In 1862 George Matheson had a great deal going for him. He had been a successful student in classics, logic, and philosophy from the University of Glasgow, and at the age of 20 he was engaged to marry a young woman he loved. However, that year, he became ill and tragically lost his sight. Rather than be comforted by his betrothed, the story goes that his fiance said that she … [Read more...]
Augustinian Spirituality, Advent, and the English Civil War(s)
One of the Great Anglican divines, Jeremy Taylor, lived through the chaotic period of the English Civil War(s) (1642-1651). During this time period the Church of England had its bishops removed, the Peerage dissolved, and the King beheaded. Presbyterians effectively took over the established Church and began to dismantle the rich liturgical Tradition of the Ecclessia … [Read more...]
Prometheus, Hanoverians, and the Christmas Tree
Since I've been writing so much on Advent lately, from defining Advent, to asking what the point of it was, to explaining Advent traditions, prayers, and spiritual disciplines, I thought I'd write more on the Christmas Tree. In the film Prometheus (2012) that came out recently, the futuristic space explorers still celebrate Christmas, and do so by erecting a Tree in the ship. … [Read more...]
Glorious Defeat, Scotland, and Spiritual Combat
Today we were learning about one of my favourite 'recusants' (he technically wasn't, but he was still a resister and came from a traditionally Catholic family... sort of): Bonnie Prince Charlie (Charles Edward Stuart / Charles III uncrowned king of England, Scotland, Ireland, and France as the traditional title goes...). He was the last hope for Jacobitism in Britain and if he … [Read more...]
Seeing Orange
For one of my British History classes, I have to lead a seminar on the "Glorious" Revolution of 1688. For those unfamiliar with British history: in 1688 James II a Catholic, tried to pass laws of Religious Toleration and had a male heir. This was enough for parliament to treasonously plan a Dutch invasion of England and a Coup D'Etat in which William of Orange, military leader … [Read more...]