Lent with Niggle – First Installment
There was once a little man called Niggle, who had a long journey to make. He did not want to go, indeed the whole idea was distasteful to him; but he could not get out of it. He knew he…
Category Spiritual Progress
How to ‘Take the Disciplina’
Do I have to do this in front of someone else, a spiritual director or some sort of 'accountability partner'?
January: Month of the Most Holy Name of Jesus
The month of January has traditionally been dedicated to the Most Holy Name of Jesus. We find devotion to the Holy Name to be deeply rooted in Sacred Scripture, especially in the Acts of the Apostles. It was promoted particularly…
Mercy or Justice – You Choose
“Free Will”, “Your Choice” – Theologians as well as philosophers have written more about the topic than one person can read and digest in a lifetime. Our Lord Jesus, on the other hand, can sum it up much more succinctly:…
Relationship Advice from J.R.R. Tolkien
When J.R.R. Tolkien wrote a letter to his son Michael (then in his tweens) giving relationship advice, it being late January of the year 1941 while Michael was recovering from an injury at the hospital in Worchester, he explained at…
The rosary is the scourge of the devil
The rosary is the scourge of the devil.~ Pope Adrian VI Learn more about the (only!) Dutch pope here: Wikipedia entry about the 16th century Pope Adrian VI The 1908 edition of the Catholic Encyclopedia characterised the task that faced him: “To…
The Very Basics of Repentance in C.S. Lewis’ “Mere Christianity”
If you have ever read C.S. Lewis’ “Mere Christianity”, even just in parts, you may remember the light, almost jovial style of it. Small wonder: “Mere Christianity” is a collection of radio talks turned book format. In it, C.S. Lewis…
October: Our Lady of the Rosary
The month of October is dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary. During her last apparition at Fatima on October 13, 1917, Mary specifically referred to herself as “The Lady of the Rosary.” If you are not in the habit of…
How the Pray the Seven Sorrows of Our Lady Chaplet
Halfway between the birthday of Our Lady on September 8th and the memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows on September 15th, I’d like to introduce the Seven Sorrows of Our Lady chaplet, and explain how to pray it. Since September…
September: Our Lady of Sorrows
The month of September is dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows, Mater Dolorosa: On September 15th, we celebrate the memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows. Our Lady of Sorrows From very early on, Mary was keenly aware that the Son…