In this, the original ‘Novena’ – the nine days of intense prayer between the Ascension of Our Lord and Pentecost – it is difficult to imagine the maelstrom of excitement and bewilderment the ‘Men…

Whenever we see something that provokes a sense of awe and wonder within us, we are, in fact, gazing upon God. Our ability to discern beauty doesn’t need to serve any practical end: it’s simply…

There is a deeper and more intimate way to consider the Farewell Discourse: every priest at his Ordination receives from the bishop the gift of a sermon. Every priest remembers that sermon for…

In the American hymn, Bring flowers of the rarest, the refrain to Our Lady has always puzzled me. Why does ‘May’ have the definite article, ‘the’? It goes like this: O Mary! We crown thee with…

It is better for you that I go away. How many times has someone said that to you, I wonder? Perhaps not so often. How many times have you thought it of someone else? Perhaps very often. But when…

The Madonna in the Church by Netherlandish painter Jan van Eyck, c.1438, is a little gem.  Measuring only 12.2 by 5.5 inches it is rich with details and theological meaning.  If you…

Monarchy can be a sensitive issue here in the United States. It evokes unimaginably strong reactions from some quarters, and, to a degree, this is historical: after all, our country exists in…

You will have heard the sporting adage, ‘no pain, no gain’ more times than you care to remember. It is a very helpful reminder to assist us in training for athletic pursuits. Whether for strength…

Our beautiful and historic church has, in fact, never stood still. When it was built in 1881 it was about half the size it is today. There was no tower, no spire, no bell, no narthex, and no…