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.
The history of the GOLD STATE COACH stretches back to the reign of King George III. Created in 1762, it wasn’t ready in time for his coronation, but has been used to transport the monarch to and/or from Westminster Abbey in every coronation procession since that of King William IV in 1831, including most recently, that of King Charles and Queen Camilla. It has also been used for many state openings of parliament and at Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant in 2022. Designed by William Chambers, made by Samuel Butler and with panels by Florentine artist Giovanni Battista Cipriani, you may wonder is the gold state coach made of real gold? Sadly it isn’t, though the effect of the gold leaf on its wooden frame is so spectacular you could be forgiven for thinking that it is. In this week’s video from History Calling we’ll look at this astonishing fairy-tale coach and at what it’s like to travel like a monarch by riding in it. You’ll hear about its incredible size and weight, the symbolism behind its classically inspired decoration, what sovereigns from Queen Victoria to Queen Elizabeth II thought about using it, who called it ‘horrible’ and who had a hot water bottle strapped onto it to make it a more comfortable ride. You’ll also hear the dramatic story of the day in 1795 that the King was attacked whilst riding in it, learn where it moved to during World War Two to protect it from Nazi bombs and see pictures of it in its current home in the Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace.
The beloved quiz show's Father's Day greeting reminded us of a surprisingly charming group of contestants.
Every Father's Day brings a flood of photographs celebrating dads in all their forms: grilling in the backyard, teaching children to ride bicycles, standing proudly at graduations, or pretending they know how to assemble toys on Christmas Eve.
This year, Jeopardy! joined the festivities with a simple social media message wishing viewers a "Happy Father's Day from our fathers to yours." It was a lovely gesture that also shines a light on one of the show's more charming traditions: Every now and then, a Catholic priest turns up on Jeopardy!.
Naturally, this raises expectations. After all, a lawyer is expected to know the law. A teacher is expected to know a little bit of everything. But a priest? A priest arrives carrying the hopes of everyone who secretly suspects there may be a heavenly helping hand available during Final Jeopardy. And over the years, a surprising number have not disappointed.
Among the contestants was Fr. Steve Jakubowski, a Holy Cross priest from Texas whose appearance on the show quickly won over viewers. Wearing his clerical collar and large cross, he looked perfectly at home on national television. Back in Texas, parishioners gathered for a watch party to cheer him on, proving that Catholics can be every bit as competitive as anyone else when their priest is involved.
Then there was Fr. Paul Baker of Minnesota, a lifelong Jeopardy! fan who spent years hoping to make it onto the show before finally earning his chance. His appearance offered parishioners the slightly delightful image of their priest swapping homilies for trivia clues, if only for an evening.
Yet perhaps that is part of the charm. Priests may be spiritual fathers, but Jeopardy! occasionally reminds us that they share many of the same traits as regular dads.
They enjoy friendship, favorite pastimes, a good laugh, and the providential opportunity to prove that years of study have equipped them with a startling amount of information about topics nobody saw coming. They encourage others, share advice, cheer people on, and, from time to time, reveal a competitive streak that would feel perfectly at home at a family board-game night.
Medieval Way explores the architectural ingenuity of the Middle Ages, revealing how peasants used physics and natural materials to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures. By analysing thermal mass, thatched insulation, and passive cooling techniques, the video examines why modern construction has abandoned these efficient practices in favor of energy-dependent cooling systems.
A medieval peasant, asleep in a one-room cottage in the middle of a July heat wave, was probably more comfortable than you are right now with the air conditioning running. He had no electricity, no machine on the wall, and no bill coming at the end of the month. Yet the inside of his home barely moved when the sun outside turned brutal.
We've been told that staying cool is a modern luxury that arrived in the twentieth century along with the wall socket. That's backwards. For most of human history, people beat hot summers using nothing but the shape of their houses, the materials packed into their walls, and a few tricks involving the ground beneath their feet. Medieval Europe had this solved. They built comfort out of physics instead of power, and their homes still outperform a lot of ours.
