I’m participating in Catholic Mom’s summer-long discussion of one of my favorite books, Forming Intentional Disciples. What follows are my selective comments based on questions relevant to Chapter 1. Have you always been Catholic? How did the instruction and mentoring you received help you – or prevent you – from having a […]
Sprinklers at Church: The Origins of the Aspergillum
I was recently thinking about aspergillums, the sprinklers used at Mass (and elsewhere) to disperse Holy Water. I didn’t imagine the silver sticks with a ball on the end, but a rustic aspergillum made of a plant; the sort of thing Moses would have whipped up to sling a bull’s […]
O Fortuna: Taverns, Tents, and Tabernacles
Most Americans have heard the song O Fortuna at the movies or on TV, although they may not know its name or its composer. It’s one of a suite of poems from the Middle-Ages (Carmina Burana, Bavarian Songs) which were set to music by the 20th century German composer Carl […]
Ad Alta Altare: Why Do We Have Altars in the First Place?
Editor’s note: Please welcome architect and catechist Christian LeBlanc, who has long practice teaching sixth graders about the connection between Scripture, art, and sacred architecture. He has graciously agreed to write a series for the Catholic Writer’s Guild. Enjoy! I was married 24 years ago last month; that’s right, 24 […]