Summa Contra Gentiles Book I: God Knows Evil

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 I begins with general questions of truth and natural reason, and from chapter 10 investigates the concept of a monotheistic God. Chapters 10 to 13 are concerned with the existence of God, followed by a detailed investigation of God's properties (chapters 14 to 102). When demonstrating a Truth about God which can be known through reason, St. Thomas gives multiple arguments, each proving the same Truth in a different way. 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.

How the Tech World Is Responding to Pope Leo XIV’s Encyclical on AI

From EWTN News

Pope Leo XIV is set to release his first encyclical on artificial intelligence on May 25. Tim Hwang of the Institute for Christian Machine Intelligence joins to share what kind of response there has been to the announcement of the encyclical from the tech community and to offer advice on where to start for those who are worried or wary about AI.

The Holy Rosary

Saturday, the Glorious Mysteries, in Latin with Cardinal Burke.

What Did Lady Jane Grey Look Like? | The Nine Day Queen | Streatham Portrait

From History Calling

What did LADY JANE GREY look like? It has long been assumed that there is no surviving portrait of the first Queen of England, also known as the nine day Queen because of how brief her reign was and for decades, even centuries, historians instead had to rely on a supposed description of her and images of her family( including her sister Lady Katherine Grey and their parents Frances Brandon and Henry Grey, Duke of Suffolk) which might offer some insight into Lady Jane Grey’s face. That all changed in 2006 however, when the National Portrait Gallery in London acquired a painting (known as the Streatham portrait) which it says is a copy of a lost original of Lady Jane Grey Dudley? In this Tudor history documentary from History Calling we’ll look at why the sole description of Lady Jane Grey’s appearance is a fraud, why some believe the Streatham portrait is this doomed teenaged Queen and why others are firmly against such an identification. We’ll examine the clothing and jewellery the sitter in this image wears (and what she isn’t wearing), the inscription above her right shoulder and what science can tell us about the age of the panel on which the portrait is painted and the type of paint used to create it. At the end I’ll give you my view on whether it is a portrait of Lady Jane Grey. Also in this video is a brief overview of the childhood, the marriage to Guildford Dudley and the fall of Lady Jane Grey, after her family’s botched attempt to put her on the throne. This ultimately led to her becoming one of the Tudors’ greatest tragedies as she was executed at the age of just 16 or 17 in February 1554 at the Tower of London and on the orders of her cousin, Queen Mary I. The life of Lady Jane Grey may have been short, but she continues to fascinate nearly half a millennium after her death.

Catholic Priest: Can Science be Trusted?

From Breaking in the Habit

With Fr Casey Cole, OFM, MDiv (Warning! He's a Modernist!)

Science allows us the ability to study and understand the world around us, providing incredible advances that improve human life. But it's not the only--or even best--way to truth.

The Vatican’s Oldest Priest Is a 103-Year-Old Augustinian

I can't say "Sto Lat" because he's already lived a hundred years, so I'll just say "Ad multos annos", may God grant him many more years.

From Aleteia

By Cyprien Viet

Ordained at the close of World War II, this 103-year-old Augustinian friar has been a priest for 81 years and still concelebrates Mass at the Vatican.

Pilgrims heading to Mass at the small church of Saint Anne — especially after the Pope's Sunday Angelus in St. Peter's Square — might notice a good-natured friar. He enthusiastically sings and concelebrates the liturgy. At first glance, he could just be one of the many dedicated octogenarian priests still helping out in Roman parishes.

But when people learn his actual age, their eyes go wide. Still active at 103, Father Gioele Schiavella is breaking longevity records, just as he set records for his remarkably young age many decades ago. He was ordained a priest at just 22 years old on July 15, 1945.

At the time, Italy was reeling from the humiliation of World War II, facing an urgent need for material, moral, and spiritual reconstruction. These historical circumstances make him one of the few priests in the world to have reached — and surpassed — the milestone of 80 years in the priesthood.

Finding joy in the Lord

However, the humble, almost shy friar avoids the spotlight. He sees his life as a series of responses to God's call, rather than the result of any personal ambition. “All I can say is that I’m very happy with this life! I’ve never lacked anything,” the priest shared simply. Fittingly, his first name, Gioele, means "God is my joy."

“Indeed, the Lord is with me,” the centenarian added with a cheerful smile.

The year 2025 was monumental for him. It marked both the Jubilee of the Catholic Church and his own personal jubilee of priestly ordination. It also saw the election of a pope from his own spiritual family, the Order of Saint Augustine. “Of course, that was a very important moment for me,” Father Gioele noted.

Pope Leo XIV warmly honored him during a pastoral visit to Saint Anne's Parish on September 21. “I want to greet Father Gioele Schiavella, who recently reached the venerable age of 103,” the Pope mentioned at the start of his homily.

A rich but quiet legacy

Born on September 9, 1922, near the start of Pope Pius XI's pontificate, Gioele Schiavella hails from Genazzano. Coincidentally, this small town was Pope Leo XIV's first destination outside Rome on May 10, 2025.