Traditional Catholic morning prayers to help start your day in a godly way! The month of June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. May our devotion to the mystery of the Sacred Heart of Jesus increase more and more each day. We've included the Memorare of the Sacred Heart and litany of the Sacred Heart. Begin your June with daily morning prayer. This video is a compilation of many traditional morning prayers Catholics say, and should not be considered a replacement for those who have an obligation to pray the Divine Office morning prayers.
The three days of darkness is a private prophecy that the Church neither stamps as official nor throws out. The Catholic answer is clear: public revelation closed with the apostles, private revelations cannot add to the gospel, and no Catholic is bound to accept them even when approved. Build your faith on Christ, not on candles and countdowns.
The biblical pattern underneath the prophecy is far older and far richer than the prophecy itself. The plague of darkness in Exodus 10 divided the just from the unjust. The Passover in Exodus 12 sheltered Israel under the blood of a lamb. Both point forward to the three hours of darkness over Calvary in Matthew 27. The blessed beeswax candle is not a charm. It is a sacramental that preaches in your hand the same truth the altar preaches: Christ is the light no darkness can overcome.
CHAPTERS:
0:00 The Prophecy That Gets Whispered About
1:04 What Authority Does a Mystic's Vision Actually Carry
2:08 Exodus 10 and the Plague of Darkness
2:50 Exodus 12 and the Passover Pattern
3:24 Melito of Sardis and Christ as the True Lamb
3:42 Matthew 27 and the Darkness at Calvary
4:05 The Easter Vigil and CCC 677
5:01 The Candle as Sacramental, Not Charm
5:45 The Book of Wisdom and Inner Darkness
6:12 Three Practical Steps
7:09 Protestant Objection: Private Prophecy and Scripture
7:22 Jewish Objection: The Exodus Is Not a Christian Code
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The name itself, Montevergine, can be translated as “the Virgin’s mountain.” However, that was not always the case.
The Abbey of Montevergine is a territorial abbey in the commune of Montevergine, in the ecclesiastical province of Benevento (Italy). A territorial abbey is a designated monastery governing a specific geographic region that falls outside the purview of any diocese, led by an abbot (or superior or prior) who serves as the ordinary for all Catholics and parishes within that territory.
The name itself, Montevergine, can be translated as “the Virgin’s mountain.” However, that was not always the case. When St. William of Vercelli founded the first hermitage on the mountain in 1124, it was known simply as Mons Sacer.
The Legenda de vita et obitu sancti Guilielmi Confessoris et heremitae, written in the first half of the 13th century, is the best way to get to know St. William – and, thus, the history of the abbey. Very much à la St. Francis of Assisi, the most famous miracle associated with William is the miracle of the wolf. Hagiography claims that one day a wolf attacked and killed a donkey that the saint relied on for various tasks. The saint then told the wolf to do all the work that the donkey had done. Miraculously, the once wild creature was transformed into a docile one. Consequently, St. William is often depicted with a “tamed” wolf.
Besides this icon, the abbey’s basilica houses a revered statue of the Madonna of Montevergine, affectionately known as La Madonna Nera, “The Black Madonna,” a miraculous image that draws pilgrims from all over Italy – and beyond.
GeDeGue | Aleteia
Born in 1085 to a noble family in Vercelli, Italy, William witnessed the death of his parents and was raised by a relative. After a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, he intended to travel to Jerusalem. As he was on his way there, he was attacked and robbed in southern Italy. The saint interpreted the incident as a divine sign to remain in the region. He chose to settle on Monte Vergine, where he lived as a hermit. There, he attracted a number of followers and founded the monastery.
Under the patronage of Roger II of Sicily, William founded numerous monasteries in Sicily – a branch of the Benedictines, the Williamites, grew out of these foundations. However (as often happens), conflicts arose among his followers, causing him to leave Montevergine in 1128 and found a new monastery in Goleto, where he would die on June 25, 1142. His remains were later transferred to Montevergine in 1807.
Over the centuries, Montevergine Abbey has stood as a testament to William’s vision, becoming a treasured pilgrimage site. The abbey’s basilica houses a revered statue of the Madonna of Montevergine, affectionately known as La Madonna Nera, “The Black Madonna,” a miraculous image that draws pilgrims from all over Italy – and beyond.
