DeJak

A detailed religious mural depicting Christ in Majesty surrounded by angels and saints, with Latin inscriptions. Central figure of Jesus is adorned in a red robe with a halo, seated on a throne. Surrounding scenes include various saints and religious figures in vibrant colors like red, blue, and gold. Text reads: "IV PATRIS SEMPITERNUS ES FILIUS," "TE GLORIOSUS APPOLLONIS," and "QUIDERET ES LAVORT."

The Last Day of 2013–Te Deum Laudamus

Well, dear friends, it is the last day of the calendar year and we are still within the Octave of Christmas which means that we should still be celebrating as if it were Christmas Day! To that end, we wish to make you, our readers, aware of one of the great traditions of the Church and…

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An elderly man in a brown blazer and striped tie, smiling warmly against a plain background. He wears a clerical collar, indicating he is likely a Catholic priest or religious figure.

Prayers Requested for Frank Morriss

Our dear friend and Board Member Frank Morriss was hospitalized last week and is in the ICU. Frank, a WWII vet who will be 90 in March, wrote for years for The Wanderer, was a founding editor of Twin Circle and the Catholic Register in Denver. He co-edited our Forum Focus since 1985.  Most recently he contributed…

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A green background with white text and icons. Text describes a story about Pope Francis placing baby Jesus in the creche, with illustrations of a Christmas tree and nativity scene. The text mentions fair use and copyright issues related to the image.

Merry Christmas!

Venite adoremus! Merry Christmas from the Bellarmine Forum! ———– The Christmas Mass at Dawn, December 25, 2013, will be offered for all of our supporters, benefactors, and friends at the altar over the corpus of St. Robert Bellarmine at the Chiesa San Ignazio in Rome.  Mass will be celebrated by our dear friend Father Kevin…

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A religious painting featuring a central figure of Mary in blue robes, surrounded by angels and saints in vibrant colors. The scene depicts a heavenly vision with clouds and divine light, emphasizing Catholic themes of devotion and sanctity.

She Who Directs Our Gaze to the Heavens

In one of his last works, the baroque painter Pietro Bianichi (1694-1740) executed an image of Our Blessed Lady’s Immaculate Conception. The painting sits in the Roman basilica of Santa Maria deli Angeli, a church renowned for its famous meridian line (constructed at the behest of Pope Clement XI by Francesco Bianchini)–a feat of scientific excellence. Within a decade of its…

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A drone flying over rolling hills of green vineyards under a hazy sky, capturing the agricultural landscape.

The Rise of the Machines (and the Fall of Man)

A little over sixty years ago, J.R.R. Tolkien defined what he meant by a machine: By the [ word “machine”] I intend all use of external plans or devices (apparatus) instead of development of the inherent inner powers or talents — or even the use of these talents with the corrupted motive of dominating: bulldozing the real world,…

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A golden reliquary with ornate decorations and a relic of a hand, likely from Catholic tradition. The intricate design features floral patterns and gemstones.

The Strength of His Arm

Every time I’ve been to Rome, I’ve always made a point to visit the Church of the Gesu. Perhaps the best example of baroque art and architecture in the world, it is a monument to a triumphant Church confident in the truths of the Creed and in the Kingship of her Lord. It appeals to the senses…

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A man wearing glasses and a clerical collar with a pectoral cross, dressed in a dark suit and red shirt, signing documents at a desk. Bookshelves filled with books are in the background.

How Anglicans (and Some Catholic Bishops) Think?

A brief news item today heralded the apocalyptic musings of the former Archbishop of Canterbury, George Carey.  According to a FOX News Report, the former Anglican Archbishop, then second only to the Queen as Head of the Church of England, commented:  “Christianity is just a ‘generation away from extinction’ in Britain unless churches have a breakthrough in…

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A bottle of Dow's 2006 Late Bottled Vintage Porto wine next to a large, brown leather-bound book titled "S. Thome Contra Gentiles." The scene suggests a scholarly or religious context, possibly related to Catholic themes."

Port and Cookies

I have long wanted to compile a collection of anecdotes by graduates of Catholic colleges and universities from (roughly) 1967-2000 as to how they survived the reigning agnostic materialism on campus.  To what underground bunkers did they flee?  Between which dusty old stacks in the university library did they repair?  To which neighborhood bar–away from the…

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A priest and an altar server in green vestments at a Catholic altar with candles, ornate decorations, and religious artifacts. The setting is richly adorned in gold and red tones with intricate designs.

All Souls Day

Ah! that day of tears and mourning, From the dust of earth returning, Man for judgment must prepare him, Spare, O God, in mercy spare him. Lord, all-pitying, Jesus blest, Grant them Thine eternal rest.

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A page from an old book with dense Latin text, featuring a detailed illustration of a saint or religious figure in the center. The text discusses Catholic themes and mentions various saints, including St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas. The page has a yellowed, aged appearance with black ink text and illustration.

The Real Battle

Excellent piece here at the First Things Blog by William Doino on the Pope and “smoke of Satan” in the Church.  Reminiscent of our own posts, here, here, here, and here.  Throw up a prayer to St. Michael today, especially for the Holy Father and his governance of the Church.

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