Michael Rennier

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Articles

Bosch’s paintings of the Temptation of St. Anthony (Photos)

Jan 13, 2025 | aleteia.org | Michael Rennier

St. Anthony the Abbot has a colorful history. Born to wealthy parents in 3rd-century Egypt, as a young man he heard the call of God to give everything away he’d inherited from them and disappear into the desert to fast, pray, and do battle with his sins. Stories abound about how the solitary eccentric lived in a hole in the ground and personally battled the devil. He was so inspiring that would-be monks flocked to meet live near him, which caused Anthony to go to even more remote areas.
St. Raymond of Penyafort and living in interesting times

Jan 5, 2025 | aleteia.org | Michael Rennier

There’s an old curse that goes, “May you live in interesting times.” I always think about it on the feast of St. Raymond, a man who wanted nothing more than to live a boring, quiet life tucked away in a monastery with his books of canon law, but the King of Aragon just would not leave him alone. Raymond lived in 13th-century Spain, a time when the area was broken up into smaller kingdoms and slowly extricating itself from the influence of Islamic conquest.
St. Thomas More’s example of maintaining a strong family

Dec 29, 2024 | aleteia.org | Michael Rennier

Help Aleteia continue its mission by making a tax-deductible donation. In this way, Aleteia's future will be yours as well. Donate with just 3 clicks*Your donation is tax deductible!During his lifetime, St. Thomas More achieved international esteem as a writer and government official. His position as Lord Chancellor for King Henry VIII kept him away from his family for long periods of time while he worked in London and traveling abroad.
The nativity set under your tree is no small thing (Photos)

Dec 22, 2024 | aleteia.org | Michael Rennier

Help Aleteia continue its mission by making a tax-deductible donation. In this way, Aleteia's future will be yours as well. Donate with just 3 clicks*Your donation is tax deductible!When I was a little boy, I would crawl under the Christmas tree and play with the figures in our family’s nativity set. Our stable was brilliant. It had all the figures, including quite a few animals, and even had a loft for the animals to look down from.
The single most important event in the western hemisphere

Dec 8, 2024 | aleteia.org | Michael Rennier

Help Aleteia continue its mission by making a tax-deductible donation. In this way, Aleteia's future will be yours as well. Donate with just 3 clicks*Your donation is tax deductible!Recently, a friend of mine shared that his young daughter’s intentions for her daily Rosary were that “Flowers would be more beautiful, and the rainbow have one more color.” Like the prayers of all children, this one is particularly perceptive.
Why you should read 'Lord of the Rings' this Advent

Dec 1, 2024 | aleteia.org | Michael Rennier

Every year in December, social media wars erupt over whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie. Apparently, it premiered in theaters during Christmastime and features an office Christmas party, and this is all very important. I personally can’t be enticed into joining the fray. When it comes to John McClane, I’m as neutral as Switzerland. Recently, though, a similar argument has arisen about another movie, Lord of the Rings.
Fr. Michael Rennier: This Thanksgiving, Let’s Be As Grateful as G.K. Chesterton

Nov 25, 2024 | brownpelicanla.com | Michael Rennier

Trump v. the Bureaucrats, by Peter Van BurenNovember 25, 2024 By Fr. Michael Rennier, Aleteia, Nov. 24, 2024Chesterton was a huge fan of gratitude. He once declared that, for him, thanksgiving before meals was not enough. He offered prayers of thanks for everything. No one is quite sure when the first official Thanksgiving was held. Some partisans hold out for the Pilgrims in Massachusetts, others point to the Catholics in St. Augustine.
This Thanksgiving, let's be as grateful as G.K. Chesterton

Nov 24, 2024 | aleteia.org | Michael Rennier

No one is quite sure when the first official Thanksgiving was held. Some partisans hold out for the Pilgrims in Massachusetts, . Somehow, Virginia is in the mix claiming the first feast was in their great state. I don’t really know. I’m just happy to eat the turkey. Maybe it’s best to not waste energy arguing about which group was more thankful and who was thankful first. From the beginning of time, people have had much to be thankful for as God showers countless blessings upon us.
The Father's transfiguring love

Nov 18, 2024 | oursundayvisitor.com | Michael Rennier

To son or wife, to brother or friend,do not give power over yourself, as long as you live;and do not give your property to another,in case you change your mind and must ask for it. While you are still alive and have breath in you,do not let anyone take your place. …At the time when you end the days of your life,in the hour of death, distribute your inheritance. Subverting these cultural expectations goes to show the extent of the son’s rebellion.
Titian artwork illuminates feast of the Presentation of Mary

Nov 17, 2024 | aleteia.org | Michael Rennier

On November 21 we will celebrate the presentation of the Blessed Virgin in the Temple. The apocryphal story behind the feast begins with Joachim and Anne, a childless couple who very much wanted a child. They were unable to conceive, however, and in his desperation, Joachim made a private sacrifice to God. Shortly thereafter, they received a heavenly message that they would have a baby.