The Annunciation - The Virgin and the Hunt of the Unicorn

 

Hunt of the Unicorn Annunciation (ca. 1500) from a Netherlandish Book of Hours Credit: Joseph Zahavi/Morgan Library

Netherlandish Artist, c. 1500

Medieval artwork often depicted the Annunciation with Mary seated in an enclosed garden, a unicorn leaping into her lap. The Angel Garbriel blows a hunting horn and is accompanined by hounds. The Virgin Mary has long been associated with the "enclosed garden" of the Song of Songs (4:12). The hounds chase the unicorn into the lap of the Virgin. Ancient myths about unicorns claimed that only a virgin could tame them. This depiction was popular in the fifteenth century and fell out of use after the Council of Trent.

Doctrine: Blessed Virgin Mary - Annunciation, Liturgical Year - March 25

Les Misérables - Passover

The Maccabeats
Who knew that Les Mis fit so splendidly with the Passover story? This medley provides a nice overview of the Exodus account, complete with the final note of hope that leads the Chosen People to re-present this historic event every year.
Doctrine: Scripture - Moses, Exodus; Liturgical Year - Holy Week, Passover

The Ball and the Cross

By G.K. Chesterton
This novel follows a Catholic and an atheist across the British countryside as they duel in the name of beliefs they hold to the point of death. In a landscape of apathy and indifference, each man finds that their greatest enemy is not the other, but a tolerant society that considers martyrdom absolutely intolerable.

Excerpt:
“At least,” said Turnbull, savagely, “it was your Jesus Christ who started all this bosh about being God.”
For one instant MacIan opened the eyes of battle; then his tightened lips took a crooked smile and he said, quite calmly:
“No, the idea is older; it was Satan who first said that he was God.”
“Then, what,” asked Turnbull, very slowly, as he softly picked a flower, “what is the difference between Christ and Satan?”
“It is quite simple,” replied the Highlander.  “Christ descended into hell; Satan fell into it.”
“Does it make much odds?” asked the free-thinker.
“It makes all the odds,” said the other.  “One of them wanted to go up and went down; the other wanted to go down and went up.  A god can be humble, a devil can only be humbled.”
p. 147

Doctrine: God's existence, faith and reason, natural law, absolute truth

Nothing But the Blood of Jesus

sung by Sarah Hart Pearsons
The Most Precious Blood of Jesus redeems us from sin. The Church is born from the pierced side of Christ (cf. CCC 766). The month of July is traditionally dedicated to the Most Precious Blood.
Doctrine: Passion, Liturgical Year, Redemption