Adapted from St. Seraphim of Sarov

Verbs have the same meanings in religion and society.

Funny Typo

Chapman's bloomers are as big as his insights. — Sebastian Moore OSB, Introduction to Abbot Chapman, Spiritual Letters [1935], London, 2003, p. vii.

NOTE 12/19/14. It was not a typo, just an Englishism:

They saw Ronnie that evening. He merely burst into laughter. It's all my fault, entirely my fault! You see, one gets so used to Roman ways that one forgets to warn people. I ought to have primed you to tell Testastorta that you had come to Rome on purpose to inform the Holy Father of the enthusiastic reception among English Catholics of the decrees on the mass media, the reform of the liturgy and above all Lumen Gentium. You would then have had a pucka private audience in which you could have said what you liked. My dear, innocent cousins, what a bloomer! Thank God I'm not a Papist or I should have had to resign my post as being tarred with the integriste brush. As a respectable Protestant I am fortunately above suspicion…
— Bryan Houghton, Judith's Marriage, 1987, p. 170.

The Pursuit of Happiness

Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Renounce the search for happiness and you find the substance. — John Jay Chapman, Practical Agitation (1900)

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. —Matthew 6:33

You have nothing but example to contribute.

Reform consists in taking a bone from a dog. Philosophy will not do it. — John Jay Chapman, Practical Agitation (1900).

First Feed the Belly or the Soul?

The matter of the physical support of the individual follows in the wake of a regard for his soul, but never precedes it. — John Jay Chapman, Causes and Consequences

If so, the idea that missionaries should first feed the bodies then the souls of the natives was mistaken.

After noon mass at St. Mary's, Charlie gives me a loaf bread and two squares of tomato pie from Perreca's.

When You Die

When you die, will someone pray for you?

Barack Obama

Obama is not just a disappointment, he is a danger. He is the most blatantly dishonest person I have ever witnessed in public life. — marymmccurnin