What People are Commenting
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Cristiada, Beethoven & Angelic Art
Scandalous Priestly Behavior
Re: The profile of 'conservative' progressivist priests
Your post has once again shown a steadfast love for Holy Mother Church and for the Holy Catholic Faith at a time when many have lost even the most basic sense of what is sacred. The defense of behavior so plainly contrary to priestly dignity reveals how deeply the present crisis has taken root. It is clear that many no longer recognize the doctrine taught with such force and clarity by St Gregory the Great, St Leo the Great, St Pius X, Pius XI and Pius XII, who all affirmed the exalted and sacrificial character of the priesthood instituted by Our Lord Himself.
It must also be said with gravity that the conduct of a Catholic priest is not confined to the sanctuary or to the moments of Holy Mass. His life outside the liturgy is bound by the same sacred character imprinted upon his soul. When that dignity is set aside in public, the scandal is no less real and the harm to souls no less grave. To pretend otherwise is to forget what the Church has always taught about the priest as a living sign of Our Lord the High Priest.
Your apostolate continues to stand firm with courage, sobriety and fidelity while confusion spreads and many prefer silence to truth. For this, you deserve sincere gratitude and encouragement. You remain a necessary witness for those who still recognize what the Church has always taught and who desire to hold fast to it without compromise.
Ad maiorem Dei gloriam.
Prof. V.S.N., Cambridge
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Beethoven’s Unsound Therapy
Re: Sound Therapy
You wrote: “As a general appraisal, we would say that given its suspicious origins and the play it normally makes with spiritual energies, the apparent natural effects of sound therapy veil the dissemination of a Buddhist mindset and favor an unconscious gradual initiation into that religion.”
This is also true of believing that the beauty and fascination of many works of classical music have redemptive value.
Your quote brings to mind Beethoven's famous phrase: "Whoever really hears my music will never be unhappy again." High classical music as a 'drug of choice.'
It works temporarily as a “sound therapy” until the concert is over. Then: “Huh! I'm still depressed, angry, etc...” I wonder why, after such beauty…
Was Beethoven able to really hear his own music??
E.K.
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Outstanding Irish Penance
Salve Maria!
I was looking at old footage of pilgrimages from a better time and was overcome with emotion when I found this video of Irish pilgrims making the Croagh Patrick Pilgrimage (I did not watch it with sound in order to silence the voiceover ruining the scene). Perhaps it was the bare feet on rocks, the rosaries in hands, the simple gestures, or the dignified tea cups they all drank out of. It was just so touching for me to watch today as I strive to build anything remotely similar in my own life amidst the ruins of Christendom.
It reminded me of your wonderful friend Miss C.P. from Ireland who provides us all with so many glimpses into the dignified past of this glorious country. I felt so grateful for these people, for all the prayers and sufferings they offered, and for all the good the Irish have done for God in spite of their circumstances. I could see Miss C.P. up on one of these mountains in these times. I could see her there today though I imagine she would be alone.
May we one day have tea, Miss C.P., in this life or the next and may you continue to share with us your wisdom.
In Jesu et Maria,
N.B.
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Angels & Art
Salve Maria!
Could you answer a somewhat theological question for me? It would aid me in a future article I have planned for my Gravity series.
In any number of their works of art - miraculously-made Marian statues, the assistance of Fra Angelico in his painting, etc. - the angels demonstrate a far higher skill in the arts than any man can hope to achieve. Yet, from a certain point of view, it seems to me that man has a far greater need of art than angels, because of the fact that he has a body.
His body senses the lines, form, color, etc. in a work of art, and these can help him advance in his understanding of God.
I know that the angels have no "bodily need" for art, any art they make would solely be for the glory of God.
What is your considered opinion?
In Maria,
Dylan Catlett
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TIA responds:
Dear Mr. Catlett,
Given that God is pure spirit, and He created everything – especially the rational creatures – as images and likeness of Himself, it is obvious that the Angels, who are also pure spirits, reflect Him in a better way than other creatures with bodies or different forms of participation in matter such as plants and minerals. Therefore, in principle, the art of the Angels, which is entirely spiritual, must be more perfect than our human art, since we are made of soul and body.
So, our human art, when it is well-oriented, should reflect spiritual beauties that are better expressed by the Angels who spiritually transmit aspects of the Divine Beauty. Some mystics ascended to Heaven and when they returned, they reported that they heard sublime chants sung by Angels. So, we would say that for the full realization of their vocations, the Angels also have the need of art, although it is spiritual.
A man, as you observed, has a body with its senses, which calls for an art that is material and perceptible, although the more it is perfect, the more the art reflects spiritual realities so that not only our material senses are satisfied, but our soul as well.
Both Angels and men, we think, have their own art and each art helps them to fulfill their call to be images and likeness of God. We may say, however, that human art is more complete given that it reflects the spiritual and material simultaneously, while the angelic art is more elevated. The human art reflects God better as synthesis and the angelic art reflects Him better as quintessence.
As society progresses in virtue, it becomes loftier and closer to the angelic world. For this reason, the interaction between the two worlds increases and the Angels help us more in developing our art. The gothic style is a good example of this direct collaboration.
We hope these observations may be useful for you as you write your interesting series on Gravitas.
Cordially,
TIA correspondence desk
Posted July 28, 2026
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The opinions expressed in this section - What People Are Commenting - do not necessarily express those of TIA
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VIVA CRISTO REY is a Traditional Catholic battle hymn honoring the Cristeros of Mexico - the farmers, laborers, priests, and young martyrs who rose to defend the Holy Church during the Cristero War.
This is the 100th Anniversary of the beginning of the Cristero War. It was a war that was not won, but betrayed by the very hierarchy that represented the Catholic Church at the time.
It was a brave fight with many lessons for us today. In fact, the comparison is too striking to call out.
B.R.