On a cold and clear February morning in 1944, the roar of four-engine heavy bombers filled the skies of central Italy above the Benedictine abbey at Monte Cassino. Wave upon wave of American warplanes lumbered into view as the US Army Air Forces prepared to unleash fire and fury upon the ancient and venerable monastery. […]
Walter M. Miller, Jr and a Canticle for Faith Read More »
For untold millennia, myths have given expression to humanity’s search for the truth. These epic stories grapple with our fundamental questions about identity, meaning, and purpose. Most importantly, myths can lead us to ponder the nature of our relationship to God. Certain universal story and character motifs have become lasting archetypes, told and retold in
How George Lucas Made ‘Star Wars’ a Magical Classic Read More »
As a kid, my parents purchased DVD copies of the 1960s TV show Lost in Space. The old sci-fi series, which transitioned from black-and-white to color over its three-year run, was not just significant of the changing landscape of the genre and medium. In a new way, it also came to mark my own imaginary
Faith and Family in ‘Lost in Space’ Read More »
While actor Alec Guinness is most widely known for his foundational role as Obi-Wan Kenobi in the original trilogy of the Star Wars films, he was also a Catholic convert. In fact, by the time he portrayed Obi-Wan Kenobi, Guinness had been Catholic for around 20 years and would frequently make retreats at Catholic monasteries, witnessing
Why ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ loved the Latin Mass Read More »
Jules Verne was by far one of the greatest sci-fi writers of the nineteenth century. Verne wrote over 60 books. While it is debated as to whether or not Verne himself was Catholic, the Catholic Encyclopedia offers this entry: [H]e brought science into the realm of fiction, and whatever may be the final verdict on
Jules Verne and the Redemption of Captain Nemo Read More »
No student is greater than his master, but everyone, when he has been fully trained, will be like his master.- Luke 6:40 This statement was spoken by Our Blessed Lord in reference to Himself and His disciples. (The English word disciple is derived from the Latin discipulus which means “student.”) In this case, it is
Masters and students in Star Wars and the Bible Read More »
My life has been shaped by Star Wars. I was nine years old when the twentieth anniversary theatrical re-release of A New Hope swept theaters in 1997. My family eventually purchased the “Special Editions” of the Original Trilogy on VHS. Some of my fondest memories from childhood are of bonding with my younger brother over
What might C.S. Lewis have thought of Star Wars? Read More »
Aside from being one of the most action-packed and visually stunning masterpieces of television, The Mandalorian has many underlying themes which are very pro-life. At the beginning of the series, Din Djarin, a Mandalorian, is a bounty hunter looking for his next objective, when he is told about an expensive job. A remnant warlord of
Pro-Life themes in ‘The Mandalorian’ Read More »
St. Maximilian Kolbe is most well-known for his example of self-sacrifice in Auschwitz, where he convinced the Nazi soldiers to kill him, instead of another prisoner who had a family. Yet, in addition to his remarkable humility and dedication to God and the Virgin Mary, he also had a fascination with technology and space travel.
St. Maximilian Kolbe designed his own spaceship to fly to the moon Read More »
Ray Bradbury was one of the most influential American writers of the twentieth century. His novels, including Fahrenheit 451 and The Martian Chronicles, are considered classics of the science fiction genre and his output of short stories was prolific. Unlike many other sci-fi writers of his time and since, Bradbury was willing to explore spirituality
Ray Bradbury’s sci-fi story “The Messiah” and the Eucharist Read More »
