In the traditional rite, Christmastide lasts for 40 days to correspond with the 40 days of Lent, and the 40 days from Easter to Ascension Thursday. Christmastide ends on February 2, the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, also called Candlemas Day. On this day, the faithful take candles that they will use throughout the… Read More Christmastide: The Christmas Season: Dec 24 to Feb 2
C.S. Lewis on ‘Brutal’ Truths About Family “Isn’t it a pity?Isn’t it a shame?How we break each other’s heartsAnd cause each other pain?How we take each other’s loveWithout thinking anymoreForgetting to give backIsn’t it a pity? Some things take so longBut how do I explainWhen not too many peopleCan see we’re all the same?And because… Read More Christmas In A Time of Unprecedented Family Stresses.
The chilling idea that seemingly does not die… From an award-winning historian, a new global history of Communism “When the USSR collapsed in 1991, the world was certain that Communism was dead. Today, three decades later, it is clear that it was not. While Russia may no longer be Communist, Communism and sympathy for Communist… Read More The Rise & Fall (& Rise Again) of Communism
Dr. Larry Chapp and Dr. David Deane “Everyone knows there is a “crisis” in the Catholic Church and in the world around us. Some say it is capitalism gone wild. Others say it is the decay of tradition, family, and objective truth. Still others say it is the rise of radical, reactionary conservatism. Though all… Read More Nietzsche and the Crisis in the Church and World
Confessions of an Apostate. By Christopher Derrick. | The New Oxford Review.November 1985. “The world has quite enough chemists, but it hasn’t got nearly enough good Catholic writers. You write well for your age: I want you to continue Chesterton’s work to the best of your ability.” –Christopher Derrick. I have a story to tell you,… Read More A Chestertonian Adrift in an Ideological World
American Idol: On Nietzsche in America. The Nation. Why early twentieth-century Americans—from anarchists to crazed Baptist ministers—fell for the Do It Thyself philosophy of Nietzsche. [Note: What follows here I think is a true enough interpretation of what is, in no small part, the general American philosophical context, which explains our interminable evolution of so-called… Read More American Idol: On Nietzsche in America
… you are almost certainly a literate person with an interest in history. And this man was a lot more than brilliant and merely batschlit crazy (though he was very likely that, since he certifiably popped most of his buttons between the World Wars of the last century). He was also extremely influential, impacting for… Read More If you know who this is…
Secretary of State Marco Rubio drops major updates in his year-end press conference on U.S. foreign policy breakthroughs! From progress in Ukraine peace talks and Gaza ceasefire efforts to strengthening Indo-Pacific alliances against China – discover how the Trump administration is asserting American strength globally. Is this the start of real change in these hotspots?… Read More Rubio: Previous Foreign Policy & Institutions Built in a World Which No Longer Exists
An Urgent discussion. “They used Christian churches as target practice” Telegraph UK. “King Charles has spoken out in support of persecuted Christians around the world after attending a service at Westminster Abbey dedicated to those facing violence and discrimination for their faith. The King said his thoughts were with people “in areas where it is… Read More From Nigeria to the Middle East Increasing Persecution of Christians.
I don’t mean to spoil the party but we appear to be living in eschatological times. Let those who wish to laugh do so. But is it not a Sign of the Times, as in the days of Noah, when the forces of Hell are unleashed so totally on the Christian Faith, particularly endless abortion, … Read More A New World Order. Recall…
“The elusive butterfly of happiness has been chased by humanity since the beginning of time. Sages have said that happiness is indeed like a butterfly —try to catch it and it flees; sit quietly and it will light on your shoulder. . . The good news is that by grace we have the power to… Read More The Elusive Butterfly
By Dorothy Day. We must begin sometime to aim at sanctity. The tragedy, Newman said, is never to begin. Or having put one’s hand to the plough, to turn back. To become a tired radical. To settle down to relish comfortably past performances of self-sacrifice and self-denial. It is not enough, St. Ambrose remarks, to… Read More Sanctity
(1) The Odyssey, an epic Greek poem [attributed to Homer], tells the story of King Odysseus and his heroic struggle against the gods. The tale begins when the ship of Odysseus is blown off course on the way home from the Trojan Wars. In his effort to get home, Odysseus lands on an island where… Read More Lashed to the Mast
By Dei Civitas on ‘X’. John Money, a psychologist and sexologist whose work in the mid-20th century helped popularize the notion of “gender” as distinct from biological sex, left behind a deeply controversial and tragic legacy. While his theories profoundly influenced modern discussions on identity, they also introduced confusion, contributed to significant psychological harm, and… Read More How One Man’s Theories on Gender Led to Lifelong Harm
Updated. I think it is critical to notice when the trees seem to be advancing against the Christian Worldview, and who has been charged with leading the assault. The aim has been to tear apart the Christian world and its traditional moral values from the beginning, and to substitute a “Rules Based” “Liberal” Order in… Read More The Pied Pipers of the ‘Liberal World Order’. Rory Stewart & Alastair Campbell.
