At the end of the Rule of St. Augustine, the Doctor of Grace — who was also a monk and father of monks — enjoins his disciples to observe its precepts “not like slaves under the law, but like freemen … Continue reading
Category: Spiritual Life
Judgmentalism and a Free Society
In Saint Paul’s account of the institution of the Holy Eucharist, the Apostle admonishes all who receive our Lord’s Body and Blood to examine their consciences, for “he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgment to himself, not … Continue reading
St. Louis Marie and Baptism
The feast of St. Louis Marie de Montfort coincides this year with Easter Wednesday. This liturgical concurrence provides us with an especially felicitous occasion for considering the sacrament of Baptism. Why? Let us recall two things at the very start. … Continue reading
The Drama of Holy Week
If the Church’s liturgical calendar were a temple of time consecrated to God, what we are fast approaching is that temple’s Holy of Holies. The Church sanctifies every week of the year, but only one, by virtue of excellence, does … Continue reading
Come, Divine Physician
The rich ferial Masses for Lent provide us with much spiritual food for our forty-day sojourn in the desert. Today’s propers focus on Jesus Christ, the divine Physician. The stational Church for today is the Basilica of Saints Cosmas and … Continue reading
Sinners in the Hands of an Affirming Rogerian
In medio stat virtus, or “virtue stands in the middle,” is a tried and true aphorism of the moral life. It means that the correct way of virtue avoids the errors of excess on the one hand and defect on … Continue reading
Increasing in the Knowledge of God
As we approach the Feast of the Epiphany, the intimacy of the Christmas Octave gives way to the universality of Christ’s three-fold “showing forth” in the visit of the Wise Men, the Baptism in the Jordan, and the Wedding-Feast of … Continue reading
The Excellent Knowledge of Jesus Christ
Light is a medium of knowledge. By it, we see things, perceive things, know things. Advent marks the time of darkness before the coming of the light of Christ. Christmas, foreshadowed by the Jewish “Festival of Lights,” commemorates the entrance … Continue reading
The Silent Woman
It is good to wait with silence for the salvation of God (Lam. 3:26). We’ve considered the Marian character of our present liturgical season in Maria’s Advent. Now I would like to reflect on one particular facet of Mary’s own … Continue reading
The Age of Mary
[Taken from The Communion of Saints: Sanctity Through the Centuries] A girl, or as we may call her, a woman, is in herself the most wonderful creature that God has ever made. The first man was made from the slime … Continue reading
The Four-Fold Wisdom
Brother Francis began his eight-part philosophy course with words to this effect: “We are starting a course on wisdom. And when it comes to wisdom, only a fool can think himself a worthy teacher.” He stated this with his characteristic … Continue reading
Woman, Behold Thy Son!
[Taken from The History of the Passion, Fr. James Groenings, SJ. Imprimatur: Archbishop Glennon, Jan. , 1908.] The first word of Christ on the cross concerned His enemies, who, however, instead of being converted, continued to offend Him. They, indeed, … Continue reading
“I Am With You Always” and Again “The Son of Man Shall Come”
Il reviendra avec son coeur immense, avec son coeur de flamme, son âme de pauvre et son sourire. Il reviendra ! Et le Coeur Immaculé de Marie triomphera! I love this motto from the late Abbé de Nantes’ periodical for … Continue reading
Tenth Sunday after Pentecost
“O God, I give Thee thanks that I am not as the rest of men…” What’s the problem? Have you ever stopped to consider what it is that was really wrong with the prayer of the Pharisee? After all, it … Continue reading
Annual Portiuncula Plenary Indulgence, First Sunday of August
This year the first Sunday of August is also the first day of the month. To gain the indulgence one must go to confession during the eight days before or after August 1. The usual conditions apply: visit the Blessed … Continue reading
