Is Socialism incompatible with Religion, Monasticism?

August 8, 2007 By

A while back I wrote: The thing is, communism works in very small enclaves, in monasteries, for example, where everyone involved is entering willingly, is voluntarily looking to be denuded, is eager to “give stuff up” in an effort to attain something quite different from worldy “stuff.” Communism does not work, though, in a large-scale [...]

Filed Under: Catholic Vocations, Catholicism, Culture of Life/Death, Election 2008, Faith, Monasticism, Our Hillary!, Socialism doesn't work

2 different Poor Clares, 1 Chaplain, one mighty love

July 25, 2007 By

Within the “sameness” of a religious order, there are still wonderful differences. Note the Poor Clares at Our Lady of the Angels Monastery here, traditional, solemn, solidly Western and sounding very beautiful, and then see their sisters in Malawi, here, in joyful, gleeful and profound adoration, their prayer translated by an Irish priest. Sorry you [...]

Filed Under: Catholic Vocations, Catholicism, Faith, Monasticism, Prayer

Hillary’s right; we ARE all in this together…

May 30, 2007 By

Hillary Clinton says she doesn’t like all of this individualism stuff – the rugged individuality which is the very definition of America does not appeal to her very much. She prefers the socialist collective. Resistance is futile. “I prefer a ‘we’re all in it together’ society,” she said. “I believe our government can once again [...]

Filed Under: Benedictine, Catholic Vocations, Catholicism, Election 2008, Faith, Monasticism, Our Hillary!, Socialism doesn't work

Carthusians in Advent

December 5, 2006 By

“Stands the cross, still point of the turning world” (Carthusian motto) A while back, I wrote (twice, actually) of the advent of the Carthusians – the sudden appearance, in film and print of not one but two inspiring and popular pieces concerning the Carthusians, the least-reformed, most mysterious of all Catholic monastic orders. Well, Into [...]

Filed Under: Bookchat, Catholic Vocations, Catholicism, Monasticism, TV/Pop Culture/Music

God forbid we should feel a little bad…

March 27, 2006 By

Miss Kelly is distressed to find that some hymnals (including – sigh – the one in my church) features a change in the words to Amazing Grace. “Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me…” Has been changed to reflect both the freedom that comes with salvation – which is very [...]

Filed Under: Catholic Vocations, Catholicism, Confession, Eucharist, Faith, Feminism, Free Speech?, Liturgy of the Hours, Monasticism

“Into the Great Silence” – UPDATED

February 21, 2006 By

A few weeks ago, I posted Carthusians Abounding, linking you to Nancy Klein Maguire’s excellent new book, An Infinity of Little Hours and the trailer for the documentary Into the Great Silence. I don’t think it’s any accident that two wholly unconnected people, a writer/researcher and a filmmaker have devoted years of their lives to [...]

Filed Under: America, ANCHORESS BOOKSHELF, Benedictine, Faith, Monasticism, The Perpetual Adolescents, TV/Pop Culture/Music

Carthusians Abounding

February 7, 2006 By

Amy Welborn directs us to this trailer of the great documentary, Into the Great Silence, a look at La Grande Chartreuse, the great motherhouse of the Carthusian order – the most world-renouncing and, some would say, severe of monastic orders within the Roman Catholic Church. The three hour, mostly silent film has taken much of [...]

Filed Under: Bookchat, Catholic Vocations, Catholicism, Monasticism