22 September 2026
Summa Contra Gentiles, Book II: XCII Of the Great Number of Separate Substances
Blaise Agüera y Arcas, BA: Can AI Become Conscious?
Can AI become conscious or will machines always just simulate awareness? Blaise Agüera y Arcas, VP at Google Research and a leading voice in artificial intelligence, joins Robert Lawrence Kuhn to explore one of the most profound questions in science and philosophy: Can artificial intelligence ever develop real consciousness? They discuss the nature of mind, the limits of machine learning, and whether AI systems could one day have subjective experience, emotions, or self-awareness. What would it mean if a neural network felt something? Blaise's book, "What is Intelligence" is available for purchase now: https://amzn.to/3KaJs8f Blaise Agüera y Arcas is a VP/Fellow at Google, where he is the CTO of Technology & Society, and the founder of Paradigms of Intelligence, an organisation dedicated to fundamental AI research. He is the author of Who Are We Now?, and his research has included work on privacy-preserving machine learning, on-device AI, large language models, and human identity.
What Happened to Queen Anne’s Children?
4 Courageous Saints Who Served in the Military
Among them are St Maurice and His Companions of the Theban Legion, six thousand six hundred and sixty-six men, whose Feast is today.
From Aleteia
By Philip Kosloski
We remember those holy people who chose to be a beacon of light in the midst of war.
Each year those in the United States celebrate two holidays, Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Veterans Day honors military veterans who served in the United States Armed Forces, while Memorial Day focuses on those who have died.
The history of Veterans Day dates back to 1918, when it originated as Armistice Day.
On that day, “on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in the First World War, then known as ‘the Great War.’ Commemorated as Armistice Day beginning the following year, November 11th became a legal federal holiday in the United States in 1938. In the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veterans Day, a holiday dedicated to American veterans of all wars.”
It is a day when we thank those who have served our country, but also pray that we will some day live in a world without war.
Church's stance on war
The Catechism states, “The fifth commandment forbids the intentional destruction of human life. Because of the evils and injustices that accompany all war, the Church insistently urges everyone to prayer and to action so that the divine Goodness may free us from the ancient bondage of war. All citizens and all governments are obliged to work for the avoidance of war” (CCC 2307-2308).
At the same time the Church allows, “as long as the danger of war persists and there is no international authority with the necessary competence and power, governments cannot be denied the right of lawful self-defense, once all peace efforts have failed” (CCC 2308).
It is a tricky issue, one that the Church has had to grapple with over the ages. Throughout the years there have been many holy men and women who had to discern what the best course of action should be in the face of armed conflict.
Here are four such examples of saints who, through military service, chose to be a beacon of light in the midst of war.
St. Joan of Arc
At a young age, Joan heard the voices of St. Michael, St. Catherine of Alexandria and St. Margaret of Antioch instructing her to “be good” and “go to church.” However, as she grew older these voices began to direct her towards the fierce war between France and England. They told her that she must help Charles VII secure the throne at Reims and even lead the French armies into battle.
Taking up this mission, Joan dismissed the camp followers -- prostitutes, gamblers, and others -- who distracted the disheartened army and urged the soldiers to go to confession and attend Mass. Joan’s leadership and counsel helped the French win key victories in the war. At the head of the army or in the midst of battles she carried only a banner marked with the initials of Jesus and Mary, and refused to touch a sword.
St. Maurice
During the 3rd century Maurice rose in military rank to become the leader of the Theban legion in the Roman army, commanding more than 6,000 soldiers. According to some accounts the entire legion was composed of Christian soldiers.
When the legion was called to assist Emperor Maximian in an offensive in Gaul, the soldiers were ordered to offer sacrifices to the Roman gods. While Maurice and his men pledged allegiance to Rome, they refused to worship the false gods. Maximian at first tried to influence them by having every tenth man killed. This did not work and eventually the Emperor made the decision to kill the entire legion for disobeying his orders. Maurice and his companions were faithful to Christ to the end.
Bl. Rupert Mayer
In 1914, Mayer volunteered as a chaplain during the First World War for the German army. After serving in a military hospital, Mayer requested to be sent to the lines to minister to the spiritual needs of the soldiers in battle.
Mayer would crawl on the ground from solider to soldier, administering the sacraments and offering counsel in the midst of the bloodshed. He lost his leg in a grenade attack and was then known as the “limping priest.” In 1915 Germany awarded Mayer the “Iron Cross” for bravery and was the first chaplain to receive such an honor.
When Hitler rose to power, Mayer preached against his many heinous activities and the Gestapo warned Mayer to keep quiet. This didn’t deter him and as a result, he was imprisoned several times and spent time in a concentration camp. He died after the war while celebrating Mass on All Saints Day.
