Louis-Marie de Blignieres

In this second English-language issue of Sedes Sapienti , two prominent themes emerge. First, Fr. de Bligni res and Joseph Shaw debate the feasibility of establishing an "ordinariate," i.e., a canonical structure with a bishop, to harbor traditional Catholics. This constructive solution to the current predicament of traditionalists stands in contrast to critical or defensive postures that "custodians of Tradition" have generally been constrained to adopt. Bishop Athanasius Schneider broaches the second principal theme of this issue, the religious life, with his personal testimony as a canon regular, which is complemented by a captivating portrait of the late Dominican friar, Fr. Tom s T n, by a Carmelite Sister. Fr. Aidan Nichols, O. P., introduces the reader to a sharp discussion among Thomists on the sins of the angels. Noteworthy, too, is the somber reflection on Archbishop Lefebvre's 1988 consecrations co-written by two founders of Ecclesia Dei communities, as well as Fr. Reginald Rivoire's Thomistic exposition of "rationality" in canon law, which follows up on his highly acclaimed canonical analysis of Traditionis Custodes. On a lighter note, the reader may alight upon an English lay-brother's whimsical commentary on the greatest of Chesterton's poems, or a review and chapter of the first English translation of the most ancient biography of St. Thomas Aquinas.*****Sedes Sapienti is a quarterly review published in French and dedicated to Christian formation. Founded more than thirty-five years ago by the Fraternity of Saint Vincent Ferrer, it is placed under the protection of Our Lady, "Seat of Wisdom" (Sedes Sapienti in Latin) and of Saint Thomas Aquinas. Its aim is to help Christians deepen their religious knowledge by forming their intelligences in the light of the common Doctor of the Church, St. Thomas Aquinas, and to contribute to religious debates in fidelity to Catholic Tradition and the Church's magisterium. Sedes Sapienti has many English-speaking friends and benefactors around the world. We are happy to thank them by offering this special issue to the public.

While faith is a gift from God, it is not a leap in the dark. According to the Catholic Church, human beings can, by sifting the evidence and using their minds well, reach the conclusion that Jesus Christ is the Saviour of mankind. They can then ask for the grace to believe all that he taught. This book of apologetics stands in a tradition going back to the earliest days of the Church, and which includes such luminaries as St Augustine, Pascal, and Cardinal Newman. It sets forth reasons for belief in a clear, attractive and convincing way. As such, it should be appreciated by any open-minded and honest enquirer.

While faith is a gift from God, it is not a leap in the dark. According to the Catholic Church, human beings can, by sifting the evidence and using their minds well, reach the conclusion that Jesus Christ is the Saviour of mankind. They can then ask for the grace to believe all that he taught. This book of apologetics stands in a tradition going back to the earliest days of the Church, and which includes such luminaries as St Augustine, Pascal, and Cardinal Newman. It sets forth reasons for belief in a clear, attractive and convincing way. As such, it should be appreciated by any open-minded and honest enquirer.

Dans la civilisation du virtuel, est-il possible de poser la question: qu'en est-il de l'etre? La pensee humaine est-elle encore capable de s'affronter aux questions qui donnent un sens a l'homme et lui ouvrent un chemin vers l'Etre subsistant? L'auteur propose une approche originale de l'etre: enracinee dans le realisme philosophique, moderne par son analyse de la decouverte scientifique et de l'inspiration artistique. Pour entrer en metaphysique, il faut prendre en compte la dimension pneumatique qui est a l'oeuvre dans le sens de la question et culmine dans le genie. L'itineraire de Guerard des Lauriers insiste sur la connaissance de l'etre par connaturalite et sur le beau comme antenne de l'etre . Il integre les approches des thomistes du XXe siecle, et fait droit a certaines intuitions de Bergson ou Heidegger. Il rend compte de la noblesse et de la difficulte de la preuve de Dieu. Fondee sur une connaissance approfondie de saint Thomas, augustinienne par sa preoccupation du sujet pensant, cette approche vise a joindre le reel par une demarche exigeante. La pensee occidentale doit relever le defi d'un nihilisme croissant et de la montee de religions peu hospitalieres a la raison. Une philosophie de portee authentiquement metaphysique (Encyclique Fides et ratio, n. 83) est possible et urgente.