The existence of a conspiracy against the Ultramontane editor, Louis Veuillot, and his newspaper l’Univers became increasingly evident during the early 1850s. An important factor was the publication of Alfred, the Count de Falloux’s book, The Catholic Party—What it Was and What it Has Become. Perhaps even more apparent was the promotion … Read more
The Christmas season inspires children. The carols, the gift-giving, the lawn lights, and especially the tree decoration all contribute to a heightened sense of innocence and expectation. The birth of the Infant Child Jesus from the Blessed Virgin Mary calls to mind the joy that innocence brings. This December, all these things … Read more
Today’s modern culture presents so many things that are as ugly as sin, whether it be architecture, dress, music, culture, morals or other fields. This “cult of ugliness” targets God directly, who is beauty itself. Everything beautiful in the world reflects an aspect of God, and everything ugly displays an aspect … Read more
The left faces a new challenge that is leaving its activists troubled. Over the past few years, many high-profile leftist figures, writers and politicians have turned right. They defected to the other side, and embarrassed leftists don’t know what to do about it. In an op-ed in The New York Times, columnist … Read more
The political philosopher Joseph de Maistre was in a prime position to observe those who presided over the Restoration of the French Monarchy in 1814 and 1815. He coined a famous phrase that aptly summarized the Bourbons’ policy upon their return to the throne of France. “Everything has been reestablished, nothing restored.” … Read more
In the seventh century a monk from Crediton, Devonshire, went to Germany to teach the word of God. His name was Saint Boniface. He did many good works there and spent much time in Thuringia, a region later to become the center of the Christmas decoration industry. Tradition has it that Saint … Read more
Sometimes small items represent things with bigger meanings. Hidden behind appearances are philosophies of life that it does well to analyze. Such is the case of a recent news article on smoking. Canada announced last May that it would become the world’s first nation to require health warnings to be printed—on each … Read more
The Archdiocese of Astana in Kazakhstan has issued a statement about the December 18 document Fiducia Supplicans issued by Pope Francis and Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández that allows priests to give “blessings” to same-sex couples. The full text is as follows: ✧ † ✧ Statement of the Archdiocese of Saint Mary in Astana regarding … Read more
While peace seems to reign, many countries are threatened by what might be called slow-motion wars. These conflicts involve a gradual destruction of society, structures and security inside a climate of uneasy peace. The devastation of war occurs not at once but over time. An example of one slow-motion war is the … Read more
The history of an institution often resembles that of a building. We can find analogies between the creation and growth of both. The history of a Catholic-inspired institution more precisely resembles the building of a cathedral. Every truly Catholic institution bears traces of the moral profile of Holy Mother Church from which … Read more