John Henry Newman joined the Catholic Church on October 9, 1845, after concluding that the via media of Anglo-Catholicism, which he had sought for years to vindicate, existed only in theory, a dream of dons. He had constructed a “paper religion”; his notion of the Church of England . . . . Continue Reading »
On October 13, Pope Francis will declare John Henry Newman a saint. Catholics from around the world will crowd St. Peter’s Square to see the greatest religious thinker of Victorian England raised to the altars. Amid the joy and apparent concord of that day, there will be at least two . . . . Continue Reading »
The saints are quick to give their hearts awayAt every gentle prodding from above,And bear the scars that visit mortal clayThat dares to venture near God’s burning love.So grateful for the price that has been paidTo change mankind’s infernal destiny,They joyously accept the holy tradeOf . . . . Continue Reading »
Featuring Ryan Marr on John Henry Newman. Continue Reading »
An icon of the Annunciation appears on the central altar doors of every Orthodox Christian church. The “royal doors” are double doors, so the icon is a diptych, with Gabriel on the left and Mary on the right. As a young child, I found the movement of this icon mesmerizing as the doors opened and . . . . Continue Reading »
Why love this world? Because it was in this world that we fell in love with God and it is only in this time that we can help other hearts turn to God. Continue Reading »
The saints of England can provide inspiration to build anew England's spiritual and moral framework. Continue Reading »
Stan Lee wrote heroes at a human scale whom we could relate to very directly, whose triumphs we could cheer, and hopefully emulate. Continue Reading »
Tertullian tore his dalmatic.Hippolytus had a cow.Both became schismaticwhen Callistus stood the prow. He had a heart for sinners,for concubines and such.His patience with beginnersthey found a bit too much. They fled from the forgiving,the laxity and taints.But there’s hope for all us livingif . . . . Continue Reading »
As the McCarrick story unraveled, three young laypeople advanced along the path to sainthood. Continue Reading »
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