Venerable Emil Kapaun
Father Kapaun became a U.S. Army Chaplain in 1944 and was sent to the Burma theater to minister to the needs of soldiers in India. After a short reprieve from duty, Kapaun was sent to Japan in 1950 and then to serve as a chaplain in the Korean War later that year.
During the war, Kapaun “gained a reputation for his bravery in ministering to the soldiers in the thick of battle. During the Battle of Unsan on November 2 of that same year, he chose to remain with a number of wounded men rather than escape and was taken as a prisoner of war. Forced to march 60 miles to the prison camp in the bitter cold, Father Kapaun carried his wounded comrades and encouraged others to do likewise. In the seven months in prison, Father Kapaun spent himself in heroic service to his fellow prisoners without regard for race, color or creed, giving them help and hope when they needed it most.”
Father Kapaun was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously in 2013 and his case for canonization is currently underway. He has been given the title “Venerable," and is still in need of a miracle to move his cause along to beatification and canonization.
Pope Leo Calls for the UN to Police Speech Worldwide
Imagine if the pope and the curia cared about the salvation of souls. But hey, mean words are mean, right?
Medieval Landscapes Explained by a Historian on Horseback
From Modern History TV
Jason Kingsley, CBE, discusses the impact of intense summer heat on equine care while riding through woodland. Drawing on historical expertise, the narrative explores how medieval land management, enclosures, and traditional open-field farming systems shaped the English countryside compared to the landscape observed today.
Jason Kingsley, the Modern Knight, takes Talos, his shire andalusian cross warhorse for a ride in the cool woodland during a hot summer day and discusses medieval landscapes.
Traditional Catholic Morning Prayers in English | September
Why St Thomas of Villanova Matters Today and How Pope Leo Is Linked to Him
.jpg)
From Aleteia
By Daniel Esparza
The 16th-century Augustinian bishop, famed for his uncompromising charity and spiritual wisdom, is being considered for the title Doctor of the ChurchWhen Pope Leo XIV celebrated Mass at St. Thomas of Villanova Parish in Castel Gandolfo, he honored not just a namesake but a legacy. The choice was timely: Thomas of Villanova, a 16th-century Augustinian bishop famed for his uncompromising charity and spiritual wisdom, is being considered for the title Doctor of the Church — one of the highest recognitions in Catholic tradition.
Pope Leo has a connection with St. Thomas: This saint gives his name to Villanova University, the Pennsylvania university run by the Order of St. Augustine that Robert Francis Prevost attended in the 1970s. And, the Holy Father has a relic of St. Thomas in his cross, along with four other saints.
Almsgiver of God
Known as the Almsgiver of God, Thomas (1488–1555) embodied a radical simplicity. Though a renowned scholar and Archbishop of Valencia, he lived in patched robes, gave away his episcopal income, and refused to ignore the cries of the poor. He insisted that no one in his city should go to sleep hungry — an ambition he backed with tireless action, personally distributing food and opening shelters.
The process to name him a Doctor of the Church, initiated by the Spanish Bishops’ Conference and supported by the three Augustinian orders, is now formally underway. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has begun reviewing his complete works to determine whether his theological contributions are “eminent” — a core requirement for the title.
His writings reveal a preacher who combined sharp intellect with spiritual warmth. He spoke boldly against greed and injustice, but always through the lens of divine mercy. In a time of upheaval and growing wealth disparity, his call to live the Gospel through concrete acts of love rings startlingly modern.
“His zeal for evangelization,” notes the official petition, “is not just historical, but deeply relevant.”
Cardinal Antonio Cañizares, former Archbishop of Valencia, believes St. Thomas’ voice resonates especially now. His theology, centered on Christ and the poor, aligns with the pastoral priorities of the Church under Pope Leo XIV.
As Father Miguel Ángel Orcasitas, who leads the cause, puts it: “His doctrine speaks to today’s social wounds. That makes him not just a saint of his time, but of ours.”
Thomas' life
Born in Fuenllana in 1488 and raised in modest means, Thomas studied at the University of Alcalá and eventually joined the Augustinian Order. He became a brilliant lecturer and university rector before being called — some say reluctantly — to the episcopate. As archbishop, he prioritized reform: cleaning up diocesan finances, revitalizing clergy formation, and establishing institutions for education and healthcare.
Support for his cause to be named a Doctor of the Church extends far beyond Spain. Bishops from Panama have formally endorsed it, and Augustinian communities in Mexico, Peru, Argentina, and the Philippines are actively advocating for his recognition.
There are currently only 37 Doctors of the Church. To join that rare circle, a saint must offer timeless insight that deepens the Church’s understanding of the faith. Thomas of Villanova’s life and teaching seem to meet that measure.
Even if the title is never conferred, his example is enduring. In a fractured world, Thomas reminds us that theology divorced from compassion is empty — and that to love God is to serve the vulnerable, without fanfare or delay.