This week publisher Image Books sponsors the giveaway. One lucky winner will receive one copy of The Franciscan Heart of Thomas Merton: A New Look at the Spiritual Inspiration of His Life, Thought, and Writing by Daniel P. Horan (you can read my review here). I use Rafflecopter to run my giveaways which makes it simple for you and me! Enter below. The contest starts at midnight tonight EST and will end 12AM EST 2/06 with a winner being announced later that... Read more
Follow this rule: universality, antiquity, consent How do we know what belief is truly Catholic? St. Vincent of Lerins gives us a simple rule to tell us when we’re safely within the bounds of Catholic truth. In the Catholic Church itself, moreover, we must take all possible care to hold that faith that has been believed in all places, at all times, by all. What is truly and in the strictest sense “Catholic” is—as the name itself and the reason... Read more
Daniel P. Horan , O.F.M. has recently given us a new insight into Thomas Merton in his new book The Franciscan Heart of Thomas Merton: A New Look at the Spiritual Inspiration of His Life, Thought, and Writing. Thomas Merton to this day is much admired and his numerous books and articles are often read. There have also been a myriad of books written about Merton. This particular book I found most interesting as Daniel did a wonderful job showing... Read more
Trust the whole church, not the loner With withering sarcasm, St. Pacian tramples the arguments of the Novatians, a sect that said no one could repent after baptism. When one loner disagrees with the whole Catholic Church, it seems more likely that the whole Church is right. The whole treatise of the Novatians, which you have addressed to me thronged with propositions on all sides, amounts to this, brother Sympronian: that there is no room for repentance after baptism; that... Read more
Honor your parents and you honor God St. Cyril of Jerusalem tells us that honoring our parents is the first virtue of a Christian. Whatever we do for our parents, we can never repay them for their gift of life to us. But while we honor our heavenly Father, let us also honor the fathers of our flesh. For when our fathers on earth are of a contrary mind to our Father in heaven, then we must obey Christ’s word.... Read more
Find rest in the Church Beginning a homily, Jacob of Serugh invites everyone to leave the weariness and empty toil of the world and come to the sweet rest of the Church. The Church in the world is a great harbor, full of peace. Whoever labors, let him come in and rest at her table. Her doors are open, and her eye is good, and her heart is wide. Her table is full, and sweet is her mixed cup to... Read more
The Open Book Podcast Episode 003 Podcast: Download (Duration 35:31– 33 MB) Talking Church Fathers and his new book The Ancient Path with guest, author John Michael Talbot. Music for this episode provided courtesy of Sam Rocha from his album Late to Love. The intro song is Genesis Time, and the closing song is In Self’s Place. To get your own copy of this album visit his website here. Books Discussed in this Episode: Titles I have reviewed The Ancient Path: Old Lessons from the Church Fathers for... Read more
Color your soul with the Mass Jacob of Serugh tells us that our souls take on the color of whatever we think about. We should let our souls be drawn to the sights and sounds of the Mass, and then we will be dyed with holy colors. Life flows from the service of the house of God; you who love life, do not refuse the profit that comes from it. The human soul receives impressions; whatever she meditates on, she... Read more
Find your delight in heavenly food On his way to martyrdom in Rome, St. Ignatius of Antioch begs the Roman Christians not to try to save him. He is through with the things of this world; he longs for the bliss of heaven. The prince of this world wants to carry me away and corrupt my disposition toward God. None of you in Rome should help him. Be on my side instead— that is, on God’s side. Don’t talk about... Read more
Take some time to reflect after Mass Do we forget everything that happened at Mass as soon as we burst out the church door?We shouldn’t let that happen, says St. John Chrysostom. Take some time after Mass to digest what you’ve heard there, or it will do you no good at all. I hear many say, “While we’re here and have the privilege of hearing, we are awed, but when we leave, we change again, and the fire of enthusiasm... Read more
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