Most of the world marks its time according the calendar instituted by Pope Gregory XIII but calendar reform is a tricky business. Links: Papal Bull “Inter Gravisimus” on the implementation of the Gregorian Calendar “Hesitant steps: acceptance of the...

When Fr. Josef Mohr wrote the words “Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht” in 1816, little did he know how it would become one of the most inspirational Christmas songs of all time and even bring a bit of peace in the midst of WWI. Links: Information on Silent...

Next year is the 400th anniversary of the death of Fr. Matteo Ricci, SJ who became a model of Catholic evangelization. If he had advice for the evangelizers of today, it might be to bring a clock. Links: Journey to the East – Book on the Jesuit...

Faced with the twin threats of WWII and the Holocaust,the people of Assisi looked to their three protectors – God, Saint Francis, and German Colonel Valentin Müller. Plus, Austrian Alpine Horns. Links: “The Strategy That Saved Assisi” by Francesco...

In WWII, the Allied forces seeking to reach Rome had to get past the German held Gustav line, unfortunately for the Benedictine Abbey of Monte Cassino – it was at ground zero. Links: The History Network Podcast on the Battle of Monte Cassino – contains...