Arts
Pope Pius XII: WWII hero or villain?
The latest book on Pope Pius XII, the first to include material from the complete archives up to 1958, repeats a lot of old news, but adds some interesting detail about the culture and politics of the papal court during the Second World War, according to a Canadian scholar who wrote a landmark biography of the wartime pope.
'Man of God' illustrates St. Nektarios’ indomitable spirit
Though a devout believer in Jesus Christ, Serbian-American filmmaker Yelena Popovic, the director of the newly released Man of God, did not foresee tackling religious subject matter in her professional career.
Author seeks a deeper look at Hollywood
Back in 2009 Douglas Beaumont issued a challenge to Christian moviegoers. The U.S. academic wrote The Message Behind the Movie: How to Engage with a Film Without Disengaging Your Faith. It implored Christians who are hardcore resisters of Hollywood, and the ones who consume all things Tinseltown without discernment, to dig deeper.
'Requiem' for Ukraine
Singing Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem while Europe and possibly the world is at war isn’t a political statement, it won’t enlighten anyone about the causes of the war and the music proposes no solutions. But the humanity of voices raised to Heaven in sorrow and hope, in grief and consolation, must matter somehow.
Paradoxical priest enlivens writer’s fiction
Maritime Canadian writer Anne Emery readily admits that it was the beauty of traditional sacred music that led her from an indifferent practice of the faith to a new appreciation of the eucharistic celebration and the dedication and service of priests.
AGO exhibit marks our mortality
When Pieter Claeissens the Elder was painting Moses Breaking Pharaoh’s Crown, Europe was entering a complex and confusing period of continual warfare. The crude version of this history blames it all either on Catholics trying to wipe out Protestants or Protestants trying to eliminate Catholics. Actually, it had more to do with money, geo-politics, empire, trade and a ruling class that was deeply incompetent.
Exhibit tells history in ‘Royal Cousins, Rival Queens’ words
LONDON -- In a basement of London’s stately British Library, the light plays through interconnected rooms on a glittering array of paintings, jewels and statuettes, encased amid ancient books, manuscripts and letters.
B.C. pastor reveals power of Catholic worldview
From the cover art through the 175 pages that follow, Fr. Harrison Ayre’s new book is a contemplative experience.
Inner child takes Kat Higgins to Nashville’s heights
Singer songwriter Kat Higgins has finally discovered her Vancouver voice, and it only took relocating to Nashville a decade ago to find it.
A thorough look at Benedict’s life
In two decades as a Catholic convert, I am privileged to have called Holy Father two immense Popes: the unconquerable Pole, St. John Paul ll; and the scholarly German, Benedict XVI.
- By Ian Hunter
Remembering town’s Irish, Catholic past
The hamlet of Downeyville in Ontario’s Kawartha Lakes region is a very different town from when author and community historian Dan Sullivan grew up there in the 1950s and ’60s.
Actor sees similarities between Dickens’ age and today
Celebrated Canadian actor Robert Holmes (R.H.) Thomson is about to step back into his element after a pandemic-induced hiatus.
'Superstar' resurrected for 50th anniversary
Count Fr. Paul Massel among the Canadian theatre lovers hyped for the return of Jesus Christ Superstar, now on stage in Toronto.