Most of us have little expertise on miracles. And yet it’s a topic that comes up often in Catholic discussions. Needless to say, a lot of confusion can ensue. It seems helpful to have something handy that is short, to the point, and clarifying. St. Thomas Aquinas has provided us with just that in his Summa Contra Gentiles.

Regina Caeli by Gregor Aichinger The Regina Caeli (“Queen of Heaven”) is a prayer that we closely associate with Easter. We usually recite this prayer instead of the Angelus during the Easter Season. At this time it also serves as the Marian Antiphon at the end of Compline (Night Prayer). Numerous composers have set it … Continue reading Regina Caeli, by Gregor Aichinger (Easter Music)

The Church is supposed to be a Sign of Contradiction (Luke 2:34). If all she offers in the face of sin is a Nod and a Wink, however, what is she teaching? How is any distinction possible between her teaching and what the Conventional Wisdom has on offer?  Do we not then give tacit assent?

Despite his enormous achievements, however, and his lasting influence, Tertullian is not considered a Father of the Church; we don’t even call him “Saint” Tertullian:  he chose, sadly, to follow his own judgment rather than that of the Apostolic Church, and fell into heresy in the latter part of his life.

I have always appreciated the way the Te Deum does so much so succinctly. In just a few lines we are reminded of the sweep of Salvation History, the Communion of Saints, the Doctrine of the Trinity, the Mission of Jesus Christ from Bethlehem to the New Jerusalem, and all in the form of a joyful song of praise to our God.

We can become frustrated when it seems that nobody is listening; we may find ourselves brimming over with vinegar, as it were.  Perhaps if we stay calm, listen patiently, and try to focus on the love of Jesus (in other words, spread a little honey), we’re more likely to have a fruitful exchange.

While music has grown in technique and complexity since then, even the greatest composers of past 500 years haven’t been able to surpass the sheer musical loveliness of the works of polyphonic composers such as Victoria, Tallis, Byrd, and Palestrina.

“. . . the monks had Christ living and working in them by faith, by charity. The monks were united by the Holy Spirit in the peace of God . . . But the Icarians were united only by the frail bonds of an “armed neutrality” of insatiable animal appetites.”