GWML#21 T.S. Eliot and “The Waste Land” – Great Works in Western Literature with Joseph Pearce – Discerning Hearts


Episode 21 – Great Works in Western Literature with Joseph Pearce – T.S. Eliot and “The Waste Land”

(Of special note: excerpts from “The Waste Land” are read by T. S. Eliot)

TS-Eliot“Eliot’s place as a poet of the highest stature is assured. The Waste Land is the quintessential debunking of modernity and is also, simultaneously, a potent antidote to the poison of postmodernism.”

–Joseph Pearce -from Nov. 22, 2010, St. Austin Review 

You can find the complete poem here

An excerpt from “The Waste Land” by T. S. Eliot

If there were water
And no rock
If there were rock
And also water
And water
A spring
A pool among the rock
If there were the sound of water only
Not the cicada
And dry grass singing
But sound of water over a rock
Where the hermit-thrush sings in the pine trees
Drip drop drip drop drop drop drop
But there is no water

Who is the third who walks always beside you?
When I count, there are only you and I together
But when I look ahead up the white road
There is always another one walking beside you
Gliding wrapt in a brown mantle, hooded
I do not know whether a man or a woman
—But who is that on the other side of you?

Joseph Pearce is currently the Writer-in-Residence and Visiting Fellow at Thomas More College of Liberal Arts in Merrimack, New Hampshire. He is also Visiting Scholar at Mount Royal Academy in Sunapee, New Hampshire. He is also Visiting Scholar at Mount Royal Academy in Sunapee, New Hampshire. He is co-editor of the Saint Austin Review (or StAR), an international review of Christian culture, literature, and ideas published in England (Family Publications) and the United States (Sapientia Press). He is also the author of many books, including literary biographies of Solzhenitsyn, J. R. R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, G. K. Chesterton, and Oscar Wilde.

 

Day 2 St. Hildegard von Bingen Novena – Discerning Hearts Podcast

Day 2hlhildegard

St. Hildegard you have said:

These visions which I saw were not in sleep nor in dreams, nor in my imagination nor by bodily eyes or outward ears nor in a hidden place; but in watching, aware with the pure eyes of the mind and inner ear of the heart.

 

O glorious St. Hildegard, abbess of the order of St. Benedict and doctor of the universal Church, we now join in the prayer you taught us….

God is the foundation for everything
This God undertakes, God gives.
Such that nothing that is necessary for life is lacking.
Now humankind needs a body that at all times honors and praises God.
This body is supported in every way through the earth.
Thus the earth glorifies the power of God.

O God, by whose grace your servant Hildegard, kindled with the Fire of your love, became a burning and shining light in your Church: Grant that we also may be aflame with the spirit of love and discipline, and walk before you as children of light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
St. Hildegard von Bingen, pray for us

For the complete 9-Day Novena to St. Hildegard of Bingen  Mp3 audio and Text

Musical excerpt: Ave generosa, by Hildegard von Bingen (1089 – 1179)
Laurence Ewashko, conductor
30 January 2000, St. Matthew’s Church, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
http://www.cantatasingersottawa.ca/listen.php

HR#7 “Living in Community – the benefits for all of society” – The Holy Rule of St. Benedict w/ Fr. Mauritius Wilde OSB

St.-Benedict-dFrom the Holy Rule of St. Benedict:

CHAPTER I

Of the Kinds or the Life of Monks

It is well known that there are four kinds of monks. The first kind is that of Cenobites, that is, the monastic, who live under a rule and an Abbot.

The second kind is that of Anchorites, or Hermits, that is, of those who, no longer in the first fervor of their conversion, but taught by long monastic practice and the help of many brethren, have already learned to fight against the devil; and going forth from the rank of their brethren well trained for single combat in the desert, they are able, with the help of God, to cope single-handed without the help of others, against the vices of the flesh and evil thoughts.

But a third and most vile class of monks is that of Sarabaites, who have been tried by no rule under the hand of a master, as gold is tried in the fire (cf Prov 27:21); but, soft as lead, and still keeping faith with the world by their works, they are known to belie God by their tonsure. Living in two’s and three’s, or even singly, without a shepherd, enclosed, not in the Lord’s sheepfold, but in their own, the gratification of their desires is law unto them; because what they choose to do they call holy, but what they dislike they hold to be unlawful.

But the fourth class of monks is that called Landlopers, who keep going their whole life long from one province to another, staying three or four days at a time in different cells as guests. Always roving and never settled, they indulge their passions and the cravings of their appetite, and are in every way worse than the Sarabaites. It is better to pass all these over in silence than to speak of their most wretched life.

Therefore, passing these over, let us go on with the help of God to lay down a rule for that most valiant kind of monks, the Cenobites.

 

Father Mauritius Wilde, OSB, Ph.D., did his philosophical, theological and doctoral studies in Europe. He is the author of several books and directs retreats regularly. He serves as Prior at Sant’Anselmo in Rome.

