Monastic Magnificence

Cluny’s Renewal Promoted Religion and Culture

November 29-December 5, 2009 Issue

During his general audience on Nov. 11, Pope Benedict XVI spoke about the monastic reform associated with the famous monastery of Cluny.

Founded 1,100 years ago, the monks of Cluny made the Church’s liturgy the center of their life and enriched the worship of God with splendid art, architecture... READ MORE

‘Anglicanorum Coetibus’ Doesn’t Deter Ecumenism

BY EDWARD PENTIN

Catholic-Anglican Dialogue Will Continue, Cardinal Kasper Says

November 29-December 5, 2009 Issue

Cardinal Walter Kasper, the president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, has spoken for the first time about Anglicanorum Coetibus, the apostolic constitution for Anglicans.

In a Nov. 15 interview with L’Osservatore Romano, the cardinal began by talking about a late night... READ MORE

‘Power and Grace’

BY EDWARD PENTIN

New Exhibit Shows How Faith Shaped Europe’s History

November 22-28, 2009 Issue

Many Italians were angered Nov. 3 when the European Court of Human Rights ruled that crucifixes should not be hung on the walls of Italy’s public schools.

But the ruling was just the latest in an incremental process of radical secularism in Europe that is increasingly eroding the Continent’s... READ MORE

St. Bernard and Peter Abelard

Theology of the Heart vs. Theology of Reason

November 22-28, 2009 Issue

Weekly General Audience November 4, 2009

During his general audience on Nov. 4, Pope Benedict XVI continued his discussion of the differences in the monastic and scholastic approaches to theology, which developed in the 12th century. He spoke about Bernard of Clairvaux and Peter Abelard in order... READ MORE

History as the Teacher of Life

BY EDWARD PENTIN

Social Scientist F. Russell Hittinger Named to Pontifical Academy

November 15-21, 2009 Issue

Pope Benedict XVI appointed professor F. Russell Hittinger in September to be a member of the prestigious Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, established in 1994 by Pope John Paul II.

Hittinger, 60, is the Warren chair of Catholic studies at the University of Tulsa, where he is also research... READ MORE

Renaissance of Theology

Monasticism and Scholasticism Led a 12th-Century Revival

November 15-21, 2009 Issue

Weekly General Audience October 28, 2009

Dear brothers and sisters,

Today I would like to reflect on an interesting page in history, which is related to the blossoming of Latin theology in the 12th century that occurred through a providential series of coincidences.

During this time, a relative... READ MORE

Africa’s ‘Vibrancy’

BY Edward Pentin

Cardinal Wilfrid Napier Discusses the Recently Concluded Synod

November 8-14, 2009 Issue

After nearly three weeks of deliberations centered on the theme of justice, peace and reconciliation, the 17th General Congregation of the Synod for Africa has come to a close.

But what has the meeting achieved, and how much might the synod’s discussions also benefit the worldwide Church?... READ MORE

St. Bernard of Clairvaux

The Last of the Church Fathers

November 8-14, 2009 Issue

Weekly General Audience October21, 2009

During his general audience on Oct. 21, Pope Benedict XVI continued his catechesis on the great theologians of the Middle Ages. He shared his reflections on St. Bernard of Clairvaux.

Bernard combined the austerity of the Cistercian monastic renewal with... READ MORE

Solemn High Mass in St. Peter’s

BY EDWARD PENTIN

Archbishop Burke Is the First in 40 Years to Celebrate the Extraordinary Form

November 1-7, 2009 Issue

American Archbishop Raymond Burke made history Oct. 18 when he became the first priest in 40 years to celebrate a solemn High Mass according to the 1962 Missal in St. Peter’s Basilica.

