In the middle ages (and in some places even until now) the parish was the centre of community life. There would be dances and celebrations in the church, as well as meetings of almost every kind. Some people stored valuables there, feeling that no one would dare rob such a sacred place. One Tradition I found out recently though was the brewing of beer for different feasts … [Read more...]
Holy Historical Film Review: "The Illusionist" (2006)
One of the most common ways people experience history is through film. Ever since I first saw it, The Illusionist (2006) has been one of my favourite films. The film takes place in Austria-Hungary during the time of their empire in the 19th century, and follows the controversial career and love affair of a returning magician to Vienna and his tangles in the politics of the … [Read more...]
Work in Eden and Heaven
As I look forward to the prospect of job-hunting this week I've been thinking about the nature of work. I've often heard a sort of Weber-ian account of the virtue and greatness of work, as well as the often-remarked claim that there was even work in the Garden of Eden, and thus work was a part of Paradise for man. I've always felt this to be completely untrue. I hate work … [Read more...]
Vive La Counter-Revolution!
(News of the Christian Revolution spreads more slowly than those of its competitors, but for those of you in need of some, here's a great story of Muslims converting to Christianity in Germany) When the Communists took power in Vietnam the Marxists followed a pattern going back to 1870 when the Communards of Paris shot their city’s archbishop. Most priests and Christian … [Read more...]
St. Dominic
Tomorrow is the feast of St. Dominic, the founder of the Dominican Order from which many noteworthy theologians and saints have emerged. Thomas Aquinas, Torquemada, and Yves Congar. There's a joke that's told a lot amongst Roman Catholics - especially ones like I was who discerned religious life with the Jesuits. The Dominicans were founded to get rid of the Albigensians, … [Read more...]