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.
02 July 2026
The Princes of Wales Who Never Became King | Men Who Should Have Been King
From History Calling
From Edward the BLACK PRINCE to George II’s son, Prince Frederick, this is the story of all the Princes of Wales who never became King. Starting from the time England took control of the principality of Wales in 1284 this English royal history documentary from History Calling covers 500 years of history and provides mini biographies of the eight boys and men who should have been king but who never got to wear the crown, either because they died before their fathers, or because they were exiled. The heirs to the throne in question are Edward of Woodstock, the Black Prince and son of Edward III; Edward of Westminster, son of Henry VI; Edward of Middleham, son of Richard III; Prince Arthur Tudor, son of Henry VII; Prince Henry Frederick Stuart, son of James I; James Francis Edward Stuart, known as the Old Pretender and the son of James II; Prince Charles Edward Stuart, aka Bonnie Prince Charlie, or the young Pretender and the son of the so-called James III and finally Prince Frederick Louis, son of George II. In every case and whatever the reason, the succession to the throne was irrevocably altered by the fact that these Princes did not accede.
The title The Prince of Wales is granted to the eldest son of the King and very occasionally to his eldest grandson, but it is not acquired automatically upon birth. For this reason there are some cases where the King’s eldest son is not included in this list, because he did not live long enough to be created Prince of Wales, most notably the boys of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon.
The royal houses covered by this video are the Plantagenets, the Tudors, the Stuarts and the Hanoverians.
This Little Boy’s Dinner Prayer Is Priceless
A problem I never have unless I cook for myself, since my mother was, and my wife is, an excellent cook!
From Aleteia
By Cerith Gardiner
His earnest request before dinner left his parents in stitches — and actually sends an important message to us all.
Parents spend years teaching their children to say "please" and "thank you." But a recent video shows that we might need to teach them how to edit their public prayers, or at least be a little bit more diplomatic.
A little boy has delighted viewers online after folding his hands earnestly before a meal and offering a heartfelt request to God:
"Please make this food taste better than last time."
His parents, caught somewhere between horror and laughter, struggle to keep straight faces as the young theologian delivers his petition with complete sincerity, even casting the camera a wonderfully suspicious sideways glance before getting down to business.
Yet in that one little petition, he reminded us that children have a remarkable way of praying exactly as they think.
There are no carefully chosen words. No concern about sounding eloquent, and zero attempt at pretending everything is perfect. If they're grateful, they say so. If they're worried, everyone knows it. And if last week's dinner was less than memorable ... apparently God deserves to hear about that too.
And perhaps that is why Jesus spoke so often about becoming like little children. Not because children always know the right words, but because they haven't yet learned to hide behind them.
The little boy clearly believes three things. First, that God listens. Second, that God cares about the details of everyday life — even dinner. And finally, that God can actually do something about his parents' cooking skills!
While one person commented that the video was AI (to be honest, I can never tell!), the message is actually still the same. In fact, it's pretty amusing to think that technology could end up reminding us of something Jesus taught 2,000 years ago: To approach God with the trust of a child. Whether we're praying for the cooking to improve, hoping for a promotion, or carrying something much heavier on our hearts, perhaps we could all bring our prayers to God with the same childlike confidence.
The Vatican Responds to the SSPX Consecrations In a Possibly Good Way
The Vatican has issued a formal decree excommunication after signaling further dialogue was possible. German and Chinese Communist Bishops not excommunicated.
The 'Westminster Abbey' of Suffolk?
