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The Confidence of Campion
In the Preface to the American edition of his 1946 biography of the Jesuit saint and martyr, Edmund Campion, Evelyn Waugh wrote: We have seen the Church driven underground in one country after another. The martyrdom of Fr. Pro in Mexico re-enacted Campion’s. In fragments and whispers we get news of the other saints in…
From Under the Rubble…Benedict’s Long View
“A lifetime is not enough” to see all of Rome, said Pope Gregory XIV. Similarly, the contributions of Pope Benedict XVI will last far beyond our lifetimes – yet their most lasting impact might be barely visible today. Take his “Regensburg Lecture,” delivered in 2006. The media huffed that the address offended Muslims, and wrote…
John W. Blewett
The Bellarmine Forum joins in the prayers for the repose of the soul of John W. Blewett, who died February 8 in Santa Paula, California. Mr. Blewett served as president of the Forum (then known as the Wanderer Forum Foundation) for several years. He is remembered for his indomitable spirit and devotion to his beloved…
Before Lepanto, Mary became known as the Invincible Champion, Triumphant Leader
Today, in Eastern Churches, special services and hymns are sung just after compline to the Blessed Mother. It may seem like an odd practice to American lent goers — after all, Fridays are well known in the Roman Church for the Stations of the Cross. However, given that Mary carried God to us, and hence…
Fasts and Lent. If you want to cast out demons…
Last year, I posted about the history of fasting during lent. I think the article stands up well this year, too. I’d only add that the topic was at least discussed at the most recent USCCB meeting. Rather difficult for me to comprehend how, when Our Lord told us that some demons may only be cast…
St. Valentine — Martyred for Marriage
Happy St. Valentine’s Day! By now, you will have already seen the day play out, there may have been candy hearts with messages on them, notes passed by children in school, and then the adult activities. What precisely was St. Valentine about, though? Let’s take a trip back to the third century. You and I are sitting in…
Lunatics or Henchmen?: Group Claims to have forced Pope’s Resignation… ???
I have never heard of this group, nor of such a court action pending. I hesitate to post this for fear that I may be giving attention to a group of lunatics with a blog. At the same time, this group claims to have achieved a court action in the EU that forced the resignation of the…
KABOOM! The Literary Finale of Pope Benedict XVI was not his abdication.
Pope Benedict arranged a masterpiece, complete with cannon fire. Find out what his literary finale was and why it’s more shocking than the lightening strike on St. Peter’s!
Prayers Requested for Pope Benedict XVI, Set to Resign by Month’s End
The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Benedict XVI is to resign by months end. Highly unusual. Please say prayers for His Holiness and the Church. UPDATE: Here is a link to the translated text of the Pope’s resignation, originally delivered in Latin.
From Under the Rubble…Disasters, Defiance, and Definitions
Pop Quiz: When is a Neocon Not A Neocon? Answer. When he’s wrong. Which is most of the time. And that irks Charles Krauthammer. Dr. Krauthammer is an interesting character. For some thirty years he’s been a Washington fixture. Trained as a psychiatrist, he became a speechwriter for Vice President Walter Mondale. He then began…
