Summa Contra Gentiles, Book III: XXXVI That Happiness Does Not Consist in the Practice of Art

From Contemplating History

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 III discusses providence and the human condition, that is good and evil acts, human fate and intellect and the relation of created beings to the creator. 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.

Beyond Fear: A Catholic Vision for Artificial Intelligence

From EWTN

As artificial intelligence reshapes modern life, Church leaders, innovators, and thinkers explore how this technology can serve humanity. Inspired by Pope Leo XIV’s call in Magnifica Humanitas, this EWTN News special examines real-world applications of AI in parish ministry, philanthropy, financial accessibility, and the protection of the vulnerable. Featuring insights from Arthur Brooks and leading Catholic innovators, the conversation offers a hopeful framework for engaging AI with courage, and faith. 0:00 — A Catholic Vision for Artificial Intelligence 0:51 — Can AI Help the Church Serve People Better? 2:03 — The Pope’s Message: Technology Must Make Us More Human 3:29 — Jobs, Mental Health and the Human Cost of AI 4:26 — Why Fear of AI Should Not Become Despair 6:09 — Faith Leaders Explore AI’s Potential for Good 7:08 — How AI Can Expand Human Intelligence 8:14 — How AI Helped Lead Vic Gundotra to Catholicism 8:47 — AI’s Risks: Addiction, Pornography and Replacing Relationships 9:37 — Learning From the Industrial Revolution 11:29 — Why Today’s AI Is Moving Faster Than Most People Realize 12:16 — Using AI to Make Financial Planning More Personal 13:09 — Helping Parishes Spend Less Time on Administration 14:58 — Using AI to Help Rescue Human-Trafficking Victims 20:48 — Human Connection, Privacy and Ethical Limits for AI

The Holy Rosary

Thursday, the Joyful Mysteries, in Latin, with Cardinal Burke.

Monarchy Or Republic: What Actually Works?

From The Monarchist Channel

Every country today gets filed under one of two labels: monarchy or republic. The line between them used to be obvious. Now it barely holds up. This video asks whether the two systems are as different as we assume. The video traces how monarchies and republics have converged over time. Monarchies once stood for old privilege while republics promised liberty and equality, but that split has blurred in practice. Today the real difference sits mostly in dynastic succession versus its absence, and even that line has exceptions. The video argues that both systems carry real merits and drawbacks, and that no single model fits every nation.

Catholicism and Evolution - Jimmy Akin

From Intellectual Catholicism

00:00:00 - Jimmy Akin (   / @jimmyakin  ) 00:02:16 - Humani Generis 00:25:05 - Original Sin & Polygenism (pt. 1) 00:33:29 - Original Sin & Polygenism (pt. 2) 00:37:20 - Original Sin & Polygenism (pt. 3) 00:38:55 - What was Cain's wife? 00:51:20 - Death before the Fall? 00:57:46 - Youth Earth Creationist Apologetics 01:00:04 - Church Fathers = Young Earth Creationists? 01:07:14 - Consensus of the Fathers 01:11:38 - Slippery Slope Objection; Falsification Objection 01:23:10 - 2 Peter 3:6

3 Religious Orders That Have an Additional All Souls Day

Of course, as a Carmelite Tertiary, I will commemorate All Carmelite Souls on the 15th along with all my Carmelite Brothers and Sisters.

From Aleteia

By Philip Kosloski

While the universal Church honors all of the deceased on November 2, these three religious orders have an additional All Souls Day on their liturgical calendars.

November is a month traditionally dedicated to praying for the Holy Souls in purgatory, a tradition that is related to the fact that the Church prays for all the beloved dead on All Souls Day on November 2.

While this commemoration covers all the faithful departed, various religious orders still thought it was worth it to have a very specific All Souls Day on their vcalendars. After celebrating All Souls Day with the universal Church, these religious dedicate an entire day to praying for the souls of those from their unique spiritual tradition who have died.

Here are at least three religious orders that have an additional commemoration during November.

November 5 - All Souls of the Seraphic Order (Franciscans)

Franciscans have a special day dedicated to the deceased members of their order shortly after All Souls Day, remembering all those men and women who followed the example of St. Francis. Franciscans have a long tradition of praying for the deceased and there even exists a "bone chapel" in Rome at the Capuchin Crypt that features a variety of skeletons of Franciscan friars.

November 8 - All Dominican Souls

Fr. Raymund Snyder explains the importance of praying for the deceased in the Dominican tradition on the Province of St. Joseph website: "Today, the Dominican Order commemorates all the deceased brothers and sisters of the Order. This day, which falls six days after All Souls’ day, is affectionately referred to as 'All Dominican Souls.' As Dominicans, we have a great devotion to the holy souls in purgatory. Every one of our priories must offer a Mass for the dead each week, and every friar must offer a Rosary each week for the dead. In addition, we also have days set aside for the commemoration of the deceased parents and benefactors of the Order."

