Live music at Newman Centre- Help spread the word and win!

As you can see in the ad above, we are hosting an Indie Music Night on Mon. March 7th. In order to get the word out to new ears we are having a contest. The prize is two CDs by Joe Zambon ("There and Here" and "You Are I Am"). To be entered into the draw, all you have to do is the following:

- Share the event page on your Facebook page

- Tweet something like "Going to see live indie music @NewmanUofT this Monday March 7! Joe Zambon & Kevin Heider, praising the Lord! See you there??"

- If you don't use twitter, make the above pic your profile picture for 1 day 

- Invite 1 friend to the show

Too easy, right? Once you are done,post that you have completed "the challenge" on the event page wall, and you will be entered. The draw will take place on the Sunday before (March 6) and the CDs can be picked up at the show.  

See you there!

"Refusing to believe in the devil won't protect you from him...": why you might want to see The Rite

Last week a student and I went to see the latest movie on the topic of demonic possession and exorcisms, The Rite. There are many good reviews of the film that you can find with ease, such as this one (or this story on the making of, or this story on the need for more exorcists). But for myself, I think this is a movie worth seeing. If you are considering going to see it, here are some surface thoughts.

1) Some things in this movie are clearly not as they would have happened. For a Catholic it’s not too hard to see some things which are a bit of a stretch (I won’t go into details because I don’t want to give large parts of the movie away). But at the same time, large portions are based on the experience of a priest sent to Rome for training as an actual exorcist. The two main characters are based on two real exorcists (as was the case in the original movie The Exorcist many years ago).  So it’s not total Fantasyland here.

2) Of the movies on exorcisms that I have seen, this one shows the most detail on things that actually happen in a case of demonic possession. (In fact, some of the things that might seem hardest to believe are closer to reality that we would like (such as the possessed person vomiting strange objects, exhibiting superhuman strength, knowing things that should be hidden, etc.). For the story on these kinds of phenomena, you need to check out Fr. Gabriele Amorth’s book An Exorcist tells his story, or it’s sequel (available on campus at Crux Books).

3) This movie challenges the modern atheism. In some of the best scenes, the old exorcist confronts the skepticism of his protege. After one of the more spooky scenes, where his counterpart reaches for natural explanations for what they just witnessed, his elder cautions him: “You know the interesting thing about us skeptics? We’re always looking for proof. The questions is, what on Earth would we do if we found it?”

4) Finally, this movie is scary, more than a lot of movies are because it is based on something real. We can benefit from reminding ourselves that there is a real devil called Satan. There are fallen angels called demons. And they are at work in the world. “Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking some one to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)  
Personally, I think it is important to be reminded that the devil is not some impersonal force, but a sinister person, working in the world with intellect and a will, and a goal to bring you down. There is a reason we are called the Church Militant.

But if you are someone who is prone to worry a great deal about the forces of evil, be comforted in Fr. Amorth's reminder (in his book) that the act of going to Confession and receiving Holy Communion is more powerful than the rite of exorcism.

And that nothing can happen except by God's will, active or permissive.

In the words of the great St. Augustine: “The devil is only permitted to tempt thee as much as it is profitable for thy exercise and trial, and in order that thou, who did not know thyself, may find out what thou art.”

Happy Valentine's Day, Love

I know the world makes a lot of this day, and while romance is great and all, I think we can go a little overboard if we feel on-the-outside-looking-in if we don't have a date today, start to get down on ourselves and re-evaluate our worthiness in the eyes of the opposite sex.

Here's my small thought: in the absence (or even the presence) of plans this evening, remember the Ultimate suitor.

"Behold, you are beautiful, my love;
behold, you are beautiful;
your eyes are doves.
Behold, you are beautiful, my beloved,
truly lovely." (Songs 1:15-16)

"I have loved you with an everlasting love;
therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you." (Jer 31:3)

"Blessed be the LORD, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me." (Ps 31:21)

Whatever you do today, don’t mope. Make a date with the Lord. Have a nice hot chocolate (wink) or a glass of wine.  Smile, and think about the One who is Love, who loves you more completely and passionately than any boyfriend or girlfriend or even spouse could. Who gave everything to win you over. Who gave His life for you.

Happy St. Valentine’s day, Lord.