One of Alphonsus’s most beautiful writings is his Visits to the Blessed Sacrament, written in 1745, when he was in his fifties. This was his very first book, and it was so compelling that forty editions of it were published even during his lifetime. This precious work, composed by Alphonsus and often drawn from writings
To the extent that a Christian professes his faith and tries to live it, he becomes unusual to believers and unbelievers. This is because the Gospel won’t stop being the good news for Jews and Gentiles until the end of time. The unusualness of the Christian is purely and simply his resemblance to Jesus Christ,
“Let what was confessed by the Fathers of Nicaea prevail.” So wrote Athanasius to a philosopher in his final years. Even to this day, Catholics recite the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed at every Mass. We take for granted what St. Athanasius sacrificed so much to defend. It would serve us well to consider why he defended it,
A degree of asceticism is as necessary to the spiritual life as a degree of discomfort is necessary to the natural life. Just as the body would fail if it did not have to meet and overcome heat and cold, so the spirit would fail if it did not have to meet and overcome luxury
Pammachius, a friend of Jerome’s since they were teenagers studying in Rome, was the son of one of Rome’s most prominent and wealthy families. He had a very successful political career as a senator and office holder. He married Paulina, daughter of Paula, in A.D. 385. When she died a decade later, Pammachius began living
Tepidity is a serious danger that threatens those trying to lead good and pious lives. It is, indeed, a peculiar state of the soul. The Lord has given us abundant graces and inspirations and strength, and nevertheless our spiritual growth has remained stunted. And now grace seems to produce little or no effect in us.
“When the fullness of the time was come, God sent his Son, made of a woman, made under the law: that he might redeem them who were under the law; that we might receive the adoption of sons.” (Gal. 4:4, 5) “That he might make known unto us the mystery of his will, according to
Jesus performed many exorcisms as part of His public ministry. These were signs of His divine power, as He had, in himself, full power over demons. He had no need of any object, name, incantation, or prayer, like the other exorcists of His time. Jesus also explicitly empowered His twelve disciples with authority over demons
St. Paul advises us to think about whatever is dikaia, which is justa in Latin and just in English. So just what is dikaia, justa, or just? Let us begin by examining definitions of justice from great thinkers, including a great Greek philosopher and two great Latin-writing theologians, all of whom are addressed in the
Many people would agree that being “active” is better than being “passive,” as being “active” is more proactive. When we assess a person’s personality, being active is regarded as merit, and being creative in such “activeness” is even more appreciated. Yet many things in life require you not to do but “to tolerate.” You have
