by Peter James | Mar 21, 2025 | Favorite, Hildegard of Bingen
I first learned about Hildegard of Bingen (ca. 1098-1179) in a Washington Post article about beer. This twelfth-century abbes (leader) of a convent in Germany was the first person to document the use of hops in making beer. I have come to find out she was no ordinary...
by Peter James | Mar 4, 2025 | Favorite, Thomas Aquinas
His parents had a cushy job picked out for him. Thomas would become abbot (leader) of a wealthy monastery that had grown lax in monastic rigor. Thomas Aquinas (ca. 1225-1274) did not share his parent’s enthusiasm for this prearranged scheme. He aspired to set...
by Peter James | Feb 11, 2025 | Favorite, Irenaeus of Lyons
Dating back to the second century, today’s prayer originated with Irenaeus of Lyons (in modern-day France) (130-202). Irenaeus was introduced to Christ through Polycarp, who was said to have been taught by the Apostle John, forming a direct link to Jesus and...
by Peter James | Jul 14, 2024 | Christina Rosetti, Favorite
I admire Christina Rossetti (1830-1894) as a poet. Her depth of feeling, keen insights, and spiritual sensitivities win my admiration. While she could be introspective and overly serious, she periodically displayed a lighthearted, playful mood, as evidenced in turning...
by Peter James | Apr 30, 2023 | Favorite, Suzanna Wesley
Suzanna and Samuel were married forty-six years. They didn’t have an easy time of it. They possessed strong personalities and definite opinions. Case in point: politics. Suzanna supported King James II while Samuel preferred his successor, King William. One day...
by Peter James | Apr 23, 2023 | Favorite, Thomas Dorsey
Why don’t we tell the stories that accompany the hymns we sing? Virtually every song has a story to accompany it. So many hymns emerge out of pain and intense struggle. Once you know the story behind the hymn “Precious Lord, Take My Hand,”...
