1 year ago in Books

A Toast to J.R.R. Tolkien!

A very happy 128th birthday to the great myth-maker and devout Catholic (and one of my favorite writers), J.R.R. Tolkien! Tolkien's writings are richly textured and immersive. He was more than an author. He was a "sub-creator" of an incredibly complex world, replete with exotic and unforgettable creatures, invented languages, histories, and characters. His legends unfold an entire cosmos in...

2 years ago in Announcements, Books

UPDATE: The Catholic Gentleman Book

For some time now, I have been talking about the release of my book, The Catholic Gentleman: Living Authentic Manhood Today. I originally was informed by my publisher that the release would take place at the end of April, around Easter. Amazon also reflected this release date, and many of you who pre-ordered the book were expecting to have it...

2 years ago in Books, Masculinity, Priesthood

What Jayber Crow Can Teach Us About the Priesthood and Celibacy

As someone who sees perennial bachelorhood as a societal sickness, recommending Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry might seem counterproductive. Jayber, Berry’s main character in the novel, is a small-town barber that finds himself an “ineligible bachelor,” as he puts it. He never marries, never has kids, and in that way is “free” of the burdens of family. However, Jayber’s life...

2 years ago in Books

Announcing the Official Catholic Gentleman Book

If you've been following me on social media, you've no doubt seen me make mention of the fact that I've been working on a book for some time now. Today, I am now pleased to announce that The Catholic Gentleman: Living Authentic Manhood Today will be available for purchase on April 22, just in time for Easter. I hope you'll...

2 years ago in Book Review, Books, Uncategorized

7 Books that Should Be on Your Shelf in 2019

The saints tell us that reading a good Catholic book can enrich your soul and help you grow in holiness. And I've found that maxim true in my own life. Here are 7 books I recommend reading this year. 1. Tradition and Sanity: Conversations & Dialogues of a Postconciliar Exile (Dr. Peter Kwasniewski) In our rootless age, embracing tradition is...

2 years ago in Beer, Book Review, Books, Culture

Book Review: The Beer Option

I have to be honest, there’s something so empty to me in big, grand Catholic evangelical efforts. You know the type – “transforming your family with 3 easy things;” “an evening workshop that will change your marriage forever.” The more dynamic it claims to be, and the grander the promise of impacting the entire society, the less I think it will...

3 years ago in Books, Virtue

You Can’t Buy Holiness

I don't have a book problem, I tell my wife, I have a bookshelf problem. Our home is overflowing with books on every conceivable topic, with nearly every bookshelf double stacked. Yet, despite this superabundance of tomes, my wishlist remains filled with hundreds more books I would like to buy in the future. No matter how many I seem to...

3 years ago in Books, Giveaways

Book Giveaway: An Immovable Feast

For the past several years, I've had the pleasure of getting to know author, poet, and musician, Tyler Blanski. Tyler was an Anglican seminarian when I met him, on the road to becoming an Anglican priest. There was only one difficulty: He had recently had a crisis of faith and was increasingly drawn to Rome. As we sipped pints of...

5 years ago in Books

Food as a Defender of Culture

Of the myriad heavenly and earthly themes that season the epic poem The Odyssey, one of the most central is the meal. Homer uses eating, drinking, and the customs surrounding meals as a touchstone of character that reflects a person’s inmost nature. Thus is illustrated the true selves of the swinish suitors as they devour another man’s abundance; or the noble Menelaus as...

6 years ago in Books, Deadly Sins, Relationships

Overcoming Sinful Anger

If you read anything by St. Francis de Sales, you come away with the impression that he was patience incarnate. He talks endlessly about the wonderful benefits of meekness, gentleness, and kindness---especially to those who deserve it least. Yet, many don't realize that this great saint struggled for most of his life with a fiery temper and an intense impatience. By...

6 years ago in Books

Jesus is the Gift for You this Advent

If you’re like me, Advent is a difficult season to celebrate, and is often overlooked. Before the first candle on the Advent wreath is even lit, our schedules fill up with gifts to buy, errands to run, and parties to attend. Through the hustle and bustle, we can forget the true purpose of Advent, to prepare for the coming of...

6 years ago in Books

Be Not Afraid: A Book of Quotes for Catholic Men

We live in an age of soundbites and bullet points, in which fragmented attention is a fact of life. It is often difficult to find time to finish a lengthy article or essay, much less a book. That's one reason why I love quotes. A good quote can inspire, rebuke, motivate, or encourage you in only a sentence or two....

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