Oblate Program at Belmont Abbey, NC

Tag: history

Without History there is no Future

. . . you have your own memory of the history linked to your land: you spoke to me of a famous figure born eight centuries ago, St Peter Celestine V, and you said that you still consider him very up to date! You see,dear friends, in this way you have, as people say “an… Read More ›

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We are the champion idolaters of all history

Does it not occur to us that if, in fact, we live in a society which is par excellence that of the simulacrum, we are the champion idolaters of all history? No, it does not occur to us, because for us an idol is nothing more than a harmless Greek statue, complete with a figleaf,… Read More ›

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‘The Bible’ Beats Out ‘The Walking Dead’ in Season Finale

New ratings reports indicate that not only did the History Channel’s “The Bible” miniseries reach near-record breaking viewership in its final week, it also managed to edge out AMC’s “The Walking Dead,” a drama series about zombies that is considered to be the miniseries’ top competition ratings-wise. During the second half of the miniseries’ two-hour… Read More ›

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If Lent is 40 days, why are there 46 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter?

“The 40 days of Lent” has always been more of a metaphor than a literal count. Over the course of history the season of preparation for Easter Sunday has ranged from one day (in the first century) to 44 (today in the Roman church). Officially since 1970, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at… Read More ›

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The World divorced from God

. . .but the point is that the greatest threat to world peace and international justice is the nation state gone bad, claiming an absolute power, deciding questions and making “laws” beyond its competence. Few there are, however, who would venture to ask if there might be a better way for humanity to organize itself… Read More ›

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Tomb of St. Philip the Apostle discovered in Turkey’s Denizli

World Bulletin: The tomb of St. Philip the Apostle, one of the original 12 disciples of Christianity’s central figure Jesus Christ, has been discovered during the ongoing excavations in Turkey’s south-western province of Denizli. Italian professor Francesco D’Andria, the head of the excavation team at the Hierapolis ancient city in Denizli, told reporters on Tuesday… Read More ›

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The St. Patrick You Never Knew

(Originally published by St. Anthony Messenger, March, 1997) Some 1,500 years ago a teenage boy from what is now Great Britain was kidnapped and enslaved by marauders from a neighboring country. Not since Paris absconded with Helen of Troy has a kidnapping so changed the course of history. The invading marauders came from fifth-century Ireland…. Read More ›

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Benedictine Influence on Western Civilization

22. All who are not blinded by prejudice but examine events in the light of history and judge fairly, must recognize what a beneficial influence the power and strength of the Benedictine Order had in that early period, and how many great benefits it conferred on succeeding generations. . . . the sons of Benedict… Read More ›

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Hidden Meaning of History

When we lay bare the hidden meaning of the history, scripture is seen to teach that the birth which distresses the tyrant is the beginning of the virtuous life. I am speaking of the kind of birth in which free will serves as the midwife, delivering the child amid great pain. For no one causes… Read More ›

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The Holy Spirit and the Church’s Mission

3. The Spirit of God, present in creation and active in all the phases of salvation history, directs all things towards the definitive event of the Incarnation of the Word. Obviously, this Spirit is no different from the one who was given “not by measure” (cf. Jn 3:34) by the crucified and risen Christ. The… Read More ›

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