A shining example of how reason and science can lead to faith. Dr. Kevin Vost is a cradle Catholic, who fell into aethism at the age of 17. He would stay there for over 2 decades, until gradually through reasoned enlightenment (showered with God’s grace) the fallacy in aethistic philosophy was revealed and the glory of real Truth became known. Wonderful read…the journey really can be made from the head to the heart, just ask Dr. Kevin Vost!
OK, everyone lets put the Little Flower to work (it brings her great joy, don’tcha know)! Today begins the novena to St. Therese of Lisieux. Her feast day is Oct. 1. She’s only merely huge… why she’s only slightly enormous…barely gigantic in all the little ways…she’s Our Little Flower. A Doctor of the Church, who’s little way leads to the greatest love.
George Weigel give us “The End and The Beginning: Pope John Paul II – The Victory of of Freedom, The Last Years, The Legacy”. What a tremendous blessing to reflect once again on the life of a modern day saint…our very own late great Holy Father, John Paul II. George Weigel doesn’t disappoint. The first part of the book reads like a spy novel…even more compelling because it’s true. The second part, covers the last 6 years of the Pope John Paul’s life, the jubilee and so much more. The last part sets the stage for a legacy which will be reflected and pondered on for generations, if not centuries. It’s as much our story as Church as it is the life of Pope John Paul II. Don’t miss this one…it is essential reading!!!
The most dangerous thing about Conn and David Iggulden’s book is that you’ll be inspired to heroism. From George Washington to Edith Cavell, from The Women of the SOE to Flight 93, the Dangerous Book of Heroes inspires young and old…it’s what good story telling is all about. Some stories may be a little more than some very young listeners can take in, but don’t let that stop you from diving in yourself….the very best stories are the one’s we grow into. Conn Iggulden and his brother David have given us all a gift.
As reported by the Catholic Herald UK Pope Benedict XVI today beatified Cardinal John Henry Newman in a historic Mass at Cofton Park, Birmingham – the first beatification ever to take place on British soil.
In his homily, the Pope placed Cardinal Newman in a tradition of English martyrs and saintly scholars, and praised the “warmth and humanity” of his priestly ministry.
He also noted that it was the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, and paid tribute to English men and women who resisted the “evil ideology” of Nazism.
He said: “For me as one who lived and suffered through the dark days of the Nazi regime in Germany, it is deeply moving to be here with you on this occasion, and to recall how many of your fellow citizens sacrificed their lives, courageously resisting the forces of that evil ideology.
“My thoughts go in particular to nearby Coventry, which suffered such heavy bombardment and massive loss of life in November 1940,” the Pope said.
He explained Newman was the latest in a “long line” of saintly British scholars, including St Bede, St Hilda, St Aelred, and Blessed Duns Scotus. It was a tradition, he said, “of gentle scholarship, deep human wisdom and profound love for the Lord”.
He pointed to Newman’s “devoted care for the people of Birmingham … visiting the sick and the poor, comforting the bereaved, caring for those in prison”.
“No wonder,” he said, “that on his death so many thousands of people lined the local streets as his body was taken to its place of burial not half a mile from here”.
The Pope said that given his holiness it was fitting he should take his place beside England’s martyrs, “whose courageous witness has sustained and inspired the Catholic community here for centuries”.
Pope Benedict said his vision of education had “done so much to shape the ethos that is the driving force behind Catholic schools and colleges today”.
He quoted Cardinal Newman’s appeal for a well-instructed laity as a goal for all teachers of religion. He said: “ ‘I want a laity not arrogant, not rash in speech, not disputatious, but men who know their religion, who enter into it, who know just where they stand, who know what they hold and what they do not, who know their creed so well that they can give an account of it, who know so much of history that they can defend it.’ ”
The Pope added: “I pray that, through his intercession and example, all who are engaged in the task of teaching and catechesis will be inspired to greater effort by the vision he so clearly sets before us.”
He also spoke about Newman’s holiness, saying it was a “profound desire of the human heart to enter into intimate communion with the Heart of God”.
