This blog seeks out whatever is true in art, music, literature, film, and elsewhere in order to reveal the beauty of holiness on this journey towards the Good Life.
By Audrey Assad
This song speaks of the relentless pursuit of God after those whom He loves. The second verse alludes to the story of Jacob wrestling with the Lord in Genesis 32: "Wrestling angels 'till dawn breaks through/ There's a blessing and a wound."
Doctrine: Old Testament, personal relationship with Jesus Christ, conversion
Today is the memorial of Blessed Pope John Paul II, who will be canonized April 27, 2014 with Blessed Pope John XXIII. Praise God!
Doctrine: Church hierarchy
The French missionaries who came to North America in the 17th century worked hard in difficult circumstances to serve those who lived in this land and bring Christ to them. St. Jean de Brebeuf studied the Huron language and strove to bring the Word of God to the Hurons by translating prayers into their own tongue. He also wrote this Christmas carol in their language, which not only puts the words of the story in Huron, but also uses imagery with which the Huron people would be familiar to describe what happened on that holy night. This is an excellent example of inculturation. This version of the song is sung in Wendat (Huron), French, and English.
Doctrine: North American Martyrs, saints, Christmas, inculturation
On the occasion of the feastday of St. Ignatius of Antioch, this book offers thorough and engaging narratives about each of these four Fathers of the Church. Incorporated into the stories are excerpts from the saints' writings. These accounts bring to life these saints of the early Church, for whom we must acknowledge that "the blood of martyrs is the seed of Christians" (Tertullian).
St. Teresa of Avila wrote this prayer about how God alone is enough for us. The prayer has been set to music by Jacques Berthier of the Taize community. This great saint and Doctor of the Church placed her trust in Divine Providence and cooperated with God's grace to bring about the reformation of the Carmelite Order. The feast of St. Teresa of Avila is October 15.
Doctrine: Saints, Trust in Divine Providence
As we celebrate the anniversary of the passing of our Holy Father Francis into eternal life, this antiphon recognizes the coming of the great saint into the courts of heaven.
O most holy soul, at whose entrance into eternity the citizens of heaven come forth the choirs of angels rejoice and the glorious Trinity exalts, saying "Abide with us forever."
