Dorothy Sayers' Diagram of Dante's Inferno C.S.Lewis' friend Dorothy Sayers was one of the great translators of Dante's Divine Comedy. Her version includes excellent notes and a memorable map of hell. Sayers' map of the nine circles of hell makes visual one of the most important teaching points of Dante's great vision. Dante categorizes the sins with [...]
The other day I had a conversation with an intelligent, well educated young woman who was questioning the Catholic Church's moral teaching. She said about the church's teaching on same sex attraction, "But I don't know if I really accept that." Now, I don't really object to a person who rejects the teaching of the Church [...]
It occurred to me that one of the reasons so few Catholics go to confession is that they don't really think they have done anything wrong. Then when they do come to confession many of them make very poor confessions and the first thing they say is, "I'm not really sure why I've come to confession [...]
The modern Catholic Church is already in schism, but it is an internal schism, hidden to most people.
President Trump visits Catholic School with Betsy deVos The National Catholic Register reports on President Trump's visit to a Catholic school here along with his Education Secretary, Betsy deVos. Let me share what it is like being the pastor of a small parochial school in Greenville, South Carolina. Our parish is just 500 families. That [...]
Why am I a Christian today? Why am I a Catholic today? It is because of the witness of authenticity. Put very simply–I am a Christian today because of the lived witness of my parents and I am a Catholic today because of the lived witness of two remarkable women–a mother and daughter. I am a [...]
OK. I admit it. The headline was an attention grabber. But during Lent a good read is Dante's Inferno. My favorite translation used to be Dorothy Sayers, but I've been converted. I am really enjoying Tony Esolen's translation. You can find it here. I'm sorry I first bought Esolen's books in paperback. They are already coming apart. If [...]
Francesca da Rimini and Paolo People seem so confused about morality. Especially sexual morality. I'm reading Dante's Divine Comedy as Lenten reading and when he encounters Francesca and Paolo in the second circle of hell where the lustful are swept around by endless whirlwinds--because they were swept away by the whirlwind of lust. Tony Esolen notes [...]
St Ireaeus of Lyon One of the lines I love most about the first Eucharistic Prayer is the prayer for the Catholic Church and all bishops who ‘preach the Catholic faith that comes to us from the Apostles.’ In the creed we profess “One Holy Catholic and Apostolic” Church, and in my discussions with [...]
Fr Arturo Abascal The term "Jesuitical" was rooted in the Jesuits' reputation during times of persecution for prevarication. They became experts in saying one thing and meaning another. It seems their reputation for intentional ambiguity, "nuanced" language and communication that resembles a smoke and mirrors conjuring act is stronger than ever. I'm not a [...]