4th Sunday of Lent: Catching our breath and sneaking around
“To say that Bilbo’s breath was taken away is no description at all. There are no words left to express his staggerment, since Men changed the language that they learned of elves in the days when all the world was wonderful” (The Hobbit, Ch. 12). This is rather how I feel in approaching this magnificent […]
The Modern Bach
One hundred and fifty years ago tomorrow, on March 19, 1873, the “modern Bach” was born in the village of Brand, in southern Germany: Max Reger. A complete musician, sensitive to the culture of his time, Reger is an illustrious representative of late romantic German music. He was a pupil first of his father Josef, […]
Why the Pope Praises Modernist Architects
Above: Azerbaijani First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva with Pope Francis. In his extraordinary Gifford Lectures of 2012, The Face of God, British philosopher and musician Roger Scruton talks about the “defacement” that occurs in temples and buildings when human proportions, cultural references, and richness of beauty are avoided in favor of empty, blank, machine-like, impersonal qualities. […]
“Suffocated by Meetings” Bishop Schneider on Synodality
Above: Bishop Schneider’s homily at Most Precious Blood of Jesus, ICKSP, Pittsburgh. Photo by Allison Girone. Editor’s note: a few days after the German Schismatic Way voted to cry to heaven for vengeance, I came across this passage from Bishop Schneider in his must-read text with Diane Montagna, Christus Vincit (Angelico Press, 2019). Even though […]
Among the Most Important Books of 2023
Building for a Future Generation Although the year is still young, it has already seen the release of what will quite possibly prove to be one of the most important books published this year: Joseph Shaw’s The Liturgy, the Family, and the Crisis of Modernity (Os Justi Press, 2023). This book offers not only a […]
The Consecration of Russia: One Year Later
Above: the consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on the Annunciation, 2022. Photo by Diane Montagna. A year ago, Pope Francis consecrated Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Needless to say, the event triggered mixed emotions amongst Catholics of all stripes, and was particularly contentious amongst traditionalists. […]
Sacred Music Both Modern and Traditional
When we think of the Magnificat sung by Mary Most Holy, we easily imagine how she is almost the prototype of all those who sing the glory of God down the centuries: The Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his name: from generation to generation his mercy extends to those who […]
Novena to the Theotokos of Fatima
Editor’s note: today we offer this Novena to the faithful as part of our efforts to spread Fatima devotion under the Russian Icon of the Theotokos of Fatima (“By Thee Unity”). We will be praying this Novena (shared on social) beginning today for the one year anniversary of the 2021 Consecration of Russia and Ukraine […]
The Ugliness of Sin: a Fight to the Death
During the Holy season of Lent, the Church in her wisdom has many mysteries and truths of faith that she wishes to bring to the minds of the faithful. In my last article, I spoke of the importance of practicing mortification. We saw how not only are the saints called to a life of mortification, […]
German Catholic Women Fight Against the Synodal Way
Maria 1.0 – Press release The storm is coming – it’s getting uncomfortable on the Synodal Way On the day before the start of the fifth Synodal Assembly, the future looks stormy. One rubs one’s eyes in bewilderment when one looks at the initial situation of the coming days: the Holy Father himself forbade the […]