Man and Machine
While it may seem that in the industrial process it is the machine that “works” and man merely supervises it, making it function and keeping it going in various ways, it is also true that for this very reason industrial development provides grounds for reproposing in new ways the question of human work. Both the original industrialization that gave rise to what is called the worker question and the subsequent industrial and post-industrial changes show in an eloquent manner that, even in the age of ever more mechanized “work”, the proper subject of work continues to...
Read MoreLike Putting Skylarks in Cages
In spite of almost universal school custom, it must be said that God did not intend children of primary school age to sit assembled in desks and endure long formal lessons; if he did he would have made them differently. Least of all did he intend this to happen in teaching religion, and the whole idea of it is rather blasphemous, like putting skylarks in cages. - Rev. F.H. Drinkwater, Doctrine for the Juniors (1933)
Read More#NCCL2011 Opening Mass Homily – Four Points
Fr. Ron Cochran of St. Luke Catholic Church in El Cajon, California, celebrated this evening’s Mass for the NCCL conference in Atlanta. He gave a very nice reflection on this Sunday’s readings and, most helpfully, laid out his four main points: If we have faith in Christ, we will allow God to work through us. We can’t allow God to work through us unless we have died to ourselves. We offer spiritual sacrifices by offering ourselves on the altar with Christ. We do service so that we have something to bring to and offer on the altar. I will definitely be mulling over these...
Read MoreThe Catholic school does not lay claim to superiority
The Catholic school does not lay claim to superiority over another on purely secular lines, although in many cases its superiority is a very patent fact; it repudiates and denies charges to the effect that it is inferior, although this may be found in some cases to be true. It contends that it is equal to, as good as, any other; and there is no evidence why this should not be so. But it does pretend to give a more thorough education in the true sense of the word, if education really means a bringing out of that which is best in our nature. Neither do we hold that such a training as our...
Read MoreTis the great fault of our age to underrate parental dignity
‘Tis the great fault of our age to underrate parental dignity. In the easy-going world, preference is given to profligate celibacy over honorable wedlock; marriage itself is degraded to the level of a purely natural contract, its bond has lost its character of indissolubility and its obligations are shirked to meet the demands of fashion and convenience. When parents, unworthy ones, do not appreciate their own dignity, how will others, their children, appreciate it? And parenthood will never be esteemed while its true nature and sanctity are ignored and contemned; there is no dignity...
Read MoreOn Tolerance
The Church is intolerant in principle because she believes; she is tolerant in practice because she loves. The enemies of the Church are tolerant in principle because they do not believe; they are intolerant in practice because they do not love. - Fr. Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange, OP (h/t: Fr. Philip Neri Powell, OP)
Read More“Nothing less is expected of us as priests…”
This past Saturday our diocese ordained two men to the sacred priesthood. More specifically, His Eminence Francis Cardinal George of Chicago ordained the men as our diocese awaits the installation of Bishop Paprocki on June 22. Rev. Msgr. Carl Kemme, our diocesan administrator, delivered the homily and I have to say: it probably ranks in the top five homilies I have ever heard and is the most moving reflection on the priesthood I can remember. Here’s a short sound bite: To my brother priests in this presbyterate I want and need to invite something very important from us. These men to be...
Read MoreRespect has no substitute
Respect has no substitute; neither assistance nor obedience nor love can supply it or take its place It may happen that children are no longer obliged to help their parents; they may be justified in not obeying them; the circumstances may be such that they no longer have love or affection for them; but respect can never be wanting without serious guilt. The reason is simple: because it is due in justice, because it is founded on natural rights that can never be forfeited, even when parents themselves lose the sense of their own dignity. - Rev. John H. Stapelton, Explanation of Catholic...
Read MoreRadcliffe on Leaving the Church
I don’t often link to other commentary on the web (the best way to find out what I’m reading on a given day is to follow me on Twitter), but this piece by Timothy Radcliffe, O.P., about whether to leave the Church in the wake of the sexual abuse scandal is too good to pass up: Why go? If it is to find a safer haven, a less corrupt Church, then I think that you will be disappointed. I too long for more transparent government, more open debate, but the Church’s secrecy is understandable, and sometimes necessary. To understand is not always to condone, but necessary if we are...
Read MoreThe Rise of the Retrosexual
I’m a fan of the blog The Art of Manliness, which offers a useful counter to the dominate male images of our consumer culture. Brett McKay, the site’s founder, has reported on what he calls a “Menaissance,” a movement to re-establish a more classical understanding of men based on the values and style of the WWII generation. In this short video, Brett explains why he thinks is this happening and why it appeals to today’s young men:
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