• 4 articles

A Story Of A Fallen Monk (And Faith Vs. Pride)

In Father Sergius, a short story by Leo Tolstoy, a wealthy Russian nobleman enters a monastery under questionable motives, but ended up genuinely striving for holiness and virtue, and even finding that the battle for sanctity was worth it! Despite his progress, he constantly felt weak in his faith, and unceasingly begged God to grant more. He was ...

07 15 2021

Lust, Humility, and Severed Fingers

In Father Sergius, a short story by Leo Tolstoy, a wealthy Russian nobleman enters a monastery under questionable motives, but ended up genuinely striving for holiness and virtue, and even finding that the battle for sanctity was worth it! Despite his progress, he constantly felt weak in his faith, and unceasingly begged God to grant more. He was h...

03 26 2018

Modesty Is for Men Too

John Cassian surprisingly begins his Institutes, which describes the life of the desert Fathers in Egypt, with clothing. The monks must dress to fit their vocation, for the monk will be known like the Prophet Elijah, “by the description of the character of his clothing.” We are sacramental beings and express ourselves outwardly in our demeano...

08 02 2017

Do You Have the Vice of Ambition?

St. Thomas Aquinas is not a teacher best studied as an isolated topic, but as a guide into reality.  It is often the experienced that approach St. Thomas and feel taken aback at the accuracy of his descriptions of things like vice and virtue, not because of the brilliance of his reasoning (this too of course), but because he is helping you see som...

02 16 2017

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