Do you ever wonder if your decisions are truly yours? Are your actions born of your own freedom, or are they dictated by forces—biological, societal, or divine—that lie beyond your control? These questions cut to the heart of what it means to be human. For centuries, philosophers and theologians have debated the relationship between divine […]
Are We Truly Free, or Just Pawns in a Cosmic Design? Read More »
St. Thomas Aquinas, in his monumental work Summa Theologica, presents five ways (Quinquae Viae) to demonstrate the existence of God. The fifth way, Quinta Via, is known as the Argument from Design (ex gubernatione rerum). It is a teleological argument that observes order and purpose in the universe as evidence for the existence of an
Aquinas’s Fifth Way: The Argument from Design Explained Read More »
St. Thomas Aquinas’s Quarta Via (Fourth Way) forms part of his famous Quinque Viae (Five Ways) found in his Summa Theologiæ, which collectively provide arguments for the existence of God. The Fourth Way, often summarised as, “If things are more and less good, there must be a best, and this something is God,” offers an
Aquinas’s Fourth Way: How Goodness, Truth, and Being Point to God Read More »
Thomas Aquinas’s Third Way (Via Tertio), outlined in his Summa Theologiae, argues for the existence of God through the concepts of contingency and necessity. This argument centres on the observation that the existence of contingent beings (those that depend on external factors for their existence) requires the existence of a necessary being, which Aquinas identifies
The Third Way of Aquinas: Contingency and Necessity Read More »
St. Thomas Aquinas’ First Way (from Change) and Second Way (from Efficient Causes) are foundational arguments in his Five Ways for proving the existence of God. These arguments reveal Aquinas’ deep metaphysical insight into the nature of existence, causation, and change. While closely related, they address distinct aspects of reality. Understanding these arguments also requires
Aquinas’ First Two Ways: The Case for God’s Existence Read More »
The life of Ignatius of Antioch, one of the most influential figures in early Christianity, offers a stirring testament to faith, leadership, and sacrifice. Born around 35 AD, Ignatius became the bishop of Antioch, one of the most important cities in the Roman Empire and a key centre of early Christian thought and missionary activity.
St. Ignatius of Antioch: A Martyr’s Vision of the Church and the Eucharist Read More »
Part 3 – Certain Counsels for the Practice of the Virtues Chapter 1: How to Choose the Virtues to be Practiced in Particular St. Francis de Sales begins by likening the righteous man to “a tree planted by streams of water, that yields its fruit in its season.” He explains that charity guides all virtues,
Introduction to the Devout Life: Parts 3 & 4, Chapter Summary Read More »
By St. Francis de Sales Part 1 – On the Counsels and Exercises Chapter 1: What is the True Devotion to God? St. Francis de Sales begins by distinguishing true devotion from superficial piety. He warns against those who pray all day but fail to control their tongues, highlighting that true devotion is not just
Introduction to the Devout Life: Chapter Summary, Parts 1 and 2 Read More »
Introduction The tale of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, the herald of the Sacred Heart of Jesus devotion, is steeped in mystical fervour and divine encounters, a narrative that has stirred the hearts of many within the Catholic Church for centuries. Born into the simplicity of a 17th-century French village, her journey from a childhood marked
Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque: The Herald of the Sacred Heart Devotion Read More »
