Dwight Longenecker's Blog, page 56

Your Daily Dose of Monastic Spirituality

The Suburban Hermit is my new blog dedicated to monastic spirituality, book reviews, poetry, prayer and inspiration. Today at Suburban Hermit: On the Ordering of Time and Place – a selection of quotes from monastic wisdom on the properly ordered life Reverse Thunder – George Herbert’s beautiful poem Prayer Read Old Books - The first [Read More...]

What’s the Point of a Pilgrimage?

Last Summer I served as chaplain for a pilgrimage to England. My friend Joseph Pearce had invited me to visit the sites of the English martyrs and Catholic literary figures. At first I was unenthusiastic. I could think of better things to do than tromp around English ruins with a group of American tourists. My [Read More...]

Is There a Template for the Temple?

On this feast of the dedication of St John Lateran, my latest blog post for National Catholic Register asks if there is a God given plan for church buildings In the Scriptures we are called to be temples of the Holy Spirit, all of us are living stones built up into God’s temple. The church [Read More...]

OLR Greenville in London’s Catholic Herald

Here is the article about our new church in Greenville, South Carolina in London’s Catholic Herald Why build a Romanesque church in the 21st century in America’s Bible Belt? The answer is simple: “Because it looks like a Catholic church.” The Southern US is mission territory for Catholics, and our people wanted their new church [Read More...]

Study History for Stability

One of the most troubling things about American Catholics is their tendency to go off the deep end. Conservative Catholics who are upset about the condition of the church and think Pope Francis is evil incarnate seem to be proliferating. David Mills writes about the increasing tendency here. “Here’s a suggestion for everyone,” wrote a Jack [Read More...]

Kim Davis and a Sixteenth Century Nun

You’ve heard about Kim Davis the ordinary government clerk who stood up for what she believed in the face of powerful opposition. Maybe you have not heard about Elizabeth Barton. She was a nun in sixteenth century England who stood up to Henry VIII when he planned to marry Anne Boleyn. There are interesting similarities [Read More...]

Three Vows for Following Christ

Today’s post over at The Suburban Hermit explains how the three Benedictine vows are interwoven and interdependent like a three stranded rope. The Benedictine monk or nun takes vows of Stability, Obedience and Conversion of Life. There is much that can be learned from the three vows not only for the life of the professed religious, but [Read More...]

Was the English Reformation a Disaster?

Go here to vote on the question in the Daily Telegraph.

Today at Suburban Hermit

Have you seen my new blog The Suburban Hermit? It fosters monastic spirituality and is meant to inspire with all that is beautiful good and true. There are no ads. There are very few broken posts with “Continue Reading”. There are lots of beautiful pictures and inspiring thoughts. Here is what you will find on [Read More...]

The New St Thomas Institute

Taylor Marshall’s work is highlighted here in my latest article for Aleteia. My friend and fellow former Anglican priest is doing fantastic work for the church Ten years ago Taylor Marshall resigned from his ministry as an Episcopalian priest. He was a young married man with no idea what God wanted him to do next, [Read More...]