From a discourse of St Andrew of Crete – in the Office of Readings for today’s Feast of the Triumph of the Cross: Had there been no cross, Christ could not have been crucified. Had there been no cross, life itself could not have been nailed to the tree. And if life had not been nailed to it, there would … Read More
In Memoriam 2010
Wishing you a safe and happy Memorial Day and, please, amid your boat rides, barbecue and beer, but be sure to stop at some point and remember what this day is really about. For all those who have lost loved ones in battle I pray, in the words of Abraham Lincoln: that our heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of … Read More
R.I.P. Pietro Molla
Pietro Molla, widower of Gianna Molla, a canonized saint, died on Holy Saturday last weekend at the age of 97. Coincidentally, it was on Holy Saturday that Gianna Emanuela, the child whom St. Gianna gave up her life for, was born in 1962. Of course his wife is one of the greatest, modern-day witnesses of love and suffering, but for … Read More
For You Know Neither the Day Nor the Hour
Yesterday I finally made a visit to the cemetery where a friend of mine from high school is buried. Something I do every November, the month of All Souls: Malorie died in a car accident almost a year before my own accident in 1999. She was 15 years old. Usually on this website I am celebrating or defending life, but … Read More
Requiescat in Pace, Dr. Lankford
I just got a note that Dr. Lankford, who I told you about the other day, died – peacefully – this morning. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
In Memoriam 2009
To me the gift of life never seems more precious than when I reflect upon the great mystery of death. As you all enjoy your Memorial Day, your boat rides, your barbecue and your beer, I hope you will be sure to stop at some point and think about what this day is really about – a time to remember … Read More
The Life of the Sufferer Must be Affirmed
In a post that I linked to a few weeks ago, Wesley Smith mentions a man he knew who was dying from ALS who, after years of depression and suicidal thoughts, eventually came out of his despair and learned to embrace his physically challenging life. According to Smith, who was one of his hospice caregivers, this transformation was the result … Read More
Suicide for Everyone – On Demand!
God love Wesley Smith for keeping up with our suicide obsessed world these days. It’s a dirty job, but somebody’s got to do it…I guess. It’s getting a little ridiculous. A few highlights, though not particularly high, in no particular order: –British TV aired a documentary on one man’s journey to Switzerland for an assisted suicide. The doc apparently included … Read More
Bioethics Students Weigh in on Daniel James’ Assisted Suicide
A few weeks ago a bioethics teacher at Foothill Technology High School contacted me saying that they have been reading my blog at length in class and wondered if he could have his students respond to my post about Daniel James – the UK rugby player whose parents took him to Switzerland for an assisted suicide. I submitted to being … Read More
Goodbye Grandma!
I got word today that our dearly beloved nursing home resident, Dorothy, finally passed away yesterday afternoon at the ripe old age of 92. Doctors gave her no more than a day to live on May 23. So she really fought to remain here as long as she could! And that’s just like her, too. Mom and I visited her … Read More