William Doino Jr.

The birth of Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard, two hundred years ago this month, has produced many commentaries and events celebrating the great Christian thinker. It’s not difficult to understand why. In works like Either/Or, Fear and Trembling, and The Sickness Unto Death, Kierkegaard speaks to the perennial questions and painful choices we all face … Continue Reading »

Beautifully written and unforgettably told, The Little Way of Ruthie Leming is a memoir about Rod Dreher’s younger sister and the extraordinary impact she had upon her family and community. Subtitled “A Southern Girl, a Small Town, and the Secret of a Good Life,” Dreher’s tour de force delivers on every level… . Continue Reading »

For almost forty years, Tom Konchalski has scoured high school gymnasiums across the East Coast”and sometimes beyond”assessing up-and-coming athletes for his newsletter, High School Basketball Illustrated. Appearing sixteen times a year, it’s read by many of the nation’s top college basketball coaches… . Continue Reading »

She was called a “messenger of the love of Christ,” awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, and beatified by the Holy See. But for most people, she is simply Mother Teresa, one of the most admired women of modern times. Born as Agnes Bojaxhiu in Macedonia in 1910, Blessed Teresa came to public attention relatively late in life, but when she did, her impact was profound … Continue Reading »

From the moment he walked out onto the Vatican balcony following the papal election, Jorge Mario Bergoglio forged an image all his own. Having lived a life of simplicity, the new Pope Francis wasn’t about to abandon it, even with the honor and prestige his new office brings. A modest man of carefully chosen words, it was fitting that Francis opened his speech with two simple words: “Buona sera” (good evening)… . Continue Reading »

Few images in recent Catholic history will be remembered like the ones that marked Benedict XVI’s last day as pope: Bidding farewell to well-wishers at the Vatican, the departing pontiff boarded a helicopter, en route to Castel Gandolfo, the papal summer residence just outside Rome. Upon . . . . Continue Reading »

One of the most striking features of Benedict’s time in office is how frequently he has been assailed and disparaged by certain members of the “Catholic left” (for want of a better term)”often harshly and bitterly. But misery loves company, and the left is constantly on the lookout to see if they can find someone”anyone”on the “Catholic right,” voicing criticism against Benedict, even if for entirely different reasons… . Continue Reading »

However history remembers Pope Benedict, one thing is assured: his reign will be remembered as one of the great teaching pontificates. Even those who question other aspects of it, praise it for that. “Where the Church has emerged especially strong under Benedict,” wrote the Los Angeles Times, “is in its intellectual discourse, elevated by a professorial pope who dedicated considerable time and energy to a series of highly regarded encyclicals and three books on the life of Jesus.” … Continue Reading »

When baseball legend Roberto Clemente died in a plane crash in 1972, on a mission of mercy to victims of a Nicaraguan earthquake, the world not only lost a great man, but someone with extraordinary dreams. Well before his passing, Clemente had plans to open up clinics, schools, charities and an ambitious sports complex in his native Puerto Rico, to help rescue underprivileged and misdirected youth… . Continue Reading »

Today, America honors the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., and what he meant to our nation. In so doing, we will likely focus on his achievements—understandably so, since they were so impressive, and continue to grow. But it’s equally important to remember  the many . . . . Continue Reading »