Private Property

Private Property 1

Today I fulfill a longstanding promise of providing my readers with a collection of pontifical texts concerning private property. The tumultuous situation of the times had led me to other themes. Now, however, I have the satisfaction of making these golden teachings – so neglected in certain Catholic publications – shine once … Read more

Our Lady of Confidence

Our Lady of Confidence 3

On June 25, 1697, a Catholic home in the Eternal City celebrated the birth of a daughter! Little did the happy parents know that Divine Providence had destined this little girl to be a noble instrument in His hands to introduce into the Church one of the most beautiful invocations to the … Read more

A Brief History of the Image of Czestochowa

A Brief History of the Image of Czestochowa 1

Tradition tells us that Saint Luke, an able painter, responding to the requests of many Christians, who wanted to preserve a remembrance of the Blessed Virgin Mary after her elevation into Heaven, painted her sacred face on an oak table, near which Our Lady used to sew and pray. Some time later, … Read more

Living to Work, or Working to Live?

Leisure, the Basis of Culture, by the German philosopher Josef Pieper - bookcover

In his book Leisure, the Basis of Culture, the German philosopher Josef Pieper claims that the greatest victory of Marxist socialism in the twentieth century was to convince man that he is primarily a worker. Indeed, one ramification of this problem was the death of leisure and the development of so many … Read more

Finding the Real Soul of the Apostolate

Finding the Real Soul of the Apostolate 2

The present scandals in the Church have many people looking for positive solutions to the multifaceted problems which beset the Bride of Christ, not realizing that the true solution will only come from Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, His life within us and fidelity to His teachings. The Soul of the Apostolate … Read more

Long Live the Sacred Cross: Long Live Suffering!

Long Live the Sacred Cross: Long Live Suffering! Christ, the Child Jesus on the Cross appears to Saint Lydwine on her deathbed

  “Long live the sacred cross: long live suffering!” How foreign these words of Saint Veronica Giulani are to our modern ears. Tell-tale examples like widespread abortion and drug use are unnecessary to see that contemporary society will do anything to avoid suffering. However, in turning its back on suffering, it has … Read more

A Missed Message

A Missed Message

The recent movie, The Golden Compass, is little more than a reinterpretation of Sony films’ blasphemous The Da Vinci Code, reengineered for children. Many writers have rightly criticized the film from its multiple censurable aspects, and who could blame them? After all, there are myriad angles from which it should be condemned. … Read more

Sharing Christmas Cheer

Sharing Christmas Cheer

Christmas is a season of tremendous joy. Like harmonizing notes on a score of music, a universe of details makes the feast of Our Lord’s birth indelible. The beauty of midnight Mass, families celebrating, gift giving, grudges that vanish, fireplaces that crackle, the scent of fresh pine, and a blanket of pure … Read more

Don Pelayo and the Reconquista of Spain

Don Pelayo and the Reconquista of Spain

One fascinating aspect of the Old Testament is God’s intervention favoring those who do all they possibly can while facing overwhelming odds and counting on Him to do the impossible. As we read about David and Goliath, Gideon and the Battle of Jericho, the Maccabees and others, we have the impression that … Read more

Garcia Moreno: Heroic President of Ecuador

Garcia Moreno, President of Ecuador, Writes to His Holiness Blessed Pius IX 1

Manly Catholic of intransigent principles, slain by the enemies of the Faith because of his consistency and courage in defense of the Church and Papacy Gabriel Garcia Moreno was born in Guayaquil, in southern Ecuador on December 24, 1821. His father, Gabriel Garcia Gómez was Spanish, while his mother, Doña Mercedes Moreno, … Read more