November 15 - All Carmelite Souls

For many centuries the Carmelites have dedicated a single day to remember all those in the Carmelite tradition who have died. Here is a prayer said on that day:

Lord, you are the glory of those who serve you. Look lovingly on our departed brothers and sisters, united in following Christ and his Mother by the waters of baptism and the bonds of Carmel. In your mercy grant them everlasting sight of you their Creator and Redeemer. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Leo Omits All Mention of Christ at Pagan Assisi Meeting

The SSPX Excommunication Story Just Took a Weird Turn

Who cares if the excommunications were legal, right?

How to Eat Like A Medieval Hermit

From Tasting History With Max Miller

Recipe at https://www.tastinghistory.com/recipe...

Traditional Catholic Morning Prayers in English | November

Traditional Catholic morning prayers to lay a strong foundation for the rest of your day! The month of November is dedicated to the Holy Souls in Purgatory. I hope these prayers increase your devotion to Our Lord and draw us closer to Him, Jesus Christ. Begin each day with morning prayer! This video is a compilation of many traditional evening prayers Catholics say, and should not be considered a replacement for those who have an obligation to pray the Divine Office morning prayers.

Only Catholics Can Release a Soul From Purgatory

From I Miss Christendom

How To Manage Your Wealth, According to St Basil

As the Apostle Paul so rightly says in his First Epistle to St. Timothy, "For the desire of money is the root of all evils". St Basil has the answer.

From Aleteia

By Philip Kosloski

Managing the monetary blessings you have received can be a challenge, especially with all the temptations in the world.

Sometimes  it can be more difficult to be a Christian when you have plenty of money and have all of your basic needs met.

St. Basil had his own thoughts about how to manage wealth in a sermon that is featured in the Church’s Office of Readings.

A different kind of interest

While giving to the poor can seem like a fruitless endeavor, St. Basil argues that you will receive a different kind of interest:

The earth bears crops for your benefit, not for its own, but when you give to the poor, you are bearing fruit which you will gather in for yourself, since the reward for good deeds goes to those who perform them. Give to a hungry man, and what you give becomes yours, and indeed it returns to you with interest. As the sower profits from wheat that falls onto the ground, so will you profit greatly in the world to come from the bread that you place before a hungry man. Your husbandry must be the sowing of heavenly seed: Sow integrity for yourselves,says Scripture

St. Basil also points out that when you die, you will need to leave behind your money, and how you used it will impact your eternity:

You are going to leave your money behind you here whether you wish to or not. On the other hand, you will take with you to the Lord the honor that you have won through good works. In the presence of the universal judge, all the people will surround you, acclaim you as a public benefactor, and tell of your generosity and kindness.

Last of all, St. Basil warns against using your money too much for earthly pleasures, acknowledging the reality that they only last for a short time:

Do you not see how people throw away their wealth on theatrical performances, boxing contests, mimes and fights between men and wild beasts, which are sickening to see, all for the sake of fleeting honor and popular applause? If you are miserly with your money, how can you expect any similar honor? Your reward for the right use of the things of this world will be everlasting glory, a crown of righteousness, and the kingdom of heaven; God will welcome you, the angels will praise you, all men who have existed since the world began will call you blessed. Do you care nothing for these things, and spurn the hopes that lie in the future for the sake of your present enjoyment? Come, distribute your wealth freely, give generously to those who are in need. Earn for yourself the psalmist's praise: He gave freely to the poor; his righteousness will endure for ever.

Being wealthy is certainly not a sin, but it does come with a responsibility to manage your wealth wisely, taking into account how it will affect your eternal reward.

Guy Fawkes Day & Pope Night ~ Celebrating Anti-Catholicism

Guy Fawkes Day and Pope Night are two manifestations of the same anti-Catholic 'holiday', one on each side of the pond.

I learnt this bit of doggerel from my Hampshire-born, Church of England Gran when I was just a wee lad.

Remember, remember the Fifth of November,
Gunpowder Treason and Plot,
I don't see no reason
Why Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.

Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, t’was his intent
To blow up the King and Parli’ment.
Three-score barrels of powder below
To prove old England’s overthrow;
By God’s providence he was catch’d
With a dark lantern and burning match.

Holla boys, Holla boys, let the bells ring.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, God save the King!

The Church of England even had a special liturgy for the day, which lasted until 1859.

In 1858 The Earl of Stanhope made a motion that the government should ask the queen to abolish the liturgy because it was politically obsolete and unfair to Catholics. The main cause for this action was a growing violent tendency of street celebrations. The Archbishop of Canterbury and the bishop of London along with other peers supported him. The duke of Marlborough, a Tory suggested that the liturgy be rewritten. This idea did not receive support. Victoria went along with the censors. In March 1859 the statute requiring the liturgy was repealed. Once state involvement was removed the celebration was persecuted at the local level until such time as a compromise was made between law enforcement and bonfire societies who were willing to control their activities.