The archbishop, originally from Richland Center, Wis., and now the prefect of the Apostolic Signatura (the... READ MORE

Peter the Venerable

Love of God and Love of Neighbor

November 1-7, 2009 Issue

Weekly General Audience October 14, 2009

During his general audience on Oct. 14, Pope Benedict XVI spoke about Peter the Venerable, a prominent Churchman from the early 12th century who served as abbot of the Abbey of Cluny. His life was characterized by a contemplative spirit, inner tranquility... READ MORE

Cardinal’s Virtues

BY EDWARD PENTIN

Chicago Archbishop’s New Book Focuses on Faith and Culture

October 25-31, 2009 Issue

In his first book, The Difference God Makes — A Catholic Vision of Faith, Communion and Culture, Cardinal Francis George aims to bring together some of the most influential writings on the Catholic vision — “not just of the Church herself, but also of all the peoples of the world,”... READ MORE

St. John Leonardi, Provider of God’s Medicine

October 25-31, 2009 Issue

During his general audience on Oct. 7, Pope Benedict XVI spoke about St. John Leonardi, the founder of the Clerks Regular of the Mother of God and a priest whose missionary zeal found expression in the establishment of the forerunner to the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.

After... READ MORE

Catholic-Orthodox (Pipe)Dream?

BY Edward Pentin

Archbishop Hilarion Expounds on Roman-Russian Unity

October 18-24, 2009 Issue

Archbishop Hilarion of Volokolamsk is a rising star in the Russian Orthodox Church. Only 43 and an accomplished scholar, liturgist and composer, earlier this year he was appointed head of the Church’s external relations (effectively their foreign minister), replacing Metropolitan Kirill, who was... READ MORE

Pilgrimage and Mission

Pope Benedict XVI Reflects on His Visit to the Czech Republic

October 18-24, 2009 Issue

Weekly General Audience Septemeber 30, 2009

During his general audience on Sept. 30, Pope Benedict XVI reflected on his recent apostolic visit to the Czech Republic.

The Holy Father recalled his meetings with Church leaders and with civil authorities during his stay in the Czech Republic, as... READ MORE

‘Faith Seeking Understanding’

St. Anselm: Theologian and Defender of Church Freedom

October 11-17, 2009 Issue

Weekly General Audience September 23, 2009

During his general audience on Sept. 23, Pope Benedict XVI offered his reflections on St. Anselm, an outstanding figure of the Middle Ages.

St. Anselm was born in Aosta, Italy, but became a Benedictine at the Abbey of Bec in France. Over the years, he... READ MORE

Pope Benedict’s Czech Points

BY Edward Pentin

Message of Truth Delivered to an Increasingly Secular Land

October 11-17, 2009 Issue

The importance of the Truth, and man’s search for it, were arguably the most significant themes of Pope Benedict XVI’s three-day visit to the Czech Republic Sept. 26-28.

The voyage was aimed at bringing hope and encouragement to the Czech people, who now form one of the most secularized... READ MORE

Symeon the New Theologian

October 4-10, 2009 Issue

During his general audience on Sept. 16, Pope Benedict XVI spoke about Symeon the New Theologian, an Eastern monk from Asia Minor. As a young man, he embarked on a career as a civil servant but quickly felt a call to religious life as a monk.

Symeon was a prolific writer, and his writings reflect... READ MORE

Italy’s Scandal Spills Over

BY Edward Pentin

Relationship With the Church Takes on Added Strain

October 4-10, 2009 Issue

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi Sept. 7 described his government’s relations with the Church as “excellent,” but that’s certainly not how they seemed for much of the summer.

His ruling center-right coalition and the Vatican have frequently come to blows over the past six months,... READ MORE

St. Peter Damian: Monk and Reformer

September 27-October 3, 2009 Issue

Weekly General Audience September 9, 2009

During his general audience on Sept. 9, Pope Benedict XVI spoke about St. Peter Damian, a writer and Latin scholar from the 11th century.

St. Peter Damian embraced the monastic life, combining it with the life of a hermit. He was fascinated by the cross... READ MORE

A Natural (Law) Communicator

BY Edward Pentin

Robert George Cites Challenges in Dealing With the Obama Administration

September 27-October 3, 2009 Issue

Robert George, professor of jurisprudence at Princeton University, is renowned as one of the United States’ leading thinkers in the area of natural law and public policy.

A former member of President Bush’s Council on Bioethics, he is also a former judicial fellow at the Supreme Court of the... READ MORE

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