What does it really mean to be a man? Well, I cannot tell you firsthand. I am a woman. However, I believe that it is women who have the profound ability to reveal certain characteristics of masculinity that men could otherwise never see. The same goes for men in how they reveal feminity in a[...] The post From the Heart of a Woman: What It Really Means to Be a Man appeared first on Catholic Insight ..read more

There is a choral concert coming up on Sunday, August 4th at 8 pm at Sacred Heart church in Peterborough, Ontario, featuring works by Victoria, Byrd, Palestrina and Hassler, as performed by Saint Wigbert’s Choir and Byrdsonge. For details, see their poster here: Sacred Heart concert poster.   The post Choral Concert, August 4th, Peterborough appeared first on Catholic Insight ..read more

We pray for the residents of Jasper, Alberta, a lovely city on the far west of the province, the gateway to the Rockies, and much of it – we know not yet – just the other day burned to the ground. There was no human way to stop the 100 foot wall of fire, whipped[...] The post Jasper Burned appeared first on Catholic Insight ..read more

On this day in 2009, at the end of his Angelus message, Pope Benedict had these brief words to say on Saints Joachim and Anne: A second point for reflection comes from today’s liturgical commemoration of Saints Joachim and Anne, parents of Our Lady, and therefore, grandparents of Jesus. This occasion makes us think of[...] The post Pope Benedict Reflects on Saints Anne and Joachim appeared first on Catholic Insight ..read more

BENEDICT XVI GENERAL AUDIENCE Wednesday, 21 June 2006 James, the Greater Dear Brothers and Sisters, We are continuing the series of portraits of the Apostles chosen directly by Jesus during his earthly life. We have spoken of St Peter and of his brother, Andrew. Today we meet the figure of James. The biblical lists of the Twelve mention two people with this name: James, son of Zebedee, and James, son of Alphaeus (cf. Mk 3: 17,18; Mt 10: 2-3), who are commonly distinguished with the nicknames “James the Greater” and “James the Lesser”. These titles are certainly not intended to measure their ho ..read more

Saint Brigdet of Sweden was born in 1303 at Finsta in the Swedish region of Uppland, from an aristocratic family. This great medieval mystic of the Church and foundress of the Order of the Most Holy Saviour, teaches us that family life and marriage lived in Christ are paths to holiness, the first cradle wherein one is taught the lesson of conforming oneself to the Lord. For this very reason Pope Saint John Paul II purposely chose Saint Bridget of Sweden as one the three Co-Patroness of Europe because in her life in the world as a married woman and a mother of eight children she undertook with ..read more

“Virtue is the golden mean between two vices, the one of excess and the other of deficiency.” Aristotle Scripture is full of exhortations to avoid all kinds of excesses. The Greek philosopher Aristotle (384-322 BC) who did not know scripture, authored the ethical notion called the golden mean, by which he argued that we should exercise moderation in all things. One should not eat or drink too much or too little. One should not work too hard or not at all. One should not love everyone or no one. Somewhere in the middle of all things is to be found our happiness. So far as this principle applies ..read more

A note to let readers know about a new Traditional Catholic liturgical planner is on offer, which will help live a life in tune with the Church, especially for those who follow the usus antiquior, available at their website here: As the webpage says: Follow the Church’s liturgical calendar throughout the year. Meal plan section with fast day reminders, upcoming Sunday gospel excerpts, monthly spread with liturgical colours, morning prayers, monthly devotions, prayer request boxes and so much more! The post Living the Catholic Life appeared first on Catholic Insight ..read more

Bob Newhart died the other day, and readers – at least, those of a certain era – may recall his dry, deadpan humour in his comedy routines, especially his two popular sitcoms, both named after himself: The Bob Newhart Show, (1972-78) wherein he played Chicago psychologist Robert Hartley, and the more simply named Newhart (1982-90), in which he played Vermont innkeeper Dick Loudon. Bob began his career as an accountant, and during lulls at work, he and a co-worker would make prank calls and develop comedy sketches to keep themselves amused. A disc-jockey (who eventually ended up on one of Newha ..read more

Saint Arsenius, called ‘the Great’, (350 – 445), whom we recall on this 19th of July, was one of the early monks of the desert, and founders of the eremitical way of monastic life, as an anchorite, living alone in prayer and penance. He did not begin this way, born into wealth and privilege, and receiving the most elite of educations for his time. There was an initial conversion to a deeper spiritual life when his parents died – Arsenius sold everything, had his sister Afrosity (love those names!) join a community of virgins, and was himself ordained a deacon. His erudition could not go unnoti ..read more