The town is home to the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Counsel and an Augustinian community where Father Gioele took his first vows in 1938 at just 16. If he's still alive in 2028, he'll reach the incredibly rare milestone of 90 years in religious life.

He received his formation in Rome in the 1940s and quickly took on leadership roles after his 1945 ordination. In 1948, the provincial chapter named him the provincial secretary. In 1952, he defended a thesis at the Gregorian University on “The morally good act according to Gregory of Rimini,” a 14th-century Augustinian hermit.

A professor of Latin and moral theology, Father Gioele even taught ethics to Italian army officers through courses organized by the country’s Ministry of Defense.

Welcoming popes and guiding students

Within his order, he served as vicar of the prior general in the 1970s and 1980s. He was also the assistant general for Italy and Malta, and later the provincial superior for the province of Rome.

From 1991 to 2006, he served as the pastor of Saint Anne's. In that role, he had the privilege of welcoming both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI to his parish. In fact, he celebrated his 70th anniversary of priesthood in July 2015 in the presence of the retired German pope. It's a dizzying historical reality: Benedict XVI, who also “retired” late in life, was actually five years younger than the Augustinian friar!

“Father Gioele continues to participate in the life of the community and to concelebrate certain Masses. He remains very independent,” explained Father Mario Millardi, the current pastor of Saint Anne's, a “young” confrere of Father Gioele at the age of 78.

Known as an excellent preacher and confessor, Father Gioele continued to celebrate Mass on his own and preach homilies until just three years ago, when he turned 100. Some decades earlier, he was a beloved professor whose intellectual charity went so far as giving his own notes to students to help them prep for exams.

Today, he goes about his religious life with a slower, quieter pace, always grounded in the fraternal spirituality of Saint Augustine.

Latinos Are Leaving The Church In Droves

Charity Demands That The SSPX Consecrate Bishops: The Head Of The SSPX's Message

Some won't agree with the latest message from the Superior General of the SSPX, Fr Davide Pagliarani.

The Iron Crown of Lombardy

From Allan Barton - The Antiquary

The video explores the Iron Crown of Lombardy, a medieval crown famed as both a royal insignia and a holy relic. Kept today in Monza Cathedral, the crown is made of six gold plates decorated with jewels, enamel, and rosettes, though evidence suggests some original sections have been lost. Long believed to contain iron from a nail used in Christ’s crucifixion, scientific analysis revealed the internal ring is actually silver, probably added during a fourteenth-century restoration. Tests also showed the crown was assembled in different phases, with parts dating from the fifth to sixth centuries and others from the eighth century, linking it to both Ostrogothic and later Lombard or Carolingian contexts. Over centuries, it became a potent symbol of authority in northern Italy, used in coronations from the Holy Roman Emperors to Napoleon. The crown’s enduring fascination lies in its blend of artistry, legend, politics, and religious significance.

Traditional Catholic Morning Prayers in English | May

Traditional Catholic morning prayers to help start your day in a godly way! The month of May is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. May our devotion to the Blessed Mother increase more and more and help us to love her divine Son, Jesus, more and more. We've included the Memorare, the litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and a Spiritual Communion. Begin your May 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.

How a Persecuted Sect Became the Largest Religion on Earth

From Totus Catholica

People say Catholicism took over the world because of Constantine, but the real reason goes deeper. The Church grew from the biblical promise to Abraham, the Hebrew kahal, and the prophecy of Malachi, not from imperial power. Long before Constantine, Christians already had bishops, altars, the Eucharist, and the name “Catholic Church.” The Mass is not a Roman invention but the fulfillment of Israel’s worship: showbread, incense, sacrifice, and the pure offering foretold by the prophets. From the catacombs to the liturgy of today, the Church grew through martyrdom, sacrament, and fidelity to Israel’s promises. The Church did not replace Israel; she carried Israel’s covenant to every nation. CHAPTERS: 0:00 The Constantine Myth 2:24 Genesis 12:3 and the Promise to Abraham 2:49 Kahal Becomes Ecclesia 3:18 Malachi’s Pure Offering 3:42 Ignatius and the Catholic Church 4:21 The Mass and the Temple 5:05 Christianity Grows Under Persecution 5:53 The Mass Still Speaks Hebrew 6:14 Justin Martyr’s Sunday Liturgy 6:29 Fulfillment, Not Replacement 7:20 The Blood of the Martyrs 8:33 The Story Is Bigger Than the Textbook 🌍 Website: https://totuscatholica.org/ 📿 Rosary Guide: https://totuscatholica.org/rosary ✉️ Contact: https://totuscatholica.org/contact 🔍 Examination of Conscience: https://catholicexaminationofconscien... 📚 Free eBooks: https://buymeacoffee.com/totuscatholi... 👥 Become a Totus Insider: https://buymeacoffee.com/totuscatholi...