From
Hawstead is a village in the hundred of Thingoe, some 3 miles S of the centre of Bury St Edmunds. The church stands on a by-road at the NW end of the village, alongside Church Farm, and Hawstead Hall is half a mile from the church, to the NE. All Saints' is a big church consisting of a broad aisleless nave with a S porch, a lower chancel with a N vestry and a W tower. The nave and tower are of knapped flints with stone dressings; the E gable of the nave was rebuilt in brick. The chancel is of flint and septaria and the vestry of flint with brick repairs. The nave is substantially of the 15th-16thc., and has Perpendicular windows and buttresses decorated with flushwork panels, but the N and S doorways are 12th century work, clearly reset. Inside is a fine 16th-century hammerbeam angel roof, unfortunately mutilated during the civil war of the 17th century. and over-restored in 1858. The S porch is from the 15th century. The chancel has a blocked round-headed window towards the W end of the S wall, indicating 12th-century fabric. It was re-modelled and probably lengthened in the early 13th century. (plain N and S lancets), and other windows date from all periods from c. 1300 to the 15th century. The chancel arch was heavily restored in the 19th century. The tower is of one campaign, completed c. 1500. It has a polygonal S stair, diagonal W buttresses with flushwork panels, and more intricate flushwork on the battlemented parapet. Above the W doorway is a frieze bearing the arms of Sir Robert Drury and his family's alliances by marriage. Hawstead church is mainly celebrated for its monuments: a late-13th-century knight effigy reputed to be Sir Eustace fitzEustace; tombs of the Drury family dating from the 16th century and early 17th century, and the overblown Italianate tomb of Sir Thomas Cullum (d.1664).
Romanesque sculpture is found on the two nave doorways, and there is a plain font, probably 12th century.
History
In 1086, there were 28 free men in Hawstead, holding 4 carucates of land. The most important of them were Odo, who held 1 carucate, two clerics called Albold and Peter, who held 2 carucates between them, and Agenet, who held 20 acres. There was also a church with 30 acres of free land. The soke and the commendation of this entire holding belonged to St Edmundsbury Abbey. A small parcel of 15 acres, held by 2 free men of Wihtgar before the Conquest, was held by Richard fitzGilbert in 1086.
In the 12th century, records of Bury St Edmunds Abbey distinguish two holdings in Hawstead; one was held first by Ralph de Halstede from the abbot and (by Abbot Sampson's time) by his son Robert. The other was held by Thomas Noel and his heirs. The first principal lords of the manor were the fitzEustace family, who apparently gained their title by the marriage of Thomas fitzEustace to Joan, daughter of Thomas Noel, around the year 1220. The fitzEustace family held the manor until it was sold by John fitzEustace c.1354 to Sir William de Middleton, who in turn sold it to Sir William de Clopton, c.1359. Sir William Clopton sold it to Sir Robert Drury in 1504. Sir Robert became Speaker of the House of Commons and was responsible for much of the building of Hawstead church. He died in 1536. The estate remained in the Drury family until 1656, when it was sold to Thomas Cullum.
Hawstead is a village in the hundred of Thingoe, some 3 miles S of the centre of Bury St Edmunds. The church stands on a by-road at the NW end of the village, alongside Church Farm, and Hawstead Hall is half a mile from the church, to the NE. All Saints' is a big church consisting of a broad aisleless nave with a S porch, a lower chancel with a N vestry and a W tower. The nave and tower are of knapped flints with stone dressings; the E gable of the nave was rebuilt in brick. The chancel is of flint and septaria and the vestry of flint with brick repairs. The nave is substantially of the 15th-16thc., and has Perpendicular windows and buttresses decorated with flushwork panels, but the N and S doorways are 12th century work, clearly reset. Inside is a fine 16th-century hammerbeam angel roof, unfortunately mutilated during the civil war of the 17th century. and over-restored in 1858. The S porch is from the 15th century. The chancel has a blocked round-headed window towards the W end of the S wall, indicating 12th-century fabric. It was re-modelled and probably lengthened in the early 13th century. (plain N and S lancets), and other windows date from all periods from c. 1300 to the 15th century. The chancel arch was heavily restored in the 19th century. The tower is of one campaign, completed c. 1500. It has a polygonal S stair, diagonal W buttresses with flushwork panels, and more intricate flushwork on the battlemented parapet. Above the W doorway is a frieze bearing the arms of Sir Robert Drury and his family's alliances by marriage. Hawstead church is mainly celebrated for its monuments: a late-13th-century knight effigy reputed to be Sir Eustace fitzEustace; tombs of the Drury family dating from the 16th century and early 17th century, and the overblown Italianate tomb of Sir Thomas Cullum (d.1664).
Romanesque sculpture is found on the two nave doorways, and there is a plain font, probably 12th century.
History
In 1086, there were 28 free men in Hawstead, holding 4 carucates of land. The most important of them were Odo, who held 1 carucate, two clerics called Albold and Peter, who held 2 carucates between them, and Agenet, who held 20 acres. There was also a church with 30 acres of free land. The soke and the commendation of this entire holding belonged to St Edmundsbury Abbey. A small parcel of 15 acres, held by 2 free men of Wihtgar before the Conquest, was held by Richard fitzGilbert in 1086.
