On October 31, 1517, a young Augustinian monk posted a list of topics on the door of the chapel of German university town he wanted to debate. Debating was a main activity of his order: the German Augustinians traveled around taking opposite sides of disputed questions in public debates to entertain and educate the people, […]
Readings of the Day May the Force be with You. It almost sounds like a ritual greeting, doesn’t it? Once I started a homily with this, and got the reply: “And also with you.” There is a solemnity when folks say this phrase, even when they’re joking. We’ve been doing it for 30 years, and […]
The Emperor stood barefoot in the snow outside the fortress of Canossa, waiting for the Pope to forgive him. It was the high point in the Church’s influence over world affairs: the Pope forgave him after three day’s wait. It was also the last time a Pope clearly won a conflict with secular authority; after […]
Readings of the Day We’re in the graduation season. On Saturday May 11, Avila University, where I work now, held its commencement and almost every high school and grade school will have their exercises soon as well, if they haven’t already. I’ve graduated five times, although I only walked in commencement three times, and I […]
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