The healing of the lepers, an under-represented miracle
One of the most impressive but least represented miracles of the Lord Jesus is the healing of the ten lepers. The fact, however, is splendidly depicted in an illuminated codex: the Golden Codex of Echternach, now in the German National Museum.
Sins against the virtue of hope
Despairing of salvation and the presumption of salvation are the two main sins against the virtue of hope. Lust, gluttony and greed lead to despair; vainglory and pride lead us to believe that we can be forgiven without repentance.
Consecration to Maria: it is late, but not too late
A careful reconstruction of the messages and letters of Sister Lucia assists us in understanding that the Consecration of Russia to the Sacred Heart of Mary may be late in coming, and that therefore the errors of Russia have been spread throughout the world, but at the same time, it may still succeed in diminishing this time of trial.
The deception of war driven by ideals
Catholics too are fascinated by the opposing ideal motivations of the war in Ukraine: Western values of freedom against Russian totalitarianism, or the struggle of a Russian Christian leader against the New World Order. But it is neither; the reality is much more down to earth...
Biden is irritating Moscow and damaging Europe
Biden has made too many inappropriate affirmations regarding Putin for them to be attributed exclusively to his lack of diplomacy: it seems their objective is to purposely irritate Moscow, distancing the moment of possible negotiations and therefore risking the acceleration of a potential conflict which threatens to involve Europe. Once again, the divergence of interests which separates the USA from Europe is emerging, together with the revelation of the mediocrity of the EU governing class, apparently willing to permit itself to be placed under outside management.
The people, the Pope, and Mary: the consecration rejoins together heaven and earth
With last Friday’s solemn Act of Consecration, after an intense penitential liturgy in which the Holy Father asked God's forgiveness in the name of all, there was a "rejoining" of Heaven and earth. The Church, the world, Russia, and Ukraine are now the property of Mary, who approaches the throne of God as our Advocate. The Act performed yesterday - the Consecration, the Communion with the bishops, the historical reasons - matches the modalities requested by Our Lady. And it is from this objective fact, with the invitation to return to God, that we must start again.
The only painting signed by Cecco, Caravaggio's model
Francesco Boneri, known as Cecco del Caravaggio, was the master's apprentice, but also his servant and model. Few people know his name, but everyone knows his face. He is the Saint John the Baptist, the Saint Matthew, and the face of many other protagonists of the genius' paintings. But he was also a painter. With only one signed painting: an Expulsion of the Merchants from the Temple, which is worth a visit to Berlin.
The virtue of hope
A virtue is called theological because God is the object to which it adheres. The object of Hope is eternal happiness, to which all other things are ordered. Faith precedes hope, and hope precedes charity, but it is by charity that faith is brought to perfection.
The palliative Church
If the palliative society in which we live is one that intends to eliminate pain and thus anaesthetise citizens, the palliative Church dominant today is a Church that pacifies consciences, that abolishes the term sin. It is a Church obliged to get along with the world. As we have seen in these two years of pandemic.
EU condemns Russia but buys its gas
While Russian military operations in Ukraine are proceeding, Mariupol is about to fall, and pressure is high across the east of the country, the flow of gas to Europe is steady and orders are even increasing. The EU countries are engaged in economic warfare against Russian aggression, but they continue to buy gas from Moscow and expose themselves to economic reprisals.
