Godzdogz

As the academic year comes to a close for the student brothers, here are a few thoughts that have come to me throughout the course of this year. Study is an essential part of our Dominican life—and this is particularly obvious for those of us currently being formed for the priesthood. But that study can never be disconnected from our prayer. This is for two reasons.  Read more

You have probably heard that the life of a Dominican revolves around four ‘pillars’: preaching, study, community and prayer. But if this is what distinguishes the Order of Preachers, you might be wondering, what is it that other orders devote themselves to?  Read more

The Scholastics used to say, “bonum est diffusivum sui”, “goodness spreads itself about”: a dictum people might be more inclined to indulge around Christmas time, and perhaps less as we approach mid-January of the New Year.  Read more

In his recent apostolic exhortation Gaudete et exultate, our Holy Father Francis reflects on the everyday simplicity of the beatitudes as a way of ordering our lives towards holiness, describing holiness as ‘the most attractive face of the Church’ (Gaudete et exultate, §9).  Read more

Much is still unknown about the origin of the psalms. How were they read? What are their origins? Who were their audiences and authors? Not only how were they read but how should they be read?In the 19th Century scholars tried to answer some of these questions and formed various schools. Two diverging approaches can be seen within Judaism itself with the the Carites and Rabbanites. Read more

Given that Lent is a time for greater focus on repentance, examining our consciences with renewed honesty is essential to obtaining that goal. I don’t know about you, but allowing myself to be more open about my own faults often feels scary. The process of getting to that state of honesty can feel a bit like dragging myself to the doctor’s office. In light of this, I have found it helpful to think of an examination of my conscience as being analogous to exploring my physical health with a first-rate medical doctor. In my experience, a good medical doctor is someone whose competency and empathy make me willing to tell that doctor anything I need to about my health, even things I might normally feel embarrassed about, because I believe that doctor is sincere and capable of giving me the right kind of care. Correspondingly, it can be helpful to think of examining one’s conscience as working with an outstanding doctor – the best doctor in existence.  Read more

Caryll Houselander was born in Bath on the Feast of St Michael the Archangel, 1901. Entering the Church at 7 years old, (hence calling herself ‘a rocking horse catholic’ in distinction to a ‘cradle catholic’), she became a writer, a poet, a mystic and a counsellor to many, particularly children, at the height of the blitz.  Read more

I know of few people who have loved Christ so much as to take a blade to their heart and inscribe the Holy Name of Jesus in their blood upon their breast. Blessed Henry Suso is one of them.  Read more