Category Archives: Patristiblogging

Formerly NAPLAM – For Patristibloggers – blog posts concerning the Fathers of the Church

Who sings well prays twice… NOT!

We had a look at the phrase "In necessitatibus unitas…", etc. often but falsely attributed to St. Augustine of Hippo.  Someone asked about another famous phrase attributed to the Bishop of Hippo, "He who sings, prays twice".  Augustine didn’t write … Read More

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The Thunderer: Jerome

Good comments came from the entry about St. Jerome’s dim view of St. Ambrose, whom he likened to a croaking black raven and an upstart.  Among them was a reminder from fellow patristiblogger and charter member of NAPALM Mike Aquilina … Read More

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“In necessary things unity…”

Over at Pontifications   o{]:¬)   there was a useful post clarifying something patristibloggers are familiar with, namely, that Augustine of Hippo did not write or say a famous phrase often attributed to him: In necessariis unitas, in dubiis libertas, in omnibus … Read More

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Jerome on Ambrose: “the black croaking raven”

I mentioned in another post that St. Jerome didn’t like St. Ambrose.  He really didn’t like him.  This needs an explanation.  Why?  Do you ever get the sense these days that many think the chief role of a priest is … Read More

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“Let the feet of our minds be stretched out”: Ambrose on “dew”

I understand that “dew”, the moisture we find on the grass each morning, a long treasured figure used for the Holy Spirit’s gentle action in our lives, is apparently so difficult to grasp that some bishops today won’t even try … Read More

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People who blab in church – an ancient view

NAPALM ALERT!  The other day I posted a groovy little poem by Commodianus about people who blab or gossip in church.  I noticed something else about this poem when I was correcting my all too fast rendering into the English.  … Read More

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Augustine on enemies

Listening to some folks crow about the demise of the monstrous Al-Zarqawi made me think.  What can be our attitude about enemies?  Can we enjoy the death or defeat of an enemy?   Must we pray for them?  Can we pray … Read More

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NAPALM

In dialog with Mike Aquilina of The Way of the Fathers fame we have come up with a cunning plan.  With this post I solemnly announce the foundation of a new group, the… National Association of Patristiblogging Men which shall … Read More

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Communion in the hand and the threat of death

Fellow patristicist and blogger … hmmm… patristiblogger Mike Aquilina posted a nice riff over at his place.  I tip my biretta to him.  o{]:¬)  It got me thinking (which nearly always results in trouble).  Here is the blurb that got … Read More

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Of Vandals and Coadjutors

Several times already in the life if this still young blog I have used the Roman saying “Morto un papa, se ne fa un altro…A pope dies, ya’ make another”.  I have done this very deliberately.  Lately, I have been … Read More

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