The purpose of human life is to give glory to God. Everything else should be judged by this standard. The Mass most directly helps us to achieve our purpose in life, drawing us into Christ’s perfect glorification of the Father. Catholics have some of the most profound treasures in our Read more…
When evaluating the art of the twentieth century, more than Picasso or brutalist concrete structures, we should think about film. Its use of technology and its popularity makes it more representative of modern culture than any other medium. Great art has always spoken to the common person and interpreted the Read more…
What’s the point of reading fiction? Wouldn’t it just be better to read works of theology and the spiritual life? Well, I wouldn’t replace spiritual reading with fiction. Novels and shorts stories, however, do make a contribution to Catholic life and culture by engaging our imagination in a vicarious engagement Read more…
English is a very odd, though interesting, language. It has its roots in the Germanic family of languages, with very minor influences from Celtic and Norse languages, and experienced a major overhaul through the influence of French after the Norman conquest. After that, there was also a major word borrowing Read more…
Rarely do I find myself looking to modern Hollywood for morality tales, either on screen or in headlines. And yet, every once in a while, a film is released that draws on truths incorruptible by CGI and modern mores.The latest film to do so is The Green Knight, in theaters Read more…
What does it mean to be a Latin rite Catholic? Does “Latin” have much a determining factor on how we worship and understand our life as Catholics. Latin not only served as the basis of Catholic theology in the West, it also served as the basis for law and education. Read more…
I stumbled across the pilgrim plague survivor, St. Rocco, when I was 15. It was my first time in Europe, visiting my aunt who was studying at the University of Montpellier (founded c. 1292) in southern France. I hadn’t heard of Rocco before, but I found myself praying in his Read more…
Giovanni Battista Draghi (1710-36), known simply as Pergolesi, died far too young. It may be fitting, therefore, that he is known for his musical setting of the Stabat Mater, the hymn we know mostly from the Stations of the Cross. Its emotional and spiritual power may derive, in part, from Read more…
There are essential prayers that most Catholics memorize, particularly those recited in the rosary (Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be). With these prayers, the rosary has served a central way that Catholics meditate, particularly on its twenty mysteries. Many Catholics also attend the Stations on the Cross on Fridays during Read more…
The term cultural literacy was advanced by E.D. Hirsch, Jr. in his bestselling book, Cultural Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know. He made a very concrete proposal that included words, persons, events, works of art, places, and concepts needed to be an intelligent and well-functioning adult in American society. Read more…