by Peter James | Mar 21, 2023 | 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, 2023 | 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, 2023 | 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. We owe Irenaeus a debt of gratitude...
