Over the Christmas holidays, I — and thousands of others — visited the Biltmore Estate near Asheville, North Carolina. Built by George Washington Vanderbilt in the waning days of the nineteenth century, it is America’s largest privately-owned dwelling. Mr. Vanderbilt’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren have dedicated themselves to preserving it and opening it to the public. … Read more
The world was stunned on January 3 when the United States military launched a missile strike that killed notorious Iranian Maj. Gen. Qasem Soleimani. Even bigger than the explosion in Baghdad, however, was the debate over the use of force against Iran, and whether the attack would provoke World War III. In fact, Iran has … Read more
The trade war has ignited debate on the merits of tariffs and the need to protect the nation’s manufacturing base. Battle lines are drawn between an exaggerated localism that stresses self-sufficiency and a bloated globalism where products transit the Earth unhindered and markets alone rule. Those who adhere to a concept of self-sufficiency and protectionism … Read more
Here are some comments of Dom Prosper Guéranger, Abbot of Solesmes, on the vocation and dignity of the Magi Kings: The star foretold by Balaan having risen in the East, the three Magi, whose hearts were full of the expectation of the promised Redeemer, are immediately inflamed with the desire of going in search of … Read more
It is hard to make sense of the political chaos reigning in America today. Most people throw up their hands in despair when asked to explain the impeachment. And rightly so. The proceedings have become a mixture of politics and circus. This bizarre drama cannot help but confound. It lacks a cohesive plot, character development … Read more
January 3 is the feast of Saint Genevieve, virgin (422-500). We will read a short biographical account of some episodes of her extraordinary life: Genevieve was famous worldwide. While still living, her renown and virtues were already known even in the East. Atop his column, Saint Simeon Stylites had a vision of this spiritual sister … Read more
The noted Abbot Prosper Guéranger comments on a passage from Saint Bernard’s Sermon of the Feast of the Holy Innocents. Saint Bernard notes: “In Saint Stephen, we have both the act and the desire of martyrdom; in Saint John, we have but the desire; in the Holy Innocents we have but the act…” Free Book: … Read more
A brutal business climate and societal breakdown have brought major changes to America. In response, many Americans, especially conservatives, are soul searching for something more compassionate for those left behind. Unfortunately, they are looking in the most unlikely places: business and government. They will likely be searching for a long time. The controversy over this … Read more
A recent article by Dana Goldstein in the New York Times about the Common Core displays a common tendency among liberals. They never acknowledge that their pet programs can fail. When a “progressive” proposal fails, the left never goes back to construct an entirely new scheme. They return to their overriding goals, tweak the old … Read more
As Christmas approaches, let us make some considerations about this great feast. What were Our Lady’s thoughts on Christmas Day? What did Christmas represent for Our Lady? We must consider that Our Lady carried Our Lord within herself as in a tabernacle. She evidently had the greatest intimacy with Him; she maintained a soul-to-soul relationship. … Read more
