Keep us, O Lord, from the vain strife of words, and grant to us a constant profession of the truth. Preserve us in the faith, true and undefiled, so that we may ever hold fast that which we professed when we were baptized into the name of the Father, and of the Son and of […]
Narratives That are Useful for States
It is often said—and correctly, I think—to “follow the money” if you want to discover motive. But “useful for states” is another telling maxim worthy of our consideration. In Book III of The City of God, St. Augustine notes that Varro, a very learned heathen, all but admits that these stories (about men like Aeneas, […]
Oratio – Pentecost Sunday
O Holy Spirit of God, very God, who descended on Christ at the river Jordan and on the apostles in the upper chamber, we have sinned against heaven and before you; purify us again, we ask you, with your divine fire, and have mercy on us; for Christ’s sake. Amen. Nerses of Clajes((Thomas C. Oden […]
Oratio – Sunday after the Ascension
O God, the King of Glory, who hast exalted thine only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph unto thy Kingdom in Heaven: We beseech thee leave us not comfortless; but send to us thine holy Ghost to comfort us, and exalt us unto the same place whither our saviour Christ is gone before, who liveth […]
Oratio – Sixth Sunday of Easter
O God, who by the life and death and rising again of your dear Son has consecrated for us a new and living way into the holiest of all: cleanse our minds, we ask you, by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that drawing near to you with a pure heart and conscience undefiled, we […]
Master the Academic Essay
An essay is “a short literary composition on a single subject, usually presenting the personal view of the author.” More importantly, it is an attempt at saying something true, a tentative exploration that allows one to study himself, to discover what is believed, thought, or known about any subject. Additionally, it affords one the opportunity […]
Oratio – Fifth Sunday of Easter
Grant, O Lord, to your servants and followers who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake that their conversation may be as becomes the gospel of Christ; that they may stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; that terrified in nothing by their adversaries they may be bold […]
Fourth Sunday of Easter
Holy Father, we come before you with humble hearts, confessing our sins. We have chased after the vanities of the world and have wandered from our heart’s true home; and, forgetful of you, the living God, we have burned the incense of the soul before false gods that cannot deliver. Deal not with us as […]
Oratio – Third Sunday of Easter
Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, look on us and have mercy on us, you who are both victim and priest, reward and redeemer; keep safe from all evils those whom you have redeemed, O Savior of the world. ((Old Gallican Missal, Thomas C. Oden and Cindy Crosby, eds., Ancient […]
Oratio – Second Sunday of Easter
Almighty Father, who hast given thine only son to die for our sins, and to rise again for our justification: grant us so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness, that we may alway serve thee in pureness of living, and truth, through the merits of the same thy son Jesus Christ our […]