Buy books!

So, they tell us that Sophia Institute Press is in financial straits. Since blogging is beyond me at the moment, maybe it's time to go find something of quality to read. A great excuse to buy books.

Dietrich von Hildebrand's Humility is out of this world.

One more time

...here's another fun clip on Mother Teresa from, believe it or not, Comedy Central. It's actually clean and tasteful, even if the Jesuit is from America magazine.



Tip of the hat the Whispers in the Loggia.

more on Mother Teresa's "atheism"

Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM Cap, is the preacher to... well, to the pope. Here's a link to his thoughts on Mother Teresa's "atheistic" tendencies...

It has lots more "meat" than the previously-posted TIME article, since it actually quotes her writing extensively. Fancy that. An article on Mother Teresa's last writings that uses excerpts from her writings! TIME should take note.

Here's a sampling:

"Mother Teresa has words that no one would have suspected of her: 'They say people in hell suffer eternal pain because of the loss of God. ... In my soul I feel just this terrible pain of loss, of God not wanting me, of God not being God, of God not really existing. Jesus please forgive the blasphemy.'" ~Fr. Cantalamessa

Sweet comfort to sinner. Challenge to all would-be mystics.

Lord, make me a mystic. But not yet.

Our Lady of Sorrows, Sept. 15

Today the Church remembers Mary as she stood under the cross of Christ. I like to think of how she still stands there.

We are all a little immune to the tragedy of sin. Immersed in the world, we hardly notice the tiny little rejections of God that pile up around us and in our hearts. But for Mary, a heart that sees clearly what each such rejection is in the big picture, no such immunity is possible. She is "set apart" for God and so is able to grieve truly and fully for us, who set ourselves apart from God daily. A heart that grieves, but only because it is a heart that loves.

Mary, Queen of Sorrows, pray for us.

And here's a little video action to honor Mary. I thought it appropriate to showcase some ladies who have set themselves apart from God in order to love more like Mary.

A little on Harry

Harry Potter seems to be a litmus test for the average homeschooler: If you detest him, you're blessed, if you adore him, you're woefully misguided at best.

Whether you approve or disapprove, your judgment must be vehement. "The Harry Potter books promote Satanic cult worship!" "The Harry Potter books are the new childhood classics!" There's little room for quiet, thoughtful debate on the literary merits of the books, to what age-group they are most appropriately introduced (or not), or, indeed, even the spiritual perils and graces available in them.

Mark Shea, over at my favorite First Things, has written a brief (if exasperated) analysis in favor of the Potter books that's pretty convincing. It'll delight my dearling friend, Christine Neulieb, who recently posted a less-intellectually-stimulating but hilarious "Potter Puppet Show."

The puppets speak much more to my present condition than does Shea, I have to admit...

biology beats out philosophy

The Philosopher Mom has been officially flattened by pregnancy. That means light blogging, if any, ahead. First trimester ends in early October, so we're all hoping the sickness does, too!

Here's to contemplation, that far-off vista.

Gregory the Great, Sept. 3

Arguably, the keynote savior of Western civilization. Awesome woodcut, showing Gregory with his also-sainted parents, absconded from The Shrine of the Holy Whapping.

melts a philosopher's heart

Here's baby's 7-week old hand...