Catholic Insight

We could do with more leaders such as Saint Henry (+1024), ‘Emperor of the Romans’ and ‘King of the Italians’, the last of the ‘Ottonian’ line – descended from the Emperor of the recently re-founded Roman Empire, Otto I (+973). Henry was from Bavaria – whence Josef Ratzinger would also hail a millennium on – upon whom was bestowed the iron crown of Rome in 10...

The publication of Magnifica Humanitas (2026),[1] the first encyclical of Pope Leo XIV, has renewed global discussion on the Catholic Church’s historical relationship with slavery. In the document, Pope Leo expressed deep sorrow and asked forgiveness for the direct and indirect support that certain members and institutions of the Church extended to slavery, d...

July the 12th is ‘Orange’ Day, celebrated still with fervour in Northern Ireland, commemorating the defeat of the rightful Catholic king of the Stuart line, James II of England and Ireland (and VII of Scotland) by the forces of the Dutch and Protestant William of Orange (named after a region in Holland).

William’s wife was Mary, who was also William’s ...

Then the disciples came and asked Jesus, ‘Why do you speak to them in parables?’ He answered, ‘To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given’ (Mt. 13:11). ⧾

Our Lord’s answer to the disciples’ question may seem harsh and perhaps even unfair at first hearing. They are evidently...

Whenever you begin any good work you should first of all make a most pressing appeal to Christ our Lord to bring it to perfection. (Saint Benedict, +543)

The post first appeared on Cath...