From The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis., 15th Century. God help us. “… a humble tiller of the land who serves God is better than a proud philosopher who neglects his soul to study the course of the stars. He who knows himself well becomes mean in his own eyes and is not… Read More On Striving to be Small Towards Christmas.
“Chesterton challenged the common belief that previous generations were foolish.” By Shane Parrish. Chesterton’s Fence is a principle that reminds us to look before we leap. To understand before we act. It’s a cautionary reminder to understand why something is the way it is before meddling in change. The principle comes from a parable by… Read More Chesterton’s Fence: A Lesson in Thinking
By my friend Vermavkv @WordPress. In life, one person stands out—my mother. She represents love, resilience, and guidance. As I think about the [Wordpress] prompt, “Describe a person who has positively impacted your life,” her influence comes to the forefront of my mind. Mothers, often the unsung heroes in the background of our lives, possess a quiet… Read More A Quiet and Extraordinary Power 🌸
Bishop Robert Barron cites example of St. Thomas More in defense of the priority of God’s commandments when push comes to shove. Prudential considerations are involved as well. This video from last week discusses the case of Enoch Burke, an Irish Christian school teacher who was given a life sentence for refusing to use a… Read More Ireland’s Enoch Burke
“Towards the end of the show someone out in the crowd … knew I wasn’t feeling too well,” recalled Dylan in a 1979 interview. “I think they could see that. And they threw a silver cross on the stage. Now usually I don’t pick things up in front of the stage. Once in a while… Read More Dylan’s Cross.
“It was as if I saw God on his throne, and all his angels around him.” — G. F. Handel. Recorded live in the Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford, on Friday 3 December 2021. Academy of Ancient Music and Choir of the Queens College Oxford. George Frideric Handel was one of the greatest composers of the Baroque… Read More Handel’s Messiah
The Nazis in Power | The Rest is History. Tom Holland, Dominic Sandbrook. Lebensraum, meaning “living space,” was a key concept in Nazi ideology that justified Germany’s expansionist policies, particularly towards Eastern Europe, to provide land and resources for the German people. Adolf Hitler believed that acquiring Lebensraum was essential for the survival and growth… Read More Lebensraum. The Nazis in Power. Video Discussion.
Jesus Christ: “given unto us” (Isa 9.6): This “true Man” has been the subject of the most sublime contemplation, worship, and love imaginable for over two thousand years. Even agnostics marvel over his Person and teachings. And His enemies, of whatever variety, obsess over Him to this very day. For in that crib, the Church… Read More Jesus Christ, Light of the World
Dr Carrie Gress joins Steven Edginton for a revealing conversation about the true origins, evolution, and modern impact of feminism. From the occult roots of the early movement to the rise of abortion, identity politics, and gender ideology, Gress explains what she believes has gone wrong. They explore the collapse of family life, the decline… Read More Inside the Feminist Movement
Note: Citing what I regard as a significant insight from an important author clearly does not imply an unconditional endorsement of the author’s entire philosophy, theology or worldview. SH ~~ — Excerpt from Mariology by Michael Schmaus in The Concise Sacramentum Mundi edited by theologian Karl Rahner. Michael Schmaus (17 July 1897 – 8 December 1993)… Read More Christology and Mariology. Karl Rahner.
