Modern world
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Tolstoy on human life
This morning, I stumbled—literally—upon this passage from Tolstoy's Confession, which is a pure marvel and so aptly foreshadows The Death of Ivan Ilyich, written seven years later: “At first it seemed to me that these were gratuitous, inappropriate requests. I thought that all this was already known, that if… Continue reading
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The abandonment of Benedict XVI
“Eli, Eli lama sabachthani?” When Benedict XVI signaled, in a few simple words, that he was renouncing the papacy, it sent shockwaves through the world and deeply affected Catholics. The most outlandish rumors circulated, and everyone wondered about the reasons for this decision, which, even if it… Continue reading
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The death of intimacy
Everywhere—on the internet, in newspapers, or on television—personal experience is displayed, exhibited, and presented as the definitive reference. This indecency rests on a reversal of values. It is based primarily and ubiquitously on the idea of sameness. The idea of sameness thinks: “I lived this; my experience reflects a universal feeling. I want to say what…” Continue reading
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A short history of Envy, from hero to scapegoat
The modern world constantly presents us with scapegoats. Lance Armstrong, Richard Millet, Jérôme Kerviel, John Galliano, to name just a few, each in their own field, with completely different causes and reasons, have recently embodied the scapegoat, the justly punished culprit, the troublemaker put in their place. The… Continue reading
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Christian testimony
When I started this blog, the idea of writing about the liturgy came to me very quickly. Not to claim the status of an expert, but to share my experience about what represents the heart of a Christian's life. So there were two paths that had to converge: I had to tell the story of… Continue reading
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In the heart of darkness, life
After seeing "The Tree of Life," I long forbade myself from writing about the film. Two forces clashed within me. Captivated by its poetry, by the state of bliss I was immersed in, I was afraid of disturbing the surface of this work. I became so enveloped in the mystery of this film that… Continue reading
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What does Steve Jobs stand for?
“Steve Jobs 1955-2011,” read Apple’s website on October 5, 2011. Right to the end, that unique, minimalist, elegant, and effective signature. His signature. The shock of this American business leader’s death took the world by surprise. A little, and the comparison was made, as with Lady… Continue reading
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Another year comes to an end…
As the year draws to a close, we often cast only a fleeting glance. We shouldn't dwell on it too much. We never know how many things we've forced ourselves to bury might resurface, like those impromptu, rude, and irritating pop-up windows on the internet. One exercise we can try is to… Continue reading
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In the shadow of Ernesto Sabato
When Ernesto Sabato passed away on April 30th at the age of 99, he repeated to himself the words of Maria Zambrano: "To die, this elusive act which is accomplished through obedience, takes place beyond reality, in another realm." In his home in Santos Lugarès ("Holy Places" near Buenos Aires), Ernesto Sabato obeyed this final injunction. He… Continue reading
Argentina , stupidity , Catholicism , counter-revolution , Ernesto Sabato , war , history , forgiveness -
Priest of the "Benedict XVI generation"
Dear Father, It is with great pleasure that I bid you farewell. Not that I am happy that you are leaving the Chapel of Our Lady of the Lily, but because I am happy to have met you and that you are continuing your priesthood, setting an example of the priest according to Benedict XVI. Yesterday, for the feast of… Continue reading
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Newman and Socrates
The links between ancient Greek philosophy and Christianity are numerous. The most famous of the Greek precepts, Gnothi Seauton, "Know thyself," inscribed at Delphi, retains a certain mystery. Another fragment of the phrase has remained with us: "But not too much"... Know thyself... But not too much! Plato leads Socrates to reflect on the Delphic formula in... Continue reading
Catholicism , ethics , ancient Greece , history , Newman , Our Lady of the Lily , Plato , political correctness , priest , religion , Socrates , Zenit -
Commemorative phrase
A friend contacted me to ask for the exact quote from Ernst Jünger (from Storm of Steel) that we officers of the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment liked to repeat. I'm posting it on this blog because I remember that General Antoine Lecerf was fond of this quote and that it suits him perfectly: He… Continue reading
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And by Saint Anthony… (Death of General Antoine Lecerf)
Antoine is no more. He passed away on Good Friday, April 22, 2011. He is in the house of the Father. Antoine is Antoine Lecerf. Lieutenant General Antoine Lecerf. A master of war. A brilliant leader of men. One of the most extraordinary men I have ever known. When you first met Antoine Lecerf… Continue reading
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Original fault
Despite Shûsaku Endo's doubts about the true Christianity of the Japanese, as expressed in the admirable "Silence," it also seems to me that the Japanese share a fundamental trait with Christians: their ability to empathize. Isn't this one of the cornerstones of Christianity, one… Continue reading