As I sat down at a table with a group of friends in a spacious and noisy pizzeria, I just had time to notice that our presence displeased some people sitting nearby. Three men and two women stared at us continuously. One of them, a tall, thin, dark fellow with angular nose … Read more
After questioning a man at length in his office, a psychiatrist asked: “You insist, then, that your brother is crazy?” “Yes, doctor. And I can give you even more symptoms of his condition.” And the man went on and on with his tiresome tale as the doctor listened, somewhat skeptical and annoyed. … Read more
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The mediocre man likes writers who say neither yes nor no about anything, who never affirm anything, and who pay the same respect to all contradictory opinions. “Every affirmation is insolent to him because it excludes the contrary proposition. But if someone is a bit friendly and a bit inimical to everything, … Read more
On May 31, the Holy Church celebrates the feast of Our Lady, Universal Mediatrix of all Graces. In this age of afflictions and dangers, when all of mankind moans under the weight of misfortunes that increase at every moment, our needs grow and our prayers become more pressing. With this, it is … Read more
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Service, a Joy Imagine then that to your spirit – bruised by life, calloused or even wounded, hot with fever – one of those figures appears about which your childhood innocence, dead now for many years, used to dream. A queen, all majestic and smiling, leads you by the hand into the … Read more
It has been a year since the catastrophic tsunami that swept the coastlines of nations on the Indian Ocean. More recently, Americans are still reeling from a series of hurricanes that devastated the southern U.S. and particularly New Orleans. In the wake of these events, the polemic continues unabated between those who … Read more
The string of natural calamities and man-made tragedies afflicting the world and the United States, particularly Hurricane Katrina in late August, have stimulated many people to reflection. Some see these tragic events as God’s chastisement of a sinful mankind; others see them as yet one more merciful warning from Providence; others yet … Read more
Modern man has a certain understanding of the virtues. When asked about them, meekness and kindness, even justice and fortitude immediately come to mind. However, there is one virtue which is almost entirely unknown. This virtue, which “…comprehends the rest, or supplies for all that may be wanting in them,” is vigilance. … Read more
The golden age of Chivalry began with the Crusades to rescue the holy places of Palestine from Moslem domination and to defend the pilgrims enroute to the Holy Land. Léon Gautier in his book Chivalry (La Chevalerie, first published in 1883) summarized the “ancient code of chivalry” of the Middle Ages into … Read more
Table of Contents Introduction — “In all thy works remember thy last end, and thou shalt never sin.” Chapter 1 — Death Chapter 2 — Private Judgement Chapter 3 — Hell Chapter 4 — The Sufferings of Hell Chapter 5 — Responding to Objections About Hell Chapter 6 — Purgatory Chapter 7 … Read more