It’s not often that I get the chance to write “poetry.” It’s even less often than that, that I share what I write with others besides a spiritual director or close friend. This Fall, I had a rather unfortunate encounter which led me to a beautiful period of prayer. As I sat with the LordContinue reading “When Love Burns So Much It Hurts – a Poem”
Tag Archives: Walking the way of beauty
Reflections on the Border…Encountering the Traveler…Encountering Christ
“The Church does not ask for legal documentation because Christ did not ask for it before helping the stranger. She asks Are you hungry? Are you cold? Do you need shelter? She asks and she provides care. She asks and she acts. She asks and is the feet and hands of Christ…”
These are the wounds I wish for Lord…
“These are the wounds I wish for Lord…” Wounds. We all have them. Some we don’t want. Others we try to hide and still others we can’t help but recall from time to time, if not every day. Wounds make us who we are. Wounds cut. They hurt. They go shallow and they go deep.Continue reading “These are the wounds I wish for Lord…”
If you used to be Catholic, have been re-baptized, are a protestant, etc. Read this!
A disclaimer: This is a hard subject. So first, please don’t just read part of what I have to say and then stop. Read it all. From top to bottom. Thank you! I have friends and yes, even family members who have left the Catholic Church for one reason or another. I pray each day thatContinue reading “If you used to be Catholic, have been re-baptized, are a protestant, etc. Read this!”
If I don’t preach the Gospel, what can I ever hope to do?
We are bound by love, by the commission of our Baptism to proclaim Christ, crucified, resurrected, and alive to each we encounter! Here’s a great reflection on our duty as Christians from Blessed Paul VI, Pope. How have you proclaimed Christ today? Have you? What’s holding you back? Don’t wait! From a homily by BlessedContinue reading “If I don’t preach the Gospel, what can I ever hope to do?”
Christ should be manifest in our whole life: how to achieve Christian perfection
As I sit here on the shores of Lake Atitlan this morning, the Office of Readings this morning had provided another gem to chew on and mull over. From a treatise on Christian Perfection by Saint Gregory of Nyssa, bishop (PG 46, 283-286) Christ should be manifest in our whole life “The life of theContinue reading “Christ should be manifest in our whole life: how to achieve Christian perfection”
“Beauty as Criteria for Choosing Music for Catholic Worship” – My Senior Thesis
The following has been long coming, but it is my Senior Thesis on “Beauty as Criteria for Choosing Music for Catholic Worship” In it, I examine how we define beauty, beauty as a thing of God, and then how we apply beauty as Criteria for choosing the music we use in the Liturgy. This paper was inspired by my love of beauty, of music, the Liturgy, and also of my desire to post things on my blog that will help us in more closely walking the Way of Beauty. For, “if ugliness is imprisonment, beauty is a kind of liberation.”
“That All Might Sing” – My Paper on Pope St. Pius X’ paper on Church Music and the Chant Method of Justine Ward
For the Feast of Pope St. Pius X: Originally written for Dr. Katharine Harmon’s History of the Catholic Church in America Class on 11-21-14. I enjoyed writing this piece on how Pope St. Pius X’ document Tra Le Sollecitudini was interpreted and engaged here in America, specifically by Justine Ward, who founded an amazing way of teachingContinue reading ““That All Might Sing” – My Paper on Pope St. Pius X’ paper on Church Music and the Chant Method of Justine Ward”
Masquerade (The Masks We Wear)- Reflections from Candletime and Phantom of the Opera
As most of my friends know, my favorite musical is Phantom of the Opera. In it, we find a masquerade ball that is held in the Opera Populaire to celebrate the first year of success by its’ new owners, Monsieurs Firmin and André. All of the cast, workers and patrons come and perform a danceContinue reading “Masquerade (The Masks We Wear)- Reflections from Candletime and Phantom of the Opera”
Beauty from the Fathers :: What is Beauty of Body? How Can We Tell if Someone is Beautiful?
“Attend, and let us learn what corporeal, and what spiritual beauty are. There is soul and body: they are two substances: there is a beauty of body, and there is a beauty of soul. What is beauty of body? An extended eyebrow, a merry glance, a blushing cheek, ruddy lips, a straight neck, long wavyContinue reading “Beauty from the Fathers :: What is Beauty of Body? How Can We Tell if Someone is Beautiful?”
Walking The Way of Beauty 