The musings and meandering thoughts of a crotchety old man as he observes life in the world and in a small, rural town in South East Nebraska. I hope to help people get to Heaven by sharing prayers, meditations, the lives of the Saints, and news of Church happenings. My Pledge: Nulla dies sine linea ~ Not a day without a line.
Saint Thomas Aquinas (1225 – 7 March 1274), was a Doctor of the Church, Philosopher, Theologian, Jurist, Dominican Friar, and Priest. Known as Doctor Angelicus "Angelic Doctor," and the Doctor Communis "Universal Doctor" his writings serve as a defense and proof of the validity of Christ's authority over all. The Summa contra Gentiles (also known as Liber de veritate catholicae fidei contra errores infidelium, "Book on the truth of the Catholic faith against the errors of the unbelievers"). The Summa contra Gentiles consists of four books. The structure of Saint Thomas's work is designed to proceed from general philosophical arguments for monotheism, to which Muslims and Jews are likely to consent even within their own respective religious traditions, before progressing to the discussion of specifically Christian doctrine.
Book II is dedicated to the Creation (in other words, the physical universe, everything which exists).
Whether you are a history enthusiast, a student of religion, or simply curious about the impact of the Roman Catholic Church on the world, this playlist is designed to provide an informative and engaging journey through its captivating past. Subscribe to the Contemplating History channel for more educational content and immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of history.
Martine Rothblatt, a prominent transhumanist thinker, has written much about the connection between transgenderism and transhumanism. The same philosophical principles underly both. In this clip, Fr. Michael Baggot explains to Matt Fradd how Rothblatt makes this argument and what Catholics can learn from it to fight against both more effectively.
How did Charles II of England really die, and why was his final illness so horrific? Discover the shocking truth behind the agonising death of the “Merry Monarch” in this gripping royal history documentary.
King Charles II died on 6 February 1685 after 25 years on the throne, but few people know just how painful and drawn-out his final days were. In this Stuart monarchy documentary from History Calling, we uncover the disturbing details of Charles II’s death, including the outdated and brutal medical treatments that may have hastened his end. Using firsthand accounts written by those who witnessed his final illness, we examine what killed Charles II, what symptoms he showed, and what modern doctors believe was the true cause of death. Was he secretly received into the Catholic Church on his deathbed? What did he say to his wife, Catherine of Braganza, and to his brother, the future James II? Did Charles II really tell James to “not let poor Nelly starve,” referring to his mistress Nell Gwyn? We answer these questions and more as we look at Charles’s last moments with his mistresses, including Louise de Kéroualle, Duchess of Portsmouth and his many illegitimate children. We also explore the rumours of a theft from the king’s deathbed, the events leading up to his collapse, the timeline of his final illness and his funeral and burial in Westminster Abbey. With contemporary images and original sources, this video shows you what Charles II looked like and what life was like in 17th-century London at the time of his death.
If you're fascinated by royal history, the Stuarts, or medical mysteries of the past, this video offers an in-depth and historically accurate account of one of the most dramatic royal deaths in British history.
Catholics not called to religious life have many spiritual vocation options. Here is one woman's story of joining the Secular Carmelites.
The Catholic Church has over 2,000 religious orders, many of which offer a “secular” or “third order” vocation for lay people, that is, people who are not called to consecrated religious life as a priest, brother, or nun. And that’s not to mention the Church’s hundreds of lay groups.
All of these vocations within the Christian life offer a path to holiness with a distinct charism or spiritual family.
These “lay vocations” often come with tightknit communities, helping people find their own personal niche within the whole Church. These help lay Catholics to actively participate in the life and mission of the Church.
Have you ever been curious about a lay vocation? What exactly is it like to be a “lay” member of a religious order, or to join a lay movement like Communion and Liberation or Opus Dei or the Neocatechumenal Way?
Aleteia reached out to members of various lay vocations to hear their stories and shine a spotlight on various lay vocations within the Catholic Church.
Here’s the story of Christine Clardy, a wife and mother in Chicago, who found herself called to the spirit of Carmel in her ordinary life. (You can learn more about the Secular Carmelite vocation here!)
Would it ever be this good again?
As a college student, Clardy was blessed to encounter a vibrant and enriching faith community at her Newman Center. Her faith grew strong during her college years.
But she couldn’t help worrying: What if life after college was nothing like the tightknit and active Newman Center group?
“I was afraid that my faith life would peak in college, because I had such a positive experience with the Newman Center,” she said.
Like many young Catholic women, she discerned during her college years if God was calling her to religious life:
Through prayer I came to the conclusion that I was called to marriage. The year after I graduated college, while engaged to my now-husband, I thought a bit about joining a Third Order. But after reaching out to a few Orders I realized I did not feel called to any of them. The idea just sort of fizzled out.
Called to Carmel
But as the years passed, Clardy noticed her strong interest in Carmelite spirituality:
About six years later, my husband and I were watching some saint movies on Formed and I noticed that I was really drawn to the movies about the Carmelite Saints. The contemplative nature of Carmel really resonated with me.
I remember thinking, “If I had been called to religious life, I would have loved to be a Carmelite!”
So I decided to search online for a lay Carmelite order and found the Secular Discalced Carmelites in Chicago.
Once I reached out to the contact person and started learning more about the Secular Order, I was so excited! Unlike my lackluster experience with discerning Lay Orders in the past, I was really looking forward to my formation with the Carmelites.
Thanks to her experience with the Secular Carmelites, college was not the spiritual peak she once worried it would be: “My faith has only continued to evolve and grow stronger over the years, and I know being a Secular Carmelite has been a huge reason for that.”
Clardy and two other Secular Carmelites make their Temporary Promise to join the order.
Courtesy of Christine Clardy
What is it like to be a member?
Clardy explained that the vocation rests on six pillars: Divine Office, Meditation, Mass, Mary, Mission, and Meetings. You can read a full explanation of what each of these mean at the order’s website.
It might sound like a big time commitment, especially for a busy spouse and parent like Clardy. But she finds that the time spent is nothing compared to the graces she receives:
The graces and overwhelming sense of peace and joy that I have experienced since beginning my formation as a Secular Carmelite are incredible. My faith gets stronger every day.
I am always so inspired by my fellow Secular Carmelites and I have learned so much. I look forward to our monthly meetings and always leave feeling rejuvenated.
I also feel the graces from my Carmelite Vocation benefit my relationships with my husband and my children. God often gives me the grace to handle difficult situations with a supernatural sense of patience or peace that I know can only be from the Holy Spirit, and not of my own doing.
A serious commitment
Clardy shared a few of the most important things to know about this vocation. “It is a vocation, a serious commitment,” she said. “It isn’t just a casual group of like-minded individuals. It is a way of life. Formation takes six years, and we are constantly discerning during that time.”
She is in her fifth year of discernment and made her Temporary Promise. “I am fairly confident in my call to this Vocation,” but she still continues to honestly re-assess and ask God if He is still calling her to the Carmelite spirituality.
“The peace and joy that I receive from this Vocation give me confidence in my call, but I want to make sure that I am always trying to do what God’s will is for my life, and not just what I want,” she said.
But most of all, she wants to share the beauty of this vocation: “I thank God every day for bringing me to Carmel.”
