Author Archives: Gil Bailie

Civilization & Barbarism

Posted on July 21, 2019 by Gil Bailie

Hans Urs von Balthasar, quoting and commenting on observations of the French novelist George Bernanos: “The thing we still call ‘civilization’ has outstripped every form of barbarism in accomplishing works of destruction. It now threatens to destroy, not only the … Continue reading →

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An intimate conversation

Posted on June 27, 2019 by Gil Bailie

The brilliant philosopher, Edith Stein, found Catholicism to be – not the alternative to her Judaism, but its fulfillment. It is conceivable that the genesis of that conversion occurred quite by accident (or was it providence) when she happened to … Continue reading →

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The Longing…

Posted on June 11, 2019 by Gil Bailie

C. S. Lewis: The sweetest thing in all my life has been the longing — to reach the Mountain, to find the place where all the beauty came from — my country … the place where I ought to have … Continue reading →

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Florilegium

Posted on May 12, 2019 by Gil Bailie

“Sooner or later, all nihilism destroys itself from within with the frightening question, ‘What for?’ And sexual nihilism with, ‘And then?’ The insane and the maniacs are multiplying; how distressing it is to accept their vision as the norm because … Continue reading →

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Suffering: A New Situation

Posted on April 26, 2019 by Gil Bailie

I gave a short talk at the Good Friday service at my parish on the question of vicarious suffering. I spoke from notes, but I began with this: In the David Mamet film Heist, the dubious character played by Danny DeVito … Continue reading →

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Maundy Thursday & Richard Wilbur…The Rule

Posted on April 18, 2019 by Gil Bailie

The Rule The oil for extreme unction must be blessed On Maundy Thursday, so the rule has ruled, And by the bishop of the diocese. Does that revolt you? If so, you are free To squat beneath the deadly manchineel, … Continue reading →

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From the archives: Just Before Entering Holy Week

Posted on April 14, 2019 by Gil Bailie

Just before entering into the spirit of Holy Week, however, I am prompted by a piece about the retrofitting of the Lord’s Prayer by a group calling itself the “Non-Theistic Liturgy Resources Working Group” at St. Stephen’s College in Edmonton, … Continue reading →

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A Prayer Before Holy Week

Posted on April 10, 2019 by Gil Bailie

“May God grant my continued understanding of one thing: attachment to the Church’s tradition, far from being a stumbling block it is the principle of all effective audacity.” – Henri de Lubac

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Had Enough…?

Posted on April 4, 2019 by Gil Bailie

“It is one and the same movement which makes people no longer believe in the Republic and no longer believe in God, no longer want to lead a republican life, and no longer want to lead a Christian life, they … Continue reading →

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A Thirst for Communion

Posted on March 29, 2019 by Gil Bailie

  “The story is told of a priest who, shortly after apostatizing, said to a visitor who was about to congratulate him: ‘From now onward I am no more than a philosopher – in other words, a man alone.’ It … Continue reading →

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