Back in April I posted an article on the “Holy Forties.” Now I would like to post a short piece on the “Holy Twelves.” We begin, of course, with the twelve Apostles: Peter, Andrew, James (the Greater), John, Simon, James … Continue reading
Category: Columns
Reconquest Episode 31. The Precious Blood of Jesus
The price of our salvation is the Most Precious Blood of Jesus. In the nineteenth century, there was a real flowering of devotion to the Precious Blood, thanks to such notables as Saint Gaspar del Bufalo, Father Frederick Faber, and, of … Continue reading
I Saw Bishop Athanasius Schneider Last Night, and I’m Glad I Did
Last night, at Holy Ghost parish in Tiverton, Rhode Island, Brothers and Sisters from Saint Benedict Center were among the hundreds present for Bishop Athanasius Schneider’s much-anticipated presentation on the crisis in the Church. What was especially rewarding for me in hearing … Continue reading
Reconquest Episode 30: Saint Ferdinand III, with Dr. Alexandra Wilhelmsen
For this show, I am joined by Dr. Alexandra Wilhelmsen (with whom I previously discussed the Spanish Carlists). Our subject is Saint Ferdinand III, the Crusader and liberator of Catholic Spain, who united the two Iberian Kingdoms of Leon and … Continue reading
Gianna Jessen and Brownson’s ‘Smallest Peg’
Meet Gianna Jessen. She’s not a Catholic. She identifies as a Christian. She says she only wants Jesus. Before I go on with this, let me say that I, too, hate reading news stories (or anything else on the Internet) … Continue reading
Reconquest Episode 29. Giving God His Due
On this show, I consider a standard objection to Catholic devotion: the charge of idolatrous worship of the Blessed Virgin, the saints, and the angels. I call the show Giving God His Due. The question boils down to this: What is … Continue reading
The Problem of Pluralism and the Remedy of (True) Religion
Mike Church and Chris Ferrara discuss the contrast between Christendom and Western Modernity, and also the remedies to the problems of the latter. To cut to the chase, the real remedy is conversion to the Catholic Faith and the Christian … Continue reading
Reconquest Episode 28. Saint Robert Southwell: The Truth, the Beauty, and the Gore. Guest: Charles Coulombe
For my next Reconquest, I will be joined by Charles Coulombe. Charles and I will discuss “Saint Robert Southwell: The Truth, the Beauty, and the Gore.” Topics will include a brief biological sketch of the missionary-martyr-poet, the purpose of his … Continue reading
The Temptations of Christ in the Desert
The Three Temptations of Christ in the Desert After forty days of fasting and prayers Our Lord is tired and hungry. He has not yet begun His public life. Saint John the Baptist has given testimony that Jesus is the … Continue reading
Mass Schedule from June 14 to July 18
Sunday Masses for the rest of June are at the regular time (7:30 low Mass/9:30 sung Mass). Weekday Masses will be offered only on the following days: Wednesday, June 15; Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, June 20-22; Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, June … Continue reading
Saint Columba and the Loch Ness Monster
(Courtesy of Fisheaters.com) St. Columba (also known as “Columcille”) was born of the O’Donnell Clan in Garten, County Donegal, Ireland, on December 7, 521; he died on 9 June, 597. In between, he founded monasteries in and evangelized Ireland and … Continue reading
Armenian Martyr Archbishop Ignatius Maloyan
Reading through the tenth anniversary issue of the Knights of Columbus’ Colombia magazine I came to a short, boxed article on Blessed Archbishop Ignatius Maloyan. He was one of the Armenian martyrs, victim of the Turkish genocide. Shoukr Allah Maloyan … Continue reading
Reconquest Episode 27. Contracepting Heaven and Earth. Guest: C.J. Doyle
My good friend C.J. Doyle joins me for the next Reconquest. C.J. is the Executive Director of the Catholic Action League of Massachusetts, a frequent speaker at Saint Benedict Center Conferences, and an informed and erudite Catholic culture warrior, who … Continue reading
Mass Schedule for the Rest of June
From now until June 13, the Mass schedule at Saint Benedict Center will be as normal: 7:30 AM daily low Mass; 7:30 AM low and 9:30 AM high Mass on Sundays. For the remainder of June, our Sunday schedule will … Continue reading
And Now for Something Completely Different: the Islamification of the U.K.
Due to some mystery lurking deep within the algorithms of YouTube, I was recently presented with a recommendation to watch this video, dating from 1984, of Graham Chapman appearing on a British television program called “Opinions.” I was intrigued because of … Continue reading
