Today marks the death of Father Joseph Brunemann, a figure of interest in the development of the local Church here on Long Island. Born in Holland, he was ordained a Conventual Franciscan in 1845. After ministering in Europe for three years, he volunteered for the missions in Ohio, where some of his confreres were working. In 1854, Father Brunemann came to Brooklyn, where he briefly worked with the Germans at St. Boniface. He soon went to a German settlement in... Read more

On this day in 1896, Pope Leo XIII issued the papal bull Apostolicae Curae, which addressed the question of Anglican orders. Leo declared them “absolutely null and utterly void.” (It is still in effect today.) For more on the controversy see here. Read more

On the morning of September 15, 1851, according to tradition, some three dozen boys trooped down the narrow Willing’s Alley in Philadelphia, just a few blocks from Independence Hall, for the opening day of Saint Joseph’s College. The college took its name from the parish church of Saint Joseph’s, a structure that stood at right angles to the college building, in the rear of a small courtyard. Opening day began with a Mass of the Holy Ghost (later known as... Read more

On this day in 1868, the Little Sisters of the Poor, founded in France by Blessed (soon to be Saint) Jeanne Jugan, opened a Home for the Aged Poor on DeKalb Avenue in Brooklyn. Read more

The year of the priest makes this a good time Father George Rutler’s The Cure D’Ars Today. It’s a biography of St. John Vianney (1786-1859), the patron saint of priests. It’s a good read and an inspiring book. Check it out! Read more

The Georgetown University Baseball Team, 1908. Read more

It is marvelous how Our Lord sets His seal upon all that we do, if we will but attend to His working, and do not think too highly upon what we do ourselves. Robert Hugh Benson Read more

Today marks the death in 1321 of Dante Alighieri. His central work, the Divina Commedia (originally called Commedia and later called Divina (“divine”) by Boccaccio), is often considered one of the greatest literary works composed in the Italian language and a masterpiece of world literature. In Italy he is known as “the Supreme Poet” (il Sommo Poeta) or just il Poeta. Dante, Petrarch and Boccaccio are also known as “the three fountains” or “the three crowns”. Dante is also called... Read more

Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin (1 March 1812 – 14 September 1852) was an English architect, designer, and theorist of design, now best remembered for his work in the Gothic Revival style, particularly churches and the Palace of Westminster. Pugin was the father of E. W. Pugin and Peter Paul Pugin, who continued their father’s architectural firm as Pugin and Pugin, and designed numerous buildings, including several in Australasia. He was the son of a French draughtsman, Augustus Charles Pugin, who... Read more

MEN OF ASSISI Lionel Johnson A crown of roses and of thorns;A crown of roses and of bay;Each crown of loveliness adornsAssisi, gleaming far awayOn Umbrian heights, in Umbrian day. O city on the Unbrian hills:Assisi, mother of such sons!What glory of remembrance fillsThine heart, whereof the legend runs:These are among my vanished ones. Read more