I have a liking for books that set forth subject-matter in a broad view, eschewing the specialism that has progressively become the norm since the end of the Middle Ages. I know of several good Catholic books that address in this manner the radical changes in society and the Church, but perhaps none is so impressive as Romano Amerio's Iota Unum.
I remember being taken, as a child of three years, to the local parish church during the Holy Week Triduum, and being deeply moved in seeing that the crucifix above the altar and the other images of the saints were covered in dark cloth. I recall the feeling of loss and of a peculiarly sombre emptiness which the veiling provoked: something important, and benevolent, was gone.
I remember being taken, as a child of three years, to the local parish church during the Holy Week Triduum, and being deeply moved in seeing that the crucifix above the altar and the other images of the saints were covered in dark cloth. I recall the feeling of loss and of a peculiarly sombre emptiness which the veiling provoked: something important, and benevolent, was gone.
Most readers will be familiar with the following comment made by the Holy Father on February 26th this year, when, at his general audience, he reflected on Psalm 150:
With the popularity of the movie The Lord of the Rings comes renewed interest in its author JRR Tolkien.
Due to the kindness of a benefactor to the Library I was able to visit places of interest in England and Ireland during July. The committee hopes that the links made will continue into the future and has asked me to give members a brief summary of this tour.
There is no text version of this talk available. To view Dr. Birrell's PowerPoint slide presentation, click HERE
The first thing that strikes one about this book is the title, which is the first thing that should strike one I suppose. It is a snappy title promising perhaps insights that are snappier and more accessible than the book can actually deliver to the casual reader. If I were not familiar with Aquinas myself I would have found this book a difficult place to start.
Most instructed Catholics know that the essence of the New Law of Christ is:
to love God with all one's strength and to love one's neighbour for God's sake.
Christ tells us that he who truly loves God will carry out the will of God - indeed that obedience to God's will is the only sure test of our love for Him.
Prior to his joining the seminary, John Paul II was a member of a lay Carmelite spirituality group led by a tailor called Jan Tyranowski. It was in this group that he first studied the works of St. John of the Cross. Later, as a doctorate student at the Angelicum, he chose to investigate the topic of: "Faith according to St. John of the Cross".
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