In the 12th century, records of Bury St Edmunds Abbey distinguish two holdings in Hawstead; one was held first by Ralph de Halstede from the abbot and (by Abbot Sampson's time) by his son Robert. The other was held by Thomas Noel and his heirs. The first principal lords of the manor were the fitzEustace family, who apparently gained their title by the marriage of Thomas fitzEustace to Joan, daughter of Thomas Noel, around the year 1220. The fitzEustace family held the manor until it was sold by John fitzEustace c.1354 to Sir William de Middleton, who in turn sold it to Sir William de Clopton, c.1359. Sir William Clopton sold it to Sir Robert Drury in 1504. Sir Robert became Speaker of the House of Commons and was responsible for much of the building of Hawstead church. He died in 1536. The estate remained in the Drury family until 1656, when it was sold to Thomas Cullum.
A church has stood on this site since at least 1086, and possibly a Saxon church before that. The south porch is Norman, exhibiting the dog-tooth pattern from this period. The piscina and the font are 13th century and have remains of iron fastenings which were apparently used to lock it against the use of holy water for witchcraft. The chancel dates from around 1300. The tower was completed in 1510. The pulpit and lectern date from around 1520. In 1780, the thatched roof was replaced by slates and tiles.
Traditional Catholic Morning Prayers in English | July
Traditional Catholic morning prayers to help start your day in a godly way! The month of July is dedicated to the Most Precious Blood of Jesus. May our devotion to the salvific action of the Precious Blood of Christ increase more fervently this month. We've included the Memorare of the Sacred Heart and litany of the Sacred Heart. Begin your July 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 Visitation of Mary Was the First Eucharistic Procession
Today is the Feast of the Visitation, in which the Real Presence of Christ sanctified His cousin, John the Baptist, in the womb of St. Elizabeth.
From Aleteia
The Blessed Virgin Mary was the first "tabernacle" of Jesus, and when she visited Elizabeth, she brought with her the Real Presence of her Son.
From Aleteia
By Philip Kosloski
The Blessed Virgin Mary was the first "tabernacle" of Jesus, and when she visited Elizabeth, she brought with her the Real Presence of her Son.
While we may not think of the feast of the Visitation of Mary as a Eucharistic feast, Pope Benedict XVI made the connection in an address during the Year of the Eucharist in 2005.
He first noted how Pope John Paul II named Mary the "Woman of the Eucharist":
In his last Encyclical, Ecclesia de Eucharistia, our beloved Pope John Paul II presented her to us as "Woman of the Eucharist" throughout her life (cf. n. 53). "Woman of the Eucharist" through and through, beginning with her inner disposition: from the Annunciation, when she offered herself for the Incarnation of the Word of God, to the Cross and to the Resurrection; "Woman of the Eucharist" in the period subsequent to Pentecost, when she received in the Sacrament that Body which she had conceived and carried in her womb.
With this connection in mind, it is interesting how there is a tradition in some places of housing the Eucharist in tabernacles that are within statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Father Stefano Manelli, in his book Jesus Our Eucharistic Love, briefly explains this tradition:
[I]n some of the churches in France, the tabernacle used to be encased in a statue of Our Lady of the Assumption. The significance is quite clear: it is always the Blessed Virgin Mary who gives us Jesus, who is the blessed Fruit of Her virginal womb and the Heart of Her Immaculate Heart.
The first Eucharistic procession
Pope Benedict XVI goes a step further and takes all of this symbolism and ties it to the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth:
Today, in particular, we pause to meditate on the mystery of the Visitation of the Virgin to St Elizabeth...In a certain way we can say that her journey was -- we like to emphasize in this Year of the Eucharist -- the first "Eucharistic procession" in history. Mary, living Tabernacle of God made flesh, is the Ark of the Covenant in whom the Lord visited and redeemed his people. Jesus' presence filled her with the Holy Spirit.
In many ways it is hoped that any Eucharistic procession we participate in have the same spirit of joy. We hope and pray when we process through the streets that others will recognize Jesus and be filled with the Holy Spirit, just as Elizabeth was when Mary visited her.
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