Author Archives: The Raven

Ember Wednesday after Pentecost

Posted on May 18, 2016

Station at St. Mary Major “The Gift of Fortitude is a permanent power which the Holy Ghost communicates to our will to assist us in overcoming the difficulties which might deter us in the practice of what is right.” (Rev. … Continue reading →

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Deaconesses

Posted on May 16, 2016

Someone in Rome has said something about reviving the order of deaconesses.  This has got all of the dissenters very excited. There are a couple of points to make: Deaconess ≠ Deacon – the earliest statutes of the Church pretty … Continue reading →

Posted in Church History, Church Politics, Pope Francis I, Uncategorized | 74 Comments

Meditation for the Fourth Sunday of Advent  – Fr Alfred Delp SJ

Posted on December 20, 2015

Written in Tegel Prison, Berlin December 1944 Threefold Bondage and Liberation The same thing applies to the Advent of prayer as to the Advent of life. All hopes and all hindrances are rolled together into one great weight just before … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Exegesis, Biblical Reflection | 1 Comment

Fr Alfred Delp SJ: meditation on the third Sunday of Advent – final extract

Posted on December 16, 2015

The honesty with which man should be true to himself is an intrinsic selflessness. Through this selflessness, he should not become a disinterested and uninteresting Nirvanist, but should transcend himself by expressing his openness to God in readiness, service, and … Continue reading →

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Fr Alfred Delp SJ: Meditation on the third Sunday in Advent, Part 3

Posted on December 15, 2015

In order for man to attain to this density of life and ascend to this capability of deep breath and deep joy, a great conversion is needed, a great transformation of his being. This will be the result of individual … Continue reading →

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Alfred Delp SJ: Meditation on the 3rd Sunday of Advent, Part 2

Posted on December 14, 2015

Today, with Saint Paul, the liturgy names the first prerequisite for making true joy possible: “In Domino [In the Lord]. Gaudete in Domino [Rejoice in the Lord]. Dominus prope est [The Lord is near]” (Phil 4:4-5). Holiness and happiness intrinsically … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Exegesis, Biblical Reflection | 8 Comments

Meditation for the Third Sunday of Advent

Posted on December 13, 2015

Originally posted on Alfred Delp: A Self-surrender at the Heart of the World:
Alfred Delp’s prison meditation on the third Sunday of Advent is his most lengthy reflection on the meaning of Advent. Due the length, I aim to divide…

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Meditation for the Second Sunday of Advent

Posted on December 5, 2015

Fr Alred Delp SJ Written in Tegel Prison December 1944  “Surge et sta in excelso—Arise and stand on high” (Bar 5:5). Value or lack of value, depth or lack of depth in human life depends greatly upon life remaining sculptured, … Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical Reflection | 2 Comments

Meditation for the First Sunday of Advent

Posted on December 5, 2015

Fr Alfred Delp Written in Tegel Prison, Berlin December 1944 The deepest meaning of Advent cannot be understood by anyone who has not first experienced being terrified unto death about himself and his human prospects and likewise what is revealed … Continue reading →

Posted in Biblical Reflection, Uncategorized | 7 Comments

Synchronicity

Posted on October 4, 2015

And the Pharisees coming to him asked him, tempting him: Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? But he answering, saith to them: What did Moses command you? Who said: Moses permitted to write a bill … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Exegesis, Pope Francis | 1 Comment

Lectio Divina: 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

Posted on June 14, 2015

Hope: Trust in God’s Love Paris, June 12, 2015 (ZENIT.org) Monsignor Francesco Follo   1) Man sows with faith, God makes grow with love. The Gospel of this Sunday (Mk 4: 26-35) offers two brief parables, the one of the … Continue reading →

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Is Limbo Closed? (Where Do Unbaptized Babies Go?)

Posted on June 6, 2015

As this has come up again, Joe Heschmeyer has an excellent description of the current state of things: So what happens to a baby who dies without Baptism? After all, neither Heaven or Hell seem like an obvious fit. On … Continue reading →

Posted in Apologetics | 47 Comments

Lectio Divina: Pentecost, Year B

Posted on May 24, 2015

The Spirit Gives Life Paris, May 22, 2015 (ZENIT.org) Monsignor Francesco Follo 1) Acceptance of the Spirit, the perfect Comforter. In the Gospel passage of this Sunday of Pentecost, Jesus says “When the Paraclete (the Comforter), that I will send … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Exegesis, Biblical Reflection | 3 Comments

Lectio divina: Ascension, 7th Sunday of Easter, Year B

Posted on May 17, 2015

The Ascension. A miniature from the Largvisi Triodion A-25, 134v, 15th century. National Center of Manuscripts, Tbilisi, Georgia Ascension and Mission Paris,  May 15, 2015  (ZENIT.org)  Monsignor Francesco Follo  1) Legal certainty and joy. In the Creed we recite “He ascended into … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Exegesis, Biblical Reflection | 4 Comments

Lectio divina for this Sunday’s readings, the Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year B

Posted on May 10, 2015

Mutual But Asymmetric Love Paris,  May 08, 2015  (ZENIT.org)  Monsignor Francesco Follo  1) Love is the gift of themselves without reserve. “God is love” and this love is the center of the Christian faith. This is the great revelation that is at … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible Exegesis, Biblical Reflection | 4 Comments