Dear Friend of Clear Creek Abbey, Following the resounding—the deafening—defeat of the pro-life cause in Ireland on May 25th by a referendum that repealed the eighth amendment of Ireland’s constitution protecting the unborn, someone asked me, “What now?” Despite the … Read More
Simon, Simon, behold Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat; But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not; and thou, being once converted, confirm thy brethren. (Luke 22:31-32) Dear Brothers and … Read More
Emitte spiritum tuum et creabuntur, et renovabis faciem terrae. Send forth thy spirit, and they shall be created: and thou shalt renew the face of the earth. (Ps. 103:30) Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, My very Dear Sons, Today, … Read More
Dear Friend of Clear Creek Abbey, There was a time when life was ordered, not by the ringtone of your so-called smart phone, but according to the melodious and mysterious voice of the church bell. This is undoubtedly still the … Read More
Fr. Mitch Pacwa on EWTN Live welcomed Dr. Jared Staudt, who, on behalf of Fr. Francis Bethel, prior of Our Lady of Clear Creek, shares how Catholic Professor John Senior’s work remains relevant for today’s education and culture. If you … Read More
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, My very dear sons, On Easter morning, the first day of the week according to the way of counting in Israel, following the terrible drama of the Lord’s most sorrowful Passion, including the abandonment … Read More
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, My very dear sons, The entire Catholic Church gathers today to celebrate a most solemn moment in the liturgical year. The sacred actions and words of the Lord on the occasion of His impending … Read More
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, My very dear sons, Just awhile ago we were processing with palms in our hands, singing the liturgical Hosanna pium that re-echoes each year those ecstatic praises sung by the children long ago, when … Read More
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, My Very Dear Sons, A great thinker once wrote something to the effect that all Philosophy is really a meditation on death, not in any morbid sense of the word, not as would be … Read More
Dear Friend of Clear Creek Abbey, While I write this letter America is struggling—once again—to come to grips with the unspeakable horror of a mass shooting, perpetrated this time on Ash Wednesday, which was also St. Valentine’s Day this year. … Read More
Dear Friend of Clear Creek Abbey, In a remark delivered at a meeting of monastic superiors a few years ago, an abbot argued that the Church should stop cultivating beauty and instead promote ugliness. This ironic statement (uttered no doubt … Read More
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Juda, in the days of king Herod, behold there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem, saying “Where is he that is born King of the Jews?” (Matt. 2:1) Dear Brothers and … Read More