It was called 'A Form of Prayer with Thanksgiving; to be used yearly upon the Fifth Day of November for the happy Deliverance of the King, and the Three Estates of the Realm, from the most Traiterous and Bloudy intended Massacre by Gun-Powder.'

Church of England - Guy Fawkes’ Day Liturgy

Instead of the normal Collect of the Day, this was used:

Eternal God, and our most mightly protector, we thy unworthy servants do humbly present ourselves before thy Majesty, acknowledging thy power, wisdom, and goodness in preserving the King, and of the Three Estates of this Realm assembled in Parliament, from the destruction this day intended against them. Make us, we beseech thee, truly thankful for this thy great mercy towards us. Protect and defend our Sovereign Lord the King, and all the Royal Family from all treasons and conspiracies: Preserve them in thy faith, fear and love; prosper his Reign with long happiness here on earth; and crown him with everlasting glory hereafter in the kingdom of heaven; through Jesus Christ our only Saviour and Redeemer. Amen.

And it was stipulated that after the Creed if there were to be no Sermon, there should be read one of the six 'Homilies against Rebellion', from the Book of Homilies.

On the other side of the Pond, in the Colonies, the equivalent was Pope Night, a 'holiday' also kept on 5 November. It was the Colonial version of Guy Fawkes Day, and it was equally anti-Catholic.

Plymouth, Mass. a town full of Puritan 'Dissenters' who were opposed to the Church of England but were just as anti-Catholic, celebrated the first recorded Pope Night in 1623 when sailors lit a bonfire. The fire blazed out of control and burned down several nearby homes. That was so much fun the other seacoast towns took up the celebration. Pope Night spread to Marblehead, Newburyport and Salem in Massachusetts, Portsmouth in New Hampshire and New London in Connecticut. The festivities generally featured fires, drinking and mockery of elites and authorities.

The American version had no liturgical celebration outside the Church of England in the Colonies, and it soon devolved into an occasion for drinking, rioting, and anti-elite protest by the working class.

Gang violence became part of the tradition in the 1740s, with residents of different Boston neighbourhoods battling for the honour of burning the pope's effigy. By the mid-1760s these riots had subsided, and as colonial America moved towards the traitorous rebellion (1765-1783), the class rivalries of Pope Night gave way to anti-British sentiment. Under the leadership of Pope Night organizer Ebenezer Mackintosh, Boston's North and South End gangs united in protest against the Stamp Act of 1765.

The USCCB is Holding Elections... Again! (Who’s on the Ballot?)

From AdVaticanum

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is holding elections again at the annual Fall Plenary Assembly in Baltimore. Coming off last year’s major leadership shift with Archbishop Coakley and Bishop Flores, this year’s "midterm" votes for USCCB Secretary and six committee chairs will give us huge insights into the direction of the Church in America.

We Burned the Pope?! Guy Fawkes, Treason & England's Flaming Tradition

For centuries, England has turned fire into theatre, protest, punishment and celebration. From the failed Gunpowder Plot to the burning of papal effigies - I trace the fiery origins of effigy burning in England, and explore how one of the most notorious traitors in British history set in motion a yearly ritual burning that we still celebrate today. 'Remember, remember, the 5th of November...' ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Children Preparing for Guy Fawkes Night celebrations https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi..., Geoff Charles, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons Torture rack in the Tower of London https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi..., David Bjorgen, CC BY-SA 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b..., via Wikimedia Commons Sheares Bible Gunpowder Plot https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi..., Hispalois, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons Guy Fawkes night at Chirk: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi..., Geoff Charles, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi..., Geoff Charles, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi..., Geoff Charles, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons Guy Fawkes Night at Caerphilly: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi..., Geoff Charles, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi..., Geoff Charles, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi..., Geoff Charles, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons Guy Fawkes Night in Caernarfon: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi..., Geoff Charles, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons Children from Bontnewydd, Caernarfon, collecting for the “Guy”: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi..., Geoff Charles, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons Celebrating Guy Fawkes night and pictures of the pop singer Mike Hudson: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi..., Geoff Charles, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons Guy on the bonfire: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi..., Arthur Kerensa, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons Penny for the guy: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi..., paddy patterson from Ayr, Scotland, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons Guy Fawkes Effigy by William Warby: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi..., William Warby, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons Plant y Bontnewydd Caernarfon yn casglu i'r ‘Guy’: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi..., Geoff Charles, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons The Poor House: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi..., The Illustrated London News, CC BY 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons