Category Archives: Patristiblogging

From Serge Lancel’s Augustine, the best biography I know of the great Bishop of Hippo (p. 8 ff): Before devoting himself entirely to Mother Church, as he approached the age of forty, Augustine had had a concubine for about fifteen … Read More →

During today’s Angelus at Castel Gandolofo, the Holy Father spoke about St. Monica and St. Augustine. Pope Benedict is a deeper learner about the Fathers and he is sharing wonderful insights with us now. You can hear the enthusiasm in his voice, even though he stubles in his text once. I think he might have inserted a parenthetical.

Benedict XVI referred to Monica as an example of encouragment to parents who are suffering from watching their children stray on the wrongs paths. Augustine was a long seeker after the truth, even from his youth.

Download the mp3 of his address. I don’t know how long this address will be valid. Probably one week. Read More →

Reverently opening your copy of the Roman Martyrology you find in the first entry for today 1. Commemoratio sancti Melchisedech, regis Salem et sacerdotis Dei altissimi, qui Abraham benedicens salutavit a victoria regressum, Domino sanctum sacrificium, immaculatam hostiam, offerens, atque … Read More →

St. Ambrose has something to say about St. Bartholomew as well.  In his work De Isaac vel anima 8.73 he makes use of the Canticle of Canticles and brings in Nathaniel with his fig tree.  Remember, Nathaniel and Bartholomew are … Read More →

St. Pope Gregory I, "the Great", has a word for us about the Gospel passage for today’s Mass (Forty Gospel Homilies, 19,5 – PL 76:1157; CS 123:82 (Homily 11): But what follows after this is dreadful.  For many are called, … Read More →

St. John Chrysostom has something to say about the Gospel reading for today’s Mass.  This is from s. 63.2 on the Gospel of Matthew (PG 58:605): When the disciples were upset, he said, "With men this is impossible, but with … Read More →

St. Augustine has something to say about today’s Gospel reading from Matthew on the rich young man (s. 84.1 in PL 38:519) The Lord said to a certain young man, “If you would enter life, keep the commandments.”  He did … Read More →

It is nice to make connections which show us how the Church was always alive throughout the centuries before our own time. Today is the feast of St. Pope Sixtus III, whom you will remember as having been involved with … Read More →

St. Augustine has a comment on the Gospel for today’s Holy Mass (in the Novus Ordo), which concerns the number of times we must forgive those who sin against us. He works with the significance of numbers and brings in … Read More →