Shiloh: A Requiem

Skimming lightly, wheeling still, The swallows fly low Over the field in clouded days, The forest-field of Shiloh – Over the field where April rain Solaced the parched ones stretched in pain Through the pause of night That followed the Sunday fight Around the church of Shiloh – The church so lone, the log-built one,… Continue reading Shiloh: A Requiem

Today is the Day of Prayer for the Church in China

Hat tip: Julie, who passes on this prayer composed by Benedict XVI: Virgin Most Holy, Mother of the Incarnate Word and our Mother, venerated in the Shrine of Sheshan under the title “Help of Christians”, the entire Church in China looks to you with devout affection. We come before you today to implore your protection.… Continue reading Today is the Day of Prayer for the Church in China

Index verborum prohibitorum

One of the many, many detestable habits of the chattering class kids is their trick of finding some eight-bit word (perhaps vaguely remembered from the days of Vocabulary for the College Bound) and then using, using, and using it again. And again. And again. And again. And again. Remember “gravitas” in the late ‘eighties or… Continue reading Index verborum prohibitorum

“Obama Scored Big at Notre Dame”

It’s all about the photo op; the President got what he wanted. And as for “dialogue”, what has Notre Dame as an institution done to clearly speak up for life, particularly in the actions-that-speak-louder-than-words line? William McGurn: In a letter to Notre Dame’s Class of 2009, the university’s president, the Rev. John Jenkins, stated that… Continue reading “Obama Scored Big at Notre Dame”

The body as veil

A lovely reflection at Catholic Exchange: Psalm 139:13-16 rejoices, “My frame was not hidden from You when I was being made in secret .” Earlier in the chapter, verse 13 marvels, “You formed my inward parts; You knit me in my mother’s womb.” This word “knit ” is also sometimes translated “wove” or “woven.” David… Continue reading The body as veil

Jack Kemp, RIP

The Importance of Jack Kemp: blockquote>…his lost presidential run in 1988 did land him in the unlikely spot of Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. It was there that Reaganites huddled in what was generally viewed as one of the least important backwaters of the federal government, a place touched by scandal at that. Ignored… Continue reading Jack Kemp, RIP