Chap 32 The Life of St. Teresa of Jesus Mp3 audio


The Life of St. Teresa of Jesus,
of the Order of Our Lady of Carmel

Chapter 32St.-Teresa-of-Avila

Our Lord Shows St. Teresa the Place Which She Had by Her Sins Deserved in Hell. The Torments There. How the Monastery of St. Joseph Was Founded.

 

For the pdf containing the complete text and footnotes click here

For other chapters of the audio book visit: The Life of Teresa of Avila (autobiography) audio page

The Life
St. Teresa of Jesus,
of the Order of Our Lady of Carmel.
Written by Herself.
Translated from the Spanish by
David Lewis.
Third Edition Enlarged

WM-Special – The Clerical Abuse Crisis and the Response by the Bishops – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast

Catholic Spiritual Formation - Catholic Spiritual Direction 3

Special Episode – The Clerical Abuse Crisis and the Response by the Bishops – Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas

In this episode, Archbishop Lucas addresses the Clerical Abuse Crisis now plaguing the Roman Catholic Church and the deeply disturbing behavior of the former Cardinal of the Archdiocese of Washington D.C.,Theodore McCarrick.  He also discusses the allegations of the former Papal Nuncio to the United States, Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, that the Holy See, and in particular Pope Francis, was aware of  McCarrick’s actions, yet allowed him to maintain a high profile role in the Church.

Archbishop Lucas also speaks of the need to protect the young and the vulnerable, as well as the concerns for seminarians and the state of our seminary system in the United States. He unequivocally states that we should not be afraid of the truth in dealing with this serious situation.  He reiterates the vital need for transparency in this matter and the necessity of listening deeply to the pain brought about by this grave and disturbing sin.  He joins with his brother bishops in their call for answers to the questions brought forward by this issue in order to restore trust,  reestablish integrity, and bring about healing, through Jesus Christ, to all those touched by this crisis.

August 25-26, 2018

Dear Brothers and Sisters Christ,

News in recent weeks has shown that a number of bishops and priests, over many years, have been personally responsible for the sins and crimes of sexual abuse of minors and the abuse of power. Many have been hurt and shamed by this abuse. This hurt and shame are enduring because they took place where people should have been safe and respected. My shame is deepened by the knowledge that so many in positions of responsibility and trust ignored the cries of the victims and turned away when those who are so dear to the Lord needed their protection and care.

Several days ago, I met with a representative group of our archdiocesan priests. We shared experiences of the pain and anger of our parishioners. We spoke of our own desire for proper accountability and for healing in the Church. Like so many of you, my brother priests are hurt and demoralized by what we have heard. Please let me encourage us all to turn to Christ and beg his companionship in these days. I am committing to fast and pray each Thursday, for mercy and healing for the Church, and I have invited our priests to join me.

In addition, the priests have encouraged me in my commitment to insist with the other bishops of this country that there be structures put in place for judging allegations of misconduct on the part of bishops. All must be able to have confidence that there are transparent and effective ways for bishops to be held accountable for their actions.

Here in the Archdiocese of Omaha, we remain committed to the protection of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. We remain committed to healing for victims of past abuse. In cooperation with members of law enforcement, we remain committed to responding deliberately and professionally to any claims of abuse. Anyone concerned about the actions of clergy or any Church worker should contact our Manager of Victim Outreach and Prevention, Mary Beth Hanus, at 402-827-3798 or toll-free at 1-888-808-9055.

Be assured of my prayers for all of you in the days ahead and of my gratitude for the privilege of serving as your archbishop.

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend George J. Lucas
Archbishop of Omaha

For more episodes in this series visit the

Why it Matters: An Exploration of Faith with Archbishop George Lucas Podcast page

For more teachings and information about Archbishop George J. Lucas of the Archdiocese of Omaha, visit:   archomaha.org

IP#254 David Scott – The Love That Made Mother Teresa on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor

David-Scott1

David Scott – The Love That Made Mother Teresa on Inside the Pages with Kris McGregor

David Scott is one of the finest Catholic authors of our time.  He can catechize from the heart like few I have ever read and the case is no different  in what he offers with “The Love That Made Mother Teresa“.  More than just another biography on the life of this great woman, David offers insightful spiritual reflections on different events she encountered during her extraordinary life.  If we are open to those lessons,  her response to those moments can aid Christ in transforming our lives today.  In his hands her story truly becomes a witness to “Love”.  I’ve read many, many books on the life of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, this is my favorite.

Mother-Teresa-bookYou can find the book here

“This book, more than any other, shows us the saint and her significance. It belongs in the hands of everyone who loves this most beloved of modern women.” —Dr. Scott Hahn

“This book reminds us as Mother Teresa always did that God calls all of us to holiness, to be saints.” —José H. Gomez, Archbishop of Los Angeles