Photo from Captured and Exposed Louis Pranzini and the Laborers Today, October 1st, is the feast day of The Little Flower, St. Therese of Lisieux, one of only thirty-six saints to be declared a Doctor of the Church. In his twenty-six year pontificate, Pope John Paul ll canonized around 482 saints–only one of whom he […]
Louis Pranzini and the Laborers: Lesson from St. Therese Read More »
A declaration of dependence America’s declaration of independence is fundamentally a declaration of dependence on God wrote Archbishop Fulton Sheen over eighty years ago. When we read the five-man committee’s words, we cannot help but be moved by their implicit reason and truth. WHEN in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to
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Antisemitism as spiritual evil “Prejudice means racism,” my friend insisted, reacting to my remark that we’re all prejudiced. About something, maybe many things. “No. It doesn’t. Think about the word itself: prejudge. It implies an opinion based not on fact or experience but “prejudgment,” closemindedness. Since her look was skeptical, I’m not sure I ever
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I know nothing about love I’d been Catholic for just a few months when the young priest approached me in the empty church. Everyone had left after the morning Mass but I stayed on my knees staring at the crucifix. The priest who would become my first spiritual director asked, “Are you okay?” With tears
I Know Nothing About Love Read More »
Do you not know that life is a soldier’s service? The stirrings of Greek Stoic’s Epictetus philosophy were formed by his early subjugation as slave to Nero’s secretary, Epaphroditus. Freed after Nero’s death, Epictetus went on to write his Discourses and the Stoic Manual: the Enchiridion. Although Epictetus had never been a soldier, his slavery immersed him in the battleground that
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The awful simplicity of sin Isn’t it strange when something we’ve repeatedly read and/or heard in the liturgy one day seems to shout out at us? As in STOP, PAY ATTENTION!! Monday’s reading was from the Book of Daniel and if we listen closely, brings sorrow, if not shame. Why? Because we see ourselves. The
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In praise of inequality Title grab your attention? Good. Because the notion of universal equality is irrational and foolish. Perhaps even sinful if done against God’s Law. In praise of inequality!! Take just a moment and look about God’s creatures and creation: the massive inequality of it. A hike in the woods or the mountains
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The use and misuse of power. When we see a phrase like this, we think of powerful persons, institutions or some kind of disaster, don’t we? The use and misuse of power connotes vastness. Someone Huge! Something colossal! We sure don’t think of ourselves—our reason, will or our intellect as method for the use and
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The loss of context: Pope Benedict and Islamophobia If you’re wondering why I’d add another opinion, analysis or virtual eulogy to the many thousands already published about the death of Pope Benedict, I understand. Especially since I’m woefully ignorant of this man, his thoughts and writings. So why then add to the plethora of words
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Let’s get away from the crowd Time goes so fast, doesn’t it? These blessed days of Advent are slipping away far too quickly. Christmas Day’s a week from today! And there are numerous holy practices still to be done. Let’s get away from the crowd and use these days to make straight the path of
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