Advent is a time of stark contrast. On the one hand, the Church calls us to watch and wait for Christ’s coming. At Mass, Old Testament prophets speak of valleys being filled, mountains and hills being made low. God is coming and everything is changing. The...
Most Americans dislike the idea of a king. An absolute ruler, living somewhere far away, exercising control throughout his lands and territories, sending out dictates and such. In every respect, a king seems un-American. Perhaps it is the notion of lineage. A man becomes king not on...
From the Prologue of the RSB In the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas break, 4th-form Humanities students are Portsmouth Abbey all read Shakespeare’s Macbeth. For many, it proves to be their favorite work. What is potent in a Shakespearean tragedy is not the violence itself. After all,...
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20) Matthias Grünewald’s Isenheim Altarpiece (pictured above) is considered one of if not the most terrifying Crucifixion paintings in Western art. Christ’s limp body hangs from a cross set...
As we begin a new school year, we reflect on the words and life of St. Benedict, co-patron of Europe, Father of Western Monasticism, and patron of this Institute. It is fitting to reflect on his Rule, for we live in a time not unlike St....
Earlier this summer, we hosted our annual Humanitas summer symposium, this year’s topic being “God or the Machine: Seeking Truth in a Technological Age.” It was a wonderful weekend. Speakers and participants spent two days in prayer, contemplation, and fellowship—three distinct marks of Benedictine life. Our...