, I think I’m finally getting the hang of a few things. One issue that used to come up frequently and which was very difficult for me to deal with was lying … Continue reading
The Transfiguration and Our Lives
August 6, the feast of the Transfiguration, is one that comes and goes very quickly in the excitement of the Summer — so much so, that it is often overlooked. But it has a number of important lessons that we … Continue reading
Saint Therese, Novelty, and the Development of Doctrine
When St. Louis Marie de Montfort set out to fire the world with enthusiasm for Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary, he was careful to establish that this devotion was in keeping with Tradition. Holy Slavery, argues this great Marian … Continue reading
Why King Arthur Still Matters
Hic jacet Arthurus, Rex quondam, Rexque futurus. “Here lies Arthur, King Once, and King in the Future.” July is the month of the Precious Blood, and, as always, that focus of devotion brings to mind the Holy Grail — as … Continue reading
What Do You Want of Me?
“What do you want of me?” It was the perfect question. And not only did little Lucia dos Santos begin her first conversation with the Queen of the Universe with this question, but with it she began every single one … Continue reading
A Yankee Doodle Dandy?
A very odd thing happened to me the other day in Prague. Now Prague – like the other cities of the former Austria-Hungary – is a city I love to visit and never feel homesick in. Indeed, apart from missing … Continue reading
The Lights Shine in Darkness
Far above the Ephel Dúath in the West the night sky was still dim and pale. There, peeping among the cloud-wrack above a dark tor high up in the mountains, Sam saw a bright star twinkle for a while. The … Continue reading
Feeding the Fire: A June Meditation
When was the last time you tried to build a fire? There is a lot that goes into the success of such a project. Whatever is used for kindling must be flammable, dry, and the right size. You need a … Continue reading
The Theology of Make-Believe
Although Corpus Christi was — in keeping with Easter’s unusually early appearance in 2024 — on May 30 this year, it normally occurs in June. The Friday after the Octave of Corpus Christi being the feast of the Sacred Heart, … Continue reading
More on the Romanitas of the Universal Church
The last Ad Rem I published, Are You a ‘Roman Catholic’ or Just a ‘Catholic’?, received some constructive criticism that helped me to see that I had misread a passage of the book I was commenting on, The Iron Sceptre … Continue reading
Jack, the Thief
Once upon a time a widow and her son, Jack came to the end of their means. The boy was sent to market to sell their cow for a good price. On the way he met a man who convinced … Continue reading
Memorial Day
No more shall the war cry sever, Or the winding rivers be red. They banish our anger forever When they laurel the graves of our dead! Under the sod and the dew, Waiting the judgment-day; Love and tears for the … Continue reading
