St John Mary Vianney

Russia and Fatima – No other Possibility In a speech which we made several years ago we observed: ‘Yet the emphasis today is not so much on the fact that a large tranche of the prophecy [regarding Russia] has been realised. It is inclined to centre on the  apparent fall of communism and this in turn is … Read more

St Mary Magdalen

Carlist Requeta In our last posting we carried an article about Brent Bozell which referred in passing to the Carlist Requetes in the Spanish Civil War. We recently came across a photograph of a young requeta who had lost his upper limbs and possibly an ear too. Our correspondent, Charles Kerr, of Kerr’s Musings’ fame, … Read more

SS. Cyril and Methodius

We apologise for the delay in this posting. The delay has been occasioned by what is called the Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) which causes one’s computer to crash without warning and which, for the relatively amateur computer user, becomes a repetitive nightmare. As we write it is still unresolved. Trojan Horses If anyone is … Read more

St Peter Celestine

St Joan of Arc The 16th May was the anniversary of the Canonisation of St Joan of Arc. This remarkable young lady had to await 500 years to be canonised, a fate not suffered by some late candidates for canonisation. There are two quotations from St Joan which ought to be the watchwords of our … Read more

Public Rosary Novena

To Scotland’s great shame, the devolved Scottish Parliament, voted for the legalization of same-sex ‘marriage’ on the 4th February 2014. The new Scottish legislature, which prides itself on proportional representation, indicated by this vote that its decision did not reflect the proportion of the Scottish electorate opposed to this measure. An 83% vote in favour … Read more

Feast of the Purification of the BVM

The Feast of the Purification Today’s feast day is listed in the post-conciliar calendar as the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple. As one born on that day in the pre-conciliar era I prefer to keep to the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary and Candlemas, even though it also undoubtedly features the Presentation … Read more

Christmas Eve

We wish all former Apropos subscribers, readers and benefactors (spiritual and material) a happy and Holy Christmas and every best wish for the coming year. We reproduce below a verse or two from Scott MacCallum’s (RIP), Good Bye Beloved World,  which evokes the nostalgia of a time gone by and the essential innocence and awe of children;  … Read more

Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Mandela Mania The death of Nelson Mandela (RIP) one fears has led to a suspension of critical faculties by many including Churchmen. A BBC commentator has described Mandela as a secular saint but he is already being almost lauded as a real saint by some Catholics. To redress the balance we reproduce below an article … Read more

South Africa’s Catholic bishops are wrong to laud Nelson Mandela

The South African Catholic Bishops’ Conference last week issued a statement of support for Nelson Mandela, the former South African president, following reports that he had been hospitalised. The statement said: “Former President Mandela means different things to different people. To his family he is a veritable Patriarch who stands for and is an example of the … Read more

St Clement, Pope and Martyr

November being the month of the Holy Souls we have asked that a traditional Mass be offered for the repose of the souls of all deceased Apropos and Approaches readers, subscribers and benefactors.  We ask our readers to pray too for that intention.  Thank You. Hermeneutic of Discontinuity in Papal Statements Many Catholics have been dismayed by statements made … Read more