By Mary Harrington | Subscribe to Unheard 2 Dec 2025 Only a Dadaist could enjoy the news headlines these days. Rachel Reeves faces accusations of lying about the national finances to justify raising taxes to buy votes, which she has done by penalising those trying to save for their own retirement. Her efforts have also set the graduate… Read More Why the Great Reset failed
“What earlier generations held as sacred remains sacred and great for us too, and it cannot be all of a sudden entirely forbidden and even considered harmful.” —Pope Benedict XVI, Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on the occasion of the publication of the motu proprio Summorum Pontificum, July 7, 2007. “The Holy… Read More The Sacred Deposit. No Substantial Evolution of Meaning.
Dr. Arthur Holmes, History of Philosophy : This is an excellent series, it is very informative and fair to the ancients, to Catholic, Protestant and Enlightenment philosophies from Thales to Sartre and beyond. 81 comprehensive episodes. One can learn something new with every listen, or relisten, of any episode in this History of Philosophy series.… Read More History of Philosophy
[Doctors in Lowell, Massachusetts in 2006 used extraordinary pressure tactics on our family trying to persuade us not to agree to the need of a Feeding Tube for our son after a brain injury. After consulting with Christian medical ethicists in Europe and the U.S. we insisted on the Feeding Tube without which we were… Read More Euthanasia 2025
[John Lennon and Paul McCartney provided backing vocals on “We Love You” (During The Rolling Stones Satanic Majesties Request album sessions]—Wikipedia ¢¢¢ from Their Satanic Majesties Request LP “And a great portent appeared in heaven, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars; she was with… Read More “Anastasia screamed in vain.” Rolling Stones.
If we meet a Muslim who is hungry we must try to feed him, if he is homeless, we must try to find him shelter; if a Muslim we know is emotionally or physically hurting, we must seek to tend to his wounds as a brother in Adam. Immigration Many of us in the West… Read More Islam and Our Grandchildren
…who kindly blesses each one of us with the Sign of the Cross + from the sidewalk when we come out of Church. Or when we pass on the street. O blessed Sign! Once when I needed to Confess my sins only to find it was one of those rare days when the church was… Read More I know a priest
Excerpts from Integrated Art: Expressions of a Deified Reality, New Oxford Review By Thomas J. Kronholz | New Oxford Review | November 2025. Thomas J. Kronholz is a systematic theologian, author, and classical pianist. He holds advanced degrees in systematic theology from Notre Dame Graduate School at Christendom College and piano performance from the Peabody Institute… Read More Integrated Art: Expressions of a Deified Reality
“Never seek honor for yourself at your father’s expense; it is not to your credit if he is dishonored… Your own honor comes from the respect that you show to your father. If children do not honor their mothers, it is their own disgrace… do not forget the birth pangs of your mother”. Sirach 3 Duties… Read More Sirach 3 on Children’s Spiritual Debt forever to their Parents
See also The Treatise on Purgatory by St Catherine of Genoa at Amazon. Punishment, like a shadow, the Fathers teach, follows all sin, whether mortal or venial, and it is not usually remitted to the full when forgiveness is obtained. Eternal punishment, incurred by mortal sin, is always remitted with the guilt, but some temporal… Read More On Indulgences
Fr. Brendan Kilcoyne for episode 239 of ‘The Brendan Option’ where he discusses the rise of suicides in Ireland, articulated through the recent homily by Fr. Mark Quinn (below) from the Archdiocese of Tuam. —->Listen to Fr. Mark Quinn on the Sad Topic + Irish Catholic Schools lost
“… the balance is fully realized in Christ” “Imagine the universe as a “perpetual symphony”—a vast, harmonious order where each being, from the tiniest atom to the grandest star, plays its unique role in a cosmic masterpiece. Garrigou-Lagrange describes this divine symphony as intentional and directed by God, the ultimate Symphony Director, whose wisdom guides… Read More Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange on The Symphony of the Universe
You really should read this. It’s The … Easiest thing in the world to get in. But try to get out. They have made it practically the only game in town. It could be deployed as an astonishing educational resource, for research and reference, minus so much that is obviously harmful to the body, soul… Read More Corralled Into The Digital Panopticon. Being Farmed.
A rare Oval Office moment: Trump and Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani answer tough questions, defuse tension, and battle for control of the room. In this video the communication strategies, power moves, and framing tools both leaders use
“For the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” — Mark 10:45 It is common today to see Progressives masking their will-to-power in the language of service, ministry. Today we see the phenomenon of women even seeking the “priestly ministry,” even… Read More Women Sharing Hope for All
Catholic Critique 