The Dangers of the Benedict Opt-In

Return to Order The Dangers of the Benedict Opt-In

No one disputes the attractiveness of living outside the liberal and politically correct society that dominates American life. To the degree possible, there is even an obligation to keep some separation from today’s decadent society. Hence, all this explains the controversy around the so-called Benedict Option. The Benedict Option is the brainchild of author Rod … Read more

Who Actually Won the Culture War?

Return to Order Who Actually Won the Culture War? 1

Upon reading Rod Dreher’s new book, The Benedict Option, I was immediately struck by his declaration that the Culture War is over and conservatives have lost. I was not aware of the signing of any treaty. Someone also should have told the other side, since they are still firing at us with everything they have. … Read more

Repetition and the Way of the Cross

Return to Order Fifth Station--Jesus is Helped by the Cyrenean to Carry the Cross 3

The life of a Christian involves suffering and the carrying of one’s cross daily. One way this is done is by the constant and often grueling repetition of tasks that are part of developing a trade or craft. However, such repetition is not without its purpose. In fact, it aids in the  development of skills … Read more

Cultural Renewal Requires Dreamers and Visionaries

Return to Order Feudalism: Work of the Medieval Family 1

One can tell the state of the society by its dreamers. When a society is comfortably decadent, few dare to imagine a world beyond the surrounding material comforts. In such a society, most people are content with the mediocrity of a superficial world in which those who dream are stifled and silenced. However, when a society … Read more

The Story of Our Lady of Genazzano

Return to Order The Story of Our Lady of Genazzano 2

A few miles from the city of Rome, lies Genazzano — a city rich in history and blessed with the presence of a miraculous painting of the Blessed Virgin that has an amazing story. The origins of Genazzano date back to the times of the Roman emperors. Because of its proximity to Rome, the city … Read more

What is Behind America’s Complacency?

Return to Order What is Behind America’s Complacency? 2

A Review of The Complacent Class: The Self-Defeating Quest for the American Dream by Tyler Cowen Rarely have I read a book with which I have so thoroughly disagreed as Tyler Cowen’s The Complacent Class: The Self-Defeating Quest for the American Dream. I had hoped for a perspective on what is behind American decadence. However, … Read more

Our Lady of Joy

Return to Order Our Lady of Joy 3

Our Lady of Joy is also know as, Notre Dame de Liesse, or Causa Nostrae Laetitiae In 1134 three Knights of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem who were prisoners of the Muslims in Egypt, miraculously found or received in their prison, a statue of Our Lady, which they named Our Lady of Joy, … Read more

Taking Away Our Sense of Wonder

Return to Order Christian Civilization: The Pulchrum of the Middle Ages

Josef Pieper explains how our modern world has suppressed the sense of wonder and marvelousness that should be part of our spiritual, cultural and intellectual life. He writes: Free Book: Return to Order: From a Frenzied Economy to an Organic Christian Society—Where We’ve Been, How We Got Here, and Where We Need to Go “Wonder does … Read more

How Money Should Be an Expression of Culture

Return to Order The Strong Money of St. Louis

It is our thesis that money should be the expression of the culture of a people in their passionate search for justice. As such, money should change slowly like the customs and usages of the population. It should not be subject to political manipulation. In this way, money becomes a stable measure of value and … Read more

How Order Can Lead Us to Know God

Return to Order An American 'Brexit' to Nowhere: Three Questions Need Answers First 6

There are those who do not understand the urgent need for order since they see it merely as an arbitrary organizing of affairs. To them, order is an artificial system that may get things done but is hardly an essential need. Given the fact that modern systems, especially big government, have caused so much harm, … Read more