Dwight Longenecker's Blog, page 54

Humility, a Monastery and the Mysticism of Einstein

Today at Suburban Hermit I posted A picture of Quarr Abbey church with a selection from T.S.Eliot’s Four Quartets From the Old, Red Book, a quotation from Albert Einstein on mysticism Commentary on stages five through eight of Benedict’s teaching on humility Go here for your dose of monastic wisdom at Suburban Hermit  

Catholicism: Caravaggio and Kitsch

Some time ago when I was out in Belize I happened upon this little Catholic church out in the middle of the jungle. This was the humblest of cement block churches in a clearing in the jungle. It was San Pedro’s. St Peter’s Catholic Church. One of the things I find appealing about the Catholic [Read More...]

A Prophecy of the End Times

My latest blog post at National Catholic Register looks at the signs of the times and how false religion contribute With the increasing violence in the volcano of the Middle East it is difficult not to ponder the growing threat of war, the bitter enemies of Christ’s Church and the gathering storm clouds. As we [Read More...]

For Catholic Men: Take the Risk of Faith

My first article for an excellent new website is published today. Those Catholic Men  is a site dedicated to helping strengthen Catholic men in their vocation and calling. The man who never made a mistake never made anything. Likewise, the man who never takes a risk never gets ahead. Whether it is starting your own business, [Read More...]

The Darkness Visible

My latest article for The Imaginative Conservative website analyzes the spiritual value of horror films: In The Heart of Darkness Conrad’s madman Kurtz whispers his last words, “The horror. The horror.” The novella is aptly named for it takes the reader into the heart of darkness and is thus a forerunner of the horror genre in literature and film. The horror [Read More...]

For Christ the King

Note: The following is what is called a ‘hymn’. A hymn has strong theology, beautiful poetry, noble and moving sentiments and a simple, worshipful and singable tune. This is not a praise song or a devotional ditty or a song which, if you changed the word ‘Jesus’ to ‘my baby’ could make it into the [Read More...]

Can Islam be Reformed?

Can the religion of peace turn away from shooting schoolgirls in the head, slaughtering people on vacation, selling people into slavery and torching churches? William Kirpatrick writes here for Catholic World Report on the problems of identifying and assisting moderate, modernizing reform-minded Muslims. Given their circumstances, it’s unrealistic to expect the majority of Muslims to [Read More...]

Today at The Suburban Hermit

Everything English at Suburban Hermit today An Anglican Prayer for Thanksgiving A post about Julian of Norwich–mystic and anchoress Whitby Abbey  

Why Are Catholics Obsessed With Sex?

That’s the question non-Catholics often ask. “What’s the big deal? It’s just sex. Why are Catholics so uptight about it?” The attitude among those asking the question reveals the current understanding of sexual activity: it’s kind of like tennis–if you have a good partner you have a good game. In other words, “Sex is about [Read More...]

Today at The Suburban Hermit

Today at the Suburban Hermit I have posted: a beautiful video of life at the traditionalist monastery of Fontgomault in France, a quip by Old Monk on Obedience Commentary on Ch.7 of the Rule of St Benedict on humility reflections on Benedict’s wisdom about silence and reverence in worship