Patton: Inspiration Wins Wars

January 10, 2013

It’s the cold glitter of the attacker’s eye, not the point of the questing bayonet, that breaks the line. It’s the fierce determination of the driver to close with the enemy, not the mechanical perfection of the tank, that conquers the trench. It’s the cataclysmic ecstasy of conflict in the flier, not the perfection of […]

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Will Jordan Be the First Arab Monarchy to Fall? – The Atlantic

January 10, 2013

According to The Atlantic: Despite longstanding governance problems and human rights abuses, the Arab monarchies have largely been spared from the popular revolts that dislodged their autocratic neighbors. Until now this monarchy “red line” has served U.S. interests…. But the monarchy red line will not last forever, and Washington will face a series of new […]

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The Seneschal de Joinville gives good counsel to Saint Louis IX

January 10, 2013

When Saint Louis IX disembarked at the castle of Hyères, the Abbot of Cluny offered the king a gift of horses with which to continue his journey and said he would return on the morrow to discuss the monastery’s interests. On the following day, the king listened to the Abbot’s long narration with great attention. […]

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January 10 – St. Peter Urseolus

January 10, 2013

St. Peter Urseolus (Orseolo) Born at Rivo alto, Province of Udina, 928; at Cuxa, 10 January, 987 (997 is less probable). Sprung from the wealthy and noble Venetian family, the Orseoli, Peter led from his youth an earnest Christian life. In the service of the republic, he distinguished himself in naval battles against the pirates. […]

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January 10 – Patient to the Penitent, Inflexible to the Impenitent

January 10, 2013

St. William, Confessor, Archbishop of Bourges (c. 1155 – January 10, 1209) William Berruyer, of the illustrious family of the ancient counts of Nevers, was educated by Peter the hermit, archdeacon of Soissons, his uncle by the mother’s side. He learned from his infancy to despise the folly and emptiness of the riches and grandeur […]

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January 12 – “The English Saint Bernard”

January 10, 2013

St. Aelred Abbot of Rievaulx, homilist and historian (1109-66). St. Aelred, whose name is also written Ailred, Æthelred, and Ethelred, was the son of one of those married priests of whom many were found in England in the eleventh and twelfth centuries. He was born at Hexham, but at an early age made the acquaintance […]

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St. Joan of Arc: her death liberated France

January 7, 2013

With Joan’s death, the way seemed clear for the English to resume their onslaught upon France and sweep to final victory. But it did not happen like that. In December of that year [1431] the King of England was crowned King of France, but not at Reims. The ceremony took place in Notre-Dame in Paris […]

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Prince William’s dramatic helicopter search for man blown into sea in 50mph gales – The Mirror

January 7, 2013

According to The Mirror: A Sea King helicopter, with the 30-year-old Prince onboard, was scrambled from RAF Valley on Anglesey, north Wales, just a few hours in to the New Year. The four-man helicopter crew battled 50 mile per hour winds while lifeboats crashed through five foot waves in the darkness – but they were […]

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Patton used the power of myth to inspire his men

January 7, 2013

Every evening, Gen. Patton arranged a type of communication which united all soldiers. This “communication” united us with the soldiers of history! Gen. Patton had buglers blow Taps! Every unit down to a company of two hundred men had their own bugler. With over twenty thousand men sleeping on the ground over a thirty-mile strip […]

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Belgium King Albert II Christmas speech draws parallels with the rise of fascism in the 1930s – BBC News

January 7, 2013

According to BBC News: The Belgian king has provoked a sharp response to a Christmas message in which he drew parallels with the rise of fascism in the 1930s. In his broadcast, the king said that “in these troubled times we live in, we should remain vigilant and see through populist arguments”. Populists were, he […]

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Giant E on the South Downs will celebrate Queen’s Diamond Jubilee – Sussex Express

January 7, 2013

According to the Sussex Express: A massive project to create a giant letter ‘E’ for Elizabeth on the South Downs is nearing completion. The striking letter, some 100 yards in length from top to bottom, has been created… “The scrub and trees which have been left behind represent a giant ‘E’ as a lasting tribute […]

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Prince of Prussia moves out of Berlin – The Royal Blog

January 7, 2013

According to The Royal Blog: Georg Friedrich, Prinz von Preußen, and his wife Sophie have moved from Berlin to Fischerhude near Bremen, a spokeswoman for the heir to the throne of Prussia and Germany confirmed. The prince, head of the former imperial House of Hohenzollern, grew up in Fischerhude. “The Prince has great memories of […]