The Pope spoke in front of tens of thousands of pilgrims, some of whom had slept overnight at Cofton Park in sleeping bags. Others had set off from parishes as early as 2am in special pilgrim buses. Fr Tim Finigan, parish priest at Blackfen, Kent, tweeted: “Apologies to the neighbours for waking them up last night singing ‘God bless our Pope’ as the coach left for Birmingham. Won’t happen again.”
According to Simon Caldwell, the Catholic Herald’s news editor, rain poured down all morning until just before the Pope’s helicopter landed nearby, when the sun finally came out.
Deacon Jack Sullivan, who was healed of a severe spinal disorder after praying for Newman’s intercession, proclaimed the Gospel during the Mass. It was his inexplicable healing that led to Newman being made a Blessed.
A choir of 1,200 sung a new setting of the Mass by composer James MacMillan. The prayers of the faithful were made in German, Welsh, French, Vietnamese and Punjabi.” – Catholic Herald UK
I love the movies as much as a good book; unfortunately there are fewer “good” movies than there are “good” books. So it was great to talk the history of film and what makes for a good movie, as well as, what are some of the best of the old and new in cinema today with Gary Giddins. This interview was a blast for me. If you love the movies, or even if you don’t but you want to have a fun and enjoyable movie going experience, home alone or in the theater, check out “Warning Shadows”
For more on “Warning Shadows: Home Alone with Classic Cinema”
Pope Benedict XVI and the Sexual Abuse Scandal is an important contribution to the understanding and healing of the great heartache that has inflicted the Church over the last 30 years. Talking with Gregory Erlandson was a great opportunity to realize the nuisances of what got us here, but also the response and hope that leads us to the future.
The wonderful David Scott, put it best:
This is Catholic journalism at its best. Erlandson and Bunson are two of most knowledgeable people in the world on the Church and this book shows it. Good reporting, sharply written, smart analysis, not afraid of the hard questions–even if the answers don’t always put the Church in the best light. This book should be in every mainstream newsroom in the country. It offers a definitive historical overview of the abuse scandal and Pope Benedict’s role, first as head of the Vatican’s doctrine office and now as Pope. This should be an eye-opener for those who think Benedict has been negligent or worse. The facts just don’t support the conclusions that the mainstream media has been insisting upon. In addition to good reporting, this book provides excellent documentation–full texts of every reference Benedict has made on the crisis, including his addresses to the U.S. bishops and his historic letter to the people of Ireland. A good read and an essential reference.
Part 2 of the discussion with Gregory Erlandson. Pope Benedict XVI and the Sexual Abuse Scandal is an important contribution to the understanding and healing of the great heartache that has inflicted the Church over the last 30 years. Talking with Gregory Erlandson was a great opportunity to realize the nuisances of what got us here, but also the response and hope that leads us to the future.
I LOVE biographies, so when this one came along I was delighted. A memoir from a man who experienced the 20th century in all it’s ugly moments and also in it’s beauty…Archbishop Philip Hannan. From Irish immigrant parents, to WWII, to the Kennedy White House, to Hurricane Katrina…what a story. Wonderful! I talked with Nancy Collins, 2nd cousin of the Archbishop, who assisted him in writing his memoir. Nancy is an engaging personality in her own right, and that really comes through in our conversation! She reflects on the Archbishop’s life and contribution to our country and times…praise God the greatest generation is still with us to teach and guide!
Elizabeth Bettina tells the tale of the people of Campagna, her grandmother’s village, that she would visit every summer as a child. Elizabeth discovered only as an adult, that those villagers had a little known secret: they had defied the Nazi occupiers and protected hundreds of Jews during the holocaust. Elizabeth would go on to uncover the fascinating untold stories of Jews throughout Italy during WWII and the goodhearted Italian people who risked everything to save them. A heartwarming, as well as heartbreaking at times, account of the courageous efforts of neighbor truly helping neighbor in wartime Italy.
Catholic, who fell into aethism at the age of 17. He would stay there for over 2 decades, until gradually through reasoned enlightenment (showered with God’s grace) the fallacy in aethistic philosophy was revealed and the glory of real Truth became known. Wonderful read…the journey really can be made from the head to the heart, just ask Dr. Kevin Vost!
Novena to St. Therese.
