Wisdom from Alice von Hildebrand

If you've never met Alice von Hildebrand, this is the perfect opportunity to explore her wisdom. I recommend everything she's ever written! I especially love her Memoirs of a Happy Failure.

Philosophical and Scriptural Reflections

Reminder: I'm on retreat and will not be posting comments until I return on Friday.

Episcopal Sodomy: The Origin of the Homosexual Crisis in the Catholic Church!

There is hope in the rising young people who are rebelling against this evil. Read the Open Letter from young people who are calling for change:

Alice von Hildebrand: Human Demotion, Supernatural Promotion

Alice von Hildebrand doesn't mention a word about Cardinal Raymond Burke in this touching article, but there is no doubt in my mind that her beloved friend is whom she had in mind. It was Alice von Hildebrand who requested a spiritual bouquet of masses to be said for the cardinal several months ago when the rumors about his demotion from the Apostolic Signatura began to fly. I also heard via friends how grieved she was by his demotion. But I didn't need to be told. I only had to read the words below:

Well known, alas, is the human temptation of making reproaches to God for “ill-treating his friends” – in contrast to Satan who favors his “children” in every possible way… until they die. Power, success, fame, riches: these are the gifts that the Evil one generously distributes to those who have sold their soul “for a mess of pottage.” 

Happy Birthday to Alice von Hildebrand!

...who turned 90 today. Visit the von Hildebrand Legacy Project and discover the wonder of both Dietrich and Alice von Hildebrand and their contributions to the Church.

Robert Moynihan on Christopher West's Theology of the Body

I never miss reading Robert Moynihan's Newsflash reports which I receive by email. This one came today. Unfortunately, it's not online yet at his website so I'm reposting here. This is an excellent summary of the debate last year over Christopher West's appearance on ABC which sparked a discussion of his interpretation and approach to John Paul II's Theology of the body. Moynihan provides an extensive review of the material and his discussion concludes with Alice von Hildebrand's article published about two weeks ago. If you only have time for one thing, read Mrs. von Hildebrand's inspired article. It is truly a gracious, humble, and holy work.  Robert Moynihan is the editor of Inside the Vatican.

A Theological Debate Heats Up

What is the right relationship between sex and sanctity? That's what many Catholics in the US are asking as a simmering theological debate over the "Theology of the Body" threatens to boil over and further test the unity of the Church in the US. The debate touches on issues ranging from the doctrine of original sin to the legacy of Pope John Paul II. And the hierarchy itself seems divided...


By Robert Moynihan
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"It had never been their intention to set up a separate Church... To be a leaven within the lump, to be an enclave of holiness within the corrupt body of Christendom, was the aim... But the logic of facts was against them. The enthusiast always begins by trying to form a church within the Church, always ends by finding himself committed to sectarian opposition." —Monsignor Ronald Knox, Enthusiasm

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Love and Lust, Sin and Holiness

Note: The subject matter of the letter below is human sexuality, a matter which traditional Catholic teaching advises should always be treated with great discretion. And, in essence, that is the tragedy, and the problem, with this growing debate -- that matters which should be dealt with in privacy, and with discretion, are being dealt with in public, and without great discretion.
So I hesitated before embarking on this letter. But in the end, I felt it important to write it and send it because the controversy does touch on all the issues and questions concerning sexuality in our lives -- from love and courtship and marriage, to sexual relations and sexual pleasure, to contraception and homosexuality.