How Bravely Embracing Suffering Can Lead to Joy

How Bravely Embracing Suffering Can Lead to Joy

In Virgil’s Roman epic poem, The Aeneid, there is a famous scene when a terrible storm washes up the protagonist Aeneas and his men on the shores of Carthage. The crew is bruised, battered and discouraged by its misfortunes. The men are tempted to give up. Aeneas encourages them, concluding with one … Read more

During this Advent, May Grace Rain on a Sinful World

During this Advent, May Grace Rain on a Sinful World

Advent: From the Latin ad-venio, to come to. “Send down the dew, ye heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain the Just One: let the earth be opened, and bud forth the Redeemer.” These words of the Advent hymn, Rorate Caeli, echo the longings of the Fathers of old for the … Read more

How the Virus Killed Santa Claus But Not Christmas

How the Virus Killed Santa Claus But Not Christmas

Christmas is a special time for children, who are attracted by the sublime and themes of wonder and grace. As at the time of His birth, the Divine Infant radiates innocence and joy in a sinful world. Children especially sense these special graces and share in the Christmas joy. Even the commercialization … Read more

Finding the Beauty of the Church and the Route Back Home

Finding the Beauty of the Church and the Route Back Home 3

The late-nineteenth-century conversion story, En Route, by J. K. Huysmans is a book that penetrates deeply into the mind of the reader. It is an autobiographical yet fictional account of the return journey to the Church of a famous French art critic and novelist in decadent Paris. The book has weathered well … Read more

Glory, Joy, Honor

Glory, Joy, Honor 1

  The following article was originally published in the Folha de S.Paulo, on February 10, 1974. It has been translated and adapted for publication without the author’s revision. –Ed. In these sad days marked by his removal from the Archdiocese of Esztergom, Cardinal Mindszenty once again proved that he is a good … Read more

“The Ham Lady” and the Art of Ham Curing

“The Ham Lady” and the Art of Ham Curing 1

Off the Beaten Path… in Princeton, Kentucky Spain is a country that is world-renowned for their pork products. Everything from air-dried cured ham, to their mouth-watering Prosciutto, have delighted travelers for ages. One need not travel to the Iberian Peninsula however to enjoy such culinary masterpieces. The age-old and time-tested art of … Read more

The Last Christmas Card

The Last Christmas Card 1

Every year, numerous people who usually sent Prof. Plinio a Christmas card had a hopeful expectation. It was to receive sometime later, a reply with another card containing a Christmas message signed by him, filling their souls with joy and hope. On Christmas 1994, the last one the distinguished Catholic leader celebrated … Read more