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January 8 – Hapsburg Saint

January 7, 2013

St. Gudula (Latin, Guodila) Born in Brabant, Belgium, of Witger and Amalberga, in the seventh century; died at the beginning of the eighth century. After the birth of Gudula her mother Amalberga, who is herself venerated as a saint, embraced the religious life, and according to tradition received the veil at the hands of St. […]

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January 9 – Blessed Tommaso Reggio

January 7, 2013

Blessed Tommaso Reggio Bl. Tommaso Reggio was born in Genoa, Italy, on 9 January 1818 to the Marquis of Reggio and Angela Pareto. He had a comfortable upbringing which gave him a solid Christian and cultural background and assured him of a brilliant career. However, at the age of 20 he decided to become a […]

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Hernan Cortés: the man of faith and legend smashes the idols of the Aztec gods

January 3, 2013

[Cortés] sees the idols, and the gruesome traces of their inhuman worship, and he grows sad, wonders, questions God, offers to serve Him by freeing the land from that abomination; then, he argues about it with the [pagan] priests; hears their resolution to die for their gods, and the cautious captain in him rapidly takes […]

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Pius XII – Allocution of January 8, 1940

January 3, 2013

At the start of the New year, a twofold gift has been given us by the Roman Patriciate and Nobility by their gathering around Us: the most appreciated gift of their presence and the gift of their filial best wishes, adornments, as a flower, of the testimonial of their traditional loyalty to the Holy See, […]

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Death of the Vendean generalissimo Maurice d’Elbee

January 3, 2013

[Charette] was far away on his road to Noirmoutiers. During his absence in Anjou, General Haxo had traversed the Marais in all directions without effect, and Turreau, a man forever execrated as the organizer of the infernal columns, had been sent to supersede him. Upon this Haxo determined to attack the isle of Noirmoutiers, an […]

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January 3 – Noble “Archangel of Monks”

January 3, 2013

St. Odilo Fifth Abbot of Cluny, born c. 962; died 31 December, 1048. He was descended from the nobility of Auvergne. He early became a cleric in the seminary of St. Julien in Brioude. In 991 he entered Clunyand before the end of his year of probation was made coadjutor to Abbot Mayeul, and shortly […]

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January 3 – Saint Joseph Mary Tomasi

January 3, 2013

Saint Joseph Mary Tomasi The very eminent servant of God Joseph Mary Tomasi, Cardinal, whom Pope Pius VII decorated with the honors of the Blessed in 1803, and whom today the Supreme Pontiff John Paul II ascribes solemnly in the book of the Saints, was born at Licata, in Sicily, the Diocese of Agrigento, on […]

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January 3 – St. Genevieve

January 3, 2013

St. Genevieve Patroness of Paris, b. at Nanterre, c. 419 or 422; d. at Paris, 512. Her feast is kept on 3 January. She was the daughter of Severus and Gerontia; popular tradition represents her parents as poor peasants, though it seems more likely that they were wealthy and respectable townspeople. In 429 St. Germain […]

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January 4 – Nobility in the United States

January 3, 2013

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Foundress and first superior of the Sisters of Charity in the United States, b. in New York City, 28 Aug., 1774, of non-Catholic parents of high position; d. at Emmitsburg, Maryland, 4 Jan., 1821. Her father, Dr. Richard Bayley (b. Connecticut and educated in England), was the first professor of anatomy […]

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General Washington was among the first pioneers going West

December 31, 2012

Although Washington’s approaching marriage and his landholdings in Virginia would tie him to the East, he would remain a westerner at heart. A year before Daniel Boone moved his family to Kentucky, Washington already had sailed by boat down the Ohio as far as the Great Kanawha to claim lands and millsites granted for his […]

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Video: Christmas snow in Germany. Carols

December 31, 2012

Christmas snow in Germany. Carols  

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Prince Charles and The Duke of Westminster Come To Farmers’ Aid – The Royal Forums

December 31, 2012

According to The Royal Forums: The Prince of Wales donated £150,000 to aid those struggling through the winter months. … The money will come from The Prince’s Countryside Fund and constitutes the entirety of its emergency fund. Gerald Grosvenor, 6th Duke of Westminster…has already pledged to donate the same sum of £150,000 to the emergency […]

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Pius XII: Allocution of January 5, 1941

December 31, 2012

A cause for deep, paternal joy in Our heart is granted Us, dear Sons and Daughters, by your welcome gathering around Us at the start of the New Year, a year no less fraught with fearful horizons than the one just passed. Here you have come to present to us your filial good wishes through […]

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January 1 – St. Fulgentius

December 31, 2012

St. Fulgentius (FABIUS CLAUDIUS GORDIANUS FULGENTIUS). Born 468, died 533. Bishop of Ruspe in the province of Byzacene in Africa, eminent among the Fathers of the Church for saintly life, eloquence and theological learning. His grandfather, Gordianus, a senator of Carthage, was despoiled of his possessions by the invader Genseric, and banished to Italy, his […]

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January 1 – Another hero from Cluny

December 31, 2012

St. William Abbot of Saint-Bénigne at Dijon, celebrated Cluniac reformer, b. on the Island of Giuglio on Lake Orta near Novara in Piedmont in 962; d. at Fecamp, one of his reformed monasteries in Normandy, 1 January 1031. At the age of seven he was brought as an ablate to the Benedictine monastery of Locedia […]

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Video: Still, Still, Still

December 27, 2012

Vienna Boys’ Choir 

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A brave and good counselor is a king’s priceless treasure

December 27, 2012

During a sermon he preached in the presence of Louis XV, the Most Reverend Jean Baptiste de Beauvais, bishop of Senez, thundered energetically against the vices and scandals of Versailles. Upon leaving the church, the king turned to the duke of Richelieu and said: —    “My dear duke, His Excellency hurled many stones onto your […]

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Allocution of Benedict XV to the Roman Patriciate and Nobility on January 5, 1920

December 27, 2012

In the recent annual commemoration of the Birth of Jesus Christ, there resounded in our faith the heavenly chant of the angels raising their hymns to God and to peace. Since that happy day there has not ceased to echo around Us, as in harmonious concert, voices of good will and affection that Our faraway […]

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December 27 – Fabiola, Splendor of the Gens Fabia

December 27, 2012

St. Fabiola of Rome A Roman matron of rank, died 27 December, 399 or 400. She was one of the company of noble Roman women who, under the influence of St. Jerome, gave up all earthly pleasures and devoted themselves to the practice of Christian asceticism and to charitable work. At the time of St. […]

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December 29 – Blessed William Howard

December 27, 2012

Blessed William Howard 1st Viscount Stafford, martyr; born 30 November, 1614; beheaded Tower-Hill, 29 December, 1680. He was grandson of the Saint Philip Howard, Earl of Arundel, mentioned above, fifth son of Earl Thomas (the first great art collector of England), and uncle of Thomas Philip, Cardinal Howard. Brought up as a Catholic, he was […]

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December 29 – His Staff Did More Damage Than His Sword

December 27, 2012

St. Thomas à Becket Martyr, Archbishop of Canterbury, also known as Saint Thomas of Canterbury, Thomas of London, born at London, 21 December, c. 1118; died at Canterbury, 29 December, 1170. St. Thomas was born of parents who, coming from Normandy, had settled in England some years previously. No reliance can be placed upon the […]

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December 29 – King, Sinner, Penitent, Prophet

December 27, 2012

King David In the Bible the name David is borne only by the second king of Israel, the great-grandson of Boaz and Ruth (Ruth, iv, 18 sqq.). He was the youngest of the eight sons of Isai, or Jesse (I Kings, xvi, 8; cf. I Par., ii, 13), a small proprietor, of the tribe of […]

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December 30 – This Prince Preached Sanctity in Marriage and Chastity in Priesthood

December 27, 2012

St. Egwin Third Bishop of Worcester; date of birth unknown; d. (according to Mabillon) 20 December, 720, though his death may have occurred three years earlier. His fame as founder of the great Abbey of Evesham no doubt tended to the growth of legends which, though mainly founded on facts, render it difficult to reconcile […]

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Empress Sisi’s Christmas for the poor

December 24, 2012

Nowhere was Christmas celebrated with so much fervor as at the Austrian court…. Christmas Eve was a double feast, as it also was Elizabeth’s birthday…. There always were two Christmas trees, one on the 23rd of December, which the little Archduchess decorated with her own hands for a hundred poor children selected from among her […]

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December 25 – The Saint Who Died on Christmas Day – No Greater Love Than This

December 24, 2012

St. Peter Nolasco Born at Mas-des-Saintes-Puelles, near Castelnaudary, France, in 1189 (or 1182); died at Barcelona, on Christmas Day, 1256 (or 1259). He was of a noble family and from his youth was noted for his piety, almsgiving, and charity. Having given all his possessions to the poor, he took a vow of virginity and, […]

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Christmas Video

December 24, 2012

Christmas – Navidad – Weihnachten – Natal – Noël St. Alphonsus composed this Christmas Carol, Tu Scendi Delle Stelle, which is still sung throughout Italy, including Christmas Eve Mass at the Vatican. https://youtu.be/HzU9vVK51-Y

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Queen Elizabeth Attends Cabinet Meeting

December 24, 2012

According to The Royal Forums: Queen Elizabeth attended a cabinet meeting at 10 Downing Street, as part of her Jubilee celebrations. The visit was a historic one for, as David Cameron revealed, it marked the first time the Head of State attended such a meeting in over 230; the last British Monarch to be present […]

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Argentina complains to UK over Queen Elizabeth Land ‘imperialism’ – The Guardian

December 24, 2012

According to The Guardian: Argentina has presented a formal note of protest to the UK ambassador over the naming of a large area of Antarctica as Queen Elizabeth Land. The note handed over by the foreign ministry to John Freeman in Buenos Aires criticised the UK’s “anachronistic imperialist ambitions that hark back to ancient practices”. […]

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Did Jesus wish to be born noble?

December 24, 2012

From the Allocution of Leo XIII to the Roman Patriciate and Nobility on January 24, 1903: And Jesus Christ, although He chose to spend His private life in the obscurity of a lowly dwelling, passing for the son of a laborer, and although in public life He so loved to associate with the common people, […]

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Antarctic territory named for Queen Elizabeth – The Guardian

December 20, 2012

According to The Guardian: Foreign Office declared that a tract of frozen land about twice the size of the UK in Antarctica was to be named after her as Queen Elizabeth Land. The area…is around 169,000 square miles (437,000 sq km), making up just under a third of the land mass of the British Antarctic […]

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Video: The Christmas Truce of 1914

December 20, 2012

The Christmas Truce of 1914

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December 23 – He Always Held His Soul in His Hands

December 20, 2012

Saint Antônio de Sant’Anna Galvão Born 1739, in the village of Santo Antonio da Vila de Guaratinguetá, Brazil; died 23 December, 1822, at the Convent of Light, São Paulo, Brazil. His father, also named Anthony, belonged to an illustrious Portuguese family and was well educated, as evidenced by his writings. He excelled in business, the […]

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December 23 – The Knights of Aviz and Their Cistercian Founder

December 20, 2012

Saint John of Cirita Memorial: 23 December Benedictine monk, also known as John Ziritu. Hermit in Galacia. Monk at Toronca, Portugal, which he helped turn into a Cistercian house. Wrote the Rule of the Knights of Aviz (Portuguese: Ordem Militar de Avis).  Died, c. 1164. The Military Order of St. Benedict of Aviz A military […]

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December 21 – Doctor of the Church & Second Apostle of Germany

December 20, 2012

St. Peter Canisius Born at Nimwegen in the Netherlands, 8 May, 1521; died in Fribourg, 21 November, 1597. His father was the wealthy burgomaster, Jacob Canisius; his mother, Ægidia van Houweningen, died shortly after Peter’s birth. In 1536 Peter was sent to Cologne, where he studied arts, civil law, and theology at the university; he […]

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There was a time when war was infused with Christian courtesy

December 20, 2012

[E]ven the stern [Blaise de Lasseran-Massencôme, seigneur de] Monluc could relax a bit at Christmas. In 1554, the Spanish commander in Northern Italy, the Marquis of Marignan, was tightening his blockade against Monluc and the French troops. Nevertheless on Christmas Eve Marignan sent Monluc as a little token of the season “half a stag, six […]

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Excerpt from Pope Pius XII’s Allocution to the Pontifical Noble Guard on December 26, 1942

December 20, 2012

“None can be envious upon seeing that We bear you such special affection. To whom, in truth, is the immediate protection of Our person entrusted, if not to you? And are you not the first of Our guards? “Guard! What lofty resonance there is in this word: the soul trembles therewith; thoughts take wing. An […]

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Queen Elizabeth sends condolences to the American people after shooting

December 17, 2012

According to the Cheshire News: After hearing about the recent school shooting, in which 26 children and adults were murdered in Connecticut, the Queen sent this message. “I have been deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the dreadful loss of life today in Newtown, Connecticut; particularly the news that so many of the dead […]

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Pralines: created for a duke, they are enjoyed today by millions

December 17, 2012

Pralines will make any child smile, and many an adult. Being so popular in both the Old and New Worlds, their story deserves to be told. It all started in la douce France, the first born daughter of the Church, with a nobleman by the name of Caesar. He was Marshall of France, 1st duke […]

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December 19 – How Tumultuous Times Reveal Noble Souls

December 17, 2012

Pope Blessed Urban V Guillaume de Grimoard, born at Grisac in Languedoc, 1310; died at Avignon, 19 December, 1370. Born of a knightly family, he was educated at Montpellier and Toulouse, and became a Benedictine monk at the little priory of Chirac near his home. A Bull of 1363 informs us that he was professed […]

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Paris and all of France rejoice at the birth of a Crown Prince

December 17, 2012

All royalist France was in commotion. The Duchess of Berry [Princess Caroline of Naples and Siciliy] was nearing her time. The municipal councils of cities and the owners of castles had Masses said and novenas made to implore Heaven for her safe delivery. It had been decided that if she brought a prince into the […]

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Pius XII: Allocution of January 8, 1947

December 17, 2012

The homage of your loyalty and devotion, and the wishes of good tidings which you, beloved Sons and Daughters, come to offer Us each year by ancient custom, and which have been so beautifully expressed by your most excellent representative, always fill Our heart with sincere gratitude. Naturally, they usually reflect the thoughts and worries […]

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December 17 – St. Olympias

December 17, 2012

Born 360-5; died 25 July, 408, probably at Nicomedia. This pious, charitable, and wealthy disciple of St. John Chrysostom came from an illustrious family in Constantinople. Her father (called by the sources Secundus or Selencus) was a “Count” of the empire; one of her ancestors, Ablabius, filled in 331 the consular office, and was also […]

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The prayer Patton commissoned before the Battle of the Bulge

December 13, 2012

Almighty and most merciful Father, we humbly beseech Thee, of Thy great goodness, to restrain these immoderate rains with which we have had to contend. Grant us fair weather for battle. Graciously hearken to us as soldiers who call upon Thee that, armed with Thy power, we may advance from victory to victory, and crush […]

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Video – Saint Lucy Day candle ceremony in Sweden

December 13, 2012

In Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Finland, Saint Lucy is venerated on her feast day, December 13, in a ceremony where a young girl is chosen to portray the noble virgin and martyr. Wearing a white gown with a red sash and a crown of candles on her head, she walks at the head of a […]

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526,421 family farms threatened by new death tax – Washington Examiner

December 13, 2012

According to the The Washington Examiner: New legislation that jumps the death tax to 55 percent of estates exceeding $1 million threatens 526,421 family farms, of about 25 percent of all farms in America, according to a Senate analysis. According to the analysis from the Senate Republican Policy Committee, chaired by Wyoming’s John Barrasso: …the […]

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Pope Pius XII: Allocution of January 16, 1946

December 13, 2012

In past years, beloved Sons and Daughters, on this occasion—after having paternally welcomed the wishes that your illustrious representative usually offers Us in your name, with such noble expressions of faith and filial devotion—We usually accompanied Our expressions of thanks with some recommendations suggested by the circumstances of the moment. We spoke to you of […]

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December 13 – Venerated From Time Immemorial

December 13, 2012

St. Lucy A virgin and martyr of Syracuse in Sicily, whose feast is celebrated by Latins and Greeks alike on 13 Dec. According to the traditional story, she was born of rich and noble parents about the year 283. Her father was of Roman origin, but his early death left her dependent upon her mother, […]

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December 13 – The Grandmother of the Marquise de Sévigné

December 13, 2012

St. Jane Frances de Chantal Born at Dijon, France, 28 January, 1572; died at the Visitation Convent Moulins, 13 December, 1641. Her father was president of the Parliament of Burgundy, and leader of the royalist party during the League that brought about the triumph of the cause of Henry IV. In 1592 she married Baron […]

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