“Of the martyrs in Palestine, Silvanus, bishop of the churches about Gaza, was beheaded with thirty-nine others at the copper mines of Phæno.”[1] Today, the Church remembers the Saint Silvanus, bishop of Gaza. We know little about him, though it seems he was a soldier who decided to serve God, gave up soldering and became a priest, and then, eventually a bishop. He must have been successful in evangelizing the region, converting pagans to the Christian faith, because he was... Read more
It’s been 20 years since Blessed John Paul II published his encyclical Centesimus Annus. He released it on the Feast of Saint Joseph the Worker, a date which symbolizes in the liturgical year a particular focus on the vocation of labor. Three of the late pope’s encyclicals dealt with this theme (including also Laborem Exercens in 1981 and Sollicitudo Rei Socialis in 1987). The experience of growing up amidst the twin totalitarianisms of Nazism and Communism gave him a particular... Read more
Introduction and Part II Between chapters sixty nine and eighty one, we have more ascetical exhortations which encourage the reader to remember that the salvation and glorification of their soul is the most important thing they can acquire in life. Once again, we are told to pursue virtue, to keep to it, and to ignore anything in the world which would distract us from our goal. To gain possession of one’s soul is the only acquisition which is safe and... Read more
“Welcome to hell, bin Laden.”~ Mike Huckabee The logic of retribution and war is simple and intuitive—and misguided. The pleasure of violent victory is rich and intoxicating—and perverse. It feels great, oftentimes verging on immortality. The world itself seems to be this way: from dangerous ocean reefs to the wild plains, the games of life are filled with bloody conflicts, killing, and survival. But this is only a small, distorted part of the picture. (more…) Read more
I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate…. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that. ~Martin Luther King, Jr. Read more
This letter, describing a miraculous cure through the intercession of Dorothy Day, was sent to Lourdes Ferrer of the Guild for Dorothy Day in New York City this past February. Servant of God Dorothy Day, pray for us. Read more
There was much rejoicing. But should there be? Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles; lest the LORD see it, and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him. (Prov. 24:17-18). Taking the life from someone else will never be an act of justice – it does not restore what has been lost, but rather, brings further loss onto the world. When we die, we will have to face... Read more
For the second time in a couple of weeks, I’ve read about a family returning to the Catholic Church. In both cases, theological issues and issues of liturgy were of no importance to the decisions. This would be unremarkable except for the fact that both persons were quite educated on both topics. A common theme for both conversions was the universal commonality that Catholicism afforded. I am Catholic because I and my people are Catholic could easily enough be the... Read more
Sandro Magister, religion columnist for L’Espresso in Italy, has been recounting a fascinating debate in Italy and Europe between Traditionalists and Pope Benedict (and his defenders) on the subject of Vatican II. The argument is about whether the “errors” of the post-Vatican II period are a consequence of misinterpreting the council or are inherent in the documents of the council itself. I use scare quotes on “errors” since the center of this debate seems shifted well to the right already,... Read more
One of our contributors is in mourning, and we request prayers for that intention as we offer them ourselves. Read more
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