Religion
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Hannah Arendt on the functionalism of the social sciences
I don't believe that atheism is a substitute for, or can fulfill the same function as, a religion, any more than I believe that violence can become a substitute for authority. But if we heed the exhortations of conservatives, who at the moment have a fairly good chance of being heard, I am quite... Continue reading
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Pius X at the beatification of Joan of Arc
On December 13, 1908, at the beatification of Joan of Arc, Pius X pronounced these words that remain in our memories: "You will tell the French to treasure the testaments of Saint Remigius, Charlemagne, and Saint Louis, which are summed up in these words so often repeated by the heroine of Orléans: Long live Christ who… Continue reading
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Transforming the idea into a feeling
Max Jacob to a student: Meditation is not about having ideas, quite the opposite! It's about having one, transforming it into a feeling, a conviction. A meditation is good when it leads to a YES, uttered by the whole body, to a cry from the heart: joy or… Continue reading
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The permanent conversion
Contrary to what is often said or believed, tradition demands constant conversion. Tradition is not a sinecure, a life spent at the spa! Tradition requires a perpetual effort. And even the most important effort of all: not forgetting. Tradition only exists when it is alive, and to live… Continue reading
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In light of the values
Authority has lost its nobility along with humility. Authority has become synonymous with implacable order, unthinking force, and tyranny. What a reversal of values! Whereas, according to Antigone, authority prevented tyranny! The modern era has this impression of authority because it has been trampled underfoot by… Continue reading
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Antigone, defiant and intimate (3/7. Destiny)
Part 3: Destiny. Man descends from the tree. Man, like the tree, is defined as much by his roots as by his fruit. Man, like the tree, depends on external and internal elements to reach maturity. Man resembles this trunk sculpted by trials, leaning on its roots and bearing fruit of varying quality… Continue reading
Antigone , counter-revolution , ethics , history , intimacy , forgiveness , religion , revolution , totalitarianism , vulgarity -
News from Ernest Hello on fear and its perfections
Fear in general, therefore, has perfections that evil lacks. Perhaps the crucifixion was felt more terribly in the Garden of Olives than on the cross. For on the cross, it was felt in reality. In the Garden of Olives, it was felt in spirit. Continue reading
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Antigone, defiant and intimate (2/7. The funeral)
Part 2: The Funeral — “My dearest Ismene. I came this morning to tell you that I've taken care of everything. I used the same funeral home for both our brothers. I couldn't choose, and since our brothers didn't leave any last wishes, I took matters into my own hands to… Continue reading
Antigone , counter-revolution , ethics , history , intimacy , death , forgiveness , priest , religion , revolution -
Antigone, defiant and intimate (1/7. The family)
Part 1: The Family From the very first reading of Antigone, an ambiguity arises in the reader's mind. Does Antigone embody action or reaction? What drives Antigone? Reaction never exists on its own, whereas action needs no one; it is legitimized by the act itself. Action always inaugurates something. Unlike what is often… Continue reading
Antigone , Charles Maurras , counter-revolution , ethics , history , intimacy , forgiveness , priest , religion , revolution -
Charlie's Destiny
“The enemy limits you, therefore shapes you and establishes you.” This quote from Saint-Exupéry aptly expresses our condition at the end of this first week of 2015. The enemy forces me to operate according to its rules, within a space it has circumscribed. I am, first and foremost, a prisoner. It chooses the terrain and compels me to… Continue reading
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Two thousand and fourteen years ago…
Christmas can be summed up in four letters: fiat. Before being an industrial symbol, it is the word, the acceptance of Mary by the angel. This acceptance precedes all reflection. It is docility and trust in the epiphany. Four little letters like a breath but also like a feverish expectation. Thy will be done! And may all our… Continue reading
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Novena for France
What a beautiful initiative! A novena for France. A novena to express our love for the Blessed Virgin and ask her to watch over our beautiful country with all the saints. It's pointless to rant on social media or the internet, or even in the street; it's pointless to rant… Continue reading
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The Humanity of Cheyenne Carron — Reflections on the film The Apostle
What astonishment overwhelmed me one recent morning as I listened to the voice of a young woman being interviewed by Louis Daufresne on his program, Le Grand Témoin, on Radio Notre-Dame. I was about to learn that this young woman's name was Cheyenne Carron. A Christian, she had made a film, L'Apôtre (The Apostle), the story of a Muslim touched by grace who decides to convert to… Continue reading
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From tradition…
“We are dwarfs standing on the shoulders of giants; we see more than they do, and farther; not that our gaze is sharp, nor our stature great, but we are lifted up, exalted, by their gigantic size.” This quote from Bernard of Chartres (12th century) is found in Rémi Brague’s latest book, Moderately Modern (Flammarion Publishers)... Continue reading