Because of Dorothy Day (November 8, 1897 – November 29, 1980) UPDATED

November 29, 2012 By 24 Comments

This was written three years ago by my (then) blogging partner, Webster Bull.  Given all the excitement about her cause for sainthood, I think it’s a good time to take a look at Dorothy Day not only from Webster’s viewpoint, but in her own words too.

So sit back, relax, and meet Dorothy Day (and Peter Maurin) and come to know why an encounter with her helps lead us to Christ.

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Today is the anniversary of the death of a great Catholic. A one-time radical, a sinner, a convert, a courageous pacifist (no, that is not an oxymoron), not yet a saint—she gets my vote for most compelling American Catholic of the 20th century. Her name? Dorothy Day. She died 29 (ed. 32) years ago today.

Let’s begin with three quotes: [Read more...]

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For Thoughts On Lectio Divina Prompted by An Interview With Daniel Day-Lewis

November 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment


On my commute home the other day, I heard an interview on the radio that Daniel Day-Lewis gave regarding his role in the movie “Lincoln.” I was struck by the length and depth he went to, in essence, become the man whom he portrays in the film. [Read more...]

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Because Takashi Nagai Could Give Such A Speech

November 20, 2012 By 3 Comments

The other day, I posted about a film being made about the life of Dr. Takashi Nagai. Today, I want to share with you a speech he gave after the war.

Keep in mind that he had lost his wife, almost all of his students, and many of his colleagues, when “the Bomb” was dropped on Nagasaki.

And his lesson to us all was to share Our Lord’s new commandment: love one another. [Read more...]

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For All the Saints: The Martyrs of Douai College

November 14, 2012 By 4 Comments
 

A few days back, we learned about the Bond family and their recusant Catholic past. Also a few days ago, CARA released survey results saying Catholics really want to learn more about the saints, and such. So let’s put it to the test with this post, shall we? Because this post has got it all, from daring do, to fidelity to the faith. Sainthood and martyrdom.

It’s dangerous business being a Catholic.  Dangerous, that is, if your idea of being thought well of is to be looked upon with favor by such worldly paragons as the New York Times, the Washington Post, and the San Francisco Chronicle. If by becoming a Catholic you hope to curry favor with the world, here is a little news flash: that ain’t a gonna happen. It never has, and never will.

[Read more...]

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Do People Really Like Pictures Of Puppies Rather Than Posts about Saints?

November 13, 2012 By 1 Comment

Cody, bane of package deliverers

That’s one of the observations Thomas L. McDonald had regarding blogging. [Read more...]

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For His Majesty’s Secret Service: Agent Henry Morse, SJ

November 12, 2012 By 1 Comment

About a week ago, I reported that the world thought the Vatican got all starry-eyed about the latest James Bond film. Did you know that the Bond family were a line of recusant Catholics? Orbis non sufficit.

Perhaps that is part of the reason why L’Osservatore Romano loved the film.

Idea! How about a look at a nonfictional story of recusant Catholics? [Read more...]

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After the Election, What Really Matters…UPDATED

November 7, 2012 By 4 Comments

There will be much post-election chatter to keep us occupied for days, if not weeks. In the coming hours, much ink will be spilled on the subject and your humble blogger may even indulge in adding to the straw pile of “what it all means” recaps of the election.

But not right now.  [Read more...]

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A Prayer About Fatherhood Answered Through the Veil of a Homework Assignment

October 24, 2012 By 2 Comments

Once upon a time, I wrote a letter to St. Joseph. His feast day rolled around, and I was writing him because as a father, I was feeling a bit like Sisyphus. You know, the king the gods punished by being forced to roll an immense boulder up a hill, only to watch it roll back down, and to repeat this action forever.

Being a father is like that sometimes, isn’t it? In my note to St. Joseph I made an observation, [Read more...]

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Because The Prophet Francis Didn’t Sugar Coat the Faith for Politicos

October 4, 2012 By 4 Comments

St. Francis Giving His Mantle to a Poor Man
Giotto de Bondoni, 1297-99

It’s the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi. You might have noticed this, as he is one of the most popular of the fellows in the Communion of Saints. You can read better posts about Francis elsewhere, for sure. I just wanted to share a brief open letter he wrote to the powers that be.

Francis, see, was a lot like Jesus. He even had the wounds of Christ to prove this. But he also had the temerity to tell it like it is, much like John the Baptist and Jesus did. In short, Francis was a fine example of the prophet, priest, and king, as all Christians are called to be.

Here’s an example of his prophet side. [Read more...]

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A Poem and a Prayer for Michaelmas UPDATED

September 29, 2012 By Leave a Comment

 

Today is the Feast of St. Michael and the Archangels, also known as Michaelmas. I like the sound of that calendar name for today’s feast and the knowledge that this day used to be a huge festival marking the beginning of Autumn (which is my favorite season).

I actually hope that this day is still celebrated extravagantly somewhere on the planet. Next year, send me an invitation, or some Michaelmas recipes (and history!) or something. [Read more...]

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