History

    Croagh Patrick

    Man, Myth, Missionary: Reconnecting with the Real St. Patrick

    Posted on March 13, 2025
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    I owe St. Patrick an apology. Despite him being my countryโ€™s patron saint and having celebrated more St. Patrickโ€™s Days than I can count, I never took him seriously. It didnโ€™t help that a joke was going around school when I was young: โ€œWhat did St. Patrick say as he was driving the snakes out…

    St Matthias the Apostle - Rubens

    The Liturgical Home: St. Matthias, the Apostle Who Replaced Judas

    Posted on February 21, 2025
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    The Church commemorates St. Matthias on February 24th, recognizing him as the apostle chosen to replace Judas Iscariot. A devoted follower of Jesus, Matthias was selected through prayer and casting lots. His legacy emphasizes God’s call to ordinary people for extraordinary purposes, highlighting themes of faithfulness and humility in service.

    Polycarp Exinguishing the Fires of Smyrna

    Polycarp: A Martyr Who Bore Much Fruit

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    In the providence of God, a person’s name sometimes accurately reflects the meaning of his life. Such is the case with Polycarp, the 2nd-century bishop and martyr. Polycarp is a Greek name that means many (poly) fruits (carp), and in light of scripture, this is an especially appropriate name. Jesus himself said: Truly, truly, I…

    St. Paul Statue at St. Paul's Cathedral. For Re-Formed Catholic Anglicanism.

    Review: Re-Formed Catholic Anglicanism

    Posted on January 20, 2025
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    This book is a much-needed compilation of thoughtful engagement with the Anglican traditionโ€”from the broadest foundational theological questions to the particulars of its history.

    The Formularies: A Rookie Anglican Guide

    Posted on January 18, 2025
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    The Anglican Formularies are the Thirty-Nine Articles, the Book of Common Prayer, and the Ordinal (the service for ordaining clergy). A strong case can be made that the Books of Homilies also serve this function. The Formularies provide both cohesiveness and clarity to the Church’s doctrine.

    Nativity Stained Glass from Bayeux Cathedral, for The History of the Christmas Collects

    The History of the Christmas Collects

    Posted on December 24, 2024
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    We expect the Christmas Collects to celebrate the birth of Jesus, and they do. But they also surprise us by repeatedly applying the birth of Christ to the life of the Christian believer. Because he is light, we can know light. Because he was born, we can be born again. Because he shared the life…