Point of No Return: American Democracy at the Crossroads - Thomas Byrne Edsall Title: Point of No Return: American Democracy at the Crossroads Author: Thomas Byrne Edsall Narrator: Mike Chamberlain Format: Unabridged Length: 13:38:31 Language: English Release date: 04-11-2023 Publisher: Kalorama Genres: Politics, General, Political Ideologies Summary: After Donald Trump's rise to power, after the 2020 presidential election, after January 6, is American politics past the point of no return? New York Times columnist Thomas Byrne Edsall fears that the country may be headed over a cliff. In this compelling and illuminating book, Edsall documents how the Trump years ravaged the nation's politics, culture, and social order. He explains the demographic shifts that helped make Trump's election possible, and describes the racial and ethnic conflict, culture wars, rural/urban divide, diverging economies of red and blue states, and the transformation of both the Republican and Democratic parties …More
Saint Silvester Gozzolini | Founder of the Sylvestrines | Catechism for Kids (November 26th) St Joseph's Corner Have you ever wondered how one person’s quiet search for God can grow into a whole religious family? On November 26, the Church celebrates Saint Silvester Gozzolini, an Italian priest who left behind a comfortable life to follow God more closely — and eventually founded the Sylvestrine Order, part of the Benedictine family. Born in 1177, Silvester served as a priest but felt called to deeper prayer after witnessing the funeral of a sinner who had avoided repentance. Shocked and moved, he sought a holier life and went into solitude near Montefano, where he prayed, fasted, and lived simply. Soon, disciples gathered around him, inspired by his holiness. This led to the creation of the Sylvestrines, a branch of the Benedictines known for their deep prayer, strict monastic life, blue habits, and love for simplicity. Saint Silvester spent his life teaching others how to love …More
"Eternal Wisdom.--The bottomless abyss of My hidden mysteries (in which I order everything according to My eternal providence), let no one explore, for no one can fathom it. And yet, in this abyss, what thou askest about and many things besides are possible, which yet never happen. However, know this much, that, in the order in which emanated beings now are, a more acceptable or more pleasing way could not be. The Lord of nature knows well what He can do in nature. He knows what is best suited to every creature, and He operates accordingly. How should man better know the hidden things of God than in His assumed Humanity?"
“Chapter II - What Happened Before the Crucifixion After the Last Supper, when on the Mount of Olives, I gave Myself up to the pangs of cruel death, and when I felt that he was present before Me, I was bathed in a bloody sweat, because of the anguish of My tender Heart, and the agony of My whole bodily nature. I was ignominiously betrayed, taken prisoner like an enemy, rigorously bound, and led miserable away. After this I was impiously maltreated with blows, with spittle, with blindfolding, accused before Caiphas, and pronounced worthy of death. Unspeakable sorrows of heart were then seen in My dear Mother, from the first sight she had of My distress till I was hung upon the cross. I was shamefully presented before Pilate, falsely denounced, and sentenced to die. They stood over against Me with terrible eyes like fierce giants, and I stood before them like a meek lamb. I, the Eternal Wisdom, was mocked as a fool in a white garment before Herod, My fair body was rent and torn without …More
Ivan Kramskoi (1837–1887), Portrait of philosopher Vladimir Solovyov (source) Published in Paris in 1885, in order to protect the author from possible persecution by the Russian imperial authorities, Solovyov’s work La Russie et l’Église universelle (Russia and the Universal Church)1 contains a section whose reading played a decisive role in my conversion. This part of Solovyov’s book bears a significant title: “La Monarchie Ecclésiastique fondée par Jésus-Christ” (“The Ecclesiastical Monarchy Founded by Jesus Christ”). From the very beginning, the Russian thinker emphasizes through this title that the hierarchy of the Church is monarchical, with its invisible head—God—being analogously and symbolically represented by a visible head—the Pope. Undoubtedly the most important speculative Russian thinker of all time, Solovyov gives headaches to “Orthodox” Eastern theologians who do everything they can to erase the traces of his conversion. Beyond the strictly biographical aspects …
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops has released a document titled, "National Strategy for Ecumenism: Episcopal Commission for Christian Unity, Religious Relations with the Jews, and Interfaith Dialogue." One of the big ideas, and hardly a new one, is to promote ecumenism by pushing Synodality. After all, Church leaders and many of the laity have spent three years meeting, dining and debating the elusive subject. The Vatican II Nostra Aetate declaration (Latin for "in our time") on the Catholic Church's relation with other religions hasn't accomplished much in 60 years, so what makes anyone think this time it will any different? Heaven forbid the truth be told about any non-Christian religion. The Canadian bishops call for "Ecumenical officers and diocesan/eparchial ecumenical commissions are encouraged to enhance the pertinent elements of the curriculum of existing diocesan formation programs, to assist leaders in strengthening relations with other Christian faith communities …
Synodality here, Synodality there, Synodality everywhere! Perhaps we should send the composition to the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops so it can be read at their next Synodality meeting.
Saint Conrad of Constance | Noble Bishop of Charity & Peace | Catechism for Kids St Joseph's Corner Saint Conrad of Constance (c. 900–975) was a nobleman who chose service over power, charity over comfort, and peace over conflict. Born into the powerful Welf family of Germany, he gave up a life of privilege to become a priest and later the Bishop of Constance, where he served with deep humility. Conrad was known for: his gentleness and compassion his tireless charity to the sick and poor his skill in calming political tensions his peaceful spirit in leadership his devotion to pilgrimages — travelling three times to the Holy Land Although he came from nobility, he lived simply, giving much of his wealth away. He visited the sick, cared for the needy, and made decisions that protected both the Church and ordinary people. His leadership helped bring stability during a turbulent time in medieval Germany. Topics we’ll cover: Who Saint Conrad of Constance was His …More
On November 26, the Church celebrates Saint Silvester Gozzolini, an Italian priest who left behind a comfortable life to follow God more closely — and eventually founded the Sylvestrine Order, part of the Benedictine family. Born in 1177, Silvester served as a priest but felt called to deeper prayer after witnessing the funeral of a sinner who had avoided repentance. Shocked and moved, he sought a holier life and went into solitude near Montefano, where he prayed, fasted, and lived simply. Soon, disciples gathered around him, inspired by his holiness. This led to the creation of the Sylvestrines, a branch of the Benedictines known for their deep prayer, strict monastic life, blue habits, and love for simplicity. Saint Silvester spent his life teaching others how to love …More
Born into the powerful Welf family of Germany, he gave up a life of privilege to become a priest and later the Bishop of Constance, where he served with deep humility. Conrad was known for:
his gentleness and compassion
Topics we’ll cover: Who Saint Conrad of Constance was His …More