Reflections on Christmases Past and Future

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It is Christmas and we all think back on Christmases past not without a bit of nostalgia for what the feast represents. We think back on Christmas trees, manger scenes and midnight Masses. We recall family dinners, marveling children and Christmas carols. Such memories fill us with joys in a brutal world … Read more

What Napoleon Thought About Holy Communion

What Napoleon Thought About Holy Communion 2

In an age of instant gratification, we are encouraged to forget about the most important things in our lives. Our rushed and hectic schedules demand our attention. We must have everything now, instantly, regardless of the consequences. It must be the latest and greatest, the biggest and the best version; it must … Read more

Rallies Bind God to Fight for True Marriage

Three thousand prayer rallies all across America will implore Almighty God’s help for traditional marriage. As the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to hand down its decision on same-sex “marriage” any day now, activists are holding over 3,000 prayer rallies for traditional marriage in the streets of American towns and cities. Like it … Read more

Balance and Harmony Between Riches and Poverty

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“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Pauperist Heresies Heresies requiring material poverty for eternal salvation have sprung up since the dawn of Christianity. Here we refer more particularly to medieval miserabilists. Under the influence of the Cathars or Albigensians, who adopted the Manichean principle that … Read more

Humility, Magnanimity and Magnificence

Humility, Magnanimity and Magnificence 1

True Humility Is Not Contrary to Legitimate Splendor and Honors The virtue of humility, at least in its external aspects, arouses much sympathy even among those who are not particularly religious or otherwise oppose religion. In a world dominated by pride and sensuality, it seems very timely to study this virtue, however … Read more

True Joy

True Joy 2

We must serve God with joy and communicate this joy in doing holy things. Saint Thomas Aquinas named the weariness for holy things and the subsequent sadness of living in the service of God, acedia, which means weariness and lack of joy and desire for things. Today, joy is only seen in … Read more

Stand Up for Tradition

Stand Up for Tradition 1

After having attended a sold-out and inspirational Handel’s Messiah, one was left to reflect upon the well-attended, enthusiastic and inspired crowd. In an age where much entertainment is reduced to sound bites and portable electronic devices, it was amazing to observe the great number who attended a two hour long musical performance … Read more

General Lee’s One Rule for Students: “Be a Gentleman”

General Lee’s One Rule for Students: “Be a Gentleman” 1

A new student once asked President Lee for a copy of the rules of Washington College. Lee replied, “Young gentleman, we have no printed rules. We have but one rule here, and it is that every student must be a gentleman.” What did Lee mean when he used the word “gentleman?” Found … Read more