The ultimate aim of all authentic religious practice, von Hildebrand always insists, is the creation of a truly supernatural life in the soul of the believer, in order to bring him to a final end with God that fallen nature can never hope … [Read more...]
Articles
Faith, Hope, and Charity
I would like to propose what I believe is the solution to a major source of misunderstanding between Catholics and Protestants on the one hand, and theologians and exegetes on the other. Christ Sleeping Through the Storm at Sea by … [Read more...]
Aquinas’s Vision of Divine and Human Happiness
St. Thomas Aquinas reminds us that only the pure of heart see God without distortion ... Sharing the mind and heart of Christ, we share the eternal happiness of his vision. Holy Trinty by Rubens We all have some vision or other of God … [Read more...]
Questions Answered
For August 2013
Is there another theory of the origin of the Synoptic Gospels besides Marcan (or "Markan") priority? How important is the ceremony in the liturgy? Authors of the Synoptic Gospels: Saints Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Question: Is ther … [Read more...]
Recovering the Christian Tradition: Self-denial & Self-fulfillment
It is time now, on the 50th anniversary of Vatican II, to focus the light on the recovery of the riches of the Christian message regarding self-fulfillment and self-denial ... to enrich the new culture with the old. Christ and the Woman … [Read more...]
St. Joseph, “blessed spouse of Mary”
August 2013 Editorial
Scripture and sacred tradition do not tell us too much about Joseph. Yet, all we need to know is that the heart of his life beats between Mary and Jesus, how he found his truest self between our Lady and her God. St. Joseph and the Baby … [Read more...]
The Role of Doctrine in Inspiring Believers to Moral Greatness
In order to demonstrate this essential coexistence of nature and grace in the life of the Church, and the life of the believer, it must be shown that doctrine is necessary for salvation, not superfluous, but essential to the Church’s m … [Read more...]
On Thinking the Actual World Out of Existence
The scanty conceptions to which we can attain of celestial things give us, from their excellence, more pleasure than all the knowledge of the world in which we live; just as a half-glimpse of persons that we love is more delightful than a … [Read more...]
“Humanae Vitae” and Sacred Scripture: A Missed Opportunity
While prophetic in many ways, the most controversial encyclical of the twentieth century might have been better received had a stronger biblical argument been made in its favor. This July 2013 we commemorate the 45th anniversary of Pope … [Read more...]
The Science of Divine Love
The science of divine love is measured along a dimension of intensity and depth, rather than the worldly one of quantity. With this equation, the means for our sanctification is established. All our actions, prayers, and sufferings build up … [Read more...]
Furthering My Proposal to Extend the Fast for Holy Communion
The problem of unworthy Communions under the current one-hour fast rule arises thus: first, Catholics are gravely bound to attend Mass on Sunday and holy days of obligation, and second, the Church strongly encourages the faithful to receive … [Read more...]
Celebrating “Humanae Vitae” 45 Years Later
The one night stand may not have been born in the 60s, but it was granted acceptance and serial permanence. ... the Holy Father saw how a general lowering of overall morality would be the result of such self-centeredness. Humanae Vitae … [Read more...]
Existence as Persons In and Through Others
The human family is the relational image of the relational Trinity, in which each divine person is distinct from the other while eternally one with the other in communion, community, and communication. We are aware of ourselves as … [Read more...]
The Corporate Associate: Effectively Addressing the Affective Needs of the Newly Ordained
Pastors of corporate parishes should recognize the need in their newly ordained priest associates to express themselves, or they will stunt their growth as both priests and human beings ... a man ... stunted in his humanity ... will be … [Read more...]
“Read Your Thomas”: The Advice We Should Heed
Aquinas was the model philosopher for Ralph McInerny, and following the likes of 20th century Thomists such as Maritain, Gilson, Fabro, and DeKonick, he wanted the world (and the Church) to see the necessity of this man and his … [Read more...]
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