“Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do, and they will surprise you with their ingenuity.” The 1970 film “Patton” depicts the role of General George S. Patton during World War II. At one point, during the allied invasion of Sicily, Patton’s army is stuck unableContinue Reading
“why don’t you become a missionary?” Saint Katherine Drexel On March 3, we celebrate the feast-day of Saint Katherine Drexel. The name is probably familiar to many Americans as the Drexel family name is till with us today in the form of Drexel University. Drexel University was founded by AnthonyContinue Reading
Jesus once told us, His followers, that the greatest commandment is to love God with our whole heart, soul and mind. And the second greatest commandment is to love our neighbor as ourselves. Jesus Raises the Bar Today, as He prepares His Church for the time when He will noContinue Reading
“we are a people incorporated into the Body of Christ.” There was once a worldly man, concerned chiefly with his own success and achievements, who questioned the nature of Heaven and Hell. One night he had a vision. In the vision an angel appeared to him and told him, “IContinue Reading
When we dedicate our gifts and talents to God, giving back to him the fruit of the gifts He has given us, our work is shaped by our love for God. When we offer out gifts and talents to God, He sometimes uses them in unexpected ways. The book, “ChickenContinue Reading
“The work of the artist assumes the role of a sacramental…helping us to attain the disposition necessary to receive God’s grace and allow grace to guide us in our work and our lives.” In 1952 Pope Pius XII addressed a group of Italian artists on the occasion of the sixthContinue Reading
Do you believe in miracles? On February 15, 1949, a construction worker named Giovanni Savino was severely injured in an accident involving dynamite. A doctor, Guglielmo Sanguinetti, Padre Raffaele, a capuchin, and a priest named Dominic Meyer all rushed to the injured man. All three noted that among Savino’s numerousContinue Reading
Among those who write or blog on the topic of theology and the arts; the idea of artist as prophet comes up fairly regularly. This seems to point to a larger issue concerning vocation. Given his (or her) unique gifts, what is the role of the artist? One who speaksContinue Reading
What is the purpose of artistic talent? I am sure most, if not all of us, are familiar with the opening of a movie produced by MGM Studios. It depicts a roaring lion surrounded by the words “Ars Gratia Artis.” This is the Latin translation of the phrase “art forContinue Reading
In the 1970 movie “Patton,” there is a scene that vividly depicts the faith of the general in the enterprising nature of the human spirit. It is during World War II and Patton’s forces are pinned down by heavy gunfire and shelling as they are trying to punch through enemyContinue Reading