History & Catholic Civilization

Christian civilization did not emerge by accident. It was built over centuries by men and women who ordered their lives, their kingdoms, and their cultures around the truths of the Catholic Faith. The result was a civilization of unparalleled beauty, justice, and heroism — one that the modern world has largely abandoned but never replaced.

Understanding that history is not nostalgia. It is the key to understanding what has gone wrong in the present, and what must be recovered for the future. The great struggles of the Reconquista, the medieval order, the French Revolution, and the rise of socialism are not distant events — they are the roots of the crises we face today.

Explore our articles on Catholic history, medieval civilization, and the forces that have shaped — and threatened — Christian society.

Why Suds Matter in a Pint of Beer

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Why Suds Matter in a Pint of Beer

Serving a beer without foam is a mild tragedy, akin to handing someone an espresso stripped of its crema. Not everyone understands why suds matter. In fact, many drinkers view foam as an enemy—a cynical trick bartenders use to shortchange them on the actual liquid. Yet this fluffy, protein-rich network of bubbles … Read more

Looking at a High Point of the Middle Ages: The Dictatus Papae of Saint Gregory VII

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Looking at a High Point of the Middle Ages: The Dictatus Papae of Saint Gregory VII

The pontificate of Saint Gregory VII (1073-1085) (born Hildebrand of Soana) constitutes one of the high points of the Christian Middle Ages. The pinnacle of his pontificate is the Dictatus Papae, a collection of twenty-seven statements defining the pope’s prerogatives and his relationship with temporal authority. In it, Pope Saint Gregory proclaimed the pontiff’s … Read more

El Cid, the Lonely Crusader

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El Cid, the Lonely Crusader

The Reconquest of Spain from the Muslim occupation suffered several setbacks and reversals. But in the darkest hours, a selfless hero always arose to stem an impending onslaught. Such a danger threatened the Spanish Christians late in the eleventh century when a fanatical horde of North African Berbers invaded the peninsula. An … Read more

Napoleon III’s Lack of Political and Religious Principles Plant the Seeds of His Downfall

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Napoleon III’s Lack of Political and Religious Principles Plant the Seeds of His Downfall

The assassination of Paris Archbishop Marie-Dominique-Auguste Sibour in 1857 and the failure of the pamphlet, L’Univers jugé par lui-même completely changed the nature of the offensive against Veuillot and his newspaper, l’Univers. Its enemies understood that doctrinal disputes would not achieve their goals. For his part, the new Cardinal Archbishop, François-Nicholas-Madeleine Morlot, … Read more

After the French Revolution and Napoleon, French Catholic Leaders Emerge in the Nineteenth Century

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After the French Revolution and Napoleon, French Catholic Leaders Emerge in the Nineteenth Century

In the first chapter of his book, Des interêts catholiques au dix-neuvième siècle (Catholic Interests in the Nineteenth Century), describing the situation of the Church in 1800, the Count of Montalembert saw ruins and persecutions everywhere. In that vast shipwreck, he did not see the slightest sign that would justify any hope … Read more

The Catholic Spirit of Christopher Columbus

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As the sun set, the Salve Regina hymn rang out across the Atlantic. Ninety men stood on the decks of three boats, led in prayer by Christopher Columbus, the foreign captain they had come to trust. They had kept the same ritual of evening prayers since they left Spain months ago, but … Read more

Don Pelayo and the Reconquista of Spain

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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

Catholic, Crusader, Leper and King: The Life of Baldwin IV and the Triumph of the Cross

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Catholic, Crusader, Leper and King: The Life of Baldwin IV and the Triumph of the Cross

Modern society obsessively avoids suffering, risk and danger. It secures everything with seatbelts and safety rails, air conditions the summer heat, prints warnings on coffee cups and advises that that safety glasses should be used while working with hammers. Certainly such precautions have prevented misfortune. However, since heroism